http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/why-you-and-your-baby-need-a-white-noise-cd.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/why-you-and-your-baby-need-a-white-noise-cd.html Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The benefits of white noise are numerous. Adults enjoy the sound masking qualities of white noise to concentrate better at work, sleep longer and better, and also relax after stressful day.

You can obtain white noise cd’s that play everything from ocean waves to dishwashers running. It really is a matter of preference and what relaxes you.

However, when it comes to your baby, vacuum cleaner white noise or hair dryer white noise works very well. And here’s why.

When your baby was safe, warm and snug in mom’s tummy for nine months, she could hear the constant “whoosh” of blood roaring around her. If you place your hands over your ears for a few seconds, you get a similar sound as baby did for nine months.

When baby is born, she is thrust into a strange environment full of lights and sounds that are startling and sometimes scary. Some babies have a difficult time adjusting to this new environment. Their nervous systems aren’t fully developed and as they become overloaded with all this new stimuli, they kind of become stressed out.

Babies handle stress innately by crying. Colicky babies cry a lot. Generally, the “rule of threes” determines if you have a colicky baby. If your baby is otherwise healthy (other than the crying), the “rule of threes”applies if the crying:

• Begins within the first three weeks of life
• Lasts up to or more than three hours a day
• Occurs at least three or more days a week
• Continues for at least three weeks
• Disappears at about three months of age

As funny as it sounds, a tool that is incredibly effective in calming a colicky baby fast is turning on your vacuum cleaner or hair dryer. The sound of a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer running is very similar to the sound frequency and tone (remember the “whoosh” your baby heard while in the womb. When your baby hears this sound, she is immediately reminded of a place that was warm and happy. And she stops crying.

But you really don’t want to drag out your vacuum cleaner or hair dryer every time baby starts to cry. It will burn up the motors. Playing a white noise cd is much more practical. You can control the volume of the cd. Also, you can put it in a cd player, press repeat, and have a soothing, atmosphere for your baby to sleep and relax for hours.

So, the next time your baby is having a colic meltdown, instead of heading out to the car to drive around for hours, put in a white noise cd and make both you and your baby very happy.





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Cherie Stirewalt is a freelancer who has first hand knowledge of coping with infant colic. Find out about the benefits of White Noise for babies on her website White Noise for Baby.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/does-gripe-water-work-for-babies-with-gas.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/does-gripe-water-work-for-babies-with-gas.html Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 What is gripe water?
First, let’s start off explaining where gripe water got its name.
Gripe water, in a round about way, probably came from a bonus effect from a formula Nottingham doctors used in the mid-1800’s to treat fen fever (malaria). The doctors discovered the formula not only treated the fen fever, it also soothed crying babies with gastroenteritis. The slang at the time for gastroenteritis was “watery gripes.” It is thought that pharmacist William Woodward, who registered the words "gripe water" as a trademark in 1876, and sold bottles to the public and doctors, was influenced by the 19th century slang. Woodward's Gripe Water caught on like wildfire and became immensely popular in Europe as a home remedy for baby gas. It still exists today.
Modern day gripe water is a twist on the one that began so long ago. Today, ingredients, such as chamomile, fennel, caraway, peppermint, and ginger, are used for their specific ability to stimulate the body's self-healing process. Brand names include Baby's Bliss, Colic Calm, Little Tummies, and Colic Ease. Each brand has their own unique blend of ingredients, but they are all trying to achieve the same end. That is, to overcome the symptoms of baby gas naturally with no side effects.
Yes, but does gripe water work?
It works. Check out baby forums and read about the successes parents have had with gripe water. One argument that it works can be found in the longevity of the stuff. It has been around in one form or another since the middle of the 1800's. It is a standard baby shower gift to give in Europe.
Also, the natural ingredients that exist in the different formulas have been used since the middle ages to relieve intestinal gas and intestinal cramping.
For example, one brand, Colic Calm Gripe Water, uses peppermint as one of its ingredients. Peppermint is a well-known digestive aid that induces the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. Peppermint also prevents spasms of the stomach and intestines and stimulates bile flow.
Many brands incorporate fennel as an ingredient. Fennel suppresses spasms in the intestinal tract. Fennel has long been used by herbalists for indigestion and as well as a gas-relieving and gastrointestinal tract cramp-relieving agent.
Another popular ingredient is ginger. Think back. Did your mother give you ginger ale to drink when you sick to your stomach as a child? If yes, she did so with good reason.
Ginger is an outstanding soothing natural medicine for the gastrointestinal tract. Like peppermint, ginger has been shown to beneficially influence gastric mobility while also reducing intestinal spasms. It is also a very effective remedy for nausea.
The all-natural ingredients mentioned above have been used for centuries to alleviate intestinal discomforts. There is no reason to believe these ingredients will have suddenly stopped being effective.
So, if your infant is suffering from painful gas, gripe water is a concrete step you can take to soothe your baby immediately. Most gripe water brands contain all-natural ingredients which are not harmful to your baby; however, I would certainly consult your pediatrician first before giving your baby any medications, remedies or supplements.



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Cherie Stirewalt is a colic baby survivor and writes articles on products to help soothe colicky babies such as Gripe Water. Read Gripe Water Reviews and more on her website.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/the-baby-crying-game-and-how-to-stop-it.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/the-baby-crying-game-and-how-to-stop-it.html Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Read on...

Did you know that an average 6-week old infant cries almost 3.5 hours per day? And did you know that your baby's cries can cause nursing problems, marital stress, postpartum depression, unnecessary trips to the doctor or even shaken baby syndrome?

Don't take it out on your baby, or yourself, or your significant other. It isn't anyone's fault. Arm yourself with the tools and tips to get through the crying spells.

Have you heard of Dr. Harvey Karp, MD? He's a nationally renowned pediatrician and child development specialist. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. Over the past 20 years, he has taught thousands of parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna, Michelle Pfeiffer and Pierce Brosnan how to utilize different principles and tools to calm a colicky baby. One of these principles is the 5 S's.

According to Karp, babies are thrust out into the world before they are fully developed. They essentially need a "fourth trimester," where they feel as safe as they were in the womb. This is where the 5 S's come in. These principles actually mimic the conditions your baby experienced in the womb to help activate their calming reflex.

Here they are:

-Swaddling. Karp suggests you wrap your baby up tightly in a receiving blanket for 12-20 hours a day to recreate the tight fit your baby felt while in the womb. Not only does this give your baby a sense or warmth and protection, it also eliminates your baby's uncontrolled arm and leg flailing that seems to go along with crying outbursts.

-Side/Stomach soothing. To stop the Moro reflex or startle reflex (the sensation of falling your baby feels when startled), Karp suggests laying your baby on her side or stomach. However, don't put your baby to sleep on her side or stomach as this may increase the risk of SIDS.

"Shhhhing" sounds. When your baby was in the womb, she heard the whooshing sound of her mother's blood flowing. A sound similar to what you hear underwater, or if you put your hands over your ears. This whooshing sound can be recreated by playing a white noise cd of a vacuum cleaner, taking your baby for a ride in a car, running a hair dryer or a dishwasher.

Swinging. Moving in a rhythmic motion reminds the baby of when she was in constant motion inside the mother's womb. Lying in a crib staring at the ceiling does not. So, baby swings, car rides, stroller rides or babywearing in a sling or child carrier will definitely help soothe your baby's crying.

Sucking. Offer your baby a pacifier, baby bottle, the mother's nipple or even your finger. Babies are driven to suck. Without this drive they would be unable to get food in their system to survive. The steady rhythm of sucking also soothes your baby.

So, what have we learned?

If your baby's crying is driving you crazy, try a few of the 5 S's by themselves, in combination, or all together. When you can successfully stop your baby from crying, you will feel better, your baby will feel better, and all will be well with the world.

To find out more methods on calming your baby, check out Dr. Harvey Karp's DVD, The Happiest Baby on the Block - The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Baby Sleep Longer.

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Elizabeth James is a colic baby survivor and writes about her experiences on the website Colic-Baby-Bootcamp.com. Join our newsletter and get a FREE download of a "Shhhing" sound (hair dryer white noise) mentioned in this article.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/how-to-get-your-colicky-baby-to-sleep-better.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/parenting/how-to-get-your-colicky-baby-to-sleep-better.html Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
The problem with a baby suffering from colic is they are over stimulated. They seem to have trouble winding down from all the stress they endure throughout the day. Their stress reliever is to cry. But instead of helping them to wind down, the crying often seems to wind them up. The crying gets out of hand, and sleep out of reach.

Along with other colic remedies mentioned throughout this site, there are some other tips you can try to help your baby wind down and help her sleep through the night.

Recognize when your baby is tired

An overtired baby is not a pleasant baby. If your baby is displaying signs of being tired, help them to wind down and put them to bed. Signs of an overtired newborn (infant to 3 months) are:

• Fussing, whining, crying or screaming


• Glazed stare, looking away, turning head away, back arching


• Facial grimaces


• Clenched fists


• Flailing arm and leg movements, jerking


• May seek comfort by sucking/feeding

Make her crib as inviting as possible

The crib should be positioned in comfortable spot in the room, free from drafts. Stay away from heat vents and windows. The crib should have no breathing hazards such as decorative pillows, fuzzy stuffed animals and toys, thick comforters etc.

Take care of the basics

A bath, clean, dry pajamas, a fresh diaper and a content tummy should make your baby comfortable and ready for sleep.

Turn down the lights

Close the blinds, drapes or shutters to block out light. Use a night light so you can check on her if necessary without disturbing her. Aromatherapy can be useful in helping a baby to wind down. Use essential oils of lavender and chamomile for best results.

Turn on the white noise
Your baby spent around nine months in your womb and listened to your heartbeat and other sounds while there. A sound that mimics the noise your baby heard while in the womb is an excellent choice for lulling your baby to sleep. Using a white noise cd routinely will also help mask out other extraneous noises in the house and help your baby sleep sounder and longer.

Be consistent

Babies love routine and consistency. Use the same routine every night. DO NOT VARY. You and your baby will both suffer if you don't stick to a routine.

If you stick to this routine, your colicky baby should be sleeping better in no time.

For more information on how to deal with colicky babies, check out www.colic-baby-bootcamp.com.



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Cherie Stirewalt is a colic baby survivor and shares her colic experiences on her website Colic-Baby-Bootcamp.com. Sign up for our newsletter and get instant access to our hair dryer white noise to help your colicky baby sleep better and stop crying.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>