It may seem that massage is a technique used only for adults who lead stressful and demanding lives. With so many ailments that strain both our minds and bodies, it is no wonder that parents benefit so much from the comforting and healing power of massage.
What about babies and even infants? It may seem strange to think that these small little bundles of joy could have any reason to feel stress or pain of any kind, but that is not the case. While somewhat new to the United States, infant massage and baby massage are making their mark and proving just how important massage is to the care and development of all babies and especially infants.
Not only will massage provide the needed touch and care that your baby’s needs and desires, but it will build a close relationship between you and your child. Experts emphasize that getting Dads. Moms, and even Grandparents involved in baby massage is a great idea.
The benefits of infant massage are exciting, and most parents would not trade the short time that they spend each day massaging their infant for anything. Infant massage contributes so much to the growth, development, and overall happiness of the child and parents.
Some of the benefits of baby or infant massage:
~Relaxation- Helping to calm your baby and their muscles, while teaching them how to relax and the importance of relaxation in life.
~Relief from pain- An infant with colic can be a strain on the entire family. Certain massage techniques can help to relieve the gas and spasm that the infant exeriencenes, and can help the digestive system to work more efficiently.
~Bonding- Spending one on one time with your infant and creating a special bond that may be hard to find in our busy lives.
~Sleep- Massage helps the baby to be relaxed and pain free, helping them sleep better, and in turn helping you sleep better.
~Health- Massage is good for your infants overall health. It promotes proper blood flow as well as increased sensory awareness and normal brain development.
There are many important techniques involved in infant massage, and likewise there are many resources available to help parents know how to properly perform infant massage.
Books, instructors, and even instructional videos are available to help you get the most out of the time you spend massaging your baby. In the meantime, get your infant in the habit of spending this relaxation time with you each day.
The environment in which you perform your infant’s massage is vital. A room that is cool and well lit does not promote the same calming effect as one that is at a comfortable temperature with dimmed lights and soft music playing. Try to create an atmosphere that would be appealing to you if you were to receive a massage. Experts suggest using a vegetable or plant oil to massage your baby rather that mineral based baby oil, which may not absorb as well.
Any way that we can start our children on the path to health and happiness in life is so helpful to both them and us as their parents. Spending the short amount of time needed to massage your baby each day will benefit them for years to come, and the bond that you will form will be priceless.
Details on infant massage techniques
Naptime help for your toddler at Child N Parent
By: Vanessa Lee
July 26th, 2008
The hot sweltering months of summer are upon us. We moms’ pull out the artillery and arm ourselves with air conditioning, sun screen, ice cream cones, slushies and more than a few trips to the pool. When traveling by car, the heat can really take its toll.
With these important safety tips you can protect your baby or tot from heat exposure in the car.
1. Use a stuffed animal toy as a visual reminder that your child is in the back seat. Position the stuffed animal toy in the passenger seat or in a safe spot on the console. Take the toy and put it in the empty car seat after taking your child out of the car. When you put your child back into the car seat, switch it back to the front to remind yourself that your child is again in the back seat.
2. Never ever leave your baby or tot in a parked car. According to the NTSA “Cars parked in direct sunlight can reach internal temperatures up to 131 F- 172 F.” The NTSA goes on to say that even at lower temperatures with the windows slightly rolled down, a car will still reach a high internal temperature in a matter of minutes.
3. Cover the car seat. Dr. John Chiles of Pueblo Pediatrics recommends that you protect your child from temperature absorbing car seat fabrics by covering an empty car seat with a white dishtowel or sheet. Dr. Chiles also recommends that you position a frozen water bottle on the metal buckles of an empty car seat to protect your child from nasty metal buckle burns.
4. Get tinted windows or use a sun shade. Tinted windows can cut summer heat by up to 60%. Check your local state laws regarding tinted windows on automobiles. A well designed sun shade will keep your baby comfortable and help prevent heat stroke.
5. Keep plenty of drinking water and formula on hand when traveling. Dr. Chiles says that babies 4 to 6 months need an intake of 36 ounces of either formula or breast milk a day. Newborns to six months do not need extra water. If you are breast feeding, drink extra water so that you will have an adequate supply of milk to keep your baby hydrated. He also recommends that babies and tots over six months have small 4oz servings of juice three times a day. Pear, apple, and white grape juice are great for keeping kids hydrated.
More help to keep you and your child safe and cool through the hot summer months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Summer Safety Tips for Children.
The CDC’s official guide on protecting yourself and your child from extreme heat.
Health and safety tips for your child from Dr. John Chiles of Pueblo Pediatrics.
By Debby Hoffer
July 11th, 2008
Many children suffer with the condition known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also known as ADHD. ADHD symptoms are described in our article at Child N Parent. Children with ADHD are often treated with a combination of behavioral, psychological and drug therapies. Fortunately, new, more effective drugs are being developed having fewer side effects for children.
A child with ADHD usually feels bombarded with environmental sights and sounds. This sensory overload coupled with an impulse for movement causes behavior difficulties and an inability to cope with situations in a step by step manner. The drug methylphenidate helps a child’s brain deal with social and educational situations in a step by step format.
Ritalin, the most commonly prescribed drug for treating ADHD, is a form of methylphenidate. It mildly stimulates the central nervous system to increase chemical messages between the nerve cells of the brain and improves focus and overall concentration.
Other drugs used to treat ADHD that contain methylphenidate include Concerta, Metadate CD, Metadate ER, Ritalin LA and Ritalin SR. Focalin XR is a combination of drugs designed to be released at a steady rate throughout the day. Focalin XR has the advantage of fewer side effects for children and is effective longer. Adderall is another stimulant drug used to treat ADHD with a long lasting effect. Consult your medical professional to find the best drug with the fewest side effects for your child.
A new drug, called ABT-089, is currently in phase II clinical trials under the sponsorship of Abbott Labs. The effectiveness of ABT-089 in children is being tested now in one clinical phase II trial. Two more projects are being prepared with one recruiting participants and one study by invitation only. Project completions are scheduled for October 2008 and July 2009. In a recent press release from Abbott, the drug was found to be a “potentially safe and effective treatment” in adults with ADHD.
Drug therapy is just one of the many treatment solutions available for children with ADHD. Carefully research your medical options to decide which therapies are best for your child.
Find symptoms and treatments available for ADHD at our article in the Child Health section at Child N Parent.
Facts of methylphenidate use including precautions at the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Description uses and cautions for Ritalin
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) report on the ADHD study currently recruiting participants.
By: Debby Hoffer
July 2nd, 2008
Bringing home your newborn baby is such an exciting experience. With the new sights, sounds and smells of a home environment, your baby will have a lot to get used to. You can be an anchor of safety and security as you snuggle them in a baby sling.
Carrying your baby in a baby sling recreates the soothing experience of being in the womb. As you move, the rocking and swaying motions will be soothing and familiar to your newborn.
In a baby sling, your new baby can adjust to new household sounds while hearing your comforting voice in the background. As your baby grows older, turning them around or to the side so that they can observe what is going on will help them learn new things about their environment.
Baby slings prevent wear and tear on back muscles from continuous bending, lifting and carrying. With a baby sling, you can comfortably carry your baby for one to two hours saving your back and arms from aches.
Carrying your baby in a baby sling allows you to bond with your baby while becoming more familiar with their personality. Unravel the mystery behind feeding, changing, sleeping and burping times by easily carrying and closely observing your baby.
Baby slings leave a busy parent with both hands free to accomplish important household tasks. Want to clean your house or help your older child with math; strap on a baby sling and get things done!
By: Debby Hoffer
June 18th, 2008
With so much emphasis on early education in today’s world, some parents feel that children are missing out on a key element of life. Joy. By age 3, many toddlers are learning math and reading, but what about the joy that comes with accomplishing goals, creativity, and all of the other simple things in life that bring joy.
Joy School, an alternative to traditional preschool, was founded on a related belief that children suffer not from being started in academics too late, but by starting too soon, before they have a basis of social and emotional self esteem.
Joy school is a unique concept in which children are taught by a group of parents, usually from 3 to 6, who rotate as the teacher in their homes. With very minimal costs, and complete support online with full lesson plans and music CD’s, joy school is the perfect way to take an active role in your child’s early education.
Idea’s for joy school include starting a story and letting the children use their imagination to finish it, leaving the lid off of the popcorn maker and singing songs while the popcorn pops all over the room, as well as many other learning games and handouts.
If you are like many parents who would like to take initiative into making sure that your child learns the importance of joy, imagination, and creativity, you may want to look into joy school and see if it works for you. With over 200,000 graduates, it is quickly becoming a new learning trend and helping kids learn important values, and of course they are having a great time.
Learn more about teaching children joy. Your guide to finding your child the right preschool at Child N Parent.
By Vanessa Lee
June 10th, 2008
As a young mother with a newborn baby, getting enough sleep for myself was one of my primary concerns. With a job and busy household routine, sleep was beginning to look like a far off dream. I soon discovered that a regular naptime routine would help soothe my baby to sleep.
Sleeping patterns for the first two weeks at home are hard to define as your baby is adjusting to the new environment. After two weeks, your baby should start to fall into some type of sleep pattern. Make mental notes of when they sleep and what soothes them to sleep. Making naptime easier will help preserve your sleep time and your family’s routine. Here are some things that work for making your baby’s naptime easier:
- Make sure your baby is well fed, clean and comfortable. If they are crying before a regular sleep time, try and define the problem. Are they over stimulated? Do they need a little more burp time? Are they experiencing any kind of gastric distress? Taking care of these problems related to your baby’s distress is key to soothing your baby to sleep.
- Swaddle your baby or cuddle them in a soft blanket. Swaddling is an ancient art that has been passed down from generation to generation. Many modern moms use this technique and believe it is a sure cure for fussiness and general naptime dilemmas.
- Find your baby’s favorite position to be held. Some babies like to be cradled while others prefer falling asleep while lying in their mother’s lap. Learn your baby’s preferences and use your baby’s preferred holding position just before naptime.
- Using a preferred holding position, gently sway or rock your baby to sleep while singing a lullaby or playing gentle background music. Gentle sounds can help to calm and soothe.
- Once asleep, be sure to place your baby on their back. Swaddling or tucking the blanket securely around their arms will prevent them from waking themselves up with uncontrolled arm and leg movements. Check that your baby is not too hot or cold and that the blankets and bedding will not interfere with their breathing.
Soothing your baby to sleep is a wonderful bonding experience for both parent and baby. As you resolve sleep time dilemmas, you will get to know your baby’s personality. You will also be able to get some sleep for yourself!
Find more help on swaddling at Child N Parent. Our article for making naptime easier is great help for your older children.
By: Debby Hoffer
June 2nd, 2008
As spring was approaching, my daughter started asking if we could plant a garden this year. The word garden is a very frightening word for me. Not only have I never attempted to plant a garden, but I have never really been able to grow much of anything. Needless to say my lack of a “green thumb” has always stopped me from gardening, despite my love for fresh from the garden veggies.
I thought about it and realized that a garden would be a great way for my daughter to learn a skill that I have always wished I had, and would be a self-esteem builder should anything actually grow.
Together, we read up on gardening and decided that a raised bed garden would be our best bet. She helped me get everything ready, and carefully chose what she wanted to grow. Pumpkins, carrots, peas, and of course corn. I explained that in order to have a garden, we could not have any weeds. She happily went around the yard and pulled out all of our weeds. Already having a garden was working to my advantage.
We prepared our soil, carefully planted each seed, and she began to water her garden and check daily for any signs of life. Already she is telling everyone about her very own garden, and cannot wait to show her friends what she has done.
We are anxiously awaiting the first vegetable that she can pick from the garden she prepared for, took care of, and made her own. While we still have a few months to wait, this experience has taught both of us a valuable lesson. She has learned that with hard work and patience you can accomplish your goals, and as her Mother, I have learned that trying new things can be very rewarding and a great way to teach our children.
Get ready for your children’s safe summer swimming at Child N Patrent
By: Vanessa Lee
May 24th, 2008
“What did you do at school today?’’ is the usual question on my lips at the dinner table. “Nothing or I don’t know” is usually the standard reply from my preteens all the way down to my five-year-old. Picking my children’s brains about the happenings of their day is important to me. Where did they go? What did they learn? Also, who are they associating with and what values are they learning from them? These are all parental concerns that I have learned to address with good family mealtime conversations.
Sometimes as a parent, it is best to not be so direct. Some children tend to hold their fears, concerns and joys inside. A back door carefully opened in the spring will usually lead to a lot of fresh air. The same is true with family meal time conversation. Having a back door of traditional conversation during mealtime can bring forth some fresh news of about your child’s daily experiences. Here are some tips to help you create your own rewarding family mealtime conversations.
1. Talking competitively all at once just creates a loud noise. Have a standard rule that each child will be given a chance to share something about their day. Remind your children that it is good manners to not speak with their mouth full or to interrupt someone else.
2. During dinner, have a specific question which will invite each child to share more about the experiences of their day. For example; invite each child to share something that they did not enjoy about their day. This will often encourage them to share information about any worries or problems that may be on their mind.
Adults sometimes have a tendency to minimize a child’s problems. Instead, make a mental note about anything that your child is struggling with or seems to be sad about. Be sure to have a private talk with them later, away from other family members about actions they can take to resolve the problem. This type of parental guidance will help your child to learn step by step problem solving skills.
Also, sharing information about your own problem and the actions you took to resolve it will help them reflect on your standards and ideals. It will also help them realize that gown-ups have problems too!
3. Once you’ve shed some light on their worries and problems, let the fresh air in by sharing some fun experiences and laughter. For example; invite each child to share something wonderful that happened to them during the day and any funny jokes or experiences. You might share your own joke or funny childhood experience that will clue them in on the mysterious fact that you were once a child too. Laughter around the dinner table at the end of a long day is the ideal recipe for a fun family mealtime experience.
Find more Parenting Tips at childnparent.com
By: Debby Hoffer
May 19th, 2008
We know that spending quality time with our kids is really important and is the perfect way to bond with our children. However, what some of us Mothers often forget is the importance of spending quality time alone, away from the kids, Mom Time, so that we do not forget who we are and what we love to do.
While playing with Barbie’s is very exciting, it is nice to take time away from wishing you had Barbie’s life, to actually having it for a night. Going out with some girlfriends and shopping, getting your hair and nails done, or going to a movie can be just the break necessary to help clear your mind and have some adult conversation.
While taking your child out to dinner may work most of the time, imagine you and your husband, out for the night without having to feed someone else, worry about all of the spilt food on the floor, or rush outside when your baby is crying and coming back to cold food.
I have seen first hand that sanity goes hand in hand with Mom Time. I feel the difference when it has been a while since I have been “alone” or done something just for me. Once I get out for a few hours I come back refreshed and realize that I actually do like my kids. After all, how can you miss them when they are always with you? You can’t!
In the rare case that it has been so long since you had a moment to yourself, you may be wondering what you would do if you were kid free for a few hours. Here are a few ideas. I already mentioned shopping, getting your hair or nails done, and a movie with friends. There is always date night with your significant other, including dinner, where you will actually be able to carry on a conversation. Have you thought about taking a walk or a drive? What about a trip to the grocery store or to your favorite craft store?
Whatever you do, remember to spend the time doing grown up things, and as tempting as it may be to talk about or think about your kids the whole time, don’t! This is your time to get away.
And, of course, use the advice at Child N Parent on Parenting Tips to help keep your sanity.
By: Vanessa Lee
May 12th, 2008
What do you do when your excited son shows you the snake that he has just captured? Do you get angry when the spiders that he gathered get loose in your house? How do you feel when he comes home with his new outfit covered in mud? I think that all Moms’ will agree that boys will be boys.
My son has always been terrified of bugs. He liked to look from a distance, or on a brave occasion poke at them with a long stick, but the second a bug made any contact with his skin or clothing he would become terrified. While I felt bad that he had this fear, I was also relieved in a way. I have always heard that having a son would mean that he would always be dirty, and would bring home all kinds of bugs which I was not excited about. Until recently, none of this had happened.
My husband took my son exploring in a nearby field. He had never gone into the field because I had told him about all of the bugs and snakes in there; that did not sound fun to him. However after exploring with Dad, he had a new appreciation for all of the creepy crawly things that he saw.
A few days later he told me that he had caught a bug. I pictured a little ladybug or something and congratulated him. Minutes later he came up to me and had a large cricket on his arm. It was crawling from hand to hand and arm to arm; my son was smiling from ear to ear. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, grab the camera, or hurry and get the bug off of him.
I watched for a minute and then thought to myself…boys will be boys. One fear conquered, what will be next?
Have questions about naptime or nosebleeds? We have help at Childn’ Parent.
By: Vanessa Lee
April 30th, 2008
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