Mom & Baby

Ears shut.....

2006-09-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

19 months and yesterday at 21:43pm my little boy found out that if he covers his ears with his fingers then he will not hear the voices and it was fun looking at him doing that stunt again and again, he was enjoying it and was very happy. He dances by moving his little bum right and left. The only one thing which he desperately wants to do is hop, he tries this every day, lets see when he will be really hopping around like bunnies. I keep singing for him "hop little bunny hop hop hop".
It’s really fun watching him grow and do something new everyday.

HELPING LITTLE FIGHTERS

2006-09-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

Don't be surprised if your otherwise friendly child has suddenly started hitting people. Many children this age start communicating their feelings physically, partly as a way to get your attention and partly because their language skills are still limited. To curb this behaviour, make a point of noticing when he communicates without hitting. Positive rewards for acceptable behaviour teach better than negative consequences for bad behaviour. What should you do? Don't put him into social situations when you know he's ready for a nap or too hungry to be calm. And try to spend some time alone with him each day so you can give him your full attention when you play together. Never smack him. Otherwise he learns from you that hitting is ok - they do it to me, why not smack other kids. Hang in there. Soon he'll develop language that he'll find helps him communicate much more effectively.

RUNNING, JUMPING AND DANCING

2006-09-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

Between 18 months and 2 years, children are consumed with the desire to explore. Climbing into, around and on top of anything within reach becomes more and more exciting. But your toddler can't be relied upon to worry about heights. That's your job. Toddlers have been found on top of kitchen cupboards, on older kids' bikes and even on the roofs of cars! Now your child will run everywhere rather than walk, and he will start to dance, turn around and try out all of his new motor skills - balancing, twirling, jogging. Keep one hand free so you can grab hold of him whenever necessary. He'll no doubt keep you on your toes.

19 months old...

2006-09-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

My Baby is 19 months and he always wants attention from us,
LISTEN TO ME! When words fail him, your toddler has to find other ways of communicating his thoughts, feelings and frustrations. Unfortunately for parents, throwing a tantrum and responding physically is often the easiest option for a toddler who feels he's failing to make himself heard. As your child's personality develops, his range of feelings, his involvement in the world and his desire to make an impact also naturally flourish. Toddlers can be extremely unreasonable when they get an idea into their heads. And while it is your difficult job to steer them in the right direction, none of us are perfect. So you may not always have the right answers when faced with particularly challenging parenting moments. But remember, we all experience difficult times when we question ourselves. Talking to other mothers with tricky toddlers, and being able to laugh together about your most embarrassing or frustrating moments will really help put things into perspective.

18 months old...

2006-09-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

BYE-BYE BABY DAYS Your toddler has gained a lot of independence in the last six months. By this age, he is keen to try to manage things alone whenever possible. You find yourself slowed down by his clumsy, but insistent, attempts to feed himself, or his refusals to get into the pushchair when you're in a hurry. It's hard to find a happy medium between encouraging independence and providing the support your child still needs, when the recipient can be so stubborn! Keeping your sense of humour is vital during this stage, as it can be quite exasperating at times. Whenever possible, try to present your toddler with a choice of options to give him the impression that he is playing a real part in the decision making process. If he believes he has some degree of control over his life, he will be less likely to actively seek it out at every opportunity.

Great ideas for nutritious meals

2006-07-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

MENU PLANNING For most toddlers, one good meal (usually breakfast), two smaller meals, and two or three nutritious snacks each day is fine. Need suggestions for that "good" meal? Here are two examples:

Breakfast:
1 cup of fortified cereal

1 cup of whole milk

1/2 banana

1 slice of wholemeal toast with margarine

Dinner:
1 cup of pasta with Parmesan cheese and small amount of pasta sauce - too much sauce could upset your baby's stomach

1/4 to 1/2 cup of white chicken meat, cut up

1/2 cup of whole green beans, cooked

1 cup of whole milk

17 months old....

2006-07-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

At this age, your toddler really watches the way people behave and interact. He studies your every move, learns to mimic the way your react to situations and to other people, and generally takes cues from the behaviour of those around him. At the same time, your little one wants to do everything you're doing and be "part of the gang". And he doesn't understand that it's often just not possible or practical. He constantly challenges and tests every aspects of his world.

This is why it's so important to set the right examples from an early age, and remember to remain as calm and patient as possible when dealing with difficult moments. Set the stage now for you child to start learning how to control his emotions and interact nicely with others. Encourage him to develop good eating habits, nice manners, and the idea of sharing. He will appreciate being given clear and consistent examples upon which to model his own behaviour as he takes up his place in the world

16 months old...

2006-06-22T01:25:00.000-07:00

Your toddler at 16 months: You're now really starting to see what sort of character your toddler is developing. At sixteen months, he has his own ideas about what he would like to be doing, eating and playing with, and he never hesitates to communicate his opinions. Unfortunately for him and his parents, he doesn't yet have the words with which to do so, and this is extremely frustrating. He shares his thoughts and feelings by babbling, pointing, throwing things and finally screaming, while you struggle to figure out what it is he is trying to tell you. It's a tricky time for everyone, but don't despair. It won't be long before his language really takes off and he can be more precise in his communication. In the meantime, try to see the positive side of things: your child is really communicating with you now, and his personality is coming to the fore. Enjoy getting to know what makes him such an individual. Your relationship will naturally grow deeper and more rewarding as a result

Nine principles for 9 months

2006-05-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

Following this diet can better the chances of a normal birth weight, improve foetal brain development and reduce risk of certain birth defects. It also increases the chances of a safe and comfortable pregnancy.

Nine principles for 9 months

1. Every bite counts: If the food you have chosen does not measure up nutritionally, it should be something you truly enjoy.

2. All calories are not created equal: Choose quality over quantity. Those 100 calories in 10 potato chips are not equal to the 100 calories in a baked potato served in its skin. Your baby will benefit from nutrient-rich calories, rather than empty ones.

3. Starve yourself, starve the baby: Don’t skip meals. Eating regularly is the road to a well-nourished foetus.

4. Efficiency is effective: Choose lean meats over fatty ones, fat-free milk or low fat milk and dairy products over full-fat, broiled foods over fried. Spread butter lightly on toast, use a teaspoon (not a tablespoon) of olive oil to sauté. To start tipping the scale towards healthier weight gain, choose foods that are dense in nutrients — avocados, nuts and dry fruit.

5. Carbohydrates are a complex issue: Don’t drop carbohydrates from your diet thinking you will gain weight. Unlike simple carbs — white bread, rice and pav — complex carbs — brown rice, fresh fruit, dried beans and peas — supply essential B vitamins, trace minerals, protein and fibre. Since they are filling, but not fattening they keep your weight in check. Recent research suggests eating plenty of fibre may reduce risk of gestational diabetes.

6. Sweet nothings are exactly that: Sugar calories are empty calories and add up quickly, leaving less room for nutritionally substantial calories. For delicious and nutritious sweetness, substitute fruit (ground dates, dried apricots, raisins) and fruit juice concentrates for sugar.

7. Keep it raw: If your carrots have not seen their native fields for months — having been boiled, processed and preserved — they may not have much natural goodness left to offer you or your baby. Choose fruits and vegetables when they are in season, have been fresh-frozen or unadulterated-canned. Try to eat raw vegetables every day. While cooking veggies, microwave, steam or stir-fry lightly so they will retain their vitamins and minerals.

8. Family affair: Get the whole household to eat healthy with you, otherwise you will have a harder time doing so alone. In addition to a healthier baby and a slimmer you, there will be a postpartum bonus of a family with improved eating habits.

9. Bad habits can sabotage a good diet: The best prenatal diet in the world is easily undermined if the expectant mother does not eliminate alcohol, tobacco and unsafe drugs from her life.

What to avoid

• No level of alcohol consumption is considered safe during pregnancy.
• Though many doctors feel one or two cups of coffee, tea or soda per day won’t harm your baby, it’s wise to avoid caffeine altogether. High caffeine consumption has been linked to increased risk of miscarriage.
• Soft, unpasteurised cheeses (often advertised as “fresh”).
• Unpasteurised milk and juices.
• Raw eggs, foods containing raw eggs.
• Raw or undercooked meats, fish, or shellfish.
• Processed meats in hot dogs, deli meats.
• Shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish may contain high levels of mercury, which can damage the developing brain of a foetus.

The art of feeding toddlers

2006-05-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

TOO BUSY TO EAT Toddlers are notoriously fussy eaters. Eating is simply not on the fun agenda of the average one-year-old. You may be surprised that your up-to-now good eater suddenly loses interest in food, will not sit still long enough to take in more than two mouthfuls, and seems to be consuming only a fraction of his previous daily intake. Don't worry. This is normal toddler behaviour. The drive to master the arts of walking and talking is all-consuming right now, and your little one simply doesn't want to give up any of his precious time for the boring task of eating. His growth rate is slowing down, and with it his appetite, and although he uses up a great deal of energy by being so active, his body can make use of the extra fat stored over the past year to top up its fuel tank! Try to get him to sit down for his regular meals, even if it's only for a few mouthfuls, to help him learn that mealtimes are for eating. But in between, let him snack often with small amounts of healthy foods. Make each mouthful count by ensuring that you stick to nutritious choices.

Establishing a good bedtime routine for your baby

2006-05-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

WHERE TO START The first step in establishing a calm and settled bedtime routine is to identify the objects and habits that help to soothe your baby. Does he have favourite music, a special blanket or an interesting mobile that have a calming effect on him? Does he like to hear voices as he drifts off, or is he happier in a quieter environment? Organise yourself and decide on a structure that should begin with bath time, progress to some quiet time and a feed, and end with putting your baby down, still awake, in his bed. Remember to encourage your baby to fall asleep on his own, as he needs to develop this ability in order to be able to eventually manage the night alone. Give him the time and space to find his own particular methods of self-soothing, even if this means enduring a period of crying before he nods off. And resist the temptation to jump out of bed and rush to him at the first whimper during the night. You will only be teaching him that he needs your help to go back to sleep, and he won't learn to do so on his own.

Baby development...

2006-05-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL Don't take it personally if your baby says "Dada" before "Mama" - it's only natural. "Mama" will come in time, so don't try to push him. The second year is full of challenging behaviour such as temper tantrums and refusals. Your child is testing your limits: "How far can I go to get what I want now". At this age your child finds it hard to understand that some things cannot be had immediately. Do take note of how he communicates, and be reassured if he gestures effectively and understands simple, single requests like "Go and get your shoe." Listen to what he says when he is alone in his cot: Children practise language and review their exciting experiences through "cot speech." You'll hear elements of the day's events, your own "no's" and even voice imitations as your child works at consolidating all that he's learning.

Your Baby, 15 Month...

2006-05-14T01:25:00.000-07:00

STEPPING OUT ALONE Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, your toddler is always keen to go and explore his surroundings. Like a little wind-up toy, as soon as his feet touch the ground, he's off! At this age, children are constantly testing their abilities, climbing onto furniture, opening doors and cupboards, squeezing themselves into corners and getting stuck. At home, keep a regular check on your little one's whereabouts, especially when all goes suspiciously quiet! This usually indicates that baby's found something new and fascinating to do, and it could lead to trouble, or in the very least result in a big mess! When you're out and about, don't expect your toddler to be content just sitting in his pram. He's raring to go and doesn't want to be strapped into a seat! Shopping and going for coffee with friends is definitely more tricky nowadays, so go prepared with toys and snacks to distract you little adventurer. And remember to stay on high alert, ready to divert him away from trouble, whenever he sets off to investigate a new place.

Types of Birth Method...

2006-05-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

Silent birth

Silent Birth refers to a method preferred by some members of the Church of Scientology. A silent birth involves delivering a baby in a completely silent, calm environment, without the help of pain relieving drugs. During a silent birth, all sounds are kept at an absolute minimum — speaking, whispering, and even playing music is discouraged, and anesthetic drugs are avoided. This silence is maintained for a period of seven days.

Hydro birth

Water birth entails a method of delivery where a mother gives birth to her child in a bathtub or pool full of warm water. Water is a muscle relaxant. It aids the passage of the baby through the birth canal. It provides greater comfort and mobility. The mother has more ease and freedom to move spontaneously, and to change position to assist the descent of the baby. Water helps relieve pain, so, other painkillers can be avoided. A hydrobirth shortens the duration of labour and reduces the incidence of artificial instrumentation at delivery. It helps in the reduction of pressure on the abdomen. Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation. This means less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.

Hypno birth

Hypno birth is based on the belief that birth is a natural phenomenon and not a medical incident. Hypno birthing therapists teach women how to self-hypnotise and use very slow breathing techniques that coincide with the body’s natural contractions.

The key element of this type of delivery involves teaching pregnant mothers a whole new childbirth vocabulary as follows,

Babies are not “delivered,” they are “birthed” through the “birthing process,” not “labour.”

Mothers do not “push” their babies out. They “breathe down” their babies.

Baby's star sign

2006-05-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

My baby is Aquarius.

Weaning Q & A

2006-05-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

Q: When to start?
A: For most babies, milk or infant milk provides all the nourishment needed up to the age of 6 months, but if you think your baby needs solids before this time, ask your health professional for advice.

Q: What foods should I offer to start with?
A: Baby rice, fruit (e.g. banana, apple, pear, mango) or vegetable (e.g. carrot, parsnip, potato, yam) purees mixed with your baby’s usual milk make good first weaning foods. These first tastes should be bland-tasting, smooth and gluten free.

Q: How much should I give and when?
A: One or two teaspoons of food offered before, during or after one of your baby’s usual milk feeds is all that you’ll need to give to start with. Gradually you will be able to increase the number of spoonfuls offered – be guided by your baby’s appetite, so if he still seems hungry after a couple of teaspoons of food you can give a little more. As your baby begins to want more, start giving some solid food at two and then three feeds a day.

Q: Increasing variety?
A: Try and give a wide variety of tastes as your baby is less likely to be a fussy eater later on if you do. If a food is rejected at first, try it again another time as your baby may grow to like it.

Q: How long will weaning take?
A: Weaning from a milk only diet to one containing a wide range of new tastes is a gradual process which can take quite some time, but by the age of about one year most babies will be eating a varied diet. Remember all babies are different so relax and go at your baby’s pace. Allow plenty of time for feeding, particularly at first, and let your baby enjoy learning this new skill.

Two little babies

2006-03-27T03:42:00.000-08:00

Two little babies were sitting in their cribs, when one baby
shouted to the other, "Are you a little girl or a little boy?"

"I don't know," replied the other baby giggling.

"What do you mean, you don't know?" said the first baby.

"I mean I don't know how to tell the difference," was the reply.

"Well, I do," said the first baby chuckling, "I'll climb into your
crib and find out."

He carefully manoeuvred himself into the other baby's crib, then
quickly disappeared beneath the blankets.

After a couple of minutes, he resurfaced with a big grin on
his face.

"You're a little girl, and I'm a little boy," he said proudly.

"You're ever so clever," cooed the baby girl, "but how can you tell?"

"It's quite easy really," replied the baby boy, "you've got
pink socks and I've got blue ones."

Baby Rhymes

2006-03-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

Star light, star bright First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might Have the wish I wish tonight.

Father is labour ward pain

2006-01-29T11:37:00.000-08:00

Nervous fathers-to-be could be more of a hindrance than a help in the delivery room, experts warn.

Anxious men pass on their fears to mothers giving birth by Caesarean section, researchers from the University of Bath and Imperial College London found. Their anxiety increased the pain experienced by women immediately after the operation, which in turn could affect their recovery and influence the success of breastfeeding and parent-child bonding.
The study suggested that fathers should be prepared, both at antenatal classes and before the operation, to help reassure their partners about the procedure.

One in four babies born in Britain is now delivered by Caesarean section.

Caesarean Sections & Allergies

2006-01-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

“There may be long term risks of caesareans we’ve not considered before,” says Sidylle Koletzko, of the Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. “I would discourage them for all non-medical reasons.” Researchers say that such births may be a factor in the rise in cases of asthma and allergies. A study of 865 babies who were all exclusively breastfed for the first 4 months showed digestive problems and was more likely to develop food intolerance. According to New Scientist, “the explanation might be that babies born by Caesarean do not get a chance to swallow beneficial bacteria during birth, colonisation of the gut plays a key role in the development of the immune system.”

Talking to your baby matters

2006-01-03T05:59:00.000-08:00

I have a 11 months old baby "Yash" and now he has started talking to me, first words were ma-ma-ma & now he says mummy & sometimes baby, don’t know if it is really mummy or not but it always sounds like mummy. It is really very interesting to hear them talk with you, because they try their level best to communicate with you.
Here are some tips which I want to share with you all. I got these tips from my midwife and some are from my mom.

Talking and listening to your child will benefit you both. Your child will feel valued and loved, and the two of you will form a close bond with each other. Infact talking and listening to children from the moment they are born helps them develop good language and communication skills. This enables them to listen and express themselves well. The best way to stimulate babies’ brains is to talk to them more.
Babies can communicate before they start talking and want to interact with people, especially family, by moving their mouth or limbs, cooing, babbling or smiling, your baby is sharing experiences with you and looking for a response. Whenever possible, try to response by making eye contact, smiling and talking back.

Talking tips

Talk to your child when you’re playing together. Have fun with nursery rhymes & songs, especially those with actions.
Gain your child’s attention when you want to talk. Increase vocabulary by giving choices, e.g. “Do you want milk or juice?”
Talk about the things as they happen, e.g. when you’re both unpacking the shopping. Listen carefully and give your child time to finish talking. Take turns to speak.
Always respond in some way when your child says something. Help your child to use more words by adding to what they’ve said, e.g. “Goggy bited it.” “Yes, the dog bit it, didn’t he?”
Try and have special time with your child each day to play with toys and picture books.
Watch TV together so you can talk about the programme and watch shows designed for your child’s age.

Talking will help the two of you form a close bond, as communication is the basis of your relationship with each other.