Congratulations! You've made it through pregnancy and childbirth. Now for the next phase...the first year of parenthood. Chances are you read every book you could get your hands on about pregnancy, including ones on nutrition and fitness, becoming a mom or dad, financial advice, etc. And most likely you already have a stack of books waiting to answer any and every question you might have regarding your little bundle of joy's first year. And rightly so... you want
to do everything you can to make sure it's a wonderful first year for both you and your baby. Central Penn Parent wants to help. With expert advice from www.kidshealth.com and "The Everything Baby's First Year Book," by Tekla S.
Nee, we have highlighted the answers to questions new parents have.
Q. What is cord banking and is it something we should do?
A. During the 1970s, researchers discovered that umbilical cord blood could supply the same kinds of blood-forming stem cells as a bone marrow donor. And so, umbilical cord blood began to be collected and stored. Because research has not yet determined the likelihood that a child would ever need his or her own stem cells, The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend cord-blood banking for families who don't have a history of disease. The cost may be a deciding factor for most families. At a commercial cord-blood bank, you'll pay approximately $1,500 to store a sample of cord blood, in addition to a $100 yearly maintenance fee. You'll also pay an additional fee of several hundred dollars for the cord-blood collection kit that parents must order ahead of time from their chosen cord-blood bank, courier service to the cord-blood bank, and initial processing.
Q. What position should my baby sleep in?
A. By having baby sleep on her back, you are decreasing her chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS, the number one cause of death in children younger than 1 year, has been linked to stomach sleeping. Although your concerns about rolling over and spitting up are legitimate, there's good news. By the time baby can roll over by herself, her chances of SIDS
are greatly reduced. Plus, by putting baby to sleep on her back, she'll get used to this position and probably prefer it. As for spitting up, there is
no increased risk of choking for healthy infants who sleep on their backs. If your baby has chronic gastroesophageal reflux or another airway problem, your doctor may suggest another sleep position. Tell your doctor about your concerns. Throughout the day, however, spending time on her tummy is important to help strengthen the neck and shoulder.
Q. How long should I breastfeed?
A. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends feeding your child only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. After that, a combination of solid foods and breast milk should be given until your baby is at least 1 year old. Some experts say that after a baby's first birthday is the best age to start the transition from the breast because a child is more adaptable to change at that age. (A 2-year-old, for example, is likely to be much more attached to the breast and less flexible about giving it up.) A 1-year-old baby is also eating more solid foods and so may naturally lose interest in the breast. Engorgement will also become less of a problem for the mother around this time because as the demand for breast milk decreases, so does milk production.
Q. What is causing my baby's diaper rash?
A. Diaper rash is a common concern. Typically the rash is red and bumpy and will go away with a warm bath, some diaper cream, and a little time out of the diaper. Most of the time rashes occur because the baby's skin is sensitive and becomes irritated by the wet diaper. If your baby has had juice, their poop can become acidic and give them a rash. To prevent or heal diaper rash, try these tips: change your baby's diaper frequently, especially soon after bowel movements; clean the area with mild soap and
water or a wipe and apply a diaper rash or "barrier" cream (creams with zinc oxide) to protect against moisture; if you use cloth diapers, wash them in dye- and fragrance-free detergents; let the baby go undiapered for part of
the day. This gives their skin a chance to "air-out." If the diaper rash continues for more than three days, call your child's doctor.
Q. How soon can I take my baby out in public?
A. There are no hard and fast medical rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world, or letting outsiders near the baby. In
fact, you should feel free to take your baby outside...you both would probably enjoy a stroll outside and some fresh air! But if you venture out
into public places, like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes, it's wise to take these precautions: make sure your baby's vaccines are up to date; avoid exposing your child to people who clearly are sick with things like diarrhea or runny noses; ask anyone who holds or feeds your newborn to wash his or her hands; and make sure that your infant is appropriately dressed when you go outdoors.
Q. Do babies gain anything by being read to?
A. At birth, a baby's brain can do a lot, especially stuff to keep the body running properly, but it isn't fully developed. The more the senses are
stimulated, the more quickly the rest of a baby's brain will develop. So reading aloud to your baby is a wonderful shared activity you can continue
for years to come...and it's an important form of stimulation. Reading aloud: teaches your baby about communication; introduces concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way; builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills; and gives babies information about the world around them. Believe it or not, by the time your baby is 1, he or she will have learned all the sounds needed to speak your native language. The more stories you read aloud, the more words your child will be exposed to and the better he
or she will be able to talk. Hearing words helps to imprint them on a baby's brain.
Q. Is dental hygiene important the first year?
A. The care and cleaning of your baby¹s teeth is important for long-term dental health. Daily dental care should begin even before your baby's first tooth emerges. Wipe your baby's gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze, or brush them gently with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and water (no toothpaste). As soon as the first tooth appears, brush them with water. Another important tip for preventing tooth decay: don't let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk or juice can pool in her mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque. The American Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist by age 1, when six to eight teeth are in place, to spot any potential problems and advise parents about preventive care.
Q. I keep hearing the term babywearing. What does this mean?
A. Babywearing is the act of carrying your baby in some type of carrier on your front, close to your body. It's a wonderful way to bond with baby
because of the physical closeness. Studies show it may also encourage brain growth. A baby can learn a great deal being carried this way. Instead of fussing and crying, researchers believe the babies spend more time in a state quiet alertness. She can see what you see (partially). She can hear conversations. She can feel rhythmic movements when you walk. She can feel
your heart beat, which may calm and settle her. It's a wonderful way to expose her safely to the world around her.
Q. Should I give my baby water?
A. Often parents ask about giving their baby water as he or she gets older. Your baby still doesn't need this extra fluid. Breast milk and formula contain enough water for her at this age. Too much water can dilute a baby's blood, which could cause sodium levels and electrolytes to fall, sometimes dangerously. In severe cases, overhydrating with water has caused seizures
and coma in an infant. Until baby begins solids, don't giver her extra water. Be sure you mix formula exactly as directed. After she begins eating solids, 1 or 2 ounces of water each day is OK.
Q. What's the benefit of teaching our baby to sign?
A. Once seen as a form of communication known only in the deaf community, ASL has made its way into the mainstream of our society thanks to people like child development researcher Joseph Garcia and the popularity of his book, "Sign With Your Baby." Incorporating sign language into a toddler's daily life does not require fluency on the parent's part. Instead, parents should begin by using the signs for ideas that have meaning in the baby's life such as "milk," "mama" and "more." In addition to Joseph Garcia's
book, which includes pictures of some of the more common signs for babies, many other books and videos are available through local libraries. An online ASL dictionary at is also available at www.lifeprint.com.
Q. What car seat safety rules should I follow for our baby?
A. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants remain rear facing until at least age 1 AND 20 pounds. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in front of an airbag. Sun shades and other objects in the vehicle can be projectiles in a crash and should be removed. Take the time to locate a certified child passenger safety technician...it's time that could save your
child's life! Please call 531-SAFE to find out more or to make an appointment to get your seat checked at permanent inspection stations
located at Saturn of Harrisburg, 13th and Paxton Street or in Hershey near the Ronald McDonald house on Route 322.
Win this Book!
The Everything Baby's First Year Book by Tekla S. Nee
Whether you're a new or experienced parent, the first year of your newborn's life is both a wonderful and challenging time. This book provides you with a complete guide of surviving these first 12 months...from what to do when
arriving home from the hospital with your bundle of joy to handling feeding, bathing and sleeping routines. It provides advice on every aspect of your baby's physical, emotional and social development. Click here for giveaway details.