Thursday, November 1, 2012

Suitable temperature for baby to prevent baby overheating


Appropriate temperature for baby: Overheating can increase the risk of cot death. Babies can overheat because of too much bedding or clothing, or because the room is too hot. Remember, a folded blanket counts as two blankets. When you check your baby, make sure they are not too hot. If your baby is sweating or their tummy feels hot to the touch, take off some of the bedding. Don’t worry if your baby’s hands or feet feel cool – this is normal.
It is easier to adjust the temperature with changes of lightweight blankets.
Remember, a folded blanket counts as two blankets.
Babies do not need hot rooms; all-night heating is rarely necessary. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you at night. About 18°C (65°F) is comfortable.
If it is very warm, your baby may not need any bedclothes other than a sheet.
Even in winter, most babies who are unwell or feverish do not need extra clothes.
Babies should never sleep with a hot-water bottle or electric blanket, next to a radiator, heater or fire, or in direct sunshine.
Babies lose excess heat from their heads, so make sure their heads cannot be covered by bedclothes during sleep periods.
How to prevent baby from overheating  
Remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm car, bus or train, even if it means waking your baby.
Don’t let your baby’s head become covered
Babies whose heads are covered with bedding are at an increased risk of cot death. To prevent your baby wriggling down under the covers, place your baby feet to foot in the crib, cot or pram.
Make the covers up so that they reach no higher than the shoulders. Covers should be securely tucked in so they cannot slip over your baby’s head. Use one or more layers of lightweight blankets.
Sleep your baby on a mattress that is firm, flat, well fitting and clean. The outside of the mattress should be waterproof. Cover the mattress with a single sheet.
Remember, do not use duvets, quilts, baby nests, wedges, bedding rolls or pillows.

Back sleeping for babies - risks of bed sharing


Baby sleeping on his back: Place your baby on their back to sleep from the very beginning for both day and night sleeps. This will reduce the risk of cot death. Side sleeping is not as safe as sleeping on the back. Healthy babies placed on their backs are not more likely to choke. When your baby is old enough to roll over, they should not be prevented from doing so.
Babies may get flattening of the part of the head they lie on (plagiocephaly). This will become rounder again as they grow, particularly if they are encouraged to lie on their tummies to play when they are awake and being supervised. Experiencing a range of different positions and a variety of movement while awake is also good for a baby’s development.
Risks of bed sharing   
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot in a room with you for the first six months. Do not share a bed with your baby if you or your partner:
have taken medication that make you sleep more heavily
feel very tired.
The risks of bed sharing are also increased if your baby:
was premature (born before 37 weeks), or
was of low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 5.5lb).
There is also a risk that you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby, or that your baby could get caught between the wall and the bed, or could roll out of an adult bed and be injured.
Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair
It’s lovely to have your baby with you for a cuddle or a feed but it’s safest to put your baby back in their cot before you go to sleep.

Newborn sleeping habits - known causes of cot death


Newborn sleep patterns: The amount that babies sleep, even when they are very small, varies a lot. During the early weeks some babies sleep for most of the time between feeds. Others will be wide awake. As they grow older, they begin to develop a pattern of waking and sleeping. Some babies need more sleep than others and at different times. Try not to compare what your baby does with other people’s babies. All babies are different, and their routines will change as they grow.
You will gradually begin to recognize when your baby is ready for sleep and is likely to settle. Some babies settle better after a warm bath. Most sleep after a good feed.
A baby who wants to sleep is not likely to be disturbed by ordinary household noises, so there is no need to keep your whole home quiet while your baby sleeps. It will help you if your baby gets used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise. It’s better to know more advices on sleeping positions.
Twins, triplets or more can have specific sleeping issues and it may be difficult for you to get them into a routine. The Multiple Births Foundation and Tamba give advices that you may find useful. They can sleep in the same cot – there are methods from Tamba on how you can do this safely.
How to prevent cot death   
Sadly, we don’t know why some babies die suddenly and for no apparent reason from what is called ‘cot death’ or ‘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome’ (SIDS). But we do know that placing a baby to sleep on their back reduces the risk, and that overheating a baby increases the risk.
All the advice that we now have for reducing the risk of cot death and other dangers, such as suffocation, is listed below. Remember that cot death is rare, so don’t let worrying about it stop you enjoying your baby’s first few months. But do follow the advices given here to reduce the risks as much as possible.
To reduce the risk of cot death:
Place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in a room with you.
Do not share a bed with your baby if you take medicines.
Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
Do not let your baby get too hot – keep your baby’s head uncovered.
Place your baby in the ‘feet to foot’ position.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their back in a cot in a room with you for the first six months.

What to do when baby crying for no reason - baby crying and colic


Baby crying with no reason: Some babies do cry more than others and it’s not really clear why. Don’t blame yourself, your partner or your baby if they cry a lot. It can be very exhausting so try to get rest when you can. Share soothing your baby with your partner. You could ask a friend or relative to take over for an hour from time to time, just to give you a break. If there is no one to turn to and you feel your patience is running out, leave your baby in the cot and go into another room for a few minutes. Put on some music to drown the noise, take some deep breaths, make yourself a cup of tea or find some other way to unwind. You will cope better if you do. If you are very angry or upset, telephone someone who will make you feel better.
Why never shake a baby
Shaking makes a baby’s head move violently. It can cause bleeding and damage the brain.
Unusual baby crying    
If you feel you are having difficulties coping with your baby’s crying, talk to your midwife or health visitor. Or contact Cry-sis – they will put you in touch with other parents who have been in the same situation. If you have twins or more, the crying can seem relentless – Twinline, Tamba’s helpline, can offer support.
If your baby’s crying sounds different or unusual, it may be the first sign of illness, particularly if they are not feeding well or will not be comforted. If you think your baby is ill, contact your doctor immediately. If you cannot contact your doctor and it’s an emergency, take your baby to the nearest hospital accident and emergency department.
My baby has colic and won’t stop crying
If your baby has repeated episodes of excessive and inconsolable crying but they otherwise appear to be thriving and healthy, they may have colic.
Although it may appear that your baby is in distress, colic is not harmful. Your baby will continue to feed and gain weight normally. There is no evidence that colic has any long-term effects.
Colic can be very upsetting for parents. You may feel like you are letting your baby down or that you are doing something wrong. Although colic can be distressing at the time, it is a common phase that should last only a few weeks at the most. It may help to remind yourself that you are not causing the crying and it is not under your control. If you are concerned, talk to your health visitor or GP.

Causes of baby crying and best ways to soothe a crying baby


Baby crying causes: All babies cry. It’s their way of saying that something is not right. Sometimes you will be able to find the reason for your baby’s distress and deal with it. At other times all you can do is try to comfort or distract your baby. If it’s not obvious why your baby is crying, think of possible reasons.
Are they:
Hungry?
Hot, cold or uncomfortable?
feeling tired and unable to sleep?
Lonely and wanting company?
bored and wanting to play? Do they have?
A wet or dirty nappy?
Wind?
Colic? It could be none of these things. Perhaps your baby simply feels overwhelmed and a bit frightened by all the new sights, sounds and sensations.
How to soothe crying newborn   
Holding your baby close and talking in a soothing voice or singing softly will reassure them.
Movement often helps to calm down crying. Gently sway or rock your baby or take them for a walk or for a ride in a car.
Sucking can also be comforting. You can put your baby to your breast or give them a dummy, as long as breastfeeding is well established. Make sure the dummy is sterilized and don’t dip it in honey or sugar to make your baby suck. They will suck anyway. Using sugar will only encourage a craving for sweet things, which are bad for their teeth.