A young baby is aware of a lot more then we used to think in the past. In fact some of the capabilities of very young children are astonishing. In the “Good Old Days” people thought that a newborn was almost blind. They thought a baby couldn't focus and was more or less colorblind. Meaning that a newborn is only aware of a fuzzy colorless world. We know now that this is not the case.
A newborn is not that little being focused only on himself and his own needs, like hunger, thirst, and other discomfort. From day 1 a newborn is fairly alert, interested and aware of what is happening in his surroundings. He is capable of experiencing and very interested about what is going on is his world. Contrary to old beliefs a baby is able to focus on objects and people that are about 10 inches away. Things that are closer of further away are out of focus, if this were different our newborn would be highly intimidated by the multitude of stimuli. If a child can see color from the moment its born is still unknown, but chances are that he can. And if not he or she will learn in a very short while.
A natural preference for faces
So your baby sees the same things you see, but of course has no idea about its meaning. That's something he has to learn. Still very young children have a clear cut preference for certain objects. He or she will stare (or gaze if you will) to more complicated and will show more interest to moving then to static objects. This is one of the reasons your face is so enormously interesting to him. The eye contact that he is capable of during the first few days is very important for the development of his social skills.
Your baby is programmed so to speak to find your face attractive and inviting. As his interest in your face grows, his interest in the rest of the human species will grow with it.
It takes about 8 months before your baby is really capable of recognizing your face, at that point he or she will temporarily be scared by unfamiliar faces.
Linfa, mother of two is an inspired author of http://www.baby-strollers-guide.com/ and http://www.baby-product-guides.com/
What To Do If Your Newborn Has Jaundice?
Don't panic if your doctor tells you that your newborn baby has jaundice. Jaundice in a newborn baby is a common condition.
Most newborns have normal physiological jaundice and in very rare cases is the jaundice due to serious liver disorders.
Why my baby?
The blood cells in your baby's body are broken up into a yellow pigment called bilirubin. The level of bilirubin needs to be kept normal by the liver and kidneys by excreting it in the baby's poop. But the liver of a newborn baby is not very mature. So bilirubin levels rise in the blood causing yellow pigmentation of the skin.
More than 90% of newborn babies are affected by normal physiological jaundice. So relax. This type of jaundice is seen usually on second or third day of the baby's life and disappears by the 7th or 10th day.
How to tell if your baby has jaundice
Yellow discoloration of the skin and the white of the eye is the key symptom of jaundice. Your baby may also be sleepier than usual. This could be normal physiological jaundice especially when it appears 3-4 days after birth.
Monitor your baby after 1 or 2 days of his birth. You can diagnose jaundice in the newborn baby by doing a very simple test. Press your fingertip against your baby's forehead or nose tip. If it appears white, you have nothing to worry about. If a yellowish color appears, it is time to call your doctor. A blood test might be needed to confirm that there are no specific causes for the jaundice.
More on jaundice in the newborn
Normal physiological jaundice does not affect baby's general health.
Breast milk can also produce jaundice in a few babies. However, the pros of breastfeeding outweigh the condition and you will probably be advised continue breastfeeding.
Premature babies are more prone to developing jaundice. Blood group incompatibility between you and your child can also produce jaundice.
When jaundice is a cause for alarm
If jaundice appears within 24 hours of birth and persists for more than 14 days, it could be pathological jaundice due to a liver condition. Other pointers include baby's refusal to feed, dark yellow urine, pale or clay colored poop and a weak and irritable baby. Call your doctor immediately if you detect any of these warning signs.
How your baby will be treated
Normal physiological jaundice in your newborn does not require any special treatment. Adequate fluid intake is essential. Breast feed your baby at least 8-12 times a day.
A mini sunbath might be recommended. You may be asked to put your baby's crib near the window that gets the maximum sunlight. Make sure you protect baby's eyes and limit exposure to direct sunlight. Follow the instructions from your caregiver.
In case of severe jaundice, phototherapy or bililight therapy will be used. Your baby will be exposed to artificial light, which can decrease the bilirubin levels.
Most newborn babies have jaundice. In some, it so mild that it goes unnoticed and in some babies it may worsen to produce symptoms.
Detecting the symptoms early does help. So do keep a close watch on baby (as if you need telling). If your newborn is diagnosed with jaundice, you now know what to do.
This article has been provided by ParentingSurvivalGuide.com. Please visit our web site at http://www.ParentingSurvivalGuide.com to discover more articles.
Most newborns have normal physiological jaundice and in very rare cases is the jaundice due to serious liver disorders.
Why my baby?
The blood cells in your baby's body are broken up into a yellow pigment called bilirubin. The level of bilirubin needs to be kept normal by the liver and kidneys by excreting it in the baby's poop. But the liver of a newborn baby is not very mature. So bilirubin levels rise in the blood causing yellow pigmentation of the skin.
More than 90% of newborn babies are affected by normal physiological jaundice. So relax. This type of jaundice is seen usually on second or third day of the baby's life and disappears by the 7th or 10th day.
How to tell if your baby has jaundice
Yellow discoloration of the skin and the white of the eye is the key symptom of jaundice. Your baby may also be sleepier than usual. This could be normal physiological jaundice especially when it appears 3-4 days after birth.
Monitor your baby after 1 or 2 days of his birth. You can diagnose jaundice in the newborn baby by doing a very simple test. Press your fingertip against your baby's forehead or nose tip. If it appears white, you have nothing to worry about. If a yellowish color appears, it is time to call your doctor. A blood test might be needed to confirm that there are no specific causes for the jaundice.
More on jaundice in the newborn
Normal physiological jaundice does not affect baby's general health.
Breast milk can also produce jaundice in a few babies. However, the pros of breastfeeding outweigh the condition and you will probably be advised continue breastfeeding.
Premature babies are more prone to developing jaundice. Blood group incompatibility between you and your child can also produce jaundice.
When jaundice is a cause for alarm
If jaundice appears within 24 hours of birth and persists for more than 14 days, it could be pathological jaundice due to a liver condition. Other pointers include baby's refusal to feed, dark yellow urine, pale or clay colored poop and a weak and irritable baby. Call your doctor immediately if you detect any of these warning signs.
How your baby will be treated
Normal physiological jaundice in your newborn does not require any special treatment. Adequate fluid intake is essential. Breast feed your baby at least 8-12 times a day.
A mini sunbath might be recommended. You may be asked to put your baby's crib near the window that gets the maximum sunlight. Make sure you protect baby's eyes and limit exposure to direct sunlight. Follow the instructions from your caregiver.
In case of severe jaundice, phototherapy or bililight therapy will be used. Your baby will be exposed to artificial light, which can decrease the bilirubin levels.
Most newborn babies have jaundice. In some, it so mild that it goes unnoticed and in some babies it may worsen to produce symptoms.
Detecting the symptoms early does help. So do keep a close watch on baby (as if you need telling). If your newborn is diagnosed with jaundice, you now know what to do.
This article has been provided by ParentingSurvivalGuide.com. Please visit our web site at http://www.ParentingSurvivalGuide.com to discover more articles.
Are You Looking to Create the Next Great Genius?
Here are some ideas to get you on your way to helping your baby's mental and physical capabilities!
1. Read to your baby.
2. Massage your baby each night before he or she goes to bed.
3. Play classical music.
4. Spend time singing to your baby.
5. Look your baby in the eye and just talk to him or her about anything fun, positive!
6. Allow your baby to spend time exploring his or her toys and environment uninterrupted.
7. Play videos that show and tell what basic objects are. You may want to create your own video pointing out household items.
8. Take your baby to the park and allow he or she to observe his or her surroundings.
9. Bring your baby around other adults and children to enhance social skills.
10. Put money aside for programs such as this GeniusMaker
1. Read to your baby.
2. Massage your baby each night before he or she goes to bed.
3. Play classical music.
4. Spend time singing to your baby.
5. Look your baby in the eye and just talk to him or her about anything fun, positive!
6. Allow your baby to spend time exploring his or her toys and environment uninterrupted.
7. Play videos that show and tell what basic objects are. You may want to create your own video pointing out household items.
8. Take your baby to the park and allow he or she to observe his or her surroundings.
9. Bring your baby around other adults and children to enhance social skills.
10. Put money aside for programs such as this GeniusMaker
Are you suffering from mommy burnout?
For those of you experiencing "Mommy Burnout" as Mother's Day fast approaches consider reading the following link:
Mommy Burnout!
And by the way, Happy Mother's Day!
How to Get Your Toddler to Go to Sleep
Listen closely to the advice, create a plan, follow through with it come hell or high water and it will work in time! Trust me. I created my own plan similar to this some months ago and years ago (I have four sons) and it works! The only people who have problems following this advice are those who aren't doing exactly what they are told, those with children who have some kind of illness, and those who can't seem to get everyone in the household to conform their routines so that the younger children can get to bed on time. So here's to those of you who want your child in bed and out of your hair!
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