Thursday, September 10, 2009

“Choosing Your Baby's First Shoes” plus 4 more

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“Choosing Your Baby's First Shoes” plus 4 more

Choosing Your Baby's First Shoes

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 06:23 PM PDT

You really don't need to choose a first pair of shoes for your baby until he or she begins to show signs of wanting to walk. Before they begin pulling themselves up to take those first steps, babies feet are generally better off if you let them grow naturally without being confined in shoes. You might want a cute pair of soft infant shoes for photographs and special occasions, but your baby's feet are better left to grow without restrictions in those first few months.

When your baby begins wanting to take those first steps, those little feet will need more protection. Socks alone will be too slippery, especially on kitchen floors and other uncarpeted areas. Look for soft leather or rubber soles that will provide the traction your baby's feet need without being so firm that they don't bend easily.

Experts say that there is little difference between pliable leather and baby sneakers constructed of canvas and rubber. The important thing to look for is materials that will permit the shoe to mold to your individual child's foot. This will make for a much better fit, which will in turn give your child's foot the best support.

Those high-topped shoes that parents used to bronze when they were outgrown arenot especially recommended. The high "boot" can be uncomfortable when it rubs against the ankles, and it does no more to support your baby's foot than a good low cut shoe.

Avoid sandals for babies just beginning to walk. The open toe of a sandal provides no protection for the front of the foot and it can catch against things, tripping the baby. Stay away from the "Croc" type of shoe for young walkers, as well. These shoes tend to slip on the foot and don't provide good support.

Although family and friends may offer to give you their outgrown baby shoes it is better for your baby if you purchase new shoes. Shoes that have been worn have conformed to another child's foot. They will never fit your child correctly, even if they seem to be the proper size.

When purchasing new shoes for your baby or toddler, be just as aware of the width as you are of the length. Baby feet tend to be wide. If the edges of the shoe where the laces are do not form a parallel line, then the shoe may be too narrow. This can pinch your baby's foot.

When trying on baby shoes, be sure to bring along the kind of sock the baby will be wearing with shoes. Be alert to the amount of space between the foot and the shoe both in the front and the back. There should be up to half an inch of space at the front of the shoe, and enough space to insert your pinky finger half an inch or so at the heel.

Be sure to put both shoes on your baby and let him or her walk around the store for a few minutes. Watch for any signs of discomfort before you buy your baby's first shoes.

What is the New "Colic"?

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:14 PM PDT

Colic. That word strikes fear into the hearts of new moms and pediatricians everywhere. Although theories abound, very little is known about colic. It comes on as mysteriously as it disappears. Parents inundate pediatric offices and emergency rooms, sure that something is seriously wrong with their infant. Some pediatricians send the parents home with only assurances that their baby will grow out of it. But a disturbing trend is developing among many pediatricians to diagnose colic symptoms as acid reflux and to prescribe acid reflux medications without doing any diagnostic tests. Many pediatricians prescribe acid reflux medications as a test for reflux. Some mothers report their pediatricians prescribed acid reflux medications over the phone without even seeing the infant. The parents are happy because they have something to possibly alleviate the obvious pain their baby is suffering. The pediatricians are happy to be able to prescribe something that might help. The pharmaceutical companies are certainly happy. And the baby...well the baby could still be suffering from colic as well as the added side effects (restlessness, constipation) of the acid reflux medications. The baby may now be prescribed other medications to help counteract the side effects.

Dr. Linda Palmer, author of Baby Matters, writes: "Since the development of new expensive drugs for gastric acid reflux, most crying babies are diagnosed with GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease and prescribed the new proton pump inhibitor drugs. Parents usually find that these provide little help, if any. Current studies reveal that there is great randomness to the symptoms used to diagnose GERD, that while the drugs will reduce acid in the stomach and esophagus they do not reduce baby's colic symptoms or other symptoms, and that GERD drugs increase intestinal infections and pneumonia. While the GERD diagnosis and prescription of these drugs is lucrative, it sadly steers parents away from finding real solutions for their baby."

Certainly, acid reflux in various forms such as Ger (Gastro Esophageal Reflux), Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and Silent reflux can be part of colic and acid reflux prescription medication can help. Some babies may even suffer from an underdeveloped esophageal sphincter and require surgery but there are tests to determine these problems which should be administered before prescription drugs. Even Celiac disease (sensitivity to gluten) can cause Gerd symptoms that, once diagnosed, can be helped by a gluten free diet. However, doctors are tracked by many insurance companies according to the number of tests they order and feel tremendous pressure to keep medical costs down. Diagnostics that may be seen as "unnecessary" may not be ordered.

Reflux isn't always caused by over-production of acid. Gas bubbles in the stomach caused by formula, breast milk or improper feeding can cause reflux by forcing the stomach contents back into the esophagus. Parents who take the time to educate themselves and are wary to use prescription drugs without proper testing should know there are natural and safe treatments with minimal side effects to help an infant's immature digestive system cope with gas and the intense intestinal discomfort it can cause.

Baby Toys That Help Your Baby's Development For Up to One Years Old

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 02:13 PM PDT

There are many things you need to help your baby develop during this early stage and the most important things are feeding, changing and lots of love from the parents and family of course. All too soon that little bundle of joy will start to become a little person who has his or her own personality and starts to look around and begin to learn about the world around him or her.

It will start with shiny or light objects such as jewellery, television or your mobile phone and once your baby starts observing these things, they are ready and aware of the world around them, enough to start interacting with things.

There are many items on the market that improve a baby's development and help stimulate their world but the following items are ones that will cover all the aspects important for your baby.

A Shape Sorter - There are many models out there made from various materials like wood and plastics. Some will make sounds as the shapes are put through the container and some are more basic, but it will not matter to your baby. At this stage, they're learning from you, so it will be all about your interactions with the shape sorter that they will learn what it's all about. Talking about what the shapes are and their colours and where they go and celebrating when you have put the shape through, will all be your actions to begin with but as baby grows, they will hold the shapes and then learn to put them in. Once they are toddlers, they can tell you the shape and colours too. This toy will be one you play with and learn from, then hide it for a few months and then play with again and see how much your child has developed in terms of knowledge and understanding, as well as physical skills.

Stacking Cups - They are also great beginner toys, as to begin with your baby will simply hold them and may even hold two one in each hand and bang them together, which is an important part of their first years development. As your baby progresses, you can really play with them, stacking up the cups as fast as you can, before they knock it down and then on to them trying to stack the cups on their own. Again talking about size and colour can go hand in hand with stacking cups and you can even get creative and hide things under them to see if baby remembers which cup it's under. This toy will also be hours of fun at this early stage and they will learn so much through the interaction with you.

Books are an amazing way for your baby to learn and there are hundreds of different types out there from bath books to buggy books, textured books, flap books, noisy books, alphabet and character books. Your baby will love looking at simplistic colourful pictures and hearing your voice, so books are the perfect way to help a child learn the basics of phonics, which is the key to communication through speaking and reading and writing later on in life.

Anyway you can stimulate your child's world will help them to learn something new, which is the cornerstone of their development, and if you can have fun too, you are helping them be happy and contented.

Baby Holding Solution For Young Siblings

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 02:11 PM PDT

With the excitement of a new baby the big sister or big brother is looking to find ways to help mommy and daddy. From the first time they see the baby they are eager to hold their new brother or sister. As a younger sibling holds the new baby there is always an uneasy feeling from their parents. The parents or grandparents find themselves being right there with their hands supporting the baby. This often aggravates the sibling as they feel they can do it by themselves. This continues to be a constant struggle as the toddler tries to be just like mommy or daddy.

Finally with the help of the Boppy Pillow, there is a solution for this struggle. With the sibling sitting, place the pillow around their waist. This allows them to hold the baby while still providing proper support without the parent's help (It is recommended that the parent still be close by to help if needed). This gives freedom to the sibling and reinforces their importance to the family. This also creates the perfect photo opportunity. If the child decides to move their hands, the pillow still supports the baby.

The Boppy Pillow which has been around for a while can be used for a variety of activities. The pillow can be used for feeding, playing, and sitting. The pillow provides support while the baby is being feed either by breast or bottle. The pillow also allows the baby to lay on their stomach and play. This helps build upper body muscles while the baby is having tummy time. The pillow can also be used to provide support while the baby is sitting. Although these are the main advertised uses, here is at least one more use that will benefit any family with multiple children. Add this baby holding solution to the list.

When Can My Baby Sleep Through the Night?

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 12:53 PM PDT

In the beginning, your infant will desire to nurse approximately eight and twelve times a day. This has a great effect on the baby's sleeping pattern as well as your sleep through the night. The reason is because it has a very little stomach and can simply have only a small amount at any time and -- as you will quickly grow to be aware -- it will transport the milk very quickly into its nappy.

While he or she flourishes, as you know, so will his or her stomach grow and the period between feeding will extend longer. To you -the mum- the most refreshing result of this is that your darling will commence to wake less often in the night demanding to be nursed. But as you know, life is by no means so simple, so you could suffer many rocky starts before you eventually get to the stage where your newborn is not disturbing you as a rule during the nights.

Part of this journey is weaning your newborn -- meaning no longer feeding during the night. There will certainly be more or less resistance from the infant in this regard. Your darling has grown accustomed to being nursed at a particular schedule every night, and an alteration in this set-up will be an unrequested one -- they are infants after all, and the thought of transformation is in many ways a totally foreign one for them. Sooner or later it has to take place, and the greatest way to be sure it is a victory is to plan everything so that your newborn is nursed promptly prior to you going off to sleep for the night -- hence with a bit of luck cheering them to be asleep through to the morning.

While your infant flourishes, you will learn that your darling can consume more during one feeding, so leverage this by making every feeding occasion more intense and allowing them have their fill every occasion. And this will allow both of you to soon sleep peacefully through the night.
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