Baby Care and Parenting Tips

Children are inquisitive by nature.  When they are younger, it’s usually because they want to better understand something.  When they are older, it’s because they want to better understand why you think something is important and why they should also feel the same way.  Regardless of their age, it’s imperative that when setting forth the rules and expectations in your home, your child understands there is no room for questioning the rules you set forth and the consequences of breaking the rules.

Younger children usually do not understand a lengthy explanation of why it’s important that they be home from their friend’s home at a certain time or why they aren’t allowed to play ball in the house.  But the one thing they do strive to do most of the time is to make their parents proud and happy.  So when a young child asks “Why?” or “Why not?” when they are told they can’t play with something or someone or why they have to obey a rule you’ve set forth, simply explain to them that “because it makes me happy when you follow the house rules and do what I have asked of you.”  You should avoid using the term, “Because I said so,” as that only adds to the child’s frustration and confusion.

Older children, adolescents and teenagers alike will probably require more from your explanation.  When they question “Why?” or “Why not?” it’s best to directly, honestly and clearly state your reasoning.  “I asked you to be home by 10 p.m. because we have to be at the dentist’s office first thing in the morning for your check-up and we can’t be late.”  It is also a great opportunity for you to reiterate the consequences of breaking the rule.  “If you are not home by 10 p.m., you’ll be grounded from going to your friend’s house for a week.” Be consistent, be firm, and be clear.

Though your child may challenge you by asking your reasoning why a rule has been put in place, it also shows their growth as an individual thinker.  So try not to get angry or frustrated when they do so; realize it’s their way of understanding their world around them.

50. storing milk correctly
Once the formula is mixed and shaken, take the disc and ring off the bottle. Put the teat in upside down, but don’t let it dip in the milk empty some out if necessary. Reseal the disc and ring. Fill all the bootles and put the caps on. Store them in the fridge, ideally on a tray so they don’t fall over, and not inside the door. Do not store for long store for longer than 24 hours.

51. getting the bottle ready
For each feed, take the bottle from the fridge and turn the teat the right way up. Warm the bottle in warm water, or at least bring it up to room temperature. Never warm the bottle in a microwave oven because the milk may become dangerously hot.

52. giving bottle feed
The beauty of bottle feeding is that it allows mother some time off from the relentless feeding duties, and gives father and baby an ideal time to cuddle and bond together. Whoever is giving the bottle feed – parent, childminder, or grandparent – needs to hold her close and talk and smile at her. Put a bib on her. Lie her half-sitting, cradled in the crook of one arm, your hand supporting her buttocks and legs. Stoke her near cheek which should start the sucking reflex. Give her the teat.

53. when baby wont let go
When your baby has finished drinking the milk, pull the bottle firmly away. If she still wants to suck, offer her your clean little finger. However, if she doesn’t want to let go of the bottle, slide your little finger between her gums and alongside the teat. This will break the suction of the teat.

54. sleeping during a feed
If your baby dozes off during a feed, she may have wind which is making her feel full. Sit her more upright and burp her for a couple of minutes. Then offer her more milk. Remember to tilt the bottle at an angle so that the teat is full of milk, not air. She’ll decide when she’s had enough.

55.switching from breast to bottle
Even if you want to bottle feed, breast-feeding for at least two days will give your baby valuable antibodies to help fight infection. You can then switch from breast to bottle if you decide not to carry on. But if you start by bottle-feeding, you cannot then switch to breast feeds. If you do change over, give baby time to adjust. Replace a lunchtime, breast-feed with a bottle every third day. Moisten the teat with a few drops of breast milk to help. After three days later a third, then the night feed.

56. burping your baby
Allow your baby the chance to burp up any swallowed air, or “wind”. That wind may make her feel full. If she doesn’t burp after 30 seconds, don’t worry its still good for both of you to pause, relax, and slow down at a feed.

23. What you need for bathing
The most important piece of equipment is the baby bath: it must be sturdy and stable. If using a normal bath, get a rubber mat to stop baby slipping. Use only baby toiletries: these are designed to be extra mild, gently moisturizing, and have very low irritancy for delicate skins. Do not try to economize by buying adult shampoos, soaps, lotions and creams. These have far too many additive and chemicals.

24. washing a young baby
Bathtime should be funtime, but first baths can seem daunting. Your baby may dislike the feel of water, and could hate feeling wet, naked and slippery. You may also be over-axious about dropping her. All this is perfectly normal apart from cleaning, your main aim is to make sure your baby doesn’t catch cold. So, for face, head, and hair washing a newborn keep her wrapped in a towel.

25. washing baby in a big bath
When your baby is a few months old, you can put him in a little water in the big bath. He will have more room to kick and splash around. As with a baby bath, pour cold water in first, then add hot water till it is just warm. Make sure the room is warm and all you need is at hand. Never leave you baby in the bath or let go of him completely.

26. hair washing without tears
You should wash your newborn baby’s hair every day. A clean scalp and hair will help prevent cradle cap. You will need hypo-allergenic, nonsting baby shampoo, or newborn shampoo wipes(or extra mild bath lotion), a sponge, and flannel. You can also buy a specially designed plastic “halo” that fits around the hairline and prevent suds running down the face while rinsing.

27. baht-time safety
The most important safety feature is you: never leave your baby alone in the bath and always hold on to a very small or young child.
-    place a non-slip mat in the bottom of the bath to prevent nasty slip and slides.
-    Always check the water temperature first by putting in your elbow or inner side of your wrist.
-    Turn off the taps tightly. Even droplets can be scalding. cover the hot tap with a cool flannel.
-    Never top up with hot water while baby is in the bath. You can add warm water with a mixer tap.
-    Do not bathe your baby in a cold room
-    Do not set the water beater thermoustat too high.

28. Giving a sponge bath
Many babies hate having a bath or having their hair washed. If this is the case with your baby you can avoid using a bath by sponge bathing him on your lap. Start by “topping and tailing”, that is, dabbing his face with fresh, moist cotton wool. Use cool, pre boiled water for his face and warm tap water for the other parts. Before sitting him on your lap have everything within reach.

29. trimming baby’s first nails
For the first few weeks the nails are so soft that you can bite them off gently yourself. Or you can try baby nail clippers or scissors. Use whichever technique. Makes you less nervous. With an older baby, sit him facing forward. Hold one finger at time and cut the nails with the scissors or clippers, following the shape of the finger tip. For toes, cut the nail straight across.

30. First teeth and gum care
Once your baby has two or more teeth, wipe them and the gums every evening with a damp handkerchief. Introduce a baby sized toothbrush at 12 months. Clean his teeth for him after breakfast and teatime. But let him play with his toothbrush at bathtime. This should take care of the first teeth (also called “milk” teeth). Add fun and games to brushing teeth, especially by brushing your own teeth too. This will encourage your baby into the habit over time.

This is serieal 101 of baby tips and next series of napping baby.