HowTo - Parenting channel

How To make a child's pirate costume

4 Jun 2010 12:09:09

It's every parent's worst nightmare, another fancy dress party for which your child needs something to wear. However it needn’t be so.

How To Breastfeed

4 Sep 2009 09:51:46

Breastfeeding - what you should know. Tips to help both you and baby get the most from it.

How To Create The Best Day Out for You and the Family

4 Sep 2009 09:51:46

In this exclusive video, filmed at the Legoland theme park, celebrity mum Jenny Powell gives some hints on how to create the best possible day out for you and the family. From tips on how to make sure the place you're going to has all the facilities you need to keeping your kids occupied on that agonising car ride, Jenny has all the advice you'll need.

Meet Your Child's Daily Calcium Needs - How To Meet Your Child's Daily Calcium Needs

30 Jan 2009 10:09:55

Being a parent these days isn't easy. Not only do you have to be a chauffeur, a counsellor, a cleaner and an expert chef but now you also have to be a nutritionist as well. Although getting your child to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg every day is important it's not the only factor to consider when it comes to your child's diet. Research by Petits Filous shows that 9 out of 10 parents think their child is getting enough calcium, but parents are unclear how much calcium children actually need. 74% of parents wrongly believing that 2 portions of dairy a day offers sufficient calcium for their child when in fact at least 3 portions of dairy every day will meet calcium needs to help develop strong bones.

If you're worried about whether or not your child is getting enough calcium, then watch our video hosted by Dr Rob Hicks and Yoplait registered dietitian Elphee Medici. They will talk you through ways of making sure your child gets enough bone building calcium in their diet, explaining which foods are good sources of calcium and how easy it is to meet all your child's daily calcium needs through three portions of dairy every day. As well as all this Dr Rob Hicks will also explain the benefits of ensuring your child gets plenty of calcium in their early years as well as hints and tips to help your children develop strong healthy bones.

For more information visit www.calciumeveryday.com

How To Find A School

26 Jan 2009 10:43:32

Finding a school for your children is a big decision and there are many different things to consider. It's a good idea to start gathering information as soon as possible, this way you will have plenty of time to plan visits to schools and ensure all applications are turned in within deadlines. Your local authority is a good place to start gathering information and help you make an informed decision. Most schools will have a prospectus and you can also access Ofsted reports as well as achievement and attainment data which are all readily available. For more information please watch the above video and click through to Directgov's website for further tips.

How To Bottle Feed

30 Jan 2009 10:32:51

Although most mums start off breastfeeding their new babies, it's not an option for everyone. A large number switch to bottle or formula feeding earlier than intended.

Formula milk is usually based on cows milk, but there are many different types on the market, catering for a variety of needs, such as those who are lactose intolerant, of for parents who prefer a dairy-free solution such as soya milk. When you buy formula milk from chemists or supermarkets you'll see that the different types suited to the age of your baby. There are three main types of formula for babies under six months old :

Whey based milks, marketed for babies from birth, with a higher whey content to replicate the ingredients in breast milk.
Casein based milk, usually sold as being appropriate for hungrier babies
Soya formula for babies who can't tolerate cows milk

Discuss your choice of formula with your midwife or health visitor if you have any concerns.

It's vital to remember that ordinary cows milk. Goats milk, condensed milk, dried milk, evaporated milk or any other type of milk should never be given to a baby under 12 months old. Formula milk comes in two main forms – dried powder type, to which you add water, and ready to feed type, usually available in cartons.

Always choose a recognised infant formula, fulfilling government regulations on its nutritional content.

To get started on bottle feeding you'll need the following equipment :

At least six bottles and teats
Sterilising equipment
A brusher/scrubber for cleaning the bottles.

It's very important to keep all feeding equipment clean – you must sterilise between uses for the first six months, because formula fed babies do not get the same protection from infection that breast fed babies do.

Make up each bottle as you need it, following the manufacturers guidelines, so that you get the right proportion of water to formula. Throw away any leftover milk. It's important to ensure you have the right size teat on the bottle for the age of your baby, to control the flow of milk and stop them getting too little or too much at once. When you bottlefeed hold the baby close and tip the bottle so that the teat fills with milk. Make sure there is no air left in the teat, as this may cause uncomfortable indigestion for the baby.

When the baby has had enough, he will let you know. Time to get rid of any wind, after which you should have a happy, perhaps even sleepy baby.

How To Start Weaning A Baby

30 Jan 2009 10:37:12

The milk your baby has been drinking for the first six months of his life is the only nutrition he will have needed. Weaning will progress the baby from a milk based diet to a more substantial range of solid foods.

At about six months, your baby's digestive system should have developed enough so that it can handle foods without developing an allergic reaction. At six months your baby needs more iron and nutrients than they get from breast or formula milk. Watch out for the following signs to suggest that they may be ready for weaning –

They hold their head up and control their head movements
They sit well when supported
They make chewing motions
They have doubled their birth weight
They are still hungry after a milk feed
They wake in the night to be fed, after sleeping through for a period of time
They demand more feeds more often
They show curiosity about what you're eating

Weaning begins with the introduction of various solid foods, such as baby rice, fruit and vegetable purees, using a soft rubber tipped spoon. The Department of Health recommends iron enriched infant rice cereal as a starter food. You can make the baby's food yourself, or there is a large range of pre-prepared foods at the local supermarket and chemist. To begin with solids are given in addition to breast milk or formula, but they will gradually replace the milk as the baby eats more food.

If the food is hot, make sure you test it before giving it to your baby, and stir it well. The general rule is not to force feed your baby. If he doesn't want the food, then try another day.

Finish with a milk feed rather than the other way round, so that the baby will not be too full to be interested in the solids.

There are six useful tips to remember when weaning

Don't rush your baby. They will eat very little at first.
Make sure that you are both relaxed when you start to feed
Feed your baby on your lap or in a high chair
Try to mix any new foods with familiar ones
Go at the baby's pace
Weaning can be a messy business, so put a plastic sheet on the floor, and be prepared to get both your baby's and your own clothes dirty.

At the six month stage, your baby should still be having about 600 mills of breastmilk or formula milk per day. If you are concerned or unsure about when your baby is ready to start weaning, consult your health visitor.

How To Teach a Child To Ride a Bike

30 Jan 2009 10:33:05

There's more to teaching a child to ride a bicycle than running alongside them holding them upright and pushing them until they do it under their own power and coordination.

Start with a bike with removable training wheels. They should be set at a high angle so that the child doesn't get into the habit of leaning to one side. Stabilising wheels will allow them to get used to the pedalling side of things, and how the steering works. When the time comes to removing the training wheels, go to a large, reasonably flat area, such as your local park or common. Ensure your child is kitted out with protective helmet, knee, elbow and wrist pads. Long trousers and gloves can

provide additional protection. The saddle should be low enough so they can be seated with both feet resting comfortably on the ground. Choose a grassy field with a gentle downhill slope of about 30 yards which flattens out.

Go a little way up the hill, and hold the bike while the child gets on. With both feet on the ground you should be able to let go of the bike with nothing happening. Tell your child to lift their feet about one inch off the ground and coast down the hill without pedalling. Try not to hold the bike. As the bike will coast slowly, the cyclist can put his or her feet down if they get scared.

Repeat this until your child feels comfortable coasting. They may want you to run alongside the bike the first few times.

Next let your child put their feet on the pedals and coast down. After a few tries, get them to pedal as they are rolling.

Repeat the coasting/pedalling sequence until they feel comfortable. When they have mastered this level, raise the saddle to try some more coast/pedal runs.

To learn to ride in a straight line, use a flat piece of ground, and start from standstill, with one pedal pointed at the handlebars. This gives them a solid pedal stroke for a smooth start. To help them ride straight, they should look straight ahead.

When it comes to stopping, the child should apply both brakes at once if the bike has front and rear brakes. Using just the front brake may launch the rider over the handlebars.

The key to learning to turn is to do it slowly. Slow down before entering a corner. Use very little steering, keep the inside pedal up and look into the turn. As confidence grows the speed will increase.

Don't expect the leaning process to be crash free. Be ready to comfort and possibly administer the plasters along the way, but riding a bike will soon become second nature.

How To Change A Nappy - How To Change A Nappy

30 Jan 2009 10:33:28

One of the ultimate joys of parenting is undoubtedly nappy changing. It's a skill that can be quickly acquired, and there are a few basic rules to make this unavoidable yet essential daily task a straight forward and relaxed time for both child and parent.

There are basically two main types of nappies - reusable and disposable. The re-usable types can either be foldable, terry towelling squares of the traditional sort, which are pinned or clipped to hold them on, or pre-shaped nappies, which have Velcro fastenings. The preshaped ones can take longer to dry after washing, whereas the towelling squares unfold and dry quite quickly. Your baby can wear waterproof pants over the nappies to stop leakages.

Disposable nappies come in different sizes that reflect the baby's weight. Always follow the manufacturers guidelines when using disposables.

This step by step guide to changing a nappy can help you master the skill. Before you do anything, wash and dry your hands.

Make sure you've got everything you will need close at hand – new nappy, a plastic bag if you're using disposables, safety pins and plastic pants for terry nappies, a liner if you're using the fitted cloth nappies, plus some cream or petroleum jelly.

Lie your baby on his back, preferably on a changing mat or table, which is clean, safe and warm.
Take of the used nappy, fold up if disposable, and place out of your baby's reach.
Gently wipe your baby's nappy area using a baby wipe or with warm water and cotton wool.
Dry the area thoroughly. This is a good time to put on some barrier cream if there is any sign of nappy rash
Lift up your baby's legs using the ankle grab method and slide the clean nappy under it's bottom
If you're using a disposable, the edge with tape fastenings should be at the top level with your baby's waist. , with the absorbent side of the nappy against the skin. If you're using a cloth nappy the widest part should go under the baby's waist.
Bring the bottom edge of the nappy up between the nappy up between your baby's legs
To adjust the fit, stick the tapes on the underneath side to the front of the nappy or use grips or pins to fasten a cloth nappy. Ensure the nappy is neither too tight to cause discomfort for your baby, or too loose so that it falls off easily.

There will be leaks, and the odd lop sided nappy, but soon it will all become second nature for both of you!

How To Potty Train

30 Jan 2009 10:33:39

Timing is one of the key elements in teaching your child to use the potty – start too soon and you may be disappointed. There is no correct age, and all children develop at different speeds. Before your toddler can be trained, they need to recognise the need to go, hang on for a short time until they get to the potty and pull their clothing up or down.

Few toddlers are properly potty trained by the age of 2, and most children are older than this. Many three to four year old will have accidents from time to time. If you leave the training a little later, the child is more mature, and the whole training process will only take a few days. Of course there are many different models on the market, and some children prefer using the child toilet seat instead. You will need to buy a small step to make it easier.

At about the 15-18 month stage, introduce your child to the potty. It should be left in the bathroom, so they can sit on it for fun. If a

child can see other children using the potty, all the better.

From the age of two, sit your child on the potty from time to time, and give them lots of praise if anything happens! If you know when your child regularly goes to the loo each day, chose this time to sit them on the potty. Allow some nappy free time at home, and if its warm enough let them run around, and remind them to tell you when they need the potty.

Children are bound to have accidents, which should be cleaned up. Tell them where the poo or wee should go next time. If your child sits on a toilet seat, they may want you to hold them as extra support.

They won't be able to wipe their own bottom for some time, and will need help with this delicate skill.

A few tips to help you succeed –

Buy some trainer or pull up nappies that look like pants – they get the child used to wearing pants, and are useful in the nearly dry stage, night times or times away from home.
Dress your child in loose trousers that can be pulled down more easily.
Teach boys to use the potty sitting down at first. Standing up comes later on.
Stay calm when accidents happen. The children will sense the tension, and this may delay the training process.

Before long, nappies and accidents will be a thing of the past.

How To Bath a Baby

30 Jan 2009 10:33:50

In this step by step guide, we'll tell you how often you should bath your baby, where you should do it, as well as adding some great tips on the best way to give your baby a bath.

First of all, you'll need to choose a bath from the many models on sale. Small plastic baby baths for new born babies have the advantage of not requiring you to kneel or lean awkwardly beside your baby, with less control over its movements. Some baby baths come with stands to raise the height to a manageable level. You'll also need some gentle soap and shampoo designed specially for babies, a soft cloth and a soft towel afterwards. Do not use strong cleansers, which can damage the skin of newborn babies. If your baby has nappy rash, have some cream on hand for afterwards.

A daily bath isn't really necessary for a small baby – how often you do it is up to you.

When washing between baths, concentrate on the face first, then the genital area. When your baby is having a bath, its important to hold it with a good grip,

especially if it is soapy and slippery. Most babies find warm water very soothing.

To make bath time one of the most enjoyable parts of a baby's (and your) day, follow this step by step guide

Assemble all the bath accessories within easy reach. You don't want to move away from the baby when the bath is underway.
Make sure that the room is warm and the bath temperature is comfortable – warm but not hot. The elbow in the water test is a good guide – if it feels comfortable to you, it will be acceptable for the baby for newborns and babies up to six months old, fill the bath with about 5 inches of water enough to let your baby settle and cover its shoulders. Never fill the bath more than waist high in sitting position for older children.
Bring your baby to the bath and undress them completely
Gently slip your baby into the bath, using one hand to support its neck and head.
Use the soap sparingly as you wash the baby with your hand from top to bottom, front to back. Wash the scalp with a wet soapy cloth, and use moistened cotton wool to clean eyes and face. A routine wash is all that's necessary for the genitals. Dab away any dried mucus that has collected in the baby's nostrils or eyes. Rise your baby thoroughly with a clean flannel. Lift gently out the bath and wrap your baby in a towel and pat them dry. This is the time to apply lotion or cream if there is any nappy rash. Once dry, put on a nappy and the clothes, and you have one dry, clean happy baby.