Choosing a Baby Doctor

While most new moms choose their baby's doctor well before giving birth, that is not always the case.  Your new baby will be visiting its pediatrician often for the first few years so it is important to select someone you trust and are comfortable with.

When considering or interviewing a prospective doctor feel free to ask questions.  Don't only listen to the actual answers to the questions, but also pay attention to the many in which he or she responds to them.  Is the doctor sensitive and understanding or does he seem condescending and disinterested.  During your newborns frequent checkups you will have lots of question you will want to have addressed and this could be a could indication of how you will be treated later on.

You may wish to obtain referrals from family or friends.  If someone you trust has had good success with their chosen doctor that could be a good place to begin your search.  Don't forget to inquire about whether or not the new doctor will accept your insurance plan and that their office hours are suitable for you.

The choice between a pediatrician and a family doctor is another distinction to be made.  While a pediatrician has more specialized training in children's needs, a family doctor who is familiar with the whole family and you child can continue to see beyond childhood has its benefits as well.  If you do go with your family doctor, be certain to confirm that they have lots of baby care experience.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) can assist you with a referral to a certified pediatrician.

The bottom line is that your new baby's health is one of the most important things that you have been entrusted with.  The weight of this trust can be the source of an incredible stress for new moms.  Taking the time to choose a baby doctor that will put your mind and at ease and will be patient with even the most inane inquiries is critical to your peace of mind in these first few years.  Put in the time to research this decision responsibly now and you will definitely thank yourself later.

Challenges and Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a bit of a challenge sometimes for new moms. There is so much anxiety building up about doing it right and you feel a great deal of pressure because after all you are providing the sole nourishment for your new baby. This wouldn’t be so bad if breastfeeding was a snap and your baby latched on the first time with no problem, but that is not always the case. All in all this is not a recipe for a great new experience. There are however things you can do to make this the best experience possible for both mother and baby.

The first decision you need to make is whether you are going to breast feed at all. It is a personal choice and there is no right answer, accept the one that is right for you, however most prominent health organizations including the American Medical Association, advise that breastfeeding is the best choice for infants.

Your breast milk contains the optimum combination of nutrients for your baby’s health and development. Breastfeeding should be done exclusively for the first six months and partially for the following six months.

Breastfeeding in public can sometimes be a contentious issue. Please remember that there is nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed about. A mother feeding her baby is a natural thing and not something you should feel you need to hide. This fact does not mean that you will not feel modesty and if it is your preference to nurse in a different room or not in a crowded restaurant, there is nothing wrong with this. It also helps to understand that some people just don’t know how to behave around a nursing mother. Should they avoid eye contact etc.? Because breasts are also sexual objects in North American society, breastfeeding in public just makes some people feel uneasy. That doesn’t make it right, but it’s a fact none the less.

It has been recommended by some that it is helpful to take calcium supplements while pregnant and breastfeeding, but this has been discounted by others. During pregnancy and the first few months of development a baby needs a great deal of calcium. The concern stems from the fact that if the mother does not get enough calcium, then the infant will draw what it needs from the mother’s bones. While breastfeeding you want to ensure you are providing your baby with its required daily dose of calcium.

After you have gotten past the initial learning period, you will find breastfeeding to be far easier and less hassle if you wear nursing bras. Ask your friends who chose to use formula about the effort associated with buying it, cleaning the equipment, getting it to the right temperature. Breast milk is especially convenient during late night feedings. Of course this presents a challenge for a father who wants to share in the feeding responsibilities; this can be overcome as well.

During the initial adjustment period, if you are having problems breastfeeding, but you do want to make it work, please ask for help. If you don’t click with it right away, it does not mean that you have to quit and switch to formula. You can be a good mother without breastfeeding, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept not breastfeeding if you would prefer not to.

A lesser known benefit of nursing is that it helps you lose weight and returns your uterus back to its normal size more quickly. Nursing consumes calories.

Returning to work is another challenge nursing mother’s face. Most will pump several times a day and then refrigerate it or freeze it for later. To thaw the frozen milk put it in warm water or let it slowly thaw in the fridge. You do not want to use a microwave as this will breakdown the milk’s nutrients and defeat the purpose of breastfeeding. Additionally this can make the milk too hot and risk scalding. Using a breast pump take a bit of getting used to so practice for awhile before going back to work.

It is in employer’s best interests to accommodate nursing mothers as much as possible. Women who can continue to breast feed can return to work much more quickly. Also children who are breastfed have shown to get sick less often when they are older which will mean the mother will need less sick days to care for sick kids.

I’ll stop it there for now if you have any breastfeeding questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

A Little Information on Colic

Colic.  The mere mention of this word strikes terror into the hearts of new moms everywhere.  While it is extremely common, it is no less and tiring and upsetting experiences when it affects your newborn.  Reaching its peak after the first couple of months, relief is usually seen at 3 months.  It should subside completely at within four months.

Colic is just one of those things that affect some babies.  It is not something to be worried about and it is not dangerous, yet it can still be very upsetting to a new parent to hear there new baby scream to such a great extent.  After a few episodes the parents will become more comfortable with what is actually happening, but it can still be very upsetting to listen to.

Colic is essentially a stomach ache that will happen after eating.  The crying is due to this continuous pain and can last for several hours.  This pain can be quite severe and the intensity of the crying will reflect the discomfort the baby is experiencing.

During colic you may notice your baby's stomach become distended.  Your infant may clench his fists and the feet will become cold.  The baby's cheeks will also become flushed.  All of these reactions are normal and associated with stomach pain.

Colic may be hereditary, so if one or both parents suffered when they were babies that may offer a clue.  Colic can come on any time of the day and after any meal.  Not all babies suffer from colic and the ones that do differ in severity.

Some actions can worsen colic so pay careful attention to the following:

1. Be careful of overfeeding as this can worsen it.  When your baby is crying you want to make certain that it is in fact hunger and not simply suffering from colic, before feeding him more.
2. Foods high in sugar and undiluted just will increase stomach gas which will also worsen the condition.
3. Watch for food allergies.  These allergies can cause colic so you will want to be as aware as possible of what foods make your baby allergic.
4. Intense emotion can also impact colic.  Fear, anxiety, panic etc. can exacerbate the condition so any way you can keep you baby calm and relaxed will help.

Remember not all crying is colic so you still want to be diligent and aware of any other possible reasons for the crying.  Other than that try to remain calm and knowledgeable about what your baby is going through so that you can make the experience as least painful as is possible, for you and the baby.

Common Causes for Crying in Babies

Crying is one of the most natural things a baby does. Right after being born the first thing it does is cry. This first cry brings air into its lungs for the first time. While a healthy baby cries, it can still take an eventual toll on any new mom. Information about the reason for the crying can be very reassuring.

A baby can’t let his needs known by talking or with words so the only way for it to communicate is by crying. This is a surefire way to get attention and hopefully what he or she needs.

The level of crying varies from baby to baby and it is difficult to know when to label it excessive. Likewise some babies are easier other to soothe. Some will ceases crying simply by being given a pacifier while other parents have to resort to a short car ride to get their little ones to settle down.

Often gentle rocking by mom will get will get a crying baby to stop, but if crying does persist it is important that it never be ignored.

Common causes for crying in babies:

Hunger:

When your baby is hungry and wants to be fed he or she will be certain to let you know. Breast milk or formula will usually quiet the crying.

Full Diaper:

When your baby needs his diaper changed he will often cry due to the discomfort of a full diaper. A dry diaper will make things right again.

Loneliness:

Not surprisingly, when your baby feels alone and wants company they will cry until you return and then will become playful as soon as you arrive. They can also cry if their snuggle toy falls or slips away.

Sleepiness:

When your baby is tired and hasn’t had an opportunity to sleep, he will often react by crying.

Temperature:

No not the babies, but the environment he or she is in. If the room is too hot or too cold the resulting discomfort will cause the baby to cry until it is more comfortable.

Clothing:

Tight clothing against the skin, especially during the summer months can cause the baby to become uncomfortable and start to cry. Additionally watch out for itchy and tight elastic waistbands.

Room to dark or too bright

If the baby wakes up and feels alarmed because the room is overly dark or find brightness that is blinding he will of course begin to cry.

Mosquitoes

A buzzing insect around the babies face can be very disturbing and cause the baby to cry. These little things have nearly brought me to tears when I have been trying to sleep.

Cold symptoms.

If the baby is suffering from a common cold or other non serious illness the symptoms can become extremely uncomfortable and lead to the baby reacting with tears.

Earaches:

Earaches are a common cause of a crying infant. This can be particularly frustrating for both baby and parent as the baby can’t let mom know what hurts. Watch for the baby to rub the affected ear as some indication.

Colic

A baby crying continuously may be an indication of Colic. The jury is out on the exact cause of this frustrating condition, but it maybe associated with abdominal distention. Sometimes the baby will feel better when placed on the abdomen, but some may not allow this. Continuous crying should be referred to a doctor.

Food Reactions

Some foods and cause an allergic reaction that can take the form of redness, swelling and crying among others.

Hard Stools

Hard stools and constipation can be a source of pain for a baby and can very often lead to crying as the baby hesitates to have a bowel movement.

Dentition

Often associated with diarrhea and gastric troubles, a baby often becomes restless and cries during dentition.
Less Common Causes:

Bowel obstruction:

Bowel obstruction is accompanied by intense pain and often vomiting. The abdomen becomes distended and the baby is constipated.

Septicemia

This is pathogenic micro organisms entering the blood. Fever often accompanies this condition.

Torsion of the testes.

When a baby boy continuously cries his scrotum should be examined. This condition causes extreme pain and needs to be treated properly to avoid any damage to the testes.

A crying baby that won’t settle down can be one of the most frustrating experiences a new mom has to deal with. But by paying careful attention to the other signals the baby is giving off it is possible to truly listen and understand exactly what your infant is trying to tell you.