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TV Time for Tots:
Creating Guilt-Free Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers
By Kyla Steinkraus
No matter how much you love your baby, once in a while you just need a few minutes to yourself to take a shower or make an important phone call. Although the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies and toddlers refrain from watching television, a recent University of Washington study revealed that 40 percent of 3-month-olds and 90 percent of 2-year-olds regularly watch an hour or more of TV a day. According to another study, 20 percent of children under two have televisions in their rooms.
"The AAP's recommendation is because television time replaces important parent interaction, and not because of any harmful effects of television viewing," says Dr. James Sears, M.D., a noted pediatrician and co-author of The Baby Book.
If parents make it a priority to get in lots of cuddle and play time to stimulate their babys brain the rest of the day, they can stop feeling guilty about switching on the tube every now and then. Dr. Sears suggests a limit of 30 minutes a day for children under two. For kids over two, the AAP recommends a maximum of two hours of media exposure (including video games and computers) a day.
Too much TV is detrimental for kids of all ages. Excessive television-viewing by young children has been linked to lowered cognitive development, smaller vocabularies, ADHD and obesity. One study showed that for every hour a day a preschooler watched TV, his risk for obesity increased by 6 percent. A TV in the bedroom increased a childs odds of being overweight by 31 percent. More than one to two hours a day replaces critical interactions with parents, siblings, and friends and reduces time spend reading, engaging in imaginative play, exploring and exercising outside.
"I can see a difference in my sons behavior when theyve been spending too much time in front of the tube," says Heather Hoffman, mom of two boys, aged two and five. "They dont listen as well and tend to get overactive after the TV goes off."
What your child watches may be as important as how much he watches. Shows and DVDs deemed "educational" can enhance a preschoolers learning development when used in limited amounts. A 2005 study published in the American Behavioral Scientist supports the importance of content when choosing programs for your child. Thirty-month-old toddlers who watched Dora the Explorer, Blues Clues, Arthur or Clifford developed larger vocabularies and higher expressive language scores; while those that watched Teletubbies or Barney & Friends knew fewer vocabulary words.
Barbara Holden, MSW, Director of the Urban Child Institute in Memphis, TN, and a member of the Tennessee Commission for Children and Youth, also recommends watching quality programming with your child. This enhances the learning experience through sharing, reinforcement and parent-child interaction.
The educational value of television for babies is suspect, however. If you show your baby educational programs in the hopes of enhancing her development, you might want to reconsider popping in that Baby Einstein DVD. According to the University of Washington study, 29 percent of parents believe that television is educational or good for their childs brain development. In fact, there is no proof that educational programming enhances cognitive, social or emotional development in babies and toddlers under two.
"There is no substitute for the human face, touch, vocal interactions such as talking and singing, playing and the early brain stimulation that comes from a baby connecting with another human being," says Holden. "Is 30 minutes of TV going to hurt the childs development? Probably
not. Is it good for a baby or toddler? Probably not."
When your toddler does watch television, make sure hes viewing age-appropriate material, especially if there are older children in the house. Nix any kind of violence, even cartoon violence.
"Your child can't recognize that the images on the television are not real, and this can have important implications in terms of mental and social development," warns Dr. Perlmutter, MD, FACN, a neurologist and author of Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten.
Holden concurs.
"As we are teaching our 2- and 3-year-olds not to bite, hit and shove, TV is filled with good guys doing just what we are trying to prevent," she says.
A recent study published in Pediatrics revealed that preschool-aged boys who watched violence on television were more aggressive and anti-social at ages 7 to 10.
So whats appropriate? Baby Einstein, nature DVD's or educational shows such as Dora the Explorer and Blues Clues are all excellent choices for babies and toddlers. The Noggin channel features educational, commercial-free programming for young children.
"I usually feel good about a program that gets kids dancing and singing along," says Sears. Hoffman chooses PBS, Veggie Tales, and Leap Frog DVD's for her sons. Just make sure youre realistic about the actual value of such shows. Think of the majority of television as empty calories, the pop and candy of your childs developmental diet. If your toddler spends most of his day playing, singing, reading, exploring and interacting with loving caregivers, then an episode of The Wiggles is fine.
You have enough to worry about without adding guilt to the mix. Think balance. Go ahead, turn on the TV and tend to yourself for a few minutes. After all, a well-showered mom is a happy mom and a happy mom can devote herself to all of her childs physical, emotional and cognitive needs.
How Much TV Do We Really Watch?
- Adults and teens spend four hours and 35 minutes a day watching the tube. Thats 65 non-stop days a year in front of the TV. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006)
- By the age of 65, the average American will have spent nearly nine years watching TV. (Nielsen)
- 99 percent of American Households own at least one television.
- The average American home keeps the television on for more than 8 hours every day. (Center for Screen-time Awareness)
- The average American child spends 900 hours a year in school. Hours per year they watch television: 1,500. (Center for Screen-time Awareness)
Kyla Steinkraus allows her two-year-old to watch Blues Clues when she needs to make important phone calls. She has written for Pregnancy, Mothering and Chicago Parent.
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Traveling with Baby
by Sheila O'Connor
"How on earth will you manage? Are you sure it's a good idea?" said friends when we told them we were planning a Caribbean vacation with our 8-month old son. And we had to admit, there might be something in their misgivings. Was it really a good idea? Would we be better off leaving him with a reliable relative? And if we took him, would all the traveling be too difficult for him?
Still, we couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him behind. So we came to the unanimous decision: Baby comes, too. And it turned out that we needn’t have worried, we all had fun along the way.
Of course, there are some preparations we made in advance to make traveling life as easy as possible. For example, we made sure we were self-sufficient as far as baby items were concerned, so that we didn’t have to rely on hotels and restaurants to provide vital items they may end up not having:
A traveling crib was a must. Also, we needed to bring some kind of restraining system for eating out in restaurants. We found that even when restaurants did have high chairs, the straps were often missing or didn’t fit comfortably. So, we decided to take along a cloth sling, which hooked over the chair backs, through the child’s legs and up to his waist then tied around the back of the chair. This was also great for when we fed him in the hotel room. And because it was cloth, it was lightweight and could be easily folded.
Next on our list was a baby diaper bag, which we used for our personal items such as a camera or book. For the baby we carried the usual diapers, clothes, food and toys.
Next question: Stroller or baby backpack? Deciding we couldn’t take both and realizing that the backpack would not fold or travel easily (it is too bulky with its frame), we opted for the stroller. This turned out to be the best choice. The baby could sit, sleep, eat and, in a pinch, be changed in it. And, of course, he had somewhere safe to lay when he got bored with “adult” sightseeing. For us the kind of stroller that reclines was necessary because the baby still needed to nap a lot during the day. This we simply checked in with our bags at the airport.
While most vacation areas have supermarkets for baby supplies, it’s worth taking your own supply of diapers and milk anyway, as well as convenience jars of baby food, in case you’re traveling late at night when most stores are closed. We took a can of powdered formula in two Ziplock plastic freezer bags (one inside the other) which helped reduce the bulk and weight.
We found that having a box of baby cereal and powdered formula was a must as we could add water to the milk, then milk to the cereal for an instant meal if we had nothing else on hand. We were also able to give him breakfast cereal in the hotel room before we descended for our own breakfast. He remained quiet and played in his stroller (we tied the few small toys we’d brought along onto a string across the front of his stroller) while we had a leisurely breakfast.
We also took a front baby sling, which we used for strapping the baby to one of us during flight takeoff and landing. Some airlines don’t give child belts at all and you have to hold the baby in your arms. The sling (not to be confused with the one we used in the restaurants) was also useful if we took a cab ride, and the baby was less restless and felt more secure, especially if the cab braked suddenly.
One other useful tip while flying is to feed the baby during takeoff and landing. The swallowing helps clear the baby’s ears and allows them to adjust to changing air pressure.
For the beach, total sunblock hats (we took two in case we lost one) and a vest are essential, though you might want to use a romper suit for protection. Since our baby had never been in the water before (except for his bath!) we were unsure of what to use in the pool or the sea that would be better than just one of us holding him. We came across an inflatable “turtle” that was lifebelt-shaped with plastic pants in the middle so the baby could sit in it. This he loved as we were able to pull him along, watch him at the same time and he only got wet from the waist down.
We were unsure how many blankets and sheets to take with us. Eventually we took one heavy stroller blanket which we also used for the crib at night. We took one lightweight stroller sheet for the baby to lie on to protect the stroller and another lightweight white cotton stroller blanket to put over him. This helped protect him from the sun while he was in the stroller. All blankets and sheets could be used in either the stroller or the crib. In hindsight, it would have been better to take a second lightweight cotton blanket for the stroller to use when the first one got grubby and for when the baby was “on show.” By the end of the week, the one we had taken looked less than its best.
Laundry facilities are usually available in most hotels but for us there would be no time for laundry, so we packed clean clothes for the baby for every day with a couple of extra outfits in case he was ill. The outfits were no problem to pack because they were so small.
One thing we did make use of however, was the hotel babysitting service. This way we didn’t have to give up all thoughts of having a nightlife. This we’d recommend. After all, traveling with a baby can still mean everyone has fun – and isn’t that what vacations are all about?
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Post-Baby Bodies Get a
"Mommy Makeover"
A pregnant woman is often praised for her fresh-faced glow and curvaceous frame, but postpartum, she's almost immediately met with less-than-desirable descriptors, such as "jelly belly." It's no wonder plastic surgeons are now on speed dial in the delivery room to take calls for another "mommy makeover" a popular plastic surgery package actively marketed to moms.
Is this invasive set of procedures also dubbed the "mom job" a woman's only hope for regaining her pre-baby body?
"Absolutely not," says Lea Sweet, owner of Stroller Strides of Sacramento, part of the nation's largest and fastest growing exercise program for new moms and their babies. "Women are being conditioned to believe that going under the knife is the only way to tighten, tone and lose weight following pregnancy, and this simply isn't true."
Within the Stroller Strides program, Sweet teaches new moms how to avoid the post-pregnancy plastic surgery "trifecta" typically consisting of a breast implant or lift, tummy tuck and liposuction through healthy eating and targeted exercises that can be done with baby in tow.
Stroller Strides offers the following alternatives to moms looking to reshape their post-baby body without succumbing to a surgery overhaul:
* Common mommy complaint: "My previously full breasts have fallen flat."
Mommy makeover sans surgery tips: The hormones and lactation tissue cause breasts to swell during pregnancy, and though they should return to regular size after baby, they may look different because the skin has been stretched. Given a little time, fat deposits may restore. What's most important is to wear a good bra, as gravity definitely causes sagging breasts. No magic cream or drug or exercise will re-inflate or lift sagging breast tissue, but there are some options to improve appearance.
Push-up exercises are a great way to build muscle tissue under the breast tissue. Also focus on some upper back exercises, like scapular retractions, which will improve your posture and help you open up your chest. Simply squeeze shoulder blades back and then together. Obtain an exercise tube and do some rowing exercises for added benefit.
* Common mommy complaint: "I can't get rid of my post-baby tummy pooch."
Mommy makeover sans surgery tips: Virtually every mom is left with some "jelly belly" after having a baby. Although dieting is not appropriate just after pregnancy, you will see dramatic changes in fat loss if you eat clean, whole foods, such as vegetables, fiber and lean proteins and stay away from sugars and processed foods. That pooch is just a fatty deposit; to burn a pound of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories. Start exercising slowly and continue to build up gradually. In addition to diet and calorie-burning through exercise, it's important to start activating the muscles of the abdominal area again, since they've been stretched and have lost strength during pregnancy. Think about hollowing out your tummy by bringing the muscles in toward your spine, without holding your breath. Stay conscious of your abdominals by creating an invisible "girdle" for yourself throughout daily movement; this will help narrow your waistline. A great exercise to begin addressing the abdominal area is a reverse curl. This can be done while lying in front of your child's stroller with your head at the wheel; holding on to an object behind you helps to align the body for this exercise. Start with a very small range of motion and only increase if you can keep your abs engaged.
* Common mommy complaint: "I'm carrying too much extra baggage in my hips and thighs!"
Mommy makeover sans surgery tips: There is no way to spot reduce, but again, a clean diet and regular exercise is essential. Make your body as metabolically effective as possible by eating several mini-meals throughout the day; as every time you eat, you spark your metabolism.
Plenty of raw vegetables and natural foods, such as fruits and legumes, will energize your body as they are metabolized.
If you had to pick one "magic" exercise for hips and thighs, it should definitely be the lunge. It's a great way to work hips, glutes, hamstrings and quads, and you can always change it up by adding a knee lift, hip extension, or turning it into a walking lunge.
Another favorite, great for lifting glutes, is the "step up." Place one foot on a sturdy bench or step and lift your body up, just tapping your foot and controlling the lower down.
All of these post-baby body hot spots are addressed in Stroller Strides classes. The hour-long classes emphasize cardiovascular activities and muscle-strengthening exercises using resistance bands and strollers, allowing moms to interact with their babies throughout their workout. For more information on Stroller Strides of Sacramento, or to get registered for classes, call 916-202-3161. For more information about Stroller Strides, visit www.strollerstrides.com.
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Kit for First-time Parents
By Laura Kujubu
Caring for a newborn is a daunting undertaking for most first-time parents. One organization seeks to ease this transition to parenthood with a helpful and free parenting resource called "Kit for New Parents."
First 5 California, a statewide agency established 2001 by Prop. 10, is distributing this free kit, valued at $75, to new parents across California. Parents can refer to the kit for information on nutrition, safety, child care, health, discipline and early learning.
It provides this information in an easy-to-use manner and aims to build parents confidence as they undertake their new roles.
The kit includes an educational DVD with parenting advice from prominent child development experts, as well as celebrities such as Rob Reiner, Phylicia Rashad, Gloria Estefan, Andy Garcia and Jamie Lee Curtis. In addition, the kit contains the books Advice for New Parents and What to Do When Your Child Gets Sick, as well as Puppy and Friends, an interactive book for parents and kids to read together. Other contents include brochures on topics ranging from oral health to obesity prevention, an informational poison control magnet and materials on Paid Family Leave. Spanish and Asian language versions of the kit will be released later this year.
WNBA star Lisa Leslie, who is expecting her first child in July, recently joined First 5 California Executive Director Kris Perry in handing out the kits to families in Los Angeles.
"It is so incredible having a baby, but I wish they were born with their own instruction manual," Leslie said. "The next best thing is First 5 Californias Kit for New Parents, which has everything a new parent could want to feel prepared."
First 5 California has partnered with First 5 County Commissions, hospitals, clinics, county agencies, home visitation programs and parenting education classes to distribute the kit to new parents across the state. Parents and caregivers can also receive a free kit by calling 800-KIDS-025.
For more information on the kit, visit www.ccfc.ca.gov/kit.
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Save a Life: New Way to Calm an Infant and Stop Shaken Baby Syndrome
By Dr. Harvey Karp
Every few months, we turn on the news and are horrified by word of yet another baby shaken to death. Like a nightmarish dj vu, this tragedy repeats itself over and over. Every year, 1,500 babies (most under 6 months old) are severely shaken and hospitalized. More than two-thirds suffer permanent brain damage, such as blindness, seizures, severe mental retardation, from the brutal shaking and 300 young infants die.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention month and this year we have good news: Many of these tragic cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) can be prevented through a new way to calm a crying baby.
Crying and Fussing
Fussy babies can push even calm adults to their limits. New parents are often exhausted and overwhelmed. Added to that, our baby's cries make us feel incompetent and even criticized.
In fact, infant screaming is the trigger for 95 percent of SBS cases. A recent study from the University of North Carolina found that 2.6 percent of parents with children under 2 years of age admitted to occasionally strongly shaking them when they cried.
An infant's cry is like a smoke alarm. It's demanding and often annoying -- but it's a smart way of getting our attention and a quick response. Our baby cries, we come and feed/diaper/hold her, she quiets down and we feel proud and relieved. But one-sixth of all babies cry and fuss more than three hours a day despite our best efforts to calm them. In fact, 50 percent cry and/or fuss more than one hour a day.
For generations, parents have been told that "some babies just cry" and there's nothing one can do to calm them. However, some studies from other cultures reveal that some parents can soothe almost any crying infant.
The Calming Reflex
After 20 years of working with fussy babies, practicing every calming trick known to man, I discovered the secret of these extraordinary baby soothers -- the "calming reflex." This technique is discussed in my book The Happiest Baby on the Block.
The calming reflex is an "off-switch" for crying that every baby is born with. It is turned on by doing five simple steps that imitate the rhythmic, entrancing sensations babies experience in the womb. These steps are called "the 5 S's": Swaddling (snug wrapping), the Side/Stomach position (never for sleep), Shushing (strong white noise), Swinging (rhythmic motion) and Sucking.
According to James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America, the calming reflex is effective.
"Dr. Karp's insight into soothing crying infants offers a key to helping reduce the anger and frustration that can lead to shaking," he says.
The 5 S's work because, as odd as it sounds, I believe babies are not fully ready for the world at birth. In essence, our babies need a "fourth trimester" of calming "uterine" stimulation. That is why putting a baby in a flat bed, in a quiet room, alone is so strange for babies and may make them cry. This missing fourth trimester is the most common cause of crying in infancy -- not gas, allergies or acid reflux.
The 5 S's quickly build a parent's confidence, self-esteem and feelings of love for their baby. Interestingly, men are so good at doing the 5 S's that they often become the best baby calmer in the family. This is of great importance because over 60 percent of SBS attacks are perpetrated by men.
The Happiest Baby approach may also be able to prevent other serious problems triggered by infant crying (marital stress, breastfeeding failure, postpartum depression and SIDS). Finally, any parent would love the last benefit of the 5 S's, as they help all babies sleep an extra one to two hours at night.
For more information, visit www.thehappiestbaby.com check our April Contest page and see how you can win The Happiest Baby DVD .
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