I wondered if either of us would survive. Of course both did, yet when I look back, I realize just how taxing taking care of an infant with a cold can be. If you are the parent of a newborn with a cold, remember that the illness won’t last forever, and there are steps you can take to make your little one more comfortable.
First, be sure to alert your pediatrician about your child’s cold. He or she may have special instructions for baby due to his or her unique physical condition. At the very least, the doctor can reassure you that you are tackling the illness effectively.

Next, never give your newborn any over-the-counter cold medications. These are not safe in children this young. Some doctors suggest giving an infant fever reducers if a baby’s temperature rises to 100.4; however, the best idea is to ask the pediatrician for advice on any medications before giving them.

If your child is struggling to breathe while nursing, you should investigate saline drops for the nose. These drops loosen the mucous, which can then be GENTLY suctioned with a nasal aspirator. Since baby’s noses are so tiny, read the directions on the bottle thoroughly before you begin the process, and make sure you understand how to use the aspirator. Great care should be taken not to force air into the child’s nasal cavities.

Also, a humidifier may help your baby rest easier. Run the humidifier in the room where your child spends the most time, as moist air makes the mucous easier to remove with the bulb aspirator. Since you will be tired, you may forget to clean the humidifier regularly, but strive to keep it as clean as possible. This is because a dirty humidifier can do more harm than good. In fact, “the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is alerting consumers to possible health hazards resulting from dirty room humidifiers. The CPSC has found that bacteria and fungi often grow in the tanks of portable and console room humidifiers and can be released in the mist. Breathing dirty mist may cause lung problems ranging from flu-like symptoms to serious infection.”

Finally, understand that colds are part of a child’s life. Many sources state that a child will have 6 – 8 colds before his or her second birthday; therefore, they are a normal part of growing up. Be alert, however, for signs of high fever and green mucous. I survived my baby’s first cold, and you will too.

Make sure to pack their favorite sleepy-time item such as a teddy bear, blanket or anything that makes them feel safe. This will give your toddler a little taste of what they are used to. Familiar items can help soothe your toddler at nighttime. If you forget to pack the items, it may be worth your time to pick up a similar comfort item at the store to help with the soothing process.

Try to keep the same bedtime routine that your toddler has at home. If it is bath, story, and sleep at a certain time of night, then do the same order at the same time in the new environment. Keeping the routine the same will help get them in the mood to sleep. Make certain to tell grandparents the bedtime routine so that they are familiar with routine to make bedtime much easier on the whole household.

If you are still potty-training and your toddler hasn’t quite grasped the nighttime routine, pack the extra pull-ups. It will provide an extra measure of security for sleeping in a new bed. Otherwise, pack a waterproof sheeting to put under the sheets in case of an accident. Your toddler might not be aware of where the bathroom is in a new place especially after they have fallen asleep in the new bed.

Don’t forget to bring the night light. It is especially important that toddlers can see at night so they don’t get as scared if they wake up in the middle of the night. It will also help them locate the bathroom for a night time potty run.

Even all of these tips won’t guarantee a successful night of sleep in a new bed. The best thing that you can do for your toddler is to get as close to as you can to what they are used to.

Most often, biting occurs when two children are playing together. It usually happens when one wants a toy the other one has and gets mad when the toy isn’t given to them immediately. As a result, the toddler applies their teeth. It is usually an expression of anger at a situation they don’t like.

While punishing them for biting immediately comes to mind, it is important to follow through with a one on one session designed to get toddlers to express their anger and stress how their actions have hurt the other person they were playing with. While the toddler may have an issue with sharing, you have to stress the importance of handling their anger first.

Thus, you need to show them creative ways in which to release their anger other than biting. It might be as simple as giving them a piece of paper and asking them to color how they feel or showing them how to walk away and go to a parent to say they are angry. You need to give them other tools than their teeth for expressing anger.

Another cause of biting is desire to gain your attention. It is hard to give them the time they need one on one when so many other things are going on around you. But if they are biting to get that attention, you need to carve out some time to address the issue. The solution may be as simple as a ten-minute coloring project or a thank you for helping out. Giving them praise for  good things they do, such as picking up toys, will divert them from using biting as a tool.

Addressing the issue behind the biting is part of the key to dealing with biting. If the problem is turning into something bigger than you can handle, don’t be afraid to get some help on this issue. It is important that you deal with the biting before it turns into a habit.

I firmly believe most shy people are born that way. For example, I have a cousin who had twin girls three years ago. Both have had extremely similar life experiences, and both have been showered with love, yet one is extremely shy, while the other doesn’t have a shy bone in her body. What could cause this to happen? Being born that way, the same as being born with black, curly hair or hazel eyes!

As I watch these beautiful girls grow, I have been reminded that our world embraces the outgoing child; the one who jumps at the chance to meet people and to have new experiences. As you may imagine, the outgoing twin receives much more attention at family gatherings, which sends the wrong message to the introverted little girl – her tendency to be cautious and retiring does not seem to be valued as much as her sister’s outspokenness.

So what can a parent of a shy child do to make sure he or she is comfortable in social situations? Fortunately, there has been much written on the topic of shyness, so addressing the issue can be easier than you think.

First, make sure that you model friendly behavior yourself. Make an effort to greet people when you enter a new setting, such as a birthday party, and talk to the cashier in the checkout line. If you actively show your child that such situations do not make you tense, and that you enjoy meeting people, eventually they will pick up your habits.

Next, offer opportunities for them to play with other children. This also helps your son or daughter master social skills. And, as they grow, you can talk about what it is to be a good friend.

Finally, don’t force your child to interact if he or she is not ready. Many times, a shy toddler feels extra sensitive, and making her sit on the lap of a strange aunt, not matter how wonderful the aunt is, can only make matters worse. Give your child time to warm up – and eventually she will want to hug auntie all on her own.

Hopefully, these steps will provide a basis for aiding your child’s transition from shyness to embracing the world. One thing to remember when addressing this issue – a shy child, if not helped, can end up missing out on many opportunities in life.

The good news is at this age, lying isn’t something they’ve had a lot of practice at. So, it is relatively easy to catch the problem right away. In fact, most of the time it is quite obvious that they have lied.

The trick to addressing the problem is to do it at the moment you catch them in a lie. This way, they understand that it is not a behavior that is accepted.

Treat lying as separate issue from the original thing that got them in trouble in the first place. This is so that they understand that lying is another mistake that they made in addition to whatever they did wrong.

Take the time to explain why lying is wrong. Yes, you may need to repeat this particular lecture several times in order for them to get the message. Toddlers do not always pick up the message the first time around.

Clearly explain the consequences for lying. Then follow through on the consequences. Remember, you have to be consistent.

There are some things that you have to remember about toddlers. At this age, toddlers have no concept of the difference between a little lie or a big lie. They don’t know the difference between lying to make your friend feel better or lying because you don’t want to get into a situation. There are no grey areas, only black and white.

You also have to remember that your toddler has a different perspective on things. Sometimes, they see things that you can’t. So be careful to at least hear their side of the story before you judge it is a lie. If you aren’t sure, at least check out their story first to see if it does ring true.

Lying is just one of those issues that you have to face when you have kids. It is something that you will have to address. The earlier that you do address this problem the better.

With so many toys to play with on the day after, you might want to consider putting some of them away until most of the mess is cleaned up. Consider putting away the toys that have the most potential for making a mess. The last thing you really want to do is try to clean up paint while trying to tackle cleaning the house at the same time.

Noise is certainly going to be an issue for you as a parent. There is only so much of the same repetitive song that can be heard before it grates on nerves and sends you over the edge. Your best bet is to quickly locate the sound buttons or distract kids with something else that is not so noisy. The coloring book and crayons might be a good choice to keep your toddler distracted for awhile.

This might be a good day to send the toddlers out with their grandparents to look at the after-Christmas sales for awhile. This will give you a little space to unwind from the general chaos of Christmas and perhaps clean up a bit. If they are gone long enough, sneaking in a little nap might be possible.

Don’t try to plan things for the day after Christmas. Give yourself and your toddler some time to calm down from the chaos. While seeing their faces on Christmas morning is well worth it, the aftermath is still a little stressful when you look at the mess and try to deal with a hyped-up toddler at the same time.

Although Christmas is almost here, there’s still time to buy just one more perfect gift for that special toddler in your life. Check out the gift ideas below; they are tried and true.

1. Santa’s Cookie Plate
For an infant or a very young toddler, a special plate for Santa’s cookies makes a great gift. Specialty shops offer lots of choices when it comes to this type of keepsake. Last Christmas I purchased my one month-old God-daughter one of these plates (with her mother’s permission), and this Christmas she is old enough to place the cookies on the plate for Santa by herself. She may not fully understand the ritual, but this plate will be something her family will use for lots of years to come.

2. Festive Apron/Baking Supplies
I often purchase a cute holiday themed apron for the toddlers in my life. Together with the apron, I include jar mixes for either cookies or brownies. The Internet offers literally dozens of recipes to concoct in mason jars, with directions included. Another idea would be to include a mini rolling pin and several large cookie cutters. With these items and mom or dad’s help, the toddler will be able to contribute to the family festivities by baking something delicious.

3. Art Supplies
A plastic or other durable container filled with age appropriate art supplies is always a favorite with toddlers. You can include colorful paper, stickers, stamping materials, glitter, glue, and blunt end scissors. Stores such as Michael’s or JoAnn Fabrics sell numerous items that would fit perfectly in an art kit suitable for any budding Picasso.

4. Bath Toys
Another hit with toddlers is an assortment of items for bath time. Of course there are great bath toys, but if the child is old enough, you can also include fun soaps and even lotions. In the past, I have found fun wash cloths that look like animals to include with the toys as well. Most children I know love to play with water, and toys that capitalize on this fact make great gifts; however, make sure they are made specifically for this age group, to avoid any choking hazards.

5. Books
OK,  I know I push the benefits of reading/literacy in many of my posts, and Christmas gift giving is no exception. This year I found awesome board books for my cousin’s twin girls. They are colorful, and they have simple words for budding readers. As with the cookie plate, high quality books will be used year after year. For example, each Christmas Eve, our family still reads the copy of The Night Before Christmas I bought for the oldest when he was two.

Sure, there are days you can let them indulge to their heart’s content. Of course, there should be some balance on those days with healthy snacks or making sure they eat their vegetables before letting them have at it. Halloween and Christmas are prime examples of those indulgent days.

In the meantime, you do want to limit their candy intake. There is different advice on whether not letting them have any candy is good or bad. As parents, you should decide how much they can handle on any given day. This limit may change depending on their mood and behavior. Some days, toddlers can be so wired up that candy can hurt the situation rather than help it. Some days, you might dole it out as a reward for eating all of their vegetables.

But candy is certainly one thing toddlers argue about. It is nearly impossible to dole out equal portions even if it is the same type of candy and in the same size packaging. The number one way to end an argument like this is to threaten to take it away. That usually stops any argument. But if it doesn’t, take the candy away. It is one lesson that toddlers will quickly pick up.

Avoid giving in every time your toddler asks for it. This is especially true, if they hit their limit for the day. You will likely get some kind of tantrum. However, it is important that they learn that they won’t get everything they ask for.

At the end of the day, help them brush their teeth. It is important to get all of that sugar off of their teeth before they go to bed. This will save you on the dental bills when the season of candy rolls around again.

Candy isn’t necessarily a bad thing for toddlers to have every once in awhile. But with such a long candy season, it is important to keep an eye on how much they have eaten. Yes, it is a time of year to be dreaded, but it can be managed if you establish the boundaries on candy.

Privacy is a major concern when using Facebook. Pretty much anyone can find out information about your toddler even though you may have their page in total lock down. It is difficult to keep your toddler’s profile from being viewed by total strangers. The best privacy on the internet is not to post at all. Remember, pictures can say more to other people than parents mean them to say.

Toddlers really don’t understand the concept of social networking. To them, the people around them are their social network. They perceive things with their senses and not words on a screen. While they may admire a picture or two, they aren’t going to be that interested in posting updates or keeping up with other family members.

They also have a knack of doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. This means that random clicking can turn off privacy settings, open up unwanted ads, and do other things that you don’t necessarily want done.

Lately, Facebook has been inundated with objects and images that you don’t want your toddler to be exposed to. These types of ads are not easily avoided. They seem to invade at the most inconvenient times.

Toddlers are really too young to grasp all of the intricacies and pitfalls of Facebook. They aren’t yet ready to have friends that they can’t play with.

It just isn’t a good idea to expose your toddler on Facebook. A toddler’s world revolves around things they can see and imagine. Things they can interact with. Facebook just doesn’t provide the stimulation that they need.

Thank goodness, almost all parents choose NOT to take out their frustrations on the baby, such as in the case of the young gentleman I know; however, as in the case of the mother from outside of St. Louis, some parents make a choice that can have dire consequences.

Being a parent of an infant can be extremely stressful. Once a new baby arrives, colic, illness, boredom, and even inborn personalities can cause bouts of relentless crying, crying that must be dealt with by parents.

Believe me, I know all about stress caused by a child crying. My first born suffered from colic; he cried day and night for months, and one time he wailed for 24 hours – non-stop! To this day, that time period remains the hardest thing I’ve ever had to live through. My third born didn’t have colic; she contracted E coli, and remained seriously ill for at least a week. Her loud crying bouts still ring in my ears.

Was I stressed at those times? You bet I was, as my husband proved to be very little help, and my mother couldn’t assist as she worked full time; however, I stayed strong and refused to lash out at my offspring. I made the choice to view them for what they were – helpless children, ones that I brought into this world.

If you are the parent of an infant/toddler, you also know dealing with the stress that a baby causes can be difficult, and you understand the sheer enormity of taking care of this completely dependent individual. You see, being stressed is completely normal.

Yet, if you find yourself, or you know of someone who is having trouble dealing with the anger caused by these stressors, there are ways to cope. Read on to find out how to help yourself or someone else in order to avoid another baby being hurt or injured because of parental loss of control.

1. Take a breather.
Every parent needs a break. Enlist the help of family, friends, or neighbors to watch baby, and go for a walk, take a ride in the car, or maybe see a movie.

2. Talk to someone.
Talking about what you are going through helps tremendously. Find a sympathetic ear and unload. Many cities have crisis lines that are helpful.

3. Put baby in a safe place.
If you are alone, and your baby will not stop crying, you can place him or her safely in the crib and leave the room for a few minutes.