Avoid Scares with Newborn Care
Emma S. Class 7
Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapering your baby is considered to some as the more "natural" and "organic" option. Unlike disposable diapers, cloth diapers do not contain chemicals that help disposable diapers to absorb more, and are known to leak less. These cloth diapers also save money because of their ability to be reusable, especially if you have more than one child. If taken good care of, cloth diapers can even be sold once the child is potty trained. One technique that can be used to help clean the diapers are diaper sprays, however, the downside is that it is yet another object to pay for. This diaper spray can save you from having to use your hands to clean off the diaper into the toilet.
Disposable Diapers
Disposable Diapers are what you're looking for if you're trying to avoid mess. Traveling is also made easier by this type of diaper thanks to the easy no mess, no stress material that allows you to simply throw away the dirty diapers. These types of diapers can also be considered more cost effective because the diapers are "ultra-absorbent". These diapers are easier for the parents because they don't have the hassle that they would have in they used cloth diapers and had to clean them off every diaper change. However, these diapers could possibly have a negative affect on the neonates. German scientists claim that the use of disposable diapers "could be one explanation for the worldwide decline in male sperm counts documented in recent decades."
Sleep
Typically, newborns sleep a lot, usually being up to 16 or 17 hours a day! However, most don't stay asleep for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time. At six to eight weeks, newborns tend to start sleeping for a shorter amount during the day and longer amounts during the night. And at four to six months, babies will be capable of sleeping 8 to 12 hours through the night. These unusual sleep patterns effect the parents negatively by making them sleep deprived since the parents and neonates do not have the same sleeping schedule. When your newborn is trying to fall asleep, there are two techniques known as the cry it out method (CIO) or no tears methods. There is a lot of controversy between experts about no tears methods such as the claim that they give your child negative associations with bedtime that could last a life time.
Traveling
Traveling is exhausting by itself, but add a newborn and it becomes 10 times harder for the parents/care givers. Newborns require non stop attention between feedings to diaper changes. This is one reason why it is suggested that for the first few months it is better to stay close to home. Another reason why traveling with newborns is that the risk of the newborn catching something while traveling is too great. Also, the mother "needs the postpartum rest and baby needs a stable environment to adjust to life after birth."
Tips and Tricks to Traveling with a Baby
Sources
"What to Expect." Whattoexpect. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
"Reasons to Cloth Diaper | Wellness Mama." Wellness Mama. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
Schorr, Melissa. "Infertility Attributed to Diaper Use." ABC News. ABC News Network, 25 Sept. 2015. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
"Baby Sleep Basics: Birth to 3 Months | BabyCenter." BabyCenter. N.p., Nov. 2015. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
"Traveling with a Newborn to 8-month-old | BabyCenter." BabyCenter. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
Sears, William, Dr. "Ask Dr. Sears: Traveling With a Newborn." Parenting. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
"Baby Sleep Training: No Tears Methods | BabyCenter." BabyCenter. N.p., Nov. 2015. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.