Your Baby Today: Tools & Resources: Tip of the Day

Below is a list of tips that have appeared on Your Baby Today home page since the program began. Tips are updated on this page on a weekly basis.

• Never put solid foods (e.g., cereal) in your baby's bottle because it adds unnecessary calories and may pose a choking hazard.
• To make sure your sick baby is getting enough fluids to keep her hydrated, check for at least five to six wet diapers a day. Call your doctor if she doesn't wet a diaper for 8 hours.
• When talking to your baby, give her a chance to respond to your questions and comments even if it's just a coo, gurgle or squeal of delight. This teaches her how to have a conversation.
• Offer only one new food every three to five days to your baby. This way, if there’s an allergic reaction to the food you’ll see it right away.
• Place pillows around your baby when she's first learning to sit up. This way if she topples over, the pillows will be there to break her fall.
• When vacationing at the beach with your baby, fill a small inflatable pool with warm water so she can play under an umbrella, safe from the sun.
• Schedule long car trips around your baby's nap schedule so she'll be rested and refreshed when you arrive at your destination.
• Put a few layers of crib sheets and waterproof pads on your baby's crib for quick changes and cleanups.
• Trim your baby's bangs in the bath while her hair is wet and easy to hold and she is distracted by her toys.
• Rotate your baby's favorite toys with those of friends' babies who are about the same age. This way your baby will get to enjoy new toys without you having to buy more.
• For a more pleasant dining experience, order your food right before you are leaving for the restaurant. This way when you arrive, your baby won't get antsy having to be seated for too long.
• Before you put sunscreen on your baby, rub it into your hands first then apply it to her skin. Use a stick sunscreen for her face for easier control around her nose, mouth and eyes.
• Record yourself speaking or singing to your baby so the next time you have to leave her she'll have your voice to calm her if she gets fussy.
• To help you express milk at work, bring a tape recorder with your baby's voice on it. This will stimulate your let-down reflex and make it easier for you to pump more milk.
• Leave colorful, soft books on the lowest shelf of your bookcase for your crawler to find and "read" on her own.
• To comfort a fussy baby while clothing her, play peekaboo with her body parts as they're being covered to keep her amused.
• To help your baby sleep at night, give her a warm, soothing bath just before bedtime.
• Got a picky eater on your hands? Sneak some nutritious foods in on a piece of bread spread with mashed banana, whipped cream cheese, or pureed apple and cinnamon.
• Set your hot water heater no higher that 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid burns from the water faucet.
• To find a babysitter, call your local high school's guidance counselor's office for a list of juniors and seniors who are interested in part time babysitting positions.
• To check the safety of an object or toy, use an empty toilet paper roll. If the toy goes through the opening, then it is too small for your baby and could pose a choking hazard.
• Don't put too many large toys in the playpen with an older baby who can pull herself up. She might use these to climb out.
• As an alternative to regular children’s videos, show your baby a video of a recent family function. She'll have fun looking at all the familiar faces, including her own!
• When playing with your baby, never throw or shake her too roughly so that her head snaps back and forth. Instead, gently roll around on a rug or blanket and play peekaboo or tickle games.
• To get dirt or any other small object out of your baby's mouth, squeeze her cheeks with the thumb and forefinger of one hand to open it, and then scoop the object out with a hooked finger.
• Limit your crawler to one or two rooms of the house (e.g., her bedroom and the den) where you know she can explore safely.
• To prevent staining your baby's teeth from her liquid vitamin, brush or wipe them clean right after giving the supplement.
• Don't let your baby snack on crackers or other bread products all day. These can fill her up, making her less interested in more nutritious foods at mealtimes.
• Shop at local consignment shops for items like baby's playclothes, booster seats and toys.
• If your baby suffers from reflux, avoid all juices, which are acidic and only make the condition worse.