Nightowl Nursing Services

Yes! Babies really do poo and pee A LOT! On a serious note: it's very normal for babies to have diaper changes 8-12 times in 24 hours. Remember those numbers? It's as often as you're breastfeeding or feeding the baby! Because your baby's stomach and GI system is small, their clearance time (aka the time they eat to the time they have a dirty/wet diaper) is very short, hence the frequent diaper changes.... Although some healthcare professionals think that one bowel movement a day or every few days is normal, see what is normal for your baby. If you find your baby use to have poos every day and now isn't, then talk to your pediatrician and/or family doctor responsible for your baby. you know your baby best. If you are unsure and you feel like something is going on, talk to someone. If nothing is wrong is going on, all you sacrificed is a bit of embarassment (although I have to say, there is nothing to b embarassed about)! So don't be afraid to change those diapers. It's normal for you to feel like a diaper changing machine. Your baby and their bums will thank you. A clean bum = no chance for rashes, redness or any irritation. RULE OF THUMB Check their diaper before and after feeding. If you do this, you will rarely catch an old diaper. See more

This condition is present at birth where there is extra tissue that connects the bottom part of their tongue to the floor of their mouth. Depending on the extent of the the tongue tie, it could be released by a qualified pediatrician. Whether or not it needs surgical intervention depends on whether it affects breastfeeding and your baby isn't gaining weight. If your child is older, it has affected speech - it might be recommended by a speech pathologist.... If you find that your breastfeeding with your baby is being affected, your baby isn't gaining weight and your breasts are affected - talk to the pediatrician and your nurse if your baby might have a tongue tie. See more

Did you know it is fairly normal for babies to have congested noses. Babies are obligate nose breathers, this means they do all their breathing through their noses and need clear nasal passages to properly get air. There are suction bulbs and snot suckers devices that help you clear the mucus in your babies’ noses. Sometimes this could be a little too rough on their noses if constantly used. A few drops of saline (a mixture of salt and water - you can buy this over ...the counter at the pharmacy) in their noses will be good enough to help loosen the thick mucus for them to sneeze it out or to swallow it. It can be a gentler way of getting rid of that snot. See more

Babies were usually bathed fairly early on in the hospital back in the day. After delivery, they were whisked off to get a bath, changed and swaddled. With the World Health Organization recommending delaying baths, many maternity units are following this and delaying baths for up to 24 hours. ... According to the WHO, this delay allows the baby to stay as close to the mom and encourages rooming in. It also helps to regulate the baby’s temperature as it prevents the introduction of cold stressors to their bodies. It is your decision if you’d like to delay a bath for longer than 24 hours. If you are leaving the hospital earlier than 24 hours, talk to your nurse about coordinating a bath before home. And if there are other reasons for delaying a bath, talk to your pediatrician and/or your baby’s healthcare provider as to why. You are your child’s best health advocate and asking the right questions and knowing about your child’s health outcomes. See more

Did you know that your baby is born with reflexes for protection and survival? These are usually involuntary and pretty automatic. This means that it is not a learned behaviour yet babies do this with a bit of stimulation. All of these reflexes do disappear however some evolve into learned behaviour and become skills such as the suck reflex. Moro Reflex - This is also called the startle reflex. If your baby is startled by a loud noise or their head suddenly changes ...positions or falls backwards, they extend their necks as well as throwing their arms and legs up. Then they bring their arms together and may start crying. The Sucking Reflex - Some of you might have noticed this in action during an ultrasound appointment. Babies do this with the coordinated effort of swallowing as well. This is one of the most important reflex as this allows the newborn to be able to be fed effectively. Rooting Reflex - The baby’s mouth opens and turns to the side where you touch their cheek. Rooting is a usual sign of hunger. Sucking Reflex - When you finally get your baby to suck on an article nipple or the breast, they will start sucking on it. You induce this by touching the roof of their mouth. Stepping Reflex - When a baby is held as if they’re standing while on a flat surface, they start making stepping motions. Although this reflex does disappear in 2 months, this may be happening in order to prepare them for walking. Babinski Reflex - You elicit this by stroking your finger on the sole of their foot from heel to toe. The toes will fan out and the foot turns in. Although the baby might not do this all the time, if you find it doesn't happen for you - talk to your baby's doctor. This reflex is a sign of normal neurological development of your newborn Tonic Neck Reflex - Your baby’s neck turns to one side and the arm on the same side will extend and the opposite arm will bend at the elbow. Be mindful of these reflexes. Almost all babies are born with this and they will slowly disappear as they get older. If you find your baby does not exhibit any of these, talk to your baby’s doctor as soon as you can. See more

There may be a few reasons why a vaginal delivery may not be feasible. Complications during the pregnancy such as a breech presentation, increasing high blood pressure, twin pregnancies and a large baby are a few of these examples. Want to read the rest? Go to our Medium article, click on our link to access it for free! https://medium.com//caesarean-sections-what-is-it-about-a2