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Hepatitis B vaccination (1st dose)

Why should I take the vaccine?💡As you can assume by the name, this vaccine protects your child against the Hepatitis B virus, a disease that damages the liver and causes cancer. The disease is transferable through body fluids such as blood and amniotic fluid. Newborns are vulnerable to the virus because they are exposed to mom's body fluids such as amniotic fluid, breast milk, and saliva, so the shot is mandatory!How to get the vaccine?💉Your child will get 3 doses at each of the following ages: Shortly after birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months. Your baby will get his/her first vaccine within 24 hours of birth, and the doctor will help you make an appointment for the second shot at 1 to 2 months of age. The vaccine is effective when you complete all the shots, so make sure you don't miss them!TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: What is Hepatitis B?The liver is one of the most important organs in our body because it purifies the blood. The Hepatitis B virus inflames our liver and causes cancer and cirrhosis. The disease is contagious as well, which is one of the reasons why we should get the vaccination! Especially infants and children usually show no symptoms when they get Hepatitis B, so getting the vaccine and preventing its transfer is important.What are the symptoms?Normally children with Hepatitis B don't show any symptoms, so it is very hard to recognize without a blood test. Rarely some children do show jaundiced in their complexions and eyes. Also, dark urine and diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting appear, but it is very rare for early ages. How long will the vaccine last?Antibodies through the vaccine decrease over time. However, even though antibodies diminish, the body remembers immunity through the vaccine, which helps the virus prevention effect last for over 10 years! So even if you catch Hepatitis B later in your life, your body stimulates the immune system and will try to fight the virus.

How to soothe a crying baby

Hey, mommy and daddy! I am sorry if I made you exhausted crying last night🥺. I know feeding, diapering, and soothing me can feel like a never-ending cycle, consuming most of your day and night. Why is my baby crying?Until I start talking, crying is the only way I can express my feelings! Most of the time, these are the three main reasons making me want to cry: hunger, dirty diapers and stomach discomfort. If I start crying, it's often a sign that I'm ready for the next meal. Sometimes, my belly traps air while gulping down milk or formula, which is very uncomfortable! Wet or dirty diapers are something I hate as well! Check my diaper often so we could be all happy🧡!I cry when I feel sick🤒. If you see me crying harder than usual, try checking my condition. If you are concerned, reach out to the doctor and monitor any signs of fever. And of course, these aren't the only reasons making me wanna cry. When I feel tired, overwhelmed, or bored, I will start crying to let you know my feelings. How to soothe a fussy babyOnce you've ruled out the common reasons for my tears, it's time to try some of the techniques to soothe me and bring some relief to both of us! Wrap me up in a cozy swaddle. This snug wrapping in a soft blanket creates a comforting, womb-like environment that helps me feel secure and calm🥰. I also find comfort in sucking, so offer me my thumb, finger, or a pacifier to help soothe me. Use a front carrier or sling. Carry me close to you while walking around. The gentle motion and feeling of closeness can be very soothing for me as well!Babies have different preferences on soothing. For example, some babies find rhythmic whooshing sounds calming, and some find bathwater calming! So observe me carefully, and find something that fits me will help you calm me easily!Sometimes, hearing from an expert can provide the peace of mind you need, knowing that you're doing everything you can and just need a little more patience. Good luck mom! 😎What to do if you feel frustrated by your baby's cryingI try not to, but there are times I cry too much so you can't handle it😿, and I know you feel frustrated and exhausted. Apparently, most mommies feel the same, so you are not the only one. If this happens, pass me to grandma, grandpa, friend or a babysitter and take some time for yourself.Sometimes, soothing is needed for you as well, mom💌. If you feel you're at a breaking point, put me in my crib and try to rest quietly in another room until you feel okay. Take a breath, call a friend for emotional support, or listen to calming music to soothe yourself. But no matter how discouraged you are, please never, ever shake me! It can result in abusive head trauma, even if it was very brief. It can also cause severe brain damage, or even death if it's serious!

Genetic counseling

Why should I take the counseling?💡 A genetic counseling guides you through complex information about whether your little baby may have a birth defect or a genetic disorder. The counselor walks you through each technical information in detail and offers you the best advice so that you can make your decision wisely for you and your baby.As fertility wanes as you age, the odds of your baby having chromosomal abnormality also increase with your age. If you're over 35 or older on your due date, you may want to talk to your counselor. If you or one of the other family members have a genetic disorder, it can be passed down to the next generation and especially to your baby. Any history of infertility, stillbirth, miscarriages also greatly affects your baby's health condition. If you've had chemotherapy or have a medical condition, such as epilepsy or diabetes, the medications that you're taking can deteriorate your baby's growth. Birth defects are more feasible if you've been exposed to substances that are reported to cause birth defects. How is the counseling done?💉   A genetic counseling aims to provide information and emotional support. The counselor will ask you and your partner about your background, health histories as far back as possible, possibility of chronic diseases or inherited disorders. You may also need to find out the health histories of your parents, siblings and close relatives to accurately determine the possibility of disorder inheritance of your baby.TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:  Your exposureThe counselor will ask you if you've ever been exposed to dangerous substances before and during your pregnancy. Also you should bring a list of medications that you're taking for evaluation.Prenatal testsCarrier screening is done to determine if you or your partner carries the genetic mutation and possibly passes down to your baby. Screening tests help determine your risk for carrying a baby having birth defects, genetic disorders, or chromosomal abnormalities.Diagnostic tests indicate the range of genetic mutations or chromosomal conditions in your baby. You can choose to initially have screening tests done before making decisions about further testing. If your baby has a problem…Even if you're scared and against abortion, don't automatically reject going to a prenatal testing or a genetic counseling. Abortion is not the only solution. The counselor is there to offer you support and guidance and explain all options that you have. Full comprehension of your child's problem would enable you to be prepared both mentally and physically. Genetic counselors will ask you open-ended questions for you to think carefully about your decision, but they won't make any decisions or steer you in a particular direction. The decision is yours.What would having a child with a genetic condition mean to you? Are you aware of all the difficulties that may arise when raising your child? Would you feel guilty of your child's lifelong needs for special care? Will your child be resentful of you for the disabilities and different treatment from other people? Most importantly, are you ready to become a mom of a child with disabilities?