You might have grown up with various traditions that you looked forward to each year. Now that you’re a parent, you want to create traditions with your baby. Even if your baby is too young to understand what is going on, it’s never too early to start establishing certain family traditions.

Family traditions can be beneficial for several reasons. For instance, traditions provide people with a sense of belong. Think about it. When you are participating in family traditions, it makes you feel part of something.

Participating in traditions also offers security. Life changes quickly. Children grow up, people move and things don’t stay the same. But a tradition can become a constant you can count on. Traditions help families develop a feeling that no matter how much things change, some things stay the same, which can be comforting.

Creating traditions also brings family and friends together and may create cultural awareness. Developing traditions with your baby also helps you bond as a family and create lasting memories.

How to Develop Traditions with Your Baby

We live in a fast-paced world, which can make developing and maintaining traditions a challenge. But it’s worth the effort. It may take a little planning, but family traditions help us appreciate the people in our lives.

There is no set outline on how to develop family traditions with your baby. What you do, who you share it with and how it should grow over time is up to you. For example, you can continue to enjoy the same traditions with your baby that were passed down to you or start new traditions.

Whether you celebrate holidays with certain activities or welcome a new season by doing something special, a tradition does not have to be an elaborate event or costly trip. For instance, a fun family tradition could include a monthly game night or a trip to a farm to cut down a Christmas tree. Or consider kicking off the summer with a campout in your backyard or host a family potluck every Easter.

When it comes to starting traditions, there are no rules. The specific activity is not as important as the feeling of belonging and closeness you create with your baby and the people you care about.

Keep in mind, family traditions will develop as your baby grows. There may be some things you cannot do while your little one is an infant. But you can also create new traditions as your baby develops more awareness. So get creative and have fun and someday, your baby may carry on the same traditions with her family!

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.

Tooth decay is surprisingly common in babies and young children. It is very important that you look after your child’s teeth. Baby teeth may only stick around for a few years but they have an important job to do. If baby teeth are lost too early thanks to tooth decay, the remaining teeth may move around in the mouth and this can cause problems for the erupting adult teeth.Tooth decay can be painful and expensive to treat. Though it is treatable, it is much better to avoid tooth decay in the first place. Here are some tips to help you avoid baby bottle tooth decay:

1. Don’t use a bottle at bedtime

Your formula fed baby probably still has a bottle before bed and that’s fine. It’s important, however, to make sure that your baby doesn’t fall asleep with the bottle. This can cause formula milk to pool in the mouth and the sugars in the milk can cause tooth decay. Make sure your baby drinks her milk while she’s still awake and remove the bottle before she starts to drift off.

2. Stick to water

Your baby needs breast or formula milk to aid growth and development during the first year of life (and potentially longer for breastfed babies). What your baby doesn’t need is fruit juice, cordial and fizzy drinks. These drinks contain sugar which causes tooth decay. To greatly reduce the risk of tooth decay, avoid sugary drinks. Even ‘no added sugar’ drinks can cause tooth decay. It’s best to stick to water. You may not love the taste of water, but your baby doesn’t know any different and so will probably be more than happy to drink plain ol’ water.

3. Teach good dental care

As soon as your baby’s teeth appear, it’s time to start brushing those teeth twice a day. Use a toothbrush designed for babies and be gentle when brushing your baby’s teeth. If your baby seems hesitant, brush your teeth too so she can see that it’s something you do as well.

4. Use a cup

Experts recommend that your child should lose the sippy cup by her first birthday. By the age of one, your child should be drinking from an open cup. This is better for your child’s teeth than a sippy cup. It might mean the odd spillage, but your baby will soon learn how to wipe water up with a cloth.

5. Eat healthy

Healthy habits start young. To reduce your child’s risk of developing tooth decay, encourage your child to eat a healthy diet. Limit the amount of sugar your child consumes during the day. And remember, not all sugar is in sweets, children consume lots of hidden sugars throughout the day. For example, did you know lots of breads, jars of baby foods and jars of pasta sauce contain sugar?

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, whilst still being totally reliant on you for food, diaper changes and security, has probably already started fighting for his independence. He wants to know you’re there to keep him safe, but he also wants to enjoy a little bit of freedom now that he’s mobile. He wants his independence, but he’s not quite old enough to handle it. It can be a strange time and it’s all too easy to fall into power struggles with your baby during this phase as you battle against him to keep him safe. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are five easy ways to encourage baby independence:

1. Create a safe environment

If your home isn’t set up for a mobile baby, you probably find yourself shouting “No!” quite a lot through the day. This can leave your baby feeling frustrated as he simply wants to have the freedom to explore his environment. Get rid of this problem altogether by creating a safe environment for your baby to explore. Move your breakable ornaments out of his reach, put a baby gate on the stairs and make sure the room is free from hazards. That way, your baby can feel independent as he explores his environment and you can relax knowing he’s safe.

2. Don’t lead the play

Your baby probably relies on you for entertainment, and you probably have quite a few games you enjoy playing together. That’s great, but your baby also needs to learn how to make his own fun. Independent play is important for problem solving and the development of essential skills. You can encourage independent play by letting your baby dictate play. Instead of showing him how toys work, let him discover this for himself through trial and error.

3. Follow your baby’s lead

Some days your baby will seem hell bent on getting independence, and others he won’t want to be out of your arms even for a second. It’s all part of growing up. There are lots of reasons why your baby might be clingy one moment and daring the next. Don’t try to force your baby to be independent if he wants to stay close to you, he may have a very good reason for needing his mommy today! Follow your baby’s lead, encourage his independence but be there if and when he needs you.

4. Avoid problem-solving for him

Your baby is busy developing some expert problem-solving skills. He’s busy learning how to climb over things, how to get hold of the toys he wants and where hidden toys have gone. As a parent, it can be tempting to solve problems for your child. After all, you know you can solve them quicker and easier than he could, why let him struggle? Well, the struggle and frustration is key to learning and good for your baby’s development. If your baby asks for help or becomes upset, you should help out but offering him encouragement is a good place to start. With a little bit of added reassurance, your baby may be able to solve the problem all by himself, and this will help to boost his confidence.

5. Encourage strong bonds with other caregivers

If your baby has a good relationship with his grandparents, aunts and close family friends, he may be happy to be left with them. This not only frees you up a bit of time to do some baby-free activities, it also encourages his independence from you. Give it time and let the relationships develop organically, you’ll soon see just how much your baby enjoys the company of the other adults in his life.

What steps are you taking to encourage your baby’s independence?

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.

By now, your baby is probably quite the little adventurer when it comes to solid foods. He or she has so enjoyed learning how to eat, and gets super excited whenever you place something new on the plate.

As the weeks go by, your baby will be eating even more solid foods, slowly weaning from the breast or bottle as they get more of the nutrients they need from the food you are serving up. As this trend continues, they will even begin pointing to solid food options and making requests.

Just the start of the snacking in your future!

In general, it is a good idea to have a feeding routine that keeps both you and your baby on a schedule. In this way, you can ensure your baby is getting what he or she needs, and you can keep snacks from filling your baby up before mealtimes.

But every now and again, snacking is just too tempting to avoid! So what should you be giving your baby when he or she starts pointing at solids while you work to cook dinner?

A good option is always some kind of fruit or vegetable; something you would be just as likely to give them during mealtimes. A cut up banana, for instance, or some cooked sweet potatoes.

Another way to go is with snacks that promote dexterity. Plenty of organic brands now offer rice puffs in a variety of flavors, for instance. These can be scattered on a high chair tray, giving your baby a solid 15 minutes of entertainment and snacking as he or she works to scoop those puffs up.

A soft avocado cut into small pieces might do the trick. Or perhaps a few bites of the toast you were snacking on yourself.

Salt-free Pretzels can be a great food item to carry with you for emergency snacking situations, and teething cookies can help to provide a distraction from the pain of newly cutting teeth.

Another thing to consider is giving your baby a chance to experience different temperatures while snacking. Have you ever considered freezing carrots? While it may not be your preferred method for eating your orange vegetables, teething babies tend to really enjoy this unique treat. And a frozen carrot is something they can gnaw on for quite a while—a guilt-free snack that will keep them occupied and satisfied while you finish what you’re doing!

Healthy snacking for a baby really isn’t much different from mealtime for a baby: when possible, you want to stick to fresh, whole foods, avoiding anything that is overly processed. Snack in moderation, and look at these as times your baby can further develop his or her palate.

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.

If you sometimes find yourself worrying whether your baby is bored, you’re not alone. Most parents worry about this at some time or another. Parents worry that they aren’t offering enough stimulation to keep their baby interested throughout the day. After all, not many parents can keep the jazz hands act up all day long. You may worry that your baby is getting bored while you’re busy sorting out the laundry. After all, laundry isn’t very exciting, is it?

Well, no. Not to you, because you’ve done laundry hundreds of time. But laundry is actually pretty exciting to a baby. There are new smells, colors, textures and shapes to be observed. If you’re singing or talking while you do it, he’s enjoying that side of it as well. Pretty much any mundane task can be interesting for your baby if you chat away whilst you do it. Laundry is a great example because you can chat about the colors, shapes and owners of each item of clothing you come across.

Is my baby bored?

It’s highly unlikely that your baby is bored. Babies don’t need expensive activities or flashing toys. The most exciting thing in your baby’s world is you. He loves listening to your voice, watching you interact with people and seeing the things you do. Simply put, he’s fascinated by you. If you’re engaging with him, chatting to him and touching him, he’s unlikely to be bored.

Babies who lack interaction can get bored, so be sure to interact with your baby throughout the day. It can sometimes be tricky thinking of things to say, especially when you’re home alone with a baby. Reading books is a great way to keep talking without having to think of anything interesting to say. You can also go for walks and point out the sights you see along the way. Sing songs, play games and make sure you spend plenty of time enjoying your baby.

What things do you do to pass the time when it’s just you and the baby at home?

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.

My baby can never be put down – he clings to me like Velcro all day long. My baby never sleeps for more than a couple of hours around the clock. My baby doesn’t take changes well – even simple things like leaving the house are a major emotional project. Sound like your baby?

The term “high-needs baby” was coined by renowned pediatrician, William Sears, in The Fussy Baby Book. A ‘high-needs’ baby has a more intense personality – his inborn temperament guides his behavior. Just like an ‘easy’ baby, your baby’s strong needs are an inborn trait, not something you created or caused. But parenting this baby can be challenging.

High-needs babies are fussy babies

Babies who have strong needs tend to make those needs known. They seem hard to console, and may be colicky. The best thing you can do is to learn what your baby’s different cries mean, and how best to soothe them. It will take some trial and error since every baby is different. Motion – holding, rocking, swaying, riding in a car – seems to help many high-needs babies. Babies who exhibit this very strong need for you seem to enjoy being carried in a sling or wrap most of the day. They can be close to mom or dad while mom or dad can still carry on with most of their normal activities.

High-needs babies feed often

Frequent breastfeeding is calming for baby and mom – the time skin-to-skin, the hormones released, the lack of crying because baby is otherwise occupied… Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, suckling is calming for baby. High needs babies rarely have any sort of pattern or schedule to their feeding, so it’s best to feed on baby’s cue.

High-needs babies sleep differently

High-needs babies tend not to be cuddly, but aren’t self-soothers either. And they seem to need very little sleep. They are ‘cat-nappers’ – frequent short periods of sleep. They are sensitive to separation, including being away from you at night. High-needs babies tend to do well when co-sleeping. Be sure you have a safe sleep space for baby near your bed, or, if bed-sharing, you meet all safety criteria. But having baby near you at night may mean more sleep for everyone.

Parents of high-needs babies need support.

A fussy baby can be very difficult emotionally for parents. So if you feel overwhelmed, take a time-out. Put baby in a safe place and get some fresh air for a minute. Or simply count to 10. Call in reinforcements – tag-team parenting works well when dealing with a fussy, high-needs baby.

Find other parents who are going through the same thing. Find an Internet chat room – these are the moms who will be available at 2am when you’re at your wit’s end. Get in touch with parents in your community – it’s likely you’ll find someone else suffering through the same thing. Find a book about fussy babies (such as the one mentioned above) and read about how to cope.

Sometimes when in the midst of parenting these very passionate babies, we can lose sight of the positives and see only the negatives. One way to get past this is to consider how you talk about your baby. What are the words you use? Instead of a needy baby, call her a persistent baby. Instead of a difficult or demanding baby, think of him as your teacher and guide, showing you how to stretch and learn patience.

One of the greatest rewards of parenting a high-needs baby is that the intensity of their need often matches the intensity of their loving expression later on. As they grow, children who were intense babies tend to be empathetic, sensitive, independent and persistent.

Do you have a high-needs baby? What are your tips for survival?

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.

You love spending time with your baby and being a mom. But there comes a time when you have to leave your little one in a capable caregiver’s hands. Whether it’s to go to work, a date night or a trip to the dentist, separation is not always easy.

Most babies experience separation and stranger anxiety at some point. Although it can vary, separation and stranger anxiety may start when your baby is as young as six months old. It often peaks a little later about ten to 12 months of age.

Why Does Separation/Stranger Anxiety Happen?  

When your baby was a newborn, he recognized your face and voice and bonded with you. But he was pretty unaware that he was an individual and separate from you.

As your baby gets a little older, he starts to understand he is his own little person. He begins to realize that you can leave him, and he may not be cool with that. In fact, he might let you know how upset he is by screaming and crying.

Keep in mind separation and stranger anxiety is considered a normal developmental milestone. Although knowing that it’s normal does not make it any easier to deal with. But here are several things you can do to ease the stress for both of you.

When your baby is going through stranger or separation anxiety, try to use caregivers your baby already knows. If your little one is cared for by someone new, give your baby a little time to warm up to the caregiver before you leave or consider doing a trial run. For example, have a new sitter come over and play with your baby for an hour while you’re there before leaving them alone.

Even if you have considered it, don’t sneak off. If you try to sneak out without your baby seeing, it may make it easier for you, but she may be more upset thinking you vanished. Also, avoid long goodbyes and running back in to see if your baby is OK. It only drags outs the situation.

When you leave, display an upbeat attitude, give your baby a kiss and tell her you’ll see her later. She may not understand your words, but she will pick up on your attitude. If you’re upset, she may get that way too. Help your baby realize when you leave it’s not a big deal.

Separation anxiety can also occur at bedtime when you leave your baby in his room at night. Spend time before bed, snuggling, singing and rocking your baby. Make it a peaceful, quiet time to help your little one relax. If your baby cries after you put her down, a quick peek in and reassuring pat may be helpful so she can learn to fall asleep on her own.

Although it can be upsetting or frustrating at times, keep in mind separation anxiety will pass. Before you know it, your teen will enjoy being separated from you, maybe even a little too much. So for now, enjoy being number one in your baby’s life.

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. “