Sydney Bubs Postnatal Doulas and Mothercraft Nurses are available
Sydney wide for assistance with your newborn, or young baby. Here is some information which may help you in those daunting first days, weeks and months.


Why Is Bonding Important ?
Bonding is essential for a baby. Studies of newborn monkeys who were given mannequin mothers at birth showed that, despite the efforts of the baby monkeys to get a response through holding and touching the mannequins, the lack of a parental response caused stunted development, sadness, and failure to thrive in the young monkeys. Scientists suspect that lack of bonding in human babies causes similar problems.

Most infants are ready to bond immediately. Parents, on the other hand, may have a mixture of feelings about it. Many parents feel an intense attachment within the first minutes or days after their baby's birth. For others - especially if the baby is adopted or has been placed in intensive care - it may take a bit longer.

But bonding is a process, not something that takes place within minutes and not something that has to be limited to happening within a certain time period after birth. For many parents, bonding is a by-product of everyday caregiving. You may not even know it's happening until you observe your baby's first smile and suddenly realize that you're filled with love and joy.

The Ways Babies Bond
When you're a new parent, it often takes a while to understand your newborn's true capabilities and all the ways you can interact:

Touch becomes an early language as babies respond to skin-to-skin contact. It's soothing for both you and your baby while promoting your baby's healthy growth and development.
Eye-to-eye contact provides meaningful communication at close range.
Babies can follow moving objects with their eyes.
Your baby tries - early on - to imitate your facial expressions and gestures.
Babies prefer human voices and enjoy vocalizing in their first efforts at communication.
Making an Attachment

Bonding with your baby is probably one of the most pleasurable aspects of infant care. You can begin to bond by cradling your baby in your lap and gently stroking him or her in different patterns. If you and your partner both hold and touch your infant frequently, your little one will soon come to know the difference between your touches. Each of you should also take the opportunity to be "skin to skin" with your newborn by holding him or her against your own skin when feeding or cradling.

Babies, especially premature babies and those with medical problems, may respond to infant massage. Because babies aren't as strong as adults, you'll need to massage your baby gently. Before trying out infant massage, be sure to educate yourself on proper techniques by checking out the many books, videos, and websites on the subject. You can also contact your local hospital to find out if there are classes in infant massage in your area.

Bonding also often occurs naturally almost immediately for a breastfeeding or bottle-feeding mother. Infants respond to the smell and touch of their mothers, as well as the responsiveness of the parents to their needs. In an uncomplicated birth, caregivers try to take advantage of the infant's alert period immediately after birth and encourage feeding and holding of the baby. However, this isn't always possible and, though ideal, immediate bonding isn't necessary for the future relationship of the child and parent.

Adoptive parents may be concerned about bonding with their baby. Although it may happen sooner for some than others, adopted babies and their parents have the opportunity to bond just as well as biological parents and their children.

Bonding With Daddy
Men these days are spending more time with their infants than dads of the past generation did. Although dads frequently yearn for closer contact with their infant children, bonding frequently occurs on a different timetable for dads, partially because they don't have the early contact of breastfeeding that many moms have.

But dads should realize, early on, that bonding with their child isn't a matter of being another mom. In many cases, dads share special activities with their infants. And both parents benefit greatly when they can support and encourage one another.

Early bonding activities that both mum and dad can experience together include:

participating together in labor and delivery
feeding (breast or bottle ); sometimes dad forms a special bond with baby when handling a middle-of-the-night feeding and nappy change
reading or singing to baby
sharing a bath with baby
mirroring baby's movements
mimicking baby's cooing and other vocalizations - the first efforts at communication
using a front baby carrier during routine activities
letting baby handle you - feeling the different textures of dad's face, for example Breasfeeding

Having a baby means making many choices. One of the most important and far-reaching ones you make is about the way you will feed your new baby. As parents we want to make the best choice we can in everything we do for our children. And breastfeeding IS the natural choice. The special loving bond between you and your breastfed baby is only the beginning. As you watch your baby grow and develop, fed only on your breastmilk, you can be proud of your body's ability to continue nourishing your baby as it did during your pregnancy.

In the past, no decision needed to be made. A mother gave birth and then fed her baby the breastmilk nature provided. Last century science became involved and mothers were led to believe they now had an easy choice between two equals - breastmilk or infant formula.

At times, mothers were even convinced that infant formula was superior to breastmilk. Breastfeeding wasn't always encouraged - it wasn't seen to be important. Research shows us that this is not true. In fact, breastfeeding is very important.


BREASTMILK IS AN IRREPLACEABLE GIFT A MOTHER CAN GIVE TO HER BABY. IT IS THE START IN LIFE THAT NATURE INTENDED A BABY TO HAVE.

Breastfeeding...
protects your baby from illness and infection
provides the correct food for your growing baby
aids the development of your baby's eyesight, speech and intelligence
promotes a special loving bond between mother and baby
Babies who are not breastfed…

have a higher risk of cot death
have an increased likelihood of allergy
cost more money - you need to buy expensive infant formulas and feeding equipment. Non-breastfed babies are more likely to fall ill, costing more to the family and the community in medical bills
are less environmentally friendly - in terms of fuel, energy and resources needed for artificial feeding

It helps to know:
Most babies have a strong need to suck when they are first born, so you can start breastfeeding straight away if you are both well.
The more milk your baby takes from the breast, the more milk your breast will make.
To establish a good milk supply let your baby feed frequently, whenever he wakes or seems hungry. Allow him to finish the first breast before offering the second side.
Breastmilk is easily digested. It is normal for young babies to feed frequently, including night feeds. This helps your supply too.
Babies breastfeed for comfort and closeness as well as to satisfy their hunger and thirst.
There is no need to avoid any specific foods while you are breastfeeding. There are no magic foods that increase the milk supply - a sensible, well-balanced diet is the key.
Many women successfully combine breastfeeding and work outside the home.
As your baby grows, your breastmilk changes to meet his developing needs - your breastmilk is always the right food for your baby.

- The Natural Choice for Babies
Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for at least the first six months of his life and continues to be the most important part of his diet throughout the first year, supplying half or more of his nutrients till his first birthday and up to one third to his second birthday.
The colostrum your baby receives in the first few days, and the breastmilk that follows, contain antibodies that provide resistance to infection.
The unique combination of fatty acids and other components in breastmilk contribute to optimal brain development, so lack of these in artificially-fed babies may result in lower intelligence.
Ensuring your baby has only breastmilk for at least six months may help minimise allergy problems.
Breastfeeding provides optimal development for infants' eyesight, speech, jaw and oral cavity development.
Non-breastfed babies have a lower resistance to disease and are more likely to become sick. Apart from the health benefits, breastfeeding means fewer doctors' visits and less time in hospital with illness.
Lack of breastfeeding is linked with a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or 'cot death').
Non-breastfed babies are more likely to develop ear infections.
Artificial feeding may increase the risk of a baby developing juvenile diabetes in the future. It may also increase the risk of heart disease.

- The Natural Choice for Mothers
Breastfeeding helps your body return to its pre-pregnant state more quickly. Many women also find they lose excess weight while breastfeeding.
Women who have not breastfed their babies have an increased risk of cancer of the breast and ovaries, heart disease and osteoporosis.
Breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation for many women. Apart from convenience, this saves money and lessens the impact of tampons and sanitary napkins on the environment.
Breastfeeding's contraceptive effect can delay the return of fertility in many women, who exclusively breastfeed their babies of less than six months of age, and have not recommenced their menstrual cycle. This is known as the Lactational Amenorrhea Method of contraception, and is successful in approximately 98% of women. If a woman has an unchanging vaginal mucus pattern, there is minimal risk of ovulation, but if the pattern changes, she may need to seek advice if wishing to avoid pregnancy.
Breastfeeding is usually easy and convenient. Breastfed babies are very portable and you have instant, pre-warmed, ready-to-serve food wherever you go.

- The Natural Choice for our Environment
The production and feeding of breastmilk have a far lower impact on our environment and world resources than ANY alternative feeding method.
Breastfeeding saves food resources, fuel and energy.
No packaging is required and no chemicals are needed for preparation or disinfection.

All about formula feeding
Some women will have breastfeeding difficulties that are hard to overcome and they may choose to feed their baby formula. Sometimes formula feeding provides an alternative that works well for a mother and her family. Whatever the reasons, if you have chosen to formula feed, the following information will help you to understand the facts about bottle feeding equipment, formulas, warming, cleaning and sterilising.

One of the most important decisions you will have to make is how to feed you baby. Before you make your decision you should know about all the benefits of breastfeeding and find out about the costs and what is involved in feeding your baby formula in a bottle.

A tin of formula costs about $15 - $20 and lasts for about 1 week. You also need to buy bottles, teats, sterilising solutions and cleaning equipment. So formula feeding will cost you well over $1500/$2000 for the year. Although breastfeeding can be hard and time consuming at first, it does get easier as time goes on. Feeding your baby formula however doesn't get easier it takes up a lot of time for as long as you formula feed.

Formula is a special milk powder or liquid that you make up by mixing with water. Every time your baby wants a feed you need to make up a bottle of formula. You must have clean and sterilised bottles and teats for every feed. You must make sure that you measure the right amount of powder or liquid and add it to cooled boiled water each time.

If you decide to feed your baby formula, the midwives in hospital will still ask you whether you are sure this is what you want to do. If you say "yes" then they will support your decision to and make sure you know how to use formula properly before you go home. Midwives will show you how to make up the formula and how to feed your baby. Then you will need to make up the formula and feed your baby yourself every time your baby needs a feed, both day and night. This way you will know what to expect when you go home. If you've had a caesarean, your midwife will make up your baby's formula for the first day or two.

If you are going to feed your baby formula, before you take your baby home make sure that you:
Have bought tins of formula. This is a special milk powder that has the vitamins and minerals that your baby needs to grow. It has been specially made for babies.
Do not use standard powdered milk, cows milk or tinned milk milk. This is not safe for babies and can make babies sick!
Know about the many different brands of infant formula to choose from
Understand your baby requires infant formula that is suitable for a baby from birth to 12 months.
Have 3 to 6 bottles and teats.
Have some way to sterilise the bottles and teats. (Sterilise means to clean them really well so there are no germs on them). This could be by boiling, or by soaking in a sterilising solution.
Have clean tap water—this needs to be boiled and then cooled.

Bathing your newborn
Lots of new parents find bath time difficult at first, especially when their baby seems uneasy.
A few simple steps can make bath time fun and easy.
You don't have to bath your baby everyday – but if he likes baths, go ahead.
Many newborn babies show signs of distress when being bathed (and parents can be worried about losing hold of a slippery baby!), perhaps because they feel unsafe and exposed when naked. If your baby doesn't like baths, you can give him a 'top and tail' bath every second day (use cotton wool and warm water for eyes and face, and a washcloth for hands and bottom) and a proper bath every other day. Topping and tailing means that you can concentrate on the areas that really need a wash and your baby can keep most of his clothes on while you do it.

If your baby really likes baths and they seem to help him relax, you may want to give him two baths a day. However, two baths a day is generally not recommended for the following reasons:

Babies don't generally have dirty skin.
Having two baths a day will dry out the natural oils in his skin and many newborns already have dry, flaky skin. To avoid overdrying skin, try adding bath oil (unperfumed is better) to the water. Avoid bubble baths as they also remove natural oils from the skin. Moisturisers such as sorbolene and aqueous creams are good for preventing the drying out of newborn skin. Newborn babies do not need shampoo for their hair.
If your baby likes a bath and it seems to relax him you may use this as a strategy to help settle him in the evening. A bath can relax babies and they often sleep longer after. You may also try singing, smiling or gently talking to your baby during the bath to help you both relax.

Although a plastic baby bath is probably the best option once your baby gets bigger, you can bathe your newborn in a smaller plastic tub or even in the kitchen sink (but watch out for the hot tap).

By around three months it's likely that your baby will love the bath and be nicely relaxed and ready for a sleep afterwards.

How to prepare a bath
You can bath your baby in any room that is warm, safe and clean – it doesn't have to be a bathroom. The bath should be positioned somewhere stable at a height where you can comfortably hold your baby (a table is often best).

Before you start to get the bath ready, make sure your baby is somewhere safe (such as the bassinette). Then get all the items you will need for the bath (cotton wool, washcloth, towels, rubber duck, and lotion if you are using this) and put them within arm's reach of the bath. Also organise a nappy and clean clothes and put them wherever it's easiest for you to dry and dress your baby.

Next, take off your wristwatch if you're wearing one. You can make a bath less slippery and safer if you line it with a clean cloth nappy or towel.

Use only a small amount of water until you get used to holding your baby. Fill the bath with about 5 cm of water (for children up to six months old; use 10-13 cm for older children). Test the water temperature with your elbow or wrist (the recommended bath temperature is about 36°C).

If you're planning to bath him on a table far from the tap, it can be easier to fill the bath with jugs of water rather than carrying a full bath from sink to table. Try not to add extra water once your baby is in the bath.

How to give a newborn a bath
Gently support your baby at all times while he is having a bath.
Choose a bath time when there will be minimal interruption (from phone calls or visitors).
Before undressing your baby, wipe his eyelids (from inner eye to outer eye) with cotton wool dipped in lukewarm water, using a different piece of cotton wool for each eye. Then wash the whole face. Be careful not to insert anything into his ears or nose. See more on ear, nose and eye care.
Undress your baby, taking his nappy off last.
Cradle his head with one arm, supporting his head and neck with the other arm, then gently lower him into the bath, feet first, hanging on to him at all times.
Supporting his head, lay your baby down in the bath so that the back of his head is submerged, and gently splash some water onto his head.
Wash your baby's hair once or twice a week. Shampoo is not required for newborn hair.
Gently wash your baby's genitals and bottom last, using water only (though oil in the bath is fine too).
Never leave your baby in the bath unattended. Babies can drown very quickly and completely silently.
Supporting your baby's head and neck, lift your baby out of the bath and place him on his back on a clean dry soft towel.
Wrap him in the towel and pat him dry, paying attention to skin creases including armpits, groin, under the chin, around the neck and behind the ears.
If his skin is dry, or if he has nappy rash, you may want to apply a mild lotion such as white soft paraffin, or zinc and castor oil.
Dress your baby, putting on his nappy first.
Place your baby in a safe place, such as a bassinette.
Empty the bath water.

Getting to Know Your Little One
The first days and weeks of a newborn's life are a time of great wonder and delight for most new parents. However, being responsible for such a seemingly fragile creature can be intimidating, particularly if you're unfamiliar with how a normal newborn looks and behaves. If you feel anxious or uncertain about any aspect of caring for your infant, don't hesitate to consult your doctor, other health care professionals, or family or friends who have had experience caring for a newborn, too.

Tired Signs
It is important to get to know your baby's tired signs. A good understanding of tired signs will really benefit your whole family, as they are often dismissed or unnoticed. Your baby will show you that she is is tired. It is her way of communicating with you that she is tired. She may be happily playing, or lying in your arms, and the next minute she may be displaying these tired signs:

Grizzling, Crying, Yawning and Grimacing
Jerking of the Arms and/or Legs
Clenching Fists
Rubbing or Scratching Eyes and Face

Listening to, and recognising your baby's tired signs is an acquired skill, and it may take you some time to learn. Missing the tired signs can result in an over tired baby who is difficult to settle. In your first days at home, try to spend time getting to know her special language and trust your own intuition.

Sleeping
Babies sleep needs vary. What we do know is that their sleep needs decrease as they grow. But knowing the difference between a baby who sleeps less often because she is unsettled, and a baby whose sleep needs are decreasing due to growth can be a challenge:

Routines and Settling
Following the Feed-Play-Sleep routine is a good start to getting your baby into a routine. Feeding baby upon waking lessens the risk of falling into the pattern of an overtired, constantly feeding for comfort baby. Changing the baby's nappy, tummy time, no nappy time, playing and cuddling should happen after the feed and before the baby is settled for sleep. Note that Babies who suffer reflux should have tummy time closer to sleep time. When settling your baby for sleep you can try these basic preparations for settling as recommended by Karitane:

If your baby remains unsettled, or if you have longer periods of unsettled times you can try these hands on settling techniques recommended by Karitane for babies aged birth to four months.


Post Natal Depression
Adjusting to life as a mother can be difficult. In fact, for many women, having a baby is the most significant life-changing event they will ever experience. Adjusting to this major life change, as well as coping with the day-to-day stress of a new baby, can make some women more likely to experience depression at this time, particularly if they've experienced depression in the past.

Some women may experience depression during pregnancy and this is referred to as Antenatal Depression. Around 10 per cent of pregnant women in Australia experience antenatal depression and it is less common than depression which is experienced after the birth of a baby. Postnatal depression (PND) is the name given to depression that a woman experiences in the months after the birth of her baby. Postnatal depression affects almost 16 per cent of women giving birth in Australia.

It is important to distinguish postnatal depression (PND) from the 'baby blues' and postnatal psychosis.

The 'baby blues' occur between three and 10 days after giving birth. The 'baby blues' are common and affect around 80 per cent of women. Women with the 'baby blues' may feel tearful and overwhelmed, due to changes in hormone levels following childbirth. The 'baby blues' is common and to be expected following the birth of a baby. The 'baby blues' usually disappear within a few days without treatment, other than support.

PND is the name given to depression that develops between one month and up to one year after the birth of a baby. Postnatal depression affects almost 16 per cent of women in Australia and can begin suddenly or develop gradually.

Postnatal psychosis affects one in 500 women in the first week or so after childbirth. It involves having difficulties thinking clearly (thought disturbance), seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), feeling everyone is against you (paranoia) and powerful delusions. This is a medical emergency and a doctor should be contacted immediately.

Is PND common?
Very common. Postnatal depression affects almost one in six women giving birth in Australia.

How common is depression?
On average, one in five people will experience depression at some point in their lives - one in four females and one in six males. Around one million Australian adults and 100,000 young people live with depression each year.