Our parents were far from perfect. Now that you are a parent you probably realise that you also are far from perfect. Learning from other parents is key to being a good parent, so we’ve supplied you with some answers to a variety of parenting dilemmas.
Make sure to wait at least 3 to 4 weeks before introducing a baby to the bottle. Doing so earlier can confuse the baby and it will reduce your milk supply for breastfeeding. Women’s bodies produce milk based on the demand. So, the more often that you supplement with a bottle, the less milk you will produce.
Do not try to introduce the bottle to a normally breastfeed baby who is hungry. A hungry baby will not understand what the bottle is for and will reject it immediately because he at this point only associates food with the breast. Get the baby used to the bottle when they are not hungry so that they can learn that it provides food as well.
In order for your teenagers to get along with you, trust is very important. If you try to accuse your teen of things that they may in fact be doing, it is only going to make your relationship worse. You must trust them; in turn they will respect and have such a great relationship with you that they wouldn’t want to do anything to disappoint you.
A great parenting tip is to always listen to your children when they need to talk to you. A lot of parents just get annoyed when their child tries to talk to them, this leaves the child feeling dismissed. Validate your child’s feelings by taking the time to listen to them.
Never administer medication to your child for any “off-label” conditions unless the child’s doctor has given you specific written instructions to do so. Children do not always react to medication in the same way adults do. For instance, giving a child Benadryl to help induce sleep might actually have the opposite effect of hyperactivity.
If your child’s pajamas are consistently wet when you get him up in the morning, try putting him in a diaper that is one size larger than what he normally wears. A larger diaper provides more coverage and can take in more of your child’s pee, providing them with a drier night’s sleep.
A great parenting tip is to work together with your spouse if you’re married or part of a couple. If the two of you aren’t on the same page, both of your parental efforts might get foiled. By working as a team you’ll be able to solve problems together.
If you have trouble getting your child to not do something, it is generally best to specifically instruct them to do something else. For example, if you do not want your child to run down the stairs, instead of stating “don’t run,” it is better to state “please walk down the stairs.” When told not to do something, a child is more likely to instinctively ignore the instruction. Also, it avoids situations where the child might decide to be clever and jump down the stairs instead.
If your child is afraid of going to bed alone, do not encourage them to come and lie in the bed with you. Make sure that they sleep in their own beds and reassure them that they are safe. You can even assign one of their stuffed animals to be a “bodyguard.”
Encourage your child to drink lots of water. Sugary sodas, juices with hidden sugar and even sugar-free drinks add either extra calories or unhealthy artificial sweeteners to his diet. Drinking water will keep a child well-hydrated and help to maintain a healthy digestive system. If they want something that tastes good, try mixing a little fruit juice with the water.
To sooth a colicky baby try some skin on skin contact. If you are breastfeeding you can place them against your stomach and offer them some food. You may find that talking to them in a soothing voice or singing a lullaby may stop the tears. You should always stay calm when dealing with an infant, if you find that you are becoming frustrated, take a break by handing your baby to a spouse or other trusted family member.
When you are disciplining your children, make sure that you do not let your emotions get the better of you. It is very important not to punish your child because you are mad at them. The underlying goal behind discipline should always be to instruct your child in how to make better choices. If you are angry, your child is not going to learn from the experience.
Reading all you can about parenting is an awesome tool to use in becoming a better parent. Other people’s experiences may not mirror yours, but they can bring insight into a variety of different techniques which can be applied to your parenting problems. Keep reading and learning and you’ll always be the best parent you can be!