Your Baby
Baby sleep
leep is a common concern for every parent, particularly the lack of it with a new baby. Newborns do sleep much of the time, but their sleep is in very short segments. As a baby grows, the total amount of sleep slowly decreases, but the length of nighttime sleep increases.
Generally, newborns sleep about 8 to 9 hours in the daytime and about 8 hours at night. But they may not sleep more than 1 to 2 hours at a time. Most babies don't start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) without waking until they are about 3 months old, or until they weigh 12 to 13 pounds. About two-thirds of babies are able to sleep through the night on a regular basis by age 6 months.
Baby massage and sensory Play
Research has shown that involving babies in sensory experiences from birth helps to boost their brain. One of the most important sensory experiences for your baby’s happy development is your loving touch. When your baby is touched with warmth and care it will have a positive effect on their brain, body and emotional development. It also releases oxytocin (the love hormone) not just for your baby but for you as well, making it a wonderfully bonding activity.
Baby Development Milestones
The skills your baby learns as they grow, like rolling over, crawling, babbling and laughing are called developmental milestones. Not all babies develop at the same rate, every baby is unique. The below information is simply a guide. If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, ask your health visitor for advice.
Baby first aid
Learning baby first aid can be a lifesaving skill and can help in emergency situations from choking and unresponsiveness to fever and meningitis. There are many trusted companies who provide courses from The British Red Cross, Daisy First Aid and NCT, so its worth checking out what is available in your local area, although many also offer online courses.