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| Home > Breast Feeding > Monitoring Growth of Child
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| | Monitoring Growth of Child
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You should to monitor the infant`s weight to be sure that he is getting the nutrition he needs. A baby more than three months of age should still be gaining weight albeit at a slower rate, so seek advice immediately if the growth stops after three months. By now you should have understood the temperament of your baby, and act accordingly while feeding him. A baby who is easily distracted needs to be fed in quieter locations and switch breasts frequently in order to stay interested. If he is teething which will be indicated by his sucking his fists, and thus enjoying his feedings less, make his feeding sessions shorter but more frequent. These are simple solutions for most common problems that temporarily hamper breastfeeding. You may consult your lactation specialist about maintaining your breast milk supply in the mean-time, when you seek advice about your baby` irregular growth.
Rapid weight gain is a welcome sign during the first few months of your baby`s life, but will make you anxious if your plump older baby is breastfeeding too often. You may spoil your baby by offering him the breast, when he does not demand for it. Do not use the breast as a pacifier, consider exploring with your baby alternative ways for her to find stimulation or to comfort. But don`t be too much concerned about ex-cessive weight gain during this first year. The fact is, most breast-fed babies regulate their intake of breast milk to meet their needs quite well, and it is relatively rare for breastfed babies to be seriously over-weight. Your baby will probably start to lose her excess fat as he becomes more physically active after six months of age.
Care about Baby`s teeth
Your baby`s first tooth will probably appear at around six months, though some babies are born with one or more teeth and others` teeth don`t appear until almost a year old. You my decide to discontinue breast feeding because the baby has nipped the breast at the end of a feeding session. Babies with teeth (or those who are teething) seldom bite when breastfeeding. In fact, an actively nursing baby will not bite, because his tongue covers her lower teeth. You should not allow this minor challenge to get in the way of breastfeeding so early in your nursing relationship.
If you are apprehensive that your baby may nip you as a feeding ends, insert your finger to break the suction and remove your breast as soon as her rhythmic suckling stops and your baby starts playing pranks on you. Deny the breast to your baby if he has already bitten, and then remove him from your breast. If you show anger or are amused at his behavior, he may repeat the experiment again. Once he realizes that biting means no more breast, he will learn his lesson and avoid biting. Put him on a one -piece teething ring when he is not nursing.
Your pediatrician will check your baby`s teeth as part of the well-child visit during the first year of life and beyond. In the meantime, remove your breast from your baby`s mouth once he has fallen asleep. You should also practice good oral hygiene by starting to wipe his gums and teeth with a piece of gauze or a damp cloth after feedings and be-fore bedtime. You may massage his gums once a day after birth to stimulate healthy gums and good oral hygiene. When several teeth erupt, start using water and a soft- bristled, child-sized toothbrush for daily cleaning. Fluoride tooth paste is not recommended as the child is likely to swallow the toothpaste causing excessive intake of fluoride.
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