Life definitely changes once a baby is on board, and there's nothing more interesting and exciting than your precious little bundle of joy. This section will answer many of your pressing parenting questions and hopefully help make life easier and more fun for you and your baby.
Hooray! Baby's Here. Now What?
- > Breast Feeding vs. Bottle Feeding
- > How to Make Breast Feeding Work
- > Essential Baby Items for Newborns
- > How Much Sleep Do Babies Need?
- > Signs of Postpartum Depression
- > Good Tips for Baby Immunizations
- > Fun Tips on How to Bond with Your Baby
Baby Safety
Being "Baby" Prepared
Behavior & Developmental Challenges
- > You Can Calm a Fussy Baby - Find Out How
- > Does My Baby Have Colic?
- > How to Identify a Growth Spurt
- > Is your Baby Teething? How You Can Help
- > Ways to Encourage Crawling
- > Ways to Help your Baby Sleep Well
Baby Health Issues & What to Do
- > Diaper Rash Remedies & Prevention
- > Help Your Constipated Baby Feel Better
- > Treatments for Cradle Cap
- > How to Help a Choking Baby
Developmental Milestones & Solid Foods
Breast Feeding vs. Bottle Feeding
Breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding has always been a big controversy, but really it's up to the mother. You get to decide how you want to feed your baby. Read the pros and cons of each to help you with this decision.
- Both are Healthy for the Baby - Both breast feeding and bottle feeding are healthy for the baby. So it's up to the mother to decide which type of feeding she prefers for her child. Breast feeding does have a few extra health benefits then formula. Breast milk has antibodies that help the baby fight infection and breast fed babies tend to have less allergies. But both options are a healthy choice.
- Breast Feeding Saves You Money - Breastfeeding is obviously more convenient and can help you save money. You can feed your baby anywhere, any time without having to worry about having a bottle or formula on hand. No late night trips to the kitchen. Just get out of bed and feed your baby.
- Breast Milk Has Digestive Enzymes - Breast milk also consists of enzymes that help with the baby's digestive and absorption process.
- Breast Feeding Decreases Baby's Chance of Allergies - It's also suggested that breast fed babies have less of a chance to suffer from allergies.
- Bonding with Baby Similarities - Many mothers feel that breast feeding is a special way for mommy and baby to bond, but bottle feeding is also a bonding time because mom or dad or grandma can hold the baby close and bond with the newborn.
- Breast feeding Helps Mom Lose Weight - Breast feeding a baby may also help the nursing mom get her pre-pregnancy figure back quicker. Breast feeding takes up to 500 calories from mom's body and helps the uterus tighten up quicker.
- Breast feeding Means More Late Nights for Mom - Breastfed babies tend to eat more often and since the mom is mainly responsible for the feedings this means more middle of the night feedings for mom.
- Bottle Feedings Guarantee Baby's Milk Intake - When bottle feeding your baby you're always sure that he or she is getting the required amount of milk for a newborn based on how much milk is left in the bottle. When breast feeding, there's no way to tell if your baby is drinking the recommended amount of milk and sometimes babies can have trouble latching on to a mother's nipple, causing the baby and mom to get frustrated.
- Breastfeeding Discomforts - Moms that breast feed will need to wear special bras for easier access to nipples. They must also either feed their baby or pump their breast milk so their breasts don't get engorged with milk causing discomfort. Moms that are breast feeding can also experience breast milk leakage from their nipples and should wear pads in their bras.
- Possible Breast feeding Infection - Breastfeeding can cause sore or cracked nipples. Breasts can also get engorged with milk. Some moms can also get an infection called Mastitis that's caused by bacteria in the breast tissue.
