Baby Care

There is no trouble related to gas during the first weeks in newborn babies, this is due to the fact that their digestive system has not properly developed yet, they usually pass noisily watery green color stool during breastfeeding.   ​GAS MASSAGEThere is no trouble related to gas during the first weeks in newborn babies, this is due to the fact that their digestive system has not properly developed yet, they usually pass noisily watery green color stool during breastfeeding, this is the transition stool. The first stool he/she passes is the first bile secretion accumulated in the intestines while still in the mother’s womb, and is a green-black color sticky stool that is called meconium. Whereas during the following first few days or within first week you will observe transition stools. When the digestive organs are developed and as the absorption in intestines increases, both the frequency of passing stool encountered in the first days will decrease as most of the mother’s milk is digested by the baby’s intestines and since there is no feces being left, it may even be possible that he/she may only pass stool 2 to 5 times a day. The color of stool of breastfeeding babies is golden yellow and of a creamy texture.Due to this reason, the baby should be held to the breast prior to breastfeeding if not very soiled during the first weeks, this is because the baby will pass stool when nursing starts. You will not have very serious gas issues in the first weeks.However in the evening one day, sometimes perhaps in the first week, sometimes on the tenth or maybe on the twentieth day, your baby’s restlessness increases, his/her mouth constantly is in search of sucking, and surprises you by pulling his/her knees to his/her stomach and screaming nervously. In such instances the spasm occurring due to gas being squeezed in his/her intestines pains him/her and he/she wants to comfort himself/herself by sucking but the pain while sucking makes him/her nervous and he/she continues crying. such days when the baby wishes to be nursed and crying with screams while stopping breastfeeding nervously makes many mothers think that their babies are crying because they do not have milk, and fall into the trap of trying to give formula to the poor baby that is struggling with gas spasm. Moreover the family may even go to the family doctor concerned that something might have happened to the baby during such times.Gas in babies is an inevitable situation, this is due to the fact that they cannot move their bodies, and are in a continuously laying position, consume only liquids, their digestive organs are developing, digestion bacterias are forming, and on top of these they swallow air while sucking. Even if most of such air swallowed will comes out as burp by tapping on his/her back, in spite of this, small air bubbles that pass into the intestines combine with the movements of the intestines towards the evening and transform into big air bubbles and get stuck at some point in the intestine and the gas that gets squeezed as a result of peristaltic movements of the intestine causes severe spasms. Abdominal wall is also hard and tense during the spasm that occurs in your baby due to gas, and if you immediately start maneuvering to give a massage, your baby will cry even more as he/she will be in pain. Prior to massage, first lay down the baby in your lap, lightly rock him/her on your legs, meanwhile rub your palms quickly and make sure that your palms are warm and cover your baby’s tummy with your warm palms. Warm application will relieve the stomach spasm of your baby, sometimes you may even see that the baby may relax with only this step.Whereas after the spasm is treated, by applying the massage movements listed below you can distribute the air bubbles that cause spasm in your baby’s intestines in a homogenised manner and with the massage movements ensure their passing out. This approach works very well for your baby that is having issues both with passing gas and stool and will make your baby relax.Repeat each move six times, count to 10 between movements and apply push exercises to his/her tummy.    The movement stimulates the small intestines but make sure that your hands are warm and you will have to use oil so as your hands may smoothly slide on the baby’s skin. Pull your hands in turn from below the rib cage down towards the abdomen as if you are emptying the stomach. The movement is applied on the large intestine, the movements of large intestine is clockwise, imagine that there is a clock in the stomach of the baby and place your left hand at six o’clock. Move clockwise with your left hand, when you continue like this, you will be making circles clockwise, whereas your right hand will make half circles in the direction from ten o’clock to five o’clock.  Repeat 6 times and perform the exercise of pushing the knees of baby towards his/her stomach for ten seconds. Move, the last move, in this move place your thumbs right on top of the bellybutton and pull your fingers towards the side of the belly, as if your are straightening the pages of an open book; 6 repetitions and have your baby perform knee push exercise for ten seconds. Her stomach will soften and your baby will be able to pass gas and stool comfortably.

Eye pus is a frequently encountered condition in newborn babies. To perform eye care on your baby, take a soft piece of gauze and dampen it with water that has been boiled and left to cool until it is only warm. ​MOUTH, NOSE, EYE, SKIN CARE OF THE NEWBORN Eye Care of the Newborn:Eye pus is a frequently encountered condition in newborn babies. To perform eye care on your baby, take a soft piece of gauze and dampen it with water that has been boiled and left to cool until it is only warm. Then, wipe once from the lacrimal gland to the outer edge. If eye pus persists for a long while or is seen only in one eye, you must contact your physician. Nose Care of the Newborn:Since babies continuously lie down, nasal fluids flow towards and cling to nasal cavities. Babies cannot clear their noses or throats as they cannot cough like us. It is quite normal to hear wheezing when they breathe. This/her wheezing sound is not caused due to any illness but due to nose care that is not properly performed. Applying saline water once or more to your baby’s nose during the day, if need be, will both prevent the nose fluid from flowing to your baby’s throat and cause wheezing as well as soften the mucus that dries and becomes crusty. Mouth Care of the Newborn:The top of the tongues of babies whiten as they feed on milk. Take a soft piece of gauze or muslin and wrap it around your finger. Dampen it in water that has been boiled and allowed to cool until just warm. Clean by softly wiping the top of the tongue, inside her cheeks, palate, and gingiva while you gently pull down your baby’s jaw down with your other hand. Skin Care of the Newborn:There is a wax on the skin of the newborn that has the appearance of cream cheese that is called vernix. It is usually found on skin-folds and armpits, perineum, and in the area from the bottom towards the back of babies who are born on term. This/her is found even more on the skin of premature babies. New research points to the fact that vernix has the property of immunity, and that it strengthens the immunity of the newborn’s skin, and provides a protective layer to her skin following birth.   The newborn baby should be bathed daily. There is no need to use shampoo each time you bathe her. After bathing, you can use an oil to moisten the dry skin of your baby with oil that has natural ingredients. To prevent her skin from being in constant contact with urine and a soiled diaper, frequently change her diaper. The skin of the baby is extremely sensitive during the first weeks. Cleaning baby’s bottom with cotton dampened by warm water may guard the skin against irritation and peeling.

Babies are born out of the water and soft tissue within the mother’s womb into a hard and fixed bed and do not have the ability to move and turn besides hand and arm movements for the first three months.   ​BABY MASSAGE:Babies are born out of the water and soft tissue within the mother’s womb into a hard and fixed bed and do not have the ability to move and turn besides hand and arm movements for the first three months. Thus the baby massage frequently applied in his/her first months is important for both his/her physical as well as motor development.Benefits of baby massage:   It supports the development of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, and nerve-muscle coordination. It strengthens the immune system and as such provides resistance against cold, flu and similar infections that are frequently observed in babyhood. However, this/her should not be done if he/she has an infectious disease as it causes the infection to spread more quickly as it increases circulation. Massage increases the secretion of the endorphin hormone, which is a pain killer, and relieves pain. During times when he/she experiences pain, such as gas pain or pain experienced while he/she cuts a tooth… It is a ritual that eases his/her going to sleep and ensures a sound sleep.              It speeds up the absorption of nutrients and gives him/her a good appetite. The most advanced sense is his/her “sense of touch”.  A sense of touch is extremely important in a child getting to know his/her environment during babyhood. The baby establishes connection with his/her surroundings when he/she is touched or hugged and his/her development is supported. Baby massage is one of the ways for parents to establish communication with their babies.  Massage is an effective method that ensures integration between the baby and parents, and supports his/her development from a physical and mental aspect as well as being a relaxation technique. Besides its many benefits, such as contributing to the healthy development of the baby, accelerating circulation and making him/her burp, it is a timeframe that strengthens the bond between the baby and parents, and makes the time they spend together fun and quality time. Whereas from a psychological point of view, skin contact between the baby and the mother stimulates the secretion of “prolactin” (milk hormone) and ensures that the mother-baby bonding process and breastfeeding are performed in harmony and successfully. Sense of touch gives the feeling of being safe to the baby. It diminishes tenseness, anxiety, and fear, and calms and relaxes. It enhances the confidence of the mother, and this/her feeling of peace she experiences is also passed to the baby. Preparation for MassageThe baby should not feel cold in the temperature (27-28 degrees Celsius) when naked. There should not be any open wounds on the hands of the person giving the massage (parents or caretaker) and hands should be washed with warm water. Care should be taken to ensure that nails are short, and all jewellery is removedWhile giving the massage, completely focusing on the baby and turning off the phones in order to experience a union with her and as the massage is being given accompanied by light music you like; talking to the baby, kissing her, playing little games and establishing eye contact will increase the joy obtained from the massage for both parties.Of course the subject of when is also important. You should choose a time frame such as half or one hour after breastfeeding, when she is calm and ready for massage. If the baby is in a tired and irritable state, postpone the massage.Massage can be given to little babies in your lap. In older babies, it can be done on the floor by placing a blanket on top of a cover. You should use oil so as your hands may move freely while giving a massage; you should first start with light touches, and as the baby gets used to it you should continue by lightly pressing down. Face Massage:Slide your thumb towards the forehead of your baby through his/her brows; this/her will calm him/her and help him/her to doze off.Apply very slight finger pressure starting from near the eyelids down to the nose wings. This/her will open up the sinuses and relieve the baby.Pull the upper and lower lips of the baby as if he/she were smiling with your index fingers by pulling them under the cheekbones, and upon reaching the jaw joint apply circular movements with your fingertips. This/her will relax the mouth and cheek muscles that are tired from sucking. Chest Massage:Hands are placed by the chest and each hand is moved to the opposite shoulder (butterfly movement). Arm and Leg Massage:Both arms are patted towards the shoulder starting from the hands, this/her is followed by slightly squeezing with one hand below and one above, starting from the wrist and moving them until the shoulder, which stimulates thorough circulation. The same movements should also be applied to legs as well. Back Massage:The baby should be laid down face down on your lap or on a blanket placed on the floor, and should be patted starting from the head with one hand until the soles of her feet, also making it felt in her entire back, and this/her should be followed by movement to the sides with your hands; while you are pushing one hand and pulling the other and then applying little taps on her back with your fingertips. (This/her will relax the back and make her aware of her body)We also know that each mother will find enjoyable and suitable movements she will apply to her baby by putting to work her creativity. We have suggested a few massage movements, but you could enrich them much more.