insparenting.com

Image via Wikipedia

The first few weeks after your baby is born will be a bit hectic and you won’t want to have to run to the store to pick up any baby items you forgot or didn’t realize you needed. At least a month before your baby is born, in case she comes early, you should have everything you need for at least the first few weeks. Although some of these items are optional, you may want to consider them or what you will use in place of them. Don’t get too caught up with extra items you aren’t sure you’ll use because although something like a wipe warmer sounds like a good idea now, they aren’t all that practical.

Clothing your baby
You will be amazed at the rate your baby goes through clothes. Between spitting up and leaking through their diapers, your baby will go through several outfits every day. Make sure you have a good selection of the following items for your baby: Bibs, socks, sleepers, gowns, hats, bodysuits, pants, blankets, and t-shirts. A few of each of these items should do. You might want to invest in a few more sleepers, gowns and blankets as you will be going through them like water during the first few weeks after your baby arrives.

Diapers and such
You will go through 10-12 diapers a day, at least at first, so be sure to stock up on plenty of these before your baby gets here. You may want to get at least one package of preemie or newborn diapers for the first few days. Newborns can be extremely small and don’t always fit into the first size of diapers right away. You will also want to have plenty of wipes on hand; sometimes you will need quite a few for just one diaper change! You should also have diaper rash ointment, thermometer, respirator (though you’ll usually get one at the hospital), nail clippers and a diaper pail.

The diaper bag
The diaper bag is an essential part of taking your baby out, even if only for a few minutes. Always make sure you have your bag packed with a few diapers, wipes, changing pad, extra change of clothes, socks, rattle or toy, an extra bib or two and a blanket. You may want to throw 10 or 20 dollars in your bag for “just in case” money, you never know when you are going to lose a bottle or need another pacifier.

Feeding essentials
If you are planning on breastfeeding, you really don’t need anything unless you plan on pumping, in which case you would need to invest in a breast pump, storage baggies and bottles. If you plan on bottle feeding, even if it’s only part time, you will need to stock up on supplies to ensure you don’t run out of anything when your baby needs to be fed. Buy both small and large bottles, sometimes your baby will be hungrier than others. You will also need a short list of essential items such as: bottle liners or brushes, plenty of formula and a bottle warmer and sterilizer.

Image via Wikipedia

Babies don’t talk so they can’t tell you when they’re sick or what’s wrong with them when you know they are. So how do you know how to treat your sick baby? Or how do you determine if your baby has a rash or a food allergy? This quick reference guide will help you decide when it’s time to take your baby to the doctor or how to treat them if you don’t.

Diaper rash
Diaper rash can look like small dots of red or severe red bumps with blisters. There are a variety of causes for diaper rash, but the most common are wetness and friction. Try applying a rash ointment to the areas of discomfort. If the rash does not clear within 72 hours, go ahead and call a doctor because it may be a different yeast type of rash that may need to be treated by a doctor.

Ear infections
Ear infections are very common in children under two. There is a part in the ear, called the Eustachian tubes that allow air to circulate in the ear. These tubes are often too small in an infant’s ear so they don’t always work properly. Signs of an ear infection can include your baby tugging on her ears, fever, grumpiness, trouble sleeping and lack of appetite. Contact your doctor if your baby has signs of an ear infection. He may wish to treat the infection with antibiotics which help kill off the bacterium that builds up in the ear. Occasionally, your doctor will have you wait it out, treating it only with pain killers to help reduce the discomfort. This helps the body rejuvenate itself and learn how to heal itself.

Colds
You know the symptoms of a cold, you’ve probably had one this year. Colds are characterized by a runny nose, watery or red eyes, a sore throat and possibly a cough. Always contact your pediatrician if your baby is under 3 months of age or her cold last for more than 10 days. Otherwise the best treatment is rest, lots of liquids and love.

Food allergies
Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe and may cause rashes, hives, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anaphylaxis among other symptoms. Food allergies are very serious and this is why it is so important to introduce foods one at a time to your child so you can pinpoint the food that caused the allergy and avoid it from that point on. If you are unable to determine what caused the allergic reaction, your doctor may be able to run tests to help determine your baby’s allergies. The good news about allergies is that most babies outgrow them by the time they are 3 years old.

Image via Wikipedia

Crying is a physiological process in the life of a baby.All normal babies cry to communicate with others.Sine they can’t express their feelings in words crying is the only way for communication. If any uncomfortable feeling comes they simply cry.Normally babies cry in situations like hunger,wetting,too heat or cold,tight cloaths,pain ect. Some kids need the presence of somebody otherwise will cry simply.Crying without any cause is habitual in some babies. Eventhough crying is considered as normal it may worry the family members.Since the reasons for crying ranges from simple causes to serious causes it should not be ignored and hence exact cause has to be identified and managed accordingly.

The following are some points which should be considered while dealing with a crying baby.

1, It is dangerous to shake the baby vigorously.
2,Tight cloaths can cause irritation hence it should be removed.
3,If the room is hot put the fan and open the windows.
4,If the nappy is wet remove it and after cleaning the parts make it dry with a soft towel.
5,Pat her back or stroke her head slowly and let her here your soothing sound.
6,Give breast milk and make her quiet.
7,If the climate is cold cover her in soft towel.
8,Rock her gently in your arms and walk slowly in the room.
9,Take a music making doll and let her listen.
10,Try a pacifier or help her for thumb sucking.
11,If no response change her position.
12,Walk outdors with her.
13,Put her on the cradle and rock gently.
14,If no response ask somebody to carry the baby.

Even after all these steps the baby goes on crying see for the following signs.
( Probable cause is given after every sign)

1,Press her abdomen gently,she may twist or resist you:—Colic
2,Pull her ear gently she may become worse or push your hands away:—Earache.
3,Feel her temperature with the back of your hands:–Fever due to any infection.
4,Examine the skin from head to foot:–Eruptive disease,nappy rash, measles, vesicles, allergy ect.
5,See the nose for any discharge:–Coryza.
6,Move the head gently to feel any neck stiffness:–Meningitis,head injury ect.
7,Keep your ear near her chest to hear any rattling sound:–Increased mucus in wind pipes (pneumonia,bronchiolitis,asthamatic bronchitis ect)
8,Examine the anal orifice:–Anal erosion,rectal polyp,crawling of worms.
9,Examine the genitalia:–Any discharge or erosion.
10,In male baby see the testicles which may be swollen or tender:–Orchitis,torsion of testes.
11,also notice the body movements and see for any convulsions, rigors, vomiting, cough, laboured breathing ect.

If you see the above signs or any other abnormal signs consult your doctor for proper treatement.