Angela

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April 17 2021

The Best Baby Formula For Acid Reflux

Acid reflux in infants is more common than you think. If you have a baby that regularly spits up milk every feeding, this may be a sign that they are experiencing gastroesophageal reflux. Take note, however, that if they thrive, don’t show signs of weight loss, and don’t show any kind of symptoms, it may not be necessary to change the formula. According to experts, 50% of infants spit more than once per day.

As prescribed by your pediatrician, here are some signs that you have to watch out for to help determine whether you should or should not change your baby formula:

Signs frequent signs of fussiness.
Has difficulty breathing or may possess wheezing sounds.
Back arching after feeding.
Infant has a chronic cough.
Coarse voice, especially when crying.

If your infant has one or more of these symptoms, make sure that you bring the baby to their pediatrician for further treatment and evaluation. The next question is, what should you do? Most often than not, the formula milk that you’re currently using causes reflux. This may not be the case at all times, but a quick formula milk change may relieve the symptoms in most cases. Whenever you’re changing the formula milk, always note that you have to gradually introduce it to the infant.

Do not immediately change the formula. You may mix a small ratio of the new formula to the old formula. This way, their tiny tummies won’t have difficulties with the drastic change in their diet. Quickly changing from one milk to another may cause an upset tummy, diarrhea, and constipation are more common.

What To Look For When Finding The Best Baby Formula For Acid Reflux

There are numerous factors to take into consideration, but your best bet is to ask your pedia for the best formula that you can switch to. There’s an exception to this one though; if your baby has formula intolerance, regardless if it’s the best baby formula for acid reflux, it won’t make much of a difference and you need to work closely with your pediatrician for this. Otherwise, if they don’t have formula intolerance, here’s the secret.

You need to find one that is hypoallergenic. There are numerous brands in the market, but the most popular is Nutramigen and Alimentum. Numerous case studies on these two brands stated that the condition of infants switching to this brand has generally improved versus when they were on their old formulas. This is because they need to be drinking milk that is less acidic to help reduce the occurrence of GERD.

Aside from changing formulas, you may also try changing positions while feeding the baby, while your pediatrician may also recommend some reflux medications along with the milk brand change. Again, babies that spit up milk but don’t show signs of respiratory problems or weight loss no longer need the medications as well.

If all else fails, your next step would be to find a pediatric gastroenterologist. This way, the doctor may specifically address and pinpoint the cause and provide a more straightforward approach.

April 14 2021

5 Homeowner Tips You Need to Know When Choosing an Artwork

Angela Interior Design 0

Artwork can define the personality you would want to convey through your space. As such, it is imperative to choose the right art pieces.

Moreover, art can be an investment. Because of the piece you would want to hang on your wall, the artwork can increase its market value through time.

The best part? You can choose to spend a hefty sum or not.

That said, here are five tips for choosing suitable artwork for different parts of your home.

Artwork in the Living Room

The common area where you can place artwork is in your living room.

Subconsciously, the way we design and organize our living room indicates how we would like our guests to perceive us. This includes the art pieces we hang on the wall.

For instance, a family-oriented homeowner is likely to have a gallery wall showcasing the family members. Perhaps, a large wedding photo in the center, surrounded by photos of their children and pets in smaller frames.

Regardless, artwork in the living room can be a conversation piece. That said, consider different forms and styles of art pieces as well. It can be a flag, your collection of car plates, and more.

Whatever it is, look for a piece that will best reflect your personality.

Artwork in the Bedroom

Your bedroom is your sanctuary. This is where you can lie down, relax, and ease your worries.

As such, it would be nice to hang artwork that best reflects the tranquility that you want your bedroom to emanate.

Large pieces are the best choices when looking for a bedroom art piece. Ideally, you should hang it at eye level on a wall over the bed or on the opposite side.

We suggest looking for an abstract painting that uses soothing colors. If you are into photography, landscape and desaturated photos are the way to go. What’s important is that the focus will be on the artwork instead of the vessel.

Artwork in the Kitchen

While it is often referred to as the heart of the home, some homeowners tend to forget to beautify the kitchen with an art piece.

As one of the commonly used rooms in your home, it is undeniable that you should incorporate art in your kitchen.

If you do not know where to place them, consider the shelves, the space above the cupboard, and the counter. Doing so adds color and detail to your kitchen.

However, you should opt for smaller pieces, something that complements the look of your kitchen. Otherwise, it can lead to visual clutter.

That said, we suggest that you go for funny or social print pieces.

Artwork in the Bathroom

The bathroom might be the last place you will consider when hanging artworks. Nonetheless, it can add character to your bathroom and can help decorate an awkward, blank wall.

When hanging bathroom art, the key is to look for pieces that complement the space’s design.

If you have a minimalist bathroom, a landscape photo with ample negative space in a simple frame will work. For a luxurious vibe, a golden frame with a bold, classical design might be suitable.

As to where to best hang your artwork, it can be over the toilet or bathtub.

Artwork in Your Home Office

Not everyone has a home office. But if you have one, it would be nice to hang an art piece somewhere.

For one, art is an excellent way to personalize a space. Second, it can be your source of inspiration.

And if you are in a windowless room, hanging a photo of a garden or any greenery can be uplifting.

To add character to your home office, we suggest that you do a rotating gallery. All you need is to place different artworks in different sizes on a long floating shelf.

How to Hang Your Artwork

Regardless of where you would like to hang your art pieces, there are three things you should consider when hanging an artwork:

Location

Knowing where you want to hang an art piece is one of the first things you should do. That way, you would see if it makes sense or whether you should hang something different instead to add function to space. For example, hanging a large mirror in the entryway is ideal than hanging an artwork.

Grouping

For a cohesive look, we suggest group pieces of different sizes. This explains why a gallery wall is an ideal solution to spruce up an empty wall.

Scale

The last factor to consider is the scale of an art piece. This means that it should be in line with the size of the furniture in your house. Otherwise, it will look disproportionate.

If you intend to decorate different areas of your house with art pieces, ensure to return to this post. That way, you would know what artworks to look for and where you can place them.

April 14 2021

Great Back & Belly Tickle Games For Your Baby Or Toddler

Angela Parenting 0

Babies and tickling go hand in hand and there is a good reason for it; even before you can communicate with words tickling lets you have fun and laughter with your little one and encourages lots of smiles, belly laughs, and a general feeling of bonding between parent and little one.

Of course, you may need a little helping hand when it comes to inspiration on what games you can play that involve tickling. That’s where we come in. Let’s see how you can make tickling a lot more fun than just the odd feet tickle or back tickle!

The Singing Raspberry!

This one is for toddlers who understand a little of what you ask them. Have your toddler sing their favorite song and as they do blow raspberries on their tummy. Get them to try to keep singing as you get more exuberant with the raspberry blowing. This is sure to have you both rolling around with laughter and your child is sure to beg you to play the tickle game over and over again!

The Guitar Tickler!

This can be done with babies or toddlers. Pick your little one up and hold them across your body as you would a guitar. Now pretend to strum their tummy as you sing one of your or their favorite songs. You can really get into the rockstar zone if you like and jump around like the bass player from your favorite band!

The Tickly Butterfly Kisses

Butterfly kisses are great for making babies and toddlers giggle with delight. It’s very simple to do, which is an added bonus for tired parents! Lean over your little one and blink several times so that your eyelashes tickle their skin. You can tickle their face, their tummy, or their back this way and they are sure to have a good belly chuckle in response. If your little one is old enough to understand you can ask them to give you butterfly kisses too!

The Buzzy Bee Tickler

This tickle game works well for young babies and is a great way for sleep-deprived moms to still feel like they are doing something to encourage their baby’s emotions and have fun together. It’s also an easy game to remember, excellent when you are lacking a few hours of sleep in a row!

Simply raise your index finger up high in the air above your baby and make a ‘buzz’ sound. Start with the sound being quiet then wiggle your finger closer to your baby and make your ‘buzz’ sound more intense.

Do this a few times without actually touching your baby’s skin. They will enjoy watching your display and when you do eventually give them a tickle of their toes, tummy or wherever gets the most smiles, it will make them chuckle with delight.

Indeed, sometimes it is hard to think of new ways to have fun with our little ones. Even though tickling is an old game, kids never seem to tire of it! We hope you have a lot of fun with these laughter-inducing tickle games.

April 10 2021

How To Make Mickey Mouse Punch

Angela Recipes 0

Mickey Mouse Punch is a great drink choice for kids’ parties. Actually, it is also a great non-alcoholic choice for any type of party! Here is a quick and easy guide on how to make it.

Mickey Mouse Punch Recipe

What You Need:

1.3 liters of pineapple juice
1.9 liters of other fruit-flavored juice
1 liter of ginger ale
Various fruit pieces (watermelon, pineapple, orange, or others)

How To Make It:

Using a large serving pitcher mix the pineapple juice, fruit juice, and ginger ale together.

Now add the garnished fruit pieces and mix well.

Mixing It Up A Little

Of course, you may want to try a few other ideas when making Mickey Mouse Punch, and remember recipes are only suggestions after all! If some of the little guests are not fussed on pineapple you may need to try a different fruit juice such as orange, mango, or mixed fruit.

It is crucial to have a carbonated drink in the Mickey Mouse Punch to have it taste as it should. Ginger Ale provides a good pack of flavor which is why it makes such a good addition. However, if you do not wish to use Ginger Ale or some of the guests do not like this addition you could experiment with other carbonated drinks such as a fizzy fruit drink or even just lemonade. If using plain lemonade, make sure that the other fruit juice choices are strong in flavor, as well as in color.

How To Serve Mickey Mouse Punch

As well as needing the large pitcher you will also need glasses for serving. If the Mickey Mouse Punch is for a children’s party we would highly recommend that you invest in a plastic pitcher, no one wants to have to worry about cleaning up broken glass at a kid’s party.

The same can be said for the serving glasses. Look for plastic glasses that are fancy and have the appearance of being like a glass cocktail glass, this will make the kids feel extra special as they come to the serving area to get their punch. Usually, you can get good quality glasses that look great and that can be re-used at the next kid’s party. Remember, kids and fruit punch is a recipe for lots of hyperness so investing in plastic, safe glasses is going to save you a lot of worries!

Add Other Mickey Mouse Additions To The Party

If you are going to be making Mickey Mouse Punch you may also want to include other Mickey Mouse additions at the party. You could get balloons, Mickey Mouse straws for their glasses, or even hire a life-size Mickey Mouse to visit the party as a great surprise for all of the kids!

Indeed, Mickey Mouse Punch makes a great drink choice for children’s parties or as a non-alcoholic drink to serve at a party for all ages. We hope that the guide we have provided above will have everyone enjoying your fruity, delicious punch at your next party!

April 9 2021

6 Possible Causes of Water Leaks at Home

Angela Home 0

Every homeowner who has already dealt with household leaks can often relate to the inconvenience especially if repair and replacement are required. A water leak is not only inconvenient but it can highly cause serious damage to your home structure if left unattended. Moreover, water leakage can have a direct impact on your water bill due to the fact that water has been tremendously wasted. Some leaks are easy to detect and easy to fix, and yet, there are leaks that are hard to recognise because most of your pipework is located behind the walls and under the floors.

When you suspect a leakage, it is vital to address the problem so that you can immediately avert the complication, at the same time, it can save you from costly repairs and replacement. Furthermore, early detection of water leaks can prevent damage as well as prohibit the growth of organic matter such as moulds and bacteria. It is wise to remember that mould formation has a detrimental effect on the health of your family, especially your children.

To prevent such a case, you need to take time in identifying the possible causes of water leakage in your home. More importantly, upgrading your home is necessary to avoid future complications. One way to do this is to install a quality waterproofing system to ensure a safe and hazard-free home. You can always seek the service of waterproofing central coast professionals for your waterproofing needs.

1. Incorrect Initial Installation Of Water Lines

There’s no perfect disaster than finding out that your water lines are installed incorrectly. There are many reasons for such faulty installation, and one of them is job incompetency. At the time of installation, the contractor may have been negligent, unfocused or unqualified. It could be that the materials used are not quality ones, hence, substandard materials will likely result in early deterioration.

Once your water lines have become damaged, your home is vulnerable to destruction, and you will end up spending a high amount of money for repairs or worse, renovation. Accordingly, it is always crucial to engage with a reputable contractor to deliver the installation.

2. Irrigation Leaks

Outdoor leaks can be very hard to find especially if your yard is spacious and you have built a complicated irrigation system. Yet, this is one of the most common leaks that you should not neglect. And since the irrigation system is to maintain your landscape, there’s a big possibility that a line crack or a loose joint connection is causing the leak.

The problem with this kind of leakage is that water can still seep even though the irrigation system is turned off. If you decide to look for the irrigation leak, you need to look for unusual flooding or damp patches in the grass. However, you also need to determine whether the leaks are coming from the irrigation system or from the main water line.

This is even harder because the main water line is buried underground. In cases like this, it is essential to obtain help from your local professionals to fix the issue without damaging your water systems.

3. Faucets, Tubs and Toilet Leaks

Most of the leaks are found indoors, and they can be easy to spot such as a leaking faucet. Since faucets are a very important part of an efficient home, it is almost crucial to keep them in good working condition.

A leaking faucet should not be ignored because it will not create inconvenience but, financially, payment for your water bill may be taken from your savings. Faucet leaks can be easy to fix if you have basic knowledge of plumbing.

The leaks in the tubs and toilets are mostly associated with a faulty seal. The tubs and toilets have seals to contain the water inside the pipe and into the drains. Unfortunately, when these seals are broken, water seeps out and soaks into the walls or subflooring.

4. Rusty Weak Pipes

Rusty weak pipes can turn into a major issue if kept ignored. This is because pipe replacement can be considered a huge home project for homeowners. When you suspect rusty pipes, you need to turn to professionals for an immediate solution. Fixing the symptoms without really addressing the root problems will only cause you stress and anxiety.

5. Leaks from Pest Damage

Your pipes can be a target to rodents and other pests in your house. Depending on how your waterline and piping systems are set up, these rodents can easily tear down your plumbing system. Hence, keeping pests away from your property will give you peace of mind.

6. Wear And Tear Principle

No matter how advanced and how expensive your water system might be, they are eventually susceptible to corrosion. Thus, it is important to remember to have your plumbing system checked at least once a year to prevent early damage to your structure.

Furthermore, since you are well aware of your water system, you know what to expect, and this gives you the time to prepare for incoming repair or replacement costs.

April 9 2021

Easy DIY Infant Halloween Costume Ideas

Angela Parenting 0

It is never too early to think about how to dress up your little baby for Halloween. A costume bought from a store can be costly and it will only fit your baby just one time. A better approach is make the costume yourself. Here are three ideas for easy diy infant Halloween costumes.

Little Pumpkin

What is Halloween without a little pumpkin?

You will need an orange t-shirt that is a couple of sizes larger than your baby, black felt, green felt, and 1/4″ wide elastic. On the hem of the t-shirt, the seam is usually folded under about 1/2″ which creates a pocket where you can insert some elastic.
Cut a small slit in this seam. Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic and guide it all the way around through the hem.
Cinch the elastic enough to gather the hem but still allowing your baby’s legs to freely move. Do the same for both sleeves. This will give the t-shirt a puffy effect.
With the black felt, cut out shapes for the jack o’ lantern’s eyes, nose and mouth.
Sew those on or attach them with fabric glue.
With the green felt, cut out triangles and affix them upside-down around the collar. If you’re ambitious, you can make a stem head piece with cardboard and green felt.
Cut a circle from the cardboard and cover it with green felt. Make a stem and hot-glue that on top the circle.
Attach elastic that can secure the head piece to your baby’s head.

A word of caution: put this on your baby just long enough to take a photo of your baby because your baby will pull it off and you don’t want your baby to get a hold of the elastic.

Charlie Brown

This is perfect if your baby boy still has very little hair.

You will need a yellow short-sleeve t-shirt and black felt.
On the felt, cut out two strips of about 2″ wide, each as long as the width of the t-shirt. Cut each strip into the iconic zig-zag design. Sew or glue the strips to both sides of the t-shirt.
Pair the t-shirt with a black pair of pants.
For the finishing touch, use an eye-liner and draw a curly line above your baby’s forehead that represents Charlie Brown’s hair.
Look at a cartoon image if you’re not sure what that looks like. Then, draw two eyebrows above your baby’s eyebrow line.

A Money Bag

This is great if you dress up like a robber and your baby like a bag of loot.

You need a pillow case, black duct tape, and elastic.
With the duct tape, cut out pieces that you can assemble into a big dollar sign on the pillowcase.
Cut two holes in the pillowcase for baby’s arms.
Cut out a piece of elastic that’s long enough to go around your baby.
Insert this elastic through the pillowcase opening so the opening can gather above the baby’s shoulders.
Then, dress up as a bank robber and carry your baby loot around.

Whatever costume you make for your baby, be sure there are no small loose parts that your baby can put in his mouth. Costumes should not be accessorized by any long ribbons. Stitching should be secure. Your baby should be able to move around in the costume comfortably. Be sure to take lots of pictures because memories like these come only once in a lifetime.

April 8 2021

Which Home Improvement Projects Will Boost your Home Value in 2021?

Angela Interior Design 0

The start of this new year is a prevalent time for homeowners to think about renovating. Whether thanks to New Year’s resolutions to finally bring homes to market or simply because homeowners want to make their living space more livable and attractive.

Careful consideration of what remodeling project you undertake can make for a valuable investment.

Replacing Garage Doors

Not only did replacing garage doors increase curb appeal, but this project also got the best return on investment (ROI) in terms of reimbursement of resale costs. According to the report, homeowners can get 95 percent of their money for a new garage door through resale.

Kitchen Remodelling

Consider the kitchen as the central part of the house. Instead of ditching the kitchen core and giving it a modern look, a small kitchen remodeling project can be just as valuable.

Front Door Replacement

The front door adds to the house’s overall appeal and makes an excellent first impression as it is the first part of the house that visitors will carefully look at before entering the internal domain. Simple front door repairs such as repainting or adding magnetic tape for weather conditions are widely considered inexpensive fixes for potential home buyers.

Apart from being cheaper than alternatives, steel doors are an essential feature for homeowners focused on home safety, as steel doors are 7 to 1 superior to wooden doors.

Landscape Yard

A beautifully landscaped garden is essential to add to the attractiveness of the house. By simply making sure your lawn looks stable, which can be created by adding grass and making sure shrubs, trees, and flower beds are well cared for, an attractive garden can generate up to 200 percent returns for resale.

Make sure you don’t overdo it when creating landscaping. Many landscaping projects can be done with minimal effort and require a minimal cost. However, decorating your garden with lots of exotic plants challenging to care for or installing an expensive fence can easily cost a homeowner $ 40,000 or more.

Home Siding Replacement

Siding Replacment is one of the cheapest ways to upgrade a home’s exterior and averages $ 10,000 for the entire project. Remodel can help make a home look almost new. Additionally, homeowners can add foam underlay to the vinyl siding, increasing durability and saving homeowners a large amount of money due to improved insulation.

Renovation Magazine counts another form of coating, fiber cement coating, as the best home improvement option for five consecutive years. On average, wallcoverings offered a 78% resale result. Once installed, replacement siding is low maintenance and will last up to twenty-five years.

Attic Basement Conversion

Turning an attic or basement into a living space is worth much more than physically adding living space, as the latter adds to the cost of foundations, dirt, and framing.

Clean Up Yard

Add value to your home by spending a few hours a week on your lawn. This home maintenance tip gives you a 100% ROI as it costs a little more than a few garbage bags. Many homeowners fail to realize that trash from outside the home immediately leaves a negative impression. Be proud of your home, and you will add value to your home.

Gather all the leaves and get rid of the messy ones. Make sure to clean your garden furniture from mold and dirt. The new pillows give a fresh look to existing interior furniture. A clean and tidy exterior is one of the best ways to add value to a home and welcome potential buyers.

Upgrade Gutters

Increase the appeal of your home by upgrading and installing new gutters – this is important for your roof’s structural integrity and enhances the appearance of your home. A broken, worn, or drooping gutter is a red flag for home buyers. Check your channels carefully and replace them if they look old or damaged.

Upgrading your old gutters to materials such as stainless steel or copper will give your home a great look and increase functionality. A professional rooftop can save an inexperienced drain from risky maneuvers on the stairs.

Change Door Handles

Small home renovations like updating your outdoor unit go a long way in adding value to your home. You can edit the exterior style of your home by simply changing accents. The main accent is the handle on your door. If your door handle is stained, potential buyers won’t want to enter your home.

Check all of your outdoor units. Make sure they are not only functional but also attractive. Changing a handle or lock is cheaper than replacing an entire door. Not sure how to replace that outdated door handle? Contact a licensed door specialist.

Roof Replacement

Your roof can decrease or increase the value of your home, depending on the conditions. Missing or cracked tile scares potential buyers. Homebuyers are cautious when it comes to expensive repairs.

For a professional roof, it is best to assess the condition of your roof. New shingles change the look of your home, and there are many types of shingles to choose from. Even though the new roof is an integral part of the ticket, you can expect to cover 63% of the cost. Your roof is an investment you cannot ignore.

Conclusion

Follow these fantastic tips and renew your living space this new year. Improving your home will not just increase its curb appeal but also enhance its value.

April 8 2021

5 Tried and Tested Tips to Help You Plan Travel on a Budget

Angela Travel 0

Planning a trip is always an exciting affair. But it is also undeniable that traveling can be expensive.

Unless money grows on trees for you, you probably don’t want to sacrifice your financial stability to travel all over the world.

Luckily, you don’t have to.

Here are five tried and tested travel tips that will help you plan a trip even when you’re on a budget.

1. Travel out of season

One of the excellent ways to travel on a budget is to do it during the off-season. That way, you won’t feel that you are missing out and you’re not breaking the bank.

There’s a reason many people or tourists travel during and around the same time as each other. Often, it’s because that’s the time when they collectively get a break from their work or school. Other times, that’s because these are the best dates to go to certain places.

For example, summertime is the best time to go to tropical destinations. When you travel, you should travel out of season to not have to deal with the masses.

Since there are many patrons in your destination when it’s in season, the prices will be astronomical. At the same time, you probably won’t have as great a time when you constantly have to deal with fellow tourists.

By traveling out of season, it doesn’t mean that you are going to miss out on a lot. Instead, you’ll have a better chance of enjoying yourself without spending more than you should simply because of your timing.

At the same time, you get to see a different side of your destination that you wouldn’t have seen if you went when tourists are aplenty.

2. Be accommodation-savvy

One of the costliest parts of traveling is the accommodations you’ve arranged for yourself. Even when you get a cheap hotel, it can still be expensive, especially if you want to be anywhere near your destination’s critical places.

That’s why you need to be smarter with where you choose to stay, especially when you think of your travel style.

Instead of sticking to staying in hotel rooms, consider branching out more. Many hikers or outdoorsy people who travel to go on trips around nature don’t bother with expensive accommodations.

If you’re interested in traveling to get from one site to the next, hostels are much cheaper. If you’re less likely to stay for hours in your chosen accommodation, you shouldn’t spend much money on it anyway.

As long as you can sleep there comfortably and safely, that should be good enough.

3. Pack properly

Another part of traveling that may add a dent to your budget would be your baggage fees. It may be tempting to bring all the items you “think” you need with you, but you have to be more strategic with what you get.

Bring multi-purpose products and avoid bringing items that you don’t need during the trip. Clothes are the parts of your pack that will take up the most space, so you ensure that you don’t pack too many of them. You should have two pairs of shoes at most with you and clothes that look good no matter what you pair them with are also helpful.

Strategic packing will be a massive help for you in terms of cutting costs during your travels.

4. Book flights in advance

Plenty of veteran travelers know that to reduce plane tickets’ costs, you need to keep an eye out for sales. At the same time, you should know to book your flights in advance.

This tip helps you travel during holidays when it’s notoriously expensive and hard to find a flight.

When you purchase your plane tickets in advance, you won’t have to settle with boarding flights at odd times. You also get to have them for a more negligible expense than you would have if you didn’t book them in advance.

5. Be smart about your flight

If you don’t have much experience booking flights from a budget airline, you should know that it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

Read the fine print so you’d know what you’re dealing with. That way, you’d know what to expect when you book a budget airline flight.

Often, there are going to be pockets of time when certain flights are going to be cheaper. It would help to check social media to figure out these schedules and make the most out of them.

With some finagling and manoeuvring, you’ll be able to book a cheap flight to your chosen destination.

Conclusion

Traveling with a budget shouldn’t mean that you have to compromise on enjoyment. With the tips on this list, you should make the most out of any trip.

Even when you don’t have an unlimited budget to work with for the journey, you should still have fun. Apply these next time you’re planning a trip anywhere and know that you don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to be a well-traveled person.

April 7 2021

Why Does My Baby Hate Lying Flat On Back?

Angela Parenting 0

Every baby is different and likes and dislikes will vary from one infant to another. Some babies like lying on their backs while a few may fuss. However, there could be another more serious cause why a baby simply doesn’t like being on their backs that you should be aware of if you have a baby who fusses in this position.

Why Is It Preferable For A Baby To Lie Flat On The Back?

The main reason why it is better for an infant to lie on their backs is respiration or breathing. A baby placed on their tummies or side is at a greater risk of being smothered by blankets or the sleeping surface or mattress. Placing a baby on a pillow or with their heads raised can obstruct respiratory passages. Lying flat on the back allows for deep breathing and the maximum amount of oxygen to be drawn through those tiny noses and into the lungs.

Another reason your paediatrician may insist on your baby lying flat on their back is for ideal growth and development. Infants have very soft bones that are growing rapidly. A baby lying on their stomach or curled up on their side may experience some problems with the physical development of the spine and hips.

What Can Cause A Baby To Hate Lying Flat On Back?

If your baby fusses slightly or cries for a short period when first placed on their backs before calming, there is little reason for concern. However, if baby screams or cries for an extended period of time, it’s likely that lying flat on their backs is causing some kind of discomfort or pain. It is recommended to pay a visit to your pediatrician as soon as possible.

One of the following conditions could be the cause of the pain or discomfort.

Acid reflux. Lying flat on the back can cause the acid from the stomach to rise up into the esophagus (throat) and mouth causing pain.
Colic or constipation. Your baby could have a tummy ache that is causing them to draw their legs up and cry when placed on their backs.
The fetal position. Baby may simply want to lie in the fetal position which they have become familiar with in the womb. While this isn’t a serious problem, your pediatrician can give you advice on how to overcome it. This is more likely to affect quick birth or C-section babies.

If none of these are the cause of the fussing or crying, your pediatrician should do a full check-up to look for other causes of pain and discomfort.

What Can You Do About It?

Your pediatrician can provide you with treatments for acid reflux, colic and/or constipation to alleviate the pain and discomfort that your baby is experiencing when lying flat on their backs. You can also try the following:

A warm bath before sleep time to calm and relieve some of the pain baby is experiencing.
Baby massage to gently help stretch the muscles, tendons and joints. Visit a cranial osteopath if your baby seems to want to sleep in the fetal position.
Swaddle your baby tightly or lay in bed with them to avoid the startle or fear response associated with lying on their backs.
Let your baby fall asleep in your arms before placing them flat on their backs in the crib.
Let baby sleep on their tummies on your chest.
Allow baby to sleep on their side or tummy under your strict supervision to ensure that they are breathing properly and not getting smothered.

It is generally not recommended to place your baby on their tummy or side while awake until they are able lift their heads or roll over on their own which normally takes place at around 6 months of age. It is not recommended to let baby sleep on their side or tummy until about 1 year.

April 5 2021

5 Steps for Making Restaurant-Quality Pizza at Home

Angela Recipes 0

If you think it is impossible to make restaurant-quality at home, think again.

A tasty pizza need not be elaborate. The secret is in the quality of your ingredients and your methods. And while not everyone has a brick oven at home, you can still make your favorite pizza within the comforts of your home.

Step 1: Do the Dough

In case you are unaware, the excellent dough is the foundation of a restaurant-style pizza.

If you want to achieve a pizza that tastes closely as the one you always buy in the restaurant, forget about the pre-baked pizza crust. Bobby Flay has a quick pizza dough recipe that you can follow.

The best part? You can use your processor to mix all the ingredients! There is no need to exert too much effort until you reach the kneading part.

But if you are pressed for time to make your pizza dough, you can buy one in your grocery store’s deli section.

Step 2: Preheat Your Oven

Whether you are using an electric oven or a brick oven, it must be hot enough.

Set your oven to its hottest setting for preheating. And do not forget to place your pizza stone in the oven. Please put it in the upper portion of your over to heat for a full hour.

That way, it can absorb your oven’s heat, giving you a perfectly crisp crust.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Aside from a pizza dough made from scratch, a homemade pizza sauce is also vital.

But instead of using fresh tomatoes, we recommend canned tomatoes. That’s because they have consistent quality and the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

Pulse your canned tomatoes in a food processor. Once done, let it simmer with olive oil, minced onion, and garlic. Add salt to taste.

Et voila! You now have a homemade pizza sauce.

Let the sauce cool before you add on your dough.

Step 4: Add Your Toppings

Depending on what pizza you would like to make, this is the part where you add your toppings.

When it comes to pizza toppings, keep in mind that less is more.

Simplicity is key to a restaurant-style pizza. Plus, you go after the quality of ingredients instead of their quantity.

Four to five mozzarella slices from a local dairy store will have better flavor and texture than a store-bought, shredded cheese.

Once your pizza is ready, set it on the pizza stone in the oven.

Step 5: Let Your Pizza Bake

Now that your pizza is set in the oven, let it bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese melts and the dough has risen and turns golden.

The key here is to keep an eye on your pizza. Once you think it is done, please remove it from the oven as quickly as you can. Add more toppings like fresh herbs before slicing and serving.

And, that’s it! You now have a homemade, restaurant-style pizza.

Some Pizza Baking Tips You Need to Know

Now that you know how to make a restaurant-quality pizza at home, here are best practices that you should keep in mind:

Let the Dough Rise

Letting your dough rise allows it to develop flavor. Hence, you should let your dough rise in a warm environment. If you roll the dough and appear to be elastic, let it rest for a few minutes.

Dust Your Board With Cornmeal

Once you are ready to cut your dough, we suggest dusting your cutting board with cornmeal. It makes it easy for you to get the pizza from the oven, and it also gives a nice crunch.

Add a Thin Layer of Sauce

If you want your pizza to stay crunchy, get steady on the sauce. Just add a thin layer of sauce. Otherwise, your pizza crust will be soggy.

Do it Swiftly

The tricky part in making a restaurant-style pizza at home is setting your dough in the pizza stone swiftly. That’s because you do not want to keep the oven door open for long. Otherwise, it will cool down.

You also do not want your pizza to pleat or fold while transferring it. But this is where the cornmeal dust comes in handy.

Enjoy Your Homemade Restaurant-style Pizza!

Whether it is Neapolitan-style or crispy thin, we understand if you live for a good slice of pizza.

You do not necessarily have to be a veteran to make a restaurant-quality pizza at home. You do not even need a pizza oven to do it (although having one is cool)!

What’s important is that you are using quality ingredients and taking the time to make the pizza dough from scratch. Doing so is just half the fun.

Because the next thing you know, your pizza nights can spice up date night with your partner or level up your family time.