ALL ABOUT BABY & CHILD

Photography: Dwayne Watkins • Wardrobe and Accessories: Hugbug Jamaica, Babeelicious and Wonderboy Collection

We develop a bond with them long before our first meeting. For so many of us, the moment we discover we’re expecting, the dreams begin. Will it be a boy or girl? Who will he or she look like? And by the time they arrive 9 months later, we’re already madly in . love. The proverbial ‘ten fingers and toes’ checked off, a plethora of praise sent heavenward, and armed with lots of wise words of ‘what to expect’, we now prepare for each stage of development. We’re sharing some tips as you embark on that great parental journey;raising your little angels.

*Peek-A-Boo, I See You!

Did you know that your newborn baby can’t decipher colour? This, like many skills, develops gradually. Between 2 to 4 months, your baby will start to distinguish bright shades and complicated shapes and patterns. The contrast of black and white is dramatic and will definitely capture baby’s attention much earlier. Engage baby with brightly coloured pictures, books and toys.

*Personality

The development of your baby’s personality started long before she was born. Although still soft and pliable, her personality is a delicate combination of genetics, parenting and social conditioning. But don’t think that because babies are born with certain personality traits, that their development can’t be influenced. Are you Mummy or Daddy to a budding type ‘A’ or type ‘B’ personality? What’s important is getting familiar with your baby’s personality type, encouraging its authentic development and parenting him or her accordingly.

This information is a

guide. Children develop at different paces and stages. If you are concerned about your baby’s progress, please see your doctor.

*Sitting Up By the time baby is about nine months of age, he’ll be able to stay upright, sitting on the floor, for several minutes. It’s interesting to note that at this stage, unless your baby falls, he can’t get himself down, but if he topples over, he will likely get himself back into a seated position. Start looking out for him being able to hold himself seated independently from about 5-6 months old.

*Eating Your baby can begin eating solids between 4 – 6 months of age. If exclusively breast-fed, you may want to wait until she’s 6 months old to start solids. Most pediatricians recommend starting with a basic cereal – rice being the most popular. Be patient, and get ready for a bit of mess!

Allow them to explore and discover, don’t be too worried about the little spills and inevitable splats which will come!

Enjoy watching your little one enter this new phase and remember to be gentle with any ‘hardware’ on their delicate gums. When moving from purees to ‘chunks’, introduce new textures slowly, and keep it at one ingredient for about 3-4 days before trying another to gauge their reaction. Remember that when your baby is full, he’ll stop eating. Never force a baby to eat.

*Seating Set a solid foundation for future mealtimes. If your baby is able to sit up with his head held upright (between 4 and 6 months), let him have all his meals while seated in a high chair.

He’ll make an early association with meals and his chair, and it will save you in the long run from chasing baby to convince him to eat! Consider giving your baby a few “test drives” in the high chair to get him used to it before that first mealtime – one less battle on the actual day of feeding number 1! Now is also a good time to multi task by making a fun game out of

‘buckling up’. ‘Seat safety’ can start here and it will make your seat belt battles in the car so much easier.

*Hand-Eye Coordination

During your baby’s first year of life, the combination of looking and touching, aka; hand-eye co-ordination, is a critical foundation laid for future skills. Between one and three months of age, you’ll notice those jerky newborn movements becoming smoother as your little one gains more control. Be sure to give your baby toys that will contribute to success in activities that require physical interaction. Encourage them to reach for special toys, and try out a baby gym in the early months. By six months old you’ll really see their skills develop as they pass objects back and forth between hands, and then to you! Get ready for the age old game of baby dropping items for you to pick up, and all the repetition that it brings!

*Chat ‘bout!

Mummies, don’t get upset… chances are, your baby will say Dada before he says Mama. Not to worry though… it’s just because ‘D’ rolls off the tongue waaaay easier than ‘M’ (wink wink). Listen out for baby’s first words, which will come along around 10 to 12 months of age. Talk to your baby in order to stimulate his own vocabulary building. Your singing, reading and regular banter will captivate, entertain and educate baby.

*Creep ‘n’ Crawl

Everyone loves a crawler, whether they’re going forward or backward! There really is no correct way to crawl. This stage is baby’s first step (pun intended) on the road to independence, as he learns to use his body to move around. Baby will start crawling between 6 to 9 months, and then before you know it…you’ll be in pursuit of your big walking baby! Get ready to run, and research child proofing for your home well before your tot reaches this stage.

*Walk This Way Your newborn will make her first attempts to stand as early as 4 months and she’ll start bouncing somewhere around the half-year mark. Her first independent step is still to come but expect her to start ‘cruising’ (holding on for supported walking) as she nears one year. She may stand without support, then begin to walk. Some babies may start as early as 7 or 8 months, but the norm is closer to one year. If your baby is not walking by 18 months, you should consult your pediatrician.

*Nap Time Your newborn will sleep for about 16 to 18 hours a day. As your baby gets older, by about 6 – 9 months, he will still be sleeping around 14 in every 24 hours, with daytime naps getting shorter. When your toddler hits between 12 – 18 months, he should be averaging 11 – 11½ hours nighttime sleep, and up to 2 ½ hours daytime napping. Babies like and need structure. Every parenting publication will tell you! So get your sleep rhythm going early and you and your baby will 'sing' happily ever after.

*Playtime There’s nothing sweeter than a happy baby. And happy babies love to play! Hold off on the toys for your newborn though, at least until he or she is a few months old. Having a few objects around for her to look at, touch and be intrigued by is perfectly acceptable, but at this stage, baby is completely enamored and perfectly satisfied with you! A mirror and your singing voice are more than enough in the beginning. As your baby gets older and more interactive, he’ll require greater stimulation. Play dates are still a long way off, since your under-two baby still thinks the world is his/her oyster. For now, from about 11 months he’ll be a pro at parallel play, (playing alongside, but not engaging with another toddler), and will graduate to interactive play date status between 24-36 months.