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Minggu, 06 April 2008

Spitting Up

For infants, spitting up is a normal part of life. Many babies spit up a
lot. Most likely this happens because of the way a baby develops.
The muscle that closes the feeding tube from the baby’s mouth to his
stomach is still developing in infants. It may be weak. As a result, even
a tiny burp can cause small amounts of stomach contents to come
back up.
If your baby is usually happy and gaining weight, you should not be
concerned about his spitting up.

You should see your doctor if your baby:
 is vomiting
 has diarrhea
 has trouble breathing
 has lost weight
 has a loss of appetite
Nearly half of all healthy infants under one year of age spit up two or
more times a day.

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Feeding Your Baby

Your breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. Breastfeeding is
natural. It can be easier than formula feeding. Breast milk helps
protect your baby from sickness. Breastfeeding helps your body get
back to normal after pregnancy. It may help you lose weight.
Your baby will let you know when he is ready to nurse. He will put his
hands toward his mouth. He will make sucking sounds, whimper and
bend and unbend his arms and hands. He will move his fist to his
mouth. He will nuzzle against your breast. If he doesn’t start feeding
soon after doing these things, he will start crying. Use these signs
instead of a clock to set his feeding times. Feed him before he starts
crying. Feed him every two to three hours. It’s a good idea to switch
breasts in the middle of a feeding.
Your baby will let you know when it is time to stop feeding. He will
relax. He will stop sucking the breast. He will refuse to take the breast
if you offer it again. Your baby should make soft swallowing sounds
while feeding.

Your breast should feel softer after the feeding. Milk may leak from the
other breast while feeding.
Women who breastfeed should eat nutritious foods. They should drink
lots of water. They should relax during breastfeeding.
You will know your baby is getting plenty to eat if he has at least seven
to 10 very wet diapers a day (using regular absorbency diapers). You
can expect your baby to have two to three bowel movements every
day.
You can breastfeed your baby after you return to work or school. You
can breastfeed your baby even if he is in a day-care center. You can
breastfeed right before leaving your baby at day care. You can
breastfeed right after picking up your baby. If your day care is nearby,
you can breastfeed your baby during your lunch break.
You can learn how to pump your milk and store it in a bottle. Your milk
is good for about 48 hours in the refrigerator. It lasts two to three
months in the freezer. You can leave the bottles with the day-care
center to feed your baby when you can’t be there.
To learn more about breastfeeding, you may want to contact your local
health department, WIC clinic, hospital, La Leche League or doctor.
You can call La Leche League at 1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site
at www.lalecheleague.org/.
If you use infant formula to feed your baby, be sure to follow
directions for mixing. He will take two to three ounces of formula every
couple of hours. As he grows, he will take more at each feeding. He
will also go longer between feedings.

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The Wonders of the Brain

Your baby is flexible in how he grows and learns. His brain is growing
and changing, also. The things your baby sees, hears and does help
him to learn and to get interested in the people and things around him.
Your baby’s brain has come into the world ready to absorb all sorts of
good things. Your baby is learning to be a person. You are learning to
be his parent. Learning to pay attention and to respond to each other
will help you both.
Since birth, your baby has been taking in information. He learns from
what he sees, hears, smells and touches. After babies see or hear
something many times, they can remember whether they have seen or
heard it before. This is the way they learn.

Your baby’s brain grows and changes in important ways every day.
The experiences your baby has are important for these changes. Some
parts of the brain are most important for learning. Some parts are
important for remembering new things. These parts will continue to
grow and change as your baby learns new things.
We know that responding to your baby in a loving and attentive way
helps him learn. Talk to your baby. Provide him with a variety of
experiences that help him explore his world safely.

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One-Month Checkup: Where To Go

Try to find a doctor you like and trust. It helps if your baby sees the
same doctor or nurse every time. That makes it easier to keep track of
your baby’s needs.
If you don’t know where to take your baby for care, call your local
health department. The phone number is in the “government” listings
of the phone book. You can also ask a local hospital.
Ask a close friend or relative who has children whom she takes her
children to for health care. Ask if she really likes her children’s doctor
and if the doctor is good at taking time to explain things and answer
questions.
If you are eligible for Medicaid, your baby can get free checkups. You
can call your local social welfare, health or family services office to see
if you qualify for Medicaid services.

If you don’t have health insurance for your baby, you can learn about
resources in your state by calling the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services’ Insure Kids Now program at 1-877-KIDSNOW. You
can also visit their Web site at www.insurekidsnow.gov for more
information about free or low-cost health insurance for children. Many
public libraries offer free access to the Internet and provide help for
first-time users.
One way to notice changes in your baby’s health is to keep a record.
You can keep a health notebook. Write down your baby’s length and
weight as he grows. Write down things like your baby’s schedule for
shots and checkups. Write down dates of illnesses, and describe the
symptoms. Ask for a copy of your child’s shot record. You will need to
have this shot record when your child starts day care, Head Start or
school.

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One-Month Checkup

Soon after you come home from the hospital, you should call to set up
a checkup for your baby. This checkup may take place any time from
two to four weeks after your baby is born. If your baby doesn’t seem
to be doing well before your first appointment, don’t wait. Call the
doctor or the clinic.
The checkup is a good time for you to ask questions. Before the visit, it
is a good idea to write down questions and bring them with you.
You can ask the doctor what to have in the house in case of small
accidents or mild illness. Ask what to do if something serious happens.
Ask your doctor about what to do if your baby chokes or stops
breathing. Knowing this can help you save your baby if he gets into
difficulty.

Always keep your doctor’s phone number where you can find it. This
number should be on a list of emergency phone numbers that you can
find quickly.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers’ (AAPCC) poison
control hotline, 1-800-222-1222, should also be on your list. If your
baby has eaten a harmful substance, call and get help. Be prepared to
tell about your baby’s symptoms and what has been eaten. To learn
more, you can visit the AAPCC Web site at www.aapcc.org/.
The one-month checkup helps the doctor see changes in your baby.
The doctor can find problems your baby is having. Finding problems
now can help prevent more serious problems as your baby grows.
In the first year, your baby will have a number of checkups. At most of
them, he will receive shots. Be sure to ask the doctor what reaction
your baby might have from the shots.
Your baby may need more testing or he may need to be treated if your
doctor finds signs of a possible problem. Your doctor may refer you to
another doctor. If so, get a copy of your baby’s medical records to take
with you. Or ask your doctor to make sure the other doctor will get a
copy of them. Be sure you understand why your doctor is
recommending more tests or sending your child to another doctor.
Write down the doctor’s description of the possible problem in words
you understand and also have him write out the exact words in
“doctor’s language” so you can communicate with the next doctor you
see.
Your doctor will talk to you about what to expect with your child. The
doctor will tell you when your baby needs to come in again.
What happens at the checkup?
 Your doctor will ask you questions. The questions will be about how
things are with you and the baby.
 The doctor will ask about your baby’s eating habits. He will also ask
how often your baby has a wet or dirty diaper.
 The doctor will ask about your baby’s sleeping habits.
 The doctor will ask about your baby’s behavior and development.
 Your doctor will give your baby a physical exam.
 Your baby’s clothes will be taken off.
 He will be weighed. Your baby’s length and head size will be
measured.
 Your baby’s vision and hearing will be tested.
 Your baby’s blood will also be tested.

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You and Your Baby

During the first month of your baby’s life, you and your baby spend a
lot of time getting to know each other. Your baby will spend most of
his time sleeping. You will spend most of your time learning the best
way to meet your baby’s needs. Sometimes, you may feel tired and
nervous. These feelings are a signal that you need to take care of
yourself. Here are some ways to do it:
 Make sure you get enough sleep. Take a nap when your baby does.
If you can’t, try to spend some time relaxing.
 Keep your home as quiet and calm as possible. Turn off your radio
and TV. This will help calm your baby.
 Simplify housework. Just do the basics. Older children can help
dust, pick up toys, sweep the floor and wash dishes. Dad or other
family members can help, too.
 Be sure to eat nutritious food. If you are breastfeeding, avoid
alcohol and limit caffeine. Avoid drinking more than two to three
cups of coffee a day.
 Simplify your meals. Nutritious salads, soups and sandwiches are
quick and easy to prepare.
 Make some time for yourself. Take a hot bath to relax or do some
reading. You can look forward to taking a break when you are
stressed.
 Enjoy spending time with your baby. You can put your baby in a
sling, backpack or stroller and take a walk through a mall or a park.
Be sure that your baby is safely secured in these devices. Never
leave your baby unattended in a stroller.
 Do something you enjoy. If you breastfeed, you can read while
nursing your baby.
 Call a relative or friend if you have questions or when you are
feeling stressed. Talking to someone who has had similar
experiences and feelings can help you.

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Information Resources for Families

Families who are enrolled in the WIC program (Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) can get
information on breastfeeding and nutrition at the local WIC office.
Families eligible for WIC receive nutrition counseling and supplemental
foods such as milk and cereal. To find the WIC office nearest you, call
your state health department or visit the WIC Web site at
www.fns.usda.gov/wic/.
For information about early childhood education initiatives, you may
contact the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit
the Web site at www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/teachingouryoungest/.
To learn about child care options, you may contact the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Aware by phone
at 1-800-424-2246 or visit their Web site at www.childcareaware.org/.
For more information and resources on postpartum depression,
breastfeeding, and many other women’s health issues call The National
Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 (1-
800-994-WOMAN).

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