Do You Have the Right Bedding for Your Baby?

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

While the birth of a baby is the most exceptional experience in any woman's life, it is after the birth of the child that the real work begins. There are many skills that a new mother will have to learn and learn quickly; bottles, diapers and childhood diseases are only a few. Choosing the proper bedding for your baby will be one of the critical decisions you have to make. Common sense and experts both agree that the primary factor in choosing the bedding needs to be safety. Proper bedding is absolutely critical for the safety and comfort of your baby.
To provide both comfort and safety it is imperative that the bedding not be too hard or too soft, improper bedding has been suspected as a possible cause in many cases of sudden infant death syndrome. This has normally been attributed to a very soft mattress. If the mattress is too soft it can cause the infant's mouth and nose to be covered. If this happens then the baby is inhaling the same air they exhale. This can cause a rapid build of carbon dioxide in the babies system. Excessive carbon dioxide can cause drowsiness, coma and even death.
Baby beds come in a large selection of varieties and styles, regardless of the baby bed used it is critical that the bedding properly match the bed. The three types of baby beds are bassinet, cradle and cribs. It is fairly easy to distinguish between the different types of beds? Bassinets are oblong or round baskets that serve as a bed for infants. A crib is a small bed that has very high side walls or railings. The purpose of the high sides or rails is to protect your baby or toddler. Since they can be used until the child is around two years old, cribs are usually considered the more economical choice. A cradle is a small low bed that is normally mounted on rockers, cradles are only good while the child is still an infant. In all of these, the material used to make the bed will help indicate what precautions need to be taken.
In a bassinet, the bedding needs to provide enough space that the baby can roll from side to side. Bassinets are usually full of lacing and trimming which can reduce the actual available space for the baby. Cradles come in a variety of shapes and size, one advantage of the cradle is that it can be rocked to help soothe the baby. There is normally not much bedding used inside of a cradle. Cribs are normally square so you can get a mattress that perfectly fits the dimensions of your crib. The mattress is normally covered with a coverlet and or blankets. You can also include pillows to make your baby more comfortable. Caution should be used not to fill the crib with too many pillows or the baby can stand on them and fall and hurt themselves. Any of the styles of beds can be safely used to keep your child safe and comfortable.
Once you have determined what type of bedding will correctly fit the equipment you have the only other consideration is the pattern and style that you find pleasing.

Swimming pool safety: ideas to avoid misfortune

Unfortunately yearly 250 children under the age of 5 drown in a pool. Among unintentional injuries, the drowning has been the second leading cause of death to children under age 5, after motor vehicle cases.

Among one of the most heartbreaking facets of sinking deaths is that they are avoidable, but there is no foolproof method of prevention. Utilizing "layers" of protection is suggested. This consists of consistent supervision of kids; putting barriers such as fencing with a self-closing, self-latching gate around your pool to prevent gain access to; as well as being prepared in case of an emergency.

Security authorities provide these suggestions to stop drowning:

Fences and wall surfaces need to be at least 4 feet high and set up totally around the pool. Fence entrances must be self-closing and also self-latching. The latch must be out of a toddler's reach. Maintain furniture that could be made use of for climbing up into the pool location away from fencings.

If your house develops one side of the barrier to the swimming pool, after that doors leading from the house to the swimming pool must be secured with alarm systems that generate a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened up.

A power safety cover-- a motor-powered obstacle that can be put over the water area-- can be utilized when the pool is not in use.

Keep rescue tools by the pool and make certain that a phone is poolside with emergency numbers published. Understanding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUSCITATION) can be a lifesaver.

Don't leave swimming pool toys as well as drifts in the pool or swimming pool area that may draw in young children to the water.

For above-ground swimming pools, actions, as well as ladders to the swimming pool, should be secured and locked, or eliminated when the pool is not being used.

If a youngster is missing, constantly look in the pool first. Secs count in stopping death or disability.

Swimming pool alarm systems can be made use of as an added precaution. Try to find alarm systems that meet the demands of the ASTM criterion. The commission advises that consumers make use of remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places far from the swimming pool location.

To stop body entrapment and also hair entrapment/ complication, have a certified swimming pool specialist check the drain suction fittings as well as covers on your pool as well as a spa to be sure that they are the correct size, effectively attached, as well as fulfil current safety and security requirements.

If your pool or health spa has a solitary drainpipe outlet, think about installing a safety and security vacuum launch system that breaks the vacuum to prevent possible entrapment problems.

Help your youngsters get a good night's rest

Like appropriate nutrition as well as exercise, rest is necessary to children feeling their finest. Nonetheless, lots of children might not be getting the rest they require. A recent study locates that 60 per cent of American youngsters are sleepy throughout the day, as well as 15 per cent go to sleep at school.
Beginning as early as age 8, many youngsters' circadian rhythms (their 24-hour cycle) change, as well as they normally start keeping up later in the evening as well as resting later on in the mornings. Although your youngsters' all-natural biological rhythms might not accompany institution and task schedules, there are things you can do to assist:
Seek signs of sleep deprivation, consisting of trouble waking in the morning, irritation late in the day, automatically falling asleep throughout quiet times, and resting for extra-long durations on the weekends. Realize that sleepiness can likewise look comparable to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Urge great sleep practices. Say no to soft drinks with a lot of high levels of caffeine in them. Dissuade workout, TV, or hefty analysis at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed. Apply regular bedtimes as well as sleep schedules, also on weekends and also institution vacations.
Ensure your child's space is amazing, dark, and also quiet which her mattress as well as foundation fit and also supportive.
Talk with your youngsters concerning their sleep/wake timetables and their degree of drowsiness. Analyze the time invested in extracurricular activities and also make changes if needed.
If your kid practices good sleep habits and also still has difficulty remaining awake throughout the day, consult your doctor. Excessive drowsiness can be a sign of narcolepsy, apnea, and other treatable sleep disorders.

Tips for Homemade Baby Food

Making your own baby food will ensure that what your child is eating is fresh, nutritious and free of additives. By making your own baby foods, you'll be saving money, up to 50%. And to top it off, it's easy; making baby food at home is a lot less time-consuming than you may have thought.
In order to make your own baby foods, you'll need something to cook in. A steamer basket is cheap and by cooking fruits and vegetables in it, you'll be sure of keeping the nutrients in the food, instead of in the cooking water.

To puree your foods, you can use a fork, a food mill or blender. A blender quickly purees almost anything into the finest consistency. When your baby first starts on solids, you'll be pureeing things to a very fine consistency and, as baby gets a little older, you will make foods a little coarser.

You may wish to buy a food mill which comes in large and small sizes. It is very handy and inexpensive. The food mill strains most cooked foods to a very smooth consistency, although meats can be a problem as they will have a coarser texture.

As babies are susceptible to digestive upsets, you'll want to take note of the following tips concerning the handling of foods:

- always work with clean hands.
- always use clean utensils.
- prepare foods immediately upon removing them from the refrigerator.
- freeze immediately after cooking any foods you want to store.

You can prepare large amounts of foods at once and freeze them. Take your prepared foods and plop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Freeze the plops right away and then take them off the sheet when they are frozen and put them into plastic bags.

Label and date. You can also freeze the food in plastic "pop-out" ice cube trays. Small Tupperware jars with lids serve the same purpose and stack easily. Frozen baby foods can be stored for up to two months.

When you take frozen foods out for baby, warm the food in a cup placed in a saucepan of boiling water with a lid on.

Cereals are typically the first foods given to a baby because they contain lots of iron. You can buy the commercial baby cereals, or prepare your own, by running oatmeal through your blender, for instance.

Fruits are generally given next. Except for raw, mashed banana, you will need to cook all other fruits till they are soft. Try making your own applesauce and pear sauce; don't add any sugar, as these fruits are sweet enough on their own. You can also peel peaches, plums and apricots and boil or steam them.

Use fresh vegetables whenever possible in order to provide the best nutrition and flavour for your baby. Frozen vegetables are better to use than canned. Steaming vegetables is the best method of preparation. Carrots and sweet potato are two popular choices to begin with.

Yoghurt, mashed cottage cheese, mashed pumpkin, baked potato, avocado and tofu (oriental soy bean curd) are all popular with babies. One good idea is to blend together cottage cheese, banana and fresh orange juice - delicious!

Meats should be added slowly. They can be boiled or broiled, then put in the blender with a little milk and perhaps banana or cream of rice to get the right consistency. Chicken is generally the first meat baby is introduced to and usually goes down fairly well.

There is no rush to start your baby on solid foods. Milk is his most important food. Your doctor's recommendations and your own intuition will help you to know when to begin introducing solids to your baby's diet.

Always remember to be patient with your baby and allow at least a few days between newly added foods to make sure the baby doesn't suffer any reactions.

Baby food recipes:

Great Veggies - For 10 months and Over

3 medium potatoes

8 ounces spinach

2 large cloves garlic

Peel and cube potatoes. Crush and peel garlic. Cook potatoes, spinach, and garlic with about 1/2 cup water for about 15 minutes over high heat, or until potatoes are soft.

Process all in a blender or food processor until very mushy. Freeze in ice cube trays overnight, then pop out cubes and store in another container in the freezer.

Yields 20 servings.

Chicken and Rice Dinner - 10 Months And Over

1/4 lb. ground chicken (you can use boneless breast cut in cubes if you are going to puree it)

1/2 cup peeled and chopped zucchini

1/2 cup sweet potato or yam, peeled and chopped

1/4 frozen, fresh, or canned corn

1/2 tsp. parsley

1 cup long-grain, enriched rice

3 cups water Instructions:

Boil chicken in water for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft. Mash or puree

Chicken Stew - For 10 Months And Older

1 medium potato, peeled and chopped

1 cup of Water

¼ lb. ground chicken (you can use boneless breast cut in cubes if you are going to puree it)

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

½ cup yellow squash or summer squash peeled and chopped

¼ cup prepared barley (see instructions on the package for preparation) Instructions:

Bring chicken and water to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add vegetables. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add prepared barley. Mash or puree, depending on desired consistency.

Tomato Pasta - For 10 Months Or Older

1 tbs margarine

1/4 cup cheddar or mild cheese, finely grated

1 large tomato, skinned, seeded & chopped

1 teaspoon baby rice

1 tablespoon cottage cheese

1/2 cup Small Pasta Shapes

Cook the pasta according to directions on the package.

Melt the margarine in a saucepan, add tomato and cook over low heat for 2 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat,

Add the cheeses and allow to melt into a sauce. Finally, stir in the baby rice.

Pour the sauce over cooked pasta and serve.

Spinach Pasta For 10 Months And Over

1/2 cup spinach, trimmed

1/4 cup mild cheese (Cheddar, Jack, Gouda), grated

1/4 cup uncooked small-shaped pasta

2 tablespoons milk/formula

Boil the spinach in a little water for about 5 minutes until tender, at the same time, cook the pasta according to direction on the package.

Once the spinach is cooked press out all the excess water.

Combine with cheese, pasta and milk and blend to make into a puree or chop for older babies.

Oatmeal Cookies - 11 Months Or Older

1 cup enriched all-purpose flour (you can use unbleached or cracked wheat flour for more nutrition)

½ teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon* (you should leave this out until your baby is 12 months old)

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup vegetable shortening

1 cup sugar (optional, you can substitute ½ cup juice and add an extra ½ cup of oatmeal)

1 large egg

2 or 3 bananas, mashed and very ripe (we recommend pureeing them to get ALL the lumps out)

2 ¼ cups infant oatmeal cereal (you can use regular rolled oats but you won't get the extra vitamins. When using rolled oats, use 1 ¾ cups oats and 1 ½ cups flour)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.

3. In a large bowl, cream the shortening and sugar (or juice with the oatmeal).

Beat in the gg and bananas. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix well.

4. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls 1 ½ inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.

5. Bake for 12 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on rack.

Peach Cobbler - 6 Months Or Older

3 canned peaches (6 halves) OR 3 ripe peaches

1 egg yolk (for babies 6 months to 10 months, omit egg yolk and thicken with infant cereal)

1 tsp sugar

1. Peel and dice the peaches into small pieces.

2. Mash or puree to desired consistency.

3. Beat in the egg yolk and sugar until smooth. For babies age 6 months-10 months, omit the egg and add infant cereal by 1 tablespoon, until you get the desired thickness.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min or until set. Cool before serving.

TOFU FINGER CUBES

Slice tofu into small cubes

Toss tofu in a Ziploc bag with crushed Cheerios, crushed graham crackers or crushed granola

Close bag and toss to thoroughly coat tofu cubes - You can serve this as finger food or a protein boost during meals

Toy Security Tips

WHEN GETTING TOYS

Picking toys with care. Remember the child's age, interests and skill level.

Look for top quality design and also construction in all playthings for every age.

Make sure that all directions or instructions are clear-- to you, as well as, when appropriate, to the youngster. Plastic wrappings on toys need to be thrown out at once prior to they become dangerous playthings.

Be a label viewer. Try to find and also heed age referrals, such as "Not advised for kids under three". Look for other safety tags including: "Flame retardant/Flame resistant" on fabric products and also "Washable/hygienic products" on packed toys and dolls.

WHEN PRESERVING TOYS

Check all playthings periodically for breakage as well as prospective risks. A damaged or dangerous toy ought to be thrown away or repaired promptly.

Edges on wooden playthings that might have come to be sharp or surfaces covered with splinters must be sanded smooth. When repainting toys and toy boxes, prevent utilizing leftover paint, unless purchased lately, because older paints might have a lot more lead than new paint, which is controlled by CPSC. Examine all outside playthings regularly for rust or weak parts that can become unsafe.

WHEN SAVING TOYS

Show children to put their playthings securely away on shelves or in a toy upper body after playing to avoid trips as well as falls.

Plaything boxes, as well, need to be checked for security. Make use of a plaything chest that has a lid that will certainly remain open in any placement to which it is elevated, and will not drop all of a sudden on a kid. For extra safety, make sure there are airflow openings for fresh air. Watch for sharp edges that might reduce and pivots that might pinch or press. See that playthings used outdoors are stored after play-- rain or dew can corrosion or damage a selection of playthings and also toy components developing hazards.

SHARP SIDES

New toys intended for kids under eight years of age should, by law, be without sharp glass and steel edges.

With usage, nevertheless, older playthings might break, revealing cutting sides.

SMALL COMPONENTS

Older toys can damage to disclose components tiny sufficient to be ingested or to come to be lodged in a kid's windpipe, ears or nose. The legislation bans little components in new playthings planned for kids under 3. This includes removable little eyes and also noses on stuffed toys as well as dolls, as well as small, removable squeakers on press playthings. LOUD NOISES Toy caps and some noisemaking weapons and also other playthings can create audios at sound levels that can damage hearing. The regulation needs the complying with a tag on boxes of caps creating sound above a certain degree: "CAUTION-- Do not discharge closer than one foot to the ear. Do not make use of inside." Caps generating noise that can hurt a child's hearing are banned.

CORDS AND ALSO STRINGS

Toys with long strings or cables might be dangerous for babies and small children in general. The cables might end up being twisted around an infant's neck, causing strangulation. Never ever hang dabble lengthy strings, cables, loopholes, or bows in baby cribs or playpens where kids can end up being entangled. Eliminate baby crib health clubs for the crib when the youngster can pull up on hands and knees; some youngsters have actually strangled when they dropped throughout crib health clubs extended across the crib.

SHARP POINTS

Toys which have been broken may have unsafe points or prongs. Stuffed playthings may have cords inside the toy which might cut or stab if revealed. A CPSC law prohibits sharp points in brand-new toys and also other short articles intended for usage by children under 8 years of age.

MOVING PARTS

Projectiles-- directed projectiles and also comparable flying toys-- can be turned into weapons and can hurt eyes particularly. Youngsters ought to never be permitted to have fun with grown-up lawn darts or various other leisure activity or sporting equipment that have sharp points.
Arrowheads or darts used by kids need to have soft cork tips, rubber suction mugs or other safety tips intended to prevent injury. Check to ensure the pointers are protected. Stay clear of those dart guns or various other toys which could be efficient in firing short articles not planned for use in the toy, such as pencils or nails.

ALL TOYS ARE NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN

Keep toys made for older kids out of the hands of kids. Adhere to tags that provide age recommendations-- some toys are suggested for older kids since they might be hazardous in the hands of a younger youngster. Teach older youngsters to assist keep their toys far from more youthful bros and also sisters.

Also, balloons, when uninflated or busted, can choke or suffocate if little ones try to swallow them. Extra youngsters have stifled on uninflated balloons as well as items of busted balloons than on any other type of toy.

ELECTRIC TOYS

Electric playthings that are poorly built, wired or mistreated can surprise or shed. Electric playthings must meet mandatory requirements for optimum surface area temperature levels, electrical building and also prominent caution labels. Electric dabble heating elements are advised just for youngsters over 8 years old. Kids must be instructed to make use of electric toys correctly, cautiously and also under grown-up guidance.

INFANT TOYS

Baby toys, such as rattles, press playthings, and teethers, need to be large sufficient so that they can not get in and also come to be lodged in an infant's throat.

Crib Safety Tips

Crib Style

Dispose of antique baby cribs with ornamental cutouts, corner posts or lead paint.

The area in between the slats needs to be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent babies from getting their head stuck between them. Baby cribs produced after 1974 must satisfy this and other rigorous security standards.

The corner posts ought to be the same height as completion panels or less than 1/16 of an inch higher than the end panels.

No cut-out locations on the headboard or footboard so a child's head can not get trapped.

The leading rails of crib sides, in their raised position, should be at least 26 inches above the top of the bed mattress support at its most affordable position.

As quickly as the kid can pull himself to a standing position, set and keep the bed mattress at its most affordable position. Stop utilizing the crib once the height of the top rails is less than three-fourths of the child's height.

Mattress

The bed mattress needs to fit snugly beside the crib so that there is no space. If two adult fingers can be placed in between the crib and the bed mattress, the bed mattress ought to be instantly changed.

Do not utilize plastic product packaging materials, such as dry cleaning bags, as bed mattress covers. The plastic movie can hold on to kids' faces and ought to never remain in or near the baby crib.

Put your baby to sleep on his or her back or side in a crib with a firm, flatbed mattress and no soft bed linen beneath. Talk with your paediatrician about which sleeping position is best for you kid.

Crib Hardware

The drop-side( s) of the baby crib need to require 2 unique actions or a minimum force of 10 pounds with one action to launch the lock or the locks to prevent unexpected release by the child.

The crib hardware should be looked for disengaged, broken, bent or loose pieces. Unique checks ought to be made of the mattress assistance wall mounts and brackets so they can not drop. The hardware and the baby crib should be complimentary and smooth of sharp edges, points and rough surface areas.

Baby crib Add-on

Bumper pads need to cover the entire within the perimeter of the crib and tie or snap in place. Bumper pads ought to have at least 6 ties or straps and any excess length of straps or ties need to be cut off. Bumper pads must never ever be used in lieu of appropriate spacing in between the slats and ought to be eliminated from the baby crib as quickly as the kid can pull himself to a standing position.

Teething rails that are harmed must be repaired, replaced or gotten rid of immediately.

To prevent possible entanglement, mobiles and crib fitness centres, which are meant to be hungover or across the crib, need to be removed when the kid is 5 months old or when he begins to rise onto knees and hands or can pull himself up.

Keep the baby crib clear of plastic sheets, pillows, and big packed animals or toys. These can be suffocation risks or can make it possible for youngsters to climb up out of the crib.

Any fabric or vinyl products that are loose or torn should be changed or repaired instantly.

Crib Environment

Do not put crib besides a window. Drapery and blind cables present an entanglement hazard and window screens are not intended to keep a child in, only insects out.

Install smoke detectors. Follow the maker's instructions for placement. Inspect a minimum of when a month to make certain battery and smoke detector remain in good working condition.

Lead is a health hazard, specifically to young kids. It can be found in dust and soil off hectic roadways, in old paint on walls, toys and furnishings and sometimes in paint on brand-new imported items. If you believe your child has actually taken in leaded paint or soil, or you need aid with recognizing or eliminating lead paint, call the National Security Council's National Lead Information Center at 800-424-5323.

The crib hardware needs to be checked for disengaged, broken, bent or loose pieces. The hardware and the baby crib need to be smooth and complimentary of sharp edges, points and rough surfaces.

Bumper pads must cover the whole inside boundary of the baby crib and tie or snap in place. Bumper pads ought to never ever be used in lieu of appropriate spacing between the slats and must be removed from the crib as quickly as the child can pull himself to a standing position.

If you think your child has actually taken in leaded paint or soil, or you need help with identifying or removing lead paint, call the National Security Council's National Lead Information Center at 800-424-5323.

Taking a trip With a Child - A Checklist

Travelling with an infant can in some cases imply that you are so taken in with making sure that you have whatever you need to look after the child on the journey that you forget things you need on your own. The best thing to do is to prepare a checklist of what you require and after that check off each product as you load it.
A sample list should consist of the following products:

Diapers/ indulges

Blankets

Sleepers

Baby wipes

Infant cream and soap

Bonus pacifiers

Bottle

Formula, food, juice and/or water

Resealable plastic bags

Bonus clothes - a minimum of one or two attires each day

Nightlight

Car seat

Portable crib

Collapsible stroller

Sun hat and sunscreen
Toys

Plastic for usage in changing the baby

Any necessary medications

Additional shirt for yourself

Burping pad

Washable bibs

Feeding spoons

Kettle, if the hotel room does not have kitchen area centres

The packing for a trip involving a child ought to start weeks in advance to make sure that no information is ignored. As you pack each product or post, check to make certain you have included extra in case of accidents.

Simply go through a sample day in your home and make a list of everything the baby requires when not travelling. Include extra to the list. Bring a cam and lots of movie or if you utilize a digital guarantee that the sd card can keep lots of photos.

5 parenting tips videos

As a parent myself I have found the following videos very helpful to new parents:

I hope you will enjoy them and use some or all of the tips available there.

A Parents' guide to medicine safety

As parents, we never want to see our children sick. It’s often painful for us to see our children in discomfort and it’s also difficult to comfort them when they don’t understand why they’re sick. Sickness leads to bad moods and cranky kids, which in turn leave parents frustrated and often the whole family gets stressed out when sickness invades the home.

Our first response is usually to find a medicine that will cure the illness. But along with curing whatever ails your child, there are certain dangers associated with medicines, both prescription and over the counter (OTC). This guide will help you decide if medicine is even a necessary treatment, safety tips to ensure your child gets the correct dosage, natural remedies, tips for when to seek medical attention, and questions you need to ask your pediatrician.

Download it for free here