51) My baby cries a lot. How come?

Your baby cries a lot because this is the means of communicating and expressing his needs. Newborns cry anywhere from one to four hours daily.
Your baby may be telling you he is wet, hungry, tired, cold or just wants your attention. Sometimes your baby has more needs than one going for him at a given time; other times, he wails for no apparent reason. With time, you will be able to distinguish your baby's cries by. How they sound. Having achieved that, don't be puzzled by those periodic cries that have no logical explanation attached to them.

52) Will changing formula help my baby's colic?

Following Changing formula may help some babies who experience periods of gassiness or fussiness caused by indigestion. But it is not likely to help colic.

Colic usually starts before 6 weeks of age and ends when the baby is around 3 months old. A colicky baby typically cries for several hours each day (usually in late afternoon or early evening), while pulling up his legs, bunching his fists and/or grimacing. He often swallows air when crying, which leads to more gas and discomfort.

If the baby is otherwise well and cheerful the rest of the time, there is usually no cause for concern since there is little else you can do. . How ever, contact your infant's doctor if in doubt, or if your baby has these crying episodes at an age older than 3 or 4 months. Once the doctor confirms it may be colic, try those techniques that would bring relief against colic.

53) How often should my baby poop?

Most newborns poop three to five times each day, usually right after feedings. Breast-fed infants tend to defecate more. This pattern continues even after they turn 1 month of age. Conversely, there are some babies who have no bowel movements for as long as three or four days. This is also a common pattern and not unhealthy. If the time between bowel movements is longer than three or four days, or if your baby’s. How s discomfort, talk with your baby's pediatrician.

54) When will my baby sleep through the night?

Although newborns sleep most part of the day approximating at 16 hours in total, they do awaken often to feed. The longest time may not always occur at night.

By age 4 months, most babies can sleep uninterrupted for six to eight hours at night; by age 6 months, they can sleep as much as 10 to 12 hours at a stretch.

There are some things you can do to help your baby learn to sleep through the night and to prevent later sleep problems. Put her to bed when she is drowsy but still awake. Keep middle-of-the-night feedings brief, with dim lights and no talking or playing. Minimize nighttime diaper changes and make these quiet too. If she is taking longer naps in the day, rouse her out of it gently.

55) My baby’s urine is smelly. What does it mean?

There are three main reasons. Smelly urine can be due to it being stale; frequent changing of diapers will help. Urine can stink because it is very concentrated, indicating your baby is low on fluids. Try offering an extra feed if she’s breastfed or cooled boiled water between feeds if she is being bottle fed. A urinary tract infection can afflict the very young so contact your doctor if your baby seems unwell.

56) My 3-week-old baby has developed baby acne all over his face, and it looks really bad. My family says it's from kissing him too much. Is this true?

Newborn acne is caused by hormones in the baby's blood coming from the mother, and generally disappears on its own in 6-9 months. Newborn acne generally does not leave scars behind, and treatment is unnecessary. In fact, applying substances to the skin can actually make things worse. Most important, kissing does not cause newborn acne. Don't hold back those smooches from your bundle of joy.

57) I was wondering if I need to pre-wash all the clothes before first use?

Washing new baby clothes is recommended for several reasons. First, many people have been handling or possibly trying on those clothes; washing eliminates the transmission of harmful germs. Another reason is that some fabrics have been treated with chemicals to help maintain their texture and color, and these chemicals can sometimes irritate an infant's sensitive skin if they're not washed out. Keep in mind that clothes should be washed in mild laundry detergents separately.

58) At what age is it safe for a healthy newborn to fly?

Healthy, full-term newborns are usually ready to fly two to four weeks after birth, when the fluid in their middle ears goes away. That's the earliest that you will feel like traveling too. On board the plane, keep her away from unwell strangers, extreme cold or hot temperatures, and too much disruption in her schedule. Nurse or feed her while taking off and particularly while landing to avoid pressure buildup in the middle ear. Hold her upright if she seems distressed for that same reason. Consider buying her a seat on the plane so you have room to secure her in a car seat, the safest way to fly. Else arrange for an in-flight bassinet. Arrive early and book the bulkhead seat for more room to set up. Identify a health care provider at your destination so you will know where to turn if you have any problems. If she has some special health concerns or is a premature baby, you should consult your regular health care provider before making any travel arrangements.

59) My 3½-week-old baby's soft spot is sunken in. My pediatrician said not to worry unless my son was fussier than normal or was running a fever. Should I be concerned?

You needn't worry if your baby is happy and feeding well. The soft spot, or fontanelle, is the space between four of the growing head bones. It is open (along with one at the back of the head) to allow for some flexibility of the head during birth and, very importantly, to allow for brain growth during your baby's first years. The soft spot indicates the state of your baby's brain. For example, a bulging fontanelle could mean your baby's brain is growing too fast. Consult with your doctor. When baby is unwell and the fontanelle is sunken, your baby may be dehydrated.

60) I have a four-week-old boy who has baby acne. I'm interested in learning when it will clear up. How to treat it (if at all) and whether this means he is likely to have complexion problems as he gets older?

Baby acne is usually a response to a temporary increase in the male hormone while in the womb and that's why it is more common in male babies. The face rash sometimes appears at birth but more often s. How s up during baby's first few weeks. It is red and pimply, but can even have white- and blackheads. It usually goes away by itself after a few months, almost never leaving scars. Parents should resist the urge to treat it. Applying chemicals on a baby's sensitive skin can do more harm than good. In extremely severe cases, consult with a pediatric dermatologist. If the rash lingers longer than 9 months (maximum), it is advisable to run a urine or blood test to check baby's hormone levels. Even in persistent cases, there is no evidence linking baby acne to future complexion problems.

61) Why is cow milk harmful to baby?

Milk-based infant formulas are made with cow’s milk but it has been significantly altered to be digestible and safe for baby. Regular cow milk . How ever can result in serious harm and doesn't provide the required nourishment so should not be given to your baby any time in the first year.

The reasons being:

• Cow’s milk contains too much protein and salts which can be stressful to infant’s intestines and kidneys. The protein produces large curds that are not digestible and will only irritate the stomach lining. It can also lead to blood loss into baby’s stools.

• Cow’s milk lacks in the vitamins and iron which your baby needs.
It can produce and allergic reaction.

• Cow’s milk can be deficient in fat which is ultra important for proper brain development and daily calories (the calories in infant formulas and breast milk are composed of 50% fat).

62) Is it safe for my baby to be exposed to sunshine if I use a protective cream?

Babies below 6 months should not be exposed to direct sunlight but should be covered up by clothes and a hat with a brim. Baby’s skin does not have the pigment to protect it from the sun’s radiation and will suffer burns. Protective creams do little by way of protection and should be used when your baby is older.

63) What are soft spots?

There are six soft spots or fontanelles which are gaps between the bones of the head. Babies’skulls are not solid yet and are instead plates of soft bones joined by fibrous tissue. The largest soft spot is a diamond shaped area of about 4cm across at the crown of the head. Behind this is a smaller triangular fontanelle. These spots will close up between the ages of 9 and 18 months.

64) My baby was born 2 weeks ago with a large lump on the side of her head. Is this likely to be permanent?

This is probably a cephalhaematoma – a bruise on the outside of the skull. It is harmless and will disappear in a few weeks without treatment.

65) If I do not breastfeed, will it affect bonding with my baby?

No. While breastfeeding may bring satisfaction and closeness to your baby, it is not essential for bonding. The proof lies in the fact that many bottlefeeding mothers, fathers and caretakers for instance the grandparents, form a close bond with the infant. What is important is to hold the baby, maintain eye contact and talk with her while feeding. This interaction helps in voice recognition and plays a key role in baby’s development. All these can be achieved without breastfeeding.

66) What should I do if one breast feels sore and tender?

A tender area in one breast in the early weeks is likely because of a blocked milk duct. Drink plenty of fluids, discontinue using a bra or place a fresh cabbage leaf inside your bra. Read More

67) Why does my baby bring up so much of his feed?

For unknown reasons, some baby posset more than others. Those who guzzle the fastest tend to bring up more. It may be due to having had more milk than was needed. The amount baby brings up often looks more than it actually is. Possetting some amount of milk is normal and do not be horrified by the quantity – conduct a test to relieve yourself. Spill 10 ml of formula on a cloth; the amount of mess a small volume creates is amazing. . How ever if your baby is vomiting violently, bringing up large quantities of milk or appears unwell, contact your pediatrician right away.

68) Why is my bottle-fed baby constipated?

Bottle-fed babies tend to have firmer stools and can become constipated as a result. Constipation can result from underfeeding, dehydration from the hot weather or when she is feverish and uncommon disorders such as underactive thyroid gland and megacolon. Constipation usually resolves if you give your baby more formula and drinks of cooled boiled water. If constipation persists, talk to your doctor. Read More

69) Can bottles be heated up in a microwave oven?

No. Avoid this practice as microwave radiation heats up fats faster than other substances thereby creating hot spots in the milk. This can scald your baby. Read More

70) My three-week old baby has no problems sleeping but barely 5 minutes later he is awake and crying for me. What can I do?

Your baby is just uncomfortable. Check the room for comfort. Correct room temperature is important – it shouldn't be too hot or stuffy but pleasantly warm. If you use night light make sure it is subdued and try to keep background noise to the absolute minimum.

71) My baby wakes up very early in the mornings and will not go back to sleep. Should I deprive her of her afternoon nap?

Very young babies do not know the difference between night and day. If you prevent her from sleeping when she needs to she will feel tired and will be more difficult to handle. You can time her naps so that she sleeps less during the day and also avoid letting her have a long nap before her last feed of the day.

72) How much of crying can I expect from my newborn baby?

Between birth and 3 months, your baby is likely to cry for a total of 2 hours a day (not all at once).

73) Why are newborn babies given vitamin K?

Following birth babies will be given vitamin K either by injection or liquid drops. This vitamin is for blood clotting and is routinely given. Its importance is more significant with preterm babies and babies who have had a difficult delivery.

74) How does prematurity affect a newborn child?

A baby born after 36 weeks is usually treated no differently from a normal term baby. A baby born between 33 and 36 weeks face few difficulties but may have problems with sucking and swallowing during feeding. Babies born between 28 – 32 weeks have immature lungs and those born before 27 weeks need more support for many of their body systems.

75) Is it normal for babies to vomit a lot in the first week?

In the first day or two babies produce a lot of mucus as a reaction to the birth and she may vomit it out. It may be blood-tinged and your baby may lose interest in feeding. It may also get in the way of baby’s breathing. Just lie your baby on her side if she needs to cough it up.

76) Is it normal to have pink-stained nappies?

Pink stain is usually a result of urate crystals from the baby’s urine and is considered normal. With a girl child there could be a little blood from the vagina due to mother’s hormones which will stop after a few days.

77) My baby has a squint. Is this going to be permanent?

There are no tears when a newborn cries. This is because the baby's tear ducts have yet to mature (tear ducts tend to mature at
about 6 weeks). And because of this.. Read More

78) What are birthmarks and are they treatable?

Most babies at birth have dry peeling skin for a few days, which seem more apparent at the wrists, ankles and on the palms and soles. The top layer of skin which has so far been immersed in amniotic fluid is shedding now. Rest assured your baby is not in pain and this does not suggest your baby has some skin problem. No medical attention is required although massaging almond or any other good quality oil helps.

79) What is phototherapy and how does it work?

Jaundice can be caused by prematurity, infection, exposure to drugs during labor, or bruising at birth. Different types of jaundice exist with physiological version being the commonest form in newborns. It is not a true disease.. Read More

80) What is floppy head syndrome and why does it happen?

Your child may have floppy baby syndrome if, at 6 months, she is unable to sit in an upright position even with support.. Read More

81) Is it necessary to use a baby monitor?

A baby monitor functions to connect you to your baby when you are in some other part of the house. It is not an absolute must to own but it does come handy if your baby becomes very stressed when you do not respond to his cries immediately or if you cannot hear your baby crying from the other rooms in the house.

82) My baby looks so fragile and I am scared to hurt her when I hold her. Is this possible?

You can be rest assured you are not going to harm your child in any way as long as you give her head the support it needs. Since newborns have very little control over their heads for at least a month, hold it firmly to prevent any lolling.

83) Should I allow my four year old to pick up his newborn sister?

As long as you are there to guide even the smallest of siblings can hold a young baby. Demonstrate the correct way to hold the baby and emphasize the importance of proper head and neck support. Do not leave the two of them alone together as it can create anxiety in either one of them.

84) Is it a good idea to leave my baby propped sitting up with cushions etc?

Wait until your baby is at least 6 weeks old before attempting this. Never leave your baby unattended and try not to leave him too upright that he can fall forward onto his face. Adequate padding in the form of pillows and cushions is a good idea since he is not able to support himself in that position yet. A bouncing cradle will do just as well.

85) Should my baby wear shoes?

Healthy foot growth is possible without restrictions, not even in the form of shoes. Any restraint in the soft bones early in life can cause problems later on. Socks or bootees with lots of room are all that is required until your baby starts to walk. Moreover it is necessary for baby to wiggle and suck her toes.

86) Do I need to clean the dummy regularly?

Pacifiers must always be sterilized before they can be put in your baby’s mouth. They should be re-sterilized every time they fall on the ground. Washing with tap water or wiping it is not good enough.

87) What other drinks can I give my baby?

Your baby's first couple of poos will be tar-like, sticky and greenish-black in color. Termed meconium, this waste product was accumulated in the.. Read More

88) What can my newborn see?

Babies open their eyes almost immediately after birth though not for long. His long distance vision is blurred right now but he is able to focus on objects that are around 20-25 cm or 8-10 inches away from his face. Objects with lots of contrast like your face and those that can move attract him more.

89) What can my newborn hear?

Your baby will be most alert to the sound of his mother’s voice which up till now has been muffled by amniotic fluid. He is also sensitive to the inflections and rhythms of language.

90) There is a bulge under his navel which seems to protrude more when he cries. What is wrong?

This swelling is an umbilical hernia which is common but not dangerous. The gap in the muscle wall of the abdomen where the cord came through has not closed completely yet and this causes the contents of the abdomen to push through when baby cries or coughs. Your baby is not in pain and nothing needs to be done to fix this. Almost all the umbilical hernias close up before the age of 5.

91) Will my baby sleep longer if the room is kept dark?

Not likely. She can sleep when it is light. . How ever do not place her in direct warm sunlight as it could get too hot for her. It is a good idea to draw curtains during the day to get your baby adjusted to the difference between night and day so that by the time she is 6 weeks old she would have developed a sense of when she is expected to sleep.

92) When should I use a dummy?

Try giving your baby a dummy only when she sleeps. Avoid giving her one when she doesn't need it – a dummy shouldn't be in her mouth all the time!

93) Why is my newborn so blotchy?

Since circulation is not fully developed blood can 'pool' in one part of the body. Stork marks – red or purplish marks on the back of the neck may be seen. These are harmless and will fade.

94) What are the main reasons babies cry?

Crying is a means of communication for babies. In a very young baby the most common cause is hunger but other reasons include thirst, feeling too hot or too cold, having colic, feeling discomfort, boredom, fear or fatigue. A loud noise may startle an infant and trigger crying, as can over-stimulation or lack of physical contact with a parent. Cuddling often stops the crying.

95) Is it true that newborns can sense their parent’s moods?

It is thought that babies can pick up on other people’s emotions, especially their caregiver’s moods. They respond to increased tension in the arms of the person who is holding them. Parents should try staying calm . How ever much your baby cries to avoid aggravating the situation further.

96) When should I call my doctor?

If your baby seems unwell look out for any of the following symptoms and contact your doctor at the soonest:

• A sunken fontanelle (a possible sign of dehydration)

• Diarrhea especially if combined with vomiting

• Screaming in pain

• Refusing more than one feed

• Dry nappies when they should be wet

• Persistent vomiting (more than the usual possetting)

• A fever despite being lightly clothed

• Rapid breathing or cough

97) Will my baby need immunizations?

Without them your baby is at risk of developing serious diseases such as polio, meningitis etc. A vaccine by mouth or injection stimulates the body’s immunity against a particular infection. Though not all vaccines are full proof, they are still worth having.

98) What is the best way to wind my baby?

With a very young infant, it is best to hold her upright on your lap and gently rub her back supporting her neck and head. After baby is a month old she can be held against you with her head resting over your shoulder. Place a napkin on your shoulder as possetting is very likely.

99) Should my formula fed baby be given water as well?

If your baby is thirsty even after her feed or if she is unusually hot or feverish or if the weather is warm, a little water helps. Usually formula is sufficient but in these situations an extra bottle of formula will not help as it will not prevent dehydration because of it contains salt, protein, carbohydrate and other nutrients and water. Offer your baby cooled, boiled water in a bottle if she still wants more after her feed.

100) Is frequent cuddling beneficial?

It is important to cuddle your newborn often since she has just left the cozy environment of the womb. She also needs the stimulation your eye contact and touch and smiles can provide. You do not need to hold her or cuddle her all the time.

101) What is the best way to keep my baby clean?

Some parents prefer to bathe their newborns everyday while others prefer to top and tail regularly and bathe occasionally. Topping and tailing doesn't involve total undressing and requires less effort – just the face, hands and bottom. This regime suits fussy babies or during winter months.