“Co-Sleeping - Is it the Right Choice For You and Your Child?” plus 1 more

Co-Sleeping - Is it the Right Choice For You and Your Child?

Posted: 07 Sep 2009 05:02 PM PDT

There is an ongoing debate as to whether or not co-sleeping is a positive way in which to bring up an infant. On the one side many parents believe that an infant should be brought up sleeping in its own cot, right from the time that it is brought home from the hospital. Parents with this view tend to think that the baby will be brought up more independent and less needy.

On the other hand there is a new thought pattern in the western culture that is starting to view the idea of co-sleeping as a positive method for bringing up an infant. Studies have shown that contrary to the idea that this form of sleeping rears needy children, it has in actual fact helped to create a confident and independent child. There are several advantages to co-sleeping. According to several studies, it has been shown that infants who slept with their parents came to have a better night's sleep and wake up less often when compared to a child that sleeps in its own cot. These infants have also shown to cry less frequently and are less troubled.

However with every pro there is often a con. The first disadvantage is that the older your child gets the more likely they are to become restless sleepers, which could in turn disrupt you and your partner's sleep. Secondly if you wait too long to teach your child to sleep in their own bed you might have a slight problem on your hands. The key is to train them to sleep in their own bed at the optimal age. Another concern is that it could affect the intimacy between you and your partner.

Many parents fall into the trap of allowing their children to dictate their own sleeping patterns and then the children train the parents, instead of the other way around. These parents often feel guilty due to the fact that they might be single working parents or that they do not have enough time to spend with their children. This however does not help the child in turn.

Whatever the case may be it is evident that there are both pros and cons to co-sleeping. Whether or not you decide to bring up your infant in this manner is completely up to you and your partner, and what you decide is best suited to your family's specific needs.

Baby Constipation - Help For Parents in Managing Constipation

Posted: 07 Sep 2009 12:28 PM PDT

Baby constipation can often be simply treated using a few basic remedies. However, before you focus on treatment, you must first understand the basics of babies stool.

Newborn infants have their first stool within 24 hours after being born. This meconium stool is tarry and sticky. Some babies who suffer from constipation can begin very early on to have difficulty passing poop and instead have infrequent stools or even dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass. These babies can be quite irritable and have a painful tummy. You might see signs of baby constipation if you notice your little one drawing up their legs up and grunting and even turning red in the face from the effort of straining to pass the hardened stool. So, if your baby begins to exhibit this type of behavior then consider intervening early on before they become even more miserable. Let's talk a little about some of the remedies for baby constipation that you might consider. As always, remember to consult with your baby's pediatrician before launching any type of treatment.

Understand that for the first few days of life, your baby will pass meconium that is a dark green or black substance. By the third day, regular bowel movements should start. But if your baby's stools do not get regular, it might already a sign that your baby is suffering from constipation.

If your baby is bottled fed, try different formulas to find the one that makes his or her digestion works best.

Change your baby's feeding schedule and give the baby smaller amounts of formula spread out through more often feedings throughout the day to let the body digest the food better.

For babies who are formula-fed, then try adding an extra bottle of water each day to see if this really helps in getting baby constipation relief by simply adding more fluid to the bowels.

Ask your pediatrician if it would be safe to give your baby some additional assistance. Some of the babies may respond to glycerin suppositories, liquid glycerin or flax oil. With your pediatrician's approval, you can add some flax oil into the formula or gently insert a glycerin suppository into the rectum if your little one is really struggling with passing poop.

If your baby is constipated, be sure to keep track of how much you are feeding and how many wet and dirty diapers he or she is having. Baby constipation is not good for your infant so, it is best to quickly work with your baby's doctor in order to find the best solution for your little one.