Help! I Don't Know Why My Baby Is Crying

By: Janet Winter

From the moment of birth, a baby's first cry is the first 'word' you hear. But what is your baby trying to tell you? Probably it's something like "what just happened, how did I get here and where is my warm, cozy home?"

When your baby cries again, does it sound the same? As you listen to the crying, you should begin to distinguish a difference. This is a baby's only form of communication, other than facial expressions or other body language. But, this still doesn't solve the problem of knowing what your baby wants or needs.

Particularly if this is your first baby, you will soon learn that much of parenting is based on trial and error. As the weeks progress, you will begin to develop a mental list of the most common reasons for crying. Work through the list to determine the most likely immediate need and respond accordingly to soothe your baby.

Okay, this sounds like a place to start, but what are the most common reasons babies cry?

The first thing that probably comes to mind is that the little one is hungry. You'll learn to distinguish these fussy noises, and if you're breast feeding, the movements in search of 'food' when you pick up your baby. If you catch the 'words' quickly enough, you can usually prevent full-blown crying. Food may not stop the fussing or crying immediately, but as long as your baby is eating let them continue. There's nothing like a full tummy to take their mind off crying.

Naturally, the next thing that comes to mind is that the baby's diaper needs to be changed. Wouldn't we all be fussy if we were wet and had irritating diaper rash? Oddly, though, some babies put up with a soiled diaper because it's warm and comfortable. That's hard to believe, but for some babies it's true. To be on the safe side, check the diaper often and change it when needed. By anticipating a need you may well prevent a crying episode.

When you visit a newborn in the hospital nursery, you'll notice that they're tightly wrapped in a blanket. This is a comfort factor, since they like to feel warm and cuddled. If it's time for a diaper change or bath, a baby may cry when they're undressed and exposed to the cold air. They're not happy! This is one of the easier items on the crying list to figure out. But how do you stop the crying? Work as quickly as possible to change the diaper or immerse them in the warm bath. Keep their upper body covered by a blanket during diaper changes and have a soft, hooded towel to wrap them in when the bath is finished. One word of caution - babies can also be fussy if they're too hot, so don't overdress them or have their room too warm. They typically need an extra layer beyond what we would wear, but keep the layering from being too heavy.

Sometimes your baby is simply crying because they want to be held and cuddled. As newborns, the sound of a parent's heartbeat and voice is calming. As they progress they love to look at their parents' faces and can even detect their unique smell - particularly their mom's milk. They may initially want to be fed, burped or have their diaper changed, but then it's time to be held and maybe rocked. Some babies like to be held more than others, so this is part of the trial and error process.

Another idea is to try and mimic the time they were in the womb. They were tuned in to the mother's heartbeat, movement and sounds as they developed. Studies have shown that playing soft music - particularly Mozart, singing a lullaby or having the steady rhythm of 'white noise' like a vacuum cleaner can stop a baby's tears. What about putting your baby on the dryer while you're doing the laundry (but don't leave them for a minute) or go for a ride in the car to simulate soothing, somewhat familiar motion?

Often when grandparents and other family and friends visit, the baby is passed around so much that they can actually become sore from being handled in so many ways. Try to limit this as much as possible and you won't have a crying baby later that day - or even the next - because they hurt. It is okay to pick up a baby and give them attention without spoiling them. Just let them be the guide in terms of how much is enough. While they thrive on attention, the over stimulation of noise and activity can just be too much. If they start to cry and you're not able to stop it, take them to another room and try to calm them down. It's okay to let them cry for a bit to 'vent', but then do what works to get them to sleep for awhile.

What if your baby has been fed, burped, had their diaper changed and they're warm and comfy but still crying? Check to see if a clothing tag is irritating their neck. If you've tried everything and still your baby won't stop crying, what is wrong? Maybe it's colic. The episodes can range from short periods of hard crying to inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day for at least three days per week.

One thing that can help is to rub your baby's tummy or back, which is very soothing when they have gas pains. Also, sucking on a pacifier can calm the stomach and quiet the heart rate, which relieves the tension caused by the pain. Contact your pediatrician for additional advice.

Most parents will immediately suspect that their baby may be ill if they can't stop their crying. The first thing to do is check their temperature. If it's normal, listen carefully to their crying. A sick baby's cry will be different. If you've tried everything and things just don't seem right, it's time to call or visit your pediatrician.

The stress from a crying baby takes its toll on the parents. You have to look after yourself in order to be able to take care of your baby. It's okay to put them in their cradle or crib, close the door and let them cry for a short while. Put on some music that is soothing to you, call a friend for advice or call for back up. Family, friends and neighbors can be a great resource to help you maintain your calm. They may even have a valuable tip they can offer based on their experience as a parent. You don't have to go it alone!

Hang in there. It may feel like an eternity, but after 8 to 12 weeks most babies will outgrow their crying phase as they start to become curious about the world around them. Patience, loving care and self care are the best remedies for a crying baby.

What Are the Risks of Child Obesity?

By: Nick Mutt

Sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits have lead to several health problems among children. They now battle a host of diseases usually found in adults. More and more kids suffer from obesity and most have no idea how to stay healthy. Neither do their parents if one goes by case studies. Parents start worrying only when children turn 15 or 16. Many believe that hormonal imbalances are the main reasons why kids are flabby but that is a very minute percentage, say pediatricians.

It is the lifestyle and the environment one grows up in that matter more. After school, kids used to play out in the field but today they go for the TV remote control or internet browsing. Aggravating the problem is the documented fact that when children watch TV they snack more, often on unhealthy junk foods that are high in salt and calories and low in fiber. With more parents working the already sedentary children are eating the kind of food that adds generously to their adipose tissues. Besides, children whose both parents were obese were more likely to be obese.

Today there are instances of adolescents with type 2 diabetes, more and more teens are developing high BP, high cholesterol and conditions preceding diabetes. Counseling the parents and kids is a major component to battle against child obesity. Usually a normal program lasts two and half months. Medical history of kids and their eating habits are both studied. Usually the wrong eating habit is the culprit for the children being fat say, majority of fitness experts.

Many children are taking the matter seriously. Certain hospitals are working on methods of reducing fat using electrodes. The idea is to make the person eat less by creating artificial impulses from the stomach to a pacemaker in the brain signaling that the stomach is full. Another method is cutting short the large intestine so that fat absorption is reduced. However, this leads to less minerals being absorbed. Hence it is not recommended for growing children, except in cases of morbid obesity.

For children, obesity is assessed by BMI (body mass index). It is obtained by dividing body weight in kilos by the square of height in meters. BMI over 25 – overweight child and over 30 – obese child

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Baby Sleep Problems and Solutions Part 2

By: enetlimited

There are many solutions to the problems associated with getting your baby to sleep. One of the most effective has to be creating the correct sleeping environment for your baby. The room where your baby sleep needs to be welcoming. A place where the baby will look forward to going for those mid-morning or afternoon naps and of course for the night time sleeping ritual.

This sleeping area will make an immediate connection to the baby so they know that when they enter they will associate it with sleep instantaneously. There are simple steps that can be taken to ensure that the place where your baby sleeps will very desirable to the infant.

Lets first look at the baby itself and the preparation for sleep. Putting them down after a bath and feed is very effective. The baby will be refreshed after the bath and content after the feed. Ensure that the baby clothes are dry and comfortable and that they have no restrictions in the size that will pull if the baby twists into a different position. The baby clothes should be fresh and clean and not have any sharp uncomfortable tags that may irritate the back of the neck or collar.

The cot itself should be the right size so that the baby can move freely if needed. Dont be afraid to place additional pillows on top of the mattress if you need extra softness. As long as they are firmly covered by a soft and warm fleecy blanket then they will be fine. Baby sleeping bags (or sacks) are a great product and will ensure your baby is completely warm and secure but with the ability to move around freely. Dont place pillows or toys directly into the cot with the baby when sleeping. Remove all toys direct from the sleeping area because they can be very distracting and in the dark may look a little scary to the baby.

Ensure the room is heated to the right temperature. Not too cold as to be uncomfortable and not to hot or the room will become stuffy and make the babies throat dry. Dont be afraid to open the door a little to let any excess heat escape so the room does not overheat. Placing a glass of water in the room will ensure that the air will receive moisture.

Drafts from windows and air conditioning vents are a common problem and this is one if the easiest ways for your baby to get a temperature and a common cold. Run your hand down any windows to see if they have drafts that need to be insulated.

Warm lighting shades are essential in a babies room. Make them too bright and the room will have a cold appearance. Try having a dim light on in the room before you enter with the baby, this could even be a small light you find on many modern cots. It needs to be bright enough to see though not enough to stop your baby going to sleep. You can also open the curtains or blinds a little just to bring in a little light if your baby prefers not to sleep in total darkness.

You may find that purchasing an attractive nursery nightlight that provides a colorful silhouette of light are ideal. There are others that will display rotating shapes against the walls and ceilings and these are more suitable for older babies.

Some babies welcome a little music to accompany them to sleep and many of the modern cots have these installed as standard. Just a basic repertoire of nursery rhymes that can be played at various levels are ideal. As your baby goes into slumber you can turn the music down a little. If you turn it off completely it may startle the baby and you will be back to square one again.

Try and avoid letting a new baby sleep with other children in the room. They are a big distraction and other youngsters will not be able to appreciate the importance of baby sleep for the newborn as much as you do. They find them fascinating and will often disturb them even in a loving way.

I think you will find that trying a selection of these methods will have a positive effect on your babies sleeping ritual. As long as the room where they sleep is associated with warmth and comfortable that has a welcoming atmosphere then I am sure you will see great results. Your baby will benefit from a good sleep and you never know, you may even have the chance to get some well earned sleep yourself.

Health and Eye Baby Care Tips Are Good Preventive Measures

By: Rishi Raj Singh

Baby care tips are so important for the health and eyes of each little bundle of joy. The care given in the first few years of life can make a difference for the rest of their lives. The medical professionals discover great information in order to provide health and eye baby care tips on a regular basis so parents have great help in their parenting duties. Parents are especially anxious with their first baby so health and eye baby care tips can relieve some worry. Sometimes parents see very normal symptoms but they get worried because they are not exactly comfortable with a change that occurs in the appearance or behavior of their baby.

The pediatrician will also recommend a schedule for vaccinations to make sure that each baby has immunization against awful diseases. These shots have made a great difference for the health of children over the years. Parents will want to follow these instructions as these are important health and eye baby care tips. The doctors will also provide parents with information on the care of their child.

Eyes seem to be delicate organs, and new parents often worry with each change they see in the babys eyes. For more details visit to www.create-super-baby.com. Sometimes the eyes of the baby drain some type of substance that does not look so good and parents panic. Medical professionals will try to help them relax by providing them with information on the natural mechanisms for protection of the eyes. A discharge could look awful to a new parent, but this could just be a natural process. Parents might be advised to gently bathe the eyelids but not to worry because some of these discharges are perfectly normal.

Health and Eye Baby Care Tips Are Good Preventive Measures

All parents should check carefully with their pediatrician on a regular basis to make sure that they are getting health and eye baby care tips for optimum results. Newborn babies are immediately checked out by a pediatrician to make sure that there are no significant health care concerns due to the birthing process. The pediatrician will recommend breast feeding for the optimum health of each baby in most cases. Some mothers do not feel comfortable with breast feeding, for more details visit to www.baby-care-book.com and the pediatrician will then recommend a proper formula for the health of the baby.

The pediatrician will also recommend a schedule for vaccinations to make sure that each baby has immunization against awful diseases. These shots have made a great difference for the health of children over the years. Parents will want to follow these instructions as these are important health and eye baby care tips. The doctors will also provide parents with information on the care of their child. These health and eye baby care tips will be based on the training and experience of this highly trained medical professional. Parents should carefully follow the directions of those who have this invaluable knowledge.

Parents are especially anxious with their first baby so health and eye baby care tips can relieve some worry. Sometimes parents see very normal symptoms but they get worried because they are not exactly comfortable with a change that occurs in the appearance or behavior of their baby.

Let be careful at Babies Bath Time

By: Bimla Sheokand

Bath time can and should be one of the most enjoyable times of the day for parents and children; a perfect opportunity to bond and relax with baby. But once baby has moved into the big tub, the big shiny faucet and warm streaming water can be too much to resist, despite mom and dads repeated warnings. So how can parents ensure that bath time is safe, enjoyable and relaxing for everyone? A few precautionary measures go a long way.

Stay in Touch

The single most important action that a parent must take each time a bath is given is touch supervision. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), touch supervision requires that an adult be within arms reach of baby at all times. If you cannot touch your baby at any time during the bath, then you are too far away.

Nationally, drowning is the third leading cause of injury-related deaths in children younger than one and the second leading cause of injury-related deaths in children ages one to four. In fact, young children can drown in less than two inches of water, according to AAPs Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). Drowning frequently occurs quickly and quietly, in the amount of time it would take a parent to take or make a phone call. Regardless of the intended time of absence, a parent must never leave baby unattended in the tub at any time for any reason ,very simply, touch supervision saves lives. No gizmo or gadget will prevent drowning or substitute for the adult supervision that can.

Keep Your Distance

The second most important action a parent must take is to protect baby from the faucet and fixtures. According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, 5,000 children a year require emergency room treatment for tap water burns. The AAP warns that the bathtub is a source of severe scalding burns. In addition to burns, contact with the faucet can cause injuries resulting in stitches, bumps, bruises, scrapes and even chipped teeth. for help pl visit the link below . The Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children's Hospital found that 75 percent of kids under age five who were hurt in the tub were being supervised at the time.

When selecting safety products for the bath, avoid products that will attract a baby. Bright colors, shiny materials, and happy animals will all draw babies towards them, despite their intended safety purpose.

In addition to touch supervision and the right safety products, parents should also take the following precautions when bathing baby:

- Set water heater to 120 degrees or less. - Check water temperature on the inside of your wrist before placing baby in the bath. - Place a rubber mat or non-slip appliqués on the bottom of the tub. - Have bathing supplies, clothes and towels already assembled prior to babies bath. - Always bathe baby using as little water as necessary. - Do not allow other children to substitute for adult supervision.

With the right preparation, precaution and products, bath time can be fewer struggles and more fun.