Baby, Pregnancy, and Parenting at Babies Online » one year

Strategies and Tips for Getting Your Baby to Sleep at Night

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:34:13 +0000

It can be so hard to get your baby to fall asleep, even when you know he is tired. He may fight sleep and having to rest by kicking, screaming, crying or just fussing. Needless to say, while he is fighting it, you will probably be going nuts yourself. Babies are stubborn and when they do not want to do something they are sure to let everyone who will listen know about it. Parents often find themselves asking what they can do to get their babies to sleep easier and sleep longer. We have the answers!

1. Create a bedtime routine. Your baby may fall asleep easier if there is an order that you do things every evening and he knows what to expect. Some babies don’t like the feeling of surprise when they are put to bed and would rather be eased into it. Start with dinner, a bath, nursing and then bed. If you want you can throw in a song, a story, or a massage.

2. Try to get your newborn to bed when he is sleepy but not overtired. If you let him get overtired he may have a harder time falling asleep and fight it more. If he is sleepy he will probably let his body’s natural instinct take over and lull him to sleep.

3. Use the light and dark to help “program” your baby. Wake your baby up in the morning once the sun comes up and start putting him to bed as the sun goes down and the room gets dark. Let the natural light help teach your baby when to fall asleep and when to wake up.

4. Check the sleep environment. You don’t want the area he sleeps in to be too busy or have too much going on. Find a quiet corner his bed can go in and take the toys out of the bed. Allow him no distractions so that he can easily go to sleep.

5. Teach your baby how to self-soothe. It is never too early to think about it so that when it is time to begin you can easily help your baby start putting himself to sleep. Once your baby can calm himself and put himself to sleep, it will free up your time to take care of other family matters. It will also help him be able to fall BACK to sleep after being awoken.

6. Pay attention to his pattern. If you watch his sleeping you will begin to notice a pattern forming of when he is tired, is ready for bed, how long he will sleep and you will know about when he will wake up. Knowing your baby’s schedule will make it easier to judge when he needs to sleep and how long you have before he wakes up.

7. Avoid stimulation. Highly stimulating forms of activity right before bedtime can wind up your baby making it hard to get him to settle down and go to sleep. Keep it calm and quiet in the house leading up to his bedtime so that he will fall asleep with little fuss.

Napping a Six Month Old
By the halfway point of your baby’s first year, not only has he hit a ton of milestones, but he is probably on a regular nap schedule throughout the day. Most babies will be waking up and going to bed at night about the same time, and taking a couple of naps a day for a couple of hours each. These will normally be in the morning and afternoon. At this point it becomes much easier for mom and dad to plan outings as well as meals in the house, because they know when their baby will be awake, and when he will be asleep.

Napping a One Year Old
Most one year olds are still taking a couple of naps a day at this point; however the naps may not be lasting as long. Your baby is probably up walking, running, and very interested in the world around him. It may be hard to get your baby to actually settle down and take a nap, when there is so much else that they would love to do. Enjoy the down time you do have however, because it may not last much longer.

Napping an 18 Month Old
By the time your baby is 18 months old he probably would have cut out one of his naps. Instead of a mid-morning and mid-afternoon nap, he will probably just be taking his afternoon nap, although it may have moved closer to noon or right after lunch. It also may have gotten longer. Where your baby may have only been sleeping an hour to an hour and a half in the afternoon, he could possibly be sleeping 3 hours now. Make the most of this time during your day and get stuff done.

Napping a Two to Three Year Old
Sometime during your baby’s second and third birthday it is highly likely that he will no longer be taking naps. There is entirely too much going on in his world and too much to see and do. You will put him in his crib or toddler bed and he may sit and play for the two hours he is there instead of napping. Your peace and quiet may be coming to an end. The good news is that since your child still needs at least 12 hours of sleep a day, it might be possible to put him to bed early, around six in the evening and have him sleep all night. This will give you that free time in the evenings to get done things that you were not able to get done during the day.

What Are Well-Checks?

admin — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:10:54 +0000

After you have your baby, while in the hospital your doctor or the pediatrician in the hospital will tell you to schedule a well-check for your baby either at one week or two weeks of age. Many first time moms however do not know what a well-check is, when their baby should be seen, or why it is important.

Well-checks are what pediatricians refer to when a healthy baby comes into see them for a normal checkup. As your child gets older you might only take them to the doctor when they are sick, but as an infant until age two they should be seen much more regularly. The first visit is normally within a couple of weeks of birth, but in some cases may be at one month. Generally, most visits are very similar and routine, and in most there will be immunizations given. To see the current recommended immunizations schedule click here.

2-4 Weeks
At this first visit to the pediatrician your baby will be weighed and measured so that the doctor can see how they are growing since birth. It is important for your baby’s doctor to do this because some babies have allergies to breast milk or the formula they are on, has reflux, or other problems that keep them from gaining weight. Finding this out early is the most effective way to make sure that your baby is healthy. He will also start your baby’s growth chart at this point so that you can both keep track of how your baby is growing. If you have any questions or problems now is a good time to ask. Your next well-check will probably be scheduled around your baby’s two month birthday.

Two Months
During this visit your baby will once again be weighed and measured to check his growth. The numbers will be added to his growth chart so that you can see progress. Where your baby is on the growth chart is normally NOT a big deal, as long as they are being consistent in their growth. If you have a concern about your baby’s growth however, be sure to ask your doctor.

Your baby will also get his first series of immunizations at this visit. In most cases your baby would have received a Hep B shot in the hospital before you took him home. In rare cases where he did not, he will be given that shot now. Other shots your baby will probably get include DTaP, Hib, IVP and PCV. Some doctors will also give your baby the vaccine for the Rotavirus which is a liquid given by mouth. Your next well-check will probably be scheduled around your baby’s four month birthday.

Four Months
Your baby’s growth chart will be updated again and it becomes fun to see the pattern in their growth. Many parents look forward to finding out their baby’s height and weight since your baby is probably in either his second or third set of clothes by this point. The pediatrician will probably start talking to you about giving your baby on baby food. He will also go over any milestones that your baby has reached and the milestones he might reach before your next visit.

Your baby will get another round of immunizations at this visit. These include a second Hep B, DTaP, Hib, IVP and PCV. Ask your pediatrician about giving your baby Tylenol to help with the pain he may be feeling. If you are breastfeeding, plan on feeding your baby immediately after the shots as it may provide comfort to him. Your next well-check will probably be scheduled around your baby’s six month birthday.

Six Months
Your baby is a half a year old! Time has probably flown by. As a general rule, your baby has probably doubled his birth weight by this time, however if he hasn’t don’t worry about it. Check with your pediatrician if you are concerned. Your baby’s growth chart will once again be updated during this visit. Once again you will discuss milestones your baby has reached and talk about what milestones might be reached over the next three months.

Every visit seems to include immunizations. This time around your baby will once again get the DTaP and Hib vaccine. They will probably get the final dose of Hep B as well. He may get another dose of IVP, however this dose can be given between now and two years so your pediatrician may choose to wait. If it is the season for it, your baby can also now get the influenza shot which is recommended for children over the age of six months. Your next well-check probably won’t be scheduled until your baby is either nine months old or possibly at a year.

Nine Months
It has been up to three months since your last well-check and your baby has probably grown and changed quite a bit. Your pediatrician will go over milestones that your baby has reached over the last few months and answer any questions you might have. At this point your baby has probably been eating baby food daily so you will be able to discuss any problems you are having with that at this visit as well.

If your baby is seen during this month, he may or may not receive immunizations. The latest schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics does not show immunizations at this time so it will be up to you and your baby’s doctor on what shots to give or not give. You next well-check will be around your baby’s first birthday.

One Year
Your baby has turned one! Where has the time gone? Does it seem possible that a year ago you were holding a tiny baby in your arms? This is a big appointment for your baby as you get to see exactly how much your baby has grown over the past year. The pediatrician will update the growth chart and go over your baby’s diet at this appointment. In most cases you will be told to go ahead and start giving your baby whole milk instead of formula, or in addition the breast milk if you are still breastfeeding.

Once again there are immunizations scheduled for this visit. If your baby did not get the fourth Hep B at six months, he may get it now. Other immunizations he may get include the Hib, IVP, MMR, Varicella, PCV and if it is that time of year, the Influenza vaccine. These can all be given at different times during the next six months so discussing the time frame with your pediatrician is a good idea. The next well-check will be at 15 months.

15 Months
Your pediatrician will update the growth-chart and will discuss with you any problems you are having. If your baby did not get Hib, IVP, MMR, Varicella, PCV or the Influenza shots at your last visit you will get them now. Your baby may also get the fourth DTaP immunization. Your next well-check visit will be at 18 months.

18 Months
At this point your baby is probably running around and growing more in inches than in weight as he burns extra calories. You may see a change in the height level on the growth chart but not much of one in the weight. Your pediatrician will go over any questions you have and make sure your baby is healthy.

DTaP, IVP and the Varicella vaccines are what your baby might get at this visit if they haven’t had it previously. Also, if it is winter now the Influenza vaccine might be in order. In most cases these shots finish off your child’s immunizations until they reach school age, between 4-6 years old. In some cases your pediatrician may have skipped a dose or pushed one back. If that is so your baby may get shots at his next well-check, at two years.

Two Years
Unless there is a problem this will be your baby’s last well-check until he turns three. He should be speaking, walking, and probably in the terrible two’s by now. If you have any concerns about his development you should talk to his doctor at this time. His growth chart will be filled out by now and a nice curve should be seen. If your child missed any of his immunizations he may be given some at this appointment in order to get caught up. There shouldn’t be any more after this until he is 4-6 years old.

The Average Growth In Babies

admin — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:40:09 +0000

By Lily Carter

Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep track of your child’s physical growth. During each checkup, the doctor will measure your baby’s length, weight, and head circumference. The doctor can then compare the measurements for your baby to a chart of national averages for infants of the same age and sex.

The result is that the doctor will be able to tell you what percentile your baby is in when compared to average baby growth around the nation. For example, if your doctor tells you your 4-month-old is in the 86th percentile for weight, that means 86 percent of the two-month-olds in your country weigh less, and that 14 percent weigh more. A baby that is at the 50th percentile in either height or weight is right at the national average.

Typically, parents seem to worry quite a bit about these percentages, and that worrying is usually needlessly blown out of proportion. There are many factors that come into play when determining where your baby’s statistics will fall in the percentile chart.

It is very important to remember that no two babies are the same and that every child, due to body chemistry, heredity, diet, and many other factors will grow at their own pace.

Some babies will have growth spurts right from the start and others will take a bit longer to begin major growth periods. These measurements, charts, and percentile points are merely guides for a doctor to help in assessing your baby’s growth.

In addition to the measurements that your pediatrician will take during regularly scheduled doctor visits, you may also want to track your baby’s growth at home.

Keep in mind that the measurements you take at home may or may not be as accurate as the measurements your doctor takes, but they can provide a certain degree of insight into the growth of your baby and many new parents have found it to be a fascinating way to participate in the parenting process.

Here are some tips that can help you, as inquisitive parents, track your baby’s growth at home using commercially available scales and other measuring devices.

If baby is too small to stand upright on the scale, you can try using this procedure:

With your baby in your arms, step onto a standard bathroom scale.�

Make note of the weight displayed on the scale and write it down on a piece of paper.�

Put your baby down and step onto the scale alone this time.�

Make note of the weight displayed and subtract this number from the combined weight of you and your baby. The resulting number is your baby’s weight.To measure your baby’s length all you need to do is lay her down on a flat surface (her changing table is a great place for this task) and stretch a measuring tape from head to toes.

For the measuring of head circumference all you need to do is wrap the measuring tape around your baby’s head. You should wrap the measuring tape just above your baby’s eyebrows, so the tape falls right at the top of the ears. What you are trying to measure is the point around his head that has the largest circumference.

When taking your baby to the doctor your pediatrician will perform more accurate measurements. Pediatricians do the “baby measuring thing” on a daily basis and will be able to achieve a much more accurate result than you will at home. This is due to the fact that they are accustomed to the things babies do that can result in an inaccurate measurement and they have very accurate measuring tools made specifically for the purpose of measuring the characteristics of babies, such as proper baby scales equipped with cradles.

Your doctor will most likely take measurements several times during one visit and average the results together to ensure accuracy and to compensate for any discrepancies that may arise. It is crucial for the doctor’s measurements to be as accurate as possible because a discrepancy of as little as a few millimeters in length or a few grams in weight can make a difference where your baby falls on the charts.

Since the results of these measurements may determine changes to your baby’s diet, and other possible changes to how your baby is fed and treated during her first year, it is important that these results are as accurate as possible.

Your pediatrician will measure the following characteristics of your baby:

Weight:
After calibrating the scale the doctor or nurse will place your completely naked baby on a baby scale. There are electronic and traditional beam-type versions of the baby scale, but most will typically have the same type of baby holding stainless steel cradle. After your child is able to stand on her own, your pediatrician will most likely use a standard upright scale.

Length:
Like weighing, until your baby is able to stand up on his own, your doctor will perform the height/length measurements with your baby lying down. Your doctor may use a tape measure, much like you use at home, or may utilize a special “baby-measuring device”, which consists of a headboard and movable footboard to obtain the most accurate results possible.

Head circumference:
This measurement will be taken in almost the same way you did at home. The doctor will take the measurement at the point where the head is at its largest circumference, right above the ears and around to the back of the head where the neck meets the cranium. Usually the pediatrician will record this measurement to the nearest 0.3 cm (1/8th of an inch).

The head is different from other parts of the body in that the brain is not fully formed at the time of birth and therefore the head will continue to grow during baby’s first year.

Baby’s head is a particular point of concern for the doctor because a head that is growing too rapidly can be a sign of hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and a head that is growing too slowly can be indicative of nutritional or developmental problems. Regardless, you shouldn’t be too concerned if your baby’s head appears a bit disproportional compared to the rest of her body, as this is completely normal for the first year of life.

About the Author:
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

admin — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:34:57 +0000

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, better know as SIDS, is defined as the sudden, unexplainable death in a child under one years of age while they are asleep. The causes and details of it are still unknown.

Today SIDS is much less prevalant in society than it was 25 years ago. In 1980 1.53 of every 1000 births ended in the death of the baby blamed on SIDS. By 2001 that number was down to just .56 deaths which is great news for parents and doctors like.

Most commonly, a parent would put their baby to bed at night, only to wake up in the morning and check on him, finding him cold and not breathing. This situation is the worst that a parent can find themselves in and often leads to the feeling of anger and self-blame, or in some cases one parent blaming another. That can lead to the demise of relationships which can then hurt other members of the family.

What Causes SIDS? The answer to that question is still being searched out. No one really knows what exactly causes SIDS or how to keep it from occurring. Researchers found a link to babies sleeping on their stomachs and the occurrence of SIDS but other than that, no link links or exact causes have been discovered. There is some evidence that babies who are born premature are at a higher risk for SIDS because they aren’t as strong as babies who are born at term.

Prevention
Why did the numbers go down and how can you prevent SIDS from coming into your home. Once the researchers discovered the link between SIDS and belly sleeping, they began suggesting that babies only be placed to sleep on their backs. It is called the “Back to Sleep” campaign and it gains strength every year. There are other things that can help prevent SIDS.

During pregnancy, make sure you get regular medical care helping to avoid the chance of having a premature birth.
Stay away from alcohol and drugs during pregnancy.�
Avoid pregnancy during the teen years. As a woman gets older the chance that she will have a baby that suffers from SIDS drops drastically. The highest number of SIDS cases happens to teenage moms.�
Wait at least a year after you have a baby to get pregnant again.�
Always place your baby to sleep on his back.�
Make sure your baby has a firm mattress without pillows, comforters, blankets and stuffed animals.�
Keep light clothing on your baby and the temperature at a comfortable level to avoid overheating.�
Avoid exposing your baby to people who smoke or environments where tobacco smoke is prevalent.�
Breastfeed your baby if possible. Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of SIDS.�
If your baby was a preemie, exposed to any substances while in the womb, was born to a teenage mother, or had a sibling who died of SIDS, consider getting a monitor that keeps track of your child’s breathing.

If you are concerned about your baby’s health or want more information about SIDS call your pediatrician or mention it at your next well-check.