The Natural Beat » Children’s Health

Anxiety Depression Effects Parental Obligation

Tess — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:07:42 +0000

Anxiety in parents can affect the child from even before he is born. It has been proven that anxiety in the pregnant mother can increase the risk of a hyperactive child twofold. This was seen to be more prominent in the boy child rather than the girl child though significant differences were observed in the girl child also.

This is not to scare pregnant women even further because 9 out of every 10 children born to anxious mothers are not hyperactive. It should also be noted that mood swings are common during pregnancy and should not be confused with anxiety or panic attacks.

Prenatal anxiety affects the child because anxiety can cause major hormonal imbalances in the mother leading to a change in her chemistry. Pregnant women should guard actively against getting anxious and should take measures to avoid anxiety. Anxiety reliefcan be obtained in various ways. Listening to music, taking time out, thinking positive thoughts, talking to other expectant mothers and getting information from the right sources can help in alleviating tension about pregnancy, childbirth and after.

The affects of anxious parents after the child is born also can affect the development and the personality of the individual. Though it is natural to be anxious about the safety, progress, performance and health of your child given that competition, terrorism and societal pressures have built up, it is also prudent to check yourself whenever you get overtly anxious about your child.

You can determine whether you are an anxious parent by assessing yourself. If you start throwing histrionics every time your child encounters a minor problem then there is a cause of worry. And be careful not to assess the extent of the problem base don only your judgment. Don ‘t be too harsh on yourself or try and be super parent. Accept the fact that you are a human and be content to bring up your child in the manner you think is best. Researching and seeking parenting tips is fine but don ‘t overdo it. The fact of the matter is that most experts have different opinions and it can cause you a higher level of anxiety if you over-research an issue, leaving you with no solution at the end of it.

A mother tends to pass on her anxieties to the child since children are great at sensing something wrong. If you are prone to panic attacks or extreme anxiety, it is recommended that you seek some help. Natural treatments for anxiety are the first route that you should probably take before you start seeking psychiatric help, which is needed only in extreme circumstances.

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Standardization of Crib And Crib Mattress Sizes

Tess — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:56:34 +0000

A full size crib is in fact a bed meant for infants to sleep in, the interior of which should be 52 inches long and 28 inches wide. Requirements for a full-size crib have been published in Code of Federal Regulations in Title 16, Part 1508 by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. These standards have been specified to ensure the safety of your baby. Such requirements include specifications like:

* The adjustable rails should be at least 26 inches above the mattress at its highest and 9 inches at its lowest level.
* The slats and spindles should not be more than 2â��œ inches apart.
* The hardware should not have any sharp edges which may pinch or bruise the baby in any way.
* The locking device must be able to withstand a pressure of at least 10 pounds of force for release.
* The use of wooden screws is restricted.
* The construction/finishing of the wood surfaces should not have splinters, cracks or other defects.
* All decorative openings should keep in mind that the baby ‘s head or neck does not get entrapped in them.
* Assembly instructions and labeling details must always accompany the product.

Cribs that do not match these requirements are banned as hazardous substances under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, 15 U.S.C. 1261(q) (1) (A).

The Commission has also published requirements for the crib mattress. It is imperative that you read the guidelines for crib mattresses issued by the Commission for the safety and betterment of your darling baby.

A mattress used for a full crib should be at least 27 �

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Auditory Processing Disorder in Children Part II

Tess — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:03:15 +0000

What are the symptoms of possible auditory processing difficulty?

Children with auditory processing difficulty typically have normal hearing and intelligence. However, they have also been observed to:

* Have trouble paying attention to and remembering information presented orally
* Have problems carrying out multi-step directions
* Have poor listening skills
* Need more time to process information
* Have low academic performance
* Have behavior problems
* Have language difficulty (e.g., they confuse syllable sequences and have problems developing vocabulary and understanding language)
* Have difficulty with reading, comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary

How is suspected auditory processing difficulty diagnosed in children?

You, a teacher, or a day care provider may be the first person to notice symptoms of auditory processing difficulty in your child. So talking to your child’s teacher about school or preschool performance is a good idea. Many health professionals can also diagnose APD in your child. There may need to be ongoing observation with the professionals involved.

Much of what will be done by these professionals will be to rule out other problems. A pediatrician or a family doctor can help rule out possible diseases that can cause some of these same symptoms. He or she will also measure growth and development. If there is a disease or disorder related to hearing, you may be referred to an otolaryngologist–a physician who specializes in diseases and disorders of the head and neck.

To determine whether your child has a hearing function problem, an audiologic evaluation is necessary. An audiologist will give tests that can determine the softest sounds and words a person can hear and other tests to see how well people can recognize sounds in words and sentences. For example, for one task, the audiologist might have your child listen to different numbers or words in the right and the left ear at the same time. Another common audiologic task involves giving the child two sentences, one louder than the other, at the same time. The audiologist is trying to identify the processing problem.

A speech-language pathologist can find out how well a person understands and uses language. A mental health professional can give you information about cognitive and behavioral challenges that may contribute to problems in some cases, or he or she may have suggestions that will be helpful. Because the audiologist can help with the functional problems of hearing and processing, and the speech-language pathologist is focused on language, they may work as a team with your child. All of these professionals seek to provide the best outcome for each child.

Source: National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov)

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Diabetes Genetics

Tess — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:35:23 +0000

You ‘ve probably wondered how you got Diabetes. You may worry that your children will get it too.

Unlike some traits, Diabetes does not seem to be inherited in a simple pattern. Yet clearly, some people are born more likely to get Diabetes than others.

What leads to Diabetes?

Type 1 and type 2 Diabetes have different causes. Yet two factors are important in both. First, you must inherit a predisposition to the disease. Second, something in your environment must trigger Diabetes.

Genes alone are not enough. One proof of this is identical twins. Identical twins have identical genes. Yet when one twin has type 1 Diabetes, the other gets the disease at most only half the time. When one twin has type 2 Diabetes, the other ‘s risk is at most 3 in 4.

Type 1 Diabetes

In most cases of type 1 Diabetes, people need to inherit risk factors from both parents. We think these factors must be more common in whites because whites have the highest rate of type 1 Diabetes. Because most people who are at risk do not get Diabetes, researchers want to find out what the environmental triggers are.

One trigger might be related to cold weather. Type 1 Diabetes develops more often in winter than summer and is more common in places with cold climates. Another trigger might be viruses. Perhaps a virus that has only mild effects on most people triggers type 1 Diabetes in others.

Early diet may also play a role. Type 1 Diabetes is less common in people who were breastfed and in those who first ate solid foods at later ages.

In many people, the development of type 1 Diabetes seems to take many years. In experiments that followed relatives of people with type 1 Diabetes, researchers found that most of those who later got Diabetes had certain autoantibodies in their blood for years before.

(Antibodies are proteins that destroy bacteria or viruses. Autoantibodies are antibodies â��˜gone bad, ‘ which attack the body ‘s own tissues.)

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes has a stronger genetic basis than type 1, yet it also depends more on environmental factors. Sound confusing? What happens is that a family history of type 2 Diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for getting the disease but it only seems to matter in people living a Western lifestyle.

Americans and Europeans eat too much fat and too little carbohydrate and fiber, and they get too little Exercise. Type 2 Diabetes is common in people with these habits. The ethnic groups in the United States with the highest risk are African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Pima Indians.

In contrast, people who live in areas that have not become Westernized tend not to get type 2 Diabetes, no matter how high their genetic risk.

Obesity is a strong risk factor for type 2 Diabetes. Obesity is most risky for young people and for people who have been obese for a long time.

Gestational Diabetes is more of a puzzle. Women who get Diabetes while they are pregnant are more likely to have a family history of Diabetes, especially on their mothers ‘ side. But as in other forms of Diabetes, nongenetic factors play a role. Older mothers and overweight women are more likely to get gestational Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes: your child ‘s risk

In general, if you are a man with type 1 Diabetes, the odds of your child getting Diabetes are 1 in 17. If you are a woman with type 1 Diabetes and your child was born before you were 25, your child ‘s risk is 1 in 25; if your child was born after you turned 25, your child ‘s risk is 1 in 100.

Your child ‘s risk is doubled if you developed Diabetes before age 11. If both you and your partner have type 1 Diabetes, the risk is between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4.

There is an exception to these numbers. About 1 in every 7 people with type 1 Diabetes has a condition called type 2 polyglandular autoimmune syndrome.

In addition to having Diabetes, these people also have thyroid disease and a poorly working adrenal gland. Some also have other Immune System disorders. If you have this syndrome, your child ‘s risk of getting the syndrome including type 1 Diabetes is 1 in 2.

Researchers are learning how to predict a person ‘s odds of getting Diabetes. For example, most whites with type 1 Diabetes have genes called HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4.

If you and your child are white and share these genes, your child ‘s risk is higher. (Suspect genes in other ethnic groups are less well studied. The HLA-DR7 gene may put African Americans at risk, and the HLA-DR9 gene may put Japanese at risk.)

Other tests can also make your child ‘s risk clearer. A special test that tells how the body responds to glucose can tell which school-aged children are most at risk.

Another more expensive test can be done for children who have siblings with type 1 Diabetes. This test measures antibodies to Insulin, to islet cells in the pancreas, or to an enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase. High levels can indicate that a child has a higher risk of developing type 1 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes: your child ‘s risk

Type 2 Diabetes runs in families. In part, this tendency is due to children learning bad habits eating a poor diet, not exercisingâ��from their parents. But there is also a genetic basis.

In general, if you have type 2 Diabetes, the risk of your child getting Diabetes is 1 in 7 if you were diagnosed before age 50 and 1 in 13 if you were diagnosed after age 50.

Some scientists believe that a child ‘s risk is greater when the parent with type 2 Diabetes is the mother. If both you and your partner have type 2 Diabetes, your child ‘s risk is about 1 in 2.

People with certain rare types of type 2 Diabetes have different risks. If you have the rare form called maturity-onset Diabetes of the young (MODY), your child has almost a 1-in-2 chance of getting it, too.

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Naughty Nits – Natural Help for Lice

Tess — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:28:33 +0000

Use Naughty Nits to:

* Eradicate Lice & Nits
* Prevent Re-infestation

What is Naughty Nits?

The Naughty Nits is your all-round, safe and natural option for the eradication and prevention of lice.

Just talking about lice and nits is enough to make you feel all itchy and produce that â��˜icky ‘ feeling, but recurring infestation with head lice is extremely common, particularly during the early school years. Lice and nits are an almost inevitable part of growing up and can infest even the cleanest of children.

Repeated exposure to the dangerous chemicals in over the counter treatments and lice shampoos can be more harmful to your child than to the lice themselves, not to mention the fact that the lice are becoming increasingly resistant to these chemicals. Lice can be extremely difficult to eradicate and often one or two lice are missed during shampooing and household cleaning. Luckily Native Remedies is there to help control and prevent lice naturally!

The herbal and aromatherapeutic ingredients in our Naughty Nits products are 100% safe and natural and contain no toxic chemicals. This means that you can confidently and safely use these products on your child as often as you need to.

Working together safely and synergistically:

* Naughty Nits Hair Oil will prevent re-infestation and will help to loosen and remove nits.
* Naughty Nits Spritzer will help to keep lice infestation at bay and to protect your child during lice epidemics.

Like all Native Remedies products, the Naughty Nits line has been developed with care by our practicing Clinical Psychologist and are manufactured according to the highest pharmaceutical standards. Individual ingredients are well-researched and have been specially chosen for their high safety profile in children’s health.

How Naughty Nits Products have helped others?

â��œFinally I have found an effective product that is not poisonous to my child. This has been an ongoing battle for the last year and I thought I was about to go crazy. No matter how much effort I put in to eradicating it, my son kept picking it up again at school. After using the Naughty Nits Shampoo and Oil, I use the Spritzer regularly and we are now free of it for almost three months. This is the longest clear patch we have had in the last year.â�

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Natural Baby Products

Tess — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:01:36 +0000

During the first months of life, a baby needs lots of tender loving care. Mothers carefully measure formula, learn the signs that it’s time for a diaper change, and develop soothing bedtime routines. They also carefully select the products they use, from diapers to baby powder to toys. But did you know that some of the leading brands of baby products contain harsh chemicals that could be harmful to your baby?

Dangerous chemicals are bad for people of all ages. But babies are particularly susceptible to their ill effects. Toxins such as phthalates and flame retardants can impair brain development, cause reproductive defects and damage the immune system. Other unnatural ingredients can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.

Many of the chemicals that are cause for concern are not regulated. Certain types of phthalates are banned from use in children’s products in the European Union, but they may be used in the United States and other countries. Lead is also banned in many countries. But imported products could contain banned ingredients, and there are many hazardous chemicals that can legally be used in baby products.

Fortunately, a growing number of companies are taking it upon themselves to produce natural baby products that are free of harmful substances. But thanks to lax ingredient-labeling requirements, it can be difficult to tell which products are safe and which aren’t. Here are some pointers:

* Baby products should ideally be fragrance-free. Chemical fragrances can be harmful to baby’s skin. And in many cases, phthalates are used to stabilize fragrances. They do not have to be listed separately in the ingredients, so fragranced products can contain them without explicitly saying so.

* Check labels for acronyms such as DBP, DEP and DEHP. These are common phthalates. Some other harmful chemicals may be abbreviated as well. Also be on the lookout for long, hard to pronounce ingredient names. Most natural ingredients are easily identifiable.

* Be wary of products that are flame retardant. Most flame retardants are very toxic. Choose natural fabrics that have not been treated instead. You can make your own non-permanent flame retardant by mixing 2 1/2 ounces of borax with 2 cups of boiling water. Just spray it on and let it dry before each wearing.

* Consider using cloth diapers. Disposable diapers often contain chemicals and other irritants. Reusable diapers made of natural fabrics are better for baby and the environment.

It’s easy to assume that products made for babies are safe, but all too often they aren’t. We need to be vigilant if we want to minimize our children’s exposure to hazardous chemicals. But by learning what to look for and reading labels carefully, we can make sure that our babies get the best possible start in life.

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Five Ways to Give Your Child a Healthy Smile

Tess — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:28:18 +0000

When our babies’ teeth come in, it can be unpleasant for them and us alike. Those pearly whites poking through the gums are often uncomfortable, and kids do not hesitate to let everyone in the vicinity know about it. But when the teeth make it through and they start flashing those adorable toothy smiles, it’s easy to see that it was worth all the trouble.

In the first years of life, it’s up to us to make sure our children’s teeth are well taken care of. And that’s not as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of things that can affect kids’ teeth, and some of them are not so obvious. Here are five things you can do to help keep your child’s smile beautiful.

1. Start cleaning the teeth early. In fact, it’s good practice to wipe the gums with a clean washcloth after feedings before any teeth have erupted. When your child does have teeth, clean them with a washcloth, gauze, or a soft baby toothbrush. Use a toothpaste made for babies that is safe to swallow.

2. Avoid putting your infant or toddler to bed with a bottle. When a child falls asleep with a bottle, the milk or juice pools up in the mouth. The bacteria that naturally occur in the mouth devour the sugar in the liquid, creating acid that attacks the tooth enamel. This results in tooth decay. If your child insists on having a bottle at bedtime, fill it with water only.

3. Limit the amount of sugar in your child’s diet. Candy and cake might be delicious, but they can wreak havoc on the teeth. Some of the worst offenders are sticky candies such as suckers, taffy and gummy bears. The sugar in them tends to stick to the teeth, amplifying its effects. Encourage your child to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks instead.

4. Use fluoride wisely. We all know about the benefits of fluoride, but too much of it can actually damage the teeth. If you have fluoridated tap water, allowing your child to drink it should provide sufficient fluoride without the need for supplements. In children under six, consider using a toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride so that you won’t have to worry about them swallowing it. Fluoridated toothpaste is safe for children who are old enough to brush their own teeth, but only a pea-sized amount should be used.

5. Start taking your child to the dentist early. There is some debate about the right age for the first dentist’s visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends taking your child when the first tooth comes in. But the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that most children see a dentist by age three, and high-risk children by twelve months. Your pediatrician can examine your child’s teeth and help you decide when he needs to see a dentist.

Good dental habits should start early in life. Taking an interest in your child’s teeth will help prevent cavities and other problems. It will also impress upon your child the importance of taking care of his teeth, giving him a better chance of having good dental health into adulthood.

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Childhood Tantrums – What Can You Do?

Tess — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:19:57 +0000

Children’s remedies

Children have problems too! Many medicines for children contain additives, artificial color and preservatives. Some are addictive and others may cause side effects which end up being worse than the condition that they are supposed to treat.

Even some of the more natural, herbal medicines should not be given to children under the age of 12, unless supervised by a health care practitioner! Parents are understandably concerned and may feel confused about what they can and can not give their children. As a Psychologist and as a parent, I have seen a need for safe, effective and healthy natural remedies especially formulated for children’s health.

Together with Native Remedies, I have spent a lot of time in researching and formulating a range of natural remedies especially for young children. All remedies are herbal or homeopathic and carefully chosen for maximum effect and maximum safety, to safely heal and solve your child’s problem – naturally. While herbal remedies help to heal and promote health, homeopathic remedies work by strengthening the child’s own body to heal itself.

The remedies are non-addictive and presented in child-safe doses. No artificial colors or preservatives are used and manufacturing is in accordance with the highest pharmaceutical standards. Michele Carelse, Clinical Psychologist

When should I treat tantrums?

Some tantrums in early childhood are normal and even healthy ways that your child uses to establish independence.

Properly handled, they should not be a cause for concern. Some children, however, seem to have a very low tolerance for frustration and often resort to yelling and kicking in order to express their feelings and get what they want.

How can Tantrum Tamer help?

Tantrum Tamer is a safe and soothing homeopathic remedy specially formulated by a Clinical Psychologist to calm angry and oppositional children, and help them to more easily use their developing reasoning skills.

This remedy is especially effective in children from 3 – 10 years old. Together with consistent discipline, firm guidelines and a loving home environment, regular use of Tantrum Tamer can help your child to overcome the storms of excessive tantrums and bring peace to your household!

Regular use of Tantrum Tamer helps to:

* Reduce the frequency and strength of childhood tantrums
* Soothe fiery tempers
* Help your child to be more reasonable
* Reduce frustration
* Make children more amenable and easy to discipline Children’s Remedies

How has Tantrum Tamer helped others?

“These remedies have made such a difference in my 6 year old’s life. Thank you so much!!!!” – Anne S, USA

“Let me tell you that shopping was a nightmare before I gave my son Tantrum Tamer! If I could avoid taking him with me I would and I would always end up spanking him which I know is wrong, but I tried everything! He takes his Tantrum Tamer every day and he is much calmer and he does not lose his temper so much or hardly ever in fact!” Thank you! – Betty, USA

“The teachers complained that my daughter wouldn’t wait her turn at school and she bullied the other kids and started to scream whenever she wanted a toy. How terrible is that for a mother to hear? Even my neighbor complained about the screaming every day and she has five kids!! Since she has been taking Tantrum Tamer there is such a big improvement. It feels so good to be able to be proud of my child when I pick her up from school!” – Rose Walters

“In my family children usually behave or else. We have all grown up like that. You can believe me when I say my five yr old was like a monster in my house! My own mother said that I must be doing a bad job, I even cried a few times! This medicine is very good and my son is listening now when we speak for a change. I thank you from the bottom of my very heart!!!” – Helen K., USA

“Great Product, Works Great!” – Janice, CO, USA

“I have pulled my hair out with my daughter I would spend days whereby she could not reason even though understood what was happening.Such stress including relationships, etc. I even had her assessed by psychologist who said what you complaining about she is normal. It was one day recently when we were having a real bad day that I decided to look for advice on the internet, she was upstairs screaming and kicking and came across native remedies and temper tamer. When your desperate you will try anything, am I glad I did. For the first 3 weeks there was no change in her behavior, after which I found my daughter started to become more communicative, repeating herself and almost doing what two year olds do and question everything. Its as if the temper tamers helped her to go back a stage and question and reason everything. six weeks into the treatment and she is a different child. I have had one tantrum which lasted a lot shorter than usual. She is happy, I can discipline or put boundaries in and she’ll reason without going into a tantrum. I feel so relieved and so does my partner whom could have easily have left us because of her previous behavior If you are out there pulling your hair out, please try this product you will be so surprised. I am going to carry this treatment up to 12 weeks as advised as I don’t want to risk her going back to the old unreasonable child. Great results, I am so glad to have found this product. Cheers” – Liz, UK

Tantrum Tamer contains the following proven homeopathic ingredients in child safe strength:

Cina (6C) – Artemesia Cina is thought to be named after Artemisia – the queen of Persia and renowned herbalist in the 4th century BC. It is used homeopathically to relieve irritability, increase frustration tolerance and prevent temper tantrums. Regular use of Cina is also thought to make children less stubborn and more affectionate.

Chamomila (6C) is used homeopathically for children who are irritable and difficult to please, as well as for those with a low pain threshold. It is also well-known for its soothing effect on infant colic and the symptoms of teething babies.

In what form does it come?

Tantrum Tamer comes in Lactose based pillule form, making it dissolve easily in the mouth.

How do I use Tantrum Tamer?

First suck five pillules in a clean mouth every hour for six doses. Thereafter suck five pillules twice daily. Use on an empty stomach.

Avoid strong mint flavored candies, mint has long been recognized as an antidote to homeopathic remedies

How long until I see results?

Use regularly to treat a child who is generally difficult and struggles with frequent temper tantrums. A gradual improvement will be noted over a period of 3 – 6 weeks.

Continue for up to 12 weeks and then stop treatment to see whether symptoms return. If they do not, then one can discontinue use permanently.

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Children’s Calming Mist

Tess — Sun, 23 May 2010 05:01:51 +0000

Ingredients

* 10 d. allspice oil
* 10 d. chamomile oil
* 10 d. mandarin oil
* 10 d. vetiver oil: in 4 oz. water.

Directions

Blend together in spray bottle. Mist into rooms where hyperactive children play.

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Congesto-K Pillow Spritzer for Congestion

Tess — Sun, 16 May 2010 04:18:42 +0000

Use Congesto-K Pillow Spritzer to:

* Keep chests and noses clear at night
* Promote healthy, easy breathing
* Strengthen the immune system
* Induce relaxation and healthy, restful sleep

What is Congesto-K Pillow Spritzer?

Congesto-K Pillow Spritzer is an aromatherapeutic pillow and space spray with wonderful properties for chest and respiratory tract health in adults and children. This natural combination of pure, therapeutic essential oils will help to keep the airways clear and promote the comfort of the entire respiratory tract, including nose and chest, allowing easy, normal breathing. The ingredients of this unique spritzer spray are also well-known for their relaxing properties in the support of healthy, deep and refreshing sleep.

Congesto-K Pillow Spritzer is safe and effective for adults, children and babies from the age of 6 months. The pleasant fragrance and therapeutic properties of this aromatherapy mist will soothe your little one. It will also promote free breathing and a good night ‘s sleep.

Like all Native Remedies products, Congesto-K Pillow Spritzer is developed with care by our practicing Clinical Psychologist, is 100% natural and manufactured according to the highest pharmaceutical standards. Individual ingredients are well-researched and have been specially chosen for their high safety profile in children ‘s remedies.

How has Congesto-K Pillow Spritzer helped other children?

â��œJust wanted to tell you how much I love your natural remedies. When my kids were sick this winter your kiddie products like the Congesto-K Kiddie Rub and Spritzer and the Sniffly Sprinkles saved my kids from a lot of discomfort, tears and sleepless nights. I will not be without your remedies again and will be sure to stock up before next winter!â�

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Are You Looking for Discount Crib Mattresses?

Tess — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 01:32:03 +0000

The way prices of almost everything are shooting up, every one wants to buy things at a discount to save money. Discount sales can only save you money if the product you are buying is what you actually need. The fact is that good and premium quality products get sold off first and the stores offer discounts on inferior brands, products or sizes that do not sell. In our desire to save money we fail to recognize that we may end up buying inferior quality products. These products need to be replaced faster than expected and therefore do not result in any actual or true savings.

The decision to buy on discount or not is even more crucial when you are deciding to buy for your baby. It is necessary that you keep in mind the safety and the health of your baby. For example, buying crib mattresses at a discount store is one such bait that most parents fall for. The lure of a discount becomes too tempting to resist especially after having invested in the crib itself. What they fail to appreciate is the fact that a crib mattress can contribute to the baby ‘s health. The other aspect that is missed in many cases is that, if chosen well, a crib mattress can last much longer and can support your kid till he becomes a toddler.

With the Green Movement picking up fast, the world has ultimately realized the benefits of natural and organic products. Organic bedding is one item in a long list of do ‘s and don ‘ts suggested by the advocates of the organic movement. Among other things they suggest avoiding laundry detergents with phosphates, plastics, meats from animals injected with hormones and steroids and clothing made in sweat shops around the world. In fact, everything that is synthetic or pollutes the atmosphere or is detrimental to health is considered to be taboo.

Considering the negative impact that synthetic beddings can have on overall health and growth, safe organic crib mattresses should be considered by all parents. Organic mattresses are:

* made with cotton and wool fillings
* made from naturally fire resistant materials
* able to breathe and therefore maintain a certain range of temperature
* a prerequisite for a sound sleep
* produced without using synthetic dyes and chemicals at any stage in the manufacturing process.

Unfortunately many discount and chain stores lay more emphasis on their own profits and refuse to stock natural products. If you are unable to locate a safe organic crib mattress in stores the best place to find one would be the Internet. The World Wide Web has grown to such proportions that it is possible to look for any product/information from the comfort of your home. With luck you may even find a purely certified organic crib mattress at a discount.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

References:

http://www.kushtush.com/eco-ideas.htm

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What Do I Do About My Child’s Exam Anxiety?

Tess — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:18:09 +0000

Question

My daughter does well all during the term in her studies but unfortunately when it comes to exam times, her grades do not support this. What I noticed with her is that when we explain something to her she picks it up quickly and will remember for a day or two but just as quickly she forgets. Her teacher also pointed out to us that when it is exam time she is very anxious and tense. We have never given her cause for anxiety and always encourages her though at times we are disappointed but will not let her know. Is there something that you can recommend that will help her retain stuff in memory as well as eliminate
the nervous anxiety she has when exam times comes? Thank you.

Answer

It sounds like your daughter is suffering from performance anxiety. She seems to be able to retain her work well during the term, but becomes anxious at exam time.

I recommend that she take K-OK Kiddie Calmer on a daily basis as prescribed to help her to overcome her anxiety and to improve confidence. If she is very nervous before her exam, you can give her 10 drops of PureCalm in a little water on the morning of her exam or class test (we recommend one drop per year of age for children) in addition to the K-OK Kiddie Calmer.

If her exam or test is in the afternoon, she can repeat the dose again at midday. Both K-OK Kiddie Calmer and PureCalm are 100% natural and non-addictive remedies especially formulated by a Clinical Psychologist to treat anxiety and stress without harming your child’s health.

Besides this, your daughter needs to rehearse her work as much as possible at her age in order to consolidate it in her memory. Have her go over new work every few days in a fun and relaxed way, maybe using something like a star chart as a reward every time she remembers her work.

Once she is 12 years old, she will also benefit greatly from our StudyPlus remedy, a brain tonic which improves cognitive functioning, memory and concentration.

Should you need any further help or want to consult our psychologist directly with regard to helping your daughter, you are welcome to do so at http://www.feelgoodcounseling.com/confirm_email.htm

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Identifying And Treating Adolescent Depression

Tess — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:11:45 +0000

Parenting is a challenging job! Your child needs your guidance and help in practically every sphere of life. One of the major challenges that parents face today is related to the management of emotional upheavals in their teenagers. The emotional turbulence that a child goes through is normal and part of the process of growing up. But emotional trauma can potentially lead to depression in certain adolescents. Untreated depression has serious repercussions and may even lead to suicide.

It is highly unlikely that an adolescent will come crying to parents with an emotional problem. In our society, crying in public is not seen as an adult act and most adolescents are at a stage where they are trying to prove that they are adults and mature human beings. The fact, however, is that they are in the process of becoming adults. Therefore, there are times that they do need adult intervention to sort out matters. But for them, asking for help is like accepting the fact that they have not grown up yet. Moreover, they are too caught up with own emotions to ask for help and the adults fail to understand that subtle intervention is required in certain areas.

Developing a healthy relationship with children helps but it may not be possible to draw them out every time. The options for treating depression in children are limited. And therefore, it is essential that you understand the potential situations that can cause depression. It is also pertinent that you realize the various initial signs of depression in children so that you can identify the potential and address it before it is too late. You should be especially careful if your child has been through a chronic illness or lost a loved one. Neglect or abuse can also bring symptoms of depression.

Some of the symptoms to watch out for are:

* Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
* Lack of concentration.
* Drop in grades in school.
* Indecision.

Some physical symptoms like headaches, low energy, insomnia or inability to stay awake and loss of appetite may also indicate prevalence of depression. Behavioral changes like irritability and belligerence also suggest that the child has some mental problem. If your child is spending more time alone and is missing class, you need to delve further and find out the reasons for the same. In fact any change in behavior that shows negative patterns should be enough to raise an alarm for you to address the problem.

Depression is a clinical illness like any other medical condition and should be treated as such. It is not advisable to administer habit forming drugs like antidepressants to youngsters. Parental support is a prerequisite for treating depression naturally as children are not fully equipped to handle depression on their own. Some things that you should do are:

* Respect your child ‘s problems. They may seem to be trivial to you but remember that they appear as real challenges to teens.
* Respect his/her privacy and avoid talking about his problems in front of other people. Try to put yourself in his position and see how you would feel if someone was do the same to you.
* Teens usually develop imaginary fears. Many times it is just a minor inability, say, dancing, that makes them stay at home rather than go out and enjoy. Youngsters are very good at identifying with parents. Talk to your child about how you got out of similar problems (even if you have to concoct a story) in your childhood.
* Many schools have psychologists who are experts in dealing with adolescent depression. Encourage your child to go and talk to a counselor in school if it has one.

Except in the unfortunate event of a severe depression, treatment should be restricted to natural remedies for depression. If you find yourself unable to tackle your child ‘s depression on your own the best alternative is to convince him that a psychiatrist can help. It is better that your child chooses that option on his/her volition. Your child will be more receptive to treatment in that case.

References:

http://www.about-teen-depression.com/depression-statistics.html

http://www.about-teen-depression.com/treatment-depression.html

http://www.about-teen-depression.com/trends-treatment.html

http://ezine-articles.org/ezinearticles/health/teen-depression-can-be-beat.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Depression-in-Teenagers:-Now-What-Can-We-Do?&id=3437

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Effective Discipline For Headstrong Toddlers

Tess — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:43:12 +0000

“NO!” “I WON’T” or “ME DO IT!” are common phrases that come out of the mouths of toddlers, who are notorious for resisting reason from adults. One minute your toddler is still your baby, cuddling up and being a little angel – and the next she is a raging tyrant, screaming and kicking and throwing herself on the floor!

They call the toddler years “The Terrible Two’s” or the “Terrible Three’s” and sometimes it may feel as though these years will last right into the “Terrible Thirties”!

Many parents tell me that they feel like failures because of the ‘bad’ behavior of their toddlers. Others are afraid that they will damage their children due to either spoiling or harsh discipline.

What I would like to do in this E-booklet is to give you the positive side of the stage your toddler is going through, as well as some tips that will help you to avoid conflict while still setting firm limits and boundaries for your toddler.

I use the term ‘discipline’ in its broadest sense – not as a synonym for punishment, but as a method of guiding and nurturing your child through a stage of his life which can be difficult for both of you. This is a stage of development during which you as a parent can do both great harm and great good – so the more that you inform and equip yourself the better!

So, let us first look at what is going on with your child during this stage of development.

What is happening with my baby?

Well, your baby is beginning to grow up! For the first time in his life, he has begun to realize that he is a separate individual. Small babies have no sense of self. They believe that they are one person with their mothers. At around age two or three, children begin to have a sense of self, but they need to ‘test’ this and establish their independence and their ‘difference’ from you in whichever way they can.

This is perfectly healthy and normal. If you fight it too much or make your child feel ‘bad’, guilty or scared about asserting independence, you may have a ‘good’ toddler, but your child may later have a difficult adolescence and even problems in her relationships later on in life. When I counsel parents or take children into therapy, I always find out what the child was like during the toddler years. If the child was an ‘angel’ or a ‘perfect child’, I get worried!

So try and see your child’s toddler years as ‘practice’ for adolescence and even an independent adulthood. It is a healthy stage and your toddler needs to feel supported and accepted in her developing independence.

After all, learning to say ‘No’ is a very important life skill – and who better for your child to practice on than you!

Prevention is better than Cure!

It is much easier to prevent a tantrum than it is to try and reason with a child who is already having one!

Remember, your child is trying to establish his new independence from you. If you fight him and prevent him from doing this, he will become frustrated. Toddlers have a very low threshold for frustration and limited ability to reason, so it is always best to try and avoid putting obstacles in your toddler’s way if possible. Here are some things you can do which will help to prevent frustration and tantrums.

Try and be one step ahead of your toddler.

For example, if you know that she hates to stop playing and will resist getting into the bath, don’t suddenly tell her to come and bath without any warning. Rather tell her that she has five more minutes left to play and then she is going to have a bath. This will help to prepare her. When it is time for her bath, try and make bath time fun and an extension of the game that she is already playing. Instead of saying “Come and bath now”, rather say “Do you want to take the pink duck or the blue duck to play with in the bath?” or “Let’s watch the Mummy duck teach the baby ducks to swim in the water, OK?”

Similarly, try and be one step ahead in being aware of your toddler’s ‘difficult’ times of the day – when frustration and tantrums are more likely. If he is too tired, your toddler will become unreasonable and it is
unlikely that anything will work with him. Learn to put him down for a nap BEFORE he gets overtired, not after he and you are both a wreck! Be aware also that his blood sugar levels will vary according to when he has last eaten and the amount of sugar he is consuming.

If he is hungry, he will easily become unreasonable, so make sure that you give him regular healthy snacks throughout the day. Toddlers need at least five small meals a day – not three like adults. Too many sweet things to eat and drink, will be bad for your toddler’s health and his mood and are to be avoided, except on special occasions.

A consistent routine, together with regular naps and healthy meals will help your toddler to feel more secure and prevent many tantrums.

Be reasonable in your expectations

Remember that your toddler has a very short memory and little understanding of why certain things are not allowed. Don’t become angry and expect that she behave like an older child. Lots of patience and plenty of repetition is what works, not scolding and spanking when your toddler does not ‘listen’.

I have counseled parents who expect their toddler to tidy up his room or who demand that their 3 year old child refrain from making a mess when he eats. This is unreasonable and ill informed behavior from adults and will place too much stress on a child. Be aware of what your child can or cannot do and make allowances for his age.

If your child is big for her age, be especially careful that you do not treat her as an older child. Many people make this mistake without realizing it – this includes teachers and parents. Remember that size does not necessarily relate to maturity levels – have age appropriate expectations from your toddler!

Give lots of controlled choices

Give your toddler things to choose from. This helps him to feel more in control of his life and prevents oppositional behavior.

For example – many toddlers fight about the clothes they have to put on in the morning, often insisting on putting on summer clothes in the depths of winter and vice versa! Prevent this by taking out two or three winter outfits and asking your child which one she prefers. This gives her the feeling of independence, without compromising your need to have her warmly dressed.

‘Don’t sweat the small stuff’!

This well-known phrase could have been written especially for parents of toddlers! Don’t get into a battle of wills over things that are not important. There is no need whatsoever to establish who is ‘boss’! If it doesn’t really matter, don’t fight about it. Save the conflict for things which are non-negotiable – there will be enough of them!

For example, if your child wants to go to nursery school with one blue sock and one pink one, chalk it up to creativity and an artistic spirit! Even if he wants to wear a different shoe on each foot, that is fine! Don’t stifle his experiments with clothes or his expression of himself in terms of how he wants to dress. He doesn’t need to be color coordinated! If anyone thinks that you are a bad parent for allowing your child to wear a pink dress over red trousers, one blue shoe and one black shoe – that is their problem!

Don’t fight over unnecessary things. Eventually one of your child’s friends will make a remark about his color sense and he will likely modify his choice of clothes accordingly! Then it will have been a valuable lesson for him, rather than a source of conflict which might emerge again in adolescence in the form of green hair and eyebrow rings!

Save the conflict for bigger and more important things – like whether or not it is OK to play in the traffic!

Save NO for important things!

Speaking of traffic, there are some occasions when NO must be NO! Do not allow your toddler to play with sharp scissors, just because you do not want to stifle his spirit. He is not yet able to judge danger for himself and therefore you must do it for him.

There must be some things which are non-negotiable under all circumstances. In cases like these, say “NO” very firmly and follow this up by removing either the object or your toddler from the scene. Be consistent about this.

Distraction is your most powerful tool!

Toddlers have a very short attention span and are interested in everything! This means that they are easily distracted, so make sure that you use this to your advantage when trying to prevent conflict.

For example, if you see your toddler making a beeline for your five year old’s coloring book, don’t say ‘NO’ and take her away from her object of interest. She will invariably start screaming blue murder! Rather say ‘Oh – Look at the lovely bird outside! Let’s go and see!’

Keep your child busy.

Boredom will create bad moods. Your toddler is developing fast and needs lots of learning opportunities. This need not be an expensive or time-consuming pastime. Provide empty containers, sand and water and help her to make mud pies. Go for walks in the park. Join a mothers and toddlers group. Read her storybooks. Make sure that her day is varied and interesting.

Do not park your toddler in front of the TV for hours for convenience sake. A short age appropriate program every day is no problem, but excessive TV viewing causes developmental problems and frustrated, bad tempered children! Don’t make TV a habit you will find hard to break in a few years time.

Don’t use harsh discipline.

Spanking and yelling should be avoided, especially with toddlers who have little ability to understand this form of discipline and who can easily become angry and begin to bully other children and small animals as a way of coping with the harsh discipline. Rather use one of the preventative or guiding techniques above – they will be much more effective in any case!

Model good behavior

Children learn by example! Don’t yell or swear if you don’t want them to do the same! Don’t expect your toddler not to hit his sister if you hit him. Don’t bite your child to show her that biting is wrong! Model reasonable and kind behavior at all times. Rather say, “We don’t bite each other, because it hurts. Look – poor Sally feels very sore because you bit her. If you bite again, I am going to pick you up and take you out of the room, until you can stop biting” You will have to do this a few times – even many times! But eventually your child will learn.

Give lots of praise and encouragement!

Plenty of positive reinforcement is essential for young children. Praise his growing independence (“Look how clever you are to undress yourself!” “You finished your food all by yourself – what a big girl!”) Too often we reprimand and criticize, rather than building our children’s self esteem and confidence.

Be aware of what you have learnt from your parents

Don’t repeat bad parenting patterns! If your parents spanked you when you cried, you may find yourself becoming angry with your child when he cries. If this means that you have difficulty in controlling an impulse to hit him, even if you know it is wrong, rather consult a therapist who will help you to work through these feelings from your past.

Give yourself a break!

Make sure that you look after yourself. Toddlers can be tiring and draining as well as a source of great pleasure. At the very least they are challenging and you need to be on the ball all the time. In order to maintain a sense of perspective and patience, you need to take time out to recharge your batteries. There is no sense in both of you being tired and unreasonable!

Share the parenting load with your partner. Take time to be with your friends and to get out for exercise, entertainment and relaxation. Enlist the help of a grandparent, babysitter or join a supportive mothers’ group. Do this regularly, not just when you are at the end of your tether! Your child needs you to be rested, happy and relaxed – not resentful, tired and ratty!

Learn to identify problem areas timeously.

Having said that some conflict and opposition from your toddler is healthy and normal, also be aware when this becomes excessive as it may be a sign that something is wrong. If your child is always crying and screaming, make sure that it is not a warning signal.

Is there someone bullying him at school? Are there marital problems at home? Are you being too strict with your child? Do you pay him enough attention and prevent him from being bored? Is he eating too much junk food?

Learn to know your child and identify when something is wrong. If you are not sure, you are welcome to consult me for more detailed information and counseling.

Some children go through a stage of being extremely oppositional and find it very difficult to control their tempers. It is true that children differ in their ability to tolerate frustration – often despite their parents doing
all the ‘right’ things! If this is so, your child may benefit from a course of natural, homeopathic medicine (such as K-OK Kiddie Calmer and Tula Tantrum Tamer) to calm him and help him to be more reasonable.

Good luck and be well!

Michele Carelse is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Counselor with more than 12 years experience. She runs her own private practice, as well as an online counseling and information service Here.

Michele has also developed Native Remedies – a range of natural herbal and homeopathic remedies for adults and children, specifically aimed at promoting emotional, psychological and cognitive health.

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Baby Bottle Tooth Decay And How to Prevent It

Tess — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:03:00 +0000

Parents live for that first time their baby sleeps through the night. It is a monumental occasion. Being sleep deprived is no fun. To get a few winks we may use the bottle to lull them to sleep.

At first, your baby calms down when they get a taste of their bottle. You tiptoe out of the room and get to catch some more sleep. However, there is one problem here that we haven’t considered: baby could fall asleep with the bottle in their mouth.

This is the beginnings of baby bottle tooth decay. What exactly is it? When a baby falls asleep with a bottle of milk in their mouth, the milk sugars leak out of the bottle into the mouth.

When a baby is awake (or anyone for that matter), saliva in the mouth washes away sugars from the foods that they eat. It washes the teeth. Normally, cavities form from bacteria and carbohydrates coming into contact in the mouth. The acid that results from the breakdown of these carbohydrates starts to wear away the protective enamel on the teeth.

This is the process that begins to occur at night when baby has a bottle in their mouth. The saliva is not being produced to wash away the bacteria. Over time, the teeth can become riddled with cavities that give them a concave shape and turn the tooth stumps black.

Now these are deciduous teeth (will fall out) but they will hang around for some time until baby’s permanent teeth come in. No parent wants their child to have broken and deformed teeth, much less black spots in their child’s mouth.

While you do need to get rest you also don’t want your child to suffer negatively from baby bottle tooth decay. Here are a few solutions that you can try to combat the problem in the first place.

One, avoid giving your child sugary drinks in their bottle at night. Milk is more filling but if your child is trying to fall asleep and may be a bit restless, try filling a small bottle with water. If chewing on the nipple helps to soothe them, it won’t be long before they fall asleep. Besides, tap water contains fluoride which helps to build strong teeth.

How about a pacifier? You can use it just at night when you baby is having trouble settling down. Choose one that resembles the shape of a bottle nipple so baby will more readily accept it.

And, resist the urge to coat it with milk or juice. All this will do is have your child craving more sweet stuff each time they are wakeful. Even a small amount of sugar settling in the mouth can begin the process of tooth decay.

Want to avoid baby bottle tooth decay? Try the above tips to stop the problem before it starts.

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Aromatherapy for Diaper Rash

Tess — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:42:50 +0000

Every baby or young child at one time or another can develop diaper rash. Diaper rash is nothing more than a type of dermatitis on the buttocks. To help prevent diaper rash, cleaning the bottom is important between every diaper change.

Prevention of course is the best medicine. Try to change the diapers as soon as possible when wet or soiled. Clean the area well and apply a light layer of a diaper rash oil or cream.

A very easy diaper oil is

* Lavender – 10 drops
* Roman Chamomile – 1 drop
* Sweet almond – 2 ounces.

Blend well and apply a light amount on the babies�

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Treating Infant Constipation

Tess — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:03:00 +0000

You are not the only one who can experience constipation. Babies may also have bouts with lack of movement in the bowel. If your child has been having bowel difficulties, it could be constipation. Read further to get more information.

Constipation is not diagnosed according to how often a child goes to the bathroom, but the consistency of the stool. Depending on what a child eats, they may not have frequent bowel movements; it could be one every day or every two days. If the stool comes out in small balls that are hard, however, your baby may be constipated.

When a child is breastfed, they have more fluid stools on average. The consistency of the breast milk produces green or yellowish runny stools. This is normal. Even formula babies can have runny stools.

Parents often worry that if their child is straining and grunting during a bowel movement, they are constipated. Think of it from your baby’s perspective. They have all these muscles that they don’t know how to operate.

They bear down to see which muscles are supposed to be used to move their bowels. As they get older, the grunting will stop. It is a good way for you to tell when your baby is getting ready to poop, especially when potty training begins. But, it is not a sign that your baby is constipated.

When is constipation more likely to occur? Changing from one food form to another affects the digestive system. Going from breast milk or formula to whole milk can do a number on the stomach. A baby’s body has to adjust to the new milk solids and that can lead to mild constipation.

The other time is when baby begins to eat solid food. The digestive system has never had to process anything other than fluids at this point and it will take time to assimilate. You will also notice that the stools are a different color and consistency. All poop has an unpleasant odor but once they begin to eat food, it will be stinkier than usual. The stool will be more formed and less runny. There may even be other colors involved depending on food particles in the stools.

We have already discussed the introduction of new foods as a possible cause of infant constipation. A baby may also become constipated if they are taking medication or not drinking enough fluids throughout the day.

A sure sign of constipation is dry, round stools. There is not enough fluid in the system. Also, a baby that cries when they pass a stool is more likely to be having troubles than one who just strains to get used to using their muscles. If your baby hasn’t passed a stool in a couple of days even though they have been feeding regularly, they may be developing a problem.

If any of these signs are present, see your pediatrician right away. They can offer treatment options to soften those stools again.

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How To Help Your Toddler With Separation Anxiety

Tess — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:02:00 +0000

Separation anxiety can be hard on toddlers and parents alike. There are some steps you can take to minimize the anxiety.

1. Prepare your toddler
While your toddler can not have an adult-level conversation with you, he can probably understand more than you think. Using simple, frank words, talk to him about where you’re going and what will be happening. Make sure you also stress that you will return. You can practice with a toy – have your child’s toy “leave” for a little while, then return it to him. This at least gets him used to the concept of departure and return. Remember, this is new for him.

2. Visit the caregiver and place ahead of time
Develop a relationship with your child’s caregiver, and familiarize your toddler with the childcare center if she is going there. Have the babysitter over to your home for a visit on a day when you aren’t going out, and when you visit the care center make it a fun outing. Your toddler will come to associate the caregiver or center with positive feelings.

3. Don’t have a meltdown yourself
Keep your own attitude up-beat and calm. Your toddler, after all, looks to you for reassurance. She doesn’t necessarily know if a situation is cause for panic or fear and will look to you to see what it’s all about.

4. Don’t sneak out
It may be tempting to slip out the door unnoticed when your toddler is otherwise occupied, but this can actually make separation anxiety worse. If your toddler thinks you could disappear at any moment, she will respond with even greater clinginess.

5. Respect the feelings
It is scary for toddlers when you leave. Help your toddler identify the often overwhelming, scary feeling of separation anxiety by naming it. “I know it feels scary and sad when Mommy goes away. That means you miss me. I understand that feeling.” Then assure her that you will return.

6. Make a smooth transition
Using a timer can be helpful here. Have the babysitter come to your house early, and then set a timer that will “count down” the minutes until you leave. Remind your toddler often during the count down – “In ten/five minutes Mommy will leave.” Let the babysitter interact with your toddler during this time, gradually transitioning the care over to the sitter.

7. Have the toddler leave you
Have the babysitter take your toddler for a walk or outing at the same time you are leaving. He will see you getting into your car as he goes with the sitter down the street. Psychologically, this helps toddlers cope with being left.

8. Have a special treat associated with the caregiver
On “babysitter night” or “daycare days,” let your child have a special toy or some other treat that you only give when she is with a caregiver. Hopefully, she will come to associate the caregiver situation with the special treat.

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Weaning Tips – Keep Lots of Organic Baby Towels And Bibs Handy

Tess — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:03:49 +0000

You should start thinking about starting to wean your baby only after he is six months old. It is only by that time the baby ‘s mouth, jaw, and digestive system are ready for semi solids and solid foods. But do not wait to wean your child after he is six months olds since learning to swallow is best done by this time. If you wait longer you might realize that you have to make quite an effort while introducing solids.

Mother ‘s milk is easily digestible and the delicate digestive system of your baby requires minimal extra effort. The baby ‘s digestive system needs time to get accustomed to any milk other than your own and new foods that you introduce from time to time.

As such, the baby will throw up most of what he ingests. It will not be long before you realize that your stock of baby bibs is insufficient. While choosing baby bibs, keep away from cloth bibs. If baby bibs are not waterproof you will find that you are short of baby dresses too.

Your hands will be tied with food in your hand and you may find it a bit difficult to untie a spoiled bib. A bib that is knotted around his neck will create problems for you and your baby. Bibs with Velcro fastenings can solve that problem. But, as the baby gains strength he may not like the bib and might try his hand at pulling it off.

You may need to use the bib for protecting the baby ‘s clothes and also to wipe off his mouth often while feeding. It is a safe bet to buy bibs made from organic materials. If this is your second child then you can use the old organic toddler bath towels to make small napkins or bibs so that you can ensure that your baby is not exposed to dangerous synthetic cloth.

Along with bibs, you will have to shop around for some other handy items that will stand in good stead during the weaning process. Unbreakable bowls, soft spoons, left over containers and a high chair will prove to be very handy items. Most of these things are liable to end up on the floor as the baby gets too fussy about food that he does not like. So be prepared to always keep one spare in case of need.

During the initial period you may find that the baby needs more time to learn to swallow. A food processor is more convenient than a bowl and fork to mash lumps into a puree. Weaning is not as difficult as some grannies may make it appear. All it needs is persistence, patience and lots of love for your baby.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

Reference:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Start-Weaning-Your-Baby—Equipment&id=212347

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How To Ease Separation Anxiety Gently

Tess — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:02:00 +0000

No one wants to leave his or her child when it creates anxiety. There are gentle ways to ease the transition and make the separation easier. Here are some tips.

1. Preparation is essential. Be up front with your child in a way that is appropriate for his age, and be frank about where you will be going (“Out with Daddy for dinner”) and how long you’ll be gone. Young children won’t understand time as hours and minutes, but use terms they will understand. (“We’ll be gone for the same amount of time as it takes to eat dinner and clean up at home.”)

2. Visualization can help young children. Make a simple calendar with pictures cut out from magazines to show people and places. You can cut out pictures of yourself from photos. Use pictures of restaurants, movie theatres, your workplace, or wherever you will be. Mount the pictures to thin cardboard and cut them out. You can use poster putty to stick the pictures onto the calendar. Having a picture of their caretaker along with a picture of the child is helpful, too. Children can then see what day you will be gone and be prepared for it each time they look at the calendar.

3. More preparation in the form of visiting the caretaker is important. No child wants to be left with a stranger! Take the time to get to know the caretaker or, if you will be leaving your child at someone’s house, a daycare center, or school, visit the site beforehand.

4. Keep your attitude calm and cheerful. Children become more anxious when their parents are anxious. Try to be matter-of-fact and gentle, and calm your child’s fears.

5. Provide some coping tools, such as naming the feelings your child may be feeling. Small children often feel overwhelmed by the hugeness of their emotions, and giving them words to express and identify those feelings can go a long way toward helping them calm down. (“You are feeling fear and anxiety right now. Those are normal feelings when Mommy goes away!”) Then explain that you will be back.

6. Role play the situation ahead of time. Using dolls, stuffed animals, or other toys, create a scenario where your child leaves the toys and then returns. Or take the toy and have it “leave” to another room for awhile, then return. This will help your child, who may not understand that people and objects that are out of sight still exist, understand that beloved people and toys do return.

7. Reserve special treats such as a video, cookies, or other unusual indulgence for the time with the caregiver. This will help give your child a positive association with the caregiver. (“Susie is going to babysit tonight. That means cookies and a movie!”)

With a little effort and planning, you can help ease your child’s separation anxiety.