A Journey Through Infant Development: the Fourth Month

It’s already been four months since our little man joined our family, and I can’t remember life without him. He has been such a joy to have in our family. When I was pregnant and thought about what it would be like, I couldn’t imagine a baby being added to our already busy lives. I look back now and wonder how it was that I found as much joy in life as I do now with another wonderful child. It kind of makes me wonder what other beautiful characteristics could be added to our family with yet another. What am I missing? I won’t go there, though; three children are plenty! Here continue my reflections for my baby boy:

You are so funny! You already know what gets a reaction out of us. You started coughing the other day and I responded with “Oh, you’ve got a bad cough,” in that annoying motherly voice that we adults all use with babies. You found that to be quite hilarious, so you began this silly fake cough that then made me laugh. We had some good laughs about that. The next day I was laying you down for a nap when you looked right up at me and coughed, and then gave me a big smile. You remembered that it made me laugh before, and you threw it out there again. On the same note, you are now becoming quite opinionated. If you don’t like something, you let us know – this horrifying scream comes out of your mouth! It’s not a cry, but a “I’m being attacked” kind of scream. It’s usually for good reason though; like when your sisters are on the attack or when I’m trying to clean out your ears or nose. I guess I don’t blame you – I’d probably scream too. At the beginning of the month, I held you up in front of a mirror and you saw me. You kicked your legs and smiled at me through the mirror. I even saw some gaze shifting as you were looking between me and my image in the mirror. You looked at yourself and didn’t know what you were looking at, so you quickly shifted your gaze back to me. Just a few weeks later I did the same thing, and you looked at me first; but when you caught yourself in the mirror you were quite impressed by the handsome little thing you were looking at, which was evident in your kicks and squeals. This was a big month for strengthening motor skills. Your sense of balance and ability to hold yourself up is getting much better. You can sit with much less assistance now, but not independently. You fold in half once your start to reach for something, and get stuck in that position. I find it quite hysterical, but you aren’t so fond of it. You also rolled over from your stomach to your back for the first time. When it first happened you had a look of shock on your face, as you had no idea what just happened to you. You settled down quickly, though, as you saw the toys that were once behind you were now right above you. The next time you rolled over, there were no toys to stare at; so you cried until your oldest sister was in your face, and you realized you were fine. Then the scream returned. Your reach is getting much better. You are so cute when you are focused on trying to grab something. Your lips round out and your eyes get all buggy. You are concentrating so hard on being able to reach and open those precious little fingers. When you grab on, the look on your face is priceless. You are so proud of yourself! Just achieving this goal is a reward in itself! Feeding you is getting much more difficult. As you are drinking your milk, you will turn to see what is going on around you and forget that you are eating. Once you turn back, you see me, then smile. I of course have to smile back. This then turns into a game. You suck once and then smile. This is fun for about three or four times; but I eventually have to look away so you’ll eat, or we’d be there all day! You love to play with your voice. You are making so many sounds, and playing with the intonations while you make your “oohs” and “ahhs”. Watching these early forms of communication already developing in you is so amazing.

Isn’t it amazing how much develops in an infant in one short month? The best part about having infant development at home is that I can take the early objectives in the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) program and see how perfectly they fit into infant development. What seem like such small achievements are so critical to human development. Can you imagine speech without the use of intonations? It would be boring. Can you imagine communication without the feedback of facial expressions? It would be meaningless. Through RDI®, we start with such foundational objectives so that kids who missed this the first time can have a second chance at developing these critical components of development. I had a family describe these foundational objectives to me this way: “I tell people that my son is a building, and that there are several gaps in the building that are missing. If we don’t do something now, as the building continues to get taller it will become even more unsteady. We need to go back and fill in the gaps so he can have a solid foundation.” This is a great way to look at it, and a wonderful way to summarize the RDI® program.

By: Michelle Vanderheide, BSW  -   About the Author :
  About the Author: Autism specialist Michelle VanderHeide, of the Horizons Developmental Remediation Center, provides practical information and advice for families living with autism and other developmental disabilities. If you are ready to reduce your stress level, enrich your child’s development, and improve your family’s quality of life, get your FREE reports now at ==> www.HorizonsDRC.com

Breastfeeding: Tips to Help You and Your Baby

Breastfeeding has always been recommended as the best nutrition for babies. It has everything that a baby needs and all mothers have the ability to produce it. But as good its benefits are, it isn’t as easy to do. Breastfeeding your baby may seem like a full time job and since it starts out as a huge adjustment for both you and your baby, it may become very difficult for you along the way. Breastfeeding tips that help you through this period is essential and beneficial for you and your baby.

Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for babies because it has all the nutrients that a baby needs, plus the mother’s antibodies to help fight off disease. Also, breastfeeding helps relieve pain from engorged breasts after birth and provides mother and child with quality bonding time.

These breastfeeding tips should give you the best breastfeeding help that you need:

Start Breastfeeding ASAP
One of the most emphasized breastfeeding tips is to start breastfeeding your baby ASAP, preferably within 24 hours after giving birth. If you’re concerned that you haven’t produced adequate milk yet or that your breasts feel swollen and tender, the only thing that would help is to start breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is the only major way to initiate milk production and relieve breast engorgement and pain. So generally, the best breastfeeding help you can get is from your own baby!

Be Patient and Continue Breastfeeding
Possess the most useful attitude all throughout the breastfeeding period–patience. The first weeks of breastfeeding will be difficult. Your baby, used to being fed 24 hours before birth, may need to be fed frequently for the first few weeks. The breastfeeding tip? Be patient and ready to feed your baby around the clock. Soon, you and your baby will adjust to a feeding schedule that works for both of you.

Don’t Stop Breastfeeding
The most difficult breastfeeding tip is probably this, because time will come when you feel like stopping and switching to bottle-feeding instead. You may want to return to work or your baby doesn’t like to breastfeed anymore. Continue to breastfeed even when you’re working by learning how to express your milk. Sometimes, your baby stops breastfeeding when it notices something different about you or your milk, i.e. a different smell. Pinpoint and revert these changes so your baby will go back to breastfeeding.

Avoid Changing Habits
Anything you eat or do may affect your breast milk. So, smoking or drinking can affect the contents of your breast milk and your baby will notice it. So, another breastfeeding tip to take seriously is to avoid eating or doing something that you don’t want to pass on to your baby because either your baby will get ill or will refuse to breastfeed.

Express and Store Your Milk When You Won’t Be Around to Breastfeed
The best breastfeeding tip when you won’t be around is to express your milk into a clean container and freeze it. Label it with the date and time you stored it. Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for 48 hours and up to 3 months in a freezer with a separate door. When de-frosting, put it in the refrigerator for several hours or under cool running water. Never leave breast milk to thaw in room temperature and never refreeze it again. Never use your microwave to warm breast milk and throw out any remaining milk that your baby doesn’t drink.

Never Use a Rubber Nipple to Feed Expressed Breast Milk
When feeding expressed breast milk to your baby, use a spoon or a cup and never a rubber nipple. There’s a huge difference between the nipple and a rubber nipple that your baby will get used to if you expose him/her to it. A spoon or a cup will not satisfy the baby’s need to suck, so your baby will eagerly go back to breastfeeding when you’re available. Do the same when your baby refuses to breastfeed (which happens when your baby is sick or has sensed some changes) so your baby will go back to normal breastfeeding when s/he is ready.

Seek Instructions from Health Professionals
Most mothers will benefit greatly from the breastfeeding help they can get from health professionals, such as a doctor, public health nurse, or breastfeeding counselor. They will teach you the correct way of breastfeeding, more breastfeeding tips and other important details that you need to know.

Your breast milk alone can give your baby 100% nourishment. With the breastfeeding help that we’ve given you through the above breastfeeding tips, plus a little patience and consistency, you can ensure 100% good nutrition for your baby.

By: Sandra Wilson  -   About the Author :
  Check out resources at the Aha! Baby website for more on
breastfeeding help and other
breastfeeding tips.

Top 10 Breastfeeding Myths: Why these simply aren't true plus the genuine truth concerning breastfeeding

This article will discuss the top breastfeeding myths. The continuation of these myths, keep moms from even attempting breastfeeding. It is time to stop the put a stop to the nonsense.



Myth #1: Formula is just as great as breast milk.
Fact: Formula firms have spent a lot of decades advertising and "educating" the public on how amazing their formulas are. And guess what? It has paid off for them . Now, breastfeeding advocates are forced to produce studies and literature to show breastmilk is indeed a much better option for human babies. Yes, today's formulas are considerably far better than some made in past years, but its still an artificial substitute and will never compare to human milk. DHA/ARA? So what! It's been in breastmilk all along. Comfort Proteins? Massive deal, breastmilk is still simpler for humans to digest. Something made by some dude in a labcoat or something you make ON Site for your baby?



Myth #2: Breastfeeding Hurts
Fact: We have all heard the horror stories, bleeding cracked nipples. YIKES. Even so, most women experience no pain or difficulty at all with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding will trigger some tenderness at the beginning. A lot of describe it as feeling like someone is massaging a bruise, an annoying discomfort. If it hurts more than that, an evaluation for breastfeeding problems is in order, with a lactation consultant. Many times simple correcting positioning or latch will help to resolve the difficulty. It really is advised seek assistance for breastfeeding problems from a breastfeeding expert, a board certified lactation consultant.




Myth #3: Breastfeeding makes your breasts sag
Reality: Stop blaming breastfeeding. Pregnancy weight gain, hormonal fluctuations, heredity and age are what makes breasts sag. What you'll be able to do to support this to be minimized would be to wear a supportive bra and exercise to maintain the tone of the skin plus the muscles underneath.




Myth #4: Breastfeeding takes more time than bottle-feeding.
Fact: With breastfeeding you will discover no bottles to prepare or cleanup. Breastmilk is often ready and warm. Breastfed babies may perhaps be nursing additional frequently than a formula fed baby will be bottle feeding, but these frequent feeds are preparation and cleanup totally free. And breastfed babies are not sick as frequently so it will save you lots of time going to the doctor.




Myth #5: Breastfeeding makes babies clingy
Fact: Infants are not manipulative. They have genuine wants to be comforted and to eat. Studies have been completed to prove that the old fashioned CRY IT OUT (CIO) method can literally trigger brain damage. When babies understand that they can trust their needs to be met, they'll grow into happy, independent humans.



Myth #6: You can't get pregnant if you're breastfeeding.
Reality: Breastfeeding is only works as contraception when these factors are present: the baby is receiving nothing but breast milk and nurses regularly particularly at night AND mommy is having NO menstrual cycle. The chance of pregnancy increases greatly when the baby begins sleeping through the night, starts eating solids, and/or when the mother resumes her menstrual cycle. If a mother genuinely does not wish to turn out to be pregnant once more yet, it is wise to use an extra approach of birth control.





Myth #7 Breastfeeding is Natural, you do not will need to take a class.
Reality: Numerous moms believe that the baby will instinctively know the best way to breastfeed after being born. Occasionally babies do know how to nurse but most need to be shown. It's ideal to be well prepared so you can teach the baby if required. And so you'll feel far more confident also. Take a prenatal breastfeeding class, read books, watch videos, join a support group. Soak in as much data as feasible so when the baby gets here you're ready.



Myth #8: Breastfeeding makes you lose weight.
Fact: A nursing mother burns and extra 300 to 500 calories every day. BUT the body will instinctively carry a few additional pounds. (somewhere around 5-8 pounds with most). Breastfeeding will shrink the uterus, causing the tummy to flatten some but if you are watching the scale, those last few pounds might linger. Moderate exercise is fine although breastfeeding but no diet supplements or crash dieting really should be carried out.



Myth #9: Daddy wants to bottle feed or he won't bond
Fact: You will discover lots of methods to bond with a newborn. Soothing, rocking, diapering, and burping the new baby are only a few of these activities. Anyone can aid take care of the baby and enjoy bonding without depriving the baby the food only you'll be able to present. Introducing a bottle too soon can also interfere with latch and milk supply.



Myth #10: You can't take any medications although you're breastfeeding.
Reality: It's surprising how lots of doctors give moms improper information and facts about medications and breastfeeding. Regrettably, it seems the knee jerk reaction for a breastfeeding mom's inquiry is "Oh, just pump and dump until you finish the medication". When in reality, you will find very Few medications not secure while breastfeeding. If you are unsure if the medication you are taking is secure although breastfeeding, then contact your local lactation consultant.

These are just the top 10 circulating, there are many myths out there. Education and support from breastfeeding advocates will assist you discern truth from fiction and prepare you for the awesome job of breastfeeding your child.

By: RobBoykin  -   About the Author :