Two - Month Old Milestone

Hello Mommies!!!

It’s time to give some baby updates.

Our little Princess at 2 months.

For two month old babies, their sleeping pattern by this time has changed again. With regards to their psychomotor development, babies’ motor development is more coordinated than the earlier month. The sucking reflex is stronger. They even love sucking their fingers. So keep their fingers clean and dry to avoid eating germs.

For the babies’ emotional development, they already smile when you talk to them or when you smile to them. That is how they interact socially. Although, there are other babies who would already laugh at this time but not all do that. So, don't compare your kids with other kids.

 When she first smiled.

The result of PURE breastfeeding; a healthy baby.

For brain development, babies’ love looking at things with different colors especially dark colors. They even love things with circles or other shapes. These images help them discover colors and shapes.

Caught on cam.. Her first laughter.. 

For their senses, they love listening to your voices and they also wander when there are people with unfamiliar faces and voices. So, always try to talk to your babies so they could easily remember your faces and voices distinctively from others or from strangers.

That’s it for now! Have fun!

One Month Old Milestone

Hello Mommies! After giving birth, moms would feel tired and sleepy all the time. But there is one thing that would make mommies awake and that would be the newborn baby!

My daughter Kera when she a few days old.

The journey to motherhood starts the day moms see their newborns. Taking care of newborn babies should be taken seriously. These little munchkins are way too young to help themselves. They are very dependent to their mothers.

When she was a month old.

Most of the time during the first month of the baby’s life, the baby will just sleep a lot. Parents must be aware that the baby will have a different sleeping pattern and it depends on the baby. No baby is alike, not even all your children even if they have the same parents. Although they sleep a lot, they also do other things like developing their innate reflexes like sucking. Not only sucking but coughing, sneezing and hiccups comes along with the first few months of development.

Taking care of newborns require hard work, patience and full safety. They could not lift their heads on their own, so they need full assistance and guidance. Giving bath would be a little tedious because warm water should always be prepared and bathing them should be quick but really clean. It should be quick because the heat in their body or thermoregulation is not yet fully developed. They might get colds if soaked too long in the water. The more you cuddle your baby the moment you breastfeed is the more their thermoregulation in their body develops quickly.

Newborns and one month old babies are near sighted. Their eyes are still developing that’s why they couldn’t see things clearly. They could easily smell their mothers but takes time to recall. They also like sweet smell. However, there are children that are very sensitive and they sneeze a lot when they smell too harsh scents like perfumes or air fresheners or powders. So if possible, avoid strong scents that would cause asthma. Their hearing is not clear yet but they could hear sounds like the voices of their mothers or fathers. So, don’t freak out if they will not react to your call or when you talk to them.

That’s if for now. I hope you got some good ideas on what to expect during the first month of your babies. Have a lovely day!

Common Baby Rashes

The smile of a newborn baby excites mom and dad. But some newborns won’t smile at an early stage of life. That’s normal since their facial muscles are not yet fully developed. However, if babies are already crying too much because of skin rashes or allergies, that is already a problem.

Some babies are born with flawless skin but not all babies are like that. There are quite a number of babies with skin rashes. Some articles would reveal that this is one reaction of the newborn’s skin upon exposure outside the mother’s womb.

Here is a list of newborn rashes that you need to consider:

1.       Baby Acne or Neonatal Acne

Baby acne or neonatal acne is just like pimples on an adult’s face. Some researchers said that this neonatal acne is a result of maternal hormones. But this baby pimple will last for several weeks. Treatment is not required. It will be gone, in time.

2.       Baby Dandruff

Baby dandruff appears on the baby’s scalp and even on the face and neck. It may appear like an adult dandruff on the scalp but it is quite reddish on the face and neck. It is very itchy for the babies. Some doctors said that it will just come off in several weeks. But for those parents who would like to really make sure, you could always go check on some creams which will make it go away but of course with the advice of the pedia or dermatologist.

3.       Dry, peeling skin

Dry, peeling skin is normal for newborns.

4.       Jaundice

Jaundice is a medical condition where there is yellowing of the eyes and skin of a baby. It happens when babies’ liver are slightly immature.

5.       Mongolian spots

Mongolian spots are common to babies with dark skin. It is flat and gray in color, more like a bruise. It can be small or large. These are harmless and would just fade away.

6.       Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition. It is the inflammation of the skin characterized by red and itchy formation of scaly patches that may leak fluid. It could often be seen on babies’ face, chest, arms, and legs and behind the knees. The doctor has some gentle creams for the babies if this is the case.

7.       Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is a greasy, yellowish crust that appears on the scalp. It may include red, irritating rash on the babies’ face, behind the ears and neck. The doctors will tell you on what to do and what creams to put if this is the case.

8.       Prickly Heat

Prickly heat is like a red bump. It happens on areas which babies often sweat like the neck, armpit and diaper area. Just keep the area dry and clean to avoid this.

9.       Fungal Infection

Fungal infection is also known as candidiasis. On the baby’s tongue will appear like dried milk only it cannot be scraped off like the milk. On the diaper area, it looks like an intense red rash. There are antifungal creams which are recommended by doctors.

10.   Milia

Milia are white bumps. It appears on the baby’s face like nose, chin and cheeks. Just use a gentle soap that is good for babies.

If you have other concerns, you can always research on the internet on the types of rashes that newborns experience including the causes and the treatment. But it is still better to get a health professional’s opinion like Pedia or Dermatologist as they know better.

That’s it for now. Have a great day!

References:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-skin-rashes

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/multimedia/baby-rashes/sls-20076668?s=3

www.wikipedia.org

Encarta Dictionaries

Natural Milk - Mama's Milk

Breastfeeding is feeding the baby with mother’s natural milk.  It is from the mammary glands of the mothers. Breast milk is a gift or a blessing. Breast milk gives so many benefits both for the mommy and the baby. Before discussing the benefits, it is just right to know what is actually inside this milk that makes it a blessing to all the babies.

My milk

Breast milk contains colostrum during the first few days after giving birth. Colostrum is rich in protein and antibodies that provide immunity to the baby. It also helps the newborn’s digestive system. Human milk also contains fatty acid, carbohydrates and other minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus. (According to Wikipedia.org)

Our little princess at 1 month old.

Purely breastfed

The benefits of breast milk do not end on the babies alone; in fact mothers are also entitled to the advantages of breast milk.

Benefits for the baby:

1.       Breast milk protects the baby from illnesses.

2.       It protects babies from developing allergies.

3.       It boosts child’s intelligence.

4.       Breastfeeding may protect your child from obesity.

5.       It lowers the risk of SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

6.       It decreases risk for asthma and eczema.

7.       It decreases the risk for ear infection.

8.       It also gives resistance against cold and flu.

9.       It decreases dental problems.

10.   It decreases the risk of the child to develop psychological disorder.

11.   It helps the child be closer to the mother.

(Various sources from the internet and books.)

Benefits for the mother:

1.       Breastfeeding reduces stress level of the mothers.

2.       It also lessens risk of post partum depression.

3.       It may also reduce the risk of developing cancer like breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

4.       It assists the uterus in returning into its pre-pregnancy size easier and faster.

5.       It reduces postpartum bleeding.

6.       It helps the mother get back to its pre-pregnancy weight.

(Various sources from the internet and books.)

Economical benefit:

1.       It is way cheaper than those of formula milk.

Other sources would specifically tell that the child should be breastfed for at least 6 months and at most 2 years.

Clearly, breastfeeding your child is very advantageous to both you and your newborn. Mothers should make sure that they eat healthy food like fruits and vegetables so that the babies will also eat whatever they will eat.

I hope this article gives you insight. Have fun mommies!

Giving Birth? Better Be Prepared...

Being a mom is a lot of work in progress. Moms need to prepare a lot of things even if the baby is still inside the tummy. So, on this blog, I will be sharing the things that mommies should prepare for the baby when they are out to see the world.

Things to prepare for Mommies:

·         Pre – Natal Check ups

·         Maternity Clothes

·         Binder (after pregnancy)

·         Napkins or Pads (after pregnancy)

·         Bigger underwear

·         Stretch mark remover creams

·         Healthy food (for breast feeding)

·         Fruits (after pregnancy for post operation especially CS)

·         Breast Pump (if you are breast feeding)

Things to prepare for Babies:

·         Baby clothes: Rompers, Over – alls, Mini PJ’s, baby tops, Mittens, Booties, Baby Beanie, Towels, Lampin

·         Baby bottles (if you are not breast feeding), Powder milk container

·         Alcohol, Diaper, Cotton, Bath Tub, Baby Soap, Diaper changing pad, Rubber bath pad, Wet tissues / wipes (incase you are going somewhere),  Baby Moisturizing Creams (if given by pedia)

·         Baby Bag (this is where you will put all your baby items so when you are already experiencing labor, the things are ready to go as well)

Our baby girl... Hours after delivery

If you are a first time mom and you had your baby delivered through Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery,  that would be better because the healing process is way faster than CS delivery. Normal deliveries suffer severe pain during labor and during the process of delivering the baby itself. After giving birth, expect that you will have a hard time defecating and urinating is painful due to the wound in your vagina.

If you had your baby delivered through CS, be ready for a longer healing process. After CS delivery, you will experience the wearing off of the anaesthesia. Be prepared for more blankets on your feet because you will chill. The moment you could already stand up, you must fart in order for you to eat soft diet meal. When you are already able to eat soft diet meal like porridge, bread and etc., make sure that you could defecate. Defecating is a sign that you could already go home.

Our baby... Two days old..

Note: I am not an expert but I assisted a few deliveries both Normal vaginal spontaneous delivery and CS delivery. Plus my experience of having babies both undergoing CS process could somehow help you mommies out there. But of course, you can always ask your friends, moms and grandmothers regarding their experiences.

Our first family photo, on my birthday..

Rabies Awareness

Our family puppy - Emcee (mixed breed terrier)

at 4 months

It always excites me to have some pets at home. I love animals. I probably grew up with sorts of animals in our household. We had 2 German Shepherds and a Terrier when I was younger. Even before these dogs, I collect different worms and placed them inside different jars and try to study them and their nature and all that. I also fancy spiders and would go around the subdivision with the boys just to find black widow spiders. Then upon growing up, I had Yuri, my kitten as a pet which I could vividly remember, my mom wanted to get rid of all the time cause Yuri would poop a lot inside our room. Then we had all sorts of mongrel. When I got married and had a baby, we tried to give Kurt a small aquarium. We filled it up with different fishes because he can't have a dog or cat for a puppy although we still have cats just at the back of the house. My son couldn't have dogs or cats or furry pets because he's asthmatic to furry things. My step father bought several chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, goat and pigs for my son to experience what is it like to have different animals in our backyard.

Then my brother finally decided to get one of the puppies of his friends. We took the puppy when the pup was just 2 months old. My son loves the pup so much. He would play with the pup and Kurt would get very upset if people would scold the dog. He loves pets and animals so much. Until one day, I noticed a scratch on my son's face. It stopped bleeding but there was a deep scratch. I asked him where he got it and he said that Emcee (the puppy) scratched him. I washed the wound with soap and water; then I immediately went to the hospital with ANIMAL CARE CENTER for medical treatment. I got worried because I wasn't sure if my brother had the pup vaccinated or not. 

The nurses gave my son the first shot for anti - rabies and then they educated us that there should be a series of injections to follow. We should observe the dog and have it reported if there is something unusual with the dog.

 My son and the puppies. Emcee's siblings..

According to rabiesawareness.com , "Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including humans. Animals and people can get rabies when they come into contact with the saliva of, or most often through the bite of an infected animal.¹ 

If a person is bitten by, or exposed to an animal that may have rabies, he or she must receive appropriate medical care immediately in order to prevent rabies disease."

Since I was not sure about the vaccine of the pup, I had to make sure that my son would get his own vaccination.

Things to do:

1) Wash the wound immediately with anti bacterial soap and water.

2) Give immediate medical attention by going to a nearby hospital with Animal Bite Center units. They are experts with this.

3) Never kill the dog. Observe the dog's behavior whether vaccinated or not. There should be a 14 day observation for the status of the dogs.

4) If the dog weakens or died in a few days, report that incident to the one giving the vaccine to your son or anybody who is bitten by a dog. They have a different number of dose of anti rabies vaccine for that than those whose dogs are not dead.

5) Never teach your kids to be scared with dogs (it happened to me once when I got bitten by a dog somewhere in Maitum). Teaching kids to be scared with dogs is not a solution. Instead, teach them what to do and not to do when there are dogs which are not behaving properly.

6) Never teach kids to be cruel to animals. Teach them how to understand animals. Besides, we, human beings are the highest form of animals but that doesn't make us more superior to them in all ways. That just meant that we, above all species should understand them better.

Emcee at 2 months

The vaccine is super costly. But there are public hospitals in the Philippines which have Animal Bite Centers, so if you don't have much money, public hospitals are also options.

I still had my boy checked with his pedia and the doctor said that if the puppy did not die and Kurt had his injections, that's alright. He should just complete it. It is for his own protection.

So, my son completed his vaccine series and is now protected for 3 years. He also got his Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Card.

For more of dog awareness, I recommend watching the dog whisperer on youtube by Ceasar Millan.

Well, that's it for today. I hope this blog helped you somehow mommies.. 

Have a great day!

Glimpse of my Pregnancy

7th month pregnancy; after walking exercise early in the morning

It has been a long time since I last updated and posted something in my blog about parenting. I had been very busy taking care of my eldest and my unborn child...

A few tips to avoid during pregnancy:

1) If possible, avoid drinking too much soda or colored drinks. This will surely give you a hard time because of UTI. I experienced it with my eldest 3 years ago and I learned my lesson very well. Always remember that the medicines for UTI may not be expensive for some, but for some mommies, these drugs to stop UTI are expensive. So, it is basically your choice. Think of long term effects.

2) If possible, avoid food which causes allergy like chicken or egg. During my first pregnancy, I had asthma attacks because of eating too much shrimp, chicken and egg. It did not do any good so this time on my 2nd pregnancy, I managed to control the chicken diet and egg diet. I will only eat it on my allowable consumption. Know your allergens.

3) If possible, avoid too much sweet food like cakes, donuts, chocolates and all that tastes so heavenly sweet. It was one of the reasons why on my first pregnancy, I was sooooooooo BIG. And this time, if you could see my photos here, I am leaner. Only the baby is growing and not me. Too much sweets will only make the baby in the tummy restless because of too much energy. Too much sweets will also cause the little angels in your tummy to move too much. Yes, you may take pieces of the sweets mentioned above but never too much. Remember: Too much of something is bad enough. Plus that's one way to avoid Gestational Diabetes. Remember: Prevention is better than cure.

4) More water. I just fell in love with water because every time I looked at the soda I was reiterating in my brain and whole system "LONG TERM EFFECT" and long term effect meant my health and my baby's health. Drink your MILK as well. If you can't tolerate the milk, try chocolate milk.

5) More fruits and veggies. I super love eating fruits and vegetables during my 2nd pregnancy. I eat 3 balanced meals plus fruits and even make fruits especially banana as my snack in the morning.

6) If possible, no over feeding especially fatty food. Eat what you can chew. It will give you a hard time in the rest room or comfort room. But eat for you and your baby's consumption because if you will not also eat on time and with the right amount of food for the two of you, the baby will get really hungry and you too.

7) If you are sensitive to any smell or scent, avoid it immediately. This might give you asthma or irritation.

8) More rest and sleep. Although, in this generation, it is very common for women to really work even though pregnant, you still need to rest and sleep. Because during the 8th or 9th month, you will be having restless days and sleepless nights as your body is preparing for labor. And labor could be very painful.

9) Read books. Read it to your baby so he / she could hear you. I am reading story books with my son and allowing my unborn child to hear it.

10) Listen to lovely music which are soothing and relaxing.

11) Constant touch. I do not know how to explain this scientifically because I am not a scientist or whatever. But I am a mother of 2 now. Every time a mom touches the tummy with love and affection, the baby reacts to it..

 Have a happy disposition!

 My 8th month pregnancy. Thanks to my loving husband for this photo.

 8th month pregnancy still during our family gathering...

9th month pregnancy..

Have fun everyone!