If you baby is not napping well during her first few months of life, you may want to try to cut back on the time she is awake by 15 minute increments. If she is getting overstimulated, then she will fight sleep and be difficult to get to nap. The way to prevent this is to watch her “sleepy” cues to make sure that you put her down when she is beginning to get sleepy.
Some parents believe that letting their child cry will harm him or her. Fifteen or twenty minutes of crying will not harm your child physically or mentally. Babies will learn to self-soothe and fall asleep by themselves, but only if you let her. It is very important that babies learn to fall asleep by themselves so that they can self-soothe if they awake in the middle of the night. Otherwise, you may have a child that will not sleep through the night for years.
Regular sleep patterns are intermeshed with regular eating patterns, so let us look at the stages of a baby’s life:
* Newborn: Your newborn will sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, including the naps that he takes between feedings. When your baby has been fed, let him stay awake for a short while and then put him down before he becomes overstimulated.
* Two months: At two months and older, your child should be allowed to try to self-soothe during their naptimes and bedtime. Crying is normal when you put your baby down, but it is okay. If he cries for longer than 10-15 minutes, then go in and check on him. Don’t get him up, but pat his bottom or lightly rub his back until he calms down.
* 3-6 months: At around 3-6 months, your baby will stop taking one of his naps. Usually it is the third nap or late afternoon nap that they do not need as much. He may be a little fussy and may want to take a little nap, but you need to try to keep him up if you want him to go to bed at a decent time and sleep soundly through the night.
* 16+ months: When your child is between 16-20 months, they usually quit taking the morning nap in favor of a longer nap in the afternoons. Babies this age usually sleep between 10-12 hours a night and take a 2-3 hour afternoon nap.
Ground Rules about Naps
1. You decide when the nap starts and ends, not the baby.
2. When your baby is older than 4 months old, she will wake up crying if she hasn’t slept enough. She might have a dirty diaper, be in a position that is not comfortable, or cold/hot. Fix the problem and encourage her to go back to sleep. Babies that have enough rest wake up happy, talking, and in a good mood.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Changing the Awkward Shots Into Opportunities
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Opportunities
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For some of us golfers, this is something that happens to us more often that we would like. You know what I am talking about. Shots that throw you off balance or aren’t as simple as instruction videos or professionals make them look. Here are some great ways to overcome the awkward shots.
When you have an awkward shot to make, think about how you can swing, keep your balance, and keep from moving your head. Then imagine the line your club travels along.
Prior to setting up your shot, consider where the club head needs to travel for the greatest distance in a straight line. Keep in mind that the ball makes contact with the club head for several inches. After you make a few practice swings, you will be able to see what relationship your feet will have with the line and then you can determine your stance.
It is important to keep from swaying when you are about the hit the ball. Just before you swing, see if there is any problem keeping your balance. If there is, you need to keep shifting until you find a comfortable position where there is no tension in your swing. Freedom in your muscles and mind is what you are looking for so that you will be able to swing smoothly. If you are fidgety when you address the ball, you are not going to be able to focus on the ball. Be sure you keep your feet still.
Ensure that you can see the ball from the beginning to end of your swing. Even if it is a difficult shot, do not lose focus on the ball. This will help you hit the ball cleanly and solidly.
If you keep your eye on the ball, then your swing will be free from faults and the ball will be hit correctly. If you can keep your head still for the entire swing until the club head meets the ball, your swing will definitely improve. Then if you have an awkward shot, you will be able to hit it with confidence and assurance.
Bad or difficult weather can make any shot more difficult. When the wind is blowing, it is important to keep your feet closer together. It is natural to think that you just need to hit the ball harder, but the wind makes it even more important to hit the ball correctly.
The more awkward the shot, the more you need your muscles to be relaxed enough to make the shot. Here is a tip. The shorter the shot that you need to make, the closer your feet should be brought together. Hit the ball true, instead of with all of your strength to keep it from bouncing away and reducing the distance that it travels.
Awkward and difficult shots are something that every golfer needs to learn to deal with. Once you learn how to handle them, then you will be much more confident and be enjoying a lower golf score!
When you have an awkward shot to make, think about how you can swing, keep your balance, and keep from moving your head. Then imagine the line your club travels along.
Prior to setting up your shot, consider where the club head needs to travel for the greatest distance in a straight line. Keep in mind that the ball makes contact with the club head for several inches. After you make a few practice swings, you will be able to see what relationship your feet will have with the line and then you can determine your stance.
It is important to keep from swaying when you are about the hit the ball. Just before you swing, see if there is any problem keeping your balance. If there is, you need to keep shifting until you find a comfortable position where there is no tension in your swing. Freedom in your muscles and mind is what you are looking for so that you will be able to swing smoothly. If you are fidgety when you address the ball, you are not going to be able to focus on the ball. Be sure you keep your feet still.
Ensure that you can see the ball from the beginning to end of your swing. Even if it is a difficult shot, do not lose focus on the ball. This will help you hit the ball cleanly and solidly.
If you keep your eye on the ball, then your swing will be free from faults and the ball will be hit correctly. If you can keep your head still for the entire swing until the club head meets the ball, your swing will definitely improve. Then if you have an awkward shot, you will be able to hit it with confidence and assurance.
Bad or difficult weather can make any shot more difficult. When the wind is blowing, it is important to keep your feet closer together. It is natural to think that you just need to hit the ball harder, but the wind makes it even more important to hit the ball correctly.
The more awkward the shot, the more you need your muscles to be relaxed enough to make the shot. Here is a tip. The shorter the shot that you need to make, the closer your feet should be brought together. Hit the ball true, instead of with all of your strength to keep it from bouncing away and reducing the distance that it travels.
Awkward and difficult shots are something that every golfer needs to learn to deal with. Once you learn how to handle them, then you will be much more confident and be enjoying a lower golf score!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Breastfeeding Questions & Answers
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Breastfeeding
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Q. How often should a newborn be nursed?
A. You should nurse a newborn no less than 8 times a day, depending upon how long he sleeps between feedings at night. If he can go four hours between feedings, then you will probably feed him twice between 11pm and 7am. If you feed him right before he goes to bed, then you may only have to get up one time during the night.
Q. How often should an older baby be nursed?
A. Depending upon the age of your child, you should be feeding him every 3-4 hours during the day. As your child gets older, they will nurse less, but they will be eating more during each nursing. If you are going to nurse after your child is over 6 months old, you should not nurse less than 5 times a day. If your milk supply is decreasing, then you may need to add a nursing or two to your day to help increase your milk supply.
Q. How do I go about dropping a feeding as my baby gets older?
A. The most common change that moms need to make is going from a every 3 hour to every 4 hour routine, dropping a feeding in the middle of the night, or dropping a late-night feeding.
Most of the time you will know when your baby is ready to change their eating habits by a change in their sleep patterns. A baby that has been on an every 3 hour routine normally takes 3 naps a day and if they eat every 3,5 to 4 hours then they may drop the last nap of the nap or shorten one of the other naps considerably. Babies are usually ready to do this at around 3 months of age.
Most babies drop the feeding in the middle of night by themselves at around 6-14 weeks old. You will know that they are ready when you awake in a panic in the morning wondering why your baby did not get you for a feeding. The baby will require more food during the day though, and if you are breastfeeding, your breasts may feel full for a few days, but it is well worth it!
The late night feeding is usually the hardest to let go of. Some parents think that if they do not feed the baby right before bed that the baby will awake in the middle of the night. If you don’t think your child can do without the late night feeding, then push it back in 15-minute increments until you are feeding him at the time you would like to. If the last two feedings of the day seem too close together, don’t worry. It will all work itself out and you both will be much happier for it!
A. You should nurse a newborn no less than 8 times a day, depending upon how long he sleeps between feedings at night. If he can go four hours between feedings, then you will probably feed him twice between 11pm and 7am. If you feed him right before he goes to bed, then you may only have to get up one time during the night.
Q. How often should an older baby be nursed?
A. Depending upon the age of your child, you should be feeding him every 3-4 hours during the day. As your child gets older, they will nurse less, but they will be eating more during each nursing. If you are going to nurse after your child is over 6 months old, you should not nurse less than 5 times a day. If your milk supply is decreasing, then you may need to add a nursing or two to your day to help increase your milk supply.
Q. How do I go about dropping a feeding as my baby gets older?
A. The most common change that moms need to make is going from a every 3 hour to every 4 hour routine, dropping a feeding in the middle of the night, or dropping a late-night feeding.
Most of the time you will know when your baby is ready to change their eating habits by a change in their sleep patterns. A baby that has been on an every 3 hour routine normally takes 3 naps a day and if they eat every 3,5 to 4 hours then they may drop the last nap of the nap or shorten one of the other naps considerably. Babies are usually ready to do this at around 3 months of age.
Most babies drop the feeding in the middle of night by themselves at around 6-14 weeks old. You will know that they are ready when you awake in a panic in the morning wondering why your baby did not get you for a feeding. The baby will require more food during the day though, and if you are breastfeeding, your breasts may feel full for a few days, but it is well worth it!
The late night feeding is usually the hardest to let go of. Some parents think that if they do not feed the baby right before bed that the baby will awake in the middle of the night. If you don’t think your child can do without the late night feeding, then push it back in 15-minute increments until you are feeding him at the time you would like to. If the last two feedings of the day seem too close together, don’t worry. It will all work itself out and you both will be much happier for it!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
More Tips For Parenting
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Parenting
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* Diapers: Most babies that are fed using the PDF method usually need a diaper change at each feeding time. This means that your baby will need about 6-8 diapers a day or more. Many new parents time the diaper changes with the after dinner bowel movement, but if you miss it, you will just have a few more diapers to change during the day.
* Diaper rash: Sensitive skin is a common problem for some babies and they may get a diaper rash due to a food allergy, yeast infection, sitting too long in a wet or messy diaper, or teething. If you notice your baby beginning to get a diaper rash, talk to your pediatrician about which diaper rash medicine will work for your baby.
* Growth spurts: Growth spurts can start as early as 10 days after your baby’s birth. Growth spurts usually are preceded by a sleepy, lethargic day and a big jump in appetite. Growth spurts may happen again at 3, 6, and 12 weeks and again at 4 and 6 months. If you begin to notice that your child is not as satisfied with the amount that you have been feeding her previously, then she may be beginning a growth spurt period. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to add a feeding or two to satiate your baby’s appetite and to help increase milk production.
* Immunizations: With all of the conflicting reports on immunizations, you may be unsure about whether or not you want your child to receive immunizations. I think that there are simply too many fatal diseases that can be prevented by immunizing your baby to take the chance. If you are unsure, then you need to talk with your pediatrician, but understand that the reason that the infant mortality rate is so low in this country is because immunizations are routinely done.
* Pacifiers & thumb sucking: If you breastfeed, do not allow your child to use you as their pacifier. If your baby seems to have a need to suck beyond eating, then you need to give them a pacifier. There is no “nipple confusion” between a breast nipple and a pacifier as they are very different in feel and taste. Babies will know the difference between the two. Some children do not want a pacifier but will suck on their thumb. If you don’t have a problem with it, then let them.
* Spitting up: It is very common for babies to spit up, but some babies do it more than others. If your baby is growing normally, then there is no need to worry about it. Projectile throwing up is not the same as spitting up. Projectile throwing up is a violent reaction to reject the contents of the stomach and not just “burping” up a little milk. If your baby does this frequently, consult your pediatrician.
* Diaper rash: Sensitive skin is a common problem for some babies and they may get a diaper rash due to a food allergy, yeast infection, sitting too long in a wet or messy diaper, or teething. If you notice your baby beginning to get a diaper rash, talk to your pediatrician about which diaper rash medicine will work for your baby.
* Growth spurts: Growth spurts can start as early as 10 days after your baby’s birth. Growth spurts usually are preceded by a sleepy, lethargic day and a big jump in appetite. Growth spurts may happen again at 3, 6, and 12 weeks and again at 4 and 6 months. If you begin to notice that your child is not as satisfied with the amount that you have been feeding her previously, then she may be beginning a growth spurt period. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to add a feeding or two to satiate your baby’s appetite and to help increase milk production.
* Immunizations: With all of the conflicting reports on immunizations, you may be unsure about whether or not you want your child to receive immunizations. I think that there are simply too many fatal diseases that can be prevented by immunizing your baby to take the chance. If you are unsure, then you need to talk with your pediatrician, but understand that the reason that the infant mortality rate is so low in this country is because immunizations are routinely done.
* Pacifiers & thumb sucking: If you breastfeed, do not allow your child to use you as their pacifier. If your baby seems to have a need to suck beyond eating, then you need to give them a pacifier. There is no “nipple confusion” between a breast nipple and a pacifier as they are very different in feel and taste. Babies will know the difference between the two. Some children do not want a pacifier but will suck on their thumb. If you don’t have a problem with it, then let them.
* Spitting up: It is very common for babies to spit up, but some babies do it more than others. If your baby is growing normally, then there is no need to worry about it. Projectile throwing up is not the same as spitting up. Projectile throwing up is a violent reaction to reject the contents of the stomach and not just “burping” up a little milk. If your baby does this frequently, consult your pediatrician.
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