Six Common Sleeping mistakes
1: Setting your expectations too high
You’ve probably heard about babies that sleep through the night at eight weeks or take two hour naps, twice a day. It’s hard not to wonder why your baby isn’t following suit.
It’s important to understand that all babies are different and that waking up at night is perfectly normal, and very common. Most babies are not able to sleep through the night without a feed until at least three months or four months old. Many babies wake for night-time feeds until they are at least six months old. So you’re not alone.
It’s also worth remembering that your baby isn’t able to tell the difference between night and day until he’s around two months to three months old. This doesn’t mean you can’t start teaching him the difference though, so make daytime feeds chatty and fun, and night-time feeds quiet and soothing.
2: Putting your baby to bed too late
When you've been at work all day, it can be tempting to keep your baby up so you can spend more time with him. Or maybe you hope he'll become so tired, he'll eventually flake out.
Whatever the reason, it's not a good idea to keep your child up. When babies get overtired they find it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. They tend to wake up earlier than if they went to bed at a more reasonable hour, too.
It’s much better to have a bedtime routine in place and stick to it. Don’t wait until your baby is yawning and rubbing his eyes to put it into action. Even 15 minutes to 20 minutes of extra sleep can make all the difference.
3: Relying on motion to send him off to sleep
Have you ever breathed a sigh of relief as your baby snoozes in his car seat or baby swing? While this can provide you with a well-deserved break, don't fall into the trap of relying on motion to get your baby to fall asleep. It's impractical to have to take your baby for a drive every night.
It's fine to use motion to soothe your baby if he's upset or fussy. Just don't make it part of his regular bedtime routine.
4: Over-stimulating your baby before bedtime
While you may have put a mobile above your baby's cot for comfort, the rotating toys, sounds and lights can be a distraction. Watching them may keep him awake rather than teach him that it's night-time.
It's much better to put your baby to sleep in a darkened room. Don't worry about him being afraid. He's too young to have developed night-time fears. A fan or white noise recording may also help, as it will muffle any noise from the rest of the house or outside.
Before, or as part of your bedtime routine, try to wind your baby down with relaxing rather than energetic games. Lullabies and gentle nursery rhymes will calm him and help him to understand that it’s time to sleep.
5: Skipping your baby’s bedtime routine
With a baby, you might assume that a routine consisting of a bath, a book and a lullaby isn't yet necessary. Or maybe you feel too tired some days to continue with it.
But having a series of calming, pleasing activities before bedtime is important, as it prepares your little one for sleep.
You can create any routine you like for your baby. Just make sure it's a series of relaxing steps that happen in the same order at about the same time every night.
If your baby still has an evening feed, try to place this at the start of your bedtime routine, rather than at the end, so that your baby doesn’t associate feeding with sleeping. This may help him to settle himself if he wakes up during the night.
6: Not being consistent with your baby
If you’ve decided to start sleep training your baby, it’s important to be consistent in how you handle his night-time wakings, as well as how you put him down to sleep every night. It’s tempting to revert to feeding to sleep, or rocking to sleep, especially when it seems nothing else will work.
Be confident that your baby will soon learn to self-settle if he’s given the chance. When he wakes up during the night, tell him it’s time to sleep. Gently shush and pat him to reassure him, then leave the room. You can return in a few minutes if he’s still not settling and repeat the process. You may have to do this dozens of times when you first start sleep training.
To help your baby understand when it’s bedtime, try to keep the same routine in place every night. A warm bath, a last breastfeed or bottle, a quiet game and a few lullabies will help your baby drift off to sleep.
http://www.babyandnames.com
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Five Best Food For babies
1. Vegetables
Give your baby a wide variety of vegetables as soon as you start weaning. Starting your baby off with vegetables early may mean he carries on eating and enjoying them when he’s older.
Vegetables add colour, texture and variety to his meals. They’re high in vitamins, minerals and fibre too. Vegetables help healthy growth and development, and may help to protect against some diseases in the long term.
It's easier to give new vegetables to your baby from the start of weaning. If you wait until he’s older, he’s more likely to reject unknown foods and unfamiliar flavours. If your baby pulls a face when he first tries a new vegetable, it may not mean he dislikes it. He may just be surprised by the new taste.
Some vegetables, such as kale, brussels sprouts, and watercress, are full of goodness but have a strong flavour that your little one may need to learn to like. Don’t try to coax him into eating it if he doesn’t accept it at first. Be patient. Leave it off the menu for a few days and try again. You may need to offer new vegetables at least eight times before deciding that your baby doesn't like them.
Try tempting your baby with sweeter-tasting vegetables too, such as parsnip and sweet potato.
If your baby prefers finger foods rather than pureed or well-mashed foods, let him get on with it. He may like the feeling of being in control of his food rather than being spoon-fed. Try giving him cooked green beans, steamed broccoli florets, or soft-cooked fingers of carrot, for example.
2. Fish
You can give your baby well-mashed or flaked fish from six months onwards. Fish is particularly good for your baby. It’s a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish, particularly oily fish such as fresh salmon and mackerel, are important for your baby's brain development.
When you give your baby any fish, make sure it’s cooked thoroughly. It should begin to flake and be opaque. Always check the fish carefully and remove any bones.
There are some types of fish that your baby shouldn't eat. Shark, swordfish and marlin have traces of mercury in them, which may affect your baby’s growing nervous system.
If you're worried about food allergies, there’s no need to delay introducing fish. Rest assured that there's no evidence that introducing fish later on makes allergy less likely.
3. Poultry and red meat
Meat is an excellent source of protein and a good source of nutrients such as iron and zinc. It also contains a small amount of vitamin D. When your baby is six months or seven months, the stores of iron that he built up when you were pregnant are starting to run out. So it's important to introduce other sources of iron into his meals.
Once your baby is happily eating pureed or well-mashed fruit and vegetables, you can move on to poultry and red meat. Although you may not think of meat as an obvious weaning food, pureed or blended poultry or meat is a great food for your baby.
Start with soft, cooked poultry, such as chicken. Then you can introduce red meats, such as pork, beef or lamb.
Always take care to cook any meat thoroughly, until the juices run clear, and remove any bones.
4. Pulses and beans
Pulses and beans are another good source of protein and iron. They’re quick and easy to cook to a soft texture that your baby will be able to manage, and are good substitutes for meat or fish.
If your baby is eating a vegetarian diet, try to give him pulses, such as beans, lentils or chickpeas, twice a day. Other meat alternatives which are also good sources of protein are thoroughly cooked eggs or tofu.
Try mixing lentils or other cooked pulses, such as chickpeas, with vegetables or fruits to help your baby to absorb the iron in them. For example, you could try giving your baby well-mashed or pureed lentils with carrots or sweet potatoes. The vitamin C in the vegetables helps your baby's body to absorb the iron.
It’s fine to use tinned pulses and beans, but check the label to make sure there’s no added sugar or salt.
5. Milk
Although your baby is eating solid food, his regular milk is still an important food for him as a source of calcium and other nutrients.
When you first start introducing solid foods, your baby will be eating very small amounts of food, probably just one teaspoon or two teaspoons per meal. He’ll still be getting most of his nutrients from breastmilk or formula milk. So keep giving him regular breastfeeds, or between 500ml and 600ml of formula milk a day, as his main drink until he’s a year old.
You don’t need to give your baby follow-on milk. His usual milk and a variety of solid foods will give your growing baby all the nourishment he needs.
By the time your baby is a year old, he’ll be eating three meals a day, perhaps with one or two snacks in between. By then, you’ll find that he has dropped a milk feed or two. After that, you can give your baby cow's milk as a main drink if you want to.
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a25010529/five-best-foods-for-babies#ixzz4533EtzqJ
1. Vegetables
Give your baby a wide variety of vegetables as soon as you start weaning. Starting your baby off with vegetables early may mean he carries on eating and enjoying them when he’s older.
Vegetables add colour, texture and variety to his meals. They’re high in vitamins, minerals and fibre too. Vegetables help healthy growth and development, and may help to protect against some diseases in the long term.
It's easier to give new vegetables to your baby from the start of weaning. If you wait until he’s older, he’s more likely to reject unknown foods and unfamiliar flavours. If your baby pulls a face when he first tries a new vegetable, it may not mean he dislikes it. He may just be surprised by the new taste.
Some vegetables, such as kale, brussels sprouts, and watercress, are full of goodness but have a strong flavour that your little one may need to learn to like. Don’t try to coax him into eating it if he doesn’t accept it at first. Be patient. Leave it off the menu for a few days and try again. You may need to offer new vegetables at least eight times before deciding that your baby doesn't like them.
Try tempting your baby with sweeter-tasting vegetables too, such as parsnip and sweet potato.
If your baby prefers finger foods rather than pureed or well-mashed foods, let him get on with it. He may like the feeling of being in control of his food rather than being spoon-fed. Try giving him cooked green beans, steamed broccoli florets, or soft-cooked fingers of carrot, for example.
2. Fish
You can give your baby well-mashed or flaked fish from six months onwards. Fish is particularly good for your baby. It’s a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish, particularly oily fish such as fresh salmon and mackerel, are important for your baby's brain development.
When you give your baby any fish, make sure it’s cooked thoroughly. It should begin to flake and be opaque. Always check the fish carefully and remove any bones.
There are some types of fish that your baby shouldn't eat. Shark, swordfish and marlin have traces of mercury in them, which may affect your baby’s growing nervous system.
If you're worried about food allergies, there’s no need to delay introducing fish. Rest assured that there's no evidence that introducing fish later on makes allergy less likely.
3. Poultry and red meat
Meat is an excellent source of protein and a good source of nutrients such as iron and zinc. It also contains a small amount of vitamin D. When your baby is six months or seven months, the stores of iron that he built up when you were pregnant are starting to run out. So it's important to introduce other sources of iron into his meals.
Once your baby is happily eating pureed or well-mashed fruit and vegetables, you can move on to poultry and red meat. Although you may not think of meat as an obvious weaning food, pureed or blended poultry or meat is a great food for your baby.
Start with soft, cooked poultry, such as chicken. Then you can introduce red meats, such as pork, beef or lamb.
Always take care to cook any meat thoroughly, until the juices run clear, and remove any bones.
4. Pulses and beans
Pulses and beans are another good source of protein and iron. They’re quick and easy to cook to a soft texture that your baby will be able to manage, and are good substitutes for meat or fish.
If your baby is eating a vegetarian diet, try to give him pulses, such as beans, lentils or chickpeas, twice a day. Other meat alternatives which are also good sources of protein are thoroughly cooked eggs or tofu.
Try mixing lentils or other cooked pulses, such as chickpeas, with vegetables or fruits to help your baby to absorb the iron in them. For example, you could try giving your baby well-mashed or pureed lentils with carrots or sweet potatoes. The vitamin C in the vegetables helps your baby's body to absorb the iron.
It’s fine to use tinned pulses and beans, but check the label to make sure there’s no added sugar or salt.
5. Milk
Although your baby is eating solid food, his regular milk is still an important food for him as a source of calcium and other nutrients.
When you first start introducing solid foods, your baby will be eating very small amounts of food, probably just one teaspoon or two teaspoons per meal. He’ll still be getting most of his nutrients from breastmilk or formula milk. So keep giving him regular breastfeeds, or between 500ml and 600ml of formula milk a day, as his main drink until he’s a year old.
You don’t need to give your baby follow-on milk. His usual milk and a variety of solid foods will give your growing baby all the nourishment he needs.
By the time your baby is a year old, he’ll be eating three meals a day, perhaps with one or two snacks in between. By then, you’ll find that he has dropped a milk feed or two. After that, you can give your baby cow's milk as a main drink if you want to.
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a25010529/five-best-foods-for-babies#ixzz4533EtzqJ
When can I give my newborn a bath?
Your baby needs to stay warm, so he won’t have a bath straight after he’s born. Your midwife will just wipe your baby and dry him using clean, warm towels. If your baby has creamy, white vernix on his skin, your midwife will take care to leave it on. Vernix is a natural skin cleanser and helps your baby's skin barrier to develop.
If you want to, you can give your baby a bath two hours after the birth. Just as long as your baby is healthy and full-term, his body temperature is normal, and the room is warm.
In some hospitals and birth centres, your midwife may help you to bathe your baby. However, you’ll probably give your baby his first bath some time after you get home.
When should I start giving my baby regular baths?
It's up to you. You may enjoy giving your baby a bath from day one. Or you may find it simpler to top and tail your baby using cotton wool and a warm, damp flannel or sponge.
You can carry on topping and tailing for the first week or so. You may feel you need time to recover from the birth and get used to handling your baby before you are ready to bathe him.
Newborns can lose body heat very quickly. So your baby's first bath should be quick but thorough, and last no longer than five minutes to 10 minutes. Make sure the room is warm, and close any doors and windows to stop draughts. Have warmed towels at the ready to wrap your baby up and cuddle him afterwards.
It's fine to give your baby a bath before his umbilical cord stump has fallen off and healed. Bathing your baby won't make an infection in the stump more likely, and it won’t slow down the healing process. Just be sure that you allow it to dry off properly afterwards.
For the first few weeks, you can bathe your baby using just water, or a little mild liquid baby cleanser. If your baby's skin is dry, you can add some baby bath emollient to the water. Bear in mind that the emollient will make your baby slippery to handle.
How often will my baby need a bath?
It’s up to you how often you give your baby a bath. Newborns don't need a bath every day, as they don’t get very dirty. Bathing him two or three times a week is fine during the month or so. Frequent baths may lead to dry skin, depending on what you use in the bath.
Bear in mind that if you live in a hard water area, too much tap water on its own may dry out your baby’s skin.
http://www.babyandnames.com
Your baby needs to stay warm, so he won’t have a bath straight after he’s born. Your midwife will just wipe your baby and dry him using clean, warm towels. If your baby has creamy, white vernix on his skin, your midwife will take care to leave it on. Vernix is a natural skin cleanser and helps your baby's skin barrier to develop.
If you want to, you can give your baby a bath two hours after the birth. Just as long as your baby is healthy and full-term, his body temperature is normal, and the room is warm.
In some hospitals and birth centres, your midwife may help you to bathe your baby. However, you’ll probably give your baby his first bath some time after you get home.
When should I start giving my baby regular baths?
It's up to you. You may enjoy giving your baby a bath from day one. Or you may find it simpler to top and tail your baby using cotton wool and a warm, damp flannel or sponge.
You can carry on topping and tailing for the first week or so. You may feel you need time to recover from the birth and get used to handling your baby before you are ready to bathe him.
Newborns can lose body heat very quickly. So your baby's first bath should be quick but thorough, and last no longer than five minutes to 10 minutes. Make sure the room is warm, and close any doors and windows to stop draughts. Have warmed towels at the ready to wrap your baby up and cuddle him afterwards.
It's fine to give your baby a bath before his umbilical cord stump has fallen off and healed. Bathing your baby won't make an infection in the stump more likely, and it won’t slow down the healing process. Just be sure that you allow it to dry off properly afterwards.
For the first few weeks, you can bathe your baby using just water, or a little mild liquid baby cleanser. If your baby's skin is dry, you can add some baby bath emollient to the water. Bear in mind that the emollient will make your baby slippery to handle.
How often will my baby need a bath?
It’s up to you how often you give your baby a bath. Newborns don't need a bath every day, as they don’t get very dirty. Bathing him two or three times a week is fine during the month or so. Frequent baths may lead to dry skin, depending on what you use in the bath.
Bear in mind that if you live in a hard water area, too much tap water on its own may dry out your baby’s skin.
http://www.babyandnames.com
when can i introduce a pacifier or dummy to baby?
It depends. If you're breastfeeding it's a good idea to wait until your baby's at least six weeks. This way, you can establish a good breastfeeding routine first. This is important because experts think that dummies may cause nipple confusion.
Sucking a dummy is a very different action from breastfeeding. Swapping from one to the other may confuse your newborn, making breastfeeding more difficult. However, some babies do seem to cope with both the dummy and the breast, so it can very much depend on your baby.
Most babies don’t need a dummy. They'll be content with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and lots of cuddles. However, some babies do enjoy sucking on something for added comfort. Your baby may even find her thumb to suck soon after birth.
If you do choose to use a dummy, look for an orthodontic model. These are better for your baby's developing teeth and gums. Latex dummies are softer and more flexible than silicone ones, but they don't last as long.
Buy a few dummies so you can switch them often. Be sure to sterilise them before giving them to your baby. Some come with holders to keep them clean when they're not in use. Check your baby's dummies regularly and throw them away at the first sign of wear.
It's best to start weaning your baby off her dummies from about six months. This should avoid any effect on the way her teeth grow and develop. Using a dummy past 12 months isn't recommended. Try not to worry if your baby still uses her dummy past this age, though. Limiting use to when your baby's upset or over-tired may help to gradually wean her off it.
http://www.babyandnames.com
It depends. If you're breastfeeding it's a good idea to wait until your baby's at least six weeks. This way, you can establish a good breastfeeding routine first. This is important because experts think that dummies may cause nipple confusion.
Sucking a dummy is a very different action from breastfeeding. Swapping from one to the other may confuse your newborn, making breastfeeding more difficult. However, some babies do seem to cope with both the dummy and the breast, so it can very much depend on your baby.
Most babies don’t need a dummy. They'll be content with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and lots of cuddles. However, some babies do enjoy sucking on something for added comfort. Your baby may even find her thumb to suck soon after birth.
If you do choose to use a dummy, look for an orthodontic model. These are better for your baby's developing teeth and gums. Latex dummies are softer and more flexible than silicone ones, but they don't last as long.
Buy a few dummies so you can switch them often. Be sure to sterilise them before giving them to your baby. Some come with holders to keep them clean when they're not in use. Check your baby's dummies regularly and throw them away at the first sign of wear.
It's best to start weaning your baby off her dummies from about six months. This should avoid any effect on the way her teeth grow and develop. Using a dummy past 12 months isn't recommended. Try not to worry if your baby still uses her dummy past this age, though. Limiting use to when your baby's upset or over-tired may help to gradually wean her off it.
http://www.babyandnames.com
When can I let my baby sleep alone?
Its best that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for his first six months.
Most parents choose to put their newborn in a cot or Moses basket beside their bed. That's because until they are at least two months old, babies have trouble settling themselves and need their parents to comfort them.
You can buy cots that can be raised and lowered so that they're reasonably level with your own bed. This makes tending to your baby in the small hours, when you're half asleep, much easier.
When you're ready to move your baby from a bedside cot to a separate cot, try to do it gradually. Start by having the cot near your bed, then, if you have the space, move the cot further away.
You may find that as your baby grows it's hard to sleep if he coos and makes gurgling noises through the night.
This is when a baby monitor is good for bringing you peace of mind. It means that, when you and your baby are ready, you can move your baby's cot to the next room.
With a monitor in your room and one in his room, you'll be able to hear any gurgling or crying that may need your attention.
http://www.babyandnames.com
Its best that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for his first six months.
Most parents choose to put their newborn in a cot or Moses basket beside their bed. That's because until they are at least two months old, babies have trouble settling themselves and need their parents to comfort them.
You can buy cots that can be raised and lowered so that they're reasonably level with your own bed. This makes tending to your baby in the small hours, when you're half asleep, much easier.
When you're ready to move your baby from a bedside cot to a separate cot, try to do it gradually. Start by having the cot near your bed, then, if you have the space, move the cot further away.
You may find that as your baby grows it's hard to sleep if he coos and makes gurgling noises through the night.
This is when a baby monitor is good for bringing you peace of mind. It means that, when you and your baby are ready, you can move your baby's cot to the next room.
With a monitor in your room and one in his room, you'll be able to hear any gurgling or crying that may need your attention.
http://www.babyandnames.com
My baby never seems to stop crying. What should I do?
If you find it difficult to hear your baby cry, you aren't alone. Most parents find it hard. But crying is simply your baby's main means of communicating. Responding to your baby is the best way to help him relax.
Babies tend to cry more between the ages of three weeks and 12 weeks, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. While this is a normal, developmental phase, it's only natural to worry about this end-of-day crying. But try to see it as a period of letting off steam. One study showed that babies who fussed a lot in the evenings usually slept better afterwards.
You may find that a good approach is to run through the following basics just once, then pause. So, change your baby's nappy, give him a cuddle and burp him, and check that he's not hungry or in pain. Then put him down for about five minutes. You can attend to him if he's still fussing, but put him down again afterwards. Bear in mind this pattern may go on for quite a while, but some mums find it helpful to follow this routine.
If your baby cries for more than three hours a day, three days a week for three weeks , then this is classed as excessive crying. It's often referred to as colic and it can be stressful for you and your partner. Your baby may benefit from gentle, slow handling. And you may find he's more relaxed if you put him down with your hand on his belly, rather than holding him.
It can be hard to keep calm when your baby cries. You may find it helpful to get support from friends or family, if possible. But reminding yourself that your newborn's behaviour is normal may help you feel less anxious. Most babies cry less after about three months.
see more at www.babyandnames.com
If you find it difficult to hear your baby cry, you aren't alone. Most parents find it hard. But crying is simply your baby's main means of communicating. Responding to your baby is the best way to help him relax.
Babies tend to cry more between the ages of three weeks and 12 weeks, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. While this is a normal, developmental phase, it's only natural to worry about this end-of-day crying. But try to see it as a period of letting off steam. One study showed that babies who fussed a lot in the evenings usually slept better afterwards.
You may find that a good approach is to run through the following basics just once, then pause. So, change your baby's nappy, give him a cuddle and burp him, and check that he's not hungry or in pain. Then put him down for about five minutes. You can attend to him if he's still fussing, but put him down again afterwards. Bear in mind this pattern may go on for quite a while, but some mums find it helpful to follow this routine.
If your baby cries for more than three hours a day, three days a week for three weeks , then this is classed as excessive crying. It's often referred to as colic and it can be stressful for you and your partner. Your baby may benefit from gentle, slow handling. And you may find he's more relaxed if you put him down with your hand on his belly, rather than holding him.
It can be hard to keep calm when your baby cries. You may find it helpful to get support from friends or family, if possible. But reminding yourself that your newborn's behaviour is normal may help you feel less anxious. Most babies cry less after about three months.
see more at www.babyandnames.com
How do I know if my newborn wants something?
Does he want to be fed?
Your baby is likely to make a particular sound or cry when he's hungry. If so, you'll soon learn to identify it. He may also suck on his hands, fingers or fists.
You may notice your baby turning his head strongly to one side while opening his mouth. This is called rooting.
Does he need to sleep?
Your newborn will probably fuss or cry when he needs to sleep. He may stare with glazed eyes before drifting off, or he may suddenly look quite pale. Other signs to look out for include a lack of interest in playing and not responding to you or what's happening around him.
Is he bored or lonely?
While your newborn will be interested in playing with you from birth, he doesn't need constant entertainment. He'll tell you when he's ready to play by becoming calm and alert, and looking at you with wide eyes and raised eyebrows.
If you notice him trying to find things to look at, this may be a sign that he's feeling bored or lonely. He may open his mouth into an "oo" shape or make noises as if to call you.
In the first few weeks, the best toy for your baby is your face and voice. Try holding him about a foot away and sticking out your tongue. He may copy you! Give him plenty of time to respond before you change your expression. It may take him a while to work out what to do.
Does he have wind?
If your baby has wind, he may cry, fuss or seem agitated. He may screw up his face as though he's in pain, pull his knees up to his stomach or kick his legs.
Is a wet or soiled nappy making him uncomfortable?
Your baby may not mind having a wet or soiled nappy, but some babies really don't like it. If this is the case with your baby, he'll probably let you know by crying or being restless. He may also have more subtle ways of telling you such as becoming pale or red in the face, looking away or losing interest in playing.
Is he too hot or too cold?
You can check your baby's temperature by feeling the back of his neck. Look at his skin colour, too. If it's mottled with patches of red and blue, it may mean his body's trying to adjust to the right temperature.
Your baby needs to wear enough clothes to feel warm, but not hot. Dress him in layers. If he becomes too hot you can remove a layer. If he is too cold, simply add one.
Is he overstimulated?
Some babies are easily overwhelmed, and can only cope with short bursts of play. Your baby may show you he's had enough stimulation by sneezing, yawning, looking pale or very red, or looking away. He may seem drowsy or start to fuss, cry, or push you away.
While your baby was born with the ability to self-soothe, he may still find it hard to settle down when he's overwhelmed. When he was curled up in your womb (uterus), he probably found it easy to suck his hands or fingers and soothe himself to sleep. But after he's born it may not be as easy for him to reach them!
By watching your baby's movements, you can tell if he likes to put his fist, hand or fingers near or into his mouth. You can also try holding him calmly in your arms or over your shoulder. Or put him down in a quiet place with your hand resting gently on his belly.
You'll learn if he likes to lie in a particular way, or if it helps him to look at something. Once you know what works for him, you can help him to develop his natural self-soothing techniques.
http://www.babyandnames.com
Does he want to be fed?
Your baby is likely to make a particular sound or cry when he's hungry. If so, you'll soon learn to identify it. He may also suck on his hands, fingers or fists.
You may notice your baby turning his head strongly to one side while opening his mouth. This is called rooting.
Does he need to sleep?
Your newborn will probably fuss or cry when he needs to sleep. He may stare with glazed eyes before drifting off, or he may suddenly look quite pale. Other signs to look out for include a lack of interest in playing and not responding to you or what's happening around him.
Is he bored or lonely?
While your newborn will be interested in playing with you from birth, he doesn't need constant entertainment. He'll tell you when he's ready to play by becoming calm and alert, and looking at you with wide eyes and raised eyebrows.
If you notice him trying to find things to look at, this may be a sign that he's feeling bored or lonely. He may open his mouth into an "oo" shape or make noises as if to call you.
In the first few weeks, the best toy for your baby is your face and voice. Try holding him about a foot away and sticking out your tongue. He may copy you! Give him plenty of time to respond before you change your expression. It may take him a while to work out what to do.
Does he have wind?
If your baby has wind, he may cry, fuss or seem agitated. He may screw up his face as though he's in pain, pull his knees up to his stomach or kick his legs.
Is a wet or soiled nappy making him uncomfortable?
Your baby may not mind having a wet or soiled nappy, but some babies really don't like it. If this is the case with your baby, he'll probably let you know by crying or being restless. He may also have more subtle ways of telling you such as becoming pale or red in the face, looking away or losing interest in playing.
Is he too hot or too cold?
You can check your baby's temperature by feeling the back of his neck. Look at his skin colour, too. If it's mottled with patches of red and blue, it may mean his body's trying to adjust to the right temperature.
Your baby needs to wear enough clothes to feel warm, but not hot. Dress him in layers. If he becomes too hot you can remove a layer. If he is too cold, simply add one.
Is he overstimulated?
Some babies are easily overwhelmed, and can only cope with short bursts of play. Your baby may show you he's had enough stimulation by sneezing, yawning, looking pale or very red, or looking away. He may seem drowsy or start to fuss, cry, or push you away.
While your baby was born with the ability to self-soothe, he may still find it hard to settle down when he's overwhelmed. When he was curled up in your womb (uterus), he probably found it easy to suck his hands or fingers and soothe himself to sleep. But after he's born it may not be as easy for him to reach them!
By watching your baby's movements, you can tell if he likes to put his fist, hand or fingers near or into his mouth. You can also try holding him calmly in your arms or over your shoulder. Or put him down in a quiet place with your hand resting gently on his belly.
You'll learn if he likes to lie in a particular way, or if it helps him to look at something. Once you know what works for him, you can help him to develop his natural self-soothing techniques.
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