May 23, 2013

You are here: Home / Babies

How to choose a name for your baby

June 22, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

baby names

Choosing a baby name is a lot of fun, but there are a lot of names out there and it can be difficult to choose one. There are thousands of names to choose from. So, what can you do to ensure that they name you leave your child with for the rest of their life is not only appropriate, but also something that you will love and that they will like being called.

The following is a look at how you can choose your baby name:

First, choose it yourself. The fact is you will get plenty of suggestions from family, friends, and even people you do not know. However, it is your child, and you are the one who will be calling them the name for the rest of their life, so while listening to the suggestions, and considering them is not a bad thing, it is really okay to say no.

Second, make it a group decision. Most people find out they are pregnant between 6-12 weeks, which means typically you have another 28-34 weeks to choose a name. So, start discussing names with your partner as soon as possible. It is wise to make a list of names you like, and it is also wise to offer each spouse a veto or two so that the names one or the other hates do not end up on the possibility list.

Next, consider using tools on the internet such as baby name finders, and name meanings to help you choose a name that is meaningful to you. These tools are also great references for finding out what common names are so you do not name your child the same thing half of their class at school is named as well.

Weigh each option carefully. When thinking about names there is more to it than just liking a name. For example, you want to appease relatives, avoid things like embarrassing initials, or potentially embarrassing nicknames, etc. You want to avoid names that might provoke bad memories, or that are universally not okay, such as Sadam Hussien.

Consider sound and compatibility. For example, “Julia Gulia” like on the Wedding Singer sounds really funny, and so you want to consider how your baby’s name sounds when it’s said aloud. Is it melodious? Harsh? Too rhyming? Does it go well with your last name? A good rule of thumb is that if you have a long last name, choose a short first name, if your last name starts with a vowel, such as Adams, do not end the first name with a vowel.

Avoid names that are puns, such as Rocky Mountain, Anna Bee Good, Holly Wood, or Bud Weiser. If you have a name that could be a pun, such as the last name Daniels, do not name your child Jack. It is cute and funny for a few minutes, but let’s face it, your child will be stuck with that name.

If you have a familiar last name, consider a more unique first name. If you have a unique last name, consider a more familiar first name. This will make your child’s life easier.

Consider meaning of words. Names often hold meaning, such as Belle means beautiful, so make sure you know what their name means so that you do not label your child some way.

Ancestry, heritage, or meaningful names such as naming your child after an ancestor that has passed away, or after a best friend can be a great way to add meaning to your child’s name.

It is your child, so name them what you want, but remember, a name like Alyssa Samantha Smith gives your child the initials ASS, and some other kid is sure to point it out.

Filed Under: Babies, Featured Article Tagged With: baby, baby names, choose a name, naming baby

How should you handle unwanted potty training advice

June 21, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

child on potty chairWhen you are potty training a child, everyone and their neighbor is going to offer you advice, and most of the time, you are not going to want to hear it. Usually this is because the person does not know you or your child, you have already tried the thing they are suggesting, or you simply do not want them butting in on your job as a parent.

To handle unwanted potty training advice, you first have to ask yourself: Where is the unwanted advice coming from? If it is from a stranger, then your approach for handling it can be far different then if it is from a relative. For example, if you simply ignore the advice offered by the lady in the grocery check out line, you will be fine because the chances of you seeing them again are slim. However, if you ignore the advice from your mother-in-law you then have given her permission to give you advice whenever she wants. In addition to that, you may have to deal with the fall out of not following her advice. So, first determine if the person or place the unwanted advice is coming from is going to be a one-time irritant, or a continuous problem.

If you decide the unwanted advice is from someone you rarely see or talk to, your best solution for handling it is simply say, “Thanks for your input.” And leave it at that. That is not a commitment to try what they suggest, and it is not a snub either. That way you leave them feeling fine, and you ignore what they say.

If it is from someone that you will see often, and will be uncomfortable around due to the unsolicited advice, it is always best to help them understand how you feel, and why. One great suggestion is to explain to them that you are taking a “child centered” approach to potty training. This means that your approach is one where you wait for your child to display signs of readiness and interest before you force them to do anything potty related. One of the biggest areas of unwanted advice is that of when to potty train. This is a great way to rebuff that advice, and help the person understand that your efforts will be wasted until your child is truly interested in the process.

The next area that is most often used for potty training advice is how to do it. Some recommend a reward based system, such as bribery and treats each time they use the toilet. Others may suggest a punishment based system where you discipline your child when they choose to go in their pants, diaper, etc. instead of on the toilet. Some suggest timers, where you force your child to sit on the toilet at different intervals during the day. No matter what they suggest, if it is something you are not comfortable with, one great approach is to simply say, “We choose to parent differently.” Or you can say, “When my child is at your home, and in your care, that would be fine if you used that approach.” This means you are willing to let them try it, but you are not going to.

Lastly, if you are getting unwanted advice in front of your child, one of the easiest, and best things to do is simply ask that it is done outside your child’s hearing. Tell the person that you feel it undermines your authority as a parent, and if they can’t refrain from saying something, to please do it when your child is not around.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: bathroom, potty training, potty training advice, toilet training

Helping your toddler gain some independence

June 20, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

child fingerpaintingIf you have a toddler, chances are you’ve heard him or her say, “I’ll do it!” more than a few times. By the time your baby reaches toddler-hood, he or she is ready to take on a number of little tasks on his or her own. Not being able to do so can cause frustration.

Giving your toddler independence will help your child develop self esteem and other life lessons that will be important at a later time. You can help your toddler gain some independence in the following ways:

Allow your toddler to make decisions.
One way you can help your toddler gain some independence is by allowing him or her to make decisions that affect him or her. For example, lay out a few different shirts in the morning and ask, “Which shirt do you want to wear today?” or, when it’s time for a bath, you can allow him or her to choose a toy or two to play with.

Encourage independence.
You can also help your toddler gain some independence by encouraging it, and there are many different ways you can go about doing so. For example, many parents will rush to their child and fuss over him if he tripped or fell down. As long as the child is not hurt, cheerfully tell him he’s ok and encourage him to get up by distracting him or her with a toy or game. This will help your child gain independence and prevent tantrums by letting him or her know you aren’t going to rush to his aid every time.

In addition, verbal praise and encouragement like, “Good job!” and “You can do it!” and “Keep going!” go a long way in helping your child gain some independence. Other ideas include letting your child pull his or her underpants up during potty training.

Make your environment toddler-friendly.
This doesn’t mean getting everything breakable out of reach; instead, arrange  your home so that it is easier for your toddler to be independent. For example, install coat pegs that are at a level your child can easily reach by himself. Or, give him Velcro shoes or clothing with large buttons that will allow him to change in and out of clothes easily. Provide step stools that allow your toddler to get up and down to brush their teeth and wash their hands.

“Help” without letting your toddler knowchild cooking
You can help your toddler gain some independence with more difficult tasks by helping in an unobtrusive manner, like making sure clothing is unbuttoned or unzipped before putting it on, or items are placed within the child’s reach so he or she can get to it without asking for help.

Let your child help you.
Children love to help, and knowing that they are “helping” around the house is another great way to encourage independence in your toddler. Simple tasks a toddler could do that will help him gain independence as well as learn responsibility include cleaning up toys when done playing with them, putting clothes in the hamper, getting items from the refrigerator for you while making dinner, and so forth.

Helping your toddler gain some independence not only helps your child’s ability to do things for himself grow, but also his or her self confidence. The above tips are just a few ways you can help your toddler gain some independence.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: helping your toddler gain independence, making your toddler independent, parenting your toddler, toddler independence

Helping your toddler’s brain development

June 19, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

All parents want to help their baby and toddler’s brain development. Nurturing them early in life is advantageous later on for a number of reasons.

There are a number of ways you can help your toddler’s brain development. The following are some of the best things you can do:

Interact with your toddler.
One of the most important ways you can help your toddler’s brain development is by interacting with him or her. You can do this in a number of ways, whether you read to him or her, play music and dance, sing together, and play together. Children who are held and touched often through interaction with their parents develop better physically and emotionally than children who are not.

Reading to your toddler is important for many different reasons. It can help your toddler’s brain development by exposing him or her to new words, letters, and sounds. Reading can help your toddler identify colors, shapes, animals, and other things. Children who are read to frequently as toddlers have better vocabularies than children who are not.

Singing to your toddler is also a good way to help with his or her brain development. Music is important in the development of the brain, and many songs can help your kids learn the alphabet and numbers.

Talking to your toddler is important for brain development as well. Tell him or her what you are doing, what you are eating, where you are going, and identify the different things you come across each day. This will help improve vocabulary and understanding.

Expose your toddler to interesting experiences.
This is another way you can help your toddler’s brain development. Interesting experiences can include trips to the zoo, aquarium, children’s museums, or other places where your toddler can be exposed to new things. This gives him or her the chance to ask questions, or see things that he or she has seen in books or on TV in person.

Provide your toddler with opportunities to learn through play. storytime
Playing is one of the best ways you can help your toddler’s brain development. And this doesn’t even have to be with toys that encourage education, such as flash cards, brain-building computer games, or educational DVDs aimed at babies and toddlers. Many studies have shown that these don’t have any significant impact on the development of a child’s brain. If your toddler enjoys these, then fine, but don’t get them for the sole purpose of boosting their brain development.

What will really help a toddler’s brain development is the opportunity to play with things they enjoy. Research has shown that the things we remember best and what our brains want to repeat are those activities that are pleasurable. There are many ways you can help boost your toddler’s brain power through play, however; for example, counting toys as you put them away, or identifying the colors of different toys. If you keep the focus on fun, the learning and brain development will naturally follow.

Know your child’s strong points.
You can help your toddler’s brain development by tuning into the things that he or she does well naturally. For example, if your child likes to talk and understands verbal things well, make your verbal interaction with him or her a little more complex. Use more adjectives or words that your child doesn’t know that he or she will pick up on easily.

These are just a few ways you can help your toddler’s brain development.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: brain development for toddlers, gifted toddler's, helping your toddler's brain development

Helping multiple children sleep in the same room

June 18, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

children's roomRaising children is one of the most difficult things that anyone can do in life. Children are wonderful but they bring a unique set of challenges and problems with them. Each child is a gifted and marvelous individual who will challenge you in remarkable ways. It can be particularly difficult to raise children in difficult economic circumstances. I can remember coming home from a low paying job to a small house, all in order to try to get several screaming children fed and into bed. I often thought about how much easier it would be to return home to a larger house where there was room for the children to play. I thought about how much easier it would be if each child had their own room where they felt they could express themselves. Unfortunately, we did not have the money to purchase a large home until much later in life, and when we did so our children had already left the home. If you are like we were, you had particular trouble putting several young children to bed, and especially when they all slept in the same room. I have known families where as many as four or five children slept in a small room together. In most of these cases I have found the parents exhausted after a long day of work and a night spent trying to keep their children asleep. Many parents in this situation find that their children wake up with various bruises and bumps after a night of intense fighting and argument.

There are all sorts of problems that confront parents with not enough room for their children. It is extremely hard to get children to sleep in their own rooms, but especially difficult when they have their siblings present. Instead of sleeping you can continue to play, annoy, or fight with your siblings. With these sorts of opportunities the last thing your children will want to do is to be quiet and sleep for eight hours. Essentially what happens is that your children start to think of every night as a big sleepover, or atleast a chance to torture their siblings. With so many opportunities for distraction it will be especially hard for your children to get some sleep, and who can blame them. The consequences are that your children will be sleepy and might not do as well in school. The other problem is that they might keep you, your spouse, or the other children awake. So how can you fix this seemingly hopeless situation?

The first thing you need to do is to realize that you won’t get anywhere by getting angry and screaming at your children. In this case your children will simply turn their backs on you and talk when the door is closed. A far better strategy is to use a reward system to get your children to sleep on time. Promise all of them some sort of much sought after reward if they will promptly go to sleep at bed time. Another option is to put the children to sleep at slightly different times. If each child is asleep when the next one comes into the room there will be much less of a chance of a disruption. If one child is particularly disruptive focus your energy on this child and consider having them sleep in the living room. Think about the particular needs of your family and you should be able to develop a plan that will work for you and your children.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: children and sleep, getting many children to sleep in the same room, raising many children at once

Healthy eating for toddlers

June 17, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

toddler with grapesToddlers hardly ever eat right, the typical diet for a toddler is chicken nuggets, French fries, hot dogs, and other fast and easy foods, many with little or no nutritional value. The problem is that most toddlers are totally content to eat these foods, and are not interested in expanding their eating habits to include healthier, not-fried foods.

Here are some great tips for how you can get your toddler more interested in healthy foods.

  • Choose healthy foods, and make them more fun to eat. For example, choose whole grain breads, and use cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into fun shapes.
  • Help make foods your child likes healthier. For example, if your child loves pancakes, help them eat more fruit, by making faces on the pancakes with bananas for the eyes, blueberries for the nose, and a strawberry slice for the mouth. You can add vegetables to pizza, or blend some up to put in the spaghetti sauce. There are plenty of tricky ways to make the foods they like healthier, and it is up to you, as a parent, to help make those choices so that your child is healthy and happy.
  • Make sure they are given healthy options. Your child is not going to eat healthy foods on their own, you have to offer them to them, and have them readily available. In addition to that you need to limit the amount of unhealthy foods you have around. Your child is not going to eat at mealtimes if you let them fill up on juice and snacks throughout the day. This is especially true if your toddler can access the snacks and treats themselves without your permission.
  • If they are eating something that is healthy, let them keep eating it. For example, if your child loves oranges, do not try to force them to eat other fruits as well, just let them keep eating oranges until they want something else. Toddlers are prone to food jags – sometimes they’ll go weeks or months eating the same food day after day.   You really only need to worry if your child is not gaining weight appropriately, or if they start using food as a manipulation and a tactic for control.
  • In addition, having regular meals as a family, and a scheduled dinners will help them to know what to plan on. Planned family meals also tend to be far healthier than throwing something in the microwave for your child because they are hungry.
  • Buy only juices that are 100% juice, and limit sugary drinks, sodas, drink mixes, etc. from their diets. You want to ensure that their selection for food, snacks, and drinks are ones that encourage health, not add to an unhealthy diet.
  • If you want to help your toddler make healthy eating food choices, it is a good idea to set the example. Your child is not going to eat healthy if you aren’t.  Practice what you preach, especially when you toddler can see, they are going to take their cues from you, and so when you choose to eat whole grains, fruits, and veggies, and avoid fried, unhealthy foods, you send the right message to your kids, and help them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: child nutrition, diet, healthy eating, nutrition, toddler foods, toddlers

Going to the bathroom in public places

June 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

public restroomGoing to the bathroom in public restrooms can be intimidating for young children, especially those that are just getting potty trained, or who are in the process of training. The unfamiliar bathrooms, large, automatic toilets, and the other things that go with using a public bathroom can be difficult. For example, sometimes a child has to wait in line, and may not be able to hold it. Thus, public bathroom use is something that should be included as part of your potty training, and the issues that are part of it should be addressed. While potty training, it is best to have your child use the potty before leaving the house, then have them wear a diaper or pull-up when out, but encourage them to still use the toilet if they need to go. This way, if there is a long line, and they can’t make it, or if the toilet frightens them, etc. you are not stuck with a mess.

Accidents when you are out where a public toilet is the only option should be quickly forgiven, and not made into a big deal. This is especially true if the child is just barely able to make it to the bathroom at home on your family toilet.

If your child is in underwear all the time, don’t put him back in diapers if you are going out, but do plan ahead for outings. This means remind them frequently, stay apprised of where the closest bathroom is, pack some tissues or wipes in your bag, in case the bathrooms are short on supplies, bring along extra underwear and a change of clothes in case they do have an accident, etc. Before leaving the house, sit them on the toilet for a few minutes, and hopefully they will need to go. Also, limit the amount of drinks, etc. you give them to increase your chances of making it back home before they need to go.

Any time you go out in public with a newly potty trained child, it is good to scout out where the bathrooms are. For example, if you have several children with you, the normal restroom may not be the best option, but a family bathroom will work better. So, know where it is, and talk to your child BEFORE the situation arises so everyone knows what is expected of them if someone needs to go to the bathroom. If the public place does not offer a family bathroom, opt for the stall for people with disabilities as there is more room.

One of the biggest issues that arise with public bathroom use for toddlers and potty training children is that of what do you do if you are with a child of the opposite gender, especially if it is Dad and daughter? It can be awkward for dad to have his daughter go into a men’s room that has open urinals, etc., but he certainly can’t go into the ladies room. So what can you do? Ask for a family restroom, have someone go in and check the bathroom before you go in, put your hand over your kid’s eyes while you go in, or wait until you get home? No matter what you choose to do, it is good to have a plan in place before you take your child out and confront the situation.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: bathroom, potty train, potty training, public bathroom, toilet training

Getting started with pregnancy exercise

June 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

When you are pregnant, being healthy is extremely important for your baby. One of the best ways to give your little fetus a kick start in this world is to be physically fit, and make sure that when you are pregnant you stay healthy. If you are healthy, and practice good health practices, you give your baby the best chance at life.

The following is a look at how to get started with pregnancy exercise:

First, talk to your doctor. Every pregnant woman has different conditions, and for some regular exercise is perfectly fine and healthy, however, for others it can put their pregnancy at risk. So, before you start any sort of exercise program, discuss it with your doctor. They will tell you what warning signs to watch out for, what you should avoid, and many will even give you some suggestions for making exercises more effective when you are pregnant. So, before doing anything, talk to your doctor.

Second, do not try to overdo it. While exercise is great for your baby, getting your heart rate up too high can actually stress your baby out, by putting too much stress on their heart. Their heart rate is tied directly to yours. If your heart rates gets high, so does theirs. So, if you were active before your pregnancy, go ahead and keep yourself at the same level, but if you were inactive before you got pregnant, then start out with 15-20 minutes of exercise during the day. Then if you feel the need to do more, go ahead and add 5 minutes a week until you can comfortably spend half an hour exercising.Pregnancy workout

Third, make sure you dress appropriately. The fact is, overheating can be bad for the baby, but not wearing the right bra support can be uncomfortable for you. So, dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothes and wear a supportive bra to protect your breasts.

Fourth, stay hydrated to ensure you do not cause yourself or your baby any problems. Drink plenty of water, juices, and other liquids are good too, but water is your best bet. Plus staying hydrated means less chance of stretch marks.

Fifth, skip your exercises if you’re sick. This may cause you to overdo it and get hurt, or get sicker, neither or which is good for baby, or you. If you are sick, rest and give your body a chance to get better so that it is better prepared for baby.

Sixth, if you live in a hot climate, or if you are prone to overheating when exercising, then be sure to exercise in a temperature controlled place, such as a gym. If you do not want to pay an expensive gym membership fee, then opt for a walk in an air-conditioned mall on hot, humid days. This is going to keep baby safe, and help you feel better as well.

Lastly, if you want to help baby, help yourself by learning how to listen to the cues your body gives you. Your body known when it is overdoing it, or when it needs a break, if you listen, exercising will be a positive thing for you and baby. If you don’t, it could lead to problems.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: exercise, getting started with pregnancy exercise, pregnancy exercise, prenatal exercise

Gagging in toddlers

June 14, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Toddlers bring a number of interesting challenges with them as they grow and mature. Because every child is unique and special, you will find that your child’s challenges are very much their own. However, you will also find that most children face certain problems and one of them is gagging. In reality gagging is not a problem at all; we gag when our body naturally needs to prevent chocking. The response allows our body to get rid of objects in the throat or mouth that perhaps should not be there. It is a natural and health part of our bodies protection system. However, you  might have noticed that young children seem to gag allot. It might seem like they are choking all the time and that there is something seriously wrong. So why do toddlers seem to gag so much? There are a number of reasons and possible solutions to the problem that you should know about.

The primary reason why toddlers gag so much is that they eat too quickly or because the taste of something they eat does not agree with them. You have probably noticed that toddlers tend to eat their food very quickly. They shovel it into their mouths and without chewing the swallow large chunks of food. This is a problem for various reasons, but one is that they tend to choke on the large pieces of un-chewed food. Tell your toddler to slow down and carefully chew his or her food. Make sure that they don’t take huge bites. Another way to help prevent this problem is to cut up or prepare their food in such a way that they don’t take huge bites. Cut up vegetable and especially tough pieces of meat into tiny pieces. Sometimes toddlers gag when the try to both eat and drink at the same time. If this is the case, make sure that your toddler only swallows either water or food at one time. This can be achieved by giving your toddler liquids only after they have finished eating. You can also avoid giving your toddler foods that are easy to choke on such as raisins, nuts, popcorn, olives, and grapes. Realize that young children do not have a mouth or throat as large as you do, and they need either smaller food or food that has been prepared to be smaller.

Sometimes a toddler will choke if the taste of the food they are putting into their mouth is particularly foreign or severe. If the food just plain tastes bad they might gag as well. Avoid giving your toddler particularly spicy or strong foods. This will not only help to prevent them from gagging but will also help them to digest their food better.
If you try all of these techniques and find that your child is still gagging an abnormal amount you should probably see a doctor. Your doctor should be able to tell if there is some sort of physiological or medical issue that is causing your toddler to gag or choke too much. They might also have some good suggestions about how to prepare food and what foods will help your toddler. Obviously you want your toddler to enjoy eating and to not fear chocking. It is no more pleasant for them to choke than it is for you to have to watch and hear them choking all the time. In most cases using the basic techniques described above will help you to develop a strategy that will work for you and your child.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: choking in toddlers, gag reflex, gagging in toddlers, preventing gagging

Feeding problems: Food jags

June 13, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

baby eatingWe all know how picky some kids are when it comes to eating. Many toddlers refuse to eat anything but a couple of dishes that they know well. Any divergence from what they are used to and you have a problem. They start to whine, complain, and sometimes even throw huge tantrums. Why is eating so important to toddlers? There are probably a number of reasons, but one is that many toddlers have very little control over their lives. Their parents tell them what to do and how to do it. Eating is one area where the child can exercise some control to either refuse or accept a particular meal. They also do this because one type of food is comforting or normal; for most little kids the world is a scary place and food is no exception. Having to try strange new stuff doesn’t seem like a very good idea to a kid who knows that macaroni and cheese tastes good. Like so many of us when we go to a restaurant, we only order the tried and true favorites because we like them and don’t want to take a chance with something new. Kids aren’t much different, accept that they are probably even a bit more fearful when it comes to trying new foods. As a result, many toddlers tend to demand the same food for every meal, getting onto an extended food jag. This is a natural concern for parents, not only because it is a pain to prepare the same meal over and over again, but also because growing children have special nutritional requirements. Feeding your little boy or girl fish sticks every day will probably severely harm their health, and even if they demand them. So what can you do to help your toddler get past a harmful food jag?
The best approach is probably not to fight about the situation with your toddler. Allow them to go on short food jags, but try to encourage some variety in all other cases. One way to do so is to take your child with you to the grocery store. Allow them to pick out healthy foods that they would like to try. Doing so allows them to take control and be creative. If food is seen as an adventure rather than some sort of scary trial they will be far more likely to eat what is placed in front of them. It can also be helpful to allow your child to help prepare their meals in some fashion. By doing so they feel some pride in what they have made and they tend to want to eat in order to prove that what they made is good. What these strategies generally show is that the more control for the child the better.
Also, assuming a doctor recommends it, you might want to include a daily multivitamin in your son or daughter’s diet. If your toddler continues to refuse to eat after all of these strategies have been tried you might want to look at other things in their environment that might be disturbing their eating habits. Sometimes another problem manifests itself in strange eating habits-if you can solve this problem you just might be able to help your child get off the jag. Such problems could include a difficult situation in the home or some sort of exposure to trauma or stress. Whatever the reason, try to alleviate the problem so that your child can eat healthily. Remember that a balanced diet is the key to good nutrition for toddlers.

Filed Under: Babies Tagged With: food jags, how to get off food jags, kids and mealtime, toddlers and picky eating
« Older Posts