Welcome to week 10. This week, we look at how baby massage can help you and your little one and we consider whether you can drink caffeine whilst breastfeeding – and suggest something slightly unexpected…
You and your baby
Week 10 News
If you're a coffee lover and breastfeeding mum, it's good to know that caffeine can reach your little one through your breast milk and may keep them awake. It's recommended to reduce caffeine intake to 200mg a day when you're breastfeeding. Alcohol should be avoided as it can transfer into your breast milk and affect your baby as well.
Have you ever thought of massaging your baby? It's a lovely way of bonding with your little one and has the added benefit of helping with conditions like colic, constipation and 'not-going-to-sleep'. Plus, it's easier than you might think. You'll find more about baby massage here.
If you're breastfeeding, it's recommended that you take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D. During spring and summer, being out in the sun for 10 or 15 minutes a day also helps replenish those valuable vitamin D levels. Just remember to apply sun cream!
Tip: Babysitting checklist
Leaving your baby with someone else can be daunting – no matter who they are! To give you peace of mind, you can give your babysitter notes that includes all the information you'd like them to know – including routine times, favourite toys and best burping techniques.
Get some expert help
Remember our Careline team is always on hand to help. You can talk to our expert mums about baby massage or anything else that's on your mind. Get in touch 24/7 using our live chat, by phone or by email.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The best way to feed a baby is to breastfeed, as breast milk provides the ideal balanced diet and protection against illness for your baby and also many non-nutritional benefits for both baby and mother. We recommend that you speak to your healthcare professional when deciding on your choice of feeding your baby. Professional guidance should also be sought on the preparation for and maintenance of breastfeeding. If you do choose to breastfeed, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Infant formula is intended to replace breast milk when mothers choose not to breastfeed or if for some reason they are unable to do so. A decision not to breastfeed, or to introduce partial bottle-feeding, will reduce the supply of breast milk. If for any reason you choose not to breastfeed, do remember that such a decision can be difficult to reverse. Using infant formula also has social and financial implications which must be considered. Infant formula should always be prepared, used and stored as instructed on the label, in order to avoid risks to a baby's health.
