Family Paper All of information about family

15Jul/100

What is Baby Colic?

Baby colic is a condition where a baby cries or screams frequently and for extended periods without any apparent reason at all. The condition usually appears within the first few months of the baby's life and will almost always immediately disappear as quickly as it had arrived at around the time the baby nears its eight months of existence in the outside world. Baby colic is more common in bottle-fed babies, but may also occur in breast-fed infants. The crying frequently happens during a specific time of the day which is often in the early evening.

Since the cause of infant colic has not yet been fully established as well as the amount of crying differs between babies, there is no general agreement on the definition of infant colic. But parents should bear in mind that it is just a condition that can pass away in time and not a disorder that may need immediate treatment. The only way to distinguish if the baby is colicky is by ruling out other causes of the crying. An accepted of thumb is if the baby cries intensely more than three days a week, for more than three hours on every bouts of crying, and for more than three weeks every month.

Although the actual cause of infant colic is not known as of the present, medical professionals have made some observations as to why the condition might be experienced by newborn infants. When born, babies may still have an immature digestive system that has never started on processing food.

The gastrointestinal system is literally just starting to learn its function. Digestive muscles may have not yet developed the proper rhythm for moving food efficiently through the digestive tract. This might cause frequent and uncomfortable stomach upsets in infants and might be able to explain why there is such a condition as infant colic and why almost all infants outgrow colic within the first six or seven months of life.

Another explanation for infant colic may involve the mother. There4 may be certain foods eaten by lactating mothers that may contain unsafe chemicals and allergens that can result in colic discomfort and digestive upset in babies.

Through lactation, trace elements of cruciferous vegetables and other gas producing foods may be passed on to the baby through the mother's breast milk and cause gas and bloating in the infant. Babies often swallow air while feeding or during crying, which might further increase gas and bloating and further adding some discomfort to the baby.

There is currently no generally-accepted medical treatment for infant colic. Medical professionals may take different approaches in trying to treat the condition. Many doctors believe that infant colic is currently untreatable, and is best left to normally run its course. What mothers can do is try to make the baby comfortable. Soothing measures, such as the use of pacifiers and gentle rocking can be effective in calming the baby during crying periods.

Some parents can take turns holding the baby upright which also seems to lessen the pain and crying of the infant. Certain homeopathic remedies can also be utilized as an excellent option for treating infant colic symptoms. Homeopathic treatment is considered safe and completely allergen-free with no known side effects. It will be up to the parent to consider such an alternative as long as they find it very effective in handling the colic symptoms.

Filed under: family health | No Comments
30Jun/100

Child Custody – Some Questions and Answers

For those uninitiated, child custody is one issue they would rather not delve into. However, since divorce naturally brings with it the thorny problem of child custody and other attendant problems, people are now curious about certain aspects of it.

The following are some common questions asked by people who are not quite in the know. The answers are collated responses from some child custody lawyers.

Child custody laws are not the same in all the states in the U.S. The following answers are mostly in general terms inasmuch as they apply and/or recognized by the courts all over the country.

What is custody?

“Custody” means who is responsible for the children in cases when their parents do not live together. This applies to couples who are separated, divorced, or never married.

How is physical custody different from legal custody?

Physical custody means the child would spend time living with that parent on a regular basis. If it is a “joint physical custody”, the child shuttles between each parent’s homes.

If a parent has “sole legal custody”, that parent has the right to make decisions on the child’s health, education, and overall welfare (doctor, schools, etc). In “joint legal custody” both parents share the decisions.

How is a decision made?

The judge usually approves a custody plan agreed on by the parents. If they cannot, they will have to speak with a mediator or counselor to work out a plan. The judge will decide on any disputed issue both parties are unable to resolve.

Can a child still see a parent not awarded physical custody?

The court will order that the other parent is given generous visitation with the child. However, this might be restricted in cases of domestic violence, or the parent’s inability to care for the child.

What if the custodial parent forbids the child’s visit to the other parent?

The denied parent could ask the court for a “contempt” order. The custodial parent denying visitation will receive court sanctions. If it was proven to be done on purpose, the other parent will have grounds to have the child’s custody. The judge will first require the couple to work out things with the help of a mediator.

Can a custody arrangement be changed if it doesn’t work?

Parents can change a custody arrangement if it doesn’t work, provided they come up with a new plan and ask the judge to make it official. If the parents still disagree, they can ask the judge to do the changes. The judge’s decision will be based on the child’s best interests. This could be difficult if the child is well-cared for or the custody plan had been in place for some time.

Can anybody have custody over a child other than the parents?

In California, judges must first consider the parents first, either singly or together. A judge, however, may give custody to another person (a grandmother, step-parent, or a friend) without the parents’ consent. The consideration is if the judge believes child custody to either parent is harmful to the child.

Filed under: children | No Comments
11Jun/100

Connect with Your Child but Don’t Overdo it

We all want to connect and be involved with our child.  Children of involved parents generally feel more confident, assured and have a higher level of self esteem.  They excel in school and do well in extracurricular activities and with their hobbies.

But is there such a thing as too much involvement? It's imperative when you're becoming involved with your school-aged child's activities and academics that you recognize the line of what being too involved can be.

Remember, you're becoming involved in your child's life.  It's important that you don't intrude too much upon it.  Children need their space and privacy and they need to be able to develop their own skills, talents and abilities.  In our eagerness to help our child succeed, it's tempting to want to step in and start doing things for them because you feel they are doing it incorrectly or inadequately.  But remember, you had to learn too, and this is their chance to learn on their own.

Be there to encourage and support your child, and offer praise at a job well done.  But also remember to step back and allow your child to learn from their own mistakes, and to develop their own way of doing things. We all know from our own life experiences that there's always more than just one way to do something, and just because your child is doing it differently than you would doesn't make it wrong.  Who knows, it could present a terrific opportunity for you to learn from your child as well.

In addition, try not to become too overbearing or nosy when it comes to their social life.  Be available for them should they need to talk and encourage them to share their troubles with you so you can help them sort through a problem.  But if they say they don't want to talk about it or they just need some time to figure things out for themselves, respect that need by letting them know you're available whenever they need you.  This is an important part of growing up and allowing a child to figure his own way through things is an integral part of that process.

Filed under: children | No Comments
5Jun/101

Pain Treatment and Hypnosis for Children

The word hypnosis seems to conjure bad images for a number of people.  I’m sure we have watched something, whether it is a movie or an animation, about people falling or doing evil things because of being hypnotized. So when you say, hypnosis for children, parents tend to be overprotective.

Actually, hypnotism is not bad at all. Studies have shown hypnotism helping children and adults deal with chronic pain, insomnia, stress, depression, weight gain and fears or phobia.  Currently, hypnosis is being used in pain management.

Unlike the deep sleep that we know, people under  hypnotism or hypnotherapy are conscious on what they are doing and what they can hear and understand.  Hypnotism can be used to treat diseases and disorder, it is called hypnotherapy.  Hypnotherapy is used in pain management.

There are three strategies in using hypnosis in pain management:

Physical relaxation – focusing on relaxation while feeling the pain, reduces the pain to vibrate and escalate. When tension is mixed pain, this heightens the pain. Muscle tension tends to pull on the muscles where it is hurting.

Sensory alteration – this strategy changes how we perceive the pain. Focusing to a different feeling will eventually filter out the hurt that you are experiencing.

Distraction – focus is shifted to other things to remove any attention to the body part feeling the pain.

Actually there are studies showing how effective hypnosis is in pain reliving. Hypnosis with combined with other alternative form of medication like acupuncture can relieve chronic pain patients.  This can also be used to help children who are in the hospital undergoing painful treatments. Self-hypnosis against pain can be learned and be performed by children.  There are studies showing children who can do self-hypnotism recorded less migraine occurrence than those children who are thinking medication.

Using hypnosis for children would show complications once the hypnosis lifted or removed.  Some side-effects would include confusion, fainting, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and anxiety.  Most of the side-effects are short-termed but there are some patients who experience stupor, psychological problems, and some patients even display recurring episodes of the previous shock.  Based on these experiences, it is imperative to investigate on the background on profile of the patient and screen those who are susceptible to the mentioned side-effects.

A problem may also occur when the hypnotherapy forget to lift the hypnosis.  The patient may sustain serious injury or any complication without the patient even knowing or feeling it at all.

Over the course of applying hypnotherapy to children, studies and practices  showed that children find it easier to face painful medical procedures like bone marrow aspiration, cancer patients, co-operative pain, chronic headache and remove anxiety tin children who would undergo surgery.

Actually, if hypnosis history is traced, it would show that during early period, hypnosis is used to help patients who would be undergoing agonizing surgeries before anaesthetics were discovered.  When anaesthesia was discovered in the middle of 19th century, chemical induced  painless surgeries were favoured over tradition hypnosis.  When chemicals and anaesthesia is useless or not enough in relieving the pain, this is when self-hypnosis is used.

Studies have shown that hypnosis for children can help them remove any pain and help them undergo medical procedures or simply just live their life.  But more importantly, we must find that it is really, well sometimes, just in the mind.

Filed under: hypnosis | 1 Comment
4Jun/100

Being Strong During Child Custody Case

With all the problems that come along the way during a child custody case, it is oftentimes hard for a person to support a certain level of positive outlook in life. This is because more often than not, the parent would only experience failure because he or she wasn’t able to meet the goals and expectations that are set.

However, despite the discouraging times, this is not enough reason to give up when there’s an ongoing child custody case. In fact, for some people, this can be a good opportunity to start anew. These hard times can serve as an inspiration itself for one to be able to overcome difficulties and triumph over life's adversities. And when handled properly, people can get lifelong lessons from these trying times and use it to live a good and contented life.

Making the best out of what you have

Experts say that it is only common for people to feel depression, anxiety and defeat if life has given them so many tests and trials such as enduring a child custody case. However, instead of feeling depresses and sulking into the taste of defeat, people can use this as an opportunity to make themselves stronger by using these emotions and experiences to survive and motivate his or herself. The following are just some of the ways on how people can survive when there’s an ongoing child custody case:

1. Never stop learning. Experts say that once people realize that life is a never-ending journey to learning, they will be able to find ways to their successes. To keep positivism alive, it is best to never stop learning because this opens up to new worlds of possibilities that are waiting to be explored. If one continues learning through read or by trying different things, he or she can gain more confidence to do things and start with new projects. You can adopt these because when you continue learning, you can acquire new skills that can add up to the things that you can do.

2. Always have a positive outlook in life. This might some easy for some but many people are in fact having a hard time developing and maintaining a positive outlook in life. Maybe because people just have different personalities and different upbringing that affect the way they see life in general. If one wants to survive in these hard times, he or she must start developing a positive outlook in life. This can be done by trying to see the good in bad at all time or when possible.

3. Avoid too much thinking. If possible, stop thinking at all times over negative aspects of the child custody case. This is because thinking would only bring in a mix of emotions that could be harder to handle and manage later on. To keep positive outlook in life, one must try to veer away from negative thoughts and only think of the things where he or she could something good. One must also try not to dwell on things that are beyond control because this will only cloud the positive outlook he or she is trying to build.

Filed under: children | No Comments
3Jun/100

Communicating With My First Baby

As a first-time parent, you probably wonder when your baby’s cooing will develop into his or her first words. Other queries about communication will almost certainly arise as well. You need to be patient, though, since babies normally articulate their first words at 11 months and onwards. According to numerous printed materials bearing “my first baby” themes, it is around this time that the lips and tongue acquire the adroitness necessary to form speech. Plus, the brain also begins to match things up with their corresponding names.

Needless to say, the rate at which babies arrive at this milestone may vary. If you wish for your little one to get to this stage faster, you have to make an effort to help him (or her) do so. As a matter of fact, there are a number of things you can perform to foster baby talk.

How Do Babies Communicate?

The reality is that your little one is actually learning the ability to communicate day in and day out. Every time he or she cries, you normally make it a point to make him (or her) feel better. Your reaction and the manner in which you respond to your baby’s noise-making basically set the groundwork for language.

At the age of two months, your baby is already capable of responding to your cues. In addition, the singsong manner in which you talk keeps him/her engrossed and encourages interpretation of words and sentences.
That’s why every time you speak to your little one, he or she stares back at you and makes cooing sounds in response. It is in this fashion that babies communicate with their parents.

By the time your little one turns six months old, he or she will typically begin to babble. At first, the sounds will only comprise of vowels. After that, his or her twaddle will then include consonants. Within months, your baby will attempt to mimic your words and other sounds.

How To Encourage Baby Talk

Match items up with names. - At mealtime, for instance, introduce him to eating utensils like the plate, spoon, fork, and the like.

Be childish. - Playing games like “peek-a-boo” actually reinforces listening, imitation and taking turns-all of which are prerequisites of carrying out a conversation.

Read together. - In the beginning, your baby will not understand the words you say. Nonetheless, reading to your little one will stimulate his or her senses and perhaps foster an enduring fondness for books.

Prattle back. - Each time your child babbles, utter something similar in reply. For instance, if he or she says “boo boo”, you may respond with something like “Hey, goo goo.” The fun things you can do with sounds actually make learning a lot more pleasurable. Just remember to pause briefly to let your little one babble back and get used to the pattern of a real conversation. Sing. - Babies, by nature, have a fondness for music. Singing, therefore, is an excellent manner of introducing a wide array of sounds.

Your little one’s first word is, without a doubt, a thrilling milestone. Remember, though, that babies develop at different rates and, whether your child is an early or late talker, it rarely holds a bearing on his or her communication skills later in life. You may also find out more about the subject by reading the “language and communication” section of My First Baby books. Also, keep in mind that the more you converse with your baby, the more language he or she will learn.

Filed under: baby | No Comments
21May/100

Helping Your Child Fight Shyness

Shyness develops early in young children. On their own, children cannot overcome shyness. Parents and the immediate family are needed to help children fight shyness. And this should start when they are young and impressionable.

The following are some time-tested guides on means for parents to help their child fight shyness and overcome it in the end.

Slow changes

Behavioral changes do not happen overnight, as much as it cannot be done in a short time. Start by easing your children into learning non-shy behaviors, and doing them in small steps. One example is teaching them how to say “thank you” and “please” to right situations to all people, including complete strangers.

Socializing

Parents should not let children be alone for unnatural lengths of time. Introduce them to activities with other children to encourage them to be sociable with others their own age. Parents should not spare their praises for their children’s efforts at socializing. A pat on the back, a smile or a good word reinforces the good effects of what they did in their minds.

Independence and responsibilities

Shy children tend to be dependent on their parents or to other adults. They are not willing to take risks, including making new friends and participating in social activities.

Parents can introduce a sense of independence and responsibility. They should solve their own problems and let them make decisions. Choosing what to wear is one sample of a decision-making effort.

Taking responsibilities can be slowly done by assigning them small chores apt for their age and abilities. A girl can help the mother do some very light duties. A boy could be assigned to feed the pets. These are good for their self-esteem.

Reinforcing shyness

Paying too much attention to a child’s shyness (or worse, punish them for it) will only reinforce the behavior. Instead of forcing things around (making shy children to speak at all costs, etc.) or punishing them, parents should put on a calm attitude and treat shyness like an ordinary thing.

Teasing by family members or by other children is another form of negative reinforcement. It seriously damages a child’s self-esteem. For a shy child, the best recourse would be to withdraw some more into themselves to avoid being teased, and the cycle goes on. Use all your powers never to allow teasing.

Speaking for shy children also reinforces shyness. They will not learn to speak for themselves even if given the chance. Parents should never answer questions for their children and speak for them.

Criticism, nagging, or threats to children when they act shy will only unnecessarily put into focus their shyness. Forcing them to do things they are not yet ready will produce opposite results.

The better option is give them opportunities to public. Also, encourage them to do things slowly. If situations become overwhelming for the child, parents should respect their feelings and do not force things.

Helping your child fight shyness is a long and continuous work, if you look at it that way. Actually, it is more of giving the love and attention the child deserves in order for him or her to develop the self-esteem and confidence needed. It is not work.

Filed under: children | No Comments

Categories

Blogroll

Add to Technorati Favorites
Designer Sunglasses Choose from a wide variety of premium designer sunglasses at great prices.
Diamond Engagement Rings Collins Family Jewelers has a wide assortment of quality diamond engagement rings.
Parenting Blogs
Subscribe to updates

Free Doctor Consultation

Ask Dr. Jacobson Online

Recent Comments

My Baby Zone

familypaper.net


0
Unique
Visitors
Powered By Google Analytics

Who's Online

1 visitors online now
1 guests, 0 members

Powered by Visitor Maps

Translator

My mobile site

This is a 2D-barcode containing the address of our mobile site. If your mobile has a barcode reader, simply snap this bar code with the camera and launch the site.

Many companies provide barcode readers that you can install on your mobile, and all of the following are compatible with this format:

1 visitors online now
1 guests, 0 members
Max visitors today: 7 at 03:16 pm UTC
This month: 12 at 07-17-2010 01:43 am UTC
This year: 15 at 03-16-2010 11:27 pm UTC
All time: 15 at 12-10-2009 09:31 pm UTC

Switch to our mobile site

This site is protected by WP-CopyRightPro

Family Paper is Digg proof thanks to caching by WP Super Cache