Child Care Guide

Sleeping Safe and Sound

2008-09-08T00:21:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more peaceful than the sight of a sleeping baby. At the same time, there is no thought more terrifying than that, your baby may die while sleeping soundly. Unfortunate as it is, there are a few instances of cot deaths. Every parents main concern is to keep their baby safe and sound even when they are asleep. Though numerous studies have been done on cot deaths, no one has been able to pin point the reason for the same. This fatality seems to be caused when a number of factors work together and affect the baby some particular way. Researchers have come up a few simple rules to be followed, which considerably lower the risk of cot death while the baby is asleep. Follow these rules to help your baby sleep safely

Make your baby sleep on his/her back.
Make the baby sleep in the 'feet-to-foot' position and away from the end of the cot. Place the baby in such a way that, the feet of the baby are facing the foot of the cot, but are not touching the end of the cot.
The right temperature for a baby's room is 18 degrees centigrade (65 F). Babies should never get very hot.
Do not use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle in the baby's cot.
They should not be allowed to sleep either in direct sunlight or near a fire or heater.
The baby's clothes, sheets and blankets must be made of cotton only.
While sleeping all they need is nappy, vest and sleep suit. If it is a hot night them make sure you dress the baby lightly.
Do not use duvets or sheepskins until the baby is a year old.
The room in which the baby sleeps must be smoke free. Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke while near the baby.
During the first six months make sure that the baby cot is in your bedroom.
Avoid sleeping with your baby on the sofa.
If you smoke, drink alcohol, are taking medicines or drugs which will make you sleep deeply, then do not allow your baby to share your bed.
Do not cover the baby's head unless it is very cold, as they lose excess heat from their head and face.
When the baby has a fever his covering should be light and not heavy as is often believed.
The baby's bedding, mattress, covering should be kept clean, sun-dry and aired.

Baby Sleeping Bags

2008-09-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

In France, sleeping bags are used for babies from the time they are born. But in England they are recommended only for babies who are four months and above. After the age of four months or so, your baby is more likely to form a pattern of waking and sleeping and the intervals between feeds grow longer. The coziness of a baby sleeping bag can help reinforce this pattern, and give your baby the security he or she needs to sleep. Here is the info you need to know about baby sleeping bags:

There are a number of things that disturb a sleeping baby - a wet nappy, hunger, pain or because they are feeling cold. Feeling cold is the most common reason that parents tend to overlook. As they sleep, their body temperature is lowered and if they have accidentally kicked off their blanket, they wake up, waking up the household. Using a sleeping bag will keep your baby warm without extra covers that can be displaced. As your baby can move and kick her legs in the sleeping bag as well, she will not feel constrained.
Choose your baby's sleeping bag according to season so that he or she stays comfortably warm and does not overheat. Bags are given a TOG rating according to the warmth they provide, higher the figure warmer the bag. In winter a first-size baby sleeping bag should have a rating of 4 TOG - 2.2 TOG that is the average. In summer you'll need a sleeping bag with a lower TOG rating. When using a new bag, check it to ensure that the design and weight do not lead to overheating.
Make sure that the room in which your baby sleeps is not too warm - the ideal room temperature for a baby is 18 degrees C (65 º F).
Look for a sleeping bag with deep sleeve holes, so that the air has room to circulate thus preventing your baby from overheating. Underneath the sleeping bag your baby can wear a cotton sleep suit, pajamas or just a vest or T-shirt in summer.

Baby Massage

2008-09-08T00:18:00.000-07:00

Baby massage is an ancient childcare practice that is still practiced all over the world. Recent medical research has proven the benefits of the same. Studies have shown that premature babies when regularly massaged require minimum hospitalization. All newborns show healthy growth, more weight gain and thrive better if they are massaged well, regularly.

A good oil massage soothes and calms a baby, helps them to relax and sleep better and makes them more alert during their waking hours. It is a good exercise and promotes motor activity and emotional security in a child besides, a healthy body and muscular development. It stimulates digestion and helps the baby pass gas.

Massage increases blood circulation in the body. It also helps in parent-child bonding. As soon as the child is born, the baby needs to spend quality time with his parents. Talking and smiling to him while massaging him keeps a child happy, making the baby, more secure and robust. Here are some tips on massaging technique for babies:

It is a good practice to keep all things you ready before you start rubbing the oil on the baby's body. This includes, the baby massage oil or the vegetable oil, tissues, clean diapers and clothes.
Baby's skin is very soft and bracelet, rings and long nails might hurt your child accidentally. So keep your fingernails short and keep aside the jewellery pieces you wear on hands when you are massaging the baby.
Spread a changing mat or a soft towel on a flat surface and undress the baby. Put the baby down with his or her face up.
Rub only about half-a-teaspoon of oil at a time on your palms so they glide easily on the baby's body. You can apply more oil later as needed.
Make sure that your palms are warm. Aromatherapy oils for adults may not be suitable for the baby.
Use smooth, gentle but firm strokes with your palm or fingers. Light circular movements on chest and stomach, stroking across the shoulders, downward movement on the arms and legs and upward movements on the back are the best.
Do not put too much pressure on the baby's fragile body and avoid the spine area.
Keep the baby engaged while massaging him or her by talking or singing to the infant.
Eye contact with the baby ensures him or her of your undivided attention.
Sudden break in contact of your hands may cause alarm to the baby, take care to be gentle while stopping the massage.
Do not oil baby's palms or fingers as these little ones tend to put them in their mouths or eyes often and this may cause them irritation.
Wrap the baby in a clean and warm towel after the massage and cuddle him or her.
Do not massage the baby just before or after feeding, or when the baby is ill.
Do not wake the baby up for a massage.
Avoid rashes, wounds or areas where the baby has got his injections or vaccines as it may hurt.

You can continue to massage your baby till he is three or four years old, as the benefits of a good massage are numerous.

Baby Sleep Patterns

2008-09-08T00:16:00.000-07:00

Once the baby is born, your baby will spend the better part of the day sleeping. Sleeping is an essential and important activity for your baby. Growth hormones work most effectively when the baby is asleep. Initially for the first few months, your baby will continue with their own sleep pattern, sleeping as and when they like. As they grow older they will slowly learn to adjust their sleep pattern to your daily routine. When they are about three months old your baby will normally, sleep for 10 hours at night on the whole, even if he or she wakes up in between. Your baby's daytime sleep can often be divided into two sessions - morning and afternoon.

Everybody has his or her opinion when it comes to care and upbringing of a baby, therefore sleep is no different. Even the simple task of deciding the length of a baby's nap, or how to put your baby to sleep has become complicated, because of the number of opinions you will get. As a result of the emotional involvement in caring for your baby every small aspect becomes an issue. Most mothers are more than happy to make adjustments and will schedule their sleeping pattern to fit their baby's sleep pattern. This ensures that mother and baby sleep together which is ideal. Sleeping together ensure strong emotional bonding between the mother and her baby. Studies have shown that babies who sleep with their mother receive more touching, breastfeeding and protection.

If you feel that your baby should have a sleep pattern that is convenient for everyone at home and that does not interfere with your sleep pattern, you will have to make the baby learn a sleep pattern. One of the most common ways to make a baby sleep, is to use music, either sing to the baby or play some soothing music and before you know the baby is fast asleep. This is a method that has been tried and tested over the years and this wisdom has been passed on from generation to generation, though the type of music used may vary.

Some parents choose a particular song for each child and sing this special song day after day at the baby's bedtime. They begin this when the baby is a few days old. After some time the baby gets conditioned and will sleep easily once you start singing the song. If you don't want your baby to get used to the habit of being rocked to sleep you can try using a musical toy. Wind-up this toy and it will play music for a few minutes. Use this toy every time you want to make your baby sleep. Place it close to his or her cot. After sometime he or she will get accustomed to falling asleep to the sound of the musical toy. This method will help your baby sleep comfortably even if you are away from home.

Today CDs are created with specific music, which help very young babies fall asleep. While selecting music, they use music with the same beats per minute as the heartbeat of the mother, which the baby hears while in the womb. This has a soothing effect on the young baby, helps him relax and fall asleep comfortably. You can choose whatever method suits you or try all of them and decide which one works best for your baby.

Postnatal Depression

2008-09-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

There is an enormous feeling of relief and gratitude once the delivery is over. After months of waiting and apprehension, when the child is born healthy, the sense of fulfillment is immense. But the first few weeks, even months after childbirth, with the baby can be confusing and emotionally draining. There maybe other reasons for distress as well. If the delivery does not take place as planned. If you have a Caesarean section, or an assisted delivery when all the while you were told it would be normal. All this can have great emotional consequences for the mother. You may feel cheated, angry and very sad.

These events can cause postnatal depression in new mothers. There is still no universal definition for postnatal depression. It is accepted that it is a type of depression that mother's experience weeks or months after childbirth. 10 to 15 percent of all new mothers undergo postnatal depression. But some researchers believe the rate could be higher as a number of cases go undiagnosed. There are three main types of postnatal depression:

The 'Blues': This is alternatively called 'three-day-blue' or 'baby blues'. More than half the new mothers suffer from this, sooner or later, within the first week after childbirth. The main symptoms are feeling like crying without any reason and feeling down in the dumps. The only treatment this kind of depression needs is a lot of love, support and sympathy from the immediate family of the new mother.
Postnatal depression: If depression commences weeks or months after delivery, doctors would diagnose it as postnatal depression. But it is likely that the symptoms were present months before the diagnosis. Most new mothers will feel anxious, feel tired, and seem to lack confidence, feel less energetic and feel guilty. A mother with postnatal depression may experience a number of the following symptoms together:

Lack of Energy.
Breaking down into tears every now and then.
Feeling anxious.
Feeling of guilty.
Increased irritability.
Seems to be in constant confusion.
Experience sleep disturbance.
Indecisive.
Lack of self-esteem.
Lack of confidence in her ability to be a good mother.
Does not enjoy motherhood.
Fears that she will harm herself or her baby.
Show loss of interest in her sex life.
Lose her appetite.
Hostile or indifferent to people she loves.
Lack of concentration.
Feel ashamed at being unable to be happy.
Feel helpless.

Puerperal Psychosis: This is most severe form of this depression and occurs very rarely. There may be one or two cases in every 1000 new mothers and if is different from postnatal depression. In this illness, the mother may seem to lose touch with reality from time to time. She may even have hallucinations and have mood swings. Sometimes she maybe very energetic and at other times very lethargic. This kind of behavior can be upsetting to her family members, who will soon realize that she is ill whereas in postnatal depression the family members may not know that the mother is depressed until she tells them explicitly. In most cases, the mother will have to be hospitalized, preferably with the baby. The patients can recover completely though it may take some time.

Mothers facing postnatal depression must look for support and help from where ever they can get it. Whether it is their family, friends, mother-to-mother support groups or doctors. They must ensure they get help; otherwise, it will affect both the mother and her newborn baby.

Your Body Postnatal

2008-09-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

A woman's body undergoes tremendous change during pregnancy. As soon as the baby is out of womb, the body begins its physical healing process, so as to restore the body to its pre-pregnancy state. The uterus, which during pregnancy contains four-and-half liters of water, begins to reduce in size almost immediately after delivery. In about six weeks time, the uterus, reverts close to the pre-pregnancy weight of about 50g from a weight of 1000g. The lining within the uterus crumbles and is drained away as Lochia. This is the blood that is lost over a few weeks after delivery. Important organs like the heart, lung and circulatory system that were burdened during pregnancy get back to functioning normally. The vagina slowly returns to its former shape.

Exercising the vagina will help it regain its original shape quickly. Wounds to the uterus, perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) and vagina heal rapidly. After delivering the child, the levels of the hormone progesterone are restored to normal. Hence a number of problems related to pregnancy disappear. Heartburns vanish, varicose veins get better and constipation is reduced. Piles take a longer time to get better. During pregnancy, hormones soften the joints of the pelvis and spine, and these take time to return to normal. You can have trouble with your back for many months after delivery, so one should avoid lifting and carrying things that are very heavy. The stomach muscles that have been stretched to twice their length, regain their firmness in a few months.

But regaining your originally weight may take some time and effort from your side. Most of the weight is lost within a few days of childbirth, as the excess water carried during pregnancy is flushed out as urine. Thereafter weight loss slows down, but if you continue to breastfeed your baby for more that six months, you will find that your weight in decreasing naturally. The entire process of being pregnant and childbirth is an emotional time. So it will help if you have someone to talk to about how you feel, your fears and apprehension etc. If you cannot find anyone to talk write it down, even this will help you feel better. Some maternity homes allow the new parents to go through the experience they had. Doing this helps to reduce the emotional impact for the parents. If the parents were dissatisfied by the care given to them at the maternity home, they can raise this issue here.

Simple Exercises For New Mothers

2008-09-08T00:11:00.000-07:00

Childbirth and care of the newborn are both physically exhausting tasks. Most new mothers' find that, they do not have the same energy level that, they had before their baby was born. In the first few months the mother's night sleep is disturbed and this adds to the exhaustion. The pressures of taking care of a newborn and managing the house leaves the mother mentally and physically drained. A number of new mothers have found that, finding the time to do a few simple exercises, increases their energy levels and makes them feel better mentally as well.

Before you join any postnatal exercise class, it is better to consult your doctor and once he has given you a clean chit of health, you can start exercising. Joining an exercise class will not only keep you fit, but you will make friends with other new mothers, with whom you could form a support group for each other. Here are a few simple exercises that you could try:

Leg slide: Lie flat on your back, with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Put your hands under your lower back, flat on the ground. While you breathe out, slide your legs gently forward, bringing the knees to the ground. Breathe in and slowly slide your legs up to the starting position.
Pelvic rock: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. While breathing out move your pelvis in a rocking movement so that your lower back is flat on the floor. Then move your pelvis again so that your lower back is lifted from the floor.
Pelvic floor exercises: Contract your vagina in the same way as you would to stop yourself from passing urine and count till four. Then relax; you should feel the difference between the two positions. Repeat this exercise in set of six several times a day. Contract and relax your vagina in quick succession. Breathe normally while doing these exercises.

Start exercising at the earliest after delivery, even if you have had a Caesarean section. Exercising will improve circulation and aid in healing. Begin slowly in the initial weeks after childbirth. Do not lie flat on your back and lift both your legs in the air. Do not do sit-ups.

Getting Through Postnatal Depression

2008-09-08T00:10:00.000-07:00

f a new mother in your family is suffering from postnatal depression, it is difficult to deal with the person. But the family and friends of the new mother must be supportive and lovingly help her through this phase. Here are some tips on how to help:

Allow and help the mother of express her anxieties openly. Do not disregard them, as they are real to her.
Mothers going through postnatal depression find it difficult to cope. Make sure that there is someone with her at all times.
Encourage her in whatever she is doing and praise her when she is making a sincere effort. Try not to sound patronizing.
Do not force her to do anything she does not want to.
Ask her to take time off and go out with friends while someone takes care of the baby.
Do not say things that will reinforce the feeling of guilt, which is already present because she is unable to appreciate and enjoy the baby.
Do not point out mistakes she makes, jobs she hasn't been able to finish or comment on the way she looks. She maybe feeling miserable just watching you do things more efficiently than she can.

There are numerous ways that family and friends can help and support a mother going through postnatal depression. We have gathered some tips from depressed mothers on the areas they would like help:

Be sensitive enough to understand when they need help and when they want to be left alone.
Help in running the house and the care of other children
Shop for the things the new baby needs and the mother cannot go out to buy.

Postnatal depression is such an illness that it can easily be hidden from family and friends. In most cases the women are so ashamed and guilt ridden about the way they feel that they do not ask for help at all. Many doctors have started screening women for postnatal depression with the help of a simple questionnaire. This is being done to help those who require it. Help is offered through counseling, forming support groups or use of medication.

Counseling: In this form of the treatment the mother is encouraged to talk openly and honestly about her feelings. The therapist listens to her without being judgmental or critical. Together they will find a way to cope with the situation at hand.
Support groups: Meeting and talking to others who are going through the same experience gives the mother an opportunity to realize that she is not the only one, going through postnatal depression.
Medication: Doctors usually prescribe anti-depression or hormones or even Prozac. But studies show that these medications are not good for the baby as the mother is breastfeeding. Counseling and support groups can help just as efficiently in recovery.

Here are a few things the mothers' suffering from postnatal depression can do to help them through this period:

Talk about your feelings to anyone who will give you a patient hearing. It would be best to talk to your husband or a friend. You should talk to your doctor as well.
Just take care of yourself and remember that what you are going through is not your fault.
Doctors have found that joining exercise classes, yoga or a walking club helps new mothers relax and helps them recover easily from depression.
Keep in mind that this is just a passing phase and that you will get better, even if it takes time. Recovery may be speedy if you ask for help and support from family or even take professional help.

Caring For Stitches

2008-09-08T00:08:00.000-07:00

When asked about their experience of delivering a baby, most women will tell you that, it was like rebirth. There is no doubt about the fact that, having a baby is one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world. But there is as much pain as there is joy in this experience and a lot of people overlook this fact. A new mother not only has to care of her newborn baby but also has to take care of herself as well, to ensure that she heals well. Even in a normal delivery sometimes it is likely that you have had an episiotomy. An Episiotomy is a surgical cut to enlarge the vagina to allow the baby's head to emerge easily during delivery. Some women may tear their perineum (the area between the vagina and anus). In both the above cases, you are likely to have stitches that need taking care of. Given below are a few easy tips to ensure that the stitches heal well:

Ensure that the perineum is clean at all times. After using the toilet, take a mug of lukewarm water pour it slowly between your legs while sitting on the toilet. Urinating while bathing will help reduce the pain. After this dry gently with a soft towel. Do not use a hair dryer to dry out excess water, as it hinders healing and may infect the wound.
You can bath as and when you feel like. Use water with or without antiseptic or salt will do just as well.
You can add a little lavender oil to your bath water and have a very soothing bath.
Replace maternity pads as often as you need.
Use disposable panties or comfortable cotton panties with a high waist.
While sitting down make sure you sit on something soft.
You can try using gel pads; these can be used easily like a panty liner. These are specially made to reduce the discomfort and pain most women feel after delivering.
Try to move around as much as you can. It may be difficult and painful at first, but this will increase blood circulation, decrease swelling and speed up the healing process.
The experiences of many women suggest that taking arnica tablets reduces bruising and helps recovery. There is no research to support this fact, but you can still try it.

If pain persists in spite of these measures, you should consult a doctor. If your stitches are too tight then they will have to be redone or the doctor may give you an anesthetic cream to apply locally. Take whatever measures are required to recover comfortably and you may not suffer any unnecessary pains.

Looking After Yourself

2008-09-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

Soon after the baby arrives, all your energy and attention will be focused on the care and comfort of the baby. You may consciously want to focus on the baby and not pay much attention to taking care of yourself. Inspite of your busy schedule you will have to make time to take care of yourself. Your health both physical and psychological is undergoing a healing process after delivery and you will have to pay attention to it. Once the baby has arrived all your family and friends will want to visit you and your newborn baby. Having too many visitors just after delivery, with the new baby can be very stressful and extremely difficult to handle, whether in the hospital or at home. It would be best if you could control the number of visitors you have, by asking friends and family to space their visits.

During the initial weeks after delivery, it is best to accept all the help you can get in doing the various chores around the house. It would be ideal if you could get your mother, mother-in-law, any relative or friend to stay with you for at least the first month. This will definitely ease the pressure off you and will help you get used to having the baby as part of your routine. The first few weeks can be overwhelming and some new mothers just cannot cope with the pressures of having a new baby. If you have a relative or a friend staying with you, the pressure on will reduce considerably as they will pitch in. You may even find some free time for yourself while they are taking care of the baby. Here are a few tips to new mothers to cope with those initial days:

Take breaks from taking care of the baby as and when you can. When you do so, don't feel guilty, as it is necessary for your mental and physical well being.
Have your meals regularly.
Make sure you include fresh fruits and green vegetables in your meals.
Use pre-prepared foods to reduce time and energy spent on cooking.
If friends and family are willing to take over some of your chores, allow them to do so.
Your night's sleep will be disturbed in the initial days. So learn to sleep whenever your baby sleeps.
This is a period of great emotional upheaval. Talk to people who can help and will support you - mother, friend, doctor or anyone who will give you a patient hearing.
If there is a local support group for new mothers, it would be a good idea to join it or at least attend a few meetings.

The important thing is to find time to rest and relax. As a new mother you must not think about anything other than the baby and yourself. Try to enjoy this new status to the fullest, despite the difficulties.

Planning Your Day With The Baby

2008-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

As you have a new baby, whose care will take up most of your time, it is better you make a plan and have a daily routine in place. Since you will have to take care of the baby, the rest of your family, your house and yourself, you may not be able to work as efficiently as you did earlier. Accept this and make changes at home to make things easier for you. Make a realistic plan that you can achieve without much difficulty and distress. We have complied tips from others parents on how to manage your home and your baby in those initial days.

If you can afford it, hire someone, to help with some of the chores around the house like cleaning, ironing, shopping etc.
On the weekends, you and your partner can take turns, in looking after the baby so that you get sometime off.
Cook your dinner early, as you will be exhausted by evening and will have to begin cooking all over again. At least prepare most of it so that you have very little to do later.
Encourage others to take care of your baby; by telling them how good they are at it and how happy the baby is to see them. This way they will enjoy taking care of the little one and you will get a much-deserved break.
If you have any problems or concerns about caring for your new baby, seek the help of an expert, either your doctor or counselor etc. They will be more than happy to help you.
Everyday make time to do something that you enjoy and makes you happy. It can be talking to a friend, watching TV, or listening to music. If you are happy and relaxed, you will be able to take better care of your baby.
Take a break, leave your house and get out to meet up with friends. It is important that you forget your daily chores and your baby for sometime, it will help you cope better.
Pack a bag with all the essentials the baby needs and keep it ready, so that you are ready to leave in a hurry.
If your house has many floors, then make sure you have the baby's essentials on every floor, so that you don't have to run up and down.
Try to prepare food that you can eat while holding the baby.
If your baby doesn't sleep with you, for the first feed in the morning bring the baby to your room and lie together for sometime.

Remember no matter how hard you work, you may not be able to do all your household chores. The important thing is not to over burden yourself and to find time for yourself and to enjoy the new baby.

Life With Your Baby

2008-09-07T23:58:00.000-07:00

The first few weeks with your baby will seem nothing more than chaotic and emotionally volatile. It will take about a month for both the mother and the baby to find and fit into a comfortable routine. By this time you would have learnt how many naps he has during the day and their approximate duration. You will know how often the baby needs a feed and at what intervals. You will have an idea of how many times they wake up at night. The baby will learn that you are the chief caregiver, and that you will feed him, clean him and comfort him when he cries. Depending on the way you interact and react to the baby, they will expect you to be talkative, quite, upset, clam or irritated:

Babies will also be developing their own personalities and will be learning things from you. If your behavior is not what the baby expected in a particular situation he will get upset and cry because there is a sudden unexpected change in behavior. Babies measure their worth by the response of their caregivers. So make sure you explicitly demonstrate to your baby that he is very special. As you feed, change, bath, clean and talk to your baby, they will look attentively at your face, observing all the changes in your expression as you speak. During our socialization process we have learnt that, we should speak to babies in an exaggerated manner so that, they can understand what we are saying and learn from it.

As a result, they will concentrate on your face as it is mobile, expressive and changes as you speak. It is from this interaction with you that the baby will learn to emote, speak and smile. This will form the basis for this interaction with the rest of society. Interact honestly with your baby. If you are getting angry, upset or irritated with your baby, it is better to express it than sending them confusing signals of being happy one minute and upset the next. If you think this is becoming a serious problem and you cannot seem to handle it alone, then seek help from your family or your doctor. Physical contact is essential for the baby to feel safe and secure. Physical contact encourages trust, which is basis to form other social relationships.

As the baby learns that if he smiles, you will pay more attention to him, he will do so more often. During the first month they only have a sense of time, they know that is they smile you will respond. When they are about six weeks old they will smile because they recognize you as an individual. At about the same time they learn that they can make noises and the sound that they hear from outside can be looked at. Once they discover this they will begin to turn towards external sound regularly. At the end of the second month, your baby will begin 'cooing' in response to your interaction with them. When you talk, they will 'coo'. Once they realize that they can coo, they will coo about everything that is happening around them, irrespective of your presence.

Babies will slowly but surely learn to control their movements from the time they are a month old. Even at this age they will try to support their head for a very short time, if held upright. When awake they keep moving their tiny hands and legs continuously trying to reach for things they can see. This is a good form of exercise as well. At this stage you can provide them with bright colored toys or toys that make pleasant noises or move. They try to look at these toys and reach for them and doing this will improve their eye-hand coordination. While doing this they realize that they can see and play with their hands as they lie on their back. So they will consciously bring their hand in their line of vision and move them about. The control over movement will increase as muscular development progresses. Your baby's development will normally follow this path in the initial months of your life together.

Storing Breast Milk

2008-09-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

There are times when you may want to express breast milk. If your breast may be too full and hence hurt then it would be a good idea to express the milk and store it for later use. You may want to go out and would like the person minding your baby to feed the baby breast milk. You can express milk with your hand or with a breast pump

Hand Expression

To express breast milk with your hands you need:

Sterile wide rimmed container to collect milk.
Clean, washed hands.
Privacy

Massage your breast gently to increase milk flow or use flannel to warm your breasts.
Hold your breast with one hand and with the fingertips of the other, move all around the breast stroking it gently. You can use the back of your knuckles, massaging from the outer edge of the breast to the nipple.
Once you have completely relaxed, place your hand behind the areola and start squeezing gently. You should be applying pressure on the milk sacs that are under the skin, at the edge of the areola. These sacs, will feel like peas under you fingertips.
As you squeeze in, milk will first drip out and then spurt. Move your hand all over the breast to remove milk from all the ducts.

Breast Pumps

There are a variety of breast pumps available today. You will have to very carefully select the pump that is best for you. If you choose the wrong one you may harm your breast tissue. It is best to consult your doctor before buying a pump. There are two types of pumps:

Battery-operated Pumps: These are easy to use. But may not be very durable. These make less noise than electric pumps. Use a pump that has been designed to release suction at regular intervals to prevent excessive pressure.
Electric Pumps: There are different kinds available in the market. Some come with a double pumping system, which is convenient for expressing milk from both breasts at the same time. Small and light pumps are available, which can be easily carried to work and when you travel. These pumps have adapters that can be fixed into, the cigarette lighter plug in your car to recharge it.

Storing Expressed Breast Milk

There are bags that are specially made to store expressed breast milk. You can use small disposable bottle bags or small glass or plastic bottles also. Depending on how soon you want to use the expressed milk either refrigerate it or freeze it. Here are a few tips you can follow:

At room temperature fresh expressed milk can be stored for ten hours. Milk brought to room temperature after refrigerating or freezing, must be used within half an hour.
Fresh expressed milk can be refrigerated for anything between five to seven days. Taste the milk to find out whether it is fresh before giving it to your baby.
You can store freshly expressed milk for up to six months in an average freezer depending on the efficiency of the freezer. If ice cream is frozen solid, then your freezer can be used to freeze milk for six months. If ice cream stays soft, then you can store milk for three months. In the deep freeze milk can be stored for 12 months. Make sure you store in the coldest part of the freezer and away from the door.
Pumped milk that has been refrigerated for less than 48 hours can be frozen. Milk that has been refrigerated for more that 48 hours should not be frozen.
Freezing cause breast milk to expand. While filling bottles or bags leave about one inch from the top so that there is place for this expansion. If you are using a disposable bag fasten fold the top and fasten it with a rubber band.
Milk containers should be labeled with the time and date on which it was expressed.
If you can express large quantities of milk, do not store it in a big bottle or bag. Use small bags or bottles. The baby will need only small quantities at a time and you can defreeze one small bag or bottle each time. Thus wastage will be minimized.
If you want to transport stored breast milk to use away from home, keep it cold till you use it. Use a cooler with ice or frozen packs to keep the milk cold while transporting it.
The oldest milk should be used first.

Defrosting Expressed Breast Milk: Here are few ways to defrost:

To thaw breast milk, use a hot bowl of tap water or do it at room temperature. Defrost using minimum amount of heat.
Do not microwave to defrost, as it destroys the essential vitamins and enzymes in the milk.
Feed the baby defrosted milk only when it has thawed completely.
If the milk smells or tastes sour do not use it.
Milk that has been thawed should be kept in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours.

Follow these measures to ensure express and store breast milk safely and efficiently till required.

Sterilization & Formula Milk

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Everything that is used to feed that baby must be washed and sterilized thoroughly before and after use. Use a diluted solution of detergent to wash the bottles. Use a brush with a long handle to clean the bottles this will ensure that the bottom is also cleaned. Rinse well with water so that all the detergent is washed, clean and then sterilize. Modern methods of such as electric and microwave sterilizing are becoming very popular in the recent years. One should be aware of the traditional methods, which include boiling and cold water sterilizing too, as one may not have access to electricity and a microwave all the time.

Steam sterilizing: Electric steam sterilizing is similar to what is used in hospitals. This takes about eight to twelve minutes, excluding cooling time. This process is efficient and doesn't take long. You must use only those parts that are safe to boil. Bottles and nipples should be placed upside down to ensure proper sterilization. If you are using a microwave, you will have to buy a steamer for it. Do not place any metal parts inside the microwave. Sterilization in a microwave will take five to eight minutes plus cooling time. Remove the lid of the steamer very carefully as the interior becomes extremely hot. The greatest advantage of using this method of sterilization is that there is no smell or taste. If kept closed the items remain sterile for three hours.
Boiling: Is another method of sterilizing. All the bottle-feeding items need to be boiled for a minimum of 10 minutes. You must have a separate pan, only for the purpose of boiling these items. Some items like nipples or teats will have to be replaced more often if you use this method, as they get sticky.
Microwavable bottles: These bottles can be sterilized on their own in the microwave. A single bottle takes 90 seconds to get sterilized. While microwaving the bottles must be kept open.
Cold water sterilization: Tablets used for this method are available in the market. Dissolve them in the prescribed amount in the prescribed amount of water. This will form a solution that is effective against bacterial. These tablets are safe and will not have any side effects even if swallowed. You can buy a sterilizing unit for this or buy a bucket with a lid, which is used for this purpose alone. You must ensure that the bottles are completely submerged in the solution. For complete sterilization make sure that there are no air bubbles in the bottles. Sterilization should be complete in half an hour, but it is safe to leave items in the solution for 24 hours. Fresh solution must be made every day. Make sure your hands and washed before removing the sterilized equipment. Fill the bottles with milk and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep bottles in the main part of fridge, as it is colder than the door. Keep away from raw food.

Do not leave sterilized bottles in the open for too long, as they lose their sterility rapidly. Having a sterilizer with a built-in storage facility is best, as items can be removed as and required. Once the bottles are sterilized you can make the baby's feed and store it. Here are a few tips for making the baby's feed:

You can either make a bottle each time you need one, or make a number of bottles at one time.
Bottle-milk can be kept in the fridge for 24 hours.
If you want to warm the milk once you remove it from the fridge, just place in it a jug of hot water for sometime. Ensure that your baby is not near the jugs, as there have been a number of unfortunate instances where, babies have been scalded by tipping jugs.

Before making formula milk ensure that you read the instructions on the package carefully. Follow them exactly, as the proportion of water and formula powder has been calculated to provide the required amount of food and water for the baby. If you use too much water the baby will not get the required amount of calories and if too much formula is used, it may lead to dehydration. Follow the steps given below:

Fill the bottle exactly to the level required, with water that has been boiled and cooled.
Use the scoop provided to remove the formula from the package. Level the scoop each time with a knife that is clean. Do not press the powder into the scoop.
Put the formula into the bottle carefully, without dropping any of it.
Fit the cap of the bottle securely and shake well till all the formula dissolves.
Drip one or two drops of this milk on the back of your palm, to make sure that it is not too hot, before feeding the baby.

Solution To Breast-Feeding Problems

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Both mother and baby will have to learn to master the art of breast-feeding. This will take time and what works for one pair need not necessarily work for another pair. If you face problems ask your nurse or doctor to help you out. Given below are the causes and solution to some of the common breast-feeding problems:

Baby wants to keep feeding all the time: This is normally caused because the baby is not positioned properly and there is insufficient supply of milk. In the initial days the baby may insist on feeding continuously simply because he enjoy it and it is very comforting. It could happen if the baby is trying to increase the supply of milk. If this activity is a change from his normal feeding pattern then it may return to normal in a day or two. Make sure that you position them properly and let them feed on demand.
Bleeding/sore /cracked/nipples: This happens because the baby is sucking your nipple and not the breast as a result of bad positioning. Dislodge the baby, by inserting your finger gently into his mouth to break his grip. The reposition your breast so that the breast not just the nipple is inside his mouth. Try different positions. Express milk and rub it on the nipples this will help it heal. Use the less sore side to feed.
White marks on sore nipples that don't seem to heal: This is known as thrush, it can appear when either you or the baby have taken a course of antibiotics or may appear without any particular reason. Both of you may have to take oral medication or use anti-fungal cream.
Flat nipples or lumpy, hard and full breasts: Primary engorgement takes place when milk first 'fills in' on the third or fourth day. Secondary engorgement takes place when the baby reduces the number of feeds he takes maybe, because he has started sleeping for longer hours at night. If this is case, your body will reduce the amount of milk it is producing. Feed the baby more often to reduce engorgement. If baby is unable to latch on properly, the express some milk to help it do so. Wear warm flannel clothing to ensure milk flow or have a warm shower before feeding to ensure the same. Using chilled cabbage leaves inside your bra can reduce the swelling.
Tender, small lump in the breast: Free movement of milk is stopped because of a block in some duct of the breast. This can happen because you have slept in funny position, sat for a few hours with the seat belt across your breast or a tight bra. Massaging the area or using warm compress on the area will help the lump to dissolve. If possible, position the baby in such a way that, his jaw is near the lump so he can feed and help dissolving the lump. Feed from the sore side, if it doesn't work express milk from the breast.
Inflamed, red areas on the breast; along with flu symptoms like temperature, aches, sore breast that is full: This is known as Mastitis, which is an inflammation of the breast when milk leaks into the breast tissue. Rest as much as possible, but continue to feed the baby, starting with the sore side. Use of warm and cold compress will reduce the swelling. If there is no improvement go to your doctor who will probably prescribe painkillers or a course of antibiotics.
Baby refuses to feed from the breast: There could be a number of reasons for this:

A change in the taste of milk because of a change in diet or medication.
You are using nipple cream.
You have stopped using nipple shields.
You are undergoing dental treatment or your periods are starting.

Whatever the case maybe, continue feeding your baby. Try feeding when he is almost asleep he may not notice the change in taste. When you decide to stop using nipple shields do it gradually, by trimming more and more of the shield each day so that the baby gets used to it. If nothing works you will have to express milk in order to maintain milk supply.

Breast - Feeding Twins: When you have twins the task of breast-feeding becomes a little more difficult and there is the often-asked question of about whether to feed them together or one at a time. Feeding one baby at a time improves bonding between mother and child. But this can be time consuming. Letting the feed together will improve your milk supply and it will be easy to remember who has had how much. If you decide to feed them together then placing one baby under each arm is the best position to use. You can also criss-cross them on your lap and feed them together. Swapping the babies between the breasts ensures equal production of milk. But using one breast exclusively to feed one baby will customize the supply for that baby and ensure that he gets sufficient hind milk.

Breastfeeding Positions

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When you are new mother, there are a number of things that you have to learn and teach your baby. One of them is to breast-feed. Sit down comfortably. The baby should be on his side facing you. Tuck the baby close to you, with his head on your forearm. His nose should be opposite your nipple and in level with it. If you find it easier use a pillow at first. When his mouth is wide open, bring him towards your breast, allow him to take as much of your breast as possible. His tongue should be under your breast. If your breast hurts a lot or he manages to dislodge himself, start again. Repeat this till you get it right and feel him lodged firmly. Things you should be able to see:

Baby tucked close to your body.
The chin should be against your breast and stretched upward and not tucked in.
Mouth should be open wide and their bottom lip should curl outwards.
There should be movement of the face and jaw.
Lower lip should take in more of the areola that the upper lip.

Things that you shouldn't see:

Cheeks that are sucked in.
Lip action as if they are sucking a straw.

Sounds you should hear:

Slow and quick sounds of milk being swallowed.

Sounds you should not hear:

Clicking noises
Smacking lips

You should feel:

Being firmly gripped.
Feel the letdown reflex, a tingling feeling in the breasts, usually when feeding begins as the milk flows to the baby.
Slight pain when the baby begins to feed, in the initial weeks.

You should not feel:

Pain lasting longer than the initial momentary pain.

If you feel, hear and see things that you shouldn't, then put your finger gently inside the baby's mouth, between the corner of his mouth and your breast. This will stop his suckling and prevent you from becoming sore. Re-position the baby.

Before you begin breast-feeding, make sure that you are comfortable, relaxed and have enough support. Make whatever arrangements are required to keep you comfortable while feeding. Remember the following:

Tuck the baby close to you
His ear, shoulder and hip should be in the same line and not twisted.
Always ensure the baby is facing your breast, if he is turning away feeding becomes more difficult for them.

Memorize 'tummy to mummy/chest to chest/nose to nipple/chin to breast'.

There are a number of positions to breast-feed a baby. Here are a few of them:

Traditional position: Keep a few pillows on your lap; place the baby on it so that he is on the same level as your breasts. Support his head with your forearm in such a way that the rest of his body in across your stomach. You can help by cupping his head in your hand (use your right hand for left breast and vice versa).

Underarm position: Arrange a few cushions at your side and place the baby on it in such a way that his legs are pointing behind you. Hold your baby in such a way with your right hand that you cradle his head while he feeds from your right breast. Women with Caesarean section use this position use this position to avoid pressure on the scar. Twins can be breast-fed together using this position.

Lying down: Lie on the bed with your head resting on a pillow and place the baby close to you. The bed will give them the support they need. With your free hand bring them to your breast and support them. Keep pillows behind your back to prevent a backache.

Find a position that is comfortable for both you and your baby so that breast-feeding is easy.

Bottle-Feeding For Breastfed Babies

2008-09-07T23:47:00.000-07:00

Deciding to bottle-feed your breast-feeding baby is a conscious step taken by mothers when they want to return to their original routines. Either they want some time off from their babies or want to go back to working. It is better to think carefully about bottle-feeding as many children learn to use a cup for drinking without going through the bottle phase. Bottles need to be sterilized very well, otherwise they will breed germs and your baby will easily fall ill. Not all babies need to be taught to bottle-feed, a number of them take to it without much fuss. Timing plays an important role. If bottle-feeding is introduced too soon, then the baby may give up breast-feeding. If introduced too late the baby may not want to give up breast-feeding.

Once you have decided to bottle-feed, you either use expressed breast milk or artificial milk also called formula. Expressing milk can be a tedious task. You can use your hand or a breast pump. Once expressed the milk will have to store it in a previously sterilized container. You will have to express a number to times to collect enough milk for your baby. Formula milk is dried cow' milk which has been modified to suit the baby's digestive abilities. Most doctors recommend a soya-based formulation. It is important to prepare formula milk exactly according to the instructions provided. It this milk is diluted the baby will not receive the required number of calories. If it is too thick it can lead to dehydration.

The bottles and nipples or teats will have to be well sterilized as milk breeds bacteria easily. It must be remembered that formula milk increases the risk of infection and illness. It is best to exclusively breast-feed the baby for the first few months. The baby does not need water or fruit juices till he starts having solids. Giving him these could reduce the efficiency with which breast milk works in protecting the baby against infection. We still have not found a method to artificially produce breast milk. Breast milk produces hormones and antibodies in such a way that it fights germs specific to the baby's environment. Research on these is still in its initial stages.

Even after you start bottle-feeding it is best to continue breast-feeding as well. This is known as mixed feeding. Introduce the bottle after breast-feeding is well established. Once you start bottle-feeding, your milk supply will decrease; as the number of breast-feeds the baby will have decreases. You can increase the supply by breast-feeding often. Whenever you have the time let the baby feed on demand, this will help supply increase. Many working women like to continue breast-feeding their babies once the go back to work, as it helps to bond again after their brief absence.

Concern About Feeding Baby

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There is no doubt about the fact the breast-feeding is better than feeding the baby formula milk. Many mothers would like their babies to bottle-feed after sometime. Some babies who have been breast-feeding may take to bottle-feeding as soon as it is introduced. Babies may prefer it especially if they are have trouble breast-feeding. But many breast-fed babies refuse being bottle-fed. Practical experience shows that this is especially true with children, as they grow older. You could try using different kinds of nipples or teats. Making the teat soft by boiling it or using different types of teats may help. Often the babies who refuse the bottle are the ones who have been breast-fed.

You should hold the baby him the same position while, bottle-feeding it as you do while breast-feeding him. You should encourage your partner or baby sitter to bottle-feed the baby, as he will not expect to be breast-fed by them and may take to bottle-feeding more easily. Try changing the formula you use, as it could to that the baby dislikes the taste. Research has shown that if the bottle is introduced early, when the baby is about six weeks old, even for just one or two feeds a week, the baby is more likely to accept being bottle-fed on a regular basis. But is has been found that newborn babies, who have been bottle-fed regularly, often forget how to breast-feed.

They may even need help to relearn how to breast-feed. Experts are still trying to find an explanation for this behavior. It is best to introduce bottle-feeding only after breast-feeding is well established. If you want to avoid using a bottle then you could try spoon-feeding your baby or use cups specially made for babies. These special cups are used, when breast-feeding immediately after birth, is not possible. It has been found that, babies who use these cups comfortably take to breast-feeding later on. But it is important to learn the correct technique of using this cup, from a trained person. Mothers are often concerned and wonder whether bottle-feeding will cause complications. Bottle-fed babies grow to be just as healthy as breast-fed babies.

Breast-feeding does not ensure that you child will never fall ill. Although studies show that they are more resistant to common ailments as compared to formula-fed babies. Colic in babies, in both cases is more or less the same. Where sleep is concerned, it is true that formula-fed babies, sleep better and longer at night. One possible explanation is that, formula milk takes longer to digest than breast milk. Therefore, babies who are bottle-fed sleep longer between feeds. Another reason is that, making bottle-feed at night is a difficult process. Mothers may try to ensure that babies sleep through the night. As breast-feeding is easier, mothers may not find waking up at night, a problem to feed their baby. Ultimately, it is for the mother to decide what is the best option for her and her baby.

Understanding Breast Feeding

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Since we have established that breast-feeding is best for your baby for the first six months of his life. It is a good idea to understand how the breast produces milk. Each breast is divided into lobes and this is where milk is produced. Individual lobes have as many as 15 to 25 tubes that convey milk to the nipples. These tubes widen on the way to the areola (the dark area around your nipples) where milk collects before being expressed. Studies with the help of infrared photographs show that the breasts grow hot when a baby cries. As a result blood rushes to the breasts bringing with it sugars to the milk glands.

As the baby suckles, oxytocin is released into the bloodstream, causing the muscle cells around the milk gland to contract and squeeze out milk that tastes sweet. The squeezing is also known as "the let-down reflex'. Before this reflex takes place, the baby gets some milk. This milk is called 'fore milk', which satisfies the baby's immediate need and is rich in protein. The milk that follow is known as 'hind milk' is more satisfying as it, has more fat and hence more calories. The 'let-down reflex' has to be stimulated for milk supply to build up. Let your baby decide how much milk needs to be produced. Feed him on demand do not regulate his feeding. If you do this the baby and your breasts will work in coordination and your breasts will produce milk according to your baby's requirement.

Breast Feeding Your Baby

2008-09-07T23:39:00.000-07:00

Breast milk is the best food for your baby for the first six months of his life. Studies have proved beyond doubt that, babies who have been breast fed for the first six months of their lives, stay healthier throughout their lives. It is very important that, you feed the baby the first milk your breast produces, known as colostrum. This is rich in antibodies and other substances that protect the baby from infections and illness. If you have a family history of diabetes, asthma, eczema etc. formula milk and increase the risk of these diseases in the baby.

Breast-feeding prevents illnesses like chest infections, ear infections and diarrhea. Protection for some illness last long after you have stopped breast-feeding. Feeding the baby breast milk only, will provide the best protection against infections. Even a combination of breast milk and formula milk will decrease the risk of infection considerably. Even mothers benefit from breast-feeding their babies. The cases of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis, at a later stage in life are much less among women who have breast-fed their babies.

If you decide to combine breast-feeding with bottle-feeding then, bottle-feeding should be introduced only after the baby gets used to breast- feeding. This will ensure that you have sufficient supply of breast milk. If you are unsure about whether to breast-feed or bottle-feed, it is better to start breast-feeding. As if you start bottle-feeding it is difficult to change to breast-feeding. Bottle-feeding is more expensive than breast-feeding as well. Here are some ways to ensure a good milk supply:

As soon as your baby feed, your body produces more milk to replace it. The more they feed the more milk your body produces. Your baby knows how much milk he needs. So let him feed as often as he wants to and your breast will produce milk according to his requirement.
Eat well; this will help in the production of milk.
If you supplement your baby's diet with some other fluid, then your milk remains in your breast. As a result the body will produce less milk the next time. In the initial days it is best to exclusively breast-feed your baby to ensure good supply of milk. Even if the infant has jaundice he will make a quick recovery with breast milk.
For most women breast-feeding gets established by six weeks. After this it will be difficult to disturb the supply. Missing feeds may make you uneasy and you may have to express milk. Not feeding your baby for a long can cause an inflammation of the breast known as mastitis.
If you decide to bottle-feed the baby for a specific number of feeds and breast-feed him for the rest, then your body will continue to produce milk, but at a lesser rate. This will help working mothers whose babies can be bottle-fed when they are away, and breast-fed when their mothers return home.

Another important feature of breast-feeding is establishing breast-feeding. This takes place when:

You can feed in a comfortable and relaxed manner.
When the attaches himself to you breast easily.
The baby feeds with ease.
You feel no discomfort when the baby feeds.
You can breast-feed him without any fuss even when you go out.

It is best to breast-feed the baby for the first six months, without any other supplement.

Using Cloth Diapers

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As cloth diapers are cheaper and they can be washed and reused, some parents prefer them. There are different types of cloth diapers. The traditional ones are square shaped and need to be pinned up. Modern ones are layered and have Velcro snaps. There are absorbent liners that can be used inside cloth diapers, which are disposable. Cloth diapers are double lined for greater protection for night use. Diaper covers made of plastics are available to prevent leaks. There are two ways of fastening traditional cloth diapers: the triangular fold and rectangular fold.

The square is folded into half to form a triangle.
Place the baby gently on the triangle in such a way that his back is on the longest side and the opposite corner pointing to his feet.
Bring the front part between his legs onto his stomach.
Bring one side to overlap the middle part.
Bring the other side to overlap the two parts. Pin them together using a safety pin.

Rectangular Fold:

Fold the square into a rectangle.
Place the baby on the rectangle.
Bring the bottom part between his legs onto his stomach.
Bring one side around and pin with the center part then bring the other side and pin again.

Tips to remember while using cloth diapers:

If the diaper requires pins, use large pins with plastic safety heads. While pinning the diaper place your hand between the baby and the diaper. This will ensure that you do not prick the baby. Alternatively you can use diaper tapes.
Diapers that are wet can be put into the diaper bin. If soiled, the stools should be emptied into the toilet. You can rinse them if you want before putting them into the diaper bin, to wash later.
Use a solution of baking soda and water for your last rinse, as this will control odor.
Wash diapers separately. Do not do it with the rest of your laundry.
Use mild detergent that is recommended for baby clothing.
Use hot water to rinse each wash.
Wash your hands well after each diaper change to prevent germs from spreading.

Bathing And Cleaning Your Baby

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By the time, the baby is a few weeks old; you will have a bath routine in place. Even so it will help to remember the following:

Bathing environment should be calm and warm.
The baby should not be hungry or tired.
Everything you need should be ready and at hand.

Some babies do not like having a bath. So instead you can 'top and tail' or sponge the baby everyday for sometime:

Wrap your baby in a towel to stop them from waving their arms. Undress them only if you want to.
Wipe his eye with a little cotton wool that has been dipped in cooled boiled water. Begin with the inside of his eye and work outward. Wipe the other eye with another piece of cotton wool.
Use wet cotton wool to wipe over and behind his ear. Use fresh piece of cotton wool for each ear.
Wipe their face, neck and under their chin with damp flannel or cotton wool.
Pat dry with a soft towel making sure that they are not damp in the creases.
Wipe dry their hands.
Change their nappy after cleaning nappy area and change into clean clothes. Using special bedtime clothes can help them get used to a bedtime routine.

Hair: You need not wash your baby's hair everyday. Just wiping it with a damp flannel cloth will remove any dirt that is there.

Nails: The easiest way to cut your baby's nails is to nibble them off. You can use a pair of scissors to cut them off while they are asleep. The best time would be after a bath, when the nails are soft.

Ears and Nose: These organs clean themselves, so just wipe them gently with wet cotton wool.

Cradle cap: This is a yellowish crust on the baby's scalp, which looks a little like dandruff. This occurs when the baby is between a month and six months old and almost all babies have it. This does not harm the baby in any way and normally disappears as the baby grows up. If it is noticeable you can do the following:

Use a baby shampoo.
Massage one tablespoon of olive oil or almond oil into his scalp. Leave it on for an hour then wash it clean by shampooing.
Apply oil carefully to ensure that it does not enter the baby's eyes. The baby should not touch the oil as it may get into his eyes after that.
Bicarbonate of soda rinse: Dissolve a teaspoon of soda in 500 ml of warm water and apply on scalp with the help of cotton wool. Shampoo thoroughly. Use this regime once or twice a week.
The flakes will become loose if you gently comb his hair gently.
Never pick or scratch to loosen the flakes.
If serious or you see red patches on the baby's neck and behind his ears then consult a doctor immediately.

All About Baby Stools

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The newborn baby's first nappy content is meconium, which is a greenish black substance that was in the baby's system before he was born. It can upset you if you are not prepared for it. But its presence shows that the baby's excretory system is functioning normally. The stools of breast-feeding babies are not smelly and are normally mustard or yellow colored and extremely loose. If the stool is green-colored sometimes this means that bile salts have not been re-absorbed totally. This may mean that your baby has colic, but sometimes happens without any reason.

Most often breast-feeding mothers can see a direct relationship between what they eat and their baby's stools. Babies who are bottle-fed have stools that is more formed and light brown in color. While being weaned, babies may have multi-colored stools. More often than not, they are of the same color as what they have eaten. Sometimes you may observe that some types of food have been passed through without being digested. Do not include these foods as part of the baby's diet for a few days.

The frequency with which your baby passes stools may vary. Sometimes breast-fed babies may not pass stools for many days or even a week. This is normal. Others may fill their nappy just before every feed. Some babies cry while passing stools. This is normal and if the stools are soft then your baby is not constipated. You will see that your baby's stools change a little from day to day. If there is a big change, like the stool has become very loose, very smelly, very hard or especially if there is mucous or blood in the stools then you should consult your doctor immediately.

Cleaning&Diapering Your Baby

2008-09-07T23:29:00.000-07:00

New mothers will learn that the two activities that take up most of their time is feeding the baby and cleaning him. You will have to change diapers through the day and night at regular intervals for the first few months. Sometimes you will realize that through the day all you have done is feed and clean the baby and have not found time to do any of the other household chores. The only way to handle this pressure is to be organized and have a system arranging nappies, clothes, changing sheets, wash clothes and everything required by the baby in such a way that you can find it easily. Here are a few suggestions made by some parents:

If your house has more than one floor, establish a 'nappy changing station' on each floor of the house so that you have all the things you need on every floor and you don't have to keep running up and down.
Keep a bag packed and ready with all the necessary baby items so that you can just pick it up and leave when you are going out.
Baby clothes can be put into a bucket of dilute soap solution, as soon as they are soiled and let to soak before washing.
Buy soft muslin that can be used to wipe the baby clean.

The other activity that takes up a lot of your time with a newborn is changing his diapers. You will need sometime to get used to changing diapers. Here is a list of things that you need to keep within reach while changing diapers:

A diaper.
If you are using a cloth diaper you will need fasteners to fasten the diaper and keep it in place.
A bowl of warm water and cotton balls or clean washcloth or diaper wipes if the baby is older. Babies have soft sensitive skin; it would be best to use warm water to wash them.
Nappy rash cream or petroleum jelly for protection against rashes.
A changing mat, cloth or another diaper to place the baby on if you are not using a changing table.

Ensure that all these items are close to you, so that you don't have to leave the baby to get these things.

Wiping Clean: Use a wet washcloth, cotton balls or baby wipes and gently clean your baby. Always clean from front to back. Never wipe from back to front and this will spread bacteria forward from the anus and cause urinary tact infection especially so in girls. You will be able to clean better if you lift your baby's legs. Remember to clean the creases of the buttocks and thighs. While cleaning boys you should cover the penis with a clean washcloth or diaper, as exposure to air causes them to urinate on anything that is within range, which may include you. After wiping them pat dry with clean washcloth and if required apply nappy rash cream.

Disposable Diapers: If you are using disposable diapers here are a few tips you can follow:

Slip the open diaper under the baby while lifting his legs. The adhesive strip at the back must be aligned with the baby's navel.
Bring the front of the diaper between his legs up to his belly.
Bring adhesive strips in front and fasten.
Dispose bowel movements in the toilet before putting diaper into garbage. This not only ensures that the diaper doesn't stink but prevents growth of bacteria.
If the diaper is tight, you will find marks around the baby's legs and waist. Get a larger size the next time.
If your baby is sensitive to a particular brand of diaper he may develop rash, change the diaper brand.
While fastening a diaper for a baby boy, make sure that the penis is placed downwards; this will ensure that there are no leaks from the waistline.

Prevent diaper/nappy rash: Nappy rash is very common among babies, but if it lasts for over three days consult your doctor immediately. Tips to prevent and heal nappy rash:

Change nappy as quickly as possible every time the baby wet his nappy or soils it.
Use nappy rash cream to prevent rashes. Use a cream that contains zinc oxide, which acts as a barrier against moisture.
Do not use a diaper for your baby for a few hours each day.
While washing cloth nappies use detergents that are dye and fragrance free.

These tips should be able to give use a good start to learning to clean your baby and diaper him.

Traveling With A Baby

2008-09-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

Though you may be traveling less frequently once you have a baby till he is a little old, it does not mean that you stop taking holidays because of the little ones. But you will have to make elaborate plans well in advance. Being away from home is a big change in routine for both your baby and you, so you will have to plan ahead, even anticipate problems so that the entire family has a good holiday. Getting advice from parents who have taken their children on holidays is a good idea. Here are a few tips about things that worked for other parents:

While booking a holiday find out what facilities the tour operator provides. Children who are two years below usual travel free.
Find out what kind of childcare facilities the operator provides like baby cots, prams, highchairs etc. so that you do not have to carry these things with you.
Your baby will require a passport.
Once you decide on the holiday location, consult your doctor about the vaccination your baby requires before you decide the holiday dates. If there are vaccines to be taken then it is best to take them a little before the holiday date. Some vaccines cannot be taken together and may need a few weeks in between. So you will need time to vaccinate your baby.
The most difficult part of your holiday will be the journey and with a small baby it will not be easy. You should book an air cot well in advance. Get seats that are together so that you have ample space on the flight. Book meals for your children in advance, it would help if they could be served before you are served.
If you are hiring a car ask the company to provide you with a baby seat so that you don't have to carry one.
Take toys for the journey old and new ones, so that the baby will be occupied and will not get tired of the journey.
There could be delays on the way, so you should carry enough snacks for the baby especially drinks. It is better if the snacks don't consist of sticky food, as they are messy.
It is easier to travel if you are breast-feeding, you don't have to worry about sterilized bottles or clean water to make bottle-feeds.
Take your baby sling or back carrier it will occupy less space and it will be easy to carry the baby around.
If you are holidaying in a place where the weather is hot, make sure that you carry sun block for your baby and his skin is delicate and more likely to get sunburns.
While booking your holiday you can book a hotel that provides childcare facilities such as nannies, crèches etc. You should check them before using them, if you are satisfied with the facilities provided, the ability of the child minder and you think it is appropriate for your age make use of it.

Childbirth Expectations and Concerns

2008-09-07T23:24:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of the baby the relationship between husband and wife will undergo a change. There maybe some initial strain and tension in the relationship. But there is nothing that the two partners cannot solve by making time for each other and talking things out. After childbirth each partner has his or her own expectations and apprehensions. Some of the things that men worry about after childbirth are:

· Earning enough for the family.
· Kind of father they will make.
· Fear of feeling left out as his wife will be devoting all her time to the baby.

A woman too has her own fears and apprehensions:

· Whether her husband will help and support her.
· Whether she will have to take care of her husband's needs and the baby's needs.
· Whether the baby will affect their relationship.

To begin with the baby may interfere in the relationship between husband and wife. But over a period of time these differences can be resolved. It is important to talk and listen to each other. Here are a few tips how to be a good listener:

Pay complete attention to your partner, look at them and sit close to them.
Do not think about yourself think of the other person.
Listen to what your partner has to say and if necessary, say it to yourself again so that you remember it clearly.
Clarify things that you do not understand or want explained immediately. This will show that you are paying attention to what is being said.
Before placing your point of view wait for your partner to finish. Give yourself sometime and think over what your partner has said, before replying.
Give advice only when your partner asks for it.
Do not let your ego affect the relationship.

Not only must your listen carefully but, also, you must be able to put across your problems, feelings and point of view in an affective manner. Here are a few suggestions on how to talk:

Pick the right time to speak.
While speaking make sure you are taking about how you feel and about your problems and accusing your partner.
If you disagree on something, then just agree to disagree, do not have the last word. This will make things worse; do not let your ego get in the way of the relationship.

Once you become parents, it becomes very difficult for both partners, to find time to spend together as a couple. A newborn baby takes up all the time of both the mother and the father. Though it may seem that the baby is affecting your relationship, it is not so. A baby doesn't damage a good relationship and a baby doesn't improve a bad one. It is ultimately up to the partners to find time for each other no matter how difficult it is or how tired they are. Here are a few things you can do to keep your relationship alive:

For some time each day continue to think of your partner as your lover and not the father or mother of your child.
Spend time with the baby together, play and cuddle the baby together. This will give you quality time together and as a family.
Once a week ask a friend or a family member to take care of the baby for a few hours so that both of you have time together alone.

Sexual relationship maybe affected to a great extent once the baby is born. Since this important aspect of your relationship is affected this may take a toll on your relationship. As a new mother the demands of your baby, exhaustion, unhappiness with bodily changes after childbirth and the effect of breastfeeding on sex drive all affect sex drive after birth. Your partner may feel that you have only time for the baby and not for him. While you may feel that everyone is only making demands on you and you don't have any time to rest or to yourself. Making time to improve your sexual relationship will help you and your partner. Here are few things you should remember:

There is no right time to restart your sex life.
Intercourse is not necessary. Just lying together, cuddling together and spending time together can improve your relationship and make you comfortable with your body.
If sex in painful even after healing then you should consult your doctor.
The vagina is an elastic and supple tissue, which heals quickly.
A woman's body was created to bear children.
The human body has great recuperation powers.
If you still feel that you and your partner are having problems with your sexual relationship then you could get counseling.

Support For Moms

2008-09-07T23:20:00.000-07:00

Most new mothers feel more reassured and gain confidence when they interact with other women in the situation as them. If you form a group of new mothers, then you can

Discuss problems and share solutions and skills.
Meet regularly at each other's houses.
Establish a babysitting circle.
Take care of each other's children.
Can go out together.
Have a well-established social circle and play group for your children.
Visit mother and baby clinics together.
Join the local sports center for postnatal exercises or baby swimming classes.

If you live in a remote area then you can get in touch with other new mothers on-line. These interactions can be a great source of support for you during the initial difficult stage of taking care of a newborn.

Keeping Fit
Nowadays everyone wants to get back into to shape soon after the baby is born. Mothers would like to regain their original slim figures within a few months. Though it maybe difficult to find time and exercise with a newborn, mothers who make the effort feel much better as not only do you feel good but your energy level increases as well. If you cannot go to an organized exercise class, then find time do a few exercises at home or plain simply dancing at home can do the trick. Other ways to exercise are:

Taking a walk is very good; you could take your baby with you as well. If the local park has a good path you can us a pram or use a baby sling.
Some pools have crèche facilities so you can leave your baby there and swim without worrying. Swimming once or twice a week is good enough.
Join postnatal exercise classes at the local gym.
Attend postnatal exercise classes conducted by the child health clinic.

Healthy Diet
As you will be breast-feeding the baby you will have to eat well. It is possible to lose weight by following a healthy diet. Even while snacking make sure that they are healthy. Try some of these:

Vegetable soup with whole wheat or whole meal roll.
Hummus eaten with breadsticks or sliced raw vegetables.
Toast and baked beans.
Toast and scrambled eggs.
Tuna sandwiches.

Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and drink enough water. Increase your calcium intake by drinking a lot of milk and increasing consumption of diary products.

Getting Back To Work After Childbirth

2008-09-07T23:15:00.000-07:00

Some new mothers will not be able to stay at home with their babies for long. They may have to return to their jobs after three or four months. Both the mothers and the babies will have to learn to live with each other for 8 to 10 hours of the day. Here are some things you can do to prepare yourself and your baby:

Before you join work, start leaving the baby for sometime with the child minder.
Begin with a few hours and gradually increase the number of hours you leave the baby with child minder.
You could even give yourself a trial run of traveling back to work. This will give you confidence that you can travel again.
These physical separations will help both the mother and the baby once the mother returns to work.
It will give the baby time to get to know and adjust to the child minder.

Tips that will help you get back to work more easily:

Keep in touch with your colleagues by phone or by E-mail.
Be aware of what is going on in the office.
You can make some short visits to the office before your official joining date. This will help you get to know what is happening at office and will be seen as a proactive step to getting back to work.

A new baby means additional financial expenditure. Here are simple tips to manage your expenses if your financial condition is tight after the birth of your baby:

Make a list of the expenditure for the next month. You will be able to account for the money and be able to point out where you can reduce expenditure.
Shop around for utilities such as electricity, gas and phone, by doing this you will be able to save a considerable amount of money.
If you are a single income family, try and reduce your expenditure. Pay bills with direct debits
Claim the child benefits that you are entitled to.
Breast-feed your baby for the first year; this will save you a lot of money, as artificial milk is very expensive.
Use re-usable or cloth nappies this will also reduce expenditure in the long run though, initial investment is high.
Make the baby's first food at home instead of buying prepared baby meals.
Pick up clothes, toys and equipment for the baby at sales.

Your New Life

2008-09-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest milestones in a woman's life is becoming a mother. No other event in one's life brings about as many changes and as much responsibility as this one. Having a baby gives one a sense of fulfillment and enormous joy. At the same time study done in Australia on new mothers, has shown that, first-time mothers have been overwhelmed by the changes that take place after the baby is born. Most of them admitted that they were not prepared for their new role as a 'mother', and the extent to which their lives changed with the arrival of the baby. Most of them said that they were exhausted with the amount of work that was involved in taking care of a newborn.

The study also showed that over a period of time as they got used to the baby and formed a routine, they become more confident about their nurturing skills. When they accepted help from family and friends to do various chores they were more comfortable and enjoyed their new status better. The study has stated that three factors helped women adjust to their new role:

Prior knowledge about motherhood and babies.
Good support system consisting of family and friends.
Alert, receptive baby who helped the mother take care of them.

Change is the only constant in life. Each time there is change in your life, you learn, growth and discover things about yourself that you were not aware of. A few tips that new mothers must remember:

Being a mother is a learnt skill; it isn't something that a woman is born with.
The first three years of motherhood are the toughest and they will pass by before you know it. So enjoy it.
Taking care of a child was never meant to be one person's responsibility. So get all support you can and you will enjoy being a mother.

Being a mother is a wonderful gift and feeling, inspite of all the hard work enjoy it while it lasts.

Baby Safe Feeder

2008-09-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Visualizing and feeling the growth of an infant to baby gives an overwhelming feeling to the parents. Any small development of the infant seems to be remarkable in your eyes. It can be any minute change be it the infants turning his whole body, peeping of the teeth from his gums, or his first effort to speak.

Before the teeth come out the infant has a strange feeling in his/her gums. The infant tries to bite or eat every solid food and in this process there is always a dangerous tendency of the food being stuck on the narrow tender throat pipe. But there is certainly a safe remedy to prevent choking of your baby.

By using baby safe feeder you can certainly avoid such mishap. You have to simply put a piece of any desired fruit of your baby on the soft, disposable mesh bag and close the bag tightly. There is a plastic ring, which holds the bag firmly. You can find these baby safe feeder at any nearby store and some brands also provide the disposable mesh bag along with it. The advantage of using this safe feeder is that the gums of your infant are soothed. It is also a very good teether for your infant. He/ she can taste the varied food types and develop a personal taste with the help of this safe feeder cum teether. You can easily clean this feeder on the dishwasher.

Tips on how to deal with choking

The child will stop to breathe or cry if food chunk is been choked in his throat.
When the food gets choked in his throat there will be some cough symptoms which will gradually turn out to be wheezing or gasping.
The face-color of your infant will turn blue if a food piece has been choked in his narrow throat.
Try to put the finger on the throat pipe and bring out the chunk of food.
If you can't take out the food putting the finger on the throat don't keep your finger over there, as it will harm the baby more than being beneficial.
If the infant is still struggling to breathe call emergency help.

Safe Infant Walker

2008-09-07T23:08:00.000-07:00

There is a constant demand of infant walkers in the market though it is considered a risky item. If you have decided to buy a walker make a brief research before selecting the right walker for your infant.

You can get walkers that have an activity center on the walker itself. Also there are a variety of designs among these infant walkers. Some are brightly colored with all the funny cartoon pictures or designed with some lacy and satin material. There are also folding baby walkers available in the market that can be easily folded and carried over to any desired place.

But it is advisable not to get lured by the lacy decorative designs and select the appropriate safe baby walker. The trendy designed infant walker has wheels and they are quite dangerous. It is better to opt for stationary walkers that don't have any wheels but the seats rotate and also bounce when the baby jumps. These stationery walkers don't move so your infant is in one place, which is quite safer than the moving walkers.

Tips on safe infant walker

It is better to take some precautionary methods so that the safe infant walking by walker is possible.
You should cover the electrical switches and other places of plug insertion.
Also the latches of drawers and cabinets should be covered.
It is better that you either remove the furniture with sharp edges or insert an soft edge.
Remove all the breakable items from tables and shelves where your infant can reach safely.
Don't carry hot water or food in vessel near the child. He might knock against you with the thrust of the walker cause dangerous accident.
Don't allow your child near the stove heater or other heating appliances.
Also try to lock the rooms of home with a childproof lock. So that your child can't go outside the main door of the house to the backyard or garage without the help of any elder person.

Travel Accessory For Baby Safety

2008-09-07T23:07:00.000-07:00

It is quite natural that you will want to go for a weekend outing nearby with your family. But sometimes you are quite tensed with the new born that if he is not able to adjust to the change of new environment or handle the tiring car drive.

But we have a hopeful solution for you. We have given you a list of necessary travel accessory also meant for baby safety. These safe items for your infant will make your journey memorable one. You can easily enjoy the charming landscape around you with the innocent eyes of your baby.

Traveling with your baby can be really enjoying if he/she luxuriates the surrounding with you. And your baby can only be relaxing if he finds the atmosphere compatible. To make the journey comfortable for him you need to carry some safety accessory necessary for your infant.

You can carry some books specially meant for infants, as they can be a good pastime for them while traveling.
Finish all the toilet functions before you go and board in the plane, as the bathroom in the aerodrome is quite spacious and clean compared to the flight toilet.
You have to pick up some baby wipes for a quick wipe-up for infant while traveling in the flight.
While selecting the baby travel safe seat prefer the bulkhead seats if your baby is an infant. These seats are meant for babies kept in bassinet.
It is a better idea to carry milk and other food for your babies, as there can be scarcity of food any time during the flight.
If your infant is breast-feeding or bottle-feeding then it is very good to feed them during take-off and while landing. It will prevent the noise to reach their ears and so they feel quite safe.
Before going to catch a flight check the health of your child by a doctor. If they are having a cold it is better not to fly as they might catch cold.
Don't depend on the flight attendant for heating the milk bottle. They may not understand the adequate temperature required for the milk bottle of a baby.
Carry fragranced bags so that you can dispose the diapers in the toilet bin after putting the diapers in the bags.
Also carry a set of clothes for your infants as you might need to change in the flight.

First Baby Toy

2008-09-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

If you are under the thought that these are the luxurious items and are just required to decorate the room of your child then you are wrong. These first baby toys help in the over-all development of the personality of the child. These soft baby toys are generally colorful so that it appears attractive to the eyes of the babies.

Infant toys are generally attached to the cribs or set on the floor, as the child can't move. They are sometimes hung on the upper side of the child cot so that the sound and movement amuse the little one. There are some baby toys can be attached to car seats and strollers. Also you can attach aquarium to the cribs of your babies so that the sight of the vibrant colored fishes and sound of the water ripples soothes the sight and hearing organs of the baby.

Another useful toy for the babies are the rattles and teethers especially when the child is chewing. But it is better to keep them in refrigerator when unused. The coolness of the refrigerated rattle will be a relief to the gums of the baby. Also toys that make noise or move when squeezed also create massive development in the child. They get to know that their act of squeezing the toy makes it move or occurs some sound in the toy.

You can also hang activity center on the side of the crib of your child or you can set the activity center on the floor and put your child on it. Some of the sets have give your child the driving facility, which helps to develop the reasoning, and driving power of the babies.

Though it might appear quite astonishing to your ears but another way of developing the intellect and personality of the child is by reading simple short stories to him. Reading habit never goes without paying off and it can easily overcome all the obstacles that age creates. When he is little grown - up then you can give him the more durable rhyme books or other colorful pictured books. These books are made up of thick cardboard or hard cloth, and are specially designed for infants.

Baby Strollers

2008-09-07T23:03:00.001-07:00

If you want to enjoy a walk with your infant then here is some important message for you. Carrying your baby yourself can be a bit hectic for you though it is a universal practice. If both of you want to enjoy the beauty of the dusk in each others company but without disturbing the comfort of the other one then you should opt for baby strollers.

The market is flooded with a variety of baby strollers like double strollers, triple strollers, jogging strollers and travel strollers i.e. the umbrella strollers. As usual before paying for anything you need to find the utility of the different strollers type and select the right one for you, which can give comfort to your little angel and fulfill your purpose too.

Umbrella strollers are the ideal ones for traveling as they can be folded easily. Even if you are gong for a long drive in car these umbrella baby strollers are very useful as they can be used both inside and outside the car. When shopping for a baby stroller keep in mind for what purpose you will be using it. Most of the baby strollers are though compact and light in weight but they are not the same as umbrella stroller. For the infant the umbrella stroller are again the best. Some of the strollers are the heavy ones like that of the pram that can be used in the rough road and meant for long walking. Another worthy of mentioning type is the jogging baby stroller, which are meant for the parents who go for jogging or walking with the baby. Though these infant jogging strollers are light in weight but they are not meant for using it in the shopping. In these jogging strollers you can find wheels of different sizes.

A list of Stroller Accessories for infants
Each and every stroller has it own specific accessories, which are been designed to make your purpose more enjoyable, and convenient. We have given some details about them.

Infant stroller has cover that protects your baby form rain. There are some strollers that have hood that covers the entire stroller till the wheels.
There are also small umbrella in the baby strollers that protect the little angel from the scorching heat.
These strollers are covered with fine wire net that prevents the small harmful insects to come in touch with the baby but allow the baby to inhale fresh air.
You can keep the food and any drink of your baby on the stands that are provided in the infant strollers so that you don't have to carry it separately. There is also a provision of carrying basket with the stroller. But be careful to hang the baskets low and light weight on the stroller or it may get misbalanced.
There are also some attractive toys on the stroller, which are attached to them by a Velcro. Undoubtedly it is within the reach of the tiny supple hands. And if desired you can even use it in the car seats or cribs etc.
In some baby stroller there are elegant designed removable headrests and padding so that your little one can find some comfort while experiencing the long tiring journey.

Potty training for Infants

2008-09-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

There is no precise time for learning. A new born as soon as he/she comes out of his mothers womb he tries to understand the unknown world. And this learning continues until his last breath. When infant among innumerable other learning he/ she must learn how to do potty in the right place meant for it. Though too small it has to be made a habit from the infant but of course potty training for an infant differs from the toddler potty training.

Early potty training depends on the understanding of the mother and child. The mother needs to understand the babies' general timing of 'pee' and also their body language. Though we have given some of the general symptoms that can be seen in the child when it is the time for them. Also there are a large variety of funny potty training seats and even toys. Some of the doll toys when squeezed do 'pee'. This can be a helpful potty training tool for your infant.

Tips on infant potty training

The best time for early potty training is when your child is 4-5 months old.
The first step is to take his fear out from him. When you have an intuition then that your infant wants to do take him/her to the desired place hold her gently and make a sound of 'pee' or 'ssss' from the mouth. After some days your baby will be adjusted to the sound and your touch. You can choose any comfortable place.
If after the beginning of your potty training your child still continues to make the diapers dirty don't be worried. It is quite normal for the child to take about 2 years time before he gets adjusted to it.
Don't pressurize the baby or don't be worried you missed some particular timing.
You can also make them wear diaper or potty pants while taking them to the potty or if preferred keep them naked.

Symptoms of the child before potty
You need to understand the symptoms of the infant and then you can confidently find out the right time to take him to the toilet or any other preferred place.

The babies can be very calm and quite.
He can pass out the toxic gas.
The body stiffens and he scream twist or become tensed up and.
He moves toward the toilet or stares at the potty or any such similar place.
He suddenly has a look of concentration, keeps staring at some distance in vague.
He can also make peculiar leg movement.
Also there can be some changes in the behavior of the baby. He can become suddenly serious.
He can also stop playing or stop doing his most liked thing and give an unnatural look.

Easy Potty Seats

2008-09-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Parental affection is of course a must and it is quite naturally bestowed to the child as soon as you see the newborn smiling and giggling. But love alone is not enough for the all-round development of the baby. At every step you need to very conscious to make him/her adjustable to the new and unknown world. It has to be done by implementing small changes in your behavior, in your lifestyle and even in your babies' daily used accessories.

Here we will be telling about the potty seats, which is one of the common daily used items of your baby. There are a wide variety of designs available in the market of different shapes, size color and style.

Analysis to be done before buying potty seats
Before buying easy potty seats or potty chairs for babies you need to decide whether you want the potty seat type that sits on the floor or the one that can be attached to the toilet. Both have its own advantages and disadvantages. The baby potty attached to the floor is easy for the child to climb and sit but you have clean the dirt and also you will have to train him separately for sitting on the bigger one. But the one attached to the general toilet makes the child quite adjustable to it form the very beginning and gradually you remove the extra potty chair when not needed.

Types of potty seats or chairs
Some of the potty seats have a variety of deigns like the padded potty chairs in which has a musical tune playing on it. Also there are different types of colorful kidish pictures printed on it. The other necessary type is the folding potty seat, which are very helpful while traveling. These portable folding potty seats for travel are compact enough to be folded easily and kept in the pouch, which is provided with the potty seat. And also some of the folding potties contain a flip along with it, which helps in keeping the toilet or the surrounding area clean. Most of the potty seats including the folding potty seat have a soothing texture so that your babies' soft and supple skin remains unaffected.

Best Baby Monitors

2008-09-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

The universal problem that a mother of a newborn has to face is little or sometime no sleep or rest. Also it is simply not possible to stick to your baby during all the twenty-four hours of the day. Again you can't stop worrying about the troubles that your little one can face when he/she is not under your careful observation. Here the baby monitors is the most helpful tool to make you aware of your tiny angel's needs.

These monitors are actually used to see or hear your infant when you are physically not present near him/her. These monitor have two sections one should be near the baby and the other with the mother. It can work both with battery and directly through electricity.

One part of the baby monitor is to be placed in between 10 feet of the baby's crib so that it can make you alert of the baby's moving or crying etc. Though the widely used baby monitors are those hearing ones but there are infant video monitors where you can view your baby on-screen with all his different gestures. You can also get to know the room temperature of the infant's room.

Another variety among the baby monitor is the baby-breathing monitor. Premature babies require these breathing monitors and the hospital authorities generally give it if they find such requirement. Also parents who have lost their child through cot death can use these breathing monitors.

It might be some times possible that the walls or the cordless phones or even other baby monitor can be a obstacle and send you wrong alerts. So it is better to have a frequent checkup whether your baby monitor is working properly or not. Also don't keep a baby monitor near the water or there can be serious accident.

How to choose the best baby monitors

It is better to opt for a small size infant monitor so that you can carry it in and around the house.
There are some monitors that give you alert that when your battery needs to be changed. It is better to use those baby monitors that contain this features or otherwise you will not know about the battery replacement and it might be possible that you will stop receiving alerts even when your child needs you the most.
See to it that your infant monitor has a light alert beside the sound alert. It might happen that you are busy watching TV cleaning the house with a vacuum cleaner and the sound doesn't reach your ears. But as the monitor lights up you become aware and rush to your infants crib.
You can also use monitors that have two receivers. You can easily leave one receiver in the room and take another with you outside if required.
There are some brands that have a high bandwidth compared to others. These powerful monitors are ideal for the remote areas where the technology development or usage is less as these monitors gives more clear signals compared to others. But in hi-tech places that are filled up with cell phones and computers there you require a baby monitor of low bandwidth.

Baby Cribs

2008-09-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

One of the important do's that should be done before going to shop baby cribs for your newborn is to read carefully our informative section on baby cribs. Not only you will find the details of baby cribs but you can get some trendy baby cribs types and also some tips on choosing the money-saving long-time usable crib.

Though during the first few days your baby doesn't need a crib but after some time he/she will have to be upgraded from bassinet to crib. You can also find some details on the bassinets type, materials etc in our other section. Now coming on the topic of cribs it can be of many types. You can choose the most comfortable one from the innumerable types of shapes, sizes and texture of the crib.

The most common are the standard cribs. In this crib both side and also any one side of the crib can be taken out easily and fitted at any corner of the room according to your needs. The other well-known type is the convertible cribs which can be adjusted to different sizes according to the growth of your baby. Another type of crib is the portable cribs which are very easy to carry and useful while traveling. Even in room you can shift the portable cribs anywhere in the room where your infant has a sound sleep. If one is looking for stylish cribs then the ideal one is the round baby cribs. They are decorated beautifully and are shaped like canopy. It gives your nursery an elegant look and it also has wheels so it can be moved anywhere according to your desire. To ensure the safety of the infant the upper layer of all the types of cribs are given a non-toxic finish but it is better to confirm it before buying.

Safe Cribs

It is better not to use decorated cribs or cribs that have lead paint finish. Even cribs that contain open cutouts can be dangerous.
Span of space between the slats must not be more than 2-3/8 inches. There is always a danger that the babies head being stuck between the stand that are on the side of the crib.
Always use the safe cribs that are manufactured after 1974.

Baby Bottle Warmers

2008-09-07T22:52:00.000-07:00

Here in this section we have given some relaxing news viewing your continuous breathless toil in and around babies, caring him looking after him feeding him etc. The baby bottle warmers prevent your frequent running to the kitchen to feed your baby. You can take these warmer wherever you want specially the baby travel bottle warmer while you are traveling in a car. There are different brands of bottle warmers available in the market that are user-friendly and having the most advanced features. You can easily choose one among them and set the temperature of your bottle warmer that will be suitable for your child.

The milk or the baby food or even the feeding bottle of your baby can be put in the warmer and just pour water. The water level should be under the level of milk or milk bottle. The warmer heats the water around the milk bottle and automatically milk gets heated automatically. The switch of the warmer keeps on clicking on and off and the milk remains of the same temperature until you use it. So it not only the milk that but the bottle food warmer for babies helps them to have a nutritious warm food especially in the winter.

There are some bottle warmers that have a cooling part. In the cooler part you can keep another bottle ready so that you can use it later. These bottle warmers set are very helpful during the night feed, as you don't have to go through the long procedure of conventional warming in the kitchen.

There are some types of bottle warmer that can be used while traveling in car. You can put the bottle warmer in the cigarette lighter for your car so that the car batteries heat it. They are kept firm by a plastic belt tied around the bottle. It takes about 15 minutes to warm up. You can also use chemical bottle warmer to warm up the milk bottle of your baby. A heat releasing liquid warms up the food of the baby.

Baby Crib Bedding Set

2008-09-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

It is quite innate that every parents want the best for their baby. Each and every item of your child has to be unique and wonderful aesthetically. You will surely want the most wonderful things to happen in his life as soon as he sees the light of the world. Even while choosing the best bedding sets for your infant baby you will search for the best item. But while hunting the most suitable bedding set for your baby you should be careful not only about the design of crib or bassinet mattress but also see to it whether it is comfortable to the baby.

There are innumerable fabric samples in the market. Don't be lured by the glamorous look but also test the beneficial points. Your baby crib bedding set will contain mattress, tender blankets, and bed sheets. Baby sleep Positioners may not be available to you within the bedding set and you may have to buy it separately. The side pillows and the head pillow with the foam support the head of the baby and also shape the sleeping posture of the baby. The advantage of these sleep positioners is that they go well with the bedding set. They can also be used with the bassinet bedding set meant for infants. Bassinets are actually meant for infants less than 6 months. You can find more information on bassinets in our other section.

In the baby crib bedding set you can also find crib bumpers so that if your infant plays football on the crib he doesn't gets hurt. It can be of any tender color like pink, blue or a mixture of both. A baby crib bumper usually comes in soft and supple colors such as pink/blue, pink with blue stars or blue with pink stars. Foam-filled bumpers are more resistant to the kicks of your babies and also the material bounces back thus giving fresh look forever.

Another item of your crib or bassinet bedding set is the sleeping sheets. They should fit tightly to the bassinet or baby bed structure so that your child does not gets entangled in the sheet, which can cause dangerous breathing problems.

Baby Bath Accessories

2008-09-07T22:48:00.000-07:00

While buying the necessary items for your newborn the other important item among the baby care elements are the baby bath accessories. Though the market and stores are crowded with innumerable items but you should choose the most durable and multipurpose type so that you don't keep on running to the departmental stores after every six months. This is most applicable while buying baby bath tub

Some bathtubs are very user-friendly. They can be placed anywhere according to your convenience whether on the sink or in the floor etc. They are individual parts among themselves and can be used according to the requirements and the growth of the child. Also they are compact enough to be packed and kept or used while traveling.

If your bath accessories have the bathing robe as an item then you can easily find one for your infant. You might be surprised how will put on the bathrobe on your little infant. There is a hood attached to the robe which you can put it on the child's head. These bathing robes for babies are of cute designs are available in all the possible sizes in market. The material and the texture of these bathrobes are quite comfortable and soothing to the tender skin of the babies. They are mainly of cotton terrycloth thick enough to protect your child from cool breeze and also absorb the water evenly.

While coming to the section of bath toys for babies you need to keep some tips in mind like the toys should be colorful and also they should be non-toxic. Sometimes there is a mild fragrance in the toys if smelled carefully. Generally the water toys are in the shape of aqua animals.

Environmental Concerns & Your Baby

2008-09-07T22:45:00.000-07:00

Environmental issues have become a major concern in today's world. We have to make conscious decisions that will reduce the pressure on the environment. This is the only way we can safeguard the planet resources and ensure that our children's future is safe as well. Environmental consciousness can begin with the birth of your baby. You can be environmentally friendly while doing the best for your baby. Here are some ways you could help

Make a list of the things your baby needs, instead of buying every thing, you can borrow from friends and family or buy them second hand.
Rather than buying things that can be exclusively used by a boy or girl, buying things that both can use will lead to saving resources.
Instead of using disposable maternity briefs that are a waste, use cotton ones that can be washed and reused and even if they are thrown, they are biodegradable.
Breast-feed your baby as nature intended you to do. It is the most environmentally friendly food. It is sterile, healthy and free.
Use washable breast pads they are eco-friendly than disposable ones.
Use reusable cloth nappies made of cotton. These are simple to use and long lasting and be used for more than one child.
When the baby starts on solids make your own baby food. These are cheaper than packaged food.

Making a few decisions even with your newborn you can contribute towards restoring ecological balance.

Pushchairs & Car Seats For Your Baby

2008-09-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

After the baby is born you will have to find a way of traveling with your baby on a day-to-day basis. You will have to buy something to carry your baby around in. The most expensive thing that you buy for your newborn will be the pram or pushchair. This is something that will be used very often therefore study all the options you have before buying one. The most important things to look for are:

Whether it will fit into your car.
If it can be used in the public transport system.
If you can fold with one arm with the baby in the other.

There is a wide variety to choose from. Here are a few types:

The traditional pram.
Two-in-one or convertible pushchair: Can be used flat for newborns and in an upright position for babies with head and neck control.
Two-in-one-plus: This has a lift-off lie back seat, which can be used to carry a sleeping baby. But this cannot be used for overnight sleeping.
Three-in-one or combination pushchair: This is similar to a two-in-one but has a lift-off carrycot. If the carrycot is fitted with mattress it can be used for overnight sleeping.
Travel system: Which has all of the above features, along with a Group 0 car seat that can be locked to the pushchair chassis.
'Umbrella' Buggy that can be quickly and easily folded. Unsuitable for newborns.

Car seats: If you have a car you need to buy a seat for your newborn as well. This can be a baby seat that can be used till the baby is nine months old or a combination of a baby and child seat. Rear-facing seats are better for small babies as they are safer. But do no use them in the front passenger seat if you have air bags in your car.

Baby Sling Carrier, How to make a Baby Sling Carrier

2008-09-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

Even with a newborn baby there will be a number of errands that you will have to do. And you will have to take the baby with you wherever you go. The easiest and most cost effective way of getting around with your baby is to him in a baby sling or carrier. Both parents and babies like slings as the baby is close to their body and both feel safe. Slings are easy to use while shopping, on walks and while using the public transport system. Slings can be used in places where it is difficult to use a pram or buggy. If used properly the weight of the baby will be equally distributed and there will be no strain on your back.

As various types are available in the market it is best to try all of them and find the one you are most comfortable with. Find out from family and friends how useful they found the sling or carrier. If you can, try out a sling using an older child then you will get an idea as to how comfortable it feels once your baby grows older. Remember that what works for one person may not work for another. Here are a few different types of baby carriers and how they work:

Wrap-around sling: This consists of a large piece of cloth with a buckle you can adjust to make a cradle in which you put your newborn. It can be worn across the body like a sash to form a hammock in which the baby can lie. This can also be fastened to balance a toddler on your hip. Many women find this useful when they are breast-feeding. But as the baby grows older and weighs more it becomes difficult to use.
Backpack Carrier: Once your baby can sit by himself without any support, you can use this carrier. This is worn on the back and usually has a metal frame; the baby gets a good view of what is happening around him. If you buy a rain cover then you can use it in all kinds of weather. Some of the backpack carries have a pull -along feature with wheels and a handle and can to used as a 'little-buggy' for short distances. Some come with stands so you can grab a cup of coffee while putting the backpack down for a while.
Drop-in baby carrier: This consists of a pouch, which has arm and leg holes, this rests of the chest of the person wearing it. The baby is made to sit in this pouch with his arms and legs passing through the holes so that he is secure as he sits. Newborns are made to face inwards and older children are made to face outward. Many parents prefer this, as it is comfortable and less cumbersome than a pram. But once the baby is over six months it is difficult to carry him like this.

Baby Clothing, Tips on Baby Clothes

2008-09-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

Choice of baby clothing is unlimited. But your budget is limited, so you will have to look for things that fit your purse and you like. But there are some things that you must keep in mind while shopping for babies' clothes. Babies do not like their clothes being changed often. Choose clothes that are easy to change and simple to put on and remove. Clothes that stretch and have a wide neck are best. Clothes that open in front and have poppers are easier. Buttons can come off and the baby can swallow them. When ties come off you will have to sow them on again so avoid clothes with them. Nappies should open around the crotch. Avoid lace as the babies can get their fingers caught in lace. Use natural fiber, cotton is the best, it is soft on their skin and comfortable. The clothes should not have rough stitching. Clothes that do not need ironing are best. Babies grow out of their clothes quickly, so you may not want to buy too many. But you must have enough clothes so that you do not end up having to wash them frequently. For a newborn you may need:

Six to eight stretch suits (3to 4 first size and 3 to 4 second size). Always buy according to weight not age.
Two nightgowns those are more comfortable and easy to put on and take off than stretch suits and hence make changing nappies easier at night.
Four sleeveless vest with poppers under the crotch to prevent them from riding up.
Three pairs of socks
Three cardigans
For summer a sunhat and a light jacket
For winters warm hat, mittens and snow suit.

This is a basic wardrobe for your newborn.

Baby Care : Things A Newborn Needs

2008-09-07T22:15:00.001-07:00

Once the baby is born you can get carried away buying things for the new born. There is no doubt that you will enjoy buying things for your baby, but you will have to be careful not to buy things you do not need. It is important to remember that babies grow quickly and buying a lot of things that they use only in the first few months will be a waste of money. It would be best if you could borrow some of things from family or friends. Costly items like prams; rockers, high seats etc. can be bought second hand as they are used only in the first few months. You will find clothes, in a second hand shop in good condition, as they are used only for a few months. Your family and friends will gift a lot of the things that are required by the baby for the first few months. It is a good ideas to talk to friends who have had babies before you and find out what they thought was necessary for the baby during the first few months. Here are a few suggestions on what you will need in the first few months:

Nappies: If you are using reusable cloth nappies, then you will need a large supply of cloth nappies so that you do no run out of them in between washes. Two or three Changing Mats to place the baby on, while changing nappies so that your sheets do not get stained, if you are not using a changing table. Soft wash cloth or cotton wool to clean the baby. The washcloth will have to cut into medium sized squares; you will need a few of these.
Separate bucket to collect, soak and wash the soiled nappies.

eir baby. Again you should ensure water is just warm enough for the baby. Other things that you might need are:

Cotton wool to clean the baby's face.
Sponge to bath the baby.
Baby soap and shampoo.
A baby bath rest would be useful as it will make your baby feel more secure and you will feel that he is better supported as well.

Bedtime: Things that you need for bedtime for your baby will depend on where you baby is going to sleep. Some parents prefer to let their baby sleep independently. Some babies do not like to sleep alone as they fee insecure and lonely. If the baby sleeps with you, it would help to have:

A small mattress that you can place over your mattress.
Cotton sheets to cover the mattress and the baby. It would be better to have a few spares as well.
Cotton blankets for the baby, the number you use will depend on the time of the year.
Pillows placed on the side of the baby to ensure that he doesn't roll off the bed at night.

If your baby sleeps in a cot, you will need:

A mattress that is firm and fits the cot well.
Cotton sheets to cover the mattress and the baby with. Keep a few spares to use when those being used are washed.
Cotton blankets, the number you need depends on the time of year it is.
Baby monitor
Room thermometer to monitor the temperature of the room the baby sleeps in.
Night-light will make the baby feel more secure.

No matter where the baby sleeps make that his bed clothing is separate from yours.

Baby Care : Things A Newborn Needs

2008-09-07T22:15:00.000-07:00

Cotton wool to clean the baby's face.
Sponge to bath the baby.
Baby soap and shampoo.
A baby bath rest would be useful as it will make your baby feel more secure and you will feel that he is better supported as well.

A small mattress that you can place over your mattress.
Cotton sheets to cover the mattress and the baby. It would be better to have a few spares as well.
Cotton blankets for the baby, the number you use will depend on the time of the year.
Pillows placed on the side of the baby to ensure that he doesn't roll off the bed at night.

If your baby sleeps in a cot, you will need:

A mattress that is firm and fits the cot well.
Cotton sheets to cover the mattress and the baby with. Keep a few spares to use when those being used are washed.
Cotton blankets, the number you need depends on the time of year it is.
Baby monitor
Room thermometer to monitor the temperature of the room the baby sleeps in.
Night-light will make the baby feel more secure.

No matter where the baby sleeps make that his bed clothing is separate from yours.

Nappy Rash Thrush

2008-06-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

Causes & Treatment For Nappy Rash
Nappy Rash
Nappy rash is a common problem that all babies have at some point in their early life. The baby's buttocks become red and sore. Baby rash is a result of:

* The bacteria in the baby's stools reacting with the substances in his urine. This causes irritation and redness. Change the baby's nappy as soon as he wets or soils it. Use a nappy rash cream that has zinc oxide as a component.
* The baby's skin being damp. As you change his nappy dry his bottom with a soft cotton washcloth. Allow your baby to stay without a nappy for a few hours everyday.
* The baby's skin reacting to the soap or the wipes you use. It is better to use lukewarm water and cotton wool to clean your baby's bottom.
* Using strong detergents to wash cloth nappies. Use detergents that are gentle and rinse off a number of times.

Thrush
Nappy rash that doesn't go away inspite of all the precautions it may well be thrush. If so then you need to consult your doctor immediately. Infection caused by the fungus candia albicans in thrush. This fungus thrives in areas of the body where there is a lot of moisture like the mouth or groin area.

Thrush in the mouth appears as little white spots inside the cheeks and on the tongue of the baby. If you try to clean these while spots they will appear red in color. Thrush makes the mouth very sensitive and it is difficult for the baby to feed. Oral thrush can be treated with a suspension or a gel to be applied locally. If you notice that your baby has a recurrent case of thrush when you are bottle-feeding him, sterilize the bottles and teats you use thoroughly. Steam sterilization is the best method to use.

Jaundice

2008-06-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Jaundice At Birth
While the baby is in the womb it is dependent on the mother for food and oxygen. Both these reach the baby through the umbilical cord that connects him to his mother. The baby's blood has additional red blood cells to help in the distribution of oxygen through out his body. After birth the baby begins to breathe through his lungs and hence does not need the additional red blood cells. His body will start disposing off the extra cells. These red blood cells are destroyed in spleen and a major by-product thus produced is bilirubin.

The liver removes the bilirubin from the bloodstream and passes it on to the intestines. As the baby's liver is still developing, it is unable to manage, the sudden increase in bilirubin during the first few days. The large amounts of bilirubin in the blood will make the baby's skin appear yellow. Immediately after birth it is normal for babies to have a small amount of jaundice. But if the concentration of bilirubin in the blood is high it could damage the baby's brain. You should ask your doctor to monitor your baby constantly if he has jaundice. Things that you can do:

* Breast-feed your baby as often as he is willing to feed. This will aid is reducing the bilirubin in the blood.
* Breast milk is sufficient to remove the extra bilirubin you do not need to give him any other fluids.

If the amount of jaundice your baby has is high, your doctor will treat him using phototherapy. They will place the baby under a light, naked expect for an eye patch for a few hours, for a few days. This light will not harm your baby in any way. He can be treated in a mobile unit in your room.

Immunization Medical Help

2008-06-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Immunization Schedule And Meningitis
Immunization is important to protect your baby from those diseases that can be fatal for him. It is important to follow the immunization schedule accurately. If you miss an immunization date then consult your doctor immediately and he will give you a new date. If the baby is very ill when immunization is due then you consult your doctor and reschedule immunization. But if your baby has a slight cold or cough then you can go ahead with immunization. If your baby has had an acute reaction to a dose of immunization consult your doctor before you give him the booster dose.

After an immunization shot the baby is likely to have slight fever, give him the recommended dose of paracetamol and that should help him. If the injection sight is swollen do not worry, as this is normal. Consult your doctor about the reactions that various injections will have on your baby. If your baby has any of the following conditions then he is ill:

* Is not feeding normally for over 24 hours.
* Vomiting continuously.
* If is suddenly beings to breathe noisily and rapidly.
* Has wet only 4 nappies or less in the past 24 hours.
* Presence of blood in stools or urine.
* Cries continuously and it sounds different from the normal way he cries.
* Lacks energy and is not alert.
* Has a skin rash.

Consult your doctor if you are concerned about the way the baby is behaving.

Given below is the ideal immunization schedule for babies:

* At 11/2 months:

1. B.C.G (injection) If not given at birth to the baby.
2. D.P.T. - 1 (injection)
3. O.P.V. - 1 (dose)

* At 21/2 months:

1. D.P.T. - 2 (injection)
2. O.P.V. - 2 (dose)
3. At 31/2 months:
4. D.P.T. - 3 (injection)
5. O.P.V. - 3 (dose)

* At 9 months:

1. Measles (injection)

* 16 to 24 months:

1. D.P.T. Booster (injection)
2. O.P.V. Booster (dose)

Another illness that is a cause of great concern among parents is meningitis. When this affects infants and small children, it can be fatal if not treated promptly. Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation can be caused either by bacteria or viruses. Meningitis caused by bacterial infection is more fatal than the one caused by viral infection. Meningitis is contagious as it is airborne. It spreads when an infected person sneezes, coughs, laughs or talks and tiny droplets of fluid from his throat and nose become air borne. Infants are more susceptible to meningitis as their immune system is still developing. The number of cases of meningitis among infants has dropped greatly every since the Hib vaccine was introduced. A Hib vaccine safeguards the child against the attack of meningitis. But vaccines have not been developed for all the strains of meningitis. Hence parents continue to be worried about meningitis. Some symptoms of meningitis are:

* Stiffness in the neck.
* Swollen fontanel - swelling of the soft spot on the baby's head.
* The baby is listless and is not his usual energetic self.
* The baby looks very pale.
* The baby is not alert.
* The baby has a purple rash.
* The baby cries in a high-pitched voice and seems to me moaning.
* The baby has very high temperature.
* The baby has suddenly become sensitive to light.

Though meningitis seems like a deadly disease, it can be cured, if diagnosed at the right time and treated promptly.

Hypoglycaemia Colic

2008-06-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Managing Hypoglycemia & Colic
We need a certain amount of sugar, in the form of glucose, for normal functioning of the body. When the level of glucose in the blood decreases if affects the functioning of our brain. While in the womb the baby feeds through the umbilical cord and the blood glucose levels are more or less constant. After childbirth the umbilical cord is cut and the baby has to adjust to the resultant fall in blood glucose levels. Immediately after birth it is normal for the glucose levels in the blood to drop for a day or two. The baby's brain will get the energy it requires from the glycogen that is stored in the liver and is a substitute for glucose. The baby may not feed well for the first few days. As long as he is healthy and normal there is no cause to worry. If the baby is breast-feeding, there is no need to give him sugar water to increase his glucose level. Some babies may have a problem with this fall blood sugar level. They are:

* Sick babies
* Premature babies.
* Those babies who have not developed well in the womb.
* Babies whose mothers are diabetic.

Doctors and nurses monitor babies in the above categories closely. They monitor:

* Baby's body temperature.
* Baby's respiratory function.
* Baby's skin color.
* Watch whether the baby is restless.

If the blood sugar levels are very low the baby may be administered glucose drips intravenously. Though the best way of ensuring that the baby gets the right amount of glucose in breast-feeding him.

Colic
The word 'colic' is used to describe a specific crying pattern. The baby seems to be terribly upset by the pain it is undergoing and cries continuously. If the baby draws his knees to his stomach, clenches his fists and makes a disgusting face while crying then he has colic. Colic usually begins when the baby is three or four weeks old and is at its worst when the baby is about eight weeks old. Babies with colic cry for long spells, which can last a few hours, usually in the evening or night. Though the child can be consoled for sometime, he begins to cry again for no apparent reason. Normally babies with colic are happy, in good health and well developed. It is in very rare cases that colic lasts beyond three months. Some babies may show signs of colic till they are about five months old. Colic is a result of:

* An upset stomach
* Under developed nervous system
* Fluid that flows back into the esophagus from the stomach.
* Air trapped in the stomach forming gas.

When the see their baby suffer so much as a result of colic parents often blame themselves. They think it is a result of something they are doing or not doing. But this is not the case. No matter what causes colic there is little the parents can do to make their baby feel better. Here are a few tips to help the baby:

* Bath the baby in lukewarm water.
* Wrap them in cotton covering so that they feel safe.
* Give their feet a massage.
* Give them a dummy to suck on.
* Give them gripe water or colic drops.
* Dissolve three teaspoons of sugar in a cup of boiling water, cool it and then slowly give it to the baby using a teaspoon.

You can consult your doctor for more advice. Ask family members to help out in taking care of the baby if colic is a regular feature. Colic has no lasting effect on the baby.

Premature Babies

2008-06-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Congenital Abnormalities In Newborns
Some babies are born with certain abnormalities; these are present at the time of the birth of the baby. These are known congenital abnormalities. These abnormalities are a result of problems while the baby was developing in the mother's womb or because of complications during labor or they are hereditary abnormalities. Given below are a few congenital abnormalities:

* Spina bifida: in this condition there is a raw swelling over a portion of the spine at birth. This results in paralysis of the legs either partial or complete, inability to control bladder functioning and inability to feel anything below the spina bifida. In some cases there is a build up and retention of water in the brain and this is know as hydrocephalus. This swelling can be closed by an operation by specialists. To reduce to risk of spina bifida women are prescribed folic acid supplements during the early stages of their pregnancy.
* Umbilical hernias: In this condition parts of the digestive system are lying outside the stomach cavity. This is because the area around the navel is not very strong. Normally cases of umbilical hernias around the navel heal by themselves, if they do not then surgery is required.
* Sickle cell disease: This is a hereditary condition that is most commonly found among people of West African or African Caribbean descent. The hemoglobin in the red blood corpuscles disintegrates at a quicker rate than normal. Hemoglobin is important as it carries oxygen to the different parts of the body. Reduction in hemoglobin causes anemia and blocks blood vessels in the hands and legs and stomach. An attack can last for a few days and can be treated with painkillers. This is also known as Sickle cell disease.
* Cystic fibrosis: This is another hereditary illness in which the tissues in the body produce unusually thick mucus. The commonly affected organs are the lungs, the intestines and pancreas. If the lungs are affected the air ducts are blocked and hence vulnerable to infection. Children with this condition have a inability to digest food completely and have bad smelling bowel movements and constipation. They are well below the normal weight for their age. This illness has no cure, but if detected in the initial stages lung damage can be reduced. These children are susceptible to chest infections and have to be treated with antibiotics. Chest physiotherapy is required regularly to remove thick phlegm.
* Coeliac disease: In this condition the child's intestine reacts strongly to gluten, a protein found in wheat. These children have a severe case of diarrhea, where the stools are fatty, pale and don't flush away. The child does not put on weight as required. The illness can be detected by a blood test. After being detected the child will have to completely give up gluten contain food. Once this is done stools return to normal and the child will put on weight. There is large number of alternative foods available in the market and the child will have to abstain from having gluten for the rest of his life. Once this is done stools return to normal and the child will put on weight.
* Clubfoot: In this condition the foot curves inwards or outwards. All babies are checked for this at birth, especially so if they were born in the breech position, as it occurs more frequently with these babies. Often they can be manipulated into the proper position, with little or no treatment. But if the case is severe then surgery may be required. This condition is also known as talipes.
* Cleft palate: In this condition the cleft lip and the cleft palate are fused, thus the baby is unable to breast-feed. Various support groups will help you deal with the situation and corrective plastic surgery is possible.
* Congenital dislocation of the hip: All babies are screened for this condition at birth and when they are eight weeks old. If this condition is undetected then walking can become a problem later on in life. If diagnosed with this problem then the baby will have to wear a special splint for sometime. Most recover without having to be operated on, but some do need an operation. This condition is prevalent more among girls and breech babies.
* Cerebral palsy: In this condition the parts of the brain that control body movements are damaged. This can happen before birth, during birth or in the first two years after birth. In some cases damage may not be noticed at birth, but as the child grows it may become evident that there is brain damage. It is difficult to pinpoint as to what causes this damage. There are a few tests that can be conducted when the baby is eight weeks old to screen him for cerebral palsy.

Premature babies
The normal term for a baby is 37 weeks. Those babies that are born before this period are premature babies. Modern medical technology has advanced to such an extent that today babies that are born at 23 or 24 weeks can be kept alive and monitored till they reach full term. Babies born at 25 weeks and after have a perfectly good chance of healthy survival today. Special Care Baby Units (SCBU) are designed and equipped to look after sick and early babies. Premature babies have Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) or difficulty in breathing. As the baby is born too early its lungs haven't developed enough to produce surfactant, an important substance that prevents the inner side of the lungs from fusing together. Today the babies are given artificial surfactant. They need special care and are kept in an incubator in a controlled environment and fed through tubes to their stomach.

Baby Temperature

2008-06-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

Dealing with Fever
Babies need to be comfortable at all times they should not be too hot or too cold. Their clothing should suit the weather and the heating within the house should suit the children and adults alike. If the house in centrally heated then your baby will be comfortable in just a vest and a stretch suit when he is indoors. When they leave the house they may need more clothing depending on what the temperature outside is. At bedtime, cover them with as many blankets as you would use, if you were sleeping in that room. Each folded blanket is equivalent to two blankets. You don't have to keep the central heating on through the night.

To sleep well, the baby doesn't need a specially heated room. Studies have found that a cool room allows both adults and babies to sleep well. The ideal temperature is around 18 degrees centigrade (65 degrees Fahrenheit). Babies like adults will need less clothing in summer. So make sure you clothe your baby lightly especially while he is sleeping to ensure there is no overheating. If it is cold outside you can wrap your baby with an extra blanket when to step outside the house. But once in your vehicle make sure you remove the extra layers of clothing to ensure that he doesn't get too hot. People often tell you that you can find out whether your baby is hot or cold by feeling their palms and the sole of their feet. But these are not indicators of baby's body temperature. To find out the 'core temperature' place your hand flat against the skin of their back or chest.

If they feel pleasantly warm not too hot or cold then they are fine. If they are very hot they will feel sweaty, may have a heat rash around the neck and their face maybe flushed. Reducing the number of clothes that they are wearing or the layers covering them will make them feel better. If the baby is feeling very cold he will cry and even shiver. Sometimes when they feel extremely cold, they will become motionless, as they want to safe energy to keep themselves warm. Adding clothing or covering will make them warm. You could hold them close to your body so that they get warm as a result of your body heat. New parents often worry that they will not be able to tell when their baby is unwell. Once you get accustomed to the routine of your baby, you will be able to notice any change in behavior or routine. Sometimes you may not realize that your baby is ill. Here are a few signs that will help you detect that the baby is ill:

* Lack of energy.
* Doesn't pass urine for over eight hours.
* Stools are yellow-green in color.
* Not feeding normally.
* Cries and is irritated when carried.
* Is vomiting.
* Feels hot and sweaty or hot and dry.

Using an ear thermometer is the most accurate way of finding out the baby's temperature. You can find out the 'core temperature' by placing your hand flat against the skin of his chest or back. If he feels hot then he has a fever. Speak to your doctor before you administer paracetamol. Follow the instructions given on the bottle accurately. Put the baby in a cool room and dress him lightly. Sponging the baby with lukewarm water will reduce his temperature. Remove all his clothes except his nappy, dip the sponge in lukewarm water and gently rub all over his body. Allow this water to evaporate from the skin thus lowering the temperature. When the baby has very high temperature he may have febrile convulsions or fits. This happens when the baby's temperature rises suddenly. Some children have this before they are one year old. It is not a pleasant sight to watch. Give the baby paracetamol, sponge him with lukewarm water, keep him in a cool room and remove extra layers of clothing and you can prevent this from happening again.

Baby Health

2008-06-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

Baby Temperature
Congenital Premature Problems
Hypoglycaemia Colic
Immunization Medical Help
Jaundice
Nappy Rash Thrush

Holding Your Baby

2008-06-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Embracing And Hugging The Baby
Holding babies can be a puzzle for their dads who dread hurting their soft cuddly bodies and crushing them with their loving embraces. Mom's hugs and dad's embraces are the right of every child that enters this world and makes a new baby feel loved and cared for. The reassurance communicated by the firm and secure arms of a father and soothing touches of a mother is irreplaceable by anything else and plays an important role in the development of a child's reactions to the world. Similarly, swaddling the baby is also an ancient way to soothe a child when mothers cannot afford to hold or hug the child and have to leave it alone for sometime while finishing other household work. Here are some useful tips for you:

1. The head of the infants need a firm support, as the muscles of their neck are still not strong enough to hold the head in position.
2. Pick the baby very gently and keep your movements slow and smooth.
3. Be confident and do not pick the baby when your hands are shaking for you may drop the child accidentally.
4. If the baby is sleepy, hold them upright against your shoulder. Rest their head against the shoulder; place one hand on their upper back and other on their bottom.
5. To rock the baby or talk to them, cradle them in arms while resting their little heads just above the crook of the arm and let the lower arm support the rest of their body. Use the other hand to rest their bottom and make sure that their head is a slightly raised position than the bottom.
6. See, if your baby really gets soothed when being swaddled or becomes more frantic. However, most babies do calm down by swaddling as they feel as if they are being held securely.
7. To swaddle the baby, lay them on a cotton blanket or sheet spread on a flat surface. The neck of the baby should be in line with the long edge. One side of the sheet should be passed diagonally across the baby's shoulder and tucked under the body snugly. The arms of the baby should be free to move and sheet should not be very tight. Bring the other side across the other shoulder of the baby and tuck it under the other side of their body safely. The bottom of the baby may also be tucked under baby's feet.
8. If you have tightly swaddled the baby and the little one falls asleep, keep an eye on the temperature and breathing pattern of the baby for overheating may cause a problem.

First Week Baby

2008-06-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

An Angel Is Born!
The first week with the newborn baby can be quite taxing for new moms who are still weak and recuperating from the tiring and painful labor experience and are burdened with the chores of the newborn. The constant stream of friends and relatives who come in to see the new child and congratulate the parents and the need to feel dressed while entertaining them and the shyness in feeding the baby in front of them can only lead to baby blues for many couples. In such a scenario, support from partner or spouse and other friends and family can relieve the stress on the mother to a great extent and leave her free to enjoy her new delightful angel and watch their curious reactions.

Experienced moms advise to new moms that staying in a fashionable button-down gown for first two weeks and have lots of people around to help you with your chores can be a great relief. Neighbors who will help you wash and iron dirty laundry and traditions such as those prevalent in Asian counties, where mother has to do nothing for 40 days in the household, except for looking after her baby and herself, feeding the baby and having a good, healthy and nutritious diet are actually quite useful for new mothers and allow them to rest and recover well. Spouses and partners that take good care for you and are prepared to share parenting responsibilities are real gems.

For the first week, husbands should try to take as much leave from their work as possible and encourage and motivate the mum by praising her and telling her how well she is managing everything. Don't feel jealous of your child steering attention of your wife away from you and see it as a family-bonding phase. Dad and child bonding is as important as mom-child relationship, so be ready to do your share of work for the newborn including changing diapers and bottle feeding the baby. You may help with chores such as cleaning, cooking, attending visitors and telephone calls and be supportive of your wife's feelings. Know that she may be susceptible to mood swings temporarily and be ready to face criticizing family and friends with a ready answer to ask for their support instead of advice.

Crying Baby

2008-06-30T11:16:00.001-07:00

Babies Communicate By Crying
Infant communications is mostly limited to crying and it is the only way that babies can attract the express attention of their parents and let them know that they need something. The art of interpreting their wails and moans and figure out why the baby is crying depends on the skills of parents. Here are some problems of cranky babies and their possible solutions:

* Hunger is the most common reason for crying babies and easiest to solve too. Feeding the babies may soothe them almost instantly.
* Baby wailing just after the feed may indeed be asking you to help him pass the wind. Hold him in the upright position against your shoulder for the purpose.
* Babies try to attract your attention after wetting their nappies for a diaper change. Do not delay it long for it may cause nappy rash.
* Babies may cry if they are feeling too hot or too cold. So, use an appropriate blanket and monitor the room temperature according to the baby's needs.
* Some mischievous naughty infant may just feel neglected, if you leave them alone for long and cry to be held. Carry them in a sling or baby carrier so that you can move about with your baby and yet get the work done.
* If the babies are very tired, they might cry themselves to sleep. Massaging them can help them soothe too, in such cases. They are usually their happy self after the restful nap.
* It has been observed that cranial osteopaths can gently massage baby's head and neck to soothe them after a difficult birth experience.
* Very high-pitched tones or frantic crying may mean that your baby is really ill and needs professional medical help. Go and see the doctor immediately.
* Some babies do not like to come out of womb and cry incessantly because of new experiences, lights, noises and stimulations or may be precocious enough to try to do things they are still not capable of physically and cry in frustration. Such crankiness of babies usually disappears with age, maturity and development.
* If the crying baby is getting on your nerves, you may need to vent out your feeling by punching a pillow, have a warm bath, talk to someone who would listen patiently to you, ask somebody to take care for the baby for a few hours and take a short break and ask advice from the doctor.

Baby Reactions

2008-06-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Born An Explorer!
The babies are born explorers and are curious to every new thing that they see, hear, taste or touch and it is a wonderful experience to study their eager eyes and ever-ending curiosity to things that have become almost a second habit with us. Many-a-times we wonder how come we don't even acknowledge the existence of many of these things while these small eyes and hands get so excited about them that they almost burst with happiness and apprehension about every thing that crosses their path for the first time. The arrival of a train or noises of the airplanes flying above our homes are enough to fill our little boys and girls with wonder. Here are some interesting things and reactions that newborn babies and infants do and give from the very first week of their lives that you are likely to witness:

* In early learning phases, the reflexes and innate survival mechanisms of the baby are the most dominant ones that you will witness.
* Even a newborn baby blinks the eyes, when you flash light on them. Do not overdo it or you may hurt the little eyes.
* Stroking the cheeks of newborn babies make them seek your finger that they try to suck as if to feed on it.
* If you hold the baby from under their arms in upright positions and there is no hard, solid ground for them to rest their legs, they often move their legs frantically to look for the support that will eventually develop as walking skills.
* Babies tend to hold everything tightly that is put in their hands from your fingers to carrots and to coins. When they become a little older, they will try to clutch on everything and put it in their mouth to taste it. One needs to pay attention that there are no small or sharp-edged things near the babies in this phase so that they won't choke on them or hurt themselves.
* A sudden noise that startles the baby will get them to shoot out their arms and legs to grasp the mom's dress to feel secure and if unable to find it, would curl himself or herself like a ball in a fetal position.
* Tracking moving things and sounds with eyes are some other reactions that kids give that indicate early learning phases of more complex and advanced skills.
* Imitating your facial expression such as sticking out tongue and raising eyebrows are the favorite kid actions enjoyed by parents. Smiles and loving expressions and rude and angry expressions are all learnt from parents, so be careful how you act and react in front of your babies and toddlers.

Complete Children's Health Care Information

2008-05-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

Having a fit and healthy child implies that your child eats well, does a lot of physical activity, has a healthy weight, and over all feels good. Children need more attention regarding their health, because they are ignorant of health and hygiene.Child Health Care Guide!
Being parents you must know the basics of keeping your children healthy, like offering them healthy diets, making sure they get enough sleep and exercise and insuring their safety. It’s also important for your children to get regular checkups with their health care provider. These visits are a chance to check your child's development. They are also a good time to catch or prevent problems. This can be accomplished with some simple steps and rules to live by, in order to have a happy and healthy child. Let’s start with their nutrition.

Nutrition Good food habits and daily physical activity – if your children have these, they're well on the way to a healthy life. But achieving this isn't always so simple. What your children eat is important for their health. Follow the nutrition guidelines below as per your child’s age.

Birth to Two Years Old:

Breast milk is the best single food for infants from birth to at least 12 months of age. It provides good nutrition and protects against infection. If breast-feeding is not possible or not desired, iron-enriched formula (not cow's milk) should be used during the first 12 months of life. Whole cow's milk can be used to replace formula or breast milk after 12 months of age.
Begin suitable solid foods at 4 to 6 months of age. Most experts recommend iron-enriched infant rice cereal as the first food.
Start new foods one at a time to make it easier to identify problem foods. For example, wait 1 week before adding each new cereal, vegetable, or other food.
Use iron-rich foods, such as grains, iron-enriched cereals, and meats.
Do not limit fat during the first two years of life.

Two Years and Older:

Provide a variety of foods, including plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
Use salt (sodium) and sugars in moderation.
Encourage a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Help your child maintain a healthy weight by providing proper foods and encouraging regular exercise.

Regular Checkups
From the very first day that a child is born he or she is being checked and monitored by a healthcare professional. The first year of a baby’s life is filled with doctor appointments that typically occur once every other month or more. After the first year the number of visits will decline; however, it is still important that parents take their children to their pediatrician for regular checkups.

child health careRegular checkups typically occur once or twice a year. The number of checkups depends on the age of the child. If a child was diagnosed with having a certain illness or birth defect they may have to have additional checkups.

It is extremely important that parents do not allow their children to miss their regularly scheduled checkup appointments. Checkups are needed to make sure that children are healthy and that their development is on course. Regular checkups are important for individuals of all ages; however, they are extremely important in infants.

Immunizations
Fully immunizing your child according to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics can help protect your child from many common infections. These infections can lead to serious and even life threatening complications. Although the vaccines may have mild side effects and more rarely, serious complications, in general, it is safer to immunize your children than allow them to get any of the infections that they prevent.

Immunization not only protects children’s own health but the health of other kids at school or childcare. For more information on vaccinations, ask your doctor for individual vaccine information sheets.

General
Babies, toddlers and kids can get sick at school or at childcare, and even at home. You need to know what to do in an emergency and when to call the doctor. Find emergency phone numbers, tips on when to see a doctor and how to deal with fever and other minor problems.

Children's Health Care

2008-05-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

Having a fit and healthy child implies that your child eats well, does a lot of physical activity, has a healthy weight, and over all feels good. A child needs more attention regarding their health, because children are ignorant of health and hygiene. Being parents you must know the basics of keeping your children healthy, like offering them healthy diets, making sure they get enough sleep and exercise and insuring their safety. It’s also important for your children to get regular checkups with their health care provider. These visits are a chance to check your child's development. They are also a good time to catch or prevent problems. This can be accomplished with some simple steps and rules to live by, in order to have a happy and healthy child. Let’s start with their nutrition.