Best Electric Breast Pump Buying Guide

Best Electric Breast Pump Buying Guide

Health professionals have always maintained their stand about breastfeeding and how breast milk is the best option, if not the only option, in feeding babies both newborn and growing ones. It has always been recommended by health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization or the WHO, that mothers breastfeed their infants up to at least six months after giving birth and that it is best to continue breastfeeding up until the child is two years of age.

Breast milk has a perfect balance between fat, sugar, water and protein, all of which are needed for a baby’s growth and development. The component of breast milk actually changes over time depending on a baby’s age and on how long he nurses at each breastfeeding session. Did you know that the breast milk’s content can even change within the day to meet your baby’s needs?

Breastfeeding greatly improves a baby’s immune system and triggers biochemical reactions that produce enzymes, hormones and growth factors -- benefits that infant formula can not provide. It decreases the risk of respiratory tract infections and diarrhea. Increased resistance against infections may be attributed to the colostrum, the type of breast milk produced during the first days after giving birth. Risk of diseases that may develop later in the baby’s life may also be lowered by breastfeeding. Such diseases may include asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.

If these are not good enough reasons to breastfeed your baby, wait until you hear the numerous benefits breastfeeding has for mothers, as well. Breastfeeding your baby can burn calories on an average of 500 calories a day. This means it would be much easier for you to return to your pre baby weight. Aside from weight loss, breastfeeding triggers feel good hormones which can increase your bonding with your newborn child and prevent postpartum depression. It can also lower the risk for breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

One more good thing about breast milk? It is free. Breastfeeding your child can help you save at least $170 a month.

Using Breastpumps

If you are to stay at home with your baby, breastfeeding your child whenever he needs to feed is no problem. But say you are getting ready to get back to work or you have to attend to some things that will require some considerable amount of time away from your child, you will probably need to express your milk ahead of time. Breast milk could be expressed for storage and later use. Expressed milk can be produced by using breast pumps.

There are generally two types of breast pumps-- manual breast pumps and electric breast pumps. Manual breast pumps are best for mothers who will only need to express milk occasionally and for short-term separations. These work by pumping a piston or squeezing a lever in order to create suction in the breast shield that will empty out a breast. Electric breast pumps are for mothers who work full-time or for moms who will be frequently away from their baby. Pumps of the electric type are fully automatic, with adjustable suction intensity. Unlike manual breast pumps, electric types are generally double pumps and can express milk from both breasts simultaneously. Although electric breast pumps are less portable than manual pumps, a good number of mothers often find electric pumps to meet their needs more since they express more milk in a shorter period of time.

There are quite a number of electric pumps available in the market. If you think electric breast pumps are for you but are not quite sure which to get, allow us to help you out in your shopping quest. Electric pumps can further be classified into personal-use breast pumps and hospital-grade electric breast pumps, but today we are going to focus our attention on personal-use pumps. We here at ParentsNeeds HQ have prepared a buying guide for the best electric breast pumps. At the end of this buying guide, we hope we have equipped you with enough information to help you make an informed choice on which pump to get.

What are the features to consider when buying an electric breast pump?

● Speed

One of main advantage of electric breast pumps over manual breast pumps is the speed at which they can express milk. A good electric breast pump will have a powerful motor that can provide efficient suction. Look for an electric breast pump that offers speed in expressing milk, after all, one of the reasons you opted for an electric type is for the speed.

● Double pumps

Most electric breast pump models are double pumps, meaning you may express milk from both breasts at the same time. This adds to an electric pump’s efficiency since you can save twice the time in collecting expressed milk.

● Suction settings

Look for a pump with an adjustable vacuum so that you can play around with the settings until you are most comfortable when you are expressing milk. A good electric breast pump will have suction settings that you can adjust to better mimic the way your baby nurses from you. The best type will allow for at least two speed settings. The first one being the rapid mode to imitate a baby’s quick sucking to begin fast milk flow. The second being deeper suction to produce the most milk flow.

● Pump system

Electric breast pumps may either be open or closed systems. In an open system, there is no physical barrier between the pump motor and your milk. This means that there is a possibility for milk to be drawn to the pump, which may result to mold growth. If shared with other women, it may even lead to transmission of viruses since you can never really be sure you have completely cleaned the motor. Open system breast pumps are therefore recommended for use by one person. Closed system breast pumps have barriers such as a filter that prevents milk from reaching the pump motor. Risks for mold growth and spread of diseases are therefore decreased. Hospital-grade electric breast pumps are closed systems since the isolation of the motor from the milk renders the pumps safe for sharing.

● Replaceable parts

Some electric breast pump models have available replacements for parts that are prone to wear and tear. Pumps that have replaceable parts could be used for a long period of time.

● Portability

If you value portability, look for a portable-sized electric breast pump that you can carry around. The best electric breast pump that you can take with you on the go should not weigh more than 8 pounds and should at least come with a carrying case.

● Storage compartments

Speaking of portability, having insulated storage compartments for expressed milk is a major plus feature of an electric breast pump. The best electric breast pump will have a storage compartment that can store your breast milk and keep it in good quality while you are on the go.

● Power source

Power source is an important consideration depending on where and how often you will use the electric breast pump. If you are going to use it in one place, like in the comfort of your own home, one that can be plugged into the wall should do. If you are going to be here and there and are unsure how available a wall outlet will be, better look for an electric breast pump that works on batteries. Better yet, look for one that can be powered by both.

● Memory settings

Another good feature to look out for is a setting that can store your preferred set-up in memory. This will eliminate the hassle of programming in your speed and suction settings every time you express your milk.

● Noise

Electric breast pumps are generally noisy but among models that are out in the market, there are some that offer a decreased noise level. Less noisier pumps are desirable for moms who would be pumping in public places such as the office. It allows for a more discreet session and allows the mother to express comfortably.

How to buy the best electric breast pump

• Get some background about electric breast pump models that are currently available in the market. Research on their features and specifications. Read up on reviews submitted by users like yourself and see what worked and what didn’t for them. Check out lists of highly rated electric breast pumps to narrow down your choices.
• Have a list of your preferred features and match these features with the model that meets the most of your requirements. List your desired features according to priority and decide which are non-negotiables.
• Expect to pay around $150 to $300 for quality electric breast pumps. Be sure to keep your receipt and proof of warranty for future use.
• Avoid buying second hand units that are open system breast pumps to avoid transmission of viruses. Breast milk can carry bacteria and viruses. In open system breast pumps, breast milk may unknowingly be drawn to the pump motor and since the complete cleaning and disinfection of the pump motor can never be guaranteed, buying a second hand unit is not recommended.

Important tips to keep in mind

• If it isn’t hospital-grade and if you are not renting from a hospital, don’t use a borrowed pump even if it is from a friend. Used pumps may be contaminated and may cause you and your baby an infection. It is known that breast milk may be a carrier of bacteria and viruses. If droplets of an infected breast milk got into the internal parts of the pump, there is no way to completely disinfect them.
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications and check if the unit is a “single-user”. Never share your electric breast pump if it is marked single-user.
• If your unit is a double pump electric breast pump and you are only going to use one pump, seal the other side so as not to reduce the efficiency of the pump and its suction capabilities.
• Make sure to the get the proper size of breast shields or flanges. Not getting the right size may lead to inefficient pumping. It may be even painful for you since a certain amount of your areola may get sucked in if you are using shields that don’t fit your breasts. Shields that are too small may cause sore or damaged nipples. It is pretty common for mothers to get a breast shield one size bigger over the one that comes provided with the pump.
• Clean the pump parts after every session. Follow safety guidelines from the manufacturer’s manual on how to clean and maintain your electric breast pump.
• Refrigerate your expressed milk as soon as possible. Refrigerated breast milk may be safe for consumption for up to 24 hours. Breast milk may also be frozen from three to six months. When freezing expressed milk, be sure to indicate the date when you have expressed it in order to keep track of the period when it is safe for use. A useful tip may be to keep them stacked at the back of the freezer instead of near the freezer door to avoid thawing every time the door might be opened.
• Thaw frozen breast milk in warm water. Avoid using boiling water or microwaving the frozen breast milk. Extreme heating procedures may destroy important components of the breast milk and may even render the milk useless or unsafe for consumption. Another reason to avoid microwaving the breast milk is to avoid scalding your baby’s mouth and throat since this heating method may create random hot spots.
• Don’t mix fresh breast milk with older batches of breastmilk that have been refrigerated or frozen.
• Don’t refreeze thawed breast milk.

Our Recommendation

Do you think you are now ready to shop for an electric breast pump? Before hitting your local stores, be sure to check out our own Top 5 Best Electric Breast Pumps. We here at ParentsNeeds HQ have put a number of models to the test and listed our top choices for your reading pleasure. Find out here what made Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump our number one choice.

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Top 5 Best Waterproof Bibs for Babies | 2018 Reviews

Top 5 Best Waterproof Bibs for Babies | 2018 Reviews

So your baby is about to enter one of the biggest milestones of her life. You have her dressed in her best dress, have prepared the best homemade meal you can ever do, and have propped her up in her brand new seat. But…there’s one very important detail that you forgot: the bib! Are you ready to pick up all the baby food and mess (about 95%) that will not make it to her mouth?

The thing is that bibs for babies are not really just for they start to eat. Babies can be very messy creatures – they drool and frequently spit up which is why bibs are among the most important things a parent should never forget to prepare whether they are just staying at home or going out for a quick errand.

Quick Navigation

Quick Comparison Table

Little Bot Baby Silicone Bib

BabyBjorn Soft Bibs

Bumkins Waterproof Sleeved Bib

OXO Tot Waterproof Bib

Tommee Tippee Explora Easi-Roll Bibs

Some parents might say that kids do not really need a bib but having one will help prevent babies from ruining their beautiful outfits. Additionally, having waterproof bibs ready and around their necks already will prevent further messes so you minimize your efforts when it comes to cleaning the house. Most importantly, bibs can also help prevent skin irritations and rashes as it can prevent their outfit from getting soaked through.

Surprisingly, there are a lot of waterproof bibs out there that are available for moms and dads to choose from, that it becomes very overwhelming. If you are not sure which one to go for, you might want to look through our list of the best waterproof bibs for babies before you go and make a purchase.

Quick Comparison Table

Little Bot Baby Silicone Bib	BabyBjorn Soft Bibs	Bumkins Waterproof Sleeved Bib	OXO Tot Waterproof Bib	Tommee Tippee Explora Easi-Roll Bibs
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
4 ounces	4.8 ounces	2.9 ounces	3.8 ounces	5 ounces
11 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches	13 x 9 x 2 inches	31.9 x 0.4 x 12.6 inches	2 x 8.2 x 10.9 inches	8.3 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
Food Grade Silicone	Polyelast TPE/ Thermoplastic Elastomer	Waterproof fabric	Fabric and silicone	Vinyl

Little Bot Baby Silicone Bib

Another soft food grade silicone bib that you might want to consider getting for your little one is this cute one from Little Bot. Okay, we will admit that the design was immediately the first one that caught our attention but we also found out that there’s a lot more to it than just its good looks.

For starters, this baby product is from Canada which means that you can ensure that it is made of high-quality materials. Aside from being food grade, the product is also free from BPA, lead, latex, phthalate, BVC and other harmful chemicals that could possibly harm your baby. Since it is 100% non-toxic, parents can use it on their babies with confidence. No worries about the little ones picking up crumbles that fell on the pocket as it is safe.

Another thing that parents love most about this (including us) is that it is very easy to wipe clean. Or if you are not satisfied, you can always rinse it with soapy water or place it on the top rack of the dishwasher and the quality of the product will not degrade. For the babies, they won't have to feel irritated with the product as well as it comes with a soft and comfortable neck strap that can easily be adjusted to suit their preference. It is very soft and gentle on baby’s skin and is quite comfortable and light to wear.

If you are not convinced at how soft it is, then give it a try. You can easily fold the bib and place it in a small pocket so you can carry it wherever you and your baby will go. The silicone material that it uses not only makes it light, comfortable and easy to clean but it also makes it much easier to dry out compared to when it has a fabric material attached to it.​

We have nothing but good things to say about this product. It is well designed, uses high-quality materials and comes with a reasonable price, too. For this, we are placing it at the top spot on our list.​

Details of the Little Bot Baby Silicone Bib
Weight	4 ounces
Dimensions	11 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
Material	Food Grade Silicone

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BabyBjorn Soft Bibs

There is nothing else better than to be able to use the same brands that have been around for a long time. What about using the types of bibs that your mother used on you when you were a toddler? This is the main reason why we here at Parents Need HQ are placing these BabyBjorn soft bibs at the second spot in our list.

What do we love so much about them? The material it uses, of course! Unlike most bibs, these are made from propathene and thermoplastic elastic rubber which makes clean up fun and a lot easier for mom. You can either run soapy water on this bib or toss it into the dishwasher and then it is good to go for next use. This will definitely save moms and dads a lot of time when it comes to clean up. Don’t worry mommies and daddies, these baby bibs are BPA free and are very safe for young children to use.

Another reason why we like this product a lot is that it has a very deep spill pocket in the front which ensures that it catches each and every spilled liquid and food that does not make it into the mouth of your little kiddo. You will most likely find their food in these pockets, which is a good thing since you do not have to spend your time cleaning up the floor, their high chairs or their food trays. Getting food spilled into the nooks and crannies can be such a hassle and can become gross when they start accumulating and forming bacteria there. Meanwhile, this bib does not have those corners which will give you a hard time during cleanup.

Many kids also love these bibs as they are less irritating compared to the cheaper plastic bibs thus making them more comfortable to wear. They also come with adjustable neck width so it is much easier to fit. They tend to feel much heavier compared to the other bib types though so that might be a factor for some children.

But, regardless of the price and very slight discomfort, we think this one still deserves to be placed at the second spot.

Details of the BabyBjorn Soft Bibs
Weight	4.8 ounces
Dimensions	13 x 9 x 2 inches
Material	Polyelast TPE/Thermoplastic Elastomer

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Bumkins Waterproof Sleeved Bib

If you are looking for a waterproof bib that has a more lightweight design for your little ones, then consider getting the Bumkins Waterproof Sleeved Bib for them. There are many reasons why you might fall in love with this particular product but the most important thing is that it is able to fulfill its purpose.

What we like most about this sleeved bib is that it provides a much better coverage when it comes to protecting your babies from stains and food spillage. As the name suggests, it comes with sleeves so you do not only protect their necks and their tops but, basically, their entire front body. We all know how children can be so messy when it comes to eating but this bib ensures that even their arms get protected from the mess.

Unlike other bibs, this one is made from lightweight fabric with a waterproof coating so any liquid spills will never seep through. They are also easy to wipe so you do not even have to worry about having to remove the stains later. You can just wipe it off or run soapy water but if you would rather toss it in the wash, then you can do so without worries because this material is made to withstand thousands of machine wash cycles.

Aside from being a full coverage bib, moms and dads are also comforted by the fact that this bib comes with a catch-all pocket that catches all spills during eating. You can simply throw the food out after every meal and then wash the bib – it is that simple and easy! However, we found out that this is not designed quite perfectly just yet as a lot of the food can still make their way outside the pocket. Regardless, it already provides a major help in the cleanup!

Parents, do take note that there are much cheaper options than this one but, for the quality and design that it comes with, the price is quite reasonable already. If you are looking for something that will fully protect your baby, then consider getting this one. No wonder it deserves to be placed at the third spot.

Details of the Bumkins Waterproof Sleeved Bib
Weight	2.9 ounces
Dimensions	31.9 x 0.4 x 12.6 inches
Material	Waterproof fabric

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OXO Tot Waterproof Bib

Gone are the days when bibs are made of cotton and other types of cloth that are hard to wash. These days, it is all about easy clean up which is why parents, including us here at Parents Need HQ, have considered this waterproof bib from OXO Tot.

What is there to love about this item? Let us start with the material: this bib is actually made of silicone and waterproof fabric which makes it more lightweight and easy to clean up. Parents can choose to wipe off the surface clean after every use or toss it in the machine for a more thorough cleaning. Regardless, you can be sure that stains and messes that get into the bib can be taken off very easily.

Another reason to consider using this bib as an accessory while your child eats is that it has a huge and wide silicone pocket that easily catches food that does not make it to your little one’s mouth. If you are worried about your baby picking the food that goes into the pocket, don’t be. It is actually food safe so even if they try to put those little crumbs into their mouth again, you can be sure that your baby still stays safe.

As for your baby, they are sure to love this product. Why? It does not feel uncomfortable especially around the neck area. In fact, the soft fabric is designed to conform to that particular area so they do not feel irritated when wearing this. It also comes with a strong neck closure to ensure that they stay on even if your little one tries to tug on it.

A lot of parents also love the fact that this can be easily rolled up making them very easy to transport around. Perhaps the biggest complaint moms and dads have so far is the length of the bib. It isn’t quite the longest in our list and there are certainly other products that can protect the baby better from spills and messes. Still, we believe that this deserves to be placed at the fourth spot.

Details of the OXO Tot Waterproof Bib
Weight	3.8 ounces
Dimensions	2 x 8.2 x 10.9 inches
Material	Fabric and silicone

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Tommee Tippee Explora Easi-Roll Bibs

When it comes to eating time, Tommee Tippee's biggest goal is to reduce mess and stress for parents and yet make meal times a lot more fun and enjoyable for the little ones. They certainly have achieved just that through their waterproof bibs.

Why might you consider getting their baby bibs? Well, we love that it is very easy to wipe and clean up. You can just let soapy water or toss it in the top rack of the dishwasher to keep them clean. It is also a good idea to send them into the machine for a more thorough washing and then let it air dry. Don’t worry so much about degrading the quality of the product because of that – it won’t!

Then again, not everything in this world is perfect and that includes this product. We think that this runs a little too small than we expected so it was not able to catch as much of the crumbles and spills and messes as it should have. Still, it is fun to see your baby pick up their mess from the small catch reservoir at the bottom of the bib. And, you also do not have to worry about the safety of the food that goes in there because they can totally munch on it – as long as it is still fresh, of course!

Another slight con that we were not too thrilled about was how the product reacted with stains such as those from tomato and spaghetti sauces. The stain remained in the baby bib for quite some time although, with a few more washes, it eventually faded away. Still, it made us wonder if we had truly washed it thoroughly (we did) during those first few washes when the stain was still prominent.

We do love that it is very hard to take off which ensures that your kiddo can stay protected wearing them while they eat. Did we also mention that the reverse side of the bib is dimpled to allow air to circulate freely and keep your baby’s clothes dry? Awesome, right? But, after weighing all the pros and cons, we have decided to place this one at the bottom of our list.

Details of the Tommee Tippee Explora Easi-Roll Bibs
Weight	5 ounces
Dimensions	8.3 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
Material	Vinyl

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As mentioned, you do not have to wait until your baby starts eating to start using baby bibs. These “accessories” are very helpful as it prevents their drool and spit-ups from causing rashes and irritations in their skins. Once your baby starts to eat, waterproof bibs can also be used to catch all the food and messes that do not make it to their mouths – and you will have a much easier time cleaning up after it compared to the regular cloth bibs.

If you’re starting with your solid food journey with your little one, you might want to check out our list of the best ice cube tray for baby food.

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7 Reasons Why Kids Should Play Sports

Remember the times when you and your childhood friends used to play around the neighborhood knowing every single pot hole, hidden passage, and secret hideouts? Those days were fun. You and your friends enjoyed many happy days in the outdoors and somehow, you feel like today, your kid's childhood is being robbed by digital time. It's true. We completely know how you feel. Nowadays, technology has moved the fun of outdoor games and put it into cyberspace. While games in cyberspace may be interesting but reducing outdoor time for kids can pose a lot of problems. Below is a list of some common problems:

• Babble Mouth Disease

Did you know that too much exposure to gadgets can really affect the speech development of your kids? We have to admit that we also commit this parenting mistake of letting our toddler play with our phones to keep them from throwing tantrums in public or from bothering us while we do some errands around the house. Sometimes we even let them sit in front of the TV for hours simply because it keeps them away from trouble, right? Truth is, developing brains gets hampered by all this and your child's language development is delayed because of it.

• Brain Drain Effect

As a child, your little one's brain grows up to three times its original size before your baby hits the age of 5. The brain is completely capable of growing on its own without the help of these gadgets. Brain development occurs more with personal interaction and movement. Overexposure to these gadgets actually causes attention deficit, slow cognitive development, and overall impaired learning.

• Couch Potato Syndrome

The worst we saw in how technology affected our generation was in producing couch potatoes. Unfortunately, our kid's generation is far worse than that. Your kid will not only be lazy but will depend mostly on gadgets to replace practically anything they consider to be fun. While laziness is one such effect, it could snowball into your kids getting fat, being less socially adept and being more introverted.  These traits could invite bullying, and even cyber bullying causing social impairment or worse for your child.

• Cuss Mouth Disorder

Once our kids get hold of a gadget, we no longer have control over what games they play or what things they watch and do. It can be surprising that sometimes they discover things and can do more things on your phone than you can. A lot of mobile games come with a story especially for RPGs (role playing games—bet you didn't know that RPG was in their vocabulary until now, right?). It can involves a lot of cussing, slang, and language jargons that are beyond our imagination. Your kids may end up talking back to you and suddenly use language that will make your jaw drop!

• Sleep Anxiety

Games really are addictive and like anything addictive, it can be hard to stop doing and cause your child to lose sleep. Your child might even sneak in and steal your phone or access their gadget late in the evening just so they can get to the next level. Research has shown that kids who are addicted to gadgets and online gaming get 40% less sleep even if it's not directly related to them staying up to play games. Sleep deprivation in children leads to stress, crankiness, poor social interaction, short attention spans, and many other problems.

• Tantrum Malady

This is fairly common for kids who spend a lot of time on gadgets. They find it difficult to express themselves in words and when they don't get what they want they just end up throwing tantrums. Your child could become overwhelmed by emotions simply because they dropped their juice box, a spoonful of food, or ice cream dropped on the floor, or any small thing that may happen. 

While our children are young, we still have control over our kids and letting them be attached to gadgets and appliances like the TV is in our hands. Once our kids get addicted to gaming or watching TV, the responsibility falls to us because we let them do it. Here are some reasons why we should let our kids engage in child-friendly sports and away from modern inventions.

7 Reasons Why Kids Should Play Sports

1. I can make friends!

This is one of the things both we and our kids love! The number of friends they make and the number of pictures we take! The great thing about sports for kids is that it cannot be done alone. Even individual kid sports have teams and each team comprises of different kids working altogether to reach one same goal. And one of the great aspects of sports is that you will find your child more socially interactive and less cooped up in their own little world.

Making friends is a good developmental aspect that your child needs to grow into a more sociable and more open-minded person. It is through friends that children become children and it is through friends that children understand more about themselves. Just think about it, you won't be who you are now without the fun things you and your childhood friends used to do together.

You and your childhood friends were completely happy doing crazy stuff no matter how bad a punishment you get when you go home completely soiled and dirty. The fun, the crazy antics, the punishments are things you all get to experience together and is what you continue to  experience today with your current friends. 

2. I have less stress!

Sports for children is a major stress reliever. It becomes an avenue for your kids to let out all the frustrations they may have from such things as: having a low mark on their homework, failing their math test, making mom get angry for painting on the wall, and much more. No matter how little it is, a child can easily get stressed and what better way to let it out than to do it playing sports! Sports allow your child to release all the tension in their bodies by engaging in rigorous exercises and fun activities.

Fun fact: Warm-up alone is enough to release 60% of the stress your body is feeling. So, if you are feeling a bit stressed out, join your kid as they do warm-up exercises and you'll feel a load lighter afterward. Your children will be more carefree and have fewer anger issues and anxiety which is one great reason why kids should play sports.​

3. I learn how to work with others!

Whether its individual or team sports, your kid will learn how to work with other kids. Teamwork is essential for a healthy social life and your kids will benefit from learning team work while enjoying themselves. Team sports are great avenues not just to make friends but to learn to do things in a team and to learn to not always rely on oneself to get things done.

Team dynamics also teach a child how to compromise. Children will also learn discipline and self-control and through working together. These are aspects of life that are difficult for us to teach our kids, but essential for their growth. And therefore, helping your kids engage in team sports deserves your time, attention, affection, and encouragement.

4. I eat more and play more!

Playing sports promote a healthy, active lifestyle. And with an active lifestyle, your child naturally eats more. And children with an active lifestyle tends to prefer healthier food over junk food.

In one scientific experiment, hungry children were brought to a table with healthy snacks (cut fruit, vegetables) and junk food (chips and ice-cream). One group of children were playing outside just prior to being shown the food, while the others stayed indoors. The group who were outside generally chose healthier food options as compared to those who stay indoors. Scientists believe that subconsciously, your child's body knows what nutrients need replenishing and so after being active outdoors, their body tells their brain to pick out foods with high sources of vitamins and minerals since they were used up from their activities outdoors. Conversely those were were passive and indoors did not deplete resources as much so gravitated towards junk food as their brain knows those tasted good! Hmmm, go figure, right? You can try doing this yourself. 

5. I'm having so much fun!

This is practically the number one reasons why kids like to play sports—it's a heck of a lot of fun! Doing things in real life will always be more fun that in cyber space. Fun is everything to kids and choosing the right sport will ensure that they stay active while having fun.

6. I can be myself!

Your child will develop skills through sports and become more self confident. As their confidence improves, it may also show up in other areas of his life such as in his grades, his social skills, even his artistic ability. Your child will feel a stronger sense of self.

Children playing sports are more likely to develop leadership skills. They first learn how to be a member of a team. As they grow older, the push to lead becomes more and more natural. This tendency to lead is the path to become a confident kid.

7. I can push myself to the limit!

Sports also involve tournaments or games against opposing teams. This type of friendly competition is important to teach them how to win, and how to lose. If they play against a stronger opponent, your child will see what's possible and learn how to push their limits to improve. Sports can be competitive but with the right mindset and proper coaching, your child will find competitions to be educational.

There are many positive for encouraging your children to participate in sports. The problem sometimes is right sport for your child. Another problem is if they're already exposed to games on their devices, how do you pry those tech gadgets out of your children's hands and convince them to get their butts off the couch?

• Let's go game time via digital time!

If you think your kids have cheat codes, you have one too. If your child is too difficult when it comes to what they want, cheat them into doing something that you want. Use their addiction against them and let your kids start off watching classical movies that involve sports like Karate Kid, Space Jam, Air Bud, and many more! Find something inspiring that your kids may actually want to learn trying this sport out even in his gadget.

• Backyard Practice

Get your kids some basketball hoops, or some toys they can play outdoors. You can start off by actually confiscating their gadget and replace it with a hoverboard, a nerf gun, a walkie talkie, or even a balance bike for your toddler. Once you can get them outside, try and see which catches your little ones interest. Does he like kicking balls, shooting hoops, or running from point A to point B? Just watching your kids alone will give you an idea what he likes. Get your friends to have play dates with your kids as well. Try and gauge if your child is friendly or aggressive with other kids. If your little one is too aggressive, maybe encourage him to do individual sports first.

• Say No to Bench Warmers

The first reason why kids love to play sports is fun. However, the problem is that team sports often have bench warmers. Don't allow your child to sit on the bench in any sport because it will be bad for their morale—don't pick a fight with the coach either. Just take your child off the sport and find one that would suit their character even more. We suggest martial arts and gymnastics as a great start since these are fun and target each individual in positive ways.

• Find what's fun and available

Of course, enrolling your kids in certain sports need some money. Don't be too fixated on a particular sport such that you have to find a soccer team in the next town simply because you think it's the best. There is so much choice today that you should be able to find a sport that your kids love that works well with your budget and is available in your town. Remember not to force something on your child or it may take all the fun out of it. The last thing you want is to put them off sports and push them to gaming for comfort! Find what is fun for him and focus on that.

In conclusion, let your children be children and involve them in plenty of outdoor activities. Children sports are meant to create happy healthy children. So start hiding those gadgets and let your kids go out and play!

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