Tips For Preventing SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

In order to prevent SIDS, infants should be placed on their back during sleep time. This is the safest position for newborns and preterm babies. Babies should be placed to sleep on a firm mattress. They should be laid to sleep on any soft surfaces such as couches, pillow, blankets and quilts and this highers the risk of smothering in their sleep. Babies should not share a sleeping area with anyone. It is good to have the baby sleep in the same room as you so that you can keep a closer eye on baby, however, once you feed baby, he or she must be placed back into their own sleeping area, be it a cot, bassinet or safety approved crib. It is also recommended that you keep all soft objects out of babies cot. These apply to soft toys such as stuffed animals, pillows, blankets, quilts so on. Crib bumpers have also been known to cause serious injury to babies and in some cases, even death.

Other Ways of Reducing the Chances or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

It is suggested that women exercise precaution during pregnancy in order to avoid sudden infant death syndrome. This includes avoiding alcohol, drugs and even cigarettes during pregnancy. Instead of giving your baby a pacifier attached to a string, use a dry pacifier that is not attached to any string to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Don’t keep baby too warm during sleep time. Your baby should be dressed in only 1 extra layer of clothing than you are during sleep time. Try and avoid using socks and hats on baby during nap time, so that if baby is hot, the heat can escape through these areas. Give your baby plenty of tummy time when he or she is awake. This helps to strengthen baby’s head, neck and shoulders and helps to keep the flat spots at the back of baby’s head at bay. Avoid products and items that claim to reduce sudden infant death syndrome as many of these products have not been tested for their effectiveness, or their safety.

The Key To Understanding Children’s Fears

Being afraid of the dark, the bogey man and the monster in the closet are all part of growing up. We have all experienced being scared of something at some point and time in our lives and this helps us to be empathetic towards our own kids who are going through their own fears. Parents play a vital role in helping their kids conquer their fears by understanding children’s fears

How Can Parents Help?

Parents should be understanding of their kids fears and nit try to downplay it or trivialize it simply because you no longer have those fears. Never abandon your child. Always stay with a child who is scared, until the fear and anxiety subsides as leaving them alone will only make it worse. Another approach that can cause more harm than good is making the child feel stupid for being scared. Make your child aware that you are confident in their ability to handle the situation. This vote of confidence from your side will go a long way in equipping your child with the right tools to overcome their fears.

What Causes Fear in Children

Initial studies showed that fear was caused by behavioral conditions which basically means that if a child is bitten by a dog, they develop of fear of dogs. Later, studies showed that some people are born with sensitive temperaments that make them more prone to fear and anxiety. However, it is important to remember that we all experienced fear as children and it is a normal part of growing up. Children of different age groups experience different types of fear. A toddler or small child may have a fear of monsters, because at this age, they still believe that monsters exist. An older child may simply fear the dark or being alone.

These childhood fears eventually and gradually disappear. A parent should be worried if a child is still suffering from fear and anxiety way past the expected or normal age group. If it is interfering with the normal functioning of the child and the daily activities that a child should be enjoying, then alarm bells should be going off.

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Bullies And Their Effect On A Child’s Self Esteem

We all know that bullying is not good for any child. Unfortunately, bullying remains a reality for many children. Research reveals that 28% of children, between the ages of 12 to 18 admitted to being bullied at school. Bullying may leave the child with physical scars or bruises, which will heal in time. However, there are more permanent effects of bullying that may affect a child well into adulthood.

Bullying and Self Esteem

Physical bruises heal in time, but the damage done mentally and emotionally will linger for years to come. Many children suffer from lack of confidence, as a result of bullying. They start to believe the unkind and hurtful words of the bully, which often leads to self loathing. Victims of bullying no longer have the ability to see themselves in a positive light. They become socially withdrawn and tend to spend almost all their free time alone. They also become socially anxious and in many cases, these victims develop thoughts of retaliation. According to statistics, at least 3 quarters of attackers in school shootings were bullied at some point. These victims always start to make up excuses for why they cannot participate in school activities, simply because they do not want to interact with their bullies, for fear of being ridiculed and embarrassed in public.

How to Tell If Your Child is Being Bullied?

Parents should be on the look out for tell tale signs such as reluctance to go to school, poor performance in school or any changes in the child’s eating and sleeping patterns. As a parent, you should also rule out any other factors that could influence of result in your teen having low self esteem. Once you are sure that your child is being bullied, you should firstly talk to him and let him know that there is noting wrong with him and that bullies make others feel bad, so that they can feel better about themselves. The next step would be to arrange a meeting with the school, the bully and his parents and try and get to the root of the problem for the well-being of both children involved.

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Getting Your Kids To Bed On Time, Painlessly

It’s no mystery that the last thing children want to do is go to bed, no matter their age. They can think of a million things to do aside from hitting the sheets and heading to z-town. However, studies indicate that the most important thing a child can do during their formative years is get enough sleep. This is especially crucial during their critical years of growth. Here are some tips from Successful Parenting Today:

Set up a Schedule:

While this is difficult for some families to stick to due to work schedules or split family visitation schedules, it is important to maintain a strict bedtime schedule. That way, your child will always know what to expect and when. Show them what time is bedtime on the clock every night, how long it is until bedtime, and let them know what needs to be done until bedtime.

Create a Routine:

When children have a routine to follow every night at bedtime, they are less likely to fight you when it comes time to go to sleep. However, establishing this routine may have some bumps along the way. So, be prepared for that. Kids and bedtime is a rocky road to travel, therefore it’s important to practice patience during every leg of this journey. Be firm, and explain to them why it is important to have this routine and that it is healthy for them to follow. Don’t forget to let them use the potty during this routine.

Give Some Leeway:

Don’t be too structured with your routines and schedules or else your kids and bedtime routine won’t work. Set up a white noise machine in the bedroom and keep it playing in the background from the moment you begin your routine as an indicator that you’re ready to begin. Bring out the soft toys that are allowed to be in bed with your child during bedtime, and put away everything else. This is another indicator that their routine is beginning. However, this leeway does not include allowing your child to continue getting out of bed over and over.

The Benefits Of A Parent Date Night

In a culture with a lot of emphasis on the “soul mate” aspects of a relationship, people are becoming more and more dependent on high levels of personal fulfillment, intimacy, and communication. One way to fulfill these aspects of life is with the inclusion of a parent date night. There are many benefits to including a weekly date night to any parent’s routine that can help strengthen a relationship and build the kind of trust parents need when raising children.

Communication is Key

You have probably heard the phrase ‘communication is key’ numerous times over your life. This is especially important to parents. With a weekly date night, you are allowed the sort of quite communication your mind craves after a long, hectic week spent debating the politics of ice cream with toddlers and arguing with teens. You will, like many parents, face problems in your day to day lives that will be much easier to face with the help of your significant other.

Stimulates Love Life

A date night is exactly that, a night for a date. If your love life has been a little lacking recently, this is the perfect chance to rekindle the romance. You’re more secure in your relationship with your significant other, but you might be feeling a strain on your love life with the addition of children. Adding a date once a week can spice up some of the romance you might need to kick start the heart eyes you crave from your partner.

Helps Bonding With Your Significant Other

Date nights are amazing for bonding with your significant other. With just a few short hours, you’re suddenly feeling more relaxed and able to relieve some of the burden with the help of your loved one. You very well might be spending the rest of your life with this person, the bond that you share may wane with time, but you always have the opportunity to feel that closeness again with a simple date.

There are tons of great benefits to be found with the intimacy and entertainment found in a weekly date night. You, your partner, and your children will all benefit from the trust built and the re-strengthening of your relationship.

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