Knowing More about Baby Hiccups

December 20th, 2011 Posted in Babies
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Parents at times may overly be concerned with baby hiccups. A little understanding about its nature, causes or remedies may put their minds at ease. Baby hiccups may just be natural for babies as they have it often even while they are still in the tummies of their moms. Parents may be alarmed if the baby hiccups lasts longer even an hour. However, parents may be assured that there is nothing to worry about. Baby hiccups usually go away after sometime although there are times when it may take a little longer than usual.

Parents should know that baby hiccups are brought about naturally as one of the reflexes of infants. They may expect this to occur after they have fed them or when their babies get a little excited. Parents may expect baby hiccups to lessen as their infants grow and develop their internal organs. They also have to understand that this condition is not related to breathing problems but baby hiccups happen when there is a sudden contraction of the baby’s diaphragm. This particular situation may be brought about by some stimulus or by some irritation. Although this may be just one of the normal things that parents do not need to worry about, persistent hiccupping that interferes with other activities especially during feeding and sleeping may be a cause of concern.

Parents may observe more frequent baby hiccups especially if their babies are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Parents may also expect their babies to be spitting or coughing along with it. They will have to tell their babies’ doctor about it as there might still be other medical conditions that should be dealt with. Although baby hiccups go away on their own, there are times when parents resort to traditional tricks and beliefs in order to stop it. Parents have to be careful about the way they handle baby hiccups using old methods as they can harm or injure their babies in the process.

However, there may just be some simple things that parents can do to help their babies. To ease the baby hiccups away, parents may give their babies some gentle back rub. They may also give some water or something for their babies to suck. After feeding, parents may also help their babies to burp. This will help lessen the incidence of baby hiccups. Parents should see to it that they provide a calm and peaceful environment for their babies especially during their feeding time. They must also see to it that their babies are not stressed or excited when feeding or after feeding. Parents may follow these simple ways to help their babies deal with baby hiccups.

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Baby Feeding Problems

December 18th, 2011 Posted in Babies
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Mothers may face some baby feeding problems that could leave them stressed and frustrated. At times it can be stressful for babies as well. Mothers worry a lot especially when their babies experience gagging while they are feeding them. Sometimes mothers do get angry, frustrated and would not know how to deal with their babies who simply refuse to eat lumpy foods. However, some understanding on how babies eat, chew their food and how their gag reflex works will help mothers deal with baby feeding problems.

Introducing babies to solid foods may not be that easy but it can be less stressful if mothers know more about it to lessen the incidence of baby feeding problems. Mothers may observe that their babies simply push the spoon out from their mouth especially when they start to feed them. They need to understand that this is part of the natural instinct of babies as they are equipped with nature with a reflex mechanism that keeps the spoon and the food out.

However, mothers have to be patient as their babies will overcome this natural reflex mechanism at about six months. Mothers may take this also as a signal if their babies are ready to start eating solid foods or not. In such cases, mothers should not force their babies to start eating in order for them to avoid baby feeding problems. Their babies may still need a little more time so mothers can try introducing them to solid foods after another week or two.

Although gagging is considered as a natural defense mechanism for babies, it can be one of the baby feeding problems that mothers have to deal with. Gagging can be scary to first time mothers who would not know what to do. Mothers should start introducing solid foods slowly. They may prepare meals that are easier for their babies to deal with such as pureed fruits. Mothers should be patient until their babies learn to swallow and enjoy the foods that they give to them.
Mothers may also experience some baby feeding problems when they start giving lumpy textured foods to their babies. Babies may display gagging and at times vomiting when they are forced to eat something that they do not like. Forcing them would only make it more difficult for both mothers and babies to deal with the problem. Mothers should learn how to make baby feeding time as pleasant as possible.

Introducing more textured foods to babies may not be easy for mothers as they would always encounter baby feeding problems. Mothers will have to start with foods that may be more liquid at the start and then gradually increase the consistency until their babies accept lumpier or more textured food. Babies will then have to learn how to chew their food at the right time. There may be no right formula on how mothers can effectively teach their babies to like and to eat solid foods but mothers should be wise and patient to learn how they can make them eat and avoid baby feeding problems.

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Premature Babies

December 15th, 2011 Posted in Babies
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Though there are lots of premature babies being born, the causes for this condition cannot yet be fully understood. At the most parents especially mothers would need to know what to expect when their babies are born before it reaches full term. Although normal pregnancy should reach about 40 weeks, there are babies that may be born between the week 37 and week 42. They are still considered full term babies. However, babies that may be born before the week 37 has been completed are classified as premature babies.

There are a number of premature babies being born each year. This situation makes premature births to be one of the health problems that people have to deal with. Premature babies are more prone to health complications upon birth which at times can be fatal. They have to be placed under intensive care with properly trained staff and equipment that can provide the necessary care especially when multiple health problems have to be dealt with. Aside from complications after birth, premature babies may also suffer other problems such as long term disabilities like mental retardation, learning as well as some behavioral problems. They may likely suffer cerebral palsy, lung problems and loss of hearing and vision as well.

There are also some recent studies that indicate adult health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart diseases which may be developed by premature babies when they grow up. Some pregnant women are more prone to having premature babies especially when they have had some similar experience in the past. Pregnant women who have twins or triplets may also have premature babies. Those who also have some uterine or some abnormalities in the cervix may give birth to premature babies. The premature births may be caused by the spontaneous preterm labor. The sac holding the baby may also break too early before the baby reaches full term.

Although the real causes of preterm labor and the breaking of the sac are not clear, there are some conditions that may contribute to pregnant women’s giving birth to premature babies. Some pregnant women may lack prenatal care. They may also be indulging themselves in dangerous substances brought about by smoking, alcohol drinking or using illegal drugs. Pregnant women may also have premature babies if they are exposed to some medication. Other contributory factors may also include all forms of domestic violence as well as the lack of social support, stressful conditions, long working hours as well as being exposed to pollution.

The conditions mentioned above may contribute to the problems of pregnant women who are giving birth to premature babies. They may be able to prevent such occurrence if they live healthier lifestyles and if they are in better health condition. Each pregnant woman has to take care not only of herself but her baby as well. Pregnant women must always remember that whatever they do, their babies inside their tummies are affected as well.

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