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.
Monday, 30 November 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
