Breast Feeding - Frequently Asked Questions

Breast-feeding is one of the most natural things in the world. Many women have questions about breast-feeding. There are myths and facts about breast-feeding. These will be discussed in the list of questions and answers provided below.

Q. What are some myths about breast-feeding?

There are many myths about breast feeding such, as you cannot take any medication while breastfeeding. Most medications are safe for you but you should check with your doctor first. A breast-feeding mother with an infection should not be breast-feeding. Actually she should continue because her milk provides the baby with help to resist infections. If s/he does become ill, it will not be severe.

Q. What are some problems that can occur with breast-feeding?

Some women may not be able to produce enough milk. Others produce too much milk, too quickly and this can cause engorgement. Expressing some of the milk may relieve some of the pain.

Q. Are there things I should avoid while breastfeeding?

You should avoid alcoholic drinks as the alcohol does pass through to the baby and it can affect the baby’s weight and central nervous system. If you drink only occasionally, make sure you do it after you nurse. This means that alcohol level will be lower or gone before the next feeding. Avoid spicy or gassy foods as these can upset your baby’s delicate tummy.

Q. What is Thrush?

Thrush is a yeast infection in the baby’s mouth that looks like little white patches on their tongue and the inside of the cheeks. Mom can continue to breast feed as long as both she and the baby are treated with a medication.

Q. Can I breast-feed while taking medication?

Yes you can breast feed while taking medication. Be sure before you take anything that you check with your doctor first to be on the safe side. Most medications are safe but it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Q. Can just any woman breast-feed?

Yes any woman can breast feed provided that she hasn’t had breast surgery that has affected the milk ducts. The size of her breasts does not affect breast-feeding.

Q. What is Milk Fever?

This is an outdated term that referred to plugged milk ducts. In fact, if you have a fever you have Mastitis not Milk Fever that is a misnomer.

Q. Can my baby be allergic to my breast milk?

It is highly unlikely that your baby can become allergic to breast milk. Talk to your pediatrician to see what he might suggest. You might need to take your baby to a gastro-enterologist for testing but continue breast-feeding unless you are told to stop.

Q. Can breast feeding mother drink caffeinated beverages?

Yes coffees, teas, and soda are okay but in limited amounts. The caffeine does pass through your milk to the baby. It can make your baby restless and fussy.

Q. Can I drink carbonated beverages while breast-feeding?

In moderation carbonated beverages are okay in limited amounts. Two a day should not affect your baby. The concern is the large amounts of phosphorous that are in carbonated beverage and this is for all women; it may decrease the amount of calcium you will be able to absorb.

Q. What can I do if my baby refuses to breast-feed?

If your baby refuses to breast feed you can try feeding him while he’s asleep or very sleepy. You can try varying positions while you are feeding. You could also try breast feeding your baby while in motion, for example rocking, walking, or riding in the car.

Q. Can I lose weight safely while I am breast-feeding?

While you are breast-feeding don’t worry too much about losing weight. It is important that you east a very healthy diet in order to maintain your milk supply. Check with your doctor as s/he might have helpful hints for you.

Q. Can Diabetic mothers breast-feed their babies?

Yes, Diabetic mothers can breast feed. After birth babies of Diabetic mothers must be monitored for low blood sugar, a high hematocrit, and possibly low calcium. Pumping their breasts as soon after birth as possible to help bring in their milk supply. This will make it easier for their babies to learn how to nurse.

Q. What are some of the benefits of breastfeeding for my baby and me?

The benefits of breast feeding for women is that the risk of breast and ovarian cancer is reduced, it helps you to lose some of the pregnancy weight and may lower the risk of osteoporosis. Another benefit is it saves money on formula and bottles. The benefits of breast feeding for babies is that their mothers milk protects them from allergens and eczema, reduces stomach upset, and lessens the incidence of SIDS. It also protects the baby from such diseases as Spinal Meningitis, Type I Diabetes, and Hodgkin's Lymphoma. There is also some suggestion it may help prevent obesity later in life.

In Conclusion

The information given here is just a fraction of what is available out there. You search the Internet or talk to your doctor and/or hospital for more specific information regarding breast-feeding and options that may be unique for you. The choice is up to you and you know what would be right for you and your baby.

See my other guide on Popular Children Magazines

Choosing A Play Group

Playgroups are an important part of social interaction for young children and their mothers. Playgroups prepare children for more formal daycare and school situations and provide moms valuable time with other adults. Choosing the right playgroup is essential to getting the most out of this experience.

Sources of playgroups might include church groups, neighborhood-based groups, library or city-sponsored groups or even internet-based groups. What is the age range of children in the group? Some groups have a set age limit and discourage bringing older siblings. Be sure that whatever the structure that there are plenty of children at the same phase of development as your child. If your child is still crawling and all the other children are walking, he won't be able to participate in the same activities as the other children.

Are there dues or a membership fee? Some groups are completely free. Others charge a weekly or monthly fee to cover the cost of snacks and craft materials. Some groups have a board of directors or oversight group and some have one person who is considered the leader of the group.

Some groups are more free-form than others. Depending on your personality and your child's schedule you need to decide whether a group with regular weekly meetings is better for you or if a drop-in program with a flexible schedule will work better.

What are the policies, if any, regarding discipline? Every playgroup has its own dynamics, rules and customs. Asking about these things ahead of time can save embarrassment and prevent conflicts. Do members discipline each other's children? Toy sharing? Hitting? You need to choose a group whose values match your own.

What are the hostess duties? Will you be expected to host play dates at your home on a regular basis? Be sure you're equipped to host a large number of children at your home. Finally, what are the moms in the group like? Are they of the same socio-economic group as you?

See my other guide on Popular Children Magazines

Childcare Transition

Childcare Decisions

Most parents find themselves perplexed and anxious when it comes to making the best choice for the care of their children. Leaving a child in a childcare facility for the first time can be nerve-wrecking experience, both for parents and the child. However, keeping in view the busy lifestyles of most parents, this does seem like the most sensible and inevitable option. Choosing a childcare facility about which the parents feel most confident and can trust with the welfare of their child, along with mentally preparing themselves and the child about the incursion of a childcare facility in their daily lives should be used to decrease the anxiety that props up during this transition phase. Some parents and children have such extreme reactions about a childcare environment that they need counselling from a psychologist!!

Positive Childcare Transition

One of the most-commonly used methods of making the transition easy is by mentally preparing the child. Before the childcare schedule actually begins, the parents have to make the child used to the reality that he/she would be away from the similarity of a home or the presence of parents for some hours, every day. Parents should begin talking to the child about the various kinds of activities that would be a part of childcare schedule. The child should be familiarized with the rules/regulations that are a part of a usual childcare environment. Parents should try and distance themselves for the child a bit - just to an extent that the child becomes familiar with the idea of not being in the company of parents.

Another important aspect of this childcare transition is recognising the child's special requirements and making sure that these would be satisfied in the childcare/preschool set-up. When it comes to choosing the best-suited childcare center, try out for the best possible and nearest location. This would reduce the scheduling/transport problems that are associated with the childcare format.

Childcare Options :
Child care centers are where the child is provided a group setting. He is made to socialize with other children, usually of the same age group, and there is supervision under the presence of numerous qualified or non-qualified childcare providers.
Family childcare centers have the provision of the child staying in the carer's home. The children may or may not be of the same age group but benefit from home-like environment.
Some neighborhoods have facilities called In-home child care facilities. Here a childcare provider is provided and he/she visits the parent's/child's home to take care of the child.
Most popular choice is the nursery schools/pre-schools/playschools. These are professionally-managed childcare centers. Here the child is inducted in a properly-structured, core curriculum that is backed with the presence of qualified preschooling educators.

See my other guide on Benefits For Your Child As They Play in the Playground

Enhance Children's Learning Process With Play Kitchens For Kids

There are amazing varieties of play kitchens for kids that fit for either a boy or girl. These are indeed great fun for children and good for their learning process. The boys may appreciate much the design for a gourmet chef with matching kitchen accessories, while the girls will love those with lively colors featuring accessories with the girly touch.

The play kitchens for kids will make them feel how it is to prepare the food that they eat and how it is to be working in the kitchen. They will become aware of the necessities needed for food preparation by identifying the different utensils, cookware accessories, spices and ingredients for food, towels and aprons and more stuffs.

The kitchen pieces are all crafted from high-quality wood of unquestionable durability. To give color to these pieces, they are painted with non-toxic and eco-friendly bright, colored paints. The whole kitchen set up features the essentials such as the oven and stove with functional knobs, a sink with movable parts, and utensils like a pot and a ladle. The play kitchen for kids have convenient storage rests under the sink where they can keep food and stuffs organized. The doors open and close easily and the sink parts are removable for easy cleaning and maintenance. The fact that children prepare food, cook them and clean up after doing all the work is already great learning. At an early age, the child will be able to grasp the essence of responsibility and at the same time nurture the potentials that are dormant in their beings.

Parents and kids may play together and this will offer them a good time together. A parent-child relationship is therefore enhanced in this form of activity. They can enjoy quality time while having fun and gaining learning. You can already mold the character of your children with these play kitchens for kids.

See my other guide on Choosing the Right Child Care For Your Baby

Selecting and Hiring Childcare Employees

By Edward Charkow

In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form of childcare arrangements to help meet the demands of family and work. The majority of parents in America work outside the home, creating a need for dependable childcare. Reliable, responsible childcare employees are crucial to successfully performing your job and caring for your family.
Childcare employees and parents can find numerous resources and organizations to help meet that challenge. You can find practical advice on choosing childcare employees, payroll and tax issues, and hints on how to provide your child with quality childcare. Local, state, and Federal agencies have a wealth of information regarding licensing, insurance, and tax laws.
Many companies are offering on-site childcare to employees as a way to reduce unplanned absences and time lost from work due to family issues. Flexible scheduling and the convenience of receiving high quality day care at your office has made the task of balancing work and family easier for many families. For those who do not have access to childcare at their place of employment, federally funded programs are available to assist you in locating and paying for childcare.
Childcare employees working in federally funded facilities are trained and licensed to maintain a certain standard of quality and professionalism while employed in the childcare center. Information is available to you through a variety of programs to help you in choosing a childcare facility, screen childcare employees, and how to monitor the level of care your child receives while in the day care center or home you have chosen. There are checklists you can copy or print to assist you in asking the right questions and evaluating childcare employees.
The first step in locating quality childcare employees is to identify several candidates and conduct a telephone interview to help you determine which you'd like to speak with or visit in person. Those who don't impress you during the telephone interview will probably not impress you in person either, so you can eliminate the ones you are not interested in right away. You can then visit or speak personally with the facilities and potential childcare employees who need further consideration.
Once you have made your final decision, you will want to take steps to monitor the quality of care your child receives. This can be accomplished by involvement in your child's activities, observing your child in the presence of the childcare employee or day care center and discussing any problems or concerns you may have, talking with your child about how he or she feels about the time they spend with the caregiver or in the center or home.
Make frequent visits and observe the number of children and caregivers in attendance, the condition and appearance of the home or day care center, and the atmosphere created by the childcare employees. If the caregiver is employed inside your home, there are a number of electronic surveillance devices that will allow you to monitor the caregiver and you child while you are at work.
Finding adequate childcare is a major concern for families in which both parents work outside the home or single parent families. Utilize the resources available to you and research the facility and/or childcare employees to give you peace of mind at work and to ensure that your child is well cared for and happy.
Ed Charkow is the webmaster for http://www.random-related.com/

Please, see my other guide on Profit by Providing Home Based Child Care Services

Choosing a Game Console For Your Kids

By Chip Searl

The games industry is booming, gaming is becoming increasingly more popular and has indeed become very "cool". In fact, since the old days where Pac-Man and Space Invaders, can we say that the industry has grown so large that we are spoilt for choice?
In modern day, we have three major companies who throw their great consoles at us. First off we have Sony with their PlayStation 3. Next we have Nintendo and their Wii console. Finally, we have Microsoft with the X-box 360. These are the three giants of the gaming industry... Yet some may be confused as to "what console is better".

To start off, we must look at each console. All three of them, in my eyes, are equal. They have strengths and weaknesses, so, let's start with examining the PlayStation 3.
With it's fantastic pro's of having a blu-ray player and what is the most visually pleasing games out on the market, the PlayStation 3 sounds like a solid console. What are its drawbacks? Many would argue the price, however as time has progressed it seems that Sony have brought the price way down. In fact, recently, I saw a new PlayStation 3 for £250. This is only £50 more than the X-box 360 elite.

Let's move onto the X-box 360. With it's ever expanding list of "elite" versions and hard drive upgrades, no one will truly be bored with this console. The online facilities are perhaps the best of the three... However, it might be the best of the three... but the X-box 360 has decided that we must pay to use these facilities. Not quite the best choice for online gaming, if you ask me, however it does indeed have a great amount of titles to back it up!
Finally, we can look at the Nintendo Wii. It's fun and quirky but is not without its draw backs! The Wii incorporates "motion sensing". As fun as this is, sometimes the novelty factor just wears out. The Wii, however, is the ultimate for party gaming. Grab a friend and play to your hearts content!

So what can we say? The three consoles are all giants and are all fantastic... But all with their draw backs. My suggestion? Grab a Wii for a party. Grab the X-box 360 for the online facilities. Grab a PlayStation 3 for the Blu-ray.

Hi, I'm Chip. I get to play games and help out in my spare time for Game Stock. Game Stock are a games retailer based in the UK. For many parents buying a DSi or Nintendo DSi console bundle online works out much cheaper than console only prices. Refer to the next link for the Best kids games to buy for Christmas 2009 - Wii DS PS3 Xbox360 games. You'll find lots of advice there too!

See my other Guide on Profit by Providing Home Based Child Care Services

Harry Potter Theme Park Set to Open in 2010

By Katherine Reid

Imagine walking through the hall of Hogwarts or taking a bumpy training flight atop an addled Hippogrif--now you can, thanks to the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal and Warner Bros. have joined forces to unleash the magic of Harry Potter into the real world. Set to open in Spring of 2010, the theme park will be an add-on to the already wildly-popular Islands of Adventure.
Thanks to the work of the film franchise's original art and set designers, once you enter Wizarding World, you'll feel like you've been transported to Hogwarts. The goal of the park is to take all the craftsmanship and attention to detail from the elaborate movie sets and translate them into a lush, real-life HP experience. This means mimicking a fast-paced game of Quidditch, complete with the catching of the Golden Snitch. The park will boast two roller coasters: one within Hogwarts Castle called The Forbidden Journey that Universal claims "uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced," and another coaster that simulates a ride atop a high-flying Hippogriff. With both companies pouring more than $250 million into the park, there's a good chance fans and non-fans alike will be thrilled by the expensive attractions.
In typical theme park fashion, there's a heavy focus on merchandise, but at least the park keeps up the pretense: kids can buy overpriced souvenirs like wands and remote-controlled Golden Snitches at stores straight from the Harry Potter series. The park has its own Zonko's Joke Shop, Filch's Emporium and Owl Post--you know, so you can pay an exorbitant price to have your letter mailed with a special Harry Potter stamp. You also might want to bring some sandwiches because it's doubtful the Hog's Head or Three Broomsticks will be charing pub prices despite the traditional British fare on the menu. But to a Harry Potter fan that's probably a reasonable price to pay to sip on some real Butterbeer.

http://www.kidzworld.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Reid

See my other guide on Provit by Providing Home Base Child Services

With Educational Toys It's Fun to Learn

By : Kathleen Chester

When you are choosing gifts for babies and young kids, it makes sense to buy educational toys. The aim is to help in the all round development of the child while he/she is having fun playing with the toy. The bright colors, texture, and pleasant sounds made by the toys should have a good impact on the growing child and help in the development of the five senses.

It is important to give kids toys that are safe; toys should not consist toxic elements and must not have sharp edges. The stages of early childhood are very crucial; a child learns a lot and develops physically as well as mentally during this period. Toys can be categorized into fun toys, skills-based toys, and cognitive development toys.

Different kinds of educational toys
Well, if you are confused and do not know what kinds of toys are actually educational toys; read on. Try to analyze the purpose of the toy. Keep in mind that the toy must have something that will help the baby or child to learn and grow mentally. A newborn's needs are different from a toddler or a teenager; remember this when you are selecting toys.
There are building blocks, model airplanes, railroads, toy pianos, word and jigsaw puzzles and robot kits which are educational and at the same time kids love to play with them. Other toys include painting sets, educative computer games, telescopes, flash cards, and educational software. It is important to note that certain computer games do not contribute to the physical or creative development of the youngsters.

Seek for educational toys online
If you are not sure about choosing the best educational toys, it will be a wise idea to look for reputed online stores selling toys. These sites are great. They tell you what toys are perfect for which age of children. You can have a look at the toy you want to buy from the comforts of your home. All the toys look brilliant, are safe and help a kid in his/her development. If you have a budget set for yourself, you can also go through the prices of each toy and buy the one that fits your budget and is also appropriate as an educational toy.

Many online stores offer discounts; look out for such offers and special opportunities. Know how your product will be delivered to you and about the shipping policies of the company.
Baby Toys - At ebeanstalk, we carry a unique selection of 1 year old toys, 2 year old toys through toys for 7 year olds. Our collection of educational & learning toys for babies, infants & toddlers from 100+ manufacturers will truly match your child's development.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathleen_Chester

See my other guide on Provit by Providing Home Base Child Services

Child Care is a Full Time Job

Many women stop working full time to raise their children. With the rising costs of child care, economically it may not make sense for the mother to continue to work. Child care costs can average $100 dollars a week or more. This may sound like a lot but considering the child is being watched for around 40 hours a week, this averages to about $2.50 an hour. With multiple children, child care may run thousands of dollars per month. Therefore its no surprise that many women choose to forgo the child care center and stay home with their kids. Unfortunately many people underestimate the amount of effort that child care takes.

Raising a child is never easy. As newborns, most babies cry for no apparent reason. They may stop crying almost as soon as they start. They might want to eat or be held. They might be cold or sleepy. They could need a diaper change. They might just cry because they feel like crying. Learning to tolerate the crying is the first step in child care. Understanding the problem and coming up with the appropriate solution is the next. Some babies don't cry very much but crying is very much the norm.

Once the crying is under control, child care also requires keeping an eye on the child all of the time. Younger infants will not be able to move around much if at all. Once the child is able to crawl, things may become more difficult. A mother may look away for 10 seconds only to look back and discover the child is gone. Children are very curious after they have learned how to crawl and walk. They will want to play and run and explore. Things will get broken. Milk will be spilled. Toys will be all over the house. Even the most watchful of mothers will spend a lot of time running after her infant.

Child care requires making sure the child is fed, clothed, entertained, and safe. The house will need to be child proofed to make sure nothing harmful can occur. Child proofing involves covering up outlets and rough edges on tables, locking the toilet and possibly the cabinets, gating off steps, and putting away sharp objects. Clothes may need to be changed several times because food and drinks may be spilled. Toys will need to be picked up because children like to make messes.

Child care is not frustrating all the time though. Babies smell good after their baths. They are warm and cuddly and they look precious when they sleep. Children say things that are extremely cute and funny. Children are very loveable. If they weren't loveable sometimes, no one would have children. Child care can be very rewarding, especially after watching the child grow and develop.

The decision to stay home with a child full time should not be made lightly. Child care is not for everyone. Some mother's will be comfortable and content in this role. Others will be stir crazy and anxious to go back to work. It is in the best interest of the child to have a caretaker who wants to be there. Having a good positive role model will help the child grow into a well adjusted and successful adult.

See my other guide on 8 Tips to Save on Child Care Costs

Popular Children Magazines

Who says children can't enjoy magazines too? There are now a wide range of options for children's magazines. Here are some of the most popular children's magazines today.

Disney Princess Magazine

The Disney Princess Magazine is a fun-filled bimonthly magazine for little girls aged 4 to 9 years old. With every issue, you can find magical stories of Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, Mulan and Pocahontas. Your little princess can also enjoy fun craft projects, activities and games, and a lot more surprises. The Disney Princess Magazine is perfect for inspiring your child's creativity, wonder and imagination.

National Geographic for Kids and Little Ones

If you want your kids to learn more about the world in the most interesting way possible, grab a copy of the National Geographic magazine for kids and little ones. National Geographic for Kids is perfect for children of all ages. Every issue contains wonderful journeys around the world, interesting articles on science, pictures and information on exotic and interesting animals, current events, and even the different cultures of the world. National Geographic for Little Kids mag is mainly for kids aged to 3-6 years old. Disney and Me Like most other popular children magazines, Disney and Me is also an interactive learning mag. If you want to save more money, you should consider getting subscriptions from certified, reliable magazine subscription sites. Popular children magazines are an excellent way to jump start your kid's learning experience and enhance their creativity.

See my other guide on 8 Tips to Save on Child Care Costs

Benefits For Your Child As They Play in the Playground

If you ask your child what his favorite place in the day care is, I would guess that he would answer the playground. Outdoor playgrounds in the day care do make a child's stay there more enjoyable. Especially when these are painted in different colors, children would instantly race to play first on the play ground. As the parents, you might be concerned with a lot of safety issues, but I highly doubt that your child will get into any accidents because children are only allowed to play in a playground with supervision.
You need to understand that a playground can bring benefits for your child. You do not need to be negative about the idea that children will be exposed to a lot of danger when playing. You should know that a playground can bring a two-fold benefit for your child both beneficial for the physical aspect and the emotional one.
The physical fitness of your child will be greatly enhanced when they play in here. At an early age, muscle formation in the kids is very important to keep their circulation very much running properly. Depending on what your child plays, he will be able to develop his physical state. One long term effect that this can bring to you is the prevention of obesity and Type II diabetes since calories are constantly burned through exercise, your child will maintain a healthy body with it.
When it comes to your child emotions, he need to have develop a strong social relationship with others. In a sandbox, your child will play with other children and they can form sandcastles as a team, this will need to share shovels and pails. It is nice to have a playground in the day care where you would send your child. Not only is his mental development important, but he needs to have a holistic development which touches the physical and social aspect of your child. Don't be too pessimistic as this can affect your child's development.

See my other guide on 8 Tips to Save on Child Care Costs

Choosing the Right Child Care For Your Baby

There are pros and cons to all child care arrangements and, like everything in life, none are without flaws. This article will compare the four most common child care choices - non-licensed family member or friend; babysitter/nanny; family child care; and center based child care - in terms of benefit to your child, cost, flexibility, and security.

The potential pitfalls to this child care arrangement are usually flexibility and difference of opinion. The other sticky area in this arrangement can come in when you and your family member have differing philosophies in child-rearing. Security is generally not an issue when it comes to this child care arrangement so long as the caregiver understands your boundaries when it comes to visitors.

If you want your child to have individualized care in your home but do not have a family member or close friend who is able to provide care, a private nanny or babysitter is another option. In the first 12-24 months especially, children benefit from individualized care from a nurturing person who is knowledgeable about infant development.
A licensed family child care provider is another option that provides your child with a fairly small group setting. These providers are licensed by the state to provide care for small groups of children in their homes. Most states regulate and monitor the compliance of family child care providers. Licensed family child care is generally an affordable option and many providers offer hourly rates. It is important to remember that licensed family child care providers do need days off as well and you need to plan for the times when the provider will not be available.

Licensed center based child care is another alternative. Children can benefit from the longevity of this arrangement as many children enroll as infants and stay in a center until they are able to enter the public schools. Child care centers are licensed and regulated by state so you will want to research the licensing authority for your state and find out what the requirements are for staff to child ratios, teacher qualifications, and background checks for employment.

Staff to child ratios vary greatly from state-to-state, and can run the gamut from 1 caregiver to 3 infants to 1 caregiver to 6 infants. Centers that are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) adhere to smaller ratios and higher quality standards. Most child care centers offer weekly rates based on the number of days that your child will attend - some offer half day programs whereas others offer only full day programs. It will take some time and research in order to find the right child care arrangement for your child and family. Find the best fit for your baby now and remember that your child care needs will likely change as your child grows.

See my other guide on 8 Tips to save on Child Care Costs

Profit by Providing Home Based Child Care Services

How can you profit from the boom in child care services?
1. Provide Child Care from Your Home
Would you like to provide child care services from your own home? If so, here is some advice obtained from an experienced child care provider:
It could be just five or six children.
Keep in mind that with a limit to the number of children you can legally care for from your home, accepting a child just on Wednesdays will mean that you are not able to take another child from Monday to Friday (because then you'll have one child too many on Wednesdays). Children are precious.
You really must love children to successfully provide child care services from your home.
2. Provide Value-Added Child Care
You can add value to your home based child care services. Could you offer a sports camp, craft classes, music lessons, computer training or other activities for children?
3. Run a Home Based Child Care Referral Service
Another way to profit from the boom in child care services is to operate a child care referral service.
Advertise to find child care workers and babysitters.

See my other Guide on 8 Tips to Save on Child Care Costs

8 Tips To Save On Child Care Costs

by Jeffrey Strain

Child care costs are are one of the most expensive costs associated with going back to work. Finding ways to cut down on child care costs without sacrificing quality child care is a top priority for all working parents. Here are a few ideas that can help trim your child care costs without sacrificing child care quality:

See if your employer has a child care flexible spending account. This is a special account that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq-kw87.html - created that allows you to set aside money for child care expenses with pre-tax dollars. You ask your employer to take out a certain amount of money each month from your paycheck and you can use this money tax free for child care related expenses.

Inquire if your company has partnerships or offers discounts for certain child care provider services. some larger companies will sometimes negotiate discount plans with local child care providers to help offset child care costs.

See if your public school district offers a half day pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds. These programs are usually free and by signing-up your child, it will reduce your child care needs to a half day from a full day.

Check to see if your employer would be open to flex hours, job sharing or telecommuting. If so, you may be able to use these to juggle your schedule and cut your child care costs.

If both you and your spouse work, see if it's possible to arrange your work schedules so they overlap as little as possible. This will allow you to reduce the number of hours your child has to spend at child care.

See if there is a relative or good friend that can help with child care.

Consider hiring a nanny and sharing the cost of child care with a few good friends. This will allow you to pay less individually for child care costs and the nanny will make more money overall.

For a list of child care resource and referral agencies, you can visit the Child Care Aware website - http://www.childcareaware.org - which is a nonprofit organization that helps parents find quality child care in their communities.

Membuat Tulisan Anak Menjadi Lebih Baik

Vera Farah Bararah - detikHealth

Setiap anak pasti menginginkan tulisan tangan yang baik dan benar, sehingga mudah untuk dibaca dan dimengerti oleh gurunya disekolah. Tapi tidak semua anak memiliki tulisan tangan yang bagus.Sebagai orang tua bisa memberikan anak latihan menulis. karena semakin sering anak berlatih maka tulisannya akan semakin bagus. Selain itu ada beberapa tahapan yang bisa dilakukan oleh anak agar memiliki tulisan tangan yang bagus dan rapi, seperti dikutip dari Kidshealth, Rabu (11/8/2009), yaitu:

Genggam alat tulis dengan benar

Peganglah pensil atau pulpen pada bagian ujung yang dekat dengan runcingan dan cobalah untuk menulis nama sendiri. Ketika tangan memegang pensil dengan cara yang benar, maka menulis akan lebih mudah.

Cara terbaik untuk memegang pensil atau pulpen adalah antara ibu jari dan jari telunjuk, tapi jari tengah juga turut memegang pensil.

Biarkan garis pada kertas menjadi petunjuk

Jadikan garis pada kertas atau buku adalah teman. Garis tersebut bisa membantu menulis dengan ukuran dan porsi yang benar. Porsi disini berarti bahwa satu huruf ukurannya benar jika dibandingkan dengan huruf lainnya, misal huruf 'a' tingginya harus setengah dari huruf 'A'.Pastikan ruang dalam gais terisi dengan benar, untuk huruf besar harus terisi dari atas hingga bawah, Garis tersebut juga bisa menjaga tulisan anak tetap lurus dari ujung hingga ujung. Jika kertasnya tidak ada garis, ambilah penggaris dan buat garis sendiri.

Menulislah dengan perlahan-lahan

Untuk beberapa anak, menulis secara perlahan-lahan bisa menyelesaikan masalah tulisan tangan yang kurang bagus. Jika menulis dengan terburu-buru, maka akan sulit untuk mengontrol gerakan tangan dan kemungkinan akan melakukan banyak kesalahan.

Jangan memberikan tekanan yang besar

Beberapa anak memberikan tekanan yang terlalu besar ketika menulis, ini akan susah untuk membuat tulisan yang halus terutama tulisan miring.

Bermain game

Ada beberapa permainan yang bisa meningkatkan tulisan tangan, seperti permainan yang membutuhkan menulis atau menggambar sesuatu. Dengan begitu anak semakin terlatih, tapi jangan sampai melupakan tugas sekolahnya.

Lihat tips lainnya di Tempat Perawatan Anak

Anak Kecil Mengingat Wajah Lebih Baik Ketimbang Orang Dewasa

Irna Gustia - detikHealth


Orang dewasa kadang kesulitan mengingat wajah-wajah anak kecil ketimbang wajah orang dewasa. Para ilmuwan telah menemukan satu alasan mengapa anak kecil lebih baik ketimbang orang dewasa dalam mengenali wajah anak-anak.

Tirta Susilo dan rekannya dari departemen psikologi di Universitas Nasional Australia di Canberra melaporkan temuan tersebut dalam jurnal PLoS One."Proses pengenalan wajah adalah salah satu kegiatan terbanyak dalam sistem visual tubuh," kata Susilo seperti dilansir dari discovery.com, Rabu (19/8/2009)."Ketika Anda berpikir tentang itu, semua wajah akan terlihat sama. Memiliki dua mata, satu hidung, satu mulut dan mereka ada dalam bermacam struktur. Kita harus membedakan dan mengenal ratusan bahkan ribuah wajah," katanya.

Orang juga akan lebih mudah mengenal wajah-wajah dari sesama sukunya dibandingkan dengan orang-orang dari lain ras. Sebagai contoh, ras kaukasia yang ditemukan di banyak negara Asia terlihat seolah semua sama, padahal ada banyak tipe wajah kaukasia.Itu juga yang menjadi alasan kenapa orang dewasa lebih mudah mengenali muka orang dewasa lain ketimbang mengingat wajah anak-anak.

Salah sebuah teori menjelaskan ini dengan istilah 'satu ras' dan 'satu usia'. Hal ini juga tergantung pada konsep 'proses holistik' (pengenalan menyeluruh) dan bagaimana otak bisa mengenali wajah. Otak menganalisa setiap komponen seperti mata, telinga, hidung dan mulut, secara terpisah. Ketika kita melihat wajah seseorang, otak merekam itu semua.

Di masa lampau peneliti menemukan bahwa manusia mengenal wajah-wajah orang terbaik karena proses holistik yang lebih kuat untuk mengenal berbagai jenis tipe wajah. Orang kaukasia juga memiliki proses holistik yang lebih kuat untuk mengenal wajah kaukasia lain sehingga tidak terlihat hanya satu Asia saja. Begitu pula dengan orang-orang dewasa yang memiliki proses holistik lebih kuat ketika hanya mengenal orang dewasa lainnya ketimbang anak-anak.

Susilo dan koleganya melakukan uji holistik terhadap anak-anak usia 8-13 tahun yang dibandingkan dengan orang dewasa berusia antara 22-65 tahun untuk melihat seberapa kuat kemampuan mereka mengenal wajah anak-anak.Dari uji holistik tersebut, Susilo dan koleganya memberikan kepada para peserta percobaan memasang bagian-bagian wajah.Dalam beberapa kasus beberapa peserta mengidentifiaksi dua wajah dari setengah bagian atas sama, dan dalam kasus lain peserta lain mengatakan berbeda. Setengah bagian atas wajah digunakan dalam penelitian ini karena setengah bagian bawah orang selalu berbeda.

Peserta diminta untuk melihat hanya bagian atas atau setengah dari wajah dan memutuskan apakah mereka sama atau tidak. Ternyata semakin kuat proses holistik peserta akan makin sulit menemukan wajah yang sama dalam mengidentifikasi setengah dari bagian atas itu. Susilo dan rekan juga menemukan anak-anak memiliki proses holistik yang lebih kuat dibanding yang orang dewasa lakukan."Memori dan proses holistik lebih kuat untuk membedakan jenis wajah ketika berinteraksi dalam kehidupan sehari-hari," kata Susilo.

Susilo mengatakan anak-anak yang menghabiskan banyak waktu dengan anak-anak lain di sekolah bisa menjadi alasan yang lebih besar sebagai upaya proses holistiknya untuk mengenal wajah anak-anak lainnya

Lihat tips lainnya di Tempat Perawatan Anak

Belajar Mengatakan Tidak Pada Anak

Vera Farah Bararah - detikhealth

Saat orang tua pergi ke supermarket dengan anaknya, terkadang anak menginginkan suatu barang entah itu mainan atau jajanan. Namun, kadang orang tua tidak bisa memenuhi permintaan sang anak, dan sulit untuk mengatakan tidak pada anak.Ada beberapa orang tua yang mengatakan tidak pada anaknya dengan cara membentak atau mengomelinya sehingga membuat anak menangis, padahal tindakan ini tidak baik bagi psikologis sang anak. Jadi, sebaiknya orang tua mengatakan tidak pada anak dengan cara yang lebih bisa dimengerti oleh anak.

Sebuah survei yang dilakukan oleh Centre for a New American Dream menemukan bahwa anak-anak belajar kebiasaan merengek sejak awal kehidupannya dan biasa dilakukan untuk mencari perhatian orang tuanya. Penemuan lain mengatakan bahwa anak yang suka merengek minta dibelikan sesuatu karena anak tersebut melihat teman bermainnya memiliki barang yang baru. Sekitar lebih dari 50 persen anak-anak dalam survei mengatakan dengan memiliki barang terbaru tersebut, anak-anak akan merasa diterima oleh teman-temannya dan membuatnya merasa lebih baik."Orang tua perlu mengajarkan anak-anaknya untuk melihat kualitas dan kegunaan dari barang tersebut dan memiliki kemampuan untuk untuk menentukan pilihan sendiri," ujar Jody Johnston Pawel seorang penulis The Parent's Toolshop, seperti dikutip dari Health24, Jumat (14/8/2009).

Selain itu, orang tua juga harus mengajarkan anaknya tentang bagaimana menanggapi tekanan sang anak terhadap teman-temannya, dan memberitahu anak bahwa untuk bisa diterima oleh teman-teman caranya adalah dengan selalu bersikap ramah ke semua orang.

Jody Johnston Pawel memberikan tips untuk mengatasi rengekan anak-anak, yaitu:
1. Berikan alasan kenapa menolaknya.
2. Berusaha mengenali perasaan sang anak tapi tetap menolaknya.
3. Sarankan alternatif lain yang bisa diterima.
4. Biarkan anak memilih salah satu dari beberapa pilihan tersebut.
5. Katakan dengan baik-baik bahwa anak tidak akan mendapatkan apa yang dimintanya.
6. Katakan bahwa untuk mendapatkan barang tersebut sang anak harus menabung terlebih

dahulu.

Jadi, sebaiknya katakan tidak pada anak dengan cara yang lebih bisa diterima oleh sang anak, bukan dengan cara mengomeli atau membentaknya di depan umum.

Lihat tips lainnya di Tempat Perawatan Anak

Operasi Caesar Hanya Sedikit Pengaruhi Kepintaran Anak

Ada beberapa anggapan bahwa anak yang lahir melalui operasi caesar akan memiliki gangguan dalam proses belajar atau kurang pintar dibandingkan dengan anak yang lahir melaui proses normal.Hal ini dikarenakan walaupun hanya satu kali terpapar obat bius (anestesi) dalam proses operasi caesar bisa menyebabkan perubahan pada sel otak janin atau anak yang baru lahir tersebut.

Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang dipublikasikan dalam jurnal Anesthesia, terpapar obat bius (anestesi) selama operasi caesar tidak akan meningkatkan risiko anak terkena gangguan dalam proses belajarnya.Hasil ini dipublikasikan oleh Dr. Juraj Sprung dan tim dari Mayo Clinic di Rochester, Minnesota yang menyatakan bahwa terkena paparan obat bius sekali saja sebelum anak berusia 4 tahun tidak akan meningkatkan risiko anak memiliki gangguan dalam proses belajar sebelum berusia 19 tahun.

"Tapi jika sang anak terpapar obat bius berulang-ulang maka risikonya akan meningkat," ujar Dr. Juraj Sprung, seperti dikutip dari Reuters, Rabu (12/8/2009).Penelitian ini melibatkan 497 anak yang lahir melalui proses operasi caesar dengan 193 ibu menggunakan bius total dan 302 ibu menggunakan bius lokal. Didapatkan 19,4 persen anak yang lahir dari bius total mengalami gangguan dalam proses belajar dan 15,4 persen anak yang lahir dari proses bius lokal mengalami gangguan dalam proses belajar.

Jadi, bukan berarti semua anak yang lahir melalui operasi caesar memiliki gangguan dalam proses belajarnya.Sprung memberikan hipotesa kemungkinan anak mengalami gangguan dalam proses belajar akibat penggunaan obat bius saat operasi caesar lebih kecil pada anak yang lahir dari ibu yang menggunakan bius lokal, karena menghilangkan rasa sakit melalui tulang belakang yang jauh lebih teliti.Tindakan operasi caesar yang dilakukan biasanya disebabkan oleh adanya gangguan pada janin atau ibunya yang bisa membahayakan keduanya jika dilakukan melalui proses normal.

Lihat tips lainnya di Tempat Perawatan Anak

Biarkan Bayi Tidur Dengan Sendirinya

Ada banyak cara yang dilakukan oleh bayi sebelum tidur, seperti menangis, mengusap-usap sesuatu atau harus memegang botol susunya. Untuk menghindari masalah tidur pada bayi, sebaiknya biarkan bayi tidur dengan sendirinya.

Pada usia 5 bulan, rata-rata bayi mendapatkan waktu tidur sekitar 11 hingga 14 jam sehari, termasuk 8 hingga 9,5 jam tidur pada malam hari. Sementara bayi biasanya melakukan 2 atau 3 kali tidur siang dengan total waktu tidurnya 3 sampai 4,5 jam sehari.Beberapa bayi mulai melakukan tidur di malam hari saat berusia sekitar 3 sampai 4 bulan.

Pada usia 5 sampai 6 bulan, kebanyakan bayi tidur sampai melewati malam.Bayi memiliki waktu berkembang tersendiri, seperti kapan waktu bisa berjalan, bisa duduk atau mulai berbicara, begitu pula dengan waktu tidurnya. Jadi, fakta bahwa bayi berusia 5 bulan yang masih suka terbangun pada malam hari selama itu hanya sekali, maka hal ini masih normal saja.Dengan kata lain, jika sang bayi masih sering terbangun pada malam hari sebanyak 2 atau 3 kali kemungkinan bayi tersebut memiliki masalah dengan tidurnya. Maka sebagai orang tua harus tahu bagaimana cara memperbaikinya.

Cara terbaik untuk mengatasi masalah tidur pada bayi adalah dengan menerapkan jam tidur yang sama setiap harinya dan mengajarkan bayi untuk tidur dengan sendirinya. Maksudnya tanpa didendangkan terlebih dahulu atau memegang botol susunya.Teknik ini bisa dimulai dengan memindahkan bayi sedikit lebih awal ke dalam kamar tidur dan meletakkan bayi di tempatnya saat bayi sedang mengantuk tapi belum sampai tertidur.Jika bayi belum tertidur juga hingga beberapa menit, cobalah untuk membuatnya merasa nyaman lalu meletakkannya kembali di tempatnya sebelum bayi tertidur. Dengan begitu bayi akan tidur dengan sendirinya dan akan membantu bayi tertidur sendiri ketika terbangun pada malam hari.Selanjutnya lakukan hal tersebut secara konsisten dengan cara dan waktu yang sama setiap malamnya. Maka masalah tidur pada bayi bisa teratasi dengan baik.

Lihat tips kami selanjutnya di Tempat Perawatan Anak

Sosialisasi Pendidikan Anak

Di sebuah desa Taman Posyandu di desa Benda di Kecamatan Cicurug, Sukabumi, tampak anak-anak balita berdesakan menempati bangunan rumah sementara untuk tempat mereka belajar. Segala sarana permainan seperti ayunan, jungkat-jangkit, juga peralatan pendidikan seperti balok warna-warni dengan berbagai bentuk, kertas gambar, kertas berwarna dan sebagainya semua tersedia.Di desa ini kegiatan pendidikan didukung penuh oleh jajaran pemerintah lokal, Camat, Pak Kades dan Bu Kades juga kader-kader Posyandu (Pos Pelayanan Terpadu) yang dengan sukarela menjadi pengajar PAUD (Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini) di Taman Posyandu. “Di desa ini awalnya memang hanya ada 3 buah TK yang formal, sementara masih banyak anak-anak yang tidak tertampung karena orang tuanya tidak mampu. Lalu tahun 2006, sebagai penggerak PKK, kita mendirikan PAUD secara mandiri dan seadanya. Tempatnya numpang di madrasah dan berjalan hanya dengan 15 murid,” kata Bu Kades. Pada awalnya, untuk mengajak anak-anak sekolah tidaklah mudah. Karena itu, para kader yang nota bene ibu-ibu PKK mengajak orang tua yang punya anak balita untuk sekolah dengan cara kunjungan dari rumah ke rumah.Hingga akhir tahun 2006, jumlah anak usia dini di Indonesia, tercatat sebanyak 28.364.300 anak. Anak yang yang menikmati layanan pendidikan anak usia dini (PAUD), baik formal dan non formal, jumlahnya baru mencapai 13.223.812. Dari jumlah angka tersebut terlihat bahwa separuh anak-anak belum terlayani pendidikannya.Fakta di atas, diperkuat oleh Laporan Unesco tahun 2005, dimana Angka partisipasi PAUD Indonesia termasuk yang terendah di dunia. Baru sekitar 20% dari 20 juta anak usia 0-8 tahun. Di dunia internasional, PAUD didefinisikan sebagai pendidikan bagi anak usia 0 sampai 8 tahun. Sedangkan Indonesia kategori PAUD, untuk usia 0-6 tahun. Unesco mencatat angka partisipasi PAUD di Indonesia lebih rendah dari Thailand (86%), Malaysia (89%), bahkan Filipina (27%) dan Vietnam (43%). Bila tidak segera dilakukan upaya cepat, maka dapat dibayangkan kualitas generasi masa depan bangsa Indonesia dibandingkan dengan negara tetangga tersebut.Untuk mendukung program pemerintah dalam rangka memberikan pendidikan bagi anak usia dini, P&G dan Unicef telah melakukan program untuk “Satu Tahun Seribu Balita Cerdas” Dalam dua tahun terakhir ini, P&G Balita Cerdas telah membantu penuh upaya penyelenggaraan 10 (sepuluh) PAUD dan bahkan empat diantaranya telah dibantu dengan pembangunan P&G Community Center (PGCC) di tiga desa di pelosok daerah Sukabumi. Saat ini lebih dari 1000 balita yang telah menjadi murid di sepuluh PAUD tersebut. Mereka belajar gratis tanpa dipungut bayaran. Mereka bukan hanya belajar dan bermain tapi mereka juga diajarkan cara hidup sehat. Dan dengan PGCC – sebagai Pusat Kegiatan Masyarakat yang sepenuhnya dimiliki dan dikelola oleh masyarakat, maka masyarakat setempat bisa memanfaatkannya untuk kegiatan-kegiatan yang bermanfaat bagi mereka sendiri. Misalnya kesehatan untuk ibu dan anak, kesehatan masyarakat, pelatihan ketrampilan (life skills)dan kegiatan sosial lainnya.Masih banyak desa dan daerah lain yang memerlukan bantuan. Belajar dari keberhasilan P&G bersama dengan Unicef serta partisipasi masyarakat dan pemerintah daerah di Sukabumi, ke depannya P&G berencana untuk memperluas program percontohannya ke daerah lain. Diharapkan melalui kampanye “Satu Tahun Seribut Balita Cerdas”, P&G Balita Cerdas akan terus berkembang untuk membantu mencerdaskan anak bangsa dan membuat masa depan mereka lebih cerah!

Lihat postingan Keluarga Fiedtra