When you find out you are having a baby, there are many things to do to prepare. When the baby arrives, you do your best to stay on top of it all, but life becomes busier than usual. Continue reading for some helpful insight into just a few things you need to know for your baby’s first year of life.
Understand Sleep
When you have a baby, sleep is a complicated word. It means so much more than rest. When the baby sleeps, you get to sleep, clean up, shower, catch up on work or do just about anything else you need to do. But sleep is not always linear. Just when you think you have it down, something unknown occurs, and you feel like you are back at square one. You might wonder if you have inadvertently made a mistake.
It is important to know that sleep patterns change, especially at certain points in your baby’s life. Around the time they turn six months of age, there is a 6-month regression in sleep, which is usually the result of an increased awareness and interest in the world around them. If you feel like something else is going on, always consult your pediatrician. Try not to become stressed about any changes in sleep and look for ways to create new sleep patterns to ensure your baby is well rested.
They Don’t Need Every Toy
Believe it or not, your baby will be fine if they do not have every toy on the market. Often, babies become overstimulated when there is too much going on. Instead, invest in a few high-quality items. Look for toys with lots of options to manipulate and explore. Babies want to put everything in their mouths, so it is important to ensure the toys you select are safe. Inspect the toys routinely to ensure there are no loose or missing pieces.
There is something exciting about a simple bucket of blocks. They lend themselves to building, manipulating, and creating structures and sounds. Once your little one is older, they will begin to stack and unstack the blocks. At other times, they will clutch a block in their hands and click or knock it against things around the house to hear the sounds that emerge. When your baby is younger, they can grasp the blocks in their hands and feel the smooth sides and edges. Self-directed experiences with items that have no instructions lead to creative playtime.
Narrate Your Life
Your little one loves hearing your voice. Talking to them is an important way to connect. Beyond that, you also teach the baby your language. By narrating what you are doing as you go about your day, you are introducing the connection between a spoken word and the object it identifies, in addition to the patterns of conversation. These are early opportunities to help create and expand your baby’s vocabulary. In addition, when people speak, they tend to make eye contact, which makes speaking to your baby another great way to impact your already strong bond.
Watch this video for tips on how to talk to your baby.
Continue Traveling
Just because a beautiful baby entered your life does not mean your life needs to stop. Of course, things will undoubtedly change. The baby has never-ending needs, and schedules change constantly. Even with that in mind, you can still explore the world. At first, figuring out what to pack and how to arrange travel with a car seat may seem daunting, but as you continue traveling, it will get easier each time. Stay close to home at first and visit local destinations. Once you are comfortable, venture further away.
You will be amazed as you get to see things through your baby’s eyes. Giving your child the gift of travel and exploration will provide memory-making opportunities and ways to experience new cultures and cuisines as they grow. All you need to do is pack a few (or more) extra things for the baby and remember to stay as close to their nap and feeding times as possible to keep them on schedule and make traveling better for everyone.
You will be amazed as you see things through your baby’s eyes. Giving your child the gift of travel and exploration will provide memory-making opportunities and ways to experience new cultures and cuisines as they grow. All you need to do is pack a few (or more) extra things for the baby and remember to stay as close to their nap and feeding times as possible to keep them on schedule and make traveling better for everyone.
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