From Bump to Baby and Beyond!

Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait

2011-06-07T14:36:00.000-04:00

Experts Discuss Importance of the Last Weeks of Pregnancy

NEW YORK, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Every week of pregnancy is crucial to a newborn's health, and today, the March of Dimes unveiled a new public education campaign to raise awareness about the important development that occurs during those last few weeks.

The campaign, called "Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait," encourages women to allow labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy. It aims to dispel the myth that it's safe to schedule a delivery before 39 weeks of pregnancy without a medical need.

Babies born after 37 weeks of pregnancy are full-term. However, new research has shown that a baby's brain nearly doubles in weight in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Also, important lung and other organ development occur at this time. And, although the overall risk of death is small, it is double for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy, when compared to babies born at 40 weeks, for all races and ethnicities. Full Article

5 Things Parents Should Know about Autism

2011-04-14T09:51:00.002-04:00

Check out this great article from the experts in the NY Times Read Article

Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC)

2011-04-05T12:47:00.005-04:00

Autsim Research Institute is a great resource and provides excellent information regarding autism. Do you ever wonder if your child suffers from autism and want a way to check yourself. Take the ATEC Evaluation today! The ATEC is a one-page form designed to be completed by parents, teachers, or caretakers. It consists of 4 subtests: I. Speech/Language Communication (14 items); II. Sociability (20 items); III. Sensory/ Cognitive Awareness (18 items); and IV. Health/Physical/Behavior (25 items).

Click here for details

Getting the BEST help isn't always easy

2011-04-01T09:14:00.005-04:00

Best places to live if you have autism - LA TIMES April 1st, 2011 April is Autism Awareness Month, and to kick off events, the advocacy group Autism Speaks is releasing results of its first online community survey on livability. The organization used the data to generate a list of places to live for people with autism, reporting the places most often cited by respondents for best availability of services and resources, including educational offerings and recreational and medical services. In the top 10 were, in no particular order: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston, Northern New Jersey, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle and Milwaukee. Read Full Story

Autism Speaks Press release on topic http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/best_places_to_live_survey_results.php

Our blog is going BLUE....for the month of April

2011-03-31T13:06:00.008-04:00

Babysmartz will be blogging about Autism the whole month of April which is Autism Awareness Month worldwide. We will be educating our readers on Autism which is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects brains normal development of social and communication skills. Help Autism Speaks Light Up in BLUE to help support the fight against Autism. Where silence is screaming for help! Check out The Talk CBS @ 2PM on Friday April 1st 1 of a 4 part series on Autism. Holly Robinson Peete one of the co-hosts of the show, son has autism and she to will share her story. Please take it from me and educate yourself on this topic for one day it may save your own child, grandchild, niece or nephew or a dear friends child. Early intervention is KEY! I see how much my own son who has autism has benefited from early intervention and is striving everyday. It is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

Breastfeeding: The Good and the Bad

2011-02-22T11:43:00.000-05:00

Breastfeeding: The Good and the Bad

Early Intervention is Key for Defeating Autism

2010-10-07T14:02:00.006-04:00

Early Intervention is key for defeating Autism so if you have any doubts take a look at the MCHAT checklist. Its a simple screening for children 16-30 months and can make a world of difference for your child if caught early. As much as we would all like to rely on our pediatricians to detect any/and all issues that is just NOT the case. Be an advocate for your children's care for a parents know their kid the best.

Check out the checklist if you have concerns and you can always have your child evaluated by your state.

click here for MCHAT Checklist

Guest Blog: Shawn A. Tassone, M.D. Anthropology of the Due Date

2010-07-25T16:02:00.001-04:00

Anthropology of the Due Date

June 28, 2010

Shawn A. Tassone, M.D. author of “Hands Off My Belly! The Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Surviving Myths, Mothers, and Moods” – Mom’s Choice Gold Recipient and Arizona Book Publisher’s Glyph Award Winner

So much mysticism and mythology surrounds the pregnancy due date. Much of the mysticism is held by physicians who hold on to the old ways of determining when a pregnant woman will deliver. Believe me, most physicians would love a way to determine the due date so we could plan our lives around the deliveries of our patients, but the truth is only 1-2% of women will actually deliver on their due date. So what determines a due date, and what is the difference between EDC (estimated date of confinement) and EDD (estimated date of delivery) and what the heck is Naegele’s Rule. This post will help show the origins of the due date and how we are currently using a system that is about 250 years old.
Franz Karl Naegele (1778-1851) was the German obstetrician who initially came up with the rule to determine a woman’s due date based on her last menstrual period (LMP). There are many ways to calculate Naegele’s Rule. I use the system where you take the LMP, add 7 days, and subtract three months. So if your LMP was April 1, 2009 then your due date would be January 8, 2010. You can impress your friends at parties with this maneuver. There are problems with Naegele’s Rule and many people have pointed out that this 250 year old method is no longer appropriate for our advanced age. What are some of the potential errors with calculating the EDC in this method?
It assumes that you are having a regular period and that you ovulate on day 14 of your cycle. I am a gynecologist and there are many women out there that have irregular cycles that ovulate on day 20, 25, 12, 15….you get my point. This obviously would add potential error to the EDC determination and could change things by days to weeks.
There is another assumption that the routine pregnancy is 280 days long and that is based on our current calendar system. The problem with this is that there are many months that contain 30 days or 31 days and what happens in a leap year, or if you are not pregnant over the shorter month of February. The point is that there is a movement out there that is trying to say that the number should be 288 days and that we are inducing women that have premature babies. A study done in 1990 stated that the proper method for determining a due date was to take the LMP, count back three months and add fifteen days for a primiparous (first pregnancy) woman or 10 days for a multiparous (subsequent births) woman. This was published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.
There are many that argue this method of calculating the EDC is as archaic as the term EDC itself. Lending to the agrarian societies from whence it came, the EDC literally came from the fact that a woman was confined to her bed for the last part of her pregnancy to prevent preterm labor. While we still prescribe bedrest today as a possible therapy for preterm labor it does seem odd that the medical establishment uses terminology from the 1700’s.
The due date is as individual as the pregnant mother. While the EDC is currently calculated by Naegele’s Rule this does seem a bit archaic and inefficient; especially if we are using this dating method to determine inductions and postdatism. There have been other methods with increased accuracy but they require a woman to measure body temperatures and be move involved in her own self-care. Many reading this article are very involved with birth and feel as though self-care is very important, but there are many women out there that simply choose not to be observant of their own cycle. So, what do we “do” with the “due”. Unfortunately, I think we will keep going with the current system and back it up with ultrasounds which are accurate within 5 days if done in the first trimester.
Approximately 3% of so-called term births (occuring after 37 weeks) are completed with fetal lung immaturity and this could be because the baby may have been between 35-37 weeks and not term.
Are we too involved in the birthing process? Are there better ways to determine the pregnant due date or should we not worry wbout and just let man/woman be born in his own time. The latin word natura gives rise to the word natural and means “to be born”. Maybe we should just leave well enough alone.

http://www.handsoffmybellyguide.com
Hands Off My Belly! The Pregnant Woman’s Survival Guide to Myths, Mothers, and Moods is for sale on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and at most brick and mortar stores.

Announce It To The World

2010-07-22T21:01:00.001-04:00

BabySmartz loves these stories of a new family finding a new passion after they become parents. A husband and wife started a family owned company named Announce it to the World. It all started after they made the baby bottles signage for their children when they were born which received rave reviews from all of those who saw them. They listened to friends and family and they started making them for family and friends. Now they have built a business and came be found online allowing others to enjoy these keepsakes for those special occasions. They are handmade designs from wood and they add whatever custom information you need. More designs are on the way with more occasions such as wedding bells, cross, graduation cap and more! Check them out today http://www.announce-it-to-the-world.com/default.html and make your next announcement one that will last a lifetime....

What Triggers Your Anger? How to handle day-to-day expectations.

2010-07-09T09:40:00.000-04:00

What Triggers Your Anger?
By Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Discipline Solution

Family life is complicated and unpredictable. Day-to-day expectations and responsibilities can create angry emotions in both parents and children. No matter how skilled you are at parenting, no matter how wonderful your children are, you cannot eliminate or avoid the unpleasant situations that occur in all families. However, once you understand where the anger comes from you can modify the situation and learn ways to control your reactions, so that anger can occupy a smaller place in your home.

Our children bring us incredible joy. Yet, there are times that they can bring out the anger in us. It is helpful to identify the things that provoke your anger so you can make positive changes in your household.

What sets you off?
Most parents get angry over issues that are insignificant in the grand scheme of life, yet happen on such a regular basis that they become blown out of proportion. Some of the most common parenting issues that trigger anger are whining, temper tantrums, sibling bickering, and non-cooperation. Determine which behaviors most bother you and set about making a plan to correct each problem that sets off your anger.

Notice your hot spots
In addition to triggers, there are “hot spots” in the day when anger more easily rises to the surface. These are typically times when family members are tired, hungry or stressed. These emotions leave us more vulnerable to anger. This can happen in the early morning, before naptime, before meals, or at bedtime. You may also encounter situations when misbehavior increases, and so does your anger: grocery shopping, playdates, or family visits, for example.

Set a plan
Determine if there are things you can do differently to ward off some of the issues that spark your anger. For example, if the morning rush brings stress, you can prepare things the night before: set out clothing, pack lunches, collect shoes. Then create a “morning poster” that outlines the daily routine step-by-step.

If you find that tempers are shorter in the hour before dinner, set out healthy appetizers, enlist the kids’ help in preparing dinner, get the kids involved in a craft activity, or plan an earlier meal time.

Doing things the way you’ve always done them and expecting different results only leaves you frustrated and angry. Instead, identify your anger triggers and take action to change things for the better.

Learn something new
Once you’ve identified a problem, consider several options for solving it. Jot down possible alternatives on paper, or talk it over with another adult. Read through a few parenting books and check the indexes for your topic. Visit an online parenting chat group or posting board. There’s no reason for you to make decisions in a vacuum – I guarantee that the problems you are dealing with are common and there are lots of sources for solutions.

Be flexible
Anger is not something that can be dealt with once and then will go away. Your children grow and change, and new issues appear. From time to time take a fresh look at the issues that create negative emotions in your family and take action to change things for the better.

Let love help
And, finally, at times of anger, hold on to the feeling of love that is the foundation of your relationship with your child. Take time every day to bask in the joy of being a parent. Take time to play, talk and listen. Hug, kiss and cuddle your child often. When you build up this foundation of positive love and emotions you will find yourself less likely to experience intense anger.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

Tantrums, Fussing and Whining. Tips on some of the most frustrating discipline problems in early childhood

2010-07-06T09:35:00.001-04:00

Tantrums, Fussing and Whining
from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley

If you ask parents to list the most frustrating discipline problems during early childhood, you would find that these three items appear on every list. All children master their own version of these behaviors – every parent has to deal with them!

Controlling their emotions
Most often these behaviors are caused by a child’s inability to express or control his emotions. Tiredness, hunger, boredom, frustration and other causes that ignite The Big Three can frequently be avoided or modified. When your child begins a meltdown, try to determine if you can tell what underlying issue is causing the problem. Solve that problem and you’ll likely have your sweet child back again.

Handling tantrums, fussing and whining
No matter how diligent you are in recognizing trigger causes, your child will still have meltdown moments. Or even meltdown days. The following tips can help you handle those inevitable bumps in the road. Be flexible and practice those solutions that seem to bring the best results.

Offer choices
You may be able to avoid problems by giving your child more of a say in his life. You can do this by offering choices. Instead of saying, “Get ready for bed right now,” which may provoke a tantrum, offer a choice, “What would you like to do first, put on your pajamas or brush your teeth?” Children who are busy deciding things are often happy.

Get eye-to-eye
When you make a request from a distance your child will likely ignore you. Noncompliance creates stress, which leads to fussing and tantrums – from both of you. Instead, get down to your child’s level, look him in the eye and make clear, concise requests. This will catch his full attention.

Tell him what you DO want
Instead of focusing on misbehavior and what you don’t want him to do, explain exactly what you’d like your child to do or say instead. Give him simple instructions to follow.

Validate his feelings
Help your child identify and understand her emotions. Give words to her feelings, “You’re sad. You want to stay here and play. I know.” This doesn’t mean you must give in to her request, but letting her know that you understand her problem may be enough to help her calm down.

Teach the Quiet Bunny
When children get worked up, their physiological symptoms keep them in an agitated state. You can teach your child how to relax and then use this approach when fussing begins.

You can start each morning or end each day with a brief relaxation session. Have your child sit or lie comfortably with eyes closed. Tell a story that he’s a quiet bunny. Name body parts (feet, legs, tummy, etc.) and have your child wiggle it, and then relax it.

Once your child is familiar with this process you can call upon it at times when he is agitated. Crouch down to your child’s level, put your hands on his shoulders, look him in the eye and say, let’s do our Quiet Bunny. And then talk him through the process. Over time, just mentioning it and asking him to close his eyes will bring relaxation.

Distract and involve
Children can easily be distracted when a new activity is suggested. If your child is whining or fussing try viewing it as an “activity” that your child is engaged in. Since children aren’t very good multi-taskers you might be able to end the unpleasant activity with the recommendation of something different to do.

Invoke his imagination
If a child is upset about something, it can help to vocalize his fantasy of what he wishes would happen: “I bet you wish we could buy every single toy in this store.” This can become a fun game.

Use the preventive approach
Review desired behavior prior to leaving the house, or when entering a public building, or before you begin a playdate. This might prevent the whining or tantrum from even beginning. Put your comments in the positive (tell what you want, not what you don’t want) and be specific.

When it’s over, it’s over
After an episode of misbehavior is finished you can let it go and move on. Don’t feel you must teach a lesson by withholding your approval, love or company. Children bounce right back, and it is okay for you to bounce right back, too.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

The Potty Training Readiness Quiz

2010-06-30T09:25:00.000-04:00

The Potty Training Readiness Quiz
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The No-Cry Potty Training Solution

Potty training is easier and happens faster if your child is truly ready in all three areas: physical, cognitive and social. But the big question is: how do you know when your child is ready? If you have never traveled this road before, you likely don’t even know what signs to look for. Take this quiz to find out where your child is on the readiness spectrum.

1. I can tell by watching that my child is wetting or filling his diaper:
a. Never.
b. Sometimes.
c. Usually.

2. My toddler's diaper needs to be changed:
a. Frequently, every hour or two.
b. It varies.
c. Every two to three hours--sometimes less frequently.

3. My child understands the meaning of wet, dry, clean, wash, sit, and go:
a. No.
b. Some of them.
c. Yes.

4. When my child communicates her needs, she:
a. Says or signs a few basic words and I guess the rest.
b. Gets her essential points across to me.
c. Has a good vocabulary and talks to me in sentences.

5. If I give my child a simple direction, such as, "put this in the toy box," she:
a. Doesn't understand or doesn't follow directions.
b. Will do it if I coach or help her.
c. Understands me and does it.

6. My child can take his pants off and put them on:
a. No.
b. With help he can.
c. Yes.

7. When I read a book to my child, he:
a. He ignores me.
b. Sometimes listens, sometimes wanders off.
c. Sits, listens and enjoys the story.

8. My toddler wants to do things “all by myself”:
a. Never.
b. Sometimes.
c. All the time!

9. I think that it's the right time to begin potty training:
a. No.
b. I'm undecided.
c. Yes.

Total the number of responses for each letter:
a. __________
b. __________
c. __________

Most answers are a: Wait.
Your little one doesn't seem to be ready just yet. Test again in a month or two.

Most answers are b: Time for pre-potty training--get ready!
Your child is not quite ready for active training, but you can take many steps to prepare your toddler for the future. Gradual introduction of terms and ideas will make potty training easier when the time comes.

Most answers are c: Your toddler is ready to use the potty!
It's time to start your potty training adventure. Good luck, and have fun!

Are you between two scores?
Just like any parenting situation, there are choices to make. If your child is hovering between two categories, it's time to put your intuition to good use. Your knowledge of your own child can direct you toward the right plan of action.

This article is an excerpt from The No-Cry Potty Training Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Say Good-Bye to Diapers by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2006)

Does your child interupt? Tips on how to handle interrupting

2010-06-28T09:28:00.000-04:00

Interrupting
from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley

Whether you’re on the phone, busy on your computer, or talking to another adult, it can be frustrating when your children constantly interrupt you. What’s surprising to learn is that they do it because they always get a response from you when they do! They’ve learned that you are willing to stop what you’re doing to answer them. Keep in mind that children are so focused on their own needs that they don’t realize that you have needs, too. They can learn how to pay more attention to other people’s needs as well as their own, which will help control these endless interruptions.

Give lessons and examples
Teach your children how to determine if something warrants an interruption, as they may have a hard time deciphering when interruptions are justified. Discuss examples of when it’s okay to interrupt, such as when someone is at the door, or if a sibling is hurt.

Coach proper manners
Teach your child how to wait for a pause in the conversation and to say, “Excuse me.” When she remembers to do this, respond positively. If the interruption is about something that should wait, politely inform your child of this.

Don’t answer the question.
Many parents admonish kids for interrupting, but in the same breath respond to the child’s interrupted request, which just reinforces the habit.

Watch your manners
Parents sometimes jump in so quickly to correct their child’s bad manners that they don’t realize that the way in which their correction is delivered is itself rude. Use your own good manners to model appropriate communication skills. Pause, look at your child, and say, “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Teach “The Squeeze”
Tell your child that if she wants something when you are talking to another adult, she should gently squeeze your arm. You will then squeeze her hand to indicate that you know she is there and will be with her in a minute. At first, respond quickly so your child can see the success of this method. Over time you can wait longer, just give a gentle squeeze every few minutes to remind your child that you remember the request.

Create a busy-box
Put together a box of activities or games that can only be used when you are on the telephone, working at your desk, or talking with an adult. Occasionally refill it with new things or rotate the contents. Be firm about putting them away when you are done. Your child will be look forward to your next conversation, which will be interruption free!

Plan ahead
Before you make a phone call or have a visitor, let your child know what to expect. “I’m going to make a phone call. I’ll be a while, so let’s get your busy box ready to use while I’m on the phone.”

Give praise when deserved
Catching your child doing the right thing can be the best lesson of all. Praise your child for using good manners, for remembering to say “excuse me,” and for interrupting only for a valid reason.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill 2007) by Elizabeth Pantley http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

Potty Training - Get Ready, Get Set, Go!

2010-06-26T09:14:00.001-04:00

Potty Training – Get Ready, Get Set, Go!
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The No-Cry Potty Training Solution

Get Ready

If your child is near or has passed his first birthday, you can begin incorporating pre-potty training ideas into his life. They are simple things that will lay the groundwork for potty training and will make the process much easier when you're ready to begin.

• During diaper changes, narrate the process to teach your toddler the words and meanings for bathroom-related functions, such as pee-pee and poo-poo. Include descriptive words that you'll use during the process, such as wet, dry, wipe, and wash.
• If you're comfortable with it, bring your child with you when you use the toilet. Explain what you're doing. Tell him that when he gets bigger, he'll put his pee-pee and poo-poo in the toilet instead of in his diaper. Let him flush the toilet if he wants to.
• Help your toddler identify what's happening when she wets or fills her diaper. Tell her, "You're going poo-poo in your diaper." Have her watch you dump and flush.
• Start giving your child simple directions and help him to follow them. For example, ask him to get a toy from another room or to put the spoon in the dishwasher.
• Encourage your child to do things on her own: put on her socks, pull up her pants, carry a cup to the sink, or fetch a book.
• Have a daily sit-and-read time together.
• Take the readiness quiz again every month or two to see if you're ready to move on to active potty learning.

Get Set
• Buy a potty chair, a dozen pairs of training pants, four or more elastic-waist pants or shorts, and a supply of pull-up diapers or disposables with a feel-the-wetness sensation liner.
• Put the potty in the bathroom, and tell your child what it's for.
• Read books about going potty to your child.
• Let your child practice just sitting on the potty without expecting a deposit.

Go
• Begin dressing your child in training pants or pull-up diapers.
• Create a potty routine--have your child sit on the potty when she first wakes up, after meals, before getting in the car, and before bed.
• If your child looks like she needs to go--tell, don't ask! Say, "Let's go to the potty."
• Boys and girls both can learn sitting down. Teach your son to hold his penis down. He can learn to stand when he's tall enough to reach.
• Your child must relax to go: read a book, tell a story, sing, or talk about the day.

• Make hand washing a fun part of the routine. Keep a step stool by the sink, and have colorful, child-friendly soap available.
• Praise her when she goes!
• Expect accidents, and clean them up calmly.
• Matter-of-factly use diapers or pull-ups for naps and bedtime.
• Either cover the car seat or use pull-ups or diapers for car trips.
• Visit new bathrooms frequently when away from home.
• Be patient! It will take three to twelve months for your child to be an independent toileter.

Stop
• If your child has temper tantrums or sheds tears over potty training, or if you find yourself getting angry, then stop training. Review your training plan and then try again, using a slightly different approach if necessary, in a month or two.

This article is an excerpt from The No-Cry Potty Training Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Say Good-Bye to Diapers by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2006)

Quick Facts About Potty Training

2010-06-24T09:31:00.001-04:00

Quick Facts About Potty Training
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The No-Cry Potty Training Solution

Potty training can be natural, easy, and peaceful. The first step is to know the facts.

• The perfect age to begin potty training is different for every child. Your child's best starting age could be anywhere from eighteen to thirty-two months. Pre-potty training preparation can begin when a child is as young as ten months.

• You can begin training at any age, but your child's biology, skills, and readiness will determine when he can take over his own toileting.

• Teaching your child how to use the toilet can, and should, be as natural as teaching him to build a block tower or use a spoon.

• No matter the age that toilet training begins, most children become physically capable of independent toileting between ages two and a half and four.

• It takes three to twelve months from the start of training to daytime toilet independence. The more readiness skills that a child possesses, the quicker the
process will be.

• The age that a child masters toileting has absolutely no correlation to future abilities or intelligence.

• There isn’t only one right way to potty train – any approach you use can work - if you are pleasant, positive and patient.

• Nighttime dryness is achieved only when a child's physiology supports this--you can't rush it.

• A parent's readiness to train is just as important as a child's readiness to learn.

• Potty training need not be expensive. A potty chair, a dozen pairs of training pants and a relaxed and pleasant attitude are all that you really need. Anything else is truly optional.

• Most toddlers urinate four to eight times each day, usually about every two hours or so.

• Most toddlers have one or two bowel movements each day, some have three, and others skip a day or two in between movements. In general, each child has a regular pattern.

• More than 80 percent of children experience setbacks in toilet training. This means that what we call “setbacks” are really just the usual path to mastery of toileting.

• Ninety-eight percent of children are completely daytime independent by age four.

This article is an excerpt from The No-Cry Potty Training Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Say Good-Bye to Diapers by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2006)

How Dirty Is Your Makeup?

2010-05-13T09:39:00.001-04:00

Mastering the Art of Baby Swaddling

2010-04-29T08:28:00.012-04:00

Swaddling is sometimes an issue for parents. You arrive home from the hospital and your new baby has been swaddled for days and all of a sudden its not working. BabySmartz has spoken to many parents about this issue and most of the time it all comes down to technique. Nurses at the hospital swaddle hundreds of babies they have mastered it, so relax, it will take a little practice. Here is some things that will help you master the art of Baby Swaddling.

Sleep Environment: The average newborn sleeps between 18-20 hours

Temperatures should be set to 65-70 degrees or 18-21 C Note: It can be too cold for a baby so make sure you monitor temperature. AAP guidelines on sleep and SIDS.
Dress baby according to environment - no more than one layer of clothing more then you
Firm Surface

Importance of Swaddling: Babies are born with a sucking reflex, straddle reflex, and grasping reflex. Swaddling keeps the baby tight and compact just as they were in the womb which helps babies sleep longer.

Helps transition from womb to world
Great for breastfeed babies hands can get in the way this allows the baby to focus on latching
Reduces Colic
Helps with over stimulated babies
Keeps baby warm
Keeps baby on their backs

BabySmartz and the International Baby Planners Association had an the opportunity to speak with Lynette Damir creator of Swaddle Designs, RN and mother of 2. Swaddle Designs are a mutli-use blanket optimized for effective swaddling. Her swaddle blankets are 40% bigger then most swaddle blankets and the BIG bonus is she has included the swaddling directions on the blanket. This allows parents daily access to the proper steps for the perfect swaddle.

Lynette tips on swaddling:

Hands should be up not to the side - this is important to allow babies to self soothe with hands
Joints should be in a flex position - hips, elbows, and knees flexed
Snug swaddle - not to loose- but room to breathe - you should be able to slide your hand down the front of blanket
If you follow her directions on the blankets you should have no issues
Babies should transition from swaddle to zip blankets

If you struggle with swaddling pick up a Swaddle Designs blanket to see how easy it is. Remember practice is the key and don't give too quickly, for your baby may just need time to adjust.

Oprahs NO Phone Campain and Twitter Party

2010-04-29T04:59:00.001-04:00

We're excited to get your help in spreading the word for Oprah's No Phone Zone campaign against distracted driving. Check out the video below or visit Oprah.com/nophonezone to learn more.
And remember: April 30 is National No Phone Zone Day and join.

Also, please join TwitterMoms for the No Phone Zone Twitter Party tomorrow April 30th at 5-7pm PST! RSVP for a chance to win great prizes!

http://www.twittermoms.com/events/oprahs-no-phone-zone-twitter

Colic – Does Your Baby Have it? What Can You Do About It?

2010-04-28T13:38:00.002-04:00

By Elizabeth Pantley, author of Gentle Baby Care and The No-Cry Sleep Solution

You may have heard the term colic applied to any baby who cries a great deal. Not all crying babies have colic, but all colicky babies cry ¾ and they cry hard. They may stiffen their little bodies, or curl up as if in pain. They may cry so hard that they don’t seem like they even know you are there. When babies cry like this, they take in a lot of air, which creates gas and more pain, which makes them cry even more.

Researchers are still unsure of colic’s exact cause. Some experts believe that colic is related to the immaturity of a baby’s digestive system. Others theorize that a baby’s immature nervous system and inability to handle the constant sensory stimulation that surrounds her cause a breakdown by the end of the day, when colic most often occurs.

Dr. Harvey Karp, in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block (Bantam Books, 2002) introduced a new theory. He believes that babies are born three months too early, and that some babies find their new world too difficult to handle. They yearn for the comforting conditions that occurred in the womb.

Whatever the cause, and it may be a combination of all the theories; colic is among the most exasperating conditions that parents of new babies face. Colic occurs only to newborn babies, up to about four to five months of age. Symptoms include:

A regular period of nonstop, inconsolable crying, typically late in the day
Crying bouts that last one to three hours or more
A healthy and happy disposition at all other times of the day

Can colic be prevented?

Given that we aren’t sure what causes colic, we don’t know if it can be prevented. Even if you do everything “right” and take all the steps to discourage colic, it still may happen. If you think your baby has colic, talk with your pediatrician and take your baby in for a checkup to rule out any medical cause for your baby’s crying. If your baby is given a clean bill of health, then you’ll know colic is the culprit in the daily crying bouts.

Since colic occurs in newborns, parents often feel that they are doing something wrong to create the situation. Their vulnerability and lack of experience puts them in the position of questioning their own ability to take care of their baby. Hearing your baby cry with colic, and not knowing why it’s happening or what to do about it is painful for you; I know this because one of my four children suffered with colic. Although many years have passed since then (Angela is now 15), I remember it vividly. Hearing my baby cry night after night and not knowing how to help her was gut wrenching, heartbreaking, and frustrating. The most important piece of research I discovered was this: It’s not your fault. Any baby can have colic.

Things that may help your baby

Remember that nothing you do will eliminate colic completely until your baby’s system is mature and able to settle on its own. That said, experienced parents and professionals can offer ways to help your baby though this time ¾ ask around! I did, and from what I uncovered, I compiled the following suggestions for helping your baby feel better. Look for patterns to your baby’s crying; these can provide clues as to which suggestions are most likely to help. Stick with an idea for a few days to see if it helps. Watch for any signs of improvement (not necessarily complete quiet). If the particular course of action doesn’t seem to change anything, don’t get discouraged ¾ just try something else:

· If breastfeeding, feed on demand (cue feeding), for nutrition as well as comfort, as often as your baby needs a calming influence.

· If breastfeeding, try avoiding foods that may cause gas in your baby. Eliminate one possible cause for a few days and see if it makes a difference. The most common baby tummy offenders are dairy products, caffeine, cabbage, broccoli and other gassy vegetables. But don’t assume the culprit, if there is one, will be obvious: I know one mother whose baby reacted loudly and consistently after any meal that included eggplant, asparagus or onions.

· If bottlefeeding, offer more frequent but smaller meals; experiment with different formulas with your doctor’s approval.

· If bottlefeeding, try different types of bottles and nipples that prevent air from entering your baby as he drinks, such as those with curved bottles or collapsible liners.

· Hold your baby in a more upright position for feeding and directly afterwards.

· Experiment with how often and when you burp your baby.

· Offer meals in a quiet setting.

· If baby likes a pacifier, offer him one.

· Invest in a baby sling or carrier and use it during colicky periods.

· If the weather’s too unpleasant for an outside stroll, bring your stroller in the house and walk your baby around.

· Give your baby a warm bath.

· Place a warm towel or wrapped water bottle on baby’s tummy (taking caution that the temperature is warm but not hot).

· Hold your baby with her legs curled up toward her belly.

· Massage your baby’s tummy, or give him a full massage.

· Swaddle your baby in a warm blanket.

· Lay your baby tummy down across your lap and massage or pat her back.

· Hold your baby in a rocking chair, or put him in a swing.

· Walk with Baby in a quiet, dark room while you hum or sing.

· Try keeping your baby away from highly stimulating situations during the day when possible to prevent sensory overload, and understand that a particularly busy day may mean a fussier evening.

· Lie on your back and lay your baby on top of your tummy down while massaging his back. (Transfer your baby to his bed if he falls asleep.)

· Take Baby for a ride in the car.

· Play soothing music or turn on white noise such as a vacuum cleaner or running water, or play a CD of nature sounds.

· As a last resort, ask your doctor about medications available for colic and gas.

Tips for coping

As difficult as colic is for a baby, it is just as challenging for the parents. This can be especially hard for a mother who has other children to care for, who has returned to work, or who is suffering from the baby blues or postpartum depression. Even if everything else in life is perfect, colic is taxing. Here are a few things you can do to take some of the stress out of these colicky times:

· Know that your baby will cry during his colicky time, and while you can do things to make your baby more comfortable, nothing you can do will totally stop the crying. This is not a result of anything you’ve done or not done.

· Plan outings for the times of day when baby is usually happy, or if outings keep your baby happy, plan them for the colicky times.

· Take advantage of another person’s offer to take a turn with the baby, even if it’s just so that you can take a quiet bath or shower.

· Keep reminding yourself that this is only temporary; it will pass.

· Avoid keeping a long to-do list right now; only do what’s most important.

· Talk to other parents of colicky babies so you can share ideas and comfort each other.

· If the crying is getting to you and making you tense or angry, put your baby in his crib, or give him to someone else to hold for a while so that you don’t accidentally shake or harm your baby. (Shaking a baby can cause permanent brain damage, so if you feel angry, and colic can do that to you, put your baby down.)

· Know that babies do not suffer long-term harm from having colic.

When should I call the doctor?

Anytime you are concerned about your baby, call your doctor. That goes for anything concerning your precious little one. In the case of colic, be sure to make that call if you notice any of the following:

· Your baby’s crying is accompanied by vomiting.

· Your baby is not gaining weight.

· The colicky behavior lasts longer than four months.

· Your baby seems to be in pain.

· Your baby has a fever.

· Your baby doesn’t want to be held or handled.

· The crying spree isn’t limited to one bout in the evening.

· Your baby does not have regular bowel movements or wet diapers.

· You notice other problems that don’t appear on the previous list of symptoms.

· Your baby’s crying is making you angry or depressed.

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

Elizabeth Pantley, Author

WEBSITE: http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

The Compromise on buying organic.

2010-04-27T11:15:00.002-04:00

Things have changes drastically since we were kids and when our parents bought fruit and veggies. The change over to organic can feel overwhelming to some families. For various reasons but the biggest is financial. Experts are saying buy organic, but our bank accounts say otherwise. Of course we want to reduce our children's exposure to pesticides but we can't break the bank. So we visited the Environmental Working Group website to help us find a compromise. The top three things to buy organic as stated on http://www.ewg.org/ are peaches, apples and bell peppers. They recommend buying locally and when they are in season.

Here is a list of the top 20 worst fruits and veggies with potential exposure to pesticides.

1 (worst) Peach (highest pesticide load)
2 Apple
3 Sweet Bell Pepper
4 Celery
5 Nectarine
6 Strawberries
7 Cherries
8 Kale
9 Lettuce
10 Grapes - Imported
11 Carrot
12 Pear
13 Collard Greens
14 Spinach
15 Potato
16 Green Beans
17 Summer Squash
18 Pepper
19 Cucumber
20 Raspberries

Get Your Toddler to Cooperate!

2010-04-14T10:13:00.003-04:00

Get Your Toddler to Cooperate!
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Kid Cooperation and Perfect Parenting

Toddlers and preschoolers require finesse to gain their cooperation, because they have not yet reached the age at which they can see and understand the whole picture, so simply explaining what you want doesn’t always work. Robert Scotellaro is quoted in The Funny Side of Parenthood as saying, “Reasoning with a two-year-old is about as productive as changing seats on the Titanic.” (He must have had a two-year-old at the time.)

You can get around this frustrating state of affairs by changing your approach. Let’s look at two situations – first the typical (Titanic) way:

Parent: David! Time to change your diaper.

David: No! (As he runs off)

Parent: Come on honey. It’s time to leave, I need to change you.

David: (Giggles and hides behind sofa)

Parent: David, this isn’t funny. It’s getting late. Come here.

David: (Doesn’t hear a word. Sits down to do a puzzle.)

Parent: Come here! (Gets up and approaches David)

David: (Giggles and runs)

Parent: (Picking up David) Now lie here. Stop squirming! Lie still. Will you stop this!
(As parent turns to pick up a new diaper, a little bare bottom is running away)

I’m sure you’ve all been there. Oh, and by the way, David is my son. And this was an actual scene recorded in his baby book. Like you, I got very tired of this. And then I discovered a better way:

Parent: (Picking up diaper and holding it like a puppet, making it talk in a silly, squeaky voice)
Hi David! I’m Dilly Diaper! Come here and play with me!

David: (Running over to Diaper) Hi Dilly!

Parent as Diaper: You’re such a nice boy. Will you give me a kiss?

David: Yes. (Gives diaper a kiss)

Parent as Diaper: How ‘bout a nice hug?

David: (Giggles and hugs Diaper)

Parent as Diaper: Lie right here next to me. Right here. Yup. Can I go on you? Oh yes?!
Goody goody goody! (The diaper chats with David while he’s being changed. Then it says, Oh, David! Listen, I hear your shoes calling you – David! David!

The most amazing thing about this trick is that it works over and over and over and over. You’ll keep thinking, “He’s not honestly going to fall for this again?” But he will! Probably the nicest by-product of this method is that it gets you in a good mood and you have a little fun time with your child.

When you’ve got a toddler this technique is a pure lifesaver. When my son David was little I used this all the time. (I then used it with my youngest child, Coleton, and it worked just as well.) Remembering back to one day, when David was almost three, we were waiting in a long line at the grocery store and I was making my hand talk to him. It was asking him questions about the items in the cart. Suddenly, he hugged my hand, looked up at me and said, “Mommy, I love for you to pretend this hand is talking.”

Another parent reported that she called her toddler to the table for dinner a number of times, when he calmly looked up at her, chubby hands on padded hips and said, “Mommy, why don’t you have my dinner call to me?”

And suddenly, the peas on his plate came to life and called out to him; he ran over to join the family at the dinner table.

A variation on this technique, that also works very well, is to capitalize on a young child’s vivid imagination as a way to thwart negative emotions. Pretend to find a trail of caterpillars on the way to the store, hop to the car like a bunny, or pretend a carrot gives you magic powers as you eat it.

It’s delightful to see how a potentially negative situation can be turned into a fun experience by changing a child’s focus to fun and fantasy.

Excerpted with permission from Kid Cooperation, How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading and Get Kids to Cooperate by Elizabeth Pantley (http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth, copyright 1996) Published by New Harbinger Publications, Inc. (http://www.newharbinger.com/)

Gund Recalls to Replace Baby Books Due to Choking Hazard

2010-04-13T09:45:00.001-04:00

This recall involves three miniature children's paperboard books with plastic handles designed as baby rattles. They include "Animals" (item number 059174), "Numbers" (item number 059175) and "Colors" (item number 059176). The books were also sold as a three-book set (item number 059173). The name "Gund" and the item number are located on the back of the books. The books measure 4 1/2 inches by 7 inches.
Gund Recalls to Replace Baby Books Due to Choking Hazard

Revolutionary new concept on bathing babies - Product Review

2010-04-09T09:26:00.008-04:00

Tummy Tub USA - The Original Tummy Tub
Product Review

Janis McKeller the president of Tummy Tub USA sent BabySmartz the Original Tummy Tub for our team to review. The tub is stated to be a revolutionary new concept in bathing babies. Keeps the baby upright in a comfortable fetal position while cradled in warm water. Well that does make it sound wonderful. So we tried it out. My daughter who will be two years old next month was our tester. She just loves bath time so I was intrigued about how she would respond.

To start I initially made some observations about the product. It was so light in weight easy to carry around and didn't take up to much space. I was able to put everything in it to prepare for the bath i.e. towel, baby soap, diapers etc. But I was concerned about the possibility of tipping so I let Kayleigh hop in before I put water in it. The product is very sturdy and has a no slip grip on the bottom. The simple design has a low center of gravity for balance and no handles to injure those precious little fingers. This is not any ordinary bucket.

So we got ready for the bath. This tub is not just for newborns like many tubs. Its safe and comfortable for babies up to 35 lbs. I loved giving my kids the sink baths because of the convenience and it wasn't to big. But the sinks can have some negatives like not enough water to keep baby warm. With this tub I could have waited much longer to put her in the big tub which as we all know can be very STRESSFUL. Such a big tub for our little ones. This is a perfect grow with baby tub. So Kayleigh loved the bath. It was easy to use. We definitely conserved tons of water and she loved the natural sea sponge. Which can be purchased with the tub. The water temperature was warm during the bath which was a worry of mine, as I said to myself I hope it doesn't get to cold for her. Kayleigh didn't seem to mind having less space than she is used and she seemed to enjoy the coziness of the bath. Overall it was hit.

This is a great tub and another one of those products I was wished I could have had when my babies were, you know, babies. In summary, the product is economical only costing $42 including the sponge. The tub is Phthalate, BPA and lead free and the babies feel warm, safe and relaxed in its soft boundaries. If your a new mommy looking to stay green this is a product for you as you will only need just over a gallon of water to complete a bath. Also the product is fully recyclable and maybe best of all its is so durable it can have many uses after your done using it as a tub.

Are you attending a baby shower soon or know someone who is expecting? This would make a great gift. They may get several baths at the shower but this will be the one they use for years to come. The website is http://www.tummytubusa.com/ for more information and where to purchase. The company has generously offered our readers 15% off use code SMARTZ please purchase at www.BathedWithLove.com for discount. Also on the Tummy Tub website they have great video demonstrations of the product. Here you see pictures of Kayleigh sitting in her tub asking "Mommy can I take a bath". The only disappointment was when my my four year old realized he couldn't join in the action. The Original Tummy Tub is BabySmartz Approved!!

New study about kids' risk for asthma

2010-04-08T14:42:00.002-04:00

For children at higher-than-average risk of asthma, having a dog around the house may increase the chances of developing the lung disease, a new study suggests.

The study, which followed 380 children at increased risk of asthma due to family history, found that those exposed to relatively high levels of dog allergen at the age of 7 were more likely to have asthma.

In contrast, there was no relationship between cat-allergen exposure and a child's risk of asthma, according to findings published in the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. Click HERE for full article.

Overweight Babies can Lead to Motor Skill Issues

2010-04-07T08:11:00.000-04:00

Very Interesting Article

http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/mobile/m/AnyArticle/p.rdt?URL=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62U4WB20100331