NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER

Author Archives: Desarrollo WebAdictos

Older posts
Newer posts

Resilience for pandemials: a guide for raising children in times of Covid-19

Posted on 26/08/2021 - 12:29 by

The Alpha generation, the children born after 2010, after the centennials, are now called in many places as the pandemials. They are our children, the little ones who have had to explain the world to themselves with Covid-19, the ones who had to adapt to isolation, closed parks, and online classes.

Undoubtedly, children are the most affected in this environment and are the ones to receive the least attention; that is why the existence of books such as Resiliencia para pandemials (Resilience for pandemials), by Alejandra Crail, an investigation with data, specific cases, and multidisciplinary analysis that is at the same time a guide for parents is of great help because we still don’t know the impact that the pandemic will have on our children.

Resilience for pandemials

We talked with Alejandra Crail about her book and the need to foster in our children the ability to transcend any circumstance. That is resilience.

Baby Creysi (BC): After more than a year of the pandemic, what have we learned from it?

Alejandra Crail (AC): The learning is not over yet, but one of the most important things is that thanks to the pandemic we were able to establish our priorities.

We are discovering that things that we used to consider important, actually they are not. The lockdown allowed us to reconnect with people. In the case of caregivers who have girls and boys around, connect with their little ones. The daily dynamics prevented a close contact, sometimes there was left just the blood bond. The confinement came to give us perspective of how important it is to be together, to live together, and to give quality time.

It may interest you: Energetic ties between parents and children

The adult-centered view

BC: Children are the most forgotten within the pandemic, why is it so hard for us to turn around and notice them?

AC: We have been raised with an adult-centered vision. Turn to see yourself when you were a child, adults were always right and there were very few occasions when they listened to us.

Things have not changed and we can also notice it in government decisions, the government manages the public administration towards children. As members of an entire system we share the adult-centered vision, we belie

ve that adults are the beholders of reason and we tend to think that those tiny voices that are developing do not contribute much. The truth is that children are citizens today though it is hard for us to recognize it.

The pandemic represented an opportunity in that sense. After sharing a room 24 x 7, we force ourselves to turn to see their needs. We were able to listen to what worries our children, find out what makes them happy, what they dislike, what they fear.

Alejandra Crail is an investigative journalist, writer and photographer, specialist in human rights, children and gender. Photo: Alejandra Crail
Alejandra Crail is an investigative journalist, writer and photographer, specialist in human rights, children and gender. Photo: Alejandra Crail

Child abuse: the open secret that nobody wants to see

BC: During the pandemic, child abuse intensified. Are children especially vulnerable in Mexico?

AC: Abuse is a global phenomenon that stems from the adult-centric view that children are our property. However, in Mexico, due to our characteristics as a society, of course we are more prone to child abuse than some other more developed countries because here we have a lot of machismo and misogyny.

The patriarchal vision is very strong in the family, and the pandemic strengthened a problem that we have been dragging for a long time. A couple of years ago I published an investigation on child abuse; in it, we talked about the last point in the chain of violence experienced by girls and boys in Mexico.

The data, very conservative because there is not enough information, told us that every two days a child under the age of 15 is murdered by a family member, in his home, directly from abuse.

During the pandemic the figures increased because we spend much more time at home. In addition, the loss of employment, the economic problems and all the effects that the pandemic brought along increased the risk that adults would be violent with younger children because they are the last in the chain of vulnerability.

This is an opportunity to make visible something that has always been there. Today it is harsher, but it was an open secret that nobody wanted to talk about or notice.

We recommend: Family tree, a tool to get to know your family

A resilience guide for pandemials

BC: Your book is a guide for caregivers. What are the 5 keys for our children to develop resilience?

AC: First I would tell you that self-care is the foundation. If we as women, or for fathers too, it applies to all caregivers, but if we do not take care of our bodies, our minds, our health, it becomes like a barrier that does not let us be guides for our children.

The second is to recognize the voice that our girls and boys have. Listen to them and generate links from the dialogue. Validate their contributions, do not deceive them, and share with them what is happening, including our own fears to develop real confidence.

The third thing, after the imbalance and the transfer of school education to homes, try to create a routine.

Routines allow children to know their limits and responsibilities. These are based on their development within society. Fourth, I want to remind caregivers that the only job children have is to play.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, of confinement, it is important that they play. If the parents played with them, it would be better, but the game is part of their development, it is how they explain the world.

Finally, the issue of mourning is fundamental. We must respect the processes involved in mourning and accept them as adults. It’s important because it allows us to get back on track after a loss, not just the death of a loved one, but any loss.”

The ravages of the pandemic on our children

BC: What will be the impact of the pandemic on our children? Looking into the future, what will children growing up in a world with Covid-19 be like?

AC: It is complicated because we are not very clear about what is happening to us now, but definitely in 10 and 15 years we will be seeing what we are planting. We call pandemials the generations that are in the process of formation because they are absorbing all the information in the world as it is, and obviously this is going to have an impact on their lives, on their morals, on their ethics, on how they relate to other people.

One of the main characteristics is going to be this hyper-connectivity that we are experiencing. The fact of using technology all the time. Girls and boys are learning that this is the way the world is, when in reality we, pre-pandemic, know that it was not like this before.

The ways in which we relate to each other and their mental health are going to change a lot.

We are going to have girls and boys who are going to grow up with issues of anxiety and depression.

That is why it is very important to take care of them now because those little seeds that are planted in these matters can develop big problems. Now it is so early that it is not noticeable, but they will suffer in adulthood. It is important to give them tools starting today.

Resiliencia para pandemials (Resilience for Pandemials) is available in bookstores

Resiliencia para pandemials

Author: Alejandra Crail Editorial Grijalbo / Penguin Random House Review: Suddenly, covid-19 caused millions of pandemials be face to face with grief, illness, parental unemployment, distance learning, family abuse, isolation and uncertainty.

The pandemic put them, all of a sudden, in a situation that no one had prepared them for… and no mom, dad, teacher or guardian was ready either. This book seeks to solve that problem.

Summoned by the journalist Alejandra Crail, the leading experts on childhood and adolescence unfold a great deck of emotional and therapeutic options so children can overcome this crisis and, in the end, turn it into growth and well-being. You can also download it digitally on: I like reading

Resiliencia para pandemials (Resilience for Pandemials) Upbringing and accompaniment in times of Covid-19, by Alejandra Crail. Photo: Penguin Random House

Translated by: Liga M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version

We recommend: Break patterns of machismo in the family

How to remove phlegm and mucus from my baby

Posted on 25/08/2021 - 13:49 by

Did you know that a newborn baby cannot breathe through his mouth except when it cries? Not until they turn three or four months old, babies have not developed the reflex to open their mouth if they have a blocked nose, that is why we must be very careful to keep their nose clean, eliminating the annoying phlegm.

Is phlegm normal?

Newborns have such small and delicate nasal passages (2 to 3 millimeters wide) that a tiny mucus or phlegm can be a big nuisance for them. Mayo Clinic Pediatrician Dr. Lee Johnson responds to Baby Creysi, “Phlegm is normal in all humans, including babies. Babies have smaller upper nasal passages, so phlegm collects in the nose and often makes breathing worse at night. Babies always breathe through their noses (unless they are screaming or crying!)”. But there is a good and important reason for having mucus, as long as it does not cause discomfort to our little one.   Nina Shapiro, Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, explains on her blog, “Think of your baby’s precious nose as a greenhouse: it needs moisture, heat, air filtration, ventilation, and vegetation. The mucous lining of the nose provides moisture. This lining has tiny glands that supply the wet, slippery mucus that prevents the nose from turning into a crusted desert and allows air to flow freely”. “Body temperature and the small dark space in the nasal cavity provide warmth. Filtering is accomplished by both tiny hairs in the nose and slippery mucus (vegetation), so dust and dirt are not directly breathed into the lungs. Hair and mucus trap and accumulate particles and filter them from the air your baby breathes. Ventilation is provided by the open nasal passage that connects the outside world with the back of the nose”.

Don’t miss: Constipation in babies , what causes it and how to detect it

What can I do if my baby has a lot of phlegm or mucus? How can I to remove them?

“If your baby sounds very phlegmatic, it is good to suck the nose with a bulb syringe. Make sure to seal your little one’s nostril well (for the suction to work), and you may need to suck multiple times”, says Dr. Lee, who is a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse Wisconsin, USA.

It is better to use the rubber syringe to wipe the baby’s nose before feeding and going to sleep. Follow these steps:

  1. Hold the baby with the head slightly tilted back.
  2. Press the round base of the bulb syringe with your thumb.
  3. Gently insert the tip of the bulb syringe until it is tight against the baby’s nose.
  4. Gently insert the tip of the bulb syringe until it is tight against the baby’s nose.

You can read: Regurgitation in babies: what to do when they spit up milk

Before using the bulb syringe, use baby saline solution

Saline solution does not contain any dangerous chemicals or drugs, so it is safe to use in newborns as often as needed. “Put the baby a few nasal drops of saline solution on each side of the nose before sucking to help thin the mucus”, adds the specialist.

 

When you put the saline solution on your baby, do it in an upright position, so that he does not feel the saline solution going down his throat. Most of the saline solution will drip back, but some will go where it is needed.

Un lavado nasal con solución salina (agua salina) ayuda a limpiar el polen, el polvo y otros residuos de los conductos nasales. También es muy efectivo para retirar el exceso de moco y añade humectación.  Foto: Shutterstock
Un lavado nasal con solución salina (agua salina) ayuda a limpiar el polen, el polvo y otros residuos de los conductos nasales. También es muy efectivo para retirar el exceso de moco y añade humectación.  Foto: Shutterstock

Use the bulb syringe carefully when extracting phlegm

Dr. Lee warns that sucking too often with the bulb syringe “can worsen congestion and can also cause the mucous membranes of the nose to swell or bleed”, so you must be very careful.

 

“After using the bulb syringe, wash it in warm soapy water. Rinse it well and squeeze it to remove all the water that may remain inside”, adds the pediatrician.

On the other hand, Dr. Shapiro adds, “While the bulb syringe is a good aid, I would advise against frequent use. Most newborns are congested because their delicate nasal tissues are slightly swollen. The pressure from the bulb syringe will only cause more swelling and more congestion. If you don’t see any drops of mucus coming out, stay away from the bulb syringe and try the saline solution first. If there is a lot of mucus, you can do a gentle flush (quick little puffs), that will help your baby get rid of the mucus”.

Another option: the humidifier

A cool-mist humidifier in the baby’s room can also help, especially at night. Make sure to read the instructions on the best way to keep your humidifier clean and avoid using menthol or medicinal additives in the water tank.

The grunting and snorting a baby makes when his nose is stuffy may sound terrible, but before freaking out, take a look at your baby’s general condition. If he makes those noises, but is eating well, sleeping soundly, gaining weight, and looking good, you don’t have to worry. It is likely to be for a short time.

However, if you see that he has other symptoms, or that he still has a lot of phlegm, mucus that runs off and it annoys your child, go to your pediatrician to evaluate him for a possible cold or something else. Always remember: CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

More information:

¿Aspiradores o lavados nasales?

Don’t forget to use a bib to keep your baby from getting wet during nasal cleansing.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver

Spanish version

Why you should NOT use time-out to correct children

Posted on 24/08/2021 - 13:30 by

A few years ago moms called it, the corner. Now that name evolved to time-out. It is supposed to be a more flexible variant to correct children’s behavior. The idea is to have a five-minute pause for the child to “reflect”. However, many experts disagree with this procedure. Why you shouldn’t use time-out on your kids.

What is time-out?

Time-out is defined, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as a behavior modification technique in children. It consists of removing your child from where the misbehavior happened and getting no attention at all for one minute for every year of the child’s age, without exceeding ten minutes.

It must be applied right after the misbehavior and there are four variants:

  • Isolation time-out: Sending the child to a place alone
  • Exclusionary time-out: The child remains in place but is denied access to family activities. You can cover your eyes, for example.
  • Non-exclusionary time-out: The child can stay in place, without accessing the social link, while witnessing how others interact with each other.
  • Self-imposed time-out: Very useful for parents. They undergo a time-out in order to avoid confrontations.

We recommend: Make gratitude an attitude

Why you should NOT use time out with children

Although many moms and dads are getting back to the time-out technique, experts say it’s not recommended.

Alejandra Velasco, parenting expert, author of books such as ¡Ayuda, tengo hijos! (Help, I have children!) and El lenguaje del cariño entre padres e hijos (The language of affection between parents and children), gives an example, “Your daughter is watching the Princesses show on television and your son comes and takes the remote control to change the channel.

Obviously, they start fighting for the remote control. Then, what do you do? You come to the place and say, ‘Children, stop. Time out’. You send the boy to a separate space and the girl to another. You turn off the TV and both of them face the consequence”.

According to the expert, the problem in this specific case is that time-out was applied to both of them, without investigating.

“Perhaps the boy who started the fight with his sister did need the consequence because it was the girl’s TV time, but the mother applied the measure to both kids”. “The problem with time-out”, says Velasco, “is that it cuts off communication. I imagine the times when educators seated the children in the corner with a set of donkey ears. It is very ridiculous when they say, he is three years old, three minutes, one minute per year of age.

Do you think the child will reflect at that time?” By not resolving the conflict and only separating them, instead of it being a time of reflection, which is not yet fully understood by the children, it will only bring anger.

“Children are only left with anger and resentment. There are times that parents send them punished to their bedroom and then at night they want them to sleep in the same place where they were punished”.

You can read: Why you should talk about consent with your daughters and sons

What alternatives are there to correct children?

The key word, indicates the specialist, is to apply conflict resolution tools.

“With the time-out strategy, both parent children get frustrated, they get upset. Isn’t it better to ask what happened first? Time-out is an authoritarian approach, the mother exercises her authority and imposes the punishment. Did you listen to your children? Did you see what was happening? Do you think your five-year-old will reflect if you isolate him for 5 minutes?”

“You have to teach children resolution skills. Ask both children their arguments. ‘Let’s see what happened sweetie, why did you get angry with your brother?’ ‘It’s just that he didn’t let me watch the Princesses show’. ‘Let’s see, my boy, why did you change the channel?’ ‘Because I also want to watch my program’. ‘So let’s come to an agreement. Monday and Wednesday, you can watch the Princesses and Tuesday and Thursday, you can watch your program. And there is a chance that if you tell me calmly that you want to watch your show, I’ll let you watch it in my room, but you don’t have to be abusive with your sister’. The important thing is that you don’t send them to the corner without a resolution”, she explains.

It is a humiliating method

Alejandra Velasco indicates that the fact that the conflict is not fully resolved is not the only negative point of time-out, it has other consequences that could harm our children. I am against time-out because, in addition to not solving anything, it embarrasses, humiliates, hurts, takes away love and sends the child away to another place. How do the children feel?

Isolated and abandoned. Remember that conduct and love do not go hand in hand.

“Those ladies who reject a hug as a way of punishing because the child misbehaved are making a mistake. Let’s see, he is hugging you, he is telling you ‘I know that I did something wrong, but I love you’. And the mother says, ‘Go over there’. Along with rejection comes insecurity, anxiety, confusion, and low self-esteem. If you’re treating your child like this, you’re stepping on him”.

For Velasco, the schools that apply time-out with their students are wrong, too. “A teacher told me, ‘It’s good for me’, but I don’t agree with that because, if you send a student to the corner, you humiliate him and he feels ashamed. Even more if you are in a classroom. Imagine telling him in front of all the classmates. ‘Go to the corner!’ And what do the other twenty children do? Well, they shout, ‘Booohhh!’ And some to make fun of him”.

But that’s not all, applying the time-out just because you saw it on a TV show or because someone recommended it, is meaningless and has no impact at all. “If a mother has never handled time-out all and suddenly wants to apply it by telling her child, ‘Sit over there, time-out’. The child will simply say, ‘I’m not leaving, why?’ And there you have a mother trying to force a kid to the corner and the child ends crying. And she concludes, ‘One minute, if you stand up again, it will be five more minutes’. I ask those moms, ‘Don’t you have any disciplinary tools?’ Sorry, but it doesn’t work like that”, the expert concludes.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version

Other topics that may interest you:

Why you should stop shouting to your kids when you tell them off?

Why do children throw tantrums?

My son wets the bed, what do I do?

How to prepare a homemade oral saline solution

Posted on 23/08/2021 - 21:07 by

You don’t have to be in the middle of the desert to get dehydrated. An intestinal infection with diarrhea, high fever, vomiting or loss of water is enough to cause a negative fluid balance, which can be very dangerous.

Why does a young child become dehydrated?

Dehydration means your little one has lost too much water and can’t drink enough fluids to replenish right away. The main cause of dehydration is diarrhea, although it can also be caused by high temperatures.

“When there is dehydration, the water rich in minerals, nutrients and alkalis that help us live is lost and we begin to present symptoms. In small children, the soft part of the head, called soft spot, sinks in, and his eyes and mouth become dry. In older children, who no longer have the soft spot, are also going to have sunken tearless eyes and a dry mouth”, says Dr. Bosco Alcívar Dueñas.

“The chest begins to breathe more deeply because it wants to get rid of the acids that are harming us. The abdomen sinks, little urine is passed and the limbs begin to lose strength”, adds the pediatrician.

It may interest you: Male Contraceptives: Will this finally be the new era in contraception?

How to make homemade oral saline solution

To prevent dehydration, it is a good option to give your little one electrolytes. The Mexican Institute of Social Security offers Vida Suero Oral (oral saline solution) in its clinics, but you can also prepare your own version at home.

You will need:

  • 1 liter of water
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup lemon juice.

Instructions:

Simply mix all the ingredients in a pitcher as if you were preparing lemonade. It should be drunk throughout the day.

Do not miss: This is the essential skincare for boys and girls

How homemade oral saline solution works

All ingredients are used for the recovery of lost fluids and electrolytes.

Water: It fills the body’s natural cistern and is the best solvent.

Sugar: It returns energy to our brain, which moves with a single fuel called glucose.

Salt: Here it is sodium chloride, common salt, electricity, electrolytes, this gives our limbs the ability to move.

Lemon: it is acid, but at the moment it is in contact with water, it becomes alkaline and counteracts the amount of acid that is being generated.

Always call your doctor

Babies and young children can become dehydrated quickly because they are very small. It is essential that if you notice signs of dehydration you call your pediatrician, because it can quickly become something very serious.

When the symptoms get worse, there may be tachycardia, very high fever, low blood pressure, impaired consciousness (the baby no longer cries) and in extreme cases a fatal outcome.

In young children (older than 6 months), older children and even adults, the homemade oral saline solution is very useful, but in breastfed babies, the pediatrician should advise you how to treat dehydration.

You might be told to increase his milk intake or breastfeeding. In case of severe dehydration, the baby will probably need treatment in a hospital. Always, always, always consult your doctor as soon as you notice the first symptoms to avoid complications.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version: Here

More topics that may interest you:

Like father, like son?

The importance of the father in the lives of children

A father who takes care of his baby does not “help”, he exercises his paternity

Posted on 23/08/2021 - 18:26 by

A father who takes care of his baby: who changes him, lulls him, feeds him, tells him a bedtime story, or kisses him on the forehead every day before going to sleep, that father is not “helping” mother, he is responsibly exercising the most wonderful role: fatherhood.

In Mexico we have a deeply rooted patriarchal culture and we still fall into the trap of believing that men “help” with housework. We keep hearing phrases like, “I help my wife with the children” over and over again. Even women themselves say, “My partner helps me bathe my baby”. Do you realize the mistake?

The importance of co-parenting

Grace González, parenting coach, psychologist, founder of the School for Parents and spokesperson for Nestlé, explains: “Shared parenting, as the name implies, is when both parents are responsible and in charge of caring for and raising their children”.

According to the expert, until very recently, the raising of children corresponded only to the mother. “Dad was in charge of working and supporting the family; mom stayed home to care for their children”.

“Now moms have also become a provider. They go out, work, run the house, look after the children, and dads are noticing all this work that their couples are doing by themselves, so they realize that they need to work as a team. So, more and more, men are becoming aware that they are not helping, they are there to exercise their paternity”.

We recommend: Energetic ties between parents and children: the invisible family legacy

The figure of the father is as relevant as that of the mother

Raising is synonymous with instructing, directing and educating. It is directing and perfecting the moral and intellectual faculties of a child, it is teaching civility and courtesy. It is to be present, love, care, and take responsibility for the children. In parenting, the figure of the mother is as important as that of the father.

They are both figures of support and security.  

According to the book The role of the father in the development of the child, children who feel that their physiological or affective needs are also covered by their father have more learning spaces, which translates into better cognitive development.

“They are children who are more confident, assertive, who manage their emotions better and have better social relationships.

Fathers promote in their children the ability to explore and take on challenges”, says Michael Lamb, professor of psychology of the social sciences, at the University of Cambridge, UK and author of the book.

Don’t miss: A harmonious relationship has positive impact on children

Dad also experiences changes

It has always been emphasized the fact that the brain of mothers undergoes changes with the arrival of babies thanks to the increase in oxytocin, known as the love hormone. However, changes happen in Dad too!

A study by the Gonda Brain Sciences Center, at Bar-llan University, revealed that when a man plays a primary role in caring for his children since they are newborns, he experiences the same neuronal change as a woman.

The level of oxytocin secreted by the father is as big as that of the mother, demonstrating that the father can establish an affective and emotional bond at the same level: “For children it is just as important that dad plays with them as it is that mom stays around them.

Forming bonds of attachment with your children, especially when they are young, will help your children grow up secure”, says Grace González.

You will like: Values that your children can learn in childhood

Mexico, still with very traditional beliefs

In our country the turn towards shared parenting is beginning to take place, but there is still a long way to go.

“Sadly in our country, because of its traditional beliefs, co-parenting is not something that is so strengthened. We are on a par with countries like Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. However, nowadays Mexican fathers are becoming more and more involved since their children are born: changing diapers, feeding the baby, waking up at dawn to take care of it”, adds the parenting expert. 

And it is that the patriarchal culture in Mexico manifests itself in micromachisms, from the school teacher who only addresses the mother to discuss situations with the children, to the mother herself who does not allow the man to get involved:

“It is important that mothers also reflect on whether they are really giving the father the opportunity to accompany them during parenting. Maybe mother gives father directions all the time about what he has to do, or she allows him to do things and discover things at the same time as mom does”, adds González.

We recommend: Educate our children in generosity and altruism

The responsibilities of being a parent

Laura Evelia Torres Velázquez, professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and author of the article Responsibilities in raising children, indicates that the responsibilities of fathers and mothers are the same.

  • Develop: Consider that you are forming a new person.
  • Love: Parents must satisfy this need in their children and also teach them to love, not in terms of feeling, but as action, so that they are able to give and receive it.
  • Discipline: According to age and lack of it. It is NOT hitting, mistreating, and venting the anger and rage of the father. Discipline is not about destroying a person, but about forming it.
  • Give security: Living in an environment of tranquility and peace will allow kids to feel safe, with good self-esteem, and healthy relationships in the future.
  • Be present: These days the threat to mothers and fathers is to be distant because of work, but this is compensated by quality time.
  • Give identity: It is vital for emotional and behavioral survival of each person to know who one is, what his origin is, and his role in society. Parents also help with this.
As you can see, the work is hard, but both of you can achieve your goal as parents, which is to guide your children.

“When you have a cake divided in two, it will be less what you have to eat. That is, if we have parenting tasks worked by both mom and dad, parenting will be much easier and it will not be leaning on only one person. You have to talk together as parents and make decisions.

Choose, for example, the school they will attend, what they can or cannot eat, allow them or not to go out.

There are some unimportant decisions, such as letting kids watch TV for 10 more minutes, that parents can make without consulting the other, but for important things, those that impact life, they must stop and discuss them between both parents”, explains González.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version: Here

Other theme: Children are inclusive by nature

Regurgitation in babies: what to do when they spit up milk

Posted on 23/08/2021 - 14:18 by

You just fed your baby and suddenly… he spits up the milk! Although it causes a lot of stress at first, regurgitation in babies is very common, especially in the first year of life.

As moms, we worry, but before “freaking out” we must learn to identify what is normal and what is not, what causes it and how we can differentiate it from vomiting.

What is regurgitation in babies?

Regurgitation in babies, known in medical terms as gastroesophageal reflux, happens when the milk in the baby’s stomach returns to the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach.

According to the Mayo Clinic, regurgitation is quite common in young babies, mainly between 0 and 6 months of age. As the organism is not yet fully developed, there is immaturity in the closing mechanism (lower esophageal sphincter), which prevents food from the stomach from going back to the esophagus.

In the vast majority of cases

Regurgitation or “mouthful of milk” has a physiological origin that is corrected as the baby grows up.

It improves when complementary feeding begins (at 6 months of age) and the baby spends more time in an upright position, and usually it disappears around one year of age.

You have to read: Diaper rashes: how to cure and prevent them

Causes of regurgitation in our babies

All babies regurgitate, spit up or drop a “thread of milk”, it is normal. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a spit-up is especially produced under the following conditions:

  • After swallowing air while breastfeeding or being fed with a bottle. The air occupies a large volume in the stomach and ends up pushing the milk up.
  • When his stomach is full or he has had too much milk. The contents of the stomach cause the sphincter to open and flood the stomach.
  • When the baby is suddenly moved or he is moved carelessly.
  • When the baby’s stomach is accidentally squeezed. Imagine that it is a full bag, if you squeeze it, it spills over.

I recommend: Constipation in babies, what causes it and how to detect it

How many times does a baby spit up?

Up to 10 or 12 times a day is considered within the “normal” limits, although the average is one to three regurgitations per day.

A research by Reiko Miyazawa, published in the National Library of Medicine, indicates that 47% of one-month-old infants have one to three episodes of regurgitation per day.

The proportion decreased to 28.8% at 4 months of age, and 6.4% at 7 months of age.

There were no significant differences in the frequency of spitting up episodes among breastfed, formula-fed, and mixed-fed infants.

“A normal regurgitation does not affect the well-being of the baby. As long as the baby is not in discomfort, he is eating well and gaining weight, there is nothing to worry about. If your baby gains weight, the calories lost through spitting up don’t affect him”, explains the Mayo Clinic.

Don’t miss: 6 practices you shouldn’t do with your baby

What is the difference between regurgitating and vomiting?

Doctor Jesús Garrido, author of My Online Pediatrician and promoter of Respectful Pediatrics explains, “Vomiting is a violent contraction of the stomach walls that are trying to expel the contents inside because they hurt it”.

“It can be identified because the baby begins to eat, he gets very restless, and ends up expelling the milk vigorously. Vomiting is always accompanied by pain, pale skin, sweating, or pouting.

The causes must be determined by the doctor

It is possible that the baby is allergic to milk. If your baby expels milk and there is no discomfort, then he is just spitting up or regurgitating”.

According to the expert, regurgitation must also be differentiated from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease:

“People tend to interpret acid reflux when the baby expels a lot of milk, but there are some babies who practically do not expel anything. If the baby is very uncomfortable, he arches back and begins to feel something is coming up”.

The baby has a little cough, some mucus in his throat (because the reflux irritates the throat increasing the mucus production), he can’t lie down, he asks you to pick him up because it hurts so much.

“If you also see that his tongue is whitish (because the acid reflux burns the tongue buds), notice that the skin around his mouth is easily irritated and the bib has a foul smell, the milk is curdled, with lumps or there is a clear liquid that smells like vomit, then it is very likely that it is acid reflux”, says Garrido.

We recommend: Neonatal visual sieve to identify eye diseases

What can we do to reduce regurgitation?

Now it is easier to identify if it is regurgitation, vomiting or gastroesophageal reflux disease. For these latter two, only the doctor will be able to treat your baby after identifying the causes. If it is normal regurgitation, there are some tips that can help you:

  • Keep your baby in an upright position. After each feeding, do not lay him down, keep him upright for 30 minutes.
  • Avoid active games for at least 20 minutes after the feeding.
  • Avoid rocking him immediately after the feeding.
  • Don’t overfeed him. Give smaller amounts of milk, but more often.
  • Burp your baby to prevent air from building up in the stomach.
  • Put your baby down to sleep on his back, reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
  • If you are breastfeeding, experiment with your own diet. Your doctor will be able to guide you what foods you can take, or if you should avoid dairy products, spicy foods or other foods in your diet.

About the use of home remedies

The Mayo Clinic warns, “We do not recommend adding rice cereal or any other cereal to breast milk or formula. This is commonly done, but it has been found to be helpless, it only adds carbohydrate calories too soon. Rice or other cereals can be introduced around the 6 months of age (and not before 4 months)”.

“You can keep the baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding, and this can sometimes improve reflux. Remember, reflux is normal in babies, but if he suddenly gets worse, if your baby is not gaining weight (or loses weight), or if he shows symptoms of illness (cough, etc.), seek medical attention”, says Dr. Lee Johnson, Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse Wisconsin, USA, in response to Baby Creysi.

What is regurgitation in babies
Always have a washcloth to clean your baby and yourself. Photo: Shutterstock

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version: Here

Other notes:

Should I bathe my baby every day

7 tips to avoid crib death

How do home pregnancy tests work?

Posted on 20/08/2021 - 12:55 by

Today home pregnancy tests are so simple, common, and effective that we take for granted their operation and science behind them. You just have to urinate on a kind of pen, wait a few minutes to know the result and voilà. However, things were not like this a few decades ago.

People used frogs to detect pregnancy

You’re going to laugh, but in the 1930s and into the late 1960s, doctors used an African frog called Xenopus laevis to detect pregnancy. This test was patented by the British doctor Lancelot Hogben and was a common practice, recognized throughout the world. It was about injecting urine samples from the woman under the skin of a female frog and leaving it overnight in her tank.

The next morning the doctor checked for eggs. The human pregnancy hormone initiated the frog’s ovulation.

The science behind home pregnancy tests

The first home pregnancy test came out in 1971, but it didn’t become popular until the 1990s. The basic principle was the detection of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) through a research technique known by the acronym: ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay).

The principle is simple and is inspired by the functioning of our own body: foreign agent-antigens enter the body and bind to antibodies, giving rise to an immune response.

This binding is used in the test to detect specific molecules.

On the one hand, the antibody binds to the antigen and on the other to an enzyme, capable of producing a visible reaction that we identify by the change of color.

How do home pregnancy tests work?

Through an animated presentation prepared by Dr. Adriana Sierra and Dr. Aldo Fernando Sosa from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla, this process is explained: “Everything works with a little urine. On the surface of the test is a kind of antibody linked to an enzyme”.

“The antibody is a receptor for the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCDG), which is present in the urine during pregnancy”.

“The structures with hCG-antibodies and the antibodies without hCG travel to the test zone where there are antibodies that are only receptors for the structures that have the hormone Gonadotropin”.

“The interaction with the hormone causes a change of color in the substrate, aroused by the enzyme. The window that is in the test area is tinted. The antibodies without the hCG travel to another control area where there are other antibody receptors, causing a change in the color of the substrate. There’s a baby!”

The line showing the result is not always intensely colored, nor does it occur at the same time, the average time is five minutes after the urine comes into contact with the reactor. However, there are times when a little more time is required. It is important to read the precise instructions for each test.

You may be interested: How breasts change during pregnancy

When to take a pregnancy test

“Menstrual delay is the first indicator that there may be a pregnancy. There are two early tests that can be done. The first is the dosage of the beta subunit in urine, buying a kit in a pharmacy and the second is the dosage in blood in a chemical laboratory”, says Dr. Rocío González, a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics.

“Pregnancy tests are based on the detection of the hormone hCG. The end of a test strip is placed directly into the urine stream or dipped into a container where the urine was collected. A few minutes later the test strip reveals the test result. Depending on the test it is one or two lines or even the word pregnant or not pregnant”. “The point is when it is appropriate to do the test.

The sensitivity of pharmacy kits today is very high and with a few days of menstrual delay they already test positive.

But you have to keep in mind that some women can test positive with one day of menstrual delay and others may need a week of menstrual delay to test positive. In contrast, the dosage of the beta subunit in blood made in a medical laboratory is immediate.

The same day of the lack of menstruation can determine if there is a pregnancy in progress”, says the expert.

Home pregnancy tests are an easy, fast and cheap way to find out if you are expecting a baby. They are available in most pharmacies and supermarkets. Photo: PxFuel
Home pregnancy tests are an easy, fast and cheap way to find out if you are expecting a baby. They are available in most pharmacies and supermarkets. Photo: PxFuel

Don’t crave!

It is very stressful to wonder if you have are pregnant or not, but if you do not want to do a blood test, it is best to wait a bit to do a home test.

For the Mayo Clinic, the probability of obtaining a false negative with home pregnancy tests is greater if you perform it before the second day of the absence of menstruation. If we want the result to be reliable, it is a good idea to wait for the third day, or better yet, a week after the missed period. “Why is it necessary to wait?

Shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus (implantation), the placenta forms and the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced. This hormone enters the bloodstream and urine.

During early pregnancy, the concentration of this hormone increases rapidly, every two or three days.

The sooner you take your home pregnancy test, the more difficult it will be for the test to detect gonadotropin”, says the Mayo Clinic in the article Home Pregnancy Tests.

You can read: Vaginal discharge during pregnancy, is it normal?

How effective are home pregnancy tests?

Many home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate, or even carry the slogan “before you miss your period”, but that is not entirely accurate, and the reality is that they have different capabilities.

If you take a test and the result is negative, but you think you are pregnant, repeat the test a week later or take a blood test.

“Medications to promote fertility or others that contain human chorionic gonadotropin could interfere with the results of home pregnancy tests. However, most medications, including antibiotics and birth control pills, do not affect accuracy”, Mayo Clinic explains.

The body produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) only when you are pregnant. Photo: Shutterstock
The body produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) only when you are pregnant. Photo: Shutterstock

What factors can lead to a wrong negative result?

Until a few years ago, it was believed that false negatives could be less than 1%, but a study by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis revealed that they can be up to 5%. Why does it fail?

  • You get tested too soon.
  • You check the results too soon (read the instructions and if necessary use a timer).
  • You use diluted urine. For best results, perform the test first thing in the morning, when it is most concentrated.

To make sure of the result, it is advisable to do a second test.

You may be interested: Piercing ears on a newborn baby, yes or no

Is it possible to get a positive result and I am not pregnant?

It’s rare, but yes. They are known as false positives.

A false positive could happen if you lost a pregnancy soon after the fertilized egg had attached to the lining of the uterus (biochemical pregnancy) or if you took a pregnancy test too soon after taking a fertility drug containing human chorionic gonadotropin.

“An ectopic pregnancy, menopause, or problems with the ovaries could also contribute to misleading test results”, Mayo Clinic explains.

If your result is positive, see your doctor as soon as possible to start prenatal treatment and, if your result is negative, but you still do not have your menstrual period (amenorrhea), in addition to repeating the test or doing a blood test, it is important that your doctor evaluates other possible factors such as thyroid disorders, low body weight, ovarian problems, excessive exercise, or stress.

Remember that your health care provider can help you regulate your menstrual cycle.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version: Here

Other notes:

Regurgitation in babies: what to do when they spit up milk

7 ideas to reveal the sex of your baby

Making a Milk Bank, the quick guide

10 family movies that teach the value of friendship

Posted on 19/08/2021 - 18:08 by

“You´ve got a friend in me, You´ve got a friend in me, When the road looks rough ahead, And you´re miles and miles from your nice warm bed, You just remember what your old pal said, Boy, you´ve got a friend in me, Yeah, you´ve got a friend in me”, lyrics from You’ve got a Friend in Me, in the Disney movie Toy Story.

Having friends is the best thing in the world. We rely on them to get rid of sadness, increase joy, and reduce anguish, talk, share feelings, likes, hobbies, beliefs and projects. Undoubtfully, a great value that we must teach our children.

Movies that teach us the value of friendship

One way our children can learn the meaning of friendship is through movies. “Cinema is culture, art, entertainment, but also a reflective tool that can guide behavior. There are children’s films that deal with big issues and that allow us to transmit values”, says film critic Ligia Oliver.

According to the expert, these are 10 movies that teach our children the value of friendship. This weekend, plan to watch some of them.

1. Like Stars on Earth (Taare Zameen Par), by Aamir Khan, Amole Gupte

Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi (Darsheel Safary) is an eight-year-old boy who has dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. A group of kids pick on him, his mom gets frustrated trying to educate him, and his dad hopes all of his kids be successful. A new art teacher helps him discover that he has an extraordinary ability to paint.

Teaching: The world of children is full of wonders that it seems that adults do not appreciate them. Beyond grades and homework, there is friendship. This film was India’s official selection for the 2007 Academy Awards.

The Spanish version is available on Netflix. Photo: IMDB
The Spanish version is available on Netflix. Photo: IMDB

2. Home Still: There’s No Place Like Home, by Tim Johnson

An alien race (The Boov) conquers Earth and the entire population is relocated except for Tip, a girl who manages to hide from the aliens. Tip finds a runaway Boov named Oh who isn’t like the others, he just wants to have friends.

Teaching: This is a film full of feelings and love. It reminds us that family is not only about blood ties, but that there are other people who unexpectedly cross paths in your life and you create strong bonds.

HomeStill, a DreamWorks film, you can also find it on Netflix. Photo: IMBD
Home Still, a DreamWorks film, you can also find it on Netflix. Photo: IMBD

You may be interested: Moms and dads recommend what to do and where to go with the kids

3. E.T., by Steven Spielberg

An alien child is left behind on Earth when the ship he came in departs without him. He is completely alone and afraid, but he befriends a human boy who hides him in his house and, together with his little sister, looks for a way to return him to his planet.

Teaching: This film revolves around friendship and child kindness. E.T.  is a very cute character who just wants to go back home. Elliot will do everything in his power to help him, before the police and unscrupulous scientists want to experiment on him.

E.T., the 1982 classic, you can watch it on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB
E.T., the 1982 classic, you can watch it on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB

Don’t miss: Museums and spots in Mexico City to enjoy the summer

4. Le renard et l’enfant, by Luc Jacquet

It tells the peculiar story of a girl who meets a fox while she was riding her bicycle through the woods; they begin a friendly relationship.

Teaching: Who says that friendship can only be among humans? This film combines the realism of a documentary with the magic of a children’s story. With her furry friend, she lives unforgettable adventures and shows that friendship can also be forged with animals.

Le renard et l’enfant, a 2007 film, is available at filmin.es. Photo: Filmin
Le renard et l’enfant, a 2007 film, is available at filmin.es. Photo: Filmin

You can read: Reasons to go skating

5. The Wizard of Oz, by Victor Fleming  

Dorothy, a little girl who dreams of traveling beyond the rainbow, gets her wish when a tornado takes her and her puppy to the world of Oz. There, she heads down the Yellow Road to the Emerald City, where the powerful Wizard of Oz might help her return to Kansas. During the journey, she befriends the Scarecrow who wants a brain, the Tin Man who wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who wants to be brave, so they decide to join the odyssey.

Teaching: This American movie classic celebrates kindness, charity, friendship, bravery, strength, love, and generosity. When Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) sings “Over the Rainbow” she sends a message to the world, Trouble melts like lemon drops”.

The Wizard of Oz, a 1939 film, you can enjoy it on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB
The Wizard of Oz, a 1939 film, you can enjoy it on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB

6. Luca, by Enrico Casarosa

Luca is a sea monster who lives under a town on the Italian coast. When he comes to the surface, he takes on a human appearance, and meets a new friend, just like him. Together they go on an adventure among humans who hate monsters.

Teaching: According to Enrico Casarosa, the film is “as if he had put together all his childhood summers in a single film”, when he climbed the lighthouse, jumped from the rocks and laughed out loud with his dear friend . This is a story that talks about growing up and fulfilling dreams.

Luca (2021) is available on Disney Plus. Photo: Disney

7. Toy Story, by John Lasseter

Woody, Andy’s favorite toy, feels threatened by the unexpected arrival of Buzz Lightyear, the Guardian of Space.

Teaching: The magic in this story makes this film a children’s classic. It all begins with Woody’s rivalry with Buzz but, wrapped up in their adventures, the two toys form powerful bonds of friendship. Toy Story also explores the great emotional bond that children generate with their toys.

Toy Story was the first fully computer-animated feature film and Pixar’s first major film project. It’s on Disney Plus. Photo: Disney

We recommend: Urban oasis to visit with your children

8. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by Chris Columbus

On his birthday, Harry Potter discovers that he is the son of two well-known wizards, from whom he has inherited magical powers. He must attend a famous school of magic and sorcery, where he makes friends with two teens who will become his companions in adventure. During his first year at Hogwarts, he discovers that a malevolent and powerful wizard named Voldemort is searching for a philosopher’s stone that lengthens the life of its owner.

Teaching: The entire saga written by JK Rowling teaches us powerful values, from respect for animals, the value of friends and family, to the power of our actions and words. What would Harry do without his inseparable friends, Ron and Hermione? In good and bad times, the three remain united. He who has a friend has a treasure, Harry is told at the end of the tape.

The beginning of the Harry Potter saga began in 1997. It is available on Prime Video. Photo: IMDB

9. How to Train Your Dragon, by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois

Hiccup, a teenage Viking, begins dragon training classes and finally sees an opportunity to prove that he is capable of becoming a warrior when he befriends an injured dragon.

Teaching: This saga shows us, above all, the value of true friendship, which is forged between Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless. It is a very complete film because in addition to the value of friendship it explains empathy, tolerance, identity, ideals, and conflict resolution.

The first movie of How to train your dragon (Toothless) was so successful that there is a saga with three films and Netflix recently released the series. Photo: Netflix
The first movie of How to train your dragon (Toothless) was so successful that there is a saga with three films and Netflix recently released the series. Photo: Netflix

10. The Fox and the Hound, by Ted Berman, Richard Rich and Art Stevens

The young fox Tod and the hunting puppy Tody have become the best friends in the world, in a place where they only have each other to play and have fun. But the day comes when Toby leaves to train as a hunting dog, and when he finally returns from his long trip, things change radically for the two friends.

Teaching: A story that shows how society determines our behavior, but in the end, friendship manages to overcome any prejudice.

This 1981 animation film is another classic that shows that even those who are "natural enemies" can have a beautiful friendship. Photo: IMDB
This 1981 animation film is another classic that shows that even those who are “natural enemies” can have a beautiful friendship. Photo: IMDB

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version

More notes: Start your children in the practice of some sport The perfect gift to welcome the baby A look at inclusion through short films

Energetic ties between parents and children: the invisible family legacy

Posted on 19/08/2021 - 11:38 by

“Parents are connected to their children through invisible energy ties”.

“As if they were blood donors, parents make a constant ‘transfusion’ of spiritual energy. This interaction never ceases, it does not depend on time or space, it does not disappear after the physical death of parents or children”, says Russian writer Konstantin V. Zorin, author of the book The Sins of Parents and Children’s Diseases.  

There is a theory that states that each generation inherits from the previous ones – especially from parents or close relatives – the characteristics of their way of thinking, feeling, will, as well as physical features and unresolved problems.

The invisible ties of energy

They are called energy ties and they come from the belief that our souls “constellate” in a certain energy nucleus.  

“We must remember that everything and everyone is energy and we are connected. However, among family members, these energy ties are even stronger. When we come to earth, we choose our parents and our ancestors to learn certain lessons that we have to live in this incarnation”, comments Sandra Elisa Roch, better known as Panterita, health coach and transgenerational therapist.  

According to the transgenerational theory, the first physical, emotional and spiritual bond that we have is the umbilical cord. Through it, we are transmitted the ancestral heritage, the gifts and conflicts of our biological parents, and the culture to which our clan belongs.

We recommend: The genealogical tree a tool to know our roots

Energy ties transmit conflicts and virtues

K-V Zorin states: “This phenomenon explains why parents transmit to their children their lack of grace, as well as their vices and pernicious tendencies, from which they have not been able to escape until that moment”.  

“In the same way, they inherit their virtues, talents and the potential of divine energies. It should be emphasized that the influence of the father is equal to that of the mother. There are no differences. Furthermore, the interaction never ends, even if it changes its intensity”.

The transgenerational theory ensures that there are places, experiences, situations and even types of people, which we have faced, which were also challenges in the lives of our ancestors. Photo: Pixabay
The transgenerational theory ensures that there are places, experiences, situations and even types of people, which we have faced, which were also challenges in the lives of our ancestors. Photo: Pixabay

Have you ever wondered why you repeat some of your parents’ patterns?

From our individuality we build other ties with friends, peers, partners, places and experiences that leave their mark on us, but some situations are very similar to what our ancestors once lived.  

The friend who disappointed us, the relationship that was a disaster, the partner who betrayed you, the mistake that is made over and over again within the family. All of those, says this theory, are karmic ties, a connection that you have acquired (or your ancestors acquired) in a past life, something like a “debt” or learning that you have pending.  

“I don’t know if you believe in past lives, but many times these ties are repeated among living beings, having different relationships. Sometimes your mother was your sister or your daughter and so on with the different roles of the family”, says the health coach.

Don’t miss: A harmonious relationship has positive impact on children

How to get rid of energy ties that you do not want?

According to Panterita Roch, there are therapeutic methods that impact on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The main thing is the recognition of the existence of an energetic bond that you can embrace as a gift, or you can close, and conclude the cycle.

1. Identify and accept that this bond is not yours

“These patterns are repeated from generation to generation. What you have to do is to become aware that this energetic load, this bond, is not yours, it belongs to your family and to generations ago”.

2. Research in your family

“Find out which members of your family have experienced the same event as you did. It is very likely that you will not be the first, nor the last, but it depends on you that that chain breaks”.

3. Break with patterns

“There are people in charge of working with transgenerational trees. They do some research of everything that has happened and, through acts of psychomagic, they help the person break these patterns so that they no longer happen to you, or to future generations”.

“There are people in charge of working with transgenerational trees. They do some research of everything that has happened and, through acts of psychomagic, they help the person break these patterns so that they no longer happen to you, or to future generations”.   

If you notice that you are in a pattern, whether you are imitating your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents, or repeating the destiny of a family member, inquire further, find out how to close that cycle or accept the virtues that you have inherited.  

“Transgenerational energy not only marks negative patterns, but also very positive patterns such as abundance or gifts that could be inherited to you. It is up to you to accept them with love, thank them, and use them for your highest good and that of others. For example, when I studied my transgenerational tree, I realized that my great-grandfather was a shaman and with much love, gratitude and humility, I accepted the gifts that were given to me in order to continue the work that he started”.  

“Energy and energy bonds are very important and can generate positive and negative ties in your life. It is up to you to break those patterns or accept the gifts to create the life you want”, concludes Panterita Roch.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version

Other themes:

How to Get Through Family Grief

Discover the world of your children through the mosaic method

Men can also become depressed after the birth of a baby

Share or not images of your children on social networks

Constipation in babies: what causes it and how to detect it

Posted on 18/08/2021 - 18:55 by

Constipation in babies is a common cause of pediatric consultation and it causes a lot of anguish and concern for parents because the normal number of bowel movements varies greatly, depending on the age and what our little one eats.

Although 95% of constipation cases have a functional origin, I mean, it does not have a specific organic cause, nor is it indicative of any disease, but it is important to know the symptoms.

How do I know my baby is constipated?

According to the book, Las 50 principales consultas pediátricas (Top 50 Pediatric Visits), a child is constipated when difficulty passing stools and a decrease in the number of bowel movements cause the discomfort in the patient. Mayo Clinic, in its article Signos del estreñimiento en bebés (Signs of constipation in babies), gives us other signs that could indicate that your child could have infant constipation:

  • Stools in the form of separate hard lumps
  • Bowel movements that seem hard to pass, causing your baby to arch their back or cry
  • Infrequent or less frequent bowel movements
  • Pain or swelling in the abdomen

How should the baby’s poo be? How many times does he poop a day?

The first bowel movements of the newborn are called meconium and are made up of the substance that the baby has before birth. It has a thick texture and can be black or dark green. After the first 24 hours, it begins to turn light green and it also contains the waste from breast milk or formula. After the first week, the appearance of the stool varies depending on whether he is having breast milk or formula or if solid food has been introduced. “Bottle-fed babies typically have 1-3 bowel movements a day. The stools are yellow, well-formed, but should not be hard or ball-like. Breastfeeding stools are liquid, yellow (sometimes they can be greenish, but only once breastfeeding is well established and the baby breastfeeds well)”, says Dr. Lee Johnson, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse Wisconsin, USA, in response to Baby Creysi.

You may want to read: When should I vaccinate my baby against influenza?

Why is my baby constipated?

Constipation is more common in formula-fed babies than in breast-fed babies. In both cases it is linked to an immature colon that causes slow bowel movements. It usually resolves spontaneously over time.

“Babies who are breastfed poop more often, several times a day, but sometimes, around the 2 months of age, some breastfed babies may suddenly stop pooping daily. They may be gassy, eat well, but have liquid, ‘explosive’ stools every 2-7 days. This is normal!”

“It’s frustrating, but it’s a normal pattern, and it’s not really constipation! This happens because breast milk is the perfect food for the baby and is completely digested. Not all babies skip bowel movements this way, but some do”, says the Mayo Clinic expert.

What should we do when a baby is constipated?

Your pediatrician will tell you what to do depending on your case. If your baby has formula milk, it may be convenient to lower the density of the bottles or your doctor may recommend that you use some type of probiotics added to the milk. Always consult the expert and do not do anything without his advice. In both bottle-fed and breastfed babies, you can try a warm water bath, gently flex their legs and make movements on their stomach as a massage. Lee Johnson tells us, “If it’s been more than 3 days without a bowel movement and your breastfed baby is uncomfortable, it’s okay to try some ‘rectal stimulation’ using a rectal thermometer and insert it about 1 cm into the rectum. This will sometimes cause a poop (or you can use a Vaseline covered cotton swab)”. “A gentle massage can also help. Lovingly, rub your baby’s abdomen starting on the lower right side, moving up, over the upper abdomen, and then down to the left side. The movement of the knees and legs as riding a bicycle can also help relieve gas”, says the doctor.

Babies have weak abdominal muscles and often strain when passing stools. If your little one has a soft bowel movement after a few minutes of straining, it is very likely that he is not constipated. Photo: Shutterstock
Babies have weak abdominal muscles and often strain when passing stools.
If your little one has a soft bowel movement after a few minutes of straining, it is very likely that he is not constipated.
Photo: Shutterstock

Is prune juice useful against constipation in babies?

Generally, no juice is recommended for babies under 6 months, except for prune juice to treat constipation and only under the recommendation and supervision of your pediatrician.

“If bottle-fed babies have hard, pellet-like stools (or if your breastfed babies develop them after the introduction of solid foods), adding 1 ounce of prune juice to 1 bottle of formula or breast milk may help”.

“Karo dark corn syrup is not recommended for any reason (as it can transmit botulism). If your baby is having solid food, you can add pears, prunes and peaches as purees to the daily food. This can also be useful if constipation occurs in the weaning stage, when your baby is trying new foods”, explains the pediatrician.

If the baby continues having problems, some doctors might recommend glycerin suppositories, but keep in mind that they are designed for occasional use only. Mineral oil, stimulant laxatives, or enemas (introduction of water) should not be used to treat infant constipation.

We recommend: Essential skin care for girls and boys

Could your baby’s constipation be a symptom of something more serious?

Very rarely, in only 5% of cases, infant constipation is caused by an underlying condition such as Hirschsprung’s disease, hypothyroidism, or cystic fibrosis.

If constipation persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, difficulty in gaining weight, abdominal swelling and lots of gas, it is very important that your pediatrician evaluate other possible causes. But beware, always consult your doctor for advice.

Translated by: Ligia Mabel Oliver Manrique de Lara

Other interesting notes: 7 tips to avoid crib death

Let´s empower our girls

Bubble groups, a model to return to classes and minimize risks

Posted on 18/08/2021 - 13:14 by

Julieta is eight years old and is very excited about going back to school. She is about to enter the fourth year of elementary school and, after more than a year of attending virtual classes, it seems that this school year she will be able to take classes on-site. In her school, as in some other institutions, especially the private ones, they will apply a strategy inspired by European models. They are called bubble groups. What are they, what do they consist of?

What are bubble groups?

Bubbles are a model of school integration that seeks to reduce the number of infections by Covid-19, grouping students in reduced ratios, and without contact with students from other groups.

The term began to be heard for the first time in Denmark, the first country to reopen educational centers, and New Zealand, the one that has had the greatest success in the fight against the pandemic.

Although the advice of governments to stay at home and avoid large-scale social interactions remained in these countries, the population was allowed to expand their circle of contacts through “social bubbles”.

People had to continue…

Within the bubble of their home, with their nuclear family, but they could expand it to their extended family, as long as they all lived in the same town or city and formed exclusive groups.

People who were part of one bubble could not be part of another.

The model was efficient in increasing social contact and at the same time minimizing the risk of transmission; then it was replicated by other European countries to speed up the opening of schools.

It may interest you: Resilience for pandemials: a guide for raising children in times of Covid-19

An option to minimize risk in schools

Pilar M. Samperio, Technical Director of the Educational Center Instituto Reforma explains, “What happens with the bubbles? They are capsules that keep the inside protected. And what happens when a bubble wants to join another? By nature it pops, they cannot coexist together. That is the principle of bubble groups”.

“This model has been applied in Spain with good results after the reopening of schools. It helps keeping the interaction networks of children perfectly identified and controlled, in this way, in case of contagion, the disease can be limited. The interesting thing is that the little ones that make up a bubble take care of each other, in addition to positively helping their social relationships”.

Pilar M. Samperio

Groups of maximum 15 students

The idea of having bubbles is to have smaller groups, with a maximum of 15 students per classroom.

The groups that are larger are “split”, and the social distance among desks is maintained.

“In the case of Julieta, for example, she will be in a bubble with only five classmates. She will not have interaction with groups from other grades, only the Spanish, English and computer teacher will be able to enter the classroom, only one teacher in each class”.

“Music and physical education will be given in the open areas. The bubble will go out for recess at a different time than others and we will monitor the children in each of their activities. Teachers, although they are already vaccinated, will be tested for Covid-19 regularly”, adds the educator.

The goal is that children feel relieved to return to class and re-interact with some of their peers, but in a controlled environment. Photo: Shutterstock
The goal is that children feel relieved to return to class and re-interact with some of their peers, but in a controlled environment. Photo: Shutterstock

Per Block, co-author of a study at the University of Oxford on new social distancing strategies, thinks this model has some advantages, since the stricter and longer the “quarantine” is, the greater the psychological and social cost will be.

“Reducing high-impact contact, rather than eliminating it in general, allows you to mitigate the social, behavioral and economic impact while maintaining a low risk of contagion. The reduction of strategic contact is more pleasant, allows greater adherence and helps release anxiety, especially in children, who feel trapped at home”, explains Block.

You may want to read: Raising without myths, a guide to a more informed parenting without so many worries

Socialization within the group

The hygiene protocols of the students and the cleanliness in the schools in this model are impeccable, but the members that make up the bubble are allowed to mix with each other because, in the end, they are children.

It is important that we remember that these are schools, not prisons. They sent us the SEP Operational Guide that includes very rigorous protocols: children cannot leave the classroom and many other prohibitions.

Children must interact with each other.

We have many little ones who no longer want to leave their homes because of fear.

“By joining a group, other children will give the confidence that we as adults could not give. When they see their classmates taking care of themselves and others, that fear will decrease. Humans are social beings, mimicking and recognizing behaviors”, adds the school principal.

The success of the model depends on people complying with the rules and, as well as bubbles are formed in schools, families form social bubbles.

On the other hand, in public schools, where student enrollment is high, it will be difficult to reduce the number of students, but it is possible to opt for hybrid models of on-site bubble groups, alternated with distance classes.

Undoubtedly, these moments will leave us with many learnings as a society.

“The pandemic is a lesson for life. In my community there are children who have had to stay home alone because their parents have to go out to work and they have learned self-care. Children can teach us co-responsibility and empathy because they are the first to heed health rules and protocols. At this point, what matters is that they are well, that they feel safe”, concludes Samperio.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version

Other articles:

Radiography of Mexican dads

10 educational YouTube channels for kids

Why you should stop shouting to your kids when you tell them off?

Posted on 17/08/2021 - 12:55 by

‘Baby, pick up your clothes. Sweety, don’t leave your clothes on the floor, take them to your room, please. Pick up your clothes, Johnny’… Your face turns red, your eyes seem to pop out of their sockets, you feel as if you were having a transformation and suddenly you raise your voice to a level you didn’t know you could: I TOLD YOU TO PICK UP YOUR CLOTHES AND YOU’RE GOING TO DO IT RIGHT NOW!

Does that sound familiar? We, all moms, have experienced a similar situation. You repeat an instruction several times and your patience is over. Shouting seems to be the easiest way to reprimand your children, but let’s analyze the situation. Did you get a real change in their attitude? Perhaps, crying, your kid picked up the clothes, but surely next day (or the next hour) your child will leave a mess again.

Stop being a screaming mom

Shouting doesn’t educate, on the contrary, it damages the bond with your child. Have you noticed its face when it sees you blow up? Yelling is a form of verbal violence, it’s the short way and will bring you counterproductive results.

No, you won’t look authoritarian, nor will you get them to “obey” out of fear. Rather, you’ll let them know that you lose control and shows you weak, out of yourself. When we scream, we wake up in kids their natural alarm signal and they get defensive, expecting danger.

The Journal of Child Development published a research that shows that screaming to children produces on them similar results as physical punishment: screaming causes the release of high amounts of cortisol into children’s brain, which produces anxiety, stress and depression, increasing behavior problems.

“When you yell to a child to tell him off, you’re generating a negative impact in its brain. A child does not know what’s the reason you are yelling for, doesn’t get if that’s good or bad and causes in it an anxious and retractive situation”, says the president of the Mexican Council of Neurology (Consejo Mexicano de Neurología), Dr. Edith Alva Moncayo.

At the beginning, they’ll be afraid, and then they’ll feel insecure with their role models: their parents. “If shouting is used as a habitual method, is possible that children could become shy, introverted and, in the future, with a persistent depressive state, adds the specialist.

You may be interested in: Why do children throw tantrums?

Shouting at children causes them to be alert, expecting danger, which generates stress and anxiety. Picture: Pixabay
Shouting at children causes them to be alert, expecting danger, which generates stress and anxiety. Picture: Pixabay

They get used to hear you screaming and end up ignoring you

Children finally get used to shouts and their ability to respond at them, decreases. You’ll have to shout louder. Then, the situation becomes dangerous because the child will want to reach your level and will shout too.

Alejandra Velasco, speaker and author of the book Soy mamá gritona y quiero dejar de serlo, (I’m a yelling mother and I would like to stop it) explains: “There comes a time when the child gets used to the loud tone of its mother’s voice and just doesn’t listen anymore”. Some parents say, ‘My kid likes to be yelled‘ but that’s not true.

Children do not make their parents scream, the fault is not theirs, “yelling parents are adults who don’t know how to control their emotions”. In other words, if the goal of screaming is to create a positive habit, you’re not getting it. If you’re looking for catharsis, take out frustration and show that you’re angry, then you should analyze why you’re screaming. The tip of the iceberg is the scream, that’s just the symptom, but underneath is the whole cause. Why do we scream?

Many times, a mom who shouts for nothing is a frustrated person, a woman who is angry with her husband, who has an unsolved mourning, who feels saturated or always is looking for perfection.

She wants to look good with the boss, cooks extremely elaborate food, embrace many things, but the truth is that everybody needs help from family and partner. “Before you shout again, analyze your environment, reformulate the organization and distribution of the housework, create routines with your children, and give yourself permission to be deliciously imperfect”, says the child-rearing expert.

Maybe you want to read: 11 tips to raise with tenderness

What to do to avoid yelling?

Even it seems challenging, there are strategies that do not involve screaming like crazy. The key words are positive parenting, but this method requires planning and discipline from parents.

Talk to your family, set limits and rules. Explain the importance of routines. Establish consequences if transgressing those rules, so when applying the reprimand, they know in advance that it is part of the agreement. “It is important that parents have educational and knowledge tools about positive discipline and positive language. This does not mean that children will do what they want, on the contrary, one of the pillars that parents must handle is to set rules and routines.

If you stablish that at 8 p.m. your kid has to take a shower, start telling your child five minutes before 8 p.m. that bath time is coming, instead of shouting GET IN THE BATH NOW! Play some music, dance together, and make some jokes. In this way your kid will see bath time as a game and will be waiting bath time with joy”, explains Velasco.

If through screaming you are looking for a change of positive habits, you are really wrong. Picture: Pixabay
If through screaming you are looking for a change of positive habits, you are really wrong. Picture: Pixabay

Be conscious that you’re a screaming mom and solve it

The step from being a screaming mom to a mom with positive parenting tools is a process and involves self-knowledge and being aware of the moment we are losing our temper in order to avoid it. Remember that children learn by imitation, so if you learn to control yourself, you will also help your child take that step.

“Parents should try to control themselves and instead of yelling at their children they should try to manage a distraction, so children can integrate properly and understand. If you explain why you are angry and what the kid did wrong, it will understand clearly, but you have to talk in a consistent and calm way”, says Dr. Alva Moncayo.

On the other hand, Alejandra Velasco adds: “Before screaming to your child, breathe, stop for a few seconds and say: ‘I am the adult, it is a child, I have to control myself, not the child to me’. Only fight the battles you must fight, don’t exasperate for everything. Put on a rubber on your hand and every time you feel like screaming, pull it. Maybe a calendar will work for you, to draw a line on it every time you scream. The point is to find something that makes you aware and helps you think before yelling. You’re going to make it!”

Don’t miss: Paternity is to strength the loving bound

How to make your kid obey?

Getting kids to follow your instructions is also a process, but practice really changes the brain. Dr. Alan Kazdin, psychology professor at Yale University, promotes a method of background, behavior and consequences.

 

  • Background: You tell the kid with words according to its age, specifically, what you need to be done and what you expect from the kid.
  • Behavior: Defined and molded by parents with their example.
  • Consequence: The approval when a behavior is performed.

If you practice this method, instead of yelling to your child because it didn’t picked up its clothes, for example, in that moment pick up yours and invite the kid to tidy together (without doing the kid’s part). If the child did so, or even if it moved closer the clothes where they should be, tell him/her that he/she did a good job, hug and explain exactly why you’re praising him/her. If it didn’t follow the order, set the consequence established before like, do not watch television, do not use that toy, etc.

Try it, the saying goes, “You catch more flies with honey than with gall”.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Spanish version: Here

You could also check: This happens when you shout to your kids Child phobia, a world that excludes children 5 children’s books that highlight the value of being different

 

 

.

Older posts
Newer posts

Copyright © 2024 BabyCreysi, Tejiendo sonrisas desde 1973