Archive for July, 2009

Stages of Baby’s Development – a Newborn’s Basic Instincts

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 16th, 2009


How Adults Can Help Baby’s Development

Newborns also exhibit many reflex responses to external stimulation and these patterns and reflexes help the baby to manage their energy resources as well as their responses to what is around them.

Just after birth, there is often a short spell where the baby is attentive, looking at and responding to
 people.

Sleep patterns of a newborn vary. Research has identified six different states of infant awareness:

  • Quiet or deep sleep: Baby will have eyes closed with no eye movements and no activity apart from occasional jerky movements; regular breathing.
  • Active or light sleep: Baby’s eyes are closed but rapid eye movements can be observed; breathing may be irregular, activity level is low.
  • Drowsiness: Baby’s eyes may open and close but appear dull when open; there is delayed response to stimulation and activity level varies.
  • Alert inactivity: Baby’s eyes are open and bright; his/her attention will focus on outside stimuli such as a ceiling light or something bright.
  • Alert activity: Baby’s eyes are open; activity level is high. Baby will react to stimulation and show increased startles and motor activity.
  • Crying: Intense crying that is hard to stop; high levels of motor activity.

A newborn will exhibit several reflexive responses. Some will last for life. The presence or absence of reflexes and their developmental course will give information about the baby’s neural responses. For instance when the doctor runs a thumb along the left side of baby’s spinal column, the baby should reflexively bent to the left. If this reflex occurs on one side but not the other it is possible the nerves are damaged on the side that shows no reflexive reaction.

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A Concerned Parent’s Toy Safety Issue

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 16th, 2009

As a parent, I have watched issues on T.V., blasting off about lead content in the toys consumers have purchased over a length of time, with many item recalls pertaining to those instances. The numbers reached very high levels of these recalls, so much so, that personally I thought maybe
my little girl was already playing with some. I was not overly concerned because my daughter didn’t get into a habit of putting anything beyond food and drink, lucky for me, and her.

Approximately one year ago though, something struck me in the thought of a safety issue, that had not crossed my mind, until one crazy day at my little girl’s bath time. I looked at all her colorful little toys, and they looked kind of dirty so I figured of course, I’ll clean them up. So I washed the exterior with some non-toxic cleaners, and then it really hit me, a little hole in the bottom of one, two, three, bath toys. The old fashioned “rubber duckies” or Winnie the Pooh, or some crazy looking pink elephant and baby. The holes were black looking, and the insides of these toys were filled with stagnant water and “sludge”, rather gross. I squeezed with all my might to extract this excrement. All I got was nasty water and some of the sludge, and not all of it would come out.

I reported the issue in question to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, explaining in full detail expressing my concerns. This is bacteria! Today I again sent my report in question to them for further review, and I’m thinking I’ll get the same back: “Report the issue again and send pictures.”

These toys are found all over, in every country, in every store, including the wonderful U.S.A. in manufacturing them. They all range from great Disney characters loved by children to the most basic “rubber duckies.” They are made in a manner that it is pretty much impossible to clean the interior, and what comes out of them could be getting into the mouths of our youngsters.

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1 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 – Your 5-week-old

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 16th, 2009

Your 5-week-old

How your baby’s growing:

Smiling is universal. A baby’s first smile happens at about the same time in all cultures, so get ready for your baby to reward all your loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-you grin. This will probably make your heart melt, even if you’ve just had your worst night yet.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 5-week-old’s development

Your life: The postpartum checkup

Soon you’ll have the last of the series of checkups that began with your first prenatal trip to your doctor or midwife. Your care provider will want to be sure you’re doing fine — emotionally as well as physically — following the stresses of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and becoming a new parent.

During the pelvic exam, your doctor or midwife will want to see that any tears, scratches, or bruises to your vagina or cervix have healed. If your cervix is healed, you may also have a Pap smear. She’ll examine your perineum if you had an episiotomy or tearing. She’ll also feel your belly to be sure that there’s no tenderness, and if you had a c-section she’ll inspect your scar to see how it’s healing.

Your breasts will be checked as well. If you’re breastfeeding, your caregiver will examine you to find out whether you have any clogged ducts, which could lead to an infection like mastitis. If you aren’t nursing, she’ll want to be sure there are no hard or sore areas that might indicate an infection. She’ll also want to see if your milk is drying up.

You’ll probably be told it’s fine to begin having sex again, although many new moms don’t feel their sex drive or energy kick in for a few more weeks or even months. Regardless of your interest level, you ought to discuss postpartum birth control, because it’s possible to get pregnant before you’ve gotten your period back and even if you’re breastfeeding.

Your caregiver will also be concerned about your emotional health. As many as 4 out of 5 new moms become mildly depressed, commonly called the baby blues. However, if these down feelings last more than two weeks, you may have postpartum depression, a more serious condition. Your doctor or midwife can recommend interventions that really help, such as a therapist who sees lots of moms like you or an antidepressant that’s safe to take when nursing.

3 questions about: Working with your child’s doctor

How often will my baby see a doctor?
Most pediatricians and family physicians like to see newborns for well-baby checkups once or twice in the first ten days of life and then at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. If your baby has any medical problems or difficulty gaining weight, your doctor may want to see your baby more often.

How can I get the most out of these well-baby checkups?
Doctors are busy, and it’s likely that the checkup will fly by and that you’ll be distracted by your baby at the visit, so come prepared with our doctor visit worksheets. Jot down in advance any questions you may have. Keep a notebook and pen in a handy place at home, and bring it to appointments so you can write down information like your baby’s weight, length, and vaccinations, as well as any advice or instructions the doctor provides. If you forget to ask something during the appointment, don’t worry. You can always call the doctor between appointments and have your question answered by phone.

You’re the expert on your baby — and the doctor is the expert on baby care and health — so good communication is key. If you disagree with your doctor’s advice or feel your comments are being dismissed, speak up. It may be that you’ve misunderstood one another. Most doctors appreciate your honesty and want their interaction with you and your baby to be rewarding and informative. If you find that you have serious disagreements, you may want to find another doctor with whom you feel more comfortable. Ask friends for referrals.

What if I need to talk to the doctor after hours?
Be sure you know what the routine is in your doctor’s practice. Most physicians have a system for responding to questions and concerns — usually either a message service you can call to leave your name and number, or a nurse advice line that you can reach after hours. Also find out how emergencies are handled in the practice and which local emergency rooms and after-hours clinics you can access. The most important thing to remember about seeking your doctor’s advice is that there are no stupid questions when it comes to your baby’s health.

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10 Ways to Help Your Newborn Digest Formula

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 14th, 2009

New parents may be worried about trying to help their newborn digest formula. While breast milk is more digestible than formula, there are some techniques and tips new parents and caregivers can utilize to help their newborns digest their formula.

1. Straighten Out

Feed baby while her head is in alignment with her body, not tiled to the side, to help her swallow more
 easily.

2. Bottle Position

Hold the bottle upright to ensure that baby is sucking in only formula. When the bottle is not upright, an air bubble may enter the nipple and baby could take it in, increasing the chance of indigestion. Angle the bottle so the nipple fills with formula before offering it to baby.

3. Do Not Prop Bottles

As tempting as it may be, do not prop a bottle of formula for a newborn. This can also cause air bubbles to get into the nipple, or baby may take in too much formula at once. When you hold your newborn while bottle feeding him, you will be more able to read his cues.

3. Hold Baby Upright

While bottle feeding your newborn, keep him in a semi-upright position to aid digestion of the formula.

4. Burp Often

Take the time to burp the baby often while bottle feeding, to help baby pass any gas bubbles.

5. Feed Less, More Often

If formula digestion is an issue for baby, consider bottle feeding baby less formula more frequently. Smaller amounts will be easier to digest.

6. Consider A Different Formula

After discussing a newborn’s digestion issues with the pediatrician, consider switching to a lactose-free formula. Or ask her about using a formula without cow’s milk protein. A soy-based formula may be better tolerated by your newborn. A third type of formula to consider is one for babies with intolerance or allergies to both animal and soy protein, a hypoallegenic formula.

7. Use the Right Nipple

Bottle nipples come in different flow speeds. Make sure you are using the right nipple for your baby’s age. If the hole in the bottle nipple is too big, baby will receive too much milk and may choke on it.

8. Keep Baby Upright

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Can Massage Stop My Baby’s Reflux?

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 14th, 2009

Infant massage could help reduce bouts of baby’s acid reflux if your baby enjoys massage and is relaxed by it. All babies are different, and some will enjoy a gentle massage more than others. Infant massage, along with kangaroo care, or skin on skin contact is often recommended for
 premature babies. Premature babies also suffer from acid reflux at a greater rate than full-term babies do, and if the preemie was tubed the chances of him developing prolonged reflux are increased.

An infant massage may not completely stop all episodes of acid reflux, particularly during a baby’s first six months of life. The infant massage can help relax a baby and keep him calm and happy. An overly-excited baby is more prone to acid reflux, as is a baby who is unhappy and crying. Crying can worsen an episode of acid reflux. If giving your baby an infant massage helps reduce or alleviate crying, giving infant massages regularly may help manage and reduce baby’s episodes of acid reflux.

Infant Massage

An infant massage should be given to baby before she eats, particularly if you will be placing baby flat on the floor. Prepare the area with a soft blanket or towel and make the room warm enough for baby to comfortable while wearing only a diaper. Dim the lights to create a cozy environment.

Loosen the top of the baby’s diaper slightly, to alleviate any pressure it could be causing on the abdominal area. This is a good tip to use at any time for babies who suffer from acid reflux. You can use a vegetable-based, edible oil to help you with the infant massage, if you want. Stay away from nut-based oils since any massaged hands or feet could end up in baby’s mouth and nuts are a common allergen. A light grapeseed oil is ideal.

Warm the grapeseed oil between your hands by adding a drop to your palm and rubbing hands together. Tell your baby that it’s time for a nice massage and smile. Start at baby’s feet and move your hand and fingers in one long stroke up the leg. Repeat a couple of times and then do the other leg.

Always massage towards the heart, whether you are giving an infant massage or an adult a massage.

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The Dangers of Newborn Reflux

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 14th, 2009

Newborn reflux is not only messy, it can be downright dangerous for infants. Newborn reflux can lead to disjointed and poor sleep, sleep apnea, breathing problems and other conditions.

The Dangers of Newborn Reflux

Complications

Newborn reflux can contribute to other medical conditions, making it important to keep an eye on your baby’s acid reflux triggers and minimizing them when possible.
 

Dangers of Newborn Reflux: Sleep Disturbances

Acid reflux can be worse at night for babies who suffer from the condition. Reflux itself is recognized as contributing to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when a baby stops breathing momentarily, disrupting baby’s sleep The same thing can happen to adults, but for babies it can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

During the first three months of life acid reflux is the most common for babies, and during the first year of life the danger of SIDS is the highest, particularly during the first six months of a baby’s life. This makes it imperative that parents of babies who suffer from acid reflux take precautions against acid reflux as soon as the condition is recognized.

Bouts of acid reflux during the hours where baby should otherwise be sleeping or napping can keep baby from having a good night’s rest. When baby is waking up due to the acid reflux, her sleep will be interrupted and she will be fussier. This can lead to irregular sleep patterns, now and later.

Dangers of Newborn Reflux: Breathing Problems

Newborn reflux can also lead to other breathing conditions. Newborns and babies may be more prone to chest infections, according to Dr. Sears. Babies may also be prone to wheezing. The wheezing may or not be a condition of asthma. According to Infant Reflux Disease, 25 percent of people with asthma also have Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Weight Loss

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How My Family Copes with Infant Reflux

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 14th, 2009

Infant reflux is a condition in babies that causes him/her to spit up quite frequently. The amount of spit up is beyond what is considered normal though. In fact, the entire feeding can come up very quickly. The family has to deal with this on a daily basis. But coping with such a
 problem is more difficult for the parents than it is on the infant. There are some things you can do to cope better with it.

This is how my family has coped with infant reflux:

Keep in mind that you are not alone - Many babies have infant reflux. Although it isn’t completely normal, it is normal enough to set your mind at ease that you haven’t done anything wrong. Infants that suffer from infant reflux are generally very happy and healthy in all other forms.

Stay prepared - Since you already know the amount of milk that your baby can spit up, staying prepared is the best thing you can do. This can be done by placing a thick towel or blanket underneath the baby so that the spit up doesn’t end up in your lap and on furniture. If you do this while feeding the baby, you can avoid these situations.

Keep feedings frequent – If you feed baby more often, it will keep the amount of formula or breast milk to a minimum each time. That is because baby won’t eat as much at each feeding because he/she won’t be as hungry. This can cut the incidence down a bit. This won’t completely stop the problem, but it does help reduce it.

Don’t jostle baby too much – Infant reflux can and does occur even when the baby is lying perfectly still. Moving him/her around a lot doesn’t help though. Keep baby as still and calm as possible, especially during feedings. Don’t forget to use a very thick burp cloth when burping as well.

Rest when possible – It is harder for a baby with this problem to sleep through the night. Get as much rest as possible in between feedings so that you can stay fresh. It can be very frustrating when your child has infant reflux. Not getting enough rest doesn’t help.

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Four Websites for Fantastic Green Baby Products

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 11th, 2009

Go Green with Baby

If everyone is doing it, why not baby? As we all seek to become environmentalists in our own way, a good starting point is with our children; after all they are the future of tomorrow. It is evident that today’s parents are becoming more interested in providing a green environment for
their families and with the right resources, going green would be much more appealing to the younger generation.

For newbie parents, or, parents that are more seasoned, here is a list of websites that will offer unique, fun and efficient green products for babies and themselves:

Greatgreenbaby.com

Great Green Baby is a shopping blog site totally devoted to finding cool green baby products and collating the info for potential shoppers. Green products currently featured are the ‘Diaper Dude Bag’ which is made from recycled plastic bottles and great for dads; Persons interested in the diaper bag will be amazed that it looks very normal with a hint of grooviness. The ‘Baby Heirloom Teether’ is another wonderful product which captures the shape of the ‘rock’, ‘love’ and ‘peace’ signs and is handmade from LEED certified wood.

Gogreenbabyshop.com

Go Green Baby Company has a wide variety of eco-friendly products ranging from baby furniture to feeding bottles. There is also a category called Organic Nursery which gives you an array of items for setting up nursery such as blanket sets, crib bumpers and covers, and mattress. My favorite green category however is the Baby Carriers which shows fashionable organic slings that allow you to carry baby on your person instead of in a car seat (outside of the vehicle of course!).

Babyearth.com

Baby Earth is a one-stop shop for all the green baby products a parent can conceive. The site lists hundreds of eco-friendly items (BPA, PVC and Phthalate free and more) with prices as low as US $2.49 from trusted brands like Playtex, Evenflo, Gerber and Avent.

Ourgreenhouse.com

Green toys do exist. Visit Our Green House to see a wonderful selection of natural toys for babies and toddlers. Stuffed toys, dolls and music boxes are included in this category.

Sources:

http://www.greatgreenbaby.com/

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If a baby is sick

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 11th, 2009

Almost anyone, even the strongiest and healthiest baby falls sick from time to time. And if child diseases is an unavoidable thing, let’s try to treat them philosophically.

Childhood diseases is a difficult test, not only for kids but also for his loved ones. Any mother will confirm that it is better to get sick ten times herself, than seeing a suffering little man. A kid feels your mind very good. If you are lost, too nervous, or worse, show panic, it will certainly be transferred to a child. Therefore, no matter how hard you feel in soul, try to get together. Your confidence that everything will be fine will help a child in the fight against disease. Sick child becomes irritable and capricious. Take it easy, be softer and tolerant. Of course, this is not always easy.

esli_zabolelA sick child feels anxiety and needs support. Mom’s task is to calm down a child, explain what is happening to him in simple words, believe in a speedy recovery together with him. This is very important, even if a child asks nothing and shows no interest. But some children prefer not asking direct questions, having more reliance on phone conversations and parents’ behavior. It is compassion and empathy should be expressed to a kid, no pity. Pity does not help, but makes a man weak and helpless. Empathy comforts, but also inspires confidence. “I understand you. I love you very very much! We will deal with the adverse disease. You will soon be recovered, cheerful and healthy!” So much better.

Try to give a baby maximum attention, spend together all free time. Do not be afraid a baby will get spoiled over time of disease. It is important to maintain a good mood of ill child. Tell a pipsqueak on how he will recover. Dream together, where you will you go or what you will do. Do not overwhelm your child with new toys, and all kinds of gifts. You can do this and you need to, but knowing the measure. New toys excite a child too much, but it is not necessary now. It is better to take good old friends to a bed – a favorite bear, hare or duckling. They survived a lot of «hard days» along with a baby. And if a baby has been dreaming of some particular toy for a long (ie a dog or a car), then now it is time to realize this dream. This will be a real joy!

If a child refuses taking drugs or does not agree to any procedure, does not make him by force. Almost always you are able to convince a pipsqueak treating freely. Game is a great weapon to combat the disease. As you know, illness is sad and boring. And if you can raise a child’s mood, exhilarate him, involve in an interesting job, then the recovery process will go much faster. Sick child should not necessary be kept in bed for the whole day, unless, of course, it was not prescribed by a doctor. Indeed, there are certain diseases, when strict bed rest is a guarantee of full recovery. But in most cases, such serious measures are not needed. A child will identify himself when he should relax, and when run. Children overcome temperature better than we adults, and it is worth listen to their intuition and not to insist on lying in bed without any particular need. During illness a child can engage in routine affairs. You must only make a minor adjustment. First, limit noise, mobile games. Secondly, take away big, bright, noisy, musical toys. You will need all kinds of magnetic boards, which help collecting geometric patterns or figures of speech. It is very important to never frighten a child with doctors and hospitals.

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How to Entertain Your Baby

Posted by babyhealthcare on July 10th, 2009

A person’s emotional, psychological and mental developments start at infancy. These can be nurtured even with the simplest of actions and objects. New things enhance the baby’s senses making him more aware of the unfamiliar. His curiosity is piqued and his mind becomes more receptive to
 new information that is vital to his growth and development. By exposing your baby to experiences and surroundings that stimulate and entertain his senses and thus, his awareness to the things around him, you are giving your baby’s mind vital nourishment, a fundamental for your baby’s development.

Simple actions that help in a baby’s development involve cuddling, talking, holding, and their utmost favorite, playing! These actions rouse brain activities which make learning even at this early stage possible. Infants adopt knowledge of basic and creative information primarily by the use of their senses – by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching. Hence they learn the most by doing. In infancy, mostly by imitating actions.

Babies also learn a lot by playing, so the more time your baby spends in playing, the faster he will learn and of course, the more fun he will have. Even infants without the motor skills yet to truly enjoy toys and arranged activities, play in their own ways. This is by listening, observing and making small movements on their own. The best way though is to always make things fun so he’ll be happy while learning at the same time.

Giving your baby bright-colored objects to play with catches his attention, and can hold it for a long time. Balls are perfect examples of fun toys to play with because babies are enthralled by things that move and bounce. What double the fun and awe if your baby has a bright-colored ball to amuse himself with! Activity toys also encourage interaction with your baby. These are those with sounds and/or buttons to press or turn. Not only will he enjoy tinkering with these toys but he will also learn that doing one thing, such as pressing the button, can lead to another thing happening, such as producing a sound. This is a lesson of cause and effect at the earliest stage.

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