How to stop your children from becoming picky eaters

Growing up, my sister hated tomatoes. She would do anything to avoid eating tomatoes, including hiding them in her napkin, shoving them onto my plate or simply just sitting there and refusing to eat them.

Not surprisingly, my parents didn't like any of these choices. I remember her sitting at the table long after dinner just looking at the tomatoes. She was very stubborn and eventually my parents came up with a new family rule. We could have one food that we didn't have to eat. Immediately, my sister picked tomatoes and the battles between my parents with my sister's aversion were over.

The "one food choice" worked for my parents because my sister really only didn't like one thing. But how do you cure children when the list of foods they don't like could fill a whole book?

If your mealtimes are full of phrases like, "I'm not going to eat that", "I don't like that" or a personal favorite, "ew ... what is that? It smells funny!" don't despair. There's a way you can encourage your kids to eat their food (without forcing them to finish everything off their plate). Just start with family dinners.
Family dinners

A lot of food anxiety come to kids who eat alone. When it's just them and the food, it becomes a face-off for the child and that's why they work so hard to win. Making family dinner can be hard with varying work schedules, late nights and short tempers. Sometimes you can't find the time to sit down and eat with your children, but for the sake of your kids (and their palate), it needs to happen.

Community meals let your kids learn from you example. When they see you eating the food, they themselves are more likely to eat it without complaint. Plus, it give the whole family a chance to connect and communicate - something that doesn't happen enough. Use these tips to help make family dinner happen in your house:

1. Start with once a week

Sometimes schedules really don't allow you all to sit down together every day but you can at least start by eating together at least once a week.

Dinners are a time that you all can sit down, put your phones away and talk about what is happening in everyone's lives. Hopefully, when you are all sitting down they will be too involved talking and laughing to really notice what they are eating, something Ashley McGuire (mother and Institute for Family Studies writer) experienced firsthand: "This past August, I watched in awe as my normally picky eater casually ate everything on her plate. She was sitting at a picnic table, lakeside in northern Michigan, surrounded by five or six other cousins her age. They were all so busy giggling and talking, they barely noticed what they were eating."

2. Cook together

Allow the children to help make the dinner - it'll help turn the meal into an event. You can try new recipes and get the kids excited to cook with you each night. Plus, your children will be excited to eat something they helped to make. Mother Noelle Howey used this technique (and a few others, courtsey of Real Simple) to help solve the picky-eater problem in her home, with (mostly great) success.

3. Sit at a table

When we are in a rush, we tend to eat at the kitchen counter or around the TV. Instead, turn off electronics and gather around the table. The important part of family dinner is to sit down, have your children be able to look at you and your spouse and join in on the conversation. Having everyone feel included can help your kids voice their concerns about life (and about foods they might not like) and work towards a solution as a family.

Hopefully, if you eat together, your kids will be less likely to be picky about the food that you make them. Eating together will also strengthen your family relationships making this a win-win situation.

5 serious questions to ask yourself before having children

Have you ever saw an infant or small child and thought to yourself, "Aww, isn't he/she adorable?"

Let's admit it, we all tend to get caught up in the cuteness overload on our social media timelines from time to time. The thought of a baby may have crossed your mind, and you may be deciding to embark upon the land of no return called parenthood. Or perhaps you weren't planning on becoming a parent, but unexpectedly, you did.

Nonetheless, deciding to create and bring a life into this world is a lifelong commitment that requires some deep thought and planning. And while children are both adorable and cute, they are individuals you will have to raise, teach, guide, monitor and support until they are able to take care of themselves.

So if you are considering adding to or expanding your family, here are a few questions to ask yourself before taking the plunge:

1. Have you lived or experienced life?

Once kids pop on the scene, any free time that you have or think you have is non- existent. You are catering to their every cry, whimper and move. You are shackled to them until further notice. Autonomy as you know it is gone.

Many of the pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned with young women in their 20s representing the majority of the group. Early adulthood is that critical time for self-discovery and self-growth.

As a young adult, or adult of any age, there may be things that you want to experience and accomplish prior to parenthood.

Regardless of what it is that you would like do or accomplish, it's important to allow those experiences to manifest. It will help shape you into the individual you are meant to be and, in turn, you will be able use the knowledge and life lessons to create a meaningful environment for your child when you decide to have one.

2. Are you financially stable to have children?

Everything comes at a cost and children are no exception. The cost to raise a child from birth to age 17 is approximately $233,610.

Yes. Six figures, and that's only for one child.

There are many costs associated with raising children, which include and are not limited to, housing, healthcare, education and childcare.

With that said, you have to evaluate your current situation. What does your financial situation look like? Do you have anything in savings? Any investments? Are you receiving the salary that you want? Are you struggling to make ends meet?

Assessing your financial preparedness will help you to better understand the quality of life that you will not only provide for yourself but for your future offspring.

3. Are you mentally and emotionally ready to have kids?

Having children is one of the most drastic life-changing events you could experience. You suddenly go from having to worry only about yourself to fully being responsible for another human being. This individual relies solely on you for their survival and existence.

This requires a mature mindset and attitude towards every decision regarding your child. It's understanding and fully processing your new life as a parent and how your choices impact your child.

Raising children brings on a whole new level of stress that you may not be ready to handle. Being a parent is a nonstop, demanding role that requires tremendous amounts of sacrifice. It is a dominant role that takes priority over every aspect of your life. It is an immediate and permanent lifestyle change.

4. Are there any genetic concerns?

It is important to understand and know if there are any genetic concerns in your family's medical history. Some families may have a medical history of diseases such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, which result from genetic disorders.

If there are any concerns regarding what you and the other parent are passing down to your offspring, a doctor can administer a genetic carrier screening test prior to your pregnancy. This helps access your child's risks for many genetic disorders that can affect their quality of life.

Knowing this information will also help potential parents make an informed decision regarding having a child and the options available in the event there are genetic risks for your future offspring.

5. Who will help you raise your children?

The family structure in today's society comes in many forms. Though two-parent households are still the predominant environment for approximately 73.7 million U.S. children, single parent households still round up 23 percent of the population.

Consider who will be in your child's center of influence. Will grandparents and family members be involved? Will you plan to marry or remarry in the future if you're a single parent?

The saying "it takes a village" holds true to the cultivation and growth of a child. Every person that is in immediate contact with your child will have an effect on them whether it is positive or negative.

It will be up to you as the parent to decide what type of support you will need to create the ideal environment for your child's success.

These are just a few serious topics to consider when contemplating the idea of parenthood. Other factors to consider revolve around your lifestyle preferences, family structure and even around your own stability and well-being.

Just like with any other important decision, careful consideration and planning are key. Once the a child is here, there is no turning back.

What are other things have you have considered before entering the world of parenthood?

6 ‘compliments’ that are actually damaging your daughter

Of course you want your daughter to know how fantastic she is! But there's a right and a wrong way to go about it. Without even realizing it, you may be sending harmful messages to your daughter even when you're trying to praise her. Here are six phrases you think are compliments that are actually damaging your daughter.

1. You're a good girl

It can be easy to start attaching morals to actions, but it can also be damaging to your daughter's sense of self. For example, getting a good grade on a test doesn't make her "good."

Instead, choose to praise specific actions. When she comes home and tells you she got a great grade on her test, don't say, "Good girl." Say instead, "You worked so hard studying for that test."

2. Wow! You're so good at that! (artificially)

If she comes home with scribbles, don't tell her it's a masterpiece. If her voice sounds like a goat, don't tell her she sounds like an angel. This doesn't mean being mean, but you should also avoid giving your daughter compliments that are dishonest. Over time, this can corrode her trust when you give her a genuine compliment and set her up to believe she's successful in areas that aren't her strong suits.

Instead, find something true to compliment your daughter on. For instance, tell her you love the colors she chose in her scribbly masterpiece and that you love the way she smiles when she sings.

3. Boys are going to love her sass

First of all, she's way too young for that kind of thing - so let's not go there.

But also, this "compliment" is teaching her to value herself in terms of male approval. Instead, teach her the only person who needs to love her sass is herself.

4. You're good at math for a girl

Basically, any compliment attached to the phrase "for a girl" is unacceptable.

While some stereotypes about males and females do stand up, more often they are propagated simply by our belief that they're true.

We need to stop that cycle. One of the ways you can make a difference in your daughter's life is by not assuming that her gender limits her in any way. This means you should never compliment her with reference to her gender.

5. You're so cute when you're mad

This compliment is sending your daughter multiple bad messages. First of all, you're telling her that her tantrum is acceptable, which it's not.

On the other hand, you're also negating her emotions. Even though her frustrations are probably about something that is minuscule from your perspective, always recognize that they mean the world to her.

She needs to grow up recognizing that her emotions are valid. It's OK - and important - for her to feel things, but she needs to learn how to appropriately manage her emotions.

6. You're so skinny

Being thin does not equate beauty, so let's not define it that way. Praising your daughter for having a little body sets her up to drink up all the damaging body image propaganda that is surely already seeping into her life. Avoid commenting on her weight completely.

9 tips you've never heard of for getting baby to bed

When my son was born, I heard all kinds of theories about how I could get him to sleep better at night. By the time he was 3 months old, I was desperate for sleep and still hadn't slept for longer than three hours straight at night. A friend of mine gave me the book, "Babywise" but I was terrible at keeping a consistent schedule. Another friend told me I should let him cry-it-out (CIO) but I hated hearing him cry. I also found I hadn't the patience to rock him back to sleep every time he woke. Here are 5 reasons to get your child to bed on time.

Eventually, I realized that for some babies struggling with sleeping is just normal. But there are also some strategies that can help ease their sleep difficulties. I'm guessing most readers have heard of setting up bedtime routines and the importance of putting the baby down drowsy but awake. So the following are some less well-known tips to supplement whatever efforts you'll already making to sleep train your baby.

1. Warm the crib with a warm towel

What might be bothering your baby is the cold of his sheets after the warmth of your arms. Doctors discourage parents from using blankets for at least a year after birth. Instead, doctors suggest warm pajamas or swaddling. You could also try running a towel through the dryer and setting it on the sheets for a few minutes before bed. Be sure you remove it before lying your little one down to sleep.

2. Keep the room dust free

Is your baby struggling with nasal congestion at night? It might be because of allergens present in the room. Little babies are primarily nose breathers and won't sleep well when their nasal passages are inflamed. Dust frequently and remove fuzzy blankets and animals that might attract dust to help baby sleep better.

3. Switch between mom and dad for bedtime routines

This way, if Mom is busy it won't be traumatic to the baby to be put to sleep by Dad. Plus, moms tend to spend more time with babies and have more chances for bonding. Bedtime can be a good chance for dad and baby to have one-on-one interactions, which will help build a stronger relationship.

4. Practice daytime mellowing

When you have a bad day, don't you find you tend to sleep worse that night? The same goes for babies. Cuddle and soothe your baby as often as you can during the day and they'll be less irritable at bedtime. Plus, you'll have a happier daytime baby.

5. Try "fathering down."

I'd never heard of this until recently, but I can testify of its truthfulness. Some nights when my son gets really riled up, it seems only his dad can soothe him to sleep. Fathering down is the technique of the father nestling the baby on his chest, resting his chin on the baby's head. Dad then hums, sings, or makes shushing sounds, which resonate at a deeper level than mom's voice reaches. The vibration, then, is what eases baby to sleep.

6. Be flexible

Just because one technique worked for your previous baby doesn't mean it will work for your new one. And just because one method worked one night doesn't mean it will work the next. Change up the routine, the way you rock or how much you feed your baby whenever your tried-and-true methods cease being effective.

7. Use a variety of sleep associations

This way, your baby won't come to rely on one way of falling asleep. Switch up your strategies between rocking, feeding, driving and singing baby to sleep and they won't come to need any one particular method of soothing.

8. Check your baby's bedtime

Are you putting her to bed too early? Too late? Move bedtime in one direction or the other by half an hour and see what the result is.

9. Provide time for practice

If you never allow your baby to try falling asleep on his own, you can't expect him to get the hang of it very quickly. A few cold turkey nights of putting him down to see what he does is not allowing him to practice. Slowly easing off your presence or the amount of time you rock him will help accustom him to going to bed on his own. Of course, this isn't entirely necessary. Some parents prefer holding and rocking their babies every night, enjoying every moment of babyhood, and that is just fine, too. No child is still being rocked to sleep when they graduate from high school.

My baby didn't sleep through the night until he was 7 and a half months old and it didn't seem to have anything to do with what I did when he suddenly slept for a glorious eight hours straight. The main thing new moms should realize is these first sleepless months don't last forever. Enjoy rocking and holding your little one while you can so you can cherish these memories when they're grown.

Baby wet wipes are taken off the market because they are harmful and dangerous

Any parent will be the first to tell you that wet wipes are a life saver. Not only are they great helpers for changing your baby's diapers, but many moms always have them on hand for messy "emergencies." Used to wipe down sticky fingers, sticky faces and sticky countertops, you make sure you're never out of wet wipes around your house.

However, you may want to rethink the safety of your favorite helper. While you may think you can't live without them, it's important to know that the frequent use of wet wipes can cause severe health risks to your child.

A revealing study

Mary Wu Chang, associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, conducted a major study revealing the danger that hides in the daily use of wet wipes. In her research, she found that several types of rashes (and other reactions) in children weren't caused by an allergy - they were caused by wet wipes.

Here's the real problem

According to Dr. Wu Chang, a commonly found preservative is the culprit behind the health problems caused by wet wipes. In a report by CBS News, Chang found that the preservativemethylisothiazolinone (MI) is to blame. MI is used in a wide variety of personal care products, cosmetics and home products. Things like shampoo, soap and household paints commonly contain MI.

Her study found that most wet wipes also contain this product along with another preservative called methylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI. Over time, researchers discovered that this combination of MI and MCI was a clear cause of allergic skin reactions. Health institutions then caused companies to stop combining these type preservatives to help reduce risk.

As a result, manufacturers relied on MI as a single preservative, based on the belief that it was less likely to cause an allergic reaction. However, several chidren have been diagnosed with an MI allergy in recent years.
Should I stop using wet wipes?

If you can't imagine parenting without wet wipes, pay attention to the ingredients in the brand you buy. Opt to purchase wipes that contain a minimum number of preservatives and pay attention to how your baby's skin reacts to these wipes. Additionally, try to use substitutes when possible - a damp paper towel can be just as effective as a wet wipe in some situations.

10 signs he's going to be the best dad ever

Choosing your forever partner isn't just about how you get along with him - you also consider what kind of dad he'll be for your future children. If he does these 10 things, you can be sure that he's not only going to be a great father, he's going to be the best dad ever.

1. He's great with other people's kids

Whether it's his nieces and nephews or your own younger siblings, the way he interacts with other people's children is a good sign of how he'll act with his own in the future. When he comforts his crying niece or wrestles with your brothers, you know he'll be doing the same loving things in the future with your kids.

2. He prioritizes you

A man who puts his wife first knows how to order his priorities. Once the two of you start having kids, you know they'll also be on the top of his priority list.

3. He points out cute babies in public

When you're at the grocery story and he fawns over the adorable baby in front of you in line, you know you've snagged a great future dad. You can already tell he'll adore your future kiddos.

4. He isn't afraid to hug it out

If your man is comfortable with hugging it out and giving verbal praise, he'll be able to give your kids the affection they need.

5. He's patient

Patience is perhaps the greatest virtue a parent can have, because your kids will put it to the test almost every moment of the day (and night). If he keeps his patience with you when you're having a rough day, he'll most likely keep his patience when the kids are bouncing off the walls.

6. He can go with the flow

Life with kids doesn't follow a rigid schedule. If he's able to bend the rules occasionally now, he'll be a great dad who'll make breakfast for dinner and let them stay up late reading their new comic book. Of course, he'll help you enforce family rules too, but he'll also focus on making lasting memories for your kids.

7. He's playful

One of the best playmates a kid can have is their dad. If he's playful with you now, he'll be down on all fours playing horse for your delighted child cowboy one day.

8. He's not afraid to get dirty

There's no denying it - parenthood is a dirty job. Your hardworking man knows he'll handle the spit up, dirty diapers and constant messes like a champ.

9. He makes you feel loved

If he expresses his love to you often through words and actions, your future children will have a great and loving father.

10. He's the type of man you'd want your son to become

Your husband is going to be one of the top role models for your future children. If your husband reminds you a lot of who you'd want your son to grow up to be, he's going to make a wonderful daddy.

It's comforting to know your loving sweetheart will also be a loving father in the future. Share with your love if you think they'll be the best dad ever.

Don't have a baby until you know the answers to these 14 questions

Oh, imagine that little bundle of joy, all warm and soft and baby-smelling. Bringing a little person into your family is an exciting and wonderful experience. However, it comes with a lot of responsibility. You may never feel ready to carry that load, but there are some conversations that you and your spouse need to have to ensure you are successful at this whole parenting thing.

Here are 14 questions to consider (with your spouse) as you go about growing your family:

1. How do our fights end?

The amount you and your spouse fight isn't necessarily an indicator of the strength of your relationship. However, the way you end your fights is a good indicator. If you want to understand if your relationship is healthy enough to accommodate a dependent person, evaluate how your fights end. If fights with your spouse end with forgiveness, solutions, compromise and understanding, it's a good indicator that you are ready to face the new challenges that come with having a baby.

2. What do "mom" and "dad" mean to you?

There are so many different kinds of parenting styles out there. Do you believe in free-range parenting or do you value a more disciplined style? Before having a baby, get on the same page with your partner about what your definitions of parenting are.

3. Will we circumcise our boy?

This is a decision that you and your spouse need to make together, and there's a lot to consider. What are the health concerns? How do your religious beliefs play into it? Should you make this big decision on your child's behalf?

4. How do we handle new experiences?

New experiences tend to force us out of our comfort zones (for better or for worse). Take a look at how you and your spouse react when faced with a new experience. For example, try going to Xenses where you'll journey through ecosystems without your sense of sight, experience flight like a bird and try to wrap your mind around optical illusions such as a street that's flat but looks like you're walking uphill. Experiencing new things together will prepare you for the grand new experience of parenting.

5. How often do we laugh?

Any parent will tell you that a parent has got to have a good sense of humor. Make sure you two have developed the ability to see the beauty in frustrating situations.

6. What's our support system like?

It really does take a village to raise a child, so take stock of your village. Do you have family and friends you can go to for advice and support as you parent your kid? As you make the decision to have a child, work on developing your community of people.

7. What religion or belief-system will you raise your child on?

It goes without saying that, when it comes to raising your child, you and your spouse need to support the same core values. For instance, if you are teaching your child to pray while your spouse is teaching him that there is no God, you are setting your little one up for a lot of confusion. Outline together what values are important to pass on to your child.

8. What will we do for child care?

You need to take inventory of how your child will be cared for. Will one of you stay at home full time? Will you put your little one in day care? Take a look at your options to decide the best way to make sure your child is cared for.

9. How will we make time for ourselves as a couple after we have a child?

Having a baby is going to change your relationship with your partner no matter what. (In so many good ways.) But adding another person to your family means the ways you spent time with each other before are going to be different. Create a plan to make sure you don't neglect quality time with your partner once you have a child. Maybe you need to plan weekly date nights, morning rituals or regular parents-only vacations.

10. How will we discipline our child?

Without explicitly having this conversation you may think that you and your spouse are on the same page when it comes to discipline and realize too late that you haven't yet come to a consensus. Before your child is born, decide together where you stand when it comes to spanking, timeout, privilege loss, conversations and other methods of discipline.

11. What will our sex life look like after having a child?

Changes in your body and lifestyle will inevitably affect your sex life. Take some time to consider these effects so that you can continue to have thriving intimate relations.

12. How will we share baby responsibilities?

Is one of your going to be on diaper duty while the other is in charge of bathtime? Or maybe you'll switch off days. Decide how you are going to share the added responsibilities of a little baby in your world so that you are adequately supporting each other.

13. Should we co-sleep?

Some parents feel strongly against co-sleeping (afraid of squishing the baby, don't believe in sharing a bed with children, etc.) or for it (easier for breast-feeding, sync sleeping schedules, etc.). Talk about this issue so that you and your spouse are on the same page.

14. Are we financially capable of providing for a child?

You don't have to be rich to have a child, but you might need to examine your funds and reallocate spending to accommodate your child's needs.

6 things you and your husband should be doing in front of your kids to teach them about love

Every parent knows that children learn by example. Your kids carefully watch what you do and mimic your actions - they clap when you clap and they smile when you smile. So when you want your child to know how to love and to receive love, you show them.

Here are six things you and your husband should be doing in front of your kids to teach them about love:


1. Kiss each other

This could simply be some sweet, light pecks here and there. Growing up, I hated when my parents kissed in front of me. It was so gross. It wasn't until my teenage years when I had a friend over, who said to me, "I've never seen my parents kiss each other."

I made a joke about it, telling her how jealous I was of her, but secretly it made me sad. I knew my parents loved each other and I never worried about their relationship. I felt secure with my family because I knew I had parents who loved each other.

2. Laugh together

Let your child learn that it's OK to not take things so seriously. Let them see how much fun love can be. Teach them that a sense of humor can be one of the most attractive traits in someone. Not only can this teach your children about future relationships, but it shows them how happy their mommy and daddy are together.

3. Do things for each other

While your husband is at work, tell your kids "we're going to do something nice for daddy," and make a yummy treat. (Or tidy up the house.) Your child will be so excited to be a part of doing something nice and they'll also learn that love is about service.

4. Go on dates

I know it's hard sometimes to leave your kids at home and go on a date but when you can make date nights a regular part of your child's routine, it will be easier for them when you leave. Be sure to explain to your children that you and daddy are going on a date, so they will come to understand that you two are spending time together as a couple. When your children are starting romantic relationships of their own, they will have a strong example of how important dating is when it comes to marriage.

5. Comfort one another

Teach your children that it's OK to have bad days ... and show them that bad days are a little better when they're with someone they love. Don't be afraid to show physical comfort or give words of encouragement to your spouse so your children know how to comfort those they love later on.

6. Work together

You two are a team and your children need to be able to see that. Work together and contribute equally with chores around the house and with other activities. Teach your child that love is a partnership.

We all dream of our children having a fairy tale love story of their own. Help them get that dream little by little by setting an example every day.

7 Ways For A New Dad To Bond With Baby

Everyone knows the bond between a mother and her baby is intense, a bond of pure love and necessity. Many times new dads can feel left out of the bonding experience, creating tension in the relationship and leading to feelings of inadequacy. You can't make breast milk on demand, but there are other ways you can be involved with your bundle of joy. Dad glow extends beyond dirty diapers and late night feedings when mom is catching up on zzz.

Here are 7 ways you can feel more involved and increase your paternal satisfaction — and glow like mama does.

1.Skin to skin

Baby is happiest when connecting skin-to-skin with mom or dad. His temperature, heart, and breathing rates will be more consistent, and his blood sugar more stable. It also allows baby to get familiar with your scent and your heartbeat becomes a soothing beat for the little one. Spend time bonding, lounge around in your boxers and let baby rest on your chest while you're watching TV (just be sure it's not the playoffs — you don't want to startle the baby!).

2.Play games

Make silly faces, play peek-a-boo, sing songs, for baby. Set aside regular time for baby, whether it's after work or in the morning. Appoint a special time that's just for you and the little one, so as baby grows, this special bonding time becomes part of the daily routine.

3. Glow time

Glow time is an important concept that I introduce through my book,  Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy. It's all about taking personal time to lavish yourself and shine! While mom is taking some alone time to shine and do what she loves, you can have glow time with your baby. This could be a bath time ritual where you shut off phones and dim the lights and enjoy a nice soak with baby, or baby massage using a nice jojoba oil or calendula baby cream to rub your little one with soothing hands- relaxing baby and preparing for bedtime so you and mom can have some glow time of your own. Or hit the streets a nice walk outside or a mild hike with baby in a carrier, babies love the stimulation of being outside in the comfort of your arms.

4.Take charge

Mom may like things done a certain way and may even school you on how to handle certain tasks when it comes to baby like how to warm a bottle, change a diaper, comfort your baby, etc. But you will develop your own way of doing these things. Rather than let mom step in and "correct you" and show you repeatedly how to do it her way, just keep practicing and you will learn your own technique and shortcuts for newborn care. Communicating that you are fine with handling baby and taking the initiative without having to be asked is always great too. It gives you more one-on-one time with baby too.

5.Slay your checklists

Mom will have a list of things that need to get done and feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to get through the list. Ask her to delegate some of those tasks to you so you can complete them. Men like to "fix" things and get things done, be productive, etc. When you are able to satisfy her needs and help reduce her stress load by checking off some of her to-do-list she will be thrilled- and when mom is happy, everyone is happy. This also satisfies your desire to feel needed, believe me, she needs and wants you around, although she may be madly in love with a new man who's 7 pounds 11 ounces and 20 inches long.

6.Keep it movin'

Babies are used to movement because of moms' hips moving when they were still in the womb. They feel soothed by movement and grow to have fun with it as well. Whether you're doing baby bench presses with your infant, or daddy dance party getting baby to giggle while you're moving him around is great. Movement also helps increase baby's muscle tone, and trains baby's proprioceptors — his sense of self in relation to space.

7.Find dad posse

Find other cool dads who share a similar philosophy, have kids the same age or just provide a listening ear. You may just need to bond with other men who are going through what you are. Having a sense of community and knowing that you are not alone is key. Being a new father can be an isolating experience but certainly doesn't have to be.

Whether you are a new dad or a veteran in the baby game, it's always good to learn some new tips to sharpen your skills, build your confidence, and boost your bond with baby.

Why crying babies are so hard to ignore

Ever wondered why it is so difficult to ignore the sound of a crying baby when you are trapped aboard a train or aeroplane? Scientists have found that our brains are hard-wired to respond strongly to the sound, making us more attentive and priming our bodies to help whenever we hear it – even if we're not the baby's parents.

"The sound of a baby cry captures your attention in a way that few other sounds in the environment generally do," said Katie Young of the University of Oxford, who led the study looking at how the brain processes a baby's cries.

She scanned the brains of 28 people while they listened to the sound of babies and adults crying and sounds of animal distress including cats meowing and dogs whining.

Using a very fast scanning technique, called magnetoencephalography, Young found an early burst of activity in the brain in response to the sound of a baby cry, followed by an intense reaction after about 100 milliseconds. The reaction to other sounds was not as intense. "This was primarily in two regions of the brain," said Young. "One is the middle temporal gyrus, an area previously implicated in emotional processing and speech; the other area is the orbitofrontal cortex, an area well-known for its role in reward and emotion processing."

Young and her colleague, Christine Parsons, presented their findings this week at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in New Orleans.

The study suggests there is something special about the way baby sounds are processed by the brain, said Young. The fact that there was activity in the emotional areas of the brain could mean that the sound of a baby's cries are tagged as important even before our brains have had a chance to fully process them.

None of the study participants was a parent or had any particular experience of looking after babies, yet they all responded in the same way, after 100 milliseconds, to the baby cries. "This might be a fundamental response present in all of us, regardless of parental status," said Parsons.
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The researchers also investigated how a baby's cry might subconsciously affect a person's behaviour as a result of activation of the sub-cortical areas of the brain. These are among the brain's most primitive parts and are important in controlling behaviours such as the fight-or-flight response and other responses that keep us alive in dangerous situations.

Parsons tested whether a baby cry somehow switched on such survival responses by asking volunteers to play a game of whack-a-mole, before and after listening to various sounds including babies, adults and animals in distress.

"They were faster and more accurate after listening to the infant vocalisations. It's almost like we have this improvement in our effort for motive performance immediately after listening to vocalisations that might facilitate care-giving behaviour," said Parsons.

She added that this subconscious switching of the body into alert mode could explain why a baby crying on a plane can be particularly problematic for anyone who is not the parent. "When you hear a baby on a plane, you're immediately alert, even if you don't want to hear it," said Parsons. "It's a sound that's very difficult to ignore."

JD Roberto Top 10 Things Every New Dad Should Know

1. You’ll sometimes think you made a huge mistake.

It’s normal every now and then to secretly wonder why you ever had a kid in the first place. Forgive yourself these occasional moments of self-doubt and, from time to time, let yourself mourn your pre-parenthood life. These moments will be short-lived.

2. Babies + Travel = Not the mess you’d expect.

Most people are intimidated by the idea of boarding a plane with an infant, but this is, in fact, the best time to hit the road. At three months old, a bottle or boob is all that's required to keep them entertained. They have few needs and fewer opinions, so there's no difference (for them) between Cozumel and Cleveland. Go get a tan while you still can.

3. Buy a rechargeable, cordless hand vacuum.

Much of your time will be spent getting things off the floor. At first, it will be all manner of bodily fluids, but soon enough, you're going to be dealing with everything from Cheerios to banana slices. Later, the list will grow to include things like glitter, dirt, forgotten bacon and pretty much anything that can be shredded by small hands. And the clunky upright is too annoying to drag out four times a day.

4. It's perfectly acceptable to make an entire dinner in the microwave. That’s it.

5. Act like a grown-up.

One of the most heartbreaking sights is that of a parent and their young child in a shouting match trying to see who can out-tantrum the other. Children are an endless source of joy, but only when they're not being an endless source of frustration. Breathe deeply and never let yourself escalate to the level of irrational fury that your little one occasionally inhabits. A two-year-old has the right to act like a child; you do not.

6. Accept all offers to babysit. Repeatedly.

There's a weird lag time between when a child is ready to be left with someone (which is pretty much once they can bottle-feed or go four hours between nursing) and when the parents are ready to leave them (which is often much later). Fatigue and frustration are cumulative, and you need a break long before you realize you need one. Your wife may (or may not) protest, but do your best to talk her into letting you take her out on a brief date. Everything looks more manageable and more joyful after a good meal and a glass of wine.

7. Hand-me-downs are more than okay.

Not only are secondhand baby things easier on the wallet and the environment, it’s a lot less agonizing when you find yourself on the fourth outfit of a craptastic kind of day (which, trust me, you will).

8. Make time for the other relationships in your life.

Not only is it important for your child to know there's more to the world than you catering to their every need, but you're also teaching them a very important lesson about what it means to have a full, loving life. Seeing you in the role of good friend or devoted spouse is a way for your kids to learn what it means to actually be a good friend or devoted spouse.

9. There's no such thing as using too many wipes.

There's no prize for using every last corner of a towelette, and it's shockingly difficult to get the smell of baby crap off your hands. At three cents per sheet, everybody's hygiene and gag reflex are well-served by the generous and preemptive use of wipes.

10. You're not the “backup parent.” You're a father.

You’re a full, equal partner in turning a small, fragile sack of fluid and bones into a loving, decent, healthy citizen of the Universe. Never let the fact that other people aren't sure what to do with a man between conception and Little League fool you into thinking that you're anything less than critical to every step of the process. Be informed, aggressively involved and as in love as you're capable of letting yourself be.

Caring for Baby Ingrown Toenails

It always amazes me how fast baby toenails grow. Didn't I trim them the other day? Yes. And they need to be trimmed. Again. Your baby's toenails may need some special attention from time to time. You also need to be mindful of ingrown toenails which can be very painful for your baby.

Does My Baby Have an Ingrown Toenail?

Most often you'll see an ingrown toenail develop on the big toe, but any piggy can fall prey.

What happens is that the edge of the toenail begins to grow into the skin. That area of the toe will become red, swollen, and may ooze some unpleasant discharge.

Your baby will indicate that the toe is none too comfy by crying when the toe is touched or has pressure placed on it. He may suddenly begin to hate his shoes, pull at his toes, or if he is ​walking, may limp or cry out.
What Causes Baby Toenails to Become Ingrown?

Ingrowns happen more often when nails become too long or if the toenail tends to grow or curve down at the tip of the toe. Additionally, stubbing the toe or wearing socks or baby shoes which are too tight can cause ingrowns.

How Do I Treat the Ingrown Nail?

It is always easier to tend to toe and fingernails which have been soaking in warm water. The warm water can also be a pain soother, so letting your baby splash around for about 10 minutes in gently warm, soapy water is a big help.

Afterward, pat it try and apply a smidge of over-the-counter antibiotic cream. You may want to try this a few times a day.

You can also try to gently file the nail away from the skin. If you can, use your own fingernail or a blunt manicure tool to gently lift the nail up and apply a very small piece of sterile gauze underneath.

Be sure to change the gauze frequently throughout the day. If it is a wrestling match to get your baby to sit still for it, try it when he is asleep.

If you sense your baby is in a great amount of pain, you can give a very carefully measured dose of acetaminophen. Be sure to read the package instructions before administering any drug to your baby.

While you are treating the nail, have your baby wear loose fitting shoes and/or socks (or better yet, go barefoot). Likely within a few days, you will begin to see improvement.

Should I Call the Pediatrician?

I wouldn't leap to call the pediatrician before you try some of the above remedies. Keep up with the described treatment regularly for about a week. If you don't see any improvement, then give the doc a jingle. However, if it starts to appear infected, don't hesitate to call. An infection can appear as a dramatic increase of swelling or redness (keep in mind that some are to be expected), or if there is significant discharge or redness streaking up the toe.

How Can Ingrowns Be Prevented?

The best way to prevent ingrowns is to take care to trim nails correctly. Use clean baby fingernail trimmers or a file to keep nails manicured. Toenails should be trimmed straight across, not rounded down at the edges like fingernails are often trimmed. Don't trim them too short, however. Leave a little line of white nail at the tip.

It's really key to make sure you trim the nails before they become so long that they tear on their own. Those clean cuts straight across are so much better at preventing that torn, raggedy nail edges.

Finally, you'll notice that not only do your baby's nails grow quickly, so do their feet. Check often to make sure you've got the right shoe size on your baby's little (or not so little) feet.