The Birth
Nothing occupies the expectant mother in the final weeks of pregnancy more than this event. As beautiful as pregnancy and the joy of expecting a baby may be, pregnancy has an end, and mostly it ends with pain. And this becomes more and more evident to every woman. There is probably no woman who doesn't feel a little uneasy when she thinks about giving birth. How will the contractions be? Hopefully, I will notice in time when it starts! What if my water breaks while standing in line at the supermarket? Phrases like: "So many women have gone through this, you will manage too!" don't help much. Rather, detailed information does. We would like to give you some information here that may interest you: place of birth, process, methods, medical interventions, cesarean section, premature birth, expectant fathers, and hospital bag.
The Place of Birth
Where you give birth depends on your personal wishes and the medical necessities. Discuss your delivery wishes with your gynecologist. They can then also tell you whether your birth plan is feasible or whether complications rule out a particular delivery method.
The Clinic
Today, most children are born in a clinic. The birth takes place in the delivery room or birthing room. Medically speaking, the clinic is the safest place for birth because devices and sufficient staff as well as specialists (e.g., pediatricians) are available in case of emergencies. In addition to a medically monitored birth (including CTG), many clinics also offer "natural" and/or "gentle" birth methods. During natural birth, the woman can choose her own birthing position, and no medical interventions are made – provided there are no complications. A gentle birth can be, for example, a water birth. Therefore, find out in advance which methods and aids are available at the clinics. However, birth in a clinic can also have disadvantages: things often get hectic, and the care staff can change frequently. Make use of the information evenings offered by many clinics!
In addition to a hospital stay, many clinics also offer outpatient births. After a normal birth without complications, you can leave the clinic on the same day if you and the child are doing well. However, the woman should have complete rest at home during the postpartum period and be fully cared for. Additionally, care by a midwife should be secured for ten days.
The Home Birth
A home birth in your own four walls is a very private event. The prerequisites for a home birth are the diligent attendance of all prenatal check-ups, a normal pregnancy course, and that both mother and child are completely healthy. With a home birth, the parents bear full responsibility. You should look for an experienced midwife who accompanies and monitors the birth process because if complications arise, admission to a hospital may be necessary.
The Birthing Center
Since the early 1990s, birthing centers run by freelance midwives have been established in many larger cities in Germany. The (mostly) holistic concept of birthing centers includes continuous care of the pregnant woman by a midwife during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Usually, birthing centers offer outpatient births – but sometimes a longer inpatient stay is also offered. In a birthing center, there are usually many alternative birthing options. Primarily, births take place naturally without medical interventions. In some birthing centers, doctors are also available for complications.
The Process
The birth can be divided into three phases:
1. Phase – Opening phase: It lasts between 6 to 12 hours for the first child. During this time, the cervix opens to approximately 10 cm.
2. Phase – Expulsion phase: It lasts 1 - 1.5 hours, during which the baby is pushed into the pelvic outlet (birth canal) with the help of strong contractions.
3. Phase – Afterbirth phase: After the birth of the baby, the placenta is "delivered" – this can take up to half an hour.
During the individual phases, different positions can be taken that can help alleviate labor pain. The midwife will certainly advise you on what may be helpful in the respective situation and phase.
The Methods
On a delivery or birthing bed, you can lie down or sit. The delivery bed in modern clinics is electrically adjustable and can be set according to your needs: you determine which position suits you. The doctor or midwife always has a direct view of the birth canal and can intervene if necessary. The birthing bed offers the advantage of having both the classic bed form and the possibility to convert it into a birthing chair or stool. If complications occur that require anesthesia, it can also be performed in the delivery bed.
More and more clinics offer water births.
During a water birth, you sit or float in a special bathtub. The advantages of this method are that the use of painkillers during birth is reduced due to relaxation (breathing) in the warm water, and tearing of the perineum is less likely to occur. In addition, mothers often report positively about the "birth experience" in the water. Since the baby has a "diving reflex," it does not attempt to breathe underwater – so there is no danger to the child. After a previous cesarean section, this method is also recommended because the scars are less strained. A disadvantage of water birth is that the infection rate for mothers, children, and staff is higher. Additionally, blood loss during birth cannot be estimated. In some clinics, the child is monitored by continuous CTG. The birth proceeds just as it would on land, and the cutting of the umbilical cord is done as usual in the clinic. The care of the newborn during a water birth is the same as with other birthing methods.
Women with known pregnancy risks or those who expect a complicated delivery should refrain from water births, e.g., with multiples, infections of the mother (e.g., HIV, current herpes), a very large child with suspected disproportion between the width of the birth canal and the size of the child.
Welcome Baby!
Full of pride and wonder, you witness the first blink of your newborn. A tingling sensation spreads through your stomach. Can you really be the right mother or father for this little worm? Will you always be able to face this responsibility? Can you really provide your child with the perfect upbringing you have always wished for yourself?
Many open questions dominate the minds of young parents during the time before and shortly after the birth.
When the baby is born, the greatest concern of parents is the child's health. In the maternity hospital, examinations and tests are carried out immediately after birth and during the first days of life by the hospital staff to reassure you in this regard. But despite the great efforts of doctors and nurses, many questions remain unanswered, which we will try to address through this article:
Reference person - Stress - Physical contact - Perception - Communication
Reflexes - Crying - Can babies be spoiled?
Different sleep patterns - Awake babies - Individual sleep needs
Your baby's sounds - Your baby's snoring - Sniffling/Cold - Sneezing - Hiccups
Vernix caseosa - Blotchy skin - Skull swelling after birth - Fontanelles - Hair
Parent-Child Relationship
The importance of the parent-child relationship was only recognized in the late 20th century. Research has shown that growing up without love and affection from stable caregivers can lead to mental disorders and behavioral difficulties later in life. This is something we all know. But to what extent one can create a perfect environment filled with love and emotional affection for the little one remains an open question for many.
Surely you are delighted with the little being that has just stumbled into your life. But do you love it? This question occupies many new parents. It may not be entirely accurate to speak of love in the first days. Perhaps the feeling is better described as being “in love”: Your child is absolutely adorable. Over time, this emotion matures into true love. For some parents, this process happens quickly, for others, such as after an unplanned cesarean section, it may take a little longer. But this has nothing to do with the depth of your love, and certainly not with your quality as parents.
Especially important for the very young ones is calm, loving care with adequate time investment by a constant caregiver. Just as learning to walk and speak, your child must also learn to love. Only if it feels loved can it learn to reciprocate that love.
In stressful situations, it is easy to forget how much affection a baby needs for its emotional development. There should always be time for a smile, a kiss, or a gentle stroke over the little cheeks. Make sure that the little one does not experience a stressful home environment, especially in the first four months.
Many parents who have their first child think that their newborn is not yet able to perceive its surroundings. This misconception leads to not properly engaging with the child, but only holding it in the arms. Physical contact plays the most crucial role in the newborn’s well-being. Especially during wakeful phases, it is important to be there for your child, to continually give it closeness and tenderness, to carry it and nurture it.
However, babies rapidly develop a spectrum of sensory experiences from birth. When awake, they are alert and receptive. They respond when addressed and recognize parents by their scent. With their attentive gaze, they turn toward where they hear sounds. Babies are born with a desire for communication. At a distance of 20-25 cm from their face, they can clearly see the parents and experience their “first conversation” when spoken to in this proximity. Babies participate in this conversation by smiling, moving their mouths, nodding, or even sticking out their tongues. The feeling of attention and affection has an immediate effect on forming a strong bond with the parents and at the same time promotes the joy of communication.
Newborn Behavior
After birth, it will take some time for you to get used to your baby’s behavior. It’s worth observing its reactions to various stimuli and becoming familiar with certain aspects of its personality. Newborns possess much more individuality than is commonly assumed. This fact should be kept in mind when getting to know your child.
It is essential to understand that all healthy babies have a number of reflexes that are triggered from birth. These reflexes are unconscious movements that gradually, around the fourth month, are replaced by voluntary movements.
You may notice that your newborn responds positively to your presence by making sudden facial and body movements. As it learns to control its movements, its reactions become more targeted and less random. By about six weeks, it offers you a recognizable smile instead of a grimace.
Babies cry – everyone knows that. The most likely reasons for crying are fatigue, hunger, loneliness, or discomfort – they are too hot or too cold, lying uncomfortably, or need a fresh diaper. Sometimes the baby cries for no apparent reason.
A KEY PIECE OF INFORMATION: It is not a good idea to simply leave the baby to cry alone – even if that advice is often given. Too little attention and affection in the early weeks and months can lead to an introverted, shy, and withdrawn development of the child. People often equate "loving" with "spoiling." In our opinion, a baby cannot be "spoiled" enough in the early stages. People always think that children who are held, cuddled, breastfed, and thoroughly cared for learn how to demand attention. That is not true! Rather, it learns how to love and build human relationships. And this is one of the most important lessons a child can learn for its future emotional and psychological development. What we call "spoiling" is actually a natural response of the mother to her unhappy child; by doing so, she satisfies a natural need of the baby. Babies' sleep patterns – a phenomenon that can be nerve-wracking. Unless you are very lucky, you will experience some sleepless nights after returning home from the hospital. The most varied sleep patterns occur in newborns. Some are only awake when they are hungry, while others are also active before or after feeding. It may be that your newborn will never sleep for more than one or two hours at a time until the age of four months. Take comfort in the fact that during every waking minute, it is learning something new – provided it does not become bored. In the long run, you will be rewarded with a curious child. Also, keep in mind that trying to establish a strict sleep pattern that matches the "average baby" makes no sense. There is no "average baby." Sleep needs are based on individual physiology. Most newborns fall asleep shortly after a meal. Initially, wakefulness still depends on how many meals it needs, which in turn depends on its weight: - 2 kg baby: wakes up 7 to 8 times to be fed. - 3 kg baby: wakes up 5 to 6 times to be fed. - 4.5 kg baby: wakes up 4 to 5 times to be fed. If your baby makes strange noises, don’t worry. Most sounds are caused by immature airways and will disappear over time. If you feel your baby is snoring in its crib, we must disappoint you. That certain sound your baby makes is caused by a vibration of the soft palate during breathing. Parents often think their baby has a cold because it “sniffs.” However, this sniffing does not indicate a blocked nose but is caused by a flat nasal bridge of the baby. When breathing, the air has to pass through very short, narrow nasal channels, which produces this sound. As the baby grows older, the nasal bridge will become higher, and the sniffing will diminish. Do not be confused if your baby sneezes frequently. This is not an impending cold, but rather a useful reflex. It occurs when the baby opens its eyes and is exposed to bright light. It helps clear the nasal passages. Newborns often have hiccups, especially after a meal. Despite many mothers’ concerns, this is rarely a symptom of digestive problems. Rather, it is caused by the insufficient control over the diaphragm – a flat muscle separating the chest from the abdomen. Hiccups become less frequent as the nerves controlling the diaphragm develop.
Appearance of Your Baby
Even though your baby is undoubtedly a bundle of joy, you may be startled at first glance. Whether it is a white greasy substance covering your newborn's skin, blotchy skin, or a misshapen head – it's all completely natural! The vernix caseosa covering the skin forms a natural protective layer so that the skin does not become softened by the amniotic fluid. Do not let the hospital staff wash it away, as it helps prevent skin irritation. Blotchy skin color results from burst blood vessels. Once melanin, a natural pigment, is produced, the baby will attain its final skin color. This usually happens by about six months of age. The baby’s skull consists of four large plates that are not fused together and can move against each other. This flexibility is particularly important during birth when the head is compressed by the vaginal walls. The shifting skull bones allow it to pass safely through the birth canal. The resulting deformation of the head is completely normal and does not affect the brain. There may also be some bruising or swelling, but these heal within the first few days or weeks.
Every Day a Miracle - Baby's Development
Nothing is more exciting than a baby's development in the first months of life: From a small helpless creature, it grows into a nimble toddler that keeps its parents on their toes - literally!
This article aims to bring you closer to your child's development month by month, focusing on various areas. The tables indicate what your child should be able to do at each age. In some areas, your baby may be more advanced, in others slightly behind. There is only cause for concern if your child develops significantly slower in every area: in that case, you should consult your pediatrician.
Body - Perception - Social Behavior
1st Month
lies asymmetrically (crooked) with head turned to the side; bent arms and legs; lifts head only briefly; reacts to loud noises with Moro reflex; hands mostly clenched into fists - sees clear outlines from a distance of 22-25 cm, briefly fixes objects and faces; cannot yet recognize recurring sounds - skin contact is the most important means of communication, expresses itself through crying.
2nd Month
Head is held up for a few seconds; bending of arms and legs decreases; hands are more often open, unsuccessful grasping attempts involving the whole body - follows objects moving sideways with eyes, fixes them longer; listens intently to various sounds - skin contact remains important, sometimes reflexive smiling, first "speaking": vowel sounds like a/ä, joyfully kicks when mother talks to it.
3rd Month
Holds head up for almost 1 minute, turns it to both sides, supports itself on forearms and pelvis; Moro reflex subsides; hands rarely clenched into fists, brings them together in front of face, looks at fingers and plays with them - turns head to the side when searching for the source of a sound - smiles at human faces, produces gurgling sounds.
4th Month
Supports itself on forearms in prone position, grasps objects within reach; rolls from one side to the other; consciously practices grasping; shifts weight to legs when held in standing position; actively helps when pulled into a sitting position - touches all objects and examines them with the mouth; turns head to better see certain things; closes eyes when an object suddenly appears (protective function) - repeats own sounds and enjoys it; laughs a lot and squeals – but also experiences three-month anxiety; recognizes parents and siblings; touches the face of the person interacting with it.
5th Month
Practices later sitting position while lying on its back; consciously reaches for objects, transfers them from one hand to the other, no longer grasps with the whole hand - immediately looks for a sound source - no longer smiles spontaneously at everyone.
6th Month
Rolls from prone to supine and vice versa, touches its feet, grabs objects diagonally across its body; during brief standing attempts, knees and legs are no longer bent - often stands on tiptoes and bounces; sits comfortably with support - continues to examine everything by putting it in its mouth, but looks at things before and after; recognizes its rattle by the sound; watches toys fall - distinguishes familiar faces from strangers; forms syllable chains; begins to vocalize its activities.
7th Month
Attempts to lift belly and buttocks in prone position; brings feet to mouth and plays with them; grasps well with both hands; can hold a small toy in each hand simultaneously; can sit with hands stretched forward for support; first crawling movements - recognizes height and depth: leans forward to look for fallen toys - starts imitating; looks at strangers skeptically; continues to vocalize loudly.
8th Month
Crawls; sits without support and gets into this position independently; grasps objects with thumb and index finger; stands easily when supported - searches for hidden toys; listens to conversations or music for short periods - sometimes rejects certain people without clear reason, but quickly connects with others; speaks simple syllables clearly and repeats them.
9th Month
Pulls itself up to stand and remains standing by holding on; can grasp with one hand; deliberately drops toys; sits upright - reaches into containers - responds to its own name; differentiates between various emotions through tone of voice and can express joy or displeasure vocally; enjoys peekaboo games; babbles several consecutive consonants.
10th Month
Moves sideways along furniture; can guide a spoon to its mouth with practice; bangs objects together; can extend index finger and thumb - shows interest in details - examines them with the index finger; enthusiastically makes noise and sounds - knows some words; imitates activities; repeats actions when praised; begins waving goodbye.
11th Month
Masters pincer grip - pulls a toy attached to a string towards itself - identifies people or objects and begins naming them.
12th Month
Picks up larger objects with both hands - finds a hidden object that was concealed in front of its eyes - hands toys to parents - enjoys playing "Please and Thank You" games.
Which products for which age?
At roba, we offer a high-quality collection of furniture, toys, and more. To help you support your child's development appropriately, we provide you with some guidance on which of our products are suitable for which age.
Children's Room
Babies feel most comfortable in small, cozy areas. Therefore, it makes sense to reduce the size of the crib with a nest. A canopy over the bed lowers the height of the room and makes it cozy. Mobiles, loved by children, are already integrated into some of our collections. Our textiles give every nursery a childlike charm meant to reflect a sheltered childhood. To ensure the nursery doesn’t become overly colorful and kitschy, we offer matching changing mats, crawling blankets, etc., for each crib set. However, keep in mind that your child will not stay small forever and choose functional furniture with timeless designs. All roba collections are designed according to this principle.
Baby Accessories
You will start giving your child porridge at around 4 to 6 months of age. For the first feeding attempts, a rocking lounger or our roba Chill Up high chair is ideal because you will have both hands free to feed—and you will need them for the first attempts. When the child can sit (around 9 months), they can have their own place at the table—in a suitable high chair. At first, your child may be a bit too small—so we recommend seat reducers, which we have designed to match our textile program. If your child is older than 18 months, they will enjoy having their own table with a bench and chair—whether in their own room or another room.
Practical for travel or restaurant visits with babies (from about 9 months) are booster seats that can be easily folded and fit in any travel bag. When you're on the go, you naturally need changing and toys for your little one, which can be conveniently stored in our changing bags with integrated changing pads—because a changing table is not always available. And even then, you prefer to put your own pad underneath. Babies need body warmth. Our GO UP front and back carrier meets this need, which you can conveniently take with you on any city stroll or use at home, for example, when you are alone preparing a bottle and the child cannot be soothed.
Once a child has discovered its mobility, the entire apartment needs to be secured accordingly. This includes things like socket covers or stair and door safety gates. Your child can also play safely in a playpen while you attend to other activities. Your child will not feel confined by this; a playpen gives them their own area that they can also defend against other children. The playpen becomes cozy with a matching insert.
Toys
For exploration (with the mouth from 4 months, with hands from 6 months, and with the eyes from 8 months), which serves to learn about the physical properties of objects, toys of different sizes, shapes, colors, and surface textures are suitable, such as wood, plastic, paper, fabric, sponges, wool.
Babies begin to practice and test memory around 8 months. This includes games where objects or people disappear, such as the ball track game or peek-a-boo game.
At the same age, around 8 months, objects are increasingly used as a means to an end. Children particularly enjoy objects that can be pulled or pushed, such as a cart on wheels attached to a string.
From 9 months, babies start learning about spatial characteristics, i.e., understanding the spatial relationships between objects, using games involving containers and contents. They particularly enjoy pans, cups, baskets, plastic containers, chestnuts, water, and, of course, sand. From 15 months, children start stacking—using building blocks, cups, or rings on rods. Horizontal building with blocks or a toy train begins around 21 months. Vertical building combined with horizontal building starts around 30 months, where building blocks are excellent.
Understanding the functional use of objects and internalizing actions and behaviors begins with functional play (using an object in its intended function) using spoons, hairbrushes, toy dishes, toy tools, or household items from around 12 months. This progresses around the 15th month to representational play (functional use of objects) with dolls, teddy bears, etc. In sequential play (from 21 months), dollhouses become increasingly important, as actions with a common theme, e.g., "meal" (cooking, setting the doll at the table, and letting it eat), are acted out. At 30 months, role-playing begins, where the child takes on different roles or imagines objects. Here, a play shop or a doll with doll clothes and a doll carriage are indispensable.
Insertion and other puzzles start to make sense from 21 months, as certain characteristics need to be assigned in terms of categorization.
Feng Shui in the Baby Room
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is the Chinese art of harmonious living, which can also be positively applied to the room for the youngest. Here you will find some tips and suggestions for designing your baby’s room.
In anticipation of the baby, people usually start furnishing the nursery even before birth and generally enjoy this experience to the fullest. A nursery should be carefully planned so that your baby feels completely comfortable in their first room.
Through having their own room, the baby experiences a gentle process of separation, which is also important for their further development. A personal space already allows the baby, even at an unconscious level, to experience being acknowledged as an independent person with their own needs. The “own territory,” even if mother and father are frequently present in the room, strengthens the child’s self-confidence and identity.
The goals of Feng Shui are to eliminate disturbances and to allow the free flow of life energy, Chi, both in the rooms and within the body. Feng Shui aims to create balance and a harmonious environment, that is, vibrant rooms where people can grow and thrive. With Feng Shui, you can help your child develop according to their inner nature. To pursue a holistic concept, there is a distinction between inner Feng Shui (the person themselves) and outer Feng Shui (the environment, room design). Outer Feng Shui can be enhanced through the design of the nursery (the room where the child spends most of their time).
Even small changes – made in the right places – can improve harmony in the rooms and consequently in the lives of the inhabitants.
Children are usually lively, active or, in Feng Shui terms, "Yang." They do not need strong, stimulating colors; in fact, too much of them can make them overly excited, especially when other stimuli are present.
Children are also sensitive to their surroundings. Since ancient times, humans have been conditioned to recognize that sharp objects pointed at their bodies mean danger. Try it yourself. Stand in front of the edge of a cabinet or the pointed corner of a table and feel. Then step aside and feel the difference. Aside from the risk of injury, sharp edges and corners also pose a constant energetic weakening due to unconscious tension. For example, if such a shelf is near the bed and its edge points at the sleeping person, this weakening effect lasts all night. Additional restlessness comes from the objects on the shelf, which invite activity – although the child is supposed to sleep peacefully.
The design of the nursery can therefore significantly contribute to the child’s harmonious development.
Tips:
Here are some tips to optimize outer Feng Shui in the baby room:
The room's layout should be as rectangular or square as possible and also large enough to give the child plenty of space to develop freely.
The baby’s room should offer as much space for movement and play as possible so that the growing baby can develop freely. The nursery is a multifunctional room, used for playing, dreaming, hiding, learning, listening to music, sleeping, and happily growing up together.
It should be a bright room with lots of natural light. Walk-through rooms are less ideal.
The light can also be supported by good lighting, color design, and harmonious design elements. A room facing north or a room where sunlight cannot enter is less suitable since the Yang energy that promotes growth and development cannot flourish as well there.
Provide many warm and cozy elements in the nursery. For example, a canopy bed and plenty of fabric as well as soft and cuddly materials. These provide the baby with a lot of warmth and security. The crib can certainly be designed like a bright cave.
A heavy wardrobe or other very bulky piece of furniture should not be placed directly next to the baby’s bed, as this can be unconsciously perceived as oppression. Therefore, move heavy furniture more than a meter away from the baby’s bed.
Fixed built-in wardrobes should ideally not be present in the nursery at all. However, the furniture should be stable so that the baby cannot tip them over.
The furniture should be in light or warm tones (e.g., warm wood tones).
The room should not look too restless: Outside the play area, cheerful and soft colors should be chosen. Avoid using bright red in the sleeping area, as it can interfere with sleep.
Light, cheerful colors are best suited for the nursery. Yellow, blue, grass green, beige, and generally natural colors have a calming effect on the baby.
The play area should be in a bright part of the room.
If your baby seems restless, avoid stimulating red tones.
Motifs, textiles, and toys should bring joy and should never appear aggressive.
The bed should not be placed under a window or with the feet pointing towards the door.
Finally, it is essential to involve growing children in designing their small realm because children instinctively know very well what is good for them and what is not. They also know very well in what kind of room design they will feel comfortable.
Baby Massage
Massage is the art of healing through touch.
Baby massage is an easily accessible therapy for babies up to toddler age – especially for premature babies. During pregnancy, the baby was warmly and snugly protected for months. With birth, the little one is suddenly confronted with a flood of stimuli like light and noise. Massage helps parents ease the transition from the womb to our world.
From the moment of birth, the child begins to get to know the parents - their smell, their voice, their face. Baby massage plays a crucial role in helping parents and child understand each other better, thus building a closer and more active relationship. Baby massage can become a means of communication available throughout your entire parenting journey. A silent dialogue of love between you and your baby.
Gentle touches are not only an essential foundation for a deep parent-child bond, but they can also positively influence the baby's overall mental and physical development. The focus is on the baby's perception of their own body. However, baby massage not only promotes physical and emotional well-being, but it also stabilizes breathing and circulation. A massage can have a calming effect on excited children. Through skin contact, various stimuli are transmitted to the brain via nerve pathways. From a medical perspective, infants develop a more regular sleep rhythm through massage and therefore find longer and healthier sleep. Baby massage also stimulates digestion and strengthens the immune system. It supports the baby's overall development.
Tips for Performing Baby Massage
Baby massage is a ritual for the whole family. It can be performed by the mother, father, or even older siblings.
You should allow about 10 to 20 minutes for the massage. For babies under a month old, even a short massage of a few minutes is often enough. The massage should be scheduled at a time when the baby is neither hungry nor extremely tired. Since the baby is naked, the room temperature should be around 25° C to prevent the baby from getting cold too quickly. The best oils to use are pure plant oils (from health food stores). The best effect is achieved when the oil is rubbed between the hands until they are completely warm. Then the touch is particularly pleasant for the baby.
The massage is easiest to perform when the baby lies on their back on the mother's or father's thighs. The sitting position should be chosen so that both the parent and the baby are relaxed and comfortable.
The Massage
You can start with gentle stroking movements from the very first day, later with firmer, practiced strokes (stroking with the fingertips would rather tickle the baby and cause them to cry). As fragile as they may appear at first glance, these little beings are not so delicate – on the contrary: babies love to be touched firmly and securely, as it gives them a sense of safety.
Important: The massage should always be performed away from the heart!
The massage begins with gently stroking the face. Slowly and evenly, both hands are moved from the nose over the cheeks. Then, both hands are stroked from the forehead over the temples. After that, the entire body is stroked. Both hands are placed on the forehead. Slowly, they glide over the cheeks, shoulders, arms, hips, and legs. During this, the arms and legs are gently pressed against the body. Next, place the baby face-up on your thighs to massage the belly. Alternately, use one hand to stroke from the shoulder across the chest and belly to the opposite leg (left shoulder, right leg, and vice versa). This is done by alternately crossing both hands over the entire body.
When massaging the back, you can place the baby over your shoulder or across your legs. First, gently stroke the entire back from side to side with both hands. Then, starting at the neck, stroke down the entire back and legs to the feet.
Massaging the Limbs
To massage the hands and feet, hold one of the baby's feet or hands with one hand. Using the thumb of the other hand, stroke with gentle pressure from the ball of the foot to the toes or from the palm to the fingers. Especially for premature babies, this supports the fine motor skills of the hands and feet.
To massage the legs, lay the baby on their back. With one hand, grasp a thigh. Then slowly pull your hand down to the foot. Before letting go of the leg, the other hand should already be holding the thigh again. Both hands alternately move down the baby's leg. Then, repeat the process with the other leg.
To massage the arms, place the baby on their side. Then, grasp one arm with one hand. Slowly move your hand from the upper arm to the wrist. Before letting go of the baby’s arm, the other hand should already be holding the upper arm. The hands alternately stroke the baby’s arms.
Parents can also benefit from regular physical contact with their baby, especially if they are still unsure and afraid of doing something "wrong" at the beginning. To truly achieve the baby's well-being, it is important not to ignore their signals. Stop if the baby indicates that it has had enough. If the baby is happily cooing and gurgling, that's the best proof that you're doing it right. You will quickly find out what your baby enjoys and whether there are specific massage strokes they do not like. More important than any technique is the physical and emotional connection with your child.
The right nutrition for babies & children
Do you enjoy cooking? Yes?! But what’s best for your child? What should a balanced diet look like? To make cooking fun and healthy, we provide some initial guidance on child nutrition in this article. Our guide also includes helpful tips, checklists, and recipes for cooking with children.
Optimal nutrition for infants up to 6 months old
No matter how many times you’ve heard it: breast milk remains the best option for your baby during the first months after birth. It contains all the essential nutrients and antibodies to help ward off infections, particularly those affecting the respiratory system. Babies at increased risk of allergies (if parents or siblings have allergies) should be breastfed until the end of the 6th month, as their intestinal lining isn’t fully developed and can more easily allow allergens from solid foods to pass through, potentially causing sensitization.
Mom’s nutrition
Don’t diet during breastfeeding. Since your body passes nutrients to your child through breast milk, it needs more vitamins, minerals, and energy. Add extra portions of milk/dairy products (200–250g), lean meat (40g), whole-grain bread (1 slice), cooked rice or pasta (1 tablespoon) or a small potato, oats (1 tablespoon), vegetables or salad (150g), and fruit (100g) to your diet. Drink at least 2 liters of fluids each day, including mineral water, fruit/vegetable juice spritzers, or unsweetened herbal or fruit teas.
If you’re unable or choose not to breastfeed for six months, infant formula (specially adapted cow’s milk) is a good alternative. There are two types: starter formula and follow-on formula. “Pre” labeled formulas are closest to breast milk. They are thin and do not provide long-lasting satiety like starch-based formulas. According to the Research Institute for Child Nutrition in Dortmund (FKE), babies cannot be overfed with “Pre” formula. “1” labeled formulas are thicker and more filling due to their small starch content. Be sure to follow the packaging instructions carefully to avoid overfeeding. Follow-on formulas can be used from the fifth month, but they’re not mandatory as all infant formulas contain essential vitamins and trace elements. There’s no need to enrich these with juice, fruit, or oatmeal. Babies with a high allergy risk (as mentioned earlier) should only have special hypoallergenic (HA) formulas. Healthy infants typically do not need extra fluids during the first 4–6 months. If additional hydration is required due to hot weather or fever, boiled tap water is the best choice.
Time for the first solid foods
Nutrition for babies from 4/6 to 12 months: Milk alone can no longer provide all the necessary nutrients. It’s time to start introducing solid foods. A carrot purée is a great place to begin, as its natural sweetness is often well-received by babies. Start by replacing one milk feeding with a purée meal, such as at lunchtime. A homemade vegetable-potato-meat purée could include 90g of carrots, fennel, kohlrabi, cauliflower, broccoli, or spinach; 40g of freshly cooked potatoes; 20g of lean meat; and 30ml of vitamin C-rich juice or water. There’s no need to season the purée—babies prefer bland foods as their taste buds are still highly sensitive. Alternatively, convenience baby food jars offer the assurance of strict quality controls, iodine enrichment, and excellent nutritional quality. Meat is important, according to the FKE, because an infant’s iron stores begin to deplete between 5 and 7 months, just as their needs increase. If you prefer to avoid meat, prepare a vegetable-potato-whole-grain purée starting at 6 months: 90g of green vegetables, 40g of potatoes, 10g of oat or millet flakes, 30ml of vitamin C-rich juice (to improve iron absorption), 20ml of water, and 10g of butter.
To ensure adequate calcium intake, introduce a second purée meal, such as a whole-milk cereal purée, at around 6 months. This might consist of 200ml of whole milk (3.5% fat), 20g of whole-grain cereal flakes, and 20ml of pure orange juice (not nectar or fruit drinks). Avoid “fresh grain milk” or “Kokkoh” grain drinks due to potential health risks (they can contain harmful bacteria). When choosing commercial cereal-milk purées, simpler is better—the fewer ingredients, the better.
By the 7th month, an afternoon feeding can be replaced with a dairy-free fruit-cereal purée. Around 10 months, most babies are developmentally ready to join family meals, drink from a cup, and eat bread. Initially, the food may need to be pureed, but by about 12 months, mashing with a fork will suffice.
Key points about baby food
Ingredients are listed in descending order on packaged foods, so the first ingredient is present in the highest quantity. Babies don’t crave variety as much as adults, so it’s not necessary to offer a new purée every day. This also helps their digestion adapt gradually to new flavors and ingredients.
Yogurt and quark should not be introduced before the first birthday because their high protein content can strain the kidneys.
Babies should have no more than one cooked and hard-boiled egg per week.
Honey may contain harmful bacteria and should not be given until after the first year.
Cow’s milk is not suitable as a breast milk substitute in the first year due to its high protein and mineral content and insufficient amounts of essential fatty acids and trace elements. For calcium, however, you can use whole milk in purées as described earlier.
Optimal nutrition for children over one year
What’s the best diet for children? After their first birthday, toddlers can and should eat with the family. Special children’s products aren’t necessary. The Research Institute for Child Nutrition in Dortmund (FKE) regularly updates recommendations on the ideal diet for young children. These guidelines include sweets in moderation rather than banning them entirely. The following table shows the recommended mix of foods for children up to six years old. The “optimized mixed diet” reflects current knowledge about proper child nutrition and aims to prevent diet-related conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and gout.
Optimized mixed diet for one- to six-year-olds
Food category - Amount - Per day/week
Plenty – Plant-based foods
Drinks 600-800 ml/day
Bread, cereals 80-170 g/day
Potatoes, noodles, rice, grains 80-120 g/day
Vegetables 100-180 g/day
Fruit 100-180 g/day
Moderate – Animal-based foods
Milk, dairy products* 300-350 ml or g/day
Eggs 1-2 per week
Fish 50-100 g/week
Meat, sausage 30-45 g/day
Sparing – Fat-rich foods
Margarine, butter, oil 15-25 g/day
Permitted foods
(Maximum 20% of calorie intake)
Cakes, sweets, ... up to 50 g/day
Jam, sugar, ... up to 10 g/day
*100 ml of milk provides about the same calcium as
15g of cheese or 30g of soft cheese
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for healthy development. Here’s a summary of vitamins and their sources:
Vitamin - Sources
Vitamin A (precursor: beta-carotene) Vitamin A: liver, cod liver oil
Beta-carotene: carrots, yellow-orange vegetables
Vitamin D: margarine, mushrooms, fish (eel, herring, halibut, salmon)
Vitamin E: green leafy vegetables, plant oils (sunflower, maize germ, walnut oils)
Vitamin K: green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, chicken, butter
Vitamin B1: wheat germ, legumes, pork
Vitamin B2: milk, eggs, fish (halibut, herring), mushrooms
Vitamin B6: bananas, beans, lentils, soybeans, liver, oats
Vitamin B12: liver, kidneys, eggs, cheese, fish (especially herring, redfish)
Vitamin C: most fruits and vegetables; especially citrus fruits, kiwi, bell peppers, sea buckthorn
Niacin: meat, fish, nuts, legumes
Pantothenic acid: yeast, legumes, peanuts, egg yolks, liver, watermelon
Folic acid: yeast, beef liver, Brussels sprouts, kale, wheat germ, egg yolks, soybeans
Biotin: liver, egg yolks, peanuts, soybeans, brown rice, wheat bran
Is a vegetarian diet also suitable?
A balanced vegetarian diet can easily meet the nutrient needs of all age groups and help prevent diet-related diseases. The main nutrient to watch is iron. Plant-based iron is less easily absorbed by the body compared to the iron from animal sources. While milk reduces iron absorption, vitamin C significantly improves it. Combining iron-rich plant foods with vitamin C-rich foods is an effective strategy. For example, you can pair whole-grain cereals with orange juice or include fresh fruits and vegetables with meals.
Below are examples of foods with high iron or vitamin C content:
Food - Iron (mg/100g) - Food - Vitamin C (mg/100g)
Poor absorption - Good for improving absorption
Millet 6.9 - Raw bell pepper 121
Wheat germ 8.5 - Cooked broccoli 90
Oat flakes 5.4 - Cooked Brussels sprouts 85
Whole-grain rice 3.2 - Cooked cauliflower 49
Whole-grain bread 2.0 - Raw kohlrabi 63
Cooked spinach 2.9 - Cooked spinach 29
Raw lamb’s lettuce 2.0 - Raw lamb’s lettuce 35
Cooked lentils 2.1 - Raw tomato 19
Pistachios 7.3 - Kiwi 46
Sunflower seeds 6.3 - Strawberries 63
Almonds 4.1 - Oranges 49
High absorption - Less effective for improving absorption
Beef 2.1 - Apples, bananas 12
Pork 1.0
Chicken 0.7
Sea fish 0.6
A strictly vegan diet (excluding all animal products including milk and eggs) is NOT RECOMMENDED for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women, or nursing mothers without medical supervision and pediatrician consultation.
How much and how often should children eat?
Preschool children can generally eat what the family eats. However, they may have trouble digesting heavy foods such as legumes, very fatty, heavily toasted, or strongly spiced dishes in large quantities. Since young children’s energy reserves are quickly depleted, they should eat regularly (five times a day) and drink plenty. The FKE in Dortmund provides helpful pyramids showing how these meals could be structured.
Children’s foods
It’s helpful to distinguish between foods for toddlers (1–3 years) and foods marketed for older children. Toddler foods are subject to the German dietary regulation that sets strict standards for contaminants and residues, while foods for older children are not. The range of marketed children’s foods includes:
Dairy products: fruit yogurts, milk drinks, fresh cheese spreads, and quark-based products
Spreads: chocolate hazelnut spreads, chocolate creams, sausages
Sweets: milk slices, muesli bars, nut bars, chocolate bars, vitamin candies
Breakfast cereals: various crunchy flakes
Beverages: calcium-enriched juices, multivitamin juices, lemonades
Convenience foods: instant noodle soups, pasta dishes, pizza
Children’s foods often don’t differ much in ingredients or nutrients from standard products. Despite marketing claims, they may not actually contain a high percentage of whole milk but rather skim milk powder, sweet whey powder, butterfat, or sweetened condensed milk. They are smaller, come in eye-catching packaging, and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals, which isn’t always necessary. These foods tend to have higher sugar and fat content, which, combined with a lack of exercise, can lead to obesity. They’re also more expensive than regular items. Therefore, they’re not a necessity and can be skipped without concern.
When food makes you sick
Overweight vs. underweight
Overweight and obesity occur when children consume more calories than they burn, leading to excess fat storage. In addition to genetic factors, environmental influences play a significant role. Obesity increases the risk of various health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and gout. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to classify obesity:
BMI (kg/m²)
Grade I obesity 30.0–34.9
Grade II obesity 35.0–39.9
Extreme Grade III obesity ≥40
Underweight is typically a result of prolonged undernutrition, which occurs when insufficient energy is consumed over time. It can lead to deficiency diseases such as vitamin deficiencies, weight loss, or eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (self-starvation) or bulimia (binge eating followed by purging). There’s no universally accepted threshold for underweight, but the WHO considers a BMI below 20 as underweight.
PEKiP - Movement Games for the Little Ones
What is PEKiP?
PEKiP stands for Prague Parent-Child Program. It was developed for babies in their first year of life and is suitable for infants from the 4th/6th week of life. PEKiP is primarily a group course for interested parents with babies of the mentioned age. However, it can also be easily done at home.
The babies are playfully encouraged to move using various - including homemade - materials, such as a beach ball that the baby can kick and which then moves again. Through these different play materials, various senses are stimulated: for example, the sense of hearing through rattling, the sense of touch through various materials, or the sense of balance through rolling back and forth on the beach ball. To allow the infant to move more freely and also to have more intense tactile experiences (including skin contact with the parents), this playing is done without clothing.
PEKiP allows parents to consciously spend time with their offspring and to observe them closely during this time. Parents can accompany their babies in their development, try out new games with them - becoming play partners for each other.
PEKiP was developed in the 1970s by the couple Christa and Hans Ruppelt. It is based on movement and sensory stimulation for babies and their parents, which was developed by psychologist Dr. Jaroslav Koch at the Prague Institute for Mother and Child as part of his deprivation research.
Book Tip
“Playfully Supporting Babies with the Prague Parent-Child Program” by Anne Pulkkinen is a very beautiful, illustrative book that explains PEKiP for home use. It is ideal for parents who cannot attend a PEKiP course nearby.
Internet Tips
Here you can find all the information about PEKiP, as the "inventors" of PEKiP also speak here. In addition, you can find the address and phone number of a PEKiP group near you.