Baby Treatment Information Every Family Should Know About

by: Micky Blue


Recent parents have to deal with loads of troubles that they will be required to be aware of and consequently work with instantaneously. Yet, newborns are not shipped getting an coaching handbook so now are several subjects that you might want to know about.

Baths the infant: Until your precious infant's umbilical cord cuts off a couple of weeks right after the kid's entry into the world, purely offer the kid cloth or sponge baths. A cotton pad or maybe natural cotton swab dampened with alcohol will help you to dry the umbilical stump or stick to your family doctor's guidance. Once the stump comes off, you could then provide the newborn a shower into a basin or perhaps shallow container.

CS birth: An actual C-Sectionis generally implemented in order to make childbirth less hazardous to you or your infant. C-sections can be done for quite a few various variables which include stalled childbirth, problematic birth, troubles with the young child that may likely bring about delivery a challenge, or other challenges. It does not matter if you deliver vaginally or maybe by a CS section, you're still a mom that has a gorgeous brand-new true blessing.

Circumcision: A great number of health care professionals acknowledge that there might be just a few benefit to circumcision, but it probably are not essential. It would possibly assist to minimize the chance of urinary system tract bacterial infections and removes any chance of male organ malignancies. Circumcision does not have to develop into long-term psychological ailments to your own children.

Baby's crib death (Cot death): Countless studies have has been executed relating to Cot Death. Even though trigger of Cot death isn't most definitely specified, there are correlations which are produced regarding Sudden infant death syndrome and also following points:

Boy toddlers have a propensity to pass away through Cot death in comparison with girls

Prematurity causes it to be very likely

Few youngsters are stricken by it more frequently than non-minorities

Way more kids of young, single mothers die from it

Infants which are now living in a house together with a number of people who smoke are more likely to become afflicted

Many people say that resting with your baby can reduce the risk of Sudden infant death syndrome, however the Pediatric medicine don't agree on this report and continue to say that there is a greater risk regarding SIDS in infants that co-sleep.

Back resting is actually what many doctors highly recommend for infants to reduce the actual Sudden infant death syndrome risk. The reason behind this is greatly challenged among medical experts. In case you have questions, speak to your doctor.

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Baby Gift Solutions For St Valentine`s Day

by: Travis Olague


St Valentine's Day is an ideal occasion to give your little friend a gift thus expressing your great love and care. Look through the following baby gift solutions for St Valentine's Day and choose the one that suits you best. But do remember that every idea described below must go together with a lovely toy for the little one.

Baby Bath Care

Buying baby bath care items and arranging them in a basket with a big plush heart is a nice way to show your concern about the child and his welfare.

Baby Stroller

Baby Stroller is a thing which is compulsory for every family who are lucky to have a newborn. This is a device that parents will buy anyway thus if they don't have it the solution to buy one is certainly great. However it is recommended to purchase such a present together with the new parents or ask them which one they would like to have in order to avoid any misunderstandings.

Baby books

All parents strive for their children's development and education thus baby books will probably be the first method in achieving this. A book that is appropriate for baby's age will always be a very pleasant and necessary gift. This unique present will help in developing a joy of reading from a very young age. It is very important for the book to have many interesting pictures to fascinate the baby, so it will be great if your book will have lot of illustrations. And of course it would be good to buy a book that is made of durable material as they love to bite and teeth.

Bouncers

These are somewhat like a funny bean bag, with a belt, used to ensure safety for the child. Giving baby a bouncer for St Valentine's Day is equal to declaration of love.

Baby Monitor

Parents are constantly thinking about the safety of their child and worry too much even if there is no need to do it. Baby monitors are a splendid solution for new parents to end this worries. Now it's possible to monitor the baby audibly and visually identifying his or her movements, whining or breathing. Choose this gift only if you are sure that the parents you are going to give to don't already have it.Now you are aware of all possible variants of useful and necessary and baby gifts so you can easily make your choice!

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Ways To Comfort Your Child Following A Nightmare

by: Deborah Northcutt


Night terrors and nightmares come in the form of frightening dreams and could scare both children and parents especially if it is recurring. Usually taking place during REM or Rapid Eye Movement in the phase of sleep, nightmares could vary in length or intensity, a nightmare is usually remembered by a child. While night terrors happen after an hour or two when the child has gone to sleep ad could last for a few minutes to an hour. Night terrors takes place during the non-REM phase of sleep where the thoughts are widely awake and the eyes could be wide open; still the child is asleep at this point. As opposed to nightmares, the child will have no memory whatsoever of any night terrors.

When your child is experiencing night mare and night terrors, you want to take them away from this horrible experience. There are certain things that you could do before your child goes to sleep and after he awakens to makes sure they calm down and is comforted. You should always ensure a calm, quiet and relaxed environment before bedtime. Talk to your babies before they go to sleep, sing a lullaby for them, or tell them a story, babies find the voice of their parents very soothing and relaxing. This will not only put them to sleep better but will help them when they wake up. Parents should remain calm because a baby senses panic from their parents as well. You will have a difficult time in settling you baby down if you are tensed. Another thing is that you should always make sure that you can hear your baby cry during the night. It is important to get to your baby as soon as possible to assure and comfort them when they cry. Do not wake them up if they are crying on their sleep, just stay with them till they get back to sleep peacefully or you may wait for them to be fully awake. It is also not a good idea to let them sleep with you after a nightmare. This will give them an implied sense that they should be afraid or their own bed and if it becomes a habit, it will be very difficult to tear it out from them.

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Conception Tips - The Must Know Important Things

by: Infertility Doctors


You are trying to conceive, aren't you? And the results are not what you expect, are they? If the answer is "YES", you may need the below advices.

Do not drink coffee: Coffee adversely affects fertility. It is showed that the effects of coffee on metabolism has harmful effects on our hormone levels, especially that of estrogen. Coffee may also cause problems with our fallopian tubes, hindering fertilization.

Do not use smoking: Smoking makes a variety of health problems. Infertility in both men and women has also been associated with smoking. Smoking may decrease the counting of sperm fast. When compared, smoking women are less likely to conceive successfully with non-smoking women.

Say NO with alcohol: Alcohol, even in management, badly affects fertility by inhibiting ovulation. Population studies also show decreased fertility and pregnancy rates among women who drink. Data are conflicting on what rate of alcohol consumption can induce these effects. Most data show that drinking 4 to 8 times a week is dangerous. But newer studies have proven that even a single glass of wine weekly can already affect fertility adversely.

These conceive tips have been proven to be true. Most doctors would advice you say NO with smoking, coffee, and alcohol when attempting to get pregnant. You should also abstain from these when you are pregnant to ensure the health for your developing baby.

Some sexual positions favor fertility: The most popular positions recommended are the man-on-top position or the missionary and the rear entry including spooning and doggy style. Although sexual positions do not significantly affect the chances of conceiving in couples who are fertile, some of them may benefit from this advice. Depositing the sperm as near as possible to the cervix may have its benefits for couples with sub-fertility or infertility problems. If the sperm were the size of a man, it has to swim a distance akin to the Pacific Ocean to meet and fertilize an egg. It would certainly boost our chances of success if we shorten that distance considerably.

Herbs increase fertility: Some herbs like Vitex, Ginkgo biloba, and Siberian ginseng have been proven to boost fertility. In fact, these herbs have been a mainstay in the armamentarium of herbalists and practitioners of alternative medicine in the cue of infertility in both women and men. Otherwise, there are still no large, well-designed clinical trials to boost this claim. If you are on fertility drugs, ask your doctor if you may start taking any of these herbs to avoid unwanted drug interactions.

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Online Evening Babysitting Agency In London : For Your Child!

by: Sanjay Kapoor


Balancing personal and professional life can be tough for working parents. Often working parents, especially mothers have to shuttle between home and office to keep everything in perfect order. Above all, if you have a small child, who needs to be taken care of, the safety and security of the child becomes the primary concern. In London, parents often look for online evening babysitting agency to glance through a list of babysitters available in the local area.

Working parents often look for an online evening babysitting agency that can help them find a reliable babysitter for a couple of hours in the evening. On web, you can find a reliable online evening babysitting agency that specializes in finding quality caregivers for your children. On the official website, these agencies provide a database of baby sitters. Using the given search engine, you can easily search and browse available babysitters in the specific timeframes you require.

A reliable online evening babysitting agency follows strict ethics and policies and hire only CRB (criminal records bureau check) screened babysitters, who can come to your home and look after your children while you are out. The babysitting agencies thoroughly screen and interview each and every babysitter in person. These agencies understand and respect the fact that your children are your greatest treasures.

An evening babysitting service is similar to a regular babysitter booking. It is usually of four to six hours duration. Generally, the evening babysitting service includes supervision of children, feeding and putting them to bed. The baby sitters are at home, till the time the parents are back from office.

For those seeking reliable, responsible care for their children in the evening, options are limited. So before hiring a babysitter make sure the online evening babysitting agency checks all references of the babysitter carefully.

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Best Practice When Buying A Stroller

by: Bradley McBride


If you are new dad and mom, one of the indispensable items of baby equipment you will need to buy is a buggy.

Consider the many ways you are going to be using the child stroller; you might use it whenever you go to the store, if you buy groceries, run errands, or perhaps for a breath of air in the park. The point is, you might need a baby buggy that can last from infancy to toddler age, which means you require a tough stroller particularly if you intend to use it every day. Otherwise, you might end up having to buy several strollers before your baby reaches the age of two.

Most parents, principally first-time mums and dads want to get everything all set before baby is given birth to, so as you would expect they pick a baby stroller prior to the birth, which gives you time to shop and have the whole lot prepared for the day your bundle of joy makes her or his entrance into the world. However, if you don't take into account your life style, chances are you'll finish up buying a baby carriage that does not work for you. For instance, if you choose a stroller that is less portable, but you already know you are going to be on the go or need to transport the baby several times a week, having a stroller that does not fold easily, will quickly develop into a hassle.

Today, the stroller has changed from a once heavy and clunky piece of gear to an exceedingly practical and in several cases sporty-looking item. This means that the brand new strollers you see available on the market are for both young partners that want the sportier appearance and conventional varieties of buggies for those wanting a look that's more conservative. Whatever variety, look, or color you want, you will certainly find it today.

On the list of aspects to keep in mind if you find yourself baby stroller purchasing is your requirements. Firstly, will you be using the buggy to get from point A to point B inside your vehicle, if so; you certainly need to consider the sportier buggies. These are very versatile and fold effortlessly to fit in your auto and some even boast one-handed unlock and folding mechanisms which makes it specially useful when you're running errands.

Moreover, there are actually jogging strollers that you will want to check out. They are three-wheel buggies that have hand brakes, which makes it easy for joggers to utilize whilst little one is asleep or enjoying the view. The newborn or toddler in these jogging strollers do not recline wholly and sometimes the seat turns to be able to have baby facing you or facing away from you, which is kind of useful.

Your first step to picking just the right stroller is to identify your requirements, because this will dictate what kind of buggy you want. If you do not want to travel or jog along with your child, then you may choose a more standard stroller, but if you plan to train, travel, or use the buggy for varied functions, then you definitely want one that could make life easier on you when you leave the house along with your baby.

Last but not least, take account of the buggy features you're looking for including how compact it is, does it include storage space, how cushioned is the seat, restraining straps, harness, the number of safety features comes with the stroller, and your budget. Taking all of these into account with your requirements and life-style will lead you to the perfect pushchair that could last you through early stages to kid.

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Easy New Parents Preparation With Online Sites

by: Liz Funk


New Parents Preparation needs to be done as much as possible whenever you're expecting your first child. For instance, it's essential to take care of the young mother as much as possible. Collecting a handful of baby books and decorating the room is also a good idea, because you're going to want all of that after the delivery but definitely won't have time for it because you'll be too busy attending to your new child. Of course, there's a lot you can and should learn about how to properly take care for a newborn as early as possible: whether you're going to have help from your parents or not, you need to have a basic understanding of what you'll be doing every day.

Fortunately, there are a lot of new parent preparations that you can do before the baby is born. The mother's diet will change as her and the baby's nutritional needs alter what she wants (and needs) to eat, and you'll need to take the baby's diet into consideration as you're shopping. Otherwise, you're aren't going to be ready for what you want to do in caring for your child. Above all, it's important to make sure that the father is ready to take up a lot of the housework that he hasn't been doing before, because the mother is going to be putting all her attention on their newborn.

It's also good to have a handy supply of blankets and easy access to fresh air so that both mother and child can get along as healthily as possible. Any new parents preparation you can think of is going to be a good step to take, and one of the best of all is going to be doing what you can to learn about all the preparations you can make. It's been said that a little preparation goes a long way, so that you should prepare yourself as much as possible.

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An Introduction to Stroller Accessories

by: Bradley McBride


When you've got a baby, it's essential to have the ability to move them simply from your home to doctors appointments or to run errands; nearly all parents use baby strollers for this purpose, which works out very well for both you and baby. However, you also need to think about the stroller accessories you will want which you could easily add to the buggy or that comes as an add-on accessory. Take into consideration how you plan to make use of your stroller, which will help you find the accessories you require to make your life easier.

Stroller accessories will actually enable you get the most out of your new baby stroller. Read our post to finding the most functional stroller accessories to help make your life easier

You'll discover lots of the stroller accessories especially useful to you especially if you intend to go to the playground or have a day out, since you can select cup holders and trays to make it better to give your baby munchies and drinks along the way. There are lots of strollers with pockets, which are extremely practical for necessaries along the lines of diapers, wipes and baby food.

Other stroller accessories consist of mesh bags that fasten to the stroller that may be used as a diaper bag or anything else you might want to have onboard when running odd jobs or going to the park for a run. If you plan to be outside a good deal along with your little one, obviously, you want to keep his or her fine skin protected, for that reason, you may want to include a bigger umbrella that easily folds whilst not in use, for the reason that it will keep the infant out of the sunlight.

With regards to the inside of the stroller, you can find several stroller accessories which will make your life better. These include harnesses and straps to keep the child in the right position for the maximum comfort. Since newborns tend to slip and do not have the strength to reposition themselves, the straps and harness keep them comfortably positioned.

Many newer strollers that are meant for traveling have other stroller accessories like having the seat of the stroller change into a car seat. These are complete strollers and makes life much better for you space-wise as opposed to trying to use a car seat while in the car and folding and fitting the stroller inside the car at the same time.

In terms of stroller accessories, you will have plenty to choose from because the strollers of today have a mission to make your existence as a parent a great deal simpler than it had been 50 years ago. Therefore, take into consideration the ways in which you propose to make use of the pushchair, or buy one which includes add-on accessories that you may acquire should you afterward find you may need them. Strollers have changed a great deal since the days of clunky and heavy buggies that did not fold and were not lightweight for traveling, today you have a far wider range.

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4 Ways Of Keep Your Baby Healthy

by: Edward Davidson


I am sure being a new parent you have heard all type of advice on how to take care of your baby, some wanted and some not. Everyone has advice on what to do whenever your child is well, but here are some ways to keep baby from getting sick.

As new parent you ought to be prepared to take your baby to pediatrician frequently. Many doctors want to see the baby monthly for the first six months and then once every 8 weeks until the baby is a year old. This allows the doctor to monitor the baby's growth and one of the best ways to keep your baby healthy. During these visits vaccines could be given. It is important that you keep the doctors schedule of appointments. These visits will significantly help to keep your baby healthy for a lifetime.

Keeping your baby's environment as clean as possible is the second thing you can do to keep your baby healthy. Observe a baby for some time and you will see that they're always rubbing their eyes and nose, and in addition they put their hands in their mouths frequently. So it is very important that before anyone touches the baby their hands need to be clean.

Dust can take the time a baby's delicate lungs, so you should keep the baby's room as clean and as dust free as possible. You should also be mindful with what you clean the nursery. Some household products may be harmful to baby's lungs. In the event you still can smell the cleanser once you are done cleaning, that is a good indication that you should not use that in the nursery. There are various steam cleaners that allow you to clean and eliminate bacteria but not use chemicals that could be harmful to baby. Something else to keep in mind is that stuffed toys are cute, but they also accumulate a lot of dust. Therefore keep plush toys to a minimum and keep them washed and clean.

Day care is a must for many babies and toddlers, so ensure that you ask about the centers cleaning and sick policies. Some questions you might ask might be  how frequently are the toys cleaned, is there diaper changing stations, and do employees wash their hands immediately after changing each diaper. Additionally, you will want to find out the policy about sick children. It really is difficult to miss work, but you do not want to bring a unwell child to daycare and expose the rest of the children to the illness.

One of the best ways to continue to keep baby healthy is feed him properly. Breast milk is packed with nutrients to help improve your baby's immune system. But don't worry if you're formula feeding, just seek out formula that is DHA and ARA fortified. When baby moves to solid, plant based foods provide nutrients that guide improve the immune system. You also need to include protein in baby's eating plan. Keep away from giving little ones snacks which are full of sugar since they can break down the baby's immune system.

And the final thing you can do to assist baby's immune system is to reduce baby's stress. Yes babies have stress. It's stressful to a baby when they are hungry, when their diaper needs changed or just daily learning and growing. Little ones cry to inform you they need something and crying is stressful for a baby, just as it is when you cry. Picking up baby to comfort him and discover what's wrong is a good thing. Don't get worried about spoiling him if you pick him up whenever he cries.

Babies also detect your stress. I realize that it's impossible to get rid of all the stress of everyday life. However you are able to change how you handle that stress. Find a way to eliminate the stress before spending some time with your infant. Both you and he will be more healthy for your effort.

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Prevent Childhood Obesity - Is It Possible?

by: Ron Gasparetto


We are all quite aware of the growing concern of obesity in our children today. Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in our society, and we've all heard the various statistics regarding this growing trend. But what really are the childhood obesity facts and what are we prepared to do about them?

Plain and simple these are your childhood obesity facts: our children are consistently eating too much of the wrong foods, and have become the most inactive generation in the history of our society. This is not a genetic problem (which is not to say that there are some adults and children that have a genetic and hormonal predisposition to obesity), this is for the most part a behavioural problem, and behaviours can be changed.

Think about it, is it really necessary for our children to be ingesting the vast quantity of refined sugars, processed foods, and hydrogenated fats that they do every day. Foods and beverages that are consumed in such large quantities that their bodies cannot process and eliminate at the rate that these foods are consumed. And because our children are not 'moving' any more, the results are inevitable: skyrocketing obesity rates, an alarming incidence of type 2 diabetes in children, a significant increase in childhood behavioural problems, with low self-esteem and a rise in depression rates.

These are your childhood obesity facts! The question has to asked, why are we allowing this to happen?

It certainly is not because of a lack of education or knowledge about what the proper foods are and what constitutes a balanced diet: complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, whole grains), adequate proteins, and the right amount of good fats. And we all have an idea of the benefits of exercise both from a physiological and psychological level. We may not know the specifics but we know the generalities. The information and knowledge is at our fingertips, more available and accessible to us than at any time in our history.

Our problem lies in our habits and behaviours. How can we prevent childhood obesity? Change our behaviours. It sounds so simple, yet why don't we? Because changing our habits, changing our behaviour is the most difficult thing we do in our lives. We resist change, we are creatures of habit, with the same thoughts, and the same patterns of behaviour day after day. This leads to complacency and comfortable laziness, and we pass this on to our children.

Yet we must change for our children's sake. All change begins with awareness. Once we become aware of our behaviours and the consequences of them, we can begin to make conscious choices to change our behaviour and the behaviour of our children. And yes it is a greater challenge in our society today than in past times. It is so much easier to grab a quick dinner from a fast food chain and spend hours interacting with friends on some social media network.

But if we are to change these childhood obesity facts, conscious choices must be made for our children. Behaviours can change, and when they do, the results will change, and the growing trend toward childhood obesity will change as well. Change begins with a decision to change, and that choice is ours.

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Your Infant At Two Months

by: Edward Davidson


It is truly amazing how much a baby grows and learns the first year of his life. Those 1st couple of months see tremendous change. The 2nd month of one's baby's life is fun because you both have learned so a lot about each other and now you begin actually experiencing viewing your child grow. You can find some things you'll be able to expect within your baby's second month.

At 8 weeks your baby starts to communicate with you more. He or she is now able to focus on you and also other objects that are in front of him. You also notice that he or she has started to follow you with his eyes. He may also begin to make more sounds. Some of the sounds are merely gurgling noises yet others is going to be cooing noises, all of the sound is going to be adorable thus making you smile.

Your baby is starting to smile and laugh. So this can be a fun time simply because your infant can genuinely concentrate on you along with other objects and show his delight by smiling and laughing. Your baby will nonetheless be a little wobbly, but is getting more powerful every single day. He'll begin to hold his own head out for a few seconds at a time, even though you nonetheless have to support his head. You will also recognize that his movements grow to be much less jerky and seem to smooth every day.

Not only does your infant start to focus on items, but now he can hold on to things for brief durations of time. He will maintain onto the object and move it about, so make certain the toys you're giving him are gentle to ensure that he will not hurt himself with them.

This month is chock-full of milestones for your child will commence reaching. He turns into more social this month in that he'll begin to understand other individuals voices. Another social milestone this month is that he will begin smiling at other folks. He will also begin to sleep less this month. Your little baby is truly commencing to develop this month and become his very own small individual.

This is a fun time for you and child. This can be a time of discovery for both of you. Get time every day to appreciate your baby's growth and learning.

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Enfamil Formula Need to Know

by: Mare Nikolic


Not long ago, giving babies milk formula from day one, instead of breastfeeding was common. We now know how beneficial effect on health of the child has a mother's milk and dairy formula should be given only when breastfeeding is not available as an option. If you must use a formula, there are several different types, so you can choose.

For babies up to six months it is best to choose high adapted food, and for older or less adapted. High adapted means that the part about the quality of breast milk. The basis of most artificial food makes cows' milk despite similar nutritional values substantially different from the mother. The artificial milk has higher content of protein, calcium, potassium, sodium and other minerals, while level of carbohydrates, fats and vitamins is lower. Cow's milk is in the process of enriching essential vitamins and trace elements, and there are formulas with soy protein that do not contain proteins of animal origin.

In some countries, especially in the United States, many mothers use a formula based on soy, because it does not contain proteins of animal origin, which are associated with colic baby and insulin - dependent diabetes. Soy milk is most often used in infants older than six months with cow's milk protein intolerance, and since it does not contain lactose is given and the intolerance milk sugar and galactosemia.

If your doctor recommends, feeding baby with artificial milk, you should think about the choices, which is really best for your baby. Continue with the same milk if a child is fed in maternity hospital in a bottle, and had no problems (allergies, etc.).

Most represented in the market is milk powder, concentrated powder that is soluble in water (plain or sterile) which was heated at 50-60 � C. This is far cheaper but it takes more time to prepare, however, there is a milk formula from cans that are just pour into a sterile vial and is ready to eat, however, is far more expensive. We also have milk bottles for single use of 125 and 250 ml, which is especially convenient for travel.

In some cases where a child has some health problems, it is necessary to pay special attention to the selection of adapted milk because there are a variety of special formulas. In the case of allergies, it is a canned milk or soy milk formula does not contain lactose, for better filing. Regardless of the problem that has your child, be sure to first consult with a physician about the choice of artificial milk, but also talk to friends and acquaintances, as you any advice about this method of feeding babies welcome.

Mothers are often not sure how the child enough food, whether to make the whole bottle or not?! Amount of milk that is given per serving as follows:

First month: 70 - 90 ml

Second month: 90 - 120 ml

The third - the fourth month: 120 - 150 ml

From fourth to sixth month: 150 - 180 ml

From the sixth month: 210 - 240 ml

World known manufacturers of artificial milk are Mead Johnson US, Nestle Swiss, Milupa Germany Danone Italy, and many more.

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What To Look Out For When You Sense You Could Be The Parent Of A Troubled Teen

by: Kathy Stearns


The term troubled teen is thrown around a lot these days, though the true definitions are not often discussed. Any mother of a teenager will tell you that they are a special brood of people. Teens tend to act very erratically due to fluctuating hormones and mood swings. So for most parents it can be difficult to determine when a kid crosses the line from being an angst-ridden adolescent to a troubled teen. Luckily, there are a few indicators we can look for to know when teen help is required.

In a lot of cases, depression is the number one culprit for a teenager's disruptive behavior, so the more you know about detecting depression the better. Despite the fact that teens are moody and often unpredictable, when they start to fall into certain behavior patterns more help is usually needed. These behaviors can sometimes just be a portion of a quick phase, but if it goes on for more than a couple of weeks then it is time to call in a professional.

If you notice your child becoming harder to deal with as far as using harsh words or violence then you should definitely be looking for any other troublesome signs that follow. If your teenager ditches their current social group and becomes a loner or attaches themselves to a different, often less favorable group then they are likely going through some hard times. When these things take place you need to question your child if possible and try to assess the situation. A teen will often ignore important things like education and friends and become very apathetic. Though it is common for youngsters to rebel, when they do so consistently it is time to seek assistance.

Teens who are suffering from depression, anxiety, and even ADHD that is left untreated often turn to forms of self medication. When your child begins to abuse these types of substances then it is definitely time to get them the help they need as quickly as possible. Though many parents claim that they were oblivious to their teen's drug problems there are almost always warning signs. Uncharacteristic sleeping patterns are some of the more obvious signs along with becoming socially withdrawn and spending a lot of time alone in their room or away from home. Drugs don't have to be of the illegal type to pose a problem, either. The drugs that most teens first experiment with come from inside their own home. It can be something as simple as beer or cough syrup, but if they can take enough of it to alter their state of mind they are abusing it.

Any adult who suspects their youngster might be a troubled teen is probably right. Most parents who start to seek help for their young one do so based solely on parental intuition. Teenagers rebel and will often reject your help at first, but later on in life they will thank you.

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Potty Training 101 � Potty Seats, Dances and Regression, Oh My!

by: Lilly Gordon


Potty training is the moment we as parents dream about. It is the milestone that will take us from diaper duty to a modicum of freedom. Sure, we still have clean up little spills, wipe bums and do laundry twice a day until the little gaffer gets the hang of things; yet we clamor towards that small light at the end of the diaper genie that seems to signify a tiny morsel of freedom. There are so many tidbits, articles, methods and products related to potty training that parents can get easily overwhelmed and confused. What is the best potty seat? When is it time? Why won�t he/she stop having accidents? Potty training time can be scary for parents and children, but there are some basics to get you on the way to kissing those dirty diapers good-bye for good (not literally of course).

Ready, Set, Go!Knowing your child is ready to start potty training is the start of your journey. The general rule of thumb is if your child is between 18-24 months old, they have the basic motor skills to start. That doesn�t mean they�re ready, however. Every child�s maturity level is different in this area and kids do not like to be rushed! Here are some signs to look for:

A general bathroom schedule� regular bowel movements and diaper changes are a good start;

Is anxious or excited to use the toilet;

The ability to get their own pants on and off;

The desire to wear underwear;

Your child knows what �poop� and �pee� are;

A general dislike of dirty diapers, feeling dirty and wet, etc.

Dry periods of several hours at a time � nap time is a good indicator

If your tyke is showing any of these signs, he or she may be ready to try the potty.

Potty ParaphernaliaAs is true with the baby product industry on a whole, there are dozens of different potty- related products to help your child through this monumental task of saying good bye to the nappies once and for all!

Potty Dolls: These dolls can help your child learn the basics of potty training while at the same time give him or her the chance to show the doll how to do it. This may give your child the little smidge of responsibility that is necessary to get them doing it on their own.

Potty Seats and Potties: There are several different kinds out there: chamber pot style, potties that turn into stepping stools, potties that congratulate kids when they�re through, and simple potty seats that fit over a regular toilet. Heck, they even make travel potty seats for those on the go! The best potty seats and potties are: comfortable, easy to use and easy to clean. Beyond that, if your kid will sit on it you�ve won a small part of the battle.

Potty Books and Computer Games: Yes, they even have computer games that feature popular kids� characters talking about �potty time�, as well as books for your child to read up on your new favourite subject.

Potty EtiquetteEveryone has their own best way to potty train in mind when they start. Some people have smooth sailing while some start to see the good side of diapers. The biggest virtue of potty training is patience. Your child will get the gist of it when he or she is ready to do it. Reward systems are popular, but the best reward is for your little one to receive a big hug and a celebratory kiss or yes the fabled potty dance, so they can see how important it is that they learn this skill.

Negative, frustrating or angry reactions or punishments are a natural response to accidents but they will NOT help your child achieve his or goal. It is normal for kids to have accidents for about 6 months after they start. Most Canadian baby stores sell products that can take the edge off of �oopsies�.

Training pants: cotton lined waterproof underwear that hold in the wetness and remind kids they have to go.

Crib and Bed pads: for nap and night time bed protection, until they get the hang of things.

Dry Seats: an insert you can place in their car seats and strollers for travel protection.

If your child is having a rough time and constant accidents, it is time to put the training on hold. This is a hard thing for Moms and Dads to do, but necessary. Some kids don�t want to use the potty until they are around 4 years old, and although this is frustrating for parents, every child develops at their own rate. (Never compare your child�s learning to anyone else�s.) Getting into a power struggle with a toddler over bathroom habits never did anyone any good.

The bottom line is your child�s happiness and developmental well-being. Whether you choose to reward, dance or just let them run around naked for a few weeks, your child will get the hang of it. Hang in there and remember, your little one will not be wearing diapers to high school� They�ll get it, eventually!

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Worrying About Your Newborn Baby

by: Jill Cohen


It is definitely normal for any parent to worry when they bring a new baby home. You may not have confidence in your skills yet and be nervous about any cough, red spots or irregularities. One common issue among new parents is the nappy rash that seems to affect many babies. Though it is not such a major issue, it can be if not addressed properly. Staying on top of keeping baby dry will take care of many problems including the skin irritations that are frequent in young children.

Worry is a way that parents look out for and see to the needs of their children. However, constant concern over small issues will not make things better. If you see an issue or note something out of the ordinary with your newborn, address it without panic or call your pediatrician. You can make yourself very nervous if you go

on the internet and read about sudden infant death syndrome, croup and other situations. Any respiratory problem should be looked at by a physician and monitored but keep in mind that getting a cold or cough is very common.

New parents, especially, tend to worry over every whimper or cry, blemish or scratch, but usually it is nothing but normal responses or reactions. Take care of baby, but don't stress yourself out. Most parenting books have a balance approach in helping someone know the signs of when to seek medical attention. Your confidence will increase with time and experience. Remember, that children can pick up fear and you want to help your child feel secure and comfortable. If your child does have a rash or any illness, use laughter and play to help them relax. The immune system is effected by our environment and emotions. As a parent your own judgement and

decision making process is also improved by relaxation and staying calm. It is easy to make impulsive decisions when we are very nervous.

Turning to another adult in the family by phone can be a help when you feel that you are too clouded by your emotions. You'll be able to get another perspective on your child's condition and this can help you get your balance back.

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Baby Clothing You Should Get For The Baby

by: Joseph Nedrich


Congrats, you are going to have a baby! You will need lots of things for the baby. And now let the checklist making start. You want to make a couple of lists, one will be necessities that you will wish to get, along with a second list for objects that will go on your registry for the baby shower gifts you would really like to receive. Do not feel guilty about the second list. Friends and relatives want to celebrate the upcoming birth of your baby, and most wish to help you prepare by giving you baby gifts. Assist them by letting them know what you really require and want. So let�s go over the things that ought to be in your necessities list.

Clothing is the first thing for the �must have� checklist. And honestly who can resist all of those sweet little outfits, but remember that babies develop quickly so don�t buy a lot of those -3 month size, and baby clothes shouldn�t be tight fitting. Also resist the urge to purchase a lot of those little socks and booties, they're adorable, however the child won't be in them long.

So what should you purchase? Let�s begin with the basics; each and every child needs onsies and bodysuits. Because this really is an everyday item you want to have 7- 12 on hand. The reason I recommend so many is that infants do get messy, so you may need a couple of every single day. Secondly those first couple of weeks at home with baby can be extremely hectic and you might not get a chance to do the laundry as often as you would like.

You need clothes for child that makes your life easier and gowns do just that. Gowns are wonderful for nighttime. Those overnight feedings and diaper changes could be a bit groggy and gowns will assist with those diaper changes. Gowns supply easy access and a great deal less fumbling. You will want seven of these on hand. Infants grow out of gowns quickly so you want to possess sleepers are on hand. Simply because you will find so several fairly sleepers available these days many moms have infants in sleepers all day long. With this in mind you will want to have a dozen of those on hand.

You see many things come and go when it comes to what is used for infants, but some thing never change and baby bibs are one of those things. Some days it'll appear much more is coming out of baby�s mouth than is heading in. Bibs help to maintain your baby clean. You want a least a dozen of baby bibs on hand and this really is 1 thing you should not worry about having too many of, you will be amazed how many bibs you'll use throughout the course of a week. One more thing to include on your must have checklist is those adorable newborn hats. These hats will help baby keep warm, and they look so cute.

There are many other things that you will want to purchase, but the above will get you started. You will purchase and obtain many adorable outfits for the new child, the best advice I can give you would be to wear them on your child. Several new moms save outfits for special occasions, only to have baby grow out of them before they had been ever worn. There will be a time soon enough when your little 1 will be vocal about what they want to put on, so take the time now to dress them how you please.

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How to Adjust Your Baby's Natural Sleeping Rhythm

by: NA


Day sleeping is similar to eating, every child is different. Develop a schedule based on what you see in your baby, and once that schedule naturally forms, try to stay to it. You have to bend your schedule around your child's if you want consistency. In other words, if your baby usually goes to sleep at 7:30 P.M., don't take her to a class that starts at 7:00 P.M. or leave for the mall after 6:00 P.M. Plan your day around baby's sleep schedule, and both of you will be much happier because you'll soon fall into a predictable rhythm.

A lot of mothers get upset that their babies can be so fussy at certain times of the day. I say, "Get used to it and deal with it!" Most of this frustration stems from the fact that Mom has not taken the time to get to know her baby's natural rhythm, and she has tried to make her baby work around her own schedule. Just because you can wake up at 6:00 A.M. to get ready and go to work doesn't mean your baby can adapt to your schedule. It might not be convenient for you to put baby to bed at 7:00 P.M. and wake up with her at 4:00 A.M., but you're only asking for trouble if you plan a big gathering that doesn't get started until after 7:00 P.M., and then get frustrated that your baby is so fussy. Of course she's fussy��she's tired, and it's past her bedtime!

The good news is that sleep schedules change quickly. The first ten days will be a lot different than the first ten months, and the routines won't really stop changing until your child is done with her naptimes. By two months, your child will be physically capable of sleeping through the night without being fed. By three or four months, most babies (but by no means all) should sleep either through one nighttime feeding or through the entire night. At that point, you can be a little bolder about letting him cry. It's your job to help distinguish between naptime and bedtime so that junior can begin to get a feel for what's going on. To do this, create a new ritual for bedtime��give baby a bath, sing a special song, darken the room, give baby a special toy or blanket. Do something that signifies this is different from a typical nap�� and stick with it, but remember to keep it manageable, timewise.

Just remember: You're the mother. You are in charge. If baby starts to sleep more during the day than the night, it's your job to get him turned around. Get him up from his afternoon nap, play with him a little more vigorously before you put him down so he's extra tired and ready for nighttime, and feed him a little extra. You may have to help your child find an acceptable sleep rhythm.

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Methods For Earth-friendly Parents

by: Chad Burns


We all want to do our part to help conserve and save the planet. Being �green� has become a routine for many people. However what does it mean to be a green parent, and you can do several things to help your new baby stay free of harmful chemicals.

Annually we understand and find out far more things as a human race. It was a great day when researchers confirmed that dark chocolate is in fact healthy for you. In the past few years we have found that there are many everyday items in our house that create toxins within our home. Adults usually are not troubled by these chemicals, yet they can be really dangerous for infants. Being a green parent today means safeguarding your child from harmful toxins in your house. By just making a good choices you can help to make your new baby's world much healthier and safer for them. Here are several green tips for new parents.

The four walls of the baby's room is a place where you can make a significant difference. A typical paint can create smog when sunlight hits it, so try a low VOC paint. The low VOC paints are readily available on the market nowadays.

There are several things you should think about when considering furniture for your baby�s room. Recycling is an excellent thing for the environment, and lots of parents want vintage furnishings for the baby�s room. First make certain you look into the safety of vintage pieces. Take a look at consumer web-sites for any recalls. Additionally, you will need to make certain that you remove all paint from the pieces. This is very important due to lead paint that had been banned in 1977. Even if the piece is more recent, you cannot be sure if some repainted it and with what sort of paint. You should be cautious of furniture produced from medium density fiberboard since it off-gasses formaldehyde that may cause asthma.

Among the best ways you can be a green parent would be to buy an organic baby's crib mattress. Organic items are made from toxin-free materials. A non-organic mattress comes from the manufacturing plant with a lot of chemicals. This is evident by the smell. Should you choose chose to go with a non-organic crib mattress, just be sure to give it time to air out somewhere it can get fresh air, however, not directly outdoors.

The great baby diaper discussion has been raging for many years. Disposable baby diapers fill the landfills, but fabric diapers need energy and water to wash. Well let us place the environment aside and take into consideration your baby�s bottom and skin. The cloth diaper is best for baby�s delicate skin. In addition disposable diapers do have off-gassing. One challenge with cloth diapers is that you have to empty the �mess� in to a commode before you launder them. This is where the hybrid diaper includes the best of all possible worlds. You can find cloth diapers with 100% biodegradable inserts that could be flushed or thrown away.

It is very important for you to keep your house clean for baby, however you'll want to stay away from cleaners with VOC. Use the smell test to see if you are using a cleaner containing VOC�s. If when you clean you can smell the chemicals, there is a good chance its content has VOC�s. You can buy environmentally friendly and healthier cleaners, or you may also use steam to clean.

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Benefits of Child Care Centers

by: Monica Blish


There are several reasons why taking your children to quality preschools in St. Petersburg can be a huge benefit. For one, it allows you to go to work and make money, while you are reassured that your kids are safe and being looked over. It gives you the peace of mind that you need to leave your children for a few hours. While some families have both of their parents working, preschools in St. Petersburg are a perfect option for them. Likewise, if you are a single parent, child care centers are a great alternative to hiring a babysitter. There are a lot of benefits to taking your children to preschools in St. Petersburg. It not only allows you to go to work and make money, but it also is beneficial to the overall development of your child. Think of all of the skills that your child can learn at child care centers. They are surrounded by other children their age for a few hours each day. This is important because it teaches them significant social and communication skills that will help their cognitive development and have a positive impact on them throughout their whole lives.

Several preschools in St. Petersburg specialize in using a national curriculum with age-appropriate learning modules. This means that when your children visit child care centers they are doing more than just playing with toys. Preschools in St. Petersburg should have an interactive, learning environment that is safe and appealing to children of all different ages. This will help ensure you that while your children are at the preschools in St. Petersburg they are actually learning something and getting a lot out of it. The various things that are taught at child care centers usually depend on what age the majority of the children are. For example, several preschools in St. Petersburg teach younger children age-appropriate task, the alphabet and older children are given time to complete all of their homework on a daily basis. This is a great way for parents to be ensured that their children are being successful in school and throughout their entire education.

You should make sure that everyone that works in the preschools in St. Petersburg is certified early childhood education. For example, the workers should know basic skills that could possibly help your children in emergency circumstances. They should be up to date on their first aid training, especially CPR. This is definitely something that you will want to look for before you take your children to any type of facility. You will want to make sure that everything looks safe prior to leaving your children. Also look for a preschool that is licensed.

You will also want to make sure that they facility that you leave your children with has a positive reputation among all community members. You can find these out about all preschools in St. Petersburg by looking at online forums and reading people's opinions. You can also learn a lot about a facility by asking your family and friends what they have heard. For example, you can learn a lot about someone through word of mouth. Make sure that you research the facility before leaving your children.

preschools St. Petersburg

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Best Advice For Breastfeeding in Public

by: Dawn Callery


The advice on breastfeeding seems to flow thick and fast. Please forgive the pun. Some advice is often quite prescriptive; particularly to new mothers in the beginning, from well intentioned and busy midwives. Often the best advice comes from other Mums who have been there recently and learnt from their experience. Forums such as �mumsnet� are often invaluable sources of frank and honest advice. If you read just some of the posts, the main thread of advice that comes through is; relax, take the prescriptive advice with a pinch of salt, let baby take the lead a bit and don�t get stress about it! After all, the alternative is far from the end of the world!

It is important to know that babies are individuals. They may have slightly different feeding patterns, or yours may have a bigger appetite than others! Newborns can cluster feed in the evenings. Feeding all night for the first few weeks doesn't mean they've got night and day mixed up and is actually not to bad a situation, because night is when levels of hormones are higher and it helps get breastfeeding established. Also, wear a sleeping bra, but make sure it isn't too tight or you could end up with mastitis.

One of the main initial problems women encounter when breastfeeding is �latching on�. There are many sources of advice on this, not least your midwife, and it is wise to establish that the baby is latched on properly and is getting milk before you leave the hospital. If you are unsure what you are doing is working, don�t be afraid to get a second opinion. Another great source of advice about latching on is on the Dr Jack Newman website.

Then comes the issue of feeding in public. After all, baby does not know when you are meeting a friend for coffee or sat in the doctor�s waiting room waiting for a check up. This can be another substantial source of anxiety and another reason why mums choose to stop early on.

This need not be the case though. It is virtually impossible to organize your life around feeding times and therefore it is best to be more relaxed about it and just be prepared. There are many products available that can assist mums (and their babies) to gain confidence in the early days of breastfeeding in public. The breastfeeding cover (or apron) is one such product. These covers can work well throughout your days of breastfeeding in public, particularly as baby gets older and is more prone to distraction. The breastfeeding cover / apron creates a nice cocooned environment for you both. This way, if you do feel a little self conscious when breastfeeding in public, you can cover up using an apron. Many mothers use cloths but this tends to not be as comfortable for the baby, and as a mother, you lose eye contact with the baby and can�t check as easily whether they are feeding well.

Advice comes from all directions when you are a new mum, and much of it seems contradictory. It can be a great strain when you are worried about doing the right thing. Probably the best advice is to listen but in the end, judge what seems to be right for your baby.

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The Importance of Play in a Child's Life

by: Harry Yadav


It�s true that education is like a building block for a child�s future. All parents dream for a better career for their child�s life. Everybody wants their child to be doctor, engineer and wants to see them in high posts. In this cut throat competition children get pressurize with their activities to the extent that they don�t get spare time for their own entertainment. Teachers also keep the child busy during the holidays by giving them assignments and homework. Earlier children used to play with their siblings. So, the children easily got a play environment at the home. However, now the time spent by children in playing was very less as compared to the past two decades. Parents should understand that play is an important activity and they should not deprive their child from this opportunity.

Group games allow children to learn the values of team spirit. It also teaches them to cooperate with other members of the team and develop self discipline. This also enables them to face negative situation in life and make them strong when they get defeated. Many studies have proved that children playing games which have lots of violence are likely to be more short tempered and aggressive.

It is the duty of the parents to find out whether the child knows the difference between fantasy and reality. When this problem is not uprooted in the initial stages then it can take very ugly turn in child�s life and they will start presuming that real life is also like the games which they play. It will have a negative impact on children mind because inappropriate games will impart wrong set of values in them. Through play children develop essential life skills; they also learn how to interact with their peers and adults. It is through play that children develop essential life skills; they learn how to interact with their peers and with adults.

There are certain benefits that child get after playing. These benefits are given below:

1. Reduces fear, anxiety, stress, irritability

2. Creates joy, intimacy, self-esteem and mastery not based on other's loss of esteem

3. Improves emotional flexibility and openness

4. Increases calmness, resilience and adaptability and ability to deal with surprise and change

5. Decreases tactile defensiveness

6. Healing process for hurts

7. Enhances feelings of acceptance of difference

8. Increases empathy, compassion, and sharing

9. Creates options and choices

10. Models relationships based on inclusion rather than exclusion

11. Alternative to aggressor-victim model of relationships

12. Decreases revenge and need for self defense

13. Improves touch and nonverbal socialization skills

14. Increases attention and attachment capacities

15. Positive emotions increase the efficiency of immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems

16. Decreases stress, fatigue, injury, and depression

17. Integrates sensor motor, kinesthetic and emotional responses

In conclusion every child should be allowed to play as they learn so many skills from playing, and from defeating. Play is essential for every child�s development as it make them well balanced grown up and prepare with all the essential life skills needed.

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