Baby weaning is a process that often involves a bit of struggle on the part of the baby (and sometimes the parents, too.)
Weaning your child off breastfeeding can be a challenge for both of you since it is not only a time for feeding but also a time for bonding and getting to be together.
Most parents do struggle through this process somewhat but eventually; they realize the benefits of allowing their child to eat foods, as they will for the rest of their lives.
Baby weaning is a process and it is one to start when the child is ready.
Children will often need to breastfeed for several months.
If you want them to go directly to solid foods, you may need to wait until they are at least a full year old when they can start drinking cow milk.
Rather than force the child, start to supplement their diets with foods.
For example, when a child is able to eat baby food, he or she will need less breastfeeding.
Slowly, their diet will change to allow them to eat nothing more than standard food and no longer drink breast milk.
Many parents do go through some struggle when it comes to baby weaning.
There is little doubt that at some point this process has to be complete.
However, what is important is to ensure that you both are ready for the changes.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
•Be sure that baby is still getting snuggle time with mom.
•Do not sit in the same place that you used to when you were breastfeeding.
•Encourage them to eat big boy foods and to try new flavors of foods.
•If you are moving from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, it is important to make the transition using breast milk especially at first.
•Distract the child if they ask for the breast.
This is essential to do if they are getting the nutrients they need from their food but want the closeness of breastfeeding.
Baby weaning often takes a few weeks if not longer to go through.
You should not push a child through the process, but should be encouraged through it instead.
Keep in mind that baby weaning is something that you have to decide on too.
Some parents like to breast feed longer and there really is no negative aspect of doing so.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Baby Sleep Schedules Tips For Managing
Baby sleep schedules are one of the parts of baby care that is crucial to get right.
Not only do you want to have a child that gets enough sleep, but you also need rest in order to care for the child.
What makes sleep schedules so hard to deal with, though, is the fact that they often do take work to get right and it is not always easy from the beginning.
Initial Sleep Schedules
When you first bring home your baby, chances are good you will have a child that is sleeping most of the day.
When they are not, they require your full attention.
For this reason, it is often wise to try to sleep around the child's needs.
If she is sleeping from nine to eleven, you should be too.
This often throws off the adult's sleep schedule, but after a few weeks, she will need less sleep and things can start to get back on track.
Days and Nights
One of the most difficult elements of baby sleep schedules is their ability to confuse day and night.
It is up to mom and dad to help them in this area.
For example, even young babies can be stimulated with sounds, light and motion during the day to create a more awake environment.
Working to keep the child awake during the day is important.
Keep in mind that most babies under the age of one month will spend most of their days and nights sleeping, though.
Sleeping Through the Night
Every baby is different when it comes to sleeping through the night.
Some will begin to do so by the time they are three months old.
Others will struggle with needing a bottle well into six months.
The important consideration here is to ensure your child is getting the calories he or she needs during the day.
Check with your pediatrician to ensure they are getting enough.
Keep them awake more so during though day, when possible and set the stage for a peaceful night's sleep.
The baby's sleep schedule is important to put into place.
It takes time to get it just right, but ultimately you will find that your child's sleep patterns are likely to work themselves out.
If you feel that, there is a problem, talk with your pediatrician about it.
They may be able to tell you what adjustments you should consider making for the child.
Not only do you want to have a child that gets enough sleep, but you also need rest in order to care for the child.
What makes sleep schedules so hard to deal with, though, is the fact that they often do take work to get right and it is not always easy from the beginning.
Initial Sleep Schedules
When you first bring home your baby, chances are good you will have a child that is sleeping most of the day.
When they are not, they require your full attention.
For this reason, it is often wise to try to sleep around the child's needs.
If she is sleeping from nine to eleven, you should be too.
This often throws off the adult's sleep schedule, but after a few weeks, she will need less sleep and things can start to get back on track.
Days and Nights
One of the most difficult elements of baby sleep schedules is their ability to confuse day and night.
It is up to mom and dad to help them in this area.
For example, even young babies can be stimulated with sounds, light and motion during the day to create a more awake environment.
Working to keep the child awake during the day is important.
Keep in mind that most babies under the age of one month will spend most of their days and nights sleeping, though.
Sleeping Through the Night
Every baby is different when it comes to sleeping through the night.
Some will begin to do so by the time they are three months old.
Others will struggle with needing a bottle well into six months.
The important consideration here is to ensure your child is getting the calories he or she needs during the day.
Check with your pediatrician to ensure they are getting enough.
Keep them awake more so during though day, when possible and set the stage for a peaceful night's sleep.
The baby's sleep schedule is important to put into place.
It takes time to get it just right, but ultimately you will find that your child's sleep patterns are likely to work themselves out.
If you feel that, there is a problem, talk with your pediatrician about it.
They may be able to tell you what adjustments you should consider making for the child.
Baby Products For Bath
Bath time for most children is fun.
For a newborn, it is anything but.
They just want to sleep, look around, be held and eat most of the time.
Still, it is important to keep them clean.
Walk into any department store and you are sure to find an aisle full of different baby products, all asking to be in use on your child .
The question is though do you need them and should you use them.
Products that are not safe can harm babies of all ages.
However, even those that have ratings as safe to use on young children may be a waste of money.
Here is a closer look:
Have you seen many baby body wash products, you may be wondering what happened to a good old bar of soap.
When choosing anything to wash the skin of your child, keep in mind it needs to be mild .
Children can have negative reactions to the soaps you are using in your shower.
So, purchase mild soap in any form that you need.
You may want to look for all organic products or at least look for those that are fragrance and dye free.
What about lotions, there seems to be a growing trend to apply layers of lotions to a child's skin right out of the bathtub? This is not always necessary and at times, it can be dangerous for them.
Lotions are not necessary, unless the child does have dry skin.
If you are concerned about their skin's moisture level, speak with your pediatrician.
In addition, keep in mind that pores can be easily clogged by these lotions, which can lead to rashes.
During the winter months, an application of a mild lotion can keep a child's skin from chapping.
Shampoos are another area where you are likely to find a good number of baby products.
Which do you need? A mild shampoo is fine to use once a child's hair starts to come in.
Your child most likely does not need conditioning products in their first months of life.
Again, look for organic or at least mild, safer products to use.
Baby products have a design to be mild, but be sure to read their labels.
You want them to be as safe for your child's skin as possible.
By the time a child is able to walk and get into things, they should be able to transition to soaps designed for anyone to use, but still mild.
For a newborn, it is anything but.
They just want to sleep, look around, be held and eat most of the time.
Still, it is important to keep them clean.
Walk into any department store and you are sure to find an aisle full of different baby products, all asking to be in use on your child .
The question is though do you need them and should you use them.
Products that are not safe can harm babies of all ages.
However, even those that have ratings as safe to use on young children may be a waste of money.
Here is a closer look:
Have you seen many baby body wash products, you may be wondering what happened to a good old bar of soap.
When choosing anything to wash the skin of your child, keep in mind it needs to be mild .
Children can have negative reactions to the soaps you are using in your shower.
So, purchase mild soap in any form that you need.
You may want to look for all organic products or at least look for those that are fragrance and dye free.
What about lotions, there seems to be a growing trend to apply layers of lotions to a child's skin right out of the bathtub? This is not always necessary and at times, it can be dangerous for them.
Lotions are not necessary, unless the child does have dry skin.
If you are concerned about their skin's moisture level, speak with your pediatrician.
In addition, keep in mind that pores can be easily clogged by these lotions, which can lead to rashes.
During the winter months, an application of a mild lotion can keep a child's skin from chapping.
Shampoos are another area where you are likely to find a good number of baby products.
Which do you need? A mild shampoo is fine to use once a child's hair starts to come in.
Your child most likely does not need conditioning products in their first months of life.
Again, look for organic or at least mild, safer products to use.
Baby products have a design to be mild, but be sure to read their labels.
You want them to be as safe for your child's skin as possible.
By the time a child is able to walk and get into things, they should be able to transition to soaps designed for anyone to use, but still mild.
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