Supporting infant growth involves identifying teething stages, establishing safe sleep environments, and transitioning to age-appropriate solid foods.
A baby is considered premature if he's born earlier than the 37th week of pregnancy. A preemie should be introduced to solid foods around four to six months after his expected due date -- rather than his actual date of birth, notes FamilyDoctor.org.
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Feeding your baby solid foods can be a daunting task as he experiences new tastes and learns what he likes. Allergic reactions to foods are also an important concern for parents. Food allergens can cause potentially dangerous reactions.
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A school of thought holds that letting your baby "cry it out" teaches him to fall asleep without comfort. Some sleep and parenting experts swear by the value of letting your baby soothe himself, while others believe you should swoop in to provide comfort at the first tear.
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Many parents don't have room for both a dresser and a changing table in their baby's nursery. A changing table is a convenient way to change diapers and the top of a dresser converted for this purpose allows you to have storage and a clean surface combined in one piece of furniture.
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A build up of phlegm, thick mucus produced by your infant's lungs and upper airways, can cause significant distress for your infant. There are numerous causes of increased phlegm production, such as respiratory infection, irritation, lung disease and cystic fibrosis.
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Proper nutrition plays an essential role in the development of your childβs cardiovascular system. Like adults, babies require adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, along with essential vitamins and minerals to develop properly.
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Not only can oatmeal be delicious, it also makes an ideal grain for infants with its beneficial nutritional content. The whole grain of oatmeal, combined with its high fiber and low fat make it a delicious breakfast menu item for your baby and the rest of the family, as well.
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It's rare that a baby needs formal exercise and stretching. In fact, if you watch your baby's movements, you'll notice that he stretches and contracts his body naturally while sleeping and during his alert times throughout the day.
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Your baby may not be able to speak yet, but as her parent, you are the expert on what her voice sounds like. If her cries and babbles begin to sound strained and raspy and you can hear gurgles and wetness in her chest, don't hesitate to call the pediatrician.
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If you're breastfeeding, you probably prefer to avoid taking unnecessary medications that could pass through your breast milk to your baby. If you develop an earache, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have an ear infection. Ear pain doesn't always indicate an ear infection, however.
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The benefits of breastfeeding have been documented in thousands of studies. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that parents exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of their child's life and that they continue breastfeeding after introducing solid foods to their children.
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Preemie babies have more trouble with constipation than full-term babies for several reasons. Decreased muscle tone, preemie formulas and a history of bowel infections can all contribute to problems with stools in premature babies, even after they come out of the hospital.
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If you've tried cuddling, feeding, rocking and other methods of baby soothing, but your newborn still complains, she might have stomach cramps. If your baby has a fever, stops gaining weight at a healthy rate or if she seems like she's in pain, consult your pediatrician to discuss possible causes.
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As your baby gets older, you might be surprised to see her in constant motion, even before she can roll over or crawl. Babies learn about the world around them by moving their body and interacting with their environment. Your baby's arm movements can tell you important things about what she is experiencing.
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Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant found in many plant- and animal-based foods. It's a fat-soluble vitamin, making it a natural complement to water-soluble vitamin C, another powerful antioxidant.
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Beans are a major source carbohydrates, protein and fiber. They are filled with important nutrients including iron, calcium, B vitamins and fiber that help nourish your baby's growing body. They can be mashed or pureed, or an older baby can enjoy them in their whole form.
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The vast array of different stages and flavors of baby food on store shelves can be overwhelming, and might leave you wondering what you should feed your baby. Many brands of baby food are sold in stages, which can help you determine what kinds of foods and how much you should serve your little one.
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Some babies like to lie on their backs and drink from a bottle, but this is not always the best position for your baby to take her bottle, since it could increase her risk for certain health problems. It's important to feed your baby her bottle or breastfeed her in a safe position.
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When you hear your baby cough, it may cause you to worry, but his cough is a common reflex that helps protect his airways, notes Kids Health. It may happen because of irritations or it could be removing secretions from his lungs, according to HealthyChildren.org.
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The relationship of the circumference of the head to the circumference of the chest in infants and children changes with age. These measurements are routinely taken by the pediatrician and can alert him or her to abnormalities in the brain or in overall body growth.
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