How to Clean Baby’s Ears?

Never attempt to clean inside a baby’s ear canal. Use a warm moist washcloth to clean outside, behind and around a baby’s ears.

If you see a wax buildup in your baby’s ears, never try to remove it. You should consult your pediatrician about the wax buildup if you think it is a problem.

Never put drops into your baby’s ears unless you have been directed to do so by your baby’s pediatrician.

How to Care for Baby’s Eyes?

Use either a soft washcloth or cotton balls to cleanse a baby’s eyes. Dip either the cloth or cotton balls in warm water and squeeze out the excess water. (Never use soap to clean a baby’s eyelids.) Wipe baby’s closed eyes from the inside corner to the outside corner.

A lot of people say that breastfeeding is best for my baby. But is it good for me, too?

Breast milk is the ideal food for your baby. It has the nutrients he needs for his first six months of life. Breast milk helps protect your baby from many illnesses, and it's easily digested.

Breastfeeding is good for you because it's convenient and economical. You can feed your baby anytime, anywhere. And you don't need to buy formula, bottles, or nipples unless you plan to express milk and bottle-feed your baby now and then. Breastfeeding also helps your uterus return to its normal size faster.

There may even be health benefits for you. Studies suggest that women who breastfeed may have a lower risk of developing specific types of cancer and hip fractures as they age. And breastfeeding mothers often talk about the special bond they feel with their babies. That's another wonderful benefit for you and your baby.

I have small breasts. Can I produce enough milk for my baby?

When it comes to breastfeeding, size really doesn't matter. Whether you're a B or a double D, it's possible to make enough milk to feed your baby. Nature designed a perfect supply-and-demand system. The more your baby stimulates your breasts by sucking, the more milk you'll produce. So even if your baby is in a growth spurt and nursing more often, your body will "keep up." Remember, mothers of twins and even triplets can have enough milk supply to breastfeed successfully.

My breastfed baby wants to nurse constantly. Where's the four-hour schedule?

The three- or four-hour schedules you may have heard about usually refer to older babies. But your newborn's stomach is small. That's why many experts recommend feeding "on demand."

At first, your newborn may breastfeed every one to three hours, or eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. If your newborn sleeps more than three hours between feedings, ask your baby's doctor about waking him to nurse. He needs the nourishment.

And your breasts need the stimulation to continue to produce milk. Frequent feedings stimulate your breasts to increase the milk supply. So it's important to breastfeed often, for you and your baby.

My nipples are so sore from breastfeeding my baby. What am I doing wrong?

Your baby may not be "latching on" correctly. "Latching on" refers to the way your baby attaches her mouth to your breast. If she has latched on properly, she'll get a good flow of milk, and you won't get sore nipples.

You can help your baby latch on by touching her lower lip to your nipple as she roots for your breast. She'll turn toward the side where she is touched. Then, when her mouth is open wide, lift your breast with one hand and pull your baby close to you. Her mouth should attach firmly onto your breast, not just your nipple. You may also try changing your position for nursing your baby. Or start nursing on the side that's the least sensitive for you. That way, your baby's strongest sucking happens before you switch to the more sensitive side.

Because I never know how much my breastfed baby is eating, how can I tell if he's getting enough?

With bottle-feeding, you can see how much your baby eats. It's not as clear with breastfeeding. Still, there are ways to tell if your breastfed baby is getting enough to eat.

1. He gains weight steadily. Your doctor will check this at your baby's well visits.
2. He wets six or more diapers and has at least two bowel movements every 24 hours.
3. He nurses at least eight times (and up to 12 times) every 24 hours during his first month.
4. Your breasts feel softer and "empty" after nursing.
5. Your baby swallows after sucking a few times during his feeding.

Now that I'm home, I'm breastfeeding my son. But how can I keep breastfeeding when I go back to work?

The breastfeeding/working schedule is completely possible with a little planning. Whether you go back to work full time or part time, you can develop a breastfeeding routine that works for you and your baby. Here's a schedule that many moms follow:

1. Nurse early in the morning, right after your baby wakes up.
2. Nurse again just before you leave for work.
3. Pump your breast milk two or three times during the workday. Store it in a refrigerator and bring it home to feed your baby the next day.
4. Have your child-care provider feed your baby the stored breast milk during the day.
5. Nurse your baby as soon as you get home from work or pick him up from childcare.
6. Nurse as much as you can during the evening to keep up your milk production.

I'm breastfeeding my baby but feel I need a break now and then. Is there a way I can breastfeed and formula-feed, too?

Many women supplement their breastfeeding with formula now and then, or while they're at work. It's best to wait until your milk supply is established and your baby is comfortable with breastfeeding. A good time to start is when your baby's around six weeks old.

I hear so much about the benefits of breastfeeding. But what about formula-feeding?

Formula provides the nutrients your baby needs for his growth and development. Formula-feeding also allows Dad and other family members or friends to feed and bond with your baby, and for Mom to have a little break. In addition, some parents just feel more comfortable with formula-feeding.

How much formula should I feed my baby?

Your newborn may drink as little as one fluid ounce or as much as three fluid ounces of formula at a feeding.

In general, your baby will take in what he needs to meet his body's demands. So don't be too concerned about fixed amounts. Instead, feed him when he's hungry. He'll let you know when he's finished. If he doesn't eat as much at one feeding but seems satisfied, stop. Don't force him to finish if he's not interested. If he drinks a bottle and still acts hungry, he probably is. Offer him a little more during his next feeding. And add an additional ounce to his bottle and see what happens. Most babies do fine with three to four fluid ounces per feeding during the first month. And increase by an ounce at a time until he is are drinking up to about six to eight fluid ounces.

I've never been around any babies before now. I don't even know how to give him a bottle. Help.

Learning to feed a baby just takes a little time and practice. Start by making yourself calm and comfortable. Hold your baby on your lap with his head resting in the bend of your arm. Keep him in a semi-seated position, with his head slightly higher than his tummy. Tilt the bottle so that the nipple stays full. That way, your baby won't swallow air. Stroke the nipple against his lower lip or cheek. That should make him open his mouth. And remember to give your baby a chance to burp during and right after his feeding.

What's the best way to burp my baby, and how often should I burp him?

There are three good ways to burp your baby. You can hold him upright against your chest with his head over your shoulder, or you can sit him on your lap. Then pat or rub his back gently. It also works to lay him down with his tummy against your lap, supporting his head so it's higher than his chest and patting his back.

As far as how often, burp a breastfed baby each time he switches breasts. Burp a bottle-fed baby after every two to three fluid ounces of formula. If your baby is fussy because he swallowed air, stop the feeding to burp him. The more he fusses, the more air he'll swallow and the more uncomfortable he'll be. So take a minute to calm him down, and let him burp before resuming the feeding.

Newborns don't necessarily have to burp after every feeding. If your baby doesn't burp after a minute or two of encouragement, he probably doesn't have to.

What temperature water should I use to prepare formula from powder or concentrated liquid?

Mix concentrated liquid or powder formula with cool water (35 - 75°F); it should feel cool on your wrist. If you prefer, you may mix with warm water but only if you feed or refrgerate the formula immediately. Warm water is about 100°F or body temperature; it should feel neutral (neither warm nor cool) on your wrist.

How do I warm my baby's formula?

If you want to warm a bottle that has been in the refrigerator, run warm tap water over the bottle or place the bottle in a pan of hot (not boiling) water. Shake bottle occasionally while warming. Warming time should be less than 15 minutes. Test the formula temperature before feeding; it should not feel warm or cold when dropped on your wrist — neutral is close to body temperature. Do not use the microwave to warm formula. Serious burns may result. However, most babies don't seem to mind whether their bottle is warmed or straight out of the refrigerator. Some may prefer a consistent temperature from one feeding to the next. Once a bottle has been warmed, keep it for no more than one hour. Then discard it.

Should I rewarm prepared formula?

Do not rewarm prepared formula (warming it more than once), even if the bottle has not been fed to the baby. Rewarming formula increases the possibility of bacteria growth in the formula as it cools off after heating. Bacteria can be present in powder, in bottles, on your hands, or introduced in other ways during formula preparation. Follow the safest procedures when feeding your baby.

My baby is two months old and still not sleeping through the night. Would solid foods help?

There's no proof that solid foods help babies sleep through the night. So adding cereal to your baby's bottle of formula isn't likely to help. And if the cereal takes the place of breast milk or formula, your baby may be missing out on important nutrients. In his first several months, your baby goes through rapid growth and needs calories. But remember that his stomach capacity is small. So frequent feedings will be the order of the day and night. Also, a more developed nervous system will contribute to your baby sleeping through the night.

How will I know when my baby is ready for solid foods?

Most babies are ready for solid foods when they're four to six months old. Until then, your baby should be given breast milk or infant formula.