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FAQ Group
Baby Sleeping
Car Seat
Baby Carrier
High Chair
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FAQ
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Sleeping Problems
Baby Fights Going to Sleep
One of the most common problems that parents face is actually getting their child to go to sleep in his or her crib. You may rock your baby until she appears sound asleep only to have her quickly sit up and begin to cry as soon as you lay her down. You may place her in her crib only to hear her howls of protest as you leave the room, your heart breaking and your resolve almost completely vanquished. What's a parent to do?
Most babies should have fallen into some type of nap and nighttime routine by the time they reach eight or nine months. If your child isn't in a routine, then you will have to teach him to follow one. This will take patience, persistence, and consistency. Can you do it? Sure, you can!
The routine you choose is completely up to you. You could give your baby a bath, read her a story, sing her a song, and then place her in her crib. Don't be surprised, however, if she immediately begins to cry earnestly, maybe reaching out for you. Try to fight the urge to go back to her, and instead tell her "goodnight" in a loving manner and walk out of the room. If she continues to cry, you can go back in a few minutes, reassure her without picking her up, then leave again. Wait a little longer each time before you go back in the room. Eventually, she should fall asleep, and each night should require less and less time for her to do so.
Some parents can actually rock their children to sleep with great results, and if this works for you, by all means do it. However, many children simply will not stay asleep once they realize they've been left alone, and therefore something else must be tried.
Baby Wakes in the Night
Some babies go to sleep quite easily, either by being rocked, nursed, bottle fed, etc, but then sometime later in the night, they awaken in great distress. Why does this happen? If you have had to help your baby go to sleep, she is not going to be happy when she wakes up and finds that you have disappeared. The first thing she will do is cry for you. Of course, if you run to her as soon as she cries, her mission is accomplished.
To help your baby sleep through the night, you'll have to do a couple of things. First, you need to begin a bedtime ritual that signals your baby that it is time to go to sleep. This could include a bath, story, song, etc. Then, place your baby in his crib when he is drowsy but awake. This is the key. If your baby doesn't learn how to comfort himself to sleep, he'll expect you to keep coming into his room to comfort him when he wakes at night.
Once you have begun letting your baby drift off to sleep on his own, he should begin to sleep better. However, if he is still waking in the night, you should not head immediately to his bed. Instead, give him a chance to settle himself down. Some parents like to go in to their baby's room to check on the baby, and this is perfectly fine. Keep in mind, though, that once you're spotted, he won't want you to leave.
It might be easier if you let him cry for a little while, and once he has settled down, then go check on him. If you do go check him when he is crying, try not to pick him up. Instead, speak calmly and lovingly to him, then leave the room. Again, you will probably have to do this for several nights, but eventually he should learn how to sleep on his own.
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How much sleep does my child need?
# leep is important for the child's wellbeing.
# At night, the body produces more of the hormone that stimulates growth. So sleep is important for your child's development as well.
# Newborn babies sleep up to 16 hours per day. At first, they wake up every two or three hours to feed.
# From four months old, babies often start to sleep for longer periods of time.
# From six months old and up to one year, they often sleep five to six hours continuously.
# Children between one year and five years old sleep up to 12 hours each day.
# A pre-school child may still need to sleep 10 to 12 hours each day.
# A schoolchild sleeps about 10 hours each day.
# It is important to remember that each child's sleeping pattern is different. If a child is one year old and sleeps 10 hours each day, it is perfectly OK, as long as the child is happy and healthy.
# Before parents start to worry about the amount of time their child sleeps, it is a good idea to look at the sleeping patterns of other family members. There might be a connection.
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How to carrying children safly
In a crash at just 30 mph, an unrestrained child would be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their body weight. They would be thrown about inside the vehicle, injuring themselves and quite possibly seriously injuring (or even killing) other people inside the vehicle. They are also likely to be ejected from the car through one of the windows. It is not safe to hold a child on your lap. In a crash, the child could be crushed between your body and part of the car's interior. Even if you are using a seat belt, the child would be torn from your arms - you would not be able to hold onto them, no matter how hard you try. It is also dangerous to put a seat belt around yourself and a child (or around two children).
The safest way for children to travel in cars is in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size.
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Child is Too Big or Too Small for the Seat
Child restraints are designed for children with specific weight ranges. If a child is too big for their child seat, it will not protect them properly and may even injure them in a crash. They will certainly be uncomfortable in the seat. If a child is too small, they may slip under the seat belt or harness ('submarine') and be thrown out in a crash, or the seat belt may injure them.
Solution
Make sure that your child is the right size and weight for the seat they are using. Do not be tempted to put a child in a restraint that is too big for them on the grounds that they will grow into it.
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Child Seat is Too Loose
One of the most common fitting mistakes is to leave the child seat held loosely by the seat belt. If it is not held securely, it will be thrown forwards in a crash and the child may be injured.
Solution
Make sure that the seat has been fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Check that the seat belt has been fitted through the correct route guides on the child seat and that it has been pulled tight. Many seats have a lock-off device to prevent the seat belt slipping once it has been tightened - make sure this is in the lock position.
Check that the child seat rests on the car seat properly.
Check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car. If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible.
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How to use a carrier
Infants who can't support their head should face inward and need a sturdy support flap on the back of the carrier.
Openings should be large enough to let legs kick freely but snug enough that your baby can't slump downward or to one side.
Most carriers fit infants up to 20 or 25 pounds (check the label), and many models allow older babies to face outward once they can hold their head up. (Open-backed side or hip carriers are best only for babies who can sit upright.)
Other things to consider when your baby's in a carrier:
* Is she hot? Periodically feel her back and tummy for sweat. If she's warm, take her out and let her cool down.
* Is she happy? Your baby can't tell you if her arm is asleep or whether her hip's
at an uncomfortable angle. If her limbs are pale or mottled, reposition her.
* Are you happy? Save your back by reading instructions carefully to make sure the carrier fits and that you're wearing it properly. Your baby's weight should be evenly distributed.
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Why Use a Baby Sling or Carrier?
Why should you use a baby sling? There are so many baby seats on the market - why bother with something that keeps your baby strapped to you?
Well for starters your baby wants to be with you! Babies love to be close to other people. They were created to be soft and cozy to hold.
Some babies are content to be put down in an infant seat or a bouncer, but other babies do not like it!
Wearing your baby in a baby sling or other carrier allows you to have your hands free and your baby close to you!
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When Should I Buy a High Chair?
Babies don't really need high chairs for feeding purposes until they start eating solid foods, usually after 6 months of age. Some parents prefer to buy a high chair early on, though, because high chairs can be useful as a landing place for baby even before the little one is throwing carrots. Even parents who are delaying the introduction of solid foods due to extended breastfeeding may find use for a high chair, which allows baby to join the family at the dinner table and see all of the action.
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Is the High Chair Safe?
The number of bells and whistles on your baby high chair is a matter of personal choice, however, you should be careful to choose a high chair that is safe. Your best best for choosing a safe high chair is to pick a model that has a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certificate on it. The JPMA voluntary safety standards are followed by most reputable high chair manufacturing companies.
Look for Stability
A wide base and a low center of gravity are very important safety features of a high chair. Give any chair you consider a good shake and imagine how it might stand up to a wiggling baby. Is it easy to tip over? Also consider that a nice, wide base is much easier to reach under when you have to pick up cereal and other food-flinging favorites.
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