Bonding with Baby:10 Heartwarming Activities for New Parents .

Have you ever thought of becoming A new Parent and how you should bond with your Baby? Becoming a parent is a development process or stage filled with love ,joy and responsibility. One of the greatest beautiful journey is the opportunity to bond with your new baby. Bonding not only plays the role of togetherness and closeness ,but also strengthens the emotional and cognitive development.

Most of the New Parents have worries on how to create those heartwarming moments. I have prepared for you 10 Heartwarming activities that can help you strengthen the bond with your baby.

1. Skin-to-skin contact 

From the time your baby is born, you should practice skin to skin contact or kangaroo. Make sure everytime you hold your baby against you bare skin either on the chest which promotes physical closeness and warmth.It also helps in offering comfort and security.

2 .Bath time

Bath time can be fun and bonding experience. Gently wash your baby with soap,even allowing them to touch the soft cotton which  you are using to wash her. Sometimes the kid tend to wash herself,just let her wash even if it means rubbing herself with the cotton. Splash water and allow them to tap the water to produce the sound ,which helps them to enjoy.

3. Baby Massage

 After the baby has taken the bath,take the chance to gently massage your baby. While you're holding your baby close, gradually start stroking their legs and back. Then move on to other areas such as arms. Your baby should be calm,alert when giving massage.

Benefits of Baby Massage

• Promotes social, emotional and cognitive development.
• Helps a baby to relax and release tensions of daily stimuli.
• Decreases irritability and excessive crying.
• Reduces gas,colic and intestinal difficulties.

It's not best time for a massage ,when your baby turns their head away from you or stiffens their arms(according to Mayo Clinic).You should not do massage immediately after the child has eaten, because it will make the baby to vomit.

4. Eye Contact and Smiles

Baby are naturally drawn to faces that smile and eye contact. You can make various facial expressions,smile and gaze into your baby's eyes which makes the baby to learn non-verbal communication and develop relationship skills. For example when you smile and make eye contact, you show your child how to relate warmly with others.

Also you can try to imitate what your child is saying thus developing listening skills to the child.

5. Tummy Time

Tummy Time refers to placing baby on their stomach, while they are awake and someone is watching them. You can start a tummy time a day or two days after they are born. As your child gets older,you can have longer,more regular sessions throughout the day. You can start by:

1. Spreading the blanket or a mat on a clear area of the floor.
2. Place the a rolled up towel under baby's arms to help prop them up slightly.
3. Put a toy within baby's reach to help baby interact with the surrounding and learn to play.
4. Then sit infront of the baby to encourage interaction and bonding.

Benefits of tummy Time

     a)Strengthens baby's neck, shoulder and           arms for easier sit up,crawl and walk.    

      b)Prevents flat spots on back of the                   baby's  head.

       c) Helps in motor skills 

6. Baby Sign Language

Try to use simple baby sign language that are easily understood by your baby. You can use various signs to mean various activities. For example ,when the baby wants to breastfeed ,you can use your mouth by holding your both lips together and start mimicking

When feeling hungry  and she wants to eat you can you use both your fingers and hold them together as you continue rubbing them close to your mouth or you can make a yarn or make a C shape with hands as if you are holding the cup then move it  to your mouth.

When saying "Yes"you can use 👍,when saying "No " you can use your index ☝️ finger and shake it .

Baby Sign Language reduces frustrations and strengthens your understanding of each other.

7. Explore Nature Together

Taking your child around your backyard,either in the garden,flower gardens and tear some flowers 🌻 🌹 🌺 or walking around the forest,makes the child to enjoy the natural nature of creation. You can also try to lie down and watch the sky ,or even at night you can take him and watch the stars and moon. The cool and fresh air, sights and sounds of the birds,provides a stimulating experience for both of you.

8. Singing and lullabies

Singing your favourite baby songs to him/her makes your baby to enjoy the melody and sounds of your voice,and provide comfort and familiarity.It also helps in good brain development and makes the baby to a fall asleep easily.

9. Reading A loud

You can choose age appropriate story books and start reading aloud to your baby. Even if the baby doesn't understand the flow of the story,but the baby can hear the soothing sounds of your voice . Reading helps in the language development and bonding.

10. Baby wearing

Baby wearing is the practice of carrying a baby in a sling or baby carrier. Baby wearing promotes attachment and bonding.

It also makes parents to be more responsive to their baby's needs and mother's are more likely to breastfeed easily.

Conclusion 

Bonding with your new baby is an incredible and heartwarming journey. Taking bath time,baby Massage, singing lullabies, reading aloud creates beautiful moments. Each child has got her own uniqueness and the most important thing is to be present, patient and responsive to your babies cues. Cherish these early moments and they are the foundations for a strong,loving bond that will last a lifetime. 

Do you have any other tips on creating bonding with your baby? You can help me in the comment section and help me to share the content to New Parents in the city.

Spending time with your kids.

How do you normally spend your time with kids whether during the holidays, weekends,weekdays,after and before school?. I know most of you get trouble and tantrums from kids especially when they are young and you wish you find yourself a place to go and have some rest.

But there's no option to that  because you're the parent,the guardian that can take care of them. Even if you quarrel, you beat them you close yourself in a room to avoid all kinds of noise from them ,at the end you are the one to who end up dressing them, bathing them cooking for them. So you have to organize yourself and give yourself hope that one day you will be settled.

The following are the ways on how to spend time with them to avoid alot of dramas in the house.

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Playing

Kids like playing moreso when they are at home. You can organize for them various playing activities like,racing around the compound,playing football,rope skipping,singing,dancing, reading books competition, memorizing Bible verses, reciting poems, playing darts, Chess, skirting and many other activities.

If you engage them with these activities, am sure you will enjoy your stay at home instead of your house becoming  a boredom. I know there are kids who are chaotic even if you try to involve them in various activities,they tend to be distractive,ever destroying thing in the house. They create shambles and heck in the room.

Their way of disciplining them is to involve them in more activities, setting strict rules and giving rewards and praising them and this can help out.

Setting rules

You should set thorough rules in the house that should be adhered to by everyone child in the house. If there are teens in the house try to tell them the time they should be in the house. If it's before 5:30pm they should be at home and whoever who goes beyond that , he/she knows that what to get in terms of discipline. So if they know the rules and you adhere to them ,they will be eventually be keen and they will be in their toes not to go against them.

If it's young kids, set some boundaries that there's no fighting in the house,no scolding others,no use of a busive or offensive langauge. If one tries to do that, the discipline will follow.

Giving rewards

Whenever a kid or your child does good reward him/her,because if you praise next round the notorious one will also change their bad behaviours.

I know most of you will be against this method because it will be wastage of resources. You can buy your kids presents like good story books, writing materials, playing items that can attract other children to be good. 

Be flexible

Try to be like kids. Most of the kids like parents who like to be like them. Sometimes they can start a joke and they want you to join. Or they want to play with them or help them to do their homework. Don't ever shout at them ,scold them instead join them a little bit this would give them the morale of doing whatever they were doing .In this being flexible,you can do the following :

Having daily routine activities 

The  children know each or they see the activities their parents do each day. If you give them a chance to practice, they can do marvellous and excellent. The following activities can be done by then:

1.Cooking together. You can show your kids if they are at certain age on how to make meals like cutting vegetables,making tea or coffee, rolling the chapatis,cooking ugali and many other meals

2.  Washing clothes. Children love playing with water. Whenever when you are washing clothes, make sure you assign your kids some work like,washing their handkerchiefs,their underwear these can make them busy and they can't disturb you anymore and you will have a smooth day.

3. Mopping or cleaning the house. I know most of parents moreso mother's they don't want their kids to touch water or pass near where she is mopping, because this can make them to fall down and break their backbones. But try to engage them whereby you can squeeze the mopper and make sure it doesn't have much water that can make to fall down. If you do this am sure you will make your kids to be responsible.

4.Gardening. If you can involve them in gardening the flowers, vegetables, even watering them it can reduce stress in the house. Assign each child to plant fruits and make sure they take care of them until they bear fruits.

5.Arranging the rooms or clothes. Sometimes try to make their room untidy and assign them to make it tidy. Let each child arrange his/her clothes or spread her bed but under supervision. I mean under supervision, you direct them in a polite way and if they make a mistake and you rectify them, they will essence of your corrections and they will follow sooth.

Be attentive

Just bear attention to your kids. Most of parents nowdays are being married by phones. You find a kid has something to tell you or she wants you to show her for example homework. Instead of listening to your kid, you turn away the kid without helping him/her. 

Make sure your phone should not distract you from taking care of your kids. The soap opera, Afrosinema,and zeeword should not be your first priority in the house, but instead be attentive to your kids. 

Most of the parents have sorted to seek how to bring up their kids through the internet, whereby they have sorted to fast food,leaving kids to spend more time on TV's not even bothering to see what their kids are watching. You find a mother or a dad telling her kid to go and watch TV because she doesn't want disturbance they end up spoiling kids who become addictive to tv.

Make  sure whatever they are watching it's educative and doesn't go against child right.

Children sometimes they are troublesome in the house but if you involve them and try  helping them to discover their various talents instead of sitting and watching in educative movies. 

Being in the house make sure you ensure that your kids don't get tire but they should be vigorous and curious to develop positive skills in life that can help them to apply in their whole life.

I request to live a comment and share and you are allowed to add more tips on how to spend time with your kids.

How to cope with toxic persons.

 

Have you come across with toxic persons whether at your house,working places,churches, markets,malls ,at school and other places. How to you handle these persons so that you can fit in the same basket. 

Some people may be annoying until you feel like leaving them and decide to stay alone. But unfortunately, you won't leave them or relocate because they are their to stay.

Maybe they are immediate family members,workmates,fellow worshippers,and you must join hands or work together. 

The following are tips on how to cope with toxic persons

1.Just accommodate them

By accommodating them you will live peacefully. What do I mean ? Just know that willing to fit in with someone's wishes or needs.

But I don't advice you to fit to some wishes and needs which are against your laws or which are vices. Instead talk to them and talk to them politely and even if they insult you, just accept and move on. I think they will realize that your silence means a lot and this will give them a challenge to change their behaviour.

2. Be silent

Don't ever argue with toxic person, because if you do you will be embrassed and have low esteem.

Whenever they start a quarrel or an augment,just pretend that you didn't hear what they are talking. Just assume them. These people when they start arguing they are like remote controller. They can align you, change the contrast, change the station until you get confused on what to watch. 

Some insult may be so hurtful but never ever try to exchange words with madmen in the market because they will strip you naked. Swallow your anger and remind yourself that be quick to listen and don't be quick to talk, because not every word you talk when in a disagreement can be a blessing.

The more you try to argue with them , the .ore energy and words you give them. So being silent means a lot to you,it will make the person even to discover that he/ she is doing wrong to you.

3. Be optimistic

Some people may be unacceptable to you,either by discouraging you on any progress you make in life. They want to tear you down and make your life miserable. Let them not make  you to quit your job, but let their insult be a changing gear in your life. They will borrow your hardworking and they will eventually leave you.

4. Be mindful

Always mind on you lane and don't ever try to criss cross their lane. Try to do what's right and prove them wrong. The toxic people are narcissistic. They won't let you talk, make decisions or do anything that make progress. If you talk them and they refuse to change just mind your business and they will eventually quit.

5. Be tolerant 

Just each time you face your toxic boss or husband or wife try to be tolerant. Some bosses can be nuisance and unacceptable and even make you to look for a different job, because their motive is just to misuse the employees and they don't care. They always see that they are everything and nobody can question them . If they say it's this way it that they can't turn back or give a reverse to any decision.

Be tolerant to them and know that their time will reach and they will leave that office. Always try to  remind them that there used to be kings and queens and eventually they retired.

6. Be a mentor

Try to give them a motivating guidance if possible that can help them to change their toxic habits and behavior. Don't shy off whenever you find a chance to talk to them . I know it will be difficult to talk to persons who know that they know everything and nobody who can try to give advice or change whatever they have decided. 

Your commitment to your mentorship can lead and move mountains, because they can borrow your words and act accordingly.

Some family members can't allow you to talk in front of them and listen your nonsense and accommodate it in their life. They will degrade you ,abuse you,ruin you even try to destroy your marriage,but don't give up face them and say the truth and they will know your stand.

If it's your child who  doesn't want to listen in whatever you tell him/her,just keep on pressing on and she will eventually come to her senses and she will change and become a good person in the society.

If you have any tips on how to cope with toxic people, you are free to add under comment section. 

Don't forget to share,comment because if you share it will help someone out there.

5 Things Never Share With Anyone by Albert Einstein

 Hello, good people there are some things that you are not supposed to share with anyone whether your friend or enemy.

 There are some things that we are not supposed have or even think to tell our friends. some secret that we do not share with anyone.

By sharing some things with someone our heart becomes lighter and we come closer to each other but there are some things that should not be told to anyone even after forgetting.

Number one

 The secret of your progress or success.

 Most of us feel good when we have succeeded in life and sometimes we feel that other people should know. At times we trust our innermost friends and share our progress not knowing that not all our friends have good heart. Others feel jealous when you have achieved a certain property. 

For example ,you can tell even your family members that you have a certain project of buying a land and they become brokers to bring you down. Not all that glitters is gold meaning never trust your friend,  instead you should have your secrets kept among your intermediate family if only they are trustworthy. Some people if you try to inform them about how you have opened a business and they make a decision of doing the same business like you and if they fail,they will lose trust in you and accuse you of not telling them the truth. So never tell anyone the secret of your success

Number two 

Don't share your problems

Sharing our problems makes us feel lighter and less burdened, but instead of solving the problems it increases.

When you tell your problem to people you are increasing the chances of creating more enemies, because your friends will run away from you. Let's talk for example the case of finance. If you talk your struggles on raising the money e.g school fees,they will think that you will borrow from them and they will look for all means to avoid you.

Instead of helping,they will talk ill of you. Try as much as possible to know whom to tell your troubles.

In fact 70 of the people are happy to hear about your problems and 10 really care.So think twice before telling someone your problems,because they may end up adding more troubles to your heart and life.

Number three

 Don't share your dreams with anyone

If you have certain dreams that you are supposed to persue in life,never ever reveal them to people. If you want to buy a car or continue with your achievements in life for example in education,just consult from professional people who can give good advise on career progression. They can make you to achieve more goals in life.

But if you go to a person who has jealous and doesn't have any dream in life,they will mislead and misguide you until you end up taking wrong choices. Their aim is to destroy and they feel bad when you progress in life.

If you have already set your goals and dreams in life, it is best to keep them to yourself.

Because sharing them can affect your point of view and your purpose and you can get caught up in it.

Always remember that we cannot get the same advice or opinion from others because every person has a different point of view.

Number four

 Don't share with anyone how much you earn up

It doesn't matter how much you earn,just keep it to yourself. Your salary may affect you directly or indirectly. The person you tell are the same people who will look for all means to bring you down. They will be borrowing money from you and if you don't give them they will even plot to kill you. They will not understand when you tell them that you don't have money because you had given out your secret on salary.

Others will borrow and they promise to return back but ,but back in their mind they had achieved what they wanted. When you try to ask them, they will even abuse you and tell you ,you have a lot of money and you want us to return the money back? That question shows an indication how jealous they are, concerning your income.

Just keep your income secretly and don't even think of showing your family members how much you have in the banks,the assets and liabilities you possess.

Number five

 Don't share your family problems with anyone

Most of the families have their own problems,which are big than yours and others small but they don't tell it out.

Sharing with strangers will never solve those problems. Instead you will be destroying your family and they will definitely know how desperate you are.

Most of the people they love to hear other people's problem and they longer stretch out an helping hand,instead of building they destroy. 

You should talk to your family members about these problems.

Sharing these issues with others only aggravates the problem and leaves in you dilemma situation not knowing what to do. 

If you have other tips don't forget to include them under comment section and don't forget to share.

https://youtu.be/238yKgbNxCk

Bathing a Newborn Baby (with Umbilical Cord): Step-by-step Video

Hello, good people today we are going to discuss on how to bathe a newborn baby after delivery.

Congratulations mommy and daddy on your new arrival.  Hygiene is an important aspect of baby care and a daily bath is essential to keep your baby clean and fresh.  You can make a baby anytime but it is advisable to do so before our feet.

Bathing your baby too soon after feet can cause your baby to be uncomfortable and spit out milk if it is your first time bathing your little one . You will probably feel anxious but with constant practice you will gain confidence and your baby will get used to bath time ande enjoy it.

Most babies find warm water soothing and embark, may help a fussy baby to relax and calm down. If you are still new to baby bathing, you may want your spouse to help you. You will need the following items to bathe your baby :

- Abathtub

 -Jug of water 

-Cool boil water

- Cotton wool

-Balls bin or a plastic bag to contain

soil cotton wool balls ,a face cloth

towel ,bath soap, baby clothes, a diaper

and a baby wrap.

 If necessary before you start do remember to wash your hands with soapa water and ensure that you have all the necessary items *Remember, never your baby unattended during bath time.

 Preparing the bath fill the basin with cold water first ,then warm water up the one-third level of the tub. Mix the water well and use the inner part of your forearm to test the temperature of the water make sure it is comfortably warm and not too hot.

Squeeze two drops of baby soap into thew and mix well . Place your baby on to the bath towel and gently remove the best talk to your baby so that he/she feels reassured.

Leaf has diapers on and wrap them up with the towel, keeping his head and feet wrapped within the towel ,cleaning your baby's eyes. Dip the cotton ball into the cool boiled water and squeeze out the excess water. 

Clean your baby's eye by starting from the inner corner of the eye and move outwards. Use a new piece of cotton ball for each eye and him in one stroke .Do not use the same piece to clean back and forth, observe for any sticky or yellowish discharge on your baby's eyes and bring him to the doctor if the discharge persists. Cleaning your baby's face ,wash your baby's face using cool boil water. You can either use a face cloth or cotton balls dipped in the water clean your baby's face from center outwards making sure you wipe the forehead the nose the cheeks and the mouth area.

Washing your baby's hair, carry her baby using a football fold with the palm of your hand supporting his head and neck and tucking him between your arm and the side of your body. Tilt his head slightly backwards over the bath basin and wash his hair then dry his head gently with the corner of the towel wrap. please your baby on the table to unwrap him and remove his diapers.

If your baby is soil,clear his buttocks area with wet wipes .Wash your hands after cleaning ,if your baby has passed motion you are now ready to place baby into the tub of water for his bath.

Washing the baby's body position your left hand on the baby's shoulder to support it and hook your fingers under the baby's armpit to have a good grasp slide your right hand under the buttocks and grip the baby's tie and lick the baby into the bathtub.

Allow your baby to sit in the tub with your left hand still supporting a baby shoulders while keeping your baby's head above the water level release your right hand grip and bathe the babies front and private area with the help of a face cloth once done use your right hand to take over the grip under the baby. Stamped it and allow him to lean forwards over your right arm while you clean his back and buttocks with your left hand. Talk and sing to your baby as you bathe himt make bath time enjoyable.

 When you are done lift him out of the water the same the same way you brought him in. Place your baby gently onto the towel and pat him dry.Pay attention to the skin force and be sure to dry behind the ears in between his fingers and toes under his armpit  and private area.

Before dressing your baby, be sure to clean the umbilical area.The UH glycol cod will drop off in about five to seven days .If you notice any bleeding or foul-smelling discharges you should relieve the cord and consult a doctor .If symptoms persist cleaning your baby's umbilical cord wash your hands before cleaning them like a cod ,use cotton balls dipped in cool boil water and squeeze dry to clean the base of the cord with one circular motion discard then swap after use, then with a clean swab clean the sides of the card from the base upwards each time using a new piece of swamp.Clean the core clamp and the tip of the cord. 

Dressing your baby do not move a dress ,your baby wear clothes that are comfortable for the environment you may apply baby lotion on your baby before dressing him up, but baby powder is not encouraged. 

Cuddle your baby often to reassure him to encourage your spouse to take part in bathing your baby. As it is a wonderful opportunity for bonding with your baby feeling clean fresh and comfortable .It is time, for a good feed babies usually sleep better after one.

bath - congratulations on successfully

bathing your baby practice makes perfect

and all mommies and daddies can do it. 

https://youtu.be/0GfOv7XvKYM