Your baby is crying, pulling his legs up to his chest and his body is very tense, he's uncomfortable, your baby has gas. Gas is not caused by milk, gas is mostly caused by swallowed air, in most cases the gassiness and fussiness period is at its worst when baby is between 6 - 8 weeks old, but all babies are different. Here are some tips to help your gassy baby.
Pressure on the stomach - Lay your baby down belly first on your lap. Pat her back and her bottom gently, you can also rub her back.
Gather up the air bubbles - If your baby is having a hard time burping after he's done eating try laying him flat for a minute or two, this usually gets all the air bubbles to make their way up his tummy. You can sometimes hear the bubbles in his tummy, pick your baby up and he should let out a big one after a few pats on his back.
Feed your baby before she's hungry - If your baby is intensely crying because she is hungry, chances are she is swallowing a lot of air. It's a good idea to feed your baby before she is hungry to avoid intense crying. It is very hard to nurse or bottle feed a baby when they are crying and hungry.
Help him get his gas out - Hold your baby in an upright position with his back against your belly with one hand, with your other hand hold his leg up so that his knee is against his tummy, or lay him down flat and gently push his legs up to his belly, this should help him push some gas out.
Gripe water - This product is amazing in helping babies with gas and hiccups. It helps babies with hiccups instantly and it takes a few minutes to help the gas.
Massage her belly - This helps break up the air bubbles.
Put a warm towel low on babies tummy - This helps with cramps, in some hospitals when baby has cramps they wrap baby in a warmed up blanket.
Switch bottles - If you're bottle feeding your baby, try switching to a bottle that is made to reduce the air intake.
Burp your baby - In the middle of a feeding and after a feeding, this is great for preventing gas build up. Some moms even burp their baby after every ounce of milk.
A good latch - If baby is not latched on correctly she could be swallowing a lot of air while eating. It's a good idea to make sure your baby is latched on correctly every time you nurse her.
Empty bottle - Make sure you take the bottle away before it is completely empty so that baby doesn't suck in any air.
Change your diet - If you are breastfeeding your baby and he has gas, try changing your diet a little. Foods such as dairy products, beans and chocolate can give baby smelly gas.
As we all know time heals everything, hang in there! All babies get gas, some more than others, just know that you are not alone and eventually the gas will come out. If you've tried everything you possibly can to help your baby with the gas problem and nothing has worked you should call your family doctor and make an appointment.
If you're an old pro or a first time mommy here's a list that might make packing your hospital bag a lot easier.
For mom
Health insurance card - Or your complimentary health insurance papers if you have a private health plan.
Your birth plan - Several copies of it too! Be sure everyone who is with you knows what you want and need.
A bathrobe - One that opens up in the front if you're going to be breastfeeding.
Slippers - With non-skid bottoms if you're going to be walking the halls during labor.
A nursing bra - Makes breastfeeding much easier.
Nursing pads - To keep your shirts clean and avoid getting wet and uncomfortable.
Underwear - A few pairs in case your water breaks or you start bleeding.
Sanitary pads - The hospital will supply some but bring some of your own in case you do not like the ones they provide to you.
Comfortable clothes - You will be more comfortable in your own clothes rather than the hospital gowns.
Warm socks - Hospitals like to keep the rooms cool and dry so the floors will be cold.
Pyjamas - For comfort at night.
Massage oil or lotions - For when you're having back labor, your partner can give you a nice hard back rub to ease some of the pain.
Your pillow - Hospital pillows are not always all that comfortable.
A calling card - If you have family that is far away and you would like to let them know the wonderful news.
Your toiletry kit - For when you take a shower.
A list of people and phone numbers - So you can call everybody and let them know the wonderful news.
Lip balm - For when your lips are dry and cracked.
Hair elastics - For when your in labor your hair will be in the way and it gets very annoying.
Cd player and music - This is great for soothing and relaxing during labor if you're in a lot of pain.
For dad
Comfortable clothes - If you're staying at the hospital overnight.
Toiletry kit - For staying fresh and clean.
A camera with batteries, film or memory cards - This is very important so you can capture all the memories of your babys first moments.
Food and drinks - Especially if your wife or girlfriend is having long labor.
Comfortable shoes - You're going to be on your feet a lot.
Your pillow - Hospital pillows are not all that comfortable.
Pyjamas - If you're staying the night in the hospital.
A tennis ball - For when your wife or girlfriend is having back labor you can roll the ball around her back to help reduce the pain.
Cell phone and charger - It's a lot easier to have a cell phone on hand instead of hooking up a room phone and ending up with a bill in the mail later on.
Money - For the cafe downstairs and some change for the vending machines.
Extra bags - If people bring you gifts you're going to need a place to put them, and you're going to need a place to put the free stuff you get out of the bottom of the baby basket.
Bottles of water - A lot of them because water at the hospital can and most likely will be expensive.
For baby
Diapers - The hospital will provide these but you can bring some if you'd like.
A hat - The hospital will provide one but if your more comfortable with one you bring that's fine as well.
Clothing for when you leave - Make sure it's in season.
Car seat - Most hospitals won't let you leave with your baby unless she's safely strapped into an approved rear-facing infant car seat.
A blanket - To put over the car seat if it's a windy day when you are discharged from the hospital.
Pyjamas - The hospital does provide clothing for your baby while in the hospital but if you want to use clothing that you brought that's fine.
Undershirts - In case the hospital room is a bit chilly.
Scratch gloves - Because you can't cut your babys nails right after birth, use scratch gloves to avoid scratching.
Labor is called labor for a reason, it's hard work! It's painful and it feels like the pain is never going to end, but it is, and that's what you have to remember, the pain will end. If you plan on a natural birth or your not dilated enough to get an epidural here are some great tips for getting through labor.
3 face cloths and a big bowl full of ice water - Soak 3 face cloths in a bowl full of icy water, when the contractions get too strong for you to handle grab a face cloth ring it out and put it on your face. It helps stop the need to scream. Make sure you have three so that you can rotate them.
Scream, let it all out! - It does help. Deep moaning helps as well.
Walk walk walk and walk some more - Walking and moving around helps progress labor. Nothing like good walking to get those stronger contractions going.
Lots of support - Encouraging words from your partner, family, friends or nurses does help out a lot.
Rough hard back rubs - Be sure to pack some lotion because your going to need a good rough hard back rub for when you hit the lower back labor.You can also get your partner to use a rolling pin, it feels amazing and brings the pain level down a lot. You can also use a tennis ball, roll it around the spots that hurt the most.
Darkness - Turn the lights off, it helps you relax.
Rocking - On your bed go on your hands and knees and rock back and forth.
Remember - Remind yourself why your going through this pain. The baby! Keep picturing your baby and what it's going to be like when you see him/her for the first time. Bring an ultrasound picture with you and look at it.
Educate yourself - Read about natural child birth and labor as soon as you can, the more you know the more comfortable you will be when labor begins and you'll know exactly what's going on with your body, knowing all about it makes it less scary when labor starts.
Educate your partner - The more they know, the more they can help.
Talk - Talk to your baby, he can hear you. Labor is just as much work for him as it is for you. Keep telling your baby that everything is going to be fine and that you can't wait to meet him. Tell her that you both will do this together.
Try different labor positions - When you have strong contractions your going to want to move and turn anyway you feel will help you with the pain. Try different labor positions until you feel most comfortable. Here are some positions you should try :
*Walking and leaning will help progress labor, gravity plays a great part in this position, it helps baby move down into the birth canal, walk as much as you can in between contraction and during contractions lean against a wall or lean onto your partner.
*Birthing balls can help open up your pelvis, sitting on a birthing ball gives you a nice break from walking. Make sure you have a partner to help you get on and off the ball safely and for balance.
*Laying down on your side when your too tired to walk, stand or squat, laying down on your side is much better than lying on your back, keep in mind that it might slow your contractions especially if your body is tired. You can also deliver your baby in this position.
*Kneeling over a chair or over your partner's shoulders is a great position when you're having back labor especially if the baby's head is pushing against your spine.
*Rocking in a rocking chair or swaying back and forth will allow your pelvis to open up and help your baby descend. Use gravity as much as you can, it helps so much if your baby just does not want to come down into the birth canal.
*Squatting allows your pelvis to open up wide, which means baby has more room to come into the world. This is a great position to deliver your baby. You can hold onto your partner while squatting for support or there is a squatting bar that attaches to the birthing bed.
*Getting on all fours is a great way to ease the pain of back labor, it allows you to do pelvic tilts which helps with comfort, it also allows your partner a chance to give you a good hard back rub or do counter pressure. You can also deliver in this position.
*Stand swaying in your partners arms helps deal with the early stages of labor. It also helps things get going a bit faster.
Hydrotherapy - Being in nice warm water can help you relax, a lot of women say that it helps reduce the pain and it helps reduce the need for pain medication. This technique also helps your baby rotate to a better position for birth. If possible you can sit in the shower on a chair, lean on the back of the chair with your back facing the water, try to get the water to flow on the bottom of your back as much as possible while leaning forward, hot water on your back will feel great and help reduce your pain if you are having back labor. If you can get an extended shower head you can let the water run over your belly, this is very helpful during labor. Hydrotherapy will reduce your stress, less stress means more oxytocin, more oxytocin means stronger and more regular contractions. If you are in a tub or pool be sure to drink lots of water or suck on ice chips to stay hydrated.
Alright moms, especially new moms and moms to be, here's some tips to help save money.
Breastfeed - It costs absolutely nothing. No formula, no bottles, no liners, and it's the best start on life that you can possibly give your baby. The closeness and bonding that is involved with breastfeeding is unbelievable. The cost of formula these days is crazy. It's $40 for a case of 12 cans of Similac formula, most babies drink about a can a day, so that means you will need to buy 3 cases, which means you will have to spend $120 a month, that's $1440 a year. Then you'd have to spend time mixing the formula, warming it up when baby needs it, sterilizing and washing bottles. Which is time wasted when you could be spending that time nursing your baby, holding your baby, and so many other things. Breast is best and your milk is on demand which is way better than mixing formula, heating it up and washing the bottles.
Cloth Diapers - Yes they can be a bit pricey but in the long run it saves you so much more. For a box of disposable diapers it cost from around $20 to $30 or sometimes even higher depending on the brand, size and amount in the box. $30/month X 12 months = $360. Now let's say your child is potty trained at the age of 3, that's $1080 in diapers.
Baby face cloths - These can be used as reusable baby wipes, just wet them in warm water. They work really great and they reduce the risk of a rash. Baby face cloths sometimes are around $6 for 10, a box of baby wipes is between $15 to $25 depending on the brand and amount inside the box. That's $25/month X 12 months = $300. If your child is potty trained at age of 3, that's $900 in wipes.
Take what you can get - If you have family members who have baby clothes that their child has outgrown, don't be shy, ask for them! Go to yard sales and flea markets, there are usually a lot of baby items at these types of places and they are cheap. Sign up for free customer reward programs, even if you don't shop all that much the reward points do add up.
Shop during the clearance sales - This is the best time to get kids clothes real cheap. Summer clothes go on clearance at the end of summer, at Walmart toddlers summer shirts and shorts are between $3 and $7. If you buy bigger sizes it saves you from buying new summer clothes at the beginning of summer when kids clothes are more expensive. Winter jackets, ski pants, hats, boots, gloves, scarves, etc go on clearance at the end of winter, best time to buy new outdoor winter clothing for the next year. Toys clearance sales are great for buying Christmas and birthday gifts any time of year, who says we can't buy toys and put them away for when the gift days come?
Groceries - Anytime you see a buy 1 get 1 free sale you should take advantage of it. Especially when it comes to food. This is a great time to stock up and save tons of money. You should plan your weekly meals around your local grocery store weekly sales. Always look for meats that are on special, regardless of the best before date, meat can stay in the freezer for months before it goes bad. Use coupons every chance you get, it saves so much money especially if you are on a very tight budget.
Don't buy what you won't need - Yes it's nice to have all of the baby things they have for sale now days, swings, changing tables, crib, strollers, walkers, exercausers, bouncy chairs, high-chairs etc. All of those things are very expensive and how much of that stuff do babies really need? Think of it like this, here are great examples of why you don't need most of the baby things that are so tempting to buy. Why buy a swing when you can hold your baby? Why buy a changing table when you can use your bed, the couch or even a blanket down on the floor? If you are breastfeeding and plan on getting some sleep at night then why buy a crib when you can co-sleep? If you plan on going for walks with your baby try wearing your baby in a kangaroo wrap instead of buying a stroller. Walkers, exercausers, jumpers and other types of toys baby can sit in are very expensive and chances are you won't use them very much. Why not let baby down on the floor with a few toys, it's great tummy time and it let's your baby explore. There are so many things that are out there to buy but you have to ask yourself do you really need it and how much will you use it? Buy a convertible car seat instead of an infant car seat, an infant car seat costs between $100 to $300 or more depending on the brand and type, and you can only use an infant car seat for as long as your baby can fit in it. A convertible car seat on the other hand does cost around the same but you use it for a lot longer and it saves you $100 to $300 on an infant car seat. Buy a high-chair that converts into a booster seat, this will save you between $30 - $100 or more later on.
Make your own baby food - You spend over $80 a month on jars of baby food, why not just make it yourself? The baby bullet cost about $80 and it comes with so much, including a cook book. Making a weeks worth of meals costs around $3 with the baby bullet and you can make a much bigger menu for your baby, the jars of baby food doesn't have that much variety. You can make a months worth of baby food for around $20, come on ladies that is way better than spending $80 a month, great savings!
Cribs & bedding - If you are going to buy a crib, buy one that converts into a toddlers bed, buy a very sturdy mattress because as soon as your baby can stand he/she will start jumping, and most crib mattresses rip easy if you don't buy a sturdy one! There is no need to go out and buy $300 bedding, the only bedding that your baby needs is a fitted sheet for the mattress and a light blanket if the baby needs it. Bumper pads, heavy blankets, pillows, roll-guard cushions, stuffed animals and any other item you might want to place in your baby's crib is unsafe and your baby can suffocate against these objects. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Canada and other child care organizations all agree that crib bedding is dangerous. You can buy fancy bedding later on when baby is old enough to move things away from his/her face.
Babysitters - Babysitters can be very expensive when mommy & daddy want to have a date night, most of the time you end up spending more money on the babysitter then you did on the evening out. Instead make a list of family members who are willing to babysit for free, it will be time they can spend with the baby. Exchange babysitting hours with your friends who have children.
