Help! My Baby had a Night Terror

One minute, you’re all snuggled up fast asleep and the next, your baby is screaming blue murder and thrashing about like a madman. When you try to comfort her, she seems completely oblivious to your presence and there’s absolutely nothing you can do to calm her down. If this sounds familiar, your baby may be experiencing night terrors.

What is a night terror?

Night terrors are thought to affect around 6% of children. Unlike a nightmare, night terrors don’t make it into our memory stores. Night terrors occur during the stage between periods of deep to light sleep. And they can be pretty distressing to witness because there’s not much you can do to help. They are most likely to occur during the first few hours of sleep.

During a night terror, your child may:

  • Seem scared
  • Be aggressive
  • Wet the bed
  • Get out of bed and move around
  • Not respond to you
  • Generally, act like a possessed child from a horror movie

The good news is, unlike a nightmare which will leave your child with an unpleasant memory, your child won’t remember the night terror and so will probably go straight back to sleep again after. Leaving you lying awake wondering whether it’s possible your child could be possessed (highly unlikely).

What can you do if your baby had a night terror

Nothing, really. Your baby won’t have any idea that you’re even there, you won’t be able to soothe her or offer words of reassurance. Trying to cuddle her or lift her up will probably leave her feeling even more distressed. All you can do is sit with her, make sure she’s safe and wait until the night terror stops (oh, and hope your neighbors aren’t annoyed at the rude awakening).

Night terrors are more likely to occur when your child is overtired. You may find that bringing your child’s bedtime forward slightly or encouraging more naps during the day helps to reduce the number of night terrors. Your baby should grow out of night terrors in time. If you are concerned about your child’s night terrors, speak to your healthcare provider for advice.

Does your baby experience night terrors?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Kids Copy: Being a Positive Role Model

It’s no surprise; your baby will learn a lot from you throughout her life. In fact, you are your little one’s first teacher, and she is learning every day. But kids don’t only learn from the games you play and the things you say. They also learn from what they observe.

Your baby is a natural copycat. For example, your little one sees what you do and will often imitate facial expressions and words you say. But what about your less than ideal habits, do kids pick up on those too? The answer is yes. Good or bad; even young children learn behaviors from their parents.

Keep in mind, your children are never too young for you to model good behavior. Even before babies can talk, they understand more than you may realize. Plus, if you have some bad habits that you don’t want to instill in your child, it’s best to make the changes while your kids are still young.

It’s clear you have a lot of influence on your child as he grows up. Being a role model may seem like a big responsibility, and it is. But before it stresses you out, don’t have to be perfect to be a positive role model. Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s OK. The important thing is to be aware of the message you’re sending your child and the examples you are setting.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind about being a role model for your baby as he grows. One of the best things you can do to be a positive influence on your child is model good behavior. For instance, say “please” and “thank you” and demonstrate good manners.

As your child’s role model, it’s also important to show respect to everyone around you. Showing kindness to those around you will teach your child how to treat others, which is a valuable life lesson.

Modeling positive behavior also includes sticking to your promises. While your baby is an infant, he won’t understand if you cancel plans to play with him. But as he gets older, he’ll know if you break promises. Most parents need to change plans on occasion, but it’s helpful to explain the situation to your child in an age-appropriate way as he gets older.

Keep in mind, by being a good role model for your baby right from the start, you help her develop a strong foundation for positive relationships and healthy behaviors that can last a lifetime.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro@writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

A Guide to Buying Your Baby’s First Shoes

Your baby’s feet will grow a lot during the first three years of life. They’re probably already much bigger than those tiny, soft feet you couldn’t stop stroking when she was newborn. A foot contains 26 bones though your baby’s feet will comprise of cartilage until they harden into bones by adulthood. Feet absorb shock as we run, walk and jump. A toddler’s feet need to be able to absorb more shock simply because toddlers are much more active than adults.

You’ve probably been desperate to buy a cute little pair of Mary Janes ever since your baby was born, but you won’t need to buy your baby’s first shoes until she has mastered walking. Barefoot is best for babies who are crawling and learning how to walk. Staying barefoot is best for the development of the bones in your baby’s feet. When possible, you should leave your child barefoot as long as possible throughout the day. There will be times, however, when cold weather or outdoor play mean your little one needs a pair of shoes.

Fitted pre-walkers are a great place to start. These shoes are flexible, allowing your baby’s feet to develop as naturally as possible. Shock absorbant soles will help to protect your baby’s feet from the toddling, jumping and falling your baby does each day.

When should I buy my baby’s first pair of shoes?

Once your baby is a confident walker, it’s time to invest in a decent pair of shoes. It’s important that the shoes fit properly as this will aid natural development of your baby’s foot structure. Take your child to a shop store where a qualified assistant will be able to measure your child’s feet and advise you on the best shoes to buy. You may want to consider the following when choosing your baby’s first shoes:

  • the sole – the sole should be flexible to allow good movement. You may also want to choose shoes with good grips to reduce the risk of falling.
  • the material – plastic shoes may increase sweating, so you may prefer to choose canvas, cotton or leather shoes for your baby.

You’ll need to take your baby to have her feet measured at least every two months for the next few years. Babies feet grow fast and improperly fitting shoes can affect how your baby’s feet develop. New shoes aren’t cheap, but your baby’s growth will slow down a bit by the time she is four years old. Avoid secondhand shoes, these may already be moulded to the feet of the previous owner and could affect the development of your own baby’s feet.

Is your baby ready for her first shoes yet?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Fun Games to Play With Your Baby

Playing games with your baby is a lovely way to pass the time. You’ll get to enjoy the smiles and squeals of delight as your baby has fun interacting with you, and your baby will love having some focused one-to-one time you with. Games can also help to develop social, emotional and developmental skills. Here are five fun games to play with your baby:

  1. Peekaboo

This classic game is sure to be a hit with your baby. Use a thin blanket to cover up a toy and then pretend you don’t know where it’s gone. Pull away the blanket to reveal the toy beneath and shout ‘peekaboo!’. As your baby gets the hang of the game, you can start hiding yourself behind the blanket. Your baby will have fun whilst learning about object permanence.

  1. Obstacle course

When your baby is mobile, an obstacle course is a good game to help develop coordination and motor skills. Place objects around the room that your baby must crawl through, walk around or climb over. Don’t make it too complicated to begin with, but you can add additional objects as your baby masters the course.

  1. Hide and seek

Help to develop your baby’s problem-solving technique and make the most of his natural curiosity with a quick game of hide and seek. Use a musical toy and hide it under a blanket, then help your baby to find it. He’ll soon work out that it’s easy to find by simply following the sound. Start off easy but be sure to make the game more difficult as your baby gets the hang of it.

  1. Body parts

Naming the body parts will help your baby to learn these essential words and develop a greater understanding of his own body. Point out and name the body parts on yourself and your baby. After a while, your baby should be able to point at the right body parts when asked. As your baby’s language skills develop, he may even attempt joining in with the naming.

  1. Sensory fun

Babies use all of their senses to learn about the world around them. They explore the taste, touch, smell, look and sound of the things they come into contact with throughout the day. Sensory play is play which encourages babies to use all of these senses, heightening their learning experience. Find a clean muffin tray and turn it into a sensory play station by adding different objects to the different holes. Make sure you have a few objects that will encourage your baby to use each of his different senses.

What games do you enjoy playing with your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Things to Remember When You’re Missing a Fun Night Out

Being at home with a baby can be frustrating when all your friends are out having fun together while you’re changing diapers. Much as you love spending time with your little one, you can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy when you see photos of your friends enjoying a night out without you.

Social media has no doubt made this worse. Seeing your friends have fun on social media can leave you feeling left out. The photos, the status tags, the check-ins and the endless in-jokes can be hard to swallow when you’re sat at home covered in baby puke.

Missing a night out

Here are a few important things to remember when you’re missing a night out with friends because you’re busy being a mom:

  1. Your baby won’t be a baby for long

This is so cliche that you probably get told it a zillion times a day by every woman of a certain age you happen across while out and about. It’s hard to believe it when you’re stuck in the daily grind of feeds, changes and naps, but it’s true. They really don’t stay little for long. In a few seconds, you’ll wake up to find it’s your child’s first day of school and you won’t be able to believe it’s here already. Your baby won’t be little forever, so don’t worry, you’ll be out and about again one day soon. In the meantime, soak up as much of those baby snuggles as you can.

  1. It’s only a night out

Nights out are fun, but that’s all they are. You aren’t missing out on the night of the century, you’re just taking a backseat until you feel ready to dazzle the dance floor once more. If they’re good friends, you can probably predict how the night’s going to go anyway. Someone will drink too much, someone will say something they shouldn’t and someone will disappear before the end of the night only to be found kissing a stranger round the corner. You’re not missing out tonight, and you’ll be back out with them all soon enough anyway.

  1. It’s nothing personal

Your friends aren’t going out of their way to leave you out. They haven’t singled you out and tried to come up with ways to leave you out. They’re just doing what they’ve always done. Right now, you may not be able to go with them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still love you. They miss you when you’re not there, but they know you’ll be back as soon as you feel ready.

  1. It’s worth it

It’s easy to get disheartened from time to time, but it’s important to remember that motherhood is worth it. Motherhood is simply one of the most amazing experiences. The way your heart swells with love the first time you hold your baby, the way your baby is soothed by the mere sound of your voice and the way that you will do anything and everything to protect her. How amazing it feels when your baby looks at you and smiles, or giggles at you when you play with her. These are the moments that make up motherhood, and when you think of it like that, they’re well worth missing a couple of nights out for.

  1. You can still socialize

You might not quite be ready for a night on the town yet, but that doesn’t mean you need to hide away indoors on your own. You can still have fun with your friends, even if you’re not yet ready to have your first night out. If you’re not ready to leave your baby yet, why not invite your friends round for a sleepover? You could hang out on the sofa, eat junk food and watch some of your favorite films. If you’re ready to leave your baby for a couple of hours, why not organize to meet friends for lunch somewhere close to home? You don’t have to miss out because you’re a mama, but you may need to tweak how you socialize at least for a little while.

How do you make sure you still get to enjoy some quality bonding time with your friends?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Baby-Friendly Vacation Ideas

You’ve spent the last nine months covered in baby snot, changing dirty diapers and generally suffering from sleep deprivation. Oh, and the nine months before that were spent stretching, aching and, eventually, giving birth to a baby. To say you deserve a holiday is an understatement. You have certainly earned a vacation after all that hard work. The thought of taking your baby on holiday might seem daunting, but if the thought of a couple of weeks of uninterrupted rest and relaxation sounds appealing, check out the five baby-friendly vacation ideas below:

  1. Somewhere close to home

The most stressful part of any vacation is the journey. Add a baby into the mix and it’s a wonder anyone ever manages to get away. If you’re worried about the journey, choose a vacation spot that’s close to home. You don’t need a long plane journey to make it a vacation, instead, choose somewhere you can reach in a few short hours. Getting away from work and the stresses of everyday life is what it’s all about anyway and you don’t need to be on the other side of the world to achieve that.

  1. A family-friendly resort

If you’re worried about how other holiday-makers will react to your youngest traveller, choose a family-friendly resort. Not only will the other holiday-makers know exactly what you’re going through, you might find other families to socialize with during your break. The only downside to this plan is that the resort will be filled with children which you’ll look for in a couple of years, but it’s not necessarily something you need to endure when your baby is still so young.

  1. A group vacation

One reservation many couples have about that first vacation as a family is that it will feel a little like shift work. One of you will be watching your napping baby while the other catches rays by the pool and then it’ll be time for a switch. Will you get much chance to spend any quality time together? Of course, you will, but to avoid that shift-worker vacation you could consider a group vacation with friends and family. That way, there will be plenty of other adults to keep you company during your trip. And, dare you think it, perhaps even a few willing babysitters so you and your partner can enjoy a meal out alone during the trip.

  1. A once in a lifetime trip

Ok, you’re not the carefree backpacker you might have been a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean you have to sign up for the traditional family vacation just yet. Babies are relatively easy to transport. They’re happy as long as they’re with their parents and, assuming you don’t have an early walker, will be happy in a sling or pushchair while out and about. This may be a great time to take an exotic trip to a faraway location. If aged under two, your child’s flight might be free and you’ll be able to explore the sights while your baby snoozes happily in a carrier.

  1. The road trip

Babies come with a lot of baggage and that can make packing for a flight pretty difficult. You can avoid this stress altogether by opting for a road trip vacation. You’ll be able to fill the trunk of your car with all of your baby’s favorite toys, baby bouncer and clothes without worrying too much about space. If your baby is happy in the car, you might even be able to get pretty far away from home. Or you could break the journey up into smaller journeys if your baby isn’t really a fan of the car seat.

Have you taken your baby on their first vacation yet?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

5 Tips for Eco-Friendly Parenting

When most of us were kids, no one was really talking about the environment, or even the safety of the food we were eating. Everything was about convenience, and most parents were just doing the best they could.

Today, we know a little bit more about some of the environmental hazards in the world, as well as how to limit our own carbon imprint. Still, raising a baby can take everything we thought we knew and spin it on its head.

So if you’ve always considered yourself fairly eco-conscious, and you want to raise your baby with that in mind, here’s where you should start:

  1. Diapers: Sure, the easy answer is that the most eco-friendly diaper option is cloth. But if you don’t have a washer and dryer, or you live in an area that is struggling through a drought, it might not actually be that simple. And besides, it’s okay to admit that you don’t have the time for cloth diapering. There are plenty of other options to consider when it comes to diapers. Biodegradable diapers and wipes exist, and services are popping up all over to help with the washing for families who do want to go cloth.
  2. Toys: Of course you’re going to buy your kiddo toys to play with, but consider frequenting local toyshops when possible, and buying toys made of natural wood and fibers.
  3. Cleaners: You absolutely want to keep your home clean and germ-free now that you have a baby crawling about. But you don’t want to expose your baby, your home, or your environment to a bunch of nasty chemicals. Consider making your own cleaners with household products like vinegar and lemon oil. Or, look into the various non-toxic cleaners that have been popping up in the market in recent years.
  4. Food: As your baby shifts into a solid food eating stage, consider skipping out on the store-bought jars of baby food and instead making your own purees or going the baby-led weaning route. Both will ensure you have more control over what your baby is eating, and that the environment suffers less from the production of baby food. Even better, this gives you a chance to stay organic as much as possible.
  5. Plastic: It would be near impossible to make your home completely plastic free, but some research is cropping up which suggests that even BPA-free plastics carry some dangers. To protect your family, keep plastic out of the microwave and opt for glass to store food whenever possible.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.