5 Things to Enjoy About Your Newborn

Welcome to parenting. Maybe you haven’t had a chance to enjoy it much yet – with all the feedings, diaper changes and sleep deprivation. You’re in a daily whirlwind of activity, and it all seems like a blur. It’s time for you to slow down and enjoy what’s special about your newborn baby.

That baby smell:

Year ago, I was at a breastfeeding conference with my then 3-week-old baby when a mom (who I was acquainted with but didn’t know well) asked if she could just smell my baby. Strangely, I didn’t find this at all weird, since I knew babies have a special smell about them. Researchers have found that sniffing a newborn baby’s head causes dopamine release in the reward pathways of the smeller’s brain.

While nobody knows what causes that newborn smell – just like other chemical messengers or pheromones, there’s likely a purpose. Researchers suggest that the unique smell helps moms recognize their own babies and fall in love with them.

The feel of baby sleeping on your chest:

Is it the warmth, the weight, the closeness, or maybe the absolute trust baby puts in us? Holding your sleeping baby curled up chest-to-chest with you is one of the most relaxing things you can do as a new mom. Even better if you’re skin-to-skin! Maybe this is only something you can truly appreciate when you look back on it while chasing after your now crawling baby.

Those tiny fingers and toes:

With our youngest baby, I remember saying to my husband, “Look at him – he’s four days old. He’ll never be just four days old again. Look now before it’s gone.” Take time to stroke baby’s hands and feet – touch is the most sensitive of the five senses, and both you and baby will benefit from these simple massages. It seems cliché to say time goes so fast, but it indeed does. Now I look at my 6-foot-tall oldest child and can barely remember him wrapping his tiny fingers around my thumb.

That amazingly soft skin:

The expression ‘soft as a baby’s bottom’ isn’t an exaggeration. Your baby may be born with a little bit of vernix still on his skin, which will rub off in the first few days. And you might notice hairs on the ears, back and shoulders – protective remnants from the uterine world. You and your baby may both enjoy infant massage. Use a light natural oil and gentle stroking.

Those incredible first smiles:

Sure some say they’re just gas, but what if they’re not? While child development experts say that true smiles don’t start until around 6 weeks, take pleasure in those occasional smirks you’re newborn bestows on you (even if he’s sleeping at the time!).

Parenting a newborn is sometimes thankless – after all, baby can’t tell you ‘I love you.’ But if you take a moment to enjoy the newness of the world to your little one and the amazingly complex creature your baby is, it may be all the thanks you need.

What’s your favorite things to enjoy about your newborn?

Written by Michelle, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Ways to Calm a Fussy Baby

Nothing is more difficult than a fussy baby. I had three very placid, easygoing babies, and then my fourth was a real game-changer. He cried every night for weeks. It was difficult on me AND on the rest of the family.

If you’ve got a fussy baby, you know the challenge. You’ve changed your baby’s diaper, fed her, burped her, and checked that none of her clothing was scratching her; but, she’s still fussy. How can you figure out what could possibly be wrong, and what can you do to make her more comfortable?

Some babies simply have a daily fussy period. And some babies are easier to console than others. If you’ve ruled out illness and other physical causes, there simply may not be a reason other than baby needs extra care and attention.

Women’s wisdom over the ages tells us that these strategies work like a charm – passed from generation to generation as mothering wisdom. How many of us instantly start saying ‘sh-sh-sh-sh’ to a crying baby while gently swaying from side to side? Here are other methods of calming fussiness that you may not have tried:

White noise: the ‘sh-sh-sh-sh’ noise we naturally make to calm a baby mimics the sound of mom’s blood flow, something familiar to baby from in utero. Other ways to create white noise include tuning a radio to static, running the vacuum cleaner, taking a shower. Or set your baby in a seat on the floor next to your clothes dryer. Any soothing wave-like sound is helpful – a fan in the bedroom or even a white noise machine. You can also try the White Noise section in the Baby + App. There are many different White Noise sounds for you to try in the App.

Movement: put your baby in a sling or wrap and go about your day. If you have an infant swing or bouncer chair, give that a try. Motion is calming (think of how your baby moved with you before birth).

Breastfeeding: If you’re a nursing mom, allow your baby to nurse as much as necessary during those fussy times. If your baby isn’t interested in feeding, try a pacifier or your clean knuckle to suck on.

Position changes: Side-lying positions seem to calm a fussy baby, especially when they’re done in arms. Consider this hold: Place your baby on one forearm with legs straddling your wrist and head resting near your elbow. Use your hands to support baby’s body fully, and pull baby in close to you. Light pressure on baby’s tummy is sometimes helpful during fussy times, too. Your hands will be in that position in the hold described above. Or carry your baby much higher up on your shoulder so your bone puts a little pressure on baby’s tummy. Always place your baby on her back for sleep, though.

Hold tight: Imagine your baby before birth, tightly cuddled and warm in your belly. Your baby may be calmer if you re-create this environment. You might use swaddling, or you might decide that carrying your baby in a sling or wrap is easier.

If your baby cries for more than 3 hours each day for 3 days in a week lasting for 3 weeks or more, your baby may have colic. While colic has no known cause or cure, comfort measures are the same as for normal everyday fussiness. Babies may just never fully settle, and parents may just need more of a break. Most babies outgrow colic by 3-4 months.

If you ever find yourself becoming panicked or angry about your baby’s crying, be sure to lay your baby somewhere safe (in a crib, preferably), and give yourself a ‘time out.’ Leave the room, call a friend, or, leave the house altogether (as long as someone else is around to care for baby). A quick walk around the neighborhood may be enough to restore your equilibrium.

Babies fuss for many reasons – after all, crying is how they communicate. Learning what works best for your baby is one of the challenges of parenthood. You are the expert on your baby. If you suspect something is wrong, seek medical care. Otherwise, keep trying until you find what methods work best for your family.

Written by Michelle, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Infant Massage for Gassiness

Skin is our largest organ and touch is the most sensitive of our senses. Infant massage is not only a great way to bond with your baby, but is also a way of relieving common discomforts. If your baby is fussy and gassy, or if your baby is constipated, abdominal massage may help.

Infant massage can help to regulate the function of the digestive tract by stimulating the vagus nerve, and can improve elimination of waste and gas (sometimes by simply moving air bubbles through the digestive tract). Other benefits of infant massage include improved sleep and less stress – for baby and parent – which are helpful when dealing with a gassy baby.

Before you begin, make sure you and baby are both comfortable. Have some lotion or oil nearby to make your strokes smoother over baby’s skin. You may want to massage with only a diaper on baby. But, keep baby warm – have a blanket over the parts you’re not massaging.

Once you’re all set, try one or more of these tummy massages:

Tiny circles: using your first two fingers, start to one side of baby’s belly button and press gently while making a small circular motion. Move your fingers to the next area and repeat, working your way around the belly button.

Clock Hands: make hand over hand movements in large circles around baby’s belly. Always work in a clockwise motion (which follows the gastrointestinal tract) and apply light pressure.

‘I love you’: Begin on baby’s left side just under the rib cage, and stroke downward (making the letter I). Move to baby’s right side just under the rib cage and stroke across then downward to the hip (making an upside down L). Finally, start at the right hip, and stroke up – across – down (making an upside down U). I-L-U … I Love You, baby.

Paddlewheel: Place one hand horizontally across baby’s abdomen and stroke downwards with a little bit of pressure from the flat outer edge of your hand. Before you lift the first hand from baby’s body near the groin, start the same downward motion with the opposite hand – from rib cage to groin.

Finger walking: Using your first two fingers, start at baby’s right side and walk your fingers across his abdomen in an arch, applying light pressure. Do this in a few rows, always starting on baby’s right and working across to the left.

Knee press: Once you’ve massaged baby’s abdomen a bit and moved those air bubble around, baby may need some help to pass the gas. You can try simply bicycling baby’s legs, or you can gently bend baby’s knees and hips, pressing them toward the abdomen. Don’t be surprised if he fills his diaper!

Singing to baby or saying nursery rhymes while you’re massaging can be a fun way to bond with your baby and to distract him from his gassiness.

If your baby is fussy along with gassy, but is still having regular bowel movements, his behavior is probably normal. Changes in the color, consistency or frequency of baby’s stools, though, could signal a problem. If your baby’s tummy feels hard and looks distended, or if his stools are hard and pellet-like, you may want to have him seen by a doctor who will let you know the best treatment. If your baby is breastfed and has green, frothy, foul-smelling bowel movements, work with a lactation consultant and your baby’s doctor to determine the cause and to find a solution. And in the meantime, infant massage may make baby more comfortable and you less stressed!

Written by Michelle, Former infant massage instructor, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

“Excuse You!” Are You Burping Your Baby Right?

There are some aspects of parenting a newborn that seem like they should just come naturally, right? After all, how hard can it be to cuddle a baby to sleep? Or to put those tiny little toes into the tiniest little socks? Or to get a baby who already needs to burp, to burp.

Well… that last one may take a little more effort than you realize.

You see, little ones need a bit of extra help with their burping. They don’t yet have the muscle development to handle that task well all on their own. Sure, a baby who doesn’t get help burping will likely still figure it out — but they are also likely going to be in a good deal of pain as they do. Which isn’t fun for anyone.

So burping your baby is important. And it can even be an adorable bonding time; one more excuse to talk to and hold your newborn.

Like us, babies can get air trapped in their stomachs. The difference is that because of how they eat, sucking on either a bottle or nipple, they are actually more likely to have regular occurrences of that trapped air. And unlike us, they don’t yet know how to deal with that on their own.

Which is where burping your baby comes in.

Babies who are bottle fed generally need to be burped more than babies who are breastfed, simply because the bottle allows for them to swallow more air. But every baby is different, so paying attention to individual cues is important. In the early weeks and months of infancy, your baby may benefit from a break during feedings for burping. This can help them to rid their tummies of that air as feeding is occurring, making them more comfortable and clearing up space for them to continue eating.

Whether you are burping your baby during or after feedings, though, there are a few options for how you hold your baby as you’re burping. You can hold him or her to your chest, so that their chin rests on your shoulder. Or you can hold them sitting on your lap, leaning forward with your hand against their chest and their chin resting in the space between your thumb and forefinger. Either way, having a cloth near their mouth (either on your shoulder or lap) can save you from getting spit-up on—which is advisable! You can also place your baby laying face down on your lap, if he or she seems more comfortable with that.

Once they are positioned, you just need to gently pat and rub their back until they have a few burps.

Again, all babies are different, so if your little one doesn’t seem to need to burp as often, pay attention to that. But if he or she is fussier than normal, give burping your baby a try. You never know what relief getting rid of a little bit of trapped air might bring!

 

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2015. All rights reserved.

Surviving the Early Days With Your Newborn

When you imagine life with a new baby, do you picture a softened image with mom sitting in a rocking chair next to a sunlit window covered with gauzy curtains with a sleeping baby in her arms and an angelic smile on her face? While having a new baby is a wonderful life event, the nitty-gritty, day-to-day details are maybe not so glamorous.

Babies change everything. While your pre-baby life may have been organized and routine, your life now is anything but that. It’s 4pm and you’re still in your pajamas and haven’t yet brushed your teeth. You’re hungry but have no idea what you’ll fix for dinner, or if you even have the energy to cook. You want to go to sleep but know baby will wake any minute. Instead of resting, you’ve used this naptime to catch up on returning emails. What now?

You may need to make some adjustments to help you cope. Here’s what you can do to survive the early days with your newborn:

  • Sleep when baby sleeps: don’t use naptime to catch up on chores, sleep instead. If you can’t sleep, at least rest. Dim the lights, turn on quiet music, and close your eyes.
  • Limit visitors in the early weeks: everyone wants to see a new baby, but playing hostess can be tiring. If you do have guests, stay in your pajamas as a cue that they’re not to stay long. Consider asking friends and family to pitch in with the work you can’t get done – ask them to tidy up the dishes in the sink or put in a load of laundry.
  • Eat well and stay hydrated: keep a drink at hand, as well as lots of healthy snacks you can eat with one hand (while holding baby in the other!)
  • Get some exercise and fresh air: even if you simply stand on your back porch for 10 minutes, the fresh air will do you good. If you’re up for it, take a short walk around your neighborhood with baby in a sling or stroller. Baby may sleep longer, and it may be easier for you to rest afterwards.
  • Be gentle on yourself: let go of rules and expectations about life with baby. You’re just learning – even if you have older children, this baby has a completely new personality you need to learn.
  • Remember your relaxation exercises: if you took a childbirth class and learned breathing exercises or other forms of relaxation, practice them now, too.
  • Communicate with your partner: don’t let small resentments flourish. Instead talk about anything that’s bothering you.
  • Find peer support: find a mom and a baby playgroup, a breastfeeding support group, or just go to the park or library children’s department and make the effort to talk to other moms.
  • Get help: whether you need help with housekeeping, baby care, depression, or breastfeeding, find the right support person. Your childbirth educator, lactation consultant, midwife or obstetrician are all good sources of information for what’s available in your community.

Most of all trust yourself and enjoy your baby! You don’t have to get everything ‘right’ – parenting isn’t a test. Pretty soon things will start to settle into a more predictable routine, and those early days and weeks will be a blur you look back on with fondness.

 

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Swaddling 101

The first few months after birth can be considered a 4th trimester for you and your baby. As he adjusts to the outside world, your baby still expects many of the same comforts of the womb he had in the 3rd trimester. Frequent feeding is just one of those. Being held all the time is another.

Parents sometimes find their newborn babies stay calmer and fuss less when swaddled much of the time, since swaddling mimics being held tight in the womb. While being held in the arms of a caregiver is preferred, swaddling can allow you some time with your hands free!

Here are some tips and tricks to make swaddling work for you:

  • Use a light blanket for swaddling – dress baby lightly underneath the swaddling blanket, keep the room temperature comfortable, and watch for signs of overheating, such as warm/hot skin, flushed cheeks, heat rashes or rapid breathing.
  • Consider baby’s hands – Some babies like to have their hands near their faces when swaddled, rather than having them trapped in the tight blanket. Try both ways to see what works for you.
  • Keep hip health in mind – hip dysplasia has been linked to too-tight swaddling. Keep baby’s legs in a “frog” position – with the legs bent and out at the hips – or allow them to be loose so baby can find a naturally comfortable position.
  • Keep the blanket from touching baby’s cheek or mouth – this could prompt the rooting reflex which may be counterproductive to calming.
  • Always place your baby on his back to sleep, even when he is swaddled.
  • Avoid a too-tight blanket – you should be able to get a couple of fingers between the blanket and the baby.
  • Avoid a too-loose blanket – the blanket itself can pose a suffocation risk if baby can wriggle free.
  • Watch for hunger cues – swaddled babies may sleep longer and deeper, but this may be detrimental to your milk supply and baby’s growth. A swaddled baby may need to be awakened to eat.
  • Swaddle selectively – use it as a calming tool, but let baby move his arms and legs when he’s awake and alert.
  • Don’t swaddle forever – Once your baby can roll over on his own (typically between 4 and 6 months), it’s best to stop swaddling.  If he’s swaddled he may have difficulties breathing, when he rolls over onto his tummy.

An option to swaddling your baby is to wear your baby in a carrier, such as a sling or wrap. This allows baby to be in a womb-like cocoon while at the same time feeling your movements and your warmth, and hearing your heartbeat and your voice – all of which is calming to a newborn.

Whether you choose swaddling or babywearing, remember that one comforting method won’t work all the time. As you get to know your baby, you’ll learn what works best for him and for you.

Have you been swaddling your baby? What tips do you have for new moms?

 

Written by Michelle, Lamaze instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

What Do You Mean My Baby’s “Tongue-Tied?”

“Ten fingers and ten toes!” You most likely heard those words yourself shortly after your little one was born. Next to announcing a baby as being a boy or girl, the finger and toe count is usually right up there on the list of things doctors and nurses gleefully exclaim at a healthy delivery. And if they don’t, Mom or Dad will as soon as they have that baby in their arms. Because it’s just what you do… you count the fingers and toes.

What might take a little longer to pick up on is if your baby has an extra bit of skin elsewhere. We’ve all heard the expression “tongue-tied,” referring to those times when nerves or anxiety may have you stumbling over your words. But what you probably don’t realize is that the expression itself comes from an actual condition.

It is estimated that 4 to 11 percent of newborns have a birth defect known as being “tongue-tied.” Basically, that means the skin under their tongue, known as the “lingual frenulum,” is thicker, tighter, and may extend further than it would in a baby without this defect. The result is a tongue that is “tied” more tightly to the bottom of the mouth, preventing as much freedom and movement as there might otherwise be.

If you work with a lactation specialist, he or she may be the first to notice your baby’s condition. That’s because being tongue tied can make it harder for a little one to latch properly, in some cases making breastfeeding very difficult and more painful for Mom than it should be.

The good news is, not all tongue-tie cases are so severe. In fact, some children may grow into adults with only an inability to whistle to show for being tongue-tied.

But for those whose feeding is severely restricted, or who grow to have speech issues because of their tongue-tie, a procedure known as a tongue-tie division may be necessary. In infancy, this procedure can be completed without anesthetics or anesthesia. In fact, some babies will sleep right through it as a doctor uses sterile scissors to make a quick snip through the extra skin. They are able to eat immediately afterwards and are fully healed within two days.

For older children and adults, the procedure may be more involved, requiring general anesthesia and stitches. This is most likely to take place if the tongue tie causes enduring issues with speech and eating.

If you have questions or concerns about your baby’s tongue tie, don’t hesitate to talk to your pediatrician. In most cases, this is an easy fix and your baby won’t even remember having had that extra bit of skin at birth!

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Jaundice in a Healthy Newborn: Should I Worry?

You have just delivered your beautiful baby, and he is perfect in every way. So it may come as a surprise if your healthcare provider tells you your baby has jaundice. But jaundice does not mean anything is seriously wrong. In fact, newborn jaundice is so common, it occurs in about 60 percent of babies.

What is Jaundice?

Being told your newborn has even a minor medical condition can stress out any new parent. But understanding why jaundice occurs and how it is treated can help ease worries.

Jaundice is caused by elevated levels of an enzyme called bilirubin. Your body produces bilirubin as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, bilirubin is eliminated by the liver. But in some cases, your baby’s liver is still learning how to do the job. Bilirubin may be produced faster than your baby’s still maturing liver can eliminate it. The enzyme can build up, and a few days after birth, your baby may develop jaundice.

Is Jaundice Serious?

In the vast majority of instances, newborn jaundice is nothing to worry about and resolves within a couple of weeks. In rare cases, levels of bilirubin can become dangerously high and lead to a complication called kernicterus.

Kernicterus can cause hearing loss, delayed development and vision problems. The good news is babies with high levels of bilirubin are usually treated before the condition becomes severe.

It’s normal to wonder if something you did or did not do during pregnancy led to your baby developing jaundice. Rest assured, there is nothing you could have done to prevent the condition.

Spotting Jaundice

If you had a hospital birth, your baby’s bilirubin levels were probably checked shortly after you delivered. But it’s important to understand, bilirubin levels often peak around five days after birth, so you may be discharged before symptoms develop.

Many pediatricians recommend a well-baby visit a couple of days after you and your baby are discharged from the hospital. At your first well-baby visit, your baby’s bilirubin levels may also be checked.

Parents may also be the first ones to recognize jaundice in their newborn. You’re probably spending a lot of time gazing at your little one and may be the first to notice a change in her coloring. A baby with jaundice will develop a yellow discoloration of their skin. At first it may just involve the face, but the yellowing may spread to the chest, stomach and legs. In some cases, the whites of the eyes will also become yellow.

If you think your baby may have jaundice, call your pediatrician. You can’t gauge how high your baby’s bilirubin is just by looking at her, so she needs to be evaluated by her pediatrician.

Treating Jaundice

In many cases, babies do not need treatment for jaundice. They’re just monitored to make sure levels decrease on their own. If treatment is needed, phototherapy usually is effective. Phototherapy involves placing your baby under special lights called bili lights. The light transforms bilirubin into a form, which can be eliminated easily through urine. Phototherapy is considered safe and usually does the trick to reducing bilirubin levels.

Written by Mary Ann DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Simple Tips for Umbilical Cord Care

It supplied oxygen, nutrients and was the lifeline between you and your baby throughout your pregnancy. But once your little bundle makes her debut, she no longer needs the umbilical cord. After you deliver, the cord is clamped and snipped close to your baby’s body. What’s left is a small umbilical cord stump, which is connected to your baby’s navel.

Keeping the Cord Clean

This strange little stump attached to your baby may look a little intimidating, but umbilical cord care is actually quite simple. First, don’t be freaked out if the stump changes colors. While it typically starts out a blueish white, as it dries, it often changes colors and becomes black. In most cases, the stump shrinks, dries out and eventually falls off around two to three weeks after birth.

In the meantime, you just need to keep the area clean and dry and allow nature to take its course. For example, it’s best to stick to sponge baths instead of tub baths until the cord stump drops off. A sponge bath helps the cord stay dry, which may accelerate how fast it falls off.

In most cases, there is no special cleaning required. Doctors used to recommend cleaning the area with alcohol after diaper changes. But the American Academy of Pediatrics changed that recommendation since research indicates the cord falls off and heals faster if left alone.

If the area around the stump becomes dirty due to a diaper blowout, just wipe the area clean with mild baby soap and water. (If you’re not sure what a diaper blowout is; just wait.)

You’ll also want to avoid covering the cord stump. When you diaper your baby, fold the front of the diaper down to allow air to circulate, which helps dry out the base of the stump. Folding the diaper also prevents the cord from becoming soaked with pee. You can also buy diapers, which already have a cut out for the cord stump.

It’s a good idea to skip the onesies, which may irritate the area. Instead, dress your little one in a diaper and a t-shirt, which helps expose the cord to air and promotes healing.

Lastly, allow the cord stump to fall off naturally. The little bugger may be barely hanging on, but resist the urge to pull it off. Once the stump falls off, you may notice a few drops of blood on your baby’s diaper. A little blood is no biggie and considered normal. If the bleeding is any more than a few small drops, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Watch for Signs of Infection

In most cases, caring for the umbilical cord is pretty easy. But in rare instances, an infection can develop. Spotting signs of an infection quickly are important to keep your newborn healthy and happy.

If pus or a foul-smelling discharge is coming from the cord, contact your baby’s doctor right away. Also, if you notice the base of the cord is swollen and red, it may also indicate an infection.

An infected cord may be painful. If your little one cries when you touch the skin around the cord, it may be hurting her. Contact your baby’s doctor immediately if you suspect the cord is infected.

Written by Mary Ann DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Life with a Newborn

If anything is certain, it’s that life will never be the same once your baby arrives. All of a sudden, you’ll have this whole other person who depends on you, and who loves you unconditionally. Being a parent changes so much, and makes you feel emotions you didn’t know existed before. But, that’s not to say it’s all rose-tinted and easy. Far from it, in fact, life with a newborn baby can be really tough, and it’s always best to be prepared.

What is sleep?
You might think, at nine months pregnant, that you are the most tired you will ever be. The huge bump, the heat, the constant need to wee, and the backache are probably stopping you getting a good night’s sleep. Add to this the worries about impending parenthood, and it’s not wonder you’re exhausted. The tiredness of a new parent is so much more than that though. Newborn babies are pretty much nocturnal, so you’ll be spending a lot of restless nights looking after your new baby. Don’t worry though, you will cope. Just remember, it won’t last forever. Sleep when your baby sleeps, and don’t over do it. If you’re too tired for guests, say so. It’s more important that you feel well rested and able to care for your baby.

The crying
The sound of your newborn baby crying will be one of the most awful sounds you’ll ever hear. It will send you into panic mode, your breasts will start leaking and you will become focused on how to stop the cries. Sometimes a simple cuddle or a quick feed will suffice, but other times it may feel like there is nothing you can do to stop the crying. Cuddle, rock, feed, sing, walk or drive around – try anything you can to soothe your newborn child.

Breastfeeding woes
Breastfeeding, while natural and wonderful, can also be sore at the beginning. This takes many new mums by surprise, and can leave them feeling upset and like a failure. Rest assured, you’re not a failure. Most new mums struggle with breastfeeding. If you’re finding it painful, or are struggling to get the correct latch, or simply feel worried about breastfeeding, speak to a professional for help. There are so many trained volunteers and specialists ready and waiting to help you with any breastfeeding problems.

Goodbye me time
For the first few weeks at least, you will struggle to get some time to yourself. You will have unruly eyebrows, unpolished nails and you’ll have no idea what’s been happening on your favourite TV show. Don’t worry though, you will eventually regain some of your me time. In the meantime, ask your partner to help out by looking after the baby while you take an hour or so to relax. Have a bath, read a book and just generally enjoy using your arms again.

Slow and steady
Everything takes a lot longer when you have a newborn to look after. Simple tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house and sorting out the clean laundry, can take seemingly endless amounts of time. You will struggle to get things done with a newborn. It’s worth preparing for this in advance. Stockpile your freezer full of pre-cooked meals that you can heat up in a hurry. Try to have the house organised before the baby arrives, hopefully your nesting instinct will help you out there, so that you don’t have lots of tidying to do before your guests arrive. Guests won’t mind a messy house, they’ll be distracted by the beautiful newborn anyway so don’t waste time tidying when you could be snuggling your new baby.

Help me
If you need help with the house, or you need someone to look after your baby for an hour while you have a shower, just ask. Your friends and family will be only too happy to help out in return for a couple of cuddles (from the baby, not you). Try to make it to mother and baby groups, so you can socialise with other new mums who know exactly what you’re going through. It’s important to have a support system on hand in those early months.

Do you have any advice to add, to help soon-to-be-mums prepare for life with a newborn?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2015. All rights reserved.

BabyTime: NICU Bonding on an iPad

California’s Cedars-Sinai Hospital is using iPads to help new mums bond with their newborns. The iPad app, BabyTime, allows recovering mothers to log on twice a day, and speak to and see their babies on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) via a secure server.

Up to 30% of new mums who deliver by caesarean section feel unable to move around easily within the first 24 hours after the birth. Unfortunately, this means that many new mums are missing out on quality bonding time with their newborn baby on the NICU. For some mothers, the wait to see their baby can be even longer.

New mothers separated from their babies often report feeling helpless, powerless and isolated after the birth. Experts believe BabyTime will allow new mothers to take a more active role in their baby’s care, even if they are not able to attend the ward in person. It is also hoped that this initiative will allow new mothers to bond with their babies, in spite of the separation.

“The BabyTime program will reduce fear and stress in the new moms as they are able to see their babies and also communicate with the doctors and nurses,” said Selma Braziel, nurse manager for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. By using the iPad, the new mother can ask questions to their baby’s medical team, as well as communicating with the newborn baby.

“BabyTime is an excellent marriage of healthcare and technology, allowing us to securely use new technology to keep our patients more informed and more comfortable during their stay,” said Darren Dworkin, senior vice president and chief information officer at Cedars-Sinai.

For the new mums unable to be with their newborns, it is hoped that this initiative will offer reassurance that the baby is well and being looked after. It can be scary for new mothers to be on different wards, unable to see or hold their newborn, and hopefully this app will make that unfortunate event a little easier to bear.

Newborn babies are comforted by familiar sounds, and instantly recognise their mother’s voice. By talking to their baby over BabyTime, new mothers can help to reassure and soothe their babies. Being told your baby is fine, just isn’t the same as seeing it for yourself.

Does your hospital use technology to allow babies and mothers to connect when they can’t be together? Is this something you wish had been available when you had your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.