superheroes pj masks

Impersonating a superhero means learning perseverance and courage

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2 studies, 2 views on the impact of superheroes over kids   There are 2 primary studies that looked into the development impact of superheroes on kids: The 1st study suggest that parents may need to help their preschool children filter the messages arising from superhero media in order to minimize aggressive behavior outcomes and promote defending gestures on behalf of their most vulnerable peers. The batman effect study proves that positive effect is an active cognitive strategy that moves us forward with confidence as we stay in the stressful situation but with our alter-ego leading the charge: adopting an alter ego can also help children concentrate on a complex card game, in which they had to follow complex rules that kept on changing.   Sailor Moon was my superhero obsession when I was a kid. Back in the day, all my friends had a favourite superhero to impersonate when we were playing together mimicking the cartoon. It was non-violent fun and games. I don’t recall any bad scenes while playing and mimicking Sailor Moon (maybe that more girls wanted to be “the Sailor Moon” at the same time”). via GIPHY Fast forward to 2022, Bianca, my 3 years old toddler, loves PJ Masks. They are 3 superheroes for the little ones: by day, they go to school like all the other kids their age. By night, this brave band of heroes dons their magic pyjamas, and sets out to face fiendish villains to stop them messing with your day! I read in this study that “Kids pick up on the aggressive themes and not the defending ones.” and I panicked a bit. 5 min later I realised that: I was Sailor Moon and I “punished” evil forces in the name of the moon. So, maybe the truth lies somewhere in between. As I am a true believer that “All models are wrong, but some are useful“, I look deeper into the matter: The Batman effect study investigated the benefits of self-distancing on young children’s perseverance: 180 four- and six-year-old children were asked to complete a repetitive task for 10 minutes while having the option to take breaks by playing an extremely attractive video game. Six-year-olds persevered longer than four-year-olds. Nonetheless, across both ages, children who impersonated an exemplar other – in this case, a character, such as Batman—spent the most time working, followed by children who took a third-person perspective on the self, or finally, a first-person perspective. Alternative explanations, implications, and future research directions are discussed. Results [wpdatachart id=1] The results of the study were analyzed by applying Analysis Of Variance ( ANOVA ) on the percentage of time on a task and comparing the 3 groups: self-immersed, 3rd person, and exemplar. ANOVA is normally used to analyze experimental studies. Analysis of Variance is a generalization of the hypothesis test for equality of means. Here, you have multiple populations, and you want to see if any of the population means are different from the other means. That means that the null hypothesis is that ALL the population means are equal to each other. The alternative hypothesis is that at least two of the means are not equal. Across both ages, children who impersonated an exemplar other – in this case a character, such as Batman—spent the most time working, followed by children who took a third-person perspective on the self, or finally, a first-person perspective. Interesting, right? Another article investigated the matter and concluded that some studies measure with low facts that boys are more impacted , others that there might be positive effects.   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) Do you want to understand the basic concepts of statistics? Get this book: If you want to design and analyze your own experiments, then get this one: My view on this I like superheroes and I like to think that they can be 100% beneficial for kids… On the other hand, I saw plenty of almost-violent toddlers at the playground and none were wearing a cape. The parents should stop the aggressiveness. What I personally take away from this study, is that a toddler needs more clarification about what a superhero is.  Superhero stories are often complex, but preschoolers may not fully understand the complexities behind the violence or aggression they witness. Superheroes represent the good, so it’s handy to explain the opposite of bad :). Exposure to superheroes ( and screen time)  should be allowed in moderation. We should not be afraid of one single study. Kids’ personalities will give the general trend: if a toddler expressed aggressiveness, then yes, maybe exposure to superheroes is something negative for that kid. If your child’s aggressive acts are frequent and severe, or your efforts to curb them have no effect, you’ll need to consult your pediatrician or a trained mental health professional, such as a child psychologist or psychiatrist.   My summary on this is that we all need a superhero in our lives…   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sailor Moon Memes (@sailormoon.memes)   If you suffer from Sailor Moon nostalgia, you can get something on Amazon. Bianca has the 3 PJ Masks costumes, the watch, and another amulet. She loves them all…   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

9 month old baby

Your 9-Month-Old Baby’s Development and Milestones

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It’s amazing how your 9 months old babbling baby starts to show joy and interest in all the small things and also gets annoyed when something is forbidden or out of reach.  In this blog post, you will find the important milestones for a 9-month baby – the normal growth range, sleep, feeding, activities, must-have toys, and a daily schedule. Milestones When researching my content, I use official websites such as the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). They list the below as the milestones a child should reach by the end of 9 months: Social/Emotional Milestones Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised Looks when you call her name Reacts when you leave (looks after, reaches for you, or cries) Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo Language/Communication Milestones Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa” Raises arms to be picked up Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy) Bangs two things together Movement/Physical Development Milestones Manages to get to a sitting position on their own Moves things from one hand to another Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself Sits without support By 9 months of age some babies might start using the furniture to try to stand and even climb stairs on all four.   Baby Growth    The normal growth range at 9 months old differs between boys and girls. Length Girls range from 63 – 78 cm (25-31 in.)  in height; Boys range from 65 – 79 cm (26-31 in.)  in height; Weight Girls range from 6200-12100 gr (14-27 lb.) in weight; Boys range from 6900-12400 gr (15-27 lb.) in weight.   Another important aspect is that the growth rate of the baby will slow down after six months: you will expect the baby to gain about 500 gr (1 lb.) and 1 cm (3/8 inch) per month moving forward.  Expect your baby to triple his or her birth weight by about age 1 year. For more info on this, check the Growth WHO Standards table and other baby standards here.   Baby Sleep   At this age your baby will have 2 naps a day with the below structure: 1st nap at 9 am; 2nd nap at 1 pm; 6:30 – 7 pm bedtime (with no feedings during the night). It is normal for your baby to get up between 6 and 7 am in the morning, but also normal at this age to wake up between 5 to 6 am. Your baby might seem well rested ( probably slept for 11 hours during the night), but 12 hours is also achievable. There are a few things to try in order to push the wake up hour to 7 am: keep a sleep log to note down what you change in the routine and how it impacts your baby’s sleep. Get a free here; if you don’t have 80% darkness in the room, you should try harder to achieve it. I wrote here about the important room and baby sleep training prep; if your baby sleeps less than 1.5hr during the day, move bedtime 15 mins earlier each day until the baby will get on track (remember: sleep log!); if your baby sleeps more than 3hr during the day, try and cap the longest nap (so the baby will be prepared for the 12 hours night-sleep). if you tried all of these, just let the baby enjoy some crib time (don’t make light in the room until it gets as close as possible to 6:30-7 am).   Baby Feeding   This is the perfect time for the baby to enjoy 3 solid meals a day. See some of the solids that can be introduced below: Try waiting at least 2 days after introducing new food to the baby to check for any allergic reactions. If you notice symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting it might mean that the baby is allergic to a certain food type. Don’t forget to start giving the baby water. If you use bottled water, check the level of sodium or sulphate. Look on the label to check the levels: Sodium (Na) <= 200 mg/l ; Sulphate (‘SO’ or ‘SO4’) <= 250 mg/l.   Baby Eyes   Your baby’s eyesight is still maturing, but now he/she is able to see pretty well near and far and focus on moving objects. At this age, some babies will have the patience to “read” books, but most of the babies will just eat them.   Activities   Sky is the limit, there are so many activities that you can do without the need of any special toys or materials: practice crawling and standing up practice getting down from the bed kick a ball crawl up a step play the drums and the piano drop objects in a container get to a hidden toy clapping and playing peekaboo calling “Mama” or “Dada” giving you toys experiencing cold and hot meet animals saying bye bye drinking from a cup learning to self feed learning the meaning of Yes and No   Must-have toys   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) When you exhaust all the activities that use no materials, get some of the below toys (9M +); your baby will love them: Sorting Bin. It allows babies to slip the blocks through elastic bands at any position. Get them here. Musical Press and Go Inchworm Toy. This toy will attract your little ones to chase and crawl, which will build muscle strength and gross motor skills as they play; buy one here. Interactive 3D Fabric Activity Book. Stimulate Growth of Vision and Brain: Colorful content and

toddler indoor activities 2 year old

Indoor toddler activities for a 2 year old

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In this post I am listing the scientific benefits of spending time outdoors and why it’s a good thing for both kids and adults. Now, I’ll write about how indoors can also be fun and educational for toddlers. When indoors, we have to be careful with the amount of screentime a toddler is exposed to. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children younger than 2 and recommends limiting older children’s screen time to no more than one or two hours a day. (More on this here). When she has to stay indoors all day, Bianca, my eldest ( 2 years and 9 months today), has the below schedule: wakes up around 8 has breakfast at 9 morning activity ( cooking, painting) at 10 snack around 10:30 dancing at 11 independent play while mum prepares lunch 12 lunch time around 12:30 nap time 13-15 (1.5 hr – 2 hr) evening activities / English cartoons ( Romanian is her first language, but she knows plenty English words from books and cartoons) around 15:30 snack time at 16:00 independent play ( sensory activities: she likes water a lot) / crafts with mum at 17 dinner around 18 independent play at 19 bath time at  20 bedtime routine (reading 2/3 books and practicing English) at 20:30 bedtime between 20:30 and 21:00   Below, I have posted some videos and pics to show our indoor activities. They are super fun, but independent play is key! You should encourage your toddler to play by themselves daily ( in an incremental manner). They also need to explore the world with their tiny eyes. Make sure you give them toys age appropriate, so it won’t get dangerous, boring or frustrating when they play by themselves.   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.)   Indoor Toddler Activity 1 – Cooking:   Our kitchen helpers: Little helper learning tower The perfect multi food processor, Bosch MUM   Indoor Toddler Activity 2 – Painting:  Toddler painting set    Indoor Toddler Activity 3 – Crafts: One of my few hobbies is creating interior design pieces with paint and lichen / moss. Bianca helps me and really enjoys the activity. I’ll create a separate post on it, but I’ll drop below some pics and what you need if you want to try it at home: lichen & moss glue gun and sticks acrylic paint paint brush set   Indoor Toddler Activity 4- Sensory activities: This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

ourdoors Ireland waterfall

Scientific Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors

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Spending time outdoors is beneficial for everyone. We hear this more and more, but what are the scientific facts behind this statement? I’ve broken up the topic into 3 sections, so you’ll see how outdoor activities positively impact our babies, toddlers and ourselves by encouraging healthy development and critical thinking skills and more. Outdoor time for babies   In Scandinavian countries, babies get at least 2 hours of outdoor time. Nordic babies are exposed to sleeping in the stroller even when the weather is not perfect (perfect = negative temperature). The Nordic perspective on this is that one sleeps better while in the cold. Sleep consultants agree that when indoors we should have our babies sleep in 68 F – 70 F / 20 C -21 C (which might be considered cold for adults), but they won’t adhere to the idea of letting a baby sleep in the stroller. Motion sleep is compared to junk food and even called “junk sleep”. I personally think that sleep should be protected as much as possible and it should happen mostly in the bed. However, it’s OK for your baby to have a cat nap in the stroller, so the baby will have a quick recharge and get some natural vitamin D every now and then. (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) Taking Your Baby Out for the First Time Getting outdoors with babies can be overwhelming for first time parents. On top of worrying about all the possible scenarios when your baby might fuss or even constantly cry, you’ll also concern yourself about forgetting to bring with you all the “crucial” baby stuff.  Once you’ve repeated the outdoor activities a number of times, it will become the norm. Make sure you pack once and “refresh the stock” weekly: one full outfit change (for explosive poo – this will end up around 6 months of age, or when your baby will start solids); 3-4 diapers, disposable bags,  cream, wet tissues, dry tissues; a travel baby changing pad; a blanket; formula ( if necessary); after solids are introduced, also get water and a baby food refillable pouch. Also important for outdoors activities is the right stroller. There’re so many strollers in the market. We decided over Baby Jogger Stroller with a universal platform (glider). The girls love it:     Outdoor time for toddlers   We acknowledge more and more the importance of outdoor time, but we spend less time playing outside. An UK study concluded that children spend half the time playing outside in comparison to their parents. Harvard experts researched 6 reasons why children need to play outside: Sunshine Exercise Executive function; These are the skills that help us plan, prioritize, troubleshoot, negotiate, and multitask; Taking risks Socialization Appreciation of nature I recently read an Irish article related to The Benefits of Outdoor Play and I really liked how it’s emphasized that children need to learn how to take calculated risk and that parents shouldn’t set too many limits to children’s adventurous play.  They need substantial amount of time outside to boost their creativity, self-confidence, social skills and ability to concentrate. Going outside with toddlers is not too complicated. You just need a bottle of water, napkins, disinfectant, a healthy snack, a small toy and a bit of cooperation. At this age, they might be difficult to convince to get out and then even more difficult to get them back home. Outdoor time for adults Adults also benefit from spending time outdoors. There is a study showing that it takes as little as 2 hours per week spent outdoors for a healthier and happier life. It gives us the chance to absorb some natural vitamin D by walking in the sun for 15-20 minutes a day (maybe a bit longer during the winter time).  I also stumbled upon a study on the relations between sleep, time of physical activity, and time outdoors among adult women. It’s quite interesting how they concluded that the morning time spend outdoors is a stronger predictor of sleep efficiency (as opposed to evening). Therefore, we should get into the habit of spending at least 15 min daily (in the morning) outdoors. This will improve our health and sleep! This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

toddler s first haircut

First time haircut while Terrible Two-ing

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I’ve been dreading the first haircut – now it’s too late. Bianca is 2 years and 9 months old and very active. She likes having her hair long ( like Elsa from Frozen) but desperately needs a haircut so the hair stays out of her eyes. Today it was mummy’s salon day, so I used the occasion to thick another box: Bianca’s first haircut Last week was a disaster. She’s halfway through the terrible twos and cries very often. So… she cried when the hairdresser touched her hair. There is no general recommendation related to the first haircut age. Still, you’ll find on the internet that most kids have their first haircut between 6 months and 2 years old.   Bianca’s hair grew very slowly.  See below a hair growth timeline from 6 months old to today: Today was a haircut win. Mummy’s stylist helped a lot. Vera has 3 kids and a lot of of experience, the little car helped as well :-)) The haircut took less than 5 mins, but for me it felt like an eternity. Like all new toddler experiences, parents are more nervous than necessary. We should have faith that everything is going to be OK and trust our kids more.   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.)   While you’re struggling with toddler haircut, you can try some hair accessories. They’re so precious: Bianca loves Peppa pig, Minnie Mouse and Frozen. Toddler haircare When Bianca was a baby, we would have washed her hair at every wash. When she was 1 yo, I washed her hair every second wash and now it’s every 5 days. Shampoo wise, we’re using Bioderma ABCDerm from birth. When is it the time to move to something else? What are you guys using for your toddlers? Terrible twos are difficult, but kids are delicious at this age: I love her so much!     This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

6 months old baby

6 Month-Old Baby: milestones & more

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6 Months old? Or the “big half year birthday” 6 months is not an anniversary yet, but it should be celebrated as your baby has achieved so much until now and so did you! Your baby is not an infant anymore, but rather a tiny human who smiles and laughs. In this blogpost, you will find the important milestones for a 6 month baby – the normal growth range, sleep, feeding, activities, must-have toys and a daily schedule. Milestones When researching my content, I use official websites such as the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). They list the below as the milestones a child should reach by the end of 6 months: Social/Emotional Milestones Knows familiar people Likes to look at self in a mirror Laughs Language/Communication Milestones Takes turns making sounds with you Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows) Makes squealing noises Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking and problem-solving) Puts things in their mouth to explore them Reach to grab a toy they want Close their lips to show they don’t want anymore food Movement/Physical Development Milestones Rolls from tummy to back Pushes up with straight arms when on their tummy Leans on hands to support themselves when sitting By 6 months of age some babies might be able to remain in a seated position for limited period of time and to roll over and pivot ( 360 degrees). Very few babies will army crawl, start to clap , reduplicate babbling ( repetition of syllables like “baba”, “mama” , without understanding the meaning). Baby Growth  The normal growth range at 6 months old differs between boys and girls. Length Girls range from 61 – 70 cm (24-27 in.)  in height; Boys range from 63 – 72 cm (25-28 in.)  in height; Weight Girls range from 5800-9500 gr (13-21 lb.) in weight; Boys range from 6200-9900 gr (14-22 lb.) in weight. Another important aspect is that the growth rate of the baby will slow down after six months: you will expect the baby to gain about 500 gr (1 lb.) per month moving forward. For more info on this, check the Growth WHO Standards table and other baby standards here. Baby Sleep At this age your baby will have 3 naps a day with the below structure: 1st nap after 90 min ; sleeps after every 2 hours ; 7 pm bedtime (with none to 2 feeding times; I personally wait for at least 5 hours from bedtime for the first night feeding). Baby Feeding This is the perfect time for the baby to enjoy one solid meal a day. See some of the solids that can be introduced below; Try waiting at least 2 days after introducing new food to the baby to check for any allergic reactions. If you notice symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting it might mean that the baby is allergic to a certain food type. Don’t forget to start giving the baby water. If you use bottled water, check the level of sodium or sulphate. Look on the label to check the levels: Sodium (Na) <= 200 mg/l ;  Sulphate (‘SO’ or ‘SO4’) <= 250 mg/l. Baby Eyes Your baby’d eyesight has improved a lot by now and they are able to see right across the room. Also, if you are wondering what eye color your baby will end up, you might have a good idea by 6 months of age. A baby’s eye color will settle around 11 months of age. Activities Sky is the limit, there are so many activities that you can do without the need of any special toys or materials: Introduce the concept of body parts by showing the baby the major body parts in a mirror, or while naked; Chat as much as possible to encourage the baby make sounds;  Show the baby how clapping works; Encourage crawling by making the baby reach  for a favourite toy; Allow the baby to play with a spoon and a sippy cup to establish eating habits; Funny faces are so powerful at this age, your baby will enjoy the show and you’ll be awarded with giggles; Introduce new people as often as possible; especially now that separation anxiety might kick in; Peekaboooo; Teach the baby the meaning of NO. Must-have toys  (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) When you exhaust all the activities that use no materials, get some of the below toys (6M +); your baby will love them: Stack of circles. They’re very popular and promote hand-eye coordination and creativity. Get them here. Play mat. If you haven’t received by now as a gift from your friends , buy one yourself. Bath toys. Now that they can sit, your baby will spend more time in the bathtub. Get ready and prepare the setup. Teething toys. The first one or two teeth are coming soon, teething toys help a lot: can be soothing and help alleviate pain. 6 Month Baby Schedule 7:00: Wakes up & Nurse / Receives bottle 7:30: Playtime (activities & toys) 9:00: Nap 10:30: Solid food & Nurse / Receives bottle 12:00: Nap 1:30: Outdoor time 15:00: Nap (usually a cat nap if the first 2 naps were long) 16:30: Nurse / Receives bottle 17:00: Playtime (activities & toys) 18:00: Bath time and pre-sleep routine 18:30: Nurse / Receives bottle 18:45 – 19:00 Bedtime!   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

Baby eats solids

Introducing solids: the cheatsheet

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Introducing solids to babies Solids are an important milestone for babies. Some will love it, some will be a bit reticent at the beginning. So there are 50-50 chances to have a successful food diversification start. Having 2 kids, I can tell you that we experienced both situations: Bianca gave us signs that she’s ready to eat around 6 months of age, but she wasn’t so thrilled: With Giulia it was totally different: she sat in an upright position at 5 months of age and was reaching for our food even earlier. She gave us many signs that she’s ready to eat. We started diversification with her a few days after she celebrated her 5 months birthday: HOW? You have to know that there are 2 main ways to give baby food: baby-led weaning (BLW): solids are introduced as finger food; it is recommended to start with this method when babies are 6 months old or older; puree   (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.)   Of course, you can do a mix of the two. This is what I did. I used a pressure cooker to soften the food and if I decided to give purees, I used a fork to smash the food until soft with no or small lumps. If you don’t have a pressure cooker yet, I recommend this one, we’re using it on a daily basis. WHEN? Different countries have different recommendations related to when to start giving food to your baby. My Data Science intuition tell me that the 4-6 months milestone is positively correlated with how much maternity leave a parent can take. For example, when we were based in Ireland, the general advise was to give food to babies starting with the 4 months of age (I believe that this is related to parents going back to work earlier). Now we’re in Romania and here you can have a long maternity leave (it’s paid by the Government and you can take up to 2 years). So here, the paediatricians advise to start with solids at 6 months of age. HOW MUCH? I followed a super easy rule for both Bianca and Giulia: gradual increase of food: started with a spoon and reached a cup at each meal; number of meals by age: 4-6 Months old: 1 meal / day; 7 Months old: 2 meals / day; 8-9 Months old: 3 meals / day; 10-12 Months old: 3 meals + 1 snack / day; 1 Year+ : 3 meals + 2 snacks / day; WHAT? I’ll start this section with what NOT to give the baby: salts, sugar and honey are forbidden in the first 12 months. 4-6 Months old – 1 meal / day : LUNCH: Vegetables + Proteins Vegetables: sweet potato, parsley, zucchini, carrot, parsnip, green beans, pumpkin, bell pepper, onion, garlic, leek; Proteins:  homemade cheese, chicken, turkey, quail, rabbit, beef, egg (hard boiled); Others: Olive oil, parsley leaves, lovage, dill; 7 Months old – 2 meals / day : BREAKFAST: Fruits LUNCH: Vegetables + Proteins Fruits: apple, pear, avocado, apricot, peach, nectarine, plum, banana, blueberrie­s, watermelon; Vegetables: same as month above; Proteins: same as month above; Others: caraway, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, thyme, oregano,inactive yeast 8-9 Months old – 3 meals / day : BREAKFAST: Fruits LUNCH: Vegetables + Proteins DINNER: Vegetables, Cereals, Dairy products Fruits: same as months above plus grapes, cherries, sour cherries, papaya, dehydrated dates, raisins, kaki, mango, cranberries Vegetables: same as months above plus red beets, green peas, broccoli, cauliflower, red lentil, green lentil, celery, lettuce, endive; Proteins: same as month above plus yogurt, butter, sour cream, liver, white fish (trout, cod, perch, hake, gray mullet, dorada); Cereals/ Pseudocereals: millet, rice, bulgur, couscous, oat, barley;   10-12 Months old – 3 meals + 1 snack / day : BREAKFAST: Fruits LUNCH: Vegetables + Proteins SNACK: Fruits DINNER: Vegetables, Cereals, Dairy products Fruits: same as months above plus quince, figs, kiwi, chestnuts, pineapple, strawberries, raspberry, blackberries, orange, lemon, grapefruit, pomelo, pomegranate in a smoothie, goji, olives, nuts – peanuts – cashew –  pistachio- almond crushed; Vegetables: same as months above plus tomato, aubergine, spinach, mushroom, wild garlic, turnips, white potato, asparagus, cucumber; Proteins: same as month above plus  ricotta, mozzarella, mascarpone, kefir, pork, mutton, goose, duck, lamb; Cereals/ Pseudocereals: same as month above ; 1 Year – 3 meals + 2 snacks / day : BREAKFAST: Fruits LUNCH: Vegetables + Proteins SNACK: Fruits DINNER: Vegetables, Cereals, Dairy products SNACK: Vegetables Fruits: everything ; Vegetables: same as months above radishes, peas, artichoke, sorrel, cabbage, nettles; Proteins: same as month above plus fish, cheese, cream cheese, cheddar, parmesan, edam, gouda, svaiter, grana padano, emmental, pecorino, goats cheese; Cereals/ Pseudocereals: everything ; WHAT? I’ll start this section with what NOT to give the baby: salts, sugar and honey are forbidden in the first 12 months.   Get a long bib that attaches to the highchair and let the baby explore the food, it will be fun!     This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

baby guides toddler

All models are wrong, but some are useful. A repository of baby guides

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Famous aphorism, which originates from 1976, was mentioned by George Box when referring to statistical models. I find “All models are wrong, but some are useful” to be applicable to all the models in our lives, but especially to how we’re supposed to raise our kids. Internet is full nowadays of guides about everything you need to know to raise a child. You’ll find in this article the most important mental and physical baby/toddler development info, so bookmark this page! (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.)   Understanding Growth Standards for Children   The WHO Child Growth Standards were developed using data collected in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study by the World Health Organisation. The site presents documentation on how the physical growth curves and motor milestone windows of achievement were developed as well as application tools to support implementation of the standards. The below growth curves can guide you in the first 2 years of age:   Tracking Your Child’s First Major Gross Motor Milestones   As a first time parent I was concerned about how soon my baby girl managed to achieve the major motor milestones. The below chart sums up a comprehensive study by the World Health Organization. You’ll see that the windows of achievement are wide, there is no reason to be concerned if your baby is inside the window. Reference: WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Motor Development Study: Windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones. Acta Paediatrica Supplement 2006;450:86-95.   Tracking Mental Development Milestones in Children   I’ve mapped below the first 3 years of mental development milestones based on 3 famous books: The Wonder Weeks: A Stress-Free Guide to Your Baby’s Behavior Misbehavior is Growth: An Observant Parent’s Guide to the Toddler Years Misbehavior is Growth: An Observant Parent’s Guide to Three Year Olds      The Wonder Weeks: 10 major, predictable, age-linked changes – or leaps – during their first 20 months of babies’ lives: Below is what Amber Domoradzki observed as childhood developmental stages: Creating a Healthy Sleep Schedule for Your Baby   I really like how Dr Marc Weissbluth advises In his book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, 5th Edition: A New Step-by-Step Guide for a Good Night’s Sleep to “watch your child, not the clock”, but still tells you to try and stick to a sleep schedule. A schedule will help you obtain healthy sleep patterns. You’ll baby will give you signs when she/he will be ready to have the sleep schedule adjusted. I shared my experiences with sleep training in this article: https://thebabydatascientist.com/2-successful-sleep-training-methods-to-try/   Navigating Sleep Regressions in Infants and Toddlers   Sleep regressions; I’m not sure how real they are, but be aware that they might happen: A Step-by-Step Guide to Introducing Solids to Your Baby’s Diet Introducing solids: the cheatsheet of baby food by months. You’ll find details in this article: https://thebabydatascientist.com/introducing-solids-the-cheatsheet/ Immunization Schedule for Children 0-15 months old:   Find below immunization recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Ages 15 months old and younger . Some countries might provide the below vaccines for free based on the national vaccination schema:   Encouraging Independent Play in Children   Solo play is encouraged and beneficial, but how long can our babies / toddlers play by themselves? at 6 months up to 5 minutes at 12 months 10 to 15 minutes at 18 months up to 20 minutes at 24 months up to 30 minutes A full article on this here: https://thebabydatascientist.com/independent-play-6-to-24-months/   OMG Are they all wrong? Well yes, it will not be 100% applicable to your child. Still, they’re useful. It’s reassuring to know what to expect and that difficult periods are normal.

The Surprising Benefits of Raising Kids with Pets: A Comprehensive Look at the Research

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A growing body of research indicates that raising kids with pets can have numerous benefits for their physical, emotional, and social development. Here are a few examples of studies that have explored the benefits of raising kids with pets: Physical benefits: A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that children who grow up with pets are less likely to develop allergies and asthma. Another study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that children with pets had lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improved cardiovascular health. Emotional benefits: Research has shown that pets can help children develop stronger emotional bonds and improve their social skills. A study published in the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities found that children with pets had higher self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and depression. Social benefits: Pets can also help children develop social skills and build relationships with others. A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that children with pets had higher levels of social competence and were more likely to initiate social interactions with their peers. Overall, the research suggests that raising kids with pets can have numerous benefits for their physical, emotional, and social development. If you’re considering bringing a pet into your home, it may be worth considering the potential benefits for your child. Choose the right pet: Some pets are more allergen-friendly than others. For example, hypoallergenic breeds like poodles and bichon frises produce fewer allergens than other breeds. You can also consider a reptile or fish as a pet, as these animals are generally considered hypoallergenic. Keep your home clean: Regular cleaning can help reduce allergens in your home, whether you have a pet or not. Vacuum frequently, especially in areas where your pet spends a lot of time, and consider using air purifiers to filter allergens from the air. Gradually introduce your child to pets: If you’re considering getting a pet and your child has allergies, consider starting with a short-term visit to a friend or relative’s home with a pet. This can help your child become more accustomed to the allergens and may help prevent a severe reaction. Talk to your doctor: If you or your child have allergies or asthma, it’s important to talk to your doctor before bringing a pet into your home. Your doctor can help you assess the risks and make a decision based on your specific allergies and medical history.   Choosing the best companion for your family The most beneficial pet for a child will depend on a variety of factors, including the child’s age, interests, and allergies. However, some pets may be more beneficial for children than others, based on the research that has been conducted. Here are a few examples of pets that may be particularly beneficial for children: Dogs: Dogs are often considered to be one of the most beneficial pets for children, as they can provide love, companionship, and numerous health benefits. Studies have shown that children who grow up with dogs are less likely to develop allergies and asthma, and may have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Dogs can also help children develop stronger emotional bonds and improve their social skills. Cats: Like dogs, cats can provide love, companionship, and numerous health benefits for children. Studies have shown that children with cats have lower levels of anxiety and depression, and may have improved cardiovascular health. Cats can also help children develop stronger emotional bonds and improve their social skills. Fish: Fish can be a good choice for children who have allergies, as they are generally considered to be hypoallergenic. Fish can also be relaxing and therapeutic to watch, and caring for them can help children learn responsibility. Ultimately, the most beneficial pet for a child will depend on the child’s individual needs and interests. It’s important to choose a pet that is a good fit for your child and your family, and to be prepared to provide the necessary care and attention to keep the pet healthy and happy.                       This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!

prepare for sleep training

Start preping for sleep training now!

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Sleep training is something that you can do by yourself. 90% of success will be ensured by a proper preparation. First, you need to be onboard I have so many friends that ask us many questions about how we managed to get the girls to sleep by themselves and seem to want this for their children, but in the end they end up sleeping in the same bed with them. What is stopping them to go for sleep training? Most parents are aware of the benefits of sleep training but are not preparing emotionally for it. I’ll tell you that even we’ve been through the process twice in 3 years ( 😳 ), we had the same conversation and planned for the sleep training to happen. What triggered the sleep training conversation for us? The first time it was repeated midnight dances to get Bianca to fall asleep. It was obvious that she wasn’t a well rested baby and that us, the parents couldn’t really enjoy the time with the baby because we were so tired.. I thought that having this experience with the first child, I’ll rock as a second time parent, but guess what: babies are not the same and parents change. By 3 months of age white noise wasn’t helpful anymore and Giulia was easily woke up by my slight move during the night. She seemed ready to be sleep trained, but was she too young? Sleep trainers recommend you to wait until the baby is 4 months old to start sleep training. We knew that Giulia is ready to sleep by herself earlier at 3 months of age, so I did some research and I got convinced pretty early by the stats: apparently starting sleep training before the 4 months of age will mean ( on average) 15 minutes less crying. In an ideal situation, both you and your partner get on the same page with sleep training and stick to the plan. Otherwise, you’ll confuse the baby and get frustrated. Prepare the room (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) These are the points that helped us: The absence of light. You probably heard that if you get into a dark room, your melatonin level goes up and you get sleepy. This works out for your baby as well. So make sure you get some black out blinds: You can use these for travel purposes as well. The perfect temperature. Recommended sleep temperature is around 68 F – 70 F (20 C – 21 C). You can easily reach this and control it with a smart thermostat (that also controls your A/C). If possible, move the baby in their own room + Crib with elastic strip sheets. Baby monitor / Camera + audio monitor. We have both and use them depending on situation. I prefer the Camera + Audio monitor combo as camera connects via Wi-Fi and you can be a bit further away from baby, but still able to monitor them (e.g. when you’re on vacation: you can have the baby sleeping in the room while you get a coffee in the hotel’s lounge/restaurant). We use a D-link camera. White noise: it’s so easy to configure and manage through Wi-Fi the Amazon Alexa Echo Dot to be your white noise machine. Prepare the baby Check also the below boxes, and you can start sleep training tomorrow: Sleeping bag/sack. Nighttime diapers (can hold more urine and your baby won’t get wet ). We love HUGGIES. Give your baby Vitamin D in the morning, so it won’t interfere with the nighttime sleep. Taking the vitamin late in the day may affect sleep. Incorporate in the nighttime routine a warm bath. Follow the sequence: eat- play- sleep. In this way, baby won’t associate eating with sleeping. The final and hardest one: put your baby to sleep drowsy but awake . You’ll rock this after a few tries!   If you what to read about the 2 methods I used to sleep train my baby girls, check this link.   This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!