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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

FEEDING NIGHTMARE

My son seems to be more interested in flirting, exploring and playing games than in eating! He only feeds 1-2 minutes at a time or just 2-3 oz at a time. Lately, refusing the bottle has become one of his favorite games with the "no-no-shaking of his head" he gets his point across!HELP!! He has been gaining weight but not as much as he should be.

The only time he seems interested in eating is in the middle of the night when he is more succumbed by sleep than by his curiosity to make sure everything is still in place in his room.
I have no problem putting him to sleep.. but I can't seem to convince him that he can and should sleep trough the night!!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Baby Allergies-Need tips on caring for baby's eczema breakouts?



When Jordan was 6 wks old, he broke out into this measles-like rash all over his face. I was in TEARS!! He had red bumps that would turn in to patches that eventually linked together. The worst was when we went to my in-laws and his bumps suddenly started oozing a sticky yellow fluid.


I did research on it and here's what I learned:


  • If there is history of Allergies or Asthma in the family (mostly from father's side) children will most likely inherit their allergies.
  • Will usually out grow "MOST" of their allergies by 6mos to 1 year.
  • THEIR SKIN IS NOT ABLE TO RETAIN MOISTURE-hence, the dry patchy skin that evolves into eczema.
  • Will most likely breakout in areas where baby sweats the most (joints, back of the knee, elbows crease, neck and wrists)
  • If left untreated, can develop into scars ( ..as it did for artist "SEAL" )

These are some of the common Allergens:

  • Perfumes
  • Scented lotions
  • Scented toiletries
  • Detergents
  • Dyes
  • Pet dander (Cats, dogs)
  • Dust Mites
  • Certain fabrics ( Polyester, Wool..)
  • Pollen
  • Saliva
  • Sweat
AVOID:


  • Extreme Changes in temperature (Heat)
  • Humidity
  • His skin to come in contact with any fabric that is not 100% Cotton ( Polyester, Wool)
  • Bathing with scented soaps, body washes, scented hand washes (What's on you will make your baby break out-try avoid using all these yourself)
  • Tight fitting clothing (tight socks, pants, oncies )
RECOMMENDATIONS:


  • Bathe your baby in luke warm water no more than 10 min once or twice a week
  • Try using Aveeno Baby UNSCENTED wash AND Lotion (or baby products designed for sensitive skin)
  • Try using KERI Oil in your baby's bath water and tap dry
  • Recommend using A+D as a daily moisturizer and AFTER bath (must try to keep baby's skin moist or eczema will set in due to dry skin)
  • Dress your baby with LOOSE 100% COTTON clothing
  • Try to maintain his environment COOL & DRY
  • Try to use only UNSCENTED baby wipes and A+D after every diaper change (take the opportunity to massage ointment all over his legs, arms and face)
  • Wash your baby's clothes AND that of you and your ENTIRE FAMILY with DREFT detergent (mild detergent for babies)
  • May want to have a designated 100% cotton"blankie" to use as a barrier between baby and other fabrics (or visitors wearing perfume)
Sound like a lot of work? It is... But, there is good news! Once you establish a routine of the above recommendations, you will see the rewarding difference in your baby's skin. My son Jordan's skin doesn't break out nearly as much as it used to. It usually only happens when family visits or when we are in an uncontrolled environment.

I hope this helps.. I understand your frustration and it took a lot of research and determination to be able to relief my baby's skin from the itchiness and breakouts. LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS OUT FOR YOU! Rest assured, it will get better..


Friday, April 18, 2008

Picture worth a thousand words?


What if I told you he ALWAYS falls asleep like this! He makes me smile... This is one of my favorites. Wait till you see his "Faux-hawk"

Friday, April 11, 2008

NEED HELP IN PUTTING YOUR LITTLE ONE TO SLEEP??


If you're like me; a first time mom, you'll appreciate some helpful tips on how to get more than four hours of sleep at night. I was walking around like a zombie for months because my son would wake up every two hours to feed. He is now 8 months and wakes up only once a night..(and that will be changing soon as well..)

If you've read all the books, they'll tell you you're supposed to sleep when you're baby sleeps..yeah right!!! Can't do that if you have laundry to wash, meals to cook, house to clean, bills to pay, showers to take, business to build, husband to pamper, dishes to wash, you get the picture. During the day it is almost impossible to take a nap while your baby naps because you have all those pressing matters in your mind you must take care of. So, without further adew...

SLEEPING TIPS:

  1. CREATE A BEDTIME ROUTINE: Try putting her to sleep at the same time every night. Keep the atmosphere the same (low lighting, quiet, bedtime bath etc..). If she gets the same cues "it's sleepy-time, bedtime, nap time" or just the same 'ol nursery rhyme every night she'll start to learn it is time for bed.
  2. ROCK YOUR BABY: Whether you have a rocking chair or not, it is soothing for her to feel close to you, the motion will remind her of the belly and while she feels comforted, she'll be more likely to settle down and wind down.
  3. MAKE YOUR LAST FEEDING LAST THE NIGHT: Try giving your baby one last feeding before midnight. If you're breastfeeding you may want to top her off with some formula. Mom's breast milk is more easily digested and therefore doesn't satiate them as long, hence, the every two hour wake up calls. But if you're one of the lucky few whose milk carries that special sedative, you wouldn't be reading this post..right?? Your goal is to make them feel full and satisfied.
  4. MAKE SURE SHE'S COMFORTABLE: Is it too hot? Too cold? Too dark? Too bright? Does she need to be burped before putting her down? Hopefully, part of your bedtime routine includes clean diaper and Jami's :) Is there too much noise? not enough noise (some babies prefer the white noise in the background..try a fan).
  5. TEACH HER TO FALL ASLEEP ON HER OWN: Last but not least, try putting her down when she is ready to fall asleep but..while she's still awake. Huh?? In other words, she's too tired to do anything else, but she is starting to fade.. That will teach her to fall asleep on her own and not on the bottle or on the breast. If she wakes up and realizes she's no longer sucking on something..She'll be more than happy to let out that ear piercing squeal that startles you to your feet from a dead sleep of night.
Well, hope this helps. Let me know if it works. GOOD LUCK AND GOOD SLEEP!