Teething and Pooping

My son is pooping watery stools and I feel bad for him. It's always like these when he is teething. Some times it is accompanied by fever. So I wonder, does teething really affect a child's bowel movement? Here's what I searched:

Teething And Diarrhea – How To Help Your Baby

Debate continues as to whether teething causes diarrhea or not. What’s clear is, many parents report loose stools while their baby’s teeth are erupting. This could be a) coincidental, due to the fact that the level of immunity they received from being in the mother’s womb drops off and the child’s immune system must take over, at around the same time as teething starts, and b) when teething begins, all manner of things are put into the mouth, germs and all. Whatever the reason, diarrhea is a pain in the butt.

Another theory about diarrhea during teething is that since baby is drooling so much, a lot more saliva is passing through the system, diluting nutrients and adding more acidic content to the mix. It is normal that stools contain enzymes that help digest food. During teething, stools pass through the intestines more quickly thanks to the copious saliva and take with them more acidic matter. The enzymes affect the soft skin of baby’s bottom, resulting in a rash that can be painful, or at the least irritating.

Source: babyslumber.com

Speech Delays

While some of my friends were busy uploading videos of their babies talking, I was busy uploading my son's dance skills videos. It's because my son doesn't really talk that much yet. He only speak few words. At first, we are worried for him. Some babies talk as early as 12 months or less. As I consult it to his pedia, the doctor said it is normal for some kids to have speech delay. But being a thorough mother, I want to check the signs if my son's development are still acceptable or do I need to be concerned? I need reassurance. This is what I found in my Smart Parenting Book Guide. Read this:


A speech delay is basically a communication disorder among children who fail to converse properly when compared with other children of the same age. The cause may be because the child is busy learning other skills or she does not get much attention on her speech. Poor balanced diet and emotional stress may also contribute to speech delay. Those children whose parents are abusive are likely to have speech delay, mainly due to lack of communication. At times, physical causes such as mental retardation also lead to speech delay.
Remember that just like other areas of development, a child develops verbally at her own pace. Some toddlers can already point out their body parts before they walk, others not well into their second year. Whatever the case, be patient; as long as you are exposing her to talking, then you just have to sit back and let nature take its course.
However, according to BabyCenter, bring her to your pediatrician if:

At 12 months, he/she:

• doesn't use gestures such as waving or shaking her head
• isn't participating using at least a couple of consonants (p, b, etc.)
• isn't somehow communicating to you when she needs help with something

At 15 months, he/she:

• doesn't understand and respond to words such as "no" and "bye-bye"
• can't say at least one to three words
• doesn't say "mama" or "dada"

At 16 months, he/she:

• doesn't point to body parts when asked

At 18 months, he/she:

• isn't saying at least six to ten words

At 19 to 20 months, he/she:

• isn't pointing out things of interest, such as a bird or an airplane overhead
• isn't making at least six consonant sounds

At 21 months, he/she:

• doesn't respond to simple directions
• doesn't play pretend with her toys or herself (brushing her hair, feeding her stuffed toy, etc.)

At 24 months, he/she:

• doesn't imitate actions or words of others
• can't point to named pictures in a book
• can't join two words together
• doesn't know the function of common household objects - toothbrush, telephone, fork, etc.

At 26 months, he/she:

• uses no two-word simple sentences

At 30 months, he/she:

• can't name at least three body parts
• can't be understood by anyone in her family

At 32 months, he/she:

• has difficulty singing fragments of nursery rhymes

At 36 months, he/she:

• doesn't ask questions
• can't be understood by strangers at least half the time
• is unable to articulate initial consonants (for example, says "all" instead of "ball")
• is unable to name most common household objects

SOURCE: The Smart Mom's Guide To The Toddler Years (13 to 36 months)

♥♥♥♥♥

My son is in his 20th month. As I see it, there's no need for me to be alarmed. He can point to things and he knows his body parts. He understand words and has a connecting actions with it. His diet may be causing all these because he still has poor appetite. He is now officially a picky eater at this stage. Sigh. I have to find a way for him to eat more! I know growth and development differ from one kid to another.I know my son will talk in his own sweet time. But I'll keep this pointers in mind.

Crying Spells

Did you know that an average toddler cries for one hour to three hours a day? And maybe for some more hours of unbearable whining. Sometimes you've done everything but nothing seems to be the solution. And sometimes you just want to cover your ears and wish that the crying would stop in a blink of an eye. I can relate. I am a mother to a 20 months old boy. My son has few vocabulary words and because of his nature, the messages are compose of screams and wailing most of the times. It helps me to comprehend that this is perfectly normal. It's their way of communicating with us. Sometimes, they just want to tell:

I'm hungry.
This is probably the first thing you think of when your baby cries. Learning to recognize the signs of hunger will help you start your baby's feedings before the crying stage. Some signs to watch for in newborns: fussing, smacking of lips, rooting (a newborn reflex that causes babies to turn their head toward your hand when you stroke their cheek), and putting their hands to their mouth.

I need to be held.

Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell. Crying can be their way of asking to be held close.

I am tired and need a rest.

Aren't babies lucky? When they're tired they can simply go to sleep – anytime, anywhere. Or so adults like to think. In reality, it's harder for them than you might think. Instead of nodding off, babies may fuss and cry, especially if they're overly tired.You may wonder if you'll spoil your baby by holding him so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. To give your arms some relief, try wearing your baby in a front carrier or sling.

I'm too cold or too hot.

When your baby feels chilly, such as when you remove his clothes to change a diaper or clean his bottom with a cold wipe, he may protest by crying. Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm — but not too warm. As a rule, they’re comfortable wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable. Babies are less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold, and they won't cry about it as vigorously.

I need my nappy changing.

Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others can tolerate a dirty diaper for quite a while. Either way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy.

I need something to make me feel better.

If you've met your baby's basic needs and comforted him and he's still crying, he could be coming down with something. You may want to check his temperature to rule out a fever and be alert for other signs of illness. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from one caused by hunger or frustration. If your baby's crying "just doesn't sound right," trust your instincts and call or see a doctor.

I just feel like crying.

Full tummy? Check. Clean diaper? Check. Fever-free? Check. So why is your baby crying? Babies have their own good reasons. Persistent and inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby is traditionally called colic. Tummy troubles associated with gas or colic can lead to lots of crying. If your baby often fusses and cries right after being fed, he may be feeling some sort of tummy pain. Many parents swear by over-the-counter anti-gas drops for babies or gripe water (made from herbs and sodium bicarbonate). If your baby cries after a feeding, a good burp may be all he needs.

It's upsetting when it seems you can't do anything to ease your baby's distress. However hard it is at the time, rest assured that your baby will grow out of this trying phase. 

Source: BabyCenter

There you go fellow moms! Hope this helps in understanding and sympathizing our cry babies! :)

Diaper Matter

This morning, I woke up with my son crying beside our bed. I then notice he pee on his brief thus the reason of his crying. I on the other hand was so proud of him. Why? That is the third time he crawl out of bed to pee and for whatever reason he didn't want to wet the bed sheet! Bless you my son! :)

It's been two months since I last bought him disposable diapers. Although, he is not potty trained yet (my son is still working on it) I am letting go of his diapers. He wears briefs or shorts or sometimes nothing at all! Blame it on the hot weather, he prefer the latter. Hehe. Besides the comfort he gets from not wearing any diapers, there are advantages too like I don't have to spend money for it and it helps the environment! Do you know that it takes 355 YEARS for a single diaper to decompose? I didn't know either that's why I am guilty and sad that I contributed to that waste. :( I wish I had realize this sooner. Sorry Mother Earth. I promise I will rethink of my actions and my choices first before doing something drastic. Anyway, it's not too late. That's why I am blogging about this. Maybe, parents can reconsider using disposable diapers? We can use CLOTH DIAPERS instead! Just like what I bought for my son:

If I have only been considerate, I would have used cloth diapers from the start then. Although, we have what we called "lampin," cloth diapers would be a better choice so investing on them should be a priority. It's been an advocacy of some mommy blogs that I follow. And I promise it to be my advocacy too. That's why I am thinking of selling them in my online shoppe. They can use this as they grow. It is a little messier to use I agree but the reward is priceless. This is something we can do to help our environment. It's for our children's future. Plus they will be more happy. Just look at my son. 

Ah, I've done my part! Hope you do to! Ciao!

New Milk

When we last visited my son's pedia, she noticed that my son is thin and doesn't gain much weight. My son is 1 year and 7 months old but his weight is stuck in 10 kg. My son present milk formula is Bonakid. His pedia suggested to try Pediasure although its price is higher than other milk. Its because this milk is specifically for kids who have difficulty gaining weight and loss of appetite. It's been two days since my son shifted to this milk and so far I observe that he is drinking and eating more. He has good appetite now. Well, I have to wait until I can see more result.  I wish my son will continue to be healthy and I hope he will build up more muscles cause I don't mind carrying a heavier baby. :)

Multiple Intelligence

Who says being intelligent means having high grades in school? There are many facets as to how intelligence is characterized. So it goes to say, that EVERY CHILD has a acquire aptitude and skills whether it is hidden or already seen.  

1.       Verbal-Linguistic: WORD SMART

·         Values books and storytelling time

·         Enjoys writing and can compose well-versed sentences compared to average kids of the same age

·         Frequently inquires about word definition, spelling and usage

·         Invents own words to a song

·         Loves to babble, enjoys talking to people

·         Likes to tell or listen to jokes, riddles, tongue-twisters, rhymes, puns, word games

·         Pays attention to words on billboards and signs

·         Can follow directions just by listening

·         Remembers information well

Word smarts think and see in words.

They are elegant speakers, remarkable writers and have highly developed auditory skills. Books, audio-video tapes, voice recorders, writing tools, paper, mini-journals, dialogues, discussions, debates and storytelling help develop verbal-linguistic skills in children. Teaching your children about a concept you know very well, playing memory and word games, or inventing a new ending for an existing story are some effective ways for him to become Word Smart.

2.       Logical –Mathematical: NUMBER SMART

·         Inquires a lot about how things work

·         Enjoys “what if” situations, brain teasers and games that require logical thinking

·         Loves working with abstract concepts and figuring out the relationship between things

·         Believes that everything has a rational explanation

·         Recognizes patterns and order, shapes and sizes

·         Loves solving puzzles and working with blocks and manipulatives

·         Classifies and categorizes information

·         Performs complex mathematical calculations beyond what is developmentally expected

·         Loves to experiment

·         Collects objects

Number smarts form concepts by way of reasoning, numbers and patterns.

They learn best by using a variety of materials to experiment with. Take your kid on trips to the planetarium or science museum to further quench his thirst for knowledge. Provide word problems to solve and allow opportunities to question and wander about natural events. Counters such as bottle caps or poker chips, as well as pattern blocks, snap lock cubes, shape sorters, junior science experiment kits and illustrated kiddie encyclopedias can further encourage your kid to search for answers. Refine his math skills by assigning tasks like scheduling family activities, measuring, making models, estimating costs of your grocery list or restaurant bill and even budgeting.

3.       Bodily-Kinesthetic: BODY SMART

·         Loves to dance, act or mime

·         Mimics other people’s gestures, actions and mannerisms

·         Expresses self well through movement games

·         Often uses hand gestures and other forms of body language during conversations

·         Enjoys sports and other physical activities

·         Shows good motor coordination

·         Takes pleasure in spending time outdoors

·         Likes working with hands: sewing, weaving, carving, carpentry, model-building, clay modelling, finger-painting, crafts, woodworks

·         Handles objects with precision and amazing dexterity

·         Loves taking things apart, then putting them back together

Body smarts think and learn best by using their body.

These learners remember and process information by interacting with the space around them. They need tactile and hands-on experiences through activities such as role-playing, drama, dance, movement, building and constructing, sports, and physical games. Using music and teaching concepts through songs as they clap to the beat, or making up dance steps for songs will surely engage kinesthetic learners. Get physical: go hiking, biking, swimming, dancercising, or simply play more charades so your kid becomes “body smarter”.

4.       Musical: MUSIC SMART

·         Responds with great enthusiasm when music is played

·         Immediately appreciates or critiques music while listening to it

·         Loves to sing (may even have a good singing voice)

·         Hums and taps on surfaces (table, chair, etc.) while thinking or waiting

·         Can easily memorize lyrics

·         Composes music

·         Plays a musical instrument

·         Sensitive to pitch, melody, rhythm and tone

·         Can create and replicate tunes

Music smarts are extremely sensitive to natural ambient sounds such as bells, roosters crowing and crickets, to name a few.

They need regular sing-along and music-appreciation time: listening to music, going to concerts and tinkering with musical instruments (even crude ones like metal kitchenware and empty tin cans). Have music constantly playing softly in the background and sing along with it. Music appreciation is best developed through immersion.

5.       Visual-Spatial: ART SMART

·         Perceives the world accurately and can recreate through pictures or illustrations

·         Likes looking at picture books, photographs and paintings

·         Enjoys coloring books, maps, puzzles and mazes

·         Loves to doodle, paint, draw and build with blocks

·         Can take things apart and put them back together

·         Loves taking photographs and videos

·         Designs practical objects

·         Is sensitive to color

·         Experiences lucid dreams at night and often daydreams

·         Can generally find his way around unfamiliar territory

Art smarts think in pictures and vivid images.

They need a wide range of art activities, building and construction toys, illustrated books, videos, movies and slides to help them retain information. Allow them to play with mazes, puzzles and visual games, or ask them to illustrate a story to foster imagination and creativity. Take them on frequent trips to art museum where they can learn about other art forms and media. Provide a variety of art materials they can explore and use whenever they feel like awakening the Picasso in them.

6.       Interpersonal: PEOPLE SMART

·         Friendly, gracious and sociable

·         Usually popular

·         Constantly enjoys company of friends and family

·         Loves parties and feels comfortable in a crowd

·         Sensitive to other people’s feelings and intentions

·         Listens attentively

·         Enjoys team-building games and group sports

·         Takes initiative to “teach” another kid during play

·         Has strong leadership skills and serves as a mediator in a group

·         Well-organized

People smarts understand people and relationships well.

They form early bonds that last a lifetime. They seek to be involved in group games, social gatherings, community events, clubs and organizations. Allow them to give and receive feedback, or help out in dividing household chores among family members. Conversations and interactive group games where kids are able to collaborate and solve problems with others are good ways to hone interpersonal skills.

7.       Intrapersonal: SELF SMART

·         Has a realistic view of self and of own strengths and weaknesses

·         Strong- willed and independent

·         Has strong, unyielding opinions and expresses them

·         Understands and controls own feelings and moods as well as others’

·         Expresses feelings accurately

·         Observes and listens before taking action

·         Prefers to work or spend time alone

·         Likes to meditate and reflect

·         Keeps a diary or a journal

Self smarts are silent planners and goal setters.

They need their own secret place, as well as a chance to be given choices and engage in self-paced projects. Self-reflection and self-discovery are the learning styles of Self Smart people. Give them imaginative activities and exercises that allow time to think and process emotionally. Provide the following introspective activities: “know thyself” compositions for silent reflection, mindfulness practices combined with journal keeping (e.g., a child can think about how history has affected his life), and concentration exercises like guided imagery, deep breathing, or imagining people from the past living with today’s  technology. Peer tutoring and buddy systems are also some of the effective ways to develop this intelligence.

8.       Naturalist: NATURE SMART

·         Recognizes, classifies and appreciates animals, plants and flowers

·         Enjoys collecting rocks, leaves and flowers; enjoys catching insects

·         Admires trees, mountains, rivers and the movement of clouds

·         Keeps a terrarium or aquarium

·         Has a green thumb

·         Spends a lot of time outdoors

·         Likes to go camping or hiking

·         Loves taking care of and raising pets

·         Enjoys visits to the zoo

·         Genuinely cares for the environment and the planet

Nature smarts think through natural forms.

They need constant access to nature and as many opportunities to interact with animals, as well as tools to investigate nature (e.g., magnifying glass, binoculars). Go outdoors with your kids as often as possible to nurture this love for nature.  Set up a garden or put plants inside the house, and entrust your children with the responsibility of caring for these plants every day.

9.       Existentialist: COSMIC SMART

·         Spends time reflecting on life’s big questions: Why am I here? Are there really ghosts? Where is heaven? Is there life on other planets? Where does God live?

·         Has a deeper view of life and the universe

·         Reads a lot on philosophy, religion and cosmic dimensions

·         Feels different or apart from peers because of preoccupation with existential questions

·         Loves movies, TV shows or plays that have spiritual or philosophical themes

·         Enjoys philosophical or religious discussions and arguments

·         Expresses feelings and ideas about spiritual, philosophical or existential themes through writing, art work and research

Existential intelligence is defined as the deep concern and proficiency in inquiring about “ultimate issues”.

This is manifest in people who pose questions about life, death and ultimate realities, and attempt to answer them as well. This intelligence, however, may not be observed in very young children, and will only start to emerge by age nine, when children are capable of more abstract thinking and reasoning. However, it is not improbable to hear existentialist questions from younger kids ages six to eight, as some may develop higher thinking skills earlier than most.

SOURCE: The Smart Mom’s Guide To The TODDLER YEARS

Multilingual Kids

MULTILINGUALISM means using or knowing more than one language. In our modern world today, some parents are obsess in raising a child to be English-speaking people. According to neurobiologists, a newborn’s brain is like a new computer waiting to be programmed. The best "window of opportunity" to learn a second or third language is during the first four years of life until the ages of 9 to 10. The key is that the child hears the language systematically and regularly. Thus, one of the most successful language systems is the One Person One Language (OPOL). Decide who will speak which language to the baby to avoid confusion.  

MYTHS ON MULTILINGUALISM

MYTH: You will confuse a child by raising her with two or more language

FACT: A child’s brain can cope with two languages or more without affecting the dominant languages, as proven by decades of research in many multilingual countries (e.g., Canada, Switzerland, Belgium).

MYTH: Multilingualism is nice but uncommon

FACT: About 75% of the world’s population speaks more than one language.

MYTH: Learn one language first and then teach the other language later.

FACT: This is not only wrong, but totally counterproductive. Studies have concluded that learning a second language simultaneously is magnitudes easier for both baby and parents.

MYTH: Your child will only mix the languages together.

FACT: Yes, mixing will occur, but it is both harmless and temporary. As the child increases  her vocabulary in each language, this phenomenon automatically disappears.

MYTH: At this age, becoming multilingual is too late.

FACT: No such thing! Children can always learn another language at any age, as can adults. It may be easier during the early critical period but a stimulating learning environment will get any child started with another language.


Source: The Smart Mom's Guide To The Toddler Years ( 13 to 36 months)


BOTTOM LINE

I have nothing against Pinoy kids who are fluent in speaking English or any other language. But for me, if a child is good in speaking other language, he should be better in speaking his OWN language. That’s what I insisted on my two nephews who is now residing in New Zealand.  They shouldn’t forget our native language FILIPINO even if they live in a foreign country.  As for my son, I will do the OPOL. He will learn Filipino from me, and English from his Daddy, Ninang Janice, and Tita Anna. But I think I would have to wait a little longer because Riley’s words for now are hi, dede, teddy, daddy, and mama only. :)

the concept of NO

Riley has 3 consistent tricks: the "show mama your teeth" where he opens his mouth to show me his teeth; the second is "kiss mama" where he pouts his lips and make a "brrrr" sound; and last is whenever I say NO, HUWAG (don't), or BAWAL (restricted), he would turn his head side by side repeatedly.

I didn't know that teaching a child the concept of NO is very important at an early stage. I just find it amusing at first that he recognize the word and have a connecting head movement with it but I didn't know I am already teaching him a valuable lesson. As he grows, he will learn more the meaning when someone say NO and the reason why some things cannot be done or said by him. I think that is the beginning of teaching him the concept of right and wrong as well. For now I find Riley adorable when he looks at me as if waiting if I will say No or allow him when he do things. Here are some tips to make a child be the best that he/she can be:

For children 1 to 3 years

1. Allow him to play freely and safely. Fence off a portion of your house, make sure it contains no hazards, and let your toddler explore freely.

2. Teach him the meaning of no,especially when explaining why he can't go beyond his designated play area.

3. Talk to him whenever you dress him, feed him, or when you take him out on an outing. Help him absorb words by talking to him casually; name the part of his body as you bathe him. Let him repeat them.

4. Continue reading to him regularly. Choose books with simple stories about other small children or animals.

5. Introduce the concept of writing as another form of language. Show him what his name looks like in print.

6. Teach him how to perform a necessary skill, say, washing his hands or buttoning his shirt.

7. Look for toys that introduce concepts like in and out; inside and on top; and larger and smaller. When he's ready, go for push-and-pull toys.

8. Play simple games like hide-and-seek to help him form concepts about the permanence of objects not immediately in his sight.

9. Take him on excursions: a short bus trip, a train ride, or a visit to a fire station, the beach, and neighborhood parks.

SOURCE: Smart Parenting Learn

Using of Pacifier

Since my mother gave my son a pacifier, it has been an issue if it is good or bad for him. Some says it’s bad for the teeth formation. Some people say its ok and it has nothing to do with teeth deformation and that it makes a child “mabait.” We tried to tone down the usage of it. But it seems that my son really prefer using his “ever dependable” pacifier. So to have a peace of mind, I decided to check the “ever reliable” google all about PACIFIER!

Pacifiers: Are they good for your baby?

The decision to use a pacifier — or not — is up to you. Consider the pros and cons as you decide what's best for you and your baby.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Most babies have a strong sucking reflex. Some babies even suck their thumbs or fingers before they're born. Beyond nutrition, sucking often has a soothing, calming effect. That's why many parents rank pacifiers as must haves, right up there with diaper wipes and baby swings. But are pacifiers really OK for your baby? Although the answer to that question is often debated, the American Academy of Pediatrics gives pacifiers the green light.

The pros

For some babies, pacifiers are the key to contentment between feedings. Consider the advantages:

A pacifier may soothe a fussy baby. Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something.

A pacifier offers temporary distraction. When your baby's hungry, a pacifier may buy you a few minutes to find a comfortable spot to nurse or to prepare a bottle. A pacifier may also come in handy during shots, blood tests or other procedures.

A pacifier may help your baby fall asleep. If your baby has trouble settling down, a pacifier might do the trick.

Pacifiers may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers have found an association between pacifier use during sleep and a reduced risk of SIDS.

Pacifiers are disposable. When it's time to stop using pacifiers, you can throw them away. If your child prefers to suck on his or her thumb or fingers, it may be more difficult to break the habit.

The cons

Of course, pacifiers have pitfalls as well. Consider the drawbacks:

Early pacifier use may interfere with breast-feeding. Sucking on a breast is different from sucking on a pacifier or bottle. Some babies have trouble learning how to nurse properly if they're given a pacifier too soon.

Your baby may become dependent on the pacifier. If your baby uses a pacifier to sleep, you may face frequent middle-of-the-night crying spells when the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth.

Pacifier use may increase the risk of middle ear infections. However, rates of middle ear infections are generally lowest from birth to age 6 months — when the risk of SIDS is the highest and your baby may be most interested in a pacifier.

Prolonged pacifier use may lead to dental problems. Normal pacifier use during the first few years of life doesn't cause long-term dental problems. However, prolonged pacifier use may cause a child's top front teeth to slant outward or not come in properly.

SOURCE: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacifiers/PR00067