How Old is Your Baby Now?
Hello, friends,
Do you have a baby? How old is your baby now? Two months old? Five? Eleven?
If you are a first-time parent, I bet you must always be wondering what your baby is able to do when he/she reaches a certain age.
Check out the main article below where you can find the milestones in the first year of your baby’s development.
Also, get info about your child’s ear infection and don’t miss some great tips about expressing and storing breast milk for your beloved baby.
Have a wonderful day,
Adwina Jackson
Editor of InspiringParenting
P.S. Halve the parenting stress and double your happiness by visiting our daily-updated blog, http://www.insparenting.com, and reveal wide-open information of parenting life.
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| GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT |
Baby’s First Year – What to Expect
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” It is important to cuddle and love your child as much as possible now, as this is when mother/child bonding begins. ” |
by Adriana Copaceanu
As a new Mom, you are probably wondering about many things: how will he react to his new surroundings? when will she sleep for more than 2 hours? what can I expect in the following year? and so many other questions…..
Each baby is different. Your baby’s rate of growth, appearance, and personality, will all be unique to him or her. As you embark on this journey with your new baby, take time to enjoy their presence in your life.
Here are some of the milestones to watch for in the first year of your baby’s development:
Newborn stage
You have just brought your baby home from the hospital to his or her newly decorated nursery, and we are sure you are very excited. In these early days, your baby may have a pointy head from the delivery process, or jaundice – yellow eyes and skin tone. These things are perfectly normal, and should go away in a few days. It is important to cuddle and love your child as much as possible now, as this is when mother/child bonding begins. Breast-feeding is very important to your child’s health both now and in later years. Newborn babies often sleep 10-12 hours per day, but will wake every 4 hours or so for feeding.
From 1 – 3 Months
Babies will begin moving more, discovering their hands, and making little sounds. They will smile now, and follow the sound of your voice as you move through their room. Babies love seeing their faces in a mirror now, and the addition of a brightly colored, baby-safe mobile in their cribs will provide them with great entertainment and stimulation. Babies can now lift their heads, move them from side-to-side, and focus on objects that are 8-12 away.
From 3-6 months
This is one of the most exciting times in your baby’s growth; many changes appear in this period. At the end of the third month, your baby will be opening and closing his little hands, holding his head up with control, reaching more and more for objects, and imitating sounds. In the fourth month, he can usually sit up with some help and is probably sleeping six hours at a stretch. It will become clearer that he or she recognizes familiar faces, and will coo and show how happy he is to see you when you enter the nursery! In the fifth and sixth months, your baby will be rolling over, making two syllable sounds and drinking from a cup. You will also be introducing solid baby foods at this time. Now is the time to baby proof the house, as your baby may be crawling during this period as well.
From 6-9 months
During this high growth period, many babies say their first words. Even if they don’t yet start talking, most begin enthusiastically babbling to themselves and develop a much wider range of facial expressions at this age. He or she will have developed specific cries for specific needs now, and will react differently to different family members. Babies in the seventh and eighth months will start to feed themselves basic finger foods, and will enjoy throwing food or dropping it on the floor to see what happens! A cuddly blanket or bear may become a favorite item now, and your baby may be stressed when separated from it. Baby will now sit unsupported too.
From 9-10 months
During this month, baby will reach for toys, try to grab the spoon during feedings, and in general, become quite a bit more active. He or she will be waving goodbye to the delight of the grandparents, will be able to pick up things using opposable thumbs, and will also start to look for things that have been dropped, like favorite toys. She will also be able to move from crawling to a sitting position, and will be quite mobile!
From 11-12 months
Baby is much more curious now, and responds well to new sounds, colors and shapes. Story time is much appreciated, and he or she will enjoy cuddling on your lab while being read to. Babies now understand and can mimic simple gestures, and can say simple words. Before turning one,your baby should enjoy stacking objects, and filling and emptying containers. Short play sessions with other children are a good idea now, and can teach baby a great deal about sharing and other social skills.
Babies are a wonderful reminder of how precious life is!
Enjoy your child’s first year of life – it will go by quickly.
Adriana Copaceanu is a busy mom of 2. Visit her Busy Moms Online if you are looking for ways to maximize your precious time. And if you are a new mom, you’ll find everything you need to know at her Baby’s First Year website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Copaceanu
| TODDLERS and PRESCHOOLERS |
Your Child Gets an Ear Infection?
Do you know what an ear infection is? It is one of the most common childhood illnesses. Some children may have this problem before they reach the age of 2 or 3.
Ear infection is actually a middle ear infection, or, also known as otitis media (the inflammation of the middle ear).
How can you help your child from getting an ear infection?
- tell your child to always be clean by washing his/her hands frequently
- tell your child to stay away from persons who have colds
What are the symptoms of ear infection?
- ear pain
- fever
- unusual irritability
- hearing problem
- sleeping problem
- having fluid coming out from the ears
What should you do if your child gets an ear infection?
- wait and see for 1 or 2 days
- relieve your child’s pain by giving a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen
- if it does not recover in 2 days, it’s better to look for a medical examination
- if the cause of the infection is bacteria, the doctor may give your child an antibiotic
These tips are taken from one of the posts in our blog.
Do you have parenting tips to share with others? Simply let us know by replying this email.
| FOOD & NUTRITION |
Pumping/Expressing and Storing Breast Milk for Your Baby
Here are things you must know about pumping or expressing breast milk for your baby:
1. Wash all equipments (breast pump and milk containers) in hot soapy water, then sterilize them.
2. You can use hard-sided plastic or glass containers to store the milk. Or, find freezer milk bags designed for storing human milk.
3. Wash your hands before expressing or pumping.
4. Use a wide mouthed container if you plan to express your milk by hand.
5. If you use a breast pump, either mechanical or electric one, don’t forget to read the instructions.
6. Warm the milk by heating it under warm, running water. Gently swirl the milk to redistribute separated parts of the milk. 7. Never use a microwave to warm the milk.
Where you can store the milk: (Source: La Leche League)*
* at room temperature (66-72°F, 19-22°C) for up to 10 hours
* in a refrigerator (32-39°F, 0-4°C) for up to 8 days
* in a freezer compartment inside a refrigerator (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 2 weeks
* in a freezer compartment with a separate door (variable temperature due to the door opening frequently) for up to 3 to 4 months.
* in a separate deep freeze (0°F, -19°C) for up to 6 months or longer.
It is the best decision for a mother to give breast milk to her baby. Why?
1. Breast milk is the best nutrition for a newborn.
2. Breastfeeding creates a very special bond between mother and baby.
3. Breastfeeding is practical and economical.
However, there are moms who cannot breastfeed their babies for some reasons. How do they feel actually? Find it out here.
These tips are taken from one of the posts in our blog.
Do you have parenting tips to share with others? Simply let us know by replying this email.
| THINGS TO DO TODAY |
Give the best nutrition to your babies as soon as they are born. It is one of the best things you give them in their first moments of life.
