Baby Care

Archive for the ‘Baby Products’ Category

List of things which a young mother need is really enormous. But a small bottle for feeding is always the first in this list. Even if you are breast-feeding your baby, you’ll need a couple of bottles in order to save squeezed milk. Later bottle will become a loyal assistant when your baby starts trying different juices. And, of course, if you are bottle-feeding your child, the bottle is an essential item.

While choosing the bottle for feeding, please pay attention to the material. Glass bottles, unlike plastic ones are more brittle and heavy. If your child has already grown up, then you’d better choose plastic bottle, as children like throwing objects on the floor, and this subject can be his/her glass bottle.

The form is also important. It is very important to choose a bottle that is easy to clean. For example, the triangular shape is not conducive to perfect purity: the brush simply can not penetrate into all corners.
What about nipple, it is the most responsible part. Here you have to be very legible in the selection. First, the form of the nipple should remind the maternal breast. But it’s not a secret that it’s difficult for a child to suck milk from breast. But
Milk in a bottle comes easily without much effort. For this reason, many children while trying milk from the nipples become “lazy” and refuse to eat from the breast. If you don’t want to face with this kind of problem you need to buy a “correct” dummy with a broad soft ground and a short nipple. It makes the child perform the same movements as eating from the beast.

Mainly, producers prefer latex or silicone nipple. However, the latex has a sharp smell and taste; it would be preferable to choose silicon. It has no smell and should not cause an allergic reaction.

It’s also worth mentioning that the nipples should be made by same company as bottles: they are of the same diameter, and in the future, this will facilitate the purchase of new “details”.

But the most important parameter for the bottle is the ability to allow air, preventing the vacuum, thereby reducing the probability of occurrence of intestinal colic.
However, some modern bottles solve this problem thanks to the so-called anti-vacuum “skirts”. Among these models the best choice is Philips AVENT bottle. It has a unique system preventing vacuum. In the process of feeding the kid doesn’t outstrip from nipple, as its edge bent without losing form. During feeding, you can also see bubbles on the surface of the milk which proves that the air goes into the bottle.

Bottles Philips AVENT positively affects the well-being of the babies. This was proved by British scientists. Seven years ago, British experts in the field of child nutrition carried out clinical studies, during which they compared the behavior of 60 infants. They were divided into 2 groups, one of which ate from the Philips AVENT bottle, the others – from the standard “tableware”. As a result, it was found that infants who were breast fed or ate from Philips AVENT bottles, suffered from colic much less, and consequently, behaved more calmly.

Philips AVENT bottle itself is made of lightweight and durable plastic. Its form is convenient for both adults and children, and a wide spout ensures easy cleaning and filling of the dry mixture. Another plus is its nipple made of silicone; it has no taste and smell, and it repeats the shape of female breasts.

Finally, after a detailed story about quality, it is worthwhile paying a little attention the quantity. If you give child milk, you need immediately to buy about five bottles in order to have clean at hand. If you are breast-feeding, two small bottles are enough. Later they will be useful for giving a baby water or juice.

Child car seats are widely used by car owners all over the world, but unfortunately in some countries, they have very limited application.

Baby car seat is not a luxury but a requirement of the safe transportation of children in the car. Nowadays, it’s not difficult to find information on car seats for child. The range of children’s automobile seat is now so wide that every parent can choose for their child a model that satisfies all the security settings, the desires and needs.

What is a car seat?

Child car seats are divided into three groups. Each of them corresponds to a certain age and weight of the child.

The first group includes seats – cradle designed for children weighing up to 13 kg (approximately 15 months). This cradle is mounted by a 3-point belt against the direction of motion on the front passenger seat (if there are no airbags) or in the back seat. A newborn baby in this case is protected by separate system of belts.

Seats of the second group are designed for children weighing from 9 to 18 kg (approximately 8 months up to 4 years) and have a bowl shape. They are mounted in the direction of motion by the 3-point belt (some models with 2-point belts). A more reliable is fastening distributed worldwide by standard ISOFIX, which provide a rigid connection between the child seat and vehicle.

The third group includes seats for children weighing from 15 up to 36 kg (approximately 3 to 12 years). Even if the children have grown out of bowl seats (second team), the anatomy of child’s organism is still needed to provide support for the head and upper body. Therefore, the child is ideally protected by a 3-point seat belt at a higher level, drawing on the back.

Small children need the maximum care. In the first months of the infants’ life they still have very soft skeleton. Any sudden movements will have an unbearable burden on the infant.

As the children get older, they become active. Therefore, the second group provides seating space for games and the freedom of movement with the greatest possible security, as well as a comfortable position for comfortable and healthy sleep.

Starting from the age of three, children are growing just as in yeast. They grow out of clothes or shoes in only a few months. But you can not joke with security, especially during the unpredictable traffic. Therefore, the seat of the third group “grows” together with the child. For these purposes, many of them are adjustable to the height of the upper back or head.

Nowadays children love to take medicine. It is their grandparents who wrinkle faces remembering fish fat, mothers and fathers -swallowing the bitter pills. Now everything is different.

Most medicines for children are so delicious that they can’t be called a remedy. Drinking delicious droplets, babies often cry and ask for more. On the other hand, it is very difficult for parents to find the right medicine in the wide range of different drugs, which theoretically can be given a child without a doctor recipe.

And if you read attentively the content of drugs it may become clear that several drugs have the same components. In fact, these components are the ones that treat; others are a variety of additives and fillers. Most of these drugs are produced just for the advantage of the manufacturer’s brand. The prices are also different. Many Pharmacists arrange medicines according this principle: those that more expensive, must be on the window, those which are cheaper can not be displayed. Buyers will ask for them themselves.

By the way the parents of the ill child are very profitable customers. They think that the most effective medicines are the most expensive and tastiest ones. Thus children get accustomed to the delicious drops and do not want any other.

Of course, you should consult with a doctor you trust before you give a child the medicine in box with a nice design. Or at least it is worth to look in the Internet and to get acquainted with the peculiarities of certain medications. Then make a list of questions which, you can possibly ask doctors and pharmacists.

Read the instructions before giving medication to your child. And remember: the expensive patented drugs and medicines, which have “saved young generations” for centuries, may not be relevant for your child.

In the first six months of life the child is in the role of a pioneer. The kid opens the first terra incognita in his life – his own body, learning to use the hands, legs, eyes and other senses. These everyday discoveries keep baby in rapture, he rejoices every time discovering the link between cause and effect, and gradually begins to navigate in the world. Children prefer toys that are responsive to their actionsx favorite colors – red, blue and yellow. Therefore, the greatest joy for the kids are toys with a simple design of bright contrasting colors. The toy should be light, soft, simple and easy to use.

Toys that make noise: high playpen with lights, lanterns, and music and moving toy allows baby monitor movement of toys and monitor lights.

Interactive Toys: When the baby learns to walk, he still stands on fragile legs, but, nevertheless, can not sit on the ground. Buy your child a horse – it is easy to climb, but the wheels provide stability. Interactive toys are often equipped with comfortable handles, holders for cups and bottles, baskets for things and the sound signal.

Cubes and simple puzzles: a set of wooden blocks, which can be easily stowed in a pyramid and move are a perfect children’s toy. The size of the cubes are usually adapted to the growing baby. Games with small cubes contribute to the development of motor. There are a number of interactive gaming model, in which the child quickly masters the alphabet (for eg. songs from the letters of the alphabet, coloring, etc.). You can find a lot of blocks using which many children learn to distinguish shapes and colors. Toys with surprise, floating toys, large light balls and plastic toys, which can go – these are favorites of infants.

Musical toys: musical mobile toys, appropriate to the age of the child, can be found in abundance. These toys are usually installed with the melodies of lullabies and pop classics that reassure crying baby. These toys are harmoniously combine mobility and music. As children get older, the color of toy may vary from black and white to bright graphic pattern.

The size of toys: toys for all young children are typically large in size, so your child does not accidentally swallow a toy.

Sharp edges: a toy should have no acute edges. This is very important, because children love to try the taste and poke everything into the mouth. There is always a danger for a child fell on a toy that especially if a toy has sharp points or edges.

Carefully read the information on the packaging of toys: the label or package usually indicate whether a toy hazard to the health of the child. Typically, these warnings can be found on toys made of small parts intended for children under three years. This warning is there and on the packaging of electrical toys.

Adjusting the volume: if you buy a toy with sound, make sure that it is equipped with volume control, as the very loud toys can permanently damage the child’s ear, which in this tender age is very sensitive.

Toxic materials: when purchasing kits for painting, make sure that they do not contain toxic chemicals. Make sure they are safe even if accidentally falling into the baby’s mouth.

Independent walking – one of the most important skills, which the child will take possession of when he is one year old. Parents wishing to accelerate the process of mastering this skill, as well as to remove part of the concerns with their own shoulders, acquire special devices for children called walkers.

Baby walkers represent a structure with a seat and wheels. A child placed in a walker can speed up to 10 km/h. For the kid who studied world sitting on a chair or on hand of a mother, such freedom of movement is a storm of joy and delight. In a few days baby realizes that can move in all directions and around the flat.

In the arsenal of children’s goods walker appeared relatively later and divergent views on their usefulness or harmfulness has not yet emerged. Many myths and contradictions are related to using the walker.

Misconceptions

First there is a common misconception that walker is a simulator that will allow your child quickly develop the skills of self away.

In fact, it is not true. Walker is more fun for kids than a simulator. In order to move from the device, the children bend forward, repel force with their feet and move the walker. It is not contributing to posture and the muscles of the spine is not weight properly, as with self-walking. Many children begin to walk independently at a later date due to the fact that they do not keep balance, and bend forward.

The second misconception is that it is safe in a walker. The walker has no weight and easily moves. Wheels move easily, without braking, and the kid did not immediately begin to understand that he needs to stop own his own. Often, babies run and hit angles of tables and chairs. The most terrible and dangerous to the life of a baby is when the baby falls from ladders in the walker. Kids cannot get out of the walker and turns with them, serious injuries and the effects cannot be avoided.

Advantages of the walker

The most important thing that walkers do for the child is keeping him in a vertical position. This is an opportunity to sense freedom of movement and look at the world from a different level.

A child in the walker starts to perceive the surrounding world quite differently. Walker is an excellent way to divert attention from the baby’s mother for half an hour or an hour a day.

When should walkers be used

To avoid problems with the physical condition of baby a walker can be applied as soon as your child’s began to sit, stand on his feet and creep confidently.

Do not apply a walker if a child has rickets, deformed limbs or broken tone in the limbs. When buying a baby walker, pay attention to the material of the seat to be strong and dense.

Researchers have found that soft plastic toys are dangerous for health as chemicals they contained can cause early puberty, different area of sexual dysfunction among boys, and even lead to infertility.

Scientists conducted a study which found harmful chemical components of phthalates in soft plastic toys. Phthalates are substances due to which vinyl and other plastics are soft. This is the main component found in many plastic toys.

The researchers gave some tips on how to avoid buying these hazardous toys. First, do not take toys containing PVC. Secondly, we can not allow children to play with cosmetic products containing toluene or phthalates. And thirdly, do not buy cheap bijouterie for kids, because it contains harmful substances.

But the views of scholars are sometimes confusing. Other experts argue that parents should not be too worried, as many soft toys do not contain phthalates, and if they contain, it is in very small quantities and is safe for health. In addition, children’s products always undergo a strict quality control, so do not worry about it.

However, the results of the study have not be left unattended, and starting from February 2009 the United States imposed an official ban on the production of soft plastic toys.

Every mother understands the importance of protecting their baby from the harmful effects of viruses and bacteria, especially with the approach of a warm summer, when microbial activity increases many times. And every careful mom seeks to minimize the risk of infection by the daily disinfection of children’s bottles, pacifiers, dummy, and accessories for baby food by using steam sterilizer, or normal boiled water.
However, in everyday life there are cases where conventional methods of sterilization with steam or disinfectants solutions are impossible or difficult. Steam sterilizer can not be usually taken for a walk, on holiday or on a picnic, it can not be used in airplane and car.
But even regular comforter on the net floor, is a serious threat to the health of your child, if it appears in the mouth of a child without sterilization. There are «caring» moms who solve this problem by «sterilization» with their own mouths,and pass with the baby all the bacteria, which can be very dangerous for the child. What to do?
And what if the baby is constantly pulling everything into the mouth trying their teeth?
Belgian company “Ultra clean Technology CV” came to help caring, active and responsible parents by developing portable ultraviolet sterilizers BabyBoss, which allows disinfecting any surface, without boiling, steam and electricity.
These simple and secure devices using dual technology kill bacteria: ultraviolet radiation wavelength of 253.7 nm and ozone, which quickly and effectively kill bacteria and viruses. The efficiency of destruction of bacteria and viruses is up to 99-100%. You can sterilize any surface: children’s bottles and pacifiers, toys, all accessories for personal hygiene (toothbrushes, eyeglasses, etc.), dishes, fruits, any items found in public places, touching which may lead to infectious effect.