Archive for the ‘Baby’s First Year’ Category
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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Monday, April 14th, 2008 |
WEEK 6 – How Big Is Your Baby This Sixth Week?
Baby weighs 9-1/2 pounds and is 21-1/4 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Six Good Places to Nurse
If you’re like most women, you consider nursing your baby a private interaction between the two of you. However, you may find yourself out and about, with baby screaming at the top of his lungs to be fed now! Here are places where you can breastfeed baby with some privacy.
- Women’s lounge. This offers some privacy; if someone walks in on you, it’s another woman who is probably not offended if you breastfeed your baby.
- Women’s restroom. A lounge may not be available, but a restroom usually is. Go into a stall, close the door and nurse your baby.
- Fitting room. If baby’s crying is getting on everyone’s nerves, including your own, dash into a fitting room for a quick feeding.
- Your car. Park your car in an area that’s away from high-traffic areas, and feed baby there.
- A local park. Your park may have picnic tables and benches that are a little removed from the main area. Using your ever-handy baby blanket drape it over your shoulder and baby’s head for added privacy.
- In a sling. When you carry baby in a front sling designed for breastfeeding, it only takes a minute to undo your nursing top and nursing bra. You can feed baby on the go! The head support provided for baby prevents others from seeing that you are breastfeeding.
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Sunday, April 13th, 2008 |
WEEK 5 – How Big Is Your Baby This Fifth week?
Baby weighs 9-1/4 pounds and is 21-1/4 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Bathing Baby in a Family Tub
We discussed bathing your baby in Week 3. Some parents enjoy sharing their time in the bathtub with their baby — you might, too. If you bring your baby into the tub with you, take certain precautions to keep her secure. Follow the suggestions below to make family bath time happy, fun and safe.
- Put a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub so you won’t slip while you’re getting in or out of the tub with baby.
- Have supplies close at hand, such as baby soap and baby shampoo.
- Wear cotton gloves so you can keep a good grip on her.
- Be sure the bathroom is warm but not hot (about 75F/ 23.8C).
- When placing baby in the water, slide her feet-first into the water. If she objects to being in the tub, remove her immediately (the tub may seem too big at this time and make her feel insecure).
- Support baby’s head in your arm while you wash her.
- Don’t stay in the Waterloo long.
- Keep temperature of your water heater below 120F (48.8Q to prevent accidental scalding.
- Lift baby out of the water first. Wrap her in a towel and lay her on the floor, or give her to your partner before you get out.
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Friday, April 11th, 2008 |
WEEK 4 – How big is your baby this fourth week?
Baby weighs 9 pounds and is 21 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Baby Slings and Front Carriers
Baby slings and front carriers offer parents and others a wonderful, close way to carry baby. It’s a piece of baby equipment that can mean a lot; when baby’s in a front carrier, you continue bonding.
Because your baby grows so quickly these first months, you will probably use a front carrier only for about 3 or 4 months. Although probably you’d like to use it longer, your back will say “No!”
Advantages. There are many advantages to carrying baby “kangaroo-style” during the first few
months. One study showed babies carried this way cry less. You are close to baby, yet your arms are free. The swaying motion and the wrapped-close feeling may remind baby of the womb, which may help settle him. Slings and carriers are also great for nursing privately in a public area.
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Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 |
WEEK 3 – How big is your baby this Third week?
Baby weighs 8-1/2 pounds and is 20-3/4 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Bottle-feeding Your Baby
Statistics show that more women choose to bottle-feed their babies than to breastfeed them. Your baby will receive good nutrition if you give her formula.
Bottle-feeding has advantages, Some women enjoy the freedom bottle-feeding gives them compared to breastfeeding. A father can be more involved in caring for his child. Bottle-fed babies often are able to go longer between feedings; formula is usually more slowly digested than breast milk. You can determine exactly how much your baby takes in at each feeding.
How much to feed. Bottle-fed babies take from 2 to 5 ounces of formula at a feeding. They feed about every 3 to 4 hours for the first month (6 to 8 times a day). When baby is older, the number 0 feedings decreases, but the amount of formula you feed at each feeding increases.
With bottle-feeding, other family members can enjoy helping to care for the baby.
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