What Age Should Baby Start Crawling

My son is 11months and he is not crawling yet, should I be concerned?


Reply from New baby & Beyond

Hi,

The average age for a baby to start crawling is around 8 months, but this is only an average, some babies are earlier, some are much later.

Does your baby's development seem normal, is he is using both arms and legs properly, can he roll over on both sides? Does he sit? These along with other things will indicate whether your baby is developing at an average rate.

Some babies will miss crawling altogether and just pull themselves upright and start cruising around the furniture.

My son started to crawl around the 6 to 7 month age, but my daughter was much later, preferring to roll around on the floor.

Make sure your baby gets plenty of safe Tummy time and try placing some favourite toys just out of reach, this will encourage him to move forward and grab them.

If you really are worried, then do talk to your health visitor or GP who should be able to give you more help and advice.

Kind regards
Julie
New Baby & Beyond

Colic Causes

Is it true that wind blowing in a babies face can cause colic? Also is colic gas?

Reply from New Baby & Beyond

Hi,

Both of my babies had colic, but I have never heard that wind blowing in a baby's face can cause this problem.

Many health professionals believe many different things about colic. You can never seem to find a definite answer about the causes or treatments.

Differing opinions about the causes of colic include, the temperament of your baby, your baby could be highly sensitive to her environment and things around her.
Some people believe that a newborn baby's digestive system is still maturing and therefore cannot process the lactose contained in milk.
Others believe that colic is just a build up of gas trapped in baby's tummy.

I know how truly frustrating colic can be, for the parents as well as the baby so have a look at some remedies for colic click here.

Hope this helps
Julie

Can You Wean A Baby At 5 Months?

by Bibi Ashley Husian
(Guyana)

Can baby eat baby food in five months?

Reply From New Baby & Beyond

Hi,

The best time to wean your baby onto baby food is around 6 months old. Breast milk can provide all the nutrients that your baby will need until the age of 6 months. After the age of 6 months your baby will not get enough iron from milk alone.

At 6 months your baby's digestive system is mature enough to cope with solid foods, and the immune system is stronger meaning that your baby will be less likely to have bad reactions to certain foods.

If you feel that your baby is hungrier than usual you could try offering extra milk.
If you feel you must move your baby onto baby food at 5 months, then make sure it is gluten free. Do not offer baby any foods containing eggs, fish or shellfish, cows milk or dairy products, or anything that contains citrus fruit including juices.

Babies should certainly not be weaned before 4 months (17 weeks) of age.

Hope this helps
Julie
New Baby & Beyond

Fast breathing

by Simone
(South Africa)

My baby is 3 weeks old and breaths rather quickly. Should I be worried?

Reply from New Baby & Beyond

Hi Simone,
You don't really give me many details, but If your baby's breathing seems strange in any way, then the best thing to do is take your baby to a doctor.

Don't wait, just take baby to get checked out as soon as possible.

Kind regards
Julie.

Baby Boy Names

by chelsea
(london)

What is a good middle name for a boy?

Reply From New Baby & Beyond

Hi Chelsea,

A good middle name for a boy would depend on a multitude of factors.

A good place to start would be to take the first name into consideration, you then have to look at what names you like and don't like. Religion may be a factor in choosing a name.

Do you have a favourite relative that you could maybe use their first name as your baby's middle name.

It's all down to you Chelsea, take a look at the top 100 baby boy names here. Or you could try this wonderful little program to help you choose.

Hope this helps
Julie

When Can My Baby Have A Pacifier?

When can I introduce a pacifier to my baby?

Reply from New Baby & Beyond

Hi,

Most experts agree that if you are breastfeeding your baby, then you should wait until you are settled into an established breastfeeding pattern before introducing your baby to a pacifier. This can be around 2 to 6 weeks, every baby is different.

There is a huge difference between sucking a pacifier and breastfeeding, and switching between the two can cause confusion for some babies. Although others will happily know the difference.

If you feel that you have a regular breastfeeding routine in place, or if you don't breastfeed your baby, then you can introduce a pacifier as soon as you feel is right.

Do try to wean your baby off the pacifier between 6 and 12 months of age though, as there can be problems arise if a pacifier is used after this age.

Hope this helps
Julie.

Do Baby Beds Need A Pillow?

by Nirvana
(Labenon)

When the baby sleep, why we don't
put the pillow?

Reply from New Baby & Beyond

Hi Nirvana,

A pillow should not be used with a baby until she is at least 2 years old. Then a pillow should only be given to your child if she has progressed into a bed from her cot/crib, as the extra height of a pillow in a cot could help your child to climb out!

A baby does not need neck support, and there is the chance of suffocation when young babies, children use pillows.

Once your child had progressed to a bed, if you decide to give her a pillow, them make sure it is a small 'sleep' pillow. Firm is better as it won't allow your child to sink into it and be smothered while sleeping.

Some experts say that pillows are not needed at all for sleep. Wait and see, and if your child starts to look uncomfortable after the age of 2 years, then you can look into introducing a pillow.

If you are still not sure, then speak to your health visitor or GP, who can give you more information.

Hope this helps
Julie.

Baby Has Very Dry Skin

by Danielle Allard
(Brampton Ont. Can)

My grandson has VERY dry skin on his hands & feet...they are peeling. We've stopped using bath products and using aloe cream...is there anything else we can use to help his dry skin???

Thank you

Danielle Allard

Reply from Julie at New Baby & Beyond

Hi Danielle,

You don't mention how old your grandson is? If he is newborn, then I can sympathise, my daughter was born around 2 weeks early and seemed to completely shed a whole layer of skin in her first couple of weeks. My health visitor told me not to apply anything, as the dry skin was normal and nothing to worry about. I must admit I did try some junior E45 cream once and it just seemed to make it worse.

You have done the right thing by stopping the use of bath products, most health visitors will recommend not to use bath products for the first few months. If the dry skin has been ongoing for a while, it could be worth looking at wash powder and fabric softener that you use for baby's clothes.

If your grandson is a little older, then you could try a little pure olive oil, but try to stay away from creams and oils that are perfumed as the perfume could irritate the skin more.

If you are worried, then you should probably have a word with your health visitor, doctor or even pop into your local pharmacy and see what they recommend.

Hope this helps a little,

Kind regards

Julie.