Nhiều khi rỗi (đúng hơn là không muốn làm việc tử tế), lang thang vào các forum nuôi dạy trẻ... đọc lung tung rồi thắc mắc lung tung
- tại sao trẻ con phải càng to càng béo? Có bà mẹ con 9 tháng tuổi, nặng 10kg mà vẫn kêu còm. Có bé 10 tháng năng trên 14kg, dài 84 cm, ngày ăn 9 bữa - đọc mà choáng váng (theo thống kê của WHO cho bé gái thì 14kg ứng với đường 50% là 3 tuổi, 84cm là 19 tháng tuổi).
- tại sao lại cho bé ăn liên tục cả ngày (thế thì thời gian đâu để cơ thể tiêu hóa & hấp thụ thức ăn)? Kỷ lục đọc được là 14 lần/ngày cho 1 bé 7 tháng tuổi.
- tại sao phải nhồi nhét bé đủ kiểu thức ăn & thuốc bổ (thậm chí cho uống thuốc do "được mách" chứ không phải do bác sĩ hướng dẫn)? Sức khỏe đâu chỉ thể hiện bằng chiều cao cân nặng (mà chưa hẳn rất cao hay rất nặng đã là tốt - cao quá khổ sẽ gặp nhiều trở ngại trong sinh hoạt; nặng quá - béo phì thì khỏi phải nói rồi, bao nhiêu là nguy cơ bệnh)
- tại sao lại cho bé bú đêm thay vì để bé ngủ đẫy giấc đến sáng? Chẳng phải bé "tăng trưởng" trong khi ngủ sao? Rất nhiều bé đã 3-4 tuổi mà vẫn bú đêm.
- tại sao cứ phải xay nghiền tất tần tật thật nhuyễn thật nhừ, ngay cả khi bé đã có răng & thậm chí đã đến tuổi đi học? Nhai giúp phát triển cơ hàm, hỗ trợ bé tập nói thì sao không cho bé tập nhai sớm hơn?
- tại sao...
- tại sao...
- tại sao...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Nhu cầu dinh dưỡng của trẻ từ 1 đến 4 tuổi
- Bánh mì: 1-3 lát
- Khoai tây/cơm/mì (nguồn carbonhydrate/bột): 50-100g
- Rau: 50-100g
- Hoa quả: 100-200g
- Sữa ít béo (& các sản phẩm từ sữa): 300ml
- Phó mát: 10g
- Thịt cá hay đậu phụ (nguồn protein/đạm): 50g
- Dầu/bơ thực vật: 20g (5g cho bánh mì & 15g cho nấu nướng)
- Nước (kể cả sữa): 800ml
- Khoai tây/cơm/mì (nguồn carbonhydrate/bột): 50-100g
- Rau: 50-100g
- Hoa quả: 100-200g
- Sữa ít béo (& các sản phẩm từ sữa): 300ml
- Phó mát: 10g
- Thịt cá hay đậu phụ (nguồn protein/đạm): 50g
- Dầu/bơ thực vật: 20g (5g cho bánh mì & 15g cho nấu nướng)
- Nước (kể cả sữa): 800ml
Friday, August 15, 2008
Babies and solid foods: What to serve when
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-baby/PR00029
Most babies are ready for solid foods between ages 4 months and 6 months. Here's when — and how — to make the transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods.
Does your baby seem interested in what you're eating? Does your baby open his or her mouth if you offer a spoon? It might be time to introduce solid foods. But don't retire those bottles or nursing pillows just yet. Make the transition to solid foods gradually.
Is your baby ready for solid foods?
Breast milk or formula is the only food your newborn needs. Within four to six months, however, your baby will begin to develop the coordination to move solid food from the front of the mouth to the back for swallowing. At the same time, your baby's head control will improve and he or she will learn to sit with support — essential skills for eating solid foods.
Most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast-feeding or formula-feeding between ages 4 months and 6 months. Look for these cues:
* Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?
* Can your baby sit with support?
* Is your baby interested in what you're eating?
If you answer no to any of these questions, you may want to postpone solids for a while.
What to serve when
Continue feeding your baby breast milk or formula as usual. When your baby's doctor or dietitian says it's OK to begin supplementing your baby's liquid diet:
* Start with baby cereal. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of a single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal with 4 to 5 teaspoons (20 to 25 milliliters) of breast milk or formula. Many parents start with rice cereal. Even if the cereal barely thickens the liquid, resist the temptation to serve it from a bottle. Instead, help your baby sit upright and offer the cereal with a small spoon once or twice a day. Once your baby gets the hang of swallowing runny cereal, mix it with less liquid. For variety, you might offer single-grain oatmeal or barley cereals.
Some babies eat cereal with gusto right from the start. Others are less enthusiastic. Be patient. If your baby isn't interested, wait a week or two and try again.
* Add pureed meat, vegetables and fruits. Once your baby masters cereal, gradually introduce pureed meat, vegetables and fruits. Offer single-ingredient foods at first, and wait one week between each new food. If your baby has a reaction to a particular food — such as diarrhea, rash or vomiting — you'll know the culprit.
* Offer finely chopped finger foods. By ages 8 months to 10 months, most babies can handle small portions of finely chopped finger foods, such as soft fruits, well-cooked pasta, graham crackers and ground meat. As your baby approaches his or her first birthday, mashed or chopped versions of whatever the rest of the family is eating will become your baby's main fare. Continue to offer breast milk or formula with and between meals.
To help prevent food allergies, parents were once encouraged to avoid feeding young children eggs, fish and peanut butter. Today, however, researchers say there's no convincing evidence that avoiding these foods during early childhood will help prevent food allergies. Still, it's a good idea to check with your baby's doctor or dietitian if any close relatives have a food allergy. And remember that peanut butter poses a choking hazard for babies.
What about juice?
You can offer mild, 100 percent fruit juices when your baby is 9 months old. Juice isn't a necessary part of a baby's diet, however, and it's not as valuable as the original fruit itself. If you offer juice to your baby, limit it to about 4 ounces (118 milliliters) a day, and serve it in a cup. Too much juice may contribute to weight problems and diarrhea, as well as thwart your baby's appetite for more nutritious solid foods. Sipping juice throughout the day or while falling asleep may lead to tooth decay.
Know what's off-limits
Don't offer cow's milk, citrus or honey before age 1. Cow's milk doesn't meet an infant's nutritional needs. Cow's milk isn't a good source of iron and, for infants, cow's milk can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Citrus can cause a painful diaper rash, and honey may contain spores that can cause a serious illness known as botulism.
Don't offer your baby foods that pose a choking hazard, including:
* Small, slippery foods, such as whole grapes, hot dogs and hard candy
* Dry foods that are hard to chew, such as popcorn, raw carrots and nuts
* Sticky or tough foods, such as peanut butter and large pieces of meat
* Foods that may clump together, such as raisins
For babies younger than age 4 months, also avoid home-prepared spinach, beets, turnips and collard greens, which may contain high levels of potentially harmful compounds from soil (nitrates).
Make meals manageable
When your baby begins eating solid food, mealtime is sure to become an adventure. Here's help making it more enjoyable — for both you and your baby.
* Stay seated. At first, you may feed your baby in an infant seat or propped on your lap. As soon as your baby can sit easily without support, use a highchair with a broad, stable base. Buckle the safety straps, and keep other children from climbing or hanging on to the highchair.
* Encourage exploration. Your baby is likely to play with his or her food between bites. Although it's messy, hands-on fun helps fuel your baby's development. Place a dropcloth on the floor so you won't worry about falling food.
* Introduce utensils. Offer your baby a spoon to hold while you feed him or her with another spoon. As your baby's dexterity improves, encourage your baby to dip the spoon in food and bring it to his or her mouth.
* Offer a cup. Feeding your baby breast milk or formula from a cup at mealtime can help pave the way for weaning from a bottle. By age 9 months, your baby may be able to drink from a cup on his or her own.
* Dish individual servings. Your baby may eat just a few teaspoons of food at a time. If you feed your baby directly from a jar or container, bacteria and saliva from the spoon can quickly spoil any leftovers. Instead, place small amounts of food in a separate dish. The same goes for finger foods. If your baby finishes the first serving, offer another.
* Avoid power struggles. If your baby turns away from a certain food, don't push. Simply try again another time. And again. And again, if necessary! Repeated exposure can help ensure variety in your baby's diet.
* Know when to call it quits. When your baby has had enough to eat, he or she may turn away from the spoon, lean backward, or refuse to open his or her mouth. Don't force extra bites. As long as your baby's growth is on target, you can be confident that he or she is getting enough to eat.
Enjoy your baby's sloppy tray, gooey hands and sticky face. You're building the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating
Most babies are ready for solid foods between ages 4 months and 6 months. Here's when — and how — to make the transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods.
Does your baby seem interested in what you're eating? Does your baby open his or her mouth if you offer a spoon? It might be time to introduce solid foods. But don't retire those bottles or nursing pillows just yet. Make the transition to solid foods gradually.
Is your baby ready for solid foods?
Breast milk or formula is the only food your newborn needs. Within four to six months, however, your baby will begin to develop the coordination to move solid food from the front of the mouth to the back for swallowing. At the same time, your baby's head control will improve and he or she will learn to sit with support — essential skills for eating solid foods.
Most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast-feeding or formula-feeding between ages 4 months and 6 months. Look for these cues:
* Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?
* Can your baby sit with support?
* Is your baby interested in what you're eating?
If you answer no to any of these questions, you may want to postpone solids for a while.
What to serve when
Continue feeding your baby breast milk or formula as usual. When your baby's doctor or dietitian says it's OK to begin supplementing your baby's liquid diet:
* Start with baby cereal. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of a single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal with 4 to 5 teaspoons (20 to 25 milliliters) of breast milk or formula. Many parents start with rice cereal. Even if the cereal barely thickens the liquid, resist the temptation to serve it from a bottle. Instead, help your baby sit upright and offer the cereal with a small spoon once or twice a day. Once your baby gets the hang of swallowing runny cereal, mix it with less liquid. For variety, you might offer single-grain oatmeal or barley cereals.
Some babies eat cereal with gusto right from the start. Others are less enthusiastic. Be patient. If your baby isn't interested, wait a week or two and try again.
* Add pureed meat, vegetables and fruits. Once your baby masters cereal, gradually introduce pureed meat, vegetables and fruits. Offer single-ingredient foods at first, and wait one week between each new food. If your baby has a reaction to a particular food — such as diarrhea, rash or vomiting — you'll know the culprit.
* Offer finely chopped finger foods. By ages 8 months to 10 months, most babies can handle small portions of finely chopped finger foods, such as soft fruits, well-cooked pasta, graham crackers and ground meat. As your baby approaches his or her first birthday, mashed or chopped versions of whatever the rest of the family is eating will become your baby's main fare. Continue to offer breast milk or formula with and between meals.
To help prevent food allergies, parents were once encouraged to avoid feeding young children eggs, fish and peanut butter. Today, however, researchers say there's no convincing evidence that avoiding these foods during early childhood will help prevent food allergies. Still, it's a good idea to check with your baby's doctor or dietitian if any close relatives have a food allergy. And remember that peanut butter poses a choking hazard for babies.
What about juice?
You can offer mild, 100 percent fruit juices when your baby is 9 months old. Juice isn't a necessary part of a baby's diet, however, and it's not as valuable as the original fruit itself. If you offer juice to your baby, limit it to about 4 ounces (118 milliliters) a day, and serve it in a cup. Too much juice may contribute to weight problems and diarrhea, as well as thwart your baby's appetite for more nutritious solid foods. Sipping juice throughout the day or while falling asleep may lead to tooth decay.
Know what's off-limits
Don't offer cow's milk, citrus or honey before age 1. Cow's milk doesn't meet an infant's nutritional needs. Cow's milk isn't a good source of iron and, for infants, cow's milk can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Citrus can cause a painful diaper rash, and honey may contain spores that can cause a serious illness known as botulism.
Don't offer your baby foods that pose a choking hazard, including:
* Small, slippery foods, such as whole grapes, hot dogs and hard candy
* Dry foods that are hard to chew, such as popcorn, raw carrots and nuts
* Sticky or tough foods, such as peanut butter and large pieces of meat
* Foods that may clump together, such as raisins
For babies younger than age 4 months, also avoid home-prepared spinach, beets, turnips and collard greens, which may contain high levels of potentially harmful compounds from soil (nitrates).
Make meals manageable
When your baby begins eating solid food, mealtime is sure to become an adventure. Here's help making it more enjoyable — for both you and your baby.
* Stay seated. At first, you may feed your baby in an infant seat or propped on your lap. As soon as your baby can sit easily without support, use a highchair with a broad, stable base. Buckle the safety straps, and keep other children from climbing or hanging on to the highchair.
* Encourage exploration. Your baby is likely to play with his or her food between bites. Although it's messy, hands-on fun helps fuel your baby's development. Place a dropcloth on the floor so you won't worry about falling food.
* Introduce utensils. Offer your baby a spoon to hold while you feed him or her with another spoon. As your baby's dexterity improves, encourage your baby to dip the spoon in food and bring it to his or her mouth.
* Offer a cup. Feeding your baby breast milk or formula from a cup at mealtime can help pave the way for weaning from a bottle. By age 9 months, your baby may be able to drink from a cup on his or her own.
* Dish individual servings. Your baby may eat just a few teaspoons of food at a time. If you feed your baby directly from a jar or container, bacteria and saliva from the spoon can quickly spoil any leftovers. Instead, place small amounts of food in a separate dish. The same goes for finger foods. If your baby finishes the first serving, offer another.
* Avoid power struggles. If your baby turns away from a certain food, don't push. Simply try again another time. And again. And again, if necessary! Repeated exposure can help ensure variety in your baby's diet.
* Know when to call it quits. When your baby has had enough to eat, he or she may turn away from the spoon, lean backward, or refuse to open his or her mouth. Don't force extra bites. As long as your baby's growth is on target, you can be confident that he or she is getting enough to eat.
Enjoy your baby's sloppy tray, gooey hands and sticky face. You're building the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating
New parents: How to get the sleep you need
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/PR/00068.html
Although life with a newborn is a round-the-clock adventure, hope is in sight. By three months, many babies sleep up to five hours during the night. By six months, nighttime stretches of nine to 12 hours are possible.
In the meantime, a little creativity can help you sneak in as many ZZZs as possible.
Suggestions for the weary
There's no magical formula for getting enough sleep — but these tried-and-true tips may give you a few ideas.
* Sleep when your baby sleeps. Turn off the ringer on the phone, hide the laundry basket and ignore the dishes in the kitchen sink. Your chores can wait.
* Set aside your social graces. When friends and loved ones visit, don't offer to be the host. Let them care for the baby while you excuse yourself for some much needed rest.
* Reclaim your bedroom. At first, it may be most practical to share a bedroom with your baby — especially if you're breast-feeding. But if your baby's breathing, squirming and general restlessness keep you awake, separate rooms may be the key to sound sleep.
* Turn down the baby monitor. Lying in bed listening to every breath may be just as disruptive as having your baby in the room. Adjust the volume based on how loudly your baby cries.
* Share nighttime duties. Work out a schedule with your partner that allows both of you to rest and care for the baby. If you're breast-feeding, perhaps your partner can bring you the baby and handle nighttime diaper changes. If you're using a bottle, take turns feeding the baby.
* Postpone the inevitable. Sometimes, middle-of-the-night fussing or crying is simply a sign that your baby is settling down. Unless you suspect that your baby is hungry or uncomfortable, it's OK to wait a few minutes to see what happens.
* Ask for help when you need it. Take advantage of baby-sitting offers from trusted friends or loved ones. You don't need to go out — simply head to your bedroom and close the door. Even an hour to yourself now and then can help you maintain your energy.
When sleep becomes a struggle
The rigors of caring for a newborn may leave you so exhausted that you could fall asleep anytime, anywhere. But that's not always the case.
If you have trouble falling asleep, make sure your environment is suited for sleep. Choose a comfortable mattress and pillow, turn off the TV, and keep the room cool and dark. Avoid nicotine and caffeine — both stimulants that may keep you awake. Finally, don't agonize over falling asleep. If you don't nod off within 30 minutes, get up and do something else. When you begin to feel drowsy, try to fall asleep again.
If you're still struggling to sleep after a week or two, consult your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying conditions can help you get the rest you need.
Although life with a newborn is a round-the-clock adventure, hope is in sight. By three months, many babies sleep up to five hours during the night. By six months, nighttime stretches of nine to 12 hours are possible.
In the meantime, a little creativity can help you sneak in as many ZZZs as possible.
Suggestions for the weary
There's no magical formula for getting enough sleep — but these tried-and-true tips may give you a few ideas.
* Sleep when your baby sleeps. Turn off the ringer on the phone, hide the laundry basket and ignore the dishes in the kitchen sink. Your chores can wait.
* Set aside your social graces. When friends and loved ones visit, don't offer to be the host. Let them care for the baby while you excuse yourself for some much needed rest.
* Reclaim your bedroom. At first, it may be most practical to share a bedroom with your baby — especially if you're breast-feeding. But if your baby's breathing, squirming and general restlessness keep you awake, separate rooms may be the key to sound sleep.
* Turn down the baby monitor. Lying in bed listening to every breath may be just as disruptive as having your baby in the room. Adjust the volume based on how loudly your baby cries.
* Share nighttime duties. Work out a schedule with your partner that allows both of you to rest and care for the baby. If you're breast-feeding, perhaps your partner can bring you the baby and handle nighttime diaper changes. If you're using a bottle, take turns feeding the baby.
* Postpone the inevitable. Sometimes, middle-of-the-night fussing or crying is simply a sign that your baby is settling down. Unless you suspect that your baby is hungry or uncomfortable, it's OK to wait a few minutes to see what happens.
* Ask for help when you need it. Take advantage of baby-sitting offers from trusted friends or loved ones. You don't need to go out — simply head to your bedroom and close the door. Even an hour to yourself now and then can help you maintain your energy.
When sleep becomes a struggle
The rigors of caring for a newborn may leave you so exhausted that you could fall asleep anytime, anywhere. But that's not always the case.
If you have trouble falling asleep, make sure your environment is suited for sleep. Choose a comfortable mattress and pillow, turn off the TV, and keep the room cool and dark. Avoid nicotine and caffeine — both stimulants that may keep you awake. Finally, don't agonize over falling asleep. If you don't nod off within 30 minutes, get up and do something else. When you begin to feel drowsy, try to fall asleep again.
If you're still struggling to sleep after a week or two, consult your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying conditions can help you get the rest you need.
Speech and language development milestones: Birth to 24 months
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-development/AN01026
A baby's first sounds are met with joyous celebration by parents. Initial cooing progresses to babbling and then to baby's first words, usually "mama" or "dada."
Although every child learns to speak at his or her own pace, general milestones serve as a guide to normal development — and help doctors and other health professionals determine when a child may need extra help to learn to speak or use language.
By the end of 3 months, your child may:
* Smile when you appear
* Begin to babble
* Begin to imitate sounds
* Move his or her eyes toward the direction of sound
By the end of 6 months, your child may:
* Babble with inflection
* Respond to his or her own name
* Respond to sound by making sounds
* Babble chains of consonants (usually sounds for m, b, d)
* Use his or her voice to express pleasure and displeasure
By the end of 12 months, your child may:
* Try to imitate words
* Say a few words, such as "dada," "mama," "baba" and "uh-oh"
* Understand simple instructions, such as "Please drink your milk"
* Understand "no"
By the end of 18 months, your child may:
* Point to an object or picture when it's named
* Recognize names of familiar people, objects and body parts
* Follow simple directions, such as "Throw me the ball"
* Say up to 20 words
By the end of 24 months, your child may:
* Ask for common foods by name
* Use simple phrases, such as "more milk"
* Begin to use pronouns, such as "mine"
* Begin to use prepositions, such as "in" and "under"
* Ask one- to two-word questions, such as "Go bye-bye?"
* Respond to two-step verbal requests, such as "Please put the book down and bring me your shoes"
* Say up to 50 to 100 words
When to check with your child's doctor
Talk to your child's doctor if your child hasn't mastered most of the speech and language milestones for his or her age or you're concerned about your child's speech.
Speech delays occur for many reasons, including hearing loss. Depending on the circumstances, your child's doctor may refer your child to a hearing specialist (audiologist) or a speech and language specialist.
In the meantime, encourage your child's speech and language development. Read to your child. Talk to your child. Sing songs together. Teach your child signs or gestures for common items or phrases. Ask your child questions, and acknowledge your child's responses — even if he or she is hard to understand.
A baby's first sounds are met with joyous celebration by parents. Initial cooing progresses to babbling and then to baby's first words, usually "mama" or "dada."
Although every child learns to speak at his or her own pace, general milestones serve as a guide to normal development — and help doctors and other health professionals determine when a child may need extra help to learn to speak or use language.
By the end of 3 months, your child may:
* Smile when you appear
* Begin to babble
* Begin to imitate sounds
* Move his or her eyes toward the direction of sound
By the end of 6 months, your child may:
* Babble with inflection
* Respond to his or her own name
* Respond to sound by making sounds
* Babble chains of consonants (usually sounds for m, b, d)
* Use his or her voice to express pleasure and displeasure
By the end of 12 months, your child may:
* Try to imitate words
* Say a few words, such as "dada," "mama," "baba" and "uh-oh"
* Understand simple instructions, such as "Please drink your milk"
* Understand "no"
By the end of 18 months, your child may:
* Point to an object or picture when it's named
* Recognize names of familiar people, objects and body parts
* Follow simple directions, such as "Throw me the ball"
* Say up to 20 words
By the end of 24 months, your child may:
* Ask for common foods by name
* Use simple phrases, such as "more milk"
* Begin to use pronouns, such as "mine"
* Begin to use prepositions, such as "in" and "under"
* Ask one- to two-word questions, such as "Go bye-bye?"
* Respond to two-step verbal requests, such as "Please put the book down and bring me your shoes"
* Say up to 50 to 100 words
When to check with your child's doctor
Talk to your child's doctor if your child hasn't mastered most of the speech and language milestones for his or her age or you're concerned about your child's speech.
Speech delays occur for many reasons, including hearing loss. Depending on the circumstances, your child's doctor may refer your child to a hearing specialist (audiologist) or a speech and language specialist.
In the meantime, encourage your child's speech and language development. Read to your child. Talk to your child. Sing songs together. Teach your child signs or gestures for common items or phrases. Ask your child questions, and acknowledge your child's responses — even if he or she is hard to understand.
Air travel with infant: Is it safe?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/air-travel-with-infant/HQ00197
Air travel with an infant typically is safe. However, there are medical and safety issues to consider. A doctor may advise against unnecessary air travel during the first two weeks of life, when a newborn's body is still adjusting to life outside the uterus — and is especially vulnerable to the germs that circulate in the aircraft's recycled air.
Parents may worry that air travel will hurt their child's ears. But the effects of flying on an infant's ears are the same as for an adult's ears. Changing cabin pressure causes temporary changes in middle ear pressure, which can result in pain. Sucking helps equalize the pressure in the ears. For this reason, feeding the infant during takeoff and landing may help. If your baby isn't hungry, try offering a pacifier.
An infant with a recent ear infection may be very uncomfortable when flying. Check with your child's doctor before leaving if you have concerns. Your doctor may provide you with pain-relieving eardrops, in case your baby experiences ear pain.
Some parents worry that air travel increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This concern may stem from an old (1998) British Medical Journal report in which researchers tested the effect of lowered oxygen — such as in a pressurized airplane cabin — on infants and found that irregular breathing was more common. However, there's no evidence that air travel causes SIDS.
If you travel on an airplane with an infant, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you place the child in a rear-facing child safety seat that's properly installed and secured in the seat next to yours. Most child safety seats are certified for air travel. Check the label if you're not sure. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, child safety seats shouldn't exceed 16 inches wide for the best fit in aircraft seats — especially in smaller commuter aircraft. If you can, choose a bulkhead seat and avoid being seated in emergency exit rows.
To make air travel easier with your infant, pack a teething ring, pacifier, special blanket or stuffed animal, and age-appropriate toys (such as rattles or plastic rings) and books in your carry-on bag. If your baby is fussy during the flight, taking a brief walk up and down the aisle may help.
Air travel with an infant typically is safe. However, there are medical and safety issues to consider. A doctor may advise against unnecessary air travel during the first two weeks of life, when a newborn's body is still adjusting to life outside the uterus — and is especially vulnerable to the germs that circulate in the aircraft's recycled air.
Parents may worry that air travel will hurt their child's ears. But the effects of flying on an infant's ears are the same as for an adult's ears. Changing cabin pressure causes temporary changes in middle ear pressure, which can result in pain. Sucking helps equalize the pressure in the ears. For this reason, feeding the infant during takeoff and landing may help. If your baby isn't hungry, try offering a pacifier.
An infant with a recent ear infection may be very uncomfortable when flying. Check with your child's doctor before leaving if you have concerns. Your doctor may provide you with pain-relieving eardrops, in case your baby experiences ear pain.
Some parents worry that air travel increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This concern may stem from an old (1998) British Medical Journal report in which researchers tested the effect of lowered oxygen — such as in a pressurized airplane cabin — on infants and found that irregular breathing was more common. However, there's no evidence that air travel causes SIDS.
If you travel on an airplane with an infant, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you place the child in a rear-facing child safety seat that's properly installed and secured in the seat next to yours. Most child safety seats are certified for air travel. Check the label if you're not sure. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, child safety seats shouldn't exceed 16 inches wide for the best fit in aircraft seats — especially in smaller commuter aircraft. If you can, choose a bulkhead seat and avoid being seated in emergency exit rows.
To make air travel easier with your infant, pack a teething ring, pacifier, special blanket or stuffed animal, and age-appropriate toys (such as rattles or plastic rings) and books in your carry-on bag. If your baby is fussy during the flight, taking a brief walk up and down the aisle may help.
Baby's sleep: Getting through the night
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/FL/00118.html
If you haven't had a good night's sleep since your baby was born, you're not alone. Sleepless nights are a rite of passage for most new parents.
But don't despair. You can help your baby sleep all night, every night — starting today!
Developing a rhythm
Newborns typically sleep 16 or more hours a day — but often in stretches of just one to two hours at a time. The pattern may be erratic at first, but that's OK. A more consistent sleep schedule emerges as your baby's nervous system matures and he or she can go longer between feedings.
By three months, many babies sleep for as long as five hours during the night. By six months, nighttime stretches of nine to 12 hours are possible.
Encouraging good sleep habits
For the first few months, middle-of-the-night feedings are sure to disrupt sleep for parents and babies alike. But it's never too soon to help your baby become a good sleeper.
* Encourage activity during the day. When your baby is awake, engage him or her by talking, singing and playing. Surround your baby with light and normal household noises. Such stimulation during the day can help promote better sleep at night.
* Monitor your baby's naps. Regular naps are important — but sleeping for large chunks of time during the day may leave your baby wide awake at bedtime.
* Follow a consistent bedtime routine. Try relaxing favorites such as bathing, cuddling, singing or reading. Soon your baby will associate these activities with sleep.
* Put your baby to bed drowsy but awake. This will help your baby associate bed with the process of falling asleep. Remember to place your baby to sleep on his or her back, and clear the crib or bassinet of blankets and other soft items.
* Give your baby time to settle down. Your baby may fuss or cry before finding a comfortable position and falling asleep. If the crying doesn't stop, speak to your baby calmly and stroke his or her back. Your reassuring presence may be all your baby needs to fall asleep.
* Consider a pacifier. If your baby has trouble settling down, a pacifier might do the trick. In fact, a pacifier at naptime and bedtime may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But there are pitfalls, too. If your baby uses a pacifier to sleep, you may face frequent middle-of-the-night crying spells when the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth.
* Expect frequent stirring at night. Babies often wriggle, squirm and twitch in their sleep. They can be noisy, too. Sometimes, fussing or crying is simply a sign of settling down. Unless you suspect that your baby is hungry or uncomfortable, it's OK to wait a few minutes to see what happens.
* Keep nighttime care low-key. When your baby needs care or feeding during the night, use dim lights, a soft voice and calm movements. This will tell your baby that it's time to sleep — not play.
* Respect your baby's preferences. Whether your baby is a night owl or an early bird, adjust routines and schedules based on these natural patterns.
Keeping it in perspective
Some babies sleep for long stretches at night right from the start, only waking for feedings. Others have trouble lulling themselves back to sleep. Take as much time as you need to understand your baby's schedule and ways of communicating.
If you're frustrated with your baby's sleeping habits — especially if your baby still needs attention several times during the night by age 6 months — ask your baby's doctor for suggestions.
Remember, getting your baby to sleep through the night isn't a measure of your parental skills. It's simply a goal you're working toward. The result will be a good night's sleep for everyone.
If you haven't had a good night's sleep since your baby was born, you're not alone. Sleepless nights are a rite of passage for most new parents.
But don't despair. You can help your baby sleep all night, every night — starting today!
Developing a rhythm
Newborns typically sleep 16 or more hours a day — but often in stretches of just one to two hours at a time. The pattern may be erratic at first, but that's OK. A more consistent sleep schedule emerges as your baby's nervous system matures and he or she can go longer between feedings.
By three months, many babies sleep for as long as five hours during the night. By six months, nighttime stretches of nine to 12 hours are possible.
Encouraging good sleep habits
For the first few months, middle-of-the-night feedings are sure to disrupt sleep for parents and babies alike. But it's never too soon to help your baby become a good sleeper.
* Encourage activity during the day. When your baby is awake, engage him or her by talking, singing and playing. Surround your baby with light and normal household noises. Such stimulation during the day can help promote better sleep at night.
* Monitor your baby's naps. Regular naps are important — but sleeping for large chunks of time during the day may leave your baby wide awake at bedtime.
* Follow a consistent bedtime routine. Try relaxing favorites such as bathing, cuddling, singing or reading. Soon your baby will associate these activities with sleep.
* Put your baby to bed drowsy but awake. This will help your baby associate bed with the process of falling asleep. Remember to place your baby to sleep on his or her back, and clear the crib or bassinet of blankets and other soft items.
* Give your baby time to settle down. Your baby may fuss or cry before finding a comfortable position and falling asleep. If the crying doesn't stop, speak to your baby calmly and stroke his or her back. Your reassuring presence may be all your baby needs to fall asleep.
* Consider a pacifier. If your baby has trouble settling down, a pacifier might do the trick. In fact, a pacifier at naptime and bedtime may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But there are pitfalls, too. If your baby uses a pacifier to sleep, you may face frequent middle-of-the-night crying spells when the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth.
* Expect frequent stirring at night. Babies often wriggle, squirm and twitch in their sleep. They can be noisy, too. Sometimes, fussing or crying is simply a sign of settling down. Unless you suspect that your baby is hungry or uncomfortable, it's OK to wait a few minutes to see what happens.
* Keep nighttime care low-key. When your baby needs care or feeding during the night, use dim lights, a soft voice and calm movements. This will tell your baby that it's time to sleep — not play.
* Respect your baby's preferences. Whether your baby is a night owl or an early bird, adjust routines and schedules based on these natural patterns.
Keeping it in perspective
Some babies sleep for long stretches at night right from the start, only waking for feedings. Others have trouble lulling themselves back to sleep. Take as much time as you need to understand your baby's schedule and ways of communicating.
If you're frustrated with your baby's sleeping habits — especially if your baby still needs attention several times during the night by age 6 months — ask your baby's doctor for suggestions.
Remember, getting your baby to sleep through the night isn't a measure of your parental skills. It's simply a goal you're working toward. The result will be a good night's sleep for everyone.
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