6 Best Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

“Bottles fill his stomach, but breastfeeding fills his soul.”

– Diane Wiessinger

The feeling of becoming parents is unexplainable, and especially for a mother, it is a lot more than just contentment and fulfillment alone. A new mother has tons of responsibilities that come with the baby. Mothers are accountable for the finest upbringing of their children. As she enters into motherhood, breastfeeding becomes part of the identity of women.

A new mother feeds her baby the very first meal, which is full of nutrition. This means breastfeeding for the majority of women. Even though breastfeeding might seem easy, you can still fret over supplying your infant with the right nutrients. And you presumably may have a dozen questions about how everything functions.

Our greatest suggestion is to loosen up; you and your child will ultimately be used to it. To encourage you, we have made a list of breastfeeding tips that will provide you with the best nursing advice.

 

1.     Munch well, Mama

 You’re what you consume, and it’s crucial for you so your little one can get a nutritious supply of milk to eat. Although you don’t need to strain yourself, a balanced postpartum diet is essential for your achievement in nursing. Firstly, drink a lot of water. Your body works hard to generate the milk for the baby, which is why you may always be thirsty for water. Aim to drink eight glasses of water each day to build up the milk supply and keep you hydrated. Second, eat an evenly balanced diet. Devour those portions of protein, calcium, whole grain, and fruits and vegetables to ensure that you are stuffed properly. Add healthy fats to your diet. Much healthy fats are needed for brain functioning, particularly omega-3 fatty acids found in fish with low mercury and DHA-enriched eggs.

Third, don’t skip your vitamins. Continue to take it until breastfeeding has been fully completed. You can also continue to take your DHA pregnancy top-up essential for the health and wellbeing of a new mother.

 

2.     Lactation should be comfortable, not painful

 Breasts are your number one asset when it comes to breastfeeding. For new moms, it helps prevent many infectious diseases in the baby and provides it full nutrition. However, please note that you shouldn’t be breastfeeding more than needed. What happens due to over breastfeeding is Mastitis. It is when certain germs reach the milk canals via nipples and make them sore. This occurs more often to the moms who find it difficult to breastfeed their babies. The soreness around the breasts can be painful. To avoid Mastitis, you can pump the milk to feed the baby. The doctor will also prescribe you some antibiotics that will help in reducing the pain and soreness. It just doesn’t mean they should be uncomfortable because your breasts are functioning super hard. After every nursing practice, lanolin cream used may aid. But above all, modify your lactation practices and ensure a proper latch for the baby.

 

3.     Assist yourself with the best consultation

 You aren’t the first one having trouble breastfeeding. Enlist the help you need for your breastfeeding experience to resolve problems. There are several consultants at the hospital or birth child care centers available. Some even make house calls. Join a mummy’s group in your area or take a breastfeeding lesson to enhance learning.

For additional support, please get in touch with the breastfeeding home visit services provided by some authentic consultants.

 

4.     Drippy breasts aren’t a problem

 If it sometimes leaves you feeling like you’re at a wet T-shirt competition when breastfeeding, don’t be ashamed you’re not alone. In fact, leaking breasts are lovely because they reveal a mom’s natural need to feed a baby, but they are no less chaotic. If it sometimes leaves you feeling like you’re at a wet T-shirt competition when breastfeeding, don’t be ashamed you’re not alone. In fact, leaking breasts are lovely because they reveal a mom’s natural need to feed a baby, but they are no less chaotic.

You may begin to leak before feeding your baby, listening to the baby’s soothing voice, or even drooling over a picture of your baby boo. Careful planning can help with your leaky breasts, and it includes:

Keep a bunch of nursing pads to avoid.

Place napkins below when you sleep so that you do not need to change your bedsheets in the morning if there’s a leakage problem at night.

Wear dark colors, so the leaks don’t peek out if they appear. 

Don’t just pump too hard. Excess pumping will not help leaky breasts to stop. Nonetheless, it actually only boosts your production and aggravates the problem.

Mother and newborn
The newborn is sleeping on the mothers chest

 

5.     Quality Pump matters

Pumping breast milk is something every Mama should do to make sure she is not breastfeeding her baby all the time. Pumping milk has its own perks, and you get some time to relax if the milk has already been extracted before. There are two types of manual and automatic pumps with a single or double pumping ability.

The efficiency of each pump can distinguish between an incredibly simple and annoying experience. A double breast pump cut down the time needed to express milk from both breasts. A double breast pump is generally thought to be a great way to promote the growth of your prolactin hormone, too, while making it an easy and timely experience for mothers. A quality pump really matters if you want to pump more milk at a time.

 

6.     Posture at ease

Deciding on a lactation position, which works best for you, makes lactation much easier. Select your favorite fit with a few experiments until you adjust yourself properly. Firstly, you can lay back and breastfeed. Lie down with supporting head, neck, and shoulders. Put the entire front of the baby on your entire front and let the work begin. On your bare breast, put the baby’s cheek.

Second, Breastfeed the baby as you lean it in your lap, with the head of your baby in the elbow. You can use pillows to raise the head to the level of the nipple to breastfeed the baby properly.

The third is the crossover hold position. Keep your baby’s head from the presently nursing breast with the opposite hand. Lastly, the side Lying position is the most convenient in the middle of the night—mom and child, both on their sides, facing each other. 

 

Endnotes

 We know that breastfeeding can sometimes be immense, but the tips mentioned above in practice will help you to enjoy your child with breastfeeding. So, take into account the needs of your child, be content and satisfied. Assess the signs of good breastfeeding and try to remain hydrated.

Nothing’s wrong with asking for assistance.

In the beginning, breastfeeding can be a sentimental rush, but you and your baby are likely to hang on with a bit of time and dedication. So get faith! Since this is a good way to feed and bind your child, it’s worth the hassle.

Remember. When you follow these guidelines, your baby will continue to flourish right before your eyes!

 

Financial Tips for Parents to Consider

 

Whether you have just one child or a whole crew of little ones at home, you may sometimes find yourself financially overwhelmed as a parent. It can be hard to figure out how to manage expenses related to housing, utilities, meals, diapers, clothing, childcare, and other necessities. Following the right financial tips can help families to manage their money better. These five tips can help your family budget for all of your needs while still saving up for long-term goals and potential emergencies.

 

Attend Money Management Seminars and Classes

If you’re trying to understand how to stay out of debt while raising a family, then you need to learn a little bit more about money. Money management classes and seminars are a great way to learn more about budgeting, saving, and spending wisely. Look for free seminars that you can attend in your area or online. If you attend college, you may also want to consider enrolling in one or two finance classes. Even if you do not pursue a career in finance, you can learn valuable information that you can apply to your career and home life.

 

Remember That Brand Names Have No Significance

When shopping for children’s clothing, shoes, food, and toys, remember that brand names have no real significance. Many name-brand items are the same as their store brand counterparts, just with different labels. Children grow out of clothing items and shoes quickly. There is no reason to overspend on items that will turn into hand-me-downs within just a few months.

 

Cooking is Cheaper Than Eating Out

Fast food and take-out meals can seem inexpensive, but those purchases add up in the long run. If you have a large family, buy groceries in bulk to stay stocked up. Bulk groceries can also help you save money. When grocery shopping, look for inexpensive but filling and nutritious foods like potatoes, whole grain bread, apples, carrots, and brown rice. You can also use paper and digital coupons while shopping at the grocery store. In general, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid eating out with your family more than once per week. When you do spend money on restaurant meals, make it a more special occasion. Take the time to sit down somewhere with family members and appreciate the food and the company.

 

Teenagers Can Work Too

If you are worried about the math adding up on 18 years of expenses, remember that your child will probably start making some of their own money before moving out of the home. Teenagers 14 or older can work at restaurants, swimming pools, retail stores, and other entry-level businesses. They can also mow lawns, tutor younger students, and babysit. Teach your child good spending habits. Encourage them to save some of their income and avoid spending money on frivolous purchases. You can also teach your working teenager how to invest in the stock market and manage their credit appropriately.

 

Teenagers
Teenagers are working on their computers

 

Money Doesn’t Buy Character

One of the most crucial tips to keep in mind when raising a child is that money doesn’t buy happiness nor does it buy character. Children require love, attention, enrichment, and education, not expensive gifts. Instead of giving your child cash or expensive gifts as a reward, you might want to try rewarding them with exceptional experiences. For example, you may want to bake a cake or take your child to the beach as a birthday treat instead of buying them expensive gifts. Often, these experiences will be more memorable than gifts ever could have been. Cleaning up after yourself is a fundamental human responsibility and a sign of self-respect. You do not have to reward children with cash for taking out the trash, putting away their laundry, or washing dirty dishes.

The Ultimate Guide to Plan Your Kid’s Birthday Party

“A birth date is a reminder to celebrate life as well as to update life.”

Coming up with ideas for your kid’s birthday party can be a stressful, challenging, and overwhelming experience, especially if it’s the first time you’re doing it. Do you want your kid’s birthday party to be just perfect and a memorable experience for them as the years pass by?

Keep in mind that a birthday party can only be a success if you plan and are organized about the steps you need to take. To help reduce your burden, we have shared the ultimate birthday planning guide with you so that your kid’s birthday party can be the talk of the town.

Without any further delay, let’s get right into the birthday party planning details.

 

1. Select a theme

Do you and your kids love going to theme parties? Do you feel theme birthday parties are more fun, exciting, and easy to set up? If yes, then your very first step should be thinking of a unique and creative theme that your kid with love.

Think of your child’s interest or something that they are crazy about. It could be a cartoon character, a TV show, or maybe their favorite activity such as gaming or painting. Once you finalize an idea, check if the accessories are easily available for the theme. Even if you cannot find the accessories at a party shop, there’s no need to be disappointed as you can always make them at home. If non of the options works for you, why not order customizable decorations that can serve both as decoration and entertainment? Whether you’re looking for a fun focal point for a child’s birthday party or you want to create a more sophisticated atmosphere inflatable bounce houses and customized pools are great options. These unique custom inflatables can be designed to meet the needs of the theme and will not only astonish guests with specially printed pictures but will also give them the chance to enjoy themselves to the full. With a little imagination, you can easily create a unique look that will complement your event’s theme. So if you’re looking for ways to take your decorating game to the next level, consider investing in some custom products. You won’t be disappointed!

However, if you are having trouble deciding a theme for the birthday party, some popular ones include unicorns, superheroes, mermaids, pirates, Disney, and Barbie. If your budget allows it, it’s also a great idea to take the kids to a theme park. A Disney-themed birthday party in a Disney theme park would definitely be an unforgettable experience! If you choose this option, make sure to check Disney Orlando deals for group discounts.

 

2. Create a budget

As birthdays come only once a year, you need to budget a few weeks ahead of the birthday party so that you can throw the best party ever. Create a list of the finances that will occur, such as the décor, food, cake, theme, and the kid’s clothes.

As your child will be the guest of honour, you should ensure that their outfit and shoes match the theme. Once you have completed the budget, you’ll automatically know where you stand. If you start planning a few weeks earlier, you can also pick some extra shifts to collect money for the party.

Having a budget will ensure that you don’t end up overspending and regretting later on. Make sure you stick to the budget you have finalized because some unexpected last-minute expenses might pop up out of nowhere.

 

3. Choose the location

It is important that you choose the most suitable location if you are looking forward to planning the perfect birthday party. You wouldn’t like to end up with a location that is too crowded or stuffy, right? While there are many birthday party places in Brampton, you should pick a comfortable spot for everyone.

If you have a limited budget, do you think your house will be a suitable venue for the birthday party? Or, if you want to go with an outdoor venue, keep in mind the costs that the planners will charge you for the theme, decorations, and food.

Another very important point which people forget is that they don’t take the weather into consideration. You won’t want your outdoor party to blow up because of a sudden storm. If it’s winters or the rainy season, consider getting an indoor venue to be at ease.

 

4. Shortlist the guests

Once your final budget is calculated and you have finalized the location, then comes another main step. Obviously, you and your kid won’t be able to enjoy the birthday party without having people over.

Sit with your family and write down the names of people you would like to invite, starting from your family. Ask your kid about the number of friends they are expecting to come over and calculate the estimated number of people for the party.

Make sure you don’t go overboard with the number of people you invite because you will have a limited budget and venue to host. It will be a very embarrassing situation if people don’t have a place to sit or plates to eat from.

 

5. Send out the invitations

Would you like to add more creativity to the birthday party you are throwing for your kid? How about customized birthday party invitations that match the theme of the party? That would look cool, wouldn’t it?

To involve your kid in the planning process, you can develop unique and creative DIY birthday card ideas. If you haven’t made birthday cards before, you can follow a YouTube tutorial on arts and crafts.

Also, request your guests to confirm their presence at the birthday party so you can make arrangements accordingly. Don’t forget to mention the party’s timing on the invitation as many venues have a strict timing policy.

Mention the birthday party theme on the invitation card so the kids dress up accordingly and do not feel out of place once they arrive.

 

6. Choose the perfect birthday cake

As a birthday party can never be complete without a delicious cake, make sure you hire the best cake maker for the party. It will be great if you match the birthday cake with the party theme and give the baker some ideas from Google or Pinterest on how you would like the cake to be.

If the people attending your party have some allergies or food restrictions, request them to inform you in advance so that everyone is able to enjoy the food. You can opt for a two or three-story cake depending on how many people you have invited. The more the cake, the merrier it is.

 

7. Confirm the food order

Other than the cake itself, don’t forget to place an order to the caterers for party snacks and drinks. Some common birthday party foods include chips, biscuits, pizza, cookies, pasta, and cold beverages.

Before you confirm your order with the caterer, don’t forget to add the foods your kid likes. Please provide them with the number of people you have invited to prepare the food order accordingly.

 

8. Plan some games and activities

For the entertainment of the kids and guests, plan some fun games and activities beforehand, so no one gets bored.

How about some old-school games like musical chairs, passing the pillow, and dancing statues? If your budget and the venue allow, you could also set up a jumping castle or trampoline, as they are a favorite among the kids.

Make sure that you supervise the games at all times so that no kids get hurt or end up fighting amongst themselves. You could also request an older sibling or cousin to keep an eye on the kids and keep them away from the restricted areas at the venue.

 

Closing Note

Planning a birthday party can be a difficult job as a lot of details and attention go into the planning process. However, if you follow the detailed guidelines mentioned above, we assure you that you will have the time of your life. Just make sure you include your kid in the planning process and ask for their input as it is their birthday party, after all. 

Why Your Children Should Have an ID

As a parent, you do everything you can to keep your family happy, healthy, and safe. You plan fun activities for the weekend, cook healthy meals, and prepare against any harm. One way you can prepare your family is by having an ID for your children. Life can throw unexpected twists our way, and it’s best to try and have a plan beforehand. An ID for your children may not be top of mind, but we’ll show you three reasons why you should get an ID for each of your children.

 

You Can Be Separated

Getting separated from your child is not uncommon, unfortunately. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, over 600,000 individuals go missing every year. It may happen because they wander off at the grocery store, or maybe they run to a friend without telling you. We sometimes become distracted with the task at hand or focus on the environment around us, leading to an accidental separation.

If you become separated from your child, it’s critical that you seek help immediately. You’ll likely need to provide details about your child, including their full name, height, weight, eye color, hair color, and other identifying information. You may experience a high amount of stress and anxiety during this time, making it difficult for you to recall such details. Having an ID for your child would make it easy for you to provide all the necessary information as quickly as possible.

 

Medical Emergencies

Children like to play, but sometimes they may play a little too hard. Or perhaps they’re accidentally exposed to an allergen. Accidents happen every day, and some are more serious than others and may require immediate medical attention. Having an ID for your child can provide helpful information like height, weight, emergency contact, and other important information, like allergies, medical considerations. Providing this valuable information makes it easier for doctors to assess the situation,  provide treatment more efficiently, and contact you as necessary. Not having an ID on hand could mean the doctors would need to gather more background information, taking longer to treat the issue.

 

Immediate Action In Case of Abduction

Child abductions are a tragedy and are devastating to any family. Nonfamily and family abductions are serious emergencies that require immediate action. In these situations, every second counts. You may be familiar with AMBER alerts. These are messages sent out to a community with information about a missing from law enforcement. Being able to forward your child’s ID allows law enforcement to get the message out as soon as possible. The faster you respond with your child’s identifying information, the better the chances of survival and law enforcement reuniting your family.

As we mentioned earlier in this post, when you’re separated from your child, you’re likely to be highly anxious, stressed out, and can forget details at the moment. Your child’s ID will provide the information needed by law enforcement. Providing local law enforcement with identifying information and characteristics is recommended by both the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as some of the first steps you should take You can also share your child’s ID on social media with friends, family, and other outlets to create widespread community awareness.

 

Conclusion

The safety and wellbeing of our children are always on our minds as parents. We try our best to provide an excellent home for our families and keep our children safe. Having an ID for your child is just one way to help you be prepared for emergencies and keep your children safe.

7 Exciting Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained at Home

Some parts of the world are opening up, but kids are still not allowed to go out of their homes for their safety. It can get boring for your kids having to spend their childhoods stuck at home. Therefore, you might want to create more fruitful memories for them despite being stuck at home. 

If you want to get your kids excited, here are some different ideas that you can use to entertain your kids, even at home. 

 

Online learning activities 

When your kids are stuck at home, you can give them opportunities to entertain themselves while also learning something new. For that purpose, the Internet can be a valuable tool with its myriad of devices, websites, and apps that are helpful both for education and entertainment. You need to look for these sites and apps. 

Nowadays, you can choose the educational website of your choice based on the learning activity that you want your child to commit to. There are plenty available online out there. You can also use educational apps, which can be more convenient. 

These online learning activities are convenient because you can access them anywhere if you are connected to the Internet. 

 

Virtual museum tour 

It might not be a good idea to visit a local museum if you want to keep your kids as safe as possible. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a museum tour at all. Even when your kids are stuck at home, you can still enjoy virtual museum tours, given the efforts of thousands of galleries and museums from all over the world. 

When doing a virtual museum tour, you should stay with your kids to explain each piece to them when you can. It’s an excellent way to introduce your kids to art, history, and culture worldwide all at the same time. Plus, you don’t have to leave the house to do so too, it’s convenient and safe. 

 

Podcast listening 

Podcasts are usually associated with adults. However, podcast creators also cater to kids, so why not try and see if your kids would enjoy those? Podcasts can help your kids reduce their time looking at screens all day. At the same time, it can help entertain them by listening to stories. 

Podcasts are also an excellent way to bond with your kids to have something to talk about as well. 

 

Journal writing 

Journal writing is a beloved activity that your kids can also enjoy. It would be a fun keepsake for them when they grow up and look back at all their thoughts and everyday experiences during those times. At the same time, it helps teach kids how to verbalize their thoughts in some way. 

You can help them choose their journals and give them those journals with built-in locks to keep their secrets private. Don’t forget to remind them to write the dates in their diaries. 

 

Board games 

It’s always fun to have a family game night, but given the easy access to video games and games on mobile phones through apps, it might seem nothing new to your kids. Instead of getting glued to the TV screen, why not get board games? Board games provide a different type of gaming fun that your kids will want.   

It’s also a chance to bond with them and enjoy each others’ company. You can even build a collection eventually and give your kids a life-long hobby. 

 

Family movie night 

Aside from family game night, family movie night is another exciting way to keep your kids entertained at home. You can turn it into a whole experience by making homemade popcorn and getting a projector that can project the movie onto a blank wall or even a white blanket. You can also make fake tickets to sell the moment. 

If you have multiple kids, get them to alternate each week with what movie they want to watch so that everyone gets the chance to watch what they want. 

 

Backyard camping 

You don’t have to head to the great outdoors to enjoy a bit of camping. Your backyard still counts as the outdoors, so if you want a change of pace, why not try backyard camping with your kids? It’s a great way to teach them camping tips so that they know what to do when you do the real thing one day. 

Smores, campfire stories, and sleeping in sleeping bags can be a memorable experience for your kids that they’ll remember for a long time. 

 

Over to You 

There are many ways you can entertain your kids these days, but the ones on this list ensure that you engage your kids in a way that will be fruitful or heartwarming, and memorable. Try these out to spice the days up for your kids to not think they are stuck at home. Instead, they’ll remember these fun experiences when they were at home. 

 

New Moms: How to Raise a Healthy, Happy Baby

Becoming a mom for the first time is exciting and daunting all at the same time. You’ll have so many questions, and probably wonder each and every day if you’re doing a good job. If that’s something you’re concerned about, you’re probably doing great!

 

Any mom who cares and worries is a mom who loves their baby and that is the first and most important step in raising a happy and healthy baby. We’ve rounded up a few key things to think about and focus your attention on when you have your first baby.

 

Nutrition

The nutrients your child takes in in their early stages of development play a major role in their growth, health and development in the long term. Taking this seriously will set a good foundation that will impact their health and happiness for years to come. Breastfeeding your baby is often considered the best possible nutrition, especially for a newborn. However, this isn’t always achievable for all moms. Alula S-26 gold formula milk is designed to provide optimised nutrition for your newborn and is a great alternative (or supplement) to breastmilk.

 

Play

Keeping your baby’s mind occupied and stimulated is very important, both for their happiness and for their learning. Babies learn from their environments and from you – the parents and caretakers – and how you interact with them.

 

Being actively involved in play and learning will help to ensure that your little one experiences learning as fun and develop their early skills. Educational toys with loads of bright colours and different shapes and textures will contribute to their development. Reading them stories and talking to them will not only help them learn how to speak but will make them feel loved and comforted by your presence.

 

Sleep

This is obviously a tricky one. All babies are different when it comes to sleep. Some tend to need a lot of sleep, some struggle with sleep, and if you’re lucky your baby will be somewhere in the middle. However, this isn’t often the case! Monitoring your baby’s sleeping patterns and habits will help you to ensure that they’re getting enough (but not too much) rest and can also help to ensure some down time for mom and dad, which is just as important.

 

Learn

This one is for you, mom and dad, and not so much for the baby. It’s important that you pay attention to your baby and learn along this journey. Learn from mistakes, learn how to handle certain situations, and learn your baby’s cues. Understanding your baby’s needs comes with time and practice, but you’ll soon start to notice when they’re trying to tell you something.

Parenting is a journey that goes on for years. Each new stage of development brings new challenges and new joys too! Learning as you go along is the most important thing to do, and keep in mind that if you have a second baby, you’ll be learning all over again.

4 Ways to Find the Best Kids Shoes for Your Kids

Are you overwhelmed by the variety of shoes available for your children when you go shoe shopping? It’s tempting to choose the cutest pair, but the greatest shoe for your small boy or girl is determined by fit and function rather than appearance. Making the effort to obtain a proper fit can help them grow healthy feet for the rest of their lives. Foot discomfort, calluses, corns, ingrown toenails, and blisters can all be caused by improperly fitting shoes for your child.

Fortunately, there are methods for measuring your child’s feet so that you can locate shoes that fit without having to go on a marathon shopping spree. Use the suggestions below to help you choose your child’s next pair of shoes.

1. Measure your child’s feet

Measure your child's feet

Instead of trying to measure your child’s feet at home, take them to a shoe store. A store worker will have the best tools for measuring the length and width of your child’s feet so you can buy the best kids shoes without any difficulty.

Additional tip: Have your child stand and place a little amount of weight on each foot to lengthen it for a more accurate measurement.

2. Don’t go overboard with your purchase

Don't go overboard with your purchase

One of the most prevalent problems is when parents buy their children shoes that are too big for them. This is particularly concerning for infants and toddlers who are still learning to walk and are frequently unsteady.

Parents frequently purchase larger shoes in the hopes that their children will grow into them and that they will last longer. However, shoes that are half or full size too big put your youngster at risk of tripping and falling, which can result in damage.

3. Always check the toes

 Always check the toes

Overcrowding or increased pressure on the toes can be avoided with adequate width and depth at the front of the shoe, or toe box. Make sure your child’s shoes allow him or her to freely flex the front of his or her foot and wriggle his or her toes — without any slippage or squashed toes.

From the longest toe to the front of the shoe, allow 1 to 2 cm (or approximately a thumb’s breadth). More than 3 cm is too large, whereas less than 1 cm is excessively tiny.

4. Support takes priority over style

 Support takes priority over style

Children are generally active and love sports and other physical activities, therefore closed-toe athletic shoes with arch support are the ideal choice.

Rubber soles are especially beneficial for children since they provide improved traction and minimize the danger of falling. Hard soles provide more support, whereas soft soles provide minimal support and control of foot movements, according to her.

Buying shoes made of breathable materials like leather, canvas, or mesh is also recommended by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. The feet of children sweat more than the feet of adults. These materials can aid in the movement of air.

Why Does It Matter to Find Best Kids Shoes?

Newborns have soft, supple, fat-filled feet from the moment they are born. Children’s feet shed fat and their bones stretch and get into position as they develop and become more physically active. Shoes should be carefully packed to avoid foot abnormalities and allow for healthy foot growth. After all, your child’s feet will be walking hundreds of miles throughout their lives, so they deserve to be treated! As a result, it’s critical to invest some time and money in finding the proper shoe for your child’s feet.

When and how often should you buy shoes?

how often should you buy shoes

Children’s shoes, as strange as they may seem, must be updated every few months to allow for foot development. Children may develop a whole shoe size in a month, and before you know it, toes are peeking out of socks, and you’re on your way to the shoe store. Don’t put off getting new Crocs until your child’s toes develop curved nails! To stay on top of the correct shoe size in your children’s closets, schedule a monthly shoe check.

Conclusion

Finding shoes that your kid enjoys wearing and feels at ease in may be difficult, especially if they are too little to articulate. Follow the above shoe guidelines to select brands you can trust and get comfy shoes.

HOW TO ENCOURAGE READING HABITS IN YOUR CHILD

Children these days have access to digital technology and gadgets that their parents did not. One generation sees the world differently than the next; of course, there’s truth to that. But the technology kids use these days are doing more harm than benefit them. That is why, as a parent, you should intervene in your kid’s life and kill their dependency on gadgets at the root.

 

Digital Detox: Brilliant minds of this generation spend hours coming up with interesting mobile games and social media strategies that make kids hooked to them. Screen-Addiction is very much similar to the addictive nature of drugs; the brain rewards a user once he logs into his digital world and spends more and more time in them while ignoring reality. 

 

  • This addiction won’t go away without effort. Like any other addiction, kids, too, would experience withdrawal symptoms after not using mobile phones. It is essential to replace their screen addiction with something else that will enrich their minds instead of harming them. Books are a great alternative that keeps people engaged in an alternate world of imagination and encourages children to be more conscious about one’s place in the world. 
  • Watching videos on the internet or surfing the web is passive work as one consumes the content passively without exercising their mind. On the other hand, reading storybooks is an active process that requires proper concentration and attention. That is why it is helpful for children to develop a reading habit to detoxify the internet addiction. 

 

The New Habit: while digital detox is necessary, one must acknowledge that children need personal time to focus on things they like. Reading storybooks for fun is considered a great hobby that helps shape one’s mind. Here are ways one can instill the habit of reading in small children. 

 

  • Re-read The Same Books: When you read a child their favorite books once again, it helps them visualize the plot better and fall in love with the character. Reading also helps the young reader gain speed and accuracy. 
  • A Shift in Personal Habit: Kids follow their parents a great deal. When a parent is glued to their mobiles (for work and entertainment), a child too wants to experience the same. As a parent, be sure to read more to set an example for the young ones. 
  • Books as Reward: Kids need to learn that books are not equated with punishment. When they do something good, reward them with an exciting storybook that they may enjoy reading. 
  • Pick Books at Right Level: Books are written for different age groups, and a parent must learn to recommend the right books for their kids. A child will not enjoy books that are mainly written for a grown-up audience. For example, during summer vacation, you may develop summer reading ideas and include a list of excellent books for your kids
  • Let Your Kid Choose: Take your kid to a bookstore where he will explore the joy of purchasing books. Let him select whichever books he likes. A child may choose lots of comics and graphic novels, which is fine. The more they read, the more they develop their own sense of likes and dislikes when reading books. 
  • Family Story Time: Reading a bedtime story every night is a great way to make your children fall in love with books, and at the same time, it will have a calming effect which will result in better sleep. Try to make it a family tradition that they will enjoy and cherish as a memory once they grow up. 

 

4 Ways to Improve Responsibility in your Kids

Children are too young to handle complex tasks independently, although they are happy to help you out at home or do the shopping. At the same time, your child is becoming more independent, and he probably likes to make decisions on his own. You can support this by assigning tasks that you know you can complete. As a result, they will know they can help take care of themselves and the world around them and prepare them for greater responsibilities later in childhood.

As a mom or a dad, you would be concerned for your child. While you do want them to take more and improve responsibility, you also do not want them to hurt themselves just cause you pushed them to do something.

Well, you got to try. Check if the following ways may be helpful for you and your child.

 

Reward system

Yes, we cannot impress enough on positive parenting. You need to be the safe haven for your child as opposed to someone whom the child dreads. Establishing a reward system help encourage the child to take up responsibility and ensure that it is duly taken care of. You do not even have to promise them pocket money or anything. Maybe just an ice cream after lunch or a small present or letting them watch their favorite show for 30 more minutes can do. Still, once they actually see this happening, they would be eager to take up more responsibilities and fulfill those provided that now they are guided by incentives.

Teaching them to work first and then play

Even when your child has a short attention span, you can start teaching him how to get rid of homework before he relaxes or enjoys himself.

Be friendly and admit that you like entertainment too. Show him that you are not bullying; you just expect him to behave responsibly, just like you. An excellent way to explain this idea to your child is to use the “when n then” rule. For example, you might say, “When we clean the table, then we can play dice.” It is more important to use the “when” word rather than “if.” This is because “if” means you just have to clear the table “if” you want to play dice. But “when” states that the table must be cleared at some point, it doesn’t matter what, and playing games is just a bonus.

These are small changes that you can make in addressing your child, and you will see a huge difference in their sense of responsibility. You can even take the help of online parenting blogs like Dadistry to help you along.

 

Make the chores enjoyable for them

We enjoy our tasks best when they are fun and friendly. Your baby would love spending time with you; though emptying the dryer may not be considered a job, it’s fun to pull warm, fluffy clothes and put them in the basket! If you clean the toys, have a friendly competition with your little one to see who can cater to more toys amongst both of you. You can even cook with them or make some refreshing drinks and ask them to help; teach them how a few things in the kitchen area to be handled with care and always clean after using the kitchen. This will also explain to them (indirectly) to be responsible for the cleanliness of their surroundings and prepare them to take up more responsibility.

 

Hold them accountable

We would tell you the golden rule to bringing about something. It is to start small. You cannot expect the child to learn to be responsible overnight, but over time, yes, that is what you should expect. If they leave the lights switched on in a room, tell them to go back and switch them off. You do not have to scold them. Tell them how electricity conservation is important. Do not let them leave the food half-eaten. Tell them about how many kids survive on less than three meals a day. Tell them how scarce food is. Instill a sense of responsibility and accountability in them without the use of threats or punishments.

This should not end here. Once you see them actually following what you taught them, reward and acknowledge them. You can even celebrate a few of those.

 

A Mini Guide

You need to start with making smaller changes in your child’s daily routine. If you haven’t done the following, you may want to do them now.

  1.     Start by asking them to wake up with an alarm on a weekend
  2.     Teach them to tie their shoelaces
  3.     Establishing family rules for, e.g., asking before one even kisses their own siblings (these go without rewards, however)
  4.     Praise them when they start making efforts
  5.     Get them their first wristwatch to help them track time
  6.     Give them a weekly plan with tasks to accomplish
  7.     Be a role model for them

You have got this!

 

Be realistic

We cannot impress on this enough. Rome was not built in a day, and it involved adults. We are dealing with children here, and you need to exercise immense patience. Your kid won’t always put shoes behind the front door or put toys back in the box. If that’s not right, he tries not to be impatient. Just remind him, “Remember, put the trucks away when you’re done.” If he is tired, for example, after a day in kindergarten, give him a little more help. He probably spent the whole day following the rules, and now he wants to get some rest when he’s home. Finally, whenever your child tries to act responsibly, give him a lot of praise and attention even if he fails. This shows your child that their efforts are important and appreciated.

 

Bottom Line

Let your child know that he has to follow certain rules, but positively explain them without threats or any kind of ultimatum. Show your child how responsible he is by taking care of your things and your space. He sets the car keys on the hook where they belong, instead of on the table, and picks up the clothes off the bedroom floor. He explains why you are also doing this to let your child know why it is important to be responsible.

 

 

Author Bio

Evie Harrison is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs

When and How to Plan Your Gender Reveal Party for Family and Friends

Knowing about the gender of your baby-to-be can be an extremely delightful and humbling experience. Hence, celebrating the moment with a party makes sense.  Gender reveal party helps parents reveal the gender of the child before its birth to their friends and family.

In some situations, even the parents aren’t aware of the child’s gender until the party. Not so long ago, knowing the gender of a child was incredibly simple, with a doctor simply giving you an envelope with the answer within.

Today, this momentous occasion in any parent’s life can be turned into a joyous celebration that creates a significant amount of happiness and delight for the parents.

When to Plan a Party?

Your gynecologist or ultrasound technician can discern the sex of your child roughly around 18 weeks into your pregnancy. There are options to find out the gender, even earlier, with non-invasive prenatal testing.

So ideally, your gender reveal party can be held roughly after two and a half months to four and a half months of your pregnancy. In reality, though, many parents would opt for waiting a little longer just in case any potential complications happen with their pregnancy.

So the most common time to throw a gender reveal party is anywhere between 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. This would be a good time to start planning for your party.

How to Plan a Gender Reveal Party

The parties, in general, have three specific audiences that they target based on who is aware of the gender of the child.

In the first situation, the parents would be aware of the gender and reveal the same to their friends and family members. In this situation, you can choose the best planning option with your spouse and orchestrate an event for a gathering of your close loved ones.

The second option is if one of the parents knows while the other is left in the dark. You might want to throw a more intimate and private event with only your closest friends and family in these situations. In this case, it would be left up to the spouse aware of the gender to plan the party accordingly.

The third option is when both parents are not aware of the gender of the child. This can be done by discussing with your obstetrician or gynecologist before you go in for the ultrasound. They will simply jot down the gender of your child in an envelope and give it to you.

After this, you can give the envelope to a close friend, who will then be in charge of planning the party, or a gender reveal party planner who will make all the necessary arrangements to ensure that your day of celebration goes off without any hassles.

Final Thoughts

Ideally, the best option would be if both the parents do not know the gender and the party planning are left to a reliable professional. This way, not only will the surprise be simultaneous for both you and your spouse, but you will also have a party that will be perfectly planned, down to the last detail.