Hi all,

Here is part of what the folks at the Virtual Checkup website
(http://www.childsecure.com) have to say in response to a mum with a new
baby.

Donna Hansen
Burnaby, BC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feeding & Nutrition: If you have decided to breast feed your baby, allow
him
or her to feed as often as he or she wishes. If you do not have a lot of
milk it helps to feed the baby more often -- suckling at the breast
stimulates the let down of milk.   Consider the use of a lactation
consultant to help you get off to the right start with breast feeding --
often a difficult start will lead to months of fulfilling breast feeding
once you get over the first few weeks.  Sore nipples can be treated with
warm compresses or by rubbing a bit of expressed milk onto the sore
areas.
Avoid washing the breasts with soap which may dry the nipples. Remember,
whatever you eat your baby eats, so avoid alcohol or drugs and try to
eat a
well balanced diet.  Sometimes too many vegetables will upset the baby's
stomach -- you will find this out in time.

If you decide to or must bottle-feed, allow your baby to feed on demand
as
well. Most infants begin with a milk-based formula. If it seems your
baby
does not tolerate his/her formula well discuss using an alternative
formula
with your pediatrician. If you bottle feed with ready-mixed formula or
do
not use tap water in your powdered formula you will need to provide
supplemental fluoride vitamins to your baby to help with the development
of
healthy teeth. Whether you breast feed or bottle feed your baby's
intestines
are just starting to learn how to process foods. Your baby will stool as
often as 3 times a day or as seldom as once every 3 days -- and this is
normal. If your baby stools less or more than this, contact your
pediatrician.

Crying: Crying is a normal part of infancy -- many babies cry several
hours
a day and before falling asleep. If crying is getting to you ask for
help
from your spouse or a friend or relative. You will soon learn what your
baby's cries mean -- there are cries for hunger and cries for pain. If
you
baby is not consolable contact your pediatrician.

Best wishes from the pediatricians at ChildSecure!

Virtual Checkup is brought to you by The ChildSecure Catalog -- the
world's
finest baby products.  Visit us at http://www.childsecure.com
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]