Fun Activities for Daddy and Baby 
Moms usually have their hands full as far as infant care is con...

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Get answers to your questions about all things newborns and infants, including sleep, breastfeeding, bottles, postpartum recovery and your new role as a parent.

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Being a parent is a role that can bring you great joy and happiness as well as challenges to deal with. Nurturing your child and watching them grow and develop into their own unique person can add meaning and purpose to your life

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When your child is indulged in some games that he may find enjoyble or full of fun is known as activity. The activity may be organised or unstructured.

Activities

An activity that one engages in for amusement or fun.

Games

These 6 fun activities are great for dad and baby bonding

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One of the joys of pregnancy is the various rituals, customs and celebrations associated with it. A ...

A party held for a woman who is expecting a baby, to which friends and relatives bring gifts for the child 

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This is a safe space to ask questions and share insights on everything from prenatal care and morning sickness to labor and delivery.

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To mark the arrival of a newborn there are several ceremonies in the Indian culture.

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Learn all the important do’s and don’ts of hosting a baby shower. 

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It is the initial five years of life when a child&rsquo;s brain witnesses the fastest development. A...

It is the initial five years of life when a child’s brain witnesses the fastest development. Here are 8 things you can do to boost their intellectual development.

Top 8 Ways to Boost Your Baby's Brain Development

Growth is the progressive increase in the size of a child or parts of a child. Development is progressive acquisition of various skills such as head support, speaking, learning, expressing the feelings etc

Growth&Development

A toy is an item that is used in play while the same toy can be purchased for the purpose of gifting

Toys&Gifts

A motor skill is simply an action that involves your baby using his muscles

MotorSkills

Language development is the process by which children come to understand and communicate language during early childhood

LanguageSkills

How to Boost Your Baby's Intellectual Development

Playing is essential for your little one&rsquo;s learning, well-being, and overall development. It i...

Playing games with your baby can be a great way to bond, have fun and build their brains. Discover which games are best for the development of your baby.

The process of meeting all the needs that a baby may require during the growing up years

BabyCare

Washing the body with a liquid, usually water or an aqueous solution, or the immersion of the body in water.

Bathing

It involves learning to interact with other people and to understand and control your own emotions

SocialDevelopment

Development of the human brain occurs rapidly in the first few years of life and continues at a slower pace into adolescence

BrainDevelopment

The process of moving forward on the hands and knees or by dragging the body close to the ground.

Crawling

The 20 Best Fun and Educational Games to Play With Your Little One and Boost Their Overall Development

At 4 weeks, your baby is almost a month old and you&#39;ve both gone through an enormous amount of c...

Four-weeks old baby: Health, growth, care and more

Milestones are behaviors or physical skills seen in infants and children as they grow and develop.

Milestones

A growth chart is used by pediatricians and other health care providers to follow a child's growth over time

GrowthCharts

<p>Playing is essential for your little one&rsquo;s learning, well-being, and overall development. It is through play that newborns learn about the world around them and how they can interact with others.</p>

<p>Besides this, playing together can help you to know your newborn better.</p>

<h2><strong>20 play ideas to aid overall development of your little one</strong></h2>

<h3><strong>1) Face-to-face play</strong></h3>

<p>This game will help sharpen their visual skills. When your baby gazes into your eyes, poke out your tongue slowly. Do it every 15-20 seconds. It may take some notice, but soon your baby will try to imitate your facial expressions.</p>

<h3><strong>2) Feeling different things</strong></h3>

<p>Give your baby different objects such as soft toys, books, rattles of different textures. Feeling different items will let them know more about the objects around them.</p>

<h3><strong>3) Give them tummy time every day</strong></h3>

<p>This is the time when your new-born practices holding the head up and see things from a different perspective. However, always watch your new-born during this time to prevent any hazards.</p>

<h3><strong>4) Have a conversation</strong></h3>

<p>This activity will help your baby become more vocal. Have a conversation and encourage him/her to try and form words as you respond to their coos and gurgles.</p>

<h3><strong>5) Play the music</strong></h3>

<p>You can perform this activity whenever your baby is grumpy. Put on soulful tunes and hold your baby in your arms. Prefer to sway gently. In case you get tired, put your baby down and perform silly movements in front of your baby, as such movements may be amusing to them.</p>

<h3><strong>6) Observe stuff</strong></h3>

<p>Babies love colourful things which can be fruits, vegetables or clothes. Keep some items beside you and show your baby different objects holding them about a foot away from your little one.</p>

<h3><strong>7) Blow bubbles</strong></h3>

<p>Babies are fascinated by bubbles around them. With your baby near you blow bubbles all around to see how they react. If they try to catch a bubble, it will pop and they&rsquo;ll learn about cause and effect.</p>

<h3><strong>8) The rocket ship</strong></h3>

<p>Once your baby can hold his head up, you can play rocket ship. Make realistic noises, as you hold him/her above the head and sink them quickly to the bottom.</p>

<h3><strong>9) Catch the toy</strong></h3>

<p>Place a small soft toy tied with a ribbon in front of your baby. Whenever he/she tries to reach to it, sway it a little. In case your baby touches it, praise him/her. This exercise can also help improve the hand-eye coordination.</p>

<h3><strong>10) Playing with puppets</strong></h3>

<p>You can either bring puppet toys or make some at home using old gloves to hold a puppet show which they will enjoy.</p>

<h3><strong>11) Empty the container</strong></h3>

<p>Stuff a lot of small toys and blocks in a container and help your little one to pick out the items from the container and then fill it back again.</p>

<h3><strong>12) Mini obstacle course</strong></h3>

<p>Create a mini obstacle course, with cushions and block toys. Encourage your little one to clear it up.</p>

<h3><strong>13) Crawl race</strong></h3>

<p>Imitate their crawling movement and nudge them to beat you at crawling a certain distance. This will help improve their leg muscles.</p>

<h3><strong>14) Building blocks </strong></h3>

<p>Once they grow up a little, this game can be introduced as it improves judgment in your baby.</p>

<h3><strong>15) The imitation game</strong></h3>

<p>As your little one will often imitate you, turn this into a fun game by performing funny actions.</p>

<h3><strong>16) Fun food game</strong></h3>

<p>In case you have trouble feeding your baby, try holding the spoon normally and as you come near your baby, use a bobbing motion along with any sound which your baby likes, to make feeding easy.</p>

<h3><strong>17) Clapping game</strong></h3>

<p>It will improve the hand coordination and will probably make it more thrilling. You can combine it with various nursery rhymes to make this activity fun.</p>

<h3><strong>18) Colouring</strong></h3>

<p>Introduce colours when your baby gets a little older and ensure proper supervision. Colouring is a fun filled activity which also improves your child&rsquo;s creativity and work on the motor skills.</p>

<h3><strong>19) Softball </strong></h3>

<p>Place a lightweight ball in front of your baby and let them try to swing it or move it with their legs or hands. This will help strengthen the leg and hand muscles.</p>

<h3><strong>20) Sing, chat, blow raspberries, have fun</strong></h3>

<p>It is these simple things that are best for your little one. Babies may also love nursery rhymes. Remember to enjoy and make it a fun activity for your little one.</p>

<h3> </h3>


<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">One of the joys of pregnancy is the various rituals, customs and celebrations associated with it. A baby shower is one such celebration that is very popular these days. So much so that baby showers have now become more than just mere friends and family get-togethers. But, planning and hosting a baby shower can be a challenging prospect whether you are the expecting mother, a friend, relative or colleague. Let&rsquo;s look at some do&rsquo;s and don&rsquo;ts of hosting a baby shower. </span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>Do&rsquo;s </strong></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Always involve the mother-to-be while planning the baby shower. It is vital to inform her and make sure she is comfortable with the planned date and venue.   </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Invite the father-to-be and his friends also and not just restrict the guest list only to the mom&rsquo;s friends. They will be very excited and happy to join in the fun. </span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Open the presents during the baby shower as it adds to the celebrations with the expecting parents and the guests enjoying looking at all the cute and colorful gifts.  </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Instead of going for elaborate meals, serve simple food such as cakes, sandwiches, pastries, cookies, buns, sweets, scones, pastries etc. </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Always keep the event restricted to 2-3 hours and focus on having fun during this time. Dragging it and overdoing it may end up making the expectant mother tired and irritated. </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Plan the games and activities in advance and not just leave it for the guests to decide. </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Take lots of photos as these would-be life long memories being created. </span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>Don&rsquo;ts </strong></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Never invite a whole lot of people in trying to have a grand party. Make it an intimate and cozy experience as too many guests would lead to lot of noise and movement which may be troublesome for the mother. </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Never plan it as a surprise since baby showers are done near the due date and you don&rsquo;t want the mum-to-be to not feel well or tired on the day you decide to surprise her. </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Do not play any games or activities that may embarrass the expectant mother or the guests. </span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">If possible, avoid serving alcohol since it is a baby shower and a drunk and loud guest is the last thing you want. Mocktails and soft drinks should be preferred instead. </span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">And finally, always keep in mind that the purpose of the baby shower is to make the mother-to-be feel really happy and special. That thought should be the guiding light as you plan and host the baby shower.  </span></p>


<p>At 4 weeks, your baby is almost a month old and you&#39;ve both gone through an enormous amount of change in a very short period of time. Before you do anything else, give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far and recognise all that you have accomplished since you met your little one. You&rsquo;ve made it through sleepless nights, struggled through feedings, and learnt to do pretty much any task one-handed. Every progressing week there is a lot in store for you and your baby. Here&rsquo;s what you need to know about your 4-week-old baby.</p>

<p><strong>Developmental Milestones:</strong> Every milestone comes differently to your baby. One baby will develop a little faster than others and at the sametime other baby may need time to &ldquo;catch up.&rdquo; At 4 weeks old, your baby might be able to:</p>

<p><strong>Body</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Able to hold their head up for a few minutes</li>
	<li>Tries to lift their hands toward the face or mouth, but it won&rsquo;t be long before they reach their mouth!</li>
	<li>Controlled head movement, like turning the neck from side to side</li>
	<li>Make jerky, quivering arm thrusts</li>
	<li>Keep hands in tight fists</li>
	<li>Continue strong reflex movements</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Brain</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>Recognize you, your partner, or family members with widened eyes</li>
	<li>See more clearly, up to about 18 inches in front of them</li>
	<li>Listen intently when you speak or sing</li>
	<li>Start to coo</li>
	<li>May turn toward familiar sounds, including your voice. Hearing is fully developed at this stage.</li>
	<li>Study human faces</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Baby Care Basics: </strong>By now you are a pro in changing diapers. A diaper rash is very common, whether you are using <a href="http://mylofamily.com/category/reusable-cloth-diapers-5433">cloth diapers</a> or disposable diapers, more precisely during the summer months. To help prevent and treat diaper rash:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Change your baby&rsquo;s diaper more frequently: As soon as you notice the diaper is wet or soiled during the day, change it.</li>
	<li>Use a diaper rash cream: You can apply a diaper rash cream as a preventive measure, especially if your baby is prone to getting rashes.</li>
	<li>Air it out: The best way to prevent and treat diaper rash is to let your baby go all-natural.</li>
</ul>

<p> </p>

<p>If your baby seems excessively uncomfortable, especially after a feeding, they may be experiencing gas. Try these helpful tips:</p>

<p><strong>Burp after feedings:</strong> Be sure to burp your baby from the bottom upward to facilitate the air movement.</p>

<p><strong>Switching formulas:</strong> Your infant may need to change formulas several times before finding one that works best for their digestive system.</p>

<p><strong>Change bottles:</strong> Bottles and nipples are all made differently, so it might be helpful to try several types of bottles and nipples that have different kinds of airflow to experiment with what reduces gas in your little one.</p>

<p><strong>Health &amp; Safety</strong></p>

<p>At 4 weeks old, your baby will have another well-child check-up. At this visit, the pediatrician will evaluate your baby&rsquo;s growth and development and go over important safety guidelines with you. You can expect to be asked about:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Your home environment: If you smoke, you should quit to reduce the risk of SIDS and increase your baby&rsquo;s health. No smoke or secondhand smoke should be around the baby.</li>
	<li>Car seat safety: At 4 weeks old, your infant should be in a rear-facing infant seat.</li>
	<li>Vaccines: The second dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine may also be administered at this visit.</li>
</ul>


<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">It is the initial five years of life when a child&rsquo;s brain witnesses the fastest development. And early brain development can have a lasting impact on children&#39;s ability to learn and succeed later in life. The positive and negative experiences of children in the first few years of life also help to shape their brain development.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">So as a parent, what can you do to foster healthy brain development of your child during these years?  </span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">The answer is proper interaction between you and your child. Because every time you interact, you light up not only their eyes but their brains as well. Positive interaction during childhood strengthens their connection with you and helps them to become eager and ready for lifetime learning.  </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>How can you support your child&rsquo;s brain development? </strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Here are a few activities you can try with your little one to boost their brain development:</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>1. Play the guessing game </strong></span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Ask your child to guess the name of a family member or relative. Give him/her a few hints until they are able to name or describe who the person is. This activity will help develop their critical thinking skills by linking all the clues. It will also help them develop concentration skills. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>2. Pick out fruits</strong> </span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Ask them questions about a fruit they&#39;re eating or like. For example, you can ask them- &lsquo;Is the apple sweet?&rsquo; or &#39;Is the orange sour?&rsquo; Use words which they still might not understand and ask them to describe the taste in their own words. Such an exercise will improve their reasoning skills and vocabulary. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>3. Share how things work</strong> </span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">While washing or bathing, tell them about hot water and cold water and how together they make warm water. Describe how soap is used to clean hands and how using a towel can help keep the hands dry. Through sharing how things work, you&rsquo;re helping your child to learn as well as maintain a cleanliness routine.  </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>4. Counting the stairs</strong> </span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">When your child walks up and down the stairs, hold hands and count the steps together. This exercise will let you introduce numbers to them and make it easy to start with basic math.   </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>5. Make rhymes</strong> </span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">While feeding your child, create a small rhyme about food which can include the child&rsquo;s favourite food. This will let them enjoy the rhyme and make mealtime enjoyable too. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>6. Explore together</strong></span></span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">To help develop your child&#39;s senses of <span style="text-align:justify">hearing, touch, taste, and smell, take them out to explore their surroundings and meet new people. These experiences will help shape their brain, raise their awareness and learn about the world around them. </span></span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:16px">7. Create a safe environment</span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">For your child&#39;s proper brain development, it is important for you to create a safe and responsive environment for them. Make sure to never expose your baby to any harmful incidents or behaviours that may disturb them or cause anxiety or fear in them. Ensure that the environment they grow up in is calm, loving and caring. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:16px">8. Shower them with love</span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Children thrive on nurturing and positive experiences. Everyday experiences- from the daily routines to the new people your baby meets- play a role in shaping your baby. Try to fill your baby&#39;s life with loving experiences and show them affection in the form of hugs, cuddles and caresses. Always respond warmly to your child and never shout at them or expose them to any harsh experiences. </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>Wrapping Up</strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Aim to make learning fun by making use of the above-mentioned activities to encourage cognitive and language development in your little one. Most of all, provide your baby with positive, responsive and nurturing experiences to help shape up their brain. Babies need their parents the most in their initial years so, just try to be with them and shower them with love and attention.</span></p>


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