All the Single Fathers
Infancy (2 weeks to a year)
Development
Nutrition
Bathing and Changing
Health and Sickness
Safety
When can I give my baby solid foods?
Around 6 months of age you can start introducing solid foods. If your baby can hold their head up and show interest in food, it's time to supplement your baby's formula with solid foods! Your baby might not take to solid foods at first, which is perfectly ok! Let them try it, if they don't like it, give it a few days or weeks and try it again. It is not crucial for them to be consuming solids right now.
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How do I feed it to them?
Pick a time of day when your baby isn't really cranky or sleepy and is a little hungry. Try feeding them, but do not try to force them to eat it. Like mentioned before, if they do not eat it, try again in a few days or weeks! Also have your baby join your family for meals. This will help your child develop a schedule which will benefit both the baby and your sanity! After about 8 months, most infants are ok with handling their own foods. (Of course they are still going to be super messy! Patience is key!) At about 10 months of age, you can start introducing them to a sippy cup. However, only put milk or water in it. Do not put juice in it, because it will develop bad habits for the infant and juices are often sugar-filled making them unhealthy for infants.
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What do I feed them?
Most people start by trying out some type of baby cereal. Baby cereal is different from normal cereal. Use a spoon to feed it to them. Never put the cereal into their bottle, this is dangerous for the infant. After they get use to eating off a spoon, you can start introducing other baby foods like vegetable purees. Introduce only one at a time to detect allergies! Your baby will not like every thing they try, so be sure to expose them to a variety of healthy options. Avoid sugary or unhealthy choices to help them develop healthy eating habits from a young age. After about 1 year of age to introduce them to cow's milk or honey. After they understanding solid foods more, you can start introducing them to normal foods, but make sure they are cut up extremely small to prevent your child from choking. If you child does start choking or have trouble breathing start CPR. For a video to learn about CPR for infants Click Here.
Bathing your baby can be a great time to connect with your baby, but handeling a slippery winggling baby can be a little challenging. Here are some tips for bathing your baby:
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Gather all supplies before bathing your baby and make sure they are well within reach!
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Choose a time of day where you are expecting no interruptions. If you must walk away, always take your baby with you! The baby could hurt himself/herself by accident if left unsupervised.
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Washing your baby too much can dry out their skin.
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Always wash your baby's genitals when you change their diaper.
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Wash their face every day.
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Only fill the tub with 2 to 4 inches of water.
For a video showing how to bathe your infant, Click Here!
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The dreaded diapers!
Types of diapers:
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Cloth or reusable: This is a cheaper option and also reduces waist that goes to landfills! With these, you also don't have to worry about running out to the store in the middle of the night if you run out of diapers! With these you may have to change them more often. To clean them,rinse them off and throw them in the washer with regular detergent. If your baby is fighting an infection, you may need to bleach them. Some reusable diapers have special washing instructions so always check the directions.
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Disposable: These are typically more convenient when it comes to being rushed for time. If you want something that you can just toss and not have to worry with washing, then disposable diapers are for you! They generally do a pretty good job at absorbing moisture and keeping your baby's bottom dry. However, these can be costly. Your child can also be allergic to some of the materials used in the diaper, so always watch out for signs and symptoms. Always consult your physician first if your child develops any type of rash or health issue.
For a video on how to change your baby's diaper, Click Here!
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Teething
Teething is a very painful experience for your infant starting around 6 months of age. While this can't be avoided, here are some tips to help your child:
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Buy teething toys
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Buy teething tablets and give them to your child. This will help reduce their pain.
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Diaper Rash
Almost every baby will get diaper rash at some point. It's symptoms are redness and irritation around the diaper area. Most cases you can treat yourself, unless it has became infected. If it's infected, talk to your physician and they will prescribe the proper medications.
How to treat it from home:
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Make sure you change the diaper frequently and clean the area throughly, patting the skni dry.
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place a layer of ointment on the affected area.​​
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Place the diaper on loosely to maximize airflow which will help in keeping their bottom dry.
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Cradle Cap
Cradle cap appears on your child's scalp as flakey, dry, skin. It resembles dandruff and my look oily, yellowish, brownish, and may have scaling patches. It is totally harmless. The cause for it is unknown, but it usually clears up on its own.
Although treatment is not required, here are some things you can do:
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Wash your child's head more frequently
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Massage your child's head gently to break up the cradle cap
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You can buy special shampoos designed for Cradle cap.
Usually children don't take their first steps until they are around 1 year old. However, they are still crawling around exploring their environments which can put them in harm's way. Here are some tips on keeping your child safe:
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ALWAYS supervise your child.
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Use baby gates, especially around stairs.
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Cover all outlets and put away all electrical cords.
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Keep all poisons, household cleaners, weapons, and sharp objects put away in places your child can't reach.
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Make sure small objects or any object with small removable part is put away. Your baby can get ahold of it and try to eat it!
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Keep all candles and hot objects away from your child.
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Car Safety
You child must be in an appropriate car seat, faceing the back in the middle seat in the back of your vechile. This gives your baby optimal protection in case of a crash. for more information about car seats, check out "safety" under the Newborns tab or Click Here
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