New Parent Newsletter
Summer Saenz
Newborn appearance
Do you ever wonder what your baby will look like? Babies aren't going to look like they do on tv. Their heads are bigger than the rest of their bodies. His or her legs and feet might look bowed or bent. Their eyes may look swollen or puffy and they won't open them for about 2 weeks. His or her skin might look dry or flaky their skin will be covered by fine, downy hair known as languo. Languo is normal for newborns, it will normally wear off within several weeks. Newborn girls might have vaginal discharge for several days. Some boys develope hydrocele, usually disappears within a year.
Bonding with your infant
Newborns and young children don't play the same way but they require lots of attention and love even when they are just babies. Babies feel loved if you show them attention, hold them and care for them. Newborns babies aren't old enough to play with toys that a young child might play with. Playing peek- a- boo & letting them listen to music boxes are good ways to bond with your baby. Talking to your baby is also a great way to let them know you love them. Even though babies don't know how to talk or understand what you're saying they understand the tone in your voice. It's always good to talk and show face expressions so that your baby will learn how to imitate sounds and facial expressions.
Guidelines for appropriate toys for infants
An appropriate toy infants should be playing with are toys that are age appropriate, the parts are tightly constructed, they are colorful, the toys are painted with non- toxic substances. Toys should be safe for young infants, toys with strings or cords should be 12 inches or less and they should have rounded edges to keep them from getting hurt.
Pros & Cons of breast and bottle feeding
Breast feeding and bottle feeding are both great ways to feed your baby, it's just which ever way you feel comfortable feeding them.
Pros of bottle feeding:
- Convenient
- Not messy
- You can premake bottles
- Anybody can feed
- Reduces strain or weak
- Formula isn't natural
- A lot of equipment involved
- Expensive
- Baby doesn't get immunities
- Good for development
- Healthy for babies
- Natural nutrients
- Cheaper
- Father can't participate
- Time consuming
- Painful
- Uncomfortable
- Messy
- Jealousy of siblings may occur
Foods for babies and when they should be introduced
At birth they need milk through breast feeding or bottle feeding.
2-4 weeks they can start drinking orange juice or vitamin c supplements
4 weeks they can have flouridated water.
3 months they can eat cereal that provide iron and b vitamins
3-4 months they can have mashed hard cooked egg yolk
4 months puréed fruits and veggies
6 months puréed meats
7 months they can have breads and pasta
Later they can start eating strained and chopped adult food.
Characteristics of a healthy child
A healthy baby should sleep soundly through the night, they should be happy, their eyes should be bright and their teeth should be white and clean. They should gain height and weight, few aches and pains, they should be full of energy and enjoy group or individual activities.
SIDS prevention and crib safety
SIDS is an unexplained sudden infant death syndrome for babies less than a year old. Death remains unexplained even after an autopsy. SIDS usually occurs during sleep. Don't lay them on their stomachs or sides in case they roll over they won't have trouble breathing, during the night babies tend to spit up and if they are laying on their stomachs they could choke. You also don't want to cover them with a blanket or put stuffed animals in the crib with them because they could smother them. There are ways to prevent SIDS by making sure you place your child on its back when you put them to bed.