Babys first year

A Multiple Blessing

Your ultrasound shows that you are being blessed more than one time. Congratulations. More babies equals more fun for you!

Ø Multiples have a high risk of premature birth. You may have to use monitors and have other issues that surround premature babies. When you bring them home, you will find that you are continually tired due to feedings and sleep apnea monitor alarms, so you need to make sure that you sleep when the babies sleep and ask for help.

Ø Many parents choose to put twins or even triplets into the same crib. They do not move around very much and they are used to being snuggled next to each other. You will need to move them into separate cribs when they can move around though as it may create the danger of suffocation.

Ø The number of diapers that you will go through will be mind-boggling. Whether you choose cloth or disposables, you need to evaluate the price of each and the care of them. Disposable diapers are easier on your baby’s skin and you will get more use out of each diaper. Check different places to find the best price of your diapering choice.

Ø Preemies are often more sleepy than full-term newborns. Preemies respond to over stimulation by sleeping and withdrawing even through feeding, bathing, and diapering them. Work with them and understand that they will begin to awake when they get closer to their due date.

Ø Preemies frequently experience reflux and spitting up more than full-term babies. This is because the sphincter in their stomach may not be fully developed. Work with them, but do not overfeed them or you will see it again when they spit it up.

Ø Routine is a very important part of living with multiples. Being flexible with your schedule will help your babies learn to sleep, eat, and grow better! Mommy will be much happier too!


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Baby's first year

Feeding Methods


Feeding your baby should be easy, right? When he is hungry, you feed him. What is the problem with that? The problem is that there are many different feeding methods that are thrown at new moms. Here are just a few:

 Demand-feeding
 Hyper-scheduling
 Cry feeding
 Demand schedule
 Self-regulating schedule
 Rigid feeding
 Cue (responsive) feeding
 Parent-directed feeding

Are you confused? Many moms get confused so they do it their own way. Groups promote certain feeding methods based on politics and their own philosophy. There are still other people who will tell you that you are a bad parent for even considering feeding formula to your baby, no matter what your reasons are.

This is not to condemn you for choosing what to feed your baby. This is just to help you become aware of all of the options of feeding that you can use.

Choosing your method of feeding will have an overall affect on your baby’s hunger patterns, sleep patterns, and mood. In PDF, we are not talking about being ruled by the clock but by having a flexible schedule. This is a good choice usually for the baby and the mom and helps to take some of the stress involved in feeding and parenting away.

PDF is on the middle of the spectrum between demand-feeding (feeding when your baby cries) and hyper-scheduling (letting the clock dictate feeding). PDF is more baby-oriented than the other feeding methods and the baby learns to follow mom’s flexible schedule.

PDF takes the common sense and the ability to not let yourself be ruled by the clock and The Rules that are laid down by pediatricians or other advice givers. I am not saying that you shouldn’t feed your baby if he is hungry. You definitely should feed him and give him his nutrition. I am also not saying that you should make your baby wait if he is hungry. You will learn to meet your child’s needs without being committed to the clock or someone else’s ideas of feeding your baby. This will give you freedom to enjoy your baby and your life!


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Baby's First Year

The Value of Family: Before the Baby Arrives


You are going to be a mom! It does not matter whether it is your first baby or your tenth baby, you still need to consider and plan the following items.

 Do you have your birth-plan detailed out and have you discussed it with your doctor or midwife?

 Is your suitcase ready to go or do you have the supplies that are need for a homebirth organized?

 Is your emergency contact list ready just in case you go into labor unexpectedly and at a time that your spouse or partner is not available?

 Is the nursery ready for the baby?

 Does your baby have a family?

That last question may seem a little strange, but we plan so many other parts of our baby’s lives that sometimes we overlook the basic thing that your baby needs a family. I am not going to even get into the political battle of single moms having children, I am simply going to advocate for a family for your baby.

Your parenting goal is to build strong relationships for your child so that you will give them confidence in themselves. A weak marriage does not do this and it does not give children confidence. Good parenting flows out of a stable and good marriage. If you protect your relationship with your spouse, then your children will be happy and healthy too!

Many times when a new baby joins a family (remember that you and your husband are a family before children), the marriage is not taken care of. Many times this is because of exhaustion, lack of time, lack of energy, etc., but you need to keep your first love healthy. Didn’t you get married because you love each other?

Before you bring this little one home, take the time to consider your marriage. If you need to work on your marriage, do it now. Babies respond to stress so you want to keep your home life as stress free as possible. Besides, you don’t want your baby to start out life being stressed, now do you? Keep your marriage healthy so that your family will be healthy as well. You will never regret the time that you put into it!

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baby's first year

Choosing Baby Equipment for Baby


After your first visit with your obstetrician, you will find your mailbox inundated with all kinds of baby magazines and ads for every possible piece of baby equipment that you can imagine. This does not even take into account all of the people that will gladly give you advice, even when not requested. Although many of the items are handy and work well, there are many that play upon your fears as a first time parent or are just silly! There is a list following that tells you about the items that you will want to think about purchasing. To save money, you can even look at second hand stores for many of these items or ask friends with babies older than yours if you can borrow or purchase their items.

 A car seat is mandatory, as hospitals will not even let you leave with the baby until you show them that you know how to buckle the baby in the seat. Many times, they will also follow you to the car to make sure it is installed correctly in the car. Car seats will be outgrown at least twice before your child grows out of them by the age of eight. If you are considering a second-hand car seat, ensure that it meets safety requirements.

 A baby monitor is a great tool to be able to hear the baby from any room in the house. This way you do not have to stay close to their room all the time. At night, I recommend that you turn the monitor off because you will hear every moan and movement that the baby makes and this can keep you awake. You need to get your rest to take care of your baby.

 When you are choosing a crib, you need to look for one that has these features.

o Choose a good quality mattress that is firm.
o The mattress should fit the crib snugly on all four sides.
o The guardrail should be at least 26 inches above the top of the mattress.
o The crib slats space should be no more than 2.375”.
o The crib bumper will help keep the baby’s legs and arms out of the crib slats.

 A bouncy seat is a great place for you baby to be when it is not possible to hold her and is a great place to feed them their first meals of rice cereal. They cannot usually sit up well enough for a high chair when they begin cereals and the bouncy seat is a great answer to this problem.

 A sling or backpack is a great tool to carry baby if you use caution with it. If you use it too much, however, your baby could possibly have neck or back problems. Choose a sling or backpack that fits you very well and that grows with the baby. The Snugli is great for younger babies that cannot sit up and for older babies the Hip Hammock works great.

 A playpen is a great way for you to get things like housework done and keep the baby safe. Around five months old is when a baby should be placed in it, unless it is used for a sleeping area when you are traveling, etc. Containing a baby that cannot crawl or roll is not necessary and you can use a floor gym for entertainment.

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Baby's First Year

Are you a new parent? Perhaps worried about bringing your baby home?

All that you need to know about caring for a newborn - sleeping, playing, feeding, with love and care.

The essential report for every new parent with the most complete guide to your babys first year, month by month.

This is the only parenting guide that you need.

Click Here for full information on this amazing guide.

Baby's First Year

Although this Blog is about your baby's first year, I thought that this first posting should consider a few things before baby arrives.

Click Here to learn what every parent needs to know


The Value of Family: Before the Baby Arrives


You are going to be a mom! It does not matter whether it is your first baby or your tenth baby, you still need to consider and plan the following items.

 Do you have your birth-plan detailed out and have you discussed it with your doctor or midwife?

 Is your suitcase ready to go or do you have the supplies that are need for a homebirth organized?

 Is your emergency contact list ready just in case you go into labor unexpectedly and at a time that your spouse or partner is not available?

 Is the nursery ready for the baby?

 Does your baby have a family?

That last question may seem a little strange, but we plan so many other parts of our baby’s lives that sometimes we overlook the basic thing that your baby needs a family. I am not going to even get into the political battle of single moms having children, I am simply going to advocate for a family for your baby.

Your parenting goal is to build strong relationships for your child so that you will give them confidence in themselves. A weak marriage does not do this and it does not give children confidence. Good parenting flows out of a stable and good marriage. If you protect your relationship with your spouse, then your children will be happy and healthy too!

Many times when a new baby joins a family (remember that you and your husband are a family before children), the marriage is not taken care of. Many times this is because of exhaustion, lack of time, lack of energy, etc., but you need to keep your first love healthy. Didn’t you get married because you love each other?

Before you bring this little one home, take the time to consider your marriage. If you need to work on your marriage, do it now. Babies respond to stress so you want to keep your home life as stress free as possible. Besides, you don’t want your baby to start out life being stressed, now do you? Keep your marriage healthy so that your family will be healthy as well. You will never regret the time that you put into it!

Baby

Baby's First Year

This Blog, as the name suggests, will be all about your Baby's first year.

I hope to post interesting articles to it every couple of weeks.

While you are waiting for the first posting, please Click Here to see what every parent needs to know

Baby