Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘fathers’

In anticipation of the child, prospective parents do not often realize what problems they may encounter in the first months of baby’s life.
Therefore, when there are any signs of illness mothers and fathers often get lost and do not know what to do. One of these pitfalls, delivering a lot of anxiety to kids and their parents, is intestinal colic. The overwhelming majority of kids have such a problem and, nevertheless, it becomes a matter of excitement. What do you need to know about colic?
First of all, parents need to understand what infantile colic really is. For the entire period of prenatal development the stomach and the intestines of the child do not work, because the baby receives its food through the umbilical cord. Now the gastrointestinal tract needs to master difficult job. Setting and synchronization of the digestive process usually takes several weeks.
During this time, the processes of fermentation and gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract cause painful for the child intestinal spasms. There is no need to be afraid of this – in most cases, colic passes together with the growth and development of the baby. However, this does not mean that you have to sit without taking any steps: colic delivers child serious suffering and he/she always needs help. You can help him/her in the following way:
- First, mothers and fathers should calm down, because it was proved that the excitement of adults passes to kids and worsen their condition.
- It is necessary to try solving the problems of breastfeeding: for the first time baby should be fed on demand, but it is desirable to observe the intervals between feedings at least two hours. Whilw breast-feeding you need to ensure that he/she tightly clenches lips around the nipple and does not swallow “portions of air”, which aggravate the painful spasms of colic. In that case, when child restlessly catches nipple with a mouth, you should help him/her holding the breast.
- If a child is on artificial feeding, it is necessary to seize the nipple away from the end. Also, to secure the child from the “excess air” during feeding keep a bottle at an angle of 30-45 ° – in this situation the air accumulates at the top and does not enter into his/her body. Another option – you can use special “shrinking” bottles or fitted with a valve (the so-called anti-colic). They also prevent the uptake of “excess air” and reduce the risk of colic.
- After eating, the child (both on breast-feeding, and on artificial feeding) should be held straight that he/she could “take out” extra air from body.
- It is important to regularly to put the child on the tummy (7-10 minutes); it contributes to a discharge of gases and strengthens the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, which favorably affects the intestinal peristalsis.
- Do not neglect the massage. It should become a mandatory part of everyday life of your baby. Daily do massage light strokes in a clockwise direction (about 10 turns)
- Nursing mother should pay particular attention to her menu, because everything she eats gets into her breast milk and the baby’s intestines. If a child has colic, you should carefully avoid foods rich in fiber (cabbage, whole-grain bread, apples, eggplant), and food, reinforcing the processes of fermentation (buns, beans, grapes).
- To cope with painful cramps helps a warm diaper, applied to the tummy. The heat allows the baby to relax, so the colic after some time diminishes and ceases to disturb the baby.
Using the whole set of measures you can successfully cope with intestinal colic. Your child will be happy, will develop, learn about the world and grow to the delight of his/her mother and father.

It is believed that a small child takes all your free time and a young mother often does not have time for herself, her beloved husband, household activities.
Recently in our country there were special backpacks for carrying the child. They are also called “kangaroo”. You can freely go about your business without leaving the baby alone. This backpack is very convenient for walking, when it is impossible to take a stroller, and especially for home use.

Basic rules
At first glance it seems that this situation is terribly inconvenient and even dangerous for kids. In fact, it is not. The child is in limbo that does not give an extra load on the spine.
In the West, several generations grew up in the backpacks. And, incidentally, they do not suffer from curvature of the spine.
In order not to cause harm to the baby, it is necessary to observe a few simple rules.
“Kangaroo” must comply with the child’s age.
The child must be held tightly to her mother, not a talker.
Belts should not rub baby’s skin.
You need constantly to check the reliability of the bindings.

Carring
There are several ways of carrying the child in “kangaroo”. Everything depends on the age of the child and what you are going to do.
Face. This method is suitable for very small children, during most of the time sleep. In this position, the baby will see your face and hear the heartbeat.
Back. When a baby is a little older, it will be much more interesting to look at the sides, than cling to your chest.
Face-to-back. In such situation it is much more convenient and safe to cook, iron, and do other household activities. Of course, in order to put the baby on your back, you need a certain skill.
Back to back. Personally, I like this method best. By using “kangaroo” in this way I could, without any distractions, sit at the computer.

How to choose a “kangaroo”?
From 0 to 3 months
These models are designed for newborns who are not yet able to hold their own head. These kangaroos are quite strong with a high back.
From 3 months to a year
They are smaller and have a soft back. They provide child with a freedom of movements.
Multifunctional from birth to a year
This kind of “kangaroos” are suitable both a newborn and older children. These models are sufficiently dense back with a detachable or folding top.
When purchasing you must pay attention to the following details.
Width of belts. They must be sufficiently broad and dense. Otherwise, under the weight of the baby belts will slide and rub your back.

Fasteners.
Fasteners must be fitted in such a way so that you yourself have to unbutton them.
The presence of pocket. Some models are equipped with a special pocket on the outside of the back. It is possible to put a pacifier, napkin, rattle, everything that should always be at hand.
Possibility of regulation. Kid grows very quickly; you constantly have to adjust the straps. Adjusting straps should not take much time, because you will perform this process several times a day. Length of the belt depends on the amount of clothing on you, and from where you will be wearing a baby – front or rear. These elements must be small and do not rub the skin.
Material. It is better to give preference to easily washable fabrics.
Kids constantly regurgitate, and you have to regularly wash “kangaroo”.
By the way, fathers can also carry children in “kangaroos”. Many men really like it.

Advantages
Kid is constantly pressed to her mother and feels safe.
Child sees much more than lying in bed and it contributes to his/her development.
Mother will always have a great posture.
This is a good way to lose weight after giving birth.
Mother’s hands are free, and she can take care of business.

Disadvantages

The older the child, the greater the load on the mother’s back.
You must move with extreme carefulness.
When the baby is hungry, he begins to get nervous, because he is very close to the breasts, but cannot reach them.