Tag: teething

Development of Newborn Senses

| February 27, 2012

Early Learning Activity Toys

Your baby’s development is amazing and takes place with rapid speed, but what is your baby aware of when they’re a newborn?

SIGHT

Newborn’s can only see things close up, about 20cms away from them. So when your baby’s being held they’ll be able to see your face, which makes this close contact a great way to bond.

Contrasting colours such as black and white are great for newborns to look at. At around 2 months your baby can distinguish colours and will enjoy mobiles.

At 6 months, new faces and objects are catching your baby’s attention and at 8 months your baby’s vision will be fully developed.

TASTE

It’s no wonder babies like sweet tasting foods, milk is naturally sweet. From 3 months onwards your baby will probably try to put what they can into their mouth, and when teething starts this will heighten their desire to have a good chew on things!

HEARING

Your baby listened to your voice in utero so will recognise it when they’re born and associate this with comfort. Hearing isn’t properly developed when a baby is newborn. At around 1 month old they’ll react to loud noises. Babies learn to associate certain sounds with happy events, so it’s important to make singing and music a fun and special part of the day with your baby. Music is a wonderful way to soothe your baby and develop their hearing and sense of tone.

TOUCH

Touch is essential for babies, kisses and cuddles make your baby feel secure. Babies love to explore with their hands and when weaning, will often squash food before eating it to understand what it feels like. Toys and books with texture really encourage play and development.

SMELL

Newborns have a good sense of smell and will know your natural scent from birth. Babies find your natural scent comforting, so try not to wear any perfume or scented creams for the first few months so your baby can enjoy your natural scent. By the age of 1 your baby will be able to recognise foods by their smell.

For further baby sensory development and a great way to have fun with your baby, you can join a local Baby Sensory Class.

Best Baby Toothbrush

| January 30, 2012

I started weaning my baby onto solids at around 6 months. At that stage she still didn’t have any teeth, but they soon started to show under the gums and all the key signs of teething began – dribbling, chewing on everything, putting her fingers in her mouth and sleepless nights due to teething pains.

My baby’s bottom left tooth was the first to break through the gums, followed a few days later by the bottom right tooth. They looked so adorable and her smile changed, instantly looking less like a baby.

With the introduction of solids and teeth it was time to find the best baby toothbrush!

The Baby Ono – Safe Silicone Finger Toothbrushis safe and easy to use. It’s made of soft 100% food grade silicone and fits on your finger. You can add a little Baby Toothpaste to the bristles and very gently massage it over your baby’s teeth and gums.

I found my baby enjoyed chewing on the toothbrush with my finger in it, which proved a great way to clean her teeth and gums. It’s very soft so it won’t hurt your baby’s gums and can be used to massage the gums during teething to help ease discomfort.

The Brush-Baby Chewable Toothbrushis made of 100% safe silicone and is BPA free. Suitable from 0 months old to 3 years, it fits accurately in baby’s mouth to provide the right amount of cleansing of the teeth and gums. As well as helping to clean teeth and massage gums, the Brush-Baby toothbrush can also be used to soothe teething gums when chewed.

I use Green People Organic Baby Toothpaste which my baby loves the taste of and it’s 100% safe if swallowed. It’s natural, organic and without fluoride so you can be sure there are no nasties in it. It’s recommended by midwives and suitable for babies and children.