Stress Free Kids

Stress can cause many unpleasant sensations in toddler body.
This can lead parents to think the kids have a serious medical condition.
Stress can lead to:


• Anxiety & Panic Disorder
• Depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Obesity
• Ulcers
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Substance Abuse
• Hyperthyroidism
• Anorexia or malnutrition
• Cancer
• Tooth and Gum Disease

Here is a list of symptoms that stress can cause:


Physical:


• Insomnia
• Back, shoulder or neck pain
• Tension or migraine headaches
• Upset or acid stomach, cramps, heartburn, gas, irritable bowel syndrome
• Constipation, diarrhea
• Weight gain or loss, eating disorders
• Hair loss
• Muscle tension
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat, palpitations
• Asthma or shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Sweaty palms or hands
• Cold hands or feet
• Skin problems (hives, eczema, psoriasis, tics, itching)
• Periodontal disease, jaw pain
• Reproductive problems
• Immune system suppression: more colds, flu, infections
• Growth inhibition



Emotional:

• Nervousness, anxiety
• Depression, moodiness
• “Butterflies”
• Irritability, frustration
• Memory problems
• Lack of concentration
• Trouble thinking clearly
• Feeling out of control
• Substance abuse
• Phobias
• Overreactions
• Tearfulness
• No sense of humour
• Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope


Stress can also cause:


• Increased arguments
• Isolation from social activities
• Conflict with parents
• violence


This is why it is so important to learn to provide stressfree environment for children.
Some natural relaxation techniques you can use to raise stress free kids:

Massage

The Benefits of Massage:-


• It releases endorphins which is a natural pain killer giving a feeling of well-being
• Helps blood pressure
• Helps your heart rate
• Slows your metabolism
• Improves breathing
• Improves blood circulation
• Improves tension and stiffness
• Improves mobility and flexibility
• Reduces spasms and cramps
• Reduces anxiety
• And of course it reduces STRESS!!


Here is a massage you can perform with kids:


Either standing or sitting, shrug the shoulders and push them back as far as possibly.

Now hold it for 5 seconds.

Repeat this action 5 times.

Now place your hand on the top of kid's shoulder and rub firmly working towards the neck.

Do this 3 times.

Now place your fingers at the back of his neck and rub in a circular motion working towards the back of the head.

Repeat this 5 times.


Hand Massage


This little technique is an ancient Chinese type of massage and healing.

Using your hand, place your thumb and index in between the web of kid's hand where the bone meets and massage.

Do this for 1 minute.

Then repeat switching hands.

Feet Massage


Place one hand on top of the foot and the other under the sole, then stroke smoothly from the toes to the ankles. Glide the hands back to the toes.

Repeat.



Aromatherapy – Essential Oils

Benefits of Aromatherapy:-


• Improves circulation
• This one I found very interesting to learn, it can also aid in dementia
• Reduces anxiety
• Aids in boosting your immune
• Relieves pain and tension
• Can ease headaches
• Can help you get a good nights sleep


How to use Aromatherapy oils:-


• In the bath – just add a few drops
• Inhale – You can add one drop to your hand and inhale
• Massage – make sure its diluted
• Vaporization – using a burner, this will bring the smell into your entire room


Here is a list of some relaxing essential oils:-


• Bergamot – soothing, uplifting and good for tension and depression
• Chamomile – calming, suitable for insomnia
• Jasmine – a stimulant or a sedative, excellent antidepressant and aphrodisiac
• Juniper – good for fatigue and building self-esteem
• Ylang ylang – calming; used as an aphrodisiac and good for panic attacks
• Rosemary – refreshing and stimulating
• Lemon balm – balances emotions
• Sandalwood – used as an antidepressant and aphrodisiac
• Vetiver – balances the nervous system, good for insomnia
• Lavender – a very useful and popular oil, used for relaxing and as an antidepressant and pain killer
• Basil – uplifting


A List of Essential Oils that can be harmful if used incorrectly – these should only be used by a Qualified Aroma therapist

• Ajowan
• Almond, bitter
• Arnica
• Birch, sweet
• Boldo leaf
• Broom, Spanish
• Calamus
• Camphor
• Deertongue
• Garlic
• Horseradish
• Jaborandi
• Melilotus
• Mugwort
• Mustard
• Onion
• Pennyroyal
• Rue
• Sassafras
• Thuja
• Wintergreen
• Wormseed
• Wormwood


Relaxation Tapes and Music

Well there is certainly no doubt that music can have a profound effect on children emotions.

Choosing The Right Baby Formula

At the hospital, doctors and nurses will ask you about all sorts of things regarding your plans for baby care.

One of the most important decisions to make is on the baby formula that you will feed your child.

If you have made a decision not to breastfeed your child, you will need to choose a specialized baby formula for them.

Babies should not receive cow's milk due to the increased risk of allergic reactions to it.

How do you determine the right formula for your child? Doctor's Orders In some situations, your child's pediatrician will help you to make a formula decision.

They often will help you pick a brand and a specific formula type to give your child.

Once on this type, you should not switch the child, as often as it is possible, as it can help to decrease the risks associated with a child getting a negative reaction.

The doctor will look at your child's health needs first to determine the best type of formula type for the child.

You do have a say in this, though.

For example, if you and your family only drink soy products, then you may wish to ask the doctor for a soy based product.

Options What are your options with formula? There are many.

A cow milk based formula is perhaps the most commonly available formula today.

It has alterations to make drinking cow’s milk more beneficial and easier for the baby.

You should not give your baby cow's milk until about twelve months of age.

Other types of formula include a soy-based formula, lactose free formulas, and extensively hydrolyzed formula (which has the proteins broken down to very small sizes so that the child can digest it better.

Another option is a human milk fortifier.

This product is in use to add nutrients to breast milk that you are feeding to your child.

Metabolic formulas have a design specifically for the child that has a disease or has a specific need.

In addition, there are formulas designed specifically for children who are low birth weight babies or prematurely born.

Making the right formula decision is critical to your child's overall health and well-being.

Make this decision with the help of your doctor to ensure that the baby is getting the nutrients that he or she needs.

When changes need made, talk with your doctor about these, too.

Coping With Colic Usually within the first weeks of your baby's birth it may be obvious that the child is suffering from colic.

The good news is that most children will outgrow this and often times they are able to develop very positive, healthy lifestyles.

Still, for any parent going through colic, there is no doubt that coping with it can be very trying.

Know that you are not alone.

People have dealt with this condition for a long time, and likely will continue to do so.

Does Your Child Have Colic? The first question to answer is this one.

Does the child have colic? Usually, children under the age of five months who cry for more than three hours in a row for more than three days a week, for three weeks at least, are diagnosised as suffering from colic.

Your doctor can help you with understanding why your child is suffering from colic and what you can do about it.

Choosing The Right Baby Care

You have had a baby and are now trying to make your way back to work. How do you make such a transition and ensure that the process goes well for your child? There are several types of childcare providers available to you. Which one you select is very dependent on your circumstances and your needs. Most parents do find that there are solutions that work for them that are not only affordable but also beneficial to the child's overall development.

Staying At Home
If you are staying at home with your child, you still may need someone to watch the child from time to time. Having mom or dad around with baby all the time is the best solution, but this is not always the case. If you have a relative or friend that lives nearby, bring up the subject of helping with the child every now and then. Often, having several people to rely on is helpful.

Other Options
You are not staying home but are going to work. Who is the right person to leave your child with, then?
Unfortunately, this is a decision you will have to make. Here are some considerations to keep in mind.
1. Choose a full time baby sitter. A baby sitter may come to your home or you take the child to their home. They often have other children at their own home. You want someone here who is experienced and reliable. Many people use friends and family, or even students to help with minor care, but for regular care needs, hiring a professional is best.
2. Day care centers. A day care center is a good option, but can be pricey, especially for smaller babies. It is a good option or many people though because there are experts there to care for your child. Also, keep in mind that younger children are limited. Most centers will not accept too many babies.
3. Nanny care is an option, too. Nanny care is the most expensive option but it can be the best choice for those who have very high standards and would like the child to receive help in more than just a babysitting fashion.
Interviewing several professionals and finding out what each of them can do for you and your child is important. Often, it is the personal interview with them one on one that makes the most difference.

Baby Weaning - Difficulties And Tips

Baby weaning is a process that often involves a bit of struggle on the part of the baby (and sometimes the parents, too.)
Weaning your child off breastfeeding can be a challenge for both of you since it is not only a time for feeding but also a time for bonding and getting to be together.

Most parents do struggle through this process somewhat but eventually; they realize the benefits of allowing their child to eat foods, as they will for the rest of their lives.

Baby weaning is a process and it is one to start when the child is ready.

Children will often need to breastfeed for several months.

If you want them to go directly to solid foods, you may need to wait until they are at least a full year old when they can start drinking cow milk.

Rather than force the child, start to supplement their diets with foods.

For example, when a child is able to eat baby food, he or she will need less breastfeeding.

Slowly, their diet will change to allow them to eat nothing more than standard food and no longer drink breast milk.

Many parents do go through some struggle when it comes to baby weaning.

There is little doubt that at some point this process has to be complete.

However, what is important is to ensure that you both are ready for the changes.

Here are some things to keep in mind:


•Be sure that baby is still getting snuggle time with mom.

•Do not sit in the same place that you used to when you were breastfeeding.

•Encourage them to eat big boy foods and to try new flavors of foods.

•If you are moving from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, it is important to make the transition using breast milk especially at first.

•Distract the child if they ask for the breast.

This is essential to do if they are getting the nutrients they need from their food but want the closeness of breastfeeding.

Baby weaning often takes a few weeks if not longer to go through.

You should not push a child through the process, but should be encouraged through it instead.

Keep in mind that baby weaning is something that you have to decide on too.

Some parents like to breast feed longer and there really is no negative aspect of doing so.

Baby Sleep Schedules Tips For Managing

Baby sleep schedules are one of the parts of baby care that is crucial to get right.

Not only do you want to have a child that gets enough sleep, but you also need rest in order to care for the child.

What makes sleep schedules so hard to deal with, though, is the fact that they often do take work to get right and it is not always easy from the beginning.

Initial Sleep Schedules

When you first bring home your baby, chances are good you will have a child that is sleeping most of the day.

When they are not, they require your full attention.
For this reason, it is often wise to try to sleep around the child's needs.
If she is sleeping from nine to eleven, you should be too.

This often throws off the adult's sleep schedule, but after a few weeks, she will need less sleep and things can start to get back on track.

Days and Nights

One of the most difficult elements of baby sleep schedules is their ability to confuse day and night.

It is up to mom and dad to help them in this area.
For example, even young babies can be stimulated with sounds, light and motion during the day to create a more awake environment.
Working to keep the child awake during the day is important.
Keep in mind that most babies under the age of one month will spend most of their days and nights sleeping, though.

Sleeping Through the Night

Every baby is different when it comes to sleeping through the night.

Some will begin to do so by the time they are three months old.
Others will struggle with needing a bottle well into six months.

The important consideration here is to ensure your child is getting the calories he or she needs during the day.
Check with your pediatrician to ensure they are getting enough.
Keep them awake more so during though day, when possible and set the stage for a peaceful night's sleep.

The baby's sleep schedule is important to put into place.

It takes time to get it just right, but ultimately you will find that your child's sleep patterns are likely to work themselves out.

If you feel that, there is a problem, talk with your pediatrician about it.
They may be able to tell you what adjustments you should consider making for the child.

Baby Products For Bath

Bath time for most children is fun.
For a newborn, it is anything but.
They just want to sleep, look around, be held and eat most of the time.

Still, it is important to keep them clean.
Walk into any department store and you are sure to find an aisle full of different baby products, all asking to be in use on your child .
The question is though do you need them and should you use them.

Products that are not safe can harm babies of all ages.
However, even those that have ratings as safe to use on young children may be a waste of money.


Here is a closer look:

Have you seen many baby body wash products, you may be wondering what happened to a good old bar of soap.

When choosing anything to wash the skin of your child, keep in mind it needs to be mild .

Children can have negative reactions to the soaps you are using in your shower.

So, purchase mild soap in any form that you need.
You may want to look for all organic products or at least look for those that are fragrance and dye free.

What about lotions, there seems to be a growing trend to apply layers of lotions to a child's skin right out of the bathtub? This is not always necessary and at times, it can be dangerous for them.
Lotions are not necessary, unless the child does have dry skin.

If you are concerned about their skin's moisture level, speak with your pediatrician.

In addition, keep in mind that pores can be easily clogged by these lotions, which can lead to rashes.
During the winter months, an application of a mild lotion can keep a child's skin from chapping.

Shampoos are another area where you are likely to find a good number of baby products.

Which do you need? A mild shampoo is fine to use once a child's hair starts to come in.

Your child most likely does not need conditioning products in their first months of life.

Again, look for organic or at least mild, safer products to use.
Baby products have a design to be mild, but be sure to read their labels.

You want them to be as safe for your child's skin as possible.
By the time a child is able to walk and get into things, they should be able to transition to soaps designed for anyone to use, but still mild.