Thursday, January 10, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Non-fat Low Calorie Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Smoothie Ingredients
1 Cup Fresh Strawberries
1 Banana
1 cup Non-fat yogurt or 1/2 c. fat free milk
1 protein powder packets
1 cup of ice
Blend until creamy and delicious, which won’t take long.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Getting Your Baby to Sleep on a "Normal" Schedule
Given that newborns sleep 15 or more hours a day, how can it be that they always seem to be up half the night? All babies challenge their parents when it comes to getting into a sleep schedule that allows other family members to sleep too. But as your baby approaches her first birthday and beyond, her sleep patterns should become more normal or typical. That is, she may take a morning and afternoon nap but do most of her sleeping at night. The number of times she wakes during the night should also decrease.
Some infants and toddlers who are visually impaired struggle when it comes to sleeping on a "normal" schedule. No one knows exactly why they have such a hard time learning to regulate their sleep. One widely held belief is that a baby who has trouble seeing doesn't observe the light changes in the environment that sighted babies do. Your little girl may not be able to see the sun going down, signaling nighttime and triggering sleep reactions in the brain. There are studies underway to find out if the visual system stimulates the production of the chemicals that trigger these sleep reactions. Other theories speculate that the perception of light is tied into the body's rhythms, which include sleeping and waking.
Changing Sleep Patterns
Here are some ways you may help your baby develop normal sleep patterns.
Establish a bedtime routine. One way is to sit with her each evening around the same time and read aloud or sing to her. The key is to do it quietly, away from the noises of other family activities.
Try to get your baby in the habit of sleeping only in her crib or bed, rather than napping on the couch or in her playpen. If she started sleeping with you early in her life, begin to move her into her own bed as soon as you're comfortable doing so. It's important that she learn where she's expected to sleep. If she only sleeps in her crib, she'll come to recognize that when she's put there, it's time for sleep and that the crib or bed is her special "space."
If your baby wakes up during the night, try waiting a short time before picking her up to see if she can settle herself and go back to sleep. All babies wake up during the night, and it takes them a while to learn to let themselves go back to sleep.
If you need to go to your baby during the night, use a soft, calming voice and, if your baby has low vision, keep the room dim. Have everything you might need—diapers, wipes, bottles—nearby, so you don't have to make noise looking for them.
If your baby is sleeping in uninterrupted blocks of hours, but not at night try limiting the length of her naps during the day. You might have to do that gradually, taking 10 minutes off her nap times each week. Although there's a lot of variation among babies, they often take three naps a day, averaging a total of four to six hours of nap time, until they're four to six months old. By six to nine months, they may nap only twice a day, and the time often decreases to a total of two-and-a-half to four hours. As they approach their first birthday, naptime may go down to two to three hours. By age two, a toddler may be napping only once a day for two hours or less. By age three, most children are taking only one nap a day, averaging an hour or so of naptime. Keep in mind that if your child is taking medication, it may affect her sleep schedule. Check with her doctor about what to expect with regard to her schedule for napping.
Active children are more likely to sleep regularly. Keep your child engaged in activities as much as possible throughout the day so, when it is naptime or bedtime, she'll be ready to close her eyes and go to sleep.
Some children with visual impairments are helped by doses of melatonin, a naturally occurring substance produced in the brain and thought to be linked to sleep. Ask your baby's doctor if this substance or another substance might be useful.
Finally, if your baby's sleeping is fitful and you're receiving early intervention services, keep a diary of your baby's sleep and wake times and share the information with your early intervention team. Team members, who have worked with a wide range of families, may have helpful suggestions you haven't thought of for getting your baby on a more regular sleep schedule.
Some infants and toddlers who are visually impaired struggle when it comes to sleeping on a "normal" schedule. No one knows exactly why they have such a hard time learning to regulate their sleep. One widely held belief is that a baby who has trouble seeing doesn't observe the light changes in the environment that sighted babies do. Your little girl may not be able to see the sun going down, signaling nighttime and triggering sleep reactions in the brain. There are studies underway to find out if the visual system stimulates the production of the chemicals that trigger these sleep reactions. Other theories speculate that the perception of light is tied into the body's rhythms, which include sleeping and waking.
Changing Sleep Patterns
Here are some ways you may help your baby develop normal sleep patterns.
Establish a bedtime routine. One way is to sit with her each evening around the same time and read aloud or sing to her. The key is to do it quietly, away from the noises of other family activities.
Try to get your baby in the habit of sleeping only in her crib or bed, rather than napping on the couch or in her playpen. If she started sleeping with you early in her life, begin to move her into her own bed as soon as you're comfortable doing so. It's important that she learn where she's expected to sleep. If she only sleeps in her crib, she'll come to recognize that when she's put there, it's time for sleep and that the crib or bed is her special "space."
If your baby wakes up during the night, try waiting a short time before picking her up to see if she can settle herself and go back to sleep. All babies wake up during the night, and it takes them a while to learn to let themselves go back to sleep.
If you need to go to your baby during the night, use a soft, calming voice and, if your baby has low vision, keep the room dim. Have everything you might need—diapers, wipes, bottles—nearby, so you don't have to make noise looking for them.
If your baby is sleeping in uninterrupted blocks of hours, but not at night try limiting the length of her naps during the day. You might have to do that gradually, taking 10 minutes off her nap times each week. Although there's a lot of variation among babies, they often take three naps a day, averaging a total of four to six hours of nap time, until they're four to six months old. By six to nine months, they may nap only twice a day, and the time often decreases to a total of two-and-a-half to four hours. As they approach their first birthday, naptime may go down to two to three hours. By age two, a toddler may be napping only once a day for two hours or less. By age three, most children are taking only one nap a day, averaging an hour or so of naptime. Keep in mind that if your child is taking medication, it may affect her sleep schedule. Check with her doctor about what to expect with regard to her schedule for napping.
Active children are more likely to sleep regularly. Keep your child engaged in activities as much as possible throughout the day so, when it is naptime or bedtime, she'll be ready to close her eyes and go to sleep.
Some children with visual impairments are helped by doses of melatonin, a naturally occurring substance produced in the brain and thought to be linked to sleep. Ask your baby's doctor if this substance or another substance might be useful.
Finally, if your baby's sleeping is fitful and you're receiving early intervention services, keep a diary of your baby's sleep and wake times and share the information with your early intervention team. Team members, who have worked with a wide range of families, may have helpful suggestions you haven't thought of for getting your baby on a more regular sleep schedule.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
OBAMA WIN SECOND TERM
Congrats to President Barack Obama and The First Family... The second time around... There is a God...
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Hurricane Sandy
Thanks to the thousands of city employees working around the clock to get NJ/NYC back up...
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
SAFE SLEEP REDUCE THE RISK OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS)
Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Ten Ways to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
This article covers the following:
SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome. This term describes the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age. Some people call SIDS "crib death" because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs. But, cribs don't cause SIDS. What should I know about SIDS? Health care providers don't know exactly what causes SIDS, but they do know:
Here are 10 ways that you and others who care for your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS. Safe Sleep Top 10
1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night. The back sleep position is the safest, and every sleep time counts.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
3. If you use a blanket, place the baby with feet at the end of the crib. The blanket should reach no higher than the baby's chest. Tuck the ends of the blanket under the crib mattress to ensure safety.Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area. Don't use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, and pillow-like crib bumpers in your baby's sleep area, and keep any other items away from your baby's face.
4. Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don't smoke before or after the birth of your baby, and don't let others smoke around your baby.
5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but he or she can sleep in the same room as you. If you bring the baby into bed with you to breastfeed, put him or her back in a separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib, cradle, or a bedside cosleeper (infant bed that attaches to an adult bed) when finished.
6. Always place your baby on his or her Back to Sleep.Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep,
but don't force the baby to take it. (If you are breastfeeding your baby, wait until your child is 1 month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a pacifier.)
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for effectiveness or safety.
9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have questions about using monitors for other conditions talk to your health care provider.
10. Your baby needs Tummy Time! Place babies on their stomachs when they are awake and someone is watching. Tummy time helps your baby's head and neck muscles get stronger and helps to prevent flat spots on the head.
Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head: provide "Tummy Time" when your baby is awake and someone is watching; change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next; and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers.
Babies sleep safest on their backs.
One of the easiest ways to lower your baby's risk of SIDS is to put him or her on the back to sleep, for naps and at night. Health care providers used to think that babies should sleep on their stomachs, but research now shows that babies are less likely to die of SIDS when they sleep on their backs. Placing your baby on his or her back to sleep is the number one way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
But won't my baby choke if he or she sleeps on his or her back?
No. Healthy babies automatically swallow or cough up fluids. There has been no increase in choking or other problems for babies who sleep on their backs.
Spread the word! Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows the Safe Sleep Top 10!
Tell grandparents, babysitters, childcare providers, and other caregivers to always place your baby on his or her back to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who are then placed on their stomachs, even for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS—so every sleep time counts!
For more information on sleep position for babies and reducing the risk of SIDS,
contact the Back to Sleep campaign at: 1-800-505-CRIB (2742)
Article Source - U.S. Department of Health And Human Services
This article covers the following:
- What is SIDS?
- What should I know about SIDS?
- Fast Facts About SIDS
- What can I do to lower my baby's risk of SIDS?
- Safe Sleep Top 10
- Babies sleep safest on their backs.
- Spread the word!
SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome. This term describes the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age. Some people call SIDS "crib death" because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs. But, cribs don't cause SIDS. What should I know about SIDS? Health care providers don't know exactly what causes SIDS, but they do know:
- Babies sleep safer on their backs. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are much more likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their backs.
- Sleep surface matters. Babies who sleep on or under soft bedding are more likely to die of SIDS.
- Every sleep time counts. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who are then placed on their stomachs, like for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS. So it's important for everyone who cares for your baby to use the back sleep position for naps and at night.
- SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age.
- Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between 2 months and 4 months of age.
- African American babies are more than 2 times as likely to die of SIDS as white babies.
- American Indian/Alaskan Native babies are nearly 3 times as likely to die of SIDS as white babies.
Here are 10 ways that you and others who care for your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS. Safe Sleep Top 10
1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night. The back sleep position is the safest, and every sleep time counts.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
3. If you use a blanket, place the baby with feet at the end of the crib. The blanket should reach no higher than the baby's chest. Tuck the ends of the blanket under the crib mattress to ensure safety.Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area. Don't use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, and pillow-like crib bumpers in your baby's sleep area, and keep any other items away from your baby's face.
4. Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don't smoke before or after the birth of your baby, and don't let others smoke around your baby.
5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but he or she can sleep in the same room as you. If you bring the baby into bed with you to breastfeed, put him or her back in a separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib, cradle, or a bedside cosleeper (infant bed that attaches to an adult bed) when finished.
6. Always place your baby on his or her Back to Sleep.Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep,
but don't force the baby to take it. (If you are breastfeeding your baby, wait until your child is 1 month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a pacifier.)
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for effectiveness or safety.
9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have questions about using monitors for other conditions talk to your health care provider.
10. Your baby needs Tummy Time! Place babies on their stomachs when they are awake and someone is watching. Tummy time helps your baby's head and neck muscles get stronger and helps to prevent flat spots on the head.
Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head: provide "Tummy Time" when your baby is awake and someone is watching; change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next; and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers.
Babies sleep safest on their backs.
One of the easiest ways to lower your baby's risk of SIDS is to put him or her on the back to sleep, for naps and at night. Health care providers used to think that babies should sleep on their stomachs, but research now shows that babies are less likely to die of SIDS when they sleep on their backs. Placing your baby on his or her back to sleep is the number one way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
But won't my baby choke if he or she sleeps on his or her back?
No. Healthy babies automatically swallow or cough up fluids. There has been no increase in choking or other problems for babies who sleep on their backs.
Spread the word! Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows the Safe Sleep Top 10!
Tell grandparents, babysitters, childcare providers, and other caregivers to always place your baby on his or her back to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who are then placed on their stomachs, even for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS—so every sleep time counts!
For more information on sleep position for babies and reducing the risk of SIDS,
contact the Back to Sleep campaign at: 1-800-505-CRIB (2742)
Article Source - U.S. Department of Health And Human Services
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