Quote: There are three reasons for breast-feeding:
The milk is always at the right temperature, it comes in attractive containers and the cat can't get it.
- Irena Chalmers
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The first stool that you see from your baby can come as a surprise simply because most parents aren't expecting what they see which is a green/black and is a result of the baby excreting the substance that is present in its system from before the birth.

This is actually a good sign because it shows that the baby's systems are working as expected in the elimination of this substance.

The usual color for a breast fed baby is a mustard or yellowish colored stool that is very loose and easy to pass. Babies with colic can have stools that are more greenish colored.

The color of a breast fed baby's stool can change somewhat depending on the foods that the mother is consuming.

If your baby is bottled fed on baby formula the stool is more likely to be light brown in color and usually better formed than those of a breast fed baby.

You should always note any changes in the color and consistency of your baby's stool as this can show where there might be some irregularities in the diet or other health problems.

When weaning your baby you can expect changes in color and consistency, sometimes on a daily basis depending on what you are feeding your child.

During weaning these can even be multi-colored but more often than not they will be of a similar color to the food that they have been eating.

If you notice foods that are passing through without being digested then this is a sign that those foods might not be suitable for your baby at this stage and should be eliminated form the diet until a later date.

The frequency that baby's pass stools can vary considerable from those who will go every day to other babies who will take up to a week to pass a motion.

Provided your child isn't constipated there is generally nothing to be worried about but always mention any of your concerns to your doctor to be safe.

Likewise if there are any signs that there are problems such as blood in the stool or mucous then consult with your doctor immediately.

Quote: Every child begins the world again
- Henry David Thoreau
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 Holding your baby is one of the most important aspects in its development as it creates a bond of security trust and reassurance for your baby. Nothing in the world can replace the comforting arms of a mother or father.

Initially your baby will have very little strength in its neck and will not be able to support the weight of its head so you will need to offer this support when you or anyone else holds your baby.

If other children in your family want to hold the newborn they will need to be made aware of this so they can offer support too.

Children should be taught to be very careful and everyone should handle the baby with the utmost care by keeping movements slow and smooth whilst still offering sufficient support.

If young children are cuddling the baby it is safest if they are holding them over a soft surface such as your bed and you should never leave them alone even for an instant.

Men are generally a little anxious to hold a baby because they fear they could do some damage to something so delicate however a baby will feel secure if it is fully supported when being held.

Once the baby is a little older it becomes a bit easier to handle as it will have developed the strength to hold up it's own head with increased strength of the neck muscles and this will allow the use of a baby carrier that both the mother and the father can use.

Getting the father to help reduces the strain that gets placed upon the mother's back from constantly having to pick up and carry a young child around.

With the baby held in an upright position and its head draped across your shoulder it will in the ideal position to rock it to sleep comfortably while remain fully supported even when very young and lacking in neck muscle strength.


Your Baby CAN sleep
through the night.....
Every night!
The Baby Sleep Solution

Life will never be the same after having a baby and it will be constantly changing and you need to adapt to these changes as time goes on.

You also need to understand that you have a life of your own as well and while it will be devoted to bringing up your baby everybody needs some time out to maintain sanity.

By developing a trusted support network of friends and family you should be able to include some time to yourself without neglecting the needs of your baby.

In fact it is only by looking after your own health and well-being that you are going to be able to give your baby the support that it needs.

It is not selfish to consider yourself as well because you are the provider of your baby's support and without maintaining a balance in your own life you will not be able to do the same your baby.

Finding other young mothers to help share and support one another is an excellent way of maintaining your sanity and will help to understand the various different aspects of bringing up a child that come about from experience.

One thing you must not do however is compare the progress of your child to that of others as every child reaches different milestones in their life at different rates and there is no set rule to say what is normal and what isn't.

Provided your child is having healthy development and progress in their abilities and achievements then you have nothing to worry about.

If you are at all concerned about your child's development then it pays to consult professionals rather than try to sort these problems out with other young mothers or people who don't have the necessary knowledge to give you sound advice.

Make the most of any opportunities that others offer to help out and use that time to spend on yourself.

How to Get Your Baby to
Sleep Through the Night
Every Night! Find out here.

When your new baby is born, you will have mixed emotions that it is not uncommon for you as there are many changes to your hormones during pregnancy and for many new mothers it can take some time before they feel a bond with their newborn. This is something that many women experience so you should not question if you are able to be a good mother.

Having an understanding partner or the help and support of friends and family will help you get through this period.

But having friends and family around you too often may actually make it difficult for you to concentrate on learning the needs of your newborn and developing a relationship with your baby.

A newborns senses and reflexes are surprising well developed right from the beginning of their life. In some circumstances where you and the baby are forced to be apart after childbirth, where there might be some additional care required by the hospital nursing staff and doctors in special care units, you will need time to be with your baby and start developing your bond.

It is a big change to your life to have a newborn baby and such a change can take time to get accustomed to so don't try to rush things along and always follow the advice of your doctor.

Once you start getting involved more in the care of your baby you might find that any strange emotions begin to subside and you will begin to feel the love that you expected towards your child.

You should always feel free to discuss anything that is concerning you and in particular your doctor and nurses as they are dealing with similar situations on a daily basis and it is better to listen to informed advice rather than the opinions of people who might not understand the situation.

Such feelings might not affect you whatsoever but it always good to know the facts in advance should this happen to you as you will be better able to deal with it.

How to Get Your Baby to
Sleep Through the Night
Every Night! Find out here.