Thumb sucking and pacifiers

During a baby's first year of life, he will put anything he can lay his hands on into his mouth. This is because he feels things, at this stage, primarily with his mouth and tongue. Later, infants develop thumb sucking or similar habits. These habits develop when they are tired, hungry, bored or frustrated. To solve the problem, feed the child if he is hungry. To relieve boredom and frustration, create a new suitable activity for the child. Talk to the child and play simple games that actively involve him.

If thumb sucking is only at bedtime, do nothing. Do not use thumb guards or apply pungent food or tie a cloth around the thumb. It may result in the baby's acquiring other, perhaps less desirable, habits such as head banging, tongue sucking, removing hair from his own head etc.

Baby’s solid foods

Once your baby has settled into a good breast-feeding, or bottle feeding, routine, thee is no need to introduce him to any solid food till he is four months old. By then, his nutritional needs would have grown and you will find it difficult to sustain him on milk alone. At this stage start him off gradually on solid foods. Being fed solid food is a whole new kind of experience for a baby. It is also a major step towards eventual independence. And you will be filled with a new joy when baby takes his first tiny teaspoonful of kheer or Khichadi.

Try to introduce various tastes to baby because his taste buds are pure (i.e.) unsullied. To the baby salt is saltier and sugar is sweeter. So keep them away, for the eating habits, you are preparing in the early part of baby’s life will stay with him forever.

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.

Baby’s Birthday celebration

Every year, you can celebrate your baby’s birthday. But the first birthday is very special and memorable. So plan in advance and make all arrangements for your baby’s birthday party. Invite your guests in advance over phone or by sending email or cards. The party time lasts for one hour to one and half hours. You can plan it in the evening and it is very nice for all.

Arrange the area with balloons. Babies love balloons. Give small gifts like toys, balloons to the babies who attend the party. Many babies like to play during the party. So arrange the function in a baby proof play zone and make arrangements to fill the area with toys that suits your little guest. Arrange the chairs around the zone, so parents can relax and watch their children playing.

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.

Tips to handle Small babies during temperature

Small babies need to be relaxed at all times; the body temperature should neither be too cold nor too hot. Fever among babies is a normal happening and though this is no cause to apprehension regarding your baby’s safety. You should take certain safety measures and it will certainly help. If the body temperature of your baby constantly keeps high, you should immediately consult the doctor. Before going to doctor keep small piece of cloth soaked in ice water and put it in your baby’s forehead. This will reduce the temperature.

Then go to the Doctor and he will give medicines. Follow the instructions correctly. Give him easy digestible foods. Don’t use the prescription for the next time. If you find the same problem with your baby again consult the Doctor. This is most important. During Summer, like adults babies need less clothing and during winter they need well protection you should wrap him with a blanket.