How much should my baby be eating?

[Excerpt from Simply Baby: An invaluable quick reference to infants] Each baby has his or her own nutritional needs. Unless the pediatrician specifies a change, a parent should not alter feeding habitss for a child that is eating regularly and gaining weight. The table below displays typical feeding habits for infants as they age.

Are all infant clothing sizes the same?

No.

[Chart from Simply Baby: An invaluable quick reference to infants]

Baby Gas Troubles?

[Excerpt from Simply Baby: An invaluable quick reference to infants] Most infants, especially newborns under 13 weeks of age, have gas because of their immature digestive system. Infants tend to swallw excess air when feeding or screaming which causes extreme discomfort. Gas discomfort will decrease with age as Baby gets better at eating and thier digestive system develops.

Things that minimize gas:

• Breast feeding with proper seal around nipple
• Feeding in an upright position (at least 45 degree incline)
• Smaller feedings
• Proper bottle nipple size (if too big, baby will eat too fast and if too small, baby will gulp air)
• Not over stimulating baby (by causing stress)

Symptoms of gas and the need to be burped:

• Stops in the middle of feeding and cries - refuses to drink remainder
• Arched back
• Squirm or grimace when laid down

Things crucial to expelling gas while burping:

• Holding baby upright
• Putting slight pressure on tummy
• Gently patting or rubbing back

How & when to introduce a cup

[Excerpt from Simply Baby: An invaluable quick reference to infants]

• At 6-7 months of age, parents can introduce a “sippy” cup. Some infants do not take well to the cup, but try and try again. Parents can try using a regular cup, taking the valve out, or using a straw.
• Around 10-12 months of age, start eliminating bottles progressively during feedings, substituting with a cup. Trying to eliminate bottles past that age can be done but it is more difficult.
• Parents can start with removing one bottle every few days or one every week, leaving the night bottle for last.
• Since they may not drink very much at a sitting (only an ounce or two), a cup must be offered at least 2-3 times more frequently than the bottle.
• Bottles should be eliminated by 15 months of age because toddlers grow very attached, refusing cups and demanding bottles. Tantrums and screaming are likely past 16 months of age.
• At around 14-15 months of age, toddlers become very attached to bottles and “sippy” cups. They will try to take them everywhere.
• Starting at an early age, drinking allowed with certain boundaries - such as only while sitting or only on hard floors - will avoid messes and unnecessary attachments.

 

My baby hit his head. Do I take to ER?

[Excerpt from Simply Baby: An invaluable quick reference to infants] Many babies fall, hit their head, and do not require medical attention. But, if any of the following symptoms are present within 15 minutes, call 911:

• Severe head or facial bleeding
• Seizures
• Bleeding from the nose or ears
• Change in level of consciousness for more than a few seconds
• Vomiting  
• Bruising below eyes or behind ears
• Loss of balance
• Weakness or an inability to use an arm or leg
• Unequal pupil size
• Slurred speech, or difference in babbling

If Baby does show any of the signs above, while waiting for medical attention do the following:

1. Keep Baby as still as possible in a dark room with shoulders/head elevated. Avoid moving Baby, especially the neck area, if at all possible.
2. Put pressure on any bleeding to slow, but avoid if the skull may be fractured.
3. If Baby shows no signs of movement, coughing, or breathing, start CPR.

If none of the above symptoms are seen within 15 minutes, there should be no cause for real concern.