Do's and Don'ts of Potty Training

We are starting Potty Training real soon.  We actually already started but we are taking it a bit slow because we still have diapers to use and I want to switch him to Training Pants once we start Potty Training full force!
I got some Potty Training Tips from Parents Magazine, August 2009 Edition and from What to Expect: The Toddler Years.
First, here are the signs that your child is ready for Potty Training:

1. Can easily take off all clothes.
2. Asks to get diaper changed.
3. Follows you into the bathroom, asks questions, and imitates you.
4. Knows the body parts and words "pee" or "poop".
5. Understands what the words on sign no. 4 mean, where they come from, and where they belong.
6. Shows interest in books and videos about using the potty.
7. Stays dry for at least two hours in a row, is dry after naps, and is "poop" free overnight.
8. Normally stops activity when needs to "poop".
9. Has one or two formed stools a day (not constipated).

Check out Parents.com for additional Potty Training Tips and Tricks.

After I read the above signs, most of these honestly sounded like they were too complicated for a toddler but I am known for underestimating how much a toddler actually knows and understands (I am a first time parent!!).  The signs I noticed on our son were no. 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9

Some other things to consider:

• I was advised to use a toilet trainer rather than a potty seat.  You skip the step of having to train your child to use the "big" potty if you start with it.  Plus having to clean the baby potty seat . . . Yucky! 
• I was also advised to take two days and stay at home.  Take him to the potty every half hour and by the end of the two days he will know how to use the potty.  
• Be patient and expect plenty of accidents!  It typically takes anywhere from 4 to 6 months for a child to achieve Potty independence. 
• Give them plenty of praise, cheers, and applause with every success.
• Use a Chart and have your child place stickers on it for every success or give them a different form of reward for every success.  Some sample rewards from Pull-Ups HERE and Dora Progress Chart from Easy-Ups HERE and an Award Certificate HERE.  You can also order a Potty Training Kit from Easy Ups HERE which includes samples, coupons, a progress chart, stickers, and a Trophy.  We got it in the mail and LOVE it! 
• Get a box, put it next to the potty, and fill it with toddler potty books.  I ordered The Potty Book for Boys from Amazon and we love it.  It is so cute and it tells a story that Rafi could relate to.  Other books I am planning on getting are A Potty for Me and Dora's Potty Book.  If you have a Barnes and Noble Membership card you get Free shipping (No Minimum Purchase required!).   Plus you also get cash back thru ShopatHome.com 
• Stick to Training Pants!!  Do not mix diapers and training pants as it will confuse your child.  

Some of these might be repeats, but these are the Do's of Toddler Toilet Learning from What to Expect: The Toddler Years book:

1. Do switch from Diapers to Training Pants
2. Do bare your child's bottom once in a while (if temperature permits! and if there is an area in your home that is completely washable!).
3. Do make the bottom easily accessible when not bare.  Dress your toddler with easy off, elastic waist pants that can be pulled down in a flash.
4. Do watch your toddler closely for signs that tell you he or she needs to go!
5. Do watch the clock closely.  Most children, like adults, have a potty pattern (urinate on waking, or have a bowel movement after a feeding).
6. Do let your child come and go as he or she pleases.  Resistance and Rebellion to the potty grow from feeling prisoner of the potty.  
7. Do have your toddler take turns with a drink and wet doll.  At this age, going to the potty is more fun when you go with a friend.
8. Do try a trickle to start the flow.  The old turn on the bathroom faucet while your child sits on the potty is a good one.
9. Do appreciate your child's reporting after the fact as a step in the right direction.
10. Do be an enthusiastic audience.
11. Do spark motivation.  
12. Do have your toddler check for dryness.  Praise dry pants but do not criticize wet ones.
13. Do be patient with relapses.
14. Do teach about hygiene.
15. Do be sensitive to your child's feelings and needs.

Now the Don'ts of Toddler Toilet Learning:

1. Don't expect too much too soon.
2. Don't punish or shame.
3. Don't deny drinks or use unnatural means to get desired ends.
4. Don't be a broken record.  No nagging.  
5. Don't force the issue.
6. Don't turn toilet learning into a moral issue.  There is no good or bad when it comes to toilet learning.
7. Don't discuss progress (or lack of it) with your spouse in front of your toddler.  
8. Don't take slow progress personally.
9. Don't make the bathroom a battleground.  If you meet with total resistance then your toddler is not ready yet.  Postpone it for now.
10. Don't give up hope!!

I know this is a lot to take in, but I found all these tips very helpful.  We will be starting potty training soon full force (we started with going "poop" on the potty first and now think we are ready for going "pee" in the potty).  I will post updates and what worked for us as we progress. 

Thanks for reading.  Make sure and post comments on what worked for your children.  This will be such a huge help and blessing to me and my other readers. 

Happy Mother's Day!!

 

Graco Harmony High Chair Recall

All Graco Harmony High Chairs have been recalled.  You can order a repair kit online for Free and it is also Free Shipping.
I got a notice in the mail today so I thought it would be good to share with everyone.
Clink on this link Graco High Chair Recall to order your repair kit today.  It will take about 6 to 8 weeks in the mail.  They state that on the order form, but I had to order a repair kit for our stroller earlier this year and it didn't take that long.  It is recommended you stop using it until you receive your repair kit and install it.
The website has instructions on how to install the repair kit.  Click on this link for instructions on a PDF file Rapair kit installation instructions.

Do's and Don'ts when your child is vomiting

OK, so this one I had to use this week.  Our week was full of trials.  First, our cat Sebastian (1 of 4 cats!) had an accident involving a door, the tip of his tail, and my husband.  Needless to say I had to take him to the vet first thing Monday morning.  He ended up having part of his tail amputated and was sent home with antibiotics and pain meds.  Later that evening, he decided to play with his tail and bit on it and made it bleed so I had to drive back to the vet.  He ended up spending the night at the cat hospital.  He is now wearing a cone on his head to keep him from biting his tail.  His stitches come out in a week.

Then, on Tuesday evening, our son started vomiting.  He woke up on Wednesday morning at 4 am vomiting again.  He was fine the rest of Wednesday but vomited again Wednesday evening.  He went to the doctor early Thursday morning and the doctor gave me some tips on how to keep him hydrated and also what kind of solid foods he is allowed to eat for now.  I also got some tips from the book The Complete and Authoritative Guide: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child.  I got the book FREE from Publix when I signed up for their Baby Club.

Do...:

• ...Provide plenty of fluids.  Examples are water, Gatorade or Powerade, Pedialyte, Lactose Free Milk for those children who can't go without it (like my baby!) 
• ...Provide certain solid foods like bananas, apple sauce, saltine crackers, cheerios, and white rice.
• ...Avoid anything with sugar like Sprite or 7Up soda, fruit juice, and Jello.  This will make them go to the bathroom and do #2!  We want to try and avoid diarrhea.
• ...Check for signs of dehydration like fewer than 3 diaper changes in 24 hrs, dry tears, and dry mouth.

Don"t...:

• ...Provide whole milk.  If your child is asking or crying for milk, give them Lactose Free milk instead.
• ...Provide any heavy foods like pizza, chicken nuggets, fries, etc.
• ...Provide anything with sugar.  I repeat this one because our pediatrician stated this is very important to keep the child from getting diarrhea.
• ...Hesitate!!  If you suspect your child is suffering from dehydration call your pediatrician right away or take your child to the ER.

Below are some guidelines as to how to provide your child with fluids during the first 24 hours:

• Wait two to three hours after the last vomiting incident before providing fluids.  After that time has lapsed, give the child 1 to 2 ounces of cool water every half hour to an hour for four feedings.
• If the child is able to keep the water down, then provide 2 ounces of an electrolyte solution alternated with 2 ounces of cool water every half hour for two feedings.
• If the child is able to keep that down, then add half strength milk or formula (depending on the age) and continue to increase the quantity of fluids slowly to 3 to 4 ounces every three to four hours.
• After 12 to 24 hours with no additional vomiting, you can gradually return your child to their normal diet but continue to give them plenty of fluids.

I hope this post is helpful.  I know these tips helped me deal with our son's vomiting this week.

Making Homemade Yogurt

A friend recently asked me for this recipe so I decided to post it here so anyone else can have access to it.I got the instructions from a book Titled Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. Our pediatrician recommended this book when Rafi started eating solids. It has been a huge help. It has recipes and ideas on how to make your own baby food and even ideas for children crafts.
Ok, so here are the steps on how to make homemade yogurt.

1. Sterilize the Milk to kill all the bacteria: Nest a thick, sturdy, heat proof glass jar with the milk into a pot of water on the stove top and bring it to a boil.  Keep a yogurt or candy thermometer submerged in the milk at least 2 inches to watch the temperature.  It should not rise above 185 degrees F.  It should be between 180 and 185 degrees F.  I use the nested glass jar method to save having to clean the large pot plus you can use the large pot of boiled water to sterilize utensils you will use to mix the starter to the sterilized milk later.
2. Cool the Milk to Incubation Temperature - about 112 degrees F:  You can cool it at room temperature or cool it in the refrigerator.  Keep the thermometer submerged and watch the temperature.  It needs to be no higher than 120 degrees F but the closer it stays between 105 and 110 degrees F the better.  In my refrigerator it takes about an hour and five mins to cool down to 112 degrees F.  Keep a spoon in the milk for frequent stirring to evenly distribute the heat.  Optionally, you may add Nonfat Dry Milk Powder at this time to thicken the consistency of the yogurt and add nutritional content.  Add about 1/4 cup powder per quart of cooled milk and mix very well.
3. Add the Starter:  You can use yogurt bought at the store.  Make sure it says it contains live and active cultures.  Make sure the yogurt is not too old.  For each quart of cooled milk, gently fold in about 2 tablespoons of yogurt.  Another starter is freeze dried bacteria culture sold in packets at any natural food store.  This starter is more expensive but also more reliable.
4. Incubate Yogurt and let the Cultures Grow: Cover the yogurt during incubation so it is not open to the air which always contains bacteria.  Use the cover of the jar or use a plastic wrap over the jar.  Keep the yogurt warm during incubation.  The bacteria grows when it is neither too cold or too hot.  Keep the temperature between 105 and 112 degrees F.  I use a hot pot of water on the stove top to keep the yogurt warm.  I keep an eye on the thermometer to make sure the temperature stays right.  Other places the author suggests are Conventional oven, the kitchen sink with warm water half way up the jar, an electric fry pan, a crockpot, a warming tray, a heating pad, a home heating source (like a radiator, wood stove or heating duct), a major appliance (like a TV, stereo, or other electronic equipment), microwave safe neck warmers, an electric commercial yogurt maker, . . . anywhere warm!!  
5. Keep the yogurt still during incubation: Place the jar with the yogurt mixture where it won't be disturbed for a few hours.  It will take several hours for the yogurt to become thick and pudding like.  Anywhere from 4 to 12 hours.  Mine usually takes about 5 or 6 hours.  
6. Refrigerate the finished product:  Cover and refrigerated the finished yogurt for several hours before serving.  The yogurt will keep in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 weeks.  If you will use some of this batch to make the next one make sure it is no older than 5 to 7 days.  

You will need to experiment a couple of times or more until you get it right.  I had to find the right amount of time to let it cool and the right method to keep it warm.  I tried the new warmer and it didn't work very well for me.  I found that using the hot pot of water works better for me but I had to baby sit it to make sure the water was not too hot.
I hope this helps.  If you need additional information please email me and let me know.  The book has a more detailed explanation.  I gave here what I know works for me.

Have fun!!
Tania 

Thinking about having another child?

I know we are!! We have Rafi but would love to give him a brother or sister. So I found this article to be very helpful in helping us decide when to try for no. 2.

From American Baby Magazine, March 2010 Edition.

When To Have Your Next One

Keep your baby on a routine = keep your baby happy

From American Baby Magazine, March 2010 Edition

This is a 5 step guide to help you keep your baby on a routine. Everything from bedtime, meal time, bath time, etc. is covered.

Hope it is helpful!
Tania
http://www.parents.com/baby/care/newborn/routines-for-a-happy-baby-a-5-step-guide/

Does your child go to day care?

If so, consider going green with your day care center.
From American Baby Magazine, March 2010 Edition
http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/green/how-to-find-a-green-daycare/

Tips for Better Baby Teeth

From American Baby Magazine, December 2009 edition
http://www.parents.com/baby/health/baby-teeth/tips-for-better-baby-teeth/

Enjoy!

Tania

Do's and Don'ts for baby's dry nose

From American Baby Magazine, December 2009 Edition

Do:
Use infant Saline drops and bulb aspirator to clean out the nose and keep nasal passages moist.
Add Moisture to baby's room with a cool mist humidifier. Scrub it out and change the water at least once weekly.
For children 1 and up, dab fragrance free lotion on dry skin around nostrils.

Don't:
Forget to squeeze the air out of the aspirator before using it.
Use a hot water vaporizer as it can scald if it tips over.
Use petroleum jelly inside nostrils. If inhaled, it can be irritating to a child's lungs.


Check Out American Baby Magazine for other awesome articles.