Category: Parenting

Did you know that close to 3.6 million babies are born each year in the United States of America? Parenting isn’t easy, and it is especially difficult when you’re a first-time parent trying to learn about all of the baby products that you need. The list is often daunting and a tad overwhelming, but getting natural baby products is essential for your newborn’s health.

Baby diapers and other reusable products for babies go a long way towards providing the care that your baby needs while also protecting the environment. If you’re unsure of which baby wipes to get or which baby hair products are the best then you’re in luck.

You’ve come to the right place to learn about the five essential baby products that new parents need. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Baby Clothes

Baby clothes are much more important than giving your newborn a sense of style. Babies have delicate skin and need clothing that won’t irritate it or cause a baby rash. You also need to make sure that you’re getting the right sizes when it comes to baby clothes in order for your child to be comfortable.

2. Diapers

You can’t mention babies without conjuring up images of diapers, so it shouldn’t be surprising that diapers are high on the list of baby products you’ll need. It is up to you to decide if you want to use disposable diapers or reusable diapers for your newborn.

Remember to also get a baby product like baby wipes to prevent skin irritation and rashes. If you want to use natural baby wipes rather than traditional baby wipes then you should check out this substitute for baby wipes.

3. Car Seat

A car seat is essential for transporting your baby with you to doctor’s appointments as well as running essential errands throughout the week. There are infant car seats as well as convertible car seats that you can choose from, so don’t be afraid to shop around for the best option.

4. Crib and Mattress

Another necessary item when it comes to baby products is the crib and mattress that your baby will sleep in. A crib is the best option for your child after they outgrow their bassinet since it gives them more room to sleep or play. Make sure you get a comfortable mattress for the crib as well.

5. Baby Bathtub

Giving a baby a bath is no easy task, but there are bathtubs designed especially for bathing your newborn. These tubs will make giving your baby a bath easier than you ever thought possible. They’re a must-have baby product for new parents.

Start Shopping for Baby Products Today

Getting the right baby products is a great way to provide the best care possible to your newborn after they arrive. Little things like a baby bathtub and baby hair products will make keeping your baby clean an easy task. You should also get a car seat and diapers for your newborn, and consider using natural baby products.

For more insightful and exciting articles, check out the rest of our blog posts!

Thickening baby formula can reduce the severity and frequency of regurgitation in infants. Parents of infants with persistent reflux, dysphagia, and aspiration may find that thickened formula helps manage these conditions.

Of course, you’ll always want to consult a doctor before changing your baby’s diet. If a doctor says your baby could benefit from a thickened formula, it would be safe to make the switch.

Here’s how to thicken baby formula safely.

What Not to Use

There’s one particular ingredient that parents shouldn’t use to thicken baby formula: flake cereal. This cereal will help thicken a baby formula that can reduce the severity or frequency of spit-up.

But the reason you don’t want to use cereal is that it can create a texture that causes issues. Flake cereal in baby formula can have a lumpy texture that makes it difficult for infants to swallow. It’s especially risky the younger a child is.

If the baby formula is too thick, it runs the risk of choking or aspiration. The risk is even more heightened for babies who have not developed the oral motor skills to swallow safely.

What to Use to Thicken Baby Formula

Luckily, you have a plethora of options of natural ingredients you can use to thicken baby formula. You can use rice cereal to help thicken baby formula. Unlike flake cereal, rice cereal will create a smooth texture that won’t increase the risk of aspiration or choking.

Other infant cereals like oatmeal and barley also make ideal thickeners for baby formula. When ground, oatmeal, and barley will also create the ideal smooth texture for thickening.

If you don’t want to use cereal, gelatin, guar gum, and carrageenan are great options. Starches like arrowroot, potato, tapioca, and cornstarch also make great thickeners. When it comes to these alternatives, be sure your baby does not have allergies before using them in a formula.

How to Thicken Baby Formula

You’ll want to start by blending your thickening agent thoroughly. The thickening agent should be the consistency of a fine powder to reduce any lumps in the baby formula.

Next, add your baby formula like this hipp organic baby formula to a bottle, cup, or bowl, and add 1½ teaspoons of the thickening agent for every ounce of formula.

Add the thickener slowly to reduce clumping and shake vigorously to ensure proper mixing. Give the mixture a few minutes to set up before checking the consistency. If it’s too thick, you can add a small amount of water, formula, or milk. 

Reduce Regurgitation in Infants

When infants have reflux, dysphagia, or aspiration, parents may worry about the health of their baby. It’s important to have your child seen by a doctor to evaluate the problem.

With these conditions, a doctor may suggest using a thickened baby formula. But it’s important for parents to learn how to thicken baby formula the right way to ensure a safe product for their baby.

Being a parent can be difficult at times. We have articles that have all the tips, tricks, and advice to help parents. Read more articles on our blog today!

As the parent of a toddler, you know better than anyone how fast time flies! One minute your little one is learning how to walk, and the next, it’s time to start choosing daycare or nursery school.

Unless you understand the difference between the two, making a decision can be tricky. Fortunately, we’re here to make it easier by explaining them and their differences. Keep reading to learn more about daycare vs. nursery school to make the best choice for your child.

What Is Daycare?

Daycare is a type of childcare where parents and guardians can leave their children during the day. Daycare staff supervise and engage with the kids, helping them learn and play. Hours are often flexible at these facilities, and they’re open all year.

Children aged as young as six weeks can attend daycare until they’re about five or six. From then until middle school, most centers offer before- and after-school care options.

The Best Daycare Benefits

If you need someone to watch your child while you’re at work, choosing a daycare is ideal. That’s because these facilities provide constant, all-day care. There are many benefits, too, including,

• Kids typically don’t need to be potty-trained
• Socialization with different age groups
• Longer and more flexible hours for parents

What Is Nursery School?

A nursery school, sometimes called a preschool, is education-based. Parents and guardians can leave their children to learn at nursery school during the day. Because there is a curriculum, you can expect the teachers to have an early childhood education background.

Nursery schools function as schools, so they don’t operate all year or for long hours. Programs are often designed for kids aged three to five, making the age groups more limited. Check out a nursery school guide to learn more.

The Best Nursery School Benefits

If you want your child to get a head start on their education, consider choosing nursery school. It’s the best way to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Plus, there are many benefits, like,

• Socialization with similar-aged kids
• The staff has academic backgrounds
• Exposure to structured school routines

Which One Is Right for Your Child?

So, should you choose daycare or nursery school? Ultimately, there is no right answer. Instead, your choice depends on your toddler and your family’s unique circumstances.

If you simply need childcare for your little one while you’re occupied during the day, the best daycare may be all you need. On the other hand, if you want to get a jump on your child’s education, nursery school is the perfect option. No matter your choice, both can support your toddler’s developmental milestones.

Choose Between Daycare vs. Nursery School

Now that you understand the difference between daycare vs. nursery school, making a decision should be easier. You can’t go wrong with either one, but we suggest choosing whichever suits your family better. 

Are you interested in additional parenting articles like this one? Browse around our website to find more!

Adults and kids alike love fun facts. The world is full of weird and wonderful phenomena and as a parent, it’s your job to teach your children all about it. It’s a big bonus that sharing these fun facts will help you to relate to your kids as you discover the world together. 

Ready to dive in? Check out these 8 fun facts for kids that will get the giggles going and the conversations rolling. 

1. Humans Fart Quite Fast

Wondering how to be the cool parent? Talk about farts — they always get kids giggling. And now, you can throw a bit of knowledge in with the laughter. Humans fart 14 times every day on average, and these gusts of smelly air come cruising out of the body at 7 mph. Your kids will love this fact.

2. Snails Love Sleep 

Animal facts for kids are usually about tigers and lions, but this fun snail fact takes the cake. If your kids love to take naps then they’ll enjoy knowing that snails are the ultimate nappers. In fact, some snails nap for up to three years!

3. Use Crickets to Tell the Temperature 

Everyone is accustomed to the sounds of crickets chirping in the night. But did you know that you can use these sounds to estimate the temperature? Simply count how many times a cricket chirps in a second and you’ve got it. 

4. It’s Not Only Fingerprints That are Unique 

Perhaps your children already know that we all have unique fingerprints. But did they know that our tongue prints are unique too? Imagine searching a crime scene for tongue prints — that’ll get the kids laughing. 

5. A Tree Called the ‘Idiot Fruit Tree’ Exists

Put a creative spin on the classic sibling rivalry insults with this fun fact. The Idiot Fruit Tree is a real tree that grows in the Daintree Forest in Australia. This is a loose translation of its scientific name. It also goes by the name Green Dinosaur, which is pretty cool too. 

6. New Zealand Has the Town With the Longest Name 

How about a fun fact and a tongue twister all rolled up in one? New Zealand’s town ‘Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipuka‘ is the longest name of a town in the world! It has 85 characters and will likely take you and your children the whole day to figure out how to pronounce it. 

7. The Human Diet Includes Some Insects 

This is definitely one of those kids’ facts that will make the little ones squeal in disgust. On average, humans eat up to 70 different insects and 10 spiders while sleeping. These little critters crawl in while we’re in a deep slumber and end up as a late-night snack. 

8. Orbeez Weren’t Always Toys

What are Orbeez? If you don’t know, your kids will tell you! These fun toys were invented to help retain water in the soil so that plants could grow better. Now they’re a much-loved instrument of fun for kids everywhere. 

Share These Fun Facts for Kids

Which of these fun facts for kids will your children love most? Will they cackle at the fart fact or spend the day trying to wrap their tongue around the longest town name in the world? Only one way to find out! 

If you enjoyed this post then you’ll love the rest of our content, tailored to parents just like you! Keep exploring for more. 

Giving your child a shot at a great future is a lot easier than you think!

While moms are indispensable, a caring dad is the best thing that can happen to a child. Child experts have traditionally placed a major focus on a mother’s role in the lives of children and tended to ignore a father’s contribution. What a tragedy. Thankfully this is changing as research is making it increasingly clear that caring and involved fathers make a massive contribution to their children’s well-being, self-esteem, emotional intelligence and sexual behaviour, as well as giving them an excellent chance of flourishing in adulthood.

And the good news is that dads can do this in very simple ways as they actively love and care for their children, and by just being who they are – men!

The amazing thing is that it is the simplest of activities that fathers engage in with their children that have some of the most lasting effects on them. At a recent talk I gave to prospective parents, a young father-to-be came up to me afterwards and recounted how his father had never shown him any affection as a child and how he had “gone off the rails” as a teenager. He told me that his father had bought him only one ice cream during the course of his childhood and that this had greatly distressed him in later years.

Another of the simplest things which impact children is a father’s touch. Children have a need to be touched by a father. Early in life, children who experience love and care by being held and spoken to by their fathers develop a very specific and unique relationship with them. A dad’s touch, with his strong hands and somewhat hairy arms, is very different from a mother’s touch, and babies and children who experience this touch have a better chance of growing up to become well adjusted, emotionally healthy adults. A father who openly shows physical affection to his children helps contribute to their intellectual, physical and sexual development.

Boys who are touched by their fathers in a healthy and caring way show a lower tendency to become sexually promiscuous and rebellious in their teens and adulthood, and girls who experience warm, healthy physical affection from their dads are much less likely to become “boy crazy” to satisfy their need to be touched and for male approval. So, when the village idiot comes calling, your teenage daughter is far less likely to crave acceptance from him because she’s been getting enough approval from the most significant man in her life – her dad. Her relationship with her father, therefore, becomes a frame of reference for how she relates to other men all through her life.  

Skin hunger – the lack of physical contact – can have a dramatic effect on a child. In its most severe form, it can result in death. Decades ago, infants in orphanages in the Soviet Union were reported to have died simply as a result of not being touched. But the positive side of this coin is that infants and children who are touched appropriately and regularly flourish physically, emotionally and intellectually.

As well as the need to be touched by a father, children have a need to have a father play with them. Sometimes the last thing you want to do when you arrive home after work plays with kids, but taking five minutes to chase and tickle them is worth it in the long run. (Fast fact: Children up to seven years of age have two ambitions in life – to be chased and to be tickled by their father!)

Dads play very different games with their children from the games mothers play. And the games come to fathers quite naturally. No one tells them to play with their children in a certain way – they just do it without really thinking about it.

While mothers engage in gentle, nurturing activities, fathers play games with their children that involve getting them excited, very often including the elements of risk and fear. A typical father-child game would involve a father raising his hands like claws above his head, taking giant steps toward the child and growling, “Here comes the bear! It’s going to eat you up!” 

The child invariably turns tail and scampers away squealing with delight. Once cornered, he or she is usually scooped into their father’s arms where they are supposedly eaten by the bear, something which turns out to be ticklish and immensely enjoyable for the child. And every time the child experiences being caught, their faith in their father’s love is strengthened.

Children who are exposed to such games learn a number of valuable lessons. They learn to distinguish between reality and illusion – they know their dad’s not really a bear. They also enjoy the thrill of being scared while knowing that they’re not really going to be hurt, so they learn to deal with a negative emotion (fear of the “bear”) in a supportive and positive environment – something which proves invaluable when they make their own way in the world and have to face real fears that come across their paths.

Another lesson they learn is how to read their father’s face and to respond accordingly. Dads often quickly tire of children’s games (just try keeping up with an enthusiastic toddler and see how long you last), but the positive outcome is that, from as young as six months old, children have been found to be able to read the expressions on their fathers’ faces and can tell when the game is over. These children learn how to bring themselves down from the emotional high they were on as a result of being chased, causing them to grow up with a higher level of emotional self-control and emotional intelligence. Now emotional intelligence is becoming a major currency in the business world. Studies have shown that, of people with the same IQ, education, skills and experience, it’s the person with the highest level of emotional intelligence (EQ) who will get ahead of the pack in the world of work. And fathers play a role in helping to develop their children’s EQ.

Fathers also typically throw their children in the air and catch them or encourage their children to jump from the bed or couch while they stand waiting to catch them, simple games which involve elements of risk and which require the child to learn to trust their fathers. Watch your child the first time you encourage her to jump into your arms. She won’t be too keen but, as she comes to understand that you’re going to catch her, she comes to love it! By contrast, watch a child who has never been exposed to this type of game. They are quite obviously terrified.

Another important way that fathers strengthen the bond between themselves and their children is through the use of secret signs of affection. This can take the form of a squeezed hand or a wink across a room to your child, giving them a sense of well-being and security that they get from experiencing the invisible bond that exists between them and their father.

Children thrive on attention and approval from their fathers. As a child grows up, they will frequently say those immortal words, “Look, daddy!” as they attempt to perform some or other activity. This is an expression of their desire to obtain approval and recognition from their fathers, and all this requires is the necessary attention directed at them (probably for no longer than a few seconds at a time) and an appropriate comment such as, “That’s wonderful, sweetheart!” or “Well done, son!”

Of course, one has to be realistic about this – you wouldn’t give the same attention to your child while driving your car as you would in your back yard, and explaining to your child why there is a good and a bad time to focus on him or her is also a valuable lesson for them. It helps them learn that, contrary to their belief, they are not the centre of the Universe and that sometimes they have to delay gratification in the interests of other people or things.

We live in a very success orientated world. While there’s nothing wrong with that, we fathers, unfortunately, tend to view success as something which we achieve outside the home. When we broaden our view of success to include not only that which we achieve in our work but also that which we achieve in our families, we find fulfilment and meaning we didn’t realise we were missing. After all, what are we really working for if it isn’t to give our families the best possible life?

Don’t make the mistake of losing yourself in your career in the interest of giving your family a certain lifestyle when they would rather have you around instead. A good formula to apply is: spend half the money and twice the time on your children and you will experience ten times the happiness as you see your children fly higher than you thought possible!

Author

Alan Hosking is the author of What nobody tells a new father, the new dad’s guide to pregnancy and parenthood. He has helped first-time and experienced dads become more involved parents for two decades.