Can a Baby Monitor Give Peace of Mind?

One of the modern mom’s favorite nursery items, a baby monitor, allows her to keep an eye or ear on the baby while taking care of other needs in her home. Monitors come in a wide variety of styles, and you can get a basic monitor for as little as $30 or you can pay as much as $200 for one of the more advanced models.

Basic monitors allow you to hear what is going on in the nursery while you are in another room of the house. Most monitors come with a portable receiver, so you can take it with you from room to room.

Some monitors have a silent mode, with a light that comes on when the baby begins to make noise. This is handy when you are vacuuming, or doing other chores, where it might be hard to hear the monitor.

Other monitors are designed to work like walkie-talkies. This is nice if you are in with the baby and you need something from another room, and call for someone to bring it.

Another feature that is nice to have is a low battery indicator, so you aren’t caught off guard when you may need it most.

Some of the more advanced monitors include video-monitoring features as well, so you can watch the baby’s activities. Another monitor has a sensor that can be placed under the mattress to alert the parents to stopped movement, indicating that the baby may have stopped breathing. There are even monitors that have a remote button that allows you to activate a vibrating unit that helps calm a fussy baby.

When choosing a monitor, you have to consider how many units you want, or if you simply need one base and one portable receiver. It’s always best to get a monitor that has a variety of frequencies, especially if you live in a fairly busy neighborhood, so you have less chance of interference from other electronic devices around.

Some parents may want to purchase a gently used monitor in a second hand store. And while this can be a good savings, be sure to check on past recalls on monitors, to ensure that the model you are getting hasn’t had problems.

And it’s worth mentioning: while baby monitors are very useful and effective in alerting the parents about the baby and giving them peace of mind, they can also pose a problem for your family’s privacy. So, make sure that when the baby monitor is on you make sure your discussions are OK to be heard by others.

Baby Sling: The Perfect Tool for Bringing Parent and Baby Closer

A baby sling provides a safe and secure way to tote your baby around without taking up extra space; it also promotes a calmer, happier baby!

Most newborns love to be held and comforted for hours on end. The use of a baby sling will help new mothers accomplish this task, yet still remain mobile.

In many countries outside of the United States, babies are hauled around in baby slings for most of the day. Some moms even nurse their babies while they are carrying them around in a baby sling.

There are several different varieties of infant carriers on the market. Selecting the one that is right for you will depend on several different factors. One is the age of your infant. Some baby slings are designed with newborns in mind, while others are better suited for toddlers. Some offer more head support while others allow baby to move about slightly more freely.

A baby sling will allow you the opportunity to maintain constant contact with your infant, thus further strengthening the bond between mom and baby. Studies have shown that babies who are carried around for longer periods of time generally cry less and are more content. In many countries where babies are carried for a longer part of the day, colic is virtually non-existent. Carrying your infant around in a baby sling also allows more time for learning, as visual alertness and quite alertness often increase as a result of carrier usage.

One of the more popular types of baby slings is the pouch sling, also referred to as the tube of pocket sling, where baby is carried in a semi-prone position. This type of sling often fits around one arm, with baby hanging at about stomach level. There are other types of slings that mom or dad can wear like a backpack, with baby nestled in either facing in or facing out.

Use of a baby sling is often more convenient than trying to carry baby around in her car seat. A baby sling also provides a neat way to carry your baby around if you don’t want to pack a bulky stroller. Slings can be used to tote your baby around while shopping, going for a walk, and even vacuuming around the house.

Keep in mind that there are weight limits on some slings: often children over 35 pounds are too heavy to be carried around. Some tips for wearing a baby sling include the following:

- Always keep one hand on your baby when bending over or moving abruptly, to prevent your baby from accidentally falling out.

- Be aware of your movements when using a baby sling; remember that babies can be bumped by doorways or sharp corners, always be aware that your babies head or limbs might extend outside of the framework of your baby sling.

- Though baby slings are useful for accomplishing a variety of tasks, it is not recommended that you wear your baby in a carrier while cooking. The risk of hot substances splashing on baby is too great.

- Remember that older children might figure out how to climb out of their carriers, be certain that you utilize an age appropriate baby sling at all times.

- A baby sling should not be used in lieu of a car seat or other infant protection device.

Massage Therapy for Infants and Babies

You've probably heard about how effective massage therapy for infants and babies is by now, but you probably don't know why it is considered so beneficial. Well, although massage therapy has been practiced for a long time, the general public has only recently started to open their minds and hearts to this technique in recent years. It is now known, and proven, that touch therapy and massage helps reduce stress in infants and babies - a baby who is given the massage and touch therapy sleeps deeper and longer.

Massage therapy provides infants and babies with a very nurturing feeling and it is especially helpful for babies with medical or physical problems. The more times they experience your touch, the calmer they will become. The calmer they are, the better they are able to deal with the medical interventions that they have to go through at their young age!

Massage therapy and touch therapy have a lot in common because they have a lot to do with motion of the hands over various parts of the infant's or baby's body. The technique involves a lot of touching, stroking, and massaging of body parts. For adults, massage therapy might even be a little bit on the painful side - but for infants and babies, this is not the case.

For an infant or baby, massage therapy has a lot to do with skin-to-skin contact. This could be something as simple as holding a baby to a naked chest, holding an infant's or baby's hand when the baby is in a cubicle. Some massage therapists offer services of providing massage therapy to infants or babies in a critical or unstable condition. In fact, massage therapy is so well accepted that The International Infant Massage Therapy Association was formed in 1986.

Some nursing professionals offer massage therapy services to babies or infants they deliver. Professional nurses who offer these services will provide the technique to critically or seriously ill babies or infants. These nurses work closely with the baby or infant's doctor and other nurses to ensure that the baby or infant's health is in no way endangered at all.

The most wonderful thing about massage therapy is that it not only benefits the infant or baby, it also benefits the parents or main caregivers. The baby sleeps better, grows faster, while the parents will get an extra few hours sleep each night. Not only will the baby or infant sleep better, massage therapy could eliminate colic, tummy aches, headaches, and even a stressful day at school or even fever. Seeing the benefits of massage therapy, it is no wonder that there are so many more parents who are open to the idea of using massage therapy for their infant or baby today, as compared to a decade ago.

Babies or infants who are not medically challenged will also benefit from massage therapy. It has been shown that babies or infants who are given massage therapy from an early age tend to grow up more alert, smarter, and healthier in general.

Teething Problems in Babies

Teething is the process during which an infant’s teeth start to sequentially grow in. Teething can start as early as three months or as late, in some cases, as twelve months. It can take up to several years for all 20 deciduous (more commonly referred to as ‘baby’ or ‘milk’) teeth to emerge. Since the teeth literally cut through or erupt through the soft, fleshy gums of the infant, it’s sometimes referred to as "cutting teeth".

Signs of teething may include irritability, loss of appetite, chewing and gnawing on objects, swollen or bruised gums, excessive salivation, a raised temperature, and sometimes even earaches and diaper rash. Teething symptoms will usually start to rear their ugly head approximately six months into your baby's development.
During this process, you’ll discover your baby loves to chew – on just about anything and everything they can get their little hands on! This can be dangerous if the baby is allowed to chew on objects which are small enough to be swallowed or which could break while being chewed, creating a choking risk. Teething rings and other toys are often designed with textures that massage a baby’s tender gums.

In cases where the infant is in obvious pain, some doctors recommend the use of anti-inflammatory or child-safe pain-relief treatments containing benzocaine, such as Baby Orajel. Some infants gain relief from chewing on cold objects such as a cool washcloth or a specially-designed teething ring that can be frozen. You might also want to massage baby’s gums with a clean finger. Your baby might find it uncomfortable initially, but will probably find it comforting after a few gentle rubs.

Pediatric dentists suggest brushing baby’s teeth as soon as they begin to appear, and not to wait for all teeth to come in before introducing an oral hygiene routine. However, the use of toothpaste during this process is generally discouraged.

Are Babies Born Smart? Can Early Intervention Help?

Parents always hope for the best future for their children. They try to get into the best schools, invest their money in numerous musical and art lessons and start reading to their infants before birth. Can any of this help your child become a successful adult?


---------- How the Brain Works

Scientists now recognize that brain connections - called synapses - are the building blocks for functions such as handling incoming information, expressing emotions and learning language. Connections are built both by genetics and environmental stimuli.

These paths lay down an internal 'wiring' system that will affect your child's future abilities for learning and interacting.

'Nation' magazine reports that brain connections are being wired at an extraordinarily rapid rate in the early years. How can this possibly affect your children?


----------- Children Need Stimulation

The broader range of activities and experiences a child has will increase the connections made. Clearly, the fact that the greatest growth in connections is made when young indicates that providing this stimulation early on will affect your child's abilities later on.

Does this mean that parents with little money are not capable of raising intelligent, well-balanced children? Does it mean that all children with access to specialized education will do better?


----------- Children Learn From Play

Educators believe that unstructured play is crucial to brain development. When parent's guide every activity or bombard their children with planned activities and lessons while leaving out free play, they do not allow the creativity necessary for social, mental and emotional skills.


----------- Parents Who Care

Although many would agree that children are strongly affected by their peer group, it is actually parents who develop a child to become caring, self-assured and well-balanced. Parent's should never discount the benefits they are providing for their children by being attentive and responsive to their children.

Children's development also requires emotional connections with parents and others. When babies are not held, touched and played with they actually form fewer connections in their brain.


----------- Nature or Nurture

As many experts would acknowledge, brain development can be influenced for good or bad by the upbringing of our children. However, genetics also play a role that cannot be discounted. While saying this, there are examples of individuals who appeared to be born with a genetic disadvantage to their peers and yet surpassed them due to the excellent parenting that was given to them.

So, what can you do to determine how your children will turn out? Focusing on parental care and attention is always the best recommendation, and the least expensive. You cannot guarantee how your children will fare, but they will always be more successful with a supportive and loving family than without

5 Steps to Choosing a Good Babysitter

With all the frightening and worrisome stories on the news about abuse from babysitters, many parents are reluctant to leave their little ones in the care of someone else – particularly if that person has never had children of their own. Here are five steps you can take to ensure that you find a skilled, trustworthy babysitter that both you and your children are comfortable with.

1. Ask for references. Nothing beats a word-of-mouth recommendation from someone you trust. Friends, relatives and other moms you meet on the playground can be great sources for referrals. Check your neighborhood classified ads or local bulletin board for babysitters looking for work. It helps to choose a sitter in your neighborhood who can contact their own parents for help in case any minor problems arise.

2. Make sure you choose someone who is old enough and mature enough to do the job. Infants especially require someone who is experienced and has possibly raised children of their own. Toddlers and school age children can be looked after well enough by a 13 year old, but make sure to have a list of emergency numbers, next door neighbors or relatives, and the number of the place where you’ll be going in case your sitter needs to contact you.

3. When interviewing the sitter, ask for references and call them to verify the sitter’s suitability as a caretaker for your children. Ask about any special qualifications such as CPR or First-Aid training, Heimlich maneuver, what to do in case of accidental poisoning, etc. You should also not be afraid to ask the sitter about personal habits such as swearing, smoking or drinking. Lastly, discuss payment options and transportation issues with the sitter and arrange to meet her parents if you can.

4. Schedule a “Meeting Day” with the sitter and your children. Allow them to play and interact together and monitor the result. Try not to be in the same room if you can avoid it, since some young beginning sitters are very self-conscious and may feel awkward having you observe them – especially on their “first day”. Just listen to them and offer suggestions if needed. Pay special attention to how the sitter disciplines the child or transitions them from one activity to the next. Don’t be afraid to step in with tips for the sitter on how you discipline or guide your child, since every mother has a different style of parenting and often, a different set of rules. This ensures that the child knows how to behave no matter who is watching them.

5. From the moment the sitter begins working for you, make sure they understand the “House Rules”. These include things like feeding and bed times as well as Do’s and Don’ts for each child (i.e. no TV until homework is done – no cookies before dinner). You should also add on rules for the sitter to adhere to herself, such as no friends over, no loud music, etc.

Above all, if your child is old enough, make sure they are aware of and understand what abuse is (both physical and verbal), and to tell you right away if the sitter does something to hurt them or make them feel uncomfortable, even if it was only done “in play”. Be cautious and always use your best judgment in any situation. Your children are counting on you!

10 Easy Ways To Make Children Smarter

Scientific research shows that intelligence is both genetic and environmental. Intelligence is also not fixed but can be increased because the brain develops new neurons and interconnections with stimulation.

A supportive environment fosters numerous aspects of intelligence. The following 10 easy ways to stimulate intelligence in children will provide an "enriched environment" for brain growth.

One: Love and Self-Esteem Improve Academic Performance

In a long series of experiments, Prescott Lecky, an American educational researcher, found a high correlation between low self-esteem and learning problems in children.

He correctly theorized that by raising a child's self-esteem, learning performance would also improve.

His success stories include a poor speller who averaged 55% in spelling improved to 91% in six months, a Latin student who went from 30% to 84% after three encouraging conversations with a teacher, and a student considered to have no aptitude for English who improved over a semester to win the school's literary prize.

Two: Breast Fed Babies Are Smarter

Danish researchers found that mother's milk contained essential micronutrients for brain development. In fact, the longer the child was breast fed, the more the brain was nourished. For example, infants breast fed for 9 months were smarter than infants only breast-fed for two months.

Three: Proper Nutrition Improve Health And Nerve Conduction

Diets high in sugar, Trans fatty acids, and salt decreased health in children. Junk food failed to provide sufficient iron for healthy brain development, resulting in poor nerve impulses. Children with nutritional deficiency also missed school more often because of illness and fell behind their peers.

Four: Proper Breakfast Improves Attention At School

Thirty years of research has shown a strong correlation between breakfast and mental alertness. Children who had nutritious breakfasts had better memory. They also concentrated better and absorbed more information during class. Those who had no breakfast or poor breakfast were more irritable and distracted during class.

Five: Exercise Benefits Intelligence And Personality

Research conducted by the University of Illinois showed that fitter children performed better academically. Besides the obvious physiological benefits of improved oxygen intake, blood flow, immune stimulation, and neural transmission, there was also a psychological and sociological component, too. Psychologically, fitter children showed higher self-esteem. Sociologically, those who participated in organized sports displayed more confidence, more cooperation, and spontaneous leadership.

Six: Musical Training Improves IQ Into Adulthood

Long-term research by the University of Toronto showed that organized music lessons benefited children all the way into adulthood. The longer the child studied music, the higher their IQs as adults. Music students also displayed better grades throughout their schooling.

Seven: Some Video Games Enhance Mental Acuity

Research by the University of Rochester found that certain video games improved sensory perception, strategic thinking, and planning ahead of time. The video games that created positive mental improvements had an educational element that improved motor skills and enhanced memory.

Eight: Mind Games Do More Than Entertain

Board games like chess, checkers, creative games like Lego and jigsaw puzzles, and brainteaser games like crosswords, cryptograms, riddles, and Sudoku improved intelligence. Specifically, they stimulated better decision-making, smarter analytical thinking, and more accurate problem solving.

Nine: Reading Improves Both Creativity And Logic

Whether a child was read to at bedtime, or actively read their own books, silently or aloud, they displayed increased left and right brain intellectual growth. Both fiction and non-fiction books improved creative imagination and logical, sequential thinking.

Ten: Nurturing Curiosity Creates An Open, Absorbent Mind

Curiosity, the urge to seek knowledge, is essential to improving intelligence in children. Conducting educational outings, teaching new skills, and supporting hobbies encouraged the development of curiosity.

These 10 ways of raising intelligence in children are easy to apply, practical, and within the reach of parents and teachers. Research has shown that they are highly effective in creating the environmental support children need to develop their intelligence.

Are Family Beds a Good Idea?"

What happened to newborns sleeping all day and night? Why is your one year old still not sleeping through the night? And will your five year old ever choose to sleep in her own bed all night?

For a few generations the thought of sharing your bed with your children seemed not just undisciplined but even archaic. That view still exists in many Western countries. For years professionals encouraged the trend towards independence in children as early as possible. Mothers were urged to formula feed rather than breastfeed. Babies slept alone rather than with their mothers.

Now a whiplash effect has occurred with many women looking to return to breastfeeding and the family bed.

Why is it such a controversial topic? For many new mothers the reports about increased suffocation risk for infants sleeping in adult beds along with social pressure to establish an independent child forces them to rise several times per night and endless daily battles to keep their unwilling child in a crib.

Is it worth it? Many mothers and fathers are beginning to say NO.

In a report by Today's Parent magazine, two-thirds of respondents said they sleep with their baby "sometimes", "often" or "always". Is it something you should try? If you already are, is it safe to continue?

Many of the dangers attributed to sleeping in adult beds comes from studies that included the risk of the baby coming to harm on the bed itself - by wedging between the mattress and the wall or other danger - and babies who died from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in which no cause was found.

Despite that fact, professionals who continued to look for methods of bed sharing that were acceptable were unable to do so. While sharing a room with the parents has been proven to cut the risk of SIDS dramatically, sharing a bed just could not pass the scrutiny of the medical community.

On the other hand, sharing a bed has been a custom for centuries before average families could afford separate beds, let alone separate rooms, for each individual in the home. Many countries still accept this as the norm and often boast good numbers of healthy infants in the process.

So what will you do? More and more Western families are seeing benefits of sharing a bed with improved sleep for both mother and baby. Young children also find comfort in a family bed. This can be particularly attractive to working mothers who miss out on time spent with their infants or children through the day.

However, a word of caution: adults who are intoxicated, taking sleeping pills or other drugs or are unusually heavy sleepers ARE a risk to infants since they will not be as aware of the presence of the baby and could potentially suffocate it. Infants should also not share beds with other children for the same reason - they just lack the ability to maintain awareness of the baby while sleeping.

Mothers who nurse will also find the baby will likely nurse more frequently in a shared sleeping arrangement. But both baby and mother will not have to fully awaken and on average will enjoy longer sleeping periods - a benefit for everyone in the family. Whatever you decide, you will find many parents divided on the topic, so find what works for your family and stick to it!

Baby Massage and its Connection to Sleeping and Thinking

The task of developing a regular and restful sleep pattern for a new baby is often an exercise in frustration and confusion for many parents. Research has shown that hospitalized infants grow more rapidly when correctly massaged. This is due in large part to the fact that massaged babies actually spent more time being quiet and calm, yet alert, and that when they did sleep, it was deep and very restful. This resulted in a more structured sleep pattern, as well as longer sleeping periods at night.

Doing a massage right after getting home from work will help a parent reconnect with baby after a hard day, and will help both baby and parent relax and unwind. Once you and the baby have developed a routine you will have a skill that will calm and quiet your upset child. There will be times when this is just what is needed; not food, not a fresh diaper, but soothing, relaxing touch that a parent can give their little one. Even when circumstances cause a change in their routine or environment, a daily massage can be the hub of your baby’s nighttime routine and the element that helps them prepare to fall into a deep, restful, restorative sleep. In addition, learning to relax in our busy world is a skill parents need to nurture for themselves as well as for their children. Studies indicate that the positive effects of practicing infant massage are just as profound on the parent’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being as they are for baby.

Infant massage has also been shown to positively benefit those infants with eating, gastrointestinal, bonding, attachment, weight gain, overall development challenges, which can also affect a baby’s overall sleeping patterns. Massage also helps infants learn about their body and stimulates brain function, and the interaction between parent and child during the massage can stimulate the child’s mental faculties as well, resulting in increased mental capacity.

"Is My Child Too Old to Still be Breastfeeding?"

Are you getting strange stares when you nurse your 18 month old in public? Are friends or family commenting on the fact that your two year old is still nursed to sleep? Are you worried that your child will become overly clingy or that it will just be too hard to keep it up when you return to work?

You're not the first mother to think about this. The right time to stop nursing your child will vary depending on you, your child, local custom and physical factors. If you would like to continue breastfeeding past the first year and feel that you are facing harassment or feelings of embarrassment, consider some of these issues:

"WHO Recommends Breastfeeding for Two Years or More"

The trend in many Western societies since World War II was to trust science and technology over nature when it came to feeding your child. Many mothers of the following generations nursed for a very short time, or not at all.

Thankfully science has caught up with nature and research proves that the health benefits of breast milk go far beyond what standard formulas can do for your child.

While not all countries encourage breastfeeding past the first year, WHO (World Health Organization) states "As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond."

"Your Child WON'T Become Clingy"

Opposed to what many of your friends or family may say, research actually stands in your favor. Extended breastfeeding does not make toddlers more clingy - a typical trait of most toddlers anyhow - but will engender a healthy self-confidence.

The world is overwhelming enough for young children. Knowing they can find comfort in breastfeeding while learning new things will help them move easily from one new phase to another. Your child won't nurse forever - when the time is right to stop, for either of you, you'll know.

"Working and Breastfeeding Can Work"

Workplaces are taking recommendations seriously that provisions be made for nursing mothers. Whether that means asking for several breaks to pump milk, or to be allowed access to a private area, you may find the government backing up your request.

You may also find that as your child gets older you are both satisfied with morning and evening breastfeeding sessions. Your body should adapt to the new schedule fairly quickly. If your milk begins to dry up, or you've had low milk production, you may want to talk to your doctor about your decision.

Don't forget that extended breastfeeding may prevent the return of menstruation for a longer time, but is not a good form of birth control as it is unpredictable when your period will return. Stopping nursing for an extended period of time can be just enough to bring it back.

Whatever your decision, breastfeeding is a special time that can't be repeated with your child. While you may have to deal with comments or stares you can feel good knowing it is healthy for them physically and emotionally. You may adapt how and where you nurse, but as long as you also want to continue you should find a way to make it work.

Daylight exposure

Remember your baby is used to a dark, quiet environment in the womb. She’s not used to the usual cues of nighttime sleeping. Nighttime, at first, is what she’s used to asleep or awake.

One method of getting your baby used to sleeping at night, or in the dark, is to be sure she’s exposed to lots of sunlight during the day. When it’s time to nap or time to go to sleep at night, part of your ritual can be dimming the lights, simulating dusk and nighttime, even if it’s an afternoon nap. This way, she’ll get used to day and night cycles and learn that nighttime and darkness are for sleeping.

There are clocks called dawn simulators that will gradually dim into total darkness over a period of about half an hour. This can be a way to gradually dim the light in the baby’s room. You can start while you’re still rocking her to sleep. When you start putting her in her crib when she’s still awake, you can set the clock to start to dim when you leave the room, or leave part way through the cycle. This way you’re not just flipping out the light and leaving her alone in the dark.

You can do this for nap times too. The clocks will cycle on slowly in the morning as well; you want to be sure that you mute the actual alarm sound, though, so you don’t wake the baby up with a shock.

If you combine any of these devices with your usual routines, you’ll help teach your babies the cues for going to sleep at nap time and at night. These are gentle methods that many parents prefer to just letting the baby cry it out

How to Treat Your Baby’s Cold

Your baby’s cold can be just as hard on you as it is on her. But you can help ease your baby’s discomfort and keep the infection from worsening by ensuring she gets sufficient rest and liquids, which would include breast milk or formula if she’s less than four months old. Older babies can have a little water, and by six months she can begin drinking juices.

To relieve congestion, try squeezing some over-the-counter saline solution drops into each nostril, then suctioning with a rubber bulb syringe after a few moments to remove the mucus and liquid. This works well about fifteen minutes prior to a feeding if it’s difficult for your baby to breathe nasally while nursing. A bit of petroleum jelly to the outside of your baby’s nostrils can help reduce irritation.

Sitting with you in a steamy bathroom while the hot water’s on in the shower for about 15 minutes, or using a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to increase the moisture in your baby’s room should also help provide some relief for her. A warm bath could also work, and might provide her some additional comfort.

Sleeping at a slight incline may also help relieve postnasal drip. However, don’t use pillows in her crib to accomplish this; the risk of suffocation is too great. Try placing a couple of rolled up towels between the crib springs and mattress, or you might also want to try allowing her to sleep in her car seat in a slightly upright position.

Be sure to contact your pediatrician at the first sign of any illness in an infant less than three months old, especially in instances of a fever of 100.4 degrees or if she has a cough. Your pediatrician can give you guidelines about what constitutes a fever in older infants. If baby’s symptoms don’t improve within five to seven days, her cough worsens, she’s wheezing or gasping (possible pneumonia or respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV), or tugs at her ear (possible ear infection), your pediatrician should also be notified immediately