3 Months Old: Brain Boosting Play

3 Months Old: Brain Boosting Play

April 28th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

At three months old, your baby is really beginning to interact with the world around her. She is starting to be able to grasp toys and respond to you with smiles, laughter and coos. Her eyesight is improving and she can see her surroundings much better, allowing her to respond.

Talk to Me!

Language skills are just starting to develop at this time, and the more you speak, sing and read to your baby the more she will learn about sounds and words. If you haven’t yet, this is a great time introduce books. She can hold her head up relatively well, and will be able to sit in your lap while you read and look at the pictures. Point things out to her and talk about what is on the page.

Singing will not only entertain baby, but will further advance her introduction to sounds. Try songs with entertaining hand gestures such as “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”. Take baby’s hands and help her to perform the motions as well. This will help to develop her awareness of her body and learn what she can do.

When baby starts to vocalize, be sure to respond to her as much as possible. Hold a conversation with her as she talks by asking her questions like “And then what happened?” and “Are you sure?” She won’t know what you are saying, but she will begin to pick up the rhythm of conversation from these exchanges.

Body Language

Your three month old is just starting to be aware of his body and how he can use it to get what he wants and interact with the world. Part of this learning involves his developing understanding of cause and effect, object permanence, as well as hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Remember that physical development requires brain development! Every time your baby practices a new physical skill, his brain is forming new connections that will keep moving him forward.

Help baby’s brain figure it out with physical games. Hold a toy out to him and encourage him to reach for it. Pull it away, and then bring it back, making sure he catches it regularly so that he will remain entertained and not become frustrated. At this age tummy time becomes very important. Get down on the floor with your baby and play too! Hold a toy in front of his face, and lift it slowly into the air. As he tries to follow it with his eyes, he will lift his head and shoulders off the ground, strengthening important muscles. These skills will lead to baby’s ability to roll over, push himself up and eventually crawl.

Touch and Learn

Now that baby can hold and examine objects, he will begin to learn more about his world through touch. Offer him objects with varying textures and sizes to touch and hold. Let him touch your face, hair and clothing. Every new thing that your baby gets his hands on will help his brain to categorize and understand the things he encounters. Books that offer textured pages for baby to feel will make him a more active participant in reading and learning.

This age opens many new doors for baby, and every minute that he is awake he is learning something new. You are baby’s first teacher, and building his brain is as easy as being aware of the ways in which he learns from you every day, even at play!

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.

What Children Learn Through Play

What Children Learn Through Play

April 23rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Playtime isn’t just fun and games. It is the most important tool children have for learning. From the infant years where babies learn simple concepts like cause and effect, through childhood, where play encourages learning of social skills and more, a child at play is a child developing.

Infants: Learning about the World

The earliest forms of play in infancy are the ways in which a baby discovers what is in his world, how it works, and how he fits into it. Through play a baby learns about cause and effect; how he can have an impact on objects and people, and how to elicit responses in different ways. He learns how to move his body, improve his motor skills, and make his way through the world. Play encourages an understanding of spatial awareness, object permanence, differences between objects and more.

Through play, an infant is also learning how to use his voice, how to communicate his needs and desires, and creating the building blocks of language. Games involving a lot of interaction with mom and dad are vital to this learning process.

Toddlers: Independence and Personality

Entering the toddler years, play is an avenue for a child to develop a sense of who he is as a person, and what his role is in the family. Play encourages your toddler to test his independence while learning – and then pushing past – his limitations. Toddlers begin to build a foundation for social skills and also develop imagination, both of which are important to future endeavors. As independence blossoms, your toddler will learn to play by himself and to solve his own problems

Your toddler is also swiftly adding to a wider knowledge base about the world, as he learns colors, numbers, sizes and even more abstract concepts like feelings. Vocabulary is expanding at an incredible rate as he learns the labels for more and more things and can relate experiences to each other. All of these things are learned through play, which becomes more imaginative and involving during these years.

Preschoolers: Social Skills and Problem Solving

As your preschooler begins to interact more and more with her peers, the play they engage in together will teach her vital social skills. Your preschooler is learning to share, and to think about other people’s needs. She is learning how to cooperate with other children, through negotiation, compromise and exploring options. She is learning patience, taking turns, and how to deal with delayed gratification. Play with others also teaches preschoolers about empathy; she is learning to consider other people’s feelings, and to understand how others might feel in various situations.

Although problem solving skills begin at a very young age, in preschool they go to a whole new level. Your preschooler is working with more abstract concepts and solving problems that are not always right in front of her. In addition to teaching cooperation, working out the issues encountered while playing with others teaches problem solving. At this age, she is also practicing these skills through role-playing games which allows her to see things from a different perspective.

Throughout childhood, the most important task at hand is learning, and the number one way children do this is through play. From infancy through into school, the skills learned at playtime build upon each other to help children to make sense of their world and prepare to be citizens within it.

Keeping Baby Calm and Relaxed for Check Ups

Keeping Baby Calm and Relaxed for Check Ups

April 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

For a baby, a visit to the doctor can be a scary thing. There are new people, new sounds, and new surroundings, not to mention having to strip down and be poked and prodded! Make the process a little easier on your baby by following these easy tips for check up happiness.

Keep It Familiar

Your baby is used to being at home with you or other familiar caregivers, so this strange new place can be scary and overwhelming. Do your best to make sure that she sees the same doctor every time, at the same office. Although she may not recognize the place or people the first few times, it will eventually become more familiar. A small practice where there are only a few nurses and medical assistants and you regularly see the same doctor is a good choice for a pediatrician.

You can also bring familiarity along. Bring a blanket from home not only for comfort, but to wrap baby in during the process. Your doctor will want her clothes removed for her weigh-in as well as for the examination, and those rooms can be chilly, especially for a baby. A warm, cozy blanket that smells like home will keep the chill off while bringing a familiar object and smell along. If your baby has a plush toy or any other object she is attached to, bring that as well.

Schedule Wisely

If you want your baby’s check up to go as smoothly as possible, choose your appointment time carefully. Don’t choose a time too close to a regular nap, when baby will be getting tired and cranky. Don’t go when he is likely to be getting hungry – and make sure to have a something to fill his belly available just in case he does get hungry or the wait time is long. If baby is breastfeeding you will always have food with you, but remember that it might be difficult if the chair is uncomfortable or he is distracted by the new surroundings. Avoid mealtimes altogether if at all possible.

If you can, visit the doctor during quieter times of the day when they have less appointments scheduled. Weekday mornings are usually a good bet, but ask the receptionist when the best time is to be sure there won’t be a wait. The longer baby is at the office, the greater the chance he will run out of patience.

Stay Close and Stay Calm

While it might be hard to watch your baby having shots, remember that it’s harder on him. Stay nearby, with your hands on him and talk to him softly. He will take his cues from you; if you seem upset or nervous, he will likely pick up on it and be nervous as well. So try to keep your emotions in check, to help baby do the same. If he does have shots, it’s very likely that he will cry. But if you stay calm, and soothe him with rocking and soft words, the crying should be short-lived.

If you can, it’s a good idea to go to a check up with the other parent along. That way, one of you can focus on keeping baby relaxed while the other takes the job of listening to the doctor, answering questions, and asking any questions you might have.

As your baby grows, check ups will likely get easier because he is more curious and less afraid. The more you encourage him to see a visit to the doctor as nothing to fear, the quicker he will adapt.

Your Baby’s Immunizations

Your Baby’s Immunizations

April 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

In recent years there has been a lot of controversy surrounding vaccines. However, at this time immunizations are the best method we have of protecting our children from potentially fatal childhood illnesses, many of which are no longer seen in the United States thanks to immunization programs. A recommended immunization schedule has been created to make sure your child gets the vaccinations they need at the appropriate times. Some vaccines have been combined into one shot so that your child needs fewer sticks with a needle.

The Standard Schedule of Immunizations

The CDC has a recommended schedule of vaccinations, which should be followed to maximize your child’s protection. If you are interested in an alternate schedule, discuss it with your child’s doctor to be sure you have all the information to weigh the pros and cons. The standard schedule for the first two years is as follows:

At Birth

Before your baby leaves the hospital, the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine will likely be administered. If it is not given in the hospital, your baby’s doctor will administer it at the first check up.

At 1-2 Months Old

If your baby had the first Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, the second one may be given at one month old, or your doctor may wait until two months old. At two months, your baby will also receive the following vaccines:

  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough)
  • Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
  • Polio, or IPV
  • RV (rotavirus)
  • PCV (pneumococcal disease)

At 4 Months Old

Your baby will receive another round of shots similar to the ones given at the 2 month visit. Many vaccines require two or more shots to be completely effective, so don’t be surprised if you see the same ones repeatedly. At four months your baby will once again receive:

  • DTaP
  • Hib
  • Polio, or IPV
  • RV
  • PCV

At 6 Months Old

At your baby’s 6 month visit, your baby will receive another round of the same vaccines you have seen before. In addition to these shots, you may be offered an influenza vaccine depending on the season during which baby’s 6 month visit is scheduled. At this visit, your baby will receive shots for:

  • DTaP
  • Hib
  • PCV

Also optional at this visit is the next round of Hepatitis B and Polio vaccines, which should be given between 6 and 18 months of age.

At 12 to 15 Months Old

At the 12 month visit, you will see some new vaccines as well as more of the ones your child has received previously. All of these vaccines can be given between 12 and 15 months old, so you can choose to do them all at once, or split them up. Again, influenza will be offered seasonally. The 12 to 15 month shots are:

  • PCV
  • Hib
  • Varicella (chicken pox)
  • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
  • Hepatitis A

At 15 to 18 Months Old

At the 15 month check up, your child will receive any vaccines you chose to put off from the 12 month visit. Baby will also be due for one more DTaP shot between 15-18 months. As with previous visits, influenza may be an option depending on the season.

Your doctor will help to make sure all of baby’s vaccinations are on schedule, and answer any questions you might have about the immunizations.

Helping your Baby Explore

Helping your Baby Explore

April 20th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

The more aware your baby becomes of his surroundings, the more his curiosity and desire to explore will grow. Exploring his world is an important part of learning and developing, so encourage your baby to check things out. Remember, he doesn’t know what is safe and what is not, so supervise his explorations closely to keep him safe!

Exploring the Senses

Your baby is busy making use of his senses to get to know the world around him. Things catch his attention either through sound or sight, and from there he wants to engage the rest of his senses to find out more. Encourage baby to touch the things he comes into contact with. Give him different textures to feel, such as soft blankets, a rough sponge, a smooth plastic ball.

Next, you will notice your baby putting all kinds of objects into his mouth. Don’t discourage him from doing this unless the object is dangerous to him! Let him put clean toys and other objects into his mouth, as long as there is no danger of small parts coming loose and choking him. Exploring things with the mouth is a normal part of your baby’s development. He is not only learning this way, he may also be showing the first signs of teething with his desire to chew!

Baby will do more through sight and hearing than just find things to touch. He is exploring the sights and sounds of his world all the time. Give him a mirror, and he will stare at himself for a long time, taking in this interesting new face. Sing to him, or play music to him. Try different types of music to see what he responds to most. Some babies may enjoy soothing classical music, while others enjoy bouncing pop music beats.

Baby on the Move

When your baby starts to crawl and make her way around the house, it’s really time to step up the safety patrol. While you want her to be able to practice her new skill and check out all the new sights, make sure she does it safely. Install gates, outlet covers and door latches to make sure she doesn’t get into anything. Then, set her free!

Help your baby get the most of her movements around the house by letting her check out some new things she hasn’t seen before. Keep one cupboard or drawer in the kitchen unlatched for her to open and dig through. Make sure it’s filled with safe items such as plastic bowls, storage containers and maybe a few measuring cups or wooden spoons. She will make a mess tearing everything out, but will have a great time with it.

Let baby follow you as you go through your daily routine, doing chores and preparing meals (use caution when preparing hot foods however), as she will be fascinated by what you have been up to! It might be tiring to have to re-fold all the laundry, but letting your baby check it out is helping her to learn about her environment.

Babies are little explorers, and they have a lot to learn, so encourage her inquisitiveness and engage her with new things as much as possible. Exploring doesn’t have to happen all at home either! Take your baby outside, and let her explore the yard or a park. There’s plenty to be learned out there as well.

With careful attention to safety precautions, your little one can satisfy her curiosity and learn more every day!

What is your Preschooler’s Favorite Type of Play?

What is your Preschooler’s Favorite Type of Play?

April 19th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

In the preschool years, play becomes more sophisticated, and so does the learning process behind it. What your preschooler enjoys most at playtime can tell you a lot about what is going with his development and learning. Children at this age engage in several different types of play, and each provides a different method for a preschooler to learn about his world and how to become a part of it.

Symbolic Play

Does your little one like to pretend his building blocks are a birthday cake, or his teddy bear is a baby? He’s engaging in symbolic play. This important stage in cognitive development is allowing your preschooler to place a symbolic value on an object, which is important for his understanding of how the world works. By pretending his teddy bear is a baby and imitating the same behaviors he has seen in you and other mothers, he developing an understanding of his place in the world, and the roles of others around him.

Parallel Play

You may notice that when you get your young preschooler together with other kids, he doesn’t really play with them so much as next to them. This doesn’t mean he isn’t aware of the presence of his friends, or that he doesn’t want to play with them. This type of side-by-side play is just the beginning of social play for children. While two children may sit next to each other playing with different toys, they are learning to share space with others and also the very first rules of interaction, which they will build upon later in the preschool years.

Watch for things like imitative play, verbal communications that may seem unrelated to the play at hand (but make perfect sense in your little one’s mind) and the important first steps towards sharing. When the little girl next to him suddenly develops an interest in the toy he is playing with, he will likely be defensive of it. But this reaction is an important starting point for learning about cooperation and sharing, so as much as you can, let the kids work it out amongst themselves. You might just catch the kid who took away your son’s truck offering him another toy in return!

Imaginary Play

Is the bathtub an ocean or the couch a space ship? Does your preschooler present you with invisible cookies to eat, or talk to someone who isn’t there? She is developing her imagination, an important tool for her social development. The ability to imagine herself in the shoes of another person is the beginning of developing empathy. Imagination will also help her to begin anticipating events and guessing (correctly!) at the outcome of her behaviors.

If your child has an imaginary friend, don’t worry about it at all. This natural phase of development is a mark of a very active imagination, which research shows is a positive sign for future social interaction.

Collaborative Play

As your child head further into her preschool years, you will start to see more direct interaction with other kids during play. As she plays more with other children, she will learn all about the rules of society. This play is crucial to helping your child learn how to have successful work and personal relationships.

She is learning things such as sharing, taking turns, how to work out differences through negotiation and compromise, and how to follow social norms and rules. Collaborative play will help her to learn to keep her impulses in check and delay gratification, all things which are difficult for children, who are naturally self-centered.

Every type of play is important to preschoolers, but if your child enjoys one type more than another, don’t worry. Remember that personality plays a role as well, and your little one might be focused on one area of learning right now, but will move on soon.

Learning to Diaper Your New Baby

Learning to Diaper Your New Baby

April 6th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

While it might be one of the most basic baby care activities, diapering your new baby isn’t necessarily the simplest. Deciding between disposable diapers and cloth, mastering the skill of changing a baby without a mess, and dealing with diaper rash all add to the complexity of this universal baby care task.

Disposable vs. Cloth

Since disposable diapers became widely available, they have been the popular choice for new moms. Quick disposal of stinky messes, no diapers to wash, and no difficult pins to deal with are just some of the reasons moms reach for disposables. Today’s disposable diapers are highly absorbent and contain leaks very well. The downside to disposable diapers is that they are expensive and not exactly good for the environment. Because they are made of materials that don’t break down easily, disposable diapers will spend a long, long time in landfills.

Cloth diapers, once the only choice, have recently seen a resurgence in popularity due to both growing environmental concerns and the production of new, easier to use cloth designs. No more pins or folding – cloth diapers now come ready to use with advanced fasteners that won’t poke you or your baby if your fingers slip. Cloth diapers require a little more work for parents, as they need to be washed. While they will save you money in the long run, they do require an up-front expenditure that can be quite pricey, especially for some of the fancier new types of cloth diapers on the market.

Recently, some hybrid choices have appeared that combine a reusable diaper cover with a disposable liner. The G Diaper brand offers both convenience and environmental friendliness with a flushable, biodegradable liner that is used with a washable diaper.

Changing a Diaper

On the surface, it’s an easy task, but any new parent will tell you it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Especially as your baby grows older and starts to wiggle around, changing a diaper can be a challenge. Before you start to remove the old diaper, be sure to slip a new one underneath. That way you will have it ready to put on quickly when the old one is removed. Make sure everything you need is within your reach – never walk away from a baby on a changing table, even one you don’t think can roll over yet!

There are a number of gimmicky items on the market intended to prevent accidents from getting all over the place. A simple washcloth draped over baby while you change him will serve the same purpose. After wiping baby clean, you can also use the washcloth to gently pat him dry before putting the clean diaper on.

As baby gets older, you will want to keep a few small toys in the changing area to occupy him while you get his diaper changed. It will prevent him from wiggling too much or trying to get his hands in the dirty diaper.

Diaper Rash

If your baby develops a diaper rash, you can treat it with over the counter ointments. Try to let his bottom air out as much as possible to keep the rash dry. Be sure to change his diaper frequently, and if regular wipes seem to hurt him try a warm, damp washcloth instead. If the rash does not improve with this treatment, contact your child’s pediatrician, as it could be a sign of a yeast infection that requires further care.

Changing your baby’s diaper will become easier with practice, and you will find that you can accomplish the task more quickly and will less mess the more you do it.

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