Sitting Up and Crawling

Something that adults take for granted is a miracle in the eyes of a parent. My little girl is sitting up and scooting her way around the house. It makes me giddy to see her make her way from the floor blanket over to the DVD player. But alas when she reaches it, she knows to keep pushing buttons until the disc player ejects itself. I'm not looking forward to her breaking my high end appliances, but I'm ecstatic that she is a healthy, normal child.

The End of Breastfeeding

This week I stopped breastfeeding. A recent trip and extended activities on Sunday have influenced my decision. Although I felt some guilt at first, I have already seen how much time was spent pumping and feeding. I am now spending that extra time continuing to grow my businesses, keeping my home organized, and socializing more. So far my daughter has not seemed to care as long as she continues to have a full stomach. She still has breast milk in the freezer, but she is also drinking formula, juice and eating solid food. There is no doubt that I will breastfeed my next child. It helped my baby stay healthy, kept my weight down and saved me an enormous amount of money. It was one of the best life choices I have ever made.

Baby Milestones

My daughter refuses to hold a bottle. She breastfeeds in the morning and during the day time I give her a bottle so that I can work around the house. She is able to hold the bottle with no problem but she simply does not want to do so. Each day after she holds her bottle for about 2 minutes she grins at me and spreads her arms like an eagle. Although it is not any reason to be worried or concerned this got me to thinking about what she is SUPPOSED to be able to do at 7 months.

Source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_milestone-chart-7-to-12-months_1496587.bc

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
1 month	• Lifts head when lying on tummy • Responds to sound • Stares at faces	• Follows objects briefly with eyes • Vocalizes: oohs and aahs • Can see black-and-white patterns	• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle
2 months	• Vocalizes: gurgles and coos • Follows objects across field of vision • Notices his hands • Holds head up for short periods	• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle • Makes smoother movements	• Holds head steady • Can bear weight on legs • Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup)
3 months	• Recognizes your face and scent • Holds head steady • Visually tracks moving objects	• Squeals, gurgles, coos • Blows bubbles • Recognizes your voice • Does mini-pushup	• Rolls over, from tummy to back • Turns toward loud sounds • Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 months	• Smiles, laughs • Can bear weight on legs • Coos when you talk to him	• Can grasp a toy • Rolls over, from tummy to back	• Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada" • Cuts first tooth • May be ready for solid foods
5 months	• Distinguishes between bold colors • Plays with his hands and feet	• Recognizes own name • Turns toward new sounds • Rolls over in both directions	• Sits momentarily without support • Mouths objects • Separation anxiety may begin
6 months	• Turns toward sounds and voices • Imitates sounds • Rolls over in both directions	• Is ready for solid foods • Sits without support • Mouths objects • Passes objects from hand to hand	• Lunges forward or starts crawling • Jabbers or combines syllables • Drags objects toward himself

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
7 months	• Sits without support • Drags objects toward herself	• Lunges forward or starts crawling • Jabbers or combines syllables • Starts to experience stranger anxiety	• Waves goodbye • Stands while holding onto something • Bangs objects together • Begins to understand object permanence

When Should you Feed Your Baby Food?

As most of you know my daughter started rice cereal at 2 weeks. She is now 6 months and has progressed to pureed foods. Breastmilk is still her main source of nutrition, but she definitely enjoys the satiating feeling of hardy solids. Today I made rice, baked chicken and italian beans for dinner. To prepare my daughter's food, I added water and pureed for 5 minutes. Although store bought baby food can be very convenient when you are tired or in a hurry, it only takes a few minutes to prepare food from your own kitchen. Every child is different due to health concerns and parental philosophy. Always consult your child's pediatrician if you are unsure of nutritional recommendations made by any one. Below are some general guidelines for beginning solids.

1. Start when baby can lift and hold head unsupported
2. Child has lost the tongue thrust reflex
3. Baby is 4 to 6 months
4. He/She stares at you and your plate during dinner time (LOL)
5. Baby grabs food from your plate and stuffs it in their mouth (My daughter did this to me)

Teething Remedies

* Please consult your child's pediatrician before trying any of these remedies

10 Teething Remedies

1. Wet 1/4 of a washcloth and allow it to chill in the refrigerator
2. Buy a gel or water filled teething ring and allow it to chill in the refrigerator
3. Infant Tylenol (Consult Pediatrician for dosage)
4. Teething Tablets
5. Teething Powder
6. Teething Pacifier
7. Chamomille
8. Baby Orajel
9. Rub your child's gum with your index finger until you hear them make a "squeaking" sound
10. If all else fails just let your little one eat the the sheets, your clothes and their clothes