Please can we share our baby-knowledge here, for new mums?

[Columbia]

I just thought there might be a place for a thread where we talk about baby tips, all in one place - such as how your baby communicates with you. (could be wrong )

I was hopeless first time - to me every cry was 'feed me' when actually he probably had wind, a wet nappy, you know what I mean...I was so scared of the crying, I shoved my boob in at every opportunity. And wondered why for some reason, he still cried...

This time I can better distinguish, and I wish someone had told me what he meant the first time. So I'm not being patronising!!

Some I would pass on:

Very tiny baby putting hand up to mouth = feed me.

small baby (under 6 months) staring intently at you from lying down, refuses to lose eye contact or smile = feed me. Do not walk away.

Baby doing 'riverdance' with arms outstretched in a 'crucifix' shape= pick me up.

Anyone else?

When you start weaning...

Be careful - TMI

...if you feed them banana, you may see what looks like lots of tiny dark brown worms in their next poo. It's not, it's just the way banana um, come out the other end.

And baby groups are worth going to, even if it just for yourself when the babies are very young.

My DS is 14 wks, so tips to date:

BF can HURT; I'm bloody minded so persisted and by week 3 it was better. Best tip was to count to 10 or 20 each time DS latched on and pain should go away, if it didn't then latch was not correct (ie nipple not pointing to roof of baby's mouth). Watch This Morning when BF, at least Philip and Fern made me smile... Now at wk 14 no pain at all, except for when lazy and done bad latch or if DS feeding for Britain. If DC does feed for Britain, it is OK to swap breasts after 15 mins...

Tummy time: DS hates it too, best trick so far is for me to sit on floor with legs outstretched, DS face down across my thighs, then 'walk' my legs to bounce him on thighs while singing a made-up song. That, followed by rolling him along my legs (sounds bizarre but he loves it) works a treat. Then follow it with him lying on his back on floor and gently bouncing his legs like when changing nappy - loads of wind released! However re tummy time, my HV was reassuring and said his muscles will strengthen in time anyway. If you are worried about flat head, you can see Plagio UK site for suggested products, we got Goi Goi pillow, seems to be working.

Colds: DS in full flood at mo. A saline nasal spray helps thin mucus (I'm using Weleda, but think Doc can prescribe) - when baby has cold, more burps get trapped by mucus so they can have more wind too. One midwife suggested putting vaseline either side of nose bridge, think this is to help block pores so breathing through nose dries out mucus. Sneezing is baby's way of clearing mucus - try to keep them upright so that it drains.
See Kelly Mum article!

Cries: Thanks v much for tip re staring, Columbia - had wondered why DS was fixing gimlet eye on me. I've been waiting for the 'cough cry' as described by The Baby Whisperer. This book v useful for other body language/cries.

Sleep: The No Cry Sleep Solution book looks good - been lent to me by HV so must be OK! Also re 'sleeping through night', if BF, baby not so 'full' as bottle fed babies so won't sleep through night as soon. And according to NCSS book, 'sleeping through night' actually means for a stretch of 5 hours. So DS technically sleeping through night already, most nights! Shame his stretch starts at 8pm...

Other useful books: Infant Massage (Vimala McClure) gives enough info for you to do massage if you can't get to a class.

I'm sure there's loads of other things, but this post already long enough...

I would say do NOT buy a million books telling you how to look after a baby. They just make you feel more powerless and confused. Trust your instincts, and remember that whatever decision you take is the correct one. People writing those books are just trying to make money and dismiss other people's books/theories. Their way isn't the only way...

ah... although the no-cry sleep solution is good...!

Thank you Columbia - I take great comfort in your comments. I had been beating myself up over the co-sleeping issue and am slowing coming to realise that its not an issue at all so long we are careful. At 11 weeks he has never slept alone and I have spent most of that time worrying about when I will be able to put him in his basket. He never sleeps thru but wakes up once or twice to feed (as I do to raid the fridge). We are getting sleep and for that we are grateful.

I have decided that we will just do the "vague" thing and follow our instincts and hopefully we will know when we can ease him into more convenient sleeping arrangements. As a first-time new mum I am unsure but relaxed in the knowledge that we are as rational and sensible as the next parents and should take courage in our own decisions.

I am loving it by the way but its taken just over 2 months to get the "loving" it. The first 2 months I was consumed with self-doubt and insecurity and then he smiled !

Loosebunny !!