Having a healthy and well-balanced diet is important for the normal growth and development of babies. The lack of even a single essential component in their diet can have long-term effects on their health. Ideally, a baby’s diet should be closely monitored as soon as they start having solid foods to ensure their good development. One of the most essential components of the baby’s diet is Iron. In this article, we will give you all the information about iron-rich foods for babies.

Importance of iron-rich foods for babies:

Iron is a mineral that plays a very important role in the healthy growth of babies. It makes a protein in the blood known as ‘hemoglobin’. Hemoglobin provides oxygen to the body. If there is a lack of iron, less hemoglobin will be produced, subsequently, less oxygen will be provided to the body organs. This condition is called ‘anemia’, and to avoid this condition iron-rich foods are essential for babies.

Symptoms of Anemia in babies:

Iron deficiency in babies affects their brains to develop normally and makes their growth process slow. The symptoms of anemia in babies are:

• Physically less active
• Slow or no weight gain
• Pale skin color
• Fussiness
• Less appetite

Amount of iron required daily:

Until the age of 6 months, babies get iron from either breastmilk or formula milk. The problem of iron deficiency arises when babies start having solid foods. They need to get the required amount of iron through their food.

The daily requirement of iron for babies from the age of 7 to 12 months is 11 mg. They must get the required amount to maintain their growth and overall health.

Best iron-rich foods for babies:

As described earlier, iron is an important nutrient which needs to be added to a baby’s diet. They can only get iron through their food which is why their food needs to be iron-rich. Here are some iron-rich foods for babies to meet their iron needs:

• Meats: Chicken, beef, lamb, veal, and turkey (especially their liver).
• Fish
• Eggs
• Grains: Wheat, barley, whole grains bread, etc.
• Iron-fortified cereals
• Vegetables: Green peas, broccoli, spinach, and Brussel sprouts.
• Legumes: Lentils, Beans, chickpeas, and dried peas.

Bonus tip:

To boost the absorption of iron, iron-rich foods should be combined with good sources of vitamin C such as oranges, tomatoes, etc. For example, you give few slices of orange with grilled chicken to your baby.

Are Iron supplements good for babies?

It is fine to give iron supplements to babies. There are many iron-rich foods for babies that fulfill their required amount of iron. But if the baby is not eating enough iron-rich food then he needs to have iron supplements.

Talk to your baby’s pediatrician first, he will do some blood work of the baby to see if there is an iron deficiency in the baby. If your baby is anemic then the doctor might prescribe iron supplements.

Key takeaways:

Iron is essential for the growth of the babies hence parents should try to arrange iron-rich foods for babies during their mealtimes. We have provided a list of those amazing iron-rich foods for babies, you can try and see the difference yourself.

Are you tired of rocking your baby to sleep? Do you wish that your baby sleeps throughout the night? Then sleep training is the solution to your problem. Sleep training a baby will make your life easier but the process is quite difficult and exhausting. If you are ready to take the challenge and sleep train your baby, then stay tuned.

What does sleep training a baby mean?

Sleep training a baby means teaching him the art of going to sleep. When a baby is capable of going to sleep without the help of parents he is said to be sleep trained. The baby would go back to sleep if he wakes up in the middle of the night by self-soothing.

The right time to start sleep training a baby:

Sleep training a baby can start as soon as you feel that your baby is ready to put himself to sleep. The recommended age for sleep training is from 4 to 6 months. However, if your baby is older than the recommended age do not worry he can still get sleep trained.

Best sleep training methods for a baby:

Here is a list of the best sleep training methods for a baby that you can try:

• Fading method: This method allows the baby to decide his bedtime. Your job is to put your baby to sleep when you see some clues of the baby being sleepy. It is a gentle method that does not involve a lot of crying.

• Cry it out method: It involves a lot of crying and fussiness which is why it is a difficult method for parents as well as for babies. In this method, you will let the baby cry until he gets tired and goes to sleep.
• Ferber method: It allows the parents to go into the baby’s room after set intervals i.e. 5,10, or 15 minutes and verbally console the baby without touching them.

Tips for sleep training a baby:

Here are few tips to follow while sleep training a baby:

• Put baby to bed drowsy but awake: It is a popular opinion to put the baby in his crib when he gets drowsy but he is still awake. This way babies easily get sleep trained.
• Have a schedule for daytime naps: Naps during the day should be at fixed times. Having too many naps can affect a baby’s nighttime sleep and having less or no naps during the day can make a baby overtired. In either case, the baby will have a hard time falling asleep at night.
• Swaddle the baby: Swaddling helps the baby to feel secure and it controls the limb movements of the baby which helps them to sleep.
• Let them cry a little: Crying is not harmful to the baby. You can let them cry a little until they get tired and go to sleep.
• Lots of playtime during the day: Keep the daytime for playtime. Let your baby explore the world, go out for a walk to give them fresh air. Perform various activities according to the baby’s age to keep them busy throughout the day. This way the baby will get tired and sleep easily at night.
• Bedtime routine: Have a bedtime ritual and perform it every night before putting the baby to bed. Having a fixed routine will give a signal to the baby that it’s time to sleep.
• Be consistent: Stay consistent when you are trying to sleep train your baby. If the baby gave you a hard time on the 1^st day of training do not think that you have failed. It will get better with every passing night and ultimately your baby will get sleep trained in few days.

Conclusion:

Sleep training a baby is an exhausting process but in the end, it is worth it. With a little patience and consistency, your baby sleeps peacefully throughout the night and that is your biggest achievement.

Holding your newborn baby is the greatest feeling during early parenthood. Parents are so overwhelmed with emotions and love for the baby that they just want to hold him for a long time even after the baby is fast asleep. No wonder babies also love being held by the parents, but in the long run, it becomes difficult for parents when the baby becomes habitual of sleeping only when held by parents.

Why my baby only sleeps when held?

You lay your baby in his crib as gently as possible but he suddenly wakes up as soon as he touches the crib. Your baby only sleeps when held and you have to hold him long even after he falls asleep. It is because when he was a newborn, you used to hold him even after he was asleep and now he is habitual of that. Babies do not like changes and if they have become habitual of sleeping when held then they certainly do not want to change that.

Infants like the skin to skin contact with parents as it gives them a sense of security. They like to sleep while being tightly wrapped in the arms of their parents and they do not like to sleep openly in their crib or bassinet.

Is it dangerous for the baby to sleep while being held?

It is all right to hold the baby, who is under four months, while he sleep. But when a baby is older, you need to reevaluate his sleeping habits and try putting him to sleep drowsy but awake. The babies should be able to soothe themselves and go to sleep by the age of 6 months.

The only drawback of holding the baby to sleep is that they will develop a habit and it will be difficult to sleep train them.

How to handle when a baby only sleeps when held?

Even if the baby only sleeps when held and has become habitual of it, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to handle such a situation:

• Offer a pacifier: If a baby only sleeps when held and you want him to sleep in the crib then you should offer him a pacifier. The pacifier will help in soothing the baby and falling asleep.
• Take turns with your partner: Surely, you can get tired by holding the baby for too long and you also need to take care of the house or take a bath. In that regard, you can take turns with your partner and he can help you to hold the baby for a while.
• Swaddle the baby: Swaddling the baby is a great way for the baby who only sleeps when held to give them a sense of security and warmth. Swaddling can help a baby to have the feeling of the womb and they feel more comfortable sleeping.
• White noise: Playing white noise in the room will help baby sleep longer and less dependant to sleep in their parent’s arms.
• Try a baby bouncer or swing: Baby bouncer or swings are a good investment if your baby only sleeps when held. With their vibrations and swinging motions, the baby falls asleep quickly and easily.

To sum it up:

The baby only sleeps when held is a common problem for new parents as the baby likes to be held tightly and closely by parents. There is no harm in holding the baby to sleep but it should be stopped at the right age and the baby should be introduced to sleep training.

Baby sleep sacks are a new and updated version of swaddles, they get intact with the baby’s body which is why they are safe to use. Sleep sacks also improve the posture of the baby while sleeping leading to longer and peaceful sleep for the baby. In this article, we will discuss everything about the baby sleep sacks that you need to know:

What are baby sleep sacks?

Sleep sacks are also known as sleeping bags, they are similar to a bodysuit made up of a blanket material and have a zip in the front to keep the baby tight and wrapped. They help the baby to stay warm because otherwise babies and toddlers do not take blankets on. They are a great tool to enhance the baby’s sleep quality and safety.

Are baby sleep sacks safe?

Baby sleep sacks are the best option for babies because they keep the baby warm and also do not make them overheated. Sleep sacks are the safest option for bedtime clothing because then you do not need to put a blanket on the baby. This way you will not have to worry about the baby getting tangled up in the blanket.

Sleep sack also reduces the risk of your baby getting too cold at night and the baby will also wake up lesser times during the night. It also keeps the baby intact and does not let the baby move his limbs due to which the baby sleeps for a longer time.

Baby sleep sacks are better than swaddles:

Swaddling is only suitable for baby who is a few months old, babies do not like to be trapped in the swaddle because they cannot move their arms while being swaddled. Sleep sacks can be used for babies even older than 12 months which is why it is used for a long time. It is great for babies who like to sleep in different positions, sleep sack allows the baby to decide their sleeping position and they do not feel trapped.

When to start using a baby sleep sack?

You can start making the baby wear a sleep sack to bed as soon as they start fitting into one. They usually fit well with babies who weigh 8 to 9 lbs.

When to stop using a baby sleep sack?

There is no specified age until when a baby can wear a sleep sack, as long as the baby is comfortably sleeping in it you can continue putting him to bed in a sleep sack. You can use a sleep sack until your baby outgrows the largest size available in a sleep sack.

Best baby sleep sacks:

The best sleep sack for a baby is the one that is appropriate according to the temperature and does not let the baby to get too warm or cold. They are made from high quality bamboo material which is breathable and prevents the baby from overheating.

Buying a good-quality sleep sack is worth the money because it helps the baby to have a good night’s sleep.

Conclusion:

Sleep sacks ensure the safety of the baby by keeping the baby’s temperature normal and helping them sleep in their crib without extra blankets. They are a great product to have in a baby’s wardrobe.

Milk allergies are rare in babies, they are estimated to affect 2 to 3 percent of babies only. It can be very difficult to understand that a baby is allergic to milk since it is not very common. Most people do not have the knowledge of milk allergy in babies due to which they become confused when the baby shows the signs of milk allergy.

What is a milk allergy?

When a baby has a milk allergy, his immune system negatively reacts with the proteins present in cow milk. Breastfed babies will react to the cow milk that their mother had while the formula-fed babies react to the milk because the formula milk also contains some proteins in the formula.

Whenever the cow’s milk proteins are given to the baby, his immune system will react to it as a foreign substance causing milk allergy in babies.

Symptoms of milk allergy in babies:

Whenever the baby drinks the milk containing cow’s milk proteins, his body releases histamine and other chemicals which are the cause of allergic symptoms in babies. Symptoms of milk allergy in babies are these:

• Blood in stool
• Skin rash
• Watery eyes and stuffy nose
• Swelling in mouth and throat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Colic symptoms
• Coughing
• Trouble breathing

How to treat milk allergy in babies?

If you think that your baby has any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should consult with the baby’s pediatrician. The doctor will probably check the baby’s stool or a skin prick test will be performed to confirm that the baby has a milk allergy.

If your baby is one of those 2 to 3 percent babies with milk allergy, don’t be worried. Many children outgrow their milk allergy by the age of 1 and most of the children outgrow their allergy by the age of 3.

What to do if a formula-fed baby has a milk allergy?

Even though the baby might outgrow this allergy themselves, the doctors still recommend some things that might help the baby.

When the baby is formula-fed, his pediatrician will suggest changing the formula. You might have to try various brands and types of formula until you can find the best match for your baby.

Many babies who have a milk allergy, are allergic to all types of milk proteins including soy and goat milk. But there are hypoallergenic formulas in the market which has hydrolysate protein. This type of protein is already partly broken due to which they are easily digestible for babies and they are less likely to cause a milk allergy in babies.

What to do if a breastfed baby has a milk allergy?

For breastfed babies, the only cure for any problem is to fix the mother’s diet. The mother will have to ditch dairy in her diet, it will have a direct impact on baby’s allergy.

Key takeaways:

Milk allergy in babies is very well-known but there are very few such cases that make the parents anxious if their baby is one of them. But every problem has a solution and this issue can also be resolved with the little help of the doctor.

Breastfeeding is the best for babies but it comes with its fair share of hardships, it is exhausting and painful. Sometimes a certain protein in the breastmilk causes allergies in babies or the mother needs to supplement with formula milk. In any case, parents want to give the best nutrition to their babies and that is when they get confused that whether goat milk baby formula is the best for their baby or not. Let’s see if goat milk baby formula is good or not:

Is goat milk baby formula good?

Goat milk formula is surely a healthier option for your baby but it depends that the formula brand you choose should be organic. There are several formulas in the market but when all of them are compared to goat milk formula, you will find that goat milk formula is the best option for you.

Things to consider while buying goat milk baby formula:

There are variety of factors that determine whether goat milk baby formula is good for your baby or not. So, let’s discuss those factors.

• Organic: Choose a goat milk formula brand that is organic, there are not many options when it comes to goat milk formula but with little research, you can find organic options.
• Nutritional value: Goat milk has a higher content of vitamins and minerals but it lacks folic acid. So, make sure the goat milk baby formula is fortified and contains the best nutritional value.
• Protein composition: Goat milk naturally contains a higher amount of protein than breastmilk.  The goat milk baby formulas should have safe proteins that are suitable for babies. 

Benefits of using goat milk baby formula:

Let’s have a look at the benefits of using goat milk baby formula:

• Easily digestible: Goat milk formula contains a shorter form of fatty acids, which makes it easily digestible for the tiny stomachs of infants.
• Less lactose: Goat milk formula contain 4.1 percent lactose which is quite less as compared to cow milk formula. It is a great option for babies who have issues digesting a huge amount of lactose in milk.
• Boosts immune system: Goat milk formula has selenium, which is a great mineral to support the immune system of the baby and also boosts the immune system. It helps in protecting the child from various illnesses.
• Higher calcium: Goat milk formula provides a great amount of calcium to babies and your baby will have stronger bones and great health overall.
• Provides nourishment: For a baby, all the parents want is good health and a well-nourished baby. Goat milk formula is loaded with nutrients that are essential for the baby’s growth and nourishment. Goat milk also has the huge benefit of helping the baby’s nervous system.

Final verdict:

Your baby’s early months and years are crucial for his growth and development. So, it is important to avoid artificial nutrients as much as possible. If there is a breastfeeding issue, you can always go for goat milk baby formula because it is a healthier and safer substitute for breastmilk.

Are you the one who is unsure about baby clothing? You ask yourself every night that how to dress baby for sleep? Do not worry we will provide you a complete guideline that how to dress your baby to sleep at night.

General rule: How to dress baby for sleep?

As a general rule of thumb, you should always dress your baby at bedtime in one additional layer than what you would wear yourself in that room.

Always opt for comfortable, 100% organic cotton, and hypoallergenic clothing for baby at bedtime.

How to dress baby for sleep during summers?

Here are few tips that how to dress baby for sleep during summers:

• Do not overdress: You need to understand that babies need the almost same amount of clothing as you. You should never overdress them because it makes them overheated and it is a risk for them.
• Lightweight clothing: Make your baby wear lightweight and cotton clothing because it is breathable and comfortable.
• How many layers? During summers, usually, a single onesie or a set of trousers and shirt would be enough.

How to dress baby for sleep during winters?

Here are few tips that how to dress baby for sleep during summers:

• How many layers? During winters, babies can wear 2 to 3 layers along with a sleeping sack according to the temperature of their room. Remember to dress the baby in one extra layer than yours.
• Baby is too cold: You easily judge that the baby is too cold by checking the nose and neck of the baby. If they are cold then it is a sign that the baby is too cold.
• Material of the clothing: Cotton and wool are the best materials for babies because they are breathable and comfortable. Fleece should be avoided because it causes the risk of overheating.

Baby’s head should be covered or not at night:

Babies tend to become overheated quickly when their head is covered while sleeping. So, their head should be uncovered while they sleep as it can be very dangerous.

Overheated or too cold-what is a bigger threat?

Overheating is a bigger threat because it increases the risk of sudden infant death (SIDS). However, both being too hot or too cold are not good for the baby and they should be closely monitored to avoid either of the situations.

Is the baby comfortable?

It is a question that bothers most parents during the initial months because they are not sure if they are doing everything in the right way. They are not sure that how to dress baby for sleep and they need to know that the baby will give them clues whenever he is uncomfortable.

Babies tend to be restless and cry loudly when they are not comfortable. They will also give these clues if the temperature is too high or too low for them.

Final words:

How to dress baby for sleep at night is a common question among new parents because they want to make sure that the baby sleeps comfortably. Applying the general rule of dressing the baby in one extra layer than the parents themselves is a great solution to this problem.

Keeping in view the immature digestive systems, it is normal for babies to be gassy. If a baby passes gas 13-21 times each day, they have the issue of gas which can be triggered by several reasons. Most of the gas issues in infants are usually resolved themselves with time. In this article, we will talk about the best sleeping position for a gassy baby that might help you.

Why a baby is gassy?

Infants are usually gassy because they swallow a lot of air throughout the day. Air can be swallowed while drinking milk from a breast or bottle, sucking a pacifier, or crying. The swallowed air gets trapped in the baby’s belly which can make them uncomfortable and causes pain.

Another reason due to which babies develop gas is because of the mother’s diet if they are breastfeeding, and if they are formula-fed then their formula needs to be changed.

Now that you know what causes gas in babies, let’s move towards the best sleeping position for a gassy baby.

What is the best sleeping position for a gassy baby?

There are a few factors that play a vital role in triggering or controlling gastric issues in babies, their sleeping position is one of them.

The best sleeping position for a gassy baby is on their back, on a flat surface. Sleeping on the back is recommended because it reduces the risk of SIDS in infants and babies also get abundant oxygen while sleeping on their back. Babies from birth till the age of 1 should sleep in this position because there is less chance of choking. Hence, sleeping on the back is the best sleeping position for a gassy baby.

Tips to help a gassy baby go to sleep:

Gassy babies can give you a hard time, you will probably get exhausted every night when they will cry uncontrollably. So, here are few tips that can help you put your gassy baby to sleep easily:

• Burp, burp, and burp: You would have probably heard this tip many times already, and here it goes again. Burping is the only way to relieve a gassy baby. The baby should be burped many times in between the feeding, and you should hold the baby in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after every feed.
• Tummy time: During the day, give your baby lots of tummy time. The pressure on the baby’s tummy helps them relieve their gas. During the night, you cannot let the baby sleep on their stomach because the best sleeping position for a gassy baby is to sleep on their back.
• Warm bath:  Give a nice and relaxing warm bath to the baby, it helps to ease their pain a little.
• Infant gas drops: You can find several gas drops for babies in the market, they can be a lifesaver. They instantly help in relieving the baby’s gas.

How to give a burp to a sleeping baby?

As discussed earlier, burping the baby is extremely important to avoid gas issues in babies. But what to do when a baby is fed while sleeping at night? It is possible to burp a sleeping baby without waking them up.

All you need to do is be gentle and do not create any noise. After the baby is fed, gently bring him in an upright position and then bring him close to your shoulder. Let the baby rest their head on your shoulder and then wait for the burp.

You can also try the arms hold method as well. After giving the burp, put the baby to sleep according to the best sleeping position for a gassy baby recommended earlier.

Conclusion:

Even though it is a tough job for parents to deal with a gassy baby, but it is just a matter of few months and then they will forget that how difficult the initial months of parenthood were. Till then try our recommendations about the best sleeping position for a gassy baby and other tips to help your gassy baby.

New parents usually become worried when they see their baby grunting in sleep, they instantly start assuming that something is wrong with the baby. In this article, we will discuss that is it normal if a baby grunts in sleep.

Is it normal for a baby to grunt in sleep?

When a baby starts grunting in sleep, it sounds like they are in pain or distress. But that might not be the case because newborns usually grunt in sleep when they learn how to pass stool.

In another scenario, baby grunting in sleep can be due to a health issue related to reflux, problem in breathing, and trapped mucus. All these issues can cause extreme discomfort for the baby and the baby might start grunting while being asleep.

Now let’s go through the causes and remedies to cure the baby grunting in sleep.

Causes of a baby grunting in sleep:

For some babies, grunting happens when they start having bowel movements. But for some babies it can be due to many other reasons, some of those causes are:

• Dreaming: Baby grunting in sleep can be because the baby is dreaming. While dreaming babies tend to make different sounds, smile, and cry.
• Breathing: Sometimes babies grunt when they are getting control over their breathing.
• Trapped mucus: Babies have a tiny nasal passage where mucus can accumulate. This trapped mucus can be the cause of baby grunting in sleep.
• Acid reflux: With developing digestive systems, babies tend to have various gastroesophageal reflux issues. Sometimes the stomach contents rise in the food pipe which can lead to the baby grunting in sleep because it causes discomfort.

Remedies

Now, let’s talk about how you can treat the baby grunting in sleep issue:

• Feeding the baby: To avoid gastroesophageal reflux issues, how you feed the baby plays an important role. Babies should be fed little at a time after regular intervals. The feedings should be slow and the baby should be burped many times in between and after the feeding session.
• Control the air swallowing: Babies tend to swallow a lot of air during the day which can lead to gastric issues and ultimately baby grunts in sleep. To avoid it make sure the nipple of the bottle should have small holes according to the age of the baby. Do not give pacifiers unnecessarily throughout the day.
• Rub petroleum jelly: If the baby is learning to pass stool and having a hard time then you can try rubbing petroleum jelly on their anus. It helps in relieving the baby who is having trouble passing the stool.

When to call the doctor

When you notice the  baby grunting in sleep, keep a close look on the baby and if you notice any of the below symptoms, call the doctor immediately:

• The baby is extremely distressed
• Grunts with every breath
• Lips turning blue
• Develops a fever
• Flares their nostrils
• Takes a long gap between breaths

These symptoms require urgent medical attention.

Key takeaways:

Baby grunting in sleep can be a normal part of growing in babies but in some cases, it can be due to a specific reason that needs to be treated. We have provided you with all the knowledge about baby grunting in sleep which you can apply and it will surely help you out.

Baby sleeping training can be a challenging task but it is not impossible. In a matter of some tiring nights, babies become super sleepers and put themselves to sleep on their own. Let’s learn how to sleep train a baby:

What is sleep training?

Sleep training means teaching your baby the important life skill of sleeping on their own without any help. A sleep-trained baby can also go back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. They do not need to be rocked, cuddled, or nursed to go to sleep. But the process of sleep training might involve some tears until the baby gets used to sleeping alone.

But the question that bothers most parents is ‘How to sleep train a baby? Do not worry, we have an answer for you.

Let’s move towards the real concern that how to sleep train a baby?

How to sleep train a baby:

There isn’t a single perfect way to sleep train a baby, several methods are used for sleep training. You can select a method that works best for you and your baby. We have prepared a list of the methods for sleep training below:

• Cry it out method: Let them cry until they get tired and go to sleep is followed in this method. It can be really hard for parents to see their baby cry so much, but if they stay consistent then the baby can be sleep trained in 3 to 4 nights.
• Chair method: The chair method is relatively easy, you need to sit in a chair next to your baby’s crib until he falls asleep. It is a good method for babies who do not let their mothers go out of their sight. But make sure not to pick the baby up, you can only verbally soothe the baby.
• Fading method: If your baby does not sleep at your desired bedtime then do not force him. Whenever you get cues from the baby that he is sleepy i.e. rubbing their eyes, yawning, fussiness, etc. immediately put him in his crib. If the baby resists and starts crying then pick him up and try again and again with regular intervals of 15 minutes.
• Ferber method: This method does not involve a lot of crying because you do not let your baby cry too much. After putting the baby in his crib you will leave the room and then wait for a set interval (5, 10, or 15 minutes) before going back to the baby. This time interval keeps increasing with time.

When to start sleep training?

Sleep is a basic life skill that should be taught to a baby as early as possible. So, if you think you are ready to deal with some fussiness at bedtime then it is the right time for you and your baby.

Ideally, you can start sleep training a baby when he is older than 3 months old. But if your baby is ready earlier then you can also start sleep training from the age of 6 weeks.

Final words:

Whenever parents feel tired of rocking and nursing the baby to sleep, they begin to think that how to sleep train a baby? After trying various sleep training methods they can decide which method works best for them and the baby.