Thursday, June 26, 2008

Baby's First Year - What do

As a new mother, ask likely to affect many things: How will he respond in his new surroundings? when do you sleep during the more than 2 hours? What can I expect next year? so many other questions .....

Every child is different. Your baby, growth, the appearance and texture, all to him. As you on this journey with your newborn, take some time to enjoy their presence in your life.

These are just some of the steps to observe in the first year of your baby's development:

Step births

You have just your baby home from the hospital in his newly decorated nursery, and we are sure that you give us very happy. In these first days, your baby May, a sharp head of the levy, or jaundice - yellow eyes and skin. These things are completely normal, and should be in a few days. It is important to cuddle and love your child, as far as possible, now that it is at this stage parent / child begins collage. Breastfeeding is very important for the health of your child now and in the coming years. The babies often sleep 10-12 hours per day, but after every 4 hours around the diet.

From 1 to 3 months

Babies begin with the dismantling of more, the discovery of their hands and too little sound. They smile now, and follow the sound of your voice, in her room. Baby loves to see her face in a mirror now, and adding a clear color, baby-SAFE Mobile in their kindergartens gives them a great inspiration and entertainment. The baby's head can now move from one side to another, and focus on objects that are far away, 8-12.

From 3-6 months

It is one of the greatest moments in your baby in the growth of many changes during this period. At the end of the third month, your child for the opening and closing her little hand and held his head with the control to more and more for the objects and imitate the noise. In the fourth month, he can usually with a little support and will probably sleep six hours long. It is clear that he or she recognizes familiar faces, and twitter and show how he is glad to see you in the manger! In the fifth and sixth month is turning your child, when two syllables and sounds from a cup of drink. They are also the introduction of solid food baby at this moment. The time has come to the house baby proof that your baby May, the exploration in this period also.

From 6-9 months

During this period of strong growth, many babies say their first words. Even if they are not yet to speak, most babillage begin with enthusiasm to itself and develop a much wider range of facial expressions in this age. He or she will develop the alerts to the specific needs and now react differently to the different members of the family. Babies in the seventh and eighth months begin to feed on basic foodstuffs fingers, and has to throw the food or fall on the floor to see what happens! A Kiss cover or May to take a favorite object, and your baby in May to point out when they separated. Baby will now sit not be used.

From 9-10 months

Later this month reached for baby toys, trying to get the spoon in the course of the meal, and in general, be a little more active. He or she will be reviewed by shaking to the joy of grandparents, parents, will be in a position to do things with the customs against, and begin to look for the objects were abandoned as the favorite toys. It will also be able, from an operating system in a sitting position, and is quite mobile!

From 11-12 months

Baby is much more than now curious, and responds well to the new sounds, colors and shapes. Story time is very popular, and he or she cuddling your laboratory, at the same time to read. Babies now understand and can easily imitate gestures and single words can say. Before, your baby should enjoy stacking objects, and filling and emptying of containers. Court sessions games with other children are a good idea now, baby, and can teach a lot about the release and other social skills.

Babies are a wonderful recalls how precious life is!

Take advantage of your child in the first year of life - it's fast.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Are You Ready for Your Baby?

As you probably know, baby burden should be on your list of things to plan for the baby. It is not an inexpensive way to increase and a baby: It takes sweat, at work, a lot of money, patience and much more to have a happy, healthy child. Some studies suggest that you spend somewhere between € 150000 and 200000 dollars for your children by the time they are 18 years old, not including private schools, special classes, or technical college.

But if you wait until you had enough money, time and energy to have your baby, you probably would end without children. Here are some ways to finance, so you enjoy your new bundle of joy.

1st Get health assistance - if you do not have health insurance, and can not afford medical bills can ad up really easy. But there are opportunities out there for people like you and me. The baby is probably one of your biggest, so do not be afraid to ask if your family needs.

2nd breastfeed your baby, if possible. It is free, it is useful and it can help against breast cancer. It is recommended that the best form of nutrition for infants.

If you do not breastfeed, not feel guilty. Try to apply for the WIC (women, infants and children): http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic, a program that helps middle and low income families with educational resources and food. You can also save money by buying formula in bulk, clipping coupons and free samples to accept if they are offered. It is a baby costs you can not do without.

3rd diapers - Some diapers are better than others, but most are basically the same. Store-brand disposable diapers can be just as good as the brand, for a number of U.S. dollars less than their colleagues from the mark. You can even more if you cloth diapers instead of disposable. As with breastfeeding, it's a bit more work, but worthwhile.

4th diapers rash prevention - instead measures in the context of your baby has a diaper rash, prevent them with a drop of olive oil on the bottom each time you change their diaper: It works wonders (if your doctor).

5th Baby food - When it comes to baby, a mixer is your best friend: It helps you, this baby costs to the lowest standard It is not only much cheaper, but there is so much healthier! Save the little baby food jars for quick trips or special occasions, and give your baby food pureed. You can cook a week deliver on weekends, the blended vegetables in the ice cube tray, for a few hours, and then place them in a freezer bag. Depending on your baby's appetite and age, you can microwave one, two or three dice for the meal. It's fast, healthy and cheap.

6th Clothing - There is no need to buy expensive designer clothes for you a little. Do you think that somebody really see that your baby bears Tommy Hilfiger? Babies look at something cute: Waste not your money! You can view the most of your baby clothes in the yard sale or secondhand stores.

7th Toys - they are a big company, but you do not feel under pressure to the newest and most expensive models. My children are satisfied with their everyday objects such as toys: empty shampoo bottles (make sure they are cleaned and rinsed well before they are transferred to your baby), plastic cups, plastic packages of food (margarine, sour cream, etc.) they can stack up, etc. Also buy some toys that can help you with your baby's development, are durable and suitable age: a baby effort worth the money.

8th Wills - Choose a will or update your old one. Name a guardian for your child and the trustee of your child (often but not always the same person). Without a will, the court names of these individuals and also split your assets in accordance with the law, which may not be the way you would want. Do not try to avoid that this baby costs: Your child in the future could hang. A simple, that a trust for minor children costs between $ 150 and $ 250.

We hope that this article has all the necessary information you for the advent of the new baby.

Happy planning!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Buying a new puppy: you should have chosen one or a newborn puppy matured?

Are you planning on getting a newborn puppy or maybe that's just old age? If you want a young puppy, wait until you are at least 8 weeks. If you want more mature infant, about 6 months of age is the best. Bringing home more mature puppy is easier than to a baby puppy. The reason for this is that older puppy will have more chances outgrown baby ways, such as excessive chewing and biting, and most importantly - to be potty trained!

When all the young puppy, we must take into consideration several factors. Puppies that are less than 8 weeks will be a great nipping and biting. We have done this to try and identify a hierarchy. Often times, I will bite their mothers. When this happens, what makes clear, growling and used body language, that this behavior is unacceptable. That is about 6 weeks that the puppies learn to respect the most efficient way, with their mother. Taking in the house and that age are trying to teach them to behave as it is difficult, because we can not say "dog language."

Apart from rubber and biting, the puppies are less than 6 weeks have not yet developed their control bladder and intestines. They can not "hold a" mature puppies as they can. This means for us is that it is much more difficult to house-train a puppy younger and there will be a lot more do cleansers.

Big puppies, however, is much more calm and understanding of daily activities in the household. While this is true only if properly trained and socialized birth at home. Puppies that are ignored will show signs of nervousness, unpredictable, and some aggressiveness. It is very important to observe, puppy choice before making a purchase.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Truth About Colic

mybaby all about baby the truth about colic“Colicky” is a label given to babies who cry and fuss for at least three hours a day. But most experts believe it is an overused, ambiguous term at best. “‘Colic’ is an old-fashioned term that actually means ‘upset stomach,’ which it usually isn’t,” says pediatrician Harvey N. Karp, M.D., author of the book and DVD The Happiest Baby on the Block. “It’s starting to be replaced by ‘fussy’ or ‘irritable.’

“But I think the term should continue to be used in some cases,” Karp adds. “About 2 percent of babies have a condition, such as acid reflux or food allergies, that causes them to cry with tummy pain.”
The type of hysterical crying erroneously referred to as colic usually begins at 2 to 6 weeks, generally in the late afternoon or early evening, and lasts until the baby is 3 or 4 months old. Why one in five babies cries in this way is a mystery. One theory outlined in the book Your Fussy Baby by pediatrician Marc Weissbluth, M.D., is that babies are born with out-of-sync levels of serotonin and melatonin. Since serotonin is linked to feelings of happiness and calmness, and melatonin regulates wakefulness and sleep, such imbalances could explain why some babies cry and won’t sleep. Another theory is that the baby misses the snug quarters, constant rocking and sounds of the womb.

Soothing solutions So you can lose the label, but if you’re left with the crying, how do you stop it? Most mothers we interviewed said their best calming tactics involved vibration and noise. Some babies were carried around in slings for hours while their moms vacuumed; others were strapped into bouncy seats on top of clothes dryers. But if nursing, bouncing, holding or using Karp’s “Five S’s” doesn’t work, your baby might indeed have a medical problem, and you should see your doctor.
Still, take heart: Experts and moms say the crying eventually does cease. The key is getting lots of support and company, even if you have to hire it.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them

Babies cry. There's no way to avoid it — it's one way they communicate. Since your baby can't flat out tell you, you may worry, "How will I know what she wants?" It can be difficult at first, but a large part of parenting is trial and error and you'll soon learn to anticipate her needs, read her cues, and wipe away her tears. Here are the most common reasons babies cry. If your little one is wailing, work your way down the list and chances are you'll find something that helps.


How can I tell why my baby is crying?

She's hungry
Once you learn to recognize the signs that your baby wants to eat — she'll fuss, make noises, and root around for your breast if you pick her up — you'll get pretty good at feeding her before she starts to really cry. Until then, checking to see if she's hungry is a good first step when your baby cries. Food might not stop her crying right away, but let her keep eating if she wants to. She'll stop once her stomach is full.

She needs a fresh diaper
Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others don't mind when their diapers are soiled — it's warm and comfortable to them. (Parents are often surprised when they pick up their infant and find she's been sitting in a dirty diaper and never made a sound.) Either way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy.

She's too cold or hot
Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm. (As a rule, they need to be wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable.) So when your baby feels cold, like when you remove her clothes to change her, she'll express her discomfort by crying. You'll learn how to quickly change a diaper and wrap your baby back up. Be careful that you don't overdress her, since she's less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold and won't cry about it as vigorously.

She wants to be held
Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell (especially Mom's milk). After being fed, burped, and changed, many babies simply want to be held. You may wonder if you'll "spoil" your child by holding her so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. Infants vary a lot in how much they want to be held. Some demand a lot of attention, while others can spend long periods of time sitting calmly by themselves. If your baby likes the attention, pick her up, wear her in a front carrier or sling, or place her next to you.

She can't take it anymore
While newborns often thrive on attention, they can easily become overstimulated and have a meltdown. You may find that your baby cries longer than usual after spending a holiday with many adoring family members or has periods at the end of each day when she seems to cry for no reason. Newborns have difficulty processing all the stimulation they receive — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to hand — and can become overwhelmed by too much activity. Crying is their way of saying, "I've had enough." This usually happens when your baby is tired. Take her somewhere calm and quiet and let her vent for a while, and then see if you can get her to sleep.

She doesn't feel good
If you've just fed your baby and checked that she's comfortable (she can be troubled by something as subtle as a hair wrapped around her toe or a clothing tag that's poking her), but she's still crying, consider checking her temperature to make sure she isn't ill. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from the hunger or frustration cry, and you'll soon learn when your baby's cries "just don't sound right" and she needs to be taken to the doctor.

None of the above
Sometimes you might not be able to figure out what's wrong. Many newborns develop periods of fussiness when they're not easily soothed. These fussy periods can range from a few minutes of crying to full-blown colic. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day and at least three days a week. Even if your baby isn't crying this much, these episodes may be difficult for you. When all else fails, try the tips below.

I can't figure out why she's crying. What should I do?
Wrap her up and hold her close
Newborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb, so try swaddling your baby in a blanket, wearing her, or holding her against your shoulder. But be aware that some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking a pacifier.

Let her hear the rhythm
Babies are used to the sound of your heartbeat; that's another reason they love to be held close. You can also try playing soft music, singing a lullaby, or even putting her close to the rhythm of an electric fan or the white noise of a vacuum cleaner.

Put her in motion
Sometimes just the motion of carrying your baby will be enough to calm her. Other times, it may help to rock her gently in a rocking chair or swing, set her in her bouncy seat, or place her in her car seat on top of the dryer while it's on (the dryer's vibrations can cause her seat to move enough to fall off, so make sure you stay by her side while you do this!). You could also push her around outside in her stroller or take her for a ride in the car.

Massage her
Most babies love to be touched, so a massage might be just the thing to soothe your baby. Don't worry about not knowing the perfect movements — as long as they're gentle and slow, they should bring comfort. Also, try rubbing your baby's back or belly. This will help if she's having gas pains — which may be the problem with some colicky babies.

Let her suck on something
Even when she's not hungry, sucking can steady an infant's heart rate, relax her stomach, and calm her flailing limbs. Give her a pacifier or a finger to clamp onto and let her go to town.

Take care of yourself
No baby ever cried herself to death, but a crying baby can be very stressful for new parents. You're chronically sleep-deprived and may already be unsure about how to care for this baby. Mom's emotions are all over the place due to the hormonal changes she's going through. Dad may not be sure what role he should play in caring for the newborn or whether he'll ever get Mom's attention again. Add a crying baby to this scenario and many parents can become overwhelmed with feelings of incompetence.

If you know your baby's needs have been met and you've tried to calm her but she's still crying, it's time to take care of yourself so you don't get too exasperated:

• Put your baby down in a safe place and let her cry for a while.
• Call a friend or relative and ask for advice.
• Give yourself a break and let someone else take over.
• Put on quiet music to distract yourself.
• Take deep breaths.
• Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and crying won't hurt her — she may just need the release.
• Repeat to yourself, "She will outgrow this phase."
• Whatever you do, don't take your frustration out on your baby by shaking her.

Fortunately, babies (and their parents) are resilient and somehow manage to get through even the most difficult crying episodes. Take heart that by the time your baby is 8 to 12 weeks old, she'll be better able to soothe herself and much of the crying will stop.

(from: http://www.babycenter.com/0_seven-reasons-babies-cry-and-how-to-soothe-them)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Species and tips on choosing cars Seat

One of the most important and most essential components of the equipment that each baby and the child will need is a car seat. Evidence has shown that a well-equipped and installed car seat can save your child's lives even in a minor car accident. Almost every year thousands of young children were slain or injured in car accidents. You can help to prevent this from happening to your baby or child, through the use of car seats and using them correctly. All fifty states require babies to eighteen months old driving in a car seat.

Choosing a car seat?

A car seat has to meet your child. Your first car seat had to buy before baby home from the hospital. With a view to determining the car seat, be sure that your baby fits into the seat, and that if fit well into the vehicle. The important thing to remember is that the cost may not be the decisive factor. They are much more expensive car seats, but that does not necessarily mean they will be easier to use or safer for your baby. You choose the chair is based on the length and weight of your child. Car seats to have both a harness belt and a harness clip. The harness straps should fit on the child's head and lie about your baby's shoulders.

What are the different types of car seats?

They are four different types of car seats available.
Infant-only seat-Infant car seats are only described as rear seats, and are placed in the back seat of the car. A baby must use only one child seat from birth until they are one year old or roads to twenty pounds. The car seat must be able to put on a forty-five degree angle. The car seat should not be placed on the front of an airbag under all circumstances.

Convertible seat-These species are two seats in one. They are placed in the back seat, and they are confronted with the rear of the car. After showing a child, the chairs are positioned to the front of the car.

This combination seat chairs at the front of the car, and are made for children who are one year and older. These seats can also be converted into a booster seat when your child is more than forty pounds.

Booster-seat These are for children who are four to eight years old and weigh between forty and eighty pound. A child must begin using a booster seat when they grow out of his or her car. On site be used until a child is ready for use of seat belts.

Remember that you never had a car that is situated in a crash, or is damaged or has all the elements which are missing. If more than ten years old, not buying. Before the purchase of any car seat, you should check the manufacturer's serial number and model number with the consumer reports to ensure that it has not been recalled or a reminder of the parts.

Always read the instructions regarding the installation, if you are unsure, you should call the company's customer service line and you can learn how to install the car seat. Remember if you are not sure, not about them until you fully understand this can lead to problems later, when an accident would happen. You can also contact a certified child passenger safety technician who can help with this. Keep your baby and child safe is the key.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Getting a child to sleep

Getting your baby to sleep is one of the most challenging things that parents face. Many parents wonder if their child should never sleep all night, or at least sleep comfortably. They are some tips that can help parents teach their children to better night sleep.

Babies in the early stages of their lives can be taught to distinguish between night and day, and this can help them create a better sleeping habits.
Early development

In the event that your child is several weeks old learn the difference between the morning, nap time and bed time. During the day, make sure that you play with your child, feeding and talking with them. At night, keep lights low, and limit the amount of noise, and voices that your child is exposed. In the event that your child is one to two months, put them to bed as soon as the start to show signs that they are tired.
During the day

You must make sure that when a child NAPs during the day differs from sleeping at night. During the NAPs have a child to sleep in portable creches or stroller. Classrooms should not be left completely dark. This way you get started, what is NAPs bed time.
In the night

Novorozené children will sleep an average of sixteen to eighteen hours a day, children need sufficient rest. In order to try to get your child into step by step to establish normal bed time, you should try and do the following to cope with them at night.
Steps

* First, you should try and give the child vykoupat, or at least wash her or his hands. This will give them a reassuring feeling, and help them relax.
* Change the child's diaper and put on his pyjamas, to give them an indication that it's time for bed.
* You can sing softly to the baby or play music low. This will enable the child hears the voice of a well-known and recognizable voice, before drifting off to sleep. Again, this provides a comfortable surrounding for a child and knowing that they are not left alone.
* They should give their child in her arms and rock them before you put him or her to sleep. Do not prolong the situation is short, put them in his villa, while they are still up and leave the room.

Things to avoid

There are some things you should avoid doing before placing a child for bedtime:
* Do not put cereal in his bottle at night, it gives them a feeling that they are not fully and allow them to sleep comfortably. They may have difficulties in digesting food, while sleeping, resulting in an upset stomach.
* Do usínat child with a bottle or nursing, before going to sleep. This will get into zlozvyk you expect to feed, they are up to be able to go back to sleep.

Although no two children are the same, important to bear in mind that the aid is compatible sleep routine will help your child room faster, and finally sleep all night. With these routines, the child begins to understand that this is sleep, yet does not mean that the mother or Dad is leaving, but putting them into bed at night. It will also help create a model, when you earlier, hopefully, which is for them to continue to sleep in their own.

Friday, June 6, 2008

My baby's crying - what can I do?

There are things you can try to comfort a crying baby. Not all of them will work for all babies, so you need to gradually get to know your own baby and her particular personality to find out what works for her and for you.

Wrap her up and hold her tight
Newborns show a definite preference for feeling snug and secure, just as they were in the womb, so you might like to try swaddling your baby in a blanket to see if she likes that. Many parents also find that holding their baby close, especially when she can hear their heartbeat, or putting her in a baby sling is soothing. Other babies find swaddling too restrictive and respond better to other forms of reassurance such as being rocked or sung to.

Find a constant rhythm
In the womb, your baby could hear the regular beat of your heart: that's one of the reasons many babies continue to like being held close. However, other regular, repetitive noises can also have a calming effect. You could try playing gentle music or singing a lullaby. Many parents find that if their baby can hear the steady rhythm of a washing machine or the "white noise" of a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer, that will soon lull her off to sleep. (Never put your baby on top of a washing machine or clothes dryer - always put her on the floor next to it.)

Rock-a-bye baby
Most babies love to be gently rocked, and you may find that your baby is calmed by this, too, whether you walk around rocking her or sit with her in a rocking chair. Special baby swings can soothe some babies, while others are comforted by being in rather faster motion and drop off almost as soon as they're driven somewhere in a car.

Try a massage
Giving your baby a massage or gently rubbing her back or tummy can help soothe her. If she seems to have pains with wind, try feeding her in a more upright position and winding her after a feed by holding her against your shoulder. Babies who have colic may sometimes be soothed by having their tummies rubbed, and it may make you feel better to know that at least you are trying to do something to help your baby's distress.

Let her suck on something
In some newborns, the need to suck is very strong and sucking a dummy or (clean) finger or thumb can bring great comfort. "Comfort sucking" can steady a baby's heart rate, relax her stomach, and help her settle.

Don't demand too much of yourself
A baby who cries almost constantly will do herself no lasting harm, but may cause a great deal of stress and worry for her parents. If your baby seems pretty unhappy to be here and resists every effort that you make to cheer her up or calm her down, it can be hard not to feel rejected as well as frustrated. Parents sometimes blame themselves, feeling that it is their incompetence as parents that is causing the crying, but this is rarely the case. If you know that your baby's needs have been met, that there is nothing physically wrong causing your baby to cry, and if you've tried everything you can think of to calm her but nothing's worked, it's time to take care of yourself so that you don't become overwhelmed. Here are a few suggestions:

• Take deep breaths.

• Put your baby down somewhere and let her cry for a while out of your hearing.

• If it helps, put on some quiet music and let yourself relax for ten minutes.

• Call a friend or relative and get some support. Give yourself a break and let someone else take over for a while.

• Talk to your health visitor about local support groups or mother-and-baby groups where you can share your feelings and discuss ways of coping with the crying with other new parents.

• If it all gets too much, call one of the telephone helplines. The Cry-sis helpline on 020 7404 5011 is for parents of babies who have sleep problems and / or who cry excessively. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emotional support and practical advice.

• Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and that crying in itself won't hurt her. Sometimes simply accepting that you have a baby who cries a great deal can help, in that you don't wear yourself out looking for reasons for the crying, blaming yourself for it, or offering endless new remedies which don't work.

• Remind yourself that this is a phase and it will pass.

Being the parent of a newborn is hard work. Being the parent of a newborn who cries a great deal is even harder work. Get help and support when you need it, rather than letting things build up. And take comfort from the fact that each day, as your baby grows, she learns new ways of being able to communicate her needs to you. Gradually, as she does so, the crying will stop.

Why do babies cry?

All babies cry sometimes. They have to. Even entirely healthy newborns will cry for somewhere between one and three hours each day. Unable to do anything for themselves, babies rely on someone else to provide them with the food, warmth, and comfort that they need. Crying is a baby's way of communicating one of those needs. As a new parent, it can sometimes be difficult to work out what your baby is telling you - is she hungry, cold, thirsty, bored, looking for a cuddle? In the early days, when you have not yet learned to work out what your baby needs, this crying can be upsetting. However, you will gradually begin to recognise your baby's different crying patterns and, as you get to know her better, will be able to anticipate her needs.

As babies grow, they gradually learn other ways of communicating with us, too. They get better at eye contact, making noises, and even smiling, all of which reduce the need for crying. The most common reasons babies cry are listed below. If you have a baby who is difficult to soothe, try working your way down the list. That way, you can reassure yourself that you have tried to meet her needs as well as you possibly can.

I need food
Hunger is the most common reason a new baby will cry. The younger your baby is, the more likely it is that she is crying because she is hungry. The exception to this is in the first day or two after birth, when some babies feed very little. If you are breastfeeding, you may well be aware of this, as the very concentrated early milk, colostrum, is produced in small amounts and you notice when the milk "comes in" around the third day. A baby's small stomach cannot hold very much, so if your baby cries, try offering her some milk, as it may well be that she is hungry. She might not stop crying immediately, but let her keep feeding if she wants to, and she will gradually be soothed as her stomach fills up. If your baby has been fed and is still crying, however, perhaps she is expressing the next need.

I need to be comfortable
Babies will very sensibly protest if their clothes are too tight or if a soiled nappy is bothering them. Some babies don't seem to mind if their nappies are full - it just feels warm and comfortable to them - while others will call out to be changed immediately, especially if some tender skin is being irritated. Checking your baby's nappy and changing it may meet her needs, so this is always worth trying. It also gives you an opportunity to check that a nappy tab isn't too tight or that there isn't something else about her clothing making her uncomfortable.

I need to be warm - and not too hot or too cold
Some newborns hate having their nappy changed or being bathed - they are not used to the feel of the air on their skin and much prefer to be bundled up and warm. If your baby is like this, you will soon learn how to perform a nappy change quickly so that you can calm her down again. Take care not to overdress your baby, though, so that she gets too hot. A good rule to follow is that she needs to wear one more layer of clothing than you do to be comfortable.

In the cot or Moses basket, try using a sheet and cellular blankets as bedding, rather than a duvet, so you can add and remove layers as necessary. You can check whether your baby is too hot or too cold by feeling her stomach: if she's too hot, remove a blanket, if she's cold, add one. Don't be guided by her hands or feet, as it is normal for them to feel slightly cold. Keep your baby's room at a temperature of around 18 degrees C / 64 degrees F, and put her down to sleep on her back with her feet at the end of the cot so that she can't wriggle too far down under the blankets and get too hot that way.

I need to be held
Some babies need a great deal of cuddling and reassurance. An older child may be soothed by seeing you in the room or hearing your voice, but new babies often need close physical contact for comfort. If you've fed your baby and changed her nappy, you may find that she now simply wants to be held. Some parents worry that they will "spoil" their baby if they hold her too much, but during the first few months of life that's impossible. While some babies don't seem to need that much physical contact, others want to be held almost all the time. If your baby needs a lot of holding, you might like to try a baby sling, which allows you to keep your baby close while leaving your hands free for other tasks; this may be a solution that keeps you both happy.

I need a rest
It is easy to assume that babies will fall asleep whenever they need to, wherever they are, simply because so many of them do. However, if your baby has been receiving a lot of attention - perhaps you've had a busy day with hordes of visitors round - she may become overstimulated and then find it hard to "switch off" and settle. Newborns can find it difficult to cope with too much stimulation at once - the lights, the noise, being passed from one adoring relative to the next - and can become overwhelmed by it all. Many parents have found that their baby cries more than usual when relatives come to stay, or sometimes just towards the end of each day. If there seems to be no specific reason for your baby's crying, she may just be saying, "I've had enough". If you can take her somewhere calm and quiet, gradually withdrawing the stimulation, she may express her feelings by crying for a while and then eventually settling to sleep.

I need something to make me feel better
If you've fed your baby and checked that she's comfortable, but she's still continuing to cry, you may wonder if she is ill or in pain. First-time parents often find it difficult to tell whether their baby is crying purely because she's an unhappy baby by nature (and some are, as it takes them a long time to adjust to being in the world) or whether there's something genuinely wrong. A baby who is ill often cries in a different tone to her usual cry - it may be more urgent or high-pitched. Equally, for a baby who normally cries frequently, an unusual quietness may be a sign that she's not well. The most important thing to remember is that nobody knows your baby as well as you do. If you feel that there may be something wrong, give your GP, midwife, or health visitor a call. Health professionals will always take your concerns seriously, and it may be reassuring for you to know that there isn't a physical cause for your baby's crying. Always call your doctor if your baby has difficulty breathing through the crying, or if the crying is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation. See our article on when to call the doctor

I need something ... but I don't know what
Sometimes you might not be able to figure out what's wrong when your baby cries. Many newborns go through patches of fretfulness and are not easily comforted. The unhappiness can range from a few minutes of hard-to-console crying to several hours at a stretch, an almost constant state of crying that is sometimes called colic. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day, for at least three days a week. Many parents find it very difficult to cope with a baby who has colic, and it can put a strain on the whole family. There is no magic cure for colic, but it rarely lasts for more than three months. If you can hold on to the fact that your baby will grow out of it, that may help. See our article on coping with colic for more strategies on how to deal with this distressing condition.
for more guidance.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Useful information on choosing a baby shampoo and tips on washing your baby's hair

Baby shampoos need to be incredibly gentle because of the risk that at least some of it will end up in or near your baby's eyes or mouth, although shampoo shields can be used to prevent this.

Baby shampoos are specially designed to gently cleanse, moisturise and protect your baby's scalp and hair and are much softer on the skin than those designed for adults.

When choosing a baby shampoo you should look for one that is free of soap and alcohol and that is hypoallergenic and dematologically tested. If your baby has sensitive or dry skin you should avoid baby shampoos that are perfumed or that contain fragrance.

Organic and natural baby shampoos are also available. These are designed to be kinder to the environment as well as your baby's hair and skin and often use essential oils in place of chemically derived fragrances.

You only need to wash a small baby's hair once a week and should use only the tiniest blob of shampoo. It is important to be very sensitive to your baby's head as well as avoid rinsing over the face (this shouldn't be too much of a problem with a very young baby if you support them with one arm and rinse with the other). You must rinse well to avoid residual product causing irritation.

To help keep your baby wam and happy after a hair wash, you should wrap them in a hooded towel as soon as you take them out of the bath.

How to bath your baby

How to bath your baby and what you will need to make baby-bathing easier:
  • Get together everything you may need to bath your baby.
  • Take your baby to the bathroom or place you have chosen to bath him and undress your baby, only when the bath water is completely ready. You may decide to bath a small baby in the room where he sleeps to develop a routine, or if you have older children to bath your children all together.
  • Use soap sparingly, as it dries your baby's skin. Wash your baby with your hand, a flannel or a sponge from top to bottom, front to back.
  • Wash your baby's scalp with a wet, soapy cloth. You will only need to wash your baby's hair with shampoo once a week.
  • Use moistened cotton wool to clean your baby's eyes and face. One piece for each eye and another for his face. If dried mucus has collected in the corner of your baby's nostrils or eyes, dab it several times with a small section of a moistened cotton wool to soften it before you wipe it out.
  • A routine wash of your baby's genitals is all that is needed. For girls, be sure to wash the area from front to back, being careful to gently clean between the folds of skin. Simply wash a boy's penis with soap and water.
  • Wrap your baby in a towel and pat him dry.
  • If your baby's skin is dry, or if he has nappy rash, you may want to apply a mild lotion after his bath.

Best Ways to Follow for Natural Baby Care

Natural baby care or taking care of your baby the natural way is a bit of an attentive process. At first your baby is going to be a bit of a couch potato, sleeping up to twenty
hours in a day. This is fine, even expected, and as long as Baby sleeps on his or her back everything is safe.

During fits of crying, your baby may accidentally scratch its face. Nails grow quickly and long at this stage of a child's development. Be sure to trim the nails on a regular basis to limit scratching.

Until the crawling stage, Baby just won't be getting that dirty. Bathing is only necessary once or at most twice a week. Until the umbilical stub falls off, sponge baths in the kitchen are best. Shampoo Baby's hair as a part of each bath. Be sure to include mild soaps and shampoo as part of the supplies in your newborn baby care regimen.

Don't put any soap on Baby's face, water will do for now. Baths should come one hour before a meal or a couple of hours after. Wash the baby from head to toe, leaving the diaper area until the end. Be sure to thoroughly but gently clean this area and pat it dry. The cleaner the genital and anal areas the less chance Baby will suffer from diaper rash and other irritations.

Diaper changing may not be the most glamorous part of parenting, but someone's gotta do it. A new diaper should come after a bath and after each soiling obviously. There's a different method for boys and girls. If your baby is a boy, thoroughly wash his private area. If he is uncircumcised, there's no need to push the foreskin back. If you are confused about how to appropriately clean a male child, talk with your pediatrician. For a baby girl's private area use a soft washcloth or baby wipes.

Becoming a new parent can be quite frightening. Reach out for help. You'll find that getting some assistance and bolstering your conf idence level will drive away your anxiety and making caring for your child the most pleasurable experience of your life. Newborn baby care is infinitely easier in this day of quality baby care products and is a skill you will acquire rapidly.