Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your baby can get a good night's rest.
1) Establish a routine - A kiss good night or stroking the baby before sleep can calm the child, or bathing and cleaning the child before bed time. Make sure to repeat these patterns. Once the baby becomes familiar with this routine, they will know that it is time to sleep. Also, make sure the baby sleeps in the same place and in the same conditions as much as possible.
2) Try lullaby music - Lullaby music can calm the child as can white noise CD's. The sound of a vacuum cleaner is also known to have a soothing effect.
3) Make sure that the room temperature is not too hot or cold and that the baby is in a location that is away from any noise or distractions that may cause the baby to awaken.
4) Shorten nap time during the day - If the baby sleeps too much during the day, then he or she may not be able to sleep as well at night. When napping, keep the lights on and try not to give the baby any cues that it is bedtime by avoiding the night routine. No need to wake the child from napping, but if conditions are brighter and a bit noisier, then the baby will probably wake up on its own.
5) Rocking - Rocking and massaging the baby can relax the child and this may be good as prelude to sleeping through the night.
6) Read a story - Read a story or spend some time with the baby before bed, instead of just dropping the baby off in the crib and leaving. This extra time will allow the baby to transition into sleep.
7) Feeding - Make sure the baby is getting good nutrition. If you must feed the baby in the middle of the night, make sure to keep the lights dim so as to not disturb the baby's sense of time.
8) Make sure that it is quiet at night and that there is activity during the day. Babies need to learn the difference between night and day.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Baby Birth
Giving a birth to a new baby can be rough but you're not on your own. Majority of women are attended by health professionals. Several others also get support from their birthing partners.
Being a novel parent means keeping unfamiliar delights and test. Often, parents successfully pass through this challenge but it is rare that one fail to achieve this test. The vital element to keep in mind is that parents never unaccompanied. Mainly important thing you can adopted as a new parent is agree to the support and useful help from kith & kin as they suggest or offer. But remember you must focus on learning things and upbringing of your kid.
Spend time together as a novel family, learning how to do things your method. Mothers, whose partners are not around, should attempt to have someone they can dependence on hand during early days.
Similarly its is customary for family members and friends to visit a young. At the same time during early day's health professionals or a midwife will visit you and usually make at least one home visit.
Being a mother or having baby stands for, a visible diversion in your social life. Get yourself involved in exercise the developing bond with your baby and you must be enjoying it, but overlook the group of friends can make's you feel boring and lonely.
There will be another option to fill up that vacuum of old buddies and friends by making new friends from same surroundings and interests. There will be a lot more support of all people with their guidance which can help you out in this situation, beside that you can also ask your midwife or senior mums or your own mum opinion in finding these networks, clubs or groups of parents.
Being a novel parent means keeping unfamiliar delights and test. Often, parents successfully pass through this challenge but it is rare that one fail to achieve this test. The vital element to keep in mind is that parents never unaccompanied. Mainly important thing you can adopted as a new parent is agree to the support and useful help from kith & kin as they suggest or offer. But remember you must focus on learning things and upbringing of your kid.
Spend time together as a novel family, learning how to do things your method. Mothers, whose partners are not around, should attempt to have someone they can dependence on hand during early days.
Similarly its is customary for family members and friends to visit a young. At the same time during early day's health professionals or a midwife will visit you and usually make at least one home visit.
Being a mother or having baby stands for, a visible diversion in your social life. Get yourself involved in exercise the developing bond with your baby and you must be enjoying it, but overlook the group of friends can make's you feel boring and lonely.
There will be another option to fill up that vacuum of old buddies and friends by making new friends from same surroundings and interests. There will be a lot more support of all people with their guidance which can help you out in this situation, beside that you can also ask your midwife or senior mums or your own mum opinion in finding these networks, clubs or groups of parents.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Baby's First Month at a Glance
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your baby home and are pretty excited about everything. Perhaps you don't even mind the fact that getting a good night's sleep is getting tougher by the day.
Getting into a routine
This is not easy, but rest assured, it will happen. By the end of the first month, new parents discover that their baby lets them slip into a comfortable (but exhausting) routine. If this is your first baby, you probably feel totally amateurish. Relax, let your baby's cues guide you and very soon you will be a seasoned pro!
Rock-a-bye baby
Your baby will probably sleep 12-18 hours a day between regular feedings. If you are lucky, your baby will sleep for longer stretches at night. Do not let your one-month old baby sleep through the night. At this age, infants need to feed at least every 2-3 hours for healthy development. Regular feeds are also important in stimulating your milk supply, which will get established during the first month.
Baby is growing
By the end of one month, your baby should be able to focus on faces, lift his head briefly when on stomach, and probably startle in response to a loud noise. All babies reach developmental milestones at a genetically set time, which differs with every baby. Do not expect your baby to go by the book. Your baby's weight might decrease in the first few days as he loses fluids postdelivery. Most newborns stop losing weight by the fifth day and surpass their birthweights in about fifteen days.
Cause for concern?
More than fifty percent of babies develop newborn jaundice because their immature livers cannot handle the extra bilirubin (the yellow pigment) they produce. Mild to moderate physiological jaundice requires no treatment. Others might require medical attention in the form of bililight therapy.
Babies born by normal deliveries usually have misshapen heads. Your baby's head will gradually attain a regular shape; you can prevent flattening by giving her a little 'tummy time' everyday.
Colic and continuous crying are things that most parents dread. Hours of dealing with a crying baby coupled with lack of sleep and exhaustion can drive anyone crazy. It is vital to seek help and give both your baby and yourself a break during spells of colic. Time tested methods such as rocking, "the colic carry", swaddling and soothing music can work wonders on a baby who seems to be screaming his lungs out.
Ouch! It hurts
Your baby will receive a Hepatitis B shot in the first month of life. This shot is not known to cause fever. Your baby will probably cry for a few minutes and that will be all.
Allergic to milk?
Milk allergy is the most common form of food allergy in infants. Frequent throwing up, loose watery stools and wheezing might be signs of a milk allergy. If your baby is intolerant to milk, try another formula before switching to soy substitutes.
Explosive bowel movements and frequent passing of gas are common in infants and will disappear once the kinks in his bowel get straightened out.
We are different
All new parents have numerous questions lurking in their minds, especially first time parents. No book or article can explain everything about your baby, who like all babies is different from the rest. Write down the specific questions you have about your baby to ask your healthcare provider.
Enjoy the time you spend with your baby and make the best out of your first month together. The first month is the perfect time to forge a bond with baby, a bond for life.
When Your Baby Arrives
Welcoming a newborn baby into the family is always a joyful occasion especially for first-time parents. The nine months of waiting has finally come to an end. How heart-warming it is to hear that first cry. Your baby has arrived!
When it’s time to bring your newborn baby home, the excitement continues from the hospital to your home. Relatives and friends come over to adore your newborn. What an exciting time!
Soon the initial excitement subsides and reality strikes! It’s time to think about providing the best baby care you can for your newborn. There are so many things that need to be done. And, especially if you’re a first-time parent, there are so many things you wish you knew on how to provide the best baby care possible for your infant.
You and your family will have a lot of adjusting to do especially during the first few days after your baby have come home. All of a sudden, there is a new member in the family. Daily routines will be affected. Life will not be the same again.
If you have other children at home, you may have to deal with sibling jealousy as your newborn seems to have robbed them of all the attention they used to get. The best way to handle that is to get your children involved with baby care. Depending on their ages and abilities, you may want to get them to help out with diaper changing, feeding, holding the baby, and other appropriate activities. Once they realized that their contributions are valued, their feelings of jealousy will disappear.
As a new mother, you may have to deal with ‘baby blues’. Your body is undergoing major physical changes after the birth of your baby. This may cause you to feel sad and depressed. These feelings are perfectly normal and should go away after several weeks. However, if you find that these feelings are getting more and more intense and are affecting your ability to care for yourself and your family, you should consult your doctor. You may be suffering from a condition of postpartum depression.
Parenting has its ups and downs, challenges and rewards. It’s a long road ahead raising a new baby up to its adulthood. It’ll be wise to learn as much as possible on how to raise healthy and happy kids. The more knowledge and skills you have, the better parent you’ll become. It is an investment in their lives and yours.
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