Infant care1. Holding a baby2. Dressing a baby3. Sleeping habits4. Coping with crying5. Bottle temperature6. Burping a baby7. Feeding8. Introducing baby foods9. The five senses10. Hair care11. cradle cap12. Skin care13. umbilical stump14. Changing diapers15. bathing16. Cleaning a baby17. Checking baby's temperature18. Cleaning baby clothes

The baby’s head is large in proportion to the rest of its body. Because the baby’s neck muscles are

usually weak, it is important to support the head for about the first three months. 

This traditional cradle hold uses both arms of the caregiver, and supports both

baby’s neck and back.

Young children need to sit

down and have constant

assistance in attempting to hold a baby. If unsupported, baby’s head

could fall back, causing a case

of whiplash!

Use the way you are dressed as your guide. In general, baby

needs the same number of clothing layers as you have

on. If you are wearing a shirt and

jacket, baby may need a top and

blanket. A hat may be an important

accessory, to prevent heat loss through the scalp

or sunburn.

AGE SLEEP REQUIRED

1 week old 17 hrs, including 4 naps

1 month 16 hrs, including 3 naps

3 month 15 hrs, including 3 naps

6 month 14.5 hrs, including 2 naps

9 month 14 hrs, including 2 naps

1 yr 13.5 hrs, including 2 naps

You can help your baby establish good sleeping habits by developing

a bedtime routine. Do not try to minimize daytime noises, such as vacuums, dishwashers, etc. Keep lights on and regular noise levels.

If you always rock your baby to sleep, they will come to expect and

rely on it.

When baby wakes up at night, keep lights,

noise, and interaction at a minimum. Delay

reaction time to crying if baby has recently

been fed and changed, to see if they will go

back to sleep on their own.

Specific methods of COPING WITH CRYING :

•1. Walk or dance with the baby.•2. Rock the baby.•3. Bounce the baby gently in your arms or on a bed.•4. Take the baby for a ride in the carriage.•5. Take the baby for a ride in the car.•6. Put the baby in a wind-up swing.•7. Turn up the music on the radio or stereo, run the vacuum, or let the water run in the tub as a•distraction for you and the baby.•8. Offer the baby a noisy toy, shake it and rattle it.•9. Sing or talk in a quiet, sing-song way.•10. Put the baby in a soft front carrier, close to your body.•11. Lay the baby's tummy down across your lap and gently rub or tap his/her back.•12. Lay the baby across a warm hot-water bottle on your lap or a bed.•13. Massage the baby's body and limbs gently; using a warmed lotion, if the weather is cool.•14. Swaddle the baby tightly.•15. Feed and burp the baby one more time or offer a little warm water•16. Offer a pacifier •17. Hold the baby close and breathe slowly and calmly; the baby may feel your calmness and•become quiet.•19. Remove yourself and let someone else take over for awhile. If a family member is not•available, consider hiring a sitter for a short period of time.

The solution may be as simple as placing the baby on its side or tummy when it's not sleeping to relieve the

constant pressure on the back of the head. The direction the child is placed in the crib should also be

varied. In cases of extreme deformity, special helmets can be customized for wear such as the one

shown in the picture at the right.

In an effort to reduce the number of children who died from SIDS (crib

death), physicians encouraged parents to lay their babies on their

backs to sleep. Unfortunately, the fontenals and skill

plates are not fully fused during infancy, and can shift. This “back to

sleep” philosophy can cause the head to flatten in areas.

Use caution if using a microwave to heat the bottle. The milk or formula is

heated unevenly. Shake before feeding.

Warming milk is NOT necessary, but once baby becomes accustomed to it,

they may refuse cold milk.

If feeding baby formula or preserved breast milk, some babies prefer their milk and sometimes even the nipple warmed. Test the temperature of the milk by sprinkling a few drops on the back of the hand or the inside of the wrist. It should be tepid…not hot.

As baby sucks, from a bottle even more so than the breast, they

swallow air. They try to burp, but the feeling is new for them, and they sometimes end up spitting up their

entire lunch in the effort. They could use some assistance from the caregiver. You can place the child

up and over the shoulder to pat their back, but you take a chance of spit-

up trickling down your back.

Place baby in sitting position. Lean them forward, supporting their chin and chest with your hand. Pat their back in an upward motion. You may want to squeeze the cheeks of their face to open the mouth. Continue

until you hear the burp of air.

In older children and adults, an elastic-like muscle at the entry to the stomach closes like a valve to prevent liquids from being pushed back up. In babies, however, this valve or sphincter isn't fully effective until between 6 and 12 months of age. Since it isn't fully developed yet, the valve is easily pushed

back by the contents of the stomach - resulting in regurgitation or spitting up. It often happens as the result of overfeeding or because an air bubble is

swallowed during feeding.

Vomiting, unlike spitting up, is characterized by the forceful

expulsion of the contents of the stomach. It is a symptom of gastrointestinal distress

and may indicate an illness. Vomiting can quickly lead to

dehydration.

Proponents of breastfeeding encourage mothers to feed their

babies “on demand”, with no schedule established. It

provides baby with comfort as well as nutrition.

If bottle feeding, whether it is with formula or expressed breast milk, baby needs

one ounce per hour. If they drink 4 ounces, therefore, they can

usually wait about 4 hours before they eat again.

In this busy world today, parents and caregivers may be tempted to prop baby’s bottle on a pillow and

go on to other things during feeding time. Don’t do it!

Feeding time is nurturing time, and nurturing means holding baby close, looking into their eyes, giving them

your attention and tender, loving care.

Babies choke more often when bottles are propped. They also fall asleep with

milk in their mouth, promoting gum disease and tooth decay. Milk runs

down the face and into the ears, causing more ear infections.

Until baby has teeth and is able to chew food well, they should eat only pureed food. Pediatricians recommend starting with a bland rice cereal, followed by oatmeal and then barley cereals. Vegetables such as peas

and carrots come next, followed by fruits.

There are some foods that should be avoided for the entire first year, as baby has or easily develops allergies to them: chocolate, citrus fruits, peanut butter (it also presents a choking hazard for children under 3), honey (may contain botulism food poisoning),

When starting baby on solid foods, introduce only one new food every 3 days. If your baby has an allergy to this food, you will be able to pinpoint which food is a problem and avoid it. Babies do not need a wide variety of foods in their diet, and very bland foods are flavor- packed for baby!

http://assets.babycenter.com/ims/Content/first_solid_food.pdf

While the color red is associated with most emergencies, with babies it is the color blue. Blue skin means:

1. Baby is very cold; this shows up first on fingers and toes

2. Baby is not getting oxygen; this might show up first on the lips of the mouth or in the face

In the event of choking, perform the Heimlich Maneuver by placing the infant stomach- down

across your forearm. Give 5 thumps on the infant’s back with the heel of your hand.

If baby displays brief episodes of turning blue for no apparent reason, consult

a physician!

DO NOT SQUEEZE!Milia are NOT pimples, and squeezing could result in

permanent scarring.

Mila are tiny white papules, actually plugged

sebaceous glands or oil ducts, located over nose, cheek, and chin. They are

caused by stimulation from the mother’s hormones, and will disappear in a

week or two.

DO NOT SQUEEZE!Milia are NOT pimples, and squeezing could result in

permanent scarring.

Mila are tiny white papules, actually plugged

sebaceous glands or oil ducts, located over nose, cheek, and chin. They are

caused by stimulation from the mother’s hormones, and will disappear in a

week or two.

The infant is learning about their new environment through all 5 senses….especially through the sense of taste. Everything goes into the mouth, so it especially important to keep small items away.

Feeling/touch: By the end of the 8th month of prenatal development, nearly every part of the body is sensitive to heat, cold, pressure, and pain.

Taste: Baby’s taste buds are immature. They taste sour and bitter, but prefer sweet. They do not taste salt for several months.

Hearing and smelling: Both of these senses are well developed at the time of birth…and probably have been since the 2nd trimester of prenatal development.

Sight: Vision is the last of the senses to develop. At birth, the infant can clearly focus on objects within a distance of 8 – 12 inches. The ability to see color develops over time, beginning with the brightest and boldest colors.

While many babies are born with a full head of hair, others are nearly bald and stay that way for up to a year.

Hair usually does not need to be shampooed daily; twice a week with a non-tearing product may be sufficient. Soft baby brushes are available or regular combs can be used gently.

Babies born with hair often lose it during the first six months of life.

This is because hair alternates between two stages, a growing

stage and a resting stage, and in newborns, all of the hair follicles

enter the resting period at the same time, causing them to fall out. This

hair loss is thought to be due to the natural drop in a baby's

hormone levels right after birth. (New moms often lose hair for the

same reason.)

A baby may also have bald patches on his scalp from sleeping in the same position or rubbing his head against the mattress. This may decrease as he

starts to move around more on his own, or if you deliberately change the position your baby sleeps in.

Some babies not only lose their hair, but also when their new hair comes in it's a completely different color and texture.

Cradle cap is actually a form of dry skin, often due to a lack of circulation in the scalp since baby’s head rests

against mattress surfaces for prolonged periods. It looks like white to yellow flaking skin on the scalp. This is not an infection and is not contagious. To help prevent this, use a soft brush or a special scalp brush to brush the

scalp vigorously and daily in the opposite direction the hair grows. To try to dissolve existing scalp flakes,

you can apply mineral oil to the affected areas and leave it on about 6 to

8 hours, followed by a thorough washing and brushing.

The skin of a newborn baby is very sensitive, particularly on the face and scalp. Applying lotions or oils to the baby's skin is generally not recommended because they can clog pores and cause or aggravate rashes.

If baby’s skin is very dry, however, and a lotion is needed, (which is especially true in overdue babies) you should avoid some product ingredients. Make sure the lotion contains:

1. NO GREASE / OIL

2. NO ARTIFICIAL COLORS 3. NO ARTIFICIAL ODORS

Keri Lotion is a popular brand of lotion containing no oil or artificial

colors and scents.

Sponge bathe rather than tub bathe the baby, and try to keep the diaper below the belly button until the cord

has completely healed.

If the stump is very moist, you can use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to

wipe around and under the area one or more times a day. The alcohol evaporates quickly, and causes

drying. The baby may cry, but it is because the evaporation causes a

cooling effect. It is cold, not burning.

Call the doctor if the belly button becomes red, bleeds or smells bad.

Within about one to three weeks after birth, your newborn's umbilical stump (where the cord was attached at the navel) will turn black, dry out

and fall off.

The normal belly button is an “innie”, pulled inward as the stump dries and falls off. “Outies” are caused by a weak or split abdominal muscle. This often corrects itself by age 2, but could

be repaired if desired for cosmetic reasons at a later age.

If the urine is dark and your baby has not wet his diapers 6-8

times a day, he may not be getting enough formula or

breast milk.

Step 1: Unfasten the diaper

Step 2: Use the diaper to remove excess feces from skin; place a clean cloth or diaper over the genital area on a boy baby to avoid a “warm shower” during wetting

Step 3: Hold baby’s bottom up by gripping ankles and remove soiled diaper

Step 4: Fold the dirty diaper in half, with the unsoiled half up

Step 5: Clean front of genital area with damp washcloth or baby wipe; wipe from front to back on baby girl to avoid the introduction of bacteria into vagina (causes infections)

Step 6: Lift both of baby’s legs and clean bottom.

Baby may have a bowel movement between every diaper change, or as little as once every

day or so.

Begin and end diaper change by washing hands in hot, soapy water.

Step 7: Place top half of diaper under baby’s rear and bring bottom half up between legs; a moisture barrier cream can be used on the skin at this point; NO POWDER as it can be inhaled and/or cause vaginal infections in girls

Step 8: Fasten diaper securely

Your child is not constipated if his or her stools are soft and pass easily, even if it has been a few days since the last bowel movement. Constipation occurs when stools become hard and

are difficult to pass. It is not unusual for a baby to turn red and strain while having a bowel movement even when they are

not constipated, so do not use that as an indicator. .

Never use artificial laxatives or stool softeners without the orders of a physician. Babies easily become dependent on these chemicals.

For natural relief:

Mix 1 tablespoon dark Karo syrup in 4 ounces of water and feed from a bottle.

Supplies needed: Washcloth or two, towel for drying, large towel to place baby on, mild soap and shampoo, clothes, diaper, basin or tub or

sink. The room temperature should be at about 75

degrees.

Babies do not cry at bath time because they are afraid of water…they

developed in the womb in a bag of water! They cry because they are cold and feel insecure without a diaper and

clothing. Try placing a warm washcloth over the baby’s chest.

Bathing every other day is adequate.

Under no circumstances should baby ever be left unattended in or around water…not even for just a minute!

Drowning and burns are two of the top five causes of death in children under

the age of one year.

Dip your elbow in the water to check the temperature of baby’s bath. The water should be nice and warm, but not hot. Over 4,000 children a year are scalded in hot bath water.

Liquid crystal temperature displays on

bathtub toys monitor bath water temperatures.

The baby's nails may be softer and more pliable than an

adults, but they're sharp, and a newborn, who has little control

over his flailing limbs, can easily end up scratching his own face. Longer nails also

easily become ingrown, and in turn, infected. Little fingernails grow so fast you may have to

cut them as often as a few times a week. Toenails require

less-frequent trimming.

The best time to trim nails is while he's sleeping, and after a recent bath when they are still very soft.. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking

the skin, keep a firm hold on your child's hand as you clip, and cut straight across. You can use a pair of baby scissors or clippers made especially for this purpose. If you do nick the skin at the tip of the nail, you can expect it to bleed

profusely for quite a long period of time. A band aid is not appropriate on an infant who sucks on their fingers, so you simply apply pressure and hold the

area above the heart. It might be easier and safer to use a nail file.

Remove the bulb syringe from the nose and squeeze the bulb quickly into a tissue to get rid of this material. Repeat for the other nostril (and mouth, if necessary).

A bulb syringe is used to clean your baby's nose and mouth of formula or mucus. You may use it when your baby spits up, has a stuffy nose or sneezes (this is how he clears his nose).

To use, first squeeze the bulb until it is collapsed. Place it in one nostril and quickly release the bulb. This will bring the formula or mucus into the bulb.

Itchy, watery eyes and nose are hallmarks of an allergy, as are repeated sneezing attacks and itchy skin that lasts for weeks or months. Also, the

mucus coming out of your child's nose will continue to run clear. Allergies aren't associated with fever, and they tend to show up in the spring,

summer, and early fall.

When baby has a cold, they often run a low grade fever. The mucus from the nose thickens and turns yellow or green. Colds tend to show up from December to April.

A common source of the stuffy nose is fabric softener. In an

effort to make all of baby’s blankets and clothing soft, it is sometimes overused. If baby

doesn’t appear to have a cold or allergy, try cutting down or out

the use of fabric softeners. In the meantime, use a bulb syringe to

clear the nasal passages.

Begin daily mouth-cleaning at birth before teeth appear. Wipe the roof of mouth and insides of cheeks with a clean soft damp

fabric cloth. Then use this same cloth, wrapped around your finger, to brush your baby’s

gums just as it they had teeth. This cleans and increases circulation in the gumline.

Healthy gums…healthy teeth.When the first teeth appear,

brush them gently with a small, soft bristled toothbrush. Fluoride toothpaste is not recommended

for children under age 3.

Children typically begin to erupt a tooth between the 6th and 8th month of life. Signs of teething are: drooling, irritability, gum swelling and sensitivity, sleeping problems, refusing food, the urge to bite on hard objects and

possibly a low grade fever. The discomfort that results from teething is due to the pressure exerted on the tissue in the mouth, called the periodontal

membrane, as the teeth erupt.

The front four (incisors)  teeth are usually the first to appear. In some cases a bluish swelling is visible shortly before the new tooth arrives.  The chewing edge of these teeth may have three small bumps which normally wear off with use. A full set of

primary teeth (20) is usually in place by age three.

To relieve baby’s pain you can provide specially designed toys

for teething including ones to put in the freezer, topical numbing

medications, and acetaminophen. No wooden objects. No ice cubes.

No toys in the freezer not designed for that purpose.

Baby is fussy and crying. You suspect they may be sick. An adult’s internal “thermostat” is very sophisticated and

will control their temperature quite well. It doesn’t rise too quickly, or too high easily. For a

baby, however, that is not the case. Any

temperature over 99 degrees is considered a

fever, and that temperature can soar

quickly to high numbers.

The time and effort it takes to measure baby’s temperature will depend on the type of thermometer you are using. Thanks to

technological advances, many methods are now available, some more accurate than others.

The biggest advantage of this thermometer is

that it measures temperatures in less

than 2 seconds. It also does not require

cooperation by the child and does not

cause any discomfort. Ear thermometers for

use at home have been developed, but they are

expensive.

Ear thermometers: Many hospitals and medical offices now take your child's temperature using an infrared thermometer that reads the temperature of the eardrum. In general, the eardrum temperature provides a measurement that is as accurate as the rectal temperature.

Hand on forehead: Touching the forehead is somewhat reliable for detecting fevers over 102°F (38.9°C) but tends to miss mild fevers. It might simply be used as an indication of when you should get out a thermometer.

Digital electronic pacifier thermometers The new electronic pacifier thermometers have a heat sensor and are powered by a

button battery. These pacifiers let you measure oral temperature in younger

children. They are quite accurate if 0.5°F is added to the digital reading. They take

approximately 3 minutes to reach a steady state. An added advantage is their low cost.

Digital electronic thermometers Digital electronic thermometers

measure temperatures with a heat sensor and require a button battery. They measure temperatures quickly, usually in less than 30 seconds. The temperature is displayed in numbers

on a small screen. The same thermometer can be used to take

axillary, rectal, and oral temperatures. (see slide on glass

thermometers for more instructions) Digital thermometers tend to be

more accurate than glass thermometers. There are several

varieties as pictured here and some can be purchased for $10 or less.

Fever is the body's normal and healthy

reaction to infection and other illnesses, minor and serious. Fever is a

symptom, not a disease.Some babies run fevers

frequently, even in response to room

temperature and too much clothing. Often the importance of a fever can be determined only when

other symptoms are evaluated.

1. Loosen tight clothing

2. Check the nape of baby’s neck; if it is moist baby may be too hot; remove some clothing and/or adjust room thermostat

3. Give fluids

4. Tepid water sponge bath

5. Give recommended dosage of acetaminophen (non-aspirin fever reducer/pain reliever) or ibuprophen medication

It’s time to call a doctor when baby’s temperature is too

high. Be prepared to tell the doctor:

1. child’s age in months

2. the method you used to take the temperature

3. the actual thermometer reading

4. what medications or precautions you’ve already taken to relieve the fever.

The parents of a colicky baby feel frustrated, isolated, stressed and helpless

to do anything. The condition seems to intensify toward evening hours. It may last from 3 weeks up to 3 months, but

rarely beyond.

By definition, colic is when baby cries

for 3 hours or more a day, for

more than 3 days of a week.

There is no cure for colic. The cause of colic is debated by experts. Some

believe it accompanies an immature digestive system (they get a tummy

ache after eating), and others believe it accompanies an immature nervous system (inability to cope with all the

stimuli of their environment).

It's estimated that up to 40% of all infants have colic. It usually starts between the 3rd and 6th week after birth and ends by the time the baby is 3 to 4 months old

1. Use soap, not detergent. There are several brands available. Detergent can leave a harsh residue and can remove the fire-retardant that is used on baby clothing.

2. Rinse twice, to make sure all soap residue is removed. It can cause rashes.

3. Wash diapers separately.

4. Use oxygen bleaches, not chlorine bleach.

5. Avoid the use of fabric softener.

Avoid washing baby’s clothes with those from the rest of the family. Chemicals from adult deodorants, colognes, hair sprays, etc. could transfer to baby’s clothes in the washing process.

For children younger than one year of age, the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death is suffocation (sids), followed by motor

vehicle occupant injury, choking, drowning, and fire / burns.

Use rear-facing child safety seats for babies under 1 year old and

up to 20 pounds.

The highest rates of

suffocation occur when babies are in their cribs or sleeping with their parents.

If an object is small enough to slide

through a toilet paper tube, it presents a

choking hazard to the infant.

More SIDS deaths happen in colder months ( when babies are bundled up with more blankets and clothing). Babies placed to sleep on their stomachs are much more likely to die of SIDS than babies placed on their backs to sleep. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRrVAghEh7k

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/about/environment/room/Pages/default.aspx]

To help hold baby in a back-sleeping position, you can use a blanket. Place baby

with his or her feet at the foot of the crib. The blanket should reach no higher than the

baby’s chest, and the ends of the blanket should be tucked under the crib mattress.

•Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden death of an infant less than 1 year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough investigation is conducted, including a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.

•SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants aged 1–12 months, and is the third leading cause overall of infant mortality in the United States

Some physicians believe that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is associated with

a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. In this condition, the person goes so soundly

asleep and muscles are so relaxed, that their airway actually closes off. IF a good

gasp reflex is present, they will “gasp” and start breathing again. Many hospitals

monitor baby for this reflex before sending them home after birth.

Parents have a great deal of difficulty facing the death of any child, but to face the unexplained death of a healthy and contented baby sleeping in it’s crib is

almost unbearable.

Couples/marriages are often crippled by

blame, rage, and guilt after the loss of

a baby to SIDS.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the collection of signs and symptoms resulting

from the violent shaking of an infant or small child. Frustration and stress are the

reasons some one shakes a child. A crying child is reported to be the number one

reason why people have shaken a child. When shaking occurs, the brain bounces within the skull cavity, bruising the brain

tissue. Swelling and bleeding occur.

It is a potentially fatal form of child abuse. Approximately

1,200 - 1,400 children are shaken in America each year, for whom treatment is sought.

Of these, 25 -30% die as a result of their injuries. The

rest have lifelong complications.

WHEN YOU CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE… WALK AWAY!

• Specific methods of COPING WITH CRYING are listed below:• 1. Walk or dance with the baby.• 2. Rock the baby.• 3. Bounce the baby gently in your arms or on a bed.• 4. Take the baby for a ride in the carriage.• 5. Take the baby for a ride in the car.• 6. Put the baby in a wind-up swing.• 7. Turn up the music on the radio or stereo, run the vacuum, or let the water run in the tub as a• distraction for you and the baby.• 8. Offer the baby a noisy toy, shake it and rattle it.• 9. Sing or talk in a quiet, sing-song way.• 10. Put the baby in a soft front carrier, close to your body.• 11. Lay the baby's tummy down across your lap and gently rub or tap his/her back.• 12. Lay the baby across a warm hot-water bottle on your lap or a bed.• 13. Massage the baby's body and limbs gently; using a warmed lotion, if the weather is cool.• 14. Swaddle the baby tightly.• 15. Feed and burp the baby one more time or offer a little warm water. In desperation, add a tiny• bit of sugar to the water or to weak chamomile tea.• 16. Offer a pacifier (the Nuk allows less air to pass in around the baby's mouth and is better for a• colicky baby) and hold it in the baby's mouth if necessary.• 17. Hold the baby close and breathe slowly and calmly; the baby may feel your calmness and• become quiet.• 18. Cross the baby's arms across the chest and hold him or her down on a bed with gentle, firm• pressure.• 19. Remove yourself and let someone else take over for awhile. If a family member is not• available, consider hiring a sitter for a short period of time.• 20. If nothing works, put the baby in his/her bed, close the door, and turn up the TV or radio.• Check the child every 15 minutes or so, for your own peace of mind.