Parenting Potpourri

Notes from Babywise chapter 12


Bathing your Baby: Your baby should not receive her first bath at home until the remainder of the umbilical cord has fallen off (7-14 days after birth.)

Bonding with your baby: Take time to acknowledge the wonderful creation of a new life. But don’t think these first few minutes are more binding or important than all the hours and days that will follow.

Crib Death or SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) It is unexpected death that can happen anytime in the first year with most occurring between 2-4 months. More babies die in the winter months, than in summer and in colder climates than in warmer. The one thing that most pediatricians agree on is a good quality firm mattress. Soft mattresses should be avoided. Spend extra money for a good mattress.

Diapers: As a general rule, you will change your baby’s diaper at each feeding. On an average 6-8 diaper changes a day. Remember your goal is for baby to sleep through the night, not to wake up for a diaper change.

Diaper Rash: Caused by yeast infections, food allergies, new teeth or sitting too long in a dirty diaper.

Grandparents: There is a special relationship between the third generation and the first. Within, reason, you will want to take advantage of every opportunity for grandparents to enjoy your child. While they may very much enjoy their grandchildren, they are not the parents- you are. Having a high powered, take charge relative come in right after birth can be very hard on new mother’s emotions. A husband can help by protecting his wife from unwelcome intrusions. We would strongly suggest you provide each set of grandparents with their own copy of Babywise.

Immunizations: the 8 common vaccinations offered are Polio, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) tetanus, rubella (German measles) mumps, measles, hepatitis and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). Most docs start routine immunizations within the first two months.

Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking: Pacifiers can be used for when the baby is fussing but not hungry. But be careful not to use the pacifier as a “plug” whenever you baby fusses, nor should it become a sleep prop. Don’t create habits that will have to be broken later. Some children will not take pacifiers and suck their thumb instead. That’s fine.

Sleeping with your baby The family Bed: The family bed is unsafe. Shared sleep confuses infant sleep cycles. And separation anxiety often occurs when the child is asked to leave mom and dad’s bed. If an infant is placed in her bed and room right from the start, no separation anxiety takes place.

Spitting up: This is normal. Your baby may have taken more milk than she needed. Vomiting is not the same thing as spitting. Call your doctor if vomiting occurs when she ejects all she took in.

Starting Solid Foods: At about 3 months of age, you will see the baby preparing for a change in menu ( although you will not begin feeding solid foods until she is 4-6 months of age. The first food to add is rice cereal.

Teething: Your baby’s first teeth will push through at between 6-8 month. Irritability, fussiness, increased salivation, and a slightly raised temperature sometimes accompanies new teeth.

Weaning your baby: You may breastfeed from 6 months to a year. You can start the weaning process by eliminating one feeding at a time, going 3-4 days before dropping the next one. Usually late afternoon feeding is the easiest to drop. Replace each feeding with 6-8oz of formula milk in a bottle. If your baby is 9 months or older, consider going straight to a cup rather than a bottle. When your baby is one years, begin to wean her from the bottle. It takes time so be prepared to be patient.