Saturday, July 25, 2009

Ride-On Toys For Your Kids

at 2:36 AM
Young children absolutely love ride-on toys. As soon as they're able to master the coordination required to make them go via foot to floor power, to pedal them, or to negotiate the steering and foot pedal on battery powered ride on toys, they're off and running - err, driving, that is.

They can't get enough of them. Ride-on toys are like a ticket to independence for toddlers, and since many also look like or mimic the vehicles adults drives, they love to pretend they're "driving" just like mom and dad.

Floor to Foot Power
There are such a variety of ride-on toys these days that it can be hard to decide what to choose. Certainly, for very young children, like toddlers, a foot to floor ride-on toy is the best option. Toddlers can have a car all their own and become mobile via their own foot to floor power, so you don't have to worry they'll go too fast or injure themselves. There are blue foot to floor ride-on cars for boys, pink for girls, and even princess cars and ambulances, but my personal favorite is the adorable airplane. There are even foot to floor ride-on toys that look like a mouse, a dump truck, and a hummer.

Pedal Power
As the child becomes more coordinated and learns to pedal, three wheel ride-on toys like traditional tricycles or Big Wheels are the perfect next step. But there are lots more pedal ride-on options, as well - airplanes, red and green tractors, forklifts, construction loaders, tractors with front loaders, dump trucks, front loaders, and even farm tractors with trailers to haul dolls or blocks or dirt or whatever suits their fancy at the time. There are also some very stylin' pedal automobiles - like the Mercedes, red Ferrari, and red BMW convertible and an entire line of sports team themed pedal cars.

My personal favorites in this line are the vintage look car pedal toys. The ™65 Ford Mustang in dark blue or bright red; the ™65 Ford Shelby GT-350; the 1932 Ford Roadster - either in pink, red, or in black with flames; and the 1932 tow truck, fire truck, or police car all look incredible, and any parent who is a fan of vintage cars or antiques will want one of these for their child. Of the entire line, the American Retro Limited Edition Burgundy Roadster impressed me the most with its appearance.

Battery Operated
And finally, after a child has reached 3 years of age, you may want to consider a battery powered ride-on toy. It's important, however, that these in particular be operated only with adult supervision and that your child has the skills necessary to comprehend the effects of moving the steering wheel a particular way and the stop and go foot pedal mechanism before you let them get on one of these. Chances are, if your child has had one of the pedal versions, he or she will have a good grasp of steering already and then you just need to explain the foot pedal.

The variety of battery operated ride-on toys is just as extensive as the pedal powered ride-ons. You can choose from many styles of cars, trucks, motorcycle, crotch rockets, ATVs, go karts, Jeeps, race cars, and dune buggies. There are modern sports cars - like the Jaguar, Ferrari, Porsche, and many more - as well as a classic car and even a baby "bug" (i.e., Volkswagen Beatle).

Obviously, the battery operated models are also going to be the most expensive, but if you watch for sales, you can save a bit on these, too. If you're looking for one really great gift for your child this year, a ride-on toy makes a fabulous birthday or Christmas present he or she will never forget!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

How do I take my infant's temperature?

at 4:13 AM 0 comments
While there are many acceptable ways for taking a temperature, you should use a rectal thermometer if you think that your baby has a fever.

To take a rectal temperature, first wash and rinse the thermometer and shake it until it is reading below 96 degrees F (or consider using a digital rectal thermometer). Next, rub a small amount of lubricant on it's tip and while your baby is lying down, hold one of your hands firmly on his lower back, just above his buttocks. Now gently insert the thermometer into his anus about 1/2 to 1 inches. Wait for two minutes and then remove the thermometer and slowly roll it until you are able to see the end of the mercury column, which is your baby's temperature.

For infants under three months of age, a fever is considered to be a temperature over 100.4 degrees F (call your doctor immediately!). Be sure to clean the thermometer with alcohol after each use.

In older infants, you can consider using an axillary (armpit) thermometer or a digital thermometer that can be placed in your child's ear. Oral thermometers are usually not used until your child is four to five years old.

When reporting your child's temperature to your doctor, it is best to just say what number the thermometer read and how you took it, instead of trying to add or subtract a degree yourself.
 

Baby Challenge Copyright © 2010