UNDERSTANDING YOUR BABY

Every parent wants a happy baby.

Babies are individuals, they have their own character, personality and though cannot fully and verbally express themselves, they have preferences too.

It is the duty of a parent to understand their baby to know and understand their specific needs at any given time. Spend as much time as possible with the baby.

It is best for a parent, first time or not to be around the baby always, this will assist in understanding communication cues the baby displays.

FEEDING

Feeding is an instinct, one that is ‘instilled “to every baby and the first and ongoing bonding session between mother and baby.

When babies are upset, they want to feed, when they want to sleep, they want to feed, when they are happy, they want to feed, babies basically want to put everything inside their mouths.

Pay attention during feeding times, when they are enjoying what they are being fed and when they are irritable whilst feeding, the point when they are content or unhappy about a feed.

Mothers tend to believe that babies don’t want to be breastfed before understanding the baby and knowing what makes the baby unhappy about a feed.

Most babies latch and suck on the breast as easy as ABC, but with some babies a bit of patients is needed.

Positioning a baby during breastfeeding is very important, if your baby is uncomfortable, they are not going to suck, mothers should try to change babies positions or alternate the breasts until when a baby latches on and starts sucking, there are different breastfeeding positions that they can explore and when both are comfortable and happy.

Sometimes babies accumulate a lot of gas and this makes them crampy and they fuss a lot, if your baby shows that they want to feed but are irritable at the same time, burp your baby and try again.it is a requirement for a baby to burp each time after a feed, whether they have fed for two minutes or ten, Other babies are different, they might require burping even before a feed

Mothers need to also ensure that they are comfortable during the feeding process as well, if the mother is uncomfortable and tired, she is going to become impatient and irritable, now because babies sense the mothers emotions this can also make the baby irritable. Mother should either sit on a chair with a backrest or lying on the bed with pillows supporting their backs and a breastfeeding pillow under their arms for support.

Mothers should always ensure to support the baby’s neck, baby’s nostrils are visible and not completely closed by the breast.

It is very crucial that mothers understand that milk volume plays a crucial role in the feeding process. If the mother is not producing enough milk to fill the baby’s tummy, this can be another challenge they both faces. The first few days of delivery milk volume is not enough and this can keep the baby latched on for a couple of hours which is normal and the more the baby sucks on the breast and alternating both breast, mothers automatically produce more milk to meet the demands, and the more the baby grows the more they want to feed.

Mothers nutrition is very important, remember, what you eat your baby will also eat, this contributes from when the baby is in utero and continues when they are fed the mother’s milk. Therefore, if what the mother consumes causes discomfort to the baby, it will be difficult for both to enjoy bonding during feeding. Therefore, mothers need to watch what they eat.

High caffeinated products keep babies awake, irritable and they struggle to settle down,

Frequent high levels of alcohol have been linked to an increased risk of disrupted sleep patterns, delay in psychomotor skills, and even cognitive delay later in life.

Dairy products can cause CMPA (cow’s milk protein allergy) in some babies which can be manifested in eczema that doesn't go away with treatment, tummy troubles such as vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, slow weight gain a runny or blocked nose.

Gas forming foods and certain spices/flavours make your baby grizzly and colicky

Mothers are encouraged to eat a balanced nutrition and as natural as possible.

Mothers can continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish to but introducing other foods should be done following the Paediatricians advice because the nutritional value of breastmilk decreases as babies get older.

NB! Breastmilk is best, cheap easily accessible and safe and it is important to ensure that this process is a happy one for both mother and child and mothers are advised to seek professional help before giving up on breastfeeding their baby. And it one of the most methods to prevent childhood obesity.

How to tell if baby is getting enough milk from you.

• A well-fed baby sleeps after every feed, though there will be an hour or two in 24hrs that the baby stays awake but if they a calm and peaceful everything is good

• You can hear your baby swallowing and he is calm during feeding

• There should at least be eight to ten wet nappies in 24hrs

• The breasts should feel less full than before commencing a feed

• Your baby’s stools change from black and sticky to greenish then yellow after 5-7days

• Baby wakes up 3-4hours for a feed and seems eager to feed and starts rooting

• Babies need to gain weight with each visit to the Paediatrician or clinic