Archive for the ‘Feeding’ Category

Helpful Tips for Traveling with Your Baby

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

When your baby first comes home, you may spend a lot of time at home. But before you know it, your life will commence and errands can become a nightmare if you don’t know how to prepare for your first outings with baby. Use these helpful hints for traveling with your baby so that you can be ready when the time comes.

Traveling with your baby the first few times can be extremely hectic. It can become a nightmare if you forget to bring something important. Like most parents, you can learn from mistakes or experience. Or you can learn from the mistakes of others and use these helpful tips for traveling with your baby and be a bit more prepared.

Feeding Items

You should always bring what you need to feed your baby when you go out. It doesn’t matter if you feed your baby right before you leave or if you’re only leaving for a few minutes. Every outing takes a bit longer than it used to when you have a new baby in tow. Add that to the many things in life that can slow you down and you have a formula for disaster, especially if you forget feeding supplies.

For breastfeeding mothers, traveling with your baby means bringing lots of water for you to drink as well as a cover, if you plan to use one. For bottle feeding parents, that means bringing bottles filled with distilled water, and a formula container. Please keep in mind that you should never mix the bottle until you are ready to feed your baby.

Diapering Items

Another common mistake new parents often make is forgetting diaper items. This includes clean diapers, a bag to put dirty diapers in, a changing pad, rash cream or baby powder, and baby wipes. Remember, no matter how long you plan to be gone, something can always go wrong when traveling with your baby.

Miscellaneous Items

Other items you will want to bring along include: extra blankets, burp rags, rattle toys, extra clothing, an extra pair of socks, a hat, and a thermometer. While you may not always need these items, they are good things to bring along when traveling with your baby.

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Infant Basics: When to Breastfeed Your Newborn

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Worried about whether or not your baby is getting enough to eat? Find some tips that will help you determine when to feed your baby and how you can make feeding times a little easier for both mom and baby. 

Not sure when to breastfeed your newborn? Worried that your baby isn’t getting enough to eat? Unlike formula feeding, there isn’t a way to really determine how much your baby is getting at each feeding. This can be further complicated by a sleepy newborn that won’t stay awake at feedings. If you are concerned about your when to breastfeed your baby or just need some help making sure they get enough to eat, these tips can help.

Four Hour Maximum

In the first few weeks, you will notice that your infant sleeps…a lot! This sleepy phase can make it really difficult to know when to breastfeed your baby. Because of this, there may be times that you have to wake your newborn, no matter how sleepy they are or how much you hate to do it. Breastfed infants should never go more than four hours without a feeding. To help them stay on track, many new moms set an alarm every four hours. This trick can help you know when to breastfeed your newborn.

Waking Up Your Sleepy Baby

So how exactly do you wake that sleeping baby when it’s time to nurse? It is a task that seems next to impossible. During the first couple of weeks, you may even find that your infant falls asleep during feedings. A few things you can do to make sure they wake stay awake include:

Stripping them to a diaper – infants really don’t like to be cold, so the cool air on their skin will help them stay awake.

Use a wet rag on their heads – newborns dislike water in the first few months. A wet cloth nearby will give you a way to wake them while nursing.

Tickle their feet – gentle tickles work best and they are great for waking your infant while they are at the breast.

In addition to these tips, you may want to refrain from pacifier use until you better know when to breastfeed your baby or when your baby is more alert during the day.

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How to Help Stop Your Baby from Biting

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Biting is an extremely common behavior in older infants and toddlers. The effects, however, are extremely painful for the victim and the behavior is unacceptable for the biter. Learn how you can curb biting in your child with these tips.

If you are the parent of a biting child, you may wonder how you can stop your baby from biting. While it is a normal developmental behavior, it is also an unacceptable behavior. Play dates can become embarrassing and frustrating. Play time at home can become stressful as well. If biting has become your baby’s communication method of choice, learn what you can do to help stop your baby from biting.

Start by Comforting the Victim

If you are not your child’s most recent victim, take a moment to comfort the bitten child. Addressing your child first can actually reinforce the behavior and it is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to stop your baby from biting. Once the hurt child is calm, you can move on to the next step.

Calm but Firm Words

Talk to your child in a calm but firm voice. Use simple phrases that let them know that biting is not okay. “No biting,” or “biting hurts,” are some good choices. Avoid using lengthy explanations when talking to your young child about biting. For most children two and under, long discussions will cause the important message to be lost to your child, which will not help you as you try to help stop your baby from biting.

Comfort Your Child if Necessary

It may seem counterproductive to comfort your child when you are trying to stop your baby from biting. However, what many parents learn is that their baby wasn’t even aware of the fact that biting hurts. In fact, this is pretty much a given unless your child has been bitten by another child at some time or another. So, if your child is upset after being corrected, take a moment to comfort them. Don’t use phrases like “it’s okay.” Instead say, “I know,” and “I love you.”

Give Your Child Word Tools

If your child is biting out of aggression, then your baby needs some communication tools. Jump into an argument when you see your child getting frustrated or being treated unfairly. Teach them words like, “no,” “stop,” and “mine.” You will have time to help your child communicate and share when they get older, but right now, your focus is to stop your baby biting.

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Symptoms You Should Never Ignore in a Newborn

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

When you have your first baby, you may feel like an incessant worrier. You call your doctor for everything and you are constantly assured that everything is fine. For new parents, however, there are some symptoms that you should never ignore in a newborn. Find out what they are and what you should do here.

There are some symptoms you should never ignore in a newborn; this applies whether you have just had your first child or your twentieth child. In most cases, these symptoms are an indication of a serious health condition. Most of them require immediate medical attention. All of them require you to at least call your child’s pediatrician. Before you shrug off your baby’s symptoms, read over this list of symptoms you should never ignore in a newborn.

Red, Brown, or Bright Green Vomit

Babies spit up—a lot! But vomit that is red, brown, or bright green is one of the symptoms that you should never ignore in a newborn. Vomit with these colors can indicate intestinal bleeding or blockage and your baby should be evaluated by a health care professional immediately.

Not Enough Wet Diapers

At six days of age, your baby should have at least six wet diapers a day. A lack of wet diapers is an indication that your baby is dehydrated, making this another one of the symptoms that you should never ignore in a newborn. This symptom may not warrant a visit to the emergency room, but you should at least contact your infant’s pediatrician. More severe signs of dehydration can include sunken eyes, lethargy, and dry mouth. You should seek immediate medical help at this point, but counting wet diapers can help you catch dehydration before it reaches this point.

Labored Breathing

Because babies make funny sounds and their breathing still isn’t regulated, it may be hard to tell if your baby is having trouble breathing. If you suspect that your infant is struggling with their breathing, watch their nose. A nose that flares could be a sign of respiratory distress. Infants that are using their abdominal muscles are in respiratory distress and they should be seen by a health care professional immediately because this is also one of the symptoms that you should never ignore in a newborn.

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How to Determine if Your Baby is Hungry

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

The first few weeks of parenthood are an adjustment, to say the least. Your entire life is altered by the tiny, wrinkly body you tote everywhere. There are so many things to learn. One of those big learning struggles is learning how to determine if your baby is hungry. These tips will help you know when to feed your baby.

Not sure how to determine whether your baby is hungry or not? Feeding a newborn can be tricky, whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Extreme sleepiness and fussiness can further complicate the issue. Learn how to determine if your baby is hungry before the crying starts and save a little of your sanity.

A Sleeping Baby Does Not Mean a Satisfied Baby

Newborns will often sleep right through their hunger, only waking when they are really hungry. By this time, your infant is probably screaming and almost inconsolable. The crying can give your baby gas, which will only make the rest of your day a more difficult. Waiting until your baby is extremely hungry can also make for poor weight gain and even weight loss. So how do you determine if your baby is hungry when they are sleeping? Watch for these signs:

Lip smacking in their sleep

Suckling motion in their sleep

Restlessness without waking

Digit sucking in their sleep

These signs don’t always mean that your baby is hungry, but more often than not, in those first few weeks, this is how your baby will let you know they need to eat while they are still sleeping.

Other Signs That Your Baby is Hungry

There are other methods for determining if your baby is hungry. If you are holding your baby and they turn towards your nipple with their mouth open, they are hungry. Newborns are instinctively drawn to the breast, so this applies to newborns that are formula fed as well.

If your baby is inconsolable, they may be hungry, even if they just ate. During growth spurts, babies eat more. But remember, a fussy baby is a starving baby. It should not take your baby crying to determine if your baby is hungry.

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How to Choose Your Infant’s Formula

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Whether you have decided to formula feed exclusively or just part time, it is essential that you choose the right formula for your baby. Take a look at these tips that can help you narrow down your options.

If this is your first baby and you don’t know how to choose your infant’s formula, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Countless brands and types are now offered for formula-fed babies, and each formula makes claims that theirs is the best. To make matters even more confusing, not all babies are able to take just any formula. If you need help deciding which nutrition is best for your infant, here are some tips.

Don’t Forget That Breast is Best

There are many reasons that parents choose to formula feed their infant, and it is definitely a personal choice. And there is no doubt that you have heard of the countless benefits of breast milk for babies. Babies that are breast fed are less likely to get sick than formula-fed infants. Breastfeeding also promotes bonding between mother and baby. Additionally, digesting breast milk is easier for baby. All of these things are true, but you have to choose what is best for you. It’s never too late to change your mind and choose the healthiest option for your baby.

Gassy, Fussy, Colicky Babies

Gassy, fussy, or colicky babies often struggle to digest the compounds found within regular formula. To choose your infant’s formula, look for soy-based formulas or opt for specialized formulas that are designed for infants with sensitive digestive systems. These are generally more expensive than regular milk-based formulas, but you should notice that your infant is better able to digest their food and is notably less fussy.

Vegan Formula Options

More and more families are deciding to adopt a vegan lifestyle because of the noted health benefits and the potential dangers that accompany the hormone injection and diet of dairy cows. Breastfeeding is naturally vegan, but there is another vegan option for families that want to formula feed. To choose your infant’s formula as a vegan option, look for soy-based formula.

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Tips for Starting Your Baby on Solids

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Not all babies are the same, and no two babies will start solids at the same time. No two babies will eat the same, either. Still, there are some important tips that apply to all infants when starting on solids. Find out more here.

While starting solids can be a fun milestone to celebrate, it is important to know some important tips for starting your baby on solids to ensure that this milestone is also safe. Starting solids too soon can present a choking hazard for your baby. It has also been linked to a higher chance of obesity.

When to Start Solid

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies start solids around four months of age. When considering starting your baby on solids, however, you should realize that all babies are different, so you will need to use some personal judgment to determine if your baby is really ready for solids. Some babies will need to wait a little longer. Things to look out for are difficulty in swallowing or a baby that doesn’t open their mouth when prompted with the spoon.

Foods to Offer

Another really important factor to keep in mind when considering starting your baby on solids is the type of foods you offer. Single grain, plain infant cereal should be offered first. You can mix this with a bit of breast milk or formula, but avoid adding sweet stuff, like fruits, for now. Also, be sure you offer the cereal in a runnier consistency to help baby adjust to swallowing solids.

Once your baby seems to be doing well with infant cereals, you can move on to more exciting foods. Making your baby’s food is both easy and fun, and by doing this, you know exactly what you are feeding your baby. Experts suggest using organic fruits and vegetables when possible because of fertilizers and pesticides. If you can’t find the time to make your own baby food, choose organic jarred baby food when you are ready to change your feeding routine and start your baby on solids.

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Items You Should Purchase When You Plan to Breastfeed Your Baby

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Breastfeeding your baby is a wonderful bonding experience. It also comes with a lot of health benefits for both you and your baby. Find out now what you will need to have on hand before your baby arrives.

While the list of items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby is not as extensive as the items needed for bottle-fed babies, there are some items that you should consider. These items can make the nursing experience more enjoyable for you, which in turn will make the experience more enjoyable for your baby as well.

A Nursing Bra with Good Support

A nursing bra with good support is one of the most important items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby. A nursing bra will make nursing much easier, especially in public. Support is also important because your breasts will get larger and become heavier when your milk comes in.

Breast Pads

For first-time nursing mothers especially, leaks will happen. It is just a part of breastfeeding. And while this may go away or diminish after time, having breast pads on your list of items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby can save you from embarrassing leaks in public. If you want something for pain management, you can also find special breast pads that will help reduce the pain of sore nipples and engorged breasts.

Nipple Cream

Nipple cream is one of the life-saving items you should purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby. Most mothers will experience sore, dry, or cracked nipples in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. This can be somewhat minimized by ensuring that the baby is latched on correctly. However, sore nipples are another one of the frustrations that can accompany breastfeeding in the beginning.

Remember, choosing the right items to purchase when you plan to breastfeed your baby can help you minimize pain that often accompanies early nursing so that you can stick with it and start enjoying the joy of nursing your baby.

 

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Items You Should Purchase When You Plan to Bottle feed Your Baby

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Bottle feeding has changed dramatically over the years and some items promoted require more costs that you have to shell out. Learn what you really need to bottle feed your baby to help you cut down on the expense.

There are so many items promoted that advertisers will tell you are items you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby. However, many of these items are simply out there to make money and can end up being items that just collect dust. Also, considering the price tag on some of them, you could save a great deal of money if you know which items are essential.

Formula

Formula is an essential item you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby. However, since your infant is not here yet, you can’t be sure of which one will suit them best. Try to avoid buying in bulk. Purchase one can of two or three different types of formula, just in case your infant has allergies to certain types or brands. You might consider purchasing the same regular formula in two different brands and then one soy formula. If these are not working for your baby when it arrives, you can talk to your pediatrician about other options.

BPA Free Bottles

BPA is contained in many plastic items, including some infant bottles. It has been linked to several health problems. While it may be possible that bottles that contain BPA will eventually be taken off the market, you have to read the label for now. BPA free bottles are very important items you should plan to purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby.

A High Quality Bottle Brush

A high quality bottle brush may be more expensive than some of the others that you see on the shelf, but they are money-saving items you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby. Cheaper bottle brushes wear down within weeks, sometimes days, and you will have to purchase another one. Don’t let this be one of the items that you compromise for price when considering which items you should purchase when you plan to bottle feed your baby.

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Choosing the Right Feeding System for Your Baby

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Bottles are more complex today than they used to be. Learn how to choose the right feeding system for your baby.

Choosing the right feeding system for your baby isn’t as easy as it used to be. There are so many brands and varieties of bottles that you can easily get overwhelmed. However, there are a few tips that can help you decide which feeding system is best for your baby.

Bottle Supplement or Straight Bottle

One of the most important factors in the type of bottle you choose is whether your baby will supplement with bottles or be strictly bottle fed. Breastfed babies tend to be more temperamental about the type of nipple used. This is because bottle nipples are very different from the shape and flow of a breast. However, there are specific bottles that are made to closely mimic the shape and flow of the breast. Just be sure that you choose a nipple that is slow flow. This will prevent any issues with overflow for the baby.

If your baby is straight bottle fed, nearly any nipple will work. This makes choosing the right feeding system for your baby a little easier. Do keep in mind that some babies still have preferences for specific bottle nipples, even if they are not breastfed. It might be a good idea to only purchase one of a variety of bottles. That way, you can determine which one your baby likes best. These nipples should also be slow flowing at first. This will prevent gagging and choking.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Feeding System for Your Baby.

Nipple considerations are definitely the most important factors, but there are other things that you should think about when choosing the right feeding system for your baby.

All bottles should be BPA free. Studies have shown that BPA can cause certain health conditions. While BPA bottles may be more expensive, this is important for your baby’s health. This is extremely important when choosing the right feeding system for your baby.

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