Six Tips To Avoid Diaper Rash In Babies

          

           Is your Baby crying and upset?? Diaper rash can be a reason for it...

          

 My baby was just a week old when she got diaper rash and I was wondering what I can do to avoid it. Then I found these few tips very helpful which can completely avoid diaper rash in babies.

1) Change :  

             Change the diaper every two to three hours. If baby is having stomach upset don't wait for three hours time line and keep an eye on baby's diaper and change it when needed.

2) Water Wipe :

              It's always better to use  water and cotton cloth to clean the area than using wet wipes. You can keep wet wipes to clean when you are out from house.

3) Air dry : 

              Let the area air dry completely before putting on a fresh diaper. Moisture in the area can irritate baby.

4) Diaper rash cream or oil :

             It's always better to put on a lighting coating of rash cream or coconut oil prior putting on a diaper.

5) Correct Size : 

             Always use correct size diaper. Baby will not be comfortable in wearing a diaper which is either loose or tight.

6) Quality of Diaper : 

             choosing a good Quality diaper is also very important. There are many brands & varieties of diaper available in market. Choose one which can absorb better and suits your baby.

         Do you have any other tips to avoid diaper rash?? Please comment.

Baby weaning - Part 1

 What is Weaning??

        

           Basically introducing foods to your baby is called Weaning. Weaning doesn't happen over night, it is a gradual process of switching your baby from breast milk to other foods. This post is all about my experience on how I started weaning my baby. 

Breastfeeding is not so easy and so is weaning. Doctor's recommend exclusively  breastfeeding baby until six months of age. But it is not always that every baby is ready for weaning at six months. Every baby is different some babies will be ready for solids even before six months and some take bit more time. 

Look out for weaning ready signs in baby like below.

* Does your baby reach out for toys and puts it in mouth.
* Can baby sit on high chair which can give a support to baby's back.
* Can baby hold the head up without anybody's support.
* Does baby shows interest in plates and spoon when you eat infornt of them.

    

       These are not the only signs, each baby might show different signs and who can guess it better than mom. Trust your instinct ladies...
    

Best foods to start with weaning.

       Below are the list of few fruits, vegetables and cereals which can be introduced to baby at six months

Fruits:

        It's always best to start with fruit purees as fruits will be light on stomach for digestion and babies will love natural sweet taste of fruits. You can give fruits like apple, banana, pears & avocado.

Vegetables :

        Not all veggies can be used as first food for babies. You can use veggies like carrot, potato, sweet potato & peas.

Cereals : 

        You can use cereals like rice, ragi or moong dal ( yellow mung beans ).

      Foods should be in form of puree when you start weaning to avoid any kind of chocking. Please be with us and check Baby weaning - Part 2  to know the ways of cooking and pureeing fruits, veggies & cereals for babies. 

      Please let us know what was the first food you introduced to your kidoo.

          

   

      
     

Importance of Vitamin D3 in babies

Hi Everyone, Welcome to Cheekoo Garden

Where do we get vitamin D from??
   From sun.... 

    That is the common answer which everyone gives and that is very much true.  Sun is the main source of vitamin D. But with current lifestyle we are so packed that we are not exposing ourselves to the naturally available sun rays.

        Vitamin D3 is required by babies too for proper development. It is said that mother's milk contains all the necessary nutrition required by baby in a proper proportion except vitamin D3. It is said that babies below an year need 400IU of vitamin D3 a day which cannot be fulfilled by breast milk alone. Doctors prescribe Vitamin D3 drops once a day as a routine at least for first six months from first month of birth itself.

        Babies bones are very fragile at the time of birth and they rapidly develop in the first year of baby's life. Vitamin D3 is the must needed for the proper bone and teeth development. 

        Vitamin D3 deficiency can lead to Rickets (it is a condition in which babies bones soften and become weak). Vitamin D3 supplements is available in different brand names through out the globe. Please Consult your doctor for proper dosage. 

        Common symptoms of vitamin D3 deficiency are delayed motor development, bone pain, delayed teething.

        Not only newborn babies, it is very important that pregnant ladies also take their vitamin D supplement for proper growth of baby in womb. 

      

    

Mom is learning

Hello Everyone Welcome to Cheekoo Garden

      Mom is learning...

            Yes, its not only the baby, the mom is also learning. What do you think about motherhood?? Caring about your baby?? Raising the baby??... 

            Am a new mother, daily I enjoy seeing my girl learning new things and achieving new developmental milestones. Down the lane it's not just my little girl learning even am learning with her as a new mom. It's not only her who is achieving milestones, it's me too...

*  Learnt to have patience even when I am irritated to the core.

*  Waking up in between sleep every night.
*  Learnt changing diaper without messing.
*  Cutting down my stuff in carry bags to accommodate babies necessary things.
*  Doing extra cooking.
*  Keeping the medicine box always updated and handy.
*  Learnt to say good job dear, even when some has messed up your kitchen.

*  Learnt new ways to entertain.

*  Learnt reading fairy tale story books.
    
    Hold... Not only the above, I have learnt something else too...

Learnt how to love unconditionally.

Being mom has made me a person who can doing anything and everything with smile and without regret. Being a mom has made me ready to do anything for the cute smile and hug from my baby.

As every day passes my little girl is learning new things and so am I...
Dear Ladies what have you learnt after being a mom??

  

9 Common reasons why babies cry.

Hello Everyone Welcome to Cheekoo Garden

It is said that crying is the way of communication for new born baby. But it's not always that easy to guess what makes them cry or what makes them laugh. As parents we always try to find the reason why they are crying and want to soothe them.
Here are 9 common reasons which makes baby cry.

1) Hunger : 

            This is the basic why baby is crying. Because he is hungry and wants to be fed.

2)Time for a Diaper change : 

            It might be a sign of wet diaper and he/she wants it to be changed.

3)Sleepy:

            Oh!!! Poor baby might be sleepy... Babies sleep a lot during the first few months of life. Crying might be a sign that the baby is sleepy and wants to have a nap.

4)Gassy :

             Yes, babies tend to become gassy very soon and it irritates them a lot. Try soothing your baby by
          * Gental Tummy massage
          * Moving babies leg in form of bicycling
          * Bathing baby in warm water
          * Some parents suggest gripe water also helps in reliving baby gas

5)Too Hot or Too Cold :

      Try dressing babies in layers. If baby feels too warm remove a layer and if he feels cold add a layer.
      It is recommened to keep new born swaddled well to keep them warm so that they feel in womb. But always see that their body is not too warm.

6)Bored or Needs Attention :

     Like we adults babies also gets bored. Some time babies needs attention, they feel like staying in moms arms. You might have noticed a crying baby suddenly stops crying when mother picks it up. That is the magic of mothers touch.

7)Ear Pain or Infection :

      There are chances that baby has an ear infection or ear pain. Look out for babies guesture while crying, is he/she scratching head while crying, pulling ears or banging head. 
Few drops of ear medication to ears will soothe baby.

8) Not Feeling well :

      Check if baby has fever, nazal congestion or cold which is making baby cry. Carrying a handy basic medical kit always with you helps to provide immediate solution for the problem.
Checkout my 10 must haves of baby medical kit post to know what should be there in baby medical kit or box

9) Colic :

      Baby might be colic. Basically Colic doesn't need any treatment and it goes off by itself with the time. To know more about Colic Checkout my Colic in Newborn : How to handle post.


    Its better to consult doctor  if baby keeps crying for more than three to four hours and you have ruled out all the above reasons