Sending little babies to sleep is one of the hardest tasks most mothers do. In general, babies are really hard to send to sleep. Even if babies are not hungry, wet or sick often times they are really irritable when it comes to bed time. Putting them down on a crib make them start crying and throwing tantrums as if they are abandoned by their parents but in reality they are just sending them to sleep.

Many first time parents are in trouble and in this same problem with others. By that, we gathered efficient solutions and guides for parents in giving their baby sleep training.

1. Do not feed and dance your baby to sleep. While in the first months, babies tend to adjust still on the life outside the wombs of their mothers. It is still fine if your baby sleeps after feeding them as they need to be fed every two to three hours while at the same time having a very disordered sleeping schedule. At this stage they do not have yet a strategy on how to soothe themselves. By 4 months onwards they are starting to develop neurologically. And that they are starting to develop habits that if not taken action can give a hard time to parents, especially when it comes to sleeping.

To refrain from the big problem of having to feed them and dance till you drop just to send them to sleep, make a sleeping routine that is favorable not only to your baby but of yourself. An example of best sleeping routine is to wash your baby first, put him in his pajamas, read him stories after and dim the lights. Eventually, you can be sending him to sleep. If you do this often, the baby will be given signals that it is now time for a goodnight sleep.

2. Do not pick up your baby every time he cries. Babies probably know that their parents love them the most. At the first six months, you should go and pick her up when she’s whimpering. However, when she reaches the age of 9 months onwards, this habit can be a bit troublesome to parents especially when going to sleep. To avoid this, try to adjust the instances you’ll come running to comfort her. Have a mental checklist of reasons why is she crying. Like if you have to feed her already, might be she’s wet or something. If there are some unchecked boxes on your checklist, then go and comfort her. If not, that is the time you’ll have to adjust the time to go and comfort her in her whims. Say, if she’s already crying after putting her in her crib and getting out of the room, wait for 5 minutes before going back to her. The next day, take it 10 minutes and so on and forth. This will eventually send her to sleep readily.

3. Do not let your baby stay up late. Just letting your baby fall asleep voluntarily even if it means he’ll be up late is not entirely a good idea. It might be an easy way for you to go that way but the baby tends to get more tired and wake up more often than usual. Understand his first month because he is still in its adjustment period where he has this chaotic sleeping routine. However, as the month goes by this should not be taken for granted. If there are times when your baby takes a nap early in the evening, seize this opportunity to bath him or clean him up and prepare him to sleep. He will eventually remember that time and make himself ready for sleep at those hours.

It might be not that easy to undergo your baby in a sleep training. However, do the above tips and eventually you’ll get the best out of it while at the same time giving your baby an ample of rest and a sound sleep.

It is really a hard time for parents to persuade their children to eat anything healthy especially vegetables when it tastes not good to them. Also, to keep them away from watching television even if it is their favorite cartoon movies when it is time to eat, and other more difficult times with their children when it comes to eating activity. Nevertheless, parents must keep in mind that this kind of problems can help your kids healthy as they grow up.

Below are the 6 different ways to raise your child who’s healthy for life:

Don’t tell them to finish the food on their plate.

Based on the fact, kids only tend to eat about 60% of what they put on their plate which is totally “normal”. Never tell your children to finish the food on their plate even if he/she is already full because pushing them can set up a bad pattern.

Make exercise enjoyable.

Your children don’t need to go to the gym for exercise, they just need to get moving for about an hour each day. So go for a trek one weekend, take a family stroll or kick a soccer ball in the backyard. The only key is to ensure that they are having fun on it. Once done, take a break and ask them how their bodies feel. In that way, your children will keep on connecting that joyful thought with physical activity, which strengthens their mental and physical benefits of exercise.

Don’t let them eat in front of the Television

If your children eat in front of the TV, they won’t be able to pay attention to the feelings of fullness. Studies show that kids who eat their snacks while watching television are prone to eating more soda and candy that can lead to an unhealthy diet.

Set a screen limit

Children ages 8 to 18 now spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using different media devices such as televisions, cell phones etc. A child student who uses more time using media devices is more likely to get low grades and are less likely to be contented with themselves than those who are not attached to their devices. Manage your child’s recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day.

Expose them to different foods

Consider exposing your child to the various of foods. Tell them what are the good and bad benefits they will get from eating that specific food. Of course, encourage them to eat those healthy foods. Explain to them why and why not. A simple tip, if it is hard for you to persuade them to eat, arrange the food into a fun pattern on their plates. It can add interest for them to eat it.

Always pack them with healthy snacks

Kids are very active nowadays and may need to eat small amounts all throughout the day and that is why snacks should be nutritionally similar to meals with a balance of healthy fats, protein, and whole grains.

Encourage your child to play an instrument.

Encouraging your child to practice and play at least one instrument can help them grow up with boosting their ability. Through this, your child can focus playing on their instruments instead of doing some bad vices. In connection to this, you can use a music tote bag from Salsa and Gigi to carry out all instrument sheet music.

These are just some of the ideas to keep your child healthy as they grow up. There are countless ways perhaps. Just make sure that those ways are healthy, good and legal.

After a long vacation, parents spend a lot of time getting their children ready for school. New back-to-school routines, haircuts and school supplies. There are several extra things that parents can do for themselves and to their children to make sure a smooth switch into the school year.

Take a look below the five essential back-to-school tips for parents to get this year off a great start:

Set up bedtime and wake-up routine.

It’s nice to make a bedtime and wake-up routine as soon as possible a week before the class start. At the moment when the first school bell rings, your children will be ready on the proper sleeping and wake up schedule, and it will be a less hassle for you as a mother and to your whole family.

Plan healthy snacks and lunches.

The better you plan out the meals in your home, the healthier choices you will make or your children. When you pack protein-rich lunches and snacks, balanced with vegetables, fruits, and other necessary vitamins, you make sure that your kids will have the brainpower and energy to make it through their school day activities.

Open up to your children about their concerns.

The start of school is exciting, yet can also bring some nervousness especially when it comes to the unknown. Take a few time to talk with and ask with your kids regarding their concerns. Ask them what are they looking forward to during the school year and what are the things that make them worry. By opening up to your kids, and express their concerns, you can clear up any worries that could lead to a rough start to the year and help them work all the way through any worries in advance.

Educate your kids about bullying.

Researchers show that one out of three children experiences bullying in their school. Ensure that your kids understand the right way to face and treat their fellow student and to speak up immediately if they see someone else is being bullied.

Organize well the clothing.

Get rid or donate the clothing that your kids have outgrown and make sure that you still organize well what is left. From there, make a decision on what items you may need more before the school starts.

When you are a mother of several children, and you need to go with your student kid, but you also have a baby with you, you can use a stroller and stroller hooks to hang up essential things of your child. Be prepared and worry less!

Nowadays, anxiety and stress are par for the course for parents having a child with issues. Research says that anxiety and stress has a way of jamming the signals of parents in a result of not able to accomplish their goals as good parents.

Parenting a child that has special needs is a massive and multitask responsibility. So, bring on the calm and try these five effective practices for parents of children with special needs that will fit into even in the most chaotic schedules:

1. Create or join a support group for like-minded parents.

Parents having a kid with issues can be very isolating. Some stress-relievers are as effective as receiving support from an individual who knows exactly what you are going through or even just hearing other people share their story. A support group can meet local house of worship or online, in someone’s home, and if there are no organizations in your locality, begin in yourself! It is empowering to take a move and at the same time, you are helping others in the process.

2. Try meditation or yoga.

Being conscious of slowing down your breath can make you calmer, healthier and more capable of seeing things clearly. The additional benefit is that it will also give you more physical energy and get fit which likewise help overcome stress.

3. Have a break.

Be determined to pause only for a few seconds before reacting to a stressful situation. Pause, take a deep breath. It can help you avoid acting carelessly and saying or doing things you will regret in the end. Instead, a break can give you time to think of a more effective way or at least a more thoughtful response.

4. Be grateful.

Grateful people are likely to enjoy more vitality, positive emotions, optimism and have lower levels of stress and depression. Next time if you feel tense, remind yourself to appreciate the little things that are going well.

5. Do what you love.

It is a necessity and luxury for you. Go outside as a caretaking role once in a while and do things you enjoy. It may fee; self-indulgement to get a massage, see a movie, sign up for a cake decorating class or take a guitar lesson, but nurturing and giving yourself a “me time” and the reserve of patience and emotional energy that your have for your family.

If parents do not take care of themselves, they will not be at their best. Only when they are functioning well spiritually, emotionally and physically that can address the often constant needs of their children especially those that needs special care.

Stroller safety begins with selecting the right stroller for your baby. You must identify what to consider upon searching for a stroller and how to keep your baby safe. Here are the important stroller safety tips for parents:

When looking for a safe and appropriate stroller for your baby, you should consider your location, family, lifestyle, accessories and travel systems.

Location

If you reside in, around or near a city, you will probably need a well-built stroller to control it effectively along sidewalks. You may also require being able to fold your stroller in a bit to get on a subway or a bus. Suburban parents need a kind of stroller that is easy to fold and fits into the case of a vehicle.

Family

If you have an elder child, you may want a stroller with an attachment or a double stroller for an older child. If you are using an attachment, make sure to read the producer’s weight guidelines.

Lifestyle

An umbrella stroller might be helpful for traveling and running everyday jobs. Plan to take your baby beside on your runs? Try to find for a stroller made for jogging, too.

Accessories

Do you desire your baby’s stroller to have a blanket, cup holders, storage basket, rain cover and sun shade? Several strollers are not well-suited with certain accessories.

Moreover, to keep everything hooked with your stroller, put a stroller hooks on your strollers. Pick up a stroller that matches your fashion and style needs without less hassle.

Travel Systems

If you own a vehicle, you may want to look for a stroller that can hold your baby’s car seat. Some strollers and car seats come in matching sets, while other need to detach attachments that permit the strollers to be used with specific car seats. These kinds of strollers will allow you only to move your baby from the car and stroller.

If you are utilizing a travel system that permits you to move your baby’s car seat from a stroller base to a vehicle, you may be enticed to let your baby finish car naps in the car seat.

Thus, research suggests that sitting upright in a car seat can compress a newborn baby’s chest and can lead to decrease the level of oxygen that runs through in the blood. Even mild airway obstruction can damage a child’s growth. Professionals suggest to not letting your baby relax or sleep in the car seat for more than two hours.

For your baby’s first month, before he can figure out how to sit up or grasp objects, your child will acknowledge things he can look at and listen to.  His vision will be blurry at first, and he will fix things that are around 8 to 15 inches away from his eyes, although in the first month he will only have the capacity to see vividly to about 12 inches.

Bright colors and high-contrast patterns captivate your baby because they are the simplest for him to see.  He is already learning to appreciate soft music and sound.  Objects that produce a gentle sound and move slowly are far more interesting to your baby than those that are silent and fixed.

Here are the toys for newborns that could help for your baby’s development:

Hand-Held Toys

Your baby’s shortsightedness makes him notice everything you move into his line of view.  He won’t be able to carry toys for some time, but he will show his preferences by batting at the ones he likes.

Music Box or MP3 Player

Music is one of the reliable techniques to soothe and entertain your baby. Play a variety of music that is not too harsh and see how he responds.

Mobile

A mobile can introduce a new dimension to your baby’s horizontal view of life.  Search for ones with patterns and high-contrast colors.  Many kids are fond of mobiles that play music.  Mobiles are a strangulation hazard, so never hang one or attach directly to his crib, hang it from the ceiling just within your baby’s line of sight.  For safety purposes, keep the mobile out of your baby’s reach.

Durable Mirror

Although your baby will not understand what he sees at this stage, your child locates their particular reflection.  By three months old, look for a mirror that you can stand up in front of your baby during feeding time or hang up near a changing table.

High-Contrast Patterns & Soft Books

Soft books with decorations or easy-to-see patterns are designed for babies.  Lie down next to your baby so he can watch you turn the pages as you read aloud to him.  You can also use a design-cute kids library bag for your baby’s use.

Sensory Toys

Soft toys that tweet or trill when pressed will please a baby for months to come.  The unintentional sounds can also help him become conscious of what his hand is doing.

For many years, there has already been so much innovation and style with strollers, new great models are being introduced all the time that parents love.  There are many companies that present interesting features for the strollers that are highly recommended for safety and comfort.  With so many enterprises that make improvements on baby products, it becomes hard for parents to choose which ones are the best and that are going to suit their needs.  Be mindful and cautious enough in choosing the best baby strollers that will be safe and comfortable for your little one.

When choosing a stroller, remember to research what you will be paying for.  Does it have the features that you want? Or is the price reasonable enough? Try to examine first before buying.  Check if the wheels are working properly, or if it has the complete harness for the safety of your baby.  Also, consider a stroller where you can carry your bags and baby items.  A stroller hook can be one of the best accessories you can add to a stroller to help you carry your things.

Here are some details of 3 different types of strollers to help you choose what’s best for your needs:

Jogging Strollers – this is best for on the go parents who want to bring their child to their activities.  This stroller has bigger wheels to allow someone to move faster without worrying about bumps on the road.

Lightweight – this stroller is easy to fold and store.  This is ideal when you are constantly doing lots of short trips or travel using public transport.  This kind of stroller is used to make an easy transport everywhere since it’s made from lightweight materials.

Travel systems – best travel system strollers are those that have sturdy frames that make travel even more convenient.  Travel systems are a bundle package which combines a stroller and a baby car seat in a single package.

So whether you are off for a jog, a trip somewhere or just simply a walk to the mall you can choose what stroller type is your pick.  This will make your baby comfortable along the journey.

By now, you already know which of the types of strollers you need, be guided with the above classifications and reminders.  Your baby deserves the best of what’s on the market.  Choose, read and educate yourself on whatever you need for your child so you can be a well-informed mother for your child.