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Now that your little angel has reached 7 months old. Time goes by so fast that you don’t realize your baby is now able to sit upright without your support or even her own hands. Wow, that must be an incredible feeling seeing her grow so instantly.

For parents of 7 to 9-months-old babies, what else can you find in their physical growths? Well, every baby is not the same. One may have earlier development from the others.

For example, your friend’s baby was able to start crawling when he was 8 months old, while yours could do it when she was seven and a half months.

On the other hand, the first baby started teething when he was 6 months old, whereas yours did it when she was 9 months.

So, you really need not to be anxious about your baby’s development. She will reach the stage.

What you need to pay attention to is your baby’s developmental milestone. This means she should be able to do certain things at particular ages.

It’s best for you to make some notes on your baby’s growth, such as writing all her new skills in an online diary. If you do not want to miss any of your baby’s growths, writing the journal will be very exciting.

Adding up cute photos when new things happen will also be a wonderful endeavor. Later on, you’ll thank yourself for keeping the memories online as you can see it anytime anywhere. Add up the joy by sharing the site to friends and families.

Now let’s go back to the previous topic. If you’re a first-time parent, you probably still have a little idea about your baby’s development.

Below is a milestone you can use as your guideline. If your baby isn’t on her track or doesn’t reach many of the stages mentioned here, you may consult it with your baby’s pediatrician.

Here are some of the milestones for 7 to 9-months-old baby:

1. Sitting upright without support
2. Crawling
3. Teething
4. Babbling
5. Passing things from hand to hand
6. Standing up by holding onto something
7. Waving hands
8. Clapping hands
9. Turning heads when someone calls her
10. Holding her bottles
11. Picking objects up with pincer (thumb-finger) grasp
12. Testing your responses to her behavior
13. Able to distinguish people she knows and strangers
14. Cruising while holding onto the wall or other furniture

The older your baby, the more skills she may have. If your baby is not able to do some of these things, don’t worry too much. It does not mean a problem. She’ll reach the phase in the perfect time, soon.

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A lot of time and energy goes into clothing your baby during the first year. From the color debate, to the rapid speed at which most infants outgrow their clothing, new parents have their plates full with keeping their babies clean, comfortable and clothed. So what do you do when all of a sudden, the baby doesn’t want to wear any clothes at all? How do you deal with the exhibitionist stage of your toddler?

At about fourteen months, your baby will most likely want to romp around in the buff. This is completely normal, and in fact could help a little bit with potty training. Obviously, however, it can be a bit troublesome when trying to introduce social norms, and of course when having company without children over for coffee or lunch. So how does a new parent deal with a naked toddler?

The best thing to do is not discourage this behavior entirely. Set limits about where and when your toddler can be naked and enforce them. It is tedious, but repeatedly re-dressing your toddler may be the best way to get the message across. Keep an especially close eye on your toddler in public. Not just because of the obvious, but because you don’t want to lose expensive items like shoes or jackets.

Setting a “naked time” where your child is free to roam around the house for an hour or so a day is a good way to set limits on acceptable behavior. Make sure this time is a time when you can be around to monitor them very closely and make sure that they don’t hurt their more exposed areas. Also, it’s probably best if naked time is a time when your home doesn’t see a lot of traffic. Your toddler may be comfortable with their naked time, but friends and neighbors may not be.

Use your child’s newfound freedom to encourage them to choose their own clothing. Let your toddler dress him or herself a couple of times a week as a special treat. Soon they might like to get dressed as much as they enjoy disrobing. Make getting dressed fun, and stress the importance of where and when it is okay to take off your clothes. This way your child begins to understand the important role that clothing plays in the day-to-day life of grown ups.

The most important thing to remember is not to let your discipline about clothing become about your child’s body. It is easy to make your child feel ashamed of their naked body, even if it is not intended. This kind of discomfort can go a long way in determining how your child feels about their body in the long term, right up into adulthood. Making play dates for right before or after naked time can be a good way to demonstrate for your child the difference between private time and public time, and let them begin making their own boundaries in their mind. This time in their life is a lot about exploration. So even though you’ve been there, it’s important to let them figure out some stuff on their own.

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Sep
19

Weaning From Breast Feeding

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When your baby has stopped breast feeding and gets
all of his nutrition from other sources than the
breast, he’s actually considered weaned. Even
though babies are also weaned from the bottle as
well, the term weaning often refers to when a
baby is stopped from breast feeding.

When weaning is a mother’s idea, it normally
requires a lot of patience and can take time,
depending on the age of your baby or toddler,
and also how well your child adjusts. The
overall experience is different for everyone.

Weaning is a long goodbye, sometimes emotional
and sometimes painful. It doesn’t however, signal
fo the end to the intimacy you and your child
have developed during the nursing stage. What it
means, is that you have to replace breast feeding
with other types of nourishment.

Starting weaning
Your the best judge as to when it’s the right
time to wean, and you don’t really have a
deadline unless you and your child are actually
ready to wean. The recommended time for weaning
is one year. No matter what relatives, friends,
or even complete strangers tell you, there is
no right or wrong time for weaning.

How to wean
You should proceed slowly, regardless of what
the age of your child may be. Experts say
that you shouldn’t abruptly withhold your breast,
as they results can be traumatic. You should
however, try these methods instead:
1. Skip a feeding – Skip a feeding and
see what happens, offering a cup of milk to your
baby instead. As a substitue, you can use a
bottle of your own pumped milk, formula, or a
cow’s milk. If you reduce feedings one at a
time, your child will eventually adjust to the
changes.
2. Shorten feeding time – You can start
by cutting the length of time your child is
actually at the breast. If the normal feeding
time is 5 minuts, try 3. Depending on the age,
follow the feeding with a healthy snack. Bed
time feedings are usually the hardest to wean,
as they are normally the last to go.
3. Postpone and distract – You can
postpone feedings if you are only feeding a couple
of times per day. This method works great if
you have an older child you can actually reason
with. If your child wants the breast, say that
you’ll feed later then distract him.

If you’ve tried everything and weaning doesn’t
seem to be working at all, maybe the time just
isn’t right. You can wait just a bit longer
to see what happens, as your child and you have
to determine the right time to wean together.

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Sep
12

Wearing Your Baby

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If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the parents-to-be, nothing comes close to the gift of a wearable baby. Years ago, the only way to take your baby along was in a stroller or pram, or to carry her in your arms. All that changed with the introduction of the soft baby carrier, a way to carry your baby and still leave your arms and hands free for other things.

Wearable babies are not a concept new to this culture. Native American women carried their babies on papoose boards on their backs, or tucked close against their bodies with a swath of deerskin. In many countries, babies are tucked into sling carriers – pleated lengths of cloth that tie over one shoulder and support the baby against the opposite hip. There’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that babies who are ’snugli’d’ are happier and more comfortable with being put down when it’s time to put them down.

Snugli, the name brand soft baby carrier that’s now distributed by Evenflo, brought the concept of the wearable baby back into popularity about 25 years ago. That was just about the time that my oldest daughter was born, and the idea of having her close to my heart fit so perfectly with all my beliefs about raising children that I had to have one. They weren’t easy to find at the time – and I ended up making one of my own, using a pattern that was passed from mother to mother in my La Leche League group. I can attest first-hand to the advantages of the wearable baby.

My Snugli was more than a way to carry my daughter. It was her soother. On afternoons when nothing would soothe her fussing, I’d tuck her into the Snugli where the warmth of my body and the rhythm of my movements calmed and reassured her. I learned to take advantage of the Snugli – I wore my baby while vacuuming the carpet, while walking to the store, while hiking through Purgatory Chasm. In winter, I wore her in her Snugli, cozy against my chest and simply buttoned my coat over the both of us together. When she was old enough to sit up by herself, I slipped it around to the back, and she rode it piggyback style – while her baby brother took her place in a new Snugli against my chest.

Snugli now makes a full range of soft and framed carriers for babies, to fit newborns to 18 months old. They’re available in a variety of patterns and colors, in winter weight and summer weight, and with varying degrees of padding. You can buy a Snugli at any Toys R Us, Kmart, Walmart or any one of dozens of other stores. While it might not technically be baby clothes, a Snugli is easily the most important thing your baby can wear.

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Sep
05

Transitioning From Bassinet To Crib

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If your baby has been sleeping in your room in a bassinet, you may have some concerns about moving her to her own room and her crib. But, dont worry; you will probably both sleep better once the transition is complete. Most babies are ready to move to the crib at around six to eight weeks of age, or whenever he is sleeping for longer periods during the night.

Be prepared that the crib might feel a bit large to the baby who has been accustomed to a bassinet, but the transition will be much easier when the baby is older than it would have been with a newborn. If your baby seems bothered by the size of the crib, try putting a pillow at his feet to give the illusion of a smaller space. However, if your baby is turning over on his own, or scooting about the crib, leave the pillow out, as it can be dangerous. To make the transition easier, have the baby take naps in the crib for a few weeks before you move him in there for the whole night. Ideally, have baby take naps in his crib from the very beginning, so that when you move him there permanently, the surroundings will be familiar.

If youre worried that you wont hear the baby with him in another room, use a monitor to alleviate your worries. But, what youll likely find is that you hear him when he really needs you, but you dont wake up at every little gurgle, which means better rest for both of you. Many first time moms are very fearful of sleeping through their childs cries, but it is rarely a real concern. In spite of the fact that you are likely very sleep deprived, you will hear your baby.

Finally, it is common to worry about your child feeling isolated. But, studies show that children are much more likely to be comfortable sleeping alone in their room if they begin this routine early in life. The two year old who has always slept in Mom and Dads room would definitely feel isolated when put into his own room, the two month old will not. It is probably a bigger adjustment for you than the baby.

Your baby is getting more independent, and that might be making you a bit sad, which is perfectly normal. But, there are many more days of this ahead, and each step toward independence is a sign that youre giving your child the skills he needs to develop.

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Aug
16

The Ever Anticipated Feat Of Walking

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We make such a big deal out of when a baby takes his first steps. In fact, the age at which your child took his first steps will be ingrained in your Mommy memory forever, just like your childs birth weight and time. Personally, I think walking is a bit overrated, since you cant manage to keep them out of trouble ever again once they start, but here are some things you might want to know, anyway.

For some reason, everyone seems to think that a baby should be walking by his first birthday, but the fact is that most babies dont walk until after this time. There are a few who walk as early as nine months of age, but a great many who dont take their first steps until fifteen months. And, if your child is a late walker, it has absolutely no bearing on his intelligence.

The age at which a baby walks is often genetic. Walking very early or very late often runs in the family. My husband walked at nine months, and I walked at ten months, so we were unlucky enough to have a daughter who also walked at ten months. She was very petite, so she looked like the worlds tiniest walking human. She also scaled the kitchen counters before she was a year old, so you can see what I mean by unlucky.

When your baby walks is also often related to his size. Babies with short legs usually walk sooner than those with long legs (a balance issue) and thinner babies usually walk sooner than their more plump counterparts.

Pushing your baby to walk is not a good idea, but providing him the opportunity to learn is critical. If you force your child to endure daily practice sessions, he may just rebel and refuse to walk for quite a while. On the other hand, if you keep him in swing or playpen all day, hell never have the opportunity to try out his skills. Give him some supervised time on the floor, and hell figure the rest out with or without your help.

If, by chance, your child is not walking by the age of eighteen months, it is best to have him checked out by a doctor. There is not necessarily anything wrong, but most babies are walking by this age, so have him examined as a precaution. But, dont be too eager, because once he starts walking, all the rules change. Someone, though I dont remember who, once said, – We spend the first two years of our childrens lives teaching them to walk and talk, and then the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up. Its so true.

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Im going to breastfeed, is a common refrain amongst pregnant women. But what many women dont do is to prepare for breastfeeding beforehand. They simply make the statement and then put it to the back of their minds. The next time the issue arises is often in the delivery suite when the new mum has just gone through the ordeal of childbirth.

When presented with her newborn, the new mum may be exhausted and the last thing she wants is to have anyone else poking at her. The result? All her good intentions to breastfeed become overshadowed when a bottle is produced and the exhausted mum is told that she can try to give a breastfeed later on in the day!

To stand the best chance of successfully breastfeeding, pregnant women need to prepare during their pregnancy. Successful breastfeeding results from careful planning. And the most important way to successfully breastfeed is to give the newborn baby a breastfeed within half an hour of her birth! Not later on!

Being committed to breastfeeding, but not placing too much pressure on oneself, can work wonders! If a new mum pressurises herself she is likely to end up feeling stressed and, as a result, will be more like to give up breastfeeding early. Having a new baby is stressful enough! By preparing to breastfeed whilst you are still pregnant, you will feel more relaxed about it when the baby is born.

The following will certainly aid you in your breastfeeding experience:

Join a Breastfeeding Support Group to chat to new and experienced breastfeeding mums. Ask questions about breastfeeding and enquire if you can watch some babies being offered the breast.

Observe how each baby is put on the breast.

Look at how different mums hold their babies. Getting the right position is essential to avoid early problems.

Also ask for advice about breastfeeding friendly shops and changing facilities!

Read books, magazines or online articles, to find out as much as you can about breastfeeding successfully.

Get measured for a nursing bra when you are around 38 weeks pregnant. Many baby stores now offer this service. Try a few different styles to find one that is comfortable. Also purchase a couple of night-time nursing bras.

Nursing pads are essential for absorbing leaks and avoiding embarrassing stains!

Nursing shells can be very useful on nights out, as they will catch leaks. Or you can use them during breastfeeding to collect milk from the breast not being used, storing the milk for later use.

Nipple Creams can help soothe sore nipples.

Front-opening or Nursing Nightdresses or Pyjamas can make it easier to breastfeed at night.

Loose- fitting tops can be comfortable during the day. Try layering so that your back is not exposed when you are feeding. Or use a poncho or wrap if you feel anxious about breastfeeding in front of other people.

A Breast-pump is a fantastic investment as it can be used to collect milk for bottle feeds, making up first solids or when you are away from the baby to prevent engorgement or ease mastitis. Ask other mums to recommend one they liked.

A V-shaped Cushion can make breastfeeding more comfortable as it offers good support for mums back. Or a Nursing Pillow can be used to raise the baby up to a more comfortable height for mum.

A Steriliser is a compact way to keep baby utensils and breast-pump attachments clean and sterile.
Some mums find a Gliding chair very useful, particularly for night feeds.

If you are well prepared for breastfeeding there is no reason why you should not succeed.

Breast-milk is natures diet for babies; perfectly balanced for a great start to life.

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Aug
03

Some Reasons That A Baby May Cry

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Crying is normal in the lives of babies. When a baby is born, the first thing they do is cry. With the first cry, he will experience air in his lungs for the first time. If the baby doesnt cry after delivery then crying should be initiated by slightly pinching or gently stroking the feet. A healthy baby should cry and it is a normal physiological event, even though it can upset the mother or family members.

We all know that babies can’t tell us what they need or if they are having trouble. The only way for him to communicate is for them to cry. Babies will show signs like kicking their feet, waving their hands and turning their head, but the best way for them to get some ones attention is to cry.

Excessive crying does not have an exact definition because crying habits changes from one baby to the next and some babies can be calmed easier than others. If crying is upsetting for the mother, it may be called excessive. Many times a baby will become quiet by giving him some breast milk or by carrying and gently rocking. Sudden, excessive crying means a baby is distressed and needs your attention. The cause of crying varies from simple reasons to life threatening conditions. So a crying baby should not be ignored. Most of the time it is difficult to diagnose why they are crying. Here are some common causes.

Common reasons for crying:

1 – Hunger: – A hungry baby will cry until he gets some milk.

2 – A Wet Diaper: – Urination and defecation will cause some discomfort and results in crying until their parts are cleaned and made dry.

3 Being Lonely: – The majority of Babies need somebody near them. They will cry if they are lonely. Even if their favorite toy falls from reach they will cry for help.

4 – Tired: – When the baby is tired after a journey and unable to sleep, they may just simply cry. Being in uncomfortable surroundings or in an unhealthy climate will make them feel tired.

5 Hot or Cold Conditions: – If a baby feels too hot or too cold, they will become restless and start to cry. Babies are most comfortable in a room with good ventilation.

6 – Tight Clothing: – Tight clothing in warm conditions can be intolerable for kids. The tight elastic of a dress can produce soreness and discomfort.

7 – Darkness: – When the baby wakes up they need some dim light. If there is darkness he will start crying. He will also be irritated with a strong light.

8 – Mosquito: – These creatures will disturb a babys sleep by biting them, causing them to cry.

9 – Nasal blocking: – Babies may not be able to sleep when they have a cold and will continue crying till the nasal passage is clear.
10 – Phlegm in the throat: – This also makes it difficult to breathe and results in crying.

11 – General Body aches: – General body aches with restlessness as seen in flu and stages of some infectious diseases can result in crying.

12 – Habitual cry: – Some babies cry without any real reason which can drive the parents crazy trying to figure out whats wrong. Many times a doctor will be called in for help.

13 – Nappy rash: – A tight and wet nappy kept for a long time can cause this condition.
A rash can also be due to an allergic reaction to the elastic material of the nappy. A rash causes soreness and baby will become sleepless and begin to cry.

14 – Earache: – Ear infections are very common in wet climates. The infection may spread from the throat. Ear infection can result in the rupture of the ear drum which will cause a discharge of pus. This usually gets worse at night while lying down. A child will become restless and cry. They may not allow you to touch the ear.

15 – Colic: – When a baby cries continuously, most people blame this on colic. This problem is still a topic for debate because exact cause for colic is not known and diagnosis is also difficult to confirm. Colic may be associated with rumbling and distention of the abdomen. Babies often feel better when lying on the abdomen. Some children may not allow you to touch the abdomen. If the child cries continuously a doctor, help is needed.

16 – Infections: – All infections cause some kind of pain or irritation which will make a baby cry. Infections can be anywhere in the body and usually will cause fever, redness and swelling.

17 – Reactions to certain food – Some foods produce allergic reactions. Allergies usually show signs of redness, breathlessness, gastric symptoms and continuous cry.

18 – Hard stools: – Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge to defecate and may hesitate to pass stools because of pain.

19 – Gastro esophageal reflex: – Here babies cry with spilling of food after feeding. If this continues, it may be due to gastro esophageal reflex. This is due to failure of the lower part of an esophagus to close after food causing regurgitation from the stomach. It is difficult to diagnose this condition and can be confirmed by giving anti reflex medicines.

20 – Detrition: – During Detrition children becomes restless with crying. Often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhea.

These are just some of the reasons that a baby might cry. Hopefully these tips will help in diagnosing why they are crying. If crying persists, it is recommended that you contact your doctor immediately.

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Aug
01

Refusal To Breast Feed

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Sometimes, a baby that is breast fed may suddenly
decide to refuse breast feeding. The baby will
pull away from the breast, then toss his head from
side to side. This can happen at anytime, so there
really is no way to predict it happening.

Reasons why
Refusal to feed from the breast could occur when the
baby is in pain. Normally, this can be due to an
ear infection, sore head from vacuum delivery,
thrush in the baby’s mouth, or teething.

The use of dummies, teats or nipple shields may also
contribute to refusal. Some babies actually find
it difficult to feed from the breast and bottle as
the sucking action is very different. Some become
confused, therefore it’s always best to avoid using
any type of teats or dummies.

Sometimes, the milk just takes bitter. This can
be due to antibiotics, if you starting or in the
middle of your period, or nipple creams. If the
milk tastes bitter, your baby will normally not
want to feed.

Solving the problems
First, you should always try to identify what may
have caused the breast refusal then begin to treat
the cause. Always remain patient and gentle with
your baby. Be sure to hold your baby next to you,
skin to skin, so that he can take the breast when
he wants to, so that he begins to realize that
breast feeding is both enjoyable and comfortable.

Older babies may suddenly take shorter and fewer
breast feeds, although this can be normal with
some babies. Therefore, it’s always best not to
try and make the baby feed longer, but instead let
the baby decide how often and also how long each
individual feeding will last.

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When youre pregnant, you worry about every little thing that could go wrong. Thankfully, most babies are born healthy. There are, however, some serious birth disorders that you should be aware of, in the unlikely event that your baby is affected.

Spina Bifida This is a condition where the backbone, which protects the spinal cord, does not close properly during prenatal development. This condition can range from being a minor problem, if the opening is tiny, or can cause paralysis and other serious medical issues if the opening is large, or if the spinal cord itself is protruding. The exact cause is not known, though heredity does seem to play a role. So does nutrition, particularly when the mother does not have enough folic acid in her diet. Obstetricians have begun recommending folic acid supplements for women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant, and this has lowered the rate of this disease. You will probably be tested for spina bifida during your pregnancy. Many times it can be diagnosed in utero using ultra sound. Sometimes, surgery can even be performed on the baby in utero to correct the problem.

Tay Sachs Disease This disease is caused by an enzyme deficiency. Simply put, these babies do not break down fatty deposits in the brain and nerve cells. Unfortunately, it is not usually diagnosed at birth. When the child is several months old, this buildup of fatty deposits will clog cells, causing the babys nervous system to stop working. The child will begin to regress developmentally, always resulting in death. Tay Sachs is very rare, less than one hundred cases are reported in the US each year. It is caused by genetics. Both parents must have the gene for the disease to occur. It is most common in Jewish families of Central and Eastern European descent. If your ethnic background makes this disease a risk for your child, you and your partner can be tested for the gene before you become pregnant. In addition, the disease can be diagnosed in utero via amniocentesis.

Down Syndrome- Down Syndrome is the term given to a set of symptoms that indicate some degree of mental retardation. Children with Down syndrome have a distinct set of facial features, a large tongue and a short neck. Down Syndrome varies widely in the degree of mental retardation that it causes. Some children are highly functional; others will require constant care. Down syndrome affects about one in 1300 babies in the US. It is most often caused by an extra chromosome coming from the mother or father. Down syndrome is more likely to occur when parents have already had a child with the birth disorder, and when the mother is over 35 years in age. Down syndrome can be detected via amniocentesis, which is why this test is common protocol for most pregnant women over the age of 35.

These are three of the most common birth disorders. To find out about more birth disorders, see my article in Mommy to Mommy The Truth about Taking Care of Baby, which can be found at http://www.educatedmother.com.

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