Your baby's milestones are monumental, but how can you remember them all when new achievements take the spotlight? Because babies change so much in the first years of life, it's helpful to have a method of tracking new accomplishments — whether by special calendars, apps, or even videos. To help you find the perfect solution, here are 10 simple yet lasting ways to cherish these memories.
Your baby's first birthday is cause for celebration! It's “the biggest birthday and milestone [she] will have,” declares Circle of Moms member Sherri C. But whether you choose to commemorate the day with an intimate family gathering, a mega-party, or something in between, planning and hosting an event on top of everything else you're doing as the parent of a baby can be stressful. To help, Circle of Moms members offer four tips on hosting a first birthday party that's fun and stress-free.
1. Keep Your Baby's Needs in Mind
Whether you hold a large or intimate gathering, “For a first birthday I would keep it short and simple,” says Kara B. She specifically suggests scheduling the event to accommodate baby’s nap time, and many Circle of Moms members agree, as babies often get overwhelmed by loud crowds and can get cranky as a party goes on.
“K.I.S. (keep it simple) is my motto,” says member Laurel M., noting it’s okay to throw a party without a theme. She typically makes a cake and spaghetti to keep costs down, and party attendees have a good time just hanging out together. “Cake, gifts, hot dogs, friends and family. That's all kids really need,” she explains.
2. Make it Personal
Incorporating your family and cultrual tradtions into the celebration will make it more meaningful and memorable for everyone who attends — including your child, who may one day look back at photos of the event. For a Hawaiin member named Khara, this means throwing a party that's so large that it may have to be held in a hotel ballroom. As she explains, first birthday celebrations in her home state have been shaped by history: “When the ‘white man’ first came to and gave [native Hawaiians] the common cold, it killed many babies. It was rare when a baby made it to their first birthday back then, so it was a big deal," worthy of a big celebration.
For other moms, baby's first birthday conincides with another tradition: the christening. The party Gail B. intends to throw will be a “joint celebration” of the two milestones.
Meanwhile, moms like And Kristen K. and Kara B. suggest starting your own traditions. Kristen is holding a joint birthday party for her baby and his cousin, to bring her extended family together. And Kara is asking guests to make a donation to an animal shelter that is “near and dear to their hearts” in lieu of bringing gifts for her son, and to sign a photo keepsake that will become his when he's older.
3. Take Lots of Pictures
Pictures are one of the most important elements to a first birthday party because they make the celebration live on, even for the guest of honor, who otherwise won’t remember the event! “My boys love to look through all their [birthday] pictures and want to see how much they changed, what the themes were, who was there, what there cake was, etc.,” says Sherri C.
"The pictures and getting together with everyone [are] what it’s all about, big or small,” concurs Nickole P. And Kara adds that “Smash the cake" photos are always fun and cute to look back on.
4. Provide Activities for Small Guests
A baby’s first birthday party is often geared toward adults rather than children, observes Laura B. Nevetheless, if there will be children other than the birthday baby at the event, it's helpful to have age-appropriate activities to entertain them. Laura’s son’s party will feature a bouncy house, slip-n-slide, and a big sprinkler for the older kids. Another member, Ann S., is blowing up a small, inflatable pool in which younger party attendees can splash and blow bubbles.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what kind of party activities you provide, what food you serve, or how many guests you invite to your baby’s first birthday, as long as you're comfortable with your party plans. As Kristen K. says, “It’s your baby, your money, your time, your effort. Do it how you want to.”
(For another perspective on first birthday parties, read Why It's Okay Not to Celebrate Your Baby's First Birthday.)
What are you planning for your baby's first birthday?
Image Source: Indy Charlie via Flickr/Creative Commons
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.
I always wanted a baby. When my son was born, I had no idea what else would arrive all wrapped up in that goo-smeared swaddling blanket. Apparently I didn’t just have a little boy, a lot of fluid, and a placenta in there; I also had lofty ambitions to do everything better than anyone else ever has for their baby, ever, not to mention...
...The ability to bounce-shhhhh a kid to sleep while teetering on the brink of mental collapse.
...Expectations that others would know what I needed, even when I didn’t.
...A seriousness that would dissolve my sense of humor for at least three full months.
...Boobs that became the size of my head, yet strained to feed a baby properly.
...A need to photograph my child’s every other blink.
...A deep love for my husband for giving me this gift. A deep hate for my husband for not doing everything exactly as I wanted it to be done the first time, every time.
...An appreciation for Boppys that bordered on indecent.
Every single thing about me — my life, my marriage, every relationship I had, whether with my mom or my doorman — changed in an instant. My life was no longer mine. It was ours.
Dealing with this concept is a bit much when you are simultaneously dealing with episiotomy stitch pain and trying to keep a tiny new human alive. I wish there had been a guide tucked somewhere up in there, too, to help with all this. It was just so much. So much all at once. Saying it was overwhelming is like saying “Hey, air is pretty cool to have around.”
I plugged along, I furrowed my brow, my husband tolerated my crazy, our kid gained weight and after a few months I actually slept more than 45 minutes in a row.
Then one day, as I was changing him in the bedroom, my beautiful baby boy smiled at me...and pooped in a spray that arced up to the ceiling, painting it a lovely shade of breastfed.
And I laughed!
I laughed so hard I cried. I cried and I cried and I Googled 'how to wash poop off a white ceiling,' and I told my husband all about it. When I was done, my shoulders settled, and I realized that as hard as it all was, I had created someone who could poop on the ceiling. What could possibly be more awesome than that? I must have been doing something right if my baby could do circus tricks already. So I decided to relax, to go a little easier on myself.
Which made all the challenges of being a new mom a little bit easier.
Image Source: K. Bongiorno
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.
Your baby's first birthday is coming up. Plenty of parents make a big production out of the milestone. So “is it wrong if you’re not throwing a first birthday party?” Circle of Moms member Terrie R. wonders. “My daughter's first birthday is tomorrow and we didn't make any plans for a first birthday party or anything,” she frets.
Kristel, another member with a soon-to-be one-year-old, is a little more resolute. "What is the real reason for putting out all this money into a child's first birthday?" she wonders.
If you're approaching your baby's first birthday with questions like Terrie's and Kristel's, rest assured. Here, Circle of Moms share five reasons why you needn't throw a big first birthday bash.
1. Your Baby Won’t Remember It
“I must admit I think it's pretty pointless having a party for a child’s first birthday, as they don't remember it,” says Michelle B. Her daughters didn’t have their first “proper” party until they were in pre-school and made friends of their own.
2. The Money is Better Spend on Other Things
Kristel, the member who voiced concerns about the expense of throwing a big party for her baby daughter, feels that the money would be better spent elsewhere, like on "her education, or her next birthday party, [one] she would remember."
Rashmi R. and a member who calls herself "Phoenix Rising" agree. They both point out that it’s actually smarter to save the money for a big bash when your child is old enough to remember the festivities. After all, when she's in school, she will insist on celebrating her birthday with a party because all of her friends are doing so.
3. The Party Isn't Really for the Baby
To be honest, the first birthday party is more for adults than the kids, says Nicky. It’s really the parents, grandparents and friends who are celebrating, not the birthday baby, says Erin C. This is why first birthday parties typically wind up feeling like a picnic or barbecue with friends and family, rather than a kid’s party, as Jodi observes.
4. Crowds Overwhelm Babies
Big parties are also notorious for upsetting the birthday baby, who may get tired as the party goes on, or may get upset with all the people surrounding her, says Eva D. Many moms agree with her that 1-year-olds typically can’t handle big crowds.
Catherine R., for one, threw a first birthday party for her eldest son and says he didn’t enjoy it at all. “He wanted to just do his normal, everyday routine and play with his new toys,” she shares. When her second son turned one, she just took him out for lunch with his uncles and grandparents. This way of celebrating was so much better that she's now planning the same type of outing for her third son’s first birthday.
5. There Are Better Ways to Commemorate the Day
As Catherine's story illustrates, there are many good ways other than parties to acknowledge the milestone of your baby's first birthday. Zoe K. recalls that she and her daughter had a fun, unplanned adventure together, chasing a snowstorm and stopping in at different cafes along the way. Darling P. is taking her family on a vacation. And Ali W. recommends simply making sure to capture your child on camera doing something cute or even just eating a single cupcake, so that you preserve a memory of her special day for a photo album.
After all, says Jessica B., the most important thing about the first birthday is not the party but rather the acknowledgment of “how truly blessed you are to reach this milestone,” and that your child is “healthy and beautiful."
Image Source: Jerad Hill Photographer via Flickr/Creative Commons
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.
It's party time! Throughout her pregnancy, mama celebrated little milestones on her journey to meeting her tot — feeling a first flutter, seeing a first kick, etc. Once her lil one enters the world, there are endless markers to observe — each worthy of its own mini celebration. Here are 10 milestones worthy of smiling about during your baby's first six weeks.
Source: Thinkstock
Haircuts are very personal, at any age. But your child's first haircut might pose issues that you can't anticipate. Some babies don't even seem to notice, while others scream as if they're being injured.
My son didn't have a ton of hair when he was born, and what he had was very wispy, so it was impossible to wait beyond the 18-month mark to cut it and not have him walk around with a mullet look. I wasn't nervous at all; he'd seen the "Baby Bear Gets a Haircut" episode of Sesame Street and laughed with glee every time Papa Bear sat in the big barber's chair for a demo. Yet when it came to his own first haircut, my son screamed bloody murder as if he were being forced against his will — despite the fact that we'd gone to great lengths to find a kid-friendly stylist with the gentlest manner imaginable and complete with videos at the cutting station.
No matter. And no matter that we went to the farmer's market on the way to our appointment, and got him his favorite breakfast, a buckwheat crepe with smoked salmon and creme fraiche. He couldn't have been in a better mood when we arrived at the salon. He didn't seem to mind at all when the apron went on or the scissors came out.
But when the actual haircut began, with a harmless squirt of water to flatten his hair for an even cut, Olin was horrified, terrified, and adamantly opposed to participating, or even sititng there passively. He screamed so loundly that the three adults in the room backed up from his chair. We tried, in vain, to comfort, to cajole, to distract. But it became abundantly clear that nothing we said or did was going to change the situation, so we actually took him home with half a haircut — or more like a quarter — and I finished cutting it myself (poorly) when he was asleep that night. Later, several parents told me they'd experienced the same thing. Most had let the process continue, only to find that their kids seemed scarred for life, or at least for the forseeable future.
Given that I am, by nature, not a geometrical, or even symmetrical cutter of anything, I was worried that my son wouldn't have a proper haircut before high school. So, I fretted. I plotted. I planned for the next experiment to be successful. But as with many things related to child development, my son took the lead.
One morning, Olin came to me with his hair in his eyes. I offered him a clip or an elastic band. He siad no, he wanted a haircut. I asked him if he wanted to go back to the place we'd been before. He said, "No." Then I remembered he'd been with me on my last haircut, and I decided to call my stylist to see if she'd cut his hair. This phone call felt a little bit like spitting into the wind. But, for whatever reason, only a few weeks after the failed haircut attempt, Olin sat with patience, curiosity, and even pleasure as my stylist, who'd been warned that he might scream, quickly cut his hair with little fanfare. Now he goes for haircuts regularly and happily, with no special preparation or bribery.
The point of my story isn't to explain or advise, except to say that your child will let you know when he or she is ready for a haircut. There may be some false starts and some partial outcomes, so be prepared to bridge the gap with hats, clips, bows, or bands. And then wait for the authentic deal. It will come, and everyone will be happy — and well groomed!
Image Source: Photo courtesy of jusgre via Flickr/Creative Commons
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.
Crawl on, baby! All mamas are incredibly proud of every milestone baby reaches, especially if it's before the "average" age determined by experts. Most babies learn to crawl between 6 to 10 months of age after they're able to sit on their own, while some babies take their time — and it can get a little frustrating for mama when all the other kiddies in the playgroup are moving about and her tot is glued to the play mat! So tell us, was your baby late to crawl or right on time?
Toddlers can be an inquisitive lil' group. They show no fear as they test mom's — and society's — boundaries. For some, the exploring doesn't end at nap nor nighttime. Place one of these feisty tots in his crib and watch how quickly he'll find a way to escape from the confines of his bed. If your lil' one — or his mama — isn't quite ready to make the move to a bed, here are five easy tricks for keeping him put until everyone is prepared.
Source: Flickr User avhell
First smile, first words, first steps. In a baby's first few years almost every day is filed with milestones. Blink, and you may miss one. For mamas returning to work, one of the toughest parts of leaving their tots each day is acknowledging that someone else may bare witness to a first accomplishment before they do.
I saw my son's first steps via cellphone video that our nanny sent me while I was sitting at my desk at work. When I got home that evening, he did it again, and I cheered him on like it was his very first time. Other moms I know ask their caretakers to hold off on telling them what they missed throughout the day, choosing to witness it on their own in due time.
What major milestones have you missed along the way?
Parental observation may be an inaccurate way to gauge the early signs of autism. For years, doctors have relied on moms and dads to provide them with information regarding dwindling social interaction in tots' first two years of life. But a new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry may have doctors searching elsewhere for accurate reports.
California researchers have found that behavioral signs of autism – lack of smiling, eye contact, and vocalization – are not present at birth but begin to emerge at 6 months. At that point, rather than slowing development, as researchers previously thought, tots who went on to be diagnosed with autism actually began regressing. According to the study, parents did not observe such regressions. In fact, most later claimed that their wee ones exhibited the signs from birth. The researchers said:
[The] results suggest that behavioral signs of autism are not present at birth, as once suggested by Kanner, but emerge over time through a process of diminishment of key social communication behaviors. More children may present with a regressive course than previously thought, but parent report methods do not capture this phenomenon well.
How carefully do you note your child's social development milestones?
