Don’t be late for your doctor’s appointment

I am worried that I might sound a bit preachy over here, but this is one advice I would like to give other mommies for sure. It might sound lame but this is one valuable piece of wisdom I am sharing over here today. I know from experience of being a mother of two that you can never reach anywhere on time when you have kids to take care off even if it means going to the doctor’s clinic. But this is one place where you have to maintain punctuality. Because like you there are dozens of mums who will be flocking the clinic at the slightest sign of a cough or cold and have two dozen questions in their mind to which they seek an answer. So if you miss your turn you will have to wait till other paranoid mums just like you finish their turn. This means sitting at the doctor’s office with the babies a tad too long awaiting turn, which can make your otherwise well-fed and quite baby go cranky. Remember, babies don’t like to wait this can make them irritable and throw temper tantrums that can be difficult to handle. So if you want your paediatrician’s visit to be fuss-free be there on time. Here are 19 baby care tips for new mums.
                                               

Here are few things you should do to make your paediatrician’s appointment fuss-free:

1.Call and ask for a time that is convenient for your baby. Unless it is an emergency, don’t delay to call and fix an appointment. If you call first chances are you can book a favourable slot for your baby (given the doctor is free at that time) and avoid being at the clinic during your baby’s sleep or feeding time.

2.If you don’t get a slot according to your convenience, plan accordingly to be there on time. Try and finish feeding, cleaning or bathing your baby before the schedule. If it is a vaccination schedule this is a must. You won’t be able to breastfeed your baby for at least half-an-hour after vaccination. Here are eight ways to ease post-vaccination pains.

3.Always pack a snack and carry your kid’s favourite toy with you. A paediatrician’s clinic will have lots of toys to keep babies entertained but only her favourite toy can help calm a tantrum outburst.

4.Before you leave the house call up at your paediatrician’s clinic to check if the doctor has arrived and how much time will it take for your turn and plan accordingly. It makes no sense go and wait for an hour before.

5.Being on time will also help you to avoid the rush at the clinic. Too many people around can make your baby cranky.

6.A day prior to your appointment pack the bag that has all the essentials like the paediatrician’s files, reports, extra diapers, baby wipes, a towel, sanitizer, etc. Just before leaving add the water bottle and snack into the bag. Here are 10 diaper bag essentials you ought to pack.

Sometimes even with all preparations, you might find it difficult to manage your baby at the clinic, especially if your baby is sick. Those days take a deep breath and calm down. Remember, this too shall pass.

Baby Care Tip – Burp your baby well to help her sleep better

We know that it is important to burp baby after every feed. Burping the right way helps the baby to expel extra air that she swallows while feeding. This extra air when trapped in the tummy could give rise to colic pain. Here are five home remedies to treat colic naturally.

"The cuddle police can go to hell," according to babycare author and toddler tactician Pinky McKay, ahead of her appearance at the Essential Baby & Toddler Show in Brisbane on March 3-5.

Ms McKay is the author of Sleeping like a Baby, Parenting by Heart and Toddler Tactics, as well as the creator of Boobie Bikkies, which support and boost a healthy milk supply for mothers.
However, sometimes we underestimate the importance of burping. There are times when your child might fall asleep during a feed and the next thing you do is put her to bed. But even before you can settle yourself on the couch and have the first sip of your coffee (thinking she will sleep for a few hours now) she wails and wakes up. While there could be a number of reasons for fragmented sleep, not burping her the right way could be one of them. Here are 10 ways to help your baby sleep better.
‘There are times when a baby might not burp after a feed. But it is still advisable to carry her on the shoulder and stroke her back gently to help her expel air trapped in her abdomen. Even if the baby doesn’t burp it will help her throw out small amounts of air and avoid incidences of colic which could definitely disturb sleep too,’ Dr Chaitali Laddad, Founder & Director, The Pediatric Network.

Here is what you should do if your baby doesn’t burp and falls asleep during a feed: ‘Carry your baby on your shoulder for at least 15 to 20 minutes even after she falls asleep while taking a feed. If she doesn’t burp, try to keep the bed elevated from the side where she rests her head. You can also keep a pillow below her mattress which will help to avoid tummy pain due to trapped air or even a spit-up,’ says Dr Laddad.
However, don’t use a pillow for your baby until she is two years of age, as this could lead to neck sprain or other troubles like choking hazards or flat head syndrome. Here are more reasons why you should not use a pillow for your baby.