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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