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FAQ » Faq about Baby Body |
| 1. Is it true that squeezing the milk out of baby’s breasts will prevent her from getting big breasts in adulthood? |
| That is only a myth. It is not advisable to squeeze baby’s breasts even if you think there might be milk in them. Squeezing will only increase the risk of injury to the breast tissue. However, if you spot redness around the swollen breast area, or if baby is running a fever, consult a doctor as soon as possible. |
| 2. With swaddling and then securing baby with a belt, Velcro, or string prevent hyperactivity in years to come? |
| Tying baby is definitely not encouraged as it is potentially very harmful to baby. Remember, baby is not parcel! It causes great discomfort, restricts movement and causes baby to overheat. Moreover, it doesn’t prevent hyperactivity. |
| 3. Will placing a beanbag or a pillow on my baby’s chest prevent her from startling? |
| Putting a beanbag or a pillow on baby’s chest is a dangerous practice. It may affect baby’s breathing because of the weight on her chest. It could also slip up towards her face and cause suffocation. It is advisable to allow baby to sleep on her back without any bolster or pillows around her. |
| 4. Does startling mean that my baby has had a fright? Is there anything that can be done or given to baby to stop her being startled as it wakes her up from her sleep? |
| Startling or the Moro reflex is one of baby’s normal reflexes. It indicates that baby’s nervous system is healthy. Gently swaddling baby may help to reduce the startles but there is no need for any medication. This reflex will be less pronounced as baby grows older. |
| 5. Is it true that hanging things above my baby’s cot will cause her to become cross-eyed? |
| Newborns and young babies can see clearly at a distance of about a foot away. Mobiles and colorful toys should be hung at that distance from all angles. When placed at an appropriate distance these toys can provide entertainment and encourage baby to focus and exercise her eyes. |
| 6. How long should baby continue to wear mittens and booties as her hands and feet are always cold? |
| Baby’s extremities tend to be cooler than the rest of her body, so cold hands and feet are not necessarily an accurate indicator that she is cold. It is not necessary to wear mittens and booties, especially during the day. Whenever possible, leave baby ‘mittens and booties’-free and always encourage her to use her fingers and toes. Prolonged use of mittens may also cause infection in between the fingers. This is due to cotton fluff, sweat and saliva that are trapped. |
| 7. I’ve been told that formula fed babies’ stools should always be yellow and that if stools are green or greenish yellow, it means that the baby has been ‘frightened’. Is this indeed the case? |
| Formula fed babies will occasionally pass greenish grey stools and this may be related to the iron and fat contents of the formula. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. |
| 8. I’ve been advised to go on a strict diet to prevent my baby from having loose stools because frequent bowel movements in breastfed babies are ‘unhealthy’ for my child. Is this true? |
| Frequent bowel movements are normal because breast milk is a natural laxative. Breast milk is also easily digested, hence the stools are loose. Because there is not much substance in the stools, baby tends to have more frequent bowel movements. Actually frequent bowel movements with yellow stools indicate that baby is well nourished. |
| 9. My baby sometimes cries before she urinates. Is it because she is unwell or has discomfort? |
| It is normal for some babies to cry before they urinate. Some babies do not like the sensation just before they pass urine. As long as the urine is clear and in large quantity, and baby is thriving and generally healthy, then there is no need for concern. |
| 10. Is it normal that my baby passes gas very often? Is this an indication that she is having a tummy upset? |
| Farting is a normal bodily function. It is in fact good that baby farts frequently. The release of gases shows that baby’s intestines are functioning well. |
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