Today Tile Triggered Content

Your baby might already use a dummy, or you may be thinking about introducing one. The information about the use of dummies (or pacifiers) can be very confusing, so we have looked at what research and guidance tells us.  

You probably see your baby making rhythmic movements with their arms and hands when you interact with them. These will become more controlled as your baby’s physical skills develop, but you might be interested to know that these movements are associated with the development of communication. 

Your baby’s response to another baby’s cry may or may not show that they are feeling concerned for them, but it does show that your baby is aware of those around them.  

When you hold your baby to breastfeed or give them their bottle, they are positioned at just the right distance from your face to focus on you.  

If this is your first baby, you might have imagined maternity leave as a time of walks in the park and coffee with friends, and as you settle into life as a new parent you'll have people asking how it is all going. One mum responded to the question on TikTok with a data visualisation of the reality of maternity leave.  

Baby classes can be great fun for you and your baby, but going to one for the first time may feel a little daunting. We've got a few pointers...

Your baby’s vision is becoming clearer. They will be more able to focus on objects, although they will still focus best on objects that are close to them. The development of vision is linked to clarity (seeing clearly), but it is also linked to the processing of what they see, as neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett says: "We see with our brain, not our eyes."^[1]

Your baby’s brain begins to develop before they are born, and the period after birth is a time of rapid brain development. But, did you know that the human brain continues to develop for about 25 years and remains 'plastic' throughout our lives?^[1]

One of the first areas of your baby’s brain to develop is the area associated with movement and sensation around their mouth. Your baby’s mouth is, and will remain, one of the areas of their body that is most sensitive to touch.

As you probably already know, children often gravitate towards everyday items instead of the beautiful toys that you thoughtfully consider for them!