Unlike many of us who struggle to keep up with our work duties during the day and can sit back, watch TV and really relax only during the night your little baby is not governed by the rules of night and day. They will sleep whenever they feel like it, wherever they feel like it, and however long they want to.
On an average, babies sleep close to 17 hours a day. A whopping nine hours more than what we can just about manage. However, unlike us they don’t nap for long stretches of time - most of their sleeping spells extend only up to 2-3 hours. When they do wake up they expect to be fed or changed, and in case you forget to meet those expectations they’ll create a ruckus just to remind you!
To help your baby’s routine get more conventional, in terms of its sleeping/feeding time etc. you can take a number of steps. To make sure he/she learns that night time is the time to sleep and daytime the time to stay up and throw tantrums, put your baby in a room that is too bright during the day to fall asleep in. However, be careful not to put your baby in direct sunlight.
At night either shift your baby to a room that is cool and dark, or use the same room but just curtain it up and switch on the ac to make it cosy enough for baby to fall asleep. You can also put your baby in a sort of routine just to condition him/her to what comes before getting to sleep. Give him/her a warm bath or feed her or play soothing music right before putting him/her to bed every day.
Every child is born with certain reflexes. If you touch his cheek with the tip of your hand or your breast he will turn towards the tip and open his mouth; if you put your finger in his palm he will grasp it etc. These reflexes disappear after the few initial months after his/her birth and are duly replaced by more voluntary actions.
Although a large variety of baby food is available in the market today nothing is as high in nutrients as the mother’s milk. The antidotes found in a mother’s milk protect the child against infections and makes his/her immune system stronger.
After birth the baby’s weight undergoes rapid change. Within a matter of six months it becomes twice its birth weight. In the next six months its weight shoots up to around triple the weight at its birth. Once it crosses the one-year mark its growth pattern settles down and continues at a comparatively lower speed. At one years of age any average child is about 30 inches in length and 20 pounds in weight. At two these figures become about 33 and 26 respectively.
At three months of age, your child will love to study faces and try and grasp toys and moving objects of interest hanging over its head. He/she will also respond to voices and sounds and volume. By six months most babies will be able to stand and sit with some assistance. At nine months of age, your baby will be sitting alone and will also be able to pull herself/himself on furniture (provided their strength matches their weight). Their babble will now start taking a concrete shape and fingers will come handy in pointing and of course eating little pieces of food.
By the time your baby is 1 she will probably learn to walk on her own and also crawl up over more difficult terrain, like the stairs or over the crib or play pen. She will also show greater preference for one hand over the other, and will tend to do most of her movements with the preferred hand. They will also learn to recognize faces and thereby be afraid of strangers and will express love and affection.
Showing posts with label baby advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby advice. Show all posts
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Baby Shower Ideas: Gifts To Consider Buying
The time of planning a baby shower is a special one. An expecting mum could be the happiest person in the world should she give birth to a little angel. And in anticipation of the new baby, baby showers are commonly held about three months before the baby is born. It is possible to hold it after the baby is born. It has advantages in doing that plus it would be little easier selecting gifts if it were held after. A higher percentage though holds it before the baby's birth.
Shopping for baby shower gifts and items could be very fun. You can give anything for the baby, from baby consumables to playthings. Choosing the best gift can be trick. To assists you in picking, you can check out these suggestions:
Buy something that the baby will use frequently. You can buy baby ointments, baby lotions, diapers, wipes, baby power, and other stuff, and place them all in a basket or any appropriate container. All babies use diapers, and no mum can live without it now a days. Most mums usually think this as a practical gift because if they get enough of it from guests, they need not purchase diapers for the baby until after a few months. That's big convenience and big savings for them. Running out of diapers during the night could be a nightmare. You can also add some medicines and vitamins for the baby. This could come in handy in times of need.
Buy something fun for the baby. You can buy toys. Good toys are those that move and produce sounds. Buy something that can be mounted on the crib. Suggestions can be baby tape player, vibrator seats, swings, bouncy seats, high chairs, or walkers. The list is endless. These toys also enhance a baby's mind development through colour, object, and sound recognition.
Buy some cute clothes. Although this could be risky since you don't know the gender the baby will be, or its weight upon birth. Try to buy rompers and shirts in medium sizes. This way you can be sure the baby can wear what you bought at least a few times. Don't buy clothes that need ironing because that's added task for mums and you wouldn't want that, of course.
Buy something useful for mummy. Gifts assisting mums caring for the baby is such a good idea. You can buy a baby carrier or slinger. It is very helpful for mums to get some cooking or cleaning done while carrying the baby. A helpful device you can buy is a diaper genie to help keep the smell down from used diapers.
Buy something for mums too. True, baby showers are for the babies. But mums, with all the excitement that they feel towards giving birth, can be apprehensive about the idea too. You can give gift certificates to moms from a shop or mall. You can give mums books or magazines about parenting. You can give them coupons or a professional house cleaner. You can prepare for them a dinner for one night and send it over. Or better yet, give delivery stubs from pizza parlours so in the event dinner can't be cooked, food can be driven over.
Baby showers are held to welcome the baby to the world. Sometimes, baby showers are held only for the first-born. It would be nice to have a shower for each of your new born child so that the baby would feel well received and wanted even from the mummy's womb. Babies are cute little blessings families are given with. Let's greet them even before they come out and join us!
Shopping for baby shower gifts and items could be very fun. You can give anything for the baby, from baby consumables to playthings. Choosing the best gift can be trick.
Shopping for baby shower gifts and items could be very fun. You can give anything for the baby, from baby consumables to playthings. Choosing the best gift can be trick. To assists you in picking, you can check out these suggestions:
Buy something that the baby will use frequently. You can buy baby ointments, baby lotions, diapers, wipes, baby power, and other stuff, and place them all in a basket or any appropriate container. All babies use diapers, and no mum can live without it now a days. Most mums usually think this as a practical gift because if they get enough of it from guests, they need not purchase diapers for the baby until after a few months. That's big convenience and big savings for them. Running out of diapers during the night could be a nightmare. You can also add some medicines and vitamins for the baby. This could come in handy in times of need.
Buy something fun for the baby. You can buy toys. Good toys are those that move and produce sounds. Buy something that can be mounted on the crib. Suggestions can be baby tape player, vibrator seats, swings, bouncy seats, high chairs, or walkers. The list is endless. These toys also enhance a baby's mind development through colour, object, and sound recognition.
Buy some cute clothes. Although this could be risky since you don't know the gender the baby will be, or its weight upon birth. Try to buy rompers and shirts in medium sizes. This way you can be sure the baby can wear what you bought at least a few times. Don't buy clothes that need ironing because that's added task for mums and you wouldn't want that, of course.
Buy something useful for mummy. Gifts assisting mums caring for the baby is such a good idea. You can buy a baby carrier or slinger. It is very helpful for mums to get some cooking or cleaning done while carrying the baby. A helpful device you can buy is a diaper genie to help keep the smell down from used diapers.
Buy something for mums too. True, baby showers are for the babies. But mums, with all the excitement that they feel towards giving birth, can be apprehensive about the idea too. You can give gift certificates to moms from a shop or mall. You can give mums books or magazines about parenting. You can give them coupons or a professional house cleaner. You can prepare for them a dinner for one night and send it over. Or better yet, give delivery stubs from pizza parlours so in the event dinner can't be cooked, food can be driven over.
Baby showers are held to welcome the baby to the world. Sometimes, baby showers are held only for the first-born. It would be nice to have a shower for each of your new born child so that the baby would feel well received and wanted even from the mummy's womb. Babies are cute little blessings families are given with. Let's greet them even before they come out and join us!
Shopping for baby shower gifts and items could be very fun. You can give anything for the baby, from baby consumables to playthings. Choosing the best gift can be trick.
Baby Shower Gifts - Perfect Gift For A Mummy And Daddy
There are many different ways of celebrating a new baby on the way. The options are endless. It is the holding of a baby shower party which is the most popular where guests bring along baby shower gifts for the mother-to-be. All presents are normally items that mother and baby need, thus helping the new parent in raising the baby.
Looking for ideas on what to give will not be a problem but what you have to remember when buying baby shower gifts is, it is not about you and your likes and dislikes. The new mum-to-be may not have the same opinion on what you see as pretty or not. Stick with the essentials and you cannot go far wrong. By doing this you know that your baby shower gift will be truly appreciated especially if it helps towards reducing the new parents cost allowance in raising the baby.
If you are not sure of what the essentials are then the list below may help you decide on what to bring as your gift to the party.
1. Nappies may not be the most fanciful of gifts to bestow but certainly the most practical. We all know that you can never have too many nappies of which mummy will find out a little later when baby is here. Nappies can be very costly so I am sure that this baby shower gift will not be snubbed. You have two types of nappy - the disposable or cloth. A tip for the parent, if you receive cloth and don’t intend to use them then why not cut into neat square strips and use for baby flannels - you will need them come bath time.
2. Bottles and Pacifiers are fabulous gift items but need to be chosen with care e.g. colours, pacifiers in blue don’t suit little girls or vice or versa. This sort of gift picking can be a nightmare because baby can be picky on what they are comfortable and content with.
3. If you choose to buy baby clothes as your baby shower gift always go for a size bigger or bigger again as babies are not babies for long. Selecting what clothes to buy will be a lot simpler if the sex of the baby is known or the month baby is due. By having this information under your hat your choice regarding colours and which outfit for the season will make your task easier.
4. Toys make ideal presents but once again the sex of the baby is definitely a plus to know. You can help boost baby’s mind with self educational stuff, things like classic story baby books, video and music CDs even cuddly bears which often becomes baby’s companion at bedtime.
5. Bath time and babies, they either love or hate the water. For babies that love to splash then perfect gifts are baby shower bath toys. For infants who are dubious in taking the plunge you have to make this experience as enjoyable as you can by giving little excites like cute rubber ducks bright and colourful. Scented bath rubs like lavender cologne or even bubble bath may help baby relax more. Towels/flannels are among other gifts warmly welcomed for help to easing bath time pressure, mopping up splashed water. This is a time for wetsuits believe me.
If all fails at bath time in keeping the agitated baby content and the baby shower gifts are not helping to overcome the fear then you have no option but to play clown for a while. The more action around baby at this time e.g. a mad mummy and daddy dunking their head under water may just help baby to forget why he/she made all the fuss in the first place.
Looking for ideas on what to give will not be a problem but what you have to remember when buying baby shower gifts is, it is not about you and your likes and dislikes. The new mum-to-be may not have the same opinion on what you see as pretty or not. Stick with the essentials and you cannot go far wrong. By doing this you know that your baby shower gift will be truly appreciated especially if it helps towards reducing the new parents cost allowance in raising the baby.
If you are not sure of what the essentials are then the list below may help you decide on what to bring as your gift to the party.
1. Nappies may not be the most fanciful of gifts to bestow but certainly the most practical. We all know that you can never have too many nappies of which mummy will find out a little later when baby is here. Nappies can be very costly so I am sure that this baby shower gift will not be snubbed. You have two types of nappy - the disposable or cloth. A tip for the parent, if you receive cloth and don’t intend to use them then why not cut into neat square strips and use for baby flannels - you will need them come bath time.
2. Bottles and Pacifiers are fabulous gift items but need to be chosen with care e.g. colours, pacifiers in blue don’t suit little girls or vice or versa. This sort of gift picking can be a nightmare because baby can be picky on what they are comfortable and content with.
3. If you choose to buy baby clothes as your baby shower gift always go for a size bigger or bigger again as babies are not babies for long. Selecting what clothes to buy will be a lot simpler if the sex of the baby is known or the month baby is due. By having this information under your hat your choice regarding colours and which outfit for the season will make your task easier.
4. Toys make ideal presents but once again the sex of the baby is definitely a plus to know. You can help boost baby’s mind with self educational stuff, things like classic story baby books, video and music CDs even cuddly bears which often becomes baby’s companion at bedtime.
5. Bath time and babies, they either love or hate the water. For babies that love to splash then perfect gifts are baby shower bath toys. For infants who are dubious in taking the plunge you have to make this experience as enjoyable as you can by giving little excites like cute rubber ducks bright and colourful. Scented bath rubs like lavender cologne or even bubble bath may help baby relax more. Towels/flannels are among other gifts warmly welcomed for help to easing bath time pressure, mopping up splashed water. This is a time for wetsuits believe me.
If all fails at bath time in keeping the agitated baby content and the baby shower gifts are not helping to overcome the fear then you have no option but to play clown for a while. The more action around baby at this time e.g. a mad mummy and daddy dunking their head under water may just help baby to forget why he/she made all the fuss in the first place.
Baby Shower Gift Idea Brainstorming
Choosing the right baby shower gift is very important and you should give it some serious thought. Baby showers are one of the best occasions for gift giving. But if you're one of those people who are completely clueless when it comes to babies, then this could be a difficult situation for you.
Here are some suggestions and tips on how to find a gift for those cute babies:
1. Just go to any mall and browse through the toy department section. You should be able to choose something that a baby will love. Remember that little babies are delicate creatures, so stay away from toys that might potentially harm them. Soft toys, baby books, baby apparels are some of the more ideal presents that are suitable for babies. If you find that you are still having trouble deciding on a purchase, ask a friendly salesperson to assist you.
2. Most pregnant women have a registry account that specifies the items that they need for their babies. This makes the process of gift giving so much easier for friends and family. This also takes out the guess work out of the equation. So if you're not one of those people that are not crazy about surprises, you can always just check the expectant mother’s list to find out exactly what type of gift she wants.
3. Ask your friends who are parents to assist you in your time of need. Ask them to impart their wisdom onto you, and discuss the things that a baby might need.
4. Do an inventory with your other friends whom you know would also be giving baby gifts for this occasion. This way, you don't end up buying the same things.
5. If you feel that your inadequacy when it comes to selecting a baby shower gift is insurmountable , you can always just beg one of your friends who are more baby friendly to tag along with you. This way, you are saved the embarrassment of your severe indecision when it comes time to select the perfect giant rubber ducky.
6. You can just always buy baby clothes! If you consider yourself posh, and live for fashion, then this is your chance to shine! Who knows your style might even influence the future generation to come to carry on your fashion forward sensibilities!
7. Baby jewellery looks cute on babies! Baby bracelets, necklaces, earrings, cufflinks and tie bars for boys, are just dandy! Babies can't have enough cute things in their armoury, so do your share and contribute to the storage!
8. Invest on their minds and buy tons of baby books. Who knows, you just might be the honorary aunt or uncle of a future Einstein! You can't go wrong with books. Education is truly a gift!
9. If you want to be loved, bestow the gift of a baby saving's bond. This helps ensure a kid's future. This way when the baby grows up, you will always be remembered as the generous person that you are.
10. Baby shower gift baskets are reliable and practical gifts. They contain everything that a baby will need. Baby shower gift baskets have themes. Bath time baby baskets usually contain baby items like a set of comb and brushes, towels, grooming kits and the likes, and of course, the ever reliable rubber ducky.
It's not really that hard to come up with a baby shower gift idea. For those who are not enthusiastic about babies, and consider them little brats, well shame on you! Good thing this is your lucky day, so you can just pick a baby shower gift idea from one of the suggestions written above.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Baby Proof Your Home - Frequently Asked Questions
Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of your greatest concerns and responsibilities. There is so much to consider and it is very easy to overlook something that might be fairly obvious to some but escape others. Things like covering electrical outlets, putting up baby gates and turning pot handles to the rear of the cooker are discussed in this article, which is presented in a question and answer format.
Q. What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?
The best way is to see your home from the eyes of your child. It is recommended that you get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in? Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?
Q. What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?
Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous situation for your baby is one that caused an injury that could have been prevented.
Q. What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our home?
There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby. Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth and pose a choking hazard, take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits inside the tube it can go in his mouth and possibly harm him.
Q. Why do I need baby safety gates?
Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed. There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the gate.
Q. What are electric outlet covers or locks?
Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and prevent your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the outlet and getting a serious shock.
Electric outlet lock plates can replace typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug has to be inserted and turned.
Q. It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and windows, why would I need them?
Some kids are very active and able to do things you would be very surprise about. Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers have gotten up in the night and unbeknownst to their parents open the door and go outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens.
Q. What kind of baby-proofing products are available?
There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced. There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture. There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different types and cord retractors for window blinds.
Q. Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between banister posts?
There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.
Q. Are there baby proofing checklists available?
Yes there are baby-proofing checklists available. You can locate them online and they are printable. Specialty stores, hospitals, and paediatricians are all possible sources for such checklists.
Q. How can I baby proof my nursery?
You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s cot away from windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do not put stuffed animals or pillows in the cot with your little one as they could nestle up to them and suffocate.
Q. How can I baby proof my kitchen?
Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.
Q. How can I baby proof my car?
You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby. Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop, and place them in the trunk.
In Conclusion
The bottom line of baby proofing your home and your car is to be mindful that the most common things can be hazardous to a baby or small child. You can obtain a checklist of things to look for when baby-proofing your home. Window blinds cords should be shortened and outlets should be covered. Look at your home and car through your baby’s eyes, you might be surprised at hazards you miss when you are looking from adult height.
Q. What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?
The best way is to see your home from the eyes of your child. It is recommended that you get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in? Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?
Q. What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?
Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous situation for your baby is one that caused an injury that could have been prevented.
Q. What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our home?
There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby. Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s mouth and pose a choking hazard, take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits inside the tube it can go in his mouth and possibly harm him.
Q. Why do I need baby safety gates?
Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed. There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the gate.
Q. What are electric outlet covers or locks?
Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and prevent your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the outlet and getting a serious shock.
Electric outlet lock plates can replace typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug has to be inserted and turned.
Q. It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and windows, why would I need them?
Some kids are very active and able to do things you would be very surprise about. Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers have gotten up in the night and unbeknownst to their parents open the door and go outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens.
Q. What kind of baby-proofing products are available?
There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced. There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture. There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different types and cord retractors for window blinds.
Q. Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between banister posts?
There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.
Q. Are there baby proofing checklists available?
Yes there are baby-proofing checklists available. You can locate them online and they are printable. Specialty stores, hospitals, and paediatricians are all possible sources for such checklists.
Q. How can I baby proof my nursery?
You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s cot away from windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do not put stuffed animals or pillows in the cot with your little one as they could nestle up to them and suffocate.
Q. How can I baby proof my kitchen?
Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.
Q. How can I baby proof my car?
You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby. Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop, and place them in the trunk.
In Conclusion
The bottom line of baby proofing your home and your car is to be mindful that the most common things can be hazardous to a baby or small child. You can obtain a checklist of things to look for when baby-proofing your home. Window blinds cords should be shortened and outlets should be covered. Look at your home and car through your baby’s eyes, you might be surprised at hazards you miss when you are looking from adult height.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
What You Can Expect From 7 To 9 Months Old Babies
Now that your little baby has reached 7 months old, it’s time to reflect. Time goes by so fast that you don't realise your baby is now able to sit upright without your support or even his or hers own hands. Wow, that must be an incredible feeling seeing baby grow so instantly.
For parents of 7 to 9-months-old babies, what else can you find in their physical growths? Well, every baby is not the same. One may have earlier development from the others.
For example, your friend's baby was able to start crawling when he was 8 months old, while yours could do it when she was seven and a half months.
On the other hand, the first baby started teething when he was 6 months old, whereas yours did it when she was 9 months.
So, you really need not to be anxious about your baby's development. She will reach the stage.
What you need to pay attention to is your baby's developmental milestone. This means she should be able to do certain things at particular ages.
It's best for you to make some notes on your baby's growth, such as writing all her new skills in an online diary. If you do not want to miss any of your baby's growths, writing the journal will be very exciting.
Adding up cute photos when new things happen will also be a wonderful endeavour. Later on, you'll thank yourself for keeping the memories online as you can see it anytime anywhere. Add up the joy by sharing the site to friends and families.
Now let's go back to the previous topic. If you're a first-time parent, you probably still have a little idea about your baby's development.
Below is a milestone you can use as your guideline. If your baby isn't on her track or doesn't reach many of the stages mentioned here, you may consult it with your baby's paediatrician.
Here are some of the milestones for 7 to 9-months-old baby:
1. Sitting upright without support
2. Crawling
3. Teething
4. Babbling
5. Passing things from hand to hand
6. Standing up by holding onto something
7. Waving hands
8. Clapping hands
9. Turning heads when someone calls her
10. Holding her bottles
11. Picking objects up with pincer (thumb-finger) grasp
12. Testing your responses to her behaviour
13. Able to distinguish people she knows and strangers
14. Cruising while holding onto the wall or other furniture
The older your baby, the more skills she may have. If your baby is not able to do some of these things, don't worry too much. It does not mean a problem. She'll reach the phase in the perfect time, soon.
For parents of 7 to 9-months-old babies, what else can you find in their physical growths? Well, every baby is not the same. One may have earlier development from the others.
For example, your friend's baby was able to start crawling when he was 8 months old, while yours could do it when she was seven and a half months.
On the other hand, the first baby started teething when he was 6 months old, whereas yours did it when she was 9 months.
So, you really need not to be anxious about your baby's development. She will reach the stage.
What you need to pay attention to is your baby's developmental milestone. This means she should be able to do certain things at particular ages.
It's best for you to make some notes on your baby's growth, such as writing all her new skills in an online diary. If you do not want to miss any of your baby's growths, writing the journal will be very exciting.
Adding up cute photos when new things happen will also be a wonderful endeavour. Later on, you'll thank yourself for keeping the memories online as you can see it anytime anywhere. Add up the joy by sharing the site to friends and families.
Now let's go back to the previous topic. If you're a first-time parent, you probably still have a little idea about your baby's development.
Below is a milestone you can use as your guideline. If your baby isn't on her track or doesn't reach many of the stages mentioned here, you may consult it with your baby's paediatrician.
Here are some of the milestones for 7 to 9-months-old baby:
1. Sitting upright without support
2. Crawling
3. Teething
4. Babbling
5. Passing things from hand to hand
6. Standing up by holding onto something
7. Waving hands
8. Clapping hands
9. Turning heads when someone calls her
10. Holding her bottles
11. Picking objects up with pincer (thumb-finger) grasp
12. Testing your responses to her behaviour
13. Able to distinguish people she knows and strangers
14. Cruising while holding onto the wall or other furniture
The older your baby, the more skills she may have. If your baby is not able to do some of these things, don't worry too much. It does not mean a problem. She'll reach the phase in the perfect time, soon.
What do you buy a new born baby?
So your friends have had a baby, and you’re wondering what to get them for a gift. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking - you might not like all of them, but hopefully there will be something here that appeals to you.
The first, and most obvious, candidate for a baby gift has to be clothes. Many people are reluctant to buy clothes in advance of the birth because they’re not sure what gender the baby is going to be, but don’t let that put you off – white clothes are nice-looking and gender-neutral. It will depend on where you live, but the best baby clothes tend to be soft, fluffy things that can keep the baby cosy and warm. Do realise, however, that clothes aren’t exactly an original gift, and the couple might already be snowed under with them.
Toys are another favourite, although it can be difficult to know what to get. Things like mobiles and other brightly coloured things that the baby can swipe at tend to be a good choice, as are rattles and soft toys that make noises. You will probably win more points with the parents by getting more educational baby toys, such as those with shapes or animal noises, instead of ones that just seem cool.
If you want to think more unconventionally, though, there are plenty of things to consider. Why not buy (or contribute towards) a cot, or a pushchair? Why not start a savings fund for the baby, with a decent chunk of money to get it started? Or you could buy nappies, or bath stuff, or whatever – take a look at the baby section in any shop to get plenty of ideas.
One last idea: with all this focus on things for the baby, maybe the parents are feeling a little left out, with no presents for them and no money or time left to treat themselves for a good long while. A nice thing to do is to get a present for the parents, as it will probably be the only thing they get for themselves, and they’ll be pleased that someone thought of them.
Tips For Planning Great Baby Showers
Baby showers are parties thrown for friends that are pregnant. This practice has significantly changed over the course of the years and has gradually become more and more elaborate and planned.
Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the fact that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and financial support. Usually the baby shower is organized by non-relatives. But today, there is isn’t abnormal to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the expecting mother.
Inviting the Guests
Who should you invite? Usually, the guest list will only include those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn’t hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can suggest who should be invited. If you are planning a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who should be attending instead of running the list through the expectant mother.
If the child is not a firstborn, you may opt to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother’s first time.
The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is intimacy. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.
You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.
What About the Guys
The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.
Venue
Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the placid and fun nature of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more usual places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, restaurants, and basically any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long before the actual baby shower happens.
When to Throw a Baby Shower
Usually this is one or two months before her due. The baby shower is the perfect time to get your friend baby needs and stuff she may not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.
Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.
A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.
Baby showers can make an expectant mother feel more secure in the fact that her friends are all pulling for her and giving moral and financial support. Usually the baby shower is organized by non-relatives. But today, there is isn’t abnormal to find family members, support group members, church friends and pretty much anyone except the expecting mother.
Inviting the Guests
Who should you invite? Usually, the guest list will only include those nearest and dearest to the expectant mother. It wouldn’t hurt if she gets a first look at the guest list so that she can suggest who should be invited. If you are planning a surprise baby shower, you will have to do a little research on who should be attending instead of running the list through the expectant mother.
If the child is not a firstborn, you may opt to keep the number of guests down to the closest to the mother. Firstborn baby showers tend to have a larger guest list since it is, after all, the mother’s first time.
The thing to remember is that the nature of baby showers is intimacy. So, for any baby shower party, try making the gathering one of intimate friends.
You could use informal ways to invite these guests: email, phone and others. Invitation cards and other letters are the best way, however, as they provide a tangible, traceable evidence of invitation. Plus, it is the most sure and formal way to invite a person – and in many cultures – the only way.
What About the Guys
The nature of the party is probably going to tend towards the feminine side; if the organizers of the party have a provision for this, then inviting men would be fine. It also depends on the men, since the party may dwell on topics such as pregnancy, children, and other motherly topics, they might not be that excited to join. All in all, it depends on the preference of the organizers.
Venue
Anywhere! As long as it can keep with the placid and fun nature of the occasion, any place would be fine. The more usual places on baby shower lists are backyards, formal halls, restaurants, and basically any room that has the amenities to make a baby shower successful. Just make sure the venue is not crowded and stressful to the mother-to-be. It also pays to make sure the venue is set long before the actual baby shower happens.
When to Throw a Baby Shower
Usually this is one or two months before her due. The baby shower is the perfect time to get your friend baby needs and stuff she may not have had time to purchase yet. It has to be well-timed though – not too close to the due date, and not to far as to whittle down the excitement.
Baby showers are a pleasant surprise to expecting mothers. It takes a lot of the stress of expecting a child off of their minds and provides a means for friends to show support and concern (and of course, baby gifts) to expecting friends.
A properly coordinated baby shower will be greatly appreciated and forever remembered by mothers long after they have delivered their children.
A Little Advice For New Parents
As a new parent you face many problems and issues that you need to understand and deal with immediately. Newborns do not come with an instruction book so here is some information on some things that you need to know about.
Bathing your baby: Your baby’s umbilical cord will fall off in about one to two weeks after they are born. Until it falls out, you should only give your baby sponge baths. You could dampen a cotton ball or cotton swab with alcohol to help dry the umbilical stump or simply follow your paediatrician’s directions. You can give him a bath in a sink or shallow tub after the stump falls off.
Caesarean delivery: A caesarean is usually performed to make delivery safer for you or your baby. C-sections can be done for many different reasons including stalled labour, complicated labour, problems with the baby that may make delivery difficult, or other problems. It does not matter if you deliver vaginally or by a caesarean section, you are still a mother with a beautiful new blessing.
Circumcision: A lot of doctors feel that there are many benefits to having your baby circumcised, but it may not be absolutely necessary. It may help to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminates just about any chance of penile cancer. Circumcision will not cause any long-term emotional problems for your child.
Cot death (SIDS): Many studies have been done regarding SIDS. Although the cause of SIDS has not been definitely defined, there are some correlations that have been made between SIDS and the following things:
Female babies are less likely to die from SIDS than Male Babies
The risk is greater with premature birth
Minority children are more likely to be affected by SIDS than non-minority children are.
More children of young, single mothers die of SIDS
Smoking in the home greatly increases the risk of SIDS
Some people think that sleeping with your baby is okay and continue to let their babies sleep with them. The American Academy of Paediatrics disagrees with this and says that there is a greater risk of SIDS in babies who sleep with another person. Babies should sleep alone in a cradle or crib either next to or near an adult. You should never put pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or anything that might put your baby at risk in their bed.
Most paediatricians recommend that babies sleep on their back to decrease the risk of SIDS. The reason for this is widely debated between health experts. If you have concerns please talk to your paediatrician. There are no dumb questions when it comes to the health and safety of your child, so please don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Bathing your baby: Your baby’s umbilical cord will fall off in about one to two weeks after they are born. Until it falls out, you should only give your baby sponge baths. You could dampen a cotton ball or cotton swab with alcohol to help dry the umbilical stump or simply follow your paediatrician’s directions. You can give him a bath in a sink or shallow tub after the stump falls off.
Caesarean delivery: A caesarean is usually performed to make delivery safer for you or your baby. C-sections can be done for many different reasons including stalled labour, complicated labour, problems with the baby that may make delivery difficult, or other problems. It does not matter if you deliver vaginally or by a caesarean section, you are still a mother with a beautiful new blessing.
Circumcision: A lot of doctors feel that there are many benefits to having your baby circumcised, but it may not be absolutely necessary. It may help to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminates just about any chance of penile cancer. Circumcision will not cause any long-term emotional problems for your child.
Cot death (SIDS): Many studies have been done regarding SIDS. Although the cause of SIDS has not been definitely defined, there are some correlations that have been made between SIDS and the following things:
Female babies are less likely to die from SIDS than Male Babies
The risk is greater with premature birth
Minority children are more likely to be affected by SIDS than non-minority children are.
More children of young, single mothers die of SIDS
Smoking in the home greatly increases the risk of SIDS
Some people think that sleeping with your baby is okay and continue to let their babies sleep with them. The American Academy of Paediatrics disagrees with this and says that there is a greater risk of SIDS in babies who sleep with another person. Babies should sleep alone in a cradle or crib either next to or near an adult. You should never put pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or anything that might put your baby at risk in their bed.
Most paediatricians recommend that babies sleep on their back to decrease the risk of SIDS. The reason for this is widely debated between health experts. If you have concerns please talk to your paediatrician. There are no dumb questions when it comes to the health and safety of your child, so please don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
4 Baby Care Tidbits Every Parent Should Know!
New parents face many problems and issues that they are expected to understand and deal with immediately. Unfortunately, newborns do not come with an instruction book so here are a few topics that you may need to know about.
Bathing your baby: Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off one to two weeks after their birth, only give her sponge baths. A cotton ball or cotton swab dampened with alcohol can help to dry the umbilical stump or follow your paediatrician’s directions. After the stump falls off, you can give him a bath in a sink or shallow tub.
Caesarean delivery: A caesarean is usually performed to make delivery safer for you or your baby. C-sections can be done for many different reasons including stalled labour, complicated labour, problems with the baby that may make delivery difficult, or other problems. It does not matter if you deliver vaginally or by a caesarean section, you are still a mother with a beautiful new blessing.
Circumcision: Many doctors agree that there may be some benefit to circumcision, but it may not be absolutely necessary. It may help to lower the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminates just about any chance of penile cancer. Circumcision does not cause long-term emotional problems for your child.
Crib death (SIDS): Many studies have been done regarding SIDS. Although the cause of SIDS has not been definitely defined, there are some correlations that have been made between SIDS and the following things:
Male babies are more likely to die from SIDS than females
Prematurity makes it more likely
Minority children are affected by it more often than non-minorities
More children of young, single mothers die from it
Children who live in a home with one or more smokers are more likely to be affected
Some people say that sleeping with your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS, but the American Academy of Paediatrics disagree with this statement and go on to say that there is a greater risk of SIDS in babies who co-sleep.
Back sleeping is what most paediatricians recommend for babies to decrease the SIDS risk. The reason for this is widely debated between health experts. If you have concerns, talk to your paediatrician.
Bathing your baby: Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off one to two weeks after their birth, only give her sponge baths. A cotton ball or cotton swab dampened with alcohol can help to dry the umbilical stump or follow your paediatrician’s directions. After the stump falls off, you can give him a bath in a sink or shallow tub.
Caesarean delivery: A caesarean is usually performed to make delivery safer for you or your baby. C-sections can be done for many different reasons including stalled labour, complicated labour, problems with the baby that may make delivery difficult, or other problems. It does not matter if you deliver vaginally or by a caesarean section, you are still a mother with a beautiful new blessing.
Circumcision: Many doctors agree that there may be some benefit to circumcision, but it may not be absolutely necessary. It may help to lower the risk of urinary tract infections and eliminates just about any chance of penile cancer. Circumcision does not cause long-term emotional problems for your child.
Crib death (SIDS): Many studies have been done regarding SIDS. Although the cause of SIDS has not been definitely defined, there are some correlations that have been made between SIDS and the following things:
Male babies are more likely to die from SIDS than females
Prematurity makes it more likely
Minority children are affected by it more often than non-minorities
More children of young, single mothers die from it
Children who live in a home with one or more smokers are more likely to be affected
Some people say that sleeping with your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS, but the American Academy of Paediatrics disagree with this statement and go on to say that there is a greater risk of SIDS in babies who co-sleep.
Back sleeping is what most paediatricians recommend for babies to decrease the SIDS risk. The reason for this is widely debated between health experts. If you have concerns, talk to your paediatrician.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
