Should I Bring My Breast Pump to the Hospital?

Because having a baby is exhausting, we want you to have everything you need to be comfortable and get plenty of rest. Bring your pillow if you prefer to sleep with one. Slippers or socks are helpful to have on hand because we’ll want you up and moving as soon as possible to reduce the risk of a blood clot in your legs. Because the hospital’s maternity pads are bulky, maternity underwear will still be functional after delivery. You could also bring thin nighttime sanitary napkins to use instead.

Check with your doctor about eating and drinking during labor, as well as the hospital’s policy on what visitors can bring into your room. If it’s okay with you, get some of your favorite foods and beverages. Snacks will also be helpful if other children wait for you during labor. To make things a little easier, here’s a list of some of the essential items to bring with you during work:

  • Entertainment (Chargers, Ipads or tablets, phone playlists, and speakers)
  • Baby Supplies ( Two outfits, Baby Book, Blanket, Socks, and Mittens)
  • Breast Pumps
  • Other Options (Hands-free bra for pumps, Cord blood collection Kit, Birth Plan Copy)

Why a Breast Pump is Important.
Breastfeeding in public is often regarded with amusement in today’s society. To make matters worse, the general public’s disregard for new mothers only prolongs the process. However, modern urban mothers have a good choice in breast pumps.
The moment breast pump is a godsend for mothers who are shy or embarrassed about breastfeeding in public. Though many new-age mothers have heard of the pump, it remains an alien object to many, with many reservations, particularly regarding its usage and effectiveness. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll walk you through a guided overview of breast pumps and how they work.

A mommed breast pump assists a nursing mother in pumping and storing breast milk so that her baby can benefit from breastfeeding even when the mother is not present or cannot go through the inconvenience of exposing her breasts in public. This assists mother in ensuring that their babies receive their fair share of breastfeeding, regardless of distance or circumstance. It has a significant base advantage in that both stay-at-home mothers, bed-reading mothers, and working mothers can use the breast pump to store milk and either feed it to their baby with a bottle or ask aid to help feed their baby while they catch up on some private time.

A breast pump is also useful when a child cannot suckle or grasp its mother’s nipples, but the mother is lactating sufficiently to produce high-quality milk. Pumping enough milk can also help feed premature babies around the clock who may require more attention and an adequate supply of breast milk. Continuous pumping can also help a new mother avoid the clutches of engorgement and breast heaviness.

Should you bring your Breast Pump to the Hospital?
Women are usually not required to bring their breast pumps to the hospital. However, if you anticipate using your pump frequently, it may be beneficial to have the lactation nurses assist you in becoming acquainted with the breast pump or the method of hospital usage.

Takeaway:
It’s essential to check in with your physician to know the rules and patient guidelines of the hospital you’ll be using to understand better where or not you can bring your pump along. If the need for the breast pump can’t be avoided, you should let your physician understand so they can work around your plan or structure a policy that works for you.

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How To Tell Your Guests That There Are No Kids Allowed At Your Wedding.

Congratulations on finding your special someone! Having a grand wedding is the next big step for you and it is very important to make it memorable. Making your wedding a memorable one should be your goal as well as your spouse’s. Just as everyone wants an organized, top-notch and colorful wedding, you should create such and while you are getting things ready you shouldn’t forget a unique wedding invitation with some specifications that will make the wedding a true wonder.

Your wedding cake, your wedding ring and your wedding dress are top on the list already. Next to these is deciding if your wedding dress code is going to be a black tie formal wedding invitation or an informal one. Furthermore, there has to be a unique wedding invitation with detailed specifications like the number of people coming, the color of the day, the dress code and if kids will be allowed at the event or not.  If you and your spouse decide that having kids at the wedding may be a little bother, here are some ways to tell your guests that kids are not allowed at your wedding without hurting their feelings.

 

Four Ways of Telling Your Guests That Kids Are Not Allowed At Your Wedding.

  1. You could send a mail:

Yes, if you have a list of the mail address of those attending your wedding, that’s a good one. Having a reasonable but brief mail on the “no kids rule” will go a long way. A bulk text could serve- if you find that appropriate.

  1. You can chip it in during the engagement party if there is any.

You could pause the buzz of the party to break this news. It will be found appealing since the theme and aura of the party is still on. But you have to break the news in a compassionate tone and possibly with a slight explanation.

  1. You should have it somewhere on your wedding invitation card:

Wedding invitations serve as a source of communication on dress codes, venues, directions and some others. Putting your “no kids rule” on the invitation is ideal.

  1. You can tell them through word of mouth:

There will definitely be friends who will chat with you from time to time about the preparation or family who will stop by to know how the preparation is going. You can tell them about the “no kids rule” in your conversations but please don’t leave the polite tone out.

There they are! The four ways you can tell your wedding guests that there are no kids allowed at your wedding. In as much as these work, if you feel you have to do more to ensure this rule is affected, you can try these five effective methods.

Five Ways To Keep Kids From Coming To Your Wedding.

  1. You have to ensure your wedding guests are aware of the “no kids rule”.

No one will appreciate the shocking information about their kids having to stay outside the wedding venue without prior notice after driving a long way to your wedding. So you have to confirm your wedding guests are informed through your wedding invitation or via mail by requesting a response stating they agree to the “no kids rule”.

  1. Inform your family members as well as your spouse’s family of this “no kids rule”:

Your family members will be in a better position to understand this rule and intimating them of this development will assist and solidify the whole process on the D-Day.

  1. You can chip it in on your wedding announcement on social media. However, do this affably.
  2. Consider placing it in the reminder mail for your wedding as usual in a polite and compassionate way:

Please skip the urge to say you don’t want your wedding dress stained or your wedding cake rolled over. Lol.  You can simply say let the kids have their day while mom and dad have their own day.

  1. Lastly, you may consider providing a kid’s corner in case of defaulters:

Even though defaulters shouldn’t be expected despite spreading all this information and reminders, you may want to keep a backup plan for that sweet aunty who may not be able to attend without her clingy cute daughter or Uncle Ted who has a son he loves doing matching outfit with. You don’t want a scene created on your special day so having a space for defaulters is reasonable this should be kept as a little secret because letting this information out may cause many to come with their kids knowing there might be a spot for their kids.

Viola! You can now have that quiet and organized wedding without kids running around and enough space to do adult stuff. Be sure to have a professional photographer in place to capture your beautiful moments.

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Covid Vaccines to Protect Pregnant Women: New Study

Scientists have accumulated a small but steadily growing body of evidence that the covid vaccines are safe and effective during pregnancy. Preliminary results from two continuing studies provide additional encouraging news.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines produce robust immune responses in pregnant and lactating women and are likely to provide at least some protection against two dangerous coronavirus variants, according to a study published in JAMA.

Vaccinated women can also pass protective antibodies to their fetuses through the bloodstream and to their infants through breast milk, the research suggests.

Covid presents serious risks during pregnancy. Research has shown, for instance, that pregnant women with coronavirus symptoms are more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, require mechanical ventilation and to die from the virus than are symptomatic women of a similar age who are not pregnant.

Because of these risks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that the covid vaccines at least be made available to pregnant people, many of whom have opted to receive the shots.

The researchers also found neutralizing antibodies in the breast milk of vaccinated mothers and in umbilical cord blood collected from infants at delivery. “Vaccination of pregnant people and lactating people actually leads to transfer of some immunity to their newborns and lactating infants,” said Dr. Ai-ris Y. Collier, a physician-scientist at Beth Israel who is the first author of the paper.

The results are “really encouraging,” Dr. Iwasaki said. “There is this added benefit of conferring protective antibodies to the newborn and the fetus, which is all the more reason to get vaccinated.”

The study will continue, with researchers monitoring women’s longer-term immune responses. And larger epidemiological studies are still needed to confirm these lab-based results, Dr. Collier noted.

More Information Here

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9-months Old Baby Dies at Unlicensed Aurora Home Daycare

Aurora Police confirms the death of a very young child under the age of 1 last week. The cause of the death was an item found to be a dried pinto bean, which was in a sensory bowl that “included dried pinto beans, hair bows, pacifiers and rubber balls” the infant was given. The child care center (Bright From the Start) has been ordered to close immediately following an investigation into the death of an infant in its care, according to the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

According to WalbNews, during its investigation, Bright From the Start found the infant, after being dropped off that morning, was “engaged in an inappropriate-age activity where (it) had access to an item too small” and which was “capable of causing asphyxiation or strangulation,” prior to its death, according to the closure order.

According to the order, the infant put its hand in the bowl, took a fistful of beans and moved it towards its mouth. A staff member took the items from the infant’s hand and checked its mouth to see if there was anything else in it.

Staff members spotted the infant’s “abnormal” and “labored” breathing shortly after that, the order states.

Later that day, staff noticed the infant’s breathing was worse than before. The order states the center’s director took the child into an office, reached a family member and called EMS. When the infant’s mother arrived, the baby was “pale and crying,” the order explains.

The mother said she would drive her child to the hospital, which was a few minutes away, but the center director said she was in no condition to drive and that they should wait for EMS, the order states.

EMS was called several more times and eventually, the infant was taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center.

The order states the child suffered a heart attack while waiting for treatment and was then airlifted to a hospital in Savannah. A peanut-shaped item was found in the child’s throat and surgery was attempted.

“The attempts to remove the blockage caused the obstructive item to break into pieces,” according to the order. “After three attempts to remove the blockage from the infant’s airway, the infant died.”

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From a House Maid to a Graduate

Women breaking boundaries. From a housemaid to a graduate. Ntombizodwa Merriam knew what she wanted and went for it. This is a motivation for anyone out there struggling or feeling left out. I want you to know that you can achieve absolutely anything you put your mind to.

Ntombizodwa Merriam Mahlangu, made headlines after obtaining her BA degree, following years of working as a domestic worker. She also has written and published her first book ‘Brightness of Diamonds Through Soil’

In an interview with The Phoenix Tabloid, Mahlangu said, “It is a biography about my life’s journey from being a domestic worker to a graduate and now author. I grew up on a farm, and also attended school on a farm. “Many of my classmates gave up on education and never pursued their dreams due to challenges we faced during that time, such as the language barrier, poor educational system, no electricity etc. There are still learners from farm schools that lack confidence and end up in construction, domestic work and other odd jobs,” said Mahlangu. Mahlangu said it took her almost two years to put the book together due to other employment opportunities while working on the book. “The book aims to benefit every child from a disadvantaged background and also the youth who have lost hope on their dreams.\”

Her message to other women who are experiencing uncertainty is: “Giving up is not an option! Sitting in the corner and crying about your situation will not make it better. Pray to God and give your burdens to the Almighty. Work hard and believe that he will provide whatever he has promised,” said Mahlangu.

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Ways to Help Your Baby Get a Good Sleep

Good sleep is essential for the development of a healthy baby, and babies who sleep well during infancy are less likely to be napping poorly as toddlers. A good bedtime routine can help your baby get the rest they need. 

Importance of Sleep to Babies

Babies need sleep. They need to get enough sleep to develop healthy habits and learn many of the skills they will need as kids, teenagers, and adults. And though you may not be too worried about your baby\’s sleeping habits at the moment — like, say, how long it takes them to go down for a nap or bedtime — eventually there will come a time when you start wondering how to help them get more sleep. There are many options available to help your baby sleep better and make getting the sleep they deserve easier. But first, you have to determine what those options are.

1. Babies who have enough sleep during the day are better able to regulate their body temperature. Babies who do not get enough sleep tend to wake up more often, and overheat at night.

2. More sleep helps babies develop stronger immune systems by enhancing immune cell production and activity in response to infection-causing pathogens.

3. More sleep helps babies process nutrients effectively; inadequate sleep may prevent babies from getting all the nutrients they need to grow well.

4. More sleep is associated with better scores on developmental tests of mental and physical development, including tests of fine motor skills, cognitive development, language development, and behavioral regulation.

5. A single night of poor or insufficient sleep can affect a baby\’s behavior and performance the next day, even if that baby has been sleeping well for months on end.

How to Help Your Baby Sleep

Here are some things you can do to get your baby sleeping through the night as soon as possible:

Set a consistent bedtime routine and stick with it

Start winding down in the hour before bedtime. Take a bath with your baby, play quiet games and sing lullabies. When you are ready for bed, so should be your baby. Keep these routines going into the toddler years, since consistency is important for sleep habits in both children and adults.

Related: Ways to put your baby to sleep quickly

Move your baby\’s crib

As your baby starts to sleep longer at night, move their crib and bed toward the middle of the room, where they will be less likely to roll out of bed. Don\’t move them too far away from your room or they may wake up during the night and cry. If you are not sure where to move your crib, consult a pediatrician or doctor for advice. The best places to put a crib are in a sunny spot by a window but do not place it directly over an electrical outlet.

Check baby\’s room

Make sure that the temperature in your baby\’s room is comfortable for them. Wear socks to make sure that the room is not too cold or hot. Take a thermometer with you if you are unsure of the temperature in your baby\’s bedroom. Keep drafts from under doors and windows out by using heavy, insulated drapes.

Rock your baby to sleep

Soothe your baby to sleep with a rocking motion. Make sure that you are aware of exactly how long it takes you to place your baby down asleep and then do the same thing each night. It is also important to remember that you cannot rock your baby back to sleep if they are not already asleep.

Brush their teeth

Studies have shown that children who brush their teeth before sleeping have fewer issues with sleep terrors or insomnia. Remind your child to brush their teeth in the morning.

Switch off bedroom lights

Keep your bedroom lights dimmed or off as much as possible so that your baby can sleep better. If you are going on a trip with your baby, make sure that you have downsized the amount of stuff in the room before leaving. A change in room temperature is also good for babys\’ sleep habits.

Take a walk

Spend some time walking around with your baby. Babies who have been rocked to sleep and then taken for a walk will often fall asleep while still sucking on the breast or bottle. If you are not going out, take your baby to the park, or even just around the block if you have a stroller. If you are leaving the house, make sure that there is nothing in the way that could be eaten by a toddler before leaving.

Give your baby a pacifier

Babies who are breastfed often do not sleep well at night, so once they learn to breastfeed, it is important to start offering them pacifiers to help with those nights they need a little extra help falling asleep. Babies who don\’t use pacifiers tend not to nap well.

Give your baby a bath before bed

While you can bathe your baby when he/she wakes up in the morning, this becomes more difficult when you require that they sleep in the same room as you. As a result, it is better to get them into a tub after they have gone to sleep so that you can keep an eye on them and make sure that they do not drown while in their sleep. If you would rather not give your baby a bath, consider doing so before bedtime so that he/she has already gotten enough water during the day.

Never feed the baby before he/she sleeps

Babies need to eat when they are hungry. If you are already struggling with a newborn, it is likely that you will get up to feed them throughout the night or that you will simply bring them into your room so that you can make sure they do not starve. While this is understandable, it can have negative effects on their sleeping habits if consistently done over time. When you feed your baby right before bed or during the night, they are going to associate food with being awake and active.

Consider using a white noise maker

White noise is the sound that nearly all of us are familiar with, the one that is on in the background when you’re at home or in a room and it just sounds like chaos. White noise works very well as a sleep aid. You can buy a white noise machine for your house or car. When you are in a public place, you can use your phone or even the TV remote to turn the volume up and use it as a white noise machine.

Eliminate Distractions

If they are awake, do not allow them to play in the room that you are sleeping in. If you are going to be eating with the baby or put him/her down for a nap, move to a different room so that they cannot see you sleeping. This also applies to other children in the house. You must make it clear that he/she should not continue playing with other children or running around after he/she is put down for bed.

Babies require a lot of sleep. But nowadays, most babies don\’t get enough of it. Ever wonder why your baby doesn’t sleep? There are many reasons why your baby might not be able to sleep, but some are better than others. Whatever the reason is, there are always techniques that you can use to help your baby get a good sleep. Should you need more tips to help you in putting your baby to sleep, please leave us a message.


\"Andrea
Andrea Gibbs
Andrea Gibbs is born and raised in New York. A work-at-home mom with a background in business development, strategy, and social media marketing. She is also a blog contributor at Baby Steps Preschool to motivate and educate other parents about how they can get their children ahead of the game in school.

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How Often Should I Bathe My Newborn Baby?

Bathing a baby is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences a parent may have. They may feel impossibly delicate, and you might be concerned about whether they\’re warm or relaxed enough, as well as whether you\’re doing a thorough job. Whether you\’re bathing your first baby or your last, you\’re bound to have some newborn bathing concerns, the most pressing of which is how to keep your baby clean., “How often should I bathe my baby?”

First baths

Although it has long been recommended that the baby be bathed as soon as possible after birth, newer research indicates that delaying the first bath may be beneficial. In any case, the nurses are likely to give the baby their first bath, but you can still watch and ask for advice for bathing at home. Bathe your infant one or two days a week before their umbilical stump falls off once you get home. Don\’t immerse their body in water before this occurs. Instead, start with their head and face and work your way down with a warm washcloth and a gentle sponge bath. You may need a bath to clean up diaper blowouts if the mess is coming from the other end. At this age, however, they do not need a regular bath unless there is a mess.

1-3 months

You should bathe your baby 1-2 days a week for the first few months of his or her life. It would help if you offered them more conventional baths until they no longer have their umbilical stump. Fill a baby bath tub halfway with warm water and let them sit and splash while you wash them with water and gentle baby soap. Cover them with damp washcloths to keep them warm during the bath. You can begin with their face and head and work your way down once more. It\’s also worth remembering that adults prefer water that is much colder than infants. Maintain a lukewarm temperature, and your baby will undoubtedly enjoy the bath time cuddles.

3-6 months

You may want to switch up your child\’s bath routine as they get older. At this age, babies only need to be bathed 1-3 times a week, but if they seem to like the water or like splashing while getting washed, you can bathe them more often. Many parents use diaper and outfit changes as an opportunity to give their baby a fast wipe down to ensure that all of their vital organs are clean. If you want to bathe your child more than twice a week, limit the use of soap to one or two baths to prevent drying out their skin. After bath time, apply a soft, fragrance- and dye-free lotion to your infant.

6-12 months

You will decide that you need to start bathing your baby more regularly once he or she becomes mobile and starts eating solids. Although they only need one or two soapy baths a week, you can give them a sponge bath or place them in the tub to soak and clean off as messes occur. Bath time can also be a fun way to calm down your baby before bedtime. It\’s perfectly acceptable to include a bath in your relaxing nighttime routine at this age if this works for you.

Why you shouldn’t bathe your baby every day?

Although it may seem strange to bathe your baby so infrequently, babies do not need as much bathing as adults. They don\’t sweat or get dirty as older people do, and their skin is even more resilient than adults. Bathing regularly will potentially cause more damage than good. Bathe your baby one or two days a week with a mild, scent- and dye-free soap to prevent drying out their skin and worsening conditions like eczema. When they\’re done bathing, pat them dry before applying a dye- and fragrance-free baby moisturizer and dressing them right away.

Conclusion

Bathe your baby just once or twice a week for the first few months. As babies get older, they can need more frequent baths as they become messier or enjoy themselves in the tub. You can enjoy your baby\’s bath time joy as they grow as long as you use gentle products and don\’t notice any problems with their skin. Peradventure, you see any changes on their skin, contact your pediatrician immediately!!

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How to Select the Best Hospital for Childbirth

Although you may have complete faith in the doctor you\’ve seen during your pregnancy, relying solely on her and the hospital with which she is associated may leave you disappointed at the time of delivery. This is because your doctor could be swamped with patients and won\’t be able to see you through delivery, leaving you in the care of someone you\’ve never met before. Worse, the hospital may not be able to provide you with anything you need during this critical period and the atmosphere in which you find yourself is just as crucial as the doctor.

Even if your doctor is eligible to meet you after your birth, you must note that you will be in the care of hospital personnel during your labor and recovery, and you must feel safe and secure in realizing that they will do a good job.

Things to Consider While Selecting the Maternity Hospital for Delivery

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a hospital is the efficiency of the workforce, the hospital\’s atmosphere and services, and the competence of the doctors on staff as well as those associated with the hospital. Although it is never too early to start planning for your birth, most women will wait until the pregnancy has been confirmed before looking for a doctor and hospital. While it is acceptable to change doctors mid-pregnancy, it is preferable to find the doctor you want to deliver your child, as well as the appropriate hospital and staff, from the start of your pregnancy.

Here are some things that you should consider while selecting your hospital:

  •  Hospital Success Story

Get to know the hospital; here\’s how: Visit their website to learn more about the services they provide and which doctors are associated with or work in-house at the hospital. Conduct a general internet search to find medical blogs or journals that will include a hospital ranking. Check out what other patients and clients have to say about the hospital.

  • Feedback and Reviews

This would be very beneficial in assisting you in deciding on a hospital. Speak with any women you know who have had children, whether they are relatives, friends, or coworkers. Determine whether or not they were pleased with their stay and the services offered by the workers of the hospital. If you\’re already interested in a hospital and want to learn more, you can always look for feedback from other women who have given birth there online. Community forums are also a great way to learn about other mothers\’ views and what they have to tell if you live in the same city as them.

  •  Seek the advice of your own Obstetrician/Gynaecologist

If you have a doctor with whom you are pleased and do not wish to adjust, you can always seek advice. Make a list of the hospitals where your doctor is associated.

Tell him/her what you need, and she\’ll tell you which of the hospitals will better meet your needs. Inquire about which of the hospitals has the best labor and rehabilitation care, workers.

  •  Hospital Tour

It would be beneficial for you to visit the hospitals after you have narrowed down your list. Take note of how busy and large the maternity ward is when you visit. Examine the size of the rooms and whether or not they seem to be safe and sanitary. Learn about the amenities and facilities that will be provided. Inquire about the nurses\’ and doctors\’ availability. Try to visit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for a guide.

  • Quality of Doctors and Medical Staff

The quality of a hospital\’s medical staff is what distinguishes it as one of the best. If you have any relatives or acquaintances who have given birth at the hospital, be sure to inquire about their nurses\’ experiences. Look online for any mentions or details about the doctor. Observe how the neonatal staff treats the babies and communicate with as many of them as possible to determine comfort levels.

  • Budget

Being able to afford all of your needs is one of the most critical aspects of a hospital stay. Examine your insurance policy to see if it includes maternity coverage. Some insurance companies have a cap on how much they can pay out, and others may be associated with just a few hospitals. Obtain a list of the hospitals with which your insurance provider is associated and choose one from the list. During the tour, hospitals have comprehensive price lists, but prices can vary based on factors such as whether you want a shared or private space.

  • Proximity to Home

It\’s essential to consider the distance you\’ll have to drive to get to the hospital. Choose a hospital that is close to home, mainly if the pregnancy is high-risk. Ensure you have a path or a short route with less traffic in mind; this will help you save time and reduce birth pains during crucial times.

  •  Accommodation

When choosing a hospital, the length of stay is often a significant consideration. Check to see if you want to share a room or if you want a private room. Find out whether your husband or caregiver will be able to stay with you while you\’re in the hospital. Make sure the rooms and bathrooms are clean and sanitary.

  • Birthing Technologies and Techniques Based on the Birth Plan

Finding out what they have to give in terms of technology and birthing procedures, as well as whether or not it would work for your birth schedule, is one of the most critical aspects of how to choose a hospital for the birth.

Take note of these;

    • High-Risk Pregnancy Facility: If you fall into this category, you will require a team of experts and the proper facilities, such as access to emergency blood if needed.
    • Natural Birth Option(NBO) Facilities: Look for a hospital with a less proactive unit culture, as vaginal deliveries might not be a priority. If you want epidurals, they should be able to supply them, and if you don\’t, they should honor your decision.
    • C-Section Delivery Facility: If your pregnancy necessitates a C-Section, the required medical supplies and personnel should be on hand to manage the situation delicately.
    • Anaesthesia and Epidural Facilities: It\’s essential to have a good epidural for vaginal deliveries and an anesthetist on hand in case of a C-Section.
    • Emergency Facilities/ICU: If something goes wrong, getting a team and the appropriate resources on hand to tackle an emergency is critical. The hospital should have an ICU where sensitive cases can adequately be cared for.

Conclusion

With so many things to consider and investigate, it\’s best to stay ahead of the game and not leave anything to chance. What matters most is your and your baby\’s wellbeing.

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How Babies Regulate Cold and Heat

Things change after 2-3months of birth, babies become less delicate, but they are still physiologically immature. Their heat-control device isn\’t quite ready yet. You\’ll have to wait a few more months for their bodies to adjust to temperature changes naturally. Babies don\’t learn how to control their temperature until they\’re about 18 months to 2 years old, and they\’re still more susceptible to temperature changes than adults.

What should my baby\’s temperature be?

A rectal reading is the most precise way of taking the baby\’s temperature, which should be between 98 and 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit; a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher is considered a fever. When your baby\’s temperature rises above average, it may be an indication of sickness. Consult your pediatrician, particularly if other symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, or cough continue.

Underarm thermometer readings are typically 1 to 2 degrees lower than rectal thermometer readings, and oral thermometer values are probably half a degree lower than rectal thermometer readings. If your baby is under the age of three months, a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher on a rectal thermometer necessitates immediate medical attention, and you should contact your pediatrician right away.

Consider the room temperature of your baby

Think neutral when it comes to your baby\’s nursery: you don\’t want it to be too hot or too cold. In general, if you think the room is too cold, your baby will feel the same way, and if you feel the room is too hot, your baby will feel the same way.

In the summer and winter, keeping the temperature between 68 and 72 degrees F is a reasonable range. When the room is too hot, your baby\’s risk of SIDS increases; when the room is too cold, your baby can quickly become uncomfortably cold and wake up early or suddenly.

It\’s best not to put any extra heaters or air conditioners in your child\’s bed. Fans, on the other hand, can be beneficial for air circulation and have also been shown to lower the risk of SIDS.

Since preterm babies have a more challenging time regulating their temperature, you might want to set the thermostat to about 72 degrees F for the first few weeks after you bring him home from the hospital.

Furthermore, if premature babies are too cold, they can lose too many calories trying to warm up, which isn\’t ideal because weight gain is vital to their general wellbeing.

Dressing your baby for the weather

Think layers when it comes to preparing your baby for various weather conditions. The easiest way to warm up or cool down a baby is to add or remove clothing. Hats are an excellent accessory because they trap heat in the winter and shield the baby from excessive sunshine in the summer. When it\’s cold outside, babies can need an extra layer or two; make sure to remove different layers quickly when you return inside so that baby doesn\’t overheat.

How to dress your baby for bedtime?

Dressing a baby in one more layer than older kids, a one-piece sleeper plus a sleeping bag, for example, should suffice. If cold outside, you might add another layer under his sleeper, such as a long-sleeved onesie. When boiling outside, opt for lighter-weight fabrics. It has been shown that swaddling your baby with a swaddle blanket or a sleep sack will help him sleep longer. Obey these protection guidelines:

  • Ensure the baby\’s sleep sack isn\’t too big with extra fabric that could tangle the baby.
  • Babies can no longer be swaddled until they can turn over because it increases the risk of suffocation. You can also use sleep sacks built for older babies to keep baby warm while allowing their arms to remain free.
  • Avoid swaddling your baby too tightly around the hips, as this can interfere with hip growth.
  • To minimize the chance of SIDS, babies should always be placed in their cribs on their backs.

Conclusion

Babies are not experts at regulating their body temperature yet, so they partially rely on their environment. Ensure your baby\’s room is kept neutral (not cold and not hot) to prevent any sudden rise or fall in temperature.

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Snoring and Grunting in Babies; What to Know

Many babies and young children usually have noisy nighttime breathing, but 7 to 12% of babies snore more than three nights a week. It could be because of nasal allergies (triggered by dust, dust mites) or excessive dryness in the room. Mild blockage caused by large tonsils and adenoids is the most common cause of snoring. Tonsils and adenoids are special lymph glands located at the back of the nose and throat; they serve as our protection patrol, churning out squads of antibodies and white blood cells to capture viruses and germs before they sneak into the body.

When the throat muscles relax during sleep, those soft tissues collapse slightly; that is not a problem; the whole breathing “tunnel” can narrow dramatically if your child has big tonsils and adenoids. With each deep breath, the child\’s throat closes up.

Ways to Ease Snoring and Grunting in Babies

There are a few ways to help your baby or toddler breath more quietly and sleep more restfully at night:

  • Put a thickly folded blanket under the mattress at the head of the bed to elevate your child’s head 3-4 inches.
  • Moisturize the air with a cool-mist humidifier.
  • Dispose of dairy products such as milk, cheese for 1-2 weeks.
  • Keep pets away from your child’s bedroom.
  • It would be wise to have your child checked by a doctor if your child\’s snoring problem persists.

Sleep Breathing Disorder That Causes Snoring in Children

Around 3% of children suffer from more severe snoring and a disease known as SBD (sleep-disordered breathing) Sleeping with mouth open, using a gravelly nasal accent, drooling on pillow, headaches, and being too tired are all symptoms of SBD. Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to have this problem, but it is not limited.

Children with SBD can be startled awake frequently during the night! Children with SBD can have dark circles under their eyes, yawn all day, become irritable, \”hyper,\” forgetful, and accident-prone. It also weakens the immune system, impairs learning, and increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Your pediatrician may prescribe medication (such as oral or inhaled cortisone or a leukotriene inhibitor) or surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids. Consider getting a second opinion if your child is obese or older than 7. Consider getting a second opinion before scheduling surgery. These children will not improve as a result of the process. The majority of snoring in children goes away after a few changes to their sleeping condition or diet.

Grunts in Babies

Newborns do not speak, but they do have their language to communicate with their parents. They sometimes make odd noises that can trigger shock/surprise in their parents. If you have a baby, his occasional grunts will lead you to believe he is in pain and cause you to be concerned. If your baby grunts, you should seek medical attention right away. Newborns usually grunt when they are having breathing problems. When a baby has digestive issues, he can make odd noises that should not be confused with grunting. When your baby grunts, it\’s a sign of a respiratory problem, and you should take him to the doctor.

Is it Normal for a Newborn to Grunt?

Have you experienced your newborn grunting? Since their organs are still growing, a baby grunts. As he uses their diaphragm muscles to move his intestine, they pressure their voice box or larynx, which causes him to grunt. The grunting that occurs as a result of this phase is abnormal. A newborn does this to keep the alveoli from collapsing. If a baby is bloated, it may make noises, but this is not the same as grunting.

Causes of Grunting in Babies

Babies make different noises for different things. Babies grunt when they have a problem in their respiratory system; sometimes, it may be because of other issues.

Respiratory Problems: This is likely to occur in premature babies; it can also happen to babies who have had a normal birth. When a baby has respiratory issues, along with grunting, some other signs such as unusual breathing movements, skin turning blue, nasal flaring will be noticed; these are usually a response to hypothermia.

Delay in the Development of Organs: premature babies may have organs that are yet to mature or still to develop. Hence they may grunt.

Sepsis: This is a severe condition where a baby is affected by an infection that runs in the blood. This condition is accompanied by other signs like loud grunting, which happens due to breathing difficulty.

When to Consult a Doctor

If your baby grunts because of some severe health issues such as respiratory problems, you should consult a doctor. 

Conclusion

Snoring and grunting in babies or toddlers are reasoned as developmental signs and are not a cause for alarm, but if left unchecked, they can cause so much discomfort for the baby and, in the long run, you. Keep a close watch on your kids and report any abnormality to your childcare expert.

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