At what age should you wean a child, and how?
Claire Scott says...
Infants should be exclusively breast-fed for six months. Then let him join you
at the table, in arms or in an appropriate chair, and offer him food that
you are eating on his own plate. Over the next year or two he will take less
breast milk and more solids. His last breast-feed should be around 2
Dreena Hamilton says...
I believe 3-4 months is a good time when baby’s digestive system has settled
and colic problems are easing. Start by replacing the early evening feed
with a bottle. After a few days replace a second breast-feed with a bottle
and so on until through a period of two to three weeks, the baby is
completely weaned from the breast
Claire Verity says...
The DOH advises that you do not wean a child until it is 6 months. I, however,
wean as and when a baby requires – it’s usually around the four months
stage. Some babies cannot survive on milk alone until 6 months – I would
rather feed them than starve them.
When should you start potty-training and what is the best method?
Claire Scott says...
A potty should be made constantly available from about the age of 1, in many
rooms of the house. At every nappy change, sit your baby on the potty.
Notice when your baby is doing a poo and offer him the potty. If you can
tell if he is weeing, again offer the potty. He or she will soon be familiar
with it and you’ll find that by 2 or slightly later your baby will be toilet
independent
Dreena Hamilton says...
Potty training is best left until 18 months to 2 years. Introduce the potty at
intervals throughout the day, starting after breakfast. Make light of it and
relax: praise and loving encouragement get you everywhere
Claire Verity says...
Not applicable: Claire Verity deals only with babies up to a year old
What is your view on dummies and other pacifiers?
Claire Scott says...
abies that have unfettered access to the breast don’t need a dummy: they can
get nipple confusion and suck on the breast incorrectly, causing sore
nipples. Using a dummy can also affect your milk supply
Dreena Hamilton says...
Babies and young toddlers love the sucking sensation. It is soothing. If it
works for you, fine, as long as you ignore the opinions of family and
friends: it’s your baby, your life and your sanity. The downside is
dependency
Claire Verity says...
I have no objections to dummies whatsoever. Sometimes a baby needs more than a
cuddle to soothe it. Dummies have been proven to cut down on cot death and
you can control their use, unlike a thumb
How do you deal with a child who won’t sleep at night?
Claire Scott says...
If you are feeding the baby on a schedule, denying it physical contact, not
allowing it to sleep with you and ignoring its cries, you are ignoring your
own instincts and making your baby an adversary. It fills the baby with
despair and he learns to distrust his parents: that his signals are not
worthy of being listened to. It is always detrimental to leave a baby to cry
Dreena Hamilton says...
A winding-down time after the last meal followed by a warm bath and a warm
milky drink can help. When the child is in bed, cuddle up together with a
story and keep the lights dim. Sometimes young children wake in the night
because they feel insecure. No harm in climbing into the child’s bed on the
odd occasion, but best not to make a habit of it. TV in the bedroom, an
absolute nono
How do you deal with sibling rivalry?
Claire Scott says...
Parents can be too child-centred. A child needs a mother who is confident and
calm, who knows what to do. It may look like the child is struggling for
more control, but ironically she is struggling not to be in control and is
pushing you until you stand firm. Never ask her what she wants to do or give
her choices: tell her, and be firm, but never in an angry way. She’ll try to
push you until you do stand firm, then she’ll feel safe and secure. This
security will result in a calmer, happier, more confident child and less
sibling rivalry
Dreena Hamilton says...
I found the best solution was to make time for each child at some point in the
week that was completely our time together without siblings. There will
always be some kind of jealousy dynamic in families. I don’t believe the
“smugglies”, whose children never fight or compete. The rest of life is a
competition of sorts, so it’s best to start at home to learn how to cope
with human feelings. My last word on the subject: equal love, just different
treatment
How do you persuade fussy eaters to eat their greens?
Claire Scott says...
Start from birth. Breast-feeding is the absolute best start to a baby’s life.
When introducing solids, keep it healthy. As a family, eat healthily and
don’t have processed foods in the house. If you are time-tight, there are
plenty of whole foods that take under ten minutes to prepare
Dreena Hamilton says...
Have fun with food. Make spooky green potato monsters in which to hide puréed
green veg squirted with modest amounts of ketchup. Hide good things in
brightly coloured soup full of Alphabety spaghetti. Make a smoothie and hide
anything in it as long as you add honey
Assuming both parents work, what form of daycare would you recommend?
Claire Scott says...
Rethink your lifestyle and career. First, is there anything you can cut back
on? Cable TV/the extra takeaway/gym memberships? Second, look at each
parent’s career and working hours. Many people can play “tag”, working from
home one day a week each. The best form of care for the baby is to be
brought up by her whole family, using Mum, Dad, grandparents, aunties and
uncles. Ultimately we all have choices in how we manage our jobs, careers,
finances and lifestyles
Dreena Hamilton says...
Grandparents are the best solution but not everyone has that luxury. Word of
mouth is the best recommendation for nursery or childminder. References are
crucial. Nannies, au pairs and mothers helps are fine if a home has the
space to accommodate someone living in. This is good solution for parents
who then have a resident babysitter and wonderful continuity for the baby.
Parents can experience jealousy, though, when the child becomes attached to
a carer
Claire Verity says...
Daycare all depends on the limit of your budget, ranging from a nursery
through to a nanny. A lot of parents also rely on grandparents if they are
available, but whichever daycare you choose you should be very happy with
it. Don’t take any chances – these people are caring for the most precious
thing in your life
