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B

Baby Blues
The "Baby Blues" are a mild depression which may last a couple of weeks following childbirth, usually the result of dramatic hormonal swings and possibly the letdown after the excitement of labour and birth. See also Postnatal Depression. 

Bilirubin
A substance found in red blood cells when broken down. This usually is a sign of jaundice which in the majority of newborns will clear up within a couple of days.

Broncopulmonary Displaisia (BPD)
A form of lung injury, which occurs in infants who have had severe RDS, lung infection, were extremely premature at birth or were on a mechanical ventilation device. To decrease the risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a doctor usually places an infant on a ventilator only when necessary and for the shortest period possible.

Breast pump
A breast pump is designed to extract milk from a mother's breasts so that she can feed her baby later with the expressed milk in a bottle. Pumps range from inexpensive manual models to powerful machines which can empty both breasts at the same time within a few minutes.

Bradycardia
A slow heartbeat, usually less than 60 beats per minute.

Braxton Hicks contractions
Irregular or "practice" contractions, starting around the eighth month, which prepare the uterus for labour. They may be painless and intense.



Breast feeding Counselor
An individual trained in assisting with breastfeeding.



This is not for diagnosis just a rough guideline. For any further information please consult with a Health Care Professional.