Your baby’s first days out in the world are a rude awakening. Life is quite different from the snug, aquatic environment of your uterus. Conventional wisdom says a newborn needs quiet and gentle handling. But imagine how strange it is to come into a world where everyone is tiptoeing around you after all the sounds [...]
Crying is one of the few methods your baby has of communicating with you. Contrary to earlier beliefs, promptly responding to your baby’s cries is the best approach and can help you bond with your child.
Month-old babies do three things very well: sleep, eat, and cry. Most snooze for an average of 16 hours a [...]
The Art of Swaddling
Swaddling starts with a receiving blanket — an adult-size blanket is often so big it could swamp your infant. Not all babies like to be bundled this tightly. For some, it’s just too hot and confining; others find it delightfully reassuring. Swaddling limits movement, however, so it’s best only for young infants.
Step [...]
Daily infant massage is a great way to bond with baby. What’s more, researchers are finding that massage may promote better sleeping, relieve colic, and perhaps even enhance an infant’s immune system, motor skills, and intellectual development. Here are some tips and techniques to help you along.
Use a blanket or towel, and massage oil in [...]
Moves That Soothe Colic
If your infant has this problem, a massage may be his salvation—and yours! While the jury is still out on whether colic stems from tummy troubles or temperament, you can can help your child, says massage expert Wendy Dubin. These steps calm a child while stimulating his digestive system.
1. Water wheel. Make [...]
Four-Step Baby Massage
Make the setting as relaxing as possible. The room temperature should be cozy — at least 75°F. Sit on your bed with pillows propping you up. Spread your legs and put your baby between them, then strip him down to his diaper. Tuck a small pillow under his head and upper back.
Before you [...]
Introduction
You probably love to stroke your baby, and chances are he enjoys it every bit as much as you do. While these caress-es help you bond and make your infant feel secure, a true massage can do so much more.
“You’ll stimulate your child’s circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems, helping them function better,” explains Wendy Dubin, [...]