Did you know your baby can wave bye-bye at 9 months? That junior can see you for real at 3 months?
1. Flying with a crying baby is good
You probably hesitate taking an airplane with your baby as you’re afraid he’ll be restless, or the cabin pressure will make his ears “pop”, triggering a crying frenzy. Just remember that when he cries, it’ll open his Eustachian tubes (part of the middle ear) and offer him relief. If he continues to cry, let him exhaust himself, as for the passengers…aren’t headsets free? Let him sleep during take-offs and landings, or breastfeed him.
2. Waving bye-bye by 9 months
By 9 months, seeing your tot waving is more than a cute hand gesture because he’s managed to connect the phrase “bye-bye” to the movement of the hand. By this age, most babies will form links between sounds, gestures and their meaning.
3. Newborns are super-short-sighted
Most newborns are able to turn their head towards or follow the light, but don’t fret if bubba hasn’t noticed the plushie hanging above his head — newborns are near-sighted and can only focus on things that are 25cm from them. But after three months, it’s time to sound the alarm if your infant’s eyes are uncoordinated, crossed (it can lead to lazy eye), or teary (a sign of blocked tear ducts).
4. Baby needs some fresh air — for real
Getting some fresh air not only gives you a break and clears your mind, it also helps bubba’s brain develop. That’s because he’s able to soak in his environment, so that when he sleeps, his brain converts all this vital material into long-term memory. It’ll help if you talk him through the walk, saying things like, “Look at those kids on the swing.” Plus, it’ll also hone his language skills.
5. Getting the sleepy jerks
You might’ve noticed your baby jerk just as he’s about to fall asleep, causing him to rouse briefly. It’s normal and happens just before he enters the deep-sleep stages. This happens because his brain misunderstands the relaxing of muscles as a sign of falling, so his muscles tighten to “catch” him. Another similar motion is the Moro reflex — he’ll fling his hands up and outwards, while drawing his knees close to his chest. It’s a response to the feeling of falling down.
6. N is for naps (the saviour of your sanity)
On average, an infant naps anywhere between 30 minutes and 3 hours at any one time. A healthy 2- to 4-month-old snoozes two to three times a day (amounting to 5 hours); while a 5- to 8-month-old naps some 3.5 hours in all. When’s he past 9 months, your nipper will nap twice a day (about 2.5 hours).
7. You can help connect the dots
Interacting with a newborn is important, although they might not show much reaction. For your little newbie, play a song and make funny faces at specific points, and later, when he hears the song again, he’ll laugh at those parts because he associates that song with humour (and your faces). It’s also a great bonding activity that helps his social, emotional and physical development. Plus, it’s fun — after all, the more he laughs, the less he cries!
8. Keeping calm conveys your message better
Often, we raise our voice to show junior he’s done something wrong, or to establish our authority. But focus on being firm, instead of loud, so your kids can hear your message instead of your loud voice.
Photo: iStock
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