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.

• When your baby is sick and taking prescribed antibiotics be on the look out for diaper rash. These drugs encourage the growth of yeast organisms that can infect the skin, making her more susceptible to a rash.
• If you aren't sure about the effectiveness of a cloth diapering service, try it for a least one month after your baby is born. If after that time, your baby has developed a rash or it's too messy then you can switch to disposables.
• Most newborns cry a total of 1 to 4 hours a day as they become accustomed to life outside the womb. If you expect some fussing, it can make it easier to deal with.
• If you can, breastfeed your baby within the first hour or so after birth because she will be most alert, eager to eat, and it will be easier for her to latch onto your nipple.
• Every once in awhile, set up your video camera on a shelf or table in your baby's room to record her daily activities. This way you too can be involved in the action.
• As you change your baby's diaper, gently kiss her tummy, toes and fingers. This gentle stimulation helps her develop an early awareness of her body parts.
• At 10 months of age you can give your baby old magazines for her to look at and tear the pages out of. Be sure to watch her carefully so she doesn't put any pieces of paper into her mouth.
• Fill an empty shoe box with a variety of small toys for your crawler to play with. Bring this "special" box of toys out only on certain occasions when you need a little quiet time - either to talk on the phone or finish fixing dinner. The novelty of these
• Use empty, plastic butter tubs as boats for your baby's bath. Place different toys inside the "boats" for her to look at and try to get.
• Bring your baby's automatic infant swing outside in the yard or on the deck so she can enjoy "swinging" in the warmer weather.
• 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.