In national polls, 25% of US mothers admit to bed sharing (or co-sleeping) with their baby. Do you know how to do this safely? What defines a safe sleep environment for bedsharing/co-sleeping: Always place babies in the supine position for sleep. Use a firm, flat surface, preferably a mattress on the floor. Avoid waterbeds, couches,…
Newborn sleep patterns need not be an enigma for new parents
Newborn infants have distinct active sleep & quiet sleep states present by 27 to 30 weeks gestation. They have more active (or REM) sleep earlier in development. During REM sleep, babies twitch, wiggle around, vocalize, & smile. Also their breathing is irregular & they may hiccup. Patterns of active & quiet sleep brain activity change…
Care for Your Late Preterm Baby at Home
CARE OF YOUR LATE PRETERM BABY AT HOME Once your baby is discharged to home, you will be advised to keep a recorded log of feedings at home, with specific attention to frequency & approximate duration of feeding at the breast, & method & type (expressed breast milk, infant formula) of supplementation. It is helpful…
Late Preterm Babies – A Guide for Parents
DEFINITIONS & CAUSES Late preterm babies are born between 34 0/7 weeks to 36 6/7 weeks gestation. Near term babies are born between 37 0/7 to 38 6/7 weeks gestation. Full term gestation is 39 0/7 weeks and above. Causes of late preterm birth include increased use assisted reproductive technologies ̶ IUI (intrauterine…
Understanding Your Newborn Infant’s Cues
Newborn Babies’ Cues Newborn babies give their mothers all cues they need to figure out what to do. Reading your newborn baby’s cues can be a bit daunting at first. What new mothers must learn is to interpret these cues & respond accordingly. You are equipped to care for your newborn once you understand how…
Fun Facts About Newborns’ Sensory and Neurological Development
Sleep wake states: Synchronization of cyclic motor activity with HR and REM occurs by 28 weeks gestation. Distinct active sleep (AS) & quiet sleep (QS) states present by 27-30 weeks gestation. More AS earlier in development. Less QS earlier in development. Patterns of AS – QS brain activity change in utero and postnatally. Sleep wake…
As a new mom, I was lucky: I knew babies, and I knew biology
I was showing some previously unseen pictures to my daughter the other day. One photo captured her look of complete rapture just as she was handed her newborn daughter after delivery over three years ago. Then Anne said to me, “Oh mom, look how terrified I was!” I never saw any panic on her face…
