- If a child is under 18 months old, they shouldn't get much more than an hour of TV viewing p/day. That should not include commercials because they cause most of the problem (they move so quickly and are so flashy, which can cause ADHD/problems paying attention to things that aren't so flashy). Try to limit their TV time to quality, age appropriate programming with few or no commercials.
- The juice question... Juice has a lot of sugar (as much as soda) and even though it can count as a fruit serving, children 1-6 should recieve no more than 4-6 oz. p/day. Although Fructose (the sugar in juice) is a "good" sugar, it should be watered down. It sounds like most moms do half water, half juice.
- The best veggie advice I got was to keep trying. It can take 15 tries for a baby to decide whether he likes something. Introduce a large variety, and don't give up.
- Cheerios do have a lot of fiber, so there is such a thing as too many, but probably only if it was all he ate. He's been fine. Just use "moderation in all things".
- The play pen: Don't neglect your child, but let them learn to play by themselves. They'll let you know when they are done hanging out in the play pen.
- A serving size of fruits or veggies is 1-2 Tablespoons. I'm doing better than I thought! See this site for more information about child serving sizes: http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/experts/fb/toddler_serving_sizes.html
- I finally understand why a bottle in bed is a bad thing! I didn't get it because I didn't know how it was causing bottle decay any more than a bottle during the day. The trouble starts when the child falls asleep with the bottle in their mouth. The liquid keeps dripping and sits on their teeth, causing their teeth and gums to decay! Yuck. Isaac never falls asleep with the bottle in his mouth, but I've stopped putting the bottle in bed with him anyway. I want him to be able to soothe himself to sleep. He cried for 45 minutes last night before he finally went to sleep, but I'm sticking to my guns!
1/28/2009
I get it!
Thanks so much for your feedback on my parenting questions! I feel like I understand so much better now. I hate when you hear you aren't supposed to do something, but they don't explain why. Now I'll make better choices because I know the consequences. What are they? Here's what I gleaned from your wisdom:
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Way to go on the bed time...45 minutes really isn't that bad, and it should get better. I've heard of kids crying for hours! Stay strong!
Very good advice given. I am sooo grateful that I have had sister-in-laws to help me through some of these same questions! and some very helpful websites :)
Definitely a big thank you for the advice! Being a parent has a lot of things to remember.
I'm glad you are feeling better about this. 45 minutes doesn't seem too long, but I might talk with your pediatrician and see how long is too long for him to self soothe and cry himself to sleep. That way you know how long he can handle it before he starts to feel like he's been abandoned. Many Dr's state that if a child has to cry and is left alone to cry for too long it can be harmful. That's why I would suggest you check that out. I was also reading that having the same bedtime routine will help him ready himself for sleep. Whether that's a bath then lotion and a story every night or a story and a song, it doesn't matter as long as it's consistent.
I know I don't have a baby yet, but I feel like the reading and researching I have done might help. Hugs!
Isaac cried a lot less last night! Isaac does have a regular bedtime routine every night, and taking the bottle in bed out of the picture messed that up a little, but he's getting used to it. When he cries longer than 5 or 10 minutes (which is very rare) I poke my head in the door every so often and talk to him for a second and then go out again pretty quick. This way I know he's ok, he knows I'm not far away, and he still gets to mostly soothe himself to sleep.
Hey Alyssa!
Sorry I never got back to you when you wrote me! I was happy to hear from you. :) steve and I are doing great, just keeping busy. Looks like your keeping busy as well. We should get together sometime soon, it's been forever!
alright I am completely losing it! I told ashley that i had all the addresses for your shower and that i would email them to you. The more i looked on my computer, i have no idea where they went. so basically i am back to square one and i am trying to get all the addresses together so i can get them to you. can you email me yours and if you have Sharla's. i think i have most of them now and i will send them over to you. sorry it has taken me so long!
Wow, I should just use your advise when parenting. Looks like you have it better figured out than me. I am such a slacker or I like to put it (layed back) mom compared to all of these things. Awe, oh well a mom could beat her self up trying to be so perfect.
BTW- My kids have me tied around their little finger. I hold them until they fall asleep. I do admire and am a little jelious of the parents who can just lay their kid down to sleep.
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