As formula milk Is not considered sterile, extra care needs to be taken to ensure that bacteria is kept to a minimum as baby’s immune system is not strong enough to fight off any infection.
Here’s what you can do to ensure hygiene and keep your baby safe and healthy!
Sterilise all bottle-feeding equipment
It is important to sterilise everything they use for drinking until they’re 12 months old. Use a bottle brush to ensure there are no more milk residue left on any part of the bottle and teats. Once the items are sterilised and airdried, store them in a sealed container until you need them.
Wash your hands
This goes without saying - always make sure your hands are clean before preparing the bottle of milk!
Use sterile water
Always use cooled or lukewarm boiled water to make the bottle of formula.
Use the milk scoop that comes with the tin
Always use the scoop provided in the tin to measure the powder (different brands may use different measurements). You don’t have to wash the scoop every time you use it, as long as your hands are clean. If splatters of water get onto the scoop, dry it completely before putting it back in the tin.
Follow the tin instructions
Follow the instructions that comes with the tin – also bearing in mind that it is different from brand to brand. Using incorrect amounts may affect baby’s health.
Use within an hour
Prepared formula milk needs to be consumed within an hour. If refrigerated, it must be used within 24 hours. However, once baby has drunk the milk, it is not advisable to stick it in the fridge for later use as it has already come into contact with baby’s saliva.
Preparation in advance
Ideally, formula milk should be prepared just before you need to use it. But if you really have to prepare in advance, you can store it in the fridge for 24 hours and transport it in a cold bag. If prepared formula milk is left out of the fridge for too long, it can form bacteria. Alternatively, you can carry a flask of hot water with you and mix the milk when you need it.
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Fever in babies can be very worrying for parents – especially if it’s your first child. But it is also very likely that your baby will experience feverish temperatures during her first few months.
It’s very heart wrenching to watch your baby go through any sort of illnesses, but remember, fevers play a part in helping them when they’re unwell! Here’s what you need to know about your baby’s fever and what you should do when they have it.
What is a fever?
What should you do?
For babies under 3 months old, it is best to bring her to the doctor if she’s running a temperature as her immunity is still considered weak. However, if baby is older than 3 months, there are some things you can do at home to help bring the temperature down.
When should you see a doctor then?
What to do if my baby has a convulsion or seizure?
Children can have a convulsion or mild seizure when they are running a temperature. It is quite common for children between 6 months to 6 years old.
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The cloth diaper
For centuries, infants were usually wrapped tightly in homemade, improvised cloths or in coverings made from plants or animal skins. Sometimes, both materials were used, as in the case of the Inuit, or Eskimos, who were stuffing layers of moss or peat inside a seal’s skin to diaper their infants as early as the 1300s. Evidence suggests, however, that sanitation was not strictly observed: during the 16th century, for example, wet garments were simply dried and reused!
The mid-19th century saw the advent of cloth diapers in today’s more recognisable form: typically squarish in shape and spun from cotton. Cloth diapers were also able to be fastened onto babies more easily, thanks to the invention of the safety pin in the late 1840s. Since then, the basic cotton diaper has hardly evolved through the decades. Today, cloth diapers are generally made from a mix of natural fibres and manmade materials including cotton, hemp, bamboo, wool, microfibre, polyester fleece and or/ polyurethane laminate (PUL). Increasingly, there is a trend towards using organic natural fibres too, for more green and sustainable production practices and less risk of skin allergies. Some cloth diapers now even have double or triple layers and a multiple, fibre-filled strip, making them much more absorbent than older styles.
Pros of cloth diapers
Cons of cloth diapers
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It’s a wrap!
When it comes to diapering baby, is it possible to have the best of both worlds? Most parents would definitely prefer the convenience of disposables, but may perhaps be uncomfortable with their little one leaving a significant carbon footprint so early in his young life!
Environmentalists also have insisted that there is no such thing as a truly 100 percent biodegradable diaper and some supposedly biodegradable materials don’t decay completely either. Meanwhile, compostable diapers may be popular overseas but not so in a country like Singapore, where most of the population resides in high-rise apartments. Even if you do have a garden, it’s not so simple either as simply burying the diaper with soil as part of compost mix—if not done right, there’s the risk of spreading bacteria from faeces, and even this sort of biodegradable diaper will still take a year to completely decompose (and that’s for just one, so realistically speaking, there won’t be enough area for such activity).
So what’s a savvy, tree-hugging mamma supposed to do? For starters, compromise, especially if cloth diapering all the way really isn’t your thing. And back to the question at the beginning: yes, you can have the best of both worlds, albeit with hybrid diapers, which combine both cloth and eco-friendly disposable components.
Essentially, a hybrid diaper features a diaper cover that’s reusable and waterproof, which is a big plus, as it’s usually the outside of the disposable diaper that contains the stuff that’s hardest to break down. Hybrid diapers also give you the option of either using a biodegradable disposable pad for the inside (which can be thrown away or in some cases, flushed down the loo), or natural cloth liners made of green materials like organic cotton, wood pulp, hemp or charcoal bamboo. While washing is still involved, the load won’t be as heavy, and most importantly, you’ll still be doing your bit in helping cut down on the consumer waste of disposable diapers.
If you’re seriously contemplating using hybrid diapers on your baby, you will have to decide which inner liner option you would prefer to purchase. As your baby grows you will also have to fork out for the outer cover (commonly referred to as the “shell” in hybrids) which comes in different sizes and of course, a variety of adorable designs. In Singapore, brands such as GroVia, Moo Moo Kow and RafRaf are all readily available; if not in stores then online via local delivery.
Dare we say you’re now better prepped to make a more educated decision in choosing a diapering solution for baby? Here’s hoping your baby gets nappy-happy!
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Your baby is born tough. If you notice how the hospital nurses treat your newborn, you will realise that they are not as delicate as you think. But this does not mean you can compromise on safety—your baby is still young and vulnerable, and his overall well-being and security remain your responsibility. Being aware and vigilant of the following areas will help provide that little extra ease of mind when it comes to protecting your newborn from harm or other mishaps.
Handling a newborn
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
It is recommended that infants should be placed on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS, also known as crib death. SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby under 1 year old. Some things you can do to make your baby safer:
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Car Safety
Fall Precaution
Preventing Accidents
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Beat the baby blues! We talk to Dr Wong Chin Khoon of SBCC Baby and Child Clinic for his insights into yet another common baby health woe that first-time parents face – and we’re looking at Diarrhea – or loose stools – a baby ailment that can be really messy as well as worrying for parents.
Read on to find out the cause of this digestive condition, its symptoms, and what you can do if your baby suddenly ‘lets loose’, as advised by Dr Wong.
Diarrhea or the frequent passage of loose stools may be an isolated symptom or may be associated with vomiting, fever and/or loss of appetite as part of acute gastroenteritis (GE). The underlying cause is a virus transmitted from either an infected person or contaminated object (e.g. toys, utensils, cups).
According to Dr Wong, passing loose stools 6 to 8 times may be normal in a totally breastfed baby. So it is important to compare the frequency and consistency of the stools to his or her normal pattern.
Vomiting and diarrhea are the body’s way of getting rid of an infection or telling us that something is wrong. Infection by a virus is usually mild and should not last longer than 1 week.
The gold standard of treatment is maintenance of hydration and oral probiotic. The most important thing you need to know is that there is NO NEED to stop the diarrhea by giving anti-spasmodic medicine like in the adult!
Dr Wong advises that parents should in fact allow the diarrhea to run its course. The body is trying to purge out the unwanted waste, which takes an average of 2 to 4 days.
Your child should get better if he or she gets lots of rest, liquids, and good foods. Fever medication may be used (if the temperature exceeds 38°C) to enable your baby to feel more comfortable so that he can sleep and drink better.
Oral rehydration therapy is another way to help your baby when he or she has vomiting or diarrhea.
An oral electrolyte solution (ORS) is a liquid that has exactly the right amount of water, sugar, and salts needed for rehydration. Water is not the ideal rehydration fluid as it does not have these ingredients.
You can buy the ORS in most pharmacies in one of these forms: solution, power or effervescent tablet which needs to be dissolved in required amount of boiled water. The amount needed depends on the age and weight of your baby. Your baby’s appetite is often affected, so go slow and give small but frequent hydration fluid.
Dr Wong also reminds parents that your baby’s bottom needs extra care too!
Ensure timely change of diapers and be more liberal in your use of diaper barrier cream to prevent diaper rash.
The warning signs can be different for each child. Watch your child closely. Pay attention to things that you think are different about your child’s usual behavior.
Your baby should see a doctor if he or she has ANY of the warning signs for serious vomiting or diarrhea as follows:
We hope that you have benefited from this little health tip. Remember to consult your healthcare professional for medical advice.
About Dr Wong Chin Khoon MBBS (S’pore),
MMED Paediatrics (S’pore), FAMS
Private Paediatrician currently practicing at SBCC Baby and Child Clinic located at 26 Jalan Membina #01-05 Singapore 161026
Dr Wong headed the Children’s Emergency at National University Hospital when it started the service in 2002, before moving on to Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital serving as Senior Consultant in 2006. He was also the Senior Consultant, Contingency & Scenario Planning Division, Ops Group at Ministry of Health from 2008 – 2010. Dr Wong was awarded the HMDP training award (Paediatric Emergency, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada) in 2001. He remains amongst only a handful of paediatricians who has received formal training in the field of Paediatric Emergency in Singapore. Dr Wong was also awarded the EXSA (Excellence Service) Award (Silver) in 2008.
This article first appeared on Mummys Market Expert Tips.
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The first year of motherhood can be a nerve wrecking experience. But, one of the most rewarding parts of this difficult experience is to see your little one mature and grow. And the timing of your baby’s growth spurts tends to follow a pattern.
But, when does this pattern repeat itself? When does your little one go through growth spurts? Read on and get the answers to these questions here. Here we look at when babies go through growth spurts and how you can spot them.
A growth spurts is a sudden increase in your baby’s growth rate, and experts often link it with increased feedings. While going through a growth spurt, your baby will be hungrier than usual and act fussier than normal. He will feel more hungry and you will have to breastfeed him more frequently than normal.
Babies tend to consume more breast milk while they go through a growth spurt, and it is temporary in nature. Most breastfed babies seem to exhibit such symptoms during the first few weeks of their life. The breast milk consumption normalizes between one and six months. After six months, when you begin to wean your baby with solid foods, his breast milk consumption gradually decreases.
Growth spurts mark physical and mental developments for your baby. Your little one requires proper nutrition so that he becomes more mature and learns different growth facets like rolling over, crawling, walking or talking. In most of the time, growth spurts last for only two to three days. Try to feed your baby constantly during such phase and help him go through the development changes smoothly.
Growth spurts occur in both breastfed and bottle-fed babies.
Here are some of the noticeable changes that occur during growth spurts:
Let us look at the data, which help to analyze your baby’s growth rate after the first year of his life.
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Yes, they are interrelated. A feeding spurt is the phase when your baby seems hungrier than usual and needs frequent feeding. Your baby will act fussier than usual and seem hungrier than usual, in fact, even after you feed him. Mothers need to increase the frequency of feeding, for both breast milk and formula milk. For breastfed babies, the feeding can reach up to 18 times in 24 hours.
Surprisingly, a feeding spurt is not directly related to enhanced growth rate, but it helps your baby consume more calories and grow fast. For such reasons, many individuals use the terms feeding spurt and growth spurt to indicate the same thing.
Besides being hungrier than usual, there are some other signs of growth spurts in babies, which include:
Here are some of the helpful tips that guide parents to deal with growth spurts and keep babies calm during the sensitive phase:
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Article written by Ria Saha
Baby acne can occur in as high as 70% of babies including newborns. It is thus quite a common ailment. But what causes those nasty blisters and how can you treat and prevent them? Here is all you need to know about baby acne, its cause, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Erythema toxicum neonatorum, better known by its colloquial name baby acne, is the formation of yellow or white-headed blisters or papules surrounded by red skin on cheeks, forehead, neck and parts of the torso like the chest. They can even appear on legs, predominantly on thighs.
The red blisters of baby acne usually appear and disappear over the course of days or even hours. Although they seem nasty, they are harmless. In fact, your baby will be least bothered about that acne and will continue to behave normally.
There are two types of acne that affect babies at two different stages of their infant life:
Neonatal acne may last a month and clear away without any scarring. In some cases, it may last a couple of months and then clear away without medical intervention.
On the other hand, infantile acne could last for months but will show signs of fading once the baby turns twelve months old. However, this acne has a tendency to persist until three years of age, in which case they leave a permanent scar. Medical intervention may be required in case of infantile acne.
Baby acne usually affects parts of the face but can also be found on neck, chest and sometimes on the scalp. The symptoms include red patches or red blisters that cover a localized section or are distributed in various parts of the body.
Infantile acne looks quite similar to adolescent acne since they may also show pustules, which are pimples. This acne can be itchy, and the baby will try to scratch the affected area.
There is no known cause for baby acne, and even medical practitioners are perplexed by it. There are hypotheses though, and we have listed the popular ones. Note that these are not the confirmed reasons for baby acne but just the popular theories about probable causes:
The transfer of maternal hormones from breast milk to the baby is often considered a reason for baby acne. In case a newborn displays acne within a few hours of birth then the transfer of hormones could have happened through the placenta in the womb.
Breast milk is the safest food for a baby, even if it is laden with maternal hormones. It is never known to cause any skin problems. In fact, it improves the baby’s resistance thanks to its antibodies.
Babies have a developing epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. Their skin can be so sensitive that it is easily affected by simple events such as a change in temperature, contact with an abrasive material or even too much pressure at a point.
All babies have sensitive skin. Thus, this theory does not explain why some babies suffer from acne while some never get it.
The acne could be considered a complication of certain allergy. It could be an allergy to a food or medication. Skin hives and eczema are common manifestations of an allergic reaction. Although they may seem similar, skin hives and eczema are different from baby acne. Baby acne does not cause any discomfort to the baby nor is life-threatening. Moreover, babies that are exclusively breastfed and non-allergic may also show acne.
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It has not been scientifically proven that any food consumed by the mother, like fatty or oily food, causes baby acne. Since babies do not eat the food, which adolescents suffering from acne eat, the possibility of acne being caused by an ingested food can be ruled out in the case of babies.
Thus, baby acne does not have a specific cause and can be conveniently described as a spontaneous event. Changes in skin structure due to its constant growth and development could be a reason since baby acne is less prevalent in premature babies whose skin is yet to attain the level of a full-term baby. It is a theory that is not scientifically proven and is just a speculation. As a parent, you need not worry about harmless baby acne, but there can be situations when you must rush your little one to the doctor.
Baby acne is not fatal and should not be a source of constant worrying. But there are certain situations in which you must promptly bring the condition under medical supervision:
An inspection of the acne by a doctor can help make an accurate diagnosis of the condition.
As astonishing as it may sound, there is no treatment for baby acne. The primary reason is the fact that there is no known cause for baby acne thus making it impossible to prescribe a medicine without knowing the target. Baby acne itself is completely harmless and is never dangerous. It may last for a few days or a month but will disappear without your intervention. Your pediatrician is quite likely to advise you to leave the condition untouched.
However, he might suggest some medicine to provide relief for the baby’s skin.
First a word of caution. Do not try any over-the-counter acne medication for your baby nor use a cream, lotion or soap without your doctor’s advice. Most non-prescription acne medications are for adolescents and adults. Do not even use essential oils, creams or scrub the baby’s skin during bathing.
There are certain home remedies such as oatmeal bath that aim at moisturizing the baby’s skin but have not been medically proven to treat baby acne. All these can actually worsen the condition. If there is anything you can do to help your baby’s skin to be healthy, then it is the following:
Breast milk provides the best nutrition for your baby. It is rich in powerful antibodies that protect the baby from pneumonia and diarrhea-causing pathogens. It also protects the baby from developing allergies.
Breast milk also has antibacterial properties due to the presence of lysozyme, an enzyme that inhibits microbial growth. You can express some milk from your breast and dab it on your baby’s acne using a piece of cotton. This should not be harmful to your baby.
Since baby acne has no specific cause and occurs spontaneously, there are no recommended preventive measures. But you can follow some general guidelines. Following are the various ways you can keep your baby’s skin soft and healthy:
Have a regular bath routine for your baby. This ensures that his skin is free of bacteria and dead cells. It will also help control sweat since babies have underdeveloped sweat glands that tend to secrete excessively.
Your baby will happily wear what mommy buys for him. Be sure it is soft, comfortable and provides ample room for movement and ventilation. Babies can get quite vexed with tight clothing, especially during summer. This can cause serious skin conditions that may require prompt medical attention.
Replace those diapers regularly even if the junior has not soiled them. Nappy rashes are those nasty blisters that can occur just by moisture and lack of ventilation.
If it is humid summer, then keep his skin dry; if it is dry winter, then keep his skin moist. Maintaining ample levels of moisture and dryness according to the season is quite important. The underdeveloped skin is too primitive to maintain moisture on its own. Therefore, it needs external intervention through moisturizers and ventilation.
You must never scratch, pinch or poke a rash on your baby’s skin. Fiddling with it will aggravate the condition causing a major outbreak that may require medical attention.
There can be situations when the rashes on the skin are not exactly acne and are indicators of some other skin problem.
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It is common for most parents to feel glum when it comes to the slightest discomfort of their precious baby. Do you know Cradle Cap is a common skin condition that affects most babies? Though these scales have a cute name, Cradle Cap, the condition is not as appealing as it sounds. Read on to know how you can help your baby get rid of the scaly patches and have a healthy scalp soon!
Cradle Cap refers to the thick scales of yellowish skin and greasy patches that appear on a baby’s head. Cradle Cap or seborrhoeic dermatitis, milk crust or honeycomb disease, is usually a harmless though unsightly rash that affects babies. Crusts might also be visible on the eyebrows and near the ears of the infant. The scalp becomes dry and may peel, flake or appear red. Though sometimes Cradle Cap covers the entire scalp, it usually affects just a small patch.
Contrary to the common misconception, you should not mistake it for eczema. If left untreated, Cradle Cap heals on its own. But in such cases, the probability of recurrence is higher. As your baby’s hair grows thick, it is likely that the Cradle Cap completely recedes from view.
So,what causes cradle cap in babies?
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It is not always necessary to treat Cradle Cap. Time is the only effective cure. However, if you find them abominable,cradle cap treatment for babies involve the following methods to heal your baby’s scalp.
1. Use any baby oil for cradle cap. Apply olive oil or petroleum jelly on the baby’s scalp. Leave it overnight. Wash the baby’s hair next morning with a baby shampoo. Towel-dry her hair and gently comb the scales off. Repeat the same process every day until all the scales disappear.
2.Cradle cap shampoo for babies can be an option too to cure this problem.Some baby shampoos contain special formulations to clear Cradle Cap. You may opt for one of them, but be careful to stop the use of the product immediately if you find the skin showing any sign of irritation.
3. You may massage drops of Sorbolene or glycerine on the baby’s eyebrows and ears to remove the scales over there. During bath time, carefully remove the crust using a soft flannel.
4. Topical application of aloe vera gel is an effective remedy for Cradle Caps.
5. Applying a vitamin B6 cream or salve helps treat the skin condition.
6. Antiseborrheic shampoos like Sebulex can come in handy to cure Cradle Cap.
7. Very rarely, the scales can turn itchy. In such conditions, a steroid cream or ointment can be applied to the baby’s scalp. However, seek your doctor’s opinion before using an OTC medication.
8. A multi-vitamin and multi-mineral complex specially formulated for infants can help infants overcome any nutritional deficiency which can cause Cradle Cap.
If you are breastfeeding, you may try the following methods to cure your baby’s Cradle Cap without any medication.
Though there is no absolute way to keep Cradle Cap at bay, you may follow the guidelines to reduce its incidence.
Cradle Cap is not a reason to hit the panic button. Though unpleasant to look at, try ignoring them and give it some time to disappear gradually. Relax, your baby will be fine soon!
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Overtiredness is a condition in between tiredness and exhaustion. It is a state of physical fatigue that activates the stress-response system.
An overtired baby is too tired to sleep and gets fussy. Even if she manages to fall asleep, she would wake up soon after and struggle to go back to sleep. The more the baby gets tired, the harder it is to put her to sleep, as she cannot control or express herself. To put it simple, an overtired baby just won’t sleep.
Can a little baby, who seemingly has little activity through the day, get really overtired? Yes, she can and it is interesting to know what makes her so tired.
The most common cause for overtiredness is sleep deprivation. Your little one learns several things during the day time. To process all of them, she needs regular naps. That is why babies have short awake hours, which extend with age. For example:
As your baby gets closer to finishing her awake time, she turns drowsy and is all set for a nap. This is the right time for you to settle down your little one, as she can fall asleep with ease.
But what if you do not put her to sleep at the right time? Well, she will have to produce more of cortisol and adrenaline hormones to stay awake. Now, this is stress! The cortisol and adrenaline hormones flood into the bloodstream, making it difficult for the little one to relax.
Note: Crying it out is not helpful for babies and could be stressful.
Signs Of Tiredness In Babies:
Why do babies cry when they are tired? Your baby could cry as the last resort after trying to communicate with you in several other ways. If you are asking, “In what way does she communicate with me?” then read on.
Understanding your baby’s cues will help your baby sleep. You need not have to deal with a grumpy baby. Doesn’t it sound great! Here are a few common and early cues of tiredness in babies.
If you miss all these signals the probable outcome is a fussy and crying baby. All these are late signs of an overtired baby. At this stage, a tired newborn cries without any apparent reason, pulls up legs in pain, and arches her back. An older baby puts up miserable behavior, rejects food, fights sleep, screams, and cries.
All these are signs of ‘Flight, Fright and Fight’ that are the classic response to stress hormones. A fussy baby means you surely have missed the bus!
Note: Sometimes, parents may not be able to differentiate between overtiredness of the baby and reflux and colic. Understanding the actual reason is important. Seek a doctor’s advice, if required.
What if you overlook these tiredness cues? You may have to deal with full out meltdowns, which could be a nightmare. Make efforts to calm down the exhausted baby.
Some babies are ready to sleep at the first signs of tiredness. But some need to be very tired before they fall asleep. You’ll know the difference as your baby grows.
Here’s what you can do when you see tired signs in your baby:
To calm down an older baby:
When a baby is tired, she may wake up soon after she falls asleep. So be ready to soothe her back to sleep.
If your baby is getting overtired frequently, she displays a different behavior. It is essential to figure it out and take necessary measures. Such a baby may:
Overlooking these behaviors could hamper the overall development of the baby. It is essential to prevent overtiredness by giving her enough naps. Keep reading to learn several ways to achieve this.
Keeping an eye on your little one and her activities would help her from getting tired frequently. These tips would be beneficial.
When you know that your baby goes to sleep at seven in the evening, be ready for her bedtime routine beforehand.
A. Your baby was happily playing around, creating a mess, and then she turns inconsolable. She just won’t settle down! Well, an overtired baby cries it out. They can neither realize nor express their tiredness and eventually cry. They fight to fall asleep.
A. Hormones and neurotransmitters play a role in the entire process. Melatonin and cortisol are the key hormones that govern sleep. The levels of these hormones keep changing all through the day, making it easy to fall asleep at certain times of the day.
Cortisol keeps us awake and alert. It peaks at 8am and begins to droop as the day progresses.
Melatonin prepares us to sleep.
By stimulating the brain to release more melatonin, you can help your little one fall asleep easily.
A calm, sleeping baby is like music to a mother’s ears! Then why not make a little effort to put the little one to sleep before she gets overtired? They key lies in reading the signs and symptoms. With practice, you can learn to decipher your baby’s unspoken words!
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This post was originally posted on MomJunction
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