When breastfeeding isn't an option, some parents opt for powder infant formula to nourish their little bundle. Here are just a few things to know if you go that route:
1. If your house is on well water or you have concerns about the safety of your tap water, boil it for about one minute, then cool it until lukewarm (or room temperature) before adding the formula to it. You can also use bottled spring or purified water. Find out what's in your tap water at www.water.epa.gov/drink/local
2. Store any formula you prepare in advance in the refrigerator to keep bacteria from growing. If you don't use refrigerated formula within 24 hours, discard it. To warm bottles, either leave them out for an hour (but no longer or bacteria will grow) so the formula can reach room temperature, or warm the bottle in a pan of hot water. Do not microwave formula, the microwave won't heat it evenly, causing hot spots. If baby doesn't finish his bottle, discard the contents after two hours, timed from the beginning of baby's feeding.
3. Clean and sterilize bottles, nipples and other utensils used to prepare formula before their first use. After that, wash bottles, etc. in your dishwasher or by hand with hot, soapy water. Your pediatrician may recommend sterilizing your equipment for five to ten minutes after each use. Avoid using containers with bisphenol-A, a chemical in plastic that can leach into liquids. (Fortunately, most baby products no longer contain BPA).
Monday, April 30, 2012
Child Proofing Your Home
You might think you won't need to cushion edges and latch cabinets until your little one gets on his own two feet. The reality is he may be mobile by 6 months, scooting, rolling and tumbling like a loose cannonball. Now's the time to make sure your home is outfitted and ready to be put to the test.
Kitchen
1. Pet kibble is a choking hazard, and if left unattended, you can count on it ending up in baby's mouth. If you feed Fido as soon as you walk in the door, stand by as he eats, then immediately remove the bowl.
2. Stove knobs are fun to twist, so keep them turned off with stove knob covers. An appliance lock ensures Junior won't pull the over door down on top of himself. Got something bubbling and simmering on the stove? Keep baby safe from splatters and from pulling on pot handles with a stove guard.
3. Every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher, so choose a dry a dry-chemical extinguisher and keep it out of reach on a high pantry shelf, mounted to the wall or in a childproof cabinet. You want to put out the fire, not your baby.
4. Under-sink cabinets are a typical place to store cleaning products, but with baby in residence, you need to move them out of reach. If they must stay in low cabinets, invest in latches and locks to always keep the cabinet doors securely shut.
Living Room
1. Cordless shades or cord cleats are the way to keep blinds safe for baby.
2. Coffee tables, TV stands, even window ledges offer plenty of sharp corners at eye level for someone 2 feet tall. Cushion edges with bumpers. Scan the room for breakables and move them to where baby can't get them. You'll be amazed by how far up, or over, little ones can actually reach.
3. Research tells us keeping books in view of baby helps her develop a love of reading. Secure bookcases and other tall furniture to the wall with bolts or adjustable, locking furniture straps that attach to the wall and to the object to keep your little brainiac from pulling it over.
4. Place TVs behind closed doors in an entertainment center, or mount a flat-panel model to the wall.
5. There's a reason mud pies are so popular with the under-5 crowd, and those house plants are going to look mighty tasty. Keep them out of reach so your little seedling won't be tempted.
6. Got stairs? If so, a baby gate is a must. Finally, they come in styles to match your home's decor.
7. Shield your fireplace with a guard door, and protect her from sharp corners on brick or ceramic tile.
Kitchen
1. Pet kibble is a choking hazard, and if left unattended, you can count on it ending up in baby's mouth. If you feed Fido as soon as you walk in the door, stand by as he eats, then immediately remove the bowl.
2. Stove knobs are fun to twist, so keep them turned off with stove knob covers. An appliance lock ensures Junior won't pull the over door down on top of himself. Got something bubbling and simmering on the stove? Keep baby safe from splatters and from pulling on pot handles with a stove guard.
3. Every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher, so choose a dry a dry-chemical extinguisher and keep it out of reach on a high pantry shelf, mounted to the wall or in a childproof cabinet. You want to put out the fire, not your baby.
4. Under-sink cabinets are a typical place to store cleaning products, but with baby in residence, you need to move them out of reach. If they must stay in low cabinets, invest in latches and locks to always keep the cabinet doors securely shut.
Living Room
1. Cordless shades or cord cleats are the way to keep blinds safe for baby.
2. Coffee tables, TV stands, even window ledges offer plenty of sharp corners at eye level for someone 2 feet tall. Cushion edges with bumpers. Scan the room for breakables and move them to where baby can't get them. You'll be amazed by how far up, or over, little ones can actually reach.
3. Research tells us keeping books in view of baby helps her develop a love of reading. Secure bookcases and other tall furniture to the wall with bolts or adjustable, locking furniture straps that attach to the wall and to the object to keep your little brainiac from pulling it over.
4. Place TVs behind closed doors in an entertainment center, or mount a flat-panel model to the wall.
5. There's a reason mud pies are so popular with the under-5 crowd, and those house plants are going to look mighty tasty. Keep them out of reach so your little seedling won't be tempted.
6. Got stairs? If so, a baby gate is a must. Finally, they come in styles to match your home's decor.
7. Shield your fireplace with a guard door, and protect her from sharp corners on brick or ceramic tile.
3 Pacifier Tips
Research studies go both ways about whether pacifiers interfere with baby's ability to latch to mom's breast, but when it comes to their effect on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the evidence is clear: Pacifiers can help reduce the risk of SIDS. Still, parents know quitting a pacifier could be a problem down the road. Here are three things you need to know if you decide to take the pacifier route:
1. Time it right. Make sure you don't offer a pacifier when it's time for baby to be fed. The sucking could inadvertently satiate his hunger.
2. Perfect pick. Don't be swayed by price. The best pacifier is the one that works for your baby. Register for several styles so you can find the right fit.
3. Try, try again. Your baby might not take to a pacifier right away. Try this: Lightly stroke the inside of her mouth and then gently hold the pacifier in her mouth until she starts sucking. Hold it in for a few seconds to keep her from spitting it out. Remember, not all babies want pacifiers, and that's fine too.
1. Time it right. Make sure you don't offer a pacifier when it's time for baby to be fed. The sucking could inadvertently satiate his hunger.
2. Perfect pick. Don't be swayed by price. The best pacifier is the one that works for your baby. Register for several styles so you can find the right fit.
3. Try, try again. Your baby might not take to a pacifier right away. Try this: Lightly stroke the inside of her mouth and then gently hold the pacifier in her mouth until she starts sucking. Hold it in for a few seconds to keep her from spitting it out. Remember, not all babies want pacifiers, and that's fine too.
What You Need to Know About Hemangioma
As many as two of every 100 babies -- mostly girls, twins and preemies -- develop a birthmark condition known as hemangioma within the first few months of life. What is it? Hemangioma describes a variety of blood-vessel growths on baby's skin, usually on the head, neck and trunk. They can be flat or raised, large and disfiguring or small and barely noticeable. They usually show in the first six weeks as a red patch or raised dot. They grow for about a year; mostly stay smaller than 1 inch.
Does it need treatment? Most hemangiomas eventually fade and shrink between the ages of 3 and 10. However, a pediatric dermatologist may recommend removing the birthmarks if they for near vital parts such as the eyes, ears and mouth. Talk to your baby's pediatrician about the proper course of action for your child.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Baby Toys
Chances are, those rattles and soft plush toys you received when your little one was born are looking, well, a little babyish to your toddler. Make playtime more fun with these expert-approved picks for the only toys she really needs.
Large blocks. So obvious that they are often overlooked, blocks help tots learn to use both hands to complete a task and strengthen fingers as he tries to stack them, says Heidi Tringali, a pediatric occupational therapist in Charlotte, North Carolina. At 13 months, your toddler will likely be able to put one block on top of another.
Shape sorters. Old-fashioned, yes, but these toys teach toddlers to match a shape with its corresponding hole, helping them develop spatial recognition and demonstrate cause and effect when the shape is dropped into the bucket.
Large-piece puzzles. Puzzles foster more knowledge about matching shapes as well as the concepts of in and out. Start with simple shapes, such as circles or squares, that have no top or bottom. Then move on to those with cutout pieces that only fit one way.
Push toys. "Toddlers can move faster with push toys because of the support, which is fun for them," says Tringali. "And since many of these toys play music or have other features, your child learns to concentrate on walking even when distracted by excited things."
Large blocks. So obvious that they are often overlooked, blocks help tots learn to use both hands to complete a task and strengthen fingers as he tries to stack them, says Heidi Tringali, a pediatric occupational therapist in Charlotte, North Carolina. At 13 months, your toddler will likely be able to put one block on top of another.
Shape sorters. Old-fashioned, yes, but these toys teach toddlers to match a shape with its corresponding hole, helping them develop spatial recognition and demonstrate cause and effect when the shape is dropped into the bucket.
Large-piece puzzles. Puzzles foster more knowledge about matching shapes as well as the concepts of in and out. Start with simple shapes, such as circles or squares, that have no top or bottom. Then move on to those with cutout pieces that only fit one way.
Push toys. "Toddlers can move faster with push toys because of the support, which is fun for them," says Tringali. "And since many of these toys play music or have other features, your child learns to concentrate on walking even when distracted by excited things."
Tips for Giving Your Baby a Bath
Until baby's cord stump falls off and his circumcision and navel heal, a sponge bath will do, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. Choose a mild, scent-free soap and shampoo, and avoid bathing too often -- more than two or three times a week will dry baby's tender skin, says Kate Cronan M.D., medical editor of kidshealth.org, a website run by the Nemours Center for Children's Health Media. Once baby begins to crawl and eat solid foods at about 6 months, you can begin to bathe more frequently.
When it's time for baby's first dip, have your supplies within hand's reach. Here are a few more tips:
1. Fill a sink or baby bathtub with 2 to 3 inches of warm water (it should feel comfortably warm to the inside of your wrist). Babies chill quickly, so place her in the water immediately -- feet first, supporting her head with your hand -- and keep her warm by pouring water over her regularly with a plastic or rubber cup or by squeezing water from a wash cloth. Cup your hands to direct the flow of water away from her face, or use a cup with a side that rounds inward made especially for bathing infants.
2. Wash her hair with a soft cloth. Massage her scalp gently with a soft brush, including the area over her soft spots. Keep the water out of her eyes. Dr. Cronan recommends washing the rest of her body from the top down, saving the dirtier bottom bits for the end. Last, use a wet cotton ball to wipe her eyes from the inside corner out, then discard.
3. Wrap her in a towel, covering her head to keep it warm. Those adorable hooded baby towels you received at your shower will work very well. Tip: Set up your contoured diaper-changing pad on the counter and spread the hooded bath towel on top of it. This way you can lift your baby out of the pad and then wrap her up. It's also a good set-up for those early sponge baths.
When it's time for baby's first dip, have your supplies within hand's reach. Here are a few more tips:
1. Fill a sink or baby bathtub with 2 to 3 inches of warm water (it should feel comfortably warm to the inside of your wrist). Babies chill quickly, so place her in the water immediately -- feet first, supporting her head with your hand -- and keep her warm by pouring water over her regularly with a plastic or rubber cup or by squeezing water from a wash cloth. Cup your hands to direct the flow of water away from her face, or use a cup with a side that rounds inward made especially for bathing infants.
2. Wash her hair with a soft cloth. Massage her scalp gently with a soft brush, including the area over her soft spots. Keep the water out of her eyes. Dr. Cronan recommends washing the rest of her body from the top down, saving the dirtier bottom bits for the end. Last, use a wet cotton ball to wipe her eyes from the inside corner out, then discard.
3. Wrap her in a towel, covering her head to keep it warm. Those adorable hooded baby towels you received at your shower will work very well. Tip: Set up your contoured diaper-changing pad on the counter and spread the hooded bath towel on top of it. This way you can lift your baby out of the pad and then wrap her up. It's also a good set-up for those early sponge baths.
Buying Baby Shoes - 5 Tips
It's easy to be tempted to buy your baby those adorable Vans or Jordans, but before you lace anything on his tiny tootsies, here's what you need to know. "Shoes don't do any more for babies' feet than a hat does for their brains," says Joshua Hyman M.D., a pediatric orthopedist at Columbia University. What they doe offer those little piggies is protection from stepping on sharp objects and warmth in cold weather. A good rule of thumb: Babies only need to wear shoes in places where you would too. So how do you find the right pair? Dr. Hyman recommends that parents:
1. Get a professional fit. This part is crucial - the wrong size could cause pain or blisters. "There should be about a half-inch between your child's big toe and the end of the shoe," Dr. Hyman says.
2. Pick a pair that's flexible. You should be able to easily bend the show between your thumb and your index finger. Stiff styles may be uncomfortable and could interfere with baby's natural gait. Rubber bottoms will also help prevent slipping an sliding.
3. Consider high or low. High-cut shoes are more difficult to remove and may stay of baby's feet better than a low-cut pair. However, both styles are equally suitable for new walkers.
4. Be cool. Natural materials such as leather and canvas will help keep baby's feet cool.
5. Don't blow your budget. Remember, baby shoes will only fit for a few months. Most pairs that meet the above standard are available from $20 to $40.
1. Get a professional fit. This part is crucial - the wrong size could cause pain or blisters. "There should be about a half-inch between your child's big toe and the end of the shoe," Dr. Hyman says.
2. Pick a pair that's flexible. You should be able to easily bend the show between your thumb and your index finger. Stiff styles may be uncomfortable and could interfere with baby's natural gait. Rubber bottoms will also help prevent slipping an sliding.
3. Consider high or low. High-cut shoes are more difficult to remove and may stay of baby's feet better than a low-cut pair. However, both styles are equally suitable for new walkers.
4. Be cool. Natural materials such as leather and canvas will help keep baby's feet cool.
5. Don't blow your budget. Remember, baby shoes will only fit for a few months. Most pairs that meet the above standard are available from $20 to $40.
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