Three weeks ago, some rashes started to show on my baby Clarisse’s cheeks and around the mouth. I took her to see her paediatrician. She told me it is milk rash and prescribed a mild steroid cream hydrocortisone for baby Clarisse. However, I declined the prescription as I do not wish to apply anything that has steroids on her skin especially near her mouth. Wouldn’t want her accidently swallow some steroids, no matter how miniscule the amount. Therefore, we went home without any prescription medicine.
A few days earlier, my neighbour suggested Hazeline snow (the original one). She applied it to her baby’s face milk rash and found it to be an effective remedy. I don’t know how effective is it because I haven’t try it out.
What I did try is this. It’s an advice from a good friend of mine. I regularly wiped my baby’s face with chinese tea and within days, my baby’s milk rash/salive rash subsided. Much better than using steroids if you ask me.
I’d brew a cup of chinese tea every moring and use it to wipe her face after feeding session or when there’s saliva around her mouth. It might take several days for the rashes to fade away.
For new mothers who breastfeed their babies, here is a video clip giving out some tips on breastfeeding by 2 expects. I found it quite useful for beginner mothers who wish to give their babies a healthy start in life through breastfeeding.
I think my baby Clarisse has entered what is called a missing-mummy phase. She’s a week into her 8th month and typically that’s when it happens.
Yesterday I visited a school mate of mine. She has a baby girl one month younger than my baby Clarisse. When I went into the house, I was surprised her baby smiled when she saw me. I carried her and instead of crying, she seemed so happy.
Her pleasant reaction to strangers is a far cry from my baby Clarisse. And lately, her sensitivity towards strangers seems to have gotten worst. She would cry for mommy whenever strangers try to carry her. When she’s in an unpleasant mood, she’d even cry before someone even touches her. Just a few weeks ago, she was much braver and open to strangers.
Just a few days ago baby Clarisse first called me “Mama”, or sounds like it. Today my husband were elated when baby Clarisse uttered “Pa … Pa …” for the first time. We were in the car and driving about town when it happened. Even though she doesn’t mean what she’s saying right now, we’re very happy to hear it nonetheless. If only she knows how sweet those two words “Mama” and “Papa” sounds to us first time parents.
… or is it? Yesterday, I woke up early in the morning around 5.30am to nurse my baby Clarisse. I went to the bath room after that and when I came back in to the room, I heard baby Clarisse saying “Ma…Ma…” as soon as she saw me walk through the door. She had been making similar sounds for more than 2 weeks but that morning, it really sounded like she’s calling me Mama. So I’m not sure if she’s really calling out to me or just making some random sound. Anyway, I was very delighted to hear something which sounded so close to that heart-melting word, I gave her a hug. She smiled back at me. She never did call me ‘Mama’ ever since though. Bummer!
Having gone through difficulties of bringing up a colicky baby, I’m always scouring for information and remedies to ease the symptoms of colic. I understand that doctors have yet to determine what exactly causes colic in babies so I accept the fact that a cure is still far from being discovered.
Recent studies show that giving your colicky infant Probiotics might help relieve colic symptoms as well as several related conditions such as lactose intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis, and gastric inflammation.
Have you come across mothers carrying baby in a sling that consists of a piece of cloth and two metal rings? That’s a Maya Wrap, one of severals types of baby slings. As simple as it looks, you’d be surprised how useful Maya slings are.
When my sister started to use a Maya Wrap 4 years ago, I recall saying it looked awful. It didn’t look pleasing to the eye on first impression, I must admit. That’s the first time I saw one and at that time, hardly anyone around the neighbourhood has seen one, let alone used it. When my sister used it in public, people would stare and amused to see a baby inside the sling. With his head peering out. Like a baby kangaroo in a pouch.
Aesthetics aside, my sister explained and showed me how useful it is. It was my first time seeing a Maya Wrap type of baby sling in action. I was impressed!
When my baby Clarisse was 5 months old, I noticed a tiny patch of whitish substance on the top of her gums. It had me wondering whether or not she’s starting to teeth. Teething at 5 months is considered pretty early for babies. On average, babies start to teeth around 7 months.
I made a note to mention this to baby Clarisse’s paeditrician on her next appointment. Turned out, it was just gum cyst according to him.
Now that I think about it, baby Clarisse didn’t show much teething symptoms at that time. I was wrong to assume she’s teething.
Below are some common symptoms associated with babies who are starting to teeth. Bear in mind though, symptoms of teething varies from infant to infant. And opinions too vary among paeditricians on what symptoms to look for or how painful it is for your teething infant. For some babies, it will be a long and painful experience while others feel only slight discomfort.
I get annoyed when sales people come up to me out of no where and start babbling non-stop about products or services I have absolutely no interest in. Majority of them are credit card promoters. These days, my frustration with sales people hit a new high.
It is so annoying to have inconsiderate sales people approach when my baby Clarisse had just dozed off. I don’t know about your baby, but Clarisse is an extremely distractable baby. It’s a chore to get her to nap when my husband and I are out shopping.
You should have your bags packed 2 weeks before your due date. Here’s an idea on what to take to the hospital. Bear in mind, you don’t have to include everything that is listed. If you’re one to travel light, phone your maternity department beforehand and ask what they provide when upon admission.Do not worry too much about forgetting something. You could always send your husband or ask visiting family members to bring them.
For yourself :
Your hospital or health card
Antenatal Notes - any notes which you might’ve prepared. Never hurts to have something to refer to.
A few pairs of socks - Thick and comfy ones to provide warmth in the cold delivery ward.
Table clock - Place one on the table next to your bed. Pretty handy to time your contractions.
Two pairs of slippers - New non-slip ones preferably for both you and your husband. The hospital I went to does not allow shoes to be warn in labor ward.
Lip balm or chapstick - To keep your lips moist and prevent chapping. I was reminded to put it in the bag but ended up not needing it. Depends on the air, the season and where you’re living I guess.
A pack of maxi pads with wings - For after labor postpartum bleeding. Bring two dozens of maxi pads with wings, preferably as thick and absorbent as possible. Expect to change every few hours if heavy bleeding. That should be enough for 2 nights at the hospital.
