Back To Sleep

Although SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), was a concern when raising my children, it wasn't until the early 1990's that doctors learned it was best to put babies to sleep on their backs, to reduce the risk of SIDS. "While this advice has saved thousands of babies' lives, experts have noticed a fivefold increase in misshapen heads since then." Staring at my lovely new grand daughter, sleeping soundly in this position, my daughter mentioned how she often repositions Katie on her back, to avoid this issue. (Click on links below for information on this topic.)
Love from one curious grandmom, always wanting to know, "What's new?" 
Bubbie  
Related Article:
Flattened Head(Positional Plagiocephaly)
Babies with Flat Heads on the Rise
How to Correct Positional Plagiocephaly

Playing With Play Dough

Play Dough is a great, calming, sensory activity which helps with hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and increases the attention span for children... and of course entertains this Grandmom to no end. I get to help squeeze, roll, and pat the dough before Jude pours the pieces from one container to the next.  I can't wait to graduate to snakes and braids.  In the meantime, I'd sure like to figure out an easier way to pick-up the dough from the rug.  Any Play-Dough Vacs out there?  Let me know if you've got any ideas! 
Open for suggestions, 
Bubbie
Related Articles:
Easy Play Dough Recipes 
Play Dough Ideas 

Exciting Discoveries For Babies

Discovering “under” has got to be the next best thing to a cream cheese and jelly sandwich!  Imagine being able to relax on a nice cushy pillow next to grandbaby, while he brings his toys in and out from “under” the bed a couple of hundred times.  I love this game!  As he finally got a little bored, I gently began to rock him on my rocking chair.   Just when I thought he’d fallen asleep, he apparently felt rested enough to do a bit more discovering.  This one I titled “over”.  I thought it was appropriate since he was rock-climbing up my stomach and chest, then attempting the great escape “over” the top of my chair.  We both landed on our feet and went into six rounds of “Ring Around The Rosie.”   "Around” definitely does not cut it for me anymore, since I don’t know when my body became allergic to spinning!  As I grabbed my pillow and non-drowsy Dramamine, I helped my grandson rediscover his crib!

Goodnight,

Bubbie
P.S. What would you say was your child's and/or grandchild's most exciting discovery? 
Related Article and Video:
Swimming Under/Video 
How To Play Ring Around The Rosie 

Solid Foods For Baby

So how was I supposed to remember (from 25 years ago), that introducing a baby to a spoon at the same time as their food, can be confusing to them? Little did I know, that there was an article that explained this phenomenon. My finger! I was supposed to use my finger instead of the spoon. What was I thinking! Of course that explained why he was dodging every helping with his quick little hands. He was confused! I thought he was just trying to be funny! And we both thought it was pretty hilarious, until he figured out how to get it going my way! Once it shot up my nose, I was ready for a nice, soothing, warm bottle...I mean Jude was!
Disclaimer: No baby was harmed during the making of this picture...but I can't same the same for my camera!
Happy "grand"baby sitting,
Bubbie
P.S. Please share with us your most successful baby feeding solutions. Thanks!
Related Article:
Introducing Baby To Solid Foods 

Teething

Ahh...the fine art of drooling. I've not seen a child do it as well as my grandson, since my sister's child, who was born 24 years ago. (And I do believe he still does it for special occasions!) Fortunately, my little darling doesn't seem to be bothered by the constant flow of liquid pouring from his mouth. I just follow him around with a bucket, and we're good to go! Just couldn't resist sharing this pic...Oh, I know he'll hate me for taking it when he's older, but it's making me laugh...after all...don't I deserve a little chuckle now and then?
Hope it helps,
Bubbie
P.S. Would love to hear from you with your ideas on soothing babies pain when teething!
Related Article:
Teething Solutions 

Walker For Baby

After spending countless hours "GOOGLEing" walkers, I discovered the best rated to be the, "Fisher-Price" Shop and Learn Walker. Too anxious to shop online, I drove store-to-store looking for the best price. I was thrilled to discover this toy that states it "helps baby gain problem-solving experience, and develop thinking skills by discovering how to activate music, lights, sounds and speech." Wow! I was impressed. I then spent an hour putting it together. (Okay, so I have no mechanical skills!) I basically had to remove it from it's box, and add the handle. Learning how everything worked, I was ready and excited to present it to my sweetie. Not giving me a chance to show-off my newly acquired knowledge, my grandson rushed past me, grabbed the walker by it's handle, and ran w/it...up and down the room. He finally stopped long enough to notice there were toys in the basket, and curiously picked each one up, and threw them ever-so-quickly onto the floor. After another few minutes he used his problem-solving skills to climb into the basket, balancing himself just right, so he wouldn't fall. The only thing he decided to activate was his voice, as he let me know that he wanted to be pushed...up and down the room about a zillion times. I'll remember to wear my back-belt next time!
Happy babysitting,
Bubbie
P.S. Always looking for new toy ideas! Got any?
Related Products:
Laugh and Learn Walker 

Babysitting Grandbabies

April 6, 2009 was a great day! My new grandson came into this world 4 weeks early...ready and willing to tumble. Three months later I was assigned a "3 days-a-week" babysitting slot. Not having a baby for 25 years left me a bit stale. After the first week, I slowly began to have flashbacks of my early days in the trenches. I took notes. 1. No necklaces. 2. Lose the glasses. 3. Hanging earrings won't work, unless you live for pain. 4. Wear a bib. 5. Wear clothes that you plan on throwing away. 6. Nap when they nap. 7. Wear a back belt and/or strengthen abs. Would love to stay and chat, but I've got to go rake-up the toys.

Happy Grandparenting,

Bubbie

P.S. Got your own list? Bring it on!
Related Article:
Exercises To Reduce Low Back Pain