Bringing new life into this world is an incredible adventure filled with a whirlwind of emotions and adjustments. Amidst the joyful chaos of caring for your newborn, the priceless bond you form with your baby during the postpartum period shines as the heart of your journey. This unique connection, rooted in boundless love, meticulous care, and shared moments, lays the cornerstone for a lifetime of emotional growth and well-being for both you and your little one.
The Science Unveiling the Magic Science has long applauded the sheer magic of the bond between parent and child. Research has shown the interactions and connections woven during the postpartum period can create a lasting influence on your baby's cognitive and emotional evolution. The "love hormone," oxytocin, comes into play during skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding, amplifying the bond's potency. It's not just about fostering connection, but also about instilling a sense of security and trust within your baby's world. Embracing the Warmth of Skin-to-Skin Wrapping that precious bond in nurturing warmth can be effortlessly achieved through skin-to-skin contact. The sensation of your baby's delicate form against your own offers comfort, stabilizes their heart rate and breathing, and triggers the release of oxytocin. This practice is a dual blessing, nurturing your baby's growth while also forging a deep attachment as they revel in the comfort of your touch, scent, and heartbeat. Unlocking the Magic of Eye Contact and Communication Amidst diaper changes, feedings, and calming rituals, never underestimate the power of eye contact. Engaging in gentle gazes with your baby sets the stage for a profound connection, helping them recognize your face and respond to your emotions. In those moments, as they lock onto your eyes, they're absorbing the language of feelings, nurturing a cocoon of safety and trust. And don't hold back on the soft words and soothing coos – they're the icing on the cake of parent-child communication. Treasured Moments of Feeding For those who choose the journey of breastfeeding, feeding times unfurl an extraordinary chapter in bonding. The intimacy of nursing constructs a serene haven for connection. As your baby nestles close and nourishes, the physical contact and shared experience solidify the emotional threads that bind you. This isn't just about feeding their bodies; it's about nourishing their hearts and souls.To enjoy a similar bond when breastfeeding isn’t possible, hold your baby as close as possible while you bottle-feed. Sharing the Symphony of Everyday Moments In the midst of the early parenthood whirlwind, it's crucial to find delight in life's simplest moments. Whether it's bath time, a leisurely stroll, or cozy cuddles before sleep, these shared experiences weave a tapestry of memories that reinforce your bond. Embrace activities that fuel interaction, laughter, and exploration, giving your baby the space to learn and thrive in the sanctuary of your presence. Self-Care: The Fertilizer for Bonding As you tread the path of parenthood, don't forget that nurturing your own well-being directly feeds into your ability to bond with your baby. Attending to your physical and emotional needs ensures you have the vigor and emotional capacity to lavish the love and attention your baby craves. Prioritize rest, nourishing meals, and moments of introspection to maintain a harmonious state of mind. The Journey Unfolds The postpartum phase marks the commencement of an awe-inspiring expedition with your baby – an expedition that evolves as they grow and flourish. The bond you nurture during these initial months forms the bedrock for a connection rooted in trust, love, and shared moments. As your baby's foremost teacher, guardian, and confidante, you play an indispensable role in their universe. In a Nutshell In summary, bonding with your baby throughout the postpartum phase is a transformative experience of unparalleled depth. Through skin-to-skin connection, eye contact, feeding rituals, shared moments, and self-care, you have the power to craft a connection that will mold your baby's emotional well-being for years to come. Embrace each fleeting moment, for they are the building blocks of a lifelong bond that will forever enrich your voyage as a parent.
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FLOW-Key Parenting: The New, Improved Practical Parenting Book And Instruction Guide From Lyn Lomasi3/21/2023 Some of you reading this may have seen my parenting content around the web or even heard of some of my prior books and guides. It's been quite some time since I've released an update for my most popular parenting book and guide. So I decided to give it a whole new makeover! Welcome to my new and improved practical parenting guide with its new name, "FLOW-Key Parenting."
The FLOW-Key Parenting method will help you learn how to connect with your children, teach them respect and discipline, raise them to be independent thinkers, and help you guide them to succeed on their self-chosen path. FLOW-Key Parenting is a proven child and growth-focused method that has been put to use with all seven of my children, as well as with countless kids I've nannied over the years. Find helpful tips for specific situations, reflective thoughts for all situations, fun activities to help your child grow, great activities to connect with your child, and more! Not only that, but learn how to put them into action easily and right away! With this extensive eBook, you can help your child connect with you and the world around them in their own unique way, as well as learn to communicate with and respect all people in a positive and productive manner. How Did I Get Started? If you're reading this post, you may have seen or read my prior book, Upstream Parenting, which was the extended version of my even older parenting book. I've been around a while, with my oldest child turning 26 this year and my youngest turning 4. I started writing parenting tips many years ago from a small blog, then continued on many venues (Yahoo! being the one most know me for), and also my own sites. I am featured all over the web and in print with large and small publications. Over the years, my method really developed and evolved into its own thing, set apart from what people typically think of as positive parenting. It was then that I decided to coin my previous positive parenting method "Upstream Parenting". Life got a bit crazy and I hadn't updated it in a while. So I picked it back up recently and decided it needed a whole new name since I changed, removed, and added several things. There you have the birth of FLOW-Key Parenting. Browse this blog for an idea of what to expect in the book. Expect some extras you won't find here too!
One of the most common issues parents of kids aged 0-5 ask me about is sleep. Kids under five have a lot going on, so it often translates into their sleep cycles. If your baby, toddler, or preschooler takes forever to fall asleep, tosses and turns, has nightmares, or gets up in the middle of the night, you need to keep reading.
Do Relaxing Yoga Two Hours Before Bedtime Timing is important to ensuring this works to your child’s benefit. Night time exercise should be low impact and be no closer than an hour or two before bedtime. I’ve found doing a 10 or 20 minute yoga routine two hours before bedtime is what works for my own baby, toddler, and preschooler. The poses chosen should be ones that don’t require high energy, as those will instead keep them awake. So here, you want to choose simple relaxing stretches, like half-sun salutation, child’s pose, legs up the wall, downward facing dog, puppy pose, cross-legged forward fold, and savasana. We like to end with savasana and spend a little extra time here, since it is relaxing. Meditate To Yoga Singing Bowls And Binaural Beats This is the step where my kids always go to sleep fast. Yoga singing bowls and binaural beats have a way of speaking to the brain for various purposes. We like to use Spotify to create our playlists so that we can play the music in whatever order we need. We choose binaural beats that are covered with yoga singing bowls, thunderstorms, and other healing music. These can be chosen for very specific purposes, such as anxiety and sleep. I choose which ones to play for the kids based on what they need that night. If there isn’t a specific need, I choose general sleep and healing beats. Then, the kids get settled and lay down to meditate. Some children may need a thought to focus on for meditation. They may fall asleep during meditation. That’s normal and okay. It’s actually what you want. Babies and younger kids may not participate in meditation in the same way as kids who can understand the concept, but playing the music will relax them into natural meditation and eventually sleep. Keep The Music Going As They Sleep I keep our healing playlists going as the kids sleep and it helps keep them asleep longer and helps with healthy, refreshing sleep. Once the meditation part is over, sometimes I switch to beats with other purposes that they may need focus on. I’ve found that if the music is played throughout the time period they need to sleep, most nights they will stay asleep the entire time. My kids who used to have nightmares started having them less often and so far, now have had none as long as we do this bedtime routine. If you have kids in the baby, toddler, or preschooler age range, you might want to try this simple nightly routine for better sleep. Sleep is necessary for proper focus, reducing stress and anxiety, and better overall mental and physical health. Have you tried our technique? Have other tips or commentary? Drop us a comment below!
There are many methods for getting children to sleep. They all work in different ways. My daughter actually inspired me to invent this method. It may have been done before, but if it has, I sure haven't heard of it. If I had, it just may have helped avoid some sleepless and restless nights prior to the idea. My hope is that my experience will help other parents get their children off to sleep and dreaming peacefully at night.
One night, my (then) four-year-old daughter was very restless at nap time. I knew she was tired, but she just could not sit still. Call it normal child restlessness or the urge to avoid sleep at all costs - who knows? Whatever the reason, I knew I had to do something about it. First, I tried reading her favorite Dr. Seuss book "Fox In Socks", which was generally a nap time favorite. However, after the story was over she was still fidgeting and she also did so throughout the entire story. I wondered what to do next. "Hmm", I thought to myself. I then tried gently massaging her neck and shoulders, which tends to help on days like this. Nothing. I was forced to think deeper and get more creative. I had it! I laid down beside her and whispered softly in her ear "Close your eyes and pretend you're a pretty butterfly flying high in the sky." She smiled. And closed her eyes. Success! It worked. Within mere seconds, she was fast asleep. Since that day I used the same technique on all of the children many times, with success (until they got old enough that they didn’t want or need it). Each time, I would give them something new to think about. It became somewhat of a game. They’d eagerly await their nightly or nap time suggestion with a look of anticipation on their innocent little faces. Despite the regularity, the looks on their faces were priceless each and every time. I noticed that the suggestive thoughts helped them sleep more soundly. Did they dream them? Did they give them peace? I can't say for sure, but I know that once they had their thought, my kids always slept without tossing and turning and would wake rested and cheerful for the day to begin. They would also drift off to sleep extra fast, seemingly eager to picture the thoughts in their heads. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Last updated 7/8/2023 by Lyn Lomasi
Baby Eczema can be either mild or serious. From natural to prescription remedies, treatment options are varied. Here are some of the most common ways to treat baby eczema, as well as a few tips and tricks I learned in dealing with baby eczema in more than one of my kids. Learn how to treat baby eczema and turn your back on it forever, with tips from a mom who knows the pain all too well.
What is Baby Eczema? Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is a skin eruption that can cause mild to very severe symptoms, like redness, raised skin, and itchiness. Many times it afflicts those with asthma or allergies, but it can occur in anyone. The exact cause is unknown. Baby eczema is that which occurs in infants. Because babies already have sensitive skin, this can be a delicate issue to deal with. Some infants can even get cracked, bleeding, or even yellow and infected skin, due to eczema. What Can You do to Treat Baby Eczema? There are many ways to treat baby eczema. Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is key. Fragrance free lotions and creams may be a recommended first step. There are over the counter creams, such as cortisone cream, to help treat itching. However, frequent use of those can actually cause further damage to the skin. The doctor may also prescribe an ointment or cream to treat the eczema or an antihistamine to help control the itching. What Worked for My Baby's Eczema? Each child is different, as far as how they react, as well as which treatments worked. Here are a few of the treatments that worked best for us. I have more than one child who was prone to eczema flare-ups as a baby. Even the doctor-recommended lotions and creams that were fragrance free would irritate the eczema, rather than helping, in our case. Original A+D Ointment - I decided to try the A+D ointment one day after asking the pediatrician. To my surprise, the A+D ointment started working fairly quickly. I noticed results the same day and began using the ointment every day. After that, flare-ups started occurring less and less and eventually cleared for good. The same thing happened in three cases, so I definitely recommend talking to a doctor about the A+D ointment. Medline Remedy Olivamine Clear-aid Skin Protectant - One of my babies would break out very easily and her eczema rashes didn’t respond to anything until we tried the Medline Remedy Olivamine Clear-aid Skin Protectant. This was recommended by NICU nurses for our preemie baby’s diaper rashes. But we liked it a lot and started using it for all skin irritations in multiple kids. It turns out that any time there’s a rash, dry skin, or other skin irritation, this cleans it up quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes, which is like a miracle, compared to other treatments that take days or months. With the kids this was tried on, flare-ups only seem to occur when they're accidentally exposed to an allergen. Other than those instances, after using this on every flare, it hasn't come back at all. Homemade Intent-sive Healing Baby Balm - Once we better learned what worked and didn't on everyone's sensitive skin, we decided to invent our own healing balm with all natural ingredients. While the above methods worked, we found the homemade healing baby balm was not only clearing up outbreaks, but it was making the skin healthier day by day. Not only is everyone's skin glowing now, but all outbreaks have completely stopped, even when they are accidentally exposed to things that made them break out previously. When Should You Call a Doctor for Baby Eczema? A properly licensed pediatrician or family practice doctor should always be contacted if you suspect that your baby has eczema or notice any other rashes or skin irritations. Treatment options should also be discussed with a doctor. If you hear about a product or treatment option that your child's pediatrician has not mentioned, discuss it with him or her before trying it on the child's baby eczema. Extra Tips for Treating Baby Eczema
*Note that the author is not a licensed medical professional. This is intended for informational purposes only, as individual results may vary. Always contact a licensed medical professional for health matters.
Sources: Personal experience http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eczema/DS00986
Last updated 7/9/2023 by Lyn Lomasi
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