Burping Tips Tricks

Believe it or not, there is an art to burping baby. I always thought it was simple: throw him/her over your shoulder, pat their back, and out would come a burp. Simple enough, right? Wrong! Burping is a technique that must be leaed; otherwise a frustrated parent could spend all day working up that one little burp. With such a small belly, one little air bubble can cause intense discomfort.

My first child was labeled �colicky� while my second was dubbed �hard to burp� by the hospital staff. Between these two, I have leaed a few tricks of the trade that I would like to share with other new parents and hopefully prevent some tear-shed (on the parents� part, that is).

The Classic Over The Shoulder Position

This is probably the most common method, but can also be the most difficult to produce results. I recently discovered the trick to this position. Place your baby so that his upper belly is against your collarbone. Apply slight pressure with your collarbone while patting his back, or use the heel of your hand to gently rub circles on his back. Be sure to throw a burp cloth over your shoulder to catch any spills!

The Lap Method

Although awkward at first, it is easier to position baby correctly with this method. Sit baby up on your lap. Holding him with one hand against the front of his body, lean him forward slightly. Place the heel of your hand under his ribcage and apply slight pressure. If he is still too young to hold his head up on his own, you will need to support his chin with your fingers. Again, pat his back or rub circles with your free hand. This position is very good for babies that spit-up frequently. Simply place a burp cloth between your hand and baby�s chest, then flip the cloth over the back of your hand.

The �Old-School� Method

My aunt recently showed me this method, which I had never seen before. Hold baby in your lap just as you would for the previous method, but bend him further forward at the waist. As you pat or rub your baby�s back, slowly and gently rotate his body 360 degrees from the waist, much like he was doing a stretching exercise. Try to imagine doing a pre-aerobic warm-up: bend at the waist and stretch forward, then roll around to the right, continue rolling until you are leaning backwards, then roll to the left and front again. Repeat. If he shows any resistance, try another method. This is definitely the trickiest to maneuver, especially if baby is not yet holding his head up on his own, but has amazing results.

Watching my aunt�s demonstration, I chuckled under my breath, not being able to envision how this could possibly cause my son to burp. After only a few seconds, he let out a belch that would have made his ex-Marine father proud. Never underestimate your elders!

If All Else Fails

This particular method may not actually produce a burp, but, if none of the other positions do the trick and baby is still fussy, try laying him/her on your lap and gently rub circles on baby�s back with the heel of your hand. This seems to relieve some of the pressure off his belly and is recommended particularly for colicky babies. Many parents also use this method to relax baby and help him fall asleep.

Some babies can only be burped in a specific position; others can be easily burped with any method. If you do not have success with a particular position, try another one. Sometimes just moving them from one position to another seems to work out that burp. I can spend half an hour trying to burp my son with no success, then simply lift him up high into the air, and he�ll burp all by himself.

Dawn Lloyd is the mom to three young children and owner/editor of several family websites including BabyUniversity.com, a pregnancy and parenting community, BabyShopsOnline, a directory of pregnancy and baby online retailers, and PersonalFitnessZone.com, a weight loss and fitness community.

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Warts in Kids

Nearly fifty percent of children acquire warts at some time or the other. Warts, in the real sense are benign tumors which develop when keratinocytes, a kind of skin cell, is infected by the wart virus. There are many types of warts, the most common being rough bumps which appear on fingers and hands. Others are flat warts, genital warts, plantar warts, and molluscum contagiosum. The difference is based on the types, location, and painfulness of the wart. Common warts appear on fingers and hands and usually are painless. Plantar warts appear on the soles and are sometimes painful. Periungal warts show up around the finger and toe nail. Warts which appear on the face are flat warts. The symptoms of the common warts are that the skin develops an irregular surface and becomes rough. A dome starts to appear after a day after infection. A popular myth is that warts have roots, but they don't. They grow on the epidermis, which is the top most layer of the skin. The black portion is because of broken veins and clotted blood. Warts come and go at various stages of life like childhood and teenage years. They usually go away by themselves. But some can be very painful, can spread quickly and some of them wont go away for many years. Such kind of warts should definitely be treated. The most common treatment among the pediatricians is cryotherapy. They will freeze the warts using liquid nitrogen. Cantharidin can also be applied, which is a painless treatment but can result in painful blisters at the end of the day. The minus point is that these treatments sometimes cause blistering and some warts won't come off in one sitting. If the warts won't still budge they are further treated with strong salicylic acid, intralesional immune-therapy, bleomycin, or a pulsed dye laser. Aldara can also be used in worst cases. Because of some treatments the warts grow to the end of the blister, which results in a bigger wart and some might even result in a scar. Besides other common wart treatments, the most well-known home remedy is duct tape. The affected area is covered with duct tape for about six days. If within that time period, the tape peels off, it should be reapplied. After the sixth day, the duct tape should be removed and the wart should be soaked in water and a pumice stone or emery board should be used to scrap the top skin of the wart. After this, the duct tape should be reapplied again within twenty four hours and the same procedure should be repeated until the whole wart disappears. This procedure takes at least two months to get rid of the wart completely. Some kids hesitate to put duct tape on parts which are visible, like fingers and legs. They can be encouraged by making them wear colored duct tape, other than grey. Many home wart freezing and removal kits are also available in the market whose help can be taken. Warts spread by direct contact with the wart or any material which the infected person has used like a used towel which has been contaminated. It is contagious and hence it is recommended to stay away from it at the very sight of it. All the cuts, rashes and bites should be cleaned regularly and should be kept covered. Another measure for prevention is wearing closed shoes in public places. PPPPP Word Count 577

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How to Deal With Your Baby s Nappy Rash

Nappy rash appears when your baby's skin is irritated by wee and poo contained in the nappy area. The skin appears red and raw due to bacteria and germs penetrating the normally protected layer of skin exposed to the irritants.

Regularly changing your baby's nappy is the best deterrent of nappy rash, however it is most likely that nappy rash will appear at some stage during the time your baby is wearing nappies.

When you change your baby's nappy be sure to clean the area thoroughly with warm water and a soft cloth or cotton wool. After cleaning be sure to dry the area as much as possible as moisture can contribute to the problem.

If you use nappy wipes or "wet wipes" to clean your baby's nappy area be mindful that these products typically contain certain chemicals or perfumes which can sting your baby's skin, especially if the skin has become broken from the rash.

Check for brands of nappy wipes which are perfume and alcohol free for best results and follow the advice given above of ensuring the area is well cleaned and dry after use.

A number of nappy creams and ointments are available for use with nappy rash, ranging from medicated creams to natural organic solutions. Most creams are zinc based which acts as a barrier against the skin and protects from bacteria and germs.

If the nappy rash does not improve when using a cream, perhaps try different products until you find one which provides good relief. There's not much difference between expensive and store bought creams as the important factor is finding a preparation which works for your baby.

If possible try and leave your baby bare, without a nappy, for short periods of time to allow the skin to "breathe". Of course leaving a nappy off comes with the obvious problems so watch out for the toilet signs or if your baby is not yet mobile you can lay them on a changing mat or suitable covered surface.

Should the nappy rash symptoms worsen or not show signs of improvement despite your treatment and care, you should consult your doctor or health care practitioner. If a nappy rash becomes infected then an antibiotic cream may be prescribed.

For further advice on nappy rash and nappies, please visit Baby Bums Nappies To sign-up for a baby related newsletter, please visit Baby Newsletter website. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Prime

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Breastfeeding While Pregnant

Being pregnant doesn't mean you have to stop breastfeeding your child. Long ago doctors believed it actually took nutrients away from the baby inside you, however that is not the case. Even today we have people that believe this and they will argue with you the entire time. Only you can decide if you should stop breastfeeding your toddler or not. Don't let someone else make that decision for you. Reasons to Stop A few reasons you might want to stop breastfeeding may be if you are feeling constantly drained of energy. Or maybe your child has started to bite. Sometimes your milk will just dry up, this is your body's way of telling you that it has had enough and to take a break. Mastitis could play a big role in making you stop immediately as well. Mastitis is an infection in the breast when it isn't expressed enough and gets engorged. Stopping or Weaning If you do plan on stopping because you are pregnant, make sure it is for the right reasons. If your child has reached a certain age, it might be best. But never just yank it away from them. Your child could wonder why it is being taken away. Wonder if they had done something or become discouraged about the new baby coming. Some children decide to wean themselves, which is a big help to you and you won't feel so guilty about it. You can choose to do it cold turkey, or slowly wean him/her off. Cold turkey can have some bad results. Try limiting his/her feeding times to certain hours and gradually as time passes take away more. Your child will quickly stop on his/her own and it won't be a traumatic event. Continuing to Feed If you do plan on continuing to breastfeed while you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about it. Not all the time will the doctor agree with your decision. Sometimes he/she may see something in your health that you don't. Listen carefully and find out if it is a health reason or simply his/her own belief. If it is the doctors belief, you can always seek out one that agrees with you. Being pregnant is hard enough at times, knowing you have someone in your coer will only relieve the stress. Don't be surprised if your family and friends want to say something about it and they will probably give you all kind of advice on how to stop and what they've read. Nicely explain to them it is your decision and you'll do what you think is best for your children. Try finding a support group in your area so you have someone to vent to or talk about these issues. Check out if there is a La Leche League near you or online that you can join. Remember that as long as you take proper care of yourself and your body, you'll be able to safely breastfeed while pregnant.

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Baby Shower Gifts Traditional vs Personalized

Baby showers are surprise parties thrown by friends or colleagues to honor a couple that is joyously expecting a child. The purpose of the shower is to bestow gifts upon the parents-to-be so that are generally items that are necessary for babies. Baby showers are a perfect reason for friends and family to come together and meet the parents-to-be and the baby (if it is already bo). It is a time for well wishing and celebration.

Gifts for baby showers can range from simple baby items like a crib or baby clothes to special gifts like a portable monitor, baby sheets, sling/front carrier, bouncers, specially designed toys, bath kits, activity toys like a baby gym, baby bags, and children�s books. There are many products in the market that are great as baby shower gifts. There are also websites which offer exclusive information about baby shower gifts.

Personalized gifts are also a wonderful way to show affection. Babies can be really demanding and would take a lot of adjusting too as soon as they are bo. Friends can even plan to gift a few dinners to the couple who just had and baby and who are too tired or too busy to cook by themselves. Even the offer of a few days of baby sitting is a wonderful gift. If the baby shower has a theme, it is a great idea to give gifts that are based on that theme. These gifts can be used to decorate the baby�s room on the same theme. Sometimes, the gifts can be second-hand or used items, which are too expensive when brought new.

It is a good idea to enquire with the mom-to-be if she wants anything special since she may already have a few things belonging to her previous baby. This would help to avoid duplication. There are many gifts on the market exclusively for baby showers. These can even be ordered online and can be delivered to the parents-to-be if the guest cannot make it to the party.

Baby Showers provides detailed information about baby showers, baby shower decorations, baby shower favors, and more. Baby Showers is affiliated with Personalized Baby Gifts.

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Dad’s Role in Making Kindergarten Great

In the traditional family structure, the role of father is clearly unique. Perhaps it is because dad goes off to work and comes home with that big booming voice or maybe it's that he is a soft touch for ice cream or an extra ride on the Ferris Wheel at the State Fair but dad has a special place in the hearts of the kids. He is both the voice of authority and sometimes the voice of wise counsel when children need someone to guide them and direct them. On the other hand, it is mom who is there every day, guiding every event, making sure the children are safe and cared for. Both jobs are crucial and beloved by the kids, even if they don't know it or say so. So when the time comes to get your little one ready for kindergarten, it may be that both parents can have a big role in this transition as well. There is no doubt that in terms of the physical preparations for kindergarten, mom is a big decision maker. The clothing that your new student will wear, buying the right school supplies and even buying the extra things that will be needed in the classroom are all good jobs for the primary shopper in the family which is often mom. But if you can get dad in on the act particularly in the mental and emotional preparations for kindergarten, that can be a huge help because he can use his mentoring role to give the child permission to begin to accept this big change. This is especially true in the case of dad's little man. A young boy often idolizes his father and admires him as a hero because dad is brave and able to go out and conquer the world each day. When the family goes on the trip, it is dad who is leading the way, slaying the dragons along the way, saving the fair maiden (mom or sis) and hunting food for dinner (paying at the restaurant). In the child's imaginary world, dad is a combination of mighty warrior, master hunter and mighty wizard. These are some powerful images that you can tap to help that little guy see himself as ready to the big adventure of going off to kindergarten on his own for the first time. If you can get dad to be the one to drive that slightly frightened little one to school, he often knows just what to say to change fear into excitement and to motivate his son or daughter to want to go in there and do great to make dad proud. That is the nature of the father's role in the lives of his children. So why not use it to help your child through this very important day in his or her early childhood development? Very often dads have a special bond and a special language they speak to their sons. To an outsider when dad says, "Get in there and be a man" to his little boy, that may sound harsh and not nurturing. But what the little guy hears is, "I know you can do it. When you go to kindergarten like a man, you are being a brave warrior like daddy." And that is just the right language to motivate that little guy to face his fears and go to that first day of kindergarten and be a big success to live up to that strong affirmation and high expectation of daddy. PPPPP Word Count 596

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Baby Shower Prizes And Favors

The focus of every baby shower is helping provide the mother to be with the tools she will need to fully care for her new little one. Your baby shower will be no different! But offering your guests baby shower prizes and favors that they can take home with them to thank them for their gifts and commemorate the special day is a gesture that is well worth the time spent in preparation.

What Baby Shower Prizes Will You Choose?

Your baby shower guest list will likely include everyone from an 80 year old grandmother to a childless career minded adult to a few kids of all ages � and men. What prizes will make all of these people happy? That�s the challenge. Here are a few ideas for your baby shower game prizes:

* Purchase a variety of prize types and mark them so that you know who to hand to whom when a winner of a certain age or gender is ready to claim their prize.

* Everyone has to eat! Gift certificates for a pound of candy or dinner at a local restaurant will be appreciated by all.

* For girls only parties, gifts like picture frames, picture albums, candles, and bath and beauty products like bubble bath and hand lotion will suit anyone.

What Baby Shower Favors Will You Choose?

Baby shower favors are somewhat more challenging than prizes for the games. You may create bags for the men, bags for the women, and bags for kids if you like, but it�s easier if you have something that you can give to everyone. Remember, the focus of the baby shower is the baby and the new mom, so the favors can focus on that rather than the guest in particular. Here are some ideas:

* Small puzzles

* Inexpensive handheld games

* Chocolate

* A small picture frame for the new baby�s picture

* A small candle and holder

Make Your Own Baby Shower Favors

A fun game for your baby shower could involve your guests making their own baby shower favors as one of the games. Perhaps you could provide doll parts so that everyone can create their own baby, craftier friends may be interested in using fabric paints on quilt squares to create hankies � even a do it yourself cookie decorating party with some take home boxes make a great baby shower favor and take the pressure off you of coming up with another baby shower game!

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, Califoia. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides baby shower tips on www.eazybabyshower.com

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