How to Avoid the Baby Sleep Mistakes Parents Often Make

How to Avoid the Baby Sleep Mistakes Parents Often Make

If baby sleep was an exact science, we'd probably all find parenting a whole lot easier.

Unfortunately, there's no rule book and what works for one baby doesn't always for another. When it comes to bedtime, however, there are some very common mistakes that parents – especially – new ones make. Some of the most common mistakes simply create bad habits for the baby down the road, but others can be downright dangerous.

Safety Mistakes To Avoid

In their haste and even desperation to catch a few winks of sleep themselves, many new parents often overlook basic safety rules. The mistakes to avoid in this category are worth paying attention to. Unfortunately, sometimes a baby's life depends on the right steps being taken. baby sleep

4 Common Bedtime Mistakes to Avoid

• Putting her down on her stomach or side. It is incredibly tempting to do this, especially if a baby has a particular aversion to sleeping on her back. With Sudden Infant Death Syndrome so heavily correlated to side and stomach sleeping positions, it is just not worth taking this risk. Use a baby sleep positioner to ensure she's safe and consider finding other alternatives to help her rest right if she's having trouble in the back-only position.
• Putting her in bed with Mom and Dad. Oh, this one is ever so tempting. It can be incredibly hard to put a baby down in her own crib or bassinette. This is especially the case if you know she's only going to wake up in an hour or two anyway. Still, this is a very dangerous choice to make – especially for a newborn. Everything from your blankets and pillows to your own body create major threats for a baby who cannot yet roll over. Think very carefully about the risks involved in this before moving forward.
• Leaving her where she lies. Again, this is rather tempting when sleep has been erratic for weeks on end. Still, if baby falls asleep on the floor, the couch or another unsafe spot, leaving her is not a good idea. It is possible for someone else in the home not to notice her. It's also possible she'll roll off or over. If she falls asleep in her swing, car seat, bouncy seat or play pen, that's another story. Do not, however, leave her where she's unprotected.
• Not reading labels. Every stitch of nighttime clothing and bedding should be inspected at the label. These items should be flame retardant. Make sure you know exactly what is going on a baby at night and in her crib to avoid a mistake that has no turning back point.

Comfort Is Key To Baby Sleep

In their quest to be perfect or even to enjoy a little peace, many new parents make some very big bedtime mistakes when it comes to baby's comfort, too. The simple fact of the matter is even the newest of newborns is pretty darn finicky about comfort.

The mistakes to avoid here include:

·         Bundling her up too much. Babies need to be kept in a room that's roughly between 74 and 78 degrees. They do not need to be bundled up like little Michelin Men. Avoid letting her overheat by carefully inspecting nighttime clothing. In general, all she needs is a light sleeper and the right swaddling blanket or sleeping sack. Anything more can cause overheating problems, which can hamper her sleep and even be a bit dangerous. baby sleep

·         Scratchy clothes or sheets. Make sure anything that touches baby's skin is soft, not scratchy and doesn't feel cold to the touch. Most parents opt for 100 percent cotton in everything from sheets to night clothes.

·         Toys in a crib or playpen. It's tempting to put all those cute little toys in a baby's bed at night, but if she's a newborn this can be a big mistake. Babies cannot really play with toys and if there are too many in her crib, they can sometimes cause problems with both comfort and safety.

·         Clothing that is too loose or too restrictive. Newborn babies tend to do very well in clothing that offers a swaddling effect. Older babies, however, might not appreciate the lack of limb movement that sleep sacks or swaddles provide. Adjust accordingly for her comfort. baby sleep

·         Uncomfortable sleeping surfaces. If a baby is used to a slightly thin and cushy bassinette mattress, switching her into a crib can be a little tough at first. The mattress should be firm, but not feel like a rock. If it's suspected the mattress is causing sleep problems, consider replacing it. Crib mattresses are generally fairly affordable.

When it comes to bedtime routines, the mistakes new parents and even experienced ones can make are pretty extensive. Either they don't create a routine at all or they tend to break them as fast as they are created. To avoid the pitfalls and the lack of sleep some parents experience, watch out for these mistakes that :

·         Creating elaborate routines. Especially with a very young baby, it is not important to create a bedtime routine that's long and involved. A simple plan and schedule is often the key here. Just pick a few steps – feeding, bath, dressing and singing – and stick with the plan every night when at all possible.

·         Breaking routines on a regular basis. While it's okay to break a sleep routine once in a while, doing it all the time is worse than not having a routine at all. When baby gets used to B coming after A, she will get confused and even cranky if what she expects to happen does not. baby sleep

·         Forcing routine items. While Mom and Dad might really like to sing their baby to sleep or even rock her, not all babies respond well to these things. Baby sleep music is very important for happy sleeping .Go with what she likes and remove items from a sleep routine that don't seem to work for her. The key is getting her to sleep soundly and comfortably.

 source:https://www.kidschildrenshealth.com

Proper Dog Bathing Techniques

If you care about your dog, you should learn the proper procedure for dog bathing which can make life much easier for you and your dog. Your dog should only get a bath when he’s dirty and/or smells or you suspect he has fleas.
Most dogs don’t really care for bath time. This is why knowing proper dog bathing techniques will help ease your dog into the bath time procedure.
When dog bathing, if you plan to wash him in your tub, get him used to going in and out of the tub area by making a game out of it. The tub should be empty at this point. Once he’s comfortable with entering the tub, slowly get him accustomed to being around water by having him hear the water running and then have him enter the tub with very little water in it. Dipping your dog in warm water and towel drying him is another way to help get him accustomed to bath time.
Grooming is an important part of the dog bathing procedure. Introduce the grooming tools to him by having him sniff them. Be gentle when using the grooming tools for the first time because a bad experience, such as a nail being clipped to short or yanking on matted hair with a comb could have your dog running in the opposite direction every time its bath time. Investing this time will save you much grief later on.


Dog bathing procedure
 Before you begin bathing your dog, make sure you have all the tools you will need for dog bathing and grooming. These tools are: Plenty of towels, hair dryer, comb or brush, cottonballs, ear wash, ear powder, cotton swabs, nail clippers, toothbrush, mineral oil, toothpaste, a small pitcher, blunt scissors, mineral oil, a stripping knife, dog shampoo and a few treats wouldn’t hurt either. You don’t want to leave your dog alone in the middle of a bath to get grooming supplies. The thought of what you might find when you come back can be quite scary.
 Another thing you should do before dog bathing is brush him thoroughly. Remove all mats with a stripping knife, or for more stubborn matting, use a pair of blunt scissors because bathing can make matting worse.
 Be sure to place a rubber mat in the tub (if you don’t already have one) to keep your dog from slipping and sliding. He could get injured. For smaller breeds you can use a rubber basin. This can keep dog bathing from being a backbreaking experience. The tub should only be filled up a few inches.
 Assuming you’ve accustomed him to the bath area, it should be no problem getting him into the tub. If you have trouble getting him in, you can try using a harness and a leash (different from the leash used to take him out). If he attempts to bite, use a muzzle until he gets comfortable. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it all the time.
 When starting your dog's bath, wet your dog using a small pitcher or a detachable nozzle. Do not get water in his face, this can scare him and make him afraid of water. Use a washcloth with a mild soap to clean his face.
 Dog shampoo is recommended for dog bathing. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER CLEANING AGENTS, such as dish washing liquid, detergents, or human shampoo, which can strip your dog’s skin of its natural oils leaving it dry and chaffed. Use a dog shampoo that is appropriate for your dog’s breed, age and type of fur.
 With a cotton swab, apply mineral oil around the eye area. This will protect his eyes from irritation.
 Pour the shampoo from the back of his head down to the tip of his tail and lather. You may have to apply more to each of his legs and paws. Lather him up good and try not get shampoo in his eyes, nose or ears. Don’t forget to clean his belly. If your dog’s ears don’t flop over, put a cotton pad in each ear to keep water out. Don’t forget to take them out when you’re done.
 Using a small cup, gently start to rinse his face avoiding as much as possible, getting water in his eyes, nose and ears. Do not use a detachable spray nozzle. This may be too aggressive initially. You can, however, use a spray nozzle for rinsing the rest of the body. Be sure to rinse a few times in order to get all the soap off the body because leftover soap can cause a skin irritation.
 Once he’s been rinsed thoroughly, wrap him in a towel and towel dry him in a playful manner. This will help make dog bathing a pleasurable experience for both of you.
 You will want to groom your dog after drying him because dogs tend to be very restless when they are wet. Use a hair dryer at a low setting to fluff dry your dog. If the weather is warm, you can lay out a few towels outdoors for him to lie on and leash him in the sun. He will use the towels to rub his ears against and the towels will keep him from getting dirty all over again. If you plan to put him outdoors, you may want to groom him first if you can keep him still.
 Grooming your dog’s fur, ears, eyes, nails and teeth is part of the bathing routine. You will find more information on dog grooming through each of the links above. Remember, if grooming your dog is too much of a hassle, leave it to your groomer and just have him groomed more often.
source: https://petanimalworld.com/dogs/

DOES YOUR DOG NEED VİTAMİNS?

Dog owners can offer the ideal surroundings for their to live a long time and be healthy. A proper diet and exercise program, while great for your dog, can not give your dog what it is missing and a supplement is recommended. Supplements should be thought of as enhancements for your pet, to be paired with the right foods and a good amount of exercise based on breed.
The same way people do, dogs can have similar problems. Dog food supplements can help to eliminate problems like fatigue and constipation. Why is this? Sometimes the dog’s food just isn’t giving its body what it needs. For example; inadequate fiber may result in constipation.
Laxatives are often used for an immediate solution by dog owners, but in the long run they may not work. Supplements can help your dog if he has needs that his food aren’t meeting. Dogs, just like humans, should be taking supplements as well.
But, it is necessary to have the correct ingredients. Each breed is different, so be sure to check with your Veterinarian about the appropriate supplement. We’ve seen a development over time that a few dog food supplements are not all-natural as they might claim.
The bones and tissues of a dog’s body can be harmed by unnatural ingredients. They’ll need something to pump these areas up, and the only way you’re going to be able to do that is with 100% natural ingredients. The natural method takes quite a big more time to see results and we understand that.
This is due to the indgredients working from the inside to the outside. If your dog’s diet is lacking in essentils, then supplements should be included. This can take time, but the long term results are very beneficial.
Something else to think about is how your dog responds to food. There is a risk of an upset stomach because of too much contamination or by-products.
If you supplement your dog’s food in the right way, this issue can be taken care of. Many dog owners who offer supplements to their dogs realize all the advantages. Young dogs aren’t the only ones who benefit from supplements. Whether its joint and tissue issues, ear infections, digestive tract issues, or anything else; it would be pointless. Surprisingly, it has even worked for dogs with bad breath. You need to concentrate on discovering a good business that offers dog food supplements. There are businesses that produce dog food supplements to help with gaining weight and you don’t want that.
All that your dog really requires is a multivitamin that covers the bases and complements a good diet. Personally I enjoy the brand NuVet Plus because they have 100% all natural ingredients. It’s packed with everything you need, I’ve seen it for myself. The ingredients are unique as they are not found in dog food supplements made by other companies.
source: https://petanimalworld.com/dogs/

DON’T BELİEVE EVERYTHİNG YOU HEAR ABOUT DRY DOG FOOD

There’s one decision that plagues many concerned dog owners: soft or hard dog food? Dog food decisions are important because they have such an important impact on dog health. If you want a healthy dog who doesn’t drive you crazy with incessant dog scratching and itching, then it pays to make informed dog food choices.
While there’s no denying that dogs enjoy eating soft moist canned dog food, dry food and other crunchy items are essential for the dental health of your pet. So, as a dog owner wanting the very best for your dog, what is the best strategy?
One good solution is anytime you feed your dog canned dog food, add some form of crunchy, chewy food. It can even be dog treats if you or your dog don’t like dry kibble. You can also offer your dog chew toys to exercise her jaw and teeth.
Whether you choose to feed your dog moist or dry food, you need to provide your dog with something that gives a regular teeth and jaw workout. It would be a shame for your dog to develop dental issues due to you feeding your dog the wrong kind of food.
Dogs require hard materials to chew on, since this will offer their powerful jaw muscles a good workout and help to strengthen their teeth. Believe it or not, but it’s a good practice to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice weekly. However, if this is not possible, hard crunchy foods can help make up the difference.
And you know what? As a dog owner, you should brush your dog’s teeth at least twice weekly. But if you miss some sessions, hard chew items can also help loosen the build up of plaque and tartar.
It is essential that you choose the best natural puppy food, since this sets the stage and maintains your puppy’s good dental health as well as nutritional requirements.
It’s crucial that you choose good dog food for your puppy right from the start, since this sets the stage and maintains your puppy’s good dental health as well as nutritional requirements. If you would rather feed your dog moist, soft and tasty can foods it will be just fine, but do make sure that your dog also has access to things that he can give a good chew.
Looking to find the best deal on natural puppy food? Then visit the premier natural puppy food blog online.. Also published at Don’t Believe Everything You Hear About Dry Dog Food.

source: https://petanimalworld.com/dog-care-in-general/

2 MORE TİNY BREEDS OF DOGS THAT ARE INCREDİBLE

If perhaps you are considering getting a puppy and you would likely choose a very small puppy then you’re positively certain to want to check into the cute toy dog breeds. These dogs are the tiniest of the bunch and I reckon that may be quite obvious since they are essentially labeling all of them playthings. But these are great pets and I also know both you and your loved ones will truly appreciate getting one of these brilliant toy dog breeds as a new family member. Therefore please pick one up in the event the desire strikes you.
The initial toy dog breed that I want to refer to is known as Papillon. A canine of this particular breed will live till it is about 15 years old. It should weigh around 10 pounds during it’s lifetime and it will grow to the height of approximately 11 inches tall. One of the exceptional attributes of this dog is it features big hairy ears that are really adorable. It is also an incredibly clever canine and easily trained.
Following that within our toy varieties which I want to talk about will be affenpinschers. An alternative name for this tiny guy is “monkey dogs” and the reason why they dub them that is because they have got very furry faces. They are going to merely weigh around ten pounds at their final size and also a dog such as this can live to around sixteen years old. It’ll develop to just about 12 inches plus it’s very strong for a tiny little dog.
You will have to pay attention to the males because they want to label their territory, and they are also willing to do it inside your residence thus you are going to need to be careful in that area. The other matter you want to be aware of is that this pet will certainly shed a lot so it is vital that you execute a daily grooming ritual to help keep it in tip top form and also to prevent it from shedding everywhere.
So here are not one but two more toy varieties that one could check into.
They’re both great dogs plus your kids and relatives will definitely love them as your pets.Toy Dog Breeds

source: https://petanimalworld.com/about-development-the-puppy/

EXCESSİVE ITCHİNG CAN BE CAUSED BY DOG FOOD ALLERGİES

Some people seem to think that it’s normal for dogs to be scratching constantly. That’s simply not true. Just like with humans, excessive itching is an indication that there is something the matter. If your dog is scratching and biting all the time, there’s obviously something wrong. The source of the itching could be anything ranging from dog hot spot to dog food allergies.
What is excessive? Let’s just say that if it is enough to be getting on your nerves, then it’s too much. And if it’s getting on your nerves, imagine how your dog feels!
Constant itching is not just annoying for you and your dog: if you don’t do something about it, it could seriously affect your dog health. Chronic scratching and biting at the skin can lead to all sorts of problems over time – from infections to hearing loss.

There are many reasons why your dog might be excessively itchy. One of the most common (and most overlooked) is dog food allergies.
When your dog suffers from any type of food allergy, common sense dictates changing the diet to exclude the allergic food. However, that is easier said than done because your dog can be allergic to a whole food item or just a part of that food item (a particular element of that food item, such as an enzyme).
Until you are able to pinpoint which food is causing the allergy or if your pet has multiple sensitivities, switching to a high-quality hypoallergenic dog food is a good first step.
Since your dog can be allergic to any of the ingredients in the normal packaged dog food – any of the major ingredients, preservatives, colorings, flavorings, or any of the multitudes of chemicals (even natural chemicals) – that go into the preparation of the dog food, you would definitely need to start giving your pet a diet prepared to exclude allergy-causing foods and chemicals.
Want to find out more about hypoallergenic dog food? Visit this site about natural puppy food recommendations for your special dog.. This article, Excessive Itching Can be Caused by Dog Food Allergies is available for free reprint.

source: https://petanimalworld.com/dog-care-in-general/

HOW TO TRANSPORT YOUR POOCH

Every once in awhile, you need to give your dog a ride. Before you get behind the wheel with a hound on board, know that there is a list of safety guidelines you should keep in mind. It doesn’t matter if you will be travelling intercity for a holiday, or just driving him to his health checkup at the local vet.
To start off, train your dog to remain in the back seat whenever he is inside the vehicle. Doing so will lessen the probability of him disrupting your driving, and this can potentially force you to make a vehicle insurance claim. When your dog is situated at the right position, get him to stay put by asserting the command whenever he tries to wiggle his way out. Time and persistence will persevere.

You will also want to keep him comfortable. Ensure the dog has adequate space to stretch a bit every once in a while, which some vehicles like the Ford Escape is more up for the task. Try and minimise his boredom by loading some of his favourite snacks, toys, or that towel of which he is very affectionate of.
A lot of dogs do get car sick easily. Dogs usually can not grasp the idea of staring into the windscreen to reduce the ailment. Getting sun shadings for your side windows can help. Vets can also provide applicable medication for your traveling hounds if necessary.

Another note if you are going on a long distance road trip, feed your dog a reduced amount of dinner on the evening prior to the journey, and refrain from giving him any food shortly before he mounts the vehicle. Doing so can ensure minimum amounts of contents in his stomach, and the travelling motions can often induce him to vomit. When using treats in the car, do so very sparingly.

Extra steps should be taken when it comes to air flow. Keep in mind that a dog is more prone to overheat than a person. The inside of a car can effortlessly become over 20 degrees hotter than the outside, which have been known to be deadly for both small animals and kids. When opening the windows to bring in fresh air, don’t entice your dog to fall out of the car by leaving an over-sized opening.
As a bonus, look up for pet safety harness and seat belts both in pet supplies shops and websites. Many of these apparatus are built to work with the car’s seat belts. A dog seat belt not only provides the most compatible on board restraint for your animal, it also keeps him from addition injuries in an unforeseen collision.

Drive smoothly with your dog. It’s bad enough you could potentially traumatize him. Satisfy your speed lust with to drifting games instead.
source: https://petanimalworld.com/dogs/