Article # 578. Foods to avoid while Breastfeeding

·         Coffee

When you drink coffee (or soda or tea), some of the caffeine ends up in your breast milk. Because babies aren’t able to excrete caffeine as quickly or efficiently as adults, too much in their systems may lead to irritation, crankiness, and sleeplessness. The solution? Cut back on coffee. As tired as you are, a fussy baby who won’t sleep just makes matters worse. At minimum, try putting off your cup of coffee until just after a nursing session.

·         Chocolate

Proceed with caution if chocolate is your sweet indulgence of choice. Just like coffee and soda, chocolate contains caffeine. (Though not as much—a 1-ounce serving of dark chocolate contains between 5 and 35 mg of caffeine; a cup of coffee generally contains up to 135 mg of caffeine). If you suspect chocolate is the culprit behind your baby’s fussiness, eliminate it from your diet for a few days. If you see a change in your baby’s behavior—for the better—continue to abstain or cut back.

·         Citrus Fruits

Certain compounds found in citrus fruits and juices may irritate a still-immature GI tract, leading to fussiness, spitting up, and even diaper rash in some babies. If cutting down on citrus seems like a good idea for Baby’s sake, compensate by adding other vitamin C-rich foods to the menu, including papaya and mango.

·         Alcohol

It’s not the occasional glass of wine with dinner that you need to worry about. One drink or less per day likely poses little risk for babies, experts agree. But if your drinking habits fall into the moderate or heavy category, you are treading into murky waters. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, possible side effects of breastfeeding and habitual consumption of large amounts of alcohol include: drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness, and abnormal weight gain in the infant, and the possibility of decreased milk-ejection reflex in the mother.

·         Spicy Foods

Some nursing moms can add extra jalapenos to everything and still have completely content babies. But you might find that just a dash of pepper is enough to make your baby irritated and fussy for hours. How to spice it up food without causing Baby discomfort? Look for flavors that add zest without the heat. Add a splash of lime juice on your chicken, rather than hot sauce. If you need to skip the hot peppers in your stir fry, toss in some extra ginger for heat—ginger is one spice that may actually soothe your little one’s tummy.

·         Garlic

That wonderfully warm slice of garlic bread you just inhaled might not taste so wonderful to your baby. Eating garlicky foods often leads to breast milk taking on the slight flavor of garlic (garlic odor can enter milk up to two hours after a meal). Some babies may grimace or fuss at the breast if they detect garlic’s telltale aroma.

·         Peanuts

Do you, or other members of your family, have food allergies? Proceed with caution before including peanut products in your diet. According to La Leche League International (LLLI), if you have a family medical history of allergy, it is worth being careful about your diet and avoiding known allergens, like peanuts and other tress nuts, during breastfeeding.

·         Wheat

If eating a sandwich or plate of pasta before a nursing session results in your baby developing such symptoms as inconsolable crying, obvious pain, or bloody stools, it could point to a wheat allergy. To check for an allergy or sensitivity, eliminate wheat-containing foods from your diet for two to three weeks. If your baby’s symptoms improve, or completely disappear, you have probably found your culprit—and will need to continue avoiding wheat.

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·         Dairy Products

Ditch the dairy? It’s common knowledge that many babies are intolerant to cow’s milk-based formula. But when you drink milk or eat other dairy products (yogurt, ice cream, and cheese), these same allergens enter your breast milk. According to LLLI, symptoms of an allergy or sensitivity to dairy include colic and vomiting, sleeplessness, and eczema—dry, rough, red skin patches which can progress to open, weeping sores

·         Corn

Allergies to corn are common among young children, but how can you be certain your baby’s discomfort and rashiness are really due to those tasty tacos you had for dinner? If you are not quite sure if corn is the food you need to eliminate, start keeping a detailed food diary. Be specific about what you ate (write “corn chips” instead of the generic “chips”) and note any allergy symptoms experienced by your baby that day. If you notice a pattern of baby’s colic or periods of crying increasing after you’ve eaten corn-based foods, it is probably a good idea to start a corn elimination diet.

·         Shellfish

Experts have found that the stronger the family history is for a particular food allergy, the greater the risk and the earlier the infant is likely to show symptoms. In other words, if your child’s father has a shellfish allergy, but you have no problem with shrimp and lobster, you still might want to give shellfish a pass while breastfeeding.

·         Eggs

Egg allergies (usually in the form of a sensitivity to egg whites) are common in young children. But because eggs lurk in all sorts of foods, from bread and snack foods to ice cream, it may be a difficult allergy to pinpoint. Another tactic for breastfeeding moms who suspect their child has a food allergy is to eliminate all of the most allergenic foods at once (dairy, soy, egg whites, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts, and shellfish). After two weeks, each allergenic food is added back one by one, allowing up to four days in between to evaluate the child for rashes and other symptoms.

·         Soy

Many children who have dairy intolerances also show signs of a soy allergy, bad news if you thought you could swap out that morning glass of moo juice for a cup of soy milk. If you suspect soy in your diet is causing problems for your baby, look at the kind of soy you are eating. Packing down power bars? Soy protein isolate, the processed form of soy found in power bars and protein shakes, may be more likely to trigger sensitivities. On the other hand, including foods made with fermented soy in your diet, such as miso, may be accepted by your baby with fewer problems.

·         Fish

It might not cause fussiness or even gas, but because mercury found in fish can find its way into breast milk, the same rules for fish consumption during pregnancy still apply when you are breastfeeding. According to the FDA, nursing women should eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish. Fish to avoid while you are breastfeeding include shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish.

·         Peppermint

Love the soothing power of peppermint tea? Unfortunately, certain compounds in the minty herb may reduce your milk supply, especially if you guzzle several cups a day, according to herbalists (peppermint tea is often used as a holistic remedy to help halt milk production once weaning is complete).

·         Parsley

Related to the mint family, parsley is another herb that may reduce your milk supply if ingested in large quantities. If you are a fan of herbal remedies, double check to make sure any supplements you take don’t contain significant amounts of parsley. However, dressing up your dinners with a garnish of parsley, or eating the occasional bowl of tabouleh, probably won’t affect your breast milk supply.

 

 

Article # 485. Exercising with Your Baby

There are many benefits to exercising after you have given birth to your new baby. Getting back into shape may be one of your top priorities after giving birth but it can also benefit you and your baby! We all know the physical benefits of exercise- increased metabolism, weight loss, and muscle toning, but there are also important mental benefits for new mothers. By exercising, you can improve your mental state and reduce the chances of getting postpartum depression. Exercise lowers stress levels which is very beneficial for any new mother. We all know that having a newborn baby is very stressful especially when you aren’t getting enough sleep. By exercising you can increase the amount of endorphins you release, reduce the chance of getting postpartum depression, and even getting a better night of sleep!

Babies can also benefit from exercise time too! Creating a bond between you and the baby is significant, and the time both of you spend together while you exercise is extremely beneficial. There are various ways to exercise with your baby that range from walking to jogging. In the first few months of your baby’s birth, one of the best ways to burn calories is by holding and carrying your baby. This also creates a sense of attachment within the baby towards mom.

One of the most important things to remember before starting to exercise is to make sure your body is ready for it. Be sure to clear it by your physician as well as your pediatrician. Staying healthy is far more important than getting back into shape so make sure you are cleared to exercise before you start any of the activities!

There are so many ways you can exercise with your baby! Try going for a walk with your little one in the stroller with you. Or go for a hike with your baby in a carrier with you! The both of you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors and cherish each others company. Even signing up for some mommy and me classes can be packed with tons of fun and exercise! Whatever the case, being active during this time can be beneficial for you and your little one so get creative and get moving!

Article # 484. Four Ways to Tone your tummy after Pregnancy

Chances are, your stomach is still sporting a post-pregnancy pooch, even if you've lost the bulk of your baby weight. Try these tummy exercises after pregnancy to firm up that stubborn midsection.

Tip 1: Keep It Simple

There are lots of tummy exercises after pregnancy that will help you flatten the flab. Basic crunches may be the most, well, basic, but they work. If you haven't done them before (or in the past nine months or so), start slowly and don't push yourself too hard. Begin with pelvic tilts and simple ab contractions: Lie down on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor. Slowly tighten your abs and tilt your pelvis toward your head. Tighten the pelvic floor as you do this

Tip 2: The Real Deal

Ready for real crunches? With your back on the floor, put your feet on the floor, knees bent, and place your hands behind your neck to support your head. Press your lower back into the floor, then lift your head and shoulders off the ground. Repeat 10–15 times. As you get stronger, add difficulty (lift your feet off the floor during reps, for example) and variations (like tilting your legs to the side and reaching for the opposite knee as you come up to tone the oblique muscles on the sides of your torso). Working different muscles is essential for losing that belly fat after pregnancy.

Tip 3: Recruit an Exercise Buddy

If you like, you can get your baby into the act, too! Blast your baby fat after pregnancy with a baby bench press: Lie down with legs bent and feet flat on the floor, holding your baby so he's resting on your belly. Inhale and lift your baby skyward, pulling in and contracting your abs at the same time; then exhale and lower your baby. Do as many reps as you can.

Tip 4: Stay on the Ball

An exercise ball is another great tool for tummy exercises after pregnancy. Ball crunches work like regular crunches, but you'll be adding the element of balance, which makes your moves a bit more challenging. If crunches just aren't your thing or you want more of an overall workout, try yoga or Pilates, both of which place an emphasis on a strong core. Oh, and don't forget — a sensible diet and regular cardio exercise will help you burn belly fat after pregnancy (and overall fat, too).

Article # 446. Trisomy 13 Patau Syndrome

What is a trisomy?

The term trisomy (say: TRY-so-mee) means that there are three chromosomes, rather than the usual pair of chromosomes. For example, a baby with Down syndrome usually has three copies of chromosome 21, rather than the usual pair. The condition is thus called "trisomy 21."

What is trisomy 13?

Trisomy 13 is a rare chromosome abnormality that affects approximately one in every 5,000 live births. Babies with trisomy 13 have many abnormalities, involving nearly every organ system in the body, as well as developmental delay. Trisomy 13 is also called Patau syndrome, after the physician who first described the disorder. Patau syndrome, Trisomy 13, is the least common of the autosomal trisomies, after Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18). The extra copy of chromosome 13 in Patau syndrome causes severe neurological and heart defects which make it difficult for infants to survive. The exact incidence of Patau syndrome is not known, although it appears to affect females more than males, most likely because male fetuses do not survive until birth. Patau syndrome, like Down syndrome, is associated with increased age of the mother. It may affect individuals of all ethnic backgrounds.

Signs and symptoms of trisomy 13

Babies with trisomy 13 often have a normal birth weight, a small head and a sloping forehead. Noses are usually large ("bulbous"), ears are low-set and unusual in shape, eye defects occur frequently, and cleft lip and palate as well as heart defects are very common. Many babies with trisomy 13 are born with small areas of missing skin on the scalp (cutis aplasia), which resemble ulcers.

The brains in babies with trisomy 13 usually have major structural problems and often, the brain does not divide properly into two hemispheres, resulting in a condition called holoprosencephaly. Many babies with trisomy 13 have extra fingers and toes (polydactyly). Some present with a sac attached to the abdomen in the area of the umbilical cord (omphalocele), which contains some of the abdominal organs, as well as spina bifida. Girls may have an abnormally shaped uterus, called a bicornuate uterus. In boys, the testes sometimes fail to descend into the scrotum.

Life expectancy of a baby with trisomy 13

Unfortunately, 90% of babies born with trisomy 13 die by age 1. It is important to note that 5% to 10% of babies with trisomy 13 do survive the first year of life. It is difficult to predict the life expectancy of a baby with trisomy 13 if the baby does not have any immediate life-threatening problems. There are a few reports of babies with trisomy 13 surviving to their teens; however, this is unusual.

What causes trisomy 13?

Usually each egg and sperm cell contains 23 chromosomes. At the time of fertilization, the sperm and egg unite and create a cell with 23 chromosome pairs, or 46 chromosomes. In this manner, a child receives exactly half of their genetic material from each parent.

Sometimes, an error occurs when the egg or sperm cell is forming, causing it to have an extra chromosome. When this cell contributes the extra chromosome 13 to the embryo, trisomy 13 results. The extra chromosome 13 can come from either the mother's egg cell or the father's sperm cell. The abnormalities seen in babies with trisomy 13 result from having this extra chromosome 13 in each of the body's cells.

Occasionally, the extra chromosome 13 is attached to another chromosome in the egg or sperm; this is called a translocation. This is the only form of trisomy 13 that can be inherited in a family. Sometimes, a parent can carry a "balanced" rearrangement where chromosome 13 is attached to another chromosome. However, since the parent does not have any extra or missing chromosome material, they are said to have a "balanced translocation" since they are normal and healthy.

Rarely, mosaic trisomy 13 may occur when the error in cell division occurs after fertilization. These babies have some cells with an extra chromosome 13 and others with the normal number. These cases usually have milder manifestations.

Diagnosis of trisomy 13

Babies with trisomy 13 have a unique group of characteristics and can be diagnosed by physical examination. To confirm the diagnosis, a small blood sample can be taken and the chromosomes can be analyzed to determine the presence of an extra chromosome 13.

Chromosomal abnormalities can also be diagnosed before birth by analyzing cells in the amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis or from the placenta, obtained by chorionic villus sampling (CVS). The diagnosis of trisomy 13 can also be suggested by detailed fetal ultrasound; however, ultrasound is not 100% accurate, since not all abnormalities can be seen on ultrasound. In contrast, a chromosome analysis, whether performed on a blood sample, cells from the amniotic fluid, or placenta, is over 99.9% accurate.

There is a small chance of having another child with trisomy 13

The risk of having a baby with trisomy 13 increases slightly with the mother’s age. However, the average age of the mother at delivery of a baby with trisomy 13 is 32 years. In general, in each subsequent pregnancy, the chance of having another baby with trisomy 13 is no greater than 1%.

Genetic counselling is recommended

Parents of a baby with trisomy 13 are encouraged to seek genetic counselling. This can help parents to:

·         understand the results of chromosomal tests in detail

·         understand the chances that other babies will be affected

·         understand the diagnosis options for other pregnancies

Key points

·         Trisomy 13 is a rare condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 13.

·         Babies with trisomy 13 have many abnormalities, involving nearly every organ system in the body, as well as developmental delay.

·         It is difficult to predict the life expectancy of a baby with trisomy 13.

·         Parents of a baby with trisomy 13 are encouraged to seek genetic counselling.

Article # 445. What Is Trisomy 18? Edward Syndrome

What Is Trisomy 18?

Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a condition which is caused by a error in cell division, known as meiotic disjunction.  Trisomy 18 occurs in about 1 out of every 2500 pregnancies in the United States, about 1 in 6000 live births.  The numbers of total births increase significantly when stillbirths are factored in that occur in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. 

Unlike Down syndrome, which also is caused by a chromosomal defect, the developmental issues caused by Trisomy 18 are associated with medical complications that are more potentially life-threatening in the early months and years of life. 50% of babies who are carried to term will be stillborn, with baby boys having higher stillbirth rate than baby girls.

At birth, intensive care admissions in Neonatal units are most common for infants with Trisomy 18. Again, baby boys will experience higher mortality rates in this neonatal period than baby girls, although those with higher birth weights do better across all categories.

Some children will be able to be discharged from the hospital with home nursing support for their families. And although less than 10 percent survive to their first birthdays, some children with Trisomy 18 can enjoy many years of life with their families, reaching milestones and being involved with their community.  A small number of adults (usually girls) with Trisomy 18 have and are living into their twenties and thirties, although with significant developmental delays that do not allow them to live independantly without assisted caregiving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Trisomy 18?

Are there different types of Trisomy 18?

What are the characteristics of Trisomy 18?

What causes Trisomy 18?

At conception, 23 chromosomes from the father and 23 chromosomes from the mother combine to create a baby with a set of 46 chromosomes in each cell. A trisomy occurs when a baby has three #18 chromosomes instead of the normal two. This is something that happens at conception. And although many parents worry about this, it is important to know that parents have done nothing before or during pregnancy to cause this disorder in their child. 

Are there different types of Trisomy conditions?

The most common trisomy is Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome, where a baby has three of the twenty-first chromosome. Trisomy 18 is the second most common trisomy and occurs when a baby has three of the eighteenth chromosome. This results in 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46 in the affected cells. It is this extra genetic material that causes the problems associated with Trisomy 18. The third most common is Trisomy 13, also known as Patau syndrome. 

While there are different types of Trisomy 18, this does not mean one is better for a child than another.  With each type, there is a range of possibilities. Some children are medically fragile while others thrive; some children walk while others are confined to wheelchairs. It is hard to say how the extra chromosome will impact an individual child from the genetic diagnosis alone.

Types of Trisomy 18:

• Full Trisomy 18: The most common type of Trisomy 18 (occurring in about 95% of all cases) is full Trisomy. With full Trisomy, the extra chromosome occurs in every cell in the baby's body. This type of trisomy is not hereditary. It is not due to anything the parents did or did not do—either before or during pregnancy.
• Partial Trisomy 18: Partial trisomies are very rare.  They occur when only part of an extra chromosome is present. Some partial Trisomy 18 syndromes may be caused by hereditary factors. Very rarely, a piece of chromosome 18 becomes attached to another chromosome before or after conception. Affected people have two copies of chromosome 18, plus a "partial" piece of extra material from chromosome 18.
• Mosaic Trisomy 18: Mosaic trisomy is also very rare. It occurs when the extra chromosome is present in some (but not all) of the cells of the body.  Like full Trisomy 18, mosaic Trisomy is not inherited and is a random occurrence that takes place during cell division. 

What are the characteristics of Trisomy 18?

The genetic material from the extra eighteenth chromosome can cause a variety of problems with varying severity. Just as children with Down syndrome can range from mildly to severely affected, the same is true for children with Trisomy 18. This means that there is no hard and fast rule about what Trisomy 18 will mean for your child. However, statistics show that there is a high mortality rate for children with Trisomy 18 before or shortly after birth.

Typical characteristics of Trisomy 18 include:

• Heart defects:
• VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect): a hole between the lower chambers
• ASD (Atrial Septal Defect): a hole between the upper chambers
• Coarctation of the aorta: a narrowing of the exit vessel from the heart
• Kidney problems
• Part of the intestinal tract is outside the stomach (omphalocele)
• The esophagus doesn’t connect to the stomach (esophageal artesia)
• Excess amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
• Clenched hands
• Pocket of fluid on the brain (choroid plexus cysts)
• Rocker bottom feet
• Delayed growth
• Small jaw (mycrognathia)
• Small head (microcephaly)
• Low-set ears
• Strawberry-shaped head
• Severe developmental delays
• Umbilical or inguinal hernia

Article # 444. What is Down syndrome? Trisomy 21

What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a developmental disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (which is why the disorder is also called "trisomy 21"). Having an extra copy of this chromosome means that individuals have three copies of each of its genes instead of two, making it difficult for cells to properly control how much protein is made. Producing too much or too little protein can have serious consequences. Genes on chromosome 21 that specifically contribute to the various symptoms of Down syndrome are now being identified.

How do people get Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is typically caused by what is called nondisjunction. Nondisjunction happens when a pair of chromosomes fails to separate during egg (or sperm) formation. When that egg unites with a normal sperm to form an embryo, that embryo ends up with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal two. The extra chromosome is then copied in every cell of the baby's body.

Interestingly, nondisjunction events seem to occur more frequently in older women. This may explain why the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome is greater among mothers age 35 and older.

In rare cases Down syndrome is caused by a Robertsonian translocation, which occurs when the long arm of chromosome 21 breaks off and attaches to another chromosome at the centromere. The carrier of such a translocation will not have Down syndrome, but can produce children with Down syndrome.

What are the symptoms of Down syndrome?

People with Down syndrome have very distinct facial features: a flat face, a small broad nose, abnormally shaped ears, a large tongue, and upward slanting eyes with small folds of skin in the corners.

People with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing a number of medically significant problems: respiratory infections, gastrointestinal tract obstruction (blocked digestive tract), leukemia, heart defects, hearing loss, hypothyroidism, and various eye abnormalities. They also exhibit moderate to severe mental retardation; children with Down syndrome usually develop more slowly than their peers, and have trouble learning to walk, talk, and take care of themselves.

Because of these medical problems most people with Down syndrome have a decreased life expectancy. About half live to be 50 years of age.

How do doctors diagnose Down syndrome?

Two types of tests check for Down syndrome during a woman's pregnancy: screening and diagnostic tests.

Screening tests identify a mother who is likely carrying a baby with Down syndrome. The most common screening tests are the Triple Screen and the Alpha-Fetoprotein Plus. These tests measure levels of certain substances in the blood.

Alternatively, ultrasounds (which use sound waves to look inside the mother's uterus) allow the doctor to examine the fetus in the womb for the physical signs of Down syndrome.

To confirm a positive result identified in a screening test, one of the following diagnostic tests can be performed: chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS). Each takes a sample from the placenta, amniotic fluid, or umbilical cord, respectively, to examine the baby's chromosomes and determine if he or she has an extra chromosome 21.

If Down syndrome is not diagnosed in the womb, doctors can usually recognize it after the baby is born by the distinctive facial features. The diagnosis is confirmed with a karyotype - an examination of the baby's chromosomes.

How is Down syndrome treated?

No cure exists for Down syndrome. But physical therapy and/or speech therapy can help people with the disorder develop more normally. Screening for common medical problems associated with the disorder, followed by corrective surgery, can often improve quality of life. Moreover, enriched environments significantly increase their capacity to learn and lead a meaningful life.

Interesting facts about Down syndrome

Down syndrome is really the only trisomy compatible with life. Only two other trisomies have been observed in babies born alive (trisomies 13 and 18), but babies born with these trisomies have only a 5% chance of surviving longer than one year.

In 90% of Trisomy 21 cases, the additional chromosome comes from the mother's egg rather than the father's sperm.

Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder caused by a chromosomal abnormality. It affects 1 out of every 800 to 1,000 babies.

Down syndrome was originally described in 1866 by John Langdon Down. It wasn't until 1959 that a French doctor, named Jerome Lejeune, discovered it was caused by the inheritance of an extra chromosome 21.

Article # 288. The Benefits of Infant Massage

The Benefits of Infant Massage:

The first sense to develop in the womb is the sense of touch, and all babies respond positively to being held, stroked and cuddled by their parents.

Research into infant massage has shown a multitude of benefits for both babies and parents:

• Close-contact baby massage encourages strong bonds between parents and child.
• Touch stimulates brain activity, leading to increased attentiveness and stimulating intelligence.
• Touch stimulates the other senses, speeding myelination of the brain and nervous system, and promoting language development.
• Infant massage increases oxygen and nutrient flow to cells, increasing your baby's ability to learn.
• Infant massage enhances neurological development and muscle tone.
• Baby massage increases the body's production of normal, beneficial hormones.
• Baby massage reduces the production of cortisol - the body's stress hormone.
• Infant massage eases colic and gas.
• Infant massage reduces the pain associated with constipation and teething.
• Infant massage calms and soothes your baby at times of inoculation or other medical procedures.
• Baby massage increases feel-good hormones in parents!

Article # 287. The importance of Infant Stimulation

The importance of Infant Stimulation

So what is Infant Stimulation?

The definition is plain and simple: their activities that arouse or stimulate your baby's sense of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. 

Infant stimulation can help improve your baby's attention span, memory, curiosity, and nervous system development. In addition, stimulating your baby's senses will enable him to reach developmental milestones faster, as well as aid in the development of motor skills.

 Here are some things to keep in mind before embarking on the road to teaching your baby:

 Your baby's immediate surroundings will have the greatest impact on his development.

Each and every thing your baby is exposed to is a wondrous thing to be explored fully with their eyes, ears, mouths, noses, and fingers. Simple items that you may take for granted represent a world of wonder for your curious child, as everything is something to new to investigate. Ensure that your child receives the appropriate stimulation during his first year of life, because this is the time when your baby's brain is growing the fastest that it ever will! 

Interaction is better than observation.

Medical practitioners advocate parental interaction with children, as do we - the best way for your child to learn is not to leave him in the playpen; it's to hold him and play with him!

Instead of leaving your child in the crib with his toys, you can make his toys come alive for him - give it a voice and make it move. Your child will develop his capability for imagination as he takes his cues from you’re experiences playing with him. 

Your child's attentiveness is important.

In order for your baby to benefit from your stimulating interaction, he needs to be in the mood for it - your baby's attentiveness is vital to successful stimulation. If your baby is sleepy - perhaps from boredom, overstimulation, or just sheer exhaustion - simply let your child rest and resume your activities when he is more receptive.

Understand that when your baby is attentive, he makes a conscious effort to learn more about the world around him. Your baby devotes all of his energies to what you have to show him only when you have his full attention, so you must learn to maximize this limited time. 

Aim for repetition, not habituation.

"Again, again!" There's a reason children drive us crazy with their requests to do or hear the same thing over and over: children learn best through repetition.

 With very young children, repetition is important because that's the way they learn best. Hearing something many times helps your child remember information for increasing periods of time. Young children (4 to 18 months) particularly need repetition — more so than a 2 1/2-year-old, say — to learn and remember new information. 

Once your child has learned something, he'll enjoy the repetitive process because he can anticipate what comes next. After many readings of a familiar book, your child may even remember it well enough to add the endings to most of the sentences. This accomplishment means that she can participate more actively in story time. 

However, it is also important to stop the repetitive stimulation when your child begins to develop habituation. When your child gets habituated through repetition, your child's intellect is no longer excited by your stimulation, making your efforts to teach him useless. When you notice this happening, take this as a cue to make changes in your teaching style, perhaps by changing a toy or pausing your teaching schedule for a while.

Satisfying your baby's curiosity will keep her wanting more.

Have you eaten a piece of candy and end up wanting another one? If so, then you are not unlike your baby - once he experiences something that he finds pleasure in, he will strive to learn more and more about it! 

You, as parents, can play a helpful part in feeding their thirst for knowledge, and you can do this by providing your baby with the opportunities to experience different stimuli to further pique his curiosity and make him want to learn more.