Every year or so I go through my favorite items for newborns. These are the things I have found most helpful after fifteen years of serving newborns and their families. I encourage you to look at them. Try them out, if you wish. There is no pressure here, just lots and lots of experience.
MIM newborn pacifiers. These are the smallest on the market. This makes them the easiest to hold on to. Nik pioneered this style of pacifier years ago. They studied the ultrasound of a baby breastfeeding. What was learned is that when suckling a baby sucks in a large part of the areola, darker skin surrounding the nipple. Thus, they developed nipples allowing for this natural style of pacifier.
There is an old wives tale called nipple confusion. I am guessing someone somewhere wanted money for a scientific study and came up with this one. Babies are intelligent beings. They learn at a faster rate than we can imagine. When they are hungry they eat. When they are sucking they suck. I have found no such thing as nipple confusion in my practice. There is a term saying “Don’t borrow trouble”. In parenting there are hundreds of issues you simply don’t need to deal with. I encourage you not to expect trouble. Expect good things and they will come. Please ask if you have questions. Ask me, your friends, your relatives, and yes, your pediatrician, if he or she has kids of their own.
The straight green pacifiers given at the hospital are there because the pacifier company has provided them to the hospital at no charge. Ask the nurses, they will let you know. Babies will pretty much take what they are given. If you choose to purchase pacifiers these are my recommendation. You will probably be given some as gifts, at the hospital, and as free samples. See which ones work best with your baby!
Caldecene Medicated Powder is one of my favorites!!! It is magic on diaper rashes. In most cases just a few hours after applying it baby is happy and the rash is gone. It is available at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and online. It is in my gift box at every baby shower. Use it sparingly, you can always add more later. It works on adults and children for chafing, skin irritation, etc, and it smells wonderful!!!
Sale
Digital Baby Scale Multi-Function Infant Toddler Scale Split Mother Baby Scale Digital Pet Scale Kg/St/Lb Unit Switchable 50G-120Kg (White)
by WPYCO
$50.55 $64.99
Infant scale. Having a baby scale around is a wonderful tool when a breastfeeding mom is wondering whether or not baby is drinking enough milk. Nearly every mom doubts her ability to produce enough milk in the initial days. A baby scale allows mom to weigh baby before and after feedings to learn exactly how much milk is been ingested. You won’t need it very long so share it with a friend or borrow one. It will bring you peace in your journey, that is the most important quality in my book!!! A relaxed mommy is better all the way around!
This is one of the many scales available to you. I am not especially recommending this company, but this is the style of scale I believe will serve you best.
I love 100% cotton clothing for mommy and baby. It is absorbent, light, soft and cleans beautifully. There are many companies and styles available on line. I encourage you to find a local store carrying the brands you are considering to examine them in person. Purchase some there in order to thank them for their business and purchase more online when you need them. I have a tendency to over purchase. As you may have already seen, your baby grows so quickly you probably will not need many of a particular item. Purchase things as you need them in an effort not to waste your money. Friends and family members will usually be happy to share the clothing their babies have grown out of. Some how there always seems to be plenty of baby clothing floating around!!
This WebMD article talks about the uses and affects of honey in both homeopathic and medical situations. Historically we have been told not to use honey with newborns. The information here seems to contradict this advice. Ask your pediatrician about the use of honey with you little ones. Honey is good for so many situations I suggest you speak with your OB (Obstetrician) if you have any questions about using honey during pregnancy. Throughout these suggestions we are given reactions and positive uses for honey for adults. Children and infants are really not thoroughly discussed. Do some research on the subject before introducing honey to your little ones. Better safe than sorry. JUDY
Possibly Effective for
Burns. Applying honey preparations directly to burns seems to improve healing.
CoughTaking a small amount of honey by mouth at bedtime appears to reduce coughing spells in children aged 2 years and older. Honey appears to be at least as effective as the cough medicinedextromethorphan. But it is not clear if honey reduces cough in adults.
Foot sores in people with diabetes. Applying dressings containing honey to diabetic foot ulcers seems to reduce healing time and prevent the need for antibiotics.
Dry eye. Using specific honey eye drops or eye gel in the eyes (Optimel Manuka plus eye drops or Optimel Antibacterial Manuka Eye Gel) helps to make dry eyes feel better. These products can be used along with regular dry eye treatment such as lubricant drops and warm cloths on the eyes.
Sores and ulcers of the mouth and gums caused by herpes virus (herpetic gingivostomatitis). Rinsing the mouth and then slowly swallowing honey helps these sores and ulcers heal faster in children who are taking a medication called acyclovir.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Honey is likely safe for most adults. But when honey is produced from the nectar of rhododendrons, it is likely unsafe. This type of honey contains a toxin that may cause heart problems, low blood pressure, and chest pain.
When applied to the skin or on the inside of the mouth: Honey is likely safe for most adults.
When applied into the eye: It is possibly safe to use specific eye drops containing manuka honey (Optimel Manuka Plus Eye Drops; Melcare, Biomedical Pty Ltd). These eye drops are usually applied into the eyes 2-3 times daily for up to 4 weeks.
When applied into the nose: Diluted manuka honey solution is possibly safe for most adults when sprayed into the nose for up to 2 weeks. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Honey is likely safe when taken in food amounts. But there isn’t enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use honey in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to the amounts found in foods.
Interactions ?
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with HONEY Honey might slow blood clotting. Taking honey along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with HONEY Honey might increase how much phenytoin the body absorbs. Taking honey along with phenytoin might increase the effects and side effects of phenytoin.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with HONEY Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Honey might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Parent’s magazine has been around forever. They are one of many great sources for baby information. Now that it is available on-line it is so easy to access! My goal is to open up the doors of available products, methods, and ideas and let you seen the good ones. You can talk about them with your friends and family and decide what you think is then best path for you!!! Look over this article and assess for yourself. The baby below is darling. My babies did not have that much hair until they were three!!! I am jealous!!! JUDY
Baby may be, well, a little funny-looking.
His head may be smooshed from his journey through the birth canal, and he might be sporting a “bodysuit” of fine hair called lanugo. He could also be puffy-faced and have eyes that are often shut (and a little gooey). After all, he just spent nine months in the womb. But pretty soon, he’ll resemble that beautiful baby you imagined.
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Don’t expect rewards – smiles or coos – until about the 6-week mark.
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Up until then, you’re working for a boss who only complains! To get through the exhaustion and emotional upheaval, keep this in mind: your efforts aren’t lost on baby in those early days. “He feels comforted by his father or mother, he feels attachment, he likes to be held,” says Los Angeles-based pediatrician Christopher Tolcher, M.D.
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Give baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord falls off.
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If it’s kept dry, it falls off faster – usually within two weeks. Besides, newborns don’t get very dirty! If the umbilical cord does get wet, pat it dry. And if the stump bleeds a little when the cord falls off, that’s okay, too, as Alyson Bracken, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, learned. “It scared me at first,” she says, but then she found out that, as with a scab, mild bleeding was normal.
The soft spot can handle some handling.
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“I was terrified of the soft spot,” admits April Hardwick, of New York City, referring to the opening in the skull, also called the fontanel, which allows baby to maneuver out of the birth canal. “Gemma had a full head of hair at birth, and I was initially afraid to comb over the soft spot,” Hardwick says. But there was no need to worry: “It’s okay to touch the soft spot and baby’s hair near it,” says Tanya Remer Altmann, M.D, pediatrician and author of Mommy Calls. The spot may pulsate because it’s directly over blood vessels covering the brain.
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She’ll let you know if she’s getting enough food.
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Baby needs to eat every two to three hours – but if you’re nursing, it’s tough to know how much milk she’s getting. “The baby’s weight is the best indicator in the early days,” says Dr. Tolcher. Your pediatrician will check it within a few days of discharge. A newborn loses 5 to 8 percent of her birthweight within the first week but should gain it back by the second. Diaper-counting can also act as a gauge: her schedule those first five days is haphazard, but after that, you’ll see five to six wet diapers a day, and at least one or two stools.
There’s no doubt that babies poop — a lot! If you’re still getting the hang of diapering, learn how to change one at 6 weeks.
Dry skin is the norm for newborns.
Initially, he may be soft and silky, but that changes. “If you soaked yourself in liquid for nine months and then hit the air, you’d be dry too!” says Laura Jana, M.D., pediatrician and coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn. You don’t have to do anything about dry skin (it typically peels and flakes off), but if you’re so inclined, reach for a hypoallergenic baby lotion that is fragrance-free. Little pink bumps, diaper rashes, and even baby acne may also make an appearance. “Acne tends to last for a few months,” Dr. Jana says. “So get those cute newborn pics before one month!”
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You don’t have to hole up at home.
“Lead a normal life, but use common sense when you go out in public,” Dr. Tolcher says. Keep baby out of the sun, and avoid sick people (no toddler birthday parties!) and crowded enclosed spaces (such as the mall during the holidays). “Teach older siblings to touch baby’s feet instead of her hands and face, which will help prevent the spread of infection,” he adds. And make your older child the hygiene police, says Dr. Jana. He’ll love telling guests, “Don’t touch the baby without washing your hands.”
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Babies cry a lot – that’s how they communicate!
Their piercing wails will let you know they’re hungry, cold, have a dirty diaper, or want to be held. These early “conversations” can be frustrating, but rest assured, you’ll get a better handle on what she needs in time. Laurie May, of Boardman, Ohio, and her husband quickly learned to read their daughter’s hunger signal. When they were brand-new parents, they set an alarm to go off every two hours to wake Carter for a feeding. “We did not need the alarm!” she says. “We love to laugh at that one now.”
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Newborn babies also sleep a lot — but not for long stretches.
Those first three months are a free-for-all. Baby needs to eat every two to three hours, so you’re not getting much sleep either. “It does get better,” assures Dr. Altmann. “Most infants can sleep for six to eight hours by 3 months of age.” In the meantime, try to get baby on a day and night schedule: during the day, don’t let him snooze more than three hours without waking him to feed; at night let him sleep as long as he wants once he’s regained the weight he lost at birth.
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The newborn stage is fleeting.
Stressed, tired, and lonely? Yes, those early days are hard. But they’ll soon be behind you. Barbara Evans, of New York City, says, “I wish I’d known how quickly the time goes.” The mom to Luella, 8 months, says, “I didn’t take enough pictures or keep notes!” Rabeea Baloch, of Sugarland, Texas, shares some veteran-mom experience: “With my first, I stressed over every single thing, from changing diapers to whether baby was crying more than usual. With my second, I just enjoyed holding her, smelling her, kissing her, and loving the time together.”
My personal recommendation to you is to take everything you hear and read with a grain of salt. In other words, every baby is individual. There are no two identical mommies. You and your baby are unique. This includes everything about you. Looking at a weight chart can give you an idea of where you and baby fit in the averages. But not being there immediately does not mean there is a problem. Do not obsess on individual characteristics in your babies life. It is the combination of many different criteria that show good development. Proper development includes many areas. Some are larger, some have hair, some do not, some are smaller, longer, lighter or darker. If your baby is happy, eating well, putting on weight, sleeping reasonably well, and advancing developmentally than you are doing well. Step back and look at the whole picture. Talk to other new moms, your friends and family. Enjoy every moment of this precious time. It will be gone in and instant.
As the name suggests, baby or infant growth charts indicate how your child is growing. It’s important not to compare your baby’s size with that of other babies since this may be misleading. The most important thing is that your baby is healthy, happy and growing appropriately.
What is an infant growth chart?
An infant growth chart helps you, your doctor and other health professionals keep track of how your baby is growing. There are different charts for boys and girls, for infants and for older children.
Growth charts record changes in your baby’s length, weight and head circumference. These measurements are marked down on the chart so you can see how they change over time. On the vertical (up-and-down) axis is the measurement; on the horizontal (side-to-side) axis is the baby’s age.
There will probably be a growth chart in your child’s personal health record (often called the blue, red or green book, depending on which state you live in). Your child and family health nurse or GP may also keep a birth chart for your baby.
All babies grow at different rates, and ‘normal’ growth ranges a lot. As long as your baby continues to grow, is responsive and is healthy, there’s usually no need to worry about the trend on the growth chart.
How to understand percentiles
Infant growth (aged 0 to 2) is usually calculated using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) growth standards. Infant growth charts allow health professionals to compare your baby’s growth with that of all other babies of the same age.
Most states and territories use charts from the US Centers for Disease Control to measure growth and weight in children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years.
Like adults, babies come in all shapes and sizes. The growth charts show this by using ‘percentiles’. A baby on the 50th percentile for weight, for example, is right in the middle of the normal range: 50% of babies their age are lighter, and 50% are heavier. A baby on the 5th percentile weighs less than 95% of other babies of that age. A baby on the 90th percentile weights more than 90% of other babies that age.
Some babies will always be small and others will always be large. The important thing is that they are growing as expected for their percentile. The charts help you track this by showing normal growth curves (i.e. always increasing). You can plot your baby’s growth to see if it follows a similar pattern to other babies on that percentile.
How will my baby be measured?
Your baby will be weighed and measured at birth. After that, repeating the measurements once a month or so is usually enough to track how they are growing. Don’t worry if their weight goes up and down from day to day – this is normal.
Babies under 2 years old are usually weighed on a special infant scale (newborns will lie down on the scale). It’s more accurate to weigh babies with no clothes on until they are 12 months. After they turn 2, they can be measured standing up in light clothes. You baby’s head circumference will be measured using a tape measure.
If your child was born prematurely, their age needs to be ‘corrected’ (age adjusted to take into account the weeks they are premature by subtracting these from the age from birth) on the chart until they turn 2 years old.
Growth charts can actually be used until your child turns 18. Your child health nurse or GP can tell you what other health checks are needed to make sure your child is growing and developing normally.
When should I be worried?
Parents are often worried that their baby isn’t growing fast enough. However, while it’s important to measure a child’s growth to see if they are healthy and developing properly, it’s not the only way to tell if they’re healthy.
All babies lose some weight in the week after birth and regain this weight by 2 weeks. Most babies double their birth weight by 4 months and triple it by 13 months (for boys) or 15 months (for girls).
There is unlikely to be anything wrong if your baby:
has at least 5 very wet nappies each day
has pale wee
does well-sized, soft poos
has good skin colour and muscle tone
is meeting other developmental milestones
Weight gain can be affected by an infection or vomiting. If you are ever worried, talk to your child and family health nurse or GP.
If your child’s percentile changes significantly – for example, if they drop by 2 percentile lines – then talk to your child and family health nurse or GP. They will assess the child’s growth trend to see if there is any reason to be worried.
Remember, don’t compare your child’s growth to that of other kids. The important thing is that they continue growing following the same percentile.
Where to go for help
If you have any questions about your baby’s growth or development, you can call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436. Or, see your child’s doctor or early childhood nurse.
Babies come in all shapes and sizes. Weight can vary drastically. The average weight for full-term babies is 7 pounds, 5 ounces. However, a percentage of healthy, full-term babies are born under or over that average weight.
As your baby grows, their rate of weight gain will be an important indicator of overall health and development. Your baby’s pediatrician will monitor weight, length, and head size at each well-child appointment to determine if your baby is progressing as they should.
Read on to learn more about the average weights for different ages
Chart of average baby weights
The following weights for maleTrusted Source and femaleTrusted Source babies are from the World Health Organization (WHO). Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend using WHO’s charts for children up to 2 years old.
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