EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
KID
QUIPS
“Can you spell your mommy’s name, too?” Expecting to hear her spell the name Lindsay, Maya said, “Yes. M-O-M!” READ MORE
First Years (0-2)
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Care for baby…and for mom Even the smartest, most responsible and well-intentioned first-time moms and dads are prone to beginner pitfalls when it comes to the well-being of our babies. We might never admit our blunders or volunteer them up for play date conversation, but we’re all guilty of erring from time to time. And how can you blame us! These days, there are so many things to worry about, to remember, to avoid that it’s all our sleep-deprived brains can do to keep it straight. It was quite a different world a generation or two ago. I’ve heard women freely admit to drinking a glass of wine a day during pregnancy. Car seats didn’t exist, and walkers were a nifty way of keeping baby occupied while catching up on housework. Amazingly, I lived beyond that scary day years ago when I went end-over-end down our front porch steps in my walker. The truth is, babies are remarkably resilient creatures, but it’s best not to test this fact by tempting fate. Safe sleeping With as much as we know about the dangers of SIDS and accidental infant suffocation, recent headlines tell us babies are still not as safe when sleeping as they should be. Resist the temptation to sleep in the same bed as your newborn. The pillows and fluffy bedding that make it comfortable for mom and dad are potentially deadly for baby. If you crave closeness, try a co-sleeper bed attachment or move the bassinette into your bedroom. When putting your baby down to sleep in the evening or at naptime, remember to position her face up. Keep comforters, quilts and toys out of the crib. Home safe home Parents spend millions each year creating cozy nurseries for their newborns complete with designer wall paint, boutique bedding and cuddly accessories. While that’s all well and good, it’s more important to spend your time and resources making sure your home is safe – as well as comfortable and cute. Since babies grow like weeds, it’s smart to childproof before they become mobile. You’ll have more time to prepare in those last few months of pregnancy than you will once Junior discovers how to get from Point A to Point B. Securely attach tall bookcases and cabinets to the wall to prevent tipping from curious toddlers. Stash chemicals and cleaning products on a high shelf far from baby’s reach. Since two-thirds of home fires that kill children occur in homes without a working fire alarm, test your alarms and replace old batteries. If you plan to keep the nursery door closed, install a fire alarm inside the room and use a baby monitor so that you can hear the alarm sound. TLC There are scores of websites, books and magazines educating parents on safety precautions and childproofing. Your pediatrician will provide important health directives and your mother-in-law will fill you in on all the rest – diapering, dressing, feeding, burping, naptimes. Once you’ve covered those bases, listen to maternal (or paternal) instincts telling you to hug, kiss and cuddle your baby every chance you get. Even at an early age, one-on-one interaction with a parent, such as reading him a story, is crucial to a baby’s development. It’s true that babies won’t remember what happens to them when they are 3 months old nor are they likely to grasp the plot of “The Three Little Pigs,” but research shows the love and care they receive from these first days helps instill a sense of safety and well-being, the effects of which are far-reaching. ‘Me’ time Motherhood and martyrdom are not the same things. We all want to be the best parents we can be, but being good to your baby means being good to yourself. I’ll never forget my own mom telling me, “The best gift you can give your baby is a well-rested caregiver.” At the time, I was coming off a 72-hour Supermom bender and resented her remarks. By denying myself down time, I thought I was being an attentive mom. In reality, I was shortchanging the sensitivity my baby needed because I had nothing left to give. Enlist the help of friends, family and your spouse so that you can catch up on sleep, enjoy a warm bath, or get out of the house for a few hours each day. As you slowly regain your sanity after the birth of your child, remember that in nurturing your own spirit you are helping to protect and provide for your little one. S. Danyelle Knight is a regular contributor. |
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