5 Household Chores Your Baby Will Love

Unfortunately, your baby isn’t quite old enough to take on his fair share of the household chores just yet. Don’t be disheartened though, in a couple of years he’ll be begging you to let him wash up (you’ll have to redo it after) and load the washing machine (you’ll need to sneakily remove the red sock from your white wash when he’s not looking) and water the garden (hello, lawn-sized muddy puddle). In the meantime, you’ll just have to make do with his company while you do your own chores. The idea of doing chores while looking after your baby may seem impossible, but there are plenty of chores that babies seriously love to get involved with. Here are five household chores your baby will love:

  1. Sorting the laundry

Sorting the laundry. Boring, right? Wrong. The laundry basket is an Aladdin’s cave of wonderful colors, textures and shapes. Your baby will love the laundry basket. He will climb in it, throw clothes out of it and then put clothes back in it. Admittedly, this may slow down your actual sorting of the laundry but it’ll make for some damn cute photo opportunities. To make the most out of this opportunity, talk to your baby about the color, shape and type of clothes as you sort. Remember, the more words your baby hears throughout the day, the more opportunities he has to develop his language skills.

  1. Gardening

For a person who loves to get messy, who is fascinated by bugs and who loves fresh air, gardening is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Make sure your baby is wearing some mud-worthy clothes (that mud probably won’t ever really wash off, no matter how hard you try) and has adequate sun protection on. If it’s a warm day, you should set your baby up in the shade to avoid direct sunlight. Your baby will love exploring the different smells, textures and sights on offer in the garden. If you give him a spade he might even help you with your digging. Keep an eye on him though, you don’t want him to eat the mud.

  1. Cleaning

Your baby probably isn’t going to be much use for cleaning windows or dusting spider webs from the ceiling, but that doesn’t mean he’s afraid of getting stuck into the cleaning. If you have some cleaning planned, invite your baby to join you. Make sure he has his own clean cloth to play with and let him go crazy scrubbing the floors alongside you. Keep him away from any cleaning chemicals you might be using.

  1. Cooking

Babies aren’t famed for their culinary skills, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know their way around the kitchen. Give your baby a great start in life by inviting him to get involved in cooking family meals early on. He’s not old enough to use a sharp knife yet, but he can help out by passing you vegetables you ask for. Make sure he’s situated somewhere safe, away from the sharp knives and hot stove, and talk to him about what you’re doing.

  1. Look after the animals

If you have companion animals, your baby can get involved with helping to take care of them. You can help to teach your child compassion and kindness by modeling the correct way to treat the family pet. Your baby can accompany you on dog walks to the local park and can even help out with feeding greens to the rabbits. As your child gets older, he’ll be able to get involved in more aspects of animal care but, for now, even the basics can be fun. You’ll need to supervise your baby with the animals at all times. Remember, your baby doesn’t know the appropriate way to act around animals yet so it’s your job to keep him (and the animals) safe.

Which household chores does your baby love helping out with?

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.

Baby’s First Haircut: 6 Top Tips

Get your tissues at the ready, it’s time for baby’s first haircut. Or, at least, it might be if your baby has a full head of hair. If your baby is still modeling the slap head look, fear not, the hair will grow in time but it might take a little longer for your darling baldilocks (don’t worry, I totally feel your pain, my daughter was completely bald until she was two years old).

If your baby has a head full of unruly hair, you’re probably more than ready for a trip to the salon. After all, much as those bald baby moms moan about the blinding shine coming off their babies’ heads, at least they don’t have to try and untangle the mane on their baby every morning. Here are some top tips for your baby’s first haircut:

  1. Lower your expectations

You want to run into the salon with a folder filled with adorable baby do’s cut straight from the pages of fashion magazines, but it’s better to go in for a simple trim. And don’t expect the haircut to be perfect, babies are not the easiest clients to work with!

  1. Timing is everything

Your baby has a long life of haircuts ahead of her, so you need to make sure she enjoys her first trip. Timing is everything, make sure your baby is well rested, well fed and in a good mood for your trip to the salon. If your baby is unwell or grumpy, you risk it becoming a very stressful outing.

  1. It’s a numbers game

It’s just a trip to the hairdressers, but it’ll be a much easier outing if there are two adults there to provide entertainment. Your baby will need to sit on your lap during the haircut so it’s worth inviting someone else along to provide entertainment and keep baby happy during the cut. Since a baby’s first haircut is a pretty big deal, why not make it a family day out? Invite dad along and then head out for a family lunch afterward.

  1. Treat yourself

A great way of showing your baby that a haircut is nothing to fear is by modeling this for her. Why not book a double appointment so you can get your own hair cut at the same time? Your accompanying adult can keep the baby entertained during your trim and then it’ll be time for your baby to have her cut.

  1. Take spare clothes

As you’ll know from your own haircuts, hair can end up everywhere. Save your baby the horror of an itchy afternoon by packing a change of clothes for her.

  1. Don’t forget your camera

The very first haircut. Those beautiful baby curls, gone. There will be tears, yours most likely. Make sure you take your camera so you can snap some before and after shots of your beautiful baby on the day of her first haircut.

Has your baby had her first haircut or are you in the bald babies club?

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.

Help! I Haven’t had Sex Since the Birth

Sex after birth is different for everyone. Whilst some women may be having sex again within weeks of the birth, for others, it can take a lot longer to feel ready for sexual intimacy again. If you haven’t had sex since the birth, it’s likely to be an issue on your mind. You may be worried that your partner is getting frustrated or that he’s simply not attracted to you now that you’re a mom. Or perhaps you’re worried that sex will hurt and are happy to put it off a while longer. However you’re feeling, here are five things to remember if you haven’t had sex since the birth:

  1. You’re not alone

Don’t worry, you haven’t broken the world record for longest time without sex. There are plenty of other couples going through exactly what you’re going through right now. If your mom friends are all sharing the details on their bedroom passions, you can be forgiven for feeling like the only person in the world who’s not doing it every night. But you’re not, there are other couples who understand what you’re going through because they’re in the same place.

  1. Everyone is different

Just because your best friend was having sex (and loving it) within weeks of the birth, it doesn’t mean you need to force yourself to get physical. You will know when you’re ready and until then, there’s nothing wrong with waiting a little longer if that’s what you want to do. Don’t compare yourself to your friends, you’re all individuals with unique circumstances.

  1. You’ve been through a lot

Even the loveliest most natural births put a strain on the woman’s body. After nine months of stretching and changing, your body may not even feel like your own some days. On top of that, birth may have caused physical injury to your body, leaving you feeling worried about potential discomfort during sex. All of that alone is enough of a reason why you may not be feeling in the mood right now. Add to that the fact you haven’t had a decent night’s sleep for almost a year and it’s no wonder you have no energy left by bedtime. Many new moms feel touched out by the end of the day, after a day of cuddling, breastfeeding and general clinginess, the last thing you want at night is to be touched. This is totally understandable and will pass with time.

  1. Communication is key

Communication is the most important aspect of any relationship. If you’re worried about how long it’s been since you had sex, air these views to your partner. Explain why you haven’t felt like it and see what he has to say about it all. It’s unlikely he hasn’t noticed how long it’s been. Talking openly about it could clear the air and leave you both feeling much better. You can reassure your partner that you still find him attractive and love him, but you just don’t feel up for sex right now.

  1. It doesn’t have to be sexual

Intimacy doesn’t have to be sexual. If the idea of sex is a turn off right now, why not try making the effort to be intimate with your partner instead? Hold his hand when you walk to the park, give him a kiss before he heads off for work and snuggle up on the sofa together at the end of the day. You don’t have to have sex to be loving, you can let your partner know exactly what he means to you without sex.

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.

The Top 10 Things You Will Miss About the First Year

Sometimes, you look at the calendar and can’t believe how quickly the months have flown by. Your baby’s first birthday is just around the corner, and already you can’t help but think about all the things that have changed.

Long gone is your tiny, helpless newborn. And every day, you see more and more signs of the toddler to come.

Sure, the baby months were exhausting. You didn’t get enough sleep. Or enough showers. Or enough time to yourself. But now, you’re realizing you’re just a little bit sad to see those months nearing an end. You’re going to miss that first year with your baby, and here are the pieces you’ll miss the most:

  1. Sleepy Cuddles: There is perhaps no better part of infancy than the cuddles. Of course your baby will still fall asleep in your arms from time to time in the years to come. But with each passing month, those occasions will become more and more infrequent.
  2. Nighttime Giggles: Yeah, yeah, you’ve complained all along about the lack of sleep. But you know what? You’ve also kind of loved those midnight hours that were kept for just you and your baby, and those sweet little middle of the night giggles you get when it is just the two of you in the dark.
  3. Baby Feedings: Whether you breast or bottle-fed, there was an undeniable bond that was formed in those hours spent feeding your little one. They were the blips of time you were able to slow down and tune your focus into your baby. You’re going to miss the excuse, and the reminder, to do just that on a regular basis.
  4. Moments to Yourself: Already, your baby has become so mobile that you can’t just set him or her down and walk away to take a quick shower. And the more mobile he or she becomes, the more constant supervision they are going to need.
  5. That Weight in the Curve of Your Neck: The way your little one wraps his or her arms around your neck and then rests their little head right there in the space that feels meant just for them…. Yeah, you’re going to miss that.
  6. Constant Rocking: Admit it, it’s a little weird how you are always rocking these days, even when your baby isn’t with you. You do it in the shower, in the line at the grocery store, and sometimes at work. Your body just rocks. And you’re going to miss even that.
  7. The Excuse to Stay Home: No one questions a new mom or dad who says they’re just too tired or overwhelmed for a social event tonight. Your days of using that excuse are coming to an end, though.
  8. An Easy Errand Partner: Your baby? He or she has been pretty easy to bring along to the grocery store for a while now. Yeah… don’t count on that lasting much longer.
  9. The Firsts: Sure, there are still a lot of firsts to come. But it just feels like so many fall in that first year of life.
  10. Sweet Baby Smiles: Don’t get us wrong, your baby’s smiles are only going to become more infectious. But there is just something about those innocent little baby smiles that gets you every 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.

Making Music With Your Baby

Isn’t the first year of a baby’s life a miraculous thing? Just think about how much your little one has grown and changed in the last few months. It wasn’t all that long ago that he or she couldn’t even roll over or crawl yet. And now they are sitting up, pulling themselves up on furniture, and getting into just about everything.

It’s incredible.

As your little one grows, he or she is becoming more and more interested in sound. You’ve probably noticed it already; the way they squawk just to hear the sounds of their own voices, or the way they seem to love pounding objects together to see what kind of noise results.

This is the perfect age to start really introducing your baby to music!

Now, you’ve probably been doing that to some extent all along. Your little one has a favorite CD you like to play in the car, you sing a regular bedtime song, and he or she laughs manically when you break out your rendition of the Itsy Bitsy Spider or How Much is That Doggy in the Window.

But now, you can really step things up by creating opportunities for your little one to actually contribute to that music making!

Kids this age love musical toys. Picking up a set of mini maracas or a small tambourine can provide hours of entertainment and music making. You might even find that a small drum set or train whistle becomes the toy of choice in your house.

Of course, introducing musical toys to your little ones means being prepared to up the noise ante in your home, but the smile on your baby’s face will make that seem all the more worth it!

If you are really hoping to instill a love of music in your little one, you might want to consider calling around to local music studios and finding out if they offer any baby and me music classes. These classes are usually geared towards little ones and involve playing with various instruments and becoming familiar with what the different notes look like. They won’t necessarily set your child up to be a musical prodigy in the future, but they can lay the groundwork for a love of music that will hopefully endure throughout childhood.

Ultimately, though, your little one is always going to have the most fun making music with you. So be sure to pick up a few instruments yourself and to join in on the chaos!

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.

5 Ways to Help your Baby Develop a Great Sense of Humor!

Did you know that your baby’s sense of humor isn’t something he or she automatically inherits? Just because you’re funny (or so your husband tells you) doesn’t mean your baby will get that trait from you. You have to nurture that sense of humor, helping your little one to laugh right alongside the things you find the most humorous.

Of course, the fact that your baby will be spending a bulk of his or her time with you over the years makes it pretty likely that your sense of humor will rub off. But there are also some ways you can help your little one to get there.

  1. Laugh and Smile. A lot. Your baby is always watching you, looking to you for cues on how to react and interact with the world around them. So the more you laugh and smile, the more he or she will begin to do the same. In those early months, this probably looked like sweet coos and adoring grins, but now that your baby is getting older, don’t hesitate to laugh out loud and beam brightly at the funny things he or she does. Before you know it, they’ll be laughing right along with you.
  2. Be Silly Get down on your hands and knees and pretend to be a dog. Wiggle around in a goofy dance. Teach your little one funny hand movements to a new song. But whatever you do, don’t get caught up in being too serious. Your baby needs you to show him or her how to find humor in the world; so be that humor they’re looking for. And get down on their level to play!
  3. Play Hide and Seek Older babies love peekaboo, and you will get extended periods of entertainment (and laughter) out of the game. But you can also tickle their funny bone by pretending you don’t see them, or going off in search of something that they can clearly see. This will teach your baby teasing, and they will get a kick out of thinking they (or their favorite stuffed animals) are hiding from you.
  4. Make Funny Noises Snort like a pig. Beep like a phone. Honk like a horn. Kids love noises, and random and unexpected funny noises will have them busting out in laughter! Not to mention, mimicking you in order to be funny themselves!
  5. Get Animated When you are looking to play with your little one, with a focus on sense of humor development, make exaggerated faces and goofy voices. Be animated in what you do, and your little one will be eager to join you in the fun.

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.

Help! My Partner Has a Different Parenting Style

Most couples report an increase in bickering during the first year of their baby’s life. This could be down to sleep deprivation, resentment and having less time (and energy) to focus on the relationship. One thing new parents commonly fight about is parenting styles. It isn’t uncommon for the mom and dad to have completely different parenting styles and, of course, to each think theirs is the ‘right one’. This can lead to arguments, defensiveness and even more resentment. Don’t worry though, it doesn’t have to be that way.

How to tackle a difference of parenting opinion

Instead of letting another argument break out next time you have a difference of opinion, try the following steps to reach a peaceful conclusion:

  1. Wait

If your partner has just done or said something you disagree with, now might not be the time to discuss it. Sometimes it’s best to make a note to discuss something later one. Instead of trying to have a chat about it while you’re trying to make dinner, tidy the house and entertain a baby, give yourself time to discuss it properly after baby’s bedtime.

  1. Be open minded

In order to have a constructive chat about parenting styles, you both need to be willing to open your minds. Being defensive will prevent real debate, leave people feeling hurt and, most importantly, not get you very far. You need to be able to talk openly and honestly without fear of an argument. Remember, it’s ok to disagree. Just because you are both the parents, doesn’t mean you both share the same experiences, beliefs or ideologies.

  1. Be fair

Don’t start by telling your partner everything you felt he did wrong today. Instead, simply talk about the event which bothered you. This isn’t about blame, you’re not perfect either. All parents have bad days and make bad choices, but good parents are able to sit down, analyze these mishaps and come up with a better plan for next time.

  1. Prove it

If you read more parenting books, blogs and articles than your partner, it’s time to get your research hat on. Back up the points you’re making, and explain how you feel the situation could have been handled differently. Give examples of things that could have been said differently, or how your child might have felt during the event. Again, it is important to do this without blame. Include examples of how you too have made similar mistakes, and how you rectified them.

  1. It’s ok to be different

You and your partner aren’t going to agree on everything all of the time. There may be some things that you simply can’t see eye-to-eye on. When that’s music or tv, it’s not such a big deal, but what about when it’s parenting style? It’s ok for your partner to disagree with you on certain aspects of parenting, and it’s fine for you to parent differently sometimes. Instead, focus on your similarities and find parenting methods you can both agree on.

Do you and your partner parent differently? And if so, has this caused tension in your relationship?

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.