YOUR BABY AND LANGUAGE

Most of the parents have a misconception that their baby is too young to understand their language or the way they speak but this is a very wrong idea.

Babies though unable to speak but are able to understand what we speak. To understand this better, you might have noticed your 4 to 5 months baby reacting to your sound, turning his head towards you when you call him or talk to him or just by gazing at you . Even you might have noticed your baby moving away his head when he does not want anything.
Singing a rhymes or lullaby also soothes the baby because he is able to hear the sound and understands.
The more time you spend with your baby, better you will be able to understand him.

HOME COOKED OR PACKED FOOD FOR YOUR BABY

Babies grow very fast and thus more care is to be given to their diet. Till the time you are breast feeding your baby or depending on formula milk, there is not much concern about extra food. But as you start with outside solid food, the immediate question arises ‘ what all to feed him’.
All most all the mom’s are in a dilemma, which one is better, home cooked food or packed food.

To this, I would say, it is best to give your baby home cooked food. The same food that you have but with little less salt, sugar, spices and oil.
Avoid giving your baby tea and coffee as they have caffeine content in them.
Introduce your baby with one food at a time and see how your baby likes it, at the same time how the baby is able to digest it.
Freshly prepared food is always good for health for all. Serving fresh fruits, juices and soups is a great idea too.

USE OF PACIFIER FOR YOUR BABY

Almost all of the parents are worried about the use of pacifier or not. The fact is that not every child needs a pacifier. Use of pacifier has both pros and cons. Once the babies are accustomed to pacifiers, they are so used to it that they are cranky without it and nothing can soothe them more than it.
The pacifier will help them to calm down and sleep well. You too will be relaxed that your child does not develop the habit of thumb sucking at the time of sleep.
But if you see the other side of it, your child will persist the habit of using the pacifier. Once habituated your child will not be able to sleep without it. Even when your baby goes off to sleep using a pacifier and as soon as the pacifier falls off, it will disturb his sleep.
More over when your baby starts crawling, the use of pacifier will be quite unhygienic.
I would suggest mom’s to keep their babies away from the habit of use of pacifier.

YOUR CHILD AND THE USE OF DIAPER

Now a days, with the birth of the child comes the shopping of diapers. It will not be wrong to say diapers have made the life of moms bit easier. Now there is no chance of getting their clothes wet and spoiled every now and then.
The biggest question that most of the mom has “which diapers is better” or “either to use disposable or washable diapers”.
Diapers comes in variety of sizes and designs. Even there is availability of ultra slim diapers with inner layer of gelling material, which will be more absorbing when compared to other normal diapers. This will help your child's body to be dry and itch free.
When we talk about  washable diapers, they are available in variety of sizes, design and material. These type of diapers are less costly. The the major problem with them is of washing and drying.
It is a general thinking that using disposable diapers might cause rashes. But in reality rashes have nothing to do with the type of diaper used. Proper care and frequent changing of the diapers can avoid any kind of rashes. Use of wipes, anti rash cream might be helpful too.
Wash and dry your baby immediately after he passes the bowl. Change the diapers in every 4-5 hours. Even then if the rashes occur, then apply petroleum jelly on clean and dry skin. Still it does not heal, consult your doctor with out any delay.

BOTTLE FEEDING YOUR BABY

When you feel breast feeding is not enough for your baby, start on with bottle feeding. Few important tips to be kept in mind while bottle feeding are:

• Cow’s milk is not idle for babies below 1 year. Use of formula milk is the best.
• Remember to check the expiratory date on the formula milk container at the time of purchase, store or use.
• Always sterilize the bottle, bottle nipples, cover and the utensils to be used.
• Prepare the milk when you need to feed.
• Do not warm the prepared milk in the electric bottle warmer.
• Do not store the left over bottle milk after feeding.

These few precaution will surely keep your baby away from bacteria and infection.

Recognize The Interests Of Your Child

Observing your child, enjoying different activities and learning new skills will surely bring pride on your face. Learning new things will even fill your child's life with excitement and pleasure. Let your child indulge in different activity of his interest which will help him in development of new skills.

Play various indoor and outdoor games with your child. This will not only make him physically and mentally fit but will help you to know your child’s interest in sports. Your proper guidance and support will help him to join his school team and later might play and get recognition nationally and inter-nationally.

Start swimming lessons for your child. Swimming will not only be fun and enjoyment but child will learn safety lesson too.

If your child is interested in music or dance, you can start them with the lesson like of classical singing, piano, classical or western dance or jazz, salsa. This will surely help you child to know himself more and better.

Give a chance to your child for coloring and drawing. If he has a real interest in it, you can help him learn painting or sketching.

Show interest in your child’s interest, that will motivate him to learn new skills. Slowly with the years, your child will explore and learn many different skills and develop different talents too.
But do remember that in the act of making your child talented, you don’t over pressure or over burden your child. Don’t push or stress your child with many classes and activities. Your child should love and enjoy the activities he performs. It the child who needs to be content and happy performing different and new activities.