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Development FAQ: 12-18 months – Learning
My 15mth son has begun to clamp his mouth shut when it is time to brush his teeth. I am beginning to dread getting my son ready for bed as he just refuses to have his teeth brushed. He will open his mouth for me and then clamps tightly shut onto the brush and wont let me do a thing. He thinks it is hilarious and shakes his head from side to side with a big grin on his face. When he first began to do this I did laugh with him but now I am not sure how to get him to stop this each and every evening. I…
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Development FAQ: 6-12 months – Other Advice
Could I manage a new puppy along with my 7-month-old? We have just moved to a house in the countryside. Our neighbours have offered us a puppy from their forthcoming litter which we are thrilled about, as I long for a dog. Our son Tom is 7 months now and is a happy, contented baby. He is still not yet mobile in any way, spending much of his time on a play mat on the kitchen floor. Are we taking on too much to consider having a puppy in the house in about two months? What are the problems we might face as Tom becomes more mobile? Having a puppy…
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Development FAQ: 6-12 months – Other Advice
What are the dangers of rough play with a 10-month-old? What are the dangers of rough play with a ten-month-old? My husband likes to play with James in a very physical way, which leaves me unable to watch. I have told him of the dangers of flipping James’ neck too much, but James seems to love it and will cling to his father’s legs begging for more. Is rough play just a father/son thing? There are some dangers in rough play with babies, but if both baby and father enjoy such times then, given a few guidelines, there is no reason to stop your husband. In fact, babies and small…
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Development FAQ: 6-12 months – Behaviour
My 8.5mth daughter has started to become very clingy to me despite going to nursery twice a week My 8.5mth daughter has just started to become very clingy towards me. If she knows I am in the room she will whinge until I pick her up but isn’t a cuddly baby. She loved sitting with her dad when he gets home from work whilst I go into the kitchen to prepare dinner but this past week she has screamed as soon as I walk out of the lounge. Also, my husband takes her to bed and always brings her into the kitchen to say goodnight. She has also just started…
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Development FAQ: 6-12 months – Behaviour
My daughter of 6mths screams whenever we go into shops. What can I do? My baby hates any sort of shops. She is fine in the pram out and about but really screams in any shop. The supermarket was the first place, so I tried the supermarket with the pram but that still didn’t help. I always make she that she has had a good sleep before we go anywhere from home but this still doesn’t help. It makes my day very boring as I can’t go anywhere. She also seems grumpier when at other people’s houses; she can cry all the time I am there and be perfectly content…
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Development FAQ: 6-12 months – Behaviour
What should I be doing to help my 11mth son who has had a few changes recently and is far less settled? My son was previously a perfect Gina baby, sleeping well for all naps and eating well. We moved house 2 months ago, I started work 1 month ago. My son started to become more unsettled. Now he always wakes crying and screaming whereas he used to chatter in his cot. He jumps up and down in cot in anger until we pick him up. Usually we control cry for at least 45mins in morning. We never bring him out of cot before 6.30am which is a fine time…
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Development FAQ: 6-12 months – Behaviour
At 8.5 months old my son is crawling fast and into everything Although I was excited when my son began to crawl at 7.5 months, I had no idea how much chaos he would begin to cause. I seem to be constantly tidying up and putting back the books and videos he pulls from the lower shelves. I don’t want to keep saying no to him but the house always seems to look a mess and it really gets me down at times. How do I balance his need for freedom and my need for some domestic order? Once a baby learns to crawl it is quite amazing to see…
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Development FAQ: 6-12 months – Learning
What type of toys should I give my 9-month-old baby ? What toys should my 9 month old be playing with? We have a basket full of rattles and soft-shaped contrast toys which I think she is bored with now. I look in the shops and think most things look either too difficult or too easy for her. How do I know if a toy will help her development? Should I look for toys marked with her age now or for a few months time? Can you give me an idea of how I should play with her? To a nine month old everything she handles is a toy. Watch…
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Development FAQ: 0-6 months – Other Advice
How do I keep memories of my baby’s first year? I am expecting my first baby in a few weeks. I know the days will be busy but want some ideas of how to keep the memories of the first year in an interesting way, which we can look back on and maybe pass onto our child. The first few weeks and months certainly pass quickly with a new baby. There are plenty of baby record books on the market and you may consider keeping one but to make your memories more personal plan to keep a memory box. Start now before your baby is born. Buy a box file…
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Development FAQ: 0-6 months – Other Advice
Is there an ‘ideal’ age gap between first and second children? When would you recommend having our second child? Is there an ‘ideal’ age gap? Our first baby is now five months old. There is no simple answer to this question as everyone’s personal situation will be different. Before deciding when to try to have your second baby you will need to think about the pros and cons of having a smaller gap against having a larger one. Some factors to consider are your age, whether you conceived easily with your first (not something that can be relied upon) and your personal circumstances as regards finances, housing, family support and…