Play dough for toddler

My toddler loves making shapes out of play dough and due to a very young age she is not using the same play dough you get from stores. I made her a dough safe enough to play, and here is how to make one.
Put 1 cup of water, 1 cup of plain flour, 2 tbsp of cream of tartar, ½ cup salt, 1 tbsp of cooking oil, and some food colouring or powder paint in a pan. Stir over a medium heat until this make into a dough. Cool, and store in plastic box in the fridge.
This is good for babies 18 months above.

Preventing Diaper Rash

This is probably the most common rash you will find in babies and toddlers, especially around the age of 18 months. Research says it is cause by skin being in prolonged contact with ammonia from urine or bacteria from stools burning or irritating the skin, which may then break open. But in some cases, the causes would be due to sensitive skin, rubbing or chaffing, strong soap, detergent or bubble bath, baby wipes, diarrhoea or illness, changes in diet such us weaning or due to changing from beast to formula milk.

I have been doing a lot of research before and found some useful information on preventing diaper rash on my little one. These are the things that will help prevent diaper or nappy rash on babies:

By changing the diaper as soon as you can when it becomes wet or soiled. By cleaning the whole diaper area thoroughly. Wipe the baby from front to back. Use a mild soap with plain water or a gentle baby wipes. Make sure that you rinse the soap and pat dry before placing a new baby diaper on your baby. It is also best to lay your baby in a towel and leave the diaper off for as long and as often as you can to let fresh air get to the skin.

Sometime rashes can lead into infection, so it is somehow important that you should keep your baby dry and clean at all time.

Children and medicines

These are just basic information for parents and guardians on giving medicines to children, it is however always best to ask a doctor or a pharmacist first before giving such medicine to your child, as dosage can be harmful if it is too much. My husband is a nurse prescriber and I learned this from him.

Aspirin, this medicine should not be given to children under 16 years of age. According to NHS, this has now been linked with a rare but dangerous illness. You should also take advice from a doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking aspirin.

Paracetamol is safer, but don’t give to children under 3 months without asking your doctor first. Make sure that you got the right strength for your child as overdosing is dangerous. It is always advice to read the label or check with your pharmacist.

Ibuprofen products especially for children can be given for pain and fever in children over 3 months old. You should check the right dose for your child’s age, and avoid if your child has asthma, unless advice by a doctor. Don’t give adult doses of ibuprofen to children under the age of 12.

Implanon on me

I got this contraceptive method since it is the easiest yet the most effective method of contraception. It is a small plastic implant injected by a nurse or a doctor underneath the skin which releases the hormone progesterone every month and said to last up to 3 years, a highly reliable contraception! I was reading through some of the websites about implanon side effects and I think I got most of it. After a year with this implanon, I got a prolonged period which lasted about 2 months, it only stopped when I was given pills to increase the progesterone hormone. I have also encountered breast tenderness, depressed mood, mood swings, sometimes dizziness, spots all over my arms and legs and most of all weight gain problem. It seems that I have most of the side effects and sometimes I am thinking of having it taken out. I have actually read a lot of forum in the Internet and some says having it out is very painful, so I am still thinking about it, whether I will or will not have it taken out.

When do babies start eating?

This is a question always ask by first time parents like me, and these below are the answers usually given by relatives and health professionals. As far as I can remember, these were the advice given to me by a health visitor during the first few months she been visiting my baby.

The first 6 months babies only need breast milk or infant formula milk, but you can however try introducing solids, just a little amount every now and then if your baby shows interest of what you are eating. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they are 6 months old, as he or she now needs more than milk alone can provide, so you should continue with breast milk or formula milk to drink alongside.

These are signs that your baby is ready to eat solid foods:

1. When the baby shows interest of what you and your family are eating.
2. When the baby can sit up on her or his own or even if the baby need some support.
3. Wanting to chew and may have teeth.
4. Still hungry after a feed when you have increased his or her milk feed for a few days.

Always remember that all babies are different, some babies take solid food quickly, some takes longer; some are choosy, other like anything and everything. So don’t force your baby to eat when he or she is not ready yet.

Reducing the risk of cot death

I don’t know if you have heard about this SIDS but I have been informed by my health visitor that this does exists! Yes, some babies die suddenly with no apparent reason, and they call it cot death or sudden infant death syndrome. There are no exact findings why it happens and how, but there are precautions that would help reduce the risk of cot death and other danger such as:

1. Always put your baby to sleep on his or her back in a cot in a room with you, at least for the first 6 months.

2. You cut down smoking in pregnancy and fathers too.

3. Don’t let anyone smoke in the room with your baby.

4. Don’t let baby get too hot and don’t overheat the room. About 16 to 20 Celsius is the right temperature for your baby.

5. Keep your baby’s head uncovered in bed. Place your baby in feet to foot position.

6. If your baby is unwell, seek advice promptly.

7. Do not share bed with your baby, if you’re drinking alcohol, take drugs, or if you are a smoker.

Do remember that cot death is rare, so don’t let worrying about cot death spoil the first precious months with your baby. By following these things to do above, this will help reduce the risk of cot death.

Baby & toddlers books

These two books were presents given by Chloe’s Godparents, during their visit in our place last summer. The books were very educational as it will help in toddler’s language development. The first book title is Let’s say our numbers, it has pictures of different things and animals with corresponding numbers on it and pressing the buttons, it has a matching sound to the pictures. Same as the second book, title let’s talk. My little girl loves these books, and I would say she got a few words out of it now.