Mother and Baby

Hi and welcome to the wonderful environment for both mother and baby. First let me introduce myself. I am Emma, founder of little babyhelp.com. And I am here to share with you what I share with thousands of other mothers and pregnant women through our sister website and that is, most of the information you will need to get you through pregnancy and how to bring up a baby. You will find a vast variety of mother and baby concerns that you may have to face at some time whilst bringing up your baby, or while carrying your baby.Either way most of the answers and solutions you are looking for is likely to be found here. As this is a new site and still under construction due to demand and the success of other sister website it will take time to get all the valuable news and info over to littlebabyhelp.com.As mentioned earlier I am Emma and here to help you the best I can. I have experience in this department when caring for babies, toddlers up to teen age, and being a mother of two and working with children most of my life…there really isn’t anything I can hold my hand up to say I am not sure of. And this is what I want to give new moms the assurance that they are getting the right advice.

The articles provided will include exciting and different things for you take on board so that your pregnancy, giving birth and looking after a baby will prove to be beneficial to you. There are lots to choose from within the mother and baby world including problems with babies health, the growing process, help with getting baby dry and using the potty and toilet, as well as hints and how to tips for you to try out for yourself, advice and much more. Contraception and fertility issues will also be broached.

The general information specially selected for littlebabyhelp.com will help you to enjoy the motherhood experience while learning about teething pains, illness’s and baby health matters that include colic, cradle cap, whooping cough, measles and chicken pox, right up to some of the more serious conditions and complications that can affect both mother and baby.

Other vital and essential reading for all first time mums will include how to breast feed, mix bottle formulas, up until the baby is feeding off the spoon eating solid foods. Babies sleeping patterns and the cutting of their first tooth are just a few more to mention that will be up soon.

Issues about weight loss after pregnancy and getting back in shape, and sexual relationships after childbirth will be addressed also. At this present moment in time I am afraid there is not much more to be said, but this is a girlie site right up until maturity so whatever you have a problem with there is every possibility the answer or solution is given here.

I hope the information you have found at littlebabyhelp.com you have found useful and helpful. This website is based around mother and baby; however dads do come into the equation because after all without him… need I spell it out, will need guidance and advice on fatherhood and how their role as the doting dad will help your precious little one, and all others that will follow if a big family is planned.

Miscarriage

A pregnancy which ends before Twenty four weeks is called a
miscarriage, before 24 weeks is too early for a developing baby to survive
outside the mothers womb.

Having a miscarriage is common in about one in five pregnancies, the vast majority occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Having had three or more miscarriages is classed as recurrent miscarriages, which affects one in a hundred pregnant women, this does not mean to say that you will not go on, to have other successful pregnancies.

Is depression part of your life and you dont want it to be? is miscarriage the reason your feeling down, or is it the fear of losing a baby that is the cause of you being stressed out? Get help for you’re depression now.

Types of miscarriage

Threatened miscarriage is when you have bleeding early in your pregnancy and the cervix is firmly closed, your pregnancy is likely to continue, if a scan shows a normal heartbeat of your developing baby.

Inevitable miscarriage is when a miscarriage has started with bleeding and your cervix is open, which means your pregnancy will be lost.

Incomplete miscarriage is when a miscarriage begins but your womb still has tissue left.

Complete miscarriage means that your pregnancy has been lost, your womb has emptied and cervix has closed.

Missed miscarriage means that your developing baby has died, but you have not experienced any bleeding and didn’t lose any tissue straight away.

Symptoms of miscarriage

The most common symptoms of miscarriage is bleeding from the vagina, this varies from light spotting to bleeding really heavily, heavier than a period in full flow. You may also see blood clots or a brownie discharge, also cramping may occur and pains in the stomach (abdomen), pelvis and back ache.

Some women may not have any symptoms and the pregnancy may only be discovered via a routine scan.

If you are pregnant and have any type of bleeding from mild to severe you must always get this checked out with your GP, hospital or midwife immediately.

Causes of miscarriage

Around half of all early miscarriages occur because of chromosome problems combined with your egg and partners sperm during fertilisation. Other factors of miscarriage which are more likely include:

Smoking whilst pregnant

Problems with your immune system

Your age – half of all pregnancies in women over the age of
42 end in miscarriage

Drinking alcohol while you’re pregnant

Having an infection, such as listeria or malaria

A physical problem with your reproductive system

Health problems such as; poorly controlled diabetes, kidney
disease or polycystic ovarian syndrome

Miscarriage diagnosis

You’re doctor will ask you a number of questions about any symptoms you have had and then he/she will examine you. And may ask about your medical history, you may even be referred to see a gynaecologist to have some test carried out. Such as these below:

An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your womb.

Blood and urine tests can measure hormones associated with pregnancy called beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin and progesterone.

A pelvic examination may be done to check the source of any bleeding.

Prevention of miscarriage

In every pregnancy there is at risk of miscarriage; however, if you drink alcohol or smoke, your risk of having a miscarriage is higher. You can help to reduce your risk of pregnancy
problems by eating a well balanced diet, losing excess weight and not drinking too much or smoking.

Yeast Infection

A vaginal yeast infection is an irritation of the vagina and the area around the vulva. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast fungus called Candida albicans. Tiny amounts of yeast are in the vagina to begin with, but when too much yeast grows in the vagina, this is how the fungal infection occurs.

Yeast infections are extremely common in women. 75 percent of women have this fungal infection during their lifetime.

Symptoms of yeast infection

The most common signs of a yeast infection are extreme itchiness of the vagina.

Other symptoms include:

• Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulva
• Pain when passing urine
• Pain during sex
• Soreness
• A thick white discharge that does not have a bad smell
• A rash on the vagina

Only some of these symptoms may occur and may be mild or severe.

If you suspect you have a vaginal yeast infection, you need to see your doctor to check out if you have a yeast infection and to get treatment to cure the infection. The signs of a yeast infection are much like those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like Chlamydia and gonorrhoea. So get checked.

Yeast infections are very common. About 75 percent of women have one during their lives. And almost half of women have two or more vaginal yeast infections.

How is vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a pelvic exam to look for swelling and discharge. Your doctor may also use a swab to take a fluid sample from your vagina. A lab test will show if yeast is causing the problem and a doctor can then prescribe the best treatment for you.

Many things can raise your chances of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:

• stress
• illness
• poor eating habits, including eating extreme amounts of sugary foods
• pregnancy
• taking certain medicines, including birth control pills, antibiotics, and steroids
• diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes and HIV/AIDS
• hormonal changes during your periods

Can I get a yeast infection from having sex?

Yes, but it is rare. Most often, women don’t get yeast infections from sex. The most common cause is a weak immune system.

How is yeast infection treated?

Vaginal Yeast infections can be cured with antifungal medicines that come as:

• creams
• tablets
• ointments or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina

These products can be bought over the counter at the drug store or grocery store. But can be very expensive.

Are over-the-counter medicines safe to use for yeast infections?

Yes, but always see a doctor for advice before treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection if you:

• are pregnant
• have never been diagnosed with a yeast infection
• keep getting yeast infections

Using these medicines the wrong way may lead to a hard-to-treat infection. Plus, treating yourself for a yeast infection when you really have something else may worsen the problem. Certain STIs that go untreated can cause cancer, infertility, pregnancy problems, and other health problems. So be sure what you have before you treat the problem.

If you choose to use these over-the-counter medicines, always read the directions carefully. Some creams and inserts may weaken condoms and diaphragms.

Does my sexual partner need to be treated if I have vaginal yeast infection?

Yeast infections are not STIs, but if your partner gets a rash or itchiness of his genital area, he should see a doctor.

How to avoid getting recurring yeast infections?

To help prevent vaginal yeast infections, you can:

• avoid douches
• avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath, sprays, pads, and tampons
• change tampons and pads often during your period
• avoid tight underwear or clothes made of synthetic fibres
• wear cotton underwear and pantyhose with a cotton crotch
• change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as you can
• avoid hot tubs and very hot baths

Talk to your doctor if you are getting persistent recurring yeast infections.

Becoming A New Mum

Becoming a mum is an exciting but scary experience for first time mums, you will want answers to lot’s of questions from your midwife and health visitor and lots of support during the first few weeks. One of the first decisions you will have to make will be naming your new baby.

When your reality check sets in and the delivery of baby will be a distant memory. you will have lot’s of new stuff to learn about  You will also be getting used to  feeding and changing baby whether that is breastfeeding or formula. Getting used to the differing cries from your baby, from an uncomfortable cry because a nappy/diaper needs changing, to a cry where you know baby is unwell and not their usual selves. Your confidence will increase in time as you and baby get to know the ins and outs of each other.

Newborn baby’s will sleep through out the majority of their first few weeks and will eventually establish a sleeping routine with your help. The best way to get baby into a routine is to make sure baby knows when it is bedtime such as lights down low at night, not to much stimulation, and a relaxing bath before being put down in their cot.

The most important part of parenting is that a your baby or child feels lots of love, and secure and confident, but we all know that there’s times when we need a help to deal with the some of the more challenging times. There will be a whole heap of different issues that you will face over the years to come, (yes I said years). Becoming a parent is a life long commitment to your child and along the way you as parents will have lots of questions to ask on all kinds of parenting issues and concerns. Safety is often top of the agenda so make sure you are clued up with child safety within the home and outdoors, and car seat safety guidelines.

No matter how worried or concerned you are about anything to do with your child, always ask for advice from a doctor, midwife or, health visitor, they are there to help in any way possible. Never be afraid to ask for help from family and friends either, if you feel down or are having difficulties coping with your new baby see a Gp and get the help offered to you if you think you may have postnatal depression or baby blues.

Meningitis & septicaemia

These infections can kill within hours.

Meningitis is inflammation of the lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Septicaemia is blood poisoning.

The two forms of the disease have dissimilar symptoms. People who recover from meningitis and septicaemia can be left with a variety of after effects that can change their lives.

Meningitis is usually bacterial or viral and occasionally is due to a fungal infection.

Viral meningitis can be extremely unpleasant, but it is almost never a life threatening illness, and most people quickly make a full recovery.
Bacterial meningitis is more dangerous and can be caused by a range of different bacteria.

Meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis, septicaemia or both. Most people who get the disease have some symptoms of both infections; together these two forms of the disease are known as meningococcal disease.
Septicaemia is the more life threatening of the two illnesses and is more dangerous when there are no meningitis symptoms.

Other major forms of bacterial meningitis are:

• Pneumococcal
• Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib)

Bacterial forms that mostly affect newborn babies are:

• Group B Strepococcal
• E.Coli
• Listeria

There are immunisations available against some types of meningitis and septicaemia.

However; many other deadly forms of the diseases are not preventable with a vaccine.

People who have meningitis and septicaemia symptoms have to act fast to save a life. The sooner you receive medical help the better.

Meningitis and septicaemia can be hard to recognise, the symptoms can appear in any order, but usually the first symptoms are fever, vomiting, headache, and a general feeling of illness

The symptoms of septicaemia often appear earlier than meningitis symptoms such as; neck stiffness and dislike of bright lighting.

Septicaemia Symptoms:

• Fever and vomiting
• Muscle and joint pain
• Coldness of hands and feet
• Shivering
• Mottled pale skin
• Fast breathing or breathlessness
• Rash
• Difficult to wake/Sleepy
• Delirious

Meningitis Symptoms:

• Vomiting/Fever
• Headache/migraine
• Stiff neck (Less common in young children)
• Dislike of bright lights (Less common in young children)
• Difficult to wake/ sleepy
• Confused
• Seizures/fits
• Rash (not present in all cases)

Not everyone gets all these symptoms and Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis.

Never take a chance when it comes to your baby’s health, if in doubt get baby checked out.

Special Needs

Finding out your child has special needs, disability or illness can be a heartbreaking time for both parents and families concerned. First thing to do is to gather all the information possible about your child’s special needs, and find out about the problem and what it is likely to mean for your child and for you.

Ask as many questions as you need to, ask your GP, specialist, and health visitor, take any support given. Whatever stage in your child’s life you receive a diagnosis of special needs or disability, you’ll have difficulty coping with the diagnosis. You will have lots of hard decisions to make and it will take time to come to terms with your child’s illness.

There are lots of help at child development centres, which will help you and your child not just to cope, but it, will give you support also. There is specialist help for you and your child too, such as; physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, home learning schemes and special needs play groups which are adapted for all your child’s needs and you can then also get to meet other parents with children who have special needs.

If you are finding the news particularly difficult to deal with then seek help. There is always somebody who can help and guide you through the good and bad times. Always remember you are not alone and lots of parents have to deal with these problems also.

Disabled children and young people with special needs have the same needs as any other child.

If you and your partner have a child or (are having a child) who is seriously ill or disabled there are a whole range of additional pressures on your relationship. You and your partner may feel isolated, struggling to take on board the news of your child having an illness.

Things you should do:

• Make time together as a family
• Make time for each other as a couple
• Talk through any concerns you may have
• Stay strong
• Ask medical staff any questions you have

Single parents

• Accept all the help you can from family members and specialists
• Make time for yourself
• Ask medical staff any questions you have

Even though a child has special need disabilities does not mean they are any less intelligent than any other children, they may just take a little longer to learn certain subjects. Some special need children can go on to live great lives and be very successful in life,

Life may seem tough in the beginning with a special needs child, but with time and a stable routine, you and your child can get through the ups and the downs with strength and determination. Love and hope.

New Dads

There is very little information or help out there for new dads to feel involved in the whole pregnancy and birth process, it is normally all about mother and baby. And dads have just got to get on with things as much as they can and with little information given.

New mums aren’t the only ones who suffer with becoming a new parent. Being a new dad can be very stressful and scary also. While new mothers recovering from giving birth have family, friends and midwives on hand to reassure them that everything is going to be fine and mood changes are perfectly normal in pregnancy. Dads receive no reassurance to help them cope with the worries of becoming a father or doubts about themselves, whether they can be a good dad after childbirth and also how to deal with the excitement of first time fatherhood.

What new dads may feel during labour?

• Wanting to help the mother to be, but not being sure how
• Worrying about responsibility of a new baby
• Financial situation
• Feeling left out of the pregnancy
• Surprised at how unwell their partner may feel during labour, and not knowing what to do to help
• Worried how life will change once the newborn arrives

New dad’s concerns about labour and birth:

• Being at the birth, and not knowing if they will cope
• Missing the birth
• Worries for the health of mother and baby
• Having to watch their partner in pain

What men enjoy about becoming a new dad:

Knowing you can father a child (you are not firing blanks!). Watching how fast your partner’s body grows throughout the pregnancy. The excitement of seeing the life you helped to create on a scan, telling everyone that you’re going to be a new daddy.

Positive feelings about the birth include:

The relief that baby is due to arrive at last; seeing the baby and knowing he or she is okay; telling everyone about the baby, and finally, becoming a family.

Will I be a good dad?

For the first few years, a lot of the parenting involves skills taught in childbirth classes and through practice. No child comes with instructions, so for both new mums and dads it is a learning process. Becoming a new dad is like other new roles that may occur in your life. If you get married, you don’t know how to be a good husband from the start. You learnt the way with your new wife.

It may help to talk to friends and family, spend time with other fathers and discuss issues that are worrying you.

How will becoming a new dad affect our relationship and sex life?

Pregnant women experience great physical, emotional and hormonal changes, while also dealing with the same changes as the dads-to-be. As the pregnancy progresses, it may affect both of you emotionally.

If you’re not feeling stable or good about your relationship, try to work through the issues as soon as possible. Many couples mistakenly think that a baby will bring them together. But a baby can’t fix a troubled relationship; it will only make it worse, and add lot’s more stress. And the sooner you find a way to work through any problems together, the sooner you’ll feel more at ease with becoming a new parent.

You can enjoy sex during pregnancy as long as there are no complications, or aches and pains, or complications of miscarriage or premature labour. Discuss with your doctor, nurse-midwife, or other health care provider about any risks. As with any other problem related to pregnancy or your relationship, it is important for you as a new dad to be and mum to be to speak openly about what feels right for each of you.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is usually found in women aged between 25 and 49.  It is usually very rare in women under 20. This condition is most common on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissues that hold your womb in place. You can also get endometriosis on or around other organs in your pelvis and abdomen (Belly), such as your bladder or bowel. Rarely, endometriosis can occur around your lungs or heart also.

Endometriosis can cause cysts (endometrioma) to form on the ovaries. These cysts may not cause you any pain. You may only find out about having cysts during an internal examination. In some women, endometriosis can get better without treatment, but for the majority, it gets worse without treatment from a doctor.

Symptoms

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary depending upon the person. Some women have no symptoms at all, others have severe pain. The most common symptom is pelvic pain that feels like period cramps.

Other symptoms include those listed below.

Chronic pelvic pain that lasts a long time,

Pain during sex.

Changes to your periods, such as;small amounts of blood loss before the period is due (spotting),

Irregular bleeding or heavy periods.

Painful bowel movements.

Extreme fatigue.

Endometriosis on the bowel may cause swelling of your lower abdomen, pain when you have a bowel movement or blood in your faeces during a period.

Endometriosis on the bladder can cause pain when you urinate or blood in your urine during a period.

Endometriosis generally disappears after the menopause sets in.

Complications

Complications of endometriosis include those listed below.

The bleeding can form scar tissue (adhesions) that can attach to the organs in your pelvis and abdomen.

Reduced fertility that may have no obvious cause or may be caused by adhesions forming on or near to your ovaries or fallopian tubes.

An increased risk of miscarriage or giving birth prematurely.

Cysts can bleed or rupture, causing extreme pain.

Endometriosis of the intestine can cause your bowel to become blocked up or twisted.

An increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer.

Causes

There are no specific reasons on what causes endometriosis. Endometriosis can affect any woman of childbearing age.

You’re more likely to develop endometriosis if you:

Have a close female relative who has endometriosis such as; mother or sister.

Have fertility problems.

Start your period at an early age.

Begin menopause at a late age.

Have frequent or heavy painful periods.

Diagnosis

Your GP will ask you about any symptoms you may have, and examine you. He/she may also ask about your medical history. Your doctor may wish to perform an internal vaginal examination. If he/she thinks you may have endometriosis, he/she will refer you to a gynaecologist (a doctor specialising in women’s reproductive health).

The only way to be sure that you have endometriosis is to have a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy allows your surgeon to look inside your abdomen. The procedure involves passing a narrow, flexible, tube with a camera (a laparoscope) into your abdomen through a small cut. Your surgeon will examine the organs in your pelvis by looking at pictures on a monitor.

The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is usually done under general anaesthetic. Typically you must not eat or drink for about six hours before a general anaesthetic.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but treatments are available for managing the symptoms.

relieve pain and heavy bleeding.

shrink or slow down the growth of the endometrial tissue on other organs.

improve your fertility.

Medicines used to treat endometriosis do not improve fertility, but surgery can help if the endometriosis is interfering with your womb and ovaries. Some women with endometriosis who want to have children may need fertility treatment.

The type of treatment you have will depend on your age, and the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you want to have a child.

Christmas Gifts

What do you know about Christmas? Is it enough to know why everyone gives each other presents mainly to friends and family on this special day (December 25th)

Christmas Day is a holiday observed mostly on December 25th to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. So in celebration for his arrival we give gifts just like the three wise kings did when our lord was just a baby in his manger.

This festive time will see homes decorated with tinsel and decorations, and a Christmas tree is traditionally put up and decorated with fairy lights and baubles to mark the occasion. Also a time to feast and fill your belly with Christmas dinner cooked as if it fit for a king to eat

Types of Xmas gifts you wrap and put underneath the tree will vary purely because of who the presents are for. If children are involved then they are likely led to believe that Santa Claus, or if you prefer Father Christmas, put them there.

Other activities included with this festive period is having fun at parties and being jolly, and if the seasons are good, have snow to go sleighing in with the kids.

Around the world, Christmas celebrations can vary in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions. Countries such as Japan and Korea, where Christmas is popular even though there are only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations and Christmas trees.

Christmas is a fabulous time for children who believe in Santa Claus and his elves and reindeer’s. It is all so real when they run down stairs on Christmas morning to find their stockings jam packed full of Christmas gifts. Then they start unwrapping them, their faces are a picture, especially if the gift they have unwrapped is a Xmas toy they put in their letter to Father Christmas.

Christmas is a time when we receive carol singers at our doors and people attend midnight mass. Spending quality time together with our families at Christmas time is a special occasion each and every year, and everybody has a laugh and joke together, with the giving and receiving of gifts and stuffing our bellies with turkey, followed by Christmas pudding and cream.

Lots of people traditionally used to spend time around the piano having a good old sing song together, mainly singing carols. Or, songs like “Chestnuts roasting by an open fire”. If you love tradition and someone can play the piano then it’s worth considering buying one to get into the Christmas spirit.

Happy Christmas and might your wish of receiving the best ever Christmas gift come true for you this year.

Christmas Gift Ideas

More gifts for women are:

• Jewellery
• Clothes
• Bags & Footwear
• Spa treatment
• Facial beauty treatments

More gifts for men:

• DVDs  Music & Movies
• Tickets to watch a football/soccer match
• Books
• Phone

More gifts for teenage girls:

• CD’s
• Makeup/Cosmetics
• Jewellery
• Clothes
• Money/vouchers

More gifts for teenage boys:

• Clothes
• Money/gift vouchers
• A watch
• Football match tickets/soccer shirt
• Music DVDs

More gifts for Toddlers:

• Clothes
• Pop-up books
• Jigsaws
• Doll/teddy bear
• Push along toys/Dollies pram

More gifts for babies:

• Cuddly toys
• Night light
• Cot mobile
• Cot bumper
• Clothes & nappies

Cot Death

Cot death is also known as SIDS, which is short for sudden infant death syndrome. Cot death is a diagnosis when a normally healthy baby dies without warning. When a post mortem is conducted on a baby and all other facts have been taken into consideration and nothing is found wrong with the child, this is when a post mortem results in cot death.

A cot death may be shortened as SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), or simply cot death.

Sadly, there are around 340 cot deaths in the UK  each year.

Cot death why does it happen?

No one knows why babies die like this. Doctors believe that there may be a mixture of reasons involved. Some suggested that certain babies have complications with the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking, so they don’t respond to a breathing problem like their blankets being over their faces and covering nose and mouth.

When does cot death happen?

Cot death happens often during sleep but this is not always the case. This could be whilst asleep in the cot at night or it could be during a nap in the daytime, in a pushchair or even in a person’s arms.

Babies most at risk

Cot death is uncommon in babies less than a month old. It is most common during the second month and nearly 90 per cent of cot deaths occur in babies under six months old. The risk reduces as the baby grows older and very few cot deaths occur once a child reaches one and over.

Cot death can happen to any family, Babies said to be more at risk are these:

• being a boy – cot death is slightly more common in boys: almost 60 per cent of cot deaths are in boys

• being born prematurely (before 37 weeks)

• being born with a low birth weight (less than 2.5kg/5lb 8oz)

Reduce your baby’s risk of cot death

Sadly there’s nothing anybody can do to prevent cot death. However, you can do a number of things to lower your baby’s risk. The Department of Health recommends the following steps:

Always ensure you put baby to sleep on his/her back and in your room, this will prevent a healthy baby from choking Putting your baby on their side is not as safe as placing them on their back.

At around five or six months, babies start to roll over and the risk of cot death reduces and it’s safe to let your baby find their own sleeping position But you should still put your baby down to sleep on their back to begin with. If throughout the night you see your baby has rolled onto their stomach or side, then gently roll them back. But you do not have to sit up all night and watch them to make sure don’t rollover.

Don’t smoke during pregnancy or allow anyone to smoke around you or your baby,

if you smoke cigarettes during or after pregnancy, your baby’s risk of cot death will be increased. One study predicted that up to 40 per cent of cot deaths could be prevented if pregnant mothers did not smoke.

Don’t smoke during pregnancy and don’t allow smoking around your baby. The risk to your baby is increased if anyone in the house smokes, even if it is in another room, with a window open or with a fan or ioniser. Ask visitors to smoke outside, and always keep the air around your baby smoke-free.

Overheating your baby is linked to an increased risk of cot death. Keep the room your baby sleeps in at a comfortable temperature (between 16 and 20 degrees C/61 and 68 degrees F, ideally 18 degrees C/64 degrees F).Don’t put babies cot next to a radiator or heater and don’t use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket.

Lay your baby with their feet at the foot of the cot so they can’t wriggle down under the bedding. Keep their head uncovered by tucking their bedding in no higher than her shoulders.

A Moses basket, carrycot or travel cot is a good way to keep her nearby while you get on with what you want to do.

Signs that your baby may be overheated include sweating, damp hair, a heat rash rapid shallow breathing, and a fever. If your baby does feel hot adjust the blankets. Don’t feel the hands or feet to see if baby is warm enough; it is normal for them to feel cold anyway.

Remove any extra layers of clothing as soon as you come indoors after being outside,

Never sleep with your baby in your bed or on a sofa or armchair, make sure after a cuddle or a feed put baby back in their cot.

For babies bedding you should use a sheet and cellular blankets rather than a duvet, or a well-fitted lightweight baby sleeping bag. Sleeping bags should not be big enough for your baby to slip down inside.

If your baby’s too hot, remove a blanket; if he’s cold, add one (remember, one blanket folded in half is two layers). Do not use duvets, quilts, bedding rolls or pillows.

Breastfeeding your baby reduces the risk of cot death in babies.

Always take baby for regular check up’s and immunisations which will keep baby well and help prevent any unwanted illnesses.
Some mums find breastfeeding easier if their baby shares their bed but the safest thing to do is to put the baby back in his cot to sleep.

Do not share a bed with your baby if anybody

• is a smoker (even if you never smoke near your baby)

• has been drinking alcohol

• is taking any medication or drugs what so ever

• is very tired

Always remember to put your baby and their health first before any other priorities. Your babies are the most precious beings and need to be handled with care to a degree, especially whilst at a very young and vulnerable age and protected against cot death.