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Understanding
Baby's First Language
If only babies laughed and giggled whenever they
needed something. Instead, new parents quickly
learn, babies communicate by crying! Try to remember
that crying is baby's first language and the best
way for your newborn to communicate with you.
"Whaaaaa!" just happens to be how your
new baby says "I'm cold," or "I'm
wet," or "I'm hungry."
Go Ahead, Pick Her Up
Some new parents worry that if they pick up a
baby every time she cries, she'll become spoiled
or cry just for the attention. Experts say, go
ahead and pick her up! Studies show, babies who
are tended to promptly will actually cry less
often and for shorter periods by the end of the
first year.
Babies who are left to cry it out feel anxious
and cry more in order to be heard. These babies
are also harder to comfort. In short, the most
important thing is to show babies that it's okay
to ask for help; that they're not alone and that
their parents care!
Getting to the Bottom of It
Don't despair if you can't translate one "whaaaaa"
from another wail, at first. In a short time you'll
be able to distinguish the "I-need-my-diaper-changed"
cry from the "I'm-bored-and-need- some-stimulation"
cry. Besides crying to say they're hungry, babies
also cry when they're wet, too warm or too cold
or need to be burped.
A spell of crying can also mean that your baby
is tired and needs to be soothed. Sometimes babies
just cry to release feelings of tension and frustration
(there'll be times when you wish you could do
that, too!). Or it could be as simple as needing
a change of position in the crib or the comfort
of a HUG.
Ways to Help a Baby Stop
Sometimes, when it seems that all the possible
reasons for crying have been taken care of, a
baby will continue to vocalize-and often quite
loudly.
Here are some time-honored tips for when baby
starts his next cry-a-thon:
- Dance with your baby
- Rock your baby
- Give a gentle backrub
- Sing to your baby
- Get some fresh air
- Go for a stroller ride
- Go for a car ride
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Solids
Come Later
Your own mother may have been advised to start with
solid foods prior to four months, but today there's
evidence that starting solids so soon may not be
good for new babies. Read on and ask your baby's
doctor to help decide the right time to start your
baby on solid foods.
There are good reasons why today, solid foods are
usually started between four and six months. Here
are a few:
1.) Avoiding Digestive Problems — A very young
baby's digestive system lacks the enzymes necessary
for breaking down some foods so when solids are
introduced too early it can cause digestive troubles.
2.) Ensuring Baby's Nutritional Intake — Very
young infants cannot eat enough solid food to get
as many calories and nutrients as they receive from
a diet of breast milk or formula.
3.) Steering Clear of Allergic Reactions —
And finally, some experts believe that early feeding
of certain foods may trigger an allergic reaction.
Which Foods First?
Once baby is ready for solids, what's on the menu?
Doctors typically recommend starting with a single
grain baby cereal, such as rice after six months.
Pureed fruits, vegetables, meat and egg yolk are
all good solid starters. The order of introduction
is not critical, but it is best to introduce only
one new food at a time and wait a few days before
starting on another.
That way, if sensitivity develops you'll be able
to determine which food is causing the trouble.
If a food disagrees with your baby, you'll know-there
may be an immediate reaction such as diarrhea or
vomiting. Occasionally, you'll see a sensitivity
rash-a mild redness or roughness of your baby's
face or body.
Ease Into Solids
Eating solid food is quite different from taking
milk from a nipple, and your baby will need time
to get used to the change. Some mothers offer the
baby a little milk in a baby spoon for a few days,
then gradually add a little cereal. If your baby
likes the mixture, add more cereal until its consistency
is thicker. If the baby doesn't like it, it's best
to try another cereal or a fruit.
At times a reluctant baby may be more interested
in solid food if it's offered before he has nursed.
But a screaming, hungry baby may not have any patience
with solid food until hunger has been somewhat satisfied.
In that case, you might feed half the milk and then
give the solid food, saving the rest of the milk
for "dessert."
Sometimes a baby seems to dislike a certain food,
but appearances are deceiving. The baby may just
be getting used to a spoon, and learning a new tongue
motion and a new way of swallowing. So try the food
another time, perhaps in a different consistency,
to be sure of your baby's reactions.
No Additives Please
Which baby foods? A decade ago, nutritionists called
attention to the fact that some commercial baby
foods contained food additives, sugar and salt.
To their credit, the baby food manufacturers responded
by eliminating unnecessary additives from most of
their products. As a result, today's baby foods
contain no added salt and little or no sugar.
Unless your baby is going to eat the entire contents
of a jar of baby food at one mealtime, it is best
not to feed directly from the jar. And be careful
not to store an opened baby food jar in the refrigerator
for more than two days.
Just Like Mom Used to Make
Some parents prefer to feed their babies homemade
baby food. They feel homemade meals are better because
they can use high quality fresh foods. Plus they
like having their babies grow accustomed to the
taste of home cooking.
If you'd like to try making food at home for your
baby, you can find books in libraries or bookstores
with "recipes" using a food mill or a
blender-or check out the Baby Fun recipes at Huggiesbabynetwork.com.
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Diapering
101
When diapering is not a chore, you'll find that
both you and your baby can enjoy the time you
spend together in this daily routine. Over the
years we've learned plenty about diapering babies-and
gathered some of the best suggestions right here.
Gather Changing Essentials
Most parents agree that a well-planned changing
area makes diapering quicker and easier. Keep
essential supplies close at hand (yet out of baby's
reach) on nearby shelves. Essential supplies include:
diapers, baby wipes, baby lotion (cream or oil),
cotton, petroleum jelly, cornstarch or talcum
powder, diaper rash ointment, and tissues.
Since a baby who is preoccupied is a baby who
won't wiggle and squirm, give baby something to
look at while being changed-such as a mirror or
a colorful picture. Later on, when baby is able
to grasp objects, keep favorite toys close at
hand.
Easy As 1-2-3
Step 1: Gently lay your baby down on a flat, firm
surface. Unfasten the soiled diaper and hold both
your baby's legs up by grasping both ankles with
one hand. Remove the soiled diaper and thoroughly
cleanse baby's bottom in and around all the creases
with Baby Wipes, and be sure to wipe baby's bottom
from front to back.
Step 2: Now apply any jelly, cream, or powder
you're going to use. If you use talc or cornstarch,
shake it carefully into your hand first, and then
pat it on your baby-that way baby won't breathe
in a cloud of powder.
Step 3: Next, slide a clean diaper under your
baby so that the fasteners are in the back. Pull
the diaper up between baby's legs, making sure
it's on straight, so it will wrap evenly around
baby's hips. Then open the tabs, place them over
the front of the diaper, and press them down firmly
in place. For a snug fit, fasten the side closest
to you first. Then roll your baby toward you to
tighten and fasten the other side. Try to keep
the overlap of front and back as neat as possible
so the diaper will HUG baby's waist comfortably.
If you want to tighten or adjust the diaper, simply
lift the fasteners and reposition them anyplace
on the special tab "landing zone," which
is often marked by colorful characters near the
top of the waistband. The fasteners on HUGGIES®
diapers are refastenable and can be opened and
fastened again as often as necessary.
Special Safety Note: Be aware that even a tiny
newborn infant can roll off a changing table.
So either use a changing table with a strap or
keep one hand on your baby at all times.
The Scoop on Poop
Most new babies have between one and ten bowel
movements daily, and their stools are usually
quite loose. It may be weeks, or even months,
before your baby has well-formed, pasty stools.
If you are breast-feeding, your newborn may have
a bowel movement at every nursing, and the stools
will probably be much looser than those of a bottle-fed
baby. Some babies may not have a bowel movement
for up to three days at times — this is not
abnormal. But if your baby has trouble pushing
the stool out or goes longer than three days without
a bowel movement, call your doctor right away.
You should also be aware that breast-fed babies
usually have stools of a yellowish-greenish color
and those of bottle-fed babies tend to look darker.
If you notice an increase in the number of your
baby's bowel movements, or if you notice a change
in color or odor, your baby may have a case of
diarrhea and you should consult your doctor at
once.
And, because newborns have loose and frequent
stools, you'll want to make sure your new baby
wears diapers with elastic at the legs and waist.
They'll give a secure fit to help stop leaking.
The Heartbreak of Diaper Rash
Even with the most expert and careful diaper changes,
diaper rash happens. It's one irritation most
babies go through, particularly if their skin
is sensitive. Despite its name, diaper rash isn't
really caused by diapers. It is caused by bacteria
that react with urine in a baby's wet diaper to
form ammonia. It's the ammonia that irritates
the skin, causing small, red pimples or patches
of rough, red skin.
Doctors say that keeping a baby dry is the best
way to prevent diaper rash. So check diapers often
and change them as soon as they show the slightest
trace of wetness. Highly breathable diapers like
HUGGIES® can also help keep baby's skin dry.
Of course, if your baby has a mild case of diaper
rash, be extra careful to change diapers frequently.
Your doctor will probably also recommend that
you apply a thin layer of protective ointment
or petroleum jelly to the affected area.
Also, many mothers report that leaving diapers
off a baby for at least 15 minutes daily often
helps to clear up a case of diaper rash. Of course,
if a rash doesn't heal in a couple of days, consult
your doctor.
Diapers to Go!
The diaper bag is the essential piece of luggage
whenever you travel with your baby. You can buy
a diaper bag made just for that purpose, or easily
improvise one out of almost any roomy canvas or
nylon tote.
What to pack? Be prepared for anything with the
following diaper bag essentials: a HUGGIES®
Baby Wipes Travel Pack, a supply of HUGGIES®
Diapers, plastic bags with twist ties for easy
disposal, whatever cream, jelly, or protective
ointment you use, and — in a separate pocket
of the bag — any bottles needed for meals
on the go.
Don't forget a small toy or rattle to distract
your squirming baby while you diaper. And New
HUGGIES™ Changing Pads are perfect for changes
on the go. They protect your baby from unsanitary
surfaces in public restrooms and to safeguard
floors, rugs, and furniture in homes you visit.
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