Articles

Just like every aspect of a child's development, no two babies are the same when it comes to their development including teething. Some babies will go through the process with little or no distress while in some babies, there could be couple of symptoms you may notice which are common among babies while teething; Baby's gums become itchy, a common symptom among babies during the teething phase and in trying to soothe their gums babies tend to bring stuff to the mouth Excessive drooling of saliva Baby becomes easily irritable Excessive drooling of saliva may irritate skin around baby's mouth, chest and any other area saliva commonly comes in contact with on baby's skin It's important parents are aware that teething is not a cause of fever or diarrhoea. An elevated body temperature above 37.4 degrees...

Continue reading

Prayers and affirmations you can speak over your body and baby as an expectant mom My pregnancy journey will not end prematurely I'll carry my pregnancy to term Every scary news I've heard about pregnancy and childbirth isn't my portion I am strong and healthy all through my journey   My baby will develop completely with no health problems No complications will come up in my pregnancy and on the day of delivery God is with me all through my journey I will deliver safely and my journey will end in praise                

Continue reading

Generally, children have tender and delicate skin and how you care for their skin will go a long way in determining how healthy the skin will be in the long run. (Learn more about newborn and new mom care here) Babies are prone to having dry skin due to the presence of fewer oil glands and if baby's skin isn't cared for the proper way, the skin becomes prone to dryness. As a child grows, dryness of the skin should improve but sometimes persistent dry skin could be as a result of an underlying medical condition. Here are a couple of factors that could lead to dryness of your child's skin. Common causes of dry skin in babies; Cold weather condition Applying powder on the skin of little babies If you're not moisturising baby's skin regularly Using the air...

Continue reading

Poor sleep is a common challenge for new moms since baby won't sleep through the night. It's important to mention that it is normal for newborns to stay awake and more active at night as they are yet to differentiate between night and day. As baby grows (from 2-3months), they can start learning how to sleep longer at night Few Reasons Babies Find It Difficult To Sleep: As earlier mentioned, newborns are unable to differentiate night from day Excess gas in the tummy (see video on how to handle excess gas in newborn) Hunger Wet diapers Hot weather Baby may be ill Ways You Can improve Baby's Sleep: From 2-3months of age, start taking note of your baby's sleep pattern and work around it. Avoid imposing your own routine on your baby as this can lead to...

Continue reading

Acne in newborns is quite a common condition. Although it is harmless in most cases but it can also be a sign of other medical condtions. In most cases, it is harmless and will usually resolve on its own. It's usually not painful or itchy Acne in newborns occur as a result of baby's exposure to pregnancy hormones and after delivery as these hormones wears off the acne will usually resolve on its own What you can do as a parent; Keep baby's skin clean; warm water and fragrance-free soaps are recommended Gently dab baby's skin with a soft towel after bath Avoid scrubbing the skin with a sponge or towel Avoid popping or squeezing the acne Avoid harsh products on baby's skin Avoid using acne products that are used in adults Lotions may worsen the acne so you...

Continue reading

Tummy size after delivery is a common cause of worry amongst new moms and a major cause of this is societal expectations but its important every new mom isn't under any kind of pressure because our bodies are different and the rate of recovery  after childbirth will be different for every woman. Due to stretching of the muscles around the tummy  during pregnancy, what the tummy needs is support which is where wrapping the tummy after delivery comes in. Wrapping the tummy and drinking  hot water after delivery with the motive of having a flat tummy just  after having a baby can leave you disappointed because in most cases, having your tummy back will not be an instant process. In fact, if the tummy is tied or wrapped wrongly, it can prevent the tummy from even reducing. The...

Continue reading

Diarrhea is the passage of 3 or more watery stools in a day and in babies, this is one of the fastest ways they lose body water(dehydration). As a parent, it's important you know your baby's stool pattern and if you ever notice diarrhea in your baby, you must act fast. Below are are some important things you should do; If baby is still on breastmilk or formula, it's important you continue to feed your baby. Aside the nutrients, this will help replenish body water If baby is already taking solids, give as much feeds baby can take per time Give ORS; you can get this from the pharmaceutical store Give zinc tablets; 10mg daily for babies less than 6months and 20mg of zinc tablets for babies above 6months Find your way to the nearest hospital...

Continue reading

Rash in babies is one of the commonest complaints amongst parents. The appearance of the skin,  discolouration and discomfort can become a thing of worry for parents. However, as worrisome as it may be it's important to mention that there are different types of rashes in babies and they all require different treatment/management. Some common rashes that often affect babies cradle cap, diaper rash, baby allergy rash (eela) etc Common causes of rashes in babies; Irritants; A  baby's skin can be so sensitive that even their saliva from excessive drooling can cause a rash. Other irritants include lotions, soaps, fabric softeners, detergents, stool( in cases of diaper rash) Allergic reaction; a common one in our society is the one known as eela among the yorubas which often present as a skin discolouration making the skin appear red and...

Continue reading

When introducing solids at six months, its important water is offered in little amount so baby can get as much nutrients as possible. Keeping the water intake around 50-100mls in a day is advisable as baby will still be getting some hydration from breastmilk/formula While some babies will jump at it when you start offering them water, some babies may need more time to get used to it and here are some helpful tips when introducing water to baby; ✅️Whenever you're around your baby, always drink your water in their presence ✅️Avoid adding sweeteners like glucose to the water ✅️Babies can drink the same water as the rest of the family as long as you all drink clean water ✅️Breastfeeding/formula should continue at the time of introducing solids, this will also be providing some good hydration for your baby ✅️Don't force the...

Continue reading

It's common belief that baby carriers shouldn't be used during the newborn phase and this has discouraged many new moms from using one. Baby carriers can be used for a newborn but there are some important things to note: ✅️They are generally safe from the newborn phase if used properly even before baby gains neck control as long as the baby's weight is within normal range and there are no underlying medical issues that can put the child at risk ✅️Read the safety instructions that's on the carrier ✅️For newborns, always use it with your baby facing you and support your baby as much as possible ✅️Ensure nothing is covering your baby's face or obstructing their breathing ✅️Avoid using it for long periods ✅️Carriers come in different sizes and fittings so ensure it's well fitted...

Continue reading