Munchkin, Inc., designer and manufacturer of cleverinfant care and toddler products, in partnership with Church & Dwight Co., Inc., makers of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, today unveiled the ARM & HAMMER Diaper Pail, a breakthrough diaper disposal system. The ARM & HAMMER Diaper Pail neutralizes odors in the nursery through a patented odor control system with the power of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda at its core.
“The most important thing about any diaper disposal system is that it controls odors. This new system employs the built-in power of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda to provide natural, safe and effective odor elimination,” said Doug Gillespie, Munchkin Vice President of Marketing. “We also knew the pail had to be easy for parents to use, so we developed a patented self-sealing system and refill bags that you simply snap, seal and toss in the trash.”
The ARM & HAMMER® name has been trusted for generations to eliminate odors, and Munchkin is known to today’s parents for delivering clever solutions to their everyday needs. The ARM & HAMMER(TM) Diaper Pail has numerous innovations that reflect the respective strengths of the two brands.
Baking Soda Dispenser: A built-in, vented dispenser sprinkles odor-eliminating baking soda each time the lid is closed and continuously absorbs and eliminates odors even when not in use.
Self-Sealing System: Munchkin’s patented system automatically seals the bag when the lid is closed and keeps it sealed when the lid is reopened.
Snap, Seal and Toss Bags: The disposable refill bags, each of which can hold up to 25 diapers, shut tight with a snap and can be easily tossed and replaced without cutting or tying.
Teaching the child to use toilets is not only about potty training but also to use the bathroom properly, flushing the toilet after use and washing hands properly. Most children start showing signs of readiness for potty training between the ages of 18 to 24 months that usually consist of suspending activities for a few seconds or clutching his or her diaper when they need to urinate or have bowel movements. Others can show these signs earlier or later than this stage. Generally, it is seen that girls show these signs sooner than boys and they learn to use toilet more quickly too. Other signs that indicate that your child is ready for toilet teaching are:
* Ability to climb up and down the potty and sit on it.
* Ability to follow simple instructions.
* Having control over muscles during urination or passing stools.
* Keeping the diaper dry for more than two hours.
* Pulling or drawing diapers, underpants or disposable training pants down.
* Understanding words related to toilet and toileting process.
* Verbal expression of the need to go potty.
It is not a good idea to start the toilet-teaching process when you are traveling; when there are major changes in family life such as shifting to a new house and birth of a sibling; when the child is sick, especially when he or she is suffering from diarrhea; or when you are introducing baby to other changes such as making him sleep in a bed instead of a crib.
These periods can be stressful for you and your child and thus, it will become more difficult for you to be as patient and calm, as you need to be throughout the process. If you are going through these phases, you need to postpone this remarkable child care training until the environment is stable and secure.
Though the duration of toilet teaching varies from child to child, it generally takes 3 to 6 months for the child to learn how to use the toilet properly. An additional 6 months to 1 year may be needed for the child to learn how to stay dry at night.
The blood vessels of umbilical cord nourish an unborn child, when he is still in the mother’s womb. Oxygen and all the nutrients of the mother are supplied to the fetus, through the umbilical cord. Hence, the cord plays a pivotal role in the overall development of the fetus. Soon after the birth of the baby, the doctor puts a plastic clamp on the umbilical cord and cuts it off, leaving a one-inch umbilical stump attached to the baby’s body. The umbilical stump (sometimes known as umbilical cord) eventually drops off, within three weeks after the birth.
The period before the fall of the umbilical cord is very crucial for the baby as well as the mother. For the parent as part of the child care responsibility, it is the time to take proper care of the newborn, because the umbilical cord is highly sensitive to skin irritation and various kinds of infection. The cord needs to be dried well, before it falls off naturally. If you do not know how to take care of the newborn’s umbilical cord, then you are reading the right article. Go through the following lines and get some tips on taking care of your baby’s umbilical cord.
Taking Care Of Your Baby’s Umbilical Stump
Cleaning The Umbilical Cord
* You need to clean your newborn’s umbilical cord, to avoid any kind of infection. Since no nerves are located in the cord, cleaning it won’t prove painful to your child.
* For the purpose, make use of cotton balls or swabs. Dip the cotton balls/swabs in rubbing alcohol.
* Now, wipe the soaked cotton swab around the base of the cord, next to the baby’s skin. Thoroughly clean the area between the cord and the skin.
* If your baby cries when the soaked cotton ball comes in contact with the umbilical cord, then need not worry - it is due to the cold sensation due to the use of rubbing alcohol.
Keep The Umbilical Cord Dry
* It is vital to keep the umbilical cord stump dry, to avoid any kind of skin irritation or infection.
* Allow fresh air to pass through the cord, to keep it dry.
* While putting on the diaper, always fold down its top edge. By doing so, the diaper would not rub against or cover the cord.
Some More Tips
* Give your baby clean sponge baths, until the umbilical cord falls off naturally. Avoid the cord getting wet, while bathing your newborn. If the cord gets wet by chance, then dry it immediately by wiping it with a cotton ball/swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
* Be sure to clean the umbilical cord after every diaper change, if your doctor has recommended to do so.
* In case you notice redness, swelling around the cord, discharge or bad odor from the stump, contact your doctor immediately.
* The umbilical stump should naturally fall off by three weeks after the birth. If the cord persists to stay in the place even after the stipulated time, consult your doctor.
* If the cord stays moist even after two to three days of birth, consult the physician.
Diaper changing is one of the more important skills in infant care which take constant practice to perfect. You should have a very suitable changing table to accompany your child care routine. So here are a few things to consider when choosing a baby changing table from the good folks at the Nemours Foundation:
- Opt for a sturdy wooden table with guard rails to prevent tipping if a curious baby pulls on it from the floor.
- If you select a changing table that folds, always make sure it’s sturdy and secure when open and in use.
- Make sure that the table has a wide base to prevent being pulled over.
- Choose a table that has shelves or a compartment to store baby supplies, so you can give baby your complete attention.
- Guard rails on changing tables should stand at least 2 inches high.
- Make sure the changing table has a safety belt, and always use it.
