Alternatives
to saying NO
Now that baby is more mobile, you may have
to tell her 'No' more often than in the
past. You may want to avoid using this negative
approach all the time. Since you cannot
put every item in your house of reach, here
are some alternatives you can try.
Show your
baby the way.
Show baby another way to deal with an object.
He may want to tear the pages of a magazine;
sit him down and show him the pictures.
Point out the pictures and share the magazine
with him, then put it out of his reach.
Turn baby's
attention.
Try redirecting baby before telling him
not to touch something. For example if baby
is reaching for a glass object, offer something
shiny such as a metal glass or spoon instead.
Give him
'the look'.
He may glance at you before he does something.
When he does, and it is something you don't
want him to do, look at baby sternly. Your
look may serve as a diversion.
Restrain
baby when necessary.
When he does something physical, you may
have to get physical yourself. If he is
pulling a cat or dog's tail, restrain him.
Hold his hands in yours and firmly tell
him "Stop pulling the cat's tail"
or "It hurts when you hit the dog".
When you
have to say No.
sometimes you have to say 'No'. When he
is a dangerous situation and you do not
have enough time to distract him, it works
quicker to say 'No'. However try to reserve
those times for occasions when you really
need it. When children hear the same word
again and again, it becomes redundant to
them.
Serious
Baby
Some babies seem more serious than others;
however it doesn't affect their personality.
It could be he is wearing such seriousness
when he is busy studying something. Baby's
seriousness may also reflect stranger anxiety.
He may display classic symptoms such as
crying or screaming when he meets someone
new. Instead he becomes quiet and withdrawn.
A serious look about may mean he is trying
to figure out what you think about a stranger.
This is termed social referencing; it often
begins around 9 or 10 months of age. He
is looking to someone who is important to
him - you - for clues as to how to react
to this new person. He may be more comfortable
with a stranger after he sees you interact
with him or her.
Baby's First
real Shoes
It is time to buy shoes when your little
one is steady on his feet. Have your baby's
feet measured while he is standing; if one
foot is larger it is advisable to buy shoes
that fit the larger foot. The shoe should
have toe room to allow for growth. Don't
buy too big shoes in order to save money;
when a shoe is too big your baby has to
adjust his stride and could stumble as a
result. When you need to buy another pair
in some months, measure his foot size again
instead of buying the next larger size.
Shoes should be:
Light and
flexible:
your baby's first shoe should be light and
flexible so the shoe can conform to the
foot more readily. The idea that the shoe
should be hard-soled is incorrect.
Natural materials
are best:
soft leather or canvas is best as it lets
baby's feet breathe. His feet perspires
more than an adult. Avoid vinyl, plastic
or synthetics. A shoe should be sturdy but
not rigid; baby should be able to flex his
forefoot to help him walk better.
Shapes and
soles:
a round toed shoe is good because it does
not restrict movement; shoes should have
some traction to avoid slipping but at the
same time baby is able to grip the floor.
Avoid bulky soles.
Dress shoes:
it is ok to invest in a dress shoe for special
occasions. They don't usually offer good
support for every day use; be sure the laces
are not too long. Buckles or fasteners are
good choices.
Check if
the fit is good every week:
Baby could have a growth spurt any time.
As long as there is sufficient room between
the big toe and the tip of the shoe, he
is ok.
Look for
changes in baby's walk:
if shoes seem to cause discomfort watch
how your baby is walking in them. Changes
in coordination, balance or walking is indicative
of a problem. Check feet for blisters and
other signs that shoe adjustment may be
necessary. When the toe touches the tip
of the shoe it is time to buy a new pair.
Keep toenails
short:
clip toenails regularly; long nails interfere
with a comfortable shoe fit.
Finally shoes are necessary in a lot of
situations but most pediatricians recommend
that baby practice walking in his bare feet
when he is at home; walking barefoot helps
to strengthen muscles. Bare feet allow feet
to spread increasing ground contact. The
bare arch forms a suction with the ground
that helps the foot grip. With shoes on,
it is not possible for such things.
