Coping with Colic

Colic is not usually one of the topics covered in ante natal classes and it’s not really something people tend to bring up in conversion either, so for parents it may come as a shock when your little one does get it. In this article we are going to be looking at what colic is, the signs to look out for and how to cope when your little one has it.  

Babies cry, sometimes a lot, yet nothing quite prepares you for the experience of a regularly crying baby, but at least there’s usually something you can do to help soothe them, unless of course they have colic. Colic generally occurs in very young babes, sometimes right from birth itself and it can result in a baby crying for hours, unable to be consoled. The crying will appear more like a high pitched wailing that’s impossible to ignore or escape from and it can carry on night after night. For new parents this can be something of a shock and it can begin to become incredibly stressful and put a great strain on you and your partners relationship. So how are you going to deal with your distressed little one?

Firstly, colic isn’t dangerous and there is no need to worry unduly about the welfare of your baby. It’s common enough for it to be considered perfectly normal. Secondly, the colic your baby has will not last forever. Although it may feel like it will, babies simply grow out of colic fairly quickly, usually by the time they reach three months old.

As a concerned parent you’ll probably be worried about what colic is and you may come across some literature on the subject but more often than not this can be a little confusing. The general cause of colic is due to the initial growth and development of a newborn baby’s digestive system as they move from feeding through the umbilical cord to feeding more normally. Trapped wind is generally thought to exacerbate the symptoms, but this is not entirely to blame.

The symptoms of colic is very much like trapped wind, usually a painful cry following feeding and more commonly in the evening. The cry is often higher pitched than normal crying and it is also very hard, if almost impossible to calm them down and stop them from crying. 

There a few things which can be done when your baby has colic, such as using colic bottles and colic teats when feeding your baby. These do work for many people and they have been designed in such a way that much less air is taken down while feeding and less trapped air means that the colic symptoms are less noticeable. It’s also worth applying gentle pressure on your baby’s tummy and the best way of doing this is to sit him or her on your lap, place your arm across their tummy as they face away from you and then gently lean forwards. Do be prepared for a little bit of sick sometimes! It may also be worth a try to feed at a different time of the night. You might try feeding them slightly earlier and then putting them straight into a warm bath afterwards to help soothe their tummy and give them something fun to experience to take their mind off any discomfort. 

 

                               There a few things which can be done when your baby has colic

Finally, a word of advice to parents who are worried and stressed, it’s also important that you look after yourself as you’ll be much better at being able to help calm your baby if you are relaxed.

8 Features to Look out for when Buying a Highchair

At first glance it seems as though buying a highchair is fairly easy.  After all, it’s just a chair, that’s high, right? In fact there is quite a bit more to buying a highchair than just that, with a whole range of features available which may well make life a good deal easier for you and a whole lot more comfortable for your little one!

So here are 8 features to look out for when buying a high chair.

Adjustable seat height
Really help to make sure our baby is the right height for whichever table you’re sitting at and how tall they are this week!

Removable Seat cover
Really helps with washing your baby’s seat and keeping it clean for them.

Double layered tray
Simply lift out the top tray after they have eaten their dinner and they have a brand new clean tray all ready and waiting for dessert time! This also means that you don't have to be constantly washing up during courses.

Divided tray
Helps keep the different foods and drink separate – at least for a little while!

Size when folded
Some chairs fold into very compact dimensions which makes a big difference when taking it in a car or putting it away down the side of the fridge

Extra padding
Your baby will be sitting in their chair for quite a lot of the time so you want to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible. If they are comfortable they will be less likely to fidget and become distressed after a little while, helping to make meal times that little easier .

Ergonomic design
Some highchairs have been specifically designed with ergonomics in mind, providing extra support for your baby’s back and making them feel more comfortable for longer.

Converting highchair
Some highchairs have been designed to convert into a separate table and chair for us by your child when they have grown out of their highchair.

Safety Outside the Home

Whilst at home with your baby things feel relatively safe and under control but step outside the house and things can take on a completely different look. How can you best protect your little one and keep them safe while you’re out and about and away from the comfort and security of home? There are now so many baby security products for the home, from cupboard locks to hinge guards, stair gates to fireguards and although it can seem a huge task, you do usually get to a point where you feel relatively sure you’ve covered all of the essential bases and that your baby is safe. However, as soon as it’s time to head outside you tend to feel a certain loss of control. Your car, once a haven of security and comfort now feels as fragile as an old tin can and walking along a pavement which once felt wide and safe, you now sense it has shrunk in width by half and is bordered by razor wire on one side and speeding thirty ton lorries on the other. The good news is that there are plenty of baby security products out there for helping look after your child when you are out and about.

 

Baby Safety outside

When taking your little one out and about in the car there are few things to think about. Obviously the car seat is essential and will be right up to when they’re 12 years old. There are several different sizes which are called ‘groups’ and it is important to make sure that you have the correct one for the age and weight of your child. It’s also important to consider where your child sits, in most cases it is preferable for them to be in the back rather than the front as it’s much more protected. Furthermore, if you are travelling for a long period of time, you may want to think about protecting them from ‘flat head’ syndrome. As a baby’s skull is very soft and sitting back against a firm car seat for lengthy periods can cause the back of the head to become flat. A product which can be used to help prevent this ‘Babymoov Lovenest Head Rests’ which are ergonomically designed to provide comfort as well as providing extra protection.

Babymoov Lovenest Head Rest

Keeping an eye on your baby whilst driving is important but don’t be tempted to keep turning around every five seconds to take a look at them as you are more likely to cause an accident that way. To prevent this from happening, pick up an inexpensive and easy to fit child view mirror. The mirrors simply attach to the top of the windscreen and can be angled to provide you with a clear view of your child just with a quick glance.

Once you arrive at your destination you then have to ensure that your little one cannot just wonder off, as it can only take a fraction of a second for them to disappear out your sight. Use either reins or a harness to make sure that you and your child are physically connected and that they are unable to wander off.

Baby Reins help to keep your little one safe

Remember, the dangers aren’t as bad as they feel, but these products will help to both put your mind at rest and keep your little one safe from any dangers outside the home.

What's best, a soother or a teether?

It’s always a decision that most parents are never quite sure what the right thing to do is. Many parents give their child a soother without any issue, yet some parents would never do such a thing. So what is the right thing to do? Why is it so bad giving your little one a soother if they are in incredible discomfort? What is an alternative to a soother to help comfort your baby?

Would you give your child a soother during teething?

If your little one is really struggling with the aches and pains of teething and nothing seems to soothe or calm them down, it’s so easy to just hand them a soother to calm them a little. That’s not a bad thing to do either, but like with everything there are pros and cons. For babies, being able to suck on either a soother, hand, foot, finger or anything they can really find is a natural instinct, often something you see them doing inside of the womb.  This provides babies with a form of security and comfort and it often has a calming and soothing effect.  Research has also found that it helps to make a baby feel good; it helps to stimulate the release of chemicals from the brain that decrease stress. Furthermore, there has also been a string connection between the use of a soother and the lower risk of SIDS. Although using a soother does not prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), it has been known that the use of a soother reduces the risk of this awful syndrome, yet it is now known why.  Soothers are also a great distraction for such events like injections or blood tests.

Philips Avent Free-Flow Soothers

So with all the positive reasons as to why a soother is a good thing to use, there are also many negative reasons why they are not so good for your baby. Firstly, a study showed that children who do use a soother’s have a 40% higher rate of ear infections compared to those who do not use one. Now, we all know how painful and irritating an ear infection can be, so imagine how your little baby is feeling. Research suggests that it may be due to the change in pressure between the middle ear and the upper throat. Further studies also show that children who stopped using a soother after 6 months old had more than a third fewer cases of ear infections. Other more known reasons as to why a soother is not so popular are due to the fact that your baby may become dependent on it and will not settle without one. In addition, if a soother is used for a long amount of time during the day, over a long period of time, there is a risk of tooth alignment issues later in life as well as delayed speech. Also, once your child reaches the toddler age, their mouth can begin to lock into an unnatural position, further helping to the dental issues. 

So, as you can see there are many reasons for and against using a soother. There is no right or wrong answer an only you as a parent can make the best decision. You just need to be aware that your baby may become attached and reliant on their soother, meaning that you need to be prepared for the day you try to wean them off it. There are also great products on the market that can help you and your little one through the difficult teething stage, these are known as teethers. They can be used either in place of a soother so that they are not constantly chomping away on their little delicate hands or even as you’re a beginning to wean your little one off soothers. Teether’s help to offer a your baby with a counter-pressure and relief to the aches and pains of teething. Your baby’s gums may become hot, uncomfortable so an easy to grip safe teether could be the perfect product to help calm and comfort your little one as they develop.

Teether's offer your baby with a counter-pressure & relief

Make Father’s Day Special

It’s coming round to that time of year again where we spoil and treat our wonderful dads on the one special day that is father’s day. It’s not hard to miss as you stroll by your local card shop, as the windows are decorated with special father’s day offers. But why not be a little different from the rest this year, really put some thought into the father’s day gift. We all know how children love making a mess and getting involved, so this is the perfect chance to get them excited, let their creative streak shine out!

Here at Baby Security we thought we would come up with some different ideas on what you and your little one could do to make Dad feel really special. And we all secretly know that he will be hoping to get something!

Make him a homemade personal card.
Make a card a lot more personal and Dad will love it. Cut up some pictures and stick them onto a folded piece of card and let your little one be creative with the decorating! Maybe get your little ones hand print put onto the card, this is guaranteed to make Dad smile.

Make a personal Father’s Day card

Extra Cuddles, Kisses and Jumps on the Bed.
Only for this one day only! Let your children know that for this one day they can go charging into the bedroom and smother Dad with kisses and cuddles, he won’t mind! In fact it will remind him how lucky he is. Also bounces on the bed just to make sure he’s awake are also allowed just for this one day

Make a gift.
The one gift that my dad has ever kept from father’s day were the ones I made myself. In fact one still hangs on the wall now, a clay fish which I made in my Art Class. A handmade gift really shows a lot of effort and they are always greatly appreciated. It also gives you and your little one a chance to enjoy some time being creative and making a mess, something your little one will love!

Make him his own personal gift

Bake some treats or cook a meal.
They say a way to a man’s heart is through his belly, so why not get baking! If he has a favourite cake or loves to chomp away on cookies, why not make bake him an extra amount, just for the one day. Or if he has a favourite food, you and your little one should cook him a nice big portion of his favourite meal. Food can never fail!

Bake him a cake or his favourite meal

Breakfast in Bed.
This is everyone’s favourite and bound to be Dad’s favourite too! This will be a lovely wake up call for him.

A day full of surprises.
Really push the boat out and give Dad a day full of little surprises. Just think of little things that would make him smile. Think of all the places that he would go to first thing in the morning and leave a little gift or a photo of Dad and your little one.  He may say that he doesn’t like surprises but we all know that he will love these!

Leave little surprises to make him smile

Do You Have The Right Equipment For Weaning?

Having the right weaning equipment makes such a huge difference, and yet many parents don’t realise that special weaning spoons and weaning bowls are even available. There’s a big difference between a plastic bowl, a baby’s food bowl, and a weaning bowl, and there’s also a lot of difference between plastic spoons, toddler spoons and weaning spoons.

Weaning your baby

One of the important design features of a weaning spoon is that it is soft, rounded and slightly flexible. A young child’s gums are very soft and sensitive, and any spoon is going to rub against them every single mouthful. Some toddler spoons and plastic spoons can be flatter, with slightly sharper edges, and this can be uncomfortable for your little one. Weaning spoons tend to be slightly thicker, and this aids comfort. A little flexibility also helps when your child moves quickly whilst the spoon is still in their mouth.

Weaning Spoons for your little one

Weaning bowls are primarily designed to be easy to hold, since you’ll usually have the bowl in one hand and the spoon in the other. An ordinary bowl can be less easy to hold for long periods of time, and more likely to get knocked by a flailing arm! Many weaning bowls actually have comfortable handles built in, which makes it much easier to use.

You might also want to look out for weaning bowls which have resealable lids, because this can make it easy for you to prepare food in advance, pop it in the fridge and keep it for later when your child is ready. They are also easy to take with you when you’re out and about and your child needs to feed.

Weaning Bowl

You can also find some weaning sets which allow you to clip the spoon into the lid of the weaning bowl, which means no more lost spoons!

From Birth to Bringing Home - A Guide for Expectant Mums

It’s a nerve-wrecking time when you are expecting you’re first born. It’s all excitement and endless showers of gifts and goodies for your unborn but it soon fly’s round to the ninth month and realisation hits. No more eating for two or catching up on some much missed day time T.V, you need to organise the all-important hospital bag and make sure that when you return home, everything is ready and waiting. A daunting yet exciting experience for all who is involved, so why not make it a little easier on yourself and make a little list of everything that you will need from birth to bringing home.

Waterless Wash Kit
After giving birth you don’t always feel like getting dolled up, plastering your face with make-up and curling your hair. You’re tired, and all you want to do is sit and cuddle your beautiful precious little one. This is where the Waterless Wash Kit comes in handy for you! No water or a rinse is required, just simply towel dry in the comfort of the bed. This is also perfect for mothers who may have had a caesarean or a difficult labour, as getting up and walking to the shower can be quite painful and uncomfortable.

Wash Kit - £8.99

Electric ADVENT Breast Pump
Breastfeeding is always a tricky situation for any new mum, especially if you are not sure whether in fact you do want to breast feed or not. The best time to get any hands on advice is when you are at the hospital.Take a breast pump with you and see what feels more naturally suited for both you and your baby. Don’t be scared or embarrassed to ask for some help or advice!

Philips AVENT Electric Breast Pump - £79.50

Sleeved Bib
Feeding your baby is always going to be a messy task and it will be for the next few years. It seems a shame to put all of your newly bought baby throws all in the wash straight away just because of a few spills when you could protect your baby from any falling or spilled food with this fantastic sleeved bib! Perfect, less washing for you!

Sleeved Bib - £9.90

Baby Changing Unit
Once you go home with your newborn there is going to be plenty of dirty nappies that will need changing! It’s always best to have a Baby Changing Unit, not only for the obvious, to change your baby, but to change your baby in comfort and to also keep all of your nappies, wipes, bags, and clothing all organised in one easy to reach place.

Cosatto's Easi Peasi Changer - £113.50

ADVENT Breast Pads
Unfortunately one of the down sides of having just giving birth is the unfortunate leaking breast situation. Never a nice feeling for new mums, for after all the other important concerns you have on your mind with a newborn, leaking breast is just another irritation to make you feel even more self-conscious than ever before, right at the time when you need to be confident and happy. So worry no more, all you have to do is purchase yourself some breast pads and you will no longer have to worry!

Philips Avent washable breast pads - £4.99
Of course there is much more that you will need to ensure sure that your baby is cared for in the safest possible way, the list could be endless. But we thought we would put together a little snippet of things you may not have thought about .