Some tips for new mothers

When a first baby is born a mother is created as well. Before the baby was born she was a woman, but now she is a mother, and always will be - even after the child is grown up and has children of his or her own.

But the first few weeks and months of motherhood can be a stressful and scary time, so here are a few suggestions to help make sure this magical time stays magical!

Take some time to yourself

It's difficult tofind any time for yourself with a demanding baby, but this is really vital for your mental health as well as for the good of the baby. Everybody needs some time to reboot and rejuvinate. Even if it's just a half hour walk at first, or if you can find time to go to a class you enjoy or have a coffee with a friend without the baby, taking some time to yourself will be everyone good.

Don't try to be supermum

Many new mums fall into the trap of feeling they have to be perfect, every second of every day. But this can only lead to stress, anxiety and guilt. You can't get everything right first time, you're learning every day - and you can be sure your baby isn't going to notice, or give two hoots. As long as you're loving it, it's loving you and that's more important than anything else.

Don't worry if you don't feel like a 'natural'

There's a common myth that as soon as the baby pops out, women immediately know exactly what to do in every given situation. This is nonsense. Many new mums don't even bond with their babies at first - sleep seems more appealing! So don't worry if everything seems hard and unnatural at first, and don't panic if you're not clothed in a blanket of adoration at every moment. The bonds take tim eot build - but they will, just be patient.

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How do babies develop? Months Thirteen to Fifteen

As your baby enters his or her second year (how fast has that time flown?!), communication becomes much more prevalent. The child has twelve months of experience under their belt and are beginning to understand the world around them - and have opinions about how it should be...

At thirteen months babies usually walk and stand on their own but it is quite common for some babies to still use furniture or other objects to support themselves. And some children don’t walk until seventeen or eighteen months or even later, so don't panic if yours is more content to stay put!

Hand skills will be improving and most babies are able to grab a block and drop it into a container or grip a spoon. Communication and understanding is developing fast and babies usually use the most common words: “dada” and “mama” or “hello” and “bye”.

At around thirteen to fifteen months babies understand the meaning of “bye – bye” and they wave when somebody is leaving and saying goodbye. Most babies can easily drink from a cup and try to eat by using a spoon and fork. Quite often babies are ready to help to do the cleaning - which they enjoy more than their parents..

Usually fifteen month old babies have their own special favourite things, like a soft toy or favourite blanket. These items are called “transitional items” and they can be a source of comfort, especially when parents are not around.

At this time most babies are quite good at walking or even shaky running, and some babies are even able to walk backwards. It’s good fun to push and pull toys while walking or matching lids and stacking blocks. At fifteen months babies can often recognise themselves in a mirror. Hello me!

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How do babies develop? Months Ten to Twelve

It's around this time that the chatterboxes start to emerge - as language skills take shape.

The first words babies say are 'dada' and 'mama', and by now they should be using with intent! At this age babies will understand simple commands and instructions - though that's not to say that they will definitely obey them...

Eleven month old babies will be able to grip a cup and drink from it, and also take food from a plate and put it somewhere near their mouth. Good practice for the very first birthday cake that's on it's way...

Around twelve months is an exciting time and full of firsts, including first steps and lots of first words and basic communication, answering simple questions. Babies of this age often enjoy noisy, energetic games including pushing, throwing and watchign towers of toys falling down. They are learning more about cause and effect and their impact on their environment.

All in all, by the age of one year the little new born baby has changed into a little person who is beginning to understand the world around them.

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We also have some lovely items for mums and dads, to help cheer up the exhausted new parents!

How do babies develop? Six to Eight Months

Parents will be pleased to know that babies begin to calm down a bit from around six months, and should be able to sleep through the night. A break in the nerve shredding crying will be welcome, and the difficult period of high stress will start to recede.

This is also a time to be amazed by how quickl the baby grows and changes every month.

Babies can start to try opening boxes

At around six months babies are usually ready for solid food and they may watch when you eat or even make a grab for what’s on your plate. Most babies are able to roll over, and in a few months they will start crawling. Babies’ hand control is well developed and they can start to practice moving objects from one hand to the other.

Around seventh months is the time where most babies can sit without support and reach things with a sweeping motion. They also imitate speech sounds and combine syllables into wordlike sounds. Some babies can stand while holding onto something, and wave goodbye.

The new world of exploration is beginning to open up for babies of around eight months. Many babies start learning to crawl at this age so there will be many bumps and falls, and sometimes they can pull themselves to a standing position and cruise around furniture while holding on. They can also point at objects and pick things up. It’s quite possible that your baby will understand more from your tone of voice than the actual words. 

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How do babies develop? Five to six months...

You'll be amazed at how quickly babies develop around five to six months.

Personalised door plaques are lovely for newborn's rooms

Around this time babies eyes are developing and they can now recognise blod colours as well as black and white. They turn towards interesting sounds and can even recognise their own name.

They are motoring along with their physical skills and will play with their own hands and feet, fascinated by the feeling on the stimulation. They will roll over and may be able to sit for a short while without support.

At the same time as being fascinating and exciting, this can be very stressful for first time parents.

Babies roll in both directions and they may drag objects towards themselves - including table cloths! Or they may reach for objects and mouth them, as their gums are very sensitive and useful for mapping the world.

And of course some babies will start lunging and crawling, meaning parents have to keep a close eye on them at all times!

All babies at this age turn towards sounds and voices; they imitate sounds, blow bubbles or may jabber or combine syllables. 

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How do babies develop? Months two to four...

By the second month of their life, babies are beginning to practise using their bodies. They will gurgle and coo, and have to strength to hold their head up for short periods. Their vision is still quite fuzzy but they are fascinated by high contrast patterns and black and white toys.   

They can be awake for longer periods during the day so their sensory development stimulates. You can use this time to stimulate them by singing or playing music. 

   

Trinket boxes can keep all of the newborn's firsts safe forever

In the third month babies can be really joyful, smiling and laughing - and meaning it. They can hold their head steady and recognise your face, voice and scent. They will be starting to develop motor skills and will be able to bring their hands together, bat at toys and even roll over.

The fourth month where you start to get chatterboxes, though don't expect Shakespeare yet. At this age babies are stronger so they can hold their head up steadily and can bear weight on their legs, with help. They can grasp a toy and will reach out for objects. Parents are delighted to find themselves imitated, and the challenge begins - will it be dada or mama first? Bad news mums, it's usually dada... But don't worry, it's nothing to do with who they like more.

And what can we see in there? A little tooth...

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