Four tips for new fathers

When it comes to new babies - the focus tends to be on the mother, so all those poor proud dads can get overlooked. But in the modern era of equality, fantastic fathers should empbrace parenthood. Here are a few tips for new fathers to share in the joy of having a new child.

Don't be afraid to hold it

Some new fathers are nervous of holding a new baby - it looks so small and fragile, and you might get it wrong. But as long as you are careful, and gently support the head, you'll be fine. Once you have it in your arms you won't want to give it back...

Be patient

Looking after a newborn is a testing time for anyone. Waking up several times a night and constant crying will wear you down, but remember that it's only temporary. Take a few deep breaths, go for a little walk if you can, and remember the little baby is only trying to let you know how it feels.

Support your partner

Of course, this works both ways - but try to imagine what a new mother goes through in the process of having a baby. The physical and emotional strain is extreme, and will take it's toll on even the calmest, strongest of people. So try to offer help and support whenever you can, and a bit of pampering wouldn't go amiss!

Get stuck in!

Don't take a back seat. Pretty much the only thing you can't do is breast feed, so get involved in taking care of your child. Father's that take an active role find it extremely rewarding and build deep and lasting relationships with their children that last a lifetime.

This article was written by Personalised Baby Gifts UK.

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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? Months Eight to Ten

Piggy Banks make great noisy shakers

When babies reach eight months, playtime becomes much more fun and rewarding for baby and grown ups both! That's because babies of this age are getting much better control of their body and face, so can interact and make expressions of pleasure, confusion and surprise. They are beginning to form their personalities, likes and dislikes.

Babies love the opportunity of emptying and filling containers so they can play by themselves for quite a long time. They will also notice toys with moving parts, such as wheels or doors that open and close and they can roll around on the floor for hours with toy cars.

Bath time is another great opportunity for some fun. Most babies will probably love to fill water in little cups and empty them but quite soon they can discover the trick of emptying the cups over the side of the bath...

By around the tenth month babies crawl very well and they are getting closer to walking. Some babies may take a few steps with their parent’s support. They start to practise beding their knees and emergency stops - sitting down!

It is too early for shoes and babies have more fun going barefoot.
 

Most babies can repeat sounds, gesture and they may wave goodbye when they see their parent near the door. The baby’s personality is really emerging now and some babies’ social skills are blossoming so they smile to everyone they meet but some babies hide their faces because they are shy of new people. 

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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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How do babies develop? The first month...

We might think a baby's life is easy, just eating, sleeping and squalling, but it's a very stressful time in any human being's life...
 

You can never have to many personalised bibs!

The first few days after birth are very testing for most babies because they’ve changed their environment from mummy’s small cosy belly to a big cot or pushchair. This is a big change for them so perhaps it's no wonder that they cry so often!  Usually the best way to calm them down is to put a small blanket tightly around their body so they feel safer and relaxed.   This is called swaddling and reminds the baby of being back in the safe, close confines of the womb.

At first newborn babies move in a jerky, uncoordinated way but probably by the end of the first month their movements become more fluid. They won’t be able to fully extend their arms and legs yet, which will make them look little bit scrunched up, which is perfectly normal.

In the first month babies are trying to adjust to being in the outside world and they spend most of the time sleeping and eating. At this time babies try to lift their head, stare at faces and follow objects. They can see black and white patterns and quite often they smile, though for the moment it's just a reflex.

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