babies do cry for attention and this is a more serious issue. Most babies require lots of attention and if you give a fair amount you will have a happier baby. Do not label a baby ‘naughty’ – emotional attention is a valid need. Using a baby carrier will often solve the problem of crying for a bit of closeness to Mom or Dad. If Baby is constantly niggly despite your efforts, it might just be the sign of a high-need baby or she might need the homeopathic remedy Chamomilla Tablets. Babies’ personalities are as individual as those of adults and occasionally one might feel that they are not all that pleasant!
If a baby was born by Caesarean section or had a difficult normal birth, Arnica tablets can be useful to reduce the effects of stress. These unhappy babies also respond well to massage.
Other conditions that cause crying and need special attention are colic and teething. Read more elsewhere in this book.
Lastly, if all other reasons for crying have been checked, one thinks of fever and illness in an unhappy infant. Always be observant – ask yourself if Baby feels feverish, is off his milk or whether his wet nappies smell strongly, indicating a bladder infection, for instance.
WEEK SIX
Six weeks is another quite critical time in life with a baby. In South Africa it is presently the time when immunisation commences and when snuffles, blocked noses and colds first appear. Baby is due for another growth spurt, which you should approach as for the three-week spurt. You might be feeling quite tired after six weeks of the hardest work a woman will ever do, and at the same time might feel that time with Baby is running out as your maternity leave progresses.
Excess mucus underlies most of the minor and many of the more serious common childhood complaints, and babies and small children are more prone to this.
COMMON CONCERNS FROM THREE TO SIX WEEKS
Read more about these elsewhere:
•Colic
•Sticky eyes
•Milia (or baby pimples)
•Cradle cap
•Oral thrush
•Skin rashes.
Common causes of excess mucus at this age are:
•Sensitivity to dairy and soy-based formula milk;
•A lot of dairy and grain products in the diet of a breastfeeding mom;
•A cold, dry climate;
•Immunisation;
•Unduly early introduction of baby cereal in an attempt to get Baby to sleep longer and better at night.
Take note of the following tips:
•Restrict dairy in your diet if nursing.
•Change Baby’s formula to a special allergy or intolerance milk formula.
•Add 5 drops of Eucalyptus oil to Baby’s bath water while running in the hot water: the soothing vapours will promote opening of the airways.
•In cold dry climates run a warm-air humidifier overnight. Add a few drops of Eucalyptus oil. Clean the humidifier thoroughly each morning to prevent bacterial growth.
•Do not give cereal at this early stage.
•See the Health section of this guide for tips relating to immunisation.
BABY GAMES
•Blow gently on the soles of Baby’s feet.
•Ride bicycle with Baby’s legs.
•Grasp Baby’s arms gently and repeatedly cross and unfold them over the midline while making encouraging and friendly sounds.
Six Weeks to Three Months
This is an increasingly enjoyable period as Baby responds happily and admiringly to all interaction. Handling is easier and you feel that you are getting to know his or her personality quite well.
MILESTONES
•Baby will have better neck control but you will still need to support the head as soon as Baby is not held in the upright position.
•Baby will increasingly track moving objects, even following over the midline.
•Notice how he focuses on specific objects for longer periods.
•She will swipe at objects hanging within arm’s distance.
•He loves to look at faces drawn on a paper plate, or will make do with yours!
•When tired or over-stimulated, she will look away and refuse to make eye contact.
Try these tips to help you spend enjoyable, significant time with your baby during these weeks:
•Cuddle closely and warmly with your baby often. They love the familiar warmth, aroma and presence of the most important people in their world, Mom and Dad.
•Feed your baby whenever necessary. Hunger is one of the main reasons for discontent in the early days and appetite varies throughout a baby’s day, so don’t try and stick to a schedule.
•Rock your baby. Rhythmic motion is mostly a great comforter for small babies: it will remind them of their womb-time, when a rocking motion was always present.
•Protect your baby from too much involvement with strangers. If every visitor has carte blanche with your baby, you might be left with a distressed infant. Gently but firmly stand up for both the rights of both of you to peace and happiness. At the same time, demonstrate confidence with others so that Baby feels relaxed in company.
•Talk and sing to your baby from the very beginning. Babies love the sound of their parents’ voices and they love to be included in your conversations – it says to them they are wanted, recognised and loved and what more could any baby want? It doesn’t matter if it’s baby talk or not, just keep talking!
•Place your baby’s pram or crib under a leafy tree. The instant mobile and the play of light and shadow is fascinating to small babies and can lull them into a restful sleep or simply keep them happy for quite a while.
•Place twins together in a crib or cot. Not only do they love the familiar closeness of their very first companion, but it is often a comforter in unhappy times or as sleep descends.
BABY GAMES
COMMON CONCERNS
Read more about these elsewhere:
•Restless
