Archive: New Baby

20 Fun Baby Facts

Abigail Wise 17 January 2013 No comments

1. Some babies can start to recognize a mother’s voice at as early as two days old.

2. Four out of 10 babies have at least one birthmark when they’re born.

3. We have 206 bones, but babies are born with 300 because many fuse together as they grow.

4. Crying helps calm babies down because tears release a stress hormone. However, it takes between three weeks and five months for babies to actually develop tears when crying.

5. Babies quickly lose any hair that they’re born with.

6. Smiling isn’t just copying, but rather something that comes naturally to babies. The fact that blind babies smile proves it!

7. The most popular day for childbirth in the U.S. is Tuesday.

8. A newborn’s heart beats about twice as fast as an adult’s.

9. All babies are born prematurely and some doctors refer to their first few months of life as the fourth trimester.

10. Over four million babies are born each year in the U.S.

11. Newborns have poor eyesight and can only focus on objects about eight inches away. They are not, however, colorblind, contrary to popular belief.

12. Baby tummies are tiny. An eight-pound baby can only drink about three ounces of milk at a time.

13. A baby is born somewhere in the world every three to five seconds.

14. Newborns don’t sweat. Their sweat glands have yet to fully develop.

15. Almost all babies are born with blue eyes and a pug nose.

16. Babies’ sense of smell is much stronger than adults’. They use this to get to know their mothers early on.

17. After only a few days, mothers can distinguish their children’s cries from those of other babies.

18. Babies are born without kneecaps.

19. Infants learn emotions by imitating adults’ expressions.

20. Baby brains double in size during the first year.


Sources:

-“Surprising facts about birth in the United States.” Baby Center.

-“21 fascinating facts about your baby.” Bounty.com.

-“25 facts you should know about a newborn baby.” Milliontalks.com

-“Fun Baby Facts.” Kinderpods.

-Nixon, Robin. “11 Facts Every Parent Should Know About Their Baby’s Brain.” Live Science.

-Photo courtesy of koratmember/freedigitalphotos.net

 

New Baby , ,

Difficulties in Breastfeeding

Angela 10 December 2012 No comments

It’s impossible to deny that giving your baby breast milk is the best possible choice, but breastfeeding isn’t always quite as easy as some would have you believe. As with many changes that occur upon becoming a mother, breastfeeding takes some adjustment, and you may encounter a few difficulties along the way.

  • Nipple Pain: This is the single biggest complaint among new mothers who are trying to breastfeed their babies. You could feel an itching or even a burning sensation, but the good news is that over time, you’ll feel no discomfort when you get ready to feed your baby. There are a few reasons you may be feeling nipple pain right now, though. You could have the baby in the wrong position as he or she feeds or you may simply have some skin issues around your nipples.  Make certain your baby achieves a good latch every time he or she feeds. It’s best to get baby to open that little mouth as wide as possible, then position yourself. You may also want to check your nipples for dry skin or thrush to help deal with the pain. Soap can easily dry your skin, as can ill-fitting bras, so watch out for problems as you begin to feed your baby. Check with your lactation consultant or pediatrician if you suspect thrush.
  • Clogged Ducts: There are few things worse than a clogged duct, and they can make your breasts feel full, sore, and hot. While a clogged duct can’t hurt your baby, it can lead to infection in your body. If you notice a clog, rest as much as possible, take a hot shower, and apply a warm compress to your breast as you nurse. To avoid this problem in the future, make certain that your nursing bra fits well and avoid stress as much as possible.
  • Engorgement: In those first few weeks, you may experience this painful condition. It may even make it difficult for your baby to properly latch on. While it will rectify itself in time, the best thing to do initially is to express a bit of milk before the feeding so baby has an easier time latching on.
  • Low Milk Supply: This is actually rarer than you think. Most breastfeeding mothers make plenty of milk for their little ones, but it’s not always easy to tell how much milk baby is getting in any given feeding. If you do suspect you don’t have enough milk for your baby, your best bet is to contact a lactation consultant. She can help you make certain baby is getting enough, and in the event he or she isn’t, more frequent nursing or pumping is typically the best solution.
  • Finding the Right Nursing Position: There are many different ways to nurse your baby, and in the early days, it may be tough to find the right one to meet your needs. You should try a variety of positions throughout the first few weeks until the two of you find one you like best. The chances are good that different situations will call for different positions. For example, at night, it might work best to nurse your baby in the side lying positions while during the day, you may be more comfortable with the traditional cradle hold.

Breastfeeding your baby can be an amazing experience, but it often takes a bit of work to get over the initial difficulties.

 

Pinkchic18 is a writer with a passion for parenting and babies. She also regularly contributes to the Parenting & New Baby Advice Blog, where you can find more articles on feeding baby along with unique baby gifts.
 
Attached Images License: Creative Commons image source

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