Friday, November 14, 2008

Baby Types: Which One Is Yours?

The wonderful aspect of being a parent is the appreciation for the uniqueness of your baby. Here are few types of personas categories of babies and how to face the challenges of each.

Active Baby
Usually babies who are active tend to right from the very beginning. These are the babies who are in constant motion, wiggling,twisting and just want constant movement. You may face challenges because your baby dislikes anything that will restrain movement. As well, these babies are most challenging to parents because they tend to require more supervision as they get into


Active Baby Tips:
Never leave your baby unattended- active babies tend to be more developmentally advanced for their age. This is especially important for places such as changing tables and beds where he can roll over and fall off of.

crib safety: lower the crib mattress to the lowest level,once your baby learns to sit/pull up. Keep toys out of the crib which can he can stand on and help climb out of the crib.
Babyproof your home, having an active baby will require you to make safety changes in your home earlier than expected. The best way to access safety for your baby is to get down on his level (yes you have to crawl) and view the world from his eyes. Think like your baby and see what may pose a danger to him, what does he have access to such as cabinets,electrical outlets/cords,room assess,stairs. The usage of safety gates can restrict your baby and keep him safe. You should also keep in mind that as your baby grows and advances you will constantly have to change your safety approach.


High Intensity Baby
These babies are most sensitive to things in their environment, such a sounds, sights, tastes and more. They may cry louder with great intensity, immediately grabbing your attention. Although you may feel frazzled initially, there are ways that you can accommodate your baby and help him to feel more relaxed.

High Intensity Baby Tips:
Keep the noise level down in your home, lower the radio,television,door bell and even the ringer on the telephone.
Minimize the amount of light that comes into your baby's room. Try to use keep the blinds closed and use heavy lined curtains which can help keep bright light from entering.
Reduce the amount of exposure to intense food smells such as garlic/onions, chemical products, and perfumes/colognes which may be unpleasant to the nose.
Certain fabrics may be irritating to your baby's skin such as wool,clothing tags or even specific clothing. While many babies dislike clothing altogether, if you notice a reaction to certain items you may want to refrain from using them on your baby. You can also cut the tags out of clothing if its bothering your baby. Many manufactures have tagless clothing for that very reason.

The Unhappy Baby
Seems that no matter what you do, you can seem to make your baby happy. Instead of smiles, there are constant tears and a state of unhappiness. While it seems hard to believe there are some babies that one can be difficult to please even though their needs are met. Although such babies seem miserable constantly, it may not be a reflection on your behalf as a parent. It can be difficult to parent a baby that is this way, remain consistent in your love and care.

The Unhappy Baby Tips:
Consult your pediatrician with any questions and or concerns regarding your baby. A through assessment can determine any medical/developmental issues that could be a contributing factor.
Seek the comfort of a support group with other parents who share your plight. You may find relief knowing that you can get through this, as well as tips on how to cope.
Stay positive: many times as babies mature they can learn more self expression and communication skills which can help alleviate their frustration

The Unadaptable Baby
The constant changes that occur in your baby's life are objectionable and faced with great protest. New places,faces and things can be a source of tears for your baby. Change is simply disliked and your baby can feel anxious. The key to happiness for your baby is consistency on a daily basis with a solid routine so that transitions are smooth and he knows what to expect. Although there may be times where the familiar routine has to be broken there are some ways to make maintain sanity.

The Unhappy Baby Tips:

Set up a daily schedule with set times for feedings,diaper changes,naptimes and even baths. Work with your baby initially to get him into the set routine and adhere to it as best as possible. He will know what to expect daily, transitions are smoother, which will help reduce the tears.
Gradually introduce new things to your baby when he is ready, by not overwhelming him with many things at once. If you have a new toys,offer one at a time and allow him to become used to it before giving him another one. If he doesn't like it, remove it and try again the next day.
New people can also be a source of stress for your baby. Explain to the individual that they shouldn't try to immediately approach him but allow your baby to become accommodated to their presence. Allow your baby to give the cue when they are ready to be held or even interact with the individual. Don't force your baby.
Feeding challenges: avoid any sudden changes in things like formula/solid food introduction which can be immediately detected. Gradual introduction at a slow pace may work best. If you are introducing solids begin with simple single ingredients and gradually add one new food per week. That is especially important for determining if your baby is allergic to any specific food as well.

******Read More
Caring for the difficult baby

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