Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Top parenting stories this week
Choose the Best Child Care
From day care to nannies, here's how to find the best child care for your baby
by: Nancy Ripton
Choosing Child Care
- A long wait list doesn't necessarily mean quality childcare.
- An acceptable child to adult ratio is 3:1 for infants and 4:1 for toddlers.
- Not all day cares are regulated and licensing requirements vary.
- Always do your own background check, regardless of the child care you choose.
- Allow eight to 10 weeks to find a live-in nanny or six to eight weeks for a live out.
inding great child care should be easy, but many parents find themselves on long waiting lists or are traumatized by child care horror stories. Here's what you need to know when it comes to choosing the best child care for your baby: To view the full story click here.
How to Swaddle your Baby
Newborns sleep longer when swaddled, so here's your guide to safe baby swaddling
by: Nancy Ripton
Baby Swaddle
- A tight swaddle inhibits your baby’s startle reflex by gently restricting arm and leg movement.
- Avoid heavy, stiff blankets that can cause your baby to overheat or affect her natural breathing pattern.
- Your baby’s swaddle should be tight.
- A swaddle is as simple as three tucks and a fold.
here’s a reason all newborns are swaddled in the hospital: babies love to be swaddled. A tight swaddle inhibits their startle reflex by gently restricting arm and leg movement, helping babies have longer, uninterrupted sleep. To view the full story click here.
How to Interview a Babysitter or Nanny
Asking the right questions can help you get the best care for your child
by: Martha Scully
Interviewing a Nanny
- Always do a face-to-face interview and contact all references.
- Ask the caregiver about age-specific activities to gauge their experience.
- Ask scenario questions to determine if the caregiver has the common sense you need.
- When checking references, be sure to ask specific questions about conflict that arose and how the caregiver handled feedback.
- Only hire a caregiver who agrees to a trial day before hiring.
iring a nanny or babysitter can be a time-consuming and stressful time for a parent. The first step is to dedicate enough time to the hiring process so you can make sure that you’re making the best decision for your family. To view the full story click here.
Facts about Finding a Nanny for your Baby
Your guide to finding the perfect nanny for your baby.
by: Martha Scully
Nanny Facts
- Decide on the qualifications and/or education you require the nanny to have.
- Because you can deduct room and board expenses, a live-in nanny may have less take-home pay than a live-out.
- Any nanny who is caring for a baby or toddler should have current First Aid and CPR training.
- Personally interview each nanny and ask specific, scenario-type questions (“What would you do if…?”)
- Have your nanny come to your home for a paid trial day.
iring a nanny for your baby can be stressful, especially for the first time. Here’s everything you need to know to make the process easier so you can find the best care for your kids. To view the full story click here.
How to Handle Jealous Siblings
If your first-born has started acting up since the birth of his new sibling, he may be jealous of this new challenger for his attention. Here’s how to smooth things out.
by: Elizabeth Pantley
First-born Jealousy
- Teach your toddler how to play with the baby in the same way you teach him anything else: talk to him, demonstrate, guide and encourage.
- Don't blame everything on the new baby–be careful not to say things like: "We can't go to the park because the baby's sleeping."
- Acknowledge your toddler's unspoken feelings by saying things like: "Things sure have changed with the new baby here. It's going to take us all some time to get used to this." When your child knows you understand his feelings, he'll have less need to act up to get your attention.
- Say extra I love yous, increase your daily dose of hugs and find time to read a book or play a game. Temporary behavior problems are normal and can be eased with an extra dose of time and attention.
efore your new baby arrived, your toddler was told he'd have a wonderful little brother to play with and how much fun it would be. Then the little brother was born and your toddler started thinking, "This squirming, red-faced baby that takes up all your time and attention is supposed to be fun?" Here are 10 ways to help him make the transition from only child to eldest: To view the full story click here.
