Posts Tagged baby care
Baby Care – Baby’s Temperature
Posted by in Babies on March 3rd, 2010
A newborn baby is unable to control body heat as efficiently as an older child. External changes in temperature can vary a baby’s body temperature considerably. Unless a baby is kept adequately warm, he or she could suffer from hypothermia. This does not mean that the parents must constantly check the baby’s temperature with a thermometer, but they must be aware of potentially dangerous situations.
Cold. A baby’s bedroom must be maintained at a temperature of at least 65ºF (18.3ºC). The room should be kept slightly warmer (68º-70ºF) for babies under eight pounds. A thermostat heater is an efficient method of keeping the room warm throughout the night. During the winter, warm the baby’s crib with a hot water bottle before placing him or her in it, but remember to remove the bottle first. Never use an electric blanket on a baby’s bed. Also, before putting the baby to bed, cuddle him or her. A tiny baby does not move during the night and is unlikely to warm up. A cuddle before bed warms the baby.
Heat. During hot summer weather a baby should wear light, loosely fitting, cool clothing. As long as he or she is protected from direct sun, the baby can lie outside in nothing but a diaper. Overdressing, causing overheating, is one of the most common reasons for irritable babies during the summer.
Never leave a small baby unattended in a car. This is especially important during the summer, especially if the car is in direct sun, because the baby can become dangerously overheated. A baby under the age of three months is unable to lose excess heat.
During car journeys, check frequently to make sure that the sun is not shining directly on the baby. Also, protect the baby’s head from the sun.
Illness. When a baby becomes ill, he or she may or may not have a temperature above normal. A reading from a thermometer is an inaccurate guide to a baby’s state of health. Other warning signs also must be considered.
The most common noticeable signs that a baby has an infection or illness are a sudden loss of appetite; irritability or lethargy; and vomiting or diarrhea. These signs are a more accurate indication than a temperature reading.
However, during an illness the physician may ask the parent to monitor the baby’s temperature. It is dangerous to place a thermometer in a baby’s mouth and difficult to keep one underneath a baby’s arm for a sufficient length of time. The safest way to take the baby’s temperature is with a rectal thermometer.
A rectal thermometer has a rounded, stub end. This type of thermometer can be used for taking oral temperatures as well, so when buying a thermometer, buy a rectal one.
Finally, do not keep a baby’s room too hot if he or she is ill. If the baby has a high temperature, keep him or her covered with light clothes and a sheet. The physician may recommend sponging with tepid water to keep the baby’s temperature down.
Rectal Temperature. Make sure that the mercury ribbon is first shaken below the thermometer’s normal mark. Then take the baby’s rectal temperature using the method described below.
It usually takes three to five minutes for a rectal thermometer to register the body temperature. Although the normal body temperature varies from person to person, the average is 98.6ºF (37ºC) for an oral temperature, and 99.6ºF (37.6ºC) for a rectal temperature.
Wash the thermometer carefully after use with cool water and soap. An alcohol pad, available at drugstores, is also acceptable for cleaning thermometers. Never use hot water because this will break the bulb.
I am the owner and author of Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects. You can find the original article here: Baby Care – Baby’s Temperature. If you’d like to read more of my articles, please visit my site!
Article Source: Baby Care – Baby’s Temperature
Baby Care Goes Green
Posted by in Babies on March 2nd, 2010
As the whole world learns of the budding and disastrous consequences of wrongful waste management and just plain garbage from common materials of this time, movements have been started to end this atrocity. One of these factions is a group of young mothers that have realized the benefits of ‘going green’ and lessening the use of common wasteful products such as disposable diapers. They have started to look back into the past and have improved upon long forgotten and formerly used ways, and have thus modernized them. As such, the words ‘cloth diaper’ have appeared again into the scene, setting a trend for both prospective and long-term moms, and making a comeback from the time of our grandmothers.
Now some of you may be asking, why would it be more eco-friendly? Well, other than the fact that disposable diapers are commonly made of non-biodegradable materials, they also increase problems with garbage landfills. This is due to the fact that disposable diapers are one time use only and seriously, a child eliminates body wastes regularly. In turn, trash from nappies (as it is so-called in the United Kingdom as well as some other countries) is generated in a large scale thus filling a large space in said landfills forcing the need for more room.
To waylay this problem, environmentalists have pushed through awareness groups, campaigns and seminars. They are calling forth anyone and everyone to look for alternative means as compared to disposable diapers. This is the movement that has launched the revival of traditional ways such as a cloth diaper. However, just because it has made a comeback does not mean that the world has regressed back into ancient times. In fact those old ways have actually been simplified and improved upon by the various companies that have envisioned commercial growth in ‘going green’. Not only that but instead of worrying on the what’s and the how’s of pinning up successfully the old version of cloth diapers, their newer versions actually look very similar to the easy to do disposable ones. This would hopefully encourage more mothers to try it.
Hello: I am Dave T also known as Mr Diaper. I am way past the
age
of having to change the little ones, but being a grandparent
and
watching my daughter raise her new baby using cloth diapers I got to
wondering what made her decide to go that route. So I created a
blog
Cloth Diapers.
Check out the great diaper ideas that folks form all around
the
world discuss . find great buys and learn about all the benefits of
going cloth on your baby. Also if you know someone who is having a new
baby soon make sure to check out the latest rage in a great
gift. Diaper Cakes
Baby Care – Body Care
Posted by in Babies on February 27th, 2010
Most parents are nervous at first about handling tiny and apparently fragile newborn babies. As a mother or father becomes more confident, routine baby care is easier.
To maintain the health of a newborn baby, a basic rule is to keep the baby clean, safe, and well groomed. In the early weeks this means daily attention to the following areas.
Care of the Genitals. Hospitals and visiting nurses are sometimes reluctant to explain how to clean a baby’s genitals and often recommend not touching them. But such inaction can lead to infections that might otherwise have been prevented.
The genitals of a baby girl must be kept clean. It is not necessary to wash inside the lips of the vulva during the first week after birth, but the parent should thereafter from time to time wipe the genitals from the front toward the anus with a cotton swab dipped in warm water or baby oil. It is important to do this. Any stool or vaginal discharge left on the skin, which can even happen after a bath, can cause a vaginal infection or urinary tract infection if it is not cleaned away.
With a baby boy, never attempt to pull back the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin and the tip of the penis are united at birth and only gradually separate. It is unnecessary to pull back the foreskin in order to wash the penis until the child is about four years old.
Circumcision. Medical opinion is divided about the value of circumcision. If for social or religious reasons a baby is to be circumcised, the operation should be performed before the tenth day after birth. There are two common methods: (1) cutting the foreskin after a mechanical device called a Gomco has severed the tissues to prevent bleeding (the traditional method); or (2) applying a plastic cone to the penis inside the foreskin, stitching round it, and then cutting. There foreskin and the cone fall off together within two or three days.
After a baby is circumcised, a gauze bandage is usually applied, which should be carefully soaked off in the bath after 24 hours or when the physician advises. The gauze bandage must not be pulled or bleeding may start. After the bandage has been soaked free, dry the area with a soft towel. Apply a sterile piece of gauze impregnated with petroleum jelly to prevent diapers from sticking to the skin. Similar dressings should be used for at least two more days. After that time, the skin should have healed.
I am the owner and author of Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects. You can find the original article here: Baby Care – Body Care. If you’d like to read more of my articles, please visit my site!
Article Source: Baby Care – Body Care
Baby Care – Normal Functions of a Baby
Posted by in Babies on February 27th, 2010
Sleeping. The number of hours of sleep required each day is not the same for every baby. It depends on the individual baby and on environmental circumstances. Not all babies require the same amount of sleep, and parents should be aware that each baby establishes his or her own sleeping pattern.
It is immediately noticeable that, as the baby’s age increases, there is also an increasing divergence in the average number of hours of sleep each individual baby requires.
Although newborn babies generally sleep for a total of about twenty hours a day, it is usually for three or four hours at a time, between one nursing and the next. By about six weeks of age, a baby usually begins to sleep for longer periods during the night.
At about six weeks of age a baby begins to need less sleep and to enjoy staying awake for a while after being nursed. At such times, lying on a bed, the baby can be encouraged to use his or her eyes. A colorful mobile is useful for this purpose and can also promote movement and exercise.
It is a mistake to believe a baby can sleep anywhere in any surroundings. Like an adult, a baby prefers quite and undisturbed repose. A baby who is frequently carried about from one place to another, bounced around in the car, bumped in stores, or awakened by loud noises in unfamiliar surroundings can develop lifelong sleep problems.
Crying. It is important to remember that a baby always has a reason for crying and never does so just to be a nuisance. Crying is a baby’s means of communication, generally signifying discontent. A parent or baby sitter soon learns to recognize the sounds and to interpret the reasons: hunger; colic pains; wet or dirty diaper; lack of attention; teething; sudden bright lights; being picked up or looked at by a stranger; and others.
Crying patterns vary as much as do sleeping patterns, and some babies cry more–or less–than others. Most babies up to the age of two or three months have a crying period each day. Parents should not allow themselves to become angry. One method commonly successful in soothing a baby is to walk around slowly, holding the baby upright and speaking gently.
Teething. All babies have to go through the process of teething, but some find it less disturbing or painful than others. The milk teeth, or baby teeth, are already present in the jaw at the time of birth and begin pushing their way through the gums at about age six to eight months. There are 20 milk teeth.
The 32 permanent teeth start to develop when the baby is born. Eventually they begin coming through at age five to six years.
There are many signs by which a parent can know that a baby is teething: the cheeks may become red and blotchy; the gums may swell; the baby may frantically suck the fingers or anything else that close at hand. Alternatively, the baby may have difficulty sucking; a cough may develop because of the extra saliva produced when a tooth is erupting; there may be earache, a referred pain from the gums; the baby may pull or rub the ears; and dry or sore patches of skin may appear on the face, especially if the baby sleeps on his or her stomach on a sheet damp with saliva.
A baby who is teething may wake up crying several times each night and may cry persistently even when soothed. At such a time, offer the baby a drink of cool water or diluted fruit juice. Special preparations of acetaminophen suitable for babies also are available from most drugstores and may be helpful. During the day the baby’s gums may be rubbed with a teething salve to give temporary relief.
To prevent soreness on the baby’s mouth and face, apply a barrier cream and do not allow the baby to lie on a damp sheet.
Care of the Teeth. Vitamins A, C, and D and calcium (all in milk) are important for healthy teeth.
To keep the baby teeth healthy, parents should not permit bad eating habits. The baby should never be given undiluted sugary juices, nor a pacifier dipped in honey. Sweet drinks and foods are harmful to teeth, destroying the enamel. Once the baby can chew food, meals should be finished off with a piece of apple or some water. When the baby is one year old, clean the teeth after each meal with a soft, small brush, brushing the teeth up and down and making a game of it so that it becomes a pleasurable part of the daily routine. Use toothpaste containing fluoride. Many babies are given additional protection with fluoride drops from the age of one month if the fluoride content of the local water supply is insufficient.
I am the owner and author of Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects. You can find the original article here: Baby Care – Baby Normal Functions. If you’d like to read more of my articles, please visit my site!
Article Source: Baby Care – Normal Functions of a Baby
Baby Care – Toilet Training
Posted by in Babies on February 27th, 2010
In time, a baby can train himself or herself. Parents who allow their baby to carry out such natural training should be aware, however, that as with parent-trained babies, one infant can be toilet trained within a few weeks while another may take a year or more. Encouragement should be given as well as praise and even some reward when due.
But most parents prefer to take a more active part in toilet training their child. It is important that parents always appear relaxed about the training program. If the project makes a parent visibly anxious or if it is discussed too earnestly in front of the baby, the baby can become nervous and object to the whole idea.
Toilet Training Method. Start the training program in the morning. Put a fresh diaper on the baby before he or she has breakfast. At the end of the meal, if the baby is still dry and clean, sit him or her on the infant toilet seat. It is a good idea to reserve some favorite toy or toys just for the session.
Each toilet training session should last no longer than five minutes. Stay with the baby during the first few times, but only as company. Do not play with him or her. After several days of this routine, the parent should leave the baby, but remain within a reassuring distance.
At the end of five minutes, the baby should be lifted from the seat. If there is anything in the toilet, the parent should express approval. If not, the parent should merely say something casual like, “We’ll try again tomorrow.” Parents must avoid showing displeasure at such a time.
This routine can gradually be carried out more than once a day, but not so often that the baby gets the impression that he or she is spending a large part of the day on the toilet.
If the baby cries and obviously objects to sitting on the seat, abandon the toilet training for about a month, then try again.
Eventually, the baby’s toilet habits may become so regular that a parent can chart them and use this as an aid to toilet training. However, a toddler should not be allowed to get into the habit of calling for a toilet session at 6 A.M., for example, if a parent resents getting up at that hour.
The parent can adjust the baby’s mealtimes and diet to encourage the bowel and bladder to empty at socially convenient hours.
Choice of Toilet Seat. The toilet seat should be sit firmly on the floor so that the baby cannot tip over and become frightened. The circumference of the top should fit the baby’s bottom. A toilet seat that can be fitted to the ordinary adult toilet is too high for a baby to relax on. It may be dangerous and is certainly not suitable for a baby that is starting to toilet train. It is much easier for an infant to relax when his or her feet are supported and comfortably resting on the floor.
Perhaps the best time to start training a baby to use a toilet is halfway through the second year. By then a baby has control over bowel movements and may be aware of a full bladder in time to tell a parent.
I am the owner and author of Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects. You can find the original article here: Baby Care – Toilet Training. If you’d like to read more of my articles, please visit my site!
Article Source: Baby Care – Toilet Training
Britax King Plus Car Seat is ‘Most Recommended’ Child Car Seat
Posted by in Babies on February 8th, 2010
The Britax King Plus Car Seat – is ‘Most Recommended’ by Olivers Baby Care. It is a child’s group 1 car seat, good sized and comfortable, with an easy to fit system to tension the car’s 3-point seat belt when fitting. All child car seats come with a classification which tells the parents exactly the age of child the seat is most appropriate for. You must first check to see if a child car seat is appropriate to the vehicle you drive and the weight of your baby/child as it is weight and not age that determines the class of child car seat that is most suitable. Check our website for details of Child Car Seat Suitability.
The Britax King Plus child car seat has deep, softly padded side wings to give optimum protection to the child during any side impact. The 5-point harness has been padded to protect the delicate internal organs, while remaining soft and comfortable against the child’s neck and face.
The King Plus child car seat harness has a simple, one-pull tightening system, this has been fitted with the new ‘Click & Safe’ this will give an audible indication as to whether the harness has been tightened to the recommended tension. When open the harness can be tucked away under special elastic strips this will make putting the child in the seat for the next outing easier.
The King Plus childrens car seat harness has the Britax Adjusta-Fit system this will not only allow the harness and headrest to move together easily to the next height position, but without the need to remove the harness or the seat from the car, making this perfect for child minders and grandparents who may constantly carry different height children.
The King Plus car seat has been fitted with an easy to use recline system that gives the child a choice of 4 positions.
Washing the seat cover of the Britax King Plus child car seat is simple – the seat cover can easily be removed for washing without the need to remove the harness from the seat, this ensures the safety harness remains correctly fitted at all times.
Olivers Baby Care stock a complete range of car seats for your baby child and many other baby products.
To buy your Britax King Plus Car Seat or any other Child Car Seat visit www.Olivers-Baby-Care.co.uk
Article Source: Britax King Plus Car Seat is ‘Most Recommended’ Child Car Seat
Baby Care – Changing a Diaper
Posted by in Babies on January 27th, 2010
Ideally, a baby’s diaper should be changed both before and after nursing. But until the age of about six weeks, most babies protest loudly and tearfully against anything that delays nursing time. So, provided that the baby has not had a bowel movement, it is better not to insist on a pre-feeding diaper change in the interest of a peaceful nursing session. After the baby has nursed, he or she is generally more cooperative.
Some parents, especially mothers, like to change a newborn baby on their laps; others prefer to use a waterproof changing mat on a bed or a dresser top. The mat should be covered with a soft towel so that the baby is not placed on a cold plastic surface.
No matter how clean the baby is kept, the skin in the diaper area may still become sore and red. When the first signs of diaper rash appear, add extra absorbency by folding a cloth diaper in half and wrapping it round the baby’s waist over the clean ordinary diaper. Secure the extra diaper with a diaper pin, like a skirt. During a bout with diaper rash, plastic pants are no longer suitable.
To prevent a cloth diaper from becoming stained, rinse the stools off the diaper as soon as possible. Hold the diaper under running water in the toilet bowl. It should then be put to soak in a sterilizing solution, in the receptacle provided by the diaper service, or in a household bucket.
The parent’s hands should be washed thoroughly after a diaper change. It is not appropriate to leave the child unattended for this because some infants will begin to roll over as early as two months. Here again, careful planning is the key in baby care.
The Older Baby. A baby who sleeps through the night may, during that time, soak through an ordinarily folded diaper. Soaking can be prevented to a certain extent by folding the skirt-shaped diaper around the baby’s waist. But if the baby moves around the crib during the night (as happens when a baby is about nine months old), the skirt diaper rides up out of position.
To provide a diaper that stays in position and also has plenty of absorbency, fold one diaper lengthwise until there are three folds; turn up one end of the diaper to create six thicknesses, and lay the folded diaper inside the kite-folded diaper. This puts eight layers of diaper where it is most needed. Because the diaper is bulky, this method should only be used during the night, not when the baby is awake and active.
I am the owner and author of Hoodia Side Effects. You can find the original article here: Baby Care Changing Diapers. If you’d like to read more of my articles, please visit my site!
Article Source: Baby Care – Changing a Diaper
Baby Care – Breast Feeding Problems
Posted by in Babies on January 27th, 2010
Some women do not produce much milk while in the hospital, but produce more when they return home. Until there is enough milk for the baby’s needs, a supplementary bottle may be given, but only after (never instead of) breast-feeding. Substituting a bottle for breast feeding will actually prevent the development of a steady milk supply since the baby’s sucking stimulates the breasts to produce more milk. Frequent nursing, therefore, helps to increase the supply.
It is useful to know before the baby’s birth how to press out (express) milk from the breasts. Have a sterilized cup ready. Wash your hands and make sure they are warm. Sit comfortably at a low table with the cup on the table just under your breast. Massage the whole breast with both hands. Then, with thumb and forefinger of one hand, squeeze the milk reservoir deep behind the areola. Slide thumb and forefinger through 90 degrees round the areola and squeeze again, making sure that all the milk sacs are emptied. Meanwhile, with the other hand, massage the breast gently from top, side, and bottom toward the areola. In the hospital, a hand pump may be supplied with instructions on how to use it. Some hospitals use electric pumps. A close-fitting funnel is placed over the nipple, areola, and breast tissue, and the milk is withdrawn by gentle suction produced by the pump. An experienced nurse can provide useful suggestions on the use of the breast pump after the birth of the baby. Such pumps are well worth learning about as they allow the nursing mother increased flexibility, especially if she plans to return to work shortly after the birth of the child.
Engorgement may occur at the beginning of the milk-producing cycle. The milk-making cells enlarge following hormonal stimulus and an increase in the blood supply. The process lasts for two to three days and in many women causes the breasts to swell painfully. Cold compresses and a mild painkiller should relieve the condition. Nurse the baby frequently, applying warm compresses before feeding. Put a little oil on the breast and express gently.
A relaxed attitude is important to correct any insufficiency in the supply of milk. Follow a sensible diet and eat a little more than was necessary during pregnancy. Drink plenty of liquids, about five pints a day, especially before and during nursing. It is very important to drink at least a quart (four 8oz glasses) of milk a day. Get enough sleep and rest whenever possible. Apply hot and cold compresses before nursing. Let the baby nurse frequently, emptying the breasts at every feeding.
To prevent excess milk from gushing out, splash the breasts with cold water before nursing, then express a little milk before putting the baby on the breast. Slow the flow of milk to the baby by pressing against the areola with your forefinger and middle finger. The more milk the baby takes, the more the milk supply is stimulated, so do not let the baby nurse too long, and interrupt feeding frequently.
The milk may begin to “let down” when you hear your baby crying or when you are out and think about the baby. Fold your arms and press your fists firmly against the nipple and areola area until the tingling sensation stops. Lack of muscle firmness can also cause leaking. Splashing the breasts with hot and cold water before each nursing period can improve muscle tone. Make sure your bra fits firmly and always wear it.
Soreness, or even cracks that bleed, may develop if a baby sucks hard or chews the nipple. If this happens, nursing must stop temporarily, and milk from the breasts must be pressed out (expressed) into a sterile container at regular intervals. The milk should then be offered to the baby from a bottle with a small-hole nipple. A mother’s sore nipples heal quickly if the baby does not nurse for about 48 hours. Expose the nipples to the air when possible or sit close to an ordinary light for a few minutes. Take a mild painkiller and use an ointment or spray as recommended by the physician. When the cracks have healed, the baby may be nursed again, but only for short periods at the beginning. Express a little milk first so that the baby finds it easier to mouth the nipple.
Consult the physician if a hard area persists in the breast after nursing and massaging; when a red, painful area, like a boil in the early stages, appears; or if your temperature rises suddenly and you start shivering. Physicians do not agree on whether a nursing mother taking antibiotics should continue to breast-feed. Each situation is different so it would be wise to follow your physician’s instructions.
I am the owner and author of Hoodia Gordonii Side Effects. You can find the original article here: Breast Feeding Problems. If you’d like to read more of my articles, please visit my site!
Article Source: Baby Care – Breast Feeding Problems
Baby Care – Selected Topics
Posted by in Babies on January 27th, 2010
Preparing the Bottles. Either glass bottles or plastic bottles with collapsible liners can be used for nursing. Plastic bottles with collapsible liners are, however, particularly beneficial because the baby does not swallow as much air as is possible with the glass type.
If you have chosen to use the traditional glass bottles, you will need eight 8-ounce (240ml) bottles, at least two 4-ounce (120ml) bottles, and various nipples, caps, and hoods.
You can use the aseptic method of making up the bottles or the terminal method. (1) Aseptic method (sterilized formula poured into sterilized bottles): First, prepare a clean work surface. Then wash your hands thoroughly. Remove bottles and other equipment from the sterilizer. Place them on clean paper towels. Boil some water, then let it cool for a few minutes.
The formula can be made up in bulk (a 24-hour supply), mixing milk powder or evaporated milk with the boiled water in a sterilized pitcher. Or one bottle at a time can be prepared by measuring the ingredients directly into the bottle. For storing in the refrigerator, invert the nipples in the bottle. (Handle the nipples by the rims only.) At the same time make up two 4-ounce (120ml) bottles with plain, boiled water.
(2) Terminal method (formula sterilized at the same time as bottles): Make up the formula as directed by the physician. The water does not have to be boiled first. Pour the formula into clean bottles, then place the bottles in the sterilizer.
Burping a Baby. All babies swallow air when they suck, whether nursed at the breast or on the bottle. The air collects as a bubble in the baby’s stomach, causing discomfort and sometimes pain. The baby stops nursing and begins to cry. Many physicians advise a pause about halfway through the feeding in order to burp the baby.
The amount of air a baby swallows depends on both the flow of milk from breast or bottle and on the baby’s sucking ability.
It is important that all air bubbles are expelled at the end of the feeding as well, or the baby will cry soon after being put to bed.
There are many different kinds of nipples available for baby bottles. Some are long, some short; some are made of hard rubber, some are soft. The nipples can have a small, medium, or large hole. Buying a selection allows a mother to find the one that is most comfortable and most effective in her baby’s mouth. The ability to suck also varies according to the baby’s age and whether he or she is hungry. A one-week-old baby who is slightly jaundiced and sleepy, for example, needs a medium-hole or large-hole nipple. A baby who is in this condition, sucking through a small hole, swallows a lot of air in an effort to get the milk, then falls asleep exhausted and uncomfortable. But if the hole is too large, the milk gushes through so fast that the baby may choke immediately or vomit afterward.
Spitting. A baby who nurses too quickly may vomit slightly after the feeding. Throwing up a small amount of milk is often called spitting and is nothing to worry about. Even if the baby occasionally throws up the entire feeding, there is no need for alarm. If the vomiting occurs repeatedly, however, consult a physician.
When burping a baby in the upright position, rest the baby’s chin on your shoulder and be sure to protect your clothing in case the baby should spit or vomit.
Gas Pains. A baby who has swallowed too much air may be unable to expel the bubbles by burping immediately after being fed. The resulting discomfort can last for a few days and demands a great deal of patience. Be aware of a reliable sign that indicates gas: the baby may take two or three gulps of milk, draw away from the breast or bottle, and arch the back.
Nurse the baby slowly and try to relax. Walking slowly round the room with the baby in your arms sometimes helps to start him or her nursing again. Another method is to change the baby to a different nursing position, so that he or she sits upright or lies flat, for example. When the condition improves, make sure that the baby returns to the usual feeding position.
Inexperienced parents or baby sitters commonly try to bring up a baby’s gas by striking him or her sharply on the back. But this only makes the baby tense and even less able to release the bubbles. Sometimes such patting may actually cause the baby to throw up some milk.
Reluctant Nursers. Because the liver does not work at full capacity for some time after birth, some babies may become slightly jaundiced. This condition makes a baby sleepy and disinclined to suck during the first week, when it is important that a baby drinks enough. To encourage a baby to nurse, push gently and rhythmically with the forefinger under the baby’s chin. But be patient, because the baby may fall asleep again.
Restless Nursers. Older babies who for one reason or another feel insecure tend to be restless at nursing time. They wave their arms about, scratching at the bottle or hitting the breast. Such a baby should be held close to the body and wrapped in a blanket from the waist down. The baby’s arms may be left free if they are kept out of the way. One arm can be tucked behind the feeder’s back, while the other hand can be held. Hold the baby firmly, but not roughly, because this may make the baby struggle even more.
First part of the original article: Baby Care Preparing Bottles, second part: Baby Care Other Problems.
Article Source: Baby Care – Selected Topics
