WELCOMING YOUR BABY

WELCOMING YOUR BABY

· Preparing for birth
· How to recognize when labour starts
· At the hospital
· Pain relief
· What happens during labour?
· Special situations
· Rhesus negative mothers
· Induction
· Forceps delivery
· Vacuum extraction
· Caesarean section
· Breech birth

Care Your Baby

CARE OF YOUR BABY

Babies are of all kinds, and each is so very different from the other. Some are quiet, some active and they respond in different ways to attempt to comfort and console them. A new mother must learn her baby’s particular Patterns and why he cries and fusses at various times. Successful mothering rests on sensible behaviour and a positive attitude.

HANDLING THE INFANT

Although they are small, newborns are not as fragile as they sometimes Seem. They should be treated gently, of course, but firm, smooth handling help them feel Secure. There is no one correct way of turning, lifting, or folding a new born, but the following Points should be kept in mind:

The head and buttocks need to be supported.
Baby’s are wiggly and can push themselves out of your grasp.
It is easier to pick an infant up from lying or prone position...

Mother Feeding

HOW TO INCREASE THE QUANTITY OF MILK OF MOTHER

At first, you may that you do not have sufficient milk for your baby, The remedy is simple: put your baby to the breast more often and at least at Every two hours. This will improve the milk let down because suckling promote The release of the prolactin hormone in the mother. You will also benefit by Taking plenty of liquids, and taking proper rest and diet.

WHY MOTHER’S MILK IS BEST

Breast feeding is certainly best for your baby. It has several unmatched qualities. It is absolutely safe for the baby because it can never get contaminated with unfriendly bacteria and other germs. Rather, it confers on the baby immunity against certain infections like cough, cold and chest infections. It is the most balanced food for your baby and it contains everything a baby needs. The baby can digest it easily and is not likely to suffer from tummy upsets. Studies suggest that breast-fed babies are less likely to get fat. They just take as much milk as they need. They are also less likely to suffer from allergies like asthma and eczema. What’s more, breast-feeding builds a special bond of closeness between the baby and mother and gives the baby emotional security.

PROBLEM WITH BREAST FEEDING

Engorged breasts are swollen with mild and by an increase in the blood supply. They may be painful and sometimes the nipple becomes flattened because of the swelling. The swelling occurs most often in the first seek, starting about the time the milk discharges from the breasts. Feeding your baby is the obvious answer to the problem. If your baby can feed well, your breasts will soon improve. If a flattened nipple, or any other problem, is making feeding difficult ask your doctor fro help. Sometimes the swelling and fullness does prevent a baby from being fed well. Ice packs, or bathing with warm water is helpful. Wearing a proper size brassiere will make you feel more comfortable.

WIND

Babies often take in air as they feed. After a feed, gentle back rubbing with Your baby lying against your shoulder or held sitting upright on your lap may bring up some wind would be uncomfortable otherwise.

Clothing Care

BABY ‘S CLOTHING CARE

Babies must be dressed suitably in keeping with the weather. If the conditions are warm, a baby needs little more than a nappy and a vest. But if it is cold, the vest must the replaced with a romper suit. Diapering is fairly simple if you use disposable diaper those fasten with tapes. If pins are needed should he inserted pointing toward the babies back so there is less danger to the baby if they come open. You may also use cloth nappies (they are better than the disposable once in many ways), and wash them after every use.

BABY FACTS

Soon after birth you will began to look properly at your baby and notice every tiny detail the shape of the hands, the length of the fingers and toys, the expressions on the face based on the observations some parents even begin to visualize the vocation the child take once he grows. For instance, long fingers are taken as a sign that the child would take a creative carrier and would become a surgeon or an artist! But besides these interesting gueses, there may be some things you may notice and feel a little concerned
About:

SOFT SPOTS IN THE SKULL

On the top your babies head, near the front you will see a diamondshaped patch and another, a smaller defect, at the back where the skull bones have not yet fused together. These are called the fontanel. It will be about 12 to 18 months before the bones close over them. You may note this fontanel moving as your baby breathes. you need not worry about touching the area there is a tough layer on membrane under the skin.

BUMPS AND BRUISES

It is quiet common for a new born baby to have some swellings and bruises on the head. And to some times have bloodshot eyes. The marks fade very soon.

BREASTS

A new born baby’s breasts may sometimes appear a little swollen and ooze some milk on the third day, fourth or fifth day. This may happen both in boys and girls. Girls Also sometimes bleed a bit or have a white, cloudy discharge from the vagina between The third and seventh day. All of this is the result of hormones passing from the mother To the baby before birth. You do not need to do anything except keep your baby clean Just as you would in any case.


JAUNDICE

After birth, some babies develop a yellow colour to their skin and yellowness in The whites of their eyes because of mild jaundice. This fades within seven days or so. But a baby who becomes badly jaundiced needs active treatment. A severe jaundice requires timely treatment and if it is caused by a mismatch of blood groups between the mother and baby, the baby will need hospitalisation and possibly, an exchange transfusion of blood. A delay in the treatment can lead to a condition called kernicterus, which causes irreparable damage to baby’s brain.

Specific Areas

CARE OF SPECIFIC AREAS

EYES:

The eyes should be wiped from the inner corner to the outer corner, using a clean cotton ball or clean area of the washcloth for each eye. No care, other than this cleansing with clean water, is necessary unless there is evidence of inflammation or infection. Do not use kajal or surma, because in doing so you could introduce infection into the eye. If you notice any redness, swilling, or discharge, check with your doctor. It could indicate infection.

NOSE AND EARS:

Cotton-tipped applicators should not be used to clean the baby’s nose or ears because of danger of injuring the delicate tissues. The nose usually does not need cleaning because the baby sneezes to clear the nasal passages. If some dried mucus does need to be removed from the nose, a small twisted piece of cotton moistened with water may be used. Only the outer ear should be cleaned. Nothing should be put inside the ear.

HAIR:

The head should be washed each time the baby is bathed. Swaddling the baby in a towel and using the “football” hold makes the job easier. The same soap the baby is washed with or any brand of baby shampoo can be used. Oil should not be put on the hair, as it may predispose to “cradle cap”.

SKIN:

The newborn’s skin is often dry and peeling within a few days after birth, and dry cracks may appear in the wrist and ankle areas. This is sometimes a cause of concern to mothers and they want to put oil or some other preparation on the skin to get rid of the dryness. You can be reassured that the flakiness and cracks will disappear in a few days and that oil and some lotions may make matters worse by causing a rash.
The sweat glands of a newborn baby do not start functioning until after the first month. The baby must always therefore be protected against warm weather and excessive clothing. Hot conditions can lead to his developing prickly heat, a closely grouped pinhead-sized rash, on the face, the neck, and wherever skin surfaces touch. Fewer clothes and a cooler clime help to relive the discomfort.

BUTTOCKS:

Sometimes, the baby’s buttocks become reddened and sore. A diaper rash can occur from a reaction of bacteria with the urea in the baby’s urine. This in turn causes dermatitis. The most important prophylaxis is to keep the diaper area clean and dry. Do not be lax in changing a soiled or wet diaper. You could also use baby oil to protect the area. Pastes may not be advised, because they are much more adhesive than ointments and thus create cleansing problems. You could also expose the baby’s reddened buttocks to air and light several times a day, taking care to deep the infant covered otherwise. This simple treatment is often effective. Boiling the diaper is another effective measure, since the residue of the detergent in itself can be irritating.

Nappies

NAPPIES:

It is best to use cotton diapers. They can be washed with a simple detergent or soap and reused. In contrast, disposable nappies are more convenient but expensive. In general, it is best to use them during an outing or occasionally at night. Your baby is at a higher risk of developing a nappy rash with disposable nappies, because they tend to trap the heat and humidity.

CARE OF BABY’S NAVEL

Shortly after birth the doctor will clamp the umbilical cord close to your baby’s navel with a plastic clip. She then cuts it, leaving a small bit of cord which will gradually dry out. The clamp is removed when the umbilical stump has dried sufficiently. This is usually in about 24 hours, but it might take more time more time for a cord that is cut long.
Care of the umbilical area usually consists of cleaning around the junction between the cord stump and the skin with alcohol to encourage drying and discourage the possibility of infection. In some hospital settings, an antibiotic ointment is used instead of alcohol. To further promote drying of the cord, the baby should not receive a tub bath until the cord has separated, and the umbilicus has healed. A cord dressing is considered to be unnecessary since exposure to the air enhances drying of the cord. No attempt should be made to dislodge the cord before it separates completely. If there is a red inflamed area around the stump or any discharge with an odour, bring it to the attention of the doctor immediately.
The cord usually become detached from the body between the fifth and the eighth day after birth, but it may not detach until the 12th or the 14th day. When the cord drops off, the umbilicus is depressed somewhat and usually free from any evidence of inflammation no further treatment is necessary, except to keep the part clean and dry.

SLEEP PATTERN

The newborn need rest and sleep, with as little handling possible. If he is well and comfortable, he usually sleeps much of the time and wakes and cries when he is hungry or uncomfortable. He may sleep as much as 20 hours! It is not the sound sleep of the adult; rather he moves a good deal, stretches, and at intervals awakens momentarily. Since he responds so readily to external stimuli and which may make him restless, his clothing and coverings are important. They should be light in weight, warm but not too warm. And free from wrinkles. His position should be changed frequently when he is awake. He can be placed on either side or his abdomen, especially when he is ready for sleep. If he is positioned on his back, someone should be present, for if the baby regurgitates, he is more likely to aspirate in this position. As he gets older and learns to roll over, he will assume the position that he likes most for sleep.

Crying

CRYING

After the baby is dressed and placed in a warm crib he usually does nor cries unless he is wet, hungry, ill, and uncomfortable for some reason, or is moved. One learns to distinguish an infant’s condition and needs from the character of his cry, which may be described as follows:

A fruitful, hungry cry, with fingers in the mouth and flexed, tense extremities, is easily recognized.

A fretful cry, if due to indigestion, is accompanied by green stools and passing of ages.

A whining cry is noticed when the baby is ill, premature, or very fail.

A loud, insistent cry with drawing up and kicking of the legs usually denotes colicky pain.

A peculiar, shrill, sharp-sounding cry suggests injury, and it is best to see a doctor.

Every effort should be made to recognize any deviation from the usual manner in which a baby announces his normal requirements. The newborn has only his posture and his voice at this time to inform others of his needs, and it is essential that the mother learn to interpret her baby’s cues.

Passing Urine

PASSING URINE

Within the womb, the baby’s urinary activity is evidenced by the presence of urine in the amniotic fluid. The baby usually Voids during delivery or immediately after birth, but the function may be suppressed for several hours. However, if the baby does not void within 24 hours, the condition should be reported to the doctor. He may need to check the baby for an obstruction in his lower urinary tract. After the first two or three days the baby voids from 10 to 15 times a day

NEW BABY’S DOINGS

A newborn baby’s actions are mostly reflex actions. Newborn infants can suck and swallow, move their arms and legs, and cry to make their needs known. When lying in bed, they often curl up in a position like the one they had in the womb. If startled by a loud noise or sudden jolt, they jerk their arms and legs in a reflex action called the startle reflex. Over the first few days, they very quickly learn to co-ordinate their sucking, swallowing and breathing. They also automatically turn towards a nipple or teat if it is brushed against one cheek, and their mouths open if their upper lip is stroked. Newborn babies can also grasp things, like a finger, with either hands or feet, and will make stepping movements if they are held upright on a flat surface. All these automatic responses, except of course sucking, are lost within a few months and your baby will begin to make controlled movements instead.

Senses Development

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SENSES

New born babies can also use all their senses. The senses are known to be functional by 25 weeks gestation. In fact, some studies suggest that babies are capable of detecting changes in the intrauterine environment after 17 weeks of gestation. Mothers commonly report that the baby kicks more when music is played or quiets down when she starts rocking. Bright lights and sounds induce specific heart rate changes in the baby as he becomes aware of their presence. It is evident that the newborn is capable of perceiving environmental events at birth. The senses may be exquisitely sensitive at birth as in the olfactory sense, or they may be relatively immature as in the visual and auditory senses; however, even the immature senses perform well within their limitations. The full-term newborn is able to look at people and things, especially if they are near, and particularly at people’s faces but he cannot control the movements of his eyes. He can hear will and will react to bright light and noise and will listen to your voice. Very soon he will learn to recognise his mother’s special smell and respond to very light touch and movement.

IMMUNISATION AT BIRTH

Babies are given the following vaccines at birth. These vaccines are safe and without any immediate reaction. Some doctors prefer to administer the vaccines a bit later. This is perfectly acceptable. The vaccines given tat birth are:
BCG
ORAL POLIO
HEPAITIS B

BOTTLE FEEDING

Bottle- feeding may seem like hard work at first, but you will soon get into an easy routine of sterilizing bottles and preparing feeds. One advantage of bottle-feeding is that fathers can participate and enjoy holding a warm and contented baby during the feed.

CLEANING AND STERILISING

It is important to keep every piece of your bottle-feeding equipment absolutely clean to protect your baby against infection. This means sterilizing as well as washing. The best way to sterilize is to boil your equipment. You have to boil for at least 10 minutes.

Baby Feeding

FEEDING

Your baby will gradually settle into a routine, probably with feeds every four hours. Before your start to feed your baby, always check that the milk is not too hot by dripping some on the inside or your wrist. Babies do not mind cold milk, but they usually like it better warm. If you want to warm up the milk a little, place the bottle upright in some hot water keeping the teat out of the water. But never keep milk warm for more than one hour. If it is kept warm for too long, harmful bacteria can grow and give your baby upset stomach.

Choose a comfortable place and position for feeding that lets you hold and cuddle your baby comfortably. Have all the things you will need in easy reach, including a clean cloth to wipe up any spills. If there are long pauses during a feed, cover the teat with the cap to keep it clean. Never prop up the bottle and leave your baby to feed alone. It could lead to choking. After a feed, gently rub or pat your baby’s back to make him burp. Your baby will enjoy being cuddled clo9se to you after a feed.

FEEDING SCHEDULES

Most babies require five or six feeds a day until they are about three months old. They can then move to taking four or five feeds daily. After they are five or sic months old, most babies can go on a schedule of three meals a day with between-meal snacks.

SOME COMMON CONCERNS ABOUT FEEDING

There are some areas related to baby’s feeding that are of concern to the new mother regardless of the method of feeding:

HUNGER:

You may wonder how to know if your baby is getting enough to eat. Well, most babies when awakened from sleep by hunger pains will fuss and cry and make sucking movements with their mouths. But, if the baby awakens a short time after a feed, you should try other comfort measures such as holding, changing the diaper and bubbling, before assuming he is hungry. If he is obviously hungry and crying, seizes the nipple ravenously when a feeding is offered and nurses with great vigour,he may need to “refill” more frequently if he is breast-fed or be offered more in his bottle, at each feeding if he is bottle-fed.

BUBBLING (BURPING)

After each five minutes or so, or in the middle and at the end of each feeding, the baby should be held in an upright position and his back gently patted or stroked. The will give baby a chance to eruct the air bubbles that he would have swallowed during the feed. You should have a napkin handy to clean the mess. If there is doubt about whether or not the baby has brought up all the air, then while placing him in the crib; put him on his right side or in a prone position. This will help bring up the air. It will prevent the baby from choking on any milk that might be regurgitated with the air.

Regurgitation

REGURGITATION

Regurgitation is common in babies. It is merely an overflow of milk and often occurs after nursing. It should never be confused with vomiting, which may occur at any time, is accompanied by other symptoms and usually involves a more complete emptying of the stomach. This regurgitation is the means of relieving an over distended stomach. It usually indicates that the baby has taken either too much food or has taken it too rapidly.

HICCUPS

Some mothers need a reassurance that hiccups are not unusual for babies and really do not seem to bother them. If the mother is disturbed, she can try giving the baby a few sips of water, but the hiccups go away by themselves without treatment.

CONSTIPATION

This is almost nonexistent in breast-fed babies and uncommon in those fed commercially prepared formulas, but mothers frequently express concern about possible constipation. Many parents believe that a baby is constipated if he misses having a bowel movement one day. That’s incorrect. A baby is constipated only when the stools are hard, formed and difficult to pass.

VITAMIN DROPS

Your baby doesn’t need anything for the moment besides your milk, but from one month of age you may be advised to give vitamin drops as will. You can get these from the well baby clinic.

Solid Foods

INTRDUCING SOLID FOODS

During the first four to five months, a baby finds complete nutrition in mother’s milk. But as he grows, he needs additional nutrition. One way to tell that a baby is ready for solid food is when he appears hungry despite taking frequent breast feeds and appears to show an interest in foods. In contrast, if the baby cries or turns away from such food, don’t force him. Go back to breast or milk feeds for a week or two and then try again. Forcing and coaxing inevitably leads to difficulties.
It always pays to keep the environment happy and relaxed and to respect baby’s appetite and food preferences. Go slow; try out one new food at a time and wait for four on five days before trying another. Watch for any allergic reaction such as diarrhea, vomiting or rash. If these occur, stop the food and talk to your doctor.
It is best to try home-cooked fresh foods rather than tinned or bottled baby foods. The later are convenient but expensive and are certainly not superior to homemade foods. You should avoid adding extra sugar or spices and should preferably restrict salt until eight or nine months of age.
To prevent the child from choking make him sits up when you give him food. Use a spoon and do not put solids in a bottle.

NUMBER AND TIMINGS OF SOLID FEEDS

At four to six months
Continue to breast- or bottle-feed four or five times a day and introduce solids twice, say around 10 am and 6 pm.
Between six and nine months
Continue to breast or bottle-feed three or four times a day and offer the baby solids three times a day, say at 9 am,1 pm and 7pm.you may also give him milk in a cup and stop using a bottle.
Beyond nine months
Give the child solids four times a day, say at 9 am, 1 pm,4 pm and 8pm. You may also give him fresh milk two or three times or continue breast-feeding.

Choice of Foods

CHOICE OF FOODS

At five to six months

Mashed fruits.

Start with a quarter of a mashed banana and increase the quantity every week. Later stewed apple (peel, cut into bits, steam and mash with a spoon), papaya, chikoo, mango and pears may be given.

Vegetables.

Start with a thin soup of carrots, pumpkin, doodhi, beetroot and tomatoes. Try peas, beans and leafy vegetables sometimes later. Gradually you can try giving a thick soup.

Cereals.

You could begin with rice. Rice with moong dal in the form of a khichdi makes an excellent choice. Other cereals like rava kheer, thin wheat seera, dalia, sooji, ragi, biscuits soaked in milk can be tried a little later. A highly nutritious mix can be made out of roasting, grinding and mixing equal parts of rice, wheat, and ragi and moong dal. The mixed powder is stored in an airtight container. This powder can be used for making a thin kheer with milk and a bit of sugar.

Fruit juice.
Orange and apple juice may be offered like a drink between feeds.
Seven to nine months

Potatoes.

You can try mashed potatoes with a bit of butter. Some babies also enjoy mashed vegetables.

Eggs.

Boil the egg for three minutes. Start with a quarter of the yellow part, and gradually include the white. Remember, eggs are rich in cholesterol and it is best for the baby not to have an egg more than three times a week, some babies may also show allergy towards eggs.

Meat and other non-vegetarian foods.

You can get the baby started on them

head,height circumference

TEN TO TWELVE MONTHS

You can give the baby a normal diet. Roti, rice, dal, upma, idli, non-vegetarian foods and fruits can be offered.
BABY’S PROGRESS CARD

You should take the baby to a nearby will baby clinic for follow up advice. Such clinics are run both by the government and by private practitioners. On each visit the baby will be weighed and record will be kept of the amount of weight he gains. This is one way to check that the baby is feeding will and thriving.

At most will baby clinics, adequate facilities are available for baby’s immunization and development checks and tests. The doctor will check your baby’s health and progress from time to time and you can share your concerns with him.

WEIGHT GAIN

During the first three months, the baby should gain between 150 to 200 gm in weight per week.
From here on and till his first birthday, he should gain approximately 400 gm in weight every month. Thus, at five months of age, a baby usually doubles his birth weight, and triples it by his first birthday. This gain in weight is one good indicator of baby’s health and development. if the baby is not gaining
In weight or is slow to gain weight, this must be taken note of and a child specialist should be
consulted.

HEIGHT INCREASE

On an average, the baby measures 50 cm at birth; 60 cm at three months, 70 cm at nine months and 73 to 75 cm at one year of age.

HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE

At birth the baby’s bead circumference is more than his chest circumference and is about 35 cm. it increases to 40 cm by the time he is three months and is about 45 cm on his first birthday.

Circumference

CHEST CIRCUMFERENCE

The circumference of chest is about 3 cm less than the head circumference at birth. The two become equal by one year and from here on the chest circumference grows at a faster pace than the head circumference.

ERUPTION OF TEETH

The lower central incisors are the first teeth to appear, usually between the ages of five to eight months. The corresponding upper teeth appear about a month later and the lateral incisors (the tooth next to central incisor) usually appear within the next three months. The first molars appear around the age of 12 or 15 months.

DEVELOPMENT OF MILESTONES

As the baby grows, he begins to control his body better. He also goes through a socio-personal development and learns to adapt himself to the environment. This maturation of different functions (milestones) occurs at a predictable age, within the range of a few months, and is a good guide to baby’s progress. Here’s the road to progress:

Six to eight weeks looks at mother and smiles.

Three months can hold his head erect.
Recognizes his mother.

Four to five months begins to reach out for objects.
Recognizes mother.

Six to eight months can sit without support.
Experiments with noises.
Can transfers objects from one hand to another
Enjoys hide and seek.
Enjoys watching his image in the mirror.

Nine to ten months starts crawling.
Can make increasing range of sounds.
Releases objects. Tends to be suspicious of strangers.

Ten to eleven months can stand with support. Can pull him up from the

supine to sitting position.
Can creep on the floor.
Begins to utter his first words.

12th to 14th months Begins to walk with a wide base. Tries to feed himself with a spoon. Can build a tower of two blocks.

Immunisations

IMMUNISATIONS

The well baby clinic doctor will also immunize your baby against certain serious illnesses. In the first year, your baby will be immunized against tuberculosis, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and polio. These are all dangerous diseases and can cause permanent damage to a child’s health or can even kill. Immunization gives the child a complete protection against these diseases except in the case of tuberculosis. You may also immu8ise your baby against other illnesses, such as measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis and meningitis.

RECOMMENDED IMMUNISATION SCHEDULE

Vaccine due age due date given on
BCG At birth
OPV (1) + HEP B (1) At birth
HEP B (2) 4 weeks
DPT (1) + OPV (2) + HIB (1) 8 weeks
DPT (2) + OPV (3) + HIB (2) 12-14 weeks
DPT (3) + OPV (4) + HIB (3) 18-20 weeks
Measles + OPV +HEP B (3) 8-9 months
Chicken Pox (optional) 12-18 months
MMR 15-18 months
HIB (booster) 15-18 months
DPT + OPV (1st booster) 18-24 months
Hepatitis-A vaccine (optional) 2 years
Typhoid shot 3 years
DPT + OPV (2nd booster) 5 years
Hepatitis-A (optional) 5 years
MMR (unless both Meals & MMR
Have been given) 5 years
Typhoid Oral 6 years
Typhoid Oral 9 years
Tetanus 10 years
Chicken Pox Vaccine 10 years
(If vaccine has not been
administered earlier and there is no
past history of chicken pox)
Typhoid Oral 12 years
Tetanus Toxoid (TT) 16 years

DPT Diptheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus
OPV Oral Polio vaccine
MMR Measles, Mumbs, Rubella (German measles)
BCG Tuberculosis vaccine
HIB Hemophilus Influenza B Vaccine (meningitis vaccine)
HEP B Hepatitis B vaccine
Varicella Vaccine Chicken Pox vaccine
If any of the vaccines are missed, you should talk to th doctor. Mostly, the vaccine can still be given.

Caution:

Before vaccinating the child, you should inform the doctor if your child:
Is unwell in any way
Has ever had fits or convulsions
Has had a reaction to the last dose
Has a past history of any allergies
Has any chronic or serious disease

Crying

CRYING
Crying usually means that a baby is hungry, needs a clean nappy, or is uncomfortable, tired, or neglected. Once the situation is corrected, most babies ordinarily stop crying. You can also soothe the baby by offering him a “dummy” pacifier, a rubber teat attached to a plastic guard, to suck on. By now, you would understand your baby’s cues rather well and know how to deal with him.
Remember, if a baby is crying he is trying to say something. He would rarely, if ever, cry without a reason. In the first months of life your baby had lived in a very comfortable, trouble-free place. Everything was made to9 order and all comforts were automatic! Now, afterbirth, there is a great deal to adjust to-unfamiliar sights, alien sounds and new sensations, a new way of feeding, people, clothes, nappies, baths. Perhaps crying is not so surprising. Soothing talk, singing, gentle movements like swaying or rocking, and perhaps more than anything closeness to you will all help. Sometimes babies stop crying when pushed in a pram, taken out in a car, or put into a baby carrier. You may want to try a pacifier. Many babies find a pacifier soothing. But never use a sweetened pacifier or bottle to soothe your baby. If your baby develops a taste for sweetness now, it will be difficult to break the baby later.
It can take a great deal of patience to soothe a crying baby. Often, especially if you are tired, it may need more patience than you feel you have got! But never lose your cool with the child .he cannot react to you being unreasonable.
If at any time for any reason you are worried about your baby’s crying, contact your doctor. A change in a baby’s crying, so that it seems different or unusual, may be the first sign of illness, particularly in a baby who is not feeding well or will not be comforted.

Sleeping Pattern

SLEEPING PATTERN
Babies sleep up to 20 hours a day during the first month after birth. Their need for sleep then gradually decreases. By about three months of age, most infants begin to enjoy a playful waken period each day. At such times, you may very well put the baby near other members of the family. After a play period, the baby may be fed, changed and put back in bed.
Babies sleeping patterns vary a lot. When they are very small, many babies sleep for most of the time between feeds. Others remain awake for long spells. As they grow older babies begin to develop some sort of pattern of waking and sleeping. This pattern will change as time goes by. It is unlikely to be the same pattern as that followed by other babies you know. Just as some babies cry more than others, when your baby is ready for sleep and can be happily put down. A baby that is used to being put to bed when ready for sleep, but not before, is more likely to settle into an undisturbed sleep. Some babies settle better after a warm bath. Most sleep after a good feed. A baby who wants to sleep is not likely to be disturbed by ordinary household noises, so there is no need to keep the whole house quiet while your baby sleeps. It is best if a child gets used to sleeping through a certain amount of noise!
For the first two months or so, the safest way for babies to sleep is on their fronts, head to one side, or else curled up on one side. Then, if the baby vomits, there is no chance that he will choke. Babies should not use pillows because of the danger of suffocation.

MAKING THINGS INTERESTING …..FOR YOUR BABY
Even very young babies like to have interesting things to look at brightly colored beads, for example, hung across the pram, a soft toy in the cot or a moving toy overhead.
As your baby begins to spend more time awake, you need to provide more entertainment.