How to Raise a Happy Baby
The first six months are crucial to raising a happy baby. This is the time when your baby’s basic needs should be met. According to psychologist Maria Gartstein from Washington State University, a road map will help you guide your baby to a happy place. For example, your baby needs to learn to regulate their emotions and cues.
10 daily habits
As a parent, you can create a happy environment for your baby through simple daily habits. Infants are hardwired to bond with their parents, so it’s important to pay attention to their physical and emotional needs. You can foster this bond by interacting with them and singing to them, or simply talking to them.
You should also try to copy your baby’s sounds and gestures. You should be able to see them imitating you back. During the day, make the room bright and light. At night, keep the room dark and quiet. This will help your child learn to associate night with day.
Attachment parenting
Attachment parenting aims to create a secure connection between parent and child. It helps both parties learn to react appropriately to the baby’s signals. As a result, both parties develop trust and confidence in each other. Unlike other parenting styles, attachment parenting does not depend on specific parenting methods. All it takes is positive interactions with the child.
The most important part of attachment parenting is to establish a secure bond with the child. This involves nurturing the child’s sense of self and helping them communicate their feelings. This is crucial to building a strong and healthy nervous system. Insecure attachments can cause difficulties with learning later on.
Validating their emotions
Validating a child’s feelings is a great way to help them develop self-compassion. Children who have self-compassion are better able to handle adversity. Moreover, it will show them that you understand their feelings and will listen to them. While talking with a child, be sure to focus on him/her and avoid distractions. Remember that your child’s feelings are very real and must be respected.
As a parent, you should understand that children experience all types of feelings at different times. Your job is to help them understand that these emotions are natural and important. By validating their feelings, you will be able to create a strong bond between you and your child. Moreover, your child will have an increased confidence in handling negative feelings.
Free, unstructured play
Free, unstructured play is important for developing children. It allows them to learn, create, and explore. They are able to imagine and imitate actions that adults perform, and they can imagine and recreate ways to use objects. It is important for nannies and sitters to understand the importance of this type of play for a baby.
AAP recommends that parents provide one hour of free play for children each day. This is separate from structured activities, such as sports. Moreover, parents should limit the amount of time they spend watching television or playing other electronic devices. Parents should also avoid putting media in the room of babies under 2 years of age.