Baby Care - Baby Name - Baby r us - Baby Furniture

Once born, the baby has to master the art of living in the world. Though learning is a continuous process, the baby has to learn rapidly soon after birth, in order to adapt quickly. When the baby is sleeping, the brain arranges and correlates the large amount of information and experiences that has been gathered during the waking hours. While sleeping the chemicals in the body and brain regenerate, making the baby more energetic, once awake. The growth hormones present in the baby work most efficiently when the baby is asleep. After birth, sleeping is very important, that is why, newborn babies sleep a lot.
Though babies sleep a lot, it may not be in long sessions. In the initial weeks, the baby will take a number of naps, which may vary in length. As a result, they will have no set sleep sequence. Hence their sleep sequence can vary from not sleeping to sleeping every now and then. The most difficult for the parents is, the interrupted sleep, which the baby has at night. A newborn may make wake up to five times during the night. The time spent sleeping at night may increase once the baby is about four weeks old. They learn to stay awake during the day and sleep at night by the time they are three or four months old. Some babies may still continue to wake up at night.

From the health point of view, the length and the frequency of sleep is of no consequence. In the initial months following his birth, a healthy baby will sleep as and when he wants, according to his need to sleep. This need to sleep may vary greatly from baby to baby. Some newborn babies need only eight hours of sleep, while others may sleep for almost 21 hours. Parents find it easier when they can create a specific sleep pattern for the baby for the day as well as the night. This also creates a regular sleep routine for the baby. When the baby is about six weeks old you can try to introduce a regular sleep routine. Often babies create their own sleep routines by the third or fourth month and will follow them without any help from their parents. Here are some suggestions that you can include while trying to create a sleep routine for you baby:
Babies sleep extremely well after a nice bath. Bathing the baby at a particular time regularly will ensure that they sleep well. You can choose the time according to your convenience, so that, you can get other chores done while the baby is a sleep.
Before trying to make the baby sleep make sure he has had a good feed. If the baby is hungry then, he will not sleep for long and will wake up for a feed.
You could read a story to your baby before making him sleep. Over a period of time he will learn to associate story reading as a cue for bedtime.
You can kiss and cuddle your baby for sometime before you put him down to sleep. After sometime he will learn that it is time to sleep.
You either sing to your baby or play some soothing music that will help him sleep easily. This may take some time, as the baby will have to learn to associate sleeping with the song or music.
You can make your own routine with the help of these suggestions. An efficient routine is one, at the end of which, the baby falls asleep and you don’t have to repeat the routine. Parents, who feel sad to see their baby sleep and miss them when they are asleep, should try a bedtime routine, as it will help them as much as it helps the baby. These routines may be disturbed when the baby is ill or you have overnight guests. But the sooner you have a bedtime routine in place, the better it is for both your baby and you, as the baby will learn to fit into your sleep pattern.

When we think of a young baby sleeping, the most natural assumption is that, the baby will be sleeping with his mother. Babies have slept with their mothers from time immemorial. This was thought to be the best practice as constant contact between mother and baby not only gave the baby a sense of security but also strengthened the emotional bond between the two. The increase in research and studies done on babies, in the recent times, has given rise to a debate as to whether it is better for the baby to sleep with their mother or alone in their cot. Some mothers prefer sleeping together other prefer to put their baby in a cot. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is for the parents to decide what is best for their baby.
Benefits of sleeping together:
Feeding, whether it is breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, is very pleasant experience because of the closeness.
As the baby is sleeping next to you, you can watch over your baby easily.
Studies show that as a result of body contact the baby’s breathing is stimulated and body temperature is regulated.
Physical contact with your baby is always a joy, even while sleeping.
Drawbacks of sleeping together:
Since you are so close, it is likely, that the baby may wake up more frequently and have more feeds.
You may not sleep well as the baby’s movements may disturb you.
Many mothers worry that they may end up sleeping on their baby, which makes it difficult for them to sleep. This will happen only if you are drunk or using medication that makes you sleepy.
You may feel that you do not have any time for yourself and that the baby is tied to you.
Your husband may feel neglected as all your time and attention is devoted to the baby, this can affect your sex life.
It may be a while before your baby is ready and willing to sleep alone. It may even take over a year for him to be able to sleep independently.
While making any decisions, where the baby is concerned, it is best for the both the parents to participate in the decision making process. An excellent middle path to adopt would be to put a three-sided cot right next to your bed. This way the baby will be in the same room as you and within an arm’s length so that you can check on him easily. At the same time he will have an independent cot, which help you sleep without being unnecessarily disturbed.

There is nothing more peaceful than the sight of a sleeping baby. At the same time, there is no thought more terrifying than that, your baby may die while sleeping soundly. Unfortunate as it is, there are a few instances of cot deaths. Every parents main concern is to keep their baby safe and sound even when they are asleep. Though numerous studies have been done on cot deaths, no one has been able to pin point the reason for the same. This fatality seems to be caused when a number of factors work together and affect the baby some particular way. Researchers have come up a few simple rules to be followed, which considerably lower the risk of cot death while the baby is asleep. Follow these rules to help your baby sleep safely:

Make your baby sleep on his/her back.
Make the baby sleep in the ‘feet-to-foot’ position and away from the end of the cot. Place the baby in such a way that, the feet of the baby are facing the foot of the cot, but are not touching the end of the cot.
The right temperature for a baby’s room is 18 degrees centigrade (65 F). Babies should never get very hot.
Do not use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle in the baby’s cot.
They should not be allowed to sleep either in direct sunlight or near a fire or heater.
The baby’s clothes, sheets and blankets must be made of cotton only.
While sleeping all they need is nappy, vest and sleep suit. If it is a hot night them make sure you dress the baby lightly.
Do not use duvets or sheepskins until the baby is a year old.
The room in which the baby sleeps must be smoke free. Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke while near the baby.
During the first six months make sure that the baby cot is in your bedroom.
Avoid sleeping with your baby on the sofa.
If you smoke, drink alcohol, are taking medicines or drugs which will make you sleep deeply, then do not allow your baby to share your bed.
Do not cover the baby’s head unless it is very cold, as they lose excess heat from their head and face.
When the baby has a fever his covering should be light and not heavy as is often believed.
The baby’s bedding, mattress, covering should be kept clean, sun-dry and aired.

In France, sleeping bags are used for babies from the time they are born. But in England they are recommended only for babies who are four months and above. After the age of four months or so, your baby is more likely to form a pattern of waking and sleeping and the intervals between feeds grow longer. The coziness of a baby sleeping bag can help reinforce this pattern, and give your baby the security he or she needs to sleep. Here is the info you need to know about baby sleeping bags:

There are a number of things that disturb a sleeping baby - a wet nappy, hunger, pain or because they are feeling cold. Feeling cold is the most common reason that parents tend to overlook. As they sleep, their body temperature is lowered and if they have accidentally kicked off their blanket, they wake up, waking up the household. Using a sleeping bag will keep your baby warm without extra covers that can be displaced. As your baby can move and kick her legs in the sleeping bag as well, she will not feel constrained.
Choose your baby’s sleeping bag according to season so that he or she stays comfortably warm and does not overheat. Bags are given a TOG rating according to the warmth they provide, higher the figure warmer the bag. In winter a first-size baby sleeping bag should have a rating of 4 TOG - 2.2 TOG that is the average. In summer you’ll need a sleeping bag with a lower TOG rating. When using a new bag, check it to ensure that the design and weight do not lead to overheating.
Make sure that the room in which your baby sleeps is not too warm - the ideal room temperature for a baby is 18 degrees C (65 º F).
Look for a sleeping bag with deep sleeve holes, so that the air has room to circulate thus preventing your baby from overheating. Underneath the sleeping bag your baby can wear a cotton sleep suit, pajamas or just a vest or T-shirt in summer.

Baby massage is an ancient childcare practice that is still practiced all over the world. Recent medical research has proven the benefits of the same. Studies have shown that premature babies when regularly massaged require minimum hospitalization. All newborns show healthy growth, more weight gain and thrive better if they are massaged well, regularly.
A good oil massage soothes and calms a baby, helps them to relax and sleep better and makes them more alert during their waking hours. It is a good exercise and promotes motor activity and emotional security in a child besides, a healthy body and muscular development. It stimulates digestion and helps the baby pass gas.

Massage increases blood circulation in the body. It also helps in parent-child bonding. As soon as the child is born, the baby needs to spend quality time with his parents. Talking and smiling to him while massaging him keeps a child happy, making the baby, more secure and robust. Here are some tips on massaging technique for babies:
It is a good practice to keep all things you ready before you start rubbing the oil on the baby’s body. This includes, the baby massage oil or the vegetable oil, tissues, clean diapers and clothes.
Baby’s skin is very soft and bracelet, rings and long nails might hurt your child accidentally. So keep your fingernails short and keep aside the jewellery pieces you wear on hands when you are massaging the baby.
Spread a changing mat or a soft towel on a flat surface and undress the baby. Put the baby down with his or her face up.
Rub only about half-a-teaspoon of oil at a time on your palms so they glide easily on the baby’s body. You can apply more oil later as needed.
Make sure that your palms are warm. Aromatherapy oils for adults may not be suitable for the baby.
Use smooth, gentle but firm strokes with your palm or fingers. Light circular movements on chest and stomach, stroking across the shoulders, downward movement on the arms and legs and upward movements on the back are the best.
Do not put too much pressure on the baby’s fragile body and avoid the spine area.
Keep the baby engaged while massaging him or her by talking or singing to the infant.
Eye contact with the baby ensures him or her of your undivided attention.
Sudden break in contact of your hands may cause alarm to the baby, take care to be gentle while stopping the massage.
Do not oil baby’s palms or fingers as these little ones tend to put them in their mouths or eyes often and this may cause them irritation.
Wrap the baby in a clean and warm towel after the massage and cuddle him or her.
Do not massage the baby just before or after feeding, or when the baby is ill.
Do not wake the baby up for a massage.
Avoid rashes, wounds or areas where the baby has got his injections or vaccines as it may hurt.
You can continue to massage your baby till he is three or four years old, as the benefits of a good massage are numerous.

Baby Massage, Baby Sleeping Bags, Cot Safety, Sleeping With Baby, Sleep Patterns Routines

Once the baby is born, your baby will spend the better part of the day sleeping. Sleeping is an essential and important activity for your baby. Growth hormones work most effectively when the baby is asleep. Initially for the first few months, your baby will continue with their own sleep pattern, sleeping as and when they like. As they grow older they will slowly learn to adjust their sleep pattern to your daily routine. When they are about three months old your baby will normally, sleep for 10 hours at night on the whole, even if he or she wakes up in between. Your baby’s daytime sleep can often be divided into two sessions - morning and afternoon.

Everybody has his or her opinion when it comes to care and upbringing of a baby, therefore sleep is no different. Even the simple task of deciding the length of a baby’s nap, or how to put your baby to sleep has become complicated, because of the number of opinions you will get. As a result of the emotional involvement in caring for your baby every small aspect becomes an issue. Most mothers are more than happy to make adjustments and will schedule their sleeping pattern to fit their baby’s sleep pattern. This ensures that mother and baby sleep together which is ideal. Sleeping together ensure strong emotional bonding between the mother and her baby. Studies have shown that babies who sleep with their mother receive more touching, breastfeeding and protection.

If you feel that your baby should have a sleep pattern that is convenient for everyone at home and that does not interfere with your sleep pattern, you will have to make the baby learn a sleep pattern. One of the most common ways to make a baby sleep, is to use music, either sing to the baby or play some soothing music and before you know the baby is fast asleep. This is a method that has been tried and tested over the years and this wisdom has been passed on from generation to generation, though the type of music used may vary.

Some parents choose a particular song for each child and sing this special song day after day at the baby’s bedtime. They begin this when the baby is a few days old. After some time the baby gets conditioned and will sleep easily once you start singing the song. If you don’t want your baby to get used to the habit of being rocked to sleep you can try using a musical toy. Wind-up this toy and it will play music for a few minutes. Use this toy every time you want to make your baby sleep. Place it close to his or her cot. After sometime he or she will get accustomed to falling asleep to the sound of the musical toy. This method will help your baby sleep comfortably even if you are away from home.

Today CDs are created with specific music, which help very young babies fall asleep. While selecting music, they use music with the same beats per minute as the heartbeat of the mother, which the baby hears while in the womb. This has a soothing effect on the young baby, helps him relax and fall asleep comfortably. You can choose whatever method suits you or try all of them and decide which one works best for your baby.