Roseola infantum in children

Roseola is a disease very similar to German measles. Babies and young children are most susceptible to this disease. It is probably caused by a virus and is not particularly contagious.

What are the causes and symptoms of roseola infantum

Babies and young children are most susceptible to this disease. It is probably caused by a virus and is not particularly contagious. The incubation period could be anywhere between five to fifteen days. The disease usually lasts for 3 to 6 days.

Lactose Intolerance in Infants

Sometimes lactose intolerance is mistaken with food allergy in babies. Therefore, parents of babies must understand what lactose intolerance in infants exactly is. Read on to find more about the causes and symptoms of lactose intolerance in infants and what parents should do when they observe the symptoms. 

Before starting it is vital to know what exactly lactose intolerance is. Lactose is a type of sugar that is actually found in milk and other dairy products in different proportions. Lactose intolerance is found in some infants and they are unable to digest lactose. It is a matter of deep concern as this is the major source of energy for infants especially in their first few months.

Milk is very essential for healthy bones as well as nerve tissues. So, babies suffering from lactose intolerance have frequent watery stools and the child gets deprived of the major source of energy. When the child is deprived of energy, the energy is provided to him by the stored fats of the body and the result is weight loss.

First Aid For Electric Shock

Children, especially toddlers, love sticking their little fingers anywhere and everywhere, especially into plug points and sockets. The human body is a good conductor of electricity, and contact with a live power source can cause significant burns, or may interfere with the heart's electrical system.

Everyone has received minor electric shocks sometime or the other, which are no cause for concern. But once in a while, a lose wire or a faulty household appliance can shock the life out of you - literally. Most of the fatal electric shocks happen at home.  

• Here's what you can do if it happens in your home.  
• The victim usually gets stuck to the source of the electricity, and it is important that you first separate him from the electrical source. 
• Turn off the power supply switch and disconnect the plug. It's best to simply turn off the main power supply or pull out the fuse. Often, simply turning off the switch may not stop the flow of electricity. 
• In certain circumstances it may be quicker to simply pull the victim away from the electrical source. 

Foreign Objects

"Foreign" means "originating elsewhere" or simply "outside the body." Foreign bodies typically become lodged in the eyes, ears, nose, airways, and rectum of human beings. Both children and adults experience problems caused by foreign objects getting stuck in their bodies. Young children, in particular, are naturally curious and may intentionally put shiny objects, such as coins or button batteries, into their mouths. They also like to stick things in their ears and up their noses. Adults may accidentally swallow a non-food object or inhale a foreign body that gets stuck in the throat. Even if an object like a toothpick successfully passes through the esophagus and into the stomach, it can get stuck inside the rectum. Airborne particles can lodge in the eyes of people at any age.

Foreign bodies can be in hollow organs (like swallowed batteries) or in tissues (like bullets). They can be inert or irritating. If they irritate they will cause inflammation and scarring. They can bring infection with them or acquire it and protect it from the body's immune defenses. They can obstruct passageways either by their size or by the scarring they cause. Some can be toxic.

Children and Flu

Influenza is an acute infection caused by any of three types of viruses (A, B, or C). Type A strains are associated with the most severe disease. Flu is an acute infection of the airway tract in the nose and throat that can sometimes spread down into the lungs. Flu in adults is a frequent cause of acute respiratory illness. Flu, however, affects people of all ages. Children are among the groups most at risk for developing flu and its complications and are more likely to spread the infection to others. Flu season begins every year mainly in late fall and early winter and usually spreads widely. The peak season for the flu in the northern hemisphere is from November through March.

The flu is caused by one of three types of influenza viruses. Types A and B are responsible for the yearly flu epidemics, and type C causes sporadic illness. Type A is further divided into different subtypes based on the chemical structure of the virus. Influenza is highly contagious. The virus is spread when someone either inhales infected droplets in the air (coughed up or sneezed by an infected person) or when someone comes in direct contact with an infected person's secretions (for example, kissing, sharing of handkerchiefs and other items, and through use of objects such as spoons and forks).

Entertaining Your Newborn

You're home from the hospital, and for the first few weeks, you're main goal is to survive; little to no sleep, healing from labor, house guests, no time to eat, and of course, you're trying to figure out how to care for this tiny, helpless little being. But you do survive! And a few weeks later, once you get into the groove, you start wondering what you're supposed to be doing with your bundle of joy when she or he isn't sleeping, eating, crying, or filling that little diaper.

Stimulating your baby's senses is an important task for you, just as all the other essentials. Babies learn about the world through us, so we need to present it to them. Also, experts suggest that showing your baby different colors and shapes help them to develop their sense of vision. So one way you can entertain your baby is to hold different toys close to them. Remember, infants can only see about 12 inches in front of them, so make sure they can see what you're holding.

Overcoming breastfeeding problems

It is common for some moms to have some problems with breastfeeding. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Most problems can be easily treated or solved. If you have a breastfeeding problem, contact a lactation consultant. This is a person who specializes in breastfeeding. 

Breastfeeding (nursing) your baby can be a comfortable and relaxing experience, But it takes time and practice. Start breastfeeding your baby in the hospital, right after birth. Request the help of a lactation consultant or nurse to get you started. Read about breastfeeding before your baby is born.

NIPPLE SORENESS

It is common to have some pain or discomfort when your baby first latches on and begins feeding in the first few days or weeks. Some breastfeeding mothers describe nipple soreness as a pinching, itching, or burning sensation. Over time, you should feel little discomfort or pain when breastfeeding.

Nipple soreness may be caused by many things, including:

• Poor feeding techniques
• Wrong position of the baby when breastfeeding
• Not taking care of your nipples

Making up a bottle

Make a fresh bottle of formula every time you feed your baby. At first, this can seem fiddly. So take your time, measure everything carefully, and once you've made up a few feeds, you'll find it becomes second nature. 

What do I prepare for my baby's feed?

Before you make your baby’s feed, follow these hygiene steps: 

• Sterilize your baby’s feeding equipment. This includes bottles, nipples, lids, retaining rings and caps.

• Clean and disinfect the work surface you're going to use.

• Wash and dry your hands.

• Put a sterilized bottle on the clean surface.

• Use sterilized tongs to place the sterilized nipple, lid, retaining ring and cap out ready. Health Canada recommends putting all the items in a pot of water and bringing in to a rolling boil for two minutes.

Once you've done this, you’re now ready to make your baby’s feed. 

Preparing baby formula

Even when tins and packets of powdered infant formula are sealed, they can sometimes contain bacteria such as Cronobacter sakazakii (formerly known as Enterobacter sakazakii) and, more rarely, Salmonella. Although these bacteria are very rare, the infections they cause can be life-threatening.

To reduce the risk of infection, make up each feed as your baby needs it, using boiled water at a temperature of 70ºC or above. Water at this temperature will kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.

Make up feeds, one at a time, as your baby needs them. Always use boiled water at a temperature of at least 70ºC, but remember to let the feed cool before you give it to the baby. Bacteria multiply very fast at room temperature. Even when the feed is kept in a fridge, bacteria can still survive and multiply, although they do this more slowly. The risk of infection increases over time so that is why it is important to make up the feed only as your baby needs it. 

Sterilising bottle-feeding equipment

During the first year of your baby’s life, he’s at his most vulnerable to illnesses. If you don’t sterilize your baby’s bottles, viruses, bacteria and parasites can gather on his bottle and in his milk and make him ill. Your baby could develop anything from mild thrush to a more serious bout of vomiting and diarrhea.  It's not possible or practical to create a totally germ-free environment for your baby. But by sterilizing your baby’s feeding equipment, you can reduce the risks while he's at his most vulnerable.

There are several methods you can use to sterilize your baby’s feeding equipment. Microwave and electric sterilizing are the most popular. However, for times when you don’t have access to electricity, use traditional methods, such as boiling and cold water sterilizing.

Shock in children

Shock is a general term used to describe the clinical condition that results from damage to any or all tissue and/or organs in the body. The physiological response to such damage, often stemming from loss of blood volume or other trauma, results in a cascade of events that can lead to multiple organ system failure and, in some cases, death. Acutely ill children are particularly vulnerable to shock because their small body size limits the amount of reserve they have, which may be insufficient to meet the physiological demands of the trauma or illness.

The four basic types of shock include hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic and obstructive shock.

1. Hypovolemic shock

Hypovolemic shock generally results from diarrhea, vomiting, poor fluid intake, hemorrhage, heat stroke or burns. The leading cause of shock worldwide is hypovolemia—or loss of blood volume—due to diarrhea. Accordingly, hypovolemic shock is a major cause of infant mortality.

Clinical signs of hypovolemic shock include rapid breathing and or heart rate, abnormally low blood pressure, weak peripheral pulses, cool pale skin, increased urine output and changes in mental status.

Choking Prevention for Children

A child may be choking and need help right away if he or she: 

• is unable to breathe

• is gasping or wheezing

• is unable to talk, cry, or make noise

• turns blue

• grabs at his or her throat or waves arms

• appears panicked

• becomes limp or unconscious

In those cases, immediately start abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich maneuver), the standard rescue procedure for choking, if you've been trained to do it properly. 

Gastroenteritis in children

Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection which causes diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. Diarrhea is runny, watery bowel motions. The vomiting may settle quickly, but the diarrhea may last up to 10 days. Bouts of gastro can cause dehydration which can be dangerous for very young babies.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis in babies 

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the classic signs of a stomach bug. Your little one will probably have a decreased appetite, which is good because when the stomach is that upset, whatever goes in almost inevitably comes out. Kids who have a stomach bug may also have a low-grade fever, abdominal pain and muscle aches.  

Tests for gastroenteritis in babies

Most of the time, the “stomach flu” is diagnosed based on baby’s symptoms. (Is he throwing up frequently? Having lots of loose, runny stools? He probably has a stomach bug -- especially if symptoms subside in a day or so.)

If your child’s symptoms aren’t improving and you take him in to the doctor, they may collect a stool sample, which can be sent to a lab to determine the cause of infection. A stool sample can be helpful in ruling out a bacterial or parasitic infection (which could cause similar 

Vomiting in children and babies

In most cases, the vomiting will last no longer than one or two days and is not a sign of anything serious. The most common cause in both children and babies is gastroenteritis. This is an infection of the gut usually caused by a virus or bacteria. It also causes diarrhea. Your child's immune system will usually fight off the infection after a few days. Also, babies frequently vomit when they swallow lots of air during feeding. However, persistent vomiting can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, such as a severe infection or even meningitis.

The most important thing you can do if your child is vomiting is to make sure they keep drinking fluids. If your baby is vomiting, carry on breastfeeding. If they seem dehydrated (see box, above left), they will need extra fluids. Ask your pharmacist if they would recommend oral dehydration fluids for your baby. Oral dehydration fluid is a special powder that you make up into a drink, which contains sugar and salts in specific amounts to help replace the water and salts lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Brands include Dioralyte, Electro lade and Dehydrate  Children who are vomiting should keep taking small sips of fluid so they don't become dehydrated. They can drink water, diluted squash, diluted fruit juice or semi-skimmed milk.

Causes of vomiting in children

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis (an infection of the gut) is a common cause of vomiting in children, and usually goes away after a few days.

Food allergy

Food allergies can also cause vomiting in children. Watch out for certain foods that may bring on the vomiting, and see if your child is better after avoiding this food.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection that causes dizziness and a feeling of spinning as well as nausea and vomiting. Your GP will be able to prescribe medication to relieve your child's symptoms while their immune system fights off the infection, which may take a few weeks.  

Appendicitis

Appendicitis can cause vomiting in children, as well as extreme pain in the tummy. It is a medical emergency and means your child's appendix will need to be removed. You should dial 999 for an ambulance if you think your child has appendicitis. Click on the above link to find out more about it.

Poison

Accidentally swallowing a drug or poison can cause vomiting in children. If you think this is the case, call your GP immediately or take them to your nearest accident and emergency department. 

Causes of vomiting in babies

These include:

• Swallowing lots of air during feeding
• Gastroenteritis (an infection of the gut)
• A food allergy or milk intolerance
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux, which is when stomach acid escapes back up the gullet
• Too big a hole in the bottle teat, causing your baby to drink too much milk
• Accidentally swallowing a drug or poison
• A birth condition where the passage from the stomach to the bowel has narrowed and food cannot pass through easily, causing projectile vomiting. This condition is called congenital pyloric stenosis.
• A blockage, such as a hernia, in your baby's bowel. They will vomit frequently and cry as if in great pain. 

  

Baby Care Topics: Feeding your baby|What should my baby wear? | Bathing and Washing your Baby | Overcoming sleeping problems in your baby




Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week

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Giving Your Baby a Sponge Bath

For the first week or two of your baby's life, you won't have a chance to find out if he enjoys the bath. Until the umbilicus falls off (and a circumcision, if any, heals), avoid giving your baby a bath. Instead, you must clean him without immersing his belly (and perhaps his penis as well) in water. The best way to do this is a sponge bath.

Are You Ready?

Because you want to get your baby clean, dry, and warm again as quickly as possible, have everything ready before you begin the sponge bath. Here's what you may need to have at hand:

• A towel on which your baby can sit or an empty portable tub in which he can sit

• A source of warm water (a sink or a large pitcher filled with warm water)

• Non-detergent soap

• Baby-safe shampoo

• A fine-toothed baby comb

• Baby-safe nail clippers

• Cotton balls and alcohol (until the umbilicus has fallen off)

• A washcloth (the softer the better)

• Cotton balls for washing the eyes (not necessary, but some babies like it)

• A towel, or even better, a hooded towel/robe

• Diaper cream

• A clean diaper

• A fresh set of clothes or pajamas

Infant Bathing Safety Tips for Parents

Baby's bath time should be a time of fun and happiness for parent's and baby alike. With the proper precautions, baby bathing can be done safely and effectively without jeopardizing the health of your little on. Infant baths can get pretty tricky since baby's do seem to get really slippery when wet, but making sure that you follow some safety advice will assure that your baby can enjoy his bath and you can enjoy it with him.

Baby bath safety is very important as the water poses some extreme safety risks to an infant. An infant could drown on as little as 2 tablespoons of water when ingested improperly into the lungs. For this reason it is important to be well informed about the hazards or water and the need to be safe during baby's bath time every single time he takes a bath. Do not think for a second that baby's can be left alone in the tub...children drown in the tub and babies can drown even faster.

Topping and tailing

For the first week you may find that 'topping and tailing' is the easiest way to bath your baby. 'Topping and tailing' simply means carefully washing your baby’s face, neck, hands and bottom, morning and night, plus cleaning the nappy area as necessary. On days when you don’t bath your baby you’ll need to wash his face, bottom, hands and folds of his skin once a day. An ideal time to do this is during changing.

• Make sure the room is warmed to a suitable temperature for your naked baby, around 29 degrees is good
• Have a bowl of boiled and lukewarm, not hot, water on hand and a supply of cotton wool
• Clean your baby’s bottom as usual and take a ball of cotton wool dipped in the water and gently wipe around the genitals (changing the cotton wool often), particularly in the folds and creases of the skin
• Gently wipe each eye from the inside out using a new piece of cotton wool for each so any infection won’t be transferred from one to the other
• Clean around the nose, mouth and the outside of the ears using a new piece of cotton wool for each, not forgetting behind the ears

Tips for Washing Your Baby

This is something that many new parents dread. They are often afraid they will do something to hurt the baby when it comes time for his/her bath. The truth of the matter is washing your baby is quite simply as long as you follow some important safety steps and prepare everything ahead of time. Try to stay calm during bath time and realize that your baby is not a porcelain doll. Parents have been handling their babies since the beginning of time and you will be just fine giving your baby his/her bath. It is important that (provided there are two parents present) both parents participate in the first few baths together. This is a good way to support each other and to make sure that everything goes smoothly. The following tips and suggestions may help make bath time much more enjoyable for Mom, Dad and baby.

Purchase a Baby Bath

When you bath a tiny baby it is much easier if you have a small bathing chair that can easily rest in the sink or bathtub. While it is possible to bath a newborn without one, it is important to keep in mind that wet babies are very slippery. It tends to be a lot easier if they are sitting in a baby bath. Once your baby reaches 4 or 5 months old and can sit up easily on his/her own then you can graduate to a baby bathing ring. These rings have suction cups that help the ring stay in place.

Dressing and undressing a newborn

Newborn babies will generally need dressing and undressing on a daily basis, sometimes 2 to 4 changes in a 24 hour period.

Reasons for a change of clothes

Baby can need a change of clothes for many reasons, including:

• When bathing.
• If they become excessively wet or soiled from leaking nappies.
• Regurgitation (or vomiting) of milk after feeding. (Having a spare cloth nappy or hand towel handy may help to avoid the need to change.)
• Adding or taking off layers of clothing due to weather changes.
• Going on a day’s outing and dressing up for the occasion.

Most babies hate being undressed and will cry in protest when you take all their clothes off. After a while they will adjust to this 'changing' routine. Make sure you change your baby on a soft surface and keep the period of time they are naked to a minimum, so they don't become too cold. The room should be a pleasant temperature and the doors and windows closed to stop droughts.

Have all the clothes you need within arm's reach, with the items you'll need first on top of the pile. Stretch any neck holes open wide and gently guide them over your baby's head, taking care over your baby's nose and eyes. Then gently guide their arms into any armholes. Talk to your baby and maintain eye contact while you're changing to keep baby distracted and happy.

You should change your baby on something at a comfortable height. If changing them on your bed, kneel on the floor. It is important that you avoid overstretching and twisting your body, especially for the woman in the early weeks after the birth. Never leave your baby unsupervised on anything that is off the ground. If you need to get something, answer the door or telephone, or rescue a toddler, always take your baby with you.

Tonsillitis in Children

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils. Tonsils are 2 large lumps of tissue in the back of your child's throat. They help fight infection. Tonsillitis may be caused by a bacterial or a viral infection. Viruses that cause a cold or the flu may cause viral tonsillitis in children. A virus that causes mononucleosis (mono) may also lead to tonsillitis. Group A streptococcus is the most common bacteria that causes tonsillitis. It also causes strep throat. Tonsillitis can spread from an infected person to others through coughing, sneezing, or touching. The germs can spread through kissing or sharing food and drinks. Germs spread easily in schools and daycare centers and between family members at home. 

Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis

• Fever and sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• Cough or hoarseness
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Yellow or white patches on the back of the throat
• Bad breath
• Rash on the body or in the mouth

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby. Sudden infant death syndrome is sometimes called crib death.

The exact cause is unknown, but sudden infant death syndrome may be associated with abnormalities in the portion of an infant's brain that controls breathing and arousal from sleep. Although all babies are vulnerable, certain sleep environments have been linked to increased risk.

Perhaps the most important way to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome is to place your baby on his or her back to sleep, on a firm crib mattress covered by a fitted sheet. Nothing else should go in the crib with your baby — no blanket, pillow, bumper pads or toys.

A combination of physical and sleep environmental factors can make an infant more vulnerable to SIDS. These factors may vary from child to child.

Physical factors 

Physical factors associated with SIDS include:

• Brain abnormalities. Some infants are born with problems that make them more likely to die of SIDS. In many of these babies, the portion of the brain that controls breathing and arousal from sleep doesn't work properly.

• Low birth weight. Premature birth or being part of a multiple birth increases the likelihood that a baby's brain hasn't matured completely, so he or she has less reliable control over such automatic processes as breathing and heart rate.

What causes a low milk supply during breast-feeding?

Various factors can cause a low milk supply during breast-feeding, such as waiting too long to start breast-feeding, not breast-feeding often enough, and use of certain medications. Sometimes previous breast surgery affects milk production. Factors such as premature birth, maternal obesity and insulin-dependent diabetes can also affect milk production.

But take heart. Although many women worry about low milk supply, insufficient breast milk production is rare. In fact, most women make one-third more breast milk than their babies typically drink.

Breast-feeding nutrition

If you're breast-feeding, you're giving your baby nutrients that will promote his or her growth and health. You might have questions, however, about what foods and drinks are best for you — and how your diet might affect your breast milk and your baby. To get these extra calories, opt for nutrient-rich choices, such as a slice of whole-grain bread with a tablespoon (about 16 grams) of peanut butter, a banana or apple, and 8 ounces (about 227 grams) of fat-free yogurt.

What foods should I eat while breast-feeding?

There's no need to go on a special diet while breast-feeding your baby. Instead, focus on making healthy choices to help fuel your milk production. Opt for a variety of whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables. Wash your fruits and vegetables to reduce exposure to pesticide residue. Eating a variety of different foods while breast-feeding will change the flavor of your breast milk. This will expose your baby to different tastes, which might help him or her more easily accept solid foods down the road. To make sure you and your baby are getting all of the vitamins you need, your health care provider might recommend continuing to take a daily prenatal vitamin until you wean your baby.

General Safety tips in children

Child Safety Seats:

• Choose the correct child safety seat for your child's age and weight.
• Register your child safety seat by filling out the manufacturer's registration card and mailing it in. This is the only way to be notified if there is a recall or problem.
• Install your child safety seat correctly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions EXACTLY or better yet, have your child safety seat installed by a National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA) certified installer. A seat that is not installed correctly will not offer your child the best protection in the event of a crash.
• Always buckle your child into a child safety seat EVERYTIME your child rides in the car-no exceptions. The harness should be snug and the chest clip should be at the level of the child's armpits.
• Infants should ride in a rear-facing seat until they are AT LEAST 20 pounds and one year-longer if possible.
• If your child safety seat is in use and a crash occurs, retire it gratefully and purchase a new one. Damage to the seat may not be visible and can render the seat unsafe.
• NTSHA estimates that proper use of car seats could prevent up to 71% of deaths and 67% of injuries sustained in accidents.

Baby safety tips in Nursery

When selecting a crib:

• Don't buy an older, used crib. It could be missing parts.
• Corner posts should not extend more than 1/16th of an inch above the end panel.
• Posts should not be more than 2 & 3/8ths inches apart to prevent the child from getting stuck.
• All hardware should be tight fitting and secure.
• The mattress should fit snugly in the crib frame to prevent the child from getting stuck and suffocating.

• Avoid placing a crib near windows. If a crib is near a window, make sure that drapery and mini-blind cords are OUT OF REACH to prevent strangulation.
• Keep the crib away from lamps or other electrical appliances. Lamp cords should be wrapped so as not to leave excess length available for a baby to chew or pose a strangulation hazard.
• Drapery and mini-blind cords present a hazard in every home. Unfortunately, cords left in their reach have strangled many young children. Blind and shade cords should be wrapped around wall cleats, out of reach of toddlers.

Baby safety tips in Bathrooms

• Never leave standing water in the tub or sink. It takes very little water to create a drowning hazard.

• NEVER leave your child unattended in the bath. A good rule of thumb is to keep one hand on your child at all times while bathing. If you must leave the room, wrap your child in a towel and take her with you.

• Reduce your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees. A baby's skin is more sensitive than an adult's. What is warm to us can scald a small infant.

• Install a spout cover to protect from falls.

• Use a non-slip mat or use non-slip stickers in the tub to prevent falls.

• Remove items from around the tub ring (shampoo, conditioner, razors). When bar soap becomes small enough to fit into a toddler's mouth, it becomes a choking hazard.

Baby safety tips in Kitchen

• Install quality safety latches on drawers and cabinets that are within a child's reach.

• Keep all sharp utensils, wastebaskets, and household cleaning products in a latched drawer or cabinet.

• Appliance cords should not dangle from the counter-top. A curious child could pull on that cord and bring a heavy appliance onto his head or body.

• Cook using the back burners of your stove and turn pot handles toward the rear of the stove so your child can't pull hot food on himself. Remove stove knobs to prevent curious little fingers from turning on the knobs. If you remove the knobs, keep one handy to use while cooking, and store in a drawer when not in use.

• Dishwashing detergent should only be poured immediately before you wash dishes. A swallow full of detergent is a hazardous and deadly snack.

• If your kitchen has a trash compactor, keep it latched. If it is key operated, keep the key out of reach from your child.

Demand feeding

Feeding on demand simply means feeding your baby whenever he signals that he's hungry — usually by crying or sucking on his hands — rather than according to a set schedule. The terms "on cue" or "ad lib" are a better way to describe feeding according to your baby's needs than "demand" feeding. The latter can mislead people into thinking that feeding a baby whenever he's hungry will turn him into a demanding little tyrant!

During the early weeks of breastfeeding, you may feel as though you're nursing your baby constantly, and wonder if your baby really needs all that nursing. Keep in mind that young babies have tiny stomachs — about the size of a walnut. Easily digested breast milk quickly fills their little stomach and is absorbed, so it's no wonder they need to eat again relatively soon.

If your baby seems hungry soon after eating (fussy, sucking on his fist, or rooting at your breast), go ahead and feed him again. Keep in mind, too, that babies are just hungrier on some days than on other days and will want to eat more than usual. These days are called "frequency days" and are thought to precede growth spurts.