mummyvaio@wordpress » motherhood

Latching on

mummyvaio — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:28:03 +0000

a very good information on breastfeeding at breastfeeding.com ~ latching on.It even have a video to show how to breastfeed your baby.Very good for mummy to be or first time mum!

1-The first step to a proper latch on is getting baby to open WIDE! Brush baby’s lips with your nipple to encourage him to open wide, as if yawning.
2-Once baby’s mouth is open wide, quickly pull him onto the breast by pulling the baby toward you with the arm that is holding him. Make sure you move the baby towards you, and not move yourself towards the baby.
3-The baby’s gums should completely bypass the nipple and cover approximately one inch of the areola behind the nipple. Make sure the baby’s lips are everted. Some baby’s will tighten or purse their lips, especially the lower one. If the lower lip is inverted (turned in), try simply pressing down on baby’s chin to evert the inwardly turned lip.

4-Correct latch-on. Note how the baby’s lips are correctly everted, and the mouth is open wide. Also notice how much breast tissue has been taken in, almost the entire areola is in the baby’s mouth.

5-If your baby is latched on and sucking correctly, you should not feel any pain. If you feel pain, or the baby does not seem to be sucking correctly, stop and start over again. Break the suction by putting your finger in the side of the baby’s mouth between the gums. DO NOT let the baby continue to feed incorrectly, as you can develop painful and damaged nipples, and the baby may not be able to get enough milk.

When should I start reading to my baby?

mummyvaio — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:35:45 +0000

It’s never too early. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud daily to your baby starting at 6 months of age — about the time when he’ll really begin to enjoy looking at books with you. But Jim Trelease, longtime read-aloud expert and author of the Read Aloud Handbook, says that you can start when your child’s a newborn. No matter what your baby’s age, of course, reading provides a great opportunity for cuddling and bonding.

Why is reading to my baby good for him?
Reading will help build your child’s vocabulary, stimulate his imagination, and improve his communication skills. In fact, the more you speak to your child from the get-go, the better it is for his growth and development. Studies have shown that language skills — and even intelligence — are related to how many words an infant hears each day. In one study, babies whose parents spoke to them a lot (an average of 2,100 words an hour) scored higher on standard tests when they reached age 3 than did children whose parents hadn’t been as verbal. A running commentary on the state of the neighborhood during your walk and naming your child’s body parts as you bathe him are good ways to chat. Reading is one more fun way to add variety to your verbal interactions.

What should I read to my infant?
For the first few months, your infant will be picking up on the rhythm of language — rather than the content — as he hears you speak. So when it comes to reading materials, anything goes — children’s books, a magazine, or even that novel you’ve been trying to finish.Your baby may be fascinated by pictures with bright colors and sharp contrast, though, so stock up on board books and picture books, too

My story : This is the book I currently read to my fareehah.It is fun because it has movable objects,and short so she can concentrate better.No use choosing a long story for your baby as they quickly loose interest.When i started reading to her,she was 4 1/2 months and she was not much interested.Now she always listen n looks at the pictures when i read it to her.I only use this book now,so that she will be familiar with the same words…maybe she will recognize it faster. Thinking of reading some malay story books i brought with us when she is bigger.

Can I take paracetamol n ibuprofen together?

mummyvaio — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 18:14:23 +0000

I searched this information on nhs website,because I was told to give both paracetamol(calpol) n ibuprofen to my baby for her fever. I must say that ibuprofen was reall effective on my baby.Gave her calpol for three days, but her temperature did not go down,but a dose of ibuprofen at the hospital…her temperature almost normal already!..but do consult your doctor before using it,ok.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are both used as painkillers (analgesics). They are also used to reduce temperature (fever).

Adults (16 or over)

You may wish to use both paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time to reduce pain and fever. There is no known harmful interaction between paracetamol and ibuprofen in people over the age of 16.

Paracetamol should always be the first choice as it has fewer side effects than ibuprofen. It is therefore better to take paracetamol first and then use ibuprofen 1-2 hours later, but only if the paracetamol has not worked in controlling your symptoms. If necessary, further doses can be taken at the same time, as long as you avoid overdosing on either medicine.

You should reconsider the need to take both paracetamol and ibuprofen on a daily basis because it’s best to avoid taking unnecessary medicines. If your symptoms persist, you should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 , or see your GP.

Babies and children

For children, either paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to treat mild to moderate pain and fever.

Paracetamol is available in tablet, liquid, and suppository form. Oral preparations are preferred and can be given every 4-6 hours. Ideally, the dose should be calculated according to the child’s weight, and you should never exceed the maximum dose. Ibuprofen has a longer dosing interval (6-8 hours) and is therefore useful for controlling fever throughout the night.

As with paracetamol, the dose of ibuprofen should ideally be calculated using the child’s weight, and you should not exceed the maximum dosage. You should read the packaging information carefully before administering any dose to children, and be sure to keep a regular check on the number of doses given in a 24 hour period.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are usually given to children by spoon feeding, or by using an oral syringe. They can also be dissolved in milk, or a fruit drink, but you should make sure that the child finishes the drink to ensure that they receive the correct dose.

You can use either paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat pain and fever in children, but you should not give them both at the same time. If your child does not respond to one medicine, try giving them the other, but never combine the two. If your child’s symptoms persist for more than 72 hours, you should visit your GP for advice