Jot down any moles/freckles that your baby was born with or as they appear on your newborn, toddler and child. Moles that appear at birth are known as congenital nevi and are more likely to develop into cancer (melanoma) than moles that appear later in life.

Baby books don’t have a subject line of First Moles next to First Food or First Steps, but they should since those moles are the ones most at risk of becoming malignant later in life. Just do a quick check, during or after bathtime, every couple of months. You could even note how the mole/freckle looks in your baby’s book.

At any time, a mole that is ragged or irregularly shaped, is not one color or raised should be checked by a doctor as these are signs of potential skin cancer.

I’ve had a lot of freckles “go bad” and removed. Doctors always ask me which ones I’ve had since childhood. Unfortunately, I don’t know which doesn’t help me with cancer prevention. Be proactive for your child, now, in taking note on their moles/freckles. They may really thank you later.

Start taking good care of your baby´s gums even before his teeth pop through!

While your baby might still be toothless, that doesn´t mean that dental care is not already necessary.

Try to wipe your baby´s gums with a wet washcloth often or after some milk feedings to remove any milk residue. Once his first tooth pops through, use a brush or finger brush with a little bit of kids non-fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.

If your infant clamps his jaws together and it seems impossible to open his mouth, try brushing your own teeth in front of your baby while showing your own enthusiasm for brushing.

The earlier you implement a brushing routine and dental care for your baby, the easier and more natural it will become for your child. 

You might also think, why should I take care of his first teeth if they fall out at some point anyway? Taking care of your baby´s first teeth and his permanent teeth are equally important. Although your baby´s first teeth will fall out at some point, in the meantime, they serve a very important function by reserving space for the permanent teeth. If your baby loses his first tooth too early it can cause the permanent tooth to shift, which causes orthodontic problems in the future for your child. Babies teeth are also important for biting and chewing his food, but also for learning to speak correctly.

(NUK Healthy Start Training Toothbrush Set)                         

All babies get a diaper rash:

Having a diaper rash is absolutely normal for babies. There are many ways you can limit the amount of rash, but from time to time it will happen.

Why do babies get a diaper rash:

A combination of the sensitive baby skin, chemicals, moisture from urine and also stool. As well as, keeping the infected area covered with a diaper that rubs and seals. This damaged skin is susceptible to bacteria and yeast, which can make the rash even worse.

Identifying Acidic diaper rash:

Allergy ring- a variety of foods can irritate baby's bottom, especially acidic foods such as citrus, strawberries and tomato-based products.

Appearance - a red ring around baby's anus. Unfortunately, citrus fruits such as oranges and strawberries are acidic and likely to give babies younger than 12 months a rash. This acid can cause a bad diaper rash and even rashes around the mouth and lips due to the high levels of acidity.

Treatment - discontinue suspected food. For breastfeeding moms, you may need to eliminate suspected foods from your diet.

Do you need to worry?

This diaper rash isn´t serious enough that it needs an urgent call to your doctor in the evening or overnight. It generally can wait to be treated by your doctor's office the following day. Also, try to feed your baby organic acidic foods, foods grown locally, or better yet: other fruits high in Vitamin C and other nutrients but without the acidity . My son, in particular, was always fine with Texas organic strawberries but got a bad diaper rash from German grown strawberries.

Ways to attend to an acidic diaper rash:

• Change poopy diapers immediately 
• Wipe well with unscented wipes/just plain water
• Use diaper rash cream, such as Butt Paste (our favorite!)
• Discontinue suspected food
• Feed organic acidic foods (especially if they are on the "dirtiest fruits and vegetables" list: here )
• Feed foods grown locally
• Feed other fruits high in vitamin C and other nutrients but without the acidity

Please remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding the introduction of solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may cause allergy risks for your baby.

'Wisemommies'