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Infant - Week #23


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Newborn Week Twenty-Three

By Angela Sawinski, edHelperBaby

Look Who's Sitting
           Your baby will soon master the art of sitting unsupported. Give your baby the opportunity to sit up in different places around the house -- sitting helps develop and maintain balance, a key part of physical development. What's more, the new perspective helps your baby's cognitive development.

   

Fact
           If you're among the three-fourths of parents without a will, keep in mind that creating one allows you to pick a trusted guardian for your child.

   

Father Bonding Idea
           Take Pictures: Nothing makes as flawless a subject as your own child. An added benefit? All the grandmas and grandpas and uncles and cousins who are the recipients of the prints can't help but notice what a great time you're having being a dad.

   

Tummy Time
           Now that the importance of putting babies to sleep on their backs is common knowledge, newborns are spending more of their early days in that position. That's great news for SIDS prevention, but it means that parents need to make sure that their babies spend plenty of supervised time on their tummies to strengthen their necks and shoulders. This will eventually help them learn to roll, sit, and crawl. It also keeps infants from developing soft spots on their heads.       

       There are many ways you can introduce tummy time to your baby. Here are a few of the enjoyable ways to do so:
  • Make it Comfortable: With so much time spent on his back, your baby probably won't be comfortable on his belly in the beginning. You can make this new position easier for him by placing a blanket, towel, or pillow under his chest to lift him up and center his head. Or you can lie on your back and place him on your chest, encouraging him to pull his head up and look at you. It's another nice way to snuggle with your infant.
  • Make it Fun: A rattle, baby mirror, or favorite snuggle toy can keep him entertained while he is on his tummy. Try getting on the floor with him and playing peek-a-boo.
  • Make it Frequent: Hungry or tired babies probably won't enjoy time on their tummies nor will newborns that have just been fed. As tummy time becomes part of his routine, he will enjoy it for longer periods of time. Try tummy time after each diaper change or whenever you dress him.
  • Make it Mobile: Babies can work their neck and shoulder muscles even when they are in mommy's or daddy's arms. Try carrying your baby belly down, resting on your arms against your chest (football hold). When he is older, stronger, and capable of supporting his own head, you can carry him facing forward, supporting him with one hand around his bottom and the other around his chest. He'll be able to see what's going on in the room!

   

Try This!
           Place two different blocks in front of your baby. Choose blocks that are totally different in appearance. Describe the block to your baby as you pick it up. Say, "This is the red block." Take the red block and hide it behind your back. Make sure the baby sees where you put the block. Ask your baby, "Where is the red block?" He will give you a sign that he knows where it is. Pointing and making sounds are two ways that he will communicate with you. Bring out the block and say, "Here it is!"

   

Dayvian's Experience
           I played this game with Dayvian in the morning after he was dressed for the day. I sat him in his bébéPod® and I sat in front of him. We were facing each other. I used Daysia's blocks to help with this activity. I took out a large blue block and said, "Look at the big blue block!" Then I put the block behind my back. Dayvian followed the block with his eyes. Then I said, "Where did the block go?" He grunted with frustration while the block was gone. I pulled it out from behind my back. "Here it is! Peek-a-boo!" He giggled with delight as the block reappeared. I repeated this again with several other blocks. He seemed to grasp the idea of the peek-a-boo block game more and more with each turn. This activity kept him engaged for nearly fifteen minutes!

   


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