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For newborns, a visitation schedule should be set up so that the noncustodial parent can visit frequently, often and for a short period of time. It is more beneficial to your child to make a few short visits per week than an eight-hour visit every week. You can extend the visits as the baby grows to provide him/her with a better chance of bonding with the other parent. You need to take good care of a new baby and get to know him if you are going to have him. It takes relatively little to take care of a baby, so you should be able to do it. You need to feed them, interact with them, comfort them when they're upset, keep them clean, and make sure that they sleep in a safe, comfortable place. The pick-up and visitation times you arrange should not conflict with naps or be in the middle of a wind-down routine, so that they do not conflict with naps. Over the first two years, experts recommend that a child should not be separated from either parent for very long periods; this will ensure the child's bond with both parents grows stronger.  As a result, for most new babies, the best arrangement is to live entirely with Parent A and have frequent daytime visits with Parent B throughout the first few months of life. Once your baby gets to the age when they are a little bit more adaptable, then you can begin overnight visitation. In any case, it is well known that by the time a child reaches the age of three or four, he or she is much more adept at communicating their needs and therefore, able to express themselves more clearly. Due to this, they ought to be more equipped to spend time away from their primary caregiver, and as such spend more time with the other parent overnight. A child's maturity, along with the relationship between them and their parents, are equally important as their age when it comes to determining a child's future success. It can be observed that 7 year old kids or even 11 year old kids will handle a week on / week off schedule better than certain 11 year old children. Due to this, one blanket approach is not going to work for everyone. There is a common misconception that mothers have greater rights when it comes to child custody than fathers. However, the truth is that there are no laws in the U.S. that guarantee mothers a preference or additional rights when it comes to child custody.  Sadly, it is very common for mothers to block the father from seeing his child simply by refusing to allow him to see him at all. However, fathers do not often recognize that they have the same rights as mothers do when it comes to child contact. They have the same right to access to the child as the mother, so they have as much access as the mother does when it comes to child contact. There is no doubt that co-parenting can provide additional comfort and stability for young children after a divorce, but experts suggest that spending too much time together after a divorce can also have some potentially negative effects on children and parents.   There is nothing more important than being nice to each other in front of the child. Children hear and see what is happening, and they learn how to treat others through the actions of their parents. If parents treat each other respectfully, that will teach the child to treat others respectfully as well.   Read also: Traditional Parenting VS Modern Parenting: Which is better? The 10 Most Effective Ways For Moms To Practice Self-Care

Our children are much more inclined to listen to a voice that sounds warm and encouraging than one that sounds harsh and judgmental. The tone of your voice is just as important as the volume. The tone of voice we use communicates how much we wish for an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and respect when it is caring and inviting. A baby may hear quick breathings, clipped words and extended pauses, these might indicate anxiety or upset. A slow, monotonous voice or a quieter tone than normal could imply exhaustion or illness. You might hear faster, slightly louder speech if you're excited. What is the reason for changing our voice when we are talking to kids? There is an emphasis on the rising pitch, greater pitch variation, and a more musical rhythm and tone. Research suggests this exaggerated emphasis may help infants learn speech patterns or increase attention when parents warn them of danger. Whenever caregivers yell, toddlers tend to focus on the emotion rather than the message. It is important to keep in mind that harsh or aggressive language can have a negative impact on a child's self-esteem, behavior, and communication skills. When disciplining a child, it is more effective to use positive, gentle, and calm tones as opposed to harsh ones. As a parent, one of the most important parts of communicating with your child is not only listening to them but actively listening too. That is because active listening shows your child that you care and are interested in what they are saying. Active listening can also help you learn and understand more about what is going on in your child's life. How do angry parents affect a child? A parent who is angry or stressed can make his or her children behave in a bad way or become physically ill. Children react to anxious, stressed parents by losing their concentration, having difficulty playing with other children, becoming silent and afraid, being rude and aggressive, or becoming sleep-deprived. In addition to causing anxiety, low self-esteem, and increased aggression in children, it can also make them more vulnerable to bullying due to their distorted understanding of healthy boundaries and the importance of self-respect.   What is the best way to communicate with kids without yelling at them?   Take the opposite tone. Ask questions. Make it fun.  Take a break. Be positive — and clear. Control the conversation.   What's the best way to communicate with kids?   Talk to kids clearly, respectfully, and considerately. Be realistic about what you can do at home. Deal with concerns in a problem-solving way. Work together with a positive attitude. As soon as concerns arise, talk about them.   You will be able to build your relationship with your child if you say "thanks" and "please" every time you speak to him. Spreading good manners and showing respect will bring you closer together; mean words and a harsh voice will alienate him. When parents use positive words with their children, their cognitive functioning will be improved. When parents use negative words, a child's brain functioning can be interrupted.   Read also: Hands-On Parenting: What Is It And How Can You Be One Traditional Parenting VS Modern Parenting: Which is better? Tantrums In Toddlers: How To Stop And Handle Them  

If all is well, most babies cry immediately after birth. Most then quietly gaze with large open eyes at their surroundings before falling asleep. But some might stay awake and want to feed. If your baby seems ready, you can try breastfeeding within a few minutes of birth. Enjoy these first wondrous cries, they signal that your baby's respiratory and circulatory systems are making a successful transition from life inside your womb to life outside it. Newborns may continue to cry because they're shocked by the transition to the outside world. Every baby is different. Some might feel hungry or cold but aren't able to express it by crying. If your pediatrician has determined everything is fine with your newborn, they may simply still be learning how to cry. Still, as long as your baby's needs are met, there's no issue with them not crying as much. Newborn crying jags are inevitable. On any given day, a newborn might cry for up to two hours or even longer. Babies do indeed feel pain, and that they process it similarly to adults. Until as recently as the 1980s, researchers assumed newborns did not have fully developed pain receptors, and believed that any responses babies had to pokes or pricks were merely muscular reactions.  As quickly as possible, a new baby is placed in your arms. Often, the baby is placed skin-to-skin on your chest right after birth. Some babies will breastfeed right away. In the first hour or 2 after birth, most babies are in an alert, wide awake phase. Abstract. Vociferous, shrill, and piercing-the first cry of the newborn infant signals that a new and separate life has begun. Separated from the body of the mother, the newborn cry serves to call for care, support, and protection. Developing babies need oxygen beginning early in pregnancy. But a baby won't take their first breath until after birth. This means that babies don't truly breathe in the womb. Instead, the umbilical cord provides the baby with oxygen until the first breath. There are no nerve endings in your baby's cord, so it doesn't hurt when it is cut. What's left attached to your baby is called the umbilical stump, and it will soon fall off to reveal an adorable belly button. Your baby may have some of your blood on their skin and perhaps vernix, the greasy white substance that protects your baby's skin in the womb. If you prefer, you can ask the midwife to dry your baby and wrap them in a blanket before your cuddle. Mucus may need to be cleared out of your baby's nose and mouth. The first cry is critical to initiate successful transition from fetal circulation, where the baby is completely dependent on the mother and placenta for gas exchange, to life outside the womb where the baby must use its own lungs to sustain life. Read related article: Do's And Don'ts When Taking Care Of A Newborn Baby What New Parents Need To Know About Natural Childbirth What New Parents Need To Know About Natural Childbirth

Home Remedies for Babies that Actually Work Or Grandma’s Emergency Checklist Keeping a pharmacopeia of common items or over-the-counter items that can bring relief for ordinary day-to-day ills is just plain common sense. With that said, this list is not intended to replace advice from a doctor, nor is the writer in any way qualified as a medical person. This is for-your-information, one parent to another. Diaper Rash Prevention is your number one arsenal for this one. It begins with changing the diaper as soon as it is wet or dirty. Don’t count on that “wicking moisture away from baby’s skin” bit that some disposable diaper companies use as a selling point. Use cloth diapers and place the baby on a rubberized mat instead of using leak-proof covers. The covers trap moisture, which is part of the cause for diaper rash. Use detergents that are scent and additive free to wash cloth diapers, and the rest of baby’s clothes. Rinse with vinegar, not bleach. Relief after established – A & D Ointment for most babies. – Aloe for babies with extra sensitive skin. – For babies with super sensitive skin, clean with warm water and place child on a rubberized mat covered with a receiving blanket and leave unclothed. Change blanket and mat as needed. Fussy Baby Countdown Check the diaper. Offer food – formula or breast milk for infants. Baby food, drinks or finger food for older babies. Cuddle and sing or talk to the baby. Sometimes it really is a desire for attention. Watch body language. Does the baby flail arms or draw knees up to stomach? These are signs of distress, and possibly pain. Check clothing for anything that could be irritating or painful Offer food again, if accepted, burp by placing infant over shoulder and rubbing or gently patting back. If refused, check for fever. For babies younger than 2 months, call your physician right away if fever is over 100. Three months and older, call the physician if the fever is accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea, persists more than three days or is exceptionally high Fever helps: children’s liquid Tylenol if approved by your pediatrician Tepid sponge bath Sips of distilled water Check gums. Hard, swollen areas might indicate new teeth erupting. Teething helps include: Rubbing the gums gently with a clean finger Giving baby something cool to chew on Baby Tylenol in doctor approved dosage Nubbly teething toy – it massages and sooths the gums while encouraging the teeth to break through If you haven’t found the problem, start again at the top to see if you’ve missed anything. Things not to do with a fussy baby: Shake the baby or respond in any aggressive physical way toward your infant. If you are out of control, gently place your baby in a secure area, such as a crib, and walk away.Get a drink of water, take three slow deep breaths and let them out slowly. When you are under control check your baby. Leave the baby to “cry it out.” Crying is a distress signal and can indicate something is wrong. Dose with adult medicines or herbal preparations of any kind Administer an alcoholic beverage Minor cuts and scrapes Wash the area with warm, soapy water, then rinse well. Stop the bleeding by placing a clean cloth or even clean toilet paper over the cut Apply a soothing protective ointment such as petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel If the cut or scrape is large, cover with a protective bandage. If it is small, leave it open air Burns Place under cold running water Apply ice Sooth the area with aloe vera gel – from the fresh plant, if you have it, from a bottle without additives such as alcohol if you don’t Open air if possible Upset Stomach A tummy that doesn’t feel well can come to anyone at any age. Since it can have multiple causes, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Gassy tummy Walking or movement. If the baby has the gassy tummy, walk around with the baby over your shoulder, gently patting or rubbing the back Ask mommy, if the baby is breastfed, what she ate last. Chocolate is a big culprit for a baby upset tummy. Pepperoni pizza can also create problems for some people. For older babies, sips of a clear, carbonated soft drink. The bubbles help with burping Constipation Doesn’t usually happen with breast fed babies For bottle babies older than 1 month, try a little apple juice If the problem persists, talk to your pediatrician about a formula change Ease up on feeding solids until the problem resolves Bee stings and insect bites For minor stings and bites, make a paste of baking soda and apply it to the area Avoid bathing in baking soda as it can sometimes irritate Use an over-the-counter ointment that contains Benedryl Apply ice to bring down swelling and stop spread of poison.   Be alert for signs of an allergic reaction: Difficulty breathing Severe swelling or painful itching When in doubt, go to the emergency room. Better to feel silly and have an unnecessary bill than to make a mistake in the other direction. For some types of bites, such as spider bites, use a drawing ointment Don’t hesitate to get medical help if you suspect a spider bite Prid is an otc drawing ointment that works very well Cover to keep Baby from eating the ointment Use bread and milk mixed into a paste if nibbling the poultice is a problem. Plant Allergies Begin with prevention. Do not encourage your child to run through tall grass or to come in contact with a lawn. Many children will develop something commonly called “grass itch” which is a moderate rash that often goes away in a few minutes. A bigger problem in our modern world might be the insecticide or herbicide sprayed on the lawn. If a rash develops, try washing the area with a  solution of baking soda or tea. Caladryl is a good over the counter remedy. It is a combination of calamine and Benadryl lotion. Animal Bites As with many things, begin with prevention. Never leave your infant alone with the family pet and avoid introducing your baby to other people’s large dog or cat. If you have a large snake or exoticas pet, keep a closed, locked door between that animal and your baby. Teach older children how to behave respectfully around animals. Always supervise child/animal interactions, especially initial ones. If your child is bitten by a cat, dog or other creature here are the immediate steps: Remove child to safe place Check extent and nature of injury Minor injury, clean with soap and water Call pediatrician Moderate injury, clean with soap and water Call pediatrician Might need emergency room visit Severe injury, call 911 – don’t hesitate Catch and confine the animal Consider the circumstances Call vet to examine animal if it has been acting strangely Pediatrician might want to administer a tetanus shot and prescribe antibiotics A grandmother who has seven grandchildren and numerous pets remarked, “Children have incomplete thinking, and animals behave according to their natures. While many dogs and cats are nurturing toward human babies, they are still animals and might respond to the child in the same way they respond to their own young. When it comes to kids, it is a good idea to err on the side of caution. That goes for puppies, kittens, and other young, as well.” Injuries When babies become toddlers, accidents happen, especially if your little one is a climber. For some kids it seems as if “up” is far better than down, but down can happen quickly with painful results. Prevention is always best, but if “oweys” happen, there are steps to take after. Prevention Retire the crib and provide your toddler with a  Big Kid bed that is low to the ground. Avoid placing tall dressers in baby’s room. Wait until school age for those fancy playroom bunkbeds. Supervise! Supervise! Supervise! Ignore comments about helicopter parent. Those only apply to older children. Intervention – the worst has happened. Your ambitious 18-month-old climbed out of his high chair (don’t ask—you don’t want to know) and followed the cat to the top of the refrigerator. Once there, the cat made a leap, and the baby tried to follow. OUCH! Check your child. Look for: Blood Bones at odd angles Broken skin Large immediate swelling – especially on the head If your child is unresponsive and there are no screams and crying, call 911. Calm your child. (And yourself. Goodness! How did the baby get on the refrigerator?) When the initial sobbing and wails of terror are over: Try to use a small penlight to check pupils. They should dilate and contract at a similar rate. If they don’t, call your pediatrician. Mop up any blood. Clean scrapes, cuts, etc. with soapy water and assess the damage. If there is a cut that won’t stop bleeding, call 911. If a bump in forming on the head, check the scalp for softness. Place ice on bumps or bruises. If you don’t have ice, a frozen bag of peas works really well. Don’t hesitate to get your pediatrician in on the action. Falls from a height can have unforeseen consequences. Better to be seen as a bad parent than to have something happen to your baby. Respiratory From a snuffly, runny nose to feverish difficulty breathing, respiratory illnesses range from aggravating to scary for just about anyone. When you are a tiny person who must depend on others for just about everything, not being able to breathe properly is really upsetting. There are so many causes for the respiratory problems that it can be really difficult to make blanket statements for all of them. But here are some tips for snuffly nose days: – Use an ear/nose syringe to remove mucous from baby’s nose. Wash the syringe with soapy water and dry well between uses. – Have a box of the really soft facial/nose tissues on hand. – A tiny bit of cooking oil can be used to treat chapped nostrils. Dampen your finger with it, and gently wipe over the affected area. – Moisten the air with a cool-air humidifier – use with caution if your child has asthma – Give sips of distilled water to moisten mouth between feedings – Keep comfortably warm, but not overly hot – Babies over age six months can have a little juice to help break up phlegm – Check temperature periodically; consult your pediatrician if it begins to climb Remember, the common cold will generally last two weeks if you medicate it, and fourteen days if you don’t. (Yes, that does work out to the same amount of time.) That can seem like a very long time with a fussy, grumpy baby that is having trouble breathing, but as long as it doesn’t progress much beyond a runny nose, waiting and relieving symptoms is often the best medicine. Herbs and Babies Babies are delicate. It might seem tempting to dose your infant with peppermint or chamomile, but these herbs can cause young babies some real problems. Keep in mind that even the mildest of herbs is real medicine and should be treated with the same respect as an over the counter drug. Honey Honey is a natural, unpasteurized product. It has the potential to cause infant botulism, which is potentially fatal. Although it works well as a cough syrup for older children, it isn’t a good idea for infants. Pedialyte Ice Pops Pour Pedialyte into a popsicle mold and freeze. Good for sore throats, hydration, and teething. Bored Baby in a High Chair Sometimes it seems as if your not-quite-mobile infant demands a lot of attention. To gain a few minutes to wash the dishes try placing a few dots of pureed baby food on a clean high chair tray. Encourage Baby to explore the texture and the way it smears around – think of it as early finger painting.    

Sweet and squishy baby cheeks are hard to resist kissing, but doing so can cause serious health consequences. Though kissing an infant doesn't always cause RSV or other illnesses, it can spread germs that can lead to illnesses that newborn immune systems find it hard to fight. Infants are particularly vulnerable to the HSV-1, better known as the Herpes Simplex Virus. The virus causes sores around the mouth and lips in adults. While HPV type 1 infection is rare, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Make it a point that anyone who is unwell, should strictly stay away from the baby. One of the most serious risks that come from kissing babies is the transfer of fever blisters, also known as cold sores. HSV 1 causes fever blisters to form around the baby's mouth and can spread to other areas of the body, even their brain. Everyone who comes into contact with your baby should follow safe hygiene practices. You can also implement a no kissing rule till the time your baby is atleast six weeks old or develops a stronger immune system. You can ask politely to your friends or relatives, be firm and stick to your guns. Explain that your request for them to refrain from your baby isn't one that will last forever, just until they are older and their immune system is stronger.  Pediatrics states that infection with the herpes virus is uncommon for infants. But you can never be too safe. Keep the baby kisses at home and if you have cold sores or see someone with cold sores, then kissing the baby is strictly off-limits. A consultant paediatrician at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Agatha David, says kissing a newborn on the lips or any part of the face can lead to meningitis, a viral infection caused by herpes. You should not kiss a baby if you have a cold sore to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Cold sores and other blisters caused by the herpes virus are at their most contagious when they burst. They remain contagious until completely healed. Our baby's well-being took priority. A newborn baby's immune system is underdeveloped, and whilst they're not fully immunised, it makes them highly vulnerable to severe infections. Kissing, sharing drinks, or transferring things from mouth to mouth can transmit RSV. Washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, and avoiding contact when you are sick will decrease the spread and help protect our littlest family members. Since kissing the baby is pretty important to many parents, kissing them is totally fine as long as they know they don't have a cold sore. But which grandparent, cousin or neighbor will be forgiven, if they made the new baby sick? Better safe than sorry. The even bigger challenge was that there are very affectionate people who love kissing babies, however it is not okay to let other people kiss your newborn baby. We don’t know where they've been and who they've kissed so don’t let them kiss your baby. They may have been recently exposed to some form of a cold or other respiratory disease that may not show symptoms of yet. You don’t want them passing this on to your newborn infant whose immune system is not fully up and working yet. Just tell them "PLEASE don't kiss my baby." It's better to hurt someone's feelings than possibly pass a harmful virus to your baby. Blow them a kiss from far. Babies love “human touch.” It doesn’t have to be actual kissing. That is how they relate to their external world. That need for human connection doesn’t suddenly go away. 

Babies are in tune with mama’s voice. It is one of the first things that they hear, along with her heartbeat. They might hear other family voices, as well, helping them key in on the people who will care for them as they grow. Lullabies are a way to continue that focus, and to develop a warm relationship with your little one, a relationship that engenders trust and that will help carry you through the stormy years of developing independence. Sources for Lullabies If your mother and your mother’s mother sang to you and your siblings, then those songs become part of your memory bank. Even if you have to look them up to get all the words,  they are part of your heritage. If your family wasn’t focused on singing, you can still locate and learn lullabies. Walk into any music store,  go to the section that has music for children, and you are certain to find a recording or two of sleepy-time music. If your budget doesn’t run to buying music recordings, especially after purchasing all the “must-have” things for baby, your public library is like to have music recordings as well as a friendly librarian to point you toward some all-time favorites. If you have a device that plays sound, such as a phone, tablet or computer, YouTube has a wealth of lullabies, as well as background music for sleeping. Here are a few links and some ideas.   Hush Little Baby This is a classic lullaby, with a wide variety of lyrics. You can find a pretty recording of it here. This is an especially nice recording with sweet, gentle lyrics.  If you delve very deeply into lullabies you will discover that they, like nursery rhymes, often have hidden meanings and questionable pasts. But this one has all the earmarks of a perfect lullaby: a sweet, singsong tune that is easy to sing softly, multiple verses, and a tune to which you can add your own lyrics. Hush-a-Bye, or All the Pretty Horses All the Pretty Little Horses has an incredibly lovely melody. It is often suggested that it is of African-American origin, and that it might have been sung to the Master’s child, while the care-taker’s own child was left behind, untended. This recording is a sweetly sung version with one of the least jarring central verses. It might be noted that one version of the primary lyric runs, “…and when you wake, you shall have cake, and all the pretty little horses.” Brahms’s Lullaby No list of lullabies would be complete without the classic Brahm’s Lullabye. This pretty rendition from YouTube is complete with lyrics and two youngsters. Rock-a-bye Baby Here is a humorous rendition from Kids TV of this classic lullaby. The music is gentle and lovely, and the cartoon rendition is a loving recounting of this lullaby classic, as well as the classic frustration of a parent who is trying to get the youngest member of the family to sleep. What’ll We Do With the Baby-O This is another lullaby from the bad old days of the south. Clearly, care of this baby wasn’t high on anyone’s priority list! If you can find a copy of the lyrics from Suzette Haden Elgin’s filk song, it is much more fun and a lot more gentle – as was her explanation. It went something like this: back when people went to dances as a family, someone always got stuck watching the baby. You could sing mean lyrics to the baby, and he or she wouldn’t care as long as you bounced him or her (gently) on your knee. What would you do with the baby-o is a baby bouncing song designed to keep little ones entertained until the parents get off the dance floor. Elgin’s version started out, “What should we do with the baby-o? Send him off in a rocket-o…”   Sleepsong If you like your music a little more modern, here is a lovely one from Secret Garden’s album “Earth Songs.” It isn’t as easy to sing as some of the others, but if you squeak on some of the high notes, no one but you and the baby are likely to notice at 3:00 am. Irish Lullaby For sweetness you can scarcely surpass the Irish. This sweet and gentle lullaby is a wish for many good things for a little one.  It is also an acknowledgement that parents aren’t always able to fix all of the problems that will arise. But you can always wish. Lullabies don’t have to be traditional sleep songs for babies. They can be any song that has a repetitive rhythm, an easy tune and is something you can remember. For example, Janis Joplin’s song “of great social and political import,” the Mercedes Benz song makes a decent lullaby. Long mournful ballads with a lot of verses also work well. And we should not forget Arlo Guthrie’s Car Car song. The real point of a lullaby is to make soothing vocal noises that keep baby’s attention, then slowly lull the little … ah… sweetheart off to sleep. Hopefully the lulling part will be soon enough for a tired parent to get some sleep as well. Singing lullabies also gives the parent something to do while waiting for those little eyes to drift slowly closed. If some homemade lyrics get in there somewhere, well that’s the creative part of parenting. Just remember that if you sing something like, “Go to sleep, little creep…” it could come back to haunt you when your little one moves from preverbal into verbal. Just remember not to sing anything to your baby dearest that you don’t want to share with your mother-in-law, nursery school teacher, and any other handy adult. Babies do love to share, and they don’t discriminate. If you don’t have time or the voice to sing lullabies, there are long sections of sleepy-time songs available on YouTube, Amazon Prime, and many other sources. Just be careful that you don’t fall asleep along with your baby before you can get your little one tucked in for the night.

In early autumn it has become common to walk through your department store, especially if it contains a pharmacy, and see signs advertising flu shots. Regarding the immunizations for your baby, please visit your pediatrician, and you will be given a schedule of vaccinations recommended for your child. Pick up almost any popular magazine about health, and you might see an article about how immunizations are responsible for causing this, that, or the other condition. You want the best for your baby, and the choices you make could have long-term consequences, especially those concerning health. To get those shots or not…that is the question. A Little Background on Immunization It all began with a country doctor who overheard a milkmaid say, “I’ll never have smallpox because I’ve had cowpox. No ugly pockmarked face for me.” Dr. Edward Jenner, a recognized physician and scientist, tested the veracity of her statement, and the smallpox vaccine was born. Thanks to that insight, a little-known folk artist in the late 1900s was able to sing almost truthfully, “Old king plague is dead, the smallpox plague is dead.” No new cases of smallpox have been reported since 1977, but a few laboratories have maintained samples of the smallpox virus.   Next Louis Pasteur, who developed the concept of germs, developed a vaccine for rabies, formerly a dire disease from which no one, human or beast, successfully recovered. This was followed up by Emile Roux developing the diphtheria vaccine. Diphtheria is a serious disease associated with lack of sanitation. It can cause obstruction of the respiratory system and subsequent death. Cholera and typhoid vaccines were also developed, two more diseases often spread through poor sanitation. For centuries there were illnesses considered to be common childhood diseases, measles, chickenpox, whooping cough and mumps. For many youngsters, contracting these diseases simply meant a week or two in bed followed by recovering and subsequent immunity. But not all were so lucky, and even those who made a textbook recovery will tell you that none of these diseases were any fun at all. A woman who is old enough to have had all of these except mumps commented, “I was twelve when I got measles. My head hurt, I was nauseous, I was hot and cold all over and I itched unbearably. It was a relief when I finally broke out. Chickenpox I had with my children, the oldest brought it home from school. We got off lightly but having had chickenpox leaves you open to the possibility of hives later in life. I think the worst, however, was whooping cough. I was seven when I caught it, and it lasted all winter long. There are medicines for it now, but not back then. The name comes from the distinctive sound made from the coughing that goes with the disease, a deep, raw “whoop” that feels as if your lungs would tear right out of your body. You whoop until you throw up. Too much heat, you whoop. Too much cold, you whoop. I learned to read silently because talking, even in a whisper, would start the fatal tickle in the back of my throat.” Sound like fun? No so much, I think.   Those flu shots? Well, let’s take a look at those. In 1918 the “Spanish flu” was responsible for at least 50 million deaths worldwide, and about 675,000 deaths in the United States. It is estimated that at least 1/3 of the world’s population was infected. The young were the hardest hit. It wasn’t smallpox, but it certainly took its toll. Are Immunizations 100% effective? Sadly, they are not. People who are exposed to those infamous “childhood” diseases, to unsanitary living conditions, or to unclean water can still get sick. The vaccines do mitigate the effects, and better understanding of the diseases and their causes make providing relief easier. Tuberculosis is one of the diseases that has not responded well to vaccines. HIV, the precursor to AIDS, has no vaccine, although efforts have been made to develop one. Modern medicine can do a lot of things that could not be done in the past, but it doesn’t have the answer for everything.   Are There Side Effects from Immunizations? The sobering answer is that there can be side effects. As a general rule, these are limited to a little bit of soreness at the injection site, and maybe a little fever or malaise for a day or two after receiving it. Different kinds of immunizations can have different effects. With very rare exceptions, the reaction to the vaccine is far milder than even the mildest form of the disease. However, because there is always the chance that an individual might have an unusual reaction, recipients are always cautioned to call the doctor or health official if they are feeling ill afterward. Can Vaccines Cause Autism? No. This question has been thoroughly researched and completely debunked. Without going into it deeply, it was based on some very questionable “facts”. Researchers were unable to find any connection between getting vaccines and developing autism. Should Your Baby Have the Accepted Course of Immunizations? The writers and publishers of this article are not medically qualified to answer that question. But our feeling is that yes, you should take the advice of your doctor, and follow his or her recommendations for immunizations. If you’ve ever coughed until it felt as if your lungs were turning inside out, if you’ve ever mittened the hands of an unhappy baby who is covered with chicken pox scabs, if you’ve walked the floor with a feverish toddler and wondered whether it is emergency room time or if you and your baby can wait until the doctor’s office opens in the morning, then you will want those immunizations. They aren’t perfect, but they could give your baby that necessary edge for good health. Immunizations Are a Part of Your Well-Baby Regimen Unless you or members of your family are prone to some unusual condition, immunizations should be part of your well-baby doctor visits. Your pediatrician will advise you as to any reactions that might require bringing your baby back for another visit. In today’s world where babies are often in daycare situations from infancy, vaccines help boost your little one’s immunity to the germs that kids seem to love to share. What did you think of our blog?

There are many things you need to know as a new parent. Rearing a new baby is a tasking and you should be ready and prepared for the challenges ahead. In this article, we shall discuss the 10 basic things a new parent should know. 1. Sleep when the baby sleeps You must have heard this on a number of occasions. Don’t cook, clean or worry about your baby whenever the baby is sleeping. The best time for you to sleep is when your baby is sleeping. Although the sleep won’t last, you may regret if you don’t take the advantage. 2. Swaddle your baby Swaddling is an ancient way of wrapping babies in blankets or similar clothes in such a way that their limbs are tightly restricted. Although it is an old technique, it still works in keeping your baby quiet and content. Do this properly and you are sure to have a happy, sleeping baby. 3. Don’t worry about the home noise You don’t need to worry yourself about the noise level of your home. If you live in a noisy environment, your baby will adjust and adapt to it. 4. Don’t overbuy You cannot get everything you want for your new baby. Cloths, Poncho, Carriage, and Diapers etc. are good but you may regret buying everything in the end. Babies are quick to grow and can outgrow those clothes in a matter of months. 5. Wake a sleeping baby to eat This can sound strange but it is an obvious truth. You have to wake a sleeping baby to eat. While enough sleep is important for your baby, enough food is also essential. This will ensure that your baby stays healthy and hydrated always. 6. You cannot over-pamper a new baby Hold your baby close to you as much as possible and do everything to keep them happy. Of course, there are sometimes when you need to let them cry it out but at their early stage, it is more than okay to spoil them rotten! 7. Listen to your baby Every baby is unique and different from the other. The fact that your neighbour’s baby sleep throughout the morning does not mean yours must also do the same. Spend quality time with your baby and pay attention to their behaviour and attitude. You should be able to differentiate between their hunger cry, stress cry, and hold me cry. 8. Relax Don’t overburden yourself. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your baby will be. Simple formula! 9. Let Dad take over! Don’t be afraid to let dad takeover of the baby while you rest or do some other things. Dad also needs to be familiar with the baby’s routine as you do. Don’t stress yourself when dad asks to stay with the child for a while. He will come running for you when it’s time for mummy care. 10. Factor your baby in every plan When the time comes that you have to return to work or engage in your daily commitments, remember that you now have a baby. Thus, it is worthwhile to factor your baby into every plan. If you are preparing for work, you need to give yourself twice as much time as you used to. The same principle applies to commitments. Bottom line There is no singular rule for rearing babies. The best way is to understand your baby and follow your instinct. If things seem difficult, do not hesitate to visit your doctor for professional advice. Relax, listen and enjoy!