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Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby’s nursery. Most parents can get away with keeping their newborn in a bassinet for the first few weeks of life; eventually however, all parents will have to invest in some type of baby crib to ensure their newborns safety during the early years.
The number of different crib types available can often be overwhelming. There are sleigh, convertible, mini, wooden and rocking cribs to name a few. Some of the most popular baby cribs are those that convert into a toddler bed. Buying this type of crib is an economical decision allowing baby to use the same bedding for years to come. Other types of convertible baby cribs allow the crib to be attached next to the parent’s bedside for co-sleeping arrangements. This style of crib is often a popular choice among attachment parenting supporters, who believe that baby is better off sleeping with mom and dad for the first few months of life.
Every parent hopes and prays that their newborn will be healthy and safe. Normally a pregnancy lasts nine months. The gestation of a full term pregnancy is traditionally between 37 to 42 weeks. Any baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature.
Premature Babies face many challenges that full term babies often escape. This includes the possibility of being born with organs that are underdeveloped. Many premature babies have respiratory problems, as the lungs are generally one of the last organs to develop completely during gestation.
Fortunately modern technology has provided hospitals with the ability to care for infants born prematurely. In times of old infants born before 34 weeks faced many challenges, and were much more likely to die. Modern technology has allowed babies born as early as 26 weeks to still survive. There are several factors which might contribute to a mother’s likelihood of having a premature infant. These include the following:
- Having delivered a premature baby before, which increases your risk up to 40%
- Multiple gestations ? the parents of twins generally face delivering prematurely
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High Blood Pressure
Baby smiled her real smiles at you and you were so charmed, you decided nothing could be better. But baby has more in store for you in her fifth month. Endless entertainment coupled with increasing interest in her surroundings makes your five month-old baby an ideal playmate.
Squeals and smiles
You will be amazed by the repertoire of sounds your baby can produce now. She is always eager to communicate with you with her smiles, and squeals of delight. Laugh and your baby laughs with you. Baby babble is almost at its peak now.
In baby’s fifth month, she can sit with support and haul herself up a little bit when she is laid on her tummy. She can pay attention to tiny objects, but it is wise to keep such objects well out of your curious baby’s reach.
More sleep, yet less rest for you
Your five month-old baby sleeps for longer stretches at night, which means your under-eye circles might soon go away. But when he is awake, he loves your company and wants all your attention. His daytime naps continue and give you a few short breaks to get that pile of laundry done.
Baby is into her fourth month now.
Mom’s milk is best.
Breast milk is still important and sufficient to take care of baby’s needs. If you are a working mom you might need a combo of bottle and breast. Alternatively, you can express milk into a bottle for your baby’s caregiver to feed her.
While feeding baby, do watch to see that the nipple and neck are always filled with formula, to avoid baby taking in too much air. And remember to burp her after every feed.
Some babies are ready for solid foods like cereal at this time. Babies at this age do not digest solids very well. Starting solids too early can leave insufficient room for the all- important food: milk.
You get more sleep
Baby begins to sleep less during the day (2-3 naps of an hour or so each) and more during the night, sometimes even 6 hours at a stretch.
Four-five-six.smiles and kicks
In baby’s fourth month, he might begin to turn over onto his tummy. He has good control of his neck and can sit propped up. He can bear weight on his legs too. Colorful toys and rattles make him smile or reach out for them. He loves it when you imitate any sound he makes, smile and respond to his expressions.
Remember how you wished your baby would learn there is more to life than crying, feeding and sleeping? Your wishes are coming true. Your baby’s third month will see her become much more interactive. So much so with some babies, that parents secretly sigh, “Why doesn’t she ever sleep?” Wonder what to expect in the third month?
Good night baby
Worried that your baby is still not sleeping through the night? Most three month-old babies need at least one feed in the middle of the night. You can try to shorten those night- time feedings by making sure baby’s getting enough day long and cutting down the amount baby gets at night.
Co-sleeping is convenient for those nighttime feeds. But research has consistently shown that parents and babies both sleep less. The reason? Your baby’s restlessness might prompt you to wake and feed him when he probably would have drifted off to sleep by himself.
More active and more interactive too
Exhausted after a long day of work? Trust baby’s genuine smiles to cheer you. Your baby now probably recognizes her parents, whom she rewards with smiles, and sometimes even ah- goos and laughter. Talk to your baby whenever you are around her to hone her language skills. She loves it when you imitate her sounds.
Time has flown. Your little bundle of joy has been a part of your home for more than four weeks now. The new dad and mum are now more relaxed, confident, and really enjoy their new responsibilities (at least most of the time). Here are a few pointers on what to expect in baby’s second month.
Semblance of order
Baby is no longer attached to mom’s breast all the time. A feed every 2-3 hours usually keeps her satisfied.
Spitting of milk after a feed is normal. Make sure you burp your baby after every feed.
Your two month-old baby most probably now sleeps 3-4 hours between nighttime feedings. She has definite waking hours during the day, which means mom and dad too can work out a routine.
She knows you!
In baby’s second month, she focuses her eyes better, and can follow an object in an arc about six to eight inches from her face. She does not actually recognize your face, but definitely knows your touch, scent and voice. When you coo to her or talk in gentle soothing tones, she starts to make babbling sounds in response.
When it comes to naming their baby, people tend to fall into two broad categories: those who want a unique name for their child and those who feel fine selecting a common name. Naturally, there are pros and cons to both choices. Let’s first look at unique names.
An uncommon baby name will give your child a unique stamp for the rest of his or her life. People will be certain to remember the moment they met your child. An unconventional name will make a wonderful conversation starter, especially if there is an interesting story behind it. Your child may even grow to take great pride in their unique and thoughtful name.
On the other hand, this unique name may be the cause of ridicule, especially as your baby goes through school. Not all people will appreciate the individuality of an uncommon name. Perhaps your child will rue the lifelong attention directed at them at every introduction. Your child may even chose to go by another name to blend in with their peers.
Having a baby is one of the most amazing things than any couple can possibly do. The parents look at their child and see a little living, breathing miracle. Therefore it is only right that the occasion is celebrated.
Choosing the right gift for a baby shower is a tricky task but if done correctly can give the baby a great start to its life. The most important thing is to try and understand the parents mentality when choosing a baby gift for their newborn.
What do your friends or loved ones think?
The most important thing when choosing a baby gift is to find something that meets the parents happiness at having this wonderful thing in their lives and that matches their ideals for raising the child.
If you don’t know these things right now there are a number of tricks you can use to find out:
- The parents, especially the mum, will be only too happy to talk about their baby and how they plan to raise it. Try and pick up ideas and suggestions.
- Observe the way they are preparing for the baby. Things such as the decoration of the babies room etc. are all good clues.
Are you an expectant parent anxiously waiting for that little package of joy? Yet, you and your spouse are still looking for that perfect name? Well…fret no more! The list of the top 100 baby names may be the answer to your prayers.
Searching for your baby’s name is loads of fun! Whether you’re seeking a name for your soon-to-be baby boy or baby girl, you and your spouse should be curious about what names in the top 100 are currently hot.
What is particularly interesting is tracking the popularity of baby names over the decades. In looking through baby name lists from 1880 to the present, some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to baby names for girls.
For example, in Victorian times, Biblical names such as Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There were also many baby names that are now considered very old-fashioned like Martha, Alice, Bertha and Minnie.
From the 1920s to the 1950s certain baby names rose in popularity. These included names such as Susan, Debbie, Patricia, and Linda. All of these baby names have since waned, to be replaced, by the 1980s, with fancier names such as Jennifer, Jessica and Nicole.
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