Choosing a Baby Carrier

By ElizabethPantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

Most parents find a baby carrier to be invaluable during thefirst year of their baby’s life. There are many types and styles to choose from.The different types of baby carriers fall into three main categories: slings,front packs and backpacks.

Slings

These are made of fabric and are available in a wide varietyof styles. They “sling” sash-style over your shoulder to hold baby in front ofyou. Slings offer many benefits to both baby and parent. Here are some of themost commonly cited by experienced sling-users:

• A sling is perfect for the newborn months, when Baby needs to be held often in your arms, as opposed to being pushed at arm’s length in a stroller.
• A sling is an excellent way to carry your baby around the house because it keeps your baby happy while leaving your two arms free to go about your daily tasks.
• Sling carriers are multi-purpose. You can use them to carry your baby, to create privacy for breastfeeding, and to cover your sleeping baby. Some feature a tail that can double as a blanket or coverup.
• Putting your baby into (and getting him back out of) a sling is a breeze. You can even get a sleeping baby in and out of one of these soft carriers without waking her.
• You can carry your baby in a variety of positions.
• Slings are small, lightweight and easy to transport.
• Slings are wonderful to use when a stroller would be inconvenient, such as up stairs, through large crowds or narrow aisle ways, or over rough terrain ¾ or when you’ll be going in and out of the car frequently.
• Slings put your baby at the height of people’s faces instead of at their knees.
• You can use a sling right up through toddlerhood, when little legs get tired of walking.

An important note about baby slings: They can be confusingto use at first, and your baby can slide out of the bottom if not positionedcorrectly. Try to find an experienced sling-user, a how-to video, or aknowledgeable sales clerk to help you master the art of baby slinging. Your localLa Leche League leader may be able to offer pointers, too.

Slings are very much worth the effort. I bought a sling whenmy second baby, Vanessa, was born. I couldn’t figure it out, so I left it inthe closet. When my third baby, David, was born, I attended a mother-babyclass, learned how to use my sling ¾ and was immediately hooked! I used slings extensivelywith my third and fourth babies and found them to be a marvelous baby caretool.

PARENT TIP

“I put my newborn in the sling so I could sit in bed at night with mytoddler and read books. It kept us all together, my hands free and gave readingtime to BOTH boys!”

Amy, mother of AJ (4) andRyder (2)

Front packs

Front pack carriers are similar to slings in use but aremore complex in their structure. They have a seat that attaches to the front ofyou with straps that crisscross behind you; these straps secure the carrier toyour body. Here’s what you need to know about front packs:

• The benefits of front packs are similar to many of those of slings, such as their light weight and portability, and the fact that you can carry your baby while keeping your arms and hands free.
• Some allow you to choose between carrying your baby facing inward toward you or outward, facing the world – which is often fun for older babies.
• Settling the baby into and out of the carrier require more steps than a sling does.
• Moving a sleeping baby into or out of the carrier is difficult, unless the seat unbuckles separately from the harness.
• Front packs are better suited to a baby who is strong enough to hold his head upright.

Backpacks

A back carrier is similar to a camping backpack. It has aseat for your baby that attaches to your back with a frame and straps thatcross over your shoulders. A few things to know about backpacks:

• They’re perfect for an older baby who loves to look around and be carried high on your shoulders.
• Many backpacks have pouches for holding supplies.
• Some models have a canopy for inclement weather or sun protection.
• Getting a backpack off (and putting it on) are typically two-person tasks.
• Backpacks are best for an older baby who can sit up well.
• They’re great for an all-day trip, such as hiking, shopping or visiting an amusement park

How do you decide which carrier to use?

No single baby carrier is perfect for all parents. Everyparent has different needs, preferences and proportions. Many people actuallybegin with one type of carrier and move on to another when their babies getolder.

First, think about how you plan to use a carrier. Will youuse it primarily at home, instead of a stroller while away from home, or both?Do you already have a stroller, or must your carrier fill all yourbaby-carrying needs? Defining its purpose will help you choose which carrier isbest for you. Read the package information (or talk to other parents who own asimilar carrier) to learn which purposes it serves best and to determine if itmatches your needs.

The very best way to decide? Try carriers on ¾either at the store or with a friend who owns one. Actually putting your babyin the carrier will give you the best idea as to fit, but if you are shoppingwithout your baby (or don’t have your baby yet!) try using a stuffed animalfrom the toy department.

PARENT TIP

“A baby carrier can help new adoptive parents to decline politely thosewho want to hold your baby while he still needs exclusive Mommy or Daddycontact. The carrier can be especially helpful in difficult situations such asvisits to your child's orphanage or former foster parents.”*

¾ Laurel, mother of 16-month-old Crystal

* This is also an excellent idea for parents who blanch at the thoughtof their tiny newborn being passed around the room from person to person!

Points to consider when purchasing a carrier:

• Comfort. Does the carrier feel good to you?
• Fit for your baby. Does it seem to suit your baby well?
• Fit for you. Does it fit your size and body type? Can you carry the baby without strain?
• Safety. Will the baby be secure and well supported?
• Features. Does it meet your needs?
• Usability. Can you easily get your baby in and out of the carrier? How about putting it on and taking it off? Keep in mind that some models require practice.
• Construction. Does the fabric suit your wardrobe, climate and needs (i.e., lightweight for summer, weatherproof for outdoor use)?
• Care. Is it machine-washable or easy to wipe clean?
• Flexibility. Can you carry your baby in various positions?
• Adjustability. Can it be tightened or adjusted to fit you when you are at home in indoor clothing or outside wearing a coat? Can you adjust it easily for use by others?
• Adaptability. Will it work for your baby now as well as six months from now?
• Appearance. Do you like the style? Will you enjoy wearing it?

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by ElizabethPantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

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Choosing Toys for Babies

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

Youmay not be sure what kind of toys, or how many, your baby should have. It’slikely that you hear conflicting advice that runs from one extreme to another!It’s either: “Don’t give your baby toys ¾ he’ll be spoiled,” to“Give your baby lots of toys ¾ they develop his brain.” So…which is it?

Bothsides of this debate have valid points. A baby does indeed learn from thethings she plays with, and the more things she has access to, the more she canlearn. With this in mind, many parents spend a fortune buying toys; however,many toys hold a child’s attention for three or four days, only to be relegatedto the bottom of the toybox or back of a shelf.

Babieslearn about their world by using all five of their senses: sight, hearing,taste, smell, and touch. Toys engage and refine these senses by:

• Helping your baby learn how to control his movements and body parts
• Helping your baby figure out how things work
• Showing your baby how he can control things in his world
• Teaching your baby new ideas
• Building your baby’s muscle control, coordination, and strength
• Teaching your baby how to use his imagination
• Showing your baby how to solve simple problems
• Helping your baby learn how to play by himself
• Setting the foundation for learning how to share and cooperate with others

Expertsagree that babies need a variety of toys to enrich their lives and encouragelearning. While your baby can learn from expensive store-bought toys, she canalso learn from a crumpled piece of paper, a set of measuring spoons, an emptybox, or a leaf. Everything is new and interesting to a baby, and if you openyour eyes to the many wonders in our world, you’ll see that you don’t have tospend a fortune to keep your baby happy, interested, and learning.

What“home-grown” toys are best?

Asyou view the whole world as a bottomless toybox, here are some tips toconsider:

• Search for items of different weights, materials, textures, flexibility, sizes, shapes, colors, and smells. (Most store-bought baby toys are primary-colored plastic; that’s why your metal keys on a leather key ring are so very appealing ¾ they’re different!)

• Babies are generalists. Your little one will apply what he learns from one object to any other that is similar. Therefore, don’t give him an old book or magazine to scribble in unless you want all of your books to be potential notepads. A sealed bottle may look fun, but your baby may then think he can play with your pill bottles.
• Take a closer look at the things you consider “trash.” Some may be valuable toys! Empty boxes, egg cartons, and tin containers are just a few examples of everyday castoffs that, once cleaned, can provide endless hours of play.

PARENT TIP

“I made a great set of blocks for mydaughter by collecting an assortment of empty boxes from regular householdproducts and covering them with contact paper. They are colorful, light weightand man interesting shapes and sizes.”

Yu-ting, mother of Shu-Lin (3 years old)

• Your kitchen is overflowing with baby toys! Once your little one begins to crawl, it’s time to rearrange the kitchen. Put all your baby-safe items, such as plastic containers, pots and pans, potholders and canned goods, in your lower cabinets and let your baby know where his “toys” are. You’ll have to relax your housekeeping standards and deal with disorganized cabinets for a while, but the play potential is so fantastic that it’s worth it!
• Young children love water play, and a bowl or pan of water along with spoons and cups of various sizes make a fabulous source of fun. You can put your baby in his high chair, sit him on the floor on a beach towel, or take him outside in a shady spot if the weather’s warm. I guarantee he’ll be soaked when he’s done, but that will be after a very long and happy play session.
• Containers to fill and empty are lots of fun for a baby. You can safely fulfill your older baby’s desire to manipulate small things by filling a large bowl with a variety of colorful children’s cereals (nothing hard or ball-shaped) and supplying spoons, measuring cups, and other containers. Since you’re using cereal pieces, it’s okay if some end up in his mouth. Don’t try this with beads, seeds, macaroni, or other items that pose a choking hazard.

What store-bought toysare best?

Awhile ago, I went to the toy store to buy my youngest child, Coleton, a toythat my older three adored when they were babies. It was a simple pop-up toyfor toddlers with various buttons, levers, and dials. I found a bewilderingvariety of this kind of toy, but to my dismay, every single one was electronic.They made sounds, they made music, they had blinking lights ¾ they just about playedby themselves! I finally had to order the prized toy from a specialty catalogthat carries “back to basics” toys. Sure, electronic toys can be exciting ¾ for a while ¾ but they can also stuntyour baby’s developing ability to imagine and manipulate (and let’s face it:those repetitive electronic sounds can get annoying). If a toy does everythingby itself, it loses its potential as a tool for developing creativity. Also, ifyour little one gets used to these toys, then simple pleasures like woodenblocks seem boring by comparison because he expects the blocks to play forhim. And those simple toys are among the very best for baby playtime.

Lookfor these qualities as you shop for your baby:

• Long-term play value: Will this hold your little one’s attention for more than a few weeks?
• Durability: Will it hold up when sat on, thrown, jumped on, mouthed, or banged?
• Solid simplicity: Babies don’t need complicated toys.
• Challenge: Look for toys that teach but do not frustrate.
• Appropriateness. Does it match your baby’s thinking, language, and motor skills?
• Interest: Will it encourage your baby to think?
• Stimulation: How does this toy foster creativity and imagination?
• Interactiveness: Does it engage your child or just entertain him as he watches passively?
• Versatility: Can your baby play with this in more than one way?
• Washability: Well-loved toys tend to get very dirty!
• Fit with your family value system: Does this toy reflect your family’s particular values? For example, is the toy friendly to the environment? Does it promote diversity? Are you comfortable with what the toy represents?
• Novelty: Is this toy different from others your baby already has? You don’t want a toy box filled with 30 different kinds of rattles!
• Fun appeal: Is it something that you will enjoy playing with, too? Toys that encourage you to play along with your baby are ideal.

Besttoys for young babies:

Boardbooks

Footor hand puppets

Musicaltoys

Rattles

Small,lightweight, easy-to-grasp toys

Squeakytoys

Teethingrings

Toyswith high-contrast graphics, bright colors, or black-and-white patterns

Besttoys for older babies:

Activityboxes (levers/buttons/dials/hinges)

Balls

Beginningpuzzles (two or three large pieces; knobs are helpful)

Blocks

Carsand trucks

Chunkysmall people and accessories

Dollsand stuffed animals

Hammeringtoys

Largeinterlocking beads

Modelingdough

Musicaltoys

Nestingcups

Pegboards

Picturebooks

Plasticanimals

Pop-uptoys

Pushor pull toys

Shapesorters

Stackingrings

Toyversions of everyday items (telephones, cooking utensils, doctor kits)

Toysyou still remember from your childhood (The classics endure and are always agood bet!)

Washablecrayons or markers and blank paper

Playtime

Asyou give you baby new things to play with, keep in mind that there is no rightway to play with toys. For example, a puzzle is not always for “puzzling.” Thepieces make great manipulative characters, can be sorted or put in boxes, andmake interesting noises when banged together or against an empty pot. Childrenlearn through play, so any toy they enjoy playing with is, by definition,educational.

Safetyfor all toys

Alwaysconsider well the safety aspects of anything your baby is going to playwith. Here are a few ways to keep playtime safe:

• Discard any plastic wrapping, plastic bags, packaging, or tags before giving a toy to a baby.
• Always watch for choking hazards. Anything small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth has the potential for danger. Watch for pieces that may become loose from a larger object, too. Make sure that no small parts can be pulled off or chewed off the toy.
• Check the paint or finish on the toy to make sure it is non-toxic, since babies put everything in their mouths.
• Check toys for sharp points, rough edges, rust, and broken parts.
• Always abide by the age rating on the package. No matter how smart your child is or how wonderful the toy, don't second-guess the manufacturer, since age rankings often are given due to safety issues. If you choose to purchase a toy with an older age recommendation, make certain that the toy is used only when you are playing with your baby, and that it is stored where your baby can’t get to it without your supervision.
• Remove rattles, squeeze toys, teethers, stuffed animals, and other small toys from the crib or bed when your baby goes to sleep for naps or bedtime. The exception here is a specialty made-for-baby toy that has been carefully created to be a safe sleeping lovey.
• Avoid pull toys with long cords that could wind around your baby’s neck. Pull toys for babies should have either very short strings or rigid handles.
• Make sure toys are properly assembled, with no loose parts.
• Beware of excessively loud toys. Babies tend to hold things close to their faces, and you want to protect your baby’s sensitive ears.
• Buy mobiles or crib toys from reputable manufacturers, and make sure that they attach to the crib without dangling strings. Remove mobiles and other crib toys once your baby can sit up.
• Make sure that toys are never left on stairs, in doorways, or in walkways.
• Your baby’s toybox should have a special safety lid (or no lid at all) to prevent it from slamming on your baby's head or hands, or trapping your baby inside. There shouldn’t be any hinges that could pinch little fingers.
• Never give a baby a balloon, Styrofoam, or plastic wrap as a toy; these present a serious choking hazard, since they cannot be expelled using the Heimlich maneuver.
• If a toy is second-hand (whether purchased from a second-hand store or garage sale, or given to you by a friend or relative), give all of the above rules extra consideration. If you have any doubts, always err on the side of safety and discard the toy. Don’t let your baby play with a paint-finished toy that appears to be older than a few years ¾ the paint may be lead-based, which poses serious hazards to a baby who touches or mouths it.

• Keep toys (and parts of toys) designed for older children out of the hands of babies. Your baby may like to play with toys belonging to an older sibling or friend, but these are geared, safety-wise, to older kids and are not safe for little ones to use without very close supervision.

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care byElizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003) http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth

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NORTH CAROLINA RANK CHANGES SLIGHTLY: INDICATORS SHOW MORE WORK NEEDED ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH

RALEIGH— A report released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation of Baltimore, Md., ranks North Carolina 38th in the nation—a slight improvement from 39th in 2007—on 10 key indicators of child well-being, including family income, health and education. "North Carolina's change in rank is driven more by the performance of other states than by significant changes in the numbers for North Carolina's children," said Barbara Bradley, President and CEO of Action for Children North Carolina. "It is crystal clear that more work remains to be done. Infant well-being in our state has stalled, the percent of low birth-weight babies hovers at 9% and the infant mortality rate has climbed slightly to 8.8 per 1,000 live births." Fortunately for older children, aged 16 to 19, North Carolina has decreased the number of children not in school and not working by 27% since 2000. "Transitioning young people into productive roles in the economy and ensuring they have a sound basic education to be successful is essential to the long-term growth of North Carolina's economy," said Bradley. However, North Carolina's children have seen no significant improvement in the security of their parent’s employment. As of 2006, one-in-three children in the state have parents without secure employment. "The continued transformation of North Carolina’s economy could partly be driving this finding,” said Bradley. “Clearly, North Carolina needs to redouble efforts to provide greater support so that parents can meet their children’s basic needs." This year the Annie E. Casey KIDS COUNT Data Book examines our national obligations to youth in the criminal justice system in order to highlight that our nation’s juvenile justice systems are within reach of a fundamental, essential and long-overdue transformation. Promising reforms are now well underway in a number of jurisdictions, and the foundations for deeper and more systemic change are firmly established. Data show that in 2006, North Carolina’s rate of detained and committed youth in custody (per 100,000 youth ages 10-15) was 82, which was far lower than a rate of 125 per 100,000 youth for the nation. That year, the state’s estimated daily count of detained and committed youth in custody was 1,029 youth. Of these youth, 59% were in custody for non-violent offenses, slightly lower than the 66% for the nation. "North Carolina remains one of only three states to automatically try and sentence children aged 16 and 17 as adults for any crime and thus these figures present only part of the picture," said Bradley. "What's important to realize is that in 2004, in North Carolina, more 16- and 17-year-olds had contact with the adult system than the entire population in the juvenile system. Research shows that trying youth as adults increases violence and crime and puts young offenders in danger of abuse and suicide. Research supports the need to offer our youth a developmentally appropriate, research based continuum of services, not simply punishment. We are poised to turn a crucial corner, both nationally and at the state level. The time for reform is now." Offering a series of models based on evidence-based programs, the Data Book calls for state and local leaders, in particular, to reaffirm their commitment to juvenile justice reform and to take steps to ensure the dual outcomes of positive youth outcomes and improved public safety. Base-year data used in the KIDS COUNT Data Book are from year 2000, with current year data being from year 2005 or 2006. Only Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Alabama, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi ranked worse than North Carolina. This is the 19th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. It examines key indicators of child well-being across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The indicators presented in the KIDS COUNT Data Book include infant mortality, child and teen deaths, teen births, teen dropouts and child poverty. The attached chart shows North Carolina’s statistics and rankings on each indicator compared to the national average. The 2008 KIDS COUNT Data Book is available online at www.ncchild.org.

Action for Children North Carolina is a leading statewide nonprofit organization based in Raleigh. Since its founding in 1983, Action for Children has been the leading voice for North Carolina’s children. Current efforts are focused in the following major areas: Health, Safety, Early Care, Education, Family Economic Issues, Child Maltreatment and Juvenile Justice. Action for Children is the KIDS COUNT partner in North Carolina and the state affiliate of the national organization, Voices for America’s Children. For more information, visit www.ncchild.org.

###

Thank you,

Action for Children North Carolina

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Handling Unwanted Advice

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

“Help! I’m getting so frustrated withthe endless stream of advice I get from my mother-in-law and brother! No matterwhat I do, I’m doing it wrong. I love them both, but how do I get them to stopdispensing all this unwanted advice?”

Just as your baby is an important part of your life, heis also important to others. People who care about your baby are bonded to youand your child in a special way that invites their counsel. Knowing this maygive you a reason to handle the interference gently, in a way that leaveseveryone’s feelings intact.

Regardless of the advice, it is your baby, and inthe end, you will raise your child the way that you think best. So it’s rarelyworth creating a war over a well-meaning person’s comments. You can respond tounwanted advice in a variety of ways:

Listen first

It’s natural to be defensive if you feel that someone isjudging you; but chances are you are not being criticized; rather, the otherperson is sharing what they feel to be valuable insight. Try to listen - youmay just learn something valuable.

Disregard

If you know that there is no convincing the other personto change her mind, simply smile, nod, and make a non-committal response, suchas, “Interesting!” Then go about your own business...your way.

Agree

You might find one part of the advice that you agreewith. If you can, provide wholehearted agreement on that topic.

Pick your battles

If your mother-in-law insists that Baby wear a hat on yourwalk to the park, go ahead and pop one on his head. This won’t have anylong-term effects except that of placating her. However, don’t capitulate onissues that are important to you or the health or well-being of your child.

Steer clear of the topic

If your brother is pressuring you to let your baby cry tosleep, but you would never do that, then don’t complain to him about your babygetting you up five times the night before. If he brings up the topic,then distraction is definitely in order, such as, “Would you like a cup ofcoffee?”

Educate yourself

Knowledge is power; protect yourself and your sanity byreading up on your parenting choices. Rely on the confidence that you are doingyour best for your baby.

Educate the other person

If your “teacher” is imparting information that you knowto be outdated or wrong, share what you’ve learned on the topic. You may beable to open the other person’s mind. Refer to a study, book, or report thatyou have read.

Quote a doctor

Many people accept a point of view if a professional hasvalidated it. If your own pediatrician agrees with your position, say, “Mydoctor said to wait until she’s at least six months before starting solids.” Ifyour own doctor doesn’t back your view on that issue, then refer toanother doctor - perhaps the author of a baby care book.

Be vague

You can avoid confrontation with an elusive response. Forexample, if your sister asks if you’ve started potty training yet (but you aremany months away from even starting the process), you can answer with, “We’removing in that direction.”

Ask foradvice!

Your friendly counselor is possibly an expert on a fewissues that you can agree on. Search out these points and invite guidance.She’ll be happy that she is helping you, and you’ll be happy you have a way toavoid a showdown about topics that you don’t agree on.

Memorize a standard response

Here’s a comment that can be said in response to almostany piece of advice: “This may not be the right way for you, but it’s the rightway for me.”

Be honest

Try being honest about your feelings. Pick a time free ofdistractions and choose your words carefully, such as, “I know how much youlove Harry, and I’m glad you spend so much time with him. I know you thinkyou’re helping me when you give me advice about this, but I’m comfortable withmy own approach, and I’d really appreciate if you’d understand that.”

Find a mediator

If the situation is putting a strain on your relationshipwith the advice-giver, you may want to ask another person to step in for you.

Search out like-minded friends

Join a support group or on-line club with people whoshare your parenting philosophies. Talking with others who are raising theirbabies in a way that is similar to your own can give you the strength to facepeople who don’t understand your viewpoints.

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care byElizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

You are welcome to reprint this article on yourwebsite or in your newsletter, provided that you reprint the entire article,including the complete byline with author's name and book title. Please alsosend a link or copy to elizabeth@pantley.com. Thank you.

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Car Seat Crying

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

Some babies fall asleep almost before you’re out of thedriveway, but others won’t spend five happy minutes in their car seats. Usually, this is because your baby is used to more freedom of movement andmore physical attention than you can provide when she’s belted into her seat.

Hearing your baby crywhile you are trying to drive is challenging. Even though it’sdifficult to deal with, remember that you and your baby’s safety are mostimportant. Parents sometimes take a crying baby out of the carseat, which is extremely dangerous and makes it even more difficult for thebaby to get used to riding in the car seat. Some parents make poor drivingdecisions when their babies are crying, which puts everyone in the car at risk.Either pull over and calm your baby down, or focus on your driving. Don’t tryto do both.

The good news is that a few new ideas and a little timeand maturity will help your baby become a happy traveler. (I know, because threeof my babies were car-seat-haters!)

The trip to car seat happiness

Any one (or more) of the following strategies may helpsolve your car seat dilemma. If the first one you try fails, choose another one, then another;eventually, you’ll hit upon the right solution for your baby.

Make sure that your baby is healthy. If car seat crying is something new, and your baby has been particularly fussyat home, too, your baby may have an ear infection or other illness. A visit tothe doctor is in order.

Bring the car seat in the house and letyour baby sit and play in it. Once it becomes more familiar in the house, she may behappier to sit there in the car.

Keep a special box of soft, safe cartoys that you’ll use only in the car. If these are interesting enough, they may hold her attention. (Avoid hardtoys because they could cause injury in a quick stop.)

Tape or hang toys for viewing. You can do this on the back of the seat that your baby isfacing or string an array of lightweight toys from the ceiling using heavy tapeand yarn. Place them just at arm’s reach so that your baby can bat at them fromher seat. (Don’t use hard toys that could hurt your baby if they come loose ina quick stop.)

Make a car mobile. Link a long row of plastic baby chains from one side ofthe backseat to the other. Clip soft, lightweight new toys onto the chain foreach trip. Make sure they are secure and keep on eye on these so that theydon’t become loose while you are driving.

Hanga made-for-baby poster on the back of the seat that faces your baby. These are usually black, white, red and bold primarycolors; some even have pockets so you can change the pictures. (Remember to dothis, since changing the scenery is very helpful.)

Experiment with different types ofmusic in the car. Some babies enjoy lullabies or music tapes madeespecially for young children; others surprise you by calming down as soon asyou play one of your favorites. Some babies enjoy hearing Mom or Dad sing, morethan anything else! (For some reason, a rousing chorus of “Rudolf the Red-NosedReindeer” has always been a good choice for us, even out of season!)

Try “white noise” in the car. You can purchase CDs of soothing nature sounds or you canmake a recording of your vacuum cleaner!

Practice with short, pleasant tripswhen your baby is in a good mood. It helps if someone can sit near her and keep herentertained. A few good experiences may help set a new pattern.

Try a pacifier or teething toy. When your baby has something to suck or chew on he may behappier. Just make sure it doesn’t present a choking hazard, and keep to small,soft toys.

Hang a mirror. That way your baby can see you (and you can see yourbaby) while you are driving. Baby stores offer specialty mirrors madeespecially for this purpose. When in her seat, she may think that you’re notthere, and just seeing your face will help her feel better.

Putup a sunshade in the window. This can be helpful if you suspect that sunshinein your baby’s face may be a problem. Use the window-stick-on types, and avoidany with hard pieces that could become dislodged in a quick stop.

Try to consolidate trips. Trip-chaining is effective, especially if you avoid beingin the car for long periods of time, and you don’t have many ins-and-outs.

Make sure your baby hasn’t outgrown hercar seat. If her legs are confined, or her belts are too tight, shemy find her seat to be uncomfortable.

Try opening a window. Fresh air and a nice breeze can be soothing.

If all else fails . . . take the bus!

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care byElizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

You are welcome to reprint this article on yourwebsite or in your newspaper or newsletter, provided that you reprint theentire article, including the complete byline with author's name and booktitle. Please also send a link or copy to elizabeth@pantley.com . Thank you.

Proud Mama To

Eight Sleep Tips for Every Child

By Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution

Up to 70% of children under age five have sleep problems.Sleep issues are complicated and have many causes. They’re hard to deal withbecause when children aren’t sleeping, parents aren’t sleeping, and that lackof sleep affects every minute of every day for every person in the family because lackof sleep isn’t just about being tired. Sleephas a role in everything -- dawdling, temper tantrums, hyperactivity,growth, health, and even learning to tie his shoes and recite the ABCs. Sleepaffects everything.

The following ideas are of value to almost any sleeper, ofany age. These tips can bring improvement not only in your child’s sleep, butalso in her daytime mood and last, but not least – improvements in your ownsleep and outlook as well.

# 1 Maintain a consistentbedtime and awaking time.

Your child’sbiological clock has a strong influence on her wakefulness and sleepiness. Whenyou establish a set time for bedtime and wake up time you “set” your child’sclock so that it functions smoothly.

Aim for an early bedtime.Young children respond best with a bedtime between 6:30 and 7:30 P.M. Most children will sleep better and longer when they go to bed early.

# 2 Encourage regular daily naps.

Daily naps areimportant. An energetic child can find it difficult to go through the daywithout a rest break. A nap-less child will often wake up cheerful and becomeprogressively fussier or hyper-alert as the day goes on. Also, the length andquality of naps affects night sleep – good naps equal better night sleep.

# 3 Set your child’s biological clock.

Take advantage ofyour child’s biology so that he’s actually tiredwhen bedtime arrives. Darkness causes an increase in the release of the body’ssleep hormone -- the biological “stop” button. You can align your child’ssleepiness with bedtime by dimming the lights during the hour beforebedtime.

Exposing your childto morning light is pushing the “go” button in her brain — one that says, “Timeto wake up and be active.” So keep your mornings bright!

# 4 Develop a consistent bedtimeroutine.

Routines createsecurity. A consistent, peaceful bedtime routine allows your child totransition from the motion of the day to the tranquil state of sleep.

An organized routinehelps you coordinate the specifics: bath, pajamas, tooth-brushing. It helps youto function on auto-pilot at the time when you are most tired and leastcreative.

# 5 Create a cozy sleepenvironment.

Where your child sleeps can be a key to quality sleep. Makecertain the mattress is comfortable, the blankets are warm, the roomtemperature is right, pajamas are comfy, and the bedroom is welcoming.

# 6 Provide the right nutrition.

Foods can affectenergy level and sleepiness. Carbohydrates can have a calming effect on thebody, while foods high in protein or sugar generate alertness, particularlywhen eaten alone. A few ideas for pre-bed snacks are: whole wheat toast andcheese, bagel and peanut butter, oatmeal with bananas, or yogurt and low-sugargranola.

Vitamin deficienciesdue to unhealthy food choices can affect a child’s sleep. Provide your childwith a daily assortment of healthy foods.

# 7 Help your child to be healthy and fit.

Many children don’t get enough daily physical activity. Toomuch TV watching and a lack of activity prevents good sleep. Children who get ampledaily exercise fall asleep more quickly, sleep better, stay asleep longer, andwake up feeling refreshed.

Avoid activity in the hour before bedtime though, sinceexercise is stimulating – they’ll be jumping on the bed instead of sleeping init!

# 8 Teach your child howto relax.

Many children get in bed but aren’t sure what to do when theyget there! It can help to follow a soothing pre-bed routine that createssleepiness. A good pre-bed ritual is story time. A child who is listening to aparent read a book or tell a tale will tend to lie still and listen. This quietstillness allows him to become sleepy.

Work with these eight ideas and you’ll see improvements in your child’ssleep, and yours too.

Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishingfrom TheNo-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers& Preschoolers (McGraw-Hill 2005)

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Taking a Road Trip with Your Baby

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care

To Grandmother’s house we go! And you’ll be in the car for five whole hours ¾ how can you make the trip enjoyable with a baby along?

Learn about it

There’s no question: Marathon car trips with a baby on board take a good amount of planning and organization. But it can be done ¾ and yes, it can even be fun!

Planning the trip

In the hustle that precedes a trip, it can be easy to let things happen, instead of make things happen. Be proactive in making your trip decisions. Contemplating these questions, and coming up with the right answers, can help make your trip more successful:

• Does your baby sleep well in the car? If yes, plan your travel time to coincide with a nap or bedtime so your baby can sleep through part of the journey. If not, plan to leave immediately after a nap or upon waking in the morning. Don’t fool yourself into thinking your baby will behave differently than usual in the car just because it’s a special occasion.
• Is it necessary to make the trip all at once, or can you break it up with stops along the way? The longer your baby is strapped in the carseat, the more likely he’ll become fussy. Planning a few breaks can keep everyone in a better frame of mind.
• When estimating an arrival time, have you factored in plenty of extra time for unplanned surprises? A diaper explosion that requires a complete change of clothes or a baby whose inconsolable crying requires an unexpected 20-minute stop are just two of the things that can easily happen.
• Do you have everything you need to make the trip pleasant? Items like:

-Window shades to protect your baby from the sun and create a darker, nap-inducing atmosphere. -A cooler for cold drinks; a bottle warmer if needed. -Plenty of toys that are new or forgotten favorites saved just for the trip. -Baby-friendly music on tape or CD. -A rear-view baby mirror to keep on eye on baby (unless a second person will be sitting with your little one) -Books to read to your baby.

Preparing the car

Take plenty of time to get the car ready for your trip. If two adults are traveling, consider yourself lucky and arrange for one person to sit in the backseat next to the baby. If you are traveling alone with your little one, you’ll need to be more creative in setting up the car, and you’ll need to plan for more frequent stops along the way.

Here are a few tips for making the car a traveling entertainment center for your baby:

• Use ribbon or yarn and safety pins or tape to hang an array of lightweight toys from the ceiling of the car to hang over your baby. An alternative is to string a line from one side of the car to the other with an array of toys attached by ribbons. Bring along an assortment of new toys that can be exchanged when you stop the car for a rest. Just be sure to use small toys and keep them out of the driver’s line of view.
• Tape brightly colored pictures of toys on the back of the seat that your baby will be facing.
• If no one will be sitting next to your baby and your child is old enough to reach for toys, set up an upside-down box next to the car seat with a shallow box or a tray with ledges on top of it. Fill this with toys that your baby can reach for by himself. You might also shop around for a baby activity center that attaches directly to the carseat.
• If you plan to have someone sitting next to baby, then provide that person with a gigantic box of toys with which to entertain the little one ¾ distraction works wonders to keep a baby happy in the car. One of the best activities for long car rides is book reading. Check your library’s early reading section; it typically features a large collection of baby-pleasing titles in paperback that are easier to tote along than board books.
• Bring along an assortment of snacks and drinks for your older baby who’s regularly eating solids, and remember to bring food for yourself, too. Even if you plan to stop for meals, you may decide to drive on through if your baby is sleeping or content ¾ saving the stops for fussy times.
• Bring books on tape or quiet music for the adults for times when your baby is sleeping. The voice on tape may help keep your baby relaxed, and it will be something you can enjoy.
• If you’ll be traveling in the dark, bring along a battery-operated nightlight or flashlight.

Car travel checklist

q Well-stocked diaper bag

q Baby’s blanket

q Carseat pillow or head support

q Window shades (sun screens)

q Change of clothes for your baby

q Enormous box of toys and books

q Music or books on tape or CDs

q Baby food, snacks, and drinks for your baby

q Sipper cups

q Snacks and drinks for the adults

q Cooler

q Wet washcloths in bags, or moist towelettes

q Empty plastic bags for leftovers and trash

q Bottle warmer

q Cell phone

q Baby’s regular sleep music or white noise (if needed, bring extra batteries)

q First aid kit/prescriptions/medications

q Jumper cables

q Money/wallet/purse/ID

q Medical and insurance information/emergency phone numbers

q Maps/driving directions

q Baby carrier/sling/stroller

q Camera and film

q Suitcases

During the journey

If you’ve carefully planned your trip and prepared your vehicle, you’ve already started out on the right foot. Now keep these things in mind as you make your way down the road:

• Be flexible. When traveling with a baby, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted. Try to stay relaxed, accept changes, and go with the flow.
• Stop when you need to. Trying to push “just a little farther” with a crying baby in the car can be dangerous, as you’re distracted and nervous. Take the time to stop and calm your baby.
• Put safety first. Make sure that you keep your baby in his carseat. Many nursing mothers breastfeed their babies during trips. This can be dangerous in a moving car, even if you are both securely belted: You can’t foresee an accident, and your body could slam forcefully into your baby. Instead, pull over and nurse your baby while he’s still in his carseat. That way, when he falls asleep, you won’t wake him up moving him back into his seat.
• Remember: Never, ever leave your baby alone in the car ¾ not even for a minute.

On the way home

You may be so relieved that you lived through your trip that you sort of forget the other trip ahead of you: the trip home. You’ll need to organize the trip home as well as you did the trip out. A few days in advance, make certain that all your supplies are refilled and ready to go. Think about the best time to leave, and plan accordingly. In addition, think about what you learned on the trip to your destination that might make the trip home even easier. Is there something you wish you would have had but didn’t? Something you felt you could have done differently? Did you find yourself saying, “I wish we would have…”? Now’s the time to make any adjustments to your original travel plan so that your trip back home is pleasant and relaxed.

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

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