Best Humidifier for Dry Winters, Levoit

Winters Are Dry, Keep It Moist for Your Baby

<This is not a sponsored advertisement. All the comments below are from my experience and my own words.>

For most parts of the U.S., winters get dry. Except for Florida, where it's humid all year long, and California, where it rains a lot during winter.

Babies are sensitive to humidity. It affects their breathing, sleep cycle, and possible disease in the respiratory system. 

It is recommended to keep at least 40 ~ 60% humidity for babies and toddlers. I've found this humidifier that saves a lot of hassles.

Amazon Link to Levoit Humidifier

VeSync Official Website for Levoit Humidifier

Pros

• Large Water Tank
• Digital Display with humidity (Can be turned off during the night)
• Smart Control via App on Smart Phone
• Hot and Cool mist
• Easy to clean
• Quiet
• Target Humidity Setting 

I personally love this product. It's the best humidifier I've ever used so far. 

One thing I was very impressed with when I first filled up the tank was how the drain holes were built. I could see the designers have put a lot of thought into it. My other humidifiers had either unique shapes where I couldn't get my hands into the tank to clean all corners, or the water wouldn't drain completely. It has a large opening on top and holes are built at the very edge to enable complete drainage. 

Smart Control via a smartphone app is very convenient. If I lay down to sleep and forget to turn on the humidifier for my child, I can just use the app to do so. I can set the target humidity, turn off the display to keep it dark, and even have the mist hot or cool. The app has a lot of features like setting a routine or scheduling the operation in advance. 

Cons

• Manually set mist outlet direction
• Bit bulky and heavy (with 6L of water filled)
• Hot mist requires some caution

The cons wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't for our children. Getting over the 8-month mark, my daughter stands up pulling on everything. We put the humidifier on top of a small side table, which is at a great height for my daughter to pull on. 

Levoit Humidifier has a sleek design and doesn't feel bulky for holding 6 Liters of water. However, when it comes to having a possibility it might fall on a child is scary. You will need sturdy furniture that is somewhat water-resistant to put the humidifier on. 

Hot mist does get hot, especially near the mist outlet. You need to use caution not to have your child get burned. 

Again, the cons aren't really a big deal as long as you use caution as you should with your children.

Conclusion

It is now priced at $109.99 on both the official website (16% coupon available as of Jan 27, 2024) and Amazon. I think it's worth every penny. The IoT smart technology really saves a lot of hassle. 

If you did so well in putting your child to sleep, you don't want to walk back in there to cause any disruptions to turn on a humidifier. Do it on your phone!

I recommend this product for all families, especially with newborns. 

Happy Moist Sleeping!

Time Passes and It Passes Quick

Reflection on the Past 8 Months 

Every time I look at my daughter, I think 'Wow, she grew a lot.' 

It's not only me thinking. She actually is growing really fast. 

She already outgrew a lot of the clothes she got as a welcome-to-the-world gift. Her crib looks smaller. She keeps on meeting the end of the bed too soon when she crawls. 

My wife and I were worried we'd sprain our back leaning into the crib to put our baby. Now she stands holding the rail. It's already time for the second shift down on the mattress level. 

I've heard many others say that the early days will be missed. 

You will never know the last time you pick up your child. 

We are trying our best to capture all the significant moments on camera. Her first cry, first time trying baby food, first time standing up, and many more. 

It's only been 8 months at the most, but we already started to miss those days. Memories linger by our fingertips as we swipe over each month in the cell phone gallery. 

We know the best thing is the enjoy these moments and not dwell on the past. If good memories like these keep building on, I am sure the rest of the life will be meaningful.  

How to Deal with Emotions Raising a Baby

Emotions, the Greatest Ally and the Biggest Enemy

The biggest emotion I often get as a parent is 'worry.' 

"Is my child on the right developmental track? Am I on the right track? Is she safe? Hungry? Satisfied? What if she feels unloved???"

The desire to 'know it all' has turned into a fear and worry. To avoid having such insecurity, it has turned into greed. This greed makes me want to feed the child and put her to sleep. Get my hands free. The peace, while she sleeps, is the only comfort zone left without any emotions bothering me. 

Emotions: Natural Safety Measures

As you well know, the emotions have kept us safe and evolving throughout history. 

Fear, worry, rage, and anger keep us away from danger. Joy and sadness bring people closer. Amazement lets us continue exploring. 

It's like a natural safety measure. If you haven't seen the movie 'Inside Out,' it's a must-watch with your child (if you are in the stage of partial media allowance, of course). Emotions support our well-being. 

Your child must learn to control his or her emotions. It's going to set the tone for their lives and teach them survival skills. 

Teaching to Allying with Emotions

It's probably one of the most difficult tasks for parents. We feel like we don't even have a full grasp of our emotions. 

The good news is, you don't have to be in full control of your emotions. In fact, that's impossible. 

Your emotions are built not to be under control. You learn some social skills to hide your emotions at times, but if you let your emotions boil inside you for too long, they come and get you. 

We ally with emotions, not in control. We learn to let it out sometimes and hold it in the other times. But, we train ourselves to be honest with ourselves about emotions. 

Let it flow like water, but we build some bridges where needed. 

Some Bad Practices

We make the mistake of controlling our child's emotions for our convenience. We want our child to stop crying, like ever. We want our child to be calm, like always. We want them to be a happy baby if not an emotionless robot. 

We know so well about being sad, we go and clear out the sadness from their inventory of feelings. Having been an experienced anger-er, we go out and fight for our children. 

Of course, the parents must come to attention when the basic life-threatening danger is present. We want the best for our children. We don't want anyone stepping on their foot and not apologizing. 

But, they need to learn their feelings too. They need to figure out what to do when something is done to them wrongfully. 

What Should Parents Do?

The best thing for the parents to teach the children to control their emotions is: WAIT. 

We need to give them room and time. We wait for their small brain to do the magic: recognize, analyze, resolve, and take action. 

Then, we can give them feedback when they ask to or they are ready for it. We don't want to intervene too deep, even if you know what's going on in their head! 

It's tough seeing your little angel struggle. You bit of help can save thousand hours of stressing for your child. We know, we know. But let your child take a step. Trust your child. Give them a chance. 

It's easier said than done. But when you've done it right, you will see your baby grow! Happy waiting!

Being a Good Husband and Father

What Does It Take to Be a Good Father?

My father was a well-known, respected scientist/professor in his field of Laboratory Animals. He knew a lot of people. He was always busy with his work or colleagues. I spent many weekends merely watching him sleep. 

It generated fear of becoming a father. I wasn't confident that I'd become a good one. It was like walking into a jungle blindfolded. The only guidance on hand was my dad's example. 

Scrapping the Genetic Map

What you grew up with is hard to get rid of. It runs in your blood. It formed your identity. It's already a part of who you are. Even if you hated it, some of your father's gestures, comments, tones, or vocabulary are naturally inherited. 

Some things that you thought your dad was awesome for turn out it's nearly impossible to replicate. It just leaves you thinking "How in the world did he pull it off?"

Following his footsteps or trying to avoid his footsteps might not be the best solution to becoming a good father.

Stick to What You Are Good At

If you pulled off marriage, that'd probably mean you are recognized by your significant other to be a man worthy of living the rest of your life together. No matter what you did to show your love, you've earned the trust. 

You might not have been a popular lady's man, but for your wife, you've devoted your time and effort. It might not have been natural. You needed some life lessons from others, tips from Instagram, or learn from your own mistakes. 

However it came together, you've learned to love and show that you care for your significant other. That's the way! That's just it. 

A Good Father equals A Good Husband?

Of course, you won't be doing seductive things to your children. That is a big no-no. All you are going to focus on doing is showing your love to your wife! You are just going to continue to do what you've been doing. 

You will need to do the fatherly chores around the house, keep your children safe, and have the hard talks with your children at the appropriate times. Do it for your wife. 

I'm saying it aside from having a good relationship with your child. It's only from the perspective of being a good father and setting a good example as one. 

The chores around the house: if you don't, your wife, the only other adult around, will have to.

Keeping children safe: if you don't, your wife, the only other adult around, will have to.

Having the hard talks: if you don't, your wife, the only significant other adult around, will have to.

Since you love your wife, you want to do the things that are hard for either of you. You take up the cross and put it on your shoulder. 

Loving Relationship

Having parents who love each other so much is the greatest gift for the children. They learn from the example. You are the most visible example around. If you show them how to express love, love passionately, and do things for your lover,  your children have the best father. They will try to recreate what you do for the family in various ways.

Now you don't have to focus on two things, but one. Being a good husband is being a good father from some angles. 

Conclusion

Just because your father wasn't the most terrific movie-like figure, doesn't mean anything is holding you back from becoming one. You can have the warmest smile for your family even if your father never showed his teeth between his lips. 

You've got your own family now. You might not be an education-savvy parent who knows everything there is to know about raising a child. But you sure know how to love your wife. That's pretty much all you need to become a good dad. Setting the example of what a loving relationship is like. Let them know what they should expect from a person who claims to love them. You are teaching them all the life lessons ever needed by setting the standards with your life.

No.1 Parenting Rule of Raising a Google Engineer

Hands-Off Approach to Parenting

This news article is about an 18-year-old getting hired as a Google engineer before college. His father shares the parenting techniques from catching his son's interest, providing resources instead of roadmaps, and helping to set up to be lucky to become a healthy striver. Let's dive into his advice.

Article About Stanley Zhong

Story of Stanley Zhong

Stanley played competitive chess at age 4. He was good. Then he decided to retire at one point. Then he started to write codes when he was 10. His father, who is a Google Engineer himself, probably was a big influence in picking up such a hobby. 

He launched a startup called RabbitSign, which drew a Google recruiter's attention when he was 13. He was too young for any type of role then. Nearing his high school graduation, Stanley applied to 18 colleges but got rejected or waitlisted from 16 of them. He had an Amazon Web Service recruiter reaching out to him. Then he recalled the opportunity with Google. 

Stanley Zhong decided to work for Google for a year, and then attend the University of Texas after. 

Father's Parenting Technique

Stanley's father suggests the Hands-Off Approach to parenting. It doesn't mean to not care anything about them. It's opening opportunities to fly in and out.  Letting the child choose where his passion lies. 

Provide resources, not roadmaps

Let your child pick what they want to do. Provide help. Don't tell him what to do. Mr. Zhong quotes:

"In terms of how far he wants to go, how fast he wants to move on the path, or whether he wants to change his course and go to another path, that's completely up to him."

It's so easy to fall into the trap of directing our children under the name of guidance. The key word here is 'support.' The urge to tell him what to do comes from our arrogant thought "I know better than you." Kids live in a different world than what we have been through. What you know might not necessarily be true in their time.

Help to Set the Stage

Mr. Zhong calls it "setting your child up to be lucky." He defines luck as being able to catch the chance once it pops up. You have to be prepared at all times to grab the opportunity when it presents itself. 

One value we need to teach our kids is to start before the deadline is set. There is a portion of effort that gets boosted when the end goal is set, and there is another portion. We usually refer to it as the basics. If one has strong basics, be it health, communication, collaboration, etc., he is set to a great start. 

Only those who are already prepared will be able to see the opportunity and jump at them. 

Healthy Strivers

The article also quotes research from toxic parenting expert Jennifer Breheny Wallace. It points out that Healthy Strivers are more likely to succeed. These are people who know they matter as human beings, and what they do isn't going to determine their worthiness. 

Stanley's father raised his son to explore different things and did not judge the outcome of his decisions. This is an environment of healthy strivers to grow. They are not discouraged by the forced directions from their parents. They know they are trusted and supported. 

Parents Feeling Like a Failure

We are so used to parents telling their children what to do. That's how we were raised. We are accustomed to it without acknowledging it. "Helicopter Parenting" is the exact opposite of where we want to be. 

Lay down your urge and think deeply. Is what you are about to tell your child really for him or for yourself? Are you doing it to prevent yourself from failing as a parent? 

You know you are not coding like an engineer. You are a parent. Your child's future job is not YOUR output. It's what your CHILD has decided to become. So, put down the pressure. You are not giving up. Instead, you will be the guardian angel in the stealth mode. 

Parents need to be there for their children. Watch closely. See if they are struggling with bringing up their trouble to you. If they are hesitant to confess to you they want to give up piano, Taekwondo, water polo, art, or anything you spent too much on not to long ago. 

We want to build a relationship with our children, in which we can share those feelings and thoughts even if either one of you is sorry. 

Your child doesn't have to be a Google Engineer. Let them decide and let you know, so you can help!

All You Need to Know About The Infant Vaccinations

Infant Vaccinations: What You Need to Know

Soon after the first cry, after cuddling through the golden hour, 

after the first lesson from a medical professional on the art of diaper change, 

Your baby gets a first "Ouch" experience: First Vaccination shots.

Vaccines are proven to protect, especially children, from the known diseases. There are quite a few sicknesses that are common in children. Doctors and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) strongly recommend vaccination at birth.

But why? 

Let's take a look at the benefits of these vaccines in this blog post. I'm not a medical professional, so if you have any concerns about the shots, please consult with your doctor.

First Vaccination Shots at Birth

Hepatitis B (HepB)

Hepatitis B is a liver disease. It can occur in either a short-term or lifelong illness. It spreads through body fluids such as blood, which makes your baby vulnerable at birth if the mother has it. It's possible that it has only mild symptoms, but it can cause death as well.

The good news is the vaccine can immunize for life. 

Your baby needs to get the first shot of the hepatitis vaccine within 12 hours of birth. This will be the 1st dose of 3. The next shots will be every 2 months. (Birth - 2 months - 4 months)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV causes a severe respiratory illness, meaning difficulty breathing and eating, and it's common in infants and young children. The vaccine of 1 dose provides the baby's body with extra help fighting an RSV infection. 

It is recommended by the CDC to give the shot before or during RSV season, expanding from fall through spring.

If the mother receives a shot during her pregnancy, the antibodies will pass on to the baby. If the 32 - 36 weeks into pregnancy is in the RSV season, you will probably be asked to take the shot during the routine visit to the OBGYN doctor. 

More Vaccinations

Two Month Visit

In your baby's two-month visit, your baby is going to get a bunch of vaccines in a couple of shots. They are grouped into a combination vaccine, which combines more than one vaccine into one shot. 

Some of the common ones are DTaP, Polio, PCV, Hib, RV, Hepatitis B, and RSV (if not already given). 

DTaP Vaccine

It can prevent diphtheria (difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, or death), tetanus (painful stiffening of muscles), and pertussis ("whooping cough," out-of-control coughing). This shot is for children younger than 7 years old. 

There is a shot called Tdap, which all parents and child caregivers need to take, that prevents the same diseases.

The 5 recommended doses are 2 months - 4 months - 6 months - 15~18 months - 4~6 years.

Polio Vaccine

Polio (Poliomyelitis) virus can infect the spinal cord, leading to paralysis. The incident rate is low in the U.S. due to the vaccination. Without the vaccination, your baby may be vulnerable to a disease that can paralyze certain body parts and permanently disable them. 

Four doses are recommended at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial disease that can infect and damage the lungs, ears, sinuses, tissues covering the brain and spinal cord, or blood. CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children younger than 5 years old. 

Four doses are recommended at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 ~ 15 months.

Rotavirus (RV)

Rotavirus causes very severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. It leads to dehydration, which requires hospital treatment. There are two vaccines available in the U.S.

RotaTeq (RV5): 3 doses at 2, 4, and 6 months

Rotarix (RV1): 2 doses at 2 and 4 months

Following Vaccination Schedule

There are more vaccines to come in the next visits to the pediatrician. You can find the CDC's recommended vaccine schedule (downloadable file available) in this link: CDC Vaccine Schedule

After Getting Vaccine Shots

Most of you probably experienced vaccine shots recently due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The side effects varied depending on people. Most vaccines are the same way. It hurts where the shot was injected, a little bit of muscle cramp, and a slight fever at times. It's a natural reaction from your body. It's how the body learns to deal with the sickness and get immunized.

Your baby, however, probably won't be able to describe how or where it hurts. So, you have to keep a very close watch on your child. Check the temperature often. See if he is sweating. Unusual crying. Sleeplessness. If you find something out of the ordinary, let your doctor know. Ask for advice. Go get checked. 

While your baby is healing from the shots, you might need to feed bit more often than usual. It's easy for the baby to get dehydrated. Our daughter slept more than usual. She recovered overnight. So, keep the times and feeding amount in precise check. 

Conclusion

Any cure is not better than the prevention of sickness. The vaccines have been scientifically proven to be very effective. If we can prevent any of the diseases mentioned above, you need to do it. We can't risk our baby's life on chances. Unless your baby has known health issues, it is strongly recommended to get the vaccines. 

Let's keep our babies healthy and strong!

Baby's First Winter Preparation Guide

Best Winter Preparations for Babies

Brrr. 

It's getting cold out in Southern California. It's time to check if the heaters are working properly. Start to close the windows before going to bed. 

You get worried about your baby catching a cold. You start to be hesitant about taking your kid out for a walk before the sun heats up. At the same time, you are worried your kid might not be getting enough activities. 

Let's go through a checklist to see if you and your baby are ready for the winter.

Dressed Warm Enough?

It's definitely worth an investment to get warm, durable clothes for the winter. It's a good idea to dress your child in layers. Babies are sensitive to temperatures. You want to be able to make it warmer or cooler by bits. 

Sometimes, it's hard to tell whether your baby is hot or cold. If he is hot, his cheeks might flush. Check the back of his neck to see if he is sweating. (Make sure your hands aren't too cold for him!)

If he's too cold, he will probably start to cry. If you feel cold, your child is definitely cold. Whatever you are comfortable with plus one more layer would be good for babies. 

• Long sleeve body suit (footed one piece is nice), socks, mittens for hands, a hat, and a scarf would do the trick. The head and neck are where most heat escapes. Keep those places warm. Pick a unique and bright color to easily locate your child wrapped up in clothing. 

• A lot of brands like Columbia, North Face, or Patagonia, have good materials that are thinner, but do a great job keeping warmth. 

• If you are going to use a car seat, you need to dress your child in thinner clothes under the seat belts and put the coats or blankets over the seat belts for safety issues. If fluffy clothes are in the way of seat belts, they can't hold the baby tight enough in case of an accident. 

• If your child walks, consider buying water-resistant clothing and boots for rainy or snowy days. You don't want your child to have wet, cold feet.

Winter Mod the Gears

• Baby Carrier: If you have a baby carrier like Ergobaby, you might want to consider getting the All Weather cover from the brand. Ergobaby Carrier Cover You can also purchase a universal one like this from Amazon.

• Car Seat: Since safety is a big concern, but you still want to keep your baby warm during a car ride, consider this. It's a universal car seat cover that looks warm enough.  Nuna offers a footmuff for their pipa car seats.

***On a cold day, make sure to start the engine and warm up inside the car before coming down with the baby. 

• Stroller Cover: Similar to the car seat covers, there are stroller covers. Make sure to check compatibility with your stroller before purchasing one. 

Winter Wonderland Fun

Now that we figured out what to wear, it's time for the outdoor adventures. Whether they are in a baby carrier, stroller, or on their feet, a bit of outdoor activities are great for the children's development. Exposure to new things is the greatest way to learn! 

• Short Stroll around the house: It's always good to know the way around to be safe. When it snows, the sidewalk might be slippery and many other unexpected things could happen. It's good to see the familiar neighborhood in a different scenery too.

• On a snowy day, show your baby the falling snow. Let him touch the snowflake and feel it melt. Let him walk on the snow to feel the crisp under his feet. If it snows enough, build a snowman. Take a picture of your baby with the snowman. It will be one of the cherished memories in your family album.

• If your child grows old enough, go on a ski trip. Snow sledding is fun and doesn't require much skill. If your city has an outdoor ice rink, go out for skating. 

Conclusion

No matter what the weather is like, let your children have fun with you. Let them know that you are always there for them. Winter could be a dangerous season: snow, longer nights, or low temperatures. But it's up to the family to turn it upside down and have fun with it. Use safety caution and let your kids dress warm. There are so many learning opportunities out there in the Winter Wonderland!