Bringing up Baby.

Milk that is manually released from the breasts. Expressed milk can be fed to babies who are not able to suck directly from breasts. For instance, in the case. For instance, in the case of babies with a low birth-weight, premature babies with a low birth-weight, premature babies and babies with cleft palates. Expressed milk can also be given to the baby when the mother’s breasts are engorged. Working mothers can express their milk and leave it in a sterile container for someone else to feed the baby. Expressed milk can be stored in the refrigerator and used within 48 hours.

Wash your hands throughly before expressing your milk. Hold a clean and sterile container under your breast. Then place the thumb and the first two fingers about 1′ to 1 1/2 behind the nipple. Position the thumb above and the fingers below the nipple. Then push backward towards your chest. Next roll the thumb and fingers forward. Repeat this sequence with your right hand and then your left hand counter clockwise around your nipple until enough milk is collected and discomfort eased.

Even breast-fed babies will sometimes swallow a little air. Be sure to burp him at least once during the feeding as well as afterwards. No two babies burp alike. But until you know your baby’s style, bring up the bubbles by rubbing gently up and down along his spine, especially between the shoulder blades, while he falls over your hand or your shoulder. This pressure forces more gas from the area, where it generally collects. If you lay your baby on his stomach afterwards, the last bubbles usually come up in about fifteen minutes. Some babies bring up a bit of milk now and then. This is harmless. If no burp is forthcoming, don’t try to force one; perhaps your baby hasn’t swallowed any air and doesn’t need to burp.

At first the breasts will make colostrum. This is thick and yellowish and contains important proteins and immuno-globin which are very good for the baby. Colostrum-fed babies are protected against infections and allergies.

Your milk will began to flow around the third day, with your breasts becoming swollen and hard but tender to the touch. This discomfort ends in about five days. But while it lasts, it can be relieved with an ice pack or, strangely enough, a hot bath.

Breast-feeding is only a reflex phenomenon. The more strongly the baby sucks, the better will be the flow of the milk. To initiate feeding, touch the lip or side of the cheek of the newborn with the nipple. Baby will open his mouth. Slip the nipple into his mouth. Baby will now take it and soon start licking and sucking it. This is the baby’s “rooting reflex” at work. Make the most of this instinct for sucking in the early days to encourage feeding.

Don’t push the nipple straight into the baby’s mouth from the front. He will be put off. You will be clumsy at first. So will the baby. Furious at his hunger one moment, losing the nipple the next, then dropping off to sleep in the middle of his meal-you both have a lot to learn. But take it easy. Anxiety and worry can interrupt your milk production and flow. But your desire to feed will help stimulate the milk to secrete.

At first the breasts will make colostrum. This is thick and yellowish and contains important proteins and immuno-globin which are very good for the baby. Colostrum-fed babies are protected against infections and allergies.

Your milk will began to flow around the third day, with your breasts becoming swollen and hard but tender to the touch. This discomfort ends in about five days. But while it lasts, it can be relieved with an ice pack or, strangely enough, a hot bath.

Breast-feeding is only a reflex phenomenon. The more strongly the baby sucks, the better will be the flow of the milk. To initiate feeding, touch the lip or side of the cheek of the newborn with the nipple. Baby will open his mouth. Slip the nipple into his mouth. Baby will now take it and soon start licking and sucking it. This is the baby’s “rooting reflex” at work. Make the most of this instinct for sucking in the early days to encourage feeding.

Don’t push the nipple straight into the baby’s mouth from the front. He will be put off. You will be clumsy at first. So will the baby. Furious at his hunger one moment, losing the nipple the next, then dropping off to sleep in the middle of his meal-you both have a lot to learn. But take it easy. Anxiety and worry can interrupt your milk production and flow. But your desire to feed will help stimulate the milk to secrete.

Today, the pendulum is swinging back in favor of breast-feeding. More and more doctors recommend nursing for its ease, its nutrition and its special joy.

Before you nurse, you must understand that nursing isn’t a test of your material ability, but the completion of a natural cycle. It is also very convenient. However, nursing is an individual decision. Your decision to breast-feed is one which you should feel comfortable. On the other hand, if your feelings are not as enthusiastic as the Earth Mother type, you may still want to give it a try. Some women who have started hesitantly have become strong advocates of breast-feeding.

Unless your doctor advises against nursing for health reasons, nine times out of ten you will be glad you tried it, even if you are going back to work soon. No matter what size your breasts, you probably can produce good milk, and enough of it, if you relax, take a daily nap and eat well. Avoid any foods the doctor says may cause rashes, constipation or gas in the baby.

When you breast-feed, you will need to wear a nursing bra day and night, so the extra weight doesn’t make you sag. Put cotton pads or clean handkerchiefs in the bras to absorb any leakage.

Vitamins play a vital role in the good health of your baby.

Vitamin A helps to develop and maintain healthy eyes, skin, hair, teeth, gums and various glands.

Vitamin B1, B2 and niacin help the body carbohydrates to energy.

Vitamin C helps to keep the teeth, bones and blood vessels healthy.

Vitamin D helps to form healthy red blood cells and other tissues.

Folic acid and other vitamins in the in the B group are important for the many body processes.

Iron is essential to form hemoglobin, the substance found in the red blood cells that carry oxygen to baby’s rapidly growing tissues and which adds many chemical reactions throughout the body.

Folic acid:
small babies require 0.1 mg of folic acid weekly.

Vitamin C:
25mg of vitamin C per day should be given to an infant from the rime it is one month old.

Vitamin D:
Low birth-weight infants require 400 IU of vitamin D daily.

The best milk for Low Birth-Weight infants is breast milk, although they also need a certain amount of minerals and energy, as they require more calories than normal weight babies. At first an LBW infant may be too weak to suck and may not be able to handle large quantities of milk. You may have to feed the infant frequently with smaller quantities of milk. If the baby is unable to suck for long, express the milk and feed it with a spoon.

Breast milk has many protective properties which prevent infection in these babies. If, for some reason, breast milk is not available, then resort to formula feeding. Your doctor is the best judge of the formula necessary.

Low birth-weight infants need special care with feeds, an atmosphere free from dirt and dust(to prevent infection), and some of them even need life-support systems to maintain respiration and body temperature. As soon as the baby gets stronger, you can breast feed him and look after him. Your milk is easily diarrheal infections. You must keep the baby in a well-ventilated room, remove all articles which will accumulate dirt, and swab the room with water and soap solution at least twice a day.

Wash the baby’s soiled clothes and nappies with hot water, using a mild detergent, then rinse in plenty of water and dry in sun. If possible iron the nappies before use. The heat of iron will kill any remaining bacteria.

Always wash your hands before feeding or handling the child. Scrupulously sterilize Baby’s bottle, spoon, glass and anything else you might use before mixing his feeds. Do not allow too many visitors to handle the baby. Little children should never be allowed to carry these babies.

If you have a cold or runny nose, use a cloth mask while feeding the baby. Never cough in the baby’s face. Remember Low birth-weight babies are pron to infections and you must think of all possible ways to prevent them being infected.

These low birth-weight infants are born to mothers who have had complications as diabetes, or anemia in pregnancy, or to mothers with infections, or to under-nourished mothers.

Multiple pregnancies, such as twins, may also result in babies weighing less than the average weight. certain genetic defects, such as Down’s syndrome, may also cause babies to be born with low birth weight.

Low birth-weight infants who are born before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation are called Pre-term Infants. Children born after 37 weeks of gestation but weighing less than 2.5 kg are called dymature or SFD(small for dates) infants.

During infancy, baby learns at a faster rate than he ever will again in his life. In the first few weeks, he will learn to breathe regularly, lift his head and return a smile. It is for you to stretch his five lively senses from the day he is born. He needs to hear your voice– singing, humming, talking. He should be exposed to as much variety sights, sounds and smells as possible; They will make him happier and brighter too. A baby exposed to different environments will meet more germs, but gradually such exposure will help him tolerate them better. The more he’s kept in a sterile situation, whether restricted on activities, noise or people, the less stimulated he will be.