Baby sleeping safely

Ensuring the safety and protection of your baby must be the most important things you have to do. Even more with regard to his sleep you must pay attention because, newborns spend most of their time asleep.

First and foremost, taking about baby sleep safety the first thing that comes in our mind is his crib. You must choose a firm mattress and don't put cushions, pillows, fluffy animals in his crib because, your baby may become entangled within them.

As soon as you buy baby's mattress you must remove plastic or polyethylene materials.

According to doctors the position that offers a maximum of safety is always letting your baby sleep on his/her back. Either during the day or at night this reduce considerably the sudden infant death syndrome and also ensure that he/she does breathe easily.

Make sure that  baby's room temperature is comfortable. If it is seems comfortable for you, then it will be also for your baby.

Avoid co-sleeping with your baby :

• If you are extremely tired.
• If you are not sober or abstemious.
• If you still smoking or smoke during pregnancy.
• If you are a heavy sleeper.

Trimming baby nails

Trimming children's nails regularly is very important to avoid baby injuring himself or any other person who is caring him.

You can trim his nails after bath when their softer or when your baby is sleeping. The fingertip must be trimmed by following the natural curve. Cut in a straight line your baby's toes nails using clippers or scissors designed for children.

If your baby is awake while trimming his nails you need to distract his attention. In my case i do sing, talk to my baby or give a small toy.

Changing diapers

For first-time moms changing your baby's diaper can be exciting but also fearful. It seems difficult because of lack of experience and the feeling of doubt are fairly reasonable. As time go by you feel at ease and enjoying the changing time which is also a way of bonding with your baby.


To avoid leaving your baby alone to go and pick up a supply you have forgotten, you need to arrange and put everything near your baby before starting changing the diaper.

Put your baby in changing pad placed on top of a table or can be a room totally equipped for this purpose. Clean baby's bottom with a damp wipe. You can use the front side of the old diaper to clean soiled area.

Use diaper rash cream to treat your baby's rash. Make sure to use appropriated newborn diaper or fold down the top part of the diaper to make room for the umbilical cord.

While changing your baby talk, sing to him/her. Once you have finish changing your baby clean up everything and make sure to clean your hands to decontaminate them prior to holding your baby.

Washing and drying cloth diapers.

 Washing them properly is very important because if not well done your baby may get irritated , check always the manufacturer's instructions when washing cloth diapers.

Washing
The oldest way of washing cloth diapers is boil washing and many people still doing it. In our days washing may be done with washing machine. When washing them choose hot water and use a fragrance-free detergent you can neutralize smells by using white vinegar. Use only clear water to do the rinse.

Drying
You may dry your diapers outside in the sunshine. This will help to bleach and deodorize them.
You can also use dryer at medium heat temperature.

Choice of diapers.

when choosing between cloth or disposable diapers the most important things to keep in mind are : It is a question of preferences, finances, environment and your child's health and comfort will be affected.

Cloth diapers.
On the one hand seeing that they are washable and reusable cloth is much less expensive than disposables. They cause less diaper rash. Cloth diapers are good for the environment.
On the other hand cloth diapers most of the time are fastened with pins, you may also find velcro and snap closures. Keep in mind that almost every day you will do loads of laundry. They are not convenient when not at home or travelling.

Disposable diapers.
After each use you throw them away whenever you change your baby and they are easier to use and convenient when not at home or travelling. They leek less and have a tape-stick. No question of doing laundry.
On the other hand disposable diapers are more expensive. They cause a rash. Although they supposed to be biodegradable, but it takes time therefore they are bad for the environment.

It is completely a personal choice for parent to decide which diaper to use for your child. You must make a good decision based either on the convenience, the environment or your baby's health.

Bathing baby

Bathing newborn is very important. It's a special moment of bonding between parents and baby and also allowing them to get to know him.

Before bathing your  baby make sure that everything needed is close at hand and ready.
Check water's temperature with your elbow or your arm it has to be comfortably warm.
Room temperature should be between 22ºC and 24ºC. Bathing baby can be done at any time when baby is awake.

Getting ready.

• Sponge baths for newborns
• Mild soap
• Soft cotton balls
• New clean diaper
• Baby towel
• Wash cloth
• Bay shampoo
• Clean cloth

Never ever leave your baby alone in the bathroom. Do not be disturb by anything when baby is still bathing.( Don't answer the phone or people at the door.)
Always carry your baby with you to get a forgotten item needed  for his bath.

A newborn may not need to take his bath everyday. Just clean his face, his eyes, behind the ears, his neck, genitals and bottom every day with a soft cloth.
When cleaning his eyes or ears use a different soft cotton balls for each eye and each ear to avoid spreading minor infection. You can also use a different corner of a wash cloth for each eye and ear.
Don't forget to clean also his nostril with another corner of wash cloth.

Take off your baby's clothing and diaper. Put a wash cloth in lukewarm water and squeeze it properly, clean gently all his body.
Once or twice a week you may wash your baby's head and scalp smoothly with a mild soap or a baby shampoo. Rinse his hair properly with a soft cloth and clear water.

To keep your baby warm cover him with a dry towel after he has been rinse gently and  smoothly.

Taking care of the umbilical cord of a newborn.

The umbilical cord is very important for baby. Is that tube that connects the fetus to the placenta. Through it oxygen and necessary nourishment is brought from the placenta to the fetus. Once baby is born the umbilical cord is cut off leaving only a small stump that generally fall off between 7-21 days and this occurs naturally.

How to take care of a  umbilical cord

• We must clean the umbilical cord every day and make sure that it well dried.
• Until the 21 day or the falling off of the stump bath your baby with wash cloth or sponge.
• Use a cotton balls or cotton swab soaked in warm water to clean the stump.
• Use another cotton balls or cotton swab to dry the stump.
• Use newborn diapers that are suitable and adapted to his umbilical cord or use any other diaper but, make sure that it fasten just below baby's tummy.
• The stamp will fall off naturally never pull it out even if it seems like it is about to fall off.

Once the umbilical cord has fallen off it is normal and not dangerous when you see bleeding or minor discharge.
Get medical attention when the stump is bleeding continually and foul odor is being released.
Properly caring for the umbilical cord is very important to avoid infection.

Talking with your baby

Crying

As soon as a baby is born he start to communicate and his only way of communication is by crying. 
As new parent it is a bit confusing and difficult because you don't understand why your baby is crying but, nevertheless don't be discouraged. Spending time with your baby is the best way to get to know and interpret his needs.

Reasons why baby is crying

Hungry

The most common reason of babies crying is hungry. Newborn ask breast or feeding bottle most often than could many parents imagine at first. Newborns can be fed at least eight to twelve times a day.

Temperature

The room temperature is very important for baby.  If it is too hot or too cold your baby may start crying. Specially if he has cold feet, he cannot sleep. The best thing to do is to put a cloth over his  feet.

Thirst

Breast fed baby doesn't need water because his thirst is naturally fulfil with mother's milk. At beginning of each feed mother's milk has sufficient quantity of water.
Bottle-fed baby may get thirst between baby's bottle that may explain his cry.

Need to be carry

Simply by taking and carrying baby in your arms is often sufficient to stop his cry. Cuddling your baby is not synonymous of spoiling him.

Not comfortable

Is his nappy wet or soiled?,  is there something that is hurting or irritating him?, is his position not comfortable?

Touch

At birth touch is the most mature sense. It is the first sense a baby  develops while in the uterus.
During pregnancy you got in touch with your baby in fondling your belly.
Cuddling, fondling and taking her into your arms give her a sense of contentment and well-being and also testify your love for her.
Daily massage is a wonderful way to bond with your baby. It develops a strong, positive parent-child relationship. Another way of bonding with your baby is during bathing time while enjoying skin contact.

Eye contact

Strong visual contact with your baby conveys love. It also a sign of security and engagement.
Although his sight is a bit blurred baby is able to look at you  in the eyes and recognize you.
Maintain eye contact when feeding your baby and you will be able to communicate your love to her.

Hearing

While baby was in your belly she had often heard your voice. A newborn can distinguish the sound of her mother voice from the one of another woman.
Your baby is at ease when she hear a familiar sound and it gives her a sense of security.
Baby may turn her head to the side where the sound is coming therefore, when you enter into her bedroom she will turn in your direction.
During bath time, feeding time or any other moments when baby is awake talk to her.

Taste and smell

The sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses. The newborn has already a sense of smell. Your baby distinguish the scent of your skin from the one of another woman and it contributes to develop her bonding with you.

During bath time, feeding time or any other moments when baby is awake talk to her. These are very special moments for both of you because you get to know and also to bond to each other. 

Having twins

Giving birth to twins is not easy in the first months, all will turn around bathing time, feeding time, sleeping time, clothes washing time. You need to create routines for everything.

Organisation is very important. Write down the time-table for each baby and other important things also. This will be useful when getting help from family and friends.

Fathers has to help. They must get involved in taking care of the twins, they are vital to the raising of twins.

Having twins is not the end of the world. You will be filled with wonder at the progress accomplished each day by everybody.

Baby clothes care

Some babies have sensitive skin and it is imperative to protect their skins from irritating substances by taking proper care of their clothes.

New clothes should always be washed before worn.You must always read and follow the manufacturer's instruction. Your little one's clothes has to be washed separately with a mild and fragrance-free detergent. Also pay attention to fabric softener some newborn may get irritated.

Baby's first shoes

Once baby is born we cannot stop his development but, instead comply with it. He is growing as in the twinkling of an eye before us.

When baby start crawling it is excellent for him to be barefoot inside and outside the house in summer.

It's a joyous time for parents when baby start walking and also time to go from those cute booties to baby shoes. Baby toddler shoes must provide protection for their feet and keep them warm. It should be light in weight and allowing the feet to remain healthy and strong. Therefore must be made from natural and soft materials and be airy for toddler's feet to breath.

Every three months between 12 and 36 months the adjustment of shoes must be verified to make sure they fit properly.

No need to be perfect

As all human being we do make mistakes and as parents we are not exempted from them. The most important thing is to admit and correct them.

Being parents is not synonymous of perfection. Life is a learning process so we do learn , improve and grow every day. We share our knowledge and experience with our children to prevent them from making the same mistakes as us and helping them to be responsible and facing their actions.

We are  preparing our children for their future with counsel, guidance and we are coaching them as they move ahead in life. They may not like or be in agreement with what we do we must stand firm because we are not their friend, but instead their guide. We are not perfect but, we are responsible for their upbringing. We want the best for our children and in this process we must admit that we can make mistakes.

As time go by we are ageing  and getting mature to the degree we are much wiser than when we were younger and growing up.