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Shawn published in General, Parenting

Why Gripe Water?

If your baby is colic, gripe water is the solution! However, do make sure that it has the right ingredients for your little one before buying it. If you are not too sure about the ingredients, you can refer to this article to purchase the right kind of Gripe Water.

Gripe water is a liquid version of a herbal remedy that is most known for its’ use for babies who are colic i.e. unable to pass gas successfully. There are many different versions of Gripe water made all over the world but the most common and most beneficial combination of herbs for gripe water is:

  • Fennel
  • Ginger
  • Chamomile
  • Liquorice
  • Cinnamon
  • Lemon Balm

Other than being used for babies who are colic, Gripe water can also be used when the child is teething and is in need of relief or when the child is experiencing hiccups.

Why is Gripe Water a Good Soother For Babies? 

Gripe water is one of the safest herbal liquids to be used when your baby is in pain. Parents are best known to have a seventh sense for when their baby is in pain. This means that parents know that after doing everything they can to soothe their baby after days of crying without relief is to choose the option which is least harmful to the child. That is why Gripe Water is the best and safest option!

Gripe water has been used for generations by nuns and nannies for fussy babies to give them relief from pain. Although a parent should definitely make sure that the Gripe water is approved by doctors and has safe ingredients, otherwise it could prove harmful for the child.

Risks of Gripe Water                                                                           

Make sure that you choose the right combination of ingredients in the Gripe water that you are giving to your child, otherwise, your baby could end up experiencing the following effects:

  • Hives
  • Watery eyes
  • Vomiting
  • Itchiness
  • Change in the regular breathing pattern
  • Swelling of lips
  • Swelling of tongue

Babies are one of the most precious beings in this world and when they are in pain, so is the world. Gripe Water helps soothe that pain. All you need to do is make sure that your child is not allergic to any of the ingredients and of course that the herbal liquid is made of herbs that are not detrimental to the child’s health in any way or form.

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Janelle Lim published in Growth (0-12 mo), Parenting

Your Baby at 6 Months

Congratulations! You’re halfway through your baby’s first year. No doubt, watching your baby grow to a happy 6-month-old is fulfilling. At six months, expect a lot of new developments, like babbling, solid feeding, and sitting up. This guide shows what to expect from your 6-month-old baby.

Growth

At six months, your baby’s growth will still be slow.  On average, your baby will gain more than twice its birth weight. This age also signifies many notable developmental milestones for your baby.

Body

Your baby will start:

  • Passing things from one hand to another
  • Sitting without help
  • Rolling from front back to front, and front to back
  • Bouncing while standing
  • Scooting backward
  • Crawling
  • Seeing well across a room, as his or her vision mirrors that of an adult
  • Swiping at things with open fingers, which might advance to a pincher grip

Brain

Your baby will start:

Starting on Solid Food

Babies at 6 months old are considered ready for solid food! Fret not, don’t be too quick to introduce solids to your baby just yet! It’s important to follow your baby’s cues to know if he or she is ready for food. Pediatricians suggest looking for these signs in your baby:

  • Opening his or her mouth when food is near
  • Taking food with a spoon, and bringing it into his or her mouth
  • Showing interest in food
  • Weighs about 16.6 lb (around 7.6kg)

Health and Safety

At six months, take your baby to receive the listed vaccines:

  • Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib)
  • Whooping cough, Diptheria, and tetanus
  • Influenza (flu)
  • Pneumococcal (PCV)
  • Polio (PCV)
  • Rotavirus (RV)

The side effects of these immunisations aren’t severe and may include redness at the injection area, sleepiness, fussiness and a mild fever. If your six-month-old baby has a severe reaction to any vaccine, consult your doctor immediately

Teething

Your baby may start teething at six months (that’s if he or she hasn’t already). Your pediatrician will ask you to monitor your baby’s teething symptoms and give medication for the pain (if necessary). The doctor will tell you to begin oral hygiene even though no teeth can be seen yet as brushing is still essential.

Enjoy your time with your baby as they often love to play at this age!

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Momsup Editor published in General, Parenting

The Pros And Cons Of Co-sleeping

Co-sleeping is one of the many debatable topics for new age parents. It refers to the practice of parents sleeping in close proximity to their children. This could be physical proximity as well as sensory proximity where either one can touch and feel, hear and see the other one. Co-sleeping with children can be achieved in a number of ways such as bed sharing, room sharing and kids sleeping on beds attached to parents’ bed.

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Momsup Editor published in General, Parenting

When To Stop Baby Swaddling?

Are you wondering when should you stop swaddling your child and why? This article can provide you with the top 6 reasons for why you should definitely stop swaddling your child after he reaches 3 or 4 months.

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Momsup Editor published in Baby Weaning, Parenting

Getting Ready For Baby Weaning

Babies are so adorable they make you want to hold them forever. While this is true, we also want them to grow into advanced stages.

This involves their food and liquid intake as a whole. Experts agree that babies be started on solids from 6 months and never before 4 months as their digestive system may not be matured enough. At this stage, your baby’s body requires much-needed iron supply and other nutrients. Breastfeeding can’t provide all the necessary nutrients.

Why are solids so important?
At 6 months old, the baby’s reserve of iron and important nutrients will begin to wane. These nutrients are necessary for improved health and general growth. Again, starting solids introduces your baby’s taste buds to different meals, textures and tastes. Babies also learn how to chew and eat at this stage. More calories are needed for faster development in babies.

Indications your baby is ready for solid meals
You have to take note of signs and behavioral patterns of your baby. These signs will guide you on when and how to kick-start semi-solids or solids. Generally, a good head and neck support and coordination is a perfect indicator. Sitting upright with good upper body strength is also a sign of development and readiness for solids. A keen appetite and a desire to eat what adults are eating is also another sign that they are ready for solids. Another indicator is opening their lovely mouth at the sight of a spoon.

Sometimes babies appear unsatisfied with only breast milk. Again, they try to chew and gnaw at the food instead of inadvertently pushing it out. Babies feed for longer durations at this stage of their development.

Ideal semi-solids/solids for a 6 month old baby
Food type and texture matter a lot. You don’t want to start this on the wrong foot. It’s okay to start off with something light, mashed up and easy to swallow. Babies are different and what one likes may not apply to another. Different food textures are needed. But generally, solids rich in iron and basic nutrients must be included. Foods rich in iron include poultry, fish, minced meat legumes and egg.

Don’t forget your greens. Vegetables are important. Again, grains, fruits, and dairy products are vital at this stage. Examples of such foods are apple, banana, oats, bread, carrot, cheese and yogurt. You can make combinations out of these solids for best results.

Be sure to watch out for signs of hunger. Also, you can continue breastfeeding while feeding your baby solids.

Semi-solids/solid foods to avoid at this stage
At 6 months old, your baby is at the right stage for introducing solid meals. Foods to avoid for now include nuts and the likes until about 3 years old (this is a genuine health risk). Others are honey, raw eggs and the like, goat and sheep milk should be avoided until 2 years old. These semi-solids and solids are for later stages of development.

Allergies associated with starting semi-solids and solids
Under no circumstances should solids be introduced before 4 months. Doing this may increase the risk of allergies, which could range from being mild to severe. Parents with history of allergies should also be mindful and should always introduce one new food each time. This will help gauge the baby’s reaction to such food.

In summary, do visit a qualified pediatrician or allergist to allay your fears.

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admin published in Parenting

How to kick-start semi-solids/solid feeding when your baby turns 6 months

At 6 months old, the baby’s reserve of irons and important nutrients begin to wane. These nutrients are necessary for improved health and general growth. Again, starting solids introduces your baby’s taste buds to different meals. Babies also learn how to chew and eat at this stage. More kilojoules aid faster development in babies.

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