Q. Does my baby need water?
A. No your baby gets enough fluid from breast milk. If formula fed the ratios have been scientifically formulated to contain enough fluid.
Q. When do baby’s eyes change colour?
A. At about six months but sometimes later.
Q. How warm do I dress my baby?
A. A baby should be dressed one layer warmer than his/her mother. If the baby is under 2.5 Kg then add another layer. If it is cold add a beanie, mittens and booties especially important for newborns. Wrap up warmly after a bath as baby’s temperature may fall, as the baby warms up un-wrap. Car temperature rises quickly, be careful that your baby does not over heat and use shades on the windows.
Q. When do I stop sterilising?
A. When the water supply and general hygiene are good – usually at six months. The baby is now exploring his world and usually tests objects by placing them in his mouth. This is his way of building up his resistance. Sterilising objects at this stage is not practical.
Q. When can my baby have cow’s milk?
A. At one year, unless he is allergic to it. It can be given straight out of the bottle. No additives are necessary and it can be drunk cold.
Q. My baby was unsettled during his first nights at home. Why?
A. The baby senses a change in his environment. The sounds, lights and smells of the hospital are specific, babies that have spent time in the NNICU take longer to settle down. He/she may sense his mother’s anxiety and the combination of the above may unsettle him. Skin to Skin does a lot to settle them, if this is not practical try swaddle him/her. Try putting on a soft light, have some background sound like a TV or radio. Don’t change the household noises as they become accustomed to them. Be careful of unnecessary over handling, too many visitors and of rushing around with him, as this will aggravate the situation. Remember this is a transitional phase, it will pass and your baby will settle down.
Q. I have changed from breast to bottle and my baby is constipated. What should I do?
A. This is very common and can often be sorted out with extra fluid or a change in diet. A teaspoon of sunflower cooking oil added to one or two bottles a day usually does the trick, as the constipation gets better reduce or stop the oil. If this fails a mild laxative may be given.
Q. My baby refuses to take a bottle and must be weaned.What must I do?
A. Do the following:
- Be patient, it may take time
- Let somebody else give the feed, as the baby knows where his milk usually comes from.
- Try different teats.
- Try feeding him while he is still drowsy.
- Try expressed breast milk in the bottle.
- If the baby is old enough, try using a cup or straw and leave out the bottle altogether.
Q. Can breast milk be too weak?
A. No, it cannot be weak but there may not be enough or it may not flow well. With help you can overcome these problems
Q. Can I take my newborn baby out?
A. Yes, as long as you are sensible about it. If the weather is cold or wet, check that the baby is well protected. Try to maintain a constant temperature for example if the car is hot, take off the blankets. When you get out, put them back on. Avoid public places or over handling of the baby so as to prevent infections. Sunshine is good for babies as they need Vitamin D, but be careful of sunburn. If it is very windy, cover the baby’s ears with a cap, as this causes a lot of distress. Preterm or sick infants are more vulnerable, so extra care should be taken.
Q. Do I need to remove nipple cream before I feed?
A. No, nipple creams are lanolin based and safe for babies. Apply only a little nipple cream after you have rubbed a drop of expressed breastmilk on to the nipple. Rub in any residual cream before the next feed.