Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Q:Should I use a cup?
A:Once your baby is six months old,the sucking action he uses to strengthen his jaw and to get his feed from a breast or bottle isn't necessary.If you try using cup now,it will ease the transition off the breast or bottle.Health professionals recommend dropping the bottle by your baby's first year because milk can pool around the teeth and cause decay.Spending a lot of time with a teat in his mouth may also delay your baby's speech.
Q:How to I wean my baby off breastmilk?
A:Once your baby is eating a wide range of foods,he may cut down on breastfeeding of his own accord.
If you want to help the process along,try swapping one breastfeed to a bottle.As soon as your breasts have adjusted to missing on feed,drop another,striking a balance between breast and bottle.It doesn't matter which feed you drop first,but it's usually best dropping the one where your milk supply is least good.You can also shorten each feed so your breasts are never fully emptied,then they'll produce less milk.You will of course need to top up with a bottle at the end of each feed to make sure your baby is getting all the food he needs.
If you want to help the process along,try swapping one breastfeed to a bottle.As soon as your breasts have adjusted to missing on feed,drop another,striking a balance between breast and bottle.It doesn't matter which feed you drop first,but it's usually best dropping the one where your milk supply is least good.You can also shorten each feed so your breasts are never fully emptied,then they'll produce less milk.You will of course need to top up with a bottle at the end of each feed to make sure your baby is getting all the food he needs.
Q:When should I stop breastfeeding?
A:The choice is yours.While the World Health Organisation recommends giving your baby nothing but breastmilk for the first six month,real life has a habit of getting in the way.A return to work,
for example,could make formula more convenient.
Your baby will need less milk once you introduce solid food at six months,but he may still enjoy breastfeeding for comfort and reassurance.This is why many experts recommend child-led weaning,letting your baby or toddler decide when he wants to stop breastfeeding.
If you have an actual deadline,like going back to work,give yourself at least three weeks to wind down breastfeeding.This gives you time to get your baby used to a bottle,if he's never had one,and reduces the risk of your breasts becoming engorged.
for example,could make formula more convenient.
Your baby will need less milk once you introduce solid food at six months,but he may still enjoy breastfeeding for comfort and reassurance.This is why many experts recommend child-led weaning,letting your baby or toddler decide when he wants to stop breastfeeding.
If you have an actual deadline,like going back to work,give yourself at least three weeks to wind down breastfeeding.This gives you time to get your baby used to a bottle,if he's never had one,and reduces the risk of your breasts becoming engorged.
Q:Is it OK to put a newborn to sleep on his side?My health visitor says it can help colic.
A:There's no doubt that the best position to put a baby to sleep is on his back as this is known to reduce the risk of cot death.So my advice would be to always put a baby to sleep in this position.
Once he can roll over by himself,usually at about five months,your baby may choose to manoeuvre onto his side and there's no need to continually reposition him.The risk of cot death has significantly reduced by this age anyway.
The worry about sleeping on his side is that he could roll forward onto his stomach overnight.Your health visitor may say it's OK,but I can't.
Once he can roll over by himself,usually at about five months,your baby may choose to manoeuvre onto his side and there's no need to continually reposition him.The risk of cot death has significantly reduced by this age anyway.
The worry about sleeping on his side is that he could roll forward onto his stomach overnight.Your health visitor may say it's OK,but I can't.
Q:My 11 month old keeps waking up at 5.30 in the morning,which means he's then tired by breakfast time.What can I do?
A:It's common for babies to wake earlier in the summer months due to the lighter mornings.Try putting up blackout blinds at your baby's windows,which will keep the room dark and encourage your baby to sleep longer.
Since he's already tired by breakfast,it may help to eat earlier so that you know he's not hungry when he wants to sleep.Aim to keep him up until he's eaten,so he'll have a good sleep with a full tummy.
Then look at your routine and check he's not getting too much daytime sleep.Is he sleeping more than three hours in total,for instance?Or is he sleeping late in the afternoon?If so,this may mean he won't need as much sleep at night and will therefore wake early the next morning.Ideally he shouldn't sleep past 4pm - this will ensure that he's tired for his nighttime sleep and will hopefully stop him waking you up at the crack of dawn.
Since he's already tired by breakfast,it may help to eat earlier so that you know he's not hungry when he wants to sleep.Aim to keep him up until he's eaten,so he'll have a good sleep with a full tummy.
Then look at your routine and check he's not getting too much daytime sleep.Is he sleeping more than three hours in total,for instance?Or is he sleeping late in the afternoon?If so,this may mean he won't need as much sleep at night and will therefore wake early the next morning.Ideally he shouldn't sleep past 4pm - this will ensure that he's tired for his nighttime sleep and will hopefully stop him waking you up at the crack of dawn.
Q:I'm finding it exhausting cooking three meals a day for my eight month old,but don't want to feed her from jars.Any tips on easy,nutritious meals?
A:Babies are as happy with a rice cake as they are with a roast,and food from a jar won't do any harm.Not compared with having a stressed-out,exhausted mum anyway.
You could batch-cook once a week,then freeze individual portions,so you're not cooking from scratch every day.Dishes like pasta bakes and one-pot stews let you cook for the whole family,making life easier.You can also freeze mashed vegetables for an instant 'side'.Freeze in an icecube tray,then pop out and store cubes in sealed bags.
There are some safety points about freezing.Don't use meat and fish that have already been frozen or defrosted.Don't reheat cooked rice,from the fridge or freezer,as it activates germs that cause food poisoning.
Another idea is to serve raw foods - items like baby tomatoes,carroy sticks,fruit and cubes of cheese make a quick but nutritious lunch.
You could batch-cook once a week,then freeze individual portions,so you're not cooking from scratch every day.Dishes like pasta bakes and one-pot stews let you cook for the whole family,making life easier.You can also freeze mashed vegetables for an instant 'side'.Freeze in an icecube tray,then pop out and store cubes in sealed bags.
There are some safety points about freezing.Don't use meat and fish that have already been frozen or defrosted.Don't reheat cooked rice,from the fridge or freezer,as it activates germs that cause food poisoning.
Another idea is to serve raw foods - items like baby tomatoes,carroy sticks,fruit and cubes of cheese make a quick but nutritious lunch.
Q:My one year old keeps taking her nappy off.Surely it's too early for me to start potty training her?
A:She's quite young for this at one.For potty training to succeed,a child needs to be physically and emotionally ready,as well as willing to cooperate.
Do respond to her behaviour,though.She's letting you know that she's learning about her body - how it feels with and without a nappy,wet or otherwise.Observe her to see if there are signs of recognition of different bodily functions,such as staying still while she wees or straining to poo.Talk to her about what she's doing - 'Does your nappy needs changing?' or even,'Do you need to use the potty?' You may find she's more comfy without a nappy - but be prepared for mess.
Another response is to try training pants - these absorb wees and poos but,unlike a nappy,your child will immediately feel wet.This allows you to introduce the next stage while still providing the security of a nappy.
Do respond to her behaviour,though.She's letting you know that she's learning about her body - how it feels with and without a nappy,wet or otherwise.Observe her to see if there are signs of recognition of different bodily functions,such as staying still while she wees or straining to poo.Talk to her about what she's doing - 'Does your nappy needs changing?' or even,'Do you need to use the potty?' You may find she's more comfy without a nappy - but be prepared for mess.
Another response is to try training pants - these absorb wees and poos but,unlike a nappy,your child will immediately feel wet.This allows you to introduce the next stage while still providing the security of a nappy.
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