BEST BEGINNINGS START WITHIN
SIDS- TIPS TO PREVENT THE UNTHINKABLE!
SIDS is a scary topic for most new parents. The good news is SIDS has declined since the “Back to Sleep” campaign by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1992. SIDS is most common in infants 28 days-4 months old. Luckily, as babies get older their motor skills develop, cardio-pulmonary and autonomic nervous systems mature, and their risk of SIDS decreases exponentially. Until then, mamas know your baby’s risk factors and some easy ways to lessen the chances.
BABY SIGN LANGUAGE: “I SEE what you are saying!”
Language is both verbal and non-verbal, making sign language a perfect way to build your babies’ early communication skills. Baby sign language is not just for children who are deaf or have hearing challenges. Communication is powerful and research has proven sign language does not inhibit spoken language development, quite the opposite. According to research, using sign language may increase language and cognition, even in hearing infants, as young as 4-6 months old.
WHY SHOULD BABIES CRAWL BEFORE THEY WALK?
If walking is the end game, why should my baby crawl first? Crawling helps promote positive motor, sensory & neurological development. From eyes to hands, and the ever-important core, crawling it truly baby’s first total body workout.
CONTAINER BABIES: Bouncy Seats, Standers & Swings Oh My!
Containers may be convenient, but only good in moderation and at the right stage in development. A good moto is less is more. The more time your baby spends on the floor exploring their environment the better it is for their gross and fine motor development, vision development and foundational muscle balance for speech development.
PACIFIERS: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY
To use a pacifier or to skip the pacifier? is an ongoing question and debate among moms.
There are many benefits to non-nutritive suck, including decreasing SIDS risk and better self-regulation, among others. Using a pacifier beyond a year may increase your baby’s risk of future orthodontic issues and may impact their language development. In the end it is a personal decision, however the more information you have the better equipped you are to make the decision that is right for you and your little one.
EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD MASSAGE, INCLUDING YOUR BABY!
Infant massage is an easy way to help you and your baby become healthier and happier. It is an inexpensive and valuable activity, and it does not take long to start seeing the rewards. Remember infant massage is supposed to be fun and relaxing, so don’t stress if it is wiggly work in progress.