Water baby…

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Ayanna loves the waters. She kicks fiercely when placed in the pool, while sitting comfortably in her float.

 

Just lovin' it!

 

Now at 6 months, she has good head control and is able to sit upright without slipping to the sides. She goes in wearing her disposable nappies (designed specially for use in water), with her bikini going over it.

 

A special baby’s sun block is liberally applied all over her body and face to protect her from the sun’s UV rays.

 

Chillin in her bikini...

 

It’s a fun time for Ayanna, mummy and daddy.

Introducing water…

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Having breastfed exclusively for 6 months, there was no need to introduce water to baby before. Breast milk contains enough water and any additional water feedings will only satiate baby’s hunger. This way baby may fill up on water, resulting in her taking less breast milk.

 

Water, after all, contains no nutrients. Besides, too much water at this stage can stop baby’s body from absorbing the nutrients it needs from milk.

 

Now with the introduction of solids, giving baby small quantities of water is recommended. Although considered not an essential part of a baby’s menu, little water is not harmful. Certain circumstances may require extra water intake; if baby’s experiencing constipation or has diarrhea.

 

But how do you feed baby water when they flat out refuse sucking on a bottle? I’ve resorted to using a spoon. That works somewhat, with most of its contents spilling out. However, a sippy cup may just do the trick. We’re in the midst of trying.

Second Week

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Day 8: Some milk is alternated with 1-2 teaspoon of carrot puree at noon and dinner. Ayanna loves the sweet taste of the carrots.

 

As baby becomes used to the new textures, we can begin offering other foods every three days or so. Eating now is more of a matter of gaining experience (with eating techniques, different flavours and textures) and less of gaining sustenance. We’ve introduced a second feed before bed in the hopes she will be satisfied till morning. At this stage, that’s not the case. Ayanna still wakes up through the night for milk.

 

Sticking to single –ingredient purees for the first few weeks helps to identify any food to which baby may have an adverse reaction to. Carrots are an excellent first food for babies. They rarely trigger an allergic reaction.

 

Day 10: We seat her in her high-chair and strap her in. She doesn’t move making the feeding process easier.

 

Day 11: Triumph! Ayanna eagerly opens her mouth and takes in her mix of baby rice and carrot purée. She enjoys it so much, I think I hear her smack.

 

Ayanna even insists on helping with the feeding spoon. With her little hand holding onto the spoon, I firmly guide it to its target.

 

She's lovin it!

 

Day 12-14: We introduce Ayanna to her first fruit; the pear. Pears are a great first food because they have a fairly neutral flavour. They relieve constipation.

Trial and error …

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Weaning is undoubtedly a slow, messy, challenging affair for mummy but a new discovery for baby. The time had arrived for Ayanna to have her first taste of semi-solids; as expected at this stage of a baby’s development.

 

It began with a teaspoon of rice cereal and milk, mixed to the desired consistency that can be swallowed easily by baby.

 

Here’s a rundown of how it all went:

 

First Week:

 

Day 1: Some milk alternated with 1-2 teaspoon rice cereal at about noon. Offered baby small tastes on the end of a plastic, shallow spoon. It is recommended to whet baby’s appetite before offering solids, with a small amount of formula or breast milk.

 

This introduction was met with slight hostility and caution.

 

The countless baby bibs finally see the light of day (can’t do without them). There’s more rice cereal on baby’s face, bib and seat than in mouth. Very little consumed. Expressions on baby’s face – priceless.

 

Eeew....

 

Day 2: Same mix. Baby’s cranky, not having taken her morning nap. Hardly anything is consumed. Attempting to feed baby proves futile. Baby protests with a sharp cry and a strong shove at the feeding bowl.

 

Mummy..can't you see I'm tired!

 

The star was certainly overtired. So mummy should have postponed the show. Fussiness, a head turned away, a mouth clamped shut, food spit out are some of the signals to not continue a meal. Time to bring down the curtain.

 

Day 3: Some progress. Baby sticks out her tongue to taste. Some food is consumed.

 

Day 4 – Day 6: It’s improving. Mummy’s getting better at feeding and judging when to feed.

 

Well...not too bad la

 

Day 7: Baby’s fascinated with her toes and attempts to bend forward to touch her toes throughout feed. This makes the whole process rather difficult. There’s cereal on fingers and toes.

How will I know …

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

How will I know if my baby’s ready to begin weaning. Weaning is a natural process in which solids are introduced.

 

Experts say it’s in the signs.

 

-         Baby starts chewing on fingers before the next feed is due.

-         Baby’s tongue thrust reflex has diminished.

-         Baby’s weight levels off

-         Baby may show an interest in the food we are eating.

 

Ayanna is certainly exhibiting the signs.

 

Breast milk (or formula) though a complete food, providing all the nutrients and energy for baby, is quite dilute, containing a high percentage of water. Solid foods are far more concentrated in terms of nutrients than breast milk. Therefore tiny amounts will satisfy baby.

 

At this early stage, breast milk continues to be the main food. Weaning is more about social change than nutrition. It’s about babies learning new tastes.

 

Rolling over...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

I'm happy on my tummy

At exactly 5:26pm today, Ayanna rolled over onto her tummy. It was a monumental moment, after several days of struggle, sighs and cries. Though slower than some of her friends, she has reached this particular milestone on her own timeline.

 

Now, Ayanna holds her head steady with chest raised.

 

Mummy and daddy are extremely proud.

 

Flattie...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

It’s rather apparent. Ayanna has got a flat spot on her head. It is so as she spends countless hours on her back. Babies are born with soft skulls and so their heads can easily develop a flat spot where it presses against the mattress. The good thing is, in most cases, most flat spots tend to round out on its own as a baby starts crawling or sitting.

 

Do you spot the flat spot?

 

When we asked our pediatrician about it, he advised us to include plenty of tummy time during the day to help strengthen her neck muscles. With stronger neck muscles, babies are able to move their heads around more during sleep. This we see her doing now.

 

Placing her on her side when asleep is another option.

Inching closer...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Ayanna is 5 months and 3 weeks, inching closer into her sixth month. She’s 5.92kg, almost triple her birth weight, and is 6.51cm long. The next couple of weeks will be exciting; Ayanna will have her first taste of semi-solids.

 

She had the last of her triple antigen jabs this past weekend. Her next jab will be in her sixth month. This next vaccination is, however, optional. We’ve decided that Ayanna should receive the Pevnar vaccine to protect her against the pneumococcal infection.

 

More on the benefits of this vaccination later. For now, mummy has to prep up for baby’s first semi-solid feed. 

 

That healing touch…

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

I’ve put off massaging Ayanna for some time now. I’ve been mostly afraid to rub and tease her delicate body. Now that she’s much bigger, I’m more open to the idea.

 

I massage her daily right after her bath when she starts to unwind. It’s a bedtime routine we practice. It’s always a rub using some baby lotion.

 

Beginning from her feet up, I gently roll her legs between my hands and use deeper strokes as if milking. I do the same with her arms. Her tiny toes and fingers get a little rubdown too.

 

Then I move to her tummy area, moving clockwise with gentle circles before turning her on her tummy and stroking her back from side to side, up and down.

 

Enjoying the gentle massage

 

Relaxed on her tummy

 

There’s much more that needs to be incorporated into our massage sessions. Currently our sessions lack massages of the face and chest.

 

Ayanna loves having her legs and arms massaged most of all.

 

Experts say the advantages of massage are plenty. These include:

 

-         enhancing parent-child bonding

-         strengthening the immune system

-         improving muscle development

-         stimulating growth

-         easing colic, teething pain and tummy troubles

-         promoting better sleep patterns

-         stimulating circulatory and respiratory systems

-         decreasing stress hormones

 

Plus massaging baby also relaxes mummy J

Fifth month…

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

Round and round the garden

Like a teddy bear

One step two step

Tickle you under there

 

The above invokes buckets of laughter from Ayanna. She chuckled herself into her fifth month last week. Ayanna can tell when it’s time to laugh especially when the funny expressions emerge. She’s even testing her skills at making us laugh – she sticks her tongue out and when that elicits laughter, keeps at it.

 

She knows her name. When called out loud, she turns in the direction of her name. It is quite amazing. She raises her hands when we gesture to carry her.

 

Her hand-eye coordination is improving fast, her grip and neck muscles, growing strong. When left lying on the play-gym or in her crib, she moves her body 180 degrees. Ayanna arches her back; almost ready to turn over but she’s yet to complete the move. We’re still anxiously waiting.

 

Just five months ago, all Ayanna did was feed and sleep. Her every motion, choreographed in a staccato-fashion; depicting gestures and movements inside the womb.

 

The progress has been so rapid. I’m astounded by it all; and humbled by the miracle of life and evolution.