From nappy rash to changing sleep patterns and introduction of new foods, mothers with 6-12 month old babies often have to learn new strategies, just when they think they have the routine down pat.
Just like us, babies are individuals so I always encourage
mothers to try a number of approachs to see what works best for their
baby.
Sleeping Through The Night
- Learn tired signs – None of us like being kept awake when we are craving sleep, so rather than waiting until your baby is ‘past it’, put her/him to bed as soon as they show sleepy signs, such as losing interest in people and toys. If you miss this window of opportunity, your baby is likely to become grumpy and find it difficult to settle.
- Introduce bedtime rituals – Bedtime routines can become cues that help babies wind down and become conditioned to fall asleep, e.g. a warm relaxation bath (in an adult bathtub) just before bedtime.
- A magic touch – Silent nights could be at your fingertips: Research from Miami University showed that babies and toddlers who were massaged daily for one month, for 15 minutes prior to bedtime, fell asleep more easily by the end of the study.
- Cut caffeine – If you are breastfeeding, caffeine can create a vicious circle: You drink coffee (or tea or cola) to give you a hit, baby gets a boost of stimulant through your milk-and becomes restless.
- Leave her a little bit of Mum – It’s not exactly a substitute for you, but if you slip your own soft, unwashed tee-shirt over baby’s mattress, she/he will be comforted by your familiar smell as they sleep.
- If your baby wakes at 5am – check they are not too cold by dressing him/her in another layer of clothing and you may find he/she now sleep all the way through until 7am! (4 – 5 o’clock are the coldest pre-dawn hours.)
Craving For Food
The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age but most mothers introduce solids when their baby reaches for their dinner! So long as it has been blended or pureed, generally babies can eat a variety of foods. If there is a history of allergies in the family eg. asthma, eczema, hayfever or food reactions, eg. coeliac, or lactose intolerance it more important than ever to delay the introduction of foods that commonly cause allergies until 12 months of age. These include wheat, cows milk, seafood/shellfish, egg whites, corn, chocolate, peanuts/peanut butter, oranges/OJ, strawberries/kiwi fruit, nuts, tomatoes, eggplant, capsicum, soy products/milk/tofu, dried fruit, sultanas, Vegemite, ham, bacon, fruit juice, cordial, margarine. Breastfeeding up to 12 months of age, which is recommended by the World Health Organisation, has been shown to give the baby some protection against developing allergies. If allergies persist or it is becoming too difficult, come in for a consultation as I have lots of effective remedies and dietary suggestions.
Nappy Rash
Most parents spend hours researching the best pram or cot but few do any research at all about nappies and yet it is the most used piece of baby equipment in the household. It is also the closest thing to your baby’s skin all day and night for years. Chemicals from the nappy itself, especially disposable nappies and nappy liners, contain a cocktail of gels that absorb the wee and poo as well as containing bleaches, dyes, plastics, dioxins and synthetic materials. Cotton is also one of the most highly sprayed crops in the world with residues still found on cotton clothing. As a result, organic cotton nappies are becoming highly sought after. Detergents, soaps, skin creams and fragranced, alcoholic wipes can irritate the skin, especially if there is a family history of skin allergies such as eczema.
- Keeping nappy area dry is crucial so change nappies often and if using pre-moistened baby wipes which leave the skin wet, causing extra friction, pat dry with a tissue.
- Let your baby play or lie in the early morning sun with its nappy off for sunshine and fresh air.
- Nappy rash can be caused an acidic diet which produces acidic urine. Wheat is the most common allergen of all grains and is very difficult for babies' under-developed digestive systems. Avoid wheat until 12 months of age.
- Use environmentally friendly, skin sensitive washing powder.
- If using formula, add 1/4 teaspoon of baby probiotic powder such as lactobacillus to improve digestion.
- Once the skin is open and raw, it usually becomes infected. I recommend a Calendula cream.
For more recommendations and remedies I would love to meet your baby in my clinic!
By Claudette Wadsworth
BHSc, BA, Adv DN, Nut D, DRM, PostGrad NFM, MATMS, MNHAA
Naturopath, Nutritionist, specialist in Women's Health and Fertility
Bondi Junction 02 9389 3689 and Sydney CBD 02 9268 9000
info@claudettewadsworth.com.au
