• First, keep the area clean. Some people swear by cleaning the base of the cord with rubbing alcohol after every diaper change. Others say it should be left completely alone. It is best to consult your child’s pediatrician for his/her recommendation.

• You must also keep the area dry and allow the cord to be exposed to air as often as possible. This allows the base of the cord to dry and can make healing faster. You can use newborn diapers that have a special cut out or you can fold your baby’s diaper down. If weather permits, dress your baby in a t-shirt and diaper only to allow for more air exposure.

• Do not bathe your baby in a sink or special tub until after the umbilical cord has fallen off. A sponge bath is all your baby needs at this point.

• Allow the cord to heal naturally. Do not pick or pull the cord to help it fall off as this can cause irritation and infection.

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As far as when to start on baby foods, use the same method. If you have been feeding him cereal at night and he is still acting hungry throughout the day, then try adding some baby food to the mix at lunch time. I have always been told to start with the veggies first. The reason being is because the fruits are very sweet and if you start a baby on fruits, they will get used to the sweetness and you will have a hard time getting them to eat the veggies.

By: Mom of 6

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Even after having two little girls I worried about changing my little boy’s nappy for the first time. For some reason I thought it was going to be really difficult. But actually it was easier!

So how do you change a baby’s nappy? Assuming you are using disposable nappies, as most mums do, at least in the beginning, here are some tips:

Lie your baby on a flat surface, preferably on a soft changing mat; this allows little accidents to be wiped up quickly. If you are placing your baby on a raised surface or a changing station, never leave him unattended for even the slightest moment. Babies can and do fall off raised surfaces, often with disastrous consequences.

Advances in technology allow us to keep the wet surface of the nappy away from the baby. Although this is great for your baby,it can make it difficult to tell if the nappy is wet. So how will you know if the nappy needs to be changed? A wet nappy will feel soft and squishy on the outside. It may also have increased in size. The moisture absorbing material within the nappy swells when it comes into contact with urine making it easy to tell if the nappy is wet.

Obviously, a soiled nappy is easier to detect as you can just peep inside; or, more often than not, you can smell it!

As your baby gets older he will become more wriggly at every nappy change. A good tip is to hang a mobile above his changing station or give him a different toy to keep his interest at changing time - making nappy changes much less tiring for mum!

Remove the old nappy. Wipe the baby’s bottom with some cotton wool pads soaked in warm water. You do not need to use soap or scented wipes on a newborn baby. Newborns have extremely soft, sensitive skin which is easily irritated. A so-called top and tail, or a warm bath once a day, is enough.

When the baby is a few weeks old you can wash him with a warm soapy cloth or some sensitive baby wipes at each nappy change.

Wipe baby girls from front to back to avoid the risk of cross infection. With baby boys you will need to ensure you wipe around and under their little bits! However, never pull back the foreskin. You may cause damage and infection if you attempt to.

Creams and talc are unnecessary. Nappies today are so effective at keeping moisture away from the skin that creams are not required. In fact, creams can actually hinder the nappy’s performance, making irritation more likely.

If your baby has nappy rash, and you really feel that cream is required, apply it very thinly before putting on the fresh nappy. Also, let the air at your baby’s bottom. Let him lie on the changing mat on the floor for a while without a nappy. You may want to put an old towel or absorbent bed cloth under him so that he will not be lying in a puddle getting cold, if he does wet it.

Put the fresh nappy under the baby’s bottom, with the sticky seals at the back!

Lift the front of the nappy up over the baby’s bottom and fasten it closed. Do not fasten it too tightly as this will be uncomfortable. Allow the baby some room to breath!

Voila! All Done… until the next one!

by Sinead Hoben of BreastFeedingMums.com

• On a scale of 1-10, Was the review helpful?: 2.4

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Basal body temperature (BBT)
First you need to buy a basal temperature thermometer. It should say “basal” right on the package. You don’t want to use a regular fever thermometer because they aren’t sensitive enough (only two-tenths of a degree versus one-tenth with basals). You can get them at pharmacies, grocery stores, and some department stores (Wal-mart has them). I have a digital one and really like it because it beeps when it’s ready and remembers the last temp taken so I can double check every morning. I suggest one with a backlight if you can find one. Mine doesn’t have one, so I have a little flashlight on my nightstand to read it in the dark (I temp at 6am).

You’ll also need a chart to record your temps and other fertility signs. My thermometer came with some charts. With my really long cycles, they weren’t big enough, so I made my own with Excel. You can also chart online at various sites, such as: www.fertilityfriend.com , www.ovusoft.com , and www.babymed.com .

Your BBT is your waking or at rest temperature. So, you’ll need to take your temperature at the same time every morning before you get out of bed or do anything. If you have a regular thermometer, you even need to shake it down the night before. You should have at least 4 hours of consecutive sleep before temping. Lay in bed drowsing while you wait for it to beep (or however long the regular ones take).

If you temp at a different time one morning, you can adjust it for more accuracy. Your BBT rises .1 degrees for each 30 minutes you temp later than your normal time, and lowers by .1 degrees for each 30 minutes you temp earlier than your normal time. You should adjust your temp if it’s done more than 20 minutes different from your normal time. This is only reliable for up to 90 minutes. For example, I normally temp at 6am. If I sleep late and don’t temp until 7:30, I would add .3 degrees to my thermometer reading, chart that temp, and make a note of the adjustment in my notes for the day. If I sleep until 8:00, I would record the temp as read and mark it so I know it was done at the wrong time.

BBT cannot predict when you will ovulate, but it will tell you when you have ovulated as well as let you know if you’re pregnant. Also, once you’ve charted for several cycles, you can look for temperature patterns that will help you estimate when you might ovulate. The signal that you’ve O’d is when your BBT rises by at least .2 degrees and stays up for at least 3 days in a row. The last low temp before the rise is probably your O day, but some women have a delayed rise a couple of days after O. It should stay high until AF shows. You might have a dip, which is often falsely called an implantation dip, but it’s only due to a second smaller surge of estrogen and does not necessarily mean you’re pg. If your BBT stays high for 18+ days, you’re probably pregnant!! There is also what’s called a triphasic pattern where there’s a second increase in temperatures around the time of implantation (6-10 days past O), which often indicates pregnancy.

Once you have 3 high temps, you can draw what’s called a coverline. The general rule for doing this is to look at the 6 previous low temps, and draw a line through the temperature one-tenth of a degree above the highest of those six. So if your highest temp the last 6 days was 97.4, your coverline would be at 97.5. The coverline is a guideline for seeing whether you may be pregnant or not. If your temps fall below cover, you’re not pg. A fall can also indicate that AF is coming, but my temps often don’t drop below my coverline until after AF leaves.

The number of days between ovulation and AF is called your luteal phase (LP). It is usually 12-16 days. An LP of less than 10 days can indicate low progesterone. You should talk to your doctor if you suspect you have a short LP. The length varies in that general range among different women. However, for you personally, it will only vary by give or take a day. So, if your LP is 14 days (great length, BTW), it could be 15 or 13 but probably not 12 or 16 (unless you’re pg!).

There are some special temperature patterns that some women exhibit, such as stair-step rise, slow-rise, and fall-back rise. You can read about those in TCOYF or post a link to your online chart and ask for help if you’re having problems determining when you’ve O’d. Other than that, that should cover it for BBT. Here are some “normal” ranges for temps you can use as a guideline, but keep in mind that some women naturally have higher or lower temps.

Pre-ovulatory – 96.8 – 97.5
Luteal Phase – 97.6 – 98.6

(more…)

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They are onesie extenders. They are perfect for long and lean babies whose shirts are getting a little too short but otherwise fit fine. My daughter grew out of a shirt before she would grow out of her matching pants or skirt so these extenders let me have many uses out of the outfit, which otherwise would have to be put away. They come in different lengths and I have used them from when my twins were a few months old until they were three years old. These are great, I love them and they are inexpensive.

They can be purchased at Babies R Us or at Best Baby Gear.

by Erinn
Parenting Our Children and A Girl and Her Life

• On a scale of 1-10, Was the review helpful?: 10.0

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The first thing you should do is find a support group before the baby is born. Local groups such as the La Leche League that specialize in supporting breastfeeding and Attachment Parenting International that offers support in all parenting aspects are two great groups to start with. You should also seek out other mothers who have breastfeeding experience to share. Find mothers who are either still breastfeeding or who weaned their children recently, they will often remember the experience and have more recent advice than a mother who stopped nursing years ago. You can look online as well as there are many great online communities that help women and provide support. If you do not have local support an internet group may be even more important for you.

You should also talk with the pediatrician you plan to use about breastfeeding. When you are interviewing prospective pediatricians for your child ask them their stance on breastfeeding. I have been shocked time and again to hear mothers talk about the incorrect information they were told about breastfeeding from their child’s doctor. Make sure you find a doctor that follows the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines on infant nutrition or the World Health Organization guidelines. Also, look around the waiting and exam rooms. Pens, clipboards, posters, and decorations are often provided to doctors by companies as free marketing. If you see a lot of items promoting infant formula companies then it is not likely that the doctor will support you in any issues should arise.

Also look into the hospital you plan to deliver your baby at as well. Ask what the hospital policies on breastfeeding are. Some hospitals insist that babies take at least one bottle before being released; yet just one bottle is often all it takes to harm a good nursing relationship. Find a hospital that promotes breastfeeding, allows rooming for the new mother, and does not offer the baby any artificial nipples from bottles or pacifiers. Also find out if your hospital has a lactation consultant on staff, and make sure she is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). There are no standard regulations in the US for a person to be a lactation consultant, making it easy for any nurse to claim to be so. Only an IBCLC is required to undergo extensive training on breastfeeding and can offer the best help for new mothers.

Before your baby is born you should also discuss with your family how they can support you. Many from older generations had difficult breastfeeding experiences from lack of support, or they come from the time when doctors believed that breastmilk was not good enough to feed a child. Inaccurate advice, concerns for the baby’s health, and pressure to stop can cause a breastfeeding mother to loose confidence. Also the over sexualization of the female breast has caused many people to forget the true function of the breast, to feed a child. Rude comments, insults, and a belief that breastfeeding is obscene are sometimes launched at a breastfeeding mother. Before your child is born let family members know that you are choosing to breastfeed, and that while their concerns and feelings are valid to them, feeding your child is important to you. The negative comments by some who do not understand or support breastfeeding can quickly tear down a new mother and lead to her weaning early, so it is important to surround yourself with suportive friends and family.

While planning the birth you should also look at how breastfeeding may be affected. For example some studies have shown that the use of an epidural during labor had a negative impact on breast-feeding in the first 24 hours of life. There have also been studies linking infant circumcision with problems breastfeeding. Anything that may cause a newborn to be separated from his mother, that may cause sleepiness in a newborn, or that may cause trauma and shock can all be a disturbance to early breastfeeding.

After the birth there are still things you can do to help ensure a successful breastfeeding relationship with your new baby. Firstly, you should nurse as soon after birth as possible, and nurse as often as the baby wants. A newborn’s stomach is the size of a thimble, so it only takes a few drops to fill up but it also is digested rather quickly. The small amount of colostrum that new mothers make is more than enough to feed a newborn for first several days. Try to avoid all artificial nipples; bottles and pacifiers can ruin an early breastfeeding relationship and causes weeks or months of problems. A common phrase is “watch the baby not the clock”, do not try to time feedings or set a schedule in the early weeks. The best way to cultivate a breastfeeding relationship is to sleep when the baby sleeps, nurse when the baby is hungry, and spend as much time with skin to skin contact as possible. A natural routine will soon develop as your child grows, but in the beginning there should be no set schedules.

Recommended books for new mothers and mothers-to-be:
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding- La Leche League International
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers - Dr. Jack Newman
The Breastfeeding Book - Martha Sears
So That’s What They’re For - Janet Tamaro
Mothering Multiples - Karen Gromada

By: Summer Minor from Wired For Noise

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During pregnancy and beyond: While pregnant take note of your babies movement/sleeping times. Keep an eye on your cravings/food aversions. Your infants sleeping habits may uncannily resemble their movement times while your toddlers tastes may just mimic your own during pregnancy. Don’t just record your babies milestones, but keep one for yourself too. It’s amazing the things and emotions you will forget after those first 12 months. I still remember things when I read the online entries I did, but without the prompting those memories would fade into nothingness. I also write letters to Zoe, did one when I was in Labor, and have done one every year on her birthday since. I’ll give them to her when I deem it’s appropriate!

Sleep when you can: Again, both during pregnancy and once your bundle of joy has arrived. Never underestimate the effect that sleep deprivation has over your body, mind and emotions. Nothing is more important than your health and sanity, especially not that load of dishes which will NOT cause the sky to fall down if they aren’t done straight away!

Beware the “expert”: You will be offered so much good natured advice, but there are always those that claim to have ALL the answers and THEIR way is the ONLY way. I have one word to say to that: BOLLOCKS. There is only one way for doing everything from putting on a nappy to how much you cuddle your new born. And that way is YOURS. When encountering said experts I’ve found the best way is simply to nod and smile politely…

Read, read and read some more: I say read because with this wonderful tool called the Internet, you have access to what can become your biggest and most valuable resource. (Lets face it too, talking to people opens up the door for those “experts” described above) There are a million sites out their offering communities for women who have but one thing in common. Their children. What a way to start what can become an extremely intense bond! Find one that suits you and join. Talking to others who are going through what you are right now is the best therapy you’ll ever need! Pregnancy, labor and birth do some weird and wonderful things to your body, mind and hormones…knowing what your experiencing is also being experienced by others is often enough to allay the fears that there is something horribly wrong with you. You’ll also have an audience who won’t get bored with your enthusiasm over all those milestones you and your baby are achieving. They’ll also ease your mind when your child isn’t doing what they are “supposed” to be doing. Trust me, questions like “Is she walking yet” (when she isn’t) will have you wondering why the heck not and send you on an unending search for the answer. These communities will save your sanity. Having said all that, there is still nothing quite like a cuppa with others while you compare babies and notes, so be sure to check your local area for any “real” new mum groups in your neighbourhood.

Trust your instincts: Mother nature is a wonderful giver. She gives us the tools and subconscious ability to create life without having to think about the details - we don’t sit and think “Oh it’s day 96, time to grow some eyelashes!”*** She gives our new-borns characteristics which make us want to nurture and love them - large eyes and head. Listen to her when she talks! If your instincts tell you something is wrong, then it probably is. If your instincts tell you that attachment parenting is the way to go, then do it. Trust your instincts….I can’t say it enough.

Ask for help: If you need help, ASK. Your pride is not worth putting yourself or your baby at risk. If your ever speaking to my mother, ask her about the day I called her crying hysterically down the phone “I can’t do this anymore!!” She came home from work early and looked after Zoe while I sat on the floor of the shower and bawled my eyes out for half an hour. She’ll also tell you her immediate response was “What took you so long?”

Don’t forget to be YOU: Make sure you take regular time out just for you…time to forget that your a mum. Whilst there is nothing wrong with belonging to that most outstanding club called “Motherhood”, their was, is, and will be, more to who you are than that. Don’t lose yourself on your new journey, it takes a while to come back, believe me I know! Whether it’s continuing with a hobby, going to yoga classes, or just taking 5 minutes a day to curl up with your favorite book, do something not related to being a parent.

ENJOY your new role and baby: It can be easy to get bogged down in the downside of having an infant in the house. Stop once in awhile to take a look at the world through your babies eyes, enjoy the little things in life like they do - seeing a familiar face, discovering something for the first time. Enjoy the new people who will come into your life as a result of being a mother. Enjoy every precious moment you and your baby have together, because your going to wake up one day, and they’ll be starting school!!

Above all, remember one thing. You are not alone. You now speak the universal language of motherhood.

*Please don’t send me emails explaining what happens on day 96, I was simply making a point!

By: Kelly B, author of debambam.net

• On a scale of 1-10, Was the review helpful?: 2.3

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Thrush is an infection that occurs in the mouth. If Thrush is present you will notice white patches that often cover the tongue or coat the inside of the mouth. The infection is yeast based and caused by the bacteria Candida Albicans. Adults can have Thrush also.

If you suspect your child has Thrush, make sure to boil all pacifiers, nipples, and bottles.

If the Thrush gets worse call your pediatrician.

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The rash is usually caused by moisture from urination or liquid stool that is trapped inside a tight hot space between the skin and diaper.

Often diaper rash will look like a deep red ring around the anus or further spread out.

How to Treat Diaper Rash

1. Make sure you monitor your baby’s diaper and change when necessary.
2. Its a good idea to air out your baby’s tush for awhile before replacing the diaper.
3. Apply diaper rash cream such as Desitin, A & D Medicated Paste, Balmex, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste or Aveeno Diaper Rash Cream.

If the Rash Doesn’t Clear In a Few Days

Does it look infected? Does it have puss or pimples? Call your pediatrician’s office and schedule a visit.

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So, how often does a baby need a bath?

The truth is your baby is not doing much other than eating, spitting, sleeping and pooping at this point so they don’t really get dirty other than the face, neck and diaper area. There is no need to bathe your newborn every day. In fact, giving your baby a bath more than a couple of times a week will likely dry out his or her precious skin. So long as you are cleaning those parts that tend to get messy, you are doing fine. Sponge baths are usually the best option in those first few weeks, especially until the umbilical cord heals.

Before you get started, make sure to turn the temperature up to warm up the room and have all your supplies on hand. You will not want to leave your baby or take a hand of your baby for one second during this process so make sure to choose a time where you are unlikely to be interrupted and can spend a nice amount of time cleaning your baby.

Here’s what you need to give your baby a sponge bath:

• A flat surface such as the bathroom or kitchen counter, changing table, a firm bed, or even the floor.
• A couple of towels and a soft blanket or changing pad for your baby to lie on.
• A sink or shallow plastic basin to hold several inches of warm water.
• A washcloth, mild baby wash, q-tips, a clean diaper and a change of clothes.

Here is what you do:
Undress your baby and wrap him up in a towel. When you are ready to begin, lay your baby on his back on the blanket or changing pad you put down. Wet the washcloth, wring out excess water and wipe your baby’s face. There’s no need to use soap. Wipe each eyelid from the inside to the outside corner. It is important to wash the eyes first before using the washcloth on any other body parts. You generally want to start at the cleanest and finish at the dirtiest section.

After washing your baby’s face, you can stick with plain water unless your baby is smelly or dirty. Pay special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck and in the diaper area. Also wash between your baby’s fingers and toes and those adorable pudgy skin folds in your baby’s arms and thighs. To keep your baby warm, expose only the parts you’re washing.

If your baby’s hair seems dirty, you can wash it. Support your baby’s head and shoulders with your free hand and gently massage a drop of mild baby shampoo into his or her scalp. Rinse the shampoo with a damp washcloth or slowly and gently pour a small cup of water over your child’s hair so that it runs off the head (away from the eyes).

What type of baby tub is best?

When your baby graduates to a tub, you’ll have plenty of choices. There are plastic tubs specifically designed for newborns, as well as plain plastic basins or inflatable tubs that fit inside the bathtub. The kitchen or bathroom sink may be another option. The type of tub is not necessarily the most important thing. It is more of a trial and error type of thing to see what you and your baby are most comfortable using. The number one thing to remember is to never ever leave your baby alone in the water. Not even for a second.

To give your baby a tub bath, you should still have all of your supplies on hand before you start. Again, make sure the room temperature is warm and comfortable, as well as the water temperature. Always check the temperature before bathing your baby. Using your elbow to check the temperature is more accurate than using your hand.

You will need to have a secure hold on your baby in the tub. Support his head and torso by wrapping your arm under his back and grasping him firmly under the armpit.

When you clean your baby’s back and butt, lean him forward on your arm. Continue to grasp your baby under the armpit.

What type of soap is best?

Use a mild, unscented soap with a moisturizer and avoid bubble bath. Lotion is unnecessary, but use it if you like it. Baby powder is not recommended since an infant can inhale it and it is very dangerous for their lungs.

The most important things are to make sure your baby is warm, make sure you have a secure grip on him or her, give yourself plenty of time and never leave your baby alone in the water. Good luck and enjoy bathing your little angel!

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