Baby Sleep Tips

Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your baby can get a good night's rest.

1) Establish a routine - A kiss good night or stroking the baby before sleep can calm the child, or bathing and cleaning the child before bed time. Make sure to repeat these patterns. Once the baby becomes familiar with this routine, they will know that it is time to sleep. Also, make sure the baby sleeps in the same place and in the same conditions as much as possible.

2) Try lullaby music - Lullaby music can calm the child as can white noise CD's. The sound of a vacuum cleaner is also known to have a soothing effect.

3) Make sure that the room temperature is not too hot or cold and that the baby is in a location that is away from any noise or distractions that may cause the baby to awaken.

4) Shorten nap time during the day - If the baby sleeps too much during the day, then he or she may not be able to sleep as well at night. When napping, keep the lights on and try not to give the baby any cues that it is bedtime by avoiding the night routine. No need to wake the child from napping, but if conditions are brighter and a bit noisier, then the baby will probably wake up on its own.

5) Rocking - Rocking and massaging the baby can relax the child and this may be good as prelude to sleeping through the night.

6) Read a story - Read a story or spend some time with the baby before bed, instead of just dropping the baby off in the crib and leaving. This extra time will allow the baby to transition into sleep.

7) Feeding - Make sure the baby is getting good nutrition. If you must feed the baby in the middle of the night, make sure to keep the lights dim so as to not disturb the baby's sense of time.

8) Make sure that it is quiet at night and that there is activity during the day. Babies need to learn the difference between night and day.

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About the Author: Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more related articles, go to Baby Lullaby (http://babylullaby.bravehost.com) and Baby shower information (http://www.legitimateopportunities.com/baby).

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Infant Acid Reflux: Understanding, Coping and Managing by Melvin Finn

Acid reflux disorder is known to be affecting a very large fraction of the adult population, but unknown to many, even children and infants suffer from it. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, more than half of all the babies ever born experience this condition during several of the starting months and this.

Infant acid reflux is a common thing to infants due to the immaturity of their young and digestive tract. The muscles that make up the area from the esophagus to the stomach, especially the barrier known as lower esophageal sphincter or LES is still underdeveloped. This is the main cause of the stomach acid and food regurgitation. But even with the large number of the infant population affected, most cases will be outgrown by the 12th to 18th month. There are also those who would be affected even throughout their childhood years.

Infant acid reflux would most likely be triggered after the infant has been fed, but regurgitation may occur every time the baby strains, cries or even coughs. The most classic symptom would be spitting up, refusal or irritability during feeding and unprogressive weight gain.

The condition generally does not cause any complications in the normal progression of the baby. However, when the infant acid reflux case is serious, already involving problems with the child’s development, then the parent should report the condition to a specialist. Severe cases may lead to symptoms such as abnormality in weight gain, breathing problems, spitting fluids and food that already amounts to more than two teaspoons at a time, has a hoarse voice, when the baby appears to be exhausted, the amount of waste excreted is lesser than normal (fewer wet diapers), and the regurgitated liquid is or brown or green color.

Because infant acid reflux is a disorder that affects digestion, one thing to look into when trying to avoid the symptoms being triggered would be the feeding habit. Having the baby to take milk or other food right for his age may be done by helping him maintain a slanted, if not upright position. This would enable gravity to aid in the natural mechanism of the baby’s digestion. Feeding can also be integrated with break times when the parent or carer of the baby would help him to burp. Another technique to implement would be trying to get the baby to feed at smaller amounts but more frequent intervals.

About the Author

Protect the health of your child. Know more about Infant Acid Reflux.

5 Tips For Choosing Organic Baby Skin Care

Are you looking for a more natural and organic baby skin care regimen? Do you know how to be sure the product you're buying is really organic?

If you're ready to move away from chemical-based baby products and replace them with more natural alternatives , here are some tips to help you started.

1. Read and comprehend the labels.

If you can't pronounce or understand the ingredients, you can probably find a more natural alternative. Avoid parabens, phthalates and other substances you are not familiar with.

Instead, lean toward food-based ingredients like olive oil, coconut palm, and vegetable glycerin.

2. Simplify your baby's skin care regimen the first six months.

Until your baby becomes mobile, he or she doesn't need a bath and shampoo every single day. Nor does he need fragrances, which often contain hormone disrupting chemicals called phthalates.

Unfortunately, you may not see phthalates on the label because conventional skin care manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients of fragrances.

3. Choose certified organic products over other organic offerings.

Many have been jaded by misuse of the term "organic" and mislead by terms such as "natural" or "hypo-allergenic." Organic baby skin care is more loosely regulated than food, so it is important to understand what the marketing terms mean.

Certified organic baby skin care will have a seal of approval from a regulated certifying body such as the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The products that bear this seal fall into two categories: (1) those made with 100% organic ingredients and (2) those made with 95-99% organic ingredients because the remainder of ingredients are not available organically.

Products that say "made with organic ingredients" have 70 - 94% organic ingredients and don't have the seal. Finally, if a product has only a few organic ingredients, the container will list just the names of those ingredients.

4. Always spot test skin care products for allergies before applying all over.

Even the most natural moisturizers and soaps can cause an allergic reaction in your baby. When trying something new, apply a small amount and monitor for 24 hours. If no bumps or swelling appears, you are probably good to go.

5. Avoid unnecessary chemicals in other aspects of your baby's care.

Skin care products are not all that can irritate your baby's skin. Conventional clothing, diapers and bedding can all contain pesticides and petrochemicals that cause breakouts, hormonal imbalance and other serious health conditions.

Whenever possible choose organic cotton or natural fibers such as hemp, bamboo or linen in these aspects of your baby's layette.

Organic baby skin care begins with knowing what you are putting on your baby's skin and getting rid of the excessive ingredients. No two babies are alike, so it's up to you to find the right product and regimen to pamper your baby's soft, delicate skin.

For more articles about the benefits of organic baby skin care and a list of skin care ingredients to avoid, visit Organic Baby Resource.

Erika Jones is a mom, web publisher and freelance writer. To get organic baby tips delivered to your inbox, subscribe to her monthly newsletter.

You may republish this article on your blog, website or e-zine by providing credit to the author with a live link to Organic Baby Resource.

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Four Ways to Serve Organic Baby Food

With it's many benefits, organic baby food is becoming more accessible to busy moms. Organic food is free from harmful additives and pesticides that can harm your baby. It provides added nutrition and reduces the risk of developing food allergies. Regardless of your lifestyle and cooking style, you can find an organic option to serve your baby.

Organic baby food is easy to find - just look in the refrigerated section of your favorite grocery store. HomeMade Baby, sells freshly pureed organic fruits and vegetables in stores nationwide. You can also check your local yellow pages to find companies that will deliver fresh baby food directly to your front door.

Purchasing frozen organic baby food is super convenient. It allows you to only thaw the amount of food you need in order to avoid waste. The freezing process is a natural way to preserve the food's nutrients. Companies such as Happy Baby and Plum Organics sell frozen baby food in grocery stores.

If you cannot find organic food in your grocer's freezer section, purchase jarred organic baby food directly from the shelves. Because this food is processed at a high heat, it can lose some of its beneficial nutrients. However, jarred organic baby food is still free from sugar, salt and other preservatives, making it a more nutritious choice than non-organic food. You can find Earth's Best meals, cereals and snacks in most grocery stores.

Especially adventurous moms may want to make baby food at home. To get started, you will need a blender or grinder, ice cube trays, plastic wrap, freezer bags, and a skillet or saucepan.

Here are six simple steps to make your own organic baby food:

1. Purchase organic fruits and vegetables.

2. Wash your supplies in hot, soapy water in order to sterilize them.

3. Place peeled, cored and sliced fruit or veggies into a skillet with just enough water to cover them.

4. Steam the pieces until they are tender and puree them in the blender. Add water, if needed.

5. Place the puree in ice cube trays, and cover it in plastic wrap keep it fresh.

6. Place the tray in a ziplock bag, seal it and place it in the freezer within 48 hours.

Voila! You've just made the healthiest food available for your baby!

When freezing organic baby food, make sure you write the date and the name of the food on the bag so you can identify its contents and throw out any food that has been frozen longer than three months.

For more facts about organic baby food visit Organic Baby Resource.

Erika Jones is a mom, web publisher and freelance writer. To get organic baby tips delivered to your inbox, subscribe to her monthly newsletter.

You may republish this article on your blog, website or e-zine by providing credit to the author and providing a live link to Organic Baby Resource.

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Weaning Your Child From the Bottle

Weaning a child from the bottle can be a traumatic time for mommy...oh yeah and the baby too! Many times the bottle has become so much more than a drink of milk or juice, it is their comfort zone. It's what puts them to sleep at nap time or bedtime and what comforts them when they are upset and crying. Imagine having what comforts you the most just snatched away from you one day. For some of us if we could not have that morning cup of coffee our world would come crumbling down around us. For me life without any melted cheese sandwiches would require me to obtain some extensive therapy! Bottles have been a constant in our toddlers life, something they can count on when everything in this big world is changing daily right before their eyes. What a wonderfully confusing time it must be for them. So when you think about it, it is easy to understand how the bottle could have become an attachment. Great, so now that we understand it, what are we going to do about it?

Well ladies, the good news about this is that most toddlers can be persuaded to give up the bottle if you offer something in it's place. This should be a gradual process, as for some children it can be very upsetting. Start by decreasing the number of bottles you offer a day. Take your toddler with you to the store to buy big boy/girl cups and let him choose ones with fun cartoon characters. Allow them to take ownership which will increase their desire to drink out of the cup. Begin by offering your toddler a cup a lunch time instead of the bottle. Lunch time can be a fun time of eating and sharing with your child. Talk about how happy you are to see your big girl/boy using the cup. Toddlers love praise and reinforcement when they have done something right. After a couple of days of offering the bottle at lunch, try offering it at dinner time too.

As you replace the bottle for each meal do remember to allow days in between. Each time you replace the bottle with a cup you should allow time for more hugging and cuddling. Your toddler is reaching a huge milestone and needs to continue to feel secure even though his comforter(the bottle) will now longer be there.

When you finally are down to the last bottle of the day begin to put less and less milk in the bottle so your toddler spends less time drinking. Replace this with extra hugging and if your toddler is still thirsty offer the cup.

Now I know you are saying " this is all fine and dandy, but it just may not go that smoothly" Definitely all toddlers are different and while this may work for many, it will not work for all. Use your mommy radar, Is it really time for your child to give up the bottle? If you are finding you child to be extremely disturbed by you taking away the bottle maybe it is not yet time. Talk with your pediatrician about the timing and about the health of your child's gums and teeth. Maybe you will want to put water in your child's bottle instead of milk as a lot of toddlers of really attached to the sucking"comfort sucking" and not what is actually in the bottle.
Try different things as each child may respond different but most of all be patient and replace the bottle with plenty of love!

Written by Yvonne Kimmons, co-owner of http://www.LittleHandsBoutique.com Your Upscale Resale for Little Ladies and Gents! For more fun articles and advice on toddler issues please visit http://www.LittleHandsBoutique.blogspot.com

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Reasons Why You Should Breastfeed

The best first food for a baby is breast milk and it is the reason why breastfeeding is being encouraged in all over the world. No matter who you are, poor or rich and where you come from. There are benefits giving breast milk to your baby, what are they?

Breastfeeding is another way to build a strong bond with your baby. The skin contact that you are making and the warm cuddle that you give her will make her feel sense of security, warmth and comfort. The more often you do the breastfeeding the closer relationship you will have with your baby.

The breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80 percents of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breast-fed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles.

Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development. It is harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. When your baby doing breastfed she learns to control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth.

On average, breastfed babies have fewer infections in their early life. In particular they have less: diarrhea and vomiting, chest infections, and ear infections compared to babies who are not breastfed. The main reason how it can be happen is because the antibodies and other proteins, which in the breast milk from, mother to baby. These help to protect against infection.

For more information about pregnancy and how to prepare your early parenthood, go to : www.ParentingInDetail.com

Yvonne Hanson is a mother and professional adviser, specialized on parenting area. She enjoys helping parents to raise their children, starting from the pregnancy period by giving valuable information.

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Is Crying it Out Harmful to an Infant?

Crying it Out: The Impact on Infants

Since the dawn of time humans have been caring for and raising children, seeking out the best way to nurture and provide for them. But in recent times what constitutes the "best way" has been fraught with controversy. Up until about 150-200 years ago in cultures all over the world, most families shared one sleeping room and frequently one bed. This was the only way to provide protection and nurturing for the infants. But as people became wealthier and were able to have homes with more rooms they began separating the parents from the children. Even then children generally slept together and nursing infants continued to share their parents' bed. It was a rare family who were able to afford enough space to separate each member of the family. Even today in most non European/American cultures the family bed is the norm rather than the exception. In the United States beginning about 100 years ago families started begin told co-sleeping would lead to sexual abuse, suffocating infants, fostering an unhealthy dependence on parents and spoiling the infant. It is unclear why people would develop such beliefs considering this was normal for thousands of years and is still the norm in most other cultures and even in many families in the United States.

About 150 years ago the Nestle Corporation began marketing a formula based on cow's milk aimed at replacing breast feeding. In short order the propaganda was convincing mothers that breast feeding was "primitive" and animalistic. Women in the scientific, modern world were "above" turning themselves into "cows" to nurse their infants. And so women, freed from the "chore" of nursing their infant felt freer to place the infant in a crib in another room, away from the parents. This gave rise to one of the most fundamental controversies in recent child raising history, how to handle infant night crying and sleeping through the night. Over the past 50 years or so hundreds of experts of various sorts have wadded in on the issue. The most prevalent school of thought in the 1950's and earlier was to avoid picking up an infant when it cried or "giving in" to its demands for attention because this would spoil the child and thwart their maturity process. Experts in the field, mostly male, who decided women who had been successfully raising children since the origins of our species no longer knew how to do their job, began promoting the idea a child must learn to comfort herself and teach herself to go to sleep without the help of a parent.

This advice demanded when it is time for an infant to go to sleep the parent should not nurse, feed or rock the baby to sleep but should put him to bed fully awake and then allow it to fall asleep without interference from the parent. If the baby begins to cry the parent should go in to check and make sure everything is ok but after that should not respond to the crying for at least 10 minutes and then should not do anything to comfort the still crying infant but only make sure he is still safe. After a while the infant will stop crying and go to sleep or will cry herself to sleep. Continue this pattern for several nights and soon the baby will go to sleep and stay asleep without interfering with the parent's evening and night. Although for most parents crying elicits an impulse to go to the infant providing comfort and nurture, after years of hearing from experts parents have stopped trusting their instincts and began believing they might irreparable harm their child if they respond to their crying at night. Frantic parents have been assured allowing their infants to "cry it out" at night is the only alternative to having spoiled, insecure and demanding children who are incapable of comforting themselves and growing into independent and mature individuals. They have been convinced it does no harm to the infant to be left alone in their crib, by themselves without their parent to give them comfort and is, in fact a necessary part of growing up. And so generations of children are being left to cry it out and learn to "comfort" themselves sans the safety and security of parents.

But is it really necessary to do this to get infants to sleep through the night, to grow into confident and well adjusted children, to learn to comfort themselves and become independent? Does this process really leave no lasting mark on the child so they are none the worse for the ordeal? Here is where opinions become polarized and parents wanting to do the best thing for their infants are caught in the middle of some very strong opinions.

On the side of the "cry it out" philosophy are a number of well known "authorities" who have written volumes on the subject. These people devised elaborate plans designed to encourage a parent to allow their infant to cry for increasing lengths of time. They are instructed to never pick up the child, talk, sing or otherwise try to comfort the crying infant but simply check on it and leave the room. This is allowed to go on for hours if necessary. Although these and other experts on the subject have spent years convincing parents their methods do not harm the child and in fact help parents through a necessary process, there is very little, if any, accurate and scientifically supported research on their claims. However, according to child development experts from a number of fields, "parents who put their children in a crib down the hall and expect them to stay there quietly until morning may be risking their child's emotional health. A child who does not receive warmth and reassurance when she asks for it can develop a range of attachment and trust disorders." (Dettwyler electronic article) Recently Harvard University confirmed these other scientists' and experts' opinions through detailed research releasing a study on this very subject. They examine the impact of allowing an infant to cry it out on the long term development of a baby. Their findings are very different than what parents have been lead to believe. In 2007 researchers at Harvard discovered infants who were left to cry it out for extended periods of time showed all the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. This research examines the impact of early separation of infants from their mothers by placing them in a separate room and then allowing them to cry themselves to sleep. "The effects of early separation cause changes in infant brains that makes future adults more susceptible to stress in their lives...Parents should recognize having their babies cry unnecessarily harms the baby permanently. It changes the nervous system so they're sensitive to future trauma and panic disorders." (Commons, Harvard Research article electronic version)

This research offers proof against the claims of advocates of the cry it out school that consistent response to their infants and co-sleeping does not lead to sexual abuse, over dependence or other psychological harm. There are less cases of abuse amongst families who practice this type of attachment parenting, children do not seem to go through bedtime anxiety or nightmare; they develop self esteem and security because their early needs for parental security are met and they become more independent as they grow older. (Flint Infant Security Scale Research)Further research shows a huge portion of brain development in infants occurs during their sleeping hours and their natural waking and sleeping rhythm allows for the ideal development of waking cognitive skills. When a child is force to cry these natural rhythms are interrupted. The infant begins engaging in deeper, stress induced sleep earlier in life with less time spent in the brain developing REM sleep. This slows down their cognitive development and can cause a lasting decease in their overall intelligence later in life. Additional research conducted on animals has shown although animals will adapt their behavior and cease crying out, their stress hormones such as Cortisol and physiological stimuli remain high.

Other scientists have been examining this phenomenon of forcing infants to sleep alone and endure extended periods of crying in order to become independent and self sufficient. In a winter, 1996 article in Mothering Magazine, James J. McKenna, Ph.D., an anthropologist and internationally-known expert on infant sleep summarizes his views on the anthropological relevance of family sleep sharing, noting that "...nighttime parent-infant co-sleeping during at least the first year of life is the universal, species-wide normative context for infant sleep, to which both parents and infants are biologically and psychosocially adapted...Solitary infant sleep is an exceedingly recent, novel and alien experience for the human infant." (McKenna, Mothering Magazine) Katherine Dettwyler, Ph.D., an award-winning anthropologist and co-editor of Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives agrees with McKenna, claiming American attitudes about how and where a baby sleeps are unique. "Mothers who are co-sleeping still make up the majority of the world's parents. In other societies, it isn't viewed as expected or normal for a baby to sleep by himself."

Although the controversy continues, this in one area parents would do well to carefully look behind the claims of the popular parenting advice and into the reality of their claims that unresponsiveness to infant crying does no harm. What message is an infant receiving when its caretakers end up ignoring its only means of communication? What impact does it have on their ability to trust in their communication skills, their safety in the world, their security and the bond they have for someone who chooses not to attend their needs? Maybe next time people are lamenting the increasing of younger children becoming violent, angry and unattached and how adults are failing to form deep and lasting relationships we might consider how being abandoned as infants really is affecting people.

Resources
http://bottle-feeding-baby.com/the-history-of-formula-milk.php
http://www.fresnofamily.com/ap/familybed.htm
www.talaris.org/pdf/research/CIOPoster.pdf
Commons, Michael Dr. (2007). Harvard Gazette, Harvard University
Dettwyler, Katherine (1998). Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives New York: Aldine Transaction
Gordon, McCall and Hill, Sheri (2005). Flint Infant Security Scale Research Antioch University Center on Infant Mental Health and Development
McKenna, James J. (1996). Mothering Magazine Electronic Version
Sears, William, (1999). Nighttime Parenting, New York: Plume

Dena Roberson Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dena_Roberson

Baby Care Tips That You Need to Know

Baby care is actually pleasurable but creates stress too among new parents. When you have a new born baby, it is obvious that you will have a tight time. You have to take proper care for the baby and you need to do your household chores too. You might have already heard a lot of tips for baby care, but you should understand that your baby is unique and you have to find out what works best for your baby.

1. Breastfeeding is very essential for a newborn. If for some reasons, you are not able to feed your baby you can go for bottle feeding. After every feed, you have to burp the baby. This ensures that the baby doesn't get gas since newborns are prone to get gas faster.

2. If your baby is more than a few weeks old and you want to get back to work, you cannot expect your baby to forget about breastfeeding. If you know that you will leave your child with a nurse, you need to make your baby accustomed to bottle feeding much before leaving your baby under the care of a nurse.

3. Many moms feel that bottle feeding prevents them from feeding the baby with breast milk. But this is not true. There are breast pumps and you can use them to store your milk for bottle feeding.

4. When you feed the baby with bottle, be cautious that you don't let the baby sleep with the bottle in his or her mouth, especially, when your baby has developed teeth, this practice will create cavities leading to dental problems.

5. Until your child starts moving and getting dirty, a bath two or three times per week is sufficient. However, you have to give sponge bath every time you change the diaper. Leaving the baby with dirty diapers invites infections and you need to avoid this completely.

6. While you take the baby for bath, keep everything including towel, soap and shampoo ready. Never leave your baby alone in the tub even for a minute. Also when you bathe the baby, close the ears with towel or covers so that water doesn't enter his or her ears.

7. While you take the baby in your arms, keep him or her close to your chest and make him or her feel that he or she is in secure hands. Cuddle your baby often and kiss him or her on his or her hands and toes gently to ensure bonding.

8. Always wash the baby's clothes separately. You can even buy a counter top washing machine for washing only the baby's clothes and diapers.

9. You should never miss immunization vaccines for your baby to avoid problems in the future. Note down the vaccination dates and set an alarm for them in your notepad.

10. Never shake the baby or give him or her sudden shocks to stop him or her from crying. These sudden activities will affect the physical and mental health of the baby.

Jasmine Tupniak
http://www.mybabycaresite.com
For more information and resources on baby and toddler care, visit http://www.mybabycaresite.com

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Crying and Colicky Babies

Crying is your baby's only way of communicating with you. At first, it can be difficult and distressing for you, especially if you are a new parent but remember a large part of parenting is trial and error and you will soon learn to anticipate and interpret his needs. It is important to remember that no baby has ever cried himself to death. You need to know how to interpret what each cry means and you will know this very quickly if you spend time with him.

Reasons why babies cry

1. I am hungry

2. I am wet or dirty

3. I am too cold/ too hot

4. I am not comfortable

5. I want to be cuddled

6. I don't feel good

7. I can't take it anymore

8. Where is everybody?

9. None of the above

If your little one is wailing, just work your way down the list and you should find the cure.

Hungry cry

When you touch the sides of his mouth, he will turn towards your fingers searching for food. The crying usually stops once food is in the mouth but some babies will continue complaining so keep on feeding. Sometimes baby will cry instead of closing the mouth so you may have to help him by gently pushing the lower jaw up to close the mouth.

Wet or dirty

Some babies are particular and do not like very wet or soiled nappies and will cry to let you know when the nappy is full and need changing. Once you have changed the nappy they are all smiles again. Others are not bothered until you smell it or when you pick them up.

Too cold or too hot

All babies dislike being naked and they cannot sleep if they are cold especially when they have cold feet. Sometimes swaddling or just putting a cloth over the feet will stop them crying. Sometimes a pacifier may help. Most babies are less likely to complain about being too hot so you will only recognize this when you see that his face is flushed or that he is sweaty.

Not comfortable

This is usually due to position or something that is irritating him. As the baby grows bigger, he can push himself until he is wedged against the cot and needs to be repositioned.

Need to be cuddled

Babies need a lot of cuddling and they vary a lot in how much they want to be held. There is no such thing as spoiling your baby by cuddling her. They grow up so fast and before you know it, they are too big to carry and cuddle. Some babies just want to be by your side without being held.

Do not feel good

The cry of a sick baby is very distinct from the cry of hunger or frustration and you will recognize when your baby does not sound right and needs to be taken to the doctor.

Can't take anymore

Babies can become over stimulated from the noise and being passed from hand to hand and crying is the only way to say "I have enough." Some babies may even have nightmares during the night from over stimulation.

Too silent

Babies do not live in a silent world in the womb. Many new parents try to make it so silent that they whisper and tiptoe when baby is asleep then they wonder why baby wakes up crying. They sleep better when there is soothing sounds so keep the radio on and let the DJ bore him to sleep.

None of the above

Many newborns have periods of fussiness when it is difficult to soothe them and you just cannot figure out what to do. This has happened to me a couple of times and my last resort was to take Marie to her doctor. The moment we walked through the door she smiled and cooed at the doctor who looked at me as if I was an idiot; and, I had to pay him RM75.00 to be told that there was nothing wrong with her especially when I am a so-called 'expert' on baby care.

What is colic?

Colic is a label for a pattern of crying in a healthy, well-fed infant under 3 months of age that has no explanation. Colicky babies cry a lot more than others and can be difficult or impossible to soothe. The baby's crying usually intensifies between 6 and 8 weeks of age, and then diminishes when he is 3 months old. Colic means that even though your baby is healthy, your life for the next couple of weeks is going to be tough. It is often associated with too much wind in the tummy.

Some signs that tell you that your baby has colic:

• The outbursts occur on a regular basis.

• It happens at the same time every day and lasts from between 15 minutes to 4 hours.

• He draws his knees up to the body.

• He has flushed cheeks.

• He has clenched fists

• Eyes are squeezed shut in apparent pain.

• He has a lot of wind.

What can you do?

The best way to deal with colic is to stay calm and be patient. Although it can be very distressing to hear your baby crying for hours on end every day, it will pass eventually. Parental anxiety does not cause colic. On the other hand, colic can stress parents out, and an anxious parent will find it hard to soothe a fussy baby.

Some steps that you may want to try.

• Burp more often even if he is breastfed.

• Check your diet if you are breastfeeding Citrus fruits and juices, strawberries and tomatoes are high in acidity and may irritate the infant. Dairy products in mother's diet can also lead to "intolerances" in baby. The problem is usually due to the milk protein found in milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, etc. Soy and peanut intolerance in babies often accompanies dairy intolerance

• Check your feeding technique and equipment if you are bottle-feeding.

• If bottle-fed, consider changing the formula to lactose free or specially formulated formulas for windy baby. Check with baby's paediatrician or health care provider first.

• Some babies love being swaddled because it gives them a sense of security.

• There are baby massage techniques that may be effective in helping baby to release gas. Simply applying light pressure on the tummy can soothe and help. Daily massage with calming oil may help reduce the episodes of colic.

• Chinese windy oils, usually applied to the tummy after a bath helps the baby to burp and reduces wind in the tummy.

• Your baby may calm down if he sucks on a pacifier or his fingers.

• Rhythmic rocking in a swing cradle or bouncinette may soothe the baby. If using these items, do not leave your baby unattended as baby may fall out if he is too active.

• Swing cradles - eastern types called sarongs. Although used for decades, I do not recommend this as the curvature of the sarong may make it difficult for some babies to breathe. A very active baby may fall out if left alone.

• Herbal remedies such as weak teas brewed from fennel, chamomile or anise.

• Antispasmodics medications such as Infacol only work for 50% of babies. You can give him Gripe water but only after baby is one month old.

• Aromatherapy with soothing scents like lavender, anise and chamomile may help some babies.

• When your nerves are frayed and you have exhausted all efforts then there is no harm in a little prayer. This has helped me many times whenever Marie or any of the babies at my centre were fractious.

• Old wives tales - Bathing baby with 7 pomelo leaves. This actually works most of the time. I find that the baby is less fussy a couple of days after the bath. How does this work? I do not know.

Look after yourself too

A colicky baby can leave you feeling drained and exhausted which only adds to the problem. Once you know when the crying will start, you can try to plan your day around the time your baby starts crying. It is a good idea to eat your meal earlier so that you have plenty of energy to get through the difficult period. Relax yourself mentally and physically, as your baby will know if you are stressed and this makes it harder for him to settle down. Give yourself a break from time to time by asking someone else to take over. Knowing that you are not alone can be a great help.

Good luck!

Cecilia Koh is a registered nurse/midwife with over 30 years working experience in England and Malaysia. She was a parentcraft educator before setting up her own childcare centre for children aged 1 month to 2 years.

To view her articles in pictorial form go to http://www.babiesconsult.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cecilia_Koh

Baby Skin Care - Natural Organic Baby Skin Care

Baby's largest organ is sensitive and when it emerges from the protective cocoon of the womb, baby skin needs to adapt to its new environment. Luckily for us infant skin is highly adaptable, but has to overcome some common skin conditions. Some of these baby skin conditions, baby acne, cradle cap, heat rash and sunburn can be treated with basic regular baths complimented with natural, organic baby skin care products.

• Newborn baby skin care should begin with the knowledge that your baby skin loses moisture quickly, so there is no need to give baby a daily bath. It's best to give baths every other day to give sensitive skin time to retain adequate moisture.

• Umbilical cord care: Baby's umbilical cords usually falls off around the second or third week after birth and sometimes as early as the first week, so keep the area clean with rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab whenever you change to avoid infection from soiled diapers.

• Cradle cap: Use a gentle strokes and a soft brush to clean the scalp and apply a natural moisturizer like Calendula Cream to help keep the scalp clear of cradle cap. Avoid talcum powder as it absorbs the moisture from the baby's skin.

• Baby acne shows up after a few weeks and continues for a couple of months or more. Since this is a normal condition and goes away soon it's not necessary to treat these small bumps unless they become infected, just keep a close eye and maintain regular baby baths complemented by organic skin care treatments to keep baby skin from drying out.

• Heat Rash: Baby's new skin is learning to accommodate and live in its new surroundings. A cool bath and breathable fabric like organic Egyptian cotton clothing should help. Don't overdress in hot weather as this can exacerbate the heat rash condition.

• Keep baby away from direct sunlight for short or prolonged periods, protect skin with appropriate clothing and use adequate shade on your baby gear, such as car seats and strollers. When placing baby in the car seat put a large toy in your lap to remind you that baby is in the back seat.

Online Store Baby Gadgets and Gear is a great resource for organic baby skin care, especially if you are looking for natural baby products that are cool, modern, practical, organic and high tech.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Myers

Potty Training Tips That Work

Every parent has heard this, "Mommy, I went poopy." Or, "Mommy, I had an accident." Potty training can be a challenge. If you are struggling with training your child my suggestion is to be consistent and never give up. Here are some great potty tips.

If your child understands that he/she is supposed to go on the potty stop using training pants. Training pants like Pull Ups and Easy Ups are just as absorbent as diapers. If your child has an accident in them he will not learn what it really feels like to go potty in his pants. This will make potty training even harder and he will think it is ok to go in his pants. I call this being lazy. Once your child starts going on the potty regularly purchase some big kid underwear for him. Make sure you have plenty on hand so you can wash them out when your child has an accident.

Don't scold or spank your child when she has an accident. Your child's bladder is still growing stronger. It might take a while for your child to be able to hold it for an extended period of time. She needs to learn that it is okay to have an accident. When your child feels how "yucky" it is in her panties this will help her to learn that she should tell you when she has to go potty before the accident happens. Some toddlers get so busy playing that they forget. Tell your child that you are disappointed that she didn't tell you. If you scold or spank her she will just get scared. This will make potty training even more challenging.

Be consistent. Until your child tells you when he has to go potty make him sit on the potty after meals, before and after nap time and especially right when he gets up in the morning. It might take him a while to be able to tell when he has to go potty. Constantly putting him on the potty will help him learn what it feels like when his bladder is full. Make sure you let day care or your child's babysitter know how often you put him on the potty.

Never give up. Potty training is a long process. Some children don't get it until they are at least three. If you start your child after she starts walking, and you stick with it you will have an easier time and say goodbye to diapers sooner.

Ms. Talbert is a mother of three and editor of Healthy Moms- Parenting, Health, Pregnancy and Women's Issues. She lives in Sacramento, CA with her family.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C_L_Talbert

Child Health and Development

Child health and development is a very important aspect that all parents need to have a fair idea about.

It is a fact that an infant cannot say anything before a certain age. Therefore, you must be careful about the health as well as all-round development of your baby especially during this period.

In this article, we would like to concentrate on the important features of the child health development that mark the first six months or so after your baby is born.

It is true that the development of your baby depends mostly on his health. If he is healthy, it will help him cope with the world with ease. He will also be able to pick up things fast. Doctors generally say that you need to take care of your baby's physical health and mental health.

A baby can turn into a well-matured adult if he is physically and mentally strong from childhood. Therefore, you need to take care of your infant. The development of your baby's brain starts when you carry him in the womb. Complete development of the nervous system, hearing system, and vision also takes their due time.

He can also differentiate the tastes of different foods. Child health and development process starts from the day your baby sees the new world. During the first 6 months, your baby responds if someone calls him by his name. He turns his head and eyes as a response to the call. He can differentiate between the voices as well. If the tone of your voice is angry, he can feel it and if it is friendly, he can also sense that accordingly and can differentiate between the two tones.

If you do not take care of your infant, it will be a great risk for him in future. You need to feed him well and you need to keep him clean and dry.

There lies a close interrelation between child health and development and you need to be quite familiar with these. You can ask any doctor for some able assistance if you think that you do not know how to take care of your baby properly.

The mental health of your child depends on your treatment that you offer him. For instance, doctors say that breast milk is ideal for babies and this can provide the appropriate diet to your baby.

When your baby is at of age of 3 to 6 months, you can notice certain changes in him. It is the early stage when your baby tries to cope with the world. He responds to facial expressions and can differentiate a high pitch and a low pitch sound. You need to follow the right child health and development process for your baby.

Daniel D. Dwase is publisher and co-owner of http://www.child-development-guide.com -- a website for the development of children from birth to teens offering helpful tips and advice for parents, early year's professionals, and students.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_D._Dwase