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Will drinking coffee affect my breast milk?
New mothers are often sleep deprived and a morning cup of coffee is a great help but many mothers worry that drinking coffee may affect their breast milk and may keep the baby awake for longer. However, taken in moderation (2-3 cups a day), coffee does not affect breast milk. Only a few traces of the caffeine a woman consumes gets into her breast milk, and this minuscule amount is not enough to harm most babies. Caffeine levels in breast milk peak one to two hours after drinking coffee. So it may be better to drink your cup of coffee soon after you have breastfed the baby.
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My baby can’t turn himself over yet. By what age should he be able to?
Don’t worry. Turning over and crawling are actions your baby will do when he is ready to. Some babies never learn to turn themselves over, but instead move onto the next step, pulling themselves up. You shouldn’t force your baby to roll over or crawl. -
My baby is always putting things in his mouth. Even if I try to stop him, he doesn’t listen to me.
First, don’t keep dangerous things near your baby. When he puts something in his mouth, tell him “No!” and take it away from him. It is more important to take it away from him than to scold him.
Also, you and your partner should talk with each other to coordinate on how to train your baby. -
Should I give my baby solids only after he turns 6 months?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. This is because during the initial six months, the baby needs to consume all the goodness that comes with breast milk in order to build immunity and grow stronger. You could start with water and juices in feeding bottles or drinking cups when the baby is six months old and progress to solids. If solid foods are started before six months, the baby tends to consume lesser amounts of breast milk and consequently lesser of the nutrients that breast milk provides. If you plan to start on solid foods before six months due to the baby not gaining enough weight or for babies who are being formula fed, ensure that you consult a doctor before you start. -
When would I start to feel the baby’s kicks in the womb?
Baby movement can be noticed as early as 16 weeks. This is known as Quickening, a feeling like butterflies fluttering in your stomach. It is sometimes mistaken for gas as it feels like small bubbles in your stomach. If this is your first pregnancy, you are less likely to notice the flutters till you are 18-20 weeks but those who have experienced pregnancy earlier are able to detect quickening as early as 16 weeks. They will not feel like real kicks because the baby still has room to move around and you may only notice them if you are sitting or lying down quietly. -
How long should a 6 month old baby sleep during the day?
Around 6 months, the baby undergoes a sleep regression (the first one is usually around 4 months of age). Sleep regression is a period of time, usually about two to four weeks, when a baby who’s sleeping well suddenly has trouble settling down for sleep or wakes up fussing in the middle of the night. Apart from this unpredictable patch, your baby should still be sleeping about 15 hours a day, with 9-11 hours at night and the rest in two or three daytime naps. Most babies have their longest nap after a warm bath. -
By what age do kids need to be potty trained?
There is no specific age for potty training. Most children start working on potty training skills between 18 to 36 months but age does not determine whether it is time to be potty trained. Infact, potty training has more to do with the milestones that the child has reached and less with an exact age. Your child will exhibit signs that he / she is ready to be potty trained. At an age when the child is able to follow directions (to know how to reach the bathroom), undress on his / her own, stays dry for two hours or more (showing an increased bladder capacity), is able to realise that he / she is about to go, and can walk and run well is probably the best time to think about potty training. -
My baby is 11 months old but hasn’t started teething yet.
While the average age when the first tooth erupts is said to be between 5-7 months, it can come out as early as 3 months and as late as 15 months. The timing is generally hereditary so if one or more parents had their first tooth coming out at age 1 or so, then you can expect the same for the baby. What you can do is be prepared for the time when the baby starts teething. Ensure that the baby is feeding well and has sufficient nutrition. Babies tend to be cranky and drool a lot when they are teething. If gums seem sore, gently rub the gums using a cool finger to soothe the pain. A teething ring or wet wash cloth that has been cooled in the freezer can also help relieve the baby’s pain. -
When can I start throwing my baby in the air?
You should better not throw your baby in the air- or perform any other large swaying motions- until your baby is at least 6 months old. It will be fine when he is able to sit by his own. And you can pull him into a sitting position by his hands at about 4-5 months, or when he can hold his head up on his own.
