Baby First Days
Safety First1.Never leave your baby unattended at any time
2. Check that your pushchair has an integral five-point harness and that the carrycot has D-rings to enable you to attach a harness
3. Always use the brakes - even on a flat surface
4. Remove the rain cover indoors to avoid overheating and don't use it in direct sunlight
4. Don't be tempted to use your pram to carry two children unless it's designed for that purpose
5. Check that the safety lock preventing the chassis from sudden collapse is working
6. Don't hang shopping bags from the handles of your pushchair
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Touch No matter what age we are, we all need touch. Your baby will especially like you to touch and stroke her. You may discover she likes one area of her body stroked more than another -- or she might not have any preference at all. Because infants are very sensitive to touch, always use gentle, soft strokes. Your baby will also love to lie on your chest. Some parents place their infants on their chest, "skin to skin." It's not only this warm contact that helps the baby to relax, but also the natural, soothing and familiar rhythm of your heartbeat.
Stimulating your infant There are many toys and products available for parents to use to stimulate their infant and thus stimulate development. Because we're all different, parents and babies alike, what you use and what your infant enjoys may be different from what your friends do or use. But actually, the only stimulation your child really needs is you -- being there, talking to him, holding, feeding and changing him.
Development, on a roll! Keep in mind that infants develop skills from head to toe and at different rates. For instance, their eyes are not crossed as much by one to two months, they gain good head control between two to four months, learn to roll from four to six months, sit by six to eight months, crawl by eight to 11 months and, between 12 and 15 months of age, take their first steps. Whew! That's a lot of work to do in the first year. You'll be amazed at how quickly your infant grows and develops and also at how fast the first year flies by. You may want to get in the habit of taking pictures or videotaping your infant on a regular basis. It will not only be a wonderful keepsake, but also a way to see how much your baby has changed in such a short time. Babies are truly in such a short time. Babies are truly tiny, terrific and amazing little beings.
Online Parenting Resources
Product Safety - For more than 20 years, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association JPMA) has guided expectant and new parents shopping for strollers, crib, playard and other baby products. The JPMA Certification Seal ensures that a product has been built to the highest safety standards. In addition. the JPMA produces "Safe and Sound for Baby," a safety brochure which you can order onlinewww.jpma.org
Road Safety - The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers information on child safety seats, recalls, road injury prevention and other traffic safety topics
www.nhtsa.org
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Baby First beds
In the early weeks, a crib or Moses basket is ideal for your baby followed by a cot until he is around 2 ½ years old ( or until he can climb out of the cot himself )Comfort and safety are essential when considering which cot to buy - it's important to make sure that it conforms to safety standards
For easy of use, look for a cot with a convenient drop side action, preferably one that can be operated single-handedly. It's also handy to be able to adjust the height of the mattress base this is ideal when your baby is small and needs to be attended to frequently. It's also good if you're suffering from back problems following the birth
A cot bed is a larger convertible cot that adapts to become a proper bed. Although a bit pricier than a standard model, it's a good investment as will last your child for several years after he's outgrown the cot
A travel cot is worth buying if you're frequently on the move. A cot your baby is familiar with means a better night's sleep in strange surroundings - some even double as a playpen
