Friday, May 30, 2008

Feeding and Toilet Training.

Culled from parenting.com


Feeding your baby

Your baby is probably able to pick up small objects between her thumb and forefinger now, and still puts them straight into her mouth. While this means that you'll need to take extra care to keep potentially dangerous small objects out of her reach, it also means that mealtime can become easier and more fun for both of you. Offer your baby a selection of enticing food, all cut up into pinchable bits, and let her feed herself. Meals will become a fun learning experience for her and you will have your hands free to feed yourself for the first time in many months. Lightly steamed vegetables, fruit, rice, bits of bread, and pieces of cheese and meat all make interesting and appealing finger foods for older babies. She'll eat until her appetite is satisfied; let her stop when she loses interest.

While mealtime will be messy for the next year or so, try not to worry about table manners just yet. Allowing her to hold and play with a spoon now will teach her to use it, eventually, with neatness and skill. Fill her sippy cup with water so that splashes won't matter so much. Plain water is better than sugary juice in any case.

Toilet training

While friends and relatives may feel that you should get a start on toilet training before your baby's first birthday, researchers in child development suggest otherwise. Rather than pressuring your baby to control her bowels before she is able, wait until her second birthday approaches before introducing her to a potty. Too much pressure before she is ready may result in wetting or withholding, while waiting until she shows an interest in using the potty is far more likely to make the process easy and smooth for both of you.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Get Daddy Involved

Most times women unintentionally leave daddy out in care giving for their babies
Although traditionally in Africa its the "woman's place" they say in caring for baby.
But Daddy ought to be involved in Bath Time,Play time,Sleep Time etc
This will form an invaluable Bond as time progresses betwewen Daddy and Baby
I will appreciate comments on different ways daddy can bond with baby on different levels.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Is My Baby Teething?

Waoh Last night was very tiring.My Baby has started teething...Typical Symptoms...Stooling,Vomiting and Very High Fever all came upon him.
My Husband and I gave him teething syrup that contains Paracetamol.We Sponged him to make his temperature come down etc.
This morning I stumbled on this wealth of information via google search on this website:www.thenewparentsguide.com
Have Great Read!!!Please you can leave comments and suggestions that can help.
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When does the process of teething begin?

When a baby begins teething, there is no set pattern on when it will begin, how long it will take and how painful it will be. For one baby cutting a tooth might happen overnight without pain, while another child might have to go through a long, drawn out and painful experience. You may sometimes visibly see a rise or lump in the gum for several weeks, while sometimes there may be no visible clue at all until the tooth actually appears.

The process of teething often follows hereditary patterns, so if the mother and father teethed early or late, your baby may follow the same pattern. On average the first tooth comes in during the seventh month, although it can arrive as early as three months, as late as a year, or in rare cases even earlier or later.



Which teeth come in first and how many with there be?

In total there are twenty primary (first) teeth, which is twelve less than the full set of thirty-two permanent teeth adults have. Most children have a full set of primary teeth by the time they are around two or three years old. These teeth usually last until about the age of six, when the teeth that were first to appear become loose and fall out as the second teeth begin to push through the gums. The primary teeth continue falling out until roughly the age of twelve. Again, these ages mentioned above are only averages and your child may follow an earlier or later pattern. The following is the most common pattern in which your baby’s teeth will usually appear.

Age


Teeth


Position

6 to 7 months


Incisors


Two central bottom & Two central top teeth.

7 to 9 months


Two more incisors


Top & bottom; making four top & four bottom teeth in all.

10 to 14 months


First molars


Double teeth for chewing

15 to 18 months


Canines


The pointed teeth or “fangs”

2 to 3 years


Second molars


The second set of double teeth at the back

What are the symptoms of teething?

The symptoms of teething vary from child to child. Because of these different experiences, parents and physicians often disagree as to the symptoms of teething and how painful it is. The list below shows symptoms that a teething baby may experience. While most parents usually agree that some or all of the symptoms below happened around the time of teething, it is still recommended that if your baby experiences any of these symptoms you check with your pediatrician to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms.

Irritability: As the sharp little tooth rises closer to the surface your baby’s gums may become increasingly more sore and painful, leading to your baby being very fussy. The pain and discomfort is most often worse during the first teeth coming in and later when the molars come in because of their bigger size. This is most often the case since babies become accustomed to the sensations of teething and learn to live with them. But you may find your baby may be fussy during the whole time that every tooth comes in. Every child reacts differently.

Drooling: From three to four months of age you may see your baby start drooling more often than normal. Teething stimulates drooling, which is often worse with some babies than others.

Coughing: The extra saliva can cause your baby to occasionally cough or gag. This is usually nothing to worry about as long as your baby seems fine and shows no signs of a cold or flu and does not run a high fever.

Chin rash: If your baby is a big drooler, the constant contact with saliva can cause the skin around the chin and mouth to become irritated. To help prevent this, gently wipe your baby’s mouth and chin periodically throughout the day.

Biting & gnawing: A baby that is teething will gnaw and gum down on anything she or he can get their mouth around. The counter pressure from biting on something helps relieve the pressure from under the gums.

Cheek rubbing and ear pulling: Pain in the gums may travel to the ears and cheeks particularly when the back molars begin coming in. This is why you may see your baby rubbing their cheeks or pulling at their ears. However, keep in mind that pulling at an ear can also be a sign of an ear infection.

Diarrhea: While this is a symptom that is disagreed upon by physicians, researchers and parents, most parents usually notice slightly looser bowel movements when a baby is teething. While the recent study done by the Children’s Hospital in Australia found this to be the most common symptom of teething, there are still many people that will agree and disagree with this recent study. It is believed that the most likely cause of this is the extra saliva swallowed, which then loosens the stool. Be sure and report any diarrhea to your doctor that lasts more than two bowel movements.

Low-grade fever: A fever is another symptom that doctors are sometimes hesitant to directly link with teething. But there are many parents who will disagree with this and find their baby gets a slight fever while teething. The best thing to do is be extra safe and notify your doctor if a fever last more than two days.

Not sleeping well: With teething pain happening during the day and night, you may find your child wakes more often at night when the pain gets bad enough. Most parents agree that the night waking happens more often during the first set of teeth and with the molars.

Cold like symptoms (runny nose, etc.): Some parents find that their baby will show signs of having a cold. Runny noses, coughing and general cold symptoms are believed to come from the baby having their hands in their mouth more often. Play it safe and always notify your doctor if symptoms such as this occur.



How can I help my baby with the pain?

There are several things that you can try to help ease the pain of teething; some work and some don’t, but most parents agree they’re always worth a try. Teething rings, water filled and chilled rubber teething toys; mom and dads fingers can all provide counter pressure that can sometimes bring relief. Offering your baby a cold bottle of water can also help. If sucking on the bottle bothers your child, offer a cold cup of water. The water can also help replenish your baby’s fluid if they’re drooling a lot or have loose bowel movements.

Cold food has also been found to be helpful by some parents. Chilled applesauce, yogurt and pureed peaches may be more appealing to your baby and also more nutritious than a chilled teething ring.

When nothing else helps, you can also turn to the Infant Tylenol. Before giving your child Infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) always check with your doctor first. Your doctor will tell you if it’s all right and what the proper amount is to give your baby. Baby Orajel and other teething pain medicines that are applied to the gums can also provide some relief. Some parents say the Baby Orajel type products work great, while other parents will say it doesn’t. Also check with your doctor before giving this type of over the counter pain reliever to your baby.

The teething process will come and go just like so many other things with new babies. Keep trying different things until you find what provides the best relief for your child.

Note: Before trying any of the suggestions listed above or any other type of home remedy it is highly recommended that you contact your pediatrician first. You should follow your pediatricians advise first before trying anything mentioned on this site or on any other site. Your child's doctor knows what is best for your child.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Play,Laugh and Smile with your Baby!!

This is very important but yet sounds trivial.I believe Parents need to continuously Play,Laugh and Smile with your Baby!!
Baby will grow up being more friendly.........and Hey this can contribute to curbing terrorism in the world.
Try this recipe.
Readers you can leave suggestions on how to incorporate this into your family traditions.
Nice weekend Everyone!!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

10 Cool Informational Websites for Parents Part 1

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Hello All I compiled this list and I believe it will be of immense benefits to you.
The Stars represent my rating of the sites:
www.babycentre.com - *****
www.half.ebay.com -***
www.kinderstart.com -**
www.families.com -**
www.preschoolrock.com-***
www.education.com -**
www.first30days.com -*
www.kidshealth.org-*
www.theparentreview.com-***
www.DisneyFamily.com -***

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Friday, May 9, 2008

Care and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old

Care and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old

As your baby becomes more independent and mobile, your questions for your child's doctor may have more to do with bumps, bruises, and behavior than with anything else. You can't protect your baby from every knee-bump suffered while learning to walk or finger-pinch received while investigating his or her room. But you can make sure poisons and medicines are kept where he or she can't possibly get to them, and you can try to provide a safe environment in which to satisfy budding curiosity about the surrounding world.

Your baby is probably hearing "no" a lot these days as he or she explores boundaries; consequently, you'll hear that word from him or her a lot later on. It's your job to remain consistent but loving while teaching the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Although you may have depended on your child's doctor primarily for medical advice until this point, he or she is also a wealth of information on the emotional and social aspects of childhood.
When Will We See the Doctor?

Doctors often have their own schedules for well-baby visits, but most will generally see a baby twice during this stage, once at 9 months and again at 12 months. If you have missed any immunizations, or if a problem has been detected that needs special attention, additional visits may be scheduled during this time.
What Will Happen During the Office Visit?

The well-baby visits at 9 and 12 months are pretty similar to the exams that have taken place so far, although your discussions with your child's doctor about behavior and habits may become more detailed as your baby becomes more mobile and independent.

You can expect these common procedures and questions:

* Measurement of your baby's length, weight, and head circumference. Growth will be plotted on his or her own growth chart, and you will be advised of his or her progress.
* A physical examination checking for normal function of the eyes, ears, heart, abdomen, hands and feet, reflexes, etc. The doctor may check your baby's soft spot (the fontanel). The soft spot may be closed or much smaller (the size of a fingertip). The doctor will check your baby's mouth for new teeth and signs for the appearance of others to come.
* A review of your baby's physical and emotional development through both observation and your report of his or her progress. Can he or she sit on her own by now? Do you discover him or her pulling up on things to stand? Does he or she recognize his or her own name and the names of other family members? Does he or she enjoy interacting with you through games like "peekaboo"? Your doctor may ask you these questions and others.
* You may be asked how you are doing with your baby and how the rest of the family is functioning. Your child's doctor may go over safety questions with you: Have you babyproofed your home? Is your baby in an appropriate car seat while riding in the car?
* A discussion of your baby's eating habits. Is he or she eating more table foods? Is he or she interested in finger foods on the tray of the highchair? Can he or she use a cup? Is he or she being weaned from the breast or bottle? Most doctors advise a switch from bottle to cup by the first birthday or before to be sure the bottle doesn't interfere with normal tooth development, and to avoid a struggle with a determined toddler later on. By 1 year, most babies can be given foods that were off-limits before, such as cow's milk, citrus fruits, and eggs. Your doctor can discuss these additions to your baby's diet with you.
* Advice on what to expect in the coming months.
* Your baby will receive immunizations during some visits (see below).

Depending on where you live and the potential risk of getting tuberculosis it is sometimes recommended that babies at about 1 year of age undergo a tuberculin skin test. You'll be given instructions on how to monitor the test and will be asked to return to the office for the nurse or doctor to check the results of the test. Discuss possible vaccine reactions with your child's doctor, and get advice on when to call with unusual problems.

Bring to your child's appointments any questions or concerns you may have at this time. Make sure to write down any specific instructions the doctor gives you regarding special baby care. Keep updating your child's permanent medical record, listing information on his or her growth and problems or illnesses.
What Immunizations Will My Baby Receive?

If your baby missed immunizations at previous visits because of illness or scheduling problems, he or she will probably be brought up-to-date during this stage. Because your baby is becoming more and more mobile and is coming in contact with other children more often, you'll want to make sure immunizations are given as close to the recommended times as possible. This is especially true if your baby goes out of your home for child care.

Because more immunizations than ever before are being given to children by the age of 2 years, doctors are spacing vaccinations so that infants will not need more than three to four shots per well-baby visit.

From the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule of the American Academy of Pediatrics:

* At your baby's 12-month visit, he or she may receive his or her first measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (it can be given between 12 and 15 months of age).
* The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is currently given as a single injection between 12 and 18 months of age.
* The fourth pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is given between 12 and 15 months of age.
* The fourth Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine is given between 12 and 15 months of age.

Your baby may also receive:

* the third hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B), which can be given at any time during 6 to 18 months of age
* the third polio vaccine (IPV), which can be given at any time during 6 to 18 months of age

The schedule of these immunizations can vary depending on what combined vaccines your doctor uses.
When Should I Call the Doctor?

You should feel comfortable enough with your baby's doctor to call with questions and concerns that can't wait until the next scheduled visit. If you have questions that can wait until the next visit, write them down so you don't forget. Of course, call your child's doctor immediately if your child has an injury or illness that needs attention.

Call your child's doctor right away if your baby seems especially sluggish, is refusing food or drink, is vomiting or has diarrhea, or has a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

At this age, developmental delays may cause concern, so contact your child's doctor if you suspect your child is not developing within the range of normal. Each child has their own timetable for crawling, talking, and walking, so keep that in mind when checking for these signs of developmental progress by your child's first birthday. Make sure your child:

* has said a first single word (mama, dada)
* uses gestures (waves bye-bye, shakes head no)
* responds to familiar pictures or toys
* stands when supported and pulls up on things to stand

Again, the absence of any of these signs may or may not be cause for concern. Share them with your baby's doctor. Problems caught early can be treated more successfully.

Updated and reviewed by: Barbara Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: January 2005
Originally reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD

Culled from www.kidshealth.org

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Me Time!!!

As parents and first timers at that we need to make time for ME...

Some activities for me time can range from Solitude for a few minutes/hours,Prayers and Meditation,Playing your piano,Gardening,Painting,Reading,Writing a book,Studying for your exam etc
the list can be endless.....This will help you be well centered and refreshed ready to take on more challenges.
Happy Parenting!