Free Stuff For Babies

Toe Walking

2015-08-28T22:36:00.000-04:00

Toe walking refers to a condition where a person walks on his or her toes without putting much of their weight on the heel or any part of the foot. Toe walking in young children is common. These children usually adopt a normal walking pattern as they grow older. If a child continues to walk on their toes past the age of three, they should be evaluated by a doctor. Children "toe walk" occasionally when they are moving around a room by holding on to the furniture, especially if they're on a bare floor. Some kids keep toe walking, off and on, just for fun, generally, until age 3. Toe walking isn't something to be concerned about during the early years of your child’s life. And often, children who toe walk after that do so out of habit.

Talk To You Doctor If Your Child:

Walks on his or her toes most of the time.
Has stiff muscles.
Is Uncoordinated.
Walks awkwardly, stumbles, or has a waddling gait.
Seems as though they can't bear their weight on a flat foot.
Looses motor skills that they already had.
Has fine motor skills that don't seem to be developing normally.

What causes toe walking:

If your child always tiptoes, it is possible that he or she has a possible downside, such as a short Achilles Tendon, that prevents your child from standing flat-footed and limits their range of motion in the ankle. Consistent toe walking can be a sign of motor disorder. Most commonly a form of cerebral palsy.
There are several types of cerebral palsy. The most common is 'spastic" which suggest that the affected muscles are stiff. Children who are born prematurely have a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy. Many premature infants experience hemorrhage in the brain, which damages the components of the brain that control movement. Sometimes an infection that a mother or a baby has during pregnancy also damages brain tissue and leads to cerebral palsy. And sometimes premature infants develop a condition called periventricular leukomalacia, which damages nerves in the brain that affect movement. Hemiplegia/hemiparesis, a form of cerebral palsy in which your child Achilles tendons are so tight that their heel are pulled up and their toes point down. Toe walking is also associated with language delays and autism, so it's important to be sure your child isn't having other problems with communication or socialization skills. You may want to schedule a development assessment to make sure. if your child's doctor rules out cerebral palsy, autism, and other problems – if their muscle tone is fine, and they have a good range of motion in the ankle – then they will likely be diagnosed with what's called idiopathic toe walking. This is a catchall diagnosis which means that the cause is unknown, and it's likely your child walks on their toes out of habit.

What your doctor might suggest:

An assessment of your child's brain function and motor development is important to assist your child's doctor to understand the most effective course of treatment. early intervention is crucial because physical therapy or surgery can improve motor skills and muscle strength, and forstall harm to the muscles that have an effect on joint movement. If your child has a physical problem such as short tendon, treatment might begin with physical therapy that includes stretching.
Your child may also have to wear an (AFO)ankle-foot orthosis, which is a lightweight plastic brace that goes up the rear of the leg and maintains the foot at a 90 degree angle. It limits the ability of the child to walk on his or her toes, and stretches the Achilles Tendon.
Another method referred to as casting is sometimes used. In this procedure. a series of casts stretch and lengthen the tendon and increases the range of ankle movement. The cast is changed weekly with progressive stretching.
In some cases, surgery will be recommended.

Premature Birth

2014-08-13T16:18:00.000-04:00

Premature births in the United States continue to rise and nearly 500,000.000 babies a year are born premature. This increase is up substantially from previous years. A full term pregnancy is a pregnancy that reaches anywhere from thirty seven to forty two weeks. A baby is considered premature if it is delivered before thirty seven weeks. In most cases when you are expecting twins there is a high probability that they will be born before the 37 weeks. When pregnant with twins you and your partner should have everything in place and be ready to go in the hospital early.
No one can say what causes premature births but certain risk factors may include:

Drug use
Smoking
Poor diet
Obesity
High blood pressure
Anemia
Drinking alcohol
Heavy lifting or physical labor
Not gaining enough weight during pregnancy

Many of the behaviors on this list can be controlled. Premature labor can be a very serious event. Premature birth is the leading cause of neonatal deaths, and premature babies who survive have health problems that sometimes last throughout their lives.

Depending on the pregnancy, an early labor contraction does not necessarily mean that you are going to give birth. A doctor may recommend that you stay in bed as a means of preventing or delaying labor. You may need to stop working and cease physical activities which can sometimes include sexual intercourse.

Common Health Issues Of Premature Babies:

Apnea. This is a pause in breathing for 20 seconds or more. Premature babies sometimes have apnea. It may happen together with a slow heart rate.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This is a breathing problem most common in babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy. Babies with RDS don’t have a protein called surfactant that keeps small air sacs in the lungs from collapsing.
Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). This is bleeding in the brain. It usually happens near the ventricles in the center of the brain. A ventricles is a space in the brain that’s filled with fluid.
Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA). This is a heart problem that happens in the connection (called the ductus ateriosus) between two major blood vessels near the heart. If the ductus doesn’t close properly after birth, a baby can have breathing problems or heart failure. Heart failure is when the heart can’t pump enough blood.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This is a problem with a baby’s intestines. It can cause feeding problems, a swollen belly and diarrhea. It sometimes happens 2 to 3 weeks after a premature birth.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This is an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye. ROP can lead to vision loss.

Jaundice.This is when a baby's eyes and skin look yellow. A baby has jaundice when his liver isn't fully developed or isn't working well.
Anemia. This is when a baby doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of the body.
ronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This is a lung condition that can develop in premature babies as well as babies who have treatment with a breathing machine. Babies with BPD sometimes develop fluid in the lungs, scarring and lung damage.
Infections. Premature babies often have trouble fighting off germs because their immune systems are not fully formed. Infections that may affect a premature baby include pneumonia a lung infection; sepsis, a blood infection; and meningitis, an infection in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

Caring For Your Premature Baby

Talk to your baby’s health care providers about any health conditions your baby has. He may be healthy enough to go home soon after birth, or he may need to stay in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for special care. Your baby can probably go home from the hospital when he or she:

Weighs at least 4 pounds

can breastfeed or bottlefeed

can breathe on his own

Gains weight steadily(1/2 to 1 ounce each day)

Can keep warm on his own without an incubator

Your baby may need special equipment, treatment or medicine after he leaves the hospital. Your baby’s provider and the staff at the hospital can help you with these things and teach you how to take care of your baby. They also can help you find parent support groups and other resources in your area that may be able to help you care for your baby.

Baby-Proofing Your Home

2013-11-26T18:25:00.000-05:00

Danger is present throughout the home. Although you can baby-proof anytime before are after your baby is born you should certainly try to do it before the baby starts to crawl. As soon as baby starts to crawl in search of new adventure, they will invent new ways of getting themselves in trouble. You need to eliminate anything in the home that poses a threat to your baby's health and safety. Baby-proofing will create a safe environment for your baby. You will not need to worry about what your baby is getting into because you will know that they are safe. Because you have baby-proofed your home if your child gets hurt you know that they would not have suffered any serious injuries. The best way to baby-proof a home is to think about the areas in the home that the baby will go and try to go in those areas and eliminate the threats that are there.

BABY-PROOFING IDEAS:

Electrical Outlets: They pose a significant amount of danger because they are located at about the same height of a baby crawling level eyes. the best way to protect baby from shocking themselves is to cover these outlets with a plastic outlet cover if it is not being used.

Electric Cords: Electric cords can be dangerous. your baby can drag on a cord and pull a lamp or an iron down. all electrical cords should be concealed behind furniture or under carpets when in use.

Heat Sources: can sometimes get very hot and posing a serious risk of burning.

Space Heater: This is the most dangerous source of heat. If you must have a portable space heater avoid the ones with the electric bars or coils. these will attract your baby with their glowing reddish-orange color.

Radiators: Pose a danger. In the winter when turned on they can become scorching hot. you need covers or guards to keep your baby hands away from it.

Fireplace: Make sure that the fire screen fits securely in place, and matches are high out of reach of children.

Wastebaskets: Remove waste baskets from ground and place up high and out of reach of the child.

BABY-PROOFING BASICS:

Move objects on shelves out of child's reach.
Attach childproof latches to drawers you do not want your child to get into.
Install safety gates at top and at bottom of stairs.
Put on stove knob covers and other oven safety devices. Use the back burners when cooking on the stove.
Put breakable dishes out of reach or lock them up.
Install a toilet guard so that the child can not lift the lid.
Insert plugs in all electrical outlets.
Attach corner cushions to sharp edges tables furniture and brick fireplaces.
Make sure all medicine, cleaning products, garden fertilizer, and pesticide are locked up and out of reach.

Childproof products are available at hardware stores, Grocery stores, and specialty children's stores, and many other places. The more that you baby-proof the more free space that your child will have to be able to roam throughout the home. if you can not make a room safe for your child try to close off that room from the child. Baby-proofing is a never ending battle to try to keep on top of things by watching your baby and see the things that they get themselves into that can possibly pose a threat.

Healthy Child Development

2013-11-13T15:16:00.000-05:00

Healthy child development is influenced by a child's early interaction with parents and caregivers. However the community that you live in also plays a role in the development of your children. access to quality healthcare, safe and affordable housing, quality early learning, afterschool programs, and enriching educational, cultural and spiritual experiences also help promote healthy child development. Certain proactive factors help to keep your family strong. Proactive factors are conditions in the family and the community that when present, increase the health and well being of children and families. These qualities serve as safeguard by helping parents find solutions to life challenges.

Several Protective Factors
Knowledge Of Parenting And Child Development:
(Being a great parent is part natural and part learned)

children thrive not only when parents provide affection, but also respectful communication and listening, consistent rules and expectations, and safe opportunities that promote independence. Successful parenting fosters positive psychological adjustment, help children succeed in school, encourages curiosity about the world and motivates children to achieve.

Nurturing And Attachment:
( A close bond helps parents understand, respond to and communicate with their children)

A child's early experience of being nurtured and developing a bond with a caring adult affects all aspect of behavior and development. When parents and children have warm feelings for each other, children develop the trust that their parents will provide what they need to thrive, including love, acceptance, positive guidance and protection.

Parental Resilience:
(Being strong and flexible)

Parents who can cope with the stress of everyday life as well as an occasional crisis have resilience, they have the flexibility and inner strength necessary to bounce back when things are not going well. Multiple stressors such as poor health, marital conflicts, domestic or community violence, unemployment, poverty and homelessness may reduce a parents capacity to cope effectively with the typical day to day stress of raising children.

Social Connection:
(parents need friends)

Parents with a network of emotionally supportive friends, family members and neighbors often find that it is easier to care for their children and themselves. Most parents need people that they can call on at times when they need a sympathetic listener, advice or concrete support. Research has shown that parents who are isolated with few social connections are at higher risk for abusive and neglectful behavior.

Concrete Support

(Parents need help sometimes)

Identifying and accessing resources in the community may help prevent the stress that leads to child maltreatment. providing concrete support may also help prevent the unintended neglect that sometimes occurs when parents are unable to provide for their children's basic needs.

Social And Emotional Competence Of Children

(Healthy child development)

Children's ability to interact positively with others, self regulate their behavior and effectively communicate their feelings has a positive impact on the relationship with their family, other adults and their peers. Parents and caregivers grow more responsive to children's needs and are less likely to feel stressed or frustrated as children learn to tell parents what they need and how parental actions make them feel, rather than acting out difficult feelings.

Breastfeeding Tips

2013-10-27T16:42:00.000-04:00

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A mothers milk is special no two mothers make the same milk, and no two babies need the same milk. A mothers milk is custom made to fit her babies needs. And every mothers milk has what is called biological specificity. Meaning that every species of mammal formulates a milk that is unique for the young of that species.

Not only is breastfeeding good for the baby but it is good for the mother too. One of the main benefits of breastfeeding is that you give to your baby and your baby gives back to you. When the baby suck you give the baby your milk. In turn the baby stimulates the nerves in your nipple that sends a message to your pituitary gland to secrete the hormone.

Benefits of Breastfeeding
1.Relaxation
2.Less Depression
3.Faster Postpartum weight loss
4.Lower incidence of Breast Cancer
5.Less osteoporosis
Benefits Of Breast Milk
Brighter brains
Better vision
Fewer ear infections
Better dental alignment
Improved digestion
Less constipation
Healthier growth
Leaner bodies
Increased Immunity
Less diabetes
Healthier heart
Fewer respiratory infections
Fewer intestinal infections
How To Breastfeed
Position Yourself: Get comfortable before starting to breastfeed. Milk will flow better once you are relaxed. Sitting up in a chair is the best position for breastfeeding. An armchair or rocking chair would be ideal.
Position Baby: Nestle baby in your arm so that the neck of the baby bend in your elbow, the back along your forearm, and their buttocks in your hand.
Present your breast: when the baby feels your breast against their cheek, they may simply open their mouth wide enough to move in and take in enough of the areola. If your nipple feels pinched when the baby latches or they don’t find where to latch you can help the baby out. Cup your breast, supporting the weight of your breast with palm and fingers underneath and thumb on top. Keep your hand back towards your chest wall so your fingers stay clear of the areola, away from baby’s latch on site. If you are very large breasted you can use a rolled up hand towel under your breast to help support its weight o that it doesn’t drag down on the baby’s lower jaw.
Latch on: Gently brush babies lips with your nipple, and she will open her mouth. Direct your nipple slightly upward towards the roof of the baby’s mouth. Don’t lean forward, pushing your breast towards your baby, instead pull baby closer to you
Breastfeeding Diet
Just as your body provided the nutrients your baby needed to grow during your pregnancy, your milk delivers the nutrients baby needs to develop outside the womb during the first years of life. Your body uses nutrients more efficiently while you are lactating so that there is enough for both baby and you. It also relies on fat stores left over from pregnancy for energy to make milk. But you are still eating for two. You will need 500 calories per day to make milk for your baby. Your eating plan should include the foods that you normally eat. If you eat foods that are good for you , you will have more energy and feel better as you recover from birth and weather the stress of new motherhood. Eat nutrition dense foods that provide a lot of nutrition for each calorie. For balanced nourishment, include nutrient rich foods from the five basic food groups.
Consume foods from each of these groups, portioned for balanced nutrition into the three basic calorie groups.
Whole Grain Bread, Cereal, Rice, Pasta (six to eleven servings daily)
Vegetables(three to five servings daily)
Fruit (two to four servings daily)
Fish, Meat, Poultry, Dry Beans, eggs, nuts (two to three servings daily)
Milk, Yogurt, Cheese (two to three servings daily)
Carbohydrates- 50 to 55% of your total daily calories
Healthy Fats-30% of your total daily calories
Protein-15-20% of your daily calories
for additional tips on feeding your baby go to http://www.freestufffornewborns.blogspot.com/2013/10/breastfeeding-tips-mothers-milk-is.html

Baby Acne Treatment

2013-10-24T16:42:00.001-04:00

How To Identify Acne:

Baby acne is a harmless skin condition seen on infants from birth to 7 months old. A mother's hormones begin functioning in a baby's body and causes the oil glands to clog and the acne to appear. Boys are more susceptible to baby acne than girls.

Baby Acne is usually caused by hormones which the mother passes to the baby while in the womb. These hormones produce oil producing glands in the baby skin resulting in red pimples and whiteheads. These pimples called milia tend to show up on the baby’s cheeks, forehead or nose.

Types of Acne:
There are two types of Baby acne Neonatal or Infantile. If it is neonatal it will usually show up in the first few weeks after birth. Neonatal can clear up within a few days to a couple of weeks. Infantile will show up between 3 to 6 months of age. Infantile acne can continue to reappear for a couple of months are even years.

Baby Acne Treatment:

Because baby skins is delicate you should avoid scrubbing and using exfoliating cleanser. Since infant acne appears because of clogged oil glands from hormonal changes in your baby's body, it's important to keep the skin clean and dry during an outbreak.

You should cleanse the area with a washcloth and a mild baby cleanser, usually one without the fragrance. Dry your baby's face whenever he or she spits up or drools during a feeding. Prolonged moisture around the mouth can worsen or increase chin acneThe doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic ointment.

Treat baby acne different from adolescent or adult acne. If your newborn does have acne,

Do not pop, pinch, or pick at pimples.
Do not use strong topical solutions such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Do not use astringents.
Skip lotion or creams that could cause pore clogs

Try using baby powder. Some mothers with newborns who have developed baby acne find that wiping baby powder gently across the problem areas clears up the acne . If you do this, use a cotton ball to apply the powder, and make sure not to get the power in the baby's eyes, mouth, or ears.

If you're breastfeeding, you should consider changing your diet. Many women who eat lots of fruits report seeing an uptick in baby acne after they breastfeed. Sometimes, the outbreak is not acne at all, but rather a rash. Some mothers report that sweet or citrus fruits, such as nectarines and oranges, may cause skin problems in newborns . Seek the advice of a doctor if you believe that breastfeeding might be giving your baby a rash or baby acne.

Never treat baby acne with over-the-counter acne creams meant for teens and adults. A baby's skin is thin and sensitive, and the harsh chemicals used in typical acne treatments can irritate or even burn your baby's skin. Avoid popping or picking at your baby's acne. Breaking or opening the pimples can cause an infection and even scarring if you dig too deep. While the acne may look unattractive, it is not harming your baby.

Pay attention to your baby's reaction to certain soaps and detergents. If you find that your baby breaks out after putting on a freshly laundered outfit, you may need to use a natural washing detergent until the acne clears. Speak with your doctor if you are unsure about whether your baby has infant acne. Some babies experience eczema, which also gives the skin a red, blotchy appearance, but is itchy and needs medical attention.

Cradle Cap Symptoms And Cure

2012-10-16T22:49:00.002-04:00

What Are The Symptoms And Cure For Cradle Cap? Cradle cap is a greasy, yellowish, scaly rash that appears in patches on your young babies' scalps. Also known as crusta lacteal, honeycomb disease, milk crust, pityriasis capitis and infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis, cradle cap is very common among newborn babies and normally appears within the first three months of a baby's life. In most cases it is very safe and rarely causes the baby any discomfort. It is not contagious and in no way reflects how well your baby is being cared for. There is no definite cause of cradle cap, Cradle cap has a few similarities to dandruff, and in cases where cradle cap is believed to appear on older infants or children it is usually called dandruff. The most likely time a baby will suffer from cradle cap is when he or she is a newborn.

patches on the scalp that are yellow and greasy
dandruff-like flakes of skin on the scalp
crusty yellow areas on the scalp
areas on the scalp that are like scales the affected area may look red

Cradle cap typically starts on the baby's scalp and may spread to areas behind their ears. It is also known to appear in patches on the nose, eyelids, groin, armpits, backs of the knees. When it appears on the body of your newborn baby, it is not known as cradle cap but as a skin condition called eczema.

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Home Remedies To Treat Cradle Cap Symptoms:

1. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with almond oil. Gently massage the oil into the baby's scalp and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Then gently comb out the flakes with a fine-toothed comb or brush them out with a soft brush. You the want to follow up with a gentle baby shampoo, but make sure you don't leave oil on your baby's head because this could clog the pores and cause the flakes to stick.

2. Homemade Magical French Cream. It is very easy to make yourself, cheap and very efficient to clean your baby's bottom, prevent diaper rash and get rid of cradle cap.

Ingredients
50% lime water
50% organic olive oil
Mix in a blender for 5 min, until the mix becomes white and creamy. Put it in a container or whatever you have.
3. There are several other alternatives you can use every day. You can massage your baby's scalp with
Calendula cream or vitamin E (helps heal lesions and soothes the skin)
Aloe Vera gel (restores the skin)
Evening primrose oil (natural anti-inflammatory)
Almond oil (moisturizing)
Sage (anti-bacterial)

Let the oil or the cream be absorbed by the scalp for fifteen minutes. Then shampoo to remove any excess oil and gently comb away dry skin. Don't try to remove flakes if they don't fall away naturally as it might cause an infection. Try to keep your child's scalp clean and dry after the treatment, in order to prevent cradle cap.

When you are breastfeeding, keep in mind that everything you eat passes through your milk to your baby. Try to avoid refined sugar as it feeds yeast and bacteria. Choose sources of essential fatty acids (from fish or oil) instead of saturated animal fats. Eat foods made with live bacteria culture including cheese, yogurt, kefir, tempeh, miso, and sauerkraut.Supplement your diet with probiotics to help prevent any fungal infections.