Baby Bottoms July 7, 2008
Posted by artinshamrocks in New Moms, Toddlers, babies, health.Tags: babies, diaper rash, diapers, yeast infections
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As the weather heats up, so does diaper rash and yeast infections.
Infants are more vulnerable to diaper rash in the summer. Heat, humidity and perspiration all can aggravate sensitive bottoms.
Diaper rash is a red, spotty inflamed rash. To prevent it change your child’s diapers frequently and let baby go diaper-free for 15 or 20 minutes. A brief sun bath in a sunbeam can also help. If its too late to prevent it use a squirt bottle with water to cleanse the area and avoid scented baby wipes. Be gentle and apply a diaper ointment that contains zinc oxide. This type of product soothes the skin and protects it from getting too moist. A very light dusting of unscented talc or even corn starch is also good after the ointment is applied. If the rash does not go away, talk to your doctor or if the rash includes blisters or pus-filled bumps you child might have a yeast infection or even a staph infection.
Candida (yeast infection) normally lives on our skins and usually does not cause a problem. But in the hot months of summer, children in diapers are targets for yeast infections. This rash is also red and usually bumpy. It can itch, burn and ooze a clear liquid. A child on antibiotics may also be more susceptible because these medications kill the good bacteria that keeps yeast in check. The rash is usually found in the skin folds of the diaper area and baby girls are slightly more likely to have a yeast infection. For treatment you can try an over-the-counter antifungal treatment such as Lamisil or Lotrimin AF but a call to your pediatrician is best.
Should You Try to Teach a 2 Year Old to Read? June 20, 2008
Posted by artinshamrocks in New Moms, Toddlers, education, games, toys.Tags: books, reading readiness, Toddlers
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I’ll never forget having a play date with a fellow teacher’s two year old. We thought it would be fun to let the little girls play while we relaxed and chatted. I was floored to see her lower kitchen cupboards covered in sight words, letters and common nouns. Actually many of her household furnishings were labeled too with a flash card and the name of the object. Her two year old happily lead me through the house reading each one to me as my child examined the lint between her toes.
While there are some children who read very young, others just don’t “get it” until they are a little older. I personally don’t believe in pushing a very young child to read but there are some common sense things you CAN do to get them interested in reading.
Two and three year olds aren’t ready to sit down and learn letters and words but you can help them develop their oral language skills. Encourage them to talk about a story you’ve read together. Expand their experiences and vocabulary. Do fun activities together and talk about them. Sing and count things together. Make up silly rhymes.
Four year olds will begin showing more interest in print. But even that is an individual thing. Cash in on teachable moments! Teach them sounds, letters and numbers when they show an interest. If you want to excite him, teach him to read and write his name. He will be more interested in this word than any other. Next move on to Dad or Mom or a siblings name.
The most important thing you can do is read to your child. This builds language skills and keeps their curiosity alive. Give them age appropriate learning toys but don’t discount building blocks, leggos or puzzles.
Even though more is expected now days out of preschoolers and kindergartners, as long as you encourage them and help them to progress at their own speed you will find them enjoying a variety of print in no time.
Veggie Lovers? June 11, 2008
Posted by artinshamrocks in Food and Goodies, Food and Nutrition, New Moms, health.Tags: babies, foods, vegetables
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Do you have a picky eater? A new study found that babies ate more vegetables after about eight days of tasting them. Offer small amounts of a new food several times so your child gets use to the taste. Model good eating habits. Let your child see you enjoying your spinach and Brussels sprouts. This same study found that breast-fed babies accepted fruits and veggies when their moms regularly ate them.
Time-outs for Toddlers June 6, 2008
Posted by artinshamrocks in Discipline, New Moms, Toddlers, Uncategorized.Tags: Discipline, time-out, Toddlers
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If your toddler is very distressed by a simple time-out for bad behavior it can be hard for a parent to take. However, before you decide not to use this as a discipline tool, keep in mind that his reaction is actually a clue that it is working. There are ways though that you can make these lessons a little less painless for you and your child and still discipline your child with love and logic.
Work towards good behavior-try to circumvent bad behavior and the need for discipline before it happens. Provide him with lots of interesting activities and loving interaction with you throughout the day and make routines fun. By minimizing your child’s frustration you alleviate some of the possibilities for bad behavior. Don’t forget that frequent meals, enough sleep and some cuddling can help toddlers (and their parents) better manage their emotions.
Reserve time-outs for the worst behaviors,such as hitting or biting. If time-outs are being used more than once or twice a day, there may a problem with your expectations of his abilities.
Tailor the time-out to your child’s personality. Some children calm down seconds after being disciplined while others take longer. Watch your child’s body and when she relaxes a bit and her crying has subsided, then get her out of time-out and into a favorite activity. Also try to find a way to praise her shortly after the time-out and always give hugs and love. A child must realize that it’s the behavior that you find fault with and not them.
Any disciple method takes time and requires patience and consistency to see if it’s working. Give this method about four weeks. If you don’t see improvement then consider other factors like gaps in language or eye-hand coordination. Perhaps it’s just a stage the child is going through or something stressful going on in the home or daycare. Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about aggressive behavior that does not respond to firm but loving discipline.
