It can be difficult for a new parent to know when a baby is sick. Sometimes a parent’s concerns can be treated as a casual inquiry by medical workers who are accustomed to soothing new-mother nervousness. Mothers can begin to doubt whether or not to trust their instincts.

Fortunately, even new parents can objectively measure their baby’s health.

THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS
During the first week of life a baby should nurse at least 8 times a day for more than 15 minutes at each feeding. Listen and you should hear the baby swallowing milk. Muconium, baby’s first black sticky stool, will pass. This will transition from a black-green color to a brown doughey consistency. The color will appear yellow by the 4th or 5th day. Within 48 hours after birth, the baby will have wet diapers. By the end of this week, the frequency of wet diapers will increase to 2 or 3 per day.

A baby that is not doing well will also give hints to his condition during the first week. If a baby has no desire to nurse, has a weak suck, feeds less than 8 times per day and can’t manage to feed for at least 15 minutes, these are reasons for concern. If a baby falls asleep before nursing for 15 minutes, makes a clicking sound when nursing, and has dimpled cheeks when sucking, these are also indications that there is some difficulty. It is outside of a healthy range if the baby’s stools haven’t changed and there is no urination two days after the birth. Such symptoms persisting for two days mean your child should be seen by a health care provider.

THE FIRST MONTH
A healthy baby will continue to have healthy signs for the next month. The second to fourth week, babies continue to have two to four yellow stools and nurse eight times per day. Urine should be clear, not yellow, 6-8 times per day. The baby’s suck will gain in strength; You should see some milk at feeding and hear your baby swallowing. The baby should increase in weight and alertness.

Take special note of anything out of the ordinary: infrequent feedings, small stools or missed stools, decreased urination or bright yellow urine. Your baby should gain weight and grow longer. A baby that has a weak suck, doesn’t make swallowing noises during nursing, becomes sluggish and lacks quick responses and doesn’t sleep between feedings, is a reason for concern. If you observe these behaviors for more than two days in a row, contact a health provider for assistance.

WEEKS FIVE THROUGH TEN
During this stage, the baby’s feedings may go down to seven per day. This is due to your growing baby’s ability to hold more food. Bowel movements will continue to change and will settle into a pattern of either several small stools in a day or a large bowel movement every 2 days. This is normal for a breastfed baby as the body is able to assimilate much of mama’s milk with little waste. The wet diapers (6-8 per day) will continue in frequency, but check to be sure the urine isn’t a yellow concentrate. Along with increasing alertness, you should continue to see a strong suck, milk dribbles, and hear an audible swallowing at feeding time.

During the 5 to 10 week mark a baby that doesn’t nurse at least seven times a day and produce the right amount of wet diapers (without dark yellow color) should be watched carefully. Make a note if your child stops gaining weight or doesn’t grow in length. Weak, tired sucking without an audible swallow indicates the baby is not getting proper nourishment. If your baby becomes slow to respond, sluggish and stops sleeping between feedings, contact a health care provider. Two consecutive days of these behaviors indicate something is wrong.

KEEPING TRACK
Knowing when your baby last ate and how often can be complicated enough if you were operating on a full night’s rest. Asking this of a post-natal mama can be daunting. Have note paper and a pencil near the baby’s bed. Write down the time of each feeding and changing along with your notes. For example, you might write: “4:00 p.m., b-fed 15 min., wet diaper - clear, no poop” For clarity, you may want to start a new page each day with the date written at the top.

Should you need to confer with your doctor, you’ll be able to reference your notes for detailed information. Your notes can also help you bond more effectively with your little one. By looking over her list, even a weary mama can tell at a glance if the crying is due to hunger (too long between feedings) or constipation (hasn’t moved his bowels). In turn, you begin to interpret your baby’s cries and what they mean. In turn, the new mother gains confidence in her ability to identify and meet her child’s needs.

The BEST advice for new mamas, however, comes from not-so-new mamas. The first few weeks are to be enjoyed to their fullest. Other things can wait while you take the time to get to know your baby. In a flash, they are no longer little.

Interested in more child training tips? No Greater Joy is a ministry dedicated to helping parents bring up children they enjoy. They have written a bestseller called To Train Up A Child that has helped thousands.

If you are looking for ways of dealing with your sleep paralysis then you will find this article very relevant. Just read it quickly through and you will get some tips and ideas on how you can handle this problem.

Whilst it is not physically harmful sleep paralysis can leave you emotionally drained and tired from a restless night. If you are experiencing frequent episodes then you might want to know if there is anything you can do to prevent sleep paralysis. What you must understand is that this is a neurological condition that is triggered by a number of things.

Other places that will be able to help you with this condition are any one of these: ways to Stop Sleep Paralysis, how do i stop sleep paralysis, sleep paralysis remedy

So any preventive measures must be aimed at understanding the various conditions that it occurs under. The one thing though that we must appreciate is that anything that will interfere with a person’s normal sleep will likely contribute to episodes of sleepless paralysis. People who are under a lot of stress and tension are also likely to experience sleep paralysis.

Try to be in a relaxed mood when you go to sleep. You could try and channel out your stress and frustrations through exercise. Ultimately when you do fall asleep the mind must be free. There are also stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and tobacco that are capable of disrupting your sleep. If you want to prevent sleep paralysis then avoid taking these substances at night or before you sleep.

Light and sound are two things that will jostle the brain out of sleep. Do sleep in a dark room and try and switch those appliances off. Keeping the radio and TV on while you sleep does little to improve the situation. Mantaining a regular sleeping schedule is also recommended. This way the body is conditioned to sleeping and waking up at specific times only.

The ways in which you can prevent sleep paralysis are quite varied. The few ideas I’ve mentioned here are just a drop in the ocean of a much researched on subject. You can find out what other people have done to get rid of this problem.

Many brands sell baby pushchairs, buggies, strollers and prams, and searching for the right one for your baby can be a daunting task. If you’re about to have your first child you probably won’t have gone through this process before so it can feel quite difficult, as there so many brands and styles to choose between.

To help make your decision easier have at look at these tips for choosing the best baby pushchair for you and your baby.

•    Functionality
The first thing you need to think about is whether you need a pushchair, a pram, a stroller or a combination of all of these. This decision is based on the age of your baby, for example a new baby needs a lie flat position, how and when you travel, for example every day, by public transport or in a car, and where you’ll be using it, in town or in the countryside. For every day use you might need a complete travel system but on holiday you might only want a lightweight stroller for example.

•    Kids
The second decision is based on how many children you have and their individual ages, and whether you are planning to expand your family in the near future. So will you need a tandem or a twin pushchair, or the option to add another seat or a ride-on board at some stage? If you have two children you have to decide whether you want one of them to ride on an attached board, or whether you want them to sit alongside each other, or one on front of the other, if they are both seated.

•    Budget
It is important to think about how much money you want to spend and look at which brands are within your budget, as prices can vary vastly. There are many very good quality yet affordable baby ppushchairs as well as more expensive designer brands. It’s worth having a look for sales and special offers on certain brands if you have one in mind that you prefer but is beyond your set budget. Remember that if you do your research well and get the right pushchair now it is an investment for your baby for the next few years of their life, and longer maybe if you have another child.

•    Weight 
Think about how strong you are, the weight of the pushchair and whether you’ll have to lift it and carry it on your own? How do you travel, by car or on public transport, bus, train or plane? Where do you live, is it easily accessable, are there many stairs to carry a pushchair up and down? Remember to add the weight of your baby or child when you consider the weight of the pushchair, in a store or when looking online!

•    Manoeuvrability
It’s really important to consider how easy it is to manoeuvre a baby pushchair and to think about where you’ll need to manoeuvre it. Will you be nipping around town, in and out of shops, through doorways and tight spaces? If so you probably want a swivel front wheel, but a lockable one for using over rougher terrain. If you plan on covering any rough terrain, for example in the countryside, think about the suspension as well as the manoeuvrability.

•    Compactness
When you’re looking at pushchairs in a shop they will most likely be unfolded so remember to try folding them to see how easy they are to fold, and how compact they are when folded. Consider where you will store a pushchair at home as well as whether it will fit in your car, especially if you have a small car? Check whether it’s easy to unfold and fold one handed, and whether it has quick release wheels if you need to take them off to fit it in the car easily? If you’re looking at pushchairs on the internet or in a catalogue make sure you check the dimensions of them when they’re folded as well as when unfolded.

•    Style
Although the most important factors to consider are the practical and functional ones you should also think about what style and colour you like as a pushchair will be frequently used and should last a few years. Styles of pushchairs also vary based on what usage or terrain they’re aimed at, e.g. 3-wheelers tend to be more sporty, with large pneumatic wheels for rough terrain.  But there are now all sorts of styles available, in 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers, from contemporary to classic, minimalist to chunky, pretty to funky, etc.

•    Extras
You might just want to purchase a basic pushchair to start with but have a look at what extras you can add at a later date if necessary? Can you adapt the pushchair by attaching a car seat or a carry cot to move your baby without disturbance? Can you add an extra seat or a ride-on board if you have another baby? Some brands have a wide range of compatible optional extras that you can buy separately after buying the pushchair so you can adapt to change without having to splash out on a whole new pushchair. Some baby pushchairs also come with more accessories than others, but most come with a matching rain cover, sun hood and a bag or basket of some kind. Many have a range of accessories available that you can buy separately, such as cup holders, parasols, sun shades, blankets, footmuffs, insect nets, and weather shields. Always check what’s included in the price and what you might have to buy as optional extras.

Baby’s Comfort
One of the most important elements to think about is whether the seat is comfortable for your child. Have a look if it has several recline positions, including a lie flat position for new babies as not all pushchairs have this option and are not suitable from birth. Look out for features such as adjustable straps, an adjustable footrest, a headrest and removeable pads for the comfort of smaller babies. Some pushchairs have front and rear facing seats so think about whether your baby will feel happier facing you or looking where they’re going, or whether you want the option to be able to turn the seat around as your baby gets older.

• Your Comfort
Your comfort is also an important thing to think about. For what lenth of time will you usually be pushing the pushchair for without a break and how difficult will the terrain be, is it bumpy or smooth. Look for pushchairs with an adjustable handle height if you are tall as some handles are too low. Think about whether you need a footbrake so you have your hands free to deal with other things going on around you? Is it easy enough to push with one hand while holding the hand of another child? Is it easy to fold with one hand?

You may have other considerations as well but if you spend a little time thinking about these and doing some research you should be able to find the right baby pushchair to suit your needs. Use the tips here as a starting point for your search, write a list of the things you need and then compare similar baby pushchairs made by different brands before reaching a final decision.

Childproofing your household is a key consideration whether you’re expecting a baby or already have them around the house. Threats to your child’s ability to be safe can be found everywhere, but sometimes they can be found in the most unexpected of places - your household.  More than any other threat, it is more likely for a child between the ages of 1 and 4 to be killed by drowning, poisoning, fire, falling, or choking in their own house. Every year, approximately 2.5 children a year are killed or injured inside their very own home.  You have to do more than just put your newborn in an approved playpen, like a Little Playzone, and expect them to be ok. This is why it is so important to take steps to baby proof your house.

Step 1: Size Up Your Area
Try to imagine that you are crawling or toddling. Picture your viewpoint from your child’s perspective. Which things would you try to reach?  Which things might be tempting to you?  What things might fall over?  Would you pull on anything or try to use it to stand up? Try to spot things that my go into your infant’s mouth - any choking hazards or poisonous items. Either remove those things, secure them, or put them out of harm’s way. This step is critical.

Step 2: Cover Your Outlets
Take stock of your household’s electrical outlets. Are they in use? Can you cover them up completely? Be wary of using the plastic plug coverings - these are a major temptation for your baby to try to remove. As soon as your newborn can remove them, they’ll go right into your their mouth - a major choking hazard.  Replace the full outlet covering instead.  Use the kind that has a sliding safety latch if you need access to it. Also, look for any electrical cords or extension cords with connections - secure these with electrical tape.

Step 3: Appraise The Status of Your Furniture
As soon as your infant begins to crawl, they’ll begin pulling up on furniture or anything around them that they can grab onto.  While its a good idea to start with a proper playpen, like a Little Playzone by Friendly Toys, it is a good idea to plan for every eventuality - they will want to explore as much of your house as you’ll allow. Keep televisions back from the edge of furniture so that they can’t fall (every year, 5,000 kids go to the hospital due to fallen TVs or furniture) and secure all moveable furniture.

Step 4: Build a Play Zone
It is a good idea to create a safe room for a newborn to play in by using safety gates. Keeping your infant in a specific room or just keeping them away from specific rooms (like the bathroom or the kitchen) is easy with safety gates. If you’re using safety gates to block the top of stairs, make sure to use the type that can be secured by screwing them into the door frame rather than just pressure. Of course, another option is to place your baby into a playpen or even a Friendly Toys Little Playzone, for extra security, knowing that they won’t go far.

Considering the risks involved, you can never be too safe when child proofing your home. Evaluate your area, cover your outlets, assess your heavy furniture, and create a safe play zone.  These few steps are a great beginning to create a safe environment for your newborn to play.

Parent Know How

A new report that has taken over 2 years to compile presents some startling findings compiled from interviews with over 30,000 children. The report, commissioned by the the Children’s Society, presents around 30 recommendations aimed at parents, teachers, government the media and society as a whole regarding what needs to be done to improve the childhood experience of most children.

The reason that children’s lives have become increasingly difficult has been found to be excessive individualism. Leading experts have concluded that excessive individualism has made people more competitive, more pressurised to own things and less inclined toward helping other.

Around 70% of the children interviewed said that parents getting on with each other is probably the most important factors in raising happy children. Children from broken families are 50% more likely to suffer from academic achievement issues, low self esteem and depression or anxiety.

The increased exposure to television and the media that most children experience is promoting materialistic desires and breeding generations of consumers. And these consumers want to consume fast-food and more television and media.

The United Kingdom and the U.S. are among the worst advanced countries for well being amongst children. In Sweden 8% of children live at or below 60% of median income whereas in Britain the figure is much higher at 22%.

The report makes some strong but practical and sensible recommendations. One of these is that people responsible for bringing children into the world should have a long term commitment to one another. Parents need to be provided with free parenting classes to make them fully aware of their parental responsibilities and how they can meet the needs of their children.

The report goes on to recommend that advertising to children under 12 should be banned and all advertising for unhealthy food and alcohol should not be allowed before 9p.m.

Being a child today, perhaps from a broken family, with limited income and with low educational achievement and no support at home, is an enormously difficult situation to contend with. It’s up to parents, teachers, guardians and society to recognise these difficulties and do what is required to fix things.

To encourage your little ones to play outdoors more I recommend getting some good quality outdoor play equipment, maybe a slide swing playset, to get the little ones outside to play.