Welcome to week 21. In this update we've got tips for how to baby-proof your house and advice on knowing if your little one is constipated.
You and your baby
Week 21 News
To a curious tot, a home is nearly as full of risks as the world outside. A good way of seeing what might cause problems is to get onto your hands and knees and have a look around from your baby's viewpoint. Some things can just be moved to safer positions, other things need to be made safe.
An unexpected side effect of teething is nappy rashes. All the dribble swallowed by your little one can make their poo more runny and frequent. You can help prevent rashes by keeping a sharp eye on the nappies and changing them promptly. Remember to apply a barrier cream.
Need to know
Breastfed babies are less likely to be constipated than formula-fed, but it can happen. The signs include a sudden change in how often your baby goes, to a loss of appetite and harder stools. You can do several things to help, including gently bicycling their legs for them!
An extra nudge to join an exercise class! Remember, post-natal exercise classes in particular are great - all the mums there will be just like you and the exercises will be designed specifically with post-birth bodies in mind
Tip:
Don't compare
Is your tot kicking, rolling over or sitting up yet? If not, don't worry. Different babies develop at different paces, so don't get anxious if your friends' babies are doing more.
Get some expert help
Remember our Careline team is always on hand to help. You can talk to our expert mums about baby constipation 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.
