Nanny – Baby Care Journals

Picking Up and Carrying a Crying Baby Lowers Infant’s Heart Rate Immediately!

June 11, 2013June 11, 2013 admin

A study in Japan has shown that a crying baby’s heart rate drops very quickly if the infant is picked up and carried by a familiar caregiver. Just holding the baby won’t do; the infant has to be picked up and carried.

Lead researcher and neurobiologist Dr. Kumi Kuroda, of the Riken Brain Science Institute, theorized that this is the same response that we see in other mammals, including puppies, kittens and lion cubs, all of which relax and go limp when picked up and carried with their mothers’ mouths.

Dealing with Baby’s Separation Anxiety

June 15, 2012December 19, 2012 admin

The second half of a baby’s first year is a time of much joy and relief for new parents. The baby becomes more regular in her patterns, she begins to learn how to communicate her needs, and she no longer cries for seemingly no reason. But even though things tend to be relatively smooth in these months, many new issues arise toward the end of the first year. Separation anxiety, which takes the form of tearful fussiness when separated from one or both parents, is the one that parents most often complain of. Though it is a perfectly normal part of a child’s development, it can be frustrating for parents. How separation anxiety develops Younger babies are usually quite comfortable being passed to a nonparent caregiver. During the middle months of the first year, however, babies develop a sense of object permanence, and they come to understand that Read More

Do I Have Infectious or Non-Infectious Mastitis?

March 9, 2012March 15, 2012 admin

If your breast tissue is red, swollen and painful it could be Mastitis. It most commonly occurs in breastfeeding women and is also known as puerperal mastitis or lactation mastitis. You can have the condition and not be breastfeeding but it is rarer and mastitis typically affects just one breast. If you are suffering from this condition you may be experiencing flu-like symptoms like a high temperature, chills and aches. Read More

The Bare Necessities for Newborns & Parents

February 14, 2012February 17, 2012 admin

Preparing for your newborn baby arriving can be overwhelming so here is a guide to getting the essential gear required for those first few weeks. The list can seem endless once you think about what you might need; pushchairs, cots, nappies, blankets. Here I will try and cut through the confusion and give you a guide to the top ten necessities as chosen by mothers and in a budget friendly way. Read More

Baby Napping: 7 Tips for Optimizing the Little One’s Sleep

January 19, 2012January 19, 2012 admin

Napping seems like such an ordinary thing, but to parents of young children it is a constant concern and often a source of anxiety. We know that getting the maximum amount of sleep possible is good for a child, yet the child is obviously not aware of this, and many seem to naturally resist being put down for naps. Some babies fuss, wake up frequently, and are unpredictable in when and how they like to nap. These are all simple facts of being a parent. And while you cannot stop nap troubles entirely, what you can do is minimize the difficulties. Read More

Advice for Successful Breastfeeding

January 9, 2012January 11, 2012 admin

Once you have established breastfeeding there is no other easier or better way of feeding your baby. During breastfeeding an intense bonding and closeness is felt which enhances your baby’s feelings of security. Read More

Infant Napping: Everything You Need to Know

November 4, 2011November 22, 2011 admin

By Jamell Andrews Everyone knows that babies spend a great deal of time napping, but many new parents are surprised by just how much of their time and energy will be devoted to fostering the baby’s naps. Getting a baby to nap regularly and on a set schedule is an immensely appealing idea to new parents who want a little predictability in their lives. But unfortunately, given that newborns’ sleep patterns tend to be unpredictable and may stay that way for several months, it is important to accept that it may be quite a while before your baby has set nap times. Read More

Fussing in Public: How to Calm an Upset Infant

November 1, 2011November 22, 2011 admin

By Eirian Hallinan For new parents, there is a special kind of nervousness around the idea of taking the baby into public. On one hand, sometimes you just have to go out-for doctor’s appointments, especially-and of course most parents do not want to keep their infants cooped up indoors all the time. On the other hand, young babies can be unpredictable in their moods, and the last thing you want is to have your baby explode in a storm of fussiness when you are in the middle of a public place. It is embarrassing, and you get dirty looks, and sometimes nasty comments, from other people. Most of all, it is just stressful. Read More

Reading to Baby: When to Start and How to Do it Well

September 13, 2011September 13, 2011 admin

By Jamell Andrews

In the age of television, internet, and ubiquitous gadgets, there is something refreshing about the quiet act of reading a good book. And although childcare experts say reading to a child has little significant effect until he or she is around the six-month mark, it is never too early to get started. Young children may not get the same things out of books that we do, but the reading experience is valuable for a number of reasons, and reading daily to your baby is a crucial stepping stone toward future linguistic and educational development.

How Do You Prepare For The Arrival Of Twins?

August 8, 2011August 8, 2011 admin

If you are expecting twins there are of course special preparations that you can make in anticipation of their arrival.