Baby Sleep Tips

Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your baby can get a good night's rest.

1) Establish a routine - A kiss good night or stroking the baby before sleep can calm the child, or bathing and cleaning the child before bed time. Make sure to repeat these patterns. Once the baby becomes familiar with this routine, they will know that it is time to sleep. Also, make sure the baby sleeps in the same place and in the same conditions as much as possible.

2) Try lullaby music - Lullaby music can calm the child as can white noise CD's. The sound of a vacuum cleaner is also known to have a soothing effect.

3) Make sure that the room temperature is not too hot or cold and that the baby is in a location that is away from any noise or distractions that may cause the baby to awaken.

4) Shorten nap time during the day - If the baby sleeps too much during the day, then he or she may not be able to sleep as well at night. When napping, keep the lights on and try not to give the baby any cues that it is bedtime by avoiding the night routine. No need to wake the child from napping, but if conditions are brighter and a bit noisier, then the baby will probably wake up on its own.

5) Rocking - Rocking and massaging the baby can relax the child and this may be good as prelude to sleeping through the night.

6) Read a story - Read a story or spend some time with the baby before bed, instead of just dropping the baby off in the crib and leaving. This extra time will allow the baby to transition into sleep.

7) Feeding - Make sure the baby is getting good nutrition. If you must feed the baby in the middle of the night, make sure to keep the lights dim so as to not disturb the baby's sense of time.

8) Make sure that it is quiet at night and that there is activity during the day. Babies need to learn the difference between night and day.

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About the Author: Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more related articles, go to Baby Lullaby (http://babylullaby.bravehost.com) and Baby shower information (http://www.legitimateopportunities.com/baby).

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Reasons Why You Should Breastfeed

The best first food for a baby is breast milk and it is the reason why breastfeeding is being encouraged in all over the world. No matter who you are, poor or rich and where you come from. There are benefits giving breast milk to your baby, what are they?

Breastfeeding is another way to build a strong bond with your baby. The skin contact that you are making and the warm cuddle that you give her will make her feel sense of security, warmth and comfort. The more often you do the breastfeeding the closer relationship you will have with your baby.

The breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80 percents of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breast-fed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles.

Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development. It is harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. When your baby doing breastfed she learns to control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth.

On average, breastfed babies have fewer infections in their early life. In particular they have less: diarrhea and vomiting, chest infections, and ear infections compared to babies who are not breastfed. The main reason how it can be happen is because the antibodies and other proteins, which in the breast milk from, mother to baby. These help to protect against infection.

For more information about pregnancy and how to prepare your early parenthood, go to : www.ParentingInDetail.com

Yvonne Hanson is a mother and professional adviser, specialized on parenting area. She enjoys helping parents to raise their children, starting from the pregnancy period by giving valuable information.

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Is Crying it Out Harmful to an Infant?

Crying it Out: The Impact on Infants

Since the dawn of time humans have been caring for and raising children, seeking out the best way to nurture and provide for them. But in recent times what constitutes the "best way" has been fraught with controversy. Up until about 150-200 years ago in cultures all over the world, most families shared one sleeping room and frequently one bed. This was the only way to provide protection and nurturing for the infants. But as people became wealthier and were able to have homes with more rooms they began separating the parents from the children. Even then children generally slept together and nursing infants continued to share their parents' bed. It was a rare family who were able to afford enough space to separate each member of the family. Even today in most non European/American cultures the family bed is the norm rather than the exception. In the United States beginning about 100 years ago families started begin told co-sleeping would lead to sexual abuse, suffocating infants, fostering an unhealthy dependence on parents and spoiling the infant. It is unclear why people would develop such beliefs considering this was normal for thousands of years and is still the norm in most other cultures and even in many families in the United States.

About 150 years ago the Nestle Corporation began marketing a formula based on cow's milk aimed at replacing breast feeding. In short order the propaganda was convincing mothers that breast feeding was "primitive" and animalistic. Women in the scientific, modern world were "above" turning themselves into "cows" to nurse their infants. And so women, freed from the "chore" of nursing their infant felt freer to place the infant in a crib in another room, away from the parents. This gave rise to one of the most fundamental controversies in recent child raising history, how to handle infant night crying and sleeping through the night. Over the past 50 years or so hundreds of experts of various sorts have wadded in on the issue. The most prevalent school of thought in the 1950's and earlier was to avoid picking up an infant when it cried or "giving in" to its demands for attention because this would spoil the child and thwart their maturity process. Experts in the field, mostly male, who decided women who had been successfully raising children since the origins of our species no longer knew how to do their job, began promoting the idea a child must learn to comfort herself and teach herself to go to sleep without the help of a parent.

This advice demanded when it is time for an infant to go to sleep the parent should not nurse, feed or rock the baby to sleep but should put him to bed fully awake and then allow it to fall asleep without interference from the parent. If the baby begins to cry the parent should go in to check and make sure everything is ok but after that should not respond to the crying for at least 10 minutes and then should not do anything to comfort the still crying infant but only make sure he is still safe. After a while the infant will stop crying and go to sleep or will cry herself to sleep. Continue this pattern for several nights and soon the baby will go to sleep and stay asleep without interfering with the parent's evening and night. Although for most parents crying elicits an impulse to go to the infant providing comfort and nurture, after years of hearing from experts parents have stopped trusting their instincts and began believing they might irreparable harm their child if they respond to their crying at night. Frantic parents have been assured allowing their infants to "cry it out" at night is the only alternative to having spoiled, insecure and demanding children who are incapable of comforting themselves and growing into independent and mature individuals. They have been convinced it does no harm to the infant to be left alone in their crib, by themselves without their parent to give them comfort and is, in fact a necessary part of growing up. And so generations of children are being left to cry it out and learn to "comfort" themselves sans the safety and security of parents.

But is it really necessary to do this to get infants to sleep through the night, to grow into confident and well adjusted children, to learn to comfort themselves and become independent? Does this process really leave no lasting mark on the child so they are none the worse for the ordeal? Here is where opinions become polarized and parents wanting to do the best thing for their infants are caught in the middle of some very strong opinions.

On the side of the "cry it out" philosophy are a number of well known "authorities" who have written volumes on the subject. These people devised elaborate plans designed to encourage a parent to allow their infant to cry for increasing lengths of time. They are instructed to never pick up the child, talk, sing or otherwise try to comfort the crying infant but simply check on it and leave the room. This is allowed to go on for hours if necessary. Although these and other experts on the subject have spent years convincing parents their methods do not harm the child and in fact help parents through a necessary process, there is very little, if any, accurate and scientifically supported research on their claims. However, according to child development experts from a number of fields, "parents who put their children in a crib down the hall and expect them to stay there quietly until morning may be risking their child's emotional health. A child who does not receive warmth and reassurance when she asks for it can develop a range of attachment and trust disorders." (Dettwyler electronic article) Recently Harvard University confirmed these other scientists' and experts' opinions through detailed research releasing a study on this very subject. They examine the impact of allowing an infant to cry it out on the long term development of a baby. Their findings are very different than what parents have been lead to believe. In 2007 researchers at Harvard discovered infants who were left to cry it out for extended periods of time showed all the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. This research examines the impact of early separation of infants from their mothers by placing them in a separate room and then allowing them to cry themselves to sleep. "The effects of early separation cause changes in infant brains that makes future adults more susceptible to stress in their lives...Parents should recognize having their babies cry unnecessarily harms the baby permanently. It changes the nervous system so they're sensitive to future trauma and panic disorders." (Commons, Harvard Research article electronic version)

This research offers proof against the claims of advocates of the cry it out school that consistent response to their infants and co-sleeping does not lead to sexual abuse, over dependence or other psychological harm. There are less cases of abuse amongst families who practice this type of attachment parenting, children do not seem to go through bedtime anxiety or nightmare; they develop self esteem and security because their early needs for parental security are met and they become more independent as they grow older. (Flint Infant Security Scale Research)Further research shows a huge portion of brain development in infants occurs during their sleeping hours and their natural waking and sleeping rhythm allows for the ideal development of waking cognitive skills. When a child is force to cry these natural rhythms are interrupted. The infant begins engaging in deeper, stress induced sleep earlier in life with less time spent in the brain developing REM sleep. This slows down their cognitive development and can cause a lasting decease in their overall intelligence later in life. Additional research conducted on animals has shown although animals will adapt their behavior and cease crying out, their stress hormones such as Cortisol and physiological stimuli remain high.

Other scientists have been examining this phenomenon of forcing infants to sleep alone and endure extended periods of crying in order to become independent and self sufficient. In a winter, 1996 article in Mothering Magazine, James J. McKenna, Ph.D., an anthropologist and internationally-known expert on infant sleep summarizes his views on the anthropological relevance of family sleep sharing, noting that "...nighttime parent-infant co-sleeping during at least the first year of life is the universal, species-wide normative context for infant sleep, to which both parents and infants are biologically and psychosocially adapted...Solitary infant sleep is an exceedingly recent, novel and alien experience for the human infant." (McKenna, Mothering Magazine) Katherine Dettwyler, Ph.D., an award-winning anthropologist and co-editor of Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives agrees with McKenna, claiming American attitudes about how and where a baby sleeps are unique. "Mothers who are co-sleeping still make up the majority of the world's parents. In other societies, it isn't viewed as expected or normal for a baby to sleep by himself."

Although the controversy continues, this in one area parents would do well to carefully look behind the claims of the popular parenting advice and into the reality of their claims that unresponsiveness to infant crying does no harm. What message is an infant receiving when its caretakers end up ignoring its only means of communication? What impact does it have on their ability to trust in their communication skills, their safety in the world, their security and the bond they have for someone who chooses not to attend their needs? Maybe next time people are lamenting the increasing of younger children becoming violent, angry and unattached and how adults are failing to form deep and lasting relationships we might consider how being abandoned as infants really is affecting people.

Resources
http://bottle-feeding-baby.com/the-history-of-formula-milk.php
http://www.fresnofamily.com/ap/familybed.htm
www.talaris.org/pdf/research/CIOPoster.pdf
Commons, Michael Dr. (2007). Harvard Gazette, Harvard University
Dettwyler, Katherine (1998). Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives New York: Aldine Transaction
Gordon, McCall and Hill, Sheri (2005). Flint Infant Security Scale Research Antioch University Center on Infant Mental Health and Development
McKenna, James J. (1996). Mothering Magazine Electronic Version
Sears, William, (1999). Nighttime Parenting, New York: Plume

Dena Roberson Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dena_Roberson

Baby Care Tips That You Need to Know

Baby care is actually pleasurable but creates stress too among new parents. When you have a new born baby, it is obvious that you will have a tight time. You have to take proper care for the baby and you need to do your household chores too. You might have already heard a lot of tips for baby care, but you should understand that your baby is unique and you have to find out what works best for your baby.

1. Breastfeeding is very essential for a newborn. If for some reasons, you are not able to feed your baby you can go for bottle feeding. After every feed, you have to burp the baby. This ensures that the baby doesn't get gas since newborns are prone to get gas faster.

2. If your baby is more than a few weeks old and you want to get back to work, you cannot expect your baby to forget about breastfeeding. If you know that you will leave your child with a nurse, you need to make your baby accustomed to bottle feeding much before leaving your baby under the care of a nurse.

3. Many moms feel that bottle feeding prevents them from feeding the baby with breast milk. But this is not true. There are breast pumps and you can use them to store your milk for bottle feeding.

4. When you feed the baby with bottle, be cautious that you don't let the baby sleep with the bottle in his or her mouth, especially, when your baby has developed teeth, this practice will create cavities leading to dental problems.

5. Until your child starts moving and getting dirty, a bath two or three times per week is sufficient. However, you have to give sponge bath every time you change the diaper. Leaving the baby with dirty diapers invites infections and you need to avoid this completely.

6. While you take the baby for bath, keep everything including towel, soap and shampoo ready. Never leave your baby alone in the tub even for a minute. Also when you bathe the baby, close the ears with towel or covers so that water doesn't enter his or her ears.

7. While you take the baby in your arms, keep him or her close to your chest and make him or her feel that he or she is in secure hands. Cuddle your baby often and kiss him or her on his or her hands and toes gently to ensure bonding.

8. Always wash the baby's clothes separately. You can even buy a counter top washing machine for washing only the baby's clothes and diapers.

9. You should never miss immunization vaccines for your baby to avoid problems in the future. Note down the vaccination dates and set an alarm for them in your notepad.

10. Never shake the baby or give him or her sudden shocks to stop him or her from crying. These sudden activities will affect the physical and mental health of the baby.

Jasmine Tupniak
http://www.mybabycaresite.com
For more information and resources on baby and toddler care, visit http://www.mybabycaresite.com

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Crying and Colicky Babies

Crying is your baby's only way of communicating with you. At first, it can be difficult and distressing for you, especially if you are a new parent but remember a large part of parenting is trial and error and you will soon learn to anticipate and interpret his needs. It is important to remember that no baby has ever cried himself to death. You need to know how to interpret what each cry means and you will know this very quickly if you spend time with him.

Reasons why babies cry

1. I am hungry

2. I am wet or dirty

3. I am too cold/ too hot

4. I am not comfortable

5. I want to be cuddled

6. I don't feel good

7. I can't take it anymore

8. Where is everybody?

9. None of the above

If your little one is wailing, just work your way down the list and you should find the cure.

Hungry cry

When you touch the sides of his mouth, he will turn towards your fingers searching for food. The crying usually stops once food is in the mouth but some babies will continue complaining so keep on feeding. Sometimes baby will cry instead of closing the mouth so you may have to help him by gently pushing the lower jaw up to close the mouth.

Wet or dirty

Some babies are particular and do not like very wet or soiled nappies and will cry to let you know when the nappy is full and need changing. Once you have changed the nappy they are all smiles again. Others are not bothered until you smell it or when you pick them up.

Too cold or too hot

All babies dislike being naked and they cannot sleep if they are cold especially when they have cold feet. Sometimes swaddling or just putting a cloth over the feet will stop them crying. Sometimes a pacifier may help. Most babies are less likely to complain about being too hot so you will only recognize this when you see that his face is flushed or that he is sweaty.

Not comfortable

This is usually due to position or something that is irritating him. As the baby grows bigger, he can push himself until he is wedged against the cot and needs to be repositioned.

Need to be cuddled

Babies need a lot of cuddling and they vary a lot in how much they want to be held. There is no such thing as spoiling your baby by cuddling her. They grow up so fast and before you know it, they are too big to carry and cuddle. Some babies just want to be by your side without being held.

Do not feel good

The cry of a sick baby is very distinct from the cry of hunger or frustration and you will recognize when your baby does not sound right and needs to be taken to the doctor.

Can't take anymore

Babies can become over stimulated from the noise and being passed from hand to hand and crying is the only way to say "I have enough." Some babies may even have nightmares during the night from over stimulation.

Too silent

Babies do not live in a silent world in the womb. Many new parents try to make it so silent that they whisper and tiptoe when baby is asleep then they wonder why baby wakes up crying. They sleep better when there is soothing sounds so keep the radio on and let the DJ bore him to sleep.

None of the above

Many newborns have periods of fussiness when it is difficult to soothe them and you just cannot figure out what to do. This has happened to me a couple of times and my last resort was to take Marie to her doctor. The moment we walked through the door she smiled and cooed at the doctor who looked at me as if I was an idiot; and, I had to pay him RM75.00 to be told that there was nothing wrong with her especially when I am a so-called 'expert' on baby care.

What is colic?

Colic is a label for a pattern of crying in a healthy, well-fed infant under 3 months of age that has no explanation. Colicky babies cry a lot more than others and can be difficult or impossible to soothe. The baby's crying usually intensifies between 6 and 8 weeks of age, and then diminishes when he is 3 months old. Colic means that even though your baby is healthy, your life for the next couple of weeks is going to be tough. It is often associated with too much wind in the tummy.

Some signs that tell you that your baby has colic:

• The outbursts occur on a regular basis.

• It happens at the same time every day and lasts from between 15 minutes to 4 hours.

• He draws his knees up to the body.

• He has flushed cheeks.

• He has clenched fists

• Eyes are squeezed shut in apparent pain.

• He has a lot of wind.

What can you do?

The best way to deal with colic is to stay calm and be patient. Although it can be very distressing to hear your baby crying for hours on end every day, it will pass eventually. Parental anxiety does not cause colic. On the other hand, colic can stress parents out, and an anxious parent will find it hard to soothe a fussy baby.

Some steps that you may want to try.

• Burp more often even if he is breastfed.

• Check your diet if you are breastfeeding Citrus fruits and juices, strawberries and tomatoes are high in acidity and may irritate the infant. Dairy products in mother's diet can also lead to "intolerances" in baby. The problem is usually due to the milk protein found in milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Soy and peanut intolerance in babies often accompanies dairy intolerance

• Check your feeding technique and equipment if you are bottle-feeding.

• If bottle-fed, consider changing the formula to lactose free or specially formulated formulas for windy baby. Check with baby's paediatrician or health care provider first.

• Some babies love being swaddled because it gives them a sense of security.

• There are baby massage techniques that may be effective in helping baby to release gas. Simply applying light pressure on the tummy can soothe and help. Daily massage with calming oil may help reduce the episodes of colic.

• Chinese windy oils, usually applied to the tummy after a bath helps the baby to burp and reduces wind in the tummy.

• Your baby may calm down if he sucks on a pacifier or his fingers.

• Rhythmic rocking in a swing cradle or bouncinette may soothe the baby. If using these items, do not leave your baby unattended as baby may fall out if he is too active.

• Swing cradles - eastern types called sarongs. Although used for decades, I do not recommend this as the curvature of the sarong may make it difficult for some babies to breathe. A very active baby may fall out if left alone.

• Herbal remedies such as weak teas brewed from fennel, chamomile or anise.

• Antispasmodics medications such as Infacol only work for 50% of babies. You can give him Gripe water but only after baby is one month old.

• Aromatherapy with soothing scents like lavender, anise and chamomile may help some babies.

• When your nerves are frayed and you have exhausted all efforts then there is no harm in a little prayer. This has helped me many times whenever Marie or any of the babies at my centre were fractious.

• Old wives tales - Bathing baby with 7 pomelo leaves. This actually works most of the time. I find that the baby is less fussy a couple of days after the bath. How does this work? I do not know.

Look after yourself too

A colicky baby can leave you feeling drained and exhausted which only adds to the problem. Once you know when the crying will start, you can try to plan your day around the time your baby starts crying. It is a good idea to eat your meal earlier so that you have plenty of energy to get through the difficult period. Relax yourself mentally and physically, as your baby will know if you are stressed and this makes it harder for him to settle down. Give yourself a break from time to time by asking someone else to take over. Knowing that you are not alone can be a great help.

Good luck!

Cecilia Koh is a registered nurse/midwife with over 30 years working experience in England and Malaysia. She was a parentcraft educator before setting up her own childcare centre for children aged 1 month to 2 years.

To view her articles in pictorial form go to http://www.babiesconsult.com

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