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The Healthy Baby Page
Did you know that babies who are fed breast milk have fewer illnesses, tend to be more secure, and are overall healthier than their formula fed buddies?!?
Mothers pass on their immunities to illnesses in their breast milk to their hungry babies. that's why little ones who are breast fed are sick less often -- or not at all.
When a baby is breast fed there is a constant closeness between that child and his mommy, his mommy picks him up at least 5 times a day and holds him really close and secure. There at his mommy's bosom, he hears and feels that same steady heartbeat that he grew so familiar with the first nine months of his life. And because a newborn baby's eyesight isn't fully developed until he's a year old, dinner time is also a time that your itty bitty can get a good focused view of his mommy's face -- from breast to mommy's face is as far a distance young babies can focus on.
Breast milk offers a child with the same nutrients and
vitamins your child received while he was still in the womb, plus, additional
fats your baby needs to grow. This is good for mommy too, because it helps
her get the weight from her pregnancy off quickly.
SLEEPY TIME
Rocking
There are two sides to rocking. On one hand, bedtime is much
easier on you and your baby when he is capable of going to sleep by himself--
rocking hinders that. On the other hand, rocking your child is a good way for a
mother and her young child to wind down after a long day. It really depends
on your child and you. If you are having trouble, try both and use what meets your and your baby's
needs best.
Schedules:
Do not let anyone ever tell you that schedules are bad things.
A schedule for your child's naptimes and meals- beyond that is a little too much, though.
Schedules for your baby are good for him
and you too. They help you to lower the chaos, and they help him to have
a sense of stability. The last thing your child wants is the bright lights
and loud women cooing over him on isle 4 of the grocery store when he wants to sleep. If you know
what time your child goes to sleep, then that won't be a problem. Watch your child closely. Most children develop schedules
of their own. If your child's schedule works with you, then by all means
stick to it. However, if your schedule and his clash, slowly move his feedings
and nap times a few minutes closer to the times that fit your needs. Keep
in mind, however that a child needs a certain amount of sleep and food
per 24 hours. The following charts should help you with that (please
note that every child is different, and that these charts represent
the "average" child):
SLEEP
1 week
16 hours throughout a 24 hour period
1 month
15 hours, 8 at night
2 months
15 hours, 8 at night
3-4 months
14-15 hours, 10 at night
6 months
14 hours, 11-12 at night
9 months
14 hours, 11-12 at night
1 year
13-14 hours, 11-12 at night
2 years
13 hours, 11-12 at night
3-5 years
11-12 hours, at 4 years the nap is probably history
5-8 years
10-11 hours
8-12 years
9-10 hours
Eating
0-6 months
- breast milk 8-12 times in 24 hours
7-12 months
- Breast milk 4-6 times in 24 hours
- formula 3-4 times in 24 hours, 6-7 oz per serving
- dry cereal 4-6 tablespoons, 1 or 2 times daily
- juice 1/4 - 1/2 cups daily
- vegetables 4-8 tablespoons, 1 or 2 serving
>
- fruits 4-8 tablespoons, 1 or 2 servings
- meats begin with 2-4 tablespoons, increase to 4-8 tablespoons--1-2 feedings daily
*only use mashed home cooked meats or plain strained meats. Do not use vegetable meat combinations
When your child is sitting alone in a high chair and has good hand to
mouth movement he can eat fingerfoods--foods such as mashed vegetables and fruit, toast strips or crackers.
HONEY! Don't give this to your child until he is two years old. Honey has a small amount of botulism in it that won't hurt adults, but it can hurt a small baby's immune system who hasn't had a chance to develope fully.
REMEMBER TO ASK YOUR CHILD'S PEDIATRICIAN ABOUT
ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
| 1 week | 16 hours throughout a 24 hour period |
| 1 month | 15 hours, 8 at night |
| 2 months | 15 hours, 8 at night |
| 3-4 months | 14-15 hours, 10 at night |
| 6 months | 14 hours, 11-12 at night |
| 9 months | 14 hours, 11-12 at night |
| 1 year | 13-14 hours, 11-12 at night |
| 2 years | 13 hours, 11-12 at night |
| 3-5 years | 11-12 hours, at 4 years the nap is probably history |
| 5-8 years | 10-11 hours |
| 8-12 years | 9-10 hours |