Meconium – What Is It? Everything You Need To Know

A few days after birth, babies pass their first bowel movement which is called meconium. This sticky, tar-like substance is green-black in colour, and is simply waste produced in your baby’s intestine during pregnancy. Sometimes babies pass meconium before or during labour. If the mother’s waters break and meconium is noticed, it can cause care providers to become concerned about the baby’s wellbeing. 

Meconium may pass shortly after birth, even if baby has yet to feed. For many babies though, it will pass after they begin breastfeeding. The nutrient dense colostrum has a laxative effect and helps baby to pass the first few sticky bowel movements. 

What Is Meconium?

 Babies regularly swallow amniotic fluid from around 14 weeks of pregnancy. The amniotic fluid is important for fetal development, containing mucus, baby’s hair (lanugo), intestinal cells, bile and water. The fluid passes through to the baby’s small intestine, which removes and absorbs the water. Any debris left behind is passed to the large bowel.

 This begins to build up, forming a sludgy tar-like substance called meconium. By the time the baby is full term, the meconium has filled most of the intestine. In the first days after birth, your breasts produce colostrum. This substance has many positive benefits and has a natural laxative effect, helping to move the meconium from your baby’s bowel. Usually this happens within the first 12 hours following birth of a full term baby.

 If meconium hasn’t been passed within 48 hours of birth, caregivers may suspect intestinal obstruction. Meconium Before Birth If a baby passes meconium before birth, the amniotic fluid is stained and appears greenish in colour. The baby will also become covered in meconium, especially if there is a lot of vernix (waxy coating on skin). The baby may also swallow (not to be confused with aspirate) the meconium, which will not do any harm. Babies who pass meconium before birth can do so because their digestive system has matured. They’re more likely to pass meconium before birth the longer they go past their due dates. 

It can also be caused by a sudden and short compression of the cord or head. The momentary lack of oxygen can cause the sphincter muscles to relax, allowing the meconium to be pushed out. Often the heads of babies are quite compressed in the final moments of birth and some are found to have a trail of meconium when their bodies are born. Meconium stained waters occurs in about 20% of full term births. 

Is Meconium Dangerous?

 If a woman’s waters break and meconium staining is noticed, it can cause a great deal of concern. If the colour of the water is greenish, usually this is an indication the meconium has only recently been passed. A brownish, yellow colour would indicate the meconium was passed some time earlier and is old. The main concern with meconium stained fluid is the possibility of the baby having meconium on the lungs. This is known as meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). 

What Is Meconium Aspiration Syndrome? 

During pregnancy, babies’ lungs are filled with amniotic fluid and if there is meconium it can get into the airways. During labour, if a baby is severely distressed and lacks oxygen for long enough, it’s possible for the baby to gasp and inhale any meconium present. When inhaled, it can partially or completely block the baby’s airways, making breathing very difficult and reducing the amount of oxygen the baby receives. MAS can also cause a chemical irritation of the airways increasing breathing difficulty. Infection of the lungs is possible, as is inactivation of surfactant by the meconium. Surfactant is a substance that helps the lungs expand properly. Of 20% of babies with meconium stained waters, around 2-5% will go on to develop MAS. Signs of MAS include: Rapid breathing (tachypnea) Laboured breathing or grunting Suspended breathing (apnea) Low APGAR scores (colour, muscle tone, reflexes) Cyanosis (blue colour on skin) Over distended chest.

 What Is The Treatment For Meconium Aspiration? 

Current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics state babies who have inhaled meconium should no longer be suctioned intrapartum (during birth). Previous practice would be to suction the baby once the head was born. This is longer standard practice. If a baby has inhaled meconium and is active, appears well and has a good heart rate (above 100 beats per minute), care providers should monitor for signs of MAS that may appear in the first 24 hours. Babies who have inhaled meconium and are not active, have low heart rates (under 100 beats per minute), limp with poor muscle tone, are likely to need immediate suctioning. Care providers will aim to clear the baby’s airway as much as possible to limit how much meconium is inhaled. A tube is inserted into the baby’s windpipe through the mouth or nose. Babies with MAS are likely to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery. They will be monitored for signs of infection, have frequent blood tests and may need oxygen treatment. Some babies with severe MAS may develop pneumonia. Most babies with severe MAS will experience wheezing and lung infections in the first 12 months of life but this should improve as their lungs develop new air sacs.

 How Can I Avoid MAS? 

The most obvious way to avoid a stressed baby is to have a calm and supportive birth environment and birth support. If a woman is disturbed and stressed during labour, this can have cause contractions to slow or stall. This can lead to the cascade of interventions to hurry it along, which further contributes to fetal distress. Read our 8 tips to help slow or stalled labours. Interventions such as artificial rupture of membranes (breaking the waters), constant fetal monitoring, and induction or augmentation with artificial oxytocin can all cause your baby to become distressed. If your waters break and meconium is present, this will usually lead to monitoring, which reduces your ability to move. If the meconium is thin and your care provider has determined your baby’s heart rate is fine, choose an upright birth position which allows the contractions to push fluid from the baby’s lungs and down out of the mouth and nose. Allowing the cord to continue pulsating to provide oxygen to your baby while transitioning to breathing air into the lungs. …

 It’s important to remember that meconium staining can occur in the absence of fetal distress and not all babies who become stressed pass meconium. It’s very rarely a problem and care providers can help prevent this event from happening by avoiding the use of interventions which increase the likelihood of fetal distress. Most babies who pass meconium before the birth are post dates (beyond their estimated due date) and it’s simply a sign of a functioning digestive system. It’s no longer recommended to suction babies at birth but to monitor as necessary. Parents should be aware of the signs of MAS and seek professional attention if they become concerned about their baby’s breathing.

Generation next: Are you a better parent than your parents?

When you become a parent you have no previous work experience in the field of child raising to reflect upon in working out whether you’re doing a good job or not. So it is only natural that you will judge yourself by comparison to the people whose parenting you had the most contact with: your own mum and dad. While it might sound like sacrilege to some, it is probably a healthy exercise to stop every now and then and ask yourself, 'Am I a better parent than my own parents?'

My own parents were a cartoonish mix of the saint and the sinner. Dad worked all day and drank all night while mum’s entire life was about attending to the wants and needs of her eight children. Whatever it is about the way they parented they must have done a good job because we all turned out happy and healthy. Conversely, Mr Drummond on Diff’rent Strokes did everything by the book but, by all accounts, the kids never quite lived up to the expectations. But even though my parent’s unorthodox methods produced good results, I’m not so sure I would want to repeat them. 

For my part, I don’t think I parent like either my mum or my dad but I'm not always sure the way I do things is always better. I know that actually coming home in the evenings is a good thing to do, so I beat my dad there. But, unlike him, I’m not the sole bread winner and have the luxury of working part-time, so I don’t have a fraction of the stresses he had. Dad could also quote Shakespeare liberally and no doubt contributed to our dramatic bent. I can quote liberally from This Is Spinal Tap and have probably contributed to my daughters’ love of trash TV. One point to dad.

My mum was, and still is, the best cook I’ve ever met and her school lunches were incredible. She also made time to make each one of us feel special and loved, which is no mean feat when you are one of eight children. Mum also didn’t believe in seat belts, saw squeezing eight kids into a hatchback as a fun challenge and was a renowned lead-foot. She also sent me to school once wearing my sister’s shoes and told me no-one would notice. They did.

While I don’t spend eight hours a day baking like my mum did, I do make the girl’s their lunches every morning and take the time to chat to each of them about the things they would like. They both like my chocolate brownies so I make those as often as I can, while Frances asks every day (without fail) if I’ll make her a cheesecake. I also sneak in an unhealthy amount of processed cheese-flavoured snacks which would horrify my mum but seems to make the kids very, very happy. I’d say mum’s ahead on points.

While I try not to obsess about whether I am a “good parent” or not, I do take the time every now and then to try and work out whether I am doing things the right way and if I can do them better. My quick rule of thumb is if mum did it then it’s probably OK (provided I add an element of 21st century OH&S safety standards), while if it something my dad would have done then I could probably lift my game. But ultimately the greatest test of how well I am parenting comes from the girls themselves, and no doubt they’ll tell me exactly what they think of my parenting when they hit their teens!

Author

Joseph Kelly

Diet for 6-12 month infants

It’s every mother’s concern, what kind of food can be introduced to baby starting to eat supplementary food. What is good for my growing baby and what can benefit his long term health. It’s true that nutrition in first year has long term consequences affecting health throughout life. An adequately nourished infant is more likely to achieve normal mental and physical development.

The nutritional requirements in terms of body weight are highest during the first year of life because of the rapid growth and development.During 6-12 months the energy requirement is 98kcal/kg body weight. An average infants double his birth weight by the age of one year and triples by the end of first year. Satisfactory weight gain is one of the simple indication of successful feeding of baby.

Dt. Farzana Chauhan of All About Diet says, "There is increased trend of bottle feeding due to convenience which results in increased sickness and childhood obesity. Infants are ready to take supplementary feed by the age of 4 to 6 months. Before that exclusive breast feeding is advisable."

Why exclusive breast feeding till six months is recommended?

The breast milk is nutritionally adequate.
It contains substances that can protect infant against infections and provide immunity.
It’s safe and hygienic.
Its helps in developing bond between mother and child

Diet for 12-18 Month Old Baby

Diet for 18-24 Month Old Baby

7 Milk Recipes for Toddlers

5 Yummy Snack Recipes for Toddlers

Know more about Introducing Solid Food to Babies.

No Salt and Sugar For Babies Till One Year !

Tips to increase appetite in babies and kids


Dietary guidelines for 4-6 months baby
 
After six months along with breast milk gradually supplementary feeding can be started. Supplementary foods are the foods introduced to supplement breast milk. The foods should be pureed and strained properly before giving it to child. To start with rice kanji and dal water is preferable. Other options include, vegetables and fruit puree, non-wheat cereal and unsweetened curd. The quantity, consistency, flavour and potential allergen needs to be considered. The aim is to accustom the infant take food from spoon. Increasing the quantity of solid foods and frequency depends upon the infant’s willingness to take the solid. Food should be bland and smooth. The common food allergen includes, cow’s milk, egg, nuts, citrus fruits, meat and fish.

Some suggestions:

Mashed/ strained fruits: apple, banana, pear, peaches etc.
Pureed/ blanched and mashed vegetables: potato, spinach, carrot, green peas
Thin dals and soft rice khichdi
Rice kheer
Germinated cereal porridge
Start with small portion say 2-3 tsp at a time, then gradually increase it to ½ cup (i.e. 7-9 tbsp.) two to three times a day.

Recipe suggestion:

Dal water

Ingredient

Moong dal                 3tbsp.

Method:

Pressure cook moong dal in cooker by adding 1 cups of water. Cook for five minutes on low flame and give to child using spoon.


Dietary guidelines for 6-9 months baby

During this period baby develop the grasping ability and tries to pick objects from thumb and forefinger, can transfer the things from one hand to another, put whatever in front of them into his mouth and try to chew it by moving his jaws.

At 8 months or more there is increase in baby’s appetite. Baby should be introduced to three big meals and three small meal pattern. Consistency should change from soft lumps to a mashed texture. Small amount of slat in cooked food items should be added. Avoid adding too much of sugar to foods.Finger foods like small banana, boiled eggs, potato sticks, small piece of cheese, paneer can be given. Protein rich food like properly cooked and mashed meat, chicken and fish can also be given.

How much to be given per day?

Half cup cereal

One fourth cup dairy product

Half cup vegetables and fruits

One fourth cup lentils and beans, mashed.

And 2 tbsp. of non-veg food items can be given per day.

Recipe suggestion:

Mix flour porridge

Ingredients

Ragi                        1tsp

Wheat flour              1 tsp

Milk                         half cup

Sugar                      1tsp

Method:

Combine all the ingredients and cook it for one minute after boil.


Dietary guidelines for 9-12 months baby

After 9 months a pattern of three meals a day should be followed. Food form should progress from mashed to mince to a finely chopped texture. More of finger food should be given at this age so that he can pick and eat by himself. By this time infant strengthen their ability to swallow food easily and have developed more teeth. They can now eat food using spoon, and notice what others are eating, and wants to eat same.

By this age they can eat cut fruits and vegetables, can bite soft vegetables like peas cucumber. Can eat soft cheese, curd, macaroni, eggs, paneer etc.

How much to be given per day?

¾ cup cereal

½ cup dairy product

½ cup fruit

½ cup vegetable

¼ cup non veg items

½ cup pulse

Recipe suggestion:

Muthia

Ingredients

Bean               2tbsp

Methi             1 tbsp

Salt to taste

Method:

Make a dough out of above mentioned ingredients. Using hands make a cylindrical shape of it and steam. This muthia can a nutritious finger food for your child.

Tips:
Start with introducing single food at a time. Carefully notice if baby is able to tolerate it or not. Watch out for any food allergies baby is experiencing.

7 Things to Do NOW to Make the First Weeks After Baby Even Better

During pregnancy, there's a ton of attention to the growing belly, the baby gear, and the birth process—but much less so on what life will actually look like once your new kiddo is actually born. A lot of new parents have the vague idea that their postpartum experience will be difficult, but many are taken aback when they realize just how hard things are when you've got an adorable baby who depends on you for all of his or her needs. Many cultures have built-in birth and postpartum traditions, but in the United States, we have to create our own. One way to do that? Plan while you're still pregnant.

Prepping for your postpartum experience can make a huge difference in your stress levels, mood, and relationships during the first days, weeks, and months with a newborn—it might even help to stave off postpartum depression or other mood disorders.

"Most couples find it hard to think beyond the birth, but there's so much they can do to plan for a positive postpartum experience," says Elly Taylor, a parenthood researcher and author of the book Becoming Us: 8 Steps To Grow A Family That Thrives. "I call it nest-building: plan to take as much time off work as possible, gather your support system (it takes a village!) and have your partner actively involved from the get-go."

So, how exactly do you build that nest? These seven suggestions can help ensure you have a positive postpartum experience.

Write it down: Make a written postpartum plan. This can be as simple as a list of important numbers (doctor/midwife, pediatrician, doula, lactation consultant), or something more detailed and comprehensive. While it may seem a little Type A to actually put pen to paper about post-pregnancy life, the exercise of thinking about it and discussing it with the people in your life will be almost as valuable to you as the actual plan. (There are many ways to make a written plan, of course, but this postpartum plan template from the doula organization DONA International can help you get started.)

Prioritize your own needs: There's absolutely nothing wrong with being a little selfish during pregnancy and postpartum—you can only provide good care to your baby if you're feeling safe, happy, and supported. That means staying rested, hydrated, well-nourished, and calm—so don't be afraid to ask for or get what you want, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The words "I need" can go far during the postpartum period, so learn to use them. A happy mom and baby are more valuable than a clean kitchen or a freshly-vacuumed rug.

Get meals taken care of: Having at least one meal a day already planned, prepped, and/or prepared is a lifesaver when you have a needy newborn; bonus if the meal is healthy and nutritious! Thinking ahead about meals for after baby can cut down on instances when your partner is desperately ordering pizza at 8 pm with a screaming baby in the background. It's great if you've been cooking extra food and freezing it, but don't hesitate to ask your community for help, too. MealTrain is a great service you can use to organize a group of people to bring you meals, and it's totally free!

Set boundaries: Your family and friends are so excited about the baby! You don't want to diminish that excitement, but you need to make sure you're not getting overwhelmed with well-meaning visitors just after you've birthed a small human. Some people want company soon after birth; others prefer to wait a few days or weeks before showing off the babe. So set clear boundaries with family and friends. Say, "We're only having immediate family visit in the hospital," or "We're hoping to limit visits to 30 minutes so we can rest" or whatever works for you. Boundaries can also include conversation topics or advice, i.e., "If we need breastfeeding help, we will ask you for it," or "I know you think cloth diapering is too difficult, but it's what we plan to try." Setting up expectations for the kind of company and support you want can help to avoid hurt feelings and conflict during the often raw, tender postpartum period. The conversations may be awkward now, but clear communication will be worth it in the end.

Ask for help: You don't have go it alone—if you need help, ask for it! Women in our culture are often scared or embarrassed to admit they need assistance, but there's seriously no shame in reaching out to your network, even if they're not close family or friends. Experienced moms know just how hard it is to have a newborn and they're often eager to help, even if that help involves just coming over to sit on your couch and listen to you cry. So put out that SOS status on Facebook; you can repay the favor once you're feeling more confident.

Hire a postpartum doula: Don't have family nearby? Don't want family nearby? Are you a single parent or does your partner have limited leave? A postpartum doula can be just the thing to help ease you into new parenthood. Postpartum doulas are trained in infant care, breastfeeding, and general support of postpartum families. They also do light cooking and cleaning, errands—basically whatever you need to make your life more calm and manageable. They generally charge by the hour, but you can buy a package or just a few hours of help, on a regular schedule or only when you feel you need it. Many postpartum doulas will also do overnights, which lets you get the precious rest you need to recharge and take care of your baby. Check out DONA International or CAPPA to find a list of postpartum doulas in your area.

Aim low: This may sound harsh, but lower your expectations for what life as a new parent is going to be like. Whatever you're picturing, it's likely not going to look anything like that—and that's okay. Some days, just getting out of the house to buy a nipple shield at Target or taking a shower is all you're going to be able to do. Give yourself the emotional and mental space for your postpartum experience to be whatever it will be—both positive and negative. Don't expect life to be anything like it was before you gave birth; You'll find your new normal in time.

WHAT CAUSED YOUR CHILD’S ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION?

Uh-oh. Your child has developed a red, itchy, or sore rash.

Your little one may have a case of contact dermatitis, an eczema-like skin condition caused by touching something that triggers an allergic reaction or irritates the skin.

If the reaction is serious, talk to your doctor about a referral for allergy testing to determine the source. But for minor reactions, some easy sleuthing at home can help you figure out if a common allergen is to blame. Here are the worst – and most likely – offenders:

Metals

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 11 million children in North America are allergic to nickel, so this or another metal might have set off your child’s skin allergy. Clothing fixtures such as zippers and hooks or jewelry, including watch straps, are all easy ways we come into contact with metals. Face paints may also contain traces of heavy metals, and for older children, cosmetics could be the problem.

Preservatives

Carefully read the labels of body care product your child uses. An ingredient could be responsible. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and formaldehyde releasers such as 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3 diol (bronopol), diazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin are potent skin allergens.

Manufacturers add MI to body washes, moisturizers, sunscreens, baby wipes and even products labeled “hypoallergenic.” Bronopol turns up in some CVS diaper wipes and cosmetics products such as facial cleansers, nail polish and moisturizers. Watch out for diazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin in hair styling products, shampoos, conditioners and body washes.

Not sure if your family’s favorite products contain these or other allergenic ingredients? Search EWG’s Skin Deep database to find out.

Botanical Allergens

Plant-based essential oils such as lavender, tea tree or citrus are popular in “natural” personal care products in place of chemical fragrances. Because the concentration of these oils can vary, they can easily trigger allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin.

Parents often notice these reactions after using botanical bug repellents, which commonly contain citronella, clove, geranium, lemongrass, peppermint or rosemary oils, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Click here to learn about safer ways to beat bug bites.

Tips for parents:

Need help sleuthing? Allergic reactions typically break out where an allergen touches the skin, so the location of your child’s rash may indicate which allergen is responsible. Is the rash on your child’s face or hands? A personal care product, like lotion, may be to blame. Around your child’s wrist? Watch strap. At a certain spot on the chest? Zipper. Baby’s behind? Diaper wipe.

Reactions may occur immediately after contact – making it easier to isolate the cause – or after a long period of exposure. Keep both in mind when investigating possible sources.

Always contact a medical professional if your child shows symptoms of a serious skin reaction, particularly if she shows any sign of infection, such as a fever.

Take heart: Allergic reactions often clear quickly and are generally avoidable once you determine the culprit.

By Megan Boyle

Babies want to speak as early as 7 months

Babies usually start speaking by their first birthday. But new research suggests talking to your baby stimulates his brain well before she utters those first words.

For the study, published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the authors compared how 7- and 11-month-old babies from English-speaking families processed sounds from English and Spanish.

Researchers at the University of Washington looked at 57 babies who were 7, 11 and 12 months old. The babies sat in an egg-shaped, noninvasive brain scanner that measures brain activation and listened to speech sounds played over a loudspeaker.

The researchers examined patterns of brain activation in areas of the brain that analyze sound, as well as areas that plan the motor movements required to produce speech.

At 7 months, infants responded equally to sounds from both English and Spanish.

“Babies are citizens of the world,” Dr. Patricia Kuhl, the lead researcher on the study, said. “They’re not committed to any language or any languages. They’re just open.”

At 11 months, however, the infants saw greater activation of the motor areas in the brain for English sounds. Kuhl said this suggests that as infants’ brains develop further, they focus in on sounds familiar to them.

“What we believe is happening is that the babies are dying to talk back,” Kuhl said. “It means that babies even at an early age are practicing and rehearsing and activating brains in a social way so that when we serve something to them, they’re attempting to volley back.”

These findings reinforce the importance of talking to your baby, instead of just plopping him or her in front of the television.

“When [babies] look at the TV set, they seem interested but their brains don’t learn,” Kuhl said. “Babies recognize and can distinguish the sounds only if they heard live speakers present to them – only if they were interacting socially.”

Dr. Gordon Ramsay, director of the spoken communication laboratory at the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta, said multiple elements are at play when infants learn how to speak.

“The message for parents is that speech acquisition in infancy is built upon a scaffold of sensory experience, motor activity and social interaction,” Ramsay said. “All these components need to come together in the natural resonant coupling between child, caregiver and environment if every child is to progress along the path to spoken language.”

However, Ramsay says the study should have followed the same babies through the course of their development, rather than examining different 7-month-olds and 11- and 12-month-olds.

“Because developmental timing is so important, and there is so much variability and delay within children, it’s really important to do longitudinal studies,” Ramsay said.

Babies should be breastfed exclusively for 6 months

Breast milk is nature’s perfect food for babies.

Think about it: mother nature has had more than 2.5 million years to figure this one out.  Breast milk contains the perfect mix of fat, protein and carbohydrate for the babies developing physiology.  It contains protective substances that give her immunity to diseases.

In the early stages of a baby’s life, breast milk meets all of her nutrient needs.  No other foods or fluids – including water – are necessary.  (Breast milk itself is 88% water, which more than satisfies an infant’s thirst).

A report called Infant and Young Child Feeding issues by the World Health Organization summarized research indicating that infants should be breasted exclusively for the first 6 months of their lives.  

Babies exclusively breastfed for 6 months have 8.6 times lower risk of diarrheal illness.  A study from India found that deaths from diarrhea and pneumonia could be decreased by one-third if infants were exclusively (rather than partially) breastfed for the first 4 months.  Sadly, only 35% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life.

Breastfeeding also confers intermediate- and long-term benefits on both the child and the mother, including helping to protect children against a variety of acute and chronic disorders.

Infants not breastfed are between 6 and 10 times more likely not to survive the first months of life.  Formula-fed infants also have increased risk of long-term diseases with an immunological basis, such as asthma, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and childhood leukemia.

Other studies suggest that obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease are more common later in life in kids not breastfed, and that kids that are formula-fed on average have cognitive scores 3 points lower than those breastfed.

Breastfeeding should continue (with solid food) for at least two years

In the same WHO report mentioned above, the authors recommended that breastfeeding continue along with the introduction of solid foods (i.e. “complementary feeding”) for at least 23 months (two years).  This is the minimum period required to adequately nourish the growing baby.  Some parents may wish to continue breastfeeding beyond this point.

At six months of age, the increased energy needs of the infant start to exceed the energy provided by breast milk, so that’s the time to begin to introduce foods.  It is not okay to continue to breastfeed exclusively at this point.  At the same time, breastfeeding should still continue on-demand throughout the complementary feeding period (up to 2 years of age).  Breast milk continues to provide higher quality nutrients than complementary foods, and also protective factors that guard against childhood illness and reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life.

The WHO recommends that breast milk provide at least 50 percent of calories for a child between 6 and 12 months of age, and one-third of calories between 12 and 24 months of age.

Is it Safe to Breastfeed When the Mother has Cold or Fever?

Do you have cold and fever? Is it safe to breastfeed with fever?

Are you a breastfeeding mother with fever and worried about getting your baby sick too?

Are you in dilemma whether or not to continue breastfeeding while suffering from cold and/or fever?

safe to breastfeeding when mother has cold

Sit back and stop worrying.

This article will answer all your questions whether can you breastfeed with fever!

Should I continue breastfeeding if I have fever or cold?

Yes you should continue breastfeeding even if you have common illness like sore throat, cough, cold, or fever.

Most of the common diseases are less likely to be passed to your baby through breast milk. Close body contact can be a reason to pass on the disease, but the antibodies in your breast milk most of the time protects your kid from getting an infection from you.

7 reasons why it is safe to breastfeed even if you have fever or cold:

It is fine and best to continue breastfeeding in cold and fever conditions and in majority of the infections for the well being of you and your baby.

#1. Better immunity

In fact, you are infected few days before you start showing symptoms and thus your baby is exposed to your illness before you show illness. Hence it is recommended to breast feed as breast milk transfers antibodies (the proteins synthesized in our body against the foreign particles, here, against fever and cold viruses) to your baby and help boosting his or her immunity levels.

If you continue breastfeeding, your baby is unlikely to develop illness or in case if he/ she develops illness, the effect of it would be mild. You can also read about the benefits of breastfeeding you might not be aware of.

#2. Helps your baby to stay hydrated

Chances are your baby is also already infected. In case of even mild illness, your baby he/ she would most likely nurse rather than eating anything else. Thus, it is breastfeeding, which keeps your baby well hydrated.

Keeping your baby well hydrated also increases his/her chances of getting higher amounts of protection from your illness.

#3. Easily digestible nutrients

Breast milk is easily digested by your baby than any other food or even milk. So to provide your baby essential nutrients that can be absorbed faster, breastfeeding is essential.


#4. Provide comfort to you and your baby

Studies reveal that breastfeeding relaxes your body and keeps you free from depression as it triggers release of oxytocin hormone. Thus continuing breastfeeding will help you to be stress free and increase your comfort level.

#5. Helps to keep the breast milk supply normal

If you stop breastfeeding temporarily just because you have fever/cold, it can cause a decrease in your breast milk supply. So once you recover from your illness you can have a problem of low milk supply, which can in turn affect your baby.

#6. No early weaning

Sometimes if you decide to stop breastfeeding temporarily because of your fever or common cold, chances are there that your baby may not accept your breastfeeds after you recover from your illness. This can lead to early weaning and this can affect you and your baby.

#7. No risk of mastitis

Stopping breastfeeding all of a sudden can cause milk to build up in your breast and can cause inflammation and later infection in the breast. So continuing to breastfeed even if you have minor illness like fever, sore throat, cold or cough is good to reduce the risk of mastitis.

When not to breastfeed your baby?

Knowing all these benefits of breastfeeding, it is always good to continue breastfeeding even when having fever while nursing.

But there are certain conditions when you have to stop breastfeeding your baby. In conditions like septicemia (blood poisoning), HIV, or if you are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment you should stop breastfeeding.

Also if you are under any medication for depression, anxiety, sleep problems etc. talk to your doctor to know if you have to stop or continue breastfeeding.

If you have highly contagious diseases like swine flu, untreated or active TB etc. which are not transferred through breast milk but is contagious through other means, you can talk to your doctor and decide whether to breastfeed directly or let your baby have your expressed milk given by an uninfected person.

If for any reason you have to stop breastfeeding temporarily, then make sure you express your milk at regular interval and discard that to prevent yourself from mastitis.

Precautions and tips for breastfeeding while having cold or fever:

Generally the common fever and cold subsides itself without taking any medicines. If your illness lasts for more than three days, you should consult a doctor and start medication prescribed by your doctor.

You should not forget to mention to your doctor that you are breastfeeding as there are many medicines, which may cause harmful effects to your baby as compounds in medicines transfer to your baby through breast milk.

With precautions taken in medication, you should also see that you take following measures:

Wash your hands frequently with soap or sanitize hands using sanitizing gel

Cover your mouth and nose while sneezing

Eat healthy, stay hydrated. As the milk production decrease during sickness, staying well hydrated will keep you to maintain the milk production after recovery

Maintain hygiene and do not kiss your baby while you are ill

If you take all these precautions, breastfeeding is the real blessing you can give to your baby to prevent him/ her getting contracted from your illness.

Breastfeeding is 100% effective and safe vaccination for many diseases

Author,

Riddhi Nath

100 LITTLE THINGS ABOUT PREGNANCY, BIRTH, AND BEING A FIRST-TIME MOM

No greater joy than becoming a mom. 100 things you need to know about pregnancy, birth, and being a first time mom.

In celebration of my 100th post on this wee blog I want to share 100 things I’ve learned in the last year about pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, caring for a baby, and being a first-time mom. I make no apologies that this will be a long post, but I really hope it serves you… or at least makes you smile. Because motherhood, after all, really is the greatest joy and privilege.

ABOUT PREGNANCY:

About pregnancy - what you need to know as a first-time-mom.

1. Don’t worry about timing your baby “just right”. Most people take a few months to get pregnant anyway.

2. Forget #1 and do everything possible to not be in your third trimester in the middle of summer. Because seriously, nine months pregnant in the height of summer sucks.

3. Your pregnant elephant ankles will return to normal. Just hang in there.

4. Take more naps. Don’t wait for the baby to be born so you can “nap when the baby naps”… He might not be a good napper.

5. Ask your husband’s employer if he can take an extra week of paternity leave if you end up having an unplanned c-section.

6. You have no idea about your capacity to burp and fart until you’re into your second trimester. Just you wait.

7. Don’t feel guilty if the gender of the baby on the ultra sound isn’t what you were expecting (or hoping for). It’s normal and will pass. (And you will be so happy about your little boy or girl that you’ll forget about it anyway.) Many women struggle with gender disappointment during pregnancy, so don’t let it rob you of your pregnancy joy.

8. Wear fitted clothes – your bump is beautiful and you look cuter without extra frump.

9. Don’t buy maternity clothes if you can get around it. Just buy a belly band or button extender and wear your normal clothes. (Until/unless that’s not an option any more.)

10. If you do buy anything, buy long tank tops that you can layer under other “normal” shirts. Or better yet, buy nursing tank tops (You will live in them during those first few postpartum months, whether you are layering over them or not.)

11. Take heart, your shoes will fit again someday.

12. Enjoy that beautiful skin. Unfortunately it doesn’t last.

13. Enjoy that hair. You will soon be losing it in copious amounts.

14. Save receipts because you really don’t need that bottle sanitizer.

15. Use your birthday money on yourself, silly girl. I know you’re excited, but that little baby will get more presents than you know what to do with.

16. Get educated about giving birth. The more you know, the more you will be empowered and the less scared you will be.

17. Have some understanding about c-sections and recovery… just case. (Ever heard of a “gentle cesarean“?)

18. It really is reasonable (and loving!) to let the lady with small children move to the front of the line. Start now.

19. Read differing parenting philosophy books and then decide for yourself what’s best for you and your family. I know it’s hard to believe, but you really are the expert.

20. In light of #19, be prepared to change your mind later if you need to.

ABOUT LABOR AND GIVING BIRTH:

About labor and birth - what you need to know as a first time mom.

21. If you want to speed up labor once your contractions have begun, use a breast pump. Oh. My. Goodness.

22. Have a birth plan but know that it’s just a plan, not a prophecy. It will look different. (Need help? Here’s how to organize and write a birth plan.)

23. Having your waters break is not a one-off gush… it continues for hours into labor. Don’t be alarmed when you have to walk around with a towel between your legs for the rest of the day. (Birth is so glamorous.)

24. Watching So You Think You Can Dance between contractions provides good distraction, but don’t get mad when they forget to pause it during contractions.

25. Giving birth is messy. Really messy. What? You know that? Ok then, remember it.

26. Remember that sometimes your midwife needs encouragement too, especially when things go wrong.

27. Make sure your husband knows how to quickly and efficiently find the ice machine.

28. Labor is hard work, but you were totally made for it. Go for it, girl.

ABOUT POSTPARTUM RECOVERY:

About postpartum recovery and the 4th trimester.

29. If you wake up drenched in sweat a week or two after giving birth, get excited about it. You’re sweating off those extra baby fluid pounds.

30. Deal with your disappointment about things that went wrong with the birth and don’t let it steal the joy of birth from you.

31. You are going to feel so overwhelmed with love – don’t try to harness it, just soak in it.

32. Who cares about getting your tiny baby on a schedule from day one? Just snuggle, snuggle, snuggle and let him sleep on your chest as much as your little heart desires. I promise you, you will not regret this. Don’t let any book or auntie tell you otherwise.

33. Yes, the world really does want to see a bajillion photos of your baby on facebook – load ‘em up. (You’ll never feel so popular as when you’re the mom of an incredibly good-looking brand-new baby.) And even if they don’t, you will NEVER regret taking all those photos. (Just give clear, repeated instructions to your husband to make sure you’re included in some of them too. Don’t shy away because of bad hair or bags under your eyes. When you’ve survived the baby years, you’ll want photographic proof that you were there – mothering victoriously.)

34. Tell hubs to stock up on Draino because at around four months post-partum you will begin to shed ungodly amounts of hair.

35. Your c-section scar will still be numb six months after the surgery, and it will sometimes still feel itchy. Just deal with it and know it’s now a badge of honor.

ABOUT BREASTFEEDING:

About breastfeeding as a brand new mom.

36. Breastfeeding will come easily and natural to you, so you have nothing to be nervous about, and just ignore all those horror stories. Unless it doesn’t. Go ahead and read a few stories (without obsessing) and prepare for both the best and worst. And practice this mantra now: I will not be defined by breastfeeding ‘success’ or ‘failure’. (Psst – no mom that’s trying hard is a failure. Perhaps banish that word from your vocabulary?)

37. Breastfeeding will be one of the absolute sweetest things you will ever do. (Need courage to breastfeed in public?)

38. Breastfeeding will sometimes feel like one of the most annoying things you ever do.

39. Breastfeeding will sometimes feel like a competition with some inanimate object while you vie for your baby’s focus and attention.

40. Breastfeeding will sometimes feel like one of the most time-consuming things you ever do. (And it is.) Hang in there, it changes before you know it and you will miss the excuse to sit down for forty-five minutes at a time like you did during the newborn phase. Later, when you’re baby’s nursing for only ten minutes at a time you’ll be thinking, What baby? Already done? No… let’s just sit here for a while snuggling.

41. Breastfeeding will be one of the wisest things you do for your baby and for you. (Still pregnant? Here’s how you can prepare for breastfeeding.)

42. Breastfeeding is the one thing only you can do with (and for) your baby. That’s a special honor that only a mama can experience. Remember to appreciate it.

ABOUT CARING FOR YOUR BABY:

About caring for your baby as a new mom. (Yes, they will poop on you. Be prepared.)

43. If you keep your baby awake too long, he will never go to sleep easily. Don’t overestimate how much awake time a newborn can handle between naptimes.

44. Don’t worry about changing your baby every time he spits up. You already have too much laundry to do. Just rub it in – ha!

45. Never judge your baby’s clothes by the numbers on the tag. If you think that cutest-ever outfit for your baby is too big to pull out, do it anyway. It’s easier than you know to miss the “right size” window.

46. When traveling on an airplane, don’t only pack a spare set of clothes for your baby – pack a spare shirt for yourself too. Just go ahead and trust me on this one.

47. I’m totally against the use of “baby TV time” (you guys know how bad it is for your kids’ development to let them watch TV as babies and toddlers, right?! experts say to wait until two years old), but go ahead and use the TV to your advantage when cutting your baby’s fingernails. (Don’t worry, when they hit the stage where this is necessary, you will know.)

48. Don’t wake your sleeping baby unless you absolutely have too. Feeding schedules, shmeeding schedules. Let the baby sleep. (You’re welcome.)

49. When your baby is a newborn, take extra care to burp him after a feed. (I like the firm, upward rub up the back. I’m also a fan of the firm thump.) It’s worth the extra few minutes to avoid gassy baby melt-downs.

50. If your baby is having a melt-down, drop everything and walk outside. It really does work every time so don’t waste your time trying to find something else more “convenient.”

51. Four months is not too early to begin teething. If in doubt, just keep sticking your finger in there to check.

52. Decide on a lullaby song for your baby so that every time you sing it they know to expect that it’s naptime/bedtime. (Just make sure that you like it, or make your own up.)

53. Just because your baby sleeps through the night consistently at a few weeks old doesn’t mean they will continue as he gets older and hungrier. Just know that in advance. Sometimes this really feels like two steps forward, one step back. (Or one step forward, two steps back.)

54. Traveling with babies is fun and adventurous and you often get to jump to the front of the line. Take advantage of kind security guards and airline officials.  No shame here, ladies, no shame. Take favors when you get them – DUH.

55. Leave the diaper bag in the car unless you really, really need it. You have enough to carry around.

56. Don’t wait months and months to introduce the bottle – you underestimate just how much you baby really does love your boobs.

57. There will be some diaper blowouts that are not worth trying to clean up outside of the bathtub.  We’re talking a right, hot mess. That goes for both you and baby.

58. Don’t be legalistic about starting solids at exactly six months old. Get educated about a baby’s gut development, but then learn to listen to your baby’s cues and trust your instincts. Don’t start them too soon (again, read up on that gut development!), but remember that something magic doesn’t just click on their half birthday.

59. It’s okay to pull your baby into bed with you sometimes when you’re just too tired to get up yet. Do what you want. (Just do it safely: bed rails are your friend, move away your blankets, safety first, ladies! . . . with comfort and convenience being a close tie for second.) And seriously, don’t worry — you’re not going to ruin them by co-sleeping. I promise you co-sleeping is not the evil that will turn them into disobedient, overly dependent narcissists. (Don’t allow any rigid parenting book to convince you otherwise.) Remember, these are BABIES. Let them act like babies. They have plenty of time to grow up. And remember, you are TIRED. Do what you need to do to get a little sleep, too. DUH.

60. There will be lots of times when the baby is crying and you don’t know why. That’s ok, babies cry. Sometimes they are trying to communicate something, but often they are releasing their big emotions and pent up baby angst. Just do your best and remember that sometimes even you specifically choose movies based on the fact that you need a good cry, too.

61. When introducing solids to your baby, strip him down to a diaper and bib, roll up your sleeves, put on goggles, and make sure an assistant is standing by (with a camera, of course).

62. Be prepared when you’re encouraging your child to learn to crawl. I know it’s fun and super cute, but there really is no turning back. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you, you overly keen first-time mom, you.)

ABOUT BEING A FIRST-TIME MOM:

About being a first-time-mom. Everything you didn't know you needed to know.

63. Never judge a parent that is bribing their baby with food… there will be times when you end up doing it too.

64. Be prepared for spontaneous mama-tears when you have love-saturated-heart moments. (And don’t rush them – they are precious.)

65. Although you already thought you were a responsible driver, you will start to drive even slower and even more cautiously. Just sayin. Your wild days are over. . . at least temporarily. (But seriously Grandma, please at least try to drive the speed limit. You don’t want to get pulled over because a cop thinks you might be driving stoned. BE NORMAL.)

66. Congratulations, you will now forever be known as “so-and-so’s” mom.

67. You will be tempted to spend more time making sure your baby looks cute than making sure you do. Keep it real, girlfriend. Brush your hair for goodness sakes.

68. Diaper bags are for carrying important things, like snacks for mommy.

69. Your baby will sleep through the night sometimes… and when he does you will have insomnia.

70. Even though you think you won’t be one of “those” parents who wants to buy their kid everything, you will come home with a big ridiculous Baby Einstein exersaucer. (And he will absolutely love it.)

71. During those first few months, be prepared to go through baby’s clothes every 3-4 weeks and pack up the too-small ones and pull out the bigger ones. (And be aware that you might get a little teary on occasion about how fast it’s all going.)

72. Even though it feels like a lot of work to think ahead and make double portions, it’s worth the effort to have homemade meals to pull out of the freezer instead of frozen pizzas on those nights. (Although frozen pizzas work too. See a theme here, ladies? Again, no shame. No shame.)

73. Write milestones down on a calendar if you’re not into doing a baby book – it’s a lot easier than scrolling back through all your facebook status updates to remember when baby learned new tricks.

74. Make sure to regularly go through your photo files and delete 30% of the millions of photos you’re taking of sweet baby. (They really are more similar than you think.) But don’t stop taking the millions.

75. Plan for “quick errands” to take twice as long as they used to. Actually, make that three times as long.

76. There will days when you want to return to work just so you can have a break.

77. Being a stay-at-home-mom is the only job in the world that doesn’t come with coffee breaks, lunch breaks, weekends, holidays, or sick days. And there’s nothing you can do about it except to learn to roll with it. You really can learn to be a SAHM without losing your marbles.

78. There will be days where you cry as much as your baby. This is normal. There will also be days when you cry more than your baby. This is also normal.

79. When your baby is going through a growth spurt, cut your to-list down to 25% and give yourself lots of grace when it comes to house work and errands.

80. You think hearing your baby say “mama” for the first time will melt your heart… It will, but know that it’s even more than that. It will also blow your mind and make you weak at the knees. (So basically it affects your whole body, it’s that good.)

81. Different babies have different milestones at different times. Do your best not to compare.

82. Weekly menu-planning has never been so important. I know it’s boring and not spontaneous, but it really does help. And I’m NOT one of those women who have binders of home organization stuff (bless their hearts), and yet I’m telling you – just plan the freaking meals. You’ll thank me later.

83. If you’re having one of those days where you feel discouraged because you’re getting nothing done, take 20 minutes to play with your baby without multi-tasking. It will instantly give you perspective.

84. Take long moments to stare at your little wonder and drink in that baby goodness. They really do grow way too fast.

85. Keep in mind that immunizations are harder for mama than for baby.

86. Find an on-line forum to join for encouragement and support.

87. Your bookmarks bar will become overrun with parenting websites and forums… but save your other links too. After the first couple of months you’ll want them again.

88. Always try to leave five minutes earlier than you need to. Then you will only be five minutes late to wherever you’re going (instead of ten) after you’ve changed the pooey diaper that inevitably happens when you’re walking out the door.

89. Be prepared to wonder if you ever knew what love was before you had a child.

90. Doing a load of laundry, folding it, and putting it away all within the same day will make you feel like wondermom. (Go ahead and congratulate yourself and tweet about it when you accomplish this.)

91. Make feeding yourself as big a priority as feeding your baby. (That way everyone wins.) You really do need to be intentional about taking care of yourself.

92. Don’t stress about baby-proofing. Your baby will help you when it’s time.

93. Watching your husband be a daddy will make you fall in love with him even more. Relish it. Appreciate it. And make sure he knows how much it turns you on.

94. Don’t wait too long before finding a mom’s group. It really is more fun than you’d expect. You’re entering into one of the biggest changes of your life (maybe the biggest) and it helps to have others going through it along with you. They don’t even have to be your best friends. They just need to be willing to share the mom life and the little years with you. Solidarity, girls. #WeNeedEachOther

95. You might find yourself accidentally speaking in a higher pitch or saying things like “bye bye”  or “night night” or “poo poo” when talking to other adults. You’ll grow out of it as you get used to this gig, so just have fun making fun of yourself in the meantime. You might also find yourself swaying the childless shopping cart back and forth as you read labels or scan the shelves looking for an item during the rare kid-free grocery run. Again, just laugh at yourself and then tweet about it later. These days are over fast.

96. You will re-define “sleeping-in” to any time past 7:00am, and thankfully it will happen every once-and-a-while.

97. Don’t put off buying a video baby monitor if you can afford to swing it. Not only will it provide endless entertainment for your first few days of having it, but it will save you from playing the guessing game about naptimes.

98. Be careful not to underestimate the small things. Starting your day with simple things like making the bed, having a shower, and eating breakfast will make the entire rest of your day better. Seriously, DO THIS STUFF.

99. Don’t get defensive when friends without children (especially single friends) ask you what you do all day at home. They honestly have no clue what it’s like to maintain sanity as a stay-at-home-mom.

100. Remember that you’re doing a great job. Being a mom brings out the best and the worst in you. Know that you’re normal and try to learn from all of it. And more than that, enjoy the ride — you’re a far better mom than you probably think.

Dear moms and expecting moms and future moms — please hear this last little tidbit and chew it up and let it sink right into your bones: my mothering mantra is not, “I am a perfect mom.” That would be ridiculous and unattainable and depressing. But my mothering mantra is, “I am the perfect mom for my kids.” And guess what? You are too. You’re the perfect mom for your kids and don’t ever let yourself think otherwise — not even for a moment. You’ve got this mom gig.

Love, Adriel xo

How To Help Your FOMO Baby Sleep

FOMO. Is that acronym new to you? Up until about a year ago, it was new to me, too. I’d never heard of FOMO (or Fear Of Missing Out) until a friend told me that she was afflicted with it. She was constantly on social media, checking in with her friends and catching up on the latest news.

But here’s something interesting – did you know your baby can have FOMO, too? It’s true; some babies just can’t seem to settle in and fall asleep, for fear that they’ll miss out on all the action!

Now, by this point in the article, your eyes may be widening as it dawns on you: “OMG, MY baby has FOMO!” And you may be right; if your baby shows most of the common FOMO symptoms, then you’ve got a FOMO baby on your hands, baby! 

6 Signs Your Baby Has FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)

1. FOMO babies don’t find soothing activities very soothing. Other babies may be soothed by nursing, rocking, or patting – but not a FOMO baby!
2. FOMO babies flip over new places and people. If you think your FOMO baby’s sleep is bad, try taking her to her grandparents’ house. I guarantee it’ll get worse! A new location means tons of new things for your baby to observe and take in, and that means shortened (or non-existent) sleep.
3. FOMO babies eat actively. Hoping to nurse your baby in public, under a cover? Forget about it! Your FOMO baby won’t allow that for a minute. Trying to get your baby to hold still and focus on drinking her whole bottle? Nope! Your baby is too busy observing the world/people around her.
4. FOMO babies aren’t great at the whole “drowsy” thing. We talk a lot about “drowsy, but awake” on this blog, and in our one-on-one work with families; that’s because it’s a great way to gradually teach your baby how to fall asleep without your help. But FOMO babies don’t exactly do drowsy. In fact, FOMO babies often don’t show any tired signs until they’re already overtired – and then the sign is usually screaming.
5. FOMO babies tend to resist bedtime and nap time routines. Bedtime routines and nap time routines are designed to signal to your baby that it’s time to relax and fall asleep. Your FOMO baby gets that; the trouble is, she doesn’t want to relax and fall asleep. So she’ll fight even your best efforts at a relaxing, soothing routine.
6. A FOMO baby’s sleep is elusive – and it doesn’t last long. Many parents have told us it takes hours to put their FOMO babies to bed, and that even after sleep finally comes, it’s light.

How To Help Your FOMO Baby Sleep

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? How do you help your FOMO baby sleep? Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet that’ll fix this problem for you. Remember, this is part of your baby’s temperament. There’s no changing it! (Take comfort, though, in the fact that the really tough effects of FOMO will lessen as your baby grows.) Simply accept that your baby won’t be one of those “easy” sleepers who just falls asleep effortlessly and slides right in to a perfect eating and sleeping schedule, and you’ll save yourself a lot of wasted effort and frustration.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to live with a sleepless, overtired child in your home. There ARE steps you can take to help your FOMO child lengthen his naps and sleep longer at night:

• Be consistent and persistent. FOMO children thrive with consistency (as do so many others!), so be sure to keep sleep and feeding schedules as consistent as you can. Even if your baby isn’t ready for a clock-based schedule, you can still work towards consistent sleep/feeding cycles. Additionally, you’ll need to be persistent with your child’s sleep. FOMO children are themselves very persistent when it comes to resisting sleep, so you’ll have to “out-persistent” your persistent child in this arena.
• Make your child’s sleeping area as boring as possible. Many parents of FOMO babies and toddlers report that it’s only when their children are confined to bed, with nothing to see or hear or do, that they will finally fall asleep. You can achieve this kind of boring, sleep-inducing ambiance with black-out blinds and a white noise machine.
• Sleep coach, but be ready for it to take awhile (and for some fussing to be involved). If your baby’s sleep-fighting has reached the point that you’re both exhausted, then it may be time to take action and sleep coach. Sleep coaching is a great way to help your baby learn healthy sleep habits! Just be advised that sleep coaching may take longer if your baby suffers from FOMO; what takes other parents two weeks may take you four (or maybe even six). Additionally, keep in mind that your FOMO baby’s persistent nature means that there will likely be at least a little bit of fussing involved with sleep coaching.

Sleep Help For Your FOMO Baby or Toddler

Getting your FOMO baby or toddler to sleep well can feel like a monumental task. Fortunately, we can help! Connect with one of our expert consultants today; she’ll craft a Personalized Sleep Plan™ just for your baby, walk you through every step of sleep coaching and schedule-making, and provide detailed answers to your most pressing sleep training questions.

Medical Care and Your Newborn

By the time you hold your new baby in your arms for the first time, chances are you've already chosen one of the most important people in your little one's early life — a doctor. You and your baby will probably visit the doctor more often during the first year than at any other time.

You may have had a prenatal visit with your baby's doctor-to-be to discuss some specifics, such as when he or she will see your newborn for the first time, office hours and on-call hours, who fills in when your doctor is out of the office, and how the office handles after-hours emergencies. You may have also learned the doctor's views on certain issues.

In this way, you've begun to forge a relationship with your baby's doctor that should last through the bumps, bruises, and midnight fevers to come.

What Happens Right After Birth

 
Depending on your desires and the rules of the hospital or birth center where your baby is delivered, the first exam will either take place in the nursery or at your side:

Weight, length, and head circumference will be measured.

Temperature will be taken, and your baby's breathing and heart rate will be measured.

The doctor or nurse will monitor skin color and your newborn's activity.

Eye drops or ointment to prevent eye infections.

A shot of vitamin K will be given to prevent the possibility of bleeding.

Your baby will be given a first bath, and the umbilical cord stump will be cleaned. Most hospitals and birthing centers provide personal instructions (and sometimes videos) to new parents that cover feeding, bathing, and other important aspects of newborn care.

The Doctor's Visit

 
The hospital or birth center where you deliver will notify your child's doctor of the birth. If you have had any medical problems during pregnancy, if any medical problems for your baby are suspected, or if you are having a C-section, a pediatrician or your baby's doctor will be alerted of the impending birth and be standing by to take care of the baby.

The doctor you have chosen for your newborn will probably give your baby a full physical examination within 24 hours of birth. This is a good time to ask questions about your baby's care.

A sample of your baby's blood (usually done by pricking the baby's heel) will be taken to screen for a number of diseases that are important to diagnose at birth so effective treatment can be started promptly. In some cases, a repeat sample to confirm the results will be taken by the baby's doctor soon after going home.

Every newborn should be seen and examined at the doctor's office within 3 to 5 days after birth and within 72 hours after discharge from hospital. But if your baby is sent home less than 48 hours after delivery, your doctor will want your baby to be brought to the office for a check within 48 hours after discharge.

The First Office Visit

During the first office visit, your doctor will assess your baby in a variety of ways. The first office visit will differ from doctor to doctor, but you can probably expect:

measurement of weight, length, and head circumference to assess how your baby's been doing since birth

observation of your newborn's vision, hearing, and reflexes

a complete physical examination

questions about how you are doing with the new baby and how your baby is eating and sleeping

advice on what you can expect in the coming month

a discussion of your home environment and how it might affect your baby's health (for example, smoking in the house can harm your baby's health in many ways)

Also, if the results of screening tests performed on your newborn after birth are available, they may be discussed with you. Bring any questions or concerns to the doctor at this time. Jot down any specific instructions given regarding special baby care. Keep a permanent medical record for your baby that includes information about growth, immunizations, medications, and any problems or illnesses.


Immunizations Your Baby Will Receive

 
Babies are born with some natural immunity against infectious diseases because their mothers' infection-preventing antibodies are passed to them through the umbilical cord. This immunity is only temporary, but babies will develop their own immunity against many infectious diseases.

Breastfed babies receive antibodies and enzymes in breast milk that help protect them from some infections and even some allergic conditions.

Infants should get the first shot of the hepatitis B vaccine before they leave the hospital. Since your baby will receive more immunizations over the coming months, you may want to familiarize yourself with the standard immunization schedule.

When to Call the Doctor

 
Don't hesitate to call your doctor if you have concerns about your newborn. Some common difficulties to be aware of during this first month:

Eye problems can be caused by blockage of one or both tear ducts. Normally the ducts open on their 

own before too long, but sometimes they remain clogged, which can cause tearing and eye discharge. 

Call your doctor if you suspect an eye infection.

Fever in a newborn (rectal temperature above 100.4°F or 38°C) should be reported to your doctor right away.

A runny nose can make it hard for a baby to breathe well, especially during feeding. You can help ease discomfort by using a rubber bulb aspirator to gently suction mucus from the nose. Call your doctor if you have concerns about your baby's breathing.

It's normal for newborns to have loose stools or spit up after feedings. However, very loose and watery stools and forceful vomiting could mean there is a problem. Call your doctor if your baby has diarrhea, is vomiting, or has signs of dehydration, which include a decreased number of wet diapers, a dry mouth, and lethargy (being very sluggish or drowsy).

by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

When your baby starts crawling

When my babies went through the crawling phase, there were many exciting, shiny bits of the milestone. It was delightful witnessing my babies moving from that sitting Buddha, to the rocking-on-all-fours, dog-like creatures who were just raring to go. Finally taking that first frontward heave, with a face of surprise and accomplishment, was certainly priceless. The realisation they could move from one point to another was definitely a joy to behold.

But once I overcame the thrill of my baby meeting a new developmental landmark, I realised the practical implications of living with a crawler were not so sparkly.

On the go

Put your baby down in one place, turn around and they're in another. That takes some getting used to. Be mindful that crawlers are curious and their newfound freedom to get around can have them in places you wouldn't imagine. With a lack of spatial awareness they can get themselves into some sticky situations; I've had babies crawling with curiosity, only to find them stuck under the couch, under the change table or between a cupboard and a wall.

Stairs

We have a house full of stairs, which is equivalent to an extreme adventure sport for crawlers. Some of them sense the danger and quickly learn to turn around and slide down on their tummies. Others, not so astute, learn the hard way that full frontal down a flight of stairs isn't fun.

Don't fret, we had stair gates everywhere. But it was the bright crawler who figured out he could climb into the gap between the railings that had us on our toes.

Dead flies & stray toys

I don't care how immaculate your house is, when you set a crawler down, they find stray things. Mine always seemed to find the single dead fly and proceed to test it out as a snack. You can bet that a lost Lego piece will be located by a crawler, which is why being anally retentive about "a place for everything and everything in its place" becomes imperative when there's a rugrat around.

Baby-proofing your house when a crawler is on the loose can be a work in progress as they discover items you hadn't considered at their level. I found myself crawling around on all fours, analysing my home from their viewpoint; it was very useful until I couldn't get up.

Filth

As with the dead insect point, you can polish your floors until the reflection of your tired, haggard face stares back at you, but a crawling baby will always have dirty knees and filthy palms. Or, in a commando crawler's case, an entire layer of dog hair and dust coating their stomachs. And we don't even own a dog.

My firstborn was a commando crawler; had I thought to strap an Enjo to his front, he could've become a human swisher.

If you're not quick enough to sweep up the collateral damage from lunch in the highchair, then expect to find your crawler eating scraps off the floor. Like a stomach swisher, the crawling food machine has benefits: think 'human vacuum'. Not so handy if the food scrap lying on the floor is chilli beef jerky ... it turns out that human vacuums don't like random samples of chilli.

No two crawlers are the same

It's funny how as parents, we want our first baby to reach every milestone quickly. We are so excited when they roll, then look like they're going to crawl. Then they crawl and you want them to stand, then walk, then talk, then pay some bills and move out.

With our second children, we wanted him to do it all late - keep him immobile. Well, not quite, but we know what we were in for, so could be accused of being a little less passionate about certain phases.

I expected my second child would crawl commando-style like my firstborn. I was all over that by the time he was eight months, and was ready with the stomach rags for him to shine my floor. Instead, he chose a very labour intensive style; he leant to one side like he was about to roll, then pushed off his back foot and did it again on the other side. He sometimes forgot to get his arm out the way so would fall on his face. It was a harrowing time for all involved.

The third child mixed it up with some commando, some leg drag, and some bog-standard all-fours crawling.

The fourth was a more traditional crawler but actually preferred to crawl and sit, crawl and sit.

I never got myself a bum-shuffler, with the nappy being dragged down just enough to show off a bit of builder's crack. Shame about that.

The point is, the contingency plans you had in place for your first child may not apply when subsequent children start crawling. Each child has a unique style.

So although it was interesting to watch my babies on the move, I'll admit crawling was not my favourite phase. That was until I was introduced to climbing ... then I really knew I was alive.