And For You!

You may think that with the arrival of your new baby, sleep is a thing of the past; but with a few simple steps, both you and baby can have restful nights and happy days. While it may seem like your little one never wants to sleep, he actually requires a large amount of sleep right from birth; newborns (birth to four weeks old) need 16-18 hours of sleep a day! Though it seems like a lot of sleep, it comes in small portions of 1-3 hours throughout the day and night. This time of sleep will allow the baby to develop, taking in what they have learned during the day. Quality sleep begins with properly reading baby’s cues, swaddling, and creating a calm, quiet environment.

You may have heard “sleep begets sleep”, it is true and so important to remember. The more sleep your baby gets, the easier it is for your baby to sleep and sleep well. This is why it is important to listen to your baby. After one to two hours of wakefulness your baby will become drowsy and you will notice signs of tiredness, called sleepy cues,

• Yawning
• Turning head from objects or people
• Burying face in chest
• Involuntary movements with arms and legs
• Weak or slower sucking
• Less coordination.
• Loss of interest in toys
• Arching back

If you miss your baby’s sleepy cues they will become overtired. When babies are overtired, their body gives them a second wind, and it will be even more difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. Signs of being overtired are fussing, rubbing eyes, and irritability.

When your baby first shows signs of tiredness, it is time to settle him down to sleep. Settle him down by swaddling. Swaddling is the key to a well-rested baby helping him to sleep longer and more comfortably. Babies are born with startle reflex, known as the Moro Reflex. This reflex is visible until 3-4 months of age when babies learn to control their limbs. Swaddling your newborn will soften these movements and give them security, helping them to wind down and fall asleep on their own. Swaddling also supports self-soothing, important for now and in the future as your baby grows.

A calm environment will further help settle your baby to sleep. Calming your baby starts by turning the noise level down and dimming the lights. This will help him wind down to sleep. Pacifiers also offer comfort, as babies are born with a strong desire to suck and will even root around when becoming tired. In addition, the rhythmic sound of a white noise machine will relax him. This sound, once heard in the womb, was his daily comfort.

With these small and simple steps your baby will be able to sleep soundly creating a happy baby.

Mommy Care

Caring for a baby is your absolute priority, but caring for yourself is just as important. After months of carrying your baby, you will need time to recover. Be sure you are taking care of yourself and getting some real sleep. Rest as much as possible; try to take one nap a day even if it is only for a half hour. If you don’t feel you can sleep take some time to rest with a book or magazine.

Practical tips for the busy mother:

• Eat well! If eating a full meal is not possible, snack frequently throughout the day on healthy snacks and high protein foods.
• Work on getting yourself into a good routine. Take a little time each morning and prepare yourself for the day.
• Don’t keep your feelings of tiredness and being overwhelmed to yourself. It takes support from family and friends during these times. Tell your family and friends of needs. If it is meals or reassurance, then tell them so.

• Make time with your spouse and be patient allowing him to adjust to fatherhood.
• Allow help to help. The babies will be alright without you for a bit. Taking care of yourself is best for everyone.
• Use your voicemail. Leave a brief recording on how your family is doing and tell them you will call them back when you have a moment. Also, know it is ok to turn the ringer off.
• Do little bits of house work each day. Pick up 10 minutes at a time. Make a list and mark off even the little things. You will be amazed at the feeling of accomplishment as you scratch things off that list.
• Hire cleaning help even if it’s only for once a month.
• Get out, whether it is for 5 minutes or 50. But don’t push yourself. In time you will have more energy.

Remember a new baby is a big change and it will take time for your family to adjust. These are good changes and should be enjoyed. It’s a time to give your love and your time to someone who needs you. Enjoy the diaper squirts, frequent hiccups, and content smiles!

Published in Washington, DC Expectant Mother’s Guide August 2010

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!

I’ve been encouraged over and over again by a particular sweet friend to open an Etsy shop; well I did it! You’ll find items that I’ve made for gifts for friends and family: Burp Cloths, Bibs, Embroidered Onesies. These are things that I like and enjoy having nice for babies. Please check it out…. Babiease, All Things Baby

#16 Dreft Ultra Laundry Detergent
For years I have used Dreft and have been very pleased. I’ve washed clothes for preemies and for those for sensitive skin. I’ve also had great success with DREFT STAIN REMOVER SPRAY It took out so many stains of my quints I was using it on everything.

#17 NUK Classic Pacifier
NUKS are one of my favorite pacifiers. Babies (preemies too!) take to the NUK really well because it has the right bulb tip that they can curl their tongue around.  NUK are now made BPA free for those concerned about BPA.  There is only one other style that I recommend.  More to follow about them.

#18 Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe Blanket
Sad to say but SwaddleMe is NOT a swaddle blanket. Honestly, it’s a pocket for your baby to come out of! The velcro does not keep a baby’s arms in, arms that need to be security because of the startle reflex. American Baby mothers need to try a really swaddle blanket that will help their babies sleep securely-Miracle Blanket

#19 Gerber Foods
Gerber Foods are good and easy for the busy mom. There is no artificial flavors or colors, no preservatives, and no added refined sugars. You can easily make your own baby foods too with a food processorand place in ice cubes trays to freeze. I have even done so for quadruplets! Here is a great book to help you get started with baby food: Super Baby Food

#20 Graco Pack n’ Play
Everyone has to have a good pack n play and Graco has it. All you need is your basic pack n play for traveling. If you desire to use one in your home as a changing station get the simple changing top. Just be sure that you don’t get the more enclosed bassinet with a canopy. The canopy is more of hassle and too enclosed. Also, I would recommend that you don’t get the twin bassinet as it’s not helpful with twins. All in all, I highly recommend Graco’s pack n play from years of baby use.

I hope these reviews have been helpful for you! Let me know if you have any questions.

#11 A+D Diaper Rash Ointment
It’s my favorite for a pink bum (not red!) or overnight for sensitive bums. It will often times calm the irritation or even prevent a rash.

#12  Bumbo Seat
I have not seen one baby who did not like a Bumbo! They are nice for the new sitter to sit with comfort and look around; helps avoid a flat spot. It’s also great to use for a booster seat as Bumbo has a Tray for play and eating. I’ve also seen that the Bumbo hold up well. It is one of the must haves!

#13 Diaper Genie II
I’m amazed that there are still followers of the Diaper Genie. For years it was the only diaper pail that was really smell resistant (now there is even better); I do think the Diaper Genie is so much better than the average diaper pail. One example was with twins who were foster babies; a month after the twins were placed for adoption the Diaper Genie was found full of diapers and not a scent! It does do it’s job!

#14 Fisher-Price Bouncer Seat
The Fisher-Price has the best bouncy seats out there. I have been using them for years and enjoy them just as much as my babies do.   Place babies in their bouncer for playtime, time upright after feeding, reflux-y baby who needs the upright position to sleep, and for the fussy baby (using the vibrator) who is having a rough night.  It is a must for a baby with reflux and those with multiples!

#15 Fisher-Price Jumperoo You can’t go wrong with a jumperoo!   They have made them for years but now made with a sturdy frame that can go anywhere not just in a doorway.  Babies do love them!  It’s great for another activity place.  Be aware it does take alot of room but you may find that it’s worth it to see your baby all jolly.   The benefits of jumperoos are “great way to build muscles and gross motor skills…great way to give, what we in world of sensory integration theory like to call, vestibular and proprioceptive input to a baby. Jumper toys for baby are important to expose little ones to, so proper neurological development can happen” says author of www.sensory-processing-disorder.com

More reviews to follow!

#6 Boudreaux’s Baby Butt
It’s great! I have found that it’s a better protective barrier compared to Desitin. Pending the type of rash it’s one of the top three ointments I have witnessed to work. It’s also nice without the Desitin fragrance and cleans off nicely.

#7 Baby Orajel
Honestly, I’m pretty skeptical about any baby teething helps. I personally never truly seen a baby struggle with teething enough to need Baby Orajel. All that said, I do know it does numb the gum though for a very short time. Do go ahead and try it and let me know what you think.

#8 Dr. Brown Bottles
These are a must have. I have never seen a baby who would not take them and did well with them from preemies to challenges with feeding. The cons are small, basically there are more parts than you want to wash but they are worth it. The pros are that they are free Baby from taking in air, better for refluxers, good nipple flow even for breastfeeders, and easy to hold to name a few. For breastfeeders who are concerned about nipple confusion use Dr. Brown’s Wide Neck . Again, these are must have bottles!

#9 Huggies Baby Wipes
With any age baby you will really be happy to have Huggies on hand! They are thick and the right size. They come fragrance and alcohol free for baby’s sensitive skin.

#10 Infants Mylicon
Mylicon is honestly way over used with no real change. I do use it but find that Gripe Water (soothing ingredients of ginger and fennel) does a much better job calming baby’s tummy and getting rid of hiccups.

To be continued!

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!

FDA: BPA in Plastic Bottles Isn’t a Health Hazard

Bisphenol-A, a chemical that shows up in some baby bottles, food can linings and hard plastic water bottles, just got a vote of confidence from the FDA.

A Massachusetts woman contemplates alternatives to baby bottles made from polycarbonate plastic. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)

“FDA has concluded that an adequate margin of safety exists for BPA at current levels of exposure from food contact uses,” said an FDA draft assessment released Friday.

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/08/18/fda-bpa-in-plastic-bottles-isnt-a-health-hazard/

Do you have the crankies in your house?

1. Soothe with a pacifer.  If a burp is hidden the pacifier will calm encough to release the burp.

2. Is it time for him to sleep?  Fussing a tell tale sign that he is ready to sleep.

3.Fussing but ready to sleep?  Turn on the white noise machine to calm him.  The white noise machine mimics the shushing sound heard in the womb.

4. Swaddled.  Swaddling calms the baby by taking the stress of the limbs that he is not able to control.

5. Holding tightly and give a steady pat on his bottom will calm him.

6. Walk away from the stimulation.  When babies are over stimulated they cry out in stress.

7. If fussing is a regular part of your day talk with your pediatrician.  Daily fussing can be discomfort from reflux.