Your Baby and You: Week Ten
YOUR BABY
Physical Development: Developing coordination
Does your baby still have erratic or sporadic limb movements from time to time? This is normal but you can help her to gain better coordination by encouraging her to hold objects and to move them around in front of her. Easy to hold rattles are good as the sound makes them more interesting, as are brightly coloured toys.
Feeding: Expressing breast milk
Do you struggle to express enough milk for a full feed? It's alright to mix formula with breast milk to make sure that your baby gets enough. Just remember that if you start expressing less then your milk supply will also begin to decrease.
Care Advice: Colic
If your baby is suffering with colic then experiment with different techniques that others find helpful - you never know what might work for your baby, here are some suggestions for settling them:
- Holding baby tummy down along your forearm - sometimes referred to as the 'Tiger in the tree' hold
- Wrapping or swaddling your baby snugly and then cuddling them upright (health experts are now advising against swaddling because of potential damage to your baby's hip development - if you do decide to swaddle then do so whilst making sure that your baby's legs have enough room to move up and out around the hip joint)
- Watch for patterns between your diet and their colic if you are breastfeeding, some babies are sensitive to caffeine or strong spicy foods
- Push your baby around in their pram or take them for a drive
- Provide some white noise - a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner is often very calming for them (obviously these cannot be left on for long periods though, it is safer to use a recording)
Remember that every baby is different and what comforts one baby may just annoy the next one! When it comes to settling a colicky baby it is worth trying different approaches until you find something that they really like. Colic tends to clear up of its own accord between the ages of 3 and 6 months.
Safety Advice: Dirty toys
Is teddy a hygiene risk?
Whilst we're busy sterilising bottles and dummies and washing our hands every 5 minutes it can be easy to overlook some other popular places for bacteria to survive. Soft toys that are dribbled on (or worse!) can provide the perfect environment for microorganisms to thrive. This doesn't mean toys need to be boiled and hung out to dry every other day, but give them a rub down with a damp cloth from time to time - or even run them through the washing machine.
TIP: Many soft toys are washing machine safe but you can help to prevent damage to them by putting them in a net washing bag designed for delicate clothes, or even a pillowcase. Always check washed toys for damage before returning them to your baby's toy basket.
Common illnesses: Coughs
If your baby develops a cough as part of a cold then their cough is probably nothing to worry about and is likely to be due to mucus trickling down the back of their throat. Encourage them to feed as normal and supplement a formula fed baby with water if you are concerned that they are not getting enough fluids.
If they have any of the following symptoms then you should make an appointment to see your doctor:
- If the cough sounds very bad, your baby wheezes or seems breathless - they may have a chest infection
- If your child has a very high temperature
- If they have had their cough for a long time
- If you are concerned that they have any other symptoms of illness
THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BABY THIS WEEK
Entertainment: Give them a regular change of scene
Is your baby starting to need a change of scene from time to time? Make sure that you put them in different places (play mats, rockers) and that you alter their positions (tummy time, back play). Try putting their seat or rocker in front of a spinning washing machine, you'll be amazed at how captivating most babies find it!
ALL ABOUT YOU THIS WEEK
Your Body: Fitness
Getting fit after having a baby is about more than just losing a baby bump. Increasing your fitness will help you to deal with tiredness, help to control your cravings for unhealthy foods, enhance your mood and speed your body's recovery from pregnancy and childbirth. Getting back into the gym can be hard and expensive but there are lots of cheaper options to get you started on the road to getting fit again. Try these ideas:
- Power walking with the buggy - try not to lean forward onto the handles, walk upright, maintain a good pace and time yourself so that you have a target to beat next time
- Set up a mini circuit at home, you don't need much space to do some very effective exercises
- Get yourself some home exercise DVDs - there are specific postnatal ones available and many going cheaply second hand
- If the weather isn't awful, get working in the garden if you have one. Gardening can be a great calorie burner, your little one will love being out in the fresh air in their pram or baby seat and you might find it's the hobby you were looking for!
If you have any health concerns regarding exercise it is important you talk to your doctor before starting anything.
Your Emotions: The tie of breastfeeding
Is breastfeeding leaving you feeling tied down? Sometimes the fact that formula fed babies can be fed by anyone can make the grass seem greener for those mums. Remember that you also have some bonuses on the convenience front too! Breast milk takes no preparation time and there is no need to sterilise your equipment! What's more you don't need to plan your feeds for outings or breaks away as you always have your milk on tap.
However, if you can express your breast milk then you can happily leave your partner or another care giver in charge of a feed. If your little one goes 4 hours between feeds then this means you can easily plan for a 6 or 7 hour trip. Keep some spare milk in the freezer just in case they need an unexpected extra feed and you can relax whilst you have your time out.
Your Relationships: Make a date
You don't even have to decide what you are going to do, but at least make a date with your partner and get it in the diary for you two to spend at least a couple of hours out together one evening.
Things to do: Take your baby to work
Call or email your boss and ask when it might be convenient for you to pop in to say hi to the team. You will know from past experience what times of the day or week are less busy for them. Many women feel nervous about walking back into the office with a baby but your old colleagues will probably be excited to catch up with you and to meet your new baby. Plan ahead, give yourself plenty of time to get there and don't plan to stay for too long. If you are worried about your baby crying or disrupting people's work, then why not head in during lunch time or arrange to meet people for a quick coffee in the canteen or nearest café.
Time for yourself: Treat yourself to an appointment
Whether it's to get your hair cut, your nails painted or even to indulge in a relaxing session of reflexology or massage - book something. It can be easy for the weeks and months to slip by at this stage without you having any time to yourself, and an appointment will force you to arrange childcare and to get out on your own for a short while.
YOUR WEEKLY CHECKLIST
(Helping to keep you organised!)
Admin: 12 week immunisations
If you haven't already made an appointment, then call your local surgery about your baby's next immunisations which ought to be administered at around 12 weeks.
