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Colic in Babies: How to Help Your Child

Posted by Essentials for Baby on December 13th, 2011

At some point in the early life of a baby, he or she may experience colic. Although colic in babies is not exactly a disease, it could get pretty uncomfortable for the baby and the parents. Fortunately, baby colic can be dealt with and it does not last for more than some few months.

The cause of colic in babies is unknown although there are several theories and opinions about it. Most people believe that a baby experiences colic when its intestines are working too hard, another is that because the babys bowel movements may be too slow and traps air inside the intestines and make it expand. Some people also believe that when a baby eats too much or takes in food too fast or swallows the food without burping, air might get into the stomach and may cause colic. The diet of the mother is also one of the things that might cause colic on the baby. When a mother consumes food and beverages that produce lots of gas like coffee, chocolate, tea, apples, plums, onions, cabbages, orange juice and spicy foods, the gas could be transferred to the baby through breastfeeding.

Baby colic signs

If a baby is experiencing colic, there are some signs to be watchful about. When the baby is crying loudly for two to three hours and it seems like nothing can comfort the baby, when the baby is crying at certain times of the day on different days, when the baby is having some difficulty in defecating and when the baby pulls up his feet and clenches the fist because of apparent stomachache. The stomach of the baby might also rumble and produce wind. Colic in babies usually starts within two to three weeks after birth and lasts up to three months.

Like the cause of colic in babies, the exact treatment is also unknown. But there are many things that parents can do to make their baby feel better and more comfortable. Rocking the baby on his or her cradle, on the parent’s arms or lap could make the baby feel more secure and calm. Holding the baby close might also help because of the body heat. Gently massaging the tummy area of the baby could also ease the pain; it could be done by massaging the tummy in a circular motion and moving the hand form left to right. Putting on a soothing music or singing songs like lullabies to be the baby might also help in making him or her comfortable and calm.

Infacol: a solution to relieve colic in babies

Another effective cure for colic is the Infacol Colic Relief. It is an oral suspension that has been carefully formulated to relieve colic in babies and to ease the pain and discomforts cause by it. Infacol also assists in bringing up the wind from the stomach of the baby. It has a natural orange flavor so the baby will enjoy its taste. This relief from colic is free from sugar, alcohol and colourant so it is safe to give to newborn babies.

About Infacol:

To use from birth onwards
No sugar, alcohol or colourant
Infacol has been formulated to relieve wind, infant colic and griping pain.
Pleasant orange flavour
Each bottle contains enough liquid for up to 100 doses
Comes with a handy integrated dropper
Clinically proven to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of crying attacks associated with colic.

Car Seats for Infants: Security Comes First

Posted by Essentials for Baby on December 7th, 2011

Having a baby means that you need to get a lot of stuff especially made for your new bundle of joy. Babies are dependent tiny human beings so besides milk and diapers, they are going to need their own transportation device, whether you are carrying them or they are riding in the car with you. Therefore, you should include car seats for infants in your list of must-get baby things.

A car seat, also known as an infant safety seat or child restraint system, is designed to protect travelling children from injury or even death in an event of a car accident. And of course, car seats are bought and installed in the cars by the parents, because the large majority of new cars do not necessarily come with a car seat when it is purchased. In the United Kingdom, just like in all fifty states in the US, the law requires children under the age of seven to be secured in car seats made for children. As a responsible parent, you should provide your young children with such.

Therefore, buying proper car seats for infants is essential to keep your baby safe when you are going out on car rides. Here are a few tips to find a good one:

You can choose between car seats for infants or convertible car seats. Infant car seats are small with handles for carrying the baby. On the other hand, convertible car seats are quite bulky,
Keep in mind your baby’s height, weight, and age when buying the car seat.
Take note of the features you want in the car seat.
Make sure that the car seat you choose will fit and can be installed properly in your car.
To save a few dollars, you can compare the prices of car seats in stores and from online retail websites.

When you look for car seats for infants online, you will encounter a lot of brands. Here are a few you can choose from:

Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat

The Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat features a 5-point harness, EPS energy absorbing foam, and a stay-in-car base. It ensures a comfortable care ride for your baby because of the infant head support and the 180-degree rotating canopy. It also serves as a baby carrier because of the uniquely-designed carrier handle. It also has an easy-to-read level indicator which will tell you if you have installed it properly.

Specifications:

Top rated for both safety and ease of use by leading consumer magazines
5-point harness
Convenient stay-in-car base
EPS energy absorbing foam
Crash tested

Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat

The Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat has side impact protection and energy-absorbing foam liner which will protect and shield your baby in a car accident. It also has a 5-point harness, removable seat pad, and extra large canopy to provide safety and comfort. It is also easy to install, remove, and carry because it features an ergonomically-designed handle, a built-in lock-off, and push-button lower LATCH connectors. This car seat is also ideal if you already have a Britax B-series stroller because of the click-and-go adapter system.

Specifications:

Side impact protection distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion and contains the head and body
Tangle free, five-point harness distributes crash forces across the strongest parts of the body and provides a secure fit
Energy-absorbing foam liner absorbs and distributes crash forces
Stroller compatible design-integrated click and go adapter system works with Britax “B” series strollers
Lightweight and engineered for vehicle and stroller compatibility

Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat

Included in your choice of car seats for infants is the Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat. It has a lightweight design that features side impact protection, a 5-point harness system for security, and a Cozi-Dozi infant insert for added comfort.

Specifications:

5 – 22 pounds, 19 – 29″
Cozi-dozi infant insert for added comfort for a smaller baby
5-point harness with up-front harness adjustment
Attaches to the Quinny Buzz and Quinny Zapp for a travel system

Baby Strollers and Car Seats in the UK

Posted by Essentials for Baby on November 30th, 2011

In the first few months of your baby, there are a lot of things that are needed. From clothes, bottles, diapers, wipes, and more, everything should be in your checklist. Also included in this baby essential checklist is of course, baby strollers and car seats. These are two of the most important items that you will need in order to ensure the safety and convenience of your little bundle of joy.

Having a baby does not mean that you have to stay indoors all the time to take care of your baby. As a parent, you still need to make sure that your baby is well exposed to the outside environment, aside from the fact that you will have other responsibilities requiring you to go outside the house (grocery shopping, errands, a cup of tea with friends, family lunch). From the moment your baby is born, you will need quality baby strollers and car seats to meet the mobility and safety needs of your tiny tot.

What to Look for in Baby Strollers and Car Seats

There are a lot of different types and models of baby car seats and strollers available in the market. Given a lot of choices, it is important to narrow down your search by looking for specific features that will help you best.

Safety belt – The safety and security of your baby is the most important thing that you need to consider especially if it involves movement. Look for strollers and car seats that have durable and secure safety belts. It would also be an advantage to look for one that is adjustable. Make sure that the harness or belt can safely secure or hold your baby in place.

Washable fabric – Sometimes it is simply unavoidable that your baby will have slips with diaper leakages and other stains from food and drinks. Getting a stroller and a car seat that has a washable fabric will make it easier for you to clean it.

Height and weight specifications - Get a stroller and a car seat that allows you to have optimum size and weight specifications so that when your baby starts to grow, the stroller and car seat will be able to sustain your baby changing height and weight. This will also allow you to save money on replacements.

Comfort – Since your baby is still very delicate, choose baby strollers and car seats that would bring the most comfort for your baby. Check the fabric, material, and padding among others. Make sure that even when your baby starts moving around, he or she will still be comfortable.

These are some of the things that you first need to consider in looking for strollers and car seats. If you want to get the best out of the best, try searching for pushchairs from McLaren, Chicco, and Bugaboo. When it comes to car seats, get your hands on products offered by Britax, Masi Cosi, and Graco. These companies offer convenient, comfortable, and high-quality baby strollers and car seats that would meet the needs of your little prince or princess.

Chicco Liteway Stroller: a favourite among parents

In Kiddicare Lite Way is considered a best buy due to good balance between quality and price. Described as “ultra light and compact stroller that combines comfort for the child and functionality for the parents”, positive reviews generally outline its practicability since it is a good match to use in different situations. Take a look at the specifications:

FEATURES:

Umbrella folding.
Back rest has 5 positions and can be adjusted with one hand.
2 position leg rest
Rucksack/storage basket
Swivel front wheels.
Rain-cover included.
Suitable from birth – 3 years
Open dimensions – 46.5 x 87.5 x 103 cms
Folded dimensions – 29 x 29 x 105 cms
Weight – 7 kg

Chicco Liteway Stroller – Garnet Specifications

Age Range: Birth – 3 Years
PACKAGE DEAL: NO
Colour: Red
Folded Dimensions: 29 x 29 x 105 cms
Footmuff: Yes
Open Dimensions: 46.5 x 87.5 x 103 cms
Reversible Seat: No
Weight: 7 Kg
BRAND: Chicco

CATEGORY: Pushchairs

PRODUCT REVIEW NAME: Chicco Liteway Stroller – Garnet
REVIEW RATING: 4.5
NUMBER OF REVIEWS: 14

Presenting BabyPhysio eShop

Posted by Essentials for Baby on November 19th, 2011

Today we publish our fourth and last guest post written by James Turgis, physiotherapist specialising in baby and pregnancy physio in London, where he talks about two niche baby care items hard to find on London that he’s now selling through his own online shop.

A good baby nasal aspirator or unidoses of physiological serum, two items so difficult to find in London? Baby Physio has the solution. We just opened an e-shop on www.babyphysio.com:

When baby is ill he needs to get as much oxygen as possible. But when the mucus obstructs the upper airways, it becomes very difficult for the oxygen to arrive to your baby’s lungs.

Baby starts loosing appetite because he can’t breath while eating and he cannot sleep properly because of this discomfort.

Therefore, before feeding your baby, you must clean the upper airways and repeat this operation before sleeping times, to let baby breath better, eat better and sleep better and longer to recover faster.

A good and efficient baby nasal aspirator is not easy to find in London, that’s why we opened an e-shop with french baby products for mothers living in the UK to have access to the best products available for their babies.

After trying many items, we chose the baby nasal aspirator / vacuum/ baby nose pump called Physiodose
• It has a powerful capacity of aspiration.
• The tip is ergonomically design to protect baby’s nose
• It is easy to clean and sterilise the tips (it comes with three) to re-use them

To blow your baby’s nose, you will need to use physiological serum which will liquefy the mucus so it can be sucked out easily.
Physiological serum can also be found on our e-shop.

You can find those products go on www.babyphysio.com at the bottom left of the menu.
James Turgis, BabyPhysio, Chartered physiotherapist