Terrible Terrible Twos

Terrible Twos are when meek infants turn into strong-willed, sometimes ill-tempered little creatures with minds of their own. It is also a normal manifestation of the drive for autonomy. A stage where they realize that they are individuals, that they have some control over their surroundings, and that they are capable of doing anything. As a parent, this expression of self-will must be viewed as normal, healthy striving for independence, not as stubbornness. In the long run if we manage to deal with this stage we can help them learn self-control and contribute to their sense of competence, and avoid excessive conflict. How to Deal with the “Terrible Twos” Be flexible Be sensitive and learn the child’s natural rhythms and special likes and dislikes. Knowing you child well will generally help you deal with them better. Make your home “child-friendly” Toddlers love exploring their surroundings. Child-proofing your home would make it safe for your kid to explore and prevent accidents from happening. Children learn through play. Some parents tend to be overprotective of their child. They do not realize that while they may be protecting their child from harm, they are also minimizing their toddler’s chances of learning. I let my daughter explore and play as much as she likes but I’m always there to watch over her and I’m always ready to console my child if things get a little too stressing for her. Offer a choice This is the time when they are trying to be independent. Offer them a variety of things and let them make their own choices. I personally let my daughter decide what she’s going to eat for lunch and make her choose what she would want to wear to the park and sometimes I would ask her if she wants to put it on herself. Choices, even limited ones give children a sense of control. This way you can always make a compromise when things get out-of-hand. Avoid physical punishment As a parent, I avoid any physical punishment. Talking to your child calmly and explaining what they have done wrong is the most effective way of disciplining them. Physical punishment is almost always ineffective and may even lead a toddler to resist even more. Keep the atmosphere as positive as possible Maintaining an affectionate and pleasant relationship with your child is they key to making them want to cooperate.

Feeding Time

Breastmilk is highly recommended until 2 years of age but after 6 months, babies need to be introduced to solid foods too. There are baby cereals that are approved by pediatricians too but I’m trying to go organic here. Ultimately, I don’t want my child to grow up just wanting to eat only fried chicken or hotdog!

It’s best to introduce different tastes and textures at an early age. Having them get used to all kinds of food at an early age is one way of training their taste buds to get used to the different flavors and textures. It will eventually help them – not to mention us - get their 100% RDA.

I’m also trying to hold back on sweets. Sweetness is rarely an offensive flavor. Most people I know have a preference for anything sweet. Even toddlers don’t need training in that department. Introducing them to sweets at this stage might lessen their appetite for other flavors.

At first, I introduced different kinds of food like potatoes, squash and carrots. Now she’s able to eat rice and viands such as meat and other un-squashed vegetables. LOL Oh, try not to feed your child too much squash. According to the Doc, too much squash might turn your kid yellow. LOL

Also give your child the opportunity to have fun while eating. Expect feeding time to be dirty! When they’re old enough let them feed themselves. It gives them some level of independence. Don’t get OC and frustrated when your child is playing with his/her food. Toddlers need a little time to get used to the flavors and textures. While they might seem to be playing with their food they are actually exploring its taste as well as the texture. As a rule of thumb, I never let feeding time go over 30 minutes. There’s no need to push her to finish her meal if she doesn’t really want to. You can always feed your child later.

What if they don’t want to eat? TRUTH: If they’re hungry they will eat anything! Try to get a hold of yourself and not give in by letting them drink milk in lieu of solid food. This will only train them to throw tantrums to get what they want and will absolutely not help in training them to eat solid food!

Gah! It’s almost feeding time… Bye-beee~!

A little sleep for me!

Since birth my baby had been sleeping with me in the same bed but after her 3^rd month I opted to get her a crib though we still sleep in the same room. I can’t imagine putting her to sleep in another room all alone! After 3 months (she's in her 6th month now), more than half of her sleep occurs at night now! Hoorah! Now I'm able to get some sleep!

On Motor Development:

Since birth, I've been monitoring my baby's development. Starting from birth to her early weeks she has always been very excitable and active during her waking hours. She smiles often and makes rhythmic sucking movements. She has progressed since and is now able to do basic motor skills such as grasping, rolling over, and sitting without support. She's also able to stand while holding on to something for support! These achievements are called ‘developmental milestones’. There are tests designed to identify children developmental progress such as the Denver Developmental Screening Test. Even parents can be capable of assessing their own child's development. There are websites that offer information and a list of developmental milestones. Here are some that I've stumbled upon:

Family and Classroom Educational Support

American Academy of Pediatrics

TEXAS - Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

A child with two or more delays in two or more categories may need special attention. However, it is important to understand that there are environmental factors, including cultural patterns that may affect a baby's pace of motor development. Slower-developing children often catch up when given a supportive environment.

Zombie-eh-eh-eh

I haven’t been getting much sleep lately. These first few weeks she has been waking up every 2 to 3 hours, day and night! Hopefully at about 3 months, she’s going to be more wakeful in the late afternoon until early evening and start to sleep through the night. So until then… hello sleepless nights!

Solution:

I find it helpful to keep a diary of my baby’s activities. I record things like what time she sleeps, around what time she wakes up, when she cries for food and most importantly when and what breast I used in my last breastfeeding session. LOL With the help of the diary, I’ve been able to identify her sleeping pattern and create a breastfeeding schedule that is most convenient for both of us.

Details on Birth

Being a mom is unbelievably crazy. It’s extremely tiring but very rewarding at the same time. I’ve been too busy with my baby I even forgot to post details about her birth! So here it is:

Method of Birth: Natural

Birthweight: 6 ½ lbs.

Length: 18 inches long

FYI: An average neonate, or newborn, is about 20 inches long and weighs about 7 ½ lbs.

APGAR score: 8

Based on the APGAR score of a newborn the hospital workers are able to know ASAP whether a baby has any problem that needs special care. The APGAR scale is performed one minute after delivery, and repeated again 5 minutes after birth. It is used to measure a neonate’s appearance (color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex irritability), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing).

On Breastfeeding:

I won’t lie… It HURTS! But srsly, it’s just a matter getting used to it. Milk is the only food most babies need until about 6 months of age. Mother’s milk provides varying degrees of protection against certain diseases and is less likely to produce allergic reactions, and baby’s teeth and jaws tend to develop better when they are breastfed. Breastfeeding is an emotional as much as it is a physical act. Although emotional linkage can also be strengthened through bottle-feeding, I believe the warm contact with the mother’s body, and the benefits of breastfeeding is still the smarter option. Not to mention way more economical than formula! Do you have any idea how much a can of baby formula costs nowadays? It’s outrageous!