Author name: Nadine Theunissen

As a parent, you may have heard or read about child development. Like many of us, you may have become deeply interested in children’s developmental milestones and their cognitive development. Maybe you’re just interested to know whether your child’s development is where it should be, behind or even advanced. One of these topics include the stages of drawing development in children. A child’s drawing and art skills say more than you may think it does. Viktor Lowenfeld, a 20th century Austrian professor of art education, outlined 5 different stages of art development in children. Although there are questions regarding the cross-cultural application and gender differences regarding Lowenfeld’s theory, it is still widely used to provide structure and understanding to children’s and adolescents’ social -, emotional -, intellectual -, and kinesthetic development and expression. Children’s and adolescents’ drawings may be used by professionals to convey information about hidden traumas, vague and conflicted emotions, fears, conflicts, and perceptions. Drawing holds multiple benefits for various spheres of development. This article will explore such benefits and describe the different stages of drawing in children, as proposed by Lowenfeld. However, it is important to keep in mind that some children may produce drawings which portray elements of different developmental stages while others may skip a stage altogether. Never compare your child with another, they all develop at their own pace. Drawing as a Therapeutic Tool Professionals may analyze children’s drawings to gain insight into various emotional and psychological constructs. Drawings are a valuable tool in therapy since they portray a child’s inner thoughts and feelings without the filters or barriers that spoken or written language may place on them. However, since there is not much research regarding gender and culture differences in art development, the efficacy and reliability of using children’s drawings to identify potential problems remains limited. The Benefits of Drawing for Children Drawing aids multiple areas of development, including fine motor -, cognitive -, and emotional development. It serves as a critical tool used for communication and self-expression and may even contribute to developing math skills! Having to choose which colors and shapes to use, develop decision making. Using tools such as pencils, pens, crayons, and paint improve varying fine motor skills, hand-eye-coordination +, and pre-writing skills. Drawing encourages perspective taking and reflection, which leads to personal insight. All of this contributes to developing self-confidence and self-awareness. Through the different stages of drawing, it is clear to see the progression of a child’s development in various areas. Scribble Stage (2-4 years of age) The first stage of drawing is known as the Scribble Stage and usually emerges in the preschool years between the ages of two and four years old. Scribblings start as rough scratches and become more controlled basic shapes as toddlers gain more hand-eye coordination. Progressing further through the stage, toddlers start to draw intentional, recognizable shapes and may start to name the various aspects of their drawings. During the Scribble Stage, toddlers are unattached to their drawings since they are not as interested in the product of their exploration as they are in their ability to explore and their desire to imitate adults. It has long been believed that the Scribble Stage is purely kinesthetic in nature and that toddlers are merely exploring the physical experience of drawing and exercising their limbs. However, recent psychological research suggests that this stage is not meaningless motor pleasure. Rather, it is suggested that these early scribblings are used by toddlers to understand and interact with the world around them. It is hypothesized that toddlers may use scribbling to communicate their feelings and intentions, and to represent actions and relationships. Considering such hypotheses, scribbles are most often made of dynamic objects which grab toddlers’ attention. These scribbles usually don’t portray the shape of the object, but rather the actions of the object and how the toddler feels about the object. For example, it is suggested that toddlers might use dark, straight scribbles to indicate a negative perception regarding objects or actions while they may use lighter, rounder scribbles to indicate positive perceptions about objects or actions. As such, a dog is not perceived as consisting of various parts, but rather something that bites and barks and may be depicted as dark, straight scribbles. Pre-Schematic Stage (4-7 years of age) During the pre-schematic stage, toddlers start to draw what is important to them. Gender differences may be evident between drawings which are mainly attributed to social roles of different genders in the child’s culture. Children try to strengthen their relation between external worlds, and along with improved learning and development, produce more advanced drawings. These drawings often include boldly colored stick men, since there is not yet an awareness of composition and color is used independent of reality. Shapes are drawn repeatedly, continuously changing. Children might start to show transparency by drawing unseen parts of things (for example, drawing a house and people inside the house). During the pre-schematic stage, drawings are often floating on the page and not grounded. Schematic Stage (7-9 years of age) When a child reaches the schematic stage, schemas or symbolic representations of people, objects and nature are formed in the mind. After repeatedly drawing the human figure, a link is established between the child’s own body and the mental structure of it. Drawings often exaggerate important or main parts and parts which are considered unimportant are ignored. Children may also start to draw geometrical shapes. By this stage, space concept and perception are developed, and figures are identified as having distinct designated spaces. A baseline is also present in drawings which grounds other objects. This is thought to be representative of the child becoming less egocentric and more aware of his/her surroundings. Clear gender differences are also present during this stage. Studies suggest that boys tend to draw more violent and exciting scenes which often include weapons, sports, or vehicles. Boys are also more likely not to use color in their drawings than girls. On the other hand,

If you’re a new mom or if you’re new parents, or just being new to so many new baby inventions, it may also be the first time you hear about sleep nests and pods and you may be wondering whether it’s safe for your baby to sleep in those cute DockATot products. I get why it’s such a popular product, they are extremely cute, available in different colors and themes, babies looking all cozy and cuddly in that adorable soft product. So many people are buying and using DockATots, and you may have been recommended one or one has even been gifted to you. But is it safe? Does it pose a suffocation risk? Does it increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? These are the real questions that you should be asking. Because in the end, cute will never trump safe. We all just want our babies to be happy and safe. What is a DockATot? DockATot’s, often referred to as a baby pod, a baby nest or a Sleepyhead, is a specially designed cushioned mat used to support and protect a baby when they need to be put down. It has become a very popular baby product in recent years. They are absolutely gorgeous, coming in different colors and themes. They’ve quickly become a very popular trend, but with this, people started mistaking it for an actual safe sleep space for babies, which it’s not. Why are DockATots considered unsafe for infants to sleep in? DockATots are not safe sleep approved. It’s not recommended, and it’s well known to increase the risk of both suffocation and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). DockATots are soft, plush nest or pod like a bed. If a baby were to roll onto their side, there is a significant increase in the risk of suffocation due to the soft sides of the DockATot which isn’t made from breathable materials. Babies often don’t have the motor skills or neck control to lift or turn their head out of bedding like that. The bed is small, and the materials are very soft and not breathable, both considered risks to your baby. Safe sleep guidelines recommend that a firm mattress is used and there should be no bumpers or soft bedding and pillows that could increase a baby’s risk of suffocation, which is clearly a risk with products like this. There have been a few deaths associated with DockATots reported and the use of this product should be at the parents own risk. DockATots do not meet the consumer product safety commissions’ (CPSC) safety standards, and despite the CPSC raising concerns and even issuing a notice of violation on the selling of these unsafe products, the company has continued selling them. Although the company did start attaching a warning label to their products, warning parents not to let their babies sleep in their products, it often goes unseen. An important reminder, the company does state that their products are not to be used for sleep or while unsupervised.  When and how can DockATots be used safely? According to DockATot’s website, they also do not recommend their product as a place for babies to sleep safely. Rather just a soft, cushioned space for your baby to lie in while being actively supervised. Claim on the while being actively supervised. You should never let your baby sleep in a DockATot or a similar product and you should never leave your baby unsupervised in it, even if it’s just for a minute or two. A lot can happen in just a few seconds. You can use it while actively playing, talking, reading and singing to your baby. A nice and soft place to put your baby in while you’re with them. As an exhausted new parent, we can easily fall asleep by accident thanks to those sleepless nights. So always have a safe sleep environment and a safe play environment fir your baby, using breathable materials when and where necessary. Alternatives to DockATots Bassinets Bassinets are beds designed specifically for babies from birth to around 4 months of age. Babies can be left here while you need to do something for a while and it’s safe enough for your baby to sleep in during both the day and the night. Make sure to have a flat and firm mattress and no loose bedding, blankets, pillows or stuffed animals in there with your baby. Pack n plays Pack n plays or portable baby sleep spaces, are often used for traveling, but many people use it as a permanent play or sleep space for their babies. When used with a firm mattrass while following safe sleep guidelines, pack n plays can be a safe alternative to a basinet and/or crib. This may be especially suitable when finances may not allow for other sleep spaces. A mat A firm mat on the ground can be a great playground for your baby. Perfect for some tummy time and some playtime. This isn’t suitable for your baby to sleep on, and although much safer than a DockATot, your baby should always be actively supervised while playing on a mat or anywhere else. Babywearing Do you need to get things done but need somewhere safe to put your baby? Why not babywear? Babywearing is where you carry your baby on your body by means of using a wrap or a carrier. You have your hands free; your baby is happy and content to be with their mom and can and often do take some naps while being worn by their mothers. You know your baby is safe with you. Everyone wins. Safe bedsharing Despite what the sleep industry tells parents, bedsharing is biologically normal for humans to do. Your baby is born expecting to bed share with you, you’ll get more sleep in, and yes, your baby can be safe sleeping with you if done correctly. Following the safe seven sleep by La Leche League International (LLLI) will help

Can babies sleep in their own room from birth? A question that pops up for many new parents. There are so many different opinions that it’s hard to know which is fact and which is myth and most important of all, what is best for you and your baby. Should your baby be sleeping in their own crib, but in your room? Should your baby sleep ion their own room right from the start? Should your baby sleep with you in your bed? So many people are so scared of doing things wrong, such as creating bad habits, spoiling their baby, not helping their baby become independent enough right from the start, or just putting their baby’s life in danger that they often ignore what is both biologically right and safe for them and their baby. Hint: bedsharing is biologically normal, can be done safely and holds many benefits for you and your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on infant sleep Many organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have put together safe sleep recommendations for newborn sleep to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Here are a few of their sleep safety guidelines: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations Because the risk of babies having an unexpected death is so high, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies need to sleep on a flat surface on their backs to reduce the baby’s risk for SIDS. According to the AAP, placing your baby in their own crib or sleep space is the best way to reduce the risk of SIDS. They do not recommend bed sharing with newborn babies. The AAP does have a room-sharing recommendation for the first 6 months of age. Keeping your baby close at night can help reduce infant sleep deaths. According to the AAP guidelines, don’t use any loose sheets, blankets, stuffed animals, crib bumpers or anything loose in the baby’s sleep space. You want to have a safe sleeping environment not only to get a good night’s sleep but also to keep your baby as safe as possible. Breastfeeding is recommended and can help to reduce the risk of SIDS deaths for your new baby as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) safe sleep recommendations The World Health Organization (WHO) also has safe sleep guidelines that are very similar. Make sure to keep your baby on their back on a firm mattress for the first year of life. They also encourage having a quiet sleep environment to ensure that your baby gets enough sleep, as less nighttime sleep can lead to sickness and more struggles. Reasons why babies shouldn’t sleep in their own room from birth New parents will want to reduce the risk of SIDS as much as they can, and one way to do that is to have your baby sleep in the same room with you for the early months after giving birth. If your baby is in their own room, they are at a greater risk for accidental suffocation or SIDS. Dr. Fern Hauck shares that having a baby sleep in the parent’s room can cut the chance of a baby getting SIDS by 50%. As you room share, you can also bond a lot easier, and it can help a lot with breastfeeding. If your baby is in a separate room, that can make it a lot harder to breastfeed and leave you exhausted with all the night feedings. When you room share, you can also potentially sleep longer throughout the night. You won’t have to constantly get up to go to your baby’s nursery every time they need something. You can also easily pick up your baby to breastfeed without getting out of bed. How breastfeeding and breast sleeping benefits the breastfeeding dyad Breastfeeding is an incredible way to bond and connect with your child. This mother-child bond is very important and can increase when it comes to breast sleeping. Breast sleeping is usually when the mother and the baby share the bed, and the baby can easily orient themselves to their mother’s breast to feed throughout the night. Breast sleeping has so many benefits, but the most crucial is that it supports the mother-child dyad. It allows for your connection to grow stronger with your baby. Breast sleeping helps to regulate your and your baby’s breathing and heart rate and it helps regulate your baby’s body temperature. Breast sleeping helps the mother and the baby become more in sync with each other’s sleep cycles, meaning the mother is more likely to arouse easily, much like the baby. Breast sleeping also causes more arousal in the baby, which means the baby won’t sleep as deeply or stay in a deep sleep for too long, this helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It also helps breastfeeding go more smoothly as well and can help increase and maintain your milk supply. Safe sleep recommendations There are many unsafe sleep practices that lead to sleep-related deaths in newborns. However, you can do plenty of things to have your baby sleep safely. Sleep in the Same Room As the APP guidelines state, it is best that babies sleep in the parent’s room for the first 6 months of life or longer. For the second half of the first year, the SIDS risk does go down, so if you have noisy sleepers, you can transfer your older babies to a new room with their own space. Make sure to have a safe sleep space Whether your baby is sleeping in their own bassinet or crib, or bedsharing with you, it’s very important to always keep a safe sleep space to reduce the risk of suffocation and SIDS. This includes a flat and firm matrass with no lose bedding or anything in the bed with you and the baby such as loose blankets, pillows

When you become a matter for the first time, it’s hard not to worry about almost every single thing possible. Whether you’re worried about their milk intake and weight gain and growth, or whether your baby is comfortable at night. Being worried is so normal and it just shows how you want what’s best for your baby. Worrying about your baby’s temperature while they’re asleep is a good instinct, as being too hot or too cold can have negative effects on their health and even increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Signs that your baby is too cold If your baby is too cold at night, they might show the following symptoms:  ● Shivering  ● Can’t stay asleep  ● Fussy  ● Pale  ● Skin is very cold  ● Early wakings Usually, if your baby is too cold, they will cry and wake up, which will let you know they need more warmth. But this isn’t always the case, and if you know it’s colder than usual, be sure to check in on your baby to make sure they’re comfortable. Signs that your baby is too hot There are many signs and symptoms that your baby’s temperature is too hot. Some of these include: ● Wet hair  ● Sweating  ● Heat rash  ● Rapid breathing  ● Red or flushed cheeks  ● More tired than normal  ● Temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius Just like with being too cold, babies will often wake up and cry when they’re uncomfortable, but not always. Especially not with overheating as heat often makes babies sleep deeper for longer. If you know it’s hotter than usual, be sure to check in on your baby. The dangers of being too cold If your baby gets too cold, in severe cases, hypothermia can happen. This is mainly because your baby is smaller in size and cannot regulate their temperatures as well as adults can.  Babies who get too cold might wake up constantly throughout the night, not be interested in eating, and can end up getting sick. Sometimes, when newborns get too cold, they will use more energy to try to warm up their bodies, which can affect their weight gain. Most studies about the risks of SIDS have found that it is mainly when your baby has a higher temperature, not a lower temperature. The dangers of overheating When your baby’s body temperature gets too hot, it can lead to dehydration and can increase the risk of SIDS. Most often, if your baby gets too hot, they will not wake up as the heat will make them drowsier and more lethargic. This is a potential danger that can lead to many problems, especially SIDS. What is the best room temperature for your baby? The best room temperature for your baby’s room has been found to be between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. This is just a general rule of thumb though. No need to obsess. Just keep your little one as comfortable as you possibly can. Parenting is no science, follow your motherly instinct and follow your baby’s cues. You’ll be able to tell if your baby’s room is in this temperature range by how they get when they sleep. If they sleep just fine throughout the night and are acting normally, that is usually a good sign you have the ideal temperature, and with sleeping just fine, I mean normal baby wakings and behavior, not excessive waking and crying paired with signs of being too hot or too cold. How to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature The best core body temperature for babies is between 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 36-37 degrees Celsius. No need to get too technical and start taking their temperature though, checking their back or their stomach will tell you whether your baby may be too hot or too cold. Sometimes, you can check the nape of their neck to see if they have a heat rash or excess sweat. It is not wise to check your baby’s hands or feet to tell whether they’re too hot or too cold. Usually, their hands and feet are left uncovered and will lose heat faster than the rest of their body, but that is okay. As long as their core is warm enough, that’s all that matters. If your baby is freezing cold, then that’s a sign that they need additional help.  If your baby is warm but not wet, they are typically okay. If they are cool or sweaty, it’s time to make changes.  In general, a sleeping baby needs one more layer of clothing than we as adults do to be comfortable. Depending on if your baby is too hot or too cold, there are plenty of things you can do to help them get to the right temperature. What to do if your baby is too cold Even with the colder temperatures, you still want to dress your baby in lightweight, breathable clothes. This will help you to check their temperature throughout the night and add on a sleep bag or swaddle if they are too cold.  If your baby’s feet get too cold, you can add on some socks. If your baby has cold hands, you might try using baby mittens, but make sure they are not too loose and that they don’t have any strings attached to them.  Usually, a safe TOG sleep sack or swaddle that won’t come loose while your baby is sleeping is the easiest way to maintain a comfortable sleep environment for your little one.  You can try to adjust the temperature if it is not the optimal room temperature yet. Wait 10 to 15 minutes and check on your baby once again. What to do if your baby is too hot If your baby’s body temperature is too hot, you can try to remove a layer of clothing. If they are wearing a swaddle or sleep sack, try

There’s nothing quite as heartbreaking as seeing your sick baby struggling to breastfeed or to sleep while congested. As we know, babies are born obligate nasal breathers. This means that they can only breathe through their noses until around 2-6 months of age, unless they’re crying. This means that they won’t be able to breastfeed very comfortably or effectively as they will have to unlatch frequently to breathe. It will also make sleeping much more uncomfortable, especially since mucous and phlegm have a way to block the nose even more when we lie down. Luckily there are a few tips and tricks to make feeding and sleeping more comfortable for a sick and congested baby. What is congestion? Congestion is when your nasal passages are completely full due to an excess build-up of mucus. Some refer to this as a runny or stuffy nose. Your baby might experience a completely blocked nose or have fluid running down your baby’s throat or out of their nose. Congestion is part of the body’s way of fighting off viruses and viral infections to keep your body healthy and strong. Baby chest congestion is when babies start to cough or wheeze because of their blocked noses. Some common symptoms your baby might experience with congestion include: ● Runny nose● Sore throat● Sneezing● Noisy breathing● Coughing● Not eating much● Being more fuzzy than normal What causes congestion in babies? Your baby’s nose can become congested for a number of reasons. – Because infants are still building up their immune systems, sometimes a common cold or a high fever can give your baby a runny nose because they are at a higher risk. – Ear infections and many respiratory infections can also cause newborn congestion. – If your baby is around cigarette smoke or other pollutants, this can also cause your baby’s nasal congestion. – Dry air or poor air quality can also cause young babies to get a blocked nose as well. – While it is less common in newborn babies, allergies from pollen or pet dander can potentially cause your baby’s congestion as well. What makes congestion worse, especially at night? Infant congestion is definitely not fun and is most often worse at night.Lying down will increase the blood flow to your head, which can cause the blood vessels in your little one’s nose to swell and become inflamed. Your baby will then have some difficulty breathing, which can cause your baby’s stuffy nose. If your baby’s room is colder at night, their body temperature will most likely drop, which can make their stuffy nose much worse. During the night, the air quality is typically drier, which is a common cause of congestion. The dry air can irritate your baby’s nostrils and give them a stuffy nose too. How to make your baby feed and sleep more comfortably when they’re congested Most babies can’t breathe through their mouths until they are older, so they struggle to sleep at night when they are congested. If you are struggling with a fussy baby, there are plenty of things you can try to do to help bring them relief and help you all get a good night’s sleep. Saline spray with a nasal aspirator One of the first things many new parents try is a saline nasal spray. Spray 1 or 2 saline drops into each nostril. Once you let the saline solution sit in your baby’s blocked nose for a few minutes, use your suction bulb syringe to remove the excess mucus. While you can use a nasal spray without a nasal aspirator, the combination seems to be the most helpful to help break up the excess mucus and clear your baby’s nose. Use a humidifier One of the best home remedies to help with your baby’s discomfort is to use a cold-mist humidifier in your baby’s room at night. This is one of the safe ways to help a congested baby get that much-needed rest. You can also turn on a hot shower and sit in the steamy bathroom with your newborn. This acts as a humidifier and can help clear your baby’s nostrils as well. Breastfeed Your Baby Breastfeeding is very beneficial to your baby, especially during times of sickness. Breast milk is a great way to help your baby get all the nutrients they need to fight off colds or viruses., especially since it’d full of active antibodies. It can be harder for babies to feed well when they have a stuffy nose, so the best thing you can do for your baby’s well-being is to make sure they feed as much as possible. They’ll probably take small feedings more frequently until they’re more comfortable again. You can also make sure to increase your Vitamin C intake yourself so it will pass on to your baby. Give your baby a bath Bathing in nice, warm water can help with baby congestion as well. A warm bath is very soothing and can help your baby sleep better once they get out. Give your baby a massage After a nice warm bath, gently massage their nasal passages. This can help to break up the mucus and clear their airways. Massage the cheekbones, eyebrows, head, and lymph nodes on the neck. Be sure to be very gentle. Offer your baby lots of snuggles Sometimes, babies just need extra snuggles from you when they are sick. Give them lots of cuddles during your night routine to help them feel safe and loved. Being close to you when they are sick or congested is sometimes enough to help them feel much better! Keep their room clean Dust, pollen and pet hair can all give your baby a stuffy nose at night. Make sure their room stays nice and clean. Vacuum the room daily and air out the room every now and then again to keep the air quality nice and fresh. Practice safe sleep The most important thing to remember is to keep your baby safe while