Articles on baby care

Choosing An Electric Breast Pump by Michael Gunn

There are many types of breast pumps available. The most commonly sought is the electric breast pump. In today’s time, women are on the go and need efficient means to breast feed their child. Whether it is because the woman is going back to work or because she is substituting formula, there is a great need.

There are many different grades of an electric breast pump. Of these different grades, each person has their own need. It is up to the mother to determine which electric breast pump is good for them.

The electric breast pump has very significant advantages over the manual breast pump. These advantages are seen first in the way it works. The electric breast pump just needs to be applied and then generates the sucking motion automatically with a switch. A manual breast pump has to be done by hand and typically requires both hands to complete the task. There are some manual pumps that require only one hand use but they are usually higher in price.

The price difference between a manual and an electric breast pump are variable in price. For the most part, an electric breast pump is going to run more money because of the convenience factor. Not only is the electric breast pump easier to use, it is very compact and easily transported. Most pumps come in a very nice carrying case which makes it overall easy to transport.

The Different Types of Electric Breast Pumps Are:

1. Hospital electric breast pumps: These electric breast pumps are used for heavy duty pumping. You can purchase these from a specialty store or the hospital. With this pump, the rate the breast milk comes out is about the rate of when a baby is nursing. This is very efficient for the mothers, as most mothers would rather be spending time with their newborn baby.

2. A top grade electric pump will be good for those moms who are returning back to work. The reason these are a good choice is because it still maintains a consistent pumping while also taking into consideration comfort. Higher end electric breast pump systems can be adjusted to mimic the babies sucking pattern. This also might help the flow of milk because the pattern is established. This also provides more comfort to the mother that is nursing.

3. Breast pumps that are midrange in price can be electric or battery operated. The main difference between these pumps and the higher end is the fact that they are usually more portable, used to take to the babysitter’s house and also only pump one breast at a time. For moms who want to pump efficiently, this is not the best choice. For those mothers who only need intermittent pumping, this might be an option.

Each electric breast pump does its job and is safe and reliable. The main difference is time that the mother has to pump and the comfort level needed to pump. To read more about electric breast pumps, see the link below.

Michael Gunn offers a wide variety of products for breast feeding, as well as much needed advice and tips for the mother and child. Visit http://www.DoubleBreastPumps.com!

Article Source: Articles For Reading

Newborn Baby’s First Nights at Home - Tips to Help Your Baby Learn to Sleep Throughout the Night
By Connie Limon

You have a new baby, oh what wonder and joy this little guy or gal is, however, you have not had a good night’s sleep since being home with this wonderful little creature. Don’t give up. You can help your new baby sleep all night, every night. And remember, you are certainly not alone. Sleepless nights are something common for most new parents.

Newborn babies often sleep 16 or more hours per day. Their sleep time, however, is often done in stretches of just one to two hours at a time. As your baby’s nervous system matures a more consistent sleep schedule emerges and he or she can go longer between feedings.

By the time your new baby reaches three months of age he or she will probably be sleeping for as long as five hours during the night. At six months of age, nighttime stretches of nine to 12 hours are most likely.

Look over the following tips to help your baby become a good sleeper:

• Encourage activity during the day: During the waking hours with your baby keep him or her busy by talking, singing and playing. Provide your baby with lots of light. This type of stimulation during the day can help promote better sleep at night.

• Monitor your baby’s naps: Allow your baby regular naps during the day and not large chunks of time that may cause your baby to stay wide awake at night.

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine: If you bath, cuddle, sing or read to your baby just before bedtime he or she will soon associate these activities with sleep.

• Put your baby to bed drowsy but awake: This technique helps your baby associate bed with the process of falling asleep. Place your baby to sleep on his or her back. Clear the crib or bassinet of blankets and other soft items.

• Give your baby time to settle down: If your baby fusses when you first put him to bed, allow him or her to find a comfortable position for falling asleep. If the crying does not stop within a reasonable amount of time, try speaking calmly to your baby and stroke his or her back to provide reassurance of your presence.

• Consider using a pacifier: If your baby has trouble settling down, try using a pacifier at nap time and bedtime to help reduce his anxiety. One problem of using a pacifier might be if he or she loses during the middle of the night and cries for its replacement. Guess who has to get up in the middle of the night to find the pacifier for baby?

• Expect frequent stirring at night: Don’t be alarmed if you hear your baby squirming and wriggle as they sleep. This is quite normal. Some babies can be noisy. All these things may simply be a sign of settling down. Unless you suspect your baby is hungry or uncomfortable (needing a diaper change or whatever), it is OK to wait a few minutes to see if he or she finally settles down. If not, then better check on baby.

• Keep nighttime care low-key: When you feed your baby or care for he or she during the night, use dim lights, a soft voice and very calm movements. This will teach your baby that it is time to sleep and nothing else.

Some babies sleep throughout the night the first night home. I know my baby slept through the night straight from the beginning of our nights at home. She was such a good baby I would always say.

However, not all babies are alike; respect your baby’s preferences. Take time to understand your baby’s schedule and ways of communicating. They will eventually settle down and sleep the whole night through. If your baby is still fussy at nighttime by age 6 months, ask your baby’s doctor for instruction and suggestions.

The goal here is for everyone to get a good night’s sleep. It is not a measure of your parental skill or a sign of a good or bad baby. I just always thought my baby was the absolute best at everything, and sleeping throughout the night was just one more reason I thought she was “perfect.” She has paid me back though as an adult, and what I got to say about her now is not the same…..At times I ask myself is this the same person I use to know as a baby, toddler and child?

Source: Mayo Clinic, personal knowledge

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about specific medical concerns.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 2-2007.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit http://smalldogs2.com/NutritionHealthHub and http://www.camelotarticles.com

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Safety During Baby’s Bath by Nicole Munoz

You’ve done it. You’re kid’s finally not scared of the tub, gets the time of his life during bath, splashing water on himself and on you and sees bath time as a great opportunity to play, wonder and explore.

However, your job as parent regarding bath time does not end in making it a fun time for your kid. More importantly, it is also your responsibility to ensure his safety during baths.

Safety Tip 1: Be prepared. Everything should be ready. His towel, soap, shampoo, bath toys, tub, wash cloth, bath seat and all his bathing necessities should be prepared and should be within hand’s reach even before you settle your kid in his tub. If in case you forget something, don’t leave baby in the tub alone. Instead bundle him up in a towel and take him with you.

Safety Tip 2: Choose a safe place for bathing. The sink and the bathroom are ideal places for baby to take his tubby time. Be sure you place his tub on top of something sturdy so it won’t topple over. It’s also a good idea to place a rubber mat underneath the tub to prevent it from slipping. Aside from that, the place you choose to bathe baby must not have any dangerous items within baby’s reach such as razors, powder or breakable glass items.

Safety Tip 3: Test waters first before dipping your baby. Hot water may scald your baby while cold water may terrify him. Before letting your baby take the bath, test the water with your elbow to make sure it’s just the right temperature. To be doubly sure, test it with a bath thermometer to see if it’s 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Safety Tip 4: Never leave your baby unattended even for a second. It can only take as fast as a blink of an eye for baby to slip or fall off or for any unfortunate accident to happen. When the phone or doorbell rings, or the pot you’re cooking starts to smell like it’s burning, never dare to leave your child on the tub and risk his safety just to answer the phone or the door or to rescue your pot roast. Needless to say, your child’s life is more important.

Safety Tip 5: Be focused. Don’t let the television airing your favourite soap or a chattering neighbour distract you while you give your kid a bath. Always keep in mind that it’s in your hands to keep your baby safe at all times. Being distracted may cause you to accidentally put shampoo on his eyes or worse not be able to hold him properly. Babies are slippery when wet and it entails a lot of effort and focused attention to ensure that your baby does not slip out of your hands and is not harmed during a bath.

One of your main responsibilities as a parent is to provide a safe environment for your kid and to ensure that he is free from anything that may hurt and harm him. Keeping him safe at all times including during bath time is one of the things you should always keep in mind.

For more tips and information about Bath Toys , check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com.

Article Source: KalingAR.com - Articles

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