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We all know that ‘breast is best’, but this doesn’t stop there being a horde of myths in circulation about breastfeeding.
Here are five breastfeeding myths, the most common misconceptions about breastfeeding a baby.
Redheads, blondes and fair-haired women have more sensitive nipples
Sore nipples are caused by a baby not latching on to a mother’s nipples properly and there is no evidence to back up the claim that fair-haired women or redheads have more sensitive nipples than darker-haired women.
Breastfeeding women need to drink milk to make milk
There is absolutely no truth in the claim that women who are breastfeeding their babies need to drink milk themselves to supply milk for their baby. Women who are breastfeeding need to have a healthy, well-balanced diet, which includes some calcium, to make sure their body is receiving all the vitamins, minerals and extra calories it requires whilst she is literally ‘feeding two’.
You need to be calm and relaxed to breastfeed
The saying “you need to be relaxed to breastfeed because stress makes your milk dry up,” is a common piece of advice often given to new mums which happens to be completely untrue.
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There cannot be a more daunting, exciting and often confusing job then becoming a parent. Because of its ups and downs and complexities every parent needs advice and support.
But without wanting to look like they aren’t ‘coping’, or not wanting to keep ‘nagging’ their midwife or health visitors, many parents’ concerns, worries and questions often go unanswered.
This is where a useful baby app, the My Baby Today app may help. It’s an app that parents can turn to 24 hours a day, seven days a week for advice and support on practically any baby-related issue.
My Baby Today has been developed by BabyCenter and can be downloaded for free at iTunes. This intuitive app provides parents with various tools and information aimed at helping parenthood run smoothly.
The app includes a personalised daily calendar of your baby’s development, a useful checklist and reminders, which parents can update to cater for their individual requirements and a photo album so that parents can visually record those magical milestones and moments,
The useful baby app also answers to virtually all “Is this normal?” questions, extensive information on the health and safety issues regarding babies, advice on feeding and care, ideas and tips on how mums should take care of themselves after having a baby, suggested activities for babies at various ages each week, as well as reasons to laugh and celebrate!
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The transition from baby to toddler can cause a new set of problems in the sleep department. While babies are effectively trapped in their cots, toddlers can get up out of their bed, walk around the house and make absurd demands at unreasonable hours.
Is your toddler waking too early? You may find the following three techniques aimed at teaching your toddler to rise at a more reasonable hour helpful.
The ‘Wake-to-sleep’ technique
The ‘wake-to-sleep’ technique essentially involves rousing your toddler ever so slightly from a deep sleep an hour before their usual waking time and then leaving him to resettle. The theory is that if your child normally wakes at 5am, set your alarm and rouse him gently at 4am, just enough that he is disturbed from a deep sleep but able to settle, so that it disrupts his sleep pattern and he won’t wake at his usual early time.
After three days of using this technique, your toddler, in theory, should not wake at such a disrespectful hour.
Teach your toddler when it is the morning with the ‘morning clock’
Buy a ‘morning clock’ that is specifically aimed at tackling the problem of early waking toddlers.
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Placing a baby monitor in your infant’s nursery is a great way to monitor your baby and give you peace of mind. Although because there are literally hundreds of baby monitors on the market, knowing which one to buy can be mind boggling to say the least.
If you are on the market for a baby monitor and are struggling to know which one to buy, in our baby product review we’ve located three monitors that have received great reviews from parents.
BT Baby Monitor 150
The BT 150 Monitor features digital DECT technology and hi-definition sound, meaning that all noise being transmitted by the monitor is crisp and clear. Suitable from birth upwards, this sophisticated monitor has a parent talk-back function and voice recording, meaning you can talk and sooth your baby without physically being there.
The monitor also features an adjustable nightlight, multiple polyphonic lullabies and a room temperature monitor – Quite a device for just £56!
Angelcare AC401 Baby Movement Sensor Pad and Sound Monitor
This under-the-mattress sensor pad has received great reviews from parents. This highly sensitive monitor, which has variable sensitivity settings, traces your baby’s every move, including light breathing and if no movement has been detected for 20 minutes, an alarm will sound to alert parents.
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According to HealthyEyes.org more than a third of parents with children aged from five to 16 have not had their child’s eyes tested in the last five years.
Even if there is no family history of eye problems, or your child has not complained of blurred vision or other sight problems, an eye check in young children is essential to maintain the health of their eyes.
It is important that children have good vision as it can help them reach their optimum ability at school, in sports, friendship and learning.
If you are unsure about how to conserve your child’s eye health, below are several facts and tips on how to maintain healthy eyes in children
* In the UK every child under the age of 16 is entitled to free eye tests on the NHS.
* The National Screening Committee (NSC) recommends that all children should have their eyes tested once between the ages of four and five.
* If there is a family history of wearing glasses, it is recommended that you take your child for an eye test by the time he/she reaches three years old.
* Children should have an eye examination at least once every two years and even more if they have an existing eye condition.
* If your child is experiencing problems learning to read and write, or is underachieving at school, it is advised that he/she should have an eye test at any age, as poor vision is one the leading factors that can cause academic problems.
* A really good tip on how to maintain healthy eyes in children is to ensure that your child has enough light when drawing, writing, painting or doing their homework, as poor light conditions means that we have to strain our eyes.
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