The Art of Patience: How to Teach it to Your Toddler

When you have little ones around, you probably have to take them with you everywhere you go. The supermarket, the post office, the bank and everywhere in between. While some of this might be interesting to your toddler like looking at the fruits and vegetables in the produce section, other parts of it, like waiting in line, are most definitely not. Children at this age don’t have the capacity to understand why they are waiting in line, or why you’re sitting at the traffic light, or anything that delays their gratification. When they want something, they want it now and it’s next to impossible to talk them out of it.

Patience is an art form that even some grown-ups completely lack. While toddlers won’t get this lesson immediately, your consistent behavior when teaching it is crucial in reinforcing this essential life skill.

Cause a distraction
Give your child something else to do while waiting, preferably before they become antsy. You could play a clapping game or count how many people are wearing sneakers or even get him to help you put things from the cart onto the conveyor at the supermarket. The only limits are your imagination so think quickly and keep at it. The time will pass more quickly and you’ll help him avoid a meltdown in line.

Sing a song
Children love songs, and when you’re waiting, you can try singing some of them that you know. If that doesn’t do the trick, try teaching them a new song.

Be prepared
You are living on the edge if you leave the house without a bag of tricks. A hungry toddler is a disaster waiting to happen. Keep snacks in your bag at all times. At the supermarket, buy snacks if you haven’t remembered to stash something in your bag. Many supermarkets have free cookies for children in the bakery section too which can give your child a special treat to look forward to. Toys, games, and crayons and paper are also essentials to keep in your bag. You never want to be caught without them. Try to rotate out the items often too so your child isn’t bored with the variety. Sometimes just switching a toy out and bringing a different one can totally change your child’s tune because of its novelty.

Praise good behavior
Waiting is definitely no fun for anyone, especially those of us with toddlers. But for children, waiting is the kiss of death. That’s why you should remember to make a big deal when they exhibit proper behavior while waiting. Tell them you’re so proud of them for being patient and thank them for waiting with you. You can tell your child, “You made waiting so much more fun!”

 

 

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8 Best Calorie-Loaded Foods for your Finicky Toddler

Some parents, despite their very best efforts, wind up with picky eaters. While most children certainly go through phases, there is a smaller percentage that remains finicky about every food, to the point that weight gain is absolutely necessary.

If this sounds like your child, here are some of the best foods you can feed to your picky eater that we promise he’ll eat.

1. Dried fruits

They have a higher calorie count than fresh fruit and often seem more like candy to children. Plus, they are loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals that your child needs.

2. Full-fat milk

Whole milk is a great way to help your child pack on some pounds. You can make it more palatable by adding chocolate syrup to it. If you’d prefer a more natural flavoring, you can mix it with a banana in your blender and make “Monkey Milk.” Sometimes simply giving something ordinary a fun name makes your child less hesitant to eat it.

3. Cheese

Those old commercials that said, “Behold, the power of cheese,” were no joke. Cheese is healthy, delicious and full of calories. Plus, it’s really hard to find a child (or anyone for that matter) that hates cheese.

4. Dip-able munchies

Children love foods that they can dip and dunk. Give him something to dunk his veggies in and watch it disappear. Try ranch dressing or hummus! Or how about pretzel sticks with cheese dip? Yum!

5. Sandwiches

Take your cheese and fry it up between two slices of bread for a grilled cheese. Or go with an old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich. These have stood the test of time throughout the ages of picky eaters everywhere. Cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters to really get your child excited to eat them.

6. Macaroni and cheese

America’s #1 kid food is seldom turned down. What’s not to love with all that cheese? Plus, if you want your child to get in a dose of veggies with this, you can puree squash in with the cheese sauce and they will never know!

7. Pizza

Even more powerful than macaroni and cheese is everyone’s favorite meal, pizza. Make your own so that you can add extra veggies to the sauce that your child won’t see or taste. Your child won’t protest pizza, we guarantee it!

8. Chicken nuggets

Grab them from the drive-thru and they’ll be covered in more than high calories. They’ll be covered in unhealthy fats. Make them yourself for a healthier, high-calorie meal your child will love. Nuggets are also highly dunkable so your child can have fun pairing it with various sauces, making it even more high calorie and more interactive a meal. And what child doesn’t love that?

 

 

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5 Baby Sleep Mistakes You Need to Stop Making

There’s so much conflicting advice out there about sleeping babies. Plus, suffering from lack of sleep on top of that makes it difficult for most new parents to think clearly about the topic. Rest easy, because we’ve got great tips for you that will help you to right any wrongs and get on track.

1. Over-exciting the baby before bedtime

Even for newborns, you need to watch what you do before you put your baby down for the night. Lights should be dimmed and sounds should be at a minimum. Activities should be calming, like bath time, story time or even a gentle massage. Now is not the time to start belting out your favorite show tunes or to dance around the room.

2. Lack of consistency

Your baby will learn to understand the cues for going to bed if you keep to the same routine every night. Try to do things in the very same order too. These cues will begin to make your baby sleepy all on her own.

3. Not enough noise

It might sound strange, but babies like noise when they sleep. Not like loud drums, fireworks and your old punk rock albums blasting from the speakers of your stereo though. But the right kind of noise is soothing to them. Inside your womb, your baby was surrounded by the loud whooshing sounds of your other organs. Now in her quiet nursery, it’s very unsettling. For some babies, a steady stream of lullabies does the trick. For others though, white noise will put them out in seconds flat.

4. Keeping baby up too late

Another rather contradictory thing about babies is that they will not sleep better if you keep them up past their normal bedtime. If you’re hoping this will exhaust them AND give you a chance to catch up playing with them after your work day, that plan will only backfire. You’ll wind up with an even more tired and cranky baby who will be that much harder to put to sleep.

5. Having overly high expectations

Everyone knows someone whose baby started sleeping through the night after just a couple of months. What most parents don’t realize is that situation isn’t very common. What’s more normal is for your baby to wake during the night, especially breastfeeding babies. Just because something is normal for one mother and baby doesn’t mean it is normal for you and your baby. Stop comparing and go with what feels right. Your baby will not wake up in the middle of the night forever and this is the only time in her life she will need you as much as she does now.

 

 

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Say What? 7 Things to Tell your Kids Every Day

Children need our nurturing and love in order to thrive. However, we can’t simply assume that they know we love them. Kids can be very sensitive, especially when we’re trying to steer them in the right direction. To be sure your kid feels the strength of your love, here are some things to be sure to tell your child every day in addition to saying, “I love you.”

1. “You make me happy.”

A great time to tell your child this is in the moment that you are happy and enjoying time together. When you let your child know that you’re having fun with him, he’ll feel happy too.

2. “I like it when you (insert blank).”

Children love to hear when they’ve done something to make you happy. So tell them and they’ll be more likely to repeat the behavior. For example, “I like it when you tell me funny jokes.” Point out any good behavior or positive attribute is sure to make your child feel confident.

3. “I believe in you.”

Sometimes we need encouragement too, don’t we? So imagine how that feels to your child. If your son is apprehensive about playing in a big game or worries he won’t score highly enough on his upcoming math test, it will give him a huge boost to hear you say this. He’ll know you’re rooting for him, win or lose.

4. “I know you can do it.”

Again, it’s all about reminding your child to think positively. We can do anything we put our minds to. Our children need to be encouraged so they can reach their full potential.

5. “I am so lucky to have you.”

Our children need to know that they are special. Sometimes, school can be a difficult place, even for the youngest of kids. Other children can be hurtful and make your child feel unwanted. A child that feels loved and wanted at home will learn to shrug off negative people and seek out positive ones instead.

6. “I am very proud of you.”

Whether your child has done something extraordinarily well or has shown growth and learning after making a mistake, make sure you properly acknowledge it. You’ll be more likely to get a repeat of the positive behavior, and isn’t that ultimately what you desire?

7. “Please” and “Thank you.”

One of the best ways to consistently get your child to say these 2 mannerly items is to use them yourself. When you ask something of your child, be sure to use “please.” And once that request has been fulfilled, be sure to show your gratitude with a “thank you.” You’ll notice that if you do, your child will follow suit.

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The Top 5 Baby Products I Wish I Knew Existed the First Time Around

Or even the second time around!

It just figures that after I decide I don’t want any more children, I would discover some super-cool items that would have made life so much easier the first time around. And even the second time around. While my husband would love to have a third, I’m not up for one more, but I totally wouldn’t mind having any of these products if I did decide to throw caution to the wind and go for another one.

1. A co-sleeper

With our first, we came home from the hospital and put her down in her crib in her room. She cried and cried. We took her into our room and she stopped crying. It became pretty clear that our sweet daughter didn’t want to be lonely, so she moved into our room. I’d try to move her back to her crib after nursing but sometimes, that didn’t fly either, even though we’d moved the crib into our room. I had to nurse her carefully late at night because I worried I would drop her off the side of the bed. Once, she did fall out and thankfully she was okay. I was so upset for weeks after. If we’d had a co-sleeper, it would have made night-time nursing so much easier for us.

2. A swaddling blanket

Before my first was born, I practiced folding up blankets around stuffed animals so I could properly swaddle my baby. I did this religiously, though nothing really prepares you for turning a tiny, wriggling human into a burrito until you really get to try it out on that tiny little human. My life would have been so much easier to have one of those Miracle Blankets. I didn’t find out about this until my second daughter was too big to be swaddled.

3. Teething tablets

While living abroad, when my eldest began teething, it was a nightmare. My friends back home kept telling me to get these homeopathic teething tablets but I couldn’t get them where I was. Once back in my country, when my youngest started teething, I was so happy to be able to get these. They made a huge difference.

4. Secure-A-Toy straps

We lost so many toys between here and China. My husband made makeshift straps for our stroller. Turns out, we could have bought them instead! Who knew?!?

5. Car seat covers

Most parents are unaware that you should never ever put your baby in a car seat while wearing a winter coat. It will cause the straps to not fit properly and put your child in danger. You should always remove the coat and instead opt for using a blanket. But for infants, that poses a really big danger. Now you can keep your baby warm in the colder months with car seat covers that fit over the seat and seat belt to keep your baby warm in a safe way.

 

 

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All Ears: What You Need to Prepare for Before Getting Your Childs Ears Pierced

Some parents have their daughters’ ears pierced when they’re babies. Others wait until their daughters are bigger and more responsible so they can clean and change their earrings themselves. Which is the right way to go? Much depends on what you personally feel is right, however pediatricians advise waiting until your daughter is at least 6 months of age before piercing her ears largely because infants are still developing their immunity and piercings can get infected.

Before you go on from there though, you’ll want to consider a few other factors, like these:

Pain management
Beauty sure is painful! Piercings hurt and you’ll need to prepare your daughter for that. If she’s older, say 10 years old, it’s easy to talk to her about it. You can also help numb her earlobes in advance to help with the pain.

Proper piercing location
Finding a reputable place to do the piercing is important too. Ask around to your friends with kids and see where they took their daughters. When you find a place to get the piercing, check out the person who will be piercing her ears. You’ll want to be sure this person has experience in ear piercing, meaning this is not the first time, and that the place is sterile and practices proper protocols in regards to sanitation and safety.

Post piercing care
If your daughter is old enough, you’ll have to be sure she understands how to keep infections away by keeping her earrings clean. When caring for the earrings, you (or your daughter) will need to wash hands and then clean both sides of the earrings (front and back) twice daily. Rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad will do the trick. You’ll also need to turn the earrings in circles and slide them back and forth to help keep the shape of the pierced holes. Your daughter might want to try out a new pair of earrings but make sure that she keeps from doing for at least 6 weeks. After that, she can change earrings as long as she constantly keeps some kind of earrings in her ears to keep the holes from closing up.

Watch for infection
If your child’s ears become red, swollen, ooze pus, itch, are painful or tender, you’ll need to contact your child’s doctor to find out if it’s an infection or quite possibly, an allergy. Allergies to the metal aren’t uncommon and a simple switch of posts will take care of things. For an infection, your daughter will likely need antibiotics.

If you teach your daughter to care for her earrings properly, you shouldn’t have any issues. As a bonus, if she’s old enough, you can reward any of her good behavior with a trip to the mall to pick out more earrings.

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New Study Question Whether or not Potatoes are Harmful to Expectant Mothers

Recent studies have found that women who eat more potatoes just before they get pregnant have a higher risk for developing gestational diabetes once they become pregnant. Potatoes are known for being starchy. And as a carbohydrate, most people tend to eliminate them from their diets to save calories. The truth is, potatoes are low in fat and calories, and very rich in fiber and Vitamins B-6 and C. Packed with a powerful punch of folate, they seem like a proper food item during pregnancy because folates reduce brain and spine problems in your developing baby.

This is a bit contradictory, and probably a bit confusing, so let’s break it down. First, let’s talk about the study. It was conducted by the researchers from the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Harvard University. When they analyzed data comprised of over 15,000 women from 1991 to 2001, the scientists found that during this ten-year period, out of 21,693 pregnancies, 854 of them developed gestational diabetes. These women in the study reportedly had no other issues prior to pregnancy.

But these findings also should be taken with a grain of salt. The study conducted lacked diversity as almost the entire group of participants were Caucasian. The details of their diets and diabetes were recorded by the participants themselves which means there’s a rather large margin for error. In short, what this means is that the results don’t prove a direct correlation between potato consumption by pregnant women and gestational diabetes.

What’s important to note here is that while potatoes are very healthy, they do contain natural sugars, like a lot of healthy foods. Eating a proper and balanced diet, plus drinking plenty of water will help to keep you balanced. You must eat for your good health as well as for the health of your baby. Enjoying potatoes in a healthy way is good. Eating them in the form of French fries 3 times a day is probably a really bad idea. Just like anything, moderation is the key.

The bottom line is this: what goes into your mouth affects your baby’s health as well as your own. You will have to avoid certain foods during pregnancy like sushi for example, but potatoes are not one of the foods you need to avoid. The best course of action is to watch what you’re eating most of the time. If you’re eating nutritious meals 9 out of 10 times, then when a craving for something sugary strikes, there’s no harm in indulging it. Being pregnant is a special time in your life, and while caring for your health is important, enjoying a nice treat during this time is essential too.

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Sex During Pregnancy: Is it Safe?

For some women, the thought of having sex once they’re pregnant is an exhausting turn-off, but for most women, sex is still something they think about and crave. And if you’re most women and it’s first time being pregnant, you might be wondering…is it safe to have sex now?

Well, there’s good news. Experts say sex is not only very safe for the majority of pregnancies but it’s also beneficial. Men will be happy to hear this too. Most men find their pregnant partners even more attractive, though men will be hesitant because they most commonly fear hurting the baby. If your man is one of them, show him this. Men, your babies +

are very well protected. You cannot poke them with your penis or harm them during sex, so go for it.

In the first and second trimesters, women are generally more ready for sex during this time. They’re not as big and they feel fairly good. But as you get larger, it might complicate things. Also, as your belly grows, certain positions will be impossible, particularly those where the woman lies on her back. Some people mistakenly believe that the closer it gets to the due date, that sex becomes more unsafe. This is very untrue, however when you have an orgasm, it releases a hormone called prostaglandins which could technically cause contractions to occur. But if you’re 40 weeks pregnant and want that baby to come out, that might not be a bad thing.

Sex during pregnancy might not be safe for any woman that has had repeated miscarriages, bleeding, an incompetent cervix or preterm labor. Also, women who have been diagnosed with placenta previa, which is a condition where the placenta covers the cervix, are at a major risk for hemorrhaging should they engage in sex during pregnancy. If you’re unsure if sex is safe for you during pregnancy, ask your doctor. If you’re given the go ahead to get it on, keep an eye out for any symptoms and see if anything feels off to you. If sex hurts or you experience bleeding or a bad-smelling discharge afterward, you should tell your doctor right away.

One last thing – while sex is safe in most cases during pregnancy, oral sex should be avoided. The reason is because if oral sex is performed on a pregnant woman and air is blown into her vagina, she can develop an air embolus. It can travel up to her lungs and cause death. Think I’m joking? Check this out http://www.healthline.com/health/air-embolism#Overview1

In most cases, sex will be fine for most pregnant women. The key is to relax and try to enjoy yourself while being in tune with your body and openly communicating with your partner about how you’re feeling.

 

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Smart Baby! 4 Ways to Make Your Baby Bright in the Womb

As your baby grows inside of you, your baby is also learning from you. By actively communicating and stimulating your baby while within the womb, it will help have a positive impact on your baby’s future. Brain cells are rapidly developing in your unborn baby every single day. The more stimulation provided, the stronger and more developed those cells and pathways in the brain will be, giving your child the best preparation to face the new world outside the womb.

Want to make sure your child has the brightest future possible? Start doing these things today:

Talk to your unborn baby
It might feel a little strange talking to your baby while they’re still inside of you, but it’s a habit you should get used to anyway. From the moment your child is born, your daily life should be filled with narrations about what you’re doing so your baby can learn words and situations faster. These might seem rather ordinary or boring, but it’s essential for learning. Babies think that everything is new, because to them it IS new. So while going to the bank is a boring task, your baby will find it fascinating. If you’re not ready for a full on running monologue, you can work your way up to it. To start, try singing or humming first. Then you can work your way up to talking. Try reading stories too.

Start thinking about baby
Your baby is probably already on your mind a great deal of the time. When you consciously shift your thoughts to positive ones about the baby, your baby will be able to sense this. This will leave your baby feeling comforted and loved, and very safe.

Rub that belly
You probably already rub your belly often every day, but the more you do it, the more your baby knows it. Try varying the types of touch from rubbing to patting. You can also coordinate it with music you are listening to, which is another great way to stimulate your baby in the womb.

Avoid stressful situations
As that one overplayed song from Frozen suggests, “let it go.” Too much stress has been shown to have a negative effect on babies as they develop in the womb. The environment that you surround yourself with should be as calming and peaceful as possible in order to mentally nourish your baby properly.

By consciously doing these things, you will be giving your baby a leg-up in the right direction. Proper brain development is crucial and giving your child added advantages can only make their future brighter.

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Yes, Sire: 7 Princely Names for your Little Prince

Are you expecting a boy? It’s a super exciting time in your life, planning everything for his nursery. Buying cute little boy clothes. And choosing his name. Oh, what’s that? You don’t have a name picked out for him yet? Well, the time is fast approaching where you and your partner will need to decide what to name your little prince.

And speaking of princely things, why not give your son a royal name? It’s distinguished and charming and has centuries of clout to it. If you’re not sure what to choose, here’s a list of boys’ names that have endured through many memorable monarchies, proving they stand the test of time.

Arthur
This was once one of the most prominent names of all. After being ignored for eons, Arthur is now coming back into play. It’s polished and refined, and who wouldn’t want to have a name as strong and confident as Arthur, the head of the infamous Knights of the Round Table.

Charles
A traditional favorite, Charles was ranked in the Top 10 boys’ names until the 1960’s. While having a brief respite from being overly popular back then, Charles is gaining steam once more as nostalgic folks are naming their sons this elegant royal name. Plus, you can nickname your son the friendlier form of Charlie.

Henry
Henry is a strong and solid name that’s backed by tons of history as well as personality. It had a brief stint at the lower half of the Top 100 for over 35 years and now, it’s reemerging back into the top portion. Back in style again after so many years, you can’t go wrong with a pedigree royal name like Henry. Think Henry the Eighth for example, just one of many kings to hold this distinguished name.

John
Although it is the most popular Christian name for boys’ for over 400 years, Americans began steering away from it due to its excessive popularity, opting for names like Jonathan. Even still though, John will never go out of style. It was a key name in the early days of Christianity thanks to John the Apostle and John the Baptist. Not to mention the other saints, popes and kings who also donned this sturdy and traditional name.

Leopold
If you’re looking for something a little less popular, try Leopold. It’s extremely aristocratic. Queen Victoria was said to have honored her favorite uncle, King Leopold of Belgium, with the more popular form, Leo, which is a nice way to shorten this imperial name.

Philip
The name Philip, or alternatively Phillip, comes from one of the 12 apostles. Plus, it’s got such solid historic and royal roots. Just think of Alexander the Great’s father, King Philip the Great, or even Saint Philip. It truly stands the test of time.

William
And finally, no list of royal boys’ names would be complete without William. Right behind John in popularity, we’re seeing a big boom for this one again because of England’s current and very busy prince, Prince William. See? It’s quite the regal choice for your soon-to-be-born son!

 

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5 Common and Annoying Pregnancy Problems

Welcome to the wonderful world of pregnancy! Your body is about to start doing some very strange things over the course of the next 9 months. While it’s indeed fascinating how the miracle of life occurs, the pregnancy problems that come with it can make it a little frustrating from time to time. The good news is that these things, despite being rather annoying, are extremely common.

Here’s what you get to look forward to:

1. Morning sickness

Likely, you’ve already been afflicted with this one. For many women, it’s how they realize something isn’t quite right. It’s often morning sickness that leads us to the doctor to find out why we don’t feel very well. Morning sickness is a misnomer, by the way. It doesn’t always affect women in the morning. In fact, may women get it in the afternoon or at night, and some women endure feeling this way all day every day for the first few months. If you have it, you’ll know. You’ll feel nauseated by everything and will likely vomit because of it. If you don’t vomit, you will feel like you’re going to. Constantly.

2. Bladder problems

Bladder control issues aren’t just for the elderly. They’re for pregnant women too. You’ll discover that you’ll have to pee much more frequently than usual. Sometimes, you’ll go to the bathroom to pee and as soon as you come back and sit down, you’ll have to go again. Additionally, as you get further along in your pregnancy, you could experience some leakage. While it’s horrifying, you will not leave a giant puddle. Worried about urinary leakage? Wear a pad to help you feel more comfortable and protect against leaks.

3. Aches and pains

As you get bigger, your body is put through more strains due to the extra weight from the baby. Commonly, women report backaches as well as pains in their hips. Using hot packs can help relieve these pains. So can certain stretches. Prevent aches and pains by walking a little bit each day. Unless your doctor has ordered you on bed rest, you should be doing appropriate exercises to prepare for labor and delivery.

4. Skin changes

Many women gain “tiger stripes” or stretch marks on their bellies as they grow during pregnancy. Largely, this can be prevented by using proper moisturizers, especially early on. But for a lucky few, it won’t matter how often or how well they moisturize. Some women are just prone to stretch marks. Others will experience Chloasma, which are dark patches of skin on the face. And all women will experience the darkening of the nipples. These lovely skin changes are brought on by your hormones.

5. Fatigue

Almost every pregnant woman feels fatigued during most of the pregnancy. That’s because it’s hard work for your body to help nourish and create a new life. If you feel overly tired, take a rest. It’s your body’s way of saying you need to take it slow.

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Danger! 5 Baby Products You MUST Avoid!

The baby products industry is alive and booming. There’s no shortage of items marketed to new parents in the hopes they will buy it for their new bundles of joy. But not every product out there is necessary. Hello, baby wipes warmer! Even worse than that though, not every product is safe. Consumer Reports has issued a warning for products you should NEVER buy or use for your baby. Before you go shopping for your baby’s nursery, you need to read this!

1. Drop-side cribs

These are frightfully dangerous. The moveable drop side can drop, suffocate or strangle your baby. Instead, go for a crib with fixed sides that is free of designs or only features minimal designs. Because of the dangers of drop-side cribs, new restrictions went into place so make sure to purchase a model that was manufactured after June 2011. Safety experts are pleading with parents to never use cribs over 10 years old because so many safety improvements have been made over this time. If you must use a drop-side crib, call the manufacturer and ask for a kit to help you immobilize it to prevent any accidents from occurring.

2. Crib bumpers

In our overly-safe society, someone decided to make a product that would keep babies from hitting their heads on the crib slats. But it turns out that this only causes worse problems. These are a major suffocation hazard and could be responsible for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urges parents never to use this dangerous product. The only thing they recommend in your baby’s crib is a mattress with a fitted sheet and that is it. And yes, that means no sleep positioners or blankets and pillows either for the very same reasons. If you worry about your baby getting cold, make sure to dress him in footed pajamas.

3. Changing tables with less than four sides

While you should never leave a child unattended on a changing table, using one that has less than four sides is a huge danger. Your child is vulnerable to head injuries and other severe injuries caused from falls. Changing your child on a mat on the floor is the safest thing you can do, but if you must have a changing station in your nursery, you should get one that has four sides to help keep your child from rolling off of it.

4. Toppling furniture

The CPSC reported close to 200 deaths of children 5 and younger between 2000 and 2008 due to unsecured furniture. And it’s not just limited to your nursery. Before your child can even crawl, make sure you secure any top-heavy furniture. Dressers, nightstands, bookcases, TV stands and any other furniture that could topple over if a child attempted to climb it. When you buy furniture new, it should come with a bracket that you can use to help mount it to the wall. If you need to secure existing furniture, go to your home repair store and ask them to point you to the right hardware for the job.

5. Infant bath seats

Bath seats are one of the most dangerous products of all. It’s not any safer with one. In fact, it’s much more risky. These things can tip over, leading your baby to drown. Big bathtubs can be difficult to wash small babies in so the experts say one thing that IS good to buy is a hard plastic baby bathtub. Of course wherever you bathe your baby, you should NEVER ever leave your baby unattended in the tub. Always keep one hand on your baby the entire time in the tub.

 

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Combating Cold Sores in Children

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are small, reddish and slightly painful formations that appear on the edge of lips or on the inside of the mouth. Like adults, children are able to contract them as well. Interestingly, you don’t need a cold for them to appear. Or a fever. While unsightly and irritating, the good news is that cold sores generally last a week or two and don’t usually need any special treatment to get rid of.

Thanks to the easily spread herpes simplex virus, cold sores can be passed by kissing or by sharing the same eating utensils. Although they aren’t a big deal, it’s best to avoid getting them. Tempting as it is to cuddle and kiss our kids, if we have fever blisters ourselves, we should refrain from giving kisses on the lips and face and we shouldn’t share glasses or use the same eating utensils. That probably goes without saying, but did you know that the virus that causes cold sores can survive on fabrics? True story! If you or anyone in your house has a cold sore, do not let them share towels, washcloths or even dinner napkins and paper towels.

Reduce the chances of you or your child from getting a cold sore by keeping stress down, avoiding overexposure to the sun or getting sick. Make sure to have your child eat well, get enough sleep, and cope with daily stresses like balancing studies and work for example. If your child is prone to cold sores, make sure they put sunscreen on their face before going out in the sun as well as putting on a lip balm that contains sunblock as this may help prevent them.

Thankfully, most kids won’t need any special treatment from a doctor to get cold sores to go away. They will go away on their own. You can bring some comfort to the affected area by putting ice in a cloth and applying it to the sore. Pain can additionally be reduced by giving a dose of acetaminophen. Popsicle are also helpful and no child will ever turn it down. In the rare event that a fever blister persists, your doctor will be able to prescribe something for your child.

In the meantime, when you or your child has a cold sore, make sure to keep hands clean and avoid picking at the sore. Picking at it will not only slow down the healing process but it will also make it easier to spread it to other parts of the body, or pass it along to others.

 

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On Strike: What to do When Your Baby Refuses to Nurse

By definition, a breastfeeding (or nursing) strike is when a baby very suddenly stops nursing from the mother’s breast. Sometimes, babies that go on a nursing strike will become quite agitated when you offer your breast. When a breastfeeding strike comes on, it’s very sudden and it’s very clear that your baby is unhappy about something. Often is the case that your baby will want to feed at your breast but once you offer it, becomes extremely upset and refuses the offering.

Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to determine the cause of the strike. Sometimes, it’s the result of an ear infection, teething or other source of discomfort. However the good news is that breastfeeding strikes tend to only last a few hours or days.

How do you handle a nursing strike? Here are some strategies to use should this happen with you and your baby.

– Give comfort
Whatever is bothering your child, one thing is clear: it’s something. And while he can’t tell you, “It’s that pesky incisor again,” you can still be there for him with lots of cuddling and snuggles. If possible, make sure to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby as you sit and relax together. Do not put pressure on your baby to feed. Your baby might decide to nurse from this point, but don’t push it. Let it be his choice and let him make the moves.

– Express yourself
During a nursing strike, your breasts will be full and uncomfortable. You’ll need to express the milk to keep your milk supply up, not to mention relieve yourself and prevent clogged ducts.

– Bottle it
Contrary to popular belief, babies won’t take your breast when they feel hungry enough. You’ll have to get them to drink your expressed milk by whatever method works for them – bottle, cup, spoon-feeding, etc.

– Sleep-eating
One of the most effective ways to handle a breastfeeding strike is to offer your breast to your baby while he’s asleep. Because babies are programmed to suck, his natural reflexes will likely take over and he will latch on and begin to nurse as he sleeps. When babies are in pain, once they fall asleep, they’re in a state of comfort which makes them better able to nurse again.

– Wellness
Sometimes the cause of a breastfeeding strike is because of a stuffy nose. If your baby’s nose is stuffy or he seems a little under the weather, try using a humidifier near his crib to help clear him out. If you don’t have one, steam up your bathroom by turning the shower on hot. Then take your baby in there with a few books or toys and let him breathe in the relieving steam.

– Seek counsel
If you’re not seeing any improvements or just need some reassuring guidance, contact a lactation specialist or someone from La Leche League. They can help you through this rough patch, which will pass soon. We promise!

 

 

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So You’re a Single Mom: 6 Tips for Making the Best of it

Very few people go into the world of parenthood intending to walk that road alone, without a partner to help them through the maze of poop-filled diapers, supermarket tantrums, boogered-up walls and all the other stuff. Unfortunately, many women wind up as single parents and have to figure out how to forge on solo. While it’s probably not your ideal and far from what you envisioned, you’re a mom now and you’ve got to learn to make the best of things for the sake of your children, and for yourself. Here’s how to make this transition a bit easier.

1. Stop living in the past

Some women become widowed, while others become separated or divorced. Each of these is very difficult to overcome. But dwelling on what was is not going to change things, especially if someone has passed on. While it is important in both cases to grieve the loss of the relationship, you must look at the present and beyond into the future to make the best of this situation for your children. They need you to be strong.

2. Talk about it

Not everyone can afford a therapist, but there are tons of groups out there for single moms. Take advantage of this by going to meetings and meeting other moms in your situation which can lead to more friends.

3. Ask for help

If you can’t get everything you need to get done, don’t try to be Wonder woman and burn yourself out. If you have friends or relatives you can lean on, do it. Just be sure to express your gratitude and keep moving forward. No one wants to be depended on indefinitely.

4. Don’t be bitter

When a big change happens to the family dynamic, it’s especially hard on children. If you’re now a single mom because your husband decided to run off with someone else, resist the urge to badmouth him at every turn. Your children will figure out what kind of man he is when they get older. You don’t need to paint him as a saint either. Stay classy and let go of the anger that you justifiably have. As they say, “hate corrodes the vessel that carries it.”

5. Get busy

Go create some new memories with your children. Start a new tradition with them by perhaps turning a weeknight into game and pizza night. Sign up to take a fun class together, like an art class for example. Make plans to do things and have experiences that will help shape your worlds. You and your children will meet all kinds of new people and that’s exactly what you need.

6. Choose happiness

While you likely didn’t choose for this situation to happen to you, you can still control your life. Every day you wake up, choose to be happy. And help your children to choose happiness too. By doing this, little by little, everything changes, and everything changes for the better.

 

 

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5 Great Post-Baby Weight Loss Tips

After 9 months of carrying a tiny little person who was prone to kicking your bladder all day every day, it’s nice to have your body back, isn’t it? Except your body doesn’t look or feel like it once did before you got pregnant. Hang in there, Mom. It took time for your body to change during pregnancy and it’s going to go through more changes now as your hormones adjust after pregnancy, especially if you’re breastfeeding.

I know it can be disheartening to look in the mirror and feel unattractive, but remember that your body just did something amazing. You need to give yourself some time to get your body back in shape again. Here’s what you can do to make that happen.

1. No dieting

Your body needs enough calories and nourishment during this post-baby time period. Especially if you’re breastfeeding. If you cut too much out of your diet, you’ll cause your body to think it’s starving and it will start storing fat to help you make sure you have enough nutrients to produce milk for your baby. Your eating habits should be healthy all around. Focus on eating well and that way, when the odd donuts or cookie comes your way, you won’t need to worry if you enjoy it.

2. Eat super-foods

Kale, fish, berries, dairy. These are just some of the things you should be eating to have a healthy lifestyle. And not only are these things good for you but they also keep you feeling fuller for longer. When you feel like mindlessly snacking on chips, make kale chips instead. They’ll satisfy that craving and give you some of the best nourishment around without adding more to your waistline.

3. Get moving

Exercise is essential for getting that body back in shape. It will help firm everything up as the extra weight comes off too. But you’ll need to take it easy in the first few weeks. Wait until your post-baby checkup to get the all-clear from your doctor. Until then, unless you’ve been ordered to stay in bed, taking the baby for a walk in the stroller will do you both some good. Once your doctor says you can get back to more strenuous exercise, find something you enjoy and do it so it won’t feel like a chore.

4. Drink plenty of water

Much of the time that we feel hungry, it’s actually thirst we’re mistaking for hunger. Most of us are not hydrating enough. And if you’re breastfeeding, you really need to be getting enough fluids. Get a water bottle that you can take with you everywhere and drink from it. Not a fan of water? Add a fresh slice of lemon to it for a little flavor with no added calories.

5. Rest up

A big factor in weight gain is lack of proper sleep. While getting used to a new baby is going to take a toll on your sleep, things will balance out in a few weeks. Instead of staying up to watch more TV, get to bed earlier so that you don’t sabotage your hard work. Besides, who doesn’t love more sleep?

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The Dreaded Return: What to Do When Your Child Vomits

As a parent, one of the worst things you’ll ever have to deal with is when your child vomits. If you’re a new parent, you’ll soon find this out. For those of us who’ve been at this for a while, nothing will draw you more sympathy among other parents than when you discuss a regurgitation situation involving your little ones.

While vomiting can be upsetting for you and doubly so for your child, it’s important to keep your cool and assess the situation. There are many reasons your child could vomit. One of them is that something they ate didn’t agree with them. This could easily be a one-off and how you’ll know that is by observing them afterward. If they feel better after vomiting and no other symptoms arise (and no more vomit for that matter), then you don’t need to worry about it.

Other times, your child will vomit because they are ill with the flu or other illness. In this case, there might be fever and other symptoms along with it. Or it could be a stomach bug that causes your child to vomit robustly countless times within a 24-hour period. Which might be the worst of the worst since it’s highly likely that everyone else in your home will have already been exposed to those germs before you’re even aware they’re there, meaning you will soon have a house full of vomit.

So what can you do when everything keeps coming up? Well, for one, you’ll have to try not to show your worries to your child. Start by calming your child and cleaning up the mess. If your child complains that they still feel bad, you might want to give them a large receptacle to hold onto just in case they feel like throwing up some more.

Do what you can to make your child feel comfortable. If there’s a fever along with it, you’ll want to take steps to reduce it. If your child cannot keep anything down, as is typically the case with the stomach flu, don’t force foods down. Instead, focus on water or liquids with electrolytes in them. Pedialyte is great during bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, which will help to rehydrate your little one.

To aid in reducing queasiness, take some rubbing alcohol and put it on a cotton ball. Have your child smell the cotton ball or gently rub it just under their nose. The smell of rubbing alcohol make nausea vanish and will be a huge help in making your child feel better.

If things don’t seem to be improving after 24 hours or your child has a fever that keeps climbing and won’t reduce, you’ll need to contact your child’s pediatrician. Until then, hang in there by offering lots of love and support between disinfecting everything in your home and doing a lot of extra (and extra smelly) laundry.

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8 Royal Names for your Little Princess

One of the most exciting things to prepare for when you’re having a baby is choosing a name. For some couples, it’s easy. They name their children for older or deceased relatives, like a favorite grandparent. Others come up with much more unusual names. Think of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin naming one of their children Apple. And who didn’t love Punky Brewster in the 1980s whose real name was even stranger than her character’s name: Soleil Moon Frye.

Of course, some people have a much more difficult time choosing a name. They want something that’s lovely and distinguished. And to that I say why not choose something fit for royalty? If it’s good enough for centuries of royals, it’s going to be perfect for your little princess. Here are some to consider:

Amelia
Move over, Emily. This lovely Victorian name has been seeing a resurgence in popularity over recent years. It also conjures up images of the original trendsetter and jetsetter herself, Amerlia Earhart.

Charlotte
Nothing is more elegant than the name of Charlotte. It’s ultra feminine and evokes images of beauty. It became a popular name thanks to the Queen Charlotte Sophia, who was the wife of King George III who ruled England at the end of the eighteenth century and into the early nineteenth. What could be more royal than that?

Clementina
A Clementine is a type of tangerine. And while the name Clementine will make most parents think of the old song, “Oh My Darlin’” the name Clementina has a Spanish twist, making it a bit more exotic and worldly yet familiar all in one.

Elizabeth
Nothing could be more classically royal than Elizabeth. It is absolutely timeless and is the epitome of royalty. Plus, it is very nickname-able. Think Beth, Liz, Liza, etc.

Helen
Fans of Greek literature will truly appreciate a name like Helen. After all, she was known in the mythological world for being “the face that launched a thousand ships.” Since ancient times, it is a name that has been consistently associated with the greatest of beauty.

Judith
Although it sounds slightly solemn, Judith is a prime biblical name that isn’t being overused in these times. It’s elegant yet strong, much like Judith of Bethulia, the gorgeous wife of Esau who delivered her people from the Assyrians that were invading their home.

Margaret
An often-used name for queens and saints, it’s time for Margaret to rule again. It’s a very royal and Christian name that carries a lot of clout like Elizabeth or even the dreadfully over-popular Katherine that isn’t quite so overused today.

Victoria
Finally, one name that is sure to conjure up royal imagery is Victoria. It is the essence of gentility and refinement. It also stems from mythological roots as the Roman goddess of victory and British roots for the long-reigning queen of England.

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The 2nd Time Around: 4 Major Differences Between Your 1st and 2nd Pregnancies

Pregnant again? Congratulations! The second time around is an interesting time. You’ve been to the puppet show and seen the strings. For me, this realization sent me into an utter panic as I cringed at the thought of enduring another labor that was as long and painful as the first one. Oddly, that’s different than what most moms of more than one child will tell you. They all say they worried less. Me? I worried more. But I’m an anomaly.

So what differences are there between this pregnancy and the first one? Here’s a few…

1. Food, glorious food!

I rigidly followed what my doctor and all the pregnancy books told me to eat and what not to eat. And as a result, I felt ashamed when I treated myself to chocolates or something I was craving. For my second baby? I still ate healthy but I didn’t turn down sashimi from the best restaurant in town that had a good reputation for quality. I had a little wine here and there with some special meals and I enjoyed myself much more the second time around. Oh and both of my children are healthy.

2. What, me read?

I read everything about pregnancy and babies the first time around. For my second baby, I enjoyed reading books about things I wanted to read. Which were mostly gritty crime thrillers by my favorite author, Carl Hiaasen. I regret nothing. Now that I’m busy with two kids, I don’t have time to read anything that isn’t written by Dr. Seuss.

3. Great expectations

For my first baby, I wrote out a very detailed birthing plan. I wanted everything a certain way and I had all these grand visions of what giving birth would be like. When I think back on that, I just laugh and laugh. Grand visions? More like delusions. Nothing went the way I expected it to. It hurt more than I anticipated and I wound up going for an emergency c-section. With the second baby, I very calmly realized I was in labor in the middle of the night. Instead of waking my husband and toddler so we could go to the hospital, I snuggled up next to them in the bed and tried to rest. I knew I would not be dilated enough any time soon and I was not about to rush off to the hospital to be forced to lie in an uncomfortable bed. I waited until morning, took a nice long shower and took my time getting ready.

4. I got real

When you’re pregnant with the first baby, you go off on this big preachy list of things you’ll never do. Then that baby comes and you realize just how ridiculous and uptight that whole list thing was. Well when that second kid comes along, when you meet someone who’s getting ready to have their first, you can’t help but chuckle when they get up on their soapbox about not letting their kids watch TV and all those other things. I have 3 words for you non-believers: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Both my kids are fascinated with it and will even let me sleep an extra 30 minutes if I put it on for them. You’re welcome.

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Daddy to the Rescue: 5 Ways They Can and Should Make Your Breastfeeding Easier

Sure, you might be the one with the breasts full of milk, but that doesn’t mean your partner can’t help you out while you’re getting used to breastfeeding. Sometimes, it feels like us women are doing all the work when a new baby comes along. But dads out there, hear me now – remember to treasure and adore the woman that brought that baby into the world with you. She needs your help now more than ever. And while you might be tired, I can guarantee she’s even more tired than you.

So what can you do to help? Here are some ways you can help her out while she’s breastfeeding, and I can assure you she will appreciate every single one of them.

1. Offer your assistance

In the beginning, babies will nurse for up to 45 minutes. And they’ll do so every couple of hours. That leaves her precious little time for anything else. So when she sits with the baby for a feeding, see if there’s anything you can get her. Maybe she’s thirsty or wants a snack. Or maybe she’d love for you to give her the remote control so she can watch a little TV. Even if she needs nothing at all, she’ll be thrilled you asked.

2. Take over a feeding or two

My dear friend Ed was delighted when his children were babies because his wife pumped some of her milk out. At night, he was so happy to let her get a rest while he spent time bonding with his children. He told me he treasures these memories more than any others. To do this, have your wife pump some milk and store it. When the baby wakes at night, let your wife sleep while you feed the baby.

3. Help with the chores

She’s truly Superwoman, handling all the things that need to be handled in the home. So now that she’s busy with the baby, everything is piling up. Don’t leave more work for her. Help by washing the dishes, putting those dishes away, doing some laundry, cooking, vacuuming, ANYTHING. Nothing is more depressing to a new mom than to find herself with a free moment while the baby sleeps only to have to spend that moment cleaning. Spare her of this, please.

4. Change some diapers

After each of my c-sections, my husband changed the diapers for the first few weeks. He did it for every single diaper without a single complaint. Even once things settled down, he still would stop me when I’d go to change a diaper, telling me to go ahead and relax while he handled it. It meant everything to me.

5. Be encouraging

Breastfeeding is not always easy. There are moments when moms feel like throwing in the towel. It’s hard and it’s hard work, but it’s so rewarding too. When she feels like giving up, encourage her to stick with it. Help her contact a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding coach to give her more motivation. And if someone ever says anything negative to her about breastfeeding – be it a family member or a total stranger – stand up for her and stand with her.

 

 

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Studies Reveal Zika Virus Could Cause Microcephaly in Newborns

Although it’s been around for a while, Zika virus has been making headlines recently because of its affiliation with causing Microcephaly in newborn children. Zika virus is usually spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. While it’s generally so mild that most people don’t go to the hospital and very rarely causes death, it causes great concern because it can be passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child and cause microcephaly, a birth defect that results in an abnormal smallness of the head and incomplete brain development.

Because pregnant women can be infected with Zika virus, if you’re pregnant now, it’s imperative to protect yourself from getting it. If you’re nowhere near an area experiencing a Zika outbreak, then there’s nothing to worry about. However, if you plan to travel to one or your area has reported Zika virus outbreaks, you’ll need to take precautions.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following for pregnant women:

– Stay away from areas with Zika
If you live in an area that doesn’t have a problem with Zika, the CDC advises you stay there and if you’re planning to travel to an area with Zika, you should postpone your trip. If there’s no way to avoid a trip to an area with Zika, talk to your doctor about it first.

– Prevent mosquito bites
Keeping the mosquitoes from biting you in the first place will make it more difficult to get Zika. Wear long sleeves and long pants, stay inside air conditioned places, use EPA-registered insect repellents which are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and stay away from standing water which is known to be a hotspot for breeding mosquitoes.

– Protect yourself from getting Zika through sex
Zika virus can be passed through sexual contact and that includes vaginal, anal and oral sex. If your partner has lived or recently visit in an area with Zika virus, you should either abstain from any kind of sex or make sure to use a condom. Worried your partner might have Zika virus? Talk to your doctor about your concerns.

– Keep up with your doctor visits
Pregnant women should visit their OB/GYN once a month until the last month of pregnancy when you’ll need to go once a week, unless your doctor advises you to come more frequently. During these visits, address any concerns you have for Zika virus with your doctor. Also, if you have experienced a mosquito bite and are having the symptoms of Zika, call your doctor immediately.

A little prevention goes a long way in making sure we deliver healthy babies. Take good care of yourself and your baby will stay healthy and safe too.

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