Physical care for neonates involves monitoring developmental milestones, managing digestive health, and addressing maternal postpartum mental health concerns.
As a new parent, it's easy to worry if you're doing your job right. If your baby doesn't seem to eat enough, you worry that you're underfeeding him. But if he eats too much, you may worry that you're overfeeding. It's good to be a vigilant and caring parent, but when it comes to overfeeding, you can relax.
Read more →
It is impossible to determine the amount of milk a breastfed baby is getting. For this reason, many parents may wonder if their baby is getting enough -- or perhaps even too much -- breast milk. To add to this confusion, feeding patterns change and you can expect one of these changes around 4 months of age.
Read more →
When you're pregnant, you might become obsessed with eating well for your baby. Once she's born, that preoccupation with your diet might continue if you're breast-feeding, especially if your baby is gassy and fussy, as many are.
Read more →
Breastfeeding should be comfortable for both mom and baby. Although usually harmless, itchy nipples when breastfeeding can be irritating and even discouraging to a mother. There are several possible explanations and solutions for itchy nipples.
Read more →
A healthy and well-balanced diet that also includes plenty of water is essential because it allows your body to make enough nutritious milk for your little one.
Read more →
A newborn's behavioral state comes from one of his six states of consciousness. These states include two sleep states, three awake states and one transitional state.
Read more →
There is nothing more disconcerting for parents than seeing their infant in pain and and not knowing why or what to do to help him. This is often the case with silent reflux in newborns.
Read more →
Learning to understand your baby’s cues can take anywhere from days to months. When your baby pulls away from your nipple during breastfeeding, it can mean a variety of things. Don’t get worried or discouraged when this happens.
Read more →
Breastfeeding mothers who experience dizziness might feel concerned for their health and their ability to safely hold and carry their babies. Fortunately, most cases of dizziness when breastfeeding are treatable and preventable with dietary and behavioral changes.
Read more →
When you decide it is time to stop breastfeeding your baby or toddler, your body begins to stop producing milk. This process does not happen overnight, however. Instead, as your child nurses less frequently -- and then stops -- your milk production slows down.
Read more →
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications used while breast-feeding can cause negative and potentially harmful side effects to a nursing infant. Medications can also diminish a nursing mother’s milk supply.
Read more →
Melatonin is a hormone that is released from your pineal gland and helps regulate your newborn baby's sleep and wake cycles. Your newborn's body releases more melatonin when outer conditions are dark and less when it is light outside. Melatonin is available over the counter for sleeping difficulties.
Read more →
Influenza, often referred to as the flu, is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms include fever, a runny nose, a sore throat, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches. Most people sick with the flu get better in a few days.
Read more →
Your newborn is likely exposed to several contaminants and germs. A mother’s antibodies are still inside her newborn, actively working at fighting off infections and illness until his immune system is developed at around 6 months of age.
Read more →
Any woman can experience burning or pain in her breasts and nipples following breastfeeding -- especially if she is inexperienced or just start out breastfeeding. Many conditions, infections and complications can trigger symptoms.
Read more →
Infants breathe primarily through their nose, and when a stuffy nose hits your baby, you’ll probably find out quickly from the snuffling, snorting, fussing and crying that she resorts to in her attempts to breathe properly.
Read more →
Breastfeeding provides a host of benefits for both mother and baby. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, breast milk provides babies with all the nutrients and antibodies they need, which can help fight off some common infant illnesses.
Read more →
Breast-feeding moms often worry about whether their babies are receiving the right amount of milk. If a mom exclusively nurses, she has no way to measure exactly how much breast milk her baby consumes at each feeding.
Read more →
If your newborn is showing sign and symptoms of a cold, making sure he gets the proper care and treatment is a priority. One sign of a severe cold and chest congestion is a slight rattling in the chest -- this may also be referred to as wheezing.
Read more →
New parents want to ensure that their children are getting the proper nutrition. They also want to be sure their newborn has properly functioning intestines. For these reasons, many parents monitor the food intake and stool output of their newborn.
Read more →