HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

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. (In my own experience heat also seems to bring on Diaper Rash) 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.

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 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 they 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. Don’t worry your baby will tell you when they are full as they do when hungry.

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. ( Personal Tips I've learned that if I know ahead of time my daughter is going to be getting shots I will give her Tylenol about 1 hour before her visit you might want to ask your doctor if this is ok with then just incase.)



Pacifiers & 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. (Be warned that some children will have a very hard time with weaning off of a pacifier no matter if they were breastfed or bottle fed, so if your baby seems to be ok with out it you might want to think about not introducing it.)


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. (Very messy and no fun to clean out of your bed at 4 am trust me.)


****If there are any specific questions or topics you would like to see me give advice or my own opinion or experience on please let me know. =)