The decision on whether to breast or bottle feed your new baby is one of the many choices you will face as a new parent. Remember that there is no right or wrong side, only what feels right for you and your baby. The consensus amongst the medical community is that a new born baby should be breast fed exclusively for the first six months and this should continue until 12 months or further if both the baby and mother are able. Here are some points you should consider as you decide if breast or bottle is best for your baby.
Raising children can be the most rewarding experience on earth. However, at times, it may also seem like the most frustrating. There are no secrets to being a good parent but these ten tips should get you on the right path.
Set ground rules
No matter what age your child is you must first establish what is and isn’t acceptable. Once they have a framework of behavior they know when they have crossed the line and the consequences of their action.
Be a strong role model
Don’t let your kids catch you behaving in a way they have been scolded for previously. Remember your children look up to you for guidance. If they see you get frustrated or angry they will copy this behavior in the future.
Make the punishment fit the crime
If your child misbehaves by not putting their toys away when asked on the first occasion it does not mean they should sent to bed without dinner. Again consistency is important. Decide what the appropriate level of punishment for the behavior is, and stick to it.
Be consistent
Which behavior is worse: A tantrum in a grocery store with strangers watching or the same tantrum in the privacy of your own home? Just because there are other people watching does not mean the level of behavior is worse. Nor does it imply that the punishment should be more severe. Ensure that you are consistent when using punishment to discipline your child.
Praise your children for good behavior
Instead of only focusing on what they do wrong, remember to praise them when they are being well behaved. This reinforces their behavior that led to the praise and makes it more likely to continue on the future.
Conflict
There will be times when your child just plain refuses to do what they are told. They are old enough to realize they can say NO. This is a sign that your child is becoming more independent but they do not fully understand the situation. Explain to your child the reason why they must do as they are told. Discuss the situation with them and in a manner that you would like to be spoken too.
Each year many young children are diagnosed with middle ear infections – or otitis media. Typical symptoms that occur with otits media include fever, ear ache and irritability. Many times these infections become recurrent and parents are forced to make several trips to the child’s physician to get treatment. Parents often want to decrease their child’s suffering and may be quick to administer antibiotics to do so. Although the use of antibiotics is warranted in some situations, they often do not address the root cause of the problem. The use of antibiotics can leave the child more susceptible to other types of infections as bacteria become resistant to drugs. Side effects of antibiotics can include digestive upset leading to diarrhea, gas and tummy ache. In many instances, the ear infection is not due to bacteria, but due to a virus, which antibiotics will not be useful in eliminating.
Barb and Maxine work for a large corporation whose profit for the last quarter was $400 million. Both women are new moms, currently at home caring for their children. Barb will be at home for 52 weeks and will receive 85% of her regular salary. Maxine, on the other hand, is able to stay home for only 35 weeks during which she receives 55% of her usual salary. What is the difference? Barb is a biological mother; Maxine is an adoptive mother.
As a new parent, you try to make sure your child gets enough sleep, is well nourished, and sees a doctor for regular check-ups. If you are like many parents, your primary concern has been your child’s health, starting the moment you found out you were pregnant. And as a new parent, now may be the time to think about healthcare in a whole new light.
Q – My husband and I are about to start trying for a baby and I was wondering if there is anything specific I should do to prepare my body? Should I be cutting anything out of my diet or do more exercise? Will anything help me conceive faster?
Q – I just discovered I’m pregnant and I’m thrilled. I am about 5 weeks pregnant and this morning when I went to the bathroom I found a few tiny spots of blood. What does this mean? Am I still pregnant? Is something wrong?