Happy Days » Baby’s Devlopment

We asked paediatric dietician, Kath Megaw for her advice on Picky Eaters. Picky eating is such a broad term and something that may mean different things for different people. So what actually is a picky eater? • A picky eater is a child who will have a decreased range of foods but still eat quite a variety. • Foods are eaten for a while and then lost due to ‘burn out’ and then often regained after a break from that food. • Picky eaters are often able to tolerate new foods on their plates even if they won’t eat them but will be selective about what they choose to taste...

The start of a new year is a time for making changes and new starts. As parents we often look for ways to do things better and improve on our parenting skills. The pressure is immense to be a great parent. As a full mom of three and part time baby scientist, I regularly consider what should be prioritised as key elements to ensure a baby’s optimal development. Now, before I tell you what I think the top 5 fundamentals are, I want to preface my ideas by focusing on what makes for healthy emotional development in infants. Firstly, enhancing optimal development involves specific interactions or...

  Most babies start to sit at around 6 months of age and so begins a relatively peaceful window in the first year. Most babies are fairly content to sit and play. Sitting gives your baby more control over his world and an interesting vantage point from which to interact.   After the lull of the 6 to 9 month period, when your little one seemed more manageable, arrives the 9 to 18 month period.  This is without question the busiest and most exhausting time for parents. Your little one beings to crawl and move and with this activity comes danger – a little one who is into everything...

“…your baby can only benefit optimally from stimulation when it is balanced, varied and meaningful and occurs at a time when he can best utilize the sensory input..” Stimulation is important for brain development – of that we are sure. The connections (synapses) that are made between brain cells are vital for development. For example a connection in the language part of the brain will result in understanding of speech or in speech itself. Connections are mainly made between brain cells in the presence of stimulation...

Almost any mom will admit that she wants her baby to be one of the clever ones - a smart little chap. We know life is easier for bright and clever people. For this reason as parents we invest time and energy in ensuring that our baby develops optimally and is well stimulated. Research is constantly looking at the key influences on intelligence. Timothy Taylor, PhD, in his book The Artificial Ape, published in July 2010, looks at the inventions that changed the course of human development. As we know, human babies are born less mature than almost any other mammal on earth and their survival depends on...