Newborn Baby Guides and Tips

Three newborn gifts that keep giving

Books of all shapes, sizes, and topics make the perfect gift to encourage a lifelong love affair with the written word. The joy of reading is learned early. When you read to your child regularly, you nurture a love of books. There is no better time to begin, than when your baby is born. Story time with your newborn is more about sharing a special bond than reading, but this positive early experience may help your child develop a thirst for knowledge and a healthy attitude toward learning.

From gentle lullabies to classical compositions, early exposure to music may become another gift of a lifetime. When you play music for your baby, he learns the beauty of sound. Variety is important here. The more types of music your child hears, the more he learns to enjoy. Vocal and instrumental selections expose your baby to different qualities of music, as does playing a variety of musical genres – classical to calm, jazz to uplift, and so on. Who knows, your baby may even grow up to be a famous singer or musician someday.

Infant massage and baby yoga classes give the gifts of healthy touch and movement. The classes provide a superb bonding opportunity for you and your baby, but they may also do a lot more. What people experience as young children goes a long way toward establishing who they become as adults. Infant massage may help babies learn about their bodies and healthy touch. It also facilitates a strong parent-child bond, which may improve your ability to maintain open communication with your child as he grows.

Likewise, baby yoga classes encourage healthy movement. When you learn to enjoy movement as a child, you carry that into adulthood. Your baby may learn healthier attitudes toward self-care, such as exercise and relaxation, as you model and share these experiences with him in class.

Whether you choose books, music, or infant massage and baby yoga classes, the best gifts for baby are gifts that provide a foundation for healthy growth and development. Not only are they fun to give, they give a little something back as you enjoy watching their benefits unfold in a child’s life.

Treasure those early memories in a newborn journal

The first few weeks with a new baby go by so quickly. Busy making transitions and adjustments to your lifestyle, it’s not easy to remember all the wonderful memories you’d like to preserve forever. That’s why it’s important to capture them as you can and journaling makes it possible.

To begin your newborn journal, all you need is some paper, a pen, and your thoughts. Yes, you can actually begin in a notebook, as long as you make sure to get your thoughts down on paper. If you don’t do it now, you’ll be less likely to remember all the special details you hoped to preserve. There will be time later to transfer what you’ve written into a keepsake edition of your journal, if you wish.

Make it a point to write in your journal everyday. Even if only for a few moments, record what you think and feel. The more you write, the more you’ll want to write. And if you aren’t sure just how to get started, try one of these prompts: Three wishes I wish for my baby are…; What I love most about my baby today is…; or My baby loves it when I….

After you gather your thoughts from that first month, you can add some pictures and publish your newborn journal as a keepsake through companies like Cherish Bound (www.cherishbound.com) or Heritage Makers (www.heritagemakers.com). A newborn journal published like this is sure to become a treasured family heirloom, not to mention the fact that it can easily be shared with family and friends.

In addition to – or in place of, many families are choosing to share their journals online. You can record your reflections of life with baby at several websites and provide access to family and friends who want to know how baby is doing. Two websites that offer online journaling services are www.myfamily.com and www.ourstory.com. The www.ourstory.com site offers a free account to help you capture, preserve, and share your memories and photos online.

Whether online or on paper, your newborn journal will help you capture those treasured first moments to enjoy for years to come.

Bringing Home Baby: Calming Newborn Nerves

The first days home with baby can be trying. He’s adjusting. You’re adjusting. Everyone is a bundle of nerves. If you stay calm, however, these simple tips will ease the transition for both of you.

*Sing and talk to your baby. Your newborn begins to hear your voice while still growing inside you. By the time he is born, the familiarity of that sound has a remarkable calming effect. Talk to him, sing your favorite lullaby, and read books to him, especially stories that rhyme.

*Make eye contact. While baby’s do not have 20/20 vision at birth, they can see you. By making eye contact with your baby when you talk to or massage him, you are communicating with him, and if you watch his cues, you’ll learn how he communicates with you.

*Touch your baby. It’s natural act, yet so powerful. Stroke his arms, legs, head, and back. The sensations relax both of you and enhance your bonding. If possible, learn about infant massage techniques and incorporate them into your daily routine. Research suggests that simple massage strokes relieve colic and constipation, as well as help infants establish regular sleep patterns and form stronger bonds with their caregivers.

Hold your baby close, often. Research shows that keeping your baby close is good for him. Wearing your baby in a baby sling or carrier keeps him right where he needs to be to thrive. Cuddled next to you, baby feels your warmth and the comforting beat of your heart. The familiar rhythm helps him relax and feel secure.

Using a baby sling also frees your arms and hands so that you can do a few things around the house, while still enjoying the benefit of snuggling with your baby. And that might help you feel calmer, too.

*Respond to your baby. It’s that simple. Though crying can be nerve-wracking, it’s the only way your baby has to let you know he needs something. He cries when he’s hungry; he cries when he’s wet; he cries when he hurts or doesn’t feel well; and he cries when he just doesn’t know what else to do.

While this barrage of bawling might make you feel like crying, too, the best thing to do is simply to respond to his need. Pick him up, cuddle him, and try to figure out just what it is he needs. Soon you’ll recognize his cry for hunger over his pain cry and be able to soothe him by quickly filling the need.

Worried that you’ll spoil him? Don’t be. Meeting your baby’s needs is not spoiling him. By regularly responding to your newborn, you’re forming a healthy bond that makes him feel secure.

It’s not uncommon for moms to feel out of sync with their babies in the first few weeks. But communicating your love to him through all his senses goes a long way toward calming those delicate newborn nerves.

3 Ways to Celebrate Your Newborn’s First Noel

1. Baby’s first tree. Okay, so maybe you won’t be trekking into the wilderness to cut a fresh tree this year. Baby’s first Christmas tree can still be special, and this one won’t break the bank or your back.

Choose an artificial, table-top tree and decorate with baby items. Brightly colored rattles, binkies, and teething rings give a festive touch and can be put to good use later. Top it off with a diaper angel. To make, take a cloth diaper, stuff with a small handful of cotton balls for the head, gather cloth together beneath the head, and tie with a festive bow of green and red curled ribbon. Using a yellow pipe cleaner for the halo, shape a four- to five-inch piece into a circle and poke the remaining straight section through top of diaper fabric, securing to angel.

Once the celebration is over this year, the tiny tree can be the basis for a lifelong family tradition. Put the tree up every year and, as your child grows, let her decide how to decorate it.

2. Wrapped in swaddling clothes. If your church holds a Christmas program or indoor live nativity, volunteer to provide the “babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,” along with Mary and Joseph. A real baby adds depth to your church family’s celebration and will make a memorable experience for your family, too, with little effort required on your part.

Not quite up to going out? Recreate the scene of that very first Christmas on a smaller scale, of course, in your very own home. If possible, have a friend video record or photograph your portrayal to add to baby’s scrapbook.

Keep the spiritual meaning alive every year by making the family nativity a Christmas tradition. Bring the family together at the beginning of the holiday season and watch the video together to set the tone for your holiday celebrations.

3. Enjoy the eve. Spending Christmas Eve together at home allows you to focus on the quieter aspects of the holiday and what really matters. Hang a stocking with care and fill it with an ornament for each member of the family. Put the family stocking at the top of next year’s list of must-do traditions by surprising everyone with an ornament that reflects something you’ve done together during the previous year.

Before heading off to bed, share the Christmas story by candlelight. As Dad reads the story and Mom nurses baby, you’ll experience a special closeness and joy that you’ll want to repeat again and again.

So, if the usual holiday havoc has you thinking your newly expanded family will have to put the celebration on hold, think again. And make your newborn’s first Noel one you’ll all want to remember for years to come.

Make time stand still with a newborn time capsule

To create your time capsule, you need to gather several things that reflect the events of the day.

Newspapers make a great addition to any time capsule. Local papers tell the story of what was happening in your community on the day he was born, while national papers provide a glimpse of then-current events. Both offer the opportunity for you to stroll down memory lane, as well as give your child a brief history lesson when the capsule is finally opened.

Money and stamps provide fun signs of the times, too. Throw in a few different coin denominations and one or more sheets of stamps. If possible, make a list of prices for goods and services, like milk and bread or gasoline. Whether done on the computer or simply handwritten on a sheet of paper, this is a nice addition.

You can personalize the time capsule by adding things like baby’s first picture and the outfit he wears home from the hospital. Take time to write a special letter welcoming your child and sharing your hopes for his future to give the capsule even more meaning.

You are limited only by your imagination – and the size of your capsule container.

The container, however, is another important part of this project. Make it as simple or ornate as you like. Some online vendors carry special newborn time capsule kits, while others offer containers meant to stand the test of time. But you needn’t invest a lot of money to make a nice time capsule. Simply choose a can or box and decorate it to your taste. A seal with the date of its intended opening – perhaps baby’s 18th birthday -- adds a nice touch, as well.

On that special day, you and your child will make yet another special moment in time, as you enjoy the contents preserved in his newborn time capsule.

Bringing home baby: Introducing your newborn to the family dog

According to a dog bite fact sheet from the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA), it is estimated that 4.7 million Americans will be bitten this year alone, most of them children. A study published in the March 2006 issue of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, concluded that children under the age of 10 represent a high-risk group when it comes to dog attacks. Of great concern is the fact that researchers also found children under one-year-old were even more likely to be bitten than older children. Worse yet, the majority of the bites (73 percent) involved dogs the victim knew.

Which dogs did most of that biting? Household pets were responsible in 33 percent of those incidents. Other familiar dogs included those that belonged to friends, relatives, and neighbors.

While it’s true that some dog breeds are more likely to bite than others – German Shepherds and Dobermans accounted for 37 percent of the bite cases studied, parents must remember that all dogs – even small breeds – are capable of biting. And the family dog, however lovable, is no exception. In fact, newborns may be more at risk in homes where the dog is an established member of the family because it’s natural instinct for the dog to see the new arrival as a threat to his position in the “pack.”

Preparation, awareness, and vigilance, however, can keep your baby safe.
Before baby arrives
Doggone Safe, a non-profit organization dedicated to dog bite prevention, recommends that families review and firm up obedience. Obedience is particularly important if you own a large dog. Practice giving commands from a variety of positions and be consistent.

Make changes gradually. The American Kennel Club suggests that owners make any anticipated changes, such as those in sleeping arrangements or daily feeding, play, and exercise routines, before baby comes home, so that your dog does not associate the changes with baby.

Visit your veterinarian. According to the Humane Society of the United States, you should take your pet to the veterinarian for a health exam and any necessary vaccinations. A routine exam keeps your pet healthy and allows you to discuss any behavioral concerns you have. It’s a good idea to have your pet neutered or spayed, if he or she isn’t already. Sterilized pets are usually calmer and less likely to bite, according to Humane Society literature.

Finally, introduce your dog to baby-related sights, sounds, and scents. Allow your dog to investigate new baby-related objects, such as the baby swing and stroller. Play a recording of a baby crying. Introduce him to the smell of lotions or powders you’ll be using on the baby and let him sniff a blanket with the baby’s scent on it before bringing baby home.

Baby’s Homecoming
When the day arrives to bring baby home, following a few simple steps can help ease the transition for the whole family, especially Fido. The AKC recommends that you greet your dog without the baby at first. This gives him time to settle down before meeting baby. If possible, give your dog a few days to adjust to the sights, sounds, and smells of your new baby before the close-up introduction. When baby and Fido finally do meet, don’t force him to get close. Instead let him take his time investigating. The Humane Society also suggests keeping a few treats handy to distract your pet, if necessary. Rewarding your dog for appropriate behavior around the baby helps him make a positive association with the baby’s presence.

Be certain to give your dog plenty of positive attention when the baby isn’t around and, as much as possible, maintain regular routines. When your dog gets into baby’s toys, as he inevitably will, don’t scold, the AKC advises. Instead, make a trade by replacing the item with one of his own toys.

Perhaps the most important advice, however, is: Never leave your dog alone with baby.

With a little extra care and attention, you, your newborn, and the family dog will continue to be one big, happy family. For more tips and information on dog bite prevention, consult Doggone Safe, www.doggonesafe.com; the Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org; the American Kennel Club, www.akc.org; and the AVMA, www.avma.org.

Make sense of car seat safety for your newborn

The study suggests that many parents unwittingly put their children at risk by failing to use the safety restraints properly. The most common mistakes found were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. Unfortunately, the NHTSA also calls these misuses “critical” because of the potential for injury.

So how do you know how to make sense of keeping your newborn safe?
First, make sure you are using the correct seat – in the correct position -- for your baby’s age and weight. Most infant seats can be used in the rear-facing position for children under one year of age who have not yet reached 20 pounds.

Infant-only seats are designed for younger, smaller babies, so they are a good choice for your newborn. They offer a good fit and are conveniently small and portable. Infant seats should always be used in the back seat, as should all child safety restraints, and only in the rear-facing position.

If you prefer a seat that will accommodate your baby as she grows, a convertible seat is another option. Convertible seats are larger and heavier, so they can accommodate your baby for a longer period of time. They are used in the rear-facing position for children under one year of age and for children over one year who do not yet weight 20 pounds. When baby turns one and exceeds 20 pounds, you can turn the seat forward-facing. Most convertible seats accommodate children up to 40 pounds.

Whichever seat you choose, it is absolutely essential you know how to use it. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as your vehicle owner’s manual. To be effective, your child’s seat must be buckled into the seat correctly, and the seat must be correctly buckled into your car.

Harness straps seem to be an area of particular difficulty for parents. For your baby’s safety, the harness must be in the correct slot position and fitted snugly to your baby’s chest. The straps should be in the slots at or below your baby’s shoulders for most infant seats and at or above baby’s shoulders for more convertible seats. The harness clip that holds the straps together should be at about armpit level, and the straps should not be twisted. You should always check the owner’s manual to confirm appropriate placement.

Safety belt use is a common problem, as well. Be sure the seat belt follows the correct path for the position of the seat and recline the seat at about a 45-degree angle, if possible. A rolled towel under the base helps secure the seat into position. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. If your automobile has a LATCH system, use it according to the specifications of your baby’s seat and those of the vehicle owner’s manual.

Other important seat considerations include seat age and condition. If your seat wasn’t purchased new, check the label. Don’t use a seat that is more than five years old or does not come with the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you have all the parts and know whether it has been in an accident. If so, be safe not sorry – don’t take the chance.

Finally, if you are unsure about your safety seat sense – or even if you are, visit a safety seat technician to have your seat checked. Your baby’s life may depend on it. To find a technician near you, go online to www.seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEATCHECK.

Protect your newborn from the flu

So how do you keep your new baby healthy this winter?

While you cannot inoculate your baby, there are steps you can take to keep him healthy during flu season – many of them common sense.

What is the flu?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the flu is a contagious respiratory ailment caused by a group of viruses known as influenza. It strikes an average of five to 20 percent of the U.S. population each year, causing symptoms that range from fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle aches to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Complications associated with the illness include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

Young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions are at particular risk for serious flu-related complications.

How do I avoid getting the flu?

The CDC recommends getting a flu shot as the number one way to avoid getting the flu. If possible, get a flu shot in October or November, although you can still be vaccinated into December.

Parents, siblings, and caretakers of young children should be vaccinated. The American Academy of Pediatrics revised its recommendation in 2006 to include flu shots for children as young as six months and up to age five years. The CDC also recommends that pregnant women be vaccinated. Studies suggest that maternal immunization may help prevent the flu in young infants.

While your newborn is too young to safely receive the vaccine, and whether you were or weren’t vaccinated while pregnant, he can’t catch the flu, if he does not come into contact with the virus.

Other simple preventatives include covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands with soap and water – often, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and keeping your baby out of crowded public places. The flu is spread through contact with the respiratory droplets of an infect person, primarily from coughing and sneezing, so be alert and act accordingly.

What to do if you or your baby get sick?

If you think you have the flu, minimize contact with your baby as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids and rest. Take fever-reducing medications, as necessary, and contact your physician if your condition worsens. If your baby becomes ill, ensure that he continues to nurse often to prevent dehydration. Call your pediatrician immediately if your baby has trouble breathing, is not feeding adequately, seems less responsive than usual, or his rectal temperature rises above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Influenza is a serious concern, especially for parents of newborns. But simple, common sense strategies can help you keep your baby healthy throughout the flu season.

Naturopathic care for the newborn

Naturopathic medicine is one approach to holistic healthcare. Naturopathy focuses on helping people achieve optimum health through natural processes, patient education, prevention strategies, and noninvasive therapies. Naturopathic doctors attend several years of specialized medical training at accredited naturopathic medical colleges. The profession, however, is regulated in just twelve states --Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. In those states, NDs must also pass medical board exams to become licensed.

Naturopathic practitioners provide complementary care for their patients. They take a comprehensive approach to health and spend a lot of time listening to their patients and helping them to become active participants in their healthcare. When you visit naturopathic doctors, you’ll find they emphasize nutrition, dietary changes, and lifestyle modification in their treatment plans. Naturopathic doctors do not abandon or replace conventional medicine, though. Instead, they work cooperatively with other healthcare providers to provide a balanced approach to wellbeing.

Naturopathic treatment of babies can include homeopathy, herbal and physical medicine, and nutrition supplements. Practitioners seek the root cause of health problems and suggest natural, noninvasive therapies to promote healing. For newborns suffering from colic or irritability, they may introduce baby massage. Gentle herbal remedies may be used to heal conditions that affect baby’s delicate skin or digestive disorders. And osteopathic manipulation may be offered to correct musculoskeletal imbalances.

Whatever the technique, the naturopathic practitioner ultimately seeks to improve and enhance baby’s health naturally.

When looking for a naturopathic doctor, it’s important to ensure he or she is properly trained. Your ND should have graduated from an accredited naturopathic college; and if you live in a state that regulates the profession, make sure he or she is properly licensed. A brief consultation with any prospective healthcare provider is advisable, as well, to ensure you feel comfortable with his or her approach to your health.

If you’d like to find out more on what naturopathy can do for your newborn, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians will help you locate a naturopathic doctor in your area through the organization’s website www.naturopathic.org.

Making the adjustment: How chiropractic care helps your newborn

What does this misalignment mean for your baby? Research suggests it may be responsible for common conditions like irritability, colic, and feeding problems in infants. Chiropractic provides a natural approach to alleviating these conditions and keeping your child healthy.

Why does your baby need a chiropractor

Doctor? Chiropractors diagnose and treat subluxation. A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that occurs when one or more of the vertebrae move out of position and put pressure on spinal nerves. This pressure interferes with the ability of your nervous system to effectively transmit nerve impulses to various parts of the body. When the nerves can’t transmit messages well, your body cannot function optimally. As a result, you develop symptoms that depend on which nerve is being irritated or compressed. A chiropractor is a doctor specially trained to locate these misalignments and correct them through gentle manipulation.

When your baby is born, his body must rotate and flex as baby finds his way through the birth canal. This traumatic process, though completely natural, can result in misalignment – especially of the cervical vertebrae. For your baby this could mean feeding problems, fussiness, colic, or sleep disturbances, in the short term; and in the long term, if undetected and left untreated, the consequences could be lifelong, hidden damage to a child’s nervous system.

The only way to tell if your baby’s symptoms are related to subluxation is to visit a chiropractor. A Doctor of Chiropractic can examine your child to determine if a spinal misalignment is affecting your baby’s wellbeing. If so, he can perform gentle adjustments, as light as the touch of a finger, to correct your newborn’s subluxations and relieve his discomfort. The result is a healthier, happier baby.

To determine if chiropractic could help your baby, you can contact the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association to find a doctor. Members of ICPA are Doctors of Chiropractic who go on for specialized training in specific techniques for pregnant mothers, infants, and children. The association offers a Chiropractor locator on its website www.icpa4kids.com.

You want the best for your newborn and that includes optimum health. Chiropractic care provides a natural alternative for treating common newborn problems. And a gentle adjustment just may make a dramatic difference.