A:Biting is common when babies start to teethe,but isn't an indication that he's ready to wean.Before you make a decision to stop feeding,attempt to discourage his biting first.Although it's difficult,try and avoid a loud scream if he bites as this kind of reaction may either re-enforce the behaviour or scare your baby and put him off feeding.
Instead,quickly remove your baby from the breast,by popping your finger between the breast and his gum.Say a firm 'no' and put him down for a minute.Then latch him on and repeat if he bites again,but leave him off for an extra minute this time.Once babies learn that biting means no feeding,they quickly stop.Biting happens at the end of the feed,so stopping a little early will help.Alternatively,pull your baby in close if you think he'll bite,as this force him to take a breath and come off the breast.Whatever you do,never tap or hit your baby,as he really doesn't want to hurt you.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Saturday, 16 November 2013
Q:Why are my boobs so sore?
I am almoust 12 weeks pregnant,and have had extremely sore and tender breasts the whole time.For the last few days I have noticed that my symptoms have subsided.Is this normal or should I be concerned?
A:It is normal for these early symptoms to subside by the end of the first trimester.Sore and tender breasts are often the first sign of pregnancy,sometimes even before you have a positive pregnancy test,and are caused by the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin),which is present in increasing amonts during the first trimester.It is this hormone level that is checked for in a positive pregnancy test.These high levels of HCG are also responsible for morning sickness and most other early pregnancy symptoms.By 12 weeks ( the start of the second trimester) HCG levels start to drop,as the placenta takes over the production of the hormones needed.You may find placing a cold,damp flannel on your breasts is soothing,and ensure you are fitted for a supportive bra that is not underwired.Hopefully,you should start to enjoy your pregnancy now!
A:It is normal for these early symptoms to subside by the end of the first trimester.Sore and tender breasts are often the first sign of pregnancy,sometimes even before you have a positive pregnancy test,and are caused by the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin),which is present in increasing amonts during the first trimester.It is this hormone level that is checked for in a positive pregnancy test.These high levels of HCG are also responsible for morning sickness and most other early pregnancy symptoms.By 12 weeks ( the start of the second trimester) HCG levels start to drop,as the placenta takes over the production of the hormones needed.You may find placing a cold,damp flannel on your breasts is soothing,and ensure you are fitted for a supportive bra that is not underwired.Hopefully,you should start to enjoy your pregnancy now!
Q:I'm too tired to get fit
My 1 year old wakes up at 5am most days.I'm so tired that just the thought of getting into my gym kit exhausts me,let alone going for a run or doing an exercise DVD!Any ideas?
A:Try doing something that raises your heart rate early on in the day - dance along the radio,sprint up and down the stairs a few times,or take your baby out for a brisk walk.This will boost blood flow to your brain which ,in turn,will help wake you up and increase energy.Then try to incorporate mini-workouts into the rest of your day;forget going to the gym,do some squats while you brush your teeth or tricep dips while you're waiting for dinner to cook.You can even include your baby in your workout.Hold your baby tightly in front of you as you do a couple of sets of squats,or do baby chest-presses lying on your back.You could also sign up for a mum-and-baby outdoor exercise class.If you commit to a course of classes you'll be more likely to go,especially if you sign up with a friend - that way,you will have double the resolve.
A:Try doing something that raises your heart rate early on in the day - dance along the radio,sprint up and down the stairs a few times,or take your baby out for a brisk walk.This will boost blood flow to your brain which ,in turn,will help wake you up and increase energy.Then try to incorporate mini-workouts into the rest of your day;forget going to the gym,do some squats while you brush your teeth or tricep dips while you're waiting for dinner to cook.You can even include your baby in your workout.Hold your baby tightly in front of you as you do a couple of sets of squats,or do baby chest-presses lying on your back.You could also sign up for a mum-and-baby outdoor exercise class.If you commit to a course of classes you'll be more likely to go,especially if you sign up with a friend - that way,you will have double the resolve.
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Q:She isn't walking
My 18-month-old daughter still isn't walking and just shuffles around on her bottom.She's never crawled and I'm worried she won't develop the strength she needs in her legs.Should I see a specialist?
A:Babies walk on average at around 13 months old,but there is a big range - some babies walk at 9 months and 98% walk by 18 months.Lots of babies shuffle on their bottoms and never crawl,then just pulling themselves up to "cruise" (using furniture as a support when taking their first steps) and can bear their weight on their legs in the usual way.Chances are that your daughter will just walk a little late,but 18 months is the perfect time to get her checked.Ask your doctor to refer her to your local Child Development Team and they will do a full check.If your daughter favors one arm on one leg when she moves,this is worth mentioning as she might have better strength or coordination on one side.
In the meantime ,there are things you can do to help her develop strength and balance.Play games where your daughter is on her tummy,such as reaching for toys or swimming with you.Hold her hands and encourage her to practise walking,as this stimulates the development of the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.Baby Yoga is great - babies and toddlers learn so much in a group class and each yoga movement is designed to promote strength,coordination and balance.
A:Babies walk on average at around 13 months old,but there is a big range - some babies walk at 9 months and 98% walk by 18 months.Lots of babies shuffle on their bottoms and never crawl,then just pulling themselves up to "cruise" (using furniture as a support when taking their first steps) and can bear their weight on their legs in the usual way.Chances are that your daughter will just walk a little late,but 18 months is the perfect time to get her checked.Ask your doctor to refer her to your local Child Development Team and they will do a full check.If your daughter favors one arm on one leg when she moves,this is worth mentioning as she might have better strength or coordination on one side.
In the meantime ,there are things you can do to help her develop strength and balance.Play games where your daughter is on her tummy,such as reaching for toys or swimming with you.Hold her hands and encourage her to practise walking,as this stimulates the development of the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.Baby Yoga is great - babies and toddlers learn so much in a group class and each yoga movement is designed to promote strength,coordination and balance.
Q:She needs a feed to fall asleep
My daughter is 6 months and is breastfed.She slept well until she was 4 months old,but since then has woken every couple of hours,needing frequent short feeds or rocking to get back to sleep.I don't think she's hungry during the night as she eats so well in the day.I feel she is using me as a source of comfort.I'm exhausted,but don't know what to do.
A:Your daughter needs to fall asleep by herself without associating sleep with feeding.You can help teach her before starting her bedtime routine.Offer her milk as you would any daytime feed.Then give her a short,quiet winding-down bath.Go into a dimly lit room to prepare her for bed and then cuddle her to sleep.Initially,it will take longer to settle your daughter to sleep as she learns a new way,but with time and consistency,this will gradually decrease and she will settle without a feed.For the first three nights,you could offer a short top-up feed after the bath,just to ease her into the new schedule.Over the next few weeks,you then need to move on from cuddling to settling her in the cot using patting or stroking,gradually doing less and less until she can fall asleep by herself.You can also use this same approach to stop the feeds and rocking during the night.
A:Your daughter needs to fall asleep by herself without associating sleep with feeding.You can help teach her before starting her bedtime routine.Offer her milk as you would any daytime feed.Then give her a short,quiet winding-down bath.Go into a dimly lit room to prepare her for bed and then cuddle her to sleep.Initially,it will take longer to settle your daughter to sleep as she learns a new way,but with time and consistency,this will gradually decrease and she will settle without a feed.For the first three nights,you could offer a short top-up feed after the bath,just to ease her into the new schedule.Over the next few weeks,you then need to move on from cuddling to settling her in the cot using patting or stroking,gradually doing less and less until she can fall asleep by herself.You can also use this same approach to stop the feeds and rocking during the night.
Q:Will I be able to conceive?
I came off the Pill a year ago and have only had two periods since.I'm worried that I won't be able to get pregnant.
A: As you've had two periods since stopping the Pill,it means the problem isn't likely to be related to the Pill,but rather something called oligomenorrhoea (infrequent periods),which can be due to a hormone imbalance.It can happen if a woman is very underweight,is very overweight or stressed.It can make ovulation infrequent,so conception is less likely to happen.Or it could be due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that can cause irregural periods.An ultrasound scan and a blood test will diagnose this.Your upcoming hospital tests should shed some light on things.
A: As you've had two periods since stopping the Pill,it means the problem isn't likely to be related to the Pill,but rather something called oligomenorrhoea (infrequent periods),which can be due to a hormone imbalance.It can happen if a woman is very underweight,is very overweight or stressed.It can make ovulation infrequent,so conception is less likely to happen.Or it could be due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that can cause irregural periods.An ultrasound scan and a blood test will diagnose this.Your upcoming hospital tests should shed some light on things.
Q:Are his sleep troubles just attention-seeking?
My baby is 5 months old and since he was 2 months,he has gone to bed at around 6pm and slept through.For the past couple of weeks,however,he's cried for over an hour before dropping off.Is he just trying it on,hoping to get a cuddle?
A: A sudden change in sleeping routine at this age is common.The most likely culprit is pain from teething.Look out for other telltale symptoms such as increased dribbling,runny poo and flushed cheeks.
You could try giving him teething powders or gel to ease the pain.Or give him some baby paracetamol 20 minutes before bedtime.But to try to put him down before he falls asleep completely,otherwise he'll associate cuddles with falling asleep and it will be more difficult for him to self-settle.You can always stay near him for a little while if he's clingy.
A: A sudden change in sleeping routine at this age is common.The most likely culprit is pain from teething.Look out for other telltale symptoms such as increased dribbling,runny poo and flushed cheeks.
You could try giving him teething powders or gel to ease the pain.Or give him some baby paracetamol 20 minutes before bedtime.But to try to put him down before he falls asleep completely,otherwise he'll associate cuddles with falling asleep and it will be more difficult for him to self-settle.You can always stay near him for a little while if he's clingy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)