Parenting Guru

Oftentimes, it can be difficult distinguishing hyperactivity in children and normal active behavior. Is the child who is darting around the house and never stopping a hyperactive child, or just a normal child?

To differentiate between the two, one must understand that it is the quality and quantity of the movements of the child that define what is hyperactivity in children and what is normal active behavior. When observing the child, are the movements of the child purposeful or random? Hyperactive children tend to be restless, fidget a great deal, run into things, over objects and/or people, and climb up anything they can. The hyperactive child just never seems to stop and appears they are moving strictly to move and let loose.

As a parent of a hyperactive child, this can be utterly exhausting! You’ll find you are chasing your child in order to save your home or to save your child from injury. As a parent, you want to help your hyperactive child direct their energy in constructive ways and at appropriate times. It certainly can be a challenge to parent hyperactive children but there are some methods that can help you and your child in the journey. Below are some tips that can help you as you work on disciplining your hyperactive child.

Hyperactivity in Children Tip #1: Teach Relaxation Techniques

While hyperactive children love to be active, it is healthy that they learn how to relax. Relaxation is good for both the mind and the body and can teach your child self-control. Work on sitting still with your child, teaching them to breathe deeply, close his or her eyes, and imagine a peaceful setting. It can sometimes help to massage their shoulders and hands in order to encourage relaxation, as well as play peaceful music.

Hyperactivity in Children Tip #2: Structure

Hyperactive children require structure in their environment. Make sure to stick to a schedule and provide boundaries for your child.

Hyperactivity in Children Tip #3: Throw out the phrase, “Time Out”

The concept is the same, but the name has changed. Use terms such as “quiet time” or “reflective time” that encourages stillness and thought.

Hyperactivity in Children Tip #4: Body Awareness

Teaching your child to be aware of their body and their space will help them to not impose on anothers space or person.

Hyperactivity in Children Tip #5: Listening

Hyperactivity in children can also show up verbally! If your child talks non-stop, teach them the importance of listening to other people and taking turns in the dialogue.

Hyperactivity in Children Tip #6: Supervision

Hyperactive children require a great deal of parental supervision and connectedness. A great deal of the day is spent redirecting your child’s behavior and telling them to “stop”. Make sure to block out some time each and every day where you and your child can spend some quality time together enjoying each others company. This is a great time to demonstrate stillness and model positive behavior while enjoying spending time together.

What is Baby Swaddling?

After a newborn baby has emerged from the womb the following weeks can feel very uncomfortable for the baby who is use to being a secure and warm environment they encountered while in the womb. Swaddling, or wrapping your baby in a blanket, can help him feel warm, secure and comfortable as he adjusts to his new environment. Many midwives advocate this practice and it is now often taught to new parents in hospital. Research has suggested that swaddling can help to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in young babies. Further research concluded that swaddled babies who use a swaddling blanket are not easily disturbed as they experience a deeper sleep than those simply placed under sheets or blankets.

Why Baby Swaddle?

A baby often has trouble sleeping because he’s easily startled by a loud noise or his own muscle movements wake him up (called ‘moro’ or ‘startle’ reflex). If your baby has a startle reflex you can wrap him up in swaddling blanket to recreate the secure environment the baby enjoyed in the womb. You can also prevent a baby having startle or moro reflexes by wrapping your baby up in a swaddle blanket which will restrict movement of their arms and legs and creates pressure against their skin making for a more peaceful nights sleep. Some babies can feel uncomfortable for no apparent reason and a baby swaddling blanket can help to keep the baby calm and comfortable. Baby swaddling also helps keep a baby on their back as well as getting rid of unnecessary sheets which can cause SIDS.

Baby swaddling with a baby swaddle blanket can help reduce the amount of Colic which is crying more than three hours a day, three days a week for more than three weeks. Colick is known for keeping a newborn baby awake at night.

How to Swaddle a Baby?

To swaddle a baby, i recommend that you purchase a swaddling blanket which is perfect for the job. However you can make your own swaddling wrap using a light material which will not be to hot for the baby. I recommend that you use cotton.

Fold the corner of the sheet down slightly into a triangle shape.

Put your baby on the sheet so their neck is on the folded corner.

Pick up the left side of the sheet and tuck it under the right side of the baby.

Pick up the bottom corner and place it over the baby’s feet so it points upwards at the legs.

Pick up the right corner of the swaddler sheet and fold it over the baby so that it tucks under their left side.

Your baby should now be swaddled with only their neck and head showing.

Why use a Swaddling Blanket?

Using a swadling blanket will help keep a baby on their back and eliminate loose sheets and bedding which has been known to cause SIDS.

A swaddling blanket can provide an environment very similar to what the baby experienced in the mother’s womb. This in turn will keep the baby calm and comfortable and help to stop crying.

Swaddle blankets will also stop a baby being able to scratch their face.

A swaddle blanket keeps a baby in a good position while the baby is breastfeeding.

Using a swaddle wrap will maintain your baby’s body temperature.

Not to mention, you can get many beautiful swaddle designs for your baby.

Baby Swaddling Advice

Note that some babies do not like to be swaddled. If they don’t like it, stop it!

Baby wearing is the term given to carrying a baby. Using a baby carrier like a baby ring sling or baby papoose will keep your baby close to you and help them feel secure like swaddles.

Don’t swaddle a baby in an especially warm room because overheating is one of the factors that can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

When to Stop Swaddling?

It is recommended to stop swaddling your baby with swaddling blankets by three or four months of age. At this age the baby has climatized to living outside of the womb and no longer needs to swaddle. It is important that a baby over this age can move freely with no restrictions. A swaddled baby needs to develop their muscles which will help them crawl, stand and walk in the future.

On the list of chores new mothers manage to dread most is giving them their brand new baby a bath. Quite a few young and inexperienced mothers fear dropping a wet and slippery baby and those first couple of baths can be a nerve wracking event. However, after a short time the new mother feels safe with handling the infant and begins to take it easy when giving baths. Now could be the time to start making bath time wonderful for both the parent as well as the infant.

Nearly all infants actually cherish the feel of being unclothed and slid right into a warm bath. It relaxes them and gives them a sense of freedom. This enables a unique opportunity for the new moms and dads to interact with their infant and provides a chance to set the stage for bath time fun as your son or daughter grows a bit older.

Choose the Perfect Time to Get Your Infant’s Bath

There are lots of ways to help make bath time exceptional for both mom and her child. One of the best ways is too pick a bath time when you don’t feel rushed and can take time for both mom and her child to benefit from the daily ritual.

After dinner, and just before the child’s final feeding prior to bed is a great time to choose to get a bath. The majority of your days chores are behind you, your spouse could be at home to join in the excitement, and comforting you toddler shortly ahead of bedtime may likely mean he sleeps a little bit longer before waking.

Don’t Hurry

Take your time getting the newborn ready for his or her bath. Gradually undress him talking to him ( or her ) all the while. Wiggle his toes, or stroke his back. Allow him a few minutes on a blanket or even a towel to benefit from the freedom of being entirely unclothed and explore this brand new situation.

Once in the bath, allow him to relax, to kick, to play all the while talking to him. Share the excitement of his latest findings even if it is something as easy as discovering his own toes, or perhaps a great new bath toy. Wash him carefully, taking the time to admire the flawlessness of this fantastic toddler. How very small his fingers and his toes are, how wonderful is his turned up nose. If he’s of sufficient age to begin actively playing with bath toys or splashing his petite hands, then join in the adventure.

Take Time to Snuggle

The moment his bath is complete wrap him in a towel to keep him from getting a chill and take some time to snuggle for a couple of minutes prior to dressing him. There’s nothing more soothing than the scent of a fantastic smelling infant and also you might as well take the time to savor it. Play a game of peek a boo when you dress him. Even if your youngster is too young to understand the game he’ll be delighted by your antics and captivated by the way you vanish and reappear.

Spending some time to relish this time together with your child might most likely make him feel treasured and comfortable and as he grows you will have these beautiful moments to cherish.

Buying baby triple prams is an important decision, and it involves quite an amount of investment too. Opting for a bad pram does not only cause inconvenience to the babies, but it hurts your pocket too. Some of the most common mistakes that people tend to make while buying baby triple prams are discussed below, so that you may learn from them, and avoid the same mistakes when it’s your turn to make a purchase.

1. While buying prams one of the most common mistakes that people make is buying a pram that is oversized and bulky. Though you may argue that with triple prams we have little scope of getting a small pram, remember, the smaller the pram, the easier it would be for you to handle it. A small pram need not necessarily be uncomfortable for the baby. What is really important is that even in the compact form, the pram has been designed so as to allow enough space to the babies. These kinds of pram really do exist in the market. All you need to do is hunt for it. Check the size of the pram as it is folded and erected, and match it with the size of the car boot. Remember, this pram would have to be carried around a lot.

2. The next thing to avoid is a pram with large wheels. Large wheels make the pram difficult to move around, especially in crowded areas like crowded shopping malls. Since it is a triple pram we are talking about here, you must remember that carrying them around is as it is going to be a tough job. Large wheels will make it all the difficult to push the pram forward and handle it.

3. Many a times, while buying a baby triple pram, people tend to forget about the handles. Do not make the mistake of taking the question of the pram handle lightly. A wrong handle can make it very tough to move the pram around, generally the ones with a strong sturdy handle that spreads right across you, so that they can be pushed with just one hand also if needed, are the best choices.

4. Another important pitfall to avoid is a pram that cannot be collapsed and reconstructed easily enough. Try your hand at reconstructing the pram, and check how much effort it takes, and how mush time does it require. The easier it is to reconstruct, the better. However, make sure that in spite of being easy to reconstruct, the pram does not compromise of the strength of its built. Each attachment, each screw, and basically every part of the pram should be strongly held, so that there is not danger of it collapsing down suddenly.

5. Avoid prams that do not offer enough protection to the babies form sunlight and rainfall. A pram with a good canopy that can really protect the babies from adverse weather conditions should get your first preference. Also it is necessary to ensure that the canopies do not require much time or effort to put up.

Keep these tips in mind and be assured of buying the right pram for your babies!

A twin stroller is a great purchase if you have two little ones that are close in age, or if you have twins. Although capable of carrying twice the number of children, they are not twice the price of standard single strollers. This an ideal purchase if you are expecting, and your current baby requires a new pushchair. Pushchairs often need replacing, and sometimes you can learn by the mistakes of your first pushchair purchase, in order to make a more informed purchase with your twin stroller.

Twin strollers are available in two different formats, and each suit different needs. There is the classic side by side design, and the more recent ‘one in front of the other design’, also known as tandem twin pushchairs. Different wheel placements included in these designs have created improved manoeuvrability. The side by side design is very wide, and not very practical for narrow store doors. Many people prefer the tandem style, as it is more like a single pushchair.

Shopping online is often far more cheaply than shopping in store, but a lot of information can be gained by test driving pushchairs in a mother and baby store. Staff there will be more than willing to accommodate your needs and help you find the right twin stroller for you and your children.

Combi do a range of different twin strollers, including the Caterpillar Pushchair, which is a tandem pushchair has six wheels, instead of four, and they also do the conventional side by side twin stroller, WE2 Double Buggy, but there are many makes, names and model designs available, available at many different prices.

Don’t be drawn into thinking that lots of features will offer lots of practicalities to you. Treat the purchase of a new pushchair as you would a car or vehicle. What features are you really looking for, and what features matter to you? Different pushchairs do better in different things, much like cars, so make sure the pushchair you choose matches your needs. The more features and handy gadgets and storage space made on the pushchair, the more bulkier and weightier it could be.

If you are expecting twins, you are hands are already going to be full, so you will want a twin stroller that is quick and easy to make and flatten as you see fit. Seeing how quickly this can be done should be part of your in store tests! Your double pushchair should be a blessing, not a burden. Many parents often complain of cumbersome pushchairs, or back ache due to the pushing height of the pushchair, or sore hands from holding the grip. Again, different mothers will prefer different settings and styles, be sure to really test as many as you can before parting with more money.

Once you have a model in mind, either try the pushchair out in store with your children. If you order on line, see if there is a returns policy on your purchase, in case you find you or your children are not happy with the pushchair.