Bringing a new baby into the house can mean sleepless nights for everyone. When exhaustion sets in, it’s possible to forget some of the basic safety rules for baby sleep. Here are some common situations to avoid:

Babies should sleep on their backs.
Studies have found that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is tied to babies sleeping on their stomache or side, so make sure to put your baby down on his back.

Don’t put babies to sleep in parents bed.
It’s tempting to bring your baby to bed with you, but the risk of rollover accidents make this a dangerous situation.  The safest route is putting baby to sleep in a crib.

Don’t let babies sleep where they fall asleep.
If your baby falls asleep on a couch, on the floor or in some other unprotected place, don’t leave her there.  Even if you’re afraid of waking her up, pick her up and move here to her crib.  The risks of an accident are too great otherwise.

Buy flame retardant sleepwear.
Your baby is unprotected in case of fire.  Wearing flame retardant sleepwear provides some measure of protection.

Remember these safety rules and before too long you and your baby will be getting a good night’s sleep.

All parents keep an eye out for the important developmental milestones in their baby’s life. The first time baby rolls over, crawls and walks are all noted.  BabyCenter.com has listed some additional milestones to look out for.

- Babies begin to have 3D vision from age 3 to 4 months.
- Babies experience their first real laugh between 4 and 5 months.
- Babies recognize and respond to their name at age 5 to 8 months.
- Most children first learn to pump on a swing at age 4 to 5 years.

See the complete list at BabyCenter.

See the full artcle here.

Family outings are a great way to introduce your baby and toddler to the world. It may sound like a lot of work to get the stroller into the car, along with all the things you need for feedings and diaper changes, but the time spent away from home is a great break for everyone.

You don’t have to go to an expensive theme park or other attraction to have fun. Sometimes just a walk through a local park or shopping center can be a wonderful experience with your baby and toddler. Other good locations for low-key family outings are nature preserves, museums and libraries. If you want to raise children who love books, take them to the library early and often.

Here are some tips for outings with baby.
• Plan ahead, but be flexible. Be prepared to leave early if children get tired or to spend more time in one location if everyone’s enjoying it.
• Bring along some snacks and drinks. Young children can become fussy very quickly when hungry, so don’t rely on finding a place to eat when hunger strikes.
• Avoid long car trips. Children will enjoy the outing more if you can get there quickly.
• Relax and enjoy the time with your family. Create some special memories of these years which fly by so quickly!