(ARA) – Between naps, feedings and diaper changes — new moms rarely have a moment free. Pulling it all together doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Making some simple changes in your daily routine can mean extra time for enjoying your new baby.

“I always tell my friends that the key to spending more time with their new baby is to simplify their day,” says Victoria Pericon, editor of SavvyMommy.com and mother of three. “Try to combine errands into fewer trips and reduce the number of activities you’re involved in. That way, you can spend more time with your loved ones and make more time for yourself.”

Pericon shares some of her favorite time-saving tips that are sure to help new moms protect the precious time they have with their new baby:

* Get organized: Caring for a new baby and keeping up with household and family activities is a challenge. The easiest way to stay on track with managing household chores and outside activities is to make a schedule. Buy a large wall calendar to organize your family’s play dates, practices, weekly errands and social events so everyone has a clear picture of what the week holds. Color code activities by family member.

* Go digital: Cutting and pasting your baby photos into an album is a thing of the past. Not only is this time-consuming but it’s also costly. Why not create your baby book online instead of doing it all yourself? Photo sharing sites such as Shutterfly.com let you customize your baby book according to your own preferences. Also, you can share pictures of your new little one with friends and family in no time flat.

* Simplify feeding: Breast milk is the ideal nutrition as it provides all the nutrients a young infant needs, and it also helps build the baby’s immunity. For moms who choose to feed with formula, it’s important to choose one that provides both nutrition and convenience. Similac Advance EarlyShield has important immunity building-blocks similar to those found in breast milk. Great for saving mom time, Similac Advance EarlyShield comes in Similac SimplePac powder packages — with design features that offer a simplified approach to feeding time — and 8-fluid-ounce Similac Ready Right Now reclosable plastic bottles which require no mixing or measuring.

* Streamline sleepy time: Sleep is an all-too-precious commodity for new parents. Set a bedtime routine that lulls baby to sleep faster, so you can share a few precious minutes unwinding with your partner or a cup of tea. While good, old-fashioned rocking, reading books and singing lullabies makes bedtime rituals a bonding time, sleep-inducing crib toys, like the Fisher-Price Rainforest Waterfall Peek-a-Boo Soother, can trigger baby’s time-for-sleep reflex by lulling baby with gentle moving water and soft music.

* Get healthy: Finding time to get back into shape can be tricky for any new mom.
One quick way is to check out your local gym — many offer child care services for their members. Get out of the house for an hour or two and start getting back into shape while knowing that your child is in good hands and close by. You’ll get much needed “me” time and feel better.

Try these small, yet effective time-savers and have more time to spend with your new baby or with yourself. For more information, visit www.earlyshield.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Anything which irritates the skin can cause diaper rash. A baby’s skin is very sensitive. Still, there are a few common causes.

Long exposure to urine and feces is one example. Pure urine is not infectious. But it mixes readily with organisms, providing them with a growing medium. Bacteria are often found in feces, as a normal part of the body’s disposal of potentially harmful ‘invaders’.

One organism in particular accounts for a large number of diaper rash cases: yeast. This common fungus grows well in moist, warm environments, such as soiled diapers. Even when waste isn’t present, excessive humidity in the air encourages moisture under the diaper. That condition is especially likely in skin folds that trap moisture.

Other causes are possible, as well.

A change in diet can increase stool production, which increases the time the baby’s skin is exposed to it. Ironically, even a new cleansing product can cause diaper rash. Though rarely the cause, thanks to considerable testing, some babies are sensitive to certain products. A new detergent or fabric softener, or even a new disposable wipe, can irritate the skin.

And, not least, some babies are simply more sensitive than others to potential irritants. Tight diapers that are perfect for one will chafe another.

Home treatment is all that’s required in the overwhelming majority of cases of diaper rash.

In most cases, simply cleaning your baby gently but thoroughly will provide the right environment for time to do the rest. Changing diapers promptly and often will help prevent any instance or reoccurrence. Rinsing with warm water during a change to remove all trace of urine and feces is a good idea.

There’s rarely a need for swabbing with alcohol and it can often be counterproductive. It tends to dry the skin excessively. Patting with a soft towel followed by air drying is best. Allow the area to dry thoroughly before fitting the baby with a new diaper.

For babies that tend to develop diaper rash, avoid diapers or outer pants that have elastic bands that tighten against the legs. This blocks air flow that helps to keep the area dry. They may also chafe.

For more serious cases, an antifungal cream may be called for. There are over the counter ointments and prescription strength creams. Which is needed depends of course on individual factors that should be discussed with your physician.

With proper care almost all cases of diaper rash can be conquered within a few days. For those that persist or grow, see your doctor. Any time the rash is accompanied by pus or boils you should seek professional treatment for your baby at once.

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Next to choosing a pediatrician, selecting the perfect nanny could be the most daunting task facing a parent. But it doesn’t have to be an occasion for tearing one’s hair out.

There’s that all important and difficult to state ’something’, of course, that makes nanny and parent click. That is, the perfect nanny is one whose character and values reflect what the parents themselves aim for. You’ll want someone who is willing to follow your rules without resistance. Offering suggestions and advice is valuable. Ignoring the way you choose to run your home is not. Finding that combination leads effortlessly to trust, confidence in the nanny and a smooth working relationship.

Not far behind is whether that same simpatico exists between nanny and child. Any serious candidate should be introduced to the newborn. Babies operate by sense of smell, touch and limited vision. But they do make implicit value judgments, just as adults do. The infants reaction can range everywhere from instant crying to instant mother-love. Naturally, you’ll want to get a nanny who evokes something closer to the latter.

There are practical considerations, as well.

Some adults are naturally more disease resistant than others. Circumstances may lead them to less frequent exposure, too. A part-time nanny may have more than one family to care for. That introduces the possibility of exposing your somewhat fragile child to germs from others. This should be covered delicately, but decidedly. The perfect nanny will understand your concern and address it forthrightly and honestly.

Any reputable agency, and their employees or sub-contractors, will provide thorough reference checking. That includes personal references from past clients, criminal background checks, DMV history and evidence of a good health certificate.

Even a person just finding their first nanny job can still be the perfect choice, though. Everyone must start somewhere and a first-timer may well be the eager-to-please, determined-to-do-well nanny you are looking for.

It isn’t necessarily the case that he or she will lack experience with children, either. Many mothers, grandmothers, nurses and others regard the prospect of being a nanny as very fulfilling. The best way to find out, of course, is simply to ask.

Once you’ve narrowed down the list to one or two, discuss details.

Propose a contract. An agency will usually have one they use. Include a 90-day trial period in which either can back out without penalty. Look into what options for a replacement nanny (at least temporarily) may be provided if it doesn’t work out. Ask about sick leave and discuss paid vacations and medical insurance.

Remember, as emotional as the choice may be in some respects, you are hiring a professional to do an important job. Some aspects need to be approached like a business.

Good luck!

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You’ll need an infant car seat, even if you don’t intend the baby to go out often. Many hospitals will require you to have one before they’ll release mother and child. If you don’t have one, some will supply you with a temporary. They have their insurance regulations to follow, you know!

You’ll want to carry your baby around, but your arms will get tired. A good strap-on baby carryall will do wonders for you and your child. Like a good backpack (whether worn on the back or front), it will free your arms and save your back. They’re also great for encouraging the bonding between parent and child that comes from physical closeness.

An adjunct to that is a good stroller. Even with a good carryall, babies can get heavy after a while. A sturdy stroller with a braking mechanism for hills and near the curb is always useful. Having one with an adjustable hood allows for the right amount of shading and sunlight filtering, too.

Both at home and away, a good diaper changing station is never wasted. A portable one will help you during those spontaneous moments that always seem to come at the most inconvenient time.

There are times when you want to rest your baby to relieve your arms and still want the baby to get a great view. A bassinet or cradle with adjustable arms is the perfect solution. Naturally, you’ll want one that is ultra-sturdy. Make sure there are no sharp corners and look for ones that provide a means of securing blankets, buttoning in cushions and other handy add-ons.

As your baby develops, providing him or her with a means to exercise those burgeoning muscles promotes health and psychological well-being. A rocking chair with straps is useful. A bouncy seat with musical danglers is another good option. Make sure that any noisemakers are removable. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy!

Speaking of music, a good CD or iPod-type player with speakers can be a great addition to the ‘baby toolkit’. White noise helps some young ones deal with colic. Classical music helps young minds develop. Gentle sea sounds and lilting tunes provide a peaceful atmosphere that will help both child and parent.

Of course, there are a whole range of toys that serve a number of good purposes. Babies are exploratory by nature. Providing safe things that will go into the mouth, but only so far, is one category. Building blocks of various sizes help the developing mind learn about shape, volume and other basics. Sound-making toys help them correlate self-initiated movement with the resulting noise. Learning cause and effect early is a big boon.

Don’t forget to stock the medicine cabinet with that whole range of needed items for emergencies!

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Traveling with your baby can seem like planning a 13th century caravan across the desert. There are a thousand things, it seems, to consider. But with modern transportation, communication and baby-friendly facilities in so many places, it’s really not that bad.

Naturally, you won’t forget to bring the basic supplies. You’ll want a supply of diapers, diaper rash cream and a bag for soiled diapers. You should bring some teething gel and infant paracetamol for pain relief on the road. Newborns should not be given aspirin. Petroleum jelly is a must. Sunscreen is helpful for those circumstances where you can’t keep the sun entirely off. Babies have very sensitive skin.

You’ll want a good bonnet and the ability to layer clothing for changes in temperature. That change can be from an air-conditioned car to the hot sun at grandmother’s house. Or, it can equally be from the heated car to a house that is a little chilly for the newborn. Be prepared for either eventuality.

Avoid traveling by air for the first year whenever possible. This isn’t just a courtesy to the other passengers. Pressurized cabins, recycled air, pressure changes from takeoff and landing, and other issues represent a stress to your baby’s system. Breastfeeding mothers will find it hard to find privacy at feeding time and both parent and onlooker can be made uncomfortable.

For auto travel, you’ll need a good child safety seat, one that is specifically designed for infants. It should be rear facing and be installed in the back seat. An air bag that deploys in the front seat can cause serious harm, both from direct impact and the hard jerk to a baby’s neck. Always take the time to secure the car seat properly.

However you travel, food and drink are essential bring-alongs. Babies get hungry on an internal schedule that is not synchronized with parental convenience. Telling them to ‘wait until we get there’ is not an option, as it is with older children. The ability to breastfeed conveniently and safely is best. For those on formula, having some means of warming formula is good. Special warmers are available that plug into the cigarette lighter socket.

The ability to perform a diaper change on the road is another must. The alternative isn’t merely discomfort, but a bad smell for you and increased likelihood of diaper rash for the infant. A portable changing station or pad will make that chore much easier.

Newborns are much more susceptible to germs than older children, since their immune systems are still developing. Keeping exposure at a minimum is important. Avoid having every family member and friend breath on or touch the newborn. Insist that only those with clean hands and no colds get close.

Sure, there are lots of challenges to face when traveling with a newborn. But, like that 13th century caravan, it can be an adventure!

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During the first few days of the baby’s life, the mother’s breast forms and delivers colostrum. This is a thin, whitish or yellowish fluid that comes through the nipple, just as milk does. It is rich with fats, carbohydrates, white blood cells and other compounds that both nourish and provide immune system protection.

Colostrum contains proteins, most especially immunoglobulins, a type of antibody. These antibodies are one of the body’s foremost weapons against invading bacteria, fungi, viruses and other disease causing organisms. Among other benefits, the antibodies from colostrum coat the GI (gastrointestinal) tract and help prevent bacteria in the gut from entering the bloodstream. The colostrum also contains numerous macrophages, small cells that envelop and carry away disease causing germs.

At the same time, the breastfed baby receives the best nutrition possible. Nature has evolved breast milk to contain everything the newborn needs.

Fats, for example, which adults strive so hard to minimize, are essential for the proper development of the nervous system. They help regulate the hormone system, too.

Carbohydrates are the body’s energy source. They’re another category of food calories that dieting adults will often try to keep down. But babies should never be put on a diet. Breast milk is rich in carbohydrates of just the right type and amount to help them develop in an optimal way.

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding is highly beneficial for babies. Most strongly suggest that breastfed babies have a better head start in life than those who are only bottle fed. The rate of infectious disease is lower among newborns who are breastfed. The odds of infant diabetes are lower  according to some studies. Breastfed babies see fewer hospital and doctor visits.

But breastfeeding is also good for the mother.

When a mother doesn’t breastfeed, she may experience an uncomfortable sensation in the breast. Artificial pumping to extract the milk is usually required. Breastfeeding eliminates the need to do so. Some may wish to use a pump anyway, in order to have a store of mother’s milk available.

The bonding that takes place between mother and newborn during breastfeeding may be hard to measure medically. But the benefits are observable and real. This quiet time between mother and child are good for both.

Some reliable studies suggest that breastfeeding also helps lower the odds of ovarian and breast cancers. Breastfeeding also delays the return of ovulation and menstruation. That gives the recovering mother a break from having to deal with periods during a very busy time of life. At the same time, it reduces the odds of another pregnancy right away.

Give your newborn the best possible start in life by breastfeeding. Give yourself the benefits as well. Nature has evolved this excellent method for optimizing the health of mother and child. Take advantage of all it has to offer.

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One of the reasons is that it’s difficult in most cases to know the exact day on which conception occurred. So, the number of days until birth is usually calculated using the last menstrual period. An equally important reason is simply the fact of individual variation. It’s perfectly normal and healthy for a gestation to last 260 days or 270.

But as that distance from the average grows greater, the potential for certain problems increases. In particular, a birth that takes place three weeks or more prior to the full gestation period represents increasing risk of developmental problems for the newborn.

The earliest survival from premature birth on record is roughly 21 weeks. But even 24-26 weeks carries with it substantial likelihood of problems. These cover an underdeveloped brain and nervous system, inadequate lung development and others. These all may result in difficulties immediately after birth and later in life.

Some consequences may be as serious as mental retardation. Others are much more manageable, such as lower surfactant in the lung tissue, which can lead to Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The former requires lifelong care for the child. The latter, thanks to modern medicine, can often be compensated for by a simple treatment.

Any of these (and many other) issues are, of course, heavily dependent on just how premature the newborn is. There are individual factors as well. Some babies who are 3-4 weeks early may do just fine with normal neonatal care. Others will require more extensive assistance and longer term professional treatment.

But, there are many things that parents can do to help their newborn during those early, sometimes trying weeks and months.

Prevention is the first line of defense. To whatever degree possible, and consistent with the health of mother and child, premature birth can be delayed. ‘Whatever possible’ is getting better and better as medical practice improves. Everything from a better diet to lowered stress and full bed rest to courses of glucocorticoids to stimulate development of the fetus are possible.

Early treatment in the hospital is frequently very high caliber. Premature babies may have a breathing tube, heart and blood pressure monitors, careful temperature control, frequent in-person visits from nurses and other care to ensure their well-being. Once babies can breath normally on their own, regulate and maintain a stable body temperature, breastfeed or bottle feed normally, and gain weight steadily they’ll be ready to go home.

Managing certain neurologic disorders such as Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) that may result from premature birth are outside the scope of this article. Seek professional advice. But there are less serious conditions that can be dealt with by parents, with advice from the obstetrician.

Infections are more common in ‘preemies’, owing in part to their even more immature immune system than that of the usual newborn. But extra care to avoid disease causing organisms takes only vigilance. Dietary supplements that help boost the immune system can be safe and effective, if provided under professional care. Too many are just placebos and some are potentially harmful. The literature is vast and regrettably there are unfounded claims made sometimes.

Apnea – episodes of stopped breathing, especially during sleep – can occur. Extra vigilance can be provided for by a baby sound-and-video monitoring system. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes due to improper liver function or bile duct blockage, is easy to spot. It results from a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Usually it’s harmless. Special lights are available to help treat the condition. Exposure to sunlight can help, but it carries risks. Again, when in doubt, call your doctor.

Parents can help themselves and their child by getting rest and getting educated. Establish a milk supply. Get assistance from friends and family members for those first critical weeks or months. Keep careful records of the baby’s progress. Try to keep the stress level down as much as possible.

Today, except in the most extreme cases, premature birth is much less a problem than in generations past. Many highly accomplished individuals (such as Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein) were born prematurely. Some say they never stop overcompensating!

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New parents sometimes read about potential difficulties associated with feeding infants cow’s milk, and so shy away from formula based on it. But all commercial formulas are safe and nutritious.

Cow’s milk isn’t a preferred food for babies under 12 months. That much is true. But that’s chiefly because it doesn’t have the same percentage and type of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other compounds that is contained in natural human breast milk. And, indeed, a small percentage of newborns are lactose intolerant.

But baby formula based on cow’s milk isn’t just your regular dairy product in a different bottle with a higher price sticker. The formula is carefully prepared. The cow’s milk fats and proteins are altered to emulate human breast milk to a very high degree.

But, for those few who truly have difficulty digesting cow’s milk-based infant formula, there are good alternatives.

Soy-based formula is a healthy choice. They’re useful primarily for those babies who lack the enzyme to correctly break down lactose, the natural sugar in cow’s milk. Here again, it’s important to get soy formula, not soy milk. The latter is not appropriate for newborns.

A specialized formula called protein hydrolysate is another alternative for those who have some types of milk allergy. The proteins in the formula are already broken down to products that would result from natural digestion. For those rare but unfortunate few babies who are born with a family history of milk allergies, it can be a lifesaver.

Beyond the general category of ingredients, there are many types of infant formula. They differ primarily in cost and convenience.

Powdered formula is the least expensive. It’s designed to be mixed with water. It’s possible and usually safe to mix with tap water. But many parents will want to use bottled water to ensure purity, which largely eliminates the price advantage.

Concentrated liquid formula is also intended to be mixed with water. It has the advantage of being a little easier to prepare, but (like powdered formula) requires careful measurement. The right ratio of formula to water is important for optimal nutrition and ease of digestion.

Ready-to-use formula, by contrast, is already pre-mixed to the exact concentration and form for instant use. Like the others it can be fed warm or cool, whichever the baby prefers. Not surprisingly, it is also the most expensive.

Some formula labeled ‘enhanced’ contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which are omega-3 fatty acids found in natural human breast milk. They’re safe, but research is mixed on how much extra benefit they add.

All formulas are safe and nutritious, but all carry the same requirements. They should be prepared with clean, preferably sterile, utensils. Hands that contact anything that would make its way into the baby’s mouth should also be thoroughly cleaned before feeding.

Prepare formula to the exact concentration recommended and feed only what the baby wants. Don’t force the infant to take more than it is willing to consume after waiting a few minutes to relax caregiver and child. If it hasn’t drunk the ‘right’ amount or at the time desired, simply wait and try again later. Babies regulate according to an internal clock, not the one on the wall.

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The First Month

During the first month a baby that is developing well can be expected to exhibit strong reflex movements. They’ll often bring the hands to the mouth, exploring all manner of tactile sensations. They’ll frequently exercise the head from side to side, displaying the beginnings of mastery of muscle control and visual acuity.

At this stage, they can focus about 8-12 inches away, roughly the distance from mother’s nipple to her nose. The eyes will wander, but they’re not random. They’re taking in the scene. The baby should blink at the sight of a bright light. High contrast patterns are attractive, but none more than that of the human face.

They can turn the head, reacting with attention to sounds (especially loud ones) and even familiar voices.

The First Trimester

Pregnancy has a first trimester, but so does the period after birth. During these three months the newborn is growing and developing profoundly. Changes seem to come almost daily.

Motor skills are sharpening and strengthening now. The baby can raise his or her head and even the chest slightly when lying on the stomach. Opening and closing the fists is common as they gain control over finger and arm muscles. The first signs of pushing down with the feet to support the legs can be seen.

At this time of life the visual system is sharpening considerably. By the end of three months they can watch a face with concentration and follow moving objects deliberately. The beginnings of recognizing people and objects become clarified. Hand-eye coordination is evident.

Social skills start about now. Smiling, enjoyment in the company of others and similar behaviors begin. Imitation of the behavior of others shows its first stirrings.

Through the Second Trimester

By the end of 6-7 months, those early gropings are ramping up. The baby can sit without support of the hands. He or she may be able to support her entire weight on the legs, perhaps with a little help from a nearby table or chair. During this period they have achieved enough muscle control to reach
for and grasp small objects.

Full color vision is now possible. Being able to make out objects at a distance matures to the point of recognizing people and things across the room. He or she can track them as they move.

Cognitive skills start emerging clearly now. He or she may unmistakably respond to a personal name. Imitation turns to response as he or she repeats back sounds that will later become words. Those sounds start to get strung together into what will, before you know it, be short sentences.

The First Year

By the end of the first year those stumbles and babbles have become walking and talking. The baby can now make short trips across the room, from chair to table. He or she can say a few simple words, including that all important ‘Momma’ and ‘Dada’.

Cognitive skills start to mature into value selection as the child displays a preference for certain people and/or toys, excluding others not desired. The first challenges to parental choice start to emerge. The baby learns the word ‘no’ and may use it at times you’d prefer otherwise.

Summary

Each child is an individual. While he or she shares many similarities with babies of the same age, each one develops at a unique rate and in an individual way. Milestones are rough guidelines. Einstein spoke late. Beware of assumptions about what is ‘normal’.

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Developing fetuses receive their immunization protection in part from their own immune system, and in part from antibodies supplied by the mother through the umbilical cord. But even after birth, the newborn immune system is still immature. It will be a year before the child develops the full complement of antibodies that help fight off ever-present bacteria, viruses and other disease causing germs.

During those first critical months, breastfeeding mothers can help supply their newborns with protective antibodies through the colostrum and breast milk. But some mothers can’t breastfeed. And, most importantly, even mother’s milk doesn’t supply full protection against the wide number of potential diseases.

Parents can give their child extra protection by having them vaccinated.

The principle of vaccination is very simple. In some cases, a quantity of dead organisms that would otherwise cause disease are used in a solution that is given via injection, sugar table, nasal spray or pill. In other cases, genetically-modified live organisms are used. In both cases, the disease causing germ has been neutralized.

But the basic biochemical makeup of the germ is still present. That stimulates the body’s immune system, which has evolved to recognize these proteins as ‘foreign invaders’ and to release antibodies to combat them. Since the organisms can’t cause disease, there’s minimal impact. But the body still releases the antibodies, and so builds up immunity should live, functioning germs ever be encountered. That prevents the disease before it occurs.

Is it Effective?

Decades of clinical research and common experience confirm the view that vaccines do work. They have reduced the incidence of rubella, whooping cough, smallpox, polio and a range of other once-common childhood diseases.

In the rare instance that a child still does get one of these diseases, the symptoms are often drastically reduced. What, in generations past, might have been a permanently crippling disease or a death sentence is now almost always a minor inconvenience.

Are Vaccines Risky?

While no vaccination is completely without risk, modern genetically modified viruses used in vaccines represent a very low risk. It’s nearly unknown for a child, for example, to develop rubella from a vaccine. Consider how many people, young and old, get flu vaccines every year. Almost none ever get the flu.

But why take any risk, no matter how small? Because, the risks of serious harm should the child contract the disease the vaccination protects against are high. Thanks to widespread vaccination over the past few generations, many of these diseases are rare in the U.S. and elsewhere. But the potential effects are serious. That tips the risk-benefit ratio heavily in favor of vaccinations.

Junk Science Is Common

Many uninformed people have exaggerated the risks of vaccines. It was popular at one time, for example, to assert that vaccinations caused autism. The Mayo Clinic, in a recent meta-study that examined over 200 studies from major research organizations, found nothing to support this claim.

So it goes with so much of what is written on health today. Someone raises an unfounded concern. Professionals from a diverse group of organizations, including the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), major public and private universities, world renowned hospitals and others investigate. Invariably, they find the claims of risk to be overblown.

Conclusion

Vaccinations are an excellent method to help give your newborn the best start in life. Stimulating the immune system very early in life to develop antibodies against disease causing organisms drastically lowers the odds of contracting the disease later in life.

That has proven true with whooping cough, rubella, diphtheria, smallpox, chicken pox, polio and many more that only a few generations ago devastated entire communities.

Look into the subject by reviewing professional sources. You’ll find that vaccines are good for your newborn.

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