The Risks of Pets Around Your Baby

Many homes have a pet it is quite common and increasingly desirable. No doubt the popularity of pet ownership has increased over the years and, with the recent media frenzy over celebrities and their designer dogs that are photographed every where with them, the popularity is growing.

As well as owning a pet you will have to consider the huge responsibility of having a new baby and assess the safety implications your animal may pose to your baby.

A real concern is that an existing animal can become very jealous when a new arrival enters the home that they regard as theirs. Unfortunately this can result in an infant suffering harm by the family pet, previously thought of as safe, due to this feeling of jealousy.

As a dog is by nature a member of a pack it ranks itself in the family. A new baby to a dog can be a threat as they regard themselves above the baby in pack order if an owner is not careful to address this through training. Al dog can naturally want to protect the new baby and can be a threat to friends and visitors who may come near the child.

It is not only a dog that potentially are a problem, as cats can also cause harm to a baby. They can easily claw a baby’s skin scratching it or worse their eyes resulting in possible health concerns for the future.

Some cats may be welcoming to a new baby but be aware cats enjoy the warmth and cosiness of being close up to anyone and this can mean your baby. Cats are extremely good at jumping and can climb almost anything, it is no problem for them to jump into a stroller or baby crib and cause a sleeping baby to suffocate . You can buy special cat prevention nets that fit over a stroller or crib to stop a cat from being able to climb in to them, a cat is very quick to snuggle up to a baby so be cautious.

You will need to closely watch your pets behavior towards your new baby and take instant action if you observe any signs that your animal may be a safety risk to your child.

Sadly it may be that a beloved pet is un able to accept your baby and you may have to find it a new home or some one who will look after it until your child is that bit older.

There is also a question of allergies. Some babies will develop allergies to pets and react to animal hair, therefore it may be that it is not viable to have a pet around them.

If you do have a pet, or indeed more than one you will have to be very vigilant. Animals are very unpredictable creatures, even the gentlest of animals can have a sudden character change. You can’t be too cautious around a small baby when it comes to their safety around a pet. Bear in mind if you are taking your baby to visit family or friends that their pets may also be a possible threat. Never leave your child unattended around any animal and if you are considering buying a pet wait until your child is beyond the crawling stage and able to be understand how to treat a pet gently and safely.

The Do’s and Don’ts of co sleeping with your baby.

Sleeping with your baby seems like the most natural thing in the world but is it safe?

It is an issue that raises very strong opinions in experts and parents alike, so be warned if you choose to co sleep be prepared for every one to tell you exactly what they think.There is so much conflicting advice out there, experts are divided and the good old Media runs headlines to make your hair stand on end, often misquoting latest research.

In many Countries co sleeping is simply a way of life, a necessity and not an issue at all. So why in the West are we made to feel like bad parents if we consider it?

Mostly the reason is because people argue against it saying it isn’t safe, that a baby can be smothered accidentally as a parent may roll on the baby. The truth is if parents follow firm safety guidelines this is highly unlikely. The decision to co sleep should be the parents and theirs alone.

Some reports of studies into cot death have reported alarming figures of up to 54% of babies dying whilst co sleeping.The authors of such reports are quick to point out that these figures are only accurate when you realise other factors are involved such as the parents having consumed alcohol, drugs or are Smokers.

Many studies show co sleeping breast fed babies do wake more often for feeds, the nearness of that tempting milk, but are better at settling themselves back to sleep. The Mother therefore gets a better quality of sleep compared to getting out of bed into the cold, lifting her baby out of bed, feeding and then attempting to settle them.

Others point out that a co sleeping baby may be difficult to transfer into their own bed later on as it becomes necessary. This sounds like a very insecure little person but studies show co sleepers to be exactly the opposite. The point is the decision to co sleep is entirely personal and hopefully one you will have made after careful consideration.
The important thing to consider is your lifestyle and to be honest. Do you plan to

• drink alcohol
• smoke
• take prescription tranquilizers or
• recreational drugs?

If the answer to any of these is yes then co sleeping is not an option.

The affect of alcohol and drugs is they dull your awareness and this is vital when sharing your bed with your baby.

Smoke clings to clothes and is identified as a factor in cot deaths.

Mothers who co sleep are usually so attuned to their baby they are highly unlikely to roll onto them. Their partners are not always this sensitive, although they do become so. Babies are advised to sleep either between their Mother and a bed guard or between their Mother and the wall. If either of you are fitful active sleepers then co sleeping shouldn’t be considered.

Another consideration is the affect a baby in bed may have on your love life, some find a co sleeper in the bed means intimacy goes out the window! This can add strain to a relationship, so consider carefully.

Here are the main Do’s and Dont’s.

Don’t co sleep if:-

 

1. You are a fitful active sleeper.
2. You have drunk alcohol, taken drugs or smoke.
3. You are sleep deprived as your awareness may be compromised.
4. You are Obese as smothering is an issue.
5. You have a waterbed as baby can suffocate.
6. You are the babysitter, the awareness is not the same as a parent.
7. You use a cushion to feed baby on as you may fall asleep and baby may fall or be smothered.

And DON’T allow baby to become overheated, consider your bedding.

Do co sleep if:

 

1. You have a large enough bed, Queen or Kingsize.
2. You place baby next to Mother and wall or bed guard. NOT between parents.
3. You place baby on their back to the bed.

 

Do consider a bedside crib, as some babies simply sleep better alone. You can keep baby near but still in their crib.

Do enjoy your baby, as they grow so quickly!

Natural Remedies for Colic

Colic in the first few months of a babies life is not unusual. It is normally observed from the first few week to the third or fourth month. Doctors think that the excessive crying draws the parents attention to their new responsibilities to take care of their baby

Unfortunately there are no drugs to help treat colic babies. Parents simply have to realize that until the baby is able to acclimatize to his or her new habitat, this condition will carry on and administer natural remedies to help relieve the symptoms.

One of the simplest natural remedies parents can use is music and is thought to be the reason why lullabies were invented. Parent who do not have a singing voice can play music from a CD or radio or even and ipod if you have a speaker dock. This should used when your baby is in it’s bed, this will aid him or her to sleep comfortably.

Another natural remedy can be found in the diet of the mother. It is believed that certain foods generate gas and when this is then passed on to the child via the mothers milk. A dietitian or nutritionist can put a plan together to help reduce this.

If the mother is no longer breastfeeding and is bottle feeding, perhaps switching to soy milk instead of the regular kind can help the colic baby.

Many parents believe that a baby can solely rely on breast milk for the first few months. However babies also need a certain amount of water, this should be checked prior to giving it to the child. A good way to do this would be to read the ingredients on the product label and also make sure that it is age appropriate.

If a colicky baby cries, parents will normally carry the child. This works as motion comforts most infants. If Mom is finding it hard going carrying the child, another way to do would be to take your baby out for a walk to the park using his or her Stroller. Some parents are also known to pop the little one into it’s car seat and take them for a drive.

Even at this young age babies get stressed. Give the baby a massage, a hot bath or using aromatherapy can help comfort your baby. Mom or Dad can also use a hot bag and put it on their stomach to ensure that the water is not too hot.

Babies are colicky because of their new habitat. No one can think badly of the little one especially when the home has been the mother’s womb for the past nine months or so. To help your baby adjust to it’s new home, parents can try swaddling or holding the child close to their chests. This will make your child remember what it was like before.

These various natural remedies are useful, however not all will be effective so parents should check out alternative colic remedies if things do not get better.

There are a few medications available that can help treat colic babies. If parents are not having any success using the natural remedies they should consult their general practitioner.

Parents should try not to worry if their infant is diagnosed as having colic. This is for the reason that it is not a disease and this is a good sign that the baby is normal. Both mother and father should be prepared for some challenging days ahead as there will be countless disturbed nights making one feel awfully exhausted.

The Best Ways to Treat Teething Babies

When do Babies get their first tooth?

The simple answer to this is any time, within reason. In general most babies get their first tooth at six months of age. These milk or deciduous teeth start to develop whilst your babies is in the uterus and as a result some babies are born with their first teeth through. Others will teeth early at 4 months whilst some babies do not develop their first tooth until around 1 year old.

Your babies teeth and how they develop:

On the whole your babies teeth develop in the following order.

• First to cut will usually be the bottom front two teeth, these are the bottom incisors and may develop at around 5-7 months.

• Next are the top front two teeth (top incisors) at approximately 9 to 11 months.

• Then the two top teeth either side of the front ones (top lateral incisors) at 8 to 11 months.

• Bottom lateral incisors (either side of the bottom front teeth) 9 to 12 months.

• Canines are next (16 to 20 months) followed by Molars (12 to 16 months) and finally you will observe your toddler teething with their Second Molars (20 to 30 months.)

Symptoms of teething:

As all babies are different so are the symptoms they display varied. Some babies seem to have no trouble teething whilst others do suffer from mild discomfort to considerable pain.

Commonly a babies cheeks will be red and you will notice an increase in dribbling. The teething infant produces an excess amount of Saliva and their tops and faces can be constantly wet. Ensure you wipe and dry your child frequently as they can develop a rash on their chin and chest if left. Many parents find putting a bib on their baby helps at this time.

As a child tends to swallow the saliva another symptom can be an increase in loose stools or diarrhea. Lots of babies develop diaper rash and you will need to treat this by changing your babies diaper immediately and applying barrier creams.

Swollen and sore gums are very uncomfortable and you will find many good teething gels which have a mild local anaesthetic in them. Ensure the product is sugar free as some are not and can cause tooth decay in developing teeth.

You may notice your child biting or putting their hands in their mouths, even pulling at their ears as they teeth.

Mild temperatures or fevers are common also although be aware that they rarely reach over 101 degrees F/ 38.3 degrees C. If your child develops a temperature higher than this or it is raised for a prolonged time consult the advice of your doctor.

Another frustrating symptom of teething can be a refusal to eat. Some babies make a link between discomfort and food. You need to persevere and keep a watch on your child’s weight as they can lose some during bouts of teething.

Treating Teething:

Sugar free gels can relieve the discomfort of swollen gums, applying some 10 minutes before a meal can also help with a child who refuses to eat.

Cold raw vegetables and fruit can offer relief, raw carrot and apple are particularly good. Bread sticks are also good as a teething child likes to chew on them but DO NOT give rusks as these often contain sugar which can cause dental caries (tooth decay.)

If your child is refusing to eat try them with cool or cold mushy foods, cold fruit purees or even a slush mixture of frozen fruit juice, try mixing in apple puree too.

Pain killers designed for babies can offer relief from discomfort and reduce a temperature, ensure you follow the dosage carefully for the age of your baby.

Teething rings offer relief to sore gums and you can buy ones that are chilled in the refrigerator. To view a wide selection of excellent teething rings click here

The Benefits of Breast Feeding

As a new parent, you may be battling between the choices of bottle-feeding and breastfeeding.  While you’re weighing your options, you should know about all of the benefits that come from breastfeeding – from convenience to long-term health.  You may be surprised by all of the advantages provided by Mother Nature.

 

Breast milk is more than just a form of food.  It is actually made of living cells that can have huge benefits for your child’s health.  One of the most crucial components of breast milk is colostrum.  This substance is produced early in your baby’s life and is full of antibodies that help your baby’s immune system to develop in the first days of his life.  By breastfeeding your baby, you provide this protection that can’t be matched by a commercial formula.

On top of the immune boost that breastfeeding provides, breast milk is also easier for your baby’s developing digestive system to process.  Your baby will have fewer problems with constipation, diarrhea, and even have fewer food allergies.

Breastfeeding also helps your baby’s brain to develop because it’s rich in fatty acids that protect the cells of the brain.  It also helps your baby to develop strong muscles because breast milk provides the perfect mix of proteins for building muscle tissue.  Finally, in a time when obesity is a major health problem around the world, breastfeeding can be a great way to help your child maintain a healthy weight.  Babies who are breast-fed have a smaller chance of becoming obese later in life.

While breastfeeding has a huge impact on your baby’s development, it can also have a dramatic effect on your body.  If you choose to breast feed, you’ll open up a world of benefits for now and for the long-term.  The immediate benefits of breastfeeding can be very powerful.  After you give birth, breastfeeding actually stimulates the contractions that help you expel the placenta.  It can help your body to recover more quickly and painlessly.

Breastfeeding also burns major calories!  What better way to burn off the baby weight without having to hit the gym?  It will also prevent your body from having a period for several months if you feed your baby exclusively breast milk.  In addition, breastfeeding provides a natural method of contraception.  In the long-term, breastfeeding can provide disease prevention power.  Women who breastfeed their babies have a lower risk of developing breast and other cancers throughout their lives.  They’re also less likely to have problems related to osteoporosis.

One of the best reasons for breastfeeding is a benefit for both mom and baby.  When you breastfeed your baby, you help to develop the bond between the two of you.  This provides comfort and improved mental health for both of you.  When you’re weighing the decision of whether to bottle feed or breastfeed, make sure to consider the overall well being that comes from this natural process.

How To Choose the Right Baby Stroller

So you’re expecting? Congratulations! Now the hard bit begins. How do you choose the right baby stroller and what should you consider before you buy? Believe me do this right and you will be in the minority. How many people (me included) buy with their eyes not their heads? I can guarantee most first-time parents ( me included) buy a stroller and regret it in the first six months, learning the hard way and having to buy another one!! So how do you choose? What makes the perfect purchase that is your stroller-dream rather than your worst nightmare? Simple…you need to consider your lifestyle (yes it’s going to change!) and find the stroller that fits it.

Safety First

So your main consideration has to be safety. Will your stroller stand up to the diaper bag, shopping bags and purse draped from the handles when you lift baby out? Or more alarmingly when baby is still be in! How many times have I seen stroller gymnastics! You will overload the stroller…babies DON’T travel light. Thankfully most babies will fall asleep in the stroller so get a 5 point harness or you will find them slumped forward. Check out the safety of the fasteners as little fingers will explore.

 

Sleeping and Baby Travel System

It sounds obvious but most parents forget that babies like to sleep in the car…how many nights did I drive around getting my colicky baby to sleep? So if you spend a lot of time in the car and shop at the mall it’s likely you will be faced with disturbing your sleeping baby. The solution is a travel system. A travel system stroller adapts to hold an infant car seat, clip in your sleeping baby and off you go. No need to risk waking them as you transfer them from car seat to stroller. The systems usually have a seat base that you leave in the car, you simply clip the seat into it therefore eliminating complicated seat belt buckling manouveres. As baby grows the stroller adapts to a basic stroller.

 

Lightweight

This is a vital consideration. As your baby grows, he or she will  need accessories, toys, changing bags, spare clothes etc…choose a lightweight Stroller! You can find Strollers under 20 pounds with all the features of their heavier counterparts. Remember if you go for a heavier model and compensate with a cheap umbrella folding stroller you can’t use it before your baby can happily sit unaided, i.e 6 months or so.

 

Testdrive Testdrive Testdrive… – (Stroller Wheels and handle height)

Not just for cars. Are you short? Is your partner tall? Buy a stroller with adjustable handles- save a fortune at the Chiropractor! Think about the turning radius of the stroller wheels busy bustling Malls require good articluate handling.

 

Extra Features

What do you/will you carry with you? Consider an under stroller basket to aid stability. A toy bar to entertain junior, a cup holder for that pick me up coffee perhaps? Sunshade? Raincover? I could go on but remember you can buy these as optional extras so don’t let the lack of  them dissuade you from your perfect stroller.

Trunk  Space and Folding

Try out your prospective stroller in your trunk or measure it at least. I know it seems obvious but you’ll be amazed how many people don’t!!! Also see how easily you can fold your stroller and get it into the trunk. One handed folding strollers are great-especially if your toddler is throwing a tantrum!

The Standard Style Stroller

The benefits of these is you get more seat space and extras like, more storage, ergonomic handles, even built in entertainment systems. They also have the ease of folding. Their main disadvantage is, weight, they are heavier and bigger so check your trunk space!

Three Wheeler Jogging Strollers

If you are sporty then this is for you. However they rarely fold easily and they take up space as the have large wheels and they don’t fold flat. What they do provide is a smooth ride for your baby with their all terrain suspension! Some also adapt to hold an infant seat but most are not suitable for babies under 6 months old.

Transporting Older Siblings

Consider the age of your older child. If they walk most of the time then look into a rear board for them to stand on. Ensure one fits your stroller. Double strollers maybe the answer but check they recline flat for child at nap times.

So in short the perfect stroller for you is out there, it depends on your lifestyle so consider carefully and try before you buy!

Are You a New Mother? Be Prepared for Change

Your life will change beyond all recognition after having a child, especially your first and it’s something that you will need to |get used to as time goes on.

Saying that, you also still have a life of your own as well and even though it will be devoted to bringing up your baby everybody needs some time to themselves.

This is where the need to develop a network of trusted friends and family comes into play. By developing such a network you should be able to get some precious time out and maybe catch up with a girlfriend, without ignoring the needs and requirements of your child.

Something that is often overlooked in early motherhood, is the need to look after your own health and well being. In fact by doing this you are going to be able to give your child the all support that he or she needs.

Some may consider this to be selfish to actually think about yourself as well, because you are the provider of your child’s support, but without maintaining a balance in your own life you will not be capable of doing the same for your newborn child.

If you can find other new mothers in your area to help share and support each another, as well as have some adult conversation at some point during the day, is a great way of keeping your sanity and will help you to understand the varied and different aspects of bringing up a child.

A common habit that is done when new mothers get together with each other on a regular basis is, to compare the progress and development of your child to that of others. As I say it is a common habit and it is a bad habit, do not do this. As every child reaches different milestones in their life at different rates which are not carved on stone.

Provided your child is healthy developing well with his or her abilities and achievements then you have absolutely nothing to worry about, for example my friends baby daughter refused to eat her normal amounts of solids, in next to no time at all she had the child nutritionist on the phone. To a long story short the only problem the little one had, was her first teeth coming through.

However, saying that, if you are concerned about your child’s development then it pays, like my friend did, to consult a professional, rather than try to sort these problems out with other young mothers or people who don’t have the necessary knowledge or experience to give you good advice.

Some days your head will be spinning and you will be pulling your hair out. Other days will be quiet and you may feel lonely. Just remember that this is all part of motherhood and it will just take a little time to adapt to your new and very rewarding life.

If your baby is ready for or already started on his or her solid and you are concerned about the quality of mass produced baby food, here is a solution to providing your child with healthy baby food

Getting Out and About with Your New Baby

At first having your first child will turn your life upside down, as there are now many unknowns and lots of extra tasks to take care of in and around the home.

Once you get used to this upheaval in the home you can to start getting some of your life back on target and there is no better way to get out and about with you newborn, than with a baby stroller.

This will allow you to get out and about and improve your fitness plus it will also allow you to do so without having to pay for someone mind your baby while you are exercising and hence save you money

Baby strollers are an excellent way to improve your fitness after your pregnancy and getting outside in the fresh air will also reduce your stress levels that could increase due to a lack of sleep and additional tasks required with a new baby.

The fresh air will do both you and your baby a lot of good but remember that you will need to provide protection from the elements for you child, whether it be from the heat in the summer or the rain and cold in the winter.

Pushing a stroller actually gives you a better workout than simply walking so you might just find that your fitness levels come back sooner than expected and that additional weight that you would have gained during your pregnancy will also reduce a lot faster.

There are many different strollers available on the market with models designed specifically for people who want to improve their fitness faster and these strollers provide better stability and elements that allow you to run while pushing your baby around.

There are also other benefits that many mothers find whereby the motion of the stroller helps to put a baby to sleep and if you have a child that is having difficulty sleeping during the day then it might be time for a little outdoors exercise.

For the best prices I would recommend that you check online as there are lots of options to choose from and many bargains to be had as the baby care stores compete for your custom.

Preventing Diaper Rash

As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. For all that we may fear the onset of diaper rash in our children, there is no certainty of absolute and total prevention – but there is a lot that can be done to make it far less likely, and it revolves mostly around keeping your baby dry and clean as far as is possible. Your baby will not be shy about letting you know when it is in any discomfort. This can prevent diaper rash from developing, but would obviously not be a way of preventing it before it begins.

The prevention of diaper rash is something that requires no small amount of diligence, as well as some luck. But there are some simple rules which can make the process a lot more straightforward. Firstly, you must change your baby’s diaper as soon as it is obviously soiled. This will prevent the infection from having somewhere to live. In the same spirit, it is important to clean your baby in the affected area after it has become soiled. Allowing the area to dry before putting on a fresh nappy is essential. A thin layer of ointment on the affected area will kill off germs while preventing others from taking hold. And applying the fresh diaper loosely will give room for the skin to breathe. Finally when your baby moves on to solid foods you should take a few days between introducing new items. This will help you determine if the infection is down to a food allergy.

How to Treat Diaper Rash

A baby with diaper rash will not be shy about letting his or her parents know that they have a situation on their hands. This, along with the readily decipherable signs of the problem, does mean that it can be treated at an early stage, and hence treated effectively and decisively. Treating diaper rash is not something that takes too long, and the results tend to be swift. Of course it could be almost instantaneous and any parent would still feel that it was an eternity, but it needs to be said that a parent who has a child with diaper rash is not a bad parent at all, just unlucky.

In cases of diaper rash, it is important to change your baby even more regularly than you currently do. It is something inside the diaper that has caused it, and this same thing will either aggravate it or retard its eradication if left unchecked. Keeping your baby clean and dry will prevent the conditions in which diaper rash thrives. If your child has scope to play outside or on a surface that wipes clean, you may even leave their diaper off for a time, as the flow of air around the area will speed the healing. If you use disposable diapers, using a different brand free from fragrance and additives may also help, especially if the rash is a symptom of an allergy.

After three days the diaper rash should be more or less gone. If it still persists, then a cream for treating fungal infections will be well employed.

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