Overcome Bed-Wetting Habbit

OVERCOMING bed-wetting habits in children is not easy. Cooperation is needed between parents, children, and doctors. In addition, the necessary wisdom, patience, and understanding parents.

So many complaints from parents who worry about their child's bedwetting habits. Moreover, children still bed-wetting after passing the age of 6-7 years. Certainly would be a big question for parent.

What is bed-wetting? And why it happened and how to train them to stop bedwetting?

Bedwetting in a medical term is enuresis, the urine out unconsciously in his sleep at the age where child should have been able to control the desire to urinate. Sometimes the definition of incontinence is also used to describe children who failed to control expenses in the urine when they are awake.

In fact, the teenagers and parents incontinence are also common. But for children, bedwetting is often a very embarrassing thing. As for parents, this can be a frustrating experience.

More than 50 million children worldwide aged 5-15 years were still bedwetting. One in four children still bedwetting when they were 3.5 years of age. Meanwhile, at the age of five years, one in five children still bedwetting and at the age of six years of falling into one of 10 children. Usually enuresis will stop when the child reaches the age of puberty. The boy get more bedwetting than girls.

"This is a hidden problem of childhood because people tend to not talk about it outside the house, so most kids think they are the only one with problems," said pediatrician from Washington DC, United States and author of "Waking Up Dry" Dr. Howard Bennett.

In fact, state of stress can also trigger secondary bedwetting. It was formerly regarded as bedwetting habits psychological problems. However, now known that biological factors play a role bigger. Can be ascertained also, it is declining in the family.

More than 75 percent of children who have parents with bedwetting problems, also will have the same problem.

"The story about these genetic problems to the child will make her better," advises Bennett.

Bed-wetting can also be a symptom of a serious illness such as diabetes or urinary tract infection, especially when there is a child who had never wet the bed. Bed-wetting is not a child's mistakes. Unfortunately, some parents still think that the bed-wetting comes from a lack of discipline, and can be cured by punishment.

What to do if the child bed-wetting, do not show resentment, anger, or even panic.

Discuss with the kids. There are many cases where children stop bed-wetting after talk of caution. Give support to children, this is the most important actions.

Never embarrass a child or other children to compare with, even if the child had not bed-wetting give him gifts of praise about his success in front of many people, so he's more motivated.

Ask your child to change the bed linens and clothes at night, when the child is already able to do it. Then, install an alarm clock that will ring 2-3 hours after the child was asleep, so he can wake up to go to the bathroom.If necessary, buy an anti bed-wetting alarm suitable for children aged five years and over.

This alarm has a moisture sensor which worn directly on the underwear. In the first drops, a buzzer buzzing, wake the child. Gradually the child learns to wake up when they feel the urge to urinate.

Which should also be noted by parents is, incontinence can be cured himself. A bed-wetting child requires patience, passion, and confidence of parents that the problem is only temporary. Usually between 7-12 years of age often cure, and only few children who continue to experience it through adolescence.

One thing interesting, breastfeeding (breast milk) can prevent ongoing incontinence in children. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics states that babies are not breastfed are more likely to bed-wetting than breast-fed babies.In addition to preventing incontinence, breast milk is also known to work to reduce the risk of diarrhea, respiratory infections, ear infections and other infections that occur in infants.

Infant Brain Stimulation

Baby's brain is not a miniature adult brains. He still will be a large and growing from the original immature brain to mature. During the brain develops rapidly in the first years of a child's life, this is the most appropriate time to stimulating.

How effective way to stimulate the baby? Here is tip for you:

Breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby. Give breast milk until at least age 6 months. Do not forget to do immunizations.

The simplest stimulation but most useful for brain stimulation is love and warmth. This can be done by hugging and touching. Sing or talk to your baby while bathing him, put clothes, feeding, playing, and when driving.

Understand the psychological condition. Recognize when he is sad and happy. When he was sad and angry try to please him. Babies usually do not like to be disappointed.

Recommend colored objects in various shapes, sizes, types and textures of things different. Let him feel and play with the object. Also show him family photos and books for children.

Even though your child is not understood, but get used to reading stories to him. Select a picture-book colors. In addition to listening, little can also see the pictures.

How To Treat Baby's Diarrhea

If you see these signs in your baby, you must treat her by giving as much fluid as you can. You can give either breast milk or formula (if your baby is not more than 6 months old). Water and soup are other alternatives for older babies.

There are also special fluids designed to replace water and salts lost during your baby's diarrhea. According to American Academy of Pediatrics, these fluids are very useful in home management of mild to fairly severe illnesses.

However, you should not prepare these fluids by yourself because you may make bad liquids for you baby, which of course can worsen her condition. You can easily get the fluids in nearby pharmacies.

When should you take your baby to a doctor?

You should take her see a doctor if these conditions below occur:

- You find blood in your baby's feces. This can be a sign of bacterial infection.

- There are changes in your baby's behavior, like she cries most of the time and you can't calm her down or she refuses to eat and drink.

- Your baby has a high fever, which is above 39°C.

Nonetheless, no need to be worried if:

- your baby acts normally as usual.

- your baby has no fever.

- your baby still wants to eat.

Generally, diarrhea recovers by itself without medicine. You just need to be patient and not to worry too much. Always observe your baby's condition and examine whether her feces get solid or not and whether there's blood in them.

The key is to keep give her as much fluid as you can. If she refuses, try to give the drink in small amount but do it frequently. By Adwina Jackson

5 Tips On Looking After Newborn Babies

Caring for your baby is certainly one of the most important things you need to consider once you became a new parent. There are many things you need to take into account in order to make sure that your baby gets all the attention.

1. Make sure that you feed your baby right. Deciding on whether you should breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby greatly depends on your personal decision and what your physician recommends. However, it has been shown that breastfeeding is still the best way to nourish newborn babies. Lots of benefits can be obtained through breastfeeding. Some medical studies have determined that breastfed infants have less hypersensitivity later in life compared with those who were raised with bottle feeding. This is mainly because the mother’s milk is known to contain natural enzymes and antibodies that can help fortify the baby’s immunity against infirmities. Aside from this, some doctors also believed that breast milk is responsible for superior intellect as he/she grows and becomes fully developed.

2. Practical sleep aid tips for infants. Sleep is crucial for babies because it has a direct effect on the child’s mental and physical growth. Newborn babies sleep for up to 17 and 18 hours a day. Parents should understand that babies sleep cycle could be pretty erratic. You may notice for a few weeks, your baby’s sleep may only last from approximately 30 minutes to 3 hours, and this can vary throughout a 24 period. But by the sixth week, you should see some signs of improvement as your baby’s sleep pattern becomes more structured. Newborns show signs of sleepiness by crying or rubbing their eyes. Newborns should be put down to sleep as soon as they feel sleepy. If you are not getting much sleep at night it may be a good idea to sleep when your baby does during the day if possible.

3. The proper way of bathing your newborn. Newborn babies need not be bathed on a daily basis. Bathing them two to three times a week is enough. Bathe your baby using sponge baths. This is imperative at first. Tub bathing your baby can only be done once the baby’s umbilical cord falls off to avoid infection.

4. Maintaining your baby’s optimal skin care. Newborn babies have smooth and delicate skin. For this reason, it is necessary that you use products that are especially made for babies. But before buying any baby product, it is best to consult your pediatrician. Most babies develop rashes from time to time and this is perfectly normal. However, if your baby seems irritated by a rash or has a fever, you should immediately seek advice from your baby’s doctor.

5. When to give the baby medicine. Like anyone else, newborn babies sometimes have special needs that require attention. When giving your baby medicine, it is important that you follow the advice of your baby’s physician. You need to know how to give the right dose prescribed by the doctor. It can sometimes be advised to start the baby with a small dose to ensure there is no adverse reaction to the medication.

The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and is not meant in any way to replace advice given by healthcare professionals. By Alison Palmer

Your Baby's Crying - What To Do

A baby is only a way of communicating - crying. Everything is very new for them, every feeling, every experience. Sometimes, for a new parent, it can be very difficult to work exactly what your baby is crying about. However, there are some basics that you can check if your baby cries. May it be one or more of them the baby crying.

The best place to start is the layer. If it is wet or dirty, then the baby will be uncomfortable and start crying. If the layers to change, then change it. In most cases, that will solve the problem. Some babies do not have changed their diapers, and often even cry. Mainly it is because they do not like the feeling of being discovered. Thus, the diaper change as quickly and smoothly as possible, to minimize distress. Then cover the baby with a blanket or clothing, so that the baby feels comfortable again.

Babies also be hot. However, it is also possible to overdress a baby, so reasonable about this. When verifying the child, the search for very red skin, to see if the baby is sweating. Each of these signs suggest that the baby is almost certainly too hot. A good rule to dress your baby is one layer more than you wear. If the baby is too hot or cold, then adjust clothing and blankets as a function of temperature.

Then, your child is hungry? Is it that since the last food? What the baby may feed a little less than normal at the last feeding, and thus perhaps hunger fast this time? Try nursing or offering a bottle. Babies need to eat often because they are increasingly so quickly. Often, the action of sucking helps to soothe the baby, even if they are not very hungry. Babies are very good to know when they are tired, and stops. So do not worry too much boost. The baby stopped crying once he was not hungry any more.

After feeding, many babies develop gas. The digestive system of the baby is just developing, and eating is a whole new experience. Sometimes crying means the baby has gas rumbling around in the belly and needs to be burped. Place a cloth over your shoulder and keep the baby against your shoulder so that his stomach is against the front of your shoulder. Make sure the head is forward, or support the head if you can. Rub his back firmly in a circular motion. This puts pressure on the digestive system front and rear, and often rot. Some tapping May also help, but be very careful if you decide to do this - babies are very delicate.

May you find that just taking a walk with the baby on the shoulder of your help. Babies seem to like movement, probably because they are used to being bounced around the uterus. But, who is standing next to a parent is very soothing to a baby. Babies enjoy being held and cuddled - despite some suggestions to the contrary, you can not hold your baby too.

Some babies also, it is very soothing to be swaddled in a small blanket. Langes in total around the baby quite well. The arms are close to the child. In some ways, this feels a bit like the womb to the baby because they were included there too. Sometimes the sudden experience of being able to move around can distress a child. Your healthcare professional should be able to teach children effectively Swaddle. It is important to ensure, however, that the head and neck remain uncovered.

Once you have gone through the list above - check the layers, check the temperature of the baby, try a food or a rot, Swaddle and baby - and the baby still cries, trying to keep the baby nearby and a rhythmic "Shhhh" sound near the baby's ear. If it sounds a bit like a wave on the beach, great. This is the kind of sounds heard the baby in the womb, and it is often very reassuring and soothing. Some babies are very sensitive to noise, and the average home produces a lot of noise! You can even try listening to the radio station, so you can hear is "white noise".

Over time, you find that you begin to recognize the difference between your baby cries, and probably not need to go right through the checklist every time baby cries. However, if at any time you think your baby is sick or in pain in May, or if he is still crying even after checking all these things, it is always best to consult your health care professional just to make sure everything goes well.

Babies And Napping

Naptime is a blessing for you and your baby. Here are some tips on how to make this important time as beneficial as possible for you both.

Why Should Babies Nap?

Naps are not just important for their restorative value, although that is their most obvious benefit. Children’s sleep expert Elizabeth Pantley describes some of the other advantages to napping:

• Adequate sleep is important in brain development. Some research has shown that daytime napping may help move new information into a more permanent place in a child’s memory.

• Napping can affect nighttime sleep. A child who needs a nap but does not get one can become overtired and have trouble falling asleep at night.

• Studies have shown that children who nap have longer attention spans and are less fussy than those who do not nap.

• A child’s biology dictates that a nap is necessary after midday, when energy levels tend to drop. (Adults feel the same way, but sleep is not usually an option for them.)

• Sleep releases stress-fighting hormones.

• Napping can help a child catch up on sleep if their previous night’s sleep was disrupted.

When Should Babies Nap?

The answer to this question varies according to the age of the baby. Newborns, easily overwhelmed by their new surroundings, tend to nap frequently. They often have catnaps throughout the day, with a couple of longer naps in the morning and afternoon. Between three and six months, babies settle into a routine of morning and afternoon naps. This age presents the ideal opportunity for you to establish a nap routine that works with your baby’s biological signals for rest.

Young babies between the ages of three and six months generally have one morning nap of about an hour, and one afternoon nap of slightly longer duration, usually closer to two hours in length. Some babies are more comfortable with three shorter naps of about 45 minutes each. The number of naps is not as important as the total amount of sleep and the general disposition of your baby: if Baby is cranky, chances are she is not getting enough sleep.

Morning and afternoon naps continue throughout the first year. Between one and two years of age, most children can go without a morning nap, but still need an afternoon nap. The afternoon nap typically continues until about the age of four.

As for the exact time a baby should nap, that is mostly Baby’s decision. Some sleep experts advise that when trying to establish a nap schedule, you plan to put Baby down about two hours after she wakes in the morning and again after a midday meal. Babies who require a third nap usually take it in the early evening.

Most babies indicate they are ready for a nap through a variety of signals, discussed later in this article. If you try to put a baby down when he is not tired, chances are pretty slim that he’ll fall asleep. Heed Baby’s signs and try to work with his natural sleep cycles and you’ll find a good basis for a nap routine.

How Long Should Naps Be?

Sleep is a critical component of babies’ mental and physical development so it is important that they get enough of it. Babies will usually become tired on their own and will sleep when they need to, but some parents like to create a schedule. Do what works best for you – let Baby dictate sleep time or set a schedule. The key is to make sure that your baby gets the sleep she needs.

The amount of naptime required decreases as a baby gets older. At four months, a baby needs about 4 to 6 hours of naptime. At six months, babies tend to nap a little less, needing about 3 to 4 hours. By his first birthday, Baby needs about 2 to 3 hours of naptime and he may get it from one nap or two. Once she is into her toddler years, your little one will need only one nap of about 1 to 2 hours.

Sleep Signs – Knowing When Baby is Ready for a Nap

Learning your baby’s sleep signs is extremely important. If you do not recognize them or choose to ignore them, the “sleep window” will close and you’ll end up with a cranky, overtired baby who cannot fall asleep.

Signs to look for include:

• rubbing eyes
• yawning
• slowing down and quieting down
• fussiness
• thumb sucking or reaching for a pacifier or sleep toy
• wanting to nurse or have a bottle

In an ideal world, when Baby is ready to sleep, you would be able to put her down and let her fall asleep. For some parents, this does actually happen. For the unlucky ones it does not. Depending on the sleep habits of your baby, you may want to establish a nap routine that resembles, but is not exactly the same as, your nighttime routine. You might read a short book, play some soft music, or rock the baby to sleep. If your baby seems ready to drop as soon as his head hits the mattress, skip the routine and just put him down. You might be pleasantly surprised by his ability to drift off by himself.

When Baby Won’t Nap

There are a variety of reasons why a baby won’t nap. If a baby is rested and getting up earlier than you prefer, there is little you can do. If you feel that your baby is not getting the rest she needs, you may need to change your routine.

Often, resistance to naps comes when babies are overtired. Make sure to heed your baby’s sleep signs, as discussed above, and get her to bed when she is starting to act tired.

If your baby wakes early and is in need of more rest, try getting him to go back to sleep. Depending on your philosophy about babies and sleep, you can rock him or just gently pat him on the back and let him fall back to sleep on his own.

Make sure Baby’s sleep environment is conducive to sleep. A dark and slightly cool room is best.

Older babies may be waking early simply because they do not need as many naps as you are giving them. Try dropping a nap and see if that helps.

Five Benefits Educational Toys Can Give Your Toddler

The first five years of your child is critical. This is what experts consider as his formative years. This is why it is crucial that parents pay attention to the needs of their children during these years. At this point, the child acquires basic understanding about things. He learns by what he sees and what he is taught. At this stage, the child welcomes almost everything. He is receptive of love, teachings, and trainings. How a parent deals with his child at this stage will greatly influence his child in his future endeavors.

One of the best ways to help develop the full potential of a child at this point is with the help of toddler educational toys. Here are the different benefits that children can get from these toys:

1. They help your child have fun. Although they are learning toys, your kids can still have fun with them, which is the best part. Although you want them to learn, you can be sure that these tools will not bore them because they will surely find tons of things to do with their toys.

2. These toys can improve the creativity of your child. The toys will have your kids imagining about different things especially if you have assisted him in playing. Children love to play with their imagination and this helps develop their creativity. This will greatly help them since creativity is very important trait of successful people. Giving your children the support and the instrument they need, will surely help develop their creativity to the fullest.

3. Certain toys will enhance your child's problem solving ability. There are toys that train your child to think and analyze. Among them are puzzle toys. This will help train your child to be patient and use his analytical skills to solve the puzzle. Puzzle toys are not limited to jigsaws. There are bricks, mats, and other toys that require the child to connect the dots.

4. You can use the toys as tools to teach your child. Aside from playing by himself, your child learns best with you around. You can use the toddler educational toys as instruments to communicate with him. You can assist him in his make believe games and teach him relevant ideas in the process. If he imagines that he is in a wonderland, you can help him arrange his play room. His green chair can be the grass or tree because leaves and grasses have green colors. His blue toy map can be the sky and his white bear can be the clouds. This way, you can help enhance his imagination and creativity while teaching him about colors.

5. You will get to know your child better through toys. You will learn his interest by observing the kind of games he wants to play. You will find out his favorite colors by the toys he picks. You will also learn if he needs help in certain fields like analyzing stuff because he cannot finish a puzzle that most kids his age would easily do.

These toys are indeed beneficial for the well being of your kids. However, they can never be substitute for your presence and assistance.

Baby Beach Gear - 6 Tips For Baby Beach Fun

With the proper baby beach gear and a bit of planning, having a baby doesn't have to mean giving up your coveted trips to the beach. By following these six tips, you and your baby will be enjoying the sun and surf in no time.

1. Make sure you take a proper stroller. With it, you can easily bring everything you need for the afternoon. Without it, you will be taxing both your spirit and your back to haul everything plus the baby across the sand and back again. A jogging stroller, with its convenient basket, works really well for carrying your baby's beach gear..

2. Pack one beach bag with your belongings such as sunscreen, towel, your book, and reading glasses. Pack a separate bag for the baby's belongings with diapers, wipes, SPF 50 sunscreen, sunhat, change of clothes, and a few sand toys. Keeping the baby's beach gear separate from your own makes it so much easier to locate things when you need them.

3. Pack a soft-sided cooler with snacks, water and the baby's formula. A hungry baby is not a happy baby and if you try to "get by" while at the beach, you will regret it.

4. Skip the beach towel and instead, pack a beach blanket or mat that is large enough to keep your baby comfortable on the sand.

5. Bring along a beach chair for yourself. It will be easy to transport if you slide it over the handle bar of the stroller.

6. Consider a large beach umbrella with an SPF of 50. But even with the added sun protection of an umbrella, you should still slather yourself and the baby with sunscreen.

You should have no trouble packing your jogging stroller with all of these items plus the baby. If your portable beach umbrella comes with a carry case, just sling it over your shoulder. And when you reach the beach, don't forget it's easier to pull the stroller backwards through the sand than to try and push it.

Enjoy your trip to the beach!

How to Sooth a Crying Baby

It may set your teeth on edge, break your heart, or scare you. But crying is something that every baby does. Crying is ment to get your attention and move you to action. So what actions should you take? What does this little person want?

Start with the basics. Is the baby hungry? Does he have a dirty diaper? Meet these needs and all will be well again. But what if those aren't the problems?

Try swaddling the baby. Babies miss the comfort of the womb. Also newborns do not have good control of their arms and legs. They jump out and startle the baby. Being swaddled in a light blankets is often just the trick to sooth an unhappy baby. They feel secure and thus happy.

Is it too quiet? Many people think that newborns and babies need absolute quiet. But the opposite is in fact true. Newborns miss the rhythmic sounds of their mother's body. Try putting on some white noise, nature music, or soft instrumental music.

Perhaps all she wants is you. This is where a comfortable, supportive baby carrier comes in handy. Put your baby inside and go about your day with your arms free. Baby is where they want to be and you are free to get things done.

Babies cry and many times we don't know why. Sometimes no amount of soothing will help immediately. They just need to say their peace. If you need a break, place baby in his crib and give yourself a time out. Remember this too shall pass.

Travelling Around When Pregnant

Just because you find out you are pregnant, doesn't mean you have to stay indoors for the whole nine months. If you have travel plans you shouldn't have to cancel everything to prepare for your pregnancy. If you are looking forward to a long journey try to reschedule it to within your second trimester. During your first trimester you may experience some upsetting morning sickness which can cause problems during long trips. During your third trimester there is the risk of labor so if you have to travel around this time you need to ensure you will be within a reasonable distance from medical services.

Wherever it is you are traveling you need to ensure that should the worst happen, you are prepared for it. Follow these quick and easy steps to journey preparation whilst pregnant and you'll make sure your holiday is as safe and risk free as possible.

1. Research the medical services available at your destination. If flying abroad, make sure your doctor refers you to an appropriate medical professional at your destination.

2. Always take your prenatal chart with you where ever you go. This contains all your pertinent medical data.

3. Make sure you have the right type of medical/travel insurance. Not every standard policy covers pregnancy and may exclude some world locations so make sure you get the policy you need. This may mean having to pay out extra on premiums.

4. If travelling by plane call up the airlines you will be using and find out what their pregnancy regulations are. Different airlines have different rules about admitting pregnant women including how many weeks on you can be before they refuse boarding.

5. If you have to travel by plane during the first trimester, book a seat towards the middle of the plane over the wing. This area of the plane has the smoothest ride so will reduce your need to reach for a sick bag during the journey.

6. Talk to your doctor before making any travel plans that take you out of the country or that involve a long, journey duration. This includes both car and plane travel and is especially important if you are experiencing any pregnancy complications or have a history of DVT.

7. Ask your doctor for a letter if you plan to fly. When the airline sees that you are pregnant they will request a letter stating your due date from your doctor and that you are fit and healthy to travel.

8. Don't eat a large heavy or greasy meal before you travel. Stick to light snacks like crackers or apples that will help to settle your stomach and eat small meals. This will help prevent and reduce morning sickness and travel sickness during your journey.

It is important to talk to your doctor in detail about all your travel plans whilst pregnant. Your doctor will need to know what is happening and when, as well as possible risks to you and your unborn baby.

Getting Ready For Baby

Getting ready for first time parents is both exhilarating and horrendously scary. You have nine months of preparation, and of course you will hear all the horror stories of what to expect, but probably the most common thing you here during this period is that "You can't explain it really you just have to experience it".

This is in fact true. You can read and research all you want, but you will never really know what to expect until you go through it yourself. Sure researching the topic is advisable and helpful, but nothing will provide you what real world experience will.

This is never more true than with having a child. Sure you know to expect the sleepless nights and the feedings, and the changing of the diapers, but none of this will let you know how it feels to have to rock a crying baby to sleep while running on three hours of your own.

The biggest thing to preparing for having a child is to get yourself ready for the mental aspect of being a parent. For years you have had nothing more to look after but numero uno. Now you will become second fiddle to the new little one in your life. This will bring some of the happiest moments of your life, but you should also expect and know that with great pleasures also come great heartaches.

It's hard to adjust and being resentful of parenting at times is completely normal. You will find though after time that it will all become second nature, and that most of your fears are unfounded. Remember being a parent does not come with an instruction manual, but with the right mental state you will be able to face all of parenting s toughest challenges.

The easiest way to get prepared is to realize that you really can not be prepared. Once you have this mental aspect understood you will find that parenting is really about rolling with the punches.

Baby and toys

Babies when growing up likes to play with toys. Most of us think that baby

needs toys..Nothing wrong - yes babies need toys. But what are the toys that

they actually love to play with for a long time without getting bored ?

They like to play with real ,,living'' toys. The real living toys are their

parents - father and mother.

Same with our baby too..She loves to play with her father and mother for

hours and hours without getting bored. She doesn't like any plastic toys and

wollen toys. She likes to play by sitting on top of her father's

stomach.Climbing on her fathers back and falling down from his body and

laughing !

For example - First, she wants her father to lay down. She then climbs up

from the side on to the back - walk till the head and comes down till the hip

and again comes back till the head and peeps me from side and gives a big

smile. My arms, legs, eyes, ears, head all are her toys. Same with her mother

too. She wants both mother and father to be together always.. She gives

gentle kisses on the back,on to the face, on to the stomach - endlessely

without being asked.She loves to eat the same food that their parents eat.

The way we feed her with our hands, she also feeds us with her hands while she

is eating. She is a sunshine in our hearts and lights us up with her smiles

and with the purity of her love.

Things to Consider Before Hiring a Teenage Nanny to Watch Your Toddler

Babysitting or nanny services are typically provided by teenagers looking to earn extra spending money. It is common practice for most parents to hire the services of a high school or college student to watch over younger children. School-age kids may be easier for a teenager to manage but there is a lot of debate on whether or not it is proper to get a teenage nanny to look after a toddler.

The upside and the downside of a teenage nanny

On one hand, a teenage babysitter is great because she can keep up with the energy of an overactive child. Teenage nannies are energetic and fun because of their youth. They also charge cheaper compared with older nannies.

On the other hand, teenagers may not have sufficient experience in handling toddlers. Two- to three-year old kids have different needs and handling them is quite different. An inexperienced teenager may not be able to attend to the needs of a toddler. But this doesn’t mean that teenagers, in general, do not make for suitable nannies for younger children. If you’re looking to hire a teenage nanny to watch your toddler, here are some things you might want to consider.

Extensive experience

It would help if you hire a teenage nanny with sufficient experience. Teenagers who have younger siblings are more likely to come with decent childcare skills. Ask your candidate if she has younger siblings or relatives that she babysits. It’s also important to consider hiring somebody who has completed babysitter training or somebody who knows first aid and CPR. Red Cross babysitting courses are regularly offered to teenagers so it would also be a good idea to consider candidates with such certifications.

If the teenager has already babysat for other families, you may want to ask for references and contact the other parents. This is a good way to determine just how capable the candidate is.

Your children

If you have another child aside from your toddler, hiring a teenage nanny may not be a good idea. School-aged kids are already a handful and combining one with a toddler may be more than what the teenager can handle. However, if you only have a toddler who needs to be looked after, an experienced and trained teenage nanny should suffice provided that she is mature enough to care for the child.

Location

Some parents do not mind having a teenage nanny watch over their toddlers particularly if she lives nearby. If your potential babysitter just lives a few blocks away and she can easily call someone like her mother or another adult for help in case of emergencies, she would still be a suitable candidate for the job.

Interviewing the candidate

The interview is crucial to your decision to hire a teenage nanny for your toddler. This is where you will be able to determine if the applicant is mature enough to handle a child as young as yours. How she answers your questions would be indicative of her competence.
By Doreen Lee

Tips On Buying Products For A New Born Baby

We all want the best for our babies, and if you are having your first child, you will probably be even more prone to buying the most expensive items, which you may never use. A classic example of this is a special airlock diaper bin you can buy for around $100/£50. At first glance this may seem like an essential purchase when in fact, for a mere 16 cents/32p, you can buy a pack of 100 diaper bags which can then be easily disposed of.

Another consideration is when you are buying essentials like diapers, tissues and the like, do you go for the cheaper products or is that false economy. Well, as for tissues, we can tell you that if you are using them for wiping/drying after changing the baby, it's better to use the cheap supermarket tissues as they are tougher and less likely to tear if wet. The more expensive tissues are softer and more suitable for wiping the nose.

Concerning diapers, it's a bit more complicated. Yes, the cheaper ones will ultimately do the same job, but because the system for keeping the wetness away from the baby's skin isn't as good, you may find the baby will be more prone to rashes, which means using more cream…and spending more money. Another problem is the cheaper diapers can leak during the night which will result in more sleepless nights. In our opinion, if you can afford it, go for one of the leading brands.

Another example where you may want to avoid the cheapest route is bottle sterilizers. At first we used a container where you soaked the bottles in a solution of water and purifying tablets. We found that it could cause the bottles to smell like chlorine and also, after a while, it could affect your hands and make them dry, even bleed. Using a steamer type sterilizer was quicker, easier and kinder to your hands. It does cost a bit more but you will be using it every day for months and months to come.

Talking of essentials, the kind of items mentioned above would be ideal gifts to give at a baby shower (a party where gifts are given to a parent or baby). Sometimes people spend lots of money on elaborate gifts which may never get used.

If you know anybody who has recently had a child then it is really worth asking about their experiences with various products, your parents may also be a good source of information. You will find that you may get many different options, they may not all be right for you, including some of them in this article but you will at least have a range of options and you can make the decision you feel is best for you and your baby.

4 Things to Do While Baby Sleeps

Ah, bliss. The baby's down for the night. To make the most of your precious time, try these tips from mom and life coach Carley Knobloch:

Set a timer. You open your laptop to return an e-mail but an hour later all you've done is web-surf. Instead, earmark the first 20 minutes for your "musts" (reply to your mom, order diapers), then search for the best sandal bargain.
Break a big job down. Whether it's filing recipes into a binder, arranging photos into an album, or working on a craft project, devoting even a few minutes to an ongoing task will give you a feeling of accomplishment toward something that's just for you.
List it. You'll sleep better if you get what's on your mind -- groceries, work, or baby to-dos -- down on paper.
Be calm. Before you hit the sack, sip herbal tea, stretch, try an aroma­therapy cream. Life is stimulating; you deserve a Zen moment.
Final note: No dishes or toy pickup! Do that while your baby is awake (not every hour together has to be quality time) or delegate to your partner.

Your Baby's Crying - What To Do

A baby is only a way of communicating - crying. Everything is very new for them, every feeling, every experience. Sometimes, for a new parent, it can be very difficult to work exactly what your baby is crying about. However, there are some basics that you can check if your baby cries. May it be one or more of them the baby crying.

The best place to start is the layer. If it is wet or dirty, then the baby will be uncomfortable and start crying. If the layers to change, then change it. In most cases, that will solve the problem. Some babies do not have changed their diapers, and often even cry. Mainly it is because they do not like the feeling of being discovered. Thus, the diaper change as quickly and smoothly as possible, to minimize distress. Then cover the baby with a blanket or clothing, so that the baby feels comfortable again.

Babies also be hot. However, it is also possible to overdress a baby, so reasonable about this. When verifying the child, the search for very red skin, to see if the baby is sweating. Each of these signs suggest that the baby is almost certainly too hot. A good rule to dress your baby is one layer more than you wear. If the baby is too hot or cold, then adjust clothing and blankets as a function of temperature.

Then, your child is hungry? Is it that since the last food? What the baby may feed a little less than normal at the last feeding, and thus perhaps hunger fast this time? Try nursing or offering a bottle. Babies need to eat often because they are increasingly so quickly. Often, the action of sucking helps to soothe the baby, even if they are not very hungry. Babies are very good to know when they are tired, and stops. So do not worry too much boost. The baby stopped crying once he was not hungry any more.

After feeding, many babies develop gas. The digestive system of the baby is just developing, and eating is a whole new experience. Sometimes crying means the baby has gas rumbling around in the belly and needs to be burped. Place a cloth over your shoulder and keep the baby against your shoulder so that his stomach is against the front of your shoulder. Make sure the head is forward, or support the head if you can. Rub his back firmly in a circular motion. This puts pressure on the digestive system front and rear, and often rot. Some tapping May also help, but be very careful if you decide to do this - babies are very delicate.

May you find that just taking a walk with the baby on the shoulder of your help. Babies seem to like movement, probably because they are used to being bounced around the uterus. But, who is standing next to a parent is very soothing to a baby. Babies enjoy being held and cuddled - despite some suggestions to the contrary, you can not hold your baby too.

Some babies also, it is very soothing to be swaddled in a small blanket. Langes in total around the baby quite well. The arms are close to the child. In some ways, this feels a bit like the womb to the baby because they were included there too. Sometimes the sudden experience of being able to move around can distress a child. Your healthcare professional should be able to teach children effectively Swaddle. It is important to ensure, however, that the head and neck remain uncovered.

Once you have gone through the list above - check the layers, check the temperature of the baby, try a food or a rot, Swaddle and baby - and the baby still cries, trying to keep the baby nearby and a rhythmic "Shhhh" sound near the baby's ear. If it sounds a bit like a wave on the beach, great. This is the kind of sounds heard the baby in the womb, and it is often very reassuring and soothing. Some babies are very sensitive to noise, and the average home produces a lot of noise! You can even try listening to the radio station, so you can hear is "white noise".

Over time, you find that you begin to recognize the difference between your baby cries, and probably not need to go right through the checklist every time baby cries. However, if at any time you think your baby is sick or in pain in May, or if he is still crying even after checking all these things, it is always best to consult your health care professional just to make sure everything goes well.
By Baby Care

How Much Formula Does My Baby Need?

Sometimes getting an idea of how much formula your baby needs can be a little confusing. It is always best to tune into your baby's hunger cues. The problem may be that sometimes he might send you mixed signals, and you find you need a little more guidance on the matter. You can use a simple mathematical equation to get a rough estimate of how many ounces of formula your baby needs each day.

Infant Formula Calculation

To determine your baby's daily formula intake range, multiply your baby's weight by two. This is the lower end of how many ounces he needs in a 24 hour period. Then multiply his weight by 2.5. This is the upper range of ounces required.

For example, a 12 pound baby would likely need 24 to 30 ounces in a 24 hour period. To determine how many ounces per bottle, divide those amounts by the number of feedings your baby takes per day. In this example, if your baby is taking 6 bottles in 24 hours, he would need approximately 4 to 5 ounce bottles.

Ounces of Formula By Age

Another way to estimate formula amounts can be done by age.

• Newborns: as little as 1 to 2 ounces per feeding
• One to two months: 3 to 4 ounces per feeding
• Two to six months: 4 to 6 ounces per feeding
• Six months to a year: 6 to 8 ounces per feeding

Overfeeding or Underfeeding

Signs that you are not feeding your baby enough may include persistant crying, decreased urine output, a wrinkly look to the skin, a dry roof of the mouth, and increased sleep.

Conversely, signs that you might be overfeeding will follow shortly after feedings. This may include spitting up or vomiting, crying, pulling up legs to the abdomen, and colic-like behaviors.

Generally speaking, timing feedings so that your baby has bottles that contain lesser amounts of formula more frequently is better than giving larger quantities of formula less often.

Source : about.com by Jennifer White

How Much Sleep Does My Baby Need at Night and During Naps?

It is important to state that all babies are different. Just because your baby's sleep pattern deviates from "the norm" doesn't mean that there is cause for alarm. However, if you are noticing that your baby often seems tired, over-stimulated, or cranky, it may be an indicator to consider if she is getting enough sleep.


General Infant Sleep Guidelines

What follows are general guidelines for how many hours the average baby sleeps at night, naps during the day, and how many naps she takes. The total time may fluctuate as much as two hours, and the number of naps may be flexible as well. There's no need to follow this outline rigidly, but it can give you an idea of what to expect of your baby's sleep habits.

• 1 month: 8 1/2 hours of sleep at night, 3 naps totalling 7 hours, 15 1/2 hours sleep total
• 3 months: 10 hours of sleep at night, 3 naps totalling 5 hours, 15 hours sleep total
• 6 months: 11 hours of sleep at night, 2 naps totalling 3 1/4 hours, 14 1/4 hours sleep total
• 9 months: 11 hours of sleep at night, 2 naps totalling 3 hours, 14 hours sleep total

• 12 months: 11 1/4 hours of sleep at night, 2 naps totalling 2 1/2 hours, 13 3/4 hours sleep total

5 Things You Must Do When You Have Twins

Do you have twins or are you expecting twins? As a twin mum myself twice over I have a few recommendations of things that will help to support you in your role.

Join a Twin forum where you can chat to other twin parents who can empathise with your situation and fully understand where you are coming from because they have been direct experience to draw from.

The benefits of joining a twin forum or a twin website are priceless. You can tap into readily available information specifically related to having twins. You can chat and ask questions to the other twin mums who have been through the experience already or those that are going through the same thing as you are. You can also help others at the same time by swapping tips, read about recommended products that have already been tried and tested and product reviews. You could take part in one of the normal topics of debate that surround twins such as “should we dress our twins the same?”

Join a local twins group.

By joining a local twins group and attending their meetings and get togethers it will help you make some new friends who know exactly what it’s like to be a parent of twins. Although many existing friends with or without their own children will want to help but they can’t fully understand what you are going through and sometimes its nice to speak to a fellow twin mum who can completely relate to you.

Accept all offers of help from family and friends in order that you can get out and about with your twins.

It can be a daunting prospect trying to take your twins on an outing out of the home where you know you can at least cope and you may find yourself choosing to stay at home because of it. As friends and family to accompany you on an outing with your twins even if it’s just to the shops at first. As your twins get older and the feeding less frequent you will begin to feel more confident about taking them out and with some assistance a trip to the park or play centre can be twice the fun.

Arrange play dates for your twins with other children even when they are babies!

Not only does a play date give you the opportunity to have some adult conversation in the home it allows your twins to learn those important social skills. This is a particularly good way of helping your twins play with other children rather than relying on one another.

Search for baby products which will make the practical challenges of raising twins easier or at least manageable.

There are many practical difficulties when bringing up twins mainly related to safety, one pair of hands never being quite enough or the time it takes to do every task. When you face a hurdle try to find a solution, be creative. Speak to other twin mums and discover how they have managed. There are many great products on the market now that can be of use with managing twins.

Bedtime Strategy for Kids

For many parents, bedtime is the most dreaded part of the day. With a firm hand and consistency in following this guide, bedtime will be the easiest part of the day in just a short time. All you will have to do is tuck in your little one, give a kiss on the forehead and say, "Goodnight."

Are you getting enough sleep everyday or are you staying up late at nights because your child just won’t go to bed when you want her to? You need proper rest to be a good parent. She needs proper rest to be a good child. Many children misbehave or cannot focus because they are tired. Besides this, children do most of their physical growing while they sleep. A toddler needs 12-15 hours of sleep a day, a baby even more. This means that your child NEEDS an early hour bedtime whether she wants it to or not and whether or not she feels tired. A good time would be 8pm. It is even hard for me, sometimes, to adhere to the 8pm bedtime. My little Theo will only be this cute and fun for a little bit and I want to savor every moment. I work all day so my time with him is limited. However, from observing what my friends go through, I know what happens when parents do not start the bedtime regimen early and stick to it: children are playing at all hours into the night, parents are yelling at the kids and the house is always a mess. Besides this, parents do not have time for themselves to catch up on the day, relax with a book, cuddle while watching a movie.

Ever since my little boy Theo was a 4-month-old my friends have been amazed at how easy it is to put him down at bedtime. No muss, no fuss. I begin Theo’s nightly routine at 7:20. He takes a bath. He drinks his bottle while I read him a story. Then hugs and kisses are given all around for Mommy, Daddy and Theo. Theo usually takes a few minutes to say goodnight to his stuffed animal buddies before laying down to rest for the day.

This happens in our home every night! It can happen in your home too in just a few days! Believe it. A good age to start having a set bedtime is when your baby is about 4 months old. This guide works with older children as well. The KEY is to be firm and consistent! Decide on a bedtime regimen. Wind down the baby quietly. While you give your baby the nighttime feeding, dim the lights, turn on some quiet music. When she is done feeding, place her in the crib, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” and walk out of the room. If she cries, wait a minute to see if she stops then check on her. If she is safe and nothing seems to be the matter, say, “Goodnight, Sweetie,” again and walk out of the room. Do not go back in if she cries again. You will be very tempted to go back in to comfort her. Do not do it! I repeat. Do not do it! She needs to know that you mean business when you say, “Goodnight,” aka “No getting out of bed to play.” In a short time, you will know when your little one is crying for something she needs or if she is crying to get out of the crib. Be firm and consistent with your regimen. Even a sweet 4-month-old knows how to manipulate your emotions. You can later pick a day of the week to hide the clock for family time.