Safe Co-Sleeping Guidelines

Around the world, across cultures and throughout time, mothers have shared sleep with their babies. Co-sleeping facilitates breastfeeding, helps babies sleep better, and gives moms more rest.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, among other healthcare organizations, recommends that babies sleep in close proximity to mom for the first months of life. While they do not advocate sleeping on the same sleep surface (bedsharing), they do suggest that babies should sleep in the same room as mom. Sleeping near an adult caregiver lowers baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Many moms find, though, bedsharing is preferable. In fact, a recent survey found that almost half of all parents admitting to sharing a bed with their baby on some or most nights. If you plan on co-sleeping, make sure you have created a safe sleep space first.

Avoid bedsharing if:

  • Either parent smokes
  • Either parent is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • One partner is not in agreement about bedsharing
  • You are so fatigued that you may not be able to respond to your baby’s needs
  • Older siblings or pets share your bed

Consider separate sleep surfaces if:

  • Your baby is a preemie or is low-birth-weight
  • Your baby is ill

Safe co-sleeping guidelines:

  • Always place your baby on his back to sleep
  • Make sure the mattress is firm (e.g. no memory foam or waterbed) without any loose sheets or fluffy blankets and pillows
  • Be sure your baby can’t fall out of bed, or become trapped between the bed and it’s frame or the bed and the wall
  • Keep baby from overheating by dressing him lightly for sleep
  • Move the pillows up and away so they’re nowhere near the baby
  • Keep the duvet under the baby so he can’t be smothered

Never leave your baby alone on an adult bed – even very young babies can scoot to the edge and fall. Avoid sleeping on a sofa or recliner with your baby. This increases the risk of infant death from suffocation or entrapment. Some experts recommend that if your baby is bottle-fed rather than breastfed he should sleep close to mom on another sleep surface, i.e. a cot or crib in mom’s room.

Whether or not you are co-sleeping, babies thrive on routine – so create a restful sleeptime ritual for your family, and adjust as your baby grows. Parenting doesn’t stop at night, so find ways for all family members to have their needs met while everyone still gets enough sleep.

 

Written by Michelle, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

When you were pregnant, you likely abstained from alcohol. Now that your baby is born and you’re breastfeeding, you may wonder if you still need to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Here’s the low-down on alcohol and breastfeeding.

Alcohol passes in and out of your breastmilk in the same way as it does in your bloodstream. So if you aren’t feeling the effects of the drink, then it’s likely that your baby would not be exposed to enough alcohol through breastmilk for it to be a concern.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an occasional drink has not been found to be harmful to a breastfeeding baby. They suggest feeding your baby right before you enjoy a drink, then waiting two hours or more to minimize baby’s exposure. Even if you’re baby is hungry during that time, the dose of alcohol your baby would get is minimal (if you’ve had only one drink).

It takes about two to three hours for a 120-pound woman to eliminate one serving of beer or wine from her system. This rate changes depending on maternal weight, as well as whether or not you are eating or snacking while you’re enjoying your beverage.

The effects on your baby are directly proportional to effects on you. Babies may be sleepy and hard to rouse, though they get less sleep overall. Also, research shows that babies nurse more often but take in less milk generally. Experts think this may be due to inhibition of mom’s letdown reflex, which is a side effect of drinking alcohol, or with the fact that alcohol may change the way the breastmilk tastes or smells (and baby just doesn’t like the new flavor!).

Additionally, baby’s immature liver can’t metabolize alcohol at the same rate as an adult liver. Around three months of age, baby’s body can better handle this process. So limiting exposure during those first three months may lessen the effects alcohol could have on your baby.

There’s no need to ‘pump and dump’ after having a drink. Other methods to try to speed your sobriety – such as drinking a lot of water, “sleeping it off”, or drinking coffee – will not speed up this process, either.

Keep these tips in mind if you plan to combine an occasional drink with breastfeeding:

• Limit the frequency of consumption for the first three months of baby’s life.
• Consider low alcohol or non-alcoholic alternatives.
• Dilute your beverage with carbonated or flavored water and sip it slowly.
• Eat with your drink.
• Limit yourself to a single beer or glass of wine.
• Nurse your baby immediately before having a drink.
• Wait two to three hours after you’ve had a drink to nurse again.

Even though with these tips in mind an occasional drink may not harm your baby, ultimately it’s best not to drink alcohol or smoke at all while breastfeeding.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Breastfeeding in Public

When helping women with breastfeeding problems, I often hear from moms who say they can’t pump enough. When I ask questions about why they’re pumping, I often hear that they just want to have a bottle with them when they are out and about.

Your baby has a right to eat when he’s hungry no matter where you are. But you may feel unsure about breastfeeding in public – especially if this is your first baby. But breastfeeding wherever you happen to be can be simple and discreet.

Some tips may help increase your comfort level so you can feed your baby at the breast while running errands, sitting at the café, or enjoying time at the park:

  • Practice in front of a mirror: Sit down at home and feed your baby in front of a mirror. Notice how little you can see of the process after the initial latch (and even then!).
  • Dress the part: Wear two-piece outfits or dress in layers, wear clothes you’re comfortable in, and wear a bra that’s easy to use. If you’re wearing a button front shirt, unbutton from bottom rather than the top. If you’re wearing a cardigan, the sides will likely hide your latching baby. There’s no need to buy specialty clothing – though many options do exist. If you want to have a nursing tank top or t-shirt to layer under you other clothes, you can make a homemade version by cutting slits in the front of an old camisole or t-shirt. If you’re wearing a scarf, you may be able to use it as a convenient cover – while latching or throughout the feeding.
  • Wear your baby: If you’re using a sling or a wrap, the material from the carrier will cover your body and will make latching a little easier.
  • Use a blanket or a ready-made breastfeeding cover: Sometimes just having something covering you will increase your comfort, though don’t feel obligated to cover yourself. Having a blanket thrown over your cradled baby is sometimes like a neon sign saying ‘Hey! I’m breastfeeding!’ Also, covers may work for newborns, but after a couple of months, your baby may resist being blocked from the world.
  • Find a comfortable place: You’re going to be sitting there for as long as it takes your baby to finish, so you likely don’t want to be delicately perched on a low wall. While it doesn’t necessarily need to be someplace secluded, if you’re seeking privacy you might choose a fitting room or your vehicle. But the park bench is fine, too! Just don’t choose the bathroom – would you want to eat in there? Consider using your diaper bag or handbag to pillow your elbow while you’re feeding.
  • Follow your baby’s hunger cues: It’s easier to latch a baby when he’s showing early hunger cues. A ravenous, screaming baby calls attention to you, and makes latching more difficult.
  • Practice: If you’re especially nervous, get comfortable nursing in front of others at home or at a mother-to-mother breastfeeding support meeting. Ultimately, you could nurse right before you leave the house and, if you get your timing right, you may be home before baby is ready to nurse again.

Most of all radiate confidence! You’re doing the absolute best for your baby. Smile and keep feeding your baby.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Can the Wrong Bottle Make Reflux Worse?

We all know that babies spit-up. This is a normal fact of life with a little one, and while it can be less than fun (after all, who wants to constantly smell like baby spit-up?) it’s not usually a big reason for concern. Babies spit-up. It happens.

Still, sometimes a baby will spit up more than what might be considered “normal.” Maybe they are spitting up regularly between meals, or perhaps they seem to be spitting up everything they just ate. Mommy usually knows best, and if you think your baby may be having more trouble with spitting up than most, it is fair for you to be concerned.

But is there anything you can do about it? And could your bottle choice be contributing to the problem? Will the wrong bottle make reflux worse?

The answer is, yes and no.

In most cases, babies who are fed at the breast are going to be sucking in less air than those who are bottle fed. So it is possible that a bottle fed baby, even those drinking pumped breast milk, may be experiencing more issues with trapped air in their bellies than a baby who is fed at the breast. And that trapped air can lead to more spit-up in some cases.

Which means that your baby may find some relief if you ditch the bottle altogether.

But does the type of bottle itself matter?

In most cases, no. Yes, there are some bottles that are designed to reduce the amount of air your baby swallows, and those certainly can’t hurt. Having the appropriate nipple size for your baby’s age is also important, because a nipple that allows your baby to drink too quickly may contribute to spitting up.

But the truth is, actual reflux is a medical condition, not something caused by anything you are or are not doing with the bottle. Proper feeding techniques can help to reduce general spit-up, but if you think your baby has full-blown reflux, a visit to the pediatrician is in order.

There are a lot of things that could be causing the reflux, and most of them can be treated fairly simply. For instance, your baby may have food allergies that indicate he or she would do better if you avoided those foods in your own diet while breastfeeding. But regardless of what the reason may be, reflux is a physiological problem—not one caused by how fast your baby is drinking or what type of bottle he or she is drinking from.

So if you have concerns, make a visit with your pediatrician before you go through the house replacing all the bottles.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Understanding Common Infant Vaccines

When it comes to getting your baby vaccinated, everyone has an opinion. While some parents opt for all available immunizations, others choose vaccines they feel are essential or decide against all immunizations. Before making a decision, it’s important to discuss it with your pediatrician. It’s also helpful to understand vaccine basics and which vaccines are the most common during your baby’s first year.

The purpose of a vaccine is to cause an immune response without making your baby sick. The vaccine allows your baby to produce antibodies, which help protect him from the illness.

It’s also good to remember that perhaps the most important health invention in history, vaccines, are a victim of their success. Vaccines are so effective, they take diseases like measles away, that we easily forget that those diseases are dangerous. Roald Dahl’s letter to Sophie is a good reminder that measles can be a dangerous illness.  Roald Dahl’s Love Letter to His Lost Daughter

Immunization recommendations and schedules may vary by country and whether your baby has any underlying medical conditions. Some of the vaccines may also require more than one dose. It’s best to talk with your pediatrician for specifics. Although not a complete list, below are some common vaccines that your doctor may recommend.

DTaP: This vaccines protects against three different diseases including tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Tetanus can cause painful spasms of the jaw and neck and can interfere with breathing. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can lead to swelling of the mucous membranes and also makes breathing difficult. Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory tract and can be especially serious in babies.

Rotavirus Vaccine: The rotavirus is a common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in babies and can lead to severe dehydration. In the United States, the vaccine is given orally instead of a shot.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine (MMR): All three conditions can cause a fever and rash and can lead to dangerous complications, such as pneumonia and meningitis.

Varicella Vaccine: The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, which causes fever and itchy blisters. Complications of chickenpox can include pneumonia and bacterial skin infections.

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine: This vaccine protects against meningococcal infections, which can cause bacterial meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes lining the spinal cord and brain. It can lead to serious complications, such as brain damage, loss of limbs and can be life-threatening.

Polio Virus Vaccine: Polio was once a widespread epidemic that caused paralysis and was sometimes fatal. The disease has been widely eradicated due to the vaccine, but still exists in certain parts of the world.

Before any immunization, it’s important to ask if your baby is healthy enough to receive the vaccine. If your little one is ill, it is best to wait until he feels better before getting vaccinated to prevent any complications. As always, ask your doctor if you have any concerns.

Different immunizations may have side effects. Common side effects include redness and soreness at the injection site, fever and fussiness. Before any immunization, ask your doctor what side effects are common and discuss any concerns you have. When it comes to your baby’s health, there are never too many questions.

 

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Babywearing: Choosing a Sling

Babywearing is growing in popularity in the Western world. After decades of relying on prams, many parents are now enjoying more traditional ways of transporting their babies. When babywearing, your baby is snuggled happily against your body and you have your hands free to get on with life.

Babies who are regularly carried cry less. Babywearing can also aid with breastfeeding and encourage bonding between baby and caregiver. Keeping your baby close allows you to respond to early cues, and this may, in turn, help your parenting confidence to grow.

It’s also convenient. Having your baby nestled against your chest frees up your hands for other things. You can prepare a sandwich, send an email or do your weekly shop, all with your baby happily tucked up on your chest. Of course, it also keeps your baby’s head at the perfect height for you to be able to sniff at will, so enjoy that gorgeous newborn smell while it lasts.

If you’re new to babywearing, the variety of slings on offer can seem pretty daunting. How do you know which one is right for you? Here are a few ways to find out:

  1. Find your local sling library

Many towns now have a local sling library which loans out slings and carriers for people to try. You’ll be able to speak to a babywearing expert, learn how to fasten the slings, and even take one home to try it out for a few weeks. This will give you the opportunity to try out a wide range of slings until you find the one that’s right for you. It also means you can save your hard-earned pennies for the real deal. It’s also a great way of meeting other like-minded mamas, so worth popping along even if you already have a sling.

  1. Ask for advice

Thanks to the recent surge in babywearing parents, you may have a few friends experienced in the ways of the wrap. Ask them for advice. They may even be able to lend you a spare sling to try out, or give you a quick lesson in how to use it.

  1. Look online

If you don’t have any babywearing friends and can’t find a sling library nearby, you may need to get your inspiration online. There are plenty of bloggers who review slings, so you should be able to work out which sort of carrier will work best for you. If you’re unsure how to tie a sling, YouTube is a great place to find tutorials.

  1. Go for it

Once you’ve decided upon the type of sling you like best, whether that’s a stretchy wrap, a woven wrap or a structured baby carrier, it’s time to invest. Slings come in all kinds of colors and patterns, so find one you truly love.

Which sling do you use to carry your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

When Will My Periods Return?

There’s no way of predicting exactly when your periods will return after the birth. Though it’s been awhile since you’ve needed them, you may want to stock up on sanitary products now to avoid a last minute dash to the store when your periods do return. If your baby is formula fed, you may find your period returns as early as five to six weeks after the birth. Most women who feed their babies formula find they get their first period within 10 weeks of becoming a mama. This can also be the case if your baby has a mixture of breast and formula milk.

If your baby is exclusively breastfed, it may take a little longer for your period to return. If you breastfeed often, you may find that your period doesn’t return until your baby is down to just three feeds a day. There is no hard and fast rule, however, your periods may return when you are still feeding frequently throughout the day.

What will the first period be like?

You may find that your periods are heavier than usual after the birth. You may need to use both tampons and pads at first because of the increased flow. Your periods may also be irregular. Some women find that their periods are months apart when they first return. Some women find clots in their period after birth, this is usually nothing to worry about and is often a sign that your body is healing after the birth. If you’ve had clots in your period for a week, however, you should contact your healthcare provider for advice.

Birth control

You may ovulate before you get your first period, so it’s important that you use birth control if you don’t want to fall pregnant again. It’s impossible to predict when you will ovulate for the first time, so you should start using birth control soon after the birth. Speak to your healthcare provider for advice about which form of contraception is best for you.

Frequent breastfeeding can delay ovulation. Breastfeeding stimulates the release of prolactin which can delay ovulation. However, there is no way of knowing whether ovulation is about to occur so it’s best to use birth control to be on the safe side. Some women find they do not ovulate until they have finished their breastfeeding journey but for others their cycle kicks in whilst they are still breastfeeding.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.