Dealing With Your Child’s Separation Anxiety

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crying toddlerSeparation anxiety is part of the development period of each child. They could experience it in varying severities, and it depends on the age. Health experts deem this phase in their lives healthy, as it typically shows a healthy child-parent attachment. If your child gets to develop separation anxiety, there are some measures you can take in making such process easier for both parties. There might also be some particular things to be watchful about that could be indications of an unhealthy anxiety.

During the stage of infancy, the child could cling to parents more and could be more irritable. Routine and schedule modification could get more troublesome. The child could be in distress and cry when the parents leave and don’t come back for a period of time, be it a long one or a short one.

In accordance with BabyCenter, the child may develop some symptoms of separation anxiety even as early as 6 months.  However, separation anxiety tends to peak at between 12 and 18 months. The severity of symptoms may differ from one day to another, but the majority of separation anxiety in children disappears from ages 2 to 3. The child could also suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety during nighttime, most especially when they’re sleeping in a separate room away from the parents.

A lot of measures can be taken in handling separation anxiety. One of such measures is simply by reducing the length of time that the child is spending away from the parents. Doing so may not get the child used to the separation, but it usually helps in reducing the frequency of anxiety attacks. One thing you can do is to leave the child to people whom he or she may be familiar with, like family members. It may help in reducing the degree of anxiety, given that such people are familiar to the child.

There are some separation anxiety symptoms that tend to be severe and possibly unhealthy for the child. This leads to a separation anxiety disorder. It’s usually characterized by constant, severe separation anxiety which disrupts the child’s normal routine. Physical anxiety symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, and headaches, among others, could indicate the disorder. As soon as possible, seek help from your doctor. Try discussing every symptom or any changes in order to find out exactly what is happening to your child. Separation anxiety may be normal and healthy, but it tends to cause some problems when the symptoms that your child is suffering from get out of hand.

All of the difficulties in being parents might cause you to experience anxiety yourself, but its part of parenthood. Ultimately, it all contributes to your sense of accomplishment in being a parent.

How to Choose a Playpen

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You already have set everything for your new baby: the crib, bed and diapers. The next very important thing you should not miss is the playpen. There are so many play pens out in the market. And, it would be best for you and your new little guy to choose which is best for him. These are factors you should consider when purchasing a playpen for your kid.

Choosing a Playpen:

1. Safety features

Safety is the first thing to look for in a playpen. The railings of the playpen should be able to support up to 80 pounds or even higher. Of course, you would make sure that the playpen is sturdy enough when your baby is playing inside. You’ll also want to look for any signs of wear or tear in the floor or sides. If you choose a vinyl and mesh playpen, make sure that the fabric is thick and tear-proof so your baby can’t bite off bits to suffocate on. Lastly, inspect the insides of the pen if there are some bolts or pins dismounted.

2. Wooden vs. Mesh

Wooden playpens are generally sturdier and safer for your child compared to vinyl playpens, and they are often more attractive. Lots of parents prefer to have a wooden playpen that matches the nursery furniture. Wooden playpens also offer more stability for your child to stand up and lean against. Mesh playpens, on the other hand, are lightweight and easily movable, making it easy to have your little one close no matter where you are inside your home. Mesh playpens are great for traveling.

3. Double duty

Most parents choose a playpen that can double as a pack n play. In this way, you can shoot two birds with a stone since babies tend to fall asleep in their playpens most of the times. If you’re planning to do the same, you may want to get a mesh playpen that can easily be packed around like the Graco Pack n Play since it is normally lightweight. You can purchase a soft cushion pad for the bottom of the playpen that will act as a mini mattress to make sure your little guy is comfortable while occupying it.

How To Know When Your Toddler Is Ready For Potty Training

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If you have a toddler that hasn’t progressed to potty training yet, you will know doubt be wondering when best to start and how to go about it. Potty training can be difficult and it can be frustrating, not only for the parent but for the toddler as well. However, there are some things you can do to make it as easy as possible. In fact there are some things you can consider before you even start that may make the whole process easier for all concerned.

Before you start potty training your toddler you should probably consider when you should introduce the potty to them. This can be sooner or later and the latter is probably going to be better than the other for most people. For instance, if you were to introduce your toddler to a potty early on, way before they are ready to use it they may just dismiss it as another toy to throw around. They may even use it as a handy place to put their blocks or play figures in. On one hand your child will become familiar with the potty, how it looks and how it feels. However, when it comes to the time that they need to start using it, will they adapt to it easily and will they be able to see the potty in its new context? The choice here is yours, as you know your child better than anyone else and you know how they are likely to react to things.

So, when do you start potty training? Again, the answer will be flexible depending on you, your toddler, your lifestyle and methods. Most toddlers are ready to start potty training between 18 – 24 months old. At this stage of development a toddler will have developed the strength in their muscles that allows them to retain some bladder and bowel control. Although your toddler may be at the right age to progress, it doesn’t necessarily follow that it is the right time to begin their training.

When asking the question, ‘is my toddler ready for potty training?’ look for the tell-tale signs they may be showing you that say they are. You will notice that your toddler has developed so much that they can point to their nappy and say ‘pee pee’ or ‘poo poo’. In other words they have an understanding and the mental ability to realise what they are doing. Are they eager to help dress or undress themselves? This is another sign that they are ready to start pulling their own pants down when needing the toilet. Do they still have a dry nappy when they wake from a daytime nap? Maybe they stay dry now for a couple of hours following a nappy change; again, all good signs that they have developed some bladder control

The above signs are not a full list but just some of the things to look for when thinking about whether your toddler is ready yet. If they are not showing these signs at least, you may be setting yourselves up for failure if you continue with potty training.

Potty Training Tips

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Potty training is the practice of teaching children to use the toilet when they need to defecate or urinate. With others, the process begins with devices that are small, called a potty seat (hence the name). Potty training may vary from culture to culture, but in the US, children are normally potty trained at around 3 years old. The majority of children are able to exercise bowel control prior to learning bladder control. Consider some useful potty training trips below:

When and how to start potty training

Potty training is best done while kids are young. In fact, some experts recommend that starting potty training is best done right after a child’s first birthday. As soon as children reach this age, they begin to develop their social skills, and children often look forward to spending time with their mom by way of potty training. By the age of 2, children begin to develop trust and start to become more independent, while also learning about control.

Initial stages Of Potty Training

To begin with, remember that children learn by mimicking: what they see mommy or daddy doing, they are likely to do as well. You can start by placing your little one’s potty seat in front of your toilet. Whenever you go to the toilet, you can say the word “potty”, so your child will understand potty training in terms of lingo and action. Once in the bathroom, you can take off your little one’s diaper. As you facilitate the training, have your little one do as mommy does, on his or her potty seat. Do not pressure your child too much into doing this, and try to avoid being negative. Be patient and remember that it might take your little one many tries to get this right. Try to make the process fun, as you teach your little one and bond.

Potty training for boys

At a young age, boys will most probably notice that daddy and mommy use the toilet differently. As your child notices this, take advantage of the chance to let your little boy know how the bathroom is used by boys. Be accurate in referring to body parts. The ideal potty seats or potty chairs for young boys are ones that are perfect for their size. It is also best to purchase a potty chair with no urine guard, or at least get one that can be taken out, as these can scrape the skin of the penis. This experience can be traumatic!

Potty training for girls

Girls have a tendency to learn potty training quicker than boys, so it should be no trouble for moms to teach their daughters potty training. Time things right and see to it that your child is ready – emotionally and physically – for potty training. Otherwise, the whole process will take a long time to learn. The best time to potty train is when you feel that your daughter will be receptive to learning it.

The Importance of a Baby Humidifier

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Many of us do not realize how vital a moist atmosphere is in the baby’s nursery. Some moisture in the atmosphere is important for a baby’s health: this ensures that babies are better protected from respiratory issues and colds, coughs (including dry cough), flus, sinuses, allergies, symptoms of asthma, as well as dry skin and chapped lips. Babies’ immune systems have not yet developed fully, and this is why they could use additional protection. These are the type of benefits that humidifiers for babies can provide. These humidifiers work to balance the relative humidity in the air. If you are looking into buying a baby humidifier, consider the tips below:

Ideal Temperature

See to it that you keep the temperature in your baby’s nursery within the ideal range, which should be about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Features Of Most Baby Dehumidifiers

Demineralization Filters or Mineral Absorption Pads – If you do not have access to filtered or distilled water, you could use demineralization filters or mineral absorption pads. These are ideal for if the water that you get where you live is hard water. Mineral absorption pads will work to strain the minerals from water, and you will not need to worry about white dust ending up all over your baby’s nursery.

Auto-shutoff – Consider features such as a switch that will work to shut off your humidifier automatically. This way, the humidifier will come to a stop as soon as the ideal temperature range has been achieved. With this type of feature, you will get to save money on your energy bills. You will also be sure to extend the lifespan of your humidifier.

Anti-bacterial Filter – This filter will work to protect your baby by cleaning the air and getting rid of hazardous bacteria that can cause a variety of illnesses.

Nursery size

The capacity of humidifier for baby to get should depend on the size of the nursery where you intend to use the humidifier. If the nursery is 500 square feet or less in size, then a humidifier that has a capacity of 1.5 to 2 gallons for every 24 hours should suffice. For a room that is about 4 times bigger, a baby humidifier should have a capacity of 10+ gallons for each day.

Types and the Best Humidifier for Baby

There are warm mist humidifiers, cool mist humidifiers, and then there are humidifiers that can provide either a warm or cool mist – it really boils down to what is needed. Many experts say that cool mist humidifiers are better for babies, because warm mist can burn the skin. The best thing to do would be to buy a humidifier based on the general climate where you live; if you live in a tropical country, you are better off getting a cool mist humidifier. Among the best baby humidifier brands are Kids Line, Graco and Crane.

Colic in Babies

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Colic is a condition that has many parents worried about their baby. While many believe that colic is actually harmless, colicky babies can exhibit what is referred to as “red flag symptoms”. Colic is known to leave babies cramping, crying and moaning, which are all signs of distress. Oftentimes, colic occurs in babies that are about a month old, and then they can just go away before your baby reaches 3 or 4 months old. However, colic can last for up to a year. Studies have been conducted on the condition, and some have shown that breastfed babies are not as likely to develop colic.

Why do Babies get Colic?

We now have access to conclusions derived from years upon years of research, and it has been proven that there are several reasons as to why symptoms of colic appear, among which are improper burping, gas left in the pockets of intestinal tract, excessive stimulation of the baby’s senses, as well as spasm in the muscles. In 1999, research conducted by Guys and St Thomas Hospital in London also found that lactose intolerance may be among the causes of colic, as babies that fed on lactase enzyme were not as likely to develop colic. It is also believed that among the causes of colic are changes in the baby’s intestine, and mostly have to do with the balance of the bacteria present therein.

Baby Colic Symptoms

When babies cry unstoppably, the reason for this may only be because they are ill, uncomfortable or need milk. However, some symptoms of baby colic may raise red flags. Among these symptoms are intense crying; crying weakly or continuous moaning; throwing up as much as 5 times a day, with vomit having blood in it, or yellow or green in color; a temperature that is lower than 97°F or above 100.2°F; being extremely irritable or tired; inability to focus gaze; insufficient weight gain (weight gain should be around 0.5 oz. each day or more); a protruding spot on the head that is soft; restlessness while feeding, as well as constipation, or diarrhea, or mucous or blood in stool.

Baby Colic Remedies

Babies with symptoms that do not raise red flags are best burped properly. Their stomachs can also be gently massaged to release any excess gas inside. Babies that cry continuously are also prescribed probiotic (otherwise known as good bacteria) doses on a daily basis, among which are Lactobacillus reuteri or Lactobacillus acidophilus. These have proven to have a success rate of about 95%. Other safe treatments for colic are white noise and pacifiers, as well as rocking and swinging babies, which can be done with nursing rocking chairs or baby hammocks. Holding babies so that they are on their stomach or side for a while after feeding is also advised, plus just the right amount of swaddling.  For a great colic relief guide Click Here!

Double Baby Strollers: For More Than One Child

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Many parents have kids that are not many years apart in age. For these little ones, the perfect equipment would be double baby strollers, which are also known by the names duo strollers or tandem strollers. These types of baby strollers are also ideal for twins, as they allow moms to take their little ones from place to place using only a single means of transport. With two single baby strollers, this is not so easy to do.

Types of Double Strollers for Babies

Many parents are aware of how difficult it can be to move around with two little ones. It is easy for little ones to get lost if they walk or run around, but the good news is that logistics need not be a problem, with the use of double baby strollers.

Tandem Stroller

One type of the double baby stroller positions babies in such a way that one seat is right in front of the other. A variant of this double baby stroller has the seat behind elevated, so the baby sitting behind gets the same view as the one in front. There is also more leg room for the child in the back. This type of baby stroller is easiest to use in places that are quite crowded. They also fit more easily in the back of the car.

Side-by-side Stroller

Another type of double baby stroller seats babies side by side, or next to each other. This type of baby stroller does tend to be rather wide and can cause problems fitting through some doors. This type of double baby stroller is more affordable, and they allow moms to easily attend to the needs of either baby with ease. With double baby strollers wherein one seat is in front of another, this is not as easy to do. Such baby strollers are ideal for twins, or babies that are around the same in weight.

Strollers With Seats facing each other

There are also double baby strollers with the two seats facing each other. Some of these strollers can accommodate bassinets;

Double baby strollers are more affordable

Some double baby strollers have as much as 6 sets of 2 wheels, while others only use a total of 3 wheels, with one big wheel around the front as with a wheelbarrow, and 2 in the back. Of course, less wheels usually means less expenses for the manufacturer, and so these types of baby strollers are usually more affordable. Likewise, buying a double baby stroller will cost you less than buying two baby strollers, plus only one person (mommy, daddy, nanny or guardian) is needed to push a double baby stroller. Some double baby stroller brands to consider are Graco, Chicco, and Contours.

Baby Cribs That Convert To Beds Can Be A Great Money Saver

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Because of the current economic situation around the world, more and more people are being wise about spending their money. With new parents, there are several ways of doing this: using coupons when buying disposable diapers and formula, accepting donated hand-me-downs from family members or friends, as well as buying furniture like baby cribs that convert to beds.

The Benefits of Convertible Cribs for Babies

What a convertible crib for babies does is provide babies with a crib. Once babies outgrow their crib, these convertible cribs can be used as a bed for your child. This is how parents are able to save money by choosing a convertible crib over a regular crib, and then buying a bed when their baby outgrows their crib. By and large, it is ideal to switch from crib to bed mode once a baby attempts to climb out of his or her crib during the night.

Baby cribs that convert to twin beds will also facilitate your baby’s gradual transition from sleeping in the crib and sleeping in a bed. Since children grow up sleeping in cribs, they get used to this environment for the first few years, or until they are around 3 ½ years of age. It may be more ideal to wait until your child is almost 3 years old at least, as a lot of little ones do not find it easy to transition from a compact crib to a twin bed as the difference in size is huge. Kids are also potty trained at around 3 to 4 years old, and so a bed is perfect for little ones this age to go to the bathroom on their own, should they wake up and need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

How Baby Cribs that turn into Toddler Beds work

These convertible cribs turn into beds by removing the bed rails. The majority of these cribs are sold with kits for conversion. This way, converting the cribs into beds is effortless. The mattress need not be replaced, so not spending on a new one will also allow you to enjoy some more savings. Do see to it that you have the proper tools and materials needed to turn the crib into a bed. Usually just a spanner, screwdriver and hex key is all that is needed. With newer products that only use hex keys, most manufacturers will include them in the package along with full instructions.

Baby Cribs that Convert into Full-sized Beds

Some types of cribs for babies can convert into beds that are full in size. These types of baby cribs will require mattresses and frames that are likewise full-sized, but they will need to be purchased separately. You can find out more about these cribs by familiarizing yourself with your options for convertible cribs. Cribs that convert into full-sized beds are most beneficial because you will not need to keep changing your child’s bed until he or she is grown up.

Choosing a Lasting Nursery Theme

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Choosing your nursery theme is an exciting and fun task for most prospective parents, as it means your baby is almost here. You may be choosing a theme for a baby boy or a baby girl, or perhaps you are going for gender neutral. Either way, most people want to choose a theme that will last.

Gender Neutral Themes

There are a few reasons a gender neutral theme can be your friend. Firstly, however certain your sonographer may have been that you will be giving birth to a boy, sometimes mistakes are made.  This is not very common, and probably not something most people will make plans around, but it bears considering.

There are other reasons to go gender neutral though, from choosing a theme that will survive from one baby to the next, to choosing a theme that your little one will still like when she or he gets older.

Good gender neutral themes are often based on animals, birds or fish. They can also be based on stories or disney characters, such as Winnie The Pooh (both classic or Disney versions are popular).

Choosing a Theme for Babyhood Through First Grade

Some people have a nursery that they use for all their babies, moving them up and out when they get older. In this case, you only have to worry about a theme that will suit for babyhood. But if you plan to keep your child in the same room as they get older, you will want to consider what is appealing for an older child as well.

Tips for Lasting Appeal

  • Use easily replaceable items to dress up the nursery, while keeping the main decor simple. Eg have matching lamp, blankets and diaper hanger, while keeping away from using themed wall paper or curtains.
  • Character themes tend to age less well then more generic themes, like moon and stars. As your child grows he will likely feel the character theme becomes too “babyish”.
  • Newborns only see sharp contrasts, whereas older children see all the colours of the rainbow including more subtle shades, so choosing things like mobiles or wall posters with high contrast colours, or in black and white, will be particularly useful in the first few weeks, and can be removed later.

You can read more about all aspects of baby and toddler sleep, from how to teach your baby to sleep through the night, to how to swaddle your newborn, to popular boy’s nursery themes, at Happy Babies Sleeping.

A Great Gift for a Brand New Father

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It seems that when someone we know has a baby, we buy gifts for the baby and the new mother, but we often forget about the father. I must admit that I had never really given much thought to it, until my brother and his wife had their first child. I of course bought a gift for my new nephew and my sister in law, but I wanted to do something for my brother as well. This was his first child and I wanted to help him celebrate this special occasion.

It didn’t take long of me shopping around before I realized that there really wasn’t anything out their for new fathers. It seemed that even the greeting cards were all geared toward the mother. I knew then that if I wanted to get my brother a gift, I was going to have to get a lot more creative. I decided to hit the mall and see if anything inspired me. I was walking past an engraving store when that inspiration hit. I didn’t find anything I wanted to buy him in that store, but now I knew exactly what I would have to do. I would have to find a customizable gift for my brother.

I went home and started searching online for customizable gifts for men when I found photo cufflinks. These cufflinks allowed me to customize them using a photograph. I though what better way for my brother to show off his new son at work then to literally be wearing his photo on his sleeve. I searched through every picture I had of my new nephew until I found the perfect one, and then I placed my order. It was so easy, I simply uploaded the image and within a few days I had my photo cufflinks.

My brother loved the gift. My brother and his wife have since had two more children, and I have given him a pair of photo cufflinks to commemorate each of their births. I even gave a pair to my husband to commemorate the birth of our son. If you know someone who has recently had a child, don’t leave the father out of the gift giving celebrations. Help him to celebrate the birth of his child by giving him a pair of photo cufflinks. This really is a wonderful way to include the whole family in the celebration of their child’s birth.