Inova BabyNET Lactation
Tip Sheets
Q. Why are all of these baby shots needed and how often?
Thanks to modern vaccinations, many deaths from diseases like whooping cough, polio, and measles have been eliminated. It is a common misconception that these immunizations are no longer needed. The Childhood Immunization Support Program, provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics is a great resource for vaccine information, including tips on how to comfort your child during the immunization process.
Click here for the American Academy of Pediatrics 2008 Immunization Schedule.
To create and print an online immunization schedule based on your child's birthdate, click here
Q. My baby is gassy. Do I need to change my diet?
No Mom wants to see their little one fussy with gain pains. Could it have been the spicy Mexican food you ate at lunch, or the broccoli from dinner that is causing the your little one tummy troubles? No need for a diet overhaul just yet! It is merely an old wives tale that "gassy" foods such as broccoli, cabbage, and beans will cause a gassy baby.
Then why is baby so gassy and colicky? There is a natural tendency for nursing mothers to attribute fussiness to nursing. All babies have days when they are gassy, fussy and spit up. Some babies simply have more sensitive stomachs and remember that their digestive systems are also still developing. Episodes of intestinal upsets are perfectly normal. Breastmilk is the gentlest food for feeding your baby, so be assured that it is the most easily digested choice.
One study showed that mothers who ate lots of garlic had milk that tasted and smelled like garlic. Not only did the babies who drank the garlicky milk not have any digestive problems, but they actually preferred the garlic milk over the unflavored milk. Consider the diets of women from different countries. For example, women in India eat plenty of curry and South American diets are rich in peppers and their babies are not any more colicky or gassy than babies nursed from mothers consuming the typical American diet.
So, continue with your regular diet. In fact, the flavors and seasonings in mother's diet are an advantage. Exposing your baby to flavors and variety in breastmilk early is thought to result in a less picky eater.
Q. How do I know when my baby is ready to start solids? What is the best way to introduce food?
Signs that baby is ready for solids:
Don’t rush… The AAP statement explains “Complementary foods rich in iron should be introduced gradually beginning around 6 months of age.” Introducing other foods before 6 months does not increase baby’s growth (or help him sleep)If there is a family history of food allergies, wait until six months before introducing solids. If there is no history of food allergies, and you wish to start solids before six months, watch for these developmental signs that baby is ready for solid foods.
1. Baby can sit up well, without any support.
2. Baby can pick up objects and bring them to her mouth.
3. Baby shows interest in your food: a specific intensity that indicates they are interested in it as food.
4. Baby has lost the tongue thrust reflex. (tongue pushing spoon out)
First Feedings
In the first year, breast milk or formula is still baby’s primary source of nutrition. Nurse or bottle-feed your baby first, then offer a few small spoonfuls of food and finish off with more milk. This helps avoid the frustration of an overly hungry baby. Start slow. Feed a teaspoon or so of food to begin with. Gradually work up to ¼ cup servings. Offer little bits of food often throughout the day rather than three big meals.
Other tips :
Don’t rush.
Be sure baby is sitting up to minimize the risk of choking.
Don’t force feed. If baby turns his head away or refuses to eat, try again at another time.
Use a spoon to feed baby. (Some parents mix solids in a bottle or use an infant feeder)
Introducing new foods
Introduce only one new food at a time. Feed this once a day for a few days, watching for any signs of allergy or sensitivity (see below). Wait a few days before introducing anything new.
Cereal and grains. Start with dry rice cereal for babies since it is supplemented with iron. Mix with formula or breast milk, according to box instructions for 1st feeding.
Fruits. Begin with mashed bananas, applesauce, or pear sauce.
Vegetables. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin, and green beans are good starter veggies.
Meat, dairy, and other proteins: Wait until about 9 months old. Start with lentils or mashed beans and start with whole-milk yogurt, preferably plain.
What next? Attend Baby’s First Foods class to learn more about the next steps after the starter foods above.Depression during pregnancy and after the birth of a child is very common, affecting hundreds of thousands of women. Stress, hormones and genetics all play a role. The good news depression can be short lived and most people improve significantly with support. To take a depression screening test and find additional resources, click here.
DIET AND ALCOHOL WHILE BREASTFEEDING: Many families and cultures have celebrations this time of year, and your normal diet may be altered. If you are wondering about the effects of processed meats, cheeses and perhaps alcohol on your pregnancy or breastfed baby, click here to read nutrition recommendations based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
In a policy statement about breastfeeding and alcohol consumption, the AAP states, " Breastfeeding mothers should avoid the use of alcoholic beverages, because alcohol is concentrated in breast milk and its use can inhibit milk production. An occasional celebratory single, small alcoholic drink is acceptable, but breastfeeding should be avoided for 2 hours after the drink." click here for AAP article.
Q. When can I introduce a bottle?
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions by new mothers. There is not a right or wrong answer.
The GUIDELINE used by many Lactation Consultants is weight gain. When a baby gains a pound of weight, from his/her birth weight, we can assure that we have a baby who knows how to breastfeed. S/he is so good at feeding, that s/he has put on an entire pound!
Offering expressed breast milk from a bottle is usually not a problem. Most babies gain this pound from birth weight within three- to- four weeks. Something else is happening as well. Your milk is getting “richer and fatter”, sustaining the baby LONGER in between feedings. The first few weeks, you are feeding the baby ten-to- twelve times per day. The baby is feeding more often, to compensate for the lack of fat. As the milk becomes richer, the baby doesn’t eat as often. Now pumping won’t seem like such a chore.
We usually recommend that someone other than YOU offer your baby the bottle. Infants tend to “root” towards the breast whenever they are in your arms. Babies are so smart, they prefer breastfeeding. Some babies transfer from breast to bottle easily, while others offer us a bit of a challenge.
Consult your Lactation Consultant for ideas if your baby is having difficulty making this transition.
You’ve probably given a lot of thought to your baby’s needs, but what items should you have at home when YOU return home from the hospital? The following items aren’t as exciting as decorating a nursery, but will make you feel much more comfortable:
* Peri-pads (sanitary pads)
* Peri-bottle (hand held squirt bottle)
* Stool softener
* Ice packs
* Breast pads
* Pain reliever (acetaminophen, and/or other medicines your doctor asks you to take)
In order to heal properly and avoid infection, it is important to take good care of yourself after the birth of your baby. For the first three weeks after giving birth, it is recommended you clean the perineal area (the area which includes the vagina and the rectum) using a peri-bottle filled with warm water every time you use the toilet by rinsing the area, front to back. Blot the area gently, don’t wipe. The operative words here are “clean” and “gentle.” Keeping the area clean can both be soothing and help prevent infection.
You will also need to use sanitary-pads and not tampons for the blood and discharge (lochia) from the vagina after birth which may last up to six weeks. Your doctor may suggest a stool softener to reduce stress on your rectum. Drinking plenty of water will also help keep your system moving regularly.
Breast pads prevent milk from seeping onto your clothing and are either washable or disposable. If you buy disposable pads, be sure they don’t contain plastic backing, which can trap moisture and cause yeast infections. Washable pads actually move moisture away from your body and are often softer.
Infant Toiletries
There are so many products on the market now geared towards your newborn. You can buy special soaps, shampoos, hooded towels, baby washcloths, etc. Once home from the hospital, what do you really need to have in the form of toiletries for your baby? The answer is – not much. The following is a list of items to have on hand:
2 – 3 packs of disposable diapers (newborns can soil up to 10 diapers a day)
1 pack of disposable wipes
1 tube diaper rash ointment
1 bottle of gentle head to toe baby wash
Baby nail clippers
Digital baby thermometer
10 cloth diapers (very absorbent, work great for burping baby and cleaning spills)
5 – 8 bottles (if your bottle feeding)
Regular washcloth & towelQ. Some parents seem to have giant diaper bags while others just have a few things. What do I need to have?
Enjoy your outings with your new baby. There’s almost nowhere the two of you can’t go to together. When packing your diaper bag, don’t weigh yourself down with lots of stuff. Bring the following items and you will always be prepared for any mishaps!
* Complete change of clothing (including socks)
* Diapers (one for every 2 hours you will be away from home)
* Diaper Wipes
* Plastic storage bag (for soiled clothes or diapers)
* Pacifier (if your baby takes one)
* Cloth diaper (for burping or cleaning spills)
* Formula/bottles (pour prepared formula/breastmilk in bottles and transport in insulated bag)
* Snack/water for momQ I'm thinking about buying a breast pump. What should I know? What about renting vs. buying?
Your baby is the best breast pump available! Unless your infant is unable to breastfeed, as in the case of prematurity or illness, you will not need a breast pump until you are going back to work. Most clinicians use the pound over birth weight rule. In other words, once your infant has gained a pound from his birth weight by feeding at the breast, he may be offered expressed breast milk from the bottle. A few other things are happening as well. Your breast milk is richer and fatter, sustaining your infant longer. (Unlike in the first few weeks when you are feeding 10-12 times per day.) Most infants gain a pound within the first 3-4 weeks of life.
As to whether to rent or buy a pump, it really comes down to economics. There are different types of breast pumps to meet mothers’ needs. I recommend consulting with a Lactation Consultant to help you choose which one is right for you. A word of caution, Never purchase a USED breast pump. The Center For Disease Control has given license to breast pump manufacturers for these pumps to be used by one person only. There is no internal filter on these units preventing the growth of airborne bacteria on their motors. Hospital Grade rental units are designed with internal filters and can therefore be used by many persons. In addition, each mother has her own collection kit that she plugs into the motor
