The Baby Book

Rachel Waddilove has over 30 years experience as a maternity nurse and nanny, working with families all over the world including celebrities, politicians and royalty. She now runs a consultancy service from her home in Devon.

Contents
Foreword 13
1 Introduction 15
My Background 15
The Aims of this Book 16
My Approach 17
Breastfeeding 18
Integrating Babies into Family Life 18
Sleeping through the Night 18
Teaching Babies to Settle Themselves 19
2 Needs for the Nursery 20
What to Take into Hospital for You and Your Baby 20
Clothing 22
Somewhere to Sleep 22
Feeding Equipment 24
Nappies and Changing Equipment 25
Bathing and Washing Equipment 26
Travel Equipment 27
Toys and Playtime 28
Final Thoughts 29
3 Coming Home from Hospital 30
Registering the Birth 30
Your Feelings 31
Bonding with Your Baby 35
Visitors 36
Your Physical Needs 37
Your Emotional Needs 39
Things that Don’t Matter 42
4 General Care of Your Baby 43
General Baby Care, Nought to Six Months 43
General Baby Care, Six to Twelve Months 54
5 Feeding Your Baby 59
Breast or Bottle? Making Your Choice 59
Breastfeeding 60
What if I Can’t Breastfeed? 68
Problems with Breastfeeding 69
Advice for Both Breast and Bottle Feeding 72
Bottle Feeding 75
Using a Bottle When You are Breastfeeding 78
Weaning Your Older Baby onto a Bottle 80
6 Establishing a Flexible Routine 82
Why is Routine Important? 82
Why is Flexibility Important? 83
Daily Plan, Nought to One Month 84
Daily Plan, One to Two Months 88
Daily Plan, Two to Three Months 92
Routine for Three to Six Months 95
Daily Plan, Three to Six Months 96
Routine for Six to Nine Months 99
Daily Plan, Six to Nine Months 100
Routine for Nine to Twelve Months 102
Daily Plan, Nine to Twelve Months 104
7 Sleep 106
How Do You Know When Your Baby is Tired? 106
Length of Sleep 107
Where Should Your Baby Sleep at Night? 109
Where Should Your Baby Sleep During the Day? 109
Your Baby’s Sleeping Environment 110
Swaddling 111
Positioning Your Baby for Sleep 112
Helping Your Baby Settle to Sleep 112
Putting Your Baby Down to Sleep 114
Sleep Training Methods for Night-time 115
Sleep Training for Daytime Naps 117
Why isn’t My Baby Sleeping? 117
Summary 118
8 Crying 119
Reasons for Crying 119
Dealing with Crying at Specific ‘Problem Times’
of the Day 124
Crying and Family Life 127
Conclusion 128
9 Introducing Solid Food 129
When to Start Giving Solids 129
Equipment for Solid Feeding 130
Hygiene When Preparing Food 130
Introducing First Solids 131
Introducing Purées 131
Foods Suitable for Purées 133
How to Freeze and Store Home-Made Baby Food 133
Using Pre-Prepared Baby Food 134
Adding Texture and Variety 135
Moving on to Finger Food (Six to Twelve Months) 136
Foods to Avoid 137
Drinks 137
When to Stop Giving Breast Milk or Formula 138
10 Your Baby’s Development 139
Your Newborn Baby 139
Your Baby at Nought to Three Months 141
Your Baby at Three to Six Months 146
Your Baby at Six to Nine Months 148
Your Baby at Nine to Twelve Months 150
11 Common Illnesses 153
Jaundice 153
Gastro-reflux 154
Colic or Wind 155
Eye Infections 156
Coughs, Colds and Chest Infections 156
Ear Infections 157
Raised Temperature 157
Cradle Cap 158
Eczema 158
Rashes 159
Nappy Rash 159
Thrush 160
Constipation 160
Diarrhoea 161
Urinary Infections 161
Bites and Stings 161
Burns and Scalds 162
Cuts and Grazes 162
Bronchiolitis 162
12 Family Life 163
Integrating Your Baby into Family Life 164
Becoming Parents 165
Becoming a Family 171
13 The Spiritual and Emotional Needs 176
Love 177
Joy 177
Peace 177
Patience 178
Kindness and Gentleness 178
Faithfulness 178
Self-Control 179
Faith in Family Life 179
Conclusion 181
Quotations from Rachel’s Clients 183
Index 188
Further Resources 190