You are here: Home / Articles / Newborn Care

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

August 6, 2008 By Leave a Comment

While the fetus is developing, it gets all its needed nutrients from the mother through the umbilical cord. This includes compounds that help the baby’s immune system to protect it from harm. But even after birth the baby’s immune system is still not fully mature. Fortunately, nature has cleverly developed a solution. The added help it needs it gets in part from colostrum and milk via breastfeeding.

During the first few days of the baby’s life, the mother’s breast forms and delivers colostrum. This is a thin, whitish or yellowish fluid that comes through the nipple, just as milk does. It is rich with fats, carbohydrates, white blood cells and other compounds that both nourish and provide immune system protection.

Colostrum contains proteins, most especially immunoglobulins, a type of antibody. These antibodies are one of the body’s foremost weapons against invading bacteria, fungi, viruses and other disease causing organisms. Among other benefits, the antibodies from colostrum coat the GI (gastrointestinal) tract and help prevent bacteria in the gut from entering the bloodstream. The colostrum also contains numerous macrophages, small cells that envelop and carry away disease causing germs.

At the same time, the breastfed baby receives the best nutrition possible. Nature has evolved breast milk to contain everything the newborn needs.

Fats, for example, which adults strive so hard to minimize, are essential for the proper development of the nervous system. They help regulate the hormone system, too.

Carbohydrates are the body’s energy source. They’re another category of food calories that dieting adults will often try to keep down. But babies should never be put on a diet. Breast milk is rich in carbohydrates of just the right type and amount to help them develop in an optimal way.

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding is highly beneficial for babies. Most strongly suggest that breastfed babies have a better head start in life than those who are only bottle fed. The rate of infectious disease is lower among newborns who are breastfed. The odds of infant diabetes are lower  according to some studies. Breastfed babies see fewer hospital and doctor visits.

But breastfeeding is also good for the mother.

When a mother doesn’t breastfeed, she may experience an uncomfortable sensation in the breast. Artificial pumping to extract the milk is usually required. Breastfeeding eliminates the need to do so. Some may wish to use a pump anyway, in order to have a store of mother’s milk available.

The bonding that takes place between mother and newborn during breastfeeding may be hard to measure medically. But the benefits are observable and real. This quiet time between mother and child are good for both.

Some reliable studies suggest that breastfeeding also helps lower the odds of ovarian and breast cancers. Breastfeeding also delays the return of ovulation and menstruation. That gives the recovering mother a break from having to deal with periods during a very busy time of life. At the same time, it reduces the odds of another pregnancy right away.

Give your newborn the best possible start in life by breastfeeding. Give yourself the benefits as well. Nature has evolved this excellent method for optimizing the health of mother and child. Take advantage of all it has to offer.


The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Benefits of Infant Massage

August 5, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Like any newly popular practice, the benefits of infant massage can be overstated. Critical, professional studies have found little evidence that infant massage helps treat dermatitis, colic or asthma, for example. But claims for other benefits are well founded.

Newborns are exactly that: newly born. Their first experiences of the world are many and diverse. Stimuli impinge on them from all angles and processing all these perceptions is a normal part of development. Parents can help that development in numerous ways, one of which involves touch.

Common experience and professional studies agree that babies are naturally exploratory. Reaching out, grabbing, turning over and other touch-based sensory experiences are a common part of that process. All these experiences help develop their faculties. Integrated with new sights and sounds, babies quickly learn to correlate a vast range of phenomena.

Infant massage takes that process one step further.

Touching a baby in the form of gentle kneading provides instances of awareness between caregiver and newborn. It represents security and the knowledge that the caregiver is close by to meet their needs. Even though the infant can’t describe the value of this practice, they are aware of it at their own level.

That bond is amplified and solidified by and during infant massage. The regular, careful pressure reduces infant stress and reassures them. At the same time, the parent is participating in that two-way bonding activity, so he or she benefits as well.

While those highly beneficial values are being created and enjoyed, certain physiological changes are taking place during infant massage episodes. Gradually and slowly, neurological development is being stimulated. The relaxation that occurs helps the immune system as a result of reduced stress. Non-verbal communication helps the process along.

Naturally, all these benefits depend on taking the proper care to perform an infant massage correctly. Avoiding excess pressure on somewhat fragile muscles and bones is only the beginning.

Setting aside a time when the parent can provide a massage in a relaxed atmosphere is important. Babies sense when a parent is tense and rushed. Just before the baby’s normal final bedtime (and the parent’s) is a good time, though not the only one.

Keeping the baby at the right temperature is important, too. Babies can easily become too warm or chilled. Their hormonal systems are still adjusting and ‘learning’ to regulate body temperature in response to external conditions. One way to help is to keep the room comfortably warm and free of drafts. Most massages are done with little or no baby clothing. Take that into account. Also, ensure your own hands are warm before beginning.

A dimmed room, but one that still allows the newborn to see the parent, is beneficial. Baby eyesight is limited both in the ability to see in low light and in distance.

Fifteen minutes per day is plenty. While infant massage is no magic cure, it does promote bonding, relaxation, mental and physical stimulation, and overall well-being for your newborn – and you.

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Skin Care Advice for Newborn Babies

August 4, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Just like adults, a baby’s skin is the first line of defense against disease. It’s often thought of as an organ of the immune system and maintains a physical barrier against disease. Maintaining your newborn’s skin in top condition will help ensure both comfort and optimal health.

It may take as long as a month for the newborn’s umbilical knot to fall off naturally. Until that time, it’s best to avoid a tub bath. You could bathe them by just filling the tub to below navel level. But splashing and the baby’s tilting slightly could make that tricky. Best to stick with sponge bathing for the first few weeks.

Giving a sponge bath a couple of times per week is actually very easy. In fact, just plain tap water warmed up to about body temperature is perfect. Make sure the room is a little on the warm side, too. Babies chill easily. Use a soft cotton towel and wipe gently everywhere, avoiding the circle around the navel to minimize the possibility of infection. A little bit of clean water that drips down, however, won’t hurt anything.

Once you graduate to a full bath, two to three times per week is plenty for the first few months of your newborn’s life. But keeping the face, anus and genitals clean at all times is important. Do that as often as needed which will seem like every hour on some days.

An excessively hot bath or (more commonly) being wrapped up a little too warmly can give a newborn a heat rash. It may also happen simply when the weather is hot. This is normal and no cause for alarm. The baby’s pores are ‘learning’ to adapt to the outside world to regulate its body temperature correctly.

This heat rash or prickly heat may appear as small red bumps, often on the chest or around the neck. Adjust the baby’s clothing or bedding to allow a little better airflow. If it persists for more than a day, a cool wet cloth can be applied locally on the patches to cool the skin. Don’t overdo it. You don’t want to overcompensate and give the baby a chill.

A large percentage of newborns will develop some kind of acne in the first few months. Don’t worry! Infant pimples or neonatal acne, as it’s called, is perfectly normal. Hormones cause the oil glands to be more active at this time, which can lead to mild acne.

Cleaning the face as normal is all that’s required. The pimples will disappear all on their own. There’s no need to treat them with acne cream and you should never squeeze them. For severe cases or any that persist for months, speak to your pediatrician.

Many newborns develop a patch of darkened skin on the scalp called cradle cap. It resembles a dirty area. Some studies suggest it is a mild form of eczema. In most cases it will disappear spontaneously.

Cleansing the area will help keep pores free of excess oil. A mild brushing can help keep oil moving from the follicles to the skin surface. Avoid harsh shampoos or vigorous cleaning, though. That tends to make skin conditions worse since it dries and roughens the skin. Let the body do its job with only a little bit of assistance from you.

Taking care of your newborn’s skin requires only a regular habit of gentle practices. Babies are very robust and with proper care will do just fine. The newborn’s immune system, while still developing for the first few months, is already an amazing thing. With proper diet and skin care it will keep your baby in optimal health.

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Premature Birth and Its Trials

August 3, 2008 By Leave a Comment

It’s common knowledge that human pregnancy lasts nine months. But that figure is really just an average. While the official figure is pegged at 266 days, it’s still widely recognized that a normal gestation may be anywhere from 1-2 weeks less or more than that.

One of the reasons is that it’s difficult in most cases to know the exact day on which conception occurred. So, the number of days until birth is usually calculated using the last menstrual period. An equally important reason is simply the fact of individual variation. It’s perfectly normal and healthy for a gestation to last 260 days or 270.

But as that distance from the average grows greater, the potential for certain problems increases. In particular, a birth that takes place three weeks or more prior to the full gestation period represents increasing risk of developmental problems for the newborn.

The earliest survival from premature birth on record is roughly 21 weeks. But even 24-26 weeks carries with it substantial likelihood of problems. These cover an underdeveloped brain and nervous system, inadequate lung development and others. These all may result in difficulties immediately after birth and later in life.

Some consequences may be as serious as mental retardation. Others are much more manageable, such as lower surfactant in the lung tissue, which can lead to Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The former requires lifelong care for the child. The latter, thanks to modern medicine, can often be compensated for by a simple treatment.

Any of these (and many other) issues are, of course, heavily dependent on just how premature the newborn is. There are individual factors as well. Some babies who are 3-4 weeks early may do just fine with normal neonatal care. Others will require more extensive assistance and longer term professional treatment.

But, there are many things that parents can do to help their newborn during those early, sometimes trying weeks and months.

Prevention is the first line of defense. To whatever degree possible, and consistent with the health of mother and child, premature birth can be delayed. ‘Whatever possible’ is getting better and better as medical practice improves. Everything from a better diet to lowered stress and full bed rest to courses of glucocorticoids to stimulate development of the fetus are possible.

Early treatment in the hospital is frequently very high caliber. Premature babies may have a breathing tube, heart and blood pressure monitors, careful temperature control, frequent in-person visits from nurses and other care to ensure their well-being. Once babies can breath normally on their own, regulate and maintain a stable body temperature, breastfeed or bottle feed normally, and gain weight steadily they’ll be ready to go home.

Managing certain neurologic disorders such as Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) that may result from premature birth are outside the scope of this article. Seek professional advice. But there are less serious conditions that can be dealt with by parents, with advice from the obstetrician.

Infections are more common in ‘preemies’, owing in part to their even more immature immune system than that of the usual newborn. But extra care to avoid disease causing organisms takes only vigilance. Dietary supplements that help boost the immune system can be safe and effective, if provided under professional care. Too many are just placebos and some are potentially harmful. The literature is vast and regrettably there are unfounded claims made sometimes.

Apnea – episodes of stopped breathing, especially during sleep – can occur. Extra vigilance can be provided for by a baby sound-and-video monitoring system. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes due to improper liver function or bile duct blockage, is easy to spot. It results from a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Usually it’s harmless. Special lights are available to help treat the condition. Exposure to sunlight can help, but it carries risks. Again, when in doubt, call your doctor.

Parents can help themselves and their child by getting rest and getting educated. Establish a milk supply. Get assistance from friends and family members for those first critical weeks or months. Keep careful records of the baby’s progress. Try to keep the stress level down as much as possible.

Today, except in the most extreme cases, premature birth is much less a problem than in generations past. Many highly accomplished individuals (such as Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein) were born prematurely. Some say they never stop overcompensating!

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Newborn Sleeping Problems and Solutions

August 2, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Few things can add up to trouble as quickly as a newborn with sleep problems.

Sleep deprivation is at least as serious for infants as it is for adults. The underlying causes remain an area of active investigation, but scientists believe they’ve identified several key ones, and some possible solutions.

Causes

Sleep deprivation occurs for any cause that prevents adequate quantity of sleep. Infants vary considerably in how much that is, with the amount changing for the first year. A one month old will need as much as 16 hours, sleeping off and on all day and night. From 6-9 months the number decreases to about 14, with the nighttime taking over about 3/4 of the total.

Quality of sleep counts, too. Several different sleep disorders can decrease it.

Nightmares, night terrors and other conditions are foremost examples. Nightmares are familiar to adults. Night terrors differ in that children are generally able to fall back asleep right away. The key neurological difference is that night terrors occur during deep sleep, nightmares during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) portion of the cycle.

Sleep apnea is a different type of sleep disorder, one in which breathing stops. In some cases the underlying neurological reasons are still unclear. In others, it’s simply the result of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a sub-category called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In either case, the episodes are invariably short. Still, they interrupt the normal sleep cycle and can lead to lack of restful sleep.

Psychological issues may be at the root of some cases of newborn sleep difficulties, though this is likely more common in older babies of 9 months to about 3 years old. Separation anxiety, in which the child fears being away from the parent, can lead to a form of infant stress that interferes with the ability to sleep.

Treatments

Nightmares or night terrors may be the result of tension in the home, but they’re just as often mysterious. Closeness and reassurance can go a long way toward helping the newborn fall back to sleep quickly.

Apnea that results from obstructions can be treated surgically, if the physician counsels that it is warranted. Typical pre-surgery evaluation includes careful monitoring of brain waves using an EEG and eye and chin movements. For this and other types of apnea, monitoring systems are available that will alert the parent when breathing stops for more than a few seconds. Gentle waking, followed by reassurance will let the child resume breathing and fall quickly back to sleep.

Separation anxiety is more difficult to detect, but easier to treat. Simple closeness, perhaps even co-sleeping, may be enough. Attachment bonding is desirable to let the infant know someone is close by to meet their needs at all times, even though they obviously aren’t consciously aware of the need.

Avoid creating sleep problems by not feeding solid foods before infants are ready. For the first six months breast milk or formula is all they need. Also, avoid juice or milk near bed time after about 3 months of age, and don’t feed in order to induce sleep. A full tummy doesn’t necessarily lend itself to restful sleep. Instead, associate sleeping with positives by providing closeness, a pacifier, a stuffed toy or other safe object.

Summary

At bottom, parents need to be realistic. Individual babies vary widely in how long they sleep through the night normally, especially in the first six months. And, in almost all cases, even the most restless child will grow out of any sleep problem with time.

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Essential Newborn Supplies

August 1, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Some of the essential supplies your newborn will need are obvious, others take a bit of thought. But let’s be thorough, anyway.

Diapers. Who doesn’t think of those? But first-time parents sometimes woefully underestimate the number needed. If you go with disposable, be prepared for a big expense. If you go with re-usable diapers, be prepared for a lot of washing. Until someone invents a really keen device, there’s no perfect solution.

Changing brings up lots of other items that will be needed. Keeping your newborn clean is essential. That means lots of very soft cloths that absorb water well. A few smaller ones, including cotton balls, to swab on alcohol, oil or lotion from time to time can be lifesavers.

That leads us to medical supplies. Babies often get small, temporary conditions that will go away on their own like heat rash. But easing their discomfort is something every parent will want to do.

A little doctor-approved itch cream can be handy. Don’t forget the petroleum jelly, so useful in small sections for easing rough or dry spots. During the first few days of newborn life the umbilical is the route most often used by germs to cause infection. A little antibacterial ointment is a must. Gauze, a few bandage strips in various sizes and a little low-stick adhesive tape are good first-aid kit items, too.

For that occasional mucous plug, have on hand a working nasal aspirator. These little ‘turkey baster’-style devices are great. Sometimes that congestion signals a cold, though. Have a working digital thermometer in the cabinet.

Even everyday living will bring the need for a number of other essential newborn supplies.

Beyond diapers, many other items of clothing are critical for helping the newborn regulate temperature. Their hormone systems are still ‘learning’ to adapt to the outside world, so they chill or get too hot easily. A range of lightweight to heavier items can solve the problem with ease.

Soft t-shirts with large head openings and armholes are a must. Babies spit up, soil themselves and invariably get leaned up against things that make them dirty. You’ll be changing them often.

Have a variety of warmer items on hand, too. A cloth head covering is great. Like anyone, babies lose a lot of heat through their scalps. A little bonnet or hat can also keep harsh sunlight off the head and face. A baby’s skin is very sensitive to UV. Very brief periods of gentle sunshine is healthy. Harsh rays for extended periods are a sure bet to cause problems.

One of those potential problems is heat rash. Get a set of ‘onesies’, little one piece suits that have a flap to allow for easy diaper changing. Keep them loose, but get ones that have gathered wrist and ankle sleeves. Problem solved.

Those can also help solve the problem at the opposite end of the temperature scale. Cool breezes, or just low temperatures in general, can give the newborn a chill. Having adjustable clothing keeps them warm, but not too warm.

Don’t forget the booties!

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Caring For Your Newborn

July 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Nothing is more precious to parents than a newborn baby, and rightly so. But caring for them can seem quite daunting. Fortunately, there are a variety of helpful ideas to get parents over those first big humps.

Choosing a pediatrician is just one difficulty that pops up right away. Newborns need vaccinations almost from birth. They are more susceptible to disease because their immune systems are still developing. And, they often go through colic and other infant conditions that have mysterious origins.

Since the skin is the body’s first line of defense caring for it should be a special focus. Caring for the umbilical cord until it dries and falls off is one example. Avoiding or treating diaper rash is another. Daily bathing and avoiding sunburn is needed, though, even for those in perfect health.

One way to approach all those issues is to find out what newborns need right away. There are a few dozen simple and easy to obtain items that every parent will want to stock up on. Diapers are obvious. Medical supplies is another. Clothing, too. There’s a certain amount of baby gear you just won’t want live without.

Babies need to eat, too, of course! The simplest and healthiest option is breastfeeding for at least the first six months. Colostrum and mother’s breast milk supply exactly what the newborn needs for nutrition and immune system development. But that’s just not an option for every baby or every parent. A good infant formula can be a real lifesaver, here.

Premature babies represent a special challenge. They are even more likely to develop the usual range of baby problems, and may bring a few others along too. They’re more prone to development problems and acquire allergies more readily. Keeping them (and all infants) safe from pets is a concern, as well.

But there’s more to newborn care than meeting the purely physiological needs.

Dealing with sleeping problems, which can result from either physical or psychological causes, or a mixture, is part of nearly every parent’s routine. Providing that essential sense of caring and closeness is critical to good development. Attachment Parenting is one popular approach to the subject that goes well beyond sleeping issues. Infant massage may be part of that, while it provides benefits for the parent, too. Bonds form in specific ways very early in life.

Parents may also want to look into a once-popular and now-resurgent practice: hiring a nanny. Anyone with a newborn will surely appreciate the need to have an extra pair of hands around, especially those with experience and expertise in child care.

With help or without, proud parents will want or need to take their newborn out into the world. Trips to grandparents, the pediatrician and elsewhere are a normal part of the newborn’s and parents’ lives. Learning how to do so safely and conveniently will be on everyone’s list. That starts first and foremost, often right as you leave the hospital, with getting the right car child safety seat.

Even experienced parents can easily find themselves overwhelmed with the apparently endless challenges of caring for a newborn. All can take comfort, however, in knowing that those challenges are mastered daily by first-timers and those with multiple children alike. After all, you’re reading this and you did pretty well!

Debra Garrison, DVM

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Baby Development Milestones

July 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Development milestones begin even before birth. They’re often easy to see using ultrasound and other techniques. But after birth, some may be harder to spot. They’re just as important, though, since they mark the first year of your baby’s rapid growth during this important period. These encompass a whole range of changes involving motor skills, the visual system and cognitive development.

The First Month

During the first month a baby that is developing well can be expected to exhibit strong reflex movements. They’ll often bring the hands to the mouth, exploring all manner of tactile sensations. They’ll frequently exercise the head from side to side, displaying the beginnings of mastery of muscle control and visual acuity.

At this stage, they can focus about 8-12 inches away, roughly the distance from mother’s nipple to her nose. The eyes will wander, but they’re not random. They’re taking in the scene. The baby should blink at the sight of a bright light. High contrast patterns are attractive, but none more than that of the human face.

They can turn the head, reacting with attention to sounds (especially loud ones) and even familiar voices.

The First Trimester

Pregnancy has a first trimester, but so does the period after birth. During these three months the newborn is growing and developing profoundly. Changes seem to come almost daily.

Motor skills are sharpening and strengthening now. The baby can raise his or her head and even the chest slightly when lying on the stomach. Opening and closing the fists is common as they gain control over finger and arm muscles. The first signs of pushing down with the feet to support the legs can be seen.

At this time of life the visual system is sharpening considerably. By the end of three months they can watch a face with concentration and follow moving objects deliberately. The beginnings of recognizing people and objects become clarified. Hand-eye coordination is evident.

Social skills start about now. Smiling, enjoyment in the company of others and similar behaviors begin. Imitation of the behavior of others shows its first stirrings.

Through the Second Trimester

By the end of 6-7 months, those early gropings are ramping up. The baby can sit without support of the hands. He or she may be able to support her entire weight on the legs, perhaps with a little help from a nearby table or chair. During this period they have achieved enough muscle control to reach
for and grasp small objects.

Full color vision is now possible. Being able to make out objects at a distance matures to the point of recognizing people and things across the room. He or she can track them as they move.

Cognitive skills start emerging clearly now. He or she may unmistakably respond to a personal name. Imitation turns to response as he or she repeats back sounds that will later become words. Those sounds start to get strung together into what will, before you know it, be short sentences.

The First Year

By the end of the first year those stumbles and babbles have become walking and talking. The baby can now make short trips across the room, from chair to table. He or she can say a few simple words, including that all important ‘Momma’ and ‘Dada’.

Cognitive skills start to mature into value selection as the child displays a preference for certain people and/or toys, excluding others not desired. The first challenges to parental choice start to emerge. The baby learns the word ‘no’ and may use it at times you’d prefer otherwise.

Summary

Each child is an individual. While he or she shares many similarities with babies of the same age, each one develops at a unique rate and in an individual way. Milestones are rough guidelines. Einstein spoke late. Beware of assumptions about what is ‘normal’.

Debra Garrison, DVM

Filed Under: Newborn Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Newer Posts »

Powered by Yahoo! Answers