Baby Activities: Ten Fun Things To Do With Your Baby

Posted by TinyTotties on 3. July 2009 10:37

Babies are a lot of work. I should know: I raised two babies. My kids are now in elementary school, and while life is certainly easier, I do miss that magical first year. Sure, I changed lots of diapers and slept very little, but I also got to cuddle with them and play with them and see myself through their adoring eyes.

There are lots of fun activities to do with your baby. These are my favorite:

1. Baby Massage. I loved massaging my babies. It’s a wonderful way to enhance the emotional bond between you and your and baby and to help your baby calm down and relax. Ask your pediatrician for details on how exactly to do it. Do remember to respect your baby’s preferences: most babies enjoy a massage, but some don’t. Other babies become easily over-stimulated so a very short massage works best for them.

2. Peekaboo. This game has been around for a long time, and that’s for a good reason: it’s fun for baby, and it also teaches him the important lesson that objects still exist, even when they’re out of sight. Playing is easy: hide your face behind your hands, then uncover your face and say, "Peekaboo!"

3. Stacking games. When baby is around six months old, she’ll love stacking objects, then knocking them down. Blocks and rings work well, as do everyday household objects such as cereal boxes. Stacking objects promotes your baby’s fine and gross motor skills and her eye-hand coordination. Knocking them down helps reinforce the concept of cause and effect.

4. Filling and dumping. Your baby can occupy himself for a long time filling objects, then dumping their content. Just take him to the local playground, have him sit in the sandbox with a shovel and a bucket, and show him what to do. He will catch on quickly. Filling and dumping helps develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

5. Slow down! When my first baby was born, I used to carry her in the baby carrier while running errands. It was a great experience, but I basically carried on with my usual hurried pace while my baby was close to me.

   When she was about six months old we hired a nanny. One summer morning we all went outside together, the nanny carrying my baby in the baby carrier. I was amazed to see my wonderful nanny walking slowly and making lots of stops along the way, allowing my baby to touch trees, smell flowers and point to interesting objects. My nanny taught me the value of slowing down and allowing baby to experience things along the way.

6. Look at picture books together. This will teach your baby that books are fun. If you name the objects you see in the book, it will also help develop his vocabulary. Older babies enjoy flipping through the pages by themselves, which also reinforces fine motor skills.

7. Dance together. Afternoons used to be long when my babies were very young. Especially winter afternoons. One of my favorite ways to handle these long afternoons was to put on some music, hold my baby in my arms and dance away. This also a great exercise!

8. Bubbles. I’m not sure what it is about bubbles that makes them so fascinating for babies, but both my babies loved bubbles. Sometimes when they were fussy I would take them outside to the yard, where we would sit on the grass and blow bubbles. Watching those bubbles was all it took for them to transform from fussy into happy babies.

9. Exercise together. Exercising with your baby means you can get back in shape while spending quality time with your baby. One great exercise: lay on the floor holding your baby above you. Slowly lift your baby up in the air, and bring her back down again. You are essentially using your baby’s weight to build muscles!

10. Just talk! Even if your baby can’t talk yet, she loves to interact. Having a conversation with your baby is so much fun: look her in the eyes, and say something. Then pause and let her respond. Remember: it will take her a few more seconds than it would take an older child to form her response. Depending on her age, she may smile or coo or make other noises. Now you can say something else. This conversation can go on for at least ten minutes, and provides your baby with an important lesson in communication.

 

Do you have a fun activity that you do with your child? Please let us know by posting a comment.

Baby's First Year: Developmental Milestones

Posted by TinyTotties on 19. June 2009 08:33

The first year of your baby’s life is nothing short of amazing. I sometimes look back at the first year of my own children, who are now in elementary school, and I realize that during that year, they completely transformed. They started out as screaming, demanding little creatures, whose entire purpose in life, so it seemed, was to eat, soil their diapers and sleep. But during that magical year, they became smiling, happy little people, who love to communicate and crave interaction and social attention.

Baby’s first year is characterized with many developmental milestones. Here, I am going to highlight the ones that were the most fun and exciting for me, as a parent, to watch.

1 Month old

By this age, your baby will prefer the human face to other shapes. He may also turn towards familiar sounds or voices. These are your first clues that the screaming bundle you brought home from the hospital is going to be a social human being some day!

2 months old

She smiles! This is probably one of the most exciting milestones. Her smile is not very focused. She smiles at anyone, not just at you, and her smile is more of a reflex than a genuine smile, but it is still exciting and heartwarming, especially after two long months of sleepless nights.

3 months old

By this age, your baby begins to develop a social smile. His smile is no longer just a random reflex. He actually smiles at familiar faces. Another very cute milestone typical for this age: you will see your baby “exercise” by kicking his legs energetically.

4 months old

Your baby is becoming more and more fun to be around. He’s not limited to lying down anymore: he can roll over, and sit with support. He also babbles and makes new and changing noises. By this age, he can sleep for stretches of six hours, which makes your life much easier, especially compared with the 1-2 hour stretches of the first few weeks.

5 months old

It’s great fun to watch your baby as she experiments with the principle of cause and effect. One morning, when she shakes her rattle, it makes a noise. This is interesting! Now she shakes it again, on purpose, delighted with her ability to produce such an interesting sound. What else can she make happen?

6 months old

Your baby is curious and active. When you hold him in your arms, he’s probably not leaning against your body anymore, unless he’s tired. He’d much rather look around, reach and grab interesting objects.

7 months old

Playing peekaboo with your baby is one of the highlights of this age. But no worries: if you’re too busy to play, your baby will happily play all by himself. I once caught my baby placing a towel over her face, then removing it. She did it several times, obviously experimenting with the concept of “peekaboo.”

8 months old

Your baby has a will of her own, and she now has ways of showing it. A baby this age will turn her head away when she’s not hungry anymore. Trying to get one more spoon into her? Good luck with that. When she’s full, she stops eating. Don’t you wish you were like that?

9 months old

His fine motor skills are improving fast – he can now pick up tiny objects using his fingers. During mealtime, he’s even more independent than before. He’d much rather feed himself, and often tries to grab the spoon when you feed him.

10 months old

What a relief. As your baby begins to understand the concept of object permanence, your trips to the bathroom are no longer causing hysteria. Your baby finally understands that even if he can’t see you, you still exist. In the past, he believed that when you went out of sight, you completely disappeared, never to return again.

11 months old

She’s almost not a baby anymore. Very soon she’ll be a toddler. Indeed, she now understands the concept of ‘no’; claps her hands; waves bye-bye; and calls "mama" and "dada." Independence is very important to her now: my daughter used to brush her own hair, using the wrong side of the brush. She also used to make frequent attempts at getting dressed by herself. None of her attempts were successful, but she always kept trying.

12 months old

Congratulations! You’ve survived the first year. But you must admit: all those sleepless nights were worth it. Your child is more fun to be with than he ever was before. He smiles, laughs, and communicates, even though he doesn’t really talk yet. Perhaps he can walk, or maybe he still needs your help walking. He can identify himself in a mirror and loves to see his own reflection. He also loves putting objects into containers and then taking them out and can occupy himself doing that for long stretches of time.

Happy birthday!

Baby Gear: Twelve Essential Items To Buy Before Baby Arrives

Posted by TinyTotties on 2. June 2009 10:18

One of the most overwhelming aspects of preparing for the arrival of a new baby is the seemingly endless list of stuff you’re supposed to buy. Of course, getting the nursery ready is great fun. But when the list of things to buy seems to grow longer by the minute, preparation for baby can make even the most organized parents feel a bit out of control, especially during rough financial times, when people are trying to avoid buying unnecessary items.

This list of twelve essential baby items will help you focus on what’s really important. These items need to be there before baby gets home, or in the case of a car seat – before baby leaves the hospital. There’s a lot to buy beyond this list, of course, and I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of the wonderfully creative process of buying nursery accessories that will transform it into a beautiful and welcoming place for your new baby. But here, I’d like to focus on the essentials.

1. Car Seat. You won’t be able to leave the hospital without it, so this should be the first item on your list. For information on car seat safety, consult the American Academy of Pediatrics Car Safety Guide for Parents.

2. Crib. When choosing a crib, make sure it meets the latest safety standards and especially that there are no more than 2 3/8 inches between the slats.

3. Crib Mattress and a Mattress pad. Choose a mattress that has good back support and is not too soft. Squeeze the mattress at the edges and center to make sure it’s firm. It’s a good idea to protect the mattress with a waterproof mattress pad.

4. Crib bedding and a baby blanket. You will need a minimum of 2 fitted crib sheets and 2 blankets.

5. Layette. The basic newborn wardrobe should include six cotton onesies, or bodysuits. Buy just two in 0-3 month size, and four or five in 3-6 month size. Your baby will probably grow out of the smallest size after the first month. Get long-sleeved onesies if it’s winter, and short-sleeved onesies if it’s summer. You’ll also need six pairs of cotton pants with an elastic waist; six pairs of cotton socks; three receiving blankets; a sweater and a hat; and at least 12 burp cloths to protect your own clothes (an old T-shirt is fine). 

6. Diapers and diapering supplies. You will probably need around 70 disposable diapers per week for the first six weeks, then 50 per week; alcohol-and-fragrance-free wipes; a diaper rash ointment; and a diaper pail for soiled diapers.

7. Bathing supplies. A baby tub is convenient, but not absolutely necessary. We used the sink when our babies were tiny. You do need gentle baby soap; a tearless shampoo; washcloths and bath towels; and rounded-tip nail scissors.

8. Diaper bag. A roomy, well-stocked diaper bag is not a luxury: it’s a necessity. It’s good to have one ready so that you can just grab it whenever you leave the house with baby. A well-stocked diaper bag should include a few diapers, wipes, a diaper rash ointment, a towel or pad for diaper changes, a few ziploc bags for soiled diapers and dirty clothes, a change of clothes for baby, bottles and formula if you’re bottle-feeding, and Baby Tylenol.

9. A baby carrier or sling is great because it keeps your baby close to you while freeing your hands. I found that my babies were a lot happier during the first few months in a baby carrier. Later on they learned to like the stroller – but not before the age of nine months. Of course, each baby is different.

10. A stroller. Choose a model that’s lightweight yet stable and can be folded easily. I see lots of fancy strollers out there that may be all the rage fashion-wise, but to me they look heavy and impractical.

11. Feeding supplies. If you’re breastfeeding, you should buy a breast pump and a couple of bottles in case you need to be away from your baby for a few hours; if you’re bottle-feeding, you’ll need 12 bottles, bottle nipples and covers, and baby formula.

12. Basic medical supplies. Thermometer - a digital thermometer that you can place under your baby's armpit is easy to use; Baby Tylenol; rubbing alcohol to wipe around base of umbilical cord; infant sunscreen for babies over 6 months. You will also need a bulb syringe nasal aspirator to suction excess mucus from baby's nose  (this is just as fun as it sounds!), but you typically get that at the hospital.

Obviously, there are many more items that are not essential but are nice to have, such as a baby monitor, a baby swing, and a rocking chair. This list is a great way to make sure you have all the essentials. Once you have those, you can add from the “nice to have” items as your budget allows.

When should you transition your child from a crib to a toddler bed?

Posted by TinyTotties on 21. March 2009 18:38

Most parents ask themselves this question sooner or later. I know I did. Unlike other milestones such as “when should I introduce solid food,” there really is no set time for when you should move your child to a toddler bed. However, most children make the transition sometime between the ages of 1½ and 3.

The best strategy: watch your child and determine if she’s ready to make the transition. For my husband and me, it was easy enough to identify the right time with both our kids. We transitioned our firstborn to a toddler bed a couple of months before her sister arrived. She was almost two years old, and the transition went smoothly. Experts suggest to make this transition at least 2 months before the new baby arrives, to allow the toddler plenty of time to adjust to the new bed and prevent feelings of jealousy over the baby taking over “her” crib.

With our second child, we thought there was no rush since we knew she would be our last child, but she had plans of her own. She started climbing out of the crib when she was just 1½! She would climb to the top of the rails, look down, then simply let her little body slide to the (thankfully carpeted) floor. Lowering the crib mattress to the very lowest position bought us a couple of months, but eventually we gave up and moved her to a toddler bed.

Although there are no set rules, once your toddler is around 3, you should definitely consider making the transition, since at that age he could be too big for a crib. In addition, if he’s potty trained, a crib will make it harder for him to use the bathroom at night.

Once you decide to go ahead, you may be in for a fight. This depends, of course, on your child’s personality. It also depends on whether she is your firstborn. While younger siblings often look forward to being just like their older siblings and moving to a “big-kid bed,” firstborns tend to become attached to their crib, especially if they sense that they are being pushed out of it in order to accommodate a new baby.

To help your child adjust to his new bed, try to make the new bed look as much as possible like your child’s old crib. It’s a good idea to place the new bed in the same spot his crib used to be. Making a big deal out of his “being a big boy” that is moving to a “big boy bed” might help, but with some kids it could actually backfire because they don’t want to be big – they desperately want to hold on to being your baby.

A small toddler bed might seem friendlier than a “big” twin bed. It’s also helpful to purchase bedding sets that are as similar as possible to his old crib bedding sets.

Purchasing JoJo Designs bedding sets will make your life easy because the company offers crib bedding sets, toddler bedding sets, and children’s bedding sets (available in twin and queen sizes) – many of them in the same designs.

The Pink Zebra Bedding Set for girls is my favorite example, because in addition to being simply gorgeous, it is identical to the pink zebra crib bedding set, which can make the transition so much easier on your little girl.

Purchasing twin or queen designs that are similar to your crib bedding sets also mean you can use the same accessories you already have, such as a lamp or a hamper.

Another beautiful style for little girls is the Pink & Chocolate Mod Dots Bedding Set. For just $89.99, you get a comforter, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, a pillow sham, and a pillowcase. The style is very clean and ultra-modern, yet has a wonderful appeal for little girls.

For your little boy who is ready to move to a big-kid bed, try the All Star Bedding Set. It’s a fun, clean design, and again, if your child used the same design in his crib, the transition would be so much easier on him. Another great design for little boys is the Wild West Bedding Set. This design is especially fun, because it features exclusive western-themed prints such as a cowboy, a red bandanna, horseshoes and sheriff stars.

No matter what bedding you choose, just remember to be patient with your little one. It’s a big change in their world, and before you know it you’ll be wishing you could go back to the days when they were small enough to sleep in a crib.

Help Your Baby Get a Comfortable Night’s Sleep with JoJo Designs Crib Bedding

Posted by TinyTotties on 6. March 2009 18:20

Once you start looking for crib bedding sets for your child, you’ll find out there’s a huge variety out there. There’s something for everyone, from the very cheap and basic styles to elaborate and insanely expensive designs. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, looking for safe, comfortable, practical bedding sets that are reasonably priced yet offer a design that would complement the nursery and help us create a unique look.

A good bedding set is one of the most important purchases you will be making before your baby arrives. Not only will your baby spend many hours sleeping and playing on the bedding set, but as far as the nursery’s decor goes, the crib tends to take center stage in most nurseries, and so the choice of bedding needs to be aesthetically pleasing as well.

In addition to everything else, crib bedding sets must be highly durable, since they will need to withstand many sessions in the washer and dryer.

So how exactly do you find these bedding sets? The ones that are not too expensive, yet offer beauty, durability and practicality?

JoJo Designs is your best bet when looking for that winning combination of quality and price. When I found out the company was founded and is operated by women, I wasn’t surprised at all. It made a lot of sense to me that a company who truly understands the needs of modern moms and who offers such a wonderful line of products is run by women.

The basic philosophy behind JoJo Designs, which has been in existence for almost 10 years now, is that everyone should have a selection of fun, playful, and affordable bedding designs to choose from without having to sacrifice sophistication or simplicity. Indeed, their designs are absolutely gorgeous, without ever becoming overly cutesy or kitsch-y.

The Zebra crib bedding set for baby girls is a great example – it is pretty and girly yet sophisticated and unique. At $149.99 for a 9-piece set, you’re getting a true bargain. For baby boys, a classic example of JoJo design’s simple sophistication is the Argyle Check crib bedding set.

JoJo Design’s crib bedding sets are not just perfect for parents. Kids love them too. The Little Ladybug crib bedding set, for example, is not only eye pleasing for adults, but will also provide your child with hours of fun and entertainment.

All of JoJo Design’s crib bedding ensembles come as complete 9 piece sets, the largest offered by any manufacturer. In addition to a fitted crib sheet, you’ll receive a crib comforter, a crib bumper, a crib skirt, a diaper stacker, a toy bag, a decorative pillow and 2 window valances. You can also purchase additional accessories, such as a crib mobile, separately. Having all these accessories in the same design means that decorating the nursery is effortless and there are absolutely no worries of color and designs clashing.

Many of JoJo Designs’ products are offered not only in Crib, but also in Toddler, Twin, and Full/Queen sizes. This will come in handy if you have more than one child in the same room, or if your child becomes attached to one of the designs.

If you are one of those parents who are looking for the very best in crib bedding sets, and who insist on combining high quality with great prices, JoJo Designs is the best choice for you.

New Baby Essentials Checklist

Posted by barry.jones on 15. January 2009 17:15

Have a new baby on the way? Then you need our New Baby Essentials Checklist.

With all of the things you'll need for your new addition to the family, it's easy to forget some of the most basic essentials. So we've taken the time to create a list of the basic items you'll need when your little one arrives.

You can check out our New Baby Essentials Checklist by clicking on this link. You can also print out the checklist and take it with you on your next shopping trip.

You'll find most of the items on the New Baby Essential Checklist for sale on our website at http://www.tinytotties.com.

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!