At birth
Your baby's basic needs are breastmilk, sleep and care.
He should have as many wet diapers as days of life and after a week, 6 wet diapers or more. Babies have stools everyday until 6 weeks.
Breastfed baby can have between 1 to 7 stools and more per day.
Babies dot not need to bathe everyday but they need to have their privates washed (soapy cloth, rinse and dry well) at every diaper change.
Illness
Babies 3 months and under with a body temp of 38 C and over should consult the CMC immediately. From 3 to 6 months, at 38,5 C, you can wait 24h before consulting the CMC, if your baby looks well. Make sure your baby stays hydrated by checking the number of wet diapers and his general well-being. Fever is best detected with a rectal thermometer.
You need to consult immediately if your baby:
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is vomiting a lot;
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is not reacting or is constantly irritable;
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has a strange pale color to his skin;
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seems dehydrated;
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has a weird rash;
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has a stiff neck;
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has a bluish rash all over his body;
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is convulsing;
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has difficulty breathing;
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had a fever more than 3 days at any age, and;
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if you are very worried.
For regular check-ups, have your child seen at the Well-Baby Clinic.
Vaccines: It is important to follow the specific recommended time period for vaccines to be efficient. See the schedule in the link below.
Babies sleep often in the first months and they are not yet mature enough to recognize night from day.
Babies, just like us, have Sleep Cycles:
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Sleepy: going towards light sleep
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Light sleep: this is REM sleep, dreams occur then, varying breathing
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Deep Sleep: no body or eye movement, deep breathing, awakens only with hard stimuli
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Light Sleep: same as above
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Awakening: sense of smell, hearing slowly coming back
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Awake: ready for interaction, can become agitated
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And it starts over again. Each period's length is determined by the maturity of the brain. The more mature you are, the longer your Deep Sleep cycle is.
Most babies have very short deep sleep periods, like 5 to 10 minutes. But, they have a good 15 minutes of Light Sleep before, and another one after their Deep Sleep period.
Ever wonder why you have your baby in deep sleep in your arms and he awakens as soon as you put him down? He was in deep sleep in your arms and started to go into a lighter sleep when you put him down. The change of temperature and softness between your body and the bed became the trigger that awakened him and he became agitated from the rapid transition.
A word about smoking, drugs, alcohol and safe sleep
You know it is best not to smoke during pregnancy and once your baby is born. You are informed about passive smoking. Even the smell that stays on you is not good to be breathed in. Studies have shown that SIDS happen more often if the mother was smoking during pregnancy. Avoid sleeping in the same bed with your baby if you smoke or have smoked during pregnancy, if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, if you are take medication that make you sleepy or, if you are extremely tired.
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At birth, your baby's movements are involuntary.
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Soon your baby will hold his head up when he is on his tummy or when your are holding him.
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By 1 month, his eyes should follow an object you move 30 cm in front of him.
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At about 2 months your baby will start to smile and babble.
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At 4, he can take an object in his hand, can laugh.
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At 5-6 months, he can sit, can transfer an object from one hand to the other, might start to be afraid of strangers.
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If you feel your baby id not developing as he should, call at the CMC.
Breastfeeding is how Cree traditionally feed their babies.
Breastmilk is all babies need for their first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding on demand is the best way to keep up your milk production and to make sure your baby receives the nutrients he needs for his growth.
In the first few days
Your breasts secrete a small quantity of yellowy milk called colostrum. It seems to be very little but is in fact the perfect quantity for the small belly size of your baby. Its size is often compared to a bean (chick pea). See in the health section for the quantity of wet and soiled diapers your baby should have in the first few days.
Artificial milk, tea, broth, water and solids
It is better for babies to only receive breastmilk. There is no need for water as breastmilk has about 60% of water in which the fats, proteins, lactose, vitamins, growth hormones and antibodies are mixed. Other foods and liquids such as tea, broth and solids should not be given to babies as they will fill him up with empty foods (no calories) and he will take less breastmilk which is much richer and will make him grow well.
"Everytime winter came, we traveled by skiidoo to our camp. At the time, I had given birth to my first child not long ago and I was still breastfeeding. My Gookum advised me to wear rabbit skins on each breasts to make sure the milk kept warm. I did as was told. It was comfortable and warm until we started to hit bumps and holes. But the time we arrived the rabbit skins were up to my neck and not at all on my breasts anymore. My husband and I had a good laugh when I took my parka off"
Bella Moses Petawabano
Traditionally, they used a paste made from dry wood to apply on a baby's diaper rash. At the Traditional Parenting Retreat, they show parents how to make it.
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Falls: When babies are newly born, they do not move as much as when they reach a higher level of development. Still, never put your baby on a high surface without being attended to.
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Bath time: Babies do not need full baths as you can wash them with a face cloths and warm soapy water, rinse them well and dry them thouroughly. Mainly, it is their bottom that needs regular cleaning when changing their diaper. When you do give them a bath remember to do the following:
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Do not put a lot of water. Having water to the middle of the body is way enough.
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Make sure the water is not too hot. It should be warm to the touch, not hot. A water thermometer and safety kit will be given to you when you attend the Prenatal Gathering o the Nurturing Program.
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Never leave your baby unattended, even if you think nothing can happen.
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Baby Car Carriers: are essential to a car drive. They are not needed inside or when you visit. Your baby needs to be in human arms. Hold him, touch him, talk to him often.
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Baby wraps & carriers are not all good for your babies' hips and back. Consult your midwife, the Nurturing Program or the clinic for more details. The Nurturing Program or the Prenatal Gatherings might have baby carriers for you.
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Have you heard of Shaken Baby Syndrome? If your are upset, frustrated and impatient, if your baby is crying a lot, ask somepne to help you for a little while or isolate yourself in a room (first making sure the baby is safe), so you can calm down. Shaking a baby can cause bad brain damage and even death.
The Maamuu Uhpichinaausuutaau is distributing Injury Prevention Kits
Ask HeadStart or CMC Awash
Here is what it contains
