Daisypath Anniversary tickers

27 July 2009

My Baby This Week - 1 week old














How your baby's growing
Your newborn's still adjusting to his new world, which he may find a bit noisy and well-lit for his taste. But he's getting used to it. You'll notice his limbs move in a jerky, uncoordinated way. Soon, probably by the end of the month, his movements will become more fluid as his muscle control matures. Sucking and chewing on his hands are his main activities for the moment.

Is your newborn a noisy breather? Lots of air passing through very small airways clogged with lint from blankets, clothing and dust could be the culprit. You probably don't need to worry; he isn't likely to have a cold at this young age. He's just trying his best to breathe. Ask your paediatrician if you're concerned and don't hesitate to call her if you're really worried. Doctors know that tiny babies need extra care.

Your life: getting to grips with breastfeeding
If you're breastfeeding, chances are that you're still trying to get the hang of it this week. Be patient - it does get easier. New mums often wonder if their baby is getting enough milk, especially if he wants to feed all the time or cries after being fed. One tip: If your baby feeds every two to three hours, or at least eight times in 24 hours for the first two to three weeks, he's probably getting all the breastmilk he needs.

You'll probably have a host of questions - how do I know my baby's getting enough milk?...how do I know if my baby is latched on correctly?...what foods should I avoid while breastfeeding? Don't worry, we can help.

Your baby loves to be touched, and what's better than skin-to-skin contact? Your husband and your baby can get closer with our guide to baby massage, a six-step lesson that'll turn him into a whizz at soothing a crying baby.

Don't miss our top 10 dad-tested ways to soothe a crying baby, either.

Parent tip: couple time "We're probably mad, but we tend to stay up late so that we have time together after our baby goes to sleep. Sometimes we tape our favourite shows and watch them later, but mostly we just talk. The next morning we're often tired, but it seems a reasonable price to pay for some grown-up time together." — Laura
Share your tips!

Things to consider
Make sure you put your baby's Immunisation Schedule book or card in a safe place. It contains vital information about your baby's birth, including date and time of birth, birth weight and length, blood group and rhesus type and possibly his Apgar scores as well. More importantly, the Immunisation Schedule will have to be presented when your child enters Standard One — and the school has the right to reject entry if his immunisations are not up to date.

Do you have airbags in your car? If so, you'll need to take care where you put your baby's car seat.

See what our expert has to say about your newborn's development.

Although you'll have a lot on your mind, don't forget your appointment with the ob/gyn for a postnatal check-up six weeks after the birth.

You have 14 days from the birth to register your baby but many parents find they are unable to meet the deadline - in many cases because they are unable to decide on a name! Get some ideas from our BabyNamer - there are 11,000 names to choose from! Once you've decided, ring your nearest National Registration Department office (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara)to check the opening hours.

Although sleeping through the night is a long way off, find out how you can establish healthy sleep habits right from the start.

Try out some fun ideas for playing with your baby. Watch what happens if you attach an unbreakable mirror to your baby's cot. Babies love faces, and discovering their own is a special joy.

Every parent worries about cot death but it's very rare. Find out what you can do to reduce the risks.

Is it normal for a dad to be jealous of a new baby?

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