Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog

Archive for the ‘Healthcare for Baby’ Category

If you had a newborn who required special care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, chances are the nurses there became very important to you. You may have become close to a few of them who gave your infant extra attention. Now that your baby is on her way home, be sure to send a gift of appreciation to the nurses. How can you thank someone who meant so much to you and your family?

Here are some ideas on how you can say thank you for their kindness:

Flowers: Flowers are always a nice gift for anyone, but especially so for workers who may not always receive thanks for serving the public. Choose a free-standing bouquet over fresh-cut flowers that will require a vase. Make sure you address the card to the whole staff if there are too many people to thank. Deliver them yourself if you can.

Gourmet Candy: If you want to really say thank you in a special way, bring in gourmet candy gifts for the whole unit. Include a card thanking everyone for their efforts. If there was one nurse in particular who really made an impact, give her a special box of her own. Just do it privately so others don’t feel left out. Choices can include high end gourmet chocolates, chocolate covered nuts or fruit, specialty nut mixes covered in caramel and more.

A Gift Certificate: If you want to personally thank one or more nurses, consider a gift certificate to a spa or restaurant in the area. Choose one that’s not too far away or even accessible at lunch time so they can really get some use out of their thank you gift. Be sure to include a heartfelt note of thanks.

Photo of Baby: Nurses see a lot of babies on the job, but they will always remember your special little one if you include a photo with your gift. You might even want to take a photo of the nurse holding your baby and then present her later with a silver engraved baby photo frame with baby’s photo in it. It will touch her heart that she made such an impact on you.

Long-Stemmed Cookies: Many bakeries now offer cookies on sticks designed to look like a bouquet of flowers. These cookie bouquets make nice gifts if you want to thank a whole unit of nurses. They can grab one and eat it on a break or take one home. Choose a wide variety so that you hit on everyone’s favorites.

A Special Letter: If you were really touched by the professionalism and care your baby received in NICU, tell the boss. Write a letter to the head of the department or hospital stating how your favorite nurse when above and beyond to help you out. This recommendation will often be more valuable to her than if you had given her a jewel. She’ll be so happy to be recognized for her efforts. Be sure that she gets a copy of it as well as her boss.

Did you know that every year there are Nurses Week Celebrations Around the World?

If your baby is spitting up often (going through countless baby bibs and baby blankets)  and if they wake frequently during the night, you may want to find out more about acid reflux in infants. It is thought that nearly one quarter of all infants experience signs of acid reflux at one time or another, but you should definitely consult a qualified pediatrician if baby has any abdominal pain or reflux symptoms. Only a medical professional can diagnose and treat acid reflux in your baby. There are, however, some facts that will help you learn more about the often frustrating condition.

Your baby won’t sleep through the night even though he’s clean and well-fed. Does he start screaming after feedings? Does he make wet burps and have sour breath? It may be that stomach acid is creeping up his little esophagus and causing him discomfort. Most babies seem to outgrow acid reflux between six and nine months. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And today’s modern medicines can lessen baby’s discomfort considerably.

One of the things you can do is sit him upright after feedings. This will help gravity to push the food down and not send the acid back up again. Have baby rest in the crook of your arm for a little while after eating. You certainly won’t mind the extra few moments of time staring into that darling little face.

You can also try feeding your baby less, but more often. An infant’s stomach is tiny, so overfeeding can lead to spit up. Give your baby a smaller portion and when he cries in about two hours for more, go ahead and feed him again. Spacing out the feedings will keep the formula or breast milk from coming back up.

If baby sleeps fine, don’t change his routine, but if he’s waking up with painful cries during the night, you can try positioning the crib mattress at a slight incline. You can do this by placing several rolled up towels under the crib mattress. This will raise baby’s head enough so that the acid stays down in the stomach where it belongs. Make sure baby is sleeping on his back, not his stomach. If baby still won’t sleep, consult your doctor. Never place anything inside the crib with baby such as rolled up blankets to keep him upright. Baby could become entangled in them.

Your doctor may recommend a switch in formula. Some formulas are better than others for infants prone to reflux. Be sure to ask about all your options. It’s thought that breastfeeding is the best option to lessen reflux, but that’s not always possible. Moreover, even if you are breastfeeding, baby can still show signs of reflux. Discuss with your doctor the specific things that you can try for your baby as each child is different and may respond to different treatments.

Join a group of like-minded moms and dads who can offer support. Many hospitals offer support groups and talking with other new parents about what worked for them will help you feel less alone and will give you good ideas. You can also find local groups online who share your concerns.

Just remember that reflux is treatable and is not a life-long condition. Soon baby will be playing upright more and the reflux should resolve itself completely.

Swaddling a baby makes them feel secure and comforted

As a new parent, you are going to have lots of questions. You’re going to wonder how other parents make everything look so easy. One of the areas you or your husband may find yourself clueless about is just how the nurses at the hospital have the little ones wrapped up so nicely in their baby blankets. It’s called swaddling. And rest assured, other parents had to learn how to do it too.

No one’s born knowing how to swaddle a baby. It’s actually a tradition that’s gotten passed down from ancient cultures. Grandmothers have been teaching new mothers how to wrap up their babies for security and warmth for ages. Picture a baby in a papoose on her mother’s back and you get the idea. Swaddling is simply wrapping your baby up in a blanket like a little burrito. It’s easy to do once you get the knack.

There are many reasons you might want to swaddle your baby (other than the fact that it makes them look so darn cute!). Babies up to a month old who are swaddled feel more secure and comforted. If you have a baby who wakes at every noise and doesn’t sleep well, the feeling of being swaddled may be enough to comfort her. Swaddling will also keep his little hands from scratching him as he flails around, but keep in mind that after one month of age, the swaddle is not recommended. Babies one month old and up need free range of motion in order to grow properly.

1. Start your swaddle with a soft baby blanket. Lay it down on a sturdy surface like a bed or his changing table. The floor works well too. Fold over the top corner of the blanket.

2. Now, place baby on his back in the center of the blanket with the fold at his shoulder line. You are now going to begin the burrito fold.

3. Place baby’s arms by his side and fold the left side of the blanket over towards the right.

4. Tuck it securely under baby’s right side.

5. Then take the bottom portion of the blanket and tuck it up under baby’s right shoulder. Baby’s left arm should be left out of the wrap at this point.

Up until this point, most people are fine. Here’s the tricky part.

6. Instead of just folding the entire remaining right side of the blanket over baby and tucking it in, you first have to take the top portion of the unwrapped blanket and bring it over baby’s heart. Then you can take the remaining portion of untucked blanket and drape it across baby.

7. Tuck it into the back of the left side by baby’s shoulders.

Practice a few times before baby’s born (use a doll or your dog) and you’ll get it down. The nurses in the hospital will show you how to do it, but at that point you’ll be so tired and overwhelmed with the newness of everything you won’t be paying attention.

Swaddling a tiny newborn is a warm and cozy way to help them stop crying and rest easier. It’s worked for centuries, so it will probably work for you too. Get comfortable with the technique and soon you’ll be the seasoned parent who’s asked to demonstrate for the newest of new parents!

When I moved into my first apartment I remember feeling so overwhelmed because I was running out to the store to get important things for my new living space at least once a day. All the little things that your parents had that you took for granted like shower curtain liners, pots and pans, toasters, spatulas, whisks, condiments, clothes hamper, etc. I always needed one little thing to finish what I was doing and it was hard. I can only imagine what it will be like trying to buy what I need for a new baby and avoid running to the store for a small but important forgotten item.

I have often thought that while apartment shopping it would have been nice to have a checklist of things needed. It also would have been nice to know what I wouldn’t need as well. I found myself buying things I thought I needed but didn’t, like that orange juicer that I have never used. I am sure that even with preparation, having a baby will sweep me away into the never-ending ocean of "especially for baby" but necessary items. But even still, forward thinking, I have done a little research and prepared a list of things that every expecting Mother needs and a few that you could probably go without when deciding what to buy for your new baby.

So what CAN you live without?

• Baby bathtub - People seem to have trouble with these, either because they are hard to use, hard to store or the baby doesn’t like them. It seems just as easy to take the baby into the bath with you. Hooded baby towels are always good to have for after baths as well.
  
• Car bottle warmer - A good idea, but they don’t tend to warm up quickly enough on quick trips.
• Cradles/Bassinets/Cribs - It could be that the trend toward the family bed is giving people an alternative to cradles and bassinets, but many mothers said they took up too much space and babies were rarely, if ever, happy in them.
• Pillows are NOT RECOMMENDED, babies do not need them, and furthermore pillows are associated with crib death.
• Diaper Genie - most people find these frustrating to operate.
• Changing table - They take up a lot of space and don’t allow for the most versatile storage. Many parents find it just as easy to convert a bureau to a changing table or just change the baby on the floor.

So what CAN’T you live without?

• Car seats - are not items to skimp on. Unless you know the previous owner very well, car seats are not good items to get second-hand. Manufacturers advise that any car seat that has been in any kind of accident, no matter how minor, must be replaced. Car seats are carefully constructed to protect their precious cargo, and any compromise to the structure could limit its effectiveness.
• Stroller - Many infants do well in a sling, but if you’re talking about long walks or shopping, a stroller helps manage all your bundles.
• Carrier/Sling - Keeps baby close while keeping hands free.
• Floor gym/Playpen - Because sometimes you need to go to the bathroom.
• Onsies for summer babies and Jammies for winter babies - It is wise to resist the urge to buy "outfits" at this stage of the game. Babies spit up, drool, and wet themselves a lot so the best thing to have on hand is lots of onsies for summer babies and jammies for winter babies. Newborn infants must have their heads covered outside in all but the warmest summer months (when they should stay out of the sun, entirely) so be sure to have plenty of cozy stretchy hats on hand, too.
• Diapers, Medicine and General Care Items:
• Several packages of diapers in newborn and infant sizes.
• Several giant packages of wipes.
• A stash of small wash cloths - and a plastic dish for water for sponge baths on the changing table.
• Diaper rash creams.
• Infant ibuprofen and acetaminophen - (Tylenol and Motrin)
• Anti-gas drops.
• Nasal aspirator - (babies can’t blow their noses so the aspirator may be necessary to help clear congested nasal passages. There are different kinds out there and the hospital will give you one. They all work differently, so it’s nice to have the variety to experiment with.)
• Rubbing alcohol and cotton balls - to clean the belly button stump (and to help sterilize clippers, tweezers and nasal aspirators.)
• A grooming kit - with soft hair brush, comb, tweezers and infant nail clippers.
• A rectal thermometer - Fancy pacifier thermometers and under-arm patches, in-the-ear thermometers and forehead strips don’t do the job. The most reliable way to take a temperature is rectally. Have your health practitioner show you how to do this on your baby so you are confident that you can take his or her temperature in the middle of the night, if the need arises.
• Hand soap and anti-bacterial wash - (if you prefer it) for the bathroom for folks to wash their hands before touching the newborn. Hand wash in the diaper bag for the road.

Ask your friends what tools they couldn’t do without and plan the amount of space you have to devote to your baby’s gear. For gear the baby might reject, like swings, borrow one before buying one. Collecting hand-me-downs from relatives or friends is a great help. Another source is a baby shower. You will receive baby gifts from friends and relatives for you’re soon to be newborn. After all this is collected, you can sit down and take stock of what you have and don’t have. Make a complete listing of what you need before you go out and shop, otherwise you may go over budget and get things that you really don’t need. If you do forget something its ok it is good to buy what you need when you need it. It’s easier and cheaper than buying everything and then disposing of things that don’t work. The number one thing your baby will need is your love and attention; if it has that everything else is just a detail.

Related Articles:

• Bathing Baby
• Baby Diapering
• Baby Dressing

The first moments after the birth of your baby are wonderful for bonding with your newborn. Newborn infants are very alert during this first hour and are instinctively looking for food. Studies have been done where an infant is placed on Mother’s stomach immediately after birth. They then make their own way to the breast for their first meal.

Although much of the bonding process is instinctive and will happen naturally, it does not always happen immediately. When I was pregnant with my first child, I never felt that close bond I had heard about while I was carrying my daughter. It wasn’t until after she was born, and I got to hold her and kiss her that the bond began to form.

One thing is for sure, once the bond is there, it is impossible to break. The tie between mother and child is perhaps the strongest in existence between two people. So when it is time to separate from your child it can be extremely difficult for both of you.

Probably the first instance of necessary separation of mother and baby occurs when baby is ready to sleep alone. Giving the baby a bottle or pacifier can cause problems with tooth decay - not to mention the issue of milk leaking into the crib or spoiling during the night. If your baby has been used to sleeping next to you, then your smell is a significant factor in their comfort level. Consider using a bonding doll or baby blanket instead of a bottle or pacifier for baby’s first night alone.

Ookie® Dolls make a wonderful bonding toy. Babies love the soft touch of the cotton flannel body and silky satin trim. The knotted hands are easy for baby to grip. Moms like them because they are lightweight and machine washable.

Cuddle the doll between you and your baby for a few nights before making the transition to the crib. This will give the doll the same scent as you and will cause the baby to associate the doll with comfort.

I gave my daughter a plush bunny as my baby's first doll. I started placing the bunny in her crib with her from the very first day. She is now almost 2 years old, and still adores her bunny. The most difficult part is getting it away from her to throw into the washing machine once in awhile!

There will be many more times in life when you will have to separate from your children. I also have a daughter that will be graduating from High School in a few months and moving out on her own. I don’t think this event will be any easier then it was when I placed her in her crib to sleep by herself for the first time when she was a few months old.

More Baby Tips:

• First Babysitters
• Ways To Get Baby To Sleep
• Baby Teething Timetable