What's New For Infants

Your baby is improving his verbal skills daily, but there are things you may be able to do in order to help him learn a bit faster. Remember to speak slowly to your baby and be sure to label everything. Name all the things - forks, spoons, dog, cat, cup, plate, toast, and anything else - you, or your baby, sees and handles.

You can teach your baby concepts such as hot and cold, in and out, and wet and dry. Teach them colors by pointing them out everywhere you go. While your baby won't be able to repeat after you and probably won't know his colors for a while, he will be able to understand you. Ask your baby questions in an attempt to get him to answer you.

Don't try to force your baby. Make it fun and make learning something your baby wants to do. Praise him when he finally gets it figured out, even if it is just a tiny part of the big picture. You can also read to your baby regularly, and read the same books. Repetitiveness is a great learning tool for babies.

Developmental Milestones*

By this age your baby should be able to play games like Patty-Cake with you. He should also be able to wave "bye-bye" to both friends and strangers and will probably continue to be the center of attention anywhere you take him. You will probably also be hearing 'mama' and 'dada' regularly by now, if not several other words as well.

What Might Concern You at 47 Weeks

Many parents who suffer from high cholesterol worry about cholesterol levels in their baby's diets. However, the thought of only giving whole or vitamin D milk to their baby between his first and second birthdays confuses them.

While yes your baby will need the fat in the whole milk, for brain and bone development, that doesn't mean that they need all the fried and fatty food that you can find out on the market today. There are still lots of ways you can cut the cholesterol, while giving your baby the best milk for their bodies.

Don't cook with butter, if you can avoid it. Not only will it keep the fat down, but it will mean that the baby wants it less as an adult. Buy margarines that are labeled heart healthy for when you do need to use butter in a recipe. Skip frying foods at home. Grilling and baking foods are always healthier for everyone in the house, including your baby.

Fish is a great low cholesterol food that your baby will probably love and that is good for everyone in the family. Not only are the low in fat, but they are high in omega-3 oils. Be careful which fish you choose as some is high in mercury and can be harmful to your baby.

Finally, stay away from fast food when you can. Remember, anything you can cook at home, is healthier than what it would be if you bought it at your local fast food restaurant.

This time last year...

You were 35 Weeks Pregnant!   Can you believe it? Time flies too fast! Be sure you start chronicling these infant memories now by creating your free baby journal today!

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