Yet, others would prefer to wait for the child to be as old as four years to start them off.

This is a decision that parents can best take for their children keeping in mind certain factors:

• Most preschools will require the child to be potty trained before admitting them. Considering this fact; a young child may find an accident traumatic, particularly in a class which has kids ranging from 2 to 4 years of age.
• It is a good idea if a toddler is able to effectively communicate; speech should be reasonably clear; if short sentences are able to be formed, so much the better.
• Think about whether your child will benefit from the environment of the play school. Does your child seem bored or lonely at home? In which case she or he may enjoy being with other kids. If however you think that your child may well be overwhelmed by school at this stage you may want to hold it off for a bit.

It is also true that the baby enjoys the cozy warmth and comforting proximity of the parent or caregiver.

However, improper use of the baby sling could be potentially dangerous and even result in increased risk of suffocation. It is recommended that:

• It is best not to use a baby sling with a premature baby unless a pediatrician has been consulted.
• Be careful with a baby younger than 4 months of age when using a baby sling. They don’t have full control over the neck and head and this is therefore of great importance.
• Parents should also be more careful with babies who have a low birth weight or breathing problems of any kind.
• The slings should be used properly or they could be dangerous. If a baby’s chin goes to the chest the esophagus can be affected and this is to be kept in mind when in the stroller, the car seat or anywhere.
• It is recommended that newborn babies should be carried vertically in the sling.
• The face should always be visible, the chin should be up and the mouth free.

The sense of hearing is the first to develop in the fetus and the baby soon starts to hear sounds while still in the womb.

By the time the child is actually born, it may already be familiar with certain sounds such as the mother’s voice of course, but even may find certain tunes and musical compositions more agreeable than others. Witness how a baby will quiet down more easily with a particular music piece rather than another.

Research has shown that there exists a phenomenon called the Mozart Effect. The results of a study showed that listening to classical compositions by arguably the most famous classical music composer of all time was seen to improve performance of certain mental tasks in the short term.

In conjunction with this Mozart effect, or perhaps as a seemingly logical conclusion from it, was born the theory that listening to classical music somehow makes you smarter and that making your infant child listen to it will also help in developing the child’s brain faster and better.

A lot of agencies started to contribute to this theory and in Georgia it was mandated that every baby that left the hospital would do so along with a CD that contained Mozart’s sonata.

However strong the popular support for this theory that classical music makes babies smarter, this is not something that is supported by scientific research. While the Mozart effect could likely help the brain tackle mathematical tasks a little better temporarily, it is generally seen as unlikely that the effect of the music could actually enhance brain development of a fetus or child.

Having said this, classical music can be beneficial in other ways; it can create a relaxing and positive environment which will foster better learning; create an atmosphere more conducive to concentration or creativity.

If one finds that their baby is better able to sleep[baby sleep] with classical music, or that it is actually able to soothe baby to sleep, all the better!

Also by exposing a baby to good music early on in life, you may be able to mold your child’s musical tastes early in life, and he or she may end up with good taste in music even later in life!

However, there are ergonomic factors to take into account when buying a baby stroller:

• The seat should be well padded for the comfort of the baby and for safety so that accidental movement does not hurt or jar the baby. This is of particular concern when it is a jogging stroller that you buy; the sort that is built to go along with you on a jog.
• If the seat pads are removable this is a great feature. This means that you can clean them, perhaps even wash them, so that the handle with the dirt and the germs that will invariably proliferate with sticky toddler hands and the munchies that baby will invariably strew around the stroller will be removed.
• A foot rest is a good feature to look for. This makes for a more comfy and restful ride.
• Secure seating of course is a must, not only because it prevents baby from accidentally falling out, but also because it will restrain the more adventurous child.

In this situation, it is easy to feel overburdened and gloomy and to forget what a bundle of fun a small baby can be.

Spend time just being with your child, giving your whole attention and focus to the little baby.

A small baby is learning and doing something fascinatingly new nearly every day, and the wonder seems never to cease. Take pride and pleasure in this marvelous phenomenon unfolding before your very eyes.

One of the first games[fun games] that a baby enjoys is peek-a-boo; it is one that is a source of seemingly endless fun and merriment for a small baby. Playing a four legged animal and carrying baby on the back is another uproariously fun game for baby.

A child who has just learnt the art of walking, will, quite simply want to walk. Be with the baby as he or she branches out on her perambulations and enjoy the journey of discovery that has been initiated.

In short remember to be part of the incredibly enjoyable process of being a parent; rather than be bogged down with the undeniably weighty responsibilities of being one.

It is widely believed that this may be due to the sort of chemicals and other additives that are found to be present in products; even those which claim to be ‘formulated for babies’.

The fact is that parents probably end up washing and shampooing their babies’ hair rather more often than required and also most often that delicate baby skin can tolerate. Even massage oil that is supposed to be for babies and which claims to be ‘gentle’ can cause an adverse reaction simply because baby’s skin is that immature and` sensitive!

Many parents find that using organic products is best for baby, since they do not have pesticide, insecticide or other chemicals. Also products that contain no alcohol may be better for baby’s skin since alcohol can be an irritant to sensitive skin. Un-perfumed products are also very often the best bet for a baby’s skin because sometimes it is something as simple as the perfume element of a product that could be the cause of the problem.

Source: Click Press

He was born extremely premature; weighed about half a pound and was so small he would have fit into a sheet of notepaper. In most cases, such an extremely premature infant would not have survived; however this is an extraordinary tale that could serve to inspire millions of parents out there not to lose hope.

This is the smallest male infant ever to have survived. He was born after just 25 weeks of gestation, barely past the half way mark of a normal pregnancy.  There have been other female infants to have survived in the past but this is the smallest baby boy to have survived.

He was in an incubator with his breathing and eating tubes constantly monitored and after 6 months in intensive care, he was released to his parents. This incredible battle against the odds gives hope and encouragement to other parents not to lose hope or to give up the battle for life.

Source: rantrave

Then again as expectant parents there are a lot of things that you may yourself find very tempting to buy.

But when you think about it, there is very little that you and your baby will actually and really need:

Personal Care: Baby soap, a baby shampoo and perhaps some baby talc will mostly do the job. If you are massaging your baby, some common or garden variety of olive oil will do the job as well as (or in some cases better than) the best and most expensive baby oils.

So really you can do without the baby creams and lotions that promise to be oh-so-gentle on baby’s skin. Also those adorable hooded towels, with the bunny ears that the baby is going to look so good in. Also a waste of money unless you are willing to form it over for the cuteness quotient!

Diaper Accessories: There are really a number of completely useless products[Funny baby products] out there which may sound really cute or useful, but which are not really! Who needs a diaper warmer or a diaper wipe warmer that can be plugged into the car cigarette lighter to be charged! A diaper genie is also usually a waste of money and space.

Most parents find that they don’t really need an actual changing table (though the product manufacturers will convince you that it is absolutely essential for the good of your back and to prevent injuries to the baby).

Then there is something called a pee-pee tepee that is supposed to prevent you from getting ‘sprayed’ while changing your baby. These are an expense that is best avoided unless one wants to use it as a gag gift!

Accessories that mommy can do without: Many women find that a regular pillow works as well as a fancy sounding nursing pillow. They also find that a regular bra will do the job as well as an expensive nursing bra, which many women actually find uncomfortable! Also the miraculous stretch mark cream you saw advertised that promises to ‘erase’ them for you.

That will be a waste of money as well. Stretch marks are little tears in the skin from stretching too much and too fast, and there is no cream that will remove them for you though they may make your skin feel better and perhaps help them fade a tad faster.

So when you think of getting that first ever ride for your baby, you should keep the following in mind:

• If a baby is less than three, a scooter is quite inappropriate, because most three year olds are not able to maintain the kind of balance required for that.
• A tricycle or a trike is probably the best bet for a baby’s first self propelled ride.
• The tricycle should, ideally have a high back so that the child does not fall back off, and it is also a good idea for it to have a guard that protects a child from falling off.
• Many babies do not have the coordination of the strength to pedal the tricycle by themselves so it makes sense to have a long handle at the rear that a parent can use to both propel the trike forward and to guide its direction.
• Make sure that there are no sharp or protruding bits and pieces in the frame of the ride that can be potentially dangerous to your baby.

Dishes, cans, and utensils—though they are used to nourish our babies and children, they can actually be full of toxic ingredients. Many are coated with BPA (bisphenol-A), a chemical that is a suspected carcinogen (it can pose other health problems, too).

Some are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which in addition to being non-recyclable, results in the production of carcinogenic dioxins when manufactured and incinerated.

Melamine is another common kids dish material—a hard plastic that is made using formaldehyde (another carcinogen that’s also linked to allergies and asthma).

So let’s find some healthier alternatives, shall we?

1. Think Baby Stainless Steel Feeding Set

Think Baby has made these stainless steel feeding dishes, which include a bento box, small bowl with lid, soup/cereal bowl with lid, cup, spoon and fork utensils.

Since stainless steel is non-reactive, it poses no health risks, and of course is free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates. Each has chunky handles and can be used for safe storage of leftovers, too.

2. Boon Snack Ball

The boon Snack Ball is a fun, sphere-shaped container that can be used to cart your child’s favorite cereals and snacks.

It is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and PVC-free, and can be screwed apart for easy cleaning. Great for travel!

3. Super Hero Plates

Add some fun to mealtime with these Super Hero plates. Made without the use of phthalates or BPA, these dishes come with youthful, brightly-colored prints.

They’re shatter-proof and dishwasher safe. Choose from plates and cups.

4. Nuby Soft-Edge Hot-Safe Spoons

Spoon your healthy baby food into your baby’s mouth with one of these Nuby Hot Safe Feeding Spoons. With a nice soft bite, these spoons won’t hurt your little one’s gums or new teeth, and of course are made without PVC, BPA, or phthalates.

Plus, when too hot, the spoon changes color so that you know when to wait for the food to cool off before feeding it to your child. Sets come in threes.

5. Sassy Feeding

Made from nontoxic plastic, these Sassy feeding dishes and utensils are easy to grip and come in bright, fun colors. They’re conveniently made with lids for easy storage and come in interesting designs, too.

Plus, their spoons are made to change color when the food is too hot. Choose from bowls, spoons, plates, and forks.

6. Sanctus Mundo Green Frog Dish Set with Stainless Steel

Another stainless steel option, these Sanctus Mundo Green Frog dishes are cheery and practical. They’re made from 304 stainless steel, which is an ideal nontoxic surface for serving baby food.

The set includes a mug that has a lid with a straw hole, as well as a soup bowl and a deep plate.

7. Trebimbi Club Sets

Made in Italy, these Trebimbi Club sets are playful and functional. The set comes with a knife, fork, spoon, egg cup, bowl, and mug, all of which are made with eco-friendly and nontoxic polypropylene plastic combined with stainless steel.

They’re great for a child learning to feed himself or herself.

8. Bambu – Bamdino Veneerware Plates

Add a natural feel to feeding time with Bambu’s dishes. Made from organically-grown, sustainable bamboo stocks, these dishes are both beautiful and practical.

And if and when you’re done with them, they are compostable too, so they won’t add to our landfill problems.

Choose from bowls, plates, and utensils of all shapes and sizes.