One of the biggest troubles with the common cold is cleaning the runny noses of small children. I had shared some of the methods I use, in my Fighting colds post. In my opinion, one of the most important developmental milestones for children is to learn to blow their noses. Despite our doctor’s prediction saying they would only learn that at around … [Read more...]
How did this happen?
Last weekend we went skiing up north. Everyone came back healthy, except for my swollen purple eye.Since the extreme weather is over Chicago, I have decided to keep the kids at home. I haven't even sent my son to preschool since Tuesday. Stayed at home and played in our newly decorated basement. Only my husband went to work.And what … [Read more...]
Winter health and wellness tips for parents with babies
Here are a few practical health and wellness tips for parents and babies to stay healthy and enjoy the snow and even cold weather outdoors during winter:Get out and have fun outdoors: Do not be trapped indoors. Take your baby and yourself out to get fresh air and daylight. It's the best for your health and your mood. Outdoors is always better … [Read more...]
Craving
I am terribly craving to read a book. I have so many waiting for me on the shelves of my library. Childcare and child psychology ones, books about plays, novels, books in foreign languages - which if I don't practice soon enough, I'll forget. And I am about to order another batch from Amazon.com, after a long long time. I was able to get by, by … [Read more...]
Oral and dental care for infants and babies
Infants We started to wipe my son's mouth with a wet, clean gauze pad when he was 2-3 months old upon the advice of our pediatrician. As I wrote in my post about oral thrush, when my son had thrush, we also added baking soda to the water in which we soaked the gauze. We started using the same method as soon as my daughter was born. Benefits of … [Read more...]
Is it normal for an infant not to poop for days?
My son was pooping - what was normal to me at the time - 3 times a day as an infant. So when my daughter didn't poop for a week when she was 2 weeks old, everyone in the family freaked out. We learned through this experience that breastfeeding babies could go without pooping as long as a week and not considered constipated. Surprisingly, this is … [Read more...]
How to help your baby fight a cold naturally
Unfortunately, now that there are two kids in the house, they share everything including viruses. Two weeks ago, my son got the flu. Despite all our efforts and precautions, my daughter got it too. A 6-month-old baby with a congested nose is heartbreaking. But we were determined. We've had a similar 6-month-long cold drama with my son when he was … [Read more...]
Nasal Congestion and Runny Nose Remedies for Babies
It's change of seasons. A runny nose, nasal congestion, cold, and flu are common spread amongst children. We go the library, or during playtime and everyone’s nose is running and sneezing. Especially if you have children that are going daycare or school, this is unstoppable. The hardest is the babies with the cold or a runny nose. They can’t … [Read more...]
Could you scratch my back, please?
Have you ever thought that your baby might need his/her back scratched as well?I am not going to write that "according to this or that professor’s research" they itch a lot. I don’t have any scientific research or information in hand but my back always itches and I love to have my back scratched. I literally purr when my husband scratches my … [Read more...]
Avoid unforeseen! accidents by taking simple safety measures
My husband is the chief of homeland security and safety in our household. He sets up and maintains the babyproofing, and anything related to the safety within and outside the house. He checks on me quite a bit as well because to be honest, sometimes mommy brain takes over and you never know what kids are up to when mommy brain is in charge.The … [Read more...]
Magnetic toys: Potential hazard for children
A news article I've read today, prompted me to write another post under "Safety" subject.This time the hazard is the magnetic toys. The consumer product safety commission recalled all Magnetix magnetic toys after being notified of more than 30 incidents involving small magnets, one of which was the death of a toddler. The magnets, when … [Read more...]
ICE- In Case of Emergency
I would like to continue my posts about Safety, following "Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home – Living Room / Play Room", "Safety: Car safety for babies and children", "Safety: First Aid and CPR for babies and children" and "Parents’ emergency phone list".ICE- In Case of Emergency, is a program that helps emergency personnel such as … [Read more...]
Protect yourself and others from contagious viruses
Every year, the contagious viruses get more vicious and persistent. Once it's in through the door, it doesn't get out until it knocks down the last person in the household. Today's flu is not your mom's flu either. It's monster truck flu.There are few practical tips to protect yourself and others from spreading their viruses and germs: … [Read more...]
Safety: First Aid and CPR for babies and children
Though we (should) take all precautions in advance, for the safety of our babies and children, we need to be prepared for unexpected emergency situations as well.We need learn first aid (CPR) methods and be able to administer these at the time of emergencies. We should also teach them to whomever is taking care of our babies or kids as well … [Read more...]
Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home – Bathroom
Continuing with Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home…While giving a bath to your baby:Never leave your baby unattended in the bathroom, in the tub or in a basin even if the water level is not even one inch. Use anti-slip bathtub mat or decals to prevent slipping. Always check the water temperature before putting your baby in the tub … [Read more...]
Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home – Living Room / Play Room
Continuing with Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home...While your baby is playing:Once the baby starts moving around like a wiggle worm and grab things, you need to redecorate your home. Schools, daycares, businesses with kids, parents and schools should definitely have these safety measures, when you inspect them for your child … [Read more...]
Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home – Dining Room
Continuing with Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home...While your baby is eating:Unless your doctor suggests the opposite, feed your baby with only breast milk or equal value baby formula, until your baby is 6 months old. Because babies start sitting straight up at 6 months, (s)he could get choked when fed while lying down. While … [Read more...]
Safety: Baby and Child Safety Tips in the Home – Bedroom
This very simple but life saving list of baby and child safety tips, consists of information from books I read and the recommendations I received from doctors. These rules are to protect your vulnerable baby from hazards and house accidents while the baby is playing, eating, sleeping, while in the car 24/7.We always have to be alert. We also … [Read more...]
How to prevent ear infection in babies and toddlers
Between 6 months old (right after a flu shot) and 1 years old, my son had a chronic runny nose problem, that turned into ear infection multiple times. Those were hard times. I do not wish stuffy nose and congested upper respiratory system on any baby. Every time his nose started to run again, I tried every possible method, tip, and trick to prevent … [Read more...]
Oral Thrush in Babies
Oral thrush is one of those motherhood experiences, where I thought I knew what I was doing but eventually had to accept my mom was right and she told me so.My son had oral thrush on his tongue when he was about 2 months old. Thrush is a common infection in the mouth caused by the candida fungus, also known as yeast. A common sign of thrush is … [Read more...]