Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘child’

Why do modern children play? And anyway, do they need to do this? Here’s how today’s parents are responsible for these issues.

Playing in facts and numbers

”If you have a chance to play or be occupied with your child what will you prefer?”

18% of mothers and fathers prefer “playing”. Why? Because:

Child is interested in it – 10%

Child likes that – 8%

82% of parents prefer “being occupied” with their children. As:

It is necessary – 62%

It is interesting for me – 13%

Child asks – 7%.

Concluding the sentence, ”If my child, in five – seven years, will play a significant part of the day, then …”, parents have expressed such views:

They will have problems at school / they won’t be able to compete with their peers – 46%
If the games are educational, you can study and play at the same time – 18%

Child will study in the evening – 17%

I will be satisfied – 15%.

So, the game, according to the parents, is nice, but not the most necessary thing that must deal with every self-respecting child of preschool age. Parents must prepare their child for the upcoming adult life.

What, then, according to the parents, do they need to teach their children?

To be independent – 61%.

Obtain good-paying jobs – 53%

Be prepared for difficulties – 32%.

Making their own decisions – 22%.

Mom, play with me!

However, modern parents have difficulties to play with dolls or to drive cars around the room. They prefer “developing” games, because it requires them to lower the emotional effort. Fortunately, special educational games are invented now. But the problem is that this is not a game that your baby needs now. Of course, playing logic games is a very worthy and useful occupation, but they develop only one side of its personality. These studies in no case should not be a substitute for conventional well-known children games. Moreover, they give you a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a child, taught him/her his/her system of values.

Mothers and Daughters

This name is a bit tentative. Not necessarily to play “Mothers and Daughters”, although the classical model of the family is very important – while playing children (by the way, not only girls but also boys) learn to build family roles. But in such games, kids determine not only their place (and, incidentally, a place of their parents) in the family, but also try a variety of social functions, professions, even social positions.

If your child is 2-3 years old, the basic functions of you should take the boss on you. The younger the child, the easier should be the doll. Show your child the toy, study it together, what she wears, what eyes, hands she has, etc. Be sure to name the toy. Now try to play a little scene from your own life – how you feed your baby, put him/her to bed or go for a walk. To begin with a scenario will be sufficient. Even if you don’t have any acting skills, try to “enter into the image” – change the tone and timbre of your voice, when you talk in the places of different characters.

Here you’ll need many useful accessories – a table and chair, to feed the doll, a toy bath, to bathe it, a carriage, in which it can be carried, etc.

By the way let’s about accessories. If you have not looked into the “Children’s world” in the department of dolls and doll economy yet, you’ll have a shock. Modern industry seems to have decided to recreate in miniature adult life to the last detail. You can, for example, find a toy kitchen unit with a “brand” inscription, operating electric vacuum cleaner and a plastic grilled chicken.

They are rather expensive and initially cause a tear of grudging affection – ah, if we could have such things in our childhood! But in fact, children do not need such detailed toys. Moreover, it is not useful. They close the road of fantasy and imagination. After all, only in childhood, the same stick can be a spoon, a pen, a mobile phone. This use of objects is common among children older than three years which shows that their development is on the right path.

Hide and seek

Our ancestors, from whom we inherited these games were not stupid. In this way they taught their children cope with fears of darkness and confined spaces.

All the children love to play hide and seek. Nothing can compare with joy when a child discovers the beloved parent, strung on the beck and call of the curtain or curled up in a three-destruction in the wardrobe. And by the way, this love is not accidental. After all, hide and seek helps to cope with the feeling of loneliness. And during the game he/she should some time be completely alone, even in a secret, secluded place. If your child is afraid of darkness you can turn off or even extinguish the light in one room during the game. Turning off the light, loudly say that you are there, then your son or daughter will just not go there. And hide in a dark room yourselves.

They do not only learn playing games, they live in it. And if your task is to show him/her real life, it is easier to do it with the help of the game. Do not be afraid of “simple” games – they have a profound meaning.

There is no need to bathe the child on the first day of leaving the maternity house. First, before leaving he/she probably had a hygienic handling of all the rules. Secondly, the child is very tired: the first action in his/her life, a lot of new sensations, so let him/her rest. But the second day water treatments at home should be a nightly ritual for both baby and parents. Previously, during the first bathing, grandmother gives her/him a gift.
The most common and comfortable place for bathing the child in our apartment is a kitchen, at least – a bathroom. Make sure that all the windows in the apartment are closed, so as to avoid the draft. Then heat the air in the room for bathing. In summer you can stay relaxed..
You will need usual kitchen table covered with a blanket, top diaper, then a large terry towel or a sheet (which will wipe “bather”), buckram (not to wet your terry towel), diaper for swimming. Other necessary things are a diaper, clothing, tools for processing umbilical wound and cosmetics (oil, cream, powder).

First AERIAL BATHing

Place the child on the belly, do a little massage in the form of light rubbing, turn back, make a charge for hands (to the sides and top) and legs (bent, straightened).

BATHROOM?

Before bathing, baby’s bath (large or small) should be thoroughly washed. You should agree that to do this with a child tray would be much easier. But do not buy too small bath: kids grow quickly, and it is not very convenient to keep the child in a small bath, where the hands do not turn around.

WATER TEMPERATURE
Here there are different views. The most stable and popular of them is 37 degrees of Celsius. You can look at a water thermometer, or simply omit your own elbow into the water.

Soap and sponge

Doctors advise to use baby soap and a soft sponge once a week. It is especially important to use soap, if baby wears diapers. All “complex zones” need careful washing.

Oil, cream or powders?

Everyone should decide for himself/herself. Powder removes excess moisture, but sometimes it causes additional irritation. Oil does not always suck in easily. Now there is a big and diverse choice of children creams. You can choose what best fits your child.

”COMPLEX ZONES”

In order avoid from any problems, you should have to know and inspect these zones after each bathing:
behind the ears;
neck folds (front and back);
armpits;
elbows;
hands;
navel;
under the knees.

Any cream with zinc will help you solve any disorder.

Crust

Often crust appears on the baby’s scalp. Do not try to remove all at once; in this case, you’ll risk injuring the skin. Typically, if you rub this place with baby oil, then it will be remove when combing. But it is better to consult with a pediatrician, because this can be the first sign of diathesis.

Nails

You should cut the child’s nails when needed (approximately every 3-4 days) with the help of scissors with rounded ends. I used to do it after feeding when the baby is full and happy, and its movements are lazy. Perhaps you will find your “appropriate” time.

Ears

Clean the child’s ears as soon as needed. Make a cotton tube, moisten with oil and neatly remove sulfur. For older kids you can use cotton swabs, but shove them very attentively. Sulfur is usually located almost outside of the ear canal.

Every morning

In the morning washing for babies is as important as for adults. For this you’ll need hydrogen peroxide, bandage, cotton sticks, boiled water. In the hospital it was possible to observe the daily manipulation of nurses when they treated the newborns. Now we’ll remember everything. Umbilical wound you should be process with cotton swab dipped into hydrogen peroxide (the same we do after bathing). Eyes should be rubbed with a cotton swab dipped into the boiled water, in the direction from ear to nose. For each eye we take a separate swab.

Determining the gender of a child before his/her birth is the main problem, which interests 99, 9% of future parents. Method of ultrasonic diagnosis to determine the sex of the child has been invented recently. Before this method people used many methods and ways to find out the sex of the child. All of them are based on observations, and very often help to know the child’s sex without ultrasound before birth. Some of them, the most famous and popular ones, we will share with you.
There is a common expression known to many of us “Only real men have daughter”. In this case, such men are called “Jewelers”.
The fact is that very often fathers of both boy and girl are called “bunglers”. It depends on whom the family is waiting for. In fact, the sex of the child is not the most important thing for parents and a baby himself.
The main thing here is the baby’s health and the possibilities to live in a happy and quiet family.

PLANNING CHILD’S SEX
There are a number of folk beliefs that will to help to find out who is going to be born: a boy or a girl?
1. For example, a very common superstition if the pregnant’s belly looks like a “Cucumber” – a boy, and if it is located in the area of the former waist and is seen “from behind” – a girl.
2. When the belly sticks out more to the right – a boy, left – a girl.
3. If the areolas around the nipples have bright colors it means you are going to have a son, in case of dark colors – a little daughter.
4. If you have toxemia and nausea in the morning during pregnancy – and it’s a frequent phenomenon, you will have a girl. If not – a boy.
5. If during pregnancy you prefer sweets, you will have a girl, if meat dishes – a boy.
6. If superfluous hairs on the belly of the pregnant appears– will be a boy, if pigmentation – a girl.
7. Listening to the heartbeat of your fetus, you can determine who will be: if the heart beating is faster will be a girl, if slower – a boy.
8. You can determine the sex of the child with the help of a ring. You need to keep a ring on a long thread on the left hand. If it moves in a circle you will have a girl, if back and forth – a boy.
9. According to Japanese legends you can identify the sex of the child through father’s and mother’s age. Mother’s age must be divided into three, father’s age – into four. The child will be a girl or a boy according to the results. If mother’s age is more than father’s then you’ll have a girl, if less – vice versa.

Rational nutrition is one of the main factors determining the physical health of everyone. And for the future mother’s nutrition is a necessary condition for normal fetal development, adequate course of pregnancy, health and wellness.
Diet for pregnant women
Pregnant women and then nursing mothers tastes and desires can change quite frequently. But long-term scientific observations allowed identifying common standards of nutrition in pregnancy, necessary for normal fetal development. A pregnant woman can satisfy all the nutritional needs only with the help of a balanced diet. Excessive or unbalanced diet during pregnancy causes a serious threat to the baby’s well-being.

Pregnant woman’s healthy diet: eat “live” food; eat more fruits, vegetables, herbs, edible wild herbs, nuts, germinated cereals. It is also important to exclude or limit the usage of fried food, which irritates the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, as well as salt. Don’t forget to monitor weight, blood and urine pressure. Development of a newborn depends on how a mother eats during pregnancy.

FEATURES of PREGNANCY DIET

Every day a pregnant woman needs proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber and other important substances. Therefore, the diet of a pregnant woman should include all main food groups:
- Meat (preferably beef, lean, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, rabbit, but not sausages or hot dogs);
- Fish and fish products (preferably low-fat varieties – cod, hake, etc.);
- Milk and dairy products (including yogurt, cheese, sour cream, curds, etc.);
- Bread (preferably from rye flour or bran) and bakery products;
- Cereals (preferably oatmeal and buckwheat), and pasta;
- Dietary fat (20-40 g butter and 15-20 g vegetable fat – sunflower, corn, soy, olive oil).

During pregnancy, adequate consumption of vegetables (300-500 grams a day) and fruit (preferably not less than 200 g per day) is very necessary during pregnancy. Sugar and confectionery products (preferably marshmallows, candy, low-fat cakes) should be consumed in limited quantities (up to 60-80 grams per day).

Particularly useful vegetables are: carrots, beets, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, dill, celery, and it is better to limit the usage of potatoes, cabbage. From fruit are recommended apples, pears, apricot, plum, cherry, peach, banana, they should be more attentive with citrus, kiwi, grapefruit, mango.

Pregnant women must get the right amount of vitamins and multielements, they also need extra multivitamins which are made especially for pregnant women and contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals and trace elements. 3-6 months before planning pregnancy, a woman with her husband should take folic acid (100 mcg 4 times a day for the prevention of malformations of the nervous system of the fetus and continue using it in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy) or a complex of vitamins for pregnant women with folic acid. Multivitamins also must be taken in the period of pregnancy and breast-feeding.

PREGNANCY DIET AND MULTIELEMENTS

Calcium and iron are very important. Calcium is necessary for the formation of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus. When there is insufficient flow of calcium from food this can lead to lower bone density (osteoporosis).

The main sources of calcium are milk and dairy products: yogurt, curds, especially cheese.
Insufficiency of dietary iron is the main cause of widespread anemia among pregnant women, and later among infants. Therefore, pregnant women should receive adequate amount of iron that is derived mainly from meat, fish, liver, apples and other fruit, cereals. Women in the second half of pregnancy need to receive 30 mg of dietary iron. Therefore they need additional oral iron or iron-containing vitamin-mineral complexes.

Iodine is a part of the thyroid hormones. It is required from the third month of pregnancy. Sources of iodine are: iodized salt, sea kale, sea fish.

Endocrinologists recommend pregnant women to take drugs which contain iodine.

Zinc is involved in the formation of fetal bones, and with its lack, a child may be born too small. Sources of zinc: fish oil, nuts, onion, pumpkin seeds, peas and beans.

PREGNANCY DIET: WHAT AND HOW?

Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy should gain 300 grams of vitamins per week, and for the entire period of pregnancy should it should reach 10-12 kg.
Pregnant women must use cereals (wheat, buckwheat, oats), whole-grain bread, various vegetables (beets, carrot), fruit and berries (especially cherry, apple, plum), dried fruits in order to get sufficient number of dietary fiber.

As we have already said pregnant women should limit salt (up to 7-8 grams per day).

Just like during pregnancy, during breast-feeding mothers should limit or completely exclude certain food from their diet. This is especially important if a child is only breastfed, there are adverse reactions such as unstable stool, frequent regurgitation, bloating, skin rashes. These products are chocolate, coffee, whole milk, citrus fruit. In addition, some products (onion, garlic, spices) can give unusual smell and taste to milk, because of which the child can refuse the breast. During the entire period of breastfeeding, women should continue taking additional specialized vitamin and mineral complexes and products mentioned above.

In conclusion, it must be said that good food and rest are key components of mother’s and child’s health.

Nowadays, most children have their own rooms, and parents have to worry about its design. Child’s own room is a personal world, where the most important and interesting events in his/her life will take place. That is why parents should wisely come to the decision which design to choose for their child’s room. Due to its multifunctionality, there are many factors influencing the
child’s room comfort. However, there are some general rules that should be taken into account, when designing the child’s room. First, you need to arrange a warm, bright and comfortable atmosphere in the nursery. It is desirable that the room is located on the sunny side. There should not be extra furniture – mobile; and restless children need more space, the room with a small number of things is easy to keep clean and tidy. Choose multipurpose and mobile furniture. After all, with age, in order to meet the growing needs of the child, you should replace it with new one.

Design for little ones

Cot, playpen, high chair, chest of drawers for different clothes, table – this is a typical set of furniture which kids need. But the child’s room should have environmental safety. Do not buy furniture made from fiberboard, low-quality plastics and other materials that may contain allergens and carcinogens such as formaldehyde and phenol. It is important to remember that furniture should consist of materials that have passed the required certification. If you have small apartment, mobile and functional furniture is just for you, for example: folding commode. There is also a convertible type of furniture. Having bought it once, you can use it for a long time, up to ten years without replacement. Chairs of this type can be adjusted by a child of any age.

The child’s room should be made in pastel colors, but you can also add several expressive elements to the room. Do not place in the room anything which can cause allergy. For example, it is better not to hang thick curtains in the room, because they collect dust. The same applies to carpets. Light curtains will be more appropriate. Moreover, they are easily removed and washed from the dust, which reduces the risk of lung disease. Lighting should be bright enough, and its source should not collect dust. A good idea can be a system of major and local luminaries – a beautiful lamp with a lampshade on the ceiling and a number of additional lighting, such as lamp, sconces or floor lamps. The climate in the children’s room has a significant impact on the health of the child. It is important to create a balanced atmosphere in the room, for example, if the room is often cold, you should place a heater, and in dry and hot room it is recommended to install a humidifier. If you want to add comfort in the design of the child’s room with attributes such as cushions or soft toys, let them be made from natural and high quality materials.

Room for preschoolers

When the child grows both you and he/she understand the benefit of a separate children’s room. Kid gets an opportunity to play alone and relax from the other family members. But you need to change the furniture in accordance with the age of the child. You should buy a new bed (it can be a sofa or bed), new chairs and tables, shelves, chest of drawers for toys. It should be noticed that the furniture must be safe, stable, and without sharp edges and with all the necessary certification. We know that children of this age are fond of playing games. So the room can be divided into two zones: for games, sleep and rest. If your child spends a lot of time on games, you need to give much space for this. The most common version is arranging the furniture along the walls of the room, and the game zone is concentrated in the center of the nursery. You can also use another approach – the separation of the room in half. In that case, gaming area is better positioned in the lighter half, with a window, and sleeping area will be the remainder. For a more precise differentiation of the game zone, you can identify it with furniture which falls under the “game” category: table, chairs, shelves for toys. A bed and a wardrobe will be a recreation area. The colors also play an important role. Do not paint the ceiling in dark colors. It depresses adults, so judge yourself.

In any case, when designing the child’s room it is important to take into account the wishes of the child. After all, his/her mood can affect practically any designing element, let it be a carpet, on which it plays, or curtains, which he/she sees rising from the bed, or favorite toys and books.

The first 24 months of child’s life are the main stages of his/her development. Knowing a few key points will allow parents to avoid unnecessary, unreasonable disturbances.

The first question parents usually ask the pediatrician: “Do we have a normal child?” After the first examination the doctor checks the child with the existing standards, which allows him/her draw a general conclusion about the development of the infant.

”Does he/she have all reflexes?” In fact from birth up to 3 months child must make the so-called primitive reflexes, which express the physiological immaturity of his/her brain. It should be mentioned that after the birth, the state can be broken and the conclusions drawn from the survey, conducted in the first hours of life, can change quickly in one direction or another.

Shaking limbs, chin and lips is a common phenomenon, and deserves attention only when it happens very often. It does not have any impact and does not indicate that the child has cold, as parents often consider.

The startle of the child at the slightest noise, waking or during sleep also usually show incomplete formation of the nervous system and in any case doesn’t show that child is “nervous”.

”Does the child see”? Does the child hear? Does the child feel something?” Hearing of the unborn baby is difficult to determine, but in general it’s possible. The child reacts to the sudden sharp sound. The first sounds that child says are - sounds, expressing contentment. The child begins to learn the language, listening to what you say when you feed him/her, change diaper, bathe or play with him/her.

Vision is also undeveloped, vague, but after several weeks it becomes clearer. Child sees the object clearly when it is at a distance of 20 or 30 centimeters from his/her face.

As in the first few weeks of life, infants do not distinguish colors, they like looking at black and white patterns.

Touch – the most developed sense of the newborn. Child likes when you stroke or massage him/her. Children cry less when they hold hands or embrace.

Skull of the child is a symbol of the children’s fragility.

Parents should know that in the first months of life child’s skull is malleable, and at the same time very resilient;

Changes in the behavior of the child can be noticed every week or every month and parents are happy to look at every new phenomenon.

Kid himself/herself:

- Begins to hold the head in 2-3 months;

- Maintains a sitting position in 7-8 months;

- Sits down in 10 months;

- Stands with support in 9 months;

- Begins to walk by 13-14 months.

Parents must remember that each child develops in his own way and his/her parents should not compare him/her with neighbor’s daughter or son.

FIRST TEETH

Undoubtedly, the emergence of the first tooth is always a great family event, eagerly anticipated by parents and some trepidation. However, if the emergence of the first tooth is delayed, the family starts to worry.

The first tooth may erupt in a period of 4 to 13 months, and the apparent delay does not affect the further development of children’s teeth. The emergence of teeth is due to hereditary factors.

While teething various disorders can occur:

- Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, cough, redness;

- Swelling of the gums, accompanied by accumulation of blood.

Salivation is a function of the salivary glands, and it occurs in 3 months and has nothing to do with teething.

EYES

In the first 9-12 months eyes remain unpredictable, and if black or brown eyes do not change over time, blue eyes may become darker later.

Sometimes children in the first days after birth have such a violation, as watery eyes that are most often associated with occlusion of the lachrymal canal. In this case you should see a doctor and conduct appropriate treatment.

At birth, the newborn may have a red conjunctivas point, which does not require any treatment and spontaneously disappears after a few weeks.

Today, many parents show great interest in the wide possibilities of early musical development of the child. When can you begin to introduce music to your child? How to choose musical games and exercises? Here you can find answers to these questions.

EARLY MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD
In the development of children’s musical abilities the first years of life are particularly important. The earlier you’ll start working on the development of musical abilities of the child, the better the results will be. In each period of the development of babies, they are especially sensitive to external influences, including – music. These so-called sensitive periods are from 1,5 to 3 years. The most important thing is to awaken the senses, because the child perceives and knows the world around him/her with the help of senses. It is important to remember that the overall mental development of children is related to this period, primarily with the development of senses.
Among the various means of influencing the feelings of the child, one of the most effective is the musical art. Even at the time when the baby is in its mother’s belly it begins to perceive music. From the first days of musical art the child tries to imitate the sounds of her mother’s speech echoes the height of her voice. A game with rattles – is not the rhythmic development of the child, the experience of the first children’s perception of noise instruments!

EARLY MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD: THE IDENTIFICATION OF TALENT
So it is clear that early musical development serves primarily to the task of the overall development of the child during this period – the development of the senses. Replying to a question, how an early musical development should be, let us first of all clarify what we mean by the very notion of “musical development”. Musical development – is an ongoing process of certain qualitative changes in musical abilities of a man. The most important criterion of musicality is an emotional response to music.

Of course, the impetus for the development of skills, including music, is the identification and development of thedeposits. Music lessons should be filled with active forms of propulsion, full of emotion and create a nice atmosphere. Such exercises should support the development of fantasy and imagination, emotional and sensual spheres of the baby. It turns out that the general and musical ability develop in a holistic relationship.
Early musical development is primarily associated with the formation of sensory abilities, i.e. ability to distinguish pitch (high – low), timbre ( “voice” of children’s musical instruments), dynamics (loud – quiet), tempo (fast – slow), as well as the beginning of the formation of musical thinking and musical memory.
In addition, the child just begins to learn listening to music. Therefore, developing the musical thinking, we form the ability to hear the character, the mood of music. Note that systematic training just involves the systematic development of the child.
All of these components must be present in class. Above all, we start with the emotional and sensory impressions of what he heard, then – go to the approbation of various types of activities: echoic exercises of accompanying, music-making, active games. And only then on the basis of accumulated experience and sensory, motor experience, we, along with the baby, can improvise. I would like to clarify that the planning and conducting of such exercises must be systematic and consistent. Parent or teacher should clearly represent the final result, which directed lessons on musical development.

EARLY MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD: specifics of the lessons
Each lesson of the early musical development of the child should include all the mentioned types of musical activities that are realized in active music-didactic games. In the classroom should be a reasonable combination of vocal, musical-rhythmic, musical and visual exercises. We should not forget that the transition from one to another component of the musical work should be implemented step by step, gradually complicating the task. Of course, that active consideration at this age is given to the development of small and large skills. Therefore, a necessary component of each exercise should be finger games and music and rhythmic exercises, conducted under the music.
Now let’s clarify some features of music lessons for children. Vocal development in early childhood is closely connected with the phonemic, so at the start of singing exercises, begin with the elements of onomatopoeia (e.g., syllables, representing “singing” animals – “wow”, “meow”). Then we turn to imitate voices of the teacher or parent and singing certain syllables, words in the song.
In the development of a sense of rhythm we recommend starting with a game of rhythmic exercises, where, while repeating the words of the poem, the children perform certain movements. Then perform the same movements, but together with the music. This should ensure clarity and consistency of movements, the coincidence with the pulse of musical creation.
Developing musical sensory abilities of the child, we stress its perception in bright contrast between sound (loud – quiet, high – low, fast – slow), not forgetting the sound relationship with the visual images and pictures.
Projected results of early musical development of the child may be as follows: the 3-year-old baby:
- Emotionally reacts and recognizes familiar melodies;
- Is able to distinguish between contrasting features of sound (high – low, loud – quiet, fast – slow);
- Together with the teacher echoes musical phrases from the song;
- Moves in accordance with the nature of music;
- Performs sound motion: tapping feet, clapping her hands;
- Distinguishes between calls and music instruments: rattles, tambourine, bell, etc.
We wish you a vivid, emotional discovery in a magical world of sounds with your child!

The date of the appearance of the child into the world is very close, and you increasingly think about what you will feel. Your anxiety and mixed feelings are natural. But usually there is an unknown fear of something. And you are already well prepared for childbirth and meeting the child. Do not hold the emotion in yourself. Talk to your child how much you have to wait for his/her birth, his/her name, describe the room where he/she will live. Very soon your baby will be with you.

1) The first signal.
You are afraid that everything will begin at night and you will not have time to get to the hospital? Do not worry. It’s even better if, at the time of labor pains, you can get some sleep. You’ll need some power. Just tell yourself: “I will have a healthy physiological childbirth. And try to sleep. But be aware of the fact that the beginning of the birth may be different: sometimes a few days before the event the cork goes out (a small lump of mucus). In any case, look at the color and amount and be sure to tell the doctor everything. Remember the important rule: once the water started to move away, the child should not be in pain more than 6 hours (maximum 12 hours). So you should be in the maternity hospital, do not delay.

2) The path-way.
Something is pulling at the bottom of your stomach? Contractions are repeated every 10 minutes? So, it’s time to give birth. Explain to your husband, what happens to you, let him help and support. While your husband prepares something to eat, take a shower. Water removes the pain and helps to relax.
Do not forget: your bag, your passport and the exchange of maps.
If you go on your own, it is better to sit in the back seat and relax!

3) Procedures.
In the reception at hospital record your data, measure the pressure and weight. Better pre-shave at home, but if youdid not have time don’t worry, you’ll be shaved in the maternity hospital.

4) Help.
Cervix is gradually revealed, fights are intense, and the intervals between them are reduced. If the pain becomes intolerable, doctors may suggest anesthesia. Do not rush to accept. Think about the upcoming battle, unpleasant pain. Try to focus on the kid: talk with him/her, put your hand on belly (baby has much more pain than you and you should always remember that and try not to hold breath, and it is difficult for him/her to breathe). Encourage your child!

5) A comfortable posture.
To reduce the pain, you can move, take any convenient position. Relax! Try not to stretch the muscles of the face. First, the drawing of muscles near the eye may affect the eyesight. Secondly, because of this red dots may appear on the face. Contractions will be easier, if you walk. Try to swing with the hips. This dance relaxes perineum muscles and helps to open the uterus. Then lie for a couple of minutes and relax, but then rise – movement is very important. Experienced nurses will tell you how to breathe correctly. You should listen carefully and faithfully follow their advice! This is very important!

6) In a difficult moment.
You have heard about gap and cut? It is not necessary that this happens to you. But even if it happens, do not worry. The doctor gently and quickly makes the necessary incision. You do not feel it. And after birth, when the baby is peacefully snuffling in your abdomen, the doctor will apply sutures. There is nothing to be afraid of.

7) Now you are a mother.
Finally, the head appeared! So the most difficult part is over. Soon it should be born! Look how handsome he/she is! After the usual procedures of weighing, measuring growth, examination of a pediatrician, the baby will be put on your stomach and you will be able to hug your miracle. It is a reward for your work! That’s it! Congratulations!

Lullaby is probably the only part of folklore, which has survived to our days, and continues to develop. For many centuries lullabies accompany our children to their sweet dreams, and, despite technological advances, do not lose their significance. Nobody has ever even tried to replace them. Why lullabies are so popular? And why they are irreplaceable?

Why do babies need lullabies?
Lullabies are needed for children of all ages. Their first task is to reassure the child and set him/her on a strong healthy sleep.
Melodic, simple, quiet – lullabies like both small babies, and their parents. In many families, lullabies are traditional conclusion of the day, the ritual, and they cannot do without it.
This is the child’s first contact with the art, and it is very important. A child hears it, learns to perceive both normal conversation and song. He/she gets accustomed to his/her mother, remembers the melody and learns it. Later he/she begins to distinguish the words and repeats them. Small children like to sing lullabies to their dolls, and even parents.
Lullabies help to establish a strong link between a child and his parents. At the time of going to bed a close contact between mother and child is required. The kid must feel that he/she is not alone helping him/her to relax from daily cares. These simple songs help to show sincere feelings.
From their infancy, people remember the voice of their mother. Lullabies are songs which are written using the notes of pure love and collect them in tenderness harmony. Something magical is store in a lullaby melody. It comforts, soothes, makes forget about the pain and helps to sleep.
When a child is very small, that is, it is still in its infancy, he/she gets accustomed to a certain voice that will serve him/her for a sign or a symbol of security and peace.
Then, when your child will grow up a little, he/she still loves and responds to the native voice.
Lullabies are an excellent alternative to other means of calming the child. Instead shaking and long conversations, this gives a much better result.

Why lullabies are better?
Of course, now there are many inventions to replace live lullaby. There are singing toys, CDs and just the TV. Some parents have resorted to such assistants, believing that these songs are no worse than traditional lullabies.
Other parents cite the fact that absolutely can not sing and do not want their child to be accustomed to the fake songs.
But it is important who does it.
No toy or tape recorder can replace the love of a child with which his/her mother hugs him/her

before going to bed, singing even the simplest motifs.
It doesn’t matter what lullaby you sing (you can even create your own version). Your presence and

care is much more important.
The toy or a TV can be brighter and more interesting than your songs, but the child always prefers to sleep in your presence than to listen to a monotonous grumbling of the unfeeling box.

Are lullabies only for mothers?

Traditionally, lullabies are sung by women – mothers and grandmothers. But now fathers also try to sing. The childshould feel the love of both parents, so it is not surprising that, over time your child may require to sing for him/her father or even grandfather.
Men prefer the traditional lullaby songs from cartoons, or even compose their own songs, and it is not worse than those songs that Mothers sing.
If you are unsure whether it was lullaby to your child, just try to sing it at least a week. Kids like this way of lying in the cot if only you’re close to them, regardless of the quality of performance. Despite the achievement of the industry of toys, mankind did not invent a better way to put the child to sleep.

The problem of choosing shoes for your child, as a rule, becomes urgent after the first 6 months of his/her life.
Therefore, children’s shoes can be roughly divided into two main categories: for children who haven’t started walking yet, and for those who have already made the first steps. Of course, shoes for each of the periods are somewhat different. But there are some general requirements you should consider when you buy shoes for children:

1. The sole of shoes must be strong, uneven and elastic. Take the shoes in hands and bend it several times. If the sole is made from cardboard then it’s not worth buying these shoes. Generally, small children need a small heel for walking!

2. Try to choose for the child, especially in the early years of his/her life, boots with adhesive tape. Generally, shoes, fitted with a latch – buckles, lacing, pin, and even buttons are not convenient for the baby. Shoes with adhesive tape have undeniable advantages; your child can easily to learn to wear and remove his/her boots, shoes or sneakers.

3. Pay attention to the back part of the shoes – it should be thick. It is better if it is slightly thicker than other parts of shoes. This will provide enhanced protection for the feet of your baby.

4. Pay attention to the material from which the shoes are made.
The best for choice are natural materials – genuine leather, and fabrics. Check the material of the internal parts of shoes! The idea of genuine leather disappears, if they have synthetic insole!

Can you distinguish artificial leather? With modern technology manufacturing synthetic leather, and some artificial materials are not under the force of each manufacturer.

The easiest way to determine the material from which the footwear (footwear elements) is made is to look at a special sticker on the shoe with graphic signs. Such labels are mandatory for manufacturers and importers of footwear of the EU countries. Labels indicate what type of material is used in making soles, lining and top boots.

If the shoes do not have such labels, there are several ways that will help you to distinguish artificial leather, but some of them in connection with the development of new technologies have become obsolete. For example, it was thought that leather is the only material that does not burn, so the first aircraft cabins were covered with natural leather. But this method can not be used when buying shoes; in addition, modern artificial leather has many common features with genuine leather. There is a composition, which gives to artificial leather the smell of genuine leather.

Here are several methods of determining the genuine leather:

• When putting the shoes on the inner surface of the palm of your hand for about ten seconds, the leather gets warm and begins to warm your hands and give a nice warm feeling, while the artificial leather remains cold.

• The bended edge of the leather is more rounded, but the leathery has a bit flat edges, and usually natural leather is thicker than artificial leather.

• Press a part of the shoes with a finger. When pressing you will notice that small creases or wrinkles appear, and then these wrinkles disappear. This is a sure sign of genuine leather.

• Leather can be defined, if we look at its cross-section. Artificial leather tends to have a textile, or polyamide base. And finally, you can drop a usual water on the leather (if allowed when shopping). Genuine leather absorbs moisture and becomes darker, but artificial leather remains unchanged.

5. Pay attention to the manufacturer. But be careful as a well-known brand is not yet a guarantee that you bought a good pair of shoes. In addition, the well-known brands are often counterfeited.

6. Insoles can be normal, anatomic (in proper shoes), and orthopedic – with a large instep-raiser. The choice of instep-raiser , its presence or absence is determined by an orthopedic doctor. Anatomical shoes do not hurt any child.

There is no need to confuse the orthopedic and prophylactic shoes. Prevention or anatomic shoes take the form of the feet, and create comfort while walking. Orthopedic shoes are needed in order to cure a violation of the locomotor system or prevent its development. Manufacturers of anatomic shoes often call it an orthopedic. This orthopedic shoes are sewed by individual plaster molds.

I urge you not to save when buying shoes for children, especially for children who have problems with feet. And do not take second-hand shoes, as they already repeat the shape of their previous owner’s feet, and they will be inconvenient for your child.