feedings? Our 5 month old son just seems to eat the cereal and bananas and still wants just as much formula. He even still wakes up in the middle of the night. Also, when giving cereal, is it supposed to take the place of a formula feeding? I just feel like we are overfeeding and I’m not sure what to do. Thanks.

So…you are now the proud parents of your beautiful baby but how much do you know about looking after him or her? Having a baby can be the most joyous event in your life but it can also be the most intimidating. There is no instruction book and it is therefore important that you know about some of the things that lie ahead. With a basic understanding, the job ahead will be much easier.

vCaesarean delivery: A caesarean is normally carried out on women when there is a possible danger in normal delivery. C-sections can be performed for many different reasons including delayed labour, difficult labour, problems with the baby that may make delivery hard, or other problems. Just remember, you are still a mother with a beautiful new blessing whether the baby is born vaginally or by a caesarean section.

vBathing your baby: While your baby still has her umbilical cord, she should only be sponge bathed. The umbilical cord generally falls off after a week or two. After this happens, bath your baby in a shallow baby bath as shown by your nurse.

vCircumcision: Circumcision, though once widely accepted as almost routine, has become controversial in the past couple of decades. Many doctors concur that there are benefits to being circumcised as it may help to lower the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminates almost any chance of penile cancer. Circumcision does not cause long-term emotional problems for your child.

vCrib death (SIDS): Many studies have been done regarding SIDS. Although the cause of SIDS has not been definitely defined, there are some correlations that have been made between SIDS and the following things:

oMale babies are more likely to die from SIDS than females
oPrematurity makes it more likely
oMinority children are affected by it more often than non-minorities
oChildren who live in a home with one or more smokers are more likely to be affected

Some people say that sleeping with your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS, but the American Academy of Pediatrics disagree with this statement and go on to say that there is a greater risk of SIDS in babies who co-sleep.

vDiapers: Most babies need a diaper change at each feeding time. This means that your baby will need about 6-8 diapers a day or more.

vDiaper rash: Sensitive skin is a common problem for some babies and they may get a diaper rash due to a food allergy, yeast infection, sitting too long in a wet or messy diaper, or teething. If you notice your baby beginning to get a diaper rash, talk to your pediatrician about which diaper rash medicine will work for your baby.

vGrowth spurts: If you begin to notice that your child is not as satisfied with the amount that you have been feeding her previously, then she may be beginning a growth spurt period. Growth spurts can start as early as 10 days after your baby’s birth. They are usually preceded by a sleepy, lethargic day and a big jump in appetite. Growth spurts may happen again at 3, 6, and 12 weeks and again at 4 and 6 months. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to add a feeding or two to satisfy your baby’s appetite and to help increase milk production.

vImmunizations: With all of the conflicting reports on immunizations, you may be unsure about whether or not you want your child to receive immunizations. I think that there are simply too many fatal diseases that can be prevented by immunizing your baby to take the chance. If you are unsure, then you need to talk with your paediatrician, but understand that the reason that the infant mortality rate is so low in this country is because immunizations are routinely done.

vPacifiers & thumb sucking: If you breastfeed, do not allow your child to use you as their pacifier. If your baby seems to have a need to suck beyond eating, then you need to give them a pacifier. There is no “nipple confusion” between a breast nipple and a pacifier as they are very different in feel and taste. Babies will know the difference between the two. Some children do not want a pacifier but will suck on their thumb. If you don’t have a problem with it, then let them.

vSpitting up: It is very common for babies to spit up, but some babies do it more than others. If your baby is growing normally, then there is no need to worry about it. Projectile throwing up is not the same as spitting up. Projectile throwing up is a violent reaction to reject the contents of the stomach and not just “burping” up a little milk. If your baby does this frequently, consult your paediatrician.

Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is the owner of http://www.mummansun.com, a discount retail outlet, and a co-director of http://www.betterhealthshoppe.com which is an information portal with many interesting medical articles. She is also an associate of http://www.timzbiz.com which features many articles on internet marketing and resources.

They say you shouldn’t swaddle a baby past a month because it might inhibit their development. But I thought you aren’t supposed to use covers for an infant either. So what should be used, blanket sleepers only, or keeping a room warmly heated? From my daughters birth i have swaddled her, sometimes loosely, and keep her hands free because she prefers that.

Having that good appearance with your choice of junior clothing really does matter to some of you. Others disagreed while thinking that beauty lies within. Whether or not it has some impact, the most important thing is that what you wear can communicate what you really are inside. It does not matter if you are wearing that funky junior clothing, for as long as you are wearing the most comfortable dress you have, it is already a thing to you.

Although you might not admit it, you also have a responsibility to be pleasing to other’s eyes especially when you should be socializing instead of confining in your own pariah. If you have your own world, you create you the license to do so. But, since you are walking in this world with billions of people around you, it should be worth considering to get some paradigm thinking of your own style.

Perhaps, here are some flaws in design most of you are not aware of.

Flaw 1: Making yourself a walking Christmas Tree

Admit it, you will always look funny when people tells you that you look like a walking Christmas Tree with the way you match your junior clothing. In order to avoid those irritating name calling, try to get rid of red and green at the same time. These are Christmas colors you should not be wearing to avoid that stereo cast of being a walking yuletide décor.

Flaw 2: Be Sensitive with your footwear

Perhaps, most people are not aware that no matter how stylish you are with your clothes, when they see you in the most inappropriate footwear, you will ruin everything. To try to make some fitting footwear in different occasions. If you are going to parties, always wear shoes that match your upper dress and something which has heels for ladies. However, a walk in the park requires you to wear only the most comfortable footwear. This means, you can have your piece of sneakers or sandals if you want to.

Flaw 3: Two Short Stuff at the same time

Have you ever wondered pairing that baby t-shirt with your mini-skirt? If you do so, you are making yourself a laughing stock. Never try to make yourself as if there is shortage of clothing in your place. Make yourself presentable by wearing some piece of your short stuff pairing with others. An example will be wearing jeans with your baby t-shirt or pairing your mini skirt with shirt that really hits your hips.

Flaw 4: Doing the same fashion style

There is a difference with creating an impression of your own than being pleasurable. Although it is always good to express the real self in you, but sometimes, you also have to make something new out of yourself. This means recreating your stylish junior clothes and matching it with something new that redefines your expression without losing your identity. A variety of styles can spice up your life and get rid that tendency of boredom in your fashion life.

Flaw 5: Oversize clothing

Unless you are going for some hiphop style, wearing those oversize clothing simply puts you into an awkward position. This means, it creates for discomfort from your end considering that image you convey to others. Try to feel comfortable by choosing the right junior clothes that really fits with your body physique. In this way, you will never be a laughing stock to others.

Being fashionable is one thing; the other is being good to other’s eyes. Choosing the best junior clothing that satisfies your individual style and comfort can be a great step in your individual stylish life.

My friend is having her first baby, and she doesn’t know what to register for for her baby shower. What sort of things should she buy/register for that will help her the most when she has her newborn? (practical stuff only… in other words, not engraved rattles or anything like that) Advice from mothers would be very appreciated! Thanks
Just to clarify… I’m not looking for WHERE to register, but WHAT THINGS to register for. Thanks.