No More Night Owls (3 of 3)

2. Start earlier than you’d think

Don’t wait for the official “bedtime” call if your goal if you want to stick to the routine. Actually, come to think of it, “bedtime” actually starts 12 hours before your child’s first yawn. Kids are just like those wind-up toys that keeps on going and going.

They start the day with a specific energy level that must be expended before they can call themselves tired. Too bad, if your child didn’t have the chance to run, jump, and wriggle. Rainy day? Too-long nap? That happens but beware, they— you included— will likely be up all night.

3. Be the leader, not the follower

Limit the activities for the nightly routine .Choose the parts your child likes best and every night or two, cut out some. For example, it’s easier when I casually announce to Jacobo what the evening’s menu is from the get go: “All right! Time for bath, then pj’s, then Mama will lay down with you to read you a story.” If your child wants something changed, stand firm. A complicated bedtime is like any bad habit: Once you start it, only perseverance can make it stop.

4. Watch the clock

Stay firm against all the things that can knock you off your schedule– the errant tantrum, the ill-timed phone call, a sibling squall. Fight the urge to give in and just let them be because once you do that,  they’ll expect it to become a new routine the next day. When that happens,  it will take them twice as long to settle.

I give myself a pat on the back whenever I would look at the clock and see 8:30 p.m. Although I cheated on my diet again today and still haven’t read my scripts; at least I’ve accomplished one goal: They’re asleep!  - DAWN ZULUETA-LAGDAMEO

Reference: “And to all a good night” Paula Spencer, PARENTING magazine, September 2008

No More Night Owls (2 of 3)

Now, here is what you can do to makeyour toddler hit the sack early (and easily) every night. I got this from an article that I loved so much in PARENTING magazine, “And to all a good night” by Paula Spencer.

On occasion, tucking my active son into bed can take grueling hours. After I’ve read “The Tickly Octopus” for the 4,894th time and with all the stalling tactics, it seems like months before I can get my own sleep. Some phrases turn into a whole new word, like, “Okthat’sitnomoregettingoutofbedIsaidgotosleep!” Ever been in this situation before? If not, then it could be coming at you. I know many parents who can relate to this.

On a good night, I finish my rounds feeling pooped and beat. On a typical night with a newly-born baby, I’m exhausted, attending to my baby’s whimper over wet diapers, and my son’s complaint about lost blankies. In other instances, I’m listening to what appears to be my son’s creative strategies like this for example: “I wanted to tell you that you’re sexy, Mama.”

1. Make it sweet, consistent and flexible

Bedtime routines should be like pudding: sweetly wholesome, rich in consistency, and a little wobbly. Routines should first be calming. This means, you activities should be the relaxing type like reading, as opposed to pre-bed gymnastics. Routines should make your child feel good. This is why parents give their kids warm bath, a glass of milk, a back scratch.

There should also be consistency and order. When kids know what’s coming next, it helps them feel more secure, which in turn makes them more agreeable. And what’s the wobbly part? Make it flexible. Give yourself and your child some room to wiggle. Change the schedule. Add activities. Cut some. Skip the bath if he’s not dirty or read five books instead of just three if you feel like it.

No More Night Owls (1 of 3)

Good morning everyone.  Parents  were sometimes having a hard  time to let our little child to go to bed early.  They have a lot of thing they want to do before going  to sleep.  Sometimes mom and the kid have to argue first before they convinced their child to to go bed.  Here is one article I’ve read and want to share with those mom out there.

Q. Recently, I’ve noticed that my daughter had changed her sleeping habits. She now goes to sleep at around 10 p.m. and wakes up at 6 a.m. and she only takes 1 hour nap during daytime. There are also days that she would wake up at around 3 a.m. even though she went to bed late at night.

I am afraid that my baby will get sick because I feel that she is not getting enough sleep. How much sleep does my baby need? Is it okay if she skips taking a nap during daytime? What can I do to make my baby go to bed early? She is 1 year and 6 months old, by the way. Thanks for your help.

Girlie Marlyn E. Arce

In my experience, I think babies’ sleep schedules can change every so often. But for as long as toddlers are still getting a good 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night, plus naptime – then your baby is doing fine. Naps can be anywhere from one-and-half hours to three, but I wouldn’t call the Navy Seals if my child was just taking an hour of naptime.

Some kids need more time for naps than others. Adjusting the clock and scheduling when she would start sleeping depends largely on what daily activities you make for her. Middle-of-the-night habits & changing sleep schedules have a lot to do with how you put your baby to bed in the first place.

Breakfast for little champions (3 of 3)

How to encourage your child to eat breakfast

Sometimes parents can be pushy. Kids, on the other hand, are stubborn. Who is the boss, anyway? Even small things such as eating breakfast can lead into a long discussion. So to avoid arguments over trivial things such as breakfast, here are some tips on how to encourage your kid to eat breakfast.

• Before going to bed, you can discuss what to eat for breakfast in the morning. This way, he can voice out what he wants and hopefully it is in your list of what-to-eat-for-breakfast.

• Arrange all the things your child needs the night before so that there is no need to rush before going to school.

• Preparing breakfast can also be your bonding time. You can prepare the food together. This could make the morning much more enjoyable for the both of you.

• Make the dish appetizing. Be creative and make the food appealing to your child by designing the food. Toasting star-shaped bread or drawing a smile (by using ketchup) on an omelette may just do the trick.

• Your child may not be hungry when you offer him food in the morning, but there is a possibility that he will get hungry when he is on his way to school. You can always give him a sandwich and milk and tell him to eat it on the way. If you don’t personally bring your kid to school, ask the nanny or the driver to keep an eye on him and make sure that he eats the food. - Mitch M. Arceo

Breakfast for little champions (2 of 3)

Second, most people may agree that we don’t feel hungry in the morning. So we would rather not eat at once and just gorge on food during lunch. This is not healthy at all, as studies show that this may lead to obesity.

Third, we can’t always blame a child’s poor appetite. Sometimes, the food is just not appetizing at all, so they just refuse to eat it. Or, if you prepare the same food every day, it isn’t surprising for a child to shake his head when he sees the food on the table.

Fourth, some parents are too busy preparing for work. Imagine if everyone in the household is rushing off to work or school, there is barely any time to prepare food and eat.

Last, if the parents themselves don’t eat in the morning, it is safe to assume that their child don’t eat breakfast as well.

What to eat for breakfast

Others kids do eat breakfast. But with more and more parents working, many resort to serving instant noodles, or anything that is easy to prepare. Often, these meals just require hot water or turning on the microwave. But though it is very convenient, these foods do not provide as much nutrients as other foods.

If you’re looking for something that is easy to prepare, try giving him whole wheat cereals like those being sold by Nestle. They are easy to prepare and at the same time, healthy. Whole wheat is rich in fiber, which helps in digestion. It is also a good source of vitamins and nutrients, which are good for the heart and the skin, among others.

Breakfast for little champions (1 of 3)

We are often told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But still, it is usually the one we take for granted. We either eat whatever is available or worse, we skip it. Why? Because these days, people sleep late and thus, they wake up rushing off to work or to school. Some wake up just in time for lunch.

Just how important breakfast is can already be seen in the words: “break” and “fast.” People sleep about six to eight hours a day and this is the length of time that our bodies are without food. So, the first meal of the day literally means breaking or ending a long fast.

According to a series of studies conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, children who ate breakfast became more attentive in class and got higher grades. They are also more focused and more analytical compared to those who skip it. Food to the body is like the gasoline to a car. How can a car travel without gas? How can your body survive the day’s activities if you don’t have energy?

Why kids skip breakfast

There are a lot of reasons why kids want to skip breakfast. First, it is really hard to get up when you are under the covers and cuddling your fluffy pillow.  Let’s face it! Most kids would rather stay in bed than get up and prepare for school. Waking up early in the morning is probably one of the hardest things that students have to do. They end up begging for five more minutes or so that sometimes they run out of time for breakfast. Thus, eating a full course meal in the morning is more often than not, impossible.

Milk Teeth Matter (3 of 3)

Guaranteeing good oral health

The following are some of the things to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your children’s teeth healthy:

• To encourage children to properly care for their teeth, it is best that the parents lead by example. When your children observe from you that you regard dental hygiene as important, this impression will stay with them.

• A common practice that parents should also avoid is the sharing of feeding utensils, which can lead to the spread of cavity-causing germs.

• Flossing with an adult’s assistance should be added to the ritual when children are 4 years old. Around the time they are 8, they can be expected to floss their own teeth correctly.

• To aid dental health, children should also have a diet including calcium, phosphorous, and proper levels of fluoride. Starch and sugar should be limited as these produce plaque acids which cause tooth decay.

When it comes to your children’s pearly whites, vigilance is truly necessary. “As soon as the milk teeth appear, parents should bring their kids to the dentist at least twice a year to be guided as to proper oral hygiene,” Dr. Pagayon-Uy states. “Early prevention of tooth problems will help your children avoid complicated dental procedures in the future.”

Tips on making brushing more interesting and fun for your kids:

• Use a chart and stickers to keep track of when they brush.
• Play or sing a two-minute song to which they can brush along.
• Use a cute timer or hourglass that they can watch while brushing. -Ivy Goze

Milk Teeth Matter (2 of 3)

Caution against fluorosis

Making sure that toothpaste is not ingested is very important. Dental fluorosis is a condition caused by receiving too much fluoride during tooth development. The first to fourth years are the critical period of exposure, while children 8 years old and above are no longer at risk. Mild fluorosis may be indicated by tiny white spots which are often unnoticeable, but a more severe case may be characterized by black and brown stains, as well as cracking and pitting on the teeth.

Brushing frequency

Many parents do not relish the task of brushing their children’s teeth since toddlers can be uncooperative when it comes to having their teeth cleaned. Nevertheless, Dr. Pagayon-Uy recommends brushing three times a day. It is also generally advised that brushing last at least two minutes.

Proper way of brushing teeth

As for the movement of the toothbrush, Dr. Pagayon-Uy tells us that using circular strokes is the proper way to brush the teeth. “Children should be trained to brush their teeth in a circular motion, thus preventing tooth abrasions in the future.” Make sure that all the teeth (front and back, upper and lower) receive focus and that all surfaces (sides facing the tongue, sides facing the lips) are covered. Also pay close attention to the area where the tooth meets the gumline. Do not forget to brush the tongue as well. Ask your dentist to demonstrate the proper way of brushing although most of them do this as early as your child’s first dental visit.

Milk Teeth Matter (1 of 3)

Are you guilty of ever believing that temporary teeth or milk teeth are not of great importance to the overall dental history of a person? Many people actually think that serious oral care need not start until the permanent teeth are in. This belief is grievously wrong and could eventually lead to physical and emotional distress later on. Parents should realize as early as possible that teaching proper oral care to their young children is a health investment that offers lifelong benefits.

Early brushing

For early oral care, parents must know how to properly brush their children’s teeth. “An extra soft-bristled toothbrush should be used for cleaning primary teeth,” Dentist Dr. Grace Pagayon-Uy advises. Many parents of babies and toddlers may believe that the ritual ends with the brushing since their children do not know how to rinse and spit yet, but Dr. Pagayon-Uy adds,  “A clean wet cloth should also be used after brushing to wipe the gums and teeth to remove excess milk or food debris that usually cause baby bottle decay.” Parents should also remember that besides being soft-bristled, a child’s toothbrush should also be small enough to fit comfortably into his or her mouth.

Toothpaste use

Asked about the introduction of toothpaste in brushing children’s teeth, Dr. Pagayon-Uy replies, “As the milk or primary teeth appear, non-fluoridated toothpaste must be used. Regular toothpaste may be indicated for young children who already know how to spit out the excess toothpaste to prevent ingestion, which may cause flourosis.” A pea-sized amount of toothpaste is usually indicated for very young children. When your child is ready to learn how to properly rinse and spit, show them how to swish the water around their mouth to spit out all traces of toothpaste.