WHAT SHOULD SHE EAT?
At around this time, many mothers have a question: ”How many times should my baby nurse?” There is no right answer. Some one-year old are breast-feeding once or twice a day, while others enjoy lots of quiet times at their mother’s breast. A baby next door nurses around 7 times a day! She is a little over 1. So any number of times is normal.
By now, you should have also introduced your baby to solid foods from all the food groups. Remember, your baby needs more nutrition than you do, so start her onto healthy foods right from the very beginning, so that it becomes easier for her to develop her taste and eating healthy foods will become a habit for life.
WHAT WILL SHE DO AT THIS TIME?
Your baby is 1 now, and she has turned into quite a pointer! Very few things escape her attention, and she will be constantly pointing to things around her, and even if she cannot still speak, her eyes will be questioning. ”What’s that?” they will ask! So be prepared to answer all her questions with alacrity! She is picking up the names of things fast, pencil, pen, pillow, plate, cup, car, train, bird, dog ……these are common everyday things that she will know and learn.
As you baby turns 1, you could go back over the last year and see how your baby has gone from sleeping to crying, nursing to eating, crawling and now most probably walking! She is now a social charmer in her own way, a far cry from the wrinkled little infant that you had brought home a year ago! So bask in the happiness of her development and get set to ring in the celebrations of her 1st birthday with you!
WHAT YOU COULD HELP HER DO!
Your baby might have started teething by now, and there are quite a few problems that little ones face during this time. If you see that her face is flushed, or a rash has appeared next to the area of the place where the tooth is coming up, or even if she is drooling with saliva or is cranky, she could be teething. IT is better to confirm their causes with your doctor.
You can help soothe her pain in many ways:
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Biting hard objects like teething rings can give some level of comfort.
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A frozen piece of fruit can also soothe the gums. Anything cold will help to numb the pain.
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Some teething gels can be given with the advice of your doctor. They can be applied to ease the pain. But since these gels contain sugar, use them sparingly.
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Baby Ibuprofen can be given as an analgesic. But this should be done only in extreme cases, and only after consulting your doctor.
WHAT ABOUT HER SLEEP?
If you believe in keeping your baby with you during the nights, and not in a separate bed, then it is important that you follow these guidelines:
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Ensure that her head is not covered by a blanket or bed-sheet as she could be smothered.
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Never put your baby to sleep on a large pillow. She could roll of it and get hurt.
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Avoid using bed covers or bedspreads and bedsheets with embroidery, such as mirrors and beads.
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Clear the bed of stuffed toys, cushions and other articles before putting your baby to sleep.
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Never put your baby to sleep on a waterbed or a loose, soft mattress. Always use a firm mattress.
WHAT SHE WILL WEIGH
Do not stress if your child shows a slight drop in the weight scales this time of her growth chart. It is normal as she is entering the toddler phase, and most infants grow in height faster than they gain weight. Between the years of 1 and 2, most toddlers thin out. There is nothing to worry about. But if you still feel there is something wrong, it is best to consult your pediatrician, who will be able to sort it out.
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