Archive for the ‘Post Birth’ Category

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What to Look for in an Infant Car Seat

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Shopping for a car seat for your new baby can be overwhelming. Here are some basics to look for as you begin your hunt for the best car seat for your infant.

As if you don’t already have enough to shop for when you’re expecting, you need to know what to look for in an infant car seat and select the best car seat option for your new baby, too. Knowing what to look for in an infant car seat is tough, especially when all of the brands, safety features, and carrier types are so diverse. However, once you familiarize yourself with some of the car seat basics, you’ll have a much better grasp of what features to look for and how to go about the car seat process of elimination.

Here are some examples of what to look for in an infant car seat:

Safety standards that meet or exceed—Many car seat models meet or exceed the federal safety standards, and this will typically be specified upfront in the product description. Look for models that have specialized safety technology, including technology that protects from side and front impact and that works to reduce physical exertion in the event of a crash.

Proper size—When it comes to car seats, be aware that one size does not fit all. Depending on the size of your vehicle, that fancy car seat with all of your favorite bells and whistles might not fit. For example, some car seat models offer excellent cushioning and padded protection, but they are large and bulky, and overall too wide to fit your car.

5-Point Harness Feature—Some car seats have a 3-point harness, but it’s best to opt for a 5-point harness if at all possible. A 5-point harness design will restrain it all—shoulders, hips, and crotch.

Rear-facing capabilities—Keeping your child in rear-facing position for as long as you can is much safer than a forward-facing position, so consider a convertible car seat that can accommodate your infant as he or she grows.

Keep these qualities in mind as you determine what to look for in an infant car seat for your new baby.

Posted in Baby Car Seats, Baby Items, Baby Safety, Baby Showers, Caring for Baby, Post Birth | No Comments »

Making Your Breastfeeding Journey a Success

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Every baby is different. Every breastfeeding experience is different. Learn how you can make your upcoming breastfeeding journey a success.

Making your breastfeeding journey a success requires a lot of patience and a lot of support. It’s rarely easy, but it isn’t always difficult. Still, every baby is different and every mom’s breastfeeding journey is different. If you want your breastfeeding journey to be a success, consider these tips.

Don’t be Tempted to Switch Options

Many moms have it set in their mind to breastfeed, yet they allow themselves to be tempted. Don’t fall into this trap. While no one can really tell you which feeding system is right for you and your baby, bottles are best left for use until after baby has fully learned how to nurse. This ensures that your baby doesn’t suffer from nipple confusion or experience a loss in interest in breastfeeding because of the difficulty of obtaining food. As a result, making your breastfeeding journey a success will be much easier.

Create a Quiet Place

The first few weeks of nursing can be hard and stressful. When you first start nursing, create a quiet place for you and baby. Make it free of distractions and make the environment relaxing. Consider a table for a glass of water and a footstool to make you comfortable. You may even want to keep a pillow in that area to make breastfeeding more comfortable. This will help you tremendously in making your breastfeeding journey a success.

Buy a Nipple Cream

Sore, cracked nipples are very common in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. Your nipples must adjust to the constant sucking and stimulation before they will heal. Making your breastfeeding journey a success is a little easier when you can curb the pain with a high-quality nipple cream. Avoid nipple creams that have animal products because they are not healthy for your baby.

Seek Support

Whether it’s another mom, your mom, an aunt, or a lactation consultant, find support. There will be days that you feel like you are failing. There will be days that you feel like giving up. But if you find the right support system, then you will have the help and encouragement you need. This has been proven to help other nursing mothers, and it can help you while making your breastfeeding journey a success.

Posted in Baby Safety, Caring for Baby, Feeding, Health, Post Birth | No Comments »

Learn the Benefits of Infant Massage

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Have you heard of infant massage but aren’t sure what it is? Do you wonder why parents would bother or if there are any benefits? If you are intrigued by the idea but want to learn more, here are the basics and benefits of infant massage.

Infant massage is not new, but the benefits have made it an increasingly popular way for parents to soothe and connect with their babies. Yet there are still many parents that are just hearing about infant massage for the first time. So what is it? How do you do it? What are the benefits? Keep reading and find out!

What is Infant Massage?

Infant massage is a type of massage that parents perform on their infants. It is very similar to the type of massage an adult might receive, but it is done in a way that does not address muscle tension or knots, since infants are generally free of these types of ailments. Still, the benefits of infant massage aren’t much different from the benefits of adult massage.

Benefits of Infant Massage

Studies have shown that infants who receive regular massages from their parents are overall more relaxed and less fussy. Infant massage can also calm fussy infants and create a bonding experience between parent and child. Sleep and growth patterns may also be enhanced and improved through massage as well. It is also important to know that infants who suffer from colic are less likely to enjoy the massage, but they often enjoy the benefit of less gas throughout the day.

How to Perform Infant Massage

Most parents who massage their babies do it at least once daily, often starting right after birth. You will want to be certain that you create a warm and quiet environment, especially for newborns that can get chilly easily. Turn the heat up just a little, turn on some soft music, and create a small, soft space for baby to rest. Some parents prefer to use lotion or baby oil, but you can also use olive oil to reduce the chemicals. This will ensure that your baby is able to enjoy the benefits of infant massage without sacrificing your concern over chemicals on your baby’s skin.

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Posted in Caring for Baby, Colicky Baby, Health, Parenting, Post Birth | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Baby Items, Caring for Baby, Feeding, Parenting, Post Birth | No Comments »

Learn How to Wash Your Baby’s Clothing

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

Having a baby? Be prepared for more laundry than you have ever seen! Spit-up, diaper blowouts, and more all warrant the changing of outfits at least a few times a day. But did you know there is a special way to wash your little one’s laundry? Discover the right way to handle your infant’s dirty clothing.

If you don’t know how to wash your baby’s clothing, you’re not alone. Many parents are unaware that there are a few rules for washing their infant’s clothing. As a result, many infants suffer from dry, irritated skin or other adverse reactions. Infant clothing can also become ruined because it wasn’t washed with the right type of care. If you learn how to wash your baby’s clothing, however, you can prevent these common problems.

Separating the Loads

The first thing you need to know when learning how to wash your baby’s clothing is that you should never mix adult clothing with baby clothing. The soil on your clothing can stain and ruin your infant’s clothing. Additionally, the perfumes, dyes, and other chemical elements you come into contact with throughout the day are too much for your baby’s skin. Even if you wash the clothing, some of that residue can make its way into the fibers of your infant’s clothes.

Pretreat Stains

Changing baby because of a messy lunch, spit up mess, or diaper blowout? Rinse and pretreat the stain first. This will help prevent permanent stains on your infant’s clothing. And because infant clothing is expensive and babies make a lot of messes, the more items you can save, the better.

Which Detergent?

When choosing your infant’s detergent, it is essential that you choose the right one. Harsh laundry soaps can irritate baby’s skin and cause adverse reactions in your infant. Baby’s laundry should only be washed with soap that is dye free and perfume free. If at all possible, look for “green” laundry soap, because the ingredients used in these soaps aren’t as harsh as the chemicals found in conventional laundry soaps. Using a “green” soap, however, is not an essential part of learning how to wash your baby’s clothing.

Posted in Caring for Baby, Health, Parenting, Post Birth | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Caring for Baby, Feeding, Post Birth | No Comments »

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.

Posted in Baby Safety, Caring for Baby, Feeding, Health, Parenting, Post Birth | No Comments »

Helpful Tips for Handling a Colicky Baby

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

If your baby won’t stop crying and you feel like a frazzled, overstressed parent, there are a few things you should know. Check out these helpful tips for handling a colicky baby.

Helpful tips for handling a colicky baby can help you keep your sanity in check. They can also help you better understand why your baby is crying. Most importantly, they can help you handle your baby in a way that is loving, compassionate, and well educated. If your baby won’t stop crying, then take the time to read over these helpful hints for handling a colicky baby.

Why Your Baby is Crying

Before diving into helpful tips for handling a colicky baby, it is important to understand why your baby is crying in the first place. There are three basic types of colic: gastrointestinal colic, trauma colic, and overstimulation colic. While all colic results in a fussy baby, not all types of colic can be comforted. Knowing the difference between each type of colic can help you determine your next plan of action.

Gastrointestinal Colic

When your baby has gastrointestinal colic, you may notice symptoms of gas, such as grunting, passing gas, or a tight abdomen. This type of colic should be discussed with your child’s doctor because certain types of formula can increase gastrointestinal colic. In the meantime, try holding your baby in a way that places pressure on their tummy while supporting their head. Gentle tummy rubs in a clockwise direction can also help loosen gas bubbles. This helpful hint for handling a colicky baby may not resolve the colic completely, but in can give your baby a little relief.

Overstimulation Colic

Helpful hints for handling a colicky baby that is overstimulated include darkening the room, turning off all devices that create noise, and holding your baby closely. Making “shhhhh” sounds into your baby’s ear can also help. This is the sound that your baby heard while in the womb and it is very comforting.

Trauma Colic

Trauma can happen during birth for a variety of reasons. If you suspect post-birth trauma, you should talk to your baby’s doctor. To comfort your baby, try skin-to-skin contact in addition to the helpful hints for handling a colicky baby that are listed in the overstimulation section.

Posted in Caring for Baby, Colicky Baby, Post Birth | No Comments »

Dos and Don’ts for Your Baby’s Bed

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

Whether your baby is sleeping in a crib, a bassinet, or a co-sleeper, there are things that your baby will need for their bed and other things that they will not. Use this list of dos and don’ts for baby’s sleeping area.

Dos and don’ts for your baby’s bed go further than just style and taste. They are also intended to help keep your baby safe. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, otherwise known as SIDS, continues to happen to an alarming number of infants each year. And while no one really knows what causes it, there are some things that experts know can contribute to the problem, which is why we are offering our list of dos and don’ts for your baby’s bed.

Don’t: Use Stuffed Animals, Pillows, or Crib Bumpers

This “don’t” for your baby’s bed is essential. No matter where your baby is sleeping, you should never place stuffed animals, pillows, crib bumpers, comforters, or any other soft, plush item in their crib. Infants do not have the head and neck strength to pull their faces out of these items, which can lead to suffocation. If you need to use a blanket, go for a thin blanket and tuck it under the mattress and place baby at the foot of the bed under it.

Do: Use Fitted Sheets

Fitted sheets for your baby’s crib will help keep your baby’s mattress clean and will give your baby a soft surface to sleep on. These sheets are also less likely to come off of the mattress and pose a risk to your baby, making it another important item on our list of dos and don’ts for your baby’s bed. You can find a wide range of fitted sheets in a variety of colors and themes. Just be sure that you check the sheet daily to ensure that it is safely secured.

Don’t: Buy a Crib without Checking it Out

Older cribs may not meet current safety recommendations. Some cribs, particularly those with drop rails, have been recalled. Before you purchase a crib, make sure that you check for recalls and distance between the slats (no bigger than 2 3/8 inches). Also, avoid cribs that have any missing slats, missing hardware, or damaged parts. This tip on our list of dos and don’ts for your baby’s bed is extremely important for safety.

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Posted in Baby Items, Baby Nursery, Baby Safety, Caring for Baby, Cribs, Post Birth | No Comments »

Caring for Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Umbilical cord care is an important part of caring for your newborn. Learn what to do, what not to do, and what to look out for in this umbilical cord care guide.

Caring for your baby’s umbilical cord properly can help prevent infection and promote healing. Unfortunately, there is some confusion among parents when it comes to cord care. This is due to some recent changes in the healthcare industry. With this umbilical cord care guide, however, you will learn how to properly care for your baby’s cord stump.

Cleaning the Stump

When caring for your baby’s umbilical cord, it is important to keep the stump and its surrounding area clean. To keep the cord area clean, change soiled diapers quickly. Wash the area with soap and water if it becomes dirty or sticky. After washing, fan the cord area to help it dry. Alternately, you can use an absorbent cloth, but watch out for cloth fibers that can get stuck in the stump. Previously, physicians recommended swabbing the area with alcohol. However, more recent research has indicated that the cord stump will heal faster if left alone.

Keeping the Stump Dry

Keeping the stump dry is also important when caring for your baby’s umbilical cord. Fold the front of baby’s diaper down to avoid trapped moisture around the area. Dress baby in a t-shirt and a diaper in the warmer months to promote airflow to the area. You can also expose the area to air by removing your baby’s shirt for 10 to 15 minutes a couple of times a day.

Avoid Pulling the Stump Off

When caring for your baby’s umbilical cord, it can be pretty tempting to pull that last little thread of your baby’s stump. However, healthcare professionals say you should never pull it off, no matter how little the thread may be. Pulling it off could rip baby’s delicate skin and cause an infection.

Watch for Signs of Infection

Skin that is red or swollen around the cord, a cord that continues to bleed, yellowish pus that oozes out, or a foul discharge from the cord area are all signs of infection. You should call your baby’s pediatrician if you notice any of these signs. Crusting and dried blood, however, are normal signs of healing that you should expect when caring for your baby’s umbilical cord.

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Posted in Caring for Baby, general, Post Birth | No Comments »

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