Care – Page 20 – Baby Care Journals

Helping Baby Sleep: Strategies and Safety

September 14, 2010September 14, 2010 admin

By Lisa Pecos

For new parents, getting the baby into a regular sleeping pattern can be a challenge. Newborns simply do not seem to be on the same schedule as the rest of us. They fall asleep whenever they get tired, which can be at unpredictable times, and they wake up at seemingly random intervals. This is part of what makes the first several months such a difficult stage for many parents; in accommodating the baby’s irregular patterns, it is hard to get enough sleep for yourself. When you combine this with all the other things new parents have to think about, these first few months can be exhausting.

Baby Milestones: The First Two Years

September 8, 2010September 8, 2010 admin

By Lisa Pecos

For anyone who has never had a baby, it can be difficult to understand how thrilling it is when your little girl or boy passes those important developmental markers. When a baby smiles at you for the first time or says her first word, this can seem so momentous that you may feel like calling everyone you know to tell them the earth-shattering news. But beyond the emotional impact of these milestones, they are also important markers signifying that your baby is developing at a normal rate. Here are seven of the most important baby milestones to watch for during the first two years.

Medicines you should not give your Baby

August 10, 2010August 10, 2010 admin

By Jamell Andrews

It is very common for babies to experience negative reactions to medications. In fact, they are much more likely to have a bad reaction to medicine than adults. Because of this, parents need to be very careful about the types of medications they give to their babies. Even seemingly harmless over the counter or herbal drugs can harm your young child, so the best course of action is to always use caution before choosing medicines.

New Mothers who experience Postpartum Depression

July 29, 2010July 29, 2010 admin

By Jamell Andrews

Some very strong emotions usually erupt following the birth of a baby. While most new mothers experience a combination of excitement, anxiety, fear, or happiness, some women also experience symptoms of depression. In fact, about 10% of new mothers develop a more severe type of depression known as postpartum depression.

Cord Blood Donation-Now Available at at Hospital Near You

July 29, 2010July 29, 2010 admin 1 Comment

cord blood, cord blood donation, cord blood therapy, stem cells, cord blood research, duke's public cord blood bank — Duke's Cord Blood Kit

When I was pregnant with my first child, I had read about the benefits that the blood in my baby’s umbilical cord could have for others. Filled with stem cells, this blood could help those with cancer, sickle-cell anemia, immunodeficiency, marrow failure and genetic diseases that call for transplants. Normally, this blood is literally thrown away, so if it has so many benefits, I thought, why not donate it? Unfortunately, when I told my OB my intentions, she informed me that the hospital that I was giving birth at didn’t have the availability to store the blood and get it to a bank. And my hospital was of the norm–there are only approximately 175 hospitals in the United States that can transfer cord blood to a bank, but it looks as if that’s about to change. Time recently reported on a Public Donation Kit that’s allowing Read More

Hypnobirthing-What’s It All About?

July 27, 2010July 29, 2010 admin 1 Comment

Kristin's wedding & kayla's Birthday! & Friends 102 — Jaime and her husband Devon, after the birth of their first child.

For a woman preparing to give birth for the first time, the idea of labor can be a frightening prospect. You hear that it’s painful, you have no idea what to expect, and it’s something that you have no control over. As a result, many women opt for the epidural route (which is fine) but for those that are wanting a drug-free birth, hypnobirthing may be your answer. Read More

Selecting a Nanny, Au Pair or Babysitter – What Are We Missing?

May 12, 2010May 20, 2010 admin

Nanny personality assessments can help parents learn more and choose better

Selecting a caregiver for our children is a difficult task and the risks in making a wrong choice are frightening. Most articles on this topic advise parents to interview the nannies, check their references and perform a background check. While each of those screening tools is important, they all have their limitations and do not necessarily provide sufficient information to make the best possible choice.

Dental Care for Baby

May 7, 2010May 7, 2010 admin

By Jamell Andrews

Though most people really do not think about it much, baby teeth serve a very important purpose. Baby teeth help your infant learn how to speak and chew food properly, and they act as a type of space saver for the adult teeth that will grow in a few years down the road. Baby teeth also promote healthy jaw growth, so it is important for parents to take care of these teeth from the beginning.

Are Prenatal Vitamins Important for your Baby?

April 9, 2010April 9, 2010 admin 1 Comment

By Andrew V.V.

One of the best things pregnant women can do is eat a healthy, well-balanced diet every day. The discouraging news, however, is that even when women make sure that they eat the most nutritious foods each day, it is still very likely that they are not getting all of the nutrients they need for their developing baby, and for themselves.