By Madeleine Fitzpatrick

As the saying goes, "You have to crawl before you can walk." While there have been cases of babies bypassing crawling to go straight to walking, most babies will become proficient crawlers some time during the second half of their first year.

Not all babies learn to crawl in the traditional fashion however. Some do a belly crawl (sliding along on their tummy) - and go straight from there to walking. Some babies prefer to remain upright and scoot around on their bottom rather than crawl. Others crawl backwards!

Whether or not babies need to learn to crawl forwards is a matter for some debate. According to some pediatricians and pediatric textbooks, crawling is not an important developmental milestone. The method of locomotion is irrelevant, say the experts, so long as babies learn to get from A to B.

However, according to childhood educator Glenn Doman, a pioneer in the field of right-brain training, crawling forwards is an essential skill to master. Doman claims that crawling stimulates the brain to develop convergence of vision - and that as a result, people who skip this phase as babies may find it extremely difficult to learn to read and write as children. In addition, children who missed out on crawling may suffer from speech problems, he says - because the same part of the brain controls both functions.

In cases where a child skipped crawling or did very little crawling as a baby, Doman recommends practicing crawling every day for six months. To get a child who knows how to walk to do this, it will probably be necessary for her parents to get down on the floor and crawl around with her! (This should not be tried until two-and-a-half to three years of age, as before that, children are too enamored with the newfound freedom of walking.) It may sound a little outlandish, but Glenn Doman mothers have attested to their success in improving a child''s speech simply by getting her to practice crawling.

The prone position

If the importance of crawling is a matter for some debate, the placing of babies in the prone position (on their tummies) is an even more controversial issue, because it could be a matter of life and death. The question is: does sleeping in the prone position put babies at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or crib death?

According to some experts, yes - and the current wisdom is to always put babies to sleep on their backs. According to Glenn Doman, it is more natural for babies to sleep on their tummies. He adds that nighttime is an important time to make use of the prone position, as tiny babies actually belly crawl in their sleep.

Which advice you choose to follow at bedtime is up to you. What seems clear though is that maximizing tummy time during the day can do no harm - and can indeed encourage the development of your baby''s motor skills. Once in the prone position, your baby will instinctively lift his head (helping to develop his neck muscles), push up with his arms (helping to develop his arm and chest muscles) and push off the floor with his legs (helping to develop his leg and hip muscles).

According to Doman, babies get bored when we place them on their backs and leave them to look at mobiles. What they really want is to explore the world - and putting them on their tummies gives them the opportunity to do this. Once in the prone position, a baby can see nearby objects and feels motivated to get over to them. Doman recommends that babies spend a minimum of four waking hours in the prone position - thought that time can be divided into short segments. This is in addition to the time the baby will spend on her tummy while asleep.

In reality, many babies hate tummy time - especially if they have not been in the prone position much since birth. Many parents report that their baby fusses or cries to be rescued - even when the baby was the one to turn onto his tummy in the first place! How you deal with this will come down to the degree of importance you place in developing mobility early, as well as your comfort level with your baby crying. Doman recommends that you get down on the floor with your baby. In this position, you can encourage and reassure him, even while refusing to pick him up.

Pediatricians generally recommend regular tummy time - although the importance they place on it varies considerably. Some doctors point out that babies are not ready to crawl until they have developed the muscles needed to sit well unsupported. Babies don"t usually cry out of a failure to do something, they say, but rather because the activity being asked of them is developmentally beyond their reach.

However, the fact that babies can belly crawl from birth is well documented - and it is this at-first-instinctive crawl that usually leads to the most advanced type: crawling on all fours in a cross pattern (where the right arm moves with the left leg and vice versa). If you decide to follow Glenn Doman''s advice, and can see out the difficult initial period, you should find that your baby stops fussing in the prone position. Indeed, once she has discovered the joys of mobility, she will probably prefer to be on her tummy than in any other position.

Learning to crawl

Crawling - assuming your baby does it - normally starts between 6 and 10 months of age. Besides giving your baby regular tummy time, preferably on the floor, there are several things you can do to make it easier for him to get moving. Do not overdress your baby, as this would hamper the movement of his limbs and joints. When possible, leave your baby''s feet, knees and elbows bare, as this will give him better grip.

To help your baby get moving in the prone position, let her push off against your hands with her feet. This should help her begin to belly crawl. If your baby looks about ready to get onto all fours, you can help by bending her legs gently and lifting up her bottom. Don"t force your baby into this position though, and don"t try to rush her into crawling on all fours.

You can also encourage your baby''s mobility by dangling his favorite toys just out of reach, or once he has started to belly crawl, calling for him to come to you on the other side of the room. Avoid aids like walkers, which take a lot of the effort out of getting around - to babies" detriment.

You might also consider making or buying an infant crawling track (details of which can be found in Glenn Doman''s How To Teach Your Baby To Be Physically Superb). The track has a surface with good traction and can be put on an incline (by placing one end on a step). Using a downward slope makes crawling easier, while the upward slope can be used later to make crawling more challenging.

Learning to walk

Babies normally start walking between 10 and 18 months. Some parents get anxious when their baby shows no signs of walking at a year of age. If that describes you, then remember what Glenn Doman says about the importance of crawling in developing speech as well as reading and writing skills. If he''s right, then learning to walk late might actually be a good thing!

As your baby gets ready to start walking, she will grab the furniture and pull herself up to a standing position. She will then experiment with "cruising" - moving around on her feet with the furniture for support, and occasionally standing for a few seconds unaided. Let her do so barefoot, as this will make it easier for her to develop her balance and coordination.

There''s plenty you can do to help strengthen your baby''s leg muscles besides. Before he begins to stand (or even crawl), let him grip your fingers (holding his wrists as a precaution) and pull him up to standing, so that he''s supporting his own weight. Later, you can help him "walk" by supporting him under the arms. When he starts to cruise, encourage him to let go of the furniture by holding out your fingers and letting him grip you with both hands. Before you know it, he"ll be holding on to you with one hand only.

Babies start getting up on their feet before they know how to get back down, so don"t be surprised if your little one cries for help while standing. Rather than picking her up, you can help her learn to sit down by gently bending her knees and supporting her weight until she reaches the floor.

Enjoying the journey

Whether your child is learning to crawl or to walk, give him as much opportunity to move around as possible, minimizing the use of playpens and other restrictive devices. When he first starts walking, help by directing him to flat, smooth surfaces. As his coordination improves, let him walk on an incline and on uneven surfaces, both of which will help to develop his balance.

Most of all, enjoy your little one''s first unsteady steps into the world. Babies grow up fast, and it won"t be long before looking after your child involves a lot more running than walking!

About The Author

Madeleine is the Managing Editor @ Brillbaby.com
Got a question or concern? Email the Editor, who is currently teaching her own baby and blogging about it. Visit http://www.BrillBaby.com/blog

By Vincent Curto

Choosing the right toys for babies can be an overwhelming activity especially for new and young parents. The most important thing you should consider when planning to buy toys for your baby is her safety. So it is only imperative to choose toys that are made with reliable and baby-friendly materials.

Babies are quite delicate little tots and they love to put anything into their mouths; so you should always put their safety first. If you are shopping for stuffed dolls or soft animal toys, you should look for durable clothing materials that these baby toys are made up of.
The fibers or faux fur coming from stuffed baby toys is quite hazardous to babies when inhaled or swallowed. Remember to always check the materials of these types of toys to protect your baby.

You should also look for baby toys that have NO sharp edges, pointy ends or anything that could possibly injure your baby. Avoid toys with small or tiny parts as these can be very dangerous. Remember that babies would want to touch and taste them. Always keep this in mind whenever you shop for baby toys.

Toys for babies, from newborn to toddler age, should have vivid colors and patterns to help improve their sense of sight. The colors red, black and white, according to research, are more favorable for babies because these colors help babies focus on the object.

Texture and other bright colors also help in developing your baby''s sense of sight and touch.

Choose toys for babies that are bigger in size; toys that do not have tiny parts and toys that are almost as big as your baby. Baby toys that come in sets such as baby gyms and play centers are perfect examples of big piece toys that provide fun and function.

Musical or sound-emitting toys for babies are also great sources of fun and function. Make sure that the music or sound is not sharp as your baby''s hearing is still developing. Choose baby toys with sound or music that could calm, relax and entertain your baby.

Look for baby toys that have different shapes and sizes. Your baby will learn about shapes through their first toys, so it is important that you introduce it to him/her at an early age.

Books can be toys for babies too. Choose books that are illustrated and colored. You can find big baby books with pop-ups and music as well. Even though babies do not understand what you are reading, it is important that you read to them to help their sense of hearing and interaction.

Guide To Some Types Of Toys For Babies

There are many types of toys for babies out there in the market. Only buy high quality toys with durable and safe materials. Make sure you are buying from a reputable baby toy store to ensure your baby''s safety.

Rubberized, plastic and soft toys are good for your baby since she will grasp, drag, throw and sometimes put them in her mouth. Just make sure these baby toys are made of high quality and safe materials.

Chewing toys such as teethers are essential for your baby, particularly when her first teeth are just about to emerge.

Stacking toys and large-piece puzzles are good for your baby''s developing cognitive skills.

The ever so popular rubber ducky and other rubberized animal shaped toys are quite helpful during bath time. These toys are great for keeping your baby''s focus on them rather than on bathing itself.Musical toys or small CD players for your baby''s nursery is good for keeping her calm and in developing her sense of hearing. Studies show that classical music is best for your little ones.

There are so many options out there when you are buying toys for babies. The important thing is to always consider safety and quality of these toys to keep your baby safe and sound. You will surely enjoy shopping for baby toys, but seeing your baby happy and safe is truly worth while.

About The Author

Want to learn more about toys for your baby? Visit http://www.BabySmileAndGrow.com to learn about choosing the right toys and products for your baby. Read about BPA Free Bottles.

We all know humans carry their young for 9 months before giving birth - but what about these animals? Test your pregnancy knowledge when you try to match the animal with its pregnancy length. Start printing as soon as you order!

Guess Who's Pregnant?

By Catherine Harvey

What is it with people making a mockery of their kids these days? Anything that makes them look ridiculous, from the funny baby t-shirts to the weird haircuts and plain silly names, anything that draws attention to their child will suffice. Even if others are laughing at them rather than with them, they don"t mind. Apparently all publicity is good publicity.

Whatever happened to babies being clean and tidy to be taken out in public? What''s wrong with these old fashioned ideas? Why do we have to see them adorned in so many colours with slogans splashed all over funny baby t-shirts? They look like buckets of vomit rather than the cute little bundles of joy they"re supposed to be.

And have you noticed that babies are getting louder? Remember the days when a baby would be in a position where it could see its mother, wrapped up in soft baby blankets all cute curls and clean smiles. There is no such thing these days.

Today you will see babies in luminous plastic buggies at car exhaust height dressed in buckets of puke that their parents pass off as funny baby t-shirts with their mouths wide open in a desperate bid to be heard above their t-shirts!

Celebrities are the main instigators in this fashion for drawing attention to their offspring in the weirdest ways. Michael Jackson may well have thought that his children were disguised in veils but how many children do you see normally dressed like that? They were never going to blend into the background now were they?

Another well know celebrity was seen out and about with her baby who must have been paid to advertise the Burberry brand. From the buggy to the sunshade to the baby bag to the baby clothes, from her clothes probably right down to her baby''s nappy, all were the signature beige tartan of Burberry. Sad, but true. However, she did have the excuse of bordering on being a chav.

The only thing separating this celebrity from your average high street chav was her bank balance. Unfortunately, money cannot buy you good taste.

Take a walk round Basildon shopping precinct and you will see funny baby t-shirts galore. Simple slogans that the fifteen year old mothers can read, some that are even so funny they interact with their friends funny baby t-shirts. You know the sort - "I"m with stupid", that sort of thing. Oh, bring on the Burberry, please!

Scientific research suggests that babies who are consistently dressed in funny baby t-shirts will grow up to be emotionally insecure due to people constantly pointing and laughing at them. They will also suffer hearing defects due to the loudness of their clothes and often require surgery for dislocated jaws where they have been trying to shout above them.

Statistics show that a staggering forty nine per cent of children forced to wear comedy clothes will grow up to be clinically depressed, a further nineteen per cent will run away with the circus and become clowns, seventeen per cent will become clinical psychologists in a bid to understand what made them that way and the remaining fifteen per cent will become estate agents (unofficial figures). To avoid cases of child cruelty being brought against you in later years, I suggest you avoid the trend for anything that will draw undue attention to your child.

About The Author

Child care expert Catherine Harvey looks at the trend for funny baby t-shirts by mothers today.

Mom-to-be is the center of attention today…but how well were your guests paying attention to her? Find out when Mom leaves the room and you surprise your guests with this pop quiz! Start printing as soon as you order!

And Mommy Wore.

There are quite a few baby shower game ideas for free online. Low priced games on pre-printed forms are also available and make it easier for your guests to understand the rules of the game and what is expected of each player. You no longer have to tear pieces of paper out of a spiral notebook at the last minute and spend fifteen minutes and two trial game runs explaining what your guests are supposed to write.

When you find baby shower games to print, you will look more organized than just handing out slips of paper to your guests to play your baby shower game ideas for free. Your guest of honor will appreciate the extra effort you went to to prepare for her baby shower with purchased games rather the baby shower game ideas for free.

I m not going to lie to you baby shower games ideas for free are usually not as nice as baby shower printable games that you buy. When you buy games for a babyshower from online merchants, the printouts will look a bit nicer than the available baby shower game ideas for free.

Any printable baby shower games, however, will look nicer than just notebook paper. You should base your decision on paying for baby shower games to print on how much money you have invested in the shower. If you ve overspent, you might want to sacrifice a little on the quality of babyshower party games you choose.

If you budget your baby shower money a little better, you might want to skip the baby shower games for free and invest in some more professionally designed babyshower games. You can purchase single baby shower games to download for around $4 to $7 per game and game kits for under $10 to around $30.

These kits are about the same cost as you d pay for just the games, and you get all kinds of extras, like baby shower name tags, a shower invitation generator, and party management tools.

I like the comprehensive kits better because you get more for your money and I love a bargain. You can use them again and again, loan them to friends and relatives who are hosting other showers, and even sell them on Ebay or at a garage sale to recoup some of your money.

The games included (as well as all of the other aspects of the baby shower planning software) can be modified and specially personalized for your party. You can include the name of your guest of honor in a word scramble for instance. You can also make the printouts match your baby shower theme.

Basically, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If your guests are not acquainted with each other, you should skip the baby shower game ideas for free. When your guests don t know each other, shower games are more important. You should be willing to spend more to have your guests interact and get to know each other.

If your guests are all family members or old friends who are already well-acquainted, you might want to spend more on shower refreshments or shower favors and find baby shower game ideas for free. Your priorities usually depend on your guest list.

Because you can usually pick up a baby shower kit for less than $30, I would advise you to go for the extra perks of a deluxe kit with a large number of printable games available. Whatever you choose, good luck and have a great shower party!

Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Randy is owner of How to Plan a Baby Shower, Profitable Home Businesses and Las Vegas Weddings. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003.

Festive and adorable, these placemats are sure to add the final touch to a wonderful baby shower! Simply print and place at your table. Each placemat prints 8 1/2 x 11". Start printing as soon as you order!

Baby Shower Placemats

By April Kerr

If you are an expecting mother you will no doubt be wondering about whether to breast feed your baby. Although it''s not always the easiest thing to do, health specialist are unanimous in saying that breast milk is the best food for a baby. The milk is full of nutrients that you simply cannot find elsewhere and scientists are constantly finding new benefits of breast feeding. If you do decide to breast feed you will more than likely want to buy a breast pump. They are intended for you to extract the milk from your breasts so that your baby can be fed at any time by any one. The machine works on a similar principle of a cow milking machine which you will see in commercial dairy farms.

When you"ve extracted the breast milk, that milk can then be stored in a bottle so that someone else has the ability of feeding the baby with your own breast milk. Another reason for buying and using a breast pump is that often your breasts will produce too much milk and so when this happens, you can use the pump to relieve the excess. Sometimes babies have trouble latching onto the breast for feeding so using a pump allows you to then feed through a bottle.

When searching for a breast pump to buy you will quickly realize that you have different options. Many of the pumps available use a manual pump and this means the mother has much better control over what pressure and frequency is used. There are also battery operated pumps which are becoming more popular now. Some of the breast pumps have a baby bottle attached which you would then use for feeding your baby. There is even a hands-free breast pump.

Mothers are generally recommended to use a breast pump as soon after having a baby as possible. There are hospital-grade pumps which can be used initially and these can be rented with the advice of your hospital''s NICU. When you go to use a breast pump, for the initial two weeks it''s advisable to use the pump for between 8 and 10 times a day. This frequent use help encourage a good supply of milk. You will want to use the pump day and night but obviously you need to sleep so using the pump less frequently during the night is OK. Each time you use the pump it will be for around 10 to 12 minutes. With this routine you should be able to have a very good supply of milk.

About The Author

April Kerr owns website Baby Breast Pumps which has details of where to buy Avent breast pumps and cheap Medela breast pumps.

By Art Gib

Breast milk is the healthiest food that mothers can give to their babies. It helps build their immune systems and it is also easier for little ones to digest than store-bought formulas. Unfortunately, breastfeeding isn"t always an easy process. For example, some mothers have extreme cases of eczema which makes it impossible for them to bring a baby to breast and other times the baby itself it too weak to suck the nourishing milk from its mother''s breast. In such cases, a breast pump is an invaluable tool.

In addition to being easier on the mother''s skin and doing the hardest work for the baby, breast pumps also yield other benefits. One of these benefits is a little more freedom for new parents. For example, if breast milk can be pumped before a baby is even hungry it can be stored in the fridge and used later; even if the mother goes out for an evening with her husband.

Additionally, using a breast pump can relieve some of the pain that comes when milk supplies build up because a baby isn"t hungry. Or, if your baby seems to always be hungry, a pump can also help increase breast milk supply. After all, the more milk you pump, the more your body thinks you need. And the less you pump, the less your body will produce.

Pumped breast milk also makes it possible for more than one person to feed a baby. For example, with pumped breast milk in a bottle, fathers can also experience bonding time while feeding their babies. Sharing the job of feeding can also help mothers get more rest.

There are several different kinds of breast pumps. If possible, try to use a couple different kinds before you purchase your own. Friends or relatives will probably have different models that you can test and after comparing them, you can settle on the best choice for your body. My personal recommendation is to find a hands-free pump that is dishwasher safe.

When it comes to feeding infants, the main goal should be to get your nutritious breast milk to your baby. How this happens is not as important as making sure that it does happen. Direct breastfeeding is always the best option and first choice that mothers should try, but if breastfeeding leads to complications a breast pump is the next best thing. No matter how you do it, give your baby the best food source you can provide.

About The Author

Got Breast Milk LLC (http://gotbreastpump.com/) is a leading provider of breastfeeding products. They also provide many articles and tips on breastfeeding, storing milk, weaning and learning how to increase the breast milk supply that you have. The author, Art Gib, is a freelance writer.

Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question: When should my child start wearing shoes?

There is no clear consensus. Some parents buy shoes as soon as their baby pulls herself into a first tentative stand; others wait as long as possible, preferring not to constrict their children s feet.

As a general rule, kids will need shoes when they are ready to start walking around outdoors, says Peggy Wells, who is both a mother and president of Pip Squeakers, a children s shoe company. You will want something that protects your baby s feet but still allows for some flexibility, she explains.

For parents contemplating purchasing their baby s first shoes, here are some suggestions for things to consider from the experts at parentsplace.com and pipsqueakers.com:

* Make sure you get the proper fit. Shoes that are too tight or too loose could be painful or cause blisters, and may even hamper walking. Have your pediatrician measure your child s feet, during the regular check-ups. This will provide you with an accurate measurement when you refer to a shoe company s sizing chart.

* Avoid stiff, high-top leather shoes; there is no evidence that they help babies walk. Instead, look for something soft and flexible that allows your baby to use the movement of his feet to maintain balance and to walk. They should be made from canvas or some other breathable material, and have flat, flexible, non-slip soles.

* Get shoes your child likes. Pip Squeakers shoes make a pleasing squeak that children enjoy. It encourages them to move, walk and explore their surroundings, says Wells, who adds that children enjoy creating the amusing sounds with each step. An added benefit is safety: the sound allows parents to more easily track the movements of their toddler and keep them within a close radius.

* Safe closures. Make sure that your baby s shoes fasten well. Double-knot laces so that they are less likely to come undone and make sure buckle straps are secure without being too tight. Velcro fasteners are the easiest option.

* It is normal to have a slight discrepancy in foot size between the two feet; you want to make sure to go with the shoe size that fits the larger foot. Allow about one-half inch of space at the end of the longest toe to the end of the shoe. The toes should be able to wiggle freely, and the heel should not slip with normal walking.

* Get the shoe that is most comfortable for your child, even if it is not the same size that the measurement device indicates. Be aware that sizing differs with each shoe company, so refer to their respective sizing charts. It is advisable to inspect the shoe fit every couple of weeks, to insure the continuing comfort of your child s feet.

Because of their unique ability to make sounds, Pip Squeakers shoes may be of interest to parents of children with disabilities who may have vision or mobility problems.

About the Author

About the Author: Tricia O'Connell is a special needs teacher, and is now in her 20th year of teaching. She is also the co-founder of Pip Squeakers. For more information on children s shoes and Pip Squeakers, visit www.pipsqueakers.com or call (866) 722-4535.