Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Top 5 Best Portable High Chairs | 2018 Reviews

Top 5 Best Portable High Chairs | 2018 Reviews

It might seem super inconvenient to be lugging around so many things when traveling with kidsa stroller, a car seat and so on – but you will thank yourself for the convenience that it brings for you and your kids. No more headaches for the parents during a vacation, that much we can guarantee!

Another thing you might also want to consider bringing around is a portable high chair. Why bother? Because if you are bringing a small kid around, eating becomes a whole lot easier for everyone!

You will be surprised to find out that not all restaurants can actually provide a baby chair for your little one, more so a booster chair. If you start exploring other countries, you will soon found out that the scarcity becomes worse. At times, what they can provide might not be what you are looking for: they do not come with restraints or are just too big (or too small) for your kiddo to sit in. So, why not stay on the safe side and bring your own instead?

Surely, you will love having a baby portable high chair you can bring around. It not only makes dining a lot easier for everyone but you also have somewhere you can put your baby inside for certain activities like writing or drawing. At least you know that they stay safe in it while you go ahead and do some chores, right?

So without further ado, here are the best portable high chair seats that we believe you should consider getting for your kiddo.

Quick Comparison Table

Ciao! Baby Portable Travel Highchair

Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat

Inglesina Fast Table Chair

Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat

Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair

Ciao! Baby Portable Travel Highchair
Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat
Inglesina Fast Table Chair
Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat
Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

8.5 pounds

3.7 pounds

4.2 pounds

5.7 pounds

7 pounds

23 x 23 x 32"

14.5x17.5x13.5"

17 x 14 x 11"

17 x 10 x 14"

25.3x14.2x14.3"

Ciao! Baby Portable Travel Highchair

Ciao! Baby Portable Travel Highchair

This high chair for baby may be the heaviest of the bunch but, trust us, this is something that is definitely worth bringing around especially if you love camping and spending your days in the outdoors.

What is so great about this chair? What we believe is the best part about using this product is that you can use it by itself instead of having to install it on top of a regular chair or on a table. This is exactly why it is great for use during camping trips when there is no other chair or table to be found. Additionally, it does not require any assembly so you can just pop it out and put it on any flat surface then you can place your baby inside. When not in use, just fold it and place it inside its carry bag then you can place it inside the car without worrying about the item taking up too much space.

This baby dining chair can even be configured with an umbrella to help add protection against the sun for your baby. We here at ParentsNeed HQ have never been so in love with a product before and we totally like how kids look even more adorable and cute when lounging in this chair.

Another reason why you might want to get this high chair is that it is compatible for use up to 3 years old or until your kid reaches 50 pounds. It comes with a feeding tray where you can put in all the food and it also has a sippy cup holder, too. It is also possible to just put your baby inside while you go about your chores and let them do whatever they want like draw, paint or write. At least you know they are perfectly safe and secure while strapped inside the seat. We definitely love this product so we are placing it at the top spot in our list.

Details of the Ciao! Baby Portable Travel Highchair

Weight

8.5 pounds

Dimensions

23 x 23 x 32 inches

Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat

Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Folding Booster Seat

Yet another two-in-one infant feeding chair plus toddler booster seat that is worth considering is this one from Summer Infant. Why should you add this into your list? There are many reasons, of course. We believe that this is a very convenient and easy item to use so even if you are constantly on the go, there will not be a lot of fuss when you use it.

This baby furniture chair is perfect for kids between 6 months and up to 33 pounds. All you have to do is strap in the chair on top of a regular chair then you can be assured that your baby stays safe and secure while sitting on it. Of course, the seat also comes with seat belts to ensure that they will not fall off or topple over when strapped inside. Still, do not forget to watch over your kid from time to time especially if they are the type who moves around a lot as the entire chair MIGHT topple over.

This chair also comes with a removable tray that is safe to use in the dishwasher. It can be adjusted into three different positions to adjust to the needs of your growing child. Additionally, the chair itself can be adjusted to two different levels depending on the user’s height. You do not have to purchase yet another chair when your baby starts to grow. Do not worry about the seating pad as well because they can be removed and then tossed into the machine for easy cleaning and drying.

For those who are traveling frequently with their little kiddos, this chair is also your best friend as you can easily fold it in a compact design so it will not take up a lot of space in your car or in your bag. It is super portable and very easy to store when not in use. This product is one of the lightest in our list so we are placing it in the second position.

Details of the Summer Infant Deluxe Comfort Booster Seat

Weight

3.7 pounds

Dimensions

14.5 x 17.5 x 13.5 inches

Inglesina Fast Table Chair

Inglesina Fast Table Chair

Most high chairs and boosters tend to become very bulky and inconvenient to bring around especially during travel. Wouldn’t it be great if you can use a portable chair that is collapsible and easy to store inside the bag? If you have some space under the seat of your car, you can probably stow them under, too, and not think so much about how much space it is taking.

Obviously, that is just the beginning of what we love about this high chair from Inglesina, an Italian brand. Another reason why you might want to consider purchasing this item is that it is super easy to use and is compatible with most tables. It uses a twist-tight coupling mechanism and can be used on tables up to 3.3 inches thick. Worried about getting scratches on your table? Don’t be, using this one will keep your beautiful surfaces safe!

The Inglesina Fast table chair also comes with a carry bag to make traveling more convenient for everyone. You won’t lose the bag, either, since it is sewn to the bottom of the portable chair. When it is time for clean up, all you have to do is remove the frame and toss the fabric into your machine. Super convenient, right? Another thing we like about this chair design is that it has a mini pocket at the back so you can put in small accessories to free up your hands.

If you are very particular about the surfaces that your kid’s food touches, you can also separately purchase the dining tray. It has deep borders that will ensure that food stays within the tray and nowhere else. It even has space to put in a sippy cup so you can minimize spills and messes while eating with your little one.

This chair isn’t the lightest in our list but it is still worth considering. This is the reason why we are placing it at the third spot in our list.

Details of the Inglesina Fast Table Chair

Weight

4.2 pounds

Dimensions

17 x 14 x 11 inches

Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat

Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat

Whether you have a baby who has just learned to sit down, or a toddler who is learning to sit near the dining table like a ‘big kid’, it is important that you provide them something that will allow them to enjoy their food like you do. This Fisher Price booster seat definitely helps achieve that and the best part is that it adjusts to the needs of your growing kid.

Why should you even consider getting this portable high chair seat for your family? First of all, it is very easy to use and does not require any special equipment or chair. All you have to do is strap it on top of your regular chair at home (or in the restaurant) then have your kiddo take their place and you should be good to go. For the younger kiddos, this is the best booster seat as it comes with a removable feeding tray, which is (great news to parents!) dishwasher safe. It has a snap-on lid to make sure that the tray stays clean when not in use. The tray also comes with a built-in sippy cup holder (because your kiddo needs to have access to everything they need, just like the adults). Best of all, this device does not come with crevices so you do not have to worry about getting those crumbs in between, which could eventually turn into mold if you fail to clean it up.

For bigger kids, you can simply remove the tray and push their chair closer to the dining table so they can eat just like the big kids and adults. It may not seem much but, trust us, it is a huge confidence booster for your little ones!

Our only main gripe about this product is that it is among the heaviest of all items in our list so you might be better off with another if you are always on the go. Because of that, we are ranking this at the fourth spot.

Details of the Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat

Weight

5.7 pounds

Dimensions

17 x 10 x 14 inches

Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair

Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair

For parents looking for yet another high chair alternative that they can easily attach to a table instead of a regular chair, there is the Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair to the rescue. Just one look at the equipment should be enough to convince you just how strong and study it is. It can be attached right into the table and can accommodate a little baby of up to 37 pounds.

What is so nice about this product? First of all, the structure looks very sturdy and strong so you do not have to worry about it not being able to support the weight of your kid. You will probably just have to make sure that the table it attaches to does not go out of balance when they are on it. Another thing to take note is the material that this chair is made of. Since the seat uses nylon, it is easy to wipe it clean and you do not have to worry so much about staining or smelling, simply wipe it off then you are good to go.

However, there are many things that we are not so much a fan of when it comes to this booster seat for table. For starters, it is the heaviest among all in the list (except for the freestanding one on top) so you might think twice about it. However, it does fold flat when not in use so transport and storage should not be very difficult. It’s also nice that this one comes with rubberized grips which ensure that your tables will never be scratched.

Another thing to take note of when considering this toddler booster seat is that it requires a table skirting of up to 5.5 inches which probably will not be a huge problem especially on standard tables. However, the metal equipment does look intimidating and bulky and it might be a pain to install especially in a restaurant. As such, we will have to place it at the bottom of our list.

Details of the Chicco Caddy Hook On Chair

Weight

7 pounds

Dimensions

25.3 x 14.2 x 14.3 inches

What did you think of our list of the best travel high chairs in the market? Aside from your baby’s comfort during use, one of the biggest things that you should consider is the convenience it brings to you even during travel. Remember that these are most recommended for use when you are on the go so you do not want to be bringing huge equipment when you already have your baby and your luggage to think about.

We hope our list of booster seat reviews and high chair reviews have helped make your shopping a whole lot easier. Good luck!

The post Top 5 Best Portable High Chairs | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

What Are the Symptoms of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period?

What are the Symptoms of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period?

Before we answer the question above, let’s first discuss this question - is it possible to exhibit symptoms even before a missed period?

The answer is yes!​

Most women assume that the earliest symptom of pregnancy is a missed period. Actually, there are many symptoms of pregnancy before a missed period. When a woman notices her missed period she has probably already had several early symptoms. These symptoms are often overlooked because most women depend only on missed period to determine pregnancy. These very early symptoms appear even before there is sufficient hCG in a the body that could be determined by either urine or blood test. 

Women who keep track of their menstrual cycles and experience it on a monthly basis is likely to focus on a missed period to confirm gestation. There are women who use the calendar method when trying to conceive an offspring. The calendar hints an ideal date when a woman is fertile and when is the next period will arrive. In case the date of the period lapses, it means there is chance of pregnancy.

However, it is a different story when a woman has irregular menstrual cycle and might be diagnosed with the condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or often shortened to PCOS. This health problem causes an imbalance in a woman’s hormones leading to skipped periods, weight loss and gains, and difficulty in conceiving a child. Women with PCOS have many small cysts in their ovaries but these are harmless and benign.

For women with PCOS who are trying to bear a child, you can consult an OB who can assist in keeping the body conducive for pregnancy. You can schedule a preconception appointment where you and the doctor can discuss the things to do to help you conceive even if you have PCOS.

pregnancy-symptoms

To manage PCOS early on, doctors recommend patients to keep a balanced diet to control the body weight as well as the sugar level. It is also necessary to keep an active lifestyle and eliminate bad habits like smoking.

A specialist in fertility called reproductive endocrinologist can also prescribe medications which can induce ovulation on a monthly basis which means there is a greater chance for pregnancy to take place.

Those women who develop these early pregnancy symptoms before their periods are possibly sensitive to even a minimal change in the hormones. These symptoms shows at around a week before a positive result in a pregnancy test is confirmed.​

The following are several symptoms of pregnancy that occur before you miss your first period.

1. Breasts are tender to touch

A woman will feel a swelling or tenderness in her breast or nipple area before missing her period. This is a very early sign of pregnancy. When unexpected a woman may blame this discomfort on a bra or other clothing. But when a woman knows her body she will notice very early on in the pregnancy. The aereola of the nipple will also enlarge and darken a week or so before the first missed period.

The bosom is sensitive at this point because the body is preparing the mammary glands for the coming milk production. Fat building, blood flow, and hormonal changes also contribute to this symptom. The breasts are bound to change throughout the pregnancy and even after childbirth. But at the start of the pregnancy, signs like darkening and enlarging of the areolas plus tingling of nipples can be observed.

2. Nauseous feeling

Feeling dizzy is one of the most typical and earliest symptoms of pregnancy. This can occur before and after a missed period and common throughout the first three months. Nausea and vomiting is the combination of symptoms tagged as “morning sickness.” This woozy feeling is caused by the massive production of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in a woman’s body. The pregnancy hormone is released once the sperm cell attaches to the egg cell and the fertilized egg slowly plants itself onto the uterine lining.

3. Frequent trips to the bathroom

Another early pregnancy symptom is constipation. When you have less than three bowel movements a week this is a sign of pregnancy. The constipation is caused by the constant changing of the progesterone in the body. Women who don’t know how to identify the symptom often write it off as just a temporary issue. But both constipation and breast tenderness can be an indication of a pregnancy.

signs-and-symptoms-of-pregnancy

Just about seven days after ovulation and unprotected sex, hCG levels may already start to increase inside a woman’s body which triggers more trips to the bathroom to urinate. Another factor that causes this symptom is the excess fluid in an expecting mom’s body which goes straight to the kidney and into the bladder; prompting more bathroom breaks than the usual. Moreover, as the fetus grows, the added weight tends to push down the urethra and pelvic area which leads to uncontrollable urine leak when a pregnant woman sneezes, coughs, or laughs. This symptom can be managed by avoiding caffeinated drinks which have diuretic effect or by acquiring a urination device that can be used while in transit or when there is no convenient place to take a leak.

4. Fatigue and increased body temperature

After ovulation, a woman’s body temperature goes up by 0.4 but this will return to normal temperature in the event the egg cell was not fertilized. On the other hand, a woman carrying a fertilized ovum will continue to experience an elevated body temperature. The change in temperature is minimal but when these data are read using a basal body temperature charting, this can confirm pregnancy early on. Basal thermometer which can be used either orally or rectally are available in many drugstores. These thermometers comes with the chart where users can interpret the data for two to three cycles.

A woman's basal temperature will elevate after ovulation and it remains elevated throughout the pregnancy. Ovulation is the process of releasing a mature egg from the ovary through the Fallopian tube where it is fertilized by sperm. This process usually takes place from 6 to 12 days after the ovulation, which is about two to three weeks before your period. This temperature will register as a one to two degree elevation.

Feeling tired all the time even after a good nights rest or a nap is an early sign of pregnancy. There is a difference between just being tired and feeling fatigued. When you are tired you can rest and once your body gets needed sleep you feel refreshed. When you are fatigued you constantly feel tired even after having just woken up. Fatigue is one of the symptoms of pregnancy before a missed period and occurs because of the rise in progesterone, but also because pregnancy strains most bodily functions.

5. Metallic taste inside the mouth

Can you imagine the taste of sucking a penny? That’s how most women describe their experience when they complain about lingering metallic taste on their tongue in the early days of pregnancy. This occurrence is referred to as ‘dysgeusia’. This symptom occurs simultaneously with cravings and aversions to some odors. The presence of the pregnancy hormones is the culprit behind this major change in taste. Dysgeusia will persist for the first trimester and will eventually disappear after a few months.

6. Heightened sense of smell

Another common symptom among women during the initial stages of pregnancy is super sensitive sense of smell. Many speculate that expecting moms are more aware of how things around them smell which lead to aversion to some odors. Women who goes through this symptom often feel dismayed by the aroma of cuisines with garlic or seafood. The hormonal changes are still the one to blame for this symptom. This occurrence can leave some pregnant women frustrated since they cannot enjoy the food and drinks they normally like. To manage this symptoms, pregnant women are advised to stay on well-ventilated places as smell aversion may also lead to nausea and vomiting. Additionally, a pleasant-smelling air freshener can be carried around to eliminate bad odors in no time.

pregnancy-

If you experience any of these early symptoms of pregnancy before a missed period, you could be pregnant. Before you wait for your period you should get a home pregnancy test to test yourself. This way you will be sure of the pregnancy and can call your doctor immediately to see what care you need to take.

Now that we are done enumerating the early symptoms of pregnancy, we can go and address another important question: is it okay to take a home pregnancy test when you experience one or two of these symptoms even before the missed period?

The answer: yes, but it depends​.

If you had unprotected sex and you’ve exhibited any of the symptoms above, then yes, you can buy a pregnancy test kit and administer it at your most convenient time. Pregnancy tests work by checking and measuring the amount of the hCG in the urine.

There are pregnancy test kits that are highly sensitive and can detect pregnancy hormones a few days before your delayed menstruation or about seven days after the ovum was fertilized. If you read the labels of these kits more closely, the sensitivity of the pregnancy test is indicated as ‘milli-international unit per millilitre’ or mIU/ml. The value of this measurement ranges from 10 to 40 mIU/ml. The lower the digits, the more sensitive the test is, thus the earlier it can detect the presence of hCG in the body. This information will come in handy since it can help you choose wisely which pregnancy test to buy. You will also not need to buy several pregnancy tests and confuse yourself on the many results. This will also save you time and effort plus not waste your money on unreliable ones.

OBs still recommend to test around the time the menstrual period is due. At this point, hCG has kicked in and can be easily picked up by the pregnancy test. Testing too soon might yield a negative result but you can always repeat it after three to four days. It is also misleading to see a negative result yet you are really pregnant which is why it is important to take a pregnancy test at the perfect timing.

If you want the opinion of a professional, seek a doctor who can take a sample of your blood and check the presence of hCG. Unlike home pregnancy test, blood test are more sensitive and can detect hCG from about six days after fertilization.

Just remember that each pregnancy is different. Symptoms may vary and will come and go at various times. The essential part here is to keep your body healthy as this will be the baby’s home for the next nine months. Be sure include ‘rainbow’ in your diet, that is, indulge on colorful fruits and vegetable that will provide sufficient nutrition for you and your child. You can also take prescribed medicine rich in folate, DHA, and folic acid for the child’s development.​

The post What Are the Symptoms of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period? appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Monday, May 28, 2018

How to Look After a Sick Toddler

How to Look After a Sick Toddler

Toddlers are a handful most of the time, and when you factor in illness, then it can be quite harrowing for parents. This is because they don’t sleep or eat well and are irritable, crying all the time. Common ailments are colds, flu and belly aches. To deal with your toddler during illness, here are a few tips on how to look after a sick toddler:

Make Your Child Feel Comfortable

Being sick is definitely not a comfortable feeling. When your child is sick, he might be feeling upset and restless about how he feels. He is probably feeling worried and scared. It is important that you provide him emotional support at this time aside from attending to his physical needs. Give your child some extra attention and spend time with him. You can show support by simply sitting with your child, reading a book to you child, singing to your child, or holding your child’s hand.

Elevating your child’s health might help in making him feel comfortable. Cough, asthma and other respiratory problems only feel worse when the affected person is lying flat on the bed. Give your child that extra elevation by providing him an extra pillow or a wedge pillow. You may also use a book or a rolled up towel under the pillow or mattress of your baby.​

Ensure Your Child is in a Quiet and Comfortable Environment

Try to keep your child’s environment quiet and peaceful so that he will be able to completely rest. Turning the television on or letting him play with computer games may only distract him from getting the rest that he needs so try to keep these at a minimum. Give him as much rest as he could and encourage him to sleep as often as he would like. Reading to your child or singing to him may help him to fall asleep faster.

Make him feel more comfortable by keeping the room airy while avoiding becoming draughty. Turn on your humidifier or your mist vaporizer to keep some moisture in the air. Cough and sore throats can feel worse in dry air. Keeping the air moist will minimize coughing and discomfort. Regularly change the water in the humidifier to prevent unwanted mold growth. Also, air out your child’s room once in a while to keep the air circulating and fresh. Keep his room free of irritants such as strong smelling perfumes or smoke. Avoid exposing him to fumes that can only further irritate his throat and lungs.​

Another tip is to maintain your home’s temperature at a comfortable range. Adjust the temperature in your child’s room according to how his illness is affecting him. He may be feeling hot or cold, depending on what type of illness he is suffering from. A temperature range of 65 to 70 degrees is usually a comfortable range but you may adjust accordingly.

Monitor Their Temperature

Your baby’s temperature can fluctuate drastically within hours. When they are sick, it is necessary to monitor your child’s temperature every 2 – 4 hours. If they are suffering from extremely high temperatures such as over 104 degrees, then you need to make frequent checks like after every half hour. If they are sleeping, you don’t have to wake them up unnecessarily, just feel their foreheads and body, and if they are too hot then you can measure their temperature. If not, let them rest.

Low grade fevers can be left to the body to fight off, but high fevers need medication. Some good examples are ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Ensure that you consult your doctor, before using any fever medication.

Exercise Caution with Over-the Counter Medicines

Before giving your child any form of medication, be sure that your child is not allergic to it. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist regarding which medications are safe and appropriate to give to your child. Do not give your child cocktail medications, stick to one kind of product. If your baby is under 6 months of age, do not give him ibuprofen. Children under 4 years of age should not be given cough and cold medicines as these medicines may potentially cause serious side effects. Giving aspirin to children is also not recommended.

For sore throats, you may let your child gargle some water in which salt has been dissolved. To prepare warm salt water, dissolve one fourth of teaspoon of table salt in about 8 ounces of warm water. Ask your child to gargle the solution and spit the salt water out. Salt water solution is also useful in relieving nasal congestion. You may apply it in the form of drops or sprays in younger children.​

Fluids and Food

Sick children tend to get dehydrated easily, especially when they are running a fever. Dehydration is another problem you wouldn’t want to deal with so try to avoid it by giving your child a lot of clear liquids. You need to feed them drinks frequently to help them deal with the fever. You may offer them water, ginger ale, ice pops, diluted fruit juice or electrolyte-enhanced beverages.

Generally, sick toddlers are averse to eating. They are more picky than usual, but you cannot let them skip meals. Their body needs a lot of nutrition to fight off the illness. Find ways of including nutritious food in their diet, and a good way of incorporating fluid into the diet is by serving tasty soups and juices. Try feeding your sick child chicken soups. Warm chicken soup has been a staple comfort food for ages. It can provide symptom relief to colds and flu. Give your child fruit juices or fruit smoothies or try incorporating vitamin rich fruits such as mangoes in milk smoothies. Serve them food that is easy to swallow and easy to digest. Don’t let them eat snacks that may only serve to upset their stomach. Some other good snack options to give him include salty crackers, applesauce, bananas, mashed potatos, cooked cereals, and toast.​

Clogged Sinuses

If your child is suffering from a cold, it may be hard to keep blowing their nose. So he/she will just let it clog up and breathe through the nose. You can help, by squirting saline solution into the nostrils a few times a day. Use a humidifier in the room where they spend their time. If they have bruised nostrils from blowing their nose too much apply a soothing petroleum jelly on it regularly.

Talk to Them

Toddlers are relatively new at getting ill, so they may feel awful. They don’t know what’s happening to them. You can make it better by explaining what is happening, and the symptoms they are experiencing. You may also tell them how long it extends for, so they know it is a temporary problem. Emphasize on the solutions such as proper rest eating and drinking as well as taking medication. You may also read them stories from age appropriate books showing characters being ill and getting well. This will help comfort them.

Fun Activities

Don’t just stick your baby in bed as it will make the experience worse. Engage them in fun activities such as jigsaw puzzles, and fun games around the home that will destruct them from their misery. Provide emotional support by hugging them and generally being there, so that they are not overwhelmed by illness or fever.

These are just a few pointers to follow when looking after an ailing toddler. As a parent, you should be on the lookout for signs of a serious illness. Below is a list of symptoms that may indicate your child might be suffering from a serious illness.

  • Determine if your child has the flu. Getting the influenza virus is a very potentially dangerous illness so you must take it symptoms of infection very seriously. As soon as you suspect your child may have the flu, contact your doctor immediately especially when your child is with asthma or is below 2 years of age. Here are the symptoms of the flu that you should watch out for:
    • Cough
    • High fever
    • Chills
    • Runny nose
    • Sore throat
    • Muscle aches
    • Headaches
    • Weakness or tiredness
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
  • Your child may need to see a doctor immediately if he shows these signs of serious illness:
    • Severe headache
    • Stiff neck
    • Fever in an infant who is under 3 months of age
    • Difficulty in breathing or change in breathing pattern
    • Change in skin color (pale, reddish, bluish)
    • Your child turns away fluid or refuses to urinate
    • There are no tears when your baby cries
    • Severe and/or persistent vomiting
    • Unresponsiveness, unusually quiet or inactive
    • Difficulty in waking the child up
    • The child complains of extreme pain
    • There is pain in your child’s chest or stomach area
    • Prolonged or sudden dizziness
    • Disorientation
    • When flu-like symptoms show improvement and then suddenly get worse

Medical help for a child who is ill

If you are unsure about the kind of medical attention your child might need, you may always pay your local pharmacist a visit. He or she can help identify whether your child’s symptoms will require you to take your child to the doctor. He or she may also be able to advice you on the appropriate medications. If you have access, you may also opt to call your doctor and seek his advice on how urgent it is to take your child to go see him.

How to make taking medicine easier for your child:

  • Show positivity. Put on a happy face when you are giving him his medicine. Make him feel that taking medication is an enjoyable activity. Don’t be anxious yourself as kids can easily pick up negativity.
  • Avoid the tastebuds. Once your child detects the usual bitter taste of the medicine, he might want to spit it out. You can try avoiding the tastebuds by using a syringe or a dropper to gently squirt the medicine towards the back of your child’s mouth. This way he won’t detect the bitter taste and swallow the medication.
  • Mask the taste. Instead of avoiding the tastebuds, you may disguise the taste of the medicine. You may request your local pharmacist to add flavors to your child’s medication. Agreeable flavors such as chocolate or fruit flavors may be used.
  • Give him the feeling of being in control. You may empower your child by giving him a choice on how to take a medicine. Ask him if he wants to drink the medicine from a cup or from a dropper. Ask him when he’d like to take his medicine or what flavor he’d like the medicine to come in.
  • Have your child suck on some ice chips before giving him his medicine. This will numb your child’s taste buds which can aid in swallowing the medication easier.
  • When dealing with eyedrops, it might be helpful to warm the medicine first by holding it between your hands for about three minutes. This will minimize squirming from your child when you drop the medicine on his eyes.
  • Be honest with your toddler. Don’t pretend that the medicine will taste delicious if it is going to be actually bitter. Explain to them that while they may not enjoy taking it, it will help them get better. Tell them that the quicker they get better, the quicker they would be able to play and feel better again.
  • Play pretend games. You can let them play doctor to their stuffed toy and pretend to give it medicine before letting your child take his medicine himself.
  • You can always ask for your doctor’s assistance. Maybe he can prescribe a chewable tablet which your child may prefer over syrups or tailor a regimen which would require less instances of taking medication.

Before leaving the doctor’s office, be sure that you have thoroughly discussed the prescribed medication. Ask all the questions you might have. Ask what the drug is and what it’s for. Be sure you are clear on how much to take and what time of day the medication should be taken. Ask what side effects to watch out for and what to do when your child misses a dose. Double check the medication once you have picked it up from the pharmacy.

The post How to Look After a Sick Toddler appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Toy Storages | 2017 Reviews

Top 5 Best Toy Storages | 2017 Reviews

Kids are pretty much always all over the place, and so are their toys. Toys which could range from various sized Lego pieces, to huge Teddy bears and all of them take up a lot of space in their rooms. As parents, it is our duty to make sure that our kids’ toys are properly tucked away to avoid injuries and other mishaps. The problem lies in where to properly store them, you probably have a separate cabinet for toys, or some prefer to put it inside bins under their children’s beds.

But we still find that there is always room for chaos to happen. It could be because the cabinet’s area may be difficult to reach for your kids, or the doors they needed to open are kind of heavy or your little ones’ head frequently bumps on the bed while reaching for their toy bin. Whatever the reason is, the fact remains that making kids stash their toys away could be pretty difficult, which is why we came up with the best storage ideas for toys.

How to choose toy storages?

The key to remember in choosing the appropriate storage bins for toys is the ease of use. Your children should be able to independently place their toys inside the storage bins to make sure that the goal of keeping things where they should be is met. Ease of use, could include the size of the bin, and if your child can easily access it. It also includes how easy it is to manipulate for youngsters, are there knobs they need to pull or use, or just a pretty straightforward flap. And lastly, how much toys could it store?

You may also check out our Best Toy Storage Buying Guide.​

After figuring out how easy it is to use, we now review the design, since the users are your kids, the bins should catch their attention, and make them interested in using it. With these in mind, here are our top 5 choice of great toy storage bins.

Quick Comparison Table

Tot Tutors Kids' Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer

Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer

ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer 

ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet

Tot Tutors Kids Toy Organizer With Storage Bins
Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins
Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins
ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins
ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet White Art Craft Storage

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

$$$

24 Pounds

22 Pounds

18 Pounds

19 Pounds

19 Pounds

Wood

Wood, Plastic

Non-woven Fabric

Plastic

Plastic

Tot Tutors Kids' Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

Tot Tutors Kids Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

The Tot Tutor Kids’ toy organizer with bins is a great furniture to have inside your child’s room. With its 4-tier design and perfectly sized bins, available in small which is 8"w X 11.5"l X 5.5"d and large sizes at 11.5"w X 16.5"l X 5.5"d that would make it very easy for your little ones to take charge of keeping their toys.

There are a couple of things we like about this toy storage; first, it’s made out of wood. We are talking about the organizer as the bins are made of rugged plastic, both are durable, stable and are definitely built to handle a fair amount of toys, plus the frequent toy tossing of your kids. Second is that it’s just the right height for a 3 year old to reach even the top drawers, they would easily see the toys they have and be able to play with them and eventually keep them accordingly as well.

Also, unlike a cabinet, there are no knobs or any other parts that could be difficult to manipulate. In addition, the bins could be easily taken out of the organizer which is very useful if you have a ton of small toys that your kids love to play with but is a potential hazard if left on the floor unattended. The removable bins are also great for easy cleaning. When it comes to the color combination, we liked the multi-color better as it could promote a sorting activity, red are for toy cars, blue are for balls, etc. Best of all, the Tot Tutor Kids’ toy organizers are fairly easy to assemble, what’s not to love?

Details of the Tot Tutors Kids' Toy Organizer With Storage Bins

Dimension (in inches)

11"D x 34"W x 31"H

Weight

24 Pounds

Color

Brown, White, Multicolor

Suitable for

3 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Wood

Features

4-tier organizer with removable bins in rugged plastic, available in 2 sizes and 4 classic colors

Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins

Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins

The Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins comes in close second, also great because of its 4 tier design and heavy-duty plastic bins which is great for quick and easy cleaning, good for us parents and definitely a good to have furniture for kids playroom. Moreover, it has stain-resistant surfaces, so you won’t need to do heavy cleaning, just wipe with a piece of cloth and you’re good to go.

The Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids toy organizer has a natural wood finish but is actually made out of MDF board making it a little lighter than our previous choice, and the corners are rounded off to provide additional safety for kids who could be a little clumsy. Similar to the Tot Tutors’ Kids organizer the Honey Can do also has varying sizes of bins for easy sorting, you have 4 large bins measuring 16.25" x 11.75" x 5" and 8 smaller toy storage bins at 11.75" x 7.75" x 5". It also comes with a lifetime limited warranty, as a testament to its durability. Best of all, it’s also easy to assemble and the kids could even help out by making it into a little do-it-yourself project.

However, despite all of the lovable features of the Honey Can Do storage bins for toys, most people might not exactly be a fan of the colors that it comes in. The bins could also pose a bit of a problem as they do not sit perfectly on the organizer, they could probably get more support if they were made a little deeper.

Details of the Honey-Can-Do SRT-01603 Kids Toy Organizer and Storage Bins

Dimension (in inches)

12.5 x 33.3 x 36

Weight

22 Pounds

Color

Pastel

Suitable for

3 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Wood and Plastic

Features

Bright colored bins with varying sizes

Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins

Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins

The Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer offers 4 regular sized bins, three larger sized ones and 2 extra-large bins at the bottom. If you are having problems on how to store large toys, this toy storage can definitely help you out.

The top shelves are made out of fabric and is stretched between two wooden poles, ideal to keep toys that are light but may not fit the middle shelf. The extra-large canvas toy bins on the lower section sit perfectly on the floor for proper support should you need to store heavier toys, like remote controlled cars or wooden building blocks.

The sturdy wood construction is great to hold the right amount of toy that you need to keep, and the rugged canvas bins are also removable. However, note that the bins are made from non-woven fabric, and you wouldn’t want to get it dirty as it could be difficult to wash off, but they are replaceable. Being that said, we're pushing this product to third spot on the list.

Note that if you are planning to house an excessive amount of toys in this one, make sure it is leaning on a wall for proper support. This is truly lightweight and your kid might be able to manipulate the parts or they could even move around the entire organizer with much ease. It could get a little wobbly over time but it is very child friendly and safe to use, with not much element that could cause serious injury. This makes it great for younger children even those who are still learning how to walk to have in their playroom. It is also relatively small in size definitely one of the toy storage solutions for small spaces that you may encounter.

Details of the Delta Multi-Color Deluxe Toy Organizer with Storage Bins

Dimension (in inches)

36 x 12 x 24

Weight

18 Pounds

Color

Various Colors

Suitable for

1.5 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Non-woven Fabric, MDF Composite

Features

Fixed Shelves, Backless, Storage Bins for sorting

ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins

ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins

We believe that one of the best toy organizers with bins in the market is the ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer. This easy to assemble 3-tier toy organizer is great to have around the house, whether it’s inside the playroom, nursery or children’s room. What makes it great is that the durable plastic rack has rounded edges for safety, definitely an awesome organizer for the little ones to handle. The metal bars support the organizer therefore adding to its sturdiness difficult to topple over.

The ECR4Kids is mostly bought for playschools, because first, it can handle the fiddling and occasional pushing of rowdy kids and it does not require meticulous maintenance. You could pull out the bins easily to either dust or wipe clean that even kids could do it, make sure to add it as part of their to-do list. It has a total of 12 bins uniformly sized at 12L x 8.25W x 5.25H inches, very functional for those who have similarly sized toys or equipment to use. What’s neat about this organizer is that when your kid grows up, they will still be able to use it for their stuff. There are also parents who keep these in their tool sheds, handy for sorting small equipment including but not limited to nuts, bolts and screws.

Despite the obviously good things about this toy and book organizer, you will not exactly be able to store larger toys in this one; you might need to buy a different organizer to fit that need. And even though the bins are easy to pull out, it may take a little practice to put it back in, so your toddler might need a little help in that area as well so we're putting this at the fourth.

Details of the ECR4Kids 3-Tier Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Bins

Dimension (in inches)

37.5L x 14W x 27.5H

Weight

19 Pounds

Color

Various Colors

Suitable for

3 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Plastic

Features

Cross bars reinforced with metal bars for added strength

ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet; White Art Craft Storage

ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet White Art Craft Storage

If you are one of those who are interested in stackable toy storage, then this toy organizer is definitely something you would love. A lightweight, plastic made, 3-tier organizer that has room enough for smaller items in your children’s playroom or nursery. The plastic construction is meant to last a lifetime with proper use.

Maybe you have a copious amount of building blocks, art supplies and toy cars and you want it stored when your children are not playing with it, this toy storage is the best option. Might look like a typical cabinet, and may not be very appealing to your child but it is definitely worth your money. You have the option to mount in on a wall, for added stability and there are drawer dividers for proper segregation. You could easily stack two of these on a side of your kid’s room although the height may not exactly be as accessible, so if you have toys you want to circulate or keep for now; you could rearrange the drawers until it’s time for them to be put into use again.

Ideal for preschoolers who probably have a number of school supplies that needs to be neatly stored along with smaller toy items. The best thing about this toy organizer is that the drawers are transparent which are sized at approximately 2.5 x 4.25 x 5.5-inches; it displays what each bin is containing for easy identifying and quick access.​

Despite having great features, this product may only be suitable for 5 years old and above since it can only store small items like small toys, school supplies and art crafts. Hence, the last on our top 5 best toy storage ​list.

Details of the ArtBin Store-In-Drawer Cabinet; White Art Craft Storage

Dimension (in inches)

14.25 x 6.00 x 8.25

Weight

19 Pounds

Color

White

Suitable for

5 years old and up

Assembly Required

Yes

Material

Plastic

Features

Sturdy white plastic with 9 transparent drawers

Conclusion

Generally, it would be ideal to have at least a toy box with shelves in your kids’ rooms to keep you sane, which is what most people would go for, but to be really able to keep everything in place easily, toy storage organizers are the way to go. There’s a little more advantage in training your kid to set a place for everything they have not only with toys, instead of just dumping them into a box in a random order. This way you could avoid getting the toys broken and misshapen because another heavy toy is probably sitting on top of it.

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