Kiddie Yaps » baby

Jan

Like many other skills that babies have to master, kissing and hugging are partly physical, partly cognitive and partly emotional. Before your child is able to pucker up and give you his wet and sweet kisses, he’s going to go through some exciting changes, and there are lots of loving ways that you can help.

Prelude to a kiss:

You may thought that your baby is finally giving you his first kiss (after smooching him for 6 months) but actually your child is in the stage of curiosity. He’s ability to open his mouth and put it in his daddy’s mustache makes him curious. (At this age, a child likes to put anything in his mouth because he wants to know what kind of toy is he playing with or does it taste good.) Strictly speaking, your child isn’t really kissing at this point. For now, he’s only able to execute an open-mouth, or suction-cup buss. The ability to pucker up,which requires control of the muscles around the mouth will come after his first birthday. He may even bite you or suck on your face. Nevertheless, chances are you’ll say “Wow! you’ve given mommy a kiss!” . Your thrilled reaction is a crucial part of the learning process. If you express pleasure and kiss your baby back, he gradually comes to a realization that when he puts his mouth on mom’s cheek that’s called a kiss. Expect that pretty soon he’ll be showering you literally with kisses.

Huggy time:

About the only thing your baby savors as much as your kisses are your hugs. Touch is the most highly developed sense at birth, making the need to be held and cuddled an essential one. Believe it or not. embraces contribute to a baby’s ability to better manage her emotions. Remember that before you baby can initiate a hug, he has to achieve a developmental milestone which is reaching. This skill emerges by about 6 months, when he’s able to coordinate what he sees with the movement of his hands. He’ll start reaching and touching your face, and he will continue to do this because of your sweet reaction. After this stage, he’ll start getting close to you by nestling ingto your comforting embrace.

There’s nothing sweeter than your baby’s hugs and smooches. So try to reach out, let your child express his love in his own little ways.

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Tags: ability to pucker up, baby, expressing your love, hugs, importance of cuddling, kisses, love

In: Babies, Bloggy Network, Children's Development, Fun Activities To Do With Kids, Parenting, education | Permalink

Oct

Babies H2O habit

By: angelie | Discussion (1)

Study shows that the human body is estimated to be 60% to 70% made of water. Water regulates body temperature and allows the nutrients to travel to all the vital organs.The following are just few benefits of letting your child drink water.

Water is important for their digestion. It helps the body get rid of waste in form of sweat and urine.
Water plays a vital role in your child’s immune system. It helps the kidneys and liver to function well and eliminate toxins from the blood.
Water keeps their joints lubricated.
Water helps the muscles and organs to work efficiently.
Water reduces craving for sweets which often causes dehydration.

But the real question is, How can you get your tots to chug the world’s healthiest drink?

Serve it cold- Kids usually love cold water. If your anxious about letting your child drink ice-cold water, try mixing half ice cold water and lukewarm water. Or use a transparent glass with different fancy shaped ice. Your child will definitely enjoy watching while the ice melt while sipping his drink. But be reminded that you can use this tip once in awhile because drinking too much cold water can expend double the energy to maintain the ideal body temperature.
Put a little flavor and color – Naturally kids prefer sweet drinks. (Who doesn’t?) So to keep them drinking water try adding a pinch of sugar, a lemon strip or a mint strip.
Accessible water station – Always have a pitcher of water in the refrigerator, on the countertop, or beside table. Keeping it within your little ones line of sight will set off a positive signal to drink water whenever he is thirsty.
Do it with them – Make it a habit as a family. Have a water chart and whoever gets the highest points will get a prize.

This is also a way for you to teach your kids the other uses of water. You can make them easily understand this by purchasing this dream kitchen.

This product will help your child understand the value of “water” in their lives. They basically need it:

for cooking
for cleaning
for washing etc.

Where to buy: Lifestyle Deluxe Kitchen

Price: $219.99

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Tags: accessible, baby, body, chart, child, cold water, digestion, drinking, game, healthy, immune system, nutrients, parents, sweat, sweets, water

In: Babies, Bloggy Network, Children's Health and safety, Family Life, Fun Activities To Do With Kids, Parenting, Products | Permalink

Oct

“Baby, It’s time to take a bath”

By: angelie | Discussion (1)

When I was in preschool, I hated taking a bath. I feel that it’s taking too much of my so called “precious playing time”. My mom has to bribe me with stuff so that I’ll go inside the bathroom, but sometimes it really doesn’t work.

So now, I’ll give all the parents out there some few tips to make your child enjoy taking a bath.

Some kids are naturally afraid of water. So try to covert their fears into something fun. Bubbles make all kids crazy! try making bubbles with your little ones. Be creative, use your hands or maybe sticks with holes on it. I’m sure they’ll look forward to your next bathing session.
Use soap and shampoo that won’t hurt their eyes. I’ll assure you that that there will be less crying time.
Tub toys are welcome during their bathing time. They will surely enjoy the squeaky sounds. If they want to bring their own toys (doll, barbie, robot etc.) Let them!. You can wash your child’s hair and let them do it with their toys. The next time you bathe your child, ask him what’s the first thing you should do. Before you know it, your kid knows how to take a bath my himself.
Taking a bath should be fun for kids. No pressure just pure fun.

You see bathing your child is as easy as 123. Make your child enjoy it with you. You’ll see when they grow up, they’d always remember how you’ve been such a fun mommy and daddy to them. Here are some squeaky tub toys that will make your bath time more enjoyable.These cute bath toys will make your child’s bathing time worthwhile. You can also use these toys to teach them the different kinds of animals and also the sounds that they make.

Where to buy: Mastermind Toys

Price: $11.95

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Tags: baby, bathing, daddy, enjoying, fun, mommy, parents, playing, safety

In: Babies, Children's Health and safety, Family Life, Fun Activities To Do With Kids, Parenting, education, toys | Permalink

Oct

Convertible bed for your toddler

By: angelie | Discussion (0)

Don’t you ever wish that you have enough space inside your toddler’s room, where you can have fun and just relax with them? I know what your thinking, “oh, it’s not possible”, “we’ll just use a different room”or maybe.. “we’d rather go to the mall” Let me stop you there. Do you know that you add confidence to your child’s life if you give time hanging around his room? Yes! You’ve read it right. If you think that your stepping on with their privacy, (we’re not talking about your highschool son or college daughter. We’re talking about your toddlers or your preschool kids.) well you’re not. Your child needs to see that you’re part of their own world. Visiting their room is part of it. You give them confidence when you tell them that they did a good job in fixing their room, or two thumbs up for packing away their toys, or maybe by just allowing them to tour you in their imaginary museum. Kids are kids, let’s not pressure them to act like adults, let them have fun and enjoy every minute of their childhood.

price: $210

This convertible bed for your toddler gives so much fun and excitement for them. They are very attractive and durable. In fact you can teach your little ones how to fold it and use it as a way to commend them for doing it the proper way.

There’s a lot of things that you can do with it. You can use it while watching TV with your kids and unfold it when it’s time for their bedtime. Did I mention that it saves you a lot of space? Yes it does and it perfectly fits your tots.

I attached a link for a short video to give you an idea how to use this adorable convertible bed available in this site www.zacandzoe.com

video: Convertible bed for your toddler

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Tags: baby, boys and girls, children, confidence, fun activites, parents, respect, toddlers

In: Babies, Children's Development, Children's Health and safety, Family Life, Fun Activities To Do With Kids, Parenting | Permalink

Apr

What Not To Eat During Pregnancy

By: kathy2 | Discussion (0)

Obviously, healthy eating, especially during pregnancy, includes a lot more than a list of things to avoid. When you really only need to add about 300 calories a day for a healthy pregnancy, it matters even more what you actually do put into your body and your baby’s body.

But for those of who try in whatever small way to eat healthy, we know that it’s not the things we should eat that give us problems, but the things we shouldn’t. I mean, a chocolate-covered granola bar is healthy, right?

So, for those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, here is a list of don’ts for eating during pregnancy. Some of them might surprise you.

Unpasteurized dairy products (milk, cheeses). I didn’t even know you could get these things unpasteurized these days.

Raw sea food. Oysters and raw sushi are on this list. Though why anyone would eat an oyster is beyong me, and living with two shell-critter eaters has not solved the mystery. Anyway, these things could have bacteria that can harm you and your baby.

Fish. This is more of a “limit yourself” than a strict “don’t.” But even cooked fish can have unhealthy levels of mercury, which can affect how your baby’s brain develops. However, a couple of servings of fish a week can give you a good boost of vitamins.

Alcohol. Even though my mom was told to drink a Porter a day through her pregnancies, you should avoid all alcohol. Period. Don’t mess with this one.

Caffeine. If you’re as lucky as I was, your body won’t want your morning cups of joe (a miracle in my case; I’ve been a faithful coffee drinker since I was 14). But this also includes teas and sodas, and yes… even chocolate. This is another brain thing–your baby’s. Caffeine can cause ADHD and learning disabilities in fetuses.

Diet drinks. The ones with aspartame can cause headaches in both you and your wee one. If you must drink these, choose the ones with splenda or stevia.

Don’t forget to replace all those don’ts with some healthy do’s, like eating more often, eating fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water.

Tags: ADHD, baby, caffeine, calories, coffee, diet, eat, fetus, food, fruit, headaches, learning disabilities, nutrition, pregnancy, soda, splenda, stevia, tea, vegetable, water, weight

In: Babies, Children's Health and safety | Permalink

Feb

Getting Ready for Pregnancy: Your Emotional Life

By: kathy2 | Discussion (0)

So…you’re doing your Kegels and saving your pennies to get ready for the pregnancy you’re planning. Good. Let’s look now at the least predictable, least tangible part of preparing your life for an impending pregnancy, your emotional life. Im going to divide this into two parts–your personal emotions and your couple life. This post will be about how to prepare yourself emotionally for pregnancy.

Be happy. This might be harder than it seems. If you are happy now, you are more likely to be able to maintain a sense of joy and peace during the course of your pregnancy. That’s really good for both you and the baby. And while pregnancy isn’t all sunshine and lollipops, remind yourself how happy you are about it. It helps get through the bad stuff.
Don’t try to be happy all the time. In your non-pregnancy life, you have to deal with the bad stuff that comes with the good stuff. You like your job, but you have to deal with difficult people. You love your partner, but some habit of his drive you crazy. You have to give yourself room for those complex feelings in life, and you will have to do so in pregnancy, too. Just because your pregnancy is wanted and planned doesn’t mean you have to be excited about it every single minute. Even before you get pregnant, you may find yourself struggling with doubt, insecurity and grief. This doesn’t mean you will be a bad parent.
Take care of yourself. This is the time to take stock of your life and determine whether you have too much stress, not enough “me-time,” or unhealthy habits. Breaking yourself of bad habits is not only good for you physically, but also gives you a sense of freedom, liberation and energy you might not have experienced before. And learn how to pamper yourself now, because after the baby’s born, those opportunities will be few and far between.
Begin to grieve. In a very real way, you will be losing a certain life with the introduction of a baby into a relationship or lifestyle. You can begin to grieve even as you prepare. Small freedoms you didn’t even know you had will go out the window–you won’t be able to just take a walk anymore. You won’t be able to spontaneously run off to a movie or make love on the living room floor. You will never be “just you,” or “just us,” again. Cherish it while you still have it, and begin to let it go.
Make room for changes. Your feelings about things are going to change. As I said before, you can’t imagine until you’ve done it how head-over-heels in love you’ll fall with this little person. Make your plans, but make room in them to adjust without guilt.
Keep a journal. Not all of us are great journal writers, but we all need some way to work through our fears, anxieties and thrills. Take pictures, paint paintings, join an online support group. Above all, find some way to deal positively with your feelings, and prepare yourself to deal postively with feelings you can’t predict in the future.
Get counseling. Now, I don’t know if you need counseling, though I am convinced that most people could benefit from at least a little bit of it. But if you have any issues from your childhood, scars that resist healing, or troubles in your couple-relationship, now–before you even get pregnant–is the time to deal with those.
Talk to your doctor about meds. Many meds, including those that keep us emotinally balanced, are not okay for pregnancy. Check with your doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist for alternative meds, and if meds are out for a while, for other ways to keep your feelings in control.