Your baby loves to explore and what better way to explore than with your mouth, right? Every time he stumbles across something new, it goes straight in his mouth. This is devastating enough when it’s the remote for your new hi-fi system, but what about when it’s that new dust bunny from under the sofa? Yep, your baby is not a fussy eater, he’ll try and eat pretty much any non-food item available to him. Here are just a few of the gross things your baby will eat:

1. Crayons

It doesn’t matter how wonderful a parent you are, at some point, you will walk into the room to find your child with a suspiciously blue tongue. Crayons are not food, but how is your baby supposed to know this without at least attempting to devour a full on? Luckily for you, most crayons are non-toxic these days so aside from the awkward explanations you’ll have to give at the grocery store checkout, your baby’s misdemeanor is unlikely to cause any problems.

2. Nature

Ah, nature, so tasty. It’s a great idea to get your child out and about exploring nature. Not only do open spaces offer sensory experiences that can’t be recreated in your living room, but it may help to teach your child to love and appreciate nature. How? By proving to him just how tasty it is. Take your child to the beach and he’ll come home with a tummy full of sand. Take him to the countryside and he’ll chow down on some grass. Take him out to find autumn leaves and he’ll eat a few. Your job is to try and stop him doing so, but don’t worry, it’s an impossible task.

3. Water

Water is a great drink. It’s the ultimate hydrating fluid and contains no sugar or empty calories. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But your baby won’t be drinking it from a sanitized water fountain, oh no. He’ll be taking huge mouthfuls of bathwater each and every time he bathes. You know, right after he’s peed in it. And when you take him swimming, he’ll be glugging away there too. Try as you might, you won’t convince him that not all water is for drinking. Try gently explaining that the water is yucky and redirect him to a more appropriate source of drinking water. One without pee in it, for example.

4. Pet food

Well, if the dog can eat it, why can’t I? That’s baby logic, unfortunately. Dog biscuits are fun. They’re powdery and hard and smell weird. And they make a great sound when you drop them in the bowl. Oh, and they taste gross, but your baby isn’t fussy. If you have pet bowls in a family area, there’s a high chance your baby will sample pet food at some point. It’s not ideal, it certainly won’t be delicious but it’s unlikely to do your child any harm. If it keeps happening, you may need to relocate the pet food until your child has a more mature palate.

5. His hands

Don’t worry, he’s not a cannibal, he just can’t stop sucking, chewing and generally slobbering all over his hands. While that may sound better than eating cat food, take a moment to consider all the things your baby’s hands have touched today. Your baby explores everything with his hands. From the cat’s tail to the mud at the bottom of the garden, your baby has touched it all. And, when you’re not looking, he sticks his hand into his diaper even when he’s done a number two. Those hands are about as germ-covered as it is possible for them to be, and yet your baby will happily munch away on them all day long. Yum.

What gross things have you caught your baby trying to eat?

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.

What is electrosmog?

Electrosmog is the term given for the invisible electromagnetic radiation produced by wi-fi and electrical devices. You can’t see electrosmog, but it probably takes up quite a bit of space inside your home. Electronic devices and wi-fi technology are now commonly found within family homes, something which wasn’t true a generation ago.

Babies have thinner skull bones than adults and are therefore more at risk of radiation. Children’s brains have been found to absorb higher levels of waves than adult brains. A 2014 study found that children’s brains were more at risk of absorbing electromagnetic field radiation (EMF) than adult brains. The widespread use of wi-fi technology is still relatively recent and so we do not yet know what effect this lifestyle change could be having on children.

Do I need to worry about electrosmog?

Wi-fi is everywhere. You probably have wi-fi installed in your home, you may use a wi-fi smartphone or even a wi-fi baby monitor on a daily basis. In France, the government has banned the use of wi-fi in nurseries who care for children aged under three years old. However, the rest of the world doesn’t seem to be following suit.

You may be worried that you aren’t doing enough to protect your child from wi-fi technology. Or perhaps you worry that there’s not much you can do, after all, wi-fi is well integrated into modern life and you may wonder how you’d manage without it.

You may be pleased to hear that most scientists agree that wi-fi is safe technology. The EMF waves released by wi-fi technology are low level and are not thought to be directly harmful to children. The World Health Organization says, “Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.”

In truth, the available research into the effect of EMF waves on developing brains is limited. More research will need to be carried out before accurate judgements can be made, but for the moment, wi-fi is thought to be safe for use in the home.

How can I protect my baby from electrosmog?

If you are worried, you could switch off wi-fi when not in use. If you have a wi-fi baby monitor, you could replace this with a model that doesn’t rely on wi-fi technology. There are even baby monitors that only use wi-fi when necessary, so the device won’t be transmitting wi-fi waves unless your baby is crying. If you let your child play with your phone, trying switching it to airplane mode before handing it over. You may also want to reduce the amount of time you spend using wi-fi technology whilst holding your baby.

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.

Your baby is already learning so much each day just from watching you. You’re probably not even trying, but you’ve already taught your baby loads about the world. Games are a fun way of helping your baby to develop new skills, having fun and, most importantly, filling time during the day. Here are three fun and interactive games to play with a seven month old:

1. Muffin trays

At around seven months, your baby may suddenly develop an interest in containers. All of a sudden, he’ll enjoy putting things in and taking them out again. You can exploit this new found love and create a simple game your baby will love. All you’ll need is a clean muffin tray from your kitchen and a selection of items. You can choose whatever items you like. Toy balls, dried pasta, sponges, keys, you name it, your baby will love it. Place some items inside the muffin tray and let your baby have fun moving things about. If you choose items with different smells, textures and sounds, the game becomes a sensory treat for your seven month old.

2. Repeat after me

Your beautiful little baby is starting to work on his communication skills. At around seven months old, your baby will start making some pretty unusual noises as he experiments with his vocal chords. You can help him to work on his language development by chattering back to him. All you need for this game is yourself and your baby. Sit in front of your baby and repeat any gurgling noises back at him. Copy the intonation, length and sound of his chatter. You will probably find that he chatters straight back and you end up in a nonsensical conversation for a good few minutes. This game will provide plenty of entertainment and you can sleep soundly (as if) knowing that it’s also helping him to develop his language skills.

3. Where is it hiding?

Your baby now understands object permanence. He knows that something still exists, even when he can no longer see it. Your baby has probably been enjoying peekaboo for quite a while, squealing with delight whenever you reappear from behind your hands. This game builds on those same concepts, allowing baby to try and find the object for himself. Take one of your baby’s favorite toys and hide it either behind your back or under a blanket, then ask your baby where it’s hiding. Your baby should try to find the toy for you, if he’s mobile, he may even crawl behind you to retrieve it.

What games does your seven month old love to play?

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.

Moms don’t get to hog all the bonding time with those adorable newborns, unsurprisingly dads want a slice of the action too. Not only will this help your partner to bond with the new baby and build his parenting confidence, it will also give you a much-needed chunk of time to yourself. You could have a bath, read a book or take a nap (obviously  the nap will take priority here). Here are a few ideas for daddy and baby activities:

1. Taking a walk

A walk on a nice day is pretty much the perfect daddy and baby activity. He can get his adorable baby all snuggled up in the sling and set off into the fresh air with his baby at kissing height (what could be better?). Being in a sling allows the baby to experience the world just as his daddy experiences it. Dad will be able to chat away happily to the baby, pointing out things of interest and generally keeping baby entertained as they enjoy a walk together. If the baby falls asleep, he’ll have that added joy of feeling like a baby whisperer, who doesn’t love that?

2. Socialising

It’s not just mamas who can enjoy a coffee morning, dads can have gatherings too. Encourage your partner to meet up with his friends who have kids too. Together they can encourage their kids to form friendships, whilst sharing the highs and lows of fatherhood. It’s not just moms who love to chat, dads can learn a lot from each other as well.

3. Attending a group

In fact, because it’s well known that dads love to socialize, there are now plenty of local meetups for dads. These tend to take place on the weekend and allow dads a chance to get together with their kids and meet other families. They say it takes a whole village to raise a child, so encourage your partner to get out there and find some villagers. If there isn’t a group locally, suggest to your partner that he sets one up.

4. Baby massage

Baby massage encourages optimum health, relaxation and bonding. It’s also a great way to boost your parenting confidence. If your partner is out at work all day and then struggles with the baby when he gets home, he might benefit from a baby massage class to help build his confidence. There are classes he can attend to learn techniques or he could simply watch instructional videos online. Once he’s mastered the moves, a massage can become a part of his daily routine, allowing him ample opportunity to bond with his baby.

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.

There is a lot of pressure on women to get on with things after the birth. You’re expected to continue having it all, even in the midst of the hormonal aftermath that is those first few postpartum weeks. Many women feel pressure to leave their baby when they aren’t quite ready.

Why the pressure exists

Quite simply, a lot of that pressure exists for selfish reasons. Grandparents may be encouraging you to have a night out so that they can enjoy an evening of babysitting. Friends may be trying to convince you to go for cocktails because they miss your company. Of course, neither of these things are crimes, but they’re also unlikely to be top of your agenda right now.

Should I leave my baby?

There is no right or wrong time to leave your baby with a sitter. Some moms are comfortable to do this early on and for others, it can take much longer until they’re ready to be parted from the baby. You should do what is right for you. This is your decision to make and nobody else’s. Nobody else can tell you how you should feel or how you should act. Being a mom is life-changing and if that means you skip a few cocktail nights, then so be it.

How can I say no?

You hate to say no, don’t you? It sounds so selfish and unhelpful, but it’s something you need to get used to saying. You’re a mama now and that means your priorities have shifted. You have less time to worry about what other people think right now and that can only be a good thing.

It might not be easy to turn down babysitting offers from keen bean grandparents, but you don’t have to accept if you’re not ready to take that step yet. You can politely explain that you’re not ready to leave your baby yet, but let them know that you’ll be calling on them for babysitting duty when you are ready in the future.

For friends who are feeling left out, all you need to do is be honest. Tell them you’re not ready yet. Your baby is still so little and you just can’t leave her just yet, but one day you will. And in the meantime, how about a cocktail night at your house instead? Or perhaps a lunchtime catch up next weekend? Be flexible and make sure your friends know that you still value them, but that you’re just not quite ready to leave your baby just yet.

When will I be ready to leave my baby?

Don’t worry, you’re not going to be following your kid to uni, unable to cut that cord. It’s very common for mothers to want to stay close to their young babies. There’s nothing wrong with it, this is simply the first stage of motherhood. As your baby grows, you will find yourself feeling more able to spend time apart. There’s no need to rush it, just wait until you feel ready. Your baby will only be this little once.

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.

No one likes to see their baby sick. The little coughs. The fever. The runny nose and tears. It’s just the saddest thing to witness, and it can make a parent feel so helpless.

But just like when you get sick, your baby may simply need to have a few days of relaxation in order to feel better. Some cuddles and lots of fluids to keep the healing process moving.

Of course, some illnesses require more than just rest to recover from. If your baby has a fever, or if the pediatrician has diagnosed an infection and prescribed antibiotics, you may find yourself needing to give your baby medication. But do you know how to do that correctly, and safely?

First things first: where are you storing the medication? All medication, whether purchased over the counter or with a prescription, should be kept high and out of reach of curious little hands. No matter how sick your baby may be, do not keep his or her medication where it could be grabbed by chubby little fingers in a burst of energy.

The other thing to pay attention to is storage instructions. Plenty of medications for infants and children require being kept cold. Failure to store those medications in the refrigerator could result in them not working correctly. Other baby medications might indicate they should be kept out of sunlight, so storing them in a closed, dark cabinet would be a good idea.

Next, you want to make sure you understand the dosing instructions, and that you have the tools (either a syringe or measuring cup) to measure the medication correctly before giving it to your baby. Double check each time you give the medication; accidentally overdosing could be dangerous.

Only give your baby medications that are recommended or prescribed by your pediatrician, and only for the reasons prescribed. For instance, if your pediatrician recommends an antihistamine syrup for an allergic reaction, don’t then use it a few weeks later to help your baby sleep.

Pay attention to expiration dates and safely dispose of medications once that expiration date arrives.

When actually administering medications, wash your hands and shake the bottle before measuring. Younger babies may have an easier time taking the medication with an oral syringe, while older babies or toddlers may do fine with a mini-measuring cup. Either way, allow your baby to drink slowly, and then wash whatever you used in warm water and gentle soap before the next dose.

Most children’s medications taste good and your baby likely won’t protest, but if he or she does, try swaddling them before giving the dose (so that they can’t fight too hard away from it). Then, gently squeeze his or her cheeks into a fishy face after administering the medication (to prevent it being spit back out) and softly stroke their chin to encourage swallowing.

Don’t worry, your baby will be on the mend in no time!

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.

You were so excited for your baby to get mobile. Do you remember that? Cheering your little one on as he or she scooted across the floor! Shouting with excitement the first time he rolled over! Being filled with pride when she crawled eagerly to meet you!

Well, congratulations! Your baby is mobile, and now you’ve got to baby-proof!

That’s right, a mobile baby is an inquisitive baby. And an inquisitive baby is one basically asking to get hurt. But what does baby proofing really entail?

Well, let’s break it down by room:

Bathroom

• Toilet locks
• Non-slip mat in the bathtub
• Soft cover for the bath spout
• Keep lotions, shampoos and razors out of reach

Bedrooms

• Hooks to keep blind chords out of reach
• Anchoring furniture to the walls to prevent them being pulled over
• Doorstops to keep little fingers from getting squashed
• Keep baby’s crib or bed away from the window

Kitchen

• When cooking, use rear hobs and turn handles to the back of the stove so that baby can’t reach up and grab them
• Keep a fire extinguisher under the sink
• Child locks for oven door, cupboards and drawers
• Ensure cables on kettle and appliances can’t be grabbed and pulled off the counters

In General

• Socket covers
• All medication kept high and out of reach
• Baby gates, especially around stairs and large appliances
• Window locks
• Corner and edge guards for the furniture
• Sharp objects (like scissors, knives, pens, needles, letter openers, or paperclips) out or reach
• Cover and conceal electrical cords
• Anchor televisions and other large pieces of equipment
• Put stickers on sliding glass doors
  

Outside

• Pool gate
• Restrict the use of pesticides and rat poison

Obviously, every home is different and your baby proofing needs may vary depending on where you live and what hazards you have to contend with. Try to survey your home with an eye focused on potential dangers. For instance, do you have the matches for your fireplace located right next to the fireplace? Or is there a tall and fragile lamp in the living room that could easily be knocked over? What about glass-top tables, or toys that have small parts that could become choke hazards?

Baby proofing is not an exact science, and you may miss dangers that only become clear when your little one becomes even more mobile. Try not to be hard on yourself. Instead, use these experiences to learn from as you continue working to keep your home safe for your little one.

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.