Chicago has outlawed crib bumpers inspite a lot of objections from the industry which makes these. Bumper pads, in recent years, have the reason for many SID or suffucation among babies. Babies, who still do not have the motor skills to turn or move their head away from bumper pads that are wrapped around their sleeping area, are prone to such dangers. The banning of this item has been necessary because of it.

According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, the ban will take effect in seven months time.

The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will enforce the ordinance, responding to complaints and checking for products during inspections of stores. Retailers who violate the ordinance can face fines up to $500 for each violation.

Stores like Babies R Us have already expressed they will follow the local ordinance, even as the company sells bumper pads nationwide.

Meanwhile, baby bedding companies have already started redesigning bumper pads so that it becomes more compliant and save around babies. The addition of a mesh and zip features supposedly make this less dangerous. The local ruling in Chicago doesn’t say if these improved bumper pads are also included in the ban.

The trade group have been against the passing of the ordinance since the beginning claiming that there is no evidence linking SIDS to bumper pads. The Chicago Tribune, however, reports otherwise as there have been documented deaths were doctors have ruled that bumper pads is the cause.

While their bodies are a lot more limber than adults, children may still experience back pains just like we do and will most likely not notice. There is a danger in not giving attention to this right away as back pains can hinder with the body’s development and become the cause of other underlying problems.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, here are symptoms parents should watch out for with children experiencing back pains:

• Losing weight or running a fever.
• Complaining of numbness or weakness.
• Having difficulty walking.
• Having pain that extends from the back down one or both of the legs.
• Having bladder- or bowel-control issues.
• Having pain that prevents the child from sleeping.

If any of these symptoms are present, an examination done by the doctor is necessary to evaluate it. Physical exams, MRI, CT Scans and Xrays may be asked.

Back pains are usually signs of the following condition, according to OrthoInfo.Org, and develop as early as pre-teen stage, so parents must not ignore it:

Muscle Strain and Imbalances
Musculoskeletal strain is most often responsible for back pain in children and adolescents. This type of pain frequently responds to rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and an exercise program.

Stress Fracture of the Spine
Spondylolysis, or stress fracture, may cause lower back pain in adolescents. Stress fractures may occur during adolescent growth spurts or in sports that repeatedly twist and hyperextend the spine, like gymnastics, diving, and football.

Infection
In young children, infection in a disk space (diskitis) can lead to back pain. Diskitis typically affects children between the ages of 1 and 5 years, although older children and teenagers can also be affected.

Tumor
On rare occasion, tumors, such as osteoid osteoma, can be responsible for back pain. When they occur, tumors of the spine are most often found in the middle or lower back. Pain is constant and usually becomes worse over time. This pain is progressive; it is unrelated to activity and/or happens at night.

Slipped Vertebra
A slipped vertebra, or spondylolisthesis, occurs when one vertebra shifts forward on the next vertebra directly below. It usually occurs at the base of the spine (lumbosacral junction). In severe cases, the bone narrows the spinal canal, which presses on the nerves.

Kids get less sleep than their parents think they do. They may have trouble falling asleep or may wake in the wee hours. grappling with surprisingly worries. Remember that as your child grows, the more responsibilites he has to make and this might cause him stress. This kind of stress will give him restless nights.

To discover whether your child is having trouble drifting into dreamland, ask him how well he’s sleeping. They try these steps to set the stage for a restful night:

*Limit his activities – if your child often stays up past his bedtime to finish his homework, he may be overscheduled in the afternoon. Consider dropping an activity or two even if he protests. If he’s simply overloaded with homework, talk to his teacher.

*Turn off the TV – kids who watch excessive amounts of  TV before bed have more trouble falling asleep than other chikdren do. Shut off the electronics well before bedtime, and don’t put TV in your child’s room.

*Get jitter free – make sure your child isn’t drinking any caffeinated soda within six hours of bedtime, and avoid serving heavy meals late in the evening.

*Talk over his concerns – At night, as they lie alone on bed, children tend to worry more intensely than they do during the day. Let your child know that he’s not alone with his difficulties, and help him work them out.

* Try relaxation techniques- if tension is keeping your child up, suggest that he imagine a relaxing scene or try a calming exercise such as this one: As he rests in bed, have her tighten and relax muscles at the top of his body and then slowly progress to his toes.

Now that Christmas is just around the corner, kids will really have a hard time sleeping because of their excitement. Make sure that you tell your child that they won’t be able to enjoy the special day if they won’t get enough rest.

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 ”honey, it’s time for you to sleep now.” “but mom!!!!!!!! I’m not yet sleepy and besides I’m not even tired yet” 

This is a normal conversation between a mom and her little one who prefers playing than sleeping. During this moment, your patience will be tested and yes, It won’t be easy. It is important that your child understands why she needs to sleep.  That heavy and groggy feeling shows that your child is not at her best condition. She needs to know that her body is like a celphone battery that needs to be recharged.  So here  are the following things that you can do to help your child love sleeping.

• Sleep with your little one. It helps your child get into a routine.
• Try bedtime routines like, reading, or taking a warm bath. It helps your child to  be calm and relax.
• No sodas, ice tea or any food contains caffeine before bedtime.
• Avoid having TV inside your child’s room. Study shows that kids who have TV’s in their rooms sleep less.
• Remember that children has wild imaginations. Avoid watching scary movies or TV shows close to bedtime because it makes it hard for them to fall asleep. Just incase this situation happens, pray with your child before they go to sleep.
• Use your child’s bed only for sleeping. In that way,you’ll train your child’s body to associate her bed with sleep.
• Have a “bedtime chit-chat”. This is the time to ask your child how her day was. This will  help your child relax and It will be easy for her to sleep.

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