Parents Center-Developmental Milestone: Separation and Indenpendence (birth to 12 mo.)

Separation and independence
As a newborn, your baby has no sense of himself as an individual; he thinks that the two of you are one and doesn't realize that the tiny hands and feet waving before him are his own. Over time, though, as your growing baby develops physically and mentally, he'll gradually figure out that he's his own little person, with his own body, thoughts, and feelings. Of course, he'll also want to do things his own way.

When it develops
Your baby's sense of individuality will take years to develop. At around 6 or 7 months, your baby begins to realize that he's separate from you and that you can leave him alone. This is when separation anxiety usually kicks in, and it can last well into the second year.

But once your child becomes more social, and more confident that you will, in fact, come back for him when you leave him at daycare or with a sitter, he'll be able to move forward and forge his own identity. By the toddler years, his growing independence may have blossomed enough to cause some problems: Wanting things "my way" is at the heart of many temper tantrums.

How it develops
1 to 6 months
Until his half birthday, your child will completely identify with his primary caregiver. Working on gaining control over his basic movements and reflexes, he can't even think about the process of forming his own identity during those first few months. His primary concern is filling his immediate needs for food, love, and attention.

You may start to notice the first signs of budding independence at about 4 months, when your baby discovers that he can cry to get your attention. That's one of the first steps in learning that he has an independent will and that how he behaves can have an impact on others — namely you.

A famous British study shows exactly how unaware babies are of their own existence. Researchers placed several infants under the age of 1 in front of a mirror to see whether they understood that the reflections were images of themselves. They didn't. Each baby would pat his mirror image, behaving as if he were seeing another baby. And when researchers dabbed red rouge on a baby's nose and plopped him back in front of the mirror, he always tried to touch his reflection's nose, not his own.

7 to 12 months
At around 7 months your baby will realize that he's independent of you. While this is an exciting cognitive milestone, this new understanding of separateness can make him anxious. He knows that you can leave him, but he doesn't know that you'll always come back, so he's likely to burst into tears when you leave, even for a minute.

Resist the urge to sneak away when his back is turned — when you leave him at daycare, for example. It won't help him cope, and it may just make him more afraid that you aren't coming back. Hard as it can be, say goodbye and go while he's watching.

13 to 24 months
Your baby is now making progress in differentiating himself from you and from the world around him. In the same British study mentioned above, researchers put rouge on the noses of children about 21 months of age. When these babies looked in the mirror, they touched their own noses; they understood that the reflections in the mirrors were images of themselves.

Your 2-year-old may still get upset when you leave him at daycare or with a sitter, but he'll recover more quickly now because he's more secure. Experience and his budding memory skills have taught him that you'll come back after being gone for a while. You've built his trust by continually showing him that you love and care for him.

It's also this trust that gives him the confidence to assert himself. His insistence on wearing those green pajamas for the fifth night in a row, eating only certain foods, and climbing into his car seat by himself are all signs of his increasing independence.

25 to 36 months
Between the ages of 2 and 3, your toddler will continue to struggle for independence. He'll wander farther away from you as he goes exploring, and he'll continue to test his limits (coloring on the walls, for example, even if you tell him not to). In fact, "I can do it myself" is probably one of the most common refrains you'll hear from your older toddler.

Your role
Your child needs a secure attachment to you before he can move away and explore his world. Consistently give him love and support, and he'll build the confidence he needs to strike out on his own. Beginning when he's an infant, respond immediately to your baby's cries. Build that crucial bond by feeding him when he's hungry, changing his diapers when they're dirty, and smiling and talking with him when he's alert.

You can play games with your baby to enhance his understanding of separation and return (so he learns not to panic when you leave him for a while). For example, play peekaboo by covering your face or ducking behind a piece of furniture, or hide a toy beneath a blanket and find it together. Not only do these games teach a lesson, the interaction fosters his sense of closeness to you.

To develop independence, your child needs to test his limits and explore his surroundings, so provide him with a safe home environment. Instead of running around saying "no" every time he touches something that could harm him, keep dangerous objects out of his reach and plenty of safe ones within it.

Encourage independence and a growing sense of self by giving your child choices and things he can do on his own. A choice between two outfits, snacks, or afternoon activities allows your child to think for himself, and having him drink from a cup or put his toys back into their container shows him he's learning to help himself.

Keep in mind that just because your child is starting to break out on his own doesn't mean he'll require less of your comfort and love. While he may grow less needy, he still craves your constant care. Encourage him any time he tries something on his own, but don't push him away when he runs back to you for support. He'll want and need your reassurance for a long time to come.

When to be concerned
Although separation anxiety is normal for babies between 9 and 18 months, you should consult your child's doctor if his anxiety becomes so overwhelming that he's unable to do anything without you by his side, or if he's inconsolable even after you're long gone from his presence.

What comes next
With age comes greater independence and self-awareness. Each year will bring more things that your child will want to do on his own. As your child gets older, he'll become more knowledgeable about himself and the scope of his abilities. Future developments include the ability to prepare his own food, make friends, and go to school.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Our Pavorite Children's Music (birth to 12 mo.)

Do children enjoy music?

Do you? Yes, children enjoy music as much as you do. Whether or not playing it actually makes infants and toddlers smarter, as some studies claim, is hard to support. But who cares? Music is supposed to make life better and if smiles, gurgles, and waving fists are any indication, it mostly works for the younger set.

There's another benefit to music: By associating it with bedtime you can use it to train your child to sleep. Since this goal is at the top of most parents' wish list, it isn't surprising that the most popular children's music is the lullaby. Still, when the occasion calls for more rousing music, you have plenty to choose from (see below).

What music should I try?
Some of our favorite music for babies include the following:

Til Their Eyes Shine (Sony Music)
These lullabies are sung by Laura Nyro, Gloria Estefan, Carole King, and other well-known female musicians. Although nothing is guaranteed to send every child to sleep, these voices are sure to make the transition more pleasant.

Daddies Sing Goodnight (Sugar Hill Records)
Many kids prefer Daddy's singing voice. This collection of bedtime ballads sung by Leon Redbone, Doc Watson, Jonathan Edwards, and others adds some delightful variety to any lullaby collection.

Happiness Cake, by Linda Arnold (A&M Records)
A compilation of songs to delight even the youngest kids.

Rainbow Sign (Rounder Records)
A lively collection produced by an eclectic mix of artists including Arlo Guthrie, Michael Doucet, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. The songs range from the traditional "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep" to the more rousing "Unite Children," protesting racism and greed.

Sleep, Baby, Sleep, by Nicolette Larson (Sony Music)
This collection, subtitled "quiet tunes for quiet times," delivers just what it promises. Accompanied by such folk-rock notables as Graham Nash, David Crosby, and Linda Ronstadt, Larson croons sweet songs that are complex enough to please a parent's more demanding tastes, too.

Wee Sing Sing-Alongs (Price Stern Sloan)
All those old-time favorites whose words you've forgotten come to life again in this collection. A helpful booklet with each song's lyrics accompanies the tape.

Baby Beluga, by Raffi (MCA Records)
Led off by an ode to a baby whale, these songs — like all of Raffi's music — are very much in tune with what amuses young children.

Diddy Bop Dinosaur, by Gary Lapow (Springboard Records)
Lapow's catchy tunes get you laughing and singing along. Some of his songs carry welcome messages, such as his "Look in a Book."

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Music And Your Baby (Newborn to 1 year)

Can listening to music benefit my child?

Definitely. Think about how music affects you — how an upbeat tune fends off the blues and soft music helps you fall asleep. Your baby is no different. Lullabies have a proven track record for soothing infants — ask any parent who has resorted to singing them when the baby wakes up at 2 o'clock in the morning. "I remember rocking my son to sleep to the tune of 'Snuggle Up,' " says Rich Ham-Kucharski of Canton, Michigan, father of Alex. "When we didn't play music, he would fight sleep."

Music may even help strengthen premature babies. Researchers from Brigham Young University studied the effects of music on 33 premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo. Cassette players piped voices of men and women singing lullabies into each baby's isolette for 40 minutes a day for four days. When doctors examined the babies on the fourth day, they found that babies who were exposed to music gained more weight, and had lower blood pressure and a stronger heartbeat.

Music can benefit you, too. It has the power to lift your spirits, soothe your frayed nerves, and move you to dance. And music helps with bonding. Imagine the joy you'll share with your child when you sway to the beat of a lovely melody (try Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life"). Or how soothing it will be for you and your baby when you sing him a lilting lullaby ("Hush Little Baby" is always a winner).

Can music make my baby smarter?
The jury's still out on this question because not much research is available. Some experts claim that learning to play an instrument makes kids smarter in math, but that conclusion is based on research that focused on older children, not babies and young toddlers. For instance, one study found that piano lessons may enhance children's spatial reasoning skills (the ability to understand three-dimensional space), but experts tested only 3- and 4-year-olds.

Babies seem to be able to tell a melody from speech, even if they aren't sophisticated enough to know anything about music. For example, Norman Weinberger, a cognitive sciences and psychology professor at the University of California at Irvine, says in one study, babies as young as 4 months old seemed to know when researchers played the "Happy Birthday" song incorrectly.

What are the best ways to make music a part of my child's life?

• Instead of the television, make the stereo, or a musical instrument, the most important fixture in your home. "You're sowing a seed," says Rosalie Pratt, a professor of music medicine at Brigham Young University. Dance around with your baby to a jazzy tune, and snuggle in for a love song. Think of your family's daily life as a movie that needs a soundtrack. Having songs playing all the time will help cultivate your child's interest in music, she explains, so that as he grows, he'll have an ear for it.

• Play music at bedtime. Associate specific songs with the end of the day to train your child to sleep. Keep the sound and tempo slow, and the room darkened. But avoid putting on a go-to-sleep tape and leaving the room so your baby can fall asleep to it. "When the songs end, your baby may wake up and need you to come in to start the music up again," says psychologist Jodi Mindell, a Philadelphia pediatric sleep expert and author of Sleeping Through the Night: How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night’s Sleep. Instead, play a few songs for your child then turn the tape or CD player off before he falls asleep.

• Sing to your baby. Don't worry about how you sound — your child won't critique your technique and will love the effort and attention. Your renditions shouldn't be limited to lullabies — sing songs during playtime, too. Stack a tower of blocks and knock it down as you croon "London Bridge." Even a simple game of peekaboo can become musical theater when you sing the words out loud. Make funny faces and gestures to keep your child engaged.

• Let your child make his own music. Your child may also enjoy banging on a drum, piano, or xylophone, but only for the fun of it at this age. Children don't benefit from playing an instrument until they're at least 3 years old. That's when brain circuits for music training begin to mature.

Is there a type of music that's best for a child?
Let your personal preferences be your guide. If you like classical music and your baby appears to enjoy it too, go with that. Play your favorite songs (schmaltzy or not), or spice things up with Brazilian or African tunes. Anything with a good melody will do, although slow songs may work best for bedtime and fast ones for playtime.

You may want to stay away from head-banging rock, grunge music, or rap. Animal studies show that constant exposure to chaotic, discordant music alters the brain's structure, says Dr. Pratt. Even plants seem to abhor this type of music. Pratt says ivy growing on a home where classical music was played all day long flourished better than that on houses where occupants blasted hard rock. When it comes to playing tunes for your kids, think cheerful and simple.

The bottom line
Your goal should be to cultivate a love for music in your child, not to create the next Mozart. It should be about having fun and exposing your child to new sounds and rhythms.

Take your cues from your baby. Does he seem to enjoy what you play for him? Does he become animated when you belt out a certain tune? Follow his lead, and chances are you'll raise a music lover for life.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Breasts Leak Or Spray Milk (birth to 12 mo.)

What is it?
Leaking or spraying breasts are a natural, though sometimes embarrassing, part of breastfeeding. (Many moms-to-be start leaking during pregnancy.) Some women never leak milk, while others leak a little at almost every feeding. Mornings — when your milk supply is at its peak — tend to be leaky for many women throughout nursing.

What causes it?
Your breasts leak when they become so full of milk that they overflow or when your letdown reflex kicks in unexpectedly.

What can I do about it?
There's no surefire way to avoid leaking or spraying, although nursing before your breasts become too full does help. If you're really producing far too much milk in the early days of nursing, be sure to nurse often and to experiment with different positions. While you won't actually produce less milk, you'll soon establish a breastfeeding rhythm that's best for you and your baby.

You can't control your milk overflow, but you can plan for it. If one breast always leaks when your baby is nursing on the other, put a cloth or breast pad inside your nursing bra ahead of time. When you're out and about, either with or without baby, carry an extra top and breast pads (stick them in your diaper bag or purse) or wear prints that are likely to camouflage a milk stain. If you feel letdown happening at an inopportune moment, cross your arms and hug yourself, pressing gently against your breasts. This may stop the unexpected flow.

Finally, do wear nursing pads inside your bra, but make sure you change them when they get damp so bacteria won't breed on your nipples.

How long will this go on?
You'll probably leak the most during your first few weeks of nursing, while you're establishing the right milk supply for your baby. Many women find that the problem goes away almost completely over the first six to ten weeks of breastfeeding.

In the meantime, as you and your baby figure out a mutually satisfying system of supply and demand, remember that your leaking breasts are a sign of your body's enthusiasm for making milk for your baby.

Can I still nurse?
Yes. In fact, the more often you breastfeed, the less likely your breasts are to overflow.

Will it affect my baby?
No — except that he'll benefit from your increased desire to nurse!

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Breastfeeding: Getting Started (birth to 12 mo.)

How to start breastfeeding
The first time you hold your newborn in the delivery room, put his lips to your breast. Your mature milk hasn't come in yet, but your breasts are producing a substance called colostrum that will help protect your baby from infection.

Try not to panic if your newborn seems to have trouble finding or staying on your nipple. Breastfeeding is an art that requires patience and lots of practice. No one will expect you to be an expert in the beginning, so don't hesitate to ask a nurse to show you what to do while you're in the hospital. (If you have a premature baby, you may not be able to nurse right away, but you should start pumping your milk. Your baby will receive this milk through a tube or a bottle until he's strong enough to nurse.)

Once you get started, remember that nursing shouldn't be painful. Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on. His mouth should cover a big part of the areola below the nipple, and your nipple should be far back in your baby's mouth. If latch-on hurts, break the suction — by inserting your little finger between your baby's gums and your nipple — and try again. Once your baby latches on properly, he'll do the rest.

How often you should nurse
Frequently. The more you nurse, the more quickly your mature milk will come in and the more milk you'll produce. Nursing for ten to 15 minutes per breast eight to 12 times every 24 hours is pretty much on target. According to the latest guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you should nurse your newborn whenever he shows signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, or rooting around for your nipple. Crying is a late sign of hunger — in other words, ideally you should start feeding your baby before he starts crying.

During the first few days, you may have to gently wake your baby to begin nursing, and he may fall asleep again in mid-feeding. To make sure your baby's eating often enough, wake him up if it's been four hours since the last time he nursed. Once your baby becomes alert for longer periods, you can settle into a routine of feeding every one to three hours (less at night as he starts to sleep through).

How to get comfortable
Since feedings can take up to 40 minutes, pick a cozy spot for nursing. Hold your baby in a position that won't leave your arms and back sore. It works well to support the back of your baby's head with your hand, but the position you choose really depends on what's comfortable for you. If you're sitting, a nursing pillow can be a big help in supporting your baby. Don't feed until you and your baby are comfortable because you'll be sitting (or lying) in that position for a while.

What you should eat
A normal healthy diet is all you need while you're nursing. Experts used to recommend that nursing moms get an extra 400 to 500 calories a day, but new research shows that you don't need that calorie boost, says breastfeeding expert Kathleen Huggins, author of The Nursing Mother's Companion. You'll want to maintain a well-balanced diet for your own health, but you don't need to follow complicated dietary rules to successfully nurse your baby.

You may want to limit caffeine, and avoid chocolate, spicy foods, and other irritants that get into breast milk and can bother your baby. Be sure to drink lots of fluids — the oxytocin released by your body while you breastfeed will make you thirsty and help remind you to drink.

Remember that although breastfeeding is natural, it can be difficult in the first days of your baby's life. Take the time to get encouragement and advice from a lactation consultant or friends who have nursed — their support and tips will be invaluable.

Problems you may encounter
Although women have nursed their babies for centuries, breastfeeding doesn't always come easily. Many women face difficulties early on. Some of the most common problems you may encounter in the first six weeks include:

• Engorgement: an overfull breast

• Sore nipples

• Mastitis: a breast infection

Don't suffer in silence. Call a lactation consultant or your doctor (especially if you think you may have a breast infection) if your physical discomfort is getting in the way of nursing properly.

What you may be feeling
Some women adjust to breastfeeding easily, encountering no major physical or emotional hurdles. But many new moms find it hard to learn — so if you're feeling discouraged, you're not the only one.

It's normal to feel overwhelmed by your baby's constant demands in the beginning. If you feel like giving up (or just want professional advice), consider calling an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). These experts in the art of breastfeeding will watch you nurse your baby and make recommendations. You can also talk to your doctor or midwife about any health concerns that may be getting in the way of successful breastfeeding.

Where to get help
Breastfeeding help and support is just a phone call away. La Leche League International, an organization that offers encouragement and support to women who want to breastfeed their babies, can send you information or put you in touch with a La Leche League chapter near you. You can reach LLL headquarters or get advice from LLL's breastfeeding hotline by calling (800) 525-3243. If you attend local meetings, you can meet other new moms and get breastfeeding assistance.

A board-certified lactation consultant can also offer advice on how to breastfeed properly and give you hands-on help. To find one near you, call the International Lactation Consultant Association at (919) 861-5577 or use that association's online lactation consultant finder. You can also call the hospital where you delivered your baby, your doctor or midwife, or your child's pediatrician for a referral

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Breast Preference: Nursing On One Breast Only (birth to 12 Mo.)

Is it normal for a baby to prefer one breast over the other?
Infants, especially newborns, may have periods of preferring one breast to the other. You may notice your baby fussing, pulling away, or simply refusing to suck from one breast. If your baby is refusing to feed from one side, you'll need to pump that breast regularly in order to maintain your overall milk supply. (You may also need to offer the expressed milk you to your baby to supplement his feedings.)

What causes it?
A newborn may struggle to latch on to one breast over the other because of breast engorgement, a difference in the nipple, or poor latch-on technique. An older baby may reject one breast because it has a low milk supply or flow compared to the other breast. You can end up with a low milk supply in one breast if your baby only nurses from one side each feeding and you sometimes forget to switch to the other breast for the next feeding or you frequently begin nursing on the same breast. This is why it's important to remember to alternate breasts at each feeding.

What can I do if my baby won't alternate?
If your baby is very young (under 3 months) try to gently and persistently encourage him to nurse at the less-preferred breast by always offering the shunned breast first, when he's hungriest. The problem with allowing your baby to nurse on one side only is that he may not be able to get enough from just the one breast, and you may lose your milk supply in the other breast if he's not nursing from it regularly.

If you're unable to get your newborn to nurse from both breasts equally, you'll need to protect your milk production by pumping the shunned breast with a fully automatic pump after each nursing session until you're able to get your baby to latch on to that side. (Keep trying!) You'll probably also need to use the expressed milk to supplement your baby's feedings. Seek out the help of an experienced lactation consultant if you're struggling.

If you've been nursing successfully for at least a few months and your milk is well established, you may choose to abide by your baby's preference. If your child is getting enough and her breast preference poses no real adversity for you, you can go along with it. By this time, maintaining your milk production in the shunned breast would probably not be an issue, but you may want to pump milk from it anyway if you're concerned about looking "lopsided." (Your breast will shrink somewhat once it's no longer being nursed or pumped.) If you do start to appear lopsided, don't worry too much — your breasts will usually become even again after weaning.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

How To Tell Whether Your Baby's Getting Enough Breast Milk

How can I tell whether my baby's getting enough breast milk?

During the first couple of weeks, you may wonder if your baby's getting enough milk, especially if he wants to nurse all the time or is fussy after feedings. Because breast milk is digested within a couple of hours of consumption, your baby should seem hungry all the time (that is, every one to three hours) once the first sleepy day or two have passed.

Most newborns want to nurse eight to 15 times a day after the first three to four days of life. Feed your baby as often as he needs it. Schedules have no place in your routine while you're getting breastfeeding under way.

Lactation consultants and pediatricians can tell whether your baby's getting enough milk by how much weight he gains. Newborns normally lose between 5 and 9 percent of their birth weight before regaining it by the time they're 2 weeks old. They should start gaining at least an ounce a day by the fifth day after birth. Have your baby's doctor check his weight if you're concerned.

There are other ways to gauge whether your baby's getting enough milk, and there are signs that he may not be receiving enough. Dehydration in newborns is rare, but it's important to know the signs of a healthy eater so you can alert your pediatrician if anything seems amiss.

Signs that all's well:

• Your baby eats at least every two to three hours or at least eight times a day for the first two to three weeks.

• In the first month, your baby has at least three stools a day and they lighten to a yellowy-mustard color by the fifth day after birth. After the first month, the stools become less frequent. Some babies will even go a day or two between stools.

• He's gaining an ounce a day by the fifth day after birth until at least 3 months of age.

• He wets seven or eight cloth diapers a day, or five to six disposables. Disposable diapers are more absorbent, making it hard to tell when one is wet. If you're not sure, take one off and compare its weight to a dry disposable. A wet one should feel slightly heavier. (Note: Wet diapers alone are not enough to determine whether your baby is getting enough milk. A dehydrated baby can still wet a diaper. Stools and weight gain are the best ways to tell how your baby's doing.)

• You can hear your baby swallowing while nursing (if the room is quiet).

• Your breasts feel softer after nursing.

Warning signs that your baby isn't getting enough
Signs that your baby isn't getting adequate milk usually include most of the following:

• Your baby has lost 10 percent or more of his birth weight in the first five days of life. Remember, it's normal for a newborn to lose between 5 and 9 percent of his birth weight right off the bat. But by the fifth day, he should start gaining at least an ounce a day.

• You rarely hear your baby swallow.

• Your breasts don't feel softer after nursing.

• Your baby is fussy or lethargic much of the time.

• Your baby has dimples in his cheeks or makes clicking noises while nursing.

• Your baby is wetting fewer than six diapers in a 24-hour period after the five days following birth.

• Your baby doesn't have a bowel movement at least once a day or has small, dark stools five days or more after birth.

If you notice any of these signs, call your doctor or a breastfeeding consultant.

One of the hardest things about beginning breastfeeding is feeling confident that you're giving your baby enough milk. Don't hesitate to check in with a nurse or lactation consultant. Typically, you'll feed your baby while the consultant observes you and gives you invaluable tips for breastfeeding success.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Parent Center: Chicken Pox (birth to 12 mo.)

My baby has a spotty red rash all over her chest. Could it be chicken pox?

It could be. Because most babies get antibodies against the virus from their mother while in the womb, it's unusual for a baby to come down with chicken pox during the first year. Those who do tend to have a mild case.

Chicken pox, also called varicella, typically causes an itchy rash that starts out as small red bumps. These bumps quickly change into clear, fluid-filled blisters on a pink base, which eventually become dry brown crusts. New waves of blisters often spring up as the illness progresses.

The rash often appears first on the scalp, face, or trunk. It can then spread over the entire body. Children usually get between 250 and 500 blisters, although it's possible to have just a few.

Your baby will probably be tired and slightly feverish. She may have a loss of appetite and, for a couple of days before the rash appears, a mild cough or a runny nose. Chicken pox usually lasts five to ten days.

How did my baby get chicken pox?
Chicken pox is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which passes from person to person with remarkable ease. If your baby has been exposed to the chicken pox, it usually takes 14 to 16 days for the pustules to appear, although they can show up anytime between ten and 21 days.

People with chicken pox can pass the virus along by touching someone after touching the blisters or coughing or sneezing onto their hand, or by releasing it into the air whenever they sneeze, cough, or even breathe. The virus can also spread from direct contact with the fluid from the blisters before they crust over.

Is chicken pox dangerous?
For healthy babies, chicken pox is usually more of a nuisance than a real threat. On rare occasions, though, even healthy children can develop serious complications from chicken pox, like a bacterial skin infection, pneumonia, or encephalitis, a swelling of the brain.

If your child has chicken pox, call the doctor if she seems sicker than expected, if she develops a fever after the first few days, if the rash spreads to her eyes, or if the skin around the pox becomes swollen, painful, or very red.

If your child has a weakened immune system from a chronic illness such as leukemia or from taking high-dose oral steroids (for asthma, for example), the infection can cause grave complications. Some special protective measures, such as an injection of varicella zoster immune globulin or the varicella vaccine, can only be useful shortly after exposure. If your baby's immune system is compromised, call her doctor at the first sign of chicken pox — or even if she's only been exposed to someone who's sick.

Adults who come down with chicken pox can get very sick and are at risk for such complications as bacterial pneumonia. If you're pregnant and have never had chicken pox, read our article on chicken pox during pregnancy and ask your doctor what precautions you should take and what to do if you've been exposed.

What are shingles?
The same virus that causes chicken pox can cause a painful rash called shingles. When a child has chicken pox, the virus remains in the body and can reappear as shingles many years later. This happens to about 1 in 10 adults who had chicken pox earlier in life.

Is there any way to prevent chicken pox?
Yes. A vaccine has been available since 1995, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children receive the shot at 12 to 15 months of age, with a second dose at 4 to 6 years.

The vaccine causes few side effects in healthy children and keeps more than 95 percent from getting a serious case of chicken pox. The shot isn't recommended if your child has had a severe allergic reaction to gelatin (yes, the stuff that makes Jell-O hold together), the antibiotic neomycin, or — when she's older — a previous dose of the vaccine.

If your baby has cancer or any disease that affects her immune system, has recently had a blood transfusion, or is taking high doses of oral steroids, her doctor will carefully evaluate whether receiving the vaccine would be a good idea.

See our article on the chicken pox vaccine for more information on the pros and cons of the shot.

How should I treat my baby's chicken pox?
Keep your baby home from daycare until all the sores have crusted over to prevent her from spreading the disease and to give her time to recuperate. Unfortunately, children are most contagious the day or two before the rash erupts, usually before parents know their child is sick.

While your baby's recuperating, the most comforting thing you can do is relieve the itching. Give her a cool bath every three to four hours. Sprinkle baking soda or colloidal oatmeal (made specifically for the bath) into the water for added relief. (You can also use uncooked oats. Tie them in a cheesecloth bag and toss it in the tub.) After the bath, put calamine lotion on the itchy spots.

It may seem like an impossible task, but try to keep your baby from picking and scratching her sores, which can slow the healing process. Sores that aren't allowed to heal can leave scars or lead to skin infections such as impetigo. Keeping your baby's nails short can help.

Bring down your baby's fever with the proper dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to your child as it can trigger Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially deadly condition.

If your baby seems really uncomfortable, you might ask her doctor about giving her an over-the-counter children's antihistamine to help reduce the itching.

Doctors can prescribe an antiviral drug called acyclovir to treat chicken pox, but it's not generally recommended for otherwise healthy children. For children with weak immune systems, however, acyclovir can be crucial.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Parent Center: Dry Skin (birth to 12 mo.)

What's making my baby's skin so dry?
Babies and children can get dry skin just like adults do. In fact, because young skin is more delicate, it's more susceptible to becoming dry.

Cold, dry outdoor air and indoor heating can rob skin of its natural moisture in the winter. And if your baby is prone to dry skin, he'll break out in dry patches in the summer as well, because the summer sun, air conditioning, salt water, and the chlorine in pool water can all be drying.

What can I do about my baby's dry skin?
Cut back on bath time
Bathing dries a baby's skin because it removes the skin's natural oils along with the dirt. But as long as you take a few precautions, even daily baths shouldn't be a problem, says Seth Orlow, director of pediatric dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.

Instead of a 30-minute bath, cut bath time down to about ten minutes. Use warm water — not hot — and soap up sparingly. In fact, Orlow suggests using a fragrance-free, soap-free cleanser, which is much less harsh than regular soap.

Let your baby have his playtime in the tub before you wash him, so he won't be sitting in soapy water. And don't leave the cleansing bar floating in the tub. You'll probably want to cut bubble baths out of your baby's routine — or at least limit them to special occasions.

While bath oils may seem like a good idea, they can make the tub dangerously slippery, and most of the oil slides down the drain anyway. Applying an emollient after bathing is a better route.

Slather on the moisturizer
Once you take your baby out of the bath, quickly and lightly dry him with a towel, then apply moisturizer immediately. Applying the moisturizer within minutes of taking your baby out of the tub will seal in the water that's still in his skin from the bath.

As far as moisturizers go, the general rule is the thicker the better. If your baby's skin is still dry even with daily moisturizing, try switching from a lotion to a thicker cream or ointment. You might also want to consider moisturizing twice a day — once after bathing and once during the day.

Don't let salt or chlorine dry on his skin
Chlorine and salt water can both be very drying. After a swim in the pool or ocean, rinse off your baby with tap water, and then apply moisturizer while his skin's still damp.

Keep your baby well hydrated
Dry skin lacks water. Offer your baby plenty to drink year-round to replace the moisture that's evaporating from his skin.

Keep in mind that drinking a lot won't do anything if you don't moisturize as well. It's like pouring water into a bucket with a hole, says Orlow. Without moisturizer to hold in the water, your baby's skin won't properly hydrate.

Run a humidifier
If the air in your home is dry, use a cool mist humidifier in your baby's room.

Protect your baby from the elements
Make sure your baby wears mittens in cold weather to keep his hands from becoming dry and chapped from the cold and the wind. In summer, take steps to protect him from sunburn.

Could dry skin be a sign of some other kind of condition?
If your baby has itchy red patches on his skin, it's possible he has eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. Sometimes even eczema will clear up with regular moisturizing, though, so you needn't rush to the doctor unless the patches don't get better or your baby seems itchy or uncomfortable.

In rare cases, dry skin can indicate a genetic condition called ichthyosis. Ichthyosis shows up as dry skin with scaling and, occasionally, redness. It's also generally accompanied by a thickening of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. If your doctor suspects that your baby has ichthyosis, she'll probably refer you to a dermatologist for treatment.

Should I talk with the doctor about my baby's dry skin?
At your baby's next doctor's visit, ask for recommendations for battling dry skin. Schedule a visit if you think your baby has signs of eczema or ichthyosis (above). Also call for an appointment if your baby's skin doesn't improve with home treatments or you see any signs of an infection, like a yellow discharge or swelling around a crack in his skin.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Parent Center: Eczema (birth to 12 mo.)

My baby has scaly red patches on his skin that seem to be very itchy. What is this ugly rash?
It sounds like eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), a skin rash that often appears in the first year of life. Eczema usually shows up on a baby's forehead, cheeks, and scalp, but it can spread to the arms, legs, chest, or other parts of the body.

Your baby's rash might look like dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made up of tiny red bumps that can blister, ooze, or become infected if scratched. Eczema isn't contagious, but because it's intensely itchy, scratching can be a problem.

What causes eczema?
No one knows for sure, but we do know that the tendency to have eczema is often inherited. So your baby is more likely to have it if you or a close family member has had eczema, asthma, or allergies.

Eczema is not an allergic reaction to a substance, but it can be provoked by allergens in your baby's environment or diet — or in your diet if you're breastfeeding. The rash can also be aggravated by heat, irritants that come in contact with your baby's skin (like wool or the chemicals in some soaps, lotions, and detergents), changes in temperature, and dry skin.

How common is eczema?
About 20 percent of infants and young children have eczema.

It usually starts in infancy, with 65 percent of patients developing symptoms in the first year of life and 90 percent developing symptoms before age 5. In about 60 percent of cases, the condition persists into adulthood, although many babies with the condition improve by the age of 2.

What can I do to treat my baby's eczema?
Taking good care of your baby's skin is crucial. Here are some tips:

• Try to keep your baby's skin from becoming too dry. Talk with his doctor about how often to bathe him. Many experts now believe that daily bathing can be helpful for babies with eczema. Just don't make the water too warm, because very warm water dries out the skin faster than lukewarm water.

Use mild soaps, and wash and shampoo your baby at the end of his bath so he isn't sitting in soapy water. As soon as you get your baby out of the tub, pat his skin dry (don't rub), and then apply plenty of moisturizing ointment, cream, or lotion within the first few minutes.

• Allow your baby's skin to breathe (and not become overheated) by dressing him in smooth natural fabrics, like cotton. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials, which can irritate his very sensitive skin.

• Switch to mild, fragrance-free soaps and shampoos, or those made for sensitive skin. Use mild, fragrance-free detergent for washing your baby's clothes and bedding.

• Rapid changes in temperature can make eczema worse, so try not to let your baby get too hot and then cool quickly, or vice versa.

• Pollen, dust mites, and animal dander can also trigger or worsen eczema. You may want to consult an allergist, who can provide tips on how to reduce allergens in your home. These may include more efficient ways of vacuuming and dusting, using air filters, and possibly getting rid of carpets and upholstered furniture.

• Help your baby avoid scratching. He may try to get relief by scratching with his hands or by rubbing his face against his sheet when he sleeps. But scratching and rubbing can further irritate or inflame his skin and make matters much worse.

Use the softest sheets possible in his crib, and keep his nails short. Put him to bed with cotton mittens or socks on his hands, if he'll tolerate them.

If your baby has a lot of trouble sleeping because of the itching, talk with his doctor. She may suggest an appropriate dose of antihistamine that will cut down on the itchy feeling and make your baby more drowsy, too.

• During a flare-up, you can try applying cool compresses to the area several times a day, followed by a moisturizer.

Could my baby's eczema be caused by a certain food?
Eczma is not a specific allergy, but in some children, certain allergenic foods can trigger eczema or make it worse.

If you or your doctor suspects that your baby's eczema is affected by certain foods, the mostly likely culprits are cow's milk and eggs, followed by soy, wheat, peanuts, and fish. You may want to try eliminating them from your baby's diet, if he's started on solids, and from your own diet if you're breastfeeding. (Note that your baby shouldn't drink cow's milk until his first birthday, but if he's prone to eczema you might want to delay giving him milk and other potential allergens for even longer.)

Eliminate suspect foods one at a time, giving each test a couple of weeks because it can take that long to get all traces of the food out of your breast milk and your child's system. If you're using formula, your doctor may suggest that you try switching to a soy-based variety. This isn't always the solution — some children who are allergic to milk are allergic to soy as well — but it's worth a try.

Researchers continue to study the links between food and eczema. German researchers recently found a correlation between a maternal diet high in margarine, vegetable oils, and citrus fruit during the last four weeks of pregnancy and eczema in children by 2 years of age.

Keep in mind that while food may be a trigger in as many as 30 percent of children with eczema, it's the main trigger in only about 10 percent of eczema cases. You'll still want to be conscientious about skin care and other factors.

Does breastfeeding help?
Studies show that breastfeeding from the get-go does help prevent eczema in babies who are prone to getting it because their parents have it. Whether it helps a baby who already has eczema is controversial, but experts agree that it doesn't hurt.

What should I do if the rash doesn't get better?
Talk with your baby's doctor or a pediatric dermatologist. If the rash doesn't get better after following the suggestions above, your doctor might suggest trying mild topical steroids, which can be bought over the counter. A steroid cream or ointment sometimes works wonders to help break a stubborn cycle of eczema.

A short course of oral steroid medication can help get eczema enough under control that the other methods you try will work more effectively. Researchers are developing new drugs to help eczema sufferers, like topical immunomodulators, so if your baby continues to struggle with the condition, ask his doctor to keep you up-to-date on remedies.

Be sure to give the doctor a call if your baby develops a fever or other signs that he may have an infection (the area is warm to the touch or oozing, for example).

Will my child always have eczema?
Maybe. Many kids outgrow eczema, but there's no way to know ahead of time.

The good news is that the condition usually becomes less severe with age. And there are ways to manage it. By following the measures mentioned above and treating any flare-ups immediately, you can help keep your baby's eczema under control.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Milia (birth to 12 month)

My newborn has tiny white bumps on her nose and cheeks. What are they?
They're called milia. They're harmless and they're very common — about 40 percent of newborn babies get them, most often on the upper cheeks, nose, or chin. Some babies have just a few, and others have many of them.

It can be upsetting to see your beautiful infant's skin covered in these little bumps, but they aren't painful or contagious. And they'll go away without any treatment in two or three weeks.

You may spot similar bumps on your baby's gums or on the roof of her mouth. These are called Epstein's pearls, and they're also harmless.

What causes milia?
Milia occur when dead skin becomes trapped in tiny pockets near the surface of your baby's skin. When the surface of the bump wears away, the dead skin is sloughed off and the bump disappears.

What can I do to help clear them up?
You don't need to do anything at all. The bumps will go away on their own, without treatment, in a few weeks, although it's possible for them to last a month or two.

Doctors recommend that you not put any creams or ointments on the milia. And don't try to squeeze these pimple-like bumps to make them go away faster — that could cause scarring. Vigorous washing and scrubbing isn't a good idea either: It won't help and it could irritate your baby's sensitive skin.

Try to be patient. Your child will soon have her baby-smooth complexion back.

Does having milia mean my baby will grow up to have acne?
No, your baby isn't destined to have acne. Genetics is thought to be a predictor of who gets acne. If you or your partner had acne as a teen or adult, your child is more likely to get it when she hits her teenage years.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Baby Acne (o to 12 mo.)

My baby has pimples on his chin. Could it be acne?
Yes, it could. Baby acne is very common. It can be present at birth, but more often it shows up after a couple of weeks, usually on the cheeks and sometimes on the forehead, chin, and even the back.

These small whiteheads might be surrounded by reddish skin. They can become more pronounced when your baby is hot or fussy or if his skin is irritated by saliva, spit-up milk, or fabric that's a little rough or that's been washed in strong detergent.

By the way, if your baby had tiny bumps on his face at birth that disappeared within a few weeks, these are called milia and they're unrelated to acne. If the irritation looks more rashy or scaly than pimply or it appears elsewhere on his body, your baby may have another condition, such as cradle cap or eczema.

What could be causing my baby's acne?
As with adolescent acne, there's no clear answer. For some time, experts have pointed to the hormones babies receive from their mother at the end of pregnancy as a cause of baby acne. But researchers continue to study other factors and have yet to agree on one culprit. If you take certain medications while nursing, for example, or if your baby takes certain medications, they might trigger baby acne.

How long will it last?
Baby acne usually clears up within a few weeks, but it can linger for months. If it doesn't clear up within three months or you're concerned about it, talk with your baby's doctor.

What can I do about my baby's complexion in the meantime?
Well, there are some things you should not do. Don't put creams or oils on your baby's skin, because these can make the acne worse. Don't use over-the-counter acne medicines. And don't scrub. Baby acne isn't caused by dirt.

In fact, too much washing can further irritate your baby's skin, so don't overdo the cleansing. Simply wash your baby's face with mild baby soap and water once a day. Gently pat it dry.

Patience is usually the best course of action. Your baby's acne doesn't bother him in the least, so try not to let it bother you, either.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Introducing The Bottle or Cup To A Breastfed Baby

What's the best way to introduce my baby to a bottle?

Most lactation experts suggest you wait until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and breastfeeding is well established before introducing a bottle. If you're returning to work, start bottle-feeding at least two weeks before your start date so you can work out any glitches ahead of time. (You can get more information on such topics as sterilizing bottles and how often to bottle-feed in Bottle-feeding basics.)

Because sucking milk from a bottle requires different mouth and tongue movements than breastfeeding, it may take your baby a little time to get used to the change. Try these tips for a smooth transition:

• Offer her a bottle a little earlier than her regular feeding time so she'll be hungry and interested, but not so hungry that she'll be frustrated by the cold nipple.

• Let someone else feed her the first bottle.Your baby will be less confused if you don't give her the bottle yourself, since she may wonder why she's not getting your breast. Instead, ask someone who might feed her in your absence — your mother, your partner, a childcare provider, or another mother — to make the first introduction.

• Try to be out of the house for this event; babies can smell their mother from a distance of at least 20 feet, and she may know that you (and your breasts) are around even if you're in another room.

Tory Winnick introduced her son Philip to the bottle when he was 3 weeks old. "I pumped and put my breast milk in a bottle so my husband, Mike, could experience feeding the baby," she remembers. "We had to try a few different nipples until we found one that most closely simulated the breast. It really made Mike feel great that he could feed the baby, too."

Bottle-feeding can be just as nurturing physically as breastfeeding if you cuddle the baby close. Some babies like to be held in a nursing position while drinking from a bottle; others find that position disconcerting. Ask whoever is offering your baby the bottle to experiment while maintaining eye contact with her, and give her a chance to get used to this new experience.

Some babies don't eat very much when mom isn't home, and if they are away from her all day may begin waking more frequently at night. Don't be surprised if this happens; treasure these quiet and intimate times and use them to reconnect with your baby.

What do I do if my baby resists taking the bottle?
If your baby isn't having any of it, try these techniques:

• Use a bottle nipple similar to her pacifier. If she sucks on a latex pacifier, use a latex bottle nipple rather than a silicone one, and vice versa. Heat the nipple with warm water to make it more appealing.

• Put some breast milk on the nipple. When your baby tastes it she may start sucking to get more.

• Let your baby play with the nipple so she can familiarize herself with it. If she just chews on it, let her. She may actually start sucking it soon.

• Try holding her in a different position: Put her in an infant or car seat so she is semi-upright, and then feed her the bottle while facing her. Once she is used to taking a bottle, you can hold her as you usually would for feedings. One enterprising father put on his wife's bathrobe and tucked the bottle under his arm while holding the baby in a breastfeeding position. That won't work for you, but it might work for Dad!

Make sure you have lots of time to put your feet up and relax during this process. If she starts crying and pushes the bottle away, back off, comfort her, and then try again. The last thing you want is a bottle battle. If you've tried three times and she's refused three times, then call it a meal. Don't breastfeed her immediately. Wait five or 10 minutes, and do something else before you put her to the breast so she won't associate her refusal to bottle-feed with immediate gratification.

Many babies who have been getting bottles all along will suddenly decide at about 3 months that they don't want a bottle anymore, that they simply prefer breastfeeding. And why not? It's warm, cozy, sweet-smelling, and done with their favorite person — Mom. So early success isn't necessarily an ironclad guarantee that your baby will take the bottle when you really want her to.

What if I want to skip the bottle and start my baby out on a cup?
In some countries, babies who can't nurse are taught to drink from a cup from the get-go — even the tiniest infants can learn to do it. There are some advantages to this method: There's no chance of nipple confusion, you won't be tempted to prop your baby up with a bottle (sucking on a bottle at nap time or bedtime can lead to tooth decay), and you'll never have to break a bottle habit. Of course, helping your baby drink from a cup is time-consuming; unless you use a cup with a spill-proof top (commonly known as sippy cups) or a built-in straw, you'll have to help her drink and be prepared for the inevitable mess. Daycare providers may not be comfortable with this arrangement.

Many of the same principles of introducing your baby to a bottle hold true for the cup. Have your child get used to a cup at an early age (but not until breastfeeding has been well established), and introduce it gradually — one feeding a day. If you are going back to work, start a few weeks before you actually head off to the office; your child needs time to get used to this new feeding method.

My baby absolutely refuses to take a bottle. What should I do?
Some people will tell you that if you just wait her out, she'll eventually be hungry enough to take a bottle. That's not necessarily true, and starving a baby into submission isn't a good idea. Don't make mealtime into a battleground — now, when she's 2 years old, or ever.

If all attempts to bottle-feed her fail, go the cup route. Hold her upright in one arm and bring the cup to her mouth, tilting it gently until a wee bit of milk, formula, or juice (depending on the age of your child) goes in. She'll begin to lap and then to drink it. You can also use a hollow-handled medicine spoon to do the same thing.

Young babies often favor the bottle because it satisfies their sucking needs; older babies and toddlers like the novelty of drinking out of a cup. Once she can drink from a cup fairly proficiently, you have an alternative for when you are at work — either cup or bottle — and her caregiver can try both.

In situations like this, it's not uncommon for a mother to blame herself, saying, "If only I had given her a bottle a day from the beginning, this wouldn't be happening." But this just isn't true. Some babies never take a bottle.

What if I decide to wean my baby from the breast?
If you've decided to wean your baby, or to cut back nursing to before and after work, you deserve congratulations and support for having given your baby weeks or months of breast milk. Just be sure that your baby gets the same one-on-one, physically nurturing and affectionate time with you and a bottle that she did with you and the breast. For more information on easing this transition, see our article on how to wean your baby.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Bottle-feeding: When To Replace Nipples and Bottles (birth to 12 mo.)

Signs a nipple should be tossed
Check your nipples often (at least every two to three months) for these signs of wear and tear:

• Formula pours out in a stream. Formula should drip steadily out of the nipple — if it comes rushing out, the hole is too big and the nipple should be replaced.

• Discoloration — this could be a sign that the nipple is deteriorating.

• Thinning — this an early sign that the nipple is weakening. To test a nipple's strength, pull hard on the bulb. The nipple should rebound into its original shape. If it doesn't, throw away the nipple.

• Stickiness or swelling — this could be a sign that the nipple is deteriorating.

• Cracks, tears, or breaks — pieces of the nipple could break off and become a choking hazard.

Signs a bottle should be tossed
You should replace your baby's bottle if you notice:

• Cracks, chips, or breaks — Your child could cut, pinch, or otherwise injure himself. This is especially dangerous if you use glass bottles.

• And remember, if you use bottles with disposable liners, you should throw away the liner after each use.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Introducing Your Baby To The Bottle

What's the best way to introduce my baby to a bottle?
A baby sucks from a bottle very differently from the way she does from your breast, since getting milk from a bottle is easier. To avoid nipple confusion, wait until breastfeeding is well established and your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old, and then introduce the bottle at least two weeks before you return to work. Offer her a bottle a little earlier than your regular feeding time. You'll want her to be hungry and interested, but not so hungry that this cold nipple will frustrate her.

Your baby will also be less confused if you don't give her the bottle yourself. Instead, ask someone who might be feeding her in your absence — your mother, your partner, a childcare provider, or another mother — to make this first introduction. Ideally, bottle-feeding is just as nurturing physically as breastfeeding, so the bottle giver should cuddle the baby close.

Some babies like to be held in a nursing position while drinking from a bottle; others find that position disconcerting. Ask whoever is giving her the bottle to experiment while maintaining eye contact with your baby. Give her a chance to get used to this new experience. If she resists, warm the nipple with warm water (cold rubber or latex isn't that appealing), let her play with the nipple, or try another position.

What if I decide to wean my baby from the breast?
If you've decided to wean your baby, or to cut back nursing to before and after work, you deserve congratulations and support because you've already given your baby weeks, if not months, of breast milk. Just try to be sure that your baby gets the same one-on-one, physically nurturing and affectionate time with you and a bottle as she did with you and the breast.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Weaning (birth to 12 mo.)

What does it mean to have weaned a child?
When your baby stops nursing and gets all his nutrition from sources other than the breast, he's considered weaned. Although babies are also weaned from the bottle, the term most often refers to when a baby stops breastfeeding.

Weaning, when it's the mother's idea, usually requires a lot of patience, and can take time, depending on your baby or toddler's age and how well and how quickly your child adjusts. The experience is different for everyone.

Weaning is a long goodbye — emotional, sometimes painful, and freeing at the same time. But weaning needn't signal an end to the intimacy you and your child have established through breastfeeding. It just means you have to replace breastfeeding with other nourishment and nurturing activities. If you've often nursed your child for comfort, find other ways to make him feel better. Read a book or sing a song together, or play outside instead.

When should I start weaning?
You're the best judge of when it's time to wean, and you don't have to set a deadline unless you and your child are ready to do so. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies for at least a year. Despite what friends, relatives, or even strangers may say, there's no right or wrong time to wean. If you feel it's the right time, then it is.

How do I wean?
Proceed slowly, regardless of the age of your child. Experts advise that you not abruptly withhold your breast, which can be traumatic. A weekend away from your baby or toddler with your husband, for example, is not a good way to end the breastfeeding relationship. Try these methods instead:

Skip a feeding. Skip a feeding and see what happens. Offer a cup or bottle of milk instead. As a substitute you can use your own pumped milk, formula, or cows' milk (if your child is at least a year old). If you reduce feedings one at a time over a period of weeks your child will have time to adjust to the changes. Your milk supply will also diminish, without leaving your breasts engorged or giving you mastitis, a breast infection.

Shorten nursing time. Start by cutting the length of time your child is actually on the breast. If he usually nurses for five minutes, try three. Depending on his age, follow the feeding with a healthy snack such as unsweetened applesauce or a cup of milk or formula. (Note, however, that babies younger than 6 months may not be ready for solids.) Bedtime feedings may be harder to curb — they're usually the last to go.

Postpone and distract. Try postponing feedings if you're only nursing a couple of times a day. This method works well if you have an older child you can reason with. If your child asks for the breast, say you'll feed him later and distract him. Instead of nursing in the early evening, you could tell him to wait until bedtime.

What to do when weaning becomes a struggle
If you've tried everything to wean your child and nothing is working, maybe the time isn't right. Have you recently gone back to work? Your child may still be adjusting to this new development. Has your child been sick? Often babies who are not feeling well will want to nurse more often — in fact, breastfeeding may be in a sick child's best interest.

Has your household gone through a major life change, such as a move or a divorce? Events such as these will also make weaning more difficult. Even going through a new developmental stage can make it hard to wean. Try again in another month. Sooner or later, it'll happen.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

What I Wish I'd Known About Starting my baby on Solid Food

What to feed your baby

"My son reacted to peas 12 hours after eating. It is very important to follow the advice of introducing new foods individually and a few days apart. That way, if a reaction occurs, you can know what really caused it."

"Leave fruit juice until much later. Once they taste it, it will be hard to get them to drink water."

"Season your baby's food. Even if it's just pepper (never give a baby salt), it will help her develop a taste for adult foods. Our daughter loves garlic, onions, and other foods that most kids don't like, and I attribute it to her getting paprika, garlic, pepper, and other spices in her baby food."

"It is harder, but make your own. If you try baby food yourself, you will understand why babies make that horrible face. I believe they will become better eaters if the food tastes good."

"You don't need to heat your child's food. If you never introduce hot food, he will probably be just fine with eating it at room temperature straight from the jar."

"Don't let your own likes and dislikes affect what you feed your child. I don't like cottage cheese, but I gave it to my son anyway and he loved it."

"Do not back off on nursing and/or formula. At first, solids should be an addition, not a replacement."

When to feed your baby
"Try to have your meals at the same time as your baby. This encourages her to eat, too."

"When you first start solids, don't wait until the baby is starving to feed him. If he's too hungry, he'll get frustrated and reject everything."

Handling food rejection
"After a couple of spoonfuls of applesauce, slip in one or two bites of spinach or green beans — anything your baby has been picky about. It's like they swallow it before they realize it's different."

"If your baby doesn't like a food, give him a bite of something he likes after it, or put a little of the food he likes on it."

"Be creative; my baby doesn't accept milk in a bottle, but drinks it from a straw, a cup, or a spoon."

"What they eat from a jar and what they eat from the table later on are totally separate entities. There are foods that my baby wouldn't eat from a jar that she now eats happily from the table. Don't give up!"

"I just assumed that she would open her mouth and eat anything I gave her. She can love something one day and hate it the next. Some days she eats a ton; the next, hardly anything. I just wish I had known to expect this."

"If your baby acts like you are completely nuts when you give him the extremely runny cereal made the way it is recommended for 'baby's first feeding,' try making it thicker. Some children like very smooth, runny food, but others just don't."

"If you wouldn't eat it, why should your baby? I taste-tested everything. Sometimes it was obvious why my daughter wouldn't eat certain foods; they tasted terrible."

Handling the mess
"Buy bibs with a rubber backing so nothing seeps through to your baby's clothes."

"Feeding is really messy. I keep a bucket filled with water and color-safe bleach so I can just toss the bibs in after feeding him and clean them later."

"Feed your baby in her diaper — it will be easier to clean up afterward."

"It's OK for babies to be messy! We can always clean them up, but we would do more harm if we never let them try new things."

General advice
"Have the camera ready. The faces they make are priceless, especially when you give them a new texture."

"Once the solid food starts, the solid waste starts. It seems obvious, but I never thought about it, and I was shocked at first and called the doctor, really freaked out. I can laugh about it now."

"Starting solids early does not help a baby sleep through the night. Only teaching good sleep habits will do that."

source from http://www.babycenter.com