Although little research has been done on the subject, some sleep experts believe not only toddlers – but infants – are affected by night terrors.

Often simply trying to awaken and comfort their daughter when the night terrors begin works. The biggest thing is to remain totally calm. This medical advice takes a common sense route, encouraging parents to calm and reassure themselves as well as their children.

Fathers must remember that if they are frightened, their fears can be transmitted to the child, which can make night terrors more frequent and more intense. It becomes a vicious cycle of fright.

The difference between Night Terrors and Nightmares

Night terrors – which have a physiological cause – are very different from nightmares or other night awakenings caused by previous psychological trauma.

A few months after Shelia Jordan’s granddaughter was born, the infant survived a car wreck that killed her mother. Today, at 3 years old, Jordan’s granddaughter is haunted by nightmares triggered after she hears loud noises reminiscent of the car crash, Jordan believes.

Unlike night terrors, which are largely caused by a physical reaction, nightmares can be caused by the subconscious recollection of a traumatic incident, says Dr. Paul Saskin, clinical director of Sunrise Hospital’s Regional Center for Sleep Disorders in Las Vegas, Nev.

Your baby, when he was born, only had what are called “tooth buds,” basically tissue that will eventually develop to form a tooth.  As your baby grows into the toddler-hood, these tooth buds develop into full-grown baby teeth. This is usually a painful process for your toddler—especially the development of the first molars. This involves teeth erupting or ‘cutting’ through the gums; hence this phase is also termed “teething” or “cutting molars.”  Your child is likely to feel a lot of pain and discomfort as the teeth cut through the gums.   Be aware that you may have periodic sleepless nights over a long period of time and considering teething pain, will become one more addition to your inventory of why the baby might be crying.

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1. Set a good example. Read for pleasure and show and share that pleasure.

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• Are you worried over scaly patches of reddened skin on your child's scalp or torso?
• Do these eruptions form a circular pattern as they begin to spread, with a healing centre and ever-expanding lesions?
  

If yes, then you should probably get your children checked for a contagious fungal skin infection called ringworm. Without being painful or dangerous, this condition can be irritatingly itchy—and highly contagious.

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Growing babies usually follow a good curve. However, there may be periods when you will notice 'spurts' or 'dips.' As your baby's development is dependent on a number of complex factors, this is not usually a cause for worry.  

Here is a chart that indicates the height and weight development of your baby*. Consult your doctor if you have concerns regarding your baby’s development.

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As a parent, you want to make your child understand the importance of dental hygiene. However, you need not wait until your child is old enough to brush and floss. Ideally, you could begin this process even before your baby cuts the first tooth. Dentists advise initiating your baby to a dental care routine by gently cleaning the gums even before primary teeth start erupting.

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Some of the common ailments that are likely to attack your toddlers include fever, skin infections, cough/cold, dental problems etc. You can treat minor ailments by yourself with the help of a well-stocked medicine chest. However, please note that serious and prolonged ailments would require the attention of a qualified physician.

If your toddler is sick with cold, you may try the following tips to help overcome the illness:

• Apply a balm or petroleum jelly around the nostrils to provide relief and reduce irritation
• Give your toddler a steam bath
• Use a moist piece of cloth to wipe your toddler’s running nose dry
• Consult a doctor if symptoms persist for too long

If your toddler is sick with fever, you may try the following tips to help overcome the illness:

• Use a thermometer to find out the temperature your toddler is running
• If your toddler’s temperature is 100° F or less, keep watching for signs of fever occurring periodically and not continuously – if the fever occurs periodically, consult your doctor
• If your toddler’s temperature is more than 100.4° F, consult your doctor

The right diet ensures a healthy and bright future for toddlers. Proper food and nutrients form the building blocks for developing strong teeth, bones, muscles and healthy tissues in this age group. A good diet also helps to build your toddlers immune system. A study by the Journal of American Dietic Association states that kids in an age group of 1 to 2 years get 30 percent more calories than required. Since life long eating preferences are set during the first three years a well balanced diet at these early stages is required. A critical factor is that, though requirements for energy and nutrients are high, parents are besieged with small appetites and finicky eating habits.

The basic constituents of toddlers’ healthy diet include iron, calcium, vitamins A, C and D. Iron is one of the most crucial nutrients for a toddler. Children in this age group often suffer from iron deficiencies due to low dietary intake. This happens due to low or no meat intake. Foods rich with Vitamin C, such as orange juice need to be eaten at the same time to enhance iron absorption.  Calcium; which is vital for strong bones, teeth and blood clotting and nerve cells, can be obtained from milk. Vitamin A; which is crucial for healthy skin and cell development can be derived from yellow and orange fruit and vegetables. Vitamin D is necessary for calcium metabolism and is synthesized by the action of the sunlight on the skin. It is also available from oily fish, fortified margarine and dairy products.  In order to balance out a healthy diet a parent should ensure that their toddler is getting adequate starchy carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy foods, meat fish and alternatives. Fatty and sugary foods need to be given in moderation. Avoid or moderate sweet drinks.

Some pointers to ensure a healthy child’s diet are:

• Feed your child with regular meals and snacks at regular intervals.
• Schedule meals at times when your child is not too tired or too hungry.
• Ensure that there is a wide variety of food at meals.
• Choose foods that are colorful and interesting.
• Serve small portions on a small plate in the beginning.
• Keep sweet foods and deserts out of sight till the main course has been eaten.
  

Toddlers often become hungry in between their main meals. That is when they need small meals or snacks to help them grow up strong. The healthier the snack, the healthier is the effect of growth on toddlers. Therefore, it is very important to distinguish between what is a healthy snack and what is an unhealthy snack for toddlers.

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