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Caring for Your Baby

Parenting

At What Age Should a Baby Use Pillow and Blanket?

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Our sleep is a lot more comfortable if we have pillows to support our neck and head plus a blanket that keeps us warm and secured. However, that is not the case when it comes to our little ones. Experts advised that when we put our babies to sleep (especially the newborns and infants), we should not put any object near them or inside the crib where they sleep. Why are these comfy objects considered dangerous for the baby? Here is an article that discusses it, and to what age will be safe to introduce these things to our baby.

Why Pillows and Blankets are Unsafe for Babies

•Blankets, pillows, stuffed toys and even a very soft mattress are considered to be factors that increases possibility of SIDS. It is said that the barer the bed/crib, the better. Babies do not need these things actually. If you think he could feel cold while sleeping at night, you can let him wear swaddles(for newborn only) or even onsie and frogsuits to make him feel more warm and secured too.

•Suffocation may happen anytime if these items gets near to your baby’s face while he is deeply asleep. It might block airways and considering that newborns and infants are still vulnerable, it could really be life-risk for them.

•Use of pillow may trigger flat-head syndrome. Flat head syndrome is when a portion of your child’s head is too flat instead of being curved. Though it is not something we want our baby to have, it is not a life-threatening and it can still be changed and cured as the baby grows.

•Pillows and blankets can cause overheating to the baby’s body as well especially if the fabric used in making it is polyster. This is not breathable. It can trap heat in between the fabric and baby’s body or head. Overheating is also a factor that contributes to SIDS.

At What Age is Safe to Use Pillow and Blankets?

Study shows that the best time to introduce pillow and blankets to your baby is when he reaches 24 months or 2 years of age. By this time, he is already in control of his body. Even when he is asleep, whenever he feels uncomfortable, he can already detect the need for him to shift his position. Though, as parents, it is still the best for us to check on them from time to time or even just a couple of times especially if they already sleep through the night.

Caring for our baby requires paying attention to all details and ask experts or professionals for advise because what may seem fine to you may cause danger to that little being. It is best to be cautious to ensure safety all the time.

How to Handle a Picky Eater Child

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As a mother, it is always our joy to see our kids growing healthy. It is always on our goal to let our kids try different foods that contains the right nutritions they are expected to get everyday. But how could you achieve that if your child is a picky eater? How can you encourage him to change his eating habits so that each meal time will no longer be a horror for both mommy and her kid? In this article, lets find out how we can handle a child who is a picky eater.

When and Where Eating Happens

Establish a routine in eating and a permanent place to share your food. Your child should be able to eat 3 proper meals a a snacks in between. It is our role as a guardian to decide what food we should offer to our child, and it is our child’s decision already to take it or not. However here are some tips to help your child to be interested in trying different foods.

Tips to Help a Picky Eater Child

•Offer an Appealing Menu to Try On. Entice his or her curiousity by offering a meal that looks, smells and tastes yummy.

•Happy Meal Time. Do not pressure your child to eat what is on the table. The more pressured he is, the more he’ll set in his mid that he doesn’t like to eat what’s there. Make meal time a happy family time.

•Be an example. When the toddler seas that other members of family are eating what is on the table without asking for what’s not there, it will encourage him to try it too.

•Don’t bargain. Whatever is served should be consumed. Don’t serve his favorite food because he said he wants it. Don’t give in to his wants.

•He will eat when he’s hungry. At start, you may not like it when your kid only eats a little, and you just let that be. Experts says the child will more likely to eat more the next meal to make up from the last mealtime. Once he’s hungry, he will ask for food.

•Let him take Vitamins that might improve his appetite and eating habits. Ask your pedia about it so that you will have proper reccomendations on what to give your child too.

•Don’t easily quit the established routine. If you see only a little improvement, don’t quit right away or withdraw your plans. Be patient and try and try again.

Being a picky eater is not a behaviour that lasts for a lifetime. Eventually, it will improve through time, patience and dedication of parents to help their kids through it. As long as you don’t give up, there’s still hope. Just do your best to provide a healthy meal each time. Even if you fail, remind yourself that things will get better.

How to Give Your Kids a Happy Childhood

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As adults, looking back at our childhood days and telling stories to our kids about our experiences during childhood is such a wonderful time. We would always wish that our kids would be able to experience a fun-filled and happy childhood where all the scratches on our kneed can be cured by candies and the only problem we have is how to convince our Mommies to let us skip afternoon naps. As parents, we wish our children will have a wonderful childhood too, more than just playing on the gadgets and watching tvs. But how do we really help our kids yo make these wonderful memories of childhood days? Let’s discuss that here in this article.

How to Help Your Child to have a Happy Childhood

•Spend time to bond with them. No matter how busy you are, don’t forget to bond with your kids. They will remember each game well played. Each happy moments you have decided to share with them instead of working for your own happiness will be appreciated.

•Support your kids in their dreams. When they are still little and yet they are already sure of what they like to be in the future, show respect and support them. Parent’s support and encouragements will always mean so much to a child. More likely, he will remember that as a good memory when he grows up and chase his dreams.

•Teaching Valuable lessons. As early as 3 years old, when you teach your child an important life lesson or value, live through it. Show to him that when he learns to maintain the goodness and kindness inside his heart, he will become someone who will be source of happiness and values to others too.

•Be an example. Don’t overreact, overthink about problems, don’t stress yourself too much over work, be a living example of someone who brings positivity. Filling his childhood with positivity and happy memories to cherish.

•Teach your child to become optimistic. Even if he just had a hard and tiring day, teach him to remain patient and positive towards reaching a goal. Being enthusiastic in given situations is one way to keep happiness just around you.

•Developing Gratitude. The feeling of being thankful and appreciative no matter what situation you are into and on every simple or little things is one way to be happy.

•Acknowledge you child’s emotions. A child who’s emotions are well discussed, and who’s moods are managed will become an adult who knows how to control his emotions. He will know how to divert and manage his feelings.

Childhood is a very important part of someone’s life. Some people tends to develop their personalities and behavious from childhood stage. It is important to give our children a happy, optimistic and positive childhood days that he gets to cherish for the rest of his life.

How to Teach Your Child About Money Saving

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In today’s generation, life and living is no longer as simple and uncomplicated as it was during our childhood days. It is very important to teach our children values and lessons that will save them from hardship when they grow up and stand on their own feet. One of the best way to help our kids build their future is to teach them how to save money. Teach them on wisely spending and other techniques so they can appreciate the value and essence of saving money.

Saving Money Activities for kids

•Money as a reward. Give them a glimpse of how money as a reward works. Example, give them tasks to sweep the floor, to water the plants, or clean the table after meal time. Give them money as a reward in successfully doing some weekly chores you listed for them. As early as 3-5, they will experience that money should be hard earned and should be valued.

•Money in a jar. Each time they earn money from chores or when someone gives it, make them equally devide the money to placenit in 2 jars (for wants and for needs). Each time they want to buy little kiddie stuffs like chocolate or candy, they can get the money from wants. On the other hand, when they need to buy something they think they really need, they can get from the other jar. Explain to them that saving is a very good means to get what they want or need as long as they keep their head on it.

•Goal for savings. Let them set goals like a storybook they really like to have, and set that as their main goal to save so that they will be motivated.

•Prioritizing and budgeting. When going to the mall to buy stuffs, let them have limited money and make them choose to what they want. Each time they get something, ask them if that is really2 needed. In the end, they should be able to get what they like or need the most and eliminate those that are just tempting to the eyes.

•Teach them about contentment. Make your kids see that as long as they have what they need and maybe a few of what they want, they should be contented. Spending money just because you have it is a big No No. Saving for emergencies and for the future should be discussed as well so your child can have a picture of what he is saving for.

•Be an example. Don’t teach your child to save wisely, then you keep on spending over things you are tempted to buy. Do what you have taught your children and set as a good example of someone who has effective savings plan.

Teaching kids about the value of saving is not really an easy peasy task. It would require patience and contentment to overdlow and avoid spending on things you don’t really need. In the future, once your child is already old enough, he will be come a money-smart person and surely, he will thank you for teaching him that as early as possible.

What Second Hand Smoke Can Do to Your Baby

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The world has always been warned that cigarette smoking is dangerous to our health. It is the cause of life-risky diseases such as lung and esophageal cancers, heart disease, stroke, aneurysm and a lot more. If smoking has been dangerous to adults who are smomers, how much more and what could have been its effect to the second hand smokers especially the babies? Is it as life-threatening to children as it is to adults? Let’s find out.

Effects of Secondhand Smoking to Babies

•Respiratory Infectons. Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoking are much more prone to develop respiratory infections and lung diseases.

•Ear Infectons. Experts speculaten that when a child is exposed to secondhand smoke, the tube in his ear may become blocked up or inflamed. This can cause for water and dirt to be trap inside the ears making it an ideal place for bacteria and infections.

•Asthma and Allergies. Children are more probe to asthma and allergies once exposed to secondhand smoke. Not only because of the toxicity of the smoke but also because of the contained harmful chemicals in it.

•Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This refers to sudden death of healthy infants (below one year old) during sleep. There is no scientific reason for it but secondhand smoking is one of the factors that researchers see as a contributing factor.

•Sickly Children. With the exposure in secondhand smoking, children are more prone to getting sick. They could easily get cough, wheezing, bronchitis and even pneumonia.

How to Save Children from Secondhand Smoke

•From pregnancy, avoid smoking or avoid being in the same room with someone who smokes. Even if the baby is still inside you, he is unsafe from all the hazardous things you could encounter like secondhand or thirdhand smoking.

•Newborn babies are very vulnerable. Protect them. Never let anyone smoke around you. Even inside the car with windows down, it is still unsafe. Completely eliminate smoking from your daily lives. The child’s welfare should come first.

•When going out into the public, always be vigilant and check if the place you are in designates a smoking area or not. Children are helpless so stand up for them.

•Ask relatives, friends, nannies, baby siyters and care givers to step outside when they smoke. Inform them that you don’t allow smoking near your children.

•As early as toddler stage, teach your kids to avoid people who are smoking. Make them understand how dangerous and risky it is for their health.

It takes a very consistent effort and sacrifice to be able to raise our children. They are supposed to be well taken cared off. Take the responsibility to save and protect your children from secondhand smoke risks.