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Are You A Stressed Out Parent? Try Aromatherapy!

March 27, 2012 by Kelli Miller 1 Comment

As a parent of a young child or children you can often find yourself feeling worn out with tiredness and feeling generally run down. You often have disturbed nights and very busy days with little ‘me time’. Here is some information on how aromatherapy can help combat your stress.

Aromatherapy can be used in a self-help way within the home to help you aid deeper sleep and generally lower your stress levels. Stress relief can be induced when you apply or inhale the same blend of oils over a period of time. To a certain extent this is due to the creation of a conditioned response. Repetitively using the same aroma for a particular complaint (like stress) will, over a period of time generate the response needed. This is known as a ‘conditioned reflex’ and is practiced worldwide by health professionals. Parents use this technique everyday by having routines, for example carrying out the same routine for bedtime; bath, story, drink then sleep.

Find a mixture of oils that you like then a way of applying them that suits you and you can stick to. You use the same blend of oils at the same time of day to train you to relax. Useful oils for de-stressing could be:

Lavender – This has traditionally been used for many ailments but it is also very powerful in promoting sleep at night and relieving stress in the day. You just need to put two drops on your pillow before going to bed and ensure that you are using genuine lavender oil as the synthetic type will not be sleep inducing.

Frankincense – For thousands of years this was used to help with grief and sorrow. It is wonderfully light oil with aromas of incense and lemon. You can use two or three drops on a piece of tissue or vaporiser and you can add six drops to a warm bath for a very relaxing soak.

Eucalyptus staigeriana – This oil has a beautiful aroma of lemon drops similar to the smell of opal fruits! It is hormone balancing so is perfect for new mothers to promote balance and harmony in their bodies. It has anti-depressive and uplifting properties and has been extensively utilized by professionals in the treatment of ME. If you live a non-stop lifestyle then you can inhale this oil to help relieve some stress. Apply two or three drops onto a tissue and then leave it in your top pocket or in your bra. The aromas will easily reach your nose for you to inhale. In a bath, put up to six drops to release the aroma and create the deep relaxation you need to feel.

The link between the psyche and olfactory system (the sensory system used for olfaction, or the sense of smell) cannot be underestimated. Pleasant smells uplift you and cheer your soul. Essential oils are a natural and perfect way to uplift and relax you which can be so helpful in your busy and hectic schedule.

Guest article provided by Eirian Hallinan who has written numerous articles in the natural health field. She believes in healing naturally, first, especially when it comes to infant colic.

Filed Under: Guest Blogger, Mind and Body, Parenting Tagged With: alternative medicine, aroma of wine, aromatherapy, bushfood, deep sleep, essential oils, eucalyptus staigeriana, lavender, lemon, mind body interventions, oil, oils, Parenting, relieve stress, sleeping, stress, stress levels, stress relief, stressed out, tiredness, trees of australia, try

Baby Napping: 7 Tips for Optimizing the Little One’s Sleep

February 19, 2012 by Kelli Miller 3 Comments

Napping seems like such an ordinary thing, but to parents of young children it is a constant concern and often a source of anxiety. We know that getting the maximum amount of sleep possible is good for a child, yet the child is obviously not aware of this, and many seem to naturally resist being put down for naps. Some babies fuss, wake up frequently, and are unpredictable in when and how they like to nap. These are all simple facts of being a parent. And while you cannot stop nap troubles entirely, what you can do is minimize the difficulties.

1. Babies cannot nap too much. Many parents, especially those on their first child, worry that their babies are napping too much, and they make an effort not to overdo it. But there are a few points to keep in mind here. First, it is perfectly acceptable for babies to sleep anywhere from 14 to 20 hours a day, and it is normal for them to get tired one to two hours after waking up, even if the previous nap was a good one. And do not worry about daytime naps ruining nighttime sleep. It does not work that way with babies. In fact, good napping during the day often leads to less fussiness at night, which makes a good night’s sleep easier.

Also keep in mind that, again, the more sleep your baby gets, the better. Crucial development happens during those naps. So do not feel bad about encouraging your baby to sleep as much as possible. It does not mean you are selfish or that you do not enjoy your baby’s company. It is just good parenting. And yes, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the break while your baby sleeps.

2. Monitor your baby’s sleep. Babies’ sleep patterns can fluctuate wildly from day to day, but if you keep track of how often and how long your baby naps, you may begin to notice a pattern emerging. For instance, one common pattern for babies aged three to six months is to nap for an hour or two, eat, play for an hour and go back to sleep. In this pattern, the day is roughly divided into three-hour chunks. If you keep track of these patterns, then you will get a better sense of when your baby will be getting sleepy, which helps you be prepared.

3. Control the conditions. Whether your baby naps in a separate room or simply on a sofa or other piece of furniture wherever you are, control the conditions to optimize the quality of sleep and the length of the nap. Make the room bright whenever the baby is awake and feeding or playing, and dim the lights when she shows signs of being ready to nap. In the dimmer light, she will be put down to sleep more easily.

4. Keep noise soft. Parents of newborns typically get used to their babies being able to sleep through practically anything, but after a month or two the pendulum swings the other way. By around three months of age, many babies are liable to wake up at the slightest sound. Obviously, the household should be quiet during nap time. But if you want to be able to go about your business without worrying that every squeak of the floor will wake your child, run some white noise in the background. This will help make other sounds less jarring.

5. Take preemptive action. When a baby moves past sleep and gets into a state of fussy irritability, initiating sleep becomes most difficult. Try to learn to recognize the signs your baby will be ready for a nap, and begin going through the motions before the irritability kicks in. Of course, some babies do not respond well to having a nap time routine (even at so young an age they resist sleep), so you may have to change things up regularly.

6. Be flexible. During the first couple years of your child’s life, you can expect things to change continuously, and the pace of change is extra fast during the early months. So be aware that any nap time strategies that work well today may not work in a couple of days. This can be frustrating for parents, but the key is to experiment with different things as much as possible. You cannot force your baby to sleep, but you can always find ways to make it happen more easily.

7. Take wake-ups in stride. Babies tend to wake up before their naps are over. Sometimes they do it multiple times. For a parent, it is best to have a sense of how much sleep the baby needs, and if she obviously has not finished her full nap, try to help her finish her sleep. Older babies can sometimes get themselves back to sleep, but younger ones often need to be held, rocked, snuggled, or whatever works for your child.

Guest article written by Marc Courtiol who is an accomplished health researcher in the field of natural wellness. A graduate from Cornell, Marc is a contributing author for several online journal sites and believes in the many uses of gripe water.

Filed Under: Guest Blogger, Parenting Tagged With: Baby, baby age, baby nap, baby sleep, delayed sleep phase syndrome, human interest, nap, optimizes, optimizing, polyphasic sleep, sleep, sleep easy, sleep napping, sleeping, sleeping pattern, the little, Tips

Early Bird Nightmares: Coping With Kids and Daylight Savings Time

November 4, 2011 by Kelli Miller Leave a Comment

Back before you were a parent, the end of daylight savings was a welcome relief to pitch black mornings. An extra hour of sleep is more valuable than gold, especially post parenthood. Enter Sweet Bundle of Joy who doesn’t share your affinity of snoozing and also has a set, circadian rhythm that doesn’t magically readjust over a weekend. Your baby doesn’t care that Uncle Sam dictates a useless time adjustment every six months.

As if parenting weren’t already the hardest thing anyone has ever done in the history of doing things, we must deal with the time change and our children. Here’s what will happen, if you’re new to fall-back with children: they wake up after the same number of hours of sleep. So if Junior typically wakes up at 7:00 am, you’ll now have a 6:00 am early riser after the change. Start gearing up for that adjustment now with these six easy tips.

1. Extend bedtime a little later each night.
Folks who prefer to rip the band-aid off may just push through a few tough days and move bedtime forward a full hour immediately. Older children can handle a change like that a bit easier. But if you you have a baby or toddler, I recommend pushing bedtime back by ten or fifteen minutes for a few nights. This will take some discipline, but establishing a solid bedtime routine and sticking to it is not only important for your sanity, but for your child’s health, too.

2. Expect grumpy toddlers for up to three weeks.
Again, the younger the child the longer it will take to adjust. According to multiple studies, poor or inadequate sleep causes irritability, stress and anxiety. No big surprise there. Pile on top of that an inability to verbally communicate and you’ve got a cranky young child on your hands for days, if not weeks. Just brace yourselves and prepare to expect some rocky terrain.

3. Reduce other variables to focus on sleep.
Kids do really well when they have time to hone in on one skill or hurdle at a time. If you’re potty training, pull back on the reins for a while to let the lack of sleep pass. Trying to concentrate while sleep deprived makes you ineffective and irritable — and the same goes for Junior.

4. Get room darkening shades or curtains.
Kids sense morning like sharks smell blood; the tiniest crack of daylight can wake even the hardest young sleeper. Keeping it dark in your child’s room will encourage more sleep in the morning, something you’ll want all year round. If you’re not a fan of drapes, grab online coupons for custom blinds from sites like CouponSherpa, and outfit your windows with tailored dressings on the cheap.

5. Consistency is key.
It’s tempting to give in to Little Darling when she pitches a fit for candy at the grocery store. If you give in to her demands, she’ll just ratchet up the decibels on your next visit. That same principle applies to adjusting your clocks back. Stick to later naps and a later bedtime to avoid prolonged pain. According to Kim West, social worker and sleep coach, children will adjust to your age-appropriate sleep requirements when you are consistent. This means having the exact same routine every night and responding in the same way to your child’s testing.

6. Minimize exposure to artificial light.
There’s solid evidence that exposure to artificial light limits the production of melatonin, a key hormone in regulating the sleep/wake cycle. This goes for TV too. Cut the pre-bedtime cartoons and opt for relaxing, sleep-friendly activities like reading or puzzles.

Guest article provided by Ashley Grimaldo who is a long time penny pinchers and enjoys blogging on money-saving tips and advice for frugal-minded parents. She lives with her husband and three children in Bryan, Texas. Ashley has been featured among such media outlets as Redbook, The Chicago Tribune, Time.com, and CBS News-Houston.

Filed Under: Guest Blogger, Parenting Tagged With: bedtime, biology, circadian rhythm, circadian rhythms, copes, coping, daylight, daylight savings, daylight savings time, early bird, kids, melatonin, nightmare, physiology, pitch black, psychology, sleep, sleeping, uncle sam

Baby’s First Week: What to Expect

October 20, 2011 by Kelli Miller 1 Comment

For first-time parents, the first week with a new baby is one of the most exciting, nerve-wracking, and thrilling times in your life. After months of planning and preparing for this moment, not to mention imagining and desiring for it to come, the simple act of walking through your front door with your baby for the first time can seem downright surreal. It is a magical time for many parents, but it also comes with a set of challenges that must be quickly overcome. And while the initial excitement is worth savoring, after a few days you will have to settle into the long-term, routine-driven life of parenting.

Mother’s recovery

The mother’s physical state depends on her age and health, the duration and difficulty of labor, whether she had a C-section, and numerous other factors. After a typical childbirth, the mother can expect to feel sore for a few days to a few weeks, and there are other common side effects such as light bleeding, breast soreness, and hot and cold flashes. If you experience any effects that are out of the ordinary, contact your doctor.

The basics: Eating and sleeping

By now you have probably decided whether you will breastfeed or formula-feed the baby and have discussed it with your doctor. Whichever option you decide to use, during this week you will begin to set a routine that will be maintained for months. Some babies take to feeding almost right away and rarely struggle, while others need a little coaxing. You will soon learn your baby’s temperament, and his or her habitual signs of hunger will become apparent.

As for sleep, it is quite simple: Your baby will sleep a lot this week-16 hours or more per day-but the sleep will be irregular. She may sleep no more than a couple of hours at a time at first, but you should begin to see a shift as early as the end of this week. She will begin to sleep for longer stretches, and the longest stretches will naturally begin occurring at night. For now, expect to be tired. That 16 hours of sleep will give you plenty of quiet time, but it is likely to be broken up.

Dealing with visitors

In the first week with your child, you will likely have an army of friends and relatives banging down your door to get to meet the baby. While their intentions are good, many people do not realize that the first week is not the best time for you to have many visitors. For one thing, the mother is still recovering and may not have the energy to entertain people. The father is probably fatigued as well. Plus, both parents and baby are simply trying to establish a routine, and visitors can disrupt this process.

Family and friends should of course be welcome to visit, but kindly ask them to have some patience. For now, you need to focus on your baby, and you cannot be worried about other people. If anyone in your life is particularly understanding of these issues and can pop in without disrupting you, then it is probably okay to have them over. But you might want to ask any needy in-laws or childless friends to give you a couple of weeks.

Your emotional state and relationship

Thankfully, the issue of postpartum depression has received much attention over the last few years, and this has gone a long way toward equipping mothers (and fathers, in some cases) for this strange and unexpected effect. The baby blues are likely connected to poor sleep, hormonal fluctuations, and post-birth fatigue, and in severe cases the condition can be serious and long-lasting. If you experience symptoms of depression that do not go away after a few days, seek help.

Meanwhile, this period in your relationship with your spouse may be wonderful, rocky, or more or less indifferent. Whatever the case, the most important thing is for both parents to support each other through this week. The dad in particular needs to make a great effort to help the mother, who is likely to be sore and tired. Do not give in to any tensions or bad feelings. For now, focus on establishing a happy, healthy home life, and revel in the new dynamics of your family.

The baby

As for the baby, not much will happen this week outside of lots of sleeping, crying, and eating. At first, your child is likely to be red and swollen, and she may have an oddly shaped head. This is natural. After a few days, her head will go back to its normal shape, and her features will become clearer. By the end of the week, it should be clear which parent, if any, the baby most resembles. Do not be surprised if she seems to take a curled up, clenched-fist position in the early days, as this is simply how she is most comfortable after those tightly packed last few weeks in the womb.

At birth, your baby may already be able to recognize his mother’s and father’s voices, and he will likely already be most comfortable around his parents. For the most part, however, the baby will seem somewhat removed from his surroundings, and he will not begin to develop a recognizable personality until a little later. Now your baby is at his most helpless, so hold him close and make his transition from the womb to the outside world as comfortable as possible. Your child can feel your love, so start working right away to build that bond.

Guest article written by Lisa Pecos who is a wife and well accomplished writer on natural remedies and natural approaches to family health. She’s written numerous articles for Natural Health Journals.com, Parenting Journals.com and Baby Car e Journals.com.

Filed Under: Guest Blogger, Parenting Tagged With: Baby, baby blue, baby blues, breast soreness, breastfeeding, childhood, expect, family, first week, front doors, human development, human interest, infancy, Infant, infant feeding, new baby, Parenting, sleep, sleeping, week, what to expect

Important ‘Tummy Time’ With Your Baby

August 18, 2011 by Kelli Miller Leave a Comment

Parents are now very aware of the importance of laying their babies on their backs to sleep as lying them on their tummies can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In fact, cot deaths have decreased by 40% since the recommendation was put into effect in 1994.

But it is also important to have periods during the day that are reserved for putting your baby on his stomach. Physiotherapists have warned that not enough babies are having this special ‘Tummy Time’ and this can lead to stunted development in babies.

Some statistics show that approximately 19% of mothers with babies under six months old never put their babies on their stomachs and only 22% of mothers allocate Tummy Time to their baby’s daily routine.

Since the ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign which encouraged parents to lay their babies on their backs to sleep it has been noticed that fewer babies are getting supervised Tummy Time. This can delay your baby’s development in terms of learning to crawl and eventually walk.

Research into the benefits of Tummy Time has shown that the infants who were put on their backs to sleep but during the day had supervised periods of Tummy Time were able to push up, roll over, sit up, and eventually stand quicker than babies who were left predominantly on their backs. It can also help with alleviating the pressure being applied to the same place on your baby’s head, sometimes causing slat spots.

Babies who do not have Tummy Time do eventually catch up in their development but in terms of a baby’s confidence and aiding their sense of independence parents need to be aware that their infant’s first few months are a very important learning phase in beginning to control their bodies and explore their surroundings. If they have regular Tummy Time they will learn much faster about movement and balance. Initially a baby spending time on his stomach will learn to move from side to side and this helps them learn how to crawl. It helps with postural control and coordination which are the basics for all movement skills.

It is recommended that babies are introduced to Tummy Time from birth. Up to 30 minutes a day, all at once or broken into smaller segments. Your baby’s head will get used to lifting against gravity, strengthening their neck muscles as well as their arms as they begin to lift their weight.

As well as leaving babies on their backs too much, leaving an infant in their car seat, carrier or swing can also be detrimental to their development.

Babies do not always want to go on their fronts and can find it strange. Babies can be encouraged by making Tummy Time fun. You can put toys and mirrors just ahead of your baby so they cannot quite reach them which will urge them to reach out and stretch.

It must be stressed that babies should always be put on their backs to sleep as infants who do not sleep on their backs have a nine times increase of SIDS. Nonetheless, when your baby is awake he should spend supervised time on his tummy to aid his healthy development.

Guest article provided by Eirian Hallinan. She has written numerous articles in the parenting field. She believes in healing naturally, first, especially when it comes to infant colic.