How Long?

Today I had a talk with an expecting mom about childbirth and raising children. She ask me " Why do I have to stay inside the house four to six weeks after my baby is born"? We both laugh, because both of us have heard from our grandparents not to go outside until your next doctors appointment.
Our grandparents meant well, but didn't explain the reason for not going outside.Once I heard my grandmother say,"don't go outside because your pores are still open"you will get sick if you do.
 My grandmother did her very best to answer the why question that puzzled most women for centuries.

After having my own children, the question was finally answered.Women can go outside after birth if they are healthy enough to do so. However, some women will experience pelvic pain, fatigue, stressed,the feeling of  being overwhelm, excessive bleeding, breast enlargement and many other symptoms that are not mention here. You may want to stay inside until your symptoms get better. Its important that women talk to your doctor, with any concerns you have about postpartum. 
 If you do plan on going outside after having your baby don't forget to dress your baby appropriately and enjoy your walk.  

Hope this helps

Copyright 2016

Reading Time

                             

Here is good reasons to start reading to your infant early. Please take  the time to watch this short clip.


Read ! Read! and Read!

Hope this helps

Play Time

Have you ever wondered, what type of toys you are going to buy  for your baby? The toys you purchase for your kids, you want them to learn and play with them

Here are a list of toys to consider.

                               

It's Time For Food

Parents When is it time for your infant to start eating cereal or jar foods? or do you know when it is time to feed your baby? You may not know but your baby does.

Here are a few indicators to let you know when your baby is ready to move to the next step in eating. He or she will cry soon after all the milk is gone.The infant will only take very short naps.They will have a  hard time settling down after nursing or bottle feeding. If still hunger they will never make it to the next feeding schedule. which is typically two and a half or three hours. This schedule is too long for the infant when they are ready for food. They will cry until they are feed again.

Parent there is one thing I would like to remind you of, is to listen to the cues of your baby.They will let you know when they are hungry or satisfied. Keep in mind if your child is very active or their environment is stimulating, infants tend to exert more energy that will cause their stomach to empty before the two and a half hour mark. This is a great starting point to try cereal/ jar food


Hope this helps

"A Smile To Go"

There are some days when you don't want to get out of bed knowing the things you must face. You search your thoughts in hope to encourage yourself. All of a sudden you here a little sound coming from the other room. You get up and proceed down the hallway to investigate the sound. You push the door open and to your surprise you see  wide eyes and a smile that melts your heart.

 If you  happen to be in need of some inspiration here is "A Smile To Go"

Smiles !!!
Copyright 2016

What Are They Thinking

Can you tell what your child is thinking when you look into their eyes?

Something To Think About

Today I sat thinking about when my children were infants. I thought about the day they come home from the hospital. I thought about the first time I heard them say "Mom! Mom!" and their first steps.The first time I realize they didn't like peas. All of these thoughts made me smile.Now my children are grown and my thoughts are fond memories.  In that moment I wanted to share and encourage new mothers that raising an infant is a joy and  journey they will experience and shall never be forgotten . I found on the google website a quote that will truly explain the experiences and joys of  being a new mother.

Enjoy your own reflections !!!

Copyright 2016

Sign Language

More

On the last blog, I shared information about how infants learn. On this blog I wanted to share another way infants learn.They learn through communicating. Sign language is a way for you to communicate with your infant. Here are a few word to start off with , "All Done, More, Bye, Bye and Milk"

Now it's time for you to find the sign language to communicate to your infant.

Hope this helps

Copyright 2016

What Will My Infant Learn?

When I meet new parents, one of the questions they ask me is , "What are some of the things my infant will learn in this program"? While smiling and thinking about how I will answer this question to this new family, I am thinking to myself most parents don't know infants are learning the moment they come out of the womb.They learn  pain, when the doctor taps their foot, they learn their  mother's voice, her smell, her touch and how to latch on to nurse. So, when I answer the question about the program I am involved in, I say, "Your child will learn language skills and social/emotional skills.

The next question the parents may ask is, "How do they learn these skills"? My answer is simple and I will share this information with you.(Blogger audience)

Infants learn language by learning and tuning into the voice and words of their parents, teacher and caregivers. Infants learn by parents and teachers talking to them all day about their world.(eating, diapering, bath time etc.) Infants also learn by parents and teachers reading to them daily.
Another way infants learn  social/emotional skills is by parents and teacher helping them calm themselves when they are upset. It is very important for the parent and teacher to offer comfort and hugs when it is needed. In addition, infants will learn to trust the adult when he/she is upset. Moreover, infants learn social/emotional skills by using an adult to explore their world. This is a whole new world for infants. They need to know that it's ok to explore and play when they are not sure about the world around them.

Now you know.

Hope this helps

Copyright 2016

How To Potty Train

Thank you for checking back in about Potty Training.

Here are the steps to make this transition a little more easier. What you can start off with is reading a book about going to the bathroom or create one. Parents praise them for just sitting on the potty and praise their effort. Don't worry if nothing happens, its OK. Talk with them to ease any fears about this strange new place they now have to visit often. It  always helps  if you allow your daughter to go into the bathroom with mom and your son go into the bathroom with dad. I say this because men and women preform differently in the bathroom. Modeling  is a great way to teach bathroom habits.such as how to use the toilet, how to clean themselves and how to wash their hands.

 Look for the peepee dance, this is the time to take them to the bathroom. Ask you toddler often about going to the bathroom, they will probably say no, but take them anyway so they will get use to going into a bathroom.

Click on the links above to see other ways to potty train.

Hope this helps

Copyright 2016

Potty Training

Oh my Gosh, potty training is a nightmare is what I here from a lot of parents.
Potty training doesn't  have to be a headache for you or your child. It takes patience and persistence. Most parents don't know where to start when it's  time to potty train. Here are a few things to look for during this transition from diapers to pull ups/underwears


The first thing to look for is, pulling off his/her diaper by themselves after use. Secondly, letting you know he/she has pooped in the diaper.  Thirdly, staying dry all day without soiling the diaper.(after offering plenty of fluids) and hiding in a corner during release of waste.

We will discuss how to Potty Train in my next Blog!!

 Hope this helps.

Copyright 2016

Hard Days Work

Being a parent for some can be difficult and down right scary for some. For those of you who have jump right into being a parent with no guidance or blue print as to what to do with your child/children, this blog is for you.

If you can image one place on earth you can visit to get rest and relaxation, where would you go ?

I look forward to your responses

Copyright 2016

Attachment

I have been working as an infant teacher for over fifteen years. I have seen the development stages as each infant transitions into the toddler stage. The one thing I notice with almost all infants is attachment.This is what I have noticed with infants and attachment. Infants prefer human faces they recognize, they stretch their arms to be held, use a blanket or stuffed animals or toys for security and reassurance to name a few. Attachment is the child using his/her caregiver as a secure base from which to explore and, when necessary, as a source of comfort. Lets not confused things, attachment is not bonding.Bonding is with mother/father face to face and skin to skin. Another form of bonding is when a mother nurses her newborn.

Below I have provided you with a great website to explore and learn more about attachment. 

www.essentialparenting.com  

Hope this helps 

What is Your Child's Temperament?

Have you ever wondered why your child is acting a certain way. Pondering over this question doesn't mean you think something is wrong, You just wonder why?.Let me help you answer that question. The behavior that is noticeable is your child's temperament. I would like for you to look at a few temperament traits below and see if you can identify which temperament is your child's.

1. Activity level : always active or generally still
2. Approach/withdrawal : response to new situations
3. Mood: tendency to react with positive or negative mood, serious or fussy
4. Distractibility : how easily a child's attention is to be pulled from an activity
5. Intensity of reaction : energy or strength of emotional reaction.

Feel free to share these findings.

Why is Childcare Expensive

I have been working in the field of child development for ten years and have raised my own children, so I know the question that most women and families want to know. "Why is childcare so expensive?" When I am ask this question, I always say, you can't put a price on quality care. You may say there is a lot of places less expensive, I say to you, your  taking the chance with your child being served unhealthy meals, no curriculum, watching television all day and/or  sanitation issues to name a few.

Making a decision based on the cost is a decision that will require careful thinking. This is why I am happy to introduce my guest blogger, Ms. Brendle  whom has been working in the field of education for over fifteen years.Who works for one of the top 100 places to work in this industry, according to forbes magazine. Whose expertise has help me in many areas of my career.

Will I Ever Get Any Sleep

I often hear many new mothers saying, "I am tired because the baby is getting up through out the night". My reply is sleep when the baby sleeps. Many mothers feel they should run errands, clean the house, make phone calls and grocery shop when the baby is asleep. I am not saying these things shouldn't get done, but take the time out and rest before you burn yourself out. Taking care of baby can be exhausting, because mother sometimes forget they need to take care of themselves. It is very important that you get enough sleep to rejuvenate your body. Studies have shown women sometimes get depressed and gain weight.

So I say to all of the new mothers out there, when you place your sleeping baby down for a nap, get some ZZZZ! yourself.

Copyright 2016