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What Probiotics Can Do for Your Baby

 

Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that play an important role in the human digestive system. Research shows that probiotics can provide a number of different benefits to your baby, both while she is still an infant as well as later on down the road.

Here are some areas in which probiotics may be able to help your baby:

  • Digestive concerns. There are certain probiotics, such as L. reuteri, that can help your baby with digestion. These are the type of bacteria that are naturally found in your digestive system. They aid in the absorbing of minerals as well as other nutrients. They also aid digestion. These kinds of probiotics can help your baby by balancing out his digestive system. He will process food in a more efficient manner. In some cases, probiotics can even be used to help control diarrhea, especially when that diarrhea is due to an antibiotic medication.
  • Keeping out harmful substances. Probiotics create a barrier for your baby’s digestive system. They help to block a number of different outside substances, including bad bacteria as well as allergens. This, then, allows the probiotics to aid your child with food allergies. Some studies show that probiotics may even be able to help delay or even prevent your baby from developing food allergy-related eczema.
  • Helping with Colic. In a number of different studies, babies who had colic were provided with drops of Lactobacillus reuteri. Those babies were two times as likely to stop crying when compared with the control group of babies who were given simethicone (a common anti-gas medication given to babies). This may be due to the fact that, apart from simply helping with gas, probiotics actually aid your baby’s digestive system in multiple ways.
  • Other health benefits. Research into probiotics is ongoing. There is some speculation that they may be able to help prevent or at least delay the onset of asthma. The more researchers look into probiotics, the more health benefits they are discovering.

Probiotics are a safe, natural way to help easy your baby, improve her health, and protect her digestive system.

photo by: peasap
Posted in Pregnancy |
The Big Boy Bed

Switching to a Big Girl Bed

Every parent reaches the point eventually where she decides it’s time to move their toddler from the crib to a big boy (or girl) bed. There’s not really a set age to do so, but in most cases, babies are ready to try out a toddler bed somewhere between the age of 18 months and 3 years old.

In any case, if your toddler has started to try to climb out of the crib (or worse, has already managed to get over the top), it’s a good idea to go ahead and switch to a bed. If baby sleeps peacefully in the crib and doesn’t try to climb out, it’s really your call as to when you should move her over to a bed.

If your baby’s crib is still in your room, you might want to move the crib to a different room for a week or two before switching over to the toddler bed. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t change your baby’s bed and the room in which he sleeps at the same time, as too much change can be a bit overwhelming for a baby.

Of course, by the time your toddler is ready to switch to a bed, she will be speaking a few words, and will understand a lot of what you say to her. This is helpful because you can talk her through the changes. We recommend starting to talk to her about changing t a bed a week or so before you are ready to make the switch.

Many parents find that a birthday, usually the second birthday, is a good time to switch to a toddler bed. That way, the toddler bed can even be presented as part of your toddler’s birthday present.

Some babies take to the idea of sleeping in a big bed right away, but in case yours isn’t one of them, it’s a good idea not to disassemble and store the crib just yet. Some toddlers will resist the change, and if they do, there’s really no harm in letting them sleep in their crib for a few more nights. In most cases, if you present the bed as an option for “big boys” or “big girls”, they will eventually choose to sleep in the bed. After all, how many teenagers have you even seen sleeping in a crib?

Posted in Pregnancy |
Recognizing Postpartum Depression

If you feel blue after you’ve had baby, even if you feel like you can’t go on and have begun to resent your baby, you’re not alone. Many new mothers go through postpartum depression. For your sake and your baby’s, learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and, if you think you may be experiencing it, call your doctor or mental health professional. They can give you advice and help needed to get through this difficult time. Here are the major signs of postpartum depression:

  • Loss of appetite: When you have just had a baby, your body needs more nourishment, not less. This is especially true if you are breast feeding. If you find that you just don’t want to eat much for several days, you have one of the major signs of postpartum depression.
  • Can’t sleep: on some level, a lack of sleep comes with having a baby. Your baby will be up every couple of hours needing your attention. SO, when baby is asleep, you should be able to sleep, too. If you can’t sleep, even when you’re tired and baby is asleep, it presents a problem.
  • Irritability and Anger: on some level, these come with lack of sleep, and everybody gets mad once in a while. But, if your irritability is extreme or constant, it could be a sign of a problem.
  • Lack of happiness: this should be one of the happiest times of your life. If it isn’t, and you just have no joy at all, consider calling your doctor.
  • No interest in sex: If your libido has gone out the window, it may be a symptom of PPD.
  • Feeling guilty, ashamed, or unworthy: We all feel this way a little at times. Having a baby who needs us is a humbling experience. But, if it’s interfering with your day to day life, it’s time to get help.
  • Severe Moodiness: Again, the key word is severe. Everyone gets moody, but if your moodiness is beginning to look bipolar, it could be time to seek help.
  • Loss of interest or bonding with baby: A mother’s bond with her child is a very natural thing. If you’re just not feeling it, it could be PPD, and if so, there is help available.
  • Thoughts of harming your baby or yourself: If you’re feeling this way, even a little bit, even for a little while, reach out and get some help, even if you’re not experiencing any other symptoms. These kinds of feelings are not something to take lightly.

With the exception of the desire to hurt yourself or the baby, these symptoms often show up in mild form for a few days at a time. Often called the “baby blues”, this isn’t usually anything to worry about. If it persists or becomes severe, call your doctor.

Posted in Pregnancy |
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