when do you start cleaning babys gums and other questions.....?

Question

First time mom, and I have some questions, my daughter is one week today, and im feeding her one oz every 3-4 hours and im wondering when do i start trying to give her more... and by how much do i start increasing her formula ( i would love to breast feed, but for medical reasons I cant so please no comments about breast fed is the best fed and other things).

Another question I have is about their gums I see products to clean their mouth and gums and at what age do you start doing that?

Is it still to early to try to get her to sleep in her own crib? I hear having them sleep in bed with you can cause SID's and that does scare me...

Burping techniques, I use the holding the chin while putting baby foward kind... dont know the technical term for it, but sometimes she wont burp and spits up later i use enfamil gentlease cause shes very gassy...

Any other useful tips and information would be very much appreciated and helpful

THANK you all soooo much for your advice and own personal experiences, i am now trying to give her 2 oz, every 3 hours and after every 1 oz i burp her and i hope she will take to it, and soon become very fat and happy

Answer 1

Alright, here we go.....instead of old wive's tales and people's personal feelings, let's go with real medical advice....

The appropriate amount for most infants to drink, in ounces, is their weight, multiplied by 2. If the baby weighs 8 pounds, she should consume 16 ounces of formula in 24 hours. 10 pounds is 20 ounces, 5 pounds is 10 ounces. This is the amount of formula that your infant, on average, needs to survive and thrive. If your baby, at one week, is the average 8 pounds, and is eating every 3 hours, which is 8 times per day, she needs 2 ounces per feeding. You'll have to insert your own values here, since we don't know how much your baby weighs. If your baby still seems hungry after her feeding, do offer her more formula, but do not try to encourage her to eat after she seems full. Babies this age do NOT overeat! They simply consume as much as they need.

Most products created to cleanse the mouths of babies are intended for children over 3 months. It is fine to begin using these products at 3 months, even if your baby has no teeth. This will get her used to having you clean her mouth, and when her teeth do come in, it will make life easier. However, when you begin feeding your baby solid foods (i.e. anything other than formula) or juice, you should definately begin cleansing her gums and/or teeth at least once per day, and twice would be better.

Your child should sleep in a crib, bassinet, moses basket, cosleeper, or play pen from her first day home. There are many reasons for this. The first is that children who sleep alone, on their backs, are less likely to die from SIDS. The second is because your child needs to learn to self-soothe, and fall back to sleep on her own if she awakens and is not hungry. The third is because if you let her sleep with you now, it will be exceptionally difficult to break her of it at a later date. Put her in her own bed now!! If she seems to cry because of the large space, swaddle her, or purchase one of those little wedges that goes on either side of her to "hold" her in place.

There are many ways to burp a baby. One is as you say, with her sitting up, but this is difficult for most new moms and young infants, as they cannot sit up well. Try placing her over your shoulder and patting her back. Also, you can lay her, belly down, across your knees, and pat or rub her back. If your baby does develop gas, you can lie her on her back and gently press her legs up, knees against her tummy, and "bicycle" her legs, to help relieve the gas. Also, symethicone drops are sold in every store with baby products, and are not harmful, used up to 12 times per day. You might attempt using a concentrate or ready to feed formula, instead of powder. These are sometimes less likely to cause gas.

Good Luck with your little one, and do feel free to post any questions you have here, everyone is eager to help!

Answer 2

1. If your baby seems to be still hungry after eating, then increase her feeding by an ounce.

2. You should start to clean gums around the time when teething begins and solids are introduced (around 4-6 months). Make sure to use the infant toothpaste - it is flouride free.

3. You can begin putting your baby in the crib as early as you like. My daughter was in her own crib from the day she came home from the hospital.

4. You can also try holding her over your shoulder & patting her back for burping. Or carefully sit her up to burp her. If she tends to get gassy, try using bottles that have the drop in pouch, so there is less air in them.


Congrats on the birth! Enjoy all the baby bonding time you can :)

You can also ask your pediatrician any time you have questions about your baby, they should always be willing to help :)

Answer 3

Congratulations on your new baby!

If your baby seems to be still hungry after eating, than increase her feeding. Your baby won't take more than she needs. Keep in mind that she will be hungrier on some feeds than on others. BTW Don't feel guilty about not breastfeeding. I tried to breastfeed, but I wasn't able to either. It's not the end of the world. I have found that now I'm now breastfeeding, feeding time is no longer stressful for me, so it's easier to bond with my baby whilst I'm feeding her.

My daughter is 11 weeks old, and I have been massaging her gums just with a clean finger, from the time she was around 6 weeks old. I have checked this with my midwife and she says it is fine. I started early to get my daughter used to the sensation. It isn't until she actually starts teething that you need to actually brush the teeth.

It's never to early to get your baby to sleep in her own crib. Having your baby sleep in bed with you is a big cause of SIDS, and can cause other problems down the track, when you are wanting to transition an older baby to their own bed. My daughter has always slept in her bassinett next to my bed from the time that she was born. Just make sure that you put bub's feet at the end of the bed, don't overheat her, and make sure that you put her on her back to sleep.

I put my daughter over my shoulder to burp her sometimes, that really seems to help. I also hold her under her arms, and roll her forward, although that is probably not a great technique for a younger baby (my daughter is 11 weeks old). I have also found that if I change positions when burping, my daughter is more likely to bring up a burp. Sometimes just lying her flat on her back, waiting until she starts to fuss, and assuming a burping position seems to help.

The biggest tip I can give you is to give you the link to a forum for mother's I use. It has been a lifesaver with my parenting. I have learnt so much there.

Answer 4

Offer her 2 to 3 ounces and let her decide when she wants to quit.
I did not start cleaning my daughter's tooth/gums until she had her first tooth. And the tube reads "for babies 3 months and older".
I had mine in a bassinette the first few weeks. But only because my sister gave it to me. I had her next to my bed. When she was about one month, I put her in her crib, but slept in the nursery with her (there is a twin bed in there). when she was about 6 weeks, I went back to my own bed with a monitor.
Mine would ONLY burp in the position where you sit them on the lap and hold their chin. You can try over your shoulder, but the chin one is a fave of mine and my sisters.
If she is still gassy, you can try giving her gas drops.....they are technically not a medication because they are not absorbed by the body. the work in the belly to help gas pass. make sure she is not drinking too fast. and make sure her little mouth is getting a good seal on the nipple.

You are going to read TONS of stuff on babies.....just listen to your gut and to the people you know. All babies are different. I was lucky.....I had a pretty good infant. I had a "bedtime routine" by the time she was 2 months and that helped to get her sleeping through the night. I did the scheduled feeds, instead of demand feeding because she had acid reflux so I had to. Just follow your heart.......you will be great........relax and enjoy that little baby......

I am the first time mom of a now 10 month old. email if you have any questions and I will help if I can.

Answer 5

try giving her more formula when she doesn't seem to be satisfied at the end of a bottle. like if she keeps sucking or rooting.

i have the baby orajel gum cleaner and it says that you can start using it on babies that are four months or older. just go by what the directions on the products say

if you don't feel comfortable putting her in a crib and you don't want to sleep with her in your bed, then use a bassinet. they are great.

about burping, the technique that you are using is the best one for my baby. but babies don't always burp everytime they eat and it is normal for them to spit up a mouthful with each feeding. i am not sure about what formula is best because i breastfeed.

sounds like you are a good mom, so don't get worked up about things. and if you have any questions in the middle of the night don't hesitate to call the hospital nursery. i called them all hours of the night up until my baby was four months old. it was such a relief to know that i had someone to call for help at night, because this is when i freaked out the most. i had the baby blues really bad and it got worse at night. my baby is six months old now and i just now feel like things are on track.

get as much rest as you need. have someone to come over and watch the baby so you can catch up on sleep. don't feel guilty for taking time just for you. you can't take care of a baby if you don't take care of yourself.

hope this helps.

Answer 6

Campaign Against Crib Death - SIDS .



Contrary to popular opinion, Crib Death can be prevented.



Two scientists working independently, Barry A. Richardson, BSc, FIWSc, ACIArb, in England and T. James Sprott, OBE, MSC, PhD, FNZIC, in New Zealand, have shown that the cause of Crib Death is toxic gases that are generated from elements found in commonly used baby mattresses and bedding materials. Statistics show that by covering baby mattresses with non-toxic plastic and using all cotton bedding materials, the occurrence of Crib Death, or what is called SIDS in the U.S., can be drastically reduced and probably totally eliminated. Information gathered by the New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS) shows a significant decline in the instances of Crib Death since a nationwide campaign was begun in 1994 to inform the public about the cause and prevention of Crib Death. During the ten years for which the NZHIS has gathered information, not one instance of Crib Death, i.e. SIDS, has been reported for infants using the non-toxic BabeSafe mattress covers and bedding materials that were recommended.





Mr. Richardson and Dr. Sprott found that most baby mattresses and some bedding materials contain small amounts of phosphorous, arsenic, and/or antimony which are used as fire retardants and as agents to make the plastic softer and more flexible. In addition, a normally harmless fungus (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis) often grows on the mattresses. Separately, none of these elements are dangerous but when the fungus interacts with the phosphorous, arsenic, and/or antimony, extremely poisonous gases are produced that affect the baby’s breathing and heart. These toxic gases are heavier than air and therefore tend to linger inside the baby’s crib, thus causing the baby’s breathing and heart to stop.



Dr. Sprott developed a very simple and cost effective solution to this problem. Simply wrap the mattress in a polyethylene BabeSafe cover which does not contain phosphorus, arsenic, or antimony and use only 100% pure cotton bedclothes on the crib. Using Dr. Sprott’s specifications, BabeSafe safety mattress covers were developed and are now available to you at reasonable prices through our distribution center.

Answer 7

Your baby will start to become hungry more often and you will notice this. Soon your baby will jump to a good 3 oz. By a month old your baby should be drinking atleast 3-4 oz. Cleaning their gums is usually when they start to get teeth and start to eat rice cereal and fruit...so lets see...4-6 months. You can put your baby over your shoulder for burping. Head layed on shoulder. Pat easily. The baby will spit up some. My 6 month old is on Isomil advance for fussyness and gas. She also has acid reflux. If your formula doesnt relieve her gas at all or the baby seems to not take to it then talk to the doctor about switching formula.

Answer 8

My 3 wk old is in a bassinnette next to my bed. I dont have a crib but I plan to put her in one when she is about 3 months or so. She sleeps with me some times but not all the time. As much as I want to protect and hold her I know that is not a habbit that I want to have to break later.

The mouth thing. I try to wipe her tongue every day because her tongue is white. The doctor said it is just milk, but I dont like it. I would stay away from that over the counter stuff until she gets her first tooth at least.
Good luck.

Answer 9

I agree that sleeping in bed with you isn't a good idea. They should be in their own bassinet or Pack and play in your room. About 3 months is a good time for them to go into their own room in a real crib.

Even before your baby sports his first tooth, it's a good idea to get into the habit of wiping his gums with gauze or a soft wet washcloth during bath time. You don't need to use any toothpaste yet. Simply wrap the cloth or gauze around your index finger and rub it gently over the gums.

Bacteria in the mouth usually can't harm the gums before the teeth emerge, but it can be hard to tell when the teeth are starting to push through, so you'll want to start early. Getting your baby used to having his mouth cleaned as part of his daily routine should make it easier to transition into toothbrushing later on.

Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle...for the first 3mo
See "happiest baby on the block" DVD...AWSOME

Answer 10

One ounce? Make a 4ounce bottle, and let her take as much as she wants (burp her after 2 ounces)... don't ever feel bad for not breastfeeding, formula is a great subsitute (the cheaper store-brand stuff is just as good).

When you are giving her a bath, take a baby washcloth and wipe inside her mouth and on her gums... nothing aggresive, sort of a rinse out. When she gets teeth, buy a baby toothbrush/toothpaste, and brush them. I do this when she's in the bathtub.

My daughter slept in her crib only... we didn't have space for a bassinet, and I don't think sleeping with your baby is a habit you
want to get into... babies grow-up and become kids!!

My baby was a puker, so th eover-the-shoulder burping technique never worked... she'd just puke it all up. I would just sit her on my lap, hand under her chin and pat and rub her back... don't be afraid to put a little pressure behind it.

If you would like to , you are welcome to email me... it's on my profile.