“Every milestone — from when your baby first holds up her sweet little head to when she speaks her first word — is thrilling. These moments aren’t just exciting and fun; they’re also markers that can clue you in to your baby’s development. Most parents already know to look for the much-lauded ones, like rolling over and walking. But of the multitude of milestones cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics, some are considered more significant. Here, 10 milestones that are worth paying a little extra attention to during your child’s first two years:”

1. Eye Contact
2.Social Smile
3.Cooing
4.Babbling
5.Reaching and Grabbing
6.Pulling up
7.Pincer Grasp
8.Gesturing
9.First Word
10.Pretend Play

See the full article for explanations and timeframes
Click here to read the full article at CNN.com

Sheryl’s comment:
While it can be useful and fun to watch your baby hit the “milestones” please keep in mind that all babies develop differently and if you spend your time tracking a chart then you may stress needlessly because your child’s timeline does not match “the norm”. In addition, if you are stressing about timelines you are not enjoying your child grow up which is what natural and instinctive parenting is all about!

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“The idea of co-sleeping or having a family bed isn’t new. For much of human history, babies and children slept with their mothers or perhaps with both parents.

Today, co-sleeping has seen a resurgence in popularity, party because working moms want to spend more time with their children and see sharing a bed as a way to bond with their babies.”

Cosleeping is absolutely wonderful. I do not think there is any question in any baby’s mind whether or not they would prefer to sleep with their parents or sleep alone. It adds to their confidence and sense of security when they are safely nestled in the arms of their parents.

The younger the child, the stronger I feel that they should sleep with their parents. I do not think there is anything more unnatural than isolating a sleeping fragile newborn. When your newborn is safely in your arms then the risk of SIDS is dramatically reduced, the risk of not being able to get to your baby in a fire, or even the remote risk of kidnapping is pretty much eliminated.

In addition, the convenience of not having to get up to feed your baby is worth is weight in gold. Even if you are not breastfeeding you can make up for some of the physical contact lost through co-sleeping. If you are breastfeeding then cosleeping is a no brainer.

Cosleeping is a joy. It is so wonderful to wake up with the light of your life. It is so wonderful to have the extra opportunities to kiss them on the head. I do not think anyone ever looked back on their life and felt they spent too much time with their children in their arms.

Basic rules for safe cosleeping

• Do not cosleep if you have been drinking or on drugs
• Do not cosleep if you are severely overtired
• Minimize excess bedding and pillows (suffocation hazards)
• Reduce the chances of rolloffs with a bedrail or place your mattress on the floor
• Do not allow others to cosleep with your infant (such as babysitters or grandparents)

Click the following links to learn more about cosleeping
www.naturalchild.org
Cosleeping & SIDS fact sheet
Benefits of cosleeping

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Would you like to learn simple ways to bond with your baby and form a loving, nurturing attachment to your baby? Others may tell you that you are spoiling your baby or forming an “attached at the hip” relationship that will forever harm your baby.

Be reassured that if you practice the tips presented in this article with love balanced out with your own needs for rest, adult contact and intellectual stimulation, your child will definitely not grow to be forever attached to your hip.

Instead, he or she will grow to be an independent and secure adult, which is at the core of exactly what you as a parent have the responsibility of forming in your child.

These first years of life are when this foundation is laid. A strong, healthy attachment is the key to rearing a secure and independent adult.

As a parent or caregiver you have a lot of things to get done in a 24 hour period of time. There is laundry to do, meals to cook, errands to run and if you care for or have other children, their individual needs must be attended to as well.

Tips for forming a closer bond with your baby:

* Read and talk to your baby, especially if it is just you and your baby together for the majority of the time. Reading and talking to your baby helps your baby to understand and trust you. Good early books are picture books with one word descriptions of everyday objects on each page or books with short rhyming patterns.

* Avoid a non-stop chatter for your baby all day long; this can cause your baby to become over-stimulated and tune you out.

* Make reading times routine: Your baby will learn when it is time to listen.

* Play lap games with your baby: Peek-a-boo and patty cake help children develop fine motor skills and object permanence. More important, they provide times of closeness for you and your child.

* Massage your baby: Especially good for babies who get worked up quickly and have a hard time calming down, and for babies who are not able to self-soothe. Don’t wait until he or she is fussy to give a massage. Massage your baby before and after a bath and during diaper changes. Infant massage is an important way to build attachment and soothe fussiness.

* Look at your baby while you are feeding him: This promotes attachment, but it also helps him or her to develop his own sense of identity. When you look into his eyes during a feeding, there is prolonged, intimate contact combined with warmth of being nestled in your arms. Change sides and you give baby a different view of you and help him or her to develop both sides of his brain and body. Of special note here, I observed a very young girl feeding her baby in this very manner, and I thought how beautiful the two of them appeared during those moments of feeding times, and how content they both appeared. Not only does your baby benefit from this close interaction during feeding times, but you will benefit as well.

* Kiss your baby: Kissing is an intimate activity that signals affection toward your baby and helps promote attachment. A kiss from “mommy” can often cure a whole realm of ailments and boo-boos in a baby’s life.

* Talk to your baby when you are out of sight: Often babies become frightened when they realize a parent or caregiver has left the room. This can become frustrating if it happens every time you need to leave the room to answer the phone or to use the bathroom. Start early and you can help alleviate this fear. As you leave the room, talk to your baby about what you are doing or where you are going. Just hearing your voice is reassuring to baby that you are not far away.

* Be there when your baby wakes up: If possible, and you know your child always wakes from a nap at a certain time, make it a habit to occasionally be nearby when he or she wakes up, ready to give a hug and kiss.

Practicing these few simple tips should help you form a closer attachment to your baby that will help to lay the foundation for him or her to grow into the secure, independent adult you desire.

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

Connie Limon. Visit us at http://babiesandtoddlers1.com About Babies and Toddlers is a collection of articles available for information, education and FREE reprints to your newsletter, website or blog.

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Incorrect Breastfeeding Advice Results In Fussy, Uncomfortable Babies
This past month, I have had quite a few frantic calls from stressed out moms who have fussy babies and are hoping that The Calm Baby Cookbook could help. After a short conversation, their problem was easily diagnosed over the phone. These women were experiencing problems with breastfeeding because of well meaning, but totally incorrect advice from prenatal instructors and support people in their lives.

The problematic advice is one that many of us have heard already. “You must feed the baby for 10 minutes on one side and then switch to the other side and feed for another 10 minutes.” This advice is absolutely incorrect and contributes to so many breastfeeding problems for new moms. The result is a gassy, fussy baby who cannot be easily comforted. The underlying problem is what is called a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance.

Many people (health care practitioners and prenatal instructors included!) do not know that breastmilk changes throughout the breastfeeding session. For the first part of a feed, breastmilk contains more water and more sugar. It rehydrates the baby quickly and helps to fill the baby’s stomach. Towards the end of a feed, breastmilk changes to contain more fat. The fatty part of the milk is very important as it helps a baby to digest breastmilk more easily and it helps a baby to feel full and satisfied at the end of the feed. The fatty part of breastmilk offers so many benefits to a baby: it contributes to nerve and brain development, it acts as a laxative and so much more.

If a woman switches sides before the baby is able to get the hindmilk, the result is a fussy, gassy baby who has green, explosive, frothy stools. This baby has lots of cramping and is so uncomfortable that she cries soon after a feed and cannot be consoled. The closest way for an adult to understand this discomfort is that it mimics quite well the feelings of lactose intolerance.

A baby who is able to feed on one side until the breast completely drains will usually fall asleep at the end of the feed and will slide off the breast, full and completely satisfied. It can be quite difficult to wake a baby after she is able to get her hindmilk from the feeding session and most babies are simply put to bed. Getting to the hindmilk is like having rich cheesecake at the end of a good meal. You feel relaxed and ready to go to bed. The same is for a baby after a good feed off of one breast.

If you have been breastfeeding your baby and switching breasts often, you can certainly change the way that you feed your baby so that she can get the hindmilk. It will take a few days (possibly up to a week) for your breasts to become used to this new feeding pattern, so you’ll need to be patient. Breastmilk is produced from direct stimulation to nerve endings in your areola as your baby feeds. Because your breasts are being stimulated with each feed, they are accustomed to making lots of milk (possibly too much milk).

If your breasts are making lots and lots of milk, you will need to feed on one breast for many complete feeds to help your baby get a good feed on your hindmilk (anywhere from 2 to 5 feeds). Your breast should be soft at the end of the feed. If it still feels full, have the baby feed on that breast again. As you are feeding from the same breast often, the unused breast will become full of milk. Simply pump the side that is full FOR COMFORT ONLY: just enough so that you can feel comfortable without draining the breast. Again, breast milk is produced from direct sucking at the breast, whether from your baby or a breast pump. If you completely drain the second breast by pumping, you will make too much milk and it will be harder for your baby to get to the hindmilk. Your breasts will not be able to adapt to this new method of breastfeeding, and you will continue to have feeding difficulties.

Once the first breast has been drained, start with the second breast. You may have to feed for quite a few (2-5) complete feedings on the second side as well until the baby can drain the breast and it feels soft at the end of the feed. You may need to pump the first breast for comfort as well. Eventually, you will have one breast ready for a feed, the baby will be able to drain it completely, and fall off the breast fast asleep, full and completely satisfied.

Once your milk starts to regulate, you’ll notice that: * The breast that feeds the baby will be soft at the end of the feed. * Your second breast will be slightly full and preparing itself for the next feed. * Your baby will be satisfied at the end of the feed. She will start to sleep better - deeper and longer.

If you and your baby are experiencing a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance, relax and know that this can be remedied easily over time. Many medical professionals who do not know or understand what a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance is, will tell you that “you are not producing good milk” or that “you are not producing the right kind of milk” or that “your baby is allergic to your milk.” And then they will ask you to feed your baby a hypo-allergenic formula “to let everything settle down.” Most women give up on breastfeeding at that point, especially since they have just been told that their body is incapable of feeding their child.

I am constantly amazed at how quick some professionals are to dismiss a woman’s body as being inferior instead of recognizing that she has been given incorrect information on how to feed her child. Please know that many health care professionals or prenatal instructors do not understand breastfeeding or how it works and that you cannot assume that they do. Ask them about their breastfeeding training and experience. If they have not taken courses in breastfeeding, they are not qualified to offer advice or help you with your problems. Medical doctors are not taught about breastfeeding, or if they are, it is for 2 hours at some point in their school curriculum.

If you need help, see a lactation consultant as soon as you are having problems with your latch. You can also contact someone in La Leche League - an organization of breastfeeding mothers who are more than willing to help you with your breastfeeding difficulties as they are personally experienced in feeding their own children. (You can find them listed in your local white pages or you can visit www.lalecheleague.org to find help close to you.) The La Leche League has a wonderful book called The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. You will find it in any bookstore. You can also contact your local midwife; she will know of qualified people in your community who can help.

After your breastmilk regulates, if your baby is still fussy, especially between 5:30 and 11:30 at night, you may want to look at the foods that you are eating. Some foods that breastfeeding mother eat can irritate a baby’s digestive system and cause fussiness and crying. You can find out more by visiting drmelaniebee.org

Dr. Melanie Beingessner is a chiropractor, a breastfeeding counselor, a certified infant massage instructor and the mother of three fabulous kids. She is the author of The Calm Baby Cookbook, written to help breastfeeding moms calm their fussy babies by changing their diets. Her website offers information on pregnancy and breastfeeding and can be found at www.drmelaniebee.org

Img Source: http://flickr.com/photos/kentandlaura/2512915954/

by Douglas Titchmarsh

Just after my daughter began to speak, I heard a radio program, and one of the contestants on the shows daily quiz was talking about her interests, one of which was learning baby sign language. As my own child was already talking, I didn’t take too much notice, but it must have struck a chord somewhere because when someone else mentioned it a few weeks later, I related what the woman on the radio had said about using baby sign language with her children.

I took a bit of an interest in baby sign language after that, and looked it up on the internet. I found out Baby signing isn’t just a new age fad with no scientific basis, but there has in fact been a number of studies with very conclusive positive results for both parents and their children. It would appear that there is a lot of research on the subject, and most of it points to very positive benefits of using baby sign language from an early age.

So what is baby sign language all about then?

Baby signing is all about communicating with young babies before they develop speech, using sign language similar to that used by people with hearing difficulties. Children develop communication skills long before they can speak, and visual communication allows them to start telling parents what they need, or want. Much of the research has shown that using baby sign language makes for an easier life for parents and babies, because the infant doesn’t get so frustrated when trying to get what they need, by using a sign they can ask for food, hugs, or let someone know when they have a soiled nappy without resorting to crying.

Are there any downsides to using baby sign language?

Some people have voiced concerns that an infant using signing to communicate may develop speech at a slower rate than a child who doesn’t use sign language. In various research, it has been proven that the opposite is true, the children using baby sign language develop better communication skills, and in many cases appear to start speaking earlier than their non signing counterparts. It has also been noted in many studies that the children using sign language actually seem to respond better in academic learning as they grow older.

What are the benefits of using baby sign language?

Imagine being able to look around, see, hear, and think, but being unable to communicate what you are seeing. Can you see how frustrating it would be? Babies have very fast developing brains, and one of the last things to develop is the power of speech. They are sitting around taking in a lot of information, and having a lot of things happen with no way to express their needs, wants, and feelings. This has a positive effect for babies and their parents as they can now understand each other a bit easier, baby isn’t crying for milk and getting a nappy change, and mommy or daddy isn’t getting worn down by the screams of an unhappy child.

Baby signing doesn’t have a huge vocabulary of signs to learn, but allows some basic communication between adults and babies. There are signs for “food”, “milk”, “more”, and a few others for feelings such as “sad” and “happy”. There’s sufficient signs to make it useful, but not to make it difficult to get started. There’s nothing to lose but a lot to gain by using baby sign language with your child, so why not give it a try today?

Douglas Titchmarsh offers resources for those interested in communicating with their baby using sign language at Baby Sign Language Resources and invites you to join the discussions about baby signing

Img Source: http://flickr.com/photos/darwinbell/23396213/

Interestingly, there has been ongoing controversy in the anti-vaccine community about the connection between vaccines and increased seratonin levels in children. This controversy has primarily centered around the vaccine/autism connection because autistic children also have high levels of seratonin just like SIDS victims. SomeStudies have shown vaccines to cause a spike in seratonin levels within 12 hours after receiving certain vaccines.

This information should be enough for reasonable doubt as to the safety of infant vaccines and is an excellent argument for simply delaying vaccines until a child is between 2-5 years old or foregoing them altogether as many parents are beginning to do. If you do choose to vaccinate your children, then by all means breastfeed, don’t allow cigarette smoke anywhere near your child and don’t let your child sleep face down or on a non-organic crib mattress for 3 weeks following any vaccine.
Learn more at vaccinetruth.org

Learn about the basics of attachment parenting such as why early bonding is critical to for the emotional wellbeing of your child. This video also touches on the importance of babywearing, breastfeeding and cosleeping.

Author: Peg Baron
When the weather is nice, the kids (and Mom) are itching to get outside and play. I personally like the playing to learn approach. Did you know there’s an outdoor world of math and reading fun that awaits you and all you need is sidewalk chalk, dice, and your imagination? Anything we can do inside on paper can be done outside on the driveway or sidewalk, as long as we don’t care if it eventually gets “erased” by rain or sprinklers. Not only do the kids and I get to exercise our brains but we also get to exercise our bodies. I get to stretch my hamstrings and quads as I bend over to draw game boards or numbers, and the kids get to hop, skip, and jump around. Here are a few favorite sidewalk games I’d like to share. You can adapt any of them to the abilities of your children, and multiple ages can play
together.

Numbered Ladder Game
Draw a long, long ladder with at least 25 rungs, each rung big enough for a kid to stand in. Number each rung starting with 1 and going to 25. You also need a dice.

Rules - Grown-up throws the dice and the child hops up that many spaces on the ladder. If they land on an even number, they have to go back 1 space. Continue on until you have a winner.

Multiplication Ladder

Use the same ladder as above.
Rules - The child rolls 2 dice and multiplies the 2 numbers together.
He/she then totally covers in the answer square with chalk (their choice of color.) They continue until they’ve covered every square they possibly can, and then discuss why there are squares that won’t ever be covered.

Division Ladder

Again, use the same ladder as above.
Rules - Hand the chalk to your child and ask them to put a yellow triangle around any numbers that can be divided by 2. Next have them put a blue circle around any numbers that can be divided by 5, a pink square around any numbers that can be divided by 10, etc.

Numbers Bingo

Draw out as many bingo boards as there are kids and put a number
in each square. The kids can collect a pile of rocks or something for markers. Rules - Depending on the skill level, yell out an addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problem for them to solve. They then cover the answer with a rock. The one who gets bingo is the winner. You can change the mathematic function with each game.

“Over the years, the hours that children spend playing outside can pay off when it comes to physical, intellectual and social development. Yet, such valuable interaction is fleeting these days. From 1997 to 2003, there was a 50% drop in kids who participated in outdoor activities such as hiking, walking and fishing, according to a University of Maryland study.” Mother Nature; Raising Healthier Kids - Usaweekend.com

The Reading Trail

Draw a trail of boxes and arrows down the sidewalk. Draw a box, then arrows directing them to the next box, about 10 feet away, and so on. At the end could be a beautiful drawing, if you’re artistically inclined, or a small prize, or a hug from you. In each box, depending on your child’s reading level, write a single word or a sentence. Rules - Your child starts at the beginning and moved on when he/she reads the word or sentence.

Reading Obstacle Course

Set up an obstacle course with a sentence or word chalked between each obstacle. For example; sentence, zig zag around cones, sentence, jump through the hula hoop, sentence, balance walk on a length of string, sentence, jump over the blue “river” chalked on the ground. If you want, all your obstacles can be drawn on the sidewalk instead of using real items.
Rules - Read the sentence and go through the obstacle!

Color Me

Are you currently working on body parts, the circulatory system, or the heart? Let the kids chalk it out while narrating what they know. Themes like communities, animal lifecycles, wildlife, nature, your family tree, etc. are fun to draw out. Younger kids can work on color recognition.

The Alphabet Board

Make a giant game board with 25 squares. Put a letter of the alphabet on each square in random order, excluding the letter “x”.

Rules - Each kid has to start at the beginning and take each square one at a time. They have to come up with 5 words that start with that letter/sound before they can move on. To make it harder for the older ones, ask them to also come up with a word or two that end with that letter.

As you can see, it’s fun to learn with a stick of sidewalk chalk in your hand. I hope these games get you outside and get your imagination working as you tweak them to fit your needs. Have a great time and may the rain stay far away from your creations!

“After tens of thousands of years of children playing and working primarily outdoors, the last few generations have seen such interaction with nature vanish almost entirely. The implications — for children’s physical and mental health, and for the future of environmentalism — are immense.” Grist.org

Buy: Double Color Sidewalk Chalk Bucket

About the author:
Peggy Baron plays with her kids in Colorado, and runs
http://cookinkids.com/, a website devoted to helping parents and kids have fun together in the kitchen. Peggy is the editor of the popular Cookin’ Kids Newsletter, a bi-monthly newsletter with fun facts, recipes, jokes, games, cooking safety, and cooking terms wrapped around different themes.

Infant massage is a regular practice in many parts of the world and is gaining in popularity here in the United States and it is no surprise when you look at the many benefits. As you will see, infant massage benefits everyone and it makes even more sense if you consider it from the baby’s point of view. Childbirth Solutions

Author: Tina Allen
Infant massage relaxes and soothes:
Not only will your baby feel relaxed so will you! Nurturing touch is a naturally rewarding way to relieve stress for both you and your baby. Touch has been shown to decrease levels of Cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies. Cortisol is always present in our bloodstream, but high levels of this hormone can be found in our bodies during times of extreme stress.

Deepens Bonding:
Infant Massage provides you with essential one-on-one time that will enhance your family bonding, understanding and ability to nurture. During massage Oxytocin is released in both the giver and receiver’s body. Oxytocin is our feel good hormone, also known as the hormone of love. This hormone helps to provide us with loving, nurturing feelings which helps us to bond. Mothers experience and increased production of Oxytocin during labor and breastfeeding but now research shows that even close physical contact and touch stimulates Oxytocin production. Great news for all of the dads out there who didn’t give birth to their baby, you can still produce the same hormones through the use of loving touch.

Infant massage seems to be sweeping the world at the moment - it’s popularity has exploded within the last few years, much of which is due to Vimala McClure and the IAIM. But, as with most natural healing techniques, it is by no means a new thing. People have been massaging babies for centuries. Once again, it is the Western World that is slow on the uptake. Childbirthsolutions.com

Improves Communication:
Touch is our first form of communication. So it is always natural to assume that communicating through touch enhances your ability to understand your baby’s special needs and respond appropriately. Infant Massage increases your confidence and sensitivity to your baby’s unique cues and forms of communication. You cannot spoil a baby by picking them up when they cry. When babies receive attentive responses to their needs they grow to become healthier and more secure in adulthood.

Contributes to Development:
Stimulates growth and healthy development of your baby’s body, mind and spirit. Massaged babies gain healthy weight better than babies who do not receive massage. Additionally, nurturing touch helps to enhance the digestion process. The systems of the body are stimulated during massage which assists in the absorption of nutrients and elimination of what is not needed. For some babies infant massage has also been shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms associated with Colic.

Helps Baby to Sleep Better:
Not only does massage help your baby to release stress which builds daily from new experiences, it allows them to relax. During this special time both you and your baby have time to relax. Massaging your baby helps your little one to sleep deeper and for longer periods of time which can translate into you being able to sleep longer as well! Through massage you will not only increase your loving, nurturing bonds with your baby, you will assist in their healthy and happy development!

Research specific to the benefits of infant massage has been ongoing since the mid 1970’s. This research has been conducted at various institutes and with infants who were premature, exposed to drugs in utero, and infants that had motor problems. All these categories of babies benefited from the nurturing touch of infant massage. These benefits included weight gain, neurological development, decreased hospitalization, and improved digestion. Childbirth.org

>For excellent step by step instructions on how to massage your little one, visit: Makewayforbaby.com

Buy the Book: Baby Massage

About the author:
With over a decade of service to children and families, Tina Allen, founder of Liddle Kidz™, has become an internationally respected parent educator and expert in the field of infant and children’s massage therapy. Her innovative approach to children’s health has allowed her the unique opportunity to educate families and professionals throughout the world in the many benefits of nurturing touch.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/pbekesi/347196392/