Taking Care of a Baby with a Cold

Children get sick. This is just a fact of life. There isn't too much you can do to prevent it from happening. The only thing you can really do is make her "comfortable" until the virus works its way out of her system. Here are a few tips:

1. Try saline nose drops.

Saline nose drops help to thin and clear out the nasal mucus. It's a great way to relieve congestion. For best results, try using a bulb syringe. If she'll let you, tilt your child's head back slightly, then gently squeeze the bulb to deposit the saline drops into your child's nose. Then use the bulb to remove the excess mucus. (If your child is old enough, simply have her blow her nose.) Repeat this process several times a day.

2. Make sure she gets enough rest.

While it's probably easier said that done, the more rest your child gets, the sooner she'll feel better. Even if she doesn't take naps anymore-encourage a nap or two each day she's sick. When she isn't resting, sit her on the couch with a kids' video or children's book on a tape. Encourage her to do quiet activities instead of things that require her to exert a lot of energy. She needs that energy to get better.

3. Hook up the humidifier.

This works especially well at night and during naps. This is when a persistent cough or trouble breathing can prevent your child from getting the rest she really needs right now. The moist air from a humidifier thins mucus secretions, which helps to calm her cough and relieve congestion. The humidifier shown at the end of this article is a great buy! It works very well and doesn't cost as much as many other humidifiers you will find. I found this one at thebabyoutlet. They have a couple other high quality humidifiers in case this one isn't quite what you're looking for. And right now, Enter Coupon Code: YG05 and Take 5% Off Your Order at TheBabyOutlet.com!

4. Urge her to drink up.

Children lose body fluids fast when they're sick (especially if they're running a fever or have diarrhea). Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids (such as juice, an electrolyte solution, or milk) to replenish those fluids. There is no scientific proof that dairy products make congestion worse. If she doesn't want to drink a lot of fluid, try offering her an extra juicy fruit (such as watermelon or oranges). And warm chicken soup actually does help relieve cold symptoms by soothing a sore throat and thinning nasal secretions.

5. Try vitamin C.

There is evidence that shows vitamin C helps make cold symptoms less severe and might even shorten the amount of time a cold lasts. Be careful not to "mega-dose" your child, though. Kids shouldn't have any more than 500 mg of vitamin C a day.

6. Know when to call the doctor.

Be sure to call the doctor if your child complains of: ear or face pain, which can signal an ear infection or sinus infection; a very sore throat combined with a high fever (strep throat); wheezing or trouble breathing (bronchial infection or pneumonia); diarrhea and vomiting (which can lead to dangerous dehydration); a fever over 102 degrees; or a temperature over 100 degrees that lasts for more than three days.

7. Make time to snuggle.

When kids are feeling bad (like most of us), they need an little extra attention and love. If it makes you feel better, isn't it only logical that it would make your child feel better? So make some time to snuggle up together and watch a movie or something. Amazon has some really great entertaining and educational kids' videos that you and your child can enjoy together.

8. Keep it all in perspective.

When you're taking care of a sick, miserable child, always remember that most winter illnesses pass in a week or so. And ultimately, all of them will help strengthen your child's immune system. As she gets older, you'll notice your child has fewer and fewer sick days. In the meantime, encourage hand-washing and stock up on Kleenex!

Baby Monitors

We just recently got a baby monitor for Angelina. I didn't want to put her in her own room until I had a monitor in there so I could hear her if she woke up. It makes me feel a lot better, because now I can hear every little sound she makes. I can take the monitor with me wherever I go and still feel secure that I will hear Angelina if she wakes up or starts fussing. I love it! I was so nervous, as a first time mother, about putting Angelina in her own bedroom without me right next to her (especially at night). But having that baby monitor next to me at all times has really eased my worries away. (And for those of you who are wondering, experts say it is all right to let your child sleep in their own room anytime after around four weeks-as long as you have a baby monitor or are close enough that you can hear them if they should need you. But this is up to you. What it really comes down to is when you and your baby are ready.)

Some advice for parents who are planning on getting a baby monitor is make sure you get a good one! The one shown below is fantastic. This one if almost identical to the one Casey and I got for Angelina, and it works great! It has a 2-way communication walkie-talkie feature which allows parents to talk and listen to baby plus talk to each other without disturbing the baby. It also has a 650 foot range for extensive mobility with an out-of-range warning feature. The Low Battery Indicator alerts you that the power is low. It even has rechargeable batteries which help save you money (batteries are included). The belt clip lets you move around hands free and still monitor your baby. And the wall mount allows you to set up a stationary location for the base while keeping it out of the way.

As always, I hope this helps some of you out! Let me know if you have any questions! And feel free to browse the other helpful websites I have on my page.

Highchairs

Once your child begins eating foods other than milk, it's time to think about getting a highchair. Some parents are able to get by with a baby chair. A baby chair simply attaches to the family table. However, many parents say that, next to a crib, a freestanding highchair is the most indispensable baby product you will ever buy. With a freestanding highchair, you can sit directly in front of your baby while feeding and move the chair from dining room to kitchen with little fuss. Newer highchairs are also adaptable to a wide range of ages.

Whatever type you choose, bear in mind that the highchair will have to withstand at least two or three years of daily use, so it better be durable.

Angelina just recently began sitting in a highchair while she eats her "solids". She's gotten very good at eating applesauce, bananas, green beans, etc.

Fisher Price makes a wonderful Aquarium highchair, as you can see below. This is what we got for Angelina, and it has worked great! It makes feeding her much easier. I'm so proud of her!

Is My Baby Constipated?

There is no "normal" number or schedule for baby's bowel movements. Each baby is different. As time goes on, you will get to know your own baby's routine.

If you're concerned that your baby may be constipated, there are a couple of clues to look for. One is if he has less frequent bowel movements than his norm (especially if he hasn't had one if three our more days and is obviously uncomfortable when he does have one). Also watch for hard, dry stools that are difficult for him to pass - no matter how frequently.

There are a few different ways to treat your baby's constipation.

1. Get him some exercise. If your baby's a crawler, encourage him to do a few laps. If he's not crawling yet, try pumping his legs. While he's lying on his back, gently move his legs in a forward, circular motion as if he were pedaling a bicycle.

2. Massage your baby's belly. Measure three finger widths below his navel and apply gentle but firm pressure with your fingertips. Press until you feel a firmness or mass. Maintain gentle but constant pressure for about three minutes.

3. If you feed your baby formula, ask his doctor about switching to a different brand. Some babies are less constipated on soy formula. And sometimes adding a teaspoon of Karo syrup to the formula also does the trick.

4. Switching from rice cereal to barley or oat cereal, or adding pureed fruits or vegetables to his regular cereal, once your baby is ready for them, can help.

5. Once your baby is eating a variety of solid foods, ask your doctor if you can boost your baby's fiber intake by adding a teaspoon of bran to his cereal. Cut down on constipating foods like rice, bananas, and cooked carrots, and try mixing his cereal with a little bit of apple or prune juice or a few tablespoons of pureed prunes, apricots, or pears to help loosen his bowel movements.

6. Increase the amount of fluid your baby drinks to help keep his stools soft. If your baby is over 2 months, give him 1 ounce of prune juice diluted with 1 ounce of water, twice a day to start with. As his constipation improves, you can cut back. Talk with your doctor first if your baby is 2 months old or younger.

7. Talk to your baby's doctor about treatment options. Never give your baby a laxative without your doctor's approval. Ask her about using an over-the-counter stool softener to make bowel movements more comfortable for your baby. She may also suggest you try a glycerin suppository if your baby is severely constipated. The suppository will stimulate the rectum and help him pass a stool. While using a suppository occasionally is fine, don't do it on a regular basis, since your baby could wind up relying on them to have a bowel movement.

8. If your baby is passing such hard, dry stools that he tears the delicate skin near the opening of his anus (you may see these tears, known as anal fissures, or a little blood), apply a little aloe vera lotion to the area to help it heal. And be sure to mention the tears to your doctor.

Angelina has never gotten very constipated. I have been very fortunate. But hopefully this information will help any of you who have little ones who happen to get constipated.

Be sure to stop by I See Me!. The link, as always, is located on the left hand side of this page. I See Me! sells personalized children's books and a few other personalized items. What better way to get your child interested in reading than to have their own name put into a book just for them?! They also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with your money back if you are not completely satisfied.