0 - 6 months

Babies are very intelligent, nothing surprising but that's how the human race has become so successful. They have every instinct to stay healthy and get help whenever needed. Your babies will let you know whenever they have a problem like dumb charades. 

Cluster Feeding 

Your baby may be crankier in the evenings and need more feeding within short intervals like 30mins. Please understand this is completely normal and does not mean your milk is not sufficient for the baby.

Growth Spurts

Growth spurts may cause your baby to nurse for longer periods of time and more frequently. But this will last only for a few days.  Please don't confuse growth spurts also with your milk supply. 

To know more about cluster feeding and growth spurts: https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/cluster-feeding-and-growth-spurts

Then how to find our milk is sufficient?

If the baby has a urine count greater than 6 and is active and their weight gain is good. You can stay confident and continue feeding. If you feel any of the above is missing, please visit the lactational counselor before making any decisions about your supply. They will guide you with the right information after analyzing your case. Remember almost 80% of moms can be able to do exclusive breastfeeding(giving only breastmilk) till the completion of 6 months. For this you need to do only one thing, educate yourself about breastfeeding. Please check the below blog for more detail to understand better (https://nurturingthelittleones.blogspot.com/2022/10/breastfeeding.html).

Many are not doing this because of the lack of knowledge about babies' actions and also blindly listening to the people around us. Even if you are giving formula for any of the reasons they are going to blame you. So if you are a breastfeeding mom/formula-feeding mom continue the same without any guilt till the end of 6 months. Never let others discourage you from any of the choices you have made in your parenting journey. Don't give water/ cow's milk before 6 months to the baby by listening to others. Also, don't start solids like ragi/banana/apple purees early at 4/5 months. Only breastmilk/formula milk till the completion of 6 months. 

Also please don't doubt your supply whenever the baby is taking more feeds within small intervals(cluster feeding) when the baby is taking longer feeds than usual when the breast feels soft when the baby takes short feeds when the baby cries after feeding when the baby sucks their hands after feeding. Check the above breastfeeding blog to know the actual reasons behind the baby's actions.

Weight 

Why do we talk so much about weight? Because the only job of a baby in the first few months is to grow and develop. So as long as that is happening- all is well

After 6 months,  it eventually decreases. Generally, they say babies should double their birth weight at the end of six months and triple their birth weight by 1year.

If the baby is active, achieving milestones in time and weight gain per the WHO chart, everything is fine. Please don't compare your baby's weight with some other child. 

Crying

Baby crying continuously. What might be the reasons?

A few of the reasons are:
1. Colic -> Babies will suck air along with milk, which makes some discomfort in the stomach. So they will cry continuously. 
How to avoid this? Burp after every feed. 
How to resolve it? Massage the baby's stomach gently with coconut oil.
If nothing helps, check with a doctor for colic aid drops.

2. Check and change diapers

3. During the initial days, swaddle them so they will feel comforted and sleep peacefully. Check baby's hand and leg, if it is too cold, cover them. If it is warm, don't over-swaddle. Keep them well-ventilated.

If your baby quietens when carried and cries when left down- it means they feel insecure and want the human touch. There is nothing wrong with keeping them with us. It won't make them dependent on us. 
https://www.instagram.com/p/CiSfMPAjFJ5/ 

Hiccups, Sneezing, Cold

Hiccups and sneezing are more common among newborns. Unless you see some discharge from the nose, it is not cold. 
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeGTK9zjTD1/

Babies will have their mother's immunity till 6 months. So they won't catch any infections easily. Some home remedies for cold for babies below 6 months: 

Don't give any home medicines orally.

1. Steaming - Boil water with holy basil (Thulasi) / Karpooravalli leaves / Nochi leaves. Keep the steam near the baby's hammock or in the room. Don't show the steam directly to the baby.

2. Gently heat coconut oil with garlic/ Karpooravalli leaves. Massage that oil over the baby's chest with your fingers before bathing. 

Vaccine 

Painful or painless?
Private or government?
These two questions arise when it comes to the vaccine, mostly everyone says both are good, and the choice is yours. So let us know about them before making a decision.

Painful vs Painless

After knowing these facts, I opted for a painful one. The fever came but it is manageable with paracetamol
Optional vaccines are not available in government centers. Also in private, we can have a combination of vaccines (2 or more vaccines in one shot) which just decreases the number of injections at a time.
If we choose govt, if we wish we can get optional ones in private.

After vaccination:
If there is any swelling in the injected area, apply cold compresses. (You can cover ice cubes with a cotton cloth, gently touch the swelling area with that ice cloth)
Hot water compression is not at all recommended. Don't give warm compression

How many days can we postpone the vaccine if we can't make it on the exact day?
Delaying a weak's time is generally acceptable. Please consult your doctor if it exceeds a weak.

Massage

Which oil we can use to massage the baby?
Coconut oil is scientifically the best. 
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfdYyQGjZFx/

Should we need to remove milk from the baby's breast?
No. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce-iv94PA4U/

Spitting

The baby is spitting like curd after feeding. 
Happy spitters we call them. It increases when they try to roll over
If your baby spits milk and giggles- means he did it himself
Spitting is ok..you have to be worried if
1) Baby is not growing
2) Baby is crying and wriggling or coughing with each spitting as though he is having a heartburn
3) Has yellow-colored spits
4) Having nausea
Is the mother's diet related to it? No
Am I overfeeding? No. Babies can manage that. They will suck for pacification too, if it's just for pacification they will start sucking slowly or even slip to the nipple so that milk doesn't flow much.https://www.instagram.com/p/CeLrDu7DWZb/

Powder 

Shall we use powders for babies? No
What's the harm with powder? It blocks the sweat pores, the only way a baby knows to dissipate heat. It absorbs the water - but keeps it stuck to the skin like a paste. The powder can be inhaled into the lungs, they don't cause any immediate problem, but the same logic is why you move your baby immediately from a dusty area.
There are some reports that powder use in the genitals is associated with cancer. Once in a while, going out for functions, it's fine, but not regularly.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceicufsj20B/

Diapers 

Don't go for padded cotton diapers. Either use our traditional cotton nappies or proper absorbable diapers.
You can use both in different parts of the day. If you are using diapers- use good baby-friendly ones, with the strap, not the pant type, something which has a snug fit. Give some diaper-free sir time, always mop clean or use running water, and don't wipe vigorously.
The diaper should be changed whenever wet without waiting for it to get filled. Use water wipes if you are using wipes.

Stools

The baby is pooping after each feed. Is this a problem? Breast milk stools can happen even after every feed, the volume, appearance, and what happens to weight matter.https://www.babycenter.com/baby-poop-photos

The baby is crying while passing urine. Is this normal? 
Yes. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce8jB30jfRh/

The baby is not passing stools. Is this normal?
For exclusively breastfed babies, pooping once a week is pretty normal. You can try ILU massage. Give loads of tummy time. If the baby is having mixed feeds, or formula fed and not pooping, check with your doctor. You don't give anything like castor oil/ any other things orally without a doctor's prescription.

Sucking hands/ Pacifiers 

The baby is sucking both hands, and when I take them off he/she is crying. Shall we use a pacifier? 
Definitely no. There is a small chance that he might make it a habit. But his own finger is better than a pacifier. 
For the first three months, the baby thinks of everything as part of their body, Mom's breast, bed, their hands. They think they can control everything and everything is attached to their body. This is called object relationship in a baby's brain development.
After three months they realize that mom's body and their body are different. They suck their own fingers and hands and explore, next the feet go in. That's why we have to allow babies to explore and suck their fingers.

Can we give teether? A circular ring-like nibbler will do good 

Sitting 

We can make the baby sit in our lap with support after 5 months. 

HairFall

Hairfall will begin for both babies and mothers at 3-4 months. This is completely normal. We cannot do anything to avoid this except to have nutritious rich food. Please stay calm. This will settle on its own.

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