Baby Care: 5 Sweet Slumber Tips

Putting baby to bed will be easier and less stressful if you stick to a pattern on a daily basis.

Sleep is not something you can force on someone, despite of how much you want or need them to drift off. However, following a routine that sets the mood for the night is a brilliant way of making sure that your baby knows that it's bedtime. Follow these tips to guide your bedtime ritual, although feel free to add your own, unique traditions.


Tip #1: Establish a regular sleeping time for your baby. Eight in the evening might be bedtime most nights, but if your baby is displaying signs of sleepiness earlier, put him to bed earlier. An overtired and restless baby is harder to settle and will be more likely to wake during the night.

Tip #2: Set calming daily rituals to prepare your baby to bed like warm bath, brushing teeth and gums, milk feeding, light massage, reading books and listening to music. A baby who has been bathed, dressed in clean and dry pajamas, had his diaper freshly changed and has a happy tummy really should have no reason not to feel sleepy. By trying your best to maintain the night time routine, your baby will come to know what to expect. And by the time you bring out the lavender oil, he will know it is time to lay his head down to sleep. The last feed should be accompanied by calmness, and an air of relaxation encouraged. Try to make time to feed your baby when you are not rushed with dinner, preparing lunches for the next day or trying to do dishes and help with older children's homework.

Tip #3: Exercise caution when choosing beddings. Make sure each item does not pose the risk of suffocating your baby.

Tip #4: Always keep all crib drop-sides up and locked in place whenever baby is in the crib. The crib should be positioned in a warm (or cool) spot in the room, should be clean and dry and arranged with the covers neatly tucked in.

Tip #5: Control the room lighting by using curtains and lamp shades to allow transition from active to peaceful sleeping time. It is even better if the baby's room has blinds or drapes that block the light from outside. Total darkness is not needed, just a little light present, for example from a night-light or a soft lamp is perfectly fine.

What to Expect When Your Baby Starts Crawling and Walking

Help your baby develop his coordination skills. Here are some mommy tips to share:

Crawling
Between 6 and 10 months, your baby will wiggle and stretch, then push himself up and take off. He may also shimmy, scoot on him bottom, or skip crawling entirely…lots of babies do. To help develop a crawler's coordination:

• Fill a baby proofed room with cushions and boxes he can crawl over, under, or through.
• Pump up some music, plop down on all fours next to him, and swing to the beat. He'll likely imitate you.

Cruising
Soon after he can stand, between 8 and 13 months, he'll most likely try taking steps while holding on to furniture. First he'll drag his feet sideways, but eventually he'll pick up his legs. To bring him closer to walking:

• Push furniture together so he can glide around a room.
• Stand him on your lap, then slowly move each of your legs up and down so he can get used to shifting his weight.

Walking
Between 9 and 14 months, your baby will let go of the couch and take his first steps. He may be unsteady at first, but to ease him along:

• Let him go barefoot so he can balance better.
• Stand a few feet away from him while holding a toy. With practice, he'll walk confidently toward you to grab it.

THE SPOILED BABY MYTH

Can you actually spoil a baby?

Your baby cries a lot and you're uptight. You're not sure if you're supposed to soothe him or let him weep.

You are not alone. Many parents know very little about what to expect from babies. Your motherly instinct may be to comfort him, while friends and relatives tell you "No, you'll spoil him." The question is can you spoil an infant?

Spoiling means teaching someone to expect that his every demand will be met each time he makes it. Babies under three months exist in the present. And because crying is your infant's only way of telling you something is wrong, you need to listen to him so he can begin to make the connection between his cries and your reassuring, which happens around 6 months of age. Even then, an older baby probably is incapable of manipulating you to get your attention.

Young babies should not have to wait for a response, either. Too much stress on an infant's nervous system such as crying continuously is not healthy for him development. After three to six months, you can try stalling your response a bit with a gentle "I'll be right there", but it's never a good idea for babies younger than 6 months to "cry it out."

So trust your gut -- pacify your new baby when he weeps. Turn a deaf ear to everyone's advice not to your baby's cries.

All I Want For Christmas...

We went to the mall two consecutive weekends ago to have our usual “family day out” and we stopped over at Toy Kingdom. I was trying to get some ideas on what I can get Janus for Christmas, since this is going to be his first, and they have such a massive selection of great toys that I went a bit mad. It’s just that there are loads of toys that I want to buy him, mainly so that I’ll have an excuse to play with them myself.

As we go around we thought of buying him a few toys. There were a lot to choose from, and I mean A LOT from Fisher-Price, Playskool, VTech, Chicco, Tomy, to those not-so expensive and known brands. As the salesladies and salesmen (otherwise known as “promodizers”) started to demonstrate the toys they also started to annoy us. They were talking crazy over at each other in front of us. So Vhic and I decided to leave them and look around more.

Here are some ride-ons that Janus tried:

How about a motorcycle?

OMG! He looks more interested with
this pink cab. Nice try Daddy…. Grrrr!!!

Having a hard time choosing, Janus?

I think he likes them all...

Ah finally! This is what we got for him.
Not too big, not too high. Just right for his size.

I’m still on the search of what Christmas present I’d give Janus. Right now I am just happy that this year he is my most special, early present that I got.

My Grumpy Santa

Some Handy Tips

Here are some simple tips which were shared by my cousin that I find very handy. ;-)

Ants Problem: Keep the skin of cucumbers near the place or ant hole.

To get pure and clean ice: Boil water first before freezing.

To make the mirror shine: Clean with spirit.

To remove chewing gum from clothes: Keep the cloth in the freezer for an hour.

To whiten white clothes: Soak white clothes in hot water with a slice of lemon for 10 minutes.

To give a shine to hair: Add one teaspoon of vinegar to hair, and then wash.

To get maximum juice out of lemons: Soak lemons in hot water for one hour, and then juice them.

To avoid smell of cabbage while cooking: Keep a piece of bread on the cabbage in the vessel while cooking.

To rid the smell of fish from your hands: Wash your hands with a little apple vinegar.

To avoid tears while cutting onions: Chew gum.

To boil potatoes quickly: Skin one potato from one side only before boiling.

To boil eggs quickly: Add salt to the water and boil.

To check freshness of fish: Put it in a bowl of cold water. If the fish floats, it's fresh.

To check freshness of eggs: Put the egg in water. If it becomes horizontal, it's fresh. If it becomes slanting, it’s 3-4 days old. If it becomes vertical, it’s 10 days old. If it floats, it's stale.

To remove ink from clothes: Put toothpaste on the ink spots generously and let it dry completely, then wash.

To skin sweet potatoes quickly: Soak in cold water immediately after boiling.

To get rid of mice or rats: Sprinkle black pepper in places where you find mice or rats. They will run away.

Alfalfa and Vicki

These cute little kids have grown a lot. I was surprised to see their pictures now especially Alfalfa. I think he's a fine young man. I almost have forgotten about him and has not seen any of his movies or tv shows... until I checked his filmography and there I found that he guested in the first season of CSI...hehehe... I really did not recognize him.

Vicki's looks has not changed a lot I think. When I was a kid I watched almost every episode of the Small Wonder and she was an adorable robot. I was also fond of her sense of humor.

It's nice to look back and remember how we got so hooked on these shows and the characters they portrayed. :)

A Special Joy: Babies With Down Syndrome

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and in honor of this Parenting.com is showcasing photos of beautiful babies, who happen to have Down Syndrome. Check out their latest gallery and see how these beautiful babies melt my heart.

A Special Joy: Babies With Down Syndrome Galleries

Now It’s Cadbury

Countries across Asia have removed items from shelves or banned Chinese-made dairy products.

Monday, Cadbury recalled Chinese-made products in Hong Kong. In their official statement issued by its Singapore office, tests had "cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China."

It was not immediately clear whether they revealed melamine, but Cadbury said it had recalled 11 chocolate products made at its factory in Beijing which are distributed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia.

Just before this milk scare erupted, I had been craving for chocolates and one of them was Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Bar, and Dairy Milk Chocettes. Geesh!

Rashes Away!

All babies get diaper rash from time to time. Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation. Irritation can be caused by diapers that rub against the skin or fit too tightly. Irritation can also occur if your baby is left in a wet or dirty diaper for a long period of time. Your baby's skin can also be irritated by the soap used to wash cloth diapers, or by some brands of disposable diapers (diapers with plastic edges) or baby wipes.

Keep your baby's diaper area clean, cool and dry. Wash baby’s bottom every nappy change with water. No need for soap. I only use soap when my baby poops. No powder too for Talcum powder can get in my baby's lungs. Cornstarch may make a diaper rash caused by a yeast infection worse. Pat dry (not scrub, it can irritate your baby's sensitive skin) to dry completely before putting on another diaper. Avoid baby wipes, it’ll save your baby’s delicate skin from irritation and even your pocket.

If your baby has rashes, try applying Desitin, Drapolene or Petroleum Jelly liberally to the affected area. If diaper rash persists, change the type of wipes, diapers or soap you're using.

Tainted Milk Scare

This is a repost from an e-mail I received from my sister. I can’t help but say how dare these people, especially the Geng brothers, contaminate and sell tons of milk every day. They even confessed that they were aware of the chemical's harmful effect on the human body, saying their family never drank the contaminated milk. The nerve of these people! I just hope they don’t have children that could “possibly” sip on those tainted milk. It really breaks my heart every time I hear or see in the news that another baby has become a victim. Thank God for my wisdom and common sense. Otherwise, I may have settled for cheap formulas with labels I cannot read and understand. It’s really good to know that our government has banned any importations from China.

For info on brands affected by this milk scandal in China, please visit these links; it mentioned the Philippines as one of the countries affected -- FACTBOX, CNN ASIA

For your safety and precautions.

For your information, the following items have been recalled due to China’s milk scandal:

1. M&M
2. Snickers
3. Mento's Yoghurt Bottle
4. Dove Chocolate
5. Oreo Wafer Sticks
6. Dutchlady Sterilized Milk
7. Wall's all natural mango
8. Mini Poppers Ice Cream
9. Magnum Ice Cream
10. Moo Sandwich Ice Cream
11. Mini Cornetto
12. Youcan Ice Cream

Stores have been asked by AVA Singapore to remove them. If u have any of these items at home, don't eat them.

Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has said that its laboratory test have shown that the "White Rabbit Creamy Candy" from China is also contaminated with melamine.

Consumers who have bought the affected products are advised not to consume them, the AVA said in a statement.

The latest test results bring the total number of milk and related products from China imported into Singapore that are found to be contaminated with melamine to three.

The other two affected products are "Yili Brand" Choice Dairy Fruit Bar Yogurt Flavoured Ice Confection" and "Dutch Lady" brand of strawberry flavoured milk.

All the affected products have been recalled earlier.

Since Sept 19, 2008, AVA has suspended the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China.

These products include milk, ice-cream, yoghurt, confectionery such as chocolates, biscuits and sweets as well as any other products containing milk from China as an ingredient.

Retailers and importers have also been instructed to recall these products and withhold them from sale.

AVA will not hesitate to prosecute any retailer or importer who fails to remove these products from their shelves. Under the Sale of Food Act, anyone found selling unwholesome food can be fined up to $10,000 and/or sentenced to three months jail, or both.

As a precaution, consumers are also advised not to consume any milk or milk products from China.

Products Recalled - Melamine Contaminated *NEW*

BRAND II - ITEM DESC

1 BAIRONG - GRAPE CREAM CRACKERS

2 DOVE - H/NUT ALM & RAISIN CHOC

3 DOVE - HAZELNUT CHOC

4 DOVE - MILK CHOCOLATE

5 Dreyers Choc Cake Ice Cream 887ml

6 Dreyers Choc Cake Ice Cream 887ml

7 Dreyers Cookie & Cream Ice Cream 887ml

8 Dreyers Cookie & Cream Ice Cream 887ml

9 Dreyers Mint Chip Ice Cream 887ml

10 Dreyers Mint Chip Ice Cream 887ml

11 Dreyers Rocky Road Ice Cream 887ml

12 Dreyers Rocky Road Ice Cream 887ml

13 Dreyers Strawberry Ice Cream 887ml

14 Dreyers Strawberry Ice Cream 887ml

15 Dreyers Toast Almond Ice Cream 887ml

16 Dreyers Toast Almond Ice Cream 887ml

17 Dreyers Vanilla Ice Cream 887ml

18 Dreyers Vanilla Ice Cream 887ml

19 DUTCH LADY - STER M LF BANANA

20 DUTCH LADY - STER MK LF PLAIN

21 DUTCH LADY - STER MK LF CHOC

22 DUTCH LADY - STER MK LF SBERRY

23 DUTCH LADY - STER M LF HNYDEW

24 DUTCH LADY - STER M LF HNYDEW

25 DUTCH LADY - STER MILK PLAIN

26 DUTCH LADY - STER MK LF CHOC

27 DUTCH LADY - STER MK LF SBERRY

28 DUTCH LADY - STER M LF BANANA

29 FIRST CHOICE - CALCIUM SESAME CRACKERS

30 FIRST CHOICE - CALCIUM SALTINE CRACKERS

31 FIRST CHOICE - CALCIUM S ONION CRACKERS

32 FIRST CHOICE - CALCIUM SEAWEED CRACKERS

33 GINBIS - PARTY ANIMAL BUTTER BISC

34 GINBIS - PARTY ANIMAL SEAWEED BIS

35 GINBIS - PARTY ANIMAL CNUT

36 GINBIS - ANIMAL BISCUIT

37 Koala Cocoa Biscuit 40g

38 Koala Cocoa Biscuit 40g

39 KRAFT - OREO WAFER STICKS 18S

40 KRAFT - OREO WAFER STICKS 5S

41 KRAFT - OREO W/STICK WH CHOC 18S

42 KRAFT - OREO W/STICK WH CHOC 5S

43 Lotte Koala Cocoa Funpack 210g

44 Lotte Koala Cocoa Funpack 210g

45 M & M Chocolate Peanut 200g

46 M & M Chocolate Peanut 200g

47 M&M - CHOC CANDIES PLAIN%

48 M&M - CHOC CANDIES PEANUT%

49 M&M - CHOC CANDIES-PLAIN

50 M&M - CHOC CANDIES-PEANUTS

51 M&M - FUNSIZE MILK

52 M&M - FUNSIZE PEANUT

53 M&M Chocolate Candies Plain 200g

54 M&M Chocolate Candies Plain 200g

55 MEIJI - UJIKINTOKI 2978

56 MEIJI - UMAKABO CHOCOLATE

57 MEIJI - FAMILY PACK-GREEN TEA

58 MEIJI - CHESTNUT & REDBEAN

59 MENTOS - BOTTLE YOGHURT PROMO PK

60 MENTOS - BOTTLE YOGHURT

61 Monmilk BREAKFAST MILK MALT

62 Monmilk BREAKFAST MILK WALNUT 6S

63 Monmilk BREAKFAST MILKMALT 6S

64 Monmilk CHOCOLATE MILK 6S

65 Monmilk COFFEE MILK 6S

66 Monmilk HI CAL LOW FAT

67 Monmilk HI CAL LOW FAT MILK

68 Monmilk HI CAL LOW FAT MILK 6S

69 Monmilk HI CAL MILK

70 Monmilk HI CAL MILK 6S

71 Monmilk MILK DELUXE 12S

72 Monmilk PURE MILK

73 Monmilk PURE MILK

74 Monmilk PURE MILK 6S

75 Monmilk BREAKFAST MILK WALNUT

76 NABISCO - IN A BISKIT CHICKEN

77 NESTLE - NES D/STICK MINI VANILLA

78 NESTLE - NES DISTICK MINI CHOCO

79 NESTLE - MILK & BERRY STARS CRL

80 NO FRILLS - WAFER BLUEBERRY

81 NO FRILLS - WAFER CHOCOLATE

82 NO FRILLS -WAFER PEANUT

83 Orion Fresh Pie 138g

84 Orion Fresh Pie 138g

85 Orion Tiramisu 138g

86 Orion Tiramisu 138g

87 PEI TIAN - CREAM BISCUIT

88 Rabbit Milk Sweet 150g

89 SILANG - NATURAL OAT CRACKER

90 Snicker Candies Funsize 240g

91 Snicker Candies Funsize 240g

92 SNICKERS - PEANUT CHOCOLATE%

93 SNICKERS - SNACKSIZE BARS PNUT 5

94 TAKE ONE - BABY BITES 24S

95 TAKE ONE - BABY BITE CK VG

96 TAKE ONE - BABY BITE CARROT

97 Vitasoy Chocolate Drink 4s 125ml

98 Vitasoy Chocolate Drink 4s 125ml

99 Vitasoy Melon Soya Bean Milk 4s 125ml

100 Vitasoy Melon Soya Bean Milk 4s 125ml

101 Vitasoy Q Soya Milk 4s 125ml

102 Vitasoy Q Soya Milk 4s 125ml

103 WANT WANT - MILK CANDY

104 Want Want Flavoured Milk 250ml

105 Yili Hi Cal Low Fat Milk 1L

106 Yili Hi Cal Low Fat Milk 6s 250ml

107 Yili Hi Cal Milk 1L

108 Yili Hi Cal Milk 6s 250ml

109 Yili Pure Milk 1L

110 Yili Pure Milk 6s 250ml

111 Youcan Masterbean Multipack

112 Youcan Passion Multipack

113 Youcan Silk Sliced and Passion Strawberry

114 Youcan Stawberry Multipack

115 Youcan Traditional Sesame Multipack 4s

116 Youcan Unusual Multipack 4s

Lesson: If you can't read the label, don't buy it!

Something Fishy

Yesterday my son turned 8 months and he always surprises me with his new tricks. He’s beginning to be more talkative, more hyperactive and more makulit. Well, he started jumping and stomps his foot at 5 months; had separation anxiety, sits and crawls on his chest at 6; but at 7 months he’d sit on his own, crawls on his knees and hand, kneels, sits on his legs, getting up holding on his crib, and babbles a lot. He could say “dada”, “tata”, “jaja”, “daaaa diiii” but not mommy. :-( He even ALMOST fell off the bed 3 times. Also, he laughs a lot especially when he recognizes someone since he’s 3 months old.

Before this day arrived, I noticed that Janus makes a lot of funny faces. He sticks his tongue out, makes a grumpy look, rolls his lips in like an old man without a denture (lol) and this fishy lip is my favorite. I wonder why babies make different facial expressions so naturally. Every baby finds ways to communicate and here are some cues to consider:

A. "I’m interested—let’s do more of this.” *

• Has eyes wide/bright
• Looks at you or an interesting object
• Smiles or shows expressions of joy
• Reaches for things (like your nose)

B. "I'm hungry!” *

• Shows rooting behaviors—rubbing/sucking on your shirt
• Makes mouth movements
• Puts things in her mouth

C. "I'm sleepy.” *

• Rubs her eyes
• Rubs her face on your shirt
• Pulls on an ear
• Gets fussy

D. "I need a break!” *

• Turns away
• Arches his back or twist
• Fusses or cries
• Closes his eyes
• Shows dull or glassy eyes
• Grabs his hands or his body for comfort
• Kicks or wave arms rapidly

Some babies try to get their moms to interact with them by smiling or making happy sounds. When that doesn’t work, the babies get upset. So maybe this fishy look means something I have yet to find out. ;-)

* Getting In Tune With Baby - Talaris.Org

Happy Kinda Ranting

Finally after waiting for about a month, my Avent bottles arrived today. Well it actually arrived YESTERDAY MORNING but the guards did not allow the courier guy to come up to my unit and hand it to me personally (isn’t supposed to be a door-to-door service?). Been wondering why the guy from Air 21 hasn’t knocked at my door yet. I was expecting it to arrive Wednesday, and yes it arrived Wednesday at 11:25am. If I have not called the guard house Thursday morning I wouldn’t know that the package has arrived. The guard even tried to cover it up and said to hubby, “Ay sir kakadating lang po nito kanina…ihahatid na lang po naming sa unit nyo, isasabay na lang po sa pag rounds ng roving guard…”. I was in rage but still trying to cool myself down. I called the courier and asked for the delivery details (the name of the person who received it, time and date of delivery), then I called the Admin office to escalate my concern. My point is, what if it was an important document…if it’s an important item…. I would not have it delivered door-to-door if I wanted to waste my time calling the guards and ask if my package has arrived. In the first place I did NOT authorize them to receive it.

Ranting aside…. My son is sooo happy with his new Avent bottles. I am happy as well because they are addition to his other feeding bottles and I can keep his small (4oz) bottles now. While waiting for these bottles to arrive, I settled for a cheaper (in material) brand which caused my son teary-eyed while feeding. I guess feeding bottles really matter. Thanks to Avent Airflex. Two thumbs up!!!

First Time

Mother's Day comes only once every year. Of all the days, it was this special day when I really got sick. It was supposed to be our first time to celebrate, but both Vhic and I were hit by colds few days before mommies' day. I was down with fever, colds & dry cough. Vhic had it too minus the fever. Janus was so exposed to these viruses since here was no one to look after him and take care of him but us. But thank God he never got sick...thanks to his immune system. The reason I felt so bad and made the situation more depressing, is because I couldn't even have a slice of cake for that special day :(

Anyway, being a mother has always been exciting for me. It's more than a roller-coaster ride. Though it's really hurting my back so bad, I always say that having a child is priceless. Very fulfilling. It has always been my dream; any woman's dream. I am thrilled to see my son grow up; when he starts to talk and say "mama" and "dada"; when he can already show his affection & appreciation to the things and people around him; when he can express himself thru gestures. I am happy when we play together. I enjoy our book-reading sessions. I enjoy our everyday conversations. I am excited to be my son's first teacher. I want to pass on to him the values that my parents' instilled me. I am excited to so many things. Sometimes I wish that he's a grown-up now, but he can only enjoy his childhood once. So I'll let him have his moment. No rush.

They say a mother's child is her "trophy". I did not understand what that meant before but now it's all clear to me. Being a mother is the best title that God gives a woman. Whether it's your own child, foster child, godchild, or nephews/nieces, only few are blessed.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. Let us be proud of ourselves because motherhood is a noble thing.

And to my Mommy Soy, happy mother's day to you. THE BESTEST MOTHER I must say!!! I miss you soooo much. How I wish you're around to guide me in bringing up Janus. I love you, Ma! Love, hugs, kisses and misses to you and Daddy.