Hiccups, They Do A Baby Good
What’s the deal with hiccups? According to a new study, it just might be babies practicing their breathing. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
Sometimes Bonding Takes Time
Bonding with your newborn doesn’t always come naturally to new moms. For some it is instantaneous, while for others the process takes time. This has nothing to do with your ability to parent. Instead, it has to do with the seismic transition that women go through when becoming mothers. And, it’s quite normal.
Resources
I Didn't Bond With My Baby Right Away (NYT Parenting)
Women's experiences of postnatal distress: a qualitative study (BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth)
Women's experiences of postnatal distress: a qualitative study (BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth)
A Little Anxious When It's Dark
Does your child suffer from nyctophobia? Probably. Even though it sounds alarming, nyctophobia is known as "afraid of the dark." Typically, children develop a fear of the dark between the ages of two and four, when children begin to use their imaginations, ask lots of questions, and become anxious about the unknown. It’s important to recognize this phenomenon and to respond accordingly. Listen here to learn more.
Resources
Is Your Toddler Afraid of the Dark? (What to Expect)
End Your Child's Fear of the Dark with These 9 Sure Fire Tips! (AT Parenting Survival)
The 10 Second Trick to Help Toddlers Conquer Fear of the Dark (A Mother Far From Home)
End Your Child's Fear of the Dark with These 9 Sure Fire Tips! (AT Parenting Survival)
The 10 Second Trick to Help Toddlers Conquer Fear of the Dark (A Mother Far From Home)
Transitioning To Kindergarten
Transitions can be hard. Imagine how scary it would be to enter school - a large group setting - for the first time. Preparing your 4 year old for pre-K or your 5 year old for Kindergarten is not only helpful to you, but also a major benefit to your child. Listen here to learn more.
Resources
Transitioning to Kindergarten: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Educators (A Union of Professionals)
12 ways to help a child make the transition to kindergarten (Harvard Health Publishing)
Transitioning to Kindergarten (NAEYC)
12 ways to help a child make the transition to kindergarten (Harvard Health Publishing)
Transitioning to Kindergarten (NAEYC)
Adjusting To A New Sibling
When that second child comes along it can be hard for an older sibling. After all, who wants to share the spotlight? But, don’t lose hope. Here are a few strategies to help ease your child’s transition to becoming a big brother or sister.
Resources
Helping your toddler adjust to a new baby (What to Expect)
How to help your firstborn adapt to baby (Parents)
11 expert way to help your firstborn adjust to the new baby (Motherly)
How to help your firstborn adapt to baby (Parents)
11 expert way to help your firstborn adjust to the new baby (Motherly)
The Do-Do's And Don'ts Of Potty Training
Do you have to go potty? Are you sure? Listen now for a few tips to make potty training go smoothly.
Resources
25 Potty Training Tips From Real Moms (Kids Kandoo)
Tips on Starting Potty Training (What to Expect)
Potty Training Tips: 7 Strategies Used By Day Care Teachers (Today's Parent)
Tips on Starting Potty Training (What to Expect)
Potty Training Tips: 7 Strategies Used By Day Care Teachers (Today's Parent)
Breastfeeding Discrimination: Two-Generational Harm
Workplace breastfeeding discrimination lawsuits are up 800% over the past decade. Without having access to appropriate accommodations for breastfeeding, mothers are at risk of developing painful infections and may become unable to produce enough milk to sustain a baby’s nutritional needs. Maryland does not currently have specific lactation laws in place so knowing how to accommodate nursing moms is necessary to keep them on the job. Listen now to learn more.
Resources
How companies can support breastfeeding employees (Harvard Business Review)
Breastfeeding state laws (NCSL)
Exposed: Discrimination against breastfeeding workers (Pregnant At Work)
Caregivers in the workplace (Work Life Law)
Breastfeeding state laws (NCSL)
Exposed: Discrimination against breastfeeding workers (Pregnant At Work)
Caregivers in the workplace (Work Life Law)
Books Win Out
A study at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital examined the effects of reading with toddlers using physical books versus reading with technology. The results show that it may be time to unplug and visit a library near you. Listen now to find out more benefits of good old-fashioned books over screens and tablets.
Resources
Bullying & Depression
A recent study out of Canada has found that children who both bully and are bullied are at higher risk of experiencing childhood depression as well as depression in adulthood. Children cannot protect themselves from bullying, and should not be expected to do so. Parents, child care providers, teachers, babysitters, and pediatricians have the ability to determine the environment in which a child grows. It’s imperative that this environment exclude bullying of all types.
Resources
The Importance Of Play
Kids just want to have fun. That’s good because children learn through play. And playing with your children offers you a way to put more fun in your busy, serious life. Make time to play with a child today and as often as possible.