Your child has been a master of undressing ever since she was a baby and stripped off her socks every chance she got. But now that she’s a little older, she’ll start to build up the toddler development skills necessary to take off and decide which clothes to put on -- from head to toe.

By around age 3, your tot may start to decide all by herself what clothes she’d like to wear. As soon as she shows interest in getting herself dressed, use these parenting tips for smooth wardrobe changes.

Make it fun
Provide your child with outfitted dolls or teddy bears on which she can practice. Taking the tiny clothes on and off and selecting which shirts and pants and dresses to put on her dolls will help her understand the actions required for getting dressed (putting socks on before shoes, for example) and help her develop a sense of independence and personal style. Plus, she’ll have such a blast playing dress-up with the various outfits and accessories that she won’t even realize she’s starting to master the key toddler milestone of getting dressed.

Make it easy
At this age, skip the buttons, laces, and other complicated fashion details that your child may not be able to manipulate yet (don’t worry, she’ll hit these milestones soon enough). Providing your tot with easy-on, easy-off items such as shorts and skirts with elasticized waists, leggings, pull-on jeans, and loose tops can help move the process along and reduce frustrations. That’s not to say she can’t start practicing buttoning and other skills, but on a day-to-day basis it will be easier for both of you if you skip overly fancy fashions (especially in the case of emergency potty trips!), but not so much that she doesn’t have a broad selection of clothing to choose from.

Make it educational
As your child starts to dress herself, turn the activity into a learning game. Your toddler’s clothing is a great way to introduce her to new concepts such as colors, patterns, and textures (“These blue pants are made of corduroy. Don’t they feel funny?”). Or, if her shirt has a graphic on it, talk about what’s going on in the image (“Why do you think that puppy on your shirt is so happy?”).

Above all, be patient. It can take time for your tot to master the toddler development skills needed to pick her outfits by herself and get dressed, and rushing her through the process (or diving in and dressing her yourself if she’s taking too long) won’t be beneficial. Instead, remember to factor in time for your toddler to dress herself when getting ready to go out, and cheer her on along the way, from putting on her first sock to eventually tying her first shoe.

Traveling with a baby on an airplane can seem like an impossible task, but it really doesn't have to be. With a little preparation, air travel with your baby can be pleasant and successful. If your partner, spouse, or a friend is coming along, then baby travel is even better.

These tips for baby travel will help you make those first few outings with your little one a smooth ride.

Ask for help.
If you're traveling alone, you'll definitely want to ask for help from friendly travelers. Accept offers to help load the stroller onto the security belt or place your luggage into the overhead compartment.

Try to keep calm and do your best.
There may be times you feel completely overwhelmed with the various aspects of traveling with your baby. You have a lot to handle, after all, from getting checked in and through security to soothing your baby on the trip. Remember that the calmer you are, the more likely it is that your baby will stay calm, too.

Do what you must.
Creativity is nothing new for parents -- we're constantly thinking up ways to get things done when it comes to our babies. Baby travel is no different. You may find you need to do something a little different to help your baby get through his travel experience as smoothly as possible. Try singing a new song to catch your baby’s interest, or break out a toy he hasn’t played with in a while.

What to pack.
Diapers, diapers, diapers. Your baby will need a lot of coverage, depending on how long and how far you’re traveling. You can never go wrong packing extra diapers for a long trip. Other key essentials include: a diaper changing pad, blankets to keep him warm, his favorite toys, pacifiers, extra clothes (just in case), some plastic bags to throw dirty diapers in, and baby wipes to keep him clean and comfortable. If you're feeding your baby formula and/or baby food, bring extra just in case your plane is delayed. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to carry everything you pack. When in doubt for how much to bring, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Don't hesitate to nurse on the plane.
If you're breastfeeding your baby, then you'll probably find yourself needing to feed him a couple of times on the plane. While it's a little tricky to do so in such a small space, your baby needs to eat. Nursing will also help soothe him if he is cranky or if his ears hurt from the cabin pressure.

Change your baby's diaper before boarding the plane.
The plane bathrooms are very small. Even with a fold-down changing table, you may find it uncomfortable to change your baby there.

Traveling with a baby isn't all that bad when you do some planning and preparation. Enjoy your trip!

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

Cough, cough, sniffle, sniffle. It’s no fun for anyone when your little one is sick. What can you do when your toddler comes down with a cold? Here are a few ways to make your child more comfortable while his immune system takes care of the virus.

Offer liquids
Encouraging your toddler to drink fluids throughout the day -- even if it’s just a sip or two at a time -- will help soothe a sore throat, ease a cough, and keep mucus thin, making it easier to cough up or flow out. Serving watery foods, like soup, applesauce, watermelon, or frozen fruit bars, is another way to get more fluids into your child.

Create humidity
Sitting in a steamy bathroom with a hot shower running can help unclog stuffy noses and ease coughs. For other parts of the house, consider running a cool-mist humidifier.

Use saline
Saline (saltwater) nose spray or drops are a safe and effective way to thin mucus so it flows out more easily (if you’re not sure if your child needs saline sprays, ask your pediatrician). Use a rubber suction bulb after the saline to suction the mucus out.

It’s good for your child to take it easy when he has a cold, but he’s unlikely to want to spend the whole time in bed. Here are some restful activities for toddlers who are feeling under the weather. 

• Story time: Grab your little one’s favorite books, snuggle up on the couch or bed, and read together. Your toddler will appreciate the closeness as much as he enjoys the stories.
• Bath time: If your little one likes playing in water, gather his bath toys and fill up the tub. Soaking in warm water is soothing, and the humidity will ease coughs and nasal congestion. If your toddler doesn’t want to get in the tub, run a hot shower and draw pictures on the steamed-up mirror instead of getting wet.
• Table time: Puzzles, building toys, stickers, stamps, and coloring books are all restful sick-day pastimes.
• Pretend time: Imaginary play often begins when a child is around 2 years old, so if you have an older toddler who’s down with a cold, his toys might be feeling sick, too. Caring for Mr. Bear by giving him nose drops or taking his temperature may encourage your toddler to accept the same. And if you ask if Mr. Bear has a sore throat, your child’s answer may help you figure out what he’s feeling as well.

So who needs medicine to combat a cold? With a few home remedies and some tender loving care, your toddler will be up and running before you know it. 

When you find out you're pregnant and you’re preparing for a baby, it's hard to resist the temptation to scoop up every adorable item you come across. From baby care basics like diapers, a crib, and a car seat to super-cute baby clothes and toys, you'll want to buy it all. But really, try your very best not to -- not every baby item you see is a must-have.

Tips on Shopping for Baby Care Basics

1. Wait for the baby shower: Your friends and family may want to throw a party to celebrate the birth of your new baby. Wait until after the shower passes before making any major purchase.
    
2. Make a list of the musts: It's easy to buy nearly everything you see in stores when preparing for a baby -- it's all so cute and looks useful, too! But to save time and money, make note of the things you feel are absolute necessities to get you through the first month at home with your baby. Create lists for different categories, such as “bath time,” “nursery,” “travel,” and “feeding” and jot down products as you think of them (keep the lists handy in your purse or on your phone!). Then stick to your lists while shopping. If you’re out and about and see something that’s not on your lists, jot down the name of the product. When you get home you can compare reviews from other moms or ask friends what they think before making your final decision about whether it’s a must-have -- or a purchase that can be put off.
    
3. Buy clothes one size up: Purchase a few outfits that’ll fit your newborn, but also consider buying some that are a size (or even two sizes) larger than you’ll initially need.
    
4. Consider secondhand items: Babies tend to outgrow items really fast, which makes buying used items a great option and a way to save some money. Of course, there are certain items that you’ll want to purchase new, like baby diapers and car seats. However, other baby care basics like clothes, baby swings, and bouncers (to name a few) can definitely be bought secondhand if in good condition. With a little cleaning, you'll have something nice for your baby without breaking the bank.
    
5. Your baby doesn't need much: Contrary to popular belief, your baby really doesn't need much. Other than a few baby care basics like Pampers diapers, a crib, a car seat or stroller, and clothes, most baby items are useful but not an absolute must.   

Your priceless baby comes with some big costs, but every new mom quickly learns strategies for keeping to a budget. One simple strategy to remember: Save those receipts! If you go overboard with shopping for baby products only to realize you don’t really need the gear when you get home, you’ll be able to easily get your money back. Now that’s smart shopping!

Photo by Shirota Yuri on Unsplash

From the moment you bring your baby home, you’re spending almost every precious moment with her. And even though it seems as if all she does is eat, sleep, and poop, changes are happening.

Here are some major motor development milestones -- movements that use large muscle groups -- and ways you can support your baby on her way to her next breakthrough.

Reaching
One of the earlier motor development milestones is reaching. Your little one will begin working on this between 4 and 7 months of age. In this time frame, you may see her reach for things with one hand and learn how to pass things between hands.

How you can help: Blow bubbles in your baby’s direction and encourage her to reach for them. Place favorite toys slightly out of reach.

Sitting
Many babies are able to sit with support at around 6 months of age, and may soon move on to sitting without support. (Some babies take longer -- don’t be alarmed if your baby needs a little more time to master this.)

How you can help: Give your baby supervised floor time to play every day, and she will follow her own pace. Once she can sit for a few moments without toppling over, introduce simple games like clapping or rolling a ball. Keep sessions short -- just a few minutes at a time, and always stay close to her. A C-shaped pillow (such as a breastfeeding pillow) can offer some light support.

Crawling
Crawling often happens between 7 and 10 months. Your little cruiser may have a unique style -- a crab-style crawl, for instance.

How you can help: Start tummy time at birth, letting her spend some time on her tummy every single day. Those toys you put slightly out of her grasp to encourage reaching? Move them just a little bit farther away. As she starts to propel herself forward, and move on her own, make sure that the space she explores is safe and supervised. You can also try placing a thin, rolled-up receiving blanket under your baby and demonstrate rocking back and forth on your hands and knees. Rocking is the jump-starter to crawling; before you know it, you’ll be chasing her all through the house!

Standing
At around 9 to 11 months, your baby may pull herself up to stand. At first, she'll only stay on her feet for a few seconds, holding onto something for support, before plopping down on her bottom. Gradually, she'll improve her muscle strength, balance, and coordination until she's able to stand unsupported.

How you can help: Be sure to give your baby unrestrained playtime on the floor every day. Limit time in seating devices, such as baby seats and bouncers. You can also demonstrate a push toy and let her watch other babies who can stand.

Reaching milestones is an important part of a baby’s life. It’s in these months that your baby develops the crucial skills and motions needed to master the later, complex skills of walking, running, jumping and everything else. Encourage and help your baby throughout by challenging her to do a little bit more each day – she’ll be walking and running before you know it!

Photo by Ryan Fields on Unsplash