Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The basics of baby schedules: Why, when, and how to start a routine

Why should I have a schedule for my baby?

A baby's needs aren't that complicated — food, sleep, play, and love pretty much sums it up. But knowing what your baby requires when, and how much of it, can be a real challenge. Not to mention balancing your baby's needs with your own and those of older children and other family members.



Many parents find that getting into a regular routine or schedule with their baby makes life much easier: It's almost like developing a personalized how-to manual for your child. As a parent, you'll have a predictable pattern for your days with your little one. And your baby will know what to expect — for example, that she gets a bottle after her morning nap, then playtime or an outing.



"Babies like to know that [certain things will happen] at a certain time each day," says pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, editor-in-chief of The Wonder Years: Helping Your Baby and Young Child Successfully Negotiate the Major Developmental Milestones.



"When they're not sleep-deprived or hungry, it makes for a much happier baby. By meeting your baby's basic needs, you put her in the best frame of mind — and body — to learn about and explore her new world."



An added bonus: When you're ready to try leaving your baby with a sitter or caregiver, the transition will be easier. Your baby will be reassured by her usual routine, and your caregiver will be able to anticipate her hunger, sleepiness, or desire to play or go out.

When can I start?

Experts disagree on when and how to establish a routine — and even on whether you need a set schedule for your baby. (See "What are my options?" below.) But many pediatricians, including Altmann, say that babies are ready for a general schedule between 2 and 4 months of age.



Most infants' sleeping and feeding habits become more consistent and predictable after three or four months, says pediatrician Marc Weissbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. You may want to take this opportunity to encourage your baby to follow a more defined schedule.



Your baby may fall into fairly predictable patterns long before this, however — even four or five days after birth. At this point, you can gently encourage your baby's emerging routine.



Tracking your child's eating, sleeping, and alert times can give you an understanding of his natural rhythms and enable you to pinpoint developing patterns. In the days following delivery, many parents begin to note when their baby feeds, when he poops and pees, when he sleeps and for how long, and so on.



To log your baby's daily routine, you can use a notebook and pen, a computer spreadsheet, or an online service like Trixie Tracker or Baby Insights.



Some experts advocate starting a schedule much sooner. British maternity nurse Gina Ford, author of The New Contented Little Baby Book, offers a clock-driven schedule to begin when your baby is 1 week old. And "Baby Whisperer" Tracy Hogg offers a loose routine for parents to begin at birth.



No matter which approach you take, it's essential that your baby's well-being come first. That means following the advice of your baby's doctor, plus your gut feeling and common sense, to determine what your baby needs when — no matter what the schedule says.



During the newborn period, it's especially important that your baby get enough breast milk or formula to avoid problems like poor weight gain and dehydration. You should never withhold food or sleep when your baby seems to need it because it's "not the right time yet."



"Parents should follow their instincts about what their baby is trying to communicate," says Kathryn Akin, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler.



"Even though your baby may have eaten one or two hours ago, if she's crying as though she's hungry, you should follow that direction. If your schedule indicates that it's time for your baby to sleep, but she's fussier than normal and needs comforting before going down, then she should be comforted. No schedule should supersede the needs of your baby."

What are my options?

To make things easier, we've grouped baby scheduling methods into three main styles: parent-led, baby-led, and combination.



Parent-led schedules are the most strict. They may specify exactly when (and sometimes how much) your baby will eat, when he'll sleep and for how long, when he'll play or go out, and so on. The schedule may be one you create based on your baby's natural patterns or a suggested routine from an expert, but once it's set, it's very consistent — even down to the minute — from day to day. Well-known advocates of this style include British nurse Gina Ford and Gary Ezzo, author of On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep.



Read more about parent-led schedules.



Baby-led schedules are the least defined kind of routine. You follow your baby's lead, meaning you'll look for his cues to decide what he needs next rather than imposing a timetable for feedings, rest, or play. This doesn't mean your days will be totally unpredictable: After the first few weeks, most babies form their own fairly regular patterns of sleeping, playing, and eating. But your baby's schedule may vary from day to day depending on the signals he's giving you. Well-known advocates of baby-led scheduling include attachment parenting gurus William and Martha Sears (a pediatrician and registered nurse, respectively) and famed pediatrician and author Benjamin Spock.



Read more about baby-led schedules.



Combination schedules bring together elements of both baby- and parent-led methods. With this approach, you'll have a timetable for when your baby will eat, sleep, play, and so on, and you'll generally stick to a similar pattern every day. But you'll have more flexibility than with a strictly parent-led routine. A nap can be pushed back if your baby doesn't seem tired yet, and lunch can be postponed if a trip to the store takes longer than expected. Well-known advocates of this style include Tracy Hogg and "Supernanny" Jo Frost.



source: babycenter



Monday, April 28, 2008

Seven keys to creating a successful baby sleep, feeding, and play schedule

Getting into a regular schedule for sleep, feeding, and activities can make life easier for you and your baby. But how to start? Below, find seven great guidelines for establishing a routine that works.



Get your baby used to a bedtime routine early on

Once you have a consistent bedtime worked out, a daytime routine will fall into place, says Tanya Remer Altmann, a pediatrician and editor-in-chief of The Wonder Years: Helping Your Baby and Young Child Successfully Negotiate the Major Developmental Milestones.



And the easiest way to establish a regular bedtime is to start a predictable bedtime routine that you and your baby can depend on night after night.



"The bedtime routine is the most important thing to consider when establishing a schedule," says Altmann. "You can't force it in the first few months, but you can start practicing at around 2 months."



Altmann says to keep it simple: a warm bath, jammies, a feeding, then lights-out. It's fine if feeding lulls your baby to sleep in the early months, Altmann says, but by 3 or 4 months you may want to try putting him down awake so he'll learn to fall asleep on his own.

Teach your baby the difference between night and day

Many babies mix up their days and nights at first, sleeping long stretches during the day only to perk up once the sun goes down. Helping your baby learn to tell day from night is a key first step to getting into a workable routine.



Amy Shelley, mom to 8-month-old Alex, offers these tips: "During the day, keep the house bright. Do the exact opposite at night: Keep the house dim and quiet. Don't talk to your baby much during night feedings. Let him learn that night is for sleeping and daytime is for socialization and playtime."

Learn to read your baby's cues

Websites, books, your baby's doctor, and other parents can all help as you figure out an appropriate schedule for your baby. But your child will be an important guide, and he'll tell you what he needs — if you learn to read his cues.



"When parents take the time to be with their baby, the information they receive gets sifted through their own experience. 'Instincts' come from learning about your baby's temperament and what works for him," says pediatrician Daniel Levy, president of the Maryland chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland.



Mom Liana Scott says paying close attention to 9-month-old Keaton has helped her anticipate his needs, which makes life easier and more fun for both of them.



"Now I'm able to feed him before he's really hungry and put him to bed before he's overtired and fussy," says Scott.



Learning what your baby needs when takes time and patience. But you'll see patterns emerge over time. And if you log your baby's naps, feedings, playtime, and so on in a notebook or on the computer, you can use this record to come up with a timetable for doing things.

When starting out, put your baby's schedule first

If you're encouraging your baby to follow a schedule or observing his patterns to figure out a routine that works, make this process a top priority for at least the first couple of weeks. Avoid deviating from the routine with vacations, meals on the go, outings that push naptime back, and so on. Once you establish a pattern for your baby's sleeping, awake, and feeding times, changing things for an afternoon isn't likely to undo his habits. But it's best to keep your baby's schedule as consistent as possible while he's getting used to it.

Expect changes during growth spurts and milestones

Your child accomplishes so much in the first year. He'll nearly triple his weight and achieve some major feats like sitting up, crawling, even walking. During periods of growth or when he's working to achieve a new milestone, don't be surprised if your baby diverges from his usual routine. He may be hungrier than usual, need more sleep, or return to waking up several times a night. Hang in there — your baby may be back on schedule shortly, or this may be a sign that you need to adjust your routine.

Adjust your baby's schedule to suit his age

It may feel like just when you've gotten into a predictable groove with your little one, it's time to change it again. As your baby gets older, he'll need fewer daytime naps and more playtime and stimulation. He'll also need to eat solid foods — first just once a day, but eventually several times a day. As these developmental shifts happen, your child's schedule will shift as well. Reading up on these milestones and checking out our sample schedules for babies of all ages can help you know what to expect.

Don't expect perfection

Some parent-led schedules set the expectation that your baby's routine will always run like clockwork. And though babies do like consistency, you can expect changes from day to day and as your baby grows. Sometimes, for whatever reason, your baby will want to skip a nap, have an extra snack, wake up before dawn, and so on. And life happens as well — vacations, older siblings, plans with friends and family, errands you need to take care of, and other factors will all come into play in your daily life with your baby. Variation is okay, as long as your baby is getting the sleep, play, food, care, and love he needs to thrive.



source: babycenter



Sunday, April 27, 2008

Your 11-month-old's development: Week 4

First steps

If your baby isn't walking already, she's likely to take her first independent steps soon. (If she doesn't, don't worry. Some perfectly normal babies are 16 or 17 months old before they start walking.)



You can encourage your baby to walk by standing or kneeling in front of her and holding out your hands. Or hold both her hands and walk her toward you. If she's like most children, your baby will take those early strides with her arms out to the side (for balance) and bent at the elbows, her feet turned outward, and belly out in front while her bottom sticks out behind (for balance).



As always, make sure your baby has a soft, safe environment in which to hone her new skills. Follow standard childproofing guidelines and never leave your baby unattended. Most important, keep the camera ready!

Pass on the pacifier

You might feel like it's mean to make your baby part with something she's grown so fond of, but experts say now's a good time to start weaning her away from her pacifier.



The longer your baby uses a pacifier, the harder it can be for her to stop, but another reason to make the break now is that it's the beginning of an exciting speech development phase. Your baby may be less likely to chatter away with something in her mouth all the time.



Taking away a pacifier can be tough. Go gradually: Limit daytime use and then work your baby up to not using it at night. You can also try exchanging her pacifier for a stuffed animal or toy.

New kinds of play

Around now your baby's play will probably start shifting from mastering her fine motor skills (she's got that thumb-and-forefinger grasp down pat) to exercising larger muscles. Some children this age have an attention span of two to five minutes for quiet activities — though your baby's favorite games may not be all that quiet.



Your baby probably thinks it's fun to push, throw, and knock everything down. She'll give you a toy as well as take one, and she likes games where she can put things in containers and dump them out again. This works well with blocks in buckets or boxes and with pots and pans, which she can nest inside one another. She'll thrill to the loud sounds of those pots and pans banging together, too.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.



source: babycenter







Friday, April 25, 2008

Your 11-month-old: Week 4

How your baby's growing:



If your baby isn't walking already, she's likely to take her first independent steps soon. (If not, don't worry. Some perfectly normal babies are 17 or 18 months old before they start walking.)



You can encourage your baby to walk by standing or kneeling in front of her and holding out your hands. Or hold both her hands and walk her toward you. If she's like most children, your baby will take those early strides with her arms out to the side (for balance) and bent at the elbows, her feet turned outward, and belly out in front while her bottom sticks out behind (also for balance).



As always, make sure your baby has a safe environment in which to practice her new skills. Follow standard childproofing guidelines and never leave your baby unattended. And keep the camera ready!



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 11-month-old's development.

Your life: Beating parenting insecurity



Almost every mom and dad feels insecure about their parenting chops at one point or another. Try to trust your instincts, but also remember that much of your skill (and confidence) comes from experience and education. Everybody makes mistakes sometimes — it's how we learn. Ask questions or look things up when you're unsure about what to do. With time, you'll feel more confident about your ability to recognize your baby's needs and how to meet them. The angst may never go away completely, but that, too, is part of parenthood.



One great way to get support and relieve stress about being a good parent is to join a moms' group (or dads' group). There you're likely to find others with similar doubts and concerns. Just hearing and seeing how others fret and fumble can give you a helpful perspective. And if it seems like they're all perfect, that's only because you're letting your own insecurities color what you see. Stick around to get to know them better, open up a bottle of wine or make a pot of tea, and you'll eventually discover that every parent has vulnerabilities.

3 questions about: Chicken pox



Can my baby get chicken pox?

Yes, although it's unlikely. It's a good idea to know the symptoms, though. Watch for red dots, especially if you know your child has been exposed to another child with chicken pox. (It takes from ten to 21 days after exposure for symptoms to appear.) You'll see an itchy rash of small red bumps that develop into clear blisters full of fluid on a pink base, then into dry brown crusts, first on the body and scalp and then spreading to the face, arms, and legs. Your baby may also seem extra tired, not particularly hungry, and have a low-grade fever.



What should I do if my baby gets chicken pox?

You can consult your doctor, although if your baby is otherwise healthy, the illness will just run its course. To avoid infections (and scars), help sores heal by trimming your baby's fingernails and by keeping her from scratching or picking at sores. Some parents try cotton mittens. You can relieve itching by giving your baby cool baths with baking soda or oatmeal and applying calamine lotion afterward. Treat a fever with acetaminophen (but never aspirin).



Let your doctor know if symptoms seem worse than you'd expect (such as a great many sores, or sores inside the mouth or eyes), if your baby has a fever for several days, or if her skin is swollen, tender, or very red.



If you have a baby with a weakened immune system and you suspect she has chicken pox or has been exposed to it, call the doctor right away.



Should I have my baby vaccinated against chicken pox?

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends the varicella (or chicken pox) vaccine at 12 to 15 months if a child hasn't had the disease by then. (A second booster shot comes between the ages of 4 and 6.)



The vaccine causes few side effects in healthy children and keeps more than 95 percent from getting a serious case of chicken pox. The shot isn't recommended if your child has had a severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or — when she's older — a previous dose of the vaccine.



If your baby has cancer or any disease that affects her immune system, has recently had a blood transfusion, or is taking high doses of oral steroids, her doctor will carefully evaluate whether receiving the vaccine would be a good idea.



source: babycenter



Thursday, April 24, 2008

Your 11-month-old's development: Week 3

Learning more about language

Though at this point his vocabulary likely consists of only a couple of words besides "mama" and "dada," your baby can probably babble short, fully inflected sentences that sound like he's speaking a foreign language. Act as though you understand.



Your baby may be able to respond to simple questions and commands, especially if you give him some clues with hand gestures. For example, ask "Where's your mouth?" and point to it. Or try "Hand me the cup" and point to the object. He may even answer you in his own way, using his own gestures, such as shaking his head for "no."

Help him be helpful

Because he's receptive now, it's a good time to begin to teach your baby how to help out. Emphasize "please" and "thank you," and make toy cleanup time fun by turning it into a game. Though he probably won't get the idea just yet, it's not too early to start. Break the task into very small parts. At this age, he'll need you to work with him by his side.

Name that item

It's up to you to help your baby make connections between objects and their names — the more you do, the faster your child's vocabulary will grow.



Keep talking to your baby and labeling things. Count stair steps as you climb them, and point out the names and colors of the fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Read your baby a picture book and ask him to point to or name familiar objects.



Solicit his opinion once in a while: Ask him if he'd like to wear the red or the blue socks, or if he'd like to play with his blocks or his stacking rings. Give him only two choices — both of which are right in front of him. He may not answer, but then again, he may surprise you.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.



source: babycenter



Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Your 11-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:

It's a good time to introduce your baby to the concept of helping out. Though he won't be able to get it just yet, by the time he's a toddler he'll be excited to assist in putting toys away and picking up spilled snacks. Emphasize "please" and "thank you" and you'll set the stage for him to repeat these words back to you someday!



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 11-month-old's development.

Your life: Trimming the fat from your food bills



Although your grocery bill may be one of your biggest household expenses each month, it's also one of the easiest to trim down. That's because it contains so many variables.



Before you adjust what you buy, think about when you buy. Try going to the supermarket when your partner (or someone else) can watch your baby. Being less distracted and having more time, you'll find it easier to comparison shop and limit hasty purchases or impulse buys.



It's also helpful to look at how you buy. Always remember your discount card (if your store offers one) and a specific shopping list. Keep a running list of foods your family consumes on a routine basis and stock up when the price is low. Coupons can help cut costs, too.



Consider changing what you buy. One option is to buy foods in bulk if you consume them often and have storage space. Try alternatives to meat on occasion, since they generally cost less. Limit premade meals and other convenience foods — cooking from scratch doesn't necessarily have to consume a lot of time. For ideas on easy-to-make family meals, check out Dishes, our recipe finder.



Finally, look at where you buy. Is the local grocery the store with the lowest prices or merely the most convenient place? Large buying clubs such as Sam's Club or Costco may offer better deals on certain items. A local farmer's market may have better buys on seasonal produce.

3 questions about: Thumb-sucking



Should I worry if my baby sucks his thumb?

No. Thumb-suckers are using a healthy, built-in mechanism to soothe themselves. It's a natural self-comforting inclination that some babies are born with, and it's no cause for worry or alarm.



Does thumb-sucking cause dental problems?

Experts agree that for babies, this isn't a risk. Some people say children can even suck their thumb without affecting their teeth until they're 2 years old, and the American Dental Association says most can do it safely until they're 4 or 5, when permanent teeth usually start appearing.



Are pacifiers a better choice than thumb-sucking?

Pacifiers are another good way for babies to self-soothe, but they're not necessarily better: Your baby may learn to depend on you to retrieve his pacifier if it drops out of his crib, for instance, and it may become lost or dirty. On the plus side, babies usually outgrow pacifiers well before they pose a risk to dental health. Some babies actually reject the "paci" in favor of the thumb, so if that's the case, you don't have an either-or choice — your baby has made it for you.



source: babycenter



Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Your 11-month-old's development: Week 2

Very easy readers

Your baby probably enjoys looking at books and leafing through the pages, though she won't always turn them one by one. Indulge in great picture books, like Anno's Journey, by the great Japanese artist Mitsumasa Anno, Tamara Hoban's Is It Red? Is It Yellow? Is It Blue?, which introduces primary colors through photos of everyday objects, and The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs, a full-color cartoon book about a snowman who comes to life. Or stick with sturdy and inexpensive board books that can stand up to small fingers.



To add variety to your baby's reading time and to find out what appeals to her the most, try your local library or the kids' section at a family-friendly bookstore.

It's hard to say goodbye

Your baby has probably been wrestling with bouts of separation anxiety during the last several months. This is natural: She loves and depends on you, so she's distressed when you leave.



To ease departures, make them short and sweet. Be matter-of-fact when you leave your child at daycare or with a babysitter at home, and don't prolong the agony with extended goodbyes. Your baby's tears will subside soon after you're out of sight.



You can help your baby feel more independent by not hovering over her all the time. Of course, she still needs to know that you're around and dependable. So if she toddles to another room, wait a couple of minutes before following. If you go to another area of the house, call to her when you're in the next room — but don't come running every time she squawks.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.



source: babycenter



Monday, April 21, 2008

Your 11-month-old: Week 2

How your baby's growing:



Your baby probably enjoys looking at books and leafing through the pages, though turning those pages one by one doesn't always happen. Indulge in great picture books or stick with sturdy and inexpensive board books that can stand up to small fingers.



To add variety to your baby's reading time and to find out what appeals the most, try your local library or the kids' section at a family-friendly bookstore — or trade a few titles with friends.



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 11-month-old's development.

Your life: Celebrating your baby's first birthday



It hardly seems possible, but the big day is drawing near. Be forewarned: No matter how elaborately you plan, your baby will be pretty oblivious to the whole affair.



Still, you can't deny a parent the opportunity to celebrate such a major milestone. Some ideas:



Party at home. Keep the celebration simple by hosting it in your own home or backyard. Your baby will be comfortable there, and you'll have an easier time handling the decorations, food, and supplies. Invite just a few familiar children.



Make it a family affair. Plan a lunch or dinner out with relatives. Your baby will enjoy seeing all the happy, familiar faces, and if you take lots of pictures, she'll have permanent reminders of everyone who loves her.



Take it outside. Choose a local park or playground and have a special picnic for just the family.



Go to the gym. Look into having a party at your local baby gym, where there will be plenty of fun baby- and child-safe activities for young guests.



Share the birthday. Find out whether any of your friends are celebrating their baby's birthday around the same time and go in on a party together. This is a great idea if you've kept in touch with your childbirth education classmates or have been part of an online chat group of local women who shared similar due dates. But even here, it's best to limit the number of guests.



Mark the moment. Snap a picture of your baby in an adult-size outfit. Save the clothes and bring them out for a photo every year — and watch how your child grows!

3 questions about: Weaning



How do I know when we're ready?

If you're still breastfeeding, the end date is up to you and your baby. It's a personal decision that depends on your specific situation. Your baby may be showing signs that she's ready to wean now, including seeming uninterested or distracted during feedings. You may feel ambivalent about whether to quit: Some days weaning sounds like a relief, and yet you hate to bring this special tie to a close. Many moms who have continued breastfeeding this far continue into toddlerhood, but it's also common to use the 1-year mark as an end goal.



How should I wean my baby?

Gradually reduce the number of daily breastfeeding sessions one at a time, offering formula or cow's milk (if your doctor gives the okay) in their place. If your child doesn't take a bottle, you can wean to a cup and save yourself the trouble of weaning your child off a bottle later. Some babies enjoy picking out a favorite new cup to use. Many will drop a feeding every few days (usually starting with the midday feeding and ending with the bedtime one) until they're finished nursing. You can also shorten the duration of each breastfeeding session.



What are some ways to make weaning go smoothly?

Weaning should be a fairly easy process, not a traumatic one. Give the following suggestions a try, and if your baby seems to resist, consider waiting a bit before trying again.

• Look for signs that your baby is ready for weaning, such as those described in the first question.

• Give her plenty of one-on-one attention to replace the intimacy of nursing.

• Try distracting your baby if she seems to want to breastfeed, and see whether she becomes interested in something else or will drink from a cup instead.

• Ask someone else to put your baby to bed so that she won't be automatically tempted to breastfeed at that time.

• If your breasts become engorged, use cool compresses and express milk manually or with a pump for the first few days. Ibuprofen can also help.



source: babycenter



Sunday, April 20, 2008

Your 11-month-old's development: Week 1

Talking up a storm

Words and wordlike sounds are now spilling out of your baby, and he's able to use them meaningfully. As his brain continues to develop, so does his ability to reason and speak.

Encourage his interest in language and his understanding of two-way communication by being an avid listener and responding to his sounds. To polish his memory skills, play games like patty-cake and peek-a-boo.

At this age, your baby can probably imitate word sounds and inflections. He may be able to follow simple one-step directions, such as "Please bring me the ball" or "Pick up the spoon." Help him learn by separating multistep commands into easy-to-follow single steps, reinforcing them with gestures.

Remember to cherish this brief but remarkable period when your baby's communication skills are emerging: They're perhaps his most important skill!

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source: babycenter

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Your 11-month-old: Week 1

How your baby's growing:


Wordlike sounds are now spilling out of your baby, and he's able to use some of them meaningfully. As his brain continues to develop, so does his ability to reason and speak.

Encourage your baby's interest in language and his understanding of two-way communication by being an avid listener and responding to his sounds. To polish his memory skills, play games like patty-cake and peekaboo.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 11-month-old's development.

Your life: Discipline disagreements


Just when you and your partner have established common ground on your baby's sleeping habits and how many toys is too many comes a new, potentially contentious co-parenting issue: discipline, the big D.

Remember that you and your partner bring different styles and experiences to parenting. This is a good thing, and it's important to respect and appreciate each other's views. Having strong opinions means your partner cares about how your baby is taught to behave and wants to contribute to that process. His ideas merit as much consideration as yours.

If you really disagree on a particular method or rule, it's best to talk about it out in the open rather than criticizing or undermining one another (or just silently seething). Be specific about your concerns and avoid being judgmental about your partner's ideas. Convey that you know it's important to come to a consensus: For discipline to be effective, it needs to be consistent.

It may help to do a little research together into the discipline subjects you differ on, consulting an expert or books about the pros and cons of particular approaches and techniques. You may find that there are more effective strategies that you weren't aware of.

3 questions about: Toilet training


Should I be thinking about toilet training?
The short answer: Not yet. Unless you began infant potty training with your baby between birth and 4 months, it's probably best to wait until your child is between 18 and 24 months old. Many experts, including physicians at the American Academy of Pediatrics, say that's when most children are developmentally ready for toilet training.

Why was early toilet training once more common in the United States?
Before 1950, most children in the United States were toilet trained by 18 months. And today, most African, Asian, and European babies are trained well before their second birthday. So why are American babies and their parents so attached to their diapers? Many think it's due to the changing views of prominent experts and pediatricians — who now advocate a gentler, more "child-centered" approach to potty training — as well as the invention of disposable diapers.

How will I be able to tell whether my baby is ready for toilet training?
There are two components to readiness — the physical and the emotional. Your child needs to be both physically aware of his bowel and bladder urges and emotionally ready in order for potty training to be a success. Signs that your child is physically ready include fairly regular and predictable bowel movements, along with his ability to wait at least two hours to urinate, to completely empty his bladder when he urinates, to help you pull his pants up and down, and to get on and off the toilet or potty chair. Other signs of readiness are an ability to understand toilet-related words and to follow simple instructions. In terms of emotional readiness, your child should show signs that he's aware that he's going in his diaper — he might squat in a corner or even tell you with words or gestures that he's gone. He might become upset when he soils his diaper. Given those "prerequisites," few 11-month-olds are considered developmentally ready to learn this important skill.

source: babycenter

Friday, April 18, 2008

Your 10-month-old's development: Week 4

Becoming her own person

Your baby may now assert herself among her siblings and begin to engage in parallel play — contentedly playing alongside (but not with) another baby. Informal baby playdates can be a great way to encourage your little one to develop social skills. Just remember that babies this age are still too young to understand the idea of making friends.

Think of these playdates as helping your baby build a foundation for learning how to interact with others. And she may get new play ideas from these first buddies. A bonus: You'll have some help and support from the other babies' parents.

Time to start setting limits

Your baby now understands simple instructions, though she may purposely choose to ignore you when you say "no." (To help the word carry a little more weight, use it sparingly, for setting important limits.)

Even though your baby may not always remember tomorrow what you've said today, it's not too soon to set certain boundaries and start teaching her some important distinctions, like right from wrong and safe from unsafe.

Use your best judgment as a guideline. You're not being mean if you don't let her devour a second cupcake, for example — you're setting a healthy limit. If she pulls the cat's tail, move her hand, look her in the eye, and say, "No, that hurts the cat." Then guide your baby's hand to pet the animal gently.

Her desire to explore is stronger than her desire to listen to your warnings, so it's up to you to protect and teach her. What seems to be defiance is just her natural curiosity to see how the world works.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source: babycenter

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Your 10-month-old: Week 4

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now understands simple instructions, although you may still be ignored when you say "no." (To help the word carry a little more weight, use it sparingly, for setting important limits.)

Even though your baby may not always remember tomorrow what you've said today, it's not too soon to set certain boundaries and start teaching some important distinctions, like right from wrong and safe from unsafe.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 10-month-old's development.

Your life: Balancing work and family


Your persona has changed since having a baby, and you may be wondering how much you should integrate your parent self with your workplace self. The answer depends largely on the culture and style of your particular workplace. Look around and observe how other moms and dads handle this matter, and let their example guide you. Do supervisors display family photos? Do many parents take advantage of options like flex time?

You may need to take time off or limit the hours you work because of your baby. In weighing which priority — baby or job — takes precedence in a given situation, it's best to take into account the flexibility of your workplace, total time off available, and your childcare arrangement. When your baby is sick, you may prefer to be with her yourself and let your spouse or sitter handle well-child checkups, for example. Or you may decide you want to be there for all doctor visits, scheduling them for your lunch hour or after work in order to minimize time away from your job.

Then, instead of focusing on the time you can't be at work, think about how to more efficiently use the time you do spend there. Consider keeping regular to-do lists, coming in early instead of staying late, and eliminating as much personal activity at work as possible. Some people are able to work through lunch in order to leave earlier, for example. Keep track of your progress and communicate with your boss about it on a regular basis so she can see firsthand that you're balancing your parenthood with dedication to your job.

3 questions about: Temperament


What exactly is temperament?
Your baby's temperament is how she thinks about and reacts to her environment. This includes sleeping and eating patterns, sociability, agreeability, how she responds to soothing, and other factors. Some babies are mellow. Others are sensitive and slow to warm to new situations. Still others have robust, high-energy temperaments. Experts now think temperament is largely inborn rather than a product of external factors and influences.

Can I predict my baby's personality by observing her temperament?
To some extent, yes. You began to form a picture of your baby's temperament when she was as young as 3 or 4 months old. At 10 months, your baby's personality is becoming more defined — you can start to more accurately imagine what she'll be like as she gets older by observing her actions and disposition in different situations. Look at overall patterns, not any one particular behavior: Your baby may act a certain way (or change her behavior) because of a temporary factor or a developmental stage she's going through, so don't be too quick to jump to conclusions about her personality.

Is there anything I can do about my baby's temperament?
If there's something about your baby's temperament that has you worried or that you hope to help her with (such as shy behavior), it's important to be understanding and not judgmental. Don't label your baby, criticize her, or otherwise make her think she's flawed or "bad," whether in private or in front of other people. Instead, sympathize, and encourage her when she behaves in a way that seems healthier. Recognize that you can't really change your baby's natural tendencies, although you can encourage certain behavior and help her to learn and grow in a way that supports her temperament.

source: babycenter

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Your 10-month-old's development: Week 3

Growing physical independence

Only a few weeks shy of his first birthday, your baby's no longer a helpless infant who can't do anything without you. He still needs plenty of care and support, but his growing independence — evident in his solo standing, stooping, and squatting — is becoming apparent.

Your baby may walk while gripping your hand, and he'll hold out his arm or leg to help you dress him. At mealtimes, he may be able to grip a cup and drink from it independently (though some children may not do this for a few more months) and hand-feed himself an entire meal.

Once your baby's able to drink from a cup by himself, you may need to start ducking, because he's just as likely to toss it when he's finished as to put it down gently.

Your baby will also purposely drop objects for someone, probably you, to pick up. If you get tired of this dropping game, take away the object for a few minutes and try to distract your baby with something just as enticing, such as a fun game of peek-a-boo.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source: babycenter

Monday, April 14, 2008

Your 10-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:

Your baby may "walk" while you're gripping his hands, and even hold out an arm or leg to help you dress him. At mealtimes, he may be able to drink from a cup on his own (though some children may not do this well for months or even another year or two) and hand-feed himself.

Once your baby's able to drink from a cup by himself, you may need to start ducking, because he's just as likely to toss it when he's finished as to set it down.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 10-month-old's development.

Your life: Functioning on less sleep


Nobody functions well when she's short on shut-eye. Some tried-and-true tactics for those moments when your lack of sleep catches up with you:

Constantly oversleeping because of bad nights? Turn up the volume on your alarm clock — and set it to that annoying alarm rather than the radio. Make sure you're setting it for a reasonable hour and not an overly optimistic one. You might even place the alarm clock across the room so that you have to get out of bed to turn it off.

Groggy all day long? Perk up with a caffeinated beverage or two if need be, but then switch to decaf or no-caf after lunchtime. Too much caffeine will overstimulate your body and lead to sleeping problems at night — and if you limit the java jolts, the caffeine will be more effective when you do have a cup. Also try to do your most detail-oriented tasks early in the day, when you're sharpest.

Dragging midday? If you're at work, try sneaking a 15-minute nap in your car during break time. Taking a short stroll outside the building can also revive you. If you're in a long meeting, bring a cold drink to help you stay alert and sit near an open window, if possible. If you're at home, try to rest or nap during your child's naptime.

3 questions about: Antibiotics


Why won't my baby's doctor prescribe antibiotics whenever my baby is sick?
Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria — they don't help at all in fighting viruses, the culprit behind colds, the flu, and many respiratory illnesses. So if your baby has any of these conditions, antibiotics simply won't help. Giving your baby antibiotics when they're not necessary actually makes bacteria more resistant to treatment, which can cause problems when your baby really does need bacteria-fighting medicine. Also, antibiotics aren't without their own risks. As with any medicine, they can produce side effects or even serious allergic reactions. In fact, the overprescription of antibiotics is a growing concern in the medical community.

Can I stop giving my baby the antibiotics when it seems he's feeling better?
No. Give the full course of prescribed antibiotics, just as your baby's doctor directs. Stopping any earlier may not eliminate the illness completely or may cause other, more serious health problems.

What if my baby throws up or spits out a dose?
If your baby vomited right after taking the antibiotics or gagged on the medicine so that most of it came right back out of his mouth, it's okay to replace the dose. But try figuring out why he vomited — because he gagged or because he's sick? Ask your doctor for suggestions on how to make a medication easier to swallow. Some can be mixed with foods such as applesauce to make the medicine taste better. In other cases, an eyedropper or a syringe-type device that shoots the medicine down the baby's throat is more effective than trying to use a spoon. Your local pharmacy may also be able to add special flavorings to certain medicines to make them more palatable to your baby.

source: babycenter