Cute Baby Boy Names from Bible with Meanings

biblical names

The Bible is a very important inspiration for parents when looking for names for their babies. The Bible is rich with vibrant stories, and within those stories are a host of people with strong, beautiful, and humble names.

If you’re in search of a Biblical name for your baby boy, there is certainly a wide variety of great choices! Here are some cute biblical names and their meanings.

1. Abraham – It means the ‘Father of the multitude’.

2. Amos – It means ‘One who bears the burden’.

3. Andrew – It means ‘A strong man’, and is one of the most popular Christian boy names.

4. Christian – It means ‘Follower of Christ’

5. Eli – It means ‘Lifting up’.

6. Emmanuel – It means ‘God with us.’

7. Gabriel – It means ‘God is my strength’.

8. Ishmael – It means ‘God that hears’.

9. Adam – It means ‘Taken out of the red earth’.

10. Daniel – This means ‘Judgement of God’.

11. Jeremiah – It means ‘Exaltation of the Lord’.

12. Benjamin – This name means ‘Son of the right hand’.

13. Caleb – It means ‘Devotion of the faithful’.

14. Nathanael – It means ‘The gift of God’.

15. Philip – It means ‘Warlike’, or ‘Lover of horses’.

16. Timothy – It means ‘Valued of God’.

17. David – It means ‘Beloved’.

18. Elijah – It means ‘My God is Yahweh’.

19. Ezekiel – It means ‘God is strong’ or ‘The man God strengthens’.

20. Gideon – It means ‘He that bruises’, or ‘Great warrior’.

21. Felix – It means ‘Happy’ or ‘Prosperous’.

22. Isaiah – It means ‘Salvation of the Lord’.

23. Aaron – It means ‘Mountain of strength’.

24. Alexander – It means ‘Defender of men,’ or ‘One who assists men’.

25. John – It means ‘Mercy of the Lord’

26. Joseph – Which means ‘Increase’, or ‘Addition’

27. Jude – This means ‘Confession’, or ‘Praise of the Lord’.

28. Isaac – It means ‘Laughter’.

29. Jacob – It means ‘He who supplants’ or ‘He who follows after.’

30. Japheth – It means ‘Beauty’, ‘Let him enlarge’, or ‘He that persuades’.

31. Levi – It means ‘Associated with him’.

32. Marcus – It means ‘Polite’ or ‘Shining’.

33. Matthew – It means ’a Reward’.

34. Stephen – This means ‘Crowned’.

35. Jason – It means ‘Healing’ or ‘He that cures’.

36. Jesse – It means ‘Jehovah exists’ or ‘Firm’.

37. Joel – It means ‘Jehovah is God’, or ‘The Lord is God’.

38. Jonathan – It means ‘Jehovah has given’ or ‘The Lord gave’.

39. Solomon – It means ‘Peace’.

40. Simon – It means ‘Hears and obeys’ or ‘Hearing with acceptance’.

41. Seth – It means ‘Compensation’, ‘Appointed’ or ‘Substituted’.

42. Peter – It means ‘Rock’ or ‘Stone’.

43. Omar – It means ‘Mountaineer’, ‘Eloquent’ or ‘He that speaks’.

44. Moses – It means ‘Drawn forth’, ‘Taken out of the water’ or ‘A son’.

45. Michael – It means ‘One who is like God’.

46. Joshua – It means ‘Jehovah is salvation’

47. Timon – It means ‘Honorable’ or ‘Worthy’.

48. Zuriel – It means ‘God is a rock’.

49. Zemirah – It means ‘A melody’ or ‘A song’.

50. Zion – This means ‘The pure in heart.’

Whatever name you choose, think of what traits you would like your son to carry with him for the rest of his life. These names carry with them a sense of honesty and virtue. They will provide your son with a positive start and a connection with his parents’ faith, irrespective of where life takes him.

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100 Beautiful Boys & Girls Names Starting With \’A\’

beautiful baby names

Choosing a baby\’s name poses a challenging aspect of having a new baby. A child\’s name is an introduction to gender. All children are precious to us and special too, so their names have to be special as well, reminding them each day of the love and joy we have for them.

Here are some beautiful names for babies, both girls, and boys with Letter \’A\’;

Boys Names:

  1. Alexander 
  2. Angelo 
  3. Anthony             
  4. Andrew
  5. Aaron   
  6. Adrian
  7. Asher   
  8. Angel
  9. Austin  
  10. Adam
  11. Ayden  
  12. Axel
  13. Ashton
  14. Abel
  15. Amir     
  16. Alex
  17. Antonio
  18. Alan
  19. Abraham
  20. Avery
  21. August 
  22. Alejandro
  23. Andres
  24. Aidan
  25. Arthur  
  26. Adriel
  27. Ace  
  28. Aiden
  29. Anthony
  30. Adrian
  31. Asher 
  32. Andre
  33. Abel  
  34. Aaron 
  35. Archer
  36. Austin
  37. Atticus
  38. Anderson
  39. August
  40. Alec   
  41. Angelo
  42. Ali 
  43. Ari
  44. Anton 
  45. Adan
  46. Arlo 
  47. Apollo
  48. Abe 
  49. Addey
  50. Aylin

Girls Names:

  1. Ava       
  2. Amelia
  3. Abigail  
  4. Acadia
  5. Aria       
  6. Aubrey
  7. Addison              
  8. Aurora 
  9. Anna
  10. Aaliyah
  11. Allison
  12. Adeline
  13. Alexa
  14. Ariana  
  15. Arica
  16. Autumn
  17. Aubree
  18. Arianna
  19. Adalynn
  20. Annabelle
  21. Alexandra
  22. Ashley 
  23. Athena
  24. Andrea
  25. Alyssa
  26. Adalyn 
  27. Amy
  28. Ariel      
  29. Alexis
  30. Aliyah   
  31. Arabella
  32. Anastasia            
  33. Amaya 
  34. Adaline
  35. Alaina   
  36. Alina
  37. Angelina
  38. Adelyn
  39. Amara  
  40. Ana
  41. Alana    
  42. Adriana
  43. Alayna 
  44. Ayla
  45. Angela 
  46. Alivia
  47. Alexandria
  48. Amiyah
  49. Aadiya
  50. Aggie

So you see, 😁 you have more choices to pick from when next you birth a baby or visit an expectant mother. You should no longer be limited to common names; your baby deserves a unique name.

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Healthy Eating Habits for Breastfeeding Moms

breastfeeding mom

Now thаt уоu’vе рut to bеd, it’s tіmе tо be mindful оf your еаtіng hаbіtѕ. Yоu nееd to undеrѕtаnd nutrіtіоn rulеѕ whіlе breastfeeding. Yоu nееd tо know hоw оftеn a nurѕіng mоthеr should еаt, thе bеѕt tіmе tо eat. Whаt hарреnѕ whеn you dоn’t еаt enough food, whаt not to еаt when уоu аrе nursing, еtс. Mаіntаіnіng hеаlthу еаtіng habits аѕ a nursing mоthеr wіll hеlр keep уоu and уоur baby wеll nоurіѕhеd.

It’ѕ essential to continue making hеаlthу сhоісеѕ оn thе fооdѕ, fruіtѕ, аnd vegetables you соnѕumе. We rесеіvеd a ԛuеѕtіоn frоm оur page follower аѕkіng if it’s OK to go tо bеd hungrу whіlе brеаѕtfееdіng; thіѕ аnd оthеr іѕѕuеѕ wе will tасklе furthеr in thе article. Tоdау, wе wаnt tо ѕhаrе with уоu the bеѕt fееdіng hаbіtѕ fоr a nurѕіng mоthеr, and while уоu’rе on it, check our previous аrtісlе оn 2020 Tор Healthy Fооdѕ for Prеgnаnt Wоmеn. You’ll gеt a clue аbоut thе bеѕt fооd tо consume while you’re pregnant.

How Oftеn Shоuld a Nurѕіng Mother Eаt?

Experts bеlіеvе thаt frequent fееdіngѕ wіll hеlр stimulate уоur mіlk рrоduсtіоn durіng thе fіrѕt few wееkѕ of brеаѕtfееdіng. If уоu dоn’t gеt еnоugh nourishment, уоur baby might not еіthеr. Whеn nurѕіng a уоung bаbу, іt іѕ рrеvаlеnt tо fееl hungry muсh оf thе time, аnd thаt’ѕ whу уоu should lіѕtеn tо уоur bоdу and еаt to appetite. Thе рrоblеm іѕ, breastfeeding requires even mоrе additional саlоrіеѕ, аnd a breastfeeding mоthеr, оn аvеrаgе, needs tо tаkе іn 300-500 саlоrіеѕ реr dау аbоvе whаt you ate before pregnancy.

Bеѕt Time tо Eаt Whіlе Breastfeeding?

You hаvе tо use соmmоn ѕеnѕе hеrе. Yоu feed thе bаbу аѕ іtѕ hеаlth dереndѕ оn уоu. Wоrrу about how mаnу meals a dау tо еаt once the nursing іѕ оvеr. If уоu dоn’t gіvе уоurѕеlf еnоugh саlоrіеѕ, іnсludіng date, саrbоhуdrаtеѕ, and рrоtеіnѕ, уоur body will tаkе frоm your ѕtоrеѕ tо mаkе mіlk. What’s thе best tіmе tо еаt whіlе breastfeeding? Eаt tо hungеr wіthоut rеѕtrісtіng уоurѕеlf, but at LEAST 3 tіmеѕ a day.

Whаt Hарреnѕ When Yоu Don’t Eat Enоugh?

Eаtіng wеll-bаlаnсеd nutrіеntѕ and uрріng уоur саlоrіс іntаkе aids hеаlthу brеаѕtfееdіng. The mаmmаrу glаndѕ nееd enough ѕuррlу оf саlоrіеѕ аnd nutrients tо produce mіlk regularly. Rеduсіng thе amount of fооd уоu еаt, whеthеr іntеntіоnаllу оr bу ассіdеnt, mау аffесt your breastmilk рrоduсtіоn аnd energy lеvеlѕ. So the ԛuеѕtіоn; саn еаtіng tоо lіttlе аffесt milk production whеn Breast-feeding? YES!!

Whаt Not Tо Eаt Whеn Yоu Arе Nurѕіng?

Cоmmоnlу, nursing mоthеrѕ аrе сurіоuѕ аbоut whether thеrе аrе ѕресіfіс foods they should оr should nоt eat. It is gооd to follow the rulе whісh ѕауѕ “еvеrуthіng in mоdеrаtіоn.” Your mіlk іѕ mаdе from your blood. Bе ѕurе tо avoid саffеіnе аnd alcohol as they аrе twо substances уоu nееd tо еlіmіnаtе whіlе brеаѕtfееdіng ѕіnсе thеу раѕѕ into уоur blood аnd brеаѕtmіlk

Iѕ It OK Tо Gо Tо Bеd Hungrу Whіlе Breastfeeding?

Brеаѕtfееdіng tаkеѕ a lоt оf еnеrgу, whісh burns саlоrіеѕ. Althоugh we rесеіvеd dіffеrеnt feedback as tо hоw nursing mоthеrѕ feel whеn they breastfeed wіthоut еаtіng аnd ѕоmе сlаіm they wеrе just fine while оthеrѕ felt ѕtrаngе аnd lіghthеаdеd after which is nоt a good ѕіgn. While nursing оn an еmрtу ѕtоmасh may nоt hurt уоur baby, еvеn іf іt’ѕ just a piece of fruit аnd a glass of mіlk, рut ѕоmеthіng in уоur ѕtоmасh.

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Is It Safe To Clean Your Newborn\’s Ears With Cotton Swabs?

When it comes to our Newborns, whatever purpose we have for something drops to a different level since these tenders beings are in total surrender to our care and love. Generally, cotton swabs used in the cleaning of ears to remove earwax have been viewed negatively, and several warnings are given in its usage. It is dangerous to use cotton swabs or to stick anything inside your baby\’s ear. Cleaning of ears with cotton swabs has sent many kids to the ER (Emergency Room), as these objects perforate the developing ear membrane.

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Cotton Swab Dangers in Newborns Ear;

A] Ruptured eardrums; Due to their bodies\’ sensitivity and development, cotton swabs are dangerous and too toxic to the baby\’s eardrums. It could lead to ruptured eardrums and severe bleeding.

B] Ear damage; when the eardrums are ruptured, cases like permanent damage can occur to the ears of your baby, leading to loss of sound.

C] Excessive build of earwax: Instead of cleaning the earwax from the babies ears, cotton swab pushes them back, preventing them from falling off. It can lead to blockage of the eardrums, creating discomfort for the babies like itching, discharge from the ear, etc.

d]Portions of cotton swabs in the ears; in many cases, using the cotton swabs leaves some cotton particles in the baby\’s ears. At first, this may be harmless but can cause unrepaired damage to the child\’s eardrums in the future. It is completely unhealthy for particles to be left in the eardrums.

Alternative methods of Cleaning Babies Ears:

A] Use eardrops; use medically approved eardrops prescribed by a pediatrician to prevent excessive earwax.

B] Use warm facial towels; this is usually done after bathing the baby. Use the warm towel to gently and mildly clean around the ears.

C] Use ointments or baby oil; few drops of baby healthy oil and ointments into the baby\’s ear soften the ear wax and clean them out. However, this should be done with medical directives and knowledge.

First instinct as parents when we see earwax in our baby\’s ear is to use THE COTTON SWAB, but these do more damage than good to the ears of our newborns. They cause severe damage to the infants and rupture the developing eardrums, which could lead to loss of sound. Alternative mild home remedies should be used instead of cotton swabs. Please consult a pediatrician if your baby is experiencing any ear problem to avoid any further complications.

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How To Clear A Baby’s Nose Easily

nasal congestion

Nasal congestion or stuffy nose in babies is normally caused by the common cold. It\’s worrying when your child is unable to breathe well due to blockage inside her nostril. Babies sometimes need help to clear congestion in their nose because their airways are so tiny.

Stuffy nose becomes a more delicate issue with babies due to their fragile nature. And because they are helpless sometimes, you need to take extra precautions when handling them. Babies are very tender and prone to cold easily, which gives them a lot of discomforts. Symptoms of nasal congestion threaten the baby more as this even interferes with the infant\’s breathing process and the eating process. Is your baby having a hard time breathing due to a stuffy nose? Don\’t worry, we will show you the easiest ways to clear your baby\’s nose.

Nasal congestion is associated with;
  • Runny nose
  • Sinusitis pain
  • Swollen tissues in the nostrils
  • Headaches and, in most cases, fever
What Are the common causes of nasal congestion?
  • Sinusitis infection
  • cold and flu
Severe cases could include:
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Allergies
  • Tumor growth in the nasal passages
  • Hay fever
  • Increased blood supply during pregnancy

As mothers dealing with this new responsibility, it could be very challenging and tedious. Shuffling with other activities and still giving undivided care, love, and attention to these tender creatures poses as one of the many great advantages and joy connected with motherhood. When these babies are in discomfort, we are restless and will do all to make the discomfort go away. However, they need us always, and we should always, with immense love and affection, cater to our delicate babies.

Home remedies for nasal congestions for babies;

 a] Bathe them with warm water;

warm water is one of the best remedies for nasal congestion. Always endeavor to check the water temperature by dipping your hands into the water to prevent burning. Warm water helps soothes the congested nostrils, subtly using facial towels to massage the chest region provides air passage through the congested nostrils.

b] Application of mild baby balm;

we want to ensure the baby balm is given by a certified health practitioner to avoid using dangerous substances on our babies. Baby balm used should be 100% natural and safe. We use these balms to gently massage the babies\’ chest region; these balms provide relief from cold and nasal congestion.

c] Warm water drink;

during this period of nasal congestion, regularly giving the baby warm drinks aids in the improvement of nasal congestion. Please, this water should be aptly checked to avoid injury to the babies. It warms up the baby inner body system, providing warmth for the baby

d] Avoiding lots of exposure;

the severe climatic hot weather may trigger us to want to expose our babies. Avoid lots of exposure as these could put their health in danger and lots of discomforts. Wear your baby the right outfit for the right weather conditions.

Nasal congestion or stuffy nose is a common problem in babies\’ growth process. Take care of and handle it with home remedies. However, if it exceeds a week, kindly do well to see a doctor quickly as this could lead to a severe health condition.

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Milestone and Motor Activities to Teach Your Baby

motor development

There is no one way to teaching babies things they need to know as they develop. It is usually a two-way street. None is right, and none is wrong. Mothers learn alongside with their babies as they grow. But because no two children can be the same, you can\’t learn from one and apply it to another. Children are all different in diverse ways. And because a child is good at an activity does not mean another child will do likewise. You need to observe and know your child\’s strength or ability before you teach anything.

In the process of teaching a child, it might look like you\’re punishing the child. Without careful observation, you will only think you are helping the baby. But in this case, the reverse is the case. The age, alongside the baby\’s capacity, is a necessary factor to consider in each milestone and motor activities you teach your baby.

What is a milestone?

The word milestone should not be misinterpreted for another thing, although it can be interpreted based on your understanding. A milestone is simply a landmark. It is an important event(s) in a person\’s life. In other words, milestones are the behavioral checkpoints in children\’s development regarding age. All children strive to reach a particular milestone as they grow. Milestone is classified into motor development, language development, and emotional or social development.

The language development will include making of coo sounds or other sounds and laughing. The emotional or social skills include smiling at familiar faces and playing with friends around. As your child grows, they might be moving legs and arms away from their bed when they are excited. Some might even bring the hand to the mouth or move the fist from closed to open. All these and several other movements are motor activities your child learns as they grow. They focus more on the use of the muscles of the legs, trunk, and arms.

Different milestones and motor activities exist at different ages. There are some that your baby develops naturally. There are some that you will need to teach your baby. Take, for instance, by six weeks; most babies can lift their heads while lying on their tummy. And at three months, with the use of arms as support, most babies can lift their chest. While at four to five months, some babies can roll over from the back to the stomach. Remember that this timing varies in babies.

Some of the motor milestones usually expected in babies include crawling, sitting up with no support, standing with assistance, walking with help. It will get to a point when there will no longer be a need for assistance while standing and walking.

Motor activities to teach your baby

Motor activities in babies often lead to motor development in them. Motor development is physical growth, muscle, and bone strength in babies. Your baby can touch things and move in the surroundings. They are usually of two types, the fine and gross motor.

The fine motor activities are the small movements in the hands, wrists, fingers, fists, toes, tongue, and lips. The gross motor activities occur in the muscles, and it assists babies in holding up their heads, sitting up and crawling, walking, running, and eventually skipping. Motor activities occur gradually. It begins from the inner body like the head, neck, arm, and legs. It then extends to the outer body like the hands, feet, fingers, and toes. It is a necessary development throughout a child\’s life. It is a physical development that leads to various body developments.

There are some activities that parents can engage their babies to enable them to develop fine motor skills. These include:

  1. Place your baby on the tummy while you help him or her reach for a toy
  2. When your baby begins to stand, you can place a toy on the couch and allow your baby to stretch out to reach for it
  3. Visit the playground where your baby can climb, run, swing and slide
  4. Allow your baby to walk with a stroller that he or she can push

What are the activities that will help your baby to reach a milestone?

As a child reaches a milestone, there are a lot of motor activities they need to learn. In babies, walking is one of the developmental milestones observed. They often stumble, fall, take awkward steps, and get up most times they see themselves on the ground.

Also, they need to develop hand and finger strength needed to write, the ability to write and form sentences, climb and use the stairs, listen to sounds, adapt to taste and sensation, and lots more. How then can you help your baby reach these milestones and develop motor activities?

They include:

  1. Warm and cuddly activities for age zero to six months. At this stage of growth, babies liked to be touched, tickled, and cuddled. While you get their diapers changed, please give them a quick message to enable them to have a fun diaper time. It will aid in sensory and communication development. At this moment, you can sing a song or play music. You can also tickle her toes while you give a warm smile.
  2. Food play and sensory activities for babies age six to twelve months. When your baby makes a mess while eating, it enables them to adapt to new sensations. Allow them to get food on their face and hands as it provides a sensory experience. Let food get all over their body and do not wipe them immediately. Encourage food of different textures and tastes for your curious baby. Also, allow them to smell goods and touch them.
  3. Exploring activities for ages twelve to eighteen months. At this stage, your baby can move around the environment and explore everything in there. If your baby walks up to you while cooking, allow them to sniff the aroma as it will enable them to develop a sense of smell. Also, while they explore the house, they can smell anything they come across. At this juncture, you need to be careful with things you put within their reach.
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Baby Cues and What They Mean

Baby cues and signs

Only a mother best understands her child. A child speaks in an unclear language that hardly anyone understands. It is the mother, the best friend that can interpret such an unknown language. No wonder they say life does not come with a manual; it comes with a mother. She is the solution provider for a child\’s needs. There is usually no substitute for her.

As a baby grows, he or she makes several signs that meant different things. Take, for instance, when a baby is crying, it\’s either the child is hungry or needs a diaper change. All these are baby\’s cues. They are several ways a child communicates his or her needs. Not everyone understands these cues, but a mother does.

There are different baby cues and the way they interact differs from one another. But with time, you get to understand what those interactions mean. As the child continues to grow, the cues become clearer by doing a lot of baby watching.

What is the importance of understanding a baby cue?

When you understand your baby\’s signals, you are helping you and the baby. Caring for your baby\’s needs becomes more comfortable. The benefits of understanding a baby\’s cue cannot be overemphasized. They include (but not limited to):

1. It helps your baby to develop a sense of trust in her ability as regarding influence on the environment.

2. A secure bond will be formed between mother and child.

3. Baby cues are essential prerequisites to relationships and emotional development.

4. When you understand and respond to your baby\’s cue, you teach him or her emotional regulation. It enables them to realize that they have control over their emotions. Take, for instance, when your baby is crying, and you soothe her, she tends to calm down (emotion regulation).

Read Also: How to help your baby burp

How do you interact with your baby when she makes specific cues?

Once you have learned to read and understand your baby\’s cue, you will be better able to respond to their needs. When your baby makes cue, how do you interact?

  1. Hold her hand
  2. Feed her
  3. Change her diaper
  4. Give her a bath
  5. Talk or sing a song for her
  6. Gently place your hand on her tummy while you allow her to grab your finger

Types of baby cues

  1. I am hungry. A baby suddenly doesn\’t end up crying when they are hungry. They give signs like sucking on their fists, making sucking sounds with their mouths, making little noises, etc. All these subtle cues show that they are ready to feed. Once these cues are ignored, they end up crying, which is a late hunger cue.
  2. Could you play with me? When your baby\’s eyes are bright and wide, they show they are ready to play. A baby sleeps a lot, and because of that, they have little time to play. As they grow older, they have more time to play, and their signals become more explicit. Your child may also turn towards you at the sound of your voice or look at your face. She then begins to move the arms and legs ready for play. She might also grab hold of your finger or even pause her small lips as if she\’s communicating. If you respond to her, she will smile, babble, and make eye contact. All these cues show that your baby needs you to play with her.
  3. I need a break. A baby gives a clear disengaging signal that she\’s tired or needs a stop from the activity ongoing. When your baby looks away or turns head towards another side, kicks or squirms, coughs, spits up, or aches back, she shows that she needs a break. All these are stop signals. Other tiring, break, or a change in activity includes yawning, wrinkling of the forehead, frowning, or hiccups. Your baby may start to cry, fuss, or make thrashing movements when trying to tell you to stop playing, but you insisted.
  4. I want to sleep, or I am sleepy. We all like sleep, and we don\’t like to be disturbed when we are craving for rest. By the time your baby starts showing sleepy signs like yawning, keeping quiet, fussing, rubbing eyes and ears, clenching fists into tight balls, frowning, becoming still, and knotting of eyebrows, making of jerky movements, lost of interest in toys and people, etc. Gently put your baby to bed rather than waiting for her to sleep off completely. Once you observe these signs and abide by it, your baby will sleep comfortably without stressing yourself. If you missed these cues, your baby might become grumpy or excited and find it difficult to settle.
  5. I am warm, cold, or needs to be carried. When your baby is crying and fussing, they might probably be warm or cold. You need to check their temperature to see if you need to change their dress or wear another one to it. Because babies can\’t regulate their body temperature, they need to be worn double clothes than you. That does not mean you should overheat them. Always check their temperature and ensure it is fit for that moment. At times, they might be the only one left in the room and no one around them; they start crying. They need people around, and carrying them at that moment will be super dope for them.
  6. I am full. When your baby no longer shows interest in the food, spit out food, push the feeding bottle away, removes mouth from sucking your breast, closes mouth, turns head away, or eats slowly. All these show that your baby is full, and you need to stop feeding at this point.
  7. I am distressed. If you noticed that your baby is frowning, making jerky movements, making sounds, or turning red on the face, it might mean your baby is distressed. You will need to comfort and attend to her needs to know what she wants.

Read Also: Ways to put your baby to sleep quickly

All these signs differ in babies. As you play and nurse your baby, you will begin to observe these cues and understand what each means. All you need do is to take your time to study the diverse ways your baby communicates. By the time you spend more time watching and being present around your baby, you will become used to these baby cues and understand what they mean. In return, you will be able to respond in ways that best suit your baby.

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Ways to put your baby to sleep quickly

One thing I have known about babies is their sleeping habits. They eat and sleep, nothing more. A baby sleeps around the clock because they can\’t differentiate day from night. Once their hunger is satisfied, the next thing is sleep. They often stay awake when there is a need, and once they are met, they are back to sleep. Due to their small stomach, they tend to feed often.

Each baby has a different sleeping pattern. Some may sleep more during the day while some are goodnight sleepers, but all are still normal. When a baby refuses to sleep, the mother becomes worried. Apart from the mother having sleepless nights, a way of putting the baby to sleep quickly must be proffered.

How should babies sleep? 

A baby is a fragile being, and you must adhere to all necessary precautions to always protect them. Even before the child is born, we have already prepared a particular room. But at this tender age, a baby should not be left alone to sleep in a separate room.

The mother can share a room with the baby but not a bed where she can adequately monitor and access the baby. This helps with night feeding, comforting, monitoring, and helps to keep the baby nearby. Putting the baby to sleep in bed with you is not too safe. It increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as well as other sleep-related death. Therefore, room sharing is considered more reliable.

The following are ways by which a baby can sleep safely:

1. Place the baby to sleep on the back and not on the stomach or side to sleep. It is a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to reduce Sudden Infants Death Syndrome (SIDS).

2. Always place the baby on a firm sleep surface and well covered. Arrange the crib in a way that provides comfort and meets the current safety standards.

3. You can use small pillows as side support in the crib if needed. If this disturbs the child\’s sleep, do not put anything in the crib, be it pillows or blanket.

4. Avoid overheating. Monitor the room temperature where the baby sleeps. It shouldn\’t be too hot and deprive the baby of sleep. Also, dress the baby for the room temperature. The baby should not be too hot or cold.

5. Endeavor to keep your baby away from smoke. It can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

6. Use a pacifier to put the baby to sleep. Some babies do not like it, and it should not be forced. If the pacifier falls while the baby is asleep, do not bother replacing it.

Ways to put your baby to sleep quickly 

Since babies can\’t differentiate between day and night, they can sleep all through. Most times, it is food or wet diaper that wakes them up. Your baby can sleep from 10 to 18 hours a day, usually 3 to 4 hours at a time. They do not have a regular sleep cycle until they are about six months. Some babies sleep too well during the day, and they find it difficult to remain asleep at night.

In the process of being awake, they keep the mother awake too. But this usually proves difficult for the mother. She needs her sleep, as well. Plenty of sleepless nights can be dangerous to both mother and child. What then will she do to put the baby to sleep so that she can also sleep?

1. Set a routine. You should establish a bedtime routine and be consistent with it. When you do the same activities at the same time daily, the baby adapts to it. When you follow a regular bedtime routine, your baby will sleep better and cry less often in the middle of the night. All activities should be calm and peaceful, especially towards the end of the routine. Endeavor to bathe your baby before bedtime as it keeps them calm. A child\’s favorite activity should be the last thing you will do in the bedroom.

2. Put your baby to sleep, and do not rely on soothing. The sleeping condition you allow your child to get used to will be adopted. In most cases, it might be challenging to change. When your baby is tired and on the verge of sleeping, put the baby down carefully and allow her to sleep by herself. This will let the baby soothe himself or herself to sleep all alone. This will give the baby familiarity with the sleeping surrounding. Therefore, you won\’t need to rock or cuddle the baby to sleep even when not asleep. Do not wait until your baby is fully asleep in your arms before you lay her in bed. It may later in life become a sleep habit addiction, which might be challenging to change. Allow your baby to self-soothe and fall asleep by herself. It is usually one of the goals of parenting.

3. Always allow your baby to sleep on his or her back on a flat or firm surface. It helps in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). With time and age, the baby will begin to sleep on the tummy.

4. You can soothe your baby but not to sleep. In most cases, you might need to soothe your baby to allow him or her drowsy. Once your baby is in this condition, gradually put your baby down. Soothing enable a baby to be relaxed and sleepy. There are different soothing patterns for a kid. A mother should know which one works best for her child. Once this is established, soothing your baby won\’t be a difficult thing.

5. Watch out for drowsy but awake. Put your baby gently in the crib while being drowsy but awake. You can then leave the room and allow her to sleep off completely. If your baby starts crying, wait for a few minutes before your check-up. The cry might be for a moment, but if persistent, try to console her. Put her back to sleep but do not carry her up. She might need to see your face, and that\’s all. She only wants to be sure you\’re close by her. Sleeping at that point is a sure thing for the baby.

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6 Best Baby Toys for Development and Learning

Baby development toys

As a child grows, learning through the presence of material things sticks to the brain quickly. In selecting toys your baby plays with, you need to be very careful. Select that which can contribute to the baby\’s growth and development. The best baby toys will encourage learning, creativity, development, imagination, motor skills, problem-solving, reading, writing, etc. Playing is part of babies because it is through this; they learn and explore the world around them. To them, playing is like observing, experimenting, and discovering things. This helps them develop and practice intellectual, social, and physical skills.

Playing is a natural way of learning things over and over for babies without getting bored. It keeps them interested and motivated as they learn, practice, and master several skills while having fun.

What are the criteria to consider in selecting toys for your baby?

You might wonder which of the toys will be suitable for your child\’s age. Kids love to play with almost everything around them. The parents must bear in mind that when selecting toys, you need to consider certain factors. The fact that toys come in different shapes, sizes, and designs make you more confused at which exact one to choose for your baby.

Age is one of the necessary things to consider when choosing toys for your baby. The older the baby, the more understanding of things the baby would have. Therefore, the color and shapes are used to capture the child\’s attention and imagination while testing their creativity. If the baby has older kids, you need to put them into consideration as well. You won\’t want to purchase what will benefit one kid only and put the rest in hostility among them. You will want the bond to continue by ensuring they all still play together.

When purchasing the baby toys, you must be able to identify the educational and aesthetic value. How safe is the toy for the child while playing with it? No injury should be sustained during the process of playing with it. What benefits or use is it to the child\’s development and learning? What can your baby learn from using the toy? The toy must be able to aid their learning skills and development. You need to know what your kid likes and his abilities and desires when it comes to selecting toys.

Also, you need to consider the environment in terms of space, where the child will play with the toy. You can\’t live in a small house and buy big toys that will occupy the whole area and not give the child enough space to even play with the toy. You need to know how to use the toy. Can the kid handle it all alone or needs the parent\’s assistance?

Therefore, you need to select the right toy for your baby as it will serve as an investment. The child will be able to learn one or two things while playing with the toy, which will help in the child\’s development. It must also encourage creativity in the child. The child must be able to develop different things from using the toy. The toy will also be a source of great pleasure that will grow with the child.

Read Also: 5 Brain Boosting Nature Activities for Your Baby’s Health

What are the best baby toys to improve your baby\’s development?

There are many toy options available for parents when selecting toys for their baby\’s development. Some of these toys include (but not limited to):

  1. Sassy floor mirror. This toy is suitable for social skill development. Social skills are needed in effectively interacting with other people. Also, it enables us to read and interpret communications easily. A baby develops social skills right from birth and continues to improve it as they grow. Sassy floor mirror encourages your baby to observe human behavior, especially when they look into it. They see a perfect reflection of themselves and how they act. Hence, the mirror is necessary for your baby\’s social skill development.
  2. Infantino textured multi-ball collection. It includes balls made of different textures, shapes, and sizes. Infantino textured multi-ball collection is best for babies because they can use their hands and mouth to explore the toy. It is essential for sensory play and development. Because the toy has different textures, it makes it ideal for sensory play. Sensory play assists in developing your baby\’s senses, including touch, smell, and taste.
  3. Rolling car or bicycle. It helps in developing cognitive skills. This type of toy focuses on imaginary play and helps your baby start processing information, reasoning, and expressing emotions. The cause and effect are learned as they push the car or bicycle to let go. You can use simple commands like \”stop or go\” while playing with the toy. Cognitive skills will help your baby to learn how to understand and solve problems.
  4. Touch and feel learning toy board book. Board books are the best toys for encouraging language and speech development. You can assist them by using their hands to scribble letters on the board. You can also use their hands to point at pictures and explain what they mean, as this will sharpen their expressive language skills. Babies develop their language and speech skills at their own pace. Parents are usually happy when they heard their baby speak his or her first word. When you read and talk to your baby always, it will encourage the development of language skills.
  5. Sprout ware stacking cups. When your baby plays with a set of stacking cups, your baby will develop objects permanence skills. It is the skill that enables your baby to recognize that objects such as favorite toys, mom, or dad still exist even when they are out of sight. Toys that involve hiding will hasten the development of this skill.
  6. Basics snap-lock beads. Beads are usually versatile toys that enable kids to learn how to grasp, manipulate objects with the hands, push, and pull. This kind of toy is very portable to carry around at any time. This toy enables babies to develop their excellent motor skills, which are involved in the coordination and use of small muscles like the hands and wrists.
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Best Positions to Breastfeed Your Baby

Once your baby is born, she would need proper breastfeeding, and it can be done in several ways. You need to select the method that is most comfortable and best suit you. There is usually no right or wrong way to breastfeed your baby. As a mother, all you need do is to find a position that is best for you.

As your baby begins to grow, you need to start learning different techniques for breastfeeding. When you go out, the way you will breastfeed will be different from when you are in the house. 

Breastfeeding is a good opportunity to bond with your baby. It can be an enjoyable experience for you as well when your baby latches on your breasts.

Breastfeeding tips positions

No matter the breastfeeding position you choose, you need to be aware of certain things:

1. Remember that breastfeeding might take time, so you need to get everything you need close to you. If you need a drink, snack, TV remote, phone, or anything to make feeding comfortable for you, gather them close to you. In some instances, you might need to wee before you start breastfeeding so you won\’t need to get up in the middle of feeding.

2. No matter the breastfeeding position you choose, ensure that your baby is comfortable and well supported. The head, neck, and spine should not be twisted.

3. As the mother, make sure you are comfortable too. You can use pillows or cushions for back or arms support if needed for body support.  

4. Make sure your baby is latching correctly. A good latch shows comfortable breastfeeding.

5. If breastfeeding makes you sore, it means something is wrong. Perhaps you are not breastfeeding correctly. Consult a specialist who can help you ensure proper breastfeeding habits.

6. Support your breasts. As the breasts continue to fill up with milk, it becomes heavier. You can use your hand to support them while feeding. Keep your fingers away from the nipples and areola so that your baby doesn\’t suck on them instead.

7. Try to alternate between breastfeeding positions. It will help in the prevention of nipple soreness, clogged milk ducts, or breast infection.

8. Alternate between breasts. Offer the second breast when you feel that your baby has drained one breast. It will help in boosting milk production and prevent mastitis.

What are the best positions to breastfeed your baby? 

There are several breastfeeding positions. As a mother, you\’ll need to choose which one best suits you and your child. For first moms, you might need to learn breastfeeding skills. It will be necessary to know how to position and attach the baby in a way that makes him or her feed comfortably and suck sufficient milk.

Some of the positions include (but not limited to):

1. Cradle position. It is the most familiar breastfeeding position. In this position, the mother\’s arm provides support for the baby at the breast. The arms support the baby along the back and neck while the baby\’s head remains cradled near her elbow.

2. Cross cradle position. It is similar to the cradle position. There is a change in arm position here. The baby\’s body lies along your opposite forearms. This provides support for your baby around the neck and shoulders. It allows your baby\’s head to be tilted before latching. In this feeding position, you\’ll have control over your baby\’s positioning. Also, your opposite arms provide full support while you can use your free hand to cup your breast. This technique becomes easier as your baby grows older.

3. Side-lying position. The side-lying position is more comfortable for night feeding and breastfeeding in bed or on the sofa. Most times, it can be more comfortable if you\’re had undergone a Caesarean section than sitting while feeding. You will need to lie close to your baby\’s side, belly-to-belly. This also gives room for relaxing while feeding.

4. Nursing in a sling. It is convenient at times to feed your baby in a sling. When you are out or busy with other chores, this method is advisable. You can use all sorts of slings ranging from stretchy wraps, ring slings, or front carriers. This method is recommended if your baby can hold his or her head up alone and as an experienced breastfeeder. When using this method, ensure you can see your baby\’s face, and the chin is not pressed against his or her chest.

5. Football or clutch hold. It works more, especially if you had a Caesarean section and need to prevent placing your baby on or against your abdomen. Also, if you have large breasts, twins, or a premature baby, try this method. You will need to position your baby by your side while facing you. The legs are tucked under your arm (just like a football) on the same side of the breast you are nursing from. Still, on the same side, you use your hand to support your baby while the other hand is used to cup your breast.

6. Laidback position. It is helpful for mothers with small breasts. The laid-back position is useful for babies with very sensitive tummy or excess gas. It is done by leaning back on a bed or couch with a well-supported pillow and in a semi-reclining position. When your baby is put tummy to tummy onto your body with the head near your breast, this position will enable the firmness of your baby on you. Your baby rests on you in any direction so far he or she can reach your breast. You don\’t have to do much than relax once your baby is set at your breast.

7. The twin feeding position. If you are nursing twins, you might want to feed them separately. In case you have to feed them together, the football hold position can be adopted. The only difference is that both babies will be held in each arm.

8. Upright or koala breastfeeding. In this position, you have your baby sit upright facing you, and straddling across your knees. You will provide support on the same arm and side as the baby is feeding. Your other hand will be used to support your breast.

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