Your toddler seemed perfectly fine two hours ago. Now all the sudden he has an upset stomach and is throwing up what looks like his whole day’s food. What could be going on? Did he eat something bad?

He might have Viral Gastroenteritis, AKA the stomach flu.

Keep reading to see if you toddler has any of the symptoms of the stomach flu as well as 12 toddler stomach bug remedies to ease the next 24 tiresome hours. 

I am NOT a doctor and I am not giving medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if needed. I am mother and blogger sharing my personal experiences and opinions with the goal of helping other fellow parents.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

What causes Viral Gastroenteritis?

According to Clevelandclinic.org, Viral Gastroenteritis is caused bacteria, toxins and parasites.

“Norovirus is often the culprit for adults, while rotavirus is frequently to blame for stomach flu in children. These viruses mostly infect the lining of the small intestine.”

Clevelandclinic.org

What are the stomach flu symptoms?

According to Verywellhealth.org, young children might have the stomach flu if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Fever
• Chills
• Weakness
• Muscle pain
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite

Toddler Stomach Bug Remedies

During the vomiting stage (usually the first 12 hours)

1. Keep your toddler contained in one area.

Viral Gastroenteritis is extremely contagious and it stays on contaminated objects for days. It is best to keep your toddler in one area of your living space to avoid contaminating other areas as much as possible.

I know this might sound difficult because, well, toddlers are hard to contain, but if they have the stomach bug, their energy is going to be zero to none.

We kept Lennox in our bedroom where he had a spacious bed and TV to keep him distracted from his aches and pains.

Likewise, make sure your child is washing their hands. You too, caretaker, ensure you are sanitizing your hands, because the stomach bug tends to spread like wildfire.

Related: 11 Solutions and Remedies for Reflux in Infants. Help Your Baby Spit Up Less and Sleep Longer

2. During the first 12 hours avoid liquids and food.

I know you might be worried about getting your toddler to drink or eat something since he is throwing up so much, but don’t! Not for the first 12 hours at least.

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines and through vomiting or diarrhea, your body is working to get the infection out. Any intake of food or liquids will come right back out.

After the first 12 hours, and once the vomiting or diarrhea has stopped, then you can offer clear liquids.

3. Keep a bowl or bucket nearby.

One of my biggest worries was having Lennox throw up all over the place. He is a young toddler and doesn’t even know he should go pee in the potty yet, much less vomit.

I kept a bucket nearby the first few hours. What helped me know when to bring the bucket to Lennox was when he would start to shift around. I immediately would sit him up and bring the bucket near him.

It is extremely important to sit your toddler up to avoid choking.

I also kept my hand on his belly because I realized right before he would have a vomiting episode, his belly would start to spasm.

4. Keep your toddler distracted by his favorite shows and movies.

In between his vomiting episodes, Lennox was pretty calm. In fact, he even had the energy to stand up and walk around. However, you don’t your toddler to overexert himself so, it’s best to distract him. This will also prevent him from throwing up in unwanted areas.

I kept movies on for Lennox to distract him from wandering around.

5. Offer lovies/ TLC.

Your toddler is going to be scared. He does not understand what is happening to him. He needs to be comfortable and he needs his mama and any of his comfort items.

For Lennox, he loves his Wubbanubs and Soothie pacifiers.

It’s a good idea to disinfect all of these items once the stomach bug is gone.

Read more: The Pros and Cons of the Pacifier

During the fatigue stage (12 hours)

6. Lots and lots of rest.

Usually, after the first 12 hours, the vomiting/ diarrhea has calmed down. Now your child is going to be extremely tired from not sleeping and exerting his stomach muscles so much.

He is now going to be very fatigued. Make his area extremely comfortable and allow him to get plenty of rest. Don’t be concerned. His little body is still working to get rid of that mean bug.

Related: 5 Tips to help your sensitive-sleeper sleep better

7. Nursing Station.

While Lennox took his first four-hour nap, I took the time to set up a nursing station on my side table.

I had all of my liquids, snacks, Children’s Tylenol and Motrin, tissues, hand sanitizer and wet washcloths.

This way, when Lennox was awake I could give him all of my TLC and have everything I need at arm’s reach.

8. Offer small sips of liquids.

Your toddler is going to be very thirsty. After the first 12 hours, offer him clear fluids in small amounts. Don’t let him gulp it down because it might come right back up. The best way is to offer small sips of water every couple of minutes.

For older children, they can sip on ice chips to keep the hydrated.

You could also offer an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte which has rehydration salts to counteract dehydration in your toddler.

Pedialyte is proven to be better than sodas, fruit juice and sports drinks such as Gatorade because it has “the optimal balance of sugar and electrolytes needed to fast rehydration.”

We keep a stock of in our house now for when anyone gets a common cold, fever, or just needs a boost of hydration. Since we use it so much, I started buying in bulk and using these Pedialyte Electrolyte Powder variety that you can simply add to water.

These Pedialyte popsicles are also pretty nifty.

After 24 hours, your child should be feeling better and can now drink plenty of fluids.

Below is a list of serious signs of dehydration. If your child is experiencing any of the following signs, take them to the emergency room immediately:

• Not urinating at all or having extremely dark yellow pee.
• Dry skin.
• Dizziness.
• Rapid heartbeat or breathing.
• Sunken eyes.
• Feeling lethargic.
• Tiredness, confusion or irritable.
• Fainting.

9. Offer Light Foods.

Some recommended bland foods for the stomach flu are

• Crackers
• Pretzels
• Toast
• Bananas
• Rice
• Broth

When Lennox finally showed interest in eating, I gave him some light solid foods such as buttered toast, pretzels, saltine crackers. I also made a homemade crockpot chicken noodle soup from this recipe here.

He loved the broth which helped rehydrate him and he also ate some of the vegetable and noodles which filled his empty tummy.

You should also avoid giving your child the following foods:

• Dairy products
• Spicy foods
• Fatty Foods
• Highly seasoned foods.
• Sugary foods like ice cream

10. TLC Did I mention it already?

There is never too much TLC when your toddler is sick. Every moment Lennox was awake, I was laying with him and comforting his small aching body. I took advantage of his sleep to take care of household chores and other priorities.

11. Often times the stomach flu is accompanied by a low-grade fever.

Lennox had a 100.7 fever. I gave him Acetaminophen (Tylenol) which is apparently “easier on the stomach” than Ibuprofen (Motrin).

It was a warm day out so I kept Lennox in just a diaper, sometimes diaperless to let his manhood breathe. I kept the windows open and a fan on. I also placed a damp towel on his forehead and neck.

Every couple of hours or so, I would massage his fragile body with Vicks BabyRub to soothe the aches and pains.

12. Change diaper quickly if experiencing diarrhea.

Lennox only had one episode of diarrhea, but if your child is experiencing diarrhea, make sure to change his diaper frequently to avoid diaper rash, and make sure to apply diaper rash cream to avoid more diaper rash.

I hope these tips help you and your child’s 24 hours of misery. The flu is going around right now so please make sure you always:

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash and sanitize hands frequently.
• Avoid sharing foods
• Stay isolated from others until the flu is completely out of your system plus a day or two to avoid passing it along.
• Sanitize your whole house after you and your family experience the stomach flu.
• Wash all linens, towels and closes in a hot wash cycle to kill all the bacteria.

Well I hope these tips helped!

The good news is that this illness passes pretty quickly, normally within 24 hours. Afterwards your child’s body might been tired and they might sleep more, which is a sign that they are recovering.

Now it is a waiting game to see if I am next on the stomach’s flu list. Hopefully Lennox will take care of me!

We hope your toddler gets better as soon as possible =) Don’t forget to follow us on social media for daily updates.

Check out some of our other health tips posts!

• 11 Tips and Remedies for Treating Toddler Eczema

• 13 At Home Common Cold Remedies

The post 12 Tips for Treating Your Toddler’s Stomach Flu At Home appeared first on Bilingual Beginnings.

From battling with space heaters to experimenting with various clothing options, we eventually discovered a reliable system to keep him snug throughout the night.

Today, I’m excited to share our top five tips for effectively keeping your baby warm during winter nights. Whether you’re a seasoned parent or navigating this journey for the first time, these insights are designed to provide practical solutions for a restful night’s sleep for both you and your baby.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

1. Practice Safe Sleeping Practices

The most important thing to remember when dressing your baby for nighttime sleep is to follow safe sleep guidelines.

Experts say that until a baby’s first year of life, “soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that can increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation” should be kept out of the baby’s sleep area.

So even if you are tempted to add in an extra blanket, DON’T. Absolutely no loose blankets in the bed with baby. For your baby’s safety, it is essential to follow all of the safety protocols for infant sleep. You can find more in-depth information regarding infant safe sleeping practices here at Pediatrics: Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here are some important highlights:

• Young babies should sleep on their back for every sleep
• They should sleep on a firm sleep surface
• Soft objects should not be placed in the crib because it increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
  • No pillows, quilts, sheepskin, or loose bedding (blankets, non-fitted sheets). These all pose a suffocation hazard.
  • Infant Sleep Clothing is preferred
  • Avoid the use of bumper pads and crib liners

So now that we have a basis for the safe sleep guidelines, let’s look at ways to keep your baby warm once cooler weather hits.

2. Keep the temperature of the room between 65-70°

Our first winter month with Lennox was a struggle for Carlos and me. We lived on the bottom floor of an apartment complex, and let me tell you, there were lots of bone-shattering cold nights. Brr.

That’s why we ended up getting a rinky-dinky space heater, thinking that it would be a good choice to put in Lennox’s room to keep him warm.

However, that thing had a mind of its own. Sometimes we would look at the monitor, and it would have a red alert saying too hot, and at other times it was pushing into the low 60s.

I recommend that if you use a space heater, invest in a room thermometer to ensure your baby is sleeping at a comfortable temperature.

We only ended up using our space heater for a couple of days or so, during which sleep was not a thing.

Why? Well, first starters, Lennox was an extremely sensitive sleeper until seven months old. Secondly, with the space heater, we constantly checked the room temperature to make sure Lennox was okay.

My advice is to ditch the space heater unless you invest in a nice one that maintains consistent heat and is safe for a nursery. 

Raisingthem.com has a whole article on safe space heaters and offers some great recommendations.’

Once we ditched the space heater, we monitored the central air in my apartment. I kept it a little higher, so that way during the nighttime, Lennox’s room would maintain a temperature of 65-70°, which is the recommended ideal room temperature for your baby’s room. [1]

Now that I live in a townhouse, it is harder to keep the upstairs heated. So to help direct heat to Lennox’s room, I close the vents to less-frequently used areas in the house.

3. Keep a humidifier running.

Now, since you will be running your heat more often, it is a good idea to keeo a humidifier plugged in and running. This will prevent your baby from getting a common cold or drying out your baby’s skin.
Lennox has Eczema, and the dry air from the heat has always triggered it even more, so our humidifier is necessary.
We have two of these Vick’s Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifiers. They are fantastic, and to this day, Lennox uses the stars that project from the humidifier as his night light.

Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Humidifier. #1 Brand Recommended by Pediatricians*. 1.2 Gal Ultrasonic cool mist humidifier for medium to large Bedrooms, Kids Rooms, and More. Use with Vicks VapoPads.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

4. Have the right fitted sheets

Since babies shouldn’t sleep with loose objects, investing in the perfect fitted sheets is vital.

An awesome mom in my mom group recommended these Soft Chenille Fitted Crib Sheets to me during Lennox’s first winter. To this day, we still put them on his toddler bed to keep him extra warm at night.

These soft chenille fitted crib sheets are soft, warm, and provide a layer of comfort to your infant’s sleep, all while following the safety protocol.

Absolute must have!

American Baby Company Heavenly Soft Chenille Fitted Crib Sheet 28" x 52", Warm and Cozy Neutral Chenille Sheet, Pink 3D Cloud, for Boys and Girls, Fits Crib and Toddler Bed mattresses

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Related: Fuchsia Wild Flower Crib Sheets. The Softness Your Baby Deserves

5. Layers, Layers, Layers to provide extra warmth

If your baby is out of the swaddle, here are some great baby clothes options to layer your baby in to keep her warm at night and to aid comfortable sleeping.

You will want a light layer of clothing, such as a short sleeve onesie for your first layer of clothing.

If you are using a sleeveless sleep-sack, you can use a long-sleeved onesie to keep your baby’s arms warm.

Make sure to keep this first layer light. You don’t want your baby overheating either.

Then, add a pair of baby socks to your baby’s feet and some sleep mittens on those cold hands.

Lastly, you can add an additional layer of either of the following options to your baby’s sleepwear.

Swaddle Blankets

Swaddles are a safe option to use for newborns until 3 months of age.

Not only do they keep newborns warm, but they help calm their Moro reflex, which gives them the feeling of being startled.

Swaddles blankets will help your baby sleep longer, as well as provides a womb-like sensation.

The first time you use a swaddle on your squirmy baby, they might not like it, but once they get used to the sensation of being wrapped, it will be very soothing for them.

Muslin blankets are a great choice if you like making your own swaddle.

If you struggle with making your own swaddle (it’s not an easy task, I don’t blame you) then try these adjustable velcro swaddle blankets.

Sleep Sacks

Sleep sacks are like a wearable blanket that keeps your baby warm without posing a suffocation risk.

You stick your baby into the sleep sack like a dress and zip it up! It’s as easy as that!

Many long-sleeved sacks also have built-in mittens to keep the baby’s hands warm. Even better, they have zippers for easy diaper changes in the middle of the night.

Here are some great options for sleep sacks below:

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit

This product is incredible. It serves as a transition from the swaddle to normal sleep. In addition, it provides an extra layer of warmth and establishes good sleeping habits. It’s like a baby sleeping bag!

Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit - Swaddle Transition Product - Cotton - Cream - 3-6 Months

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Footed Pajamas

Footed pajamas are another great choice for keeping your baby warm, especially the fleece ones. Don’t forget to get ones that have zippers! Way easier to put on and off, and to change diapers in the middle of the night!

Well, I hope these tips and items help you. The Soft Chenille Fitted Crib Sheets are a must-have you need to get now!! I wish that I could sleep with sheets like this, but unfortunately, DH gets hot with regular sheets alone, so I am out of luck.

To wrap things up, here are some takeaway notes and extra tips:

• When the colder weather hits, absolutely NO blankets in the crib with baby. Instead, dress baby in a number of layers with breathable fabrics or use one of the layering options listed above.
• Keep a thermometer in your baby’s room to make sure the room stays at an ideal temperature of 65-70°.
• If you bathe your baby at night, and if you baby has a lot of hair, make sure to dry hair. You don’t want your baby going to sleep with damp hair.-Keep a humidifier running to prevent your baby’s delicate skin from drying out from higher heat levels in the house.

Do you have more tips on how you keep your baby warm at night? Then share them with us in the comments below!

Related posts you might like:

• Baby Bath Time Tips and Hacks
• 11 Solutions and Remedies for Reflux in Infants
• Understanding Colic. Tips on How to Survive the Fourth Trimester

The post 5 Tips to Keep Your Baby Warm at Night During the Cold Winter Nights appeared first on Bilingual Beginnings.

Then, I will dive into what is infant colic, and share tips on calming colic in your newborn.

*Disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor and I am not giving medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional if needed. I am mother and blogger sharing my personal experiences and opinions with the goal of helping other fellow parents.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

Here’s my story with infant colic

If you have read any of my older posts, you know that my adorable son, Lennox, was not an easy baby. From day one of his 9.4 lb. entrance into the world via C-Section, he was a horrible sleeper (and still is to this day). He suffered from infant reflux, and breastfeeding was a straight-up battle.

Those first few weeks of his precious life sent me spiraling into a deep, dark postpartum depression. I couldn’t figure out what the hell I was doing wrong, and instead of spending the time loving my wailing infant, I was consulting Dr. Google every five seconds.

On my search history you might have found:

• “Why is my baby not sleeping?”
• “ Is it normal for my baby to be spitting up so much?”
• “Why don’t I feel connected to my baby?”
• “Is it okay not to love the newborn stage?”
• “Why is my baby fussing at the breast?”

By week three, I felt that something was off with me, and I knew that to take care of Lennox properly, I needed to help myself first. After self-diagnosing myself with Postpartum Depression and confirming it with my doctor, I started to free myself from the deep dark cloud that was not allowing me to see the clarity and take the proper measures to ameliorate Lennox’s fussiness.

Did you know that 50-70 percent of women suffer from the “baby blues,” and 15 percent of these women go on to develop a more severe PPD? If this is you, you are not alone. Please reach out to your doctor and find a support group as soon as possible.c

That’s when I had a lightbulb moment and referred back to The Happiest Baby on the Block. It all made sense now. My baby was not broken. I simply needed to change the way I was doing things. Once I came to this realization and implemented Dr. Karp’s tips with Lennox, I knew what the underlying issue was, and I became an expert on how to take charge of his colicky moments.

I would love to share Dr. Karp’s main points with you. However, I highly recommend buying this book and reading it entirely because it is genuinely so useful for understanding the myths and theories of colic and how to combat it.

Keep reading below to understand more about colic and tips on how to survive it.

What is Infant Colic?

Colic is a very mysterious and undefined term. According to Mayoclinic.org, “colic is frequent, prolonged and intense crying or fussiness in a healthy infant.”

The key term here is healthy. Baby is eating, sleeping (maybe), peeing, pooping, growing, (read more about healthy babies here), but for some reason, she has crying spouts throughout the day that can last hours.

When Lennox was born, he was the most charming baby during the daytime. All of a sudden, the clock strikes 7 pm, and it was nonstop crying. There were pauses in between, but I couldn’t figure out any method to make it stop until he would finally fall asleep for the night—sorry, I mean the next 45 minutes, all to start the screaming over again.

This cycle happened All. Night. Long.  

I remember when Lennox would finally fall asleep, I would lay in bed scared even to attempt to close my eyes because I knew he would start screaming bloody murder, and I would have to start the whole process over again.

It was scary, and it was absolutely exhausting. Having a baby in itself is tiring, but having a colicky baby is out-of-this-world exhausting. I was in pure survival mode.

You best bet that when I heard family or peers talked about how their baby was “sleeping through the night”—a concept I still do not understand and Lennox is almost three!—I would grit my teeth and imagine poking their eye out with a skewer. Okay, not really, but maybe.

Please don’t get me started about when everyone and their mothers visited and tried to help during a screaming spout only to realize it made the situation worse. They would graciously say goodbye exit as quickly as possible. I can’t imagine what they were thinking. All I know is that their visits became near to extinct.

This, my friends, is infant Colic at its colicky finest…

If you are reading this, and relate to this story, do not fret, because I am here to highlight Karp’s most essential points about Colic and give you some reaffirmation and tips on how to deal with a colicky baby,

But first, I want to start with one of the most encouraging quotes from Karp’s book. “If you have a challenging baby, don’t lose heart. These kids often become the sweetest and most enthusiastic children on the block!” (Karp, 59).

What is infant Colic according to Dr. Harp?

In chapter three of The Happiest Baby on the Block, Karp goes into the five theories of Colic that have emerged over the generations. They are the following:

Theories of Colic over the generations

1. Gas, constipation, and overactive intestines.
2. Food sensitivities and stomach acid reflux
3. Maternal anxiety
4. A baby’s immature brain
5. A challenging temperament

He goes into further detail of each of these theories and explains how each theory may be the cause of the baby’s crying throughout the day, but is not the underlying cause of Colic.

His arguments reveal that Colic happens during a specific timeframe, usually around two weeks past the due date until months three or four.

Karp emphasizes the start being two weeks past the due date because even in situations with premature babies, Colic does not typically begin until two weeks past their due date.

Therefore, if a baby were to incessantly cry from tummy issues or because she has an intense temperament, why would the crying stop after a precise time frame?

He also argues that Colic is much worse in the evening, also known as witching hour. Then, if tummy troubles (gas, constipation, food sensitives, reflux) were the issue, the baby would be crying at all times of the day.

Another one of Karp’s arguments is that there are many cultures around the world where Colic is not a thing. These babies, too, experience stomach issues, and some are born early; however, it is very uncommon for these babies to have screaming fits for hours.

His last point is that the colicky crying highly improves when the baby is rocked or held. This, in turn cause more damage to an infant suffering from tummy issues.

Enough already, tell me what is infant colic!!

Thank you for making it to this point. Karp has so many interesting points in his book. I could keep writing and writing about them all. But, to answer your question, he theorizes that:

Colic exists because of the missing fourth trimester.

He offers a history of evolution and how our ancestor’s babies grew to have bigger and bigger heads. To ensure proper delivery and safety of the mother, babies were born earlier.

Due to this earlier delivery, mothers learned how to protect their immature babies outside of the womb. By imitating the womb on earthside through slings, warm clothing, and cuddling…

(again, read this book to know more fascinating facts!!)

Karp argues that over the past century in the United States, parents have stopped cuddling their babies due to bad expert advice that it will spoil the child.

I can also add that living in a high-driven capitalistic society requires the participation of both parents to work to maintain a living. The short maternity leave given does not allow the mother sufficient time to be with her baby during the fourth trimester. 

Also, the idea of a village family has become extinct. Grandparents, who once used to look after the grandkids, also have to work to stay afloat.

This explains Karp’s theory about colic-free cultures, where mother’s and women (village family) hold their infants for 24-hours a day. You read right. 24 hours a day.

This may sound bizarre, but I agree entirely. Having a first generational LARGE immigrant family (well in-laws), I have witnessed this phenomenon first-hand.

The majority of Carlos’ (hubby) family live under one roof. The seven youngest babies, that I have seen grow up, were almost always held. They also co-slept, were breastfed into toddler years, and they hardly ever fussed.

Meanwhile, Carlos and I live alone with little to no help with Lennox. Having to carry out daily life responsibilities, plus having postpartum depression restricted me from giving Lennox exactly what he needed. A fourth trimester.

But once I took reigns of my postpartum depression and got treated. I put Karp’s “ancient art of soothing” tips to work, and Lennox’s colic slowly disappeared.

How to “turn infant Colic off” through Karp’s Ancient Art of Soothing

Karp says that a way to combat Colic is to create a resemblance of life inside the womb for your baby. This is done by implementing the “5 S’s” during times when your baby is inconsolable. (93)

The “5 S’s” are:

1. Swaddling
2. Side/Stomach
3. Shhhhing
4. Swinging
5. Sucking

Karp goes into these “5 S’s” in the whole second part of his book, but I will mention them briefly to give an idea. Combining all five of these will work as an off-switch to your baby’s cries, and trust me, it works. It got me out of the fourth trimester alive and sane.

Step 1: Swaddle

The first step is to swaddle your baby, which will calm your baby’s reflexes. This will soothe the baby’s Moro reflex, or the falling reflex which according to Karp “ your baby’s arms shoot out and around, as if he’s trying to group hold of you.” (92)

Lennox has a strong Moro reflex until around four months of age (end of the fourth trimester!!) See picture below.

This reflex would instantly put Lennox into tears, which is why swaddling was a lifesaver for us.

Step 2: Put baby on side

Once your baby is swaddled, you then want to place her on her side in your arms. Similar to the way I am holding Lennox in the picture below.

Step 3: SHHHHHHHH

Thirdly, you want to make a LOUD sssshhhhhhh noise, or use a white noise machine, which will resemble the sound of the womb.

Step 4: Rock a Bye Baby

Swing your baby, or if you have a intense baby, rock/bounce her. The more intense the baby, the louder the shhhhing and the rocking needs to be.

Often times, once I got Lennox calmed and asleep with all the steps, I would put him in the Mamaroo or Rock n Play, where he took some of his most profound naps.

A lifesaver for our reflux baby!

4moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Step 5: Suck

Lastly, the baby needs to suck, whether it be the breast, or a pacifier. Often times, I bounced Lennox, on his side, swaddled, with white noise, all while holding his pacifier. I know, it seems like a lot, but it becomes second nature, and after the first few calming attempts, your baby will catch on will melt into a womb wonderland.

To sum things up…

Lennox was an intense baby, who had a hard time maintaining what Karp terms “state control”, the ability to shut off when he was overstimulated or under-stimulated. (51). The “5 S’s” helped him turn off and finally be able to settle down.

After implementing these tips, Lennox started to sleep better, and once I created a steady eat, play, sleep routine for him, he turned into a completely different baby.

With that being said, Lennox is still so intense, and maybe even more now as a toddler. But, he is so full of personality and joy, and I can tell you one thing for sure, he keeps me on my toes. He is a real jokester and has charisma for days. Even though he gave me a lot of sleepless nights during his colicky days, he taught me so much about babies and I grew so much as a person myself. That’s why I am so happy to share this story with you today.

Today, I can confidently tell you that I am ready for baby number two. I will be so much more prepared this time regardless if I am blessed with another intense baby, or a sleeping beauty.

Thank you for reading, and mama, if you are suffering from a colicky infant, just remember the time really does go by so quickly, but give these tricks a try and you might see a huge difference!!

Thanks for reading friends! Please comment below with any questions or comments!!!

The post Understanding What is Infant Colic appeared first on Bilingual Beginnings.

As much as I love fall and season changes, I do not care for the colds that come shortly after. Lennox and I just got over a case of bronchitis last week, and boy did it knock us on our butts. Add allergies and asthma into the mix; we were intertwined with our nebulizer all week.

Now that Lennox has started preschool, common colds are going to be even more prevalent in our household. That’s why I have done a lot of research on the best home and store-bought common cold remedies, and I would like to share some of those with you today.

I love hearing new ideas, so please make sure you share your natural common cold remedies or hacks in the comments below so I can add your idea to this post!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

How to treat the common cold: 13 remedies

1. Vicks VapoRub      

 Lennox’s first symptom of having a cold is a runny nose which quickly turns into a stuffy nose. Those early couple days of the sniffles, I lather Lennox’s chest and back in Vicks VapoRub before nap and bed. I even put it on his feet, underneath socks. An old wives’ tale my MIL insisted I do!!!

Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment that helps with nasal and chest congestion. Applying it before bed can help open up the air passageways, and soothe the urge to cough.

Please make sure to never, ever apply Vicks to a child under two years of age. There is a Vicks Baby Rub for children three months and older.

2. Incline the bed/crib

When Lennox has the sniffles, I put a pillow/stuffed animal/books under his crib mattress to elevate his head and help drain the sinuses. It is vital to incline the entire bed, and not just add more pillows as that can cause discomfort in your toddler’s neck. 

3. Humidifier

Humidifiers add moisture to the dry air. During the winter and summer, I keep two humidifiers going throughout the house. A cool-mist humidifier will help soothe a case of the coughs if appropriately used.

*To properly use a humidifier, you need to keep it clean. If you do not clean it frequently, it can become moldy and carry bacteria that will foster future colds. The filter also needs to be changed regularly and must be moist during each use.

We use the Vicks Starry Night Humidifier which has a nightlight that Lennox cannot sleep without, and it has a slot to add these Vicks Vapo Pads which disperse Vicks into the air. As for the filters, I have these on my Amazon Subscribe and Save to come every two months, that way I don’t forget to change them.

 4. Boil Water

Another way to release moisture into the air is by boiling water. When we are sick, I do boiil water once a day. I add a tablespoon of Vicks VapoRub to the boiling water to disperse the aromatherapeutic vapors.

5. Steam Bath

“The warm, moist air is thought to work by loosening the mucus in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. This may relieve symptoms of inflamed, swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages.”

While I use the humidifier to open up the airways at night, during Lennox’s wake time, we do steam baths. We take Lennox’s favorite toys/books/objects into the bathroom. I turn on the shower to the hottest temperature possible. I place a towel at the bottom of the door to trap the steam inside. Then we play, sing, dance, do anything to keep Lennox entertained for a solid 15-20 minutes to decongest Lennox’s chest.

Sometimes I clear the vanity of all products and dangerous items to toddlers and let him play in the sink to really get the full effect of the hot air which rises.

Now that Lennox is two-years-old, I have added Vicks VapoShower Soothing Tablets to the process. I place a tablet in the shower (make sure it’s at the focus point of the water’s stream) and practice breathing exercises with Lennox so that he inhales the aroma therapeutic vapors.

6. Nosefrida the Snot Sucker

The steam bath helps to break all the fun snot up, so the next step is to evacuate it with the Nosefrida the Snot Sucker.

This thing is impressive, but gross. 

First, you will restrain your tot. Second, you will put the Nosefrida at the entrance of one of his nostrils and lastly, you will suck. It is amazing how much snot will come out. Repeat on the other nostril.

I do this after the steam shower because most toddlers will not be happy about their nose being “sucked”, so not only will you be fighting the tot, but the stubborn snot as well. Therefore, it’s best to use the NoseFrida after loosening the phlegm for easier evacuation 

7. Saline Spray

A spray will also help to thin, loosen, moisturize and dry mucous. 

8. Honey and Lime

*Do not give honey to a child younger than one-years-old. Experts say that giving honey to infants is not safe because it can lead to Infant Botulism. You can read more about this here.

Honey is sticky, and this makes it a good mucus thinner. Honey also soothes the throat and chest. To add vitamin C to the mix, I add lime and mix it with the honey (it is quite tasty if I might add). Lennox goes wild for this, and it really is a quick, but unfortunately temporary remedy.

I try to buy local honey. Even though it still needs further research, there is a theory that local honey can help prevent allergies. Also, I enjoy buying locally as much as I can.

9. Hydration

Staying hydrated is critical for a quick recovery. Some of the ways I keep Lennox hydrated during a cold is by Pedialyte, and decaffeinated teas or simply hot water with honey and lime.

The nutrients in pineapple juice are also great at soothing coughs.

Last week we replaced his morning and evening cup of milk with hot tea/water and kept him hydrated on Pedialyte and water throughout the day.

10. Steer clear of dairy products and sugars.

Mucus looooves dairy and sweets. Eating dairy and sweets will cause the phlegm to thicken, which will worsen the cough and congestion. Avoid giving milk and juices during this time, among other sweets.

11. Nebulizer

I think Lennox might be inheriting my seasonal asthma, but regardless if not, having a nebulizer machine is a terrific instrument to have on hand. Ask your pediatrician for a prescription for he medicine for the machine. sooner than later. The nebulizer has been our most faithful friend during our most recent colds.

On Amazon, you can purchase a portable, handheld nebulizer machine that is perfect for children to hold themselves.

At first, your toddler might not be too happy to use it, but If you use it and make it a fun game, your toddler will want to imitate it.

We had a turning point this cold. Last week, all of a sudden as a big two-year-old Lennox decided to love the neb. He would have a tantrum if he couldn’t use it. Last year, he would scream bloody murder in objection.

Introduce it, and eventually, your tot will want to use it.

12. Medicine

I try to leave medicine as a last resort. If Lennox has a fever or appears to be in pain, I alternate Tylenol and Motrin. Seattlemamadoc.org has a comprehensive post on how to safely alternate Tylenol and Motrin here.

Kids Benadryl- Not recommended for children under two. I give this to Lennox occasionally during his colds. I will give it to him before bed to help dry out his symptoms and aid his sleep. I do not use this very often, and I would try the natural remedies first that I mentioned above.

Elderberry Syrup is great for additional immune support and also helps reduce the severity and duration of an infection.

13. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup has an anti-inflammatory effect, great for clearing nasal congestion and the salt in the soup will help alleviate a sore throat.

Lennox also really enjoys Ramen Noodle soups, so sometimes if I don’t have the ingredients on hand to make a homemade soup, i’ll give him the salty broth from the Ramen Noodles soup, or any canned chicken noodle soup.

I hope these common cold remedies help to alleviate your tot. Please drop me a comment below telling me what works best for you and your family when the common cold makes its way into your home. Also, check out some of our related posts below.

Check out some of our other health tips posts!

• 11 Tips and Remedies for Treating Toddler Eczema
• 12 Tips for When Your Toddler Has the Stomach Flu
• Baby Bath Time Tips and Hacks

The post 13 At Home Common Cold Remedies for When Your Toddler Has a Case of the Coughs and a Runny Nose appeared first on Bilingual Beginnings.

Summer has not been so nice on Lennox’s skin this year. Besides the multiple mosquito bites all over his arms and legs, Lennox has also been suffering from Eczema.

I have never experienced Eczema, so at first, I thought it was just dry skin. However, as the summer progressed, the dry skin started turning into circular, raised itchy rashes.

*Updated November 2, 2020 – The dry winter air is also a trigger for Lennox

I knew it had to be more than dry skin because Carlos (Lennox’s dad) also gets similar-looking rashes on his back. They usually appear after a beach trip, or from prolonged exposure to the sun.

I couldn’t bear to watch my little boy in a permanent uncomfortable state from all the scratching. So, I did a lot of research, changed our routine, and bought new products to help alleviate our little man’s Eczema. Here is what I found out, and here are the best remedies that have worked to treat our toddler’s Eczema!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

First things first, what is Eczema?

“The itch that rashes”

-WebMD

Eczema is the umbrella term for several conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy, and inflamed.

The most common type of Eczema is Atopic Dermatitis, which appears as a red itchy rash most commonly found on the arms, legs, and cheeks. According to NationalEczema.org, more than “18 million American adults have atopic dermatitis”, and most of the time, “it begins in the first six months of a baby’s life.” In most cases, atopic dermatitis will improve by age 5 or 6 and will disappear into adulthood, but flareups can still occur. 

Eczema is oftentimes genetic and is not contagious.

What are the symptoms of Eczema in infants and toddlers? 

• Dryness
• Tenderness
• Redness
• Scaly
• Cracked
• Itchiness
• Crusting or oozing
• Circular patches of red or light areas         

Lennox usually has circular patches on his chest and stomach, and he gets little dry bumps all over his body. When he has a flareup, he tried to scratch as his skin nonstop, and several times we have picked him up out of his crib to find blood.

It is heartbreaking to see him uncomfortable, therefore, we have tried many different products and remedies and here is what has worked best to sooth Lennox in the short and long term.

11 Eczema Remedies for Children

1. Know what triggers your child’s eczema.

Each child is different, for some, it could be a food allergy causing an outbreak and for others a reaction to a specific lotion.

For Lennox, the sun and excessive heat are what triggers his eczema. We have spent the majority of our time this summer at the pool or playing outside. His skin has paid the price.

Kids Health has a comprehensive list of triggers that might be causing your baby’s eczema:

• Pollen
• Mold
• Dust
• Animal dander
• Dry winter air
• Skin is too dry
• Certain soaps or detergents
• Certain skin care products
• Tobacco smoke
• Certain foods
• Emotional stress
• Excessive heat
• SweatingIf you are not sure what triggers your child’s eczema, try eliminating some of these products or foods to see if their condition improves. * Children with Eczema are more disposed to skin infections, so if your child is experiencing any of the following, fever, warmth around affected areas, or pus, it is time to give your doctor a visit. Blood and other testing can be done to see if your child is suffering from something more serious.

2. Stay out of the sun/heat/cold for long periods.

 Since the hot weather doesn’t agree with Lennox’s skin, we make sure to limit our time outside each day.

The hot weather and humidity from the summer can exacerbate the itch, so it’s essential to keep body temperatures regulated. Also, sweat is very cumbersome to eczema. If you know Lennox, or myself, we are sweaty, and our thick dark hair only makes us sweat more in the heat.

NationalEczema.Org states:

“human sweat contains trace elements of zinc, copper, iron, nickel, cadmium, lead, manganese, sodium and chloride, the build-up of these chemicals could irritate a person’s eczema, he said. In fact, the areas of the body where moisture accumulates most, such as the insides of the elbows, back of the knees and around the neck, tend to be hot spots for eczema rashes. So, if you sweat through your clothes, you should rinse off with fresh water and change into a new outfit.”

3. Take warm to cold baths.

The colder the bath, the better for your child’s skin because hot water dries out the skin.

 Also, if you are water bugs like Lennox and me, make sure you are bathing your baby immediately after the pool. The chlorine in the pool dries and stresses the skin, so you must bathe your child as soon as you get home. You don’t necessarily have to use soap, but make sure you are rinsing off all of the pool chemicals.

Also, avoid scrubbing or toweling your child during and after bath time. Use a bar of soap to lather your tot gently and when you take him out, pat him try to avoid further irritation.

I highly recommend these microfiber towels. They are very gentle on the toddler and adult skin and are great for frizzy hair as well!

Here is a list of our favorite bath items to alleviate eczema:

• Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Treatment
• TruKid Bubble Podz for Baby– These are awesome bubble bath pods for kids prone to Eczema!
• SheaMoisture Baby Eczema Bar Soap
• Mustela Stelatopia Cleansing Oil – Baby Body Wash for Eczema

4. Moisturize, moisturize and more moisturizing. Did I mention to moisturize?

If you haven’t gotten the gist, dry skin is the issue here. Make sure you are moisturizing your toddler’s skin at least once a day every day — two times during an outbreak. I keep a bottle of moisturizer in my diaper bag, my purse, downstairs, upstairs, well, everywhere so that I don’t forget.

I also make sure to always moisturize before bed so the skin can heal overnight.

And don’t just use any moisturizer. Use unscented moisturizers that are made exclusively for eczema. I have used many delicious-smelling baby lotions that make Lennox smell great but irritate his skin all the more.

Here is list of lotions that I have found to be most useful to combat Lennox’s eczema.  

• Babyganics Eczema Care Skin Protectant 
• Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Nighttime Moisturizing Balm with Colloidal Oatmeal & Ceramide

5.  Avoid scented soaps and detergents.

Great smelling soaps and cleaning products are my favorite, but they do not coincide with eczema because they can cause your skin to burn or itch, or become dry and red. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets as well.

Below is a list of great household products that are eczema friendly. Try them out to see if your baby’s flare-up subsides.

• Seventh Generation Concentrated Laundry Detergent
• Dreft Baby Laundry Detergent
• ATTITUDE Baby Fabric Softener and Detergent

6.  Coconut oil and Aloe Vera

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I heart these two natural products. I have a jar of coconut oil that was halfway gone that I mixed with aloe vera straight from the plant.

What I did was run the jar of remaining coconut oil under hot water to liquidize the coconut oil. Then I scraped the insides out of an Aloe Vera plant put them into the jar and mixed both of the products.

I literally use this on EVERYTHING. I have used it on my stretch marks, sun burns, Lennox’s Ezcema (duh), I have even used it to cure my Yorkshire terrier’s skin allergy. It is a magical, healing potion!

7. Humidifier

Use a humidifier in your child’s room, especially during the winter months, to keep his skin moisturized. We use the Vicks’ humidifier with an added nightlight that projects stars onto the ceiling of your child’s room.

Related: 5 Tips to help your sensitive-sleeper sleep better

9. Keep fingernails short

I need to get better at this, but it is such a battle trying to clip toddler’s nails. However, Lennox would probably have fewer scars from itching if I cut his fingernails more often.

I have also read that putting gloves on your child during the night helps control the itching, but let me know how that goes if you try it, because I know Lennox would throw a fit. He doesn’t even like band-aids on his boo-boos.

10. Avoid aggravating foods

According to Medical News Today:

“For people with eczema, eating certain foods can trigger the body to release immune system compounds that cause inflammation, which, in turn, contributes to an eczema flare-up.” 

If you think your child’s eczema trigger is from food, try implementing an anti-inflammatory diet such a fish or foods high in probiotics.

Avoiding the following foods can help reduce eczema outbreaks.

• Citrus fruits
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Gluten or Wheat
• Soy
• Certain spices- Vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Tomatoes
• Some types of nuts

11. Lots of H2O

Water does wonders for the skin and the body in general. Drinking water will hydrate your toddler’s skin, which, as a result, will alleviate the itch.

I hope our tips help to control your toddler’s eczema. Please comment below with any suggestions or comments that have worked for your child’s or your own eczema.

More health tips for kids:

• Home Remedies for When Your Toddler Has a Case of the Coughs and a Runny Nose
• Toddler Stomach Flu Remedies
• How to bathe baby

The post 11 Tips To Alleviate Your Child’s Eczema Today appeared first on Bilingual Beginnings.

Last week Lennox took his second trip to the dentist, and one of my concerns was confirmed; Lennox has “pacifier teeth.” Pacifier teeth is a consequence from prolonged use of the pacifier. Colgate quotes the following:

“The long-term use of a pacifier influences the shape of the mouth and the alignment of the teeth, because as babies and toddlers mature physically, their jaws grow around anything held inside on a repeat basis.

In fact, overusing pacifiers affects mouth and teeth development in the same way as long-term thumb-sucking, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). As the child’s upper front teeth tip forward, teeth may become crooked and he or she can experience bite problems.”

The American Dental Association mentions passive versus aggressive pacifier/thumb suckers and how it can play a difference in the formation of the mouth. 

Lennox is an aggressive sucker, and he lets you know it when you try to take his monito or llama (the names of his current Wubbanubs) away from him. When you take it out of his mouth, you can hear a pop from his strong suction.

I started noticing a weird formation of his teeth shortly after he got his incisors. At first, I blamed in on genetics; however, as his molars grew in, I knew the pacifier was affecting his mouth formation. The dentist confirmed last week. He told me the sucking is causing his top teeth to be narrower than the bottom and it is something I need to address relatively quickly.  

He continued to advise that me the act of taking away the pacifier is sometimes harder for the parents. As much as I was in complete denial, I am terrified to take away the pacifier because it has been one of our most significant resources in parenthood.

See the following posts to see how the pacifier has benefited Lennox:

• 5 Tips to help your sensitive-sleeper sleep better
• 11 Solutions and Remedies for Reflux in Infants. Help Your Baby Spit Up Less and Sleep Longer
• What is Baby Led Weaning and Why is it Worth It?

Nonetheless, we have narrowed pacifier use to nap time, and bedtime. Lennox asks to be put into his crib at night ready to love all over his Wubbanubs.

Nighttime pacifier use is something we will begin to break after he turns two. *Cue the never-ending tears.* Get ready for your graduation invitations as Lennox ditches his pacis and graduates from babyhood to childhood.  

Lennox, and I obviously have a strong attachment to his pacis; thus I wanted to mention the pros and cons of infant, and toddler pacifier use. Enjoy =)

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

Pros of the Pacifier

1.    Reduces Sudden Infant Death

After a study, The American Association of Pediatrics recommends:

“Therefore, we recommend that pacifiers be offered to infants as a potential method to reduce the risk of SIDS. The pacifier should be offered to the infant when being placed for all sleep episodes, including daytime naps and nighttime sleeps.”

2. Soothes baby and satisfies their suck reflux. 

Lennox used to fuss so bad at the breast that I thought I had no milk supply. It was actually because he was tired and wanting to suck himself to sleep. 

3. Aids Sleep

4. Alleviates infants suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux

5.  Facilitates car/air travel

Lennox hated car rides when he was a baby. He would never fall asleep in the car unless he had his pacifier.  As a toddler, Lennox doesn’t hate car rides, per se, but hates long car rides. Without his pacis, car rides are a nightmare.

6. Facilitates grocery shopping…

or just about anything you need to do outside of the house to avoid bystander stares due to your temper-tantrum-throwing-child. Disclaimer: I am not saying that the paci has some sort of magical powers by any means, but boy can it do wonders when you’re out and about!!

7. Pain Relief

Lennox had a rough time teething. The only thing that alleviated his pain were his pacifiers. It has also helped in other painful/difficult situations, such as after falls, after shots, when he had roseola as in the picture below.

Related: 12 Tips for When Your Toddler Has the Stomach Flu

8. Yelena Moroz Alpert from The Bump states that the pacifier:

“Encourages breastfeeding in mothers with PPD. A new study in the Journal of Human Lactation showed that mothers at high risk for postpartum depression did better with breastfeeding if their baby used a pacifier. Minimizing infant crying is especially important to vulnerable mothers who are easily agitated. As baby learns to self-soothe, Mom gets a little extra time between feedings, making things less stressful. In this case, pacifier use offers emotional support for both mom and baby.

Related: Understanding Colic. Tips on How to Survive the Fourth Trimester

I never saw the correlation between the pacifier and PPD  but looking back now; it absolutely helped me survive breastfeeding through my postpartum depression. If only I wasn’t so stubborn and hadn’t written off the pacifier entirely due to fear of “nipple confusion,” maybe my stay in the hospital wouldn’t have been as traumatic.

9. Avoids early termination of breastfeeding

Thanks to the pacifier, Lennox didn’t use my breast as his own personal sucking device. I think if that would have been the case, I wouldn’t have lasted 11 months that I did. Props to you mamas who have that godly patience to be sucked on all night, but it just wasn’t for me.

The Cons of The Pacifier

1. Dental problems

2. Dependence

Luckily, we are at a point now that Lennox doesn’t obsessively think about his pacifiers, but I remember those days when Lennox (and I) couldn’t survive a day pacifier-less without losing our sanity!

3. Infant sleep issue

Newborn sleep is inconsistent in general; however, when they finally start sleeping a few hour stretches around 2 months, a pacifier dependence will be your worse nightmare. It will pop out all of the time, and your baby isn’t developmentally capable of putting it back in his mouth yet. Be prepared for multiple wake ups because the pacifier has fallen out!

Then, when they are capable of putting it back in their mouth— around six-months or so—your baby will have a hard timet finding his pacifier in his crib at night. Forget about it. One suggestion to counteract this issue is to purchase a Wubbanub which are made to to help stay in a baby’s mouth and to be found easier.

In the picture below, The elephant is serving as a “pacifier, you better not move” prop. Disclaimer: Do not worry. This was during a nap and he was under my constant supervision.

4. Nipple Confusion

Lennox didn’t have nipple confusion, and I’m not so sure I even believe it exists, but see WebMD for specifics.

In my personal opinion, I believe that if you hold off too long from introducing a bottle or pacifier that your baby will only prefer your breast, and will reject any bottle/pacifier. Again, Lennox never once experienced nipple confusion, so don’t take my word. 

Related: The Two Reasons My Baby Is Fussing at the Breast

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you couldn’t tell, I am slightly biased. I love the pacifier. I love seeing his little toddler eyes light up when he can have his pacis, not to mention toddler eyes in general when they have a Paci, and it honestly saved my sanity during my first year of motherhood. 

I would love to hear your experience with the pacifier! Let me know below in the comments. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for the latest updates and motherhood advice. 

The post The Pros and Cons of the Pacifier appeared first on Bilingual Beginnings.