First Steps can help! We offer expert advice, visits and classes that will help you deal with the first years of looking after your baby or toddler.
First Steps can offer advice with: sleep problems, breast feeding, weaning, crying, development, behaviour and more! We’ll help you to adapt to your new parental role with as little stress as possible!
- Feel empowered and confident in your parenting role.
- Understand and become familiar with your baby’s behaviour and how to respond.
- Make informed decisions about the care of your baby.
- Learn to minimise uncertainty and trust your maternal instinct.
- Feel supported and confident with the guidance you receive.
Learn more about our services.
Contact us to learn more about our classes, home visits and phone consultations in your area.
At 7 months, babies go through a huge change in development. Being aware of some of these changes can help you manage this challenging stage of parenthood.
Normal changes you can expect from 7 months:
- Separation anxiety becomes apparent. When separated from you, your baby may cry. This is normal and healthy.
- Sleep patterns change. Night waking may start or become worse.
- Crying or calling out for attention starts and/or increases.
- Your baby may start testing your authority by refusing to follow your directions.
- Your baby’s recognition skills are becoming more apparent and he/she will be aware of your voice of authority and your tone may sometimes cause tears.
- Consistency is especially important at this age.
- It is important to implement precise and clear boundaries to avoid confusion.
If I had a dollar for every time a new parent said to me their baby doesn’t like to be wrapped I would be extremely rich! It is a common perception that babies appear to dislike it because of the way they behave whilst being wrapped or once they have been wrapped. They struggle, appear frustrated, cry or at the very least screw up their face and make grunting noises. In actual fact what you are witnessing is your baby starting to wind down and the settling process being set in motion. Consistent settling techniques will soon encourage your baby to settle.
Wrapping is very important for babies under 12 weeks and here are some reasons why you should wrap your baby:
- He/she will feel secure. Being wrapped firmly mimics the environment in the womb. This is why firm wrapping is even more important in the early weeks.
- He/she has involuntary movements or reflexes (moro reflex being one of them) when very young. Firm wrapping helps your baby switch these reflexes off. Helping him/her to settle.
- Firm wrapping minimises these reflexes waking your baby up during lighter sleeping cycles. If not wrapped he/she will startle themselves awake.
- It will become a healthy cue for sleep if used consistently.
How long should I wrap my baby?
Up to 3 months: Firmly with arms down, away from his/her face.
3 to 6 months: Looser with arms up. At this age babies are gaining more control over their movements. You will find they will use wrapping as a cue to sleep, get their arms out and still achieve good quality sleep.
6 months onwards: A sleeping bag is recommended. Still giving the cue to sleep, providing a feeling of warmth and security but allowing movement. You will witness your baby moving around the cot. Sleeping in various positions.
Did you know?……At birth your baby’s brain is not fully developed.
In the first six weeks babies behave in a very inconsistent way and they usually do not fit in to, what we would consider, a ‘normal‘ daily routine for many weeks after birth.
Enjoy this precious time instead of second guessing and trying to always ‘get it right’.
Read our article ‘Surviving the first six weeks‘, published on Parenting Australia. Know that the behaviors you are witnessing in your newborn baby are all normal and occur regardless of how good or how not so good you feel your parenting skills are.
First Steps classes will help you understand your baby.
Advantages for Baby:
- Breast milk is a ‘complete food’. For the first six months it contains everything nutritionally needed for your baby’s optimum health, growth and development
- It will satisfy your baby’s thirst and hunger. You will not need to offer any extra water
- It can decrease the chances of your baby contracting allergies or food intolerance’s as he/she grows and develops.
Continue reading Breastfeeding. The Healthy Option.
First Steps is offering a special price for group bookings made before the 31st July. $250 per group. This special price will be offered to group bookings of up to 10 participants.
What a great opportunity for mothers groups to gain invaluable advice regarding the growth and development of their babies. Presented by highly skilled mothercraft experts, this advice will empower you to cope with the daily demands of caring for your baby!
Continue reading Parenting advice clases – Group booking Special
