If you’re trying to keep your baby away from germs, you are probably fighting a losing battle. Babies love dirt and mess and pretty much everything they shouldn’t really be touching. They will happily cuddle up with their incredibly snotty best friend, gleefully play with puddles of mud and are more than happy giving the dog a kiss (right after he’s licked his, erm, self). Yep, babies aren’t fussy, they’ll touch anything. So, how can you keep your baby away from harmful germs and, in fact, should you?

Is dirt good for kids?

Many parents try to keep their kids away from dirt because they believe it will keep them healthy, but in fact, many scientists disagree. Researchers now believe that early exposure to germs can actually reduce the risk of allergies and asthma in later life. It is thought that exposure to bacteria, viruses and parasites is important for the healthy development of the immune system.

If you try to keep your home as sterile as possible, encourage regular and thorough hand washing and carry hand sanitizer with you wherever you go, you may actually be depriving your child of the opportunity to develop a strong immune system. Without exposure to germs in the environment, our bodies are unable to build up the immunities we may need in later life. This combined with the overuse of antibiotics may cause serious problems for this next generation in later life.

Finding the balance

So, a clean sterile environment could be bad for your kids in the future. But a filthy, germ-filled environment might not do them any favors either. How do you find the balance and ensure your child is exposed to the right amount of germs? Well, there isn’t a quota for the right amount or even right type of germs. It all comes down to common sense. Of course, you should wash your child’s hands after they visit the toilet, but it’s probably ok for them to play in the mud in the garden every now and again.

How do you feel about germs? Are you a clean freak or do you go with the flow when it comes to muddy hands?

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.

For now, your baby is communicating through coos, smiles, babbling and of course crying. But before you know it, your baby’s sweet coos will turn into baby’s first words. Whether it is mama, dada or bye-bye, hearing your little one say his first words, is exciting.

How Babies Develop Language

Your baby’s language development starts long before he can say real words. Somewhere around four to six months, your little one will start babbling and experimenting with making different sounds. Babies use their lips, tongue and palate to make sounds. Making silly noises, such as blowing raspberries, is more than just cute. It is a precursor to talking and an important part of development.

A few months later, your baby starts mimicking tones and sounds similar to the ones you make, which is why talking to your baby is so important. Although it can vary, somewhere around her first birthday your baby may start saying single words.

As she grows, her language skills will continue to develop. With each passing month, your baby adds words to her vocabulary and understands even more.

Keep in mind, what’s considered normal is wide open. Although your baby may be an early talker, it’s also considered normal for a baby not to say his first real words until he is 18 months. Remember, babies sometimes do things at their own pace, not by the books. But if you have concerns, talk to your pediatrician.

Encouraging Language Development

There are several things you can do to help your baby develop her language skills, and you may already be doing many of them. For example, talking and singing to your baby are excellent ways to encourage language. Although your baby will not understand everything you say, she is still a captivated audience. Describe activities as you’re doing them, point out objects and make up silly rhyming songs.

It’s also helpful to respond when your baby “talks” to you. For instance, if you’re talking to your baby, and he coos or babbles back, pause just like you would if he was talking using words. Make eye contact, be responsive and let your little one know you’re listening.

Reading is also a great way to encourage language development. Consider making reading a part of your nighttime routine. Reading also provides quiet time to cuddle with your baby and help her settle down. While you’re reading, point to the pictures as you say the words. This helps your baby understand what different words mean.

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.

Somes babies are born with teeth and others won’t get their first gnasher until after they’ve blown out that first birthday cake candle. If you’re currently in the midst of the sleepless nights, biting and grumpiness associated with teething, you may be wondering whether it’s time to start brushing your baby’s teeth.

Until your baby has his first tooth, there’s no need to invest in a toothbrush. You can use a clean piece of gauze or soft cloth to gently wipe your baby’s gums though you won’t need to use any toothpaste just yet. Dentists recommend doing this when your baby starts showing signs of teething, to remove plaque that could potentially harm the emerging teeth.

What you’ll need

Your baby’s first tooth will probably be one of the front bottom teeth. Once it’s here, you’ll need to start taking care of it. If you want, you can continue using a clean piece of gauze or soft cloth to gently wipe your baby’s gums, though this time you’ll need to use toothpaste.

If you prefer, you can invest in your baby’s first toothbrush at this time. Your baby’s brush should have soft bristles on a small head. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for advice, they should have a selection of brushes for babies. It’s a good idea to invest in two brushes, you never quite know when your baby is going to throw her brush in the toilet.

Check with your dentist for advice about which toothpaste to buy. Whether you need added fluoride can depend upon the area you live in, fluoride is sometimes but not always present in the water supply. If you are advised to use a fluoride toothpaste, only put a small amount (around the size of a grain of rice) on the brush. It can be harmful to children to swallow too much fluoride and, unsurprisingly, babies aren’t great at spitting on demand.

How to clean your baby’s teeth

You’ll need to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day, so get into the habit of that early on. It’s a good idea to let your baby see you cleaning your teeth, so he can get used to the idea of teeth cleaning. Try sitting your baby on your lap, facing away from you. Start brushing with gentle circular movements. Remember, your baby may have sore gums thanks to teething so be very gentle.

If your baby doesn’t like having his teeth brushed, give him his own toothbrush to play with. That way he can have a go himself though you’ll still need to help out for a couple more years.

When should my baby go to the dentist?

It’s a good idea to take your baby with you to each dental appointment. This gives your baby the chance to get used to visiting the dentist. Your dentist may offer to quickly check your baby’s teeth at your appointments, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about infant dental hygiene.

Does your baby enjoy having his teeth cleaned?

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 almost certainly going to bang his head at some point before his third birthday. Not many people make it through toddlerhood without the odd head bump. Some head injuries are more serious than others and it’s important you know the signs and can act fast in case of an emergency. Seeing your baby take a knock to the head can be upsetting, and you may find you are more upset about it than she is!

No matter how careful you are, your baby is likely to suffer a few bumps and bruises during those first few years of life. Babies are toddlers are pretty good at falling over, bumping into tables, falling off things and dropping hard plastic toys on their own faces.

What to do if your baby bumps her head

If your baby has suffered a minor bump to her head, holding a cold compress to the bumped area will help to reduce the swelling. Your baby will also need plenty of cuddles, love and reassurance as she’s likely to be upset about the injury. Your baby may be a little clingy while she recovers from the shock but should be back to her usual self in no time. Try to stay calm, remember your baby will pick up on your emotions. If you seem panicked and scared, your baby will feel panicked and scared too. Stay calm, reassure your baby and try to assess the damage. If you’re still breastfeeding, a quick feed could provide some much-needed comfort to your upset baby.

When to seek professional help

Most bumps are nothing to worry about, but sometimes babies and toddlers can really hurt themselves and may require medical attention. Your baby will need emergency medical attention if she:

• becomes unconscious
• is drowsy
• vomits
• struggles to breathe
• has a seizure or fit

You should also take your baby to the hospital if she seems to be having problems with her coordination, vision or talking. She will need to be taken to the hospital if she appears weak or confused, becomes unusually sleepy or cannot be woken at night.

It’s best to trust your instinct here. If your baby isn’t showing any of the above symptoms, but you still feel concerned, take your baby to see the doctor. Remember, all babies and toddlers suffer from a few bumps and bruises. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent, and the doctor isn’t going to judge you. Speak to your friends about it, you might be surprised to find out just how many babies have suffered similar head bumps!

Has your baby ever suffered a bump to the head?

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.

You spent nine long months drawing up a shortlist, vetoed hundreds of ridiculous suggestions from your other half and finally settled on a name you both loved. Or did you? It’s not uncommon for parents to wake up one day and think “Help! I don’t like my baby’s name.” Baby name regret isn’t uncommon, though you may not know many parents who discuss it openly.

Perhaps it was the best of a bad bunch or maybe you were convinced you were having a boy and so didn’t spend much time considering girl’s names. Whatever the reason, you’re now in a bit of an awkward situation. The name has been announced, friends and family love it, but you’re still not keen. Is there anything you can do about it?

What to do when you don’t like your baby’s name

1. Be honest

Opening up and talking to your partner or best friend could make the world of difference. If you’ve been treating it like a deep dark secret, it’s probably been eating away at you. It may also have grown into a huge problem simply because you’ve been trying to bottle it up. Talking about how you feel could actually leave you feeling happier and more positive, you may even decide the name isn’t quite so bad.

2. Talk it through

If you still hate the name and really can’t imagine ever growing to love it, it’s time to have a chat with your partner. How would he feel about potentially changing your baby’s name? It may sound drastic, but plenty of other parents have made this choice. If you love the middle name you chose, could you switch the two names around and start using the middle one as a first name? Or would you prefer to go for something new entirely? If you can agree on a new name, you can give your baby a name you both love.

3. Get people on board

If you do decide to choose a new name, you might have a few awkward conversations with friends and family members. Whilst you may find some are supportive and love the new name, others are bound to be hesitant about the change. Remember, it’s your choice and if you’re happy with a switch, then that’s all that matters. Explain to people why you’ve decided to make the change and why you’ve picked the new name. Explain that you feel the new name is better suited to your beautiful baby and that the old name simply wasn’t doing your baby justice. It might take people a little while to adjust, but they’ll soon grow used to the new name.

Have you had any doubts about the name you chose?

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.

First it was sponge baths, and then you started bathing baby in a specially designed infant tub or maybe even in the sink. He’s getting a little bigger now and you’re wondering: when will it be time to move your baby to a bath in the big tub?

Once your baby can sit up on his own – typically around 6 months – he’s ready for the big bathtub. Here are some tips to make this bath-time transition a little smoother:

• Make sure the bathroom is nice and warm.

• Fill the tub with only a couple inches of water.

• Have some fun toys for baby to play with. Bath time can be a splashing, fun time – and playing around with water may be a completely new experience for baby.

• Have all of the bathing supplies – soap, washcloth, towel – handy. If you forget something, take baby out of the tub while you get it. Don’t turn your back on baby once he’s in the water.

• Use a non-skid mat under baby to keep his slippery bottom from sliding around in the tub.

• A baby’s bath water should be around 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). Test the water with your elbow or wrist before setting baby in or invest in a floating thermometer made just for this purpose. Be sure your hot water heater is set low enough to prevent scalding should the water be inadvertently turned on when baby is near the tap.

Never leave your baby unattended around water – even just for a second. Babies can drown even in just an inch of water. If the phone rings or your attention is needed elsewhere when baby is in the tub, wrap baby in a towel and take him with you, then return to the bath when you’re done.

Keep in mind moving from a comfy, tight tub to a big, open tub can be scary for some babies. Sometimes putting the infant tub inside the big tub the first few times can make this transition easier for baby.

If you don’t have a tub? No problem. Most babies (and toddlers) will happily play at your feet in the shower, and you can easily give them a quick washing before you both get out. Be sure to put a non-slip mat at the bottom of the shower though, so baby doesn’t slip around (and hurt himself). Some parents buy an old-fashioned steel washtub, a large plastic bin or a small inflatable bathtub if they live in a home with only a shower.

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

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.