Breastfed babies
Exclusively breastfed babies do not need additional water – breastmilk is 88% water and supplies all the fluids that your baby needs. Even in the first few days after birth, before mom’s milk has “come in”, colostrum is all that is needed to keep baby well hydrated!
Even when it is very hot outside, they do not need additional water, as long as baby is allowed to nurse as needed. Even in extremely hot, dry weather your baby can get all the liquids needed via breastmilk.
Formula-fed babies
Formula fed babies also do not need extra water. If baby is sick or if it is extremely hot outside, you can give baby more frequent milk feeds to hydrate.
For newborns (especially under 4 – 5 weeks), water supplements can be risky
For babies past the newborn stage
Article was adapted from Kelly Mom
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Babies are ‘programmed’ (by their DNA) to be cute and attention grabbing, longing for interaction with other people. This trait of theirs helps them to survive, as they need the care and attention of parents, and it also helps them learn the basics of socialising.
How did that saying go… “too much of a good thing is bad”? Babies need a stimulating environment for them to play and explore in, as it’ll help them grow. However, going overboard with the stimulation can lead to baby getting overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, smells, and other sensations that are around them.
They won’t be able to cope with or process all the things that are happening, and I’m pretty sure that we’ve experienced that ourselves at some point in our lives! It’s that sense of being lost and not knowing what to focus your attention on.
Overstimulated babies need some quiet time and a peaceful environment in order to cool off and be alone for a while!
How to Avoid Overstimulating Baby
The thing is with babies is that they’re very cute and bubbly, but they’re not the best when it comes to communication. They’ve got a limited set of tools to work with – using their eyes to look at you, crying for attention, turning their heads, and using their tiny hands to make motions. So the same action could mean multiple things, depending on the situation!
Playing with baby is always fun, but sometimes it’s more fun for us than it is for them – no matter how dependent they are on us. Think of it like this: you’ve got a million things to do at work, but your colleagues are pulling you in all directions, your office and mobile phones are ringing, and you’ve got a last minute meeting coming up in 5 minutes.
So it’s important for us to be able to read the signs of overstimulation, as well as the ones that are leading towards it.
Signs of overstimulation in baby
When should you stop stimulation?
Toning down on stimulation
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Be Safe from the Get-go! Steer your way to safer road journeys with your little one going along for the ride.
If you’re heading to your destination with your spouse and kids comfortably strapped in, here’s to a safe and smooth sailing – or rather, driving! – experience on Singapore’s roads. Besides observing basic traffic rules like slowing down when approaching a junction or signalling early when changing lanes, you can facilitate a smoother journey even before you’re behind the wheel.
You can plan the route to your destination first, especially if it’s someplace you don’t frequently go to. What’s more, in-vehicle GPS systems and even smartphone navigation apps can now provide you with voice-enabled directions in real time without you or your spouse having to dig around in the glove compartment for a roadmap.
Set out earlier to top up on petrol if your fuel is running low and give yourself ample allowance to accommodate unexpected traffic situations, like congestions or road diversions. The worst thing you can possibly do is to speed to your destination. In Singapore, the Road Traffic Act limits the speed of all vehicles travelling along local roads to 50km/h, unless otherwise stated. For cars and motorcycles, the speed limit on expressways range from 70-90km/h, and 50-80km/h for travel in tunnels.
Child-seat regulations
You may be surprised to know that the speed limits are in fact determined by the Land & Transport Authority (LTA), while these and other road safety rules are enforced by the Traffic Police. Don’t run afoul of the law! Child-seat regulations must be monitored at all times if you have a child under the age of 8, or who is below 1.35m in height, travelling in a vehicle with you.
According to the Traffic Police, “research has indicated that children are at greater risk of injury when travelling in the front seat without proper seat belts or restraints.” Accordingly, an infant or child, or anyone below the stated height, must use booster seats or approved adjustable seat belts to lower the risk of injury in the event of an accident. Drivers in Singapore who fail to comply will be fined S$120 and given three demerit points. Offenders who are charged in court and convicted may be fined up to $1,000 and jailed for up to 3 months, with the fine and/or incarceration penalties doubled for second or subsequent offences.
While the Traffic Police exempts taxis from this law as the vehicle “cannot be reasonably expected to carry a variety of different child seats and restraints”, the drivers, however, are subject to a fine and demerit points should they fail to reinforce the rear seat seating rule for any passenger below the height of 1.35m.
If you and your children decide to travel in a small bus with a seating capacity for 15 passengers or fewer (excluding the driver), observe that the bus has already been fitted with forward-facing seats which have retractable 3-point shoulder belts. This requirement however, does not apply to public buses on the road.
Continue reading on the next page...
Belting up right
Ironically, most traffic accidents occur on short journeys close to home. Car crashes are the leading cause of injury and death among children – and a crash at even 30mph creates as much force as falling from a height of three storeys. In fact, the corresponding force is so great that a small baby being propelled forward would become as heavy as eight sacks of cement – making it simply impossible for someone trying to keep their hold on the baby during the crash.
In the first place, the baby should not even be carried during the journey, but some parents still mistakenly believe that holding the child in their arms is safe, whether they are seated in the co-passenger seat or at the back. The truth is, all infants – even those as young as a newborn – should never be cradled in the arms of an adult at all times when travelling in a car.
Parents who are aware of this will accordingly place the newborn in the child car seat or baby carrier, which should be done. Unfortunately, some of them only go so far as to get this step right, but then make the mistake of buckling up the baby when it is either swaddled or covered with a blanket. The correct procedure is to first strap the baby into the seat using the 3- or 5-point harness safety belt. Parents should ensure that the straps are comfortably and securely in contact with the child’s body; only then can they proceed to cover the baby with a blanket, and not before.
What is a...
Three-point Harness? This harness usually has straps that attach to the seat at three points: two above each of the baby’s shoulders, and one between baby’s legs.
Five-point Harness? Newer car seats now feature a 5-point harness as this offers the most points of protection when attached. The five separate points are: above each shoulder, another two for either side of the baby’s hips, and finally, between the legs.
Rear facing recommended?
According to a 2008 article in the professional journal Paediatrics, children under age two are 75% less likely to be killed or suffer severe injuries in a crash if they are riding rear facing rather than forward facing. In fact, for children 1-2 years of age, facing the rear is five times safer.
If a baby is riding in a rear-facing-only infant seat (the type that usually has a handle and detachable base), it should be replaced with a rear-facing convertible seat before the baby reaches the maximum weight specified (22-35 pounds) or if the top of the head is within an inch of the top edge of the seat. Most babies outgrow the typical rear-facing-only seat before they are one-year-old, but they are not ready for a forward-facing seat. However, new convertible seats available today allow children to remain rear facing until they weigh 30-45 pounds, depending on the model.
Riding in a rear-facing safety seat also protects the child better in other types of crashes, particularly side impacts, which are extremely dangerous, if not quite so common.
Safety experts recommend that children ride rear facing as long as possible, at least until they are two years old. However, due to increased awareness of the benefits of facing rearward, more manufacturers have introduced improvements to their range of car seats so that kids can continue to ride rear facing until they are up to five years old.
Continue reading on the next page...
Important tips
Do note that in Singapore, car seats for children are secured in the vehicle using the adult seat belt. If you can, “try before you buy” – or rather, make sure that the child car seat of your choice can actually fit into the interiors of cars that have been imported into Singapore.
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Is it necessary to give your baby vitamins? The question about vitamins for babies is a big one, hotly debated among parents. Most infants do get all the vitamins they need from the food they eat. However, those who were born prematurely or have some health problems might benefit from a daily vitamin supplement. Vitamins are essential to a body for strong bones, healthy teeth, and preventing anaemia.
Does your baby need vitamins?
The bottom line is this: It isn’t something you should do unless your doctor recommends it. Your doctor can easily tell through blood tests and other diagnostic examinations whether or not your baby has enough of certain vitamins in his body. However, experts also believe that a supplement will do no harm for your baby. As long as the vitamin supplement doesn’t exceed the recommended daily allowance of a certain vitamin, and is age appropriate, it’s probably just fine to give to your child.
However, some babies do need vitamins. This is especially true of babies who might have health conditions that don’t allow them to absorb or process vitamins effectively. This can be more common among babies who were born prematurely. Sometimes very picky eaters, or those with breastfeeding mothers who eat a vegan diet, might need a little extra vitamins.
6 main vitamins your baby needs
The vitamins for babies that are suitable for your child depend upon the particular health issue. If your child has no health problems, a simple multivitamin will be just fine. But some babies need more of a certain thing; for instance, a baby who is being fed vegetarian meals might need more Vitamins B12 and D, as well as riboflavin and calcium.
These are some of the most common supplemental vitamins for babies, and when you might need to use them:
Vitamin D
This can be a tricky one, because it can be tough for your baby to get enough. The best source is sunlight on the skin, but of course, we need to shield babies from the sun! Other sources include fish and eggs. Some cereals contain extra vitamin D, and those can be a great way to help your child get enough. Once a baby is weaned from infant formula, a dropper of 7-8.5 micrograms per day can do the trick.
Vitamin A
To get the most vitamin A for your child, look to natural sources, such as fortified fat spreads, dairy products of all kinds, carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, and dark green veggies. This is great for helping with vision, healthy skin and a strong immune system.
Vitamin C
It is easy to get enough vitamin C into your child simply through diet. A child who eats plenty of oranges, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli will probably get more than enough vitamin C in their diet naturally.
Iron
This is one of the most important vitamins your baby can take. Iron helps prevent developmental delays, learning and behavioural problems, and some physical ailments. Babies can usually get plenty of iron from breastmilk and formula, and then from fortified cereals. Remember that premature babies often need an iron supplement, regardless of their diet.
DHA
This important fatty acid matters for brain and eye development. Fortunately, if a mother gets enough of this in her diet, then the baby will get plenty through breastmilk. Formula is also fortified with this. Moms who don’t get enough fatty acid might consider a supplement to make sure they pass enough to their baby, especially if the mother is vegetarian or vegan.
Fluoride
Once your baby has those first teeth coming through, it’s time for fluoride. Try to give your baby fluoridated water, as the supplements can lead to permanent staining of the teeth, even the adult teeth. If your baby can’t get enough fluoride from the water he or she is drinking – for instance, if your baby drinks only water from a well – then it’s time to talk to your doctor about the appropriate supplements.
Article was adapted from New Kids Center
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Having baby sleep through the night is something of a pipe dream for us parents who’ve got a child under 12 months old, because we’re definitely lacking in the sleep department! We definitely love spending time with the little ones, but our bodies are cashing in sleep cheques that we can’t pay off.
The fact is, pretty much all babies are able to sleep through the night by the time they’re 6 months old, but it doesn’t mean that they will! Some babies will start to sleep for longer stretches when they’re 4 – 6 months old, but sleeping for more than 8 hours in a row typically happens around the 9 month mark.
When (and how) baby will be able to get good, uninterrupted sleep depends on a lot of factors – their age, weight, personality and temperament, environment, genetics, and your routines. It’s definitely possible for you to help baby along with their journey to a better night’s sleep through a bit of patience and hard work on your end.
Here are some milestones that affect their sleep pattern:
How Can I Help Baby Get Better Sleep?
When they’re 4 months and older, you can try doing these things to help them sleep more:
1. Put them to bed drowsy but still awake so they’ll learn to avoid being dependent on you to fall asleep
2. Letting them cry it out (CIO) no matter how painful it is for you. This will teach them how to soothe themselves back to sleep, and same as point 1, will make them less dependent on you to return back to sleep
3. Use a fan or a white noise machine to create a gentle, soothing hum that masks other sounds – make it part of their bedtime routine and it’ll be a cue for them to fall asleep
4. If baby is going through a developmental milestone (where they’re learning how to crawl for example), they’ll be excited about a newfound ability and might find it hard to go back to sleep. Soothe them for a few minutes, tell them you’ll see them soon, and then leave the room. Try not make your soothing period too long!
5. Check with your paediatrician on when you’re able to start cutting down and eventually stopping night-time feedings. When you’ve been given the greenlight to do so, slowly reduce the feeds over a period of a week. After baby realises that milk supply is lessening, they’ll stop wanting it as much
If baby is around 12 months old, and they’re not sleeping throughout the night, do talk to your paediatrician to determine if there’s a cause for it.
Pregnancy To Parenthood Seminar Series
If you wish to know more about your journey through pregnancy, as well as detailed explanations of what to expect during labour and delivery, this seminar is for you!
Date: Saturday, 14th April, 2018
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Singapore Expo Max Atria
Room: Peridot 201-203
Level: 2
Find out more about this helpful seminar for mums- and dads-to-be right here:
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The one worry that’s always on mums minds is if they’re over or underfeeding baby. For newborns, you can feed them as much as they’d like – there’s no need to set up a breastfeeding routine for them during their first few weeks.
On their first few days, they’ll probably feed around 3 to 4 times before dozing off. After that though, they’ll be feeding a lot more, often turning to gaze at you for breastmilk when they’re hungry (and they get hungry a lot)!
By the end of their first week, they should settle for at least 8 feeds per day, though they could feed more than that. There’s no hard and fast rule to breastfeeding – the more you feed baby, the more breastmilk you’ll produce, and it’s normal for newborns to feed very frequently.
Weight Loss After Birth
Baby will usually lose some weight (around 10% of their weight when they were born) a few days after they were born. This doesn’t mean that they’re not getting enough milk, as they’re quite possibly losing fluid, or “water weight”. This weight loss is completely normal, as long as it’s around the 10% range of their birth weight.
After a few days of breastfeeding, baby will be gaining weight, and after 2 weeks, they should be at or even above their birth weight! They literally grow up so fast.
Is It Possible To Overfeed Baby?
Thankfully, babies come self-equipped with a regulation system when it comes to eating! They eat when they’re hungry, and stop when they’re full (something that we’ve lost as we grew older). When they turn away from the bottle or the breast, they’re full; but if they keep coming back for more, they’re still hungry!
So if baby is gaining weight and your paediatrician isn’t worried about that weight gain, neither should you worry. All babies are different, and they grow at different rates!
However, with bottle-fed babies, overfeeding is a lot more common. It’s easier for babies to drink from a bottle, so the little ones who love to suck may get more than what they wanted! One easy way to tell if they’re overfed is they’re spitting up the milk that they’ve just drank.
Before that, they should’ve been turning away from the bottle or refusing to feed from it. They might just be annoyed at having the bottle shoved in their faces, so they’ll just drink it to please you and then spit up later as an “I told you so!” moment.
Jokes aside, do try to read their body language when it comes to feeding – no usually means no. Don’t focus too much on how much baby drinks during a feed, as long as they’re healthy and happy, they’re good.
General Guidelines To Seeing If Baby Is Or Isn’t Getting Enough Milk
Baby is getting enough milk if:
Baby isn’t getting enough milk if:
If you’re concerned about these signs, do check with baby’s paediatrician.
Pregnancy To Parenthood Seminar Series
If you wish to know more about your journey through pregnancy, as well as detailed explanations of what to expect during labour and delivery, this seminar is for you!
Date: Saturday, 14th April, 2018
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Singapore Expo Max Atria
Room: Peridot 201-203
Find out more about this helpful seminar for mums- and dads-to-be right here:
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Truth is, there is no magic sleep solution that applies to all babies. Still, there are a few rumours about baby’s sleep that needs to be addressed!
Myth: You should never wake a sleeping baby
You’ve probably heard this one a thousand times already (and maybe even used it when your in-laws dropped by unexpectedly for a visit with baby), but that shouldn’t be the case! In the first few weeks, your baby needs to eat every two to three hours. So there may be times when you will have to gently nudge her awake for a feeding.
Myth: Crib bumpers protect baby
rib bumpers may seem like they’ll protect baby from bumps and bruises, but they can actually be dangerous since they (just like any other puffy bedding like comforters, pillows and sleep positioners) pose a suffocation risk.
Myth: Keep quiet when baby is asleep
Sure, you may need complete silence to fall (and stay) asleep, but most newborns actually love background noise with a shushing sound, like that of a fan. It can be comforting and familiar, since they heard constant, loud noise 24/7 when they were in utero. If you’re having trouble calming baby or getting her to sleep, consider a white noise machine or make shushing noises.
Myth: Baby should sleep through the night at 12 weeks
There’s a huge range for when babies sleep through the night. It could be anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months, but usually around 4 months, sleep starts to consolidate. While every baby is different, it's not usually until 9 months that babies can log 9 to 12 hours of sleep without eating.
Myth: Sleeping late means baby wakes up late too
This almost always backfires. Here’s why: Keeping babies up late at night will make them overtired, making them more resistant to going down for the night. To get baby to sleep later the next morning, you’ll actually have better luck making bedtime earlier. Put your kid to sleep 30 minutes earlier than usual. They will begin sleeping a bit later in the morning. Try it!
Myth: Mixing cereal into her last milk feed will help her sleep through the night
There’s actually no evidence that adding cereal to baby’s bedtime bottle will help him or her sleep longer, so there’s no point in doing it. In fact, cereal in a bottle increases the number of calories baby consumes, and some studies show that feeding baby solid foods before 4 months can contribute to obesity.
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It is pretty normal for babies to catch about 8 – 10 colds in their first year of their life, so if you’re baby is constantly falling sick, don’t worry too much about it! Their little immune systems are slowly developing. But while this is unavoidable, you can give them a helping hand to fend off illnesses a little quicker!
Here are 10 immunity boosters – the natural way!
Breastfeed
As much as you can, aim to breastfeed baby for the first 6 months! You’re providing her with antibodies, as well as disease-fighting white blood cells. It’s truly a powerful liquid!
A month after I decided to wean off my child, he caught a really bad flu bug. How I wished that I continued feeding him those antibodies!
Get outdoors!
Take baby outside for a stroll in the day is a great way to give her a dose of vitamin D. Of course, too much sun exposure is a definite no for their young delicate skin, but a little sun rays will help with their immunity and also aids in her body to absorb calcium.
Sweet potato helps too!
Sweet potato is packed with carotenoids which is known to aid the immune system and is also loaded with antioxidants and vitamin A! Be careful of how much you feed though, too much can lead to constipation, so feed in moderation! And offer lots of water while you’re at it.
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Stay active
Physical play can build baby’s physical strength and help to fight the bug quicker. Get on the floor and crawl around with her! If she hasn’t reached that stage yet, encourage more tummy time!
Have some yoghurt
Yoghurt is filled with good bacteria that helps to fend off the bad ones. If baby has started on solids, offer her some natural yoghurt! You can consider adding in some probiotics in there as well.
Give antibiotics only when really necessary
Antibiotics is not always the cure to your baby’s illness. Especially if it’s just a common cold. The danger of having too much of it is that over time, your baby will get immune to its effects. Trust your doctor’s advice. If he says that it’s not needed, don’t force it!
Add more fish in their diet
Fish like salmon, contains essential fatty acids that are beneficial to your baby to build up her disease-fighting white blood cells. If you’re still breastfeeding, add more fish to your diet as well! Consider taking omega-3 oils as an added nursing supplement.
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Have some berries!
Berries are full of antioxidants and babies loves them! Cut them into bite sizes pieces or puree them to ensure safe weaning though!
Serve more fruits and vegetables
This goes without saying, and you probably are aware of it by now. It is important to have lots of fresh fruits and veggies in their diet. If you’re still breastfeeding, eat right yourself!
Skip the antibacterial products
For the sake of your baby, you’ve probably introduced multiple antibacterial products in your household – soaps, cleaners, wipes, etc. By doing so, you’re lowering their resistance to diseases! The common colds and flus are viral anyway, not bacterial.
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As formula milk Is not considered sterile, extra care needs to be taken to ensure that bacteria is kept to a minimum as baby’s immune system is not strong enough to fight off any infection.
Here’s what you can do to ensure hygiene and keep your baby safe and healthy!
Sterilise all bottle-feeding equipment
It is important to sterilise everything they use for drinking until they’re 12 months old. Use a bottle brush to ensure there are no more milk residue left on any part of the bottle and teats. Once the items are sterilised and airdried, store them in a sealed container until you need them.
Wash your hands
This goes without saying - always make sure your hands are clean before preparing the bottle of milk!
Use sterile water
Always use cooled or lukewarm boiled water to make the bottle of formula.
Use the milk scoop that comes with the tin
Always use the scoop provided in the tin to measure the powder (different brands may use different measurements). You don’t have to wash the scoop every time you use it, as long as your hands are clean. If splatters of water get onto the scoop, dry it completely before putting it back in the tin.
Follow the tin instructions
Follow the instructions that comes with the tin – also bearing in mind that it is different from brand to brand. Using incorrect amounts may affect baby’s health.
Use within an hour
Prepared formula milk needs to be consumed within an hour. If refrigerated, it must be used within 24 hours. However, once baby has drunk the milk, it is not advisable to stick it in the fridge for later use as it has already come into contact with baby’s saliva.
Preparation in advance
Ideally, formula milk should be prepared just before you need to use it. But if you really have to prepare in advance, you can store it in the fridge for 24 hours and transport it in a cold bag. If prepared formula milk is left out of the fridge for too long, it can form bacteria. Alternatively, you can carry a flask of hot water with you and mix the milk when you need it.
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