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More and more studies are proving that food has a large impact on our overall health and may even determine which diseases and ailments we will get later in life. The more we are aware of the importance of our food choices the earlier we can teach and protect our children. Of course there is always a balance to strike between what’s good for our body and what’s good for our taste buds and lifestyle. Here is a description of the most important nutrients for your child’s development and which foods meet their needs.

Iron

Babies are born with their own source of iron, but this will be depleted after six months. Iron is absorbed best if it is from meat, however the vegetarian baby can increase iron absorption by eating foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, berries, spinach, tomatoes) with meals. Giving milk separately from meals also promotes absorption. Vegetarian iron rich foods include pureed apricots, molasses, fortified cereals, refined lentils, beans and green vegetables.

Calcium

Breast milk or formula provides all your baby’s calcium needs initially. Calcium helps teeth and bones and promotes overall strength. Good sources later include: cow’s milk, fortified soy milk and orange juice, cheeses, molasses, dark green vegetables, beans, lentils and tofu.

Protein

Babies require more protein than adults because of their rapid growth. A one year old child needs about 15 grams or two cups of protein per day, such as milk, cheese, beans, tofu, fish, poultry and lean meats. Combination foods such as grains (bread, pasta, rice) with beans, lentils, avocados, cheeses or tofu will provide the balance needed for vegetarian babies.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is usually found in animal products, such as meat and chicken. Other non-meat sources include dairy products and eggs, as well as fortified foods such as soy milk and cereals.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is made from the action of the sunlight on the skin. Most children in warm climates receive adequate Vitamin D (20-30 minutes a day, 2 to 3 times per week). Dietary sources of vitamin D include dairy products, eggs and fortified foods. Breast milk or formula will provide vitamin D in the beginning stages. Some pediatricians recommend vitamin D supplements.

Fiber

Most of your baby’s fiber needs will be met with fruits and vegetables and cereal. Be careful as a diet too high in fiber and whole grains can fill up a child before their nutritional needs have been met and interfere with absorption of minerals such as zinc, iron and calcium. Too much fiber may also cause diarrhea or an upset stomach to your baby.

Zinc

Zinc is important for healthy immune systems and growth. Offer your child plenty of food rich in zinc such as wheat germ, lean meats, milk, lentils, beans, peas, corn and soybeans. Zinc, like iron may be a problem for vegetarian babies because of poor absorption.

Fat

Infants receive 40 - 50% of their calories from fat, through breast milk or formula. After the first 12 months, your baby will receive fat from whole cow’s milk. After age two, the Pediatric Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends reducing fat calories to 30% or less of total diet. This is the time to switch from whole milk and dairy products to low fat versions. Healthy fat sources include walnuts, canola oil, avocado, milk, cheese and yogurt.

Antioxidants

These are important early on as they prevent damage to developing DNA. The average American family eats only 50% of what is recommended. Vegetables and fruits are the best source of antioxidants including: sweet potatoes, carrots, kiwi, broccoli, avocados, and blueberries.

Water

Babies get water from formula and breast milk early on. However once solids are introduced they may need more liquids to aid swallowing. Water is needed for hydration as children become more active.

The nutrients listed above are good for all ages. While they contribute to your child’s development they also keep adults healthy and free from diseases. You are the expert when it comes to your family and child. If you have a concern, trust your instinct and find someone to help you with health and nutrition questions and problems - pediatricians, nutritionists, dieticians, and lactation consultants are the perfect resources. Typically steady growth is best proof that your child is getting the right amount of food.

Lisa Barnes is the founder of Petit Appetit, a culinary service devoted to the palates and health of infants and toddlers. She teaches in-home private cooking classes to parents, nannies, mothers’ groups, and parenting resources throughout Northern California and is the author of The Petit Appetit Cookbook (published by Penguin Books, March 2005).

Her mission is for children to eat more healthfully, and parents to feel empowered to provide tasty and healthy food for their family. Good food should be about nutrition and taste, and bringing the family together.

For more information on Petit Appetit or The Petit Appetit Cookbook go to http://www.petitappetit.com

Breastfeeding Your Baby..

Everyone tells you that breastfeeding is best - but why?

• It contains all the nutrients baby will need.
• Breast milk contains antibodies which help baby to fight infections.
• It is more digestible, so baby is less likely to suffer from diarrhea or other stomach upsets.

Breastfeeding is good for mom too.

• It burns off about 500 calories a day by using your body’s fat which was put on to help you breastfeed.
• Breastfeeding triggers the retraction of the womb.

It’s also free! When you think of how much diapers are
going to cost, don’t turn down a freebie!

How Do I Do It?

Your baby is born with a ’sucking reflex’ which is especially strong in the first few minutes of life.

1. Hold baby with her tummy towards you and with her body in a straight line. Brush your nipple against against her lips to encourage her to open her mouth.
2. Make sure she takes the areola in her mouth as well as
   the nipple otherwise the milk won’t flow.
3. Your breast holds two types of milk: foremilk which is
   thinner and quenches her thirst, and hind milk which is thicker and helps her to put on weight.
4. Let her feed for as long as she wants. If you think she
   has finished but she has not released the breast (maybe she’s fallen asleep), gently push your little finger into the corner of her mouth to break the suction.
5. At the next feed, offer the other breast first.

Problems

• Engorgement - Most common 3 or 4 days after

  birth. Your breasts overfill with milk, making them feel heavy and hard. Your milk production will probably settle down after a few days; try expressing a little milk before feeds.

• Blocked duct - maybe caused by engorgement; try
  offering the affected breast first when baby’s sucking is strongest - this may clear the blockage. Keep your nipples clean and wear a well-fitting bra.
• Sore nipple - Can be caused by baby incorrectly
  latching on. Try rubbing milk on the nipple after a feed.

****************************************************************
Author: Tony Luck who runs a site with advice for moms-to-be and new moms. Included is the fascinating Chinese Pregnancy Calendar which supposedly tells you whether the baby you’re expecting will be a boy or girl, and a Conception Chart to tell you when baby is expected.

Hiring a nanny is one of the best solutions. People may consider daycare instead of nanny. So which choice is better than another? Why would you choose to hire a nanny instead of using a daycare? Here are some questions you should ask yourself as well as what you should look for when choosing a nanny for your children.

In some parents’ eyes, daycares are less favorable than a nanny. Some parents feel the personal attention a nanny can give to their children is a valuable service many daycares are not capable of providing due to the number of children in their care. Another reason that families choose nannies is for the convenience of having the childcare available outside of standard daycare operating hours. A nanny will become an integral part of the family so choosing wisely is an important step to selecting the best nanny for your children.

What should you consider then?
1. Do you want a live-in nanny, day time nanny, full-time, part-time or on call? What is your budget? Will you want the nanny to clean the house, cook meals or transport your children to after school activities or play dates? What other responsibilities are you looking for in a nanny?

2. Will you allow smoking or visitors in your home during the care period? Do you care if the nanny speaks your native language or any other language? Au pairs are commonly younger women from foreign countries; is it important to you to have a caregiver from your locality?

3. What is the rate? Before you start looking for a nanny you should find out what the local rates are and determine if you can afford the care you are looking for. Perhaps making arrangements with another family to share a nanny will better suit your budget. If you choose to share a nanny you will also need to make a clear agreement with the other parents as to the responsibilities you both require.

Nannies can be found through agencies, personal references and by posting an ad in the newspaper. Wherever you go to find a nanny you will want to ask them for references (make certain that you are able to contact the references), a driver’s license or other ID, criminal check and child care experience or education depending on your personal requirements. Asking for a nanny with First Aid or CPR is also common.

It is better for you to ask the agency about their background and work experience. Arrange to meet the candidates in person and don’t commit to a hiring until you’ve had the chance to interview them.

Mary Williams maintains many contractor websites, including Contractor Secrets, Contractors Guide ,and Free Contractor.

Modern parents want to do everything they can to help their children’s brain development. Never before have there been so many products and books sold that claim to help parents stimulate their baby’s brain, assist in brain development, and give baby an intelligence “edge”.

Recently, a variety of studies have come to light that tout the benefits of breastfeeding
on brain development and intelligence.

What IS the connection between breastfeeding and intelligence?

It comes down to a couple of important things, some of which are tangible and measurable, and some
that are not.

The Importance of Fats and Other Essential Nutrients

Breastmilk contains the ideal ratio of fats, amino acids and other nutrients that baby needs for
brain and nervous system development. These ingredients provide the ideal basis for the “hard-wiring”
component of a person’s intelligence.

For instance, Taurine is an important amino acid found in high concentrations in mother’s milk.
(In contrast, it is almost nonexistent in cow’s milk.) Taurine has an important role in the development
of brain tissue, among other things. A baby’s body is unable to form Taurine on its own, so s/he is
totally reliant on his food to supply this.

Another important ingredient of mom’s milk are fats. Breastmilk contains high amounts of important fats,
such as DHA and ARA. These are very important components of brain structures, and research has shown that
breastfed infants have higher concentration of these essential fats in their brain and blood than do formula
fed babies.

Some artificial baby milk manufacturers are adding Taurine and DHA to their formulas, but this does not make
these identical to mother’s milk. Researchers have concluded that there is an important interplay between
all of the components of breastmilk that cause this effect, and that this effect can’t be duplicated.

Cholesterol is another ingredient found in high concentrations in breastmilk. It is needed to build tissue in the brain
and nervous system. Babies need cholesterol in the first two years of life. (Incidentally, there is evidence
that points to a connection between cholesterol in breastmilk and the ability to handle dietery cholesterol in
adulthood.)

Studies comparing breastfed children and their formula fed peers in different ages and stages of life show time and
again that breastfed infants do better on various tests of intellectual ability. Some have shown these
differences persisting for many years.

Even after the differences in socioeconomic status were accounted for or eliminated in these studies,
breastfed children still clearly come out ahead.

In fact, one study showed that premature infants who were breastfed had significantly higher IQs than formula
fed babies, and when babies were fed a combination of breastmilk and formula, their cognitive scores were
directly related to the amount of mother’s milk they received.

Hormones- Both Baby’s and Mom’s

Mother’s milk has a high level of endorphins in the first few days after birth.
No doubt this helps the baby ease the transition to life outside the womb.

When babies are stressed out, their tiny bodies are in “fight or flight” mode, and essential energy
is directed away from growth and development, which would have an obvious effect on the brain.

Additionally, a nursing Mom is biologically a different animal than a non-breastfeeding one.

For instance, when a woman breastfeeds, her body is flooded with pleasure hormones, one of which
is Oxytocin, the so called “love hormone”, that is also present during orgasm.
This hormone helps her to feel relaxed and bonded with her baby.
Oxytocin triggers nurturing activity, which no doubt plays a huge role in baby’s cognitive and emotional development.

Since lactation suppresses the nervous system response to stressful stimuli, a happy nursing Mommy means a happy baby!

What are some of the intangible benefits that breastfeeding has on brain development and IQ?

Physical Closeness and Emotional Health

In recent years a lot of emphasis has been put on “Emotional Intelligence”. How does breastfeeding assist with
helping a child develop this?

The closeness of breastfeeding is an important bridge between baby’s intrauterine life and his new experience of being
out in the world.
Studies have shown that babies who receive lots of closeness with their primary caregiver, and lots of stimulating
eye contact and “conversation” are getting important brain stimulation that gadgets and toys cannot produce.

That is not to say that a formula feeding Mother doesn’t do this, but a
breastfeeding baby can’t help but have lots of skin to skin contact and interaction with his Mother!

Breastfeeding also gives Mom a chance to reconnect with her busy crawling baby or walking toddler, who
seems to spend all his time running from Mom.
Having several quiet moments during the day to kiss those dimpled hands, sniff that sweet smelling head, and tickle those
fat feet (that will be bigger than your own soon enough) is an important way for Mom and Baby to get that closeness.

The late Dr. Lee Salk, pediatric psychologist, said that “The baby whose cries are answered now will later be the child
confident enough to show his independence and curiosity. But the baby left to cry may develop a sense of isolation and
distrust, and may turn inward…later in life, this child may continue to cope with stress by trying to shut out reality.”

The closeness of breastfeeding makes for a happier baby, one who is settled inside and who trusts that another human will
be there to meet his needs, instead of an outside gadget. Don’t we want our children learning this important lesson from infancy?

Of course, breastfeeding does not automatically guarantee that a child will be smart, but it can be a way to guarantee
that a child lives up to their full genetic potential for emotional intelligence, smarts and IQ!

Carrie Lauth is a breastfeeding counselor who publishes a free newsletter for Moms doing things the natural way.
You can get your copy plus extra subscriber goodies at http://www.natural-moms.com

Babies learn about the environment surrounding them through five
senses: vision, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting. Of those five
senses, vision is the least developed sense a baby has at birth.

Therefore, it is important for parents to help their babies to ‘perfect’ their
vision during the first few months of their baby’s life.

Babies who do not receive adequate visual stimulation may never get good vision. Or
they may develop it slowly. In contrast, babies who are stimulated
develop good vision faster. Having a good vision early is important since this will put the baby in a
competitive edge. Why ? Because vision provides the baseline of
other area of development. It enhances curiosity, attentiveness, concentration and most importantly, cements bonding between parents and the baby.

So, what can a parent do to help perfect their baby’s vision?
Parents can accelerate and optimize the development of their babies’ vision
by providing a variety of visual input. When a baby receives visual stimulation, the vision-related nerve
cells , which initially are not well connected, start
to form a lot of connection with other nerve cells. This will finally make the baby’s eyes
to thrive, enabling the baby to see better.

Newborn baby.

First, let’s see what the research says. Research has found that
newborn’s eyes register contrasting color such as white, black and red the best. So the best way to
stimulate your baby’s eyes is by exposing your baby to as much dark and
light as possible.

Try these following activities:

• Show your baby light and dark contrasting toys including the ones attached to the baby mobiles, wrist rattles and other educational baby toys.
  
• Show books with pictures which have contrasting colors.
  
• And if you don’t mind to go a bit overboard, surround your baby with objects which have contrasting colors. These may include: bedding, play area and even yourself. Yes, you can actually wear shirts with stripes when tending your baby.

But wait, research has also shown that newborn can only focus their eyes on objects between 8-12 inches away from them. Therefore, try to stay within that boundary when you interact with your baby.

Beyond newborn.

Around 2 months, your baby will be able to move from highly contrasting colors to bright bold colors. Your baby will also enjoy faces and is ready to see a moving object in addition to the stationary one.

Here are some activities to try:

• Activity with the play gym or baby mobiles: place your baby on her back and put the play gym or baby mobile on her. Move the toys like a pendulum.
  
• Activity with rattle or other objects: move the baby rattle from left to right, or up and down.
  
• Mirror: show your baby her face. Enhance this activity by pointing her facial features and talk about them.

When your baby’s around 5 months, train your baby’s eyes to focus even more.

These following exercises will assist your baby to develop concentration and enhance the curiousity .

• Play the peekaboo with your baby.
  
• Play with a yo yo and encourage your baby to see the yo yo movement.
  
• Dribble or throw a ball. Encourage your baby to follow the ball’s movement. .
  
• Follow-a-spool activity: roll a spool of thread towards your baby and then move it to the opposite direction (i.e. farther from her). Let your baby’s eyes follow the movement.
  
• Put a little ball or marble inside a big bowl. Tilt the bowl and move it around, so that the ball moves around the bowl. Show this to your baby and let your baby’s eyes follow the movement.
  
• Play a simple hide and seek game with your baby.

If your baby has been properly visually stimulated, by 8 months, your baby should have completed her visual development and has a good vision.

Dian Dewi is a mom and webmaster of Best Child Toys , a website which provides guidance on how to choose toys which are fun, safe and educational. This website also contains tips on how to use toys to maximize child’s development. The baby section of this website provides information on choosing educational baby toys and how to use them effectively.

The most prominent choice among Wireless Internet decisions is that you choose the acceptable selection for you. What’s simple and fabulous with reference to Compare Wireless Broadband that the company just supply impartial at home broadband & mobile Mobile Broadband suggestions. Not like other companies the company offer outside suggestions in a bundle of particular providers, the company help to find the leading recommend for you, consequently you might often use the smallest sum of cash possible & still receive an awesome contract from your supplier.

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Wireless has converted into being astonishingly accepted & more or less three million UK internet clients currently connect wirelessly to the mobile internet at work. This is a number that always on the rise as tons of people get wise to the benefits of wireless mobile internet. Broadband uses high speed internet access this because it frequently has a high rate of information transmission. Not only is it 10 to one hundred times faster than a dial up account it doesn’t tie up the phone line so you can make and receive telephone calls as usual while your able to use the Wireless Broadband You will be charged a simple monthly cost for all time on connection so there is no need to dial with to get online, all we have to do is turn on the computer and you’re connected. Find the latest Orange Broadband offers with Compare Broadband UK.

It is incredible, but within a years time your baby will progress from random crying to talking. This is quite an achievement for your baby and in a very short period of time. In this chapter we will look at your baby’s development when it comes to language. You’ll also discover what you can expect to see every month but it’s important to remember that these stages of your baby’s development are broad and because every baby is different these are not meant as exact milestones.

One month. Your baby will be able to understand speech long before actually talking. From birth he will look at your face and listen to your voice. He may make a small range of noises that will start to mean something to you - these may be made when he experiences feelings of hunger or pain (such as crying and certain sounds while he is breathing). When your baby is eating, you may notice him making sucking type noises and sounds of contentment. The way that your baby cries is an important communication method while he is actually unable to talk. Crying lays the foundation for speech as your baby learns to control his vocal cords. Crying is also a baby’s way of indicating hunger, discontentment, or general discomfort. Through responding to this crying you let your baby know that she is important to you - and this can really be reassuring for a young infant.

Two months. As a child enters his second month he is far more aware of the world - things such as sounds, even that of your voice, will amuse and fascinate your child. Change the tone of your voice and this will keep him amused. Your baby will respond with a variety of cooing sounds, vowel-like sounds, and sometimes some consonant sounds such as a “k”. You will find that your baby has quite a collection of cooing sounds that she uses to communicate with you as well as discover how to use the sound of her own voice. During this time, try and talk with your baby - this will encourage her response and help in the development process. By looking into your baby’s eyes you are communicating an important thing to her - that you are listening.

Three months. By now you will find that your baby is able to recognize your voice and may come to you or face you when your voice is heard. You may notice him laugh out aloud and may even scare himself by doing this (as he does not initially know that he is the one making the sounds). Your baby will be making sounds such as “ahhhh gooo”. He will squeal when he is happy and content, again often startling himself as he learns his own abilities.

At this stage you should not only talk to your baby but also introduce other communication forms such as singing and story telling. The greater your effort in trying to talk with him, the better his response is likely to be.

Four months. By now more and more communication should be taking place with your baby. You may notice a greater amount of smiling - while his babbling may have a noticeably singsong quality to it, often ranging into a high pitch that delights him as he learns to like the sound of his own voice. There will be lots of repetition to the sounds that your baby makes.

It is important that you always respond to your baby’s “oohs” and “ahhs” and whatever other communication methods she is using - respond with your own voice tones. This is your chance to have a “chat time” with your baby and you should take advantage of these times - you are helping him to discover the art of conversation. There will also be certain times when your baby may also not be in the mood for talking. He will turn his head in the other direction and may put his arm over his face. He may be showing signs of anger or frustration by crying out, especially if something is taken away from him.

Five months. As each month progresses you will find that your baby is becoming better at communicating. It’s possible that you will notice him imitate some sounds and gestures. By now he’ll most likely be able to let you know if he’s happy or sad. When attention is wanted your baby will babble until he is given the attention he feels he deserves. Interestingly, if you always respond to his communication efforts (whatever these may be) he’ll repeat them whenever he wants your attention this way.

During this month it’s likely that your baby will be looking at your mouth moving while you talk. Talk to him from across the room and he’ll be able to find you with ease. He is learning to control his vocal sounds as he watches your response to his sounds.

Six months. Your baby may now be using consonant-vowel combinations. It’s quite possible that he has discovered his mirror reflection and is probably having conversations with himself. Your baby’s language is becoming much more precise.

Here are some ways that you can help your baby develop her language skills:

Speak very slowly and clearly.

Identify and point out items, objects and people as you talk about them.

Use shorter sentences sentences.

Using repetition when singing songs and nursery rhymes helps the learning process.

Reading to your baby is a good idea and should be done as often as possible - ask your baby questions and point things out to make the process as interactive as possible.

Let your baby respond in his own way when communicating with her.

Seven months. Your baby is now continuing to learn how to use his newfound language skills. He may be able to do things such as wave goodbye and may accompany his wave with babbling sounds. He can say “mama” or “dada”.

Eight months. Your baby is playing games such as pat a cake and peek-a-boo. Even though he can’t speak the words that belong to these games, he can babble and talk to himself. It’s likely that your baby knows what the word “No” means by now as well.

Nine to twelve months. It’s possible that by now your baby understands requests and commands such as “give it” or “don’t touch that”. Similarly, she may understand simple questions such as “where’s your rattle?” At this time you should be encouraging your baby to use gestures (and you should respond to them). For example if your baby indicates she wants to be picked up then say “you want to be picked up?” while picking her up. This helps the learning process. You should also talk about everything that you do, and use gestures (and short sentences) as you’re doing them.

Here are some ways to help your baby with the learning process:

Look at books and talk about the pictures in simple languages. Where possible try and use books that your baby is able to hold.

Talk often to your baby using simple words to identify objects in his life. Name trees, numbers, colours, and animals as you take your baby for a walk. You should also use your baby’s name often - this way she will be able to recognise it.

Talk back to your child when she talks with you.

Introduce concepts to your baby, such as the “big” dog or the “little” mouse.

Give your baby time to get his words out; don’t be tempted to complete sentences for him.

Continue to read to your baby as much as possible. Reading should be part of your daily routine.

From day one start to talk in a simple, short and uncomplicated way with your baby - even though she will not understand what you are saying this is laying the foundations for learning language.

Twelve months. After one year babies are generally able to say one or two words and are able to understand 25 words or more. For example if a person in the room asks, “where is daddy?” your baby will look for you. Your baby is also able to point at things (and ask for things in this way).

Keziah Engineer is the author of the best selling ebook “THE BABY CARE BOOK” - a resource that teaches new parents absolutely everything they need to know about their newborn babies: http://www.global-ebooks.com/babybook.htm

Many parents share custody of their children, which presents a unique problem when it comes to potty training. It’s best to discuss potty training and agree on a strategy before you start. Both parents need to be informed about potty training and have the necessary potty training aids.

Potty Training Aids

To maintain consistency throughout the potty training process, it’s best if both parents either share the potty training aids or purchase the same aids. This way your child will have a potty seat she is comfortable with at each parent’s home.

Potty Training Methods

Both parents need to use similar potty training methods so your child doesn’t get confused. Make sure you are both informed and decide how you’re going to handle potty training instruction, rewards, and accidents.

In some cases, the divorced or separated parents don’t have a good relationship and this level of communication is not possible. If this is your situation, it may be easiest to pack your child’s potty seat along with a note describing your potty training strategy (and any other necessary information) and send it with your child.

Copyright © 2004 ZIP Baby. All Rights Reserved.

Danna Henderson

ZIP Baby

101 Convention Center Drive, Ste 700

Las Vegas, NV 89109

About The Author

Danna Henderson started ZIP Baby in order to provide parents with comprehensive potty training information as well as a large variety of potty training products. For more information or advice about potty training, visit Potty Training Away from Home.

There’s an epidemic in our culture. Have you heard of the ‘fear of failure flu?’

Early symptoms include sweaty palms and a knot in the stomach. Those in the middles stages of the ‘disease’ have an intense focus on ‘resume building’ — children’s activities are no longer for fun but become accomplishments that will somehow separate some important future application from the rest of the pack. A form of paralysis (that keeps kids from trying new things at which they might not instantnly excel) is a symptom only visible in the later stages of the disease.

Parents who want to teach kids to value effort for its own sake start with themselves. They start with their own fears. Everyone fails from time to time; when we don’t it’s often because we’re not stretching far enough!

To vaccinate your kids agains the ‘fear of failure flu’ a careful self examination may be in order. After all, to thrive, a virus needs a carrier and a hospitable environment. As parents, it’s importnat that we take steps to make sure we’re not ‘carriers’ of the very behavior we’re trying to help our kids avoid!

For example, if you’re too hard on yourself when you ‘come up short’ do you hide that fact from your children? Could you, instead, share the fact that you — and they — are human beings with a lot to learn and there will always be times in life when we fail at something we care about? There is strength in learning to view setbacks as learning.

Which outlook is supported by the environment that your kids are in?

Andrea Patten, LADC is the co-author of What Kids Need to Succeed: Four Foundations of Adult Achievement now available on Amazon.com

For more information about the Four Foundations, or to book Andrea to speak to your group, please visit http://www.whatkidsneedtosucceed.com

There are many different ways to potty train your toddler. At last count, I had found 35 different books for parents on potty training and I own most of those books. Based on my research and understanding, I break HOW to potty train down into the following five methods:

1. Infant Potty Training
2. It’s potty time!! - practice until you get it right
3. The Potty Training in One Day Method
4. He will go potty when the time is right
5. The Naked & $75 method

1) The Infant Potty Training Method:

Most used potty training method in underdeveloped nations around the world and probably the least used potty training method in North America.

It basically involves holding the infant over a potty to catch the eliminations.

It basically works by having the mom learn the infant’s rhythms and infant learns to recognize physical sensations that precede elimination.

This is very effective when the disposable diaper use is minimal or nonexistent.

Infants can learn to signal when they need to relieve themselves.

PROS of the Infant Potty Training Method :

Promotes parent child bonding

Start early, finish early

Wetting and soiling are not likely to become entrenched habits

Limited use of diapers results in:

• Cost effective
• Prevents diaper rash
• Better for the environment
• More hygienic

CONS of the Infant Potty Training Method:

Time consuming; nearly impossible for working mothers.

Have to stay on top of it and stick with it until child can potty independently.

Accidents and accident clean up

2) It’s potty time!! -Practice until you get it right potty training method:

Introduce the potty to your child

Have potty be accessible

And then gradually teach him/her to use it.

This will include:

• holding regular practice sessions
• rewarding child with things such as stickers or candy or whatever works for you child
• charting progress
• Gradually transitioning from diapers to potty to underwear.

PROS of the potty practice method:

This method can easily fit into a today’s family’s busy schedules

With some planning, some structure can be created around the practice sessions i.e. in the morning and in the evening.

Is done gradually over time.

Very limited accidents, if any.

CONS of the potty practice method:

Sticking to the structure and schedule until the toddler is potty trained

Could take anywhere from a weekend to a few months depending on the child’s maturity level, temperament and readiness.

May not learn to initiate him/herself, because parent always initiates.

Keeping the curios toddler interested long enough to sit on the potty and relax, so s/he is able to eliminate.

3) The Potty Training in One Day Method:

Based on two simple concepts:

Best way to learn something is to teach it.

Use a potty training doll to model the appropriate potty training behavior for your child

Behavior is shaped by consequence

Use consequences for action - logical and natural.

Read an excerpt from the Parent’s Potty Training Guide: How to Potty Train in One Day

PROS of The Potty Training in One Day Method:

Quick - can be done in less than one day to a maximum of 2 weeks

Is a structured method.

Tools are now available.

Made popular by Dr. Phil.

CONS of The Potty Training in One Day Method:

Takes planning and preparation

Is a structured method.

Requires follow through by parents

Made to look easier than it is.

4) He will go potty when the time is right method:

This method is recommended by Dr Terry Brazelton and is also adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This is probably the most used method in North America .

The premise of the method is that since potty training is a developmental milestone in your child’s life (such as walking, talking, eating etc), your task as the parent is to introduce the potty and all the related tasks to your child.

Then when your child is ready, s/he will decide to use the potty and in effect will train themselves.

PROS of this method:

Very easy to fit into our busy lifestyle

Very little preparation required on the part of the parent.

Does not require a large time commitment or consistency from parent; therefore ideal for working parents

Great in concept, but not working well in reality - especially in a society where we are so dependent on the disposable diaper.

CONS of this method:

Could take anywhere between 1-6 months or longer in many cases.

Child may quite old before s/he is ready. The average age for potty training is going up every year.

Wetting and soiling can become entrenched habits for children.

5) The Naked & $75 method

Children 24 to 30 months of age

Parents spend three to five consecutive days on the training.

The child is allowed to be naked all day, with a potty available at all times.

It is important to note that experts disagree with Rosemond’s approach.

By the way, the $75 is for the inevitable carpet cleaning.

PROS of the Naked & $75 method:

Simple, easy and inexpensive

Quick - 3-5 days

CONS of the Naked & $75 method:

Not supported by experts

Messy

Copyright 2004-2005. Potty Training Concepts. All Rights Reserved.

See all the potty training articles from Potty Training Concepts.

About the Author:
Narmin Parpia is founder of Potty Training Concepts and the inventor of the potty training dolls Potty Scotty & Potty Patty and Potty Training in One Day - The Complete System for Boys or Girls. Narmin’s products have been featured on the Today Show and in TIME Magazine.