This is a very good guideline for parents who are not certain about the babysitter they’ve hired. There are a lot of signs you can watch out for to make sure you got the right sitter for you.

Be sensitive to your child’s signals, and follow these warnings from Baby Centre.

• Your toddler isn’t happy to see the nanny or babysitter and has become anxious and withdrawn.

• Your nanny or babysitter seems secretive about the daily routine.

• Your child has been in one too many easily avoidable accidents.

• You notice your requests aren’t followed.

• She seems critical of they way you’re raising your child.

• Your nanny or babysitter often shows up late.

• Your toddler often looks unkempt and dirty.

• Her stories don’t add up.

For more a more detailed guide, check out the story here.

According to a new study,  children who start swimming before the age of 2 may be at increased risk of a common infant lung infection, and possibly asthma and respiratory allergies later in life, a new study suggests.

“The findings, reported in the European Respiratory Journal, add to evidence that exposure to chlorinated pools may affect children’s respiratory health — particularly if they have a family history of asthma or respiratory allergies like hay fever.

Experts have suspected that the air quality around pools, particularly indoor ones, is to blame. When the chlorine used to disinfect pools combines with swimmers’ sweat, saliva or urine, irritating chlorine byproducts are formed, and over time these chemicals may damage the airways.”

For more on the story, click here.

The Foods Standard Agency wants UK ministers to push for the voluntary removal of six artificial food colourings after research found a link with hyperactivity in children.

“In September 2007, a UK study reported children behaved impulsively and lost concentration after consuming a drink containing additives.

In the study, 300 children were randomly given one of three drinks, either a potent mix of colourings and additives, a drink that roughly matched the average daily additive intake of a child of their age or a “placebo” drink with no additives.

Their hyperactivity levels were measured before and afterwards, and researchers found that the drink with the highest level of additives had a “significantly adverse” effect compared with the placebo drink.”

For more information, see the news story on BBC.

An Australian-led study has confirmed a lack of serotonin was a common factor with babies who die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

“The breakthrough offers a “much clearer direction” in the search for a cure for the mysterious syndrome, which still claims one in 2,000 apparently healthy children. Researcher Dr Jhodie Duncan, of the Melbourne-based Florey Neuroscience Institutes, studied cases of infant deaths from confirmed SIDS and other causes. The SIDS babies were found to have lower levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which regulates the body’s basic life-sustaining functions. “Things like heart rate, blood pressure, sleep cycles, respiration, serotonin plays a very important role in all these things that you need to stay alive,” Dr Duncan said. “Our study has proven that in infants dying of SIDS there is lower TPH2 (a related enzyme) levels and reduced serotonin production.” Earlier research had indicated serotonin production may play a role in SIDS deaths though scientists were yet to determine whether it was more, less or the same as unaffected children. – AAP”

More on this story here.

Not sure what to feed your bub once she starts taking solids? It is best to err on the side of caution, especially if your family is susceptible to allergies (who isn’t these days?).

To be safe, visit Baby Centre’s age by age feeding guide. It tells you what to feed your little one and how much to feed them. Remember to introduce new foods during the day so you have enough time to deal with possible allergic reactions.

The co sleeping option is talked in hushed tones in private conversations under soundproof basements similar to old style speakeasies.

Mothers from western societies hide this secret in fear of being ridiculed and ostrasised. But there are heaps of advantages to co sleeping, aside from the fact that you won’t lose sleep because it solves those middle of the night feeds.

Here are some bits and pieces of information about co sleeping:

“Stress hormones are lower in mothers and babies who co-sleep, specifically the balance of the stress hormone cortisol. In studies with animals, infants who stayed close to their mothers had higher levels of growth hormones and enzymes necessary for brain and heart growth. The physiology of co-sleeping babies is more stable, including more stable temperatures, more regular heart rhythms, and fewer long pauses in breathing than babies who sleep alone”.

“Co-sleeping is standard practice in many parts of the world. In long-term follow-up studies of infants who slept with their parents and those who slept alone, the children who co-slept were happier, less anxious, had higher self-esteem, were less likely to be afraid of sleep, had fewer behavioural problems, tended to be more comfortable with intimacy, and were generally more independent as adults.”

Be it a battle of facts or culture, the point is there is no shame in co sleeping. There should be no stigma attached to it. It is a personal choice and as long as the family is happy with it, then others who think otherwise should just go with their own choices.

For guidelines on safe co sleeping, check Ask Dr Sear’s website.

Being a mum is an overwhelming role, no doubt about that. Because of the things we all have to do, we forget the little nuggets of advice we use everyday of our lives. Or we miss the little precious moments that will soon pass us by. Or we forget the things we want to pass on to our kids when they grow up.

Times like these, it is advisable to keep a little journal for yourself. You can be as open as you want and write as long or as short (tweet-like) entries as you want. These bits and pieces of information will help your little one understand you as a person, not just as a mother, when they’re older. You can write advice that he/she might need when she reaches a certain age. Communication is sometimes difficult, depending on what kind of background you have. There are parents who doesn’t like confrontation or talking face to face. Why not try and write down things that you know you will have a hard time saying to your children when they grow up?

Not a writer? It doesn’t matter. Just be yourself. It’s a journal, not a novel. Bad handwriting like me? Then type your ideas and print them out. It’s easy to bind loose pages these days – you can even find bookbinding services online so you don’t need to get out of the house.

Who knows, maybe one day your child will do the same thing to her/his child and even pass on the journal you gave them. It’s a good way to start a family heirloom.

Most sun damage occurs between birth and 18 years, with babies particularly vulnerable because their lenses haven’t developed yet. So protect them with some baby sunglasses and hat – in this case, they are not just for fashion.

• Be safe than sorry – get your annual flu shot. Swine flu shots are free from your doctor so make the most of it.
• Bundle your telecomm — home phone, mobile phone, internet, and even TV. Shop around too, let those companies know you are willing to move away from their services if they can’t top other offers. The threat of losing a customer does wonders for negotiations.
• We know private health insurance is expensive, but if you pick well, it could save you in the long run. Imagine the waiting period in your state these days. www.privatehealth.gov.au
• Research the cheapest gas and electricity options at www.choiceswitch.com.au
• If you have a big family, it might be best to do a secret Santa this Christmas instead of buying everyone a present.
• Retail therapy is a natural urge, but best try discount shops. Make a day of it with friends.
• Want cheap free fun? Try your local picnic areas and playgrounds.
• Make love not war — a 2003 American and British economics study found that couples who have sex at least four times per month effectively create US$50,000 wroth of happiness each year

• According to a study from Harvard University medical school, babies who gain weight quickly have a higher risk of obesity than those who put on weight gradually (overfeeding could be a factor).
• A new study by Dr Evan Kidd, La Trobe university psychologist, says one of eight kids has an imaginary friend and they are significantly better communicators than other children.
• Secondhand smoking greatly increases the risk of childhood asthma, bronchitis, coughing and wheezing. Smoking has been banned in NSW cars where any passengers are under the age of 16. There is a $250 on the spot fine for those caught. Similar laws are being imposed in WA, SA and Tasmania.
• Babies prefer to hear “parentese” or babytalk – slow, high pitched, sing song speech combined with excitable facial expressions — than normal talking. So put on your animated voices mums and dads!