Start Smart For Your Baby (Spanish)

Breastfeeding

Dr. Mary Mason — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:39:55 +0000

Podcast Transcript: Breastfeeding
Mother’s milk is the best food for babies. It is packed with the perfect mix of nutrients and proteins that can keep the baby healthy. Studies have shown that children who were breast-fed have lower risks of many illnesses, ranging from diabetes to ear infections to cancer. Breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby. It does not cost anything and the milk is always ready when your baby needs it. It also helps moms get back to their pre-pregnancy shape more quickly and lessens their risk of breast cancer and other diseases.

For most women, milk comes into the breasts around 2 to 4 days after birth. Breasts will make as much milk as needed. It may take a day or two until you and your baby become a team and you have the matching amount of milk to what your baby wants. You might think that babies are born knowing how to breastfeed, but they aren’t. They need to learn how to do this, so both mom and baby have to be patient.

Babies need to eat often, sometimes every 2 hours. This is very true during the first month of life. Frequent feedings will help prevent breast engorgement, which is when the breast tissue is very full of milk. It can happen if you need to feed your baby more often or if you have blocked milk ducts. When engorged, the breasts can swell, ache, and have mild to severe pain.

After a few days of breastfeeding, your nipples may become sore and cracked. The best way to make your nipples stronger and less painful is to start out by feeding your baby about 5 minutes on each side. Slowly work up to 15 minute feedings on each breast over the next few days. When the feedings are shorter, you will need to breastfeed more often – at least every 2-3 hours. Don’t wait 4 hours or your breasts will become too full of milk. When a nipple becomes sore, it is tempting to skip that breast during a feeding. You must use that breast in order to toughen up the nipple. If one nipple is sore, it is a good idea to let the baby feed on the less sore breast first because a hungry baby will suck harder when they start to feed. If both breasts are sore, start with the breast you used last. Avoid using soaps or creams on your nipples. Plain water is just fine and is not drying to the skin.

Doctors would like babies to be breastfed for at least the first 6 months of life. If this is not possible, consider giving breastfeeding a try even if for a short time. Any breast milk is better than none and you need to try to find a balance between what is best for both you and your baby. If you have problems, there are specially trained people who can support you and give you tips for breastfeeding. They are called lactation specialists and can often help. Many mothers say that they enjoyed breastfeeding much more than they ever imagined.

If breastfeeding doesn’t work out for you, that is OK – there is infant formula. Talk with your doctor about the best type of formula for your child. If you choose a powder formula that needs to be made with water, check on the safety of your water supply. Also, if you live in an older home, you might want to get your water checked for lead.

Although formula does not have all of the benefits of breast milk, lots of babies have been fed by formula and have done just fine.

Feeding time is a special time for you and your baby. Whether you breast or bottle feed, be sure to relax and enjoy those precious moments spent with your wonderful new family member.

All information in this podcast is provided to you as general, educational information only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the counsel of your physician or healthcare provider who is familiar with your own unique needs and circumstances.

The First Trimester

Dr. Amy Poole-Yaeger — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:38:58 +0000

Podcast Transcript: The First Trimester
During your pregnancy, you may wonder about how your baby is growing and changing. Let’s begin the story.

Your baby’s life begins when an egg and a sperm join together, and this is called fertilization. This very tiny fertilized egg divides many times forming a ball of cells. These cells grow to become your baby’s body. At the end of the first month your baby is about the size of a pea. The joining of your egg and the dad’s sperm happens without you even knowing.

At five weeks, your baby’s brain and spinal cord as well as all the body systems start to develop. The heart also begins to beat. Your baby’s face, ears, eyes and mouth also are forming during this month. Even though you may not realize you are pregnant, your body is changing. These changes can make you sick to your stomach, and make you feel tired. It is very common to be moody and cry. Your breasts may become more full and tender.

By the sixth week of pregnancy, you most likely have missed your period and a pregnancy test will be positive. By the end of the eighth week of your pregnancy, your baby is about one inch long and weighs less than an ounce.

During your third month of pregnancy, your baby’s bones begin to harden. The eyes are big and open and the ears have formed. The sex organs have also formed. Your baby can swallow, squint, and smile. Your baby also moves quite a bit, but you probably won’t be able to feel it yet. At the end of the first thirteen weeks, your baby is about the size of a walnut.

Here are some important things to remember during these early days of your pregnancy. Your body will feed your baby through the placenta, a special body part that allows you to feed and support the growing baby inside your womb. Anything you put in your mouth— food, drinks, over- the counter medications, cigarettes, drugs—can affect your baby. Taking a prenatal vitamin every day is very important to keep you and your baby healthy. And watch your weight. Gaining too much weight can put you and your baby at risk.

Go to all your doctor’s visits, even if you feel fine. Prenatal care is the medical care you get when you are pregnant and it is important. Your baby is three times more likely to be born too small if you do not get prenatal care- and this can mean problems for your baby. You will see your doctor once a month during the first six months of pregnancy, every 2 weeks during the seventh and eighth months of pregnancy and every week from the starting of the ninth month until your baby is born. See a dentist early in your pregnancy. Pregnant women with gum disease are seven times more likely to have a baby too early.

Get your rest, see your doctor, exercise and eat right–that should add up to a healthy pregnancy.

False vs Real Labor

Janice Linehan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:37:50 +0000

Podcast Transcript: False vs Real Labor
During pregnancy, a woman can experience many aches and pains. Sometimes it is difficult to know if these pains are something to worry about or not. As your baby and uterus grow, your body must adjust. You may feel a pull or sudden sharp pain low in your stomach area. This is called round ligament pain. The round ligaments are like bands hooked to both sides of the womb and hold it in place. The pain is caused by the baby growing and the stretching of these bands. This pain is felt sometimes after standing or sitting for a long time. You can make this pain better by getting up slowly from sitting, so the bands can stretch gradually. Also try soaking in a warm bath. Sometimes lying on the painful side with a pillow placed between your knees helps.

Backaches are one of the most common complaints of pregnant women. Wear shoes with a low heel and try to keep you back straight. To help the pain in the lower back, warm baths and back rubs can also help.

As your baby and your body get ready for birth, you may feel tightening pressure in your lower belly that is known as false labor - also called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Your muscles are tightening and relaxing - practicing for the real birth time. These are painless contractions and are not regular. Contractions that go away when you sit down or stand up are most likely false labor. These are different than real labor pains that begin in the lower back and then spread to the lower belly.

Real labor pains are regular and they get stronger over time. It is okay to have an occasional contraction, even 1-2 a day, if you are not yet full term. Be aware, though, that if your belly is tightening up all over or if you feel that the baby keeps balling up–these could be real contractions.

Premature contractions, which are contractions more than 3 weeks before your due date, do not have to be painful, but they can still be dangerous. It is better to stop what you are doing, rest, drink some water and call your doctor to make sure you are not having real labor pains. Premature labor can lead to your baby being born too soon. And when babies are born early, they may have serious health problems such as trouble breathing or eating. You doctor may be able to stop early labor.

Some signs of premature labor are:

Menstrual-like cramps: They occur in your lower stomach and may come and go, or be constant
Stomach pains: You may have diarrhea
Dull ache in your lower back. This may come and go, or be constant
Contractions every 10 minutes or more. These may be painless
A change in or bloody vaginal discharge
Aching or pressure in your stomach area or thighs

If you have any symptoms of premature labor, stop what you are doing. Rest on your left side. And drink 6 glasses of water so you have enough fluids in your body and call your doctor.

Morning Sickness

Dr. Mary Mason — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:35:15 +0000

Podcast Transcript: Morning Sickness
Morning sickness refers to nausea and sometimes vomiting or throwing up that usually begins in the first months of pregnancy. While it usually occurs in the morning it can actually occur at any time of the day. Almost all pregnant women have some amount of nausea, and about all of them have vomiting.

Most pregnant women will have their morning sickness disappear by the 13th or 14th week of pregnancy. Unfortunately, some will have it much later into pregnancy. It is important that your doctor makes sure there are no other reasons for feeling sick, like an infection of your bladder or stomach.

To feel better–avoid having an empty stomach by eating 5 or 6 small meals a day rather than three large ones. Try to drink liquids such as water, milk, and juices between meals and not during meals. When you are sick to your stomach, eat plain foods like crackers, broth or gelatin. Caffeine free Ginger-ale or mint tea sometimes helps. Do not eat spicy or fried foods- this can make the nausea much worse.

Ask your doctor about a different prenatal vitamin because sometimes certain kinds may be causing your nausea or making it worse. Increase your total Vitamin B-6 intake by eating more whole grains (whole wheat bread, oatmeal), nuts, seeds, and beans. You can ask your doctor about a vitamin B-6 supplement. There are other medicines that you can take by mouth that are safe in pregnancy.

If you can not keep any water or food down for a whole day you should call your doctor. If you cannot do anything but lay in bed all day you should call your doctor. And, if you throw up any blood you should call your doctor.

Heartburn in Pregnancy

Start Smart — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:34:20 +0000

Podcast Transcript: Heartburn in Pregnancy
During the second and third trimesters you may experience heartburn, which feels like a burning sensation in your chest. This happens when stomach acids come back into your throat from your food pipe or esophagus. This causes that burning feeling. During the third trimester, heartburn may also be due to the growing baby pressing on the stomach, pushing food and acid upward out of the stomach into your throat.

So really heartburn has nothing to do with the heart! While heartburn is generally not serious, it does not feel good. You can do things to make the heartburn better.

Watch what you eat and drink. Avoid caffeine-containing beverages like soda pop, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, spicy foods, onions, garlic, and citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit. Try not to eat for at least 2-3 hours before going to bed. Heartburn often happens when you lie down. Eating several small meals each day rather than 2 or 3 large meals can help stop heartburn too. And try drinking most of your liquids between meals rather than during meals.

Don’t smoke. While your doctor may urge you break the habit because you’re pregnant, smoking can also make heartburn worse. Many women find that lying on their left side and sleeping with your head and shoulders propped up with a pillow or raising the head of your bed is helpful. Wear loose clothing that puts no added pressure on your belly. And if all else fails, talk to your doctor about medication. Antacid medicines like Mylanta or Maalox are generally safe during pregnancy, but only if your doctor tells you it is ok. For really bad cases of heartburn, your doctor may need to give you a prescription for a stronger medication that lowers acid production in the stomach.

Exercise In Pregnancy

Start Smart — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:30:41 +0000

Podcast Transcript: Exercise in Pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy is good because it helps make you and your baby healthy. It can also help make labor and delivery easier. Exercise helps you control your weight so you don’t gain too many extra pounds. Before starting an exercise program, talk to your doctor first. Try to exercise 2 to 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes.

If you exercised before pregnancy, you should be able to continue the same routine during early pregnancy. Keep in mind your body is changing with your growing baby so you may need to slow down if you feel dizzy or faint.

As you move into your last months of your pregnancy, you may need to slow your exercising down. A good rule of thumb is to listen to your body and if you begin to feel very tired, short of breath or faint stop. Walking and swimming are good choices. Avoid any sport that puts you at risk of falling or getting hit. During pregnancy your joints can be injured if you stretch them too much.

Always make sure you drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise. Be careful of exercising on hot days because it is easier for you and your baby to become overheated and sick.

So remember, exercise during pregnancy is very good for you and your baby’s health. It will help your body be more ready for labor and delivery.