The Next Three Months: Baby Milestones in Months 4-6
The first three months of a baby’s life are often referred to as the “fourth trimester” because the baby is still intensely dependent, has only rudimentary communication abilities, and does not seem fully engaged with the surrounding world. All of this comes to an end in the next three months, which is when babies really come alive. During this time, you will finally begin to feel your love returned, your child will develop a recognizable personality, and your ability to communicate with him or her will grow exponentially.
Posted in Activities, Bonding, Development, Emotional - Social, Learning, Misc, Motor Skills, Newborns, Teething | 
Leave a commentDo I Have Infectious or Non-Infectious Mastitis?
If your breast tissue is red, swollen and painful it could be Mastitis. It most commonly occurs in breastfeeding women and is also known as puerperal mastitis or lactation mastitis. You can have the condition and not be breastfeeding but it is rarer and mastitis typically affects just one breast. If you are suffering from this condition you may be experiencing flu-like symptoms like a high temperature, chills and aches.
Posted in Bottle Feeding, Breastfeeding, Development, Feeding, Feeding Products, Food Allergies, Health, Misc, Moms, Nanny, Nutrition, Solids | Leave a commentWhat to Do When Your Baby Rejects the Bottle
After several months of breastfeeding, many babies are understandably reluctant to change. Breastfeeding is warm and comforting, it brings mother and baby close together, and it comes easily and naturally. So when it comes time to introduce the bottle and your baby does not take to it right away, do not be frustrated. The plastic nipple takes some getting used to, and the temperature of the milk in the bottle can be difficult to regulate. Plus, if you are introducing formula at the same time, this adds another element of difficulty.
Posted in Bonding, Bottle Feeding, Breastfeeding, Feeding Products, General Health, Health, Illnesses, Learning, Moms, Motor Skills, Newborns, Nutrition | Leave a commentStaying On The Ball!
You may be one of the many pregnant women who use a birthing ball to exercise and strengthen your back. Unfortunately, most do not utilize the benefits of their birthing balls until they have gone into labor. Midwives recommend birthing balls to pregnant women because they encourage you to maintain good posture by balancing on them. By sitting on the ball you are forced to sit properly so that your back is well aligned and this relieves your back of pressure which is especially helpful later on in your pregnancy. Birthing balls are sometimes used to encourage your unborn baby to move into the correct position enabling you to be more comfortable during labor. You often see them in maternity wards.
Posted in Activities, Care, Development, General Health, Health, Misc, Moms, Motor Skills, Newborns, Physical, Preemies, Products, Uncategorized | Leave a commentHave You Heard of Nipple Confusion?!
Nipple confusion, hmm . . . this term can be somewhat misleading. It does not mean that your baby is perplexed as to what your nipple is for. It is a term to explain when babies are hesitant to feed from the breast and seems to prefer or find it easier to bottle feed milk which has been expressed.
Posted in Breastfeeding, Development, Feeding, Feeding Products, Food Allergies, Newborns, Nutrition | Leave a commentWhen Will My Baby Begin to Remember Things?
Your baby will start recording things in her mind from birth but will not be aware of what is really happening. During the third trimester of your pregnancy your baby will have begun to recognize your voice and at four days old she will be able to distinguish between your face and a stranger’s. It is at this time she will also recognize Dad if he has been present throughout the pregnancy. She will certainly recognize your smell and be comforted by it from birth.
Posted in Activities, Development, Emotional - Social, Health, Language Skills, Learning, Misc | Leave a commentMore Tips to Baby Proof Your Home
Following on from my article about baby-proofing your kitchen and sitting room; here are some more ideas to do the same in your baby’s bedroom or nursery plus the bathroom and some information and preventative measures regarding other hazards around the house.
Posted in Activities, Baby Proofing, Childproofing, Dads, Emergencies, Furnishings, Moms, Newborns, Safety Products, Sleep Care | Leave a commentHow Can You Baby-Proof Your Kitchen and Sitting Room?
There is no better alternative to keeping your infant safe than close supervision but why not limit any possible dangers to an absolute minimum? Your baby relies totally on you to keep her safe so to help you with that most important responsibility here is some advice to make your home safer. Your little one will undoubtedly soon be utilizing her natural curiosity to begin exploring her environment. It is sensible to assess the rooms in your house one by one. Something at first glance that may seem harmless to you could in fact pose a risk to your inquisitive infant.
From Milk to Formula to Solids: Helping Baby Transition
By Lisa Pecos
All major American pediatric and health organizations strongly recommend breastfeeding babies for at least the first six months of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the preeminent authorities on such issues, recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months and regularly breastfed for the first year or as long as it is comfortable for both mother and baby. There is abundant research showing that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to nourish an infant. And though formula can be good, the mother’s body naturally produces the right milk for the baby throughout the stages of early development.
Posted in Bottle Feeding, Breastfeeding, Feeding, Feeding Products, Newborns, Preemies, Solids, Twins - Multiples | Leave a commentReading to Baby: When to Start and How to Do it Well
By Jamell Andrews
In the age of television, internet, and ubiquitous gadgets, there is something refreshing about the quiet act of reading a good book. And although childcare experts say reading to a child has little significant effect until he or she is around the six-month mark, it is never too early to get started. Young children may not get the same things out of books that we do, but the reading experience is valuable for a number of reasons, and reading daily to your baby is a crucial stepping stone toward future linguistic and educational development.
Posted in Activities, Books, Dads, Development, Language Skills, Learning, Moms, Nanny | Leave a comment