What is baby’s name going to be? You’ve prepared your long list of names and gone over it cursorily. Limit your list to not more than a hundred names. You might be having duplications or variants of a similar name. You’ve gone over the first stage which is checking for compatibility and consistency. If you like the name but it doesn’t sound well or appear well in writing, apply some variants to the name. You want a name that sounds great and looks good on paper. Spelling the name should also be a consideration. You don’t want your child explaining all the time how to spell their name. There may be problems later on when validating the true name on legal documents. Consider the vowels and consonants used in the name. Do not complicate the spelling of the name.

The meaning of the name is a big concern to parents. It may impact the child later on in life when they learn the meaning of their name. Check the books for possible meanings. Some words may have more than one meaning. Look at all the possible meanings and see if there are meanings that relate to bad things. You should ensure that all meanings of the word are acceptable and pleasant. You don’t want your child arguing on the appropriate meaning of their name. All meanings should be associated with good qualities and traits. Don’t be over imaginative or creative. People try to think of names that may be the first time it will be used. They try variations to show uniqueness in the names, forgetting that spelling and pronunciation are vital considerations.

Don’t make the name too long. One to three syllables may be sufficient. Some parents may add a second name to ensure there is no duplicate name or further differentiate the person from probable existing names. Remember that the child will be writing their name many times over and a long name can be tiring and time consuming. The child might end up shortening the name when writing and this will defeat the purpose of the unique name. Think of a nickname that could go with the true name. Nicknames, like full names, should be tested for compatibility. A nickname may be cute to you but could be the subject of fun and ridicule by your child’s peers. Initials are also another consideration. Try the standard first letters of the full name as the initials. If it sounds or looks awkward, you can adjust the initials slightly by adding the second letter to give it a better appearance. Make sure the initials do not look or sound weird. Initials are sometimes used for documents and clothes and it should look appealing and professional.

Think of the gender. You might have selected a name that is appropriate for a particular gender. If you insist on the name, try variations that will provide you with the right gender for your baby, such as John and Joan.
Try out the name with relatives and friends and get their comments about it. They may have their own ideas about what the baby’s name should be. Be diplomatic and firm. Have an open mind and consider the future of your child when selecting the proper name.

From the day of your pregnancy, you start thinking of names for the baby. At first, the names may be generic but as the day of the baby’s birth approaches, you become more specific as you learn the baby’s gender. Getting the right name for the baby is the first vital aspect in taking care of the baby. Remember that the baby will be carrying the name for the rest of their life and their name will be used in every form of communication. Their name might even become known worldwide and respected in all levels of society. People sometimes re-use names of other family members or ancestors instead of trying to find a new and unique name for their baby. They feel accustomed to the name used by their ancestors and apply it to their baby. They have no originality and creativity. They do not give the proper relevance to the deed. Giving an appropriate name is one of the most unforgettable things you can do for the child. The name represents the baby’s existence and identity. The baby will be remembered by that name forever, during their lifetime and even in their death. The person should feel happy and satisfied that their parents gave serious thought and consideration to their names. They should feel proud of their names and not want to hide their name in embarrassment or shame.

There are thousands of names to choose from. You can be lethargic and re-use a name from one of your ancestors or family relatives. You can be religious and select from one of the names from a religious book, like the Bible or select one of the saints being celebrated on the day of your child’s birth. Other people choose names of celebrities or famous people and superstitiously hope that fame and fortune goes with the name. Others want their own names to be carried forever and name their child Junior or the second, third and so on, which is the case with some royal families. There are thousands of names in baby books and in the Internet. Before deciding on whether the name you choose should be from a family ancestor, a historical person or other sources, think of the names that appeal to you. Try to have a fairly long list at the start so you have a range for selection. Say the full name aloud and feel your reaction when you hear the name. Write the name down and see how it appears on paper. Some nice names may appear humorous and ridiculous when spoken or written down. You will have to filter these out of your list. You don’t want your child feeling ridiculed and laughed at every time their name is spoken or written down. Remember the child will be carrying the family surname as well and the name should not be blemished by snide comments.

Take your time. You should start planning the child’s name by the middle of the pregnancy. Due importance should be given to the name. You should not wait until the child’s birth and then hurry up and give the first name that comes to mind. Once the child is born, you have several days at most to give a name to the child for proper identification. The first official document that will carry the child’s name is the birth certificate. Start early. Every time you think of a good name, write it down in the list. We’ll have more tips on the second part.

Having a baby carries with it a great deal of responsibility and accountability. Are you ready for it? Newly-weds are full of love and passion for one another and oftentimes ignore the practicality of having a baby. Their primary reaction upon getting married is to have a baby that they can care for and shower their affection on. Parents of the bride and groom and relatives look forward to an offspring in the immediate future. They may have good reasons, such as having a child that can carry the family name to the next generation or someone that they can play with as grandparents. Grandparents have gone through the gambit and understand the hardships and sacrifices that have to be undertaken when having a child. However, they might not realize the financial standings of the parents or the aspirations and dreams of the parents for themselves.

Consider the costs involved in having a child. Costs start from the time of pregnancy. Doctor’s fees, medications and healthy diet foods are costs you have to contend with at the start. This is just the start. You will be incurring more costs as time goes by. You will need to consider the nursery and all the accessories that go with having a new-born baby. You might have to find a bigger home, one with sufficient rooms for a nursery and a playroom. You might have to renovate the rooms to turn them into a nursery and a playroom. If you are low on finances, you can defer the playroom until the baby grows up. You have to stock up on diapers, clothes, milk, food, bottles, and other items for sleeping and feeding. The doctor’s charges will still continue since the baby still requires regular checkups and vaccinations. Check with your office on maternity and children benefits. There may be costs that can be covered by your company’s medical and employee program.

One major factor is the impact it will have on your work. You might not be able to work late or during weekends to complete those special projects. Bringing work home might not be possible as your time at home will be largely dedicated to the baby’s needs. Keep in mind that your time now belongs to the baby and your availability should revolve around the baby’s needs. However, you should prove to your superiors that you can still complete your projects and perform your work duties excellently.

If you are both working, consider the costs and arrangements for a child care center. You may have to leave the baby at home with a babysitter or at a care center. Whatever the case, you should be prepared to leave the baby in somebody’s care. Some parents prefer taking care of the child personally and might even sacrifice their work and career for the child. This should be assessed and discussed between the couple. Resigning from work will mean less income but it will provide the child with the personal attention of the parent.

The couple may have different viewpoints on how to raise the child. There are values and traits which should be instilled on the child.. Discipline, religion, and physical activities are some of the areas that the couples should discuss and agree on. These are contentious issues which can cause conflict and arguments between the couple. The child might even get confused on which parent they should follow.

These are problems that will occur in the future. Understanding and preparing for them now may help resolve prospective problems. Children are a blessing and nothing is more enjoyable than seeing the happiness in a child’s face. However, be prudent and cautious. Decide well. Your career and the child’s future should be synchronized and planned carefully.

On the first day of the baby at home, parents should start being on their guard and watch the baby closely. They bring out all the accessories and essentials for the baby. They lay out the diapers and powder, milk formula and bottles, blankets and bibs. Their world now belongs to the baby and they keep careful watch over baby to make sure nothing happens to the child. Eventually the child grows into a toddler. The child is still delicate and still needs watching over. Additional guidance is required since the child is in an adventurous and inquisitive stage. The child enjoys every nook and cranny. Getting into the smallest opening and hiding in the darkest places is the main thrust of the child. Children want to explore and check out everything that is accessible to them. Parents have to be on their guard. They have to check the surroundings to make sure the child is not at risk.

After this exciting phase, the child will grow up and start going to school There will be other children and the child will start creating ties and relationships with the classmates. Children in school have their own bonds with each other and end up having close friends which can last a lifetime. Parents are set aside as children find it more appealing to talk with other children of their own age. They relate better to each other and understand problems at their level. The parents may become lax in their observations and vigilance over the child, thinking that the school teachers have taken over the responsibility of watching over the child. Others may think that their upbringing of the child during the early years was sufficient for the child to carry that moral behavior and traits through life.

Unfortunately, this is not the situation all the time. The child may have been brought up with the correct values and principles during the early stages of their life but it may change once they get exposed to other people, particularly their peers. The child’s years in school are formative years. During the early age, the child follows the instructions of the parents without any question. It establishes the values and principles as taught by the parents. The parents are pleased to see the child practicing their taught values and precepts. At school, the child becomes friends with other children. They share ideas and values. They ask each other the types of values each child practices. Their initial response may be that those values were taught to them by their parents. Eventually, they may question their values in the light of the values of the other children. If they have a best friend, they might start practicing the values of their best friend. For fear of being ostracized, the child might take on the values of their group mates regardless of the type of traits the group may have.

Parents should be on their guard in case of any deviations in their child’s behavior. They should be vigilant and observe if the child’s habits have changed. Sometimes the changes are very subtle and not easily detected by the parents. Being close to the child in their early years and setting a close bond with the child will help in later years. The child will feel a special love and closeness to the parents and may be candid and frank of their experiences at school. Children will seek guidance and counseling from their parents so long as they have trust and love for each other. Build up that relationship early and it will help you guide and support your children in the later years. Pay attention to your children. There is no rest or relaxation when it comes to training your children on the proper values and principles.

There are a lot of things to consider with a new baby. People will give you advice on cribs, feeding techniques, and what to do when the baby starts crying. You will bring your baby to the doctor for their regular checkup. There are a hundred and one things to do in taking care of your baby. Have you included in your list taking care of baby’s hair?

People rarely give much consideration during the early stages of development. There are more vital things to be concerned about, such as the health and well being of the child. Hair becomes an object of concern once everything else settles down and the parent starts wondering about the appearance of the child. The hair of a boy is more manageable than a girl’s hair. At the start, the hair should be treated with caution as the top of the head is still soft and could be easily injured.

Hair stylists or barbers for babies are a rarity. People are cautious in handling babies and parents prefer handling the baby’s hair on their own. There is no set of hair style for a baby and anything will do as long as it is done neatly and in a presentable manner. Here are some tips on hair maintenance.

Baby hair is sensitive and should be handled properly. Be gentle. There is no need to wash it daily as the baby is still within the confines of the home and not subjected to sun and dirt. At the start, you can wash their hair on as-needed basis. Don’t go overboard in your excitement to give baby a hair treatment.

Baby shampoo use very mild ingredients that don’t sting the eyes. They don’t have the usual sulfates found in adult shampoo. Be careful you don’t get soapy water in their eyes. The experience can be excruciating and baby might develop a phobia.
Get a baby bathtub that is comfortable for the baby. It should allow room for the baby to recline. Be careful when you hold the baby in this position as they may move suddenly and fall from your grasp. Speak to them in a soothing voice and keep them calm. You should put them at ease and make them feel that washing is an enjoyable experience. Don’t spend too much time washing their hair. A simple rinsing should suffice. Be sure the water is tepid and the temperature is suitable for baby. Keep them away from breezes or windy drafts as baby might catch a cold.  Dry their hair gently with a soft towel.

After the washing comes the styling. Do not use gel or any other substance to keep the hair in place. See how the hair falls in place and style it accordingly. Some hair might grow in every direction and be hard to brush and style. Don’t worry. Let the hair grow naturally and keep brushing in the proper direction. Use a little water to keep the hair wet and in place. Once the hair grows long enough, you can snip it and mold it for a better presentation.

Every one is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new addition in the family. Numerous people will come to visit you to have a peek on the little one and see how you are doing. It’s important to have a house prepared for anything that may happen that can upset what should be a perfect first day.

Before going home, you must make sure that the house is ready to receive you. Get the nursery (or your room if you’re rooming in with your infant) ready for the needs of your baby. Have the necessary supplies for diaper change ready within reach. Extra clothes should be already laid out in case accidents happen. Have you husband do a little pep talk with your older children. Have him tell the children what to expect like a tired mom who is still excited to see them and misses them. They must be informed not to do too much activity that can over-stimulate both mother and baby. If they wish to touch the baby, they must be clean and gentle when they do so. Make sure that the entire house has been cleaned thoroughly. Get those dust bunnies out from under the sofa, clean any dog hair that may be found in between chairs. You may want to have your dog on a leash or keep him in his dog house if you have forgotten to prepare your pet for the new member of the family. Once you get home, make sure that you hug and kiss your toddler and other kids. They will definitely be demanding attention for they are threatened by the little one and thinks they have to compete for your affection.

What time are you going home? Is lunch or dinner ready? You may wish to ask friends to cook some food for you that you can just heat in a microwave. Make sure your fridge is stocked so you can have some food to give to your family and visitors. Nothing can be more stressful than having your baby cry to have some food and your older children demanding the same thing with an empty fridge. Plan a grocery list ahead of time and order them online. Arrange to have them delivered a day before you and your little one get home. If you don’t have the energy still to prepare food, don’t force yourself to do so. You can always order for take-out or delivery.

If you have delivered via c-section, make sure that you have your medication for pain. Your husband can take care of it for you, and remind you to take it on the prescribed time. Any other medication that you have must be ready so you won’t fret over missing a dose. And also, regardless of the type of delivery that you had, you must have your maternity pads handy so you can change whenever you have to.

If you have some medical condition that prevents you from breastfeeding the baby, your feeding bottles must be cleaned and sterilized before your husband has left to pick you up from the hospital. Have your baby’s formula already prepared in measured dispensers so you can conveniently feed your baby whenever he needs it.

Planning can help you get through a chaotic day with ease, and give some necessary actions to any perceived problems that may come. However, do consider that even if you have planned everything carefully, some mishaps will still happen. If it does, don’t let it disturb you. Just enjoy and get that much needed sleep after a long, eventful day.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition that develops in babies when mothers drink alcohol during pregnancy. The alcohol passes through the placenta and reaches the baby’s circulation, interfering with the division of cells as your baby develops.

It does not matter what type of alcoholic beverages you drink: margarita, bloody Mary, beer, wine, brandy, all drinks that contain alcohol will have the ability to interfere with the development of the fetus. Alcohol is the most common form of toxin that is freely consumed by many pregnant women. It is most potentially damaging during the first trimester when the fetus is undergoing rapid organ formation and development. As much as 40,000 babies are born with FAS or with some other form of defect due to alcohol consumption.

Signs and Symptoms

Babies born from mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy have definitive features that are unmistakable indicators of FAS.

Facial features of an infant with FAS are very distinct and unmistakable. The baby will have small eyelid openings. The nasal bridge is also sunken, with nose small and upturned. Cheek bones are flat as if blended with the nasal bridge. The fissure or fold that you see on your upper lip is absent in babies with fetal alcohol syndrome. The upper lip is also thin and smooth.

Because there were problems with fetal development, the baby is delivered with low birth weight.

Alcohol has interfered with the brain development during the gestational age. This can result in a baby that has a small head or micocephaly. This condition often leads to developmental delays, problems with learning, or mental retardation.

Heart defects such as murmurs are noted.

There is the presence of multiple bone problems, mostly around the joints, fingers, and limbs

Because of multiple health conditions, the baby will have problems utilizing calories and nutrients for proper growth and development. This condition is called failure to thrive where the baby does not experience having the normal developmental milestones in the expected rate.

The baby will have sleeping problems, irritable, and inconsolable.

Cure

Sadly, FAS is not treatable or curable. Both the parents and the baby will have to cope with the disability. Even if FAS is not curable, it is still 100% preventable. The best way is to abstain from drinking once you suspect you are pregnant. There are pregnant mothers who continue to drink because they are unaware of their condition. If you are given the positive diagnosis for pregnancy, inform your doctor immediately of your drinking habits. Your doctor will now perform series of tests to determine if your alcohol consumption has interfered with your baby’s development while inside the womb. Be sure to keep up with your prenatal visits to fully assess your baby’s progress during gestational development.

APGAR is used in the delivery room whenever a baby is born. It was devised by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952 as a way to see if babies have suffered any complications during the delivery process, and if the baby is able to survive the life outside the mother’s womb. A baby is given an APGAR score within 1 minute after delivery and 5 minutes afterwards. The first minute tests if the baby was able to safely transition between being a fetus to a neonate. The second test sees if the baby is fully able to live outside of the fetus. It measures the baby’s viability in 5 different areas, with each area having criteria that is scored from 0-2.

If the baby has a low APGAR score, the test is repeated again in 10 minutes. However, this condition is quite rare. The ones who do APGAR scoring on a neonate is the doctor, nurse, or midwife who delivered the baby. An APGAR score of 10 is quite rare for most babies are born with slightly bluish extremities due to immature circulation. The scores are interpreted as follows:

* 10-8 -baby is in good shape

* 7-4 – baby needs close monitoring. Oxygen is usually given

* 3-0 – baby requires resuscitation methods

If the baby is still scored with below 7 more than 5 minutes after delivery, immediate referral to a pediatrician is required. Do not mistake that APGAR is an acronym for each area that is tested on the baby. APGAR was retained in honor of Dr. Apgar and the letters were used as an acronym to help remember what areas should be tested.

There are factors that may affect the APGAR score of your baby. One would be fetal maturity. A premature infant has a lower APGAR score compared to a full-term infant. Other medical conditions that can affect a baby’s APGAR score are

cerebral palsy

asphyxia due to nuccal cord,

fetal distress during difficult labor

drugs taken by the mother during pregnancy or during labor

congenital anomalies

trauma

infections

hypovolemia

Do not be concerned if your baby has a low APGAR score during the first minute of birth. It is quite normal especially if you have had difficult labor. And a low APGAR score does not predict the overall health condition of your baby in the following months or years. It also does not indicate if your baby will be intellectually gifted or retarded. If there is a need for concern, your doctor or nurse will tell you immediately. Mostly, babies will just be fine, so do not be worry about the scores of your baby.

After delivery, health care providers recommend that your baby undergo newborn screening tests. This test is done to detect any metabolic, endocrine, genetic, and hematologic conditions that can affect the growth of your newborn. Usually, this is done within 24-72 days after delivery.

Common Detected Diseases and Disorders

PKU: this is a disorder where a baby lacks a special enzyme in metabolizing a protein compound called phenylalanine. Phenylketonuria results in mental retardation because the absence of phenylalanine hydroxilase leads to the accumulation of phenylketones. These are toxic substances that destroy brain cells and once the damage is done, it is irreversible. The condition cannot be cured. To prevent mental retardation, a milk formula low in phenylalanine is given to the baby. When the baby grows up to an adult, he must maintain a low-protein diet to prevent brain damage. The key to help give your baby a normal life later on is early detection.

Galactosemia: the problem here lies in the metabolism of galactose. If this compound accumulates in the bloodstream, liver enlargement (hepatomegaly), renal problems, cataracts, and brain retardation results. If left untreated further, it can cause multiple organ damage, and death.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: regulating hormones produced by the adrenal glands are severely affected. This results in alteration in the development of secondary sex characteristics of the infant. Untreated infants eventually die because of loss of salt in the kidneys.

Biotinidase Deficiency: your baby lacks the necessary enzyme to metabolize biotin, a B-complex vitamin (Vitamin H). This vitamin is necessary to maintain the nervous system as well as the immune system. Lack of biotin results in seizures, hearing loss, poor muscle control, mental retardation, and death. The condition is resolved by giving the baby an extra dose of biotin.

Sickle-cell anemia: this is a condition where the red blood cells mutate to a shape highly similar to that of a sickle. This greatly alters the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red blood cell, and can also predispose an infant to a variety of infections such as pneumonia and meningitis.

Maple syrup urine disease: MSUD is condition where your baby lacks important enzymes that help break down three essential amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) in the body. The resultant accumulation of these amino acids results in the body producing urine that smells similarly like burnt sugar or maple syrup. Because these amino acids also leave behind some toxic byproducts, the baby would suffer this condition feed poorly, experience vomiting and dehydration, is lethargic, have poor muscle tone. Late in the condition, the baby experience coma and even death.

These are the common diseases that are mandated to be tested in the US. The test is done after 24 hours, or 2-3 days after birth. It is not done immediately for your baby must be significantly fed to detect the presence of any metabolic disorders. The test is done by pricking the heel of your baby. Blood is then placed on a sheet of paper that is specifically designed for this test. Results are relayed to you depending on hospital policy and how fast the laboratory will process the sample. If disorders are detected, the health care team will inform you immediately and will proceed to do series of calls to specialists for treatment or referral on your baby’s condition.

The diseases and disorders detected in newborn screening are often manageable and curable if detected early. The test is simple, yet highly essential in saving your baby’s life. If you have failed to have newborn screening performed in your baby, ask your pediatrician what can be done to help determine if your baby is safe from those disorders or not.

A newborn baby has those “soft spots” in their heads that some people just love to touch. Those “soft spots” are medically termed as fontanels. Sometimes, your baby’s pulse can be felt in these areas, particularly the one at the back of the baby’s head. There are 3 locations where fontanelles can be found in your baby’s head:

Anterior fontanel – this fontanel found at the top of a baby’s head and is diamond in shape and closes when the baby 18-24 months old

Posterior fontanel – located at the back of the baby’s head, triangular in shape and closes after 2 months

Antero-lateral and postero-lateral – located at the front side and back side of the baby’s head respectively. It closes at around 3 months and 1-2 months after birth.

They are open areas in the newborn’s scull that helps them in a number of ways. During labor, these openings allow the bones of the skull to slide together in order for the baby’s head to pass through the birth canal. This process is called moulding. Another special use for these openings is to accommodate the still-developing brain of your baby.

Of all the fontanels, the anterior fontanel is the most significant part. It is actually used as an indicator of several health conditions of an infant. Fontanels can be used to indicate the hydration status of your infant. A sunken fontanel can indicate presence of dehydration of your baby. A bulging or tense fontanel can indicated presence of hydrocephalus, meningitis, or increased intracranial pressure.

In checking the status of your baby’s anterior fontanel, it’s best to check it while your baby is propped up or carried upright. A baby that is lying down can cause the fluid that is circulating in your baby’s skull (intracranial fluid) to pool and may result to an inaccurate observation. However, your pediatrician will be the one to correctly asses your baby’s fontanel, but it won’t hurt if you raise some concerns over it during your baby’s check up.

There are rare instances when the fontanels close prematurely. This condition is called craniosynotosis, a condition where one (simple) or more (compound) fontanels have fused together. Usually this indicates that the brain has stopped developing. Babies with this condition are commonly mentally retarded because of poor brain development and should be evaluated for microcephaly

Fontanels that fail to close on the right time may indicate these medical conditions in your baby:

Congenital hypothyroidism

Down Syndrome

Rickets

Achondroplasia

Increased intracranial pressure

Hydrocephalus

These medical conditions that affect the fusion or closure of your baby’s fontanel are quite rare. To safeguard your baby, you can do newborn screening to detect the presence of congenital hypothyroidism or maintain your baby’s regular check up.