[Article] Infant first aid for choking and CPR: An illustrated guide

Article taken from babycentre

The following instructions are for babies younger than 12 months old.

Choking

• Step 1: Assess the situation quickly.

If your baby is suddenly unable to cry or cough, something may be blocking her airway, and you'll need to help her get it out. She may make odd noises or no sound at all while opening her mouth, and her skin may turn bright red or blue.

If she's coughing or gagging, her airway is only partially blocked. In this case, let her continue to cough. Coughing is the most effective way to dislodge a blockage.

If your baby isn't able to cough up the object, ask someone to call 911 or the local emergency number while you begin back blows and chest thrusts (see step 2, below).

If you're alone with your baby, give two minutes of care, then call 911.

On the other hand, if you suspect that your baby's airway is closed off because her throat has swollen shut, call 911 immediately. Your baby may be having an allergic reaction — to something she ate or to an insect bite, for example — or she may have an infection, like croup.

Also call right away if your baby is at high risk for heart problems.

• Step 2: Try to dislodge the object with back blows and chest thrusts.

If your baby can't clear her airway on her own and you believe something is trapped there, carefully position her facedown on your forearm with your hand supporting her head and neck. Rest the arm holding your baby on your thigh.

Support your baby so that her head is lower than the rest of her body. Then, using the heel of your hand, give her five firm and distinct back blows between her shoulder blades to try to dislodge the object.

Next, place your free hand (the one that had been delivering the back blows) on the back of your baby's head with your arm along her spine. Carefully turn her over while supporting her head and neck. Support your baby faceup with your forearm resting on your thigh, still keeping her head lower than the rest of her body.

Place the pads of two or three fingers just below an imaginary line running between your baby's nipples. To give a chest thrust, push straight down on the chest 1/2 inch to 1 inch, then allow the chest to come back to its normal position.

Give five chest thrusts. The chest thrusts should be smooth, not jerky.

Continue the sequence of five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is forced out or your baby starts to cough. If she's coughing, let her try to cough up the object.

If your baby becomes unconscious at any time, she'll need modified CPR (see full instructions below).

Give her two rescue breaths. If the air doesn't go in (you don't see her chest rise), retilt her head and try two rescue breaths again.

If her chest still doesn't rise, give her 30 chest compressions. Look in her mouth and remove the object if you see it. Give her two more rescue breaths, repeat the chest compressions, and so on, until help arrives.


How to Give CPR

What is CPR?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This is the lifesaving measure you can take to save your baby if she shows no signs of life (breathing or movement).

CPR uses chest compressions and rescue breaths to circulate blood that contains oxygen to the brain and other vital organs until emergency medical personnel arrive. Keeping oxygenated blood circulating can help prevent brain damage — which can occur within a few minutes — and death.

Giving CPR isn't hard to do. Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Check your baby's condition.

Is your baby conscious? Flick her foot or gently tap on her shoulder and call out. If she doesn't respond, have someone call 911 or the local emergency number. (If you're alone with your baby, give two minutes of care as described below, then call 911 yourself.)

Swiftly but gently place your baby on her back on a firm surface.

Make sure she isn't bleeding severely. If she is, take measures to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the area. Do not administer CPR until the bleeding is under control.

• Step 2: Open your baby's airway. Tilt your baby's head back with one hand and lift her chin slightly with the other. (You don't need to tilt an infant's head back very far to open her airway.)

Check for signs of life (movement and breathing) for no more than ten seconds.

To check for your baby's breath, put your head down next to her mouth, looking toward her feet. Look to see whether her chest is rising and listen for breathing sounds. If she's breathing, you should be able to feel her breath on your cheek.

• Step 3: Give her two gentle breaths.

If your baby isn't breathing, give her two little breaths, each lasting just one second. Cover your baby's nose and mouth with your mouth and gently exhale into her lungs only until you see her chest rise.

Remember that a baby's lungs are much smaller than yours, so it takes much less than a full breath to fill them. Breathing too hard or too fast can force air into the infant's stomach or damage her lungs.

If her chest doesn't rise, her airway is blocked. Give her first aid for choking, above.

If the breaths go in, give your baby two breaths in a row, pausing between rescue breaths to let the air flow back out.

• Step 4: Give her 30 chest compressions.

With your baby still lying on her back, place the pads of two or three fingers just below an imaginary line running between your baby's nipples.

With the pads of these fingers on that spot, compress the chest 1/2 inch to 1 inch. Push straight down. Compressions should be smooth, not jerky.

Give her 30 chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute. When you complete 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths (step 3, above).

• Step 5: Repeat compressions and breaths.

Repeat the cycle of 30 compressions and two breaths. If you're alone with your baby, call 911 or the local emergency number after two minutes of care. Continue the cycle of compressions and breaths until help arrives.

Even if your baby seems fine by the time help arrives, you'll want to have her checked by a doctor to make sure that her airway is completely clear and that she hasn't sustained any internal injuries.

[Article] How to reduce your baby's risk of choking

Article taken from babycentre

Stay with your baby whenever she's eating or drinking, make sure she's upright when you're feeding her solid food, and don't insist that she eat if she cries or resists. Mash or grind food so that it's soft enough for her to gum or chew. Because young children are likely to swallow without chewing, don't give her peanut butter, popcorn, raw carrots, raisins, nuts, whole grapes (cut them up, instead), hard candies, uncooked peas, or hot dogs (even in small pieces) until she's at least 4. (For more guidelines on safe finger foods, click here.) Children under a year shouldn't play with toys that have parts smaller than 1¼ inches around or 2¼ inches long. Also, keep her away from buttons, coins, safety pins, balloons, and rocks. Make sure that mobiles can't be pulled into your baby's mouth, and don't allow her to play with a baby powder container — the contents can shake free and clog the throat.

Never ever shake a baby (forwarded email)

December 4th, 2007, Jessica Sherwood had to do something no mother should ever have to do.

At 2:29 pm Jessica made a very tough, but the right decision to take her little 3 month old daughter off life support.

Jessica had a message that every one needs to know.

This is what Jessica said:

"If anyone has kids, make sure that you keep them with you the whole time. Don't give them to anyone that you don't trust. Trust me, I thought that I trusted Josh. But now as of December 4, 2007 at 2:29 AM, she is gone. My one & only baby. He is going to pay FOREVER, even if he gets out of jail scott free, he will be dead no matter what. To all my friends that know London, I am very angry & upset that I lost the love of my life, my baby girl. She died on her three month birthday .

London had six fractured ribs, both of her legs were fracture, & her brain was so damaged that if she were to live she would be a vegetable. So I did what was right & what was best for her & took her off life support.

That's what you call Shaken Baby Syndrome [SBS]"


For those of you who don't know what Shaken Baby Syndrome check out the facts:

Shaking, jerking and jolting can cause blood vessels in the head to tear or burst.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is the shaking of an infant or child by the arms, legs, or shoulders with or without impact of the head.

This trauma can result in bleeding and brain injury with no outward signs of abuse.

Often frustrated caregivers feel that shaking a baby or small child is a harmless way to make the child stop crying. However, a baby's brain and blood vessels are vulnerable to whiplash motions, such as shaking, jerking, jolting, and impact.

The neck muscles of an infant or small child are weak, so the child's head is relatively heavy and the neck cannot support the stress of shaking or impact.

Shaking a very young child, with or without impact of the head, can cause irreversible brain damage, blindness, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, spinal cord injury, seizures, learning disabilities, and even death.

It is tragic that healthy, intelligent babies are suffering these disabilities simply because their caregivers don't know about the dangers associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome.

An estimated 1,200 to 1,400 cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) occur each year in the United States.

Only 1 out of 4 babies dies of Shaken Baby Syndrome.

HOWEVER, the other three babies will need ongoing medical attention for the rest of their short lifespans.

Read more about SBS in http://www.dontshakeababy.com/aboutsbs.html#1

Strangers under one roof

Taken from part of an article:

"At seven months, for the most part, your little guy is far too busy honing his skills to be really engaged with another child. When two babies under 1 are put next to each other with a set of toys, they usually play side by side but not with each other."

I can truly agree with this fact! As when Sarah & Reanne are put together side by side, and although staying under one roof for four over months, they still seem like strangers to each other. Well... that's for now. We'll see how things go as they grow up together.

Hmmm... interesting... I wonder what they think of each other at this stage.

[Article] Developmental milestones: Walking

Article taken from babycentre

Developmental milestones: Walking

Walking

One of the most important milestones in your child's life, learning to walk is a huge step towards independence. As he moves from standing propped up against the couch to tottering hesitantly to your waiting arms to running, skipping, and jumping confidently, he'll be leaving babyhood behind.

When it develops

Over the course of his first year your baby will gradually gain coordination and muscle strength throughout his body, learning to sit, roll over, and crawl before moving on to pulling up and standing at about eight months. From then on it's a matter of gaining confidence and balance -- most babies take their first steps sometime between nine and 12 months and are walking well by the time they're 14 or 15 months old. Don't worry if your child takes a little longer, though; many perfectly normal children don't walk until their 16th or 17th month.

How it develops

For his first few weeks of life, when you hold your baby upright under the arms, he'll dangle his legs down and push against a hard surface with his feet, almost appearing to walk. But this is just a reflex -- his legs aren't nearly strong enough to hold him up -- and will disappear after two months.

By the time your baby's about five months old, if you let him balance his feet on your thighs, he'll bounce up and down. Bouncing will be a favourite activity over the next couple of months, in fact, as your baby's leg muscles continue to develop while he masters rolling over, sitting, and crawling.

At about eight months your baby will probably start trying to pull himself up to a stand while holding onto furniture. If you prop him up next to the sofa, he'll hang on for dear life. As he gets better at this skill over the next few weeks, he'll start to cruise -- moving around upright while holding onto furniture -- and may be able to let go and stand without support. Once he can do that, he may be able to take steps when held in a walking position and may attempt to pick up a toy from a standing position.

At nine or ten months your baby will begin to work out how to bend his knees and how to sit after standing (which is harder than you might think!).

By 11 months your baby will probably have mastered standing solo, stooping, and squatting. He may even walk while gripping your hand, though he probably won't take his first steps alone for at least a few more weeks. Most children make those early strides on tiptoe with their feet turned outward.

At 13 months, three quarters of toddlers are walking on their own -- albeit unsteadily. If yours still hasn't stopped cruising, it just means walking on his own is going to take a little longer. Some children don't walk until 16 or 17 months or even later.

What's next

After those first magical steps towards independence, children begin to master the finer points of mobility:

• At 14 months, your toddler should be able to stand alone, can probably stoop down and then stand back up again, and might even be working on walking backward.

• By 15 months the average child is pretty good at walking and likes to push and pull toys while he toddles.

• At about 16 months, your child will begin to take an interest in going up and down stairs -- though he probably won't navigate them solo for a few more months.

• Most 18-month-olds are proficient walkers. Many can motor up stairs with help (though they'll still need help getting back down for a few more months) and like to climb all over the furniture. Your toddler may try to kick a ball, though he won't always be successful, and he probably likes to dance if you play music.

• At 25 or 26 months, your child's steps will be more even and he'll have the hang of the smooth heel-to-toe motion adults use. At this age he'll also be getting better at jumping.

• By the time your child's third birthday rolls around, many of his basic movements will have become second nature. He'll no longer need to focus energy on walking, standing, running, or jumping, though some actions, such as standing on tiptoes or on one foot, might still require concentration and effort.

Your role (Important to read leh!!!)

As your baby learns to stand, he may need some help working out how to get back down again. If he gets stuck and cries for you, don't just pick him up and plop him down. Instead, show him how to bend his knees so he can sit down without toppling over, and let him give it a try himself.

You can encourage your baby to walk by standing or kneeling in front of him and holding out your hands, by holding both his hands and walking him towards you, or by buying a toddle truck or a similar contraption he can hold onto and push (look for toddle toys that are stable and have a wide base of support). Because baby walkers make it too easy to get around and thus can prevent a child's upper leg muscles from developing correctly, some experts strongly discourage using them. You can also hold off on introducing shoes until your baby is walking around outside or on rough or cold surfaces regularly; going barefoot helps him improve his balance and coordination.

As always, make sure your baby has a soft, safe environment in which to hone his new skills. Follow standard childproofing guidelines and never leave your baby unattended, in case he falls or needs your help.

When to be concerned

As mentioned above, some perfectly normal children don't walk until they're 16 or 17 months old. The important thing is the progression of skills; if your baby was a little late learning to roll over and crawl, chances are he'll need a few extra weeks or months for walking as well -- as long as he keeps learning new things, you don't have to be too concerned. Babies develop skills differently, some more quickly than others, but if yours seems to be lagging behind significantly, bring it up with your doctor. Keep in mind that premature babies may reach this and other milestones later than their peers.

[Article] Considering a Baby Walker?

Article taken from ivillage

Considering a Baby Walker?
Learn the Facts

by Robert Steele, MD (see more from this expert)

More than half of all babies between the ages of 5 and 15 months use walkers. Estimated sales have been as high as three million per year. Babies almost universally love them, and parents love to use them because they may keep an otherwise fussy baby entertained -- often for hours. However, they are one of the most dangerous inventions made for children, causing a lot of harm and heartache each year.

There are several types of baby walkers, but most people are familiar with the typical plastic base, wheeled frame, and fabric seat that have leg holes to allow the child to scoot along the floor. Aside from the entertainment this toy gives a child, parents give other reasons for using the walker such as promoting walking and providing exercise. However, up to one-third of parents have said they use the walker because they feel it will keep their infant safe. Unfortunately, none of these are true. The few studies that have been done looking at the how walkers affect development have shown that they do not affect the time at which a child learns to walk. And in fact, most studies have shown that if there is any effect on walking, it is a delay of a few weeks. Babies who use a walker tend to have an abnormal gait at first, but this tends to resolve quickly with time.

Safety, however, is an entirely different issue, and is one in which there is a lot known. In 1997, baby walkers sent more than 14,000 babies to the hospital emergency room. Walkers were even involved in 34 deaths from 1973 to 1998.

The initial standards for safety of walkers set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission dealt with injuries to the hands from pinching, but did nothing to address the issue of falls. And the majority of the severe injuries occur when the walker goes down the stairs.

About one-fourth of all reported injuries with walkers involved injuries to the head, including fractures. Walkers allow for an infant who isn't normally very mobile to become quite efficient at getting around. So, other injuries including pinched fingers, burns and accidental poisonings have all been reported due to the child being able to get into dangerous areas with lightening speed.

The track record with walkers was so dismal that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended banning the manufacture and sale of mobile infant walkers. This never occurred, and a response was made in the form of a new standard, adopted as of July 1, 1997. To meet the new standard, the new generation walker must have one of two features. Walkers are now made wider so they cannot fit through most doorways and can stop at the edge of a step.

It's important you understand that these new walker designs will not prevent all injuries from walkers. Because they still have wheels, young children can still move faster and reach higher than they could on their own. A baby in a walker can move three feet in one second, so they are not even safe with close adult supervision.

Parents who are considering toys for infants will find their money best spent on playthings other than walkers. There are stationary walkers that have no wheels, but have seats that rotate and bounce while keeping baby in one spot.

Source: Pediatrics, September, 2001


5 Things You Need to Know to Protect Your Baby

1. Close the door or gate at the top of the stairs.
2. Keep your child within view.
3. Keep your child away from hot surfaces and containers.
4. Beware of dangling appliance cords.
5. Keep your child away from toilets, swimming pools and other sources of water.

On Nursery rhymes...

"Rock a bye baby, on the tree-top...."

"Jack and Jill went up the hill, to fetch a pail of water..."

"Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall..."

"London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down..."

Nursery rhymes like the above seem harmless to our children, but as I sing the rhymes repeatedly to baby Sarah (it started way back when she was less than a month old), it dawn upon me how horrible these rhymes could mean. Take "Rock a bye baby" for example....

Rock a bye baby on the tree top,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.

I dare not think of what actually happens when the baby, cradle and all came falling down... but hey, you be the judge! So, choose your rhymes well and sing good songs to your babies! Songs that edifies! Songs that brings good things to you and your baby! Happy choosing & singing your rhymes!

[Knowledge: Baby] A crying baby

Why is it so important for you to pick up your baby when she cries? To be by her side when she's calling for you? Or for you to stay calm and loving when she's kicking and screaming on the changing table?
At this tender young age, you can't spoil your baby (until about 1 year old). Your baby needs to learn that the world is a trustworthy and reliable place. Your responsive, unconditional love is what she needs to thrive. Her sense of trust in the world is an essential building block for all other learning she will do.

[Knowledge: Baby] TV and Baby

Is It Okay To Let My Baby Watch TV?

By Madeleine Fitzpatrick

Babies and Television: Frequently Asked Questions

There are two schools of thought on this. One says that babies under two years of age should not be allowed to watch any TV; the other says that limited amounts of high-quality educational TV accompanied by adult interaction are fine - and may even be beneficial. When DVDs are used correctly, the repetition and familiarity they provide can actually aid learning.

However, no TV at all is better than unsupervised watching. No TV at all is also better than any watching of entertainment-based programs - and that includes shows such as cartoons, which may be designed for kids, but are really not suitable for babies.

What can happen to babies who watch the wrong sort of TV, or watch TV unsupervised?

Child experts in the US have noted a correlation between high TV exposure in babies and toddlers, and the incidence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It's possible that watching TV's rapidly shifting images could have a negative impact on brain development in the very young (high-quality educational programs should not have rapidly shifting images though).

Parents should note that even DVDs marketed as educational may be harmful to babies; if they are watched without supervision, that harm is multiplied. In August 2007 Dr Dimitri Christakis and Frederick Zimmerman of the University of Washington published a report on the effects of popular programs such as Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby. They found that for every hour per day spent watching the DVDs, babies learnt six to eight fewer new vocabulary words than babies who had never watched TV. Many of the programs were devoid of language content. But even when it came to shows designed to enhance language acquisition, Christakis says, "Videos of native speakers of languages fail to teach children as well as live speakers do." That's why it's important for an adult to speak or sing along to the DVD being shown.

In October 2007 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - which advises that the under-two's not be allowed to watch any TV - published a report on the effects of TV exposure in early childhood. Consistent exposure to two or more hours of TV per day, the academy found, was correlated with a greater incidence of sleep and behavioral problems, as well as less developed social skills. Notes the AAP, "Under age two, talking, singing, reading, listening to music or playing are far more important to a child's development than any TV show."

Shouldn't I follow the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics to the letter?

Yes - if that's the decision you're most comfortable with. It's worth noting, though, that the type of exposure the academy looked at in its study was unsupervised exposure to entertainment-based programs. We, like the academy, would advise you to spare your baby this sort of TV exposure for at least the first two years.

Many parents and teachers find, however, that high-quality educational TV programs complement interactions with their babies and facilitate learning. Robert Titzer's Your Baby Can Read! and Rachel de Azevedo Coleman's Baby Signing Time! are good examples. The Titzer DVDs show parents the best way to read, repeat and talk about words; parents can also read along with the narrator and talk to their baby about the pictures onscreen. For parents teaching sign language to their baby, Coleman clearly demonstrates how to model signs - a big help and confidence boost to parents learning sign language along with their baby. The songs that accompany the lessons are fun and catchy, with babies' enjoyment of the DVDs increasing as they get to know the music.

How can I be sure I'm getting the balance right?

Interacting with your baby while watching is key. Besides that, you should ensure your baby watches no more than one hour of TV per day. To start off with, you might like to keep it to 15 minutes at a time - your baby will probably find it hard to pay attention for any longer. You can increase the duration later, when your baby starts to recognize and understand the program - and especially, when interactions become a two-way affair.

[Knowledge: Baby] How to Calm Your Crying Baby

I've read many articles on this same subject... Why? Well... obviously hubby and I have been going through moments of stress when we just at times couldnt calm our little girl Sarah when she cries. This is another article which i came across and found it very helpful.

You can also read my previous post on this same subject (from Baby Centre website) here.

How to Calm Your Crying Baby
By Elizabeth Pantley - author of Gentle Baby Care

When we’re pregnant or awaiting adoption, we dream about our baby-to-be, we always envision those beautiful Hallmark card scenes: charming baby smiling up at peaceful mother’s face. We read books in advance of the big day about how care for a newborn how to bathe, feed and dress her and then we feel somewhat prepared. However, a crying baby was never part of that idyllic vision, so this takes us by surprise. But the fact is, all babies cry at one time or another. Some babies cry more than others, but they all do cry. Understanding why babies cry can help you get through this phase and respond effectively to your crying baby so can the list of ideas that follows.


Why does my baby cry?

Simply put, babies cry because they cannot talk. Babies are human beings, and they have needs and desires, just as we do, but they can’t express them. Even if they could talk, very often they wouldn’t understand why they feel the way they do, they wouldn’t understand themselves well enough to articulate their needs, so babies need someone to help them figure it all out. Their cries are the only way they can say, “Help me! Something isn’t right here!”


Different kinds of cries

As you get to know your baby, you’ll become the expert in understanding his cries in a way that no one else can. In their research, child development professionals have determined that certain types of cries mean certain things. In other words, babies don’t cry the same exact way every time . (Other child development experts, also known as mothers, have known that for millennia.)
Over time, you’ll recognize particular cries as if they were spoken words. In addition to these cry signals, you often can determine why your baby is crying by the situation surrounding the cry. Following are common reasons for Baby’s cry, and the clues that may tell you what’s up:

Hunger: If three or four hours have passed since his last feeding, if he has just woken up, or if he has just had a very full diaper and he begins to cry, he’s probably hungry. A feeding will most likely stop the crying.

Tiredness: Look for these signs: decreased activity, losing interest in people and toys, rubbing eyes, looking glazed, and the most obvious, yawning If you notice any of these in your crying baby, she may just need to sleep. Time for bed!

Discomfort: If a baby is uncomfortable, too wet, hot, cold, squished he’ll typically squirm or arch his back when he cries, as if trying to get away from the source of his discomfort. Try to figure out the source of his distress and solve his problem.

Pain: A cry of pain is sudden and shrill, just like when an adult or older child cries out when they get hurt. It may include long cries followed by a pause during which your baby appears to stop breathing. He then catches his breath and lets out another long cry.Time to check your baby’s temperature and undress him for a full-body examination.

Overstimulation: If the room is noisy, people are trying to get your baby’s attention, rattles are rattling, music boxes are playing, and your baby suddenly closes her eyes and cries (or turns her head away), she may be trying to shut out all that’s going on around her and find some peace. It’s time for a quiet, dark room and some peaceful cuddles.

Illness: When your baby is sick, he may cry in a weak, moaning way. This is his way of saying, “I feel awful.” If your baby seems ill, look for any signs of sickness, take her temperature and call your healthcare provider.

Frustration: Your baby is just learning how to control her hands, arms, and feet. She may be trying to get her fingers into her mouth or to reach a particularly interesting toy, but her body isn’t cooperating. She cries out of frustration, because she can’t accomplish what she wants to do. All she needs is a little help.

Loneliness: If your baby falls asleep feeding and you place her in her crib, but she wakes soon afterward with a cry, she may be saying that she misses the warmth of your embrace and doesn’t like to be alone. A simple situation to resolve…

Worry or fear: Your baby suddenly finds himself in the arms of Great Aunt Matilda and can’t see you; his previously happy gurgles turn suddenly to crying. He’s trying to tell you that he’s scared: He doesn’t know this new person, and he wants Mommy or Daddy. Explain to Auntie that he needs a little time to warm up to someone new, and try letting the two of them get to know each other while Baby stays in your arms.

Boredom: Your baby has been sitting in his infant seat for 20 minutes while you talk and eat lunch with a friend. He’s not tired, hungry or uncomfortable, but he starts a whiny, fussy cry. He may be saying that he’s bored and needs something new to look at or touch. A new position for his seat or a toy to hold may help.

Colic: If your baby cries inconsolably for long periods every day, particularly at the same time each day, he may have colic. R esearchers are still unsure of colic’s exact cause. Some experts believe that colic is related to the immaturity of a baby’s digestive system. Whatever the cause, and it may be a combination of all the theories; colic is among the most exasperating conditions that parents of new babies face. Colic occurs only to newborn babies, up to about four to five months of age. Look for patterns to your baby’s crying; these can provide clues as to which suggestions are most likely to help. Then experiment with some of the ideas in this list and in the rest of this article.

• If breastfeeding, feed on demand (cue feeding), for nutrition as well as comfort, as often as your baby needs a calming influence.


• If breastfeeding, try avoiding foods that may cause gas in your baby, such as dairy products, caffeine, cabbage, broccoli and other gassy vegetables.


• If bottlefeeding, offer more frequent but smaller meals; experiment with different formulas with your doctor or health care provider’s approval.


• If bottlefeeding, try different types of bottles and nipples that prevent air from entering your baby as he drinks, such as those with curved bottles or collapsible liners.


• Hold your baby in a more upright position for feeding and directly afterwards.


• Experiment with how often and when you burp your baby.


• Offer meals in a quiet setting.


• If baby likes a pacifier, offer him one.


• Invest in a baby sling or carrier and use it during colicky periods.


• If the weather’s too unpleasant for an outside stroll, bring your stroller in the house and walk your baby around.


• Give your baby a warm bath.


• Hold your baby with her legs curled up toward her belly.


• Massage your baby’s tummy, or give him a full massage.


• Swaddle your baby in a warm blanket.


• Lay your baby tummy down across your lap and massage or pat her back.


• Hold your baby in a rocking chair, or put him in a swing.


• Walk with Baby in a quiet, dark room while you hum or sing.


• Try keeping your baby away from highly stimulating situations during the day when possible to prevent sensory overload.


• Lie on your back and lay your baby on top of your tummy down while massaging his back. (Transfer your baby to his bed if he falls asleep.)


• Take Baby for a ride in the car.


• Play soothing music or turn on white noise such as a vacuum cleaner or running water.


• As a last resort, ask your doctor or health care provider about medications available for colic and gas.

What about fussy crying?

There are plenty of times when you can’t tell if your baby’s crying is directly related to a fixable situation: hunger, a soiled diaper, or a longing to be held. That’s when parents get frustrated and nervous. That’s when you should take a deep breath and try some of the following cry-stoppers:

Hold your baby. No matter the reason for your baby’s cry, being held by a warm and comforting person offers a feeling of security and may calm his crying. Babies love to be held in arms, slings, front-pack carriers, and (when they get a little older) backpacks; physical contact is what they seek and what usually soothes them best.

Breastfeed your baby. Nursing your baby is as much for comfort as food. All four of my babies calmed easily when brought to the breast so much so that my husband has always called it “The Secret Weapon.” And my babies are very typical. Breastfeeding is an important and powerful tool for baby soothing.

Provide motion. Babies enjoy repetitive, rhythmic motion such as rocking, swinging, swaying, jiggling, dancing or a drive in the car. Many parents instinctually begin to sway with a fussy baby, and for a good reason: It works.

Turn on some white noise. The womb was a very noisy place. Remember the sounds you heard on the Doppler stethoscope? Not so long ago, your baby heard those 24 hours a day. Therefore, your baby sometimes can be calmed by “white noise” that is, noise that is continuous and uniform, such as that of a heartbeat, the rain, static between radio stations, and your vacuum cleaner. Some alarm clocks even have a white noise function.

Let music soothe your baby. Soft, peaceful music is a wonderful baby calmer. That’s why lullabies have been passed down through the ages. You don’t have to be a professional singer to provide your baby with a song; your baby loves to hear your voice. In addition to your own songs, babies usually love to hear any kind of music. Experiment with different types of tunes, since babies have their own favorites that can range from jazz to country to classical, and even rock and rap.

Swaddle your baby. During the first three or four months of life, many babies feel comforted if you can re-create the tightly contained sensation they enjoyed in the womb..

Massage your baby. Babies love to be touched and stroked, so a massage is a wonderful way to calm a fussy baby. A variation of massage is the baby pat; many babies love a gentle, rhythmic pat on their backs or bottoms.

Let your baby have something to suck on. The most natural pacifier is mother’s breast, but when that isn’t an option, a bottle, pacifier, Baby’s own fingers, a teething toy, or Daddy’s pinkie can work wonders as a means of comfort.

Distract your baby. Sometimes a new activity or change of scenery, maybe a walk outside, or a dance with a song, or a splashy bath can be very helpful in turning a fussy baby into a happy one.


Reading your baby’s body language

Many times, you can avoid the crying altogether by responding right away to your baby’s earliest signals of need, such as fussing, stiffening her body, or rooting for the breast. As you get to know your baby and learn her signals, determining what she needs will become easier for you even before she cries.

This article is a copyrighted excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley . (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

Bedtime routine

Article taken from thestar-online

By WONG LI ZA

A regular routine helps children to settle down for the night.

IF you are a parent with young children but physically resemble a character from Night of the Living Dead, read on. Parents tend to be more concerned about their child’s nutrition and learning abilities rather than sleep.

A recent international study involving 30,000 children aged zero to three has shown that many parents feel their children do not sleep well, especially Asian children.

Completed last year, the International Sleep Study on Infants and Toddlers was conducted in 17 countries. It involved 12 Asian countries (over 20,000 children) and five Western countries consisting of the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. In Malaysia, 997 parents and caregivers responded to the survey, which was conducted online.

The survey, jointly conducted by Johnson & Johnson and the Asia Pacific Paediatric Sleep Alliance (APPSA), is believed to be the largest of its kind.

“Sleep may seem like a natural process but many mothers neglect the importance of good sleep in their children,” said Joyce Lee, Johnson & Johnson Malaysia’s managing director.

Led by prominent US-based paediatrician Dr Jodi Mindell, the study showed that 26% of parents in Caucasian countries believe their child has a sleep problem compared to 54% in Asian countries. (Overall, results in Malaysia and the other Asian countries were very similar.)

Among the questions in the survey was whether parents practised a consistent bedtime routine with their kids.

“Only 53% of Malaysians practise the same bedtime routine with their child compared to 71% of Caucasians,” said How Ti Hwei, director of professional marketing with Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific.

“In addition, 84% of Malaysian children sleep in the same room as their parents compared to only 35% of Caucasians,” said How, who was involved in the survey.

However, consultant paediatrician and paediatric pulmonologist at Hospital Serdang, Dr Norrashidah Abdul Wahab, advocates co-sleeping, but in different beds.

“The main reason for sleeping in different beds is safety. I also find that mothers do not really want to be separated from their young child.

“It is also easier to breastfeed a child who is in the same room and mothers can also tend to the needs of the child immediately,” she said.

The sleep survey also found that the average time children go to bed in Asia is 9.30pm but in Caucasian countries, it is 8.30pm.

“Caucasians have a specific, earlier bedtime for their children. On the other hand, most Malaysians are not aware of the importance of good (sleep) habits,” said Dr Norrashidah, who is a member of APPSA.

Dr Norrashidah believes that the time children go to bed is important.

“Malaysian children tend to sleep later and wake up late, at nine or 10am. They should sleep by eight or 9pm for the proper cycles of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep to take place,” she explained.

REM sleep is important for brain development while during non-REM sleep, physical growth takes place.

She said that non-REM sleep occurs from 8pm onwards; towards the early morning, more REM sleep occurs.

“The age between zero and three is a crucial period for growth, which happens during sleep,” she said.

To get children to sleep earlier, their afternoon naps should only be about one to two hours, she added.

Proven routine

Prior to the International Sleep Study, Dr Mindell carried out a clinical sleep study in the United States involving 58 mothers and their babies aged seven to 18 months over three weeks.

The study, conducted in 2005, involved practising a three-step routine before bedtime, which comprised a bath, massage and quiet activities like story time.

Results showed that babies slept faster and woke up in the middle of the night less. The longest sleep period in the night also increased by 23% and mothers reported that they were less tired.

“This study shows that a simple three-step routine can help both children and mothers sleep better,” he said, adding that the routine should not take more than 30 minutes.

Added Lee, “Many mothers know intuitively that a routine works. Now, we are sharing with them a practical and proven routine to follow.”

Asian parents who might not be open to bathing their children at night have an alternative – wiping them down with warm water.

“The warmness calms and relaxes the child,” said Lee.

Dr Norrashidah said a regular bedtime routine is important to teach the baby to unwind and go to sleep to maximise the restorative benefits of sleep to aid the baby’s cognitive, social and physical development.

“The lack of a bedtime routine and healthy sleep in the long term can affect a baby’s memory, learning ability and even well-being,” said Dr Norrashidah.

She stressed that the key points are to put a baby to bed early from the start and to continue practising a routine.

“Bathe or wipe them down, change them into their pyjamas, dim the lights, and spend time with them. Read them a book or sing a song. It’s also good to massage them because it is relaxing.

“A routine should continue until the child is about five years old,” she said.

She added that many Malaysian parents do not practise a set routine with their children due to their busy lifestyle.

“Understandably, most mothers work these days and come back late but they still want to spend time and play with their children at night,” she said.

Dr Norrashidah added that although a bigger study is needed, the clinical sleep study shows that a routine is effective in helping children sleep better.

Everyday Care for Babies (ECB)

Many parents worry that they will not know what to do when confronted with a newborn baby. Fortunately, looking after a baby does not require specialist skills – just some basic knowledge, common sense, and a willingness to ask for advice, and of course not forgetting… Mother’s instinct!

I’ve basically gathered a few great pointers on caring for my baby, and thus a new label “Everyday Care for Babies (ECB)” is created.

Hope new mums & dads will find this helpful as it does for me!

[Knowledge: Baby] Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them

Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board Last updated: November 2006 Babies cry. There's no way to avoid it — it's one way they communicate. Since your baby can't flat out tell you, you may worry, "How will I know what she wants?" It can be difficult at first, but a large part of parenting is trial and error and you'll soon learn to anticipate her needs, read her cues, and wipe away her tears. Here are the most common reasons babies cry. If your little one is wailing, work your way down the list and chances are you'll find something that helps. How can I tell why my baby is crying? She's hungry Once you learn to recognize the signs that your baby wants to eat — she'll fuss, make noises, and root around for your breast if you pick her up — you'll get pretty good at feeding her before she starts to really cry. Until then, checking to see if she's hungry is a good first step when your baby cries. Food might not stop her crying right away, but let her keep eating if she wants to. She'll stop once her stomach is full. She needs a fresh diaper Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others don't mind when their diapers are soiled — it's warm and comfortable to them. (Parents are often surprised when they pick up their infant and find she's been sitting in a dirty diaper and never made a sound.) Either way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy. She's too cold or hot Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm. (As a rule, they need to be wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable.) So when your baby feels cold, like when you remove her clothes to change her, she'll express her discomfort by crying. You'll learn how to quickly change a diaper and wrap your baby back up. Be careful that you don't overdress her, since she's less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold and won't cry about it as vigorously. She wants to be held Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell (especially Mom's milk). After being fed, burped, and changed, many babies simply want to be held. You may wonder if you'll "spoil" your child by holding her so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. Infants vary a lot in how much they want to be held. Some demand a lot of attention, while others can spend long periods of time sitting calmly by themselves. If your baby likes the attention, pick her up, wear her in a front carrier or sling, or place her next to you. She can't take it anymore While newborns often thrive on attention, they can easily become overstimulated and have a meltdown. You may find that your baby cries longer than usual after spending a holiday with many adoring family members or has periods at the end of each day when she seems to cry for no reason. Newborns have difficulty processing all the stimulation they receive — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to hand — and can become overwhelmed by too much activity. Crying is their way of saying, "I've had enough." This usually happens when your baby is tired. Take her somewhere calm and quiet and let her vent for a while, and then see if you can get her to sleep. She doesn't feel good If you've just fed your baby and checked that she's comfortable (she can be troubled by something as subtle as a hair wrapped around her toe or a clothing tag that's poking her), but she's still crying, consider checking her temperature to make sure she isn't ill. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from the hunger or frustration cry, and you'll soon learn when your baby's cries "just don't sound right" and she needs to be taken to the doctor. None of the above Sometimes you might not be able to figure out what's wrong. Many newborns develop periods of fussiness when they're not easily soothed. These fussy periods can range from a few minutes of crying to full-blown colic. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day and at least three days a week. Even if your baby isn't crying this much, these episodes may be difficult for you. When all else fails, try the tips below. I can't figure out why she's crying. What should I do? Wrap her up and hold her close Newborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb, so try swaddling your baby in a blanket, wearing her, or holding her against your shoulder. But be aware that some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking a pacifier. Let her hear the rhythm Babies are used to the sound of your heartbeat; that's another reason they love to be held close. You can also try playing soft music, singing a lullaby, or even putting her close to the rhythm of an electric fan or the white noise of a vacuum cleaner. Put her in motion Sometimes just the motion of carrying your baby will be enough to calm her. Other times, it may help to rock her gently in a rocking chair or swing, set her in her bouncy seat, or place her in her car seat on top of the dryer while it's on (the dryer's vibrations can cause her seat to move enough to fall off, so make sure you stay by her side while you do this!). You could also push her around outside in her stroller or take her for a ride in the car. Massage her Most babies love to be touched, so a massage might be just the thing to soothe your baby. Don't worry about not knowing the perfect movements — as long as they're gentle and slow, they should bring comfort. Also, try rubbing your baby's back or belly. This will help if she's having gas pains — which may be the problem with some colicky babies. Let her suck on something Even when she's not hungry, sucking can steady an infant's heart rate, relax her stomach, and calm her flailing limbs. Give her a pacifier or a finger to clamp onto and let her go to town. Take care of yourself No baby ever cried herself to death, but a crying baby can be very stressful for new parents. You're chronically sleep-deprived and may already be unsure about how to care for this baby. Mom's emotions are all over the place due to the hormonal changes she's going through. Dad may not be sure what role he should play in caring for the newborn or whether he'll ever get Mom's attention again. Add a crying baby to this scenario and many parents can become overwhelmed with feelings of incompetence. If you know your baby's needs have been met and you've tried to calm her but she's still crying, it's time to take care of yourself so you don't get too exasperated: • Put your baby down in a safe place and let her cry for a while. • Call a friend or relative and ask for advice. • Give yourself a break and let someone else take over. • Put on quiet music to distract yourself. • Take deep breaths. • Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and crying won't hurt her — she may just need the release. • Repeat to yourself, "She will outgrow this phase." • Whatever you do, don't take your frustration out on your baby by shaking her. Fortunately, babies (and their parents) are resilient and somehow manage to get through even the most difficult crying episodes. Take heart that by the time your baby is 8 to 12 weeks old, she'll be better able to soothe herself and much of the crying will stop.

All contents copyright © BabyCenter LLC. 1997-2008 All rights reserved.

[Knowledge: Baby] Baby's head - the fontanelles

(Nope, this is NOT baby Sarah's head. I got this from the net instead. :))

Are you interested to know a little something about baby's head? I was... and so, here's sharing something i got from "Complete Baby & Childcare" by Dr Miriam Stoppard:-

Your baby's skull is made up of four large plates that dont fuse, so they can move across each other, especially during labour when your baby's head is compressed by pressure from your vaginal walls. The sliding skull bones enable him to pass through the birth canal without hazard, though his head may become slightly elongated or misshapen in the process. This is entirely normal and does not affect the brain. There may also be some bruising or swelling, but it will disappear during the first few days or weeks.

The soft spots on the top of your baby's skull where the bones are still not joined are called the fontanelles. The skull bones wont fuse completely until your baby is about two. Be careful, especially with a very young baby, not to press the fontanelles.

Knowing this, i would try to protect baby Sarah's head at all times. Kids around and even "big" kids around seem to like touching baby's head (not just Sarah's), so i would always say gently to innocent children (her korkor's and chehcheh's) not to touch baby Sarah's head because it is sooooo soft and needs lots of care.

[Knowledge: Baby] Birthmark

It's interesting to know that every child is born with some type of birthmark! That's what i got as my knowledge on babies expands! haha... like real! :)

Yep, been doing lotsa reading (whenever i'm free). Those who know me well knows that i'm not a reader at all! Maybe the only book that i read is the Bible! Now, i've got a new good habit! Babies change mummies! Baby Power! Hahaha! OK, OK... back to what i'm supposed to be writing... *trying to stay focus* ;o)

Baby Sarah has got a birthmark called "Strawberry Mark"! I found out that this birthmark commonly appear at the back of the neck just under the hairline.... that's where Sarah's birthmark is!

Just some things to share on the types of birthmark. There are a few types which are commonly found in babies. Most marks will fade off and disappear on their own by the time the child is 3 years old, although some may remain and increase in size.


Types of Birthmark

1. Strawberry marks (a.k.a. stork's marks or stork bites)
These pink discolorations of the skin usually fade with time, often within a few months. They usually first appear as small red dots that are not always obvious at birth. They may grow rather alarmingly during the first months of life into red raised lumps, but during the 2nd year most shrivel and disappear without leaving a scar. They are most common on the forehead, eyelids, upper lip, between the eyebrows, and the back of the neck.

2. Spider birthmarks (naevi)
These small marks appear shortly after birth as a network or a cobweb of dilated vessels. They generally disappear after the first year.

3. Pigmented naevi
These brownish patches can occur anywhere on the body. They are usually pale and nearly always enlarge as the child grows but they seldom become darker.

4. Port wine stains
Found anywhere on the body, these bright red or purple marks are caused by dilated capillaries in the skin. Although permanent, they can be removed with laser treatment, or camouflaged with special make-up.

5. Mongolian spots
It is common for dark-skinned babies to have harmless, dark bluish-black discolorations of the skin, usually on the back or buttocks; these will fade naturally.

[Knowledge: Baby] The newborn traits

From the moment of birth, baby boys and girls will show different behavioural traits, which is interesting to know. It's all about the genes that they carry in them since the time of conception. Here are some behavioural traits that are typical of girls and boys (taken from a book i read - Complete Baby & Childcare by Dr Miriam Stoppard):-

Your Newborn Girl

1. Hearing in girls is very acute and they can be calmed down with soothing words much more readily than boys.

2. A baby girl cries longer than a boy if she hears another baby crying.

3. Baby girls use their own voice to get their mother's attention earlier and more often than boys.

4. Baby girls can locate the source of a sound without difficulty.

5. Girls respond enthusiastically to visual stimulation from birth.

6. Baby girls are interested in the unusual.

7. Girls prefer the human face to almost anything else. Later in life, this trait shows as intuitive reading of facial expression regardless of cultural differences.

Your Newborn Boy

1. Hearing in boys is less acute than in girls, so boys are more difficult to calm down.
2. If a newborn boy hears another baby cry, he'll join in but stop crying quite quickly.
3. Baby boys don't make sounds in answer to their mother's voice earlier on. This hearing response lasts throughout life.
4. Newborn boys have difficulty in locating the source of sounds.
5. Baby boys require more visual stimulation than girls. They quickly lose interest in a design or picture, and lag behind girls in visual maturity up to the age of seven months.
6. Baby boys are interested in the differences between things.
7. Boys are more active, and are interested in things just as much as in people.

8. Boys want to taste everything, touch everything, and move things about more than girls.