Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Security Blanket

It's normal for a child to grow attached to soft objects for comfort and security but some kids never do. New research shows that the closer a parent is to the child during the transition to sleep, the less likely the child will form an attachment to a blanket or other object.

There is no evidence though that blanket attachment is linked to anxiety. It is seen as positive in Asian cultures as the blanket works as a substitute when the primary caregiver is not available. Experts note that children with such attachments may be empathetic in adolescence and less likely to bully others.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Not Getting Enough

Is your child getting enough iron, zinc, and vitamin E? Studies show that many kids fall below the recommended levels when it comes to those nutrients. As your child enters his second year of life, adult foods start to replace breast milk and formula.
During this period, it is important to graduate to a nutrient-rich diet as the percentage of calories from milk and formula rapidly declines. Your child's diet should include foods such as cereals that contain iron and vitamin E, meat for iron and zinc, and dairy products that also contribute to zinc intake.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Cry Babies

Colicky infants who cry for more than three hours a day can drive parents crazy and if your baby was born small (less than three kilograms), you could be in for more trouble.
According to Danish researchers, infants with low birth weight are more than twice as likely to develop colic than babies born at normal weight.
Study findings also showed that maternal age over 35 and maternal smoking were linked to an increased incidence of colic.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Take a Shot

When it comes to getting the jab, parents can be just as anxious as their children. But a few simple techniques such as rocking the baby, using pacifiers, distracting them or using positive language may help alleviate the pain, discomfort and distress of immunisations.

A recent study showed that the use of positive or neutral language before shots seems to help babies as young as six months to cope with the pain. Parents who talked about something funny or other subjects not related to the medical visit managed to calm their children who were alert or fussy prior to receiving the shots. Such talk, however did not work on kids who were asleep or outright crying. And reassuring the child, bargaining or explaining the medical procedure was shown to upset them more.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Marital Discord

Couples who stay together for the sake of their children but cannot resolve their differences may do more harm than good.

According to researchers, conflict between parents is not necessarily damaging to children but when conflict is hostile, intense, frequent and involves physical violence, kids suffer the most.

They also pick up their parents' methods of dealing with conflict and frustration and do not learn to control their own aggression; a skill essential for getting along with others.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Jam Tarts

Ingredients:
  • Shortcrust pastry
  • 500g plain flour
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 300g butter, softened
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tsp brandy
  • 1 cup strawberry jam
  • 1 cup pineapple or apricot jam

Method:
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 160 c. Sift the flour and salt together.
  2. Mix the butter with the egg yolk and brandy.
  3. Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture and quickly mix till the dough forms a ball. Put into a plastic bag and keep in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
  4. Line the bottom of small pastry cases. Spread a layer of jam on the pastry to cover 3/4 way to the top and bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes till the pastry is cooked and the jam is set on top.
  5. Cool and serve.

My Baby ~~ Hayward Yeoh

Lilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker