Bright Baby Tees announces the launch of a new line of women’s, men’s and older children’s T-shirts specially designed to deliver early child education benefits to infants. According to research reported in The Daily Parent, wearing designs of high-contrast colors and visually stimulating patterns can help boost a baby’s brain power — including their curiosity, attention span, memory, and physical coordination. Infants can reap these benefits even while the T-shirt wearer is performing the most mundane of tasks.
Bright Baby Tees (which is also planning a collection for babies) is the nation’s first producer of clothing that incorporates the concept of Infant Visual Stimulation (IVS). The high-contrast colors and patterns grab and hold an infant’s attention, having a positive effect on visual processing and neural and synaptic growth — meaning, when baby starts wiggling, giggling, kicking and arm-waving at the sight of their parent’s shirt, they’re getting a healthy head-start on their mental and physical development.
With 15 child-engaging T-shirt designs currently available, and 60 more in the works, parents, caregivers and older siblings will have an abundant variety of shapes, colors and patterns to sport in helping babies learn and grow. “We have geometric designs, letters of the alphabet, interesting halftones, animal themes, and much more to come,” says David Hagan, President of Bright Baby Tees. “A wide array of styles, sizes and colors are already available for purchase on our website, http://www.BrightBabyTees.com, at very reasonable prices.”
Hagan assures parents they needn’t worry if their baby is so delighted with the tees they can’t resist grabbing or biting the fabric. The line is eco-friendly. Designs are printed on organic cotton with non-toxic inks that are safe for both babies and the planet. To emphasize these benefits, the line was launched on Earth Day at the La Leche League Conference in Cherry Hill, NJ.
The new T-shirt collection has received the professional endorsement of neuropsychologist Dr. Darren Caffery, who confirms that early environmental influences exert significant effects on neural growth and visual/perceptive processing. “We have smart cars and homes,” he asserts, “so why not wear smart tees to nurture smart kids?”
There are times when you definitely want to scream in frustration because your baby has been crying out loud for reasons that you don’t know what he really needs. Accept the fact that part of your child care experience is dealing with the cry of your baby. Of course, dealing with it entails a long lasting kind of your patience.
Without patience, for sure, you may just end up compromising your child’s safety.
There is a condition that may possibly happen if you are one type of a person who is likely to cause some abuse. It is called the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Also called as Battered Baby Syndrome, it is one of the leading causes of mortality in infants. It is a form of child abuse that occurs when an abuser violently shakes an infant or small child, creating a whiplash-type motion that causes brain injuries. Actually, it can be 100% prevented.
A newborn’s neck muscles are not yet strong. Therefore, they are extremely vulnerable to mishandling. Every parent or caretaker should know that an ultimately safe infant care must be given to a newborn.
A shaken baby is likely to develop swelling of the brain that can cause head and even brain trauma. This sad consequence can lead to serious health problems later in life. Worst to know, almost half of these kinds of situations end in death.
So if you are likely to be on the verge of almost getting to your limits, do not touch your baby when you are angry or upset. Be on a time-out. Walk away and compose yourself first before going back to your baby to comfort him. But if you are close to your breaking point, switch off with your spouse or any other person with you in your house. If you are by yourself, secure him down into safety. You may walk into another room to gain your composure before returning.
You do not want for sure that your baby will be put into abuse. If you will be in your baby’s shoes, you may not want to be innocently traumatized as well. Violent shaking is NEVER an accepted behavior to express any of your deepest anger or frustrations.
If adults are easy to contract colds, the more your babies are prone to have this sickness. Do not let your baby suffer from the nasty symptoms of common colds. You are held responsible to give 100% child care to your baby.
Let us take a closer look on this condition. “Common colds” is a generic term for the medical condition called Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). Colds are caused by a virus. The treatment involves more than just taking a few antibiotics.
Babies contract a lot more colds than adults. Their immune systems are still immature that make the catching of a cold fairly easy. According to some proven studies, an average baby will have 6-8 colds a year. Newborns under 4 weeks very rarely get colds because their bodies have a rich content of antibodies to fight any disease. While those infants exposed to toddlers or older children can have as many as 10 or more colds a year.
Setting all the alerts on to prevent colds, your child care responsibility is take some preventive measures against this condition.
The virus is spread to infants mostly by touching. It also can be spread through droplets after sneezing. An effective universal prevention is still more on hand-washing frequently. Carrying an alcohol-based antibacterial wash in your diaper bag is also a helpful idea to stop visiting viruses. Even baby wipes can be used to help keep you and your baby’s hands as virus-free as possible.
Disinfect as well your baby’s things as frequently as possible. Maintaining cleanliness will not promote any harboring of the viruses that cause colds.
Limiting contact with other sick adults and children is also a common-sense solution to avoiding a baby cold. Also, less sneezing directly to the face of your baby will help in the prevention. This applies with the proper prevention in adults.
Breastfeeding (even for just a few months) is also a great way to help prevent a baby cold. Your breastmilk gives antibodies to your baby, and protects him as he builds up his own.
Just like the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, the best treatment for a cold is actually preventing it.
Burping your infant is one of the essentials of your infant care experience. After every feeding of your baby, whether through breastfeeding or bottle feeding, burping is a need to do.
It is a need because during feeding, air can be swallowed and accumulate in your baby’s stomach. The formation of air bubbles will possibly lead to discomfort to your baby. Too much air in the stomach can lead to uneasiness, colic, and later on, spitting up of the milk.
Proper burping technique helps prevent your baby’s discomfort. If your baby is on bottle feeding, you can choose to burp after every few ounces. While for breast feeding babies, every 10-15 minutes is recommended.
Breastfed and Bottlefed babies are recommended to be fed in a more upright position of 45 degrees. Avoid frequent feedings with short intervals because it will contribute to less swallowing of air. If your baby is bottle fed, it is not a good idea to let your baby drink milk while straight on her back. Not only will it increase gas, choking is at an increased risk to happen.
Changing diapers will never be out in the list of your many child care responsibilities and works. It is the moment of truth when you have to sacrifice your olfactory nerves and be able to master the strokes in cleaning your baby’s mess from the defecation.
Much of the time you will spend with your little baby will involve this act.
Before you actually begin ripping diapers open, it’s a good idea to set up the diaper changing station. Having it ready for each change will prevent the temptation to move away from the baby to reach what you need.
Your changing station should include:
* a diaper changing table
* a good diaper pail
* clean diapers (cloth or disposable)
* diaper ointment (or other remedy) for diaper rash
* a washcloth or wipes
* Antibacterial wash
* clean water
Have your baby be in some form of distraction while you do the cleaning. Eliminate that by offering a small container of toys to hear at diaper changes. Have a lot of toys to give your baby every time you lay him down for a diaper change. You
Healthy babies should have light to dark-yellow urine. The darker the color, the less liquid the baby is getting. So, lighter is better.
Occasionally you may see what looks like a pink stain on the diaper. This is usually not blood, but highly concentrated urine interacting with the gel used in disposable diapers, producing a pinkish color.
Monitor the times, frequency of changing the diapers and the consistency of the urine and stools of your baby. If your doesn’t wet 4 diapers a day, contact your doctor and report the changes.
* If your baby urinates less than 3 times in a 24 hour period, it is a possible sign of dehydration.
* If he is urinating more than every half hour, it may cause dehydration.
* If the urine drastically changes color, there might be an underlying problem that needs immediate preventive action.
Monitor as well if there are any rashes formed in your baby’s skin. Presence of rashes may indicate that your baby is allergic to the diapers. Report the rashes to your pediatrician and immediately change the brand of the diapers to a new one.
Use these diaper changes to build and to promote loving bonds between you and your baby.
You must be so eager to play with your infant and your mind is thinking of what you can do to help promote play.
Here is a good way to guide you through your infant care experience.
From birth to 1 month, your infant likes to be wrapped and/or held securely, likes the colors black, white and red and Will be startled and disturbed by loud noises. As a parent, you can sing and talk to your infant, play music softly, rock your infant or you can take him/her for walks
When your infant is 2 to 3 months old, he/she likes bright objects and enjoys pictures and mirrors, Rattles can be given to your infant. Swinging also is loved at this time. You can as well sing and talk to your infant.
On the 4th to 6th month, you can sing, talk and read to your infant. Provide tummy time for your infant. Encourage your infant to crawl and sit by placing him/her on the floor.
By 6th to 9th month, large toys with bright colors that move are the enjoyment of your infant. At this time, you can call your infant by name. be sure to speak clearly to your child and encourage different sounds. Body parts naming can now be done. You can begin saying words that tell what you are doing as well. Encourage your infant to crawl by placing toys beyond his/her reach. Continue to cuddle, sing and read with your infant.
On the 9th to 12th month, your infant now enjoys looking at books, likes naming animals and identifying animal sounds and enjoys large toys that can be pushed and pulled. By this time, you can now take your infant to different places and outings. Playing ball with your infant can now be possible.
Enjoy every moment with your infant. Every time you play or give infant care is a perfect time to promote a strong bond between you and your child.
Constipation in babies can occur at any time of their life as an infant. It is caused by many factors.
Once your baby is introduced to solids, his stools will often be of the same color as the food he ate. The stools may also contain small pieces of undigested food. The appearance and smell of their stools will change dramatically as well. For breastfed babies, their stools will reveal a noticeable change by which their stools were previously of a smooth texture and relatively sweet smelling. The frequency of passing of stools may change too. Sometimes a baby can go a few days without a bowel movement.
Basically, constipation is possibly caused by constipating foods such as rice cereals, cooked carrots, bananas, potato, yogurt, applesauce, cheese and pasta. Other causes can include an underlying illness, food allergies, dehydration and certain types of medication that your baby may have been prescribed.
This condition is too hard for your baby to cope with. Here are some signs to look for if your baby is constipated.
= Stools are hard and dry. This must be an indicative sign of this condition.
= Your baby cries as he “poos” - straining might be normal, but crying indicates a greater discomfort that needs investigating.
= Your baby seems resistant to be fed.
= There is a possibility of presence of blood.
If your baby has any of these symptoms, seek for a medical advice from your doctor to rule any underlying cause.
Baby constipation can be distressing but there are simple infant care steps to relieve baby’s discomfort and prevent its return. These can help you out as you provide child care.
* Feed your baby plenty of fiber rich foods, fruits and vegetables, in addition to breast milk, formula, or whole milk.
* Gradually increase the amount of fluids in your child’s diet. Make sure that he/she drinks plenty of water. Offer him/her diluted juice or plain water several times a day. Increasing the amount of fluids your child consumes can help prevent as well as ease the problem of constipation.
* Giving prune juice to your child, every morning, can help keep stools soft. You can also dilute the prune juice, if you want. In case of any problem, try using apple juice as a substitute. Giving bran cereal is also an option. However, this remedy is suitable for older children and not infants.
* Avoid giving those foods to your baby that produce harder bowel movements, such as bananas, rice, white bread products and processed foods. Give him/her extra servings of other fruits and vegetables instead.
* Massage baby’s tummy gently, in a clockwise direction, starting at his navel and moving outwards.
* Give him a warm bath - this will make him feel relaxed (if he enjoys his baths!) and you can continue the massage technique to “get things moving” and relieve discomfort.
* ‘Cycle’ baby’s legs - this exerts gentle pressure on his intestines by moving the muscles in his tummy. Simply put him on his back, hold his legs and turn them gently, but quickly, in a cycling motion.
* If hard stools have caused tears to baby’s anus, alert his doctor and use Vaseline to protect his delicate skin.
Colic is one of the babies most usual problems. They cry to death. Colic babies cause severe sleep deprivation, frustration and exhaustion in parents as they worry constantly try to quiet the infant. But it is your infant care responsibility to nurse your baby in this kind of condition.
Colic crying consists of frequent and prolonged outbursts. According to experts, the most common reason for colic is abdominal pain in babies and the two most common reasons that cause tummy ache in infants are discussed here along with their symptoms and cures:
-Reflux or Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Since the circular band of muscle where the esophagus joins the stomach in babies is not fully matured yet, it allows stomach acid to flow into the esophagus and this causes heartburn and irritation in the lining.The symptoms that manifest, babies cry a lot and are inconsolable. They spit up after feeding, writhe in pain, have frequent wet or sour burps and cannot sleep properly.
For cure, breast milk easier to digest and will reduce the chances of reflux. For colic babies, give half the amount at once but twice as often. Especially in bottle-feeding, it helps to digest milk better. After feeding, keep the baby upright elevating his head for about 30 to 45 degrees for at least half an hour. It is a must to burp the baby immediately after feeding. If your baby still remains colicky, the doctor may prescribe medication to reduce stomach acid.
-Allergy: A component of a formula or something in a mother’s diet who is still breastfeeding may act as an allergen for the baby.The symptoms that manifest: Apart from symptoms of GERD, the other symptoms of allergy may include diarrhea and raised rashes on the face and body of the baby.
For cure to this, feed your baby more frequently and in smaller amounts. If you are bottle-feeding for the baby, try a hypoallergenic formula. Cow’s milk is the most common infant allergen, so you can eliminate it for a week from a breastfeeding mother’s or baby’s diet and see whether it improves the condition of your baby. Other things that may act as allergens for the baby are soy, wheat, eggs and nuts.
Those mentioned are some of the possible ways to sooth your baby’s colic. However, most babies outgrow that condition at the age of about three to six months. Find the best way to nurse your baby.
One of the typical newborn problems is the disease named Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is an ailment in which the gas or liquid in the stomach of the baby goes up the esophagus. The result is that that baby ’spits up’. It is not unusual for babies to suffer from the problem, mainly because their muscles, which are involved in opening and closing the top of the stomach, are quite relaxed. If, and when, they get relaxed after the consumption of food, the gas and fluid manage to escape from the stomach and go up the esophagus. While having reflux is common, it is only when it becomes severe that it takes the shape of Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, making the baby spit up too much, not get enough nourishment from food and even suffer from breathing problems.
Need For Treatment
It is common for newborn babies and infants to suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). However, it is only in the following conditions that you need to visit a doctor.
* Baby is spitting up often
* Baby has apnea (breathing stops for 15-20 seconds at a time)
* Baby is growing poorly
* Baby gets pneumonia or breathing difficulties from aspirating spit-up liquid
Causes Of Gastroesophageal Reflux
One of the main reasons of Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease in children comprises of a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract. The immature digestive system results in unnecessary opening of the stomach, after eating food, as a result of which gas and fluid manage to escape to the esophagus. This leads to reflex in children. It has been seen that majority of the infants grow out of GERD by the time they are one year old.
Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux
* Frequent vomiting
* Persistent cough
* Refusing to eat or difficulty in eating
* Choking or gagging while feeding
* Heartburn
* Gas
* Abdominal pain
* Colic
* Colicky behavior (frequent crying and fussiness)
* Regurgitation
* Re-swallowing
* Poor growth
* Breathing problems
* Recurrent pneumonia
Cure For Gastroesophageal Reflux
For Babies, your infant care responsibilities are the following:
* Try to keep the head of the baby’s crib elevated, as much as you can.
* Every time you feed baby, hold him/her upright for the next 30 minutes
* You can make the bottle feeds a bit thicker by adding some cereal. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before doing this.
* Try to bring some changes in the feeding schedule of the baby.
* You can try giving some solid food to the baby, though with the doctor’s approval.
Fever is a definitive sign that indicates that the body is fighting against an infection.Like in adults, it could be a sign of serious infection in newborn babies and young infants three months of age or under. In case you notice a temperature even just slightly above the normal range -38°C (101°F) taken rectally or 37.5°C (99.5°F) taken under the armpit - get your infant to the doctor at the earliest. If the newborn baby has got a fever associated with infection, it is a cause for infant care concern. Young infants get sick very fast. Babies also respond very fast to treatment, if the infection is caught in time. So, it’s important to bring the child to the doctor without wasting any time. In case the doctor suspects that a newborn baby has an infection, he can start antibiotic treatment at once.
Symptoms of Infant Fever
Moreover, in case you observe any of the following symptoms, take your new-born to the doctor or your pediatrician.
* If the baby is crying miserably;
* her is having convulsions;
* his fontanelle, the soft spot at the top of his head, is mildly swollen;
* he seems to be in pain;
* he has got purple splotches on his skin, or another type of rash;
* he appears pale or flushed;
* he is having problems in breathing;
* he is refusing to breastfeed or drink from a bottle;
* he appears to have trouble swallowing;
* he is vomiting or has diarrhea.
How To Treat Infant Fever?
* Don’t use medication on your own without referring the doctor. Take the baby to the doctor and get the right medication. Give the exact dosage as prescribed.
* Meanwhile, you can continue to breastfeed or bottle feed your infant as normal, if he takes it.
* In case you find signs of dehydration like dry mouth, less than six wet diapers per day, tearless and sunken eyes, a sunken fontanelle, or dry skin, give him an electrolyte solution in between feedings, or replace the feedings with the electrolyte solution. Refer to your doctor before starting.
* You can give a sponge bath with lukewarm water to the baby. If you let the water evaporate off his skin, it will help to cool him down.
Traveling with a young infant for the first time can be a frightening experience but it does not have to be as scary as some parents expect it will be. It is part of your infant care responsibility to secure all the necessary items needed for the travel.
By the time a baby reaches three months or age there is no reason why you cannot travel with him or her. Babies are not as fragile as many parents believe them to be and they are not able to walk or run off therefore keeping your baby close to you should not be a problem!
Food and comfort tips
* If you are breastfeeding your baby then make sure you bring a water bottle for yourself to help keep yourself hydrated during the trip.
* If you are bottle-feeding then the most convenient thing to bring along for the trip is ready-to-use formula.
* Make sure you bring a bib for your baby (or a couple) that have a plastic or waterproof coating and is big enough to cover his or her whole front.
* Pack enough diapers for the trip as well as bags to put dirty diapers in and lotion in case diaper rash develops.
* In your carry-on bag or in a bag that is easily accessible to you in the car, pack an extra set of clothing for both yourself and your baby in the event that your baby spits up on you or vomits or if a diaper leak occurs.
* Always have a blanket with you so your baby has a cozy, soft place to lie his or her head down and take a nap or even crawl around or roll on.
Health and safety tips
* Gather together all of the supplies you need to create a first aid kit to ensure that you can cope effectively with any minor medical problem that takes place on your trip, with either yourself or your baby. If your infant has any prescription medication that he or she needs make sure to pack it. Write out a list of essentials for the first aid kit if you are concerned that you might forget something important. Any over-the-counter drugs that you might need for your baby is important to include in the first aid kit as well.
* Make sure you have completed an emergency sheet for your baby, which details his or her health information as well as any medication he or she requires. Also include on this sheet all relevant names and telephone numbers of family, friends and doctors.
* A hat is essential for your baby both in the hot months as well as the cold months. Sunscreen is an essential item as well if you plan to have your infant outside. This is not just the case in the summer but all year long. Apply a sunscreen to the face and backs of hands of infants who are under six months of age and apply even more to babies who are older than six months. Always buy a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 for protection.
Your baby may not yet be able to communicate in words, but when he’s ready for solid foods- he has his ways to let you know! You have to be ready as well because your baby’s feeding is part of your infant care responsibility. Here are questions to help you determine whether he is now ready or not.
* Does your baby watch you with eager anticipation when you eat? Maybe he even opens his mouth, or tries to grab your spoon? Besides making you feel guilty as you enjoy your dinner, this behaviour indicates that he may be ready for solid food.
* Does your baby seem hungrier than usual, appearing dissatisfied after his usual milk feeds? Once you’ve ruled out teething or illness as possible causes, you may find that he needs something a little more substantial to satisfy his growing appetite!
* Is your baby waking at night after previously sleeping through? Or, if he was waking at night anyway, is he now waking more often? This can be a sign that he’s ready for solids. And it’s very tempting to get baby started on solid foods so that he’ll settle at night and “sleep like a baby”! (Where did that expression ever come from?)
But be careful! He may be waking more often due to teething, or some other discomfort. If you introduce solid foods too early, it can have the opposite effect on your baby to the one you seek. His immature digestive system may not be able to cope. This can mean an upset tummy for him … and even more sleepless nights for you!
* Can baby sit well, without support? This will make swallowing easier. Not all babies are able to sit unsupported at this stage, though. So it’s important that you provide the proper support when feeding, if this is the case.
* Does your baby have good head control? This is important, so that your baby can turn his head away to refuse food.
These are all good indicators of your baby’s readiness for solids. You can all take these into consideration. You will then be well knowledgeable to determine whether or not your little one is ready for solids.
Diaper changing is one of the more important skills in infant care which take constant practice to perfect. You should have a very suitable changing table to accompany your child care routine. So here are a few things to consider when choosing a baby changing table from the good folks at the Nemours Foundation:
- Opt for a sturdy wooden table with guard rails to prevent tipping if a curious baby pulls on it from the floor.
- If you select a changing table that folds, always make sure it’s sturdy and secure when open and in use.
- Make sure that the table has a wide base to prevent being pulled over.
- Choose a table that has shelves or a compartment to store baby supplies, so you can give baby your complete attention.
- Guard rails on changing tables should stand at least 2 inches high.
- Make sure the changing table has a safety belt, and always use it.
Here is a recent Health Day press release about how depressed dads can affect child development:
“Don’t automatically blame mom: A crying, colicky baby can be just as much the result of dad’s state of mind, Dutch researchers report.
Other studies have found that depression among mothers can be related to excessive crying or colic, a common problem with newborns, but the researchers said that little was known about whether fathers’ emotions and behavior also have an effect.
“Up to now, almost all attention went to the prenatal effects of maternal depression on child development, leading to the development of detection and treatment programs that focused on mental well-being of mothers,” said lead researcher Dr. Mijke P. van den Berg, a psychiatrist at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.
“This study showed the importance of taking paternal factors and well-being during pregnancy into account, next to maternal,” she said.
The report is published in the July issue of Pediatrics.
To see how parental depression was related to excessive crying, van den Berg’s team gathered data on symptoms of depression among parents of 4,426 infants who were 2 months old. Excessive crying was defined as crying for more than three hours a day on more than three days in the past week.
Overall, just 2.5 percent of the infants in the study fit the excessive crying criteria. But, the researchers found a 30 percent higher risk for depression among parents whose infant cried excessively.
“This finding could not be attributed to co-existing depressive symptoms of the mother, which is already known to be a risk factor for excessive infant crying,” van den Berg said. It could be related to genetics, a depressed father or, indirectly, through factors such as marital, family or economic stress, she said.
In fact, a dad with symptoms of depression was twice as likely to have an infant who cried excessively as was a dad who was not depressed, the study found.
“Fathers do matter, so take care for the mental well-being of fathers during pregnancy,” van den Berg said.
Dr. Jon Shaw, a professor and director of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller of School of Medicine, said that the study shows how depression can lead to infant’s excessive crying.
“This study demonstrates in a paradoxical way the importance of fathers, in that fathers’ measurable depression during pregnancy is a risk factor for excessive infant crying at 2 months of age,” Shaw said.
“This seems to be related perhaps to the enduring effects of fathers’ depression on the family ambience, the parental relationship, child parenting and, perhaps as the authors suggest, there may be a genetic factor involved,” he said.
SOURCES: Mijke P. van den Berg, M.D., Ph.D., Departments of Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Jon Shaw, M.D., professor and director, child and adolescent psychiatry, University of Miami Miller of School of Medicine, Miami; July 2009 Pediatrics”
You’ve heard the line breastmilk is still best for babies in television. That cliche has been up and running for a reason - it is a true nugget of wisdom. Breastfeeding allows children to get their optimum requirements for nutrients and antibodies and also give mothers more time to bond with their children during infant care.
How optimum is the nutrients in breast milk. Well, like magic, it has the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein needed by the baby for his growth. It is also easier to digest than cow’s milk. After all, the baby is not a cow. Human breastmilk is much more easier to absorb and break down.
Apart from the nutrients, breast milk has anitbodies to provide important protection against bacteria and viruses. In today’s polluted environment, this is no laughing matter. Breastmilk can really help strengthen your child. It makes babies less susceptible to contract lower respiratory infections, ear infection, septicemia and urinary tract infections.
More importantly, for the mother, breastfeeding helps to lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It also helps the uterus return to its normal size more quickly.
The heads of babies are exceptionally soft because the bones of the skull are still developing. If not properly looked after, they can develop flat spots. However, this can be easily avoided with some dedicated guidance and top-notch infant care.
The most common reason why babies can have uneven heads is because of staying too long in one lying position, mostly with their backs on the bed. The distinguished Mayo Clinic notes that you’ll notice two soft areas at the top of your baby’s head where the skull bones haven’t yet grown together. These spots, called fontanels, are designed to allow a baby’s relatively large head to move through the narrow birth canal. They also accommodate your baby’s rapidly growing brain during infancy. But because your baby’s skull is malleable, too much time in one position can result in an uneven head shape well past the time when birth-related lopsidedness evens out. This is known as positional molding.
Positional molding is most common in babies who spend most of their time on their backs in cribs, car seats or infant seats. Although this is the safest position for sleep, there’s plenty you can to do to keep your baby’s head from becoming flat or lopsided. Here are more guidelines from the Mayo Clinic:
- Change direction. Place your baby on his or her back to sleep, but alternate the direction your baby’s head faces. Or place your baby’s head near the foot of the crib one day, the head of the crib the next. Use varying positions in the car seat and other infant seats, too. You might also consider using a neck-positioning device — such as a specially designed wedge or U-shaped pad — while your baby sleeps. Never rest your baby’s head on a pillow or other type of soft bedding.
- Hold your baby. Holding your baby when he or she is awake will help relieve pressure on your baby’s head from swings, carriers and infant seats.
- Try tummy time. With close supervision, place your baby on his or her tummy to play. Make sure the surface is firm. If you must leave the room, bring your baby with you.
- Get creative. Position your baby so that he or she will have to turn away from the flattened side of the head to look at you or to track movement or sound in the room. Move the crib occasionally to give your baby a new vantage point.
You don’t have to really drive when you are pregnant but sometimes situations call for it especially if you are a busy urban working mom. So here are some safety guidelines for infant care which you need to take in to heart while driving - especially with the use of the airbag. Information courtesy of 4akid.co.za:
- After much debate over pregnancy and seat belts and air bags - it’s important to note that both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists support the use of properly adjusted three point safety belts and enabled air bags.
- Air bags are meant to work with seat belts in protecting both mother and child.
- Air bags inflate within approximately one-twentieth of a second after a crash. The inflated air bag creates a protective cushion between the driver or passenger and the steering wheel, dashboard, and windscreen.
- It is safe to be near airbags whilst you’re pregnant - Safety experts recommend that all car occupants (not just pregnant women) should move their seat as far back as possible and tilt it slightly backwards. This maximises the distance between your chest and the steering wheel if you are driving.
- Doctors strongly recommend leaving airbags turned on, whether riding as a passenger or the driver.
- Leave air bags operational; just remember that you should have a good 30cm or so between your stomach and a potential air bag.
- No authorities have yet issued definitive guidelines on the use of air bags by pregnant women, though some manufacturers advise that mums-to-be should not sit in front seats with a passenger air bag.
- Avoid leaning or reaching forward, and sit back in the seat with as little slack in the seat belt as possible - this will reduce your forward movement in a crash and allow the airbag to inflate correctly.
- To cut your risks of injury even further, though, you could sit buckled –in at the back seat, which is the safest place to travel in any car.
First time parents are confused at a loss most of the time during infant care of their newborn. It’s hard to blame them; they would want to perform these duties flawlessly. So here are some suggestions from the Nemours Foundation to help you get by:
- Support baby’s head with a gentle hand whenever you hold, carry or lay baby down.
- Treat baby gently. Never shake the baby for any reason, including to wake him or her up. Instead, tickle the feet or blow on the cheek to rouse your little one.
- Make sure you’re using the baby car seat and stroller correctly, and that baby is safely secured.
- Newborns just need to be held and cuddled. It’s too soon for games such as bouncing on the knee or lifting in the air.
Moreover, it wouldn’t hurt to seek the advice of those with considerable experience in raising babies. Yes, that’s your parents and your in-laws. Their experience is golden but take care not to get too dependent on them.
As tiring as infant care can be especially with uneven sleeping patterns, one of its best rewards is the chance to bond with that little bundle of joy. There are no actual words to describe how it feels; a parent just experiences a more solemn connection with the baby.
In fact, science is having quite a hard time to explain such an instinctive phenomenon. All these medical minds know is that this early relationship bonds with parents form the emotional framework of the child.
Studies of newborn monkeys who were given mannequin mothers at birth showed that, even when the mannequins were made of soft material and provided formula to the baby monkeys, the babies were better socialized when they had live mothers to interact with. Scientists suspect that lack of bonding in human babies can cause similar problems.
Even with all the scientific fanfare, bonding is a process which both the parent and the child should enjoy and experience to be fully felt.
Most definitely, the quantity of laundry will increase with the arrival of a new baby. Now is baby detergent even necessary to clean these dirty clothes? This is a crucial issue because it takes precious time away from infant care.
Regular liquid detergent can do the job handily. The important thing to consider if your babies have a particular allergy for this kind of cleaning material. Make sure to make some tests in order to ensure that this shift in cleaning material won’t be able to affect your baby.
However, regardless of cleaning material, it is imperative to separate cloth diapers from the rest of the pack. Regular laundry material may cause diaper rash in your babies. Cloth diapers are good for the environment because of their reusable quality and try to avoid antistatic products or fabric softeneers when cleaning them.
Well, over the weeks, the crying of the baby may appear monotonous and borderline irritating. But if you try to listen further and understand the needs of your babies, you’ll eventually get that your baby is trying to communicate a message.
This is one of the finer skills of infant care which you can learn through sheer diligence and passion. Here are a set of meanings which can be interpreted when your child starts belting those shrieks and shouts, courtesy of the respectable Mayo Clinic:
- I’m hungry. Most newborns eat every few hours round-the-clock. Some babies become frantic when hunger strikes. They may get so worked up by the time the feeding begins that they gulp air with the milk, which may cause spitting up, trapped gas and more crying. To avoid such frenzy, respond to early signs of hunger. If your baby begins to gulp during the feeding, take a break.
- I need to burp. During and after each feeding, take time to burp your baby. But don’t stop there. Your baby may need to burp between feedings as well.
- I’m wet. For some babies, a wet or soiled diaper is a surefire way to trigger tears. Gas or indigestion may have the same effect. Check your baby’s diaper often to make sure it’s clean and dry.
- I’m tired. Tired babies are often fussy — and your baby may need more sleep than you think. Newborns often sleep up to 16 hours every day. Some newborns sleep even more.
- I’d rather be bundled. Some babies feel most secure in a swaddle wrap. Snugly wrap your baby in a receiving blanket or other small, lightweight blanket.
- I want to move. Sometimes a rocking session or walk through the house is enough to soothe a crying baby. In other cases, a change of position is all that’s needed. Keeping safety precautions in mind, try a baby swing or vibrating infant seat. Weather permitting, head outdoors with the stroller. You may even want to buckle up for a ride in the car.
- I’m lonely. Sometimes simply seeing you, hearing your voice or being cuddled may stop the tears. Gentle massage or light pats on the back may soothe a crying baby, too.
- I’m hot. A baby who’s too hot is likely to be uncomfortable. The same goes for a baby who’s too cold. Add or remove a layer of clothing as needed.
- I want to suck on something. Sucking is a natural reflex. For many babies, it’s a comforting, soothing activity. If your baby isn’t hungry, try a clean finger or pacifier.
- I’ve had enough. Too much noise, movement or visual stimulation may drive your baby to tears. Move to a calmer environment or place your baby in the crib. White noise — such as a recording of ocean waves or the monotonous sound of an electric fan or vacuum cleaner — may help your crying baby relax.
- It’s just that time of day. Many babies have predictable periods of fussiness during the day, often in the late afternoon and early evening. There may be little you can do but comfort your baby as the crying runs its course.
- My tummy hurts. If you’re breast-feeding your baby, the flavor of the milk may change in response to what you eat and drink. If you suspect that a certain food or drink is making your baby fussier than usual, avoid it for several days to see if it makes a difference.
Of course, breastfeeding is still best for babies but sooner or later, solid food would have to be a part of his/her dietary routine. How soon is now when it comes to solid foods? There are many concerns regarding this issue but here are a few child development tips from ukfamily which can help you deal with this scenario:
1. Never leave your baby alone with food – stay close during feeding time, and know how to handle a choking baby.
2. Don’t give your baby nuts, crisps, whole grapes, raw carrots and other items that could cause choking. Give her foods that are mashed, pureed, or easily dissolved in her mouth.
3. Don’t give honey to your child if she is under 12 months. Honey often contains botulism spores which – although harmless when ingested in a mature gut – can be dangerous for infants. Some paediatricians even recommend waiting until your child is more than 18 months old.
4. Be careful with common allergens such as peanut butter, orange juice, eggs and wheat. If your family has a history of allergies, speak to your GP or health visitor about what solids you should avoid and for how long.
5. Don’t store leftover portions of food in the fridge – throw them out. Saliva from your baby’s mouth can cause bacteria to grow in unused portions of food.
6. Never microwave food for your baby. Even if stirred, some parts might remain hot and could burn your child. Most jarred baby-food doesn’t need to be heated, but if you do want to warm it up, use the oven hob and make sure it is heated thoroughly.
7. Always check the temperature of your baby’s food before you offer it to her.
8. Don’t put your baby on a low-fat diet. Young children need fat for growth and healthy brain development, and will not benefit from ‘light’ or ‘low fat’ foods.
9. Don’t give your baby food in the car. Unless you’re watching her at all times (which means you’re not watching the road!) you might not hear her if she starts to choke.
10. Be careful with foods that can get caught in her teeth, such as raisins. After eating, wipe your baby’s teeth and gums with a clean, wet facecloth.
For new parents, there are really a lot of challenges to infant care from changing diapers to having to stay awake at irregular intervals. However, one aspect of child care which may surprise you even further is burping. Sometimes it can bother you to no end to see what’s bugging your child after feeding him/her.
Burping is all about that extra rush of air which babies tend to swallow while feeding. If this one is left unchecked, it can lead to throwing up and crankiness. In order to solve this, the trick is to gently pat the baby’s back. As a contingency, you need to put a bib near the baby’s mouth because they may give off wet burp once in a while.
There are many ways in which to try to make your child burp. Try sitting upright and holding him against your chest or you can hold the baby in your lap. You can also try making him/her lay on his/her belly.
Repetition is key and soon enough you won’t have any problems solving your baby’s crankiness due to failure to burp.
Kangaroo care is an infant care technique wherein the baby is held via skin-to-skin contact. Basically it emulates the pouch parenting of the popular Australian marsupial, the kangaroo.
Although this may seem like a gimmick, kangaroo care actually emerged as a knee-jerk response to the alarmingly high rate of preterm baby deaths in Bogota, Columbia in the late 1970s. The deaths then were at a ridiculous 70% clip. The primary culprit pointed by experts was a lack of attention by parents. Thus, it was suggested that parents spend more time close to the bodies of their mothers - in typical kangaroo fashion.
Here are some of the benefits of kangaroo care from ClevelandClinic.org:
* Stabilization of the baby’s heart rate
* Improved (more regular) breathing pattern
* Improved oxygen saturation levels (an indicator of how well oxygen is being delivered to all the infants organs and tissues)
* Gain in sleep time
* More rapid weight gain
* Decreased crying
* More successful breastfeeding episodes
* Earlier hospital discharge
It also has its benefits for parents as well:
* Improved bonding, feelings of closeness with their babies
* Increased breast milk supply
* Increased confidence in ability to care for their babies
* Increased confidence that their babies are well cared for
* Increased sense of control
The value of pacifiers for infant care have not been emphasized enough. It provides parents and guardians with a brief respite from having to always take care of the baby. As a good distraction, pacifiers enable children to just lull himself/herself and maybe take notice of the beautiful toys you’ve set up around his/her crib.
However, there are few benchmarks on the usage of pacifiers. There are certain things which you must do and some actions which are a major no-no for this useful instrument. Here are some guidelines from the trusted and renowned Mayo Clinic:
- Wait until breast-feeding is well established. Be patient. It may take a few weeks or more to settle into a regular nursing routine. If you’re breast-feeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce a pacifier until your baby is 1 month old.
- Let your baby set the pace. If your baby’s not interested in the pacifier, try again later — or skip it entirely. Don’t force the issue.
- Choose the one-piece, dishwasher-safe variety. Pacifiers made of two pieces pose a choking hazard if they break. The shape and firmness is up to you — or your baby.
- Buy extras. Once you’ve settled on a favorite pacifier, keep a few identical backups on hand. Many babies refuse a substitute pacifier.
- Keep it clean. Before you use a new pacifier, wash it with soap and water. To keep fungus at bay, soak your baby’s pacifier in equal parts white vinegar and water for a few minutes a day. Allow the pacifier to air dry thoroughly before returning it to your baby. Resist the temptation to “rinse” the pacifier in your own mouth. You’ll only spread more germs to your baby.
- Watch for signs of deterioration. Replace pacifiers often. A worn or cracked nipple can tear off and pose a choking hazard.
- Use caution with pacifier clips. Never use a string or strap long enough to get caught around your baby’s neck.
- Let sleeping babies lie. If the pacifier falls out of your baby’s mouth while he or she is sleeping, don’t pop it back in.
- Try other ways to calm your baby. Don’t use a pacifier as a first line of defense. Sometimes a change of position or a rocking session may be all that’s needed. If your baby is hungry, offer the breast or a bottle.
- Know when to pull the plug. Most kids stop using pacifiers on their own between ages 2 and 4. If you’re concerned about your child’s pacifier use, consult his or her doctor for suggestions.
Apart from the inconsistent sleeping schedule, most of the problems encountered by new parents is changing the diapers of their babies. This is an important skill for infant care which parents will eventually master. But everything is awkward in the beginning. Thus here are some basic guidelines you should master for this crucial skill.
Before going through the nitty-gritty of the simple procedure, you would need to assemble all the materials. Of course, the diapers should be there as well as the fasteners, the warm water and cotton balls. Diaper wipes are also excellent options. For the prevention of rashes, you can also elect to use a diaper ointment or petroleum jelly. These materials should all be at hand because you can never leave your baby unattended.
With the cleaning materials gently wipe your baby clean from the front to the back. It is important not to wipe from back to front, especially on girls, because one can spread the bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections forward from the rectum. Lift the baby’s legs by the ankles to get a better reach. Don’t forget the creases in the thighs and buttocks.
Once you’ve finished wiping, pat your baby dry with a clean washcloth and apply diaper ointment.
Sometimes it can be a mystery how the process of teething follows a schedule in babies and like a foolproof system it can’t be stopped thus causing occassional discomfort in your baby - and eventually in you because of the additional time and care you must give your child. So it is best to be informed about how teething goes for the best infant care you can deliver.
Expect your baby’s teething problems to start appearing as early as three months. This can continue until your baby hits three years old.
Teething can begin as early as 3 months and continue until your child’s third birthday.Usually, the first set which will appear would be the front teeth in the lower half of the mouth.Around four to eight weeks later, the upper front teeth start making their appearances. In a month’s time the lower lateral incisors will appear to give support to the two bottom front teeth. When the front line of defense have started to find their place in the mouth of your baby, the molars would then start to make their presence felt.
Most of the problems parents will encounter with teething would be some bouts of irritability from your child caused by swollen gums, a high temperature and some instances of diarrhea.However, a fever is not a direct symptom of teething and it is best to consult your doctor just to be sure about the source of the fever.
It may be hard to imagine but babies do speak in code - after all it’s hard to interpret his bouts of crying straight up. Parents would need to be always there in order to understand. Thus, infant care is never really easy.
The best way to do to understand what your baby needs is to symphatize with him/her. What could he possibly need? Here are some clues straight from the leading experts of child care in the Mayo Clinic:
- I’m hungry. Most newborns eat every few hours round-the-clock. Some babies become frantic when hunger strikes. They may get so worked up by the time the feeding begins that they gulp air with the milk, which may cause spitting up, trapped gas and more crying. To avoid such frenzy, respond to early signs of hunger. If your baby begins to gulp during the feeding, take a break.
- I need to burp. During and after each feeding, take time to burp your baby. But don’t stop there. Your baby may need to burp between feedings as well.
- I’m wet. For some babies, a wet or soiled diaper is a surefire way to trigger tears. Gas or indigestion may have the same effect. Check your baby’s diaper often to make sure it’s clean and dry.
- I’m tired. Tired babies are often fussy — and your baby may need more sleep than you think. Newborns often sleep up to 16 hours every day. Some newborns sleep even more.
- I’d rather be bundled. Some babies feel most secure in a swaddle wrap. Snugly wrap your baby in a receiving blanket or other small, lightweight blanket.
- I want to move. Sometimes a rocking session or walk through the house is enough to soothe a crying baby. In other cases, a change of position is all that’s needed. Keeping safety precautions in mind, try a baby swing or vibrating infant seat. Weather permitting, head outdoors with the stroller. You may even want to buckle up for a ride in the car.
- I’m lonely. Sometimes simply seeing you, hearing your voice or being cuddled may stop the tears. Gentle massage or light pats on the back may soothe a crying baby, too.
- I’m hot. A baby who’s too hot is likely to be uncomfortable. The same goes for a baby who’s too cold. Add or remove a layer of clothing as needed.
- I want to suck on something. Sucking is a natural reflex. For many babies, it’s a comforting, soothing activity. If your baby isn’t hungry, try a clean finger or pacifier.
- I’ve had enough. Too much noise, movement or visual stimulation may drive your baby to tears. Move to a calmer environment or place your baby in the crib. White noise — such as a recording of ocean waves or the monotonous sound of an electric fan or vacuum cleaner — may help your crying baby relax.
- It’s just that time of day. Many babies have predictable periods of fussiness during the day, often in the late afternoon and early evening. There may be little you can do but comfort your baby as the crying runs its course.
- My tummy hurts. If you’re breast-feeding your baby, the flavor of the milk may change in response to what you eat and drink. If you suspect that a certain food or drink is making your baby fussier than usual, avoid it for several days to see if it makes a difference.
The good thing to note is that babies are one-dimensional in their demands. Thus when you are able to provide what they need, they will more than likely hush up. Knowing their every need is an instinct which can only be mastered when spending most of your time with your baby. It is a very fulfilling experience.
Food cravings can be distracting for pregnancy nutrition. They may feature foods you’ve never wanted before or a spike in the consumption of your servings. Cravings are said to be the body’s way of demanding nutrients for pregnancy. The rule of thumb is to indulge these cravings with moderation as guide.
Janet Pope, PhD, an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston believes that just as women have cravings during menstruation which are powered by hormones, the same thing can happen during pregnancy.
While these are all theories as of now, it is a common observation that the taste preferences of pregnant women change during this phase. Here are some scientific offerings from Valerie Duffy, PhD, an associate professor in the School of Allied Health at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, showing that women:
- Liked sour tastes more in the second and third trimesters than in the first trimester or before pregnancy. Like a preference for sweet tastes, a sour preference helps women get a more varied diet later in pregnancy so they can get enough calories, says Dr. Duffy. A yen for sour foods also seems to explain the classic pickle craving. And since fruit is typically a combination of sweet and sour tastes, it also explains why fruit is the most common pregnancy craving.
- Showed an increased preference for salty tastes — which would include foods like potato chips and pickles (again!) — as their pregnancy went along. During pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases, so this taste change may be tied to her greater need for sodium.
- Had an intensified perception of bitterness during the first trimester. Scientists suspect that being able to isolate bitter tastes during pregnancy is an evolutionary protection, because many toxic plants and fruits taste bitter. This taste change helps warn pregnant women against consuming poisons, such as alcohol, during critical phases of fetal development, agrees Dr. Duffy. Interestingly, the aversion to bitter tastes typically lessens by the third trimester, when the crucial phases of fetal development have ended.
For starters, taking care of the place where the umbilical cord was can be a stressful experience. But fear not, the experts from Mayo Clinic have left some simple infant care insights to get by with this experience. Foremost of which is to relax. The key is to simply follow a regular cleaning regiment to nurse the umbilical cord stump until it falls off.
During pregnancy, the umbilical cord is the main highway where nutrients and oxygen are supplied to the baby. When the baby is born, the dependence from the mother is no longer needed and so off goes the umbilical cord as well. If you think the baby feels pain when the doctors cut it, well not much because this cord doesn’t have much sensitivity to pain.
Here are the cleaning and care guidelines from Mayo Clinic:
- Keep the stump clean. Parents were once instructed to swab the stump with rubbing alcohol after every diaper change. Researchers now say the stump may heal faster if left alone. If the stump becomes dirty or sticky, wash it with soap and water and dry it well. Hold a clean, absorbent cloth around the stump or use the low setting on a hair dryer, being careful to hold the dryer a safe distance from the baby.
- Keep the stump dry. Expose the stump to air to help dry out the base. Keep the front of your baby’s diaper folded down to avoid covering the stump. Change wet or soiled diapers quickly to prevent irritation. In warm weather, dress your baby in a diaper and T-shirt to improve air circulation.
- Stick with sponge baths. Sponge baths may be most practical during the healing process. When the stump falls off, you can bathe your baby in a baby tub or sink.
- Let the stump fall off on its own. Resist the temptation to pull off the stump yourself, even if it’s hanging on by only a thread.
