 Care for Your Newborn
How Do I Know if My Baby Has Colic?
If your baby seems to be fussy at a particular time of the day or evening, she may be colicy. A baby with colic will appear to have abdominal cramps while drawing her knees up. She appears to have gas.
Walking and rocking seems to help a colicy baby. At times, you may need to go for a car ride when all else fails. The continuous motion and engine noise seems to have a calming effect.
Some experts believe that colic comes from an under developed digestive system. Usually, by four months she will outgrow it.
Cereal may help a colicy baby given to her about half an hour before the bout begins. Be sure to check with her doctor.
Breast fed babies seem to have less colic than bottle fed babies. This is most likely because breast milk is more easily digested.
What Will My Baby Look Like at Birth?
Don't be surprised if your baby looks different than what you expected at birth. His head may seem cone-shaped which occurs when baby comes through the birth canal. His eyes look puffy and swollen. His head is wobbly as the neck muscles are not completely developed yet. His skin may be blotchy.
Should My Baby Sleep on Her Back, Side or Stomach?
Put your baby to sleep on her back or side. Placing her on her stomach could increase the chances of suffocation or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
In some cases such as severe reflux your doctor may tell you to place your baby on her stomach when she sleeps. It is believed by some experts that a baby is more at risk for SIDS if she refluxes while on her back. Be sure to discuss any reflux problems with your pediatrician.
When Will My Baby Be Sleeping Through the Night?
When studying baby sleep habits experts generally agree that there is no one answer to this question. All babies have different sleep patterns. Some don't sleep through the night until they are almost a year old, while others seem to do it almost naturally from birth. If your baby is not sleeping through the night after several months, don't be alarmed.
|
|
