Baby Care Help Center http://www.baby-care-help-center.com The Starting Place to Answer Your Baby Related Questions Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:17:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 en How to Get Your Baby to Stop Sucking the Thumb http://www.baby-care-help-center.com/infant-development/how-to-get-your-baby-to-stop-sucking-the-thumb_40 http://www.baby-care-help-center.com/infant-development/how-to-get-your-baby-to-stop-sucking-the-thumb_40#comments Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:44:27 +0000 admin http://www.baby-care-help-center.com/?p=40 Many parents find themselves dealing with a baby that sucks her thumb. Thumb sucking is actually very popular among babies and toddlers; however, parents often find it quite disturbing. In order to deal with thumb sucking or to get your baby to stop sucking thumb, you need to understand that what causes this behavior and some ways that you can deal with it.

If you take a close look at thumb sucking, it actually goes all the way back to the baby’s time in the womb. Many babies suck their thumbs even before they are born. For many children, sucking the thumb is a way for them to find comfort and it helps them feel more secure. A child may also suck her thumb if she is feeling sick, tired or upset as well.

As a child grows older, sometimes they will suck their thumb if they are upset, feel uncomfortable and even if they are bored. For parents to help their children to stop sucking thumb, they first must identify why their baby is sucking their thumb in the first place.

Babies and toddlers that suck their thumb because they are bored need to be offered a diversion. If you feel your child is sucking her thumb for this reason, then you need to find some ways to distract her. Perhaps engage her in fun activities and play games with her whenever she displays this habit. Often this will be just the thing to help her stop sucking on her thumb.

For a child who sucks her thumb for security or comfort, often you can stop the problem by offering her something else for comfort. Some children may do well with a special blanket, while others may be diverted by a special stuffed animal.

Giving your child something to hold on to gives them another way that they can feel comforted and secure, without having to resort to thumb sucking.

Prolonged thumb sucking in your child can lead to some problems. Some of the problems that can occur if your child sucks their thumb for too long includes speech problems as well as problems with their teeth. Although these problems can occur, usually parents do not need to worry too much about the thumb sucking problem. Most children get over it with no problem on their own.

It is important that parents do not panic and try to force their child to stop sucking thumb when they are young. This can lead to a power struggle between you and your child, and they may not understand why you are upset with them or punishing them either. Being too harsh with your child in this area may actually cause them to suck their thumb even more. Offering them other options and distracting them from thumb sucking is usually the best way to get your baby or toddler to stop sucking thumb.

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]]> http://www.baby-care-help-center.com/infant-development/how-to-get-your-baby-to-stop-sucking-the-thumb_40/feed Your Nursery Room Equipment Safety Checklist http://www.baby-care-help-center.com/infant-safety/your-nursery-room-equipment-safety-checklist_32 http://www.baby-care-help-center.com/infant-safety/your-nursery-room-equipment-safety-checklist_32#comments Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:33:46 +0000 admin http://www.baby-care-help-center.com/infant-safety/your-nursery-room-equipment-safety-checklist_32 As a parent you want to ensure that you’ve take every necessary precaution to provide a safe environment for your child. It can become quite overwhelming on deciding which nursery gear or equipment is safe for your baby. Do you purchase product A with its features or product B with its features? This checklist, presented by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, will assist you in purchasing nursery gear and equipment that is safe for your baby.

Nursery Equipment Safety Checklist

From the beginning of a child’s life, products, such as cribs, high chairs and other equipment intended for a child must be selected with safety in mind. Parents and caretakers of babies and young children need to be aware of the many potential hazards in their environment - hazards occurring through misuse of products or those involved with products that have not been well designed for use by children.

This checklist is a safety guide to help you when buying new or secondhand nursery equipment. It also can be used when checking over nursery equipment now in use in your home or in other facilities that car for infants and young children.

Ask yourself: Does the equipment have the safety features in this checklist? If not, can missing or unsafe parts be easily replaced with the proper parts? Can I fix the older equipment without creating a “new” hazard?

If most of your answers are “NO,” the equipment is beyond help and should be discarded. If the equipment can be repaired, do the repairs before you allow any child to use it.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s concern is that the children in your care have a safe environment in which to grow.

Back Carriers

YES

NO


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Do not use until baby is 4 or 5 months old. By then baby’s neck is able to withstand jolts and not sustain an injury.

Bassinets and
Cradles

YES

NO

1.
Bassinet/Cradle has a sturdy bottom and a wide base for stability.

___

___

2.
Bassinet/Cradle has smooth surfaces - no protruding staples or other
hardware that injure the baby.

___

___

3.
Legs have strong, effective locks to prevent folding while in use.

___

___

4.
Mattress is firm and fits snugly.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Follow manufacturer’s guidelines on weight and size of baby who can safely use these products.

Baby
Bath Rings or Seats

YES

NO

1.
Suction cups securely fastened to product.

___

___

2.
Suction cups securely attached to SMOOTH SURFACE of tub.

___

___

3. Tub
filled only with enough water to cover baby’s legs

___

___

4.
Baby NEVER left alone or with a sibling while in bath ring, even for a
moment!

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: NEVER leave a baby unattended or with a sibling in a tub of water. Do not rely on a bath ring to keep your baby safe.

Carrier Seats

YES

NO

1.
Carrier seat has a wide sturdy base for stability.

___

___

2.
Carrier has non-skid feet to prevent slipping.

___

___

3.
Supporting devices lock securely.

___

___

4.
Carrier seat has crotch and waist strap.

___

___

5.
Buckle or strap is easy to use.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Never use the carrier as a car seat.

Changing Tables

YES

NO

1.
Table has safety straps to prevent falls.

___

___

2.
Table has drawer or shelves that are easily accessible without leaving the
baby unattended.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Do not leave baby on the table unattended. Always use the straps to prevent the baby from falling.

Cribs

YES

NO

1.
Slats are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.

___

___

2. No
slats are missing or cracked.

___

___

3.
Mattress fits snugly–less than two finger width between edge or mattress
and crib side.

___

___

4.
Mattress support is securely attached to the head and footboards.

___

___

5.
Corner posts are no higher than 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) to prevent entanglement
of clothing or other objects worn by child.

___

___

6. No
cutouts in the head and footboards which allow head entrapment.

___

___

7.
Drop-side latches cannot be easily released by baby.

___

___

8.
Drop-side latches securely hold sides in raised position.

___

___

9. All
screws or bolts which secure components of crib are present and
tight.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Do not place crib near draperies or blinds where child could become entangled and strangle on the cords. When the child reaches 35 inches in height or can climb and/or fall over the sides, the
crib should be replaced with a bed.

Crib
Toys

YES

NO

1. No
strings with loops or openings having perimeters greater than 14 inches
(356 mm).

___

___

2. No
strings or cords longer than 7 inches (178 mm) should dangle into the
crib.

___

___

3.
Crib gym has label warning to remove from crib when child can push up on
hands and knees or reaches 5 months of age, whichever comes first.

___

___

4.
Components of toys are not small enough to be a choking hazard.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Avoid hanging toys across the crib or on crib corner posts with strings long enough to result in strangulation. Remove crib gyms when child is able to pull or push up on hands and knees.

Gates
and Enclosures

YES

NO

1.
Openings in gate are too small to entrap a child’s head.

___

___

2.
Gate has a pressure bar or other fastener that will resist forces exerted
by a child.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: To avoid head entrapment, do not use accordion-style gates or expandable enclosures with large v-shaped openings along the top edge, or diamond-shaped openings within.

High
Chairs

YES

NO

1.
High chair has waist and crotch restraining straps that are independent of
the tray.

___

___

2.
Tray locks securely.

___

___

3.
Buckle on waist strap is easy to use.

___

___

4.
High chair has a wide stable base.

___

___

5.
Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off and
choke a child.

___

___

6. If
it is a folding high chair, it has an effective locking device to keep the
chair from collapsing.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Always use restraining straps; otherwise child can slide under the tray and strangle.

Hook-On Chairs

YES

NO

1.
Chair has a restraining strap to secure the child.

___

___

2.
Chair has a clamp that locks onto the table for added security.

___

___

3.
Caps or plugs on tubing are firmly attached and cannot be pulled off and
choke a child.

___

___

4.
Hook-on chair has a warning never to place the chair where the child can
push off with feet.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Don’t leave a child unattended in a hook-on chair.

Pacifiers

YES

NO

1. No
ribbon, string, cord or yarn attached to pacifier.

___

___

2.
Shield is large enough and firm enough to not fit in child’s mouth.

___

___

3.
Guard or shield has ventilation holes so the baby can breath if the shield
does get into the mouth.

___

___

4.
Pacifier nipple has no holes or tears that might cause it to break off in
baby’s mouth.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: To prevent strangulation, never hang pacifier or other items on a string around a baby’s neck.

Playpens

YES

NO

1.
Drop-side mesh playpen or crib has label warning never to leave side in
the down position.

___

___

2.
Mesh has small weave (less than 1/4 inch openings).

___

___

3.
Mesh has no tears, holes or loose threads.

___

___

4.
Mesh is securely attached to top rail and floorplate.

___

___

5. Top
rail cover has no tears or holes.

___

___

6.
Wooden playpen has slats spaced no more than 2 inches (60 mm)
apart.

___

___

7. If
staples are used in construction, they are firmly installed and none are
missing or loose.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen or crib with the drop-side down. Even a very young infant can roll into the space between the mattress and loose mesh side and suffocate.

Rattles, Squeeze Toys, Teethers

YES

NO

1.
Rattles, squeeze toys and teethers are too large to lodge in a baby’s
throat.

___

___

2.
Rattles are of sturdy construction that will not break apart in
use.

___

___

3.
Squeeze toys do not contain a squeaker that could detach and choke a
baby.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Take rattles, squeeze toys, teethers and other toys out of the crib or playpen when the baby sleeps to prevent suffocation.

Strollers & Carriages

YES

NO

1.
Wide base to prevent tipping.

___

___

2.
Seat belt and crotch strap securely attached to frame.

___

___

3.
Seat belt buckle is easy to use.

___

___

4.
Brakes securely lock the wheel(s).

___

___

5.
Shopping basket is low on the back and directly over or in front of rear
wheels for stability.

___

___

6.
When used in carriage position, leg hold openings can be closed.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Always secure the seat belts. Never leave a child unattended in a stroller. Keep children’s hands away from pinching areas when stroller is being folded or unfolded or the seat back is being reclined.

Toy
Chests

YES

NO

1. No
lid latch which could entrap child within the chest.

___

___

2.
Hinged lid has a spring-loaded lid support that will support the lid in
any position and will not require periodic adjustment.

___

___

3.
Chest has ventilation holes or spaces in front or sides, or under the lid
should a child get inside.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: If you already own a toy chest or trunk with a freely falling lid, remove the lid to avoid a head injury to a small child, or install a spring-loaded lid support.

Walkers

YES

NO

1.
Wide wheel base for stability.

___

___

2.
Covers over coil springs to avoid finger pinching.

___

___

3.
Seat is securely attached to frame or walker.

___

___

4. No
x-frames that could pinch or amputate fingers.

___

___


THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS: Place gates or guards at top of all stairways, or keep stairway doors closed to prevent falls. Do not use walker as a baby sitters.

 

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