Sleeping Safe and Sound

There is nothing more peaceful than the sight of a sleeping baby. At the same time, there is no thought more terrifying than that, your baby may die while sleeping soundly. Unfortunate as it is, there are a few instances of cot deaths. Every parents main concern is to keep their baby safe and sound even when they are asleep. Though numerous studies have been done on cot deaths, no one has been able to pin point the reason for the same. This fatality seems to be caused when a number of factors work together and affect the baby some particular way. Researchers have come up a few simple rules to be followed, which considerably lower the risk of cot death while the baby is asleep. Follow these rules to help your baby sleep safely:

• Make your baby sleep on his/her back.
• Make the baby sleep in the 'feet-to-foot' position and away from the end of the cot. Place the baby in such a way that, the feet of the baby are facing the foot of the cot, but are not touching the end of the cot.
• The right temperature for a baby's room is 18 degrees centigrade (65 F). Babies should never get very hot.
• Do not use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle in the baby's cot.
• They should not be allowed to sleep either in direct sunlight or near a fire or heater.
• The baby's clothes, sheets and blankets must be made of cotton only.
• While sleeping all they need is nappy, vest and sleep suit. If it is a hot night them make sure you dress the baby lightly.
• Do not use duvets or sheepskins until the baby is a year old.
• The room in which the baby sleeps must be smoke free. Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke while near the baby.
• During the first six months make sure that the baby cot is in your bedroom.
• Avoid sleeping with your baby on the sofa.
• If you smoke, drink alcohol, are taking medicines or drugs which will make you sleep deeply, then do not allow your baby to share your bed.
• Do not cover the baby's head unless it is very cold, as they lose excess heat from their head and face.
• When the baby has a fever his covering should be light and not heavy as is often believed.
• The baby's bedding, mattress, covering should be kept clean, sun-dry and aired.

baby sleeping bags

A good oil massage soothes and calms a baby, helps them to relax and sleep better and makes them more alert during their waking hours. It is a good exercise and promotes motor activity and emotional security in a child besides, a healthy body and muscular development. It stimulates digestion and helps the baby pass gas.

Massage increases blood circulation in the body. It also helps in parent-child bonding. As soon as the child is born, the baby needs to spend quality time with his parents. Talking and smiling to him while massaging him keeps a child happy, making the baby, more secure and robust. Here are some tips on massaging technique for babies:

• It is a good practice to keep all things you ready before you start rubbing the oil on the baby's body. This includes, the baby massage oil or the vegetable oil, tissues, clean diapers and clothes.
• Baby's skin is very soft and bracelet, rings and long nails might hurt your child accidentally. So keep your fingernails short and keep aside the jewellery pieces you wear on hands when you are massaging the baby.
• Spread a changing mat or a soft towel on a flat surface and undress the baby. Put the baby down with his or her face up.
• Rub only about half-a-teaspoon of oil at a time on your palms so they glide easily on the baby's body. You can apply more oil later as needed.
• Make sure that your palms are warm. Aromatherapy oils for adults may not be suitable for the baby.
• Use smooth, gentle but firm strokes with your palm or fingers. Light circular movements on chest and stomach, stroking across the shoulders, downward movement on the arms and legs and upward movements on the back are the best.
• Do not put too much pressure on the baby's fragile body and avoid the spine area.
• Keep the baby engaged while massaging him or her by talking or singing to the infant.
• Eye contact with the baby ensures him or her of your undivided attention.
• Sudden break in contact of your hands may cause alarm to the baby, take care to be gentle while stopping the massage.
• Do not oil baby's palms or fingers as these little ones tend to put them in their mouths or eyes often and this may cause them irritation.
• Wrap the baby in a clean and warm towel after the massage and cuddle him or her.
• Do not massage the baby just before or after feeding, or when the baby is ill.
• Do not wake the baby up for a massage.
• Avoid rashes, wounds or areas where the baby has got his injections or vaccines as it may hurt.

You can continue to massage your baby till he is three or four years old, as the benefits of a good massage are numerous.

• There are a number of things that disturb a sleeping baby - a wet nappy, hunger, pain or because they are feeling cold. Feeling cold is the most common reason that parents tend to overlook. As they sleep, their body temperature is lowered and if they have accidentally kicked off their blanket, they wake up, waking up the household. Using a sleeping bag will keep your baby warm without extra covers that can be displaced. As your baby can move and kick her legs in the sleeping bag as well, she will not feel constrained.
• Choose your baby's sleeping bag according to season so that he or she stays comfortably warm and does not overheat. Bags are given a TOG rating according to the warmth they provide, higher the figure warmer the bag. In winter a first-size baby sleeping bag should have a rating of 4 TOG - 2.2 TOG that is the average. In summer you'll need a sleeping bag with a lower TOG rating. When using a new bag, check it to ensure that the design and weight do not lead to overheating.
• Make sure that the room in which your baby sleeps is not too warm - the ideal room temperature for a baby is 18 degrees C (65 º F).
• Look for a sleeping bag with deep sleeve holes, so that the air has room to circulate thus preventing your baby from overheating. Underneath the sleeping bag your baby can wear a cotton sleep suit, pajamas or just a vest or T-shirt in summer

Baby Massage

Baby massage is an ancient childcare practice that is still practiced all over the world. Recent medical research has proven the benefits of the same. Studies have shown that premature babies when regularly massaged require minimum hospitalization. All newborns show healthy growth, more weight gain and thrive better if they are massaged well, regularly.
A good oil massage soothes and calms a baby, helps them to relax and sleep better and makes them more alert during their waking hours. It is a good exercise and promotes motor activity and emotional security in a child besides, a healthy body and muscular development. It stimulates digestion and helps the baby pass gas.

Massage increases blood circulation in the body. It also helps in parent-child bonding. As soon as the child is born, the baby needs to spend quality time with his parents. Talking and smiling to him while massaging him keeps a child happy, making the baby, more secure and robust. Here are some tips on massaging technique for babies:

• It is a good practice to keep all things you ready before you start rubbing the oil on the baby's body. This includes, the baby massage oil or the vegetable oil, tissues, clean diapers and clothes.
• Baby's skin is very soft and bracelet, rings and long nails might hurt your child accidentally. So keep your fingernails short and keep aside the jewellery pieces you wear on hands when you are massaging the baby.
• Spread a changing mat or a soft towel on a flat surface and undress the baby. Put the baby down with his or her face up.
• Rub only about half-a-teaspoon of oil at a time on your palms so they glide easily on the baby's body. You can apply more oil later as needed.
• Make sure that your palms are warm. Aromatherapy oils for adults may not be suitable for the baby.
• Use smooth, gentle but firm strokes with your palm or fingers. Light circular movements on chest and stomach, stroking across the shoulders, downward movement on the arms and legs and upward movements on the back are the best.
• Do not put too much pressure on the baby's fragile body and avoid the spine area.
• Keep the baby engaged while massaging him or her by talking or singing to the infant.
• Eye contact with the baby ensures him or her of your undivided attention.
• Sudden break in contact of your hands may cause alarm to the baby, take care to be gentle while stopping the massage.
• Do not oil baby's palms or fingers as these little ones tend to put them in their mouths or eyes often and this may cause them irritation.
• Wrap the baby in a clean and warm towel after the massage and cuddle him or her.
• Do not massage the baby just before or after feeding, or when the baby is ill.
• Do not wake the baby up for a massage.
• Avoid rashes, wounds or areas where the baby has got his injections or vaccines as it may hurt.

You can continue to massage your baby till he is three or four years old, as the benefits of a good massage are numerous.

Baby Sleep Patterns

Once the baby is born, your baby will spend the better part of the day sleeping. Sleeping is an essential and important activity for your baby. Growth hormones work most effectively when the baby is asleep. Initially for the first few months, your baby will continue with their own sleep pattern, sleeping as and when they like. As they grow older they will slowly learn to adjust their sleep pattern to your daily routine. When they are about three months old your baby will normally, sleep for 10 hours at night on the whole, even if he or she wakes up in between. Your baby's daytime sleep can often be divided into two sessions - morning and afternoon.
Everybody has his or her opinion when it comes to care and upbringing of a baby, therefore sleep is no different. Even the simple task of deciding the length of a baby's nap, or how to put your baby to sleep has become complicated, because of the number of opinions you will get. As a result of the emotional involvement in caring for your baby every small aspect becomes an issue. Most mothers are more than happy to make adjustments and will schedule their sleeping pattern to fit their baby's sleep pattern. This ensures that mother and baby sleep together which is ideal. Sleeping together ensure strong emotional bonding between the mother and her baby. Studies have shown that babies who sleep with their mother receive more touching, breastfeeding and protection.

If you feel that your baby should have a sleep pattern that is convenient for everyone at home and that does not interfere with your sleep pattern, you will have to make the baby learn a sleep pattern. One of the most common ways to make a baby sleep, is to use music, either sing to the baby or play some soothing music and before you know the baby is fast asleep. This is a method that has been tried and tested over the years and this wisdom has been passed on from generation to generation, though the type of music used may vary.

Some parents choose a particular song for each child and sing this special song day after day at the baby's bedtime. They begin this when the baby is a few days old. After some time the baby gets conditioned and will sleep easily once you start singing the song. If you don't want your baby to get used to the habit of being rocked to sleep you can try using a musical toy. Wind-up this toy and it will play music for a few minutes. Use this toy every time you want to make your baby sleep. Place it close to his or her cot. After sometime he or she will get accustomed to falling asleep to the sound of the musical toy. This method will help your baby sleep comfortably even if you are away from home.

Today CDs are created with specific music, which help very young babies fall asleep. While selecting music, they use music with the same beats per minute as the heartbeat of the mother, which the baby hears while in the womb. This has a soothing effect on the young baby, helps him relax and fall asleep comfortably. You can choose whatever method suits you or try all of them and decide which one works best for your baby.

How to Care for Your Baby's Teeth

When will my baby's teeth appear?

Every baby is different. Generally, teeth start appearing between 6 and 12 months of age, although your baby may begin drooling and chewing more at 4 months. The first teeth to come in are usually the 2 front teeth on the bottom.

Healthy teeth are important to your baby's overall health. Teeth help your baby chew food and form words and sounds when speaking. They also affect the way your baby's jaw grows.

What can I do to help my teething baby?

Teething is usually painless, but it can make some babies uncomfortable and fussy. Try gently massaging your baby's gums using a clean finger. You can also give your baby a cold teething ring or a cold washcloth to chew or suck on. Make sure the teething ring is made of firm rubber and not filled with gel (as the liquid-filled teething rings can break under the pressure of your baby's chewing).

A low-grade fever (up to 100.4 degrees) is often normal in teething babies, but contact your doctor if the fever raises about 100.4 degrees.

What about breast feeding, bottles and sippy cups?

Breast feeding is good for your baby's teeth and overall health.

If you bottle-feed your baby, always hold the baby when you feed him or her. If you allow your baby to have a bottle in the crib, only give him or her one with water (milk and juice contain sugar, which can pool around the baby's teeth as he or she sleeps and cause cavities). Avoid giving your baby juice until he or she is at least one year old.

Your baby can start using a sippy cup when he or she is 6 months old. Only allow sippy cups filled with water in the crib (to prevent cavities).

After your child is one year old, it is okay to allow him or her to drink juice, just limit the amount (as juice is typically high in sugar).

When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?

Start brushing your baby's teeth twice a day when the first tooth appears. The most important time to brush is just before bedtime. Use a baby toothbrush, which is softer than a toothbrush for an older child or adult and will be gentle on your baby's teeth and gums. Put a dab of toothpaste the size of a rice grain on the brush. Ask your doctor or dentist if your baby's toothpaste should contain flouride (say: floor-ide) in it. Fluoride helps stop cavities, but can be harmful if an excess amount is swallowed. This is why it is best to first check with your doctor or dentist before choosing a toothpaste for your baby.

When should I take my baby to the dentist?

Be sure to take your baby to a dentist by his or her first birthday, especially if there is a high risk for cavities or any other problems with his or her teeth. It is better for your child to meet the dentist and see the office before he or she has a tooth problem.