Runners & Booties Fitness

Play and Your Baby: From Birth to Eights Months

Play is the 'work' of your baby. It's how babies learn about their world and how they learn the skills they need to develop. A playful baby is hard at work!p you hydrated. Ideally, try to have a salad as you main dinner entree.

As a parent, you are your baby's first playmate - the one who provides a safe place to explore, and who offers fun and interest. Babies come with built-in playthings - toes, fingers, hands, legs and feet. Babies are very social beings and they will love playing with you most of all.

These early months of play are wonderful times to get to know your baby and build a loving relationship together. Watch what your baby likes best and when your baby likes to play. For example, some babies wake up ready to rock n' roll while others wake up grumpy and need to be cuddled and fed before they want to play.

The first eight months of babies' lives are fascinating! They grow very fast and master new skills every day. First they find their fingers, then their toes. They start to reach for things and one day they close their fingers over it and realize that they can get what they want by themselves! They hold up their head, look around and their world grows bigger. They rock from side to side, and one day, they roll over. Then they roll over again and again and they suddenly get it... they can move their whole body wherever they want!

Keep ahead of your baby, to keep them from grabbing dangerous things or falling down steps. Emotionally and intellectually, babies learn very quickly that when they cry, someone comes. And when they smile, people smile back. When they gurgle and coo and make happy noises, people get excited and make sounds back. Encourage your baby to make sounds, and try to figure out what your baby is trying to ‘say'.

Babies are on the floor and put everything into their mouths. This is their way of exploring. It is up to you to keep small and sharp things out of reach so your baby doesn't choke on them, poke her eye, or cut herself. Your baby is learning, growing and developing fast. Keep her world safe by keeping dangerous things out of reach. To make baby's world safe, assume she will grab her first toy today, or roll over for the first time today. Realize that your baby is growing all the time, both physically and mentally. Her environment constantly needs to grow and change. Give her new toys (trade a blue ball for the red ball!) and make sure she can't put the whole toy into her mouth.

Babies learn through touch. Help them explore their world by giving them lots of different shapes and textures. Talk to them as they feel different things like 'smooth wood', 'rough sandpaper', 'soft fur', a 'squishy stuffed animal' and a 'hard plastic container'. Let him put different (safe and clean) things in his mouth - a knobby rubber toy, or a cold teething ring. Most babies love water and bath time. As he gets older, add a few simple toys to the bath.

Young babies enjoy having their arms and legs gently moved. Holding their hands, slowly move their arms back and forth across their chest. 'Bicycle' his legs and sing silly, nonsense songs that you make up just for the two of you. Gently push against your baby's feet (and feel her leg muscles push against you!) and lift her legs up and down. Make a kicking bag by stuffing a brightly coloured pillowslip with soft material. Position baby so that his feet will kick the pillow. Holding baby snugly, dance around the room to your favourite music, rock in a rocking chair, or swing in a swing. Almost all babies love to go for walks, either in a stroller, a baby pack, or once they can sit up, in a baby backpack.

www.westcoastmoms.ca
Online Survival Guide for Moms on the Westcoast

www.belliestobabiescelebration.com one of a kind event, offering a unique opportunity for new and expectant parents and grandparents to explore and shop for trendy baby fashions, décor and so much more!

www.customink.com
A fun website where you can design your own custom t-shirts for any occasion.

Mothers in Motion: www.mothersinmotion.com A website for mothers who want to lead a healthy lifestyle and mentor their children to do the same.

Mother Goose Program: www.mothergooseprogram.com The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program is a group experience for parents/caregivers and their babies and young children

If Expectant Moms put on the Pounds, so do the Kids - New Scientist
Study Shows Why Poor Prenatal Nutrition Leads to Obesity - New Scientist
30 Minutes of Exercise Everyday - Lara Leontowich