Baby bottles come in so many shapes and sizes it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your infant. Most of the time it’s a question of personal choice, but some issues such as the chemical make-up of the bottle are important as well. Here are my favorite sites for bottle tips:
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/babyproducts/bb/bybbottles.htm
http://www.toysrus.com/info/index.jsp?categoryId=2279364&infoPath=2279362
Spit-up is your baby’s reflux. It generally happens until your baby is a year old, though it is often the result of overfeeding. Your baby’s stomach is the size of a small marble at birth but grows quickly over the first few weeks. Still, until around 6 months of age, it can’t hold very much milk. Too much milk means fussiness and spit-up. Spit-up also happens if your baby swallows too much air. However, there is no reason to worry about these common causes for spitting up. It’s not painful. As long as your baby is healthy and gaining weight, it’s just a natural part of human development.
I found this customizable hospital checklist which will help you prepare for the delivery day. Go to http://similac.com/pregnancy/hospital-checklist to create a list of all of the personal items, clothing and other necessities you’ll need to have packed and ready before your water breaks. It even includes things Dad might need like shaving cream, books and a toothbrush.
Delivery day is around the corner. A lot of focus goes on preparing Mom for this time – but what about Dad? Here’s how to be a “good” Dad at the hospital:
At about one year of age, it’s time to wean your baby off the bottle – and on to a sippy cup! Some babies have difficulty with this transition. To help with the change, you may want to take it slow. Trade the bottle for the cup at only one meal per day. You can also try offering it instead of a bottle for the first bottle of the day, and see if he or she is hungry enough to give it a try. Make sure you are offering the same beverage (breast milk or formula) in the cup. A new beverage will only make the process more difficult. If your baby has difficulty going to sleep without the bottle, spend time with his or her favorite stuffed animal before bedtime rather than the bottle. Be prepared for a few teary nights!
Your baby’s first birthday should be safe and fun. You’ll most likely have a combination of other children and adults in your house if you’re throwing a party – and there are some things to keep in mind to keep everybody happy and healthy. I suggest keeping the party to one room, which has been cleared of any breakable items. Don’t serve popcorn and peanuts to the adults – babies can pick these up off the floor and possibly choke. Have plenty of disposable bibs and baby wipes on hand for quick clean-ups, and make sure each child has a toy and a chair. Set a time limit of an hour, to prevent exhausted babies and parents. Music is a good thing – as are short games and dancing.
The most important part is to have fun! Take lots of pictures, you’ll want to remember this for years to come.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following safety guidelines for cribs. Make sure that your crib:
1. Meets national safety standards. This will be marked on the packaging.
2. Is put together well. Double-check all of your bolts and screws.
3. Has a mattress that fits tightly in the frame. You should have no more than one finger width of space between the two.
4. Has slats that are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
5. Always has its sides up and locked.
6. Is not overstuffed. Keep comforters, pillows and electric blankets out of the crib.
7. Is placed away from windows and out of reach of drapery and window shade cords.
8. Has bumper pads that are thin and firm, rather than pillow-like.
Some babies are very sensitive to certain foods. A milk allergy is a common problem. If your baby has a milk allergy, he or she may show symptoms such as a skin rash, irritability and a watery stool. It is important to talk to your doctor to discover the cause of the allergic reaction, as it could be other food as well. If your health care provider indicates milk as an issue, there are various soy protein formulas you can use instead of milk-based ones.
The first few newborn baths can be stressful, but once you get the hang of it – they are fun! There is no need to give your baby a bath every day. Newborns do not get very dirty, and daily bathing will only dry out their skin. Just a sponge bath is needed until the umbilical cord has fallen off (usually within the first 1 to 4 weeks). After that, two or three baths a week are plenty. When bathing, talk softly to your baby. Studies show the more you talk to your baby early on, the more likely he or she will enjoy being talked to or read to later. Once you move up to bathing in an infant tub, remember to never leave your baby unattended – not even for a second.
Your brand new baby already has a good grip, and many of the reflexes he’ll need in life. You may notice that he or she startles easily, especially in reaction to loud noises. This is just one of his main reflex reactions you’ll see in a newborn. Other things you may notice in his or her first few months: your baby can grip things briefly, but drops them soon because he can’t hold on. He’ll “root” to open his mouth and find the nipple for feeding. He can pull back quickly if something hurts, and he may sneeze to clear his nose. He will yawn to increase air in his lungs, and can turn his head side to side if his breathing becomes blocked on one side.
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