A Beginner’s Guide to Breastfeeding, Part One

Whether you choose to breastfeed, formula feed, or do a combination, providing all the nutrition your baby needs to help him grow rapidly during his first year of life is a tiring but rewarding task. Breastfeeding, or feeding expressed breast milk, provides additional benefits such as additional immunities against respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, and a possible lowered risk of developing allergies. Plus, many mothers value the bond they develop with their infant while breastfeeding. If you do choose to breastfeed, there are numerous resources at your disposal to make the process work for you and your baby. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

1. The sooner the better! Breastfeeding within the first few hours after delivery is important. Newborns have an alert hour after birth and seem to enjoy breastfeeding during this time. Also, breastfeeding helps the uterus contract by releasing oxytocin and is a great benefit after childbirth. And, of course, practice makes perfect. The sooner you can introduce the breast, the more comfortable you will feel about breastfeeding your baby.
2. Colostrum, the first milk. In the first few days of your baby’s life, you’ll feed him colostrum. What this form of milk lacks in volume, it makes up for in concentration and therefore is just what your baby needs until your mature milk comes in. Colostrum is yellow in color and full of plentiful nutrients and antibodies, while remaining easy to digest. It truly is “Liquid Gold”.
3. Positioning is key. As soon as you’re able, you want to make yourself as comfortable as possible, with pillows to support your back and your baby’s body against yours. Ask a nurse to show you how to hold your breast and your baby so that he latches properly. Key tip: remember to hold you baby at the same height as your breast.
4. The latch. Some mothers find the first latch easy while others need practice – and you’ll have plenty of it! You may notice a slight discomfort during the initial latch in the first few days of nursing. Fortunately, as time passes and your body becomes accustomed to breastfeeding, the initial latch begins to feel like second nature.
5. Remember to ask for help. The postpartum nurses are trained experts in breastfeeding, and hospitals often have lactation consultants on hand to help if problems arise. Call your nurse in to observe your technique, check your latch and help you answer the million-dollar question: Is my baby getting enough milk?
6. Getting a newborn on a schedule. Got your attention here! It is completely unrealistic to think you can get a newborn on a feeding schedule. Before your infant gets onto a schedule, offer the breast every 2-3 hours during the day to help give you a stretch at night.
7. Growth spurts. Your baby is growing rapidly during the first few weeks (ok, the first year) of life. You cannot over feed a breastfed baby, so if your infant is giving you feeding cues, he needs to eat.
8. Feeding Cues. Most babies will give you signs that they are hungry before the meltdown begins. Remember, crying is the last sign of hunger, so learning to spot early feeding cues will make breastfeeding much easier. Some cues you may notice when your baby is hungry include rooting, sucking on his fingers, opening and closing his mouth, restlessness, or trying to position to nurse while being held.
9. Easting right. A diet rich in iron, vitamin C, and DHA is recommended while breastfeeding. You may find yourself even hungrier than normal, which isn’t surprising, since breastfeeding can expend hundreds of calories per day. Remember to stay hydrated and keep taking your prenatal vitamin daily. Eating healthy and drinking enough water will ward off feelings of fatigue while your body is working hard to feed your infant.
10. Getting your Zzzz’s. Rest while your baby is resting. Remember to turn the ringer off on your home phone or your cell while you are sleeping. It’s quality, not quantity and sleeping soundly for an hour is much better than on-and-off for a few.

Utilizing the resources available to you in the hospital, and keeping up good habits at home, can pave the way for a healthy and enjoyable breastfeeding experience. But for some moms, getting started is not so easy, and some will come home from the hospital to find that breastfeeding is presenting unforeseen challenges. Stay tuned for the second part of our breastfeeding series, which will discuss these challenges and the resources at hand that will make breastfeeding easier for you and your newborn.

Photography courtesy of Flickr.

Two Under Two: Handling the Chaos and Reaping the Benefits!

Maybe you’re still learning the ropes with your first baby, and already pregnant with your second. Or perhaps your little one just celebrated six months and you’re already thinking about when you might start trying for a second. As the median age of first-time moms rises, a lot of women are considering optimizing their fertile years and having two children under the age of two. Whether you’re already headed down the path, or just tossing around the idea, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to tackle the challenge. Luckily, we’ll tell you about a few strategies, and even some unexpected benefits!

With two tiny ones at home, multi-tasking becomes the name of the game. Your infant and toddler are both at their neediest, and both sets of needs at once can be tough. The first thing you’ll want to do is booby trap your home with solutions to both of your children’s needs. Divide your home into zones where much of your daily activities take place. You might have a kitchen zone, a family room zone, a bedroom zone, and a basement zone. Have a stash of diaper change supplies in each zone, in addition to a comfortable spot for breastfeeding, some toddler-friendly snacks and games, and safe spots to contain your little ones when you need to turn your back for a minute, like a bouncer or an Exersaucer.

You’ll also become accustomed to prioritizing right in the moment. When your baby has a diaper blowout and your toddler ignites a tantrum right at the same time, you may feel like melting down yourself! But remember that you can only do one thing at a time. Identify the most immediate need and tend to it expediently, while putting your other child in her secure spot and reminding her that you’ll tend to her as soon as you’re finished. Don’t feel guilty about making one child wait; learning to share time, space, and attention with their siblings is an important lesson for both of your kids!

And check out the silver lining! Having two children so close in age means that they’ll enjoy many of the same activities at the same time. Your toy stash can really work for both kids at the same time, as their proximity, developmentally speaking, will mean that they’ll each enjoy the same music-makers, learning toys, and building blocks. Plus, they’ll enjoy many of the same activities throughout their lives. Taking two toddlers to a toddler-oriented park, or two “big kids” to a science museum means that you’ll always have two engaged kids, and won’t need to think of ways to entertain an older or younger child who might feel “aged out”. They may even share friends and clothes as they grow!

So while it might seem daunting, and it is, having two under two is a practice that is increasing in popularity and CAN be done! A little preparation and strategy go a long way, and in the long run, you may have two kids who are the best of friends!

Social Media and Your Baby: How Much is Too Much?

While some of us keep our social media activities to a minimum, others love to broadcast their lives on Facebook and Twitter, for friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike. And when a social media extrovert procreates? Well, you can be sure to be treated to a deluge of personal photos, anecdotes, and commentary. You know who I’m talking about. There’s your eternally air-brushed friend from college, who publishes an endless stream of photos of her baby wreathed in flowers and lounging in baskets, plus a few bonus shots of her professionally decorated nursery and flawless manicure. Then there’s your brother-in-law, who just can’t bear to end a day without a colorfully detailed story about his child’s bowel movements. And of course, a few judgmental moms who comment on others’ status updates with intimidating advice.

Of course, these are just a few exceptions. Many of us log onto Facebook each day, eager to see what our fellow parents are up to. Posting new photos of your baby and sharing cute stories are great ways to keep friends and family in the loop. When you have a child, each day contains precious soundbytes and photo opportunities, and social media is a great way to share these moments with loved ones.

But moderation is key. Keep the following tips in mind and keep your social media behavior in check. It’s important not only to mind your manners, but also to make safety a priority.

• Resist the urge to share stories on blow-outs and projectile vomiting. While some might find your stories amusing, other people may be reading your updates over lunch and will not appreciate the explicit detail.
• Tone down the judgmental comments. If a friend posts about a behavior or philosophy that conflicts with your parenting style, don’t jump down her throat in a public forum. Everyone parents in their own ways for their own very personal reasons. Facebook is not the place to start an argument about a sensitive topic.
• Review your list of friends. Are they really all friends? When you joined Facebook in 2008, friending every single person you went to high school with seemed fun, but do you want all of these people seeing your personal photos and details about your family life? Think about whether you feel comfortable sharing with people who you don’t really know very well.
• Keep your address and contact information private. Internet predators are a terrifying but realistic threat. Once you have a little one, keep your family’s whereabout limited to only people you know.
• Think about the intimate nature of the photos you post. Your baby has no idea what the internet is now, but in just a few years, the photos you post will immortalize her on Facebook. What might not embarrass a six month-old may humiliate a 16 year-old.

Have fun with social media, but remember these sites are a network. You share with others and they share back. Thinking about the private and personal nature of what you communicate will help to avoid any blunders or inappropriate behaviors, and contribute to a healthier online community!

Appreciating the Support of Your Baby’s Grandparents (While Setting Boundaries)

Many new parents are both relieved and grateful to have the support of their own parents during those frenetic first few days and weeks of their new baby’s life. When you’re still healing from labor and neither you or your partner are sleeping well, handing over your new baby to his grandmother and taking a blissful 45-minute nap can be a revelation.

It’s difficult to set boundaries when you’re sleep-deprived and grateful for assistance! But a lot of moms note that as the weeks turn into months, and they get a handle on the parenting gig, their relationships with their parents and in-laws show some strain. This is usually because grandparents, in an effort to be helpful and involved, can sometimes become a little too domineering and occasionally judgmental. Different generations often have different opinions what to feed your baby, how to handle childcare after going back to work, and how much television is appropriate.

The important thing to remember is that you are your baby’s mother and a leader in your own nuclear family. Grandparents may be your first line of assistance and support, but they are your parents…not your baby’s! Up until now, you’ve thought of yourself primarily as a daughter, but you’re a mom now and you need to assert your mom-identity! Be polite, but firm, in stating your opinions on what’s best for your family, and don’t hesitate to disagree or put an end to behavior that isn’t in the best interest of you, your baby, and your parenting style.

One of your biggest assets is your partner’s support. Talk to your partner about assuming a united front in front of your baby’s grandparents. You may need to discuss what issues are most important to you, and which you are willing to be flexible about. If his parents are troubling you both, he needs to be able to stand up to them. And if it’s your parents who are getting under your skin, he can actively back you up when you need to assert yourself.

Remember that your parents and in-laws likely have the best of intentions. Acknowledge the wonderful support and guidance they give you, by thanking them verbally or taking them to dinner at a nice restaurant. This will make them feel valued and appreciated. You may want to point out the moments when your mother does something truly helpful. This kind of positive feedback will make the disagreements seem less offensive and more productive.

Who Should Seek Genetic Counseling, and Why?

Between recent technologies, new research, and loads of information available at the click of a mouse, pregnant women are experiencing a very different set of options and restrictions from their mothers and grandmothers. Hopefully, you trust your doctor and are making regular prenatal visits. If so, you’re probably excited about, and just a little overwhelmed by the ultrasounds and scans to come! And your doctor’s office has likely given you a brochure and a brief talk about genetic counseling. It’s not an option for everyone, but if a pregnant woman finds it necessary and seeks it out, genetic counseling can be a valuable tool in planning for the health of your child.

Genetic counseling is an option for families who want to determine their risk of passing an inheritable condition to their baby. Families can meet with a counselor who has earned their Master’s in medical genetics and counseling, and has been certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. At a genetic counseling session, you and your partner will provide family medical history to enable a counselor to assess the likelihood of passing a genetic disorder to your baby. Your counselor can not only evaluate your risk, but can also interpret the impact that the condition might have on your baby and your family, and review your options going forward. You may opt to have blood tests done to assess whether you are a carrier for certain illnesses, and if there is a risk of passing along a particular condition, your counselor will discuss the outlook for your baby and your medical options.

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for genetic testing. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 3% of babies born in the U.S. present with genetic defects. But some couples may decide that they would like to seek out counseling because of a chromosomal defect discovered through amniocentesis. Others may be aware of a genetic illness they carry, or which is present in their family histories. And some ethnic groups are at a higher risk for certain conditions and may want to be tested. African-Americans sometimes carry a gene that causes sickle cell anemia, Ashkenazi Jews can carry Tay-Sachs disease, and people of Italian, Greek, and Middle-Eastern descent can carry Thalassemia.

The decision to seek genetic counseling is a very personal one, and expectant parents should be aware that it can be an emotional process. Genetic counselors are trained to help your family through some of the complex emotions and decisions that may be involved, and always, the focus is on generating the most positive outcome available for your family. Not everyone should seek genetic counseling, but for those at an increased risk for certain disorders, knowing what the future may hold and how to plan for it can be a productive tool and an asset to the health of your growing family.

Five Tips for Introducing Your Pets to Your New Arrival

For years, you’ve been the perfect family. You, your partner, and your big goofy dog, or pair of lazy cats, have shared the couch and showered each other with affection. As far as your pet was concerned, that arrangement didn’t need to change. Your labrador didn’t spend months trying to conceive, and your middle-aged orange tabby doesn’t typically enjoy the attentions of your neighbor’s children. A new addition to the family will upset the dynamic that your pet is used to, so try these tactics to make the transition as seamless as possible.

1. Keep an eye on your dog’s level of obedience. A dog that doesn’t respond to simple commands such as “Sit!” or “Stay!”, or who has a tendency to jump or nip, might need an obedience refresher. Seek out classes in your area, and explain to the instructor that you want to work with your dog in anticipation of a new baby.

2. Cats are certainly harder to train than dogs, but are also less likely to pay much attention to your baby. However, keeping your cat’s nails trimmed will limit the amount of damage they might do in the event that your baby grabs a furry tail at the wrong moment. De-clawing is unnecessary; buying a small clipper from your pet store and trimming the nail just a millimeter or two, regularly, should do the trick.

3. Your pet’s schedule will change after your baby comes. Think about the changes you’ll make to their walking and feeding schedules once you have a baby to take care of, and begin implementing that schedule a month before your baby is born.

4. Animals are extremely sensitive to new scents, so as you prepare your home for the arrival of your baby, expose your dog or cat to the scents of the lotions, diapers, and plastic toys you’ll be using. And turning on the baby swing or playing videos of babies crying will acclimate your pet to the new noises they will be hearing.

5. If your pet has not had much exposure to children, acclimate them by walking your dog near a playground or inviting over a friend with kids. Kids are loud and make sudden and unexpected movements and sounds. Your pet may be spooked by a child’s behavior at first. Always supervise your pet around children, to make sure neither party becomes overly rambunctious.

Remember that even if your pet seems upset at first by the changes in your home, they will get used to their new routines and the new noises and objects in their territory. Being patient with both your pet and your child will ensure that they enjoy each other as the years pass.

Banish the Elastic Waistband and Stock up on Stylish, Mom-friendly Basics!

A friend with two children under the age of two complained the other day that for the first time in her life, she feels frumpy. And indeed, with her oversized hoodie, well-worn yoga pants, and sneakers that verged on the border of orthopedic, she wasn’t exactly stopping traffic. When you become a mom, fashion slides to the very bottom of your priority list, and with good reason! Preparing meals for your kids, doing their laundry, and earning an income make flipping through fashion magazines seem a lot less worthy of your time. But when your daughter’s wardrobe gets more compliments than yours, or you realize that your definition of “pants” has changed dramatically, it might be time to pay some more attention to how you dress and the way it makes you feel. Without knowing it, your confidence and mood may be shifting along with your clothing choices!

The first step to creating a cute and cohesive wardrobe is to conduct a good, old-fashioned closet purge. Make a pile for Goodwill and a pile for the trash. Pull everything out of your drawers and off of your hangers. If an item has tear or holes, or large stains that won’t come out, toss it. If it simply doesn’t fit you, put it in the Goodwill pile. And as for your many pairs of sweatpants, yoga pants, and basic tees, put them in a drawer designated specifically for wear during exercise, gardening, sleep, or the flu.

Second, devise a uniform. It’s fine to wear the same thing everyday, as long as that outfit works for your lifestyle and makes you feel good. Think about your daily activities, and choose clothes that are appropriate in the environments you find yourself in most often, allow you to move, will stand up to wear and tear. Do you feel comfortable in cozy, stretchy, cotton dresses summer? Find a great dress and buy it in a few colors. Do you gravitate more to jeans? Look for a pair that fits and looks great, and buy a few. Stock up on basics to go with your jeans, like colorful cardigans or well-fitted button-downs. Stay away from silk and lace, and look for items that are machine washable. Finally, while there is a time and a place for sneakers and flip-flops, invest in comfortable shoes like ballet flats, loafers, or sandals. Brands like Me Too, Cole Haan, and Toms make comfortable footwear with great arch support. And you may need two uniforms: one for home and one for work. But establishing a go-to formula will make it easier for you to maintain a certain standard everyday, without thoughtlessly throwing on the closest item with an elastic waistband.

And third, learn to bargain hunt. Spending money on yourself is hard to do when you’re constantly shelling out for new clothes every time your child hits a growth spurt. Learning to spot discounts can save you hundreds, long-term. Familiarize yourself with shops that offer deep discounts, like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Plus, many etailers that mark down quality pieces as well. Zappos operates an outlet online called 6pm, which offers drastic markdowns, and Bluefly and Outnet carry designer items at much lower prices. You might also want to sign up for Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, and myHabit, which will email you with special sales. And every time you shop online, visit Retailmenot, which carries promotional codes for hundreds of etailers, offering everything from free shipping to 30% off.

Now, the choice is yours. Dressing down isn’t a crime, and some moms truly feel fine regardless of what they’re wearing. But if you’re starting to feel a bit invisible and miss your stylish, pre-baby days, remember that re-stocking your closet with a range of high-quality basics is easier and less expensive than you might think!

10 Ways to Pamper Yourself During Pregnancy

OK, be honest. Between the heartburn, the swelling, and the cravings, you’ve probably felt the urge to complain just a little bit about your pregnancy. At a friend’s dinner party, as everyone else around the table reached for a second glass of wine, you may have felt a tad jealous. You’re excited about your pending arrival, but pregnancy isn’t exactly a breeze! Some prenatal pampering might take the edge off those feelings of irritation, and we’ve got ten ways to make yourself feel fantastic, even as your stretch marks multiply by the day.

1. Book a prenatal massage. Make sure your massage therapist is certified specifically in prenatal massage, and enjoy some relief from swelling, plus nerve and joint pain.

2. Get a great haircut. A few weeks before your due date, ask your stylist for an easy-to-maintain style that will look good even as it grows out, in case you find yourself just a little bit pre-occupied after your baby arrives!
3. Squeeze in a pedicure. Warm water, nourishing lotion, a foot massage, and pretty polish will make your exhausted, swollen feet feel great.
4. Stock up on some luxurious prenatal beauty products. Hit up Sephora or Nordstrom for a lotion with cocoa or shea butter; some are specially designed for your pregnant belly and are an easy way to feel pampered.
5. While you’re at the mall, buy yourself a maternity outfit you actually like! Most women’s maternity wardrobes are basic, with an emphasis on frugality and comfort (with good reason)! But one beautiful item can really lift your spirits.
6. Speaking of lifting, you’ve probably noticed that your breasts began to grow sometime in your second trimester. Your usual bras aren’t quite doing the trick anymore, so buying a few maternity bras will make you feel more comfortable and supported.
7. If outfitting your new body isn’t boosting your mood, you can always pick up a little something that always fits: jewelry. Whether it’s an inexpensive trinket that makes you smile, or an investment piece to mark this milestone in your life, any new bauble always feels like a luxury!
8. Now that you’re feeling gorgeous, take the show on the road! You and your partner are in for a major upheaval, so you may enjoy taking a babymoon, even if it’s just a weekend at the beach or an overnight in the city.
9. Not up for a trip? Make reservations for dinner with your friends and family. Enjoy a grown-up night out at your favorite restaurant, before you hunker down at home with your new baby.
10. And after you’ve tended to your belly, your feet, and your closet, think about hiring a cleaning service to do a one-time, top-to-bottom cleaning of your home. If you’re in your third trimester, you’re probably trying to ease up on some of your more strenuous household chores, and a professional cleaning service can really make your home sparkle. Plus, kicking off motherhood with a clean house will make newborn clean-ups a little easier to handle.

Before you greet your new baby and put her needs first, tend to your own needs while you’re still pregnant. A little pampering here and there will make the months go by more quickly!

Photography courtesy of Pink Sherbet Photography.

Battle Germs the Non-Toxic Way: Going Natural for the Health of Your Family

Are you a germaphobe and a neat freak? When you’re feeling anxious, does it soothe you to scour the shower with Soft Scrub or disinfect the toilet with Clorox? If you liked to keep a clean house before you got pregnant, your germ-killing tendencies may be kicking into high gear as you prepare to welcome an infant into your home. But temper those chlorine-fueled instincts before you introduce high amounts of toxic chemicals into your baby’s environment. You can keep some of your cleaning arsenal at hand, but your baby’s airways, immune system, and delicate skin might require that you lighten up on the NASA-grade sanitation efforts. Here’s a guide to keeping your home safe and germ-free!

The harsh chemicals in abrasive household cleaners can affect your baby in a number of ways. Certain agents in many popular cleaners can irritate baby’s skin, causing dermatitis, and even lead to eye irritation. Fumes given off by these cleaners can affect your baby’s airways, aggravating asthma and allergies. Products with bleach, ammonia, phosphates, and VOC’s are the ones to watch out for. Consider where you’re using these products and how much contact your baby has with those surfaces. Pay special attention to the areas your children eat off of and bathe in.

For safer alternatives, try Earth Power’s EPA-registered herbal disinfectant, or a non-toxic scouring scrub like Bon Ami. Brands such as Seventh Generation, Ecover, and Naturally Yours make products ranging from dishwashing detergent and toilet bowl cleaners to laundry soap and glass cleaners. Plus, you’d be amazed at the wonders you can work with a solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Check out the Good Guide online for health and safety ratings on all of these products; they even have an iPhone app so that you can do your due diligence right there in the grocery store! Also, you can head germs off at the pass by asking guests to remove their shoes when they enter your home or wash their hands before handling your new baby. And requesting that anyone with a cold or stomach bug postpone visiting until after they’ve recovered is a smart move.

And of course, if there’s an outbreak of stomach flu in your home or you’ve just prepared several servings of raw chicken on your breakfast bar, you may feel more comfortable bringing in the big guns. Just don’t use bleach and ammonia at the same time, as the combination gives off highly toxic gas, and use those the harsh abrasives in moderation. Many household cleaners can be diluted with water and still retain their disinfectant properties.

Keeping a clean house is important for the health of your little ones, but don’t go overboard with the compulsive chemical germ-fighting! A diligent use of natural products, coupled with a bit of common sense, should keep your home safe for your whole family.

Playing Detective: Getting to the Bottom of Your Baby’s Cries

As adults, we don’t normally have meltdowns every time we feel hungry, tired, or cold, though we may feel the urge from time to time! But babies have a limited range of ways to express discomfort, and they cannot meet their own needs at such a young age. Crying is an effective means of communication. It gets your attention, prompting you to troubleshoot the source of your infant’s tears. Sometimes, though, getting to the root of your baby’s cries feels like a riddle you’ll never solve! Our tips will help you narrow down the reason for your baby’s discomfort so that you can let the soothing begin.

The big three causes of baby’s tears are hunger, a dirty diaper, and a need for sleep. Especially in infants, you may find that offering milk or formula at the first sign of upset will nip the problem in the bud. If your child doesn’t want to feed or continues to cry afterwards, check his diaper. And if those fail, your baby may be worn out but unable to soothe himself to sleep. Rocking, talking softly, and making the room dark and quiet may help him to nod off. To prevent your baby from crying from over-exhaustion, you might want to put him down for a nap as soon as you see him yawn or act drowsy.

If none of these are the cause, then your baby may be feeling a little bit of actual pain. If she has just finished eating, she may need to be burped. She may even have lower intestinal gas pain, which you can help relieve by laying her on her back and gently moving her legs in a bicycling motion. If she tends to cry for several hours without relief, talk to your doctor about possible causes of colic. Babies may suffer from a number of digestive issues including reflux, allergies, and lactose intolerance. Your pediatrician may be able to recommend gas drops, gripe water, or dietary restrictions for breast-feeding moms.

In addition to bellyaches, if your baby is between 4 and 7 months old, he may be teething. If you notice an increase in crying, drooling, and some sleep disruption, feel his gums with your finger for hard nubs that can be emerging baby teeth. If he is crying from teething pain, you may be able to relieve him with a teething ring, an unsweetened teething cracker, or a cool, wet washcloth for him to chew. If he is eating solids, try feeding cold yogurt or applesauce. Teething is a tough time for many babies and their parents, and a bit of crying may just be inevitable, though it won’t last forever!

If you still can’t put an end to the tears, try to see things from your baby’s perspective. Is she tightly swaddled or under too many layers, causing her to get too hot? Are her feet or head uncovered in a chilly room? Is there too much stimulation around her, in the forms of noise, light, and movement? Scan her for tiny things, too. Something simple like a hair wrapped around her finger or a too-tight diaper can make her upset!

And when the crying continues without a noticeable cause, talk to your pediatrician. Your baby may not be feeling well, or there may be a minor issue you haven’t uncovered. Use your partner, childcare provider, and doctor as part of your detective team, and you’ll soon find the source of your baby’s discomfort.