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A child is a gift of life
To my parents:
“Hello. Here I am!
You’ve been waiting for me for so long.
Now I’m here and I hope
you can give me lots of love and care.
I don’t know anything about worry or stress.
Here I am,
And I just want to be with you.”
Not so many parties or visits to restaurants.
Soft hugs are more important than going out.
Seeing that wonderful tentative smile
and inhaling the sweet smell of the baby.
Seeing the baby full and satisfied,
and sleeping peacefully,that is happines.
Peacefulness
Lying next to your baby.
Doing nothing, and resting again.
Give your baby love and care
and help her grow into a strong and confident person
The first years are vital.
Your child needs affirmation and closeness
to grow into a well-balanced
and socially competent person.
You can’t spoil a little baby with too much love.
A baby that feels safe and secure
will be easy to look after.
A baby must feel seen and heard
to grow into a
strong and harmonious person
who can cope with life’s challenges.
The baby’s language is crying.
When the baby cries, she wants something.
She usually wants to be fed.
A baby always wants to feel close.
Try not to panic when your baby cries.
Imagine that the baby is speaking to you.
If you are relaxed, your baby will relax.
A positive cycle.
Other reasons for crying are a wet nappy,
feeling too hot, or wind.
If your baby has wind, try massaging her tummy gently in a clockwise direction.
(See the section on massage for newborn colic)
www.vardguiden.se
Baby massage:
Gentle strokes and touching
will build a loving bond between you and your baby.
Massage releases the calming hormone Oxytocin.
Grandmothers in Africa and India
massage their grandchildren.
There are courses in baby massage.
A little baby should not be punished.
Love, attention and setting a good example are all that’s needed.
Everyone knows that a child does what you do, not what you say.
Give your baby lots of affirmation and attention.
Boundaries are needed later on when the child is older
to protect her from danger.
Focus on what your baby can do
not what she can’t.
Love your baby,
Don’t compare her with others.
Every individual is unique and has her own characteristics.
Your baby thinks the world is exciting,
but frightening too.
Don’t put the baby in a forward-facing buggy too early.
A baby has to see her parents’ faces
to know that nothing is dangerous.
Tolerance is a good motto.
Children are our future
Breastfeeding
Always offer your breast when the baby cries
That’s usually what she wants.
Don’t think “I just fed her.”
Forget about time, follow the baby’s rhythm
If her mother’s breast is always close,
your baby will be calm and easy to look after.
Dad is important too, but he can’t breastfeed.
Some helpful breastfeeding hints:
Lie on your side and hold your baby tummy-to-tummy
Position her upper lip level with your nipple.
When she tips back her head, her nose
will be free to breathe while she is eating.
Wait until she opens wide, and draw her to your breast.
Listen to hear that she is swallowing,
and not just sucking.
If your baby is upset,
sing or speak softly to calm her down before feeding.
When a baby cries, her tongue is up against the roof of her mouth
Her tongue has to lie at the bottom of her mouth
before she can latch onto your breast.
Learn to express by hand
Freeze milk for emergencies.
If your baby is frantic and you start to panic,
your milk might not flow.
Calm your baby down with some breast milk
on a spoon or from a small cup before feeding.
Or if you have to leave your baby for a few hours,
Dad or someone else can feed her
with your milk from a small cup or spoon.
Later on, when breastfeeding is established,
the baby can take a bottle somethimes.
When it comes to breastfeeding,
you can only do your best.
If it doesn’t work or you don’t like it, don’t worry.
But skin to skin contact is vital,
because it makes your baby feel safe.
Feeding your baby with a bottle is usually faster than breastfeeding,
so you might want to give her a dummy.
Babies need to suck. It makes them feel comforted and safe.
“Children are our future. We can give them a good start.”Never shake a little baby!
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