Factors that Influence Child Rearing

Child rearing plays a significant role in the all-round development of children. Studies indicate that the development of the 'whole' child- - -physical, mental and emotional, is generally influenced by a wide range of factors. However, most of these influences revolve around parent's personalities, lifestyle, attitudes and values. A balanced combination of these could have a direct bearing on the child's adult years. 

 Experts in the field strongly suggest that all well-meaning parents focus on all of the multiple factors that influence child rearing. Factors like race, religion, culture, genetics, education, environment, economic status and patterns of socialization, can all influence the process of child rearing and have a deep-rooted lifetime impact on children's lives. 

To better understand the full impact of factors that influence child rearing, the writer encourages you to read on: 

  - Family has the most powerful influence on child rearing. The values ingrained, the habits formed and the quality of communication between family members can play a critical role in the early formative years of child development. Indeed, family upbringing could have a lifelong impact on an individual. A lot also depends on how the parents themselves were raised. Parents, who are the product of broken or abusive homes, may not be in a position to make a positive contribution to the entire child rearing process. In such a scenario, parents could have negative influence wherein children could suffer from neglect, abuse or plain indifference. 

  - Social factors do play a prominent role in influencing the child rearing process. Communities, religious and social groups, social norms of behavior and etiquette influence parenting styles and motivate parents to interact with children in different ways. The social status of parents can also influence their child rearing style. Parental aspirations for children may largely be dependent on the families they periodically socialize with. For example, children from families who own fancy cars and latest tech gadgets expect many more good things from life than their less affluent counterparts. 

  - Economic background does have a large influence on child-rearing. It has been found that the quality of child rearing could be negatively affected where parents have to struggle to make ends meet. Although most parents may be able to provide the basic needs to their children, providing quality health care, better schools and homes and other upscale amenities, are all possible by those parents who have a high spending power. It is these parents who tend to offer their children quality extracurricular activities like taking  expensive music lessons, art classes or special coaching classes in sports. 

 - Educational background of parents also influences the direction which child rearing takes. Highly educated parents tend to focus more on providing the best possible education to their children than parents who are uneducated. Educated parents understand the importance of education and spare no expense in enrolling their children into prestigious schools and colleges. They also take time to actively monitor and guide their children in the pursuit of their academic goals. 

 - Conclusion 

Although all the above enumerated factors influence the child rearing practices, psychologists strongly believe that every parent can yield the most profound influence on their children's lives. It is they, who have the unique privilege and responsibility of raising children to become successful adults. It is their vision, interest and time, their determination and their loving guidance that can make it possible for parents despite their circumstances, to raise responsible, productive and well-adjusted children. 

Courtesy: http://fabulously40.com/blog/id/factors-that-influence-child-rearing-24192

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Bringing up children

Raising a child is the hardest, most responsible and satisfying task a human being can face. It's also the job for which people receive the least formal training.
Each person's knowledge of how to bring up a child usually comes from their surroundings and their own upbringing. This may result in patterns from the parent's own social experiences being repeated and passed on to their children.

Parents are role models

Parents are the most influential role models children are likely to have. Parents who pay compliments and show respect, kindness, honesty, friendliness, hospitality and generosity to their children will encourage them to behave in the same way.
Parents should express their unconditional love for their children, as well as provide them with the continued support they need to become self-assured and happy.
It's also important that parents set reasonable expectations for their children and tell them in plain words what they expect from them.

Why is discipline necessary?

Discipline is crucial when bringing up a child. All children need and want reasonable boundaries. Through discipline your child learns that some kinds of behaviour are acceptable and others are not. Setting boundaries for children's behaviour helps them to learn how to behave in society.
Discipline is difficult to deal with because it demands consistency. Being a parent is a 24-hour job. The rules have to apply every day.
Inconsistency and lack of discipline create confused and rootless children – who will test their parents constantly to find out what the world is all about. This is why parents, who put in the effort every day to provide consistent boundaries to their children, will (eventually!) end up with better behaved kids.

Spending enough time with your children

A child's greatest need is quality time with their parents.
Finding time to spend together as a family can be difficult. In many households, parents have to go to work, which limits the time they have to spend with their children. In addition, children are involved in school and other activities.
Try to arrange a time each day, such as during breakfast or dinner, when the entire family can be together. Fixed routines are important for children.
It's also a good idea for everyone to get together and talk. Mealtimes provide a perfect opportunity to chat about the events of the day. Everybody should take part in the conversation: parents should pay attention and show interest in whatever their children say.
Make it a family rule that everyone eats together and stays at the table, at least until everyone has finished eating. This encourages them not to rush their food – but more importantly it gives an opportunity for conversation.
Children like to have special days reserved for special activities. For example, Thursday afternoon at the library with Dad, or Friday night swimming with Mum. Such rituals and routines build strong families.
Encourage your children to take part in planning activities. It's good for a family to do a variety of fun things together, such as playing games and going to the movies or concerts.

What will good communication teach children?

Offering explanations will help children work matters out for themselves. Take time to point out how things are connected, for example, in terms of cause and effect.
Parents, who think out loud with their children, will see them develop a similar train of thought. They will learn to talk and think in a more sophisticated way.
If parents express emotions and feelings, their children will learn it's okay to do the same.
When your children want to talk or ask questions, encourage them. If you're dismissive, or always say you're too busy, they may express frustration and stop wanting to share their thoughts and feelings.
If the family has a problem that concerns your child, involve them in the discussion. Try to find possible solutions together with him or her.
When discussing options, also talk about consequences. The possible outcome will influence your final decision. Be open to the child's suggestions. Let them take part in the negotiations and the decision.
A child who experiences this kind of communication will become confident and learn the rules of good communication.

Courtesy: Reviewed by Dr Stuart Crisp,consultant pediatrician

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When your child wants to eat everything in sight

Looking back, I should have known the first time my son’s jaw clamped tightly around my breast without guidance or prodding. “Oh my, he knows what to do with that!” the nurse exclaimed, as I looked on with a mix of wonderment and terror. This was indeed the beginning of Anthony’s gluttonous ways. 

Other hints came along the way, like the countdown to the loud sucking slurp of air as he gulped the last drop of milk telling me he was finished, and yet not so finished since I had to wrestle the bottle out of his mouth. “That’s it, you’re done!” I would yell, frustrated over not being able to produce enough milk to satiate his appetite. Months later, when I complained to the pediatrician that he was still waking up in the middle of the night for a feeding, she said he just had to unlearn the middle-of-the-night feeding pattern. I was to give him water instead of milk to trick him into thinking it wasn’t worth waking up for. Well, that first attempt of trickery ended with him guzzling the water bottle dry in his usual tempo, except he wouldn’t go back to sleep because he was still hungry. 

Maybe it had nothing to do with learned behaviour. Maybe genes were to blame for his voracious appetite. Shortly after giving birth, my father cradled his first grandchild and beamed proudly over the nine-pound bundle. As he rocked him back and forth, he repeated a phrase that would foretell their favourite pastime. “Waaaait, you just wait and see what we’re going to eat together when you grow up!” 

It got better, and worse, in that first year of his life. His appetite was more easily satiated when he began eating solid food, but then the problem shifted. Every time he saw someone eating, his eyes grew wide and he howled for a piece of the action. I resorted to hiding behind kitchen cupboards to eat and peeking over the edge to make sure he hadn’t moved within closer range. 

Then it got scary. Once during supper, he played happily with his spaghetti, squashing it in his fists and shoving it into his mouth. After the pasta, he gobbled some salad and let out a loud cough. Then his face turned splotchy blue and he stopped breathing. I sat frozen and shocked for a few harrowing seconds as I waited for my brain to catch up and tell me what to do. Before I could react, a piece of wilted lettuce projected out of his mouth onto the tray of his high chair. Without a whimper or a tear, his plump fist snatched the exhausted piece of lettuce and stuffed it back in his mouth before anyone could take it away. Even in the face of suffocation, the kid still wanted to eat! 

Eventually, somewhere during the terrible hungry twos, I knew for certain this food obsession wasn’t another growth spurt or a passing phase. I awoke in the middle of the night to hear him crying out. Dazed from sleep, I wasn’t sure I’d heard right. But there was no denying it when he repeated it a second time. As he tossed about in his sleep, he yelled out in a demanding voice: “I want a bagel with A LOT of cream cheese!” Yes, the poor child was consumed by food even in his dreams. 

As he got older, I worried that he would grow up to be overweight because of his appetite. At every annual check-up I shared my concern about his humongous appetite with his doctor. Although tall for his age, his weight began to creep over the height-weight balance he had managed to maintain in his growth chart. The pediatrican said his weight could become an issue if we weren’t careful. She advised me to limit treats to special occasions and up his physical activities. Treats weren’t the problem as I already limited their availability; it was the portion size of his meals that worried me. I tried to control it when he was home but I couldn’t police everything he put in his mouth. I decided to teach him some of the tricks I used to make healthy eating choices. I taught him to read the serving size on packaged snacks, so that he knew a cookie snack meant two or three cookies, not a stack as tall as the milk glass. Ultimately, he wanted to know where on the nutrition label it said how long before you could have another serving. 

I needed allies in this battle, so I enlisted my parents’ help when he went for a visit or a sleepover; they promised to enforce good eating habits. The problem was they were simply in awe when they put a plate of food in front of him; watching him eat was part of their pleasure, and eating was his. They were co-dependents in this battle with food. When I asked Anthony if his grandparents gave him snacks when they shouldn’t have, he said, “What snacks? You know they don’t buy the kind of snacks I like. When I ask them for a snack, it’s epic meal time!” 

I shared my concerns with other parents hoping to find answers or solace in those with the same worries. Did other parents feel like the food police? How did they know if they were doing enough to make sure their kids ate well? Was everyone worried like me? I noticed most parents were quick to lament how much their children preferred sugary snacks over a plate of veggies but the conversation usually strayed from there, especially when their child was obviously overweight. Instead, parents used cutesy phrases like ‘overactive taste buds’ or ‘future food critic’ and dismissed my worries with assumptions like, ‘don’t worry, it’s baby fat’ or ‘it will resolve itself as he grows.’ It was rare to find a parent of a ravenous eater who readily admitted my inner fear: Would my kid grow up to be overweight? 

One parent, whose son’s size and tastes matched my son’s, admitted her messages of balanced eating missed the mark time and again. Her son understood that fresh fruit was better than a bag of chips, but his version of balance was snacking on cherries while dipping every second one in Nutella. When I asked what her pediatrican thought, she confessed, “I stopped taking my kids to the pediatrican after he told me they were fat. He told me right in front of my daughter (who was 10 at the time) and she refused to go back!” This made me wonder about some doctors’ bedside manner but also if maybe some parents didn’t notice or admit their child was at an unhealthy weight. Add the sobering childhood obesity statistics to the mix, and how’s a parent of a ravenous eater supposed to cope? 

Children obviously come in different shapes and sizes and grow at different rates, but generally changes in height and weight follow a regular pattern as they grow. I realized helping Anthony tame his appetite was going to take time and lots of patience, especially since research shows that the longer a child remains overweight, the chances are that he or she will carry this weight into adulthood. 

Back at our house, the hours after supper were a combination of winding down and winding up. A bedtime snack was always followed by reading together, or him playing while I wrote in my journal. Once, I asked if he wanted me to write something in my journal for him. He rolled his eyes upward as he reflected. “Yeah sure, write that I’m hungry.” Although I laughed aloud, he was serious. 

His passion for food wasn’t limited to what he put in his mouth, it spilled over into his descriptions, so a simple query of “What do you want for breakfast?” was met with “Two eggs sunny side up, yolks that dunk like quicksand and a glass of orange burst juice… please?” I can’t recall how many times I’ve been declared the world’s best mom at the kitchen table. 

Food and weight gain were a recurring struggle up until he went to high school. His passion for all things edible didn’t change, but by 14 he had shot up to a robust height just shy of six feet. I still fathom at his size since he’s the product of average-sized parents. In some ways, it’s a consolation for all the worry and fighting that centered around eating, but more importantly, I know that my watchfulness has paid off. Now, he’s more aware and concerned of the fuel he puts in his body and the eating choices he makes. 

When I mention maybe turning his passion into a profession by becoming a gourmet chef, he replies, “I’d rather be a food taster, that way, I’d get paid to eat.” 



Courtesy: Voula Plagakis

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How to cope when your child has a seizure from fever

In January 2012, I was flying home from Dubai with my husband and our two daughters. We had just settled into our 14-hour flight to Toronto. Our two-and-a-half-year-old was content watching a movie and our 14-month-old, Amelia, was asleep on my chest. It was smooth sailing, until Amelia vomited. That’s when I realized that her eyes were glassy, she was burning up, shaking and unresponsive. As my husband called for a flight attendant, the situation quickly escalated; Amelia was now violently convulsing and foaming at the mouth. The plane was over water, there was no way out. We thought we were going to lose our baby. It was the longest fi ve minutes of my life and Amelia’s only febrile seizure to date. 

Children who have a febrile seizure are generally healthy kids, Amelia just happened to react to this particular fever in a drastic manner. 

Febrile seizures are episodes of uncontrollable jerking movements that are provoked by a fever, typically occurring without warning as the fever begins to spike. Children who have a history of febrile seizures can seize at any fever over 38°C. Approximately one in every 25 children between six months and five years will have one febrile seizure. About 30 percent of these children will have subsequent ones. 

“Febrile seizures are most common in the second year of life, peaking at 18 months of age,” says Dr. Elizabeth Donner, pediatric neurologist at SickKids Hospital in Toronto and associate professor at the University of Toronto. Although there is no known cause for febrile seizures, there appears to be a strong genetic component. While terrifying, they are often short and harmless, and kids usually bounce back quickly from a single, typical febrile seizure. Most febrile seizures last less than fi ve minutes, says Dr. Donner. However, if the seizure lasts longer than fi ve minutes, call an ambulance right away. 

Your child will be drowsy and confused after the seizure so let him or her sleep. Treat the fever, keep the child well hydrated and avoid heavy blankets. Take the child to a doctor as soon as possible; the doctor will want to determine the cause of the fever and will want you to describe the seizure. How long did it last? How did the child look and move? The doctor will also likely ask you about the child’s development. All of this information will help the doctor to determine the type of febrile seizure and help rule out any other brain dysfunction. 

Once the fever breaks, give yourself and your child a day on the couch; you both deserve it. And try to find solace in knowing that not every fever will result in a febrile seizure and that your child will outgrow it.

When febrile seizures strike

• Remain calm. 
• Check the time so you have a rough idea of how long the seizure lasts. 
• Keep the child safe by clearing the area and rolling the child gently on the side, or at least turning their head to the side so that fluid can drain from the mouth. 
• Place something soft under the child’s head. 
• Loosen tight clothing (especially around the neck) and remove glasses. 
• Never restrain the child or place anything in the mouth (they will not swallow their tongue). 
• Never submerge the child in water or give the child medication, unless instructed to do so by a doctor. You have to wait it out. It will stop.

Risks factors for subsequent febrile seizures: 

1. Family history of febrile seizure 
2. Have a first febrile seizure before the age of 18 months 
3. Having a seizure very soon after the onset of fever (within one hour) 
4. Moderate fever at the time of the seizure (between 39°C to 40°C)

Courtesy:  Pamela Mazzuca

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Good Night Sleep Site can help toddlers having trouble sleeping

I read somewhere that a person will die from lack of sleep, before they die from lack of food. Interesting bit of trivia or accurate fact? As any new parent can attest to, when you’re exhausted taking care of a newborn, you’ll choose sleep over a meal any day.

Once my husband and I settled into somewhat of a “routine” after bringing our newborn daughter home from the hospital, friends and family started asking the famous question: “How is she sleeping?”

We were very, very fortune (knock on wood) to have a “good sleeper.” Perhaps it was due to her above average birth weight (nine pounds and one ounce), inherited genes from her mother who loves to sleep or maybe the sleep gods took pity upon our new family and gave us a break. Whatever the reason, I can honestly say we have been fairly fortunate, so far, in being blessed with a little one who sleeps well. And my hope is that by writing these words I have not jinxed our good fortune.

For parents who have become walking zombies and are pretty much at their wits end with how to help their baby sleep better, I can tell you there is help for you!

Good Night Sleep Site can provide you with emotional and educational support to help your baby or toddler with their sleep needs. Their philosophy is that there isn’t one method to sleep training and we don't choose one over another. 

Their certified sleep consultants work with you and your family to set up a sleep plan that you are comfortable with to help your baby or toddler become a great sleeper. 

Whether you are a first time parent, a been-there-done-that parent or a parent of multiples, they can help. 

Sleep is so important for our health, mood and general well-being that seeking outside help when your baby or toddler is struggling to sleep well is a necessity. 



Courtesy: Carrie Kelley

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Some germs can be good for your baby

When my kids were babies, I remember being obsessive about ensuring everyone – including their dad – had properly washed or sanitized their hands before handling my precious little bundles. Some of my friends were even more protective. 

But as my boys grew older, and began eating things like dirt and boogers – and attending daycare where there was rarely a child without a runny nose – I began to wonder if I needed to be so stringent. According to Dr. Dina Kulik, a pediatrician and emergency medicine doctor who works at Kindercare Paediatrics and SickKids hospital in Toronto, babies can benefit from germs. 

“Regular germs are actually good for babies,” she says. “Children who are kept in too sterile an environment actually have higher risks of asthma and allergies than kids exposed to a ‘non sterile’ environment. Exposure to bacteria and viruses allow our immune system to grow, so we can better protect ourselves from harmful organisms.” 

She also points out that excessive hand washing and sanitizing depletes the natural healthy and good bacteria from your skin. “These good bacteria help keep the bad bacterial levels at low levels. If you kill off too much good bacteria, bad bacteria have a chance to overpopulate,” says Dr. Kulik. 

But hand washing isn’t the only way that babies are exposed to good germs. According to a recent pediatric study, bacteria can also be transferred to infants via pacifiers. The study found that children whose parents “cleaned” their pacifier by sucking it were less likely to have asthma, eczema and sensitization at 18 months of age than children whose parents did not lick their child’s pacifier clean. In this case, the study concluded that parental sucking of their infant’s pacifier may reduce these effects, possibly by transferring microbes to their infant by saliva, enabling them to build immunity. 

Some caution, however, is warranted. Premature babies and young newborns have very immature immune systems. They haven’t yet been exposed to many bacteria or viruses and are more at risk of bad infections. “For these populations, I would be more cautious about exposure to pets and sick contacts. However, over time it’s important to gradually expose infants to people and pets. This will help build their immune system,” she says. 

As they get older, children will naturally be exposed to more germs. “Young children have an average of 13 viral illnesses per year, so a persistent runny nose is normal in a young child,” says Dr. Kulik. “As a result, young children are surrounded by viral infections from their peers all the time. This is very hard to avoid.” 

Over time, as their immune system recognizes these viruses, it can fight against them more easily. “That’s why adults often get fewer infections per year than a two-year-old.”

Dr. Kulik suggests keeping the following tips in mind:

• Don’t purposely expose kids to viral infections, but don’t overprotect them from viral exposures, either.
• Vaccines prevent against many serious infections. This is the best defense against significant illnesses that can cause death.
• As always, if your child is unwell, he/she should be seen by their healthcare provider.
• Ask your physician for more tips for building a strong immune system.

Courtesy:  Erin Dym

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Next steps: Baby’s transition to toddlerhood

The phrase, “Don’t blink or you’ll miss it” is the perfect way to describe your baby’s transition to toddlerhood.

One moment, your little one is an infant who naps endlessly, and the next, you’re chasing your toddler through the house. With this rapid developmental growth (physical and behavioural), try to be prepared by staying one step ahead. Don’t wait until your child has outgrown their baby gear. Keep your home stocked with items for your child’s next stage.

One of the most important items to purchase early is a car seat. Infant carseats only last so long and it is unsafe to have your baby in a too-small seat. Do some research. Some carseats can hold a child up to 65 pounds, whereas others only go to 40 pounds (or less). It is also recommended to keep your little one in a rear-facing seat for as long as safely possible.

Here’s a list of must-haves for your growing child:

Diapers
Outgrowing diapers can cause messes you definitely want to avoid. Have a box of next-size diapers available. You might be sorry if you don’t.

Clothes
One day, your baby is swimming in a sleeper and the next, you’re having trouble doing up the buttons. Invest in some larger sleepers, onesies and t-shirts and keep them on hand, just in case.

Developmental toys
At first, an infant can be entertained by just about any random household item. But as they grow, babies need more mental stimulation. It’s always fun to pull out a new and exciting toy to play with.

Feeding accessories
Bottles and nipples are suited for specific stages. Keep your cupboards full of next-stage items. You might want to grab some sippy cups and toddler-friendly plates, bowls and utensils while you’re at it. And don’t forget the highchair.

Courtesy: http://www.parentscanada.com/toddler/next-steps-baby-s-transition-to-toddlerhood

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Your baby's first 12 months

First 8 Weeks

Physical Development

That little, wrinkly being will transform quickly over the first four weeks. Your baby will go from a tiny newborn creature to a mini human. You’ll be amazed at the changes each day.

Your child is born with reflexes and this may be the most action you see for a few weeks. These reflexes include:

Sucking reflex: A natural instinct to suck is a built-in feature of your baby. Preemies may need help developing this reflex, but in general, your baby will probably have no trouble sucking on anything that is placed in his mouth.

Rooting reflex: A baby’s natural hunt for food will be evident right away. If Mom places her nipple, a bottle nipple or a finger on Baby’s cheek or corner of the mouth, the baby will turn his head toward the object, looking for food.

Moro/startle reflex: If your child hears a loud noise or sees a quick movement, he may throw his head back and extend his arms and legs quickly, then draw them back in. A baby's own cry can actually trigger this reaction.

Grasping reflex: For the first couple months, your baby's hand will curl into a grasp when his palm is touched. That first grasp of Mom or Dad’s finger is a tear-jerker. Have the camera ready.

Behavioural Development

Babies form very strong emotional bonds from the get-go and nurturing this bonding during the first few weeks is key.

When you respond quickly to comfort your crying child, he learns to depend on you. Your comforting makes him feel more ready to explore his surroundings. If you ignore your baby’s cries, get angry with him or if you want your baby or child to comfort you, he will learn not to depend on you. Don’t worry about “spoiling” your baby. Babies aren’t spoiled if someone responds to their cries. Comforting babies is the best way to love them.

Try these other bonding tips:

• Speak or sing quietly to your baby.
• Look right into your baby’s eyes and trade facial expressions.
• Hold your baby close.
• Set aside time for skin-to-skin contact

Health

Parenting a newborn, especially for first-time parents, can be scary. Here are a couple health issues you might encounter in the first two months.

• Diaper rash: Don’t stress because this is very common. Due to warmth and moisture, your baby’s delicate skin may become irritated. To help, change diapers frequently, use a thick layer of barrier paste/diaper cream and give your child some diaper-free time to dry out. If the rash persists, see your doc.
• Heat rash: Tiny red dots are the calling card of heat rash. Typically, it will be found on the upper back, shoulders and chest. It usually goes away on its own, but to prevent it, avoid over-bundling your baby, dress your baby in breathable cotton clothing and reduce your baby’s exposure to heat and humidity.

Two to Three Months

Physical Development

Your little one is probably developing some strong neck muscles by now. This means he will be holding his head up when you hold him, and even lifting it when lying on his belly.

Your baby’s hand movements will become less jerky and more deliberate. He will reach for desired objects.

Behavioural Development

Everything is about the senses, particularly touch. Have different toys with various textures on hand (crinkle books, rattles, mobiles, teethers).

Those adorable coos and sighs will give way to louder grunts and vocal expressions. He may even hum! This is your baby’s only form of communication right now, so don’t forget to talk back. Swap stories, read books and sing songs to encourage language development.

Around this time you most likely get what you’ve been waiting for: a smile! A real, genuine, smile (not just “gas”)! You should be able to generate smiles with funny faces and voices. If you’re lucky, you might also get a laugh.

Health

Soon, you may have to deal with your baby’s first cold – and there are more to come. Babies can have up to 10 colds in their first year of life! Infants that have older siblings or spend time in daycare might seem as though they are always battling a cold. Common colds should pass in a few days. If you find your child develops labored breathing, has a persistant fever (for 48 hours or more) or is unable to keep fluids down, you should contact your doctor.

Four to Five Months

Physical Development

At this age, your little one should be able to bear weight on the legs (while you are holding his hands, obviously) and roll over easily. Your baby may also be able to sit up, unassisted, for a moment or two. Be sure to stick close by though, to offer a helping hand.

Your child will also master grasping toys and objects and should be able to control his hands well enough to bring objects to his mouth.

Behavioural Development

Get ready for an emotional roller coaster! Your baby will be able to now greet you (and other people he loves) with a smile and even raise his arms to be picked up. But be prepared; these highs are matched by lows. Some babies will cry if a parent leaves the room or if they are put down after being held. Babies may also “play strange” around new people.

Health

Some babies might begin teething now.  For some it is earlier, and others much later, but in general, teeth will start making their way through. Signs of this include

• Loss of appetite
• Drooling
• Fussiness
• Biting
• Restlessness
• Swollen gums
• Night waking
• Ear pulling
• Cheek rubbing

To help your teething baby, try these tricks:

• Wipe the baby’s face often as drooling could cause a rash.
• Cool a teething ring (don’t freeze it; it’ll be too hard). Ensure that it’s not filled with liquid, that it can’t break and is large enough not to choke on.
• Offer a clean, cold wash cloth for baby to bite down on. (Use a clean one for each new use.)
• Offer frozen cubes of breast milk (it freezes to a slushy, not solid consistency)

It should be noted that contrary to what many people believe, teething does not cause fever. If your child does have a prolonged fever, call your doctor.

Six to Eight Months

Physical Development

Babble, babble, babble! First words are right around the corner, but right now, your child is probably making one-syllable sounds like, “Ma! Da! Ba!” Playing repetition games is a great way to encourage talking.

Behavioural Development

Here comes a big milestone: solid foods! You can tell that your baby is ready for solid foods when he holds up his head, begins chewing motions and uses his tongue to move food into his mouth, instead of pushing it out. Reference Canada’s Food Guide to find which foods are best to start with. Introduce new foods three days apart. This will help identify allergies.

Health

By now, your child should have had a few vaccinations. Make sure that these are kept up-to-date!

Nine to Ten Months

Physical Development

Look out! Baby on the move! Chances are you will soon have a full-blown crawler on your hands. Help make this easier for your baby. You can dress your child so that he is more comfortable for exploring when he crawls. Crawling with bare knees can be rough on your baby’s skin, for example. And some garments can bunch up around the feet or catch under your baby’s knees (such as dresses). Cotton pants or overalls work better. This also means that you must baby-proof your whole home.

Behavioural Development

Unfortunately, at this age and stage, tantrums might be kicking in. Babies become frustrated with their limitations and hate being told “no”. Each child is different, and therefore each parent must make their own decisions with response to tantrums. Be patient and understand that this is all part of your child’s development. Good luck!

Eleven to Twelve Months

Physical Development

Introducing new activities will assist in your child’s brain development. Interacting with others, experiencing music and colours, engaging in social situations and playing with educational toys can add to the moments that can help create the person your child will become.

Babies are very sensitive to their physical surroundings and people around them. These interactions will affect how their brain pathways are formed.

Behavioural Development

You could be hearing first words now. First words fall into five categories: Names of people or things (such as “Mommy” or “juice”), action words (“go” or “eat”), places or directions (“up” or “down”), describing words (“hot”) and social words (“bye”). These words are important building blocks for later word combinations and for simple sentences that start at around two years. At this point, a child understands much more language than he can speak.

Health

With more teeth coming through, it is important to maintain your child’s dental health. When at least four teeth in a row have broken through your baby’s gums in the lower or upper jaw, you can start using a toothbrush for his oral hygiene. Use a toothbrush with a thicker handle; they are easier for small hands to hold. Your child will feel less frustration as he grows and wants to learn to brush his own teeth.

Courtesy:  ParentsCanada staff

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How to read your baby's sleep signals

If you are the sleep-deprived parent of a newborn, you are not alone. While some newborns don’t seem to do much but eat, sleep and stay awake for short periods, others are fussy, more wakeful and have better things to do than sleep! Follow your baby’s lead and respond to all of his “signals”.

Practice Safe Sleeping

Health Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society suggest these safe-sleep guidelines:

• Always place your baby on his back to sleep until 12 months of age. The “Back to Sleep” position is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
• Do not let anyone smoke near your baby or where your baby sleeps. Exposure to smoke is one of the greatest risk factors for SIDS.
• Avoid overheating your child. Keep the room temperature on the cool side of comfortable. 
• Babies should sleep on a firm, flat surface in a crib or bassinet for all sleep periods (car seats and infant swings should not replace the crib for sleep).
• Ensure the crib meets current Health Canada regulations.
• Keep the crib away from curtains, blind cords, lamps, electrical plugs and extension cords, and out of reach of small objects.

What to Expect

The total hours your baby sleeps will vary and can be unpredictable. Expect your baby to sleep for 10 to 19 hours in a 24-hour period (average is 13 to 15 hours). Remember that premature babies may sleep more.

Sleep Patterns

• Newborns have many sleep periods throughout the day and night.
• Sleep/wake periods are linked to hunger and feelings of fullness.
• Most newborns are ready to sleep after one to two hours of being awake.
• Breastfed babies generally sleep for one to three hours at a time.
• Nighttime sleep starts to lengthen between six and 12 weeks.

Day/Night Reversal

Some newborns sleep more during the day than during the night. Here’s how to help:

• Keep lights dim and noise to a minimum during nighttime feeds and diaper changes.
• Increase your baby’s wakeful time during the day and wake him for feeds.
• During the day, expose your baby to light (especially early morning natural light) and normal levels of noise, and increase play time.

Soothe Your Baby

Some newborns are soothed by swaddling, others by white noise or rocking. At this stage, many need help falling and returning to sleep. If your newborn needs your help, don’t worry about bad habits at this age. Feel free to rock, hold or feed Baby to sleep.

Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits

Keep Baby Well Rested

Try putting your newborn to sleep after one to two hours of being awake. It is important to avoid the overtired state, as babies often have a more difficult time falling asleep when they are overtired. Look for your baby’s signs that she is ready to sleep. These signs may include crying, rubbing her eyes, yawning, pulling on her ears or getting fussy.

Encourage Napping

Don’t deprive your baby of daytime sleep in hopes of getting her to sleep longer at night. This can actually lead to more difficulties with falling asleep and waking more frequently. Naps are also beneficial to your developing baby’s health, and, in fact, sleep experts believe that in young children, sleep begets sleep. That is, the better rested they are, the more easily sleep comes!

Develop a Consistent and Soothing Sleep Routine

In the first few weeks, you can start developing a bedtime routine and a briefer nap routine. Over time the routine will help cue to your baby that sleepy time is approaching. A bedtime routine should be predictable (the same every night) and calming. A routine may include having a bath, a massage, putting on pajamas, feeding and singing a song. A nap routine may consist of a feed, diaper change and song.

Put Your Baby Down to Sleep Drowsy, But Awake

When it comes to sleep, it is never too soon to start thinking about developing good sleep habits. When you notice that your baby is drowsy, place her in the crib and see if she can fall asleep on her own. At this young age, some babies seem to get the skill (and start sleeping for longer periods of time), while others don’t. Don’t worry if your baby has difficultly falling asleep on her own; keep trying. This skill will develop as she grows and as you give her more opportunities to practice.

You Need Sleep, Too!

Whether this is your first baby or not, parents are often in need of support and rest during the first few months of bringing home a new baby.

• If you need a break, enlist the help of willing family and friends.
• When you have extra time, catch up on much needed sleep.
• Try to do something relaxing every day such as taking a walk, having a bath, or calling a friend.

Courtesy: Dr. Nicky Cohen

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Proper eating habits start early

Every parent wants their child to develop good eating habits. The kind that involve using a spoon or fork, saying please and thank you, and eating while sitting down. “Teaching starts from the very beginning,” says parenting coach Rosemary Greisman. “You want to establish early on the kind of eating habits you want your child to continue throughout their lives.” Rosemary recommends what you can start teaching and when, starting with the first day your baby eats solids.

Four to six months

• Now is the time to start introducing your baby to solids. It’s important to expose them to lots of different foods when they are little so they have an expansive palate.
• Let them experience different tastes. Even if they don’t like it, don’t give up. Try again the next week. 
• Balance vegetables, protein and starches by making your own or buying. 
• Put them in a high chair or secured booster seat. 
• Give your baby a spoon. They can’t use it yet but expose them to utensils early.

Six months to one year

• Sit them at the table in a high chair when eating.
• Share your food with your baby and introduce them to it in bite-sized pieces. 
• Turn off distractions like the TV and have conversations around the table. 
• Introduce a sippy cup.

One to three years

• Teach your toddler to sit in a chair at the table; bring them back if they leave.
• Keep introducing them to new tastes and textures. 
• Offer them a snack between each meal, such as fruit. Skipping sugar is the key. You can set up a low shelf of foods so they can help themselves. This will help to develop their independence and confidence but in a controlled way. 
• Introduce a regular cup. It may be messy, but it’s important that they have the opportunity to practise. 
• Use kid-friendly cutlery and plates to make eating fun. This is important when kids are little. 
• Teach them that throwing and spitting food is not acceptable. 
• Ensure that they eat even a small breakfast even if they say they aren’t hungry. Protein is especially important in the morning. 
• Offer milk, water or diluted juice to drink. 
• Don’t have foods or drinks in the house that you don’t want them to have, such as pop. Try to avoid packaged food but when you do buy packaged, read the labels to ensure there are no harmful sweeteners, oils or other hidden ingredients.

Courtesy:  Erin Dym

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Communication and social development

Your baby's verbal skills continue to progress, however, as children concentrate on other milestones (such as walking), their language development may slow down slightly. His vocabulary is highly variable at this stage: he may utter his first words at 12 months and be able to say four words or more by 15 months. He may understand the meaning of many words. At approximately 18 months, there is a spurt in spoken language that often includes self-related words such as "me" and "mine" and "no!" when he's upset. Sentences may increase to two, words, such as "You go" and vocabulary may extend to 20 words.

Help him along with concise, easy-to-follow language accompanied by gestures. For example, use short sentences and simple language ("big bus", "nice cat"). Use gestures, as in shaking your head when you say “no”. Present one idea at a time, such as “Shoes on” while pointing at his feet. If you ask too much at once (i.e. “Put on your shoes, coat and hat”), he may not follow. Hold objects in front of your toddler and name them, then wait for your toddler to respond with a word, gesture or sound.

Encourage your child’s linguistic progression by taking his words and turning them into proper sentences. For example, a request for “milk!” turns into “You want more milk in your cup.” It will help him to expand his vocabulary and learn sentence structure. Play games that include simple directions, such as “Throw the ball to me.”

Between 12 – 15 months, your child will likely enjoy imitating your actions, such as talking on the phone or stirring a pot. Support your child’s burgeoning imagination with lots of pretend play: role playing, puppets, dolls, blocks, animal figures, and objects that he sees in “real life” such as play kitchen utensils, a toy telephone or a small dust broom.

Activities to Stimulate Toddler Development

Opportunities to support your toddler’s positive development are all around you. Take advantage of everyday tasks and events to help him learn and develop, all the while providing him with the best nutrition to nourish his milestone achievements.

Communication Development

Strong communication skills can be extremely advantageous as your child matures. Foster his language development right from the very beginning with these simple and enjoyable activities:

• Talk him through an activity
• Explain what you're doing as you do it. Speak clearly.
• Let him see your face as you speak.
• This way he can watch how your mouth makes sounds.
• Speak at his level.
• Don't use baby talk, or difficult words.
• Stress the syllables.
• Listen to him.
• Build his confidence by showing him that what he says is important.
• Encourage communication.
• Say the words for objects you see every day.
• Encourage him to say them back.
• Don't point out mistakes.
• Instead, repeat the whole sentence saying the word correctly.
• Read together every day.
• Early exposure to reading promotes strong reading skills in school-age children.
• Read predictable books.
• Soon he'll be "reading" it by herself.
• Some good examples are: I Went Walking, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Little Red Hen, and Goodnight Moon.
• Use the mirror.
• Let him make faces and name his body parts.
• Explore his world.
• Walk around your neighbourhood.
• Talk about what you see.
• Play with writing.
• If he's interested in pencils and paper, let him try.
• Play object Hide-and-Seek.
• Hide a favourite toy and ask him to find it.
• Play naming games.
• Point to familiar things and ask him to name them.
• Act out action words, like crawl, jump, or sleep.
• Sing.
• Introduce nursery rhymes, finger plays and counting rhymes. Listen to recordings.
• Play imitating games, like "This is The Way We Wash Our Face" or "I'm A Little Teapot."

Why is Nutrition Important?

Healthy eating is important as it provides the energy and nutrients needed for growth and development. Your toddler will benefit from a variety of wholesome foods each day as he advances his cognitive, linguistic and social abilities.

Courtesy: Enfamil Canada

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Nutrition: Omega3s are the fat that's good for your family

Parents know that high-fat diets are not recommended for children, but there’s one fat that has been steadily making its way onto must-have nutrient lists, especially for growing bodies: omega-3 fats.

There are two types of omega-3 fatty acids that you may recognize by their acronyms: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic). Research is showing that these omega-3s may offer a growing list of benefits that start during pregnancy.

These fats are essential for healthy neurological development of the fetus. Scientists have linked mom’s intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding of the omega-3 fats found in seafood, particularly DHA, to differences in various attention and intelligence tests during infancy and childhood. Higher DHA levels in moms have been linked to a child’s quicker processing of information in the brain, prolonged attention and higher intelligence scores.

Other research has backed up a connection between low intake of omega-3s and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as behavioural problems. A recent Oxford University study of British children ages seven to nine, found that those who had the lowest levels of DHA in their blood had the most difficulty in their ability to concentrate and learn.

Foods rich in Omega-3s

Eating fish is by far, the easiest way to get omega-3s into your family’s diet. Cold water fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel and tuna are particularly rich sources of DHA and EPA.

All the revelations about the importance of omega-3 fats on brain development has led to an increase in omega-3s being added to foods, such as some yogurts, or added to the feed given to animals. Omega-3 eggs are a great example. Some of these eggs contain more DHA than ALA, while others supply more ALA, so be sure to read the labels.

A third type of omega-3 fats – ALA or alpha-linolenic acid – is also found in plant sources such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, canola, hemp oil and leafy greens. While your body can convert ALA to the more potent DHA, it’s a very inefficient process. In other words, you would need to consume a lot of ALA to reap the rewards. Keep in mind, though, that studies show that a diet rich in plant omega-3s offers other benefits, such as anti-inflammatory action, plus a reduced risk of autoimmune disease and heart disease.

Adding fish to your diet is the easiest way to boost omega-3s, but there are barriers to getting kids to eat the recommended two servings of fish a week. For one, many kids turn their noses up at fish. Second, just do a quick Internet search on children and fish and you’ll probably see one warning after another about the contaminants found in fish.

Let’s clear up the murky waters about children and seafood. A major concern, particularly for pregnant and breastfeeding women and small children, is the mercury levels found in fish, in particular, large predatory fish. Fresh or frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and escolar along with canned white albacore tuna are among the offenders.

There is good news, though, for tuna lovers. White albacore tuna from British Columbia, both frozen and canned, is essentially mercury free and is a super way to meet omega-3 quotas. You can check online for where to purchase it. Salmon, whether farmed or wild, offers plenty of omega-3 fats without any mercury worries.

How to reel in your kids

1. Find a reputable source of good quality fish, whether fresh or frozen. There’s nothing like a strong fishy odour to turn off even those who are fish lovers.
2. As with other foods, repeated exposure helps to gain acceptance. If possible, get your children involved in the food prep and planning.
3. Canned fish, such as salmon or tuna, are terrific and convenient alternatives. For picky eaters, try making patties – fish mixed together with tasty fillers such as whole grain breadcrumbs or vegetables like sweet potatoes. While some people may not agree with hiding healthy food, tossing flaked into a favourite tomato sauce over pasta is an easy way to sneak these important nutrients into your child’s menu.

Courtesy: By Rosie Schwartz

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The 7 gross things your kid is bound to do

Sure there’s nose picking, but aside from that your little one will find more ways to gross you out before they reach their fifth birthday. Here are a few you can expect to come your way:

1. They’ll eat dirt.
2. Your child is a mini-Houdini. Crayons will somehow manage to fit in every orifice possible.
3. Take boogers to the next level. Besides eating them, you will find these green bits of grossness on your sofa, carpet, in the car, in your child’s hair, and other unsightly nooks and crannies.
4. Anything and everything will become a napkin.
5. Mix juice/milk/water with their entire plate of food creating a soupy mess you wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot-pole. They will find this delightful and chow down.
6. If it’s on the floor and resembles food it will, undoubtedly, become food. Luckily, their iron stomachs should be able to digest that three-week-old cheerio.
7. The words “put your clothes back on” will become part of your daily vocabulary as your little exhibitionist strips down anywhere and everywhere.

Courtesy: By ParentsCanada staff 

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