My Husband and I were watching our 4 year old son sleep with his eyes open.
I am so used to it, but Hubby isn't. I find it cool cause our son's eyes follow our fingers if placed in "view" while he's sound asleep. Hubby tried to gently close Gabe's eyes and he woke up instantly.
Needless to say, THAT scared us.
LOL
For those of you who are worried about your child sleeping with open eyes....here is some useful information for THE BABY CENTER.
The BabyCenter Editorial Team
Yes, it's normal, but it certainly looks odd. As Concord, California, naturopathic doctor Tara Levy puts it: "Zombie kid! Watch out!"
Open-eyed sleeping — called nocturnal lagophthalmos in medical-speak — is harmless and doesn't indicate that your child has a sleep problem. It's fairly common in infants, though most outgrow it by about 12 to 18 months.
No one knows exactly why some babies sleep with their eyes open — "No one's funding that research," Levy says. But it may have something to do with spending more time in REM sleep.
"Sleeping with the eyes open happens during REM, which is a more active sleep cycle," Levy explains. "Babies spend much more time in REM sleep than adults, about 50 percent of their total sleep time."
If your baby's "zombie sleep" bothers you, gently stroke his eyelids closed. "That's what I used to do, because it looked creepy," Levy says.
Consult your pediatrician if your child sleeps with his eyes open for many hours at a time or does it regularly after he's 18 months old. In very rare cases, malformation of the eyelids can prevent them from closing normally. But otherwise, don't fear the zombie kid.
Incidentally, there's some evidence that nocturnal lagophthalmos is hereditary. If you notice your child sleeping with a glassy stare, ask your partner if you ever sleep wide-eyed yourself. (Note: In rare cases, this can be a sign of health problems in adults — facial nerve damage, thyroid problems, even certain kinds of tumors. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're concerned.)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
ROAD TRIP
If you and your family are heading off on a roadtrip...here a few pointers that can help. I received them in an email yesterday.
Hope they help.
:)
Don't Let Boredom Strike!
Mom, I'm bored! Wah! No matter how old your children are, you'll likely to hear complaints about the length of the trip along with the most dreaded road trip question: "Are we there yet?" To keep boredom at bay, compile a list of games for your older kids to play in the car before you leave. If you have another adult in the car, assign one of you to be the social director while the other one drives. Here are some new and classic games to get you started!
* Kids will want to bring along every toy they have if given the option. Tell kids they can take along a certain number of toys, and then bring them out one at a time to "stretch" the fun.
Freelance writer Melinda Hershey
* For babies, think about play mats that attach to the back of the seat or travel mobiles. Get a mirror so baby can see you. Staring at the back of a car seat all day is no fun, even for infants. Pull out all the standard baby games: peek-a-boo, funny faces, "I've got your nose" and pretty much any other game you can think of.
* For toddlers, bring along picture books and other stimulating toys. Consider buying a few new books and bringing them out one at a time to keep kids occupied. Magnetic doodle pads and simple toys like dolls and cars are good choices. And because no mom wants to constantly pick up dropped toys, consider bringing along a baking tray for kids to use as a play surface.
* For older kids, try classic car games like the License Plate State Game, Categories, 20 Questions, and I Spy.
* Other Games: Bring a deck of cards to play easy games like Old Maid and Crazy Eights. Uno is also a really simple one to take up lots of time. Another good bet is to take along Mad Libs to concoct crazy stories and scenarios. You can also print off word searches, crosswords, coloring pages, and Sudoku puzzles.
Remember, road trips aren't just about the destination! With a little bit of planning and forethought, you can turn what might be a long journey full of extra costs and setbacks into a pleasant and memorable experience for your entire family.
Hope they help.
:)
Don't Let Boredom Strike!
Mom, I'm bored! Wah! No matter how old your children are, you'll likely to hear complaints about the length of the trip along with the most dreaded road trip question: "Are we there yet?" To keep boredom at bay, compile a list of games for your older kids to play in the car before you leave. If you have another adult in the car, assign one of you to be the social director while the other one drives. Here are some new and classic games to get you started!
* Kids will want to bring along every toy they have if given the option. Tell kids they can take along a certain number of toys, and then bring them out one at a time to "stretch" the fun.
Freelance writer Melinda Hershey
* For babies, think about play mats that attach to the back of the seat or travel mobiles. Get a mirror so baby can see you. Staring at the back of a car seat all day is no fun, even for infants. Pull out all the standard baby games: peek-a-boo, funny faces, "I've got your nose" and pretty much any other game you can think of.
* For toddlers, bring along picture books and other stimulating toys. Consider buying a few new books and bringing them out one at a time to keep kids occupied. Magnetic doodle pads and simple toys like dolls and cars are good choices. And because no mom wants to constantly pick up dropped toys, consider bringing along a baking tray for kids to use as a play surface.
* For older kids, try classic car games like the License Plate State Game, Categories, 20 Questions, and I Spy.
* Other Games: Bring a deck of cards to play easy games like Old Maid and Crazy Eights. Uno is also a really simple one to take up lots of time. Another good bet is to take along Mad Libs to concoct crazy stories and scenarios. You can also print off word searches, crosswords, coloring pages, and Sudoku puzzles.
Remember, road trips aren't just about the destination! With a little bit of planning and forethought, you can turn what might be a long journey full of extra costs and setbacks into a pleasant and memorable experience for your entire family.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
SUN SAFETY FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
Here is some helpful information on sun safety for our children as well as for ourselves.
Were you aware that approximately 80% of harmful exposure to the sun occurs BEFORE 18 years of age?
It has been stated by the Canadian Dermatology Association that it is safe for children under the age of 6months to wear sunscreen and the small exposed areas of skin such as face and neck. Babies under 6months should be kept in the shade because babies are more prone to sunburn than adults for thee simple fact that their skin is thinner and therefore likely to burn easier.
Children should start wearing sunglasses at 6months to help shade their eyes from UVA and UVB rays.
"WATERPROOF" sunscreen should always be reapplied after swimming. Just in case any was rubbed off during swimming or sweating.
ALWAYS opt for the higher SPF sunscreen.
Ultraviolet radiation is doubled when in or near water and at high altitudes. So the chances of sunburn are also greater.
In case of sunburn,
a child (or adult) should be placed in a bath to cool off. Apply moisturizer/lotion right after getting out of the bath. Shae butter or Cocoa butter work wonders as well as Vitamin E. Ibuprofen should be taken within the first 48hours to reduce inflammation. Lots of liquids will help prevent dehydration and restore the any fluids that have been lost. This is EXTREMELY important for babies and toddlers since sunburn can be dangerous.
LOGIC
When out in the sun, make sure, you and your child/children wear a hat and a light t-shirt or tank top.
When possibly, get out of the sun for a few minutes to give your skin a break.
ALWAYS wait 30minutes after applying sunscreen to ensure that it has been absorbed into the skin.
With all the brands of sunscreen to choose from, it is often hard to know which one is right for you. Go to....
www.dermatology.ca
and click "Sun Awareness Program" for a complete list of approved sunscreens.
I hope this information was helpful.
Have a sun and SAFE summer.
Were you aware that approximately 80% of harmful exposure to the sun occurs BEFORE 18 years of age?
It has been stated by the Canadian Dermatology Association that it is safe for children under the age of 6months to wear sunscreen and the small exposed areas of skin such as face and neck. Babies under 6months should be kept in the shade because babies are more prone to sunburn than adults for thee simple fact that their skin is thinner and therefore likely to burn easier.
Children should start wearing sunglasses at 6months to help shade their eyes from UVA and UVB rays.
"WATERPROOF" sunscreen should always be reapplied after swimming. Just in case any was rubbed off during swimming or sweating.
ALWAYS opt for the higher SPF sunscreen.
Ultraviolet radiation is doubled when in or near water and at high altitudes. So the chances of sunburn are also greater.
In case of sunburn,
a child (or adult) should be placed in a bath to cool off. Apply moisturizer/lotion right after getting out of the bath. Shae butter or Cocoa butter work wonders as well as Vitamin E. Ibuprofen should be taken within the first 48hours to reduce inflammation. Lots of liquids will help prevent dehydration and restore the any fluids that have been lost. This is EXTREMELY important for babies and toddlers since sunburn can be dangerous.
LOGIC
When out in the sun, make sure, you and your child/children wear a hat and a light t-shirt or tank top.
When possibly, get out of the sun for a few minutes to give your skin a break.
ALWAYS wait 30minutes after applying sunscreen to ensure that it has been absorbed into the skin.
With all the brands of sunscreen to choose from, it is often hard to know which one is right for you. Go to....
www.dermatology.ca
and click "Sun Awareness Program" for a complete list of approved sunscreens.
I hope this information was helpful.
Have a sun and SAFE summer.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
WELCOME
Expecting your first child and somewhat worried?
Not about the birth, but more about..I AM GOING TO BE A GOOD PARENT?
If that question has crossed your mind all I can say is...YES.
The reason I say this is because a good parent worries about screwing up. They know that they are now responsible for another's life. By feeling anxious, worried, unsure and plain out scared....you are showing that you care and love your bundle (s) of joy.
We all will or have screwed up.
It happens. As long as we learn and grow from our mistakes then so will our children.
This blog is help both New and Veteran Parents.
I have a 4 year old son. Yes I have 4 years of "experience", but also have 4 years in which I have messed up more than a few times.
I have received alot of help both on and offline.
I am more than happy to share my experiences and support in hopes of having others do the same.
Post away.
Expecting your first child and somewhat worried?
Not about the birth, but more about..I AM GOING TO BE A GOOD PARENT?
If that question has crossed your mind all I can say is...YES.
The reason I say this is because a good parent worries about screwing up. They know that they are now responsible for another's life. By feeling anxious, worried, unsure and plain out scared....you are showing that you care and love your bundle (s) of joy.
We all will or have screwed up.
It happens. As long as we learn and grow from our mistakes then so will our children.
This blog is help both New and Veteran Parents.
I have a 4 year old son. Yes I have 4 years of "experience", but also have 4 years in which I have messed up more than a few times.
I have received alot of help both on and offline.
I am more than happy to share my experiences and support in hopes of having others do the same.
Post away.
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