Sleep is very important to your child’s health and well-being. Children who do not get enough sleep may have trouble getting through the day and, later, settling at night. Good sleep habits start from birth.
How much sleep does my child need?
Every child is different; some sleep a lot and others much less. This chart is a general guide to the amount of sleep children need over a 24-hour period, including nighttime sleep and naps.
Newborns (birth to 6 months)
16 hours a day (3 to 4 hours at a time)
Older babies (6 months to 1 year)
14 hours
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
10-13 hours
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
10-12 hours
Newborns (birth to 6 months)
Newborns may sleep as much as 16 hours a day, for 3 to 4 hours at a time. It’s normal and healthy for babies to wake up during the night to feed. As your baby gets older, she will stay awake longer during the day and sleep for longer stretches at night.
Babies, just like adults, need the right cues to learn when it is time to sleep. For example, if you always put your baby in her crib to sleep she will learn to understand that this is the place where she sleeps. Even if it doesn’t work right away, over time your baby will come to understand.
Sometime after 3 months, your baby’s sleep habits will become more predictable and you can start developing a regular nap schedule. Trust your baby’s cues – she will let you know when she is tired. A sleep diary might help you to recognize a regular sleeping pattern.
Try to develop a naptime routine. It might include a regular, quiet cuddle time in a darkened room before it is time to nap. By 4 months, most babies need three naps a day, one in the morning, afternoon and early evening.
Healthy sleep for your newborn:
An over-tired baby will have more trouble sleeping. Napping actually helps a baby to sleep better at night, so keeping your baby awake during the day will not make your baby sleep longer at night.
Put your baby in bed when he is drowsy but awake. Remember to put him to sleep on his back in his crib using a firm flat surface, clear of soft items like pillows and stuffed animals.
It is okay to cuddle and rock your baby. You cannot spoil a newborn baby by holding him.
A pacifier might be comforting and help your baby to settle. However, never start using a pacifier until breastfeeding is going well.
Your baby will stir during the night. Give him a few minutes to try and settle on his own before going to him.
Avoid stimulation during nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights dim.
Babies (6 months to 1 year)
At this age, babies will sleep an average of 14 hours in a day, but anything less or more can be normal for your baby. By this time you should have a fairly regular routine of naptimes, bedtime and wake times.
During this period your baby will probably change from 3 naps a day to 2, longer naps in the morning and afternoon. Every baby’s napping needs are different. Some nap for as little as 20 minutes at a time while others for 3 or more hours.
Healthy sleep for your older babies:
Maintain regular daytime and bedtime sleep schedules as much as possible.
A consistent bedtime routine is important. Many parents like to use the “3 Bs”: have a warm bath, read a book and settle into bed.
Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle.
If your baby wakes at night and cries, go to her to ensure there is nothing wrong such as being too cold or too warm, but don’t take her out of the crib. Comfort her by stroking her forehead or talking softly to reassure her that you are there.
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Most toddlers sleep between 10 and 13 hours in a 24-hour period. Sometime between 2 and 3 years your toddler will probably drop a nap, or will have some days when he needs a nap and others when he doesn’t. At this age many children experience sleep problems and resist going to bed.
Healthy sleep for toddlers:
Keep your toddler on a predictable sleep schedule. The bedtime routine that you established during the first year will be even more important for your toddler.
Naps should not be too late in the day as they can affect nighttime sleeping.
Avoid offering your child something to drink before bedtime. A full bladder can interrupt good nighttime sleeping.
Start to help your child wind down about a half hour before bedtime, ideally at the same time each day.
Be gentle but firm if your child protests.
Make the bedroom quiet, cozy, and conducive to sleeping.
Soft, soothing music might be comforting.
Security items (such as a blanket or stuffed animal) may become important at this age.
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Preschoolers typically sleep about 10 to 12 hours a day. Children give up daytime naps during this period, some as early as 3 years. Consider using naptime as a quiet time for your child to read and relax. It’s common for preschoolers to wake up during the night, and to have nighttime fears or nightmares.
Healthy sleep for preschoolers:
Avoid stimulants, such as drinks with caffeine.
Avoid television before bedtime. Don’t allow your child to have a television, computer or video games in his bedroom.
Some children will try to delay bedtime. Set limits, such as how many books you will read, and be sure your child knows what they are.
Tuck your child into bed snugly for a feeling of security.
Don’t ignore bedtime fears. If your child has nightmares, reassure and comfort him.
What are some common sleep problems?
Sleep deprivation: Some children do not get enough sleep. If your child is fussy, cranky or has difficulty staying asleep at night it might be because she isn’t having enough nap time or is not going to bed early enough.
Separation issues: Your child may have difficulty relaxing and going to sleep if she feels upset that you are not there. An extra long cuddle before bedtime, a security object such as a blanket or stuffed animal, or leaving her door open when you put her to bed may help.
Nightmares: Most children will experience nightmares at one time or another. Nightmares can happen after a stressful physical or emotional event or can be caused by fever. Your child may call out to you for comfort. Talk calmly, cuddle and reassure your child.
When should I talk to my doctor?
Loud snoring: If your child is snoring loudly on a regular basis, this may be a sign of a problem. Talk to your child’s doctor.
Sleepwalking: Sleepwalking is a disorder where a child awakens partly, but not completely, during the night. The child may sit up in bed and repeat certain movements, such as rubbing his eyes. He may get out of bed and walk around the room. When you talk to your child, he usually will not answer you. If your child sleepwalks it is important that you ensure the area is safe. Gently guide your child back to bed without waking him. If the problem continues, contact your doctor.
Night terrors: These are different from nightmares. Children with night terrors scream uncontrollably, may breathe quickly and appear to be awake. If you wake them, they are likely to be confused, and may take longer to settle down and go back to sleep. They usually occur between the ages of 4 and 12, but can happen to children as young as 18 months. Most children will outgrow them, but if they persist talk to your doctor.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Snack Foods For Your Baby
There are times when your baby may need some snack foods. Healthy snack foods for baby are great foods to take with you when you're running errands, at a playgroup or when traveling with your baby.
Our Travel with Homemade Baby Food talks about how you might pack homemade baby food when you go on vacation either via air, train or car; and when you will be staying in a hotel or even camping. Snack foods for babies can be made ahead of time and used for all sorts of travel.
What to Pack in Your Snack Pack -
Fruits - My snackpack always included a banana, an apple, a pear in ziplock bags. Bagging is important so that the fruits don't smoosh all over your diaper or hand bag. Try baking some apples and then dice them; they make for good finger foods to travel.
Veggies - Soft cooked veggies make for great travel and take-along foods. Steam up some veggies and freeze in small portions. You can offer your baby these veggies at room temperature or warm them up.
Sippy Cup
Mesh Feeder - Great for babies who cannot handle finger foods well. Peel a banana or other fruit and toss it into the mesh feeder for a quick snack.
Homemade Baby Teething Biscuits or Baby Cereal Cookies
Oatie O's - skip the Gerber Puffs and other foods that have additives including added sugar
Make Ahead Meals for the Snack Pack
Create little meals and freeze them in individual containers. This is particularly helpful if you know you are going to have a busyweek out and about. For example, try chunks of apple, shreds of chicken and cheese mixed with some rice.
Leave the containers to thaw overnight in the fridge and you have a great take-a-long meal.
Our Travel with Homemade Baby Food talks about how you might pack homemade baby food when you go on vacation either via air, train or car; and when you will be staying in a hotel or even camping. Snack foods for babies can be made ahead of time and used for all sorts of travel.
What to Pack in Your Snack Pack -
Fruits - My snackpack always included a banana, an apple, a pear in ziplock bags. Bagging is important so that the fruits don't smoosh all over your diaper or hand bag. Try baking some apples and then dice them; they make for good finger foods to travel.
Veggies - Soft cooked veggies make for great travel and take-along foods. Steam up some veggies and freeze in small portions. You can offer your baby these veggies at room temperature or warm them up.
Sippy Cup
Mesh Feeder - Great for babies who cannot handle finger foods well. Peel a banana or other fruit and toss it into the mesh feeder for a quick snack.
Homemade Baby Teething Biscuits or Baby Cereal Cookies
Oatie O's - skip the Gerber Puffs and other foods that have additives including added sugar
Make Ahead Meals for the Snack Pack
Create little meals and freeze them in individual containers. This is particularly helpful if you know you are going to have a busyweek out and about. For example, try chunks of apple, shreds of chicken and cheese mixed with some rice.
Leave the containers to thaw overnight in the fridge and you have a great take-a-long meal.
Baby Formula
Of course, breastmilk is best for just about all babies.
So when choosing a baby formula, you should first think about the more important choice of whether to breastfeed or give formula.
If you are thinking about a formula to use to supplement your breastfeeding baby or because breastfeeding isn't going well, try to get some help from your Pediatrician or a lactation consultant before you start giving your baby formula.
Choosing a Baby Formula
Once you decide that you are going to feed your baby formula, you have the difficult choice of which one to use.
If you include all of the different store brands of formula, there are literally 100's of different formulas to choose from.
What makes them all different?
What should influence your choice?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that all infant formulas are regulated by the FDA and so the 'safety and nutritional quality of infant formulas are ensured by requiring that manufacturers follow specific procedures in manufacturing infant formulas.' Under the Infant Formula Act, all formulas marketed in the United States must meet minimum nutrient requirements.
So any baby formula you buy should be safe and provide all of the nutrition your baby needs.
Each formula company has their own proprietary formulation or 'recipe' for making their formula, so all baby formulas aren't the same though.
Baby Formula Prices
In addition to having different 'recipes,' it is easy to see that the various brands of baby formula have different prices.
Should you let price influence your choice of buying a formula?
Sure. Buying baby formula is a significant cost for a family (and highlights one of the benefits of breastfeeding), so you should consider the price of a formula when making a choice of which one to buy.
That doesn't mean that you should simply buy the most expensive or the cheapest formula though. Just keep in mind that since all brands of baby formula must meet the minimum nutrient requirements of the FDA, a more expensive formula isn't necessarily 'better' than a cheaper formula.
And would you feel more comfortable buying a store brand formula, which are generally less expensive than name brand formulas, like Enfamil Lipil, Similac Advance, or Nestle Good Start Supreme, if they simply raised the price a few dollars?
Baby Formula Differences
There aren't really any convincing studies that prove that one formula is better than another, so you kind of have to go by what the formula companies say about their 'recipes' and see what works for you.
Among the major brands of formula:
Enfamil Lipil is one of the latest formulas from Mead Johnson, which 'has been dedicated to patterning infant formula after the nutritional composition of breast milk.' It provides a 'whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40. Just like breast milk' and they claim that 'no other formula is closer to breast milk than Enfamil LIPIL.'
Nestle Good Start Supreme contains 100% whey, partially hydrolyzed 'comfort proteins' that are supposed to be easier to digest. It is also supposed to have a faster gastric emptying time, which may help children with reflux, and promote soft stools, which may help infants who are constipated. Instead of creating a formula that is like breastmilk in composition, they seem to be trying to make a formula that behaves like breastmilk.
Similac Advance is made without palm olein oil, which they claim helps their formula promote increased calcium absorption and greater bone mineralization. Similac Advance also contains 'special breast milk nutrients called nucleotides' that are supposed 'to help support the development of a baby's immune system,' however, even their website says that 'whether this development provides immune protection like breast milk has not been shown.' And all formulas contain nucleotides.
Store Brand Formula, like from Albertsons (Baby Basics), Target (Healthy Baby), and Wal-mart (Parent's Choice), are made by Wyeth Nutrition and are based on the old SMA formula. They provide a 'nutritionally complete, sensibly priced formula option' for parents.
So when choosing a baby formula, you should first think about the more important choice of whether to breastfeed or give formula.
If you are thinking about a formula to use to supplement your breastfeeding baby or because breastfeeding isn't going well, try to get some help from your Pediatrician or a lactation consultant before you start giving your baby formula.
Choosing a Baby Formula
Once you decide that you are going to feed your baby formula, you have the difficult choice of which one to use.
If you include all of the different store brands of formula, there are literally 100's of different formulas to choose from.
What makes them all different?
What should influence your choice?
The most important thing to keep in mind is that all infant formulas are regulated by the FDA and so the 'safety and nutritional quality of infant formulas are ensured by requiring that manufacturers follow specific procedures in manufacturing infant formulas.' Under the Infant Formula Act, all formulas marketed in the United States must meet minimum nutrient requirements.
So any baby formula you buy should be safe and provide all of the nutrition your baby needs.
Each formula company has their own proprietary formulation or 'recipe' for making their formula, so all baby formulas aren't the same though.
Baby Formula Prices
In addition to having different 'recipes,' it is easy to see that the various brands of baby formula have different prices.
Should you let price influence your choice of buying a formula?
Sure. Buying baby formula is a significant cost for a family (and highlights one of the benefits of breastfeeding), so you should consider the price of a formula when making a choice of which one to buy.
That doesn't mean that you should simply buy the most expensive or the cheapest formula though. Just keep in mind that since all brands of baby formula must meet the minimum nutrient requirements of the FDA, a more expensive formula isn't necessarily 'better' than a cheaper formula.
And would you feel more comfortable buying a store brand formula, which are generally less expensive than name brand formulas, like Enfamil Lipil, Similac Advance, or Nestle Good Start Supreme, if they simply raised the price a few dollars?
Baby Formula Differences
There aren't really any convincing studies that prove that one formula is better than another, so you kind of have to go by what the formula companies say about their 'recipes' and see what works for you.
Among the major brands of formula:
Enfamil Lipil is one of the latest formulas from Mead Johnson, which 'has been dedicated to patterning infant formula after the nutritional composition of breast milk.' It provides a 'whey-to-casein ratio of 60:40. Just like breast milk' and they claim that 'no other formula is closer to breast milk than Enfamil LIPIL.'
Nestle Good Start Supreme contains 100% whey, partially hydrolyzed 'comfort proteins' that are supposed to be easier to digest. It is also supposed to have a faster gastric emptying time, which may help children with reflux, and promote soft stools, which may help infants who are constipated. Instead of creating a formula that is like breastmilk in composition, they seem to be trying to make a formula that behaves like breastmilk.
Similac Advance is made without palm olein oil, which they claim helps their formula promote increased calcium absorption and greater bone mineralization. Similac Advance also contains 'special breast milk nutrients called nucleotides' that are supposed 'to help support the development of a baby's immune system,' however, even their website says that 'whether this development provides immune protection like breast milk has not been shown.' And all formulas contain nucleotides.
Store Brand Formula, like from Albertsons (Baby Basics), Target (Healthy Baby), and Wal-mart (Parent's Choice), are made by Wyeth Nutrition and are based on the old SMA formula. They provide a 'nutritionally complete, sensibly priced formula option' for parents.
First Ugandan "Healthy Baby" born
Kampala - It was all smiles for the midwives and the mother who recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, using the new MSI Uganda Healthy Baby vouchers to claim her medical assistance.
Jeninah Komugisha, 35 and pregnant with her fifth child, walked into the Angella Domiciliary Clinic with labour pains, showed her Healthy Baby voucher to midwives and requested assistance. A few hours later, and she was the mother of a beautiful, healthy baby girl. “I feel very grateful to the Healthy Baby scheme…. there are many more mothers who ordinarily would find it difficult to access such facilities when delivering simply because they lack the money,” said Jeninah.
The HB scheme is part of the wider output-Based Aid (OBA) initiative in Uganda, which financially empowers patients to make choices about where they receive their healthcare. The vouchers are part of Phase II of the initiative. Phase I, which began in 2006, provides vouchers for STI diagnosis and treatment and to date over 26,000 treatment episodes have been reimbursed through the STI OBA voucher programme.
Under the HB scheme women like Jeninah purchase a voucher for 3,000 Ugandan shillings (approximately US$1.50) from a network of Community Based Workers (CBW).
Having purchased a voucher the woman then submits it to her chosen healthcare provider in return for four antenatal visits, delivery services (including surgery if needed), and one postnatal visit. The scheme targets the very poorest in the community to ensure that they have access to quality services and providers that they would otherwise not have.
In turn, the healthcare provider submits the completed claim form and voucher to MSI Uganda, who, as the scheme’s management agency, pays the hospital or clinic for the cost of services provided to the woman. MSI Uganda also manages the distribution of the vouchers, activities and information to encourage behaviour, fraud control, quality assurance, and provider accreditation.
The project is a public/private partnership with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, with funding provided through the German Development Bank (KfW) and the Global Partnership for Output Based Aid (GPOBA), a World Bank Trust. “It is wonderful to have welcomed the first OBA baby into the world,” said Christine Namayanja, Programme Director of MSI Uganda. “Since then, five other babies have been born! The HB scheme is proving to be a great success.”
Aasha Pai, Regional Director, East & Southern Africa, said, “This is great news. MSI Uganda has worked hard to expand this project and this is what it’s all for: to increase access and choice for women who seek a safe delivery. There’s increasing interest in OBA approaches from donors and governments to make aid more transparent, and there’s so much other MSI Partners can learn from MSI Uganda’s experiences.”
Jeninah Komugisha, 35 and pregnant with her fifth child, walked into the Angella Domiciliary Clinic with labour pains, showed her Healthy Baby voucher to midwives and requested assistance. A few hours later, and she was the mother of a beautiful, healthy baby girl. “I feel very grateful to the Healthy Baby scheme…. there are many more mothers who ordinarily would find it difficult to access such facilities when delivering simply because they lack the money,” said Jeninah.
The HB scheme is part of the wider output-Based Aid (OBA) initiative in Uganda, which financially empowers patients to make choices about where they receive their healthcare. The vouchers are part of Phase II of the initiative. Phase I, which began in 2006, provides vouchers for STI diagnosis and treatment and to date over 26,000 treatment episodes have been reimbursed through the STI OBA voucher programme.
Under the HB scheme women like Jeninah purchase a voucher for 3,000 Ugandan shillings (approximately US$1.50) from a network of Community Based Workers (CBW).
Having purchased a voucher the woman then submits it to her chosen healthcare provider in return for four antenatal visits, delivery services (including surgery if needed), and one postnatal visit. The scheme targets the very poorest in the community to ensure that they have access to quality services and providers that they would otherwise not have.
In turn, the healthcare provider submits the completed claim form and voucher to MSI Uganda, who, as the scheme’s management agency, pays the hospital or clinic for the cost of services provided to the woman. MSI Uganda also manages the distribution of the vouchers, activities and information to encourage behaviour, fraud control, quality assurance, and provider accreditation.
The project is a public/private partnership with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, with funding provided through the German Development Bank (KfW) and the Global Partnership for Output Based Aid (GPOBA), a World Bank Trust. “It is wonderful to have welcomed the first OBA baby into the world,” said Christine Namayanja, Programme Director of MSI Uganda. “Since then, five other babies have been born! The HB scheme is proving to be a great success.”
Aasha Pai, Regional Director, East & Southern Africa, said, “This is great news. MSI Uganda has worked hard to expand this project and this is what it’s all for: to increase access and choice for women who seek a safe delivery. There’s increasing interest in OBA approaches from donors and governments to make aid more transparent, and there’s so much other MSI Partners can learn from MSI Uganda’s experiences.”
The Healthy Way
Pregnancy, Prenatals, Healthy Baby - What You Need to Know
Pregnancy is a critical time. The female body is changing and that the child is in creating new demands on the body of the mother. You want to do everything you can do to make sure that your baby is healthy and has a good start in life.
Some birth defects have been associated with a lack of vitamins and minerals. How can you get proper prenatal vitamins to ensure healthy pregnancy? If only you trust your doctor or need to know more? If prenatal and post pregnancy? We examined in greater depth a mother, you should know before and after pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a critical time, and we want to do everything possible to ensure the matrix provide the “right” of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids for a healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy and breastfeeding place high demands on your body and can result in omega-3 fatty acids. The goal of each stage of pregnancy with a good balance of nutrients.
Studies have shown that mothers are having the recommended amount of DHA during pregnancy, babies with attention span increased over the first two years of life. The benefits of taking omega-3 DHA before, during and after pregnancy are truly amazing.
Remember that your baby takes what it needs to first develop and grow, and so your body can change when you are not always enough vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy is necessary.
Healthy Baby
All vitamins, minerals, all nutrients have an important role to play now for you and your growing baby. The development of your baby’s development depends. Vitamins to build your baby’s bones and teeth and make sure your baby a healthy start in life.
Eating a variety of healthy foods is important, but with hectic schedules, morning sickness and changing nutritional needs of your developing baby can be difficult to achieve a good balance of nutrition. Diet is also crucial in the recovery and care for their newborns.
Prenatal vitamins
Prenatal Vitamins are nutrients that help to fully support and nourish your growing child and your body during pregnancy. As prenatal vitamins are best for your company? What are you looking at prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamin supplements are vitamin supplements, a woman must take each day to ensure it receives adequate amounts of essential nutrients during pregnancy. Prenatal nutrition is important, but can cause nausea and vomiting, women, food and important nutrients as a balanced diet and prenatal vitamins jump.
Just take some vitamins common in the pharmacy is not enough for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain important nutrients in stronger dose of regular multivitamin supplements (even if this formulation for women). Vitamin rather not take the place of eating nutritious, but it can balance the scales in your favor, and her baby. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that many commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins do not dissolve and which leads to poor absorption of nutrients.
March of Dimes reports that birth defects of the spine, skull and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are more likely if the mother does not receive enough folic acid in the first weeks of pregnancy — even before they know you are pregnant.
Prenatal vitamins may reduce the risk of childhood cancer and the intake of omega fish oil has been linked to higher IQ in children. New research at the School of Medicine, Boston University, recommends a higher intake of vitamin D, like so many others are deficient. Women with vitamin D were associated with frequency of milk consumption and its use are prenatal vitamins.
The increased concentration of zinc and vitamin B6 may increase immunities necessary for pregnancy and sufficient B6 has been shown that children offer the benefits of growth. The B-vitamin can neural tube defects if taken to avoid early pregnancy, especially in the first quarter. Zinc promotes growth and normal development during pregnancy.
Calcium and magnesium are important during pregnancy. A good prenatal vitamin should folic acid and calcium, including nutrients that are important for a healthy pregnancy and baby. In the last trimester of pregnancy, skeletal growth is higher calcium and the fetus directly to the parent company. In addition, studies have shown that supplying adequate calcium during pregnancy may reduce blood pressure and reduce the incidence of premature birth. Magnesium promotes strong bones and may help maintain normal blood pressure and muscle comfort during pregnancy.
Folic acid is the prenatal supplement most commonly prescribed for the month before becoming pregnant as well and is essential for health and child growth, especially for brain functions.
The female body’s requirement for vitamin C during pregnancy more of this vitamin promotes the normal growth of the baby and supports building strong bones and teeth. It is also compatible with the absorption of important nutrients during pregnancy: iron.
Iron is recommended that the mother suffers from anemia due to the demand of the baby is configured to prevent the absorption of iron. Iron is an essential mineral and is responsible for supporting the mother and the child’s blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiency can cause serious birth defects for the baby.
Women have an increased need for biotin during pregnancy, and biotin deficiency may occur in up to 50 per cent of pregnant women. This deficiency may increase the risk of abnormalities.
Adequate vitamin A help to promote the health of babies by promoting the growth and normal development of the embryo and fetus and supporting genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. Beta-carotene is a plant nutrient that the body will be converted into vitamin A.
Prenatal vitamins can be taken after pregnancy, a balanced supplement to offer. With the tight schedule of the mother and lack of time, prenatal vitamins are a perfect choice for a supplement regime after pregnancy.
Pregnancy proper prenatal and maternity leave is essential.
Pregnancy is a critical time. The female body is changing and that the child is in creating new demands on the body of the mother. You want to do everything you can do to make sure that your baby is healthy and has a good start in life.
Some birth defects have been associated with a lack of vitamins and minerals. How can you get proper prenatal vitamins to ensure healthy pregnancy? If only you trust your doctor or need to know more? If prenatal and post pregnancy? We examined in greater depth a mother, you should know before and after pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a critical time, and we want to do everything possible to ensure the matrix provide the “right” of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids for a healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy and breastfeeding place high demands on your body and can result in omega-3 fatty acids. The goal of each stage of pregnancy with a good balance of nutrients.
Studies have shown that mothers are having the recommended amount of DHA during pregnancy, babies with attention span increased over the first two years of life. The benefits of taking omega-3 DHA before, during and after pregnancy are truly amazing.
Remember that your baby takes what it needs to first develop and grow, and so your body can change when you are not always enough vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy is necessary.
Healthy Baby
All vitamins, minerals, all nutrients have an important role to play now for you and your growing baby. The development of your baby’s development depends. Vitamins to build your baby’s bones and teeth and make sure your baby a healthy start in life.
Eating a variety of healthy foods is important, but with hectic schedules, morning sickness and changing nutritional needs of your developing baby can be difficult to achieve a good balance of nutrition. Diet is also crucial in the recovery and care for their newborns.
Prenatal vitamins
Prenatal Vitamins are nutrients that help to fully support and nourish your growing child and your body during pregnancy. As prenatal vitamins are best for your company? What are you looking at prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamin supplements are vitamin supplements, a woman must take each day to ensure it receives adequate amounts of essential nutrients during pregnancy. Prenatal nutrition is important, but can cause nausea and vomiting, women, food and important nutrients as a balanced diet and prenatal vitamins jump.
Just take some vitamins common in the pharmacy is not enough for a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain important nutrients in stronger dose of regular multivitamin supplements (even if this formulation for women). Vitamin rather not take the place of eating nutritious, but it can balance the scales in your favor, and her baby. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that many commonly prescribed prenatal vitamins do not dissolve and which leads to poor absorption of nutrients.
March of Dimes reports that birth defects of the spine, skull and brain, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, are more likely if the mother does not receive enough folic acid in the first weeks of pregnancy — even before they know you are pregnant.
Prenatal vitamins may reduce the risk of childhood cancer and the intake of omega fish oil has been linked to higher IQ in children. New research at the School of Medicine, Boston University, recommends a higher intake of vitamin D, like so many others are deficient. Women with vitamin D were associated with frequency of milk consumption and its use are prenatal vitamins.
The increased concentration of zinc and vitamin B6 may increase immunities necessary for pregnancy and sufficient B6 has been shown that children offer the benefits of growth. The B-vitamin can neural tube defects if taken to avoid early pregnancy, especially in the first quarter. Zinc promotes growth and normal development during pregnancy.
Calcium and magnesium are important during pregnancy. A good prenatal vitamin should folic acid and calcium, including nutrients that are important for a healthy pregnancy and baby. In the last trimester of pregnancy, skeletal growth is higher calcium and the fetus directly to the parent company. In addition, studies have shown that supplying adequate calcium during pregnancy may reduce blood pressure and reduce the incidence of premature birth. Magnesium promotes strong bones and may help maintain normal blood pressure and muscle comfort during pregnancy.
Folic acid is the prenatal supplement most commonly prescribed for the month before becoming pregnant as well and is essential for health and child growth, especially for brain functions.
The female body’s requirement for vitamin C during pregnancy more of this vitamin promotes the normal growth of the baby and supports building strong bones and teeth. It is also compatible with the absorption of important nutrients during pregnancy: iron.
Iron is recommended that the mother suffers from anemia due to the demand of the baby is configured to prevent the absorption of iron. Iron is an essential mineral and is responsible for supporting the mother and the child’s blood to carry oxygen. Iron deficiency can cause serious birth defects for the baby.
Women have an increased need for biotin during pregnancy, and biotin deficiency may occur in up to 50 per cent of pregnant women. This deficiency may increase the risk of abnormalities.
Adequate vitamin A help to promote the health of babies by promoting the growth and normal development of the embryo and fetus and supporting genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. Beta-carotene is a plant nutrient that the body will be converted into vitamin A.
Prenatal vitamins can be taken after pregnancy, a balanced supplement to offer. With the tight schedule of the mother and lack of time, prenatal vitamins are a perfect choice for a supplement regime after pregnancy.
Pregnancy proper prenatal and maternity leave is essential.
Developmental milestones: Talking
Talking
When it develops
How it develops
What comes next
Your role
When to be concerned
Talking
Your baby will gradually learn to use words to describe what she sees, hears, feels, and thinks as she makes mental, emotional, and behavioural leaps. Researchers now know that long before a baby utters her first word, she's learning the rules of language and how adults use it to communicate.
When it develops
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Children learn to talk during their first two years of life. Your baby will begin by using her tongue, lips, palate, and any emerging teeth to make sounds (ooh and ahhs in the first month or two; babbling starts shortly thereafter). Soon those sounds become real words ("mama" and "dada" may slip out and bring tears to your eyes as early as four to five months). From then on your baby will pick up more words from you, your partner, and everyone else around her. And between one and two years, she'll begin to form two- to three-word sentences.
How it develops
Your child's wail at birth is her first foray into the world of language. She's expressing the shock of being out of the confines of the womb and in a new and unfamiliar place. From then on, she's absorbing sounds, tones, and words that later shape the way she speaks.
Talking is inextricably linked to hearing. By listening to others speak, your baby learns what words sound like and how sentences are structured. In fact, many researchers believe the work of understanding language begins while a baby is in utero. Just as your unborn baby got used to the steady beat of your heart, she tuned into the sound of your voice. Just days after birth, she was able to discern your voice among others.
One to three months
Your child's first form of communication is crying. A piercing scream may mean she's hungry, while a whimpering, staccato cry may signal that she needs a nappy change. As she gets older, she'll develop a delightful repertoire of gurgles, sighs, and coos, becoming a mini sound factory. As for her ability to understand lanugage, linguists say babies as young as four weeks can distinguish between similar syllables, such as "ma" and "na."
Four months
At this stage, your child will start to babble, combining consonants and vowels (such as "baba" or "yaya"). The first "mama" or "dada" may slip out now and then, and though it's sure to melt your heart, your baby doesn't quite yet equate those words with you. That comes later, when she's almost a year old.
Her attempts at talking will sound like stream of consciousness monologues in another language, endless words strung together. Vocalisation is a game to your baby, who is experimenting with using her tongue, teeth, palate, and vocal chords to make all sorts of funny noises. At this stage, babbling sounds the same, whether you speak English, French, or Japanese in your home. You may notice your child favouring certain sounds ("ka" or "da," for example), repeating them over and over because she likes the way they sound and how her mouth feels when she says them.
Six to nine months
When she babbles and vocalises, she'll sound as if she's making sense now. That's because she's using tones and patterns similar to the ones you use. Foster your baby's babbling by reading to her.
12 to 17 months
She's using one or more words and knows what they mean. She'll even practise inflection, raising her tone when asking a question, saying "Up-py?" when she wants to be carried, for example. She's realising the importance of talking and how powerful it is to be able to communicate her needs.
18 to 24 months
Her vocabulary may include as many as 200 words now, many of which are nouns. Between 18 and 20 months, children learn words at a rate of 10 or more a day. Some learn new words every 90 minutes, so watch your language. She'll even string two words together, making basic sentences such as "Carry me." By the time she's two, she'll use three-word sentences and sing simple tunes. Her sense of self will mature, and she'll start talking about herself -- what she likes and doesn't, what she thinks and feels. Pronouns may confuse her, and you may catch her avoiding them, saying "Baby throw" instead of "I throw."
25 to 36 months
She'll struggle for a while to find the appropriate volume to use when talking, but she'll learn soon enough. She's also starting to get the hang of pronouns, such as I, me, and you. Between ages two and three, her vocabulary will increase to up to 300 words. She'll string nouns and verbs together to form complete though simple sentences such as "I go now."
By the time she turns three, your child will be a more sophisticated talker. She'll be able to carry on a sustained conversation and adjust her tone, speech patterns, and vocabulary to her conversation partner. For instance, she'll use simpler words with another child, but be more verbal with you. By now she may be almost completely intelligible. She'll be fluent at saying her name and her age, and will readily oblige when asked.
What comes next
As your child grows, she'll become more of a chatterbox. You'll scarcely remember the time when she hardly spoke at all, and you'll enjoy hearing about what projects she did at playgroup, what her friend Cassie had for lunch, what she thinks about Cinderella's wicked stepmother, and anything else that occupies her mind. She'll also start to tackle the more complicated skill of writing.
Your role
It's simple: talk to your child. Research shows that children whose parents spoke to them extensively when they were babies have significantly higher IQs than other children. Their vocabularies are also richer than those of kids who didn't receive much verbal stimulation. You can start as early as when you're pregnant, so your baby gets used to the sound of your voice. Read a book out loud or sing to your baby when you are in the bath. When the baby's born, talk to her as you change her nappy, feed, or bathe her, and give her time to respond with a smile or eye to eye contact. At around five months, you may notice her watching your mouth intently. Keep talking, and soon she'll start trying to talk back.
Baby talk has its place, but also speak in real sentences. Your child will learn to speak well only if you teach her to do so. You don't have to avoid using complicated words. While you may need to simplify the way you talk so your child will understand what you mean, the best way for her to expand her vocabulary is to hear you using new words. The same goes for toddlers and preschoolers, whose language skills will continue to grow as long as you continue to stimulate them with conversation.
Reading is a great way to help develop your child's language skills. Babies will delight in the sound of your voice, toddlers will enjoy the stories, and preschoolers may even jump in to tell you what's going on in a book.
When to be concerned
Babies with hearing problems stop babbling at around six months. If yours isn't making any sounds (or even attempting to) or eye contact with you, consult your doctor. While some kids start forming words at nine months, many will wait until they are 13 or 14 months. If your child isn't saying any words by 15 months, or you still can't understand a word she's saying, discuss the matter with your doctor or health visitor.
If by age three your child continues to drop consonants (saying "ca" for "cat," for example) or substitute one sound or syllable for another (saying "car" as "tar", for example, or "fish" as "sish"), she may have a speech or hearing problem. Talk to your GP or health visitor, who can arrange for her to be assessed.
All toddlers sometimes stammer and stutter from time to time. Sometimes they're so excited to tell you what's on their mind that they can't get the words out easily. Allow her to finish her sentences, and avoid jumping in to help her out. That can feel like a put-down and won't help her learning.
However, a persistent stutter should be checked out by a speech and language therapist. A child will usually make best progress if he is seen in the first six to 12 months after the stutter is first noticed, regardless of his age. You could ask your GP for a referral, but most speech and language therapy departments will also accept referrals directly from concerned parents.
When it develops
How it develops
What comes next
Your role
When to be concerned
Talking
Your baby will gradually learn to use words to describe what she sees, hears, feels, and thinks as she makes mental, emotional, and behavioural leaps. Researchers now know that long before a baby utters her first word, she's learning the rules of language and how adults use it to communicate.
When it develops
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Children learn to talk during their first two years of life. Your baby will begin by using her tongue, lips, palate, and any emerging teeth to make sounds (ooh and ahhs in the first month or two; babbling starts shortly thereafter). Soon those sounds become real words ("mama" and "dada" may slip out and bring tears to your eyes as early as four to five months). From then on your baby will pick up more words from you, your partner, and everyone else around her. And between one and two years, she'll begin to form two- to three-word sentences.
How it develops
Your child's wail at birth is her first foray into the world of language. She's expressing the shock of being out of the confines of the womb and in a new and unfamiliar place. From then on, she's absorbing sounds, tones, and words that later shape the way she speaks.
Talking is inextricably linked to hearing. By listening to others speak, your baby learns what words sound like and how sentences are structured. In fact, many researchers believe the work of understanding language begins while a baby is in utero. Just as your unborn baby got used to the steady beat of your heart, she tuned into the sound of your voice. Just days after birth, she was able to discern your voice among others.
One to three months
Your child's first form of communication is crying. A piercing scream may mean she's hungry, while a whimpering, staccato cry may signal that she needs a nappy change. As she gets older, she'll develop a delightful repertoire of gurgles, sighs, and coos, becoming a mini sound factory. As for her ability to understand lanugage, linguists say babies as young as four weeks can distinguish between similar syllables, such as "ma" and "na."
Four months
At this stage, your child will start to babble, combining consonants and vowels (such as "baba" or "yaya"). The first "mama" or "dada" may slip out now and then, and though it's sure to melt your heart, your baby doesn't quite yet equate those words with you. That comes later, when she's almost a year old.
Her attempts at talking will sound like stream of consciousness monologues in another language, endless words strung together. Vocalisation is a game to your baby, who is experimenting with using her tongue, teeth, palate, and vocal chords to make all sorts of funny noises. At this stage, babbling sounds the same, whether you speak English, French, or Japanese in your home. You may notice your child favouring certain sounds ("ka" or "da," for example), repeating them over and over because she likes the way they sound and how her mouth feels when she says them.
Six to nine months
When she babbles and vocalises, she'll sound as if she's making sense now. That's because she's using tones and patterns similar to the ones you use. Foster your baby's babbling by reading to her.
12 to 17 months
She's using one or more words and knows what they mean. She'll even practise inflection, raising her tone when asking a question, saying "Up-py?" when she wants to be carried, for example. She's realising the importance of talking and how powerful it is to be able to communicate her needs.
18 to 24 months
Her vocabulary may include as many as 200 words now, many of which are nouns. Between 18 and 20 months, children learn words at a rate of 10 or more a day. Some learn new words every 90 minutes, so watch your language. She'll even string two words together, making basic sentences such as "Carry me." By the time she's two, she'll use three-word sentences and sing simple tunes. Her sense of self will mature, and she'll start talking about herself -- what she likes and doesn't, what she thinks and feels. Pronouns may confuse her, and you may catch her avoiding them, saying "Baby throw" instead of "I throw."
25 to 36 months
She'll struggle for a while to find the appropriate volume to use when talking, but she'll learn soon enough. She's also starting to get the hang of pronouns, such as I, me, and you. Between ages two and three, her vocabulary will increase to up to 300 words. She'll string nouns and verbs together to form complete though simple sentences such as "I go now."
By the time she turns three, your child will be a more sophisticated talker. She'll be able to carry on a sustained conversation and adjust her tone, speech patterns, and vocabulary to her conversation partner. For instance, she'll use simpler words with another child, but be more verbal with you. By now she may be almost completely intelligible. She'll be fluent at saying her name and her age, and will readily oblige when asked.
What comes next
As your child grows, she'll become more of a chatterbox. You'll scarcely remember the time when she hardly spoke at all, and you'll enjoy hearing about what projects she did at playgroup, what her friend Cassie had for lunch, what she thinks about Cinderella's wicked stepmother, and anything else that occupies her mind. She'll also start to tackle the more complicated skill of writing.
Your role
It's simple: talk to your child. Research shows that children whose parents spoke to them extensively when they were babies have significantly higher IQs than other children. Their vocabularies are also richer than those of kids who didn't receive much verbal stimulation. You can start as early as when you're pregnant, so your baby gets used to the sound of your voice. Read a book out loud or sing to your baby when you are in the bath. When the baby's born, talk to her as you change her nappy, feed, or bathe her, and give her time to respond with a smile or eye to eye contact. At around five months, you may notice her watching your mouth intently. Keep talking, and soon she'll start trying to talk back.
Baby talk has its place, but also speak in real sentences. Your child will learn to speak well only if you teach her to do so. You don't have to avoid using complicated words. While you may need to simplify the way you talk so your child will understand what you mean, the best way for her to expand her vocabulary is to hear you using new words. The same goes for toddlers and preschoolers, whose language skills will continue to grow as long as you continue to stimulate them with conversation.
Reading is a great way to help develop your child's language skills. Babies will delight in the sound of your voice, toddlers will enjoy the stories, and preschoolers may even jump in to tell you what's going on in a book.
When to be concerned
Babies with hearing problems stop babbling at around six months. If yours isn't making any sounds (or even attempting to) or eye contact with you, consult your doctor. While some kids start forming words at nine months, many will wait until they are 13 or 14 months. If your child isn't saying any words by 15 months, or you still can't understand a word she's saying, discuss the matter with your doctor or health visitor.
If by age three your child continues to drop consonants (saying "ca" for "cat," for example) or substitute one sound or syllable for another (saying "car" as "tar", for example, or "fish" as "sish"), she may have a speech or hearing problem. Talk to your GP or health visitor, who can arrange for her to be assessed.
All toddlers sometimes stammer and stutter from time to time. Sometimes they're so excited to tell you what's on their mind that they can't get the words out easily. Allow her to finish her sentences, and avoid jumping in to help her out. That can feel like a put-down and won't help her learning.
However, a persistent stutter should be checked out by a speech and language therapist. A child will usually make best progress if he is seen in the first six to 12 months after the stutter is first noticed, regardless of his age. You could ask your GP for a referral, but most speech and language therapy departments will also accept referrals directly from concerned parents.
Top 10 names for baby girls in England and Wales
2008
1 OLIVIA
2 RUBY
3 EMILY
4 GRACE
5 JESSICA
6 CHLOE
7 SOPHIE
8 LILY
9 AMELIA
10 EVIE
1 OLIVIA
2 RUBY
3 EMILY
4 GRACE
5 JESSICA
6 CHLOE
7 SOPHIE
8 LILY
9 AMELIA
10 EVIE
Baby Foods For One Year Olds
In the early stages of life, babies feed primarily on breast milk. During this time, all the nutrients required by them are covered by breast milk, which acts like a tonic, satisfying their appetite as well as protecting them from susceptible dangers of many diseases. However, once babies start growing, their nutritional requirements also start growing. The body of the child needs more nutrition to grow. Thus, the diet of the baby has to be rich, providing him complete nutrition. There are some specific foods which should be included and some that should be avoided, once the baby turns a year old. For your convenience, given below is a list of baby foods for 1 year olds.
Diet for One Year Old
You can replace breast milk or formula milk with whole milk, after the child is one year old. However, do not resort to low fat or skim milk. It is not good for children, as they need fat for growth.
Give your child fruits, vegetables and breads to ensure that he/she gets all nutrients.
Grains and dairy products should also form a part of the diet of your one year old child.
Feed your child 4 - 5 times a day, because toddlers cannot eat too much at one time.
In case of new foods in the diet of the baby, add only one at a time and keep a check for any allergic reactions.
Avoid foods such as nuts, popcorn, potato chips,corn, grapes, raisins, etc. These foods may choke the baby.
Do not give sweets or sweetened beverages to the baby, as they contribute to tooth decay.
Do not give soft drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate.
Do not give any vitamin supplements to the baby, as a healthy child should get all its nutrient content from foods. Standard pediatric multi-vitamins may be given, if your pediatrician recommends it.
Do not feed the baby solids in a bottle.
Avoid giving milk or fruit juice in a bottle to the baby while he is lying in bed. This can develop nursing bottle mouth, which may result in tooth decay.
Diet for One Year Old
You can replace breast milk or formula milk with whole milk, after the child is one year old. However, do not resort to low fat or skim milk. It is not good for children, as they need fat for growth.
Give your child fruits, vegetables and breads to ensure that he/she gets all nutrients.
Grains and dairy products should also form a part of the diet of your one year old child.
Feed your child 4 - 5 times a day, because toddlers cannot eat too much at one time.
In case of new foods in the diet of the baby, add only one at a time and keep a check for any allergic reactions.
Avoid foods such as nuts, popcorn, potato chips,corn, grapes, raisins, etc. These foods may choke the baby.
Do not give sweets or sweetened beverages to the baby, as they contribute to tooth decay.
Do not give soft drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate.
Do not give any vitamin supplements to the baby, as a healthy child should get all its nutrient content from foods. Standard pediatric multi-vitamins may be given, if your pediatrician recommends it.
Do not feed the baby solids in a bottle.
Avoid giving milk or fruit juice in a bottle to the baby while he is lying in bed. This can develop nursing bottle mouth, which may result in tooth decay.
6th Month Guide
The sixth month brings with it many new accomplishments for babys and a lot of fun new stuff for parents. This month can also get more difficult than the previous months for many reasons. Your baby is very possibly more mobile now, which immediately makes more work for parents. Your baby now eats baby food on a regular basis, which makes feeding time a lot messier and less simple than bottles. Your baby also likely has developed likes and dislikes, which can also make things slightly more difficult. Even with these difficult parts of the sixth month, though, parents often enjoy this month very much.
Physical Development and Appearance
Physical appearance hasn’t likely changed much from the fifth month to the sixth month. Most babies have already moved up a size in clothes and are officially wearing six-nine month clothes before they ever reach the sixth month. If your baby was not yet wearing these clothes, however, she may very well need to move up a size during this month.
Physical development might have made huge strides over the past month, though. So many things can happen in such a short period of time, it can be hard to even notice what is going on. Many babies will begin to sit up on their own during the sixth month, some will become mobile—this can be by crawling or scooting, some babies will begin cutting teeth, and many babies will begin to actually say words that you can understand, such as “dada.”
Just as with babies in the fifth month, babies at this age can often sit up in walkers or exersaucers, and they can intentionally pick up toys and put them where they want to on a regular basis. Although this will not apply to all babies, many will be able to sit up on their own, possibly even placing themselves in the sitting position (which is a big accomplishment in itself).
Many babies will begin actually intentionally saying words this month. Many times, although mothers are not usually too happy about this, a baby’s first word will be “dada.” Some mothers tend to be bothered by this because they are the one spending all the time with baby, giving baby everything, and then baby says daddy’s name first. But the reason that most babies do this is because of the ease of pronunciation: “dada” is simply easier to say than “mama.”
Once your baby tries to say a word, accomplishes it, and you know what she is saying, this can spark much excitement for both parent and baby. This means that your baby may now begin to try harder to say other words. You may be surprised to see how quickly it seems that your baby is adding words to her vocabulary.
Care for Baby
Skin care—while you may no longer have to worry about dry skin or cradle cap, you may still want to put baby lotion on your baby. This is most likely because your baby no longer has that natural “baby” smell, but you aren’t ready for him to lose it yet. Many parents feel this way and will continue to apply baby lotion after baths until baby is well into the first year or even longer.
Some babies develop eczema by this age, and this is a skin condition that has red itchy patches. If your baby has any type of skin problem at this age, it is best to take him to the doctor to have him checked out. Some skin conditions require lifelong treatment, but even these can get better temporarily with the proper application of medication.
Head care—your baby’s head care will differ greatly this month from earlier months. You no longer need to offer your baby any head support, and the soft spot is getting stronger, but if your baby is mobile, there is a whole new world of things to watch out for.
Mobile babies can now get around on their own, but they do not always do so gracefully. Instead, they tend to run into things, raise their head while crawling and bump into things, etc. This is when protecting your baby’s head becomes a bit more challenging: you need to baby proof your house and watch your baby at all times to prevent injuries.
Teething—the average first tooth comes in at the age of six months. Many babies do not cut a tooth until a few months later, but it is possible you will have to deal with teething in this month. You will usually know that this is what is wrong with your baby because he will begin to drool more than usual, he will chew on things even more than usual (even though you may not have thought this was possible), he will be very cranky, he will possibly be running a low-grade fever, and he might have diarrhea. If your baby displays all of the symptoms above, you should check his gums. If they are red, swollen, and he cries more than usual when you touch them, or if you can see or feel a tooth coming in, then you will know that he is teething. If, however, this isn’t the case, you need to call his doctor just to be sure that he doesn’t have some kind of illness.
If you can tell that your baby is definitely cutting teeth, there are a few ways to you’re your little one with the pain: give him cold or frozen teethers, apply a topical numbing cream or lotion (or you can use teething tablets—some parents say these are better than traditional ointments). In the place of a teether, you can use a frozen waffle (take care to make sure that your baby doesn’t bite any of the pieces off and take it away before it gets soggy) or a frozen popsicle that is unwrapped (this, of course, only applies to those kind in the plastic wrappers).
If your baby is going through the painful experience of teething, it can seem like the crying and sleeplessness will go on forever, but have hope. Usually, although every baby is different, the severe pain will only last two or three days. Then, once the tooth has broken the skin, while your baby may still be feeling some discomfort, he will likely feel a lot better than before.
Bathing—bath time can be a lot of fun for babies of this age. If your baby can crawl, he may be too big for a baby bath tub at this point, and it may be necessary to start using a bathtub ring or a blow-up tub that he can sit in. You should allow your baby to play with toys in the bath tub and splash and have fun for a while because your baby may cry when it is time to get out of the tub. Letting it last a little longer than before can put off this inevitable problem, at for a little while.
Even though your baby is older, and his skin isn’t as sensitive as before, you should continue to use baby shampoos and soaps, towels and washrags, and you should always make sure that the temperature of the water is not too hot or cold. You can purchase a water temperature thermometer at almost any drugstore if need be. This is a little piece of plastic that you can stick in the water and it will let you know if the water is too hot or cold. Using these can prevent not only discomfort, but also pain and possibly even burns.
Diapers—not much will have changed from last month to this month in the matters of diaper size or changes necessary. One difference that might be relevant this month, though, is this: if your baby has recently started crawling, you may have noticed leakages that didn’t happen before. Some diapers work better for active babies than others, so if this is the case, it might be an easily solved problem by just switching diapers to one that has a different type of waist line and elastic around the thighs.
Despite your best efforts, your baby may have developed a diaper rash by this point, as well. The most obvious method of treatment and prevention is to apply the proper medicines and ointments. Another way to prevent and heal any diaper rash that your baby may have developed is to let her air out right after every diaper change. After bath time is another great opportunity to let your baby’s bottom get some air.
Gum care—just as with last month, mainly because you have likely introduced juice into your baby’s diet, you should clean your baby’s gums after every feeding. To prevent tooth decay, you should never let your baby fall asleep to drinking a bottle (whether it is juice or formula). If your baby likes to suckle while going to sleep, you should let him have a dentist-approved pacifier instead.
To clean your baby’s gums, you can use a soft baby wash cloth with just water, or you can purchase a baby gum-cleaning kit from your local drugstore. These often have a finger cover (which may have soft bumps on it that can help relieve painful gums as well) as well as baby-safe toothpaste. Cleaning your baby’s gums may seem pointless, but it is an excellent habit to develop early and continue after getting teeth, not to mention the pain and expense it could save you and your baby later.
If your baby has cut a tooth, or more than one tooth, you will need to begin cleaning that as well. Temporarily, you can just clean it the same way and time you clean your baby’s gums, but soon you will need to purchase a baby toothbrush and baby toothpaste. Toothpaste that is intended for babies is much softer than others and the toothpaste is safer for babies than adult toothpaste. Since babies really don’t know how to spit, and will likely swallow toothpaste at every brushing, it is important to use a kind that is specifically for babies.
Sleep—most babies have developed a habit of sleeping all night by the time they are in their sixth month. If your baby hasn’t, it may be time to make some changes. Otherwise, you could end up getting only as much sleep as you do now for another year or more.
If you are one of those parents who is still suffering through sleepless nights, you can help make changes to this by not allowing your baby any juice past early afternoon (juice has quite a bit of sugar and can keep your baby from sleeping good—you can switch to water instead). Another excellent way to help your baby develop a habit of sleeping through the night is to not allow him to have his late nap of the day. You can also wake your baby early from his last nap, or wake him earlier than normal every morning. It may take a couple of weeks and a cranky baby to completely change his schedule, but you will be thankful you tried when you sleep all night every night.
Eating—the sixth month is just as fun and messy as the fifth month, but possibly even more so. This is because, by now, you probably feed your baby solids at least twice a day. If your baby has developed any teeth, and has learned to actually chew, you may even be giving your baby some snacks intended for babies. These can help keep your baby full for longer and require a much smaller mess. If your baby can sit up, or sit up with assistance, you may have even begun to feed baby in a high chair (up until this point, you likely used a carrier or another place that didn’t require baby sit up).
While the amount of food your baby eats will have a direct reflection on the amount of formula or breast milk that your baby will want, your baby should still receive the majority of his nutrition through formula or breast milk.
When feeding your baby, it is important to give him something to drink, as well. Some parents tend to overlook this, and when they realize it, they often feel bad. Some babies will follow up a meal with the bottle or breast, but this can often be avoided if you allow your baby something to drink while eating. Juice or water works best for this, as formula or breast milk is too thick and will fill baby too quickly.
When you begin introducing new foods to your baby, you will want to watch for any food allergies your baby may have. You can do this by only introducing one new food a day. If possible, you should also make your baby’s food meal the last one of the day. You can feed him while you eat supper, and then give a half a bottle just before bed, or something similar. The trick is to keep your baby full throughout the night. If you do begin by feeding your baby his food early in the day, you will need to start two feedings a day pretty quickly. Once a baby has experienced the full feeling caused by food, he may begin to get hungry more quickly than before, and this may lead to even more sleepless nights.
Experiences
Illnesses—by the sixth month, it is possible that your baby has been sick a time or two. While there is no real way to prevent this from happening (no matter how much you try), you can try to at least make it easier on your baby when she does get sick.
One of the best ways to do this is to keep a lot of different types of medicine on hand at all times. Luckily, medicines don’t usually expire for a long time, sometimes years, so you are able to keep them around without fear of them going bad before you can use them.
Some of the best types of medicines to have around at all times for your baby are cold and flu medicines for babies, pain relievers/fever reducers (it is best to keep both acetaminophen as well as ibuprofen on hand, because you can use both at the same time), stomach medicines, allergy medicines, and more.
You really can’t have too much medicine around just in case you need it. This can make the illness your baby may have at least a little easier to deal with for both you and your baby, and it is something every parent will be glad they did when the time is necessary to use some of the medication—this is especially true if the illness begins in the middle of the night).
Toys for this age—the types of toys your baby can play with and enjoy at this age will vary from baby to baby, depending on your baby’s abilities. If your baby is crawling, she will likely enjoy playing with anything that she actually discovers on her own (and she will enjoy it even more if it is not something she is supposed to be playing with). as for real toys, your baby probably still loves rattlers and stuffed animals at this point, and boy babies usually already enjoy trucks while girls tend to love dolls.
Other things your baby may love include toys to play in, such as a jumper, exersaucer to walker. Many babies, by the sixth month, will have decided that they no longer like their baby swing while others may still enjoy it.
New abilities—many babies, as mentioned above, begin to crawl around the sixth month. Not all babies will do this, and it is important to realize that babies will do everything in their own time, and that it is no reflection on their intelligence. Your baby may be sitting up or not at this age, and he may be crawling, scooting, or simply lying in one spot as happy as a clam. Whatever your baby is doing at this point, it can almost always be considered normal, because there is no true standard of what is normal.
Your baby may be calling you by name at this point using one or two teeth, or he may not say anything more than “gaa” using nothing but gums.
Since there is such a difference in what a baby may or may not be able to do at the six month mark, it is more important to revel in what your baby is doing, rather than compare him to what other babies are doing.
Parents—there are a few very important things that should take place during baby’s sixth month, if not before. One of these things is to baby proof your house. You should crawl around on all fours looking for any and every tiny thing that your baby might find interesting. You should cover outlets, hide cords, lock toilets and cabinets, etc. Even though it may seem like these are a long time away from posing a problem, even if your baby hasn’t started really crawling yet, it is important to do it now. Once your baby does start crawling, you would be surprised at how quickly they get very good and quick at it.
Another thing is to make your home as safe as possible for your mobile baby by covering corners of coffee tables, etc. This can keep your baby from bumping his head while crawling. Investing in baby gates, especially if you have a staircase, fireplace, or other dangerous area in your home, is an excellent idea.
Another thing to be aware of is that babies who become mobile usually do not like being restrained. This may mean that your little one tries to crawl out of carseats, carriers, swings, playpens, bouncers, etc. If this is the case, you need to make certain that your child is always restrained in these properly to prevent injuries.
Once you have done the above to keep your little one safe, you can concentrate more on videotaping and taking pictures of his wonderful new abilities.
Physical Development and Appearance
Physical appearance hasn’t likely changed much from the fifth month to the sixth month. Most babies have already moved up a size in clothes and are officially wearing six-nine month clothes before they ever reach the sixth month. If your baby was not yet wearing these clothes, however, she may very well need to move up a size during this month.
Physical development might have made huge strides over the past month, though. So many things can happen in such a short period of time, it can be hard to even notice what is going on. Many babies will begin to sit up on their own during the sixth month, some will become mobile—this can be by crawling or scooting, some babies will begin cutting teeth, and many babies will begin to actually say words that you can understand, such as “dada.”
Just as with babies in the fifth month, babies at this age can often sit up in walkers or exersaucers, and they can intentionally pick up toys and put them where they want to on a regular basis. Although this will not apply to all babies, many will be able to sit up on their own, possibly even placing themselves in the sitting position (which is a big accomplishment in itself).
Many babies will begin actually intentionally saying words this month. Many times, although mothers are not usually too happy about this, a baby’s first word will be “dada.” Some mothers tend to be bothered by this because they are the one spending all the time with baby, giving baby everything, and then baby says daddy’s name first. But the reason that most babies do this is because of the ease of pronunciation: “dada” is simply easier to say than “mama.”
Once your baby tries to say a word, accomplishes it, and you know what she is saying, this can spark much excitement for both parent and baby. This means that your baby may now begin to try harder to say other words. You may be surprised to see how quickly it seems that your baby is adding words to her vocabulary.
Care for Baby
Skin care—while you may no longer have to worry about dry skin or cradle cap, you may still want to put baby lotion on your baby. This is most likely because your baby no longer has that natural “baby” smell, but you aren’t ready for him to lose it yet. Many parents feel this way and will continue to apply baby lotion after baths until baby is well into the first year or even longer.
Some babies develop eczema by this age, and this is a skin condition that has red itchy patches. If your baby has any type of skin problem at this age, it is best to take him to the doctor to have him checked out. Some skin conditions require lifelong treatment, but even these can get better temporarily with the proper application of medication.
Head care—your baby’s head care will differ greatly this month from earlier months. You no longer need to offer your baby any head support, and the soft spot is getting stronger, but if your baby is mobile, there is a whole new world of things to watch out for.
Mobile babies can now get around on their own, but they do not always do so gracefully. Instead, they tend to run into things, raise their head while crawling and bump into things, etc. This is when protecting your baby’s head becomes a bit more challenging: you need to baby proof your house and watch your baby at all times to prevent injuries.
Teething—the average first tooth comes in at the age of six months. Many babies do not cut a tooth until a few months later, but it is possible you will have to deal with teething in this month. You will usually know that this is what is wrong with your baby because he will begin to drool more than usual, he will chew on things even more than usual (even though you may not have thought this was possible), he will be very cranky, he will possibly be running a low-grade fever, and he might have diarrhea. If your baby displays all of the symptoms above, you should check his gums. If they are red, swollen, and he cries more than usual when you touch them, or if you can see or feel a tooth coming in, then you will know that he is teething. If, however, this isn’t the case, you need to call his doctor just to be sure that he doesn’t have some kind of illness.
If you can tell that your baby is definitely cutting teeth, there are a few ways to you’re your little one with the pain: give him cold or frozen teethers, apply a topical numbing cream or lotion (or you can use teething tablets—some parents say these are better than traditional ointments). In the place of a teether, you can use a frozen waffle (take care to make sure that your baby doesn’t bite any of the pieces off and take it away before it gets soggy) or a frozen popsicle that is unwrapped (this, of course, only applies to those kind in the plastic wrappers).
If your baby is going through the painful experience of teething, it can seem like the crying and sleeplessness will go on forever, but have hope. Usually, although every baby is different, the severe pain will only last two or three days. Then, once the tooth has broken the skin, while your baby may still be feeling some discomfort, he will likely feel a lot better than before.
Bathing—bath time can be a lot of fun for babies of this age. If your baby can crawl, he may be too big for a baby bath tub at this point, and it may be necessary to start using a bathtub ring or a blow-up tub that he can sit in. You should allow your baby to play with toys in the bath tub and splash and have fun for a while because your baby may cry when it is time to get out of the tub. Letting it last a little longer than before can put off this inevitable problem, at for a little while.
Even though your baby is older, and his skin isn’t as sensitive as before, you should continue to use baby shampoos and soaps, towels and washrags, and you should always make sure that the temperature of the water is not too hot or cold. You can purchase a water temperature thermometer at almost any drugstore if need be. This is a little piece of plastic that you can stick in the water and it will let you know if the water is too hot or cold. Using these can prevent not only discomfort, but also pain and possibly even burns.
Diapers—not much will have changed from last month to this month in the matters of diaper size or changes necessary. One difference that might be relevant this month, though, is this: if your baby has recently started crawling, you may have noticed leakages that didn’t happen before. Some diapers work better for active babies than others, so if this is the case, it might be an easily solved problem by just switching diapers to one that has a different type of waist line and elastic around the thighs.
Despite your best efforts, your baby may have developed a diaper rash by this point, as well. The most obvious method of treatment and prevention is to apply the proper medicines and ointments. Another way to prevent and heal any diaper rash that your baby may have developed is to let her air out right after every diaper change. After bath time is another great opportunity to let your baby’s bottom get some air.
Gum care—just as with last month, mainly because you have likely introduced juice into your baby’s diet, you should clean your baby’s gums after every feeding. To prevent tooth decay, you should never let your baby fall asleep to drinking a bottle (whether it is juice or formula). If your baby likes to suckle while going to sleep, you should let him have a dentist-approved pacifier instead.
To clean your baby’s gums, you can use a soft baby wash cloth with just water, or you can purchase a baby gum-cleaning kit from your local drugstore. These often have a finger cover (which may have soft bumps on it that can help relieve painful gums as well) as well as baby-safe toothpaste. Cleaning your baby’s gums may seem pointless, but it is an excellent habit to develop early and continue after getting teeth, not to mention the pain and expense it could save you and your baby later.
If your baby has cut a tooth, or more than one tooth, you will need to begin cleaning that as well. Temporarily, you can just clean it the same way and time you clean your baby’s gums, but soon you will need to purchase a baby toothbrush and baby toothpaste. Toothpaste that is intended for babies is much softer than others and the toothpaste is safer for babies than adult toothpaste. Since babies really don’t know how to spit, and will likely swallow toothpaste at every brushing, it is important to use a kind that is specifically for babies.
Sleep—most babies have developed a habit of sleeping all night by the time they are in their sixth month. If your baby hasn’t, it may be time to make some changes. Otherwise, you could end up getting only as much sleep as you do now for another year or more.
If you are one of those parents who is still suffering through sleepless nights, you can help make changes to this by not allowing your baby any juice past early afternoon (juice has quite a bit of sugar and can keep your baby from sleeping good—you can switch to water instead). Another excellent way to help your baby develop a habit of sleeping through the night is to not allow him to have his late nap of the day. You can also wake your baby early from his last nap, or wake him earlier than normal every morning. It may take a couple of weeks and a cranky baby to completely change his schedule, but you will be thankful you tried when you sleep all night every night.
Eating—the sixth month is just as fun and messy as the fifth month, but possibly even more so. This is because, by now, you probably feed your baby solids at least twice a day. If your baby has developed any teeth, and has learned to actually chew, you may even be giving your baby some snacks intended for babies. These can help keep your baby full for longer and require a much smaller mess. If your baby can sit up, or sit up with assistance, you may have even begun to feed baby in a high chair (up until this point, you likely used a carrier or another place that didn’t require baby sit up).
While the amount of food your baby eats will have a direct reflection on the amount of formula or breast milk that your baby will want, your baby should still receive the majority of his nutrition through formula or breast milk.
When feeding your baby, it is important to give him something to drink, as well. Some parents tend to overlook this, and when they realize it, they often feel bad. Some babies will follow up a meal with the bottle or breast, but this can often be avoided if you allow your baby something to drink while eating. Juice or water works best for this, as formula or breast milk is too thick and will fill baby too quickly.
When you begin introducing new foods to your baby, you will want to watch for any food allergies your baby may have. You can do this by only introducing one new food a day. If possible, you should also make your baby’s food meal the last one of the day. You can feed him while you eat supper, and then give a half a bottle just before bed, or something similar. The trick is to keep your baby full throughout the night. If you do begin by feeding your baby his food early in the day, you will need to start two feedings a day pretty quickly. Once a baby has experienced the full feeling caused by food, he may begin to get hungry more quickly than before, and this may lead to even more sleepless nights.
Experiences
Illnesses—by the sixth month, it is possible that your baby has been sick a time or two. While there is no real way to prevent this from happening (no matter how much you try), you can try to at least make it easier on your baby when she does get sick.
One of the best ways to do this is to keep a lot of different types of medicine on hand at all times. Luckily, medicines don’t usually expire for a long time, sometimes years, so you are able to keep them around without fear of them going bad before you can use them.
Some of the best types of medicines to have around at all times for your baby are cold and flu medicines for babies, pain relievers/fever reducers (it is best to keep both acetaminophen as well as ibuprofen on hand, because you can use both at the same time), stomach medicines, allergy medicines, and more.
You really can’t have too much medicine around just in case you need it. This can make the illness your baby may have at least a little easier to deal with for both you and your baby, and it is something every parent will be glad they did when the time is necessary to use some of the medication—this is especially true if the illness begins in the middle of the night).
Toys for this age—the types of toys your baby can play with and enjoy at this age will vary from baby to baby, depending on your baby’s abilities. If your baby is crawling, she will likely enjoy playing with anything that she actually discovers on her own (and she will enjoy it even more if it is not something she is supposed to be playing with). as for real toys, your baby probably still loves rattlers and stuffed animals at this point, and boy babies usually already enjoy trucks while girls tend to love dolls.
Other things your baby may love include toys to play in, such as a jumper, exersaucer to walker. Many babies, by the sixth month, will have decided that they no longer like their baby swing while others may still enjoy it.
New abilities—many babies, as mentioned above, begin to crawl around the sixth month. Not all babies will do this, and it is important to realize that babies will do everything in their own time, and that it is no reflection on their intelligence. Your baby may be sitting up or not at this age, and he may be crawling, scooting, or simply lying in one spot as happy as a clam. Whatever your baby is doing at this point, it can almost always be considered normal, because there is no true standard of what is normal.
Your baby may be calling you by name at this point using one or two teeth, or he may not say anything more than “gaa” using nothing but gums.
Since there is such a difference in what a baby may or may not be able to do at the six month mark, it is more important to revel in what your baby is doing, rather than compare him to what other babies are doing.
Parents—there are a few very important things that should take place during baby’s sixth month, if not before. One of these things is to baby proof your house. You should crawl around on all fours looking for any and every tiny thing that your baby might find interesting. You should cover outlets, hide cords, lock toilets and cabinets, etc. Even though it may seem like these are a long time away from posing a problem, even if your baby hasn’t started really crawling yet, it is important to do it now. Once your baby does start crawling, you would be surprised at how quickly they get very good and quick at it.
Another thing is to make your home as safe as possible for your mobile baby by covering corners of coffee tables, etc. This can keep your baby from bumping his head while crawling. Investing in baby gates, especially if you have a staircase, fireplace, or other dangerous area in your home, is an excellent idea.
Another thing to be aware of is that babies who become mobile usually do not like being restrained. This may mean that your little one tries to crawl out of carseats, carriers, swings, playpens, bouncers, etc. If this is the case, you need to make certain that your child is always restrained in these properly to prevent injuries.
Once you have done the above to keep your little one safe, you can concentrate more on videotaping and taking pictures of his wonderful new abilities.
Caffeine and Pregnancy
Now that you are pregnant, it is important to ensure that both you and your baby stay strong and healthy. Though it may be difficult, this is the time to give up all those bad habits, like smoking and alcohol consumption. It is also a good idea to give up food or beverages that contain caffeine. Though you may be hesitant to give up your morning cup of coffee, caffeine has been associated with a number of prenatal risks. When consumed in high doses, caffeine has even been linked with increased rates of miscarriage.
What is Caffeine?
Though many of us don't realize it, caffeine is actually a drug, much like nicotine and alcohol. It is also addictive, which is why so many people crave their coffee and cola! Caffeine, also known as guareine and mateine, is a naturally-occurring substance found in a number of plants, beans, and seeds. It acts as a stimulant on our central nervous system, and is absorbed into our bloodstream just 15 minutes after intake. When absorbed in large quantities, caffeine can cause a number of adverse physical reactions.
Where is Caffeine Found?
Though most of us associate caffeine with tea and coffee, it is also found in a number of other foods and beverages, including:
colas
hot chocolate
chocolate
various nuts
Caffeine is also found in certain medications, particularly those for migraine headaches, and in some dietary supplements.
What are the Effects of Caffeine?
If you notice yourself feeling jittery after you have has a lot of coffee or tea, there's a good reason for it. Caffeine can cause a number of physical side effects, including:
increased heart rate
increased blood pressure
increased sweat production
Caffeine also acts as a diuretic. This means that it causes you to lose fluid from your body, which can leave you dehydrated and fatigued. If your body absorbs too much caffeine, it is possible to go into "caffeine overdose," which causes symptoms of nausea and lightheadedness, as well as respiratory problems.
Effects of Caffeine on Your Baby
Caffeine is thought to pose certain risks during pregnancy. Though researchers debate how much caffeine is acceptable during pregnancy, there is evidence to suggest than any amount will cause some physical effects on your little one. This is because caffeine passes through your placenta and is absorbed by your baby. Adults are able to break down caffeine fairly quickly, thanks to chemicals inside of our body. However, your developing baby can't do this as efficiently. This means that caffeine will be stored inside of his blood for longer periods of time, and could reach dangerously high levels.
Caffeine also affects other aspects of your baby's health. It is known to increase your baby's heart rate and may affect how much he moves in utero. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can also affect the nutrition your baby receives from you. Caffeine intake may cause you to absorb less iron and calcium from foods, a possible detriment to your baby's overall fetal development.
Coffee and Miscarriage
Recent studies have focused on the effects of coffee intake during pregnancy. A large-scale Danish study polled more than 80,000 pregnant women regarding their coffee intake. This study found that women who drank large amounts of coffee during pregnancy were more likely to experience a miscarriage. Women who drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day had a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, while those that drank 8 or more cups experienced a 59% increase. This is why it is so important to watch your caffeine intake during pregnancy.
Interestingly, this Danish study found that this considerably greater risk of miscarriage was specific to coffee. Other caffeinated beverages and foods did not present the same significant increase, leading researchers to believe that other chemicals contained in coffee could possibly play a role in causing miscarriage.
How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
Most health care providers suggest eliminating all caffeinated foods and beverages from your pregnancy diet. Yet, some pregnant women find this especially difficult, particularly because so many food items contain small amounts of caffeine. If you are finding it hard to eliminate all caffeine from your diet, one caffeinated beverage or food item once in awhile probably won't make much difference to your baby's health. However, it is important to realize that caffeine does pose a risk to your little one, especially in large amounts, so work to reduce that caffeine intake.
Tips on Reducing Caffeine Intake
Just as quitting smoking and drinking can be difficult, it can also be hard to eliminate caffeine from your daily diet. After all, caffeine is an addictive drug. Here are some tips on how to reduce your caffeine intake and ensure that you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Cut back on your caffeine intake slowly. Going cold turkey can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and nausea.
Try replacing your caffeinated beverages with non-caffeinated ones, like decaf coffee.
Exercise regularly to help combat any withdrawal symptoms and to stay energized.
Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help you manage cravings and fatigue.
Where is Caffeine Found?
Though most of us associate caffeine with tea and coffee, it is also found in a number of other foods and beverages, including:
colas
hot chocolate
chocolate
various nuts
Caffeine is also found in certain medications, particularly those for migraine headaches, and in some dietary supplements.
What are the Effects of Caffeine?
If you notice yourself feeling jittery after you have has a lot of coffee or tea, there's a good reason for it. Caffeine can cause a number of physical side effects, including:
increased heart rate
increased blood pressure
increased sweat production
Caffeine also acts as a diuretic. This means that it causes you to lose fluid from your body, which can leave you dehydrated and fatigued. If your body absorbs too much caffeine, it is possible to go into "caffeine overdose," which causes symptoms of nausea and lightheadedness, as well as respiratory problems.
Effects of Caffeine on Your Baby
Caffeine is thought to pose certain risks during pregnancy. Though researchers debate how much caffeine is acceptable during pregnancy, there is evidence to suggest than any amount will cause some physical effects on your little one. This is because caffeine passes through your placenta and is absorbed by your baby. Adults are able to break down caffeine fairly quickly, thanks to chemicals inside of our body. However, your developing baby can't do this as efficiently. This means that caffeine will be stored inside of his blood for longer periods of time, and could reach dangerously high levels.
Caffeine also affects other aspects of your baby's health. It is known to increase your baby's heart rate and may affect how much he moves in utero. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can also affect the nutrition your baby receives from you. Caffeine intake may cause you to absorb less iron and calcium from foods, a possible detriment to your baby's overall fetal development.
Coffee and Miscarriage
Recent studies have focused on the effects of coffee intake during pregnancy. A large-scale Danish study polled more than 80,000 pregnant women regarding their coffee intake. This study found that women who drank large amounts of coffee during pregnancy were more likely to experience a miscarriage. Women who drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day had a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, while those that drank 8 or more cups experienced a 59% increase. This is why it is so important to watch your caffeine intake during pregnancy.
Interestingly, this Danish study found that this considerably greater risk of miscarriage was specific to coffee. Other caffeinated beverages and foods did not present the same significant increase, leading researchers to believe that other chemicals contained in coffee could possibly play a role in causing miscarriage.
How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
Most health care providers suggest eliminating all caffeinated foods and beverages from your pregnancy diet. Yet, some pregnant women find this especially difficult, particularly because so many food items contain small amounts of caffeine. If you are finding it hard to eliminate all caffeine from your diet, one caffeinated beverage or food item once in awhile probably won't make much difference to your baby's health. However, it is important to realize that caffeine does pose a risk to your little one, especially in large amounts, so work to reduce that caffeine intake.
Tips on Reducing Caffeine Intake
Just as quitting smoking and drinking can be difficult, it can also be hard to eliminate caffeine from your daily diet. After all, caffeine is an addictive drug. Here are some tips on how to reduce your caffeine intake and ensure that you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Cut back on your caffeine intake slowly. Going cold turkey can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and nausea.
Try replacing your caffeinated beverages with non-caffeinated ones, like decaf coffee.
Exercise regularly to help combat any withdrawal symptoms and to stay energized.
Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help you manage cravings and fatigue.
What is Caffeine?
Though many of us don't realize it, caffeine is actually a drug, much like nicotine and alcohol. It is also addictive, which is why so many people crave their coffee and cola! Caffeine, also known as guareine and mateine, is a naturally-occurring substance found in a number of plants, beans, and seeds. It acts as a stimulant on our central nervous system, and is absorbed into our bloodstream just 15 minutes after intake. When absorbed in large quantities, caffeine can cause a number of adverse physical reactions.
Where is Caffeine Found?
Though most of us associate caffeine with tea and coffee, it is also found in a number of other foods and beverages, including:
colas
hot chocolate
chocolate
various nuts
Caffeine is also found in certain medications, particularly those for migraine headaches, and in some dietary supplements.
What are the Effects of Caffeine?
If you notice yourself feeling jittery after you have has a lot of coffee or tea, there's a good reason for it. Caffeine can cause a number of physical side effects, including:
increased heart rate
increased blood pressure
increased sweat production
Caffeine also acts as a diuretic. This means that it causes you to lose fluid from your body, which can leave you dehydrated and fatigued. If your body absorbs too much caffeine, it is possible to go into "caffeine overdose," which causes symptoms of nausea and lightheadedness, as well as respiratory problems.
Effects of Caffeine on Your Baby
Caffeine is thought to pose certain risks during pregnancy. Though researchers debate how much caffeine is acceptable during pregnancy, there is evidence to suggest than any amount will cause some physical effects on your little one. This is because caffeine passes through your placenta and is absorbed by your baby. Adults are able to break down caffeine fairly quickly, thanks to chemicals inside of our body. However, your developing baby can't do this as efficiently. This means that caffeine will be stored inside of his blood for longer periods of time, and could reach dangerously high levels.
Caffeine also affects other aspects of your baby's health. It is known to increase your baby's heart rate and may affect how much he moves in utero. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can also affect the nutrition your baby receives from you. Caffeine intake may cause you to absorb less iron and calcium from foods, a possible detriment to your baby's overall fetal development.
Coffee and Miscarriage
Recent studies have focused on the effects of coffee intake during pregnancy. A large-scale Danish study polled more than 80,000 pregnant women regarding their coffee intake. This study found that women who drank large amounts of coffee during pregnancy were more likely to experience a miscarriage. Women who drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day had a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, while those that drank 8 or more cups experienced a 59% increase. This is why it is so important to watch your caffeine intake during pregnancy.
Interestingly, this Danish study found that this considerably greater risk of miscarriage was specific to coffee. Other caffeinated beverages and foods did not present the same significant increase, leading researchers to believe that other chemicals contained in coffee could possibly play a role in causing miscarriage.
How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
Most health care providers suggest eliminating all caffeinated foods and beverages from your pregnancy diet. Yet, some pregnant women find this especially difficult, particularly because so many food items contain small amounts of caffeine. If you are finding it hard to eliminate all caffeine from your diet, one caffeinated beverage or food item once in awhile probably won't make much difference to your baby's health. However, it is important to realize that caffeine does pose a risk to your little one, especially in large amounts, so work to reduce that caffeine intake.
Tips on Reducing Caffeine Intake
Just as quitting smoking and drinking can be difficult, it can also be hard to eliminate caffeine from your daily diet. After all, caffeine is an addictive drug. Here are some tips on how to reduce your caffeine intake and ensure that you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Cut back on your caffeine intake slowly. Going cold turkey can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and nausea.
Try replacing your caffeinated beverages with non-caffeinated ones, like decaf coffee.
Exercise regularly to help combat any withdrawal symptoms and to stay energized.
Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help you manage cravings and fatigue.
Where is Caffeine Found?
Though most of us associate caffeine with tea and coffee, it is also found in a number of other foods and beverages, including:
colas
hot chocolate
chocolate
various nuts
Caffeine is also found in certain medications, particularly those for migraine headaches, and in some dietary supplements.
What are the Effects of Caffeine?
If you notice yourself feeling jittery after you have has a lot of coffee or tea, there's a good reason for it. Caffeine can cause a number of physical side effects, including:
increased heart rate
increased blood pressure
increased sweat production
Caffeine also acts as a diuretic. This means that it causes you to lose fluid from your body, which can leave you dehydrated and fatigued. If your body absorbs too much caffeine, it is possible to go into "caffeine overdose," which causes symptoms of nausea and lightheadedness, as well as respiratory problems.
Effects of Caffeine on Your Baby
Caffeine is thought to pose certain risks during pregnancy. Though researchers debate how much caffeine is acceptable during pregnancy, there is evidence to suggest than any amount will cause some physical effects on your little one. This is because caffeine passes through your placenta and is absorbed by your baby. Adults are able to break down caffeine fairly quickly, thanks to chemicals inside of our body. However, your developing baby can't do this as efficiently. This means that caffeine will be stored inside of his blood for longer periods of time, and could reach dangerously high levels.
Caffeine also affects other aspects of your baby's health. It is known to increase your baby's heart rate and may affect how much he moves in utero. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can also affect the nutrition your baby receives from you. Caffeine intake may cause you to absorb less iron and calcium from foods, a possible detriment to your baby's overall fetal development.
Coffee and Miscarriage
Recent studies have focused on the effects of coffee intake during pregnancy. A large-scale Danish study polled more than 80,000 pregnant women regarding their coffee intake. This study found that women who drank large amounts of coffee during pregnancy were more likely to experience a miscarriage. Women who drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day had a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, while those that drank 8 or more cups experienced a 59% increase. This is why it is so important to watch your caffeine intake during pregnancy.
Interestingly, this Danish study found that this considerably greater risk of miscarriage was specific to coffee. Other caffeinated beverages and foods did not present the same significant increase, leading researchers to believe that other chemicals contained in coffee could possibly play a role in causing miscarriage.
How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
Most health care providers suggest eliminating all caffeinated foods and beverages from your pregnancy diet. Yet, some pregnant women find this especially difficult, particularly because so many food items contain small amounts of caffeine. If you are finding it hard to eliminate all caffeine from your diet, one caffeinated beverage or food item once in awhile probably won't make much difference to your baby's health. However, it is important to realize that caffeine does pose a risk to your little one, especially in large amounts, so work to reduce that caffeine intake.
Tips on Reducing Caffeine Intake
Just as quitting smoking and drinking can be difficult, it can also be hard to eliminate caffeine from your daily diet. After all, caffeine is an addictive drug. Here are some tips on how to reduce your caffeine intake and ensure that you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Cut back on your caffeine intake slowly. Going cold turkey can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and nausea.
Try replacing your caffeinated beverages with non-caffeinated ones, like decaf coffee.
Exercise regularly to help combat any withdrawal symptoms and to stay energized.
Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help you manage cravings and fatigue.
Marijuana and Pregnancy
Pregnancy. Marijuana. Bad.
Ok, here's some details. Getting pregnant is going to be harder in the first place. Usually, male partners abuse the same substances that their female counterparts do. In men, marijuana decreases testosterone, sperm count, and potency. Needless to say, not a winning combination for conception. Women who smoke marijuana have increased risk of abnormalities in ovulation and therefore more infertility. This risk is enhanced when the use is within one year before attempting conception. This risk did not change with frequency or length of use. So, that means that even occasional use of small amounts of marijuana can decrease women's fertility.
But many women overcome those hurdles. Then, they go on to have higher rates of spontaneous abortion, pregnancy complications, and problems with labor and delivery. Birth defects are associated with marijuana use. Fathers' use lead to higher rates of certain heart abnormalities. Mothers' use is associated with mutant lymphocytes--deranged immune cell factors--which could later lead to higher rates of childhood cancers.
But wait--there's more. Their newborns can experience mild withdrawal and some nervous system effects. And the toxic effects of pre-natal marijuana exposure is the gift that keeps on giving. Effects are often not readily apparent in newborns. Still, psychologists who have studied these babies have found neurological delays. Likewise, few negative effects are apparent between the ages of 1 and 3. But a woman shouldn't be fooled if she has heard of a study where the very young kids show no ill effects. Pre-natal marijuana exposure effects what are called "higher cognitive functions" which don't express themselves until later. At four years old, decreases in verbal ability and memory can be found in those kid exposed to pre-natal marijuana use. At ages 5 and 6, more problems with attention span are found. Needless to say, none of this sets the kid up for a great experience in grade school. At ages 9-12, the same problems persist and compound. Pre-natally exposed to marijuana kids have lower impulse control, don't do as well on certain types of analysis and reasoning tasks, and have lower reading and language skills.
So best advice--quit. Ideally, a woman and her partner should quit long before they try for conception. Should a woman find herself pregnant while still using, she should seek out a treatment program immediately. Quitting any substance abused is difficult, but pregnancy is the strongest motivator for women. There are treatment programs geared towards women, and some even geared towards pregnant women.
Ok, here's some details. Getting pregnant is going to be harder in the first place. Usually, male partners abuse the same substances that their female counterparts do. In men, marijuana decreases testosterone, sperm count, and potency. Needless to say, not a winning combination for conception. Women who smoke marijuana have increased risk of abnormalities in ovulation and therefore more infertility. This risk is enhanced when the use is within one year before attempting conception. This risk did not change with frequency or length of use. So, that means that even occasional use of small amounts of marijuana can decrease women's fertility.
But many women overcome those hurdles. Then, they go on to have higher rates of spontaneous abortion, pregnancy complications, and problems with labor and delivery. Birth defects are associated with marijuana use. Fathers' use lead to higher rates of certain heart abnormalities. Mothers' use is associated with mutant lymphocytes--deranged immune cell factors--which could later lead to higher rates of childhood cancers.
But wait--there's more. Their newborns can experience mild withdrawal and some nervous system effects. And the toxic effects of pre-natal marijuana exposure is the gift that keeps on giving. Effects are often not readily apparent in newborns. Still, psychologists who have studied these babies have found neurological delays. Likewise, few negative effects are apparent between the ages of 1 and 3. But a woman shouldn't be fooled if she has heard of a study where the very young kids show no ill effects. Pre-natal marijuana exposure effects what are called "higher cognitive functions" which don't express themselves until later. At four years old, decreases in verbal ability and memory can be found in those kid exposed to pre-natal marijuana use. At ages 5 and 6, more problems with attention span are found. Needless to say, none of this sets the kid up for a great experience in grade school. At ages 9-12, the same problems persist and compound. Pre-natally exposed to marijuana kids have lower impulse control, don't do as well on certain types of analysis and reasoning tasks, and have lower reading and language skills.
So best advice--quit. Ideally, a woman and her partner should quit long before they try for conception. Should a woman find herself pregnant while still using, she should seek out a treatment program immediately. Quitting any substance abused is difficult, but pregnancy is the strongest motivator for women. There are treatment programs geared towards women, and some even geared towards pregnant women.
Television Effects On Children
More fondly known as the ‘idiot box’, television has become a necessary evil in today’s world. It has become an indispensable household commodity and has taken the place of physical childhood activities. Moreover, children are becoming more of a couch potato, with many physical and mental problems. They have become absolutely unaware of the fun of childhood, like flying kites, making castles out of sand, playing in fields and the innocence revealed in being stubborn. Though a potential medium of mass communication, it has in actual cut kids off from the world, at a very tender age. This implies that parents should make the facility available to their child judiciously. Given below are some vitals points on how TV affects your child both positively and negatively. Keep them in mind while deciding on the TV time for your kids.
Television Effects on Children
Good Effects
Television gives exposure to children on different cultural experiences.
Television also keeps children aware of current events and news related items.
Watching educational programs on television help the kids use it effectively, as a complement to school education.
Quality shows on television can impart knowledge and important values and lessons.
Watching music concerts and art shows can make the kids aware of the various genres of music around the world.
Television helps a child in spending time with family members, when all of them are watching the same show.
Watching documentaries, especially fragmented for children, opens doors of world in their mind.
Bad Effects
Excessive television viewing is seen to trigger violence or aggression in children.
Watching violent scenes at an early stage might make the kids scary of the world and find every other human being as mean. Often known as ‘mean and scary world’ syndrome, it might push them backwards in taking decisions of life.
Sitting in front of the television, for long hours, has been linked with obesity, as physical activity gets diminished considerably.
Children become influenced towards eating junk food, as there is a lot of promotion on the television, regarding the same.
The bombardment of sexual content on TV exposes teens to half-baked knowledge about sex at an early age, which is harmful for their mental growth. There is seldom mention of proper sex education or issues and risks related to it.
Devoting more time towards watching television leads to poor academic performance, as a child neglects his/ her studies.
Many advertisements and programs shown on television focus on beauty products and physical beauty, shifting kids’ interest from studies. They start paying more attention to their overall outlook. In extreme cases, they develop inferiority or superiority complex; leading to depression and underestimating themselves.
Television watching also promotes lack of creativity and enhances passivity. The child shies away from mental and physical workout.
The sense of relaxation that kids feel while watching television diminishes completely when it is switched off. This makes them watch TV for longer periods of time and makes them addicted to it
Television viewing creates the concept of gender-role and racial stereotypes in children, as they start considering it as very natural phenomena. Heroic acts are expected out of males, while women are displayed as objects and less powerful.
Television Effects on Children
Good Effects
Television gives exposure to children on different cultural experiences.
Television also keeps children aware of current events and news related items.
Watching educational programs on television help the kids use it effectively, as a complement to school education.
Quality shows on television can impart knowledge and important values and lessons.
Watching music concerts and art shows can make the kids aware of the various genres of music around the world.
Television helps a child in spending time with family members, when all of them are watching the same show.
Watching documentaries, especially fragmented for children, opens doors of world in their mind.
Bad Effects
Excessive television viewing is seen to trigger violence or aggression in children.
Watching violent scenes at an early stage might make the kids scary of the world and find every other human being as mean. Often known as ‘mean and scary world’ syndrome, it might push them backwards in taking decisions of life.
Sitting in front of the television, for long hours, has been linked with obesity, as physical activity gets diminished considerably.
Children become influenced towards eating junk food, as there is a lot of promotion on the television, regarding the same.
The bombardment of sexual content on TV exposes teens to half-baked knowledge about sex at an early age, which is harmful for their mental growth. There is seldom mention of proper sex education or issues and risks related to it.
Devoting more time towards watching television leads to poor academic performance, as a child neglects his/ her studies.
Many advertisements and programs shown on television focus on beauty products and physical beauty, shifting kids’ interest from studies. They start paying more attention to their overall outlook. In extreme cases, they develop inferiority or superiority complex; leading to depression and underestimating themselves.
Television watching also promotes lack of creativity and enhances passivity. The child shies away from mental and physical workout.
The sense of relaxation that kids feel while watching television diminishes completely when it is switched off. This makes them watch TV for longer periods of time and makes them addicted to it
Television viewing creates the concept of gender-role and racial stereotypes in children, as they start considering it as very natural phenomena. Heroic acts are expected out of males, while women are displayed as objects and less powerful.
Discover How to Get Your Child to Brush
Teaching your child to brush is a task that many parents have dreaded at one time or another. Having your child brush, however, is extremely important because it establishes good oral habits that last a lifetime.
Start Your Child Early
The key to establishing good brushing habits is starting an oral care program early. In fact, the American Dental Association suggests that you begin cleaning your baby's mouth the first few days after birth.
After each meal take a wet washcloth and wipe your baby's gums. This accomplishes three things:
It removes plaque that accumulates on the gums.
Plaque is a sticky substance containing mucus, food debris, and bacteria. Removing plaque prevents bacteria from building up on your child's gums.
It gets your child accustomed to having a clean, plaque-free mouth.
When your child is accustomed to a clean, plaque-free mouth, they will usually take steps, including brushing, to keep this clean feeling.
It gets your child accustomed to you "meddling" in their mouth.
When your child becomes accustomed to you "meddling" in their mouth, it becomes easier for you to brush their teeth later. It also makes it easier for the dentist to examine and work in their mouths at a later date.
The First Baby Teeth
The baby's first teeth appear, on average, about six months after birth. Parents may notice excessive salivation and the child may become irritable while these first teeth are coming in.
When teeth appear, use a cotton swab daily to gently wipe the teeth and remove plaque. If your child has not grown up tolerating you "meddling in their mouth" you may have a much tougher problem. If your child is two years of age and their teeth have not been brushed and inspected by you, in all probability, plaque has not been sufficiently removed.
Brushing Your Child's Teeth
Despite the protests and the fight your child may give you, it is extremely important that you brush their teeth to reduce the amount of placque causing bacteria in their mouths. To reduce the amount of bacteria on their toothbrush try using VIOlight.
Parents, in fact, are responsible for making sure their children's teeth are clean until the child reaches five to six years of age! This is because, on average, younger children do not have the manual dexterity required to brush teeth effectively.
Why should you go to great lengths to brush your child's teeth? The most important reason is that tooth decay occurs faster in children than in adults. By brushing your child's teeth, you remove the plaque bacteria which are responsible for this tooth decay.
Another reason to help your child learn to brush is that this helps them develop a crucial habit which will last a lifetime.
Make It Fun!The key to getting your child to brush is to make it fun. Start your program today and look for fun ways to engage your children in the activity. Make it seem as if if brushing is a fun thing to do rather than a chore which must be done.
One method that is fun and effective is allowing your children to brush your teeth. You should laugh a lot and make it a fun activity. Then allow them to "brush" their own teeth. Finish by brushing your child's teeth.You may want to include older siblings in the activity.
Alternatively, have your child brush their favorite doll's teeth before you brush theirs. Remember always allow them to "brush" their own teeth and then follow up by brushing their teeth correctly.
Use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste on their toothbrush as larger amounts tend to create excessive foam making it more difficult for your child to brush.
Make sure that your child gets in the habit of spitting out the toothpaste. Swallowing toothpaste on a consistent basis can lead to a condition known as fluorosis, in which spots may appear on your child's teeth.
Be careful of the toothpaste you use. Almost all toothpastes contain harsh flavorings that adults barely notice, but that can sting young mouths. This is one of the reasons children do not like to brush. A safe toothpaste alternative for kids is Enamel Saver Toothpaste for Kids.
If your child still refuses to engage in these toothbrushing games, make toothbrushing appear as a fun activity they are missing out on. Have mom and dad go up to the bathroom eager to brush. Laugh a lot and make a lot of noise. Soon your child will realize that they are missing out on something fun and will want to join in.
Your enthusiasm is contagious! If you are enthusiastic about the activity, your children will be enthusiastic. Children are great emulators. They tend to want to do the things that their parents do. If your children see you brushing your teeth and displaying good dental habits, they will follow.
Start Your Child Early
The key to establishing good brushing habits is starting an oral care program early. In fact, the American Dental Association suggests that you begin cleaning your baby's mouth the first few days after birth.
After each meal take a wet washcloth and wipe your baby's gums. This accomplishes three things:
It removes plaque that accumulates on the gums.
Plaque is a sticky substance containing mucus, food debris, and bacteria. Removing plaque prevents bacteria from building up on your child's gums.
It gets your child accustomed to having a clean, plaque-free mouth.
When your child is accustomed to a clean, plaque-free mouth, they will usually take steps, including brushing, to keep this clean feeling.
It gets your child accustomed to you "meddling" in their mouth.
When your child becomes accustomed to you "meddling" in their mouth, it becomes easier for you to brush their teeth later. It also makes it easier for the dentist to examine and work in their mouths at a later date.
The First Baby Teeth
The baby's first teeth appear, on average, about six months after birth. Parents may notice excessive salivation and the child may become irritable while these first teeth are coming in.
When teeth appear, use a cotton swab daily to gently wipe the teeth and remove plaque. If your child has not grown up tolerating you "meddling in their mouth" you may have a much tougher problem. If your child is two years of age and their teeth have not been brushed and inspected by you, in all probability, plaque has not been sufficiently removed.
Brushing Your Child's Teeth
Despite the protests and the fight your child may give you, it is extremely important that you brush their teeth to reduce the amount of placque causing bacteria in their mouths. To reduce the amount of bacteria on their toothbrush try using VIOlight.
Parents, in fact, are responsible for making sure their children's teeth are clean until the child reaches five to six years of age! This is because, on average, younger children do not have the manual dexterity required to brush teeth effectively.
Why should you go to great lengths to brush your child's teeth? The most important reason is that tooth decay occurs faster in children than in adults. By brushing your child's teeth, you remove the plaque bacteria which are responsible for this tooth decay.
Another reason to help your child learn to brush is that this helps them develop a crucial habit which will last a lifetime.
Make It Fun!The key to getting your child to brush is to make it fun. Start your program today and look for fun ways to engage your children in the activity. Make it seem as if if brushing is a fun thing to do rather than a chore which must be done.
One method that is fun and effective is allowing your children to brush your teeth. You should laugh a lot and make it a fun activity. Then allow them to "brush" their own teeth. Finish by brushing your child's teeth.You may want to include older siblings in the activity.
Alternatively, have your child brush their favorite doll's teeth before you brush theirs. Remember always allow them to "brush" their own teeth and then follow up by brushing their teeth correctly.
Use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste on their toothbrush as larger amounts tend to create excessive foam making it more difficult for your child to brush.
Make sure that your child gets in the habit of spitting out the toothpaste. Swallowing toothpaste on a consistent basis can lead to a condition known as fluorosis, in which spots may appear on your child's teeth.
Be careful of the toothpaste you use. Almost all toothpastes contain harsh flavorings that adults barely notice, but that can sting young mouths. This is one of the reasons children do not like to brush. A safe toothpaste alternative for kids is Enamel Saver Toothpaste for Kids.
If your child still refuses to engage in these toothbrushing games, make toothbrushing appear as a fun activity they are missing out on. Have mom and dad go up to the bathroom eager to brush. Laugh a lot and make a lot of noise. Soon your child will realize that they are missing out on something fun and will want to join in.
Your enthusiasm is contagious! If you are enthusiastic about the activity, your children will be enthusiastic. Children are great emulators. They tend to want to do the things that their parents do. If your children see you brushing your teeth and displaying good dental habits, they will follow.
Dental Care For Children
From as young an age as possible children should be shown by their parents the importance of a good daily dental routine. If a pattern of daily brushing and flossing is set in place early, then it will be an excellent preventative measure against oral infection and tooth decay. Dental care for children should also include building a good relationship with their dentist through regular visits.
Starting Dental Care for Children
Dental care for children should start before primary teeth have even erupted. Almost all dental decay can be prevented and the parent’s role is vital in this area. Babies and toddlers should not be allowed to go to bed with bottles filled with sugary liquids, and if the primary teeth have not erupted yet, it is important to dab any excess liquid from the gums with soft gauze. Letting sugary liquids build up on the gums is an easy way for decay to begin.
The first dental visit should be around the age of one year old and that is also the age that toothpaste should first be used. The primary teeth are very important to the future development of the permanent teeth and in the development of healthy muscles and the jaw bone. They should be given just as much care and attention as secondary teeth.
Children and the Dental Routine
Children need to be taught that the dentist is someone who will help look after their teeth, but only help, the groundwork needs to be laid by the child. The most important factor in good dental care for children is making sure children know the correct way to brush their teeth and the importance of flossing. If you can, try to get your child to brush after every meal, the longer food stays on the teeth the longer the acid can attack and the more chance plaque has to take hold.
A quick brush with a toothbrush will not be enough; try putting your child’s favourite song on and telling them that they need to brush until the song is finished. For extra protection, get your child to use a fluoride rinse after brushing and flossing. The importance of good dental nutrition and the value of cutting down on sugary snacks should also be impressed on children.
Children and Oral Infections
Gum disease does not just affect adults; gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal disease, can commonly be found in children. More serious periodontal diseases in children are rare but do occur. These infections are preventable, but if they are not caught early they will cause serious damage to the teeth, gums and jaw bone. If your child suffers from diabetes type 1, then he or she may be more susceptible to periodontal diseases.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Children
The symptoms that can present in children include:
Continual bad breath that does not go after brushing and flossing
Bleeding gums
Gums that have receded away from the teeth
If your child is suffering from any of the above symptoms it could mean that they have some form of oral disease and a visit to the dentist should be made as soon as possible. Periodontal disease can progress into adolescence unless a daily dental regime is adhered to.
Loss of Teeth in Children
In the rough and tumble children’s world it is not uncommon for a child to lose a primary tooth before it is naturally ready to come out. The primary teeth are the space holders for the secondary teeth and losing a tooth, or teeth, too early may mean problems with other teeth shifting into the empty space. This can lead to a lack of space for the permanent teeth, and crowding of the permanent teeth may occur. If this happens then some form of orthodontic treatment may be required, such as braces to address the problem.
Dentists can use space maintainers in order to hold the space that has occurred from loss of primary teeth, and the maintainer will be kept there until the permanent tooth grows into place. Space maintainers are a simple preventative measure that will save further treatment by an orthodontist in the future. If your child plays a lot of sport, make sure they always wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth.
How parents interact with their children when it comes to learning the facts of dental health will be a factor in the child’s continuing dental care. Parents should realise that they are the ones who will be setting the example to the child from an early age, and it is all too easy for the child to forget about daily brushing and flossing routine come bedtime. Making the dental routine fun for a child will make cleaning of the teeth less of a chore and something to look forward to, and will also be remembered well into later life.
Starting Dental Care for Children
Dental care for children should start before primary teeth have even erupted. Almost all dental decay can be prevented and the parent’s role is vital in this area. Babies and toddlers should not be allowed to go to bed with bottles filled with sugary liquids, and if the primary teeth have not erupted yet, it is important to dab any excess liquid from the gums with soft gauze. Letting sugary liquids build up on the gums is an easy way for decay to begin.
The first dental visit should be around the age of one year old and that is also the age that toothpaste should first be used. The primary teeth are very important to the future development of the permanent teeth and in the development of healthy muscles and the jaw bone. They should be given just as much care and attention as secondary teeth.
Children and the Dental Routine
Children need to be taught that the dentist is someone who will help look after their teeth, but only help, the groundwork needs to be laid by the child. The most important factor in good dental care for children is making sure children know the correct way to brush their teeth and the importance of flossing. If you can, try to get your child to brush after every meal, the longer food stays on the teeth the longer the acid can attack and the more chance plaque has to take hold.
A quick brush with a toothbrush will not be enough; try putting your child’s favourite song on and telling them that they need to brush until the song is finished. For extra protection, get your child to use a fluoride rinse after brushing and flossing. The importance of good dental nutrition and the value of cutting down on sugary snacks should also be impressed on children.
Children and Oral Infections
Gum disease does not just affect adults; gingivitis, which is the early stage of periodontal disease, can commonly be found in children. More serious periodontal diseases in children are rare but do occur. These infections are preventable, but if they are not caught early they will cause serious damage to the teeth, gums and jaw bone. If your child suffers from diabetes type 1, then he or she may be more susceptible to periodontal diseases.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Children
The symptoms that can present in children include:
Continual bad breath that does not go after brushing and flossing
Bleeding gums
Gums that have receded away from the teeth
If your child is suffering from any of the above symptoms it could mean that they have some form of oral disease and a visit to the dentist should be made as soon as possible. Periodontal disease can progress into adolescence unless a daily dental regime is adhered to.
Loss of Teeth in Children
In the rough and tumble children’s world it is not uncommon for a child to lose a primary tooth before it is naturally ready to come out. The primary teeth are the space holders for the secondary teeth and losing a tooth, or teeth, too early may mean problems with other teeth shifting into the empty space. This can lead to a lack of space for the permanent teeth, and crowding of the permanent teeth may occur. If this happens then some form of orthodontic treatment may be required, such as braces to address the problem.
Dentists can use space maintainers in order to hold the space that has occurred from loss of primary teeth, and the maintainer will be kept there until the permanent tooth grows into place. Space maintainers are a simple preventative measure that will save further treatment by an orthodontist in the future. If your child plays a lot of sport, make sure they always wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth.
How parents interact with their children when it comes to learning the facts of dental health will be a factor in the child’s continuing dental care. Parents should realise that they are the ones who will be setting the example to the child from an early age, and it is all too easy for the child to forget about daily brushing and flossing routine come bedtime. Making the dental routine fun for a child will make cleaning of the teeth less of a chore and something to look forward to, and will also be remembered well into later life.
First Care For Your Baby’s Teeth
Good habits are most easily established young. If you want to save a lot of money on dentist visits and spare your child the pain of tooth decay, you will start them very young in the habit of taking care of their mouths. Brushing new teeth should become as routine as taking baths and washing hands.
First teeth begin erupting when a baby is between three and six months. Once or twice a day you can clean your babies gum ridges with a finger covered in a clean baby washcloth. A baby washcloth is better than an ordinary one because it is thinner and will be less material to cause your baby to gag.
When baby is starting on their first solid foods around the age of six months, you can follow up with sips of water. Drinking water is a good way to clean out a mouth, and it is also a great opportunity to begin to transition a child to drinking from a cup. Even if you plan to breastfeed your child into their toddler years, your child can still be introduced to water in a cup during meals of solid foods. If the drinking water in your home does not have fluoride you should consider a fluoride supplement for your child between the ages of 6 months and 16 years.
Once you have a few teeth in their mouth to brush, you can switch from the washcloth to a child’s or toddler’s toothbrush. Brush gently when you cannot avoid the gum area. You can do without the toothpaste until they are old enough to spit it out, which is around the age of three. There are also toddler toothpastes available to buy which are safe for children to swallow. If the family toothpaste is too strong in flavor for the child you can try a children’s toothpaste or milder-flavored toothpaste without artificial sweeteners that can be found in many health food stores.
You will probably need to give a large amount of supervision in the teeth brushing until a child is seven or eight years old. Before then you can let the child take the toothbrush in hand and try it themselves, but many children have difficulty with the up and down motion needed to clean teeth along the gum line. Check after they have brushed, make a visual spot check and follow up with the brush when food can be seen along the gum line or stuck in molars.
When children’s teeth first come in, there are usually plenty of spaces around them. As the teeth and especially the molars begin to touch, flossing needs to become an important part of the program. Parents will probably need to handle the floss until a child is seven or eight years old, but after that a child should be able to do it themselves using flossers. A flosser is usually easier than working with floss on a spool. A flosser is a U-shaped piece of plastic with a little floss strung between the open ends of the U.
Children should be flossing their teeth for about two minutes a session at least twice a day. One way to help a child brush long enough is to have a two-minute egg timer by the sink. Another way is to have a tradition of brushing one’s teeth for the length it takes to hum a certain song that is long enough.
Most of the prevention of tooth decay can be handled at home by the parents. However, any time one suspects dental problems in your baby or young child, see the dentist or speak to the pediatrician. Regular checkups with a dentist can begin around the age of three years.
Author Bio: Gabriella Gometra, stay-at-home mother and writer has recently published information on everyday dinnerware and everyday dinnerware for the budget-minded. Reprint of this article is permitted as long as this author bio is kept intact with the preceding hyperlinks kept live.
For practical knowledge in the sphere of website traffic – please make sure to read the web site. The time has come when concise information is really within your reach, use this possibility.
First teeth begin erupting when a baby is between three and six months. Once or twice a day you can clean your babies gum ridges with a finger covered in a clean baby washcloth. A baby washcloth is better than an ordinary one because it is thinner and will be less material to cause your baby to gag.
When baby is starting on their first solid foods around the age of six months, you can follow up with sips of water. Drinking water is a good way to clean out a mouth, and it is also a great opportunity to begin to transition a child to drinking from a cup. Even if you plan to breastfeed your child into their toddler years, your child can still be introduced to water in a cup during meals of solid foods. If the drinking water in your home does not have fluoride you should consider a fluoride supplement for your child between the ages of 6 months and 16 years.
Once you have a few teeth in their mouth to brush, you can switch from the washcloth to a child’s or toddler’s toothbrush. Brush gently when you cannot avoid the gum area. You can do without the toothpaste until they are old enough to spit it out, which is around the age of three. There are also toddler toothpastes available to buy which are safe for children to swallow. If the family toothpaste is too strong in flavor for the child you can try a children’s toothpaste or milder-flavored toothpaste without artificial sweeteners that can be found in many health food stores.
You will probably need to give a large amount of supervision in the teeth brushing until a child is seven or eight years old. Before then you can let the child take the toothbrush in hand and try it themselves, but many children have difficulty with the up and down motion needed to clean teeth along the gum line. Check after they have brushed, make a visual spot check and follow up with the brush when food can be seen along the gum line or stuck in molars.
When children’s teeth first come in, there are usually plenty of spaces around them. As the teeth and especially the molars begin to touch, flossing needs to become an important part of the program. Parents will probably need to handle the floss until a child is seven or eight years old, but after that a child should be able to do it themselves using flossers. A flosser is usually easier than working with floss on a spool. A flosser is a U-shaped piece of plastic with a little floss strung between the open ends of the U.
Children should be flossing their teeth for about two minutes a session at least twice a day. One way to help a child brush long enough is to have a two-minute egg timer by the sink. Another way is to have a tradition of brushing one’s teeth for the length it takes to hum a certain song that is long enough.
Most of the prevention of tooth decay can be handled at home by the parents. However, any time one suspects dental problems in your baby or young child, see the dentist or speak to the pediatrician. Regular checkups with a dentist can begin around the age of three years.
Author Bio: Gabriella Gometra, stay-at-home mother and writer has recently published information on everyday dinnerware and everyday dinnerware for the budget-minded. Reprint of this article is permitted as long as this author bio is kept intact with the preceding hyperlinks kept live.
For practical knowledge in the sphere of website traffic – please make sure to read the web site. The time has come when concise information is really within your reach, use this possibility.
What is the Children Act?
The Green Paper, Every Child Matters, was published for consultation in September 2003 and outlined a programme of reform setting out a framework of services that cover children and young people from birth to nineteen. The new Children Act 2004 provides the legal framework for this reform. The new legislation was accompanied by the launch of a major strategy document for English authorities, Every Child Matters: Change for Children, which is intended to set the direction for the major programme of change in the the delivery of children’s services.
The Children Act 2004 places a duty on services to ensure that every child, whatever their background or circumstances, to have the support they need to:
be healthy
stay safe
enjoy and achieve through learning
make a postive contribution to society
achieve economic well-being.
What does this mean for Children and Families?
Easier access to information and advice services at a local level
Earlier support for parents experiencing difficulties
Practitioners from Social Services and Education working together in teams
One point of contact for information and assessment
The statutory requirement for a Children & Young People’s Plan will identify priorities across all organisations with a responsibility for children and young people in the whole of Hampshire
Ensure the welfare and safety for children and young people who may be at risk
What does it mean for Hampshire County Council as an organisation?
The Children Act 2004 gives a particular responsibility to Local Authorities in ensuring effective co-operation between local partners such as NHS, Police, Schools, District Councils, Youth Offending Teams and Voluntary Sectors.
There are statutory partners who are required to work alongside the local authority. There are also other partners who do not have a statutory duty to co-operate with us but we will need to engage and encourage them to work with us to deliver the Children Act.
In response to the Children Act we are integrating Education (the Local Education Authority - LEA for Hampshire) and the Children and Families branch of Social Services into a new department called Children's Services. There will also be new Adult Care Services.
The Children Act 2004 places a duty on services to ensure that every child, whatever their background or circumstances, to have the support they need to:
be healthy
stay safe
enjoy and achieve through learning
make a postive contribution to society
achieve economic well-being.
What does this mean for Children and Families?
Easier access to information and advice services at a local level
Earlier support for parents experiencing difficulties
Practitioners from Social Services and Education working together in teams
One point of contact for information and assessment
The statutory requirement for a Children & Young People’s Plan will identify priorities across all organisations with a responsibility for children and young people in the whole of Hampshire
Ensure the welfare and safety for children and young people who may be at risk
What does it mean for Hampshire County Council as an organisation?
The Children Act 2004 gives a particular responsibility to Local Authorities in ensuring effective co-operation between local partners such as NHS, Police, Schools, District Councils, Youth Offending Teams and Voluntary Sectors.
There are statutory partners who are required to work alongside the local authority. There are also other partners who do not have a statutory duty to co-operate with us but we will need to engage and encourage them to work with us to deliver the Children Act.
In response to the Children Act we are integrating Education (the Local Education Authority - LEA for Hampshire) and the Children and Families branch of Social Services into a new department called Children's Services. There will also be new Adult Care Services.
Snow Patrol to play huge Children In Need concert
Snow Patrol are to join Sir Paul McCartney, Leona Lewis, Cheryl Cole and Take That at a massive concert for Children In Need next month.
The Northern Ireland band will take to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in music for Children In Need Rocks at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Also playing will be Dame Shirley Bassey, Dizzee Rascal, Paolo Nutini, Mika, Lily Allen, Katherine Jenkins and Muse.
Take That singer and songwriter Gary Barlow was due to make the announcement but was forced to cancel after his father Colin (71) died.
But Barlow said in a statement: “It's fantastic to be able to kick off BBC Children In Need 2009 in such a special way.
“I've always wanted to do something like this and I can promise a night to remember, a night that will, I hope, play a small part in changing the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK.”
Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles will host the event, with Peter Kay, Fearne Cotton, James Corden and Sir Terry Wogan also taking part.
The concert will take place on Thursday, November 12, and will be part of a week of Children In Need related programmes when it is broadcast on BBC1 and Radio 2.
Fans will have a chance to buy a maximum of two tickets by registering their details at www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey.
They will be allocated through a ballot which will remain open until noon on Tuesday, October 20.
Successful applicants, drawn at random, will be notified by email the following day.
Tickets for the concert are priced from £50 to £100. The show will be broadcast on BBC1 in the weekend before the main Children In Need appeal on November 20.
Highlights will be aired on Radio 2 on Thursday, November 19 at 8pm.
Snow Patrol — currently on tour in the US — will also take part in a day of BBC live broadcasts to mark the 75th anniversary of one of its Maida Vale studios.
The studios have hosted sessions by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie.
Snow Patrol will perform a Radio One gig on October 30, playing cover versions of some of the most famous songs recorded in sessions at the studios.
The Northern Ireland band will take to the stage alongside some of the biggest names in music for Children In Need Rocks at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Also playing will be Dame Shirley Bassey, Dizzee Rascal, Paolo Nutini, Mika, Lily Allen, Katherine Jenkins and Muse.
Take That singer and songwriter Gary Barlow was due to make the announcement but was forced to cancel after his father Colin (71) died.
But Barlow said in a statement: “It's fantastic to be able to kick off BBC Children In Need 2009 in such a special way.
“I've always wanted to do something like this and I can promise a night to remember, a night that will, I hope, play a small part in changing the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK.”
Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles will host the event, with Peter Kay, Fearne Cotton, James Corden and Sir Terry Wogan also taking part.
The concert will take place on Thursday, November 12, and will be part of a week of Children In Need related programmes when it is broadcast on BBC1 and Radio 2.
Fans will have a chance to buy a maximum of two tickets by registering their details at www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey.
They will be allocated through a ballot which will remain open until noon on Tuesday, October 20.
Successful applicants, drawn at random, will be notified by email the following day.
Tickets for the concert are priced from £50 to £100. The show will be broadcast on BBC1 in the weekend before the main Children In Need appeal on November 20.
Highlights will be aired on Radio 2 on Thursday, November 19 at 8pm.
Snow Patrol — currently on tour in the US — will also take part in a day of BBC live broadcasts to mark the 75th anniversary of one of its Maida Vale studios.
The studios have hosted sessions by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie.
Snow Patrol will perform a Radio One gig on October 30, playing cover versions of some of the most famous songs recorded in sessions at the studios.
Wogan commits to Children In Need
Broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan plans to carry on presenting the BBC's Children In Need show "until hell freezes over", he has revealed.
The 71-year-old, who recently announced he would no longer present his Radio 2 breakfast show from next year, says he has no plans to retire from the show.
"They're going to have to shoot me to get me off that," he said.
He was speaking at the launch of single All You Need Is Love, by Bandaged, which will raise money for the charity.
Sir Terry has recorded the single with a number of pop stars including Paloma Faith, Andrea Corr, Lee Mead, Midge Ure and Peter Gabriel.
'Important thing'
Last year, Sir Terry announced his retirement from another of his long-term commitments, stepping down as commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest after three decades.
But he insisted he will continue fronting the Children In Need show, which he has presented since 1980.
We want to out-smart that Cowell person. I think it's a pretty shrewd move
Sir Terry Wogan on why they release date for the single has been bought forward
"I will be doing that until hell freezes over, or at least until the public get fed up of me," he added.
"For me it's the most important thing I do all year.
"And for the BBC it's the most important thing they do all year because it's cohesive.
"It brings the whole BBC together, which is what the BBC was designed to be. It's such a worthwhile thing to do."
All You Need is love will be released on Monday.
It is taken from the Children In Need album Bandaged Together - also released on Monday - which includes the talents of artists including Bill Wyman, Brian May, Bryan Ferry, Lee Mead, Cerys Matthews, Elaine Paige, Sharon Corr and Hayley Westenra.
Silver Bells
Last year, Sir Terry recorded a Christmas single for Children In Need with singer Aled Jones - also under the name Bandaged.
Little Drummer Boy - Peace On Earth went to number three in the Christmas chart, two places behind X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's single Hallelujah.
This year, he has again recorded a Christmas single, Silver Bells, with Aled Jones.
He revealed that the song - which he said would "draw tears from stones" - would be released earlier in December this year to avoid a clash with the X Factor winner's single.
"We want to out-smart that Cowell person," he said.
"I think it's a pretty shrewd move."
Last year, Children In Need raised £37.8m, which is being used to enhance the lives of thousands of disadvantaged youngsters across the UK.
The 71-year-old, who recently announced he would no longer present his Radio 2 breakfast show from next year, says he has no plans to retire from the show.
"They're going to have to shoot me to get me off that," he said.
He was speaking at the launch of single All You Need Is Love, by Bandaged, which will raise money for the charity.
Sir Terry has recorded the single with a number of pop stars including Paloma Faith, Andrea Corr, Lee Mead, Midge Ure and Peter Gabriel.
'Important thing'
Last year, Sir Terry announced his retirement from another of his long-term commitments, stepping down as commentator on the Eurovision Song Contest after three decades.
But he insisted he will continue fronting the Children In Need show, which he has presented since 1980.
We want to out-smart that Cowell person. I think it's a pretty shrewd move
Sir Terry Wogan on why they release date for the single has been bought forward
"I will be doing that until hell freezes over, or at least until the public get fed up of me," he added.
"For me it's the most important thing I do all year.
"And for the BBC it's the most important thing they do all year because it's cohesive.
"It brings the whole BBC together, which is what the BBC was designed to be. It's such a worthwhile thing to do."
All You Need is love will be released on Monday.
It is taken from the Children In Need album Bandaged Together - also released on Monday - which includes the talents of artists including Bill Wyman, Brian May, Bryan Ferry, Lee Mead, Cerys Matthews, Elaine Paige, Sharon Corr and Hayley Westenra.
Silver Bells
Last year, Sir Terry recorded a Christmas single for Children In Need with singer Aled Jones - also under the name Bandaged.
Little Drummer Boy - Peace On Earth went to number three in the Christmas chart, two places behind X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's single Hallelujah.
This year, he has again recorded a Christmas single, Silver Bells, with Aled Jones.
He revealed that the song - which he said would "draw tears from stones" - would be released earlier in December this year to avoid a clash with the X Factor winner's single.
"We want to out-smart that Cowell person," he said.
"I think it's a pretty shrewd move."
Last year, Children In Need raised £37.8m, which is being used to enhance the lives of thousands of disadvantaged youngsters across the UK.
Families facing child benefit cut as Budget targets welfare
THE Government is considering slashing child benefit by 10pc across the board in next week's Budget in an effort to drum up over €220m in savings.
Decisions on the politically sensitive issue of how to reduce the €2.5bn child benefit bill will be left until the 11th hour with ministers scrutinising the overall €21bn social welfare budget for savings in the dying days of negotiations.
A proposal to pay child benefit at three different rates is believed by many around the cabinet table to be too complicated and cumbersome. Many ministers, worried at the potential political fallout, are understood to be arguing for a straight cut of 10pc in a bid to save around €220m -- far less than the 20pc cut which had originally been mooted.
In addition, social welfare payments, including the dole, could suffer cuts of between 2pc and 5pc. Bord Snip Nua chairman Colm McCarthy has urged the Government to reduce welfare rates by 5pc -- in line with falling prices.
Following a meeting of ministers on Saturday for four hours, the Cabinet is said to be agreed that the old-age pension must be protected.
The jobseekers allowance could be substantially cut for under-21s in a bid to incentivise them into work and training schemes, while other half rate and full rate welfare allowances also look set for cuts.
However, ministers are still divided between tightening up on the eligibility to certain payments -- wherein it is difficult to calculate the savings -- or imposing straightforward cuts across the payments where savings targets can be set.
As the Budget discussions enter their last seven days, the Greens are arguing for elements of the Commission on Taxation report to be implemented sooner rather than later.
The party's two ministers are seeking commitments on abolishing tax reliefs used by the wealthy to shelter income, changes to the taxation of pensions that will lessen benefits for higher earners and changes to the residency requirements of so-called tax exiles, in an effort to appease the public.
Shortfall
But Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is said to be set against using the taxation system to boost revenue and is adamant that the €4bn cuts can come on the spending side.
The latest round of Exchequer figures, due later this week, are expected to show at least a €2bn shortfall on the April predictions.
The month of November is a vitally important month for tax returns with bumper receipts from VAT, income tax from the self-employed and workers with extra income making up to an estimated 20pc of all tax revenues for the entire year.
The figures will be crucial to the Government's Budget calculations when the Cabinet meets tomorrow and on Thursday to make final decisions.
The Government's tax take is expected to be down around 18pc compared to last year. But with today representing the last day for returns, it was still too early last night to judge the final figures, sources said.
Child benefit will be centre stage in the Dail tomorrow night and Wednesday when Labour tables a motion calling for the rate to be maintained.
Labour's Roisin Shortall said there are 1.15m children and some 593,233 families currently benefiting from child benefit. "This benefit continues to play a vital role in countering child poverty," she said.
"The dismantling of the current system of child benefit would be a serious mistake and we believe that the Dail should have the opportunity to convey this message to the Fianna Fail/ Green Party Government in advance of the Budget."
Meanwhile, figures from the Revenue Commissioners reveal that tax refunds have totalled €1.59bn in 2009 to date, between income tax (€458.6m) and corporation tax (€1,131.7m).
"These figures come before the expected publication of the November Exchequer figures next week which are likely to show a massive tail-off in tax receipts in the year to-date. There will certainly not be a pre-Budget bump to the public purse this year," a Revenue spokeswoman said.
Decisions on the politically sensitive issue of how to reduce the €2.5bn child benefit bill will be left until the 11th hour with ministers scrutinising the overall €21bn social welfare budget for savings in the dying days of negotiations.
A proposal to pay child benefit at three different rates is believed by many around the cabinet table to be too complicated and cumbersome. Many ministers, worried at the potential political fallout, are understood to be arguing for a straight cut of 10pc in a bid to save around €220m -- far less than the 20pc cut which had originally been mooted.
In addition, social welfare payments, including the dole, could suffer cuts of between 2pc and 5pc. Bord Snip Nua chairman Colm McCarthy has urged the Government to reduce welfare rates by 5pc -- in line with falling prices.
Following a meeting of ministers on Saturday for four hours, the Cabinet is said to be agreed that the old-age pension must be protected.
The jobseekers allowance could be substantially cut for under-21s in a bid to incentivise them into work and training schemes, while other half rate and full rate welfare allowances also look set for cuts.
However, ministers are still divided between tightening up on the eligibility to certain payments -- wherein it is difficult to calculate the savings -- or imposing straightforward cuts across the payments where savings targets can be set.
As the Budget discussions enter their last seven days, the Greens are arguing for elements of the Commission on Taxation report to be implemented sooner rather than later.
The party's two ministers are seeking commitments on abolishing tax reliefs used by the wealthy to shelter income, changes to the taxation of pensions that will lessen benefits for higher earners and changes to the residency requirements of so-called tax exiles, in an effort to appease the public.
Shortfall
But Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is said to be set against using the taxation system to boost revenue and is adamant that the €4bn cuts can come on the spending side.
The latest round of Exchequer figures, due later this week, are expected to show at least a €2bn shortfall on the April predictions.
The month of November is a vitally important month for tax returns with bumper receipts from VAT, income tax from the self-employed and workers with extra income making up to an estimated 20pc of all tax revenues for the entire year.
The figures will be crucial to the Government's Budget calculations when the Cabinet meets tomorrow and on Thursday to make final decisions.
The Government's tax take is expected to be down around 18pc compared to last year. But with today representing the last day for returns, it was still too early last night to judge the final figures, sources said.
Child benefit will be centre stage in the Dail tomorrow night and Wednesday when Labour tables a motion calling for the rate to be maintained.
Labour's Roisin Shortall said there are 1.15m children and some 593,233 families currently benefiting from child benefit. "This benefit continues to play a vital role in countering child poverty," she said.
"The dismantling of the current system of child benefit would be a serious mistake and we believe that the Dail should have the opportunity to convey this message to the Fianna Fail/ Green Party Government in advance of the Budget."
Meanwhile, figures from the Revenue Commissioners reveal that tax refunds have totalled €1.59bn in 2009 to date, between income tax (€458.6m) and corporation tax (€1,131.7m).
"These figures come before the expected publication of the November Exchequer figures next week which are likely to show a massive tail-off in tax receipts in the year to-date. There will certainly not be a pre-Budget bump to the public purse this year," a Revenue spokeswoman said.
Benefits for families and children
This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Help for families and children
Benefits for maternity
Benefits for paternity
Benefits for adoption
Help with the costs of a new baby – maternity grants from the Social Fund
Benefits for children
Child Benefit
Help for disabled children
Child Tax Credit
Help with the costs of childcare
Child Trust Fund
Other help with the costs of bringing up children
Information in other languages
Help for families and children
There are several different benefits for families to help with the extra costs of children. These include benefits for women who are pregnant or who have just had their baby, benefits for the partners of women who have given birth, benefits for people who adopt, and benefits, tax credits, Child Trust Fund payments and other help which you may be able to get when you have responsibility for a child or young person.
Benefits for maternity
If you're having a baby, you may be able to get benefits such as Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance. This will depend on whether you work and, if you do, how much you earn and how long you have worked for the same employer. You can also get a one-off grant called a Health in Pregnancy Grant – see under heading Health in Pregnancy Grants. If you're pregnant, you may also be entitled to free vitamins and Healthy Start vouchers to help with the cost of milk, fruit and vegetables. Whether or not you can get this help may depend on your income.
For more information about Healthy Start vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables, see Help with health, education and legal costs.
Health in pregnancy grants
If you’re pregnant, you may be able to get a grant from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to help you prepare for the birth of your baby. The payment is called a Health in Pregnancy Grant and it is a one-off grant of £190. A Health in Pregnancy Grant will not affect your tax credits or any other benefits. Everyone will get the same amount – you will not be asked about your income.
You can get the grant if the following conditions apply:
you're 25 weeks pregnant or more, and
your expected date of delivery is on or after 6 April 2009, and
you've been given health advice from a midwife or doctor.
You may not get the grant if you are subject to immigration control or if you are not ordinarily resident in the UK.
To make a claim, get a claim form from your midwife or doctor any time from 1 January 2009. Your midwife or doctor must fill in their part of the form and sign it before giving it to you. You then need to get your claim form to HM Revenue and Customs within 31 days of your midwife or doctor signing the form - otherwise you may miss out on the grant.
HMRC will pay the grant directly into your bank or building society account from April 2009 onwards.
For more information about Health in Pregnancy Grants, go to the HMRC website at: www.hmrc.gov.uk.
Statutory Maternity Pay
You can get Statutory Maternity Pay if you have been working for the same employer for at least 26 weeks, by the time you are 15 weeks away from the date your baby is due. This means that you must have worked for the same employer throughout your pregnancy. You should also earn at least as much as the lower earnings limit each week. The lower earnings limit is the level of wages where national insurance contributions start.
Statutory Maternity Pay is paid by your employer if you are away from work to have a baby. It can be paid for up to 39 weeks.
For information about Statutory Maternity Pay, see Parental rights at work.
Maternity Allowance
Maternity Allowance is a benefit for women who have been working but who do not meet the work and earnings conditions for Statutory Maternity Pay.
Who can get Maternity Allowance
You can get Maternity Allowance if you have been working recently or you have stopped working to have a child. You must have been working for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before you are due to give birth. It does not matter if these weeks are split up, or if they are not all for the same employer. You can claim Maternity Allowance if you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, as long as you have been earning at least £30 a week on average. This can be from employed work or self-employed work. Maternity Allowance does not depend on national insurance contributions.
How much is Maternity Allowance
The amount of Maternity Allowance you get is either 90 per cent of your average earnings or £123.06 a week, whichever is less. You may get an additional amount for your husband, civil partner, or someone else who looks after your children, if that person is on a very low income.
How to claim Maternity Allowance
You should claim Maternity Allowance on form MA1 which you can get:
in England, Wales and Scotland, by phoning Jobcentre Plus on: freephone 0800 055 6688 or textphone 0800 023 4888. There is also a Welsh language line number which is 0800 012 1888
in England, Wales and Scotland, from the Jobcentre Plus website at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
in Northern Ireland, by phoning the Incapacity Benefits Branch on 028 9033 6000 or the benefit enquiry line on: 0800 243 787, or by downloading the form from the website of the Department for Social Development at: www.dsdni.gov.uk
from antenatal clinics
from local benefits offices.
You should return the form to your local benefits office. You will need medical evidence of your pregnancy, usually your maternity certificate (MATB1). If you claim Maternity Allowance after your baby is born, you should provide the birth certificate. If you are employed, you also have to provide Form SMP1 from your employer, which confirms that you are not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay.
You can claim at any time once you are 26 weeks pregnant. If you claim late, you can get Maternity Allowance up to three months before you claim if you could have qualified for benefit earlier. It does not matter why your claim is late.
When you claim Maternity Allowance, you have to provide your national insurance number (and the national insurance number of your husband, civil partner or other adult who looks after your children if you are claiming an additional amount for this person). If you do not know your number, but you think you have one, you should provide evidence that will help the benefits office to identify your number. If you do not have a national insurance number, you will have to apply for one.
For information on how to apply for a national insurance number, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
How long is Maternity Allowance paid
You can get Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks. The earliest it can start to be paid is the 11th week before your baby is due. The latest it can start is just after your baby is born. There are rules about when your Maternity Allowance has to start being paid if you are not working, or you are not entitled to Maternity Allowance until later in your pregnancy.
If you want more information about when your Maternity Allowance will be paid, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Problems with Maternity Allowance
If your Maternity Allowance claim is refused when you think you are entitled, or you get less benefit than you think you should, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again or you can appeal. You should do this within one month of the decision.
If you are not happy with the service provided by the benefits office, for example, because of mistakes or delays, you can complain. You can do this whether or not you also want to challenge a decision.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, sexuality, religion or disability when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decides about your claim for Maternity Allowance. Also, the DWP has a policy which says it will not discriminate against you because of other things, for example, if you have caring responsibilities. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint about this.
For more information about challenging a benefit decision and about complaining, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you want to challenge a Maternity Allowance decision or you want to complain you can also consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
If you cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
If you are not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, - perhaps because you have not been working recently - you may be able to claim other benefits instead.
If you are pregnant or you have had recently had a baby, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This will depend on the stage of your pregnancy and whether there would be a risk to your health or your baby's health if you worked. You may be able to claim Income Support instead. You can claim Income Support once you are 29 weeks’ pregnant, or earlier if you are incapable of work because of your pregnancy. Before this, if you are capable of work, you could claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.
The rules about the benefits you can claim in pregnancy and early maternity are complicated. If you are pregnant or have just had a baby and you do not think you can claim Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Benefits for paternity
Statutory Paternity Pay
If you are a working father, or the partner of a woman having a child (including a same-sex partner), you may be able to get Statutory Paternity Pay for two weeks during your paternity leave. You can also get Statutory Paternity Pay for paternity leave you take when you are adopting a child.
For more information about paternity rights and pay, see Parental rights at work.
Income Support during paternity leave
If you are not entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay – perhaps because you have not worked for long enough - you may not be able to claim any paid paternity leave. You should check what rights you have under your contract of employment. If you are on statutory paternity leave but you do not get any Statutory Paternity Pay or payment from your employer, or you get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or tax credits when you are working, you may be entitled to Income Support during your paternity leave. You may also get this if you get some Statutory Paternity Pay but at a very low level.
The rules about benefits and paternity leave are complicated. If you are on a low income and you are not able to get any sort of paternity pay, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Paternity and Jobseeker’s Allowance
If you are a member of a couple and you have a joint claim with your partner for Jobseeker’s Allowance, your partner’s pregnancy may mean that only you have to sign on. Your partner may possibly also be able to claim Income Support for both of you until a few weeks after she has the baby, instead of Jobseeker's Allowance. Once the child is born, or if you adopt a child, you do not both have to sign on for Jobseeker’s Allowance and only one of you has to meet the job seeking conditions. If you usually claim Income Support, your right to benefit is not affected by your partner being pregnant.
The rules about how having a child affects Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance are complicated. If you are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance as a couple and your partner is pregnant, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Parental leave
If you are taking parental leave to look after your children, you may be entitled to Income Support if your employer is not paying you anything, and you usually get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or tax credits when you are working. Men and women both have the right to take unpaid time off work as parental leave if they have worked for their employer for one year.
For more information about parental leave, see Parental rights at work.
If you want to find out about getting Income Support during parental leave, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Benefits for adoption
If you work and you are adopting a child, you may be able to get Statutory Adoption Pay.
For more information about Statutory Adoption Pay, see Parental rights at work.
Help with the costs of a new baby – maternity grants from the Social Fund
If you get benefits or tax credits because you are on a low income, you may be able to get a maternity grant from the Social Fund (also called a Sure Start maternity grant) to help with the costs of a new baby. It does not matter what you spend the money on, and the grant does not have to be repaid. A maternity grant is a fixed amount of £500.
You can get a maternity grant if you or your partner is at least 29 weeks’ pregnant or has given birth to a child within the last three months. You can also get one if you or your partner have adopted a child less than one year old at the time of the claim or you have had a child by a surrogate mother. If you have a dependent child who is pregnant or has given birth in the last three months, you can claim a maternity grant for her. This might apply to you if you have a daughter for who you are getting Child Benefit and she is pregnant. If your daughter gets a qualifying benefit in her own right, she can claim the maternity grant herself.
You can get a maternity grant if you or your partner get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit at the time of the claim. If you get Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you may be able to get a maternity grant, depending on your circumstances. If you are an asylum seeker supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), you cannot get a maternity grant but you can apply to NASS for a one-off payment of £300. You must apply before your baby is two weeks old.
If you get Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you can get a maternity grant if you get Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element or Working Tax Credit where there is entitlement to a disability element. If your income drops because you are taking time off to have a baby, it may be worth asking the Tax Credit office to reassess your tax credit entitlement based on your current year income. You may then find you are entitled to a maternity grant.
You should claim a maternity grant on form SF100 (Sure Start) which is available from local benefit offices or antenatal clinics, or, in England, Wales and Scotland, you can get the form online at www.dwp.gov.uk. You can claim from the eleventh week before the baby is due and up to three months after the baby is born, or up to three months after the date of the adoption order or parental order.
You will need to provide evidence that you have received the advice of a health professional on the health and welfare needs of your baby.
If your claim for maternity grant is refused and you think you are entitled, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again, or you can appeal. You should do this within one month of the decision. You can also complain if you are unhappy with the service from the benefits office, for example, if there is a delay.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, sexuality, religion or disability when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decide about your claim for a maternity grant. Also, the DWP has a policy which says it will not discriminate against you because of other things, for example, if you have caring responsibilities. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint.
For more information about challenging a decision about a maternity grant, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you want help challenging a maternity grant decision or making a complaint you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Benefits for children
The main benefits for children are Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit. Most people living in the UK can claim Child Benefit for their children (see under heading Child Benefit). If a child’s parents cannot look after a child, the person who does care for the child may be able to claim Guardian’s Allowance as well (see under Guardian’s Allowance).
Many parents can also claim Child Tax Credit for their children. You may be able to get this whether or not you are working, depending on your income and how many children you have (see under heading Child Tax Credit). If you have a child who is disabled, you may be able to get extra money included in your benefits, and you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance in respect of your child (see under Disability Living Allowance).
Child Benefit
Child benefit is a tax-free benefit paid to most people with children. You do not need to have paid any national insurance contributions to get Child Benefit and it does not matter how much money you have coming in.
Who can get Child Benefit
You can get Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child aged under 16, or a young person aged under 20 if they are still in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses. You may also get Child Benefit for a young person who has been accepted on a course. This means that most parents can get Child Benefit, but you can also get it if you are bringing up a child and you are not the biological parent. You cannot usually get Child Benefit for a child you are fostering. You get Child Benefit for each child you are responsible for. Usually, you and your child have to be living in the UK to claim Child Benefit. If you do not live in the UK, you leave the UK for more than a few weeks, or your child is not living in the UK, the rules are complicated. You cannot usually claim Child Benefit for a child who is in local authority care or in prison.
If the child dies
If a child or young person for whom Child Benefit was being paid dies, you will carry on getting Child Benefit for eight weeks after the week in which they die. You might stop getting Child Benefit before eight weeks if the young person would have reached the age of 20 before the end of eight weeks.
If a child dies before the end of the week in which they were born, you can claim Child Benefit for the eight weeks after the week when the child dies.
If you or your child do not always live in the UK, or you have a child who is in local authority care or in prison, or your child dies, and you want to claim Child Benefit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
How much is Child Benefit
Child Benefit is paid at a higher rate for your oldest child and at one rate for all your other children.
Weekly rate from 5 January 2009
Child Benefit for oldest child £20
Child Benefit for other children £13.20
How to apply for Child Benefit
You should claim Child Benefit by completing form CH2 which you can get from the Child Benefit Office, HM Revenue and Customs enquiry centres or Jobcentre Plus offices. The Child Benefit Office number is 0845 302 1444 (textphone 0845 302 1474) in England, Wales and Scotland, and 0845 603 2000 in Northern Ireland. You can download this form from HM Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit.
When you claim Child Benefit, you will have to provide your national insurance number, or information to help the office find your number. If you do not have a national insurance number, send the form in anyway, to avoid delays.
For information on how to get a national insurance number, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
Getting Child Benefit for a period before you apply
You can get Child Benefit for up to three months before the date you make your claim. This is called backdating. You can only do this if you met the conditions for the benefit before you claim. You should explain on your claim form when your entitlement to child benefit started (for example, when your child was born). It does not matter why you did not claim earlier.
If you want help with claiming backdated Child Benefit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Checks on Child Benefit, change of circumstances and fraud
You may commit a benefit fraud if you deliberately give incorrect or misleading information, or fail to report a change of circumstances which could affect your Child Benefit, for example, if you have a child over 16 who leaves school and starts work. Even if you are not committing fraud, you can cause an overpayment which will have to be repaid. Your circumstances can be checked at any time while you are claiming. Benefit fraud is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted or asked to pay a penalty.
If you are worried about whether you might be suspected of fraud, you are under investigation or you have been convicted, or if you have been asked to repay an overpayment of benefit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens’ Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
How is Child Benefit paid
Child Benefit is paid by the Child Benefit Office, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs. If you live with the other parent of your children, Child Benefit is paid to the mother. If you do not live with the other parent, Child Benefit is usually paid to whichever parent the child lives with. If more than one person claims Child Benefit for the same child, there are rules about who should be paid the benefit.
Problems with Child Benefit
If you are not happy with a Child Benefit decision, you can ask for it to be looked at again, or you can appeal. However, some decisions about Child Benefit cannot be appealed, for example, a decision about who should receive Child Benefit when two people have claimed it. If you are not happy with the decision on your benefit claim, you should challenge it within one month.
If you are not happy with the service provided by the Child Benefit Office, for example, because of mistakes or delays, you can complain. You can do this whether or not you also want to challenge a decision.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, sexuality, religion or disability when the Child Benefit Office deals with your claim for Child Benefit. Also, the Child Benefit Office is part of HM Revenue and Customs, which has a policy saying it won't discriminate against you because of other things. This includes things like if you are a carer. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint about this.
For more information about challenging a benefit decision and about complaining, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you want to challenge a Child Benefit decision or you want to complain you can also consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Guardian’s Allowance
Guardian’s allowance is a tax-free benefit which you can claim if you look after a child who is not your own (biologically or by adoption). You can only get it if you receive Child Benefit for the child. Guardian's Allowance is paid by the Child Benefit Office (part of HM Revenue and Customs). So, you may be able to get Guardian’s Allowance if you look after a child who is an orphan, or whose surviving parent is missing or in prison, or whose adoptive parent has died. Guardian’s Allowance is paid at the rate of £14.10 each week for each qualifying child.
If you are not sure whether you can claim Guardian’s Allowance you can contact the Child Benefit Office - see under heading How to apply for Child Benefit.
You can claim Guardian’s Allowance on form BG1 which you can get from the Child Benefit Office, HM Revenue and Customs enquiry centres, Jobcentre Plus offices or, in England Wales and Scotland, from the HM Revenue and Customs website on www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit. If you have not already claimed Child Benefit, you should claim this at the same time as Guardian’s Allowance. You will have to supply a national insurance number or information to identify your number, or apply for a national insurance number if you have not got one. If you met the conditions for Guardian's Allowance before you make the claim, you can get up to three months’ backdated benefit.
For more information about national insurance numbers, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
If you have any problems or queries about Guardian’s Allowance, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Help for disabled children
(Example box starts)One of my children is disabled. I'm a single parent and I can't work because my child needs a lot of care. Can I get any extra financial help? English isn't my first language and I can't really understand what all the forms say.
You should get Income Support if your child is under 16. You might also get some extra financial help because your child is disabled. Your local benefits office should be able to give you a leaflet explaining everything in your own language. You can also get them from the Department for Work and Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk [www.dwp.gov.uk/otherlanguages]. If you need an interpreter to make your claim for Income Support, one should be provided. If they don't provide this help, get advice from an experienced adviser, for example, at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
(Example box ends)
If you are responsible for a disabled child, you may be able to get Disability Living Allowance for the child. You may also be able to get extra amounts when other means-tested benefits are calculated - for example, in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. You may also be entitled to extra amounts in the calculation of Child Tax Credit (see under heading Child Tax Credit).
For more information about Housing Benefit, see Help with your rent – Housing Benefit, and for information about Council Tax Benefit, see Help with your Council Tax – Council Tax Benefit.
Disability Living Allowance
You can get Disability Living Allowance for a child who has care needs or mobility problems. Care needs include help with washing and dressing, and mobility problems having difficulty walking at an age when most children would not need help. Children under 16 cannot claim Disability Living Allowance in their own right, so usually you will claim this for your child if you are their parent or guardian.
For more information about Disability Living Allowance, including special rules for children, see Benefits for people who are sick or disabled.
Further help if you have a disabled child
If you have a disabled child, make sure that you're getting all the other help you have a right to. For example, the council may help with care. There are transport and parking concessions that might help with your child's travel. There are special rules about education for disabled children.
For more information about help from the council, see Community care.
For more information about transport and parking concessions, see Transport options for disabled people.
For more information about the education of disabled children in England, see Special Educational Needs and in Scotland, see The parents' guide to additional support for learning.
child Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit is a payment for people with children, whether they are in or out of work. It is paid by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You can get Child Tax Credit if your income is low enough and you are responsible for at least one child. You will get money from Child Tax Credit for each child. You do not need to have a very low income to get some help from Child Tax Credit, so most people with children get the credit.
Who can get Child Tax Credit
You can get Child Tax Credit if you are 16 or over and you are responsible for at least one child. This means a child under 16, or a young person up to the age of 19 who is in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses. You may also get Child Tax Credit for a young person who has been accepted on one of these courses. You can also get Child Tax Credit for a young person aged under 18 who has registered with the Careers Service, if they have left school within the last 20 weeks.
Financial eligibility
The amount of Child Tax Credit you get will depend on your circumstances and your income. You can get it on quite high gross incomes, including incomes of over £50,000 a year. If you live with your partner, your incomes will be added together when your claim is assessed. Gross income means what your income is before tax and national insurance are deducted.
Savings do not affect your entitlement directly but, if you are getting interest from your savings, this is counted as income and will affect the amount of Child Tax Credit due.
Some of your income will not be taken into account when your Child Tax Credit is being worked out. Child Benefit, maintenance payments, Maternity Allowance will be disregarded together with most Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay.
If the child or young person dies
If you claim Child Tax Credit for a child and they die, you carry on qualifying for tax credit at the same rate for eight weeks immediately following the death, or until the date when the young person would have been 20, whichever comes first.
How much Child Tax Credit will you get
The maximum amount of Child Tax Credit you can get is based on your circumstances, but you may get less than this depending on your income. The maximum amount is made up of different elements.
The first element of Child Tax Credit is a family element which is paid to any family with responsibility for one or more children. If you have a child in your family who is under one, you will get an extra amount of family element, sometimes called the baby element. This will stop once the child reaches one year old.
You also get a child element for each child or young person in your family. You get the same amount regardless of the age of the child. There are extra amounts for children who are disabled and these are paid on top of the child element. If your child is registered blind or entitled to Disability Living Allowance, you will be able to get the disabled child element. If your child is severely disabled and entitled to the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, you will get the severely disabled child entitlement as well.
The tax credit calculation is very complicated. If you would like to know how much you should get you should contact an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Rates of Child Tax Credit
Maximum amount of Child Tax Credit from 6 April 2009
Family element £545
Higher family element (if family contains child under one) £545
Child element:
For each child £2,235
For each disabled child £2,670
For each severely disabled child £1,075
How to apply for Child Tax Credit
To apply for Child Tax Credit, you can contact the tax credit helpline for an application pack. The application form for your first claim is Form TC600. You apply for Working Tax Credit on the same form. You should answer all the questions on the application form in case you are able to get Working Tax Credit as well. The helpline number is 0845 300 3900 (textphone 0845 300 3909).
The application form requires a lot of information, including your income for the previous tax year. Remember, if your income is going to be very different for the current tax year let the HMRC know. If you have problems filling in the form, you can consult the notes that come with it, phone the tax credit helpline, or consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau.
It is also important to keep as much evidence of your personal circumstances as you can. You should keep P60s (or P45s if you have left a job), statements about any benefits you receive and statements from your bank or building society about any savings. Any documentation about your income or capital will help you to fill in the form.
When you apply for Child Tax Credit, you will have to provide your national insurance number and the national insurance number of any partner who lives with you. If you do not know your national insurance number, but you think you have one, try to provide information that will help the office find your number. If you do not have a national insurance number, you will have to apply for one.
For information on how to apply for a national insurance number, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
Getting Child Tax Credit back dated
You may be able to get some Child Tax Credit for a period before you apply, if you met the conditions and could have claimed earlier. Getting tax credit for a period before you apply is called ‘backdating’. You can normally only get Child Tax Credit backdated for a maximum of 93 days before the date you apply. You do not have to give any reasons why you did not claim earlier. You should ask for backdated tax credit on your application form.
If you want any help with claiming backdated Child Tax Credit, you should contact an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Checks on Child Tax Credit and fraud
You may commit tax credit fraud if you deliberately give incorrect or misleading information when you claim, or fail to report a change of circumstances. Even if you are not committing fraud, you can cause an overpayment which will have to be repaid and you may have to pay a penalty. Your circumstances can be checked at any time while you are claiming. HMRC can ask you to supply bank statements and other evidence, and they may interview you. Tax credit fraud is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted or made to pay a fine.
For more information about tax credit overpayments, in England, Wales and Scotland, see Overpayment of tax credits in Benefits fact sheets.
If you are worried about whether you might be suspected of fraud, you are under investigation or you have been convicted, or you want advice about an overpayment of tax credit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens’ Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
How is Child Tax Credit paid
Child Tax Credit can be paid directly into your bank or building society account, or into a post office account. If you do not give HMRC details of an account, you may lose your entitlement to Child Tax Credit. If you have difficulties opening an account, you should get in touch with HMRC and explain. Child Tax Credit will be paid to the main carer in the family. If you are part of a couple, the main carer is usually the person getting Child Benefit.
For more information about payment of benefits and tax credits, see Payment of benefits and tax credits.
If you have problems with the payment of Child Tax Credit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Change of circumstances and overpayments of tax credits
Tax credits are awarded for a complete tax year. A tax year runs from the beginning of April to the end of the following March. If you claim after April, your award will run from the date you claim to the end of the following March. The amount you get is usually set for a year. If your circumstances change during the period of your award you should tell HMRC as soon as possible. This is important because otherwise you may not be paid all the tax credit you are entitled to (an underpayment), or you may be paid too much and have to pay it back to HMRC (an overpayment). Some changes to your circumstances mean that your award ends and you have to claim again. Other changes mean that your award continues but it will be recalculated, and some will not affect your current award at all.
For more information about overpayments, in England, Wales and Scotland, see, Overpayment of tax credits in Benefits fact sheets.
Problems with Child Tax Credit
If you are refused Child Tax Credit and think you are entitled, or that the amount you are awarded is wrong, you can ask HMRC to explain their decision. If you are still not satisfied, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again or you can appeal. You must do this within 30 days of HMRC's decision.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received from HMRC, for example, there have been long delays, or they have lost documents you sent to them, you should complain. You can do this whether or not you are also challenging a HMRC decision.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, religion, sexuality or disability when HMRC decide about your claim for Child Tax Credit. Also, they have a policy which says they will not discriminate against you because of other things, for example, if you have caring responsibilities. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint about this.
For more information about making a complaint about HMRC, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you are not happy with a Child Tax Credit decision or you want to make a complaint you can also consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Other help while you are on Child Tax Credit
When you get Child Tax Credit, you may be entitled to other financial help. If you pay rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit. If you have to pay Council Tax, you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit. Child Tax Credit is taken into account as income for both these benefits which means that it affects the amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you can get.
For more information about Housing Benefit, see Help with your rent – Housing Benefit, and for more information about Council Tax Benefit, see Help with your Council Tax – Council Tax Benefit.
Being on Child Tax Credit may also give you other help. For example, you may be entitled to health benefits, including free prescriptions. You may also be able get help with the costs of a new baby from a Sure Start maternity grant (see under heading Help with the costs of a new baby – maternity grants from the Social Fund), help with the costs of a funeral from a funeral payment or free school meals. If you are pregnant or bringing up a young child, you may be entitled to free vitamins and vouchers to help with the cost of milk, fruit and vegetables. Whether or not you can get this help will depend on your income, and whether you also get Working Tax Credit.
For more information about health benefits, see Help with health, education and legal costs, and for more information about funeral payments, see Help for people on a low income – the Social Fund.
If you have any queries about additional help you can get while you are on Child Tax Credit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Help with the costs of childcare
Child Tax Credit does not include any help with the costs of childcare. However, Working Tax Credit does include some help towards childcare. If you are working and you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit.
For more information about Working Tax Credit, see Benefits and tax credits for people in work.
If you are not getting Working Tax Credit, there may be other help with childcare you can access. For example, if you are under 18, you may be able to get help with the costs of childcare if you go back to school. If you are a lone parent on the New Deal for Lone Parents, you may be to get help with childcare so that you can do a training course or look for work. If you are on either the New Deal for Lone Parents or the New Deal for Partners, you can get help with childcare costs for the week before you start work to let you and your child get used to the arrangement.
Childcare vouchers
If you are working, your employer may offer childcare support in the form of childcare vouchers. The Childcare Voucher Scheme involves giving up some of your pay in exchange for the childcare vouchers and there are tax advantages if you receive vouchers instead of pay. However, if you accept a cut in pay this could reduce your salary to a sum below the lower earnings limit and affect your rights to certain benefits. Your State Pension, Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and tax credits could all be affected if your pay falls below the lower earnings limit.
For more information about the Childcare Voucher Scheme, go to www.worksmart.org.uk or consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Sure Start
If you are in a Sure Start area, you may be able to get advice about available childcare from a Sure Start programme in your area. For information about other help with childcare, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau, or look on www.childcarelink.gov.uk.
Child Trust Fund
The Child Trust Fund is a savings and investment account for children. The government will make payments to children through this account and family and friends will also be able to contribute. When your child is 18, they will have access to the account and will be able to spend the money as they like.
If your child was born on or after 1st September 2002, and you are currently getting Child Benefit, your child will be eligible for a Child Trust Fund account (CTF).
The government will make an initial payment of £250, followed by another payment of £250 on your child's seventh birthday. If you are getting Child Tax Credit and your income is less than £16,040, your child will get an additional payment. You and your family and friends can also contribute up to £1,200 per year to the fund.
You do not have to claim for the Child Trust Fund scheme as vouchers will be issued automatically to people who are getting Child Benefit for a child who qualifies.
You can use this voucher to open a Child Trust Fund account for your child with a provider of your choice, for example, a bank or building society, and an initial payment will then be made into the account by the government.
If you have not opened an account one year after receiving the voucher, the government will do this for you, but your child will lose interest on the money.
Once a child is 16, they can manage the Child Trust Fund Account themselves, but they cannot access any of the money until they are 18 unless they are terminally ill.
If a child with a Child Trust Fund account dies, the money in the account will pass to the person entitled to inherit the child's estate - usually the parent(s). If a child dies before the account is opened for them, or before the government has paid money into the account, you can claim the money that would have been paid. You should telephone the CTF helpline about this.
For more information on The Child Trust Fund, call the CTF helpline on 0845 302 1470 or go to HM Revenue and Customs website at www.childtrustfund.gov.uk.
If you have problems with the Child Trust Fund, you should contact the CTF helpline or consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
The Child Trust Fund Cymru
In Wales, a child born between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2004 will be entitled to a voucher worth £50 to be paid into their Child Trust Fund account. If your child is eligible you should receive a claim form and guidance from your local education authority. You should return the completed claim form to the Welsh Assembly Government for processing and payment into the child’s account.
In Wales, a child from a low income household will be eligible for a further £50. Children who claim Free School Meals will be eligible for the additional low income top-up of £50, and should receive the maximum £100.
Other help with the costs of bringing up children
If you are on a low income, you may be able to get other help with the costs of bringing up your children. For example, your children may be entitled to free school meals or help with the costs of school uniform. If you are pregnant or you have young children, you may be able to get vouchers to help with the cost of milk, fruit or vegetables. In most cases, this help will depend on what benefits you are receiving.
For more information about other help for children if you are on a low income, see Help with health, education and legal costs.
Information in other languages
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has translated information about benefits into certain community languages. For more information, go to the DWP website at www.dwp.gov.uk. To ask for printed or audio copies of any DWP leaflet in your language, you should contact your local office.
The Directgov website has information about benefits for disabled people in British Sign Language. Go to www.directgov.gov.uk.
Help for families and children
Benefits for maternity
Benefits for paternity
Benefits for adoption
Help with the costs of a new baby – maternity grants from the Social Fund
Benefits for children
Child Benefit
Help for disabled children
Child Tax Credit
Help with the costs of childcare
Child Trust Fund
Other help with the costs of bringing up children
Information in other languages
Help for families and children
There are several different benefits for families to help with the extra costs of children. These include benefits for women who are pregnant or who have just had their baby, benefits for the partners of women who have given birth, benefits for people who adopt, and benefits, tax credits, Child Trust Fund payments and other help which you may be able to get when you have responsibility for a child or young person.
Benefits for maternity
If you're having a baby, you may be able to get benefits such as Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance. This will depend on whether you work and, if you do, how much you earn and how long you have worked for the same employer. You can also get a one-off grant called a Health in Pregnancy Grant – see under heading Health in Pregnancy Grants. If you're pregnant, you may also be entitled to free vitamins and Healthy Start vouchers to help with the cost of milk, fruit and vegetables. Whether or not you can get this help may depend on your income.
For more information about Healthy Start vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables, see Help with health, education and legal costs.
Health in pregnancy grants
If you’re pregnant, you may be able to get a grant from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to help you prepare for the birth of your baby. The payment is called a Health in Pregnancy Grant and it is a one-off grant of £190. A Health in Pregnancy Grant will not affect your tax credits or any other benefits. Everyone will get the same amount – you will not be asked about your income.
You can get the grant if the following conditions apply:
you're 25 weeks pregnant or more, and
your expected date of delivery is on or after 6 April 2009, and
you've been given health advice from a midwife or doctor.
You may not get the grant if you are subject to immigration control or if you are not ordinarily resident in the UK.
To make a claim, get a claim form from your midwife or doctor any time from 1 January 2009. Your midwife or doctor must fill in their part of the form and sign it before giving it to you. You then need to get your claim form to HM Revenue and Customs within 31 days of your midwife or doctor signing the form - otherwise you may miss out on the grant.
HMRC will pay the grant directly into your bank or building society account from April 2009 onwards.
For more information about Health in Pregnancy Grants, go to the HMRC website at: www.hmrc.gov.uk.
Statutory Maternity Pay
You can get Statutory Maternity Pay if you have been working for the same employer for at least 26 weeks, by the time you are 15 weeks away from the date your baby is due. This means that you must have worked for the same employer throughout your pregnancy. You should also earn at least as much as the lower earnings limit each week. The lower earnings limit is the level of wages where national insurance contributions start.
Statutory Maternity Pay is paid by your employer if you are away from work to have a baby. It can be paid for up to 39 weeks.
For information about Statutory Maternity Pay, see Parental rights at work.
Maternity Allowance
Maternity Allowance is a benefit for women who have been working but who do not meet the work and earnings conditions for Statutory Maternity Pay.
Who can get Maternity Allowance
You can get Maternity Allowance if you have been working recently or you have stopped working to have a child. You must have been working for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before you are due to give birth. It does not matter if these weeks are split up, or if they are not all for the same employer. You can claim Maternity Allowance if you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, as long as you have been earning at least £30 a week on average. This can be from employed work or self-employed work. Maternity Allowance does not depend on national insurance contributions.
How much is Maternity Allowance
The amount of Maternity Allowance you get is either 90 per cent of your average earnings or £123.06 a week, whichever is less. You may get an additional amount for your husband, civil partner, or someone else who looks after your children, if that person is on a very low income.
How to claim Maternity Allowance
You should claim Maternity Allowance on form MA1 which you can get:
in England, Wales and Scotland, by phoning Jobcentre Plus on: freephone 0800 055 6688 or textphone 0800 023 4888. There is also a Welsh language line number which is 0800 012 1888
in England, Wales and Scotland, from the Jobcentre Plus website at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
in Northern Ireland, by phoning the Incapacity Benefits Branch on 028 9033 6000 or the benefit enquiry line on: 0800 243 787, or by downloading the form from the website of the Department for Social Development at: www.dsdni.gov.uk
from antenatal clinics
from local benefits offices.
You should return the form to your local benefits office. You will need medical evidence of your pregnancy, usually your maternity certificate (MATB1). If you claim Maternity Allowance after your baby is born, you should provide the birth certificate. If you are employed, you also have to provide Form SMP1 from your employer, which confirms that you are not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay.
You can claim at any time once you are 26 weeks pregnant. If you claim late, you can get Maternity Allowance up to three months before you claim if you could have qualified for benefit earlier. It does not matter why your claim is late.
When you claim Maternity Allowance, you have to provide your national insurance number (and the national insurance number of your husband, civil partner or other adult who looks after your children if you are claiming an additional amount for this person). If you do not know your number, but you think you have one, you should provide evidence that will help the benefits office to identify your number. If you do not have a national insurance number, you will have to apply for one.
For information on how to apply for a national insurance number, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
How long is Maternity Allowance paid
You can get Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks. The earliest it can start to be paid is the 11th week before your baby is due. The latest it can start is just after your baby is born. There are rules about when your Maternity Allowance has to start being paid if you are not working, or you are not entitled to Maternity Allowance until later in your pregnancy.
If you want more information about when your Maternity Allowance will be paid, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Problems with Maternity Allowance
If your Maternity Allowance claim is refused when you think you are entitled, or you get less benefit than you think you should, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again or you can appeal. You should do this within one month of the decision.
If you are not happy with the service provided by the benefits office, for example, because of mistakes or delays, you can complain. You can do this whether or not you also want to challenge a decision.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, sexuality, religion or disability when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decides about your claim for Maternity Allowance. Also, the DWP has a policy which says it will not discriminate against you because of other things, for example, if you have caring responsibilities. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint about this.
For more information about challenging a benefit decision and about complaining, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you want to challenge a Maternity Allowance decision or you want to complain you can also consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
If you cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
If you are not entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, - perhaps because you have not been working recently - you may be able to claim other benefits instead.
If you are pregnant or you have had recently had a baby, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This will depend on the stage of your pregnancy and whether there would be a risk to your health or your baby's health if you worked. You may be able to claim Income Support instead. You can claim Income Support once you are 29 weeks’ pregnant, or earlier if you are incapable of work because of your pregnancy. Before this, if you are capable of work, you could claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.
The rules about the benefits you can claim in pregnancy and early maternity are complicated. If you are pregnant or have just had a baby and you do not think you can claim Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Benefits for paternity
Statutory Paternity Pay
If you are a working father, or the partner of a woman having a child (including a same-sex partner), you may be able to get Statutory Paternity Pay for two weeks during your paternity leave. You can also get Statutory Paternity Pay for paternity leave you take when you are adopting a child.
For more information about paternity rights and pay, see Parental rights at work.
Income Support during paternity leave
If you are not entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay – perhaps because you have not worked for long enough - you may not be able to claim any paid paternity leave. You should check what rights you have under your contract of employment. If you are on statutory paternity leave but you do not get any Statutory Paternity Pay or payment from your employer, or you get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or tax credits when you are working, you may be entitled to Income Support during your paternity leave. You may also get this if you get some Statutory Paternity Pay but at a very low level.
The rules about benefits and paternity leave are complicated. If you are on a low income and you are not able to get any sort of paternity pay, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Paternity and Jobseeker’s Allowance
If you are a member of a couple and you have a joint claim with your partner for Jobseeker’s Allowance, your partner’s pregnancy may mean that only you have to sign on. Your partner may possibly also be able to claim Income Support for both of you until a few weeks after she has the baby, instead of Jobseeker's Allowance. Once the child is born, or if you adopt a child, you do not both have to sign on for Jobseeker’s Allowance and only one of you has to meet the job seeking conditions. If you usually claim Income Support, your right to benefit is not affected by your partner being pregnant.
The rules about how having a child affects Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance are complicated. If you are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance as a couple and your partner is pregnant, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Parental leave
If you are taking parental leave to look after your children, you may be entitled to Income Support if your employer is not paying you anything, and you usually get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or tax credits when you are working. Men and women both have the right to take unpaid time off work as parental leave if they have worked for their employer for one year.
For more information about parental leave, see Parental rights at work.
If you want to find out about getting Income Support during parental leave, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Benefits for adoption
If you work and you are adopting a child, you may be able to get Statutory Adoption Pay.
For more information about Statutory Adoption Pay, see Parental rights at work.
Help with the costs of a new baby – maternity grants from the Social Fund
If you get benefits or tax credits because you are on a low income, you may be able to get a maternity grant from the Social Fund (also called a Sure Start maternity grant) to help with the costs of a new baby. It does not matter what you spend the money on, and the grant does not have to be repaid. A maternity grant is a fixed amount of £500.
You can get a maternity grant if you or your partner is at least 29 weeks’ pregnant or has given birth to a child within the last three months. You can also get one if you or your partner have adopted a child less than one year old at the time of the claim or you have had a child by a surrogate mother. If you have a dependent child who is pregnant or has given birth in the last three months, you can claim a maternity grant for her. This might apply to you if you have a daughter for who you are getting Child Benefit and she is pregnant. If your daughter gets a qualifying benefit in her own right, she can claim the maternity grant herself.
You can get a maternity grant if you or your partner get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit at the time of the claim. If you get Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you may be able to get a maternity grant, depending on your circumstances. If you are an asylum seeker supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), you cannot get a maternity grant but you can apply to NASS for a one-off payment of £300. You must apply before your baby is two weeks old.
If you get Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you can get a maternity grant if you get Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element or Working Tax Credit where there is entitlement to a disability element. If your income drops because you are taking time off to have a baby, it may be worth asking the Tax Credit office to reassess your tax credit entitlement based on your current year income. You may then find you are entitled to a maternity grant.
You should claim a maternity grant on form SF100 (Sure Start) which is available from local benefit offices or antenatal clinics, or, in England, Wales and Scotland, you can get the form online at www.dwp.gov.uk. You can claim from the eleventh week before the baby is due and up to three months after the baby is born, or up to three months after the date of the adoption order or parental order.
You will need to provide evidence that you have received the advice of a health professional on the health and welfare needs of your baby.
If your claim for maternity grant is refused and you think you are entitled, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again, or you can appeal. You should do this within one month of the decision. You can also complain if you are unhappy with the service from the benefits office, for example, if there is a delay.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, sexuality, religion or disability when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decide about your claim for a maternity grant. Also, the DWP has a policy which says it will not discriminate against you because of other things, for example, if you have caring responsibilities. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint.
For more information about challenging a decision about a maternity grant, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you want help challenging a maternity grant decision or making a complaint you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Benefits for children
The main benefits for children are Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit. Most people living in the UK can claim Child Benefit for their children (see under heading Child Benefit). If a child’s parents cannot look after a child, the person who does care for the child may be able to claim Guardian’s Allowance as well (see under Guardian’s Allowance).
Many parents can also claim Child Tax Credit for their children. You may be able to get this whether or not you are working, depending on your income and how many children you have (see under heading Child Tax Credit). If you have a child who is disabled, you may be able to get extra money included in your benefits, and you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance in respect of your child (see under Disability Living Allowance).
Child Benefit
Child benefit is a tax-free benefit paid to most people with children. You do not need to have paid any national insurance contributions to get Child Benefit and it does not matter how much money you have coming in.
Who can get Child Benefit
You can get Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child aged under 16, or a young person aged under 20 if they are still in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses. You may also get Child Benefit for a young person who has been accepted on a course. This means that most parents can get Child Benefit, but you can also get it if you are bringing up a child and you are not the biological parent. You cannot usually get Child Benefit for a child you are fostering. You get Child Benefit for each child you are responsible for. Usually, you and your child have to be living in the UK to claim Child Benefit. If you do not live in the UK, you leave the UK for more than a few weeks, or your child is not living in the UK, the rules are complicated. You cannot usually claim Child Benefit for a child who is in local authority care or in prison.
If the child dies
If a child or young person for whom Child Benefit was being paid dies, you will carry on getting Child Benefit for eight weeks after the week in which they die. You might stop getting Child Benefit before eight weeks if the young person would have reached the age of 20 before the end of eight weeks.
If a child dies before the end of the week in which they were born, you can claim Child Benefit for the eight weeks after the week when the child dies.
If you or your child do not always live in the UK, or you have a child who is in local authority care or in prison, or your child dies, and you want to claim Child Benefit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
How much is Child Benefit
Child Benefit is paid at a higher rate for your oldest child and at one rate for all your other children.
Weekly rate from 5 January 2009
Child Benefit for oldest child £20
Child Benefit for other children £13.20
How to apply for Child Benefit
You should claim Child Benefit by completing form CH2 which you can get from the Child Benefit Office, HM Revenue and Customs enquiry centres or Jobcentre Plus offices. The Child Benefit Office number is 0845 302 1444 (textphone 0845 302 1474) in England, Wales and Scotland, and 0845 603 2000 in Northern Ireland. You can download this form from HM Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit.
When you claim Child Benefit, you will have to provide your national insurance number, or information to help the office find your number. If you do not have a national insurance number, send the form in anyway, to avoid delays.
For information on how to get a national insurance number, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
Getting Child Benefit for a period before you apply
You can get Child Benefit for up to three months before the date you make your claim. This is called backdating. You can only do this if you met the conditions for the benefit before you claim. You should explain on your claim form when your entitlement to child benefit started (for example, when your child was born). It does not matter why you did not claim earlier.
If you want help with claiming backdated Child Benefit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Checks on Child Benefit, change of circumstances and fraud
You may commit a benefit fraud if you deliberately give incorrect or misleading information, or fail to report a change of circumstances which could affect your Child Benefit, for example, if you have a child over 16 who leaves school and starts work. Even if you are not committing fraud, you can cause an overpayment which will have to be repaid. Your circumstances can be checked at any time while you are claiming. Benefit fraud is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted or asked to pay a penalty.
If you are worried about whether you might be suspected of fraud, you are under investigation or you have been convicted, or if you have been asked to repay an overpayment of benefit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens’ Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
How is Child Benefit paid
Child Benefit is paid by the Child Benefit Office, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs. If you live with the other parent of your children, Child Benefit is paid to the mother. If you do not live with the other parent, Child Benefit is usually paid to whichever parent the child lives with. If more than one person claims Child Benefit for the same child, there are rules about who should be paid the benefit.
Problems with Child Benefit
If you are not happy with a Child Benefit decision, you can ask for it to be looked at again, or you can appeal. However, some decisions about Child Benefit cannot be appealed, for example, a decision about who should receive Child Benefit when two people have claimed it. If you are not happy with the decision on your benefit claim, you should challenge it within one month.
If you are not happy with the service provided by the Child Benefit Office, for example, because of mistakes or delays, you can complain. You can do this whether or not you also want to challenge a decision.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, sexuality, religion or disability when the Child Benefit Office deals with your claim for Child Benefit. Also, the Child Benefit Office is part of HM Revenue and Customs, which has a policy saying it won't discriminate against you because of other things. This includes things like if you are a carer. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint about this.
For more information about challenging a benefit decision and about complaining, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you want to challenge a Child Benefit decision or you want to complain you can also consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Guardian’s Allowance
Guardian’s allowance is a tax-free benefit which you can claim if you look after a child who is not your own (biologically or by adoption). You can only get it if you receive Child Benefit for the child. Guardian's Allowance is paid by the Child Benefit Office (part of HM Revenue and Customs). So, you may be able to get Guardian’s Allowance if you look after a child who is an orphan, or whose surviving parent is missing or in prison, or whose adoptive parent has died. Guardian’s Allowance is paid at the rate of £14.10 each week for each qualifying child.
If you are not sure whether you can claim Guardian’s Allowance you can contact the Child Benefit Office - see under heading How to apply for Child Benefit.
You can claim Guardian’s Allowance on form BG1 which you can get from the Child Benefit Office, HM Revenue and Customs enquiry centres, Jobcentre Plus offices or, in England Wales and Scotland, from the HM Revenue and Customs website on www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit. If you have not already claimed Child Benefit, you should claim this at the same time as Guardian’s Allowance. You will have to supply a national insurance number or information to identify your number, or apply for a national insurance number if you have not got one. If you met the conditions for Guardian's Allowance before you make the claim, you can get up to three months’ backdated benefit.
For more information about national insurance numbers, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
If you have any problems or queries about Guardian’s Allowance, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Help for disabled children
(Example box starts)One of my children is disabled. I'm a single parent and I can't work because my child needs a lot of care. Can I get any extra financial help? English isn't my first language and I can't really understand what all the forms say.
You should get Income Support if your child is under 16. You might also get some extra financial help because your child is disabled. Your local benefits office should be able to give you a leaflet explaining everything in your own language. You can also get them from the Department for Work and Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk [www.dwp.gov.uk/otherlanguages]. If you need an interpreter to make your claim for Income Support, one should be provided. If they don't provide this help, get advice from an experienced adviser, for example, at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
(Example box ends)
If you are responsible for a disabled child, you may be able to get Disability Living Allowance for the child. You may also be able to get extra amounts when other means-tested benefits are calculated - for example, in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. You may also be entitled to extra amounts in the calculation of Child Tax Credit (see under heading Child Tax Credit).
For more information about Housing Benefit, see Help with your rent – Housing Benefit, and for information about Council Tax Benefit, see Help with your Council Tax – Council Tax Benefit.
Disability Living Allowance
You can get Disability Living Allowance for a child who has care needs or mobility problems. Care needs include help with washing and dressing, and mobility problems having difficulty walking at an age when most children would not need help. Children under 16 cannot claim Disability Living Allowance in their own right, so usually you will claim this for your child if you are their parent or guardian.
For more information about Disability Living Allowance, including special rules for children, see Benefits for people who are sick or disabled.
Further help if you have a disabled child
If you have a disabled child, make sure that you're getting all the other help you have a right to. For example, the council may help with care. There are transport and parking concessions that might help with your child's travel. There are special rules about education for disabled children.
For more information about help from the council, see Community care.
For more information about transport and parking concessions, see Transport options for disabled people.
For more information about the education of disabled children in England, see Special Educational Needs and in Scotland, see The parents' guide to additional support for learning.
child Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit is a payment for people with children, whether they are in or out of work. It is paid by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You can get Child Tax Credit if your income is low enough and you are responsible for at least one child. You will get money from Child Tax Credit for each child. You do not need to have a very low income to get some help from Child Tax Credit, so most people with children get the credit.
Who can get Child Tax Credit
You can get Child Tax Credit if you are 16 or over and you are responsible for at least one child. This means a child under 16, or a young person up to the age of 19 who is in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses. You may also get Child Tax Credit for a young person who has been accepted on one of these courses. You can also get Child Tax Credit for a young person aged under 18 who has registered with the Careers Service, if they have left school within the last 20 weeks.
Financial eligibility
The amount of Child Tax Credit you get will depend on your circumstances and your income. You can get it on quite high gross incomes, including incomes of over £50,000 a year. If you live with your partner, your incomes will be added together when your claim is assessed. Gross income means what your income is before tax and national insurance are deducted.
Savings do not affect your entitlement directly but, if you are getting interest from your savings, this is counted as income and will affect the amount of Child Tax Credit due.
Some of your income will not be taken into account when your Child Tax Credit is being worked out. Child Benefit, maintenance payments, Maternity Allowance will be disregarded together with most Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay.
If the child or young person dies
If you claim Child Tax Credit for a child and they die, you carry on qualifying for tax credit at the same rate for eight weeks immediately following the death, or until the date when the young person would have been 20, whichever comes first.
How much Child Tax Credit will you get
The maximum amount of Child Tax Credit you can get is based on your circumstances, but you may get less than this depending on your income. The maximum amount is made up of different elements.
The first element of Child Tax Credit is a family element which is paid to any family with responsibility for one or more children. If you have a child in your family who is under one, you will get an extra amount of family element, sometimes called the baby element. This will stop once the child reaches one year old.
You also get a child element for each child or young person in your family. You get the same amount regardless of the age of the child. There are extra amounts for children who are disabled and these are paid on top of the child element. If your child is registered blind or entitled to Disability Living Allowance, you will be able to get the disabled child element. If your child is severely disabled and entitled to the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, you will get the severely disabled child entitlement as well.
The tax credit calculation is very complicated. If you would like to know how much you should get you should contact an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Rates of Child Tax Credit
Maximum amount of Child Tax Credit from 6 April 2009
Family element £545
Higher family element (if family contains child under one) £545
Child element:
For each child £2,235
For each disabled child £2,670
For each severely disabled child £1,075
How to apply for Child Tax Credit
To apply for Child Tax Credit, you can contact the tax credit helpline for an application pack. The application form for your first claim is Form TC600. You apply for Working Tax Credit on the same form. You should answer all the questions on the application form in case you are able to get Working Tax Credit as well. The helpline number is 0845 300 3900 (textphone 0845 300 3909).
The application form requires a lot of information, including your income for the previous tax year. Remember, if your income is going to be very different for the current tax year let the HMRC know. If you have problems filling in the form, you can consult the notes that come with it, phone the tax credit helpline, or consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau.
It is also important to keep as much evidence of your personal circumstances as you can. You should keep P60s (or P45s if you have left a job), statements about any benefits you receive and statements from your bank or building society about any savings. Any documentation about your income or capital will help you to fill in the form.
When you apply for Child Tax Credit, you will have to provide your national insurance number and the national insurance number of any partner who lives with you. If you do not know your national insurance number, but you think you have one, try to provide information that will help the office find your number. If you do not have a national insurance number, you will have to apply for one.
For information on how to apply for a national insurance number, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.
Getting Child Tax Credit back dated
You may be able to get some Child Tax Credit for a period before you apply, if you met the conditions and could have claimed earlier. Getting tax credit for a period before you apply is called ‘backdating’. You can normally only get Child Tax Credit backdated for a maximum of 93 days before the date you apply. You do not have to give any reasons why you did not claim earlier. You should ask for backdated tax credit on your application form.
If you want any help with claiming backdated Child Tax Credit, you should contact an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Checks on Child Tax Credit and fraud
You may commit tax credit fraud if you deliberately give incorrect or misleading information when you claim, or fail to report a change of circumstances. Even if you are not committing fraud, you can cause an overpayment which will have to be repaid and you may have to pay a penalty. Your circumstances can be checked at any time while you are claiming. HMRC can ask you to supply bank statements and other evidence, and they may interview you. Tax credit fraud is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted or made to pay a fine.
For more information about tax credit overpayments, in England, Wales and Scotland, see Overpayment of tax credits in Benefits fact sheets.
If you are worried about whether you might be suspected of fraud, you are under investigation or you have been convicted, or you want advice about an overpayment of tax credit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens’ Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
How is Child Tax Credit paid
Child Tax Credit can be paid directly into your bank or building society account, or into a post office account. If you do not give HMRC details of an account, you may lose your entitlement to Child Tax Credit. If you have difficulties opening an account, you should get in touch with HMRC and explain. Child Tax Credit will be paid to the main carer in the family. If you are part of a couple, the main carer is usually the person getting Child Benefit.
For more information about payment of benefits and tax credits, see Payment of benefits and tax credits.
If you have problems with the payment of Child Tax Credit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Change of circumstances and overpayments of tax credits
Tax credits are awarded for a complete tax year. A tax year runs from the beginning of April to the end of the following March. If you claim after April, your award will run from the date you claim to the end of the following March. The amount you get is usually set for a year. If your circumstances change during the period of your award you should tell HMRC as soon as possible. This is important because otherwise you may not be paid all the tax credit you are entitled to (an underpayment), or you may be paid too much and have to pay it back to HMRC (an overpayment). Some changes to your circumstances mean that your award ends and you have to claim again. Other changes mean that your award continues but it will be recalculated, and some will not affect your current award at all.
For more information about overpayments, in England, Wales and Scotland, see, Overpayment of tax credits in Benefits fact sheets.
Problems with Child Tax Credit
If you are refused Child Tax Credit and think you are entitled, or that the amount you are awarded is wrong, you can ask HMRC to explain their decision. If you are still not satisfied, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again or you can appeal. You must do this within 30 days of HMRC's decision.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received from HMRC, for example, there have been long delays, or they have lost documents you sent to them, you should complain. You can do this whether or not you are also challenging a HMRC decision.
It's against the law for you to be treated unfairly because of your race, sex, religion, sexuality or disability when HMRC decide about your claim for Child Tax Credit. Also, they have a policy which says they will not discriminate against you because of other things, for example, if you have caring responsibilities. If you feel that you've been discriminated against, you can make a complaint about this.
For more information about making a complaint about HMRC, see Problems with benefits and tax credits.
If you are not happy with a Child Tax Credit decision or you want to make a complaint you can also consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Other help while you are on Child Tax Credit
When you get Child Tax Credit, you may be entitled to other financial help. If you pay rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit. If you have to pay Council Tax, you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit. Child Tax Credit is taken into account as income for both these benefits which means that it affects the amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you can get.
For more information about Housing Benefit, see Help with your rent – Housing Benefit, and for more information about Council Tax Benefit, see Help with your Council Tax – Council Tax Benefit.
Being on Child Tax Credit may also give you other help. For example, you may be entitled to health benefits, including free prescriptions. You may also be able get help with the costs of a new baby from a Sure Start maternity grant (see under heading Help with the costs of a new baby – maternity grants from the Social Fund), help with the costs of a funeral from a funeral payment or free school meals. If you are pregnant or bringing up a young child, you may be entitled to free vitamins and vouchers to help with the cost of milk, fruit and vegetables. Whether or not you can get this help will depend on your income, and whether you also get Working Tax Credit.
For more information about health benefits, see Help with health, education and legal costs, and for more information about funeral payments, see Help for people on a low income – the Social Fund.
If you have any queries about additional help you can get while you are on Child Tax Credit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Help with the costs of childcare
Child Tax Credit does not include any help with the costs of childcare. However, Working Tax Credit does include some help towards childcare. If you are working and you are on a low income, you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit.
For more information about Working Tax Credit, see Benefits and tax credits for people in work.
If you are not getting Working Tax Credit, there may be other help with childcare you can access. For example, if you are under 18, you may be able to get help with the costs of childcare if you go back to school. If you are a lone parent on the New Deal for Lone Parents, you may be to get help with childcare so that you can do a training course or look for work. If you are on either the New Deal for Lone Parents or the New Deal for Partners, you can get help with childcare costs for the week before you start work to let you and your child get used to the arrangement.
Childcare vouchers
If you are working, your employer may offer childcare support in the form of childcare vouchers. The Childcare Voucher Scheme involves giving up some of your pay in exchange for the childcare vouchers and there are tax advantages if you receive vouchers instead of pay. However, if you accept a cut in pay this could reduce your salary to a sum below the lower earnings limit and affect your rights to certain benefits. Your State Pension, Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and tax credits could all be affected if your pay falls below the lower earnings limit.
For more information about the Childcare Voucher Scheme, go to www.worksmart.org.uk or consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
Sure Start
If you are in a Sure Start area, you may be able to get advice about available childcare from a Sure Start programme in your area. For information about other help with childcare, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau, or look on www.childcarelink.gov.uk.
Child Trust Fund
The Child Trust Fund is a savings and investment account for children. The government will make payments to children through this account and family and friends will also be able to contribute. When your child is 18, they will have access to the account and will be able to spend the money as they like.
If your child was born on or after 1st September 2002, and you are currently getting Child Benefit, your child will be eligible for a Child Trust Fund account (CTF).
The government will make an initial payment of £250, followed by another payment of £250 on your child's seventh birthday. If you are getting Child Tax Credit and your income is less than £16,040, your child will get an additional payment. You and your family and friends can also contribute up to £1,200 per year to the fund.
You do not have to claim for the Child Trust Fund scheme as vouchers will be issued automatically to people who are getting Child Benefit for a child who qualifies.
You can use this voucher to open a Child Trust Fund account for your child with a provider of your choice, for example, a bank or building society, and an initial payment will then be made into the account by the government.
If you have not opened an account one year after receiving the voucher, the government will do this for you, but your child will lose interest on the money.
Once a child is 16, they can manage the Child Trust Fund Account themselves, but they cannot access any of the money until they are 18 unless they are terminally ill.
If a child with a Child Trust Fund account dies, the money in the account will pass to the person entitled to inherit the child's estate - usually the parent(s). If a child dies before the account is opened for them, or before the government has paid money into the account, you can claim the money that would have been paid. You should telephone the CTF helpline about this.
For more information on The Child Trust Fund, call the CTF helpline on 0845 302 1470 or go to HM Revenue and Customs website at www.childtrustfund.gov.uk.
If you have problems with the Child Trust Fund, you should contact the CTF helpline or consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email.
The Child Trust Fund Cymru
In Wales, a child born between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2004 will be entitled to a voucher worth £50 to be paid into their Child Trust Fund account. If your child is eligible you should receive a claim form and guidance from your local education authority. You should return the completed claim form to the Welsh Assembly Government for processing and payment into the child’s account.
In Wales, a child from a low income household will be eligible for a further £50. Children who claim Free School Meals will be eligible for the additional low income top-up of £50, and should receive the maximum £100.
Other help with the costs of bringing up children
If you are on a low income, you may be able to get other help with the costs of bringing up your children. For example, your children may be entitled to free school meals or help with the costs of school uniform. If you are pregnant or you have young children, you may be able to get vouchers to help with the cost of milk, fruit or vegetables. In most cases, this help will depend on what benefits you are receiving.
For more information about other help for children if you are on a low income, see Help with health, education and legal costs.
Information in other languages
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has translated information about benefits into certain community languages. For more information, go to the DWP website at www.dwp.gov.uk. To ask for printed or audio copies of any DWP leaflet in your language, you should contact your local office.
The Directgov website has information about benefits for disabled people in British Sign Language. Go to www.directgov.gov.uk.
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