Tips to New Mothers - Part two

There is often a vaginal discharge in the first days after birth. It appears as white mucus and may he ting with blood. Sometimes both baby boys and girls develop a swelling and fullness of their breast. They may actually secrete milk, which sometimes even exudes from the nipples. You should not squeeze this milk out deliberately; such squeez¬ing may result in an infection or an abscess. Both vaginal discharge and milk secretion are caused by maternal hormones which crossed the placenta: before birth.

The newborn usually passes urine in the first twelve hours, but delays up to 24 hours are not unusual. If the baby does not pass urine by then, inform your doctor. The baby's bowels usually start functioning in 24 hours. Initially, the child will pass a blackish motion, called meconium. The normal, yellow-colored motion appears only around the third or fourth day of life.

Tips to New Mothers - Part one

The newborn's genitals are usually disproportionately large, being swollen at birth. The swelling will gradually disappear .. In an uncircumcised baby boy, the foreskin normally adheres to his penis and should not be forcibly retracted. The foreskin naturally separates and becomes retractable as the child grows older.

The umbilical cord, which linked Baby to you, is cut and tied immediately after birth. It begins to dry and turn leathery soon afterwards and will fall off within 5-10 days. . A slight bulge around the umbilical cord may sometimes develop in the first month. This too is not uncommon and is not dangerous; it generally disappears by the end of the first year

Common Doubts about new Born babies

The common doubts about new born baby to the new mothers are listed here. Is he the right weight and length? What is this pink patch on his nape? Is his head in the right size? Does he seem cross-eyed? Are his ears shaped like cauliflowers? Such concern is natural. But if you know what to expect, your adjustment to motherhood will be quicker and you will be spared many an anxious moment. It is good to remember is that babies are individuals, each baby is different from the other, both physically and temperamentally.

When a proud friend tells you her baby weighed almost four kilos at birth and yours was only three, do not go into a tizzy. Your baby is as normal as can be. The average newborn weighs 2.7 kg. Since that is only an average you will find newborns weighing any¬where from 2.5 to 4 kg. The newborn's head circumference will vary from 33 to 35 cm and its body length from 47 to 50 cm. If your baby measures a little more or less than even these 'normal figures', he is still within the normal parameters.

New born baby – vomiting or spitting-up problem

Babies often spit up a small amount of food after a feed. This is quite normal. Babies may even vomit during or after a feeding, then they become less full and want more nourishment. If a baby throws up all or most of a feed occasionally, it is possible that the mother’s breast milk supply may have been especially generous. Or that the bottle’s nipple holes were too large. In this situation, the breast-feeding mother should express some milk at the beginning of each feed and not begin to nurse until the flow has lessened. For bottle fed babies, nipples with smaller holes should be used.

New born baby - vomiting problem

Hi- Occasional spitting up or vomiting is usual not a cause for concern. Repeated vomiting on the other hand should cause concern. Call the doctor if your baby vomits large amounts consistently or if there is blood in any of the vomit.

Baby Breast Feeding

Today, the pendulum is swinging back in favor of breast feeding. More and more doctors recommend nursing for its ease, its nutrition and its special joy. Before you nurse, you must understand the nursing isn’t a test of your maternal ability, but the completion of a natural cycle. It is also very convenient. However, nursing is an individual decision. Your decision to breast feed is one with which you should feel comfortable. On the other hand, if your feelings are not as enthusiastic as the Earth Mother type, you may still want to give it a try. Some women who have started hesitantly have become strong advocates of breast feeding.

Common problems in Infancy

With parenthood comes new responsibilities, new worries. Many doubts and questions arise, and you will face many, many anxious moments. All of this begins when your baby is an infant and unfortunately, never quite ends.

Parents need to be sure that their baby is growing normally. This can be confirmed by regular physical examinations. Nevertheless, there are worries from time to time. Sometimes your baby’s nose will run, sometimes his stomach will ache. He will be a perfect little angel during the day, but a howling banshee every evening. What are you supposed to do if he get up with sticky eyes and can’t open his eyelids? And what if he is straining to pass a bowel movement?

A number of these conditions may worry new parents. But all of them are quiet normal. If you know what to expect, you should be able to take them in your stride and handle more wisely every condition as it comes up.

Tips to New mothers - Burping baby

Even breast-fed babies will sometimes swallow a little air. Be sure to burp him at least once during the feeding as well as afterwards. No two babies burp alike. But until you know your baby’s style, bring up the bubbles by rubbing gently up and down along his spine, especially between the shoulder blades, while he falls over your hand or your shoulder. This pressure forces more gas from the area, stomach afterwards, the last bubbles usually come up in about fifteen minutes. Some babies bring up a bit of milk now and then. This is harmless. If no burp is forthcoming, don’t try to force one; perhaps your baby hasn’t swallowed any air and doesn’t need to burp.

Young mother and a new born baby

At birth, the baby often has a full head of hair. This will, in most cases be shed in the first ten months. Some babies grow a full head of hair quite quickly. Others do not have lots of hair for moths. Rest assured that such growth does not mean the baby is going to end up being bald for life. The shape of the ears differs from child to child due to familial variations. Some times a skin tag may be seen on the ear. These tags should be shown to the doctor before they are tied.

The shape of a baby’s head varies a great deal. This due to the baby forcing its way out of your body. There is sometimes a uniform swelling but this usually disappears in two or three days. However, if the swelling is localized on one side of the head and is confined to the limits of the bone, it is due to the blood collection on the outer surface of the skull bone. This is called Cephal Haematoma and usually disappears in about 4-6 weeks. For all your doubts you can consult your doctor.

Tips to new parents- 1

Many people think one of the first things a mother asks is whether the baby is a boy or girl. In fact, her first questions are generally whether or not the baby is normal and how much he weighs. Even after you have been reassured that Baby is fine and you have held him and counted all his ten fingers and ten toes, there may be times when you feel anxious. Is his head the right size ? Does he seem cross eyed ? Such concern is natural. But if you know what to expect, you adjustment to motherhood will be quicker and you will be spared many an anxious moment.

A good rule to remember is that babies are individuals, each different from the other, both physically and temperamentally. When a proud friend tells you her baby weighted almost four kilos at birth and yours was only thee do not go into tizzy. Your baby is as normal as can be.

Baby rashes problem

If you find some red spots or pink pimples on a baby’s cheeks, don’t worry, it may be a child’s first rash. Most of parents become panic on seeing these rashes. But these rashes are simply our skin’s way of reacting to certain irritants, infections or hormonal changes, and generally are not a cause for alarm. “Because their immune systems are still developing, young children are more sensitive to chemicals, viruses and bugs than we are,” says the Chief Doctor of pediatric dermatology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “As a result, there are hundreds of different rashes they can get.”

Usually most rashes are harmless and they will fade gradually in a day or two. There are some rashes, like eczema, that can be treated with medication. Some type of rashes on the skin is contagious. It is difficult to distinguish one type from another; so better to consult a pediatrician or your family doctor when you see rashes on your child’s skin. If a rash is accompanied by high fever immediately consult the Doctor.

Baby care tips

Having a baby is a pleasure in life. To watch your baby is growing is a memorable thing in your life. Every day is precious. The important thing is keep him in a good environment. Skin care is most important. Wash the diapers with gentle soap and dry them in sunlight. Clean the baby's backside (bottom) with Luke warm water using cotton. Change the wet diapers immediately. Keep your baby without diapers for few hours every day.

Doubts about new born

Most women find that they are more anxious than usual the first few weeks at home. They worry about the baby's crying and fretful spells, suspecting that something is seriously wrong. They worry about every sneeze and every spot of rash. They tiptoe into the baby's room to see whether he is still breathing. It is probably instinctive for mothers to be overly protective at this period. I suppose it is Nature's way of being sure that the millions of new mothers throughout the world, some of whom may be immature and careless. take their new responsibility seriously. A little worrisome might be a good thing for some irresponsible types. But of course it hits hardest the very conscientious ones who need it least. Fortunately it wears off.

Get the guidance from your grand mother. A grandmother can help the mother do a good job by showing her confidence in her and fitting in with her methods as far as posible. This puts the mother in a mood to ask advice when she is in doubt.