A bed is better to be placed in a warm, and light place, but not by a window or central heater or electric radiators. A baby should have fresh air, but it is necessary to avoid draughts. Many mothers move their babies' beds closer to their own ones. It is pointless. Of course, if mother wants she can keep the baby next to her in the first weeks. However you will start to wake up after the baby's slightest move, and disturbed sleep will negatively tell on the quality of mother milk.
The bed should be flat and rigid, as the baby's backbone doesn't have natural curvatures yet. Feather, fluff, cotton wool, foam-rubber are absolutely unsuitable for a mattress. These materials are too soft. Moreover they contribute to overheating of a baby. It is better to use algae, shavings or bast as mattress filler. Within the first months a baby doesn't need a pillow. Later he or she will need a small semi-rigid flat pillow, made of a material that absorbs moisture well.
It is better to hang up quite thick window curtains. It is undesirable that direct sunlight falls on a sleeping baby, Air temperature in a room should be not higher than 22 - 23 Celsius. Wall-paper should be of calming tones, for example chlorine, hazel, with little and low-key pattern.
Toys. One shouldn't buy a baby toys made of cloth or plush. Dust accumulates in such toys and it is impossible to wash them. The size of toys should make it impossible for a baby to swallow them. Besides the edges of toys shouldn't be sharp, for a baby not to hurt himself. Choose bright, multicoloured and various in shape toys for your baby. Don't give too many toys at once. There won't be any use of it. Attention of your baby will switch from one toy to another, and he will feel tired too quickly, and such a game won't advance his imagination. Therefore it is better to give him or her only one toy and only some time after another one.
Look after your baby's nails. Infants' nails grow very quickly, and if not to pare them timely, they can break or turn down. A baby who moves his hands and legs actively may scratch himself. Nails should be pared every 2 or 3 days, with scissors with blunt ends. It is necessary to pare nails very carefully so as not to disturb a baby. The most proper time for paring is after bathing.
The main aim of massage with children under one year old is not only strengthening of health, but also contributing to timely appearance and development of motion capabilities. Massage promotes vessel dilation, better blood and lymph circulation, calming before sleep. After massage skin becomes flexible and elastic. Resistive capacity to temperature and other harmful impacts increases. Massage strengthens all the musculoskeletal system.
Massage techniques are better to be watched first and then used in practice. Apply to a specialist. Knowledge will add confidence. However, you should remember that before starting massage you should consult with your doctor.
Massage exerts overall influence on a baby's organism. It is carried out with prophylactic and hygienic purposes. It is also done in case of any deviations in state of health or physical growth and development, for instance: dysfunction of backbone, full-blown muscle weakness and ligamentous laxity.
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