The Nursing Mom’s Diet

One of the best things I learned being a mom is to take good care of myself. A large part of that was to watch what I eat. I think the best perk of breastfeeding for moms is the fact that breastfeeding burns 500 calories daily! That means we really need that extra grub to keep up.  But this does not give us the license to munch on just about anything we can lay our hands on.

Minute amounts of what we eat can be ingested by the baby thru the breast milk. So we need to be extra careful about what we eat and drink.

I've been lactating for 10 months now (yahoooo....). Here are some guidelines that i follow to keep in nursing.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet.

Nursing moms should not try to lose weight right after giving birth. Doing so could jeopardize your breastfeeding plans. Don’t worry too much because breastfeeding burns calories so soon, you’ll be shedding off those pounds.  Yup, if you breastfeed, you’ll get back your pre pregnancy figure faster. So, did I convince you to breastfeed already?

Below is USDA's suggested menu for breastfeeding moms.

[caption id="attachment_1321" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Source: http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Topics/BreastfeedingFactSheet.pdf[/caption]

The Philippines' Food and Nutrition Research Institute has a similar nutritional guide.  Click here for equivalents of one serving of common foods.

[caption id="attachment_1966" align="aligncenter" width="263"] This is a bit outdated, though, because in the US they already use the food plate as basis for healthy nutrition![/caption]

All you really need is a healthy balanced diet to produce breast milk enough for your baby. But there are foods known to aid lactation. According to FNRI calcium rich foods will increase milk flow. Such foods include whole milk, clams and malunggay. Oatmeal is also known to increase milk supply.

Nursing is another reason for moms to eat more.  I really noticed that when i pump more milk when i'm full.  And i really get hungry after pumping.   Have those healthy snacks on hand and munch on when you feel the urge to eat. Trying to lose weight right away may effect your breast milk production so try to do so gradually!

Water and other fluids

Nursing moms need to stay hydrated. Otherwise, manunuyot tayo! We need to take adequate amounts of fluids like water, juices milk and soups.

Coffee

I cut down on coffee after being a mom. Before  I would gulp down about 5 to 6 cups of coffee. As in, pakiramdam ko noon kape na ang nananalaytay sa katawan ko. But when I got pregnant, I cut down on coffee. Hindi naman daw bawal, sabi ng  OB ko. But just to be safe, umiwas na din ako. But I had 1 to 2 sips from my hubby’s cup while I was pregnant. Now that I’m nursing I do take just one cup daily, when I feel that I need a jumpstart. Take note caffeine is also present in colas, chocolate and green tea.

[caption id="attachment_1110" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 1 to 2 coffee cups per day is ok
Source of Photo:cancer.gov[/caption]

Observe if baby is sensitive to your caffeine intake. Too much caffeine can lead to hyperactivity and difficulty in sleeping. I observed my baby was agitated when i had 2 to 3 coke cans.  Imagine, alas dos na ng umaga, gusto pang makipaglaro! Since that time, i limit my caffeine intake na.

Also remember that coffee is a diuretic, which means it will make you urinate more.

Alcohol

Limit alcohol intake because it passes through our bloodstream, then to breast milk. If you consumed alcohol, wait for at least four hours before breastfeeding to get the alcohol out of your system.

[caption id="attachment_1106" align="aligncenter" width="292"] Alcohol and breastfeeding don't mix.
Source of Photo:openi.nlm.nih.gov[/caption]

Vitamins and supplements

My baby's pedia suggested that i take in prenatal vitamins and Natalac malunggay capsules to keep my production up. But really, the general guideline is to consume a balanced diet. We must not take vitamins and supplements as a short cut to healthy eating. If you’re not eating enough, chances are your milk production will slow down. Wag lang iasa sa malunggay!

My daily supplements include ascorbic acid, calcium lactate and malunggay capsules.

About street foods

Unless you're pretty sure about the cleanliness of your street food favorites like isaw, fishballs or barbeque, avoid them.  Unsanitary food handling can spread food-borne diseases.

So moms, munch on with care!

***

Breastfeeding Tips for Husbands and Daddies

SUPPORT is key in successful breastfeeding. Let's face it,moms. Without the support from the mister, breastfeeding will be very much harder. Just like any other aspect of marriage, breastfeeding should be a partnership between mommy and daddy.

I am very lucky, my husband has been supporting breastfeeding from the start.  This is primarily because he was a breastfed baby. He tasted the goodness of breast milk. It was not hard for me because we both knew that formula was not an option for the both of us. Breastfeeding is not all about the mom and the baby. Family support play a key role, too!

[caption id="attachment_1810" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Don't feel left out because of mother-baby nursing. Maximize daddy-baby bonding buy cuddling as much as you can![/caption]

For daddies and daddies-to-be, here are some tips to make your nursing wife's life easier.

Loooonng string of patience

Postpartum moms are highly emotional. Add to that the pressure of producing milk for an infant who can't seem to be satisfied and you'll have a weepy and wrecked wife. No, you won't get pogi points by just being silent and doing nothing. Get involved. Ask the wife what she needs and try to give him that.

I remember during my first week, i was an emotional mommy, too. Baby was stuck in the NICU and i had to pump to initiate breastfeeding.  So i pumped like crazy, to the point that i broke the manual pump. Tears rushed down as i showed my husband what it did. Instead of blaming me, he just listened and offered to accompany me to the mall to buy new part.

Spoil the wife.

Working nursing moms will need breastfeeding supplies like breast pump, milk containers, nursing bra, nursing cover, malunggay supplements, etc. Mommies enjoy shopping for these stuff, too!

[caption id="attachment_1286" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Spoil the wife by giving her the free hand and the budget, of course to get these supplies.[/caption]

Do your breastfeeding research. 

Sometimes dads feel left out in the mom-baby bonding. But breastfeeding know-how need not be the mom's sole responsibility. My husband was in to breastfeeding as i am. Months before i gave birth, he bought magazines about breastfeeding and taking care of baby.

Dads need to learn about nursing as well.  It's a sign that you care. Besides, knowing about breastfeeding will be great. Whenever she bugs you about buying a "better"  set of breast pump or extra milk storage bottles or a separate freezer for the stash, you'll be able to give an educated disapproval.

Be a knight-in-shining armor. 

When mom and baby are on a breastfeeding marathon, be the gentleman that you are and offer to help. Prop a pillow on her arm or neck, prolonged latching does strain your muscles.  Offer her something to eat or drink.  Take a a more cavalier step and spoon feed your starving wife.  This way she won't need to unlatch while eating.  Do you know how hard it is to get that perfect latch?

Take that extra effort. Whether they admit it or not, such kind gestures bring "kilig" to the nursing wife.

Do the housework. 

Mommies recovering from a delivery, whether normal or cesarian need to rest.  Rest and relaxation will encourage milk production.  You can help her by doing simple things like keeping your room tidy, cooking  or by  cleaning the breast pump.  All these little gestures much appreciated by a new mom. That's moral support put into actions.

Have an open mind. 

If mama wants to nurse in public, try not to be queasy about it.  Feeding baby is a normal act. If you're concerned that she'll just flash her boobs, that's what the nursing covers are for. Some moms, like me,  think that nursing in public is the best way to promote breastfeeding.

Offer words of encouragement.

Choose your words wisely, words are like swords. They do hurt a lot especially to a mommy who's just about to build that EBM stash. So instead of commenting on how little milk she make, try to be a positive influence by smiling and saying, "Ok lang yan,  dear. Pump lang ng pump. Dadami din yan."

Hearing such encouraging words is like music to mama's ear. Make her feel that you're beside her all through out your breastfeeding journey.

Breastfeeding is a decision both moms and dads should take. So, BOTH  must takes steps towards successful nursing.

Thanks, Daddy for being my number one breastfeeding fan!!!

***

Get More Milk from Every Pump

I'm almost one year into my breastfeeding journey. Yes, it's fulfilling but at the same time i find breast feeding demanding right now. Baby's almost 10 months and i'm actually struggling to nurse him more often. He's been getting more solids while i'm at work and his breast milk intake has dwindled.

My pumping output has also decreased. During my first months after returning to work, i pumped about 20 ounces in a 8-hour period.  Now, after six months after my maternity leave, it has declined to about  12 ounces.

My only saving grace is that i get to pump three times at work. No matter how busy i am, i try to squeeze in a short pumping session.  Every session takes me about 15 minutes but on really busy days, i only get to pump for about 10 minutes. At times when i can't pump thrice at work, i make it a point to pump when i get home.

[caption id="attachment_1247" align="aligncenter" width="225"] As work day gets busier, finding time to pump in the office gets a bit more challenging.[/caption]

Here's what i do to keep breast pumping as productive as possible:

Use a double electric pump.

It cuts your pumping session in half. Get a handsfree pump support so you can do other things as you pump.

Tinker with the pump settings. You can get an idea at which setting you can get the most milk. Sometimes i get a second letdown when i restart the pump midway through the session.

Do breast compressions.

Try to squeeze out the milk from your breast. While pumping, massage your breasts by sliding your fingers from armpits to the nipples, as close as you can to the flange. Try to touch several different sections of the breast to collect milk from different part.

Use hot compress. 

Heat stimulates milk production. I put hot compress on my breast for a few minutes before pumping.  I found this technique effective, especially during my first months post partum.

Make sure the flanges are a good fit and placed correctly.

With a correct fitting flange or breast shield, your nipple must be placed at the center of the tunnel. Your nipple should move freely and not touch the insides of the flange.

[caption id="attachment_2702" align="aligncenter" width="250"] This is a proper fitting breastshield. Source of Photo: Medela PISA manual.[/caption]

Lean forward when pumping.

The rationale for this that gravity enhances breast milk flow. Avoid leaning back as this can also encourage back flow of milk that already in the pump. Try to maintain one comfortable position.

Regularly inspect the pump parts.

Some parts - like the membrane and valves get worn out over time. If there are cuts and tears on the membrane, this may be a sign it needs replacement.

Know the local distributor of the pump. If you're using Medela, check out the Medela Moms Facebook page. I've been scouting all over for the cheapest valve and membrane for my Medela PISA. Medela Moms is  selling 6 membranes and 2 valve heads for P390. It's the cheapest ones i found.

Bring a bigger cooler to store your used pump parts.

This way you won't have to wash the parts every after pumping.  Actually, if you think about it, breast milk stays good at room temperature for 4 hours. So you need not wash the parts after pumping. Reuse the pump parts for the next session, provided it's within the 4 hour-interval.  When i'm working for just a few hours, i don't bring the bulky cooler anymore since i'll just have to pump twice during that 5 to 6 hour period.

Eat enough..... or more.

I noticed that i get more milk when i'm full. Best to eat right and make those calories count. The best foods for nursing moms are malunggay and oatmeal.

I really get hungry right after pumping. So i keep a stash of oatmeal cookies in my work station to munch on.

Moms, pumping is crucial if you're planning to breastfeed long term. It will sustain your supply even if direct breastfeeding is limited. Baby's demand will dwindle, as he eats more solids. Pumping will create demand for your breast milk, so you'll  produce enough milk.

Here's what you can do to increase breast milk supply at home:

Nurse baby as often as possible.

At daytime baby eats more solids and drinks less breast milk. So during the night, i indulge him by letting him nurse all he want.

Nurse first before feeding solids.

For babies aged 6 to 12 months, breast milk is still a major source of calories. By nursing before feeding solids, you can be sure that your child has the appetite to nurse.

Pump if possible.

Squeeze in a pumping session when baby's sleeping. If doable, pump first thing in the morning. It's when you get the most milk.

Work and Pump is a comprehensive resource  for moms who express milk in the office.

Kudos to breastfeeding moms and i do hope we all breastfeed as long as we want!

***

I Did Not Expect This!

I recently received a package from What to Expect. It took a long time waiting but it's finally here. It's the entire basic pregnancy and baby books! I'm actually very thrilled to receive such a package from the  esteemed author of  What to Expect. I got it through this blog and i'd just like to thank the WTE group for this.

[caption id="attachment_1244" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Salamat, What to Expect. Please continue guiding parents and parents-t0-be in nurturing babies into healthy and happy children![/caption]

When i was pregnant, i bought the latest edition of What to Expect When You're Expecting. It was such a fun and informative read! I would read this to my sleep.  I like how the book has separate chapters about month-on-month development of the baby inside me.  It also lists what happens during every prenatal checkup.

There's also a chapter for complicated pregnancies, which was very useful for me. I had placenta previa when i was pregnant and i did read the book and it kept me busy during those dreadful "bed rest" days.

I like how the book answers seemingly no-brainer pregnancy questions like "When can hubby and i have sex?" or "Can i drink coffee?" or "Can i climb upstairs while pregnant?"  Such are the questions you probably are too shy to ask the obstetrician. It does make an expectant mom confident in facing every day without the fear of making a mistake.

Now my baby's almost 10 months and i'm reading What to Expect: The First Year.  I'm really relieved by how dummy-friendly the book is. As usual, it has comprehensive chapters on the monthly development of babies. It also has a chapter on buying for baby, which details the pros and cons of purchasing a certain baby gear. It also provides a list of safety features to look for when buying, say a walker, a stroller, toys?

I love that they included a chapter on first aids for babies and toddlers. This is such a great help for a panicky mom like me.  My favorite part is the section on baby food recipes. I love how WTE provided me with ideas in making cheap but healthy home made baby food!

Up next, i'll be reading What to Expect: The Second Year. I know it will help me a lot in raising a thriving toddler.

Now that i'm a blogger mom, you can expect to read more mommy tips, which are probably based on what i read from the What to Expect Series.

For more information online, click the What to Expect like on the lower right portion of my blog. You'll learn a whole lot about the basics of preconception, pregnancy and mothering a baby and a toddler!

You can purchase the books here and here.

Oh, they also have an Android applications for preggy and babies! So do download the apps on your ahone.

Again, Thank you very much, What to Expect!!!

***

From Humps to Bump: The Road to Getting Pregnant

What does it take to get pregnant? Well, you'll have to have sex of course! But getting pregnant, for some moms is not on voice command. Some mommies, like me, took a long road before getting there. But here's a thought, timing is key! When all the stars converge on that fateful moment , you'll get the two lines in that P test. Actually, sa tagal na din naming nag-try, dumating din sa punto na nagduda din ako sa sarili ko, baog kaya ako? Hindi rin pala ganoon kadali magbuntis. We’ve been actively trying for almost a year, wala pa rin? Naasar nga ako kasi at 28, diba dapat hindi ko pa ito pinoproblema?

[caption id="attachment_1186" align="aligncenter" width="300"] "Kung uukol, sadyang bubukol." This was our mantra before husband and i got pregnant.                                                    Source of Photo:slocounty.ca.gov[/caption]

Aside from waiting for the stars to converge in approval of your pregnancy, here's what you can do:

Have an OB workup

• Even before we got married, hubby and I had our fertility assessed. Para mayroon kayong idea kung anong steps ang dapat gawin. Some suggest going to the OB after one year of actively trying.


• Aside from the routing BP and weight check, the OB gave me a pap smear. I had to undergo physical exam and vaginal ultrasound.My hubby had to have a sperm count. We were ok on all our tests, happily.

Initially the OB will give you tips on getting the the "expecting" road. Among the tips we got from our OB:

• Put a pillow under you butt after sex, to help the sperms get where they're supposed to.


• Have a good rest on your fertile days, stress decreases your chance.

Know your fertile days.

• Your OB will assess your menstrual cycle. She'll plot your ovulation calendar and  your  fertile days. At this point i was kinda questioning the pleasure of sex. Imagine, may schedule na ang sexy time. Kaloka. Pero, dito na nga papasok yung timing eh.


• Here’s Web MD ovulation calendar if you want to get a general idea of your fertile days. You'll have to input the first day of menstruation and it's gonna calculate your fertile. Maswerte ang mga may regular menstrual cycle, madaling malaman ang kanilang fertile days.

Take multivitamins or supplements with folic acid.

• Take prenatal vitamins with folic acid. Folic acid is essential for  pregnant women. This prevents birth defects babies like spina bifida and clept lip.


• Take folid acid even before you get pregnant. According to womenshealth.gov by the time a woman finds out she is pregnant and is not taking folic acid, it may be too late to prevent those birth defects.If i remember correctly, i was taking vitamins with folic acid 2 months even before knowing we're having a baby.


• WebMD lists these food as good sources of folic acid from:
  
  
  
  • Leafy green vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, and lettuce
  
  
  • Beans, peas, and lentils
  
  
  • Fruits like lemons, bananas, and melons
  
  
  • Fortified and enriched products, like some breads, juices, and cereals

Eat healthy.

• The OB did not say if there are foods for moms hoping to get pregnant, or for aspiring dad, too. But i guess since eating more fruits and vegetables makes your healthier, then this increases your chances of getting pregnant!

Exercise!

• Overweight women tend to have difficulty getting pregnant.


• Women falling in the healthy catergory have better chances of getting pregnant. To check your ideal wait, use this body mass index calculator. Your BMI should be in the normal level. Nasa borderline ako ng normal at overweight before i got pregnant. So medyo nag jogging, biking ako ng konti.

Go for a healthy lifestyle.

• Quit smoking.


• Limit caffeine.

Before moving ahead....  This was what went through my mind... And i think every couple should think about this too. Consider these questions: 

What's your ideal age to get pregnant?

My parents used to say, the mid20s was the ripe age to have kids! Kumbaga your body and status is at its "prime". My friends and i went philosophical discussing this.  Well,  I believe there’s really no RIGHT AGE when it comes to having a baby. What matters most is whether or not you are READY – emotionally, physically and financialy. Sino ba ang magsasabi na READY ka na?

Am i financially ready to raise a child?

Raising a child calls for so much expenses - like the hospital bill from giving birth, buying baby products, regular immunization shots, etc. It can get crazy when you try to put a number on this one question - how much is needed to raise a kid?  Pero kailan ba magiging sapat ang kinikita natin, para magka-baby? I think i can't really put a number on the amount i need to raise a child. Right now, we getting by ok naman...

Gaano ba ka-ready ang gusto mo? i think that's the question. When the right time comes, you'll be ready.  Every pregnancy is different. You'll just have to move on and learn as you go!!! It's true what most moms say, having a baby is worth the wait!

***

Feeding Older Babies

Breast milk should be baby's primary source of nutrition until his first year. But offering him a variety of solids is necessary once he reach 6 months.

But i'm gonna make a confession. Baby was fed with Cerelac on the 4th month by the MIL. I was really irked by this, well siguro she meant no harm naman. She was just as excited rearing baby as my husband and i were, i guess. But just the same, i really did not want feed him with solids that early. This is because most breastfeeding advocates recommend delaying solids .

Complementary foods are important to prepare baby for "real food". He won't be spoon fed for the rest of his life, so adding solids gradually will train him for the real stuff.

At first i was kinda sad because my breasts isn't his lone nutrition anymore. But  what can i do? Syempre kailangan naman nyang mag-move on at mag-upgrade to real food diba? Bilang pampalubag-loob, i made it a point to personally prepare his food. I also feed him every chance i get.

Here are some of my solids feeding learnings so far:

Breast milk intake

Actually one of my biggest concerns when he started taking solids was the decrease in breast milk in take. Medyo malaki din kasi ang nabawas sa daily breast milk intake nya. From 16 ounces, naging 8 to 12 ounces na lang during the period na wala ako sa bahay. I guess this is a common concern among mommies.

Here are my suggestions to help his breast milk intake up:

• Breastfeed before nursing.


• Use breast milk to dilute baby food instead of water.


• Expect the decrease in breast milk intake. It's normal but do consult your pedia if he's drinking much less.

Making a mess

At his age, baby's getting more and more curious and mobile so it's really getting hard to feed him with making a mess.  He has learned to sit so i put him on his high chair whenever he's feeding.

Have all the stuff you need nearby so you won't leave his side as you feed him. Prepare these: spoon, bib, rugs for any spills, cup with water, vitamins, if any

[caption id="attachment_1174" align="aligncenter" width="225"] My baby now reaches for any food put in front of him. We've been giving him bits and pieces of real food just for him to have a taste. I do hope he maintains his good appetite.[/caption]

My son tends to grab the spoon. According to What to Expect: The First Year, it's a sign that he wants to feed himself.  WTE suggests giving him his own spoon while feeding him. You can also give him pea-sized pieces of soft fruits and veggies, which he can grab and eat, like a finger food.

Don't rush

Carefully plan when introducing new foods. This is World Health Organization's  recommendation:

• At 6 months of age infants can eat pureed or mashed foods, thick soups and porridges.


• At 8 months most infants can also eat 'finger foods' (snacks that children can eat by themselves).


• By 12 months, most children can eat the same types of foods as the rest of the family.

Note: Try giving baby various types of food. On baby's 7th month, he skin color turned yellowish. Our pedia said this condition is called carotenemia, caused by excessive intake of yellowish and orange colored foods like carrots and squash.

Proper portions

You may be asking, how much and how often should you offer solids to baby? Aside from his regular breast milk feedings,  WHO suggests:

• 6–8 months: 2–3 spoonfuls per feeding, increasing to 1/2 of a 250-millilitre cup.  2-3 feedings per day


• 9–11 months: 1/2  of a 250-millilitre cup per feeding. 3 to 4 feedings per day


• 12 months to 23 months - 3/4 to 1 250 ml cup per feeding. 3 to 4 feedings per day plus additional snacks


• 24 months or older - at least 1 250 ml cup per feeding.  3 to 4 feedings per day plus additional snacks

Note: Number and amount of servings are  suggestions. Kapag gusto pa ni baby pagkatapos mo pakainin depende sa WHO suggestion,by all means, go!

About commercial baby food

Husband and i were hung up on giving baby only organic food. Healthy Options' Earth's Best was the only organic food we found in the malls.  Medyo mahal siya, pero since at 6 months keri pa namin.  Around P45.00 ang isang 2.5 ounce of fruit puree.  Pakonti-konti lang naman ang intake nya at 6 months, ok lang. First sweet potato, prunes and squash are P's favorite in the EB line on his first months of solids.

[caption id="attachment_1254" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I used to serve commercial baby food, since it's more convenient. But i now enjoy concocting recipes for my son. Home made baby food is cheaper too![/caption]

Pero ngayon, he's nearing 10 months na at medyo malakas na kumain.  So i got practical and learned how to make baby food at home.  I also check out different concoctions from the Earth's Best baby food line and make my own version. This site  has a lot for recipes and tips for feeding babies.

Making your own baby food is somewhat tedious. But seeing just how much you save, all the work will be worth it. It's much cheaper. Imagine a piece of fruit can make baby food for baby's entire day.

When you also make baby food from scratch, you know just what you're putting in it.  You're also guaranteed that no preservatives are added.

How about organic baby food?

Going organic on baby food is really up to you. Mayoclinic says there's no study saying that organic food are more nutritious than non organic.

I'm not using organic fruits and veggies as baby food. There's no independent office in the Philippines that certify fresh fruits or veggies are organically grown. So you really can't be sure whether it's organic or not. Plus, most pesticide,  which conscious moms avoid, stay on the skin. Hindi naman daw nanunuot sa mismong prutas or gulay. So sa aking palagay, safe din kung non-organic ang gagamitin.

Have fun feeding your baby. These months will layout the foundation to raise a happy and healthy eater.

Watch out for my post on my baby's favorite mom-made recipes!

***

Baby Toys for Every Age

Its the "BER" months, the start of Philippine’s very very long Christmas season. At may kasabihan tayo "Ang Pasko ay para sa mga bata." Kaya nga siguro sa gitna ng Christmas rush, damit at laruan ng mga bata ang ma-benta.

If you’re a parent looking for toys for babies  here are some points to consider.

Actually there's really no strict rules on the type of toy for a baby of a certain age. It may depend on what baby can do on a particular age.  As a guide here's Baby Center's guide to babies'e development stages. Newborns may just be contented with rattles and mobile, since they just developing their sight and hearing. You may need to reassess then upgrade toys once he learns to sit or walk.  Napansin ko nga sa baby ko, 9 months na sya,  hinahagis na lang nya ung mga rattle nya, mukhang bored na at gusto na ng  mga toys like stacking cups and books.

NEWBORN TO SIX MONTHS

Mobiles and rattles will definitely be fun to a newborn to probably about 3  months. Since limited pa ang vision at hearing nila. At this stage, baby’s eyesight and hearing are developing. He'll spend hours and hours gazing and listening to crib mobile. They say black, red and white are most appealing to newborns so look for toys in these colors.

[caption id="attachment_1054" align="aligncenter" width="210"] From my baby, this crib mobile is my nephew's apple of the eye.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1056" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This black and white panda was P's best friend during his first two months.[/caption]

The rattle will provide exercise for hearing. Watch baby get curious and look for the source of the sound as you shake the rattle from different directions.

When baby learns to hold and grasp, this usually  starts around 2 months,  you might want to give him textured toys like blocks or books. Such will stimulate his sense of touch. Pulô's tita gave him Tiny Love First Book, which is double sided so it's teeming with fun activities. Guide his hands while touching a cloud on the activity book and say "This is soft!".

Another fun activity for babies at this age is looking human faces. You may place an unbreakable mirror in front of him. You'll see that he's starting to stare, may be even coo at the face in front of him.  You can add some learning by teaching him parts of his face.  Point to his nose and say "nose". Maybe he's not old enough to retain this but it's definitely a fun activity for newborns.

SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR

Starting around 6 months, babies may start to sit. Mine started sitting (with balance) around 7 months.  His view has now changed from just lying down to being able to sit up. You can offer him shape sorters, building blocks and stacking cups. What to Expect also suggests toys like shape sorter, nesting toys and busy boards around this month. These may develop his hand and eye coordination. Hindi pa kaya ni baby na pagpatung-patungin ang stacking cups nya pero natutuwa sya kapag pinapatumba nya ang tower!

[caption id="attachment_853" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Stackable cups can help improve hand-eye coordination.[/caption]

As early as three months, babies can actually see farther than those away from his straight line of sight, may even be aware of things inside the room. He may now  appreciate stuffed toys.  Just a note, never stock the stuffed toys in the crib with the baby in it. Baby's ventilation may be blocked.

[caption id="attachment_858" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Stuffed toys are versatible. My baby loves this gorilla. He had this when he was 6 months. Until now, Gori is still his friend.[/caption]

By the time he can stand with support, you can give him toy push carts or walkers. They can provide support as he takes his first steps. Just make sure such push toys have skids and are stable, so baby can lean on them safely as he moves forward. Never leave the baby who's just learning to stand and walk alone on a push toy.

A note on baby walkers

There's actually conflicting advices on using baby walkers. Read my post discussing this. My take is as long as you're using it with adult supervision and for a limited period per day, then it's ok.

Do not under estimate to joy babies can get from ordinary objects. Let him touch actual things rather than looking on just pictures or photos. Click here for my post on everyday objects which may work as baby's toys.

Most labels in the toy packaging usually indicate the appropriate aged for the toy.  Read this for more tips on choosing and taking care of the little one's toys.

Ok, have fun with baby!

***