We all love our babies. As new moms (and even old moms), we do a lot of worrying, asking questions, in order to make sure our little ones get the best care and attention they deserve. So this thread is for all nairaland moms and dads, old and new. Let's discuss all our baby issues, observations and suggestions based on selected topics so as to keep the thread orderly.

Cold weather can be difficult to deal with when you
have a baby. Whether you're inside the house or
outside, you want to be sure that
your baby is cozy but not overheated. This is important because someone close to me almost lost her nine month old daughter last week due to cold and pneumonia. Let's have some tips on you keep your baby warm and content, no matter where you go this season.

During this cold season, it's your job to make sure
your baby stays warm and dry. But if you're like most
new moms, dealing with a squirmy baby in a bulky
jacket, blankets that fall off, here are tips and that make it easy to keep your baby healthy and
comfortable, whether you're going out
or tucking your child in for the night.
How can I keep my baby warm at night without
piling on blankets?
You're right not to cover your baby with bedding
when you put him to sleep. In fact, to reduce the risk
of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), it is
recommended that you put your baby to sleep on his
back without any pillows or coverings at all. It's a good idea not to overheat the room. So
keeping your baby warm — but not too warm — can
be a little tricky.
What helps:
A cozy sleep environment. Choose a warm flannel
fitted sheet for your baby's bed (and keep plenty of
extras on hand for changes, too). Soft one-piece
footed sleepers help your baby stay warm all night
by keeping him toasty from head to toe. For an extra
layer, put a bodysuit or undershirt underneath the
sleeper.
A terrific alternative to a blanket is a sack or
wearable blanket that zips up the front and can be
worn over a sleeper. These are sleeveless, so your
baby can still move his arms around while the rest of
his body stays covered.
Tip: You can warm a cold bed with a hot water bottle,
a heating pad, or a stove/electric iron. Be sure to
remove it before putting your child down to sleep.

Wonderful posts and handy too.
Thumbs up op

A lot of people has been asking me to post tips on how to buy baby clothes.

Use these six guidelines when purchasing clothes for
babies to avoid being left with expensive garments
your little one wore just once.
It happened to me. Once bitten twice shy.

Many people enjoy giving baby clothes as presents,
but they usually buy the small sizes that won’t fit for
long. Take advantage of this by not buying too many
before your baby is born, then buy wisely to get the
best value for money.

Tip 1.
Always choose one size ahead of your
baby’s actual age. Sizes can be on the small side
and babies grow quickly. Most 6-month-old babies
can wear clothes size 9–12 months, 1-year-olds wear
size 2 and so on. But do take account of the season –
lightweight summer clothes for hot times are no use in cold, rainy season,
and vice versa

2. When sales shopping, get clothes for the coming months. If your child is 9 months old in
January, buy clothes for 18–24 months in anticipation
of the following cold season.

3.
Be selective when buying up-market babywear. There’s little point in paying top price for
vests, plain tops or tights, for example – just mix in cheaper labels with some branded goods and you’ll give the impression of full designer wear but pay a
fraction of the cost.
This is what I advise my customers who love to buy popular brands baby clothes, like carters, george, next, e.t.c. You can buy some carters or what my people at home will call uk, Us and mix with some china, thailand branded clothing or cheap clothing of good quality.
And remember, babies grow
quickly. She’ll come home tiny, but newborn sizes
won’t fit for long. Save the good part of your budget
for 0-3 month clothing and up. (Besides, once you’re
out and about more, you’ll actually be able to show
off her cute outfits.) Resist the urge to buy too much
clothing in advance, because you’ll have a better idea
of the sizes and styles that work best for you once
baby comes.

4. If you are tempted by expensive clothing for. your baby, consider whether it is good value for money. Trousers and practical dresses may be worn enough to justify the outlay, but avoid paying top price for an outfit for special occasions – it might only get one airing.

5. For some real bargains, go along to new sales and secondhand babywear shops. Babies grow very quickly and favorite clothes are often outgrown long before they’re worn out. You can
benefit from what other people have had to throw out; some items may still carry the original shop tag, indicating that they’ve never been worn.

Oops. That's 5 tips. Okay, Let's see more tips on how to keep our babies warm.

Nice thread .So true about buying too many clothes, I gave away a box of unworn or worn once clothes when I did a clear out.You just keep piling them up by the time you realise the outfit exists, they have outgrown them .

Also top tip about cheaper baby gros, body suits and tights, makes it much easier to chuck in the bin when horribly soiled

1. Think thin layers. Keep your baby warm, cozy and safe, but not overheated. Choose breathable fabrics that are thin and easy to layer. Puffy jackets and bulky suits are uncomfortable, restrict
movement. Instead, choose a thin but warm fleece jacket or suit.

2. Moisturize baby’s skin. Cold weather dries out soft baby skin quickly, and so may the daily use of
soaps and shampoos in the winter. If you bathe your baby every day, skip the soap and shampoo a few
times a week, and add some pure Jojoba Oil to the bathwater. After bathing, use a hypoallergenic moisturizer to seal in moisture and keep that skin baby-soft. The shea butter popularly called ori works wonders in terms of locking moisture in baby skin

3. Humidify at night. As soon as the weather gets cold, the heat goes on inside and creates a too-dry atmosphere for babies and toddlers. Breathing dry air at night makes the mucus membranes of the nose and mouth dry out, creating inflammation and congestion. Dry air also makes dry itchy skin or
eczema worse. Babies will wake more at night if they are congested, thirsty or have dry itchy skin. Invest in a cool mist humidifier and run it at night in the room where your baby sleeps. A better night’s sleep for all means more energy for daytime outings! For those who cannot buy a humidifier, you can boil wate in a round open pot. The evaporation of the water will humidify the room. But a humidifier still works good
4. Protect against wind. The windier it is outside, the colder it feels, and the faster a little body gets chilly. Protect your baby from wind, rain.
5. Wear the baby! Two bodies together are warmer than one. Your physical activity will keep your baby
warm when you’re cuddled together. Dress yourself and your baby in thin layers, then put on your baby
and carrier. Try wearing your coat over the both of you – having an over-sized jacket will help! For
safety’s sake, you should always be able to see your baby’s face to ensure plenty of air flow. It also helps a lot to use wrappers to wear our babies.
6. Top if off with a baby hat or what so many call baby cap . When it’s cold, an infant or
toddler can get chilled quickly with an uncovered head due to lots of blood-flow near the surface of the scalp with no natural insulation (fat). Use lightweight cotton caps when it’s cool indoors or pleasant fall weather, and add a warmer fleece hat for cool windy
days outdoors.
Three hat hints:
1. Pick a hat with a strap that fastens under the chin so it will stay on longer.
2. Choose a hat that fits now. Don’t buy one that’s too big.
3. Remove the hat in the car. Your baby will get too warm, and if it slips down over your young baby’s face

Today, we are going to look at Baby Products That Are a Waste of Money. Sure, you need a lot of stuff when you have a baby but there’s also a lot of stuff you DON’T need. Sometimes
When I see my kid's toys continue to take over the entire house, I find myself wanting to unload as much as I can. So in the spirit of paring down, saving money and stopping the madness, here’s a list of baby items you can do without.

1. Bottle sanitizer –Save yourself some kitchen counter space and toss the bottle pieces into a pot of
boiling water or the dishwasher.
2. . Bottle warmer – If you’re willing to wait a few extra minutes (the bottle warmer is supposed to be faster), that same pot of boiling water can be used to warm your baby’s milk.
3. Wipe warmer – Save the electricity and space you’ll need to use this contraption by holding the
wipes in your hands for a few seconds instead.
4. Baby powder – It smells great but as far as I can tell, it serves no purpose. Plus the talc in the powders can be dangerous if inhaled.
5. Diaper caddy –I’m not the most organized person which could explain why I have no use for this. When I need to change my daughter anyplace other than her changing table, I just grab what I need. If I’m going out, I already have everything in the diaper bag.
6. Receiving blankets –They’re too big to be used as burp cloths and too small to swaddle my baby. I
already have blankets and changing pads so I’m not sure what to do with these except stack them in m daughter's dresser.
7. Hand mittens – I needed these because my son scratched his face but they never stayed on for more
than 30 seconds. The better alternative: Long sleeve shirts (like the ones your baby wears in the hospital) with sleeves that fold over your baby’s hands.
8. Baby food processor – If you already have a food processor, you really don’t need another one just for your baby.

Today, I will be sharing a very basic list of what you should have on
hand when baby arrives. The numbers for each item are estimates -- exactly how much you need really
depends on how often you plan to do laundry.
2-4 infant gowns
Stick with these until baby’s cord stump falls off. It’s
the best way to keep it clean and irritation-free, and
the gowns provide easy diaper access while keeping
baby covered.
4-8 bodysuits or onesies
Look for ones with wide head openings and loose
legs. It can be traumatic for both you and baby to put
things over her head, so if even wide head openings
prove too difficult, look for clothing that avoids the
head entirely -- side-snap Ts, kimono-style shirts, etc.
4-8 undershirts or vests
Again, look for wide head openings or snaps at the
shoulder. They should also snap under the crotch --
otherwise they’ll ride up.
4-8 one-piece pajamas
And hey, if you’re just at home with baby, why not
make them daytime clothing too? One-piece items
are generally the easiest to get baby dressed in.
2 blanket sleepers
These are safer than blankets at nighttime, but avoid
anything with drawstrings, which are a strangulation
hazard.
1-3 sweaters or jackets
Make sure they button in the front, since babies
spend most of their time lying down.
1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits
This is probably the least necessary item on the list,
but our hats are off to you if you have the energy and
motivation to get baby dressed up for visitors or a
day at grandma’s.
4-7 pairs of socks or booties
Shoes are unnecessary until baby walks.

General tips:
Fabrics
Look for soft and breathable fabrics like cotton.
Fleece is also a good choice for colder weather. Make
sure seams are finished and avoid scratchy tags,
which can irritate baby’s skin.
Fasteners
Look for fasteners that close easily. Zippers can be
troublesome, since they tend to pinch -- especially
when a harried new parent is in a hurry. Also skip
metal snaps, because metal is a common allergen
Sleepwear
Make sure baby’s p.j.’s are flame-resistant. When you
dry them, don’t use fabric softener -- it can reduce
their resistant qualities.
Buttons and trim
Before you dress baby in anything with cute little
buttons or other attached details, pull on them. If
they feel loose, cut them off -- otherwise it’s most
likely next location will be baby’s mouth or nose.
Avoid anything with fringe or strings attached -- both
are strangulation hazards.
Layering
One of the biggest mistakes new moms make is
overbundling. Dress baby in the same number of
layers you have on for the weather, then add a light
blanket. Keeping baby too warm makes him
uncomfortable and sleepy, which can dehydrate him
or cause him to become hypoglycemic because he
isn’t awake enough to eat properly.
Prewash
While baby’s unlikely to suffer any serious reaction to
unwashed new clothes, he could develop a minor
rash or skin irritation. Babies are so sensitive that
any products on the clothes or dirt picked up during
the shopping process can create discomfort. Be on
the safe side, and wash everything before you put it
on baby.
General care
Baby clothes don’t require specialty detergent,
unless they have especially sensitive skin. Look for
an unscented detergent that you can use for the
whole family, saving yourself the hassle of special
“baby only” loads.

Tommorrow I will be posting tips on brushing baby teeth. I will appreciate tips from nairalanders, how and when did you start brushing your babies' teeth

Wow, wonderful thread. Thanks Op.

Brushing baby's teeth -
With my first son, I didn't start brushing his teeth till when he was a year old, by then he had quite a number in his mouth. Now he's two and it's always war to get to brush his teeth every morning. He totally hates it..any tip on how to make teeth brushing an exciting one for my toddler?

My second baby is 5months and has sprung out 2 bottom teeth already , and just yesterday I cleaned them with cotton wool and I intend to continue with that routine.

One thing I know for sure is that oral hygiene is very important..starting with the very first tooth till everthing falls out again.

pls i ve a problem with my baby. He is 1yr and 3month now. but d problem i ve always had with him is, he sweat alot. right from his birth even during cold. at times i woke up morethan 5times for changing his cloth at nite. And because of d heart he normally has rashes on his body. Pls i wnt to kw if there is anything wrong with heart, solution, and also the type of baby soap and powder i should be using for him thanks

You should start cleaning your baby's teeth as soon as that first pearly white sprouts (for most babies that's around 4 months). "At first, just use a piece of gauze moistened with water to wipe plaque from your baby's teeth and gums," You don't need to use toothpaste, but try to clean your baby's teeth twice a day.

Once your baby has several teeth, you might try using a small toothbrush with just two or three rows of very soft bristles.
To prevent problems, keep toothpaste out of your child's reach, and use only a half-pea-sized drop when brushing. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it — a concept that's hard for very young children to understand.


Baby teeth are extremely important, and it is your job to help your child keep them clean. Not only do baby teeth maintain proper space for adult teeth to come in correctly, but they will keep some baby teeth until the are age 12-14. Cavities are caused by bacteria (plaque is bacteria). When you eat sugar, they produce acid. The acid eats away on the enamel and that is what causes a cavity so brushing before to get food of bed is extremely important.


A dentist told me that from the time your baby is born you sould start to clean his/her gums and teeth when they come in. you sould start cleaning the gum as soon as they come home just use a clean washcloth to gently clean the gums that way when the teeth come in he/she is use to having your finger in his/her mouth and will let you clean the teeth better with out all the fuss if you wait till the teeth come in to start put anything but a bottle in his/her mouth they will not like it
When I had my daughter, I found a very special baby toothbrush that's shaped like the gum line with tiny gentle bristle nubs on 3 sides on an upper side and a lower side. I stick it in her mouth and she chews it. Her top and bottom gums fit into it at the same time. I only have to move it 3 times. Back right, middle front and back left. It's made of soft rubberized material that's flexible.

Some ppleI like to let their toddlers use tooth brush with just water and they enjoys it and even doctors agree to this tactic

For babies age 5 months old u can wipe his gum with clean hankerchief every morning and bedtime.
For your struggling teeth-brushing hating tod, you can serve as an example to him.
Let ur little guy/girl watch u get ready and brush your teeth. Let him watch u brush your teeth everyday and when he starts to get teeth brush yours and his after
Since 2-year-olds love copying most everything their parents do, it's well worth it to make sure that one of those things is toothbrushing. Start by buying identically colored brushes for him and you. Next, sit with your child on the bathroom floor so she can see what you're doing with the toothbrush and try to mimic it. Use a cup for rinsing and a bowl or the bathtub for spitting; each time your child puts the brush in her mouth, she earns the right to spit (undoubtedly a 2-year-old's favorite part of the process!).

Once your child is willing to put the toothbrush in her mouth, let her "brush" your teeth while you do a thorough job on hers. If the ploy doesn't work, though, don't push it. As you've already discovered, you can't force the toothbrush into your child's mouth without hurting or at least scaring her.

Some other tricks: Let your child climb up on a footstool (with you behind her for safety) so she can see herself in the bathroom mirror. As she stares at the reflection of the two of you, point to and count her teeth and yours. Then touch each tooth with the brush "to give it its share of toothpaste." (Kids younger than 2 should not use fluoridated toothpaste, however.)

Use whatever kids' toothpaste he likes most — this may have more to do with what's on the tube than in it. No matter what kind she chooses, though, be careful to use only a tiny dab and store it in a place where she can't help herself. It may also help to name each tooth as you attend to it so she's persuaded that no single tooth should be left out. This will appeal to her sense of justice and help keep her mouth open when boredom looms.

No matter how you tackle toothbrushing, don't assume that it'll be easy — and don't expect perfection. Few 2-year-olds are consistently cooperative about getting their teeth brushed. What's more, even if your child becomes positively enthusiastic about dental care and brushes her teeth with gusto, she lacks the manual dexterity to do a thorough job. Match her tooth-cleaning attempts with thorough cleansing of your own.


The best idea I have tried for my and baby to enjoy her toothbrushing time is buying her a Dora with battery operated bristles. Not only she likes the cartoon character but its something different than struggling with old-fashioned tooth brush. Sometimes she insist on holding it on her own, I let her and she enjoys it more and the cleaning gets better for the bristles keeps going and going. I Just make sure i keep an eye on her . When she was younger, I started singing to the tune of row, row row your boat "Brush, brush, brush your teath. Brush them left to right. Brush them up and down each day to keep them clean and white." It worked because sometime later I started brushing without singing and my child reminded me.
Some times for the more difficult child telling him no cookies anymore do the trick." Remind him that he can only eat sweet or sticky foods (like raisins or cookies) if he lets you brush his teeth.

@filcast: I want to ask three questions before I say anything: is he your first child? Do you or your wife or any one in the family sweat a lot? Have you taken him to a doctor?

Or does he sweat more on his head

Or does he sweat more when he sleeps

Some babies just sweat more than others -- infants'
bodies are still developing, so their ability to regulate
temperature can be a little off. The explanation for
the wet head may be that sweat's simply most
noticeable there, since the head is such a big part of
a baby's surface area. I
really wouldn't worry too much. Sweating is our
bodies natural way of cooling ourselves down, so
sweating alot won't hurt him- it'll only help. I would consider putting a
fan in his bedroom, but check on him frequently to
make sure he isn't getting too cold. Also remember
that babies hands and feet often feel cool, and the
better way to judge their body temperature is to
feel his belly.
Well sweating is the bodies natural way of cooling its
self down. Maybe you should call your pediatrician
and just ask. Better safe than sorry!
Boys sweat more then girls and put out more body
heat. Some babies are just warmer then others. My friends
6m old son sweats in his sleep sometimes, but
that's it so far. Not a serious wet spot left behind,
but noticeably damp and it's always around his
head.
Just dress him to the weather and just because he is sweating
does not mean he is cold. i asked a doc a similar question here. and was told heat
escapes from the head and my friends baby was just doing it
very well: the reason babies in the beginning need
xtra layer and caps.
well @ a yr and 3 weeks she is still a sweater! just dont let him be too bare because you think he is over
heated. Because he can sweat then get cold from not having enough clothing and get chills. anyways i was assured it was very normal and
healthy.

Heat rash is
nothing more than small pinhead size
bumps on the chest, neck, arms, etc. This is
caused by the pores being clogged by sweat,
lotion, milk, or chemicals in the clothes i.e.,
Rashes are almost never caused by
the detergent so you do not have to use. Do the
baby's clothes like yours. To help clear up
the heat rash, wash area clean with soap and
leave it clean and dry. Talcum baby powder
can cause lung damage if inhaled. When
using powder, do so sparingly and try to
keep baby from inhaling any, or simply do
not use it. Corn starch powder without talc is
safer. So the reason behind the rash is the skin pores blocked with sweat. Heat rash or prickly heat is best treated by providing
a cooler and less humid environment for the child.
Powders are unlikely to help treat heat rash and
should be stored out of reach of the infant to prevent
accidental inhalation. Avoid ointments and creams
because they tend to keep the skin warmer and block
the pores.
For hives, talk with your doctor to try to find the
cause. Some specific causes require prescription
medication
When my baby had a rash that refused to go away my doctor prescribed ABF. If you feel the rash has stayed too long You can try rubbing his body with ABF if it is a serious rash or infection, it will clear off. ABF is sold in many pharmacies between #170-#220. Then since he sweats a lot make sure he wears clothing made of 100 percent cotton. So as to absorb sweat and cool him.

Like I said Dress your baby right
What your baby wears can help keep him cool.
Dress your baby in cool cotton clothes. Avoid
synthetic clothes, as they trap heat and are very
uncomfortable for your baby. They may even cause
prickly heat rashes.
Choose long-sleeved, light clothes.
ool environment.
Give your baby more liquids
Make sure your baby drinks more to make him hydrated.Do not use massage oils, petroleum jelly or
other creams like petroleum jelly
When it is vey hot. They can
give your baby a heat rash or red skin if not washed
off properly. If you still want to massage him, you can
give him a dry massage. If you feel the need to use
oil, try cooling oils, like olive oil or coconut oil. See
that it is all washed off your baby's skin during his
bath. Lotions and creams can also irritate your baby's
skin in the heat.
Many mothers use a lot of talcum powder on their
babies after a bath, thinking that this will keep their
babies cool. Powder on wet skin can cake up and
cause irritation and discomfort. So it's best to limit
its use, especially near the nappy and neck. When
using talc on your baby's body, see that he doesn't
breathe it in. Use it sparingly and rub it in well.
Simple home remedies for heat rashes
Hot, humid days cause prickly heat rashes on the
nape of the neck, shoulder, back, nappy area and in
the skin folds. Calamine lotion is also very good,
but check with your doctor before using it on your
baby. It is best not to buy powders against prickly
heat rashes. They may irritate your baby's skin even
more.
If it is very hot Let your baby cool off with some water-play
You can put your baby in his
bathtub or a small inflatable baby pool with a little
water and some bath toys. Babies love to splash
around, so let him have fun. With time and good care he will be fine. But if you find other symptoms that are out of place: contact the doctor

filcast: pls i ve a problem with my baby. He is 1yr and 3month now. but d problem i ve always had with him is, he sweat alot. right from his birth even during cold. at times i woke up morethan 5times for changing his cloth at nite. And because of d heart he normally has rashes on his body. Pls i wnt to kw if there is anything wrong with heart, solution, and also the type of baby soap and powder i should be using for him thanks

"Rising Raving powder" will give you results,very good on babies skin.It is sold for 200naira.

thank u very much for ur contributions. Some one ask if he sweat only when he is sleeping, yes. only when he's sleeping, both he's head and he's body. Initially when i noticed d heat i took him to d hospital d doctor said there is no problem with dat. but then there was no rash. but The doctor said i should make sure i changed his cloth frequently. But why am really borderd was because of d rash that came with it.

My son sweats when he sleeps

The most likely reason for your son sweating when he sleeps is that he is too hot. Sweating is his body¿s way of trying to cool him down. Most children kick their covers off when asleep if they are too hot. However if your son is a deep sleeper he may not do this and will continue to be too hot whilst asleep which will make him sweat.

The first thing to do is to experiment with a few measures to keep him cool at night, some of which you may already have tried: - turn the central heating off at night so that his room is cool , in warm months open a window - check his bedding is cool - if he has a duvet check the 'tog' factor is appropriate for the season; it may feel light weight but may be much too warm for hot weather. Alternatively try sheets and blankets - you can reduce the number of blankets to one or two in warmer weather.

- what kind of bed/foam does he sleep on? Avoid synthetic or polyester bedding and nightwear which encourages sweating ¿ try cotton instead - If he wears pyjamas try a loose short sleeved T shirt and boxer shorts instead - again cotton if possible, as pyjamas can be too warm

As your son does not appear to sweat excessively during the day it is unlikely there is anything wrong with his health to cause this.
Then the rash that comes along with it should be managed. U can check my last two posts. He will be fine

thanks alot.

You might want to invest in a room thermometer. I had a gro-egg which monitored the temp in him room. The ideal temp should be between 16-20 degrees. Below 16, too cold and above 20, too warm. It changes colour as well, so you can tell at a glance. During the winter months, I used 2-2.5 tog gro-bags without sleeves, he was dressed in long sleeved vests beneath his jammies, made sure he had socks on.
Now that it's summer, it's just nappy and a 1 tog gro-bag. Babies can't regulate their body temperature so it's up to you make sure they are comfy. General rule of thumb is however many layers u have on, add an extra one for your baby.
Avoid synthetic fabrics, try sticking to cotton(100%) clothes and beddings. If you must use blankets, use breathable blankets( the ones with holes in them).
Bath time, for the first year, I avoided using soaps on his skin, washed his hair with baby shampoo and added almond oil to his bath. You can use coconut oil or other natural oils. Avoid anything scented if u can. Worked a treat for my boy, always got told how lovely and soft his skin was.
Now he's over a year, I use oilatum bath additive and e-45 cream, again both unscented and his skin's just dandy. No rash or irritation.