My baby scale is always dry what would you recommend?
I just want to also let you all know that the information about the ear infection was very helpful because this was my baby first ear infection and i was also told by my ped to use antibotics and she is better but i didn't know how it happen. i want to also know whats the difference between rice and cereal i just stared her on cereal and someone gave me rice is that the same thing. I also told by my ped to start feeding the cereal to her with a baby spoon. She is getting the hang of it but is still drinking alot more milk.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice
Rice is easier on the stomach. Doesn't cause as much gas. The worst I have found was the Mixed, talk about fussy kids! LOL!!
Ear infections are caused mainly by sinuses, that's when my kids tend to get them. There is a vaccine for ear infections, I got it for my twins, they are 4 now and have had 1 ear infection. And it was minor. I just used Homeopathic ear drops. No antibiotics needed. But with a severe one, deffinately take her to the doc!
You want to feed rice cereal until your baby is at least one year old - read the detailed ingredient label to make sure. Some cereals can contain wheat (e.g., oatmeal is often contaminated with wheat) which should be absolutely avoided for the first year due to its allergy potential. At 5 mos (and up to a year) the milk (ideally breastmilk) should be the primary source of nutrition for an infant. Many infants don't take to solids right away. Solids at this time (and up to one year of age) is really to just get them used to food in another form and texture. So, it sounds like you're totally on track. UNfortunately, ear infections are quite common. Dr. Block has developed a methodology for helping to drain the ears to avoid the infections that parents themselves can learn: http://www.blockcenter.com/ADD_ADHD/Ear_Respiritory_Infec...
That webpage also discusses some common causes include pacifier use and food allergies.
If the link doesn't work just go to www.blockcenter.com and click on the box on the left "Ear and respiratory infections".
We had a good friend whose baby had it and needed the helmet. Insurance took care of the majority, but the risks if it's not fixed can be great. Also, it turned out the babies neck was weak (which is why she always lay to the side flattening her head)
dry scalp: I also used the baby oil gel and massaged it in with a soft brush
rice & cereal: should be the same thing
feeding cereal: I didn't feel like my son got much out of the cereal thing (we started him at 6 months) for a long time. I think it's getting them used to the concept. He got almost all of his food from the bottle for many more months, but when he got into the cereal and other first foods, man he got into them!
Good luck with you little punkin!!
Babies thrive best when they are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 mon of life. Once you start on infant cereals there are several kinds, rice being one of them and usually reccomended as their first because it is easily digested. You can also give millet, barley, oats, quinoa, and basically any grain can be made into a baby cereal (hold off on wheat until at least 8 months). You want to give at least 3-4 days in between introducing new foods, cereals or fruits and veggies. But you babies main sustinence should be Breast milk (or formula) until they are at least 9-10 months, the early solids help develop the muoth muscles for later when they are eating mostly solids. It is important to keep breastfeeding even when you have started solids, because breastfeeding is more than just for nurishment, it also provides bonding and comfort for your baby. Try reading "The Womanly Art oF Breast Feeding" & "Super Babyfood" both good resources for anything you want to know about feeding your baby Healthy food. Oh, and as far as the dry scalp there is a product at walmart or target by the brand Gentle Naturals (Disney Baby) called Cradle Cap Care (http://www.gentlenaturals.com/products/cradle_cap.cfm) one use was enough to clean my babies scalp up for good. My sister in law uses it for her dry skin and it is the only thing that works for her severe scales (she has even had prescriptions not work as well as this stuff). The best part is that it is all natural so you are not putting harsh chemicals on your babies precious head.
My almost 3 month old had cradle cap too, and I used a brand new nail brush to gently lift up the dry skin right after baths, and it worked awesome. I had to keep doing it a few more times, but after a few times it didn't come back. I checked with the pediatrition, and she said that was exactly right.
I assume you meant scalp - not scale.... If so, I use baby oil gel on my baby's head. Gently rub it in before bathtime and wait a few minutes. Then brush gently in a circular motion with a soft baby brush. Rinse. This gave immediate results when my baby got "cradle cap". Good luck!
As far as dry scalp, are you sure it's not cradle cap? If that's the case, then try a diluted dandruff shampoo.
As for feeding, 5 months is younger than the American Academy of Pediatrics advises for solids (despite this doctors and nurses still hand you a Gerber pamphlet!!)
Your baby is not ready for solids until she's sitting up unaided, has lost her thrust reflex (pushing food out with her tongue) and is reaching for and interested in food.
I assume you meant scalp? I use Mustela baby shampoo (get at babies r us) and Avenno baby wash/shampoo for my twins. We just finished our 1st and only bottle of the Mustela Shampoo and they are 10 months old. They get a bath every other day for sure and sometimes everyday (just depends how the day is going) and it lasted that long!
There are several different types of cereal as someone else mentioned. Everyone is going to have opinions on when you should feed when (veggies, fruit, cereal, etc.) But do what feels right to you. You are the mom! We just kind of went with the flow with our twins and when we were ready we did solids. We still aren't ready for actual table food so we are holding off on that, but we do like the puffs and other stuff to help them with learning to feed themselves! Your baby will still continue to drink the same amount of milk. I think after a month or so on rice cereal and solids we decreased each bottle by 2 oz (which made their bottles 6 oz each).
Good luck and congrats!
My daughter had cradle cap.....baby oil works well. I also found petrolium (ms) jelly to be helpful, but it is VERY hard to wash out and my daughter HATED baths until she could sit up on her own. I washed her hair 5 times one night trying to get the jelly out, but it (or the process) moistened her scalp enough to get all those scales off.
My daughter is one year old and just barely starting to wing off breastmilk. I've found a GREAT book that answers alot of questions that I've had! It's 'Baby 411'. The index is very easy to use. You don't have to read the entire book through to have it be helpful but I did because it's sooo easy to read; plus I needed something to read while pumping at work. It has chapters that hit on ALL the things you've listed. It has a table about how much breastmilk/formula a baby should have throughout the different months until cow's milk is introduced after one year.
GOOD luck, L.!
