Parenting
Tips
Helpful Tips for Parents
Parenting is one of the most challenging, full-time occupations,
especially for a young family. We have compiled some tips on how to
deal with parenting situations and hat to expect from your
baby.
Baby Diapers
Most babies
that are fed using the PDF method usually need a diaper change at
each feeding time. This means that your baby will need about 6-8
diapers a day or more. Many new parents time the diaper changes
with the after dinner bowel movement, but if you miss it, you will
just have a few more diapers to change during the day.
Diaper rash
Sensitive skin is a common problem for some babies and they may
get a diaper rash due to a food allergy, yeast infection, sitting
too long in a wet or messy diaper, or teething. If you notice your
baby beginning to get a diaper rash, talk to your pediatrician
about which diaper rash medicine will work for your baby.
Baby's Growth spurts
Growth spurts can start as early as 10 days after your baby’s
birth. Growth spurts usually are preceded by a sleepy, lethargic
day and a big jump in appetite. Growth spurts may happen again at
3, 6, and 12 weeks and again at 4 and 6 months. If you begin to
notice that your child is not as satisfied with the amount that you
have been feeding her previously, then she may be beginning a
growth spurt period. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to add
a feeding or two to satiate your baby’s appetite and to help
increase milk production.
Immunizations
With all of the conflicting reports on immunizations, you may be
unsure about whether or not you want your child to receive
immunizations. I think that there are simply too many fatal
diseases that can be prevented by immunizing your baby to take the
chance. If you are unsure, then you need to talk with your
pediatrician, but understand that the reason that the infant
mortality rate is so low in this country is because immunizations
are routinely done.
Pacifiers and thumb
sucking
If you breastfeed, do not allow your child to use you as their
pacifier. If your baby seems to have a need to suck beyond eating,
then you need to give them a pacifier. There is no "nipple
confusion" between a breast nipple and a pacifier as they are very
different in feel and taste. Babies will know the difference
between the two. Some children do not want a pacifier but will suck
on their thumb. If you don’t have a problem with it, then let
them.
Spitting up
It is very common for babies to spit up, but some babies do it
more than others. If your baby is growing normally, then there is
no need to worry about it. Projectile throwing up is not the same
as spitting up. Projectile throwing up is a violent reaction to
reject the contents of the stomach and not just "burping" up a
little milk. If your baby does this frequently, consult your
pediatrician.
See more Parenting Tidbits in next article.
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