A Parents Guide To Understanding Your Infants Development

Have a new baby? Well don't stress! Here I provide some information that you can use as a guide. By understanding the physiological growth and development of your child (from birth to 1 year) you'll be able to identify any developmental or health needs and set aside any concerns.
During the first 12 months, infants will go through significant physiological change in the areas of weight, length, head growth, vision and motor development.
Weight: At birth, most babies weigh between 2.7-3.8kg. Average size will depend on race. Be aware that after birth, most babies will lose between 5-10% of their birth weight but don't be too concerned, this is natural. They'll gain this loss in about a week! They'll double there birth weight within 6 months gaining between 0.14-0.2kg per week and triple their birth weight by 12 months.
Length: Infants at birth are between 47-53cm long with females generally smaller than male babies. The two length measurements commonly taken are from crown to rump and head to heel. Crown to rump (sitting) measurement interestingly is approximately the same as the circumference of the head. By 6 months the infant should gain another 14cm and a further 7cm by 12 months. Nutrition will play a big role on how much the infant will grow.
Head: At birth, the average circumference of an infants' head is 35cm. Up until 2 years of age, the childs' head should be measured on each visit to the early childhood center to monitor the growth rate of the skull and brain.
Hearing: Newborns should react with a startle to loud noises (Moro reflex). Within a few days, they should be able to distinguish between different sounds. By 5 months they will pause to listen. At 9 months locate the source of the sound and at 12 months respond to basic commands.
Vision: Newborn can follow large objects but it's not until they're around 4 months that they can recognise familiar objects. They can begin to recognise facial features after 9 months often smiling in response and by 12 months starts to build depth perception.
Smell, Taste and Touch: Is it suprising that newborn babies can smell the mother's milk and prefer sweet tastes? Newborn will turn towards the mother when they smell the milk! Touch is very important to the infant's development. It builds the bond and provides reassurance and security.
Motor Development: In layman's terms it means the ability to move and control the body and it's obvious newborn are uncoordinated! At 1 month they'll start lifting their head temporarily, at 2 months raise their head from a prone position (lying on tummy), at 6 months sit unaided and at 12 months the can turn the page of a book (oftened followed by tearing the page out of the book).
As a parent it is difficult not to worry about the physiological growth and development of your baby. By having an idea of the stages they go through, hopefully you will be less worried.
I'm an ex-Registered Nurse and like so many others have moved out of the profession to join other industries. Writing health related articles is one way to keep in touch with the evolution in health care and at the same time help others! This is the calling that brings most people into the nursing profession in the first place.
Please visit Nurseketeers.com for more information and resources.

Wholesale Diapers

Diapers are an extremely significant accessory during the early years of a baby's life, and in some cases, may even prove to be indispensable to an aging adult who suffers from incontinence. Thus, in this age of rising costs and tight budgets, it is quite natural for parents and guardians to opt for diapers that are available at wholesale rates.
There are wholesale rates for every commodity needed by man, and diapers are no exception to that norm. Wholesale rates are obviously much cheaper than retail rates since they are directly available to the consumer at factory cost.
Once a commodity is bought by a retailer, he most definitely raises the price to meet his expenses and add to his profit. But wholesale materials, as we understand it, are devoid of such added charges and are lighter on one's pocket.
Wholesale diapers are available at a lesser cost compared to diapers sold from a retail outlet. Many parents who look for economically profitable options for their children would naturally want to purchase these items. It is important to remember that contrary to popular belief, buying wholesale diapers does not mean that the consumer is compromising on quality and risking the baby's health or comfort. In fact, most wholesale diaper manufacturers guarantee top quality.
There are a host of websites that sell diapers at wholesale rates. There are popular sites like www.storkschoice.com, www.diapersandmore.com, www.ebay.com and www.shopping.com. However, prices should always be compared and the potential customer should always settle for the best possible deal.
Some websites guarantee very low prices, international deliveries and top product qualities. In most of these cases, the buyer has to buy a large quantity of diapers (some websites wouldn't sell less than fifty cases at a time) in order to enjoy the wholesale rates. The internet is a massive storehouse of information on wholesale rates for diapers, and consumers should do their own market research before making their ultimate choice. After all, money shouldn't be a hindrance in maintaining the health and comfort of a baby or an aging adult in need of help.
Diapers provides detailed information about diapers, cloth diapers, diaper bags, and more. Diapers is affiliated with Breast Pumps For Sale.

Causes of Baby Diaper Rash and When to Seek Medical Advice

Diaper rash usually looks like a patchwork of bright red skin on your baby’s bottom. Most babies develop a diaper rash sometime or another. Times diaper rash may appear most often are:
• After solid foods are added to your baby’s diet• When your baby is taking antibiotics• When diapers are changed infrequently
Diaper rashes are more common in babies during their first 15 months or anytime your baby wears diapers. Other factors that contribute to diaper rash may include:
• Diarrhea• Use of plastic pants to cover a diaper
The good news about most diaper rashes is most cases disappear after a few days with home treatment.
Signs and symptoms of diaper rash include:
• Red, puffy and sometimes slightly warmer skin in the diaper region, buttocks, thighs and genitals• Baby may seem more uncomfortable than usual especially during diaper changes• Pain from a diaper rash often makes a baby fuss or cry when the diaper area is washed or touched
Causes for diaper rash
If a baby is forced to wear diapers soiled with urine or feces for long periods of time, he or she can experience irritation. A baby’s skin is usually quite sensitive, but even an adult who would wear an undergarment soiled with urine or feces for long periods of time would eventually experience irritation.
Sometimes when babies start to eat solid foods, the content of their stool changes and can increase the likelihood of diaper rash. Changes in baby’s diet can lead to increased frequency of stools, which can cause diaper rash. Breast-fed babies may develop diaper rash in response to something you have eaten.
New products such as a new brand of disposable wipes, diaper or detergent can irritate baby’s bottom. Even the type of detergent or fabric softener you use could be the cause.
Other substances that can add to the problem of diaper rash include ingredients found in:
• Baby lotions• Baby powders• Baby oils
The diaper rash can begin as a simple skin infection then spread to the surrounding regions within the creases of the skin turning into a bacterial or yeast infection.
Be careful about the fit of diapers and clothing. Tight fitting diapers and clothing which rubs against the skin can lead to diaper rash.
If your baby’s diaper rash does not improve within several days of home treatment and more frequent diaper changes, ask your health care provider for advice. If the diaper rash leads to a secondary infection it may require prescription medications. If diaper rash occurs with any of the following, have your child examined by a health care provider:
• Fever• Blisters or boils• A rash that extends beyond the diaper area• Pus or weeping discharge• Rashes that don’t respond to home treatment
Source: Mayo Clinic
Written by: Connie Limon Visit us at http://smalldogs2.com/BabyHealth for an extensive list of FREE reprint articles about Babies and Baby Health.
This article is FREE to republish with the resource box.
Written by: Connie Limon Visit us at http://smalldogs2.com/BabyHealth for an extensive list of FREE reprint articles about Babies and Baby Health.