Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘breast milk’

Do you know that breastfeeding gives a baby not only saturation, but also love? It establishes relationship between mother and child. Perhaps, therefore, the truth remains unchanged that the best way is to breastfeed the child. But there are situations in a woman’s life when she has to feed a baby from the bottle, and squeezing becomes simply indispensable. How to overcome this problem? We tried to give some solution in this article:

When to squeeze milk?
In some cases, woman simply can not do without squeezing. It’s better to consider these cases beforehand in order to avoid feeding problems.

If you have too much milk (it happens between the second and fifth day after birth) squeezing helps the breast to relax, and your child can take it easier.

There are situations when only milk is not enough. In such cases, a woman usually wants to stop feeding. But wait! Sueezing with the help of a milk sucker will contribute to generating new milk.

After feeding your baby, you feel that your breast is not empty and you need to squeeze it, because extra milk in the breas can lead to such diseases as mastitis.

It’s not a secret that children often get sick. So if your baby is ill and does not want to suck the breast, don’t forget to squeeze breast milk every three hours. This will help to maintain lactation. If you work and want to continue to feed the baby, regular squeezing also contributes to lactation.

How else can you use the squeezed milk? For example, if you decide to go to the cinema or meet with friends, squeezed milk will be given to your child. Remember that breast milk is equally useful both in bottle, and when sucking from the breast.

How to squeeze?
Now you already know when to squeeze milk, so we’ll tell you how to do it.

First of all, it can be done manually. However, this process is laborious and time-consuming. In addition, some women argue that this is painful. Therefore, you need a professional help (preferably hospital staff, who teach this).

It is important to remember that the squeezing will be successful only if you relax and rest. First of all you should wash your hands (always before contacting with food), and wipe chest with a damp towel. Then sit comfortably and think about your kid (you can look at his/her picture) and only then begin squeezing.

A simpler version of the efficient and pain-free squeezing is to use milk suckers.

You should pay particular attention to Premium Canpol milk sucker. It has several advantages, for example, mimics the natural process of sucking the baby (if you press the knob and keep it in this position, the pumping power is reduced, just as feeding the baby). Squeeze milk safely, gently and quickly (so in case of a milk overflow it will help to keep from stagnation and inflammation of the breast). You can regulate this milk sucker yourself (you decide how often to press the handle, and how to apply the force). In addition, Premium Canpol is small and quiet, it can be used even in public places. It has a silicone mouthpiece, which stimulates milk ducts in the allocation of milk. Among other things, it is hygienic and easy to use (it consists of 5 elements). Decant the milk directly into the bottle from which you can then feed the baby, or tighten its lid, put in the refrigerator. But at the same time do not forget that squeezed milk can be stored, only observing special conditions. Here they are:

12 hours at room temperature.
48 hours in the refrigerator (temp 3 – 5 ° C).
A week in the freezer (temp – 10 ° C). First, cool the milk in the fridge.
6 months in the freezer (temp. -18 To -20 ° C).
Choose the best!
Now in pharmacies there is a very large selection of milk suckers. Electric milk suckers are the most popular ones. They, of course, squeeze milk in a better way, but many women complain of psychological discomfort. They need rest, but the sound of the engine is loud and unpleasant. The most convenient are manual ones. They mimic the natural process of child sucking. You should choose the most convenient variant yourself.

All the kids are different so the approach to each of them should also be individual. It depends on the state of the child, heredity and other important factors. We can only list the general principles of which every mother can easily draw up a scheme for her own child.

Additional nourishment

You should add new products to child’s diet when he/she is ready for it. What are the main signs of readiness for the introduction of new products?

1. Age not less than 6 months.
2. A child weight has doubled, with a weight of not less than 6 kg.
3. The child can sit alone without support.
5. The child is interested in adult food.

How to give additional nourishment?

Feeding can be teaching and ordinary.
When teaching a child is given a piece of something. The child should decide himself/herself what to do with that piece. You can give a piece of vegetables, fruit, cookie, etc. This is like a friendship with a new flavor, so you will not replace them with feeding, but just try to give new products.

Mothers usually prepare (or buy ready) puree and give it to the child, gradually replacing the whole feeding. There are certain rules for the introduction of new products. Start with small portions (with a teaspoon), gradually bringing to 50-100 gr. Each new product is introduced every ten days, so you can track the reactions to it. You must start with monoproducts. If the puree contains two or more products, it can be imposed only when the components have been tried in monovide (for example, the puree “cauliflower with potatoes”, you can give to the child only when he/she is already familiar with the potato or cauliflower).

You should give such food with a spoon, not from the nipple.
Starting from the age of 7-8 months the child can try mashed potatoes and cereals if a kid does not have diathesis.

It’s recommended to start with cereal or vegetables.

From cereals you should choose rice or buckwheat.
Carefully read the content – there should not be sugar and other “extra” ingredients. After these they can try corn, oats, barley. Cereals can be diluted with water or a mixture of breast milk.

If parents decide to start with vegetables, they should first give him/her squash or potatoes. Again, carefully read the content, there should not be salt, cream, and other unnecessary ingredients. If diathesis did not occur, you can add carrots and pumpkin.
Starting from the age of 8-9 months, you can add olive oil in food.

After vegetables and cereal you can try to give him/her fruit. They can try both fruit itself and added to cereals and vegetables (such as an apple with courgettes).

Starting from the age of 10 months, not earlier, you can start with dairy products – cheese and curds. But remember it will be a serious burden on the child’s kidneys.

After dairy products, you can try meat. Start with good lean pork, or beef. You can also choose turkey and rabbit.

Starting from that same age, they can also try juices.

Your child grows up not day by day but hour by hour. And, of course, you want him/her to grow healthy, strong, smart and talented … The key to successful growth and development of a baby in the first year of life is good nutrition. It is no secret that the best diet for a child in the first year of his/her life is breast milk. This magical product not only have nutritional properties and contributes to optimal growth, but also gives your child strong immunity. From 4-6 months, child’s needs for nutrients and energy are increasing, it is time to put into his/her diet supplementary nourishment.

What is nourishment?

Nourishment is the gradual expansion of child diet in addition to breast milk, starting from the age of 4-6 months.
How to determine whether it is time to start complementary nourishment? There are several factors that determine this important step:

-child becomes more active and as a consequence, the growing body needs additional nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates);

-the need to expand the diet, as in a variety it’s easy to collect all essential microelements for the development and growth of the organism (iron, zinc, etc.);

-preparing the organism for the transition to solid food types (”training” digestive system);

-and one of the most important points – to teach the child to get used to new kinds of food for a gradual weaning from breast-feeding or the bottle.

Before including the complementary food in the baby diet always consult a pediatrician! The choice of the first dishes requires an individual approach, and it depends on many factors.

How to include new food in the child’s diet?

New food for baby is a large load for the child’s organism, so it is very important to observe the rules of complementary nourishment:

a healthy baby responds with joy and interest to a suggestion to try something “new”, if a child is prone to allergies he/she get sick;

foods should be started with a product (if it porridge – then start with one grain, and no additives) in a small number (preferably in the morning), and closely monitor the state of the baby during the day, diathesis – the first sign of allergies to food;

each new type of product you need to write, starting with a small amount (1-2 teaspoons), increasing it within 10-14 days prior to the desired volume;

no more than one new product should enter into the diet of a baby within 5 days;

before using a new product be sure to read the instructions on the preparation;

food should be prepared just before each feeding, and the remains can not be stored and reused.

One of the first courses in the introduction of complementary foods is porridge.

Types of children’s cereal

A. home made or ready.

B. requiring cooking or fast cooking.

B. Monocomponent

G. No gluten or that contain gluten.

D. Without milk or dairy based.

E. No additives.

When mother carefully preparing porridge for babies from the usual cereals, it is difficult to take into account all the nuances, which include the needs of child’s organism in proteins and fats, vitamins, iron, zinc and other trace elements.

Paediatricians recommend the use of meals designed specifically for child nutrition. Their advantages are: security (absence of harmful substances), guaranteed by a balanced composition, enriched in basic vitamins and minerals, the possibility of rapid preparation.

The range of children’s cereal porridge Friso represented a wide variety of species. Porridge made by Dutch company Friesland Foods recipe for appropriate hygienic requirements of international standards for the production of children’s products. The production of cereal are used raw materials, derived from traditional sources, does not contain GMOs, artificial colors or preservatives. Special processing of cereals in the production of cereal, can save their unique natural properties.

The composition of children’s cereal Friso to maintain immunity kid put a set of “triple protection”, which includes selenium + zinc.

Selenium is an essential component of antioxidant protection of organism. If selenium is not enough, the body of the child becomes less resistant to environmental hazards.

Zinc has a very beneficial effect on the immune system. It is proved that a sufficient amount of zinc increases the number of immune cells and helps the body fight infection.

Everybody knows that in order to maintain teeth healthy, you need to clean your teeth after each meal with the exception of suckling babies. Breast milk contains enzymes which contribute to splitting of dental plaque, increasing the immunity of the mouth cavity and protecting the child’s body. As soon as the kid starts eating the “human” food, “cleaning teeth after each meal” becomes mandatory for him!

Another important remark: remember that bacteria contribute to the development of caries! It is very important not to lick the child’s objects (for example, trying porridge). And please try not to kiss the baby’s lips – you will save him/her from the risk of caries.

But these rules, of course, are not limited. Mothers have a lot of questions, and we have the answers.

1. Do I need to take care of the baby’s mouth cavity before cutting teeth?

Nowadays there are many different means of care of mouth cavity for kids. Pay attention to the special teas containing herbs in order to prevent early caries. You can also use traditional methods of cleaning teeth. The child will get used to the hygiene from his/her early childhood. In the beginning, use a latex brush. It is soft and safe for baby and convenient for parents.
Pay special attention to the choice of toothpaste for toddlers. It should be natural without strong and harmful flavorings. We recommend SPLAT Junior Toothpaste. Organic Aloe Vera Gel strengthens the gums. Active Calcium helps in the formation of solid enamel of children’s teeth.
Omega-3 fat acids are a source of Vitamin D3 which is helpful for better assimilation of calcium and minerals. The paste has a delicate taste of yogurt. Together with the tooth paste you can find latex brush as a gift.

2. How should the first toothbrush look?
It must have a very small head and a large handle. You can use nylon bristle. The main thing is that the bristles have rounded tips so they do not hurt gums.

3. To what pay attention when choosing children toothpaste?

Follow three simple rules.

Rule № 1: the active ingredients. They must have not only cleaning but also protective functions. Children’s toothpaste SPLAT junior contains calcium derived of the eggshell. It is perfectly assimilated, and helps in the formation of solid enamel.

Rule № 2: efficiency. The tooth paste should remove plaque from your child’s teeth, even if the child can’t clean his/her teeth thoroughly. Toothpaste SPLAT junior contains dairy enzymes that penetrate even into remote places.

Rule № 3: security. Make sure that the tooth paste doesn’t contain sugar. The use of lauryl sulphate in the tooth paste is also very harmful to child’s teeth, so try to find tooth paste without it. Tooth paste SPLAT junior is totally deprived of these ingredients, which means that they are not just good for teeth, but also safe for all children.

4. How to make child regularly clean his/her teeth? The older he becomes, the more reluctant to the bathroom.

Try to turn this process into a game. Take a “speaking” toothbrush. The package of the toothpaste should be too bright and so it can “talk” to the child.

A good example: toothpaste SPLAT Junior for children.

First, it immediately attracts the attention with the unusual packaging – a triangular box. For children from 3 to 8 years, four types of toothpaste have been developed: “North” with a taste of blueberries, “South” with a taste of citrus, “West” with a taste of peach and “East” with appetizing raspberry flavor.

On the packaging of toothpastes are painted bright pictures of animals from different continents – penguins, tortoises, koalas, and lemurs.
So do not be surprised if after these the child himself/herself will run to the bathroom to clean teeth. After all, he/she puts a part of his/her soul in the toothpaste.

5. I heard that there is special foam to clean teeth? Are they harmful to the baby?

Along with children’s toothpaste now is available children’s foam which takes care of the baby teeth more hygienically, conveniently and simply. This is a kind of alternative of tooth paste or rinse. Now you can find only foam SPLAT Junior. It does not require rinsing and splits plaque in contact with teeth.

The main active components of the SPLAT Junior series is brought from Japan as well as the main active ingredients in the paste and foam are dairy enzymes, calcium from the eggshell and the organic form of fluoride – OLAFLUR. This is the only tooth paste which takes into account the needs of the child age.

Weaning is the process of introducing your baby to solids after being totally dependent on breast milk for her nutritional need for the first six months of life. You can gradually introduce your baby to minced or mashed foods and foods that need to be chewed. Of course, you may continue to breast or bottle-feed your baby alongside solid foods for as long as it’s comfortable for you and your baby.
As with breastfeeding on demand, Baby Weaning is a method of introducing solid foods that leaves it up to your baby to decide when and how much to eat.  While not necessarily a “hands off” approach, Baby Weaning does advocate allowing your baby to make all food choices for him or herself.
You are the best judge of when it’s time to wean, and you do not have to set a deadline unless you and your child are ready to do so. However, now the Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (26 weeks). Breast milk and formula milk are easy for your baby to digest and provide all the calories and nutrients your baby needs for healthy growth and development. Also, it is thought that the chances of developing allergies are greatest during infancy, so feeding your baby a diet of breast milk or formula until this time helps reduce the risk of introducing allergens. As your baby’s digestive system matures, he or she will be better able to handle different foods without an allergic reaction. Breast or formula milk will continue to be a very important source of nutrition whilst your baby adjusts to a mixed diet and for the first year or so of life. If you feel your baby needs to start solids before this, do talk to your health visitor. The Department of Health used to recommend that babies were started on solids between the ages of four and six months.

How to know when your baby is ready for weaning?
Don’t rush into weaning as a result of pressure from parents or friends, but be guided by the following signals from your baby:
• being unsatisfied after a full milk feed
• demanding increasing and more frequent milk feeds
• weight gain slowing or leveling out without a period of illness to explain why
• after a period of sleeping through the night, your baby begins waking because he/she is hungry

You may also notice your baby showing interest in your food and attempting to put things in his/her mouth.
If you are unsure or concerned about when your baby is ready to begin weaning, talk to your health visitor.