Safe Toys for Baby

Safe Toys for Baby

April 30th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Make sure that your baby’s playtime is both fun and safe by choosing the right toys, and always checking them for any potential hazards. Watch for a few key things to make sure your baby is playing with safe toys.

Recommended Age

Always check the package for the manufacturer’s recommended age before purchasing a toy. The age on the package is carefully chosen to make sure that the toy is both developmentally appropriate and safe for your baby. Remember, however, that not all babies develop at the same rate. Your baby might be six months old, but isn’t necessarily ready for every toy marked 6 months and up. Conversely, if your baby is developing rapidly you might want to choose some toys that are beyond his age range; however, if you do this, make certain the toy is not potentially dangerous. Toys meant for older children might have small parts that present a choking hazard.

Choking and Strangulation Risks

Look every toy over carefully for any small parts that could come loose. Things like wheels on toy cars, eyes sewn onto stuffed animals or dolls, or other small pieces. Check baby’s toys over regularly for signs of wear that could result in pieces of the toy coming off and posing a choking hazard.

Toys should not have any strings or cords longer than 6 inches as this could pose a strangulation risk. Check any toys that do have a cord to make sure it is secure and not fraying over time.

Washability, Durability and Paint

Look for toys that are easily washable so that you can sanitize them regularly. Babies love to put their toys into their mouths, so keeping them clean will help keep baby healthy. Some toys can be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher, while others will need to be hand washed. Make sure to clean bath toys regularly as the constant wet can cause mildew, especially inside of toys like bath squirters, which should be replaced regularly.

Look for toys that are durable and won’t break easily. Wooden toys should be smooth with no danger of splinters. Plastic toys should not shatter or snap if dropped or thrown. When choosing toys, look for high quality items; they might cost more, but they will last longer. Check all toys regularly for any signs of wear.

Check the finish of the toy. If it is painted, you will want to make sure lead paint was not used. While the US has laws against use of lead paints in children’s toys, many other countries where toys are manufactured may use them. When choosing painted toys, stick to a manufacturer dedicated to the use of safe materials. Plastic toys too may have a finish that could wear off, especially if chewed on. Scratch it with your fingernail to see if anything comes up. If so, toss the toy.

Safe Toy Storage.

Look for toy storage that is low to the ground, so baby won’t tip it over trying to get toys out. If using a toy chest, be sure is has safety hinges that will prevent it from slamming on baby’s fingers. Toy storage should allow for air to get in, just in case baby gets stuck inside with the lid closed.

If you have children of different ages, store toys for older children out of reach of baby. Consider keeping them in the older child’s room, and make sure that your older child cleans up all the toys after play. Toys meant for older kids can pose a risk to your baby.

Playtime should be fun, not dangerous. So keep an eye on your baby’s toys to make sure they are safe and clean!

A Healthy Immune System for Baby

A Healthy Immune System for Baby

April 29th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

A healthy immune system is vital to helping your baby’s body to fight off infections and avoid illness. To keep her immune system working at peak performance, baby needs a little help from you.

In the womb, antibodies are passed to baby from her mother via the placenta. But after birth, their power will start to wane, and unless they are replace baby will be vulnerable to illness. A baby won’t start to produce her own antibodies until she is a few months old. In the meantime, there is a way to help her out.

Breastfeeding and Immunity

Breast milk is the only way to get vital antibodies to your baby in the first months of life. The AAP recommends that new mothers breastfeed for at least the first four months, but preferably exclusively for the first six months. This isn’t just because breast milk contains antibodies. It also gives your baby the optimum nutritional content she needs to be healthy. A body that is receiving all the nutrients it needs is a body that supports immune health.

Baby’s Diet and Immune Health

When your baby starts on solid baby foods, make sure to offer her a wide variety of healthy foods, especially fruits and vegetables. The nutrients in these foods will help to support her immune system and keep her healthy. Look for foods high in vitamins C and E, which are known to have immunity-strengthening properties. These foods include choices like applesauce, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli and more. Also, be sure to include foods high in zinc, which also supports immune health. This important mineral appears in proteins such as chicken and eggs.

Probiotics have recently been recognized as playing a major role in immune health. They are the good bacteria that our bodies need in order to fight off any number of illnesses. Probiotics can be found in foods like yogurt, but use caution. Many commercial yogurts have been flash heated to maintain shelf life – which kills many of the good bacteria. Look for an all natural yogurt that has not been heated. You can also use probiotic supplements; talk to your baby’s doctor about how to implement them into baby food diet.

The Importance of Sleep

It might not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of a healthy immune system, but making sure that your baby gets the sleep he needs is actually vital to supporting a healthy immune system. In the same way that adults can get run down and become vulnerable to infection when we aren’t getting enough sleep, babies need sleep to stay healthy – and they require a lot more sleep than we do.

During sleep, the body repairs and rejuvenates itself, making it better able to fight off illness. A newborn requires upwards of 16 hours of sleep, and in the first year of life that need won’t go down much. Make sure baby gets enough rest by sticking to a bedtime routine and a nap schedule as much as you can. If baby seems to be sleeping more than usual, he might be fighting something off. Let him get his rest, and watch for further signs of illness. Sometimes all the body needs is a little extra down time to let the immune system kick in and do its job.

A healthy immune system means a healthy baby, so do everything you can to support it from the day he is born. If you pay attention to his body’s needs, your baby’s immune system will stay strong and keep him strong too.

Routine Check Ups for Baby

Routine Check Ups for Baby

April 27th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Check ups, or well visits as they are often called by doctors and insurance companies, are an important part of your baby’s first few years. Your baby’s doctor will be monitoring his growth, development, and general health, as well as keeping him healthy with regular immunizations against dangerous diseases. Catching any problems early is vital to treating them successfully, so make sure your baby attends all his scheduled well visits.

When to Go

Every doctor does things a little differently, but the standard visit times for a baby are at two weeks, at four weeks, at 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 months old and then every three months until baby reaches a year and a half old. Some doctors schedule a 21 month well visit, but many do not see baby again until two years old. After two, check ups will become a yearly occasion.

Be sure to ask your baby’s doctor ahead of time what the visit schedule looks like. Especially if the doctor is busy, it’s a good idea to schedule as many appointments ahead of time as you can, to ensure your baby gets in for a visit at the right time. This way, you will also know when the appointments are so that you can plan accordingly.

What to Expect

Most well visits will follow the same pattern, with a few additional procedures at certain check ups. At the beginning of the visit, the baby will be weighed, measured, and her temperature will be checked, probably by a nurse. Many parents have an impulse to give the baby a medication such a Tylenol prior to the appointment to dull the pain of any shots she might receive, but avoid doing this. It could cause a false temperature reading at the office, and baby should not receive immunizations if she has a fever.

After your baby’s stats have been recorded, the doctor will see her for an examination. The standard physical examination will include checking baby’s eyes, ears and mouth, as well as examining the genitals for normal development. The doctor will listen to your baby’s heart and lungs, and may also feel baby’s tummy, spine, and check her hips by bicycling her legs.

The doctor will have a number of questions for you regarding your baby’s eating, sleeping, and elimination habits. You might want to make a record for a few days prior to the appointment of how much and how often she eats, her sleep routine, and how many wet and dirty diapers she has in a day, so that you don’t have to remember on the spot. The doctor will also ask some developmental questions to be sure baby is on track. After all of the doctor’s questions have been answered, you should have an opportunity to present any concerns or questions you may have. If the doctor doesn’t ask, don’t be afraid to speak up! This is your chance to find out what you need to know about your baby’s health and development.

When the exam is complete, the nurse will return to give your baby any necessary shots. You should be presented with an information sheet detailing what shot she is receiving, why, and what the potential side effects are. If you have any questions or concerns, address them prior to the shot be administered.

At some check ups there will be additional tests or procedures. A blood test for anemia is usually performed at either nine months or one year. At 18 months, you may be asked to fill out a questionnaire screening for autism. Depending on the doctor, there may be other differences as well.

Being prepared for baby’s check ups will make them go smoothly and ensure you get the most out of each visit.

The Importance of Check Ups and Immunizations

The Importance of Check Ups and Immunizations

April 25th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Keeping baby healthy is every parent’s top priority, and the best way to ensure this is through regular check ups and immunizations against childhood diseases. Your baby’s doctor is also committed to keeping your baby healthy, so be sure to attend all recommended check ups. Vaccinations will protect your baby from illnesses that could be very serious, even fatal, so make sure you stay on track with those as well.

Baby’s Check Ups

Your baby’s doctor will want to see him on a regular basis during the first two years of life. At first, baby will be seen every two months, then every three, every six, and finally once yearly after the age of two. These check ups allow the doctor to keep track of baby’s growth and development, and keep an eye on his health as well.

Through regular check ups, a pediatrician can identify potential developmental delays, and get your child the therapy or intervention that will help him catch up. These visits also allow the doctor to make sure baby is growing the way he should be. If baby isn’t gaining weight at a normal rate, falls off his growth curve, or shows any other abnormalities in growth patterns, the doctor can investigate further to determine the source of the problem.

Every time your baby sees his doctor, he will be given a thorough physical to check for anything abnormal that could indicate illness or some other problem. From the most minor problems to much more serious ones, regular check ups are your best chance of catching something as early as possible, to prevent it from becoming worse. As with the regular visit to the obstetrician during pregnancy, well baby check ups are vital to making sure everything is going as it should, and baby is healthy and developing at a normal rate.

The Vaccination Question

Recently, a great deal of controversy has surrounded the issue of vaccination. Many parents are choosing to vaccinate their children on an alternate schedule, while others are skipping vaccinations altogether. The bottom line is that vaccines exist to protect children from very serious illnesses that could even result in death. The American Academy of Pediatrics comes down firmly on the side of vaccinating on schedule, as the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Vaccinations have nearly eradicated numerous serious illnesses such as polio that once claimed many young lives. By ensuring that your child receives all of her vaccinations on schedule, you can help to keep things like polio in the past. Address your concerns about vaccines with your child’s doctor. Hopefully, you will be given the latest information to help put your mind at ease. New research has recently debunked some of the more frightening tales be circulated about vaccines, and your doctor can also share with you what the real risks of immunizations are so that you can avoid misinformation.

As a parent, you want to make the best decisions possible for your child’s health and well being, and sometimes that can be difficult. Remember that your baby’s doctor is your partner on the path to health, and is there to answer your questions and provide you with information to make it easier. Seeing your baby’s doctor regularly will ensure that your baby has the best possible chance of staying healthy and avoiding illness.

Protecting your Baby’s Health around Other People

Protecting your Baby’s Health around Other People

April 24th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Babies, especially in the first few months of life, are susceptible to illness because their immune systems are not yet developed. When your baby has visitors or goes out in public, take precautions to make sure he doesn’t get sick. Even a simple cold can be devastating to a newborn, so keep your guard up at all times.

Clean Hands are Healthy Hands

Whenever someone comes to visit your new baby, be sure to ask them to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer prior to touching the baby. Don’t worry about coming off as rude or over-protective. Anyone who isn’t willing to clean their hands before touching the baby is probably not someone you want around your precious little one anyway! Keep hand sanitizer readily available, and remind visitors to use it regularly throughout the visit, especially if they have touched their eyes, mouth or nose, or have been petting your dog or cat. Be an example for others by making sure that you are just as fastidious about hand cleanliness.

When you take baby out, it’s best to simply ask strangers not to touch him at all. This might seem like common sense, but it’s surprising how many people think it’s ok to touch a baby they don’t know in public places like grocery stores and shopping centers. Be on your guard! It can be difficult to tell that well-meaning grandmotherly type to keep her hands off, but your baby’s health is more important than a stranger’s feelings. If you get tired of telling people not to touch, keep baby covered up by draping a blanket over her carrier. Some parents even put a sign on the stroller or car seat asking people not to touch the baby.

Keep Sick People Away

Again, it seems like common sense, but many people don’t realize the impact their little case of the sniffles or scratchy throat can have on a newborn baby. RSV, a very serious respiratory disease in infants, can appear as a mild cold in adults. A newborn can wind up in the hospital or worse over that “mild cold”, so it’s best to just keep sick people away from your baby altogether until they are completely symptom free.

It’s very hard to prevent any contact with someone who might be sick, especially if you have to return to work and your baby is cared for by someone else either at home or in a day care environment. You can’t always stay home to avoid sending baby to a sick grandma’s house. When your baby must be around someone who is ill, ask them to take extra precautions. Hand washing or sanitizing is even more vital in this situation. Caregivers should also take care not to leave used tissues lying around, and not to cough or sneeze too close to baby. In warm weather, spending time outdoors is a good idea to keep baby from being cooped up in a germ-laden environment. And if the caregiver is a family member, remind them not to give baby any kisses until they are feeling better.

You can’t protect your baby from every possible illness, but by making sure the people around her both at home and in public are as careful as you are, you can lower the risk considerably. Speak up for your baby, and insist on safe habits at all times.

How to Swaddle Your Baby

How to Swaddle Your Baby

April 2nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When your baby was brought to you shortly after birth, she was likely wrapped tightly in a blanket, arms inside so that only her head was visible. You may have watched in amazement as the nurses took a small square blanket and created a cocoon from it for your little one. The practice of swaddling babies is very common in hospitals, and with good reason. The tightly wound blanket mimics the closeness of the womb, which is a comfort to a newborn who has suddenly emerged into a new and frightening world.

Swaddling and Sleep

Babies who are swaddled tend to sleep better than those who are not, both because of the comforting feeling and also because the startle reflex common to newborns is less likely to wake them. Swaddled babies are also at a lower risk of SIDS as they are not in danger of suffocation due to loose blankets; however, be sure to use a lightweight blanket when swaddling to prevent baby from overheating, a risk factor for SIDS. If your baby’s face appears flushed or she feels sweaty when you unwrap her, the blanket may be too warm.

Learning to Swaddle

If you find yourself frustrated by attempts to create that perfect swaddle that appeared so easy when the nurses did it, you are not alone. Many parents find themselves stumped by how to manipulate a blanket for effective swaddling. While there are many different swaddling techniques, here is a step-by-step method for a very simple swaddle.

  1. Choose a light, thin blanket made of a fabric that is not slippery. Make sure the blanket is neither too small nor too large. Both excess fabric and not quite enough can make swaddling difficult.
  2. Lay the blanket out on a flat surface. The floor is often the easiest place to learn the technique.
  3. Take one corner of the blanket and fold it down to create a small triangle.
  4. Lay the baby on the blanket so that his shoulders line up just below the folded edge.
  5. Take the pointed piece of the blanket that is below the baby’s feet, and fold it upwards so that it points towards his chin.
  6. Take one side of the blanket and fold it over the baby’s body, then tuck it tightly underneath him so that his arms are held at his sides.
  7. Finally, pull the other side over and tuck it under baby’s body. When you lay him down to sleep, ensure this end is beneath him to keep him swaddled.

Make sure that the baby is swaddled tightly enough to keep the blankets from coming loose and to create the feeling of security, but be careful not to swaddle too tightly to avoid compressing the baby’s chest and making breathing difficult. If your baby is fighting the swaddle, it may be too tight.

Making it Easier

If despite your best efforts you just can’t seem to master swaddling, don’t sweat it. There are now a number of products available to make swaddling easier and faster. They use fasteners such as Velcro to keep the blanket in place, and are so easy to use you will probably be able to re-swaddle your baby half asleep and in the dark after that midnight diaper change.

Swaddling is a very old practice and still popular for good reason; it comforts baby, helps him sleep, and also keeps him warm without the danger of loose blankets. With a little practice you can learn to swaddle your baby safely and effectively.

The First Days with Your New Baby

The First Days with Your New Baby

March 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There is nothing like the magical moment when you see your long-awaited baby for the first time. The first few days of life with baby are both the most wonderful and some of the most challenging for new parents. Suddenly everything has changed, and your world revolves around this tiny little person whose health and well-being are entirely in your hands.

What Your Baby Looks Like

Years of seeing babies being “born” on television and in movies have ill prepared new parents for the reality of a newborn. Your baby might not be the perfect bundle of joy you were expecting. The process of birth can be difficult on a baby, especially with a long vaginal birth. You might see things like a cone-shaped head, squished nose, and red marks on baby’s face and body.

Babies often have blotchy skin and still have some of the waxy white coating on their skin known as vernix, which covers a baby’s skin in the uterus to protect it from the long exposure to amniotic fluid. It is not uncommon for babies to be born with a little extra hair on their bodies as well. Both of these will soon be gone.

Your baby will also have a piece of the umbilical cord still attached, which will be clamped off at first. This usually falls off within the first few weeks of life. You may notice that your baby’s genitals appear swollen – this is a normal reaction to hormones passed from the mother, and will recede over time.

What Your Baby Needs

In the first days of life, what your baby will do most is eat and sleep. It is not unusual for baby to fall asleep not long after birth; after all, it has been a long and trying day. While it is tempting to stay awake and watch this sleeping miracle you have waited so long to see, new moms should take advantage of their newborn’s naps to get some much needed rest as well. Sleep in the first days will be erratic, so get it while you can!

If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may put her to the breast immediately following birth, but don’t expect much. She may be tired and has not yet mastered latching on, although the sucking reflex is well developed in full-term infants. When she is awake, you can try again. The first few days are a time for mom and baby to learn the ropes of nursing. Don’t be concerned if your baby doesn’t seem to be eating a lot at first. She is still being sustained by nutrients passed through the umbilical cord, and her appetite will soon grow.

It is entirely normal for a newborn to lose up to 10% of her birth weight within the first few days of life. Your doctor will monitor her weight to ensure it starts to climb again.

Bringing Baby Home

Depending on whether you had a vaginal birth or a caesarean section, you will likely be in the hospital for the first 2-4 days of your baby’s life. During this time you will have the assistance of the nurses in caring for your baby. Don’t be surprised if going home, that much anticipated event, feels a bit overwhelming or even frightening. This is a normal reaction to the realization of the monumental task before you.

In these early days, focus on caring for your new baby and yourself. Don’t worry about the housework, and if you have offers of help don’t be afraid to accept. The first days with a newborn are exhausting and challenging, especially for moms recovering from a difficult birth or from a c-section.

Remember that both you and your newborn are making a major adjustment to a whole new life, and there are bound to be some bumps in the road. You will soon settle into a new routine, and things will smooth out again.

Simple Tricks to Comfort Your Baby

Simple Tricks to Comfort Your Baby

March 29th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There is nothing worse than listening to the sound of your baby crying and feeling helpless to soothe him. Sometimes figuring out what exactly a newborn wants can be a challenge. If you have ruled out hunger and a dirty diaper as sources of the problem, then in all likelihood your baby just needs to be comforted. Fortunately there are some easy tricks you can use to comfort your baby.

Tone Down the Environment

A baby can become over-stimulated easily. Remember, he is used to the peace of the womb; noise, light and activity can all overwhelm him very quickly. Try turning off the TV, dimming the lights, and keeping other people out of the room while you try to calm your baby.

Swaddling

Used to the confines of the womb, newborns find it very comforting to be tightly wrapped in a blanket. It offers both warmth and a feeling of security, and can both calm your baby as well as help him to sleep better. Swaddling can be a bit tricky to learn at first; it’s a good idea to watch the nurses at the hospital when your baby is born to pick up their tricks, as they are professionals. If you weren’t quite in the state of mind to pick up such details during your hospital stay, you can still learn with a little practice. However, if you find it difficult or frustrating, you can pick up one of the various blankets designed to make swaddling easier.

White Noise

Many new mothers find it odd that their baby doesn’t seem at all disturbed by the sound of the vacuum. The sound made by a vacuum is white noise, and babies find this monotonous type of sound very soothing. The instinct to make a “Shhhhh” sound to soothe baby is a good one; though you may not realize it, you are creating white noise. There are a number of white noise machines on the market that you can purchase for the nursery; however, a simple fan will do the same job and using a fan in baby’s room was recently linked with a significant reduction of the risk of SIDS.

Gentle Motion

The image of a mother gently rocking her baby is well-known for a good reason. Gentle motion such as rocking and vibration are also soothing to newborns. The soft swaying may remind them of the motion inside the womb. An infant swing or rocking bassinet are also good options to provide the same comforting motion, but you may find it more effective if you hold baby and rock her yourself. There is nothing quite like being held in mom’s arms while gently rocking to calm an upset baby quickly.

When Nothing Seems to Work

If you have tried every trick in the book and your baby still won’t be comforted, there might be something else going on. You may have a colicky baby, which is not a dangerous condition although quite difficult for the new mom and dad to deal with. Or it could be that something else is bothering your baby, such as reflux. If your baby is crying for more than 3 hours at a time and you can’t seem to comfort her, or starts crying during feedings and seems to be in pain, it’s time to call your pediatrician. Follow your instincts; if you feel your baby’s crying is not normal, put a call into the doctor’s office.

All babies cry; it’s their main method of communication. Fortunately, most reasons for crying can be solved by ruling out obvious culprits and using these simple tricks to make baby feel safe, secure, and loved.

Tub Time: Baby’s First Real Bath

Tub Time: Baby’s First Real Bath

March 28th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

About two weeks or so after birth, your baby’s umbilical cord stump will fall off, and you will be cleared to begin bathing him in a tub. Giving your baby a bath can be a special time of relaxation and bonding, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t seem to like it at first. Properly preparing for bathing your baby can help to make it pleasant for everyone. Just keep a few things in mind.

Newborns Don’t Like Being Cold!

Many babies will cry due to the cold when they are being undressed, whether for a diaper change or a bath. Try to keep your baby as warm as possible at bath time. Turn up the heat a little in the room where you are bathing him, and don’t remove his clothes until the last possible second. Make sure that his bathwater is comfortably warm – not too hot but not cool either. You should make a habit of checking the temperature every time to avoid burns.

To prevent the risk of drowning, you should always use the minimum amount of water necessary for a bath. Unfortunately this safety precaution means a good portion of baby’s body will be above the water level and at risk of getting cold. When you place your newborn in the tub, soak a washcloth in the warm water, and lay it across his chest and stomach to keep him warm. Bathe him gently but quickly, and have a warm towel standing by.

After moving him to the towel, wrap him up warmly and securely, and hold him for a while before getting him dressed. Waiting until your baby is thoroughly dried before removing the towel will keep cool air off his wet skin.

Keep Bath Time Safe

In addition to carefully monitoring the temperature and level of the bathwater, there are some other safety precautions to keep in mind when preparing for tub bathing. If you are using an infant tub set in a kitchen sink as many new parents do, make certain that the tub is secure and will not slip.

Since bathing items aren’t usually kept in the kitchen, double check that you have everything you need before placing your baby in the tub. Never leave a baby in the tub unattended! Drowning can happen incredibly fast, so keep your baby within arm’s reach. For her first tub bath and those to follow in the early weeks of life, it’s a good idea to keep one hand on her at all times.

Use caution when lifting your baby out of the tub, she will be very slippery and potentially wiggly too! Get her into a towel as quickly as possible.

Getting Baby clean

Newborns don’t really get all that dirty, so bathing won’t be necessary every day. In fact, bathing too frequently can dry out your newborn’s sensitive skin. Use a gentle, tearless baby wash formula, never soap or anything intended for adult use. Pay the most attention to the diaper area, underarms, and under the chin where spit-up may accumulate. A small amount of baby wash on a soft washcloth will do the trick.

Although you may think your baby’s ears need regular cleaning with cotton swabs, it is actually not recommended by otolaryngologists. A gentle cleaning with a wash cloth is all that is required.

From that first tub bathing, you will soon come to treasure the peaceful time of gently cleansing your newborn’s soft skin. By keeping baby as warm as possible and taking the right precautions, you can ensure it is a happy and safe time every time your baby has a bath.

Using a Baby Schedule Chart to Help You Set a Routine

Using a Baby Schedule Chart to Help You Set a Routine

March 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

If you feel desperate to get your baby into some sort of routine, then a baby schedule chart may come in very handy. Though these may not have been as popular or as useful years ago as they are today, they are helping to bring great peace of mind to the parents of babies everywhere.

No mother or father truly understands just how much work goes into caring for a little baby. You may think that they will just sleep all the time, and therefore you will have plenty of time to do other activities. However the reality of the situation is that when your baby is little, you may often feel like you don’t even have enough time in a day to take a shower or brush your teeth. Fortunately, using tools and working towards a daily schedule can be of great help.

It Does Take Time

A baby schedule chart can come in very handy for helping you to get organized and make sense out of your day with baby. It is, however, quite important to note that it takes time because a newborn on an established schedule is a rare thing. As long as you go into the process with realistic expectations of what you can or should anticipate from a one month old versus a six month old, then you’ll be just fine. No matter how much help you get or which tools you utilize, it’s always important to note that it just takes time. Each baby is different and offers up a unique personality, so be sure to remember that as you work towards an established schedule that you can both agree to.

A great example of a baby schedule chart can be found at http://www.babycenter.com/0_sample-baby-schedules-for-3-and-4-month-olds_3657230.bc. Though there are many out there, the reason that this one is particularly helpful is that it takes into account elements such as age, stage, and feeding needs. Getting a bottle fed baby onto a schedule, for example, is often easier than doing the same for a breastfed baby. So be sure to take into account any special requirements for your baby and be realistic about the point of life that you are both at.

A Routine Will Happen Over Time

Though you may feel as though you are constantly multi tasking and that your little darling will never be on a schedule, rest assured that it will happen over time. The thing that’s important to remember is that schedules are formed and that the more tracking and routine you work to provide, the faster it will occur. By utilizing a baby schedule chart such as this one http://www.timetoo.com/?gclid=CP6Pkf7pqaACFQnxDAodvX-qbA, you can keep on top of feedings and sleep patterns. This will help you to see where things are going well and where you can perhaps institute a bit of routine and standardization. Every baby is different and though they will all fall into some sort of a routine, it may take longer with some than others.

As you attend each pediatrician appointment and work through the milestones, a baby schedule chart can help you to see progress and spot patterns. This makes the job of parenting a much easier one in the long run and allows you to stay ahead of the things that may be coming up in your baby’s life. Schedules and routines are important, though it is always smart to go into parenting knowing that there is no such thing as a certainty. So tune in to what your baby is doing, keep track of their days, and work towards a routine that you are both happy with over time.

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