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Below is a list of tips that have appeared on Your Baby Today home page since the program began. Tips are updated on this page on a weekly basis.
- While breast-feeding avoid gassy foods like broccoli, which may cause gas in a breast-feed baby.
- If your nipples are sore from breast-feeding, try a cream like Lansinoh to relieve pain.
- Once baby arrives, remember to let your other children know you love them by expressing your love regularly.
- After your baby is born, don't feel guilty telling visitors you need time alone with your family.
- Don't feel pressured to finish housework-- caring for your newborn is top priority.
- After baby is born, join a parenting group to share concerns and for support.
- When caring for a newborn, remember to eat nutritious meals for energy.
- Exhausted parents of a newborn should take turns sleeping in on weekends to avoid burnout.
- For an inexpensive alternative to an infant backpack, tie a square knot in a 45-inch wide piece of sturdy fabric to create a sling.
- Acupressure technique that may help induce labor: Press hard on your right foot between the ankle and Achilles tendon.
- Raspberry leaf tea may help induce labor, but consult with your doctor before ingesting any supposed labor inducing herbs.
- If you're past due and hoping to induce labor, according to popular belief spicy foods help.
- If you have sciatic nerve pain running down the back of your legs, try sleeping on your opposite side at night.
- Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs helps prevent back pain during pregnancy.
- If you're having trouble sleeping, cushion your pregnant belly with pillows.
- Exercising moderately at least three times a week will help you sleep better while pregnant.
- A brisk walk is a safe and effective way to stay in shape while pregnant.
- Small pelvic tilts will prevent back pain during pregnancy.
- Kegel exercises (which strengthen pelvic floor muscles) can help prevent bladder problems before and after pregnancy.
- Drink lots of water before you exercise while pregnant.
- Be wary of exercise that requires you to lie on your back after the first trimester because it could restrict blood flow to the uterus.
- When your baby is sick and taking prescribed antibiotics be on the look out for diaper rash. These drugs encourage the growth of yeast organisms that can infect the skin, making her more susceptible to a rash.
- If you aren't sure about the effectiveness of a cloth diapering service, try it for a least one month after your baby is born. If after that time, your baby has developed a rash or it's too messy then you can switch to disposables.
- Most newborns cry a total of 1 to 4 hours a day as they become accustomed to life outside the womb. If you expect some fussing, it can make it easier to deal with.
- If you can, breastfeed your baby within the first hour or so after birth because she will be most alert, eager to eat, and it will be easier for her to latch onto your nipple.
- Every once in awhile, set up your video camera on a shelf or table in your baby's room to record her daily activities. This way you too can be involved in the action.
- As you change your baby's diaper, gently kiss her tummy, toes and fingers. This gentle stimulation helps her develop an early awareness of her body parts.
- At 10 months of age you can give your baby old magazines for her to look at and tear the pages out of. Be sure to watch her carefully so she doesn't put any pieces of paper into her mouth.
- Fill an empty shoe box with a variety of small toys for your crawler to play with. Bring this "special" box of toys out only on certain occasions when you need a little quiet time - either to talk on the phone or finish fixing dinner. The novelty of these
- Use empty, plastic butter tubs as boats for your baby's bath. Place different toys inside the "boats" for her to look at and try to get.
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