Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1459209
Practical tips that make every day just a little easier. M Y T H : BABY WALKERS HELP A BABY LEARN TO WALK SOONER. FAC T: Although many people grew up in baby walkers, there's no indication that they help a baby learn to walk sooner—or at all. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that baby walkers eliminate the desire to walk, and even classifies them as a safety risk. To encourage walking and strengthen foot and leg muscles, opt for a stationary exercise saucer or activity center with no wheels, or a sturdy wagon or kiddie push car that your baby can use for balance as they walk. M I L E S T O N E : Not so fast! Babies become more mobile at about eight months old. They may begin "cruising," or holding onto furniture as they walk, between 8-18 months. M Y T H : SLEEP YOUR BABY ON THEIR BELLY SO THEY WON'T CHOKE. FAC T: Since 1992, the AAP has recommended that babies always be placed on their backs to minimize the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) while they sleep. Back sleep ensures a baby's upper airways are free from obstruction, reduces the probability that the baby rebreathes their own exhaled breath, and promotes proper body heat dissipation. M I L E S T O N E : A baby's risk of SIDS decreases significantly after six months of age. However, it's important to continue to monitor your baby's sleep during their first year. M Y T H : HOLDING YOUR BABY TOO MUCH WILL SPOIL THEM. FAC T: There's no such thing as too much cuddling! Doctors and pediatricians recommend skin-to-skin contact between babies and parents as soon as they're stable outside the womb—and still after you take them home. Practicing skin-to-skin contact and holding or cuddling your baby helps them control their own emotions. It also provides many other benefits to your baby: warmth, stability of heartbeat and breathing, reduced crying, increased weight gain, and increased time spent in quiet alert and deep sleep states. M I L E S T O N E : Get those snuggles in while you can! A baby's first signs of mobility may start as early as six months when they might begin backward-crawling—and exploring their independence. Fun Hacks for First-Time Parents D I A P E R B AG : Besides the necessities, pack puppy pads, too. Disposable and just the right size to contain any mess, you'll reach for them during lunch outings and bathroom blowouts. S H O P P I N G : Instead of parking as close to the front of the store as possible, park near a grocery cart drop-off station. Your baby-carrying arm will thank you. C L E A N I N G : Don't toss burp cloths and cloth diapers. Consider using them to clean everything from your car to your kid. Super absorbent, they lend a streak-free shine to automobiles and soak up spilled milk in a flash. S AV I N G : Sign up for a subscription service that provides a discount for regular deliveries of must-have items. Reoccurring diapers, wipes, and formula deliveries may save you from last-minute store runs. E F F I C I E N CY: Cardboard containers of all sizes—diaper boxes, toilet paper rolls, cereal boxes—are so entertaining to kids. Give them new life as cars, binoculars, and coloring pads. 11