An untreated nappy rash, . . . → Read More: Yeast infections are very common in babies]]> It is quite normal for infants to get yeast infections and as long as it doesn’t last longer than 10 to 14 days it is usually nothing to worry about. The infection usually occurs around the mouth or genital areas and can also be an infection transmitted from another part of the body.

An untreated nappy rash, even in boys, can become a yeast infection. The symptoms are a large dark red rash that has smaller rashes around it. There will probably be pus-filled spots present and possibly a scaling effect on the skin in the infected area which may also be swollen. This rash can be anywhere from the lower stomach to the genitals.

Around the mouth area the symptoms are white lesions like mouth ulcers on the gums, the inner cheeks and the tongue. Sores may develop at the corners of baby’s mouth. These are very irritable and if they are scratched they may bleed and make the infection worse or spread it elsewhere. Your baby will possibly have some trouble eating and sleeping depending on the severity of the infection.

There are some home remedies you can try initially to stop the infection. These include putting some natural yoghurt on the infected area, applying aloe vera gel to it 2 or 3 times daily or rubbing a garlic clove on the infection. You can also add a little apple cider vinegar to baby’s bath water every day or dilute some white wine vinegar with water and apply to the infection.

If the infection still persists and there is no significant improvement after about 10 days then obviously you must consult your doctor. The doctor will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and a course of treatment which will probably be just a mild anti-fungal cream.

From day one you will need nappies, cleaning wipes and a . . . → Read More: Check out the review sites before buying baby essentials]]> When buying essentials for your baby, such as clothing, nappies and cleaning products, you want the best so it’s a good idea to check out the reviews of the products before you buy. Then you can make an informed choice on what you want for baby.

From day one you will need nappies, cleaning wipes and a changing pad or table, although you may prefer both as a changing pad is handy if you are travelling anywhere. Some parents simply use a towel and the floor which is ok but if you do this make sure you support the baby’s behind with your hand so they are not bumping against a hard floor.

You must decide if you are going to use disposable or ‘terry’ nappies which are washable. ‘Terry’ or cloth nappies are cheaper in the long run but mean a lot of extra work. A baby will use, on average, about twelve nappies a day which is a lot of washing.

With baby wipes also, you can decide to buy disposable ones or make your own. Again, homemade wipes are cheaper but much more work and must be properly cleaned, by boiling. This is essential, to make sure they are hygienic for your baby, of course, so you may decide that disposable wipes are a much better option.

Baby clothing comes in different sizes for each stage of your baby’s growth. These are 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and so on. Some babies are that big when they are born that they can go straight into a 3 month size. Remember that babies grow fast so it’s a good idea not to buy too much clothing in each category of size. In fact it is better to buy too big so that you give your baby room to grow.

The health benefits are not something that are just . . . → Read More: The health benefits of breastfeeding go way past childhood]]> There are many benefits of breastfeeding a baby over feeding it formula, and this is something that has been known for a long time. For this reason, many mothers decide to breastfeed their child instead of giving them formula so that the baby will have significant health benefits.

The health benefits are not something that are just seen during the baby’s infancy, but they are something that can remain with the child for its entire life. It is not just a process about health however, and breastfeeding can also be an important bonding opportunity that can take place between mother and child.

On the health side of things, breastmilk has a great deal of nutrients and antibodies which are beneficial for the baby. This gives them the ability to fight off disease and infection, such as kidney infections, pneumonia and respiratory diseases. It is also thought that babies that are fed on breastmilk are also less likely to suffer from conditions such as allergies, heart disease, meningitis, and gastroenteritis.

It is also thought that breastfeeding a baby will also give it an increased mental capacity and improve physical appearance. This is because breastfeeding can help with the development of the facial structure of the baby and even help to develop straighter teeth. Some studies have also indicated that breastfeeding can increase the IQ of a child by around 10 points.

As well as all these numerous advantages, parents will also be pleased about the amount of money it can save. Feeding bottles and formula are something that have been increasing in price dramatically and by not using them, you won’t have to spend a lot of extra money.

All in all, there are numerous benefits to breastfeeding, only a few of which are mentioned here. It would be well recommended if you are an expectant mother to plan to breastfeed your child.

Babywearing, is where a baby is put in . . . → Read More: How to ensure that babywearing is completely safe for your child]]> Babywearing is something that is pretty much a standard part of parenting and it is clearly an important tool in raising a child. Many parents will be asking how they can do this in the safest way possible and they often wonder whether there are things they should avoid.

Babywearing, is where a baby is put in a sling and there has recently been a warning issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission which has highlighted that in the past two decades, 14 babies have died because of the way they were put in slings.

Every one of these deaths has been investigated carefully for why it happened and from these better babywearing techniques have been developed. It is often a problem with the positioning of the sling that caused the death, rather than babywearing itself.

For the vast majority of parents there is no need to worry about babywearing. It is very easy to learn how to use a sling correctly and once you have mastered this, the benefits of using it a very useful. There are many benefits to a child of babywearing and it will mean that they feel very nurtured.

When you first start babywearing, get a wrap or sling made from a durable fabric and find instructions for how to wrap it around you with your baby. One of the most basic tips you should consider when organising this babywearing system is that the baby should be in a similar position as if you were holding them in your arms.

When positioning the baby you should also consider that it’s back should be as straight as possible. Many parents think that the fetal position is a good one for children when babywearing, but it is important at a young age that the back is kept straight.

However, this kind of progress is not necessarily . . . → Read More: Parents trust herbal remedies more than many modern medicines]]> Herbal teas are certainly not a new invention, they have been around for thousands of years and have been used as a way to cure and heal various diseases. As science has advanced, Western medicine has moved away from its herbal roots and more potent medications have been developed.

However, this kind of progress is not necessarily the best, as herbal remedies were effective in the past, and they still can be today. By utilising the power of nature people are able to improve their health without the need for medication which can sometimes have dangerous side effects.

Some medications contain harmful substances which have been known to cause allergic reactions in some children. By using natural medications, such as those derived from herbs, the chances of an allergic reaction are minimised. As parents are afraid of these allergic reactions taking place, the use of herbal medicines for babies has increased over the last few years as medications developed more recently have been avoided.

A herbal medication which has proved popular is a type of tea that is capable of helping babies with problems such as stomach cramps and restlessness. This tea is called Rooibos and it is a completely organic treatment. The herb was used in the ancient world but was not rediscovered until the late 1960s by a South African woman. She came across the plants healing properties and decided to use it as a natural remedy to help pacify her noisy child.

The herb is known to be able to help children with allergies and various inflammations. It is capable of effectively soothing an allergic reaction if one has already taken place and improving the baby’s resistance to any potential allergens they come across. It is a natural remedy that many parents would be wise to utilise over more modern medicines.