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About Your Baby About
Your Baby - Main
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Pediatricians & Baby's Health Baby
health specific information about:
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Pediatricians Your initial outing with baby could very well be to the pediatrician's office for that all-exciting 'first visit.' These are fun. This is where the doctor examines your baby, explains things to you about the umbilical cord stump, weighs baby, measures parts of your baby you didn't realize were measurable (like baby's head) and generally makes you feel useless for about fifteen minutes. The pediatrician will also help you feel reassured and grateful for expert advice, professional knowledge and a calm demeanor. You should be told to call whenever you have a question or are unsure of anything having to do with your newborn. If your pediatrician leaves you with less than these feelings of security or does not offer that all-important phone-lifeline, think about finding another one, today. Here are links to pediatric and family medical organizations that can guide you, supply boundless information and offer listings of accredited pediatricians by state: Most pediatricians are truly special and honorable humans. If you feel uncomfortable with the advice or manner of your baby's doctor in any way, this will only serve to make you a nervous wreck and you could possibly leave those endless pediatric visits in tears. I know this. It happened to me. When my first daughter was born, I had no idea who/what/where from pediatricians. My OB/GYN recommended a pediatric group in our neighborhood. So far, a good thing. The pediatrician from said group who came to the hospital when my daughter was born (she happened to be the one doing 'new baby rounds' that day) looked like my Aunt Patty. I immediately felt comfortable with her and decided she'd be just fine for my baby. After a year and a half of bursting into tears after almost every pediatric well-baby or not-so-well baby visit, I took my daughter elsewhere. I was immediately grateful to the new pediatrician for putting me at ease, treating my baby with kindness and respect and examining her like the first pediatrician never did. While doctor number one had tried to insist my baby had 'problems', which I didn't believe, doctor number two assured me that my daughter was perfectly fine. Thank you very much. Because my father is a Homeopathic doctor, I have learned more than most laymen about health and well-being. I do not feel uncomfortable challenging medical advice I feel is inappropriate for my children. Always get a second opinion if your baby's doctor recommends an unusual procedure or medical treatment that you question. However, in an emergency, it's probably best to shut up and let the doctor in charge give the orders. My desire to protect my younger daughter from painful treatment and a three day hospital stay at seven weeks-old would have killed her had her father not insisted we do what the doctor ordered. I was duly humbled when, two weeks later, the nightly news was rampant with stories of children dying from the same infection that befell my infant. These children were subscribed oral antibiotics by their pediatricians and sent home while our infant's doctor insisted on a more aggressive approach. I am eternally grateful to our baby's pediatrician for saving her life. In the first year, your infant is seen by the pediatrician regularly to assess growth, feeding, and sleeping habits, reflexes, emotional and muscular development, etc. These 'well-baby' visits are important for your baby and should be maintained on schedule. They will also set your mind at ease, allow you the opportunity to ask the hundred questions you have (write them down when they come to mind and remember to bring the list) and you will have a better understanding of how your baby develops and grows. Here is a very good site with detailed information about baby's first year check ups: Well Child Visits. Vaccinations ... One unpleasant issue that will surface regularly, possibly beginning in the hospital when your newborn is less than 24 hours old, and at well-baby visits is the recommendation (will sound more like legal no-choice) of a myriad of vaccinations for your infant. Please investigate childhood vaccinations thoroughly, preferably before your baby is born, and make your own, informed decisions. Because I am so passionate about this subject, I will tell you upfront that my daughters have never been vaccinated against anything. If you'd like more of my opinion, my vaccination article is listed in the following links. These are sites dealing with childhood immunization issues. They are web sites with both pros, cons and basic information on childhood vaccinations:
Colic ... Yes, colic is a big fat drag. Yes, it's insufferable and yes, it's absolutely maddening. Once you've gotten over feeling sorry for your hurting baby, you're gonna finally switch to feeling even more sorry for yourself. This is human nature. Don't beat yourself up about it. At this point, you might have to let baby 'cry it out' for 5, 10 or even up to 15 minutes at a time to catch your wind and get yet another cup of nourishment (or whatever you absolutely need to get you through). Talk to baby's pediatrician for potential causes of colic and watch what you're eating if you're nursing. Some spices and foods linked to colicky babies include broccoli, chili peppers and powder, cabbage, garlic, onions and basically any food or spice that could cause gas or an irritable stomach in any human. If it turns out that your baby is going to be colicky for longer than you think you can stand, just keep dealing as calmly as possible. Winston Churchill said: "When you're going through hell, keep moving." Good piece of advice, that. This will pass. You will be cranky, angry and long-suffering. You do have our sympathy. There's just not much you can do about it other than get through it which you will. Colic is like labor ... it doesn't last forever, no matter how much it seems as if it will never end. Many mothers, through the years, have depended on gripe water to relieve their baby's colic symptoms. Colic Calm formula, found online, works instantly. An all-natural formula, ColicCalm gripe water is a dietary supplement that also helps baby's digestive system adjust to new foods, relieves hiccups and soothes stomach upset that often results from increased saliva production during teething. Diaper rash is another hazard of infanthood. Poor little babies have extremely delicate skin and diaper rash is almost a rite of passage for baby butts. Diaper Doo is a terrific, all natural diaper rash ointment without additional additives that can further irritate or sting baby's delicate diaper area. Keeping baby clean, changing baby's diaper when wet or soiled and washing baby's diaper area with water and baby soap frequently will help prevent nasty diaper rashes. If baby has the squirts, keeping baby's diaper area clean and protected by Diaper Doo will become even more important as the excrement will inflame and burn baby's bottom as much as it has inflamed baby's tummy. Having Diaper Doo on hand and available at all times is a necessity. Stem Cell Therapy - One of the most innovative and remarkable advancements in health today is stem cell therapy. By saving your child's baby teeth, you can give them the potential to counter future medical issues that can be cured and reversed using stem cells from the pulp that remains in their baby teeth when they begin to fall out at around age 5. Storing and properly preserving your baby's teeth is easy and can be set up at: Bioeden. I have every tooth my daughter's lost but they're dried up in a keepsake box which did not preserve the precious stem cells. I SO wish this service was available when theri teeth started falling out. I urge every parent to ake advantage of this modern medical miracle!
For amazing information on baby's nutrition, colic and overall baby care, there is no better advice or book than Baby Matters. Written by a doctor mom who couldn't find help for her infant's colic issues. Probably the most important baby book on the market today. Buy it now from Amazon.com: Baby Matters Places to find support, information and help for
your colicky baby: Information and articles I've written on
baby's, children's & related health issues: A great book
you should own, read and re-read is: And an important ground-breaking new report that provides valuable information on boosting your child's immune system to prevent disease is right here: Super Healthy Kids
About Your Baby - Site Map This site provides general information and the author's opinions. It is designed for educational purposes only. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about the health of your child.
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