by Damian Papworth

Are you ready to be a father? The first year is always the toughest. It's incredibly challenging; but the rewards are well worth it. So, just what does it take to be the best dad you can be? If you're worried about navigating the ins and outs of fatherhood, don't. It may be hard at first, but a little love and care go a long way.

Of course, there are some incredibly hands on, practicable things you ought to know as a new father. Babies obviously aren't simply cute creatures who will be easy to handle. They cry an awful lot. In fact, babies may be finicky. They may cry for hours on end and often, at first especially, it can be hard to decipher the reasons why.

Babies sob and snivel for a huge variety of reasons. When you're a fresh, out of the box parent, so to speak, it can be quite difficult to figure out what to do and how to make it all better. It's times like that when you can feel overwhelmed and also unworthy of being a father. But don't let things like that get you down. It's all natural. Simply try your best; hold your child, comfort her (or him). Don't get caught up on all the rules.

There are no firm, set terms that are the be all and end all of parenting. There's no golden rule that will help you to become the best parent ever.

Being a good father simply takes some effort and a whole lot of TLC. Even if you're clueless or tend to be the more hands-off type, you can still become the father of the year with some practice.

The first few months are probably some of the toughest you'll know. Both you and your partner will be knackered. A new mother has a lot of work to do, what with feeding and tending to the new baby; but that doesn't mean that she has all the knowledge nor does it mean that she should bear the brunt of the work.

The most crucial aspect of being a father is to engage in team work. Don't simply hand off tasks that you don't know how to handle to your partner. Even if she offers to take up for your slack, hang in there, try to do it yourself. Most likely, both of you will be pretty clueless in the beginning, so take this initial period as a time for both of you to explore the joys of parenthood.

There will be a fair amount of fretting and worrying; taking care of a new baby is hard work, and it can be doubly stressing if it's your first time. Although you won't be perfect, everything takes practice, after all, don't let that fact overwhelm you.

Simply get involved. Don't sit out on the sidelines. Always make time for your children.

Spending quality time with your newborn child is crucial to developing a healthy relationship later on.

Damian Papworth is a dedicated father and husband. He recently took his wife shopping for women's shoes. He found some great information here on women's running shoes.

by Audrey Hegarty

Now that we are into November \ December, we can expect to see some grisly weather coming our way. There are stories being thrown about that this winter is set to be one of the coldest in history with night time temperatures to allegedly hit lows of -16. Not a typo I actually did say -16!! Who knows maybe Mr. Crosby's dreams will come true and we will have a white Christmas. This is all very well, but what about those little babies who have just left the warmth and security of their mother's womb, only to arrive in the cold winter world of torrid rain and biting winds and if we are to believe the gossip never before experienced cold snaps!

To prepare your baby for the cold days that are coming, I thought up of some tips for keeping your baby all cosy and warm this Christmas. The main thing we need to take into account is that we don't actually over heat the baby while trying to protect them. Babies can be very resilient in many different ways. They make look very vulnerable but we must be wary of over protecting them.

It's widely believed that its not cold weather that gives baby a cold, rather contact with people who have virus or infection. That doesn't mean that you have to hibernate until spring, rather avoid tightly crowded places for the first 3 months or so until baby has had a chance to strengthen his or her immune system.

It's probably best to avoid unnecessary close contact with persons who have a runny nose or appear to be snuffling greatly! It is best to keep baby's vaccines up to date also. Babies with underlying conditions or premature babies may need extra care, we recommend consulting with your health care practitioner in this case!

In terms of baby clothing your baby will need a pair of soft soled leather shoes or fur lined bootees. These baby shoes will keep a babies' foot warm and they will also prevent baby socks from falling off.

Visit Tiptoe Tots for great prices on baby shoes this winter. You can also purchase baby leggings and baby socks too.

Footnote: It is interesting to note that the UK and Europe are already receiving the heaviest snows in over a decade, and we're still not done with November just yet. Pundits are probably correct, this may well become a very cold winter. On this side of the world, we have the opposite to deal with. A hot summer and how to keep your baby in cool. Coughs and Colds in new born babies is still a worry, even in summer.

author Arthur Goldberry - editing Les Scammell

Many parents are concerned about how to teach their baby to walk. It seems to come naturally, and in a way it does. However, there are things you can do to prepare your baby for walking.

You know, babies don't just wake up one day and start walking. There is a natural progression from rolling over, sitting up, scooting, crawling, and then pulling up to walk. If you want to teach your baby how to walk, it will depend on how he/she masters those steps. It should also be remembered that some babies skip steps, or seem to take sometime to progress from one to the next - in most cases, this is normal.

Once your baby has become mobile, providing a safe environment in your home is very important. If you're going to teach your baby how to walk, you need to inspect your home for dangers in order to prevent your child from getting hurt on sharp corners, stairs, and ledges etc.

You could also be tempted to buy a walker from the store. They are great playthings but they do not teach your baby to walk. Some specialists believe they hold your baby back. Occasional use of a walker is harmless, so don't leave your baby in it for hours.

You may also be tempted to buy your baby the perfect pair of shoes when you're teaching him/her to walk. Recent research suggests that babies actually learn to walk better when they're not wearing shoes. Here's a little known tidbit - babies are born without kneecaps. It is not until they are around 12 months that knee caps start to form. So initially, baby will be trying to walk without those knee caps and shoes can put pressure on the knees. When baby first starts to walk, watch them, they will be on tip toes rather than flat feet. Shoes interfere with this and so slow down the child's ability to learn to walk.

So save your money and teach your baby to walk without those pretty little shoes. If you want your child to wear shoes, just be aware that they won't make it easier for your baby to walk. Follow a few simple rules of thumb. When you teach your baby to walk, you must make sure that his shoes are going to help instead of hurt. Try looking for shoes that have soles that are flat and flexible. Pass up the high-tops and go for a shoe that allows your baby's ankle to move. You should frequently check your baby's shoe size if you want to make sure he/she hasn't outgrown them.

When it comes to teaching your baby how to walk, one of the most important things you can do is encourage their every achievement. Balance and coordination can be developed by playing physical games and toys that promote dexterity. Toys that allow your baby to push or pull are excellent to teach your baby to walk. You can also play by kicking and throwing balls. With the help of these activities, your baby can also achieve balance and eye-hand coordination.

Just have fun! Enjoy the process and try not to push your baby too hard.

by Neil Taylor

Growing up is something that, if we're being honest, starts at conception. In almost no time at all a baby goes from a ball of rapidly dividing cells to the beginnings of a human being with rudimentary lungs, a brain and a pumping heart. There are only forty weeks from conception to independent life. Even after birth the changes happen quickly-personalities and decision making seem to happen almost at once. You probably already know a little bit about babies-things like diaper changes and how long it takes babies to begin speaking are pretty common knowledge. Here are some interesting tidbits and trivia about infants that you might have fun learning.

Early childhood development is an amazing subject. Learning about the way a baby goes from his infancy to manhood will astound you. The fact is that there is a lot more to a baby that initially meets the eye. Babies are far more complex than people think. They have their own sets of wants and needs that must be met to ensure that they develop properly. There is a lot more to infancy than meets the eye. Being a parent is easier if you understand what is going on as your child grows from baby to small kid to teenager and onward.

Did you know that babies are not good at perceiving the differences in colors very well? A baby's eyes are still developing when she is born and the synapses between and her eyes and her brain are not yet mature. This is one of the reasons why babies respond better to primary colors whey they are used in a room or on toys. Bold and bright colors like reds and greens and blues or even white and black are the easiest colors for babies to see. In the eyes of a baby, a lot of pastel colors look pretty much the same.

A baby is not born with a solid skull. This is why it is so important for adults to be careful when handling a newborn's head. The "soft spot" is soft for a reason and not being careful around it could cause quite a bit of damage to your child's development! You will be glad to know that the soft spot stops being so sensitive and soft within a few months. It can take as long as a year and a half for the frontal plates of your baby's skull to harden, so don't assume that the worst is over when the soft spot calcifies together. Most babies have the ability to recognize different types of music before they are born. Different songs can be recognized by the time an infant is thirty four weeks along. That means that this happens more than a month before the baby is born! Some women say that they will sometimes feel their babies moving to the rhythm of some music. So music appreciation really does happen "even before you were born"! Isn't that amazing?

Most babies are born knowing instinctively how to swim and how to hold their breath. This is also something that your baby will rapidly forget as well. This is one of the reasons many experts are in favor of women having water births. Swimming from the womb into life is supposed to make the transition of being born less traumatic for the infant. These experts say that being born into water helps ease the transition of birth and makes it less traumatic than the process they'd face by being born in a "traditional" hospital birth.

You know about babies growing tails right? It is absolutely true! In addition to immediately beginning to build major organs, your baby will also start to form a tail during the first few weeks after conception.

While we all know that babies cry to signal distress or the need for some form of attention, you might not know that a baby does not cry tears until he or she is a few weeks old. When a person gets stressed he or she secretes a hormone that is only found in tears. This is one of the reasons that stress makes people cry: the body forces the stress induced hormones out of the body to calm itself down. Babies are not able to make this hormone before they are born. It can take some infants a few weeks to begin producing this hormone and real tears. It takes other babies a few months to begin producing the hormone and crying real tears. Babies are really fun to learn about. We have yet to figure out just how quickly babies learn and by what process they retain those things. There is, however, a universal consensus on just how wonderful it is to watch babies grow up: they change every single day!

There are vast quantities of facts about babies that most people are unaware of. Early childhood development is amazing. Learning what is going on with your baby as he grows up will make the process even more rewarding.

by James Lunden

When you and your partner get the exciting news that you're expecting a baby, there are many things to consider. This will be an emotional time, filled with exciting milestones and decisions. Getting everything ready for baby will be fun and exciting for both parents. From baby showers to birth plans, there is much to consider when it comes to getting ready for your new bundle of joy.

Once you get the official word that you are expecting a baby, it's time to start preparing for her arrival. Picking out a name, choosing a design theme for the nursery, and buying adorable clothes for baby are just a few of the thrilling things that you'll be doing in the months leading up to baby's arrival.

For many parents, picking out the name can be one of the most fun experiences. From family names to funky and unusual names, there are so many options to consider. It is also a thrill to start preparing the nursery for baby. Choosing the perfect theme, buying all the furniture, and decorating the nursery are important parts of getting ready for baby.

It's also fun to start buying clothes when expecting a baby. Finding the perfect outfit for her to wear home from the hospital is one of the many important decisions to be made as the due date approaches. The birthing plan is also a major preparation in getting ready for baby. Making sure there is a baby shower to take care of all the things you need for your new bundle of joy can be helpful as well.

As you get closer to meeting your baby for the first time, it can be a very emotional time. Expecting a baby is one of the most important times in your life, so it's a good idea to cherish all the moments leading up to her arrival.

by James Lunden

Having a new baby is an exciting and overwhelming experience. From sleepless nights to midnight feedings, most parents don't get much sleep. With most newborns sleeping up to 20 hours a day, parents are faced with frequent feedings and short periods of rest. This is only made worse in the case of their baby not sleeping. There are many things that can cause baby to have trouble sleeping, so it's important to know the causes so you can take care of the problem of sleeplessness.

There are certain ailments that can cause sleeplessness in babies. Ear infections are common causes of discomfort in babies and can lead to baby not sleeping. Getting to a doctor right away is important if you suspect an ear infection. There are other infections that might be a problem for a new baby.

Urinary tract infections are relatively common in babies as well. Being aware of the symptoms of problems like this can help baby sleep better and be healthier. Milk allergies are also common problems that can cause discomfort in babies and therefore sleeplessness.

Other problems that might lead to babies not sleeping could be things like acid reflux, fever, respiratory infections, and snoring or breathing problems. Being aware of the amount of sleep a baby should get at various stages of growth is a good way to be aware of abnormal sleep patterns. Making sure to resolve any sleep problems as soon as you notice them is important to baby's health and overall well being.

From ear infections to acid reflux, there are many things that can lead to baby not sleeping. Being aware of any irregularities and seeing your physician are important parts of keeping your baby happy and healthy. Most sleep disturbances are nothing to be alarmed about and will be resolved on their own, but it's a good idea to be aware of any changes in the sleeping habits of your baby.

by Wriley Baker

It's always a big deal when you're sending your baby off to daycare. You find yourself leaving your baby in the care of strangers even if they are qualified strangers. It means that you could miss some precious hours of your baby's life. However, if you're a working mom, you know that returning to work can be rewarding as well as necessary to sustain your family's quality of life.

When you're properly prepared for this type of situation it can really make a difference in the quality of the experience. Once you know that you have provided everything you can to make your baby's daycare experience a happy successful one then you can rest easy with the confidence that your baby will have all that he or she needs. There are things that you can do as a parent to get your baby ready for daycare.

One of the first most important things you can do is become familiar with the policies and procedures required by the daycare. Most daycares provide a manual for new clients explaining the basics. Usually there is a section the talks about whether or not meals are provided, where to park, important security details and the daycare's hours. In addition to that information there might be information on how to label bottles and food, times when it is appropriate to keep your child at home, and the daycare's disciplinary policies. Be sure to ask any questions by your child's first day.

It is imperative that you know the phone number for your daycare's main office, the phone number for your child's room and his room assignment. Should the director of the daycare have his or her own extension or phone number it is a good idea to keep that number handy or saved with other important contact information just in case you need to discuss a problem with them that can't be worked out directly with the teacher.

The day care may also give you a list of essential items to bring with your baby on their first day. It could include items such as blankets, bibs, a pacifier, extra premised formula or breast milk, diapers and wipes. By having these items packed and ready you will have one less thing to worry about on the first day. Luckily all of the items your baby might need can be found at Babies R Us. They've got everything from diapers and bibs to toys and formula.

Make sure to finalize last minute details. Once you're a week or so away from your child's first day of daycare, review materials that have been provided to make sure that you have completed all of the necessary paperwork. The paperwork could include verification of required immunizations, a doctor's note for required medications or authorization for emergency medical transportation. It would be in your best interested to have this paperwork completed and submitted before the first day in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

by Kelly Nixon

Midwifery has been a popular job that provides health care to pregnant women makes it a rewarding experience and a widely sought career. The salaries vary depending on the experience and is very competitive. Midwives are hired by pregnant women who opt to have their baby born at home in comfort and privacy. Let's learn more about the roles of a midwife.

Midwives in general takes care of pregnant women. Midwives are there to assist pregnant women all through out the pregnancy and even after the baby is born. This means the midwife must attend to her patient when she is in labor until she delivers a child.

The prenatal period is also a part of the pregnancy that midwives help women. As the woman waits for her time to deliver a baby, one major task of a midwife is to provide the necessary assistance and care to her patient. She must make sure her patient learns how to take of herself to avoid miscarriage and other problems.

A midwife does not only take care of the pregnant woman but also to the newborn child. Before and after the birth, a midwife is expected to monitor the condition of the baby so she can give necessary medications for the pregnant mother or the baby. She should also help educate the parents about how to breast feed and baby sit and all the other stuff that parents need to know.

After the birthing process, the least task of every midwife is to give advice and information to both parents. It is mostly information regarding nutrition and how to take care of the baby that she offers to the parents in order for the newborn to be taken well cared for.

You have just read the different roles that a midwife has. A midwife not just helps during the delivery but in educating the parents and the people about what to do before and after the delivery as well. Midwives can be trusted in their expert professional skills for assisting you during labor and delivery

by James Lunden

Calming a fussy baby can sometimes be easier said than done. Most times fussiness is a direct result of hunger, or discomfort from excess gas that results from not burping your baby properly. There are other times when your baby seems to cry and squirm for no good reason at all.

When you're attempting to calm your fussy baby, remember that there are no cure-all tricks that work all the time, without fail. Some parents will come to find that one special trick works 95% of the time on their infant, but there will always be times when you just have to try everything until something eventually does the trick (or they get tired of being fussy).

Things that can help:

Running a vacuum cleaner, or hair dryer - Some parents have a hard time accepting this as an option, as both are extremely noisy and loud noise tends to wake babies rather than calm them. The fact is either can work marvelously and may work for you.

Having a large variety of soothers, rattles, stuffed animals, carousels, etc. - This is an obvious suggestion, but the more variety you have the better. What works one time, may not work the next. On the same note: What didn't work on your fussy baby last time they acted out, may very well calm them now. Think of it in terms of having a variety of tools to get the job done.

Sing to your baby - Start of singing quietly, in a gentle and soothing tone of voice. If that doesn't work, don't be afraid to raise your voice. While you don't want to yell at your baby, they may find a louder voice more soothing, so don't be timid about raising the volume a little.

Burp them gently - This is in case your infant still has some gas from their last feeding. Excessive gas can cause a great deal of discomfort for your baby.

Watch The Clock

If your baby continues to be fussy for several hours, with no end in sight, it would be a good idea to take them to the hospital to make sure everything is OK. While you don't want to jump to conclusions, prolonged fussy behavior may indicate the need for a thorough check up.

by Byron Jonas

What an exciting time for new parents! Your new baby has arrived and you want to enjoy every moment of his development. Keeping him safe is a big part of that enjoyment. Here are ten tips to help you along the way.

Inspect the crib for safety

Many hours will be spent in the crib so it is imperative that it is safe. The spaces between the slats should be no more than two and three eighths inches wide. This is about the width of a soda can. Spaces that are wider can allow baby's head to slide through them and become trapped, causing possible strangulation. Also, make sure the crib mattress fits snugly around the edges so that little legs and arms cannot get wedged in between the mattress and the walls of the crib.

Schedule regular visits to his pediatrician

Baby should begin visiting her pediatrician at about two weeks of age. The doctor will check her growth and weight gain as well as physical development. Immunizations will be discussed, as will nutrition.

Heat bottles in warm water, don't use the microwave

Microwaves do not heat evenly. They create hot spots in the formula or breast milk that could scald your baby's mouth and also destroy nutrients. Heat the bottle in tepid water instead. It takes longer but it is much safer.

Don't leave toys in his crib

An infant does not yet know how to move away from a toy that has become pushed up against his face. Although the toy may be soft and inviting, it can cause suffocation. It's best to take them out of the crib, especially when your child is sleeping.

Never turn your back on an infant on a changing table, couch, or bed

When changing your baby's diaper, turning away for even a second can have terrible results. Babies who have not yet turned over on their own can suddenly figure this out and flip before you can catch them. Pick baby up if you have to reach for a diaper or a cotton swab. Don't take any chances.

Use a car seat especially made for infants

New babies should ride in a car seat that is made especially for infants. These seats have proper head support for newborns . It is important that you also face the seat backwards and learn to strap it in correctly.

Make a regular inspection of his toys

Make sure there are no small parts that could break off and become lodged in their throat. Also look for sharp edges and peeling paint. Fuzzy toys can shed and cause fibers to be inhaled, so check the stuffed animals also for shedding fur or loose stitching.

Keep an eye on pets

Pets can become confused when a new little life enters their world. The celebration and changes in their schedule could make them anxious. Never leave baby alone with a pet. Even the most loved and obedient animal can act unpredictably.

Keep small objects out of reach

A baby's natural instinct will be to put things in her mouth. If small items are within reach, this could cause a choking hazard. Watch what she picks up and be prepared to act quickly!

Don't let him wear clothing that is too tight or constrictive

Clothing that is rubbing on soft, tender skin can irritate and cause rashes and discomfort. Little socks can become tight around the cuffs as her legs grow. Check often to make sure there are no tight elastic bands or rough edges on her clothing.

Having a great start in life will be a bit easier if you follow these tips towards the health and safety of your new baby.