WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR CHILD:
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Your child is learning how to communicate more effectively. While spoken language has not replaced baby's cries, she is learning to make her needs known in other ways. She may say a few primitive words such as dada, mama, cat or car. Though some of these may refer to more than one item ('cat', for instance, may be any furry, four-legged animal), she is trying. She may also begin pointing to the object she would like handed to her. Talk to her and let her know the proper names for the items she's seeing. Even at this early stage you'll be surprised at the 'words' that come out of her mouth.
2. You may notice your child becoming agitated when you leave the room. When you walk through the door, he reacts as though you are never going to return. He may experience separation anxiety because he has not yet mastered the concept of object permanence. That is, that an object (or in this case a person) continues to exist even when it can't be seen. To his understanding, when you leave you are gone from his life. There are several things you can do to minimise the trauma of separation anxiety. Some of the more fun activities include playing games like peek-a-boo in which you disappear for a second or two, then magically reappear with a smile. Toys that include objects that 'hide' are wonderful examples, too. Consider taking your child's favourite toy, hiding it under a blanket and then making it pop back out to see him.
Were you fortunate enough to stay at home with your baby throughout his first year and are now planning a return to work? You are probably worried about how this separation anxiety will affect him (and you) when he goes to the nursery, or meets his new carer. Make your choice carefully. Make sure your child is comfortable. If he's going to a creche, take him along several days before you actually start work. If possible, try a test run for an hour or two. This will help you both get accustomed to the new arrangement before you need to leave him for the entire day. Finally, when you do drop him off, say good-bye and do not make a big deal out of your departure -- but do not sneak out, either. In all likelihood his protests will stop shortly after you are out of sight.
3. Your child is learning to get dressed by herself. You have been carefully grooming your child for over a year. Now she may begin trying to help. Notice how she'll extend her arms and legs for you as you try to dress her. She may attempt other simple tasks such as brushing her hair or teeth (though the latter will probably involve more chewing than brushing). She's learning to imitate the motions she watches you go through every morning as you dress her and yourself. Talk to her, and explain what you're doing. She'll feel like a big girl and you'll see how proud she is of herself by a quick glance at her smile!
4. You may be surprised that you are still breastfeeding. If you are both enjoying the current arrangement, why not consider continuing for a while? However, if one partner isn't as enthusiastic anymore, here are some helpful tips for making the transition easier (on both of you).
Cutting back on breastfeeding doesn't have to mean a decrease in cuddle time. Both of you will enjoy some quiet time together. Be sure to reassure your child often with your touch. Get more weaning advice on the breastfeeding support message board.
Click here to get back to baby's second year main page. YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY
Learn the best ways to baby-proof. Your child will delight in such simple activities as opening and closing kitchen cupboard doors. This new behaviour may be adorable, but how safe is it? Remember to closely follow baby-proofing guidelines to ensure safety in the kitchen.
Prepare for possible emergencies away from home. Make sure your car is equipped with a fully-stocked first-aid kit. Some necessary items include:
Also, be sure to include extra nappies, a change of clothes, extra warm clothes for every passenger and a blanket in case of winter breakdowns.
to get back to baby's second year main page. Make playtime a safe time. As your child's curiosity and mobility increase, so will her desire and ability to play with new objects. Are you sure her toys are safe? To ensure the safest play possible, follow these guidelines:
Schedule your child's first dental appointment. Experts advise making that first visit around the time of your child's first birthday or six months after the first tooth erupts. Additionally, take steps to promote good dental health every day:
Click here to get back to baby's second year main page. FUN TOGETHER-TIME ACTIVITIES
Now that your baby is a little older, playing with her doesn't have to just mean repetitious games like pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo. Consider taking a walk and simply spending time together. Baby's curiosity extends beyond the walls of her house, so narrate as you walk. Point out particular trees, objects, animals, etc. You both may enjoy the variety. Here are some more together-time activities to try:
Take your child bird-watching Click here to get back to baby's second year main page. SIMPLE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
It's easy to forget yourself as you spend every ounce of energy cleaning up and chasing after your busy baby. Here are easy ways to get your daily chores done faster so that you'll have a little time left over just for you. Remember: a warm bath, a cup of hot tea or a brisk walk may not take very long to enjoy but will go a long way toward resting tired limbs and rejuvenating the soul.
Learn the easiest ways to organise. Save yourself time every day by taking steps now to organise your house and prioritise errands and daily tasks. Here's how:
Get dinner done fast. Evenings tend to fly by quickly. If you're a working mum, it may be all the time you have during the week to accomplish simple household tasks. Even if you stay at home, it is the time of day when you're most constrained by family members' schedules. Your partner comes home, older children may need help with their homework and on it goes. We can help you save time:
Once you have done this, you may find that your 'free' time is more relaxed and you can enjoy spending it with your partner or pampering yourself without worrying about what's not getting done.
Take her outside (or even to a big window if it's too cold or wet outside). Watch as birds dart in and out of trees, birdhouses and buildings. Be sure to point out the birds' wings and feathers. Even if their swooping feathers don't capture her attention, their songs can be quite relaxing for you both. This activity is perfect for your morning stroll or a cold day spent indoors, or even as a quick break during your afternoon chores. As your child grows older, find images of various kinds of birds (on ceramic decorative pieces, in magazines, etc.). Then see if you can spot those particular birds outside.