Tips on Parenting

In the early decades of the 20th century in the U.S., smallpox was a common childhood illness. Now it is virtually unknown here, thanks to vaccines. The same could be said of rubella, polio and other once-common childhood illnesses. These and many other facts supported by reliable studies point to the conclusion that immunization through vaccination is important to newborn health.

Developing fetuses receive their immunization protection in part from their own immune system, and in part from antibodies supplied by the mother through the umbilical cord. But even after birth, the newborn immune system is still immature. It will be a year before the child develops the full complement of antibodies that help fight off ever-present bacteria, viruses and other disease causing germs.

During those first critical months, breastfeeding mothers can help supply their newborns with protective antibodies through the colostrum and breast milk. But some mothers can’t breastfeed. And, most importantly, even mother’s milk doesn’t supply full protection against the wide number of potential diseases.

Parents can give their child extra protection by having them vaccinated.

The principle of vaccination is very simple. In some cases, a quantity of dead organisms that would otherwise cause disease are used in a solution that is given via injection, sugar table, nasal spray or pill. In other cases, genetically-modified live organisms are used. In both cases, the disease causing germ has been neutralized.

But the basic biochemical makeup of the germ is still present. That stimulates the body’s immune system, which has evolved to recognize these proteins as ‘foreign invaders’ and to release antibodies to combat them. Since the organisms can’t cause disease, there’s minimal impact. But the body still releases the antibodies, and so builds up immunity should live, functioning germs ever be encountered. That prevents the disease before it occurs.

Is it Effective?

Decades of clinical research and common experience confirm the view that vaccines do work. They have reduced the incidence of rubella, whooping cough, smallpox, polio and a range of other once-common childhood diseases.

In the rare instance that a child still does get one of these diseases, the symptoms are often drastically reduced. What, in generations past, might have been a permanently crippling disease or a death sentence is now almost always a minor inconvenience.

Are Vaccines Risky?

While no vaccination is completely without risk, modern genetically modified viruses used in vaccines represent a very low risk. It’s nearly unknown for a child, for example, to develop rubella from a vaccine. Consider how many people, young and old, get flu vaccines every year. Almost none ever get the flu.

But why take any risk, no matter how small? Because, the risks of serious harm should the child contract the disease the vaccination protects against are high. Thanks to widespread vaccination over the past few generations, many of these diseases are rare in the U.S. and elsewhere. But the potential effects are serious. That tips the risk-benefit ratio heavily in favor of vaccinations.

Junk Science Is Common

Many uninformed people have exaggerated the risks of vaccines. It was popular at one time, for example, to assert that vaccinations caused autism. The Mayo Clinic, in a recent meta-study that examined over 200 studies from major research organizations, found nothing to support this claim.

So it goes with so much of what is written on health today. Someone raises an unfounded concern. Professionals from a diverse group of organizations, including the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), major public and private universities, world renowned hospitals and others investigate. Invariably, they find the claims of risk to be overblown.

Conclusion

Vaccinations are an excellent method to help give your newborn the best start in life. Stimulating the immune system very early in life to develop antibodies against disease causing organisms drastically lowers the odds of contracting the disease later in life.

That has proven true with whooping cough, rubella, diphtheria, smallpox, chicken pox, polio and many more that only a few generations ago devastated entire communities.

Look into the subject by reviewing professional sources. You’ll find that vaccines are good for your newborn.

Parents around the world recognize similar behavior in babies; they like to move. That’s good for them, since it develops strength and muscle control. It also helps keep several other body systems tuned up, like the cardiovascular system.

One way to make sure they satisfy that natural desire in a safe way is to invest in a good baby bouncer. But what makes a baby bouncer good?

The specifics will vary slightly with age, but the first criteria – of course – is safety. Baby bouncers should be able to stand up to a range of punishment. Some babies are naturally more vigorous and mobile than others. But as they age all of them will increase the stress they put on a bouncer. And, as every parent knows, they grow up fast.

Many are bouncer/rocker combinations. These are a great option since they allow for multiple kinds of motion. Bouncing gets all that super baby energy out, rocking provides comfort for those quieter moments. That also allows movement of different types and in different directions, which adds valuable muscle control training to sheer strength development.

The bouncer or rocker should have padding on any part that comes in contact with the baby and have no sharp edges anywhere. They should also be protected anywhere the bouncer might come in contact with the floor, walls or furniture. A wide base will keep it stable and prevent injury.

Some designs make that kind of lateral movement more likely than others. Some have wheels. Those that do should have a lock-down mechanism so you can discourage movement across the room when you want to. Others are outfitted with rubberized ‘feet’ that will protect the floor, while side padding protects both baby and wall.

Look for snaps, screws, rivets that are strong and installed to minimize the odds of tearing the padding. Some, for example, have plastic rings rather than metal that provide the attachment to the bouncer or rocker. That can be okay, provided the plastic is a good composite that won’t break under strain.

One excellent variation incorporates a battery operated motor. One with an adjustable speed is always appreciated. Sometimes it’s good to let the bouncer do the work.

It also gives parents a needed break from gentle rocking that soothes an excited or unhappy baby. That decreases crying and also stimulates perception. Any safe interaction with a dynamic environment is good for mental as well as physical development.

Most will have good safety restraints built in, but you should try to work them to check. A soft 3-point harness around the waist and between the legs keeps your baby securely in place. The restraint should also be designed so that there’s no chance of pinching or excess compression. Convenience is a factor, too. You want it to be easy to snap together when you’re in a hurry.

Other nice to have elements might include sounds or music. That keeps your baby occupied and, again, helps them develop mentally while they exercise. A canopy is useful when you want to use the bouncer outside. A toy tray that is ultra-sturdy is always great to have, too.

It’s often said, with a hint of nostalgia, that life in the past was simpler. Probably true. But simpler isn’t always better. Modern technology has developed a range of feeding products that makes the baby’s mealtime safer, more convenient and even stylish.

Feeding dishes alone have seen an evolution from the past that amounts to a revolution. One simple modification of a standard bowl results in a brim that catches food. Looking like an upside down baseball cap, this clever dish will make clean up a lot easier while it minimizes wasted food. Get the type with a suction cup on the bottom and rest assured that no bowl will ever get spilled at mealtime again.

Warming dishes have seen similar advances. Some allow hot water to be poured into the base, then the top snaps on to keep food warm and separated into separate compartments. Others can rest in a warming plate that is electrically heated. Perfectly safe, either of these options lets busy parents keep food ready to eat through brief distractions.

Speaking of warming devices, how about those modern bottle warmers? Available in a hundred different styles, they allow for a range of temperatures. Many offer a safety mechanism that will sense excess heat and turn off before the bottle gets too hot. A combination of sturdy plastic and rust-proof metal means they’ll last for years.

For women who breastfeed there exists an equally diverse range of products to make feeding safer and more convenient than ever.
Breast pump kits can be placed in specially-designed pockets in a bag that makes pumping easy to do on the go. Special comfort bras allow for easy access and practically eliminate the need for any cleanup.

Sterilizing kits for bottles, breast pumps and more are both inexpensive and effective today. Some resemble bottle warmers, but provide a high setting. Others are in the form of a microwave steam cooker, similar to autoclaves used by hospitals in the past. All provide that extra measure of assurance that gives parents greater peace of mind.

The traditional high chair has been modernized, as well. Once upon a time a flimsy, cold tin shelf attached to a rickety frame. Now, high chairs are practically indestructible, while they are infinitely more stylish.

Some models are rich-looking cherry wood that can compete well with the most elegant dining table. Others are made of extremely durable plastic that still manage to look just as stylish. All are made with ultra-sturdy frames and multiple conveniences. One style offers a pedestal base that is so wide it’s nearly impossible to tip over by babies who like to rock sideways during meal time.

A safe, simple locking mechanism makes it impossible for the tray to be lifted up, spilling food and (yikes!) maybe the baby onto the floor. Similar locking mechanisms are integrated into the wheels on the base that provide security for that convenience feature.

Check out the new feeding products and find out how much easier mealtime can be and, in a certain sense, simpler too.

Few things have changed so radically in the last 100 years as the view of a father’s role in parenting.

Once, it was the Victorian view of ‘rarely-seen law-giver’. Then the Freudian influenced ‘not a terribly important factor’ became dominant. That was gradually replaced with the 1950s ‘wise breadwinner’. Then came the social revolution of the 1960s, which taught that fathers were little more than sperm donors. Now there’s the contemporary, splintered view that encompasses a dozen conflicting outlooks.

Sorting out a better view, therefore, will have to involve getting back to basics and asking: “What are fathers for?”, “What’s the effect of their presence or absence?”, and “What actual influence do they have?” Complex and difficult questions, to be sure.

Many broad-based studies concur on one point: kids raised without fathers have a much higher incidence of bad outcomes – poor scholastic performance, violent activities, drug use and criminal convictions.

What to conclude from that can be problematic.

Some point to the economic facts accompanying those fatherless households. Others point to more psychological or ethical factors. Whatever the root cause, and likely there are many, the conclusion remains: kids need dads in order to get the best chance in life.

Of course, being a father and being a good father are not the same thing. Studies and common experience suggest that merely supplying funds for food and shelter, helpful as those are, is just the beginning of paternal input to a good outcome.

Fathers, whether in single-parent homes or in two-parent, dual gender homes, are still looked to as guidance givers. Female children often look to fathers for a sense of protection, and as an alternative voice in conflicts with the mother. Young males will be influenced by their father when evaluating their own identities.

In two-parent, dual gender homes fathers can benefit children of both sexes by, among other things, demonstrating how decisions are made and how they interact with the mother.

Both male and female children get clues about ‘normal’ parental roles when they observe how the father acts when choices are being considered. Do they typically defer certain categories of choices to the mother? (Diet, bedtime, household chores) Do they discuss differences calmly, or do they loudly proclaim male authority?

These, along with a wide variety of other common experiences, help shape the children’s views of interactions among the sexes.

Even during times other than joint decision-making, fathers influence children’s views of adults and the world. Different fathers can display very different basic approaches to problem solving, for example. One is confident, objective, or displays a sense of the excitement of discovery and success. That’s a very different outlook from the man who shows resentment, fear and self-doubt, or hostility at the need to overcome life’s challenges.

Children observe fathers in these, and numerous other, settings. What they observe influences their views much more than what is explicitly said or preached. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but real experience offers volumes.

Babies and pets can be a delightful combination. But sometimes they only mix well if a few precautions are observed. Tragically, in other cases, they don’t go well together at all. A few simple guidelines can help bring harmony in any case.

The first, and one obvious to anyone, is to ensure everyone’s safety. That means both baby and pet. Newborns are the most precious thing in the world to parents, and rightfully so. But the family pet is beloved as well. Keeping them both safe is imperative.

Fortunately, that only requires a little forethought and some preparation. Dogs large and small, of course, will need to be monitored and perhaps restrained, depending on breed and individual character.

Some will see the new little one as prey. Others are merely curious. Either situation can lead to harm to the child. When first introducing the dog to the baby, ensure the dog is controlled with a sturdy leash. Kneel down to the level of both baby and pet. Keep an arm wrapped around the dog’s chest to prevent lunging. Keep the muzzle at least a foot away.

Sniffing without physical contact is ok. Licking, while not toxic, is not recommended at this stage. A baby’s immune system is still maturing. Even though dog saliva contains special antibodies that protect them, they do pick up things that shouldn’t come in contact with the child’s skin. Some children are allergic to the proteins in pet saliva.

Cats can be harder to control. They’re more likely to be fearful or to playfully lash out with a claw-extended paw. They also slip off a standard leash a little easier. When acclimating them to this interesting new thing in the house, use a chest harness to ensure complete control.

Naturally, neither should ever be left in areas where the two can come into contact unsupervised. That will require a little creativity. Dog barriers, high cribs and other preparations can keep almost all dogs at bay. Cats are more difficult, but ensuring they don’t have access to the baby’s room is possible. It does require vigilance, though.

Of course, in a small percentage of cases, the baby will actually be allergic to pet dander. Official figures vary, but the total population of allergy sufferers is about 10%, only a small portion of which are allergic to dander. Also, of that 10%, only a very small portion are infants. So, the overall odds are very low.

In those cases, just as with adults, avoiding contact is best. Many parents won’t want to remove a loved pet from the household entirely. The situation is not an unresolvable dilemma, though. Very little pet dander remains airborne for long. Frequent washing of bedding and a once-per-month wash of the pet can help a lot.

Of course, the situation is far from all negative or worrisome. Pets and babies can have a wonderful bond of the sort that exists with other family members and the pet. A caged pet bird or lizard can be just as much a delight for a baby as for anyone else. Many dogs have actually rescued babies from dangerous situations, either directly or by alerting an adult.

Babies start learning from their first moments. They explore with touch, taste, hearing and vision. Soon, they notice patterns and experience cause and effect. For them, there’s no difference between fun and education because everything is new and exciting. Before you know it they’re telling you all about it!

You can give them hours of fun while they learn with an endless variety of science toys.

Something as simple as the Meteor Storm Globecan dazzle and evoke wonder. Housing a series of LED lights, pressing a simple button turns the globe, which causes a light show in their hands. Easy to use, the globe stops when they let go, so there’s never any risk of it being left on by mistake.

Teach geography the fun way with the Barbie Globe from Oregon Scientific. Interactive, just press down on any of the seven continents and then select a category to learn about. Animals, People & Customs, Geography, Language and Food are covered. Even 3-year olds will be spellbound by the colorful sights and audio offered by this electronic video globe. The LCD at the base displays images as a red LED on the globe allows them to track their path. Includes a Barbie Travel Book.

Then take the lesson with a larger than life inflatable butterfly. With an egg, caterpillar, cocoon and winged butterfly, kids can learn all about the lifecycle of these beautiful creatures. They’ll also have fun playing with all the different multi-colored parts while they absorb the information. Can be hung and comes with a repair kit and activity guide.

Now let them find out all about anatomy with the Anatomy Apron. Made of washable vinyl, it’s covered with colored representations of the heart, lungs, stomach, liver, kidneys and more. Even very young children are fascinated by the look inside their tummies. Organs attach with Velcro so they can play pretend surgeon! Includes a teacher’s guide and activity booklet.

Let the little doctors hear their own heartbeats with the child-sized stethoscope. It’s sturdy and works just like the professional model with safe ear buds and an indestructible listening circle. They’ll practice on the dog, the cat, you… anything they can get to hold still long enough.

Encourage the young scientist in the house with the fascinating Dowling Magnets Mysterious Magnet Tube. Filled with iron filings safely contained, they can mold them into a thousand shapes as they learn about magnets. The tube is sealed so they can have hours of fun without losing any of the material. An activity book provides lots of suggestions and information.

Then let everyone get in on the fun with a 48-piece Solar System Puzzle. At 36″ by 24″ the puzzle is large enough to dazzle the eye and easy to put together. Made of extra thick cardboard, it’s durable and kids will have lots of fun learning about the planets.

Get a science toy and be amazed at how young and how quickly children can learn when they enjoy exploring.