Sitting up is an important milestone in the life of a baby. It means your baby is working on developing the strength and determination she needs for mobility. Oh yes, sitting is definitely a step towards crawling and it won’t be long before your baby is zooming around the room. It also means you’ll have your hands free more because your baby will be able to sit up all by herself.

By the time your baby is eight months old, she will probably be able to sit for a few minutes without toppling over. Once your baby is well on her way to sitting up, you’ll need to keep the following in mind:

1. The lean forwards

When your baby first manages to sit up, she’ll need to use her hands for support. She will probably lean forwards onto her arms to provide extra support and she may occasionally topple forwards so it’s important to place her on padded surfaces for safety.

2. The recline

There are a number of specialist baby products (and more budget-friendly household items) you can use to help prop your baby up whilst she’s learning to sit up. Breastfeeding pillows make a great snug for your baby to lean on, as do sofa cushions.

3. The muscle development

You can try propping your baby up with pillows or placing toys just out of reach to try and encourage her to lift herself up, but really all you can do is wait. Your baby will learn to sit up when she’s good and ready. She’s busy developing muscle control, strengthening her muscles and working on her coordination so that she’ll soon be able to sit up unaided. In the meantime, it’s a waiting game.

4. Baby proofing

Once your baby masters sitting up all by herself, you’ll need to make sure the room is safe for your baby. If you have hardwood floors, you’ll need a rug or baby blanket for her to sit on to prevent head injuries should she topple over. Sitting up is a precursor to cruising so it won’t be long before she’s pulling herself up and exploring the room. Crawl around the room on your hands and knees and look out for any potential dangers at baby-height.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Maybe you’re taking your baby to visit family for the holidays or planning your first vacation with your new addition. Either way, the thought of hitting the road (or skies) with your baby for the first time may make you a bit nervous.

It’s true; gone are the days when you could pack an overnight bag and hop a train or flight on a moment’s notice. Although traveling with your baby takes a little more planning and a lot more stuff, it can also be fun to introduce your baby to the world around him.

Plan Ahead

Whether you’re driving, flying or taking another mode of transportation to your destination, there are several things to keep in mind when traveling with your little one.

One of the best things you can do is give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. Getting through security with a baby and extra stuff can take a little while. Even if you’re traveling by car, unexpected stops to change a diaper or soothe a crying baby may occur. Don’t add stress to your travels by feeling rushed.

You may also want to consider traveling overnight. Taking a red-eye flight or driving in the evening may be the perfect way to increase the chances your baby will sleep during the trip.

Traveling by air may be especially stressful with a baby. You’re locked into an aircraft without a lot of space to move around. Add to that the unhappy glances from your fellow passengers when your baby cries and you may have a long flight.

It may help to feed your baby on take-off and landing. All that swallowing may help decrease ear pressure that’s common when you’re changing altitude. Also, consider dressing your baby for easy diaper changes. Those tights and dress may look adorable, but they may not make for a quick diaper change.

However you travel, make sure you bring a few essentials, such as toys, books, diapers and a change of clothes. If you’re modest, a cover up for nursing is also a good idea. You never know when you’ll have a delay, so make sure you bring enough of everything.

Keeping a Loose Routine

Once you get to your destination, try to keep your baby on his normal routine as much as possible. Of course, sticking to an exact routine during the holidays or while traveling can be a little tricky. For instance, if you’re crossing time zones, or family and friends want to hold your little bundle, it may delay your normal activities. But sticking to your baby’s regular schedule may prevent fussiness due to being sleepy or hungry.

Don’t worry if things don’t go completely as planned. Flights get delayed, babies get sick, and travel plans are not foolproof. For example, try not to stress if your seatmate on your flight is not exactly a baby person or if your little one is fussier than normal. Instead, focus on enjoying your holiday or vacation and making new memories with your baby.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @ writerlady 34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Sensory play is not just fun for your baby. It’s how she learns about the world around her. Sensory play is just what it sound like. It involves activities in which your baby uses her five senses. Through touch, smell, seeing, hearing and tasting, your baby explores her world and processes new information.

Research indicates that sensory play helps baby’s brains develop nerve pathways that help them learn more complex tasks as they grow. Sensory play promotes all types of development in babies including language skills, problem solving, gross and fine motor skills and even social interaction.

The great thing about adding sensory play into your child’s schedule is it’s easy to do. In fact, you may already be encouraging a balance of sensory activities with the games you play.

There are all types of sensory play activities that you can do with your baby to encourage her development. For example, sensory boards and books are a fun way for babies to feel different textures.

But you don’t have to buy special toys or books to encourage sensory play. Everyday items can be used to create learning opportunities. For example, combine sand and shaving cream to make a sand foam for your baby to play with. Stay close by, since you might need to stop your baby from giving it a taste test.

When your baby is a bit older, finger painting is also a fun type of sensory activity your baby may enjoy. You can make your own edible finger paint out of cornstarch, water and food coloring. It might be a good choice for little ones who are still putting everything in their mouth. Edible finger paint is safe, but it’s not so yummy it encourages a second taste.

You can help your baby explore sound by filling empty water bottles half way with items, such as buttons, beads, water and rice. Seal the bottle tightly and let your baby shake, rattle and roll the bottle to hear different sounds.

Encouraging sensory play can be as easy as stepping outside. If your baby is learning to stand up or walk, let him feel the grass on his feet. Consider blowing bubbles and teaching your baby how to pop them or enjoy a little water play outside. Place toy boats and plastic cups in a shallow plastic tub with a few inches of water. Let your baby splash, pour and play. Remember when your baby is enjoying water play, always stay right by her side as a safety precaution.

Written by MaryAnn DePietro @writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Your baby may not even be walking yet, so you might think it’s too early to think about water safety, but it’s not. Before you know it, your little bundle will be crawling or toddling around and can get into trouble in the blink of an eye.

Bath Time Safety

Accidental drownings can happen quickly. But there are several things you can do to keep your baby safe from water hazards. For example, although bath time can be fun for your baby, it’s essential to keep safety in mind. The majority of babies under age one who drown, do so in the bathtub.

When it comes to babies and the bathtub, rule number one is never leave your baby unattended even for a second. You might think your baby is only in a few inches of water and safe in a baby tub. But leaving to answer the door or grab the phone is enough time for your baby to slip under the water.

If you’re not using a baby tub, place a rubber suction bath mat on the bottom of the tub to prevent your baby from slipping. Also, don’t go overboard filling the tub. Three or four inches of water is enough.

For babies who can’t yet sit up, make sure everything you need, such as soap and a washcloth is within an arm’s reach, so you can have one hand on your baby all the time.

Swimming Pool Safety

Playing in a swimming pool is a great sensory activity for your baby. It’s also a fun way to cool off. But it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Be careful if you use a large kiddie pool that is too big to drain after each use. Large kiddie pools are not fenced in and can still pose a danger to your baby. You may be better off using a small baby pool that’s easy to empty when you’re done.

Whether you have a built-in or an above ground backyard pool, be sure to have all the safety measures in place. For instance, anything larger than a kiddie pool should be surrounded by a fence with a self-locking gate. If you have an above ground pool, take the ladder out of the pool after each use. Don’t leave toys in the pool that might entice your baby to grab. When she reaches for the toy, she can fall in. You may also want to consider a pool alarm for an added safety measure.

Additional water safety tips you may want to consider include:

• Installing a toilet lock in the bathroom
• Avoid leaving buckets of water outside
• Consider baby swim lessons
• Keep in mind, when it comes to water safety nothing replaces a watchful eye.

Written by Mary Ann DePietro @writerlady34

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be an expert in the kitchen, making your own baby purees is just about the easiest thing you can take on. And sure, you could go to the store and buy some pre-made purees, but when you make your own you know exactly what your baby is eating. Not to mention, you save money, and you can generally finish a batch of purees in about the same amount of time it would take to head to the store and back. So why not give it a try?

Since your little one only recently started eating solid foods, you probably want to stick to single-ingredient purees for now. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, beets, pears, spinach, and apples all make good starter purees.

Here are some puree recipes you can’t go wrong with:

• Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cube 2 sweet potatoes, steam for 20 to 30 minutes (or roast whole for 1 hour at 400 degrees). Add to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, adding water or breast milk for the desired consistency.
• Butternut Squash: Peel and cube 1 butternut squash, steam for 20 to 30 minutes (or roast, halved and de-seeded, for 45 minutes at 400 degrees). Add to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, adding water or breast milk for the desired consistency.
• Beets: Steam 2 beets with the skin on for 30 to 40 minutes (or roast whole for 1 hour at 400 degrees). Add to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, adding water or breast milk for the desired consistency.
• Pears: Peel, core, and chop 2 ripe pears and steam for 8 to 10 minutes (or roast for 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees). Add to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, adding water or breast milk for the desired consistency.
• Spinach: Steam spinach for 5 to 10 minutes (or roast for 5 to 7 minutes at 400 degrees). Add to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, adding water or breast milk for the desired consistency.
• Apples: Peel, core, and chop 2 apples and steam for 15 minutes (or roast for 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees). Add to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, adding water or breast milk for the desired consistency.

From there, you can serve fresh, or portion the remaining puree out into ice cube trays for freezing. Once frozen, you can place the cubes in a plastic bag and thaw overnight as needed in the refrigerator.

See! Easy peasy.

Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

As soon as you announced your pregnancy, you probably started receiving unsolicited advice left, right and center. Everybody has some pearl of wisdom they just need to impart, even if they’ve never met you before. Sadly, that doesn’t stop when the baby’s born, in fact, it multiplies. Everybody knows exactly how you should be raising your child, what you’re doing wrong and what your baby really needs. Except they don’t. Like, at all. Don’t worry, you are the world’s leading expert in your baby and nobody else knows better than you.

One of the things new moms are often told is that it’s vitally important that they get their baby into a routine. If the old ladies on the street are to be believed, this is the absolute gold star award in parenting. Your baby needs to be in a routine, now. But, like with all things parenting, there is no one size fits all approach to getting things right.

Do I need to get my baby into a routine?

You need to keep your baby safe, fed and loved. Other than that, there’s no need about it. There are so many different parenting styles and options out there, and your job is to pick the one that works best for your family. You don’t need to do one thing just because your sister did it. And you certainly don’t need to do something just because everybody else is doing it.

As the parent, you have plenty of choices to make about how you raise your child. But that’s just it, they’re choices. There is no right answer, there is only the style that works best for you. For some moms, routine is a sanity saver that allows them to feel a little more in control of the situation than they otherwise would. For other moms, routine may not be the answer.

The pros of a routine

Parents who use routine will be able to tell you all of the benefits. With scheduled nap times, meal times and bedtimes, you’ll have a little more control over how you spend your day. Some parents believe babies thrive in routines and that knowing what comes next can help them to deal with transition. If you manage to successfully establish a bedtime routine, you might be one of the few parents who gets to enjoy evenings in the near future.

The pros of on demand

If routine doesn’t sound like it’s for you, you may be more of a go with the flow mom. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Going with the flow allows you a flexibility that simply doesn’t exist within the constraints of a routine. On demand breastfeeding puts your baby in charge of how much and how often she eats, and many believe this is important for teaching your baby to understand when she is hungry and full. If you find the thought of a routine exhausting, then on demand might be better suited to you. This allows to take things a day at a time, to see what works as and when and, most importantly, to follow your baby’s lead.

Are you a fan of routines or are you more of a go with the flow mama?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Oh, parenting, such a glamorous job. When you’re not scraping baby poop out from under your fingernails or trying to work out how obvious the baby sick on your denim jacket is, you’re desperately trying to get the snot out of your baby’s nose. By your baby’s first birthday, you’ll be an expert in all things related to bodily fluid.

It sucks when your baby has a cold. You will probably find that your baby can’t sleep well thanks to that bunged up nose, which means you won’t be sleeping well either. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll end up with snot-covered nipples. Your baby will have a permanent face caterpillar of snot edging down towards his mouth and will probably be pretty grumpy. Do not fear, however, here are some stuffy nose remedies to help you through the next few days:

1. Steam it away

Steam is great for clearing the airways and helping your baby to breathe a little easier. If your baby is suffering from a blocked nose, try spending a little extra time in the bathroom. Run the shower so that the room fills with steam and sit with your baby in the bathroom for a few minutes. This is a great one to try just before bed and will hopefully guarantee you a little extra sleep thanks to those cleared airways.

2. Use a sling

Staying upright can reduce the risk of a blocked nose. This can prove tricky for young babies who spend a lot of time lying down. Try using a sling or baby-carrier with your baby to keep her upright throughout the day. Not only will this help with her nose, it will also help you if your baby is clingy when under the weather. You’ll be able to soothe, kiss and hold your baby whilst still having your hands free to do other things.

3. Saline nasal drops

Saline nasal drops for babies can be picked up at the pharmacist and may help to clear your baby’s blocked nose. The gentle solution simply thins the mucus and clears the blocked nose. You’ll then be able to use a damp cotton wool ball to gently remove any snot around your baby’s nose.

4. Remove the snot

There are all kinds of weird and wonderful products on the baby market. A few of these even claim to be good at getting rid of snot. You could give one of these a try if your baby is struggling to breathe through her nose. Ask in your local pharmacist to see what products they have to offer. One of the most common designs is the bulb syringe.  If your baby is struggling to feed properly because of a stuffy nose, it’s worth trying to clear the snot before each feed.

5. Raise the mattress

You may have noticed yourself that raising your head at night can help you get a better night’s sleep when you’re suffering from a cold. This works for babies too. Pillows are not advised for babies because of the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Instead, you can use a folded towel under your baby’s mattress to gently raise one end of the mattress. This will allow your baby to breathe easier at night. Only raise the mattress slightly, to avoid your baby sliding to the bottom or sides of the cot.

What tricks and tips do you use when your baby is suffering from a stuffy nose?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.