Beba KS

Author: bebaks

  • Does my involvement really make a difference?

    Does my involvement really make a difference?

    Yes! It has been found to result in fewer behavioral problems and better cognitive development for your child. 

    A review of 16 longitudinal studies that looked at the impact of father’s presence during childhood found that those children who had an involved father early on have, on average, fewer behavior problems, less criminal activity, better economic stability, better cognitive development, better performance in school and less stress during adulthood (Sarkadi, Kristiansson, Oberklaid, and Bremberg, 2008).

    • Infants with involved fathers have better cognitive functions.
    • Infants with involved fathers more frequently develop into children with high self-esteem who can resolve conflicts without violence.
    • Children with involved fathers generally have fewer behavior problems.
    • Fathers involved in their children’s lives are more satisfied and more likely to stay involved.
    • Involved fathers have better health: they take fewer drugs, consume less alcohol, live longer, and feel mentally and physically healthier.
    • Some studies show that fathers involved in caregiving have more satisfying relationships with their partners, feel more connected to their families and report better sex lives with their partner.
    • Involved fathers contribute to reducing maternal stress during pregnancy.
    • Mothers who are accompanied during prenatal visits usually attend more of them, compared to mothers who are not accompanied.

    Source: Promundo, CulturaSalud, and REDMAS (2013). Program P – A Manual for Engaging Men in Fatherhood, Caregiving, Maternal and Child Health. Promundo: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Washington, D.C. USA.

  • Sex and intimacy after baby

    Sex and intimacy after baby

    Sex and intimacy after baby

    Both you and your husband are getting used to having a baby around. Your husband may be just as nervous about being a parent as you are. Make sure you talk to each other. Talking about your feelings can help keep you both from feeling hurt and frustrated. As soon as you can, make time for just the two of you. Ask someone you trust to take care of the baby for an hour or two and go for a walk or out to dinner.

    Generally, it is OK to have sex 4-6 weeks after birth, although not everyone waits that long, and not everyone is ready that soon. If you had a difficult birth, you might need longer to physically recover. Even if you are ready physically, you might not be ready emotionally. Having a baby is a hormonal rollercoaster and you may need more time to adjust. You also might be afraid of pain and could be tired from the demands of your newborn. Even if you don’t have sex, you can still be intimate; stroking, kissing, masturbation and oral sex are all be options if you are interested.

    You might feel self conscious of your body after having a baby. Don’t. You just brought a human being into this world; your body is amazing. Never forget that. Generally, it takes first-time mothers 6-12 months to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight. Sex might also feel different. Often women experience vaginal dryness due to hormonal changes so use a lubricant. Experiment with different positions to find out what is most comfortable for you. Take it at your own pace and stop whenever you want to. Don’t worry, your sex life will return to normal soon enough.

  • What about sex?

    What about sex?

    Can we have sex while my wife is pregnant, how will my wife’s body change after birth, and when can we have sex again?

    Sex During Pregnancy

    • Most women can continue to have sex up until they go into labor. Sexual activity will not hurt the baby. The baby is kept safe by the amniotic sac, cervix, and uterine muscle. There is also a thick mucous plug that seals the cervix and protects the baby from infection.
    • It is normal for sexual desire in women to decrease in the first trimester due to breast tenderness, fatigue, and nausea. Other women find the freedom of not having to worry about birth control or conceiving makes sex more enjoyable. By the second trimester, many women feel less nausea and experience heightened sexual desire.
    • Fathers can support and/or raise their partner’s self-esteem about their changing body by offering positive comments.
    • As the body changes during pregnancy, couples may need to try different sexual positions to find what is comfortable for her. Some women discover new or increased sexual pleasures during pregnancy because of such experimentation. “Spooning” while sitting up offers plenty of room for manual stimulation, side-lying allows for comfortable oral stimulation, and experimenting with pillows and support devices can help enhance and support a variety of positions and activities.
    • Due to a sense of fullness, some women find vaginal penetration uncomfortable at some points during pregnancy and opt for manual, oral, or self-pleasuring sex instead.
    • Some cramping after making love is normal throughout pregnancy. The uterus contracts during orgasm, and these contractions might be more noticeable during pregnancy as the uterus gets bigger.
    • If the partner is at risk of experiencing pregnancy complications (vaginal bleeding, leakage of amniotic fluid, etc.), the health provider will advise you to stop having sex. Be open with your health provider and ask what sexual activity can be done instead.

    [Excerpted from Chapter 6: Relationships, Sex, and Emotional Support in Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth © 2008 Boston Women’s Health Book Collective]

    Sex After Pregnancy

    Both of you are getting used to having a baby around. Your wife may be just as nervous about being a parent as you are. Make sure you talk to each other. Talking about your feelings can help keep you both from feeling hurt and frustrated. As soon as you can, make time for just the two of you. Ask someone you trust to take care of the baby for an hour or two and go for a walk or out to dinner.

    Generally, it is OK to have sex 4-6 weeks after birth, although not everyone waits that long, and not everyone is ready that soon. If your wife had a difficult birth, she might need longer to physically recover. Even if she is ready physically, she might not be ready emotionally. Having a baby is a hormonal rollercoaster for your wife, and she may need more time to adjust. She also might be afraid of pain and could be tired from the demands of her newborn. Even if you don’t have sex, you can still be intimate; stroking, kissing, masturbation, and oral sex are all options if your wife is interested.

    Your wife might feel self-conscious of her body after having a baby. So remind her that she is beautiful and make her feel like a woman. Generally, it takes first-time mothers 6-12 months to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight, and don’t be surprised if your wife still ‘looks pregnant’ for a few months after birth. Sex might also feel different. Often, women experience vaginal dryness due to hormonal changes (not because she isn’t turned on by you), so use a lubricant. Let your wife control the pace and show you what is the most comfortable position for her. She may be sensitive, sore, or scared of pain. Don’t worry, your sex life will return to normal soon enough.

  • The first six weeks after birth

    The first six weeks after birth

    The first six weeks after birth

    Courtesy of March of Dimes

    During pregnancy, your body changed a lot. It worked really hard to keep your baby safe and healthy. Now that your baby is here, your body is changing again. Some of these changes are physical, such as your breasts getting full of milk. Other changes are emotional, such as feeling extra stress. Here’s what you can expect.

    What is perineum soreness?

    The perineum is the area between your vagina and rectum. It stretches during labor and vaginal birth, and it may even tear. It often is sore after you give birth. You may be even more sore if you had an episiotomy (a cut made at the opening of the vagina to help the baby out). Here’s what you can do to manage perineum soreness:

    • Do Kegel exercises. These strengthen the muscles in the pelvic area, which helps the perineum heal. To do them, squeeze the muscles that you use to stop yourself from passing urine. Hold the muscles tight for 10 seconds and then release.
    • Put a cold pack on your perineum. Use ice wrapped in a towel. Or you can buy cold packs that you freeze in your freezer.
    • Sit on a pillow.
    • Soak in a warm bath.
    • Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom. This can help prevent infection as your episiotomy heals.
    • Ask your doctor about medicine to help ease the pain.

    What are afterbirth pains?

    These are cramps that you feel as your uterus shrinks back to its regular size. Right after you give birth, your uterus is round and hard and weighs over 1kg. By about 6 weeks after birth, it weighs only 50gr. The cramps should go away in a few days. Ask your doctor about over-the-counter medicine you can take for pain.

    What body changes can happen after a C-section?

    A C-section (cesarean section) is major surgery, so it may take a while for you to recover. You may be really tired for the first few days or weeks after a C-section. This is because you lost blood during the surgery. Also, your incision (the cut on your belly) may be sore. Here’s what you can do:

    • Ask your doctor for pain medicine and check with them before you take any over-the-counter medicine for pain.
    • Ask your husband, family and friends for help with the baby and around the house.

    What is vaginal discharge?

    This is bodily fluid that comes out of your vagina. It is also called lochia. Vaginal discharge may increase during and after pregnancy. After your baby is born, your body gets rid of the blood and tissue that was inside of the uterus. For the first few days, it’s heavy, bright red and may contain some blood clots. Over time, the flow gets less and lighter in color. You may have discharge for a few weeks, or even for a month or more. Use sanitary pads until the vaginal discharge goes away.

    What is breast engorgement?

    This is when you breasts swell as they fill with milk. It can be painful. Once you start breastfeeding, it should go away. If you’re not breastfeeding, it may last until your breasts stop making milk. Click here for ways to manage breast engorgement.

    What is nipple pain?

    If you are breastfeeding, you may have sensitivity or pain in the area in and around your nipples during the first few days, especially if your nipples crack. Click here for ways to manage nipple pain. But breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful; if it is there is likely a problem with baby’s latch; click here to see how to get a good latch.

    What is swelling?

    Lots of women have swelling in their hands, feet and face during pregnancy. It is caused by extra fluids in your body that helped you get ready for labor and birth. It may take time for the swelling to go away after you have your baby. Here’s what you can do to manage swelling:

    • Lie on your left side or put your feet up.
    • Try to stay cool and wear loose clothes.

    What are hemorrhoids?

    Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in and around the anus. Lots of women get them during pregnancy. They may get worse after giving birth. Here’s what you can do to manage hemorrhoids:

    • Soak in a warm bath.
    • Use an over-the-counter spray or cream to help relieve pain. Ask your doctor which ones are OK to use.
    • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and whole-grain breads and cereals.
    • Drink lots of water.
    • Try not to strain when you’re having a bowel movement.

    What is constipation?

    This is when you have painful gas or trouble having a bowel movement. It may happen after you give birth. Here’s what you can do to manage constipation:

    • Eat foods that are high in fiber; nuts (almonds, pecans and walnuts), beans, fresh fruit (pears, kiwi and berries) and dried fruit (prunes, apricots and figs).
    • Drink lots of water.
    • Ask your doctor about medicine to take.

    What urinary problems can happen after giving birth?

    You may feel pain or burning when you urinate. Or you may try to urinate but find that you can’t. Sometimes you may not be able to stop urinating; this is called incontinence. If you have pain, burning trouble urinating or you have incontinence:

    • Drink lots of water.
    • Run water in the sink when you go to the bathroom.
    • Soak in a warm bath.
    • If the pain continues, tell your doctor.
    • Do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles. This can help with incontinence.

    Why may you sweat after giving birth?

    This happens a lot to new moms, especially at night. It’s caused by all the hormones in your body after pregnancy. Here’s what you can do:

    • Sleep on a towel to help keep your sheets and pillow dry.
    • Don’t use too many blankets or wear warm clothes to bed.

    Why may you feel tired after giving birth?

    You may have lost blood during labor and birth. This can make your body tired. And your baby probably doesn’t let you sleep all night. Here’s what you can do:

    • Sleep when your baby sleeps, even when he naps during the day.
    • Eat healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and pasta, and lean meat and chicken. Limit sweets and foods with a lot of fat.
    • Ask your husband, family and friends for help with the baby and around the house.

    When can you get pregnant again?

    If you’re not breastfeeding, your period may start again in 6-8 weeks after giving birth. If you are breastfeeding, you may not start again for months. Some women don’t have a period again until they stop breastfeeding. It’s possible that you may ovulate (release an egg) before you get your period again. This means you could get pregnant, whether you’re breastfeeding or not. Use birth control to help make sure you don’t get pregnant again until you’re ready. If you’re breastfeeding, ask your doctor about which birth control to use as not all kinds are safe when breastfeeding.

    Can you lose weight after giving birth?

    Now’s a great time to get to a healthy weight, no matter how much you weighed before you got pregnant. You feel better and are less likely to have health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, if you’re at a healthy weight. And just in case you get pregnant again, or if you plan to have another baby sometime in the future, it’s best to be at a healthy weight before your next pregnancy. Here’s what you can do to lose weight:

    • Talk to your doctor about your healthy weight. If you were overweight before pregnancy, you may want to lose more weight than you gained during pregnancy.
    • Eat healthy foods. Limit sweets and foods with a lot of fat.
    • Drink lots of water.
    • Do something active every day. Walking and swimming are great activities for new moms.
    • Breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding helps you burn calories. This can help you lose the weight you gained during pregnancy faster than if you weren’t breastfeeding.
    • Don’t feel badly if you don’t lose the weight as quickly as you’d like. It takes some time for your body (and your belly) to get back into shape.

    What skin changes can happen after giving birth?

    You may have stretch marks on your belly, thighs, breasts and bottom where your skin stretched during pregnancy. Use creams or lotions on your skin to manage stretch marks.

    What hair changes can happen after giving birth?

    Your hair may have seemed thicker and fuller during pregnancy. After your baby is born, your hair may thin out. You may even lose hair. Hair loss usually stops about 3-4 months after your baby’s birth. Here’s what you can do:

    • Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. These may help protect your hair and help it grow.
    • Be gentle with your hair. Don’t wear tight ponytails, braids or rollers. These can pull and stress your hair.
    • Use the cool setting on your hair dryer.
  • How do I know if I am in labor?

    How do I know if I am in labor?

    Water-breaking is just one possible sign. Learn the real and false signs of labor here. 

    There are a few signs that differentiate true labor from false labor:

    REAL Labor

    FALSE Labor
    • Contractions are regular and come at increasingly shorter intervals and become longer and more intense.
    • Timing of the contractions are irregular and do not become more frequent or more intense.
    • Breaking of waters that result in a trickle or a gush of fluid. Contractions may start before or after.
    • Contractions stop during rest, when mother stops what she is doing, walking, or changing position.
    • Passing the mucus plug. Labor could still be a few days away, but it is coming.
    • Contractions are inconsistent in strength (strong one minute then weak the next).
    • Persistent pain in the lower back, especially if accompanied by a cramping, premenstrual feeling.
    • Location of pain is in the front only.
  • Postpartum Checkups

    Postpartum Checkups

    What is a postpartum checkup and why is it important?

    A postpartum checkup is a medical checkup you get after having a baby to make sure you’re recovering well from labor and birth. Go to your postpartum checkups, even if you’re feeling fine. They’re an important part of your overall pregnancy care. Postpartum care is important because new moms are at risk of serious and sometimes life-threatening health complications in the days and weeks after giving birth. Too many new moms have or even die from health problems that may be prevented by getting postpartum care.

    Postpartum checkups are important for any new mom. They’re especially important for moms who have experienced a loss, including:

    • Miscarriage: This is when a baby dies in the womb before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
    • Stillbirth: This is when a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
    • Neonatal death: This is when a baby dies in the first 28 days of life.

    When these things happen, your postpartum checkups may help your health care provider or a genetic counselor learn more about what happened and see if you may be at risk for the same condition in another pregnancy. A genetic counselor is a person who is trained to help you understand about genes, birth defects, and other medical conditions that run in families, and how they can affect your health and your baby’s health.

    What’s changed in postpartum care guidelines?

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (also called ACOG) has released new guidelines calling for changes to improve postpartum care for women. In the past, ACOG recommended that most women have a postpartum checkup 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. ACOG now says that postpartum care should be an ongoing process, rather than a one-time checkup. ACOG now recommends that all women:

    • Have contact with their health care provider within 3 weeks of giving birth
    • Get ongoing medical care during the postpartum period, as needed
    • Have a complete postpartum checkup no later than 12 weeks after giving birth

    Many of the discomforts and body changes women have in the weeks after giving birth are normal. But sometimes they’re warning signs or symptoms of a health problem that needs treatment. Seeing your provider sooner and more often can help you and your provider spot these signs and symptoms and may help prevent serious medical problems. Your postpartum care should meet your personal needs so you get the best medical care and support.

    What is a postpartum care plan?

    A postpartum care plan is a plan that you and your health care provider make together. It helps you prepare for your medical care after giving birth. Don’t wait until after you have your baby to make your plan. Make it during pregnancy at one of your prenatal care checkups.

    To make your plan, talk to your provider before you give birth about:

    • Contact information for your health care provider. How do you get in touch with your provider after your baby’s born if you’re worried or have questions?
    • Your postpartum checkups. Based on the new guidelines, ACOG recommends contacting your provider within 3 weeks of giving birth and a complete checkup within 12 weeks of giving birth. Talk with your provider to make sure this timing is right for you. Find out if your health insurance plan covers all your postpartum checkups. Look at the company’s website or call the number on your insurance card.
    • Your reproductive life plan, including birth control. A reproductive life plan helps you think about if and when you want to have more children. For most women, it’s best to wait at least 18 months (1½ years) between giving birth and getting pregnant again. Too little time between pregnancies increases your risk of premature birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy). Talk to your provider about birth control so you don’t get pregnant again too soon. Ask your provider before you give birth about getting an intrauterine device (also called IUD) or implant right after you have your baby. IUDs and implants are the most effective kinds of birth control.
    • Health conditions or pregnancy complications that need treatment after you have your baby. Your provider can help you manage these conditions. You may need extra postpartum checkups to make sure you’re healthy. Your provider may want to refer you to other providers who specialize in treating certain conditions.
    • Feeding your baby. Are you planning to breastfeed your baby or feed your baby formula? If you’re planning to breastfeed and you’re going back to work or school after your baby’s born, what’s your plan for feeding? Your provider can help you find a lactation consultant to help with breastfeeding. A lactation consultant is a person trained to help women breastfeed.
    • Common physical and emotional changes after pregnancy. What can you expect after giving birth? What’s normal and how do you know when something’s more serious? What are signs and symptoms of serious health conditions to look for after giving birth?
    • Postpartum depression (also called PPD) and other mental health conditions after pregnancy. Postpartum depression is a kind of depression that some women get after having a baby. It’s strong feelings of sadness, anxiety (worry), and tiredness that last for a long time after giving birth. PPD is a medical condition that needs treatment to get better. Talk to your provider about looking out for signs and symptoms of PPD.

    What happens at a postpartum checkup?

    At your postpartum checkup, your provider makes sure you’re recovering well after giving birth and adjusting to life as a mom. Here’s what to expect:

    Physical exam

    • Your provider checks your blood pressure, weight, breasts, and belly. If you had a cesarean birth (also called c-section), your provider may want to see you about 2 weeks after you give birth so she can check on your c-section incision (cut). A c-section is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your doctor makes in your belly and uterus. Most c-section incisions heal without any problems, but they can get infected.
    • You get a pelvic exam. Your provider checks your vagina (birth canal), uterus (womb), and cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus that sits at the top of the vagina. If you had an episiotomy or a tear during birth, your provider checks to see that it’s healed. An episiotomy is a cut made at the opening of the vagina to help let the baby out. Your provider can tell you when it’s safe to have sex again.
    • Your provider checks on any health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, you had during pregnancy. For example, if you had gestational diabetes, your provider may give you a blood glucose test to check your blood sugar. Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that some women get during pregnancy. If you’re breastfeeding, ask your provider to make sure any medicine you take is safe for your baby. You may need to stop taking a medicine or switch to one that’s safer during breastfeeding. Don’t stop taking any medicine without talking to your provider first.
    • Your provider makes sure your vaccinations are up to date, including vaccinations for flu and pertussis. By getting vaccinated, you can help keep from getting sick and passing an illness to your baby.

    Birth control. If you didn’t talk about birth control with your provider before you had your baby, talk about it at your postpartum visit. Talk to your provider about birth control options and how they fit with your plans about having more children. Ask about using an IUD or implant to help keep you from getting pregnant again too soon.

    Problems you had during pregnancy, labor, and birth that may affect your health after pregnancy. This is the time to talk about how you may be able to prevent problems in future pregnancies, even if you’re not thinking about having another baby now. For example, if you had a premature birth, you’re at increased risk of having a premature birth in another pregnancy. Talk to your provider about what you can do to reduce the risk of premature birth and other complications in your next pregnancy. Even if you don’t plan to have more children, ask your provider if any problems you had during pregnancy may affect your health in the future. For example, if you had a premature birth, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension (high blood pressure), or a condition called preeclampsia, you may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease) later in life. Heart disease affects the heart and blood vessels and can lead to serious problems, like a heart attack or stroke. It’s also a leading cause of pregnancy-related death.

    Feelings about being a new mom. Tell your provider about how things are going. It’s OK to tell her how you feel. It’s normal to feel tired and stressed in the weeks after birth. You may have questions about breastfeeding and caring for your baby. Tell your provider if you have feelings of sadness or worry that last for a long time. If you have postpartum depression, it can make it hard for you to take care of yourself and your baby. It’s a medical condition that needs treatment to get better.

    What is a postpartum care team?

    You may need postpartum care from providers other than your prenatal care provider. For example, if you have chronic health conditions, you may need to see other providers after pregnancy to treat those conditions. These providers are part of your postpartum care team. A postpartum care team is a group health care providers and other postpartum care experts who help you get medical care and support after you give birth.

    A chronic health condition is one that lasts for a long time or that happens again and again over a long period of time. Chronic health conditions include:

    • High blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood that pushes against the walls of your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart to other parts of the body. If the pressure in your arteries becomes too high, you have high blood pressure (also called hypertension). High blood pressure can put extra stress on your heart and kidneys. This can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.
    • Obesity. If you’re obese, you have an excess amount of body fat, and your body mass index (also called BMI) is 30.0 or higher before pregnancy. BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. To find out your BMI, go to www.cdc.gov/bmi.
    • Preexisting diabetes. This is a medical condition in which your body has too much sugar (called glucose) in your blood. Preexisting diabetes (called type 1 or type 2 diabetes) means you had diabetes before you got pregnant. Diabetes can damage organs in your body, including blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.
    • Thyroid conditions. The thyroid is a gland in your neck that makes hormones that help your body store and use energy from food. If it makes too little or too much of these hormones, you can have health problems.
    • Kidney disease. Your kidneys filter your blood, removing waste and extra water. They also keep your body’s chemicals balanced, help control your blood pressure, and make hormones. If you have chronic kidney disease (also called CKD), your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood like they should. This can cause waste to build up in your body. Untreated kidney disease can lead to kidney failure.
    • Mood disorders. A mood disorder is a mental health condition that affects your emotions. Depression (also called major depression or clinical depression) is an example of a mood disorder. Depression causes feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in things you like to do. It can affect how you feel, think, and act and can interfere with your daily life. It’s a medical condition that needs treatment to get better.

    Members of your postpartum care team can include:

    • Your prenatal care provider. This is the provider who takes care of you during pregnancy, labor, and birth.
    • Health care providers who treat women with pregnancy complications or chronic health conditions. For example, you may need to see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (also called an MFM). MFMs are doctors with special education and training to take care of women who have high-risk pregnancies. Or if you have depression, you may need to see a mental health professional. A mental health professional is a provider who helps people cope with emotional or mental health problems. Mental health providers include social workers, therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
    • Your baby’s health care provider. Your baby’s health care provider has medical training to take care of babies and children. Your baby’s provider may be:
      • A pediatrician. This is a doctor who has training to take care of babies and children.
      • A family practice doctor (also called a family physician). This is a doctor who takes care of every member of the family. A family practice doctor can be your health care provider before, during, and after pregnancy, and your baby’s provider, too.
      • A neonatologist. This is a doctor who takes care of sick newborns, including premature babies (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and babies with birth defects.
      • A pediatric nurse practitioner (also called PNP). This is a registered nurse who has advanced training to take care of babies and children.
      • A family nurse practitioner (also called FNP). This is a registered nurse with advanced training to take care of every member of your family.
    • Breastfeeding help. You and your baby may need time and practice to get comfortable breastfeeding. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! You can get breastfeeding help from:
      • A lactation consultant. You can find a lactation consultant through your health care provider or your hospital. Or contact the International Lactation Consultants Association.
      • A breastfeeding peer counselor. This is a woman who breastfed her own children and wants to help and support mothers who breastfeed. She has training to help women breastfeed but not as much as a lactation consultant. You can find a peer counselor through your local WIC nutrition program. Or visit womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding or call the National Breastfeeding Helpline at (800) 994-9662.
      • A breastfeeding support group. This is a group of women who help and support each other with breastfeeding. Ask your provider to help you find a group near you. Or go to La Leche League.

    Other members of your postpartum care team can include:

    • Case manager or care coordinator. This is a nurse, social worker, or other trained professional who works with members of your postpartum care team to make sure you and your baby get the care, resources, and services you need.
    • Home visitor. This is a nurse, social worker, or other trained professional who makes regular visits to your home to help you and your baby. Home visitors can help you learn how to care for your baby and understand your baby’s developmental milestones. These are skills or activities that most children can do at a certain age. Milestones include sitting, walking, talking, having social skills, and having thinking skills. A home visitor also can help connect you to community resources and services. The Nurse-Family Partnership and Healthy Start are examples of community health programs that offer free home-visiting services.
    • Family and friends. Your family and friends can help you care for your baby or older children. Tell them if you need help with meals, chores around the house, or a ride to your postpartum checkups. Family and friends can keep an eye out for warning signs of health problems you may have after birth, including signs and symptoms of postpartum depression or other mental health conditions.
  • How should baby sleep?

    How should baby sleep?

    On their back, in a crib, in their parent’s room. This will help prevent Sudden Infant Death.

    It is very important to always put baby to sleep on her back. This greatly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The peak age of SIDS is between 2-4 months. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep, and one of the largest risk factors is stomach sleeping. Since babies have been put to sleep on their back in the U.S., deaths from SIDS have fallen by over 50%. Once babies can roll over and back on their own, at around 4-7 months, it is OK to let them sleep on their stomach if they roll onto it after you put them to sleep on their back. Other ways to reduce SIDS include:

    • Put baby to sleep in a crib or bassinet in your room. This also makes breastfeeding much easier during the night. While baby will likely wake more frequently to feed, studies have shown that mothers get at least as much sleep as when babies sleep in their own room. Plus babies who share a room with their parents sleep for a longer total time than solitary sleepers.
    • Ensure baby’s crib/bassinet has a firm flat surface and has no blankets, pillows, toys, stuffed animals or bumper pads. There should be no more than 6cm between slats of crib, and no more than one adult finger between mattress and slats.
    • Don’t overheat baby. Baby should be dressed in pajamas, wrapped in a swaddle or in a sleep sack (wearable blanket). Keep room temperature between 16-20°C.
    • Breastfeed if possible as this has been proven to reduce the risk of SIDS.
    • If you don’t breastfeed baby to sleep, try putting baby to sleep using a pacifier during the first year of life.
    • Ensure baby is fully immunized and has regular check-ups as this will lower the SIDS risk by 50%.
    • Keep baby away from smoking as exposure to secondhand smoke doubles a baby’s risk of SIDS. Also, don’t smoke while pregnant as this triples the SIDS risk.

    If you plan on having baby sleep in your bed, it is very important to follow these guidelines to keep baby safe and prevent suffocation. About half of all SIDS deaths happen when a baby shares a bed, sofa, or sofa chair with another person.

    • Don’t let anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs sleep in the bed.
    • Don’t let anyone who smokes sleep in the bed, even if they don’t smoke in bed.
    • Don’t let anyone who is too sick or tired to be awakened easily sleep in the bed.
    • Don’t let other children sleep next to the baby in the bed.
    • Put baby to sleep only on a flat and firm mattress. Do not let baby sleep (with or without you) on a waterbed, an egg-crate mattress, a couch, an armchair, or any other surface that’s not firm and could interfere with your baby’s breathing.
    • Do not leave baby to sleep alone in an adult bed.
    • Ensure sheets are firmly tucked in, don’t use heavy duvets/blankets, and keep pillows away from baby’s face.
    • Don’t swaddle baby, instead use a sleep sack and/or footed pajamas. To avoid overheating, dress baby more lightly than you would if he were sleeping alone.
    • Ideally, place your mattress on the floor so if baby rolls off he won’t fall far. If not, then place the bed against a wall, but check daily to make sure there are no gaps that your baby could slip into and fill any gaps with tightly rolled towels. Don’t use a headboard or footboard with slats more than 6cm apart or cutouts as these can entrap a baby’s head. Position the bed away from room features that might be a hazard for a baby, such as cords for window blinds, lamps, etc.

  • Crying and Calmling

    During the first few months, babies cry about 1.5 hours per day for a whole range of reasons: hunger, pain, fear, tiredness, or they just want to be held. Persistent crying can cause huge amounts of stress and exhaustion so it’s important to find a way to calm your baby. Understanding your baby’s cues will help you to understand how to respond and in many cases prevent the crying from happening in the first place.

    If your baby cries, try the following:

    • Check to make sure he isn’t hungry.
    • Check to make sure he has a clean diaper. If not, change it.
    • Look for signs of illness or pain. Check if he has a fever over 38C, swollen gums or an ear infection.
    • Rock the baby or walk with him.
    • Sing or talk to the baby.
    • Offer him a pacifier or a toy.
    • Take him for a ride in a stroller.
    • Take him for a ride in the car. Be sure baby is secured in the car seat.
    • Swaddle the baby by wrapping her snugly in a receiving blanket.
    • Play music or turn on TV. Be sure the sound soothing.
    • Run the vacuum cleaner, put on the clothes dryer or run water in the bathtub or sink. Some babies like these rhythmic noises.
    • Hold the baby close to your body. Breathe calmly and slowly.
    • If nothing else works, put the baby in his crib on his back, close the door and check on him in 10 minutes.

    There is also a technique that many parents have used worldwide to calm their baby and put him to sleep in minutes. This approach turns on baby’s calming reflex by doing five simple steps that imitate their mother’s womb: the 5 S’s: 1) swaddle, 2) side, 3) shush, 4) swing, 5) suck. Watch this video to learn the technique in just a few minutes. You can also learn more about the technique at the Happiest Baby website.

    It is important that you respond to your baby quickly to reassure them that they are not alone. Don’t worry, you can’t spoil him with too much holding. Studies have found that babies who were held and carried often cried much less. They also end up being much more independent toddlers, according to research by Johns Hopkins University, one of the world’s leading public health institutions.

    If your baby cries longer than usual and nothing you do soothes him, call your baby’s doctor to see if there is a medical reason or if he’s sick. He may also have colic, which is intense crying for more than 3 hours a day. This occurs in about 1 in 10 babies. It starts at around 2-3 weeks of age, peaks at around 6 weeks and continues until baby is 3-4 months old. It occurs at the same time every day, usually in the late afternoon to early evening. Around 20% of babies are thought to be colicky. There are many theories for why some babies are colicky, but it is very possible that the baby is sensitive to being over-tired or over-stimulated, and not because of gas problems. If your baby seems to have colic, practice the “Five S’s” explained in the video above.

    Never shake your baby. If you begin to feel very frustrated, put the baby down somewhere safe and step away. You can also call a friend or relative for help. It takes only a few seconds of shaking to cause lasting brain damage in a baby, which results in shaken baby syndrome (SBS). SBS is the leading cause of death in child abuse cases in the United States. The average age of the victims is 3-8 months. In most cases, the person who hurts the baby is a young male in his early twenties, often the baby’s father or the mother’s boyfriend. About half the babies who have SBS die.

  • Health and Safety

    Health and Safety

    Baby will inevitably get sick; the average is 6-12 times in baby’s first year. Hand washing (for 20 seconds with soap) is the easiest and most effective way to keep germs away, especially before/after diaper change and food preparation. You should also regularly wash baby toys in warm soapy water. Here are five other important things you can do to keep baby healthy and safe:

    1. Fully immunize baby to avoid life-threatening illnesses.
    2. Breastfeed as this protects your baby from many illnesses.
    3. Always practice safe sleeping.
    4. Check diaper output to be sure baby is getting enough milk.
    5. Stay calm or step away; we show you ways to calm persistent crying.

    When to seek medical attention

    When should your baby get urgent care?

    Call your baby’s doctor or get to the hospital right away if your baby:

    • Has blood in her vomit or stool.
    • Has trouble breathing, breathes really fast (more than 60 breaths in a minute), or has a blue tint around the nose, lips, fingernails or skin.
    • Has a seizure. When a person has a seizure, his whole body or parts of his body move uncontrollably. Sometimes the person stops breathing.
    • Has eaten something like detergent, soap, bleach or bug killer that causes vomiting, diarrhea or trouble breathing.
    • Is hard to wake up or is unusually tired.
    • Has a rectal temperature above 38C or below 36.5C.
    • Is injured and doesn’t stop bleeding.
    • Has one or more apnea episodes. Apnea is an interruption of breathing for a short period of time.
    • Has yellowish skin or eyes.

    When can your baby get care during regular office hours?

    Call your baby’s health care provider during regular office hours if your baby:

    • Is eating less than usual or shows other changes in appetite.
    • Is regularly crying, irritable or unable to be comforted.
    • Has frequent diarrhea. This can be hard to notice in breastfed babies as they usually have soft stools. Contact baby’s doctor if your baby’s stools are especially soft or watery for 6-8 diaper changes.
    • Is constipated and doesn’t have any stools.
    • Vomits (more than just spit up) more than 2-3 times a day.
    • Has a cold that doesn’t improve or gets worse after a few days.
    • Has a rash.
    • Has fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours. This can be a sign of dehydration. Other signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, sunken soft spot (called the fontanel) on the baby’s head, or lack of tears when crying.
    • Has fluid draining from her ears.
    • Has a tender navel or penis. Look for any redness, bleeding or pus in these areas.
    • Is paler than usual.
    • Is less active than usual.

    Sneezing and hiccups occur frequently in the first weeks of a baby’s life. They are not a sign of illness but a normal reflex for babies to clear congestion or airborne particles.

    Source:

    www.marchofdimes.com

  • What health problems can premature babies have after birth?

    What health problems can premature babies have after birth?

    What health problems can premature babies have after birth?

    Health problems that may affect premature babies include:

    • Apnea: This is a pause in breathing for 20 seconds or more. Premature babies sometimes have apnea. It may happen together with a slow heart rate.
    • Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): This is a breathing problem most common in babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy. Babies with RDS don’t have a protein called surfactant that keeps small air sacs in the lungs from collapsing.
    • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): This is bleeding in the brain. It usually happens near the ventricles in the center of the brain. A ventricles is a space in the brain that’s filled with fluid.
    • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): This is a heart problem that happens in the connection (called the ductus ateriosus) between two major blood vessels near the heart. If the ductus doesn’t close properly after birth, a baby can have breathing problems or heart failure. Heart failure is when the heart can’t pump enough blood.
    • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): This is a problem with a baby’s intestines. It can cause feeding problems, a swollen belly, and diarrhea. It sometimes happens 2 to 3 weeks after a premature birth.
    • Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): This is an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye. ROP can lead to vision loss.
    • Jaundice: This is when a baby’s eyes and skin look yellow. A baby has jaundice when his liver isn’t fully developed or isn’t working well.
    • Anemia: This is when a baby doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of the body.
    • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD): This is a lung condition that can develop in premature babies as well as babies who have treatment with a breathing machine. Babies with BPD sometimes develop fluid in the lungs, scarring, and lung damage.
    • Infections: Premature babies often have trouble fighting off germs because their immune systems are not fully formed. Infections that may affect a premature baby include pneumonia, a lung infection; sepsis, a blood infection; and meningitis, an infection in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

    How can you best care for your premature baby?

    Talk to your baby’s health care providers about any health conditions your baby has. He may be healthy enough to go home soon after birth, or he may need to stay in the NICU for special care. Your baby can probably go home from the hospital when he:

    • Weighs at least 4 pounds
    • Can keep warm on his own, without the help of an incubator. An incubator is an enclosed unit that helps premature babies stay warm.
    • Can breastfeed or bottle-feed
    • Gains weight steadily (1/2 to 1 ounce each day)
    • Can breathe on his own

    Your baby may need special equipment, treatment, or medicine after he leaves the hospital. Your baby’s provider and the staff at the hospital can help you with these things and teach you how to take care of your baby. They also can help you find parent support groups and other resources in your area that may be able to help you care for your baby.