Author: Robyn

Your pregnancy at week 34

Posted on by Robyn

Welcome to your week 34 pregnancy update where we outline the changes you and your baby are experiencing.

Your Baby

You will be happy to know that if your bub wants to make her way out of your cosy belly between week 34 and week 37 weeks she is likely to survive.

Baby is 45 cm long and weighs 2.15kg. Your baby’s eyes are fully open now. The eyes will only close now when your baby sleeps. And your baby is sleeping in regular patterns right now, and you may be aware of her sleep pattern. Even though your baby’s eyes are open, she doesn’t have good eyesight. Even after she is born, it will take several weeks for her vision to be clear and focus on objects. She will rely on other senses such as hearing and smell to identify people until she can clearly focus.

Your baby can also determine the difference between sweet and sour tastes. Premature babies born as early as 33 weeks have been observed to suck harder on a teat dipped in glucose.

You may notice your baby’s movements changing in character (to be more ‘stretches’ and ‘squirms’) as they grow larger and there is comparatively less room for them to move.

 

Just like adults, all babies are different and develop at varying rates in the womb. This information gives a general idea of your baby’s development and progress.

The Mum Update

Your unborn baby can detect subtle changes in the flavour of the amniotic fluid she floats in. It is believed these changes act as a ‘flavour bridge’ to their mother’s breast milk which also changes flavour depending on what the mother eats (such as sugar, garlic or curry). This means when baby is born she is already used to changes in taste – how clever is that!

During the last trimester of your pregnancy, you may discover you leak a little urine when you cough, sneeze, exercise or lift something. Don’t panic! This is called stress incontinence and is quite normal as your uterus enlarges and puts pressure on your bladder. Mention it to your LMC so a urinary-tract infection, which may also cause incontinence, can be ruled out.

 

learning about labour

pregnancy symptoms

Your pregnancy at week 33

Posted on by Robyn

Welcome to your week 33 pregnancy update where we outline the changes you and your baby are experiencing.

Your Baby

At week 33 your baby is now fully formed physically and has a firm grasp reflex. He is around 44cm long and weighs 1920 grams. His adrenal glands have begun to work, producing the adrenaline that will cause him to feel fear, exertion or even surprise. The adrenal glands are very small, but efficient.

Baby’s adrenal glands have started working this week, producing that famous hormone adrenaline – a neurotransmitter which will help both mother and baby deal with the stress of labour. Baby is also receiving your antibodies to protect and develop his immune system, something which will continue as you breastfeed.

During week 33 your baby’s head will grow by up to centimetre in circumference – a huge spurt in a short time period. Baby’s brain is rapidly making more connections and growing bigger. In fact, some scientists believe baby’s brain in the 33rd week of pregnancy is the same as when he’s born around week 40. Experts have argued that birth is almost an insignificant event when it comes to brain development in babies, with the brain growing more rapidly in the womb then it does in the immediate weeks following birth.

Just like adults, all babies are different and develop at varying rates in the womb. This information gives a general idea of your baby’s development and progress.

The Mum Update

Have you been told you are having a big baby ? Don’t let that undermine your confidence in your abiltiy to give birth vaginally as most women produce babies that their body is able to birth. Also, the size of your bump doesn’t necessarily translate directly to the size of your baby – there are other factors such as the way your baby is lying and how much amniotic fluid there is. Similarly, if your bump is still nice and compact don’t assume your baby is going to be underweight or that there is a problem. Baby bumps come in all sizes and there is no ‘right’ size.

Your baby can also determine the difference between sweet and sour tastes. Premature babies born as early as 33 weeks have been observed to suck harder on a teat dipped in glucose.

learning about labour

pregnancy symptoms

Your pregnancy at week 32

Posted on by Robyn

Welcome to your week 32 pregnancy update where we outline the changes you and your baby are experiencing.

Your Baby

At week 32 baby is 42.4 cm long and weighs 1.7kg. All five senses within your baby are now working. She can see, hear, smell, taste and touch. While it doesn’t seem like there is much to stimulate any of the senses, there certainly is. Your baby can taste what you had for dinner a few hours after you eat. She can hear sounds inside and outside of your body. She can tell the difference between light and dark. Her fingers are coordinated to reach for things to touch in utero. The one thing she hasn’t available to her is anything to smell. There is amniotic fluid, but there isn’t much scent to it, really. Once your baby is born, she will begin to understand smells.

Your baby has now put on enough weight to make them look a little chubby! The fine hair that covered their entire body (called lanugo) now disappears from their face, but remains on their torso. Most babies sleep about 90% of the time at this stage, in between having shorts bursts of movement when awake (every 1 to 2 hours). Many unborn babies like to be active during the evenings when their mother is trying to sleep, between 9pm and 1am!

Your baby’s lungs continue to mature, producing increasing amounts of ‘surfactant’. This is a fatty liquid (called phospholipid) that lines their lungs, keeping them moist and helping the sacs within them (called alveoli) to expand efficiently for breathing. Your baby’s sucking and swallowing action (required to drink milk) fully coordinates between 32 to 34 weeks. However, if your baby is born during this time they may require fluids and glucose through a drip in their vein and/or be fed with a fine tube inserted through their mouth or nose, because suckling tires them quickly

Just like adults, all babies are different and develop at varying rates in the womb. This information gives a general idea of your baby’s development and progress.

The Mum Update

Until now your visits to your LMC have probably been on a monthly basis, unless you’ve had complications or problems. Around now your visits will increase to fortnightly until you reach your last month of pregnancy; at the time, you’ll probably switch to weekly visits.

Although your baby isn’t born yet, your body is getting ready for her. Don’t be surprised if you discover you have leaky breasts before your baby is born!

third trimester questions

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Posted on by Robyn

Hand, foot and mouth disease is also known as coxsackievirus infections. It is most common in children under 10 years old, but can occur at any age. It is easy to identify by its tell-tale mouth sores and rash on the feet and hands.

What causes it?

Hand, foot and mouth disease infections are caused by an enterovirus. Enteroviruses are extremely common; in fact they are second only to common cold viruses. Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads through contact with an infected person, or through contact with the secretions of an infected person. It appears most often in warm weather – usually summer or autumn months.

Is it serious?

Most hand, foot and mouth disease infections are not serious and resolve themselves with little or no treatment in about a week to ten days. Severe hand, foot, and mouth disease can lead to meningitis, but this is very rare.

Can I prevent it?

Like any virus, it is best prevented through proper hygiene by teaching kids to wash their hands with soap and water. Avoid exposure to other children who have the virus and notify your child’s school or child care centre if your child is diagnosed with the virus, to avoid spreading it to other children. Hand, foot and mouth disease tends to spread quickly in child care situations.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with muscus, salvia, blisters or bowel movements of someone that already has the infection.

How do I know if my child has hand, foot and mouth disease?

Older children and adults may breeze through a bout of hand, foot and mouth disease with few, if any, symptoms. The virus is most common in children under ten. Children who contract the virus may display some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Mouth sores that turn into ulcers
  • Rash on the soles of the feet and palms of the hand
  • Sore throat
  • Joint pain
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Children wearing nappies may also experience the rash on their bottom

How do I treat hand, foot and mouth disease?

For the most part, you don’t need to do anything if your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, other than make him comfortable and avoid spreading the virus to other children. Keep him home from school or child care until the blisters heal over. You can give him paracetamol for the fever or minor aches that may accompany the virus. Make sure that he gets lots of rest and fluids.

If your child’s mouth is sore avoid sour, salty and spicy foods.

Should I call the doctor?

Call the doctor if your child experiences an unusually high fever, or has joint pain and/or bad headaches. These may be signs that his illness needs medical treatment.

What you need to know about hand, foot and mouth disease

  • It is also known as coxsackievirus infection.
  • Hand, foot and mouth disease infections are very common, second only to the common cold.
  • Hand, foot and mouth disease infections are most common in children under age ten.
  • Good hand washing and proper hygiene can prevent hand, foot and mouth disease.
  • Treat the discomfort associated with hand, foot and mouth disease infections with paracetamol.
  • Call your doctor if you child has a high fever, joint pain, or bad headaches.

Ideas for a pink party

Posted on by Robyn

A pink party is perfect for many ages and stages from a first birthday up to teens (or even gender reveals!). It is particularly popular with three-year-old girls.

Invitations

Of course you need to start with a pink invitation – anything to suit the age of the birthday girl as long as it is very pink and pretty. Buy a ready made invitation or make your own. Don’t forget to ask guests to come dressed in pink (or at least wear one thing pink).

Decorations for your pink party

  • The table must be covered in pink – plates cups, napkins, cloth and runners. To make the table and decorations interesting include a variety of shades of pink and some patterns such as polka dots and stripes in runners, napkins and other decorations.
  • Use lots of balloons in all the shades of pink and add something interesting such as pink bunting, feather boas or lots of pink tulle.
  • If your party girl already loves pink you will find you have lots of it around the house already, so make use of it to decorate the party.

Games to play at your pink party

  • Have a pink fashion parade.
  • Play pass the (pink) parcel – wrap everything in pink and include novelties and lollies only in pink.
  • Find pink items of treasure in the garden.
  • Play a guessing game asking guests to name as many pink items as they can.
  • Use hairspray and give the guests pink hair.
  • Paint finger and toenails with pink nail varnish.
  • Make loads of pink icing and invite the guests to decorate their own cakes and cookies.

Pink party food

  • Ice cupcakes with pink icing and top them with pink fairy floss.
  • Fill jugs or mini milk bottles with pink milk or raspberry flavoured fizzy drink.
  • Make pink jelly and decorate with pink lollies.
  • Ice store bought plain biscuits with pink icing and sprinkle with coconut.
  • Fill giant glass bowls or vases with pink and white lollies such as marshmallows, milk bottles and mini musks.
  • Make mini strawberry jam sandwiches and use pink sprinkles on fairy bread.

Pink party bags

  • Take home party bags of course need to be filled with pink lollies and trinkets.
  • Decorate with personalized tags and pretty pink ribbons.
  • Alternatively find one really nice pink gift for each guests and wrap it in gorgeous pink wrap and ribbons.

Routine for a two to three-week old

Posted on by Robyn

With many partners heading back to work two or three weeks after their baby is born, it can be an exhilarating and/or nerve-wracking time for many mothers. You might be finding life with a new baby a breeze, or you might be having difficulties feeding, or dealing with excessive crying. It’s important for new mums to surround themselves with a network of supportive people, so join a mother’s group or contact the New Zealand Breastfeeding Association if you’re having issues with breastfeeding.

A day in the life…

While a set routine isn’t advisable when your baby is two to three weeks old, you may start to see some more structure coming into you and your baby’s days and nights. (Although don’t worry if this isn’t the case, as each baby is so different). As a rough guide, your baby might wake, feed, have a nappy change, cuddle or some fresh air, followed by another sleep, six or more times in each 24-hour period, and be able to stay awake for between one and two hours.

Sleep tips

A tired two to three-week old baby can be put into their bassinette while awake and will usually fall asleep on their own. Some new babies prefer a quiet, dark place, others settle more easily in lighter, noisier places. Some babies are harder to settle than others and many need help from their carer (see below). Many babies fall asleep in a sling when mum goes for a walk or in their capsule in the car, although may wake when the car stops – some parents find themselves going for several drives a day, and even during the night when their baby forms a sleep attachment with the car. So using your station-wagon as your baby’s primary sleeping place might lead to issues long-term.

9 ways to settle your baby

  • Swaddle, or wrap, bub in a thin cotton sheet or swaddling blanket
  • Rock them in a pram or your arms for a short time and then settle into bed
  • Settle in their bassinette and pat with a cupped hand. Start patting quickly and then slow down as bub calms
  • Use a baby sling – it may help bub settle and allows you to do some jobs or go for a walk
  • Walking in the pram, especially over bumpy surfaces, can also help your baby relax and fall asleep
  • Soothing music or household noise in the background can help babies relax – some babies fall asleep to the vibrating noise of the washing machine or tumble dryer
  • Check that your baby isn’t too hot or cold, that their clothing isn’t too tight and that they don’t need their nappy changing
  • A warm bath can often settle your baby
  • Offer another feed, (often called a ‘top-up’ feed)

Bedtime ritual

Even with young babies you can start a bedtime ritual that is a cue for sleep and helps them relax. Try singing a nursery rhyme or song, give them a kiss goodnight, accompanied by some special soft words as you put them down.

Wonder week: Eight week old baby routine

Posted on by Robyn

Babies up to about four months of age generally sleep when they are fed and comfortable and are starting to enjoy ‘playing’ with their carers. This might mean chatting, being sung to, taken out for a walk and looking at things they can focus on. If you’re having trouble with sleeping or settling, background noises and movement (in a car or sling) tend to promote sleep – being taken on a car journey or pushed in a pram will almost always settle a young baby to sleep.

A day in the life…

While many baby experts advise letting a young baby set its own routine, many mums prefer a more structured approach. Here’s Gina Ford’s morning routine for a breast-fed baby at six to eight weeks.

  • 7am: Baby should be awake, nappy changed and feeding no later than 7am.
  • 8am: You should have cereal toast and a drink. Wash and dress baby.
  • 8.50am: Check his nappy and close the curtains.
  • 9am: Settle the drowsy baby, half swaddled and in the dark with the door shut no later than 9am.
  • 9.45am: Open the curtains and unswaddle baby so that he can wake up naturally.
  • 10am: Baby must be fully awake now, regardless of how long he slept. If he had a full feed at 7am he should last until 10.45am for his next feed. If he fed earlier, followed by a top-up feed at 7.30am, he may need to start this 10am feed earlier. Encourage him to have a good kick under his play gym.
  • 10.45am: He should be given 20-25 minutes from the breast he last fed on, then offered 10-15 minutes from the second breast while you have a large glass of water. Do not feed after 11.30am, as it will put him off his next feed.
  • 11.45am: Regardless of what he has done earlier, he should now be taken to his room. Change his nappy, close the curtains and settle baby, half or fully swaddled and in the dark with the door shut not later than 12 noon.

Wonder weeks

Research has shown that there are predictable times during the first few years of a child’s life when they might be more demanding than usual. Each time is known as a ‘wonder week’ because it’s during these more difficult weeks that babies are making big steps forward in their development. Knowing when your baby is going through a wonder week may help you get navigate the tumultuous times.

Wonder week!

Wow! At around 8 weeks of age, a baby begins to recognise more of the people and things around her.

3 top calming tips

If your baby is feeling unsettled, try these calming tips:

  • Take your baby for a walk outside, either in your arms or in a sling.
  • Hold your baby in your arms and hum while gently bouncing on a fitball – the humming and bouncing will relax both you and your baby.
  • Breastfeed your bub to sleep. While some experts might warn against this, parenting doyenne Pinky McKay says the combination of hormones and sucking motion is one of the best ways to settle a baby.

Important!

It’s worth bearing in mind that routines are easy for some babies to pick up, and not so easy for others, so these are only suggestions and guidelines.

A day in the life of a one week old…

Posted on by Robyn

Finally, your baby’s arrived – now what? Well, in the first few weeks after birth, your newborn will sleep much of the time, often waking two or three times during the night for a feed (more often for premature bubs). In the early days, it’s easy for parents to feel sleep deprived, so try and snooze at the same time as your baby to keep your energy levels up.

A day in the life

While the vast majority of grown-ups have a daily routine, it’s not something your newborn baby is familiar with. Not yet able to discern night from day, a newborn has time for little more than sleeping and feeding. Baby experts recommend getting to know your baby in these first early days, as opposed to setting down a strict routine – it’s all about learning your baby’s patterns, which then go on to form the basis of a loose routine.

How often does a newborn feed?

At birth, your newborn’s stomach is the size of a marble, which is why tiny babies need to feed so often. It’s completely normal for a newborn baby to feed eight or 12 times in a 24 hour-period during the first few weeks.

How much does a newborn sleep?

A newborn might only stay awake for around an hour, or an hour and a quarter, each time they wake – and feeding may take up much of that! Don’t worry, though, as the days go by your bub will soon be able to stay awake longer with mum and dad!

When does a newborn need to sleep?

Long before they can talk, a baby has their own tired signs that tell their carers they’re ready for a snooze. Here are some of the most common tired signs:

  • Yawning
  • Jerky movements
  • Becoming quiet, not wanting to play
  • “Grizzling” or fussing
  • Rubbing their eyes
  • Making a sleepy sound
  • Crying
  • Pulling faces
  • Clenched fists
  • Waving arms and legs about

An OTT house can lead to overtired tot

If your house is a social hub with a constant stream of visitors, it may be easy to miss your baby’s tired signs. Do this at your peril! As your baby gets more alert and overtired, it’ll be even harder to get your bub to sleep. If overtiredness happens, you’ll get to know the heart-rending ‘waaaaah waaaaah’ cry of an over-stimulated newborn. By keeping an eye on tired signs, you’ll stop these overtired frenzies happening.

Look after yourself, too

With a new baby in the household – and many mums recovering from c-sections and stitches, it’s vital that you take care of yourself, too:

  • Accept any offers of help – home-cooked meals, leg massages – bring them on!
  • Get some ‘me-time’, and book in an enjoyable hour every so often with your partner, spouse or friend
  • If you’re feeling down or irritable most of the time, talk it over with your midwife, plunket nurse or GP

Establishing a daytime routine for nine to 12 weeks olds

Posted on by Robyn

As your baby grows, feeding will have become established and your days might form a loose daytime routine. It might mean less time spent feeding and settling and more playtime with bub, including walks, visiting friends, reading cloth books, singing and cuddling – even swimming lessons or baby sensory classes for active mums and bubs!

A day in the life…

Here’s a sample daytime routine for three month-olds from Kidwrangling by Kaz Cooke:

  • Baby wakes up. Feed: breakfast (breast milk or formula). Play. Sleep.
  • Feed: Morning tea (breast milk or formula). Play. Sleep.
  • Feed: Lunch (breast milk or formula). Play. Sleep.
  • Feed: Afternoon tea (breast milk or formula). Play – introduce a restful activity if the baby is cranky or overtired. Sleep: possibly short or the baby may want to stay awake, but watch for tired signs.
  • Bath, wind-down. Feed: dinner (breast milk or formula). Sleep: about 7pm. Feed: supper (breast milk or formula). Sleep: through the night (hey, it’s a plan!).

Are you getting enough sleep?

If you’re not getting around five or six hours’ sleep each night by the time your baby is six months old, speak to an early childhood nurse for some advice on how to adjust your daytime routine.

Important!

It’s worth bearing in mind that routines are easy for some babies to pick up, and not so easy for others, so these are only suggestions and guidelines.

Routine for a four to six-week old

Posted on by Robyn

In the first few weeks and months, it’s common for babies to wake for feeds at least two or three times during the night – but don’t worry, this won’t last forever! You may be enjoying life with a new baby and getting out for walks and meeting other mums, and your baby may or may not have settled into a daytime pattern. If you’re having difficulties with breastfeeding or mastitis, contact the New Zealand Breastfeeding Association and if you’re having issues with sleeping, crying or feeding, visit an early childhood clinic.

A day in the life…

Many babies sleep 14-20 hours a day in the first weeks. While you might not need a strict sleeping and feeding routine, a general daytime pattern of feeding and settling after a small play, cuddle, talk and touch works for many babies. Watch out for the tired signs – grizzling, grimacing, crying and clenched fists – that signal your baby is sleepy. At this age babies are often relaxed and sleepy after a feed, staying awake for between one and two hours. You might still be spending a lot of time tending to your baby’s needs, as they may be feeding six times or more in a 24-hour period.

Learning night from day

Some young babies tend to be more wakeful in the evening or night rather than during the day. Here’s how to help your baby can start learning the difference between night and day:

  • Help your baby get into a daytime pattern by playing, cuddling, going for a walk, or playing on the floor after a feed, and not straight to sleep. These play times will help your baby to learn that daytime is the time to be awake.
  • At night-time, feed and settle bub in a quiet, dark place, keeping playing to a minimum, before settling and putting your baby back in their bassinette or cot.

Why wrapping can work

Wrapping can help some babies develop a more settled sleep pattern. You can wrap your infant from any age, and throughout their first year of life. Whether you swaddle or not depends on whether it helps your baby – some babies find it stressful while others find it comforting. Do what works for your baby.

  • Older unsettled babies may sleep better if wrapped firmly.
  • When babies are wrapped with their hands close to their face they can comfort themselves more easily.
  • Wrapping helps to prevent random arm movements, which can disturb a baby’s sleep.
  • Babies whose sleep is disturbed by colic or reflux may be more settled when wrapped.

How to wrap safely

  • Wrapping, or swaddling, should be firm around your baby’s arms but looser around their legs so they’re able to bend them.
  • Use a piece of muslin or a light cotton wrap to swaddle your baby. Bigger, more active, babies may need dedicated cotton swaddling wraps.
  • Don’t use bunny rugs and blankets as they can cause overheating.
  • Don’t overdress bub under the wrap. A singlet and nappy in warm weather, or a onesie in cooler weather, often works well.

Could My Baby Be Sick? How To Read Your Baby’s Sick Signs

Posted on by Robyn

When they’re too little to tell you how they’re feeling or what’s hurting, parents have to read some other signs to know if their baby is sick.

GP Dr Ginni Mansberg has the following must-read tips for parents of littlies.

What’s their temperature?

For babies and toddlers, their body temperature is like their health barometer. If they’re sick, it’s very likely their temperature will shoot up – and it can happen in a flash, says Dr Mansberg.

She advises all parents to ensure they have a decent thermometer in the house – her preference is the digital ones that go in the ear – so they can know for sure what their bub’s temperature actually is.

“The touch-test is just not accurate enough. A baby can feel like they’re burning up but be 37°C. GPs love a parent who can turn up to an appointment with a fairly accurate record of their baby’s temperature,” she says.

Fever facts

  • Anything over 37.5°C is considered to be a fever.
  • Any fever in a baby under the age of three months should be investigated by a doctor as soon as possible.
  • Any temperature over 38.5°C in a baby under six months old should be investigated as soon as possible.
  • If a baby is over six months old you can observe and see how your baby is the next day.
  • A fever is the body’s way of combating germs so if your baby is not suffering too much don’t jump straight in with analgesics.

“Sometimes babies can have a fever and not be showing any signs of being sick,” says Dr Mansberg. “If they’re over three months old and still taking in fluids and not being listless and crying a lot, you don’t need to see the doctor straight away.

Are they dehydrated?

This is another key sign to look out for because dehydration can be deadly, says Dr Mansberg. Again, when your littlie can’t tell you what’s going on, parents need to be very observant because the effects of dehydration can take hold very quickly in babies under two years.

And the easiest dehydration symptom to spot is the number of wet nappies. “If parents notice that their bub is doing hardly any wee, or what is in the nappy seems very yellow and concentrated, then it sounds like baby is dehydrated,” says Dr Mansberg.

Other things to check include:

  • The moistness of the mouth
  • If they are floppy or listless
  • It can be hard to notice, but check if their fontanelle seems especially sunken, says Dr Mansberg

“If babies are off their milk or having diarrhoea, then the chances of them becoming dehydrated are very high,” she says. “If they are showing any signs then parents should head straight to the doctor. Babies don’t need to be very dehydrated to end up on a drip.”

What’s that rash?

With their links to serious illnesses like meningococcal and meningitis, it’s understandable that rashes cause lots of anxiety in parents. But there are many viruses, allergies and conditions that can cause rashes in babies.

Dr Mansberg says that if a rash is accompanied by a fever, it’s advisable to seek immediate medical advice. “GPs would be on the look out for a purply, blotchy rash all over baby’s legs – but any parent concerned should go straight to their doctor.”

Another common cause of viral rashes is roseola. It’s a mild virus which also causes babies to have a temperature and feel unwell for a few days. Rashes are also symptoms of measles and rubella which can have complications, so if on doubt, see your GP.

Is baby listless, whingey or unresponsive?

This is usually a giveaway that baby is sick, particularly when accompanied by a fever. If your baby is under three months old, you need to head straight to the doctor.

“This is one of the main signs a GP looks out for because if the baby has a fever too then this is a clear indicator that the baby is sick,” says Dr Mansberg.

Ongoing diarrhoea

“Diarrhoea is not the issue,” she says. “The big issue is whether the diarrhoea is causing dehydration and, in a baby or toddler, that is very serious.”

Dr Mansberg says a bout of gastro in a baby can often lead to ongoing but not serious diarrhoea caused by lactose intolerance. “Babies can have diarrhoea for up to a month after having a tummy bug and if that’s the case I would advise parents to take their babies off lactose for a while.”

Abnormal crying

This one can be a tricky sign to read for parents, says Dr Mansberg. “If your baby screamed in pain when having their immunisations, that’s probably the closest parents have got to hearing a cry in pain.”

A high-pitched, moaning cry or whimpering is a sign of meningitis, according to the Meningitis Foundation New Zealand. As a rule of thumb, if the crying does not sound normal to you, seek medical attention immediately.

Trust your instincts

Most of the time parents can sense when all is not well with their bubs. If a parent has any concerns at all they should always contact their doctor. “It’s what GPs are there for – and if you have a small baby your doctor should be able to see you that day, particularly if your baby has a fever,” says Dr Mansberg.

She advises parents to not be fobbed off or sent home without answers by GPs or hospital emergency rooms. “If your baby has a fever and is obviously not well, then something needs to be done. Research has found that many babies get sent home when they actually have serious bacterial infections like pneumonia or a urinary tract infection. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for more investigation.”

Read more:

A guide to formula amounts

Posted on by Robyn

Only your baby will truly know how much milk they require, but by calculating what an average-sized baby might require at different ages, we’ve put together a guide (and it is just a guide) on daily milk requirements according to weight and age.

Remember though, that babies vary in size, stature, growth rate and energy requirements, so make sure you’re keeping an eye on your own baby’s cues and let her tell you how much she needs.

A guide to daily milk requirements

Age Millilitres per kilo of bodyweight per day Ounces per pound of bodyweight per day
Birth–1 week

Amount increases gradually each day

Amount increases gradually each day
1 week–3 months 120–180 2-3
3–6 months 100–150 1.5–2.5
6–9 months 60–120 1–2
9–12 months 60–90 1–1.5

Keeping that in mind, there are two things that are frequently overlooked when estimating formula requirements:

1. Prior growth pattern

Baby’s have catch-up and slow-down growth periods that will need to be taken into account when monitoring feeding.

The reasons for a catch-up growth period could be:

  • If your baby was smaller than expected at birth
  • If she had been underfeeding previously for some reason

Similarly, slow-down growth could be due to:

  • A heavier birth weight than expected
  • Overfeeding in the early weeks

During a catch-up growth period your baby may appear ravenous and consume more formula than expected. During a period of slow-down growth your baby may start to consume less formula as her body burns excess fat stores until her size is back in line with her genetic predisposition. This might occur from the time of her birth or once her sucking reflex has disappeared; at which time she has greater control over the feed and will take only what her body needs for growth and energy.

A baby who is underfeeding will not show signs of being well nourished, whereas a baby that is just going through a period of slow-down growth will.

2. Genetic endowment

Your baby’s genetic endowment, passed on from both parents, will influence her size, shape, pattern of growth and metabolic rate (how fast she burns energy).

If your baby is of small stature, because her mother and father are shorter than average, the lower end of the range may provide a more realistic estimate of formula requirements. In contrast, if your baby is clearly going to grow very tall because both parents are above average height, then the upper end of the range might prove closer to the mark. However, this must be considered in context with your baby’s prior growth pattern.

While it’s wise to offer your baby a little more formula in her bottles than you anticipate she might need, it’s important that you respond appropriately to her feeding cues and don’t try to make her take more than she wants. If you are worried about the amount of milk your baby is taking, discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Choosing the right bottle for your baby

Posted on by Robyn

Forget the old choice of just glass or plastic, these days bottles come in different materials, shapes, designs, features, colours and sizes; with price tags that vary significantly.

When you see all the options, you might feel a little overwhelmed and worried about what one is right for your baby. We take a look at the different options to help break it down a bit:

Material

Plastic bottles are light and unbreakable. A few years ago there was concern about the use of BPA in infant plastics, but most sold today are “BPA-free” – make sure you select one that is. Plastic bottles can deteriorate over time, so throw them out if you notice the plastic turning cloudy.

Glass bottles are basically the opposite. They will last for a longer time, but they are more expensive, heavy and breakable, so if you’re on the clumsy side maybe they won’t last for that long! You can get silicone sleeves that slip over these and prevent them from breaking or shattering if dropped. Glass is often chosen by parents who prefer eco-friendly products or who are concerned about chemicals in plastics.

Size

Baby bottles are available in two sizes: 120ml (4 ounce) and 240 ml (8-9 ounce). Most babies will require the larger size by around four months of age. You can choose to use a smaller bottle and switch to a larger bottle when your baby reaches that stage, or use larger bottles from the start.

Shape, design and features

  • Standard bottle: These are narrow, cylindrical bottles. They are the cheapest and most commonly used of all infant feeding bottles. You can buy these plain, coloured or decorated.
  • Wide-necked bottle: These can make it easier to get powdered formula into the bottle. However, you will be restricted to using a matching broad-based nipple/teat.
  • Angle-necked bottle: These have a bend in the bottle so milk collects in the nipple/ teat.
  • Vented bottle: These have vent that looks like a straw inside the bottle which allows air to enter the bottle while the baby is feeding.
  • Bottles with disposable liners: These contain a plastic, disposable inner pouch or liner that encloses milk. The liner collapses as the baby removes the milk.
  • Heat-sensitive bottles: These have an in-built temperature sensor which changes colour if the milk is too hot.
  • Self-sterilising bottles: These enable you to forgo separate sterilising equipment. You simply pour water into the base and microwave for 3 minutes to sterilise.
  • Bottle sets: These have additional attachments such as handles and trainer spouts, which can be fitted to the bottle when your baby reaches the appropriate stage.
  • Shaped bottles: Plastic can be molded in many different shapes. Some bottles are designed for the baby to hold. Depending on the shape these can be difficult to clean.

In the end

No matter how impressive a bottle might appear with “all the latest features and benefits”, there doesn’t appear to be any clear winner in the best-bottle race. The nipple/teat that you choose to use with the bottle is far more likely to affect your baby’s feeding, and this will come down to your baby’s choice/feeding method. You may need to fine tune your technique until you find one that works.

Your pregnancy at week 24

Posted on by Robyn

Welcome to your week 24 pregnancy update where we outline the changes you and your baby are experiencing.

Your Baby

At week 24 your baby will now weigh around half a kilo and around 30cm from head to toe, baby is receiving oxygen through the placenta and her lungs are maturing to start producing a substance called surfactant, which keep the lung sacs from collapsing in on each other. In fact, baby is now looking and behaving much the same way now as she will when she is born. Her well-developed skeletal system is making bone marrow and she’s capable of producing her own white blood cells to fight off infections.

Baby’s pattern of sleeping and waking will start to establish itself, and you may notice her moving and squiggling around particularly when you are trying to sleep.

Baby’s face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, hair and even red lips.

Just like adults, all babies are different and develop at varying rates in the womb. This information gives a general idea of your baby’s development and progress.

The Mum Update

Are you comfortable? With the weight of your burgeoning belly to consider, finding a comfortable sleeping spot can be tricky. Research shows that sleeping on your back while pregnant can reduce the blood flow to your placenta so try to sleep on your side, preferably the left side as it helps the flow of blood to the placenta and helps your kidneys process waste products and fluids (and hopefully help reduce any swelling in your hands and feet).

Putting a pillow between your knees/thighs can help get you more balanced and comfortable and some women like to put a pillow behind them to stop rolling on to their back during the night.If you wake up to find yourself on your back don’t worry – just rearrange yourself on your left side and drift off again.

Do you sometimes have a feeling that your heart is ‘racing’ or beating strongly and rapidly in your chest ? This is heart palpitations and they are common during pregnancy because of your increased blood volume . They usually subside on their own after a few minutes or less. Occasionally palpitations can indicate a heart condition. If you are concerned that they are not going away and you are feeling unwell, contact your LMC.

Itching is a common symptom during pregnancy. There are no bumps or lesions on the skin; it just itches. Nearly 20% of all pregnant women suffer from itching, often in the last weeks of pregnancy, but it can occur at any time. As your uterus has grown and filled your pelvis, your abdominal skin and muscles have stretched. Itchiness is a natural consequence. If it’s driving you crazy have a chat to your LMC.

Stretch marks occur when the elastin in your skin can’t stretch fast enough, resulting in damage to the collagen below. A clear, red or even pocked skin will result – and last throughout your lifetime. If you are going to get stretch marks is a bit of a lottery. Your genetic predisposition,  weight gain and the size of your growing belly are all significant factors however some women swear by a variety of moisturising creams, hydration and exercise.

The dreaded hemorrhoids
Your relationship during pregnancy
Popular baby names
Paid parental leave
Best pregnancy books

Varicose veins

Feeding Your Premature Baby

Posted on by Robyn

According to The Neonatal Trust, approximately 10% of babies in New Zealand are born premature, ie, born before 37 weeks gestation.

To give premature (or preterm) babies the best start in life, breast milk is encouraged as the first choice of nutrition. Breast milk has been shown to reduce the risk of common issues in neonates, such as necrotising enterocolitis. What’s more, the benefits that breast milk provides for all infants appear to be even more pronounced in preterm babies.

If a premature infant has a birth weight below 2500gm, they may have even more increased nutritional demands. Those born at less than 32 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1800g usually require fortification of breast milk. They may need additional protein and calories in the preterm period, to promote adequate growth.

The sodium and protein in breast milk declines throughout lactation. Calcium and phosphorous content may also be insufficient for growing preterm infants, so increased protein, energy and minerals may be needed. You can get these by combining breast milk with a commercially prepared fortifier. Preterm breastfed infants may also require iron supplements from two weeks of age.

When there is insufficient breast milk available, infant formula may be required, or the mother may choose to use donated breast milk.

In a nutshell:

  • Breastfeeding reduces the risk or severity of a number of conditions in infancy and later life, including necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants.
  • Breastfeeding also has significant cognitive benefits, which appear to be more pronounced in preterm infants.
  • In addition to breastfeeding for as long as possible, preterm breastfed infants require iron supplements from two weeks of age.
  • Those born at less than 32 weeks’ gestation or weighing less than 1800g usually require fortification of breast milk with protein and calories in the preterm period, in order to promote adequate growth.

Can your pregnancy diet affect the metabolism of your baby?

Posted on by Robyn

Metabolism. Do you know someone who can scoff a whole pie and still look skinnier afterwards? (Meanwhile some of us can sniff a donut and put on a few kgs). Metabolism is the easiest culprit to blame when we struggle to lose weight, and it’s genetic… but does that mean you can’t programme yours?

The boffins at the Early Nutrition Program – an international program that brings together researchers from 36 institutions in 15 countries in Europe, the United States and Australia – have spent considerable time finding out whether this factor can be positively influenced by maternal diet during pregnancy, in the same way many other health factors and intelligence can.

Their research has found that besides genetic predisposition and an unhealthy lifestyle, metabolic programming by early nutrition is indeed a predisposing factor for obesity. This means that by watching what we eat while pregnant, breastfeeding and during your child’s early diet, we can positively influence their metabolism into adulthood.

What are they looking at?

Researchers are focusing their investigations on three main hypotheses when it comes to the causes of overweight and obesity:

  • Does excessive in-utero exposure to glucose and other fuels permanently affect foetal development and thereby increase the risk of obesity in postnatal life?
  • Does rapid weight gain during infancy increase the risks of becoming obese?
  • Will a poor diet in early childhood predispose children to obesity in their adult life?

So far, studies have shown obese mothers and those who put on excessive weight gain during pregnancy have a much higher chance of their children becoming overweight themselves than those mothers who do not.

So what can you do with this information?

Health professionals have pretty much been telling us this for decades, but this research shows how far-reaching the effects are, and adds weight to the necessity of following the advice – and soon! Basically, follow a sensible diet with a variety of wholegrains, dairy, fruit and vegetables and lean meat, and teach your children to do the same. Here’s some more tips to help positively influence your child’s metabolism for the years to come:

During pregnancy:

  • Consume a healthy diet, including a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals, moderate amounts of low-fat dairy foods and lean meat, chicken and fish (make sure it is low in mercury), dried beans and lentils, nuts and seeds.
  • Keep foods high in fat, sugar and salt to a minimum.
  • Take folate supplements for the first three months of pregnancy.
  • Don’t consume alcohol (also note alcohol will pass into breast milk.)
  • Keep iron levels up with iron rich foods like red meat and iron enriched cereals, or your doctor may recommend iron supplements if your levels are low. Foods that are good sources of Vitamin C (like oranges) will help absorb the iron.
  • Iodine is an important mineral needed for the production of thyroid hormone, which is important for growth and development. Foods rich in iodine include eggs, meat and dairy.

Breastfeeding and beyond:

  • Keep up the healthy diet and plenty of water to keep a strong milk supply – exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first four-to-six months. Seek advice if you are having trouble, including if you wish to move to formula feeding.
  • Introduce solid foods at around six months – rice cereal, then pureed vegetables and fruits are ideal.
  • Include iron-containing foods in first foods to prevent iron deficiency. These include iron-fortified cereals, pureed meat and poultry dishes and some pureed vegetables. These can be introduced in any order, along with other nutritious foods.
  • Ensure that spoon foods are of acceptable texture (no hard foods) and taste.
  • Do not add sugar to infant foods as this increases the risk of dental caries.
  • Do not add salt to foods for infants.
  • By 12 months of age, children should be eating a variety of foods from the different food groups, as described in the Ministry of Health’s Eating for Healthy Babies and Toddlers.

This article was written by Melanie Hearse and adapted for Kidspot, New Zealand’s favourite parenting resource in Early Life Nutrition.

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breast milk. Always consult your doctor, midwife or health care professional for advice about feeding your baby. 

Baby routines: six to nine months

Posted on by Robyn

By six to nine months your baby is very active and very social, with a wide range of skills and an engaging personality.

Feeding

From six months, most babies will be having 4 milk feeds and may be ready to start solids. Solids provide your baby with the extra nutrition they need, as well as the practice in chewing.

Solids

Start with one meal a day at six months and increase to 3 meals a day by 9 months.

  • Progress to 1/2 – 1 cup per meal.
  • Offer before or after milk feed.
  • Give 2 courses at each meal by nine months.
  • Offer some finger food as well.
  • By nine months food should no longer be blended, but mashed with a fork or finely chopped, so it’s coarse or lumpy. This helps develop jaw muscles in preparation for speaking

Cups

Try giving baby a two handled cup with a spout, with cooled boiled water.

Sleeping

  • From six months, most babies sleep about 10 hours at night — but they still need two day sleeps of 11/2 – 2 hours (13 – 15 hours sleep in 24 hours).
  • Make sure you have a bedtime settling routine firmly established, e.g. quiet playtime, cuddle and song.
  • If baby starts waking during the night for feeds, try giving him more solids at each meal during the day.

A typical day – around eight-nine months

  • 6am Breast/bottle feed (180-240 ml)
  • 6.30am Short sleep or play
  • 8am Breakfast e.g. mixed cereal, fruit and yoghurt, toast fingers
  • 8.30am Breast/bottle feed
  • 9 – 11am Settle and sleep
  • 11am Water and a play
  • 12 noon Lunch: e.g. pasta/rice and vegetables or cottage cheese and fruit pieces of soft raw fruit or cheese sticks
  • 12.30pm Breast/bottle feed
  • 1 – 1.30pm Play
  • 1.30 – 3.30pm Settle and sleep
  • 3.30pm Water and a play
  • 5pm Dinner: e.g. chopped chicken/ fish/casserole/meat or fish patties with mashed vegetables, followed by custard and fruit
  • 6pm Bath
  • 7pm Breast/bottle feed
  • 7.30pm Bedtime (settling routine)
  • 8pm – 6am Sleep (10 hours)

Play

Between six to nine months, baby is eager to get moving, and develops many physical skills:

  • Rolling from their tummy to their back (and possibly back again).
  • Discovering their feet.
  • Pushing up on their hands to a lion pose, and pivoting to reach out for toys.
  • Rocking on all fours, then progressing to crawling.
  • Transferring objects from one hand to another.

Toys

Choose toys with different textures, shapes and colours:

  • Hard plastic musical balls that roll along the floor.
  • Large soft balls (which baby can squeeze) with bells inside.
  • Coloured wooden blocks.
  • Ideas for play at home
  • Give baby some unbreakable items from the kitchen cupboard to play with: e.g. wooden spoons, saucepans, plastic containers, mashers.
  • Scrunched up cellophane in a net bag (from the fruit shop).
  • A mirror on the floor (make sure it’s secure).
  • Fill a plastic container with rice or pasta for baby to shake.
  • Play “Peek-a-Boo”, where you hide your face and then surprise baby.
  • Sing nursery rhymes.

TIP!

  • Rotate baby’s toys — put some away for a few weeks then bring them out for a change.
  • Baby walkers (which you sit baby in) are not recommended for safety reasons.
  • Safety is very important as your child becomes more mobile.

Baby routines: three to six months

Posted on by Robyn

By three to four months your life’s probably become a lot easier, with your baby settled into a routine and perhaps even sleeping through the night. Time now to put your baby into a cot, if you haven’t already. Feeding will now take less time. Baby should have 5 feeds in 24 hours. During the day they’ll be every 3-4 hours, and at night every 6-8 hours. (Many babies could be “sleeping through”, having their last feed at 10pm, and the first at 5 – 6am.

Sleeping

By three months, baby should be sleeping for 1 – 2 hours after each feed during the day, and from 5 to 7 hours at night.
By six months, baby still needs 1 – 2 hours sleep after daytime feeds, as their play time is more active. At night, they’ll sleep 8 – 10 hours (i.e. 13 – 15 hours sleep in 24 hours).

  • Settle baby as soon as you see signs of over tiredness.
  • It is best to stick to the same settling routine.
  • Remember to put baby to bed in the same place, both day and night.
  • Put baby in the cot while still awake, then leave, so they can learn to go to sleep by themselves.
  • If baby becomes distressed they need to be soothed and reassured that you will return.

A typical day, three to six months

  • 5am Feed (120-180ml)
  • 6am Back to sleep (mother & baby)
  • 9am Baby wakes, feed
  • 10-10.30am Play
  • 10.30am Settle baby in pram if you’re going out, or put back to bed
  • 11-1pm Baby sleeps (mother shops or does chores and has lunch)
  • 1pm Feed
  • 2-2.30pm Play
  • 2.30-5pm Settle and sleep
  • 5pm Bath (or earlier if unsettled)
  • 6pm Feed
  • 7pm Play with Dad
  • 7.30-10pm Settle and sleep
  • 10pm Feed. Some babies also have a 2am feed

Playtime

By three to four months, play may be 30 minutes, several times a day, including at least 5-10 minutes tummy time. Baby can now push up on his arms and hold that position for a short time. Their interest in coloured toys and objects is increasing as they start to reach, grasp and explore objects in their mouth. They’ll be responding to your voice, interacting more, and using a wider range of sounds. By six months, play may be one hour several times a day. Baby will be more interested in exploring his world by rolling and moving around the floor in preparation for crawling.

Ideas for play at home

  • While cradling baby in your arms, give him toys to hold.
  • During tummy time on the floor, place toys on the rug close to baby, so he can reach for them.
  • When baby is in the bouncer (to be used with caution) or rocker, use an activity gym with toys or rattles that dangle within reach. Or hang toys from a clothes airer.
  • Place the rocker where baby can watch you, and talk to them while you work.
  • Place the pram in the garden or by a window where they can watch the trees move.
  • Make sure toys don’t have sharp edges or small pieces that could come off easily and be swallowed.
  • If you allow pets near babies or small children, ensure they are constantly supervised.

Constipation and your baby

Posted on by Robyn

Constipation is bowel motions that are very firm, and look like little pebbles. Quite a lot of babies look like they are concentrating hard or may get very restless when passing a bowel motion. This is normal, providing the bowel motions are soft and there is no blood.

Note:

Breastfed babies rarely become constipated.

How should I treat constipation?

Making changes to baby’s diet should always be the first step – before giving medicines or suppositories. Discuss this with your Child Health Nurse.

Breastfed and bottle fed babies:

  • Breastfeed regularly
  • If bottlefed, give warm boiled water between feeds: 30 mL for the young baby, more for the older baby. Check the strength of the formula. Are you making it up correctly? Always put the water in the bottle first, then add powder. Don’t pack down the formula in the scoop.
  • Put some oil on your hand and gently massage baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction.
  • At change time, leave nappy off for a few minutes, and do “bicycle” motions with baby’s legs, gently moving their legs backwards and forwards as if they were pushing the pedals of a bike.

If baby is on solids:

  • Increase the amount of fruit (e.g. stewed apples, pears and prune pulp) and vegetables (e.g. spinach and carrot) – preferably ones you’ve cooked yourself, as these will have more roughage than commercial baby foods.

Decrease the amount of baby cereal for a few days. If baby is over six months, make sure you use mixed grain cereal.

Older babies:

  • Give pieces of raw or dried fruit to chew on.
  • Don’t forget to give extra water and/or diluted fruit juice (half water).

What are normal bowel motions?

Breastfed baby

  • Consistency: soft and runny.
  • Colour: mustard yellow to orange.
  • Frequency: every feed to once a week.

Bottlefed baby

  • Consistency: soft paste (like toothpaste).
  • Colour: greyish green to yellow, depending on type of formula.
  • Frequency: every 1 – 2 days

When baby is on solids

  • More solid (but still soft and easy to pass).
  • May be less frequent.
  • May contain undigested food.

When to seek help for constipation

  • If you have tried the above suggestion for 2-3 days and there has been no soft bowel action, see your Child Health Nurse.
  • If there is blood in baby’s motion, see your doctor.

This article uses information from Plunket and the Children’s Panadol First Five booklet.

Kidspot is dedicated to the promotion of breastfeeding as the best possible start in life for babies as well as being good for the health and wellbeing of mothers.

The World Health Organization recommends that infants start breastfeeding within one hour of life, are exclusively breastfed for six months, with timely introduction of adequate, safe and properly fed complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond. Source: http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/infantfeeding/en/

Breastfeeding provides babies with the best nutrition and is preferred whenever possible. Good maternal nutrition is ideal for breastfeeding. You should be aware that reversing a decision not to breastfeed may prove difficult. Partially introducing formula could negatively affect your milk supply. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of feeding. Professional advice should be followed before using an infant formula. Proper use of an infant formula is important to the health of the infant and should only be used as directed.

If you’re worried about breastfeeding, your Well Child nurse or PlunketLine can help.

Thrush and newborns

Posted on by Robyn

If you notice white patches in your baby’s mouth that won’t rub off, your baby most likely has thrush. Thrush is a harmless yeast infection of the mouth. All babies come into contact with yeast and maintain it with “good bacteria”. However, a recent dose of antibiotics (in either you or your baby) could kill too much of the bacteria to maintain a healthy balance. If an overgrowth occurs, yeast will grow in moist, damp places such as your baby’s mouth or on your nipples.

Thrush can develop at any time during breastfeeding. It is most likely to occur after you or the baby have taken antibiotics. If you have thrush in your nipples, you’ll notice burning, itching and flaking. The nipples might also look pink and raw. If you took antibiotics, the good bacteria in your body might have been wiped out along with the bad, causing yeast to grow unchallenged. And because yeast loves warm, moist places, your breastfeeding nipples are prime targets.

Treatment

Luckily it normally clears up without medication, so continue to breastfeed as possible. But ask your doctor about antifungal ointment to avoid passing the infection back and forth. Allowing your nipples to air dry between feeding and ensuring any bottles and pacifiers are cleaned and thoroughly dried may help to prevent oral thrush.

Penis care for newborns

Posted on by Robyn

Should I have my baby boy circumcised?

The choice to circumcise a penis (that is surgically removing the foreskin (prepuce) that surrounds the head of the penis) is a personal one, often rooted in deep-set religious or cultural norms. Today New Zealand circumcision rates are estimated to sit around 10% of male babies. As mentioned, it is usually related to cultural significance, so circumcision rates in other countries can vary hugely – circumcision rates in the States sit around 60%.

The Australasian College of Physicians states that “there is no medical indication for routine neonatal circumcision.” However, it is up to individual parents, so it is important that the operation, it should be done by a competent surgeon, using appropriate anaesthetic in a safe, child-friendly environment.

Circumcised penises

Your baby will have petroleum jelly and gauze on his penis. You may soak off the gauze dressing after 24 hours or so, after a bath. Some caregivers then recommend putting petroleum jelly on the sensitive site for a few days, to help reduce any stinging from urination. When you change each nappy, gently wash around the penis with clean, warm water. Avoid rubbing. Some spotting of blood is normal for the first few nappy changes.

Infection is rare, but signs of an infection might include persistent redness, swelling at the tip, crusted sores, or odour. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of these.

Once the wound heals, simply wash the penis with soap and water.  Avoid bubble baths, which can be drying and cause irritation.

Uncircumcised penises

There’s no special care needed for an uncircumcised penis beyond washing the outside with soap and water.

Until the foreskin is retractable (often not until puberty), don’t try to clean under it.

Change your son’s wet or dirty nappies as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.

 

This article has information from sources including City Med and Southern Cross

Your six week check-up

Posted on by Robyn

While the exhaustion and emotional demands of new motherhood are still very much present, six weeks generally marks the end of the physical recuperation. Your uterus has shrunk down to the size of your fist, the bleeding has stopped and the vivid memories of labour have (mostly) faded. If you’re breastfeeding, things are probably starting to become easier and more integrated into your everyday routine. However, it’s important to have one last appointment to make sure everything is healing. If possible, see if your partner or a friend can mind your baby while you’re having your check-up. Even if they only look after your baby in the waiting room while you’re seeing the doctor at least you won’t be distracted and can solely focus on yourself and your health.

At your six-week postpartum check-up you can expect the following:

Your doctor may do a complete physical exam, checking your weight, blood pressure and how you’re feeling after the birth. One important aspect of this check-up is to ensure there isn’t unusual redness, swelling or fluid coming from any incisions –  whether it’s from your caesarian, episiotomy or any perineum tears.  The doctor will check to make sure they’ve healed correctly and aren’t causing you any discomfort.

Internal examination

Your doctor will also perform an internal exam to check your vagina, cervix, uterus and ovaries for tears, bruising and growths. Your doctor will also be checking that your reproductive organs are returning to their pre-pregnancy state. You’ll probably also have a pap-smear at this time.

Breast check

Then the doctor will check your breasts for blocked milk ducts, lumps or other abnormalities. If you’re experiencing any particular pain or discomfort while feeding or afterwards explain this to your doctor so they can check that there’s no underlying issues.

How are you feeling?

There will be time for your doctor to talk to you about how you’re holding up emotionally, like your mood swings, stress and overall happiness. You might be asked to do a quick postpartum depression screening, which will help your doctor assess whether you need further professional help. Your doctor might also be able to recommend local help, like lactation consultants or baby nurses, to alleviate some of the overwhelming stress of new motherhood. Be honest about how you’re feeling and ask for help if you need it.

Other issues

Your doctor will ask about urinary incontinence and intestinal problems, as well as follow-up on any pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or pinched nerves. Your doctor will also discuss whether you’ve been performing your pelvic floor exercises to keep your pelvic floor in good order. If you’ve experienced any issues with your bladder or your bowels (leaking urine or urgency with bowel movements) now is a good time to find out if everything’s okay.

Back on track

The doctor will also give you the okay to resume normal activities like exercise, heavy lifting and yes, even sex. Even if you’re nowhere near ready for a romantic rendezvous, talk to your doctor about birth control options. Because as impossible as it might seem, the mood will strike one day, and unless you’re ready for another year of pregnancy and recovery, you’ll want to be protected.

Any questions

You should take along a list of questions that you’d like answered, or topics you’d like discussed. Having your question written down means you won’t feel flustered or rushed and should be able to have all your questions answered. You might wish to discuss breastfeeding, pain management and support networks that are available and how you’re coping with motherhood.

Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor any questions, no matter how silly you think they are – your healthcare provider is here to help you, not judge you.

Written by Linda Drummond for Kidspot, New Zealand’s leading pregnancy and parenting resource.

Screening tests for newborns

Posted on by Robyn

When you’re in hospital, dazed and confused post-birth, it can be worrying to see doctors ‘testing’ your newborn. Don’t worry, we all go through it.

Within the first few hours and days of life, doctors will screen your baby for a range of disorders and illnesses. In most cases your baby is fine and you feel reassured in no time.  In a very small minority, doctors may notice something unusual – in which case, they can work out very early what action, if anything, they need to take.

It’s important to note that screening tests don’t diagnose illnesses – they simply give doctors a ‘heads up’ that your baby may need further tests to rule out serious conditions. Newborn screening is an early intervention program that has proved extremely successful worldwide.

Here’s an idea of what to expect.

Apgar Score:

The Apgar scoring system assesses the condition of your baby at birth. She will be check at birth, at one minute and five minutes. Five physical characteristics are observed – skin colour, heartbeat, reflexes, muscle tone and breathing – and a score of 0-2 is given for each.

If your baby is born with an Apgar score of 0-3, active resuscitation begins immediately. If she has required resuscitation and the five-minue score is less than seven, the score is repeated at five-minute intervals until 20 minutes.

  • A score of 7-10 is normal.
  • 4-7 means some resuscitation is required.
  • A score of 0-3 requires immediate resuscitation.

The test simply checks all your baby’s vital signs and helps your medical team decide whether assistance or treatment is required, at the time of birth, or later.

Heel prick (Guthrie) test:

How does it work?

  • A midwife will collect a small sample of blood from your baby, somewhere around 48-72 hours after birth.
  • The sample comes from a heel prick, which will not harm your baby (though she may experience some discomfort).
  • They will collect the blood on a screening card and send it to a screening laboratory.
  • The laboratory tests your baby’s sample for a range of different chemicals. Any abnormalities in levels of these chemicals will need to be investigated further.
  • If your baby has a positive screening result, A health professional will contact you and refer you to a specialist if required.

What are they testing for?

Rare genetic disorders. Up to 30 conditions are tested, the main three being:

Amino Acid Disorders: (eg) Phenylketonuria (PKU): caused by missing enzymes that break down protein, this condition can result in developmental delay, intellectual impairment, muscle problems and seizures. Treated/managed through dietary modifications

Primary congenital hypothyroidism: (CH): caused by a thyroid gland that’s unable to produce thyroid hormones, this disorder can cause growth failure and intellectual impairment. Treated/managed through Thyroid hormone supplements

Cystic Fibrosis: caused by abnormal secretions in the body, particularly in the lungs and pancreas, CF can result in impaired digestive and respiratory function, infections and decreased life span. Treated/managed through dietary supplements and physiotherapy.

Your hospital may also test for other conditions, particularly if people in your local community have them. Check with your health professional for details on exactly which conditions will be screened.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH):

Usually checked for by a doctor immediately after birth (or in your baby’s first few days of life) and then repeated at six weeks.

How does it work? –  Your baby will be placed on her back and her legs moved. The doctor is feeling and listening to each hip for signs of dislocation (you may have heard of ‘clicky’ hips?). Sometimes an X-ray or ultrasound will be used in the test. [

How common is it? –  Around one in every 700 babies is affected. Babies at higher risk include those born after a breech presentation or where there is a history of DDH in the family.

Hearing test

This usually takes place in the first week, though it is not compulsory in all states. If your baby is not tested at birth, it can be done through your child health professional at one of your follow-up visits. Small sensor pads are placed on your baby’s head while she is quiet or asleep, and specific sounds are played into her ears through a soft ear tip or earphone.
Her responses are recorded.

With all the screening tests, you usually only hear of the results if there is a problem. If this is the case, you will be told immediately and given advice on what to do next. If your baby’s test results were not clear, she may be required to have further tests.

Medicine reaction: Is it an allergy?

Posted on by Robyn

Drug allergies can be a confusing area for parents because an adverse reaction to a medication does not necessarily mean that the child is allergic to that medicine.

In fact most drug-related symptoms will not be caused by an allergic reaction. Nevertheless, whether it’s an allergic or a non-allergic reaction, all adverse drug events should be checked out by a doctor, as they can be very serious, even life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of allergic reactions?

Most allergic reactions occur fairly soon after taking a medicine, however, it is possible to develop an allergic reaction after several weeks on a drug, or during subsequent use of medicine.

The most common symptoms of an allergy include:

  • Skin rash
  • Hives
  • Fever
  • Facial swelling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness

And it’s worth noting that many of these are also the symptoms of a non-allergic reaction.

What is anaphylaxis?

While rare, it is the most serious allergic drug reaction and is a medical emergency. Anaphylaxis symptoms usually start within minutes of exposure to a drug. Symptoms of a possible anaphylactic reaction include:

  • Tightening (constriction) of the airways and a swollen tongue or throat, causing trouble breathing
  • Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure
  • Weak, rapid pulse
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Dizziness, light-headedness or loss of consciousness

It’s possible to have an allergic response to a drug that caused no problem in the past.

Common drug allergies

Antibiotics:

This is the most common drug allergy, with penicillins and sulfonamides the main culprits. Antibiotics can also cause non-allergic side effects such as a skin rash and digestive problems.

Vaccines

Allergic reactions can occur, but rarely, after a vaccination. Usually an allergic reaction is triggered by other ingredients in the vaccine such as egg or neomycin, rather than the vaccine itself. Non-allergic reactions to vaccines are common, but in most cases they aren’t severe and symptoms improve quickly.

What are non-allergic reactions?

An allergy involves the body’s immune system identifying a chemical or substance as harmful and creating antibodies to attack it. In most cases, what appears to be an allergy is actually a reaction that doesn’t involve the immune system.

Some drug reactions that are similar to, but may not be an allergic reaction include:

  • Breathing difficulties: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin and ibuprofen can cause asthma-like symptoms in some people so it’s understandable why these can be confused with an allergy.
  • Skin rashes: medicines can affect the skin in many different way, for example, sulfonamides may cause cause a rash by making the skin burn more easily in the sun.
  • Stomach problems: nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are common side effects with antibiotics.
  • Dizziness or light-headedness: many medicines can cause this by lowering blood pressure or by affecting the central nervous system.
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tonuge or other parts of the body: some medicines for high blood pressure and heart conditions can cause these symptoms directly without involving the immune system.

Who’s at risk?

Anyone can have an allergic reaction to a medicine but there are some factors that can suggest an increase in your risk, such as:

  • Having a past allergic reaction to the same drug or another drug. If past reactions have been mild, you could be at risk of a more severe reaction.
  • Taking a drug similar to one that caused a reaction in the past.
  • Having a health condition that weakens your immune system.
  • Having hayfever or another allergy.

When to seek medical help

Inform your doctor of any reactions as it can influence whether you can be prescribed the same medicine again. If possible, see your doctor when the allergic reaction is occurring. This will help identify the cause and make sure you get treatment if it’s needed.

Obviously if there are any severe symptoms or signs of anaphylaxis, seek urgent medical attention.

Nine to 12 month baby routine

Posted on by Robyn

Between 9 and 12 months your baby is very energetic and mobile, showing the first signs of independence.

Baby now has 3-4 meals a day, plus morning and afternoon tea with a drink from a cup. They also need 2-3 milk feeds a day, after meals. Give them slightly firmer finger food and/or minced (or finely chopped) protein and carbohydrates at each meal, and a spoon to try feeding themselves. Offer water at each meal and throughout the day.

Every child and every family is different and there is no ‘normal’ day. Below is a ‘typical’ day incorporating two sleeps and 3 milk feeds but don’t worry if your day doesn’t look like this! During this period solids are becoming an important part of you baby’s diet and by 12 months they may be less interested in milk.

Time Activity
7.00am Wake and have breakfast
8.00am Breast or bottle feed (180 – 240 mL)
8.30am Get dressed and ready for the day
9 to 9.30am Play
9.30 to 11.00am Sleep
11am Morning tea
11.30am Play, shopping, or social time
12.30pm Lunch
1.00 to 2.00pm Play, breast or bottle feed (180 – 240 mL)
2.00 to 3.30pm Sleep
3.30pm Afternoon tea
4.00pm Walk to the park
5.00pm Dinner
6.00pm Bath, pyjamas, and play. Breast or bottle feed (180 – 240 mL)
7.00pm Start settling for bedtime
7.30pm Sleep (approximately 11 hours)

Sleeping

Baby is now sleeping about 11 hours at night, with two sleeps during the day (1 – 2 hours each). Remember to approach sleep time in a quiet, soothing way (and playtime in an exciting way), so you cue them into knowing what’s expected. Giving these verbal and physical messages helps your child learn.

Your baby may now be more active in sleep. If they wake and cry out, wait to see if they resettle — if not, try to resettle them quickly in the cot.

Playtime

Playtimes are now very busy — baby will be crawling, pulling to standing and cruising around the furniture. It may be a few more months before they actually walk independently, so don’t rush them. (Use soft soled shoes until they’re walking.) Their fine motor skills are now well developed — they can pick up and manipulate small objects.

Play ideas:

  • An activity board, with buttons to push and interesting sounds.
  • Give them a stable push along toy so they can use their legs and gain some independence.
  • Go along to a playgroup, as baby now likes being out and about and socialising.
  • Cut a slit in the lid of a plastic icecream container and give baby plastic pegs to deposit in it.
  • Stock a low kitchen cupboard or drawer with safe utensils so they can help themselves.
  • Buy baby his first books, if you haven’t already (stiff cardboard or plastic ones are best at first).
  • Read to baby every day. Point to the pictures and describe them.

Babyproofing the house:

  • Remove all breakables and sharp objects from baby’s reach.
  • Secure bookcases and curtain rods firmly to the wall.
  • Put detergents and chemicals in a high cupboard.
  • Buy childproof fasteners for cupboards, safety gates for stairs.
  • Use socket protectors or install safety power points.
  • Have an electrician install an earth leakage detector.

Your pregnancy at week 22

Posted on by Robyn

Welcome to your week 22 pregnancy update where we outline the changes you and your baby are experiencing.

Your Baby

During week 22 your baby’s skin will make the transformation from being translucent to opaque. No longer will you be able to see everything underneath all of that skin. It will become cloudy, but remain red. The skin will appear red until the fat, which is white, builds under the skin layers. Then the skin will turn from red to pink, and then to a very light pink or white if they are Caucasian. The skin will be very wrinkly under the thick coating of vernix, until the fat fills it out and pushes the wrinkles out. Baby is 27.8cm long and weighs 430 grams.

Your baby’s brain is advanced enough to sense touch and taste and if you could look inside your womb, you might see her enjoying sucking her thumb and stroking her face. She will be able to tell sweet tastes from bitter, and if you put pressure on your tummy she may just squiggle and squirm in response.

Her heartbeat is getting stronger and is now loud enough to be heard with a normal stethoscope. Her digestive system is getting better every day, and she’s now absorbing water from the amniotic fluid that she swallows and her kidneys are beginning to function.

The vital link between baby’s brain and her spinal cord is maturing and all those nerve cells make vigorous connections, making baby capable of recognising warmth, light, sound and pain. While primitive brain waves have been detected in unborn babies as early as 7 weeks, it is not until 22 weeks that sustained patterns like these can definitely be recorded.

Baby probably likes to be in what’s called the ‘transverse position’ as she grows bigger – she probably lies crossways with her feet and bottom on one side of your belly and head on the other side. Baby’s placenta is now processing about 1 litre of blood per hour and by 40 weeks this will increase to about 12 litres per hour.

Just like adults, all babies are different and develop at varying rates in the womb. This information gives a general idea of your baby’s development and progress.

 The Mum Update

Your uterus is now about 2cm above your bellybutton and your enlarging abdomen is not too large and doesn’t get in your way much. You’re still able to bend over, sit and walk comfortably.  Morning sicknesss has probably passed, although some women suffer chronic morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) for the entire pregnancy.

Are you having short periods of light-headedness? Maybe even feeling a little dizzy when you stand up? These are very common symptoms during a pregnancy. When you move positions, for instance if you stand up quickly after sitting for a long period, you may be light headed. This is because so much of your blood is centered around your uterus and with your growing size, it may not be able to move through your system as quickly as it used to. To prevent this from happening make sure you change positions slowly. You can also sit with your legs propped up to help with circulation, so that when you do stand up, your circulation has a head start.

When to give the first haircut

Posted on by Robyn

Is your baby’s hair so long it’s covering her eyes?

Does your little ‘he’ often get mistaken for a little ‘she’?

Has his mop turned from cute-and-curly to rock-star-punk?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s probably time for your baby’s first haircut!

Many mothers have mixed feelings when it comes to giving her baby his first haircut. A first haircut suddenly signifies the end of babydom, and whilst we love watching them growing up we can all feel a little emotional about our precious darlings taking the giant leap from innocent baby to independent toddler. No matter how long you wait, or put it off, it’s an inevitable milestone we must all face. Here are some tips to get you through the first haircut without any tears (from either one of you!):

Have a trim

Remember it’s baby’s first haircut so there’s no need to go for a complete hair-overhaul. Your baby probably only needs a trim to neaten up her locks, or some shaping to frame her face. Make sure you give clear instructions to the hairstylist so that they understand exactly what kind of haircut you are looking for, or your little one might walk out with a buzz-cut you hadn’t bargained for!

Choose a hairstylist you know and trust

You’ll be more relaxed if you already know the person cutting your baby’s hair. If you’re relaxed it may also help your baby to relax. If you don’t know a suitable hairstylist, then ask around – someone you know will be able to recommend a good stylist or salon for kids.

Bring some distractions with you

It’s a big ask to expect babies to sit still while someone they don’t know takes a pair of scissors to their head. Bringing along some tools to distract your baby is a definite must. Pre-prepared snacks, a couple of picture books or a few favourite toys are all great ways to amuse your baby while his haircut is in progress.

Pick the right time

It’s best to take your baby for her first haircut as early in the day as possible. Babies are usually at their best in the morning – fresh from a (hopefully) good night’s sleep, with a full belly. The later in the day you do it; the more likely it is that you will have to deal with tears or tantrums.

Play pretend hairdressers at home

You can get your baby in the mood for his first hair salon visit by doing a bit of role-playing at home. Pop him in a chair in front of a mirror, wrap a small blanket around his shoulders and use your fingers as scissors to mimic the entire experience.You can never be too over-prepared!

Keep a small lock of hair

Keeping a piece of hair from your baby’s first haircut is something you can treasure forever. Take a zip-lock bag with you and collect a small sample. Put their name, age and the date on the bag and put it somewhere safe. It’s a great way to freeze a special moment in time.

Remember, it will grow back!

Don’t panic if your baby’s first haircut does not look as you imagined, sometimes it just takes a bit of time to get used to it. You’ll be surprised how quickly her locks will re-grow, and you’ll be back for haircut number two before you know it!

Knowing when your baby has had enough milk

Posted on by Robyn

Whether you should follow guidelines based on average-sized babies or give your baby as much milk as they want, will depend on your baby’s stage of development. You will not be able to follow the same feeding recommendations for newborns as you would for babies over the age of four months, so to help you out, here are some key differences between the development stages of babies, and how to tell when they’ve had enough milk:

Newborns

You can’t completely rely on a newborn baby’s ability to control the amount of milk they have, as their sucking reflex will allow them to keep feeding and overfill their tummy. This risk is heightened if the flow of milk is fast, and a newborn’s brain isn’t able to register that they are full until they’ve already had far too much. For these reasons it’s not always wise to give a bottle fed newborn as much as she’s willing to take.

Minimise the risk of overfeeding a newborn by:

  • Only feed every three to four hours (timed from beginning of feed)
  • Get your GP or plunket nurse to help you calculate a set amount and only offer that much
  • Select a teat that enables your baby to feed slowly, in around 20 to 40 minutes.

From four months on

Your baby can now control their sucking as the reflex has disappeared, so he will be better able to control how much he drinks. He’s also more equipped to decide if he does not want to feed or has had enough milk. You will be able to tell that your baby is disinterested, or has had enough, if he:

  • Stops sucking or refuses to start
  • Refuses to seal his lips around the teat
  • Pushes the teat out of his mouth with his tongue
  • Pushes the bottle away with his hands
  • Clamps his mouth shut and turns his head away from the bottle
  • Fusses and turns his head from side to side if you try to persist with the feed
  • Cries and arches back (to distance himself from the bottle) if you ignore her earlier cues and try to make her feed
  • Some babies will fall asleep when they have had enough milk

Your baby should now be able to self-regulate his intake to meet his needs adequately, if you let him. Parents are there to offer sufficient quantities of breastmilk or formula, but it’s the baby’s right to decide how much he will take.

Do not try to force more milk into your baby than he is willing to consume, as it will make it an unpleasant and stressful experience for both of you. Babies can also develop a behavioural feeding aversion when they are repeatedly forced to feed.

 

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of your baby’s life, followed by the timely introduction of safe and adequate foods. WHO recommends continued breastfeeding for the first two years and beyond. Breastfeeding provides babies with the best nutrition and is preferred when possible. Always follow professional advice before using an infant formula. Introducing formula can have a negative effect on your milk supply and be very difficult to reverse. Proper use of an infant formula is important to the health of the infant, only use as directed.

Babies Lulled By What They Hear In The Womb

Posted on by Robyn

While it was once thought that babies were born ‘blank canvases’ with no knowledge or memory, research tells us otherwise. Not only that, science confirms that sounds heard in utero can help calm baby post-birth.

Parents who are thinking ahead might do very well to choose a ‘settling song’ to play during pregnancy. Your baby may sleepily thank you for it, post-birth!

Foetal memory

Back in the late 1980s, scientists were still trying to work out just what made foetuses and new babies tick. “Nothing much has been known about foetal behaviour. The general view has been that newborns are not able to do very much: they are born with reflexes but have no memory. We have been able to prove memory develops earlier,” Professor Peter Hopper, of the school of psychology at Queen’s University in Belfast told The Independent (no sh … kidding, Sherlock!).

Good Neighbours

With this in mind, Professor Hopper created the suitably ’80s-influenced Neighbours experiment to test what developing foetuses remembered and responded to. Remember Neighbours was (and is) extremely popular in the UK.

He studied two groups of pregnant women – one lot that did and another that didn’t watch popular Aussie TV soap Neighbours. He found that as early as 24 weeks gestation, babies whose mothers did watch Neighbours began to respond to the theme tune from the show, with changes in heart rate and tendency towards reduced movement (or ‘calming down’).

This confirmed that foetuses were indeed listening to the world around them pre-birth and that sound could have a calming effect.

Remembering sounds post-birth

It’s not just music that developing babies can ‘learn’ and remember. Neuroscientist Eino Partanen of the University of Helsinki conducted a study on expectant mums, asking some to play a recording to their unborn babies on a regular basis. The recording included a made-up word – ‘tatata’.

When they played the same recording to babies once they were born, the babies of mothers who had played the recording recognised and responded to the ‘tatata‘ word, while those who hadn’t heard it did not.

They deduced that this meant language development begins pre-birth and that it may also provide clues to early intervention approaches for children at risk of dyslexia or auditory processing disorders.

What babies learn before birth

Kidspot staffer Kylie Matthews can vouch for the results of this research. “I’m a big fan of The Simpsons and during my pregnancy, especially in the five weeks prior to giving birth, I went on a total binge of the show,” she recalls.

“A couple of weeks after my daughter was born, I inadvertently discovered that the The Simpsons theme song had an almost immediate calming influence on her. This was a welcome revelation and I used it to my advantage, cranking up that little number to get her off to sleep many times.”

Annie Murphy Paul is a researcher in foetal origins – the life of a baby in the nine months before it’s born. In her recent TED talk she spoke about what babies learn before birth and the things they hear.

Foetuses come to know the voices of their mother and other family members from about four months gestation (apparently these voices sound something like Charlie Brown’s teacher, kind of muffled!). Amazingly, they also learn the sound and tone of the language spoken by their mother, with babies from different countries crying with different language-specific intonations.

Annie says that the way a foetus learns is very complex and organic, making in-utero education an unlikely trend (phew!).

How can all this research help us get our babies to sleep?

This research confirms what many of us already knew, that our babies really are listening to us pre-birth, that we should be talking to them often and that it might just be possible to choose a particular sound (or song) to use post-birth to settle our babies.

Mum Petra Mitosinkova did this by accident. She played this song over and over while she was pregnant, only to find that when she played it to her newborn Alex, post birth, he calmed down and drifted off to sleep.

“I definitely think he recognises the song as I used to listen and sing it while pregnant. I recall he used to move in my belly as a sign he liked it. To settle him I have tried other songs too but he wouldn’t react at all. Only this song.” Petra told The Mirror Online.

YouTuber Kasper-Sabine Tobias planned  ahead: “My wife and I had read that playing a specific melody to your baby in the womb could soothe her/him when played outside of the womb after they are born. The first time our baby was fussy I began to sing this song from Away We Go, which is mine and my wife’s favourite movie together, and right away she began to relax. She now will fall asleep to this song as well. Try it if you have a baby on the way.”

They captured her dozing off to Away We Go – see below. So cute!

Washing your baby too often can increase eczema risk

Posted on by Robyn

We don’t wash our kids every day in our house. Actually, we don’t even wash them every second day. We do it every third day. It’s not because we are lazy people, it’s because all three of our children have eczema.

Our doctor told us not to over wash our girls as it would do more harm than good. And all soap products were ditched in favour of soap-free body wash. We were told to dry our girls thoroughly with their towel and then smother them in Sorbolene cream. If we skip the routine our girls’ skin gets really dry and their eczema flares up.

When we’re on holiday and the girls go in pools and the ocean a lot, we have to wash them more often. Their skin immediately gets scaly again and they get itchy. Humidity also doesn’t help; neither does overheated kids in bed during winter. It leads to much discomfort for them and sleepless nights for all. Sticking to their routine is definitely good for everyone.

The results are in

Now there’s evidence that over washing and under moisturising babies can lead to an increase in the rate of eczema. According to the American Academy of Dermatology about 10 to 20 percent of children get eczema. That’s risen from just three percent in 1960. Eczema usually presents itself on the face and scalp of babies, before 18 months, when their skin is still developing. In older children, it generally flares up in the crooks of their elbows and the backs of their knees. Although there is no cure, you can get prescription creams to treat it, and often it will disappear with age.

A team of scientists joined forces to research how baby skin care increase their risk of them getting eczema. Factors such as how often a baby is bathed and what is in the baby wash and if the baby is moisturised were examined.

According to the report in the Wall Street Journal, scientists believe that factors, such as bathing, can disrupt the skin’s ability to keep moisture in and germs out. If the outer most layer of the skin is weakened, outside irritants can more easily penetrate the skin and spark an immune-system response. “The more we understand about the causes of eczema, the more it seems how we take care of the skin of babies may be relevant,” says Eric Simpson, associate professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. “Are the things we’re doing that we think are good for our babies causing eczema?”

biancababies

A strict skin care routine helps Bianca’s daughters manage their eczema. Photo: Supplied.

Less washing, more moisturising

Prof. Simpson lead the research team examining the impact over washing and under moisturising can have on a baby’s skin. They divided 124 newborns at high risk for eczema into two groups. Parents of the first group were asked to apply a fragrance-free moisturiser all over their baby’s body once a day. Parents in the other group were asked not to use moisturiser. When the babies were six months old, the incidence of eczema in the moisturised group was about half that of the controls, or 22 percent versus 43 percent.

He also discovered that on average American households reported using baby wash and shampoos around five times a week. “People are bathing their babies too much,” Prof. Simpson says. “If you expose skin to water and let it air dry, that leads to dryness — like the bottom of a river bed that cracks open when it dries.”

I suppose that’s the point, isn’t it – just be gentle with a newborn’s skin. Keeping them clean is just a natural instinct, but it’s probably best to wash them a little less, unless of course they’ve vomited all over themselves (which babies do a lot). And if you do wash them, just pop a little bit of Sorbolene cream in the water and avoid all soap-based products. When they’re done, dry them all over, particularly in the creases between the baby fat rolls, and then smother them in Sorbolene cream. You’ll have a super soft baby while also helping to protect them from eczema at the same time.

Kidspot New Zealand is all about simplifying the search for kid related fun, activities, sports and related trappings. It makes it fast and easy for kids and their parents to identify things and places of interest leaving more time for all to enjoy!

Please contact us with new ideas and suggestions on how to make this a reality for you and your family.

Stay in the loop

Stay in the loop with all things family and fun! Subscribe to the Kidspot Catchup and receive a weekly does of parenting tips, tasty recipes, and exciting activities for the whole family.

About Kidspot

Contact Kidspot

Advertise with Kidspot

Kidspot Terms and Conditions

close

Join the Catch Up

Join our community of parents and let the Kidspot Catchup be your guide to creating unforgetable family moments.