Kim Fusaro, blogger at The Daily WD, shares her experience as a first time mom,

“My husband, Rory, went back to work on Monday after two weeks of paternity leave. I offered to handle all of Emmett’s nighttime feedings so Rory wouldn’t be in total zombie mode in the office. But now I’m a wreck!…Emmett woke up every two hours! Since each feeding takes almost and hour, that meant I was only sleeping in one-hour intervals. So I stayed in bed ’til almost noon—but only got about six hours of sleep, total! During the day (when I didn’t feel like sleeping) he went back to his every-four-hours schedule. Not helpful!”

Kim asks is it too early to worry about sleep training? I highly recommend encouraging a good routine as soon as possible. She has to realize Emmett is in need of direction. It seems likely that he is not sleeping enough in the day or is needing to more often than every four hours. The typical 2 week old is able to eat every two and half hours to three hours (unless there is a feeding challenge). The feeding should last about 30 to 45 minutes (breast or bottle). He then is ready to be swaddled and settled to bed. The goal is for him to sleep until his next feeding time, two and half to three hours from the start of his last feeding. This is giving him direction on what is best for him. By continuing in the direction you are lovingly providing his needs teaching him good sleep habits!

Those first few days home are beyond overwhelming. You just gave birth, pushing out a bowling ball or a major belly cut brought your baby to your arms. Now home you have to get to work. You may have other children to care for. Sometimes a husband too but hopefully he’ll be right by your side to help you. The baby thinks he needs to eat for 60 minutes every 2 hours. And he forgot to be sweet as he was in the hospital. What is a mother to do?

Few tips:
-Don’t be afraid to use a pacifier.
-It’s okay to use bottles. You need your rest now.
-Nurse ONLY for 45 min. Longer you are a pacifier and will become sore.
-Do as little as possible at night. I would say that unless your baby has lost more then 10% of their birth weight allow him to sleep for two 4 hours chunks (feeding in between of course).
- He may be restless and wanting held because is eating/suckling too much. Feed for 30-45min and then swaddle up until the next three hours so he can get the rest he needs.
-He should not need to feed any earlier unless he has dropped weight. Without the rest in between your baby will be tired and not nurse and you will be more stressed without the rest.

Few tidbits of info. Need more personalized assistance contact me. Meredith@babiease.com

You heard what a babynurse is but did you know that they are even more specialized babynurses!

A Multiples Baby Nurse is experienced with caring for two or more babies at a time. They are skilled in helping and teaching parents how to negotiate the unique challenges of caring for more than one baby at a time. A Multiples Baby Nurse is also knowledgeable about the ongoing concerns and special needs of preemies.  Their ability to support parents also includes getting them both onto a schedule and helping with sleep training.

Friends and family may be saying you have to book a babynurse but you may be thinking…do I really need one?  How can a babynurse help me?

A Babynurse is an experienced newborn specialist who works in your home during the first weeks of your baby’s life. She can assist you with all of the day-to-day care of your new baby. A Babynurse educates and supports parents to care for their new infant with the goal of establishing a practical routine that leaves the family feeling settled and comfortable. Typically she will work between eight and twenty-four hour shifts a day; anywhere from 1 week to 12 weeks. Babynurses are also available for consultation services either in person, on the telephone, or by email. Consultations can vary in time depending upon your specific needs.

A baby nurse is not a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). At present there is no formal schooling for a baby nurse, though the art of baby nursing can be dated back to very early times in history. A skilled baby nurse draws upon a variety of disciplines to prepare her for this job including newborn care, early childhood education, lactation education, nutrition, sleep habits, safety, parenting and bonding. Babiease is firmly committed to staying abreast of the most current practices while remaining rooted in loving and tender care of babies.

Note: If your physician has recommended skilled nursing care for your baby perhaps due to technology dependence (i.e. ventilator or tracheostomy), a major health anomaly, severe feeding intolerance, etc. then Babiease is not suitable. Babiease may be able to make an appropriate referral.

Yes, my girls are wonderful!  They are sleeping through the night!!!  I've almost have them sleeping without their dreamfeed.  They go down at night between 6:30-7 and I feed them 2-3 ounces at 10 and they sleep until 6-6:30.  I'm hoping this week to totally drop their dreamfeed but not too quickly as they are just getting over a cold.  All said, it's so nice to have sleeping babies at night!

FACTS:  The Twins are 13.5 pounds born at 33.5 gestation, now 4.5 months old.  They have been sleeping through for about 5 weeks.  We still use the Miracles Blankets and white noise machine!

Meredith F. Small is an anthropologist at Cornell University and is also the author of "Our Babies, Ourselves; How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent" just came out with a new article, Should Babies be put on a Schedule.  Check it out. 

The clearly study shows the benefit of a schedule is a well rested happy mother but yet she rebels to say that baby "neurologically unfinished" and need to be on top of Mom.  If the babies are "neurologically unfinished" as she says they need direction!  Oh, Ms. Small, direction of a schedule meets Mom and babies needs!

I just read that a Harvard study found that women who can sneak in at least seven hours of sleep a night are more likely to lose their baby weight by their tot’s first birthday.  They are so helpful!

Now, if you had your baby on a working schedule sleeping through the night does come fast!  My current twins are 14 weeks (10.5 weeks adjusted) and sleeping on the average 7-8 hours a night.  This week I hope to add one more.   Let me know if I can help you!  www.babiease.com

We read that the term “hiccup” derives from the sound of the event.  But what really is the cause of those little hiccups that start in the womb and cause mommies stress with their newborn?  Hiccups are a result of the diaphragm muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdomen goes
into a bit of a spasm, and the vocal cords snap shut, making the”hic!” sound.  I have found that hiccups may be triggered by relfux.  It is one of the first signs of reflux.  I have also noticed that when babies are stressed (i.e., overtired) hiccups can be a result.

So, what should you do with your baby(s) with hiccups?  There really isn’t anything to do about it.  Know that the baby isn’t in any pain.  Most of the time it’s more upsetting for the mother.  I would suggest that you keep an eye a possibilty of reflux discomfort.  Also, notice if hiccups arrive when your baby has been awake for longer than normal.  Feel free to use your Soothies!   Pacifiers can help babies to wind down when overtired. If you want try Gripe Water; I had one client that thought it helped.  But again, no worries about hiccups.

For you Lisa L.

Calls and emails are coming in!  There are many babies coming! Please try to book early.

Because I want to fit as many in that need help consultations are available.  Feel free to call anytime and schedule a consultation.  Consultations can be either over the phone or in your home to help you in your time of need.  The typical consultation is from 1-3 hours at a time focusing the challenges of babies not sleeping to practical tips on managing reflux.  If you want more hands on support I can provide a longer consultation.

Nursery set up is also available!  I help many moms preparing for their babies.  I can either do the shopping/registering with Mom or provide a consult on what to buy, recommended products and what not to by.  This is helpful for moms on bedrest or those that are overwhelmed\

Is your friend pregnant?!  Gift certifcates are also available.

Call 410-274-9329 or email meredith@babiease.com

What kind of help do you need?  This is often a question I am asked.  It will depend on your comfort level and whether or not your husband or other family is available.  With a singleton you can learn to manage on your own but help is nice to lighten your load.  With twins, you can manage on your own but your energy level will depend on if you are breastfeeding and if you have other children.  It would be best to know you have a night or two break.  With triplets help is quite neccessary.  The average feeding can last as long as an hour and a half.  This only leaves you with an hour and half of "down" time which isn’t much. The lack of sleep with any baby is exausting but with two and more babies it’s very difficult.  Do all you can to prepare yourself for the up coming changes.

Help is: Meals, Cleaning, Sibling Care, Errand Runs, Laundry, Helping with a feeding.

Make things simple: Have in the home bottled water, paper plates and cups, paper towels, prepared fresh veggies and fruit, high fiber foods, frozen meals.