If you are on the verge of becoming a parent for the first time, you will be attempting to prepare yourself as much as possible. You could spend the 8 or 9 months before the birth studying, and everyday afterwards will still feel like a school day. At Babocush we understand the various warnings can be a lot to absorb. We don't want to add to the noise; instead, we want to offer straightforward tips and advice. Today we've selected a few key areas that new parents may find daunting, namely;
Feeding
Breast milk contains ingredients that are crucial to your baby's development. It is recommended that you exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first 26 weeks of their life. Not only will the antibodies in breast milk benefit your new-born, but they are also linked to good health later in life.
Breast milk has the advantage of being readily available; however, it can be stored at room temperature for 10 hours and longer when refrigerated.
Cradle Cap
You may notice yellow flakes on your baby's head, but do not be alarmed. Cradle cap is perfectly normal and is not a sign of poor hygiene nor is it an allergic reaction or contagious. Despite the name, you may also find it around the ears, neck and armpits. Initially, you do not need to contact your GP regarding cradle cap.
To remove cradle cap, gently rub some baby shampoo around the affected area and brush it softly after. When the yellow or brown flakes come off, some hair may come off too, this is common, and the hair will return. After you have treated cradle cap, expect to see some redness near the scalp. If it continues for an extended period or if you detect blood then seek medical advice.
Colic
A colicky baby is a common sight, and in fact 1 in 5 babies will suffer from colic. New parents presented with a colicky baby may think they are doing something wrong, you are not. Babies with colic may cry intensely for hours, move their legs in agitation and clench their fists.
A relaxing environment can help soothe the baby, and the NHS recommends gently rocking to relief discomfort. Babocush is designed with colicky babies in mind and has soothed babies worldwide suffering from colic. While on the fleece covered Babocush your baby is comforted by the heartbeat and vibrations that come from inside the cushion. The effect replicates the vibrations and sounds of a mother’s heart in the womb. It affords some rest to parents who can be near their contented baby but it frees your hands to enjoy a cup of tea or a book.
Teething
As expecting parents, you will have heard so much about the teething phase already. For some parents teething proves to be the most challenging stage of their baby's development. Usually teething begins when your baby is 6 months old, and the indications include chewing, crying and increased temperatures. While there is no way to remove distress during teething completely, you can temporarily soothe the pain.
Teething gels can cool inside your baby's mouth, and often this will bring some relief from increased temperatures. A teething ring will be of great help and can be cooled (avoid freezing rings), to address the heat in their gums. They also allow your baby to focus pressure on the ring, alleviating the pain in their gums.
For more new parenting advice and support, join a community of almost 9000 parents, both first timers and parent to many children, by visiting our Facebook page and joining the Babocush Babes.
