Judson Solomon

18/01/2022

18/01/2022

20/09/2021

18/07/2018

"The Nightmare of baby and How to handle it"
How to know if it's a nightmare
Unless your toddler can tell you in words that she had a nightmare, it's hard to know just what caused her nighttime distress.

There are many possible reasons a toddler might wake up at night and be upset. Some may need comforting because they've never learned to soothe themselves back to sleep on their own. Some children awaken because they're ill or uncomfortable.

But if your usual "good sleeper" suddenly wakes up crying, seems scared, is clingy, and has trouble getting back to sleep, she may have had a nightmare. Usually, it happens during the second half of the night, when dreaming is most likely to occur.

Nightmares shouldn't be confused with night terrors, a less common sleep disturbance that normally strikes during the first third of the night and occurs frequently in toddlers and preschoolers. Children having a night-terror episode remain fast asleep in a deep, nondreaming state, yet they're extremely agitated and hard to console. Afterward, they go back to snoozing soundly and don't remember the incident in the morning.

Why nightmares happen
Your toddler's nightmares are most likely linked to something that happened just before bed, like listening to a story that scared him or watching an upsetting show.

Stress can also lead to nightmares. Bedtime itself can be a cause of stress, especially for a toddler who has separation anxiety. Being sick or being away from a parent for a stretch of time can also be stressful for toddlers.

But try not to worry or blame yourself. Emotional problems aren't linked to nightmares, and an occasional bad dream is perfectly normal at this age. It probably has nothing to do with anything you said or did.

How to help your toddler after a nightmare
Go to your toddler when she cries out. Physical reassurance is important, so hold her or rub her back until she calms down. You may also want to make sure her favorite stuffed animal or toy is tucked in with her.

Double-check that the night-light is on, and keep her bedroom door open so she knows you're close by. If you bring your toddler into your bed to comfort her, be aware you could be creating a habit that's hard to reverse.

Talk to her about the nightmare if she's old enough to understand what you're saying. But keep in mind that telling her "it's only a dream" won't be much consolation – at this age, she doesn't grasp the difference between reality and dreams.

Preventing nightmares
It's certainly not foolproof, but a peaceful bedtime routine – a warm bath, a calming story, and a quiet song – can help ward off nightmares. Try reading bedtime books that link sleep with cozy, happy situations, such as Margaret Wise Brown's classic Goodnight Moon.

To help your child get a good night's rest, keep his room at a comfortable temperature – not too hot and not too cold. The best temperature for restful sleep is on the slightly cool side (the National Sleep Foundation suggests around 65 degrees).

Too much light disrupts sleep. If your child is scared of the dark, find a night-light that's bright enough to keep monsters at bay, but not the sandman.

If the nightmares persist and your child is extremely afraid of going to bed, bring up the subject with his doctor – the bad dreams might signal there's something going on in his waking life that needs to be addressed.
Thank you (Reference – Baby Center)

02/02/2018

Putting children in a classroom too early can be damaging,
says Anthea Rowan.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/expateducation/8395176/When-is-the-best-age-to-send-your-child-to-school.html

Putting children in a classroom too early can be damaging, says Anthea Rowan.

02/02/2018

Compulsory school start ages vary enormously worldwide. In Northern Ireland, children are obliged, according to the law, to start school at four. In England, Scotland and Wales, however, the age is five, as it is in the Netherlands and Australia. In Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France and Spain, it is six and in Sweden, it is seven. Why the difference? And is there an optimum time to begin school – is there a point at which a child’s brain is ready to begin soaking up the three Rs, and are we effectively wasting our time – and theirs – by applying premature pressure on children?

Absolutely, says Greg Brooks, professor of Education at Sheffield University, who believes “totally unnecessary pressure is put on young children” as a result of shoe-horning them into schools at an age when they might not be ready. All children develop differently. For example, he says: “There is no universally best age to start learning to read. Some people learn to read so easily they can’t remember doing it.”

03/12/2017

TV-watching guidelines for toddlers

IN THIS ARTICLE
• Set reasonable media limits for children
• Choose high-quality shows for children
• Be a guide and role model for children
Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: April 2017
With so many shows targeted to very young children, it might not seem like a big deal to let your toddler watch an episode or two of a favorite cartoon. But your child is growing up in a media-saturated world, and now is the time to start teaching her healthy habits for managing screen use.
A little TV or other screen time is fine as long as she's watching age-appropriate, high-quality shows along with an adult. But too much or inappropriate TV can interfere with healthy mental and physical development and lead to long-lasting problems. Below are tips for managing your toddler's viewing time.
Set reasonable media limits for children
Limit TV or screen time. Most parents say their children watch two or more hours of TV a day, despite a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that kids ages 2 to 5 spend no more than an hour a day with screens of any kind – TV, tablet, phone, or computer. (The AAP recommends no screens at all for children younger than 18 months.)
To keep your child's brain from going on autopilot as he watches, break up viewing into 10- to 15-minute increments. Keep screens out of the bedroom and turned off during meals.
Set the rules right away. Setting up rules from day one makes it easier to keep viewing time under control as your child grows older. It's a lot easier to relax your standards later than to wean an 18-month-old from a habit of watching whenever he likes.
Make watching a privilege. Don't let screen time become an expectation. This is counterintuitive, but it's surprisingly effective. You may have a number in your head, but if your child knows what it is, he might view it as the amount he "should" be watching.
Make screens inconvenient. Consider keeping the TV and other screens in a small, out-of-the-way room in the house or in a cabinet that remains closed when it's off. Turn off the TV when no one is watching: Background shows are distracting, and they reduce interaction between parents and young children.
Choose high-quality shows for children
Stick with simple programming. Slow-paced programs give small children time to think and absorb. Choose straightforward, age-appropriate shows that emphasize interactivity. Ideal shows inspire your child to makes sounds, say words, sing, and dance.
Lots of random activity (like the kind in action/adventure cartoons) confuses children, and scary shows are too intense. And some research suggests that kids who watch violence on TV are more likely to display aggressive behavior.
Watch specific shows. Rather than allowing your child to watch whatever happens to be on, carefully select shows. Check reviews from trusted sources like Common Sense Media, and preview shows before watching with your toddler.
When the show is over, turn off the screen. A two-minute warning with a 10-second countdown that screen time is about to end will help your toddler transition to the next activity.
Be a guide and role model for children
Watch with your child. Try not to use videos or television as a babysitter. Research shows kids do better if an adult is around to reinforce learning. That aside, just being there says to your child, "What you do is important to me."
Help your child watch critically. Even young children can learn to watch without "tuning out." If you're watching television with commercials, talk about what's going on in the show and in the ads, and explain the difference between the two. Encourage your child to ask questions and relate what's happening in the show to her own life. If you're watching a video or recorded show, pause the show to discuss what's going on.
Connect the show to the real world. By joining your child during screen time, you can help her make connections between what she viewed and the real world around her. If you and your toddler have just finished watching a Sesame Street segment that introduces a number, talk about the number and find examples of it to show her. When you're setting the table, for example, you might say, "Hey, today's number was three, and there are three places to set!" Then read and discuss a book that explores numbers.
If your child loves a show about wildlife, you can go to the library together to choose books about animals. Or if characters in a favorite show bake a cake or make an art project, you and your child can try doing a similar activity.
Be a role model. Children are most affected by the example parents set, so don't channel surf or keep the TV on as background noise. If your child sees you eagerly sitting down every so often to watch a specific show and concentrate on what you're seeing, she'll recognize the potential for enjoyment that movies and other shows actually promise.
Make a family media plan. In addition to thinking about your child's time with screens, consider when and how other people in your household use screens. Talk with your partner about ground rules for TV and other screens, and commit to a plan. You can make a personalized plan with the AAP's free family media plan tool.
Learn more:

03/12/2017

Teach English to your baby at home.

https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/helping-your-child/how-start-teaching-kids-english-home

By Jo Blackmore, LearnEnglish Kids team How do I start teaching my kids English at home? Many parents would like to teach their children English at home, but don’t know how to start. It doesn’t

19/11/2017

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile
viruses, and is spread by mosquitoes. JEV is the main cause of viral encephalitis in many countries of Asia with How is Japanese encephalitis caused?
Japanese encephalitis is caused by a flavivirus, which can affect both humans and animals. The virus is passed from animals to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Pigs and wading birds are the main carriers of the Japanese encephalitis virus.Feb 25, 2016
Is Japanese encephalitis virus?
Japanese encephalitis known as Japanese B encephalitis to distinguish it from Economo's A encephalitis. It is a disease caused by the mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).

Is Japanese encephalitis lethal?
However, a small percentage of infected persons develop inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), with symptoms including sudden onset of headache, high fever, disorientation, coma, tremors and convulsions. About 1 in 4 cases are fatal. There is no specific treatment for JE.Aug 5, 2015

How likely is Japanese encephalitis?
It's estimated that less than one in a million travellers develop Japanese encephalitis in any given year. The people most at risk are those who live and work in rural areas where the condition is widespread. Around 75% of cases involve children under the age of 15.

How likely is Japanese encephalitis?
Which countries have Japanese encephalitis?
Table 3-07. Risk for Japanese encephalitis (JE), by country 1
COUNTRY AFFECTED AREAS
Australia Outer Torres Strait islands
Bangladesh Presumed widespread
Bhutan Very rare reports; probably endemic in nonmountainous areas
Brunei Presumed transmission in many areas in the country

Which countries have Japanese encephalitis?
Is Japanese Encephalitis vaccine safe?
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious infection caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus. It occurs mainly in rural parts of Asia. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. ... Others might have symptoms as mild as a fever and headache, or as serious as encephalitis (brain infection).Jan 24, 2014

Why is Japanese encephalitis called Japanese encephalitis?
Japanese encephalitis virus JEV is the most important cause of viral encephalitisin Asia. It is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, and belongs to the same genus as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses. The first case of Japanese encephalitis viral disease (JE) was documented in 1871 in Japan.

Is Japanese encephalitis contagious?
No, Japanese Encephalitis is not contagious or spread from one to another individual. It is transmitted by carrier (infected) mosquito bites. Symptoms, if they occur, will present themselves between 4 to 14 days after the mosquito bites.

What is the JEV?
Japanese encephalitis vaccine is a vaccine that protects against Japanese encephalitis. The vaccines are more than 90% effective. How long this protection lasts is not clear but its effectiveness appears to decrease over time. Doses are given either by injection into a muscle or just under the skin.

How Japanese encephalitis can be prevented?
All travelers to Japanese encephalitis (JE) endemic areas should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites to reduce the risk for JE and other vector-borne infectious diseases.Aug 5, 2015

What are the side effects of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine?
Less serious side include:
• redness, pain, or swelling where the shot was given;
• low fever, chills, flu symptoms;
• headache, tired feeling;
• muscle pain;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or.
• mild itching or skin rash.
• How Japanese encephalitis is transmitted?
• Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, a flavivirus, is closely related to West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses. JE virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex species mosquitoes, particularly Culex tritaeniorhynchus.Aug 5, 2015
•
• What is Imojev?
• IMOJEV(R) is the first single dose vaccine against JE for adults in Australia. For children, one dose of IMOJEV is recommended for primary immunization; the addition of a booster dose to extend the duration of protection is being assessed by Australian Health Authorities.Dec 11, 2012
•
• What is the vector of Japanese encephalitis?
• Japanese encephalitis virus isolation has been made from a variety of mosquito species. Culicine mosquitoes mainly Culex vishnui group (Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex vishnui and Culex pseudovishnui) are the chief vectors of JE in different parts of India.
•
• How many injections do you need for Japanese encephalitis?
• There's one vaccine for Japanese encephalitis currently licensed in the UK for use in adults and children over two months old. The vaccination is given as an injection and requires two doses for full protection, with the second dose given 28 days after the first.Feb 25, 2016
•
• Search for: How many injections do you need for Japanese encephalitis?
• Is the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine a live virus?
•
• A live attenuated vaccine based on the SA 14-14-2 strain of the JE virus is widely used in China and in an increasing number of countries within the Asian region, including India, the Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• What disease does the Culex mosquito spread?

• Culex is a genus of mosquitoes, several species of which serve as vectors of one or more important diseases of birds, humans and other animals. The diseases they vector include arbovirus infections such as West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis, or St. Louis encephalitis, but also filariasis, and avian malaria.
•
• What is encephalitis of the brain?
• Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. The majority of cases are caused by either a viral infection or the immune system mistakenly attacking braintissue.Sep 28, 2016

• What is acute encephalitis syndrome?
• Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a clinical condition caused by infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) or other infectious and noninfectious causes. A confirmed etiology is generally not required for the clinical management of AES.Sep 9, 2013

• How long does it take for a cholera vaccine to be effective?
• For adults and children over the age of six, two doses of the vaccine are needed to protect against cholera for two years. After this, a booster is required if you continue to be at risk. Children who are two to six years of age will need to have three doses of the vaccine. This will protect them for six months.Dec 18, 2015
• Which vaccines need to be reconstituted?
• However, 11 vaccines need to be reconstituted before being administered: ActHib®,Hiberix®, Menveo®, Menomune®, M-M-R II®, Pentacel®, ProQuad®, Rotarix®,TriHIBit®, Varivax®, and Zostavax®. To reconstitute a vaccine, a lyophilized (freeze-dried) vaccine in one vial must be mixed with a diluent (liquid) in another.Nov 1, 2010
•
• Why rotavirus vaccine is given?
• An oral vaccine against rotavirus infection, a common cause of diarrhoea and sickness, is given as two doses for babies aged 8 and 12 weeks, alongside their other routine childhood vaccinations. The vaccine is given as a liquid straight into the baby's mouth for them to swallow.

• Can you treat encephalitis?
• If encephalitis is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics.Treatment for herpes-related encephalitis includes supportive care, as well as antiviral therapy with a drug such as acyclovir.
•
• How can people avoid getting encephalitis?
• The best way to prevent viral encephalitis is to take precautions to avoid exposure to viruses that can cause the disease. Try to: Practice good hygiene. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before and after meals.Jun 13, 2017

• What is Ixiaro vaccine for?
• IXIARO is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for. the prevention of disease caused by Japanese encephalitis. virus (JEV). IXIARO is approved for use in individuals 2.
•
• Is rabies a live vaccine?
• Rabies vaccine is given to people at high risk of rabies to protect them if they are exposed. It can also prevent the disease if it is given to a person after they have been exposed. Rabies vaccine is made from killed rabies virus. It cannot causerabies.Jun 18, 2013
•
• Do babies get rabies shots?
• If an infected animal bites a person, the virus can be given to humans. When rabiesis carried by a bat, there does not have to be an actual bite for the person to be infected. ... A shot of Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) is usually given with the first dose. RIG helps protect your child against rabies right away.
• What is the vector for Chikungunya?

• Chikungunya. Chikungunya is a viral disease (genus Alphavirus) which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes – including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The name chikungunya originates from a verb in the Kimakonde language, meaning 'to become contorted'.
•
• What is the vector of the West Nile virus?
• West Nile virus maintains itself in nature by cycling between mosquitoes in the genus Culex and certain species of birds. A mosquito (the vector) bites an uninfected bird (the host), the virus amplifies within the bird, an uninfected mosquito bites the bird and is in turn infected.
•
• What is the TBE vaccine?
• Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is a vaccine used to prevent tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The disease is most common in Central and Eastern Europe, and Northern Asia.
•
• What is Vitamin A vaccine?
• Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of the immune system. Giving vitamin A supplements to children who need them increases their resistance to disease, and improves their chances for survival, growth and development. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a global problem.
•
• What is Vitamin A vaccine?
• Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of the immune system. Giving vitamin A supplements to children who need them increases their resistance to disease, and improves their chances for survival, growth and development. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a global problem.
•
• Do mosquito bites get hard?
• After puncturing the skin with their mouthparts and feeding on blood, mosquitoesleave hard, itchy bumps. In the blood-feeding process, mosquitoes inject saliva into their host which creates the reactions that cause bite symptoms. Most mosquito bites are harmless and the symptoms subside in a few days.

Are black and white mosquitoes dangerous?
Right now, that's not a danger yet. In North America, some other mosquitoes have a similar pattern of black and white stripes on their legs, but the Asian tiger is unique in having the same striking stripes on its body as well.

Can encephalitis kill you?
Conditions most likely to kill encephalitis patients identified. ... People with severeencephalitis — inflammation of the brain — are much more likely to die if they develop severe swelling in the brain, intractable seizures or low blood platelet counts, regardless of the cause of their illness, according to new research.Aug 20, 2013

Can you die of encephalitis?
Eastern equine encephalitis -- This infection is rare, with only a few cases reported each year. However, about half the people who have severe symptoms die or have permanent brain damage. ... Up to 30% of infected seniors die of the condition.

What is the prognosis for encephalitis?
The death rate for certain patients with viral encephalitis can be high. ... In untreated cases of herpes encephalitis, 50%-75% of people die within 18 months.Treatment with acyclovir (Zovirax) can increase survival up to 90%. Patients with AIDS or chemical (alcohol) encephalitis often have only a fair to poor outcome.

How long do symptoms of encephalitis last?
The worst symptoms of encephalitis generally last up to 1 week, but full recovery may take weeks or longer. Because encephalitis affects the brain, people withsevere cases can sometimes develop problems like seizures, difficulties with muscle coordination, and learning disabilities.

08/10/2017

https://www.icanteachmychild.com/1-2-years/ #1-2-years+p:2

08/10/2017

The single most important factor in a child’s success with English is their parents' interest and encouragement, no matter what their child’s age. So what can parents do at home to support their learning? Here are our teachers’ top ten tips.
1. Learn English yourself
To build a positive attitude towards learning, and towards English as a language, the best place to start is with yourself. If you send your child to an English class, why not join one too? Learning English together is a great way to spend time with your kids and create a positive attitude towards learning and speaking another language.
The British Council recently polled 2,000 adults from the UK and found that 40 per cent of them were nervous about speaking in a foreign language when on holiday. This sort of anxiety – often accompanied by negative memories of learning another language at school – can easily rub off on your little ones.
By learning English yourself, you can show your kids that ‘having a go’ and making a mistake is better than only speaking when you have the perfect sentence prepared.
2. Play in English
Children will naturally learn everything around them without any adult intervention. They do this through playful experimentation and making many mistakes along the way. To help your child get ahead with English learning, get them to play in the language.
At home, try playing dress-up games, hide-and-seek and other popular games, in English. In other words, get them to learn English in the same way they are learning their first language.
3. Read bedtime storybooks in English
It’s easy to get storybooks in any language now, especially online or by swapping books with other parents. Very young children won’t question the language that you are reading to them in – they're more concerned about the ritual of bedtime stories. This provides a great opportunity to sneak in some extra English time in a memorable way.
We all remember our favourite books from when we were little, and in some cases, we can still remember phrases from books we haven’t seen or read in years. Stories provide powerful language-learning opportunities, so we should use them.
Reading illustrated storybooks to your child is a great way to develop language, as every page is supported by visual clues. The language is simplified, repetitive, and introduces features such as rhyme. It widens vocabulary and encourages children to ask questions about character and plot.
A great alternative is to use audio books or online stories if you are less confident about reading out loud to your child in English.
4. Tune in to a UK radio station and leave it on in the background
There is a huge difference between being exposed to a language and learning a language. Traditionally, when we think about learning a language, we think of our grammar classes in school, repeating verbs and turning the pages in a textbook. However, early-years learning should begin with exposure to the sounds and rhythm of another language instead of explicit instruction.
As children learn their first language, they go through an incredible process in the brain of listening to everything around them, piecing together the information, and then using it. A child doesn’t imitate the word ‘teddy’ the first time she hears it, but instead will have heard this word said numerous times, by many different people, before attempting the word themselves.
The radio offers the chance to hear another language spoken by lots of different speakers with various accents. All you have to do is switch it on while you make dinner.
5. Experiment with sound
In some cases, if we are not exposed to certain information at an early age – for example, specific sounds of a foreign language like the rolling 'r' in Italian or Spanish – then it can be really difficult to identify them and learn to use them like a native speaker at a later age. That's why exposure to the sounds from a young age is crucial to mastering the language later on.
This is the reason why language institutions worldwide have introduced the phonics programmes that has become increasingly popular in the British education system over the last ten years. Phonics programmes were originally designed to support reading and writing through practising sounds and identifying the symbol (letters) that go with it. Children then start to blend sounds to make words and this practice becomes the foundation for reading confidently and writing later on.
We can learn a lot about helping children develop sounds, which may be different to the child’s first language, through phonics activities based on a lot of repetition. Children’s TV shows like Sesame Street have included such activities for nearly 46 years: ‘Today’s letter is the letter B – bat, ball, boy, beach’.
You can easily replicate activities like this at home. Sound out new words for children so they can hear the individual sounds: b-a-t, bat. Go on a treasure hunt and look for things beginning with ‘b’. Sound out simple three-letter words with fridge magnets and then change initial or ending letters, so bat becomes cat, sat or mat. Play hopscotch with letters instead of numbers in the boxes. Practise tongue twisters with children who already understand some English. Lastly, try making letters out of different materials such as pipe cleaners or plasticine and the practising sounds so they can recognise the form of the letter before they start to write.
6. Get crafty!
Kids love any opportunity to get messy; they love sticking, glueing, cutting, painting and baking things. So, encourage it ... in English. The activity doesn't have to be about English, but should instead use English to complete the task or activity:
‘Could you pass me the glue, please?’;
‘Thank you’
‘Why don’t you paint a picture?’
‘Can you help me tidy up?’
These sorts of phrases are the most helpful language you can introduce to your child. If you don’t speak a lot of English yourself, you could simply follow audio or written recipe instructions as you bake cupcakes together. In the process, you are using everyday English that teachers use in the classroom. You are therefore preparing them for the sort of thing they will hear at school.
7. Sing songs together (or get YouTube to help if you can’t sing)
After a few listens to a song or nursery rhyme, children quickly start to hum, sing along to the chorus and eventually put together more and more words. Music and rhyme help children to use full sentences, intonation, pitch, and rhythm, as well as simply building confidence, in a way that we can’t achieve if we were trying to explicitly teach these language features.
We can also introduce children to quite difficult language structures through song. Take, for example, ‘If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands’. It includes a really complex grammatical structure that a young child would find too challenging to learn from being taught. The song, on the other hand, does everything for us with no pressure, and provides an easily recognisable context for children.

02/10/2017

How and when should I move my child from a crib to a bed?

Deborah Lin-Dyken
pediatric sleep disorders expert
There's no set time when you have to replace your child's crib with a regular or toddler bed, although most children make the switch sometime between ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.

It's often best to wait until your child is closer to 3, since many little ones just aren't ready to make the transition. Of course, you'll need to move your toddler to a bed when he's simply too big or too active to sleep in a crib anymore.

Many parents make the switch because they're worried that their active toddler might climb or jump out of his crib — and this is a real safety concern. But it's best not to react to climbing out of the crib or any other sudden sleep problem with a sense of alarm.

Don't rush right out and buy a new bed the day your toddler first climbs out of the crib. He may not be ready to move to a bed, and it may not be safe for him to be up and about during the night when everyone else is asleep. Buy yourself some time by lowering the crib mattress as far as possible, so the side rails are relatively higher and more difficult to climb over.

Another reason parents make the switch to a bed is the impending arrival of another baby. If this is your situation, make the switch at least six to eight weeks before you're due. You want your toddler well settled in his new bed before he sees the baby taking over "his" crib. Depending on your toddler's age, you could also consider delaying the switch until the new baby is 3 or 4 months old. Your newborn will probably spend those months sleeping in a bassinet anyway, and your toddler will have time to adjust to the new baby, making the transition to a bed easier when it does happen.

Be sure to base the timing of the switch on your child's readiness rather than on the need to free up the crib, however. Many parents find out too late that it would have been easier to borrow or buy another crib rather than move their older child to a bed before he was ready.

Some children adjust readily to this change, while others have a hard time with it. Every child is different. It's not unusual, though, for firstborn children to resist the transition. He may be very attached to his crib and all of his associations with it. The move to sleeping in a bed is just one of many changes at this stage in a toddler's life — it may coincide with toilet-training, starting preschool and other pressures to "grow up."

If a new baby's on the way, your child may feel possessive of his baby things, including his crib. Later-born children often have an easier time making the switch to a bed because they want to be just like their older brother or sister. They're eager to move from the crib, which is "for babies," into a "big-kid bed." However some toddlers, whether first- or later-born, are just plain ready and relish this change in their status.

To ease the transition, put your toddler's new bed in the same place his crib used to be. If you're using a twin bed, you may not want to make an immediate switch to grown-up sheets and blankets that are tucked in. Your child may find it soothing to continue to sleep with his old crib blanket, even if it's too small. Don't forget to put up a guardrail to prevent your newly liberated toddler from falling out of bed.

Get your toddler excited about having a "big-kid bed" by taking him with you to pick it out, if you're buying it new, or by emphasizing its previous owner if that person is someone your child knows. For example: "This was your cousin't bed, and now it's yours! You're almost as big as him now!" Let your toddler shop with you for new sheets featuring his favorite characters, and encourage him to show his "big-kid bed" to visiting friends and family.

Another tactic, although it requires a little more work, is to throw a "big-kid bed" party. Choose a date to unveil the new bed, and talk up the event a week in advance. On the big day, have a party and invite friends and grandparents.

Another strategy is the use of specific "toddler beds." They use a crib mattress, but look more like a regular bed. Many come with built-in guardrails, and some are made in very appealing themes and shapes, such as cars, trains and pink four-poster beds.

If you find that you've made the switch too soon and your toddler is upset, don't give up right away. Encourage your child to try out the bed. If he's still distraught after a few days, bring the crib back.

Some toddlers simply aren't ready for a bed. It takes a certain amount of cognitive development for your child to understand that a bed has imaginary boundaries that he must stay within. If your great sleeper all of a sudden takes a long time to fall asleep at night, gets out of bed many times, or wanders around the house, he's probably not ready for his own bed. As with potty-training, sometimes it's worth taking a step back and bringing back the diapers — or in this case, the crib — and trying again later. Just be sure you don't present the reappearance of the crib as a step backward in development or a punishment.

Finally, remember that the switch from a crib to a bed is a milestone in your life, too. It's one more sign that your baby is growing up. Reflect on when you first set up the crib for your little one, and then go have a private celebration of your own.