Newborns – Page 5 – Baby Care Journals

Coming Home With Your New Baby

July 2, 2012December 19, 2012 admin

There is so much to think about when you are preparing for a new baby. The first week is full of joy and exhaustion so to help yourself and your family, here is a simple guide of things to do before and after your little one has arrived. If you are having a hospital birth remember to have the car seat all strapped in and ready to be used as you will not be able to drive back with your baby without it. First of all be prepared to Read More

How Do I Get Myself Prepared For Being A New Mummy?

May 30, 2012December 19, 2012 admin

To be as prepared as you can be for starting a family, ask yourself some questions before you decide to try and conceive. Sit down with your partner and ask yourselves the following questions: • Are you both as committed as each other in becoming parents? • Are you ready to give up your lie-ins and Friday nights with your friends? • Do you have enough support for childcare? • Have you considered how being a parent may change you and affect those closest to you? • Are you aware and prepared that your child may have a disability or be special needs? • Are you on the same page as your partner in terms of how you want your child to be brought up? Do you agree on what religion you would choose for your child as an example? The change to your life once you Read More

The Next Three Months: Baby Milestones in Months 4-6

March 15, 2012March 15, 2012 admin

The first three months of a baby’s life are often referred to as the “fourth trimester” because the baby is still intensely dependent, has only rudimentary communication abilities, and does not seem fully engaged with the surrounding world. All of this comes to an end in the next three months, which is when babies really come alive. During this time, you will finally begin to feel your love returned, your child will develop a recognizable personality, and your ability to communicate with him or her will grow exponentially. Read More

Encouraging Your Toddler to Stay In Bed

February 29, 2012March 6, 2012 admin

Once your children are tucked up and asleep in bed it means that Mummy and Daddy get some precious ‘me time’. A successful and well established bedtime routine ensures sleep filled nights for your little ones so that they function well through the day and also you and your partner has time to relax. Your family’s bedtime routine is the foundation of all your other routines so it has to be working correctly. Read More

What to Do When Your Baby Rejects the Bottle

February 28, 2012March 6, 2012 admin

After several months of breastfeeding, many babies are understandably reluctant to change. Breastfeeding is warm and comforting, it brings mother and baby close together, and it comes easily and naturally. So when it comes time to introduce the bottle and your baby does not take to it right away, do not be frustrated. The plastic nipple takes some getting used to, and the temperature of the milk in the bottle can be difficult to regulate. Plus, if you are introducing formula at the same time, this adds another element of difficulty. Read More

Staying On The Ball!

February 21, 2012February 23, 2012 admin

You may be one of the many pregnant women who use a birthing ball to exercise and strengthen your back. Unfortunately, most do not utilize the benefits of their birthing balls until they have gone into labor. Midwives recommend birthing balls to pregnant women because they encourage you to maintain good posture by balancing on them. By sitting on the ball you are forced to sit properly so that your back is well aligned and this relieves your back of pressure which is especially helpful later on in your pregnancy. Birthing balls are sometimes used to encourage your unborn baby to move into the correct position enabling you to be more comfortable during labor. You often see them in maternity wards. 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

The Perils of Meconium

February 9, 2012February 11, 2012 admin

Meconium is your baby’s first poo! It has the consistency of treacle, it is odourless and unlike later offerings it is sterile. It is very dark and almost impossible to wipe clean. Meconium consists of water, mucus, amniotic fluid, lanugo which is downy baby hair and also intestinal epithelial cells. For most babies it is just their first poo (one of many!) and means a very gooey first nappy but in some cases it can be a cause for concern. Read More

What Does It Mean If My Baby Has Tongue-Tie?

February 3, 2012February 8, 2012 admin

There is a visible string of tissue underneath your baby’s tongue that is attached to the floor of his mouth and is called the frenulum. Babies who have tongue-tie have a frenulum that is too short causing problems with the mobility of their tongue. The medical term for tongue-tie is ankyloglossia. Read More

Have You Heard of Nipple Confusion?!

January 27, 2012January 31, 2012 admin

Nipple confusion, hmm . . . this term can be somewhat misleading. It does not mean that your baby is perplexed as to what your nipple is for. It is a term to explain when babies are hesitant to feed from the breast and seems to prefer or find it easier to bottle feed milk which has been expressed. Read More