Category:

Baby

Childhood Sleep Apnea: What Parents Need to Know

by LifeAsMama October 14, 2019

According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 1 to 4% of children in the United States are diagnosed with sleep apnea and most of them are between ages 2 to 8 years.

What is child sleep apnea?

Child sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a child takes short pauses in breathing while sleeping.

What causes child sleep apnea?

Pediatric sleep apnea is often caused because the muscles in the upper airway relax while the child sleeps. This makes the muscles susceptible and allowsthe tonsils and adenoids to restrict the airflow in the upper respiratory system. This causes sleep apnea in children.

It can be genetic and can also occur in children who have large adenoids and tonsils. If sleep apnea is untreated or undiagnosed, it can pose behavioral as well as physical problems in children.

girl sleeping child sleep apnea

What are the sleep apnea symptoms in children you need to watch out for?

A child with sleep apnea may have the following symptoms:

At night,

Regularly snore loudly
Pause, snort or gasp and may actually stop breathing. Their own snorts or gasps may awaken them from their sleep.
Sleep in abnormal positions or be restless throughout the night
Sweat profusely during sleep
Tooth grinding (bruxism)

During the day,

Difficulty in waking up
Wake up with a headache
Get cranky, irritated or agitated
Fall asleep or daydream
Breathe through the mouth and speak with a nasal voice

If you see these signs in your child, talk to your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. Consulting a pediatric dentist may seem an unlikely suggestion, but it is the right way to go about it because pediatric dentists are probably the first in line to detect sleep disorders.

If a pediatrician or a pediatric dentist thinks you are showing signs of sleep apnea, a sleep study may be conducted.

How is sleep apnea medically diagnosed?

A test called polysomnogram may be conducted to assess whether a child is suffering from sleep apnea. The test is painless and requires you to stay overnight at the sleep clinic along with your child.

During the sleep study, the following is monitored:

Eye movement and muscle activity
Brain waves
Oxygen levels in the blood
Breathing
Gasping and snoring while sleeping

What are the treatment options?

If your child is diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are a number of treatment options available. The doctor may choose the treatment option that is best suited for your child’s condition.

Surgery: A widely accepted treatment for childhood sleep apnea is the surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids. This procedure is known as adenotonsillectomy.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This therapy requires wearing a mask while sleeping. A tube connects the mask to a portable unit, which then applies pressure to open the throat muscles and prevent them from blocking the air passage, thus allowing regular breathing.

Diet and Medication:Some children may suffer from sleep apnea due to obesity. Doctors may recommend diet and weight loss programs to correct the sleep problem.Medication may be prescribed, which may include antibiotics (if surgery was done) or topical intranasal application of corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medication.

Oral Appliance Therapy: This therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgery and CPAP therapy. This therapy makes use of a dental device that works as a mouthpiece moving the bottom jaw and tongue forward to keep the upper airway open for the child to breathe normally. The oral appliance therapy can be worked out under the supervision of a pediatric dentist.

Bottom Line

Dentists can detect the early signs of sleep apnea. Therefore, you must involve your family dentist in your child’s healthcare program. Get a regular dental check-up done to ensure that your child receives the right treatment at the right time.

About the Author

Shen Chao is part of Dr. Joshua Hong’s Smile Clinic. While working for the Smile Clinic, he’s gained first hand experiences into the questions and concerns that dental patients have. He has been writing to inform people about various dental topics to help his readers improve their oral health. When he’s not working, you can find him on a hiking trail with his dog or having a Sunday cook-out with friends.

Baby Family Kids Little Kid Motherhood Pre-Teen Teenager Toddler

Teach Them Right: The Benefits Of Having Pets For Kids

by LifeAsMama October 11, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

All pet owners know how much our furry little friends make our lives better. A pet near us means we will be healthier, happier, stronger, and more open to people and to life. Namely, a dog, a cat, a bird, a hamster, all of these are companions that give us unconditional love.

We all want the best for our children, we want them to grow up strong and healthy, adventurous and stable, curious and imaginative. We strive towards preserving that childlike wonder and innocence in the modern world, while still teaching them how to actually survive in it, how to not be lead astray by their own wonder and curiosity. The article below notes the benefits pets have for our children, both in terms of their physical and their mental health, their responsibility, and their empathy.

There are tangible, biological benefits to health and stress reduction

There are two very important ways a pet improves your child’s health. First of all, it reduces the stress your child feels throughout the day. Remember, just because your kid doesn’t have your obligations doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t have any stress. School, preschool, it can all be difficult for your child. With a pet, they get some comfort. Petting an animal lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

The second way pets help is through lowering said stress hormone. Cortisol messes with our immune systems, it puts a strain on them, making us more susceptible to diseases and just getting sick. Furthermore, being exposed to a dog’s or cat’s germs form a young age means you are building up their immune system from an early age. You are essentially toughening them up through exposure.

Finally, they will just get a lot more exercise since they are going to walk them regularly, as well as playing and roughhousing. Anything that pries them, and you, away from a computer or smartphone screen.

boy with pet dog puppy

Responsibility and confidence

Many parents get their children a pet as a way to teach them how to be more responsible, surer of themselves. Namely, getting a pet means they have very strong, important motivation to actually learn how to be responsible. You can bury them in chores, bribe them, threaten them with curfews and lower their pocket money, but you can get much better, more organic results with a pet.

Namely, a pet is a living, breathing thing they love and care about. There is no better way to motivate them to learn how to be responsible then to care about their favorite member of their family.

On a practical level, this means they will get up at the same time every day (or most days) to walk the dog, or to feed the cat. They will clean up after their pets, taking care of bird cages, litter boxes, and hamster wheels. You can even send them to the pets store if they’re old enough.

On your part, you need to teach them properly, instead of them getting the animal, or themselves, into trouble. Talk to your veterinarian, and give very clear instructions when it comes to diet. Read articles from good websites, like, Totally Goldens, or maybe pick up a magazine recommended by your vet. Your child will most likely want to feed your pets as much as possible, just because they see that they like it. You have to explain to them why this doesn’t work. Or, they may not understand why walking your dog is so important, or why you can’t feed xyz to your pet.

Help children develop empathy

A pet gives unconditional love – they do not judge, they don’t care who you are, where you come from, who your parents are – a pet will love you and your child unconditionally. They give comfort, support, they listen intently… You, your kids, your family are the number one thing in their lives. They are the best, most loyal friends anyone can hope for.

This showing of unconditional love can teach your children how to be loving back, they help them build empathy. Furthermore, caring for a dog or a cat or whatever pet you have teaches them to be empathic, to put the needs of someone, or something, else in front of their own needs.

They also get the opportunity to practice their verbal skills even when they are not in the company of other people. Young children will get to talk a lot more, they will communicate to their pets, explain things to them, in general, keep their minds occupied.

Conclusion

A pet can do wonders for your children’s development. It teaches them what unconditional love is, what it looks like. You can also help your kids develop empathy, as well as work towards improving their verbal skills and communicative skills. They will become more confident and responsible by taking care of the pets, and they will also be healthier due to lower stress and regular exposure to their furry best friends.

About the Author

Kimberly Anderson is a simple girl that has a weak spot for dogs, cappuccino and sleep. She’s also a writer and everlasting enthusiast who believes that there is nothing better starting your day with a hot cup of coffee.

Baby and mother sleeping together in bed

Baby Health Motherhood

The Link Between Depression in Mothers and Their Baby’s Sleep

by LifeAsMama October 11, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

It’s common for newborn babies to not sleep through the night, as do their parents. However, research shows that the first six months of life are extremely important in the development of sleeping patterns (circadian rhythms) for the future. New studies show that babies whose mothers suffered from depression before they were pregnant or during their pregnancy are much more likely to having erratic sleep patterns in their first six months than other babies. We’ll explore in this article exactly what this link means for newborns.

mom happy holding baby sleep

The Background to the Study

This latest study comes from years of studying the link between sleep and depression and circadian rhythms, and finding that they were closely interlinked. At first, the research focused on adults and teenagers, before they moved on to looking at the link in newborns. This research is based on studies of sleep between two groups of newborn babies and their mothers. One group is comprised of mothers who suffered from depression during their pregnancy, and the other group is made up of women who have never suffered from depression in the past or present.

The Study Details

The women in both groups wore small devices on their wrists called actigraphs which evaluated how much sleep they got at night, how much light exposure, and their daytime routine including activity and naps. They started wearing them during the last trimester until their babies were eight months old. Two weeks after the birth of their babies, each child also received a small actigraph to wear for eight months.

Impact on Circadian Rhythm

The study showed quite conclusively that babies who were born to depressed mothers had nearly zero or zero evidence of an innate 24-hour circadian rhythm after birth, whereas the babies born to mothers without depression had this. This continued throughout the length of the study. As Nancy Kruger, a psychology writer at Australian help and Oxessays explains, “if sleep is constantly disrupted and there are no clear circadian rhythms, these individuals grow up to be much more likely to also develop depression. This is why it’s so important for all babies and new mothers to get the best sleep possible.”

Napping Patterns

One key connection found that babies born to moms who were depressed tend to nap more during the day, take more time to get to sleep at night, and also wake up much more often throughout their sleep. This is like insomnia in adults but starts much earlier. This creates more sleepless nights in parents but also means that those children may be more likely to suffer from depression later on in their lives. Researchers did reassure families that babies born to depressed mothers will not necessarily follow in their footsteps even if depression runs in families, while also warning non-depressed parents that they should still closely monitor their baby’s sleep.

The First Months

It’s very important for babies to be trained in the fist few months to sleep when it’s dark and be awake when it’s light out, so that their circadian rhythm can develop properly. Young babies that are two months or younger need 11 to 18 hours of sleep, so napping is also recommended, and for the next ten months 11 to 15 hours of sleep is required. Then, infants between the ages of 1 and 3 need 12 to 14 hours. That’s why it’s important to establish rituals around bedtime to help children understand the difference between nighttime sleeping and daytime sleeping, such as night clothes and day clothes.

Building a Schedule

It’s also important to build a sleep schedule around bright lights during the day to get your body’s circadian rhythm to associated light cycles with sleeping. Make sure you’re not shining the light in their eyes and they’re protected from direct sunlight. By four months old, the sleep schedule should be much more regular and centered on nighttime sleep with fewer breaks. In fact, Georgie Prince, a health blogger at Academized and Paper Fellows, adds that “during this time, it’s also important for the new mother to sleep on a regular schedule as well. The post-natal period is a high-risk time for depression in new mothers, even if they have no prior background of depression, and lack of sleep is a contributing factor.”

By making sure you’re monitoring your baby’s sleep patterns and building a natural schedule for sleep from the earliest age, you’re giving your child the best possible chances to have normal sleep patterns later in life and prevent depression.

About the Author

Ellie Coverdale, a health writer at Ukwritings and Essayroo, shares her insights on psychology and health in families. She is interested in the links between families and physical and mental health. You can also find her work at Boomessays. In her free time, she practices yoga and meditation.

Baby Family Marriage Motherhood

Newborn Babies and Marriage: How To Keep Your Relationship Alive During Those First Few Months

by LifeAsMama October 9, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Having a child is, undeniably, one of life’s greatest joys, but when you have a newborn your priorities will instantly change. Learning to parent alongside your partner takes up a large bulk of your time as a couple, alongside the usual household chores, early mornings and day to day jobs, many couples often find that they spend less and less time as they once were, which can be hard to adjust to.

Adjusting to these new demands as parents and finding time to nurture your marriage or relationship is important for your mental and emotional wellbeing – you’ll likely find that you need one another’s support now more than ever! There are some simple things you can do which will keep your relationship thriving during those first few months of adjustment and keep you both, and your new bundle, happy.

Make A Date

Before your baby was born, you probably thought your schedule was busy enough. Now, it probably feels overwhelming, what with working, cleaning, feeding and caring for your new baby. Inevitably, your time together spent as a couple is likely to have been sacrificed. By arranging a date where you will both spend time together means that you will likely make this into a habit and this comes with great benefits for you, your partner and baby.

Your dates might start as a coffee or glass of wine in the kitchen after you’ve put the baby to bed, talking about your day, but when you feel ready to leave your newborn for a few hours, this could turn into a movie or dinner date. If you don’t quite feel ready to leave your baby yet – and this is fine – then why not take turns cooking for one another during the week? Spending time together and alone should be a priority and made into a regular occurrence, no matter what you decide to do.

date night married couple newborn baby

Show Your Affection and Appreciation

Think back to when you first began dating. You likely called your partner just to say “hello” or ask how their day was and this doesn’t need to stop just because you’ve had a baby! Whether you leave a note for them in their pocket before they head out for work, make them a cup of coffee in the mornings or just buy them their favourite treat after a long day – it doesn’t need to be a huge romantic gesture, just something which shows them that you’re thinking of them, it could even be taking their diamond jewellery engagement ring or your wedding rings to get polished!

roses gift newborn baby marriage

Make Time To Switch From Mom and Dad to Wife and Husband

Just because you have a newborn doesn’t mean that you’re now known as Mom and Dad. It is important to be firm with your parenting routines so that you get time to make that transition after a long or tiring day. Once you’ve put your baby to bed (hopefully for the night!), it’s time to switch back to you. Whether you decide to take a nice long shower with your favourite products, have an uninterrupted hot drink or just sit and watch your favourite tv show together for 20 minutes, whatever you need to do to make this transition, make time for it. Being parents is a 24/7 job which never ends, but you and your partner will feel better and find it a little easier if you are both happy and find time for yourselves. It’s important to remember that you are both on the same team – there are no winners or losers!

husband and wife happy marriage

About the Author

Natalie Wilson is a freelance wellness and lifestyle writer. She loves researching and writing about new wellness trends and topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest news. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog or browsing her nearest bookstore. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.

Baby Family Fun Health Home Kids Little Kid Motherhood Pre-Teen Teenager Toddler

Best Backyard Add-ons for Your Kids

by LifeAsMama October 4, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

For a family with kids, younger or older, no backyard can truly feel like part of home unless it is adjusted to children’s needs and interests. If you want your child to fall in love with the outdoors and the endless variety of activities it offers, start by transforming your yard into a children’s fantasy world. Though the options are many, we can elaborate on a few favorites that certainly won’t let you down.

1 – Outdoor chalkboards and easels

Have you noticed that your child enjoys the magic that a paintbrush or a simple colored pencil can create? Don’t hesitate to get a couple of chalkboards for your yard so your son or daughter can continue to nurture their talent. Outdoor chalkboards (or canvas on an easel) are a highly convenient solution for parents who wish to keep their children entertained while also avoiding having a big mess inside the house. If you want to do something even more interesting, you can turn part of the fencing into a big chalkboard wall.

2 – Yard sandbox

If you think back to your own childhood, you are more than likely to reminisce of your own little sand haven you loved to play in. Not only do sandboxes help develop an outdoorsy spirit in kids, but they also have multiple other benefits. Set one in your own backyard and your children will get a chance to further learn and improve their social, motor, and practical skills, grow genuine curiosity and eagerness to explore their environment through direct physical contact, and also stimulate and enrich their own imagination. These add-ons are physically beneficial as well, as they help kids strengthen different groups of muscles, especially those in the arms and hands.

3 – Child-friendly swimming pool

Okay, this one probably should be the first item here—undoubtedly, almost every child wants to have a pool at home. Funwise and healthwise, it goes without saying that swimming pools are an absolutely fantastic add-on for a backyard. They are an endless source of entertainment, not only for children, but for adults, too.

It needs to be emphasized, though, that they do require a higher level of supervision and caution on behalf of parents, so children should not be left alone during their fun time in the water. Preferably, for extra safety, you could also add a fence around the swimming pool to prevent children from accidentally falling in if they do spend part of their time in the backyard unsupervised. Whenever we are talking safety measures, the best thing is to consult specialists and professionals. Exterior are a really wise choice if you want the perfect combination of adventure and safety in your children’s swimming pool.

4 – Swings

Swings sound like a great option for backyards with limited space and if you prefer to keep your child engaged in a single activity for a longer period of time. Even in a smaller area where there isn’t much room for running or playing sports, a nice swing can give your child a sense of freedom, movement, and spaciousness thanks to its dynamic nature. Even on a cold and rainy day, your little one will probably ask to go and play on the swing rather than stay indoors.

5 – Hammocks and silly spinners

If you have bigger trees in your backyard, you could also consider getting a sturdy hammock and/or a silly spinner. They are both excellent alternatives for standard swings, not to mention that they are just as much fun. If you are in a creative mood, you also have the option of making a silly spinner yourself instead of buying one. What is more, you can ask your child to contribute to the process of making the spinner, for example to paint it. This will only make your son or daughter enjoy it even more since they will know they helped bring this creation into existence.

6 – Slides

Slides are also a truly convenient add-on, being that both younger and older children find them a lot of fun. They also come in different shapes, sizes, and are made from different materials, so it is easy to find a slide which will be suitable to your child’s age and physical characteristics.

7 – Climbing tires

If you have some old tires lying about in the garage, here’s a great way to recycle them. Turn these eyesores into an attraction by transforming them into climbing tires. What makes them such an excellent addition to your backyard is that little kids in particular seem to find them irresistible when learning to walk and establish balance, while also strengthening their muscles at the same time. Climbing tires are budget-friendly and even more fun when painted in bright colors kids will easily fall in love with!

In conclusion…

For any parent who wants to inspire in their child an affinity and respect towards the great outdoors, smartly chosen backyard add-ons are the right call. Allow your little one to explore and grasp the world through a thought-provoking, inspiring, exciting corner of their own home where they will feel safe and taken care of.

About the Author

Ron Wolf is a freelance writer, hobby designer and DIY enthusiast.

Baby Family Food Health Kids Little Kid Motherhood Pre-Teen Teenager Toddler

Easy Ways to Boost Your Kids’ Immune System

by LifeAsMama September 30, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

As a parent, one of your biggest concerns is your children’s health. If you could, you would wave a magic wand to ensure they never got sick – but sadly, you can’t. The good news is, there are still things you can do to boost their immune systems – and most of them are easy!

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best and easiest ways to give your kids a boost in the health department without losing all your money – or your sanity.

boost-kids-immune-system

Let them get dirty! This may seem counterproductive, but hundreds of studies show that letting your kids be exposed to bacteria in things such as mud, dirt, and even on other kids will do wonders for their immune systems later on. While they may get sick at first, exposing them to the germs of everyday life will help train their bodies’ immune systems to fight off bacteria faster and more efficiently in the future. This isn’t to say you should purposefully expose your kids to dangerous illnesses, but when it comes to eating dirt or touching toys at daycare, relax and let your kid do what kids do!

Supplement with vitamins and probiotics. This is another cheap, easy way to keep your kids’ health in check with a simple pill or gummy each day. There are hundreds of different vitamins and mineral supplements for kids and teens, as well as probiotics that help keep their body systems operating as they should be by replenishing good bacteria that keep them healthy. Bonus: many vitamins come in fun flavors and shapes and taste more like candy than a health supplement, so you may find that your kids actually look forward to taking their vitamins each night. (Just be sure they don’t have access to them while unsupervised to prevent them from eating too many at once!)

boost-kids-immune-system

Make it a point to enforce a bedtime. Let’s face it: a tired child gets sick much easier than a well-rested child. This is because when their little bodies are run down, they are more susceptible to everyday germs, viruses, and bacteria. By enforcing an appropriately early bedtime, you can ensure that your kids will wake up in a better mood, more alert, and also in a better position to fight off sickness – and it will give you more quiet time at night!

Take antibiotics the right way. The rise of superbugs (infections that are resistant to antibiotics) are caused by 1) taking antibiotics when they aren’t necessary and 2) not finishing a dose completely. Antibiotics will not help a cold or sore throat unless there is an active infection such as a sinus infection or strep. Giving your child antibiotics they don’t need will not only not help them get better, but destroy the good bacteria in their systems and weaken their immune system’s ability to fight of what they do have now and in the future. In addition, if a doctor does prescribe your child antibiotics, be sure he or she takes the entire dose (even if she starts to feel better.) Often, children can start feeling better before the bacteria is completely dead. If the antibiotics are stopped, the bacteria can grow back stronger and even immune to said antibiotic – a scary position no one wants to put their child in.

boost-kids-immune-system

Encourage exercise. It’s no surprise that the immune system benefits from regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Exercise not only produces changes in white blood cells that fight disease, but the temporary increase in body temperature following a sweat session can help kill bacteria! You don’t have to take your kids on ten-mile runs to reap the benefits of exercise – simple games of kickball or jumprope with friends, or participation in sports can check this box for you and ensure your child’s heart and muscles are healthy, too!

boost-kids-immune-system

Don’t slack on fruit. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins when it comes to the immune system – there is a reason people take vitamin C drops when they are starting to feel sick! Not only does vitamin C help kill microbes, but boosts the immune system as a whole. The best part is, vitamin C is found in nearly every fruit, with high concentrations in oranges, cherries, kiwi, apples, and more. Fruit is a classic kid favorite because of its sweet and juicy taste, so chances are, you won’t hear any complaints from your tot when incorporating more fruits into his diet!

If they are sick, let them rest. While no parent wants to see their child sick in bed, encouraging her to get up and continue daily life when she’s still feeling down or just starting to feel better may open a door for the same illness (or another) to come back. Rest is the most important thing for the immune system while it is hard at work, so letting your daughter take that extra sick day from school and watch cartoons may be your best bet. Only send them back to school when they are feeling better and no longer contagious – you don’t want to make someone else’s baby sick!

boost-kids-immune-system

Employ basic hygiene practices like hand washing. Hand washing, while being the best way to prevent the flu, is also a champ at preventing other diseases, as well. Most germs end up on our hands, and then in our mouths, nose or eyes, which is where they infect us. Keeping clean by hand washing, taking regular baths or showers, and brushing teeth are a great way to keep germs off and prevent illness. Be sure to teach your kids how to do all these things properly, and you’ll have a much healthier, happier family!

There you have it! These are doubtlessly the best, most efficient ways to boost your kids’ immune systems without breaking the bank. The best part is, most of these tips are beneficial for other reasons, too, contributing to healthier child in every way. Comment down below with your go-to tips for keeping your kids healthy, along with which of these tips you’re excited to try!

Dani Fogel. is a Communication Coordinator at Brandable, based in Los Angeles, CA. She works on the Queen V brand within the company’s Digital and Ecommerce department.

Adoption Baby Home Kids Motherhood Pregnancy Products

How To Get Your Home Ready For Your Baby

by LifeAsMama September 20, 2019

written by LifeAsMama

Becoming a parent can be so stressful. There are so many things that you need to get done and so many changes to your body happening at the same time. However, getting your home ready doesn’t need to be complicated. There are three main things that you need to do to get your home ready for baby – get the furniture you need, pick out some fun toys and do your best to babyproof the spaces your baby will be in.

Acquire Furniture

You are going to need a crib for your baby, even if you plan on co-sleeping for any stretch of time. You can even get ones that transition into a toddler bed and even a full-sized bed so that you have a little more time with a fairly large purchase before it needs to be returned. You’ll need to make sure you get one with a comfortable mattress in it so that you don’t have any additional issues.

You will also need to get enough storage for your baby’s things. This doesn’t have to be expensive. If you have friends or family that have had kids, chances are they have some things that they can pass your way. You can also usually find kid’s storage furniture for cheap on the Facebook marketplace and from thrift stores, which is a great way to make your life – and your wallet – greener.

Find Stimulating Toys

Gender shouldn’t play into the kind of toys your baby gets. Make sure that you have a variety to choose from so you can see what things your child gravitates toward. As for the rest of the toys that your child wants nothing to do with, think about reselling them or donating them to a local charity. That way, your home will have a little bit less stuff for you to have to tidy up later on and you’ll be helping someone else’s baby out.

Babyproof Your Home

Babies have an almost magical ability to injure themselves on anything and everything in their paths. It’s kind of impressive. However, as a parent, your job is to do everything you can to keep your baby safe.

With that in mind, you need to make sure that anything made of glass or easily breakable is moved far, far out of your baby’s reach. If you have tall shelves that are not built into the wall, do your best to keep your baby away from them to avoid any tipping issues.

You should also pad any sharp corners that you have in the room. This will save you a lot of tears and headaches in the long run from babies grabbing them or running into them.

Last but not least, put babyproof handles on doors to anywhere that your baby could get into trouble. This means kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, even older kids’ bedrooms. By limiting the space that your baby is in, you will keep them just a little bit safer every day. As they get older and more responsible for their own bodies, you can start to open the house up a little more.

If you aren’t sure about something, don’t be afraid to reach out to your support network, whether that is online or in person. Other parents will have some advice that might work out well for you and your family.

About the Author

Heather Viera is a lifestyle expert and researcher for FamilyLivingToday.com. She is dedicated to achieving a balanced lifestyle, even with two small children and a full-time career. In the little free time she has, she enjoys hiking with her partner and taking her dog to the beach.

Baby Family Health Kids Little Kid Motherhood Pre-Teen Teenager Toddler

How to Get Outside With Your Kids This Fall

by Jennifer Landis September 17, 2019

written by Jennifer Landis

During the summer, it’s easy to get the kids outside. As soon as that fall air rolls in, though — and brings with it cold temps and rainy days — it can seem much harder to do so.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this colorful season with your children, both inside and out. If you need fresh air but don’t know how to get it, read on. We have five ideas for getting your brood outdoors this autumn and beyond.

1. Color Walks

As we know, fall has plenty of colorful foliage to stare at for hours on end. So, grab your kids and take them outside to check out the leaves and all the other eye-catching plants that grow during this time. Don’t just call it a nature walk — consider this stroll to be a color walk. Choose a particular hue, or let your child choose the shade they like best. Then, as you walk around, have them point out everything they find that’s that color. If you have a digital camera and trust your little one enough to use it, then they can take pictures of everything they see for even more color-walk fun.

2. Leaf Jumping

This one’s a classic, but it’s so much fun that it’s worth mentioning. Have your kids help you gather up the leaves in your yard. Not only will they burn off some energy doing so, but they’ll also help get the job done quicker. Having a few helpers will make the task simpler on you.

Once they’ve built a giant pile of foliage, let them go wild. Jumping in and out of the leaves just never gets old — join them for a few leaps and see. You can mix things up by fashioning your leaf pile into another interesting activity. For instance, some have built a leaf slide. They place their foliage mound at the base of a slide and zoom into it. You can also use your leaves to outline a small backyard maze. Regardless of how you play with the leaves, one thing’s for sure — your kids will love it, and they’ll never forget it.

3. Playground Games

When you play outside in summer, it’s often too hot to do anything but splash in the pool or run through the sprinkler. In the cool fall air, though, you can have your kids play and run in the yard. So, take advantage of the cooler temps and set up a group game. You might want to rely on some of your playground favorites. Something as simple as tag, kickball or red rover can do the trick.

There are so many benefits to organizing a playground-style game for your kids. Little ones who spend all their time indoors may be more susceptible to obesity, which remains an epidemic across the country. On the other hand, if they play outside, your kids will develop healthy behaviors that push them to exercise throughout their lives. Plus, such playground games give them the chance to build teamwork and social skills.

4. Orchard Visits

Fall brings us gorgeous foliage, but it also brings a slew of new fruits and veggies to be harvested. In some cases, farmers will open up their fields for the public to pick their own produce to bring home and enjoy.

For instance, a local orchard might allow people to come in and pick apples directly from their trees. You might hop onto the back of a tractor or pickup truck to visit a pumpkin patch. There, you and your kiddos can select the perfect gourd for your front stoop. All the while, your kids can run around and explore the farmland around them. At the same time, you’ll all be taking in some much needed fresh fall air.

5. Scavenger Hunts

What bits of nature can you find in your backyard or at the local park? Let your kids answer that question. Start by drawing up a list of common fall finds, such as pinecones, acorns and leaves — one in each color. See how many items your kids can knock off the roster.

If you don’t have enough variety in natural elements, then combine your scavenger hunt with a walk through the neighborhood. Make sure to add other autumn finds to your list. Some fall scavenger hunt lists for kids will include pumpkins, scarecrows, bales of hay and other decor. They may not come from nature, but your kids will have a blast scoping out their neighbors’ homes in search of the must-sees on their scavenger hunt list.

Fall in Love With the Outdoors

It’s cooler outside, and you might not be able to get out there every day. However, the above five activities will make your outdoor pursuits even more fun for both you and your kids. In fact, such memorable moments will remain with you for years to come — and we bet your kids will beg to do the same activities every year. You and your family will fall in love with the season and the time you spend outside together.

Baby Kids Motherhood

5 Sleep Mistakes New Parents Make

by Guest Contributor June 25, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Having a baby is the best time in a parent’s life. However, it also comes with a lot of trial and error, especially in terms of sleep.

You’re learning how to be the best mom you can be, and it’s okay to make mistakes. What’s not okay, though, is to stick to them and harm your little one — and yourself too. A newborn with poor sleep is a nightmare for the whole family.

Lucky for you, this article contains a list of the most common mistakes that new parents make, so you can make sure you’re doing things right.

#1 Being Inconsistent

Inconsistency in sleep training or in establishing sleeping habits is the most common mistake of new parents. Many moms and dads don’t think that babies feel any difference between being sung to sleep, being put in a bouncer, and being allowed to co-sleep on parents’ bed.

But that’s not true.

First, babies do feel the change of the environment or sleeping area and can get confused. When that happens, putting them to sleep may turn into a challenge.

Second, when you fall asleep with your baby on the couch, armchair, or any other place after the feeding session, you put her at risk of being dropped or even smothered.

To avoid all of that, find the best time, place, and routine that works for your little one and stick to it religiously. A warm bath, feeding, and then sleep will do for most. And make sure you don’t fall asleep while feeding.

“A solid routine and familiar surroundings may help your baby learn to self-soothe herself and fall asleep without your assistance, which in turn will help you score more sleep for yourself.”

#2 Buying Borders and Bumpers for Your Baby’s Crib

Of course, buying the best crib mattress for your little one is a must.

But some parents go further and equip the cot with all sorts of bumpers and borders to make it look like a cute nest.

It’s easy to understand why.

You want to protect your baby from any sharp corners and injuries, especially when she learns to roll and crawl.

The thing is, using bumpers might be fatal for your baby.

How?

Well, you’ve probably heard about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The most common cause of this syndrome is asphyxiation, and it turns out that crib bumpers can actually contribute to that. Models with the pillow-like design are the most dangerous, as the newborn can press the face against it and suffocate by breathing in the oxygen-depleted air.

“Crib bumpers are banned in Ohio, Chicago, and Maryland due to the safety hazard. In fact, your little one cannot get a severe injury when accidentally bumping into a crib rail. So, it’s better to keep her safe and do not use borders.”

#3 Manipulating with Bedtime

Another common sleep mistake among the new parents is either rushing or delaying bedtime for an infant.

The issue of rushing a baby to sleep is tied to the fact that parents often do not recognize the main signs of sleep readiness from their baby and won’t allow her to have some time to wind down.

To get your little one to sleep without tears and protesting, pay attention to the following signs:

fussing
rubbing eyes
looking away

The opposite situation, when parents intentionally delay the sleep time, is more common among working moms who want to spend more time with their child. Instead of the expected effect, they get a screaming baby who will need even more time to relax and fall asleep.

If you’re experiencing this scenario, it’s better to address the problem to your boss and ask to come home earlier, or work from home.

#4 Expecting the Baby to Sleep Throughout the Night

Photo by Peter Oslanec on Unsplash

Although newborns typically sleep 16-17 hour a day, they cannot sleep through the entire night without waking up for two reasons:

Their stomachs are tiny, so they need to eat every 2-3 hours, and their sleep-wake cycle is dependent on the time of feeding.
Babies under three months don’t understand the concept of day and night.

Thus, even if you have an extremely calm newborn sleeper, she is unlikely to make it through the night at least for the first three months. After that, babies theoretically can sleep for 6 to 8 hours in a row if they have gained 10 to 12 pounds of weight.

“Note that even if your baby can sleep peacefully through the night after she has reached three months, it doesn’t mean that she will be a good sleeper forever.”

#5 Relying on Props

The modern world provides many devices and gadgets for easier parenting. The thing is, many young parents overestimate these devices or begin to rely on them too much.

The first problematic prop is a pacifier. Some babies become overly attached to it and can fall asleep only with a pacifier in their mouth. Thus, when you remove it for the night, and then the baby suddenly wakes up, she will undoubtedly scream for it.

It’s better not to use a pacifier at all, or go through a couple of rough nights and let your baby cry the need for this thing out and forever.

The other prop many parents love is a so-called cyber-nanny, which comes as a set of two video monitors allowing you to watch the nursery room while working at your laptop or cooking in the kitchen.

Some of these devices come with equipment that can check the infant’s vital signs, such as heartbeat and oxygen saturation levels. It usually comes in the form of wearables or sensors you need to put under the baby’s mattress.

Now, although these devices seem safe, they actually do more harm than good. First, they may cause false alarms if your baby is an active sleeper. There’s also the chance that they’ll mislead you by creating an illusion of safe sleeping surroundings.

As a result, you may get either over-anxious or over-confident. The former poses a risk of not getting enough sleep yourself, while the latter might make you go against the safety guidelines for newborn’s sleep.

About the Author

Edna Alfaro is a child sleep expert at Happysleepyhead. She knows how to deal with sleep issues of any kind, from teething pain and sleep regression to night terrors and sleepwalking.

Having a degree in Pedagogy, Edna had been working as a kindergarten teacher for seven years before she got her sleep expert certification. She also is a mom of three beautiful kids, so all her tips are based on the combo of personal experience and proven educational techniques.

Baby Kids Little Kid Toddler

5 Tips to Help Kids Sleep Through the Night

by Guest Contributor June 10, 2019

written by Guest Contributor

Sleeping through the night can feel like such a milestone, especially if you’ve been getting fragmented sleep for months on end. Unfortunately, night waking doesn’t always disappear with infancy. Instead, sleep patterns and behaviors respond to routines, schedules, and healthy sleep habits, which gives you, as the parent, some ability to influence your child’s ability to sleep through the night. Keep reading to get our top five sleep improvement tips.

1. Consistency is Your Friend

The human body relies on predictable patterns of behavior to time the sleep cycle. A consistent bedtime uses that fact to your advantage. The key is that those patterns have to be repeated every day, sometimes for weeks, before the brain fully adjusts and responds. The consistency of a bedtime can translate to less nighttime wakings because it means your child’s sleep hormone levels are where they should be both at the start, middle, and end of the night.

2. Schedules Save Bedtime

To fully support that bedtime, you absolutely need a bedtime routine. Many children have a hard time transitioning from an alert state to asleep. A routine gives them a chance to bring their energy levels down in preparation for sleep. That process also provides time for their sleep hormone levels to regulate and release at the same time every day. The routine can be simple, like changing into pajamas, brushing teeth, and listening to a story. It can also be more complex with picking up toys and taking a warm bath before crawling into bed. You have the flexibility to decide what works for you and your child’s schedule.

3. Kids Need Comfort

Now that you’re past the falling asleep part, you have to decide what to do during nighttime wake-ups. Putting yourself back to sleep at night is a learned skill, and some children struggle with it. One way to help is to address physical and emotional comfort issues.

The easiest issues to take on are physical. Check the mattress to make sure it’s supportive. Children, with their low body weights, can sometimes be uncomfortable on a mattress that’s too firm, or your child could be waking because she’s getting poked by a mattress tag or sticker all night long. The room should also be cool, somewhere between 60 to 68 degrees usually does the trick, and try to make it as dark as possible. Night lights are fine, but opt for a motion-activated model that won’t wake your child during the night.

4. Remove Screens from the Bedroom

Televisions, tablets, or phones in the bedroom can disrupt your child’s sleep in two ways. First of all, electronic devices emit light on the blue spectrum which can suppress sleep hormones. Using any of these devices before bed can delay the start of the sleep cycle. Second, having these devices in the bedroom can not only be a source of blue spectrum light, but also cause a temptation that can be hard to ignore. Your child may be too young to turn on the television, but it’s still a distraction that can lead to wakefulness.

5. Teach Them to Fall Asleep on Their Own

You can start to teach your child to fall asleep on her own while she’s still in infancy. Lay your baby down when she’s almost asleep rather than fully asleep. Or lay her down in her crib while you sing softly or read a book to her until her eyelids close. If she can learn to quiet herself at bedtime, she can learn to self soothe herself back to sleep during the night too.

For older children, this can be a bit trickier. If your child comes out of her room, quietly take her back without making a fuss. Keep nighttime wakings quiet and boring. It’s not playtime or special cuddle time because who wants to go to sleep when that’s the reward? Every time your child comes out of her room, take her back. Don’t give in, or you’ll be going through the whole process over and over again.

Conclusion

Sleeping through the night is more of a challenge for some children than others. But with consistency in effort and technique, you can help your child learn to handle nighttime waking in a stride. Before you know it, you’ll all be getting better sleep.

Newer Posts

Older Posts