The Importance of Consistency

Babies and young children thrive when they are in routines and know what to expect. It doesn’t have to be a strict routine with scheduled nap times and snack breaks but a simple pattern to each day will help your child to relax. It may seem a little too early to be talking about the importance of consistency, but even babies can benefit from knowing what to expect. Here are a few things to consider about the importance of consistency:

Boundaries

Setting consistent, firm and clear boundaries is one of your most important jobs as a mom. Boundaries help your child to stay safe and behave appropriately. They also help her to feel safe. A child without clear boundaries may feel stressed because they simply do not understand what is expected of them. You don’t have to shout or use threats to set boundaries. A simple explanation as to why something is not allowed will suffice. Be consistent with your boundaries. If your baby isn’t allowed to crawl over to the fire, make sure you are always consistent with this message, even when the fire isn’t on.

Discipline

However you choose to discipline your child, it’s important that you are consistent. If you react calmly one minute and then lose your head the next, this can be very scary for young children. Remember, you don’t need over the top reactions to get your child to listen, in fact sometimes, a gentler approach can be the most successful.

Routine

As mentioned above, children thrive thanks to a routine. Make sure you eat lunch at around a similar time each day and try to encourage a routine bedtime. This allows your child to anticipate what will happen next and can lead to your child feeling less anxious throughout the day.

Flexibility

Routines don’t have to be rigid. Just because your baby is usually in bed by 7pm, it doesn’t mean she has to miss out on bonfire night. It’s ok to bend the rules occasionally. You can explain to your baby why things are a little different today. Babies benefit from new experiences so flexibility is important.

Caregivers

Your baby doesn’t need all of her caregivers to be identical, but she would benefit from some consistency. If you take a gentle approach to parenting, it makes sense to choose a childcare provider who follows the same basic principles. Of course, you and your partner won’t parent identically, but if you agree on the basics, then that’s important because it will allow your child to have consistent care.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Making a Keepsake Box for Baby

When you had your baby, you were probably told how quickly kids grow up. You might even be starting to realize how fast times flies. One thing is for sure, you can’t slow time, but you can do your best to enjoy every moment. Another thing you can do is capture some of the memories in a baby keepsake box.

No doubt, you will have several mementos you want to save from your baby’s first year. Although you probably cannot save everything, some items are especially meaningful, and you want to hang on to them. That’s why making a keepsake box for your baby is so special.

The type of box you use is not important. Just make sure it’s large enough to put in some treasured items. Memory or keepsake boxes can be purchased. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money or buy a fancy box to hold your memories.

You can also make your own keepsake box. For example, transform a wooden box with felt, ribbon and shoelaces. You can also use a simple, sturdy gift box and personalize it with your baby’s name and a few decorations. Just make sure the box is durable.

What you put in your baby’s keepsake box is entirely up to you. There is no right or wrong way to create a keepsake box. Anything that has a special meaning or sentimental value is something to consider placing in the box. For example, you might want to keep shower invitations, birth announcements and cards from your baby’s christening.

Consider placing a pair of baby booties or his first shoes in the box. One day when your little one is taller than you, you’ll look back at those tiny baby shoes and won’t believe just how small your baby’s feet were. You might also want to keep a cap and the outfit he wore home from the hospital. Don’t forget his hospital wristband and the name card on the bassinet.

A few additional items you may want to place in the keepsake box is one of your baby’s first rattles or toys, a lock of hair and a favorite book you read to her.

A newspaper from the day your baby was born is also a good keepsake. A newspaper will help you remember what was going on in the world when your baby made her grand entrance.

Lastly, consider writing a letter to your baby telling her how you felt when she was born. Someday, your baby will be all grown up and treasure the words you wrote.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady4

4 Things You Shouldn’t Say to Parents of Babies With Disabilities

It’s not always easy to know what to say, but sometimes the emphasis should be on knowing what not to say. An offhand comment said without thought can cause other people to feel hurt. With that in mind, here are here things you should never say to parents of babies with disabilities:

She looks normal

Ouch. By saying she looks normal, you’re making it pretty clear that you don’t think she really is normal. It also sounds like you’re minimizing the struggles this mom faces on a daily basis. Her child may not appear to have additional needs at the first glance, but that doesn’t alter how life-changing the diagnosis is.

What’s wrong with her?

Nothing is wrong with her. Please, think carefully about the words you use when talking about disability. A disability does not make a person wrong, abnormal or weird. Instead, it makes them different. It’s ok to ask about the diagnosis and what that means, but you should try to be careful about the words you use. It’s nice to feel understood, but it’s not so great to feel judged or pitied.

Have you tried…

You mean well, of course, but these parents probably don’t need to hear anymore advice right now. They’re probably elbow-deep in advice from the moment they wake up until they fall asleep at night. They spend their days rushing between appointments, speaking to other parents of children with disabilities and looking online for more information. They really don’t need to hear anymore advice about alternative therapies, diet changes or something your cousin’s friend’s neighbour tried.

I could never do what you do

This one is supposed to be a compliment, but it can actually be pretty hurtful. Parents of children with disabilities probably never imagined that they’d be able to do it all either. They didn’t dream of doling out daily injections, coping with behavioral problems or learning the latest medical jargon to make appointments easier. But they do those things because they have to, and so would you in their shoes. When you tell them you couldn’t, you simply remind them of how different they are and how hard you think they have it.

For balance, here’s one thing you absolutely should say:

Say hi

Do you know what parents of children with disabilities really want? They want, just like you, for their kids to be accepted and loved. They want their kids to fit in. Sadly, many adults feel awkward when confronted with a child with disabilities. They feel so worried about saying or doing the wrong thing that they instead act as though the child is invisible. Set a good example for your kids and instead say hi and engage with the family. Encourage your child to say hi as well. Teach your child that there’s nothing wrong with being different.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

From Sitting Up to Walking: Tracking Baby’s Mobile Development

It happens so fast, they say. In the blink of an eye, your baby is no longer a baby. They go from helpless to running overnight, it seems.

For most parents, these mobile development milestones are accompanied by a mix of excitement, pride, and sadness. Excitement and pride because, whoa! Baby’s walking. Sadness because, your baby may not be a “baby” much longer.

There is also often some concern mixed in as well, mostly when your little one doesn’t seem to be hitting his or her mobile development milestones as quickly as other children you know. In general, these concerns are unfounded; there can be a wide range of “normal” when it comes to developmental milestones. But if you’re wondering what that range might be, here are some basic guidelines:

Solo Sitting Up: This can happen anywhere from 5 to 8 months. You can help your baby to reach this milestone by practicing the sitting position with you always nearby to catch any falls.
Crawling: Crawling usually happens between 6 and 10 months, though how crawling begins can vary. Some babies start scootching early on, others master the army crawl (pulling themselves around by their arms) others may not attempt to get mobile until they are ready to crawl perfectly, and others still may never crawl at all—transitioning straight to walking instead.
Cruising: Between 8 and 12 months, your baby will start pulling him or herself up on furniture items and “cruising” around while holding on for support.
Standing: Between 9 and 15 months, your baby may begin standing completely unassisted for a few seconds at a time.
Walking: This is one milestone, especially, that has a very wide range of normal. Some babies are walking at 9 months, some won’t take those first steps until just shy of 18 months. In general, the year marker is when your baby will most likely start to show signs of walking. But even if it takes a few more months than that, there is no reason to fret. Any steps before 18 months can be normal.

Once your baby is walking, plenty of other milestones will follow. From navigating the stairs to kicking a ball, your little one is about to conquer the world in leaps and bounds. You can assist in the accomplishment of many of those milestones by providing opportunities for safe practice, but always remember that development rates vary and that it’s perfectly okay if it takes your baby a little longer than the baby down the street.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Tips to Keep Your Baby Safe in the Sun

If you’re enjoying some warm weather, you may be keen to spend time outdoors as a family. There’s nothing quite like sitting in the garden with a cold drink, paddling pool and the warmth of the sun. Your baby will benefit from some time spent outdoors too. Nature is the perfect sensory environment for small children, there are so many different things to see and experience. From the flutter of a butterfly’s wings to the feel of the grass under her feet, your baby will love exploring outside.

If the weather is nice, you’ll need to take some precautions to protect your baby’s skin from the sun’s rays. The following tips will help you to keep your baby safe in the sun this summer:

Wear a hat

Your baby should wear a sunhat to protect her head and face from the sun. A decent sunhat will also provide shade to her shoulders and neck as well. You may find your baby enjoys removing the hat because babies can make fun games out of almost anything you don’t want them to do. If this is a problem, choose a hat with ties that can be secured under your baby’s chin, this should increase the likelihood of the hat staying on.

Cover up

The best way to protect your baby’s skin from the sun is to keep it covered up. Beautiful as strappy sundresses may be, they won’t offer much in the way of sun protection. Opt for thin, loose-fitting long sleeved clothing to keep your baby’s skin out of the sun. Make sure your baby doesn’t get too hot by choosing thin clothes that allow plenty of movement. Carry a cardigan with you just in case the temperature drops.

Stay in the shade

Babies under six months shouldn’t be exposed to the sun because they don’t have much melanin in their body. Melanin is the pigment that provides some protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Even after six months, you need to be careful of how much time your baby spends in the sun. The sun is at its hottest between 11 am and 3 pm, so keep your baby out of the sun during this time. The best way to enjoy time outdoors with your baby is to create a shaded area for her to play in. You could use a sun umbrella, windbreaker or play tent to create a patch of shade for your baby to explore. If your baby is crawling, however, it might be difficult keeping her in one place. Take toys and books out so you can keep your baby entertained in the shade.

Use sunscreen

Even if you’re planning to keep your baby in the shade, you should always apply sunscreen to your baby’s skin before heading out into the sun. Babies are more sensitive to sun damage and so need a higher SPF sunscreen on their skin. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for your baby. This will need to be reapplied every two hours throughout the day. If your baby gets wet in a paddling pool, you’ll need to reapply the lotion when she gets out to ensure adequate protection. Carry the sunscreen with you at all times during the warmer months because you never know when you’ll end up spending time in the sun.

Stay hydrated

Babies can suffer from dehydration, so you’ll need to make sure your baby stays hydrated throughout the day. If your baby is formula fed, you should offer bottles of cooled water between feeds. If you’re breastfeeding, you won’t need to give your baby any water. However, you may notice that she feeds more frequently during hot weather to stay hydrated.

Do you have any top tips for keeping babies safe in the sun?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

Blending Your Modern Family

These days, most of us understand that happily ever after doesn’t always happen according to a specific timeline or series of events. Sometimes, life likes to mix things up a bit.

As a result, it’s possible that before you found your current partner, one or both of you already had other children. Maybe you’ve been doing the single parent thing for a while, without that other parental figure in the picture at all, or perhaps you’ve been trading off weekends for years. Whatever the case may be, you’ve now started the work of blending together your new family.

Which includes this new little one you’ve welcomed into your life.

The good news is that blended families are pretty common these days, so your older children and stepchildren likely aren’t the only kids they know who are welcoming a new brother or sister in the midst of a blending family. But even given that, there can sometimes be growing pains that accompany adding into that blended family.

While your little one may have been loved and adored by all during those early newborn days, as the months go by and your baby takes up more of your (and your partner’s) time, it’s more common for older children to start struggling with feelings of being left out or left behind.

How you address that could play a big role in the sibling relationship these kids will all have in the years to come.

With younger children, finding ways to include them (and making time to spend with them one on one) can sometimes make a big difference. Play up the big brother or big sister role by asking them to help with smaller tasks, like bringing you diapers or putting socks on your littlest. Then, heap on the praise and tell them again and again what a great big brother or sister they are—and always be quick to acknowledge how much your baby smiles and laughs whenever his or her older sibling is around.

With older kids (those approaching the pre-teen and teenage years) finding ways to create one on one time (sans baby) may be even more important. These older kids are more likely to struggle with the shifting dynamics of your growing family, and to feel as though they are being replaced or left behind. If you want them to have a good relationship with their new siblings, you have to first work hard to ensure they know no such replacing is going on—which means prioritizing that one-on-one time whenever possible.

The dynamics of blended families can sometimes be complicated, and there is no one size fits all approach. But moving forward with a heart open to the potential complications, and empathy for the struggles your older children may be experiencing, can help.

If you ever find yourself feeling at a loss for how to deal with those struggles, there are always family counselors available who may be able to help seek out other solutions.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

3 Signs Your Baby May Have a Gluten Allergy

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last decade, you’ve likely heard plenty about gluten allergies. Even if you’ve never gone gluten-free yourself, you certainly know someone who has, and you’ve definitely seen the wide variety of products available to replace carb items for those suffering from gluten intolerance.

But what are the chances your baby could be one of those sufferers?

The reality is that a growing number of people have found themselves struggling with gluten in recent years, and babies are no different. It wouldn’t be unheard of at all for your little one to have an allergy to gluten, a protein composite in wheat and related grains. There could also be something more complex going on; not just a simple allergy, but an intolerance as a result of Celiac disease.

Before you panic, though, let’s go over some of the basic signs of a gluten allergy for babies:

Tummy Troubles: To include diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, reflux, excessive spitting up, or stomach pain.
Failure to Thrive: Slow weight gain or anemia.
Skin Irritation: Rashes of eczema.

Now, each of these things could also indicate a variety of other problems, just because your baby has diarrhea does not mean that he or she is gluten intolerant. But if you have recently started introducing solids and the symptoms appeared shortly after, it is worth considering.

There are blood tests to check for gluten allergies, but it’s important to know that these tests are often inaccurate, especially when used with babies or young children. So your little one could test negative but still have an allergy that needs addressing.

If you suspect gluten intolerance, the easiest way to test that theory is to cut gluten out of your baby’s diet for a few weeks and see if that makes a difference in the symptoms you are witnessing. If it does, you may have your answer. If not, and if the symptoms persist or appear to get worse, it may be time to make a visit to the pediatrician’s office.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you are still breastfeeding, you should cut out gluten too. Otherwise, your baby may still be getting trace amounts of gluten through your breast milk.

In some cases, children may outgrow a gluten allergy. Reintroducing again in 6 months to a year can help you to determine if your child’s reaction is fading. But even in the case of severe gluten allergies, maintaining a gluten free lifestyle is easier today than ever before. There are support groups, alternative food options, and countless recipes available.

While it may seem overwhelming at first, this is one allergy you can certainly navigate around.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.