Keeping Babies and Toddlers Hydrated

Make sure your baby or toddler stays hydrated. Sometimes children will become cranky when they are thirsty. They may not know how or be able to ask for water. Children are active and in warmer weather may require more fluids. Getting a child used to drinking water from an early age may benefit them as they grow. Taking in fluids through food instead of water may contribute to weight gain. Here are some tips and information on hydration for kids from Health Kaboose.

Keeping kids healthy may contribute to a more comfortable childhood for parents as well as children!

When kids have a sore tummy, a little warmth might help. A microwave heating pad may relax sore stomach muscles or cramped muscles in children and teens. Maine Warmers sells kid friendly microwave heating pads in the shape of Polar Bears, Cats, and Bunnies.

Children's Hydration

Very young children and babies may not know how to ask for water when they are thirsty. They may have eaten recently, had formula, or breast milk, but are still unhappy and acting tired. Offering them some water may help.

Some signs of dehydration other than being cranky, according to the Mayo Clinic, are decreased urine (dry diapers), few tears when crying, dry skin, headaches, and constipation. It can even cause dizziness.

Children who are physically active may need more fluid but not more milk, formula, or high calorie juices. Offering water from early stages of life may help children continue a healthy habit of staying hydrated by drinking water.

In winter the air is drier than in summer resulting in quick evaporation of sweat. It's easy to forget that we need continual hydration during the daytime to maintain energy. Babies and children need it too. Drinking a cold glass of water may not be appealing if one is feeling cold.

Try warming up with the gentle warmth of a Maine Warmer microwave heating pad. A Cozy Bunny or Polar Bear make fun bed warmers for children.

Cranky Babies

Babies are naturally cranky within the first few months of birth. They have to fuss and cry for what they want. Once their needs are satisfied they should no longer be cranky. A dirty diaper, hunger, gas, too hot or cold, tired, or a need for mental or social stimulation are all reasons for an infant to fuss.

If you are a young mother, far away from family and friends who can help you through the first few months of taking care of a newborn, you may consider hiring a doula to help. Experience in child rearing can help ease your fears or may help alert you when you need to take your baby to a medical professional.

A good book about the first few months of life can also help out.

If you have a newborn who awakens when you place him or her in a bassinnette or crib, you might try pre-heating the bed. A Maine Warmers' Cozy Bunny, Sheep, or Baby Seal will decorate a bed as well as warm it.

Microwave heating pads used on newborns and children before drawing blood for testing

A few weeks ago a woman called to order some Back Warmers. She told me that she is a mid-wife and uses a heating pad on an infant's foot before drawing blood for the PKU test -- taken two days after the baby is born. The heat helps circulation and prevents her from having to squeeze the baby's heel to get the blood moving -- always causing the baby to cry.

The day after she ordered, my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter went into the hospital where she was treated for dehydration and low potassium. While I was there with her, two nurses came in to draw blood to check her potassium level.

Although they had placed a numbing cream on her foot where they wanted to draw the blood they were having a very hard time hitting a vein. After a few minutes my granddaughter started to fuss -- it hurt her. I asked them if they could put a heating pad on her foot to help the circulation. They did and it worked like magic! There were no tears, and she was easily distracted. I am happy to report she is back to her normal busy self.

If you find it difficult to have blood drawn, you might request a small heating pad be placed on the area where the blood is to be taken. Take your own microwave heating pad with you. You could warm it up before leaving the house as they are portable.

Maine Warmers' Neck Warmers, Back Warmers, and Hand Warmers help stimulate circulation and increase flexiblity. They will also warm a bed and cold hands.

Help new borns go to sleep

With the birth of every grandchild, my long-time friend, Joni, took a Back Warmer, heated it in the microwave unitl it was warm (not hot) and laid it on the sheets where the baby eventually would be placed. Feeding, burping, changing, and rocking lulled the baby to sleep. When he was ready to be put down in the crib the heating pad came out and the baby cuddled into nice warm sheets. The shock of a cold bed can wake a baby out of a sound sleep. This can be true for adults as well.

Maine Warmers microwave heating pads are decorative as well as functional. Check out their Bunny as a gift for an expectant mom or a baby present. Both mom and baby can benefit -- dad too.

Pregnancy & Back Pain

Back pain during pregnancy is common due to the fact that as a fetus grows the mother's center of balance changes. Adapting to that change takes awareness and practice.

The Mayo Clinic Web site staff wrote an article called "Back Pain during Pregnancy" in which it recommends maintaining good posture, sitting with feet elevated, and avoiding standing for long periods of time. If you have to lift something do it by squatting and lifting with the legs -- not the back. Wear supportive shoes and loose clothing. Stay fit, use a heating pad or ice pack on the back, have someone massage your back, or consult your doctor if the pain becomes severe or is accompanied with bleeding.

Visit Maine Warmers for microwave heating pads and gentle ice packs that may help through pregnancy. All Neck Warmers and Back Warmers have washable covers and are portable and safe. Know someone expecting a baby? Give the gift of comfort -- a Maine Warmers' Cozy Sheep.

New Moms Can Be Cranky Too

Breastfeeding moms sometimes experience pain due to a blocked or infected duct (Mastitis). A blocked duct does not require antibiotics but Mastitis may need to be treated with them. Doctors recommend using a hot water bottles, but a Maine Warmer offers soothing heat that is easy to heat. A minute and a half on full power in the microwave will provide about 45 minutes of heat. Some health professionals recommend taking a hot shower before nursing. When that is not possible, a microwave heating pad is convenient and easy and may help the flow of milk.

Maine Warmers’ Palm Packs are relatively small and can be tucked into a bra or between the breasts. Their Mouse (Benny Bumpeezer) heating pad is whimsical and may bring a smile as well as relief to a new mom with sore breasts. To cover larger areas use a Back Warmer or Neck Warmer.

If breast pain is severe please see your physician.

Read about Mastitis at the Mayo Clinic.