How to protect your children online

The upside of technology at our fingertips is that a wealth of info is just a click away. The downside is that our children are vulnerable online. Jenni Johnson, our resident “baby whisperer”, has this advice for mums and dads…

Research suggests that one in five children aged five to seven are accessing the internet. Children are more and more exposed online to risks which parents cannot always control. In as much as every parent teaches their child how to stay out of danger in the real world, the same rules need to be taught for internet use. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t go where you are not allowed to go. Be aware of what is dangerous. Educate yourself as parents as to how to protect your children online.

There is such a thing as too much information. When you are pregnant good ante natal classes are strongly recommended but try and resist the urge to find out about every little complication that could arise during your pregnancy. Take this time to enjoy and marvel at your changing body.

Three interesting breathing facts today:

Babies breathe much faster than adults - 30 to 50 times a minute compared to an adult's 15 to 20 times. Babies often sneeze and snort in their sleep to clear their nasal passages as the=y don’t breathe through their mouths until they’re older. Up until 7 months babies can breathe and swallow at the same time.

If your baby has a rash that comes along with a temperature, makes your baby weak, lethargic, unhappy and go off his or her food; and either spreads or doesn’t go for three days or more - you should see your doctor.

To avoid conflict with your toddler, childproof your home – put valuable, breakable and harmful objects out of reach. Keep your sense of humour – make an effort to be positive and try to see the funny side of annoying behaviour. Repeat to yourself ‘this will pass’ and take a big breath if your child has yet another tantrum. Have a routine.

* Catch Jenni on-air every day just after 10am with her tip of the day.

Jenni Johnson has been a practicing child-care practitioner for 15 years, and owns a busy ante and post natal clinic in Durban. There, parents are taught a system that gives them structure and routine to the baby and childhood years. Jenni is a registered nurse, midwife, psychiatric nurse and a practicing child-care practitioner for the past 15 years. Jenni’s online clinic, can be accessed online via www.jennisays.com. For appointments, e-mail [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter via @JenniSays or on Facebook by 'liking' The Berea Baby Clinic.