THE "DO NOT" LIST OF INFANTCARE

1. Never leave your baby unattended on any surface above the floor. Infants as young as one month old have been known to extend their bodies and flip over the edge.
2. Do not use baby or talcum powder on the baby. If inhaled, powders can cause severe lung damage and breathing problems in babies.
3. Keep the crib free of all small objects(small toys, safety pins, buttons etc..) that he could swallow.
4. Never leave plastic bags or wrappings where your baby can reach them. He could inadvertently suffocate himself.
5. Never ever leave your baby alone anywhere.
6. Dont place a string or necklace around the baby's neck(especially true for the indian community). He could strangle himself.
7. Do not shake the baby. Read the SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME post.
8. Always support the baby's head and neck when moving her body.
   

SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME can be FATAL but definitely causes BRAIN DAMAGE

Shaking a baby is a serious form of CHILD ABUSE that occurs mostly in infants in the first year of life. The act of severely or violently shaking a baby -- often the result of a parent's or care giver's frustration or anger in response to a baby's or toddler's constant crying or irritability-- can cause serious PHYSICAL and MENTAL DAMAGE, and even DEATH!

As the young child is shaken, his fragile brain moves back and forth within the skull. Serious injuries associated with this so-called SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME may include:

• blindness or eye injuries &/or
  
• brain damage &/or
  
• damage to the spinal cord &/or
• delay in normal development

Symptoms and signs of the above are:

• irritability
• lethargy (difficulty staying awake)
• tremors(shakiness)
• vomiting
• seizures
• difficulty in breathing
• coma

The American Academy of Pediatrics feels that a BABY MUST NEVER EVER BE SHAKEN.

If you suspect that a caregiver, such as a babysitter or childcare maid has has shaken your baby -- or if you or your spouse have done so in a moment of frustration -- take your baby to the pediatrician or an emergency room immediately.

DON'T let embarrassment or fear keep you from getting treatment for your baby. Any brain damage that might have occurred will only get worse without treatment. No parents ever want to make such a mistake. As parents, since we first give life to a child, let us not in a misguided angry moment disable him for life.

If you feel as if you might lose control and might hurt your baby (believe me this happens more that we are willing to acknowledge, I consider myself a very patient parent, don't get angry easily, and love my kid more than anything in the world, yet there have been few days when I have felt like throwing him out of the window...!!) When you feel like this:

• Take a deep breath count to 10
• Put your baby down in a safe place, close the door, leave the room, let her cry alone for sometime. Remind yourself that your child is much more helpless than you are and totally dependent on you. Remind yourself how much she means to you. Let that moment of anger pass. Parenting is no easy job, but if there is a god then you are the god for your kid.
  
• Call a friend/relative for emotional support
• Give your pediatrician a call. Perhaps there's a medical reason why your baby is crying.
  

My first Post --- Why Blog?

Hi World,

It's 3.00 AM and I am on my computer, wishing to pour my heart to anyone who cares to listen (or read!). So I am what my blog says - A new mom, nothing less and definitely nothing more.

Just over a year ago I was another young woman with dreams, wishes, infinite energy, working as a software engineer, with a big international MNC, hoping to see the world one day, thanks to my job, particularly Paris, Venice ..... Dreamt of making something out of myself...my own business, perhaps?....perhaps a specialist in my field, a well renowned consultant?

Now its thirteen months since my son was born. He is an angel. The most beautiful kid I have seen. I love him more than anything else in the world. I will post a pic of his so that you guys can see him too.

Now how should I start? Where to start from? Ok. Let me try to answer the question in my title - "why am I here?"

Well. This year has been the longest bitter-sweet year of my life. I have happily discovered a new dimension to myself and pained to find another being torn away. I want to tell someone about my pain, concerns, dreams and wishes lost in night wakening's, baby playtimes, throw ups, daiper changes and so on.... I hope to find other mothers from whom I can take courage and find the middle path to satisfy the mother and the dreamer....both.....I hope....