Research has shown that a young baby can start to distinguish between night and day from as young as two weeks with a little gentle guidance. Here are six simple strategies that work.
1 – During the day, get your baby outside as much as possible for a healthy dose of daylight. If he’s sleeping, the feel of fresh air on his skin will stimulate him. When indoors, keep the house bright and draw back the curtains. Turn the lights on if it’s winter. All of this will start to regulate his body clock.
2 – For the brief times that your baby is awake, offer him lots of cuddles, touch his skin and talk to him. This will be enough stimulation for him at such a young age.
3 – Teach your baby that night is different from day by feeding him in a dimly lit room using a nightlight. Keep your voice low and only change his nappy if it’s dirty or soaking. Where the day is light and bright, night time feeds should be dark and quiet.
4 – Introduce sleep cues through short routines so that your baby knows it’s time to sleep. In the early days, this won’t mean much to your baby. But after a few months, he will understand that you are following the ‘pre-sleep’ routine and this will help him to settle easily.
A simple pre-bedtime routine might be a bath or wash, a sleepsuit, sleeping bag, cuddle, feed and bed. For nap time, a little face wash, nappy change, sleeping bag and feed will let your baby know he’s going for a sleep.
5 – Sleep props help your baby know it’s sleep time. The sound of the sea or a heartbeat works because the rhythmical sound is familiar after the sound of the womb. Total silence can be alarming for babies.
Introduce a baby comforter toy or lovey from an early age by holding it between you when feeding. Later this will become an important sleep cue for your baby as he learns to self settle without your help. You shouldn’t leave your baby alone with the comforter until he is fully mobile and you’re sure it’s safe.
Interestingly, studies have shown that babies who sleep with loveys and comforter toys are able to self soothe much better than those who don’t.
Baby sleeping bags are useful as part of the bedtime routine and will also stop your baby waking with the cold at night.
6 – Give your baby a safe place to sleep. A first your baby will fall asleep whenever he’s tired, no matter where he is. But soon he will need a place to nap and sleep at night that is consistent and helps him to get the rest he needs.
But you should decide on where you want him to sleep at night and during the day as early as possible and start putting him down to sleep there so that it becomes a familiar, safe place for him. It doesn’t have to be every sleep time at first. But gradually get him used to falling asleep in the same place every night and nap time.
Setting up good habits from the start will be much easier now than later on.
Want to find out more about teaching your baby to sleep through the night, then visit Sleepytot.com for a free baby sleep guide to get your baby’s sleep on track today.
Posted on 29 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Disciplining your cute little preschooler is a tough job to do. It is really hard to get mad at somebody who still has a hard time tying his shoelace. While it is easy to accept things as they are, allowing your child to continue with his mischievous ways without consequence can be harmful. Below are a few helpful ideas to aid you in disciplining your little one.
1. Sometimes, even when you have repeatedly called his attention, he would refuse to budge from whatever he is currently doing. Once your child gets used to disregarding your warnings and reminders, it sends a clear message that she can “always let mommy’s warnings pass”. This often leads to defiance in the long run.n.
Parents should not raise their voices; instead gently tap the child to call his attention. If you need the child for an urgent matter, say he has to take his bath, prompt him to action by something like, “Okay, I’ll give you five more minutes to finish what you’re doing, and then we will take a bath”. Make sure that you establish eye contact for your child to know that you are serious and you his response.
2. Whining and talking back
Kids can have “attitude” too, and they would often let out a mouthful before they are even aware of what they are doing and saying. They can sometimes just tune out, whine, or keep talking back. Often, kids talk in the same manner they hear other people talk, and the greatest influence are usually the parents and the immediate family.
If you want to correct your child’s misbehavior, you would have to change your own “misbehavior” first. Tell your child that whining and talking back is disagreeable and improper, and you will not continue talking or listening to him if he will not speak to you nicely.
3. Butting in
Some children are naturally talkative. Oftentimes, they are just so excited to share their thoughts that they insist on getting their parent’s attention right away……even when the parent is in the middle of a conversation with another adult.
Patiently explain to your child why he has to wait for the adults to finish their conversation before you can talk to him. Be firm and tell him that he won’t get what he’s asking for if he keeps butting in and interrupting you.
4. Sibling rivalry
A simple activity like watching cartoons or playing together may end up in a throw-down when siblings start to argue and eventually fight. Before the arguments deepen, you as a parent should interfere and have them sit with you while you listen to them explaining what the fight is all about.
After listening to them, explain to them the proper way of dealing with these situations. Communication is the key. By having a child stop and try to express what she is feeling, you are helping him learn a different way of coping with the situation and dealing with his anger.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
categories: family,parenting,parent,babies,toddlers,children,learning
Posted on 25 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Dealing with a sick baby is often the most scary and stressful moment a parent can ever faced. If you could only take away the pain that your baby is experiencing, you will in no doubt do it; but we all know that a baby getting sick is unavoidable, and the least that we can do is to do everything within our capabilities to help make our babies feel better.
If your baby develops a fever, is not interested in feeding,is vomiting, has watery diarrhea, and develops a skin rash, the best thing to do is to contact your pediatrician. It is strongly advisable that you should be alert at all times for these symptoms because your baby is still not capable of speaking and muttering of what he is feeling; you should observe your baby at all times for any physical and behavioral changes. You should always be prepared in case of an emergency.
How to know if it’s a fever already?
A temperature of 37.5 degrees celcius is considered a slight fever, but body temperature typically varies during the day. It is usually lowest in the morning, and highest in the afternoon. Normal temperature also differ from one person to another. Babies usually have a higher normal temperature than adults.
Observe your baby’s temperature daily. If he has persistent high temperature, or if his temperature is erratic (rising and dropping for 3 consecutive days), you should consult your pediatrician because your baby has a fever.
How to safely treat a fever?
After consulting your pediatrician, there are some steps you can do to hep bring the fever down:
Medication: Follow promptly your pediatrician’s advice concerning fever medications. Do not alter or change it for it would result to prolonged infection.
Fluids: Make sure your baby gets enough water and fluids (milk) everyday. This will help prevent dehydration and cool the body.
Warm him up: Most of the times, babies with fever also get the chills. Use a baby blanket for warmth and hold your baby for extra warmth and comfort. Remember not to put your baby in the crib with a blanket, for it could lead to suffocation.
Cool off: Keep your baby at rest in loose, light cotton clothing, and give him a lukewarm sponge bath to help lower his body temperature.
It is always important to monitor your baby closely. Never disregard even a slight change in your baby. Whenever in doubt, it is always best to call your pediatrician immediately.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
Posted on 15 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Choosing your toddler food can be a frustrating but fun adventure. Deciding between which foods will taste good to him and are good for him can be a handful within itself. Also not knowing which foods he or she is allergic to can be scary for any parent. Most doctors will tell you to start off with vegetables like carrots and green peas. This will allow your child to get nutritional foods that might lack a little taste first before getting to the sweets of the world. Are you interested in learning what your little one has been eating?
In the beginning your child has a blank palette when it comes to taste. Like a well trained artist it is our job as parents to shape and mold our children’s taste buds. By providing them with a well balanced foundation of fruit and vegetables you are starting them on the right track to a long healthy life.
Keep in mind the foundation you are setting when choosing a food for your toddler. When you toddler is ready to make that transition from milk to toddler foods they start with a blank canvas. Much like a master painter we have to choose carefully which foods to put on that canvas to create a beautiful masterpiece of health.
Every parent learns that their child has his or her own special way of letting them know which foods they like and which foods they do not like to eat. When your child chooses the food it is time for you as the parent to choose the best brand.
Over time your child will tell you in their own little way what they like and don’t like. It is in every parent’s best interest to listen, but still make sure it is the best choice.
You also have options like whether to get one hundred percent all natural baby foods. Along with the other brands of food you are sure to find organic baby food in just about any flavor of food you like.
Whether organic or not, as long as your toddler food is chosen with love and concern your choice will be the right one. A child’s first foods are just his or her first step to a life full of good and bad choices of foods. Knowing this we as parents must put their feet on the right path to a healthy life.
Important changes take place around the time your child turns one year old, which is usually the turning point in the development of an infant to a toddler. Learn more about toddler food and raising toddlers at The Toddler Website.
Posted on 14 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Once you have kids, you’re not just a plain mommy, you also become a teacher, friend, chef, sports trainer, personal shopper, and stylist to your children; and thus the term “supermom”. Everybody, especially your children expects you to be all those things—-without any help or training. So below are a few hints to help you deal with the cutest of emergencies.
1. Potty emergency
When you’re out in the mall with your little one in tow, a potty emergency will surely be called. Nowadays, you are lucky that womens restrooms are equipped with diaper changing tables and kid-sized urinals. You wouldn’t get that exhausted when dealing with potty emergency.
You should always be prepared. Start training your little one to use the bathroom when the need arises, and not just to rely on diapers. You have to think fast and be innovative when the need arises. If you can, keep a handy “potty kit” at all times complete with baby wipes, baby towel, diapers, hand sanitizer or a small bottle of alcohol.
2. Shopping for inexpensive gifts
Be proactive and always be on the lookout for good finds. Stock up on affordable but cool toys, games, and tees. Buying up three pieces of one good item will save you significant time and money in the long run. You can also check out discount sections and wholesaler market. Price markdowns happen all-year round, so grab the chance to spot an affordable but cool baby gifts.
If you’re creative and chic, you can just buy raw materials and make something beautiful and personalized out of it. The recipient will surely enjoy and be pleased by the creativity of your gift. You can also visit your favorite bookstores and the arts and crafts sections of departments stores to hunt for painting kits, puzzles, and activity books.
3. Packing a baby bag
When you have your baby in tow when you go out, you have to expect the unexpected incidents, like accidental spit-ups and throw-ups, milk spills, and wet and soiled diapers; so you need all the basic necessities inside the baby bag. You have to anticipate all possible emergencies so you will know what you need to pack.
Among those baby essentials that should be inside your baby bag are the following: A pack of six to ten disposable diapers, two to three pieces of changing clothes, a changing mat, baby wipes, hand sanitizer gel to kkep your hands clean before and after a nappy change, feeding bottles, and bibs.
Also disposable plastic bags to seal in disposable diapers before throwing out. A baby bag also won’t be complete without a cute baby blanket to wrap your baby or to cover any surface where you need to put your baby down.
4. Breastfeeding in public
Before going out, you have to practice first in your home the position of your baby if you try to breastfeed him in public. Second, wear clothing that gives you “easy access” like a button down dress or blouse and a tie-strap top. Also a layered look will definitely be of great use for cover ups when breastfeeding.
Third, look around and try to find an area where it is not that crowded and too open or exposed to others. Fourth, have a wrap, shawl, or baby blanket and throw it around you to keep your breastfeeding private. Some malls today have nursing and breastfeeding rooms where you can use for added security.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
Posted on 14 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Role playing sparks childrens imagination, revealing new ideas about the world around them. when done in groups, it enhances social interaction and improves language skills. It’s also the perfect opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their kids and strengthen their bond. Try these simple simulation activities at the comfort of your home:
Play cafe’
Spice up snack time by playing cafe’! This can be done in the dining room or play area. Choose a theme, and prepare food to match the said theme. Bring out some cardboard, colored pencils, and scrapbook embellishments or magazine cut-outs, and help the kids create a menu book. Let them designate who will play which role: waiter, cashier, busboy, or entertainer. Kids love dressing up, so put together costumes that go with their roles. Put those creative juices to work and go DIY.
Stage a magic show
Instead of the usual weekend DVD marathon, why not put on a magic show in the living room? Help the kids prepare the stage by draping funky fabric over the coffee table. Bring out some glitter, glue, and an old illustration board; and make a sign announcing the event. Prop up the sign on a chair, draping a string of Christmas lights around it. Next, make a magician’s hat with cardboard and black poster paint. Don’t forget the white gloves and the magic wand! A lot of magical trick sets are available at any toy store nationwide for you to purchase and use in your own magic show.
Create your own artist’s studio
What better way to hone little Michaelangelo’s talent than to introduce a simple polymer clay sculpting project? Unlike any ordinary modeling clay, polymer clay hardens when baked in an oven, so it allows you to preserve your child’s masterpieces.
Aside from clays, you and your child can also do painting and drawing together. In this way, you can enhance your child’s quirky imagination and introduce him to the world of art.
Fun music studio
For children who have superb inclination to music, you can create a music studio for them. You can purchase different toy musical instruments at the toy store. You can transform their play area into a music room by decorating the walls with musical notes and fun musical drawings. You can also hang small styrofoam musical notes and pieces at the ceiling for an added attraction. Play musical instruments together with your children and sing to your heart’s content!
These are just a few helpful ideas that could help you bond with your children. Spending quality time with them is the most important aspect of smart parenting.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
Posted on 13 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Nothing compares to the happiness and joy that the parents feel with the arrival of their baby into their home. And because every nook and cranny in their house is a reflection of themselves,their moods and personality,the baby’s room should ultimately be an expression of the delight a child brings to them.
With this in mind, contemplating on the design and decoration of your baby’s room entails a lot of preparation and right choices. Below are some helpful tips to aid you in attaining a beautiful and safe baby room.
Baby-proofing the nursery room
The most important thing to consider first before decorating your baby’s room, is the safety and protection of your child in his own abode. Before anything else, you have to make sure to do a thorough safety check. Inspect furniture for any sharp edges, take away toys that your child can put in his mouth, and chuck linens that can potentially cause allergies and itching. Baby-proofing should always be a top priority in any space at home.
Remember too, that while you may want your infant to stay that way forever, kids do grow up at a rapid pace. Incorporating permanent fixtures in the room can easily become dull and tiresome. It is best to consider pieces and designs that can weather the growing up years without losing their appeal to your child’s eyes and taste.
Fun decor ideas
Having a nursery gives your baby her first experience at having her very own space, so you have to make sure you decorate his room with fun, attractive, and informative decors that would help in the shaping of his mind.
Don’t over-decorate your baby’s room, it would look stuffy and your baby may not feel very comfortable at all with the overwhelming decors around him. Use ordinary objects as decorating tools. Go for fun, flexible pieces you don’t have to commit to.
You should also invest in storage made for grown-ups for flexibility purposes that could be very beneficial to the both of you. Also, you need to stay low. Meaning, you should add a row of low shelves around your baby’s room to give him easy access to his things. Remember that your kid’s line of sight is much lower than yours. Thus, he has a different perspective of his space. Keep his toys and books on low storage units so they’re always within reach.
When it comes to bed, you don’t need to buy a child-sized bed when your little one graduates from using his crib. You can opt for an adult bed, as long as you install safety rails around its perimeter. It is a good long term investment that won’t have you buying new mattresses and sheets every few years.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
Posted on 11 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Having to deal with toddlers can sometimes be very scary especially when they start to be hyperactive. But having to deal with cuts, scratches, and bruises caused by their being active, can scare you to death. But you can’t possibly stop that from coming. Your child getting hurt is part of the process of his physical and mental development. And as parents, you need to be aware of the outcome of the said experiences, and should always be prepared to take immediate actions to lessen the pain your child is facing.
Here is a list of the most common wounds that kids sustain and the appropriate first-aid treatments parents must know:
Abrasion – This is a common playground accident for toddlers. This wound draws out a loud cry but is not much of a bleeder.
You should wash the affected area with soap and water. Put an antiseptic ointment on the abrasion. Cover it up with a sterile dressing or adhesive bandage to protect it from dirt that could lead to infection. Do not use alcohol on open wounds as that is too painful for a young child to endure.
Punctures, Cuts, Lacerations – These are commonly caused by accidents involving rough children play and running around on open spaces. Puncture culprits are common items found around the house such as a sharp pencil or a barbecue stick.
Before you inspect your child’s wound, be sure to clean your hands well. You don’t want to infect this open wound and aggravate it more. Wash the area clean with soap and warm water. For cut wounds that are bleeding, put pressure on the wound by gently pressing the cut with a clean cloth for 5-10 minutes.
Burns
Burns are often caused by a child’s mere curiosity. Kids dare themselves to try out such things like touching a lit candle, touching the cooking pan, and other hot objects, and thus, subject themselves to pain and injury.
When treating a burn, let cool (not cold) water or any drinkable liquid run on the burned area or apply cold compress. Check the condition of the burned area. If it appears to be that bad, rush your child to the nearest hospital for further treatment.
Remember, as parents, you have to be fully prepared of sudden accidents. You should have a first-aid kit in your house. Your first-aid kit should include the following: Sterile gauze, plaster, adhesive and elastic bandage, antiseptic wipes, bar of soap, antibiotic cream, antiseptic solution, tweezers and sharp scissors, safety pins, instant cold packs, calamine lotion, alcohol, and thermometer.
To finish, it is only natural for kids to be active—and get into accidents. In fact, indoor and outdoor activities can help boost kids physical health and self confidence. Thus, it is the parents’ duty to make sure that the house is kid-friendly. Always be attentive whenever kids are playing. Don’t let them out of your sight.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
categories: shopping,gifts,family,parenting,parent,babies,toddlers
Posted on 10 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
A few weeks after conception, your baby’s brain is already on its way to being developed. Several months before child birth, your baby’s brain could already do basic functions. Your role in enhancing your baby’s brain and developing it further starts as soon as child birth and continues throughout his life, or at least until he starts learning on his own.
According to Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory, there are about seven different types of intelligence – linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Some people can excel in all things involving math while others may have the gift of tongue. How we develop which intelligence would depend on how we were reared as a child.
Toys such as alphabet blocks and story books with large pictures can help your child develop his linguistic intelligence. For toddlers, you can give them toys that talk and say the alphabet and numbers out loud. Your child can them repeat after them. On the other hand, musical intelligence can be enhanced by crib mobiles that come with music as well as baby rattles. These toys give your baby a first-hand experience on how sound is produced. Your visual-spatial intelligence can be enhanced with the use of building blocks or clay. Older children can be given puzzles to solve. You might also want to try handing your child a few drawing tools which they could use to draw what’s on their mind. A trip to a nearby park can also enhance your child’s visual intelligence.
If you want to enhance your child’s logical-mathematical abilities, you might want to try giving him or her building blocks. Older children can be given construction sets as well as experiment sets. Rubik’s cube is another way by which you can enhance your child’s intelligence as well as toys that allow your child to mix and match. Computer games that feature cause-and-effect activities can also help enhance his or her way of thinking. A trip to the local museum can also help hone their intelligence. Children with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence can participate in physical activities such as running around, scavenger hunts, dancing, etc. For babies, activities could include walking around, crawling and dancing about. They could also be given construction sets, building blocks and even clay.
On the other hand, enhancing your child’s interpersonal skills would involve make-believe games. You can also allow them to act out characters from story books that you have read to them. On the other hand, puzzles and some quiet time for reflection, observation and analysis of things are just what your child needs in order to enhance his intrapersonal skills. Older children can be given puzzle books as well as brain teasers for them to work on. Your child’s brain can absorb thousands of information during the first three years of his or her life. Take advantage of this phase of his or her life by giving him or her toys that would help in the development of his or her brain. The more types of toys he or she is exposed to, the higher the chances of him developing his intelligence.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
Posted on 8 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.
Music stimulates children’s thinking skills, encourages creativity, and develops musical ability. Introduce music to babies by singing, humming, and chanting. It doesn’t matter if the songs are sung off-key; babies love hearing sounds, especially those made by their parents. They are also riveted by rattles and other noisemakers.
Toddlers can already clap and dance to music, so introduce them to nursery rhymes and songs they can dance to. This helps develop their motor and verbal skills.
Preschoolers love musical instruments like xylophones, drums, toy keyboards and guitars. Musical books and CD’s would also be greatly appreciated.
Experimenting with sounds stimulates a child’s brain. For example, parents can make a guitar out of rubber bands and a cereal box. Just stretch rubber bands of different thickness around the box and pluck to create sounds.
Musical toys, as we all know are very popular for the children. MUsical toys vary from those that produce soothing sounds to relax your baby’s mind, to noise-making variety that interests the child. These toys are also designed to fit in any age group.
In newborn babies, crib mobiles are a big hit because of the soothing sounds it create that help ease and relax the baby especially during sleeping time. These mobiles are also fun to look at because of the colorful figures attached to it.
Baby rattles are also perfect as musical toys because of the varied sounds it create whenever the baby take a grasp of it and start shaking it.
Musical toys are very important for the child’s development. These toys hone the child’s senses and ability to create and appreciate music in any form. These toys are specifically designed to entertain the child, at the same time educate him about music.
They are designed to entertain babies in musical ways that encourage speech development, motor and skills development, and deep appreciation to the music world. Learning music is very vital for the child’s proper growth development.
There are many ways to introduce music to your child. From toys, to musical CD’s, and just by simply singing to him a beautiful song, your baby can be exposed and learns to appreciate music in his life. With introducing and learning music, you are opening the world to him in new and exciting ways.
For the best unique baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.
Posted on 7 January '10, under Toddlers. No Comments.