As a big fan of beards and facial hair in general - as already expressed in a previous blog - there have been several jokes made about the possibilities of Creature being bearded at birth - especially if it turns out that Creature is indeed a boy!
Hairy babies aren't that uncommon. Now, when I say 'hairy' I am not just referring to the hair that grows on top of their heads.
If Creature turns out to be as hairy as the above-portrayed kidlets, I will probably be giggling to myself for a good few days! Oh the fun one can have with their spawn's hair!!
Anyway. Back on topic.
All foetuses go through a hairy stage whilst still in utero. They are covered with a coat of fine hair called Lanugo which can make its first appearance as early as on your 14th week of pregnancy. This is thought to be a remnant from our primate ancestors as really and truly there is no need for our very own humane fur coat whilst still snug inside our mothers' womb. On average, the temperature in there is about 37°C [a.k.a. 98.6°F].
If a baby is born prematurely, or even slightly early, they usually are covered in Lanugo. Some full-term babies still have some Lanugo present and it usually is shed after a few weeks from birth.
Lanugo on Baby's shoulder.
Lanugo on Baby's face
Though I know that Creature is highly unlikely to be born with a full beard, it is still fun to imagine what that would be like. The Lanugo will be covering Baby’s whole body except for his/her palms, the sole of his/her feet, his/her lips, penis, nails and sides of his/her fingers and toes.
Fun fact: A newborn boy has as much testosterone as a 25 year old man. The levels drop drastically, and then start rising again once the boy hits puberty. This means that some babies are born with more testosterone than their own fathers!
"So where does the Lanugo go when it is shed in utero?" you'll be asking. Good question! Apparently, the Lanugo is somehow absorbed by Baby and sits in his/her bowels, ready to be pooped once Baby is evicted out of his/her mother's womb. It is used to make up the Newborn Baby Poop called Meconium, along with other special ingredients such as cells, mucus, bile and amniotic fluid. I will spare you the details of what it looks like and whatnot. IF you'd like the details, they have been covered in this previous blog.
Looking after a tiny human being that grows at a astonishingly rapid rate can be a daunting task. There is so much work behind it - stuff that we tend to take for granted and tasks that are second nature to us as grown humans, that sometimes looking at all the tiny details in the form of a list can make even the bravest of us go weak in the knees.
In a previous blog about cleaning, I have briefly mentioned that babies don't need daily baths unless they've had a nappy explosion, and that until their umbilical cord stump falls off, it is best to give them a sponge bath. Well - that isn't all there is to keeping your baby clean and healthy. Here is where we'll be going through the nitty gritty details.
Looking at the above picture, one starts to realise how much there is to look after separately in a human body. I will try to break it down piece by piece in as concise yet detailed manner as I possibly can. [*insert bad dismemberment joke here*]
The Head
This is probably the most complex area to take proper care of. We'll go through it step by step.
Hair
Baby may or may not be born with hair. Either way, Baby might have Cradle Cap. Cradle Cap is a fungal infection which isn't pretty, but isn't dangerous either. Really and truly, there is no real need to do anything about it, but if you'd like, there's a fairly straightforward process you can go through to treat it.
Gently massage Baby's scalp with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen the skin flakes.
Shampoo more frequently (up to once a day), but be sure to rinse out all the soap or shampoo. After shampooing, gently brush your baby's scalp with a soft brush or a terrycloth towel.
In cases of severe Cradle Cap, you can try rubbing in a small amount of a pure, natural oil – such as almond or olive oil – on Baby's scalp and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Gently comb out the flakes with a fine-tooth comb or brush them out with a soft brush. Finish off by washing Baby's scalp with a gentle Baby Shampoo. It is important to do so in order to get rid of any lingering traces of oil on Baby's head as they can clog the pores and cause the flakes to stick. You might wish to leave in the shampoo for a few minutes before rinsing, to help cut the oil.
Eyes Blepharitisis caused by the same issues that lead to Cradle Cap. Should this condition occur, Baby should be referred to a doc. If Baby develops a red bump on his eyelid, it is likely to be a Sty which can be treated simply by soaking a washcloth in warm water and putting it on the affected eye for a few minutes. If the Sty doesn't go away after a week or so, or it gets worse, refer to Doc. If the Sty is only affecting one eye, do not use the same washcloth on both eyes lest you spread the infection.
This is just to mention two different medical conditions that might affect Baby's eyes. As a generic rule of thumb, just make sure you wipe clean baby's eyes gently whenever bathing him/her to prevent from hygiene-related issues.
Ears
Keeping Baby's ears - as well as behind his/her ears - clean is important. Simply clean the outer part of your baby's ears with a washcloth moistened with warm water.
Never insert a cotton swab [a.k.a. q-tip a.k.a. cotton bud] or anything else into your baby's ear canal - you could easily puncture the eardrum that way. Earwax [cerumem] is the ear canal's natural bodyguard, if you will, and there's usually no reason to try to get it out of your baby's ears.
Whenever you take Baby to the doctor's for a check-up, Doc will check Baby's ears for signs of infection. If there is a buildup of earwax to the extent of not being able to see the eardrum, Doc will remove the wax. Otherwise, the wax will come out on its own eventually, and sticking a cotton swab in there is likely to push it in farther. If you notice a difference in Baby's reactions to sounds, it may very well be temporary hearing loss caused by Earwax build-up, in which case, refer to your paediatrician.
Nose
Strictly speaking, it isn't necessary to clear a stuffy nose - and Baby may not like it if you try. However, it can be done by use of a Rubber Bulb Syringe. Other than that, if Baby is snotty, wipe it gently away with a soft tissue paper.
Mouth, Teeth & Gums
Taking care of Baby's gums is extremely important even before the teething process commences as you might not notice it straight away, and therefore start the Oral Hygiene Regime later than recommended. This means Baby will be more likely to be exposed to cavities.
It's a good idea to get into the habit of wiping Baby's gums with gauze or a soft wet washcloth during bath time. Toothpaste is not yet required. All you would need to do is to wrap the cloth or gauze around your index finger and rub it gently over his/her gums.
Usually, around 6 months of age, Baby's first teeth start emerging. Purchase a baby toothbrush with a small head and grip suitable for your hand. Use a tiny
As soon as the bristles start to look worn or splayed, the toothbrush should be replaced. Flossing should only be introduced when tooth surfaces touch so that you can't clean them with a toothbrush.
Some important tips:
If your child is healthy and still hasn't sprouted his/her first tooth by his/her first birthday, don't worry – some children don't start getting teeth until 15 to 18 months.
If your baby's dummy falls, don't use your mouth to attempt to 'clean it' as you'll end up introducing bacteria in your child's mouth which can cause tooth decay to occur prematurely. Also, do not share cutlery with Baby for the same reasons.
Don't put Baby to bed with a bottle of milk/juice as this is well known to cause cavities. Also, if Baby is no longer feeding, remove the bottle from them.
Hands & Feet
Babies fingernails and toenails grow at amazing paces. This means, a regular manicure & pedicure is in order to avoid injury. Fingernails need to be trimmed several times a week - toenails slightly less regularly.
Baby's mani&pedi should be a task left either for when Baby is snoozing, or right after a bath, when Baby's nails are at their softest. Make sure you have enough light to see what you're doing - you don't want to cause accidental injury just because of inadequate lighting. Ensure you use a pair of Baby scissors or clippers made especially for the purpose. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking the skin, and keep a firm hold on your baby's hand as you clippety-clip.
Fingernails should be cut along the curve of the finger, whereas toenails should be cut straight across. Use a nail file to smooth out any rough edges. If you're patient enough, and Baby's nails aren't too long, you can actually just file them down rather than clipping them. If you decide to give Baby a manicure while s/he's awake, get someone to help. Babies are wriggly creatures, so some assistance may be required to limit the squirming and wriggling either by holding him/her down, or by providing some sort of distraction whilst holding his/her hands and feet still for the clipping and filing.
Some parents bite their baby's nails into shape, but if you do, you run the risk of introducing germs from your mouth into any little cut your baby may have on his finger. You also won't be able to see what you're doing, and you'll find that your baby's finger is minute compared to your teeth! Still, some parents rely on this method.
Keep your mouth away from your child's fingernails/toenails as if they have some small cut you don't notice, you'll end up introducing bacteria in their system. Also, Baby's digits are tiny. You really don't want to bite his/her fingers/toes!
Umbilical cord
It takes about 10 to 21 days for the umbilical stump to dry up and drop off,which will then leave a small wound that may take a few days to heal. It must be kept clean and dry. Fold Baby's nappy below the stump if it doesn't have a cut-out space for the cord so that it is exposed to the air and not to urine. If when the stump falls off, you notice a little blood on the nappy, don't panic - it's normal. Avoid giving your baby tub baths until the stump falls off.
What are the signs of infection?
Consult your doctor if:
Your child develops a fever or appears unwell.
The navel and the surrounding area become swollen or red.
Genitals
This is probably the trickiest of them all.
Genital hygiene should be treated very carefully since the very birth. Otherwise, strangury, different inflammations or problems in youth age can occur. In fact, there`s nothing difficult here, you just need to learn several simple rules.
Check Baby’s nappy often and see if it is pooped. If so, you should clean the genital area thoroughly with wet cloth and diluted soap.
Always wipe from front to back for baby girls and wipe under the genitals for boys. Also, take care to clean the buttocks and fat creases under the thighs of your child. Apply baby lotion in case of skin rashes. Maintaining regular hygiene is the key to care for your baby’s genital area.
If your Baby girl has had a very dirty nappy and poo has got within her vaginal lips (labia), gently separate your baby girl's vaginal lips with clean fingers, and with the moist cotton wool, wipe the area from top to bottom, or front to back, down the middle. Then, with two more fresh pieces of cotton wool, clean each side within her labia. Wiping from front to back will help to prevent bacteria transferring from your baby's bottom to her vagina or urethra, and causing an infection. When giving your baby a bath, again just use a flannel or sponge to swish water around the area, and wipe from front to back.
Baby boys can suffer from circumcised or uncircumcised genital problems that need your special attention. In case of circumcised genitals, keep the area clean. Bathe the area every day with warm water and use a gentle baby cleanser to clean it. After the bath you could put some petroleum jelly on his penis to protect it from rubbing against his nappy.
In case of uncircumcised genitals, wash the area with warm water and baby wash. Do not use any cotton swabs, cotton balls, astringents, or other harsh detergents on your baby. Keep the tip of the penis clean. Avoid pulling the foreskin back while cleaning. Gently hold the foreskin against the tip of the penis and wash it. While your son is a baby, his penis will "self-clean" to some extent. Don't try to pull back his foreskin to clean as you won’t be able slide it back.
Your baby’s foreskin will be attached to the head of his penis. The foreskin will separate from his penis by the time he’s two. You don’t need to help it along and you’ll probably do more harm than good if you try. Forcing back the foreskin may cause it to tear, which can hurt your baby and leave scarring. It may also cause problems for your little boy later on.
It is never good to keep your babies on soiled nappies for longer periods. If your baby pees or poops at night, do take care to attend to it immediately. Properly clean and dry the area before putting on a new nappy. If you prefer, you can avoid making your baby wear nappies at night, however this will make fora very messy morning present.
That pretty much brings us at an end of the dismembered bathing experience. If you can, have someone experienced with you just to supervise when bathing Baby for the first few times. You'll get the hang of it eventually - at least, I hope I will.
To snip or not to snip? That, is the question. At least, itis for parents who have a son.
Circumcision is sometimes required for medical reasons - but a lot of young boys are subjected to it as either a religious rite of passage, or as a cosmetic surgery through which parents believe they will be doing their son a favour.
Locally, as far as I am aware at least, this type of surgical procedure isn't as common. In the US though, it seems to be the norm. This is my understanding from several discussions held over the years - both in jest and in seriousness - with friends all around the world. This map seems to confirm the theory:
Religion
In some cultures, males must be circumcised shortly after birth, during childhood, or around puberty as part of a rite of passage. Religious male circumcision is considered a commandment from God in Judaism. In Islam, though not discussed in the Qur'an, male circumcision is widely practised and most often considered to be a sunnah. It is also customary in some Christian churches in Africa.
Health
There is strong evidence that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual men in populations that are at high risk. The World Health Organisation [WHO] currently recommends circumcision as part of a comprehensive program for prevention of HIV transmission in areas with high endemic rates of HIV.
Reading about it has made me cringe and mutter 'ouch' a few times in a really whiny tone. If you wish, you can clicky here to read up - but I don't suggest you do if you're easily impressed.
Earlier this year there has been some controversy raised in the states about whether Circumcision should be outlawed and classified as genital mutilation - even when it is for Religious reasons - or not. There are a number of ethical issues related to the topic. Let's have a look at a few:
Infant circumcision infringes upon individual autonomy and represents a human rights violation.
Using circumcision as a way of preventing HIV in high prevalence, low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa, is controversial, but it has been argued that "it would be unethical to not seriously consider one of the most promising new approaches to HIV-prevention in the 25-year history of the epidemic"
Some argue that the medical problems that have their risk reduced by circumcision are already rare, can be avoided, and, if they occur, can usually be treated in less invasive ways than circumcision.
Circumcision may result in psychological harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Circumcision may affect the infact-mother bonding and trust-building process negatively.
It is unclear what effects Circumcision has on one's sex life. It seems to be common belief that it leads to loss of sensitivity and therefore a reduction in pleasure, joweber it has not been proven to be the case as of yet.
Cosmetic circumcision
As of the early 1900s, in the US, Circumcision became accepted for non-religious purposes, however why, is still unclear. In an increasing germ phobic society, the penis became "dirty" by association with its function, and from this premise circumcision was seen as preventative medicine to be practised universally. Many practitioners at the time thought circumcision was a method of treating and preventing masturbation. In truth, none of these reasons are valid. Most parents who decide to snippety-snip their son's foreskin nowadays do it so that the boy can be like his father/other malte family members, if they happen to be cicumcised - or out of being under the wrong impression that being circumcised means the child will be 'cleaner' and less likely to get Urinary Tract Infections [UTI] and other uncomfortable ilnesses.
Ultimately, some males choose to undergo this operation themselves just because they think that being circumcised will make their penis look bigger.
At the end of the day. whatever choice you, as parents, make, it should be an informed decision. I personally don't think it is fair to impose such a procedure on a child who cannot as yet speak for himself.
If I have a boy, I have no idea how on earth I will teach him how to pee standing up, for example. Nor do I know how I will have the heart to teach him how to shave.
From what I hear, according to school dress code policies, facial hair of teens is discouraged. Which is my problem.
Those who know me, know I have a strong love for Beards. I 'bully' guy-friends into growing their beards as big, bushy and long as possible! How on Earth am I to be the one responsible for my son's murder of his first beard?? Or the one after that? Or the one after that?
Oh! Which reminds me! You know that Old Wives' Tale about how shaving your beard will make it grow back thicker? Bullshit. Don't believe me? Clicky here. And here. And here too.
We've all heard of them. But how many people actually know what the Old Wives' Tales are all about?
Wikipedia describes them as:
Old wives’ tales originate in the oral tradition of storytelling. They were generally propagated by illiterate women, telling stories to each other or to children. The stories did not attempt to moralise, but to teach lessons and make difficult concepts like death or coming of age easy for children to understand. Also these stories are used to scare children so they don't do certain things.
These tales were often collected by literate men, and turned into written works. Fairy tales by Basile, Perrault, and the Grimms have their roots in the oral tradition of women. These male writers took the stories from women, with their plucky, clever heroines and heros, and turned them into morality tales for children.
Let's have a look at a few of them.
If a pregnant woman sees something ugly, she will have an ugly baby.
Have you ever seen a newborn baby? They are ugly creatures for the first couple of days!
A full moon was believed to cause a woman to go into labor and give birth.
If this were true, no pregnancy would be brought to full term since there is a Full Moon every 28 days. If the Full Mood brought on labour, it would mean that the first Full Mood to rise would lead to a miscarriage.
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.
I wonder how accurate this method is. To be honest, this is a variant of the pendulum which is used for divination purposes. I don't feel that it is accurate at all since someone's hand can very easily tremble without anyone realising it, thus influencing the outcome. Also, how would this work for unmarried mums-to-be?
The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way
According to this, Creature will be a boy.
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.
Extra hormones are there regardless of gender.
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.
Now, this is one thing I don't believe in. I'm nearly at the end of the pregnancy, and my cravings have not changed. Whatever I used to crave before the pregnancy, I crave now. The one exception I might make is Chocolate Milk. Then again, I believe cravings are nothing more than your body telling you that you need this or that. When it comes to the milk, it makes sense since milk contains calcium, and a higher quantity of calcium is needed throughout the pregnancy to help build the fetus's bones.
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be.
Ok.... what if both parties were equally as aggressive?
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.
Seeing as clumsiness increases the bigger you get - due to a bigger shift in your centre of gravity..... I don't know what to make of this one. If I were to blieve this tale, Creature's gender changed a few weeks ago from girl to boy.
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.
One's preference entirely depends on the fetus's positioning. Since Creature tends to shift his/her bulk on the left side, I tend to sleep on my right side more often than not.
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, it's a a girl.
If you ask me, if you have had a smooth pregnancy, you were bloody lucky.
And last but not least, my personal favourite!
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you.
