Sleeping with your baby

When we think of a young baby sleeping, the most natural assumption is that, the baby will be sleeping with his mother. Babies have slept with their mothers from time immemorial. This was thought to be the best practice as constant contact between mother and baby not only gave the baby a sense of security but also strengthened the emotional bond between the two. The increase in research and studies done on babies, in the recent times, has given rise to a debate as to whether it is better for the baby to sleep with their mother or alone in their cot. Some mothers prefer sleeping together other prefer to put their baby in a cot. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is for the parents to decide what is best for their baby.

Benefits of sleeping together:

• Feeding, whether it is breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, is very pleasant experience because of the closeness.
• As the baby is sleeping next to you, you can watch over your baby easily.
• Studies show that as a result of body contact the baby's breathing is stimulated and body temperature is regulated.
• Physical contact with your baby is always a joy, even while sleeping.

Drawbacks of sleeping together:

• Since you are so close, it is likely, that the baby may wake up more frequently and have more feeds.
• You may not sleep well as the baby's movements may disturb you.
• Many mothers worry that they may end up sleeping on their baby, which makes it difficult for them to sleep. This will happen only if you are drunk or using medication that makes you sleepy.
• You may feel that you do not have any time for yourself and that the baby is tied to you.
• Your husband may feel neglected as all your time and attention is devoted to the baby, this can affect your sex life.
• It may be a while before your baby is ready and willing to sleep alone. It may even take over a year for him to be able to sleep independently.

While making any decisions, where the baby is concerned, it is best for the both the parents to participate in the decision making process. An excellent middle path to adopt would be to put a three-sided cot right next to your bed. This way the baby will be in the same room as you and within an arm's length so that you can check on him easily. At the same time he will have an independent cot, which help you sleep without being unnecessarily disturbed.

Baby Clothing

Buying clothes for a growing baby is a bit challenging for many new parents. Today, the choice of baby clothing available in the market is unlimited. There are so many types of designs and so many fabrics available in baby clothes that, at times, choosing between them seems to be an impossible task. However, while buying clothes for babies, you need to keep certain basic conditions in mind. They should be comfortable, pose no hazard for the baby (such as buttons that might be swallowed) and be suitable for his/her age as well. Babies grow out of their clothes quickly, so you should not buy too many clothes at a time. However, the baby clothes should not be so few also that you end up washing them every other day. In order to help you buy clothes for newborns, we have provided a number of tips in the following lines, just for you!


Tips On Baby Clothes

• When buying children's clothes, the first thing to remember is that they must be easy to put on, easily washable and above everything else, comfortable to wear.
• It is always advisable to buy trousers or skirts with elasticized waistbands and shoulder straps, for a baby.
• Prefer buying clothes that can be stretched and have a wide neck, because they are easier to wear as well as take off.
• Avoid buying clothes that are adorned by lace, as babies can get their fingers caught in the lace.
• Always go for natural fibers as far as baby clothes are concerned, especially in summers.
• Clothes that open in front and have poppers are easier to put on as well as take off the baby.
• Try to avoid buying clothes that have buttons, as buttons can off and get swallowed by the baby.
• Avoid clothes that have ties attached to them, as the ties can come off easily and you will have to sew them on again.
• Never ever opt for clothes that have rough stitching. They can be uncomfortable for the baby.
• Since babies tend to picked up by so many people, so many times, it is best to go for clothes that do not need ironing.

Basic Wardrobe For A Newborn

• 6-8 stretch suits (always buy according to weight not age)
• 2 nightgowns (comfortable and easy to put on and take off)
• 4 sleeveless vests, with poppers under the crotch
• 3 pairs of socks
• 3 cardigans (for winters)
• A sunhat and a light jacket (for summers)
• A warm hat, mittens and snow suit (for winters)

Sun Care For Babies

Parents often worry that they will not be able to tell when their baby is unwell. After a few weeks, once you get to know your baby and his routine of feeding, sleeping and waking, you will be able to tell if the baby is behaving differently. If you feel that the baby is not his normal self consult your doctor immediately. Either take the baby to the doctor or speak to him over the phone. If you are calling him, write down all the things that you want to ask about. Make a note of all the important phone numbers like your doctor's, health clinic, hospital, a good taxi service and numbers of friends who would be willing to look after older children in an emergency. If you are asked to bring your baby to the hospital at night do so, as it is better to take the baby there than, treating him at home.

Whenever they are taken outdoors babies and small children need special care. Their skin is so delicate that the sun and wind can burn them easily. If there is any tanning on your babies skin it means that there is some skin damage. Special care must be taken of babies when they are taken abroad where the weather is different from that of his home country. The mildest of sunburns is very painful for the baby and studies have shown that skin cancer is related to sunburn in childhood. Here are some tips to protect the baby from the sun:

• Dress your baby up in long-sleeved T-shirts and trousers made of cotton. This will be cool and protect the skin from the sun.
• Do not let your baby out in the sun especially at noon, as the sun is the strongest at this time.
• Use a sun block every time you take the baby out. The sun protection factor should be at least 25. Apply this cream every two hours. Studies have show that people should be using thrice as much cream as they are using now.
• Use a broad rimmed straw hat when you take the baby out in the pram. If the canopy of the pram is small, attach sunshades to protect the baby from the sun.
• If your baby does get sun burnt give him a cool bath and apply calamine lotion. It is always safer to consult your doctor first.
• Ensure that your baby is drinking a lot of fluids. Whether it is breast milk or water especially if it is very hot so that he doesn't get dehydrated.
• Sometimes babies can have a heat stroke due to over exposure to the sun. The common symptoms are vomiting, listlessness, headaches and drowsiness. Give your baby plenty of fluids and consult your doctor immediately.
• Protect your babies from the wind as harsh wind can damage their delicate skin as well. Keep you baby well covered while taking them out.

Traveling With A Baby

Though you may be traveling less frequently once you have a baby till he is a little old, it does not mean that you stop taking holidays because of the little ones. But you will have to make elaborate plans well in advance. Being away from home is a big change in routine for both your baby and you, so you will have to plan ahead, even anticipate problems so that the entire family has a good holiday. Getting advice from parents who have taken their children on holidays is a good idea. Here are a few tips about things that worked for other parents:

• While booking a holiday find out what facilities the tour operator provides. Children who are two years below usual travel free.
• Find out what kind of childcare facilities the operator provides like baby cots, prams, highchairs etc. so that you do not have to carry these things with you.
• Your baby will require a passport.
• Once you decide on the holiday location, consult your doctor about the vaccination your baby requires before you decide the holiday dates. If there are vaccines to be taken then it is best to take them a little before the holiday date. Some vaccines cannot be taken together and may need a few weeks in between. So you will need time to vaccinate your baby.
• The most difficult part of your holiday will be the journey and with a small baby it will not be easy. You should book an air cot well in advance. Get seats that are together so that you have ample space on the flight. Book meals for your children in advance, it would help if they could be served before you are served.
• If you are hiring a car ask the company to provide you with a baby seat so that you don't have to carry one.
• Take toys for the journey old and new ones, so that the baby will be occupied and will not get tired of the journey.
• There could be delays on the way, so you should carry enough snacks for the baby especially drinks. It is better if the snacks don't consist of sticky food, as they are messy.
• It is easier to travel if you are breast-feeding, you don't have to worry about sterilized bottles or clean water to make bottle-feeds.
• Take your baby sling or back carrier it will occupy less space and it will be easy to carry the baby around.
• If you are holidaying in a place where the weather is hot, make sure that you carry sun block for your baby and his skin is delicate and more likely to get sunburns.
• While booking your holiday you can book a hotel that provides childcare facilities such as nannies, crèches etc. You should check them before using them, if you are satisfied with the facilities provided, the ability of the child minder and you think it is appropriate for your age make use of it.

Support For Moms

Most new mothers feel more reassured and gain confidence when they interact with other women in the situation as them. If you form a group of new mothers, then you can:

• Discuss problems and share solutions and skills.
• Meet regularly at each other's houses.
• Establish a babysitting circle.
• Take care of each other's children.
• Can go out together.
• Have a well-established social circle and play group for your children.
• Visit mother and baby clinics together.
• Join the local sports center for postnatal exercises or baby swimming classes.

If you live in a remote area then you can get in touch with other new mothers on-line. These interactions can be a great source of support for you during the initial difficult stage of taking care of a newborn.


Keeping Fit
Nowadays everyone wants to get back into to shape soon after the baby is born. Mothers would like to regain their original slim figures within a few months. Though it maybe difficult to find time and exercise with a newborn, mothers who make the effort feel much better as not only do you feel good but your energy level increases as well. If you cannot go to an organized exercise class, then find time do a few exercises at home or plain simply dancing at home can do the trick. Other ways to exercise are:

• Taking a walk is very good; you could take your baby with you as well. If the local park has a good path you can us a pram or use a baby sling.
• Some pools have crèche facilities so you can leave your baby there and swim without worrying. Swimming once or twice a week is good enough.
• Join postnatal exercise classes at the local gym.
• Attend postnatal exercise classes conducted by the child health clinic.

Healthy Diet
As you will be breast-feeding the baby you will have to eat well. It is possible to lose weight by following a healthy diet. Even while snacking make sure that they are healthy. Try some of these:

• Vegetable soup with whole wheat or whole meal roll.
• Hummus eaten with breadsticks or sliced raw vegetables.
• Toast and baked beans.
• Toast and scrambled eggs.
• Tuna sandwiches.

Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and drink enough water. Increase your calcium intake by drinking a lot of milk and increasing consumption of diary products.

Getting Back To Work After Childbirth

Some new mothers will not be able to stay at home with their babies for long. They may have to return to their jobs after three or four months. Both the mothers and the babies will have to learn to live with each other for 8 to 10 hours of the day. Here are some things you can do to prepare yourself and your baby:

• Before you join work, start leaving the baby for sometime with the child minder.
• Begin with a few hours and gradually increase the number of hours you leave the baby with child minder.
• You could even give yourself a trial run of traveling back to work. This will give you confidence that you can travel again.
• These physical separations will help both the mother and the baby once the mother returns to work.
• It will give the baby time to get to know and adjust to the child minder.

Tips that will help you get back to work more easily:

• Keep in touch with your colleagues by phone or by E-mail.
• Be aware of what is going on in the office.
• You can make some short visits to the office before your official joining date. This will help you get to know what is happening at office and will be seen as a proactive step to getting back to work.

A new baby means additional financial expenditure. Here are simple tips to manage your expenses if your financial condition is tight after the birth of your baby:

• Make a list of the expenditure for the next month. You will be able to account for the money and be able to point out where you can reduce expenditure.
• Shop around for utilities such as electricity, gas and phone, by doing this you will be able to save a considerable amount of money.
• If you are a single income family, try and reduce your expenditure. Pay bills with direct debits
• Claim the child benefits that you are entitled to.
• Breast-feed your baby for the first year; this will save you a lot of money, as artificial milk is very expensive.
• Use re-usable or cloth nappies this will also reduce expenditure in the long run though, initial investment is high.
• Make the baby's first food at home instead of buying prepared baby meals.
• Pick up clothes, toys and equipment for the baby at sales.

Tips For New Mom

One of the greatest milestones in a woman's life is becoming a mother. No other single event brings about as many changes and as much responsibility for her, as this one. Having a baby gives a woman a sense of fulfillment and enormous joy. At the same time, it has been seen that first-time mothers get overwhelmed by the changes that take place, in their life as well as their body, after the baby is born. The life of a woman changes completely with the arrival of the baby and the amount of work she has to cope up with leaves her completely exhausted. In order to help all the new moms out there, we have provided a number of tips in the following lines. These tips will prove extremely useful for all the women in the world, after the birth of their child.


Tips For New Mother

• All the new mothers need to keep one thing in their mind, being a mother is something that comes naturally to a woman, after sometime. You are not expected to be perfect at it in the very first go. It is something that you will come to understand as well as master with time.
• One of the worst problems that a new mother faces is the erratic sleeping hours of the baby. Just when she is about to close her eyes and fall asleep, the baby wakes up and has her on her toes once again. The best bet would be for you to sleep when the baby sleeps and get up when he/she awakes.
• For taking proper care of your baby, you first need to take adequate care of yourself. It is good to make the baby your priority, but you should not start neglecting yourself completely.
• Always be seated while breastfeeding the baby. It is much more comfortable for you as well as the baby. At the same time, remember to make the baby switch between the two breasts, so that both of them get drained of the milk.
• Taking care of a child was never meant to be one person's responsibility. So, make use of all the support you can get and never be ashamed of taking anyone's help, be it your friends, mom, mother-in-law or husband. Just remember to enjoy being a mother.
• Remember that during the initial months of your baby's life, he/she will be dependent completely on your breast milk. Thus, it is necessary for you to eat a balanced diet and stay away from anything that might be harmful for the baby.
• Never ever force your baby to follow a specific schedule. Rather, let him/her fix his/her timetable (which he/she will most probably do within the first few weeks). It will be much more comfortable to your baby and make him/her feel secure as well.