Friday, May 20, 2011

Tips for New(ish) mommies Part II



Again, I am no expert. These are just my little tricks I have learned over time as a nanny.
Hope you find it useful!

1.      Mirror Mirror on the Seat-- Babies that are generally a little older, around 3-6 months, are fascinated with mirrors. When I was nannying for my most recent family, we used to put a mirror on the back of the seat that the baby was facing in the car. She would stare at it for the whole car ride and never make a peep. Plus, when you are driving, you can look in your mirror up front and see the baby’s reflection in her play mirror that is attached to the car seat that she is facing (these are in the first few months when the baby’s car seat must face the back window instead of the front). This is a perfect trick for making sure the baby is okay while you are driving.  

2.      Mirror Mirror Everywhere—You can also place your baby in a boppie (pillow for babies) and put it in front of a mirror at home. This will occupy most kids long enough for you to take a quick shower!

3.      Tummy Time—Many babies get frustrated with tummy time because it’s a lot of work for them and it is uncomfortable, but it’s very important and they have to work through it. The baby I work with now didn’t do enough tummy time and it was part of the reason she was delayed in crawling.
4.      A little Screen Time Never Hurt Anyone. Baby Einstein works! Just use it. Don’t feel guilty about putting your child in front of a screen for a little while so you can relax. They will be fine and they won’t become couch potatoes. Mothers, especially new moms, have enough to worry about. A little "screen time" never hurt anyone. Enjoy your time with your baby and when you need a break or you need to drink your cup of coffee, strap the baby into a bouncy chair and let them enjoy a little bit of the tube.

That’s it for now. Check back for more tips for your growing baby and also for the list of best baby books!

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