Posts Tagged ‘babies’

How To Know If Your Newborn Is Sick

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Dealing with a sick baby is often the most scary and stressful moment a parent can ever faced. If you could only take away the pain that your baby is experiencing, you will in no doubt do it; but we all know that a baby getting sick is unavoidable, and the least that we can do is to do everything within our capabilities to help make our babies feel better.

If your baby develops a fever, is not interested in feeding,is vomiting, has watery diarrhea, and develops a skin rash, the best thing to do is to contact your pediatrician. It is strongly advisable that you should be alert at all times for these symptoms because your baby is still not capable of speaking and muttering of what he is feeling; you should observe your baby at all times for any physical and behavioral changes. You should always be prepared in case of an emergency.

How to know if it’s a fever already?

A temperature of 37.5 degrees celcius is considered a slight fever, but body temperature typically varies during the day. It is usually lowest in the morning, and highest in the afternoon. Normal temperature also differ from one person to another. Babies usually have a higher normal temperature than adults.

Observe your baby’s temperature daily. If he has persistent high temperature, or if his temperature is erratic (rising and dropping for 3 consecutive days), you should consult your pediatrician because your baby has a fever.

How to safely treat a fever?

After consulting your pediatrician, there are some steps you can do to hep bring the fever down:

Medication: Follow promptly your pediatrician’s advice concerning fever medications. Do not alter or change it for it would result to prolonged infection.

Fluids: Make sure your baby gets enough water and fluids (milk) everyday. This will help prevent dehydration and cool the body.

Warm him up: Most of the times, babies with fever also get the chills. Use a baby blanket for warmth and hold your baby for extra warmth and comfort. Remember not to put your baby in the crib with a blanket, for it could lead to suffocation.

Cool off: Keep your baby at rest in loose, light cotton clothing, and give him a lukewarm sponge bath to help lower his body temperature.

It is always important to monitor your baby closely. Never disregard even a slight change in your baby. Whenever in doubt, it is always best to call your pediatrician immediately.

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Time To Get Back In Shape! A BOB Jogging Stroller Is The Secret!

Monday, August 31st, 2009

I just had a baby so I know what it’s like… for the first few months you may feel like your infant has you on a pretty short leash! A little infant has taken over your life and you can’t wait to get it back!

Jogging strollers make life so simple. You can get your exercise, while baby gets to sit in the comfortable seat and watches the views. Finding the right jogging stroller isn’t hard, and thanks to BOB jogging strollers, the spread is wonderful. Jogging strollers are a good way to get baby out of the house and burn some calories at the same time. If you have twins or children truly close in age, no worries! The BOB jogging strollers brand has you covered with a double jogging stroller. BOB joggers are always great for pavement so going for a walk, or jog around the block is simple.

One of the really nice things about the BOB joggers, is they can go anywhere. Those 4-wheel strollers with the plastic wheels are great for going around the mall or test driving at Babies R Us, but if you like to hike, go to the beach, walk on trails, or even just navigate some of the paved roads in your neighborhood (ours have cracked sidewalks, high curbs, gravel on the shoulders, etc.) you can make your life a lot easier if you go with a BOB jogging stroller. They have an easy-to-steer 3-wheel design and inflatable tires and shock absorbers so your baby will have a much smoother ride - no matter where you travel.

BOB Stroller Strides is a very special stroller. It was actually the first stroller designed for the nationwide stroller exercise program. The program (called “Stroller Strides”) encourages new parents get in shape while still being with their babies. Whether you walk, jog, or hike, you can do it all with this stroller, which naturally comes in a double if needed.

The top of the line BOB jogging stroller is the BOB Ironman Stroller. It is especially lightweight and has some additional features, such as a foot brake. This is very useful if you jog on paved areas or up and down hills, where the stroller could potentially get away from you if you have to stop and park on a hill. I always use my footbrake when we are loading our son into the stroller and getting him in/out of the car. The strollers also come with a “leash” or arm strap, so you have a back up system if the stroller gets away from you while you’re jogging. The BOB Ironman stroller comes in a twin version, and there are other various add-ons like a rain shield for inclement weather. If you’ve been unsatisfied with the cheap construction and shoddy workmanship of other strollers, I think you’ll be impressed by the BOB joggers!

I have been really pleased with my BOB jog stroller. I plan to save it for future children in the extended family - it’s that good. If you want to invest in your own BOB Jogger, I encourage you to visit BOBJoggingStrollers.net today.

Colic in Young Children

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Sleepless nights, relentless bawling, and dirty diapers - all parents know the joys and tribulation new baby can bring into a family. Yet is can often come as a shock - especially to first-time parents - when the crying does not stop for hours, days, or even weeks on end. You begin to worry: does my child have colic?

What is colic?

Colic is defined as the incessant or uncontrollable crying of an otherwise healthy infant. It often starts between two to four weeks after birth, during which the baby has several bouts of crying during the day, usually in the mornings and in the evening, which can last for almost three hours. This colic stage often goes away after the fourth month, and only is very rare cases does it persist after the fifth month. Approximately 40% of infants suffer from mild colic, whereas 10-15% are predicted to suffer from severe colic. But do not worry: all colic cases, whether mild or severe, are only temporary.

Causes

Although professionals are not certain as to the exact causes of colic, some evidence suggests that the disorder is related to digestive problems. Some professionals claim that colic is caused as a result of the baby’s intestines working too hard, resulting in painful cramps. Other doctors argue that the disorder is based on slow bowel moves which result in gas being trapped in the intestines, which can be very painful and leads to inflammation. Many osteopaths and other medical professionals still dispute the causes of colic, but where research has been conducted, it has emerged that there is no known definitive source.

Common symptoms

Now you are probably wondering, ‘how do I know if my child has colic?’ There are a couple of key symptoms that can help you distinguish the disorder: The infant cries for long periods of time (up to three hours sessions) without being comforted by anything. This process repeats itself for days or weeks. Some infants release a lot of gas, which can be very painful The child is restless or visibly uncomfortable The baby pulls their thighs up to their abdomen and clenches their fists

Treatment & Prevention

There are several small tips that you can carry out to make your child feel better. Osteopaths recommend that you: Strap the baby to the front of your body in a sling. Your body’s movement, heartbeat, and heat should make your child feel more relaxed. Give your baby’s belly a gentle massage, using slow circular movements

If the problem persists, it is important that you take your child to an osteopathic clinic for extra attention and examination. Here medical professionals can help identify and address any tensions in your baby’s body.

Seeing your child suffer is agonizing for any parent, especially when you do not know how to help them. However, with today’s effective osteopathic techniques, and with the knowledge that colic is only a fleeting stage in a child’s development, both you and your baby can finally get the full night’s rest that you desire and deserve.

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Breastfeeding Diet - Eating Well for Two

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

During the time that moms are pregnant, they learn to be extra wise about the foods and liquids they take into their bodies. This is because it is known that babies in the womb can be negatively affected if they do not receive the appropriate nutrition or are exposed to inappropriate substances. Nursing moms also need to watch what they eat.

It should be noted, though, that a breastfeeding diet is probably easier to follow than a diet when you are pregnant. The diet you follow while you nurse will help determine the quality of your breast milk, to some extent.

In addition to providing your baby with the best breastmilk, following a healthy diet is also beneficial for you. It provides you with the necessary energy requirements to care for your new baby and any other children that you may have at home with you. Furthermore, by eating healthy, nutritious foods, this will help you slowly lose the pregnancy pounds.

Now you may be wondering what a breastfeeding diet consists of. It is fairly straightforward. It is suggested that you enjoy a balanced diet consisting of all four food groups, and also be sure to include enough fiber in your diet. With all the sitting down you will be doing at the start to feed your baby, you will find that fiber will be your new best friend! When taking in fiber, you also want to make sure that you drink adequate fluids. This should not be a problem, as you are likely to feel thirsty a lot of the time anyway while you are breastfeeding.

Even though you plan to eat a well-balanced diet, it is also advised that you take a good prenatal multivitamin/mineral supplement. This will ensure that your body gets everything that you may be missing in your diet, and results in less chances of your body having to tap into its own reserves to make good-quality breastmilk.

When it comes to breastfeeding diets, you have no doubt heard that you should avoid certain foods that can make your baby fussy or gassy. However, no two babies are alike and so what bothers one baby is not necessarily going to bother the next one. Some babies do not even seem to be bothered by foods their mothers eat. Some, but not all, suspicious foods to monitor your baby’s responses to are onions, garlic, cabbage, and broccoli. These foods can alter the taste of the breastmilk resulting in rejection by your baby.

Continue not to eat fish such as king mackerel, swordfish, and shark, to name a few, as they contain the most mercury. Instead, consider eating fish (in moderation) that contain less mercury, as their fish oils are important for your baby’s neurological system.

The final thing I want to discuss, when it comes to a breastfeeding diet, is alcohol. If at all possible, it should be avoided as it is a known neurotoxin and sedative. And if you drink everyday, then you should not be nursing as problems have been identified in children whose mothers drank every day during breastfeeding. However, if you just want to have a drink once in a while, then you need to plan ahead to make it as safe for your baby as possible. Consider pumping a few days in advance of when you will be going out so that your baby can have that milk instead. Otherwise, nurse your baby right before you have a drink. Then when you have that drink, it will give your body some time to break down the alcohol before you need to nurse again (or perhaps do not nurse at all for several hours and just pump for comfort and throw away the milk).

As you can see, a breastfeeding diet is not overly complex or difficult. It is also not quite as demanding as a pregnancy diet. Following a diet though, will provide the two of you with benefits for years to come.

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