Here are some practical steps to help you:

1. Experts recommend that ‘debriefing’ with a professional, doctor, midwife in the first two weeks after your baby is born, helps significantly with stress and post natal depression. In the debriefing you would talk about your birth experiences, expectations and disappointments around the birth.
2. Arrange times to sleep. Sleep deprivation is one of the main contributors to stress in new moms. Dad or any other responsible adult friend is capable of watching baby for a while.
3. Involve dad in baby care from the first day. His touch is as important as yours. If you are a single mom find a relative or friend you trust who can help you on a daily basis.
4. Simplify your life. Cut down on your workload both in the office and at home.
5. Get out of the house. Take baby for a walk, and treat yourself to coffee.
6. Join a mom and baby group where you can meet other new moms and share your feelings.
7. Join a gym or other centre that offers professional care for your baby while you work out, or engage in an activity you enjoy.
8. Find someone you trust and respect who has been in your situation to confide in.
9. Arrange domestic help and night nurse if you can afford it.
10. Accept any offers of help from friends to lift or care for older children. They will also enjoy a break from the stress.
11. Trust your instincts, and don’t worry about being perfect.
12. If feelings of stress and resentment persist, speak to your doctor, as you may be suffering form post partum depression.

It does indeed “take a village to raise a child.” Allowing family and friends to help you, enables you to enjoy your baby more. 

About the Author: Claire Marketos www.inspiredparenting.co.za

The post Adjust to life with your newborn using these tips appeared first on All4Baby.

There are three main parts to look at in terms of positioning and how the baby is held for breastfeeding.

The baby’s body position

The baby should be close to the mother with the whole body facing her. Ensure that the face is close to the breast with the tip of the nose opposite the nipple and the chin touching the breast. The baby’s bottom must be supported by the mother and not resting on her lap.

The baby’s head

The head should be facing the breast and should not be twisting to one side as this is uncomfortable for the baby. It is important to ensure that the neck is also not extended or stretched and that the baby’s head and body are in a straight line.

Mothers position

As it is the baby that determines the length of the feed it is important that every mother is seated somewhere comfortable for a feed and that she remains relaxed. Using pillows to support the back is a good option for comfort.

Attachment is the way the baby takes the breast into his or her mouth. Feeding cannot occur effectively unless the baby is correctly positioned and attached to the breast. Incorrect attachment can lead to nipple tenderness, engorged breasts, apparent poor milk supply and reduced milk production.

Your baby is attached correctly when

• The mouth is wide open
• There is more areola visible above the breast rather than below
• The chin is touching the breast
• The lower lip is curved outward

Poor attachment can occur if bottle feeding is started before breastfeeding has been established as the difference between the nipple and the teat of the bottle can result in nipple confusion.

Successful breastfeeding can be extremely tough on first time mothers and seeking advice from a lactation consultant can prove to be beneficial in ensuring success and peace of mind for both mother and baby.

The post Breastfeeding a newborn: The correct positioning and attachment appeared first on All4Baby.

Even if your baby is not very responsive, connections are being made and information is being sorted and categorised. Gently engage his or her senses and be patient.

Watch the Pamper’s video for more of Kate’s play tips.

Helpful advice and tips from the Pampers® Institute are available at www.Pampers.co.za and on www.youtube.com/PampersZA Receive emails with information tailored to your baby’s age by subscribing at www.Pampers.co.za/registration and connect with us at www.facebook.com/PampersSA

The post Video: Play is important for newborn development appeared first on All4Baby.

Parenting Expert, Sister Lilian, says there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), more commonly known as cot death.

Her tips include, excluding any soft toys and loose blankets from the cot and making sure that your baby doesn’t overheat. Watch the video for more of Sister Lilian’s tips.

Helpful advice and tips from the Pampers® Institute are available at www.Pampers.co.za and on www.youtube.com/PampersZA Receive emails with information tailored to your baby’s age by subscribing at www.Pampers.co.za/registration and connect with us at www.facebook.com/PampersSA

The post Video: Newborn sleep safety tips appeared first on All4Baby.

When clients ask me: “What do we do when we want to go out during our baby’s sleep time?” I ask them: “Did you not know your life ends when you have children?” Of course, this is a joke! But, as with all things “baby”, I believe it is very important to have a good balance.

Adapt and adapt alike

We continuously ask ourselves whether our children must simply adapt to our lifestyles, or whether we should completely adjust our schedules to fit in with our children’s routines.

I am a firm believer that you should adapt to your baby as much as they should adapt to you.

It is important (and equally challenging) to find the balance between this give-and-take relationship. An example of this balanced relationship would be to concede that it is NOT ideal for a baby to be exposed to the noise, germs and stimulation of a shopping mall in the first two weeks of life.

However, is it equally ill-fitting for an extroverted mother who might be struggling with baby blues to be locked up in her house 24/7 in the first two weeks of her baby’s life. So, where do you find balance?

Keep the first two weeks open

I encourage clients to attempt to keep their diaries open for the first two weeks of implementing the program and making changes to their children’s sleep routines.

Ideally you want your child in the same sleep space and you want them to be able to sleep without interruption. However, here after, please do “have a life”.

But expect that you must also respect your child’s naptime and sleep time, or bear the consequences thereof.

Going out

• If you are visiting friends and family, follow the exact same bedtime routine as you would at home, keep the rules consistent and the bedtime the same and allow your child to just sleep in a camping cot.
• If bathing your baby at your friends or family’s house is out of the question, complete your bedtime routine at home, and allow your baby to fall asleep in the car seat. Then take him/her out and place them in a camp cot once you arrive at the host’s home.
• When traveling far distances, try to schedule your trip during the time that your child needs to sleep.
• If you are traveling short distances, it is best if your child DOES NOT fall asleep for the 10 minute drive. Rather keep your child awake until you reach your destination where he or she can sleep uninterruptedly.
• In a shopping mall, lower your child’s pram in a sleeping position and limit the exposure to the light or surroundings with a blanket or pram-cover that will allow your baby to fall asleep in the pram.

The wonderful thing about getting your child in a healthy sleep routine, is that outings will be easier, as their circadian rhythms (their awake sleep cycles) will be in place and they will fall asleep much more easily in unfamiliar surroundings.

About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za

The post How to stick to your newborn’s routine when you go out! appeared first on All4Baby.

Sleep deprivation, cracked and bleeding nipples and a crying baby can all add up to a miserable and emotional mom, a stressed out dad and the idea of a pain free feed by bottle feeding is all too tempting.

Let’s take a look at the issues that might make breast feeding in the early days really difficult…

Engorged and swollen breasts

This typically happens around day four after delivery (slightly longer after a caesarian birth). Most new moms are usually at home by now and do not have the support and care of the nursing staff in the maternity units to help them through this difficult time.

Your breasts will become full and heavy, and excruciatingly tender to the touch. In some instances, they become rock hard, hot and sore.This is what is commonly known as “milk coming in”.

It usually settles after 72 hours. Feed your baby on demand, as normal, and don’t be tempted to express your breasts to make them emptier and softer – all you will do is encourage more milk to be produced!

Place cabbage leaves in your bra (they really do work), rub arnica cream or oil onto your sore and swollen breasts, and take an anti-inflammatory medication to help with the pain and swelling (ask your pharmacist, clinic sister or doctor to recommend one that is safe for breast feeding).

Applying ice packs also helps with the pain and inflammation. Persevere, it will get better – just give it some time, and don’t expect your breasts to settle down for at least a few days.

Blocked milk ducts or mastitis

Blocked milk ducts commonly occur, especially in the first few days after your milk has come in and your breasts are feeling swollen and sore. You can usually feel the actual spot where the blockage is, because it is sore, and if you look, you may see a red and inflamed area.

This is more prevalent before a feed when your breasts are full, and feeding usually gives you some relief. You may also feel a bit feverish and have a headache.

Gently massage the tender and red area with some arnica oil or cream, and apply heat to the area after you have finished feeding.

Taking Anti-inflammatory medication also helps.   In some instances your doctor may prescribe anti-biotics.

Keep a close watch on the affected area, as it may develop into a breast abscess if the blockage is not released. If the red and tender area does not lessen after a feed, and if the entire area does not settle down within a few days, and you are feeling feverish and unwell, it is best to seek medical advice in case you have a breast abscess, which will need to be surgically drained.

Cracked and bleeding nipples

This is a common reason for throwing in the towel with breast feeding due to excessive pain and discomfort with feeding.

The most frequent cause of cracked nipples is incorrect latching of the baby’s mouth onto the nipple.Make sure that your baby is latched onto the breast correctly, with both top and bottom lip in a snug seal around your nipple. Your pain level will indicate to you if your baby is latched correctly or not! To release the suction on your beast so that you can take your nipple out of his mouth, insert your finger into the corner of his mouth and gently withdraw your nipple from his mouth, and retry to latch him successfully.

Using a nipple shield (available from your pharmacy or baby shop) during feeding gives cracked and bleeding nipples time to heal.

Speak to your clinic sister or doctor to recommend a nipple cream to assist with healing. Exposing your nipples to some sunlight also helps to hasten healing(easier said than done!).

Expressing breast milk and offering it to your baby from a spoon or a bottle is also a way to let your nipples heal whilst continuing to breast feed.

Not enough milk:

Don’t listen to old wives tales about your milk being too strong or too weak. It is not the quality of the milk that makes the difference, it is the quantity.

Some moms just do not have enough milk to satisfy their baby. This is why it is important to weigh your baby frequently to ensure that she is growing adequately.

If your baby is gaining weight, having at least 6 wet nappies a day, and is relatively happy in between feeds which may be very frequent in the early days, lengthening to a few hours after a few weeks; then you can rest assured that you have enough milk.

However, your stress and anxiety, a poor diet and inadequate fluid intake all play a part in hampering breast milk production. Make sure you are eating enough protein (you need to increase your protein intake three fold whilst breast feeding), drinking at least a litre of fluid a day and that feeding times are relaxed and calm.

The main hormone that ensures adequate milk production (oxytocin) is controlled by emotions, so if you are anxious and upset at feed time, this important hormone will be affected, and you will produce less milk.

The post Breastfeeding issues: When breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally appeared first on All4Baby.

1 in 100 babies

Around 1 in every 100 babies is born with a heart defect, and in South Africa, many of those go undetected. It’s estimated that at least one in every five babies who dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was an undetected CHD sufferer – but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Cardiac surgeon Professor Robin Kinsley says advances in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery have made it possible for survival into adulthood for the majority of babies born with congenitally malformed hearts, but this is not the case on the African continent.

“Here, this is a dream as roughly 280 000 neonates born every year on the continent are left untreated, demonstrating the natural history of the congenitally malformed heart by default,” he says. “This is due in point to lack of finances, lack of locally developed personnel and proper understanding of the problem.”

The statistics get scarier when you hear that globally, twice as many children die from congenital heart defects each year than from all forms of childhood cancer combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHD.

Creating awareness

The Hudson Initiative faces a long, arduous road – one that is starting with awareness, will encompass a growth in research funding and the collection of funds to help families who cannot afford the surgeries needed to help their babies, and will end in the creation of Hudson’s Law.

To explain the end goal, detecting CHDs is as simple as administering a test, called Pulse Oximetry, which measures how much oxygen is in a baby’s blood, after the baby is 24 hours old. This dramatically increases their chances of survival, says Andrea Slater, the driving force behind The Hudson Initiative.

“This is the most important part of our focus: We’re going to make sure that screening for heart defects become as normal a scan as the Downs Syndrome check at 20 weeks. We’re going to make sure that Pulse Oximetry tests are performed on all newborn babies before they are sent home. And we’re going to make sure that the terms CHD and congenital heart defect is no longer foreign or misunderstood,” says Slater.

“If mothers are armed with the information they need to protect their babies from CHD-related issues, these deaths could potentially be avoided. CHDs are scary but they’re not the end. CHD babies live. They thrive. Post-surgery, hope is very much alive.”

Pulse Oximetry

Ultimately, the Initiative will realise the introduction of Hudson’s Law, which will see Pulse Oximetry testing becoming compulsory. In the meantime, the initiative is raising money to fund CHD awareness campaigns and pay for Pulse Oximetry testing in infants. The long-term goal is to pay for surgeries needed by babies whose families who cannot afford them.

#JustAsk

Interested parties can sign a petition and spread the word by visiting www.hudsoninitiative.org. They can also be part of the social media campaign using the #JustAsk hashtag, which prompts expectant mothers to do three things:

• Ask your OB Gyn for information on CHDs. Speak to your OB about the foetal echocardiogram during your 20 week scan.
• Ask for a Pulse Oximetry (PulseOx) screen before you take your child home.
• Ask other humans who know. Join pages like The Hudson Initiative on Facebook, where we bring focus to CHDs, what’s being done about them in South Africa, what mothers can do to protect their kids going forward and raise funds to help raise awareness around CHDs.

“Our journey with Hudson was a very real, very painful, very testing and an extraordinarily fulfilling one. We like to think he chose us because he knew we would do something to address the concerning statistics around the sheer number of babies who are sent home with undiagnosed CHDs. We’re going to change things on behalf of the boy who changed our world.”

About the Author: Andrea Slater is mother to a CHD angel and all she wants is to help other tiny people get a fighting chance in this life. Readers are welcome to visit her blog for more on Hudson’s journey. For more information visit www.hudsoninitiative.org

The post Babies shouldn’t die of a broken heart, says Hudson Initiative appeared first on All4Baby.

While you have probably never been busier juggling your new role as a mom, your baby is also hard at work to reach his first milestones.

At one week

Did you know that at only one week old, your baby will recognise your voice? This is largely due to the fact that your baby has spent the last nine months listening to you babble.

Your baby will also:

• Feed every one to three hours
• Sleep up to 18 hours per day
• Be awake for short bursts throughout the day and night
• Cry as a means of communication
• Have a strong grip and and grasp your finger

Your baby at two weeks

At two weeks old, your baby will begin to uncurl from it’s foetal position. From this week, your baby should;

• Gain approximately 200 grams per week
• Fall asleep when cradled and rocked
• Keep eye contact with a person or object kept within his field of vision
• Cry when uncomfortable
• Be able to see up to 20 or 30 cm in front of him

And at three weeks

Have you noticed that your baby sometimes throws out his arms and legs? This is called the “Moro” or “startle” reflex. This primitive reflex peeks during the first month and begins to disappear after two months. The startle reflex is most often observed shortly after your baby falls asleep. While it will most likely startle your baby awake, a reassuring touch from you or another caregiver should help baby fall back asleep.

This week your baby;

• Will start to look for you when he hears your voice
• Spend time studying your face, getting to know every detail, especially your smile

One month old

Well done mom, you have made it through the first month. By now, you are probably feeling a bit more confident handling your newborn and responding to his needs.

At one month old your baby might;

• develop a pattern when it comes to feeding and sleeping (remember that it is still to early to enforce a set routine)
• be able to lift his head briefly if placed on his tummy
• make stepping movements when his feet touch a flat surface
• begin to focus on people and objects

The post Your newborn baby: Weeks one to four appeared first on All4Baby.

The question is: do you need two of everything? Certain items will require that you have one for each, whilst others can be shared.

Buying a twin pram

One of the biggest purchases will be your twin pram. Careful consideration should be given when selecting your twin pram.

It is essential to buy a twin pram that will suit your needs and lifestyle. Your pram should be lightweight, compact, and easy to push and manoeuvre and most importantly, it must fit into your car boot and down the isles in a shopping centre.

A pram that is suitable from birth to four years will save you the unnecessary expense of having to buy two prams.

Two car seats

You will definitely require two infant car seats and preferably ones that are compatible with your twin pram so that you do not need to disturb your sleeping babies whilst moving the babies from the car onto the pram and vice versa.

Bassinets or carry cots are handy to have, but not essential. Most are compact and can fold flat for easy transportation. Bassinets can be used in your bedroom for the first few months.

Car seats bases remain installed in the car and alleviate a lot of trouble strapping two car seats into the car. Car seat bases increase the safety aspect of all car seats.

Choosing the correct travel system will give you the independence that you need to travel with your babies, short and long distance.

 Where will two babies sleep?

Twins fare better co-sleeping when they are little but eventually you will need to buy two cots. It is best to provide for this before their arrival to prevent unnecessary stress once the twins arrive. There are many configurations available for twins.

L-shaped cots are fantastic for small spaces as they fit into the corner of the smallest room. Babies can lie head to head and still have room to be separated.

Cots that convert into toddler beds will allow you to use your cot and linen from birth to approximately three years of age. Your babies will also adjust quicker to sleeping in a bed. Toddler beds come with guide rails to prevent your restless toddler from falling out. The toddler beds are also low to the ground so that your toddler can climb in and out safely.

Choosing a baby monitor for twins

Twins that are born prematurely and have spent time in NICU, will need to be monitored using apnoea pads, also know as breathing pads.

Preemies are more susceptible to suffer from apnoea episodes and therefore have an increased risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Apnoea monitors can be hired from most hospitals or bought in our local baby stores. There are two types of apparatus that can monitor an infants breathing.

Breathing pads can be placed under the cot mattress and monitor the babies breathing whilst sleeping in the cot only. If you would like the babies to co-sleep it is essential to look at the sensitivity of this type of breathing pad. Certain brands are not able to detect the breathing of two babies. An infant could suffer an apnoea episode without you ever being aware of it.

Alternately, there are breathing pads that attach to the infants nappy. These devices are small and compact and monitor the babies breathing in every situation. Should they become dislodged the alarm will sound. Most of the breathing monitors come with a sound monitor so when the babies are old enough you will only utilise the sound component of the monitor.

Pumping for two

Breastmilk is essential for the survival and well being of preemies and small babies.

The benefits of double pumping (simultaneous breast expression) compared to single pumping (one breast followed by the other breast), are well known.  Recent scientific research has not only confirmed this, but has also uncovered further benefits for pumping mothers.

These benefits include:

• Up to 18% more milk is expressed during double pumping compared to single pumping
• Provides milk with higher energy content, which is especially beneficial for preterm infants
• High energy content indicates increased breast drainage, thereby assisting in the maintenance of lactation
• Increased levels of prolactin – leads to increased milk output
• Twice as fast as single pumping to get the same amount of breastmilk. Ideal for moms of twins

Key advice to parents expecting twins is to keep practicality, versatility, safety and high quality as the forefront when purchasing your twin baby gear.

About the Author: Double Trouble is a Cape Town based company that specialises in baby products for Twins and Singletons. For more information, visit www.double-trouble.co.za.

The post Pregnant with twins: It’s not one, but two! appeared first on All4Baby.

“By teaching mothers and birth attendants how hand washing with soap can prevent disease, we can improve neonatal survival rates and put more children on the path to reach their fifth birthday – a key milestone that millions of children don’t reach every year,” says Ashveer Mahabeer, Brand Building Manager of Lifebuoy.

Wash your hands before handling your newborn

Young babies have not built up a strong immune system yet, so they are susceptible to infection. Make sure that everyone who handles your baby also has clean hands.

In particular wash hands with soap at the following occasions:

• Before handling preterm babies
• During the first week while the umbilical cord is still attached
• When anyone has a cough/cold
• After returning from outside
• After cleaning or touching the baby’s faeces;
• After using the bathroom

 Prevent diaper rash by changing your baby’s nappy frequently

Always remember to wash your hands with soap and running water after handling dirty nappies to stop the spread of infection.

Don’t expose your baby to large groups of people before six weeks old

The more people your baby is exposed to, the more likely it is that he will come in to contact with someone who is sick, especially during flu season.  Ensure that you prevent the spread of everyday infections such as common colds, flu and digestive disorders by adopting healthy hand washing routines – keeping yourself healthy is important when you are nursing a newborn.

Be careful when pets are around your newborn

Don’t leave your baby alone with pets or near pets. Make sure pets do not get into the cot with your baby. When your baby is very young, don’t allow the family dog or cat to lick your baby’s face. This could transmit infectious material (such as faeces) into the baby’s mouth or eyes. Make sure that anyone who has come into contact with your pets washes their hands thoroughly before touching your newborn.

Sanitise, sanitise, sanitise

To protect your newborn from microbes that could be ingested during feeding, sanitise all parts of the bottles and feeding equipment (including breast pump attachments). To avoid contamination, it’s imperative to wash your hands when handling any of this equipment.

Develop daily healthy hand washing routines

• Wash your hands with soap and running water – a simple splash under water is not effective in destroying germs
• Really lather the soap to make sure you are getting all the necessary germ protection required
• Wash your hands for approximately 30 seconds to really get rid of the harmful germs that cause infection
• It is key to wash your hands before handling food, after using the bathroom and in the shower/ bath.

Lifebuoy has initiated a new awareness programme in a rural community in KZN, which illustrates the importance of developing daily hand washing routines to improve hygiene standards. For more on the programme, click here.

The post Handwashing tips for moms with new babies appeared first on All4Baby.