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3 Reasons Why Babies Cry Before Sleeping
When parents encounter their baby crying for hours before sleep, most of them are clueless about what needs to be done. You might be exhausted from taking care of your child the entire day and ready to fall asleep at a moment’s notice, but your little one does not seem to be on the same page as you in this regard. Babies have spent all their time in your womb, where everything was made automatically comfortable for the child. Therefore, it takes a little more effort at our end to ensure that a safe and comfortable environment for the child is created out here as well.
Why Do Infants Cry Before Sleeping?
While babies can break into a fit of crying due to a variety of reasons, there are a few major ones that seem to trouble a baby, especially when he attempts to fall asleep.
1. The Inability to Fall Asleep at Night
For many babies, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with them. However, they will invariably cry every time when they sleep at night. This is usually frequent in children who younger than 3 months. The crying is simply a reaction of their body getting used to the sleep cycles since that seems out of the ordinary for them right at the beginning. A variety of bodily processes and organs, right from the heart to the bladder and the digestive system, all need to fall in line with the sleep system of the body. After 3 months have been completed, the body gradually starts adapting to it.
2. Presence of Any Physical Discomfort
Crying is pretty much the only way of communication that babies have, which is why they tend to cry every time they need to convey something. And most of the times, it is something that is getting them irritated or making them uncomfortable that elicits a cry. This can happen during bedtime as well if the environment is not conducive enough to make them fall asleep. Babies suffering from cold or being present in a hot room can feel likewise. The emergence of teeth tends to be stronger around night time, which further makes the pain stronger. Having pooped in his pants or wearing tight underwear could irritate him, too.
3. Attempt to Establish Social Contact
Another reason why a baby might start crying right around sleeping time has more to do with his behaviour than anything else. His need for attention and a possibility of wanting social contact might cause him to communicate with you by crying loudly. Some babies tend to know that sleeping time would mean that they wouldn’t see their mother, and this could make them cry as well. Babies who are exhausted after a long day or have faced a lot of stimulation can find the silence of the night unnerving. Any presence of illness or hunger can keep him awake or simply the need to play for a while before sleeping could make him ask out for your presence.
Tips for Soothing a Crying Baby
Getting a little baby to calm down, especially around sleeping time can be quite demanding for parents. Here are a few tips that work most of the time on all sorts of babies.
1. Creation of a Conducive Environment
For a baby to fall asleep easily, the temperature in their room needs to be at its optimum. This can be very well tested by checking your child’s temperature around his stomach or his back. Choose to clothe based on the weather and layer them accordingly. Avoid wrapping him up intensely in blankets even in winter, since a lot of those can lead him to suffocate and cause a sudden infant death. Try using heat during winters and use a gentle fan in summers to keep the air flowing.
2. Swaddle Your Baby Properly Before Putting Him to Sleep
Even in sleep, your baby needs to feel safe and secure, similar to how he is cuddled and held by the mother. This is usually achieved by wrapping up your child in a light blanket. This also helps keep random limb movement in check, which can erroneously wake him up from sleep. Go for muslin cloths that are light and wrap him in such a way that his chin, ears and head is uncovered. Choosing to go with a sleeping bag meant for a baby can also be a good option.
3. Choosing the Right Clothes for Sleeping
Babies are ultra-sensitive to the smallest choices regarding them. Even the slightest disturbances in those can make it difficult for the little one to fall asleep. His clothes play a vital role in that regard and choosing them appropriately cannot be any less important. While you may opt for fitting clothes in the day, it is best to choose a loose-fitting option for your baby when he sleeps at night. Pick ones that are thick enough to keep him comfortably warm even if loose. Don’t use head covers unless he’s ill since they can be quite uncomfortable or shift around in his sleep. Stay away from any clothes that have laces or strings that can enter your baby’s mouth.
Knowing why babies cry before sleep at night can help put your mind at ease and make you stop worrying about your child. Most children come to terms with sleeping at night by the time they are 4 to 6 months old. If the crying continues uncontrollably, you might have to take him to a doctor.
Also Read:
Which is Sleep Position is Safe for Babies?
What is Sleep Regression in Babies? Read more
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Your 4 Week Old Baby - Development, Milestones & Care
By now, it is nearly a month since you have given birth to your loving child and taken care of him. The cycle of feeding, sleeping and playing might seem like its happening for the longest time. Similarly, you will also spot signs that your baby is growing up really quick and he is slowly becoming the child he will become after a few years.
4 Week Old Baby Development
In about a month, the development of a baby goes through multiple phases and you will barely remember the time he was newly born. At an age of 4 week old baby growth spurt usually happens in a variety of ways. He will start discovering his limbs and try to figure out what they are and how to use them. His response to sounds will be even stronger than before and spatial placement will have improved. Although eyes are getting stronger, they might end up looking cross-eyed at times, as they struggle to focus. Their neck will be stronger which will result in them trying to move their head even more than before.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Development]
Four Week Old Baby Milestones
The age of a month is when your baby will start discovering gradually that they have a body of their own, too. Around this point, their weight would be substantial as well. A 4 week old baby weight should be increased by around 150 to 200 g every week.
As they start observing the environment around them, the inbuilt reflexes of the body might make them encounter their own hands and feet. They will start looking at their palms, their fingers, but fail to make a connection that these are their own and can be operated by themselves.
This discovery of their own limbs and other things surrounding them will manifest in the form of various sounds and grunts. This is primarily also when a baby starts to making cooing sounds. Now, in order to get your attention, he may realize to coo louder than usual and not cry right away. With this cooing, you can have long conversations that last through an entire afternoon.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Milestones]
Feeding
A 4 week old baby feeding is extremely essential in helping him gain the weight that is necessary. During this time, as your baby tends to put out his tongue more often, you might spot small spots of milk in their mouth or around after the feeding. This is normal and not a reason to worry since it primarily occurs due to their stomach still coming to terms with the milk amount. The valve of the food pipe is comparatively relaxed as compared to adults, and can sometimes allow a little milk to flow back into the mouth. It is best to keep wiping this off occasionally.
Due to the increase in feeding, you may notice that your own breastmilk amount tends to go down, especially towards the evening times. This can be fixed by taking a nap in the afternoon or playing with your child while lying down. It is also important that your own meal schedule stays on point and you do not end up delaying any meals just to be able to feed your child. Both food and rest are highly necessary to keep a consistent milk supply going.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Feeding]
Sleeping
All the novelty and discoveries that a baby undergoes at this stage tend to keep him awake for longer than usual. Once a feeding has completed, your child may lie down quietly and play with his hands or have conversations with you before drifting off to sleep. Around this age, you might start understanding if your child is naturally calm or more of the energetic sorts or even the attention-demanding kind.
Since a 4 week old sleep schedule is still a bit erratic, you should hold your child closer to you for longer and might need to cuddle them and rock them to bring them to sleep. The need to feel safe and secure is important at this stage since your baby starts realizing you might not always be around him or close to him.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Sleeping Basics]
Behaviour
Through the conversations of the previous weeks, your baby will further realize the different uses of his mouth. Cooing will be more frequent as well as other sounds of grunting and gargling. The social engagement need at this stage is quite high, and babies tend to demand constant attention and communication of all sorts.
Although they may not be able to convey their emotions through facial expressions, their face might bear glimpses of irritation, vague smiles, or even pain. These will help you pre-emptively understand what your child might require. The slow closing of his eyes is a cue that he is about to fall asleep and by laying him down and gently rocking him, you can lull him into one.
Upper body strength continues to develop speedily and more supervised time on the tummy is absolutely essential to get this going. Being able to hold their head and hold themselves up should be a constant effort throughout this age.
4 Week Old Baby Care Tips
Increased feeding sets in due to a growth spurt and babies require more food than usual. Make sure you get enough rest in the first place so that your breastmilk production stays on point and enough to feed your baby.
The increased curiosity can result in your baby staying awake for more time. They could constantly demand attention or not fall asleep by themselves as they used to before. It is important to hold your child in your arms and rock them or cuddle them so that they get their daily quota of sleep.
Keep your baby’s movements restricted when he sleeps so that his exploration of hands and feet does not end up with him hurting them.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Care]
Tests and Vaccinations
Usually, around the end of the first month of the baby and before completion of the second month, doctors recommend administering a secondary round of vaccination for Hepatitis B. This is primarily to prevent diseases from infecting the liver.
Games and Activities
As your child’s listening skills develop, you can go ahead and develop his auditory experience by playing games around sounds and so. By closing your palms around your mouth and making different sounds, watch him try to figure out what is happening or even gargle in excitement. You can even get close to his ear and whisper gently and talk to him. All these different techniques can get him excited to learn more. This can even cause them to coo at different volumes, and be in sync with how you communicate with them. Snap in the direction of the ear. This will make them realise they can hear sounds from two directions, leading them to understand the presence of two ears.
The only smell that babies are usually aware at this age is the smell of their mother’s breastmilk. This is also one of the important ways that your baby identifies you from anybody else. So, it is great if you can make him smell a bunch of other items that safe for him. Hold him in your arms, nicely cuddled in a blanket so that he is safely secured. Then take a small cloth and dab it in his powder. Don’t take a lot. Bring it closer to his nose and let him understand the fragrance. Same could be done with the sanitizer too. With each fragrance, let him look at your face and communicate a reaction to him. The connection between smell and facial reactions will help them understand what’s good and what’s not and communicate with you accordingly.
[Also Read: 1 Month Old Baby Games and Activities]
Consult a Doctor If
Around a month or so, your baby should already be giving enough signs that show a good and healthy development throughout. Therefore, it is important to note the presence or absence of certain conditions and understand if they need medical intervention.
If a 4 week old baby constipated issue are seen, with bowel movement not occurring for more than a day or so, this could create complications later on and should be brought to the doctor’s notice immediately.
It takes nearly a month for a baby to start perceiving the surroundings and various sounds in a proper manner. But even after that, if your baby does not seem to respond to claps or calls in any manner, doesn’t blink eyes at loud sounds, fails to focus on things or notice your face even when you are in his field of view, has a faded colour in his pupils, these might be signs of a disorder and must be informed to the doctor soon.
Babies tend to make a lot of sounds at this age. They will move around their arms and legs and try to understand various parts of the body. Curiosity and interest are at an all-time high. Many babies are calm and composed too, but still do react to multiple triggers occasionally. Compared to those, if your baby is unnaturally quiet, does not move a lot, shows no interest in his arms or legs, or cries quite different from others, it might be necessary to bring this to the doctor’s attention.
With your baby being a month old already, he would be well on his way to discovering that he, too, is an individual by himself. By keeping a good family time and regular interaction with other family members, you can start developing a good feeling of security and home within your child.
Previous Week: 3 Weeks Old Baby
Next Week: 5 Weeks Old Baby Read more
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Toddlers Shifting Objects In and Out of Containers
Toddlers flapping hands when excited and pointing and waving at different things is only natural. However, parents should help their tots progress to more complex tasks such as shifting and pouring activities. They give them a sense of achievement and help develop cognitive and motor skills
Filling and emptying containers is one of the activities that can keep toddlers occupied for a long time. Yet, it’s more than just a play; it is addressing their curiosity and letting them grow.
When Does a Toddler Start Filling and Emptying Activities?
Between the ages of 7 and 9 months, the motor skills of toddlers begin to develop. During this time, a toddler will start picking things and release them. His gross motor control is at the developing stage and he will enjoy container play. Initially, he will be better at the emptying part. By the time he turns 1, he will be able to pick up toys from the container, but putting it back might be difficult for him, so it’s upon parents to teach a baby how to put things back. By the age of 15 months, he will be able to take things out of the container and put them back too.
Is Your Toddler Filling and Emptying Toys from Containers? It’s Good!
When your toddler begins dumping toys from containers, you know your house will never be tidy as it used to be. There will be toys in every corner of your house. You will be tired of cleaning your place and would even want to scold your child. But, don’t! This activity is crucial to develop his gross motor skills. There are other benefits too, find out why you should encourage this activity in your toddler:
Pouring, shifting objects, and emptying containers are important cognitive exercises for your kids.
When kids start this activity, they realize that one object can hold other smaller objects.
By filling and emptying toys from containers, toddlers learn about different shapes and sizes. At this age, they can be taught why a square can’t fit into a circular slot etc. You can use a shape-sorter is a good toy to encourage this kind of activity.
By dumping things out of the container without anyone’s help, they gain a sense of independence.
By trial and error, they understand which object would fit where. They learn the difference between big and small; it improves their orientation skills.
Key Takeaway: Apart from filling and emptying toys from containers, toddlers also take part in certain other activities that develop their motor skills. Know about these activities-
Kids start playing with puzzles; playing with toys that fit together and building games interest them. It also improves their confidence.
Engaging kids in art activities, like brush and finger painting or painting on paper, drawing with chalk, or playing with clay is also good. These activities improve hand-eye coordination of kids.
Once your child grows a little old, you can also teach him more challenging activities, like cutting with child-safe scissors and gluing things on paper.
Kids become dexterous as they grow old and they can open and close cabinets on their own. So, keep them away from danger.
To encourage and improve his motor skills help your child when he is stuck with some activity.
5 Filling and Emptying Activities for Toddlers
Filling a container and emptying things from another may not seem much of a daunting task to an adult, but it is a challenging task for a toddler. Obviously, your child is happy on completing his task, but what goes unnoticed to is how such a small task plays a significant role in his development. Indeed all these trivial activities are important for him. So, here are some activities that you can engage your toddler into:
1. Shifting Activities
Encourage your toddler to shift objects from one place to another. For this purpose, you can use containers that are easily available at home, such as small plastic jars and bottles. Ask your toddler to hold and move objects. He will learn to follow your instructions and it will improve his muscle strength too.
2. Pouring Activities
Pouring activity is very good for children. It improves their concentration, gives them a sense of independence, and develops hand-eye coordination. Get your child nested containers as he’ll enjoy the challenge of trying to fit them into each other. Later, you can use two bowls and fill one with small objects and also give him a scoop. He can transfer the contents to the other bowl either by using his hands or the scoop. Another benefit of pouring activities is that they help children develop an analytical mind as they realize when they should stop pouring.
3. Sandbox Activities
You should allow your toddlers to play in sand. Give them a small bucket and shovel, and ask them to fill the bucket with sand and later empty it. If you don’t have sand in your backyard, get it from some place and fill it in a plastic tub and let your child just play. Teach them to dig and draw different shapes in the sand. Let them explore!
4. Water Activities
Toddlers love to play in water. So, you can promote filling and emptying activity in water too. You can use a bathtub and give him containers for filling. Also, give him a spare bottle or a measuring cup to let him fill that container. They can also try this activity in kitchen by filling ice trays with water. This will develop self-regulation skills in them.
5. Kitchen Activities
To improve gross motor skills of your toddler, you can also engage him in kitchen activities. Give him cereal box and ask him to fill cereals in it. Or you can give him fruits and ask him to transfer fruits from one basket and to another. But, while he is doing this activity, do keep an eye on him as he might mess it up. This activity is sure to improve his hand-eye coordination.
Before your toddler starts doing any of these activities, it is necessary that you teach him hand flapping, it is a very common action. Then you can teach your child to wave. By taking his hand move it from side to side and ask him to pay attention. Once your child can perform these two actions, you can guide him towards more challenging activities mentioned above, like pouring and transferring objects.
Also, during the course of practice, it’s always important to remember that no two children are alike. Some kids pick up the filling and emptying toddler developmental milestones quicker than others, so don’t rush or push your child into it. Guide him patiently and try to introduce new activities to stimulate him and to develop motor skills in him.
If you’ve tried any other shifting/pouring activity with your toddler, feel free to share them with other moms! Read more
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5 Crazy Things We Tell Our Hairdressers
Want to show off a terrific new hair style? Next time you have a salon appointment, remember these things you should never say to your hairdresser. Just let your stylist know how you want your hair done and let his creativity work wonders for you!
More often than not, women keep going from one salon to another in search of that perfect hairdresser. You should consider yourself lucky if you've found the right hairdresser for yourself! So, if you’d like a haircut that makes you the head turner wherever you go, there are things that you should refrain from saying to your hair stylist.
Funny Things We Say to Our Hairdressers
1. Make me look like (name any celebrity)
This is one thing you should never say to your hairdresser. Never! Your favourite celebrity has a team of stylists. Instead of asking your stylist to make you look like a certain someone, share what exactly you like about that celebrity’s particular hairstyle. Your hairstylist will judge the quality, texture and nature of your hair and decide if that kind of style would suit you. For example, a bob is not the ideal choice if you have a long jawline.
2. Style my hair like the previous stylist
Have you relocated to a new place and are visiting a particular salon for the first time? You could tell your new hairdresser how you liked styling your hair previously. Alternatively, you may like to show a photograph of yourself to explain how your hair looked after the last set. That way, your new hairdresser will get a better idea of what you're looking for. He doesn't know your previous hairdresser, remember?
3. Give me a new look, but don’t shorten my hair
This is one of the common funny things we tell our hairstylists. It’s best to refrain from setting too many limitations for your hairdresser. If you're looking for a completely new look, a few inches of your hair need to go! There's no eating the cake and having it too!
4. I wasn’t really expecting this!
Sometimes, you might not end up getting the exact style or colour you wished for. Instead of being rude to your hairdresser, inform her politely about what you didn’t like and how you wanted things to be. Being too straightforward about how you hate the new mirror reflection is among the things you should not say to your hairstylist. It won't help, you see.
5. How can I add volume to my hair without using any product?
Your hairdresser can show you a few tricks of combing and setting your hair to get that voluminous look. But only a hair volumising spray or powder can give you the puffed up look that you so desire. Instead of sounding too naïve or uninformed, take a quick peek at the product your stylist is using and procure it later on. Easy!
Communication is the key to your hairdressing success. Give suggestions and be open to new ideas. In other words, work together with your hairdresser for a mind-blowing hair-do, which you can flaunt away to glory! Read more
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Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
baby having nose block.. sleeping problem
what should I do?
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. nasal blockage can be relieved by using nasal saline drops like nasoclear saline drops in thecg nose followed by nasal aspirator to take out the secretions very ghently
steam inhalation can also be helpful in this condition
Nikitha has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
2 hours ago
Q. At what month does the baby go from breech position to cephalic position?
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. hello nearing your delivery it will happen.any concern then it would be better to check with your doctor and she will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly which would be better and also safe
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. @ the time of birth baby weight 2.475kg but after completed 6weeks baby weight approx 3kg, why baby weight gain very slow, till breast-feeding milk and urinate 6-7 times and potty 2-3 times. can u please suggest why slow in progress in weight gain???
Read moreDr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. the average birth weight of neonates is about 3 kg.
during the first few days after birth, the newborn loses
extracellular fluid equivalent to about 10% of the body
weight.
most infants regain their birth weight by the age of 10 days. subsequently, they gain weight at a rate of
approximately 25 to 30 g per day for the first 3 months of life.
thereafter they gain about 400 g weight every month,
for the remaining part of the first year. x
an infant usually doubles his birth weight (taken as 3 kg) by the age of 5 months. the birth weight triples at 1 year and is four times at 2 years of age.
the weight of ca child at the age of three years is usually
five times that of the birth weight.
Manisha Singh has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert mera baby 3 month ka h use gas bhuat banti h is karan wo bhuat rota hai
Manisha Singh
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
1 hour ago
A. it's very common for babies having gas problem ...you should recommend your doctor for this
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. Hi
what to give 6 months old baby to eat
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. Hello dear! Once your baby completes 6 months you can start giving small quantities of semi solids like homemade cerelac, mashed bananas, apple puree, ragi and so on. Continue with breastfeeding. Keep Babyhug tummy roll on handy
Dr Muhsina has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. now I am in 30 weeks of pregnancy I have vomiting.I couldn't control what the reasons for this vomiting
Dr Muhsina
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
47 mins ago
A. Some women may have vomiting throughout their pregnancy. The most common reason for vomiting during the third trimester may be gastritis. Make sure you eat small frequent meals, preferably every 2 hours. If your baby's weight during checkups are adequate..u needn't worry much about this. You can also consult your doctor and take anti emetics and PPIs if the vomiting is bothering you or interfering with your daily activities.
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