Surfingmama
(Stuff that matters. For mums)

New mothers are especially confounded when their babies start wailing. They usually have no idea what’s going on and what causes their baby to cry. Hungry baby? Sick baby? Tired baby? Or what?? Below are 5 main reasons why babies cry:

1. Physical condition: hungry, wet nappies, too cold or too warm
Is it feeding time? Is the nappy wet? Do your baby’s hands and legs feel cold – if yes, put on more clothes or adjust room temperature. Is the baby sweating on the neck and head – if yes remove some clothes or adjust temperature of the room.

2. Sickness: stomachache, flu, itchy skin, rashes, teething, etc
Check temperature and any visible symptoms e.g. rashes and infections. If baby cries every time you try to feed, it means they have no appetite and probably needs medical attention. Pat their back lightly or give them a light massage, this will soothe the baby’s discomfort. If baby is teething, give it some cold teething toy. It helps.

3. Tiredness: sleepy, exhausted from over-playing, too much stimulation
Bring your baby back to his/her bedroom, away from people and noise. Speak softly and calm them down. Prepare your baby for sleep. Either feed your baby with some water or breast milk (if breastfeeding), this will calm the baby down quickly.

4. Insecurity: mother is out of sight, sudden noise, strange environment, fell down
Give the baby a big hug to calm them down before leaving them alone in the room next time. Keep talking to the baby on the way out to let it know that mummy is not far away. Distract his attention by giving him a small toy or some food. Take your baby out more regularly to accustom them to strange environments. Put a child-safe teddy bear or blanket next to the baby in its bed for some comfort.

5. Bored: lonely, no attention, cannot express his/her thoughts
If the baby likes to be carried all the time, when she cries, don’t carry her immediately. Instead talk and pat her lightly to console her. Give them a new toy to distract their attention. Play some baby music CDs or VCDs to distract their attention. Change the environment by putting it in a pram and taking them out to see new surroundings and new faces.

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A baby stroller is one of the most important and most-used items when you hava a toddler at home. A good and suitable stroller can help parents to carry their toddler around. How do you choose a good stroller that looks good and “practical”? Obviously, budget is always one of the first considerations before deciding on one.

[source:Baby-Outfitters]

BabyCare recommended 7 important points when choosing the best stroller for your baby.

1. Height

Ergonomically designed to ensure a good posture while you’re on the move

2. Seat

The seat can be removed and placed at the desired direction, so your baby can either face you, or forward

3. Incline

The seat can be fully inclined to suit newborns. For older babies who are able to sit well, the seat can be adjusted upright.

4. Multi-purpose

This stroller is 30 per cent higher than average. It’s handy in restaurants as it converts into a high chair.

5. Foot rest

Adjustable footrest. This ensures your child’s feet are well supported at all times.

6. Wheels

The stroller can convert into a two-wheel stroller, so you can easily and safely manoeuvre up and down stairs and escalators.

Lara shares with us how to keep your toddlers from running away.

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You will never know when your baby will sleep through the night, your baby can be earlier or later than other babies in developing new skills. It’s normal for babies to wake up during the night. Some babies go back to sleep on their own, while some will cry and their parents wake up. Being awakened at night can make both the mother and father tired. Try to nap whenever your baby does.

BabyCare teaches you 7 ways on how to get your baby to sleep through the night.

1. Make a clear difference between daytime naps and bedtime. During the day, simply put her down in her basket or crib and go about your daily routine. Don’t worry about ordinary household noises like the phone and TV. At bedtime, place her in her cot and make sure the room is dark and quiet.
2. After her last meal of the day, let your baby have an active crawl or run around, or play with her for a while to help her lef off steam.
3. Give her a warm bath and gently sing or chat with her as she soaks.
4. After her bath, dry her off and give her a simple massage with baby oil or lotion. Massage is a great way to bond with your baby and also helps promote sleep. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy – a few gentle strokes on her arms, legs and tummy will do.
5. Dress your baby, then dim the lights and cuddle her while you give her a feed. Try not to let her fall asleep during her feed, as this will become a hard habit to break. Burp her and then put her down in her cot while she’s still awake so that she can learn to settle herself.
6. Before she falls asleep, you can read her a story – it’s never too early to start – or play soothing music. You could also hang a musical mobile above her head to help her nod off.
7. Say ‘goodnight’ and leave. If she gets cranky, pop back in and check her every now and then, but leave after that. Do this until she drifts off to sleep.

Making bedtime a pleasurable experience for your baby means you’re less likely to have problems later on.

Read more about get your baby sleep through the night at When Will Baby Sleep All Night.

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