Mosquito-born virus, Zika, is expected to find its way to the United States. The result of infection can be devastating for pregnant women. Other viral infections being seen more commonly in infants are Chikungunya and syphilis. Learn more
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Tag Archives: Newborns
Baby Feeding For Newborns
A new parent or an experienced one always have questions regarding feeding their newborn baby. A typical newborn has active rooting and sucking reflexes and can begin feeding immediately. The feeding can be done immediately after birth or at least within four hours after birth. Choosing how to feed your baby during his first few days of life is very important. It can be breast or bottle, but you should make a choice that is informed and not pressured.
Breast Or Bottle Feeding
There is no doubt that a mother’s milk is the best food for your baby. The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding your baby exclusively is ideal for the first four to six months of life. However, there are mothers who choose bottle feeding because of personal or medical reasons. The most ideal feeding combination is to breastfeed for the first six months, then breastfeed along with solid foods until the 12th month age of your baby. Continue this for as long as mother and baby want. Formula feeding also offers advantages for newborn babies. Its preparation is primarily available to provide babies a solid mixture of proteins, sugars, fats and vitamins. As a result, it provides nutrition your baby needs to grow into a healthy child.
In addition, never give your baby water, juice or other fluids. These kinds of liquids are unnecessary and can disturb your baby’s appetite for breast or formula milk, which may lead to malnutrition. Most newborns feed eight to twelve times a day with two to three hours interval. For babies two to three months of age, they may be contented with six to eight feedings per day. But if using formula feeding, you may need to do the feeding a little less because formula milk digests more slowly than breast milk.
Additional Tips During Feeding
Newborns are not very hungry the first two to three days, so feed him in a small frequent feeding manner. You can also talk to your baby using a soft tone of your voice during the feeding and always identify the signals from your baby that shows he’s ready to feed such as lip smacking, eye fluttering and tongue movement. Crying is a late sign of your baby’s hunger.
Vitamin D Supplementation
Consult your health care provider about vitamin D supplements for your baby. Breast and formula milk is healthy for your baby but they may not provide enough vitamin D, which is required to help your baby’s bones absorb calcium and phosphorus; these minerals are necessary for strong bones. Vitamin D deficiency can cause a disease called rickets, a softening and weakening of the bones.
Weaning
Weaning depends on the needs and desires of both mother and baby. Ideally, breast or bottle feeding should continue after 1 year as long as mother and baby wish. Gradual weaning is easier for both baby and mother than stopping suddenly. The weaning can be done by initially replacing one to three breastfeeding sessions a day with a bottle of formula milk or a bottle of fruit juice if bottle feeding (fruit juices should not be given to babies younger than 6 months old).
If you would like to find out more about baby feeding guide please feel free to visit our site Newborn Baby. With information and advise for new parents on breastfeeding diet as well as a range of other topics you are bound to find the answer you need.
Sleeping Habits of Newborns
As a parent, getting enough sleep is a key priority for both you and your baby. Sleep that is interrupted at any time during the night can exhaust and frustrate parents.
Don’t worry too much to begin. Eventually your newborn will start sleeping for longer periods of time rather than short stints that seem to tease your sleep instead of allowing you to be benefited from it. When your baby is a newborn, sleep tends to be lighter and for shorter periods of time than when your baby is a few months older. A few lucky parents are blessed with a newborn that sleeps well to begin with, but for the rest of us, it takes time and an incredible amount of fortitude to get through the first few months.
Your newborn can sleep up to 16 hours collectively in a day. A few weeks after birth, your newborn will most likely start to sleep for shorter periods and less hours. Sometimes this can be exacerbated by colic, acid reflux, or any other conditions that make sleeping difficult for a baby. For you, just the stress of being a new parent, anxiety, illness, soreness from birth, or painful breasts full of breast milk can be enough to make sleep seem impossible.
Soon enough, your anxieties will subside and you and your baby will learn techniques for getting more out of your sleep. Eventually you will learn techniques such as how to rock your baby, swaddling, and using a pacifier.
First, it is important to set the stage for a good night’s sleep. The ideal sleeping environment for a baby is one that is mostly dark, quiet, and about 70 degrees. It also helps if bedtime rituals, such as bathing, dressing, and nursing, are not rushed. However, any routines should be orderly and predictable. Even a newborn will benefit and soon learn to depend upon routine to let them know when it is time to sleep, play, or eat.
Make a predictable bedtime routine. Many parents feel that their baby should be put down in their bed while they are awake and allowed to self-soothe themselves to sleep for the night. Other parents feel it is important to rock and hold their baby until the baby is asleep, whether it is in the parent’s arms, or co-sleeping in the “family bed.” The choice is a matter of preference, but whatever sleep methods you choose for your infant just remember to make bedtime predictable for your infant to grow in a secure routine.
Your baby should develop a somewhat regular sleep pattern around 3 months old. After this time, you should keep watch over your baby’s sleep pattern in order to access their needs as they grow and change.
In the meantime, keep in mind these tips for what to expect from a baby’s sleep habits. First, infants and toddlers only require a certain amount of sleep. Once their bodies have reached it, they won’t sleep any more that day. Second, napping too much during the day may lead to a more disrupted night time sleep. Third, putting your baby down for a nap when he’s not really sleepy will only lead to very frustrating periods of wakefulness. Establish a routine for sleeping and stick with it. Your baby will sleep longer and better, and therefore you will too.
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Baby Proofing For Newborns
The hospital bag is packed and waiting next to the door. The nursery is ready, diapers and powders on call near the changing table and tiny outfits neatly folded in the dresser. Baby will be here any day. Yet, it takes more than one diaper and bottles to prepare for a newborn. Here are five things a parent should know before bringing baby home.
1. The Crib
Crib bedding sets often come with a fluffy comforter and matching bumper. Yet babies under the age of one can easily be suffocated by blankets, thick bumpers, and even plush toys. All baby needs is a tight-fitting sheet, a warm outfit, and a swaddling blanket. Some pediatricians recommend avoiding a bumper altogether since it is merely decorative. Also be sure that the crib bars are no more than 2 1/8 inches apart and that the mattress fits snugly inside the crib. When baby comes home, remember to always put him to sleep on his back.
2. The Changing Table
Invest in a changing table with protective railings at least several inches taller than the changing pad. The pad should have sturdy straps. Be sure to always strap baby onto the table while changing him. Keep a well stocked supply of diapers and wipes nearby so you won’t have to step away for even a moment. Baby should never be left unattended on the table, as even the youngest infant can inadvertently and unexpectedly roll off.
3. Bottles
Purchase bottles that are BPA free. BPA is a chemical that may be linked to human growth and reproductive issues. Never microwave a bottle of formula, as microwaving bottles can lead to uneven heating and possibly burn baby’s mouth. Wash bottles and nipples thoroughly after use and never use a bottle of formula that has been left out longer than 2 hours.
4. Bath
Infant seats are helpful when bathing baby, but don’t be fooled into thinking it is a safety measure that will prevent all accidents. A baby must never be farther than arms reach while bathing and must be constantly supervised. Set your house’s water heater to 120 degrees or less to prevent scalding, or install an anti-scald device. It is a good idea to get your towels, diapers, and other supplies ready before bath time.
5. Used Baby Equipment
Second-hand baby equipment is less expensive or even free, but it can also be dangerous. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission to be sure your used car seat, stroller, crib, or toys have not been recalled. Toys that are several decades old may contain lead paint and should be avoided. When it comes to car seats, never buy a used seat if you don’t know its history. It may be unreliable if it has been in a crash. Don’t by a seat that is more than 6 years old, doesn’t have an instruction manual, or is missing parts. Although they can be expensive, a car seat is one baby item you should consider buying new.
For more information about all your baby proofing needs please visit Baby Proofing Directory. Baby Proofing Directory is the most comprehensive source for baby proofing professionals, pool fence installers, baby proofing product manufacturers, child safety products, and home safety tips to keep your toddler safe.
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Newborns and Bacteria
From the very first minute you learned you were expecting, you began to believe about germs. They’re everywhere, and in the event you are not careful it is possible to end up becoming obsessed over that thought. The arrival of the newborn brings another fresh wave of fear. What concerning the germs which is on the baby’s toys? What about his or her clothing? Are there bacteria within the bedding, or within the dirty diapers? Of course you will discover, but driving yourself crazy about it is not helping the scenario, either. Utilizing typical sense and not obsessiveness is the key to protecting your infant from germs.
Your friends might tease you about your obsession, and even go so far as to say that bacteria are vital in building a strong immune system. This really is really true by the way, and any physician will attest to that fact. Even though all this really is factual, that doesn’t mean you need to expose the child to any unnecessary bacteria. Mother Nature will take care of that, by providing all of the germ exposure your infant will require.
You basically have to have to preserve your newborn away from feasible sources of bacteria including the family dog, dirt in general, and public places for instance changing tables in rest rooms, and so on. The only point that you will have no defense against is other individuals. Keeping the little one away, or limiting speak to at initial is concerning the best you could do, but sometimes get in touch with with others can’t be avoided.
Men and women love to hold and cuddle a newborn, and this really is where babies pick up numerous germs. The only point you could do is to ask everyone to wash their hands prior to holding your newborn. Some people may take offense at this, but remember, it’s your infant you might be protecting. If you aren’t able to limit make contact with, request that individuals refrain from touching or kissing the baby’s face. Cuddling is fine as long because the face isn’t involved.
It is really a very good concept to carry hand sanitizer with you at all times. In the event you meet somebody who wants to hold the little one, it is possible to constantly ask them to use the sanitizer very first. Most men and women will comprehend and be agreeable. Carry infant wipes with you also, so you can wipe the baby’s face and hands after someone touches him.
It’s a given that you just ought to constantly retain your little one away from any individual who is sick. Be aware of anybody who sounds as if they have a cold or the sniffles. Do not be afraid to ask them if they are, or have been, ill. You happen to be only defending your little 1. Make sure your child has all of the vaccinations needed, and hold them up to date.
Although you would like to avoid being obsessed with bacteria, you do need to ensure that the area the child plays in is kept clean. Employing disinfectant spray is fine and extremely efficient when eliminating bacteria. Nonetheless, you would like to make certain that the infant does not are available in make contact with with any household cleaners. Rinse toys and other objects that the little one may place in his or her mouth with warm water to wash off any cleaners that may well of come in make contact with with those toys.
Colby Brister is the loving parent of two. Check out this Baby Bedding and these Baby Crib Bedding Sets