Tips to Keep in Mind When Looking For a Baby Stroller

Buying a stroller costs plenty of money. Therefore, make sure you do your homework before buying one. If possible, you should take the stroller for a test drive. This article is a handy guide that can help first-time parents look for the right stroller for their baby. By the time you have read this guide, you will be able to opt for a safe, durable, comfy and cost-effective product. Let's go ahead and check out the tips. Read on.

1. Safety

Safety is the most important thing no matter what you are going to buy. Nowadays, the strollers should satisfy all the safety requirements. Ideally, you should buy one that has a five-point strap for ease of use. Aside from this, it should have reliable brakes as well.

Lastly, make sure you take a look at the frame from different angles to ensure there are no sharp edges or holes where your baby's fingers can get stuck.

2. Ease of Use

The stroller should be easy to carry around. Can you fit it in your car or trunk? Can you fold it without any problem? Can you move it easily? Is it too big? Is it easy to wipe?

For ease of use, you may want to answer these questions. If the answer to any of these questions is no, we suggest that you consider another unit.

3. Storage

The unit you are going to buy should have plenty of storage space. For instance, it should have a bucket to store the diaper bag, grocery sacks and a small purse. Aside from this, it should feature cup holders and other storage spaces to hold your phones and keys.

4. Canopy

Rains happen. Therefore, the stroller you buy should have an adjustable canopy that you can open in case it rains when you are still in the open air. Canopies help you protect your baby from the bad weather and the UV rays of the sun.

This feature may cost you a bit more money, but the extra cost is worth it as you won't have to spend money on medication in case your baby falls sick due to rain.

5. Newborn Ready

Ideally, the stroller should be ready to use for a 6-month-old baby. Therefore, you may want to look for a unit that features a reclining or padded seat or allows you to connect your bassinet or car seat. This will help you use the unit straight away saving you a lot of time.

If the stroller is not ready for a newborn, you may have to buy another one, which may cost you more. Therefore, doing a bit of research beforehand is worth it. After all, you can't spend all your savings on a baby stroller. Making informed decisions is always a stroke of genius.

Long story short, if you are on the lookout of a safe, comfortable, inexpensive and durable baby stroller, make sure you follow the 5 tips we have explained in this article. You should go for a unit that is lightweight, handy and easy to move around.

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Tips For Baby Boomers - Retirement & Panic

Until now, you thought panic attacks were reserved for fathers-to-be in the OBGYN room or for prima donnas at their stage debut. Sudden breakouts of sweat were the domain of diving Olympians as they viewed their ominous 1,000-foot cliff drop, or tween boys confronting their first date's dad. Sinking stomach sensations were felt in the terrifying moments when those dreaded sirens screeched and swirling blue lights flashed, directly targeting you on a late Friday afternoon as you drove home from work.

But now you know otherwise. The long-awaited Wednesday afternoon arrives for the retirement party in your honor. And you enter what is supposed to be the best first day of the rest of your life. Thursday morning you bask in a late breakfast in bed, then savor a two-martini lunch and take advantage of one of those 4 PM discounted early-bird-special senior-citizen dinners. You channel surf from one late night talk show to another, without a thought about a bedtime curfew to prepare for the jolt of your dreaded 6 AM alarm.

But then, much to your chagrin and surprise, it's only the next Monday morning, and you're already experiencing a trifecta of panic attack, sweats, and sinking stomach. What's going on? Then a month or more has gone by since that fateful "retirement day" and it's still not happening-whatever "it" is! By now, the honeymoon has ended, and you're feeling increasingly rudderless, redundant, non-essential, inconsequential, irrelevant. You seem to have lost your balance. Your equilibrium has gone south. Even your voice seems to have become less imposing!

Don't imagine for a minute that you are unique in all the world. Thousands of colleagues (in fact, over 10,000 daily) are joining your ranks, experiencing your anxiety, and grappling with the ups and downs of retirement life. Let's examine the sources of their (and your) apprehension.

First, whether you ever realized it or not, for more than 30 years, your professional persona has been inextricably tied to your job, your career, your work. Perhaps even more than your family structure, your work defined who you were, gave meaning and purpose to your daily life, provided you with a modicum of power and prestige. Whether you were forced to relinquish that role or chose freely to walk away, you could not, in any way, have anticipated the psychological jolt prompted by your nudge or decision to retire.

Second, unless you are independently wealthy, you suddenly realize that what has been a fairly lucrative reliable bi-weekly auto-deposited salary check is no more! The tap has been tapped out, only to be replaced, in many instances, by a less substantial monthly retirement subsidy. Right now you are too rattled with panic to calmly step back and realistically assess other supplementary income streams such as your 401K, social security benefits, investments, or real estate.

Then there's the whole social thing - the daily chatter and gossip and comradery that fostered life-long, or at least passing, friendships. You never anticipated the loneliness and lack of daily companionship as by-products of your decision to retire. With whom can you now compete for fashion supremacy, for supervisor approval, for position advancement? It never dawned on you until now that you would no longer be included in the office lottery, the late Friday afternoon gathering at the local favorite café or bar, or the Saturday morning golf game.

It's time to put down the breathalyzer, the tranquillizers, the hot and cold towels, the Tums. The thousands of colleagues and peers who have gone before you, and who are presently experiencing your own ambivalence and anxiety, can assure you that help is on the way. If you are willing to expend the time, effort, and energy, you will discover multiple resources that describe the strategies and successes these others have deployed and experienced as they transition into what we truly believe will be the best, most productive and unabashedly enjoyable phase of your life.

Three keys are:

Take as much time to design and prepare for your retirement life and work as you did to select your primary career. Explore the seven retirement pathways, individually and in combination:
Life of leisure
Life as a volunteer
Life of travel
Life of engaging new work
Life as an entrepreneur
Life as a "Creative"
Life as a student
Recognize and uncover your unique self, and give this self precedence in what you chose and do not chose to take on.
Understand that you have years of value left to contribute... but your way.

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Fun Spring Activities for Baby Boomers

Who doesn't love spring when longer days brighten the sky, birds sing joyfully, and trees begin sprouting bright new leaves? Even here in the California desert where I live, wildflowers bloom, jacaranda trees explode with purple flowers, and cacti burst with flowers in brilliant colors.

Since a lack of sunlight during short, winter days can adversely affect older adults' moods, aren't you baby boomers ready to celebrate this spectacular time of year? I've listed six fun spring activities baby boomers can enjoy as weather permits, no matter your age.

Take A Spring Break

Who says college students are the only ones who can take a spring break? We baby boomers get itchy feet too and there are lots of sunny places to visit. U.S. News' list of top five cheap spring break destinations included Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, New Orleans, South Padre Island, and Key West.

This is the perfect time to visit one of the National Parks before the summer crowds hit. According to a study, baby boomers have seen more national parks than other generations - on average 14. But since there's 58 in the U.S., there's plenty more to see!

Need to stay closer to home? A weekend trip to a local beach or lake may be just the ticket. Or simply enjoy a Sunday drive on a road you've never taken before. Rent a convertible for extra fun and wind your way to a nearby town or park you've been meaning to explore.

Plant a Garden

One of my favorite activities is picking out seeds or plants at the garden center with my grandchildren and planting them when we get home.

The joy of walking outside, enjoying the beauty of greenery shining in the sun, the sound of bees buzzing nearby, plopping an irresistible strawberry in your mouth, and then gathering vegetables and deliciously aromatic herbs for a recipe - what better way to celebrate spring!

If you don't have space for a garden, visit a Farmer's Market.

Eat Al Fresco

Spring is finally here and we have that precious extra hour's daylight. Head outside, have a picnic at the park or some other scenic area, and enjoy eating fresh food with a view.

Or simply throw a bright and cheerful tablecloth on your patio table, add some fresh-cut flowers into soup cans painted in spring colors, and a few floral napkins. Then enjoy a magical spring dinner with family or friends outside to welcome the season.

Feeling lazy? Eat outside at a local cafe. Or invite some friends over, get out your good china, and enjoy an afternoon tea party on your patio.

Bring the Outdoors In

Change out your curtains with a sheer, billowy, or natural fabric. You may even want to paint a room a vibrant spring color or bring new life to old furniture with a coat of fresh white paint. If you're doing some spring cleaning, be sure and wash your windows so you can enjoy your view outdoors.

Install some window boxes and plant some herbs or bright spring flowers. Buy some showy tulips or daffodils with their bright, cheery colors or clip some spring blossoms and display them in your home.

Be sure and open your windows to listen to a spring shower or simply enjoy a gentle spring breeze. Take a few calming deep breaths and enjoy all that fresh air.

Play Outside with Your Grandchildren

Oh, the fun you can have with your grandchildren during springtime! Ride bikes, play tennis, or jump on a trampoline. Enjoy some gardening or have a fancy picnic in the park.

Explore the neighborhood with a butterfly net in hand. Build a bird house together and attract wildlife you can enjoy watching together.

Or introduce your grandchildren to some old-fashioned outdoor games like Kick-the-Can, Red Rover, Red Light-Green Light, or Duck-Duck-Goose. They'll love it!

Take a Hike

This is a no-brainer, but put on your hiking boots, pack up some water and snacks, and go discover the great outdoors. We all know that baby boomers need to keep moving to stay healthy and this is a fun way to do it.

No surprise, a new study shows that walking or hiking in nature can bring you inner peace, joy, and happiness. My husband and I have had many pleasant afternoons trying out some local hiking trails. I'd highly recommend it!

If your health does not allow a vigorous hike, take a gentle stroll on a deserted beach with your loved one or take a walk around the block. Just get out there and enjoy the sunshine!

These are just a few ideas, I'm sure you can come up with more. Whatever you choose to do, shed that winter coat as soon as the weather allows, grab a pair of scandals, and get out there and enjoy the fleeting glory of spring!

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Treat Baby Face Rash

When you were expecting, you probably envisioned having a soft, clear-skinned infant. However, face rashes are common among babies, and parents should expect to see at least one rash on their baby's face during her first year of life. Thankfully, most rashes aren't serious, and treatment--if any is required--is relatively straightforward.

Eczema
Eczema in infants appears in tan-colored or reddish patches of rough, bumpy or scaly skin. As eczema grows worse, the patches become more itchy and may ooze and then crust over. It's important to prevent eczema from reaching this point, or it may lead to infection due to scratching.

If you suspect your baby has eczema, discuss it with your pediatrician. Sometimes eczema is preventable through changes in diet.

Treatment usually begins by switching to a gentle and moisturizing soap (like Dove), used only as absolutely needed. After baths, petroleum jelly or Aquaphor may be applied to the skin. Making sure the baby doesn't get overheated is also important.

If these measures don't help, your pediatrician may prescribe a steroid cream for the rash.

Heat Rash
When your baby gets overheated, she may develop a clear or red rash on her face, neck, arms and chest.

Heat rash is preventable by keeping the baby dressed in light, loose clothing (or just a diaper) during hot weather. Air conditioning, staying in the shade, and sponging with cool water help, too.

Heat rash can also occur in the winter if you overdress your child or place him in a room that's artificially heated. To properly dress your child, consider what type of clothing you'd find comfortable under the circumstances (long or short sleeves, cotton or flannel, for example) and dress your child accordingly.

Newborn Rash
"Newborn rash" is a general term describing a range of common skin rashes in newborns, including erythema toxicum (a rash with blotchy red spots that have raised white or yellow centers), milia (white pimples on the nose and chin), and neonatal acne (which looks just like teen or adult acne). None of these needs treatment, and all go away within a few weeks.

Milk Rash
If your baby's cheeks, chin and mouth area have a rash, it may be milk rash--an allergic reaction to milk proteins. Typically, milk rash goes away without treatment, but if it lasts more than a month, your pediatrician may have your baby try a soy formula or a formula with broken-down milk proteins. Nursing mothers may be able to cure the problem by not consuming milk products. Steroid creams can also help clear up persistent cases.

Drool Rash
When your baby begins cutting teeth, he may drool more, causing a rash on his chin and perhaps his cheeks. The rash can be reduced by gently rinsing your baby's face morning and night (using water and no soap or washcloth). A layer of Aquaphor or petroleum jelly on her cheeks and chin can also protect from the irritation of drool.

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Treat Irregular Breathing in Babies

There's probably not a parent alive who hasn't watched his or her baby sleeping and wondered if the baby was really breathing. But what is normal when it comes to breathing and babies? Is there really cause for concern? Here's what every parent needs to know.

Periodic Breathing
It's normal for newborns to have "periodic breathing." This is when an infant breathes slowly for a time, then breathes more quickly, then slows down, and so on. Periodic breathing may also include short spells of breathing so shallow you may not be able to detect breathing at all. And sometimes your baby may, indeed, stop breathing for a few seconds.

Newborns with periodic breathing should have no other symptoms of a breathing problem, like blueness around the mouth, gray skin, or wheezing.

Apnea of Prematurity
Aside from normal periodic breathing, the most common cause of irregular breathing in babies is apnea of prematurity. Widely affecting premature infants (babies born before 37 weeks gestation), apnea of prematurity is found in 85 percent of babies born weighing around two pounds, 50 percent of babies born weighing around three pounds, and about 25 percent of infants born at about 5 ½ pounds.

Apnea of prematurity results in periods of no breathing (for at least 20 seconds) and is caused by the infant's immature brain, which isn't fully ready to control breathing. Babies suffering from this type of apnea may have blue lips or gray-tinged skin.

Treatment for Apnea of Prematurity
Treatment varies according to severity, but the more premature an infant is, the more likely he or she will need stronger intervention. For the worst cases, a ventilator is used, which pushes oxygen in and out of the lungs without any help from the baby. After such treatment, the baby will graduate to a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which offers lighter pressure to help the infant's lungs open for air. In the least severe cases, supplemental oxygen is given to the baby through a nasal cannula (a thin tube inserted into the nose).

All this treatment usually takes place in a hospital, but sometimes babies come home with supplemental oxygen, or a special monitor that alerts parents when the baby stops breathing. In most cases, apnea of prematurity is outgrown by around 44 weeks gestation.

Sleep Apnea
You may already know that adults who snore or have periods of no breathing while they sleep have sleep apnea. But you may not know babies can sometimes have sleep apnea, too. Sleep apnea is caused either by an obstruction, a brain that doesn't send signals to the body to breathe, or a combination of these. Like apnea of prematurity, babies with sleep apnea stop breathing for at least 20 seconds at a time.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea
In most cases, pediatricians prescribe a medical-grade breathing monitor, which alerts parents when the baby stops breathing. Sometimes a home CPAP machine may also be necessary.

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Age for Baby to Use Pillow

The use of a pillow is not safe for infants in a crib because they are unable to diagnose and correct a dangerous situation. A pillow is best used after the shoulders are larger than the head.
Safe Crib Sleeping
Laying a baby on her back is recommended at all times even after the child is able to roll onto her stomach. A crib requires a firm mattress with no pillow or blanket. Suffocation could result when other items are in the crib.

Alternatives to a Pillow
Pillows are often used in a crib to elevate a child with respiratory problems. Elevate one side of the crib instead of using a pillow to raise the head and chest of the child.

Age to Give a Pillow
A pillow should not be given to a child until she is no longer sleeping in a crib. Introduce a pillow once the child has reached the age of 2 and is ready to be moved to a regular size bed.

Type of Pillow
A flat, firm pillow is best for a child over the age of 2 and in a regular bed. Children do not need pillows for sleeping but many prefer them because their parents and siblings have one.

Reason Not Safe
Pillows and blankets in the crib increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to nichd.nih.gov, a soft sleeping surface puts children at a higher risk of SIDS.

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Reasons Babies Lose Hair

Newborn babies, usually between birth and 6 months of age often lose the hair they are born with. New hair will grow back in time, and the process is completely normal.

Cause
Newborn hair loss is called telogen effluvium. It is caused by dramatic hormone drops that all newborns experience right after birth.

Hair Growth
Human hair has two different phases, a growing and resting phase. Hair falls out during the resting phase when a new follicle develops behind it. It can also fall out during stress, hormone changes and fever.

Baby Hair Loss
In addition to normal baby hair loss, some babies may develop bald patches. These are usually due to the way the baby sits or sleeps. These are temporary, and as the baby matures and moves more the bald spots will disappear.

Fun Fact
Babies hair color may change after it has fallen out and then regrown. Mothers may also experience hair loss after delivery because of their hormone changes.

Considerations
Hair loss in children under 12 months old may be a sign of more serious but rare conditions. If your child seems to have atypical hair loss (patchy bald spots, and red or flaky skin), consult your doctor.

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Fever Reducing Tips for Infant

Your baby's fever might alarm you, but it's a sign that her body is producing plenty of antibodies and white blood cells to fight infection. If the fever isn't making her miserable and her behavior is normal, you don't need to bring it down. If your baby is having trouble eating or sleeping, you can take steps to make her more comfortable by lowering her fever.

When to See a Doctor
Depending on your baby's age and temperature, you might need to take him to the pediatrician instead of attempting to lower his fever. Babies younger than three months old should see a doctor for fevers of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Babies between three and six months old with fevers of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher should be taken to a doctor. Babies between six and 12 months old should see a doctor for fevers of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers containing ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce fever. Consult your pediatrician before administering these, especially if your baby is already taking a prescription medication for a cough or cold that might contain a pain reliever. Make sure that you give your baby a pain reliever intended for infants, which comes in the form of drops that are given orally. Follow the dosage instructions recommended by your pediatrician and measure the drops carefully using an oral syringe or the dropper that comes with the medication. Ibuprofen often works better at reducing fevers of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, but it should not be given to babies under six months old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. You should also avoid giving ibuprofen to your baby if he's vomiting or dehydrated.

Do not give your baby aspirin, since this could increase her risk of getting a rare but potentially deadly disorder called Reye's syndrome.

Bathing
If you're having trouble giving your baby medication, a lukewarm sponge bath might help bring his fever down instead. Fill the tub with two inches of warm water that measures between 98.6 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a bath thermometer. If you don't have a thermometer, check the temperature by placing your wrist in the water to make sure it isn't hot or too cold. Place your baby in the tub and keep her in a cradled or sitting position so you can support her head and back if she can't hold her head up on her own. Wipe her body with a sponge or washcloth for 20 minutes. If your baby starts to shiver, take her out of the water and wrap her in a towel, since shivering can cause her temperature to rise. You can add warm water to the tub and resume bathing her when she stops shivering. Dry your baby off with a towel and cover her with a thin blanket after her bath. Check her temperature after 30 minutes and give her another bath if the fever hasn't gone down.

Don't use rubbing alcohol on your baby to lower his fever. This used to be a common practice, but is no longer recommended, according to Dr. Jo Ann Royhans. The alcohol can enter your baby's bloodstream through his skin and can also cause his temperature to rise to dangerous levels by cooling him off too fast.

Other Tips
Placing a cool washcloth on your baby's forehead can provide her with some relief. Avoid dressing her in too many layers or covering her with a heavy blanket, since this can raise her temperature.

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Functions of Baby Fat

Baby fat, often known as brown adipose tissue or brown fat, is prevalent in newborn babies and small children. It serves several key functions in the first year of life, and as more research suggests, possibly well into adulthood.

Brain Development
There is a clear correlation between baby fat and brain development. According to Stephen C. Cunnane, whose book "Survival of the Fattest: The Key to Human Brain Evolution" analyzed the role of baby fat in brain growth, the large size of the human brain and the rapid pace in which it develops in the first year of life is one of the largest reasons human babies have more fat than other primate babies. Infants need a built-in resource of energy for their expanding brains, and excess baby fat serves that purpose.

Thermoregulation
One of the other main functions of baby fat is thermoregulation, which maintains a baby's balance between heat loss and heat production. According to Kent B. Whitaker in his book, "Comprehensive Perinatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care," babies rely on fat to produce heat because they do not have shivering reflexes or the ability to generate heat through increased activity. They are also more susceptible to cold than adults because of a higher ratio of body surface to body volume, a higher proportion of head surface area and an underdeveloped nervous system. Baby fat is a large way in which babies are able to regulate their body heat.

Concerns
While baby fat has its functions, it also raises concerns. Several recent studies have correlated being on the high end of the baby weight chart with increased risks for obesity and weight problems in childhood and adulthood. A study in the Journal of Obesity found that babies six months and younger are 60 times more likely to be overweight than babies at that age were 20 years ago. A Harvard study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that heavy infants were more likely to have weight issues by the time they were toddlers.

Other Opinions
Still, the chubby baby is still typically considered the hallmark of health. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say that before age three, the weight of the parents is a stronger predictor of weight problems than where an infant places on the growth chart. Other factors, such as a child's diet, physical activity and TV/computer use also have a far greater impact on future weight than their percentage of baby fat or their weight as an infant.

Role in Adults
Interestingly, baby fat can actually play a positive role in fighting obesity in adults. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that brown fat, generally found in babies and children, was actually fairly prevalent in thin, fit adults with healthy blood glucose levels. Heavier adults tended to have higher levels of regular white fat. Researchers say this suggests that small levels of baby fat in adults may have a role in regulating body weight and protect against obesity.

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Bring Down Infant Fever

A fever is an infant's natural way of fighting an infection. An infant's immune systems is not as developed as adult's, so they are prone to get sudden fevers that seem alarmingly high. Yet it's important to remember that fevers are normally not anything to be too concerned about. There are many home remedies to lower an infant's fever, and combining these with some medication will help alleviate any discomfort.

Make sure that you regularly monitor your baby's temperature. Using a digital ear thermometer is the easiest way to get a good reading without causing the baby any distress. According to FamilyDoctor.org, a reading of over 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit (measured orally) is considered a fever.

Giving your baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help lower the fever. Always remember to read the directions closely to give the exact amount for their weight and age group. If you are unsure of what dosage to use, then call your pediatrician's office.

Give your baby a lukewarm bath, never a cold bath as this will make him too cold and shivery. The bath will help lower his fever and also relax him. If the fever is caused by a cold this can also help with any body aches he may have.

Make sure you dress your infant in light, cotton clothing to keep her cool. Make sure while she sleeps that she is not covered in too many blankets, as the blankets will trap excess heat from her fever that needs to be dissipated.

Use a cool washcloth to place on his forehead and at the back of his neck. If the infant seems upset by this then just place the washcloth gently on different areas like his arms, ankles, and legs to help cool his body temperature.

An infant with a fever can very easily become dehydrated. Make sure that she keeps up her liquid intake, whether it is breastfeeding or formula. If she is at least four months old, then she is able to have some water. Using a medicine dropper or teaspoon will help her to take small amounts of water.

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Effects of Premature Birth

A premature baby is considered one born before 37 weeks gestation. Although the newborn can face immediate problems, some problems can affect their entire lives. Geeta Swamy, Truls Ostbye and Rolv Skjaerven published a study in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association about the effects of being born prematurely.

Disabilities
Some babies suffer from learning problems, mental retardation and hearing and vision loss, according to the study. Cerebral palsy and lung problems can also occur in infants born prematurely.

Reproduction
People who were born prematurely are more likely to either not have children, or if they get pregnant, to have them prematurely as well. The rate of still-born deaths occur more often with women who were born prematurely, as well as having a 2 to 10 percent higher chance of babies who die within the first year of life, according to the JAMA study.

Autism
Some studies have shown that babies born prematurely have a higher rate of developing autism, or at least the symptoms associated with it, such as speech and behavioral problems, according to the JAMA study.

Adult diseases
Premature babies are more likely to have more health problems later in life, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Education
According to the JAMA study, premature babies have higher chances of dropping out of high school and not continuing on to college. Females born between 38 and 42 weeks had a drop-out rate of 24.7 percent, while premature females had a drop-out rate of 33.3 percent. Males born full term had a drop-out rate of 25.3 percent compared to the male premature infants at 35.6 percent.

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Causes of Infant Snoring

Newborn babies make all kinds of mysterious noises, from grunts to wails to wheezes. Most of the time, these are totally normal and no cause for concern. The same goes for infant snoring. Occasional snoring in a newborn is common, but chronic snoring in an older baby might signal a more serious problem.

Newborn Snoring
According to Dr. William Sears, from Parenting Magazine, newborns often make noises when they breathe because their airways are narrow and full of "bubbly secretions." Snoring occurs when air passes through these secretions, causing the soft tissues of the airway to vibrate. Usually, snoring subsides as the infant's airway grows and he learns to swallow excess saliva.

Obstructed Airways
Dr. Sears reports that snoring can also occur when a baby's breathing passages are obstructed by mucus or excess secretions. In this case, the baby has to breathe harder to move air past the obstruction, which produces snoring. This might happen if your baby has a cold or allergies.

Enlarged Adenoids
If your baby has chronic snoring, it could be a sign of a more serious problem, according to Dr. Marc Weissbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Some children who snore have enlarged adenoids, which obstructs the flow of air through the breathing passages. This condition can be repaired surgically.

Sleep Apnea
According to Dr. Weissbluth, snoring could also be a sign of sleep apnea, or moments of complete airway obstruction when breathing stops temporarily. Apnea often causes very loud snoring as well as night waking, as the body wakes itself to continue breathing.

Effects of Chronic Snoring
If your child's snoring gets progressively worse, disrupts his sleep, or affects his daytime mood or performance, Dr. Weissbluth recommends seeing a doctor. Chronic snoring can lead to poor-quality sleep, which can cause all sorts of problems, from headaches to obesity. Infant snoring is not, however, related to SIDS.

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How to Treat Baby Burn

Any type of injury to an infant can cause even the most level-headed adult to panic. Burns can be especially scary because a baby's skin is so sensitive and it can be difficult to judge the severity of a burn. If you find yourself in a situation where you will need to go through a burn treatment procedure for your baby, there are several actions you can take to minimize your baby's pain and prevent further damage.

Instructions
Get your baby to a comfortable, secure location if he is burned. Quickly assess the severity of the burn. Unless you can be positive it is only a minor burn, call 911 or rush your baby to the emergency room. According to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, a first-degree burn is typically red, sore, and sensitive to the touch. First-degree burns do not blister and do not leave a scar.

Treat a first-degree burn by submerging the burned skin in cool water, then use a cool cloth or compress on the burn, keeping it in place for 10 or 15 minutes. Call your doctor or speak to the physician on duty in the emergency room, and ask about giving your baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not give your baby aspirin because it can cause the deadly disease Reye's syndrome.

Apply a cool burn ointment and a loose, clean bandage, especially if the burn blisters. Do not break the blisters because they are a natural part of the skins healing process. If the burn doesn't heal within two or three days, take your baby to see her physician.

Tips & Warnings

For all but the first-degree burns, take your baby to the emergency room. Don't try to treat these burns yourself. Things to look for in more severe burns include extreme redness and blistering. The baby may look wet due to fluid loss. According to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, third-degree burns can look white or black and leathery on the surface.
For electrical burns, burns on the face, hands or genitals, or burns larger than two diameters, take your baby to the emergency room.
Do not use ice, which can cause further skin damage. Also avoid butter, powder or lotions.

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Ultraviolet Light Jaundice Therapy

Jaundice is a build-up of yellow pigment, called bilirubin, in the blood. Normally, the liver processes red blood cells to remove bilirubin. When it builds up, it causes skin and the whites of the eyes to appear yellow. In adults, the underlying cause (such as cirrhosis) must be treated. Newborns, by contrast, have an immature liver that causes jaundice, but resolves itself in about two weeks. Light therapy helps to break down the excess bilirubin and bring the baby's color back to normal.

Traditional Phototherapy (Light Therapy)
If your baby is treated at the hospital, he will be placed by a nurse in an incubator that has attached to the top of it a set of special fluorescent white or blue lights, called bililights. The lights emit a limited range of ultraviolet light waves that is safe for the newborn's skin.

If you are allowed to take your baby home to do the phototherapy, the device you use will look like a partially open suitcase, with the lights on the upper part and a place for the baby to lie on the lower part. Place the device inside the baby's crib or on top of a sturdy table. Line the bottom of the bed with a receiving blanket, and lay him in it, but do not cover him. Your baby should be unclothed except for a diaper.

Some units have a "face shield" that hangs down from the unit and blocks the light from the baby's face. If not, put a lightweight covering over his eyes to protect them. Change your baby's position every few hours for greater exposure. If you can remove the diaper for brief periods of time, do so.

The lights should be used throughout a 24-hour period for two to three days, depending on what your doctor has prescribed. Some may recommend turning it off for a few hours at night. The length of treatment also depends upon the progress of bilirubin removal.

About every three hours, turn off the bililights, and feed your baby. Frequent feedings are important, to help clear out the bilirubin. You may also use this break to bathe him, play with him and care for him as you usually would. Be aware that as the bilirubin is excreted, the baby's stools may look green, black and tarry. This is normal.

Check the baby's temperature every few hours while he is under the lights, to make sure he is not getting too warm. A normal rectal temperature for baby is 97.9 to 100.4 degrees. If your baby's temperature gets up to 101 degrees or higher, contact your pediatrician. (See References 1)

Biliblankets and Pads
The biliblanket contains fiber-optic lights used for phototherapy in treating infant jaundice. It uses the same light spectrum as bililights, but the blanket allows the light to get closer to the baby's skin, and the baby can be fed and held while wrapped in the blanket.

You may safely put the blanket right up against your baby's skin. Be sure to shield her eyes, as with the bililights.

The bilipad is similar to the blanket, but it is a pad on which the baby lies that emits light.

Although they are more mobile than the bililights, both the blanket and the pad are connected to a box that powers the fiber-optics.

General Guidelines
For home treatment, you may be provided with the bed, blanket or pad by the hospital. If not, a doctor's prescription may be necessary for you to be able to rent or purchase the appropriate equipment.

Do not use lotion, cream, baby oil, baby powder or any other product on your baby's skin while they under the bililights or in the biliblanket, unless your pediatrician orders it.

Although bililights are safe, it is possible for your baby to develop a rash during treatment. It will go away on its own, but mention it to your pediatrician.

Your baby will need to have blood drawn daily, to check bilirubin levels. The hospital may arrange for a nurse to visit your home to do this.

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Discipline One-Year-Old Child

Your one-year-old has had quite a year so far; there are lots of things to learn and experiment with at this age. Some pediatricians call the first three months the "fourth trimester" because human infants have such large heads that they have to be born before they are actually mature enough to interact with the outside world. Hearing, sight and touch are the senses that will develop baby's mind for social interaction and learning during the first year and prepare your infant for further healthy development. You, the parent, are the liaison between your baby and the world.

Your Tone, Volume, and Expressions
Use "no" only when danger is imminent. A one-year-old child is on the cusp of several developmental milestones all at once. He may be saying a single word clearly, like "Dada." He understands the word "no" and he knows how to laugh. Instead of saying "no," establish direct eye contact and explain the problem and solution in calm and simple language. Instead of saying "no" all the time, encourage good behavior with laughter, smiles, and positive reinforcement.

Don't use an angry, spiteful, or humiliating tone or expression. Check the developmental milestones for a one-year-old; they don't include "plots against her parents to make messes" or "misbehavior to get a rise out of mama." Using "adult" emotions is not only wasted on a one-year-old, but you are inuring your child to ignore these emotions during later development. This can frustrate a parent into using angrier, more spiteful and more humiliating language that is abusive and useless. You are also teaching your child to use these tones when she wants to get her way. Be kind, thoughtful and explain with words and examples how to behave properly. Don't focus or dwell on misbehavior. Move on to an opportunity to reward good behavior and leave the negativity behind.

A child learns that his actions sometimes get a rise out of Mom or Dad. Don't be controlling and respond to everything your child does; you might be inadvertently causing the behaviors. Make sure you spend enough time interacting physically and mentally with your child that he doesn't need to act up to get attention.

Correct any problems while explaining calmly what you are doing; children understand speech before they can talk. The baby is starting to grasp objects with her thumb and forefinger, which leads to throwing and dropping objects. She can sit up by herself and should be crawling or even taking her first steps on her own. These new behaviors should be encouraged under safe conditions. If your child gets into a messy or dangerous situation, you have probably failed to control her environment.

Don't isolate your child. The most important and trusted bond--between the child and parents--is peaking in importance between nine and 18 months. This is when children exhibit their greatest separation anxiety and apprehension toward strangers. Don't abuse your trust by sending your child to his room or putting him in a corner by himself. Work through the bad behavior and explain to or show your child the correct behavior. Immediately reward the child with kind words and facial expressions when he adopts the correct behavior.

Discipline is teaching your child how to speak and act with safety and concern for herself and others. Your acts of discipline are the way you want your child to act and speak. You are teaching her how you get your way. This is an example that your child will imitate when she wants to get her way. Do you want her to yell or be unreasonable in her demands? Your calm, measured discipline is an example that your child will imitate throughout further development and for the rest of her life. Make yourself a good example.

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Normal Pulse Rate of Infants

Infant pulse rate is an important indicator of overall health. Too high or too low of a pulse rate indicates a potential health issue. You should always consult your doctor if you suspect any issue with heart rate.

What Is Pulse Rate?
Pulse rate is the rate at which your heart beats. It is typically measured in beats per minute, or BPM.

Why Is It Important?
Pulse rate can be an early indicator of health problems. For example, a low pulse rate may indicate adverse reaction to medicine. A high pulse rate may indicate stress, fever, anemia or asthma.

Normal Pulse Rate
Normal pulse rate varies with age. The normal pulse rate for an infant up to 1 year old is 100 to 160 beats per minute.

Infant vs. Adult Pulse Rate
Infant pulse rate is significantly higher than adult pulse rate. This is because an infant grows rapidly, and a baby's high metabolism requires more oxygen to help the body get rid of CO2.

Taking a Pulse Rate
Pulse rate is most easily measured where an artery comes close to skin. For an infant, the easiest place to check pulse rate is on the brachial artery, which is on the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder.

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Babies Allergy Medicine Information

Infants may experience allergies when their bodies perceive airborne substances as potential threats. Allergic responses occur as the body's way of protecting itself from unwanted invaders. When parents suspect that their infant is suffering from allergies, they should address their concerns with a pediatrician who can recommend appropriate medications.

Identification
Allergies in infants may be difficult to discern from the common cold. However, allergies persist longer and accompanied by symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, clear nasal mucus discharge, dry cough, sneezing, red eyes and itchy eyes.

Time Frame
Infants may not have an allergic response to a specific allergen until after several exposures to a certain allergen. Pollen allergens do not typically appear until a child is 3 years or older.

Types
Common types of nasal allergies include pollens from trees, grasses and weeds, dust mites and mold.

Over-the-counter Medications
Don't give over-the-counter counter antihistamines to infants younger than 6 months of age. In the case of older infants consult a doctor before giving them over-the-counter antihistamines. Common over-the-counter antihistamines include Dimetapp, Chlortrimeton and Benadryl.

Prescription Medications
Infants who have severe allergies may be prescribed stronger antihistamines or decongestants. Prescription antihistamines include Allegra, Zyrtec and Claritin.

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Infant Caloric Needs Information

Meeting your new baby's nutritional needs can be confusing and stressful for a new mom. Usually, babies know what they need and when, but that doesn't always keep moms from worrying about their child's health. Knowing if a baby is getting enough breast milk or formula is a common concern. Infants up to the age of one year do have a relatively high calorie need. Their needs will vary throughout the year depending on how active they are and if they are going through a growth spurt. Most infants need 90 to 120 calories per kilogram of body weight each day. There is a formula that you can use to calculate your infant's caloric needs.

Convert the infant's body weight from pounds to kilograms. The formula for this is pounds divided by 2.2 equals the infant's weight in kilograms.

Multiply their weight in kg by their range of energy needs. The formula is weight in kg times 90 or 120 to equal their daily caloric needs (kg x 90 or 120 = calories per day).

Use this example as a template for the formula. If a three-month-old weighs 10 pounds, he will need about 409 to 545 calories a day to stay healthy. The formula is (10/2.2) x 90 = 409 and (10/2.2) x 120 = 545.


Tips & Warnings

Infants should be fed when they are hungry and not have a restricted diet unless your pediatrician has given precise instructions otherwise.

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Normal Heartbeat for Unborn Child

The first time parents hear the heartbeat of their unborn child is a big moment. Finally, it seems real--they can hear that living, growing little person! But first-time parents may be surprised by what they hear -- the fetal heart rate is quite different from their own.

Time Frame
An unborn baby's heart begins beating around the fifth week of pregnancy. It can first be heard externally with a handheld Doppler device at about the ninth or tenth week. It will be heard reliably by week 12. By the 20th week, it is possible to hear the fetal heartbeat using a stethoscope.

Normal heart rates
A normal heart rate for the fetus is between 120 and 160 beats per minute, according to a DrSpock.com article. That's fast, compared to a normal resting heart rate for adults, which the American Heart Association estimates at 60 to 80 beats per minute. The difference makes it easy for a physician to distinguish the mother's heartbeat from the fetal heartbeat even when both are amplified by a Doppler device.

Misconceptions
A common myth suggests gender can be determined by heart rate. It is said that a boy's heart beat will be under 140 beats per minute and a girl's will be 140 or higher. Research has proven this rule unreliable in determining the baby's sex, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Reasons for Rapid Heart beat
Rapid heart beat, or tachycardia, occurs when the heart rate stays over 170 on average. Causes include lack of oxygen, medications to prevent labor, prematurity, maternal anxiety or fever, fetal infection or simply fetal movements.

Reasons for Slowed Heart Rate
A slow heart rate, or bradycardia, occurs when the fetal heart rate falls below 100 beats per minute. Causes include lack of oxygen, maternal high blood pressure, prolapsed cord or compression of the umbilical cord, or medications such as those used in epidurals, or for inducing labor (such as the commonly administered Pitocin.)

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When Can a Baby Go to a Swimming Pool?

Parents often enjoy taking their babies to the swimming pool. However, newborns may be vulnerable to bacteria present within swimming pools. Older babies may have difficulty staying warm in swimming pools. Parents and caregivers should always practice proper water safety with their infants.

Get Immunizations First
According to Baby Center, it is best to avoid taking infants younger than 2 months into a swimming pool at all. Pools are often contaminated with bacteria, which may infect young infants, who are particularly vulnerable to bacterial infections. Bacterial infections often cause diarrhea which can cause potentially life-threatening dehydration. According to Baby World, it is usually best to wait to take an infant swimming until after he gets his first course of immunizations sometime after the age of 2 months.

Monitor Water Temperature
Baby Center advises that caregivers monitor water temperature when you take infants to a swimming pool. Infants do not typically begin to regulate their own body temperature until the age of at least 6 months old and some do not adequately regulate their own temperature until they are closer to a year old. Pool water should be about 84 to 86 degrees. As a general rule, if the water feels chilly to the caregiver, then it probably feels really cold to the infant. An infant should be taken out of the pool, if he starts to shiver. Also, it is important to note that children under the age of five should never be taken in a hot tub because of the

Practice Water Safety
Kid's Health advocates practicing proper water safety. A caregiver should either be holding the infant or holding onto the infant's float if the infant is placed in a baby float. As an extra precaution infants can wear a life jacket.

When you take a baby swimming, you should always put an absorbent swim diaper on the baby to prevent further contamination of the pool water. Also, make sure to bathe the baby soon after getting out of the pool to wash off chlorine which may be irritating to the baby's skin. In addition, you should carefully dry the infant's ears to prevent infection.

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