Babys First Year

As new parents, we hate hearing our baby cry. And many of us (me included), offer them a pacifier. For me, it happened when I gave her the very first bath: she was crying so hard, I thought she may choke. Luckily, I took it away at about 9 months without any problems.

Unfortunately, not all babies give it up easily, and there are problems with those who use it for a long time.

If you still want your baby to use a pacifier, don’t give it in the first month if you are breast-feeding. Dr. Joan Meek, of the American Academy of Pediatrics says babies may experience “nipple confusion” and can’t latch on to the breast properly.

After the first month, says Meek, pacifiers may be associated with crooked baby teeth and ear infections.

If you decide to use one, always check the rubber tip for rips, and don’t hang it around the baby’s neck. It’s a strangulation risk.

Baby Development, Parenting Advice

Toddlers, ever going, never tiring and ultimately chaotic, so just how do you find enough activities to keep them entertained?

Toddlers aren’t old enough to entertain themselves or get involved in pretend play (without a little help), which means it’s up to you to keep them entertained and happy. The best activities for toddlers are fun-filled while still fully helping them developmentally.

So what are some fun but also educational activities for your toddler? The good news is that toddlers are fairly easy to entertain so there’s no need to go out and spend a fortune or turn your house into an amusement park.

Here are a few fun ideas:

Go for a nature walk – Educational yet lots of fun. Your toddler will love exploring and collecting different treasures to bring home. Point out big leaves to him or different colored plants or flowers. Collect opposites such as a small leaf and a big leaf or a small stick and a big stick.

Take your time and have fun. Don’t worry if you don’t live near a nature reserve or park. A simple walk around your neighborhood will be sufficient. Your toddler won’t mind and there will still be lots for him to see.

Bake Cookies – The bad news first, things will get messy. The good news, cooking is both fun and educational and even children as young as 2 can get involved. Depending on your toddler’s age let her help and don’t worry too much about how the final product will look or even taste, concentrate on the actual putting it together part. As you’re mixing the ingredients tell your toddler what you’re doing. Name out each ingredient and measurement out loud and once you finish enjoy your delicious homemade treats.

Have Fun With Water – Fill a small tub with water and give your toddler several containers of different sizes. Let her pour water from one container to the other and you can even add some bubbles for extra fun. This is a fun activity that also helps build hand eye coordination. You can also place different objects in a tub and show your child how some of them float and others sink.

Start a Photo Album – Make a photo album and fill it with pictures of your toddler, your family and extended family as well. This is especially good if your toddler has relatives that live far away. Talk about who each person is and where they come from or where they live.

Paper Tearing or Cutting – Find a couple of old magazines or catalogues and let your toddler tear pages out, try to get her to tear small shapes or just let her have fun. If your toddler is a little older you can teach her how to use toddler scissors to cut out shapes.

Toddlers are constantly learning. This is the perfect age for you to have fun with your child while helping them learn. And don’t think you have to do something too elaborate. Toddlers are easily pleased and will find wonder and amazement in even the smallest of things. Enjoy these years.

NEW American music insects Lamaze Toy LamazeToy multi-Toy

New Colorful Lamaze Sunflower Bees Baby Toy

NEW American music insects Lamaze Toy LamazeToy multi-Toy

BABY EINSTEIN 26 DISC DVD SET ~ SHELF PULL ~ NO RESERVE

BABY EINSTEIN 26 DISC DVD SET ~ SHELF PULL ~ NO RESERVE

Baby Einstein 6 Disc Cd Collection Classical Music

Baby Development, Parenting Advice

Most of us can remember the first book we ever read. Can you? Words are incredibly powerful. They invoke images of far away lands, scary castles, or princesses looking for their knights in shining armor. They can also become friends. Yes, books are the window through which your child sees and experiences different worlds, viewpoints, the fantasies and realities of life. So what are the benefits of reading to your children? Oh, so many, one could write a book on the subject.

There is nothing more worthwhile than reading to your children. Even as babies, the sounds and connotations in your voice can calm and soothe them. More importantly, even before your child is born, research has suggested that your children tend to have a higher degree of understanding and learning. What a wonderful gift to give to your children.

Reading is fundamental to our basic understanding of life: it is the foundation for which allows children to advance and contribute to life. It can take them to places they’ve never been, explore the cosmos, become involved with a character and the adventures taken. Reading is the method by which children learn just about everything. More importantly, it all begins with you. One story can open up a world of possibilities. One book can be the beginning of a lifelong desire to explore all books of different genres. Just think!
You have the power to set your child on a path in which the road is paved with endless wonder and imagination.

It’s never too early to read to your children. If you haven’t already done so, start a tradition. Go to the library or book store and buy several books; and begin reading to your child every night. Just think how much farther ahead your child will be when he or she begins school.

If the level at which our children read today is below par, you can change that. It’s not too late. It never is when it comes to introducing your child to the words of the world.

Here are some great Baby Books to healp you get started.

LOT OF 13 EARLY READER, DR. SEUSS & BEGINNER BOOKS & MORE!

DR. SEUSS * One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish GREAT Book for kids!

Lof of 3 Dr. Seuss Children's Board Books-Go Dog Go,The Foot Book,The Nose Book

5 Children Books - Disney Sound Animation - Dr Seuss - Animals - Others

Lot 21 Dr. Seuss Hardcover books. ABC Wocket Cat hat More

Baby Development, Parenting Advice