5 Ways to Keep Safe When Crossing The Street

Children should be with and under the supervision if parents when taking public transportation. Children should follow important safety tips when crossing roads and using public transportation. Teach your kids to remember the following when out on the street.

1. Do not cross the street alone (for kids 10 years and below).
2. Look both ways before crossing the street.
3. Use the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing the road traffic.
4. Always walk in groups.
5. Pay attention to signals indicating a car will be moving, which includes rear lights that are on, exhaust smoke, and engine sounds.

Parenting Guide on Food for the First Year of your Baby

A DAILY FOOD PLAN. In the interest of meeting individual needs, babies' diets should not be rigidly standardized. However, the first year should see a gradual transition to the following broad pattern. This means working toward including in the diet,daily, suitable portions of foods selected from each of the following groups:

Milk group, including cheese and ice cream

Meat group, including beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, fish, eggs (dry beans, peas and nuts as occasional alternates for older children and adults).

Vegetable-Fruit group, including a dark green or deep yellow vegetable (for vitamin A value) and citrus fruit or other good vitamin C source, daily.

Bread-Cereal group, emphasizing the whole grain, enriched or restored varieties.

This daily food plan is a practical one to follow. It's so general, it can be used for persons of all ages, and in accordance with national, regional or social food patterns and individual likes and dislikes. It is a simple, flexible and enjoyable way of consuming an adequate diet without worrying about individual nutrients.

Milk. Traditionally, milk is the principal food of babies and plays a major role in the diets of young children. This food, provided by Nature of young mammals, furnishes a wide variety of important nutrients. Whole milk contains significant amounts of vitamin A, riboflavin and thiamine. It is the best practical source of calcium and a good source of phosphorous. The proteins in milk are present in liberal amounts and are of excellent quality, well utilized in the growth of infants and children. Milk contributes many trace minerals and several of the lesser known vitamins.

It would be difficult to argue against the "rightness" of human milk for human babies. Most mothers who wish to can breast feed but many factors can influence this personal choice. It is well to make a tentative choice between breast and formula feeding well before the baby is born. Either methods gets off to a better start with advance preparation. The final decision for or against breast feeding should rest with the mother and her doctor.

Today. most babies can be expected to thrive on formula feeding if that choice is made. The availability of "clean" milk and improved standards of food handling in homes have made it safe from a sanitary standpoint.

Your baby's doctor should prescribed and approximate schedule for artificial feeding. His directions will be based on your baby's own nutritional and digestive needs. He might prescribe a formula made by mixing definite proportions of evaporated or fresh milk, water and sugar. But he is more likely to specify one of the convenient "premodified" milk formulas on the market today, which for most babies only need diluting with an equal amount of boiled water. Many physicians today prefer the formulas with added iron for routine use.

Despite its nutritional excellence, plain cow's milk doesn't qualify as a "perfect food". Even in the generous quantities usually fed babies, it fails to supply sufficient vitamin D, vitamin C, thiamine and iron. That's why doctors recommend the introduction of "supplementary foods" before a baby's body stores of these nutrients are depleted. 

First Time Parents Guide to How Tall Will Baby Be

Studies of the growth records of thousands of persons measured from birth to adult age provide a guide.

A boy who is well nourished and with an average history of illness will double his 2 year length at 18 years of age. A girl at maturity will be twice her length at 18 months, When a boy is 6-1/2 and a girl is 5, they have attained two thirds of their full height. Three quarters of adult height is reached by a boy at 9 and a girl at 7-1/2.

Poor nutrition is the most usual cause of retarded growth. For this reason, proper feeding beginning at infancy is extremely important.

Newbie Parents Guide on Teething in Baby's

Although the average baby gets his first tooth between the sixth and eight month, Baby may get his, earlier or later. There is no need to worry because there are such wide variations in the ages when the first tooth comes through. Some babies will be over a year before they have any.

There are some discomforts during teething even for a normal baby.Also teething sometimes lowers resistance and if the baby gets sick or develops fever, you should consult your doctor.

Taking Baby's Temperature Using a Rectal Thermometer

Here's a great article I found about using a Rectal Thermometer that are made of glass and contained mercury. I know this things are considered unsafe now a days. But in some remote areas, some people do still use this kind of things.

So here are some important guides if you are still using this mercury contained glass rectal thermometer.

If baby seems unduly listless, cries as though  in pain or gives other indications of possible illness, take his temperature rectally. A baby's normal rectal temperature ranges between 36.7º C and 37.5º C (98.6 and 99.6º F). A rectal temperature of 37.8º C(100º F) does not necessarily mean that he is ill. However, a temperature over that is a good indication that he is not well. Being able to take his temperature is, therefore, important, and you should always have a rectal thermometer on hand. A rectal thermometer has a large bulb, and if you are not already familiar with thermometers, be sure to have a druggist or your doctor show you how to read it and how to shake the mercury down.

The mercury should be well down below normal before taking Baby's temperature. Shake it down if it isn't. Put baby oil or petroleum jelly on the bulb end for easier insertion. Your physician will advice you which of the following methods he wishes you to use.

A. Lay Baby on his back on a table or bed. Hold him by his ankles with one hand, raising him slightly. Slip the bulb end of the thermometer in to his rectum about an inch.

B. With a towel on your lap, lay Baby on his stomach. Holding his legs gently but firmly, press the buttocks apart and insert the bulb end of the thermometer about an inch.

DO NOT LEAVE BABY ALONE OR LET GO OF THE THERMOMETER WHILE IT IS IN HIS RECTUM. Hold it there for three minutes, then take it out. The mercury wont slip down in the thermometer, so you can put it in a safe place while you put Baby back to bed.

Even if the thermometer used in the article is a Rectal Thermometer that are made of glass and contained mercury. You can still apply some of the guide in the article with a Rectal Thermometer that are digital.

Parenting Tips on Baby's Thumbsucking

It is believed that babies have an instinctive need to thumb-suck to some extent. It is further believed that the underlying cause is the need for more food or more love.

Sucking is the baby's means of satisfying hunger; the baby who suck his thumb may not be getting enough food; or he may be suffering from another type of hunger - he may not be getting sufficient affection.

Using mechanical restraints or bitter-tasting applications on his fingers won't correct either of these basic needs. The important remedy is to remove the under lying cause - whether its the need for more food or more love. Make sure that Baby is well nourished, comfortable and happy. It's likely that he'll stop his thumb-sucking sooner than you expect.

Parenting Guide On Baby's Exercise

The natural movements of Baby's arms and legs are his form of exercise and this should be encourages even during his bath and at changing time.

Clothing and bedding should therefore be loose to give him freedom of movement. Of course, his exercise will increase as he grow older. Crawling, which starts at about 7 to 10 months of age, is important for strengthening Baby's spinal column.

Airings For Your Baby

Airings are good for Baby. When he weighs 8 lbs. or more, he may be taken outdoors in the morning when the sun is shining and if it is not windy. Be sure to protect his eyes from glare. If you can't go out, Baby can have an airing indoors near an open sunny windows. After he reaches 10 lbs. or more, he may be exposed to the direct rays of the morning sun during fine weather gradually from two to twenty minutes a day.

Newbie Parents Guide on What To Do When Your Baby Cries

The only way Baby can tell you he is hungry or uncomfortable is by crying. You'll learn soon enough to distinguish his hunger cry from the cry of discomfort or pain.

To be sure, always make Baby comfortable. Sometimes all the air he has sucked while feeding is not brought out so try bubbling him. Perhaps he may feel too warm, so take off some of his clothes or cover. Or perhaps he may feel cold - his flesh will feel cold to your touch so put on more clothes or cover. If he is wet or has a soiled diaper, change to a fresh one. If he has skin irritation or diaper rash, bring him to the doctor. If he seem to be hungry, give him his bottle. If there seems to be no reason at all for his crying, he may just want to be cuddled for a few minutes. See that he gets enough attention and tender snuggling when you feed him.

Parenting Tips on How to Remove Formula Stains

All milk formulas will stain clothing or other items. To remove such stains from cotton materials, immediately place the garment in clear water to soak, or, if possible, wash in hot, strong soapsuds, so that the stain will not dry in the material. (If the stain has been allowed to dry in the fabric, soak overnight in a bleaching agent diluted according to directions; then wash in hot, strong soapsuds.) This will remove all but faint traces of discoloration. Wash stained woolen materials in warm, strong soapsuds (do not use chlorine bleaches) and dry in sunlight.

To remove formula spilled on upholstery or carpets, brush the stains briskly with warm water. If traces remain after the fabric has dried, rub stained spots with household cleaning solvent, or if they are persistent, use diluted ammonia water containing soap (first make sure solution will not fade or injure a test specimen of the material).

Tips for Caring of Baby's Bottles and Nipples

After Baby finishes a feeding, discard any formula left in the bottle and rinse it thoroughly with cold water. Fill the bottle with water and then set it aside until you are ready to scrub it.

Scrub nipples and caps immediately with a hot soapy water, rinse well by forcing water through nipple holes, and store in a covered water filled jar until time to sterilize them.

Sterilizer or large pan with tight fitting cover should be used once a day to boil for at least 15 minutes all utensils used in making Baby's formula. Nipples and rubber caps should be boiled in a separate pan not longer than 3 minutes. Lift them out with tongs and drain on a sterile towel. Then either put them on bottles and cap or keep them in a covered sterile jar.

Guide on Burping Baby

Babies tend to swallow air when they cry and also suck in air while feeding. The swallowed air makes the baby uncomfortable and may cause regurgitation or vomiting after feeding.

To relieve baby of this discomfort, burp him by holding him firmly against your shoulder with your hands securely supporting his back and head then pat or rub his back gently. Another position is to lay him on his stomach on your hand supporting his back. Some babies have to be burped halfway through their feeding, other can complete a feeding without being burped.

A Simple Guide For Feeding Baby a Prepared Formula

Breast feeding may not be possible at all or there may be time when a bottle of prepared formula is necessary or desired. The following are general instructions for feeding baby a prepared formula. Your physician will tell you if there are special instructions for your baby.

It is recommended that the normal infant be fed as much formula as he desires, thus paralleling the dietary habit of breast fed infants.

Remember that each baby is an individual and may not adhere strictly to a feeding schedule. The time of feeding should be regulated to the baby's appetite, not to strict rule. The average length of feeding time ranges from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the vigor of the infant. Sterile water may be given in between feedings.

Sit in a comfortable chair and hold Baby close to you so that he has a feeling of warmth and security. Hold Baby semi upright in your arms, as though you were breast feeding.

Raise the bottom of the bottle so that the nipple is full of milk. This prevents Baby from sucking air. If the nipple collapses, it may be necessary to take the nipple from Baby's mouth to let air into the bottle.

Nipple hole must be right. It should be just large enough to permit the milk to drop out freely without flowing in a steady stream. If the hole is too large, discard nipple and replace with a new one. If the hole is too small, enlarge with a hot needle held firmly with a cork.

Important Facts About Breast Feeding

Doctors generally encourage breast feeding because human milk is the ideal food, the natural food intended for human infants.

For the first few days after Baby is born, your breast will secrete a thin, milky fluid called colostrum. During this time Baby will probably oblige by not being too hungry. After this your milk develops and fills the sinuses located behind the areola, the dark colored area around the nipples.

During the first weeks, it is more comfortable to lie down to nurse your baby. You may lie down on your side with baby resting on your arm.

How To Take Care of Your Baby's Diapers

Use a 2 gallon covered plastic pail half filled with water. After changing Baby, rinse the wet diaper in clean water and drop it in the pail.

Rinse soiled diapers or scrape the contents off into the toilet before you flush and drop the diaper in the pail. Diapers should be washed each day. They should be rinsed thoroughly, at least four rinses in clear water.

Guide on How to Dress Your Baby

Your baby's clothes should be simple and comfortable.

To put on Baby's shirt, insert your fingers in one of the sleeves and guide his had through. His shirt goes on one arm at a time. (if the shirt is close and sleeveless, pull it over his head first, then insert the arms). Smooth the shirt under his back by rolling Baby on his side. Fasten the shirt, then fold it up in back so it doesn't reach below hip line. Put a fresh diaper on and pin it, taking care it is not too tight or too loose.

A Guide on Diapering Your Baby

Various ways of folding Baby's diaper, whether oblong or square make it possible to have just one size that will fit Baby at every stage of his development. If rubber panties used over regular diapers chafe your baby's skin, they should not be used except for outings. To make trips and outing easier, there are fitted ones which fasten with tapes and also several types of disposable ones.

Place your Baby on a quilted pad and remove the soiled diaper. Wash genitals from front to back with moistened cotton and pat dry with a towel. If Baby has had a bowel movement, do not remove diaper at once but fold the soiled portion under. This procedure can protect the quilt if Baby wiggles around. Wipe his buttocks with moistened cotton and wash with soap and water, rinse and pat dry.

Apply lotion or oil to the genital area and buttocks with a piece of cotton, making certain to apply it in the creases and folds of the skin, then powder lightly.

Holding the Baby's ankles between your thumb and middle finger, with your index finger between his ankles, raise his ankles high enough to slide a clean folded diaper under him. Pull the diaper up between the legs, with extra thickness in back for girls and in front for boys.

With the back overlapping the front, pin the diaper on each side, being careful to keep your finger next to Baby to avoid pricking him. You may pin the shirt between the front and back fold of the diaper at the sides, but fold the shirt up in back to keep it dry.

How to Give Your Baby a Tub Bath

As soon as Baby's navel and circumcision have healed, you can start giving Baby a tub bath, unless your doctor advises otherwise. It would be convenient to assemble the same equipment (List of Equipment for Sponge Bath) as for the sponge bath except that you will use a tub or bathinette in place of the basin water. Fill the tub or bathinette with about three inches of water that is comfortably warm to your elbow.

Place Baby on a large towel on top of the bathinette or table and clean his ears and nose particularly the creases around. Wash his face with water and his scalp with soap and water as you would during a sponge bath.

With your left arm supporting his head and shoulders, your left hand firmly holding the upper part of his left leg, and your right hand supporting his buttocks, gently lower Baby into the tub. Hold him firmly with one hand, supporting his head and back, then rinse him with wash cloth with other hand.

In cleansing genitals, if Baby is not circumcised ask your doctor if he wants you to clean under the foreskin, if baby is a girl, separate genital folds carefully and cleanse between them with a down ward stroke, using cotton dipped in water.

Lift Baby back on table or on top of bathinette, cover him with towel, and pat dry, paying careful attention to all creases and skin folds. Dress baby in clean clothes.

How to Give Baby a Sponge Bath

1. Cover Baby with a large bath towel in a manner that secures both his hands and legs. Hold baby's head and wash his eyelids with sterile cotton balls. Clean his nose and mouth with cotton balls dipped in sterile water. Next clean his ears with moistened swabs (never insert cotton swabs farther than you can see) and wash face with cotton or soft cloth dipped in warm water. Dry his face with the small soft towel (never soap baby's face.)
2. Support Baby's head and back carefully with one arm and hand. Shampoo his scalp gently with baby soap or shampoo, then rinse well and pat dry. (If scales form on the scalp, apply oil and leave overnight).
3. Soap and rinse the rest of Baby's body. Be sure to get all soap out of creases, or his skin may chafe. Pat him dry with soft towel - never rub. Never touch Baby's navel unless extremely necessary; simply change the binder. If the navel becomes wet, clean it with sterile cotton balls dipped in alcohol. Then cover it with sterile gauze and binder. Apply oil or lotion, powder lightly and put on Baby's clean clothes.

Do All Newborn Startle?

All healthy newborn are born with an evolutionarily programmed involuntary impulse called Moro reflex. So if your baby is startled by the sound of a pot clanking or a siren, for instance, he'll fling his arms wide, spread hid fingers, then grab instinctively - for Mom, of course. Then he'll bring his arms back to his body and relax. Newborn's haven't learned to differentiate between common and uncommon noises. As you little one matures, his brain learns to distinguish sounds and movements and suppresses this primitive reflex.