Tummy Time

Tummy time is super important for new babies, since they are supposed to sleep on their backs to help reduce SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

A few benefits of tummy time are:
- It gives a break to the back of the baby's head to help lessen the chance of the kiddo getting a flathead (or, as the docs call it, cranial asymmetry).
- It helps babies work on neck and leg muscles. This way, they can hold up their head and learn to roll over.
- It helps to develop fine motor skills.

And a few tummy time guidelines:
- Try it for 30 minutes a day (all at once or broken up).
- Try to do it when baby is in a good mood and not right after he/she eats.
- You can use a play mat or blanket on the floor. Other things you can do include holding your baby on your chest while you're reclined or lying flat. You can even use an exercise ball to help make it more fun by placing the baby on its tummy, on top of the ball. Support the baby, with your hand on its back or bottom, and gently roll the ball forward and backward.

The Dreaded . . . Gas

How to deal with this uncomfortable situation:

Drugs: You can always try Gripe Drops or Mylicon.

Monitor Mom's Diet: If you are a mom who breastfeeds, be sure to avoid gas-causing foods such as Caffeine (colas, tea, coffee and, yes, chocolate), Dairy (baby may be lactose intolerant), Nuts, Broccoli and Beans.

All Bottles Are NOT Created Equal: If you are bottle-feeding, use bottles that are engineered to help reduce baby’s intake of air. Some bottles have nipples that are too large, and baby will eat too fast. Then, some bottles have nipples that are too small, causing baby to suck harder and take in more air. Look for a bottle that contains an internal vent that eliminates the vacuum and air bubbles associated with other bottles.

Check the Formula: Not all formulas agree with all babies. Some formulas contain hard-to-digest proteins that result in gas buildup. Simply trying a different formula like Nestle Good Start may work wonders. Good Start contains proteins that are broken down and easier for your baby to digest.

Don’t Forget to Burp: To avoid gas from moving into the digestive tract, remember to burp baby often (if you are bottle-feeding, after every 2-3 ounces, and if you are breastfeeding, after each breast). Try also to feed baby at a 45-degree angle or better. Three of the best burping positions are:
- Over the shoulder: Place a diaper cloth or burp rag on your shoulder and place your baby right up on the cloth. Gently pat or rub her back to induce the burp. Don’t pat too hard or you will cause baby to spit up all over you.
- On the lap: Place diaper cloth on your lap and place baby on her belly. Gently pat or rub her back to induce the burp.
- Over the hand: Hold baby upright on your lap and drape a diaper cloth over your hand. Support baby’s chin in your hand and gently pat or rub her back.

Bust a Bicycle Move: Lay baby on her back. Gently grab her ankles and move her legs in a bicycling motion in order to get the trapped gas bubbles moving.

Breastfeeding

- If you are having trouble getting the hang of things, don’t be embarrassed, breastfeeding can be very frustrating. Contact your hospital and see if you can set up a meeting with a lactation consultant. They know babies and boobies!
- It’s good to have a good support pillow. Two of the most common are the Boppy Pillow and the BreastFriend Pillow.
- And if you're looking for a light-hearted take on the subject, you must read our Weekly Dish: Boobs, They’re Not Just for Decoration Anymore.

Baby Proofing

If you’re not sure what type of gate to buy for your staircase you can submit a photo of your stairs to the “Ask the Expert” section of wellhomecheck.org.

Hot Item!

Buzzy – He helps take the sting out of all those first year shots! Check out their website for details.

Puj’s New Uno Booties – These booties come in all sorts of colors and they are symmetrical, so both shoes fit both feet. $32 at pujbaby.com.

WubbaNub infant pacifiers are a combination between plush toy and pacifier, genius! Check out their website for all of the available creatures.

Teething

You don’t think about the fact that this goes on for such a drawn out period, but once those teeth get started, there is no stopping all 20 of them from breaking through. Some babies have an easy time and some don’t. And when baby ain’t happy . . . try a Teether, Orajel or Tablets.

Vaccine Schedule*

Birth: Hepatitis B
1-2 months: Hepatitis B
2 months: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine, Hib vaccine, Polio vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV)
4 months: DTaP, Hib vaccine, Polio vaccine, PCV
6 months: DTaP, Hib, Polio (6-18 mo.), PCV, Hepatitis B (6-18 mo.)
12 months: MMR (12-15 months), Hib (12-15 months), Chicken Pox (12-18 mo.), PCV (12-15 mo.)
15 months: DTap (12-18 mo.)

* You should always consult with your baby's health care provider or pediatrician for an exact vaccination and immunization schedule for your baby.

10 Foods to Give Your Baby
as Seen on Baby Center

Squash
Squash is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, is naturally sweet, and has a pleasing, creamy texture.

Serving Idea: Sprinkle parmesan cheese and a little chili seasoning on half a squash, roast it, and scoop out a serving for your baby, suggests pediatrician Susanna Block, owner of World Baby Foods, an ethnic baby food line. "Cooked squash with a little cilantro, mild chiles, and garbanzo beans are another great combination," she says.


Lentils
Crammed with protein and fiber, lentils pack a powerful nutritional punch. They're also one of the cheapest healthy foods you can buy.

Serving Idea: Combine cooked lentils with mixed vegetables, rice, and seasonings of your choice. "Try basil and oregano," suggests dietitian Karin Hosenfeld of North Dallas Nutrition. "Or toss in a bay leaf, which works really well with lentils." (Remove the bay leaf before serving.)


Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Leafy greens boast high amounts of iron and folate. While spinach is perhaps the best known of this group, there are many other varieties, including kale, chard, and collard greens.

Serving Idea: Steam and puree a batch of greens, then mix with iron-fortified cereal to give your baby a double dose of iron. Experiment with the proportions to see what your baby likes; Hosenfeld suggests starting with two parts veggie to one part cereal.


Broccoli
Brimming with folate, fiber, and calcium, broccoli is also known for its cancer-fighting properties, says dietitian Kate Geagan, author of Go Green, Get Lean. And thanks to its sulfur compounds, it has a unique flavor that can help expand your baby's tastes.

Serving Idea: Steam pieces until soft, then chill. "Steaming takes the bite out of broccoli," says Hosenfeld. "And chilled broccoli is sometimes better accepted by babies. It can also be soothing during teething."


Blueberries
The deep, brilliant blue of these berries comes from flavonoids called anthocyanins, which are good for your baby's eyes, brain, and even urinary tract, says Stephen Gass, co-author of Mix and Mash: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby and You.

Serving Idea: Gass suggests this easy blueberry soup: Combine 1 cup of blueberries with one-quarter cup of water in a bowl, microwave for one minute, and let cool. Then swirl some plain yogurt on top.


Avocados
"Avocados are a rich source of unsaturated fats," says nutritionist Leanne Cooper, author of What Do I Feed My Baby: A Step-by-Step Guide to Solids. "In fact, the fat composition is somewhat similar to that of breast milk." Concerned about your baby eating fatty food? Don't be. "Unsaturated fat is the good kind of fat, and babies need it for brain development," says pediatrician Ari Brown, co-author of Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year.

Serving Idea: Try combining mashed avocado with other foods, such as cream cheese, apples, or canned fish, suggests Cooper. And when it's playgroup time, ditch the crackers and take an avocado along instead. "Avocados can travel in your bag at room temperature and you can offer them in slivers or spread on toast fingers while you sip coffee with your friends," she says.


Meat
Many of us don't think of meat as a typical baby food, but it's one of Brown's top choices. "Meat is a great source of zinc and iron," she explains.

Serving Idea: Cook stew! "Stew is the ideal baby food – easy to make, easy to chew, and endless in its variety," says Matthew Amster-Burton, author of Hungry Monkey: A Food-Loving Father's Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater. Experiment with adding different veggies and seasonings, such as ginger and parsley. And the best part? Tough, cheap meats (like chuck) work best, says Amster-Burton, whose own family dines on stew almost weekly. Just be sure to cook the stew long enough for the meat to turn soft and scrumptious.


Prunes
Prunes have lots of fiber and can help relieve constipation – which, notes Brown, your baby may experience after you introduce solids.

Serving Idea: Puree prunes and serve them straight or mixed with other foods, such as cereal or applesauce, for a naturally sweet treat. If your baby is badly constipated, Brown advises adding a teaspoon or two of prune juice to formula or expressed breast milk.


Garbanzo Beans
Like lentils and other beans, garbanzos are rich in protein and fiber, says Geagan. They're also inexpensive and versatile.

Serving Idea: Try hummus. You can find it in many grocery stores, or make your own by pureeing cooked garbanzo beans with garlic, lemon, olive oil, and tahini. You can also make a delectable finger food by sautéing or roasting the beans. "I have a 19-month-old daughter who loves chickpeas sautéed in a pan with seasonings and left out for her to munch," says mom Christina DeLuca.


Mandarin Oranges
High in vitamin C and antioxidants, mandarin oranges are a supreme finger food. "Babies really love the flavor," says Hosenfeld.

Serving Idea: This is a particularly easy one to prepare – just cut the segments into bite-size pieces and serve. You can buy mandarin oranges fresh or canned, but make sure the canned version is packed in water, not syrup, which contains added sugar.

Sleep Help

Here are some suggested books if you need help getting your little bundle of joy to sleep:

The Bedding Hunt

The hunt for bedding is exciting but daunting. Do some online browsing at www.BabyBedding.com.