Archive for April, 2008
Thursday, April 17th, 2008
Week 8 – How big Is Your baby This Eighth Week?
Baby weighs 10-1/4 pounds and is 21-3/4 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Baby Massage—Relaxation
This massage technique helps baby relax, and it can also help relieve any gas he may have. You might even feel the gas bubbles releasing under your fingers as you massage baby’s chest and tummy.
Place baby on his back on the floor or on the bed. Use your fingertips to walk across his tummy lightly from right to left. Next, massage baby’s chest by placing your hands in the center of his chest. Moving your hands in a heart-shaped motion, move hands out to the side at the same time, down the side of his chest. Move down the rib cage, then back to the starting position. Repeat 8 to 10 times.
Are Plastic Baby Bottles Safe?
Recent news stories have suggested that clear plastic baby bottles might be unsafe because they contain the chemical substance BPA (bisphenol-A). It was implied that heating a baby bottle could cause BPA to leach into formula or breast milk.
The Federal Drug Administration (PDA) maintains these bottles are safe. They have found no problems with baby-bottle usage and no risk from other food containers that contain BPA.
If you want to make sure your bottles are OK to use, don’t heat them in the microwave. Instead, heat formula or breast milk on the stove, then put it in a bottle. Using soft plastic liners made of opaque, colored plastic is also safe.
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Thursday, April 17th, 2008
During this first year of baby’s life, you’ll probably see your pediatrician a lot. It’s not uncommon for a baby to have ear infections, colds, diarrhea and other ailments that require medic care. In addition to seeing baby’s doctor for illnesses, you’ll alsoj visit the office for well-baby checkups.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), your pediatrician should see your baby about eight times during his firs year. Checkups are done within 24 hours after birth in the hospital, If a few days after discharge if you were in the hospital less than 24 hours, at 2 weeks, 4 weeks (1 month), 8 weeks (2 months), 16 weeks (4 months), 24 weeks (6 months), 36 weeks (9 months) and 52 weeks (1 year).
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Changes in Baby You May See Now
Physical Development
- stays awake for longer periods during the day
Senses and Reflexes
- visually tracks from outer corner of eye past midline of body
Mental Development
- is interested in sounds
- may glance at hand
Social Development
- responds with excitement to a person’s presence
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Week 7 – How Big Is Your baby This Seventh Week?
Baby weighs 9-3/4 pounds and is 21-1/2 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Diaper Rash
Nearly every baby experiences some form of diaper rash. Your baby may be encountering it already. Fortunately, diaper rash is not a serious problem. The best way to prevent it is to change baby’s diapers as soon as she is wet to keep her skin dry.
The most common cause of diaper rash in babies older than 6 months is the ammonia, which forms when bacteria from feces reacts with baby’s urine. Ammonia can be trapped in a diaper against baby’s delicate skin. You’ll be able to smell the ammonia.
Avoiding Burns
One of the worst feelings you can experience as a parent is to know you have hurt or allowed your child to be hurt accidentally, whether by sticking her with a diaper pin or tugging her hair too much when combing it. More serious accidents, such as burning or scalding, fortunately can be avoided in most cases if you think ahead. Here are important ways you can help protect your child from burns.
- Never carry baby and a hot beverage at the same time. If baby jerks or squirms, you might accidentally bump her with the mug and spill some of its contents on her.
- Never cook with baby in your arms. Reaching for back burners or frying foods exposes her to unnecessary risks.
- Place her crib well away from a radiator or heater.
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Solid food for baby’s first year is actually a progression from watered-down cereal to table food you eat. Even very thin cereal is considered a “solid food.” Below is a guide to the kinds of foods baby will be eating at various times during her first year. Remember— baby will continue to receive most of her calories and nutrition from breast milk or formula until she is 1 year old.
- 4 to 5 months—infant’s rice cereal, very thin, made with breast milk or formula
- 4 to 6 months—infant’s rice cereal, thicker, made with breast milk or formula
- 5 to 6 months—in addition to infant’s rice cereal or barley cereal made with breast milk or formula, pureed foods, such as meat, fruit and vegetables
- 7 to 8 months—in addition to oatmeal or infant’s rice, barley or wheat cereal made with breast milk or formula, strained foods, such as meat, fruit and vegetables
- 9 to 10 months—infant cereal and lumpy or mashed foods, such , as meat, fruit and vegetables
- 10 to 11 months—infant cereal and junior commercial baby foods
- 12 months—bite-sized table (“people”) food
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