by Jackie Needleman

 

Reading to Your Child

Babies love to listen to the human voice -- reading, singing and expressive talking are ideal activities. Take your cue from the baby as to how much stimulation to provide.

1. Start out by singing lullabies and folk songs to your baby. When your baby is about six months old, choose books with brightly-colored, simple pictures and lots of rhythm in the text.

2. Select books are made of cardboard or cloth with flaps to lift and holes to peek through.

3. Hold your baby in your lap so she can see the colorful pages of the book. Include books that show pictures and names of familiar objects.

4. As you read with your baby, point out objects in the pictures. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt is a classic touch-and-feel book for babies.

5. Vary the tone of your voice with different characters in the stories, sing nursery rhymes and make funny faces. Do whatever special effects you can to stimulate your baby's interest.

6. As you read to your baby, your child is forming an association between books and what is most loved -- your voice and closeness. Allowing your baby to handle books will help deepen their attachment.

7. When reading to your baby, keep the sessions brief, but read each day and often.

 8. Take time to be with your baby. Take walks, playing in the park and simply explore the great outdoors. Talk to your baby      naming trees, flowers, bugs, butterflies, dogs, cats, etc. when you see them.
 
 9. As you play with your infant/baby, name the toy you are playing with and tell him/her about it's characteristics such as, the toy's color, shape and size.

10. Have soft toys (with no sharp edges or small parts/pieces) for your baby. Try to get toys that wash easily.

11. Stack items, such as blocks, plastic kitchen bowls, plastic bottles, shoe boxes, margarine containers or Tupperware.

12. Teach your baby how to sort, starting with colored wooden blocks.

13. Help your baby learn to put puzzles together, making sure they are age-appropriate and safe.

14. Increase your baby's eye/hand coordination by rolling a ball.

15. Encourage your child to work along with you as you complete household chores. Play together by putting toys, clothes and plastic containers in drawers or cupboards.

16. Play soft music that has a steady beat.

17. Sing your favorite lullabies and other songs to your baby.

18. Give verbal praise. This is very important to your baby.

Do you have more ideas?
Would love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Marina

It was a very special (and surprising) moment when my husband and I sat our baby boy on the couch next to us. Our son was sitting up on his own watching television with my husband and I - while having the most interested look in the movie that was playing on tv. Ever since then, we realized that whenever the tv is on, his attention turns to what is playing, and he starts to smile and talk. Our son is only 3.5 months old right now...

is there any chance these could be done in the mornings on either Saturday or Sunday?  Afternoons are difficult due to babies' nap times.

Is there anyone else interested in a morning playdate on the weekends?  If so please post the time and location that works best for you.   Now that it's getting cooler we will be holding some of our playdates indoors

Thanks
Alexia

Hi,

One of our members have a family friend who is 16 years old and pregnant.  If you have any unisex clothing, toys or other baby items that you do not need and would like to donate please post a message here. 

Thanks,
Alexia

Hello, I have a variety of 0 - 6 months baby girl clothing that I would like to donate. I also have a Papasan Cradle Swing that I would like to donate.

Please advise if  these items are needed.

Thanks to Chandra for this wonderful donation. If you know anyone who is in need of these items please let us know.

 

My daughter is now 14 months, and was born at 4 lbs 13 oz.  When we brought her home in the car seat, she was tiny.  I thought she'd never outgrow it since there was so much room to grow!  Well, the other day as I was putting her in the SUV, I realize that she's grown so much that her legs can no longer be outstretched in the car seat and her feet are on the back seat even with her knees bent.  It just brought back memories of how much she's grown so far, and how proud I am of this little kid.  Now for some shopping for new toddler car seats... :) 

my little munchkin did the cutest thing today and so I thought I would share,

I was eating cereal and she really wanted some so I gave her some in her bowl with her spoon, she started copying me and actually got some on the spoon and in her mouth, she must have noticed that I got really excited everytime she used the spoon and not her hand to eat the cherious b/c towards the end she couldn't get the last two on the spoon, so she pick them up with her fingers, put them on the spoon and then put the spoon in her mouth.... soooo cute.

Today I really love being a mommy... it's funny how these little things can make us feel so happy and so proud.

Ladies, can we make these walks every Thursday at the same time?

One of my best awww moment would be, my son Jacob picking up his dirty pj, took it to the laundry room and attempt to place it in the laundry basket... the basket was much too high for him to reach, so his next move was to place it in the washing machine which was  higher than the first object, then I stepped in and help him, reach his goal.

Written for BabyCentre UK
Penney Hames answers:

For the first six weeks -- and sometimes 12 -- most babies sleep erratically. You are lucky if you see a pattern emerging before this time. But after three to four months you can help your baby into a regular pattern of sleep so long as you act consistently and positively.

It can be difficult to know what to do for the best, especially when there is so much advice available. But you are the expert on your baby, and you know what will work best for your family. So, decide what you want, and then go for it. Babies are remarkably adaptable -- you can teach your baby to sleep without you or with you, in your bed or his cot. The choice is yours. But you are much more likely to stick with a plan that feels right for you than one you happen to find in a book or magazine.

Every time your baby wakes during the night, you will need to repeat whatever you do to help him fall asleep for the first time each evening. If you feed him to sleep, he will need you to do the same every time he wakes up; if you leave him alone to sleep, he will expect that.

There are only two essentials for any plan:

1. Once you begin a course of action, see it through. If you decide that you are not going to rock your baby to sleep, but instead place him in his cot sleepy but awake and return to whisper reassurances to him every five or ten minutes, don't give in after 45 minutes -- you will merely have taught your baby that it is worth his while to persist for as long as possible.

2. Give your plan time to work -- at least a week or two. Each new plan that you try means that you are asking your baby to learn a whole new set of sleep habits. Old habits take time to disappear, and new ones time to become established. Don't confuse your baby by chopping and changing. Stick with your plan for at least one or two weeks.

Your baby will be soothed into sleep by a predictable and relaxing bedtime routine, and you will be more ready to say good-night once you have spent some time being close with him. He will also be more likely to sleep if you try to avoid letting him fall asleep in the late afternoon.

If your baby still does not sleep in spite of your best efforts, you may find it useful to talk to your health visitor.

Source: http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/sleep/wontsleepexpert/