All Your Most Burning Baby Questions, Answered

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As you might expect, new parents have a lot of questions. They want to know everything they can about their baby and how to raise a healthy child. 

If that sounds like you, then you’re in luck. In this post, we answer all your most burning questions so you can be the best parent you can be. 

Can I Nurse After Drinking A Glass Of Wine?

Lots of people think that you shouldn’t breastfeed after drinking a glass of wine, but actually, the best time to have a small drink if you want one is as you are breastfeeding as the alcohol takes time to go into your body. Alcohol won’t go into the milk directly. However, it can make a baby less likely to latch due to signalling reasons that science is still trying to understand. 

If you do want a drink, then that is OK and you don’t need to ‘pump and dump’ or feed formula either. Just make sure you don’t have a lot of alcohol if you are breastfeeding.

Will I Lose Pregnancy Weight? 

Women’s bodies change during pregnancy and that is totally normal and expected. Our bodies build up fat stores in order to carry and nurture a child. During nursing, some of the energy then goes into feeding the child over the first year. 

As breastfeeding burns a lot of calories, breastfeeding will often help women to lose a bit of weight (although not always!) and alongside a reasonably healthy diet and a bit of walking or other exercise once your body has recovered you can start to safely lose any extra weight you are not happy with.

If you are worried about weight gain, you can consult your doctor. They will most likely recommend that you don’t worry about your weight increasing too much whilst pregnant, and then take it slowly afterwards. It is not true that when you are pregnant you are eating for two, so keep your energy up with nutritious and tasty meals and enjoy this time.

When Do Babies Start Kicking?

Most babies start kicking as soon as they have muscular legs. This usually occurs from four months onwards. If it is your first pregnancy, you may have to wait for up to 25 weeks to feel your first kick. 

If you want more information on this topic, consult an in-depth post, such as When Can You Feel Your Baby Kick? Fetal Movement Guide. 

Why Is My Baby Passing So Much Gas On Breastmilk?

Even if a baby consumes only breastmilk, it can still develop gas. This occurs when certain bacteria begin to multiply in their gut soon after birth. 

Unfortunately, bloating can cause pain and make some babies cry. 

If you want to reduce the amount of gas your baby produces, adjusting your own diet can help. Your baby may pass wind more if you consume a lot of cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. 

If reducing these types of things doesn’t help, you can also try giving your baby a gentle tummy massage. This action can help move some of the gas out of the bowel for temporary relief. Over time, the bacteria in your baby’s digestive system will balance out and digestive issues should stop. 

Where Can I Take My Newborn Baby?

You can take your newborn baby to most places soon after birth. However, there are two caveats. 

Firstly, newborns struggle with temperature control, particularly in high heat. Therefore, don’t take them to summer concerts or other events where they will spend most of the day outside. They could get too warm, which is potentially fatal. 

Secondly, babies’ immune systems still need time to develop for several months after birth. Therefore, you’ll want to avoid crowded spaces for a while before they build up their resistance to viral load. 

Why Are My Baby’s Bowel Movements Always Different? 

Babies’ bowel movements can vary significantly from day to day even if what they eat doesn’t change. Some parents interpret this as a sign that there is a problem. But it is actually perfectly normal. Bowel movements can vary significantly from one day to the next, particularly when your baby is young. After the first two months, their bowel movements should normalise and become more predictable. 

What Is The Best Piece Of Advice That People Give To New Mums?

Once you have a baby, make sure that you get plenty of rest. Giving birth is a physical ordeal that the body takes time to recover from. Before you have a baby, consult with doctors and other medical professionals. Ensure that you fully understand how the process works and the sort of care you’ll receive after the fact.

Do I Need To Cut My Baby’s Nails?

Doctors recommend that you start cutting your baby’s nails from the one-month point onwards. The best time to do it is after a bath when they are soft. If you get it right, your baby shouldn’t even notice what you’re doing. 

Because babies are young, their nails tend to grow faster than adults so it is something you need to keep an eye on as they can easily scratch themselves. Keep an eye out for in-growing nails, though these are rare. 

How Do I Know If My Baby Is Getting Enough Breastmilk?

Because you can’t see how much breastmilk your baby is drinking, it can be hard to tell whether they are getting enough. 

If you are worried about this, you can pump your breasts and then feed your baby through a bottle instead. This way, you can carefully monitor their intake. 

If you don’t want to do that, you can still check if a baby has had enough by checking they have a moist mouth and are urinating regularly. If urine is dark or smelly, it could indicate that they are not getting enough nutrition. In general though, babies will get everything they need from breastfeeding.

Can I Feed My Child Soy Milk Before I Go Back To Work?

Babies under the age of one shouldn’t drink any other type of milk other than breast milk. Mothers should avoid feeding their children cow milk, soy milk, or any other plant-based products. Only breastmilk and formula are recommended before the age of 1. 

How Should I Store My Breast Milk?

If you’re heading back to work and want to store your breast milk, you can. Just put it in the refrigerator as you would any dairy product. Make sure that the temperature is 4°C or less. Milk should remain okay to drink for up to three days. 

If you want to take stored breastmilk with you, transport it in an insulated carrier. These can keep milk cool for between six and eight hours, depending on the quality.