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  • Defense First!: Understanding Your Baby’s Immune System

    Defense First!: Understanding Your Baby’s Immune System

    Immunity is the ability of a person’s body to fight infections and diseases. The body’s immune system controls it. Your immune system comprises cells, tissues, and organs that work together to fight off infections and diseases.

    The baby’s immune system at birth and beyond.

    Most people think of the immune system exclusively as the body’s defence against disease, but it plays several roles in helping your child grow up strong. For example, it helps keep their skin clear, helps them fight off infections, and helps teach their bodies to fight off future threats that might cause illness or disease later on. It does all this by producing proteins called antibodies that identify invaders such as viruses or bacteria. The antibodies then attack these invaders so they can’t cause harm to your child’s body.

    Every baby is born after being exposed to microbes through the placenta during pregnancy. Therefore, they are born fortified with the necessary antibodies required to defend the baby against harmful microbes. However, these antibodies are only temporary since they aren’t produced at a high enough level to protect against all infections. Babies will gradually develop antibodies as they grow as they will inevitably be exposed to these microbes down the road. (Which happens until around they are 5 years old).

    In the first year of their life, most babies’ immune systems grow and develop, but it’s still important to protect them from germs and disease.

    Your baby’s immune system is still growing and developing, so it’s not fully prepared to fight off illness. This can make it hard for your baby to even recover from certain common illnesses.

    • Your baby’s immune system is still a working progress, learning how to fight off germs and diseases.
    • There are many different kinds of germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi), which need a lot of different sorts of protection from the immune system.
    • Some germs are harmful to babies because they’re too strong for their young immune systems to fight off on their own (like chickenpox). Other germs don’t cause disease in adults but can be severe in newborns because their bodies haven’t had time to build defences against them (like herpes).

    Your Baby’s Susceptibility to Diseases and Common Infant Sicknesses

    Your baby’s immune system remains underdeveloped until the age of 3 months. Your baby will be susceptible to various diseases and common infant sicknesses in the first year of life. Examples of these illnesses include:

    • Colds and flu are transmitted through contact with others who are infected or by touching contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs, toys, and other personal items. Contact your pediatrician immediately for treatment guidance, even if the symptoms seem mild.
    • Ear infections (otitis media) result from bacteria entering the middle ear through a hole in one or both eardrums. Ear infections can cause pain, fever, fussiness, and a refusal to eat or drink liquids due to discomfort from sucking/swallowing them.

    Your Baby’s Vulnerability to Viruses

    As a new parent, you’ve probably heard the news: your baby is more vulnerable to viruses than adults. While this may make you worry, you can take steps to reduce your baby’s risk of infection. The most common viruses that affect babies include:

    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, fever, and sore throat. It causes bronchiolitis, a condition where the small airways in the lungs swell, block airflow and fill with mucus. It also causes pneumonia.
    • Rhinovirus (commonly called “the common cold”) causes similar symptoms as RSV. Still, it is less severe than other viral infections because it doesn’t stay in the body for long periods as some other viruses do.
    • Influenza A or B virus (flu). Flu usually comes with fever, coughs, or chills that can last up to seven days after initial exposure. However, some cases can cause febrile seizures—an unexpected seizure triggered by high fevers caused by certain illnesses, including flu or chickenpox— which may result in brain damage if not treated immediately following diagnosis.
    • Babies are particularly vulnerable to gastrointestinal viruses. If left untreated, they can cause severe dehydration, diarrhea, and complications such as liver damage, meningitis, encephalitis, and heart inflammation.

    Boosting Your Baby’s Immunity

    • Breast milk is the best food for your baby’s immune system. It contains antibodies, which help fight against illness.
    • If you are breastfeeding, try to avoid introducing solid foods until your child is at least 6 months old. After that, they can be introduced one at a time and in small amounts to protect their digestive system.
    • Your child should get all of their vaccinations on schedule and any recommended boosters if needed (check with your doctor).
    • Ensure that there are no unnecessary chemicals in their environment or food (for example, pesticides on fruit/vegetables), and keep them away from other children who may have contagious illnesses like chickenpox or measles.
    • When you introduce new foods into your baby’s diet (once they’re ready), make sure it’s organic because conventionally grown produce has been shown to have higher levels of pesticides than its organic counterparts.

    Breast milk contains many immune-boosting factors.

    Breast milk contains many immune-boosting factors that work together to protect your baby from illness. Breast milk contains antibodies, white blood cells, and other immune-boosting factors that help fight off viruses and bacteria. It’s also an ideal source of nutrition for your baby. Studies show that breastfed babies have lower rates of diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and other infections than formula-fed babies in the first year after birth.

    In addition to protecting against infectious diseases such as ear infections, diarrhea, and respiratory infections during infancy and childhood, breastfeeding also protects against leukemia later in life.

    Vaccination is the safest way in which to protect your child from significant diseases.

    Vaccination is the safest way to protect your child from serious diseases. Vaccination protects against many serious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio. Read more about vaccination safety and stay updated on what your baby needs.

    Vaccines do not cause autism. The original study that claimed there was a link between the MMR vaccine and autism has since been discredited as fraudulent by every other independent scientific group that has examined it — but the myth persists in some circles.

    Proper diet and dietary practices boost immunity.

    As your baby grows, you may start to notice that they’re getting sick more often. This is normal, but it can be frustrating as a parent. You want to do everything you can to keep your baby healthy!

    Breastfeeding is the best way to ensure your baby has the nutrients he needs to fight off illness. As mentioned before, breast milk contains many immune-boosting factors, including stem cells and antibodies that help build a healthy immune system.

    After the breastfeeding phase, the main factor that can help boost your baby’s immune system is a healthy diet. A balanced diet is one full of fruit and vegetables that will help give your baby all the nutrients they need to fight off infections and stay healthy. Incorporate the following food into your baby’s diet:

    • Iron-rich foods like meat, fish, or eggs (or iron-fortified cereals)
    • Zinc-rich foods like beef, eggs, and cheese (or cereals fortified with zinc)
    • Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits (or juices containing vitamin C)

    Another thing that can help boost immunity is probiotics. Probiotics are bacteria that live in the gut and help with digestion. When babies have antibiotics, they can kill some of these beneficial bacteria. Probiotics can help replace some of these good bacteria so that your baby’s immune system stays strong. However, there are certain things to keep in mind when using probiotics. They should only be given as directed by a doctor; they can cause allergic reactions, and they aren’t recommended for children under two years old or pregnant women without talking to their doctor first.

    You don’t always need supplementation

    Most babies do not need supplementation, even if you are not breastfeeding or if your baby is premature. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. After that, they can receive up to 1 litre/day (about 4 cups) of safe complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed.

    If your baby has certain medical conditions and needs supplementation, talk with your doctor about how much extra nutrition she will need to help her grow and develop properly. If you have concerns about whether or not to supplement your baby’s diet with formula or other food products, talk with your healthcare provider before giving them any supplements at all—even vitamin drops!

    Concluding note: Although immunity starts before birth, you can help protect your baby by breastfeeding, vaccinating, and maintaining a healthy diet. 

    • Breastfeed. A baby’s immune system is still developing when they’re born, and breastfeeding provides them with antibodies that help to protect them against infections. This immunity is passed on through breast milk, so the more you breastfeed, the better your baby’s protection will be.
    • Vaccinate your child. Starting at 2 months of age, make sure you take your child for all recommended vaccinations to protect them from diseases. Make sure you have their immunization records handy if you need to call an ambulance or go to an emergency room.
    • Feed a healthy diet for strong immunity.
  • Gestational Diabetes: A Pregnancy Hurdle to Beat

    Gestational Diabetes: A Pregnancy Hurdle to Beat

    Gestational diabetes is the name of a condition that occurs when a woman develops high blood sugar (glucose) during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is caused by pregnancy hormones or a shortage of insulin, which lowers glucose levels in your bloodstream.

    Glucose comes from what you eat and drink. To keep it at safe levels, your pancreas releases insulin to move glucose into cells for energy or storage as fat, depending on whether you’re eating something or fasting for a while. Insulin also helps control your appetite by telling you when to feel hungry and when to stop eating so much.

    If you have gestational diabetes:

    • You may need more insulin than usual to help your body use glucose properly
    • Your doctor will order tests each trimester (first three months) to check on how well-controlled those levels are

     

    Normal blood glucose levels: Blood glucose levels for a non-pregnant person are considered normal if they fall between 70 and 130 mg/dL. For example, if your blood glucose level is 100 mg/dL, this is within the normal range for someone who does not have gestational diabetes.

     

    Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

    • Increased thirst
    • Increased tiredness
    • Increased hunger
    • Blurred vision or temporary loss of vision in one eye (no pain)
    • Frequent urination, especially at night and first thing in the morning. This may be accompanied by a strong urge to urinate; it can also cause leakage and wetting accidents.
    • Unexplained weight loss or gain of more than 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms). You should notice if you are losing weight because that means your body condition is getting worse, which means your baby is not getting enough nutrients from you during pregnancy. This can lead to preterm delivery and other complications and poor health for both mother and baby after birth.

    You may have other symptoms such as yeast infections, slow healing cuts, dry skin, itchy skin, and leg cramps.

    Causes of Gestational Diabetes

     

    • Pregnancy hormones that cause Insulin resistance
    • Your body’s pre-existing inability to produce enough insulin
    • Unhealthy diet (high in sugar, carbohydrates, and salt)
    • Lack of exercise or being overweight or obese

    Tests for Gestational Diabetes

     

    All women are mandatorily tested for GD during the 24-28th weeks of pregnancy. Apart from that, if you display any symptoms, several tests can be used to diagnose gestational diabetes.

    1. The most common is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) which involves drinking a sugar solution and then having your blood sugar tested at intervals for two hours or longer (you may need to fast before this test).
    2. If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it may also be recommended that you have a fasting plasma glucose test and/or a random plasma glucose test. These involve taking blood samples at different times during the day when you’re not eating or drinking anything except water—this gives doctors a better idea of how much insulin your body needs.
    3. Another option is an HbA1c (also known as A1c) test; these measures average blood glucose control over three months by looking at red blood cells in your bloodstream. Urine tests are also sometimes used once pregnancy has been confirmed but aren’t very reliable on their own because some women without diabetes may show signs of high levels of sugar in their urine.

     

    Treating Gestational Diabetes

    If you have gestational diabetes, the first step is making lifestyle changes and blood sugar monitoring before resorting to medication. A dietitian can help you draw up a meal plan that accounts for your weight, activity levels, blood glucose results, and lifestyle. The meal plan should include:

    • A variety of healthy foods
    • Enough carbohydrate foods to keep you feeling full and satisfied (carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for your body)

     

    Managing Gestational Diabetes

    Managing gestational diabetes is a multi-faceted approach. There are no “one size fits all” strategies, but the following general guidelines can help you manage your condition:

    • Eat well. Low-calorie, low-fat diets can help women with gestational diabetes control their blood glucose levels and lose weight if they need to. But you mustn’t cut out too many nutrients from your diet during pregnancy by following a strict diet plan without consulting your doctor first.
    • Be physically active. Regular exercise helps women who have gestational diabetes control their blood sugar levels and helps them keep weight gain at a healthy level during pregnancy, both of which reduce complications for mothers and babies alike once the baby is born.
    • Monitor blood glucose levels regularly using a home blood glucose monitoring device (called glucometers). This measures how much sugar is in your bloodstream at any given moment; and allows you to detect changes quickly so they can be addressed before they become dangerous or affect other aspects of health. Such as vision problems caused by retinopathy (when high amounts of sugar damage small blood vessels in the eyes).

    Risk Factors Involved

    You’re likely to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes if you have any of the following risk factors:

    • Obesity
    • Age older than 35 years old during pregnancy
    • Age older than 25 years old at first pregnancy
    • Family history of type 2 diabetes
    • History of gestational diabetes (having had it previously) or polycystic ovarian syndrome (a hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries, irregular periods, and acne)
    • Having had a large baby before
    • Taking antipsychotic or steroid medications

    If you already have a high blood pressure condition or are over 35 years old, your doctor will test your blood sugar more often during your pregnancy.

     

    Risks of Untreated Gestational Diabetes to Your Baby

    If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your baby may also be at risk for health problems.

    • Your baby may be born overweight or obese. This can make it harder for your baby to get into position during labour and delivery, which increases the risk of C-section delivery.
    • The risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is higher in babies of mothers with gestational diabetes than in those whose mothers do not have gestational diabetes. RDS occurs when there’s too little surfactant—a substance that keeps lungs from collapsing—in the amniotic fluid surrounding a newborn’s lungs.
    • Children who were born to women with untreated, gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

     

    Risks of Untreated Gestational Diabetes to the Mother

    Your risks of the following health problems increase if you do not get treated for gestational diabetes:

    • Type 2 diabetes. You are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life if you have pre-diabetes or gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Studies show that 50% to 70% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 after they deliver their baby. The longer you have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy and the later it is caught, the greater your chances of developing type 2 after the birth. Women who had untreated, gestational diabetes during one pregnancy have up to a 60% chance of having another child with it during their next pregnancy.
    • High blood pressure (hypertension). Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. However, research shows that women with either pre-existing hypertension or newly diagnosed hypertension during pregnancy may be able to reduce these risks by acting early on—before they give birth—to lower their blood pressure level before it becomes dangerous for both mother and baby.
    • Heart disease/stroke/kidney disease.
    • Nerve damage (neuropathy). A nerve disorder caused by high glucose levels in your bloodstream can affect any part of your body but most often affects nerves leading into muscles or organs such as those controlling digestion or bladder function.

    Complications During Birth

     

    The risks of complications during birth are higher if you have gestational diabetes. You’ll be closely monitored to try to prevent any problems. If you can have a vaginal birth, this is preferable because it’s easier for your body and baby to recover from.

    If there are any difficulties during labour or delivery, your health care provider may decide that a cesarean section is necessary. This surgery involves cutting through the wall of the abdomen and womb with an incision to deliver the baby. While having surgery is not ideal, it does reduce some of the risks associated with natural vaginal delivery (for example, tearing). Cesarean sections also require less time spent inside an operating room than vaginal births, so they are often safer for both mother and child overall.

    After birth – look after your baby if they have high blood glucose levels, low blood glucose levels, or jaundice.

    After your baby is born, their blood glucose levels will return to normal. This usually happens by the second day after birth.

    Breast milk is best for your baby. If your baby cannot breastfeed, they may need to be given formula milk instead.

    If you notice that your newborn has jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin and eyeballs), this can be treated with light therapy using an infra-red lamp or special lights called biliblankets.

     

    In conclusion,

    • A diagnosis of gestational diabetes means that you will have to monitor your blood sugar levels and diet during pregnancy closely.
    • Your doctor may recommend a daily oral glucose tolerance test to check your blood sugar levels when you’re not pregnant after having a baby and again in the future. Your doctor might also recommend an eye exam before you become pregnant and other times during your life. This test can help detect retinopathy before it causes any problems with vision or blindness.
    • If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause serious health problems for both mother and child during pregnancy or birth (including preeclampsia). It’s essential to get treatment as soon as possible so that these complications do not occur.
  • Tongue Tie in Babies: A Parents’ Guide to Manage the Dreaded Defect

    Tongue Tie in Babies: A Parents’ Guide to Manage the Dreaded Defect

    Tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, is a condition where the tongue is attached to the bottom of the mouth. A baby’s tongue protrudes but cannot move freely within their mouth because of how it is attached.

    It can affect breastfeeding and speech development in children, though experts don’t all agree on how common it is or its effects on health. In some cases, it may be treated by snipping with scissors or laser surgery without any other treatment needed afterward. More severe cases may require general anesthesia for treatment, and then have a follow-up procedure done at home by your pediatrician once your child has recovered from sedation. At this point, you can start trying again with breastfeeding if you’re still interested in doing so (or continue formula feeding).

    How common is tongue-tie in babies?

    Tongue-tie is not very common in babies. It is most common in boys and first-born babies and those whose families have a history of tongue-tie.

    How do you recognise if your baby has a tongue-tie?

    • Have your baby stick out their tongue. Is it flat, and does it move freely in all directions? Or does it curl up at the tip? Is there a frenulum (a small band of tissue under the tongue) that restricts movement?
    • Lift your baby’s tongue to the roof of their mouth and release. Do they easily lift it back down again, or does it stick up and remain there for a few seconds before falling down on its own? This can indicate a problem with breastfeeding because when you feed your baby milk from a bottle, they may not be able to swallow properly if they can’t lift their tongues enough to get milk into their mouths.
    • Move your finger around underneath their chin while putting pressure on either side of the frenulum with your other hand. Does this cause any discomfort? If so, this could indicate that there might be some kind of restriction caused by having too much skin coming up underneath their tongue (frenulum).

    Does tongue tie affect breastfeeding?

    If the baby has a tongue-tie, it can be difficult for her to latch on to your breast. If she’s not able to latch well, she may not get enough milk and could start losing weight.

     

    If your baby’s tongue tie is diagnosed before birth, you might consider having it clipped at the hospital or by your doctor after delivery. This usually involves numbing the area with injections or freezing (called cryosurgery) and then snipping off part of the lingual frenulum with surgical scissors under local anesthesia.

    Will I be able to know if my baby is having trouble breastfeeding because of a tongue-tie?

    The main signs of tongue-tie in babies are:

    • Painful nursing can lead to poor weight gain and dehydration. If a baby is in pain while breastfeeding, they will often tug on the breast and refuse or stop feeding altogether. This can also lead to sore nipples for the mother and even cracked or bleeding nipples. A baby with difficulty latching may also have a weak suction that makes it hard for them to get enough milk from one breast at each feed.
    • Gums that are swelling and inflamed around the mouth during or after feeds show that food isn’t getting through properly because of restricted movement in the mouth caused by tongue tie!

    Can tongue-tie restrict a baby’s speech later in life?

    Tongue-tie can restrict a child’s ability to produce some speech sounds, but it is usually only a problem in children over the age of two. If you have a feeling that your baby is having difficulty with speech or language development, consult your doctor.

    Would Tongue-Tie cause speech development issues for your child?

    Tongue-tie in toddlers seems to be less common than in babies, suggesting that a short frenum can resolve itself as the child grows. In persistent cases of tongue-tie, the child may have specific speech problems. They may have difficulties creating sounds that need the tongue or tongue tip to:

    1. touch the roof (alveolar ridge) of the mouth – such as the t, d, n, l, s, and z sounds.
    2. arch off the floor of the mouth (retroflex action) – such as the ‘r’ sound.

    If you are troubled about your little ones’ speech development and think they may have a short frenum or tongue-tie, don’t hesitate to contact your Healthcare service provider.

     

     

    What other issues are a direct result of having a tongue tie?

    Poor oral hygiene is a major concern. A tongue-tie can make it difficult for an older child or adult to sweep food debris from the teeth. It can contribute to tooth decay and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Tongue-tie can even lead to the formation of a gap or space between the two bottom front teeth. It will also cause bad breath. The inability to freely move your tongue around in your mouth can trap food particles near your tonsils and other areas where they can cause a foul smell.

    Furthermore, tongue-tie can make it difficult to eat certain foods. If your child has a severe case of tongue-tie, eating certain foods like steak or spaghetti may be impossible due to their shape and size.

    In addition, for infants with tongue-tie, there is a higher risk of developing an ear infection because food gets trapped in the folds of the tongue that have been tied down during breastfeeding. The resulting inflammation could then spread to other parts of their body.

    Should a baby who is tongue-tied be bottle-fed or breastfed?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and then continue breastfeeding with supplemental foods until one year or beyond. The World Health Organization advocates breastfeeding solely for at least six months and then continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or longer.

    There are numerous benefits to breastfeeding your baby, including:

    • Breastfeeding can help prevent newborn jaundice (yellowing of the skin) in babies who have it by removing bilirubin from their system faster than formula feeding does.
    • Breastfed babies generally have fewer health problems than those who are fed formula since most formulas do not contain all of the nutrients found in mother’s milk. They may also have a lower risk of developing allergies and asthma later in life because they become familiar with more foods through colostrum (the first milk produced after pregnancy), which contains antibodies from the mom’s immune system that help protect against illness while also helping digestion. Bottle feeding can prevent this process by introducing foreign proteins into the baby’s system too quickly instead of gradually over several months. A child whose mother is diagnosed with celiac disease should never be given formula and should always be breastfed exclusively during infancy.

     

     

    How is tongue-tie treated in babies and children?

    If you think your baby or child may have tongue-tie, talk to their GP or pediatrician about it. They can examine the way your baby feeds and, if need be, will refer you to a specialist called a lactation consultant.

    If the frenulum is causing problems, there’s a simple procedure called ankyloglossia release (also known as frenotomy), which your GP or pediatrician can do. It involves cutting the frenulum with scissors or laser treatment under general anesthetic (where they put your child to sleep).

    Other treatments like an acrylic splint can be used until the tongue grows longer for older children and adults who’ve had it from birth.

    Are there any risks linked with the use of a laser to treat a child’s tongue tie, where some ligament under the child’s tongue is snipped with a laser instead of scissors or another method?

    We’re not aware of any research that has shown laser treatment to be better than other methods of treating a tongue tie.

    The cost of using a laser would typically be more expensive than using either scissors or another method for cutting the ligament under your child’s tongue.

    When should a parent seek medical help for their child’s suspected tongue tie?

    If you think your baby has a tongue-tie, the best thing to do is to get it checked out by a medical professional. Some GPs and lactation consultants (if your baby were born in hospital) will be able to tell if your baby has a tongue tie just by looking at their mouth.

    Suppose this isn’t possible and you have any breastfeeding or speech development concerns. In that case, it’s also worth seeing an ENT specialist or pediatrician to examine their upper lip and frenulum (the piece of skin connecting their top lip to the gum). They may refer your child for further tests such as CT scans or MRI scans if they think there is any possibility of underlying problems causing the symptoms.

     

    Your GP or lactation consultant will be able to advise you.

    If you are worried about your baby’s feeding or if you have a history of breastfeeding problems, it is best to speak to an expert. Your GP or lactation consultant will be able to advise you.

    If your baby is experiencing pain while breastfeeding and is not gaining weight well, this may indicate tongue-tie in babies. If this is the case, then your little one will need treatment by a pediatric dentist or speech therapist who specializes in treating tongue ties in babies.

  • Getting Your Baby to Sleep: Parenting Essentials

    Getting Your Baby to Sleep: Parenting Essentials

    Babies and toddlers need a lot of sleep!

    Babies need a lot of sleep. They normally require 12-16 hours per day to grow and develop properly. You must get your baby on a regular schedule as soon as possible so that you can keep track of their sleep schedule without any issues. If you’re having trouble getting your child to sleep at night or during naps, it might be because they are not getting enough rest during the day. Sleep deprivation can lead to many problems for infants and parents alike, such as accidents and injury (from falling off furniture), stress, depression, and anxiety for both parties involved, etc.

     

    Don’t be fooled! Babies are not that great at sleeping.

    Babies are not great at sleeping. If you have a baby and have trouble getting your little one to sleep, you’re definitely not alone. There are many tips and tricks that can help—like swaddling them, putting them on their backs, or rocking them to sleep—but sometimes these things don’t work for everyone.

    If your child is old enough to roll over or sit up by themselves in the crib, it’s time for something more radical: letting them cry it out (also known as controlled crying). This method involves leaving your child to cry for a while every night until they fall asleep on their own without being rocked or fed back to sleep. For some people, this seems cruel; however, there are several benefits associated with controlled crying, including better self-soothing skills in children who do not develop an attachment disorder from being held all the time!

    Important: It’s also been shown that babies who sleep on their backs have fewer problems than those who prefer sleeping on their tummy, which is not recommended as it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. (SIDS)

    Sleep deprivation has been linked with both physical and psychological issues, so we must provide our babies with adequate rest.

    Getting Your Baby to Sleep

    First and foremost, your baby needs you to be a responsible caregiver.

    Some people may say that the number one essential for getting your baby to sleep is having a responsible caregiver. That’s where it all starts. You should pay attention to your baby 24/7 and learn their patterns, their responses, and how they react to different activities. Once you’ve got the basics down, the rest of it comes afterward.

     

    Create a safe sleeping space for your baby 

    When setting up a nursery, new parents often buy a cot and decorate the walls before thinking about their child’s experience in the room. But if you want your baby to sleep well and for long periods, it is essential to consider how they feel in their environment. Research shows that babies exposed to things like bright lights or noise before they go to sleep end up having more trouble falling asleep at night.

    In order to create a safe sleeping space, you will need first need a bassinet or crib that is at least 16 inches off of the ground. Your baby can be put to sleep in a cot or maybe a crib. Either way, it’s important to ensure that your baby has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. You’re probably already aware of the dangers associated with unsafe sleeping environments for babies, but we will go over them again just in case you missed it!

    The safest place for your child is their own bed, so try not to be too worried by this list if they are still napping and sleeping on a mattress next to yours rather than being moved into their own room at night time.

     

    Ensure that the cot is safe.

    • Never use a second-hand cot.
    • Make sure the cot fits the mattress.
    • If you’re buying a new mattress and cot, make sure it’s compatible with each other.
    • Ensure that your baby can stand up in their cot and not touch anything above them (unless it’s a guard rail).

     

    Set up your nursery with your baby’s safety and comfort in mind

    Once you’ve chosen a cot and mattress, it’s vital to set up your nursery with your baby’s safety and comfort in mind.

    • Follow the instructions on the cot and check it regularly. It should be fixed securely to the wall using brackets designed for this purpose. If you’re not sure how to do this or can’t find instructions, contact the manufacturer of your particular model—they may have additional tips for making sure that it’s safe to use.
    • Check that there is no gap between any bars or slats of the cot—this could trap fingers or toes and cause injury if they move in their sleep (or yours). Make sure that there are no sharp edges around any part of the frame (e.g., corners), which could hurt them if they roll over onto them during their night’s rest!
    • Ensure that there is plenty of ventilation around them in their bedroom—this helps keep them cool during hot weather, which will help them sleep better at night because they won’t be too hot to doze off properly! Plus, air movement keeps away insects like mosquitos which might want nothing more than biting into soft fleshy bodies.

    Getting Your Baby to Sleep

    Comfortable Sleepwear

    To help your baby sleep well, you should dress them in soft, breathable, and comfortable sleepwear. Cotton is the best material because it breathes well and doesn’t get too hot for your baby. It’s also worth keeping the room cool since overheating can cause restlessness and make it harder for them to settle down at night. Dress your baby in one layer more than you would wear yourself – so if it’s summertime, make sure they have something lightweight on under their pajamas or sleepwear. If you’re worried about your baby getting cold, use a sleep sack to keep them warm but still allow airflow around their body.

    Swaddling Blankets

    Swaddling blankets are great for baby sleep. They provide reassurance and comfort to your little one, keeping them warm, snug, and calm. Swaddling blankets can also help prevent SIDs (sudden infant death syndrome) and the startle reflex that some babies exhibit. Additionally, swaddled babies tend to sleep longer than unswaddled ones—and there’s nothing more important than getting good sleep when you’re a new parent!

     

    Sleep Sacks

    Sleep sacks are a safer alternative to blankets, which can pose suffocation and strangulation risks. Not only do they help your baby sleep better, but they’re safer than pillows, too! Sleep sacks are made of breathable fabric that allows air to circulate. This means babies can breathe freely throughout the night and stay cool when it’s hot out.

    • Purchase a size that fits your baby well. Infants should wear sleep sacks until they reach 4-5 months old; toddlers typically wear them up until age 2-3 years old (or longer if you keep them in their crib). It’s essential to get a size that fits snugly without being too tight, so your child doesn’t kick off the blanket during the night—and make sure it’s long enough, so it doesn’t ride up over their face!

     

    Blackout Curtains

    Blackout curtains are the best way to darken the room, which means better sleep for your baby. Parents will also benefit from them because it’ll help them get a good night’s sleep too. Not only does this block out light and sound, but it helps create an environment where you can relax and unwind before bedtime, making it easier to fall asleep faster.

     

    White Noise Machine and/or Music Player

    White noise machines, also known as sound conditioners, can help drown out distracting noises and create a soothing environment for your baby. This can include noises like rain or waves crashing on the beach. A music player could be something like an iPod or an Echo Dot that you leave in your child’s room. If you choose this option for white noise, make sure you don’t play too much music because it may keep them awake!

    Some parents use both at once: they play classical music through speakers while simultaneously using a white-noise machine to create an even more calming environment for their little ones.

    If none of these options works well enough, try simply leaving on the television or radio until your baby falls asleep—that way, they’ll hear familiar sounds while being lulled into dreamland by some soothing tunes!

    Getting Your Baby to Sleep

    Lavender Bath Products & Essential Oils

    Lavender is a calming scent that can help your baby sleep. It’s also an essential oil that you can use in bath products, diffusers, or humidifiers. If your baby has sensitive skin, look for a lavender-based lotion or body wash instead of using lavender essential oil directly on their skin.

    Rocking Chair or Glider

    A rocking chair or glider is a gentle way to soothe your baby. The motion of rocking or gliding helps settle your baby and can also be used for feeding, cuddling, and later on for reading books.

    Many parents continue to use the same rocking chair or glider they started with during the early days of their baby’s life because it’s still the best way to unwind after a long day at work.

    A Comfy and Cozy Lovey

    A lovey is a comfort object. It’s a small, soft item that children use to help them feel safe and secure when they’re away from their parents or other loved ones. It can be an object like a blanket or stuffed bear, but it doesn’t have to be—it can also be something inanimate like a teddy bear lamp shade or flat blankie.

    Most experts recommend getting your child one as soon as possible to have something to hold onto while they sleep at night and during the day when they’re feeling lonely (or just bored!). If you don’t already have one on hand, try looking for these items at your local thrift store:

    • A favourite stuffed animal
    • A doll
    • A photo of you holding your child up high in the air (so long as it’s not digitally altered!)
  • Sick or Serious? Decoding Your Baby’s Coughs

    Sick or Serious? Decoding Your Baby’s Coughs

    Coughing is a normal reflex that clears the throat and airway of mucus, saliva, and other irritants. In children, it’s usually a sign of a viral upper respiratory infection. “Coughing is the body’s way of ridding itself of foreign irritants,” says David L. Hill, M.D., a pediatrician in Boone, North Carolina, and author of Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro.

     In simplest terms, a cough is the body’s way of protecting itself by clearing out the airways. It’s a normal response to things like postnasal drip, phlegm, and food stuck in the throat.

     There are two kinds of coughs:

    1. Dry Coughs
    2. Wet Coughs

    Dry coughs occur when your baby has a cold or allergies. The dry cough helps clear out postnasal drip or irritation from a sore throat.

    Wet coughs occur when a respiratory illness accompanies a bacterial infection. A wet cough causes mucus to form in your baby’s airways. Mucus contains white blood cells to help fight germs.

    Baby's Coughs

    Keep Track of Your Baby’s Coughs:

    One of the best memories when being a parent is playing I Spy with your kid. Instead of finding a spotted something-or-other, you’re trying to figure out what’s causing the baby’s cough.

    Coughing is a protective reflex we have that helps clear the throat and lungs of irritants like dust, smoke, or germs. But it could be an early sign of illness. If your baby is coughing, don’t panic—just listen closely and act accordingly.

    Children younger than 4 months don’t cough a lot, so it can be severe if they do. Suppose a newborn is coughing terribly in the winter, for example. In that case, it could be a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a dangerous viral infection for infants.

    However, if your baby is older than 1 year old, a cough is much more likely to just be a cold. So how can you tell? To help you differentiate between a wait-and-see cough and one that demands immediate medical attention, all you have to do is stay calm, listen carefully to the baby’s cough, and follow the directions below.

     

    1. Common Cold or Viral Flu 

     

    Nature of Cough: Dry Cough

    Symptoms:

    Runny nose

    Sore throat

    Dry cough

    However, based on how severe the cold is, there is a possibility that your baby could have rattling mucus and a slight fever, especially during the night.

    Remedies:

    The best thing as a parent you can do for your little one is probably something you’re already doing: Helping them get lots of fluids, plenty of rest, and as much comfort as possible when he’s feeling miserable.

     

    The AAP recommends that babies with colds suck on a pacifier dipped in honey (just be sure your child is at least 1 year old before you give them honey). If you prefer, prop the baby up on pillows and let them have some breast milk or formula.

    You can also help clear mucus from your baby’s nose with saline nose drops. A cool-mist humidifier will keep the baby’s airways nice and moist.

    1. COVID-19 

    Compared to adults, babies are not severely affected by the COVID-19 virus. However, there may be asymptomatic cases and instances where babies develop a wide range of symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, upon direct exposure to the virus. These usually occur during 2-14 days of exposure.

    Nature of Cough: Dry and continuous. Some babies may also have a wet cough.

    Symptoms: 

    Runny nose

    Mild to moderate fever

    Shortness of breath

    Decreased feeding

    Behavioral changes

    Diarrhea

    Vomiting

     

    It is extremely rare, but there can be instances where babies experience severe symptoms of COVID-19. 

     

    Remedies:

    If you think your little one may possibly be having COVID-19, don’t panic! Call your health care provider, and they will arrange the testing. If they do test positive, isolate them along with their primary caregiver from the rest of the family. Seek immediate medical help for alarming symptoms, such as:

     

    -breathing or feeding difficulties

    -blue-ish lips

    -dehydration

    -an inability to wake

     

    1. Baby Croup

    Baby Croup is a condition that is caused by a viral infection that irritates your baby’s upper airways (commonly the trachea) and causes them to swell. This can cause difficulties in breathing.

    Nature of Cough: Similar to a bark. Babies will also gasp for air.

    Symptoms: 

    The most common symptom of a croup-induced cough is hearing your baby coughing continuously at night with a noise similar to a barking wheeze accompanied by difficulty in breathing, hence the name ‘croup.’ The barking noise, which resembles a seal, appears at the point of inhalation and not during exhalation. A slight fever can also occur.

    It is more common among children under the age of 5 and begins as a normal cold before developing into croup. This is not a severe condition. It usually clears up after 3-4 days from the first time you notice your baby coughing during sleep. If it doesn’t subside after four nights, contact your doctor.

    Remedies:

    First, try to get your baby to calm down—the more they panic, the more they’ll struggle to breathe. Hold your child and talk to them in a soothing voice.

    Once they’ve calmed down, consider one of the following techniques:

     

    • Run your shower and close the bathroom door. Then let your child breathe in the steamy air. If you don’t have a shower, try boiling some water and pouring it into a bowl for your child to breathe in.
    • If it’s a mild evening, then take them outside; the damp air will be effective in making it easier for them to breathe.
    • Have your baby breathe the air from a cool-mist humidifier.

    1. Bronchiolitis

    Bronchiolitis is a respiratory infection affecting children under the age of 3, especially those younger than 6 months. The vast majority of these cases result from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is generally one of the most frequent reasons kids visit the emergency room. For children above the age of 3, the condition usually occurs as a common cold. But for toddlers and infants younger than that, bronchiolitis can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated.

     Nature of Cough: Wheezing cough

    Symptoms:

    Common symptoms include a cold, running nose, and wheezing. However, this can be easily confused with asthma. However, bronchiolitis can be distinguished from asthma because it occurs mainly during autumn and winter and would also induce a slight fever and loss of appetite.

     Remedies:

    If your baby has bronchiolitis, you can treat it at home once her breathing is under control. Babies need plenty of fluids, rest, and a cool-mist humidifier to help them breathe easier. You should be monitoring your baby’s respiratory rate. If it gets higher than 50 breaths per minute, then your child is in respiratory distress. In this case, call 000 immediately.

    1. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

    This is a life-threatening bacterial infection that affects unvaccinated babies. (DTaP Vaccine)

    Nature of Cough: A loud and consistent ‘whoop’ sound

    Symptoms:

    Discolored Face

    Bulging Eyes

    Coughing Spasms

    Tongue Sticking Out

     

    Remedies:

    Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, make sure that your baby is immunized via three doses of the DTaP vaccination.

     

    If you believe that your baby is suffering from whooping cough, call 000 immediately. By the time coughing fits develop, then the child must be hospitalized immediately so they can receive oxygen during the coughing spells. Your baby and every member of your household will be prescribed the antibiotic erythromycin to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. When your child comes through the initial attack, pertussis should run its course. This can take many months of isolation.

     

    1. Asthma 

     

    Nature of Cough: Wheezing cough

    Symptoms:

    Retractions due to respiratory distress

    Cold symptoms

    Runny eyes

    Itching (especially the eyes)

    Remedies:

    Whatever your baby’s case, it’s always best to call your doctor when you hear your infant wheezing. Commonly, despite arriving at a definite diagnosis of asthma, doctors often use asthma medication to treat most bouts of wheezing.

    Your doctor might prescribe a liquid form of albuterol to open the airways, or a nebulizer may be used if the attacks are very severe. If your child has an itchy, runny nose and has difficulty breathing, call your pediatrician immediately. As it is with bronchiolitis, you should observe your child’s respiratory rate. If it gets too high, which is 50 breaths per minute or more—your child is definitely in respiratory distress. Call 000!

    1. Pneumonia

     

    Nature of Cough: Wet and phlegmy cough

     

    Symptoms:

    Extreme fatigue

    Breathing difficulties

    Phlegm expelled in shades of green and yellow

     

    Remedies:

    The first step is to call your doctor, especially if your baby has a fever.

    Once your doctor identifies whether the pneumonia is bacterial or viral, they can make a diagnosis and treatment plan.

    Bacteria cause most cases of pneumonia, and bacterial pneumonia is usually more dangerous than viral pneumonia. Viral pneumonia can cause serious complications in some babies. Still, it is less of a concern in a healthy baby than bacterial pneumonia would be.

    The most common source of bacterial pneumonia is what is called Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as “strep”). The pneumococcal vaccine can help prevent this kind of bacterial pneumonia.

     

     

    1. Expelling Foreign Objects

     

    Since babies always stick things in their mouths, persistent cough is a common culprit.

    Nature of Cough: Small, persistent cough, gasping for air.

    Symptoms:

    Persistent cough and sometimes wheezing

    Pneumonia due to swallowing food the wrong way (peanuts most commonly)

     

    If the baby’s airway is blocked completely, they will:

    Turn pale or blue

    Make no sound at all

    Appear very distressed

     

    Remedies:

    First thing’s first: If you see that your baby’s airway is totally blocked, turn them over immediately and deliver five back blows between the shoulder blades. If you’re unable to remove the foreign object, call 000.

     

    If the object is only partially lodged, tilt Baby’s head down and give them a few gentle pats on the back, so they’ll try to cough it up. If you think your baby is suffering from a partially lodged object, and they don’t appear able to cough it up, get them a chest x-ray. If a bit of food is found stuck, the doctor will refer you to a specialist who can perform a bronchoscopy. During the procedure, the child will be put under general anesthesia, and a tiny fiber-optic tube with tweezers at the end will go down the airway to pick out the foreign body.

     

  • Life Within: Understanding Your Baby’s Movements

    Life Within: Understanding Your Baby’s Movements

    Fetal movement during pregnancy can be one of the most thrilling (and nerve-wracking) aspects of carrying a child. Most pregnant women will experience a fetal movement of some kind, whether it’s a light flutter or a strong kick. Before we move on to our article, let us tell you this. While the fetal movement is generally normal, it can sometimes be a sign of a problem. Talk to your doctor when you’re worried about your baby’s movements. They will be able to listen to your baby’s heart and assess how they are moving. If there is cause for concern, your doctor will likely order additional tests.

    Every pregnant woman experiences fetal movement differently, and there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. Movement is simply one way your baby communicates with you. So how do you interpret the kicks, punches, and hiccups? When is the fetal movement most likely to occur?

    Fetal movement is most frequent during the third trimester. At this time, you will probably feel your baby moving between 10 and 20 times per day. Fetal movement typically increases as you near your due date.

    Understanding Your Baby's Movements

    How often should you feel your baby move?

    The average woman will feel her baby move about 8-10 times a day in the second trimester and about 15-20 times a day in the third trimester. Each time your baby moves, you will probably feel a little flutter in your stomach or side. You may also get the sensation of your baby kicking.

    In addition to feeling the baby move, there are some other signs that your baby is healthy and growing:

    Baby Alert: A Mom’s Perspective 

    Your abdomen will start getting bigger as the uterus expands to make room for the growing fetus. The uterus grows from the small size of a pear to the size of a grapefruit by the end of the first month.

    Internal Sensations:

    When the baby is around 5½ inches long and weighs about 6.5 ounces, they are getting ready to make their first movements, which may feel like flutters. Your uterus will have now grown big enough that you can feel the baby’s kicks—but they won’t be strong enough for you to notice them yet. You might have felt a little “flutter” when you were carrying the egg, but now the movements and kicks will start feeling more pronounced. The baby is, after all, continuing to grow at a rapid rate, doubling in size every week. Your uterus would have grown so large that it’s pressing against your diaphragm and restricting your breathing.

    What You Look Like: You might have started showing already—you’ll know for sure when someone comments on it! If not, don’t worry—it will happen soon enough.

    What You’re Feeling: Excited! Scared! Thrilled! Nauseous! Heartburn! Sleepy!

    What You Look Like: Pregnant. That’s right; you look pregnant. Many people will comment on your “baby bump,” and some might even ask if you are expecting.

    When can you feel your baby move?

    You will notice find that your baby is more active under the following circumstances:

     

    • Bed Time: When you’ve wrapped up your day and settled down for the night, you’ll likely notice that baby is more active. The movement of your own body can put her to sleep during the day, and you’re typically preoccupied with other things. You’ll be more likely to notice what the baby is up to if you’re relaxed and tuned in to your body.
    • Post Munch: After you’ve had a bite to eat. Your baby may experience a burst of energy due to the spike in your blood sugar.
    • Jitters and Shivers: When you’re feeling nervous and jittery. The production of adrenaline will have the same effect and provide a surge of energy for your child.
    • Hiccupotamus: When your child develops a case of the hiccups. Have you ever noticed small flutters of subtle but rhythmic tics that linger anywhere from a minute to an hour? Your baby is most likely experiencing a harmless and very common episode of the hiccups. It’s very natural not to have them as well.

    Kicks-Galore! What does it mean to carry around a super-active baby?

    Your baby may be active and sharpening its tiny muscles before birth. If you are pregnant, try to take a deep breath and relax. It doesn’t mean that your child will grow up to be uncontrollably hyperactive or that their life is predetermined to be an Olympic level runner nor the next great wing three-quarter for the Wallabies. I mean, they could be, but that’s not the key takeaway.

    Kicks should simply be seen as a healthy part of fetal development. They’re like an “exercise routine” and help strengthen all of those growing muscles and bones before the baby is born.

    As your baby grows, their living area will become considerably smaller. That poor unborn baby, you might think, but hold on! You might not realize how strong babies are! They might be cramped and uncomfortable, but by the third trimester, they would still manage to kick up a storm! The average baby can kick with a generated force of around 11 pounds (around 49 Newtons) by the end of their 6th month. Kicks are an important part of fetal development, so be sure to share your kick counts with your doctor.

    Understanding Your Baby's Movements

    No matter what you’re experiencing, remember, this is just the third trimester. You’ve got it made! Just a few more weeks, and you’ll be holding your little one in your arms.

    If your little one’s favourite pastime of going full Virgil Donati in your belly becomes too much for you to bear, try a different position. Sit or lie down on your side. Your baby will likely find this new position and continue with their playing. If a foot (or feet) starts to pester your ribs, take it as your cue to change positions and since you would most likely be suffering from uncomfortable feet in the last few weeks of pregnancy, try some pelvic tilts. A gentle nudge is sometimes all that’s needed to change positions.

    Tracking Your Baby’s Kicks:

    As a parent, it’s your duty to keep track of your baby’s movement. A baby will kick and punch less frequently in the morning and more often in the evening. So, set aside sometime twice a day to do kick counts. In the morning, count movements like kicks and punches. In the evening, count movements like kicks, flutters, or rolls. Keep an eye out for 10 movements of any kind within an hour. When you reach 10, stop counting and note the time. If it takes more than two hours to count to 10, that is a typical red flag for you to contact your doctor or midwife for evaluation.

    Incoming! Going into Labour

    Do you know those movements felt in your baby’s first 30 weeks? They’re about to change when you are about to go into labour. Typically, around two to three weeks before labour, your baby’s head drops down into the pelvis as they start to prepare themselves for their grand entrance. This preparation period will result in a change in their internal activity patterns.

    When you’re about 32 weeks pregnant, your baby may start to move less. Don’t worry—this is normal for the last few weeks before delivery! Some activity patterns vary widely and can change from week to week. Some babies become less active in the last few weeks, but others manage to keep up an energetic pace until the big day.

    Regardless of the position your baby takes in your womb; you should still feel your baby move every day. You will feel more movement before labour than you will right after birth, but even then, you should still feel a slight movement. If all movement ceases or there is a significant decrease of movement when you are close to delivery, consult your doctor immediately!

    When can you expect decreased movement?

    Sex: At the end of a long day, many pregnant women find themselves sleeping after sex. The rocking movements and uterine contractions that happen post-orgasm and the release of oxytocin and vasopressin often lead to a quick snooze for both mom and baby. However, some babies become more active after sex. Either way, these changes are expected – and should never be a sign that sex during pregnancy is unsafe unless explicitly advised!

    Second Trimester: If you don’t feel movement during the second trimester, don’t panic. This is normal. It is common not to feel regular movement at this stage and with your baby still relatively tiny. It might be because they are in the fetal position or because you sleep right through the most active periods of the night.

    Third Trimester: The third trimester is one of the most crucial stages for moms-to-be. Your baby has now established a fairly regular sleep and wake cycle. Count the number of fetal movements a few times a day and be sure to report any sudden decreases to your doctor. Any sudden decreases during this period should not be taken lightly.

    If your baby is moving less than usual, you might feel worried. Don’t hesitate to give yourself a little reassurance: Have a quick snack and sit or lie down for about half an hour. If your baby responds to the food by moving 10 times or more, then it’s safe to assume that everything is fine. And if you don’t feel 10 movements, call your practitioner to make sure – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

    Feeling your baby move is one of the most exciting milestones of pregnancy.

    And while lightening or Braxton-Hick’s contractions can be a little alarming at first, fetal movements are very real and a sign of the life growing inside of you. So, sit back, relax and enjoy! Just don’t forget to do those kick counts during the third trimester!

  • Strap’ Em In: Car Rides with Your Baby, Done the Right Way

    Strap’ Em In: Car Rides with Your Baby, Done the Right Way

    Ah, the intricate process of fixing up a car seat! This daunting task would usually leave you questioning your confidence as an adult.
    Haha! Despite the apparent exaggeration, fixing up a car seat for your child is an important skill to learn as a parent. It may seem quite complicated at first. However, you can be happy to know that we have cracked the code to easily install and reinstall your child’s seat with minimum hassle and a boatload of confidence.

    How important is it to learn the proper process?

    Very.
    Installing your kid’s car seat should be done with great care and attention. Learning how to fit and secure the seat correctly is essential for ensuring your child’s safety.

    Let us tell you why: Studies show that 7 out of 10 child restraints aren’t fitted correctly according to the required standards. A baby or toddler who is not restrained correctly could easily be killed in case of an accident, at a speed as low as 8 kilometers per hour. To put it into perspective, that is just above the average pace of an adult walking with no hurry. Your child is precious, and they are incredibly fragile for the first few years. If they are thrown forward during an accident due to the lack of proper restraint, they could die, injure themselves and could also injure or even kill other people sitting in the car.

    How do we start?

    Firstly, read the instruction manual that comes with the seat. Be careful when you make your purchase, and always buy from a reputed dealer. The instructions manual will vary from brand to brand, so do not attempt to wing it if you have had prior experience.
    We know that reading the instruction manual is no thrilling task. Yet, it’s a non-negotiable deal that comes along in the universal code of baby care. Follow the instructions given to a dot and do not gamble with any provided step.
    Trust us; it does pay, albeit non-financially, to take extra time and care to fit your seat correctly and securely.

    Could you do it by yourself?

    You absolutely could. However, it is recommended by safety experts that you get your child’s car seat fitted professionally, especially when you are doing it for the first time. This is due to certain products such as capsules and rear-facing or convertible seats, which would guarantee the best safety for your child could often be tough to fit. It would provide a challenge to an inexperienced parent.

    As an added precaution, and to make your life easier, you can observe the car seat fitting expert when they go about their business; you can record them with consent and ask many questions about the procedure. This will help if you are at the helm of fixing the car seat. We would also recommend that you store away the seat’s instructional manual in a safe place for future usage. If neither of these is possible, you can refer to instructional videos online.

    How to Choose a Proper Car Seat

    All child car seats sold within New Zealand must adhere to the Australian and New Zealand Standard 1754. It is one of the most rigid child restraint standards globally, which ensures that your child’s safety is given utmost priority if this standard is met. Child car seats marked with this standard offer better protection for your child in a crash. It should be noted that since 1995, all new passenger cars in New Zealand have been required to install anchor points to support child restraints.

    Legal Note: It is illegal to transport a child under the age of seven years old without using a child
    restraint or booster for seating them when traveling in a car.

    1. The following are the laws in New Zealand that regulate which car seat you need for your child from birth to 16 years:
    2. Up to six months: Your baby should be restrained in an approved rearward-facing car seat specific to a child. Such as an infant capsule or even a convertible car seat that is designed for babies.
    3. From six months to four years of age:  Your child should be secured in either an approved rearward-facing or forward-facing car seat for children.
    4. From four to seven years of age or older: Your child must be secured in either an approved forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness or a booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened adult lap-sash seatbelt or an approved safety harness.
    5. Once your child is 145cm or taller: Your child may use an adult lap-sash seatbelt, properly adjusted and fastened. Although it is legal for children to stop using a booster seat once they are seven years old, safety experts strongly recommend that children between seven and 16 years old who are less than 145cm tall continue to use an approved booster seat.

    Points to Consider: There are two critical factors that you should consider when choosing a car seat for your baby:

    1.  The age and size of your child
    2. The size of the car seat (Whether it will fit in your car)

    When it comes to fitting capsules, rearward-facing, or convertible seats, the expert advice on the subject follows a similar premise. Usually, it is safe to transport children under six months old in an infant capsule. However, there is a possibility that your baby may grow too fast and would not fit in an infant capsule before the age that they require to be shifted into a forward-facing seat. Then you would then need to install a larger rearward-facing seat until they are big enough to be safely moved into a forward-facing seat.

    Let us now walk you through the process of installing the different types of seats that your baby requires for safe transportation.

    1.Fitting a Baby Capsule

    • Capsules bases are a little complicated to fit. Check for the right anchor points and thread the harness, seatbelt, and tether strap as directed.
    • Pull the tether strap taut and firm after attaching it.
    • As your child develops, adjust the capsule harness straps. This includes adjusting the shoulder straps to be just above or at the same level as his shoulders.

    2. Fitting Rearward-Facing or Convertible Seats

    • Fully extend the bottom stabilizing bar and tilt the seat back as far as it will go so that your infant is resting backward at a 45-degree angle.
    • Attach the tether strap firmly to the anchor point and pull it tight
    • If you’re using a standard car seat, thread the seatbelt through the base according to the manufacturer's directions, ensuring it’s secure and free of tangles.
    • Alternatively, ensure the connections are securely attached to the anchorage points if you’re using an ISOFIX-compatible car seat.
    • Rock the seat from side to side and backward and forward to ensure nothing is loose or poorly fastened.
    • Check that your child’s shoulders are inside the markers, that the straps are untangled and firm against his body, and that the buckle snaps into place properly.
    • Adjust the harness straps as your child develops.

    3. Fitting a Forward-Facing Seat

    • Check that your forward-facing seat has the appropriate anchor points and that the harness is threaded through the correct slots.
    • Always attach the tether strap to the anchor point firmly and make sure to pull it tight.
    • If you’re using a standard car seat, follow the directions for threading the seatbelt through the base. Make sure that the seatbelt is securely fastened and that there are no tangles.
    • Alternatively, if you’re using an ISOFIX-compatible car seat, confirm the connections are securely attached to the anchorage points.
    • Rock the seat from side to side and backward and forward to double-check that nothing is loose or poorly fastened.
    • As your child grows, adjust the car seat harness straps. This entails repositioning the shoulder straps to the one closest to his shoulders but not more than 2.5cm below them.

     

    General Tips to Ensure 100% Safety

    • Before each trip, make sure the harness is adjusted correctly. It won’t entirely protect your youngster in an accident if it’s too loose. Between the strap and your child’s chest, you should only be able to fit two fingers.
    • To keep the lap area of the harness across your child’s pelvis and not resting on his stomach, the harness buckle should be as low as feasible.
    • Make sure your child is properly strapped in, untangle the harness, and adjust it correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
    • When the restraint is used, make sure the tether strap is tight and strong. Check sure the seatbelt is tight and firm and is still fastened if you’re using a standard car seat. Check the connections are firmly secured to the anchorage points if you’re using an ISOFIX-compatible car seat.
  • Mischief Managed: Tips on Selecting & Installing a Baby Gate

    Mischief Managed: Tips on Selecting & Installing a Baby Gate

    Your little infant is cute, precious, and apart from the usual tear fest, not a problematic creature to manage. However, your infant is not going to remain an infant forever. As soon as your baby makes the transition to a certified toddler, that’s where things start to get a tad bit harder. Toddlers simply love to roam around, explore, and stick their fingers into virtually everything that is accessible to them. A toddler’s curiosity is one of the most precious things about humanity. However, the fun would come to a screeching halt as soon as they start discovering hot ovens, stairways, cupboards, cabinets, and other potentially hazardous household items that could reward their curiosity with pain, injury, or worse. Be it your toolshed, your cleaning products, or something as harmless as an indoor pond. Your baby has a natural tendency to feel, smell, touch, and observe each and everything in their path.

    As a responsible parent, the important thing is not to let your baby’s curiosity cause them any harm. This is the point at which a baby safety gate becomes a necessity in your home.

    What is a Baby Gate?

    A baby gate is a small gate that is specifically designed to block off potentially hazardous areas to keep your baby confined within a safe and secure place that has no potential to cause them any physical harm. Baby gates are typically constructed of metal, plastic, and/or wood and can be expanded to fit in a range of doorway widths. They are designed to fit your doorways, hallways, and extra-wide spaces and are equipped with a child-proof latch.

    Well then, buckle up because we are about to lay down a list of things that you should consider when you are out scouting for the perfect baby gate for you as well as a helpful list of top baby gate brands available in New Zealand.

     

    Baby Gate Fundamentals

    • Type of Gate: 

    Barrier gates for babies are divided into two types:

     

    1. Hardware, wall-mounted safety gatesare used to seal off high-risk areas such as stairs, fireplaces, and kitchens by screwing directly into a solid wall or wood post. These gates are the safest to use since they are more secure and do not have a crossbar at the floor level (a nasty trip hazard). These gates allow you to quickly release or remove the gate for events or between babies, and they’re also ideal for grandparents.

     

    1. Pressure-mounted safety gatesare simple to install and dismantle. Between two solid wall surfaces, the gate is tightened. These operate well in solid wood doorways, but they cannot endure the same amount of pressure as metal, wall-mounted gates. If you are a renter who cannot draw marks on the walls, you may benefit from pressure-mounted gates. Just keep in mind that they feature a crossbar running down the floor that is a potential trip hazard and must be put at least 1 meter away from the very first step of the stairway.

    Baby Gates

    •  Height of the Gate

    To prevent any accident that may occur, your baby safety gates should be a minimum of 60cm tall and at least three-quarters the height of your toddler.

    • Size of the Gate

    Gates come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you may need to purchase extensions to make your gate fit according to your specifications and requirements. Make sure you have precise measurements and that you understand what extensions are available and how far they extend.

    • Slat Space

    Gate slat openings must be between 50 and 95 mm to prevent babies from forcing their heads through. (Yes, this is a common occurrence) There should be no places where a child’s head or torso can become entrapped. As time passes by, you would notice that toddlers carry within themselves a surprisingly decent knack for amateur mountaineering. They enjoy climbing over anything that is accessible for them, so gate slats must always be vertical to prevent them from sustaining a nasty bump.

    baby gates

    • Latch Mechanism 

    The perfect latch for you to purchase is one that you can operate correctly and efficiently and one that is simultaneously impossible for your toddler to operate. Consider the different scenarios within the day that might cause difficulties for you. For example, is it possible to open it with one hand while holding a baby or a laundry basket?

    We recommend that you consider dual-action latches, which require a downward push before swinging the door open, or locks that require a squeeze or pull. Climbing over a safety barrier is never a clever idea, especially if you’re holding your baby.

    • Suitability for Stairs

    Some gates are equipped with a horizontal bar that crosses the floor under the gate, causing tripping hazards while the gate is open. When you are installing a baby gate at the top of the steps, never employ a safety gate with a horizontal bar across the floor. (Ensure that it is at least 1m away from the first step).

    We have prepared a comprehensive list of the best baby safety gates available in New Zealand. Simply scroll down and pick what best suits you!

     

    Disclaimer: We did our best to investigate the most popular safety gates on the market, but we have not individually tested each gate and thus cannot make any guaranteed safety claims. Ensure that the gate you select complies with current New Zealand Standards before purchasing. We recommend that you refer to independent reviewers such as CHOICE, which follows a system basing their test procedures on various existing Australian standards for similar children’s products such as cots, folding cots, and toys. They also draw upon elements of overseas standards, including the European standard EN 1930:2011. You may refer to their reviews on various brands available in Australia and New Zealand via https://www.choice.com.au/babies-and-kids/children-and-safety/child-safety-devices/articles/how-we-test-safety-gates.

  • Handle With Care: Safety Tips To Handle Your Stroller

    Handle With Care: Safety Tips To Handle Your Stroller

    Imagine this; you are in the prime of your life; you are, as the saying goes, “young, wild and free.” You cruise through life without an ounce of care in the world, and bam! You have a baby on the way.

    DEFCON-1!

    Once your baby comes along for the ride, all notions of risk and tomfoolery get thrown out of the window. It’s time to get rid of your ‘no time for caution’ mentality and buckle up for a long ride of safety, caution, patience, and responsibility. Do not get anxious, though; it is not something you cannot handle with a little bit of information and a possible prep level.

    Your little one will soon become ready to step into the outside world and take a stroll along with their mommy or daddy. Ideally, you should have a completely functional and fully equipped stroller prepared to go when it comes to that point.

    (For the best prams and strollers in New Zealand, visit: https://www.baccaniprams.co.nz/)

    Modern strollers often come equipped with the best safety features. They are manufactured according to international safety standards and are compelled to follow many guidelines before being made available for purchase. It’s all good, yes. But regardless of the guarantees provided by the manufacturer, you, as a parent, have a part to play in this ordeal as well.

    Let’s look at a few tips on how you can handle your stroller in the safest way possible:

    1. Check for Standard Requirements by the Manufacturer 

    When you purchase your stroller, you are given assurance of the standard safety requirements from the manufacturer. These standard requirements include the locking mechanism in the wheels and the seats, a proper harness, belt and safety mechanism, and the required warning labels.

     

    Read our locked-and-loaded-the-ultimate-pram-stroller-safety-guide to learn more about standard stroller safety requirements.

    With that out of the way, here are some tips on what you can do from your end to ensure your baby’s safety:

    1. Keep Your Baby Close 

    It has been scientifically proven that your baby is more comfortable when you are within their range of vision. It provides them with a psychological boost and has a calming effect. This goes both ways as well. For you as a parent, it is always better to have your baby within your sight to remain as calm and as comfortable as possible. It reduces the level of anxiety on your part, and you can obviously concentrate better with the rest of your work, knowing that your baby is safe and sound.

    When handling your stroller, you must place one hand on it at all times. However, it is understandable that this is not always possible. But, whenever it becomes difficult, we recommend that you exercise enough caution to place yourself at a range where you can grab the stroller or your baby in case the need arises. It can be an emergency or just the simple act of consoling your baby when they burst out in tears. Regardless of the situation, however, keep your baby close.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    1. Exercise Caution With Toys 

    Giving your baby a small toy to keep them entertained is a great way to stimulate them and minimize the fuss. You may either use a small, vibrant toy or a noise-making toy to achieve this purpose.

    However, you should exercise caution when handling toys because certain toys can cause a choking hazard depending on the baby’s age. Just keep on the safe side; avoid giving them any toys with removable parts or small enough to swallow.

     

    1. Double Check the Harness 

    To ensure that your baby is safely tucked into the stroller, you should double-check that your baby’s safety harness is firmly fastened. Howsoever, if you are busy and are in a hurry, a pro tip we can give you is to listen to the click of the harness. If it clicks without an issue, you can rest assured that your baby is safely strapped in.

     

    1. Park Your Stroller Safely

    Be cautious where you park and leave your stroller. Do not park it in any place that may cause potential harm to your baby.

    Always ensure that it is parked on a flat surface and that the stroller wheels are correctly locked. However, even though the stroller wheels might be locked, we cannot rule out the chances of the stroller tipping over or sliding if it is left on sloped terrain. Avoid leaving your stroller on such a landscape at all costs!

    Apart from this, always keep your baby attended when you are not on the move.

     

    1. Do Not Leave the Stroller Under the Sun 

    Don’t do it. Just don’t do it. As it is with rainy and windy conditions, prolonged periods under the sun can cause harm to your baby. We understand that you can’t keep moving all the time and that you need to catch a breather. However, find some shade to place your baby, even if the canopy is pulled out.

    Especially during the warmer months, it is quite natural for you to head towards a park or a pool. When doing so, always use the canopy and keep your baby covered from the sun’s rays. And as we said earlier, avoid prolonged periods under the sun as it can heat the metal components of your stroller very quickly and hurt your baby’s sensitive skin.

    1. Do Not Leave Your Baby Overnight 

    Do not let your little baby sleep in the stroller overnight. They might be comfortable in it, but it is unpredictable, and the chances of your baby suffocating in the stroller would increase if left unattended.

    While strollers can be extremely comfortable for babies and can make for an excellent short-term bed for supervised naps, they are absolutely not meant for a whole night’s sleep. They are probably not as comfortable as an actual crib/cot or toddler bed, and there is also the risk of your baby falling out or the stroller tipping over from the baby shifting too much.

    Always put the baby in a proper bed for a full night’s sleep.

    There should be a warning sign on this fact on the label of your stroller.

     

    1. Do Not Fold Your Stroller Near Your Baby

    Your baby is curious, and it’s beautiful. However, their curiosity does come with some cons if left unattended. When your little one becomes curious and fiddle around the stroller, it may damage their fingers. Make sure that the stroller is folded securely and is kept far away from your baby. The more unreachable it is, the better.

    1. Place Your Bags Accordingly 

    You have to make sure that you keep all the bags in the compartment designed explicitly for that purpose below the seat bottom. It is convenient to hang your purse or small bag around the handles of your stroller. However, do not do this as it increases tipping risk and creates an inconvenience in maneuverability. Keep them in the storage space provided below the stroller, and you can mitigate any risk associated with it.

    1. Maintain Your Stroller Regularly 

    Wear and tear are as dangerous as they come. You always have to ensure that your stroller is in tip-top condition to guarantee your baby’s safety. Read our article on pram and stroller maintenance here.

    Pro Tip: When the grip of your handle starts to wear off, the best thing that you can do at home is to use tennis racket grip tape to wrap around your handles when the material begins wearing off. The tape is made for people to have a good, comfortable grip, and it comes in a variety of colours.

    1. Pay Attention To Recalls

    Return the stroller warranty card so that you will be duly notified in case of a recall. If you’re considering buying a used stroller, check that the stroller hasn’t been recalled.

    In conclusion, the safety of your baby lies in the hand of two parties: yourself and the manufacturer. Purchasing the best stroller possible is vital and playing your part in ensuring your baby’s safety follows in a parallel motion right next to it.

     

    You can visit our website to purchase the highest quality strollers and prams in New Zealand. If you’re a reader from overseas, follow our blog and immerse yourself in previous articles we have published to learn all about making the proper purchase for your growing family.

    With that note, let us bid your adieu. Do go through these instructions again, and do not shy away from doing a bit of additional research on your own. It’s the 21st century, and Google is your friend. To you and your bub, hope you are well. Good luck and stay safe!

     

  • From ‘Coos’ to ‘Mommy I’m Cold’: Tips to Improve Your Baby’s Speech

    From ‘Coos’ to ‘Mommy I’m Cold’: Tips to Improve Your Baby’s Speech

    Ahhh, the magical period where your baby’s ‘coos’ and ‘goo-gahs’ turn into words that make sense. As your baby’s vocabulary takes form, you may have spent many a sleepless night trying to be the first person to hear their precious first words. Is it ‘mama’? or is it ‘dada’? Parenting is not a competition, but hey! What’s life without a few bragging rights?

    Before your baby begins to talk, they start absorbing vocabulary words and conversation skills. This happens way before they start uttering their first words. They are highly observant, mind you. So it is pretty important to create a conducive environment for your toddler to grasp things fast and to equip them with the verbal skills they require in conversation as early as possible.

    But how can we do that, you ask?

    Well, first, let us give you some expert tips on the matter. Afterward, the ball will be in your ballpark, do with it as you will.

    Step 1: Understanding Child Language Acquisition

    Being a widely accepted theory in the field of linguistics, Child Language Acquisition examines the inherent ability that a child possesses in acquiring a specific language.

    The theory has proven that all healthy children acquire language quickly and easily without a load of effort or the use of formal teaching methods. It happens automatically and does not depend on whether their parents make an active effort to teach them the language or not. They are born equipped with this evolutionary ability to acquire language.

    The first 36 months of your child’s life is generally considered to be the crucial period of language acquisition. You may wonder how these 36 months could be broken down. Simple, a list! We love lists here at Baccani.

    So here are the six stages into which your baby’s language learning adventures could be broken down:

    • Pre-talking stage / Cooing (0-6 months)
    • Babbling stage (6-8 months)
    • Holophrastic stage (9-18 months)
    • The two-word stage (18-24 months)
    • Telegraphic stage (24-30 months)
    • Later multiword stage (30+months)

    That’s child language acquisition, in a nutshell.

    Wait, so does this mean that a parent should sit around and do nothing while their child goes about their business mastering a language?

    Absolutely not!

     

     

    Step 2: Creating A Conducive Environment

    Although the initial stages of your child’s language acquisition do not require formal teaching by their parents or caretakers, you do have an important role to play in this regard. You should know that a child who is never spoken to would never acquire language. You should engage and talk with your baby directly. In the initial stages, if the baby is not paid enough direct attention in this regard, they will fail to develop their conversational abilities.

    For example:

    It has been proven that children under the age of 2, who are regularly exposed to television and radio but are not directly involved in communicating with the adults in their vicinity, fail to learn how to speak. As they are genetically programmed to acquire language through direct language communication with adults.

    Children are programmed to learn language through interaction. They interact not only with their parents but other adults and also with other children. All healthy children, growing up in a typical household and surrounded by frequent conversation, will acquire the language that is constantly being used around them.

    Miraculously, children are also equipped to acquire two or more languages simultaneously as long as they have regular interactions with speakers of those languages. This is extremely difficult for an adult to do, but hey! That’s why we say that children are indeed a miracle.

     

    Step 3: Teaching Your Baby How To Converse

    Before they can start speaking fluently, your baby should learn how conversation works. Here are some tips that you can try with your little ones to improve their grasp of conversation.

     

    • Pause – Be mindful of pausing when you speak to your baby. Leave little gaps in the middle of your sentences when you want them to respond or when they attempt to talk back to you.
    • Copy – Once your little one starts making sounds, encourage them to keep doing that by repeating their sound and making similar sounds. This is a suitable method of providing positive reinforcement for your baby early on and helps them understand the basic concepts of conversation.
    • Tonality – Remember that your tone is important. You should be mindful to adjust your vocal tone depending on the nature of the conversation. Speak with emphasis on important words, and adjust your volume depending on the topic.

    (Speak louder on an exciting topic, use a soft tone when describing something scary and so on)

     

    Step 4: Building Your Child’s Vocabulary

    Until your baby reaches a certain age, their vocabulary will be limited to a small number of words. Their vocabulary will expand through the years, and you have to be patient with them. Well, to be honest, you don’t need to practice patience because your child learning how to talk would be one of the cutest and most exciting things in the world.

    However, you have to remember that each child is different, and their vocabulary develops at a different pace. Just because the neighbourhood kid started talking earlier, do not worry. Allow your baby to take it at their own pace and comfort. Also, what you can do is support your baby to develop an expansive vocabulary that covers a wide range of expression and conversation.

    Here are a few things that you as a parent can do:

    • Read With Your Baby – One of the best methods to develop vocabulary is reading together with your child. Picture books are a great way to start. The concept of a picture book is based on labelling. Labelling each picture to its meaning will result in vocabulary growth. It is easier for a toddler to recognize familiar things like body parts, nature words, and animals. Reading together would also contribute to the development of your baby’s curiosity and inquisitiveness.

     

    • Do Not Hesitate To Use Big Words – Respect your baby’s intelligence. Plain and simple. Some parents share the attitude that they should only use small words that their baby can understand. And our thoughts on that? No, just no. Don’t do it. Remember that every word is a new word to them. ‘Dumbing down’ your vocabulary would only hinder their growth. Instead, encourage your little one to ask for the meaning of words that they do not understand. When they are a bit older, you can do a fun exercise where you ask your child to use the new word they learned later in a sentence.

     

    • Play Cognitive Games – Playing games like treasure hunts, Name the Thing, Simon Says aid in language development, social and emotional development, and cognitive development. They will specifically learn how to follow instructions and be familiar with preposition words.

     

    • Play Pretend With Toys – Setting up imaginary tea parties with your toddler’s toys is a great way to get them started on having conversations. Encourage them to ask questions from their toys, and you can answer on behalf of them. Make up an effective back-and-forth exchange to get the maximum benefit from this activity.

     

    • Sing Songs & Nursery Rhymes – It is scientifically proven that rhythm aids in memory. Allowing your toddler to learn words to a rhythm will help them remember new words and expand their vocabulary. Take the time to sing songs together with your child, and as a fun side-game, make up catchy songs about whatever you are doing at the moment.

     

    • Build On Your Child’s Utterances – Whenever your baby utters a word, a small phrase, or maybe even an incoherent sentence, encourage them by adding on to what they already said. If your toddler says something like: ‘That’s a dog,’ add on something like, ‘Yes kiddo, that’s a fluffy, playful dog.’

     

    • Explore, Explore, Explore – We can’t stress this enough. Your baby is the ultimate bundle of curiosity. Do whatever it takes to satisfy their natural curiosity and inquisitiveness. Take road trips, vacations, walks in the neighbourhood, or anything else that would get your toddler out in the world and expose them to language as much as possible. Always try to maintain a conversation with them while you are out. Ask them about what they can see and how they feel in a specific moment.

     

    • Positive Reinforcement Is Key – Do not be overly critical of your baby and avoid correcting their mistakes as much as possible. It’s natural for them to make plenty of mistakes during the first couple of years, especially when it comes to grammar. The plurals, passive voice use, and the proper use of the past tense will come later; for now, just encourage them for trying and be patient.

     

    A Closing Note: As soon as your toddler starts responding to you regularly, try to keep it up for around 10 minutes of back and forth between you. As we mentioned earlier, each baby reaches a conversational level at their own pace. However, suppose your baby hasn’t started babbling or speaking at least a few words by the time they are 18 months old. In that case, you should consult your paediatrician about it. It is natural for some kids to start talking pretty late, but speech therapy and doctor’s advice would help speed up the process.