Winter weather is in the forecast! How can you keep your baby safe when it’s cold outside? Here’s some ideas. Remember if you say to yourself, “I wonder if….” you should do what your heart says is safer.
Dressing for Winter
- Newborn babies need to be protected from the elements. Dress them in several layers of light clothing to keep them warm. Avoid overheating.
- The rule of thumb for babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same situation.
- Blankets, quilts, pillows, sheepskins and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of an infant's sleeping environment. Warm footed pajamas are preferred.
- If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be tucked in around the crib mattress so the infant's face is less likely to become covered by bedding.
- Don’t use big bulky snowsuits if the baby is going into a carseat. Instead, dress the baby warmly, buckle them in safely, and put a blanket over the baby until they are in your heated car.
Frostbite
Be vigilant. Your baby will become frostbitten long before you will, partly because infants lose heat from their skin more quickly than adults do (infants have a higher percentage of skin surface compared to body weight).
If you're carrying your baby, she's not moving around enough to generate much body heat, either. And unless she's old enough to talk, she can't tell you about early symptoms, like a "pins and needles" sensation. So don't keep her out in the cold for extended periods of time, and bundle her up for those short neighborhood walks or treks to and from the car. Avoid dressing her in clothing or boots that are too tight, because poor circulation can contribute to frostbite.
When you're outdoors with your baby in cold weather, check her often for signs of frostnip — that telltale whitening of the skin. It usually appears first on the extremities and areas that are most exposed to wind and cold. Check her face, ears, fingers, and toes frequently, even if you think she's wearing plenty of clothing.
Remove wet clothes (like the mittens she's been chewing on) immediately, because moisture draws heat away from the skin. (You may want to carry an extra pair of mittens in the winter months. A pair of socks works just fine too!)
Be particularly cautious on cold, windy days: Wind makes the skin lose heat faster, which increases the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.
Winter Health
- Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for an infant. More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter.
- Cold weather does not cause colds or flu. But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more prevalent in the winter. Frequent hand-washing and teaching yourself and your child to sneeze or cough into their elbow and away from others may help reduce the risk of colds and flu.
- Babies and toddlers between the ages of 6 and 23 months are encouraged to get an influenza vaccine to reduce their risk of getting the flu.
Cold Medicines
• The big message is: DON’T. Don’t use cold medicines for little ones! Even though they are miserable, no research says that Pediacare,Tylenol Cold & Flu or any other OTC medicine will make it better. And with all the recalls lately, it’s better to do something else first.
• Try: Humidifier, saline drops, breastmilk.
Know that babies may have a hard time feeding when they have stuffy noses. Try the saline drops – even if you just get it near the nares (holes in the nose) and wipe it fast when the mucus is softer, your baby will feel better.
Enjoy the winter! Our little Vermonters love the out of doors, and they will enjoy snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledding – and maybe a nice walk to get a cup of hot chocolate with you. (Well, you get the hot chocolate and walk – they just want you!)
Monday, January 9, 2012
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
DON'T STOP NOW!
Breastfeeding your baby? Congratulations! You’ve made a great choice for yourself and your baby.
But does it feel that way, today? Breastfeeding may be perfectly natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s always just naturally perfect. Many moms find that the first weeks of nursing a baby are a real challenge. After all, you’re both learning a totally new skill. The question is, how do you hang in there until the honeymoon?
THAT SWEET BABY TALK
How does your baby let you know she’s ready to eat?
Ask many people this question, and they’ll say, “That’s easy. The baby cries.” In fact, crying is a late hunger signal.
Most breastfed babies graze. (If we wrote down every time we eat or drink, we’d probably say moms graze, too!). Newborns who are getting ready to eat often begin by squirming and moving their eyelids around, then rooting – looks like she wants to eat her blanket! – and then sucking on fists, fingers, daddy’s nose, or anything that’s handy.
This is a great time to check diapers, wake baby a bit more, and do a little flirting before baby comes to the breast. Of course sometimes just your presence is enough to make baby decide it’s time for a snack.
Did she “just eat”? Well, sometimes she just wants appetizers, sometimes she’d like a full ten course dinner. Rather than counting the time between feedings, keep track of how many times your baby eats each day. Most breastfed babies eat 10-12 times per day; it’s lovely when most of those feeds happen to come during daylight hours.
Don’t be afraid to nurse, nurse, nurse these first days at home. You’ll establish a good milk supply early, avoid engorgement, and baby will naturally lengthen the time between feeds. If you are dreading feeding time, call someone who care about you and knows about breastfeeding. Don’t stop now.
PUT YOUR FEET UP, SET A SPELL
In the first days at home, it can be nice to have a nursing nook. Make yourself a comfy space where you can just settle in.
At its simplest, a nursing nook might ean a place to sit or lay down, with a fresh glass of water beside you. Maybe you’d like a corner of the couch in front of the TV, or a spot where you can easily get at your laptop or phone. Use a regular routine inthese first days at home, to help your body learn how to easily, automatically give milk to the baby. This is called the milk ejection reflex or let-down – but it’s really quite a boost when that milk squirts all over that baby’s face. As the days go by, it’ll be easier and easier to trigger this hormonal reflex. In fact, just thinking about your baby may give you milk – at the mall, the pool, or at work. And sometimes when you least expect it!
If feeds have been a struggle, don’t worry about fancy positions, switching breasts “properly”, etc. There are no breastfeeding police! Get your baby on the breast in your favorite way, sit back, and get happy. You’ll have lots of time to practice and do things “properly” – but the bottom line is, a happy mom and a fat, sassy baby means you must be doing something right.
HOW DOES IT FEEL….
Breastfeeding was a lost art for so many years in our society that we actually forgot what normal was. That’s how La Leche League started – seven moms at a picnice started talking about how great it was to have finally figured out how to breastfeed. Some of them were on their third or fourth baby!
One myth we have is that breastfeeding is supposed to hurt. This is not true. In fact, past the first bit of tenderness as the baby draws the nipple deep into his mouth, breastfeeding should feel good. Try it yourself – you can tell without looking when the baby is latched on properly at the breast.
If you are having a hard time with latch-on or your nipples are sore, call a breastfeeding expert – fast! Sometimes this means a lactation consultant, sometimes a friend or sister, a La Leche League Leader, a nurse at the hospital where you gave birth. “It looks good to me” as an answer to your questions means you need to talk to someone more skilled.
THIS IS THE RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT
Now that baby’s on, how do we know something’s going in?
As your milk ejection reflex gets established, you may feel your uterus cramping. That’s breastfeeding, getting you back in shape. You may feel suddenly thirsty, or you may be leaking milk from the opposite breast. Moms sometimes report feeling sleepy or deliciously relaxed.
You may also notice that your baby changes his sucking rhythm. He’ll change from a “call up the milk” rhythm (suck/suck/suck/swallow) to a suck/swallow rhythm. You may hear little puffs of air coming from baby’s nose, notice a pause in his jaw movements, and see his temples move as he eats slowly and steadily You might even hear gulping! A good time to try a little breast compression is when you see baby “calling for” seconds on that first breast.
Walk your fingers around your breast. Does it feel softer than when you started? It’s a great way to gauge whether your baby will wake up in ten minutes for more! You can also change your baby’s diaper at this point, if you want. It’s a great way to wake him up a bit for the second side.
OOH BABY I LOVE YOUR WAYS
When is a feed over? Your baby will tell you. Little by little, her clenched fists will relax and open. Here eyes will gradually drift closed, and she’ll be flating away to dreamland.
If you notice that your baby does not seem sleepy and sated after these early feeds, get an expert to watch. An expert eye can help with positioning, better let-downs, breast compressions, and give you a hug when you need it. We want you and your baby to fall in love, and for breastfeeding to be a happy part of your new life together.
Don’t stop now!
But does it feel that way, today? Breastfeeding may be perfectly natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s always just naturally perfect. Many moms find that the first weeks of nursing a baby are a real challenge. After all, you’re both learning a totally new skill. The question is, how do you hang in there until the honeymoon?
THAT SWEET BABY TALK
How does your baby let you know she’s ready to eat?
Ask many people this question, and they’ll say, “That’s easy. The baby cries.” In fact, crying is a late hunger signal.
Most breastfed babies graze. (If we wrote down every time we eat or drink, we’d probably say moms graze, too!). Newborns who are getting ready to eat often begin by squirming and moving their eyelids around, then rooting – looks like she wants to eat her blanket! – and then sucking on fists, fingers, daddy’s nose, or anything that’s handy.
This is a great time to check diapers, wake baby a bit more, and do a little flirting before baby comes to the breast. Of course sometimes just your presence is enough to make baby decide it’s time for a snack.
Did she “just eat”? Well, sometimes she just wants appetizers, sometimes she’d like a full ten course dinner. Rather than counting the time between feedings, keep track of how many times your baby eats each day. Most breastfed babies eat 10-12 times per day; it’s lovely when most of those feeds happen to come during daylight hours.
Don’t be afraid to nurse, nurse, nurse these first days at home. You’ll establish a good milk supply early, avoid engorgement, and baby will naturally lengthen the time between feeds. If you are dreading feeding time, call someone who care about you and knows about breastfeeding. Don’t stop now.
PUT YOUR FEET UP, SET A SPELL
In the first days at home, it can be nice to have a nursing nook. Make yourself a comfy space where you can just settle in.
At its simplest, a nursing nook might ean a place to sit or lay down, with a fresh glass of water beside you. Maybe you’d like a corner of the couch in front of the TV, or a spot where you can easily get at your laptop or phone. Use a regular routine inthese first days at home, to help your body learn how to easily, automatically give milk to the baby. This is called the milk ejection reflex or let-down – but it’s really quite a boost when that milk squirts all over that baby’s face. As the days go by, it’ll be easier and easier to trigger this hormonal reflex. In fact, just thinking about your baby may give you milk – at the mall, the pool, or at work. And sometimes when you least expect it!
If feeds have been a struggle, don’t worry about fancy positions, switching breasts “properly”, etc. There are no breastfeeding police! Get your baby on the breast in your favorite way, sit back, and get happy. You’ll have lots of time to practice and do things “properly” – but the bottom line is, a happy mom and a fat, sassy baby means you must be doing something right.
HOW DOES IT FEEL….
Breastfeeding was a lost art for so many years in our society that we actually forgot what normal was. That’s how La Leche League started – seven moms at a picnice started talking about how great it was to have finally figured out how to breastfeed. Some of them were on their third or fourth baby!
One myth we have is that breastfeeding is supposed to hurt. This is not true. In fact, past the first bit of tenderness as the baby draws the nipple deep into his mouth, breastfeeding should feel good. Try it yourself – you can tell without looking when the baby is latched on properly at the breast.
If you are having a hard time with latch-on or your nipples are sore, call a breastfeeding expert – fast! Sometimes this means a lactation consultant, sometimes a friend or sister, a La Leche League Leader, a nurse at the hospital where you gave birth. “It looks good to me” as an answer to your questions means you need to talk to someone more skilled.
THIS IS THE RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT
Now that baby’s on, how do we know something’s going in?
As your milk ejection reflex gets established, you may feel your uterus cramping. That’s breastfeeding, getting you back in shape. You may feel suddenly thirsty, or you may be leaking milk from the opposite breast. Moms sometimes report feeling sleepy or deliciously relaxed.
You may also notice that your baby changes his sucking rhythm. He’ll change from a “call up the milk” rhythm (suck/suck/suck/swallow) to a suck/swallow rhythm. You may hear little puffs of air coming from baby’s nose, notice a pause in his jaw movements, and see his temples move as he eats slowly and steadily You might even hear gulping! A good time to try a little breast compression is when you see baby “calling for” seconds on that first breast.
Walk your fingers around your breast. Does it feel softer than when you started? It’s a great way to gauge whether your baby will wake up in ten minutes for more! You can also change your baby’s diaper at this point, if you want. It’s a great way to wake him up a bit for the second side.
OOH BABY I LOVE YOUR WAYS
When is a feed over? Your baby will tell you. Little by little, her clenched fists will relax and open. Here eyes will gradually drift closed, and she’ll be flating away to dreamland.
If you notice that your baby does not seem sleepy and sated after these early feeds, get an expert to watch. An expert eye can help with positioning, better let-downs, breast compressions, and give you a hug when you need it. We want you and your baby to fall in love, and for breastfeeding to be a happy part of your new life together.
Don’t stop now!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Cowboy Cookies for Breastfeeding Week!
Here's the recipe for those great Cowboy Cookies. Kudos to Delores Anderson of Wausau, Wisconsin who raised a quartet of hungry children on these delicious treats!
4 c flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp
Sift together (or mix with a whisk) and set aside.
Cream
2 c butter
Add and cream
1-3/4 c brown sugar and 1-3/4 c white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Then add 4 eggs; blend well.
Add 4 cups oatmeal and 1 - 12 oz pkg chocolate chips
Drop by tablespoons on greased cookie sheet - bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. The cowboys at our house preferred cookies made with a small scoop, which bakes for about 15-16 minutes.
This makes a HUGE batch of cookies - you can easily halve the recipe.
4 c flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp
Sift together (or mix with a whisk) and set aside.
Cream
2 c butter
Add and cream
1-3/4 c brown sugar and 1-3/4 c white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Then add 4 eggs; blend well.
Add 4 cups oatmeal and 1 - 12 oz pkg chocolate chips
Drop by tablespoons on greased cookie sheet - bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. The cowboys at our house preferred cookies made with a small scoop, which bakes for about 15-16 minutes.
This makes a HUGE batch of cookies - you can easily halve the recipe.
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