Filed under: Baby Development | Tags: babies r' us, baby bathtub, bath time with your baby, land of nod, little munchkin caterpillar spillers, rubber ducky in the bathtub, temperature tester
I remember when it was time for our son’s first bath… we were nervous as hell! He screamed, cried and we tried as fast as humanly possible to get him out of that baby bathtub so our neighbors wouldn’t think we were torturing him. Now, almost 6 months later, he is no longer content to get an in-and-out bathing. He wants to splash, grab my hair, reach for the shower curtain and sometimes pee on me—all while giggling sheepishly.
You know what though… I love the craziness (except for that whole getting peed on part). We now have multiple bath toys; such as endless rubber ducky’s, frogs and the little munchkin caterpillar spillers (they link, stack, pour, and strain water) that make it fun and interactive for the whole family. We sing his favorite songs, especially Rubber Ducky. I mean com’n… what’s a bath without singing Rubber Ducky? But remember, you MUST make the noises with the duck! 
Lately, bath time has become a family production and I couldn’t be more content. There is nothing more fulfilling than to see your child smiling and giggling, while looking up at you.
So, do you do anything special during bath time? Any songs I should know about? Fun toys that make play time in the bathtub even more fun? Let me know!
P.S. Oh, and one thing you don’t need for bath time—a temperature tester—another pointless purchase. I’m pretty sure you can tell if the water is too hot or too cold by sticking your hand under the faucet!
Filed under: Baby Development, Tips | Tags: disney songs, mary had a little lamb, nursery rhymes, nursery songs, pat-a-cake, row row row your boat, rubber ducky, singing with baby, songs to sing with baby, twinkle twinkle little star
Babies love music. The more you change your tone and the pitch of your voice, the better. I’m gonna be honest… I have a terrible voice—but the best part is my son doesn’t even know it! He loves everything I sing, but his all-time favorites are “Rubber Ducky” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” I actually have a whole Disney medley of songs that I sing to him (from 6th grade chorus!) that he giggles at every time I sing… although he could be laughing at me doing the dance moves I still remember. Yes, sad… I know…
Anyway, my point is, your baby will love everything you sing, so raise that volume up to a ten and let loose. You have the classics – “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “Pat-a-Cake,” “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb,” but there are lots more out there. Get your creative juices flowing, or do a Google search on the internet if you can’t remember any.
Don’t feel silly… your child will love it and get into it the more you do. You could even try songs that are meant to sound off-key and silly, like “How Much is that Doggy in the Window.” The sounds and dog barks will make it even more fun for your little one.
So bust out your “Inner Mariah!” Turn your everyday activities into sing-alongs for your child. Make up fun songs while you’re changing their diaper, feeding them, even just playing with them. Whatever you chose, just get used to singing because “Happy Baby” equals “Happy Parents!”
Filed under: Baby Development, Work/Life Balance | Tags: baby einstein, educational TV programs, educational videos, kids watching television, No TV for kids, TV is OK for kids
We’ve heard it millions of times: TV isn’t good for your child. Although there are a few studies out there (that I particularly listen to) that say it’s OK to have the little one watch TV as long as it’s in moderation and appropriate. Check out the opinions below, and then tell me what you think about your child watching TV.
Opinion #1: NO TV!
Quote From the American Academy of Pediatrics (via thebump.com):
“Children of all ages are constantly learning new things. The first 2 years of life are especially important in the growth and development of your child’s brain. During this time, children need good, positive interaction with other children and adults. Too much television can negatively affect early brain development. This is especially true at younger ages, when learning to talk and play with others is so important. Until more research is done about the effects of TV on very young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend television for children age 2 or younger. For older children, the Academy recommends no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of educational, nonviolent programs.”
Opinion #2: It’s Fine… In Moderation
From Yours Truly (Mommy Wears Heels):
OK, I’m going to be realistic, most people aren’t going to put their TV’s in a closet till their kid starts school. If you use a bit of consideration about what to put on the television or in the DVD player, a little bit of TV can give you some much-needed down-time, allow you to make dinner or time to catch-up on things. Now, I’m not saying to throw Junior in his bouncer for 2 hours while you do your daily yoga, but a 15 minute stretch of time for them to watch a Baby Einstein video is just fine. In moderation, television has been shown to help with young children’s language and emotional development and teach your child basic academic skills; ABC’s, counting and basic language and reading skills. My advice: Invest in a collection of appropriate and educational videos. Take a peep at a few TV programs that you deem appropriate as well. Look for programs that teach how to play with others and how to use good manners as well as educational topics.
What do you think?
Filed under: Baby Development | Tags: babies r' us, eating solid foods, first time eating solid foods, land of nod, mommy wears heels, ready for solid foods, rice cereal
I wish I would have had a camera when our pediatrician told us our son was ready for solid foods… I could hear my husband’s heart beating across the room; I saw the look of panic on his face. This was the day he dreaded since we found out I was pregnant. All of our friends who had kids told us that the poop doesn’t smell until they start eating solid food. I had read that you are supposed to start solids between 4 to 6 months and let me tell you, the hubby was definitely hoping for the 6 month time frame!
So, our first attempt was a few nights ago. We got the cute, new high chair out, the rice cereal poured and we were ready to go. Introducing solids is supposed to be an exciting time for parents. I had visions of cute spoons, decorative baby bowls and other fancy gadgets! Yeah, well that vision went to hell in a hand basket REAL quick. Our son didn’t know how to swallow, didn’t like the texture or something. Instead of swallowing, he thought it would be fun to mash it in his mouth, shove his fist in his mouth (along with the food) and then spit it out—all with a giant smile on his face. By the time we were done, there was more food on his bib than we ended up getting down him! Now, this part wasn’t so bad… my husband can handle a mess. A mess that’s not in a diaper! So, I’ll fast forward a couple of hours…
The kitchen was clean, Sports Center was on, and I was at the kitchen table writing a column for this lovely blog, when all of a sudden I heard it… “NNNOOOOOO,” came a voice from downstairs. I jumped up from the table, immediately thinking something was horribly wrong. My husband appeared in front of me, arms outstretched as far as humanly possible (and at 6’4”, it was pretty far) holding our son in front of him.
“He had a blow-out… a major blow-out!” he said to me. (I swear I saw perspiration on his forehead.)
I laughed and said, “You are going to have to confront your fears at some point. You might as well start tonight.”
With that, he took off into the nursery and I went along my happy way back to the kitchen table to continue to write. About 5 minutes later, I heard water running, but didn’t think anything about it. About 10 minutes after that my husband appeared triumphantly in front of me with our freshly bathed baby in his arms.
“He needed a bath, it was so bad,” he explained to me, as he sat him down. “He was in his jumperoo and the pressure of his poop shot upward, all up his back! It was gross… just plain gross.”
“Well, you did it,” I told him. “You faced your fears and your son loves you!”
We both turned to look at our little guy, beaming at us from his place on his activity gym.
“It’s all worth it,” my husband said. “But next time, it’s ALL yours!”
Filed under: Baby Development | Tags: baby feeding, baby motor skills, eating solid foods, feeding signals, mommy wears heels, ready for solid foods
When the motor skills on your little one start to develop, look out for these tell-tale signs that tell you they are ready for the world of solid foods (usually around 6 months).
“Yo, Ma… Check this Out!” When your little one can hold things in their hands. They will begin to have an interest in textures and shapes. They will even want to mush their food in their hands, making a mess all over your kitchen… LUCKY YOU!
“Hey, I Want That!” When your baby sees something that they want, they will reach out and try to take it. Their eyes can now focus and they will soon be able to control his arms and hands. This is the stage where you will want to wear a ponytail!
“Give Me That Bottle!” When you are feeding your baby, they will begin to grab a hold of the bottle and “feed” themselves. Now, don’t ya’ wish they could get the bottle for themselves, too?
