Baby,Pregnancy and Healthy world !!

Here are some key points to remember to help keep your baby healthy and safe. Remember, newborns, preemies, and young infants are very susceptible to illness. Be sure to:

* Wash your hands frequently when caring for your little one (especially after going to the bathroom and changing diapers). * Make sure all visitors wash their hands prior to touching your baby. * Make sure visitors are not ill when coming to visit. * Avoid large crowds for at least 1 month after your baby is born.

Help protected your baby from accidental injury. Be sure to:

* Always place your baby in an appropriate car seat when traveling in any vehicle. * Never leave baby unattended (especially in the car, bathtub, changing table, or on any other elevated area). * Always keep one hand on your baby when in the bathtub, on the changing table, or on any elevated area. * Never shake your baby. Shaken baby syndrome can cause blindness, brain damage or death. * Place baby on his/her back to sleep to reduce the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome. * Always test the temperature of the water before giving a bath. * Use a non-skid mat in the bathtub. * Never prop a bottle when feeding your baby. * Never place pacifier on a string around baby’s neck. * Check pacifiers and nipples for holes and tears frequently. * Always test the temperature of breast milk/formula prior to feeding your baby. * Never leave pets or young children alone with your baby. * Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. * Do not carry infant when you are cooking or holding hot drinks. * Make sure that your baby’s toys are unbreakable. * Remove toys from the crib when your baby is sleeping or unattended. * Never give an infant under 1 year of age honey. Honey has been associated with botulism.

If you’ve recently become pregnant you may be wondering how many items of baby clothing you’ll need to be prepared for your baby’s arrival. Even if you don’t usually think of yourself as an organised person, it still may put you at ease to know that at least a few things are taken care of before bubbie gets here. It is unrealistic for most to assume there will be plenty of opportunity after the baby comes to go out shopping. It is definitely more likely that the more that is done before your baby comes, the more relaxed and comfortable the parents will be. –

 

The last thing a new mother is wanting to do, is to spend her day out shopping with a tiny new baby. Even if the baby is very happy and sleepy it’s not ideal to be driving around shopping. Childcare is an option but for such a new one, many mothers will still be breastfeeding and find it difficult to stop what they are doing every two hours or the option of expressing in between feeds can be exhausting. Some mothers will run into problems during childbirth and may have had a c-section or other complications that may make it difficult to get out to buy baby clothing also in the first few weeks.

 

So how much do you need to buy as far as baby clothing goes? The first few months your baby will usually grow through the first few sizes pretty fast. This makes lots of mothers think they might not need very many suits but it is important to look at how much you will want to be washing and drying baby clothes. Some babies dirty up their clothes faster than others. If your baby suffers from anything like reflux they will sometimes vomit on their clothes more than other babies. While some mothers feel their baby gets vomit on them more often anyway! Your baby may be fine in one outfit for the day and a fresh one after bathtime for the night, other babies will need 3-4 outfits a day. So if you base your estimate on somewhere in between you may feel comfortable having 10 suits in a particular size and only need to wash a couple of times a week. 

 

Is your home safe for your baby? Your home may feel like a safe sanctuary to you, but to your baby, it could be a mine field. Get your house ready for baby by taking these precautions:

- Keep potentially toxic items (such as cleaning agents, medicines, vitamins, toiletries, mothballs, poisons, paint, oil, gas, harmful plants, and other potentially hazardous items) out of your child’s reach and utilize locks/latches on cabinet doors for added protection. Special note: Keep purses and bags out of your baby’s reach also, since these hold potentially hazardous items.

- Post the number for Poison Control (800) 222- 1222 near your phone.

- Ensure all smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are functioning properly and check the batteries every week.

- Cover all electrical outlets with appropriate covers or block with furniture. Special note: Some commonly used outlet covers are potential choking hazards. Look for outlet covers that cover the entire outlet or require an additional step to remove. You may even want to consider changing the entire outlet to a tamper resistant one.

- Secure any loose cords (electrical and blinds/drapes) to prevent accidental strangulation.

- Block passages to unsafe areas (stairs, bathrooms, laundry room, fireplaces, etc) by using gates, door knob covers, and by keeping doors closed and locked (if able).

- Secure toilet seats with appropriate safety latches/locks.

- Secure furnishings (dressers, TV, book case, etc) to the wall to prevent toppling.

- Make sure table cloths are secured or removed to prevent your child from pulling the table cloth and potentially injuring him/her from falling objects on the table.

- Place guards on the corners of your tables and other sharp edges throughout your home.

- Utilize door stoppers to protect your baby’s fingers.

- Keep windows locked and never leave a child unattended near an open window.

- Never leave your baby unattended on any elevated surface (i.e. sofa, changing table, high chair, beds, etc.). Be sure to use your safety harnesses.

- Utilize safety belts/harnesses whenever possible (i.e. high chairs, swings, changing table, strollers, etc.).

- Keep plastic bags, balloons, string, and rope out of your baby’s reach to prevent suffocation and/or strangulation.

- Ensure stair and porch railings are no wider than 4 inches apart. If the railings are wider, then cover with banister guards to prevent falls and/or entrapment.

- Never leave pets unattended around your baby.

Get down on the floor and look at each room through your baby’s eyes. It will be easier to see the potential dangers.Be sure to download our Emergency Contacts sheet and keep accessible in the event of an emergency. Watching your baby become aware of their surroundings and begin exploring their environment will be a magical experience. Make sure it’s a safe one too!

Babies can be a very expensive addition to the family. There is nothing worse than feeling like you can’t be excited about the arrival of your new baby, because of the stress and anxiety associated with all the extra costs. If the mother was previously working there is now a drastic cut in a couples income and now new expenses to add onto the budget. No new parents want to be worried that they may not be able to afford some of the weekly expenses such as formula, nappies, wipes and baby clothing. 

 

Once the big things such as the car seat, cot and pram are purchased, most parents will feel slightly relieved. One of the ongoing costs for a growing baby is baby clothes. In the first year babies grow so fast that it is hard for some parents to justify spending a lot of money on baby clothing. They may only wear an outfit a few times before they have grown out of it. This doesn’t mean parents don’t want the best and cutest outfits for their babies to wear.

 

There are many ways you can get your hands on adorable outfits for low prices. Baby clothing, new or second hand, can be purchased online from many different sites at very low prices. Have baby clothes delivered to your door, which is another bonus for new mummy’s who really don’t feel up to going out shopping, especially if they are struggling with sleep, feeding and routines. Delivery costs are usually fairly low or even free if a certain amount are ordered. Of course there is the option of checking out your local stores. Op shops and markets are other places really cheap baby clothes can be found.

 

Whatever the size or style of baby clothing you are looking for it is an easy task when searching online. The range and variety of clothes is vast and if you are looking for something unique and different it is sure to be found. You can even have baby clothes custom made to suit your taste. Don’t pay a ridiculous amount for clothes your baby may only wear for a few months or even only weeks, get great cute clothes from websites that understand your financial needs. 

 

Theres no need to worry when it come to expensive baby clothing. Your baby can be wearing great, well known brands that will last and last without breaking the bank. It is a great idea to pass on baby clothes to close friends or family so you know they are getting as much use as possible and therefore more value for your money.

 

There’s more to bottle feeding than you may realize. Get the inside scoop here.

1. Change your baby’s diaper before the feeding. This helps wake your baby for the feeding and allows for undisturbed sleep after the feeding.

2. Prepare your baby’s daily amount of formula ahead of time. You can:

Mix the desired amount of formula beforehand and put it the fridge. Then when you are ready to use the milk, place it in a bowl of warm water to take the chill off. Prepared powder formula may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours after mixed.

Pre-measure both the powder and water in separate containers (a sealed container for the powder and a baby bottle for the water). Make enough for the day/night. Then, when you are ready to feed your baby, mix the two together. This eliminates the need to warm the milk.

3. Use boiled water or bottled water when mixing your baby’s formula. When using boiled water, allow for the water to come back to room temperature before mixing with the formula.

4. Never warm formula in the microwave. This can cause the milk to be very hot in some areas. Always warm milk by placing the bottle in a bowl or cup of warm water. Be sure to test the milk on the inner aspect of your wrist to ensure temperature safety. Perfect formula temperature is when you are unable to feel hot or cold.

5. Discard any unused milk one hour after the feeding. Bacteria from your baby’s saliva begin to rapidly multiply when left at room temperature.

6. Make sure to burp your baby frequently during feedings.

If your baby does not spit up frequently, wait until your baby stops sucking from the bottle and then burp your baby. The gas bubbles make your baby think that he/she is full and will cause them to stop drinking the milk.

Once your baby lets out a good burp, he/she will probably resume eating.

If your baby tends to spit up frequently or has colic, try burping your baby more frequently, approximately after every half an ounce or so.

7. For a sleepy newborn or preemie:

Remove blankets and hat. Babies love to sleep when they are cozy and warm. If that doesn’t do the trick, undress your baby.

Rub your baby’s back along his/her spine.

Tickle your baby’s feet.

Wipe your baby’s face and chest with a cool, damp cloth.

Hold your baby on your lap with your non-dominate hand supporting your baby’s head, neck, and shoulder. Some babies tend to sleep when they are snuggled in mommy or daddy arms during feedings.

Remember, practice makes perfect.