Free Pooping Baby Is A Happy Baby

When baby suffers from constipation there’s no way for her to tell you what’s going on so you have to watch for the signs of a constipated newborn. Constipation could be caused by switching from breastfeeding to formula feeding, or even switching formula brands. It can also happen for seemingly no reason at all. It’s just important for you to watch for the signs of constipation.

Check for Signs of Constipation

Babies will strain while having a bowel movement, and that is fine. However, if your baby is crying while having a bowel movement that is not normal. This is a sign that something is wrong.

Check the poop. Every time you change your baby’s nappy check your baby’s poop (yes, I am being serious) to ensure it is healthy. Baby’s poop should be a peanut butter consistency.  if it’s harder than that it is a constipated bowel movement.

So, these are the two signs of constipation in babies: hard bowel movements and baby crying while having a bowel movement. If you see either one of these signs in your baby you can help relieve the painful bowel movements.

There are a few things you can do at home to help baby poop with ease.

Yes Baby's Poop Does Smell

3 Tips To Help Baby Suffering From Constipation

1. While baby is straining and possibly crying when pooping you can lie her on her back in a safe place and push her feet up toward her stomach. This creates a squatting position that will help get the poop out.

2. Another thing that would help is to get baby in a warm bath and massage her stomach to help move the bowels out.

3. You can also reduce the amount of formula or breast milk given during feeding, and then have more feedings throughout the day. This will make it easier on the baby’s digestion system. If this lasts or gets worse contact your doctor for help.

What do you do to help your baby when she’s having constipation problems?

Constipation resources:

http://www.kidsinaustralia.com.au/parent-7/Constipation-and-Your-Baby-41.html
http://www.huggies.com.au/baby-care/recipes/solids/constipation

Bathing

Bathing a slippery newborn is nerve-racking; even for the most experienced parent. To make matters worse, your newborn isn’t thrilled about the bath, either. But, here’s the good news. It’s possible to make bathing your baby relaxing and comfortable; with a few tips and the right essentials for baby.

The “Bath-Free” Cleaning

Do you have a newborn? If so, you don’t need to use a regular bath. Use a sponge bath, instead. Doctors actually recommend it until the umbilical cord stump falls off – which takes about three weeks.

For a sponge bath, you need a flat surface, soft blanket and large bowl of water. Fill the bowl with warm water. Stick your hand in the water; ensuring it isn’t too hot.

Also, newborn baths don’t require soap. Use wet cotton balls to wipe around your baby’s eyes – from the inside to outside corners. Gently wipe the rest of their body with a warm wash cloth; only exposing the areas you’re cleaning.

Baby Tub – Do I Really Need One?

Do you need one? Not really. Are they nice to have? Yes. Most parents choose a plastic tub, designed for babies. Or, purchase a plastic inflatable tub for their child. Another option is your regular tub or bathroom sink, lined with either a towel or rubber mat…to make the surface more comfortable.

No matter which option you choose, safety is the most important thing. Get all necessary baby bathtime supplies ahead of time. This way, there’s no need to step away from your baby during bath time.

Other Baby Essentials

Special bath essentials are nice to have, such as towels with built-in hoods. Other items to include on your baby essentials checklist are mild moisturizing soap and moisturizer. It’s also a good idea to keep a supply of nappies and wipes near by – for fast post-bath nappy changes.

Do you have a list of baby essentials? Please share!

Baby Bath time resources:

BabyCenter. Bathing your Baby. Retrieved 3/23/12 from http://www.babycenter.com.au/baby/dailycare/bathingyourbaby/

Raising Children Network. Bathing your Baby. Retrieved 3/23/12 from http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/bathing_your_baby.html

Planning Your Travels Is The Key

Pretty soon, you and your spouse won’t have much alone time, so enjoy the time you have during your nine months of pregnancy. Many couples even decide to go on a “babymoon,” or a pre-baby vacation. For most women, the best time to do so is during the 2^nd trimester. You’re past most of the nausea and fatigue of the first few months, and of course, the final trimester can be very uncomfortable since you’ll be carrying a lot of extra weight around.

Between 18 to 24 weeks is considered the safest time to travel, but it’s best to consult your doctor to find out what’s best for you. If you are high-risk or carrying multiples, he may recommend you stay at home, but if he gives you the go-ahead, here are a few tips for having a safe and pleasant trip during your pregnancy.

Keep travel time to a minimum

It’s preferable to have a location you can travel to relatively quickly, so you don’t spend too much time crammed into a small car or plane. No matter how long you travel, you’ll want to get up and walk around every hour or two to keep the blood flowing, so if you’re traveling by plane, make sure you get an aisle seat. (You’ll also appreciate it when you need to get up to go to the bathroom.)

Don’t cross your legs

This will help decrease the risk of blood clots. And if you can, elevate your feet, which will help reduce the risk of swelling and leg cramps.

Know the location of a nearby hospital

Just in case, you want to ensure that there are high-quality medical facilities close to where you are staying, and you should know where they are in case of an emergency. If you’re planning a cruise, make sure there will be a doctor on board. Hopefully you won’t need it, but the peace of mind is well worth a little research.

Bring along your obstetrician’s number

When you’re packing up, make sure to include this on your list. If you’re traveling where your cell phone will be easy to use, just program it in, and have your spouse do the same. But if you’re going somewhere international, you’ll want to write it down and make sure you know all the proper country codes to call home.

Check travel policies

You want to make sure they will allow you on the plane or boat before you book that ticket. Many cruise lines do not allow pregnant passengers on board if they will be 23 or 24 weeks or more on the date of disembarkation and may even require a letter from your doctor. Some airlines also have restrictions. Check the policy of the company you plan to travel with to make sure you won’t have problems.

Focus on relaxation

Think spa, relaxing on the beach, massages, and breakfast in bed instead of exhausting sightseeing tours, hikes, skiing, or other high intensity activities. It doesn’t mean you can’t do some of these things, but prepare for the fact that you might not feel up to it when you get there.

Where are you headed for your pre-baby vacation? Share with us in the comments.

Pre-baby vacation resources

Find Special Babymoon Packages - Baby-Moon.Eu


Air Travel During Pregnancy: Is It Safe? – MayoClinic.com

Ensure

When it comes to deciding on a doctor for your new baby, there is one thing for certain: every parent wants to find the best!

You may choose for your own GP to be your child’s primary physician as well, or you might want to go one step further and select a paediatrician. Paediatric doctors specialise in the treatment of babies, children and adolescents. These doctors differ from the typical GP, or General Practitioner, because Paediatricians have spent an additional six years studying their specialty.

What is a paediatrician?

A paediatrician  is a doctor who specialises in infant , children and adolescent care. There are different types of paediatricians "There are general paediatricians and specialist paediatricians such as paediatric cardiologists, gastroenterologists, developmental experts, etc." (sourced by the Royal Children's Hospital website)

In the United States, pediatricians (as they are spelled there) are easy to come by and found in both rural areas and cities. Here in Australia, however, we have just over 1,000 paediatric specialists (according to a report by the Australian Medical Workforce Advisory) and most of them are practicing within large cities. However, with the help of the internet and other sources, finding a good paediatrician can be done with relative ease.

You can use word of mouth reviews

Your own midwife or obstetrician will is a valuable resource when making your selection and, as with anything important, asking for recommendations from trusted friends and family members is always a good way to begin your search.

Use the internet to find and review Paediatricians

The internet is an invaluable tool for peer recommendations and reviews on Paediatricians. Some great resources to assist in your Paediatrician search:

• Health Engine – Physician Locator http://healthengine.com.au/
• Royal Children’s Hospital of Melbourne http://www.rch.org.au/rch/home.cfm
• The Paediatrics & Child Health Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians http://www.racp.edu.au/page/paediatrics-and-child-health-division/about-the-paediatrics-and-child-health-division/

Whatever your choice, don’t be afraid to make a change if you discover your child’s paediatrician and you have diverging views. With frequent well-baby check-ups and numerous questions you’ll have about your child’s development, it’s important to find a good fit for your family.

How did you find a paediatrician?

Do

Most pregnant women have a plan for who will be by their side during childbirth, whether it’s a spouse, a partner, a relative, or a friend. Some women also hire a doula to provide support during the birth. You may not think this is necessary if you already have a loved one lined up, but have you considered a postpartum doula?

This type of doula provides post childbirth assistance, during the time when that loved one who was by your side for the birth may have already returned to work. You may find this time exhausting and overwhelming as you adjust to a new schedule and new responsibilities, as well as healing from the birth. If you are a new parent, you may also have many questions about caring for your child.

How can a postpartum doula help me?

A postpartum doula can provide you with education about infant feeding, soothing, and other basic newborn care as well as answers to concerns that come up. Many new mums struggle with breastfeeding issues in the beginning, which can be a frustrating experience, and this is another important problem that doulas can help with.

Additionally, your postpartum doula can help with things around the house that may get neglected as your attention is focused on the baby, which can include running errands, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and even caring for other children you have.

Since doulas are focused on childbirth and parenting, they are also great resources for referrals to pediatricians, support groups for breastfeeding issues or other concerns, child care facilities, nannies, and parenting classes.

The goal of a postpartum doula

The goal of a postpartum doula is to make your newborn’s transition into your household as smooth as possible for everyone involved, allowing you to focus on enjoying this special time.

Will you be hiring a doula to help with your labor, or a postpartum doula to provide post childbirth assistance? Share the story of how you decided on a doula in the comments.

Postpartum doula resources

FindaDoula.com

What

Becoming a new mum or dad is an experience that will change your life. You will feel a love and closeness that you’ve never had before, and every time your child learns how to do something new, it will feel like a revelation.




But as incredible as being a parent can be, “life-changing” goes both ways, and that little bundle of joy is going to control your existence. You will be up and down all night with little sleep. You will question your parenting skills when you feel like you’ve tried everything and it’s just not working. And you will want to scream right back at your little girl or boy when they just won’t stop crying and let you have some peace.

What you should never do, however, is shake your baby to get him or her to quiet down, because this causes Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS).

What is shaken baby syndrome?

At its core, it is child abuse.When young children are shaken, their brains fly around and beat against the inside of their skulls, causing internal bleeding, bruising, swelling, and pressure. These injuries can lead to a number of different health problems.

Shaken baby syndrome symptoms

Shaken baby syndrome symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Damage to the spine
• Damage to the neck
• Visual impairment (including blindness)
• Cognitive impairment (brain damage)
• Motor impairment (cerebral palsy)
• Death

The idea that you might kill your child simply by shaking them probably seems a bit melodramatic, but too often we forget how incredibly frail babies are. According to child abuse statistics, almost a quarter of infants with shaken baby syndrome symptoms die, and just five seconds of shaking your baby can affect them for their entire life. And it doesn’t go away quickly. While most injuries from shaken baby syndrome (SBS) occur before the age of 2, some have been found in children as old as 5.

Know

Most people don’t intend to shake babies and young children. When it happens, it is often borne out of frustration that the child won’t behave or stop crying. But if a caregiver loses his or her temper for just a moment, the damage can’t be undone, no matter how sorry they are, and child abuse is child abuse.

So, how can you prevent shaken baby syndrome, also known as shaking baby syndrome, from happening to your child?

Learn to step back

Babies, amazing as they are, tend to be frustrating. The only way they have to communicate is to cry, so they use that to cover all of their needs, and expect you to simply know what it means. If you ever become frustrated when dealing with a baby, set them down – carefully! – and work on calming yourself. Take deep breaths, walk a few steps away – whatever it takes for you to cool off. If another person can take over for you, ask them to do so and take a break. Even if no one else is there, it is far better for your baby to cry alone for a little while until you calm down than it is for you to unintentionally hurt them.

Create a mental checklist

Shaking typically occurs when you are frustrated and just don’t know what else to do – what the heck does the baby want?! One way to help with this problem is to create a mental checklist of why the baby might be crying. Is it hunger? Gas? A dirty diaper? Sleepiness? Try to make yourself go down this mental checklist every time to ensure that you’re not missing something simple that could make those frustrations vanish.

Never argue when you have the baby

An infant won’t just cause tension and frustration when you deal with him or her, but also with your spouse. Since you’ll both be running on little sleep and depleting reserves of patience, it is almost inevitable that you will argue when someone forgets to put the laundry in the dryer and it has to be re-washed, or when breast milk is ruined because the bottle was left in boiling water for too long. But whatever you do, put the baby down before you start to yell and gesture wildly to make your point. Even if you don’t mean to, it’s possible that your baby could get shaken or otherwise injured in the fight.

Watch for signs

If you worry that your spouse or another caregiver might be giving in to their frustration, keep an eye on the baby for shaken baby syndrome symptoms. Often there are no external injuries, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for you to notice. Among other things, you should look for vomiting, a decrease in appetite, lethargy, seizures, bluish skin, and vision loss.

What ways have you found to cope with the frustration of dealing with a new baby?

Shaken Baby Syndrome additional resources:

About Shaken Baby – Shaken Baby Syndrome Symptoms


Kids Health – Abusive Head Trauma