Breastfeeding Is An Ideal Method Of Feeding And Nurturing Infants

by: Connie Limon

In recent years especially research consistently shows breastfeeding infants provides a multitude of compelling advantages to: * Infants * Mothers * Families * Society These advantages include: * Health * Nutritional * Immunologic * Developmental * Psychological * Social * Economic * Environmental Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding. All other commercial substitute feeding options differ markedly from it. Breast milk is easily digested and contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections. The health benefits to mothers include lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers. Regardless of the superiority of human milk against all other infant feeding options, health professionals agree that there are rare exceptions when human milk is not recommended. Breastfeeding is not advisable if one or more of the following conditions is true: * The infant is diagnosed with galactosemia (a rare genetic metabolic disorder) * The infant whose mother has been infected with HIV, is taking antiretroviral medications, has untreated, active tuberculosis, is infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I or type II, is using or dependent upon an illicit drug, is taking prescribed cancer chemotherapy agents that interfere with DNA replication and cell division, is undergoing radiation therapies (radiation therapy requires only a temporary interruption in breastfeeding) Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants, which includes premature and sick newborns with some rare exceptions. The final decision on breastfeeding an infant is the mother’s. It is the role of the pediatricians to provide parents with complete, current information on the benefits and methods of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth, usually within the first hour. Newborns should nurse whenever they show signs of hunger, which include: * Increased alertness or activity * Mouthing * Rooting All the above signs will appear before crying. Crying is a late sign of infant hunger. Newborns should nurse about 8 to 12 times every 24 hour period until satiety. This is usually accomplished within 10 to 15 minutes on each breast. If the infant is non-demanding in the early weeks after birth, they should be aroused or awakened to feed if 4 hours passes since last nursing. Do not give supplements such as water, glucose water, formula and so forth to breastfeeding newborns unless advised by a health care professional due to some kind of medical indication. With adequate breastfeeding knowledge and practices, supplements are rarely needed. Pacifiers and supplements should be avoided and if used at all, only after breastfeeding is well established. Newborns and breastfeeding mothers should be seen by a pediatrician or other knowledgeable health care professional when the newborn is 2 to 4 days of age. At that time, infant weight and a general health assessment should be done as well as observing breastfeeding for evidence of successful breastfeeding behavior. In addition the infant should be assessed for jaundice, adequate hydration and age-appropriate elimination patterns. The infant should have at least six urinations per day and three to four stools per day by 5 to 7 days of age. Some obstacles to the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding include: * Insufficient prenatal breastfeeding education * Inappropriate interruption of breastfeeding * Early hospital discharge in some populations * Lack of timely routine follow-up care and postpartum home health visits * Media portrayal of bottle-feeding as being “normal.” * Commercial promotion of infant formula through hospital distributions of discharge packs, coupons for free or discounted formula, television and general magazine advertising The highest rates of breastfeeding are among higher-income, college-educated women, 30 years of age living in the Mountain and Pacific regions of the United States. The AAP strongly recommends breastfeeding as the ideal method of feeding and nurturing infants and recognizes breastfeeding as most important in achieving optimal infant and child health, growth and development. Source: AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

A Cool Tool for Mom - Infant Massage!

by: Tina Allen, LMT, CIIT, CIMI

There are so many benefits to using infant massage with your baby. Infant massage relaxes and soothes: Not only will your baby feel relaxed so will you! Nurturing touch is a naturally rewarding way to relieve stress for both you and your baby. It has been proven that touch decreases the levels of Cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies. Cortisol is always present in our bloodstream, but high levels of this hormone can be found in our bodies during times of extreme stress. Deepens Bonding: Infant Massage provides you with essential one-on-one time that will enhance your family bonding, understanding and ability to nurture. During massage Oxytocin is released in both the giver and receiver's body. Also known as the hormone of love, Oxytocin is our feel good hormone. This hormone helps to provide us with loving, nurturing feelings which helps us to bond. An increased production of Oxytocin occurs for mothers during labor and breastfeeding. Research now shows that even close physical contact and nurturing touch also stimulates Oxytocin production. Great news for all of the dads out there who didn't give birth to their baby, you can still produce the same hormones through the use of loving touch. Improves Communication: Touch is our very first form of communication. So you can assume that communicating through touch enhances your natural ability to understand your baby's special needs and respond with appropriate care. Through the use of infant massage your sensitivity and confidence in understanding your baby's unique cues and forms of communication is increased. You cannot spoil a baby by picking them up when they cry. When babies receive attentive responses to their needs they grow to become healthier and more secure in adulthood. Contributes to Development: Stimulates growth and healthy development of your baby's body, mind and spirit. Massaged babies gain healthy weight better than babies who do not receive massage. Additionally, nurturing touch helps to enhance the digestion process. The systems of the body are stimulated during massage which assists in the absorption of nutrients and elimination of what is not needed. For some babies infant massage has also been shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms associated with Colic. Helps Baby to Sleep Better: Not only does massage help your baby to release stress which builds daily from new experiences, it allows them to relax. During this special time both you and your baby have time to relax. Massaging your baby helps your little one to sleep deeper and for longer periods of time which can translate into you being able to sleep longer as well! Through massage you will not only increase your loving, nurturing bonds with your baby, you will assist in their healthy and happy development! Copyright (c) 2007 Liddle Kidz™ Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage

Toys For Teaching Infants

by: Nathan Nunez

When an infant reaches the age of three months, he begins to become playful. He starts playing with anything he sets his eyes on. Anything that fits in his hand or has something that is able to be grabbed on it. This is also the stage in a child’s life when he begins what is called “teething.” That means that the child is beginning to grow his first set of teeth in and he is anxious to give them a go, which means that anything that the child picks up goes straight into his mouth. That is why it is important that the child is given toys that are appropriate for this stage. Anything that he picks up may contain pieces that come off easily when pulled. This could pose a danger for a small child, seeing as how they could choke easily on anything that enters their mouth. That is why toys for their age have been created. Not only are these toys fun for children that age, but they are also educational. Infants are also in a stage where they are beginning to learn new things and specially designed infant toys aid in their learning of new things. For babies who love to place everything in their mouth, there are all kinds of toys that are soft and squishy that can go in their mouth without posing any kind of threat to their health. They come in all shapes and sizes, but they all serve the same purpose. They are for infants who love to put things in their mouth. With these toys, your child can do that without any danger. Another thing to consider is that children at this stage are always open to learn. Making sure they learn the right thing should be a priority. One such toy is a device with several buttons that produce musical sounds when they are pushed. Several babies at this age enjoy hearing music. Depending on the kind they hear, they are relaxed by it. When they play with these buttons, they come out with their own unique “songs.” Who knows? Your child may become the next Beethoven or Mozart and this little device could help them in that process. Another toy is another machine, but this one helps the child learn new words. These machines vary, seeing as how some teach words for animals, objects such as a lamp or book, or other words. These devices have been known to help children with new words and recognition of objects. Infant toys such as these should be able to help babies in the first stages of their life. They are very open to learn anything and it is imperative that they learn the right things the right way. They may not know as much as adults do, but that means their mind is open to learn anything that comes their way. Thankfully, there are infant toys available to babies that help the, learn the basic things in their early life.

Choosing The Right Infant Toy For Your Child

by: Rachel Nunez

Toys have been a perennial thing in each person’s life. Every individual passes the phase of having toys and enjoy playing with it. Toys need not to be expensive and complex, as long as the enjoyment is there then its fine having a simple one. There are also toys that are not bought; they can just be made from household things. Imagination and creativity is the key in making and creating a homemade toy. But there are times when parents find the right toy for their infant. The toy should be soft so that the infant would not be harmed. Several toy makers are always coming up with new designs to cater to the infinite needs an infant has. But of course there are several factors that need to be considered before purchasing an infant toy. First thing to consider is its size. The toy should not be small because the infant may swallow it thus making him choke. It should also be not that large so that the infant would not have a hard time in handling it. Second thing that should be kept in mind is toy material. Is the toy made of plastic or cotton; or other substances that is used in making it? Individuals should see to it that the material used in making the toy would not be harmful to the health of the infant. Thirdly, the toy’s color should also be thought of. Though children may not know what color they are seeing, it is best that they are exposed already to different colors. This exposure helps their mind develop that sense of color distinction at an early age. Fourthly, the purpose of the infant toy should also be considered. Buying toys because of its functionality enables the infant to learn and discover new things with these. There are toys made to strengthen the grip of an infant and the like. Fifth, look at the age group the toy is intended for. You wouldn’t buy a toy that says for ages three and up would you? Of course you want the toy to be right for the age of your child. Sixth, asking and talking to other parents about the toys for their infants can also be helpful. Since their child is older than yours, perhaps they can share some ideas on what to toy to buy or give to your infant. Making sure of the health and welfare of a child is always the priority of a parent. So in keeping the things stated, your infant will be ensured of having a safe yet enjoyable toy. The aforementioned tips are only a few of the many things that parents should consider in buying an infant toy. They can always do some more research and keep their options open until they find the most suitable toy for their child. Toys are educational and at the same time enjoyable, it is up to you on which toys you think have both. Expensive toys does not necessarily mean a high quality toy, there are less expensive ones that have the same purpose. Infant toys should also be kept clean at all times since it is the nature of the infant to suck on things he grasps.

Artificial Diet For Infants

by: Jamulco Setiawan

It should be as like the breast-milk as possible. This is obtained by a mixture of cow's milk, water, and sugar, in the following proportions. Fresh cow's milk, two thirds; Boiling water, or thin barley water, one third; Loaf sugar, a sufficient quantity to sweeten. This is the best diet that can be used for the first six months, after which some farinaceous food may be combined. In early infancy, mothers are too much in the habit of giving thick gruel, panada, biscuit-powder, and such matters, thinking that a diet of a lighter kind will not nourish. This is a mistake; for these preparations are much too solid; they overload the stomach, and cause indigestion, flatulence, and griping. These create a necessity for purgative medicines and carminatives, which again weaken digestion, and, by unnatural irritation, perpetuate the evils which render them necessary. Thus many infants are kept in a continual round of repletion, indigestion, and purging, with the administration of cordials and narcotics, who, if their diet were in quantity and quality suited to their digestive powers, would need no aid from physic or physicians. In preparing this diet, it is highly important to obtain pure milk, not previously skimmed, or mixed with water; and in warm weather just taken from the cow. It should not be mixed with the water or sugar until wanted, and not more made than will be taken by the child at the time, for it must be prepared fresh at every meal. It is best not to heat the milk over the fire, but let the water be in a boiling state when mixed with it, and thus given to the infant tepid or lukewarm. As the infant advances in age, the proportion of milk may be gradually increased; this is necessary after the second month, when three parts of milk to one of water may be allowed. But there must be no change in the kind of diet if the health of the child is good, and its appearance perceptibly improving. Nothing is more absurd than the notion, that in early life children require a variety of food; only one kind of food is prepared by nature, and it is impossible to transgress this law without marked injury. There are two ways by the spoon, and by the nursing-bottle. The first ought never to be employed at this period, inasmuch as the power of digestion in infants is very weak, and their food is designed by nature to be taken very slowly into the stomach, being procured from the breast by the act of sucking, in which act a great quantity of saliva is secreted, and being poured into the mouth, mixes with the milk, and is swallowed with it. This process of nature, then, should be emulated as far as possible; and food (for this purpose) should be imbibed by suction from a nursing-bottle: it is thus obtained slowly, and the suction employed secures the mixture of a due quantity of saliva, which has a highly important influence on digestion. Whatever kind of bottle or teat is used, however, it must never be forgotten that cleanliness is absolutely essential to the success of this plan of rearing children. Te quantity of food to be given at each meal ust be regulated by the age of the child, and its digestive power. A little experience will soon enable a careful and observing mother to determine this point. As the child grows older the quantity of course must be increased. The chief error in rearing the young is overfeeding; and a most serious one it is; but which may be easily avoided by the parent pursuing a systematic plan with regard to the hours of feeding, and then only yielding to the indications of appetite, and administering the food slowly, in small quantities at a time. This is the only way effectually to prevent indigestion, and bowel complaints, and the irritable condition of the nervous system, so common in infancy, and secure to the infant healthy nutrition, and consequent strength of constitution. As has been well observed, "Nature never intended the infant's stomach to be converted into a receptacle for laxatives, carminatives, antacids, stimulants, and astringents; and when these become necessary, we may rest assured that there is something faulty in our management, however perfect it may seem to ourselves." The frequency of giving food must be determined, as a general rule, by allowing such an interval between each meal as will insure the digestion of the previous quantity; and this may be fixed at about every three or four hours. If this rule be departed from, and the child receives a fresh supply of food every hour or so, time will not be given for the digestion of the previous quantity, and as a consequence of this process being interrupted, the food passing on into the bowel undigested, will there ferment and become sour, will inevitably produce cholic and purging, and in no way contribute to the nourishment of the child. The posture of the child when fed:- It is important to attend to this. It must not receive its meals lying; the head should be raised on the nurse's arm, the most natural position, and one in which there will be no danger of the food going the wrong way, as it is called. After each meal the little one should be put into its cot, or repose on its mother's knee, for at least half an hour. This is essential for the process of digestion, as exercise is important at other times for the promotion of health. As soon as the child has got any teeth, and about this period one or two will make their appearance, solid farinaceous matter boiled in water, beaten through a sieve, and mixed with a small quantity of milk, may be employed. Or tops and bottoms, steeped in hot water, with the addition of fresh milk and loaf sugar to sweeten. And the child may now, for the first time, be fed with a spoon. When one or two of the large grinding teeth have appeared, the same food may be continued, but need not be passed through a sieve. Beef tea and chicken broth may occasionally be added; and, as an introduction to the use of a more completely animal diet, a portion, now and then, of a soft boiled egg; by and by a small bread pudding, made with one egg in it, may be taken as the dinner meal. Nothing is more common than for parents during this period to give their children animal food. This is a great error. "To feed an infant with animal food before it has teeth proper for masticating it, shows a total disregard to the plain indications of nature, in withholding such teeth till the system requires their assistance to masticate solid food. And the method of grating and pounding meat, as a substitute for chewing, may be well suited to the toothless octogenarian, whose stomach is capable of digesting it; but the stomach of a young child is not adapted to the digestion of such food, and will be disordered by it. It cannot reasonably be maintained that a child's mouth without teeth, and that of an adult, furnished with the teeth of carnivorous and graminivorous animals, are designed by the Creator for the same sort of food. If the mastication of solid food, whether animal or vegetable, and a due admixture of saliva, be necessary for digestion, then solid food cannot be proper, when there is no power of mastication. If it is swallowed in large masses it cannot be masticated at all, and will have but a small chance of being digested; and in an undigested state it will prove injurious to the stomach and to the other organs concerned in digestion, by forming unnatural compounds. The practice of giving solid food to a toothless child, is not less absurd, than to expect corn to be ground where there is no apparatus for grinding it. That which would be considered as an evidence of idiotism or insanity in the last instance, is defended and practised in the former. If, on the other hand, to obviate this evil, the solid matter, whether animal or vegetable, be previously broken into small masses, the infant will instantly swallow it, but it will be unmixed with saliva. Yet in every day's observation it will be seen, that children are so fed in their most tender age; and it is not wonderful that present evils are by this means produced, and the foundation laid for future disease." The diet pointed out, then, is to be continued until the second year. Great care, however, is necessary in its management; for this period of infancy is ushered in by the process of teething, which is commonly connected with more or less of disorder of the system. Any error, therefore, in diet or regimen is now to be most carefully avoided. 'Tis true that the infant, who is of a sound and healthy constitution, in whom, therefore, the powers of life are energetic, and who up to this time has been nursed upon the breast of its parent, and now commences an artificial diet for the first time, disorder is scarcely perceptible, unless from the operation of very efficient causes. Not so, however, with the child who from the first hour of its birth has been nourished upon artificial food. Teething under such circumstances is always attended with more or less of disturbance of the frame, and disease of the most dangerous character but too frequently ensues. It is at this age, too, that all infectious and eruptive fevers are most prevalent; worms often begin to form, and diarrhoea, thrush, rickets, cutaneous eruptions, etc. manifest themselves, and the foundation of strumous disease is originated or developed. A judicious management of diet will prevent some of these complaints, and mitigate the violence of others when they occur.

A Journey Through Infant Development: The Tenth Month

by: Michelle VanderHeide, BSW

Curiosity is something that is developed very early in life and becomes very evident once a child starts to move. Although it can be very annoying to pull babies out of cupboards, dishwashers, refrigerators and toilets, curiosity is an extremely important foundation to a child’s neurotypical development. Curiosity allows discoveries – it offers children those “ah ha” moments in life. If a child doesn’t explore his/her environment ¬– in safe circumstances only of course – the opportunity to make discoveries is lost!

I can’t seem to get anything done while you are awake! Anytime I try to work in the kitchen, you are immediately into what I’m doing. I open the refrigerator, and there you are pulling something out of the door. I try to prepare food, and you empty every cupboard. I empty the dishwasher, and YIKES – you’re going for a sharp knife!

You’re not only into my stuff all the time, but your sisters’ as well. If they are doing a puzzle, you sit on it. If they are playing in their room, it isn’t long before I hear, “Mom!!!!” We all love you, but your sisters have appropriately changed your name from little brother to little bother.

Balls are so intriguing! If there is a ball or anything that resembles a ball, you crawl quickly to it. Once you pass it to me, you’ll look right at me and throw your arms in the air and scream. It’s so fun! If there isn’t anybody available to play, you’ll accept that and play catch with yourself. You’ll throw it; go and get it; and then throw it again. It keeps you busy for a long time! That lasted for about a week, and now you’re onto new things. You get bored easily.

Brushing teeth is a very interesting event as well. Dad will hold you while he brushes his teeth, and gives you a toothbrush as well. You’ll look at him so intently while he brushes, and then put your toothbrush in your mouth. You think you are so cool brushing your teeth like dad. The look of accomplishment on your face is priceless.

You are really getting into playing games, and find it so funny when the game changes. I handed you the top to a jar, and you handed it right back. I handed it to you, and you handed it right back (much like how we play ball). I then put it on your knee. You thought that was so funny, you grabbed it and handed it back. I put it on my knee, and the game continued. When I put it on my head, you got up, grabbed it, and tried to put it on your head – all while cracking up.

I can no longer leave the room without you getting upset. It seems as though separation anxiety has kicked in. It’s very apparent that your awareness of your surroundings has gotten much better!

You are beginning to cruise around now. Your crawling has gotten faster, and you can pull yourself up to stand with ease. It allows you to feed your curiosity about what’s going on in the rest of the world, and you love it! Now that you can do that much, let’s just get to walking.

If your child is always fixated on one thing when entering an environment, s/he is being robbed of making daily discoveries: How does my mom greet people? Do I greet grandma the same way I greet a cashier? How am I supposed to act in a gym as opposed to church? These sorts of skills are often taught if a child lacks it; but when not discovered in a natural environment, these skills can look very awkward or be inappropriate in different settings! Even in a gym, the expectation of how we’d behave changes according to what is happening in the gym. We are constantly appraising our surroundings to determine the appropriate way to act. Through the use of RDI strategies, these discoveries can be made for a child who wouldn’t otherwise make them on his/her own. Give us a call if you want to know how!