Baby Skin Care: Tips for Your Newborn

Your newborn is home now, and you're settling into a daily routine. Keeping your baby warm and nourished is tops on your list. Baby skin care is just as important.

Newborn skin is delicate -- and so is the baby's immune system. Chemicals, fragrances, and dyes in clothing, detergents, and baby products can cause newborn skin irritation, dryness, chafing, and rashes. However, there's much you can do to protect your baby from these skin problems.

The upside to baby's skin sensitivity? Your touch on your newborn's skin has a soothing, nurturing effect -- and is critical to your baby's development.

Natural Baby Skin Care

A newborn baby is born with wrinkly skin and a protective covering called vernix that naturally peels off during the first week. There's no need to rush it, rub it, or treat it with lotions or creams. (If baby is born past the due date, this process is likely finished while she is still inside the womb.)

With newborn skin care, the adage is "less is more." Here are tips to help protect your baby from developing allergies and rashes:

Resist the urge to bathe your baby frequently. Too-frequent bathing -- more than three times per week during the first year of life -- removes the natural oils that protect baby's skin. That leaves baby's skin vulnerable, so it reacts to any potential allergen -- triggering a reaction like eczema.  

Except for drool and diaper changes, newborns don't get very dirty. Babies aren’t working 9 to 5 and hitting the gym afterward! For the first month or so, a sponge bath two or three times a week will keep your baby safely clean. In between, simply clean baby’s mouth and diaper area with a little water or cleanser.

Once-a-week sponge baths (or even less) are best for newborns with darker skin tones (like African-American). These infants tend to have dryer skin and have a higher risk of skin problems such as eczema.

Don't use baby products in the early months. The immune system is still developing. If you have a family history of skin problems, allergies, or asthma, it's especially important to protect your baby's immune system -- and protect baby from irritating allergens.

Washbaby's clothing before it's worn. Use only baby laundry detergents that are fragrance- and dye-free. Wash baby clothes, bedding, and blankets separately from the family's laundry. 

Newborn Dry Skin: Eczema

Most newborn skin problems, such as eczema or diaper rash, don't develop for the first month or two. Eczema appears as a red, itchy rash mostly on face and scalp, at the elbows, and behind the knees.

A few tips on preventing dry, irritated skin and eczema:

Try once-a-week bathing to allow skin to retain natural oils.

Limit your use of baby skin products. If necessary, use only a small amount of lotion on dry skin areas.

Make sure baby wears only soft clothing.

When baby has an allergic reaction, the result can be a rash. Rashes under the diaper can actually be eczema and not a diaper rash. An allergy to dyes in the diapers themselves can cause this reaction. Switching to dye-free diapers may be all that's needed to prevent future outbreaks.

Check with your pediatrician about using over-the-counter lotions or creams to treat eczema. You may need a prescription treatment.

Baby Skin Care: Diaper Rash

Most often, diaper rash is caused by the irritating wetness of a soiled diaper. The rash can also develop when baby's skin is not properly dried after a bath. Sometimes, a bacteria or yeast infection will cause diaper rash. Babies taking antibiotics are especially susceptible to a yeast infection diaper rash because the drugs allow fungal growth.

Most forms of diaper rash don't require medical care. To treat diaper rash -- and prevent further newborn skin problems:

• Check diapers frequently.
• Change diapers immediately when wet or soiled.
• Wash the diaper area with mild fragrance-free cleanser or plain water. If the rash is severe, use a squirt bottle to cleanse without rubbing.
• Use a soft clean cloth, not baby wipes. The perfume or alcohol in some wipes can further irritate and dry baby's skin.
• Pat baby dry. Don't rub. Let the diaper area air-dry fully before putting on a fresh diaper.
• Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) or a protective ointment like Desitin or A&D.
• If using baby powder, take care to keep it away from baby's face. The talc or cornstarch in the powder can cause breathing problems.
• See your pediatrician if the rash doesn't clear up in two to three days. If the rash is caused by eczema, a bacterial or yeast infection, or other condition, you may need a prescription treatment.

Newborn Skin Soaks Up Calming Touch

Giving your newborn a massage is important one-on-one time. Like cuddling, a massage is a way to convey your love and affection for your baby. In fact, research shows that a baby's very survival depends on being touched by others -- as touch triggers hormones, boosts immunity, and helps fight disease. Also, massaged babies are calmer, sleep better, and cry less -- every parent's dream!

There's no special technique to massaging a baby. Find a carpeted floor in a warm room. Simply lay baby on a soft blanket or fabric. Get a little baby oil or a gentle lotion. Warm it in your hand. Then gently massage baby's chest and tummy -- using a gentle yet firm touch. Try to make eye contact and talk to your baby. Sing softly.

If there's any fussing, baby may not be ready for a massage. Or the massage may be too forceful, so use a gentler touch. It's the time spent together that's most important.

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Reviewed By WebMD Medical Reference
Source From : http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-skin-10/skin-care-tips

What's the best way to treat my baby's sunburn?

For starters, make sure your baby drinks plenty of fluids (breast milk or formula is best if she's under six months old); she's probably dehydrated from being out in the sun. To soothe the sunburned area, soak a cloth nappy, flannel or muslin square in cool water, wring it out, and gently place it on the sunburned area for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day (just make sure your baby doesn't get chilly). Or let your baby soak in a tepid bath (adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water can make it more soothing.) Infant paracetamol can also help to ease the pain. 

Don't rub petroleum-based products, such as Vaseline, on your baby's burnt skin as they prevent heat and sweat from escaping and can worsen a burn. Also avoid first-aid sprays or ointments that contain benzocaine, which can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Instead, apply a water-based moisturising lotion, aloe vera gel (available from health food shops) or calamine lotion to relieve itching, which can increase when the burn starts to peel. 

Peeling usually begins three to 10 days after the sunburn. Don't be alarmed when it happens; peeling is a natural part of the healing process. Just make sure your baby stays in the shade until her skin has healed and dress her in loose cotton clothing that won't irritate her sensitive skin.

Do I need to call the GP about sunburn?

Sunburns can be more serious than they appear in babies, so it is worth giving your GP a call if you are at all concerned. 

It's important to contact your doctor if your baby's burn blisters within the first 24 hours after she's burned, as she may have a more serious second-degree burn. If your baby develops fluid-filled blisters, don't cover them or try to pop them. That can lead to infections. Instead, take your child to see your GP who can examine them and, if necessary, put a dressing on them. 

Other signs of a serious burn include fever or extreme pain. Severe cases of sunburn can lead to heat stroke. If your baby vomits or loses consciousness call 000 for an ambulance.

Is skin damage from the sun worth worrying about?

Yes. Up to 80 per cent of your child's lifetime sun exposure will occur during her first 18 years. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the number one cause of skin cancers of all kind. Some studies suggest that severe sunburn during childhood increases the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, later in life. Fair-haired, pale-skinned, freckled, and green- or blue-eyed children are most at risk for skin damage and cancer from sun exposure, but the sun's burning rays can also harm darker-skinned children.

How can I prevent my baby from getting a sunburn?

It's easy. Avoid exposing your baby to the sun and use sunscreen regularly. These two steps can prevent burns and reduce your baby's risk of certain skin cancers. And while it's way too early for your little one to worry about it, these precautions can also ward off wrinkles and other signs of premature aging later in life. 

We all know you can't avoid the sun completely, but it is a good idea to stay inside between 10am and 3pm, when harmful UV rays are at their strongest. At other times dress her in clothing that blocks the sun's rays, such as wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts. Seek out full shade for your baby when you are outside, which is where the sun cannot reach the ground at all and place her in the middle of it where there is no reflected sunlight. 

The Cancer Council also recommends using waterproof sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 30) on any exposed skin. If your baby is under six months old, you don't need to slather it on her whole body. If she is in the shade and is covered mostly by clothing, you can use sunscreen sparingly on exposed places like her face and the backs of her hands. 

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Reviewed by the BabyCenter Australia Medical Advisory Board

Source From : http://www.babycenter.com.au/a553933/sunburn#ixzz3EXPvEwfN 

Are Yeast Diaper Rashes Common?

One-fourth to one-half of babies experience diaper rash. Of these, 15%-50% are due to yeast. Yeast diaper rashes tend to decrease as children get older and end when the infant stops using diapers. The air exposure afforded by underwear lessens the establishment of an infection on macerated skin surfaces. This explains the tongue-in-cheek opinion of pediatricians that a quick cure for diaper rash (contact or infectious) is successful toilet training.

If few C. albicans organisms are present, they may not be significant. However, symptoms are aggravated with more extensive infection. One study noted C. albicans was present in 37-40 patients with diaper rash, suggesting that C. albicans infection from the gastrointestinal tract plays a major role in diaper rash. Another study noted that 30% of healthy infants and 92% of infants with diaper rash had C. albicans in the stool. This reveals a definite relationship between Candida colonization of the stool and diaper dermatitis. However, such information does not reveal the entire picture. The actual presence of C. albicans in the stool in and of itself is not the entire story since a majority of healthy adult intestinal tracts are colonized by C. albicans. These generally asymptomatic (having no symptoms) adults may also develop groin Candida infections should they become immune compromised or suffer from extremely poor hygiene. Several studies have shown promising results of lessening the incidence and severity of Candida infection when probiotics (for example, yogurt with "active cultures") are taken whenever antibiotics are necessary.

Antibiotic use can lead to increased growth of Candida species. Thus, the fact that the use of commonly prescribed antibiotics such as amoxicillin increases the risk for developing diaper rash is not surprising. Amoxicillin use in infants decreases the number of bacteria and increases the number of C. albicans.

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Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 6/12/2014

Medical Author:John Mersch, MD, FAAP

Medical Editor:Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/yeast_infection_diaper_rash/page2_em.htm#are_yeast_diaper_rashes_common

Earwax: what's healthy and what's not?

What causes earwax to build up in my baby's ear?

Earwax is a natural substance that helps to keep your baby's ears clean and healthy. It is also called cerumen. 

The ceruminous glands in the ears secrete earwax as a way of trapping dirt, dust, and other particles that could damage his eardrum. 

Usually wax builds up, and then dries out and moves to your baby's outer ear, where it falls out. However, sometimes earwax accumulates faster than his body can expel it, and that's when earwax can build up. A build-up of earwax doesn’t mean your baby is dirty.

If there's a large amount of wax, you may be able to see it just by looking into your baby's ears. There may also be some yellow or brownish wax visible. This should eventually drop out on its own.

When is earwax a problem?

If your baby’s ear canal is very plugged with wax, he may experience problems such as:

poor hearing

ear aches

itching

noises in his ear (tinnitus)

You may want to give your baby ear drops to help clear his earwax. You can buy ear drops over the counter from your pharmacy. The drops work by softening the wax so it falls out more easily. 

Give the ear drops to your baby by laying him on his side with the affected ear facing upwards, and pour a few drops in. After a few minutes, the drops will have soaked in and your baby can sit up again. Be ready with a tissue to catch any ear drops that dribble out of his ear. Repeat this three times a day for the next few days until the wax has cleared.

Don't poke anything in your baby's ear to try to remove the wax, as this could push it further into his ear. Inserting things like cotton buds can also damage your baby's ear and lead to infection.

Ear drops are usually very effective at clearing away excess earwax. However, if your baby's earwax doesn't go away after a few days of treatment with ear drops, take him to your doctor. After examining your baby's ears, your doctor may refer your baby to an ears, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. The ENT surgeon will then clear your baby's ears via microsuction.

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Reviewed By :BabyCentre Medical Advisory Board

Source : http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a557533/earwax-whats-healthy-and-whats-not

The Vaccines For Babies

Babies are born with protection against certain diseases because antibodies from their mothers were passed to them through the placenta. After birth, breastfed babies get the continued benefits of additional antibodies in breast milk. But in both cases, the protection is temporary.

Immunization (vaccination) is a way of creating immunity to certain diseases by using small amounts of a killed or weakened microorganism that causes the particular disease.

Microorganisms can be viruses (such as the measles virus) or they can be bacteria (such as pneumococcus). Vaccines stimulate the immune system to react as if there were a real infection — it fends off the "infection" and remembers the organism so that it can fight it quickly should it enter the body later.

Types of Vaccines

There are a few different types of vaccines. They include:

Attenuated (weakened) live viruses are used in some vaccines such as in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria are used in some vaccines, such as in IPV.

Toxoid vaccines contain an inactivated toxin produced by the bacterium. For example, the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines are toxoid vaccines.

Conjugate vaccines (such as Hib) contain parts of bacteria combined with proteins.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids get combination vaccines (rather than single vaccines) whenever possible. Many vaccines are offered in combination to help reduce the number of shots a child receives.

The Vaccines Your Child Needs

The following vaccinations and schedules are recommended by the AAP. Please note that some variations are acceptable and that changes in recommendations often occur as new vaccines are developed. Your doctor will determine the best vaccinations and schedule for your child.

Recommended vaccinations:

Chickenpox vaccine

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTaP)

Hepatitis A vaccine (HAV)

Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV)

Hib vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Influenza vaccine

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR)

Meningococcal/meningitis vaccine

Pneumococcal vaccines (PCV, PPSV)

Polio vaccine (IPV)

Rotavirus vaccine

Vaccine Concerns

Some parents may hesitate to have their kids vaccinated because they're worried that the children will have serious reactions or may get the illness the vaccine is supposed to prevent. But because the components of vaccines are weakened or killed — and in some cases, only parts of the microorganism are used — they're unlikely to cause any serious illness.

Some vaccines may cause mild reactions, such as soreness where the shot was given or fever, but serious reactions are rare. The risks of vaccinations are small compared with the health risks associated with the diseases they're intended to prevent.

Immunizations are one of the best means of protection against contagious diseases.

Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD

Source :  http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/vaccine.html#a_The_Vaccines_Your_Child_Needs

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Finger Foods For Babies

Until now, feeding your baby has been your job. But as your baby gets older, your little one will want to do this more and more on his or her own.

When babies begin feeding themselves — a new task most really enjoy — they'll find that they like trying new tastes and textures. No longer are baby purees and mushy cereals the only things on the menu.
By the time they're 9 months old, most babies have developed the fine motor skills — the small, precise movements — needed to pick up small pieces of food and feed themselves. You may notice that yours can take hold of food (and other small objects) between forefinger and thumb in a pincer grasp. The pincer grasp starts out a little clumsy, but with practice soon evolves into a masterful and efficient skill.

Allow your child to self-feed as much as possible, though you'll still be helping out by spoon-feeding cereal and other important dietary elements. Encouraging finger feeding helps your child develop independent, healthy eating habits.

Finger feeding — and using utensils a little later — gives babies a measure of control over what they eat and how much. Sometimes they'll eat the food, sometimes not, and that's all part of the process of learning self-regulation. Even little kids can tell when they're hungry or full, so let them learn to recognize and respond to these cues.

What Should a Baby Eat?
Now that they're joining the rest of the family for meals, older babies are ready — and often willing — to try more table foods.

This means more work for whoever is preparing the meals for the family, but dishes often can be adapted for the baby. For instance, your little one can have some of the zucchini you're making for dinner as long as you cook that portion just a bit longer — until it's soft — and cut it into pieces that are small enough for the baby to handle. Pieces of ripe banana, well-cooked pasta, and small pieces of chicken are other good choices.

Before presenting your child with a finger food, try a bite first and ask yourself:

Does it melt in the mouth? Some dry cereals and crackers that are light and flaky will melt in the mouth.
Is it cooked enough so that it mushes easily? Well-cooked veggies and fruits will mush easily, as will canned fruit and vegetables (choose ones without added sugar or salt).
Is it naturally soft? Cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and small pieces of tofu are good examples.
Can it be gummed? Pieces of ripe banana and well-cooked pasta can be gummed.
Is it small enough? Food should be cut into small pieces. The sizes will vary depending on the food's texture. A piece of chicken, for instance, needs to be smaller than a piece of watermelon, which even a pair of baby gums will quickly smash.
If your child doesn't like a food, don't let that stop you from offering it at future meals. Kids are naturally slow to accept new tastes and textures. For example, some are more sensitive to texture and may reject coarse foods, such as meat. When introducing meat, it's helpful to start with well-cooked ground meats or shreds of thinly sliced deli meats, such as turkey.

Present your baby with a variety of foods, even some that he or she didn't seem to like the week before. Don't force your baby to eat, but realize that it can take 10 or more tries before a child will accept a new food.

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Source from : http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/feeding/finger_foods.html#

Baby's First Drink

Breast milk is always the best drink for a new baby. Breast-fed babies don’t need any other drinks in the first six months of life.

New babies
Breastfeeding will benefit you and your baby for as long as you choose to continue. It helps to build your baby’s immune system and prevent health problems later in life.

If you are using formula milk, continue using first stage whey-based milk for up to one year.

Breast milk is best
Breast milk or infant formula should be the main drink throughout the first year of life.

Continue with breast milk or infant formula as the main drink when you wean your baby.

For babies under six months needing an extra drink in addition to breast milk and formula give cooled, boiled tap water as a drink in addition to milk. From six months onwards there is no need to boil tap water.

Formula milk

Always take extra care when making up infant formula; follow the instructions on the pack very carefully. Adding extra scoops can make your baby ill.

Make up one bottle of formula at a time. Once it is made up, it can go off quickly. Your health visitor can advise you on this.

Soya-based formula and follow-on milks

Soya-based formula contains sugars, which can cause tooth decay. Soya-based formula and follow-on milks should only be given if advised by your doctor, health visitor. This is because of possible long-term side effects of soya-based formula and its sugar content.

One year olds

From one year old, full-fat, pasteurised cow's milk is suitable as the main milk drink until your child is at least two years old. Babies up to the age of two have high energy needs compared to older children and adults and need more fat in their diet.

Two year olds

It is very important for babies and young children to have plenty of fluids to drink. It helps their body to function properly and prevents constipation. Between the ages of two and five, you can gradually move your child from drinking whole milk to semi-skimmed milk; but make sure it is part of a good, varied diet.

Choosing drinks without sugar for your baby will:

Set healthy habits for life.

Help prevent decay in first teeth.

Keep your baby’s smile beautiful.

Improve your baby’s overall health and nutrition.

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http://www.child-smile.org.uk/parents-and-carers/birth-to-3-years-old/babys-first-drink.aspx

Guideline For Healthy Baby Hair

Babies are always lovely to have around. It is essential to take care of them with as much zeal and zest as you take care of your own self. Baby hair is another common area that requires a mothers attention. Baby hair need to be washed, cut, dried and combed just like our own hair. In order to ensure that your baby’s hair and scalp are healthy, follow these simple steps:

Babies are very delicate and require utmost attention at time of bathing. When preparing to wash your baby’s hair, be very attentive and careful. Make sure that at all times, your hand is supporting the baby’s neck. Use a baby shower chair for more support.

Babies often suffer from hair dryness. Hair dryness and dandruff occur in babies if you wash the head too often. In winters, your baby is mostly wearing a cap and once a week hair shampoo is more than sufficient for healthy baby hair. In summers, you can wash the baby hair twice a week. Any excessive washing will result in dry scalp and baby dandruff.

Shampoo the baby hair first and then begin applying soap. Do not leave the shampoo on for long. The lather and foam of shampoo can easily scare the baby. So shampoo and wash the head and then continue to give the baby a bath. Do not let the shampoo on for long.

Another tip to have healthy baby hair for your baby is to use a mild baby conditioner to untangle your baby’s hair if they are unmanageable. Baby conditioners provide the same benefits as adult conditioners and are very handy for rough baby hair.

Towel dry your baby’s head and use a soft brush or wide toothed comb and very gently brush the baby hair. A baby’s head is very delicate so be gently at time of brushing. Most mothers use a hard brush on children and brush their hair very aggressively. This can damage hair in children. Be gentle when you brush your baby’s hair and use soft strokes.

When brushing your baby’s hair, keep them in the direction in which they are growing. Hair follicles are still weak and brushing them in the opposite direction can weaken the roots. For healthy baby hair, you require light trimming once in a while. Babies do not require regular cutting since the hair growth is not very fast. Cut your baby’s hair a little if they are near the eye or are hindering the vision. Otherwise, there is no need to cut the hair again and again. Always wet the baby’s hair before cutting them. It is safer to cut the hair when the baby is sleeping, is in a good mood or is pre occupied with toys or playing a game. It is otherwise impossible to cut baby hair if your baby is throwing tantrums.

Apply a little baby oil on your baby’s scalp if the scalp is itchy and dry. Baby’s tend to scratch their heads if the scalp is very dry.

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Drinks for healthy baby teeth

It is important to consider how the food and drinks you give your child can affect their teeth.

It’s not just what they eat and drink but when they eat and drink it.

This section tells you what you need to think about to make sure your child’s first teeth are strong and healthy.

Find out what drinks are suitable for babies and toddlers.

Healthy drinks
It is very important for babies and young children to have plenty of fluids to drink. It helps their body to function properly and prevents constipation.

New babies
Breastfeeding will benefit you and your baby for as long as you choose to continue. If you are using formula milk, continue using a whey-based milk for up to one year. See the Baby’s first drink page for more information.

Cow's milk
From the age of one, if you’re no longer breastfeeding you can give full-fat cow’s milk as a drink. Milk contains calcium, which is important for strong bones.

From one year old, full-fat, pasteurised cow's milk is suitable as the main milk drink until your child is at least two years old. Babies up to the age of two have high energy needs compared to older children and adults, and so need more fat in their diet.

Water
After six months of age tap water is the best drink to quench thirst between meals. It's a good idea to get your baby into the habit of expecting tap water as a drink, rather than sweet drinks. Give cooled boiled tap water to babies under six months of age when required.

Baby drinks
Are not recommended. Most contain sugar which can cause tooth decay.

Fruit juices
Pure unsweetened fruit juices are a good source of vitamin C but contain natural sugar which can cause decay. Fruit juices are also acidic. Acidic drinks can quickly damage your baby’s teeth.

Small amounts of pure, unsweetened fruit juice should be diluted half and half (50% juice to 50% water), or with a greater proportion of water to juice if your child is thirsty.

Juice should be restricted to mealtimes only in a free-flow cup, not a feeding bottle.

Diluting juices and fizzy drinks
Contain sugars and artificial sweeteners. It is not recommended that you give these drinks to babies or toddlers. If diluting cordials or squashes are given, remember to serve well diluted and restrict to mealtimes only.

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About Healthy Baby Hair

The mysteries of infant hair explained, plus how to keep it healthy

Like so many things baby-related, newborn hair (or lack thereof) is unpredictable. Whether your baby's bald or bushy depends upon a mix of genetics, ethnicity, and hormones. But no matter how hirsute your tot is, try not to get too attached to the look. His hair will likely change during the first year. Check out how:

Hair today, gone tomorrow. If your baby was born with hair, he'll probably start to shed it during the first six months, thanks to hormonal changes. That hair loss peaks when infants are around 3 to 4 months old, says Dan Brennan, M.D., a pediatrician in Santa Barbara, CA, and a dad of two. And it can be quite dramatic (a hairy kid can turn into a bald one) or more subtle, especially when your infant's new hair grows in simultaneously.

Seeing spots. Another reason for your baby's thinning locks? Since a younger baby will spend a lot of time on his back, the friction of his head against the crib mattress and the car seat tends to produce a bald spot, especially in the back of the head, says Dr. Brennan. If you notice that your baby favors one side when he's lying down, try changing his position so that his head doesn't go bald and flatten there, too. His bald spots will disappear when he's a bit older and starts to spend more time upright.

Who's that kid? Once all his new hair grows in (sometimes as early as 6 months, sometimes as late as toddlerhood), it may have a completely different texture or color, or both.

Hair-Care Basics

However your baby's hair looks when it grows in, it will be finer-and more fragile-than yours, so follow these tress tips to prevent it from getting too dry or damaged:

Wash as needed. Babies under 6 months produce less oil on their scalps, so there's no need to shampoo more than two times a week-and just once a week if your baby is African-American, says Erica Harris, a stylist and owner of Joi Salon and Spa Escape, in Boston. Once your child is older-and more likely to rub bananas in her hair-you may want to shampoo it more often. African-American babies should stick with the once-a-week shampoo routine, though you can rinse it every night with water and conditioner. No matter how many times you wash your baby's hair, try to use hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products, says Dr. Brennan.

Tame tangles. A good trick for preventing knots if your baby has a lot of hair or tight curls: Use a baby-friendly conditioner after shampooing and rinse out only about 75 percent of it, Harris suggests. Use a spray detangler for sparser hair (leaving in conditioner can make fine hair look greasy), and spritz just the ends, not the scalp. To coax out a stubborn tangle, hold a chunk of the hair between the scalp and the knot, spray it, and gently comb through.

Style safely. Keep an eye on any clips or hair accessories your baby's wearing; they may pose a choking hazard if they slip off (so what's okay for church when your babe is on your lap may not be safe for your sister's wedding, when she's bouncing between aunts and grandmas). Since infant hair can break easily, avoid pulling your daughter's hair into a supertight ponytail until she's a toddler, recommends Harris (not that she'd let you anyway!).

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Reviewed By : Maria Livingstone 

Source : http://www.parenting.com/article/baby-hair-care-basics

How Long Should Baby Stay in a Rear-Facing Car Seat?

Babies should be in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, to the limits of the car seat. Extended rear-facing, beyond one year and 20 pounds, has big safety advantages that parents should strongly consider. In fact, the most recent study on this subject shows that toddlers are up to five times safer if they remain rear-facing until age two.

Turning baby's car seat around isn't a milestone to rush on. It's actually a step down in safety, so don't be in a hurry to make the big switch.

You've probably heard the one year/20 pounds advice from many well-meaning sources. That's the old standard, though, and it is a bare minimum standard. All children are safer if they remain in a rear-facing car seat beyond a year. Thanks to higher rear-facing weight limits on car seats, nearly all toddlers can remain rear-facing to age 2 and beyond.

Why Rear-Facing? Car seats are designed to absorb some crash forces and spread remaining crash forces over a larger area of the body. For adults, seat belts distribute force to the strongest parts of the body, the hips and shoulders. Infants don't have many body parts that are strong enough to withstand crash forces, so the rear-facing car seat distributes the crash force along the entire back, neck and head, putting less stress on any one part of the body. The infant's head, which is large and heavy for a still delicate neck to support, is also better supported with a rear-facing car seat.

According to a report in the April 2011 edition of Pediatrics, the bones and ligaments of a young baby's spine can stretch up to 2 inches, while the spinal cord itself can only stretch about 1/4 inch. That means if the spine is forced to stretch in a crash, the spinal cord is at risk of breaking, leaving the baby with brain damage or paralysis. The incidence of severe head and neck injuries for babies and toddlers is greatly reduced in rear-facing car seats.

The additional support plus the way a rear-facing car seat moves in a crash gives your baby the best chance for survival and less chance of injury in a crash. The simple way to estimate crash force is weight times speed. A 10-pound baby in a 30 mph crash would experience an estimated 300 pounds of force. A rear-facing car seat spreads that 300 pounds of force over a greater body area, causing less injury to the baby. If you'd like a quick demonstration of the difference, check out this video comparing rear-facing and forward facing car seats in a crash test.

My Baby Wants to Be Front-Facing! Even if your baby's legs are touching the seat back, or the baby cries when rear-facing, you should still keep baby rear-facing until he or she reaches the rear-facing weight or height limit of the car seat. Most convertible car seats have rear-facing weight limits of 35-40 pounds now, so you should be able to keep your toddler rear-facing to age 2, if not longer. Some children never like sitting in a car seat, and they may cry. However, being properly restrained makes it more likely that a baby or toddler will survive a crash to cry another day. You can browse the Extended Rear-Facing Car Seats Gallery to see photos of older toddlers comfortably and safely riding rear-facing.

Many parents worry that their baby will suffer broken legs in a crash because baby's legs touch the seat back or look cramped when rear-facing. It's important to remember, though, that in a crash severe enough to break baby's legs, there would also be enough force to cause severe neck injuries if your baby or toddler was forward-facing. While it's never fun to choose between injuries, the chance of full recovery is greater for broken legs than broken necks. Similarly, if your baby fusses while in a rear-facing car seat, it may seem easy to turn baby around to keep him or her happy. Again, though, you're choosing between a fussing baby or the chance of severe head, neck and spine injuries.

My Baby is One Year Old and 20 Pounds! Now What?
Car seat safety advocates recommend that babies stay in a rear-facing car seat to the weight limit of the seat or at least until age 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently revised their car seat policy to recommend rear-facing to age 2, as well. Several car seats today have rear-facing weight limits up to 40 pounds, which might accommodate the average child through age 3 and maybe beyond. A few car seats have rear-facing weight limits above 40 pounds! You should also check the manufacturer's rear-facing height limit to be sure baby is not too tall to safely stay rear-facing to the weight limit. My advice is to simply leave your baby rear-facing at this point. The safety advantages far outweigh any convenience.

My recommendation is to choose a car seat with a high rear-facing weight limit and tall shell, and then to use it rear-facing as long as possible. For many toddlers, that would keep them rear-facing beyond age two. My daughter was three before she reached the rear-facing weight limit on her car seat. Now that there are car seats with even higher rear-facing limits, even my tall toddler son is comfortably rear-facing at almost 3 with plenty of room to grow before he needs to switch.

Why would you want to keep your child rear-facing? Crash data shows us that anybody is safer in a crash when riding rear-facing for the reasons we outlined above. Even though your baby's neck may now be strong enough to withstand some types of forward-facing crash forces, he or she is still better protected in a rear-facing car seat because that seat still distributes the force over a greater body area and still gives better support to their young head and neck.

A rear-facing car seat offers the best protection for babies and toddlers, and should be used for as long as possible, to the limits of the car seat. It is no longer recommended to turn your baby around immediately at one year and 20 pounds, thanks to new research that shows the safety advantages of extended rear-facing. A 2007 study in the Journal of Injury Prevention showed that rear-facing toddlers under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be seriously injured in a crash. According to NHTSA, a rear-facing car seat is 71 percent safer than no restraint at all, and a forward-facing car seat is 54 percent safer than no restraint at all. Keeping your baby rear-facing to the limit of the seat is the safest choice. You can check your car seat instruction book or the labels on the car seat sides to find the rear-facing weight and height limits.

Related Video

Handle  Baby Stay in a Rear-Facing Car Seat

Reviewed By : Heather Corley is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor.

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/qt/rear_facing.htm

Quick, Easy and Healthy Dishes for Babies

Choosing the right foods for your child when he is very young will help him to grow and develop. And by feeding him delicious and nutritious food while he is keen to follow your example, you will be instilling in him a knowledge of healthy eating for life.

Using our experiences as dietitians and mothers we have written The Big Book of Recipes for Babies, Toddlers, and Children: 365 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dishesto help you to enjoy feeding your children as much as we have enjoyed feeding ours.

Family meals are important and the recipes we have chosen are quick and easy, use nutritious ingredients, and, when combined with other foods, will give your children a healthy, immunity-boosting, growth-promoting diet.

As many parents find the different stages of feeding babies and young children daunting, we give clear recommendations through the stages of weaning and beyond with recipes and menu planners to help you to provide all the nutrients your child needs in the correct amounts.

Busy lifestyles often leave little time for cooking, so we have devised recipes that use a wide range of cooking methods -- from quick stir-frying to baking to slow casseroling. We have also included some recipes for foods that can be made in advance and frozen, as well as some that simply involve combining different foods on a plate in the right proportions.

Healthy eating does not have to mean depriving your child of their favorite foods

By using quality ingredients you can make delicious burgers, nuggets, pizzas, fries and kebabs that are far more nutritious than the commercial varieties, which usually contain additives and an excess of salt, sugars and fats.

Research has shown that most children today eat far too much sugar, fat and salt -- mainly in the form of highly-processed snacks -- and as a result, many of them are becoming overweight. By encouraging your child to be active, and above all by developing healthy eating patterns from an early age, you can prevent your child from developing such weight problems.

Most parents --understandably -- also worry when their child seems to lose his appetite. But most children go off their food from time to time. Bear in mind that your child doesn't need to eat well at every meal, or even every day. As long as he consumes a good balance of foods over a period of a week or so he will obtain all the nutrients he needs.

Finally, we'd like to share with you our three golden rules for happy and healthy eating:

Eat together as a family as often as possible.

Show your baby or child that you enjoy eating the foods that you want him to eat.

Praise your child when he eats well and never indicate that you are anxious or upset when he doesn't.

Related Video

Choosing Healthy Foods for babies and toddlers

Reviewed By :Bridget L. Wardley and Judy More
Source  :  http://www.pregnancyandbaby.com/baby/articles/942961/quick-easy-and-healthy-dishes-for-babies-toddlers-and-children

How to Choose Baby Clothes

Girl colors, boy colors and adorable prints may be what draws you to a rack of baby clothes. To make your final selection, though, you need to consider safety, comfort, and practicality -- easy to put on and washable. Oh, and you probably want to consider the price, too. It's OK to shop in secondhand stores or high-quality consignment shops for babies for most things. Just be sure to wash everything first.

Safety first: no buttons, bows, or ties. Stay away from clothes with small buttons, decorative rhinestones or bows, because they can be choking risks. Clothes with long ties or that pull tightly around your baby's arms, legs, or neck are also unsafe. Make sure decorations are sewed on tight.

Pick fire-safe sleepwear. Labels on your baby's sleepwear will indicate whether it needs to be worn snugly to be fire-retardant or if the fabric itself is flame-retardant. Flame-resistant fabrics have specific laundry instructions for you to follow to keep the retardant from washing away. In fact, this is one place where secondhand items may not be a good choice -- if they've been washed incorrectly they've lost their effectiveness.

Shop by your baby's weight, not age. Age doesn't mean much when it comes to baby clothes; different brands size clothing differently. Weight is a better measure and it is listed along with age on many baby clothes.

Think about how easy clothes will be to put on and take off. Dressing a wiggling newborn can be a bit of a struggle. Follow these tips when you choose clothes to keep dressing easier.

Wide necks or snaps at the neck make dressing easier. (If you pick clothes that pull over the head, do it quickly because babies panic when their breathing is blocked.)

Snaps and zippers in the front are easier to put on and take off than those on the back.

Loose sleeves pull on and off easier than tight ones.

Snaps or other easy openings at the crotch make it quicker and easier to change diapers – you don’t have to take off all your baby's clothes.

Choose washable. Buy clothes that say "machine washable" on the label to avoid the time and energy of hand-washing or ironing. Clothes made from 100% cotton are ideal, since they're comfortable, durable, and they wash well.

Think ahead -- wisely. Some babies never fit into the "newborn" size. Others may even grow out of 3-month-sized clothes after only one month. So, buy items in the 6-month or 1-year size to have on hand. Some clothes can be worn a little big, until your baby grows into them. It’s not a great idea, though, to buy seasonal clothes, like swimsuits or winter coats, well in advance. It’s impossible to predict your baby's size.

Related Video

Organic Baby Clothes - How to Choose Baby Clothes

Reviewed By Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH

http://www.webmd.com/baby/choosing-baby-clothes

Healthy Toys for Your Baby

Sure, your pipsqueak's playthings look like fun, but are they safe baby toys? Here's a quick checklist of what to look for — and what to avoid — when shopping for toys.

 all know kids love toys — and for good reason: Not only can toys provide hours of glee, but the best playthings can also boost your baby’s cognitive and physical development. However, some playthings are safer than others, so it’s important to know some toy-buying basics. Here’s what to watch out for so you can be sure you’re buying healthy toys for your pint-sized player.

What to Avoid

Lead. It’s hard to believe how many playthings contain lead and even harder to fathom just how much lead can be hiding beneath that innocent surface. Some recalled playthings (check recall lists on CPSC.gov (the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s site) have double the legal lead limit, and lead poisoning is serious — it can lead to kidney damage, learning and growth delays, and more. Amazingly, nearly one-third of toys tested in the US reportedly have medium to high levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and other potentially dangerous chemicals. Some good news: Most toy stores have booted potentially poisonous playthings that contain lead, and Congress has passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which bans lead (and other dangerous substances) from kids’ toys.

Plastic toys from China. Chinese-made toys came under attack a few years ago for having high levels of lead paint — and more than nine million of them were recalled. Because China’s product quality control isn’t as strict as it is in the US, it’s smart to steer clear of toys made in China. To ease your mind, many toy stores have lists of “Toys Not Made in China” that you can check out before you buy. Or check the recall list online before you toss a toy in your (virtual) cart.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This widely used plastic often contains harmful chemicals, including such known carcinogens as vinyl chloride, dioxin, and phthalates, which are linked to asthma, allergies, and reproductive problems. And PVC can be pretty common in toys. One way to tell: PVC-free playthings are usually labeled, so if the toy isn’t sporting a “PVC-free” label or it has a #3 or the letters “PVC” on the bottom, stay away (a #1, #2, or #4 is fine, though).

BPA (bisphenol A). This chemical found in many plastic products — including plastic toys and some sippy cups — can cause harmful developmental effects in infants and is linked to attention disorders, cancer-cell growth, early onset puberty, and obesity. If you see a #7 on a plaything, it probably contains BPA and is not a safe baby toy. Move on, Mom.

What to Look for to Make Certain You’re Buying Safe Baby Toys

An American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) label. This means that the toy meets US safety standards. Translation: It isn’t likely to contain anything toxic.

A 100% PVC-free label. It’s the best way to guarantee that the plastic doesn’t contain potentially dangerous phthalates. No label? Look for the numbers 1, 2, or 4 on plastic toys. Any of these numbers mean the plaything is made from polyethylene, a safe BPA- and phthalate-free plastic, making it a healthy toy to take home.

Wood or bamboo toys. Wooden playthings typically don’t contain any chemical-filled plastics. Bonus points if the wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means it came from a sustainably managed forest. Toys made from bamboo also don’t contribute to deforestation. Plus, their harvesting process creates little to no emissions, making them healthy toys for your baby and the planet. While these playthings aren’t plentiful in the big stores, specialty shops carry them, and they’re pretty easy to find online.

Organic cotton or hemp material. Conventional cotton is the most heavily sprayed crop in the world (and not what you want next to baby’s skin or mouth). Your little one’s lovey (and any other cloth critters) is a much safer baby toy if it’s made from insecticide-free fibers, the way organic materials are.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/natural-baby-care/healthy-toys.aspx

Sure, your pipsqueak's playthings look like fun, but are they safe baby toys? Here's a quick checklist of what to look for — and what to avoid — when shopping for toys.

 all know kids love toys — and for good reason: Not only can toys provide hours of glee, but the best playthings can also boost your baby’s cognitive and physical development. However, some playthings are safer than others, so it’s important to know some toy-buying basics. Here’s what to watch out for so you can be sure you’re buying healthy toys for your pint-sized player.

What to Avoid

Lead. It’s hard to believe how many playthings contain lead and even harder to fathom just how much lead can be hiding beneath that innocent surface. Some recalled playthings (check recall lists on CPSC.gov (the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s site) have double the legal lead limit, and lead poisoning is serious — it can lead to kidney damage, learning and growth delays, and more. Amazingly, nearly one-third of toys tested in the US reportedly have medium to high levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and other potentially dangerous chemicals. Some good news: Most toy stores have booted potentially poisonous playthings that contain lead, and Congress has passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which bans lead (and other dangerous substances) from kids’ toys.

Plastic toys from China. Chinese-made toys came under attack a few years ago for having high levels of lead paint — and more than nine million of them were recalled. Because China’s product quality control isn’t as strict as it is in the US, it’s smart to steer clear of toys made in China. To ease your mind, many toy stores have lists of “Toys Not Made in China” that you can check out before you buy. Or check the recall list online before you toss a toy in your (virtual) cart.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This widely used plastic often contains harmful chemicals, including such known carcinogens as vinyl chloride, dioxin, and phthalates, which are linked to asthma, allergies, and reproductive problems. And PVC can be pretty common in toys. One way to tell: PVC-free playthings are usually labeled, so if the toy isn’t sporting a “PVC-free” label or it has a #3 or the letters “PVC” on the bottom, stay away (a #1, #2, or #4 is fine, though).

BPA (bisphenol A). This chemical found in many plastic products — including plastic toys and some sippy cups — can cause harmful developmental effects in infants and is linked to attention disorders, cancer-cell growth, early onset puberty, and obesity. If you see a #7 on a plaything, it probably contains BPA and is not a safe baby toy. Move on, Mom.

What to Look for to Make Certain You’re Buying Safe Baby Toys

An American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) label. This means that the toy meets US safety standards. Translation: It isn’t likely to contain anything toxic.

A 100% PVC-free label. It’s the best way to guarantee that the plastic doesn’t contain potentially dangerous phthalates. No label? Look for the numbers 1, 2, or 4 on plastic toys. Any of these numbers mean the plaything is made from polyethylene, a safe BPA- and phthalate-free plastic, making it a healthy toy to take home.

Wood or bamboo toys. Wooden playthings typically don’t contain any chemical-filled plastics. Bonus points if the wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means it came from a sustainably managed forest. Toys made from bamboo also don’t contribute to deforestation. Plus, their harvesting process creates little to no emissions, making them healthy toys for your baby and the planet. While these playthings aren’t plentiful in the big stores, specialty shops carry them, and they’re pretty easy to find online.

Organic cotton or hemp material. Conventional cotton is the most heavily sprayed crop in the world (and not what you want next to baby’s skin or mouth). Your little one’s lovey (and any other cloth critters) is a much safer baby toy if it’s made from insecticide-free fibers, the way organic materials are.

Related Video

5 Tips to Choose the Best Baby Toys

http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/natural-baby-care/healthy-toys.aspx

Homemade Baby Food Purees

Baby's First Foods

First bites are a big milestone in baby’s life. Here's a step-by-step guide to introducing solid foods.

1. Pick a single-grain infant cereal, such as rice, or a single-fruit or vegetable puree (see recipes in this slideshow), and prepare it. Cereals should be prepared with breast milk or formula.

2. Serve the same food to baby for at least four days, watching for any signs of allergy or intolerance.

3. Move on to a new food, and start the process over until baby has tried a variety of single foods.

Looking for the perfect first purees? We recommend Carrots, Bananas, Avocado, Green Peas, or Butternut Squash. These purees tend to be popular with baby because they are smooth, mild-flavored, and slightly sweet. Remember to thin them down to an almost liquid consistency for baby’s first few meals.

I am definitely stepping onto the soapbox for this one. Nutrition for the wee ones is a favorite talking point of mine, mainly because it is so important. Since babies and kids have much smaller bodies, any harmful foods can do much more proportionate damage, but this also means that healthy foods can do wonders for them. I also must confess, on this note, that I did follow the recommendations for first foods with our first child, and I think this is part of the reason why he is our pickiest eater, though he does eat salad and broccoli quite happily now at age 4.

I truly believe that the healthiest first food for babies is breast milk. Recent research supports this and even formula companies agree that breast milk is best. Breast milk is full of fatty acids, antibodies, nutrients, protein and fat and is a truly perfect and complete food for babies. While formula can provide basic food if a mother is unable to nurse, it is no match for a mother’s milk, which can change to suit the needs of the baby as it grows. Research also shows that breast feeding drastically reduces the instance of SIDS (of every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed babies). Studies also show numerous benefits to the mother, including decreased risk of cancers (breast, ovarian, cervical, endometrial), lower incidence of postpartum depression, and reduced chance of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

While breastfeeding is the perfect food for baby, at some point, baby will want or need solid food. Ask most mothers you know what their pediatricians recommend as first foods for their babies and most will say oatmeal or rice cereal. After that, most parents get the recommendation to add in fruit purees, starchy veggies like squash, various watered down mixtures of processed meats, over-steamed veggies and eventually a nauseating array of fluffy, puffy, and sweet snacks or juices.

For those of you who haven’t already guessed my response to this: forget the grains! If they are damaging to an adult body (and they are), imagine what they can do to the stomach of a small child who has never digested anything but breast milk! Doctors say to try oatmeal and rice first because they are least likely to cause an allergic reaction, which is ironic, since both contain lectins, water soluble proteins that have been linked to formation of allergies. From a previous post:

Gluten’s sidekicks, the posse of Lectins, are mild toxins the inhibit the repair of the GI track. Lectins are not broken down in the digestive process and bind to receptors in the intestine, allowing them and other food particles to leech into your bloodstream. Nothing like pre-digested food circulating the blood stream! The body views these lectins and the food they bring with them as dangerous invaders and initiates an immune response to get rid of them. This immune response to particles of common foods explains the allergy creating potential of grains.

Also interesting is that starchy and sweet foods like grains and fruits are recommended first. It seems logical that habituating a baby to the taste of sweet foods first would make it difficult to introduce less sugary (yes, fruit does have sugar) foods like vegetables later. Speaking of vegetables, when is the last time you heard of someone allergic to spinach, or broccoli? It happens, but is very rare and usually associated with other autoimmune problems. I would wager that you have heard of someone allergic to peanuts (they contain lectins), wheat (contains gluten and lectin!), or soy (guess what, also has lectin!). To further confuse things, corn (a grain) and peas (a legume) are some of the first “vegetables” usually introduced to kids, and neither one is a vegetable (but guess what, they both contain lectins!) at this point, some of you are probably ready to point out that most foods contain lectins. While this is true, research has shown that some foods have higher concentrations of more problematic lectins than others.

Grains are not a necessary part of a childhood diet, or anyone’s diet, for that matter. So what foods should you introduce to your baby first? I recommend vegetables. There is a strange mentality among many moms that we should not force vegetables on babies or toddlers (perhaps because this adds to our own guilt for not eating them ourselves?).

Vegetables have a much higher nutrient content than grains and less chance of an allergic response. Unfortunately, the convenient jar baby food on grocery store shelves doesn’t have anywhere near the nutrients of fresh steamed and pureed vegetables. Ever read the labels? Besides the token vegetable or fruit, jar baby food contains mostly water and small amounts of added fillers to keep everything the same consistency. This is one case where it truly is, hands down, cheaper to make your own baby food. What you pay for in the store is so much water and filler that you could make huge amounts of fresh vegetables for your baby for less. All you need is a food processor or blender, some vegetables, and a little water or milk if you need to thin things down a little. Homemade baby food can be frozen in small amounts for later, making it convenient.

Obviously, a departure from the baby food aisle will require a little more thought, but is actually a simpler option once you adapt to it. Here are some helpful things I discovered when making the switch:

Give avocado as a first food. It has enough fat to keep baby satisfied longer and a few spoon fulls of avocado put a whole bowl of rice cereal to shame on nutrient content. I always carry a ripe avocado and a spoon in the diaper bag. If baby gets hungry, I just peel a little of the skin off, scoop out avocado and feed him. Any extra can be stored in a ziploc until you get home. No bowl or bottled water needed!

Other great first foods are sweet potato, winter squash, asparagus, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, carrots, spinach, greens, or green beans.

Baby foods don’t even need to be pureed. Once baby is 6 months old (earliest you should introduce solids anyway), you can just cook vegetables until soft, cut into small pieces and put in front of baby. He or she will eat when hungry.

Go organic whenever you can. Even small amounts of pesticides and chemicals can have a damaging effect on little bodies!

By 7-8 months, you can introduce cooked (but still soft) egg yolks to baby. This is a great source of protein, cholesterol and fat. Also by this point, you can start introducing small pieces of meat to baby… they love protein!

Related Video

Baby Food On A Budget - Making Your Own Puree

Reviewed By : Carolyn Land Williams, M.Ed., R.D.
Source : http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/baby-purees