Although the fever is annoying and generally scares us, we must know that it is not a disease in itself. It is a symptom that our body generates as a mechanism to defend itself!

Viruses and bacteria find it more difficult to grow or reproduce in a higher temperature environment. So this increase in temperature decreases the availability of certain elements that we have in the body and of which microorganisms take advantage of to live better. Fever encourages our immune response to function more efficiently.

There are many myths regarding fever, and this often leads us to be scared when our child has it. You have to know that fever by itself does not cause harm or is harmful to health.

What IS important is to discover what is the cause that is generating the fever to know if it is necessary to provide some specific treatment, or if it is simply something viral and self-limited.

Always remember to pay attention to its evolution, and offer: love and support.

The post Fever: the concept appeared first on Famihood.

• May your expectations, regarding your baby’s dream, be real
• So that you have tools to help you accompany your child in this process

The first thing we need to know is that most of the situations that are interpreted as “sleep problems” are actually an incorrect interpretation by adults:

1. First, because we do not know the expected development of sleep in babies and children
2. Second, because it bears little resemblance to the dream of adults
3. Third, because the demands of the world of work do not give us room to accompany this process. We have to produce and perform as if we were not breeding.

The first thing we have to know is that: babies do not sleep straight through the night. It’s normal, it’s expected, and it’s healthy. And here the following myth is demolished: babies do not wake up from breastfeeding, they wake up because their maturational development requires it and, in any case, thanks to the characteristics of breastfeeding, they can go back to sleep.

The feeling of the first times, is that it is a continuum of 24 hours: “lactation and sleep”. And that’s why, too, we find it so exhausting and so disruptive with respect to our habits.

Deep sleep helps to rest the body but during this period, babies do not usually get very tired physically, the priority is to mature mentally and accompany them in this process.

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How can we do to see if there is colostrum? Manual Extraction

This tool will be very useful to us throughout breastfeeding, starting with pregnancy.

If we are undergoing a healthy pregnancy, with no contraindication to having sexual intercourse, we can practice the maneuver without any problem. First to get to know and become familiar with our boobs, second to take advantage of if a drop of colostrum comes out, apply it. But, it may or may not come out at this stage and both situations are expected and do not condition anything.

• First we can perform some gentle chest massages to stimulate the ejection reflex.
• With fingers in “C”, two 2/3 cm from the nipple. Aligned yolk-nipple-yolk.
• Carry back, as in the direction of the ribs.
• From there press gently, as if we wanted to put our fingers together. Then release, repeat.

What can we use the maneuver for at the beginning? The first basic need of a newborn is contact, being skin to skin, movement, support and lastly food. It is vital to find that new form in the bond that was previously inside the womb and now must continue but outside, on the other side of the skin.

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It does not matter which one you choose, the most important is that the baby’s suction is affective and swallowing is heard.

1. Classic sitting
   The mother’s belly is in contact with the baby’s and her body rests on the mother’s lap.
2. Underarm
   The baby’s body passes under the mother’s arm.
3. Inverted sitting
   Same as the previous position, but in this one the mother offers the opposite breast.
4. Lying down
   It is the ideal position for breastfeeding at night or after a cesarean section.

To breastfeed, it is important that you and your baby are comfortable.

However, whatever the position is, it is always convenient:

• That before giving the breast, you wash your hands well with soap and water.
• That you are comfortable and with your back supported.
• That you take your baby to your chest, and not your chest to the baby.
• That your son is well attached to the breast: with his mouth open covering the entire areola and not just the nipple.
• That your baby’s head and body are in line with your abdomen (“tummy to tummy”).
• Have your son’s face in front of your chest, and his nose against your nipple.
• That you look your child in the eye, since through the look the bond is reinforced.

The post Breastfeeding positions appeared first on Famihood.

The timing for introducing solid foods will depend on the infant, but it is not recommended before the age of four months or after the age of six months.

Each child’s readiness for solid food depends on their own rate of development. Signs a baby may be ready to start solid foods include sitting up with minimal support, demonstrating good head control, bringing objects to the mouth or grasping at small objects. Check with your pediatrician before starting solid foods.

Once your baby can sit up and put his hands or other objects to his mouth, you can introduce finger foods to help him learn to feed himself.

Softer textures are very important when first introducing foods. Infants usually start with pureed or mashed foods around six months.

To prevent choking or choking, make sure everything you give your baby is soft, easy to swallow, and cut into small pieces. Some examples of these foods are: small pieces of banana or banana, crackers or wafer-type cookies, scrambled eggs, well-cooked pasta, well-cooked chicken cut into small pieces, yellow squash, peas and potatoes ) well cooked and sliced.

As infants develop chewing and motor skills, they are able to handle items like soft pieces of fruit and finger foods. As the child ages, a variety of healthful foods is encouraged.

It’s important for your baby to get used to the process of eating: sitting up, spooning food, resting between bites, and stopping when he’s no longer hungry.

And always encourage family meals from the start: Family should eat together!

The post Introducing solid foods: tips appeared first on Famihood.

In this article we will give you some tips to ensure successful breast milk production and increase supply.

• Breastfeeding is a kind of demand and supply process: the more milk your baby (or pump) demands, the more milk your body will supply. 

• Empty your breasts frequently by nursing or pumping to send a message to your body that you need more milk. 

• Empty your breasts effectively; focusing on frequency alone may not do the trick. You need to be effective too.

• Use your hands! You can also help your baby drain your breasts by using gentle breast massage or a breast compression to squeeze the colostrum or milk into your baby’s mouth while latched. 

• Massage breasts while pumping and then try hand expressing for a few minutes after your pump stops extracting milk.

• Check your pumping parts. If you don’t think the pump is emptying your breasts effectively, consider trying a different shield size. 

• Step away from the clock. Don’t obsess over timing your feeds. Follow your baby’s cues and allow him to nurse as long as he wants. 

• Offer both breasts every feed! After your baby drains one breast, offer the second one—even if you think he/she’s done. 

• Hydrate properly. Drink enough throughout the day, and make sure you have a glass of water nearby when you start to nurse or pump. Keep an eye on your urine—if it’s very concentrated (dark yellow in color and/ or has a strong odor), that’s a sign you likely need to hydrate more.

Producing enough breast milk for your baby is a common concern among parents at some point in their journey, but remember: you are not alone!

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