Sleep Aids For Pregnancy

If you're reading this article, chances are you've been spending too many nights tossing and turning. Knowing this is normal during pregnancy — especially in your first and third trimesters — doesn't make it any easier to bear. Now you're desperate to get some shut-eye, and we can help. If you're already practicing good sleep hygiene but still not slumbering peacefully, here are a few remedies to help you get the sleep you crave.

Pillows
Using pillows to support your belly and back in bed can mean the difference between a sleepless night and a peaceful slumber. Tucking a pillow between your bent knees supports your lower back and may make side-sleeping (your best option as pregnancy advances) more comfortable. A pillow tucked behind your back can also help you to maintain a side-lying position while you sleep. Maternity pillow abound, but regular pillows work fine, too.

• Single or dual pregnancy wedge
Wedge-shaped pillow support your belly when you lie on your side. You can also use them to prop yourself up to a semi-recline when you're lying on your back. The dual pregnancy wedge is two pillows (attached with adjustable Velcro tabs) that provide simultaneous support in front and back.

• Full-length body pillow
Body pillow are at least 5 feet long and are designed to support the back and cradle the belly.

* Sleeping Bean
Support your belly and your back by wrapping yourself around this column-shaped pillow. It makes a good nursing pillow later, and you can use a smaller Sleeping Bean as a bolster or bumper to protect your baby in his crib. Available from Bean Products ; call (800) 726-8365.

Foods
What you eat — and when you eat it — can affect the quality of your sleep.

Warm milk
Drinking a glass of warm milk before bedtime is a time-tested way to bring on sleep. Experts believe the amino acid L-tryptophan (found in milk and other foods such as turkey and eggs) makes eyelids heavy by raising the level of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Others suggest the somnambulant effects of warm milk may be all in your head. But if it helps you snooze, does it really matter? Warning: Don't go all the way and take tryptophan supplements — they're not safe during pregnancy.

Protein-packed snacks
If bad dreams, headaches, or full-body sweats are disturbing your sleep, you could be suffering from low blood sugar. To fix the problem, try a high-protein snack before bed such as an egg, some peanut butter, or a slice of turkey on bread to keep your blood sugar up during the night.

Relaxation techniques
If you're tense, anxious, or overtired, sleep can seem as hard to grab as your own shadow. Try these simple, time-tested techniques to help calm your mind, relax your muscles, and put sleep within your grasp.

Yoga and stretching
In addition to helping you relax, yoga and stretching have the added benefit of keeping you toned and flexible during pregnancy. Many gyms, health clubs, and YMCAs offer yoga and stretch classes; some are designed specifically for pregnant women. Or you can create your own stretch routine with simple moves for your neck and shoulders, calves and hamstrings, and back and waist. Although you don't want to work up a sweat too close to bedtime (see Exercise, below), gently stretching your muscles during the day and before bedtime can make falling asleep easier.

Massage
Getting a massage relaxes tense or tired muscles. If you visit a professional massage therapist, make sure he or she has experience working with pregnant women and uses a table and pillow designed for that purpose. Professional massage can be expensive, but getting a foot, hand, or neck massage at home from your generous partner is a perfect way to wind down before bed.

Deep breathing
Breathing deeply and rhythmically can ease muscle tension, lower your heart rate, and help you fall asleep faster. Lie down on the carpet or your bed with your feet shoulder-width apart. (If you're in the second half of your pregnancy, rest on your side with a pillow between your legs for support or wedge a pillow partly under the right side of your back so you're tilted slightly to the left.) With your mouth closed, breathe slowly through your nose, feeling your stomach rise as you gradually fill your diaphragm and lungs with air. Hold for one second before exhaling through your nose to the count of four.

Progressive muscle relaxation
It may take you several weeks to master progressive relaxation, but once you do, it can really help you sleep. Lying on your bed or even on the floor, you can release tight muscles by first tensing and then completely relaxing them. Focus on one group of muscles at a time and alternate between your right and left side. Start by tensing and releasing your hand and forearm muscles, followed by your biceps and triceps, face and jaw, chest and shoulders, stomach, thighs, and so on until you reach your feet.

Guided imagery
Picture yourself in a quiet, relaxing scene — lying on a warm sandy beach or walking in a field of wildflowers. Now imagine every detail of the scene, including the sounds, smells, tastes, and textures around you. If you can't picture a relaxing setting, use an image from a photograph or magazine and fill in the missing details. It may take some practice, but guided imagery can calm your restless or anxious mind and help you slip into a deep sleep.

Exercise
Regular exercise during pregnancy makes you healthier both physically and mentally, and it can help you sleep better, too — provided you don't exercise vigorously within four hours of bedtime. Working out too close to bedtime can rev you up and even rob you of deep sleep by interfering with your natural sleep cycle. Instead, work up a sweat in the morning, afternoon, or early evening.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications
Ideally you should avoid all medications (including herbal remedies) during pregnancy, since most drugs have not been tested on pregnant women and it can be hard to know what affect they may have on your baby. If you have a severe sleep problem or disorder, your practitioner may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter drug to use during your second or third trimester. But you should never take any medication during pregnancy without first consulting your doctor or midwife.

Over the counter medications
Ask your doctor or midwife if you can take an antihistamine. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and doxyalamine (brand names include Benadryl, Sominex, and Unisom) are generally considered safe during pregnancy, although drowsiness is a side effect — not the primary effect — of the drug. Since other possible side effects include impaired alertness and dizziness, you should not drive or operate machinery after taking this medication.

Prescription medications
If you're suffering from severe insomnia or anxiety, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take a prescription sleeping medication. Warning: Never drive or operate machinery after taking a drug to help you sleep.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Sleep Aids For New Parents

Some weary new parents are shocked to find that instead of falling asleep the minute their head hits the pillow, they suddenly can't get to sleep at all. If you've eliminated all the usual sleep-spoiling suspects, such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, and your normal bedtime routine still isn't working, you may need some extra help, whether it's a glass of warm milk, a cup of chamomile tea, or even — as a last resort — an over-the-counter sleep aid (but only if you're not pregnant or nursing).

Warm milk
A favorite of babies and parents alike, drinking warm milk before bedtime is a time-tested way to fall asleep. The amino acid l-Tryptophan (found in milk and other foods such as turkey) is thought to play a role in making you sleepy by upping the level of serotonin in the brain, although the benefits may be purely psychological. A drop of vanilla extract in the warmed milk can help make it more palatable.

Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies come in many forms, including the fresh or dried plant, pills, tinctures, and powders. Although herbs are considered natural alternatives to certain drugs and for the most part have a good safety record, they can be equally powerful, as well as toxic. That's why it's vital to consult a knowledgeable herbal expert and to let your primary caregiver know before taking any herbal remedy, either on its own or in combination with other herbs or medications, particularly if you're breastfeeding. Also, since the quality of herbs varies among manufacturers, ask an expert to recommend a brand name.

Chamomile
Your grandmother was probably a big believer in chamomile tea. Some studies have found chamomile to have a mild sedative effect. It's also used to calm the stomach in cases of indigestion, flatulence, gastrointestinal spasms, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The FDA says chamomile is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Hops
Sleeping on a pillow stuffed with dried hops (a common ingredient in beer) is a traditional remedy for sleeplessness and nervous conditions. Hops can also be taken as a bitter tea or as a freeze-dried extract in capsule form.

Lavender
Aromatherapists love lavender. You can sprinkle lavender oil on your pillow or put it in a warm bath with some lemon balm for a soothing aroma that should make you feel sleepy. But not all lavender is tranquilizing: Watch out for Spanish lavender, which can be stimulating.

Lemon balm
Also known as melissa, lemon balm is a sedative and stomach-smoother often used in combination with other sedative herbs. Add 2 or 3 teaspoons of the dried herb to a cup of freshly boiled water and let steep for 5 to 15 minutes for a soothing, good-tasting tea.

Passionflower
Though it sounds like an aphrodisiac (it was named for Christ's passion because of the cross at the center of its flower), this plant is actually a mild sedative. It is usually taken as a tea — about 3 to 6 teaspoonfuls a day, combined with other sedative herbs — for various types of nervous conditions, including insomnia and related disorders. No side effects have been reported.

Valerian
Generally thought of as an effective and reliable sedative, valerian can help relieve anxiety, insomnia, and nervous irritability. It's not habit-forming and doesn't have any hangover-type side effects. Put 2 to 3 droppersful of tincture made from fresh valerian roots (or 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried valerian root) in hot water for a bedtime time. If the strong smell doesn't appeal to you, try it in capsule form.

Over-the-counter medications
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are the operative ingredient in most over-the-counter sleep medications. Benadryl (whose active ingredient is also found in Tylenol PM) and Chlor-Trimeton, two of the most common types of antihistamines available in drugstores, also have a sedative effect. They're not addictive, but dizziness, dry mouth, and next-day drowsiness are potential side effects. Over-the-counter sleep aids, such as Sominex and Unisom, contain antihistamines and can also leave you with a "hangover" effect the next day. Pregnant and nursing women should check with a doctor before taking any of these products. They're not recommended for chronic insomnia, so don't take them for more than two weeks at a time.

Melatonin
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone often touted as a cure for jet lag and insomnia. It's available in most health food stores in synthetic and natural forms (usually from sheep), but little is known about its safety, side effects, interactions with drugs, and long-term effects. Women who are trying to conceive, are pregnant, or are nursing a baby should not take melatonin.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Sleep Aids For Babies

Part of helping your baby learn good sleep babits is teaching her to fall asleep on her own. But even the best sleepers sometimes need a little extra assistance — which is where sleep aids come in. These techniques and products run the gamut from a motorized bassinet to swaddling, but all share a common purpose: Helping your baby get to sleep. However, while sleep aids are often very useful, some come with a downside. You want your baby to learn to get to sleep by herself, not depend on the presence of a particular product or condition.

Look below to find a sleep aid that's right for you and your baby. For each item, we've included the age group it's best for — newborns (birth to 3 months) or older babies (3 to 12 months).

A word of caution: Never give your baby sleeping pills or other drugs that encourage sleep without consulting her doctor first — they may not be safe or effective. Most experts also frown upon giving herbs to babies, since no safe pediatric doses have been established and they could be toxic in high doses.

Tried and true
Choose one of these sleep aids and you can't go wrong — all will help your baby fall asleep without leading to any problems or bad sleep habits.

Swaddling
Works best for: Newborns
Infants under a month old (and some older babies) often appreciate being swaddled — snugly wrapped in a blanket for warmth and security. It can help calm a baby down and may keep her from being awakened by her own startle reflex at night.

Thumb sucking
Works best for: Newborns, babies
Thumb sucking is a perfectly acceptable way for your child to comfort herself, at bedtime or any other time — at least until the permanent teeth start coming in, around age 6. (After that it could lead to dental problems.) Babies are born with the need to suck, and most can't get enough just from the breast or bottle. And unlike a pacifier, your baby's thumb can't get lost in the middle of the night.

Bedtime ritual
Works best for: Babies
The experts all agree: One of the best ways to help your child make the transition to bedtime and sleep is to establish a calming, consistent bedtime ritual. You can start putting together a bedtime routine when your baby is as young as 6 or 8 weeks old, but it won't really kick into high gear until she's a little older. Your ritual can include any (or all) of the following: giving your baby a bath, cuddling, changing into pajamas, reading a bedtime story or two, singing a lullaby, and giving her a kiss goodnight. Whatever routine works for your family is fine, as long as you do it in the same order and at the same time every night. Setting and sticking to a consistent bedtime — on weekdays and weekends alike — is key to establishing good sleep habits.

Maybe, maybe not
While some parents swear by the following methods and products, the experts are divided on their usefulness. Pediatrician William Sears endorses doing anything that helps your baby fall asleep, but other sleep experts — such as Richard Ferber and Jodi Mindell — advise against any practice or gizmo that leads to your baby depending on its presence to nod off.

Dryer
Works best for: Newborns
Some parents swear by resting a newborn in a car seat on top of a running clothes dryer. The quiet thumping of tumbling clothing can be very comforting. Just be sure not to leave your baby unattended, for safety's sake.

Rocking
Works best for: Newborns, babies
Rocking your baby is a wonderful way to parent her to sleep, says Sears, author of Nighttime Parenting. Whether you do the rocking yourself or use a cradle, he advises you to stick to a rate of 60 beats per minute, the rhythm your baby got used to when you were pregnant and she could hear your heartbeat. Ferber and Mindell don't recommend rocking, arguing that you'll only be teaching your baby to depend on it to get to sleep. (Plus, shifting your baby from your arms to her crib without waking her is often a tricky matter.)

Breastfeeding
Works best for: Newborns, babies
Sears also encourages nursing your baby to sleep, especially when she's very young. Breastfeeding can comfort both you and your baby, he says, and a special protein in breast milk may actually help your baby fall asleep. Again, however, not everyone agrees with him. Many other experts believe this approach will prevent your baby from learning to fall asleep by herself. If you're nursing but are concerned about establishing a bad sleep habit, feed your baby earlier in your bedtime routine and end with a bedtime stor instead.

Motorized cradle / bassinet
Works best for: Newborns, babies
Some babies fall asleep faster if they're moving, whether it's in the car or your arms. If you want a little help from technology, invest in a self-rocking cradle or pick up a battery-powered clip-on attachment that simulates the feel of a moving car. Remember, though, that most experts discourage using this kind of contraption; they think they're a crutch and a poor substitute for teaching your baby to sleep on her own.

Pacifier
Works best for: Newborns, babies
While pacifiers help many babies comfort themselves back to sleep if they wake up during the night, some experts argue they're not the best sleep aid. Why not? If your baby learns to depend on one at bedtime and it falls out of her reach, she won't be able to go back to sleep until she finds it. You can try to avoid that problem by strategically placing several pacifiers in her crib.

Something else to consider: Studies have shown that babies who use pacifiers at bedtime and naptime have a reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Ambient noise recording / machine
Works best for: Newborns, babies
You can buy or record regular household "music" (vacuuming, water running, or windshield wipers) or invest in a white noise machine. These products supply calming background sounds to help your baby fall asleep. If you'd rather not spend the money, try leaving the radio on quietly in the next room. All these remedies should be considered short-term solutions, though, if you want your baby to learn to fall asleep on her own rather than depend on special noises — or any of the other products discussed below.

Music
Works best for: Newborns, babies
In the same family as ambient noise CDs are recordings of lullabies, classical music, and other kids' favorites. Of course, singing a lullaby to your child yourself before she falls asleep is always a great option, since she responds best to your voice, but popping a tape in after you've belted out your favorite tune may help her drift into dreamland. A music box or musical lamp may also work.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Sleep Aids For Toddlers

Part of helping your toddler learn good sleep habits is teaching him to fall asleep on his own. But even the best sleepers sometimes need a little extra assistance — which is where sleep aids come in. These techniques and products run the gamut from a teddy bear to a glass of warm milk, but all share a common purpose: helping your toddler get to sleep. But although sleep aids are often useful, some come with a downside, too. You want your child to learn to get to sleep by himself, not depend on the presence of a particular product or condition.

Look below to find a sleep aid that's right for you and your toddler. (A word of caution: Never give your child sleeping pills or other drugs that encourage sleep without consulting his doctor first — it may not be safe or effective. Most experts also frown upon giving herbs to toddlers, since no safe pediatric doses have been established and they could be toxic in high doses.)

Tried and true
Choose one of these sleep aids and you can't go wrong — all will help your toddler fall asleep without leading to any problems or bad sleep habits.

Thumb sucking
Thumb sucking is a perfectly acceptable way for your child to comfort himself, at bedtime or any other time — although it can lead to dental problems in older children. Thumb sucking is a way for a toddler to soothe himself, not only when he's sleepy but also at other times of the day.

Nightlight
Many toddlers get disoriented and upset when they wake up at night in a dark room and can't see anything they recognize. Luckily, there's a simple solution: A night-light will reassure your child that he's in familiar surroundings and help him settle himself back to sleep. Get in the habit of flipping it on as you're getting him ready for bed. Any kind will do, though some fancy models include a tape or CD player you can attach to your toddler's crib.

Bedtime ritual
The experts all agree: One of the best ways to help your child make the transition to bedtime and sleep is to establish a calming, consistent bedtime ritual. Your ritual can include any (or all) of the following: giving your toddler a bath, playing a quiet game, helping your child into his pajamas, reading a bedtime story or two, singing a lullaby, and giving him a kiss goodnight. Whatever routine works for your family is fine, as long as you do it in the same order and at the same time every night. Setting and sticking to a consistent bedtime — on weekdays and weekends alike — is key to establishing good sleep habits.

Transitional object
Your toddler may fall asleep more easily if he has a soft, cuddly blanket or stuffed animal nearby to keep him company. According to T. Berry Brazelton, author of Touchpoints, toddlers who learn to comfort themselves with loveys (as he calls them) are demonstrating their inner strength.

Warm milk
Drinking a glass of warm milk before bed is a time-tested way to fall asleep. The amino acid l-Tryptophan (found in milk and other foods, such as turkey and eggs) is thought to play a role in making you sleepy by raising the level of serotonin — a sleep-inducing chemical — in the brain, though the benefits may be purely psychological. Be sure not to let your toddler take a bottle or sippy cup of milk or juice to bed with him, though, since that can lead to cavities.

Maybe, maybe not
Although some parents swear by the following methods and products, the experts are divided on their usefulness. Pediatrician William Sears endorses doing anything that helps your toddler fall asleep, but other sleep experts, such as Richard Ferber and Jodi Mindell, advise against any practice or gizmo that leads to your toddler depending on its presence to nod off. Read through the following list with this thought in mind: The ultimate goal isn't just a sleeping child, but one who knows how to get to sleep by himself every night.

Rocking or breastfeeding
Rocking or nursing your toddler is a wonderful way to parent him to sleep, says Sears, author of Nighttime Parenting. Ferber and Mindell don't recommend rocking or nursing to sleep, stating that you'll only be teaching your child to depend on it to get to sleep. (Also, shifting your growing toddler from your arms to his crib without waking him is often a tricky matter.)

Pacifier
Although pacifiers help many toddlers comfort themselves back to sleep if they wake up during the night, some experts agree they're not the best sleep aid. Why not? If your toddler learns to depend on one at bedtime and it falls out of his reach, he won't be able to go back to sleep until he finds it. Of course, suggests Jodi Mindell, you can try to avoid that problem by strategically placing several pacifiers in his crib.

Ambient noise recording / machine
You can buy or make simple compact discs and cassettes of regular household "music" (vacuuming, water running, or windshield wipers) or invest in a white noise machine. These products supply calming background sounds to help your child fall asleep. All these remedies should be considered short-term solutions, though, since your toddler needs to learn to fall asleep on his own rather than depend on special noises — or any of the other products discussed below.

Music
In the same family as ambient noise are tapes and discs of lullabies, classical music, and other kids' favorites. Of course, singing a lullaby yourself before he falls asleep is always a great option, since your toddler responds best to your voice, but popping a tape in after you've warbled your favorite tune may help him drift into dreamland. A music box or musical lamp may also work.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Sleep "Intervention" Helps Babies And Their Tired Mons

Tue, Nov 13, 2007 (Reuters Health) - Teaching new mothers strategies to help their babies overcome sleep problems yields significant benefits for both of them, according to a study conducted in Australia.

Among 328 moms who reported that their 7-month-old was having sleep problems, those who were randomly assigned to participate in a brief behavioral intervention noticed an improvement in their child's sleep problem, and in their own sleep, and felt less depressed compared with those randomly assigned not to participate in the program.

Dr. Harriet Hiscock, of the Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, and associates report their study in this month's Archives of Disease in Childhood.

The sleep intervention entailed having a trained nurse determine the nature of the sleep problem, identify solutions, and write an individualized sleep management plan with the mother. Moms were also educated on normal sleep patterns for 6- to 12-month-olds.

The mothers in the intervention group had to pick one of two strategies: the "controlled crying" strategy, whereby parents respond to their infant's cry at increasing time intervals to allow "independent settling;" or the "camping out" strategy, whereby a parent sits with the baby until the child falls asleep and gradually leaves the room over 3 weeks.

After adjusting the data to account for factors that might influence the results, the odds of reporting a sleep problem in the intervention group were 42 percent lower at 10 months and 50 percent lower at 12 months compared with the 154 moms who did not participate in the intervention, the investigators report.

The sleep intervention also had "important" beneficial effects on mothers' mental health. Moms in the intervention group were less depressed at 10 and 12 months than moms in the control group, and they had better overall scores on a validated measure of mental health.

Sleep quantity and quality also improved in mothers in the intervention group. Better overall sleep may reduce problems associated with maternal sleep deprivation such as "maternal overload and dysfunction and later child behavior problems," Hiscock and colleagues contend.

Mothers who participated in the intervention were also less apt to seek paid professional help for infant sleep problems, suggesting the intervention may also save money.

Given the apparent benefits of such a program, "the change now is to translate this intervention to the wider population in a sustainable and feasible way," the team concludes.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Helping Twins Sleep At The Same Time

You've heard it a million times — twinsmean double the trouble and double the fun. (Parents of triplets and other multiples can change the numbers accordingly!) But it's hard to remember the fun part when you're struggling to get your crying twins to go to sleep and stay that way. We asked twins and multiples sleep experts Rebecca Moskwinski, M.D., of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club and Alexander Golbin, Ph.D., director of the Foundation for Children's Sleep Disorders, for their best strategies and tips. Here are their top suggestions:

Put your twins to sleep at the same time
Keeping your toddlers on the same sleep schedule is the key to developing a healthy sleep pattern and giving you some hope of time off. If your twins nap or go to bed at different times, one or both of them may be awake at any given time — leaving you feeling overwhelmed.

Establish a calming bedtime routine
A quiet, soothing bedtime routine such as a warm bath, a bedtime story, and a few minutes of cuddling, back rubbing, and quiet talk will help you prepare your twins for sleep. If you stick to a consistent bedtime routine, your toddlers will soon learn the signal that it's time to settle down.

Put your little ones to bed drowsy, but not asleep
Help them learn to fall asleep on their own by letting them drift off once they're in bed, rather than just before you put them down to sleep Moskwinski doesn't recommend rocking your twins to sleep, since they may come to depend on that cue to fall asleep. Moskwinski suggests using Richard Ferber’s gradual method to teach them to get to sleep by themselves.

Tend to your calm toddler first
If one is a screamer and the other is calmer, you may be tempted to tend to your wailing toddler first. Golbin strongly advises against this. The danger, he explains, is that your quiet one will miss out on the attention he needs. Before you focus on the screamer, make sure your quiet one is happy and settled. Don't worry about one twin waking up the other: Most twins and multiples don't seem bothered by their sibling's crying, even when they're in the same room.

Discourage nighttime waking
You can do this by keeping your twins as calm and quiet at night as possible. Keep their room dimly lit, and don't play or talk to them during the night more than necessary. You can encourage self-soothing by giving them a special soft toy or blanket to sleep with. These "transitional objects" are comforting and can help them go back to sleep.

Try separate rooms
Now that your twins are getting older, they're more likely to spend bedtime and naptimes talking and playing rather than getting their needed shut-eye. Some parents find that giving each twin his or her own room stops the nighttime antics and gives everyone some much-needed rest.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

How You Can Get Some Sleep

You have a baby and you've never been more tired in your life. Sure, you've heard the advice: Nap when the baby naps. Leave the dirty dishes, and don't worry about the laundry — you'll get to it eventually. But the reality is that most days you need this time to take care of chores and other business. So what advice can you really use to get some sleep?

We invited BabyCenter parents to share their survival tips. One tried and true strategy is to share the nighttime feedings with your partner so you'll both be guaranteed at least five hours of solid sleep. Some families find that bringing their baby to bed with them is the key to staving off fatigue. Read on for more ideas.

Pump and sleep
"We started giving our daughter bottles when she was 2 weeks old. I would pump at 9 p.m. and then go to bed. My husband would wake her at 10:30 p.m. and give her the pumped breast milk. I got to sleep from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., when she woke up again."
—Jodi Mindell, author of Sleeping Through the Night: How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep, and mom of Caelie, 23 months

Rock-a-bye, baby
"We had a cradle that rocked, and I tied a rope to it so I could rock it while I lay in bed when my son was a newborn. (I made sure the rope was out of his reach at all times.)"
—Mollie, mom of Nicky, 8 years

Midnight power-snacking
"The best way I've found to cope with disrupted sleep (the twins are on different schedules) is to have 'power snacks' when I'm up with the babies. Peanut butter and crackers, a glass of skim milk, yogurt, etc. The food helps me feel much better in the morning after those nights when it seems like nobody sleeps."
—April, mom of 8-year-old Jeffrey, 6-year-old Erin, and twins Caitlyn and Ethan, 22 weeks

One night on, one night off
"My wife and I took turns getting up with our son every other night like clockwork for the first nine months. It was not pleasant, but was a decent survival tactic."
—Steve, dad of Daniel, 3 years

Separate rooms
"On the nights that I really want undisturbed slumber, my husband and son sleep in a separate room so I don't hear them get up for feeding and changing. We also take turns sleeping in on the weekend."
—Shari, mom of Kevin, 2 1/2, and Brian, 7 weeks

Shift work
"We've found that the best way to protect our sleep and make sure we're functional for work is to take our daughter in shifts. My wife usually handles the first shift (10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.), while anything after that falls into my territory (2:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.)."
—Dan, dad of Mary Elise, 11 months

"With our first daughter, my husband and I rotated nights. For instance, he had Monday night and I had Tuesday night, and so on. It worked out great! When I knew it was his night, I would help out more with getting everything ready for the night and he would do the same for me. We plan on doing the same for our next child." —Keysha

Early to bed
"Go to bed when the children do. This is hard for me because there's so much that needs to be done, or I'd like to have that time to relax in peace and quiet — but do it!"
—Diane, mom of Bridget, 4, and Kelly, 8 months

Sleep-sharing
"The best strategy I used to get sleep when my daughter was a newborn was to have her sleep with me. At first, she was in her bassinet and would wake for periods of four to five hours, and so we'd walk around and nurse until she fell back to sleep. Finally, my doctor suggested we take her to bed with us. She slept great and woke up only briefly to nurse."
—Trista, mom of Sydney, 8 months

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Circumstances That Complicate Sleep Training

t's all well and good to hear that most experts think it's okay to let your child cry a little to settle himself to sleep, but what if the neighbors complain? What if you live in a one-bedroom apartment and you need to get to bed yourself? What if you have two children, and they share a room? Sometimes tackling your toddler's sleep problems can get complicated. So what can you do about it? We asked our resident sleep expert, Jodi Mindell, author of Sleeping Through the Night, who had the following suggestions:

• If your children share a bedroom and one is having sleep problems, have the good sleeper move out for a few days. The child with the problem needs to learn to sleep well and peacefully in his bedroom — the other one has already learned how to do that, so he'll be fine spending a week or so sleeping in another room.

• Make sure you and your partner — and any other relatives living with you — agree on how to handle sleep problems. This is particularly important if you share living space with your child's grandparents or other family members who may think they know more than you do. If you and your partner decide that you're going to let your child cry for five minutes before going to him, it will disrupt your plan if Grandma comforts him right away. Consistency is key when you're trying to establish healthy sleep habits, especially with toddlers.

• If you live in a one-bedroom or studio apartment or an apartment complex with thin walls, there may not be much you can do without the neighbors complaining. If and when your situation changes, you can start teaching your toddler the basics of good sleep then (it's never too late, after all). Another strategy is to start with naptimes when others may be out for the day.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Parents Center: When Your Child Hates Haircuts

Many a toddler is known to shrink in fear at the sight of the haircutting scissors or shriek hysterically when held still for a snip. Parents who've faced down the problem share their best tips for cutting back on haircut trauma.

Ease the fear
"As a licensed hairstylist and mom of a 17-month-old, my advice is this: Don't call it a 'haircut'! Kids associate the word 'cut' with pain. Tell them they're getting a 'trim' instead." — Jen

"We used electric clippers for my daughter. It helped to have her favorite baby doll there, who has plastic hair, and to have them take turns. Seeing her baby doll's hair get 'cut' (we just put the clippers near her doll's head) helped her see there was nothing to be afraid of. Now she's almost 3 and tolerates haircuts just fine." — tla

"We play 'haircut' and use kitchen tongs instead of scissors. It gets our daughter used to hearing a noise and seeing something shiny bobbing around her head (we also drop shredded paper around her to imitate hair falling). Then when it's time for a real haircut while she sits on the kitchen floor it's not so traumatic. So far so good!" — Emma

"For my son's first few haircuts, we let him watch my husband get one first. I think seeing Daddy in the chair made him curious instead of scared. Then when it was his turn, I sat in the chair with my son on my lap. That seemed to work. He gets fidgety, but not upset." — kate

Go with the pros
"Ask around and see if there's a place in your area that caters specifically to kids. We have a place like that where we live — they have toys my son can play with while we're waiting to get his hair cut, a chair that's like a little car with a motor and horn, and DVD players at every station. My son gets so distracted by these things he hardly notices he's getting a haircut. He doesn't sit perfectly still, by any means, but it's nowhere near as horrible as it could be." — Leanne

"I take my 21-month-old to a children's salon. To keep him still and happy, I always take him right after a nap, when he's well-rested, and bring a sippy cup filled with formula. I ask the stylist to finish the haircut before the formula is gone. It works like a dream." — Louise

Get tricky
"My 19-month-old hates getting his hair cut, so I do it at home while he's sleeping. I do one side, then flip his head and do the other." — Anonymous

"My 18-month-old was a nightmare at the hairdresser's! He'd scream and run away and even swing at me and the stylist (luckily she was a friend). Finally, I asked our babysitter to take him. When she did, he was an angel! She's taken him back a few more times and now he gets excited when I tell him it's haircut day. He sits there the whole time, saying what a big boy he is, getting his hair cut and not crying!" — Anonymous

Sweeten the deal
"I found that Ring Pop lollipops work great! Your child won't choke since the candy is attached to the ring like a pacifier. My son is far too busy with his lollipop to notice what's being done to his hair. This is the only time we give him candy, so he loves getting his hair cut!" — Anonymous

"I've always cut my twins' hair myself. I usually try to put in a movie for them while I'm cutting, and tell them that if they do a good job sitting still they'll get a reward. I've found that stickers or a snack that they're only allowed to have on special occasions works very well." — twinniemom

Find a distraction
"My son was fine with his first two haircuts. I was very surprised when he freaked out the next time. We tried everything from having him watch my husband get a haircut to bribing him with bubbles and cookies. Nothing worked. Finally one day this summer I cut his hair while he was outside playing at the water table, which he loves. He was still a little annoyed, but it went much better. The lesson? Experiment. If your child is really into something (a certain toy, coloring, a video, a special food), try doing it then and see if it works." — Anonymous

"My friend who's a hairdresser gave me this tip that she uses with her own son: Give your child a haircut in the tub. It's easy to cut hair while it's wet, the hair falls into the water so it's easy to clean up, and your child is so distracted with playing that he doesn't even notice what you're doing. I tried it with my son and it's worked like a charm." — Betsie

Do it in waves
"I cut my son's hair in phases. First we fought the battle to get his bangs trimmed and called it a night. A few days later, while he was busy eating in his chair, I snuck up behind him and snipped off the sides. Later while he was distracted in the bath, I trimmed his curls in the back." — stinkdyr

Work it out with TLC
"My son, who's now 5, isn't easy to upset and normally takes things in stride, but he hated haircuts and I can see why: I'd told him over and over that scissors are dangerous and then I got out the scissors to cut his hair! It took patience and lots of reassurance to get him to see that haircuts aren't so bad. For a long time I had to cut his hair in stages to teach him how to cope. I think as parents we need to look at the world around us from our children's perspective and remember that they've only been here for a short time. There's so much for them to learn and it's easy to get overwhelmed." — Susan

Try tough love
"My son hates haircuts, too, but I just make him sit there until the job is done. He doesn't like it, but that's just too bad. He gets over it. And now he accepts haircuts because he knows they're going to happen regardless of his desires, and he's come to realize they're not so bad. I think sometimes we baby our kids too much and actually encourage tantrums in the way we respond to them." — Mike

Know when to get help
"If your child's reaction to haircuts seems over the top, consider the possibility that he has a problem processing sensory input. My 4-year-old screamed like a maniac during haircuts. Only after he was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction and treated with six months of occupational therapy did haircuts — and other things — become a little easier. Just a thought for when the typical techniques fail." — Kimmi

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Parents Center: How Should We Handle Unwanted Toilet Training Advice (12 to 24 mo.)

How should I handle pressure from my parents and in-laws?
It's not unusual for today's grandparents to think their grandchildren should be toilet trained at an age when many modern children are still in diapers. Child rearing practices of a generation ago were not as child-centered as they are today. "Child-centered" refers to a way of guiding children in which parents watch for their kids to show readiness or interest before they begin real teaching or training. However, many grandparents believe that waiting for a child to decide that he's ready or interested doesn't provide enough structure.

Some grandparents will be interested in learning more about current toilet training ideas, and showing them some of what you've read here may be helpful. You may also agree to disagree, asking your child's grandparents to direct any comments to you, out of your child's hearing.

Sometimes grandparents will make remarks about toilet training as part of general criticism about the way their grandchildren are being raised. A remark such as "You mean you haven't started toilet training yet?" may be attached to comments about your other parenting choices. Sometimes a grandparent compares one grandchild to another in a way that implies criticism of the child or his parents. These comparisons can stir up feelings of competition between siblings.

Annoying as such criticism may be, it's unlikely that relatives' views about how or when to begin toilet training will make a difference to a young child. However, if your child's grandparents frequently take care of your child, you may want to discuss what you'd like them to try and why. Even if your 2-year-old doesn't seem ready to you, she might be ready enough to practice using the potty part-time with Grandma.

Since a toddler won't usually have the same kind of need to assert her independence or act negatively toward her grandparents as she does with you, she may be more cooperative in using the potty when she's with them. As long as you feel comfortable with the general approach your child's grandparents are planning to take, it's reasonable to let them start potty training when they're with your child even if you want to wait a little longer.

Grandparents, just like parents, should avoid making too big a deal out of a child's success at using the potty. If your child then has an accident, she'll feel that she has let down the people who care about her. And grandparents, like parents, should refrain from scolding or punishing a child for toileting mistakes. Most importantly, don't let your child be caught in the middle of any disagreement about toilet training between you and your parents or in-laws.

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Parents Say: Toilet Training Tips

If you're afraid your child will still be in diapers by the time he or she gets married, you'll take comfort in these suggestions from BabyCenter parents, who've found creative and original ways to make potty training easier — and more fun.

Try a tune
We used the Once Upon a Potty video for our daughter. We sang the tune from the video all the time, especially when she went to the potty. She loved it. — Dianne, California

Sing their praises
We made up a little song that we sang every time our daughter sat on the potty. She loved it. When she finished, we would sing a different song identifying what she had done and telling her how proud we were of her. We also included several rounds of applause. It wasn't too long before she used the potty every time! — Christie, North Carolina

Read together
Lucy and I went to the bookstore and she picked out five books she really liked. We called these the potty books, and she could read them only when she sat on the potty. — Amy, Michigan

Use a special potty
My second child caught on in two weeks. Her potty had a square in the bowl, which turned into a star every time fluid hit it. That was her big challenge, to make a star, and it became a game for her. — Angela, California

We found a wonderful training aid called Tinkletoonz. It plays happy music when hit with number one or number two. We had a lot of difficulty for several months, but this method worked like a dream. It is available at www.tinkletoonz.com. — Marion

Try a timer
My biggest help was to be consistent. We used a timer to help us both remember to go potty. We started with every 20 minutes, and as I could see he was needing to go less, gradually increased the time. Eventually, he would tell me he needed to go before the timer went off, or say he didn't need to when it did. Then we'd set the timer for five or 10 more minutes and try again. — Amy, Utah

Set up target practice
We put a flushable item, such as Cheerios or Fruit Loops, in the toilet. (You can also use shaving cream or colored ice cubes.) The game for our son was to aim and shoot. Rewards were based on accuracy and number of downed Cheerios (Fruit Loops added the extra challenge of shooting a particular color). It was fun and challenging, and did wonders for his accuracy! With BMs, we told him the game was to send in the backup troops (no pun intended) to finish the job with torpedoes. I doubt this would work with girls, but Alex took less than a week to be fully day-trained. — Roxann, Massachusetts

The colored water trick
We dyed the toilet water with red or blue food coloring; it changes to orange or green and they love knowing that they did this. — Amy, Texas

Make them feel proud
With my daughter, I tried to focus on verbal praise: "What a big girl thing to do!" "You must be so proud of yourself." "Do you want to call Grandma to tell her?" "Give me a high five!" — Kirsten, Washington

With our son, the best and most motivational reward was calling in the dog to look at what he'd done in the potty! — Sharon, Missouri

Use treats and surprises
Our daughter wasn't very consistent with toilet training until we introduced the surprise bag. We got a bunch of inexpensive toys and stickers and put them in a colorful gift bag. Every time she used the toilet, we would clap and tell her what a great job she did and let her pick one surprise out of the bag. We kept it up for about a week and a half, and when the surprises ran out she just kept on using the potty. We continued to praise her and she quickly forgot the surprise bag. I can honestly say that toilet training was painless and quick with this method, and I plan to use it again with my next child. — Jamie, Washington D.C.

Whenever I hit a fast food drive-through, I would get a kids' meal even if the kids weren't with me, then I collected all the toys in a dark pillowcase (so it wouldn't be see-through). When it came time to toilet train my 3-year-old son (an idea he was extremely resistant to), I would let him take one item from the pillowcase every time he went poop on the potty. This worked so quickly that within three weeks he was completely trained. Needless to say, this concept is not working for my daughter who just turned 3. Why not? I don't get it. — Merita, Pennsylvania

We kept a container of our daughter Morgan's favorite treat (M&Ms) on her dresser. If she successfully used the potty, she would receive three M&Ms (we'd let her pick the colors as well). Within a month she was using the potty regularly, with few accidents, and by age 2 1/2 she was trained. — Lisa, Pennsylvania

My 28-month-old really loved my nail polish. I found some at the grocery store that would come right off when she washed her hands, so I let my toddler paint her fingernails every time she peed in the potty. I told her that when she pooed she could have some of Mommy's polish, which wouldn't wash off, on one finger. Ten days later, she was completely potty trained. — Lisa, California

Celebrate with stickers
To encourage our son Alexander to use the potty, we put a drawing of a racetrack on the wall (an approach suggested by his preschool). Every time he used the potty he got to place a sticker on the racetrack. When the racetrack was filled with stickers, he got to pick a toy at the store as a reward. — Cheryl, Massachusetts

Put your child in charge
When my 18-month-old started going into the bathroom and closing the door, I knew she was about ready to toilet train. I would let her go in and use her potty, dump it into the big toilet, and put it up in the sink for me to rinse out. — Katherine, North Carolina

Make flushing fun
I began potty training my first child at about 20 months and am now in the process of training our second. One easy and excellent incentive is letting them flush the potty if they go. You need to establish a rule that this is the only time they get to flush. This is a simple and easy reward, and develops a needed habit. — Deanna, Iowa

Sitting solution
We put our son Nick on the big potty backwards. The potty-chair was too hard for him to use (without the little guard, he would pee on the floor, and with it, he had trouble sitting down because his legs were so chubby). My mother came up with the idea of putting him backwards. That way he automatically aimed in the right place, and he had the back of the toilet to hold on to. If he had to go poopy he just scooted his bottom up a little more toward the tank. He thought it was so funny he wanted to do it all the time. It took about a month, and he never had an accident after that. — Melissa, New York

Throw out the diapers
As a preschool teacher and mom, one of the best toilet training tips I can offer is to resist the temptation of using disposable "underwear," such as Pull-Ups, all the time. The children don't get uncomfortable when they are wet, and I've noticed that it severely prolongs potty training. Of course every child is different, but this is definitely a trend I've noticed while working with a gaggle of 20 2 1/2-year-olds! — Jenny, Kansas

I put painter's plastic down on the carpets, then took off my 16-month-old's diaper. There were a number of accidents, but the cleanups were quick and easy because of the plastic. She soon caught on and was happy not to be in uncomfortable diapers! — Carmen, Texas

I had my son pick out underwear with his favorite character, Thomas the Tank Engine, on them. Then I told him not to get Thomas wet. It worked immediately! — Mania, Michigan

My son was fully toilet trained at 3, except he wouldn't go poo in the toilet. I tried everything, and asked everyone. Finally one day we were shopping and he asked for boxers. I told him that if we got these he would have to use the toilet or it would get all over the place. That seemed to be the magic thing because ever since then he has had no more accidents. — Maile, California

I let my daughter wear undies every day until naptime, but I put plastic pants over them to prevent messes. In the beginning she wet several times a day and didn't like the feeling. I also gave her a nickel for her piggy every time she sat on the potty. She was trained by 20 months. — Rose, Pennsylvania

My daughter tortured me for months, using the potty successfully one day, then demanding diapers the next. Finally I told her that the pack of diapers we had just bought was the last, and I wasn't buying any more. We then picked out training pants. When we got down to the last few diapers, I again emphasized that they were the last and when they were gone there wouldn't be any more. We then went to training pants and to Drypers "sleeping undies" at night. She had a few accidents the first week and has been trained ever since! — Margaret, Massachusetts

Dress her in dresses
A little trick with girls: I put my girl in dresses for about three weeks while we were training. It was easier for her to get ready for the potty and allowed for quick decisions when she was in the middle of playing. — Lisa, Colorado

Give up to get results
Our daughter was 2 1/2 when we finally got her trained. We tried everything in the book. She wanted to wear underwear but not go to the potty. Finally we said, "Go ahead and do what you want." Two days later, she started using the potty on her own, with no encouragement from us! — Tasha, Indiana

source from http://www.babycenter.com

Fun Activities For Beginning Readers (K to 1)

The secret to helping your child learn to read is showing him that reading can provide endless hours of fun. Here are some great activity ideas for your beginning reader.

Because children learn in different ways, we've arranged these activities by learning style. But any child can benefit from the suggestions in all three categories.

For physical learners
Get a library card in your child's name Go the library together and visit the checkout counter to apply for a library card. If he knows how to spell his own name, ask him to tell you while you write it down on the application. When you get the card, make a copy of it and laminate it so your child has a card of his own to carry around; if your library system uses plastic cards with bar codes, get your child his own card as they are easily replaced.

Play dress-up and act out a book Dressing up like the characters in your child's favorite book can really bring reading to life. You can invite some of your child's friends over and make it a playdate.

Make an alphabet poster Ask your child to draw each letter on some poster board, then go through magazines and catalogs and cut out pictures of things that begin with each letter and glue them on the board. This is a great hands-on way to learn the alphabet.

Make finger puppets to go with a story Cut the fingers off some old gloves and then use fabric markers to draw the characters on together. You can also roll felt or paper for the body and then glue eyes, noses, smiles, and hair on them. If your art skills could use some work, make color copies from a favorite book, then cut out the characters' faces and glue them onto the glove fingers or rolled paper or felt. Once you make the puppets, you and your child can use them to help tell a story.

Write a letter to your child's favorite author To help your child get started, ask him a few questions. What do you like about this author's book? How do you feel when you read these stories? Who is your favorite character? Then have your child put the letter in an envelope, seal it, and add a stamp. You can send it to the author care of the publisher. Check the title page of the book to find out who that is.

Make a dictionary As your child comes across words he doesn't know, write them in a blank book or notebook along with the meaning. This is a great way to help build vocabulary.

Give out book dollars If you don't want to use real money, you can draw your own. Dole out the cash for chores or other good deeds at home. When your child earns ten or 15, take a trip to the bookstore and let him spend the money.

Go to a book signing party Popular children's authors often make appearances at bookstores. Check local papers and bulletin boards at bookstores to find out who's coming next.

Build a reading fort In your child's bedroom, lean together some broom or mop sticks and drape blankets over them to create a tent. Invite your child to grab a book and a flashlight and climb in for story time in the dark (you can join in to help him read the stories if he wants). In the summertime you can do this in the yard.

Serve a meal from a book Use food coloring to make green eggs and ham, try to recreate parts of the Grinch's Christmas feast, or make your own batch of porridge for the Three Little Bears. You can even get a basket and fill it with goodies for Little Red Riding Hood to take to Grandmother's house.

Have a reading picnic Take your favorite food and your favorite books to the park. You'll reinforce the idea that reading can be fun anywhere.

Throw a book-related party Read over your child's favorite book and think about what elements would work at a party. Can you decorate his room in a jungle theme to resemble Where the Wild Things Are? Can you collect hats and host a Cat-in-the-Hat party (Dr. Seuss's birthday is March 2. Why not celebrate?)? You'll get your child and his friends talking about books.

For auditory learners
Go to story time at the library or a bookstore Nothing beats listening to a trained storyteller. Going to the library or a bookstore to listen to a tall tale is not only a fun outing, but your child will also learn about new books and meet other children. As a bonus, you may pick up a few tips to jazz up your own read-aloud sessions.

Listen to books on tape You can check out tapes from the library for free or buy them at a bookstore (to save money, stop by your local used bookstore). Kids love listening to someone else tell them a story, and they can follow along in their own books.

Read a recipe and cook the dish together Start with an illustrated children's cookbook so your child can see how the dish might turn out. Read the recipe to your child while she follows along. Making the food will teach your child that books provide useful information.

Join a summer book club at the library Most libraries arrange summer programs with lists of books for each age group and awards for completing the books. To get credit for each book your child may need to retell the story to a librarian or volunteer. Your child will share the joy of books with others — and may even win some prizes.

For visual learners
Read a story that's out as a movie Then go see the movie. Your child will love seeing characters he already knows from a book up on the big screen. You can rent videos too. For a fun twist, make it a sleepover party and invite other kids to read and watch the video.

Turn a book into art Make a color copy of your child's favorite picture in a book and frame it for her bedroom, or have it put on a shirt at a T-shirt shop.

Write captions to favorite pictures Get out some photos or a photo album and go through each picture one by one asking your child to describe what's going on, or if he's in them how he felt or what he was doing. Then write the story on sticky notes that you place on the pictures.

Subscribe to a kids' magazine Your child will love getting his own magazines in the mail. Great ones to try at this age are Highlights for Children or Sports Illustrated for Kids.

Imagine what happens next With your child, make up and write down a sequel to a favorite book.

Copy your child's favorite book into a blank journal Then let your child draw a new picture for each page of the story.

Visit your child's favorite author's Web site Some great ones to try: the home page of Jan Brett, illustrator of Hedgie's Surprise and other stories, the site for Eric Carle, best known as the author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Suessville, a great destination for Dr. Seuss lovers.

Leave notes for your child Put them in her lunchbox or book bag every day, even if it's just a few simple words such as "I love you." You can also leave them around her room or next to her toothbrush.

Buy a big book Teaching supply stores sell giant books for teachers to use in the classroom. They're great for group reads because all the kids can see the pictures, but your child will also love the huge oversized pictures in your one-on-one story time.

Illustrate a song Write down the words to your child's favorite song and, with your child, draw pictures to go with each stanza. Then read the song together.

Set a family reading time For 15 or 20 minutes a night, everyone in the house reads a story together. If friends or neighbors are visiting, ask them to participate. Follow the reading time with a few minutes of discussion about the book to encourage comprehension.

Write a book of "my favorite things" Staple together ten blank pages and ask your child to think of that many favorite things. Help with ideas. Ask him questions such as, What's your favorite food? Who is your best friend? What is your favorite book? Write one thing on each page and have your child draw a picture to go with it.

source from http://parentcenter.babycenter.com

Fun Activities For Advanced Readers (grades 2 to 3)

As your child becomes a fluent reader, you can continue to encourage a love of reading. Make sure reading stays fun with these great activity ideas.

Because children learn in different ways, we've arranged these activities by learning style. If you're not sure what your child's learning style is. But any child can benefit from the suggestions in all three categories.

For physical learners
Make a family newspaper Have your child write stories about what's happening in the family. Need some ideas? Recent birthdays, outings, and events at school all make good subjects for "articles." Then encourage her to read the paper to others.

Discover words to grow on Go to the library and check out a gardening book or buy one at the bookstore. Read through it to find plants, flowers, or vegetables that look interesting and then buy some seeds or plants from a local nursery and watch them grow.

Make your own bookmarks Cut a long rectangular strip out of white cardboard, punch a hole in the top, and let your child decorate each side with markers, stickers, sparkles, anything she wants. Then choose a ribbon and tie it through the hole as tassel.

Write a letter to a favorite author To help your child get started, ask her a few questions. What do you like about this author's book? How do you feel when you read these stories? Who is your favorite character? When it's ready, you can send the letter to the author care of the publisher. Check the title page of the book to find out who that is.

Make a dictionary As your child comes across words she doesn't know, have her write them in a blank book or notebook along with the meaning. This is a great way to help build vocabulary.

Give out book dollars If you don't want to use real money, you can draw your own. Dole out the cash for chores or other good deeds at home. When your child earns ten or 15, take a trip to the bookstore and let her spend the money.

Go to a book signing party Popular children's authors often make appearances at bookstores. Check local papers and bulletin boards at bookstores to find how who's coming next.

Build a reading fort In your child's bedroom, lean together some broom or mop sticks and drape blankets over them to create a tent. Invite your child to grab a book and a flashlight and climb in for story time in the dark. In the summertime you can do this in the yard.

Serve a meal from a book Use food coloring to make green eggs and ham, try to recreate parts of the Grinch's Christmas feast, or make your own batch of freckle juice from Judy Blume's book.

Throw a book-related party Read over your child's favorite book and think about what elements would work at a party. Can you decorate her room like the Hogwarts Academy in Harry Potter? You'll get your child and her friends talking about books.

For auditory learners
Go to story time at the library or a bookstore Nothing beats listening to a trained storyteller. Going to the library or a bookstore to listen to a tall tale is not only a fun outing, but your child will also learn about new books and meet other children. As a bonus, you may pick up a few tips to jazz up your own read-aloud sessions.

Write a menu for a weekend dinner Decide what you'd like to serve and then ask your child to write the dishes down with descriptions. Tell your child to use describing words (also known as adjectives) such as "green, fresh" salad, "hot" chicken, and "cold, sweet" ice cream. The next night, scramble the adjectives as a joke on the rest of the family!

Find a reading phone pal Teach your child to share the joy of reading. Call a friend or relative in another city and arrange a one-on-one book club. Have the children read the same books and talk about them each week.

Listen to books on tape You can check out tapes from the library for free or buy them at a bookstore (to save money, stop by your local used bookstore). Kids love listening to someone else tell them a story, and they can follow along in their own books.

Read a recipe and cook the dish together Start with an illustrated children's cookbook so your child can see how the dish might turn out. Read the recipe to your child while she follows along. Making the food will teach your child that books provide useful information.

Join a summer book club at the library Most libraries arrange summer programs with lists of books for each age group and awards for completing the books. To get credit for each book your child may need to retell the story to a librarian or volunteer. Your child will share the joy of books with others — and may even win some prizes.

For visual learners
Read a story that's out as a movie Then go see the movie. Your child will love seeing characters she already knows from a book up on the big screen. You can rent videos too. For a fun twist, make it a sleepover party and invite other kids to read and watch the video. Then have them talk about it to build reading comprehension. Some ideas: Charlotte's Web, Sarah Plain and Tall, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Make a photo scrapbook Have your child glue some favorite photos in an album (or on colored paper that you'll later punch holes in and tie together) and then write captions next to each one describing what's going on in the picture.

Subscribe to magazines Let your child browse the racks at the store. Aside from the obvious brown-bag restrictions, let her choose whatever she wants. Kids like to read teen magazines long before they're teens. Buy a couple of different magazines from a newsstand or bookstore, then ask your child to pick out a favorite for a subscription.

Imagine what happens next Have your child make up and write down a sequel to a favorite book.

Visit your child's favorite author's Web site Some great ones to try: the site for Gary Paulsen, author of Hatchet and other popular books, the site for the Goosebumps series, and the site for J.K. Rowling, of Harry Potter fame.

Leave notes for your child Put them in her lunchbox or book bag every day. Even if it's just a few simple words such as "I love you." You can also leave them around her room or next to her toothbrush.

Let her read comic books Everyone knows they aren't fine literature, but there's no denying that kids love them! Some great ones to try: Garfield, Archie, The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes.

Illustrate a song Write down the words to your child's favorite song and have your child draw pictures to go with each stanza. Then read the song.

Set a family reading time For 15 or 20 minutes a night, everyone in the house reads a story together. If friends or neighbors are visiting, ask them to participate. Follow the reading time with a few minutes of discussion about the book to encourage comprehension.

Keep a diary Let your child pick out a diary with a lock and key and encourage her to write in it every day, even if only for a few minutes.

Follow along with a book project Find an instruction or how-to book based on your child's interests: How to draw cars, how to make perfume, how to construct a model, etc. Show your child how to read for information and then put that information to use.

source from http://parentcenter.babycenter.com

How To Choose The Best Books For Your Advanced Reader (grades 2 to 3)

As your child becomes a fluent reader, he'll discover an entirely new — and often overwhelming — world of books. How do you choose the right ones? Here are five suggestions from reading specialists, teachers, and experienced parents:

Explore different subjects. Your advanced reader is ready to move on from simple storybooks. Go to the library and bookstores and browse by subject area. This is a great time for your child to use books for learning about special interests: horses, outer space, ice skating, dinosaurs — whatever appeals. Don't worry if they're not classics; the idea is to develop a love of reading, not a love of reading a certain kind of book.

Look for winners. Ask your librarian for a list of annual Newberry Medal, National Book Award, and other award winners. Browse best-seller lists for popular books and authors, and ask for recommendations from teachers and other parents.

Share your childhood favorites. Ramona Quimby, Eloise, Just So Stories: Yes, they're still around! Browse through the library or bookstore and look for the books you loved when you were starting to read. Find out if your parents still have your first books packed away. The classics never go out of style.

Ask the school for a reading list. Many school districts approve a list of books for elementary classrooms. You might also be able to meet with a reading specialist at the school to discuss which books your child would enjoy.

Look for books that provide information. Your child will enjoy reading instructions for a craft project, details about how machines work, or facts about a city before you take a trip there.

source from http://parentcenter.babycenter.com

How To Tell When Your Advanced Reader Needs Extra Help (age 2 to 3)

Children learn to read at vastly different rates. Some will be reading independently and smoothly by early 2nd grade, others will be well into 3rd grade before they can read chapter books on their own and enjoy longer books with fewer pictures. The best way to find out whether your child has a problem that needs attention is to spend time watching her read.

She may need extra help if she:

• Shows no interest in books. "A lack of interest could be avoidance," says Susan Glazer, director of the graduate program in reading language arts at Rider University.

• Becomes moody and frustrated while reading

• Has difficulty keeping up with school assignments

• Regularly misunderstands basic words and / or sentence meanings in assigned reading

• Refuses to read in front of you or with you

• Shows interest only in simple books and still relies heavily on pictures to help tell the story

• Dreads book reports and assignments that require reading

If your child seems to be far behind other kids in 2nd and 3rd grade, don't blame yourself or your child. Her struggle could be rooted in anything from vision or hearing problems to a teacher's teaching approach to inappropriate reading material. "I never say the child fails," Glazer says. "What I say is that the book has failed the child. Maybe the reading series is wrong for the child."

Here are six steps you can take to identify and correct the problem:

Watch and listen to your child read. Note problem areas: Does she mispronounce the same words over and over? Does she spend a lot of time struggling to sound something out? Try not to interfere. Simply observe.

Talk to your child without sounding too worried or frustrated. You don't want to scare your child away from books. To start the conversation, ask your child about school. Does the teacher move too quickly during class? Are the books boring or too difficult? Try to get information without comparing your child to other kids in class. Don't say, "Does everyone else read faster than you?" Instead ask, "Does the teacher separate the class into reading groups?"

Arrange to speak to your child's teacher or a reading specialist. Prepare questions before you go, and share whatever problems you've observed at home. Something you think is a problem may not be. Ask the teacher about the school's reading curriculum and any reading assessments that have been given to your child. Most teachers will be able to tell you your child's reading level, discuss any problem areas indicated by those assessments, and offer help.

With the teacher, try to identify the source of the problem. Consider the obvious first: Have you checked your child's eyesight and hearing? Vision problems could mean your child has difficulty seeing the board during vocabulary and reading exercises or has trouble deciphering letters on a page. Hearing difficulties can seriously affect a child's ability to read, because many new words are introduced orally during the first few years of school.

As you work on the reading problem, praise your child's progress. Many children are nervous about reading and keeping up with their classmates, so try to help your child feel as if he's mastering reading. If you're out shopping and you see a sign your child knows, such as McDonald's or KMart, ask your child, "Can you read that sign?" Write down your child's name or the names of everyone in the family and ask your child to read them. "Let him see himself as a reader," says reading specialist and 1st grade teacher Cindy Pfost. Find a copy of the book When Will I Read? by Miriam Cohen, and let your child read it. It reassures children who are having trouble.

Don't discuss your child's reading problem with other adults and friends in front of your child. It's best to keep the problem between yourself, your spouse, and the teacher or reading specialist.

source from http://parentcenter.babycenter.com

20 Tips From Breastfeeding Veterans

Friends and family members who mean well are sometimes all too ready to offer guidance to new parents, whether you want it or not. Take whatever advice you get with a grain of salt. After all, nursing is a different experience for every mother and every baby, so what works for one woman may not work for the next.

That said, there are plenty of time-tested techniques for improving milk flow, clearing blocked ducts, and more. Read on to find out how some of our BabyCenter members faced, and overcame, some of breastfeeding's most common challenges.

Here's what some breastfeeding mothers have to say:

I attended a class offered at the hospital. It gave a lot of the basics along with the encouragement that if breastfeeding didn't seem like second nature at first, baby and mom eventually would find their rhythm.
— R.L., Racine, Wisconsin

Don't watch the clock to see how often or how long your baby is nursing. Instead, go with your instincts. If your baby is rooting around or crying, then feed him or her — even if you just did.
— Gina Locke, Grapevine, Texas

Make sure your baby's mouth covers a large part of the underside of your nipple. I spent the first few weeks in a lot of pain because my baby wasn't latching on properly. What a difference the correction made!
— Heidi Hudson, Oakland, California

I'm a pediatrician mom of a 3-year-old whom I breastfed for eight months. My son was extremely hard to start: Despite making our first attempts (unsuccessful) in the first hour, and knowing what to do, it took almost two days to get him latched on. In the interim, we finger-fed with an SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) and glucose water while I pumped to get my milk supply going. The SNS was a lifesaver. We finally hooked it to my breasts and were able to get him latched on by the third day.
— Dara Hogue, Cupertino, California

I used Lansinoh lanolin ointment on my nipples faithfully morning and night, and never experienced any cracking or bleeding when I started nursing. My soreness was minimal, and the ointment soothed my skin when it was chafed. I have very fair, thin skin, so that was a wonderful tip for me! I even included a tube with my shower gift to a friend.
— Rachel L. Sarantopoulos, Dayville, Connecticut

I have been solely nursing my baby since birth and now, at 9 weeks, she's a big healthy baby. I had very sore latch-ons at the start, and I found that if I stayed ahead of her intense hunger I was better off. I would check on her around the time I thought she would be waking to eat and watch for tongue-sucking and lip-smacking in light sleep. If I put her to the breast when she showed early signs of hunger, she wouldn't suck as hard as when I waited until she was fully crying and starving.
— Kathy Kent-Knurek, Chicago

The best — and probably hardest — breastfeeding advice is to relax! Remember that you and your baby are learning.
— Sandy Kenniston, Green Bay, Wisconsin

When I had my daughter, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. Unfortunately, she didn't latch on right away, so I began supplementing with formula. Hospital staffers tried everything from round-the-clock attempts to pumping and inserting feeding tubes in the baby's mouth while I tried every nursing position known. The baby knew how to suck, but she just wasn't getting the knack of it. Finally, we tried the plastic breast shield. My baby was able to suck the large plastic nipple and draw the milk rather than search for my small nipple.

I had visions of using the shield from then on, but luckily I lost it and was forced to teach the baby to take my own nipple. I had to use a syringe to "pull" the nipple larger, but in time, thanks to the baby's suckling, my nipples conformed. The rewards for not giving up have been great!
— Alison O'Donnell, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

I've had a real problem with leaking breasts. The nursing pads never worked well enough for me, so I came up with my own solution — sanitary napkins! I buy the ultra-thin kind and fold them in half. I can wear them all day and they never leak. It's cheaper, too.
— Cindy Brown, McKinney, Texas

For me, preparing for nursing meant reading all I could. I had several magazine subscriptions going while I was pregnant and almost every issue had an article on breastfeeding. I found new facts and ideas in each, but the bulk of the article was the same. Every time I read these articles, it reinforced all the information I had previously read. When the time came to put it all to use, I felt pretty confident. I felt like I really understood what was coming next and as a result, breastfeeding seemed relatively easy.
— Ginger Renae Koontz, Pasadena, Maryland

I didn't "ease" into breastfeeding. It was one of the hardest, most frustrating, heart-wrenching things I've ever done. I stuck with it though, and four months later I have a healthy, entirely breastfed baby boy. I suggest telling mothers it may be hard and frustrating. With all the talk about how it is so good for you and the baby, and what a great bonding experience it's supposed to be, a new mother feels guilty if she dreads each feeding and wonders if perhaps she doesn't love her baby enough. Eventually she'll get the hang of it, but the odds are pretty good that she'll actually hate it the first couple of days — or even longer.
— Libby Bollino, Abbeville, Louisiana

When I started breastfeeding, I felt like I needed two or three extra hands. I was so nervous about holding my newborn and supporting his head properly that trying to get him in the right position to latch on seemed impossible. It wasn't until several months later that I got a breastfeeding pillow as a shower gift. It's amazing. It props the baby up into the perfect spot so I can concentrate on the latching-on, which is the hardest part when you're new to nursing. I wish I'd had one of these when I was learning to nurse and fumbling around with ordinary pillows and blankets and propping and leaning.
— Laura Jaglowitz, Hedley, British Columbia

Long before you nurse — and before you get pregnant — quit smoking. It's awful to smoke around your baby, and I've read that smoking flavors your milk and can make it taste off.

Invest in a huge supply of bottled water or add another filter pitcher to your supply. You'll be very thirsty while breastfeeding and it is absolutely imperative that you drink your water!
— Deb Koslowsky, Tujunga, California

The single most beneficial thing I did was to attend a La Leche League meeting while I was pregnant. I learned a tremendous amount and got to see other women nurse their babies, which I had never really seen before. After my baby was born, I continued to attend LLL meetings and have received a great deal of knowledge, support, and encouragement from the leaders and the other mothers. I also made some terrific friends.
— Debbie Strelevitz, Rock Tavern, New York

My mother gave me a great tip for getting through those first couple of weeks when breastfeeding hurt: Drink very cold water through a straw as the baby is latching on. The cold water will help defer the pain. Other things that help include listening to relaxing music and minimizing distractions so that you can relax and focus on the task at hand.
— Wendy Katzman, Seattle

When my daughter was born, I told my breastfeeding consultant about my horrible experience with mastitis and bleeding nipples when I breastfed my first child. She recommended some herbal products that have worked great: lecithin, for avoiding clogged milk ducts; blessed thistle, for increasing milk flow when I return to work and need to pump; and alfalfa, for enriching my milk. I haven't had any episodes of mastitis. I swear by the herbs — they've made all the difference!
— Ruth Tutterow, Greensboro, North Carolina

Take all the help and support you can get. The lactation consultant got my husband involved in the learning process so he would know how to help me get the baby latched on until I was able to do it by myself.
— Candice Gray, Paulina, Louisiana

The best advice I got for dry and sore nipples came from my doctor. She said not to bother buying those expensive ointments but instead, after breastfeeding, express just enough milk to spread on the nipples. It really does work with the dryness and cracking.
— Anonymous

During those early stages, I frequently got blocked milk ducts. When I could feel the full duct even after Doug had fed, I'd put on the warming bag (the kind that you heat in the microwave). I'd also take one ibuprofen tablet. The next time I fed him, I'd start with that breast and massage and "milk" the duct as he sucked. Sometimes I'd keep the warming bag on as he sucked. Usually after three or four feedings it would clear.
— Laurie Reid, Toronto

Avoid underwire nursing bras.You're more likely to get a breast infection like mastitis. Plus, they're not nearly as comfortable as the racing-bra styles.
— Heather H., Maryland

source from http://www.babycenter.com