Feeding a baby is no easy task. Breast milk is good at the start but there comes a time when the child will have to eat other types of food. When a baby becomes four months old, milk alone will not be able to provide all the nutrients required by the baby. You will have to start considering solid food. They are normally of the same consistency but varying in taste. The baby begins to experience the sense of taste.

Introduce the different food one at a time and observe the baby’s reactions. Start with small quantities, such as one teaspoon. If the baby shows a liking for it, try feeding the baby a little more. The baby might like the initial taste but might reject the food when given more of the same taste. Wait a few days and try again. After a few trials, you may be able to sort the solid food into different classifications, such as likes but not too much, likes a lot of all the time, doesn’t like at all and so on. After classifying the food, try mixing some of them together and see if the baby senses a difference in the taste. Try to give baby a variety so they can get used to different types of food.

Try to make baby food at home. There are a number of baby food products available in supermarkets but nothing beats home-made food. You can determine the quality and establish the high nutritional value and flavor in the food, and it may be cheaper. Make a list of different health food that naturally go together. Blend them to a smooth consistency and have baby try them out. Don’t give too many varieties at the same time as you will have some difficulty determining what food did the baby like. When you come upon a food that baby likes, feed it to baby regularly at the start but eventually give it intermittently. It is not good to make baby get used to only one type of food. The baby is intelligent enough to recognize certain food and if it is not what they like, they will refuse to eat.

Try mixing a little of their favorite food into the other varieties. If the mix is right, the baby may accept the new food. Slowly put less of their favorite food until they become accustomed to the other type of food. It’s a fairly long process but it will help introduce the baby to different types of food.

Making children accept vegetables is a challenge and babies are no exception. Try different types of vegetables and mix them in porridge or some similar food. It is vital that the baby accept the taste of the vegetable at their early age or they may grow up refusing vegetables. Fresh vegetables may be more to their liking than the packaged or preprocessed type.
Observe the baby as they try the different food. They may like the food but it may cause an allergy to the baby. Be observant and check them out regularly. Keep everyone informed on the type of food eaten by baby. They might have suggestions on other food mixtures.

One common problem a lot of mothers face during breast feeding is having sore nipples. This can come from several instances, improper latching being the most common. To help soothe your sore, cracked, nipples, a lot of remedies you can do to help you solve this problem.

After each feeding, manually express breast milk and rub it on your nipples. The anti-bodies found in colostrum helps fight infection, and acts as a natural moisturizer for your nipples. Bear in mind that this cannot be done when you have thrush.

Try to correct the latching of your baby. Support your breasts underneath by stretching the areola with your thumb and middle finger while pushing the tissue towards your chest. With your forefinger, depress your baby’s chin to make sure that his lips are fully open and flat against your breast. If you still have some problems with latching, consult a lactation specialist with your baby to see how you can position your baby to solve this.

Switch between nipples during feeding. Start with the nipple that is the least sore before changing to the next. Your baby will spend less effort sucking on the sore nipple for he’s no longer that eager for sustenance, and just sucking for comfort.

Do not let your baby grow hungry by feeding him every 2 hours or just before he starts to ask for food. The less hungry he is during feeding, the less eager he would be in sucking.

Use only the thinnest and the softest artificial nipple that you can find, and use it for a short duration only. This will help protect the tissue from being constantly injured as it heals. Be warned that this must be used for a short period of time as it can cause nipple confusion in babies which can further aggravate latching-on problems.

Never dry your nipples with a blow dryer. The dry air will only increase the sensitivity of your nipple through cracks on the surface.

While bathing, do not use soap on your nipples for it can only dry them more. Avoid rubbing your nipples dry after bathing. Instead, softly pat them dry with the use of very soft, absorbent cloth.

Pat off excess moisture from your nipples after feeding and allow them to air dry. Less contact and friction allows the tissues to repair themselves naturally.

You can use ointments only after feeding. Do not use Vitamin E on your nipples as they can be absorbed by your baby and cause toxic reactions. Ask your pediatrician what creams can be used to help you sooth your nipples.

Do not “pop” your baby off a breast. This will result to your baby stretching your nipple tissue, causing sensitivity and soreness. Insert your clean little finger at the corner of your baby’s mouth and to the gum line to slowly ease the sucking.

Wear proper-fitting bra’s and make sure they are of natural material that absorbs moisture.

Don’t use breast pads, especially synthetic ones, as they can only increase your nipple’s sensitivity by trapping in heat and moisture.

Place a warm tea bag on your nipple after feeding. A lot of mothers find this soothing, and the herbal elements in tea promote healing of the tissues.

If all these elements fail, you must consult a specialist for other treatment options. If worse comes to worse, you may have to opt out breastfeeding for a while. Just be prepared for some latching problems and possible nipple confusion if you have postponed breastfeeding for a long time. Still, pump your breast to maintain your milk supply and to make sure that your baby still receives natural breast milk.

Once you have a new baby, you will need to spend more money. That’s not a myth. baby food is definitely one of the big monthly costs, but there are ways that you can cut down on the cost of baby food without sacrificing your baby’s health.

The best way, in the beginning, to cut down on cost is to breastfeed your baby. Not only is this basically free food for your baby, but it’s the healthiest for them in their early development stages. The baby not only gets valuable nutrients and a boost to their immune system from their mother’s milk, but also also allows for a closer bond for mom and baby early on.

What if you need to be away from baby for a few hours a day because of work, appointments, or other scheduling? Well, Mom just needs a breast pump so she can store a reserve. Mom can pump bottles of breast milk and freeze enough to provide her baby with enough breast milk to last the hours that she’s away. The cost of the breast pump far outweighs the cost of having to buy formula on an ongoing basis.

What if you can’t breastfeed or simply choose not to? That’s ok, you can still save money. There are tons of coupons available by big brands who want you to use them over their competitors. If you make it a habit to look for promotions, you can often snag yourself a lot of free stuff in the process. This is even easier if you have Internet access and are able to take the time to sign up to the countless free promotions that are available.

Don’t forget to make your own baby food if you have the time. When your baby is a bit older and eating solid foods, you can puree fresh fruits and vegetables in a blender for baby food.  Not only will this save you money, but it’s much healthier for your baby than the packaged stuff.

Mothers cannot help but be obsessed with their baby’s weight. It cannot be avoided because parents often use weight as a standard in measuring how healthy their babies are. They think that the heavier their babies are, the healthier they will be. This is one of the reasons why there are babies that are overweight by the time they reach toddlerhood, and obese when they reach pre-school age.

Pediatricians have a general standard on just how much your baby should weigh at a certain age. This would help you gauge how your baby is responding to his current feeding program. Remember that breast milk or formula is your baby’s staple food for up to 6 months.

When your baby is around 0-4 months, the normal weight gain should be 5.5 – 8.5 ounces per week, although there are some babies who will peak at a weight gain of 7 ounces per week. Initially, your baby will lose 5% of birth weight in the first week because he is burning brown fat. Brown fat is stored fat that your baby develops while inside the womb. Your baby will also have to get used to being fed by mouth, as he spent 9 months being fed via the umbilical cord by your placenta. Once your baby’s digestive system picks up, he will then start utilizing energy to develop organs and other body parts.

When your baby reaches 4-6 months, your baby’s weight gain will slow down to 1-2 pounds per month. By 6 months to 1 year, weight gain will be 1 pound per month. In this period, your baby’s body is now centered in developing bones and nervous system. Instead of gaining weight, your baby is getting longer and leaner.

Do not be concerned if your baby is not getting the highest recommended weight. As long as your baby is on the lowest recommended weight range, you are feeding your baby properly. When you consider the weight gain of your baby, you must also take into account your baby’s build. Generally, longer babies do not gain weight easily. Round babies, on the other hand, tend to increase in weight faster. Babies gain weight better if they are given the best quality of sleep and when they are fed according to demand. If you are concerned with your baby’s weight, do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician. Babies who do not gain weight or are below the minimum weight range need to be carefully examined by a pediatrician to rule out or correct any medical condition.

All mothers are always concerned over the growth of their baby, first-time moms most especially. One particular concern is giving water to a baby. Do babies need water? Will they benefit from having water between feedings?

Research has been done extensively over this issue. The conclusion has it that babies, especially newborns (0-3 months), do not need extra water. All the water that they would need, they get from their breast milk or formula. Newborns given extra water feedings suffer several problems.

Low weight – a newborn baby’s stomach can only accommodate about less than an ounce of fluids. If you give them water between feedings, the stomach will have less room for breast milk or formula which is essential for growth and development.

Jaundice – there is increased incidence of jaundice to newborn given water between feedings. Breast milk or formula milk aids in the passage of meconium (first stool) and helps lessen the duration of physiological (expected) jaundice. Prolonged jaundice causes lethargy and sleepiness to an infant, which is a sign of brain affectation.

Nipple confusion – if you plan not to give your baby formula milk, you will have a problem with latching later on. Your nipple is softer, more pliant and different in texture compared to those hard, semi-flexible silicone nipples.

There is also no need for concern over dehydration during hot summer months. Research conducted in Jamaica and India showed that babies exposed to temperatures almost as high as 40(C showed no signs of dehydration as long as they are given the right amount of breast milk or formula. You will only add extra water to your baby’s formula when there are signs of dehydration seen on your baby. Some mothers (and grandmothers) will say give her some Pedialyte, which is good. However, Pedialyte should be given under the recommendation of your baby’s pediatrician.

When will you need to introduce that extra water? When your baby is already 6 months old, can hold down her solid food well, and she can sit up straight. Water is better than juice, if you are concerned of having the cleansing benefits of water. Give the water in a sippy cup, and not in a bottle. Do not place any additives like sugar to make her finish the water you give her. If she did not get to finish the water, don’t force her to consume all. Her stomach may already be in full capacity. She may just throw up the precious milk she’s consumed. Remember, all the water that your baby will need is found in breast milk or formula preparation. As long as you’re feeding your baby properly, and she does not have any medical condition like diarrhea or high fever, she will not require any additional water for hydration.

As a mother, you always check the nappies of your baby every time they pass stool. Learning how to look into your baby’s poop will give you an idea of what to do with your baby’s current diet. It’s important to remember that your baby’s digestive system is still immature, so the slightest change on his diet can do some drastic changes in his bowel.

For first-time mothers, it would be important to always observe your baby, especially when you notice that he’s doing number 2. Always observe the consistency of your baby’s stool and note the number of times per day that he does so. A baby with no problems with bowel movement will just cry to be changed. Sometimes you will just smell it especially when he’s asleep. For a constipated baby, bowel movement is an entirely different matter.

A CONSTIPATED BABY HAS THE FOLLOWING SIGNS:

Marked straining whenever he passes stool. Sometimes, your baby will give a somewhat distressed cry almost immediately afterwards. This type of cry will be distinctly different from the regular cry your baby gives just for nappy change.

Stool hard and formed, pellet-like in shape and has a more distinct odor compared to normal stool.

You see minute specs of blood bright red in color because of anal tissue irritation.

Your baby’s stomach is somewhat hard and distended

Your baby passes stool 3 times a week or less compared to his normal bowel habit.

YOUR BABY’S CONSTIPATION MAY BE DUE TO:

1) The formula that he’s given. There are some formulas that can cause constipation. Before changing, always ask your baby’s pediatrician if you can change the type of formula that you will give to your baby. The protein molecules in formula, even if they are formulated for infants, are still quite bigger and somewhat harder to digest compared to protein molecules of breast milk.

2) Solid food. Some solid food can cause your baby to be constipated. Foods like banana, rice, apple, and toast can cause constipation. Familiar? Yes, these are the foods that your doctor advice you to consume whenever you have diarrhea. Rice would be hard to eliminate for it’s the first solid food that you give to your child: rice cereal. This is the safest food in terms of allergy which is why it’s the first solid food given.

3) Dehydration. Your baby may not be getting enough fluids. When this happens, your baby’s body responds by re-absorbing the water that should be included in the stool for easy elimination. The reabsorption happens in the large intestine where stool is normally formed. The stool will then be hard in form and difficult to pass due to lack of lubrication.

4) Medical condition: Your baby may be suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition. Hypothyroidism, celiac disease, and aganglionic megacolon are rare metabolic disorders that can cause constipation. These cases however are VERY rare. To make sure that your baby is not suffering from any of those metabolic disorders, describe the type, smell, and frequency of your baby’s stool when you go for a check-up and state your concern over your baby’s bowel habits.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1) If you suspect that your baby’s formula is the cause, talk to your pediatrician before you change formula.

2) Give your baby some gentle exercise. Gently move your baby’s legs in a cycling motion. Passive exercise can increase your baby’s metabolism as well as the movement of your baby’s intestines. Increased motility can help the passage of stool through the large intestines.

3) If you’re baby is now able to hold down most solids better, ask your doctor if you can give your baby some prune juice. Talk to him about adding a small amount of bran in your baby’s cereal to increase the fiber of her diet. Try to see if you can give your baby some strained apricots, prunes, peaches, plums, and spinach. These foods known as bulk-forming foods that aid in increasing the size of the stool without compromising its liquid content.

4) A warm bath can help your baby pass stool easily. The warm water helps in relaxing the abdominal muscles. Give your baby’s abdomen a gentle circular massage while encouraging him to pass stool. When you see him making an effort, continue with the gentle circular massage until he’s finished.

5) You can increase the fluid that your baby consumes by giving him boiled water every now and then. When you’re feeding him solid food, help him by washing it down with a teaspoon of boiled water between spoonfuls. Sometimes, a particular food is the only one causing your baby to be constipated (which is why only a single type of solid food is given to your baby a week before introducing another one). All you have to do is give the food in lesser amounts but with increased frequency. If you’re giving 6 tablespoons of food twice a day, give him 2 tablespoons of the food 3 times a day. This way the bulk that your baby digests will be lessened.

If all of these options fail, ask your doctor to prescribe a laxative for your little one. Remember to follow the recommended dose to the letter. Do not lessen or increase the medication unless you are told to do so. Abuse of laxatives can only worsen the problem. Even if you’ve done your research, do not give your baby any laxatives unless ordered by the pediatrician.

One of the things that mothers worry about when taking care of their baby is having enough supply of breast milk. It’s a natural fear for a baby’s diet is purely of breast milk for the first 4 to 6 months of life. A mother would be increasingly concerned when her baby is a voracious eater.

Certain circumstances can cause your breasts to decrease milk production. These circumstances can include stress, illness, lack of nutrition, dehydration, or going back to school or work. The best way to maintain and increase breast milk is through constant feeding and pumping. Normally, breast milk is produced when your body and your baby is in sync. You will notice that you would experience breast tenderness whenever you see your baby, whenever your baby cries, or (if your baby is highly structured) when it is time to feed. The more you feed and pump, the more your breast will produce milk. Try to pump your breast in between feedings. If you have time, pump each breast for 5-10 minutes after each feeding. A hospital grade, double motor breast pump will be just perfect for it pumps your breast in the same frequency as your baby. If you’re at work, steal time to pump your breasts so that when you go home your breasts are still able to produce milk for your baby.

Eat right and drink right. Proper nutrition and hydration ensures plentiful milk supply. A nursing mother needs to consume about 1,800-2,200 calories per day. Empty calories are not advisable (i.e. doughnuts, junk foods). What you need would be foods rich in calcium, vitamins, and protein. As much as possible, unless otherwise indicated by a medical condition, drink 2 liters or more of water. The more water you consume, the more milk your breasts would be able to produce. Eating oatmeal daily also increases milk supply. Exactly how oatmeal increases milk production is still unknown. However, a lot of mothers have found success with eating oatmeal daily.

Try to relax before and during breast feeding. Tension and stress can lessen milk production. Lounge on your sofa, watch TV, read your favorite book or listen to music to relax your muscles. If you’re sleep deprived, have naptimes with your baby. Consider co-sleeping so you and your baby will get adequate sleep.

Don’t give your baby water or juice in between feedings. If your baby’s stomach is full to capacity, your baby will not be spending too much time getting milk from your breast. This would result to decreased milk production. Similarly, don’t give your baby too much sucking time with a pacifier. Your breasts will serve as one if your milk supply is dwindling. Because of increased sucking time, your breasts will be stimulated to produce more milk.

If all the above options fail, have an appointment with a lactation consultant. Bring your baby along with you so that she can assess if feeding technique is the problem (positioning, latching). Latching problems can come from using artificial nipples, alternating feeding of breast to bottle, or having too much sucking time with a pacifier.

There are herbal remedies that are claimed to help increase milk supply. Fenugreek is increasing in popularity as an herbal supplement that can increase milk supply for short and long term basis. Caution is advised when taking this supplement and a doctor’s approval is needed before you undergo the regimen. Mothers with diabetes or taking anti-coagulants are not advised to take this herbal supplement.

Photo by tokyofortwoToday’s environment is no longer safe for your baby’s skin to be bare under the sun. The accumulation of pollution has caused major damage in our ozone layer. This means we are no longer protected from the sun the same way as in the previous decades. Extra care must be taken in order to keep your baby’s skin healthy and protected while enjoying the benefits of the sun.

Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised in refraining from putting on sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months of age. They still advocate the same principle, but they now allow application of sunscreen, but only on minimal body parts such as the face and hands. Reason for this is that your baby’s body surface area is greater in comparison to his body. Systemic absorption, therefore, is of greater risk for babies leading to increased incidence of adverse reactions.

Before you apply sunscreen lotion on your baby, you have to see if the product is suited for babies. Some products are not advised to be applied on children younger than 3 years old, others on babies younger than 1 year old. Read the label carefully to see it is suited for your baby’s current age. Check the ingredients while you’re at it. It is best to choose sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium oxide. These ingredients help keep the product on your baby’s skin thereby preventing it from being absorbed. The catch here would be your baby’s cooling system will be compromised, so make sure you provide him with adequate breast milk or formula. You can give your baby water, but only small amounts. The water that he would need is already included in your baby’s breast milk or formula so there is no need to worry.

A broad spectrum sunscreen is ideal because it shields both UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Both UV radiations have been attributed as causes of skin cancer. The fairer your baby is, the more he needs to have the protection. A sun protection factor or SPF 30 is now recommended for short trips outside. If you plan to go to have some fun in the sun, however, a formulation of SPF 45 is better.

Once you have chosen a product, buy only a small container and test it on your baby’s skin. Apply a small amount on your baby’s back and wait for a couple of minutes to see if your baby’s skin would react to the product. Test only one product at a time. Multiple products can cause a chemical reaction that can cause irritation. Aside from that, you’ll never know what product caused the reaction. Once you have screened the products and proved that a product is safe for your baby’s skin, you can then use it when you go outside.

When and how often you would use the sunscreen depends on where you live. In places like the desert valleys of California or the beach coast of Florida the need to sunscreen your baby every time you go out would increase, even for some quality time in your backyard. Other cooler regions will only require application when prolonged exposure is foreseen. Apply sunscreen on your baby’s hands and face carefully and not too much while avoiding the eye area, especially the lids. You don’t need to make your baby’s face shine brightly with the sunscreen or make him look like he’s wearing a mask. As long as you have applied enough to cover his hands and face, you have done well. Remember, the thicker the sunscreen, the higher risk for increased body temperature and dehydration because he cannot cool himself down adequately.

If your baby wipes his eyes with sunscreen, wipe his eyes with a damp cloth. If your baby’s eyes are watering, smarting, are red, and your baby keeps rubbing them and cries, that means that sunscreen has penetrated his eyes and needs to be flushed out with running water until the product is removed. If the redness and irritation persists, you need to consult your pediatrician immediately.

Even though your baby now has sunscreen, you may still need to put him under a shade. Keep him inside his stroller, with the canopy lowered to shield him from the sun. Clothing is still required to cover and protect his body. And even if your baby is older than 6 months old and he has sunscreen all over him, he still needs adequate clothing and shade to protect him from the sun.

Carefully monitor your baby while under the sun. You must make sure that he’s not dehydrated and does not suffer any untoward reactions from the sunscreen you have used. Start early on to maintain proper skin care.

Having a new baby in the house is a huge adjustment on it’s own, but when you have to prepare to take your baby out for the day or travel with him for an extended period, it can be overwhelming to say the least.  Often, the biggest reason that new parents feel stressed about that scenario is that they are not used to planning ahead. Doing so can save time, stress and money for the whole family.

Now that you have a baby, things are going to change when you are on the go and want to stop and eat out a restaurant on a whim. When you have a baby or small child, you are going to need to have food on hand that is appropriate for them to eat.

If you have a young baby, then obviously milk or formula will be fine, but if you have an older baby that is on solid foods, you might have to carry a few extra things with you.

You’re going to want to carry a durable, insulated bag, to keep store your cold milk and formula. Try to use baby bottles that have disposable liners if possible, so that clean up is easy and painless on the go.

If you breastfeed and are going to be away from home for more than a day or two, then it’d be a good idea to bring the breast pump and extract breast milk in the night when baby is sleeping. This way you have bottled breast milk to last the day.

Traveling on a plane is something that needs extra preparation as well. As with some adults, the changes in altitude can be irritating for babies, so it is best to schedule feedings beforehand to be sure they get their daily nutrients with problems. You don’t want to be 30,000 feet in the air and stressed out because your baby didn’t eat yet that day. Also, it’s more likely that they will sleep through the plane ride if they have already eaten. There’s one less thing to upset them.

As with everything to do with being a new parent, traveling with your baby will get easier. If you remember to take the time and plan out the trip well, then you should be fine.