Baby’s First Sniffles? How to know when it’s RSV in babies

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RSV in babies is a topic that is regularly searched during this time of year. At the forefront of all safety-minded parents is the cold and flu season. This year, parents of young children (especially those under two) have likely seen much about the high levels of viral activity in the area. 

We’re going to focus on RSV in babies and young children – this virus keeps lots of littles (and their parents!) awake at night and sometimes sends them to the pediatrician’s office or urgent care.

What is RSV anyway?

Respiratory Syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) Virus (RSV) is a common, respiratory viral infection. For most, it typically causes relatively mild, cold-like symptoms, usually lasting a week or two. However for young children and the elderly, it can be much more severe. This means that if someone says, “Oh, we just have a little runny nose,” it could be a signal to you to adjust your plans to avoid RSV. It is the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) in children under one-year-old.  

How to protect babies from RSV:

  • Wash your hands frequently and require anyone who comes into contact with baby to also wash their hands. Keep hand sanitizer with you as well as an easy way to quickly disinfect hands.
  • Make sure family members (especially siblings!) avoid kissing or touching your baby’s face and hands. Opt instead (if needed) for the back of the head – no kisses at all is preferable!
  • Remind everyone to keep their hands off their face/mouth 
  • Cover coughs and sneeze (and promptly wash hands again)
  • Encourage visitors to your home to wear a mask and wear your mask in crowded public settings
  • Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces- door knobs, light switches, railings and toys that end up in baby’s mouth
  • Avoid close contact with sick people: this includes staying out of pediatrician’s office/urgent care unless absolutely necessary and opting out of family gatherings if you’re not sure attendees are well
  • Consider baby wearing during large gatherings and allowing family to meet them from a safe distance if you feel uncomfortable with passing the baby around. This is a great way to attend while also avoiding unwanted kisses or germs.

Common symptoms (older infants and toddlers):

  • Excess mucus or runny nose
  • Decreased appetite
  • Coughing/wheezing
  • Fever

In very young infants (under 6 months) you may only see:

  • Irritability or general fussiness
  • Decrease in activity 
  • Poor feeding
  • Wheezing

How to treat RSV in babies at home:

  • Prevent dehydration – fluids and frequent smaller feedings, suction nose just before feeding.
  • Saline nose drops with gentle suctioning. We like the Nose Frida over a bulb syringe if you can stomach it!
  • Keep a cool mist humidifier running as much as possible.
  • Manage fever and discomfort with skin to skin, cool compresses and OTC meds – acetaminophen before 6 months of age, ibuprofen is ok after 6 months. Your pediatrician should have dosing recommendations.
Avoid the following for infants:
  • Over-the-counter cough/cold medicine (unless recommended by your doctor)
  • Aspirin or other pain relief medications
  • Vapor rubs/oils like Vicks or eucalyptus applied to skin
  • Any essential oils being applied to skin or diffused (especially eucalyptus!)

When to seek medical care:

  • Trouble breathing – fast breathing, blue tinged skin or lips, pulling hard to breathe (see the AAP’s video on Signs of RSV in Babies)
  • Fever over 100.4 for a newborn (under 4 months of age)
  • Dehydration – fewer than 1 wet diaper every 8 hours
  • Lethargy – significant decrease in activity or alertness. Trust your instincts here – you know your baby best. 

Your pediatric care provider is able to treat the vast majority of infants and young children with RSV. In the event that your usual pediatrician is not available (after hours, booked, etc) or has recommended more immediate care, a pediatric specific urgent care is your next best option. Unless recommended by a pediatric provider, avoid the ER if possible. Our local pediatric emergency departments are often flooded with patients around this time of year, so if you absolutely have to go to the hospital, pack plenty of patience. 

RSV/Cold/Flu season can be a stressful one for parents of a new baby. Balancing family relationships with keeping your baby safe can oftentimes leave you at odds with others. We want to encourage parents to be firm and kind in your decisions and always remember that your baby’s health and safety should come first. Follow your instincts when it comes to family outings or gatherings and do what feels right for you. 

Also, you can always leave. If you happen to arrive at a family dinner full of symptomatic people that are making you nervous, you are always able to graciously leave. If you have a partner, now is the time to connect and discuss your game plan for handling family gatherings.

If this was helpful, be sure to check out our tips for keeping baby healthy or traveling while pregnant or with a baby during the holiday season!

Snoo Bassinet: Should You Buy One?

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With promises of extra sleep, little need to sleep train, and an extra set of hands, the Snoo Bassinet by Happiest Baby is a product we often get questions about. As professional overnight newborn care providers, we have absolutely used this product when families request! Newborn sleep is a hot topic on most new parents’ minds so it makes sense that this is an often requested topic of discussion.

Let’s break down the purported benefits of the Snoo, the standard and optional features, the pros and cons, and what we think overall. Should you buy the Snoo?

Snoo Bassinet promises vs reality

On the sales page for the Snoo you’ll find quite a few benefits outlined. Let’s walk through these and share our experiences with each. 

Please note, for this section, these are simply our experiences and not meant to dispute the legitimacy of these claims.

Added Sleep

This really depends on the temperament of your baby. It’s true for some families and less true for others. Some babies really love the movement of swings or bassinets and others hate them. There’s really no way for you to know this without testing it for yourself first.

“…in my experience not every baby takes to the Snoo. Some infants, especially those with different sleep needs or temperaments, have not found the motion and noise soothing, like at all” – Rae Braxton, DOB Doula

Rae Braxton, a doulas of baltimore doula who attends postpartum newborn clients

Sleep Trains Baby

Kind of. The bassinet does help soothe some babies back to sleep from the wakeful part of their sleep cycle. Adult sleep cycles last between 90-120 minutes while a baby’s is more like 40. They also wake during the night because their stomachs are smaller. During their more active part of their sleep cycle, it’s normal for them to make noise and move around sometimes resulting in them waking up. The Snoo detects this movement and soothes them back to sleep. Transitioning out of the Snoo can be simple or could be difficult, again depending on your baby’s unique needs.

 

Your 24/7 Helper

While it is true that your baby can go into the bassinet while you shower, as the website claims, they could also simply be put down to nap and you take a shower. So long as your baby is in a safe space, they can be put down anywhere. As Postpartum Doulas, we also know that extra hands to help with snack prep, light cleaning, and laundry are also invaluable. You don’t always want to put your baby down, sometimes you just need hands to do the tasks you can’t get to while you’re holding the baby.

 

Responsive

We can confidently say that the Snoo Bassinet is definitely responsive. When it senses that baby is fussing, it activates shushing and/or movement to soothe them back to sleep.

“While working overnights, I really appreciate having a Snoo because the Snoo helps to soothe the baby. Although I am awake when the baby is fussing, the Snoo is usually able to soothe the baby so that I don’t have to get up from a restful position.” – Amanda Dymond, DOB Doula

Amanda Dymond shares her thoughts on the Snoo Bassinet

Mobile App

Yes, we can confirm there is a Snoo App and it has lots of interesting information. The main thing it does is compile information and in our experience is limited in functionality.

“…I think the app integration works well for more tech savvy parents and caregivers. (The app is not very intuitive but if they like compiling data, it would work well for their needs)” – Rae Braxton, DOB Doula

 

Added Safety

The claim is that because the swaddle is secure it prevents the baby from rolling into an unsafe position. This one is a tricky one to assess because most swaddles keep your baby in the position they’re in and once your baby is attempting rolling they shouldn’t be in a swaddle anyway. We can definitely confirm the Snoo will keep your baby in their spot while in the bassinet. 

 

Calms Fussing

Much like the added sleep claim, this one is very subjective. If your baby finds the Snoo to be relaxing and soothing, yes! It will definitely calm the fussing. If, however, your baby finds it to be stimulating, it’s unlikely to calm the fussing.

“… it really depends on the temperament of the baby. Some find the automated motion calming, while it can stimulate other babies. “ – Lani Cohen, DOB Doula

 

Key Snoo Bassinet Features

This bassinet offers a host of features that parents may love to offer their new babies.

Directly from the Happiest Baby website:

“Breathable mesh walls for healthy air flow

5 levels of specially designed sound + motion to soothe babies and boost sleep

Premium motor for quiet and reliability

Advanced algorithm can tell baby cries from room noise

For babies 0-6 months old who cannot roll over consistently

(meaning they have rolled from stomach to back—multiple times—during sleep)”

Sleep Sack Sizing and Snoo Sheets

According to the website, the sizing for the swaddles looks like this:

 

Small: 5-12 lb

Medium: 12-18 lb

Large: 18-26 lb

X-Large: 26-33 lb

 

We can attest that these swaddles do run a little small as they’re intended to be snug. There are only 3 included with your purchase: one small, one medium, and one large. This means if your baby happens to have a blowout or spit up on their swaddle you’ll need to wash it quickly before their next nap or purchase additional swaddles in their size. One swaddle will run you $44.95 or you can purchase a set of three for $73.40. 

This also goes for the Organic Cotton Snoo Sheets as your bassinet purchase only comes with one. The sheets can be purchased individually for $19.95 or a set of three for $38.50.

 

Snoo Weight Limit

The Snoo’s weight limit is 25 lbs. Beyond weight, parents should also be aware that babies should not be using the Snoo if they are rolling consistently and definitely not if they can get up on hands and knees.

A newborn is swaddled and set into a Snoo bassinet

Pros and Cons of the Snoo Bassinet

Pro: This smart bassinet may help your baby sleep better, getting parents additional sleep that may help aid in warding off things like Postpartum Depression, for which sleep disturbances are a risk factor, and delayed healing.

Con: There’s no way for you to know if your baby will actually like this device besides investing the money to try it.

 

Pro: This bassinet is great for babies who enjoy being swaddled up for sleep.

Con: That means you may end up retiring this bassinet as soon as 2 months when your baby begins to try rolling over. That’s a potentially very short period of time.

 

Pro: You get 9 months of premium access to the Snoo Subscription app that accompanies the bassinet when you purchase or subscribe to a Snoo Bassinet Rental through an authorized dealer or Happiest Baby themselves.

Con: If you use that app primarily as your tracker for baby you will have to pay after that 9 month period of time or spend time transferring data out of the app.

 

Pro: You can rent it at a lower rate than purchasing it.

Con: If you end up keeping it past a couple months it might end up being more expensive anyway with the added fees and taxes, plus you can’t keep it to use with any future babies if that is your plan.

a new parent sets their baby into a bassinet

So, should you purchase a Snoo Bassinet? 

As with so many other parenting choices you’ll make that depends on your baby. A quick search of the message boards on a website like Reddit will yield many varied results and some insights that might help make the decision based on real-life reviews of the product.

Overall, we think this product can be very useful in some situations. Being that there is the possibility that you don’t use it past 2 months of age, the up front investment is very high, and it’s a case-by-case product, we highly recommend renting or borrowing one to see what you think before diving into purchasing it.

“My advice is to always try renting before making the full commitment! It really can be a fantastic tool and help parents get the sleep they need—but it’s definitely not one size fits all. “ – Rae Braxton, DOB Doula

Should you choose to move forward with the Snoo, we highly recommend purchasing additional swaddles and sheets to ensure you have at least one backup in case your little one soils them.

A useful tool for some, an expensive waste of money for others, the Snoo Bassinet is a purchase you won’t find a definitive answer on!

New Parents | Planning for Your New Normal

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New Parents, your life will never be normal again.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. You will settle into a new normal but when a baby is born, life as you know it comes to an end. That can sound daunting! How will you make sure your new baby is cared for, your home is tended to, your work keeps going? When new parents are settling into a new normal it will take work. With some skilled planning and a willingness to shift when needed, you’ll find yourself in a groove before too long.

 

End of New Parents Leave

Usually once a baby has arrived one or both parents will get some amount of leave from their job. Circumstances look different for each employer. Explore what options you and/or your partner have for parental leave once your baby has arrived. How long can you take? When preparing to return to work, consider what will make it easiest including a hybrid or virtual work schedule for a period of time or even permanently. Explore these options and what they will look like with your employer.

New Caregiver

New parents transitioning to a new caregiver will take some effort but with planning it can be as smooth as possible. Ensure your new caregiver has adequate bottles and pumped milk or formula available to feed the baby. Pack their bag well with extra diapers, wipes, outfits, and anything else they may need. Discuss any circumstances unique to your family that your new caregiver may need to understand (is your baby on medication? Do they need to be fed a certain way? etc.) Communication is key to make transitioning to a new caregiver as easy as possible.

Balancing Home/Work

A new baby will always change the dynamics in a house. Consider how to make the transition easier for yourself as new parents, your pets, big siblings, and extended family members. Identify how your household tasks are currently split. Who takes out the trash? What about cooking meals? Who does the dishes? Consider a chart or writing out a schedule for when these things occur and think about planning to prepare food ahead of time while you ease into your new routine.

 

Babies change your life in the blink of an eye and it can feel overwhelming going through all the changes that you will face. With an open mind, lots of communication, and a plan ready, going back to work will feel challenging but not impossible. 

 

Need some extra help? Check out our Free Ultimate Postpartum Planning Guide!

Safe Sleep: The 2024 Update

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As a society we are obsessed with infants’ sleep. The first questions people ask after you welcome a little one into your home are often focused on sleep.

“So how is the baby sleeping?”

“Are you getting any sleep?”

And my personal favorite, “Are they sleeping through the night?” 

It’s almost as though how well (or not) an infant sleeps is the gauge to measure the caliber or quality of the baby. 

“She’s giving us 5 hour spans of sleep. She’s such a good baby.”

While your friends, family, colleagues and oftentimes perfect strangers, are all well-meaning, it can be difficult to filter through the opinions, misconceptions, and outdated information. As childbirth & parenting educators, postpartum doulas, and Newborn Care Specialists, we always strive to stay on top of the most up to date and relevant information pertaining to newborn sleep safety, developmentally appropriate sleep habits, and the latest sleep related gear and gadgets. 

A quick walk down the infant gadgets aisle at Target may also lead you to believe that it costs hundreds of dollars to get a baby to sleep- 400 variations of swaddles, white noise machines, cribs, bassinets, dozens of types of crib/bassinet mattresses, projection machines, motion sensing video monitors, respiration and heart rate sensors, and intuitive bassinets. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released an updated version of their safe sleep guidelines earlier this summer. This information can be helpful to pass along to anyone who may play a part in your baby’s care. Much of this bulletin is clarification or reiteration of previously released information along with some updated recommendations. Here’s our recap. 

1. The ABC’s of safe sleep: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib (or bassinet).

Babies should always sleep in their own dedicated sleep space (a crib or bassinet specifically), not bedsharing with any other family members (no shared couch or chair sleeping either). This applies to multiples sharing a sleep surface as well. Placing a baby to sleep on their back can help to maintain baby’s airway. Notice how your little one tends to turn their head to the side frequently – this is to ensure they can breathe properly, as dipping their chin to chest can close off their airway. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for testing and monitoring of infant sleep related products like cribs, bassinets, play yards and bedside sleepers. The CPSC also maintains an extensive recall listing, so you can check their website to ensure the baby gear you are using, particularly if it has been handed down to you by friends or family, is safe for your baby.

2. Avoid routine sleep on less safe surfaces.

Car seats, swings, loungers, etc are not recommended for routine sleep, and should never be utilized for unsupervised sleep. One of the guidelines that we teach is that if your baby gadget has straps, USE them EVERY time. These straps help to hold baby’s bottom in the appropriate seating position so they don’t scoot and compromise their airway. 

Another consideration is whether baby will be able to sufficiently turn their head to the side; swings, bouncer seats and pillow like devices like the Doc-a-tot or Boppy lounger can restrict head movement causing baby to rebreathe or inhibit the dissipation of CO2. If you are not able to keep an eye on your sleeping baby, it’s always best to move them to a safe sleep surface.

3. Sleep related items to use (and some to avoid).

Pacifier usage reduces the risk of SIDS. Swaddles should be used if desired, but only until your baby shows signs of rolling. Once your baby is rolling, opt for a wearable blanket like this one. Do not use loose blankets until your baby is well over 12 months of age.

One of the most recent recommendations is to avoid the use of weighted swaddles (like the Nested Bean) or additional weighted objects (rice sock, etc). When studied, these products show they may pose a risk to baby by lowering their breathing rates.

Also updated in 2022 recommendations is that for healthy, full-term babies, at-home cardiorespiratory monitors (like the Owlet, Snuza, Nanit Complete, etc) are not recommended. These products may actually increase new parents’ anxiety levels by alarming unnecessarily and creating a false sense of security. If you feel your baby needs monitoring, talk with your doctor.

Findng yourself needing some guidance? Join us for our Baby 101: The 4th Trimester workshop. For extra hands, plan for in-home postpartum support or overnight newborn care. Safe and developmentally appropriate newborn sleep is a topic we always prioritize.

Newborn Classes and Childbirth Education for New Parents

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There isn’t a handbook for pregnancy, birth, or parenthood and that can be overwhelming. If you’re finding yourself with notebooks or spreadsheets full of information to wade through, you’re not alone. We have access to an entire internet full of recommendations, be they current or outdated. Finding reasonable, science-backed answers can feel like an uphill battle and a lonely one at that. Are childbirth classes really necessary? Are newborn care classes worth it?Where can I find newborn classes and childbirth education in Baltimore?

That’s a call only you and your partner can make.

Childbirth Education

What is Childbirth Education?

Childbirth Education Classes are educational programs taught by experienced instructors well versed in the field of Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum. Childbirth Education curriculum varies and classes attended are generally chosen based on your preferences. Some focus heavily on a larger, trademarked curriculum such as Evidence Based Birth or Lamaze, while others are completely unique to the instructor such as Doulas of Baltimore’s signature Complete Childbirth Education Series.

Childbirth Education classes can be taught in person, online, in a group setting, or on an individual basis. There are many options and approaches, the bottom line is finding one that someone you trust teaches.

 

What should my class cover?

While there are many different types of curriculum, and the benefits of childbirth education still require more official study, it’s well known that access to education increases positive outcomes. When looking at classes, ensure yours covers these basic topics:

  • Decision making strategies to ensure you remain an active participant in your birth story
  • Tips for staying healthy and comfortable in late pregnancy
  • Physiology and the process of labor and birth
  • Common interventions and medication options
  • How to create and communicate your birth preferences
  • Hands-on coping, comfort and relaxation techniques 
  • Preparing for the postpartum experience

 

Whether you’re planning on going through childbirth without an epidural or are open to medication, understanding these key topics can help you create the birth and postpartum experience that will set you up for success.

 

Doulas of Baltimore is hosting our Spring session of our Complete Childbirth Series on Saturdays beginning April 6th, 2024 in Baltimore and our One Day Baby 101 workshop in Frederick. Our Complete Childbirth Series runs 4 weeks and covers 12 hours of science-backed education in an affirming and open environment. Our Baby 101 workshop is a one day intensive that gives new parents all the essential information they need. Learn more and register here!

Newborn Care Classes

What are Newborn Care Classes?

Newborn Care Classes are educational sessions for anyone who needs updated information on the care and keeping of newborn babies. Experienced teachers lead these classes who have taken professional training and work in the field. There are many different options for taking these classes including Hospital-based programs and more uniquely designed curriculum created by individuals. Ensure the source and how frequently the materials are updated are considered when searching for your classes. Safety standards for newborns and infants change regularly and ensuring you have the latest information ensures you’re able to keep your baby safe and those around your baby updated.

What should my class cover?

All Newborn Care classes should cover the basics of baby care such as feeding and diapering as well as:

  • Preparing your home and family for a newborn
  • Common baby gear and gadgets
  • Normal newborn characteristics
  • Hygiene including diapering, bathing, and dressing
  • Crying and newborn communication
  • Comfort and bonding techniques
  • Newborn sleep patterns and safe sleep
  • Feeding options and techniques
  • Hunger and satiation cues
  • Common feeding obstacles

 

Doulas of Baltimore has an opportunity for Newborn Care Education this Spring. Join us in Baltimore for our 4 Week Essential Newborn Care Series. This class runs 4 weeks and covers 12 hours of science-backed education in an affirming and open environment. Learn more and register here!

 

When considering the question, “What childbirth classes should I take?” consider who is teaching it, what the course covers, and if the curriculum is aligned with your birth wishes. If you’re searching for infant care classes for new parents we recommend ensuring that the course is based in science and has up-to-date information on safety and development for newborn babies. We recommend if you’re searching for Newborn classes and Childbirth Education in Baltimore or Frederick, consider Doulas of Baltimore!

 

We believe education is one of the most important things you can invest in. Above all when we educate ourselves we empower ourselves to make sound decisions, enter any situation with confidence, and create a great environment for a positive experience. Generally taking classes with your birth partner prior to giving birth can deeply connect you to one another creating a sense of safety and support.

Pinterest graphic about classes for new parents to take