Common mistakes mothers make with newborns

When you take your bundle of joy home from the hospital, it is inevitable you will not do everything right. Paediatricians were asked about the five most common mistakes parents make with their newborns. Here were their responses:

Letting a newborn sleep through the night. ‘One of the things that make me cringe is when parents say to me, ‘The first night home from the hospital she slept all the way through the night!’ Says Dr. Lance Goodman, a paediatrician in Boca Raton, Florida. ‘I tell them, ‘Oh no! She’s not supposed to be doing that!’ Paediatricians are unanimous: Parents need to wake up their babies to eat every four hours. With a few rare exceptions, newborns should not sleep through the night for the first two weeks of life.

‘Babies who go too long without eating could become dehydrated,’ Goodman says. Plus, sleeping eight hours at a stretch might be a sign of severe jaundice. ‘They might be so lethargic they can’t arouse themselves to feed,’ adds Goodman. So, when is it OK to let your baby sleep through the night? ‘At the two-week check-up, if your baby is gaining weight and sleeping through the night, hallelujah! Go enjoy it!” says Dr. Ari Brown, author of ”Baby 411″ and a spokesman for the American Academy of Paediatrics.

Not feeding on demand
The paediatricians say new parents sometimes make the mistake of wanting the baby to eat on a strict schedule. The doctors say as long as a newborn is eating at least every four hours, the mother should keep whatever schedule she wants. ‘A baby is smarter than any grown-up,’ says Dr. Robin Madden, a pediatrician in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. ‘Whether breast-fed or bottle-fed, they know when they are hungry and they know when they are full.’

‘Babies don’t feed on a cookie-cutter pattern,’ adds Brown. ‘If you follow their demand, they are going to eat better.’ Another thing that bugs Goodman: When people take their newborns to a crowded place, like a busy store or a child’s birthday party. ‘There is no reason to do that,’ he says. ‘It’s a matter of using common sense.’ ‘Exposing your baby to lots of germy people is a problem for two reasons. One, he could get a life-threatening bacterial infection. Two, even if he gets a fever from a virus (which is less dangerous), doctors will still have to hospitalise him to make sure it is not something more serious,’ says Goodman.

TIPS ON HOMEMADE BABY FOODS
Homemade foods are the best for your child. But if precaution is not taken in handling them, it can lead to illnesses or harm. There are simple tips that one can take to ensure safety. Here are a few things one can do at home:

• Use ice cube trays to freeze puréed foods. Each cube should be about one ounce.
• Once frozen, pop out the cubes, store in a sealed plastic bag, and use within two months.
• Discard unfinished meals. Bacteria forms quickly.
• Introduce new foods at the rate of one per week, so that you can pinpoint any allergies.
• Make sure your child has accepted most vegetables and fruits before trying any meats.
• Steam or microwave vegetables and fruits to retain as much vitamins and minerals as possible, as opposed to boiling.
• Use as thinners: water left from steaming, breast milk, formula, cow’s milk, yogurt, broth, or apple juice.
• Use as thickeners: wheat germ, whole-grain cereal, cottage cheese, farmer cheese, cooked egg yolks, yogurt, mashed white or sweet potatoes.

NEW DADS 101
New dads are seemingly left in the dark when it comes to new babies and postpartum moms. This leaves them feeling helpless and at times out of touch with their lovely bundles. Many struggle with unanswered questions while others choose to roll with assumptions. But here are some things new dads ought to know:

1. Remember that babies are not really breakable. Do not be afraid to hold yours. Ask someone who is around to show you some great holds for little ones whether it is a midwife, doctor, nurse, doula, mom, relative or friend.
2. If you are feeling left out, talk to your partner about it. Chances are it is not on purpose.
3. New moms often have emotional ups and downs that are not predictable. Be supportive and offer an ear when possible. Learn the warning signs of postpartum depression and seek help if the situation is heading out of control.
4. Support her with breastfeeding. Tell her that you are proud of her and protect her from well-meaning but negative comments about breastfeeding. Take a breastfeeding class during the prenatal period, if possible.
5. Help with the other children or household. Remind mom to let the house go and to focus on her recovery and the new baby.
6. New dads can also experience the blues or postpartum depression. Much in your life has changed and it is important to realise this and get help if you need it.
7. Remember that the only thing you cannot do is breastfeed. You can change diapers, soothe a crying baby, carry the baby and play with the baby — anything that the baby needs.
8. If you need help, ask for it. Know who to call in your area for help and support — a doctor or midwife, a postpartum doula, lactation consultant, or the local babysitter.
9. Mom is going to need extra sleep and care while her body recovers. Get up with the baby when you can. Bring the baby to her in the middle of the night if possible. If you must go back to work, check in with her during the day. You may surprise her with some healthy take out food or fresh flowers.
10. Remember that adding a new baby to the mix is always going to stir your life up a bit, even if it is not your first baby. Learning to live with another human being takes time. Give yourself a break if you need it as well.

Reference:
articles.cnn.com/
pregnancy.about.com/
homecooking.about.com/

END: BL 42 /20-21