Language Games

Has your baby learned to blow air or to make a clicking sound with his tongue? These are two skills that are good for language development. These are difficult tasks, and may take a lot of practice.

Make a game of blowing air and clicking your tongue. Your child will probably try to imitate you.

Put a small ball on your baby’s highchair tray. Blow on the ball until it rolls toward him. Does your baby try to blow it back to you? Put the ball away when you have finished playing so that your baby doesn’t try to put it in his mouth and choke.

Touch-and-name games will help your baby become more aware of himself and his body. Touch different parts of your baby’s body and name them. Say, “This is Mike’s foot. Here is Mike’s nose. Where are Mike’s fingers? Here they are!!” Touch your own body parts and do the same thing. “Here’s Mommy’s nose. Here’s Daddy’s nose. Here’s Mike’s nose.”

Playing language games will help your child learn. As your baby’s language skills grow, so does his brain.

Storing Baby’s Toys

Your baby probably has some books and toys, and you need a good place to put them. There are several options.

Shelves or low bookcases make things easy for you and your baby to see and get. Arrange them so your baby can discover different books and toys on different days.

A large basket or a plastic laundry basket will keep everything in one place, and it will be easy to move.

A toy chest may make the room look neat, but it’s harder for your baby to explore. If you decide on a toy chest, look for these safety features:

• A lightweight lid that your baby can lift
• Air holes, in case your child climbs inside
• Slow-release hinges, so fingers don’t get pinched — and so the lid can’t drop suddenly on your child’s head.
• Closings that don’t lock automatically
• No splinters or sharp metal edges

Sun Safety: Baby Skin Is Delicate and Burns Easily

Babies need fresh air and light, but too much sun can be harmful. Researchers have found that severe sunburns in childhood can lead to greater risk of the most deadly form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, later in life.

Here are some simple steps to help you and your baby enjoy the sun safely:

• Stay out of the sun from 10 am to 3 pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.

• Keep your baby in the shade. If you use a stroller, keep the sun shade on.

• Put a hat on your baby, and dress him in lightweight clothes that cover her body. Dress like that yourself.

• Before 6 months keep your baby out of the sun. After 6 months, always put a sunscreen lotion with a 30 or higher sun protection factor (SPF) on your baby and yourself when you’ll be in the sun. Test a small area of your baby’s skin to test for a reaction before applying all over. Re-apply every two hours.

• If you or your baby gets sunburned, put cool, wet towels on the burns. If a fever or blisters develop, call the doctor.