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ALL YOU NEED TO

KNOW FIRST TIME MOM

Module 17

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17. Module 17: Baby care

Table of Contents

17. Module 17: Baby care ............................................................................................................................................. 1

17.1 New born baby care ............................................................................................................................ 2

17.2 Breast or bottle? ................................................................................................................................. 3

17.2.1 Breastfeeding benefits ..................................................................................................................... 3

17.2.2 Breastfeeding challenges ................................................................................................................ 4

17.2.3 Formula feeding .............................................................................................................................. 6

17.3 Diapers - disposable or cloth? ............................................................................................................. 8

17.4 Skincare and diaper rash .................................................................................................................... 9

17.4.1 Skincare........................................................................................................................................... 9

17.4.2 Diaper rash .................................................................................................................................... 10

17.5 Should my baby sleep with me? ....................................................................................................... 11

17.5.1 Co-sleeping and family beds ......................................................................................................... 11

17.5.2 Bassinets or cribs .......................................................................................................................... 12

17.6 Should I let him ‘cry it out’? ............................................................................................................... 13

17.6.1 Why do babies cry? ....................................................................................................................... 13

17.6.2 letting your baby 'cry it out' .......................................................................................................... 14

17.6.3 Finding a balance .......................................................................................................................... 15

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17.1 New born baby care

You've probably heard other first time parents tell you; there's no crazier feeling than that of coming home for

the first time with your newborn baby. You're feeling excited, nervous, and most likely already exhausted!

And if it weren't for the adrenaline pumping through you, you would probably collapse onto your bed into a

deep sleep. During this time however, there may be few chances to sleep. In the months leading up to your

due date, you may have found yourself trying to get organized for your baby's arrival as much as possible.

Unfortunately, no matter how much you try to prepare, you'll always encounter an obstacle that hadn't yet

crossed your mind. That's inevitable! However, there are necessary procedures you'll need to be aware of, and

these can employ different methods. For example, you will need to consider if you will be breastfeeding or

bottle feeding your baby, whether you will you be using disposable or cloth diapers, and where your baby will

sleep. This module will consider the simple questions that will determine how you and your baby will be

behaving and interacting for at least the next year. Finding what will work best for you is key to making the

most out of this joyous new experience.

What you’ll learn in this module:

Breast or bottle?

Diapers - disposable or cloth?

Skincare and diaper rash

Should my baby sleep with me?

Should I let him ‘cry it out’?

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17.2 Breast or bottle?

Babies can survive on breast milk or formula for the first 6 months of their lives, and on average they generally

feed every 2-4 hours. That's a lot of feeding a parent needs to provide their baby, and hence why the decision

of how you will feed your baby is an important one. Deciding whether to breast or bottle feed is very personal,

and is very dependent upon your situation. If you have recently begun to consider these two options, you'll be

well aware that there's a wealth of information (and opinions!) about which way to go. At the end of the day,

it's important to do what's best for you; a happy mom means a happy baby. This section will consider both

options and how they differ from each other.

17.2.1 Breastfeeding benefits

As a soon to be mom, you have probably heard the phrase 'breast is best,' either from your doctor, midwife,

or the many online communities that support breastfeeding. It is indeed true that when it comes to

breastfeeding, there is no substance quite like breast milk. We can't yet purchase shelf products that contain

hormones, live antibacterial and antiviral cells, as well as all the other essential nutrients contained in breast

milk.

The benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are quiet extensive.

Short term benefits for your baby include:

Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect infants from common illnesses for babies in their

first year of life such as diarrhoea and pneumonia.

Research indicates breastfed babies have lower levels of respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and

meningitis.

Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome by about 50%.

Breast milk can protect your baby against allergies.

Breast milk has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat, and is digested more easily than

formula.

Long term benefits for your baby include:

A decrease in likelihood to be overweight or obese.

It has been found that adults who were breastfed are less likely to have type-I diabetes.

It has also been found that adolescence and adults who were breastfed perform better on

intelligence tests.

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Breastfeeding benefits for the mother include:

The incredible bonding experience you get with your baby.

The oxytocin released when breastfeeding helps your uterus return to its normal size much faster.

Breast milk is readily available, served at the right temperature, and comes at no cost!

Breastfeeding reduces risks of breast and ovarian cancer, type II diabetes, and postpartum

depression.

Breastfeeding lowers the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

By burning up to 500 calories a day, breastfeeding is a natural way to shed baby weight.

17.2.2 Breastfeeding challenges

With all the extensive research that supports the use of breast milk, it's a wonder why there is a question at all

whether to breastfeed or not. The truth is, breastfeeding isn't always easy, and it's a huge commitment. There

are also personal and cultural reasons that may surround the decision not to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not

for everyone, however if you have the desire to breastfeed, there's no reason why you should be held back.

Below are some common challenges of breastfeeding and potential solutions.

Sore nipples and problems latching: many challenges encountered by women trying to breastfeed arise from

the act of breastfeeding itself. Breastfeeding can lead to sore, cracked nipples, and can be very painful.

Unfortunately, many women have been forced to give up breastfeeding as a result of this, however

breastfeeding should never be painful, and if you're experiencing problems, it's likely your baby is not

attaching correctly. These days, there is plenty of support out there for women trying to breastfeed. Most

hospitals offer lactation consultants to assist with the initiation of breastfeeding and can teach both mother

and baby how to breastfeed correctly. If you don't have access to a lactation consultant, there are many online

resources with diagrams and instructions on how to correctly breastfeed your baby. It takes time and patience,

but as your baby grows, she will become more efficient at breastfeeding, and you will most likely find it to be

a very rewarding experience.

Returning to work: the 21st century has welcomed the increase of full time working moms, and many women

no longer have the opportunity to spend months (or even weeks) at home with their newborn baby. The lack

of physical contact can pose challenges to a mom wishing to breastfeed; however there is a wonderful market

for breastfeeding accessories including electric and manual breast pumps. It is now a legal requirement in

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many western countries for workplaces to provide a safe and private area upon request for women to pump

and store their breast milk. Breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or alternatively frozen for around

3-6 months (depending on the temperature it is stored at). When your baby is hungry, the milk can be easily

thawed and bottle fed to your baby by the father or caregiver.

Feeding during the night: whether your baby is formula fed or breastfed, your baby will wake every 2-3

hours during the night to feed throughout the early stages of their life.If you're bottle feeding, your partner or

a family member can assist with the night time feeds, however if you're breastfeeding, only you can take on

this job. Breastfeeding can actually hold benefits over bottle feeding for night time feeds. When you're being

woken up at 2 am by a hungry baby, it's a lot more tiring having to get a sterilised bottle, make formula and

heat milk as opposed to just latching your baby straight onto the breast. Otherwise, try expressing milk during

the day so they can be bottle fed breast milk during the night.

Milk supply: many women are thrown off breastfeeding because they feel they are not meeting the hungry

demands of their baby. Some women are blessed with an oversupply of milk and never encounter this problem.

Others notice their baby latching on and off, becomingfussy, and longer durations for their breasts to feel full

of milk again. There are many remedies for a low milk supply, but the general rule is that breastfeeding works

on a supply and demand principle. The more your baby suckles the more milk you will produce. If you find

your baby getting tired from suckling for long periods, try purchasing a breast pump for extra stimulation after

feeds. Other factors that may include a low milk supply include tiredness or stress (a little hard to avoid!)

Breast milk also relies on those 'loving' hormones you get from your baby, so try getting skin to skin and

cuddling up close with your newborn. The hormones released will increase your milk supply. Other remedies

include natural herbs such as fenugreek, fennel, shatavari and milk thistle (all available in capsules or tea

form).

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17.2.3 Formula feeding

Infant formula feeding is a safe and healthy choice for your baby. It offers essential vitamins and nutrients,

it's convenient, and allows any member of the family to experience the joy of feeding your baby. If you choose

to formula feed, make sure you carefully follow the instructions on the packaging. Mistakes with measuring

or sterilizing can be harmful to your baby.

Some things to consider if you're planning to formula feed include:

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Which brand: Most formula brands are the same in that they offer the right amount of nutrients to your baby.

That being said, your baby may still have a preference. So before you go out and stock up on one particular

kind, wait to see what settles well with your baby.

Which type: Most formula available today is cow-milk based which is slightly altered for easier digestion.

This kind is suitable for most babies. If you find your baby has an intolerance to cow's-milk based formula, or

you are vegan, soy-based formula is also available. Other types of formula on the market include extensively

hydrolyzed and higher-calorie formula (for premature or low weight babies).

Bottles and nipples: As you have probably noticed, there's a large range of bottles and nipples available.

Nipples can vary from slow to fast drip, so for your newborn, you will want a slow drip. This may also be

marked with the number 1. However in the same way that babies may have a preference for formula, they may

also prefer a certain kind of nipple. But this preference will probably develop with whichever nipple it is that

they first suckle from.

Sterilization: During the first year of an infant's life, they are vulnerable to infections and disease. You can't

make the entire house germ-free (nor should you), but as bottles will have direct contact with the mouth, they

are required to be sterilized after they have been cleaned. This can be done by boiling bottles and nipples for

5 minutes, or steam sterilizing using special bags or equipment made specifically for easy sterilization.

Remember, it is common for mothers to choose one method of feeding before birth, and then change their

decision after birth, sobe open-minded and speak to your doctor and lactation consultant regarding your

decision.

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17.3 Diapers - disposable or cloth?

Whilst there is a huge market for disposable diapers with a range of designs, sizes and absorbency levels, cloth

diapers are on the rise in terms of popularity. With their economical and environmental friendliness, it's no

wonder cloth diaper companies have used this opportunity to perfect cloth diapers to be more user friendly

and very fashionable. Both have their pros and cons, and a couple of key concerns are outlines below.

Convenience: disposable diapers take the win for convenience. They're as simple as taking off and throwing

out. Cloth diapers require washing and drying, and pre-washing if you're baby has made especially messy

bowel movements.

Cost: from an economical perspective, cloth diapers will lead to huge savings, even if you are buying the

cheapest disposable diapers out there. But this is only comparing the price and quantity of diapers; it doesn't

take into account energy bills for washing and drying cloth diapers.

Chemicals: most disposable diapers contain certain chemicals for absorbency and appearance. Usually this is

a low level, and you can also buy disposable diapers that claim to be chemical-free. All cloth diapers are sold

chemical free and may be a better option if you're main concern is your infant having chemicals on their skin.

Environment: There is no doubt that disposable diapers aren't good for the environment. They cause huge

amounts of waste, not to mention the pollution caused from manufacturing and transporting the diapers. Cloth

diapers are much more environmentally friendly as they are used on rotation, washed, and ideally dried in the

sun instead of using an electric dryer.

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17.4 Skincare and diaper rash

17.4.1 Skincare

Just as a newborn's immune system is delicate, so too is their skin. They are susceptible to skin irritation,

dryness and rashes. Many on the market products contain fragrances, chemicals and dyes, all of which can

affect your baby's skin. Below are some helpful tips for protecting your baby's skin:

Avoid baths: newborns are born with wrinkly skin and a protective covering, and shouldn't be bathed more

than once a week or you could risk removing their protective coating and natural oils. Once your baby is about

a month old, you can bathe your baby more often but no more than 3 times a week or you could risk your baby

getting irritations such as eczema.

Wash clothes before wear: this can remove excess dirt from manufacturing. You should use only baby

laundry detergents that are fragrance-free and dye-free.

Keep skin moistened: your baby's skin is prone to dryness, so it's important to keep it moistened. This doesn't

necessarily mean applying baby moisturisers (although you can do so if need be), but keeping your baby away

from dry air such as heaters or air conditionings, and investing in a bedroom humidifier can also prevent the

air in your baby’s room from being too dry.

Moderate sun exposure: some people may argue that babies should be kept out of sunlight all together, and

most definitely they shouldn't be placed in direct sunlight for long periods of time. However having your baby

outside in the sun but away from direct sunlight can offer beneficial vitamin D, but too much sunlight is

harmful to babies as it is to adults, and sunscreen is not recommended for infants under 6 months of age.

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17.4.2 Diaper rash

Diaper rash can be caused by a variety of things such as friction, candidal infection, irritation or allergic

reaction. Almost all babies will at some point experience diaper rash within their first year, especially around

the ages of 9-12 months as they are sitting more and their diet has changed. Below are some tips for treatments

of diaper rash.

Proper skin care (such as the tips listed above).

Changing diapers regularly, perhaps more often than usual.

Making sure the area is dry before putting on a new diaper.

Allow daily diaper-free time to give the area fresh air.

Keep the area clean but do not scrub.

Keeping your hands clean can help avoid infection.

Over-the-counter antifungal creams are available for candida infections.

By keeping the affected area clean and dry, most diaper rashes will alleviate by themselves. However if they

don't improve, they run the risk of developing infections. You should contact your doctor if there is no

improvement in 4-7 days, if the rash spreads to other areas or if it looks like there is a bacterial infection.

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17.5 Should my baby sleep with me?

Where your baby sleeps at night isn't just either in your bed or in their room. There are many different options,

such as next to you in your bed, attached to the bed, a bassinet in your room or a crib in their own room. The

argument for which is a better option is also controversial, covering safety issues, developmental issues as

well as bonding opportunities.

17.5.1 Co-sleeping and family beds

The terms 'co-sleeping' and 'family beds' generally refers to the sharing of your bed with your infant. Co-

sleeping can also refer to the attachment of a bassinet (specifically designed with one side open) to the bed.

Some parents see co-sleeping as very natural and a great way to facilitate bonding. It's especially useful for

breastfeeding mothers as rather than having to get up during the night, they are able to access their infant

where they are, and also nurse lying down, enabling the mother to get more rest. Family beds can be a joyous

experience, allowing you to watch over your baby, listen to them breath and establish a sense of attachment.

If you've decided this is the right option for you, perhaps also consider at what age you would like your infant

to move onto their own bed, and how you might go about doing this. It's also crucial that you investigate safe

co-sleeping guidelines, as suffocation from pillows and bedding is a large contributor to SIDS (sudden infant

death syndrome).

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17.5.2 Bassinets or cribs

Bassinets and cribs free up some space in your bed, giving you and your partner more room to be alone.

Separating your baby may seem safer but unfortunately, just as pillows and bedding can contribute to SIDS

in co-sleeping cases, so too can cribs and bassinets. Again, it's very important to follow safe sleeping

guidelines when putting your baby to sleep. For example, do not use lots of sheets and blankets. Instead, dress

your baby for warmth. Place your baby to sleep on their back and with their feet at the end of the crib (to avoid

them wriggling down under their clothes or blanket in the night). Bassinets can be useful as a starting point

before cribs as they are more enclosed and allow your baby closer security. This can be financially straining

though as within a few months your baby will need to be transferred to a crib. Your next decision will be to

have your baby in their own room or in yours. If you place them in their own room, be sure to have a baby

monitor in place so you can attend to them when they are hungry, cold, or uncomfortable.

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17.6 Should I let him ‘cry it out’?

17.6.1 Why do babies cry?

There is one simple answer to the question of 'why do babies cry?' That is: because they want or need

something. Babies are born without common spoken languages of humans, yet their communication skills are

still quiet sophisticated. Their needs rely on their caregivers to be fulfilled, and based on their wants or needs,

crying could be for a variety of things. These may include:

They're hungry

They have gas

A soiled diaper

They're too cold

They're too hot

They're tired

They feel alone

They're teething (from around 4-5 months onwards)

They're experiencing growing pains

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This may be a game of trial and error at first but it does get easier as you get to know your baby more, and

just think, meeting your babies needs would be almost impossible if they never indicated where needs should

be met.

17.6.2 letting your baby 'cry it out'

'Crying it out' refers to allowing your baby to cry for a certain period of time before attending to them. The

background of this method stems from the idea that babies grow to realise that if they cry, they can get what

they want, but if they cry and no one attends to them, they will abandon their fit of crying all together (and

ideally just fall asleep!)

This trend took off in around the 1950's and is still practiced today. It involves placing your baby in his crib

at night, walking out of the room and closing the door, even if they begin to cry. The parent then leaves their

baby alone, teaching them that crying won't do them any good. Some parents swear by this method for getting

their infant to sleep through the night.

While this may be the case, it doesn't override the principle that if your baby wants or needs something, for

example, they are hungry, they will cry. If this need is not met, they will not lose their hunger, but instead cry

louder. Babies are programmed to function this way, otherwise how could they survive? Scientists also

confirm that a baby's brain is not yet sophisticated enough to understand how to manipulate a parent, so crying

just for attention isn't a skill they possess, and such behaviour can't develop until at least 3 years of age.

Therefore ignoring your baby's cry isn't going to help you get more sleep, and could potentially be

dangerous, for example, if your baby is experiencing a fever.

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17.6.3 Finding a balance

We have established that babies cry for a reason and for the safety of your baby, this need should be attended

to. But does that mean that every single time our baby is crying we should be holding and rocking them? Not

necessarily. If your baby is crying, check the very basic needs such as they might be hungry, too cold or too

hot, feel their diaper (even just the outside to see if it needs changing), and try to remember if they did a large

burp after their last feed (especially if they're bottle fed).

Once you get to know your baby, you may also distinguish different kinds of cries. When they reach a couple

of months you may notice a cry that sounds more like they're whinging. This could be a sign that they're

uncomfortable with growing or teething pains. In this kind of scenario, there is little you can do to help

unfortunately. There are temporary pain relievers but it's not recommended they be administered on a regular

basis. You may allow for your baby to make noise without you rushing over to them for comfort.

It's also acceptable put your baby to bed while they're still awake, in hope that they learn to sooth themselves

to sleep (and do so when they wake in the middle of the night!) Attending to your baby's cry is important and

letting them 'cry it out' can be harmful, however it's impractical to expect yourself to be on your feet with

every noise they make.

Get to know your baby, and find a balance that allows comfort for both you and your baby.