Last updated on November 17th, 2017 at 11:36 pm
Teething can be distressing for some babies, but there are ways to make it easier for them.
Every baby is different, and you may have to try a few different things until you find something that works for your baby.
Teething rings
Teething rings give your baby something to chew safely. This may ease their discomfort and distract them from any pain.
Some teething rings can be cooled first in the fridge, which may help to soothe your baby’s gums. The instructions that come with the ring should tell you how long to chill it for. Never put a teething ring in the freezer, as it could damage your baby’s gums if it gets frozen.
Also, never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck, as it may be a choking hazard.
Teething gels
Teething gels often contain a mild local anaesthetic, which helps to numb any pain or discomfort caused by teething. The gels may also contain antiseptic ingredients, which help to prevent infection in any sore or broken skin in your baby’s mouth.
Make sure you use a teething gel that’s specially designed for young children and not a general oral pain relief gel, as these aren’t suitable for children. Your pharmacist can advise you.
It’s best to talk to your pharmacist or GP before using a teething gel for babies under two months old.
If your baby is chewing
One of the signs that your baby is teething is that they start to chew on their fingers, toys or other objects they get hold of.
If your baby is six months or older, you can give them healthy things to chew on, such as raw fruit and vegetables. Pieces of apple or carrot are ideal. You could also try giving your baby a crust of bread or a breadstick. Always stay close when your baby is eating in case they choke.
Find out what to do if your baby starts choking.
It’s best to avoid rusks, because nearly all brands contain some sugar. Avoid any foods that contain lots of sugar, as this can cause tooth decay, even if your child only has a few teeth.
Paracetamol (*acetaminophen) and ibuprofen for teething
If your baby is in pain or has a mild raised temperature (less than 38C), you may want to give them a sugar-free painkilling medicine that is specifically for babies and young children. These contain a small dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Children under 16 years old shouldn’t have aspirin.
Always follow the instructions that come with the medicine. If you’re not sure, speak to your GP (*doctor or pediatrician) or pharmacist.
Comforting a teething baby
Comforting or playing with your baby can distract them from any pain in their gums.
Preventing teething rashes
If teething is making your baby dribble more than usual, gently wiping their face often may help to prevent a rash.
Caring for your baby’s new teeth
You’ll need to register your baby with a dentist when their teeth start coming through – find a dentist near you.
Start brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first milk tooth breaks through.
For more advice, read about looking after your baby’s teeth.
Editor’s Note: *clarification provided for our US readers.
Additional note: Avoid benzocaine teething gels – there are plant-based natural teething gels that do not have the same drug safety concerns as noted by the US FDA:
https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm250024.htm
From www.nhs.uk
Last updated on November 17th, 2017 at 11:34 pm
Let’s face it. It’s a tougher time to be growing up, and the data confirms it. Bullying is fiercer. Peer pressure is tougher. Kids are also more aggressive at younger ages. Girls are meaner. Of course we can’t always be there to pick up the pieces or help our kids stand up for themselves, nor should we. After all, the more our children see us as their rescuers, the more they learn to rely on us to solve their problems.
The secret is help our kids learn how to be more assertive and speak up for themselves. Here are seven ways to help your child learn to be respectfully assertive especially in those more difficult situations when they need to hold their own!
1. Model assertiveness
Be the model you want your child to copy. Don’t be meek. Stand up for your views even if they may not be unpopular. Let your kids know that even though you might feel uncomfortable, you always feel it’s best to stand up for your rights or the rights of others. Your child is watching your behavior and will copy. So ask yourself if you are an example of assertiveness you want your child to copy? For instance, do you speak up to your girlfriend who is pushing you to do something you may not want to do? Or what about holding your own to that relative who wants you to allow your young kids to watch that PG movie you feel is inappropriate?
2. Be a democratic household
Hold debates. Use family meetings. Listen to each child (it doesn’t mean you agree with them). When kids know their opinions count they are more likely to speak out and feel comfortable doing it.
3. Acknowledge your child’s assertiveness
Let your child know you value people who speak their mind. Reinforce your child’s assertiveness. “I like how you spoke up!” Encourage those confident, assertive behaviors in your child. Let her know you honor her opinions.
4. Find less domineering friends
If your child is a bit more timid and always hangs around a bossy playmate, provide him the opportunity to find a less domineering pal so he will be more likely to speak up and gain confidence.
Watch out for domineering siblings as well. Make sure your child has the opportunity to practice his voice and not be squelched by a brother or sister (or even other parent).
5. Provide early leadership opportunities
Research from the Girl Scouts of America says kids say their confidence in speaking up and leading others dwindles by the fifth grade. Kids also tell us they gain that confidence is by entering into activities, clubs, team building, etc. and the earlier the better.
So provide opportunities for your child to be a member of a team, take charge of a project or lead others. You might enroll your child in public speaking or theatre to build confidence in speaking in front of others!
Find a platform that fits your child’s passions, talents, and comfort level!
6. Teach your child C.A.L.M. assertion
Here’s a skill that I’ve shared with hundreds of kids around the world-and I do mean that literally. I’ve taught C.A.L.M. to kids in Taipei, Colombia, Finland, Malaysia, Mexico, Canada as well as hundreds of 
schools from coast to coast in the US. It is a strategy that boosts assertiveness, but also helps the child learn to defend himself to others and hold his own. It’s the basic skill to stop teasing, negative peer pressure as well as bullying and victimization.
The photo image on the right is high school students who are teaching the skill to elementary students in a near by school as part of their service learning project. The “cross age tutoring” model is also a fabulous way for children to learn a new new skill.
There are four steps to learning the skill. Each part is essential. You may need to help your child practice each of the four steps separately until he or she can comfortably use all four parts on his or her own.
4 Steps to Being Assertive and Staying C.A.L.M.
C – Stay Cool
If you get upset, ticked off, cry, pout you don’t appear as confident.
A – Assert
Teach your child a few comeback lines to say in different situations. “No!” “Not cool.” “Because I said so!” “I don’t want to.”
L – Look Eye to Eye
The best way to appear more confident is by using eye contact. If your child is timid or eye contact is difficult, suggest he look between the persons’ eyes on the spot in the middle of their forehead. I’ve also taught children on the autism spectrum to look behind (or through the person). The trick is to “appear” confident.
M – Mean It!
Teach your child the difference between how a wimpy and a strong voice sound. Then encourage your child to assert himself using a strong and firm tone–but not yelling tone–to get his point across.
7. Role-play “assertive posture and voice tone”
Kids learn best from seeing and practicing skills. So help your child rehearse assertive phrases like: “Stop it!” “No, not this time, thanks!,” “Hey, cut it out!”
Practice using the skill so your child has a firm-sounding tone and until your child has the confidence to hold his own without you. And when he does, congratulate yourself. You will have taught your child a critical skill that he will need to use in every arena of his life but now and forever.
**************************************************************************************************************************
Teens today are 40 percent less empathetic than they were thirty years ago. Why is a lack of empathy—along with the self-absorption epidemic Dr. Michele Borba calls the Selfie Syndrome—so dangerous? First, it hurts kids’ academic performance and leads to bullying behaviors. Also, it correlates with more cheating and less resilience. And once children grow up, it hampers their ability to collaborate, innovate and problem-solve—all must-have skills for the global economy. The good news? Empathy is a trait that can be taught and nurtured. UnSelfie is a blueprint for parents and educators who want activate our children’s hearts and shift their focus from I, me, and mine… to we, us, and ours. It’s time to include “empathy” in our parenting and teaching! UnSelfie is AVAILABLE NOW at amazon.com.
Last updated on March 2nd, 2018 at 11:54 am
What is Morning Sickness
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, also known as morning sickness, is very common in early pregnancy. It’s unpleasant, but it doesn’t put your baby at any increased risk and usually clears up by weeks 16 to 20 of pregnancy.
Some women get a very severe form of nausea and vomiting called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), which can be very serious. It needs specialist treatment, sometimes in hospital. Find out more about hyperemesis gravidarum.
With morning sickness, some women are sick (vomit) and some have a feeling of sickness (nausea) without being sick. The term “morning sickness” is misleading. It can affect you at any time of the day or night, and some women feel sick all day long.
It’s thought hormonal changes in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are probably one of the causes of morning sickness.
Symptoms should ease as your pregnancy progresses. In some women, symptoms disappear by the third month of pregnancy. However, some women experience nausea and vomiting for longer than this, and about 1 woman in 10 continues to feel sick after week 20.
How common is morning sickness?
During early pregnancy, nausea, vomiting and tiredness are common symptoms. Around half of all pregnant women experience vomiting, and more than 80% of women (80 out of 100) experience nausea in the first 12 weeks.
People sometimes consider morning sickness a minor inconvenience of pregnancy, but for some women it can have a significant adverse effect on their day-to-day activities and quality of life.
Treatments for morning sickness
If you have morning sickness, your GP (*doctor) or midwife will initially recommend that you try a number of changes to your diet and daily life to help reduce your symptoms. These include:
- getting plenty of rest – tiredness can make nausea worse
- if you feel sick first thing in the morning, give yourself time to get up slowly – if possible, eat something like dry toast or a plain biscuit before you get up
- drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, and sipping them little and often rather than in large amounts, as this may help prevent vomiting
- eating small, frequent meals that are high in carbohydrate (such as bread, rice and pasta) and low in fat – most women can manage savoury foods, such as toast, crackers and crispbread, better than sweet or spicy foods
- eating small amounts of food often rather than several large meals – but don’t stop eating
- eating cold meals rather than hot ones as they don’t give off the smell that hot meals often do, which may make you feel sick
- avoiding foods or smells that make you feel sick
- avoiding drinks that are cold, tart (sharp) or sweet
- asking the people close to you for extra support and help – it helps if someone else can cook, but if this isn’t possible, go for bland, non-greasy foods, such as baked potatoes or pasta, which are simple to prepare
- distracting yourself as much as you can – the nausea can get worse the more you think about it
- wearing comfortable clothes without tight waistbands
If you have severe morning sickness, your doctor or midwife might recommend medication.
Anti-sickness remedies
If your nausea and vomiting is severe and doesn’t improve after you make changes to your diet and lifestyle, your GP
(*doctor) may recommend a short-term course of an anti-sickness medicine that is safe to use in pregnancy.
This type of medicine is called an antiemetic. The commonly prescribed antiemetics can have side effects. These are rare, but can include muscle twitching.
Some antihistamines (medicines often used to treat allergies such as hay fever) also work as antiemetics. Your doctor might prescribe an antihistamine that is safe to take in pregnancy. See your GP if you would like to consider this form of treatment.
Ginger eases morning sickness
There is some evidence that ginger supplements may help reduce nausea and vomiting. To date, there have not been any reports of adverse effects being caused by taking ginger during pregnancy.
However, ginger products are unlicensed in the UK, so buy them from a reputable source, such as a pharmacy or supermarket. Check with your pharmacist before you use ginger supplements.
Some women find that ginger biscuits or ginger ale can help reduce nausea. You can try different things to see what works for you.
Find out more about vitamins and supplements in pregnancy.
Acupressure might help morning sickness
Acupressure on the wrist may also be effective in reducing symptoms of nausea in pregnancy. Acupressure involves wearing a special band or bracelet on your forearm. Some researchers have suggested that putting pressure on certain parts of the body may cause the brain to release certain chemicals that help reduce nausea and vomiting.
There have been no reports of any serious adverse effects caused by using acupressure during pregnancy, although some women have experienced numbness, pain and swelling in their hands.
When to see a doctor for morning sickness
If you are vomiting and can’t keep any food or drink down, there is a chance that you could become dehydrated or malnourished. Contact your GP (*doctor) or midwife immediately if you:
- have very dark-coloured urine or do not pass urine for more than eight hours
- are unable to keep food or fluids down for 24 hours
- feel severely weak, dizzy or faint when standing up
- have abdominal (tummy) pain
- have a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
- vomit blood
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also cause nausea and vomiting. A UTI is an infection that usually affects the bladder but can spread to the kidneys.
If you have any pain when passing urine or you pass any blood, you may have a urine infection and this will need treatment. Drink plenty of water to dilute your urine and reduce pain. You should contact your GP within 24 hours.
Risk factors for morning sickness
A number of different factors may mean you are more likely to have nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. These include:
- nausea and vomiting in a previous pregnancy
- a family history of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, or morning sickness
- a history of motion sickness – for example, in a car
- a history of nausea while using contraceptives that contain oestrogen
- obesity – where you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more
- stress
- multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets
- first pregnancy
Visit the pregnancy sickness support site for tips on dealing with nausea and vomiting, and advice for partners too.
Find maternity services near you (in the UK)
Editor’s Note: *clarification provided for our US readers.
From www.nhs.uk
Last updated on August 11th, 2017 at 06:20 pm
There are lots of possible reasons for difficult behaviour in toddlers and young children. Often it’s just because they’re tired, hungry, overexcited, frustrated or bored.
How to handle difficult behaviour
If problem behaviour is causing you or your child distress, or upsetting the rest of the family, it’s important to deal with it.
1. Do what feels right
What you do has to be right for your child, yourself and the family. If you do something you don’t believe in or that you don’t feel is right, it probably won’t work. Children notice when you don’t mean what you’re saying.
2. Don’t give up
Once you’ve decided to do something, continue to do it. Solutions take time to work. Get support from your partner, a friend, another parent or your health visitor. It’s good to have someone to talk to about what you’re doing.
3. Be consistent
Children need consistency. If you react to your child’s behaviour in one way one day and a different way the next, it’s confusing for them. It’s also important that everyone close to your child deals with their behaviour in the same way.
4. Try not to overreact
This can be difficult. When your child does something annoying time after time, your anger and frustration can build up.
It’s impossible not to show your irritation sometimes, but try to stay calm. Move on to other things you can both enjoy or feel good about as soon as possible.
Find other ways to cope with your frustration, like talking to other parents.
5. Talk to your child
Children don’t have to be able to talk to understand. It can help if they understand why you want them to do something. For example, explain why you want them to hold your hand while crossing the road.
Once your child can talk, encourage them to explain why they’re angry or upset. This will help them feel less frustrated.
6. Be positive about the good things
When a child’s behaviour is difficult, the things they do well can be overlooked. Tell your child when you’re pleased about something they’ve done. You can let your child know when you’re pleased by giving them attention, a hug or a smile.
7. Offer rewards
You can help your child by rewarding them for behaving well. For example, praise them or give them their favourite food for tea.
If your child behaves well, tell them how pleased you are. Be specific. Say something like, “Well done for putting your toys back in the box when I asked you to.”
Don’t give your child a reward before they’ve done what they were asked to do. That’s a bribe, not a reward.
8. Avoid smacking
Smacking may stop a child doing what they’re doing at that moment, but it doesn’t have a lasting positive effect.
Children learn by example so, if you hit your child, you’re telling them that hitting is okay. Children who are treated aggressively by their parents are more likely to be aggressive themselves. It’s better to set a good example instead.
Things that can affect your child’s behaviour
- Life changes – any change in a child’s life can be difficult for them. This could be the birth of a new baby, moving house, a change of childminder, starting playgroup or something much smaller.
- You’re having a difficult time – children are quick to notice if you’re feeling upset or there are problems in the family. They may behave badly when you feel least able to cope. If you’re having problems don’t blame yourself, but don’t blame your child either if they react with difficult behaviour.
- How you’ve handled difficult behaviour before – sometimes your child may react in a particular way because of how you’ve handled a problem in the past. For example, if you’ve given your child sweets to keep them quiet at the shops, they may expect sweets every time you go there.
- Needing attention – your child might see a tantrum as a way of getting attention, even if it’s bad attention. They may wake up at night because they want a cuddle or some company. Try to give them more attention when they’re behaving well and less when they’re being difficult.
Extra help with difficult behaviour
Don’t feel you have to cope alone. If you’re struggling with your child’s behaviour:
- talk to your health visitor (*child-care nurse or midwife) – they will be happy to support you and suggest some new strategies to try
- visit the Family Lives website for parenting advice and support, or (within the U.K.), phone their free parents’ helpline on 0808 800 2222
- download the NSPCC’s guide to positive parenting or (within the U.K.), call their free helpline on 0808 800 5000
Editor’s Note: *clarification provided for our US readers.
Last updated on July 19th, 2017 at 11:20 am
More than 1 million children a year are involved in an accident in the home. Most aren’t serious, but it’s sensible to make sure your first aid box contains the essentials.
Choose a waterproof, durable box that’s easy to carry. It’s much easier to take the box to the child than the child to the box. The box should have a childproof lock and be tall enough to carry bottles of lotion.
Keep the box out of the reach of children, but handy for adults. You don’t want to be hunting for your first aid kit when a child is injured and frightened.
Either buy a first aid box, which is green with a white cross**, or, if making up your own box, write “First Aid” on it so that, if you aren’t around, other people know what it is. If someone else is caring for your children, let them know where the kit is kept.
First aid manual
An easy-to-use guide can help refresh your memory when panic and a crying child make it hard to remember what to do. Or you could print out a first aid guide and keep it with your first aid box.
Painkillers and babies
Make sure you have an age-appropriate painkiller, such as paracetamol (*acetaminophen) or ibuprofen, which can be used for headaches and fevers. You will also need a measuring spoon or, for younger children, a no-needle dosing syringe. Always follow the dosage instructions on the label.
Dressings for babies
- Sticking plasters (*Band-aids). Buy them in a variety of sizes for minor cuts, blisters and sore spots.
- Adhesive tape (*Medical tape). This can hold dressings in place and can also be applied to smaller cuts.
- Bandages. Crepe (*Wrap compression) bandages are useful for support or holding a dressing in place. Tubular bandages are helpful when a child has strained a joint and needs extra support. You can also buy triangular bandages that can be used for making a sling.
- Sterile gauze dressings. These are good for covering larger sore areas and cuts.
Antiseptic cream or spray
Antiseptic cream or spray can be applied to cuts, grazes or minor burns after cleaning to help prevent infection. Some may also contain a mild local anaesthetic to numb the pain.
Antihistamine cream
This can reduce swelling and soothe insect bites and stings.
Thermometer
- Digital thermometers. Digital thermometers are quick to use, accurate and can be used under the armpit (always use the thermometer under the armpit with children under five). Hold your child’s arm against his or her body and leave the thermometer in place for the time stated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ear (or tympanic) thermometers. Ear thermometers are put in the child’s ear. They take the child’s temperature in one second and do not disturb the child, but they’re expensive. Ear thermometers may give low readings when not correctly placed in the ear, so read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and make sure you understand how the thermometer works.
- Strip-type thermometers. Strip-type thermometers that you hold on your child’s forehead are not an accurate way of taking their temperature. They show the temperature of the skin, not the body.
- Mercury-in-glass thermometers. Mercury-in-glass thermometers are no longer available to buy**. They can break, releasing small shards of glass and highly poisonous mercury. If your child is exposed to mercury, get medical advice immediately.
Calamine lotion
This can help to soothe itching irritated skin, rashes (including chickenpox) and sunburn. There are gels and mousses available for chickenpox rashes as well.
Baby first aid accessories
- Pair of scissors for cutting clothes, and also plasters and tape to size.
- Tweezers to remove thorns and splinters.
- Ice packs or gel packs can be kept in the fridge and applied to bumps and bruises to relieve swelling. A packet of frozen peas is just as good, but wrap it in a clean tea towel before applying it to skin. Direct contact with ice can cause a “cold burn”.
- Saline solution and an eye bath. This is useful for washing specks of dust or foreign bodies out of sore eyes.
Antiseptic wipes
Antiseptic wipes are a handy way to clean cuts and grazes and help prevent infection. To use them, take a fresh wipe and clean the wound, gently working away from the centre to remove dirt and germs.
Remember to keep your first aid box up to date. Replace items when stocks have been used and check use-by dates of all medicines. Throw away anything past its use-by date. You can take any out-of-date medicines to a pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Editor’s Note: *clarification provided for our US readers.
** U.S. First Aid Kits are often white with a red cross or red with a white cross
** Mercury-in-glass thermometers are not available for purchase in the U.K. and in a number of States within the U.S., however they may still be purchased legally in some States. For more specific information about individual State’s mercury laws, click here.
Last updated on July 8th, 2017 at 11:51 pm
Lots of young children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and will wake up during the night.
For some people, this might not be a problem. But if you or your child are suffering from lack of sleep, there are some simple techniques you can try.
Every child is different, so only do what you feel comfortable with and what you think will suit your child.
If your child won’t go to bed
If your child won’t go to sleep without you
More sleep tips for under-fives
Help your disabled child to sleep
Help with children’s sleep problems
If your child won’t go to bed
- Decide what time you want your child to go to bed.
- Close to the time that your child normally falls asleep, start a 20-minute “winding down” bedtime routine. Bring this forward by 5-10 minutes a week – or 15 minutes if your child is in the habit of going to bed very late – until you get to the bedtime you want.
- Set a limit on how much time you spend with your child when you put them to bed. For example, read only one story, then tuck your child in and say goodnight.
- Give your child their favourite toy, dummy (*pacifier) (if they use one) or comforter before settling into bed.
- Leave a beaker (*cup) of water within reach and a dim light on if necessary.
- If your child gets up, keep taking them back to bed again with as little fuss as possible.
- Try to be consistent.
- You may have to repeat this routine for several nights.
If your child won’t go to sleep without you
This technique can help toddlers (over 12 months) or older children get used to going to sleep without you in the room.
It can also be used whenever your child wakes in the middle of the night.
Be prepared for your child to take a long time to settle when you first start.
You can use strokes or pats instead of kisses if your child sleeps in a cot and you can’t reach them to give them a kiss.
- Have a regular, calming bedtime routine.
- Put your child to bed when they are drowsy but awake and kiss them goodnight.
- Promise to go back in a few moments to give them another kiss.
- Return almost immediately to give a kiss.
- Take a few steps to the door, then return immediately to give a kiss.
- Promise to return in a few moments to give them another kiss.
- Put something away or do something in the room then give them a kiss.
- As long as the child stays in bed, keep returning to give more kisses.
- Do something outside their room and return to give kisses.
- If the child gets out of bed, say, “back into bed and I’ll give you a kiss”.
- Keep going back often to give kisses until they are asleep.
- Repeat every time your child wakes during the night.
See more tips from Barts Health NHS Trust on helping young children to sleep (PDF, 219kb).
More sleep tips for under-fives
- Make sure you have a calming, predictable bedtime routine that happens at the same time and includes the same things every night.
- If your child complains that they’re hungry at night, try giving them a bowl of cereal and milk before bed (make sure you brush their teeth afterwards).
- If your child is afraid of the dark, consider using a nightlight or leaving a landing (*hallway) light on.
- Don’t let your child look at laptops, tablets or phones in the 30-60 minutes before bed – the light from screens can interfere with sleep.
- When seeing to your child during the night, be as boring as possible – leave lights off, avoid eye contact and don’t talk more than necessary.
- Avoid long naps in the afternoon.
Help your disabled child to sleep
Sometimes children with long-term illnesses or disabilities find it more difficult to sleep through the night. This can be challenging both for them and for you.
Contact a Family has more information about helping your child sleep.
The Scope website also has sleep advice for parents of disabled children.
More help with children’s sleep problems
It can take patience, consistency and commitment, but most children’s sleep problems can be solved.
If your child is still having problems sleeping, you can talk to your health visitor.
They may have other ideas or suggest you make an appointment at a children’s sleep clinic, if there’s one in your area.
Editor’s Note: *clarification provided for our US readers.
« Previous Page — Next Page »
schools from coast to coast in the US. It is a strategy that boosts assertiveness, but also helps the child learn to defend himself to others and hold his own. It’s the basic skill to stop teasing, negative peer pressure as well as bullying and victimization.
