Baby Care

Archive for June, 2010

Studies show that younger and older mums do the job of parenting just as well as each other but there are benefits and disadvantages to being an older mum or starting your family at a younger age.

The main advantage youth brings is that you are likely to be fitter and less at risk of pregnancy complications – but of course that all comes down to your physical health. A younger mum who is overweight, eats a poor diet and takes little exercise likely won’t be as healthy as an older mum who takes better care of herself. Your general health and attitude also follows through into how you cope as a mum.

Your pregnancy as a younger mum-to-be
Assuming that you take care of yourself and were healthy going into your pregnancy, you’re less at risk of having a miscarriage than an older mum-to-be. This comes down to chronology: you’re basically working with a younger set of eggs that are far less likely to be affected by chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome.

You’ll have various tests and checks during your first trimester that will assess your risks of having an affected baby, but if you’re under 35 your risk of Down syndrome is less than one percent. This carries through into the fact that younger women are less likely to have an amniocentesis, an invasive diagnostic test, which, in itself, carries a slight risk of miscarriage. For comparison, a mum-to-be age 45 has a three per cent risk of conceiving a baby with Down. But despite your lower overall risk, most babies with Down syndrome are actually born to women under the age of 35 simply because more of them have babies.

Chromosomal disorders such as Down increase your rate of miscarrying so the fact that your risk is lower means you are less likely to lose your baby – up to the age of about 35 one pregnant woman in eight miscarries, but once you pass this age that falls to one in four and once you pass 40 it’s one in three.

You’ll still be hit hard by pregnancy tiredness in your first trimester (weeks 0-12), as your baby develops, but you may be able to cope better with it because your energy levels may be higher and you may have more stamina than an older mum-to-be. You also are at less risk of problems that tend to be more likely as we age, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, unless you are a teenage mum-to-be – 17 is a key cut-off age, and mums and pregnant women around this age or younger are at as high, or higher, a risk of high blood pressure as older mums-to-be, and also are at a higher risk of anemia due to the fact that their diet may not be as healthy as that of an older woman. This mean your midwife will still screen you for gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure) during your pregnancy.

Your labour as a younger mum-to-be
The fact you’re less likely to develop issues such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia means that many younger mums-to-be have a lower risk of having a pre-term birth for these specific reasons than older mums-to-be. However, this doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods entirely. There is evidence that very young mums-to-be (under 20 years of age) are at higher risk of a preterm delivery. Smoking and alcohol consumption also are linked to preterm labour, so if you don’t quit these habits during your pregnancy these may factor in.

Sexually transmitted infections are also a big risk among younger mums-to-be, and teenage mums-to-be in particular are more likely to be underweight when they become pregnant and also less likely to gain an adequate amount of weight during their pregnancy. Low weight gain increases the risk of having a low-birthweight baby – and around 10 percent of teenage mums have low birthweight babies compared to around 9 percent of older mums. Pregnant teens are also the least likely of all the maternal age groups to get early and regular antenatal care.

But if these issues don’t apply to you and you are healthy, the fact that you’re less likely to naturally conceive twins or multiples, less likely to have used fertility treatments to conceive, and less likely to already have had a preterm birth, also factor in to make early delivery unusual.

However you do have a big advantage for the labour itself although, once again, it depends on how fit and healthy you are going into your pregnancy. Assuming you are, you’re likely to be more flexible and have better muscle tone that makes it easier for you to deliver your baby naturally – younger labouring women are less likely to need assisted deliveries and caesareans.

Parenting as a younger mum
As a younger parent you may be less mature and settled than an older parent and if you’re the only one among all your friends who has a baby it can be hard to cope with the fact that you may not be able to go out and enjoy yourself like you used to. This can be complicated if your baby was unplanned, which is more likely among very young mums-to-be. You also may be less likely to be in a solid, secure relationship and even if you are, a younger partner may not be as supportive as an older, more mature significant other.

You may be still in the middle of studying and even if you are in a good job you may not yet have much financial security. Babies are expensive to kit out, and you may find you’re having to care for yours on a very tight budget.

While you may have more physical stamina when it comes to coping with the sleepless nights and 24-7 baby care routine, there is no doubt that these aspects of parenthood can be emotionally exhausting too. If you don‘t have much experience of spending time with friends’ babies, or other babies within your extended family, the sheer work involved can come as a big shock.

Now is when you will need to start thinking like an older mum, in order that you can approach parenthood with the right level of maturity. Taking care of yourself is vital, because improved health and fitness can make all the difference. That’s where you have your biggest advantage – the fact that you will likely have more energy when you most need it and will be young enough to better relate to your baby as she grows.

Your baby has sensitive skin therefore the clothes of your baby must be cleaned properly and must be well taken care of. Here are some tips that you can use when it comes to taking care of your baby’s clothes.

Most mothers would wash their baby’s clothes in special detergents to help lessen the risk of skin allergies to take place. However, there are some babies who do not show any reactions when it comes to using common detergents. It is suggested though that for children from birth up to two years of age, their clothes should be washed in dye free detergent since this is less likely to trigger any allergic reactions when it comes to your baby.

It is also advised to avoid the use of fabric conditioners on your baby’s clothes since they contain harmful chemicals that can easily irritate your baby’s skin. Aside from that, fabric conditioners are said to take away the flame retardant in clothing.

Your baby can have the cutest outfit but they will not hesitate to stain it. Stains on baby clothes such as baby foods and leaking diapers can be difficult to get rid off. The only way to get rid of them is to pre-treat the stain before washing the clothes. Once this is done, the process can help get rid of the most stubborn stains which will help leave your baby’s clothing clean and pristine. Pre-treatment can be done with the help of club soda or baking soda and vinegar. It is important to treat the stains as soon as possible in order to increase the chance that the stain will come out.

You should dry your baby’s clothes on your dryer’s lowest setting. This is because the heat can shrink your baby’s clothes which will unable your baby from wearing them anymore.

When you have new clothes for your baby, it is also best to wash them first before allowing your baby to wear them. Although they may look clean and fresh when you bought them in the department store, the baby clothing has already been in contact with dirt, four legged creatures and bugs while it is being packaged and shipped.

Although babies born in the warmer summer months are less likely to get coughs and sniffles in their first few weeks of life, special care needs to be taken in other areas to ensure that your baby is healthy and comfortable.

TOO HOT?

Newborn babies can’t tell you if they are too hot or cold, but there are ways to check. Place your hand across your baby’s back underneath their clothes, or on the back of their neck. They should feel warm, not hot or cold. Feeling a baby’s hands and feet is not an accurate way of telling whether they are cold or hot, as a baby’s hands and feet are usually slightly cooler than the rest of his or her body.

CLOTHING

As a general rule, your baby needs one more layer of clothing than you do. For example, if you are wearing a t-shirt, then your baby will need a singlet and t-shirt. In very hot weather, your baby may need less clothing. Cotton clothing is great for summer newborns, as it is light and breathes well.

SUN PROTECTION

Your newborn’s skin is soft and raw, and offers no protection from the sun. Use specially designed sun shades, or a cloth nappy or blanket over the car seat or pram to protect your baby from the sun when out and about. When at the beach or park, try to choose a shady area to sit, or take an umbrella or pop-up tent to offer your baby shade.

HYDRATION

If you are breastfeeding, then your breast milk contains both foremilk to quench your baby’s thirst, and hind milk which is your baby’s food. Your baby should not need any fluids other than breast milk, but you may need to give shorter feeds more frequently to keep your baby hydrated. If you are bottle-feeding, you may need to offer your baby cooled boiled water from a sterilized bottle or teaspoon to ensure that he or she has enough fluids in very hot weather.

SLEEP

On hot, sticky summer days and nights, you may find that your newborn has trouble settling to sleep. Open some windows in baby’s bedroom to keep the room cool, but be sure that baby’s cot or bassinette is not in a draft. If you can’t open windows, you could try using an electric fan in baby’s room, once again making sure that it does not create a draft on baby.
If you wrap your baby when he or she is sleeping, remove one layer of clothing before wrapping to ensure that your baby does not get too hot. Muslin is great for wrapping summer babies – it is very light and breathes well. Muslin wraps are available from baby stores, or you can buy plain muslin from a fabric store and make your own.

Your child’s feet will continue to develop right up until their mid to late teens. Newborn babies’ feet don’t even have the full complement of bones they will have in later life (26), and the arch of the foot won’t develop until around the age of 2. It is essential that you ensure that their feet get the right support and protection throughout childhood to enable them to grow and develop in a healthy way.

Choosing footwear

New babies: Until your baby starts to crawl and move around, experts recommend bare feet to ensure healthy development. Socks and booties are fine for protecting against the cold when you are outside, but make sure that they don’t restrict your baby’s feet. Even jumpsuits that are too short can result in claw, retracted or hammer toes, so you may decide to opt for ones without feet.

Crawling babies: Soft, slip-on “pre-walking” shoes help protect the feet of crawling babies, and you may want to invest in at least one pair with a rubber toe-protector. However, make sure you continue to give your baby the chance, where safe, to practice crawling and standing on bare feet.

Toddlers: Once your child is walking confidently, you will need to buy some proper shoes that support and protect their feet. Experts still recommend letting your child walk around without shoes as much as possible, where it is safe to do so, as this promotes healthy foot development.

When buying shoes, it’s always best to go to a good shoe shop where you can have your child’s feet measured by staff on a machine which will accurately measure the length and width of their feet. This will ensure that the shoes you buy will be a proper fit. Outdoor shoes need to be well made and sturdy, preferably made of leather and with a flexible, non-slip sole. The toes of your child’s shoes should be wide and allow the toes inside to spread out, and high enough so that the top of the shoe doesn’t press down on the toenails.

Toddlers generally need to have their feet re-measured every 6-8 weeks, and older children every 3-4 months.

Caring for your child’s feet

Keeping your baby’s feet clean and the nails short is essential to healthy foot development. Remember that babies’ feet tend to sweat more than adults’, and their toenails tend to grow faster too, so it is a good idea to use bath time as an opportunity to check feet on a regular basis. Look out for red patches and blisters, which may indicate that your child’s shoes are not fitting properly. Don’t burst blisters, however tempting this may be, as you run the risk of opening up the irritated patch to infection.

Children can be very sensitive about having their feet inspected or their toenails cut, so it is a good idea to try and do this while they are asleep if you can. For example, if you are taking a long car journey and you suspect your child may fall asleep in the car, remove their shoes and socks before setting off so that you can have a few undisturbed minutes to indulge in a bit of foot-care while they are blissfully unaware.

Some common minor problems

In-toeing and out-toeing: Some children when they start walking exhibit an “in-toed” or “out-toed” gait, meaning that one or both of their feet turn inwards or outwards. This usually corrects itself without any intervention, but if you are concerned, or if the problem persists past toddler hood, consult your doctor or health visitor.

In growing toenails: Red or swollen skin at the side of your child’s toenail may indicate an in growing toenail. To avoid these, cut your child’s toenails straight across and try to file off any sharp edges. If your child is experiencing persistent discomfort from in growing toenails, consult your doctor.

Hand, foot and mouth disease: Not related in any way to the foot and mouth disease that affects livestock, this is a common viral infection which causes blisters in the mouth, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It is contagious and most nurseries will insist that children stay home as long as they have blisters. Hand, foot and mouth may be accompanied by a light fever, but will generally clear up quickly and without treatment after a few days.

Although it is unlikely that anyone is going to advocate extreme sports holidays or long haul flights as a way of relaxing during your pregnancy, getting away from it all can be a great idea. If your partner can accompany you, even better, as this will give you both the opportunity to enjoy time as a couple, before your new arrival makes his or her entrance. If you are still working, perhaps it is necessary to travel for business, and therefore you may not have a choice about leaving town. Whatever the reason, here are gurgle’s top tips for pregnant travellers to help make your trip as stress free and enjoyable as you can.

• Manage long journeys. Avoiding long-distance travel is the ideal, but if you can’t do that, try to break up your journey into manageable chunks. If you are travelling by car or train, try to break your journey for rest stops and fresh air, and if you are flying long haul, try to avoid the early and later stages of pregnancy and make sure you get up and walk around the plane three or four times during the flight to improve circulation.

• Aim to travel in your second trimester. This is probably the perfect time to travel during your pregnancy, as you should be over the initial bouts of morning sickness and fatigue, and yet not feel too heavy and lethargic as you may do in your final trimester. Check with your airline before you travel to see what their policy is on pregnant travellers. Most airlines will not let you travel after 34 weeks and you may need a note from your midwife to confirm which week of pregnancy you are in.

• Carry your maternity notes. You may already have your maternity notes with you, but if not, just ask your midwife or doctor. It is wise to carry these with you when you are travelling, so that people are alerted to any special conditions should there be an emergency situation.

• Carry snacks to maintain blood sugar levels. To stop yourself from getting hungry and suffering from fatigue, make sure you have a healthy supply of food to nibble on in transit. Try organic sun-dried apricots, bananas or raw vegetables such as carrots, for an instant lift.

• Hydrate yourself. Make sure you sip water throughout your journey. It is easy to become dehydrated, especially in an aeroplane, and this can make you feel groggy, tired and wreak havoc on your skin. Another handy hint is to carry a facial spray. It is possible to buy sprays that contain refined water, or sprays, which contain aromatherapy oils, to keep your skin hydrated.

• Get comfortable. It is likely to be worth your while to invest in a special support pillow. There are lots of different companies nowadays, which design and produce cushions and pillows for pregnant women. They will support your lower back or help you get comfortable while in transit.

• Exercise. Stretching your limbs and walking gently is important and helps you to combat conditions like thrombosis during air travel. If you are driving, take rest stops to walk off the stiffness that car journeys create. In addition, this way you can make frequent stops for the bathroom!

• Relax your mind. Whether it is some gentle music, an audio book or a meditation aid, invest in some new listening material for a long journey. That way, you can pop on some headphones and forget about the world for a while.

• Investigate vaccination requirements. If you are travelling to a different country, ensure that you understand what the vaccination requirements are. Some vaccines may not be suitable for pregnancy and you may need to make alternative plans, if this is the case.

• Moisturise your skin frequently. As well as helping to avoid stretch marks, using good moisturisers on your skin will help you to feel fresh and supple. Try sweet almond oil for your stomach and a natural plant-based cream for your face.