Four - Month Old Milestone

Our little sweetheart at 4 months old

Hello Mommies!

Four – month old baby in the house is just a bundle of joy! There are some things I have listed which I have observed with my daughter and my son (first – born) when they were 4 – month old. But of course, there are still other blogs and articles for your reference regarding their development.

 Baby on her tummy now.

·         The four – month old baby’s psychomotor development is super! They are more playful and they play using their hands and feet.

·         They kick a lot when they are excited or happy.

·         Whatever the little ones grab, they will surely put it in their mouths, so be very careful because this might upset their little tummies.

·         They have a better hand and eye coordination.

·         Their heads won’t wobble anymore. In fact, their necks could support their heads steadily and better than the previous months.

·         They just love to be on their tummy. Sometimes they are fond of rolling on the bed or floor. It’s about time to have their heads and hair a rest and let their tummy support them so they could prepare for crawling.

·         Little ones are also enjoying long hours of sleep, except if they are not feeling well.

·         They also enjoy drinking more milk since their tummies can cater bigger amount of liquid.

 Enjoying her new pose.

I wish this little insight I have shared regarding 4 – month old baby development will help you understand your babies better. 

Enjoying our lunch out and celebration for our little baby's 4 month old celebration.

That’s it for now and enjoy your day!

Three - Month Old Milestone

Hi Mommies!

I will be sharing about the development of 3 – month old babies this time.

For little angels at 3 months, their neck is much stronger this time. When you carry them, they could already carry their heads but there should be support. They sometimes wobble but that is normal. They stretch their legs and kick when they are happy or excited. It is one of their ways to communicate on how they feel. They also talk to familiar people by coos and sounds.

 Our little sweetheart.

They focus on colors. They love watching different colors and different shapes. It enhances their intellectual capacity. Their eyes mature and most of the time follows the object they focus from slow to a bit faster movement. They even stare at their own faces when you let them look at the mirror. For hearing, they love listening to music. But I suggest Mozart’s and Beethoven’s.

Our little girl on her belly now on her 3rd month.

She's trying to control her knees and hands for her to crawl.

They have bigger space for milk now. They could even sleep longer than the few months. Of course, sleeping pattern still changes.  Sometimes, when they cry during their sleep, just let them be. Give it about a few minutes before you should carry them again because they are having dreams or they just cried because of their own movements.

Some babies are advance and some are late but never worry. Unless, it is really too late.

Have fun mommies!

From our family to yours..

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas 2014

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..