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Your Baby Today: Tools & Resources: Tip of the Day
From Your Baby Today
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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.
- Put the same soft doll or stuffed animal (be sure it’s not too plush) in your baby's crib while she is falling asleep so she will learn to associate this item with slumber. Once your baby does get attached to her "loveie", make sure you have duplicates ha
- Let your baby play on a firm, flat surface wearing only a diaper so she can be free from her clothes to explore her body.
- Beginning at 4 months of age, place a small pillow under your baby's tummy while she is on a rug or blanket. This will strengthen her neck and arm muscles.
- Place your baby on her back with soft jiggly socks or booties on her feet and let her play with them and try to take them off.
- Let your baby watch the family pet from a safe location (e.g., her highchair or infant seat). This will give your baby something fun to do and will help her get acquainted with another important member of the family.
- Use a tape recorder to capture the different sounds your baby makes. Play the tape for her at bedtime so she can "talk" along with it while she falls asleep.
- A few times a week, give your baby a tour of her room by holding her upright in your arms against your stomach and facing away from you. (A forward facing infant carrier works well, too.) Describe each item as you show her around.
- Keep a pencil and note pad in your baby's room so you can record any new and interesting things she’s doing. Have a camera loaded with film ready as well and try to take her picture at least once a week.
- Keep extra baby essentials (e.g., diapers, wipes, blankets, toys and food) in your car's emergency kit, so if you’re delayed for any reason you'll have enough of the basics to keep your infant happy.
- Discard all plastic dry cleaner bags because your baby can pull off pieces and choke on them.
- Buy plastic doorstops because the metal ones have rubber covers that can easily be removed by your baby and swallowed.
- Make sure all throw rugs have skid-proof backings so little crawlers won't slip on them.
- Don't let your baby sleep with dolls or stuffed animals that hold cassette tapes because if the tape unwinds it could cause strangulation.
- Install all crib attachments (e.g., mirrors) on the wall side of the crib to prevent your baby from using them to climb out.
- Keep your baby out of the bathroom when it's not in use by installing a hook-and-eye lock near the top of the door.
- If you have pets, never leave your baby unattended with them until your child is at least two years old.
- Instead of buying a wooden rocking chair for the nursery, invest in a large, soft easy chair, which are more comfortable to feed and rock your baby in. Some models come with a rocking mechanism built in.
- Turn all pots and pans inward when cooking so your baby can't grab them, or use the back burners instead.
- Don't put magnets on the refrigerator door because they can break and the small magnetic piece is a choking hazard.
- Don't use pressure gates at the top of stairs because your baby could lean against it, push it over and go tumbling.
- Instead of using traditional birth announcements, take a picture of your newborn (either by herself or with her siblings), scan it on your computer, type in all the birth information, and make copies to distribute to family and friends.
- When cleaning your baby's teeth for the first time, you may notice a tiny bit of bleeding from her gums. This is normal and should clear up after a few days. If it doesn't, call your pediatrician.
- Put an old sheet or drop cloth under your baby's car seat to catch spills and prevent damage to your car's interior.
- Before going on an overnight trip with your baby, let her nap in the port-a crib for a few days before you leave so, when you get to your destination she’ll be familiar with the crib and sleep better.
- Trade coupons for baby products that you don't use with other moms who have coupons and rebates for products that you do use.
- Avoid giving your baby juice in her bottle until she is a least a year old because she may start to prefer it over her milk or formula. When you do give her juice, it's best to put it in a cup.
- If your baby has outgrown a favorite footed outfit or pajamas, cut out the feet to give her extra leg room and then put socks on to keep her feet warm.
- Keep extra diapers, wipes, bottles, toys and blankets at "grandma's house" so when you go for a visit it won't matter if you've forgotten something because it will already be there.
- When teeth emerge, be sure to brush them each day with a baby toothbrush. Avoid fluoride-based toothpaste in kid under 2 since they tend to swallow it.
- Breastfeeding can reduce your child's chances of developing asthma or eczema.
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The content on these pages is provided as general information only and should not be substituted for the advice of your physician.
© Studio One Networks
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