Babiesfriend

TRIPLETS NATURALLY

2011-06-07T15:13:00.005+01:00

I am now helping with a 5 month old, who's mother is expecting triplets when she will be only 10 months! No IVF, just a very fertile mum (who was taking precautions too!)
A huge shock.

Mum looks 6 months pregnant already (actually nearly 15 weeks) and I try to do as much as I can, so she does not over do it.

The last baby arrived 7 weeks early, after a 5 day labour and then a C-section; so as much as possible must be done to reduce a very early labour this time. They are due to be delivered at 32/33 weeks.

Next week I go and see the new scan, which will show the sexes. Best know this time so we can prepare. Let's hope there is a boy in there somewhere!

4 of them, my hands will be full, that's for sure.
Forget my usual flexible routines. This will need to be strict and practical.

Then, how do we get them around?
In what?
Goodness!!!!!!!

INOCULATIONS & DIRTY CONDITIONS

2011-05-05T15:26:00.003+01:00

I went with a baby to have the 2nd round of jabs yesterday and was appalled by the lack of hygiene by the nurse at the rather sub-standard surgery.

Not once did the nurse wash her hands whilst handling, filling and administering 3 syringes.
All the time using her computer keyboard, touching the patients couch, feeling her dirty desk and even opening the door and going out of the room.

When questioned, she said she washed her hands between patients. A lie, as the person before came out and we went in.

No swab, just dry cotton wool (sitting around in a bowl) in case of a bleed.

I seen a few bad habits, but this . . . . !

THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY, ONLY YOUR WAY

2011-04-20T12:17:00.004+01:00

Please remember that there is no RIGHT way to look after you baby, only the way that suits you and your baby best.

Of course, there are wrong ways; but by the right way I mean, what works for you both.

Take all the books and videos on how to look after your baby and they will all contradict themselves.

Just try all ways possible and do what suits you and your baby.
But remember, what suits one day, may differ the next.

PREMATURE BABY and HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

2011-04-20T11:08:00.013+01:00

As well as working with both new and former families, my own has continued to grow.

After a night mare pregnancy constantly feeling and being sick from week three, then needing regular IV fluid drips because of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, one of my daughters went through a 5 day labour, which was 7 weeks early and produced a lovely little girl.

She was delivered by c-section and had to be pushed back up the birth canal to get her out, as her nose and eyes were poking out, having a good look around and she was thrashing from side to side. Nosey little thing! All ended up well though.

Her poor little face was bruised all down the left hand side and she was in Intensive care for a week or two.
Then Special care till she was allowed home.

Horrid for both mum and dad, not to have their baby with them; but mum was so stoic with dad's support.

Now she is 4 months old and a smiling, bright little button.

INVITATIONS, RECOVERY and PREMATURE BABY

2011-01-20T13:14:00.004Z

Time flies and "My" babies are getting so big!

My little one who had the bad cleft palate and lip had his second operation, this time on his soft palate and he has made a wonderful recovery.
He is 1 years old next month and a dear little boy. Smart as a button too.
There seems to be little adverse effect on his speech as far as they can tell, apart from him being a bit loud; but that's children for you!

I have seen many of my "little friends" over the last few months and have been invited to a christening, escorting a pageboy to a wedding and 2 birthday parties. (I wish my social life with my own age group was doing as well)!!
I am truly blessed to be included at their milestones.

I have 3 grandchildren now. The last born 7 weeks early before Christmas and it's hard to believe that the due date has still not arrived!
A difficult time for the parents having to be without their baby and all sorts of issues over steroid injections, epidurals and Neonatal care to be discussed next.

The main thing is, she is fit, well and gaining weight ... the baby that is.

BACK AGAIN!

2010-10-10T23:39:00.006+01:00

I have not been writing here for some months now due to being busy and without a Blackberry or iPod.

But there is lots to say about the various babies I have been working with and will get around to giving some new information in the next few days.

I will be talking about craniosacral therapy for babies and how it really can help, if done by the right therapist.

SIGNS OF PAIN

2010-06-03T17:19:00.005+01:00

Almost three weeks have past since the cleft operation and he is doing so well.

His smile is like a bright sunbeam.... broad again, rather than being pursed from the stitches and such a happy little bunny.

He's off most medications now, but you can still see the dissolvable stitches in his mouth.
He's feeding and sleeping more; in fact last night he did a seven and a half hour stint between his feeds!

He was unsettled in the early morning today and has been of late, so I think he may still have some pain in the early hours of day.
He cries and waves his little arms and legs about wildly; rather than those rhythmic colicy jerks. He only does tiny burps nowdays and doesn't seem to need much winding at all. Everything else seems fine, so the only thing I can think of is pain.

Another thing he does to make me think it is pain; is when I cradle him to try to help him to sleep (which he clearly shows he wants to do and something I don't do with a baby unless unwell), he buries his head under my arm and against my body with his cheek pushing against me.
As he has no control over his arm movements yet, I think this is like an older person holding an area that they have hurt.
e.g. When we hurt ourselves, we rub the area and this in turn sends a signal to the brain to concentrate on healing that spot and maybe increase the blood supply if necessary.

I have suggested some Calpol at this feed time, so he can sleep easier afterwards, although I did not give it last night, as I would always seek the parents approval before applying any medication not in the routine.

All in all, he looks wonderful and has a delightful little spirit and is as loved as any baby could be.

MY BLOG

2010-05-28T16:33:00.002+01:00

If you follow me on Twitter, you may like to follow the original on:- http://babiesfriend.blogspot.com/

FLAT HEADS, TREATMENT and PILLOWS

2010-05-27T18:33:00.008+01:00

During the birth procedure (whether naturally or by C-section), often babies have neck problems which are not always evident.
Mostly, they show up with digestive problems, as the Atlas bone (which can affect the flight and fright and digestive system) may have been moved out of position as they cork screw out, sometimes causing colic.

Baby may also have a propensity to turn the head in one direction when lying down, which may cause that side of the head to become flattened. Or if they lay flat on their back, they may get a flat-spot at the back of the head.
I have had babies with hardly any neck at all showing and in extreme cases, they may show signs of pain when moving the arms or shoulders and sometimes get sores in the folds of skin in the neck.

When I think there may be a problem, I suggest to mum that they might like to visit a baby cranial Osteopath or Chiropractor; but please note that they must be trained in this area.
To be safe, I recommend they go to an excellent centre: the Osteopathic Centre for Children in Bloomsbury, London.
This is a Charitable organisation run by the Foundation for Osteopathy and you are asked for a donation for the visit, which a present is approx £30 and well worth the money.

The Centre has highly train professions and also Osteopaths who are learning cranial work, so you see more than one person.
The excellent treatment looks as though they are doing nothing and it is gentle and does not pain the baby at all.

Even if you think there are no problems, it is always nice to have your baby checked out by someone who is looking for things that the normal midwife or doctor do not seem to notice.

Since the "Back to Sleep" campaign (which makes us sleep babies on their backs), there has been an increase of flattened heads and at the Centre they recommend the Lilla Kuddis pillow to prevent Flat Head Syndrome.
Babies heads do not harden until 12-18 months.

Normally I would never recommend a pillow for any babies; but this is safe and baby lies with both his head and shoulders on it.
The pillow has been developed in Sweden by Midwives and Physiotherapists and had has good results.

The only thing I am not happy with, is that the filling is not made of natural fibre (which in my opinion may make the baby sweat), although the cover is 100% cotton.

FEEDING WELL & GAINING WEIGHT

2010-05-27T17:27:00.005+01:00

Things change so quickly with these little people.
Last night "my little boy" drank almost double what he's been drinking since his operation; taking nearly 7oz or 200mls. Then went straight back to sleep for nearly 5 hours.

The next feed he seemed uncomfortable again, so I gave him 2½ mls of paracetamol, which settled him. It seems to work within 15 minutes.

He scar has healed beautifully, but you can still see the dissolvable ones inside his mouth.
His recovery his astounded me, but his cells are regenerating so fast at 3 months, I suppose it's not so surprising.

He went back to his Paediatrician today and has gained weight again (past his preoperative weight) showing he is definitely on the mend, bless him!

PAIN ONGOING

2010-05-25T12:45:00.003+01:00

The hospital thought that "my baby" would only need pain killers for one week.
Mum has seen an European website for Cleft babies in which some parents write about their baby crying for 3 weeks or more.

The last 48 hours (over the post operative week), he has shown signs of being in pain and quite unsettled, crying and waving his arms about in distress.

Although he is feeding more, my view is that he is in distress and needs help through the pain.
After all, he has a huge amount of work done to his hard palate, let alone his lip.

Last week I had excruciating tooth ache and root canal work and still have a residue of pain; so it is not surprising that my poor little boy must be feeling it so much worse. He really is a Brave Little Soldier and loved so much.

So, he is back on Ibuprofen at 8 hour intervals (3x per day) and Paracetamol at 6 hour intervals (4x per day).

Now, if you Google Phenergan (which I used to give to my children when necessary) you get loads of advice now as why not to use it. But as it was provided specifically for the baby by Great Ormond Street Hospital, I feel no reason why he should not have it.
However never use Phenergan without it being prescribed, as it has had some adverse reactions.

Lets hope that being back on pain killers helps his discomfort. I see no reason why he should suffer, and that isn't in silence!

CLEFT HARD PALATE & LIP POST OPERATION

2010-05-22T15:48:00.006+01:00

A week on from his cleft operation and I now understand that the doctors not only fixed his lip, but also his hard palate and implanted a bone piece to use as a fixation point for later on.

Given that so much was done, my admiration for this 3 month old little boy just grows daily.

He has healed so fast and given the amount of work done and the pain he went through, he is as bubbly as usual. His mum is also doing a wonderful job looking after him.

So anyone with a baby with a cleft palate take heart, as these things are fixable and in the right hands your baby will thrive.

I also understand that "my baby" had a severe cleft and the parents were only informed by the doctor after his surgery, as the doctor did not want to alarm them as to the task ahead of him.

But all is going well and he looks wonderful and is feeding normally again. He has dropped a pain killer and is only on antibiotics and paracetamol now.
What a little star!

POST HAIR LIP OPERATION

2010-05-19T15:42:00.005+01:00

Oh my little boy looks wonderful. And when I say "my little boy" of course I mean my clients little boy, but I love my charges no less than any baby I have looked after.

The doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital have done a fantastic job on his lip, he looks so good and it is healing very well.

Of course, he is on antibiotics and pain killers still, but it won't be long till he won't need them.
Tomorrow (5 days after his operation) he goes back to have his minute and almost unnoticeable stitches out.

I thought he would find it hard to smile; but no, he gave me the sweetest little grins as usual, bless him.
I can't say what admiration I have for the surgeons who do this micro surgery and bring together everything to look so normal.

Last night I gave him his bottles, although understandably his appetite is down, but he seemed to have no trouble taking what he wanted.
In a short time he will be taking his usual amount of milk again and gaining good weight.

Before his operation, he was 'nil by mouth', which I think must have been the hardest part for his parents. Anyone who has looked after a baby knows that when they are hungry, they want to be fed .. and NOW!

So back again tonight to see my dear little chap, who has been so brave. It has all been worth it, I'm so proud of him.

CLEFT PALATE

2010-05-18T18:05:00.003+01:00

I have been looking after a baby with a cleft palate and hair lip for the last 3 months and he had his 1st operation (on his lip) last Saturday and I go back to look after him again tonight.

Baby's mum has said she would like me to include information in this Blog, without giving away confidentiality's of course.
Hopefully, this might give support to parents who have a cleft baby too.

The first thing to say is, it needn't be that hard. Yes it is a shock and as a parent, you will wonder why this has happened to your baby. But truth is, they are not really sure; but there will be teams of people to get you through and a genealogist who will look into the 'why' for you.

I never saw my little boy as any different than any other baby I have looked after, apart from the fact that I needed to use a special bottle which I squeezed as he drank.
He would intake more air than usual (as he couldn't make a vacuum in his mouth as he drank), so he needed to be well burped several times during a feed; but then, as I always wind well anyway, so there was really no difference apart from squeezing the bottle.

I can't wait to see him again this evening, he is a joyous little chap with a huge smile (although that might be a little hard at the moment) and a pleasure to look after.

More about this when I have seen him tonight and the aftercare involved.

Elephant is Giving Birth. AMAZING

2010-05-17T00:39:00.003+01:00

PROLONGED CRYING IS BAD

2010-04-23T11:13:00.005+01:00

Letting your baby crying himself to sleep is cruel, in my opinion.
I've already stated that I like the gentle approach; listening to what your baby's cries are saying.

Sure they are quick to learn that they will get picked up if they cry. Who doesn't want a cuddle?
So my method of anticipating baby's needs BEFORE they get going with the complaining, is always the best .. and they don't learn that crying means that they will get picked up.

I have to say; if ever I have had a baby who cries a lot, then they are trying to communicate something to me.
LISTEN to them, try to understand what they are telling you. It's the only way they can talk to you.

The evidence is, that prolonged crying will damage your baby.

FREE ADVICE FOR NEW MUMS

2010-04-19T13:57:00.002+01:00

The State is failing 1st time mums by not giving them adequate support when leaving hospital; so I feel that giving my free advice is more than welcome.

Of course, if someone does not see the help they need on my Blog, then I am more than willing to give them private advice by email.
That is my mission.

How can it be right that only people who can afford to pay for people (such as myself) to go and help them?

BABY SLINGS

2010-04-12T20:05:00.001+01:00

Please remember, if you use a BABY SLING, only use it when baby is over 3 months old.

The baby's neck is not strong enough to lift it's head if he cannot breath well and could suffocate.
If you use a hard type, make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling’s wearer.

Baby's have been dying because of this and this is now official advice.

PATIENCE WHEN WINDING

2010-04-05T19:14:00.003+01:00

More winding time and patience is needed.

Often when my tried and tested methods just don't seem to do the trick, maybe methods aren't needed.
I find that with some babies (and all are different), all they need is to SIT STILL.

So, after each break in the feeding, let baby sit there, slowly letting the milk settle and after a few minutes, slowly sit him up a little straighter.
Then, with one hand in front of the stomach and chest and the other behind (as if book ends), hold him in that position for a few minutes more and see if wind comes up.

If not, put him in the classic over the shoulder position and if still nothing, change sides and place over other shoulder.

You'd be surprised how gravity does it's job!

MORE TIPS FOLLOWING MY ABSENCE

2010-04-05T19:13:00.001+01:00

Sorry nothing for a week or so, but I've been on another job which took alot of time and energy from me.

As a result, I am posting some more winding tips.

WINDING TECHNIQUES

2010-03-10T16:12:00.003Z

Winding is one of the most troublesome things in a baby's life.
Time and again, a baby will cry and cry and mum does not know how to stop him, but there are things you can do.

For a start, putting baby on your shoulder and hoping for some wind to come out is not enough; and in my opinion is the lazy way!

There again, banging the baby's back hard and curdling the stomach contents is too much and not right as well.
So a variety of methods are called for apart from the obvious and you will soon learn what suits both baby and you.
As I said have before, sometimes it takes 25% feeding and 75% winding, if baby has trouble in that direction.

So here are a few methods I use, that you may not have been shown before:-

1. Try laying baby on a flat surface and when one bent leg (or both) start to jerk up and down, pick baby vertically upwards and (hopefully) he will burp.

2. Then there's what I call the African method: Lifting baby up and down in the air, holding her under her arms. Slowly up and down with each move taking about 2 seconds.

Remember what you are trying to do; which is to obtain a straight line from the stomach to the mouth, so the "Bubble of Air" has a straight passage to travel up and not get caught in some bend or kink, as in a bendy straw.

3. Try swaddling baby tight and sitting him upright on your knee; one hand up against his tummy and the other straight up his back (your hands, like a pair of book ends!). Gently make sure baby is lifted, so he has a good straight line of passage from tum to mouth. Now just hold the baby very still and upright, then if nothing still, you can very gently rock baby to and throw.

4. One last position. Sitting upright, cross your legs and place baby face down over your knees, with her head and arms leaning over the higher thigh, her legs hanging over your lower thigh.

(As a rule of thumb, if the baby feels comfortable on you, you will probably feel comfortable to her!)

5. You can always try some sips of plain boiled water. I find this is as good as anything you might buy more often and not.

I hope this is of help, it can be so stressful when you cannot get wind up, or your baby has colic.

HARMFUL BPA CHEMICAL IN PLASTIC BOTTLES

2010-03-01T13:55:00.008Z

I'm finding it hard to justify sterilising bottles, against the anti-BPA advice.

For a start, I don't think you need to sterilise in a clean household; but this BPA chemical in plastic is worrying me.

The chemical Bisphenol-A, is found in all feeding bottles made from polycarbonate.

It is released when the bottle is heated, so what happens to the droplets of water left in the bottle after sterilising?
And .. should we be heating a bottle to boiling point, when this is the worst thing to do? (see 2. & 3. below)

There are bottles such as Born Free, which are BPA safe, but the majority of the bottles on sale on the High Street are toxic.

Here is some information from:-
"Toxic Baby Bottles", By Rachel L. Gibson, Environment California Research & Policy Center, 2007

1. You should not heat food in plastic containers, or heat liquids in plastic baby bottles.
2. Heating food and liquids in plastic containers can cause chemicals and additives in the plastics to leach out more readily—right into baby’s food and milk.
3. While some plastic containers are marketed as “microwave safe,” it is safest to avoid them for heating.
4. If you do use plastic bottles, containers, or dishware, avoid harsh detergents or hot water when washing them to reduce exposure.
5. Do not put plastic bottles, or containers in the dishwasher.
6. Also, throw out any plastic bottles, containers and dishware that start to look scratched or hazy.
7. Do not let milk sit for long periods of time in plastic.

I know quite a few parents who use the dishwasher for baby's bottles. But what about the rinse aid left in them? Never like that either.

Oh I wish I were a chemist, or would I frighten myself even more!

NUT ALLERGIES. WHY?

2010-02-24T11:43:00.005Z

Nut allergies are caused by non contact in early years?
Interesting thought that, and one I might subscribe to.

Hearing that children with peanut allergies were successfully introduced to a small amount of peanut power in yoghurt, made me wonder why that would work?
Was it that they never had any peanuts when small and then suddenly introduced to them, with a bad result? Or what?

Personally, I think moderation in all things from the start. Maybe then the immune system would have a chance to build up it's resistance, rather than being deprived and then having to deal with an onslaught.

One of my babies was put on a 5 year research programme, which had 500 babies which would be introduced to nut products during their first 5 years and another group of 500 that were to have no nuts at all.
After 5 years they would be introduced to nuts and the researchers would see which group had the better outcome.

My money is on the first group, who had been naturally introduced and exposed to nuts in the first place.

STERILISING BOTTLES.....NOT

2010-02-18T17:16:00.005Z

It's not necessary to sterilise bottles, just wash with hot soapy water and rinse well.

Well I wasn't saying that, until a mum with 6 week premature twins left the UCHL and was told that, so she never sterilised their bottles. They are now over 2 years old.

They don't sterilise in Scandinavia, America or Australia and probably other countries I don't know about as well.

Then yesterday, I was at a private maternity hospital and was told by a nurse from Great Ormond Street Hospital, that it was good enough to clean with soap and hot water.
Hearing that was music to my ears!

Of course, the government publicly line is geared to the lowest common denominator (as I have said before), so I cannot advocate the non-use of sterilisers professionally; but secretly... I think it!

SO MANY LOVELY BABIES

2010-02-17T11:03:00.003Z

I was sad to leave my latest little girl this morning, even though she was the noisiest sleeper I have had to share a room with! I was also touched that Mum gave me some lovely leaving pressies.

Now I am off to see my next little boy who was born last night.

How lucky am I to be allowed to look after these dear little people and their delightful parents?

REFLUX AND TREATMENT

2010-02-12T09:35:00.006Z

I've had a very busy few days and have seen 2 former babies who are just wonderful and blossoming.

I have been doing my night work and that baby has been confirmed with Reflux and now is on Gaviscon Infant until she she's the specialist; and I have to say, it is helping to settle her more quickly and she seems to be in less discomfort, thank goodness.
She is still a very noisy sleeper and it takes a trained ear to determine whether she needs attention, or she is just sleeping noisily!

However, it is still hard for mum to not worry about all the noise she makes and manage to sleep through the snuffles and grunts!

Worth trying Gaviscon Infant in these circumstances though and a specialist's advice is also called for, as I am reluctant to keep a small baby on Gaviscon Infant for a long time because of the sodium content in it. The specialist can prescribe some better remedies.

COLIC AND TREATMENT

2010-02-08T10:05:00.004Z

I went back to look after a former baby last night.

She had a Ventouse birth. (Being pulled out by a doctor using a vacuum sucker).

She has a problem with winding and it takes quite a time to get her fully winded so that she will lie down on her back and go to sleep.
I first encountered this with my own 3rd baby.

At the time I was married to a Chiropractor and the Danish government had done some research on colic and the Atlas bone in the neck. The Atlas affects the sympathetic nervous system (fright and flight and digestion).

What happens when a baby is pulled out, whilst doing a corkscrewing manoeuvre, is that the Atlas can be displaced.

Cranial Paediatric practitioners can re-adjust the Atlas and after my baby had her's put back in alignment, she slept soundly.

A word of warning though....
ONLY go to a properly trained person who is a trained Paediatric Cranial practitioner.

ONE BORN EVERY DAY

2010-02-07T19:35:00.004Z

I'm looking forward to Tuesday night on Channel 4.
"One Born Every Minute"

I wonder if it will reflect the stories I hear about giving birth in hospital these days?

SLEEPING WITH A PUPPY!

2010-02-06T23:24:00.007Z

I'm working with the sweetest little girl at the moment, who was born a month prematurely.

She is one of the noisiest little sleepers that I have had to share a room with!!

Luckily, I have been around the houses enough (so to speak and literally), to know which noises I need to get out of bed for and which are just her.

So like the babes, I need to have a nap when I get home, otherwise I'd be good for nothing the next night. Advice I tell all new mums:
You need a sleep at least once a day whilst the night feeds are ongoing.

You just have to make the time to rest or you will not be on top form and especially if you are breast feeding, otherwise the milk may diminish.

BAD DESIGNS AT BOOTS THE CHEMIST

2010-02-04T15:58:00.004Z

Well, things get from bad to worse. This time with clothes from Boots the Chemist.

I just tried to put a new baby in a baby-grow with the lovely Velcro as fasteners instead of poppers.
A nightmare!!

Such poor quality Velcro and all the fastenings were so badly placed that they opened all the time.
Sharp edges to each square of Velcro and, only one leg that opened!

How do these designers think they can get away with knowing absolutely zero about babies.

Boycott Boots Chemist is the only answer.
Boots has really gone down hill recently, in my opinion.

THE JOY OF THE YOUNG

2010-02-02T20:35:00.006Z

I had a lovely day with my grandson, who at two & a half and is into everything.

We went with his mum to see my 97 year old aunt, who simply loves to see him.

Sometimes young people, can bring such joy to old folk.
Every time he goes there, he brings her such joy.

I have pondered on this for a while now and have come to the conclusion that the innocents of little children is so pure that it brings this joy.

Perhaps they should visit old people more often.

Tomorrow I start with a new little girl and her parents and am so looking forward to that

FEEDING AND CONFIDENCE

2010-02-01T11:33:00.001Z

Today I received a lovely reference from a client.

I had a lovely time (if but short) with this family.
Their baby was such a sweet little girl and I was so sorry to leave them.

Mums are given hardly any time to be shown the basics of looking after their little bundles when in hospital, which is such a shame.

Mostly all they need is, to be given confidence that they are doing things right.
After all, there is no "right way", only they way that suits mum and baby.

This little girl needed a lot of winding and most mums do not appreciate how much time is needed to wind their baby.
As a rule of thumb, feeding is 25% and winding 75%.

As I have said before; if you can get the wind out of the top end, then your baby will sleep better and have less trouble later on.

DADDY TIME

2010-01-30T01:20:00.006Z

Well goodness, like-minded people with websites and blogs are coming thick and fast.

Had another Twitter follower again yesterday and another informative site giving advice to breast feeding mums, offering classes and help.

Of course, I give breastfeeding advice too and some of my jobs just focus around that; but I also feel I should give free advice to those who need it.
Last year, I flew to Doha in Qatar for a week to help with a breastfeeding problem. Lovely family and we still keep in touch and I love to see their photos on Facebook.

On the breastfeeding consultants blog, she wrote about fathers being given more paternity leave, so I replied with one of my tips for dads who needed to get to work, saying this:-

"I find many fathers who would love to have more time with their new baby, but working pressures do not allow for it.

What I do in these circumstances, is to try and find a regular time when dad can get home and then teach him to bath his baby before bed.

This has two great achievements:-
One, dad has one to one quality time with his child and his baby gets to know that this is their special time of day; and
Two, this gives mum some time to do something else.

The fathers who do this, arrive home from work with a smile on their faces, looking forward to that special time that awaits them."

The original blog I replied to was:- http://www.letsbreastfeed.com/blog/

USEFUL WEBSITE FOR NEW MUMS

2010-01-29T19:33:00.002Z

I receive emails telling me who follows my Blog on Twitter on a daily basis.

I always take a look at who they are and today I followed an American website which way truly great for mothers with new babies.

It is http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec

So please take a look, as it is the best I have seen to date.
Well done March of Dimes!

MADDENING TAGS

2010-01-28T19:01:00.002Z

If you are looking at this, then you obviously have an interest in babies/children.

After shopping for clothes and toys, I am always amazed to see the amount of unnecessary plastic ties that are gunned through items to keep them together or to secure tags.

It's almost like a competition to see who can use the most.

Please, let's bring back common sense ... please!

DUMMIES or PACIFIERS

2010-01-27T14:25:00.008Z

Dummies... I don't like them.

Although the SIDS campaign say they help prevent cot deaths, I'm not that sure about it.
Well, I'm not allowed to say anything different anyway and who am I to go against a well researched campaign?

If a client really believes that and wishes to use a dummy, I will naturally follow their wish.
After all, I am helping them look after their baby. It's not mine.

Maybe I am a little old fashioned, but I see problems because of the dummy usage; let alone thinking that children in pushchairs look awful with a dummy in their mouth.

Apart from the sight of them offending me, I go to families whose baby has sleep problems and find that once they fall asleep with a dummy in mouth, the dummy then falls out and and when they turn their head in their sleep and they feel the dummy on their cheek and wake up frustrated that they can't get it back and wake upset.
Of course, the child has probably become dependent on having the dummy for comfort by then.

There is the old question of.. giving the child "buck teeth".
I am not a dentist, so cannot say that is so; but logic would make me lean that way.

So, if I am asked to use a dummy, I will remove it as soon as the baby is asleep and hope they learn not to rely on it.

I had such a case recently, when a dummy was used to pacify the baby, when all it needed was adequate winding.
Better to get the wind out early on with a little more time and patience, than letting that wind pass further down the gut and causing distress later in the bowel, by then you can do nothing but wait for it to appear at the bottom end.

As for campaigns, they are all well and good, but we must remember, that government dict-acts cater to the lowest common denominator. As they do with the issue of sterilising bottles, which they don't in many countries such as America or Australia.
But that's for another time.

VELCRO AND WASHING

2010-01-26T09:25:00.002Z

Oh the joy of doing the baby's washing and upon opening the machine door at the end, are confronted with lots of fuzzy clothes before your eyes!

And the reason for this fuzziness?
It’s good old Velcro. Especially on bibs.
So useful, and a complete menace.

However you try to fasten the bib or other Velcro fixed item [before going into the machine], it finds the way to open up and make havoc with all the other clothes in the drum.

I have to say, that there is a fastening similar to Velcro and does not do the same damage, as is better on other garments: however, it has a short life expectancy.

Bring back poppers and ties, I say.

READY MADE FOODS

2010-01-25T22:41:00.003Z

Having just seen Panorama on BBC TV all about babies and children's food, it was great.
I have always been suspicious of the ready foods as they must have preservatives in them for a start.

Annabel Karmel was really put on the spot. She could hardly admit that there was a load of sugar in her food.

When you wean, the best is always home-made. But the occasional ready made can do no harm as long as, it is ONLY occasional.

LABELS ON CLOTHING

2010-01-24T13:08:00.007Z

Well I'm back, after looking after the dearest little girl [now nearly 5 weeks old]and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay with her and her charming parents and was very sad to leave them.

But back to the business of being today, a Grumpy Old Woman!....

Grr.. Baby clothes drive me made!

I have just been sorting through a newborn’s baby clothes and the amount of labels at the back of the neck is not only unreal, but unkind.

There are a plethora of them and in copious supply.
Not only that, they are hard and have sharp edges that would scratch my old neck, let alone the delicate skin of a baby.

Who are these people that do this?

Have they any idea of what they are doing and the target market they are catering for?
Or are they just going through the motions of selling to the masses?
Probably, the later.

I could understand if it was obligatory, but ... it can't be.
Otherwise, the better manufacturers would do it as well.
Good retailers are thoughtful, use softer labels and place them elsewhere on the garment.

Funnily, some of the most famous, trendy and expensive brands are the most guilty.

Which means only one thing. Good retailers care about their product:
The others don't care a jot.

MAYBE OFFLINE

2010-01-20T23:34:00.002Z

Off to look after another baby today until the weekend. So not sure if I'll get this up again until Saturday, depending on access.

PRAM WHEELS

2010-01-19T12:34:00.001Z

During the snow, I saw a mum struggling to walking past the house with a pram.
She was having to really push the pram with the wheels not turning in the snow.
I suggested that it might help to set the wheels straight, but her Bugaboo wheels wouldn't.

Not only are they bad in the snow, but I also find that when you are walking past a drop kerb, the pram tries to swing into the road.
Not a good design, apart from when in a confined space such as a shop.

SLEEP TIMES

2010-01-18T13:46:00.001Z

Had a lovely day at my daughter's wedding yesterday and there were 3 little children there.

My 2 year old grandson behaved beautifully and took his nap on the sofa after lunch, with everyone around him!
Another 5 month old had her nap in her pram as well.

This just goes to show that if children have a routine and are comfortable with their surroundings, they will follow their routine almost wherever they are.

OFF FOOD

2010-01-15T18:37:00.000Z

Spent today looking after my 2 year old grandson.

He isn't eating much, as he had the awful Rotovirus over New Year.
Even though not that hungry, he is happy, doing well and we are not worrying.

He'll eat when the time is right.
As long as he drinks enough and has a few good snacks he will be on the mend.

BABY CLOTHES

2010-01-14T12:21:00.000Z

With wedding coming up this weekend, I went with my daughter to buy clothes for my grandson to wear. There's lots of lovely outfits and we found a good one in M&S.

Thank goodness we weren't buying for a younger child, as I get so fed up with the smarter baby clothes having buttons or poppers down the back.

Do baby clothes designers not understand that looks are not everything and the baby needs to be comfortable and not have something irritating them.
Plus, one needs to be able to change a nappy easily?

Then another thing. Why are the legs and arms so long and the feet too short?
Clearly, a lot of baby clothes designers have never had to look after a baby!

NO BABIES TODAY

2010-01-13T23:55:00.000Z

Spent day buying things for my daughter's wedding this weekend.
So no baby chat today.
Sorry

INTRODUCING SOLIDS

2010-01-12T12:38:00.000Z

Although only doing this for a couple of weeks, I am amazed at the following on here, Twitter and Facebook.

One site following me and I their's, talks today about starting solids and when, so I posted a piece there and have copied it here as well, to help on the subject.

There is no precise age to start solids. It all depends on the size and development of your child.
I usually say at about 7 months, but it might be before or after, you usually know.

Try using the established amount of milk in the food and use baby rice for breakfast to start with.

e.g. Use the milk from the breakfast bottle in the rice and they can drink the rest.
Then you will know that they are getting that amount of milk at least, plus the rice.

You may find you'd like to start solids at tea time instead.
If so, do the same and then when that is going well, introduce puried tasty veg or fruit.

DRESS FOR GOING OUT

2010-01-11T19:50:00.000Z

What about all this cold?
Over the last few days I have seen parents out with babies who are inadequately clothed.

Babies in a sling with just on overcoat and booties are not enough. If held like this, they need a full shell suit AND they should have a cap under that.

If in a pram, I suggest you must always have a cap under a full suit, as the hoods do not fit tightly round the head and you should always protect the ears.

So wrap up warm please and maybe put them inside your coat, or cover with a blanket.

BABY SCAN

2010-01-10T14:07:00.000Z

I am naughty and not written my Blog for a couple of days and am always minded of confidentiality when doing so.

However, I can say that I saw my eldest daughter yesterday and she showed me the first scan for my next grandchild.
She is now 14 weeks pregnant and what a dear little thing she has in her.
It was hard not to try and speculate at what sex the baby is, but dad thinks it is a girl. We will see!

Last time, she did not know what she was having, until the end of the birth.
I think that is rather nice; otherwise it's a bit like knowing what a Christmas present is before unwrapping it.
To me it is not important, as long as it is healthy.

What I would say though is; if you do not want to know the baby's sex when you have a scan, make sure that you tell them when you go in; otherwise they do like to say things like "SHE is this", OR "HE is that".

A GOOD WINDING TECHNIQUE

2010-01-07T22:55:00.000Z

I am looking after a sweet natured, one week old little boy at the moment.

I mentioned before about the importance of winding and this little chap is no different and so very genteel with it!

One technique for winding which seems to always work and is non aggressive and natural, is to lie the baby on it's back; then just wait for a leg to start pumping up and down (this might take as long as 5 minutes).
At this point pick baby up so he is vertical and he will burp almost immediately.

Works a treat and easy for all to do.

GOING OUT IN THE SNOW

2010-01-06T09:32:00.000Z

With the snow on the ground and you have to venture out today, I would suggest that the swivel wheels on prams/pushchairs be set straight.

WEIGHT GAIN AFTER BIRTH

2010-01-05T18:50:00.000Z

I have had a wonderful break and refreshed and ready for work.

The evening before I went, I spent a couple of hours with my next client when she came out of hospital and she now tells me that the baby has gained more weight.
Clever lady, as babies loose weight after birth and as long as they have gained back to their birth weight again after 10 days, all is going well.

When I had my babies, we had days in hospital, (whether it was private or NHS, all mine were NHS) and we were shown most of what we needed to know.
Unfortunately, giving birth is now like a conveyor belt and mums are tossed out to find out and fend for themselves.

That is one reason for me to be here; to give help to those who have not been shown the ropes.

One piece of advice I left my first-time mum the other day was:-

Whether breast or bottle feeding, I reckon it's 50% feeding and 50% winding.
If you can get the wind out soon after the feed, it will not travel down the digestive system and cause discomfort and bother later on.
Sometimes it may even be 25% feeding and 75% winding!!

There is no hard and fast rule as all little people are different, but.. winding is a MUST.

So back to work with this lovely family in the morning after a wonderful break at a healing retreat.

ROUTINES. BE FLEXIBLE

2010-01-01T15:37:00.000Z

Babies have a wonderful sense of humour. Just as you think they have a routine going, they go and change it!

Last night the little boy I was looking after slept through the night, but decided that getting up time was 5.30am.
No matter how I tried to settle him, he would have none of it.

So, at 6.30 he accompanied me as I got dressed and we went downstairs and he had his breakfast at 7.30 as usual.

So, with a little adjustment by myself, he was back in routine again and settled for his morning nap at the usual time.

The lesson being; sometimes it is better to be flexible and not stressed about something out of your control, but work towards easing things back to normal.
After all, as they get bigger the routine will change.

I feel the most important thing is to keep the schedule as normal as possible. Babies (like adults), like to know what comes next, just as we do; and in this case - breakfast, play, nap).

No more Blogging for a few days as I am off to a health farm, before starting with my next little friend, who was born yesterday.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-12-31T12:25:00.000Z

Well it's New Year's Eve and I'm into my second Blog.

As I have always said, "If you want something done, ask a busy person". So true to form I will try to write everyday!

Tonight I am off to look after a dear little boy who is now 9 months old.

He sometimes wakes around 3am and I find he will go to sleep if left to settle himself. After all, I wouldn't want to rouse him further if he is not fully awake.

However, if I hear he is standing up and clearly needs to know someone is there, of course I will go in to help him settle.

He will not need a drink, just reassurance and maybe a cuddle, then he is fine.

So I wish everyone a good New Year's Eve and a very happy New Year.

x

MY STARTING POINT

2009-12-30T18:16:00.000Z

The reason for setting up this blog is that, as a Maternity Nurse with four adult children of my own and years of experience of looking after newborn babies and their parents, I have a whole host of knowledge worth sharing with new parents.

A first child is a daunting experience. Thanks to the internet, so much more knowledge is available, but navigating your way towards the trustworthy info is not easy, particularly when many sites are only interested in generating sales and not about what is best for your child.

I am daily flabbergasted by the amount of trivial and unnecessary paraphernalia that the poor first time parents are talked into buying; particularly when it comes to expensive equipment such as prams, which are clearly designed by people who have little or no experience of what it is to manage a baby and their lifestyles day by day.

Another thing.... how do baby clothes designers get away with putting press-studs down the back of a baby's clothes, when we all know that babies have to lie on their backs most of the time?

Then there is the question of being environmentally friendly. For example, large nappy dispensers have yards of unnecessary plastic when you empty the bin. Whatever happened to recycling the supermarket bags for all the daily pee nappies and the small nappy sacks for the pooey ones?

So, here is a start and hopefully I will be able to give some qualified hints and practical advice to all the parents who are baffled by the amount of choices they are having to make!