Infants and Toddlers Articles

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Madeleine Fitzpatrick @ Monday, 19th May 2008 @ 9:36 AM

The first years of life lay the neurological foundation for intellectual growth into adolescence and adulthood. This time represents a unique window of opportunity for learning. From the moment of conception, the neurons (nerve cells) of the brain multiply faster than any other cells in a baby's body. The rapid pace of brain development continues into early childhood: at birth, the brain weighs 25 percent of its adult weight; by age one, 50 percent; by age two, 75 percent; and by age three,... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Nicola Pedley @ Monday, 19th May 2008 @ 4:04 AM

Whether your baby already sleeps like an angel, or needs a little help, it's good to remember that babies love routine. They like to know what's coming next, especially when they're about to be left alone in their cot at bedtime. Here's a nice soothing routine to get your baby ready for bed. Playtime Have some gentle one-on-one play with your baby - she'll always love special attention from Mum or Dad. If you're playing with an older child make sure you fo... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Nicola Pedley @ Monday, 19th May 2008 @ 2:57 AM

The one question every new parent (and many seasoned ones) must ask themselves is 'how can I help my baby sleep through the night?' Sadly babies don't come with a user manual (or an off switch) so it's up to parents to discover the methods that work best. Of course, every baby's different and what works for one will not work for all, but for a few weeks of trial and error it's well worth exploring all the options available to you. Routine You can�... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Victor Epand @ Monday, 19th May 2008 @ 12:41 AM

There are probably as many types of ball as there are children in the world, and as many different variations on each type again. From the small bouncy balls to the hard plastic aero balls right up to proper footballs, there really is a type to suit every child, and at every stage. A ball, it would normally seem, is an essential toy for any child to have, at any age. But why is this so, and what type of balls prove to be more suited to each age group? From being a baby, a child can usuall... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Madeleine Fitzpatrick @ Sunday, 18th May 2008 @ 3:14 PM

Early childhood - particularly the period from five months' gestation to five years of age - presents a unique window of opportunity for learning. As babies' and small children's brains are highly plastic (adaptable), teaching your child during this critical period can produce long-lasting benefits. Before you design a teaching program for your baby and yourself, you need to know the basics about teaching babies. While methods may differ, early education experts agree on th... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Stephanie Foster @ Saturday, 17th May 2008 @ 5:22 PM

Cooking with an infant around can be challenging. Just as soon as you get started, baby needs something. And if Mama's cooking, baby probably doesn't want Dada. That's just how babies are sometimes. Early motherhood in particular is a lesson in schedule rearrangement. It's a lesson in chaos as well. No matter how much you work at having a schedule, sometimes it just doesn't work and you have to improvise. There are a lot of things a mother can do with baby ... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Pamela Hickein @ Friday, 16th May 2008 @ 11:00 PM

Did you know that the images you provide for your child's mind are akin to food for the body? Healthy images can nourish and encourage positive growth, particularly at an early age when the brain is developing rapidly, setting a foundation for thought and emotion for life. It brings whole brain balance to your child's intellectual (and emotional) development by stimulating the right side of the brain. Why is the right side of the brain important? Because the brain is laterally d... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Art Gib @ Friday, 16th May 2008 @ 10:27 PM

As soon as you discover that you are expecting, baby clothes should be among the first needs that move right to the top of your list because they will be one of the first things that a new baby will use. Even though babies can pull-off being charming without wearing a single stitch of clothing, I'm afraid your little one can't go through life equipped only with his or her birthday suit. That said; how should you start shopping for baby clothes? Baby clothes have to be more than... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Madeleine Fitzpatrick @ Friday, 16th May 2008 @ 1:02 PM

As the saying goes, "You have to crawl before you can walk." While there have been cases of babies bypassing crawling to go straight to walking, most babies will become proficient crawlers some time during the second half of their first year. Not all babies learn to crawl in the traditional fashion however. Some do a belly crawl (sliding along on their tummy) - and go straight from there to walking. Some babies prefer to remain upright and scoot around on their bottom rather than ... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Vincent Curto @ Friday, 16th May 2008 @ 11:22 AM

Choosing the right toys for babies can be an overwhelming activity especially for new and young parents. The most important thing you should consider when planning to buy toys for your baby is her safety. So it is only imperative to choose toys that are made with reliable and baby-friendly materials. Babies are quite delicate little tots and they love to put anything into their mouths; so you should always put their safety first. If you are shopping for stuffed dolls or soft animal toys, ... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By April Kerr @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 1:22 PM

If you are an expecting mother you will no doubt be wondering about whether to breast feed your baby. Although it's not always the easiest thing to do, health specialist are unanimous in saying that breast milk is the best food for a baby. The milk is full of nutrients that you simply cannot find elsewhere and scientists are constantly finding new benefits of breast feeding. If you do decide to breast feed you will more than likely want to buy a breast pump. They are intended for you to... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Art Gib @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 1:18 PM

Breast milk is the healthiest food that mothers can give to their babies. It helps build their immune systems and it is also easier for little ones to digest than store-bought formulas. Unfortunately, breastfeeding isn't always an easy process. For example, some mothers have extreme cases of eczema which makes it impossible for them to bring a baby to breast and other times the baby itself it too weak to suck the nourishing milk from its mother's breast. In such cases, a breast pump... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By john mce @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 4:08 PM

4 weeks to go until your due date and suddenly everyone starts asking if you have packed your bag! Suddenly it all becomes very real indeed and instead of thinking what is going on in your body you finally have to think about how you are going to get your baby out of your body! Packing your bag for hospital is a good way to start the changing thought process. I tried to keep my bag to a minimum but there are some key essentials. 2 front fastening nighties. If you have decided to... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Art Gib @ Sunday, 27th April 2008 @ 1:47 AM

There are several reasons for breastfeeding babies. First of all, pediatricians have discovered that breast milk can bolster your baby's immune system so that they are stronger and healthier. Second, breastfeeding often helps mothers and babies bond with each other while simultaneously helping shrink the uterus to its normal size after pregnancy. And finally, breastfeeding is also more affordable than buying formula. With all of these benefits attached to breastfeeding, why do so ... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Detro Canaro @ Sunday, 20th April 2008 @ 11:22 PM

In this day and age in the United States I don't know of anywhere that it is legal to carry a baby in a car without a car seat and if there is a place, they must be isolated from civilization in more than one way. Many hospitals can rent or loan you a seat in case you forgot to get one or forgot to bring one on the big birthday. It really is unconscionable to do without one considering the lives they save. Moving past the necessity of having a baby car seat in the first place there i... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Beth Butler @ Sunday, 20th April 2008 @ 10:04 PM

Here are some fun stats to bank away for future cocktail party conversation. More than 28 million people in our country speak Spanish as their native language. Learning Spanish opens up the door of communication with more than 350 million people worldwide. Adults who enjoyed being bilingual for a majority of their lives experience a four-year delay of the onset of dementia and dementia like symptoms. Should a parent begin to introduce a second language to their young child before the age of ... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Detro Canaro @ Sunday, 20th April 2008 @ 9:09 PM

In the western world it really is not cool to go without a baby car seat. The life you could save is the baby you love and there is no excuse. If you don't have one, many hospitals will loan or rent you a car seat and if nothing else you can go to the local thrift shop and pick up a used one. If you eat you can afford a car seat. Because it is really not an option to have a car seat for a baby we will move on to the need to understand what kinds of care seats there are available. You... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Logan Smith @ Sunday, 20th April 2008 @ 3:58 AM

Here is a well known parenting fact: Parents need naptime more than babies do. When my children were little naptimes were sacred. The world would stop during those precious few hours (sometimes only minutes) and I would either do nothing or try to do way too much. But babies often have different designs on those best laid plans. And convincing a little one that they need to take a break is not always easy. If your baby is reluctant to take a snooze try these proven naptime tips: If... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Jamie Jefferson @ Tuesday, 15th April 2008 @ 5:04 PM

Staying home with your young children is ripe with daily, simple pleasures -- and profound challenges, as well. Here are six tips that helped me maintain my sanity (and be the best mom I could be) when I was home full time with my three kids: 1. Stay focused on the bigger picture. If you're like me, you've read all kinds of parenting books about how to handle different scenarios that will come up in the lives of your children. In reality, my experiences with each of my three ch... more...

Family » Parenting » Infants and Toddlers | By Rachel Nunez @ Tuesday, 15th April 2008 @ 12:31 AM

Have you ever watched you child to stumble as he is walking or running? Do not panic! This is only another period of his life in which you should be by his side in order to support him. In addition, there are different things you can do with your child to help him improve his gross motor skills, which are abilities needed to control the large muscles of the body for sitting, crawling, walking, running, and the whole body movements. Most of these abilities are acquired during the ... more...