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Baby Whining - Causes and Tips to Handle your Child
After the initial euphoria of bringing home a baby has worn off, you will find that raising a child is not easy. In fact, it is one of the hardest tasks in life. Taking care of the child becomes the most important part of your life, and you will find yourself drained both emotionally and physically at the end of the day, while your baby relentlessly asks for more.
The fact that babies cannot communicate makes it even more difficult, as the causes of their discomfort are hard to find out. You might start to understand the behavioural patterns of the child as he grows up. Most children cry when they are hungry or in discomfort, but sometimes, they refuse to stop crying no matter what you do- this usually happens around the 1-year mark. So in this article, let us take a look at the common causes of whining in babies and how to deal with them when they are crying.
What is Baby Whining?
Infant whining is the term used to refer to children crying incessantly, for no obvious reason. This can make it harder for parents to discern the reasons behind why they are crying, so it makes it that even more difficult to stop them. Children usually whine because they are frustrated with themselves, and their inability to complete an action or a task. They might also start crying if the outcome of the task is not what they wanted, or are in pain. Other common causes of children crying out are hunger, discomfort or even tiredness.
The probable reasons of why the child is crying are directly dependent on her age. Babies start crying at the age of 4 months, and the common reason is hunger, pain or discomfort. They will also cry if they want to sleep, but cannot. As they grow up to around a year of age, the crying happens because they are unable to assert themselves as individuals. Babies might want to be independent and carry out their tasks by themselves, but they are obviously unable to at that age- this leads to a lot of crying and whining, which can be hard to placate.
Therefore, baby whines because he wants to communicate to you what exactly he wants. The whining is a result of him trying to make you understand what he wants to be done, so the parents are supposed to try to understand that so as to help him calm down.
What Causes Whining in Babies?
If your 1 year-old is constantly crying and whining, there can be many reasons as to why he does it. Some of these can be simple and easy to carry out, while the others may be manifestations of health issues and will require a visit to the doctor to sort out. The common reasons why children cry is:
1. Communication Gap
At such young ages, your child will not be able to communicate effectively with you. You might notice that the babbling skills of the baby develop greatly as he grows up, but there is also a limit to that kind of communication- he cannot be specific by babbling to you. When he wants to share complex emotions but is unable to, your baby may start to whine to try to make you understand.
2. Hunger
Another common reason why children cry, hunger is also something that babies try to make you understand by whining. When the baby cries at young ages, try feeding him- he might just be hungry.
3. Tired
If you travel a lot with the baby, you might notice a pattern in the whining of your child. Children get tired quickly during long journeys, and they might start to cry in order to make you understand that he wants to go to sleep. This crying will also be accompanied by irritability and a general disinterest in things.
4. Diaper Change
A soiled diaper can make your baby extremely uncomfortable and might be the reason why your child is crying. So if you notice him crying for a long time and the crying does not subside, you should promptly check his diaper and see if he needs a change.
5. Temperature Changes
If you notice that your child cries as he comes in contact with the hot water for his bath, he is probably trying to tell you that the water is too warm for him. The skin of children is extremely sensitive, so they feel temperature more intensely. This can also occur if you take him to a place where the temperature is cold, and have not covered him with enough layers of clothing.
6. Rashes and Discomfort
Sometimes, the child may cry to make you understand that he is feeling uneasy with something. This might be a painful rash, itching feeling or the onset of a fever. This holds true especially after your baby has started to crawl- the ability to move comes with a few bruises here and there, so he might be trying to tell you that his bruises hurt.
7. Air Bubbles
If you see your child crying immediately after a feeding session, try patting him gently on the back- sometimes, he might stop crying quickly. Air bubbles in the windpipe are a cause of discomfort for the child, and he might find it difficult to burp it out himself. So make sure to pat his back, so that the bubble is released through a burp.
8. Attention
More often than not, your baby might cry simply because he wants the attention of his parents. If you have been away from him for a long time, you might observe that he starts to cry out more frequently. This happens because he wants your attention, and simply wants the safety and security of a cuddle. This is a great way to bond with your child, too.
9. Language Development Issues
In some cases, the child may cry as a result of some greater problem he is unable to convey. If your baby is autistic, he will be unable to learn new words and verbal development remains hampered. Such children cry out because they are unable to appropriately convey their thoughts. Autistic babies will also be unable to digest proteins which are found in barley and wheat. So as these food items make their way into the stomach, they trigger an allergic reaction which has symptoms like chronic whining, aggression and stomach ache.
10. Reflux
The digestive system of the baby is still developing, so acid refluxes are common at a young age. This is because the sphincter which is supposed to prevent backflow from the stomach is still only developing, so there is nothing to stop the digested contents from coming back up the mouth. When such refluxes occur, the result is pain and irritation, which manifests as whining in young children.
Tips to Deal with a Whiny Baby
Your baby might whine suddenly and with no apparent reason- baby whining in sleep is also quite common. However, you have to handle the whining well, for the benefit of your child. Here are a few tips to help you calm your child down:
1. Be Calm
Parenting is not easy, and it is only human to have a burst of anger come out every now and then. However, you have to remember that your child is not being malevolent when he cries- he simply has a problem that he cannot take care of on his own. So, it is important that you do not get angry at your child, and always be patient when he cries.
2. Breastfeed
At young ages, the children cry when they are hungry- this is the most common reason. Even if this might not be the reason, you should try breastfeeding him to calm him down, as skin-to-skin contact is sure to help. With the baby getting close to you and feeling your heartbeat, he is sure to feel more secure and calm down quicker.
3. Teach Him Communication
You have to try to make your baby convey what he wants, even if he is too young to speak. For example, show him the bottle when he cries- he might reach out for it, and you will understand that he is simply hungry. Slowly, your baby will start to point out to the bottle whenever he gets hungry and will stop whining.
4. Elimination
Elimination works well to help you determine why your child is crying. There may be various stimuli which causes the onset of whining, so try and observe him understand why he does it. You can effectively mitigate crying with this measure.
5. Rocking
A tried-and-tested formula, babies find comfort in simple, repetitive motions. Hold him close to your shoulder, and try to rock him to sleep to stop him from whining.
6. Music
When he starts to cry, you can try to distract him from his discomfort by playing some catchy, peppy music while you try to figure out what the reasons might be.
7. Swaddling
If the cause of his whining is temperature changes, swaddling the child can help mitigate the crying. By creating a safe, stable temperature, he can now easily go to sleep in the warmth.
8. Clothing
You have to change the clothes and the diaper of the child periodically, even though he might not have soiled the diaper. Whining is commonly the manifestation of discomfort with his attire.
9. Massage
Infants love skin-to-skin contact with their parents, so you can try massaging the baby to see if his crying subsides. Place him either on his tummy or his back and massage him gently in rhythmic circular motions.
10. Bathe Him
Hot water is sure to soothe the baby, just like it soothes adults. You can try and give your child a nice, warm bath, and check if his whining subsides after.
11. Patting
If you observe the baby crying right after he has been fed the cause is probably the air bubbles trapped in his windpipe. You can help him burp out these bubbles by laying him on your shoulder and patting his back gently.
12. Pacifiers
If your baby has the habit of feeding on a bottle, pacifiers can work wonders in helping them calm down when they are whining. Children love having something to suck on- therefore, you can give him a pacifier and see if he calms down then.
13. Outdoors
In many cases, your child might cry simply because he is bored. He might need a change of surroundings, after being cooped up in the house for so long. So you can try to calm him down by taking him out for a walk and showing him interesting things around him to get his attention. Make sure to change his clothes, and have enough layers on him, though.
When to Consult a Pediatrician?
Sometimes, the reasons why your baby is crying may not be something cute and manageable- it might be the indication of a more serious, sever problem. Therefore, if you see that your baby does not stop crying and you have already tried everything possible, you should pay the doctor a visit as quick as possible. Your doctor will be able to see past his whining and lay a hand on what the cause is.
Also, do not panic and get frustrated over his medical condition. You have to keep a calm head and discuss how to proceed further with the doctor, for the benefit of your baby. There is nothing wrong with taking a second opinion, too.
Children may whine for a lot of reasons, and most of those can be managed at home by the parents itself. However, if you observe your child crying for prolonged periods of time and all your efforts to calm him down are going in vain, then it would be best to consult a doctor.
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Baby Crying at Night
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Jellyfish Facts for Kids
Jellyfish are the only creatures that have been on earth even before the existence of dinosaurs. They are free-swimming marine animals with umbrella-shaped heads and long tentacles. Let's look at some more facts about this creature that has survived without a brain for more than 650 million years.
Interesting Things About Jellyfish
Here are some interesting facts about jellyfish for your preschooler.
1. Scientific Classification
Jellyfish are placed under Cnidarian phylum whose characteristic feature is the presence of a non-living and a gelatinous body embedded between the epithelial layers. There are about 2000 different types of jellyfish, and researchers believe that there are around 300,000 different species yet to be discovered.
2. Anatomy
Jellyfish come in a variety of colours and forms like white, pink, orange, yellow, blue, and green. Some of them are even multi-coloured. The body of jellyfish is composed of 90% water, and most of it is a gelatinous material referred to as mesoglea. This gelatinous material is surrounded by two layers of cells which forms the umbrella. This is called the bell.
Jellyfish have no respiratory system because their thin skin can oxygenate the body through diffusion. They do not have a central nervous system or a brain. They actually have a loose network of nerves that is present in the epidermis. This is called a nerve net, and it helps them coordinate responses and sense changes in their environment.
The mouth is housed in a bell or dome-shaped central body area that is surrounded by tentacles. From this mouth-like opening, they discard waste and eat food. Squirting water from this mouth enables them to move through the water.
3. Nature
Jellyfish are not fish. They are plankton belonging to the phylum Cnidarian and class Scyphozoan.
4. Locomotion
Their movement depends on the tide and currents of the water and wind. Some jellyfish are very sensitive to light, making them move downwards during the day. Jellyfish die in the absence of water as it can cause desiccation.
5. Gender
Jellyfish are dioecious meaning that their colony will either be completely female or male. In most cases, both female and male adults release eggs and sperm into the water where these eggs fertilize and mature to become new jellies.
6. Species
Belonging to the Staurocladia, creeping jellyfish is the smallest species of the jellyfish. It has bell discs of 0.5 mm with small tentacles that stretch out a little. They crawl at the base of the ocean and cannot be seen without a microscope or hand lens.
7. Friendliness
The friendliest species of jellyfish is the moon jellyfish. Here are some interesting moon jellyfish facts for kids.
Though they sting, the effects are short-term and mild. These are the most common species and are found in aquariums. Since this species is minuscule, in the natural habitat, they do not live for more than six months. The factors responsible for their death are lack of food, warm temperature, and diseases. In controlled conditions, they live for years because there is no competition for food and no predators.
8. Invasion
It has been found that jellyfish invasion can shut down nuclear reactors, most of which depend on ocean water intake. Many facilities were forced to temporarily cease operations as the swarms clogged the intake pipes.
9. Response to Other Marine Animals
Though many animals avoid jellies, some just like hanging around with them. Some marine creatures use jellies as a sort of bodyguard. For example, crabs sometimes hitchhike on jellies. Some go along with them for a ride inside the bell or just to stay very close to the jellyfish. There are many theories on why these tag-along marine creatures are unharmed by jellyfish. Some scientists say that these marine creatures cover themselves in mucus to keep the stingers from firing. The other reason is that they are just too careful to not come in contact with the tentacles.
10. Life Cycle
Jellyfish, like other animals, have a life cycle. The most popular stage is the medusa stage, where they swim around in the water with their tentacles hanging down. Female and male medusa then reproduce, which result in the formation of thousands of tiny larvae. These larvae are commonly referred to as planulae. These larvae then settle down on the bottom of the ocean and then form tiny polyps. These polyps, when they grow to the medusa stage, give baby jellyfish.
Unbelievable Facts About Jellyfish
A group of jellyfish is called a smack or a bloom. This smack or bloom of jellyfish can contain more than 100,000 jellyfish!
Jellyfish are kept in round aquariums because these aquariums prevent them from getting stuck in the corners.
Pour vinegar over the wound when stung by a jellyfish and then seek medical attention.
A flying robot made at New York University was inspired by jellyfish.
Power medical devices can be made in the future from the jellyfish’s green fluorescent protein.
Common predators of the jellyfish are sharks, tuna, sea turtles, jellyfish, Pacific salmon, and swordfish.
Jellyfish blooms are around 500 million near Japan, and each jellyfish would be around the size of a refrigerator.
They also have medicinal value. Jellyfish are harvested for collagen that is used in many ways. It is even used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Around 150 million people are exposed to jellyfish annually around the world.
Jellyfish stings can be very painful to humans, and they can even be deadly to certain species. Most stings occur when people touch the jellyfish because these magnificent marine creatures do not attack on purpose. We hope your child enjoyed learning these unique facts about jellyfish!
Also Read:
Educative Aquatic Animal Information for Kids
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3 Important Tips Every Indian SUPERMOM Must Follow To Keep Herself & Her Baby Healthy
When you are pregnant or breastfeeding, everyone around you is an expert and an advisor. While there is no death of cautionary tales and unsolicited advice, there is little support that many women actually get in terms of both baby-care and self-care. Yes, we all send out ‘Mother’s Day’ cards to the new moms, but to be honest, she is relegated to a secondary role as the baby assumes centre-stage.
“A woman’s life is all about sacrifices.” She sacrifices her wishes for her parents first, letting the baby brother be the focus of the household. As she grows up, she sacrifices her dreams and wishes for her husband, her in-laws, and eventually her children. Women in India have often been seen as the proverbial sacrificial lambs. But hey, this does NOT define the women and mothers of today’s generation anymore! Our hearts are still full of love and affection for loved ones, but we are strong enough to make conscious choices and not lose ourselves in the expectations of others. One particularly trying and high-risk time for women is the period of pregnancy and lactation.
This Mother’s Day, Mama Protinex has created a beautiful video to deliver an important message to all moms and moms-to-be out there: You need to be strong for your baby. And you need to do whatever it takes to find that strength.
The video showcases some excellent tips to find your inner strength at this time. After all, when you’re carrying your baby, you’re carrying a bundle of joy. You’re NOT carrying the world’s expectations, and should do what makes YOU happy and strong! Watch the complete video below:
The Health Risk Facing Pregnant & New Moms In India
Are you following the tips mentioned in the above video and taking adequate care of yourself? Many Indian moms are not. And this has given rise to a huge health and nutrition challenge for Indian women on the verge of motherhood.
During pregnancy and lactation, a woman’s body goes through tremendous change. It is preparing to nourish a whole new human being and this is a monumental task. Did you know that as per the Indian Council of Medical Research, pregnancy and lactation demand 50% increase in protein intake? But as per several studies, 90% pregnant women in India are PROTEIN-deficient!
Where are we going wrong?
The answer is actually staring us in the eye: we are simply not focusing on ourselves at all! It is very easy to be consumed with anxiety about your baby, and totally ignore yourself. But not only is this dangerous for you, it is actually also dangerous for the apple of your eye! Your health is of paramount importance and never forget that only a strong mommy can raise a strong baby!
Must-Follow Nutrition Tips To Be a Stronger Mama
If you’re pregnant or have recently become a mommy, it is imperative that you observe the following precautions to stay healthy:
1. Make Sure Your Body Gets These Nutrients
As per doctors, your body needs the following nutrients at this time for blood cell formation, skeletal development of the foetus, the mother’s bone health, and to prevent anaemia:
Iron
Vitamins A, C, B2, B12
Folic acid
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)
Copper, zinc and magnesium
Calcium
Phosphorus
You must include these nutrients in your daily diet. Some super-foods that can provide you with these nutrients are eggs, fish such as salmon, pulses, chicken, avocados and sweet potatoes. Fish oil can be particularly useful for getting DHA, which is an omega-3 fatty acid that builds your baby's brain, nervous system, and eyes. In fact, DHA is an essential nutrient for your baby even as he grows up, as it directly boosts brain development.
You should also consume dairy products, especially milk, as it is a wonderful source of several nutrients all in one go (including fats, proteins and vitamins).
2. Do Not Depend Only On Food Sources
When aiming to consume a healthy diet for your baby, please remember that there is no scope for error. It is extremely important to meet the nutrient needs of your body now – possibly more important than it ever has been before. A nutrient deficiency at this time can lead to serious repercussions in your baby in later life, and food sources MAY NOT be adequate to fulfil your baby’s needs.
To avoid this risk, it is a good idea to consume a doctor-approved nutritional supplement for mothers. This will ensure that you and your baby don’t miss out on any essential nutrients. Danone’s Mama Protinex, which contains both milk and soy protein, is a good option to meet the recommended nutritional intake for pregnant and lactating women. The recommended consumption is 1 glass of Mama Protinex daily to completely bridge the protein gap, as well as provide your body with the required amounts of iron, calcium, zinc and folic acid. Mama Protinex also has the recommended DHA supplementation which is fundamental to the growth and development of your baby.
3. Do What It Takes To Eliminate Stress
Finally, no amount of nutrition will help you or your baby if your mind doesn’t cooperate. It is absolutely critical to remain stress-free and relaxed, as much as possible. Early life stress can be very harmful for the baby’s development.
Consider taking up a hobby that gives you peace – knitting, maybe? You can also look at yoga, reading, and spending time with friends. Remember – nobody cares more about your baby than you do, and it is your responsibility to do all it takes to bring him into the world happily.
Take good care of yourselves, moms, and make sure you eat healthy. Both you and your baby deserve the gift of good health and strength. Happy Mother’s Day! Read more
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Importance of Talking and Listening to Your Preschooler
Effective open communication is what every parent is looking to establish with their child. The preschool stage is the time when you can lay the foundation for this communicative relationship. Talking to your child and listening to him keenly reinforces that you are really there for him.
Most of the times parents assume that if the kid didn’t listen and didn’t do the assigned task, it’s probably because he did not understand. This can be the base of many parent-child misunderstandings. However, communicating with your child can be fun if the right strategic methods are adopted.
How to Talk and Listen to Preschoolers
1. Avoid interruption
Try not to interrupt when your children are talking. Listen keenly to what they have to say. However, giving them full attention without letting your mind wander can be hard, but not impossible.
2. Seize opportunities
Look for opportunities whenever possible to listen to your children as they talk to you about interesting things that happened in their day.
3. Show interest
Always show interest when your children are talking with you. Your body language and facial expressions should also show you are interested in what they are talking about
4. Repeat
If your child faces difficulty remembering details you just told him, you can encourage him to repeat what has been said in his own words. You can also encourage him to make notes.
5. Make plans together
If you are organising a party or an outing, ask your child what he would like to do. This is a great way to listen and share ideas.
6. Discuss just about anything
Talk about birthdays of family, discuss why there is a public holiday announced, talk about seasons – just about anything that can spark a discussion allowing your child to listen and ask questions. Even when you are taking a walk you can discuss anything from street names, signs, what cars passed by, the traffic lights etc.
7. Respond to nonverbal communication
This encourages your child to express his emotions verbally. If your child rolls his eyes, you can tell him that you figured he doesn’t agree. So, the next time he points out by using non-verbal cues that he doesn’t agree with you, you can pick it up and tell him that you got his point.
8. Get used to repetition
Preschoolers keep repeating their sentences so that they get to relive their experiences. Parents need to be patient and still continue encouraging speech, even if they have heard the story a couple of times earlier.
9. Ask questions
Show that you are interested in the conversation with follow-up questions. This will not only help you in knowing what they are interested about, but will also help you understand what they are feeling and thinking about a situation.
10. Acknowledge
Understand and acknowledge what your child is feeling and thinking.
11. Don’t contradict immediately
Even if you don’t agree with what your child is telling you, you might want to choose to correct him slightly later when he has finished telling you what he had to.
12. Discuss and find solutions
If your child has come to you with a problem, use this opportunity to discuss and find a solution to it.
A major part of being a strong communicator is being a good listener. When your child knows that you listen to him when he talks, there are good chances that he will listen to you when you talk to him. Therefore, be the role model that you are and let your kid shine through by becoming the perfect communicator. Read more
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
9 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
9 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
8 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
needs proper follow-up for this
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
8 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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