Jennifer McBride

Finding the reliable, safest and affordable bug spray can be the challenging task. The situation becomes more daunting when you are looking for the bug spray for your little ones.

No mom wants to expose her little angle to any potentially toxic or harmful chemicals. Do you want it? Well never!

If you are looking for the bug spray that is 100% organic, natural, DEET free and safest, then you come to the right place.

In this ultimate guide, we go through everything that you need to know to get the safest bug spray for your baby.

Continue Reading to learn more about it!

How Can You Prevent Your Baby From Bug Bites?

Are you going for any outdoor events like for the family picnic, hiking, or to the park trip? Beat the Pesky bugs and assure this thing that your kids remain safe from the bug bites.

Here we will explore you that what to avoid and what to look while choosing bug spray for your kids and will tell you how you can apply spray or lotion for getting best results.

Aspects of DEET

American Academy of Pediatrics stated that bug repellents contain DEET which is safe for kids who are two years old or more.

Different bug sprays come in the varying amount of DEET. Some bug spray contains the amount of DEET up to 30%.

If the bug spray has a very higher concentration of DEET, It does not mean that that bug spray is very stronger, it means that it will have a very long-lasting effect.

Aspects of Picaridin

Picardin is another ingredient present in some bug spray. It is an odourless ingredient that is comparatively a new product ingredients in the United States, but in Europe, it has been using for more than ten years.

It almost has the same properties such as DEET; it provides the long-lasting effect against the bugs.

Products that have the Picaridin ingredients it can use on the babies, which are at least two months old.

Aspects about Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

If you decide to go for the natural ways, then there are many ingredients available that make an effective bug spray.

Oil of eucalyptus is one of the active natural ingredients. It extracted from the gum eucalyptus tree, and it can offer the protection to your kids up to 7 hours.

Everything You Need To Know About Natural Bug Spray

No doubt, to use such spray which has a lower concentration of DEET is safe to use.

But still, there are most of the parents who prefer to use bug spray for their kids, which is DEET free.

Natural bug spray made with the plant oils such as lemongrass, citronella, cedarwood and peppermint.

But there is a disadvantage of using natural bug spray that it needs to be reapplied often instead of other products which have DEET.

You can try the natural bug spray but read all the instructions must focus on the products that it is safe to use on the children.

Products that have the oil of lemon eucalyptus are not suitable to use on children who are under three years old.

As we told above, Natural bug spray is not has a long-lasting effect as compared to chemical repellents.

You need to be reapplied natural bug spray on your kids after every 20 minutes, while another chemical spray can last for a couple of hours.

But yes, whether it is natural spray or another spray, it’s all will help you to protect your child against ticks and mosquitoes.

How can You Protect Your Kids from Bug Bites Naturally?

Bug spray is one of the ways through which you can prevent your kids from bug bites.

But there are many other natural ways available too that you can use to avoid the pesky bugs. Always wear shoes and socks while going outdoors instead of wearing sandals.

Never go to outdoors in the morning and at dusk while bugs are at worst. Don’t use fragranced lotions on your kids, which can attract the insects.

Tips and Trick to Get the Best Baby Bug Spray

Here are some tips and tricks that you should keep in mind while you are looking for a bug spray for your baby.

• Look for such bug spray which has a long-lasting effect. Don’t buy such spray that you have to reapply after each hour
• Look for the baby spray whose smell is tolerable. Never purchase such bug spray whose smells awful.
• If your baby is under two months, then prefer to use the organic spray always for your little one’s delicate skin
• Look for such spray that has a shallow concentration of DEET, do not use such products which have more than 30% concentration of DEET.

When can you start putting bug spray on your little ones?

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control, you can use the repellent spray for your baby when he/she is two months old.

You can start by the bug spray which is EPA-registered and contain IR3535, DEET, 2-undecanoate, or Picaridin ingredients.

And if your children are three years old or more, then you can also use the products that have the oil of lemon eucalyptus.

American Academy of the Pediatrics suggests not to use the products that have the DEET concentration of more than 30 %.

Bug repellent is an excellent way to apply on your baby skin to protect it from all bugs. Apply it on your baby skin when you are going outdoors.

0-2 Months: Try not to use any product between 0-2 months of age. In this period, try to wear to your baby lightweight, long sleeves to prevent from mosquito bite when you are going outdoors.

Or if you want to use bug spray, use only organic products.

2 Months – 2 Years: when your baby are between 2 months to 2 years then you can use the commercially made products that have a meagre amount of Picaridin or DEET content, or you can use the Natural products.

What to DO and What Not to Do While applying Baby Bug Spray

Here are some top tips from the Centers for Disease Control on what to do and what not to do while using baby bug spray

 Things to do

• Always keep your kids skin covered in the lightweight clothing.
• Always consider using the mosquito net on your infant carrier
• Always choose the bug repellent that approved for use on kids and always follow the directions given on the pack of spray.
• Always rub the spray on your hand before applying it on your baby skin. Otherwise, it will go into the air where you both are taking breathe.
• Always do the bug spray in the open areas, and then quickly move away from that place. It will help you to avoid inhaling products.
• Always wash the bug spray clothes when you come back from inside.
• Apply the spray only to the exposed part of your baby skin. Don’t apply it on the skin under clothes.
• Reapply spray according to the label instruction
• If you found any rash on your baby skin while applying bug spray, wash it off immediately and call your kids doctor for further guidance. Always keep the container in your hand so you can provide the label information.

Things not to do

• Never use fragranced products such as the lotions or perfume that can attract biting insects.
• Never use the bug repellent on your baby who is under two months
• Never apply the bug spray near the mouth and eyes of your baby
• Never store the products near to your kids reach. Make sure to wash your hand first when you want to apply it on your baby skin
• Never use such a product that is both bug spray and sunscreen, because sunscreen should always need to reapply regularly.
• Avoid skin and cut irritations, never put the bug close to your child mouth or eyes. Use it sparingly near the ears.
• Never allow your child to handle the container while you are applying the spray, because the baby may take it into his mouth.
• Never spray near to food or enclosed areas. Avoid breathing there.

 So, which type of Bug Spray is safe to use on Kids?

Bug spray that has up to the 30% DEET ingredients are safe to use when your child becomes two months old.

American Academy of Pediatrics says that never use bug spray on your baby who is not yet two months old.

By the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Agency EPA-registered products that have DEET, picaridin, IR2525, and two undecanoates are recommended for children who are of 2 months and older.

AAP suggested that products which contain DEET concentration more than 30 or less can be used on kids who are of 2 months age or older.

The CDC suggested using oil of lemon eucalyptus for the kids who are younger than the three years.

How Can You Know which of the bug spray is most effective?

When you use any products, always read its labels mentioned on the product carefully because protection varies from product to product.

Repellency Awareness Graphic will show you which of the bug spray is effective against which product, and it will work for how long?

Products have graphic awareness on its label if they are adequate to prove to the United States Environmental Agency about its effectiveness.

So take a look on it, that the bug spray has it or not.

The second important thing to remember, never thing if the product has a lower concentration of active ingredients it means that it is less effective than other products.

It means that this product will not keep the bugs away for an extended period; you have to reapply it after some time.

Such as if the product has 10 % DEET quantity that it will remain active till two hours, while the products which have 24% concentration it will keep the bug away from your kids for five hours.

DEET ingredients have the maximum duration to keep the bug away at its 30% concentration.

So, no need to exceed the DEET level of more than 30 %. Always use the minimum amount of concentration according to the amount of time that you need protection.

EPA has the search tool that you can use to find the best bug repellent for your little darling protection against mosquitoes. Keep in mind to enter the amount of time in which you will need protection.

Are you planning to travel outside of your country? Should you concerned about the bugs?

In many countries, flies, mosquito, insects, fleas carry severe diseases like yellow fever and malaria.

While you are planning to travel, ask your kids doctor three months before there is any need for medications prescriptions to avoid these diseases.

If you are planning to travel to a part of the world where outbreaks of some mosquito illness happening like dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya then learn about these viruses that can harm your child severely.

There is another way to visit the centre for disease prevention and control travel website to get information about the place where you are planning to go that it has any insect outbreaks, vaccine recommendation, or health alerts or not.

Wrapping Up…

That all, that we feel you need to know in getting the safest. Hope, so you find this ultimate guide helpful.

Now it’s your turn to decide which bug spray are the best suits for your family next holiday, an outing in the beautiful outdoor or for a BBQ party.

Whether you are going for a camping, for the fishing trip or to the peaceful lakeside, baby bug sprays are one of the most important things that you need to pack first.

So, what type of bug spray you are going to use for your baby? Let us know by comment below!

Back pain is a joint health issue these days, and there are many factors responsible for this condition. People who face back pain are unable to get sound sleep. If you are also one of them, then you are surely in the right place. Here you will get a genuine idea about the simple tricks that can help in eliminating back pain and you will be able to sleep like a newborn baby.

In cases of mild to moderate back pain, these tricks will work fantastically. But if you are dealing with severe depression and are taking medications to combat the situation, then it is advisable that you must consult a doctor.

Sometimes there can be an underlying medical condition, and if it will be left untreated, then the problem is only going to aggravate. The tricks shared here are for your guidance and in case you are unable to get relief, then don’t hesitate to consult a medical practitioner.

Here are the tricks that will eliminate back pain and will help you to sleep like a child:

1. Try back pain relief exercises

Nowadays people are extremely busy in their lives that they tend to ignore the importance of different kinds of exercises. The right training can do wonders in improving the back condition. There are yoga trainers and exercise trainers who know the best practices for relieving back pain. You can get in touch with a notable professional in this field, and it will make a lot of difference in your life. Once the back pain subsides then you can sleep like a baby.

If you are not willing to hire the services of a trainer, then you can check the videos and information on the online platform. You will come across simple exercises that can help in eliminating back pain. By being persistent, you will notice a significant reduction in back pain and the sleep pattern would improve in an automatic manner.

Generally, people lack the will to exercise. If it is the same case with you, then try to overcome this limitation. Make it a habit to dedicate some time to back exercises each day. Within a few weeks you will notice great improvement and once the pain subsides then the sleep pattern would be restored naturally.

2. Opt for a good quality mattress

You must ask yourself whether you are using a good quality mattress or not. There are lots of people who tend to ignore this simple aspect and are thereby caught in the grip of back pain. The mattress should be neither too hard nor too soft, and the size must be appropriate as per the height of an individual.

There is a specialized domain related mattress for back pain in the present times. By using such a product, you will see massive relief in back pain and the sleep pattern would be uninterrupted.

People think that spending the money on a mattress is like a big burden. This is an entirely wrong perception. The quality of your sleep will directly affect the quality of your life. If you use a good quality mattress then back, the condition can be corrected in a fast manner.

Now the fundamental question that must be pondering in your mind is that how to choose a suitable mattress. In this case, you can check the online platform for ratings and reviews. You will get an idea of which ones are the genuine brands in this segment and the best products that can meet your needs. Buying a mattress is like a long term investment. So, decide smartly and sensibly.

3. Work on your posture

Poor posture can be the reason behind back pain, and it will ultimately ruin the sleep quality. Many times it has been said that slouching is terrible and it is the right statement because the posture gets affected. If you do not work on your position, then the back pain can become worse with the period.

While working in an office, learn to take small breaks in between. Don’t try to slump over the keyboard, instead, try to maintain the back in a straight position. If there is too much tension in your neck or shoulders, then try simple rotation exercises while sitting in a chair. It will help in improving the blood circulation to the back muscles as well.

You can use a small pillow or a rolled up towel, and place it between the seat and your lower back. It will help in correcting the back posture to a great extent. Heels can be the culprit behind back pain. You should try flat footwear for some time and see the difference. In many cases, it is understood that the wrong shoe can affect the back posture.

Work on your posture

By working on your posture, you can combat back pain in a natural way, and it will surely help you to sleep like a newborn baby.

4. Think about opting for physical therapy

There are outstanding physical therapists in the current times, and they can help you to achieve the right alignment of the body. Once the alignment problem would be solved then back pain will go away, and you will be able to sleep in the proper manner. Physical therapists can guide how you should move, stand and sit. They will tell you what all can be done for strengthening the spine.

There are specialized types of exercises that physical therapists are aware of. Such tasks can help in providing high strength to the core muscles.

Generally, the problem is that people expect too much too soon. It takes time to build endurance, flexibility, and strength. Once you work in a committed way, then back pain will reduce gradually. All you have to be is a little patient, and the problem can be solved in a secure going manner.

5. Use the ice and heat method

One of the oldest yet effective methods to relieve back pain is the hot and cold method. Regular application of an ice pack or heating pad can help in getting effectively rid of back pain. If its summer season, then you can apply an ice pack, and if its winter time then you can opt for heating pads.

With the ice and heat method, back pain can be combated, and the inflammation levels will also come down. You should use this approach for 15 to 20 minutes at a single point of time. As per the severity of back pain, you can opt for several sessions in a day.

Don’t apply the ice pack or heat pack directly on your skin. You can wrap such a package in clothing or a thin towel and then apply to the back region. Use of ice and heat method will help to relax the back muscles, and it is a straightforward trick to improve the blood flow.

You can opt for this approach. Once the back pain reduces, you will observe changes in your sleep quality.

6. Massage the back

Massaging can help in a great way to relax the back muscles and to improve blood circulation. There are natural oils available in the marketplace, and there are specific oils as well that help in subsiding back pain. You can use a little warm oil to massage.

The problem with the message is that it is not that easy to do a back massage on one’s own. Thus, you will need the help of your family members, a massage specialist or back massager machine. Many research studies have revealed that massaging can help in reducing back pain.

Massage the back

You must have seen newborn babies receiving back massage by their mothers. It helps in strengthening their back, and they can sleep pleasantly. In the same way, elders can also opt for back massages. It will not just reduce back pain, but the quality of sleep would also improve in an unimaginable manner.

7. Use relaxation techniques

In the 21st century, people are in the grip of stress, anxiety, fear, restlessness, and other psychological issues. These aspects directly affect the health of an individual, and the outcome may be visible in the form of back pain. Many diseases originate from one’s mind. If the mind is in control, then the overall health can be restored outstandingly.

You can try meditation, deep breathing, listening to soft music and other techniques. Talk therapy is also a way of relaxing the mind as well as the body. Nowadays medical studies have revealed that people are consulting psychologists for back pain. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help in combating chronic back pain.

So, if the medical reports are healthy and then also you are dealing with back pain then it’s high time that you should practice some relaxation techniques. It will help to eliminate pain, and the sleep pattern would be corrected.

Here you have learned about the 7 easy and simple tricks to relieve back pain. It is assured that if you follow these guidelines, then you will be able to sleep like a newborn baby. Thus, don’t waste any more time and start working on these simple tips from today itself.

We have all made a big deal about getting enough sleep—7 to 8 hours of sleep a day and all that whatnot. But what many of us miss out is the fact that staying healthy and energetic is not just about getting enough sleep. It is also about getting a good quality of sleep.

You may hear some people talk about deep sleep all the time and how beneficial it is to enjoy this kind of sleep. But were you able to enjoy deep sleep yourself? Most probably not. If that is the case, we highly recommend that you read this article to know how to get deep sleep.

Understanding the Different Stages of Sleep

Before we dive into the different tips on how to get deep sleep, we need first to understand the different stages of the sleep cycle.

You see, the sleep cycle is divided into two categories: Non-REM and REM sleep. At the start of the night, you will enter the non-REM sleep cycle. It will then be followed by a short REM period. The entire cycle runs for about 90 minutes then it repeats until the morning.

Deep sleep takes place when you are at the final cycle of your non-REM sleep.

Understanding the different stages of sleep

The Amazing Benefits of Deep Sleep

Why is it vital for us to enjoy deep sleep? Do we really need to ask that question? When you are in a deep sleep, your pituitary glands secrete hormones that are important to the healthy function of this body. Because of that, enjoying deep sleep will allow you to enjoy the following benefits:

• Boost mental performance
• Improve memory
• Restore energy levels
• Cellular regeneration
• Better blood flow to the muscles
• Facilitate repair, recovery, and growth of bones and tissues
• Strengthening the body’s immune system

What Happens When You Don’t Get Deep Sleep

If the benefits mentioned are not enough to influence you to find a way to get deep sleep, then you may want to find out what would happen to you if you do not get enough sleep. When you do not get enough deep sleep, your risk of developing certain diseases may increase. These include:

• Heart Diseases
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Alzheimer’s Diseases

Many experts also claim that it is associated with specific sleep disorders like night terrors, sleep eating, bedwetting and even, sleepwalking.

The Best Tips on How to Get Deep Sleep

Now that you already have all the motivation you need to strive for getting deep sleep, then let us proceed with the practical tips on how to get deep sleep. These are as follows:

Reduce bright lights an hour before bed.

Our bodies start to produce melatonin once it gets dark. Melatonin is the hormone responsible for sleep regulation. It can also help you fall asleep easier and deeper. But when the lights in your home are bright a few hours before bedtime, your body will fail to recognize that it is already nighttime. As a result, your body will not produce melatonin, and you will find it difficult to fall asleep at night.

Reduce bright lights an hour before bed

Turn off your gadgets at night.

Even if the lights in your home are already turned off, your body will still feel to produce melatonin if you are still using your phones, laptops, and TV. This is because these gadgets emit blue light which is similar to that of bright lights. Because of this, your body will not get ready for your sleep cycle, and you would end up wide awake even if it is already past midnight.

Avoid eating huge and heavy meals at night.

Do you love to carbo load at night? Or you enjoy getting your sweet fix before bed? Or maybe you like to munch on greasy food like pizza or burger before you go to sleep? If that is the case, it does not come as a surprise that you find it difficult to fall asleep at night.

For you to sleep deeply, your hunger hormones must be high. Sadly, eating carbohydrates can lower it and will ultimately, affect the quality of your sleep. Moreover, greasy food can bring about gastrointestinal discomfort which can also prevent you from enjoying a deep and restful sleep.

If possible, only consume foods that are rich in tryptophan which can stimulate the release of melatonin. These foods can help aid sleep.

Do not drink alcohol before going to sleep.

Since alcohol is a depressant, many people think that drinking alcohol at night can help them fall asleep faster and better. But the truth is the opposite. There are two ways as to how alcohol can prevent you from getting deep sleep.

First off, alcohol can cause disruptive sleep because of possible gastrointestinal issues like hyperacidity. If you have gastric reflux, then you may not even be able to achieve some sleep because the alcohol may induce reflux.

Another way alcohol can prevent you from getting good sleep is it can cause the muscles of your throat to relax, letting your tongue roll back and blocking your airway in the process. As a result, you may experience snoring problems and worse, sleep apnea.

To know more on how alcohol can affect sleep, please watch this video:

Don’t work out a few hours before bedtime.

There is no doubt that regular exercise can help you fall asleep quicker and more soundly. However, you need to pay attention to the time of your workout.

Many people think that working out at night can help them feel more tired. Hence, they would feel asleep easier and better. The sad part is, the opposite effect happens. When you work out, you are pumping blood all over your body, stimulating your muscles and brain, making you feel more energetic and lively than sleepy. As a result, you would just feel tired but can’t sleep.

Regulate the temperature of your room.

When it comes to a temperature that is conducive for sleep, people have mixed reactions. Some like it hot while some people would prefer to sleep in a cold room. Regardless of your preference, studies have shown that a temperature of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature for sleep.

Please keep in mind that the temperature of your body goes down when you start to feel drowsy. Sleeping in a hot room can combat this natural body cycle and may prevent you from getting the deep sleep that you want.

If you are prone to getting cold at night, you can simply wrap a heavy blanket around your body.

Invest in mattress, sheets, and pillows of good quality.

The quality of your bedding and bedding accessories can have a significant effect on the quality of your sleep.

When it comes to mattresses and pillows, you will be faced with two choices—firm or soft. There is no right or wrong choice with regards to this. You need to consider your personal preference when making the decision. Because of this, it is recommended that you read various product reviews about the mattress that you are eyeing. You may also want to test the mattress or pillow out before buying it.

With regards to your pillow and bed sheets, it is recommended that you go for ones that will not irritate or scratch your skin. You may wish to consider the sheet’s thread count and fabric type to ensure your comfort during your sleep.

Invest in mattress, sheets, and pillows of good quality

Diffuse oils.

If you want to get deep sleep, you have to get all your senses ready for sleep. For your sense of smell, you will be happy to know that certain scents can induce sleep and relaxation. The best scent for this purpose would be lavender.

With this in mind, you can try diffusing a lavender essential oil in your room an hour before you go to bed.

Final Words

The quality of our sleep can have a big impact on our mental and physical health. If you wish to maintain your good health, we highly recommended that you practice all these tips on how to get deep sleep as early as now.

You don’t have to follow all these tips, but you have to make sure that you will stick to your chosen suggestions for a certain amount of time so you can see its effects on your health. By doing this, you can have a better understanding of your sleep habits and patterns, and you can adjust them accordingly.

Since the cellular technology revolution, a lot of gadgets have evolved. From simple analog phones that can only be used for calls, now we have smart phones that provide mobile entertainment. These smartphones and tablets, with the right programs and applications, can help boost the cognitive development of growing children.

However, recent research showed that too much screen time could be detrimental to children’s development. It becomes more dangerous when these little kids are left with the screens without supervision.

Leaving little kids with screens as distractions may seem to free up and give the caregiver some time. However, in the long run, kids that are exposed with too much screens may make less and less active which can lead to other health conditions.

This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that toddlers and school-age children have limited access to screens and other forms of electronic entertainment daily. According to them, school-age children should be limited to two hours while toddlers should only spend an hour with electronic devices and screens.

Now, what do we do to entertain kids while helping develop their social and cognitive skills? Well, you may want to ask your granddad what sort of activities they did when they were little!

Here are some recommended activities for kids that helps in the motor and brain development of growing kids. I know it would take some preparations, but it will surely be fun!

Too much screen time could be detrimental to children’s development

Best Healthy Activities for Kids to Try

Let’s start with the healthy activities that you can prepare for toddlers. We will also look at some play kits that you can prepare for them. You will be surprised that some of the materials you would need can be readily found in your kitchen!

For parents and caregivers, these activities may look like simple games. But for your toddlers, these games are not only fun, but it also helps them develop some skills!

Try some of these activities and have fun with your toddler.

1. Sensory Box (recommended for children at least 12 months and above)

As the name suggests, this activity involves using the senses. A sensory box helps develop tactile skills and improve fine motor development. It’s not hard to prepare, and you can use any object you want and place it inside the sensory box. So, here are the stuff you need to prepare and how it works.

• Materials

a. A shoe box. Make sure it’s clean and dust free.

b. A piece of fabric that would cover the entire opening of the box.

c. Hot glue would help you fasten the fabric covering the opening of the box.

d. Pairs of small toys and other objects. Make sure they are not too small to avoid the risk of choking. You can use dominoes, cubes, golf balls, tomatoes, toy blocks, clothespin, crayons, and the likes. Make sure that there are two of each item.

A sensory box helps develop tactile skills

• Preparation

a. Clean the shoebox and wipe the surface with a damp cloth to pick up dust and other potential allergens. You can use other boxes if you like.

b. Next, cover the box with a sheet of fabric.

c. Cut a three-inch slit on the fabric. That’s just enough to fit your toddle’s hand and fish items inside.

d. Take a picture of the items you intend to put inside on a clean background and have it printed.

e. Place the toys and other objects you have prepared inside the box.

• Mechanics

a. Point which item you want your toddler to take out from the box from.

b. Have your toddler insert his hands through the slit and locate the object without peeking inside.

c. Give your toddler a praise when he successfully locates the item.

d. Ask your toddler to fish the other pair inside the box.

e. Again, when successful, give your toddler a praise.

This game helps your child develop fine motor skills by fishing the objects inside the box. Also, while learning motor skills, your child also learns about shape and size differentiation. With the visual cue from the pictures, your child also learns visual recognition while playing. Critical thinking is also involved in searching the right piece and the other pair of toy.

This game may seem simple, but with enough toys and objects, this would translate to hours of fun!

You may also want to try the sensory bin activities shown in this video:

2. Ball Kicks (recommended for children 18 months and above)

This is a simple game that needs guidance and instructions from the parent or the caregiver for it to be more fun. This game intends to improve your child’s gross motor skill while having fun. This game is not recommended for toddlers who just started walking.

• Materials

a. Paper cups or plastic cups. Plastic pylons would be nice, but cups would do fine.

b. A ball that’s just the right size for your toddler.

• Preparation

a. You can color the cups or number the cups to help guide your toddler while playing.

• Mechanics

a. Arrange the cups in a semi-circle with the numbers facing your child.

b. Have your child positioned about three feet in front of the cups.

c. Ask your child to kick the ball towards the cup.

d. To make things more fun, call the number or color of cups you want them to hit.

The gross motor skills are highly improved by this simple game. Make sure that you encourage your child while playing as they might stumble on the first few kicks. Move the target closer if your child can’t hit the cups. Playing ball kicks will strengthen the legs and improve your child’s balance.

3. Coloring Books (recommended for children 18 months and above)

Coloring books are classic activity kits that would keep your children entertained and your walls clean (if you know what I mean!). This game is a lot of fun and helps children learn colors. While learning the colors, this activity also helps develop fine motor skills on the hands and improve concentration. It’s best to provide a pattern to help the child recognize which colors to use.

• Materials

a. Coloring book. If you have a printer at home, you can find templates online and have them printed.

b. Non-toxic crayons.

Coloring books

• Preparation

a. Set-up your kid’s activity table.

b. Place the coloring book on the table and provide the crayons.

• Mechanics

a. If your toddler hasn’t learned the colors yet, this is the perfect time to teach them about it.

b. Guide your toddler and point out which colors to use.

c. Have your child repeat what you say to reinforce learning.

d. Give praises as your child learns colors.

The coloring book is a simple activity that improves your child’s fine motor skill. This also improves hand and eye coordination and helps your child learn colors. As your child learns about the colors, let them do the activity without a pattern.

4. Puzzles (can be introduced as early as 18 months)

Puzzles are another classic kit that kids can enjoy. Starting at 18 months, you can introduce your toddler with puzzles. You may start with 4 pieces of puzzle initially and evaluate how well your kid is doing. At age 2, children can accomplish up to twelve pieces of the puzzle. At age 3, you can give your child up to 50piece of puzzle.

Puzzles are great toys that help develop hand-eye coordination and critical thinking. With your assistance, building puzzles are fun!

• Materials

a. Age appropriate puzzles.

Puzzles are another classic kit that kids can enjoy

• Preparation

a. Set-up your child’s activity table.

b. Lay down the piece of puzzle in random.

• Mechanics

a. When first introducing your toddler to puzzles, make sure that you guide them step by step to avoid frustration.

b. Only give them the recommended number of pieces that can be easily managed according to age.

c. Encourage your child while playing and don’t forget to give praises.

Take note the number of puzzle pieces you give your child. Too many puzzle pieces can be overwhelming and intimidating. Make sure that you guide your child while doing puzzles and don’t forget to gradually increase the difficulty.

In addition to these activities, you also need to find ways on how to encourage your child to eat healthy!

Summary

There are a variety of activities that can be done on screens. Even the conventional games have versions for your tablet and smartphones! But do take note that there are games and activities that are best done in the conventional way.

Activities with your kid promote fine and gross motor development as well as increase the bond between the kid and the caregiver. It may be convenient to leave children in front of screens, but, it may not be the best method of learning skills. Often, gross and fine motor skills are neglected since physical movements are very limited in front of a screen.

I know sometimes we get too busy. But The games listed above won’t take much preparation time and would improve your bond with your kid. Now, don’t hesitate to try them! I’m sure you, too, will have a lot of fun preparing and playing with your toddler!

As human beings, we roughly spend a third of our lives sleeping. That means that for around 8 hours a day, we lie on comfortably on our soft bed. But sometimes, no matter how soft are beds are, we wake up with some discomfort on our backs? Now, why is it that we get that soreness even when we have the softest and most comfortable bed there is?

Well, it has something to do with the human anatomy, and many experts have been campaigning and advocating sleeping on the floor! Yep, you heard me right! Sleeping on the floor, according to experts, is better than sleeping in a mattress. Why? Let’s find out!

The Sleeping Posture

We know about the proper posture, right? Yes, we know how important posture is when we are standing upright. We know that proper alignment of the spine is maintained with proper posture. This decreases the likelihood of getting your back sore. However, when sleeping, we fail to notice our crooked posture!

How important posture is when we are standing upright

The Neutral Spine

When we lie down on our beds, we often forget about our posture and assume whatever comfortable position we wish. The problem here is that, if we sleep roughly 8 hours daily, that translates to 8 hours of misaligned spine!

Studies show that the best sleeping position is lying on our backs. This keeps the spine in a neutral position.

Dangers of Soft Beds

Soft mattresses do not permit us to sleep straight on our backs. When lying on soft beds, the natural tendency for our body is to sink on the plush bed. The bed hugs us back and does not offer any resistance. This may feel comfortable at first, but, it would not allow your spine to stretch in its neutral position.

Soft beds would hug the curves of our backs and would put stress on the opposite curve of the joints. This can lead to disc inflammation, muscle soreness, nerve inflammation, spasm, cramping, stiff neck, back pain, and other discomforts that may extend to some other parts of the lower limbs.

Benefits of Sleeping on the Floor

Beds are globally available and globally used for sleeping. Every night, especially when you had a long day, and you are tired, you look forward to lying on your bed. It would seem like an insane idea to give up the bed and sleep on the floor instead. It sounds counterintuitive to sleep on the floor when a bed is available!

But hey, listen, here are the benefits of sleeping on the floor:

1. Get Rid of Back Pain

You may not notice back pain until there’s too much of it. We are so accustomed of sleeping on soft mattresses that we fail to recognize, even ignore the back pain. What do we do about that back pain? Well, we get expensive therapies and medications to get rid of it. For a while, the therapy and medication work. But later, the pain goes back.

Get rid of back pain

Sleeping on the floor helps you get rid of that back pain. When you finally make the switch, your spine returns to the neutral position and relieves the pressure from the joints. Can you imagine breaking free from back pain?

Read more: The Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain

2. Get Rid of the Stiff Neck

Because our bodies sink while sleeping on a mattress, our head is prone to be in an awkward position. Well, the crucial part that connects the head to the body, the neck, may become sore. Sleeping on the floor aligns the cervical spine and helps eliminate stiff neck.

3. Improves Posture

When sleeping on the floor, the entire span of the spine falls on the neutral position. Not only does this neutral position eliminate pain, but it also improves your standing and sitting posture. As your spine returns to its natural curvature, your standing and sitting posture improve as well.

4. Better Sleep Quality

Lying on the floor encourages peaceful and more restful sleep. The muscles are more relaxed while lying down. With a more restful sleep, you will be waking up with more energy.

5. Good Mood

When you get to have that peaceful rest, definitely, you could start your day easy! With better sleep comes better mood when you wake up.

6. Frees Up Space

Getting rid of the bed means that you would free space inside your bedroom.

If you want to know what is the doctor’s perspective on floor sleeping, please watch this video:

Things You May Want to Consider When Sleeping on the Floor

Consider a Mat

Sleeping directly on the floor, as cavemen did, may result in some other form of back pain. If you sleep directly on the floor without any form of a cushion, your shoulder blades and your hips will hurt badly in the morning!

A towel, yoga mat, or carpet would do great in protecting your back from this kind of pain.

Consider an Egg Crate Mattress

Sleeping on the floor may sound a little intimidating, and the first thought you may come up with is more back pain instead of relieving it. When the spine gets properly aligned, back pain starts to go away. To counter pain that may arise from the bony prominence on the back, an egg crate mattress can be of great help.

An egg crate mattress topper is not thick enough for the body to sink. It gives your back enough cushion to comfortably sleep. The mattress stays firm while it’s on the floor giving you enough cushion without sinking.

Consider an Egg Crate Mattress

Now all you need to do is figure out how to increase your melatonin levels and you can enjoy good night’s sleep!

Summary

Giving up your bed may sound like a drastic move. Although sleeping on the floor is backed by research and anatomical evidence, it may not be for everyone. So, before you ditch your bed, you may want to try it out first!

To facilitate your switch from bed to the floor, you may want to use a cervical pillow instead of your conventional pillow. This will help you align your back and your head to avoid getting a stiff neck. A rolled towel will pass as a cervical pillow if you don’t have one at home.

Putting a pillow under your knees would further help align your lower back and relieve pressure on the thoracic region.

You don’t have to put up with the back pain and stiff neck. You can try sleeping on the floor and see how much it reduces the pain and improves the quality of your sleep!