I remember the day we brought home my son Bradley from the hospital. I won't lie, that first week was rough. At the hospital he seemed to sleep and sleep. But then something happened the 5th day or so (all a blur now) and he wanted to nurse every hour at some points. One night it seemed like as soon as I put him down he was crying out of hunger. I felt my breast and I was dry out of milk! Now what? Should I try and supplement with formula? I'm holding him and he's crying and I'm feeling so helpless so I start to sing. I couldn't think of any catchy nursery rhymes so I stat to sing "Silent Night" which was weird because it was July but maybe its because I just so desperately wanted a silent baby and a silent night. I learned a lot about supply and demand in those weeks. If yourbaby is hungry your body will produce. I actually heard once that a baby's cry can actually stimulate mother's milk and cause let-down (the process in which the milk starts to flow). I held off using a pump for at least 8 weeks too since I was advised that breastfeeding is the best way for encouraging milk production. So we breastfed and we did it often. After all, he was almost a 10 lbs. hungry baby boy! After about a week or so my husband and I found ourself saying "He's slept, he's eaten, and he's been changed (in that order. I will come back to this later), Now what?" How could we enrich our son's life during these first few weeks of his life? He was an observant baby from the beginning, opening his eyes often and looking into our faces.
By 3-4 months, right around the time of the first social smile I started introducing soft books to him. I remember that he would sit on my lap and immediately clasp his hands together as if waiting in anticipation for me to read to him. Now, 6 months later, he will bat at the pages, but soon get bored and want to stand or do something else. How I long for the days when he will ask me "Please mommy? Will you read me another book?"
....
My top picks:
1. Soft Books
My favorite are the Begin Smart books. They come in hardback or soft books (like the kind baby can drool on). What I liked about the 0-6 month series is they kept my son's interest for the duration of the book. The infant stimulation book was especially good in showing contrasting colors and shapes. We would read the books for free at Barns and Noble to determine which ones worked before we bought. Because sometimes no matter how much you want them to like a particular book, they just don't.
2. Musical Instruments
As soon as the baby can hold object in their hands give them something that makes noise! I love implementing music into our son's daily life. For example, during tummy time (which we started the second day he got home from the hospital-maily because I was a new mommy excited to play with all of these new toys!) I would play some classical music in the background. Tummy time would last as long as he was happy. Now, at 6 months, he enjoys playing with his maraca (shown in photo) and a jingle bell. Both toys are meant for older kids so its important to only provide them with these toys during supervised play. The maraca actually said for ages 2+. I looked everywhere for a rattle that wouldn't be too heavy and that he could easily grasp the handle. I just happened to find this maraca in a toy store, Brilliant Sky (and I have also seen some at local music stores).
3. Wooden Toys
Maria Montessori believed in simple organic materials for children's toys. She would have scoffed at plastic toys and 'busy lights' and sounds. When I'm out looking for my next Montessori development toy I am looking for something that safe, practical, and natural. Wood is a great material and is light weight and fun for the little one's to chew on. I found a great line of products that specialize in wooden rattles, Montgomery Schoolhouse. Right now he enjoys shaking the rattle and chewing on its edges. In the center of the rattle there are moving parts that look similar to a abacus. This is supposed to help the child go from a hand grasp (grasping things with the entire hand or that 'pawing' or 'batting' approach) to the pincher grasp, which is something the Montessori emphasizes. The pincher grasp is very useful in the future when it comes to self-feeding. Another toy, that really isn't even a toy, is a wooden comb. I give it to him while I am brushing my own hair. He mostly looks at it with awe and drools on its wooden teeth.:)
4. Cups, plates, and spoonsI am a huge fan of self-feeding. Hand any baby, who has the holding thing down, a spoon and watch how he/she naturally put it to their mouth! Bradley enjoys eating his pretend food while we have dinner. And now, at 6 months, we are starting cereal. We take turns here. Most of the time its a fight because he grasps the spoon and puts it in his mouth. The goal here is to get most of the cereal in his mouth :) Finding a spoon can be difficult since most spoons are too long r too heavy for baby. Choose one that is all metal or mostly-metal with a rubber tip (they love to chew on these). The metal adds some nice weight and makes it easier for baby. I found a nice set of plates, tea cups, and utensils. He enjoys watching mommy drink from the teacups while saying 'yum yum yum'.
5. Flash Cards
I am always on a quest for flash cards that are short and to the point. I like the pictures to be real-life or practical looking. For example, I don't need a lion wearing a safari outfit and driving a car. We really enjoy the touch and feel flash cards-they are to the point and Bradley gets really excited to feel the different textures. Its important to say the word clearly for baby and even run your finger under the word as you say it. It gets them to associate the word with reading. Another project we have been doing is making our own flashcards. I noticed Bradley staring at a wedding photo of my husband and I that was hanging on the refrigerator. So taking very large close-up shots of family, pets, and common household items-printing the word on it and then laminate. There are some nice electronic versions of this for the ipod/iphone such as "Baby Signs" (sign language cards) or "Baby's First Words" flash cards. However, at this age, all he wants to do it touch and drool on my ipod.
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