Baby massage is proven to help your baby be happier, smarter and sleep better! Certified Infant Massage Instructor, Lactation consultant,  mother of five (YEs, five!) and respected parenting author Pinky McKay is making a special visit to us to show you how you can calm and connect with your baby through infant massage.

Come and meet Pinky in-store this coming Saturday April 4th at 2pm and learn how both you and bubs can benefit from baby massage. This session is free of charge and of great value whether you are already a new mum or a soon-to-be mum!

WHEN: SATURDAY 4th APRIL, 2009

WHERE: bebe, 36-38 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Victoria

FOR MORE INFO: Call us on 9821 4405

If you’re not local to us and are keen to learn about baby massage, check out Pinky McKay’s Baby Massage DVD here at bebe online.

Baby’s first Easter is a beautiful celebration that new parents will cherish forever. Giving something small to bubs in celebration of this event can be a fun way of enjoying this special day in yor baby’s new life, and will be something cherished by you as a couple in years to come. Check out bebe’s five most popular gifts for Baby’s First Easter:

1. Mamas & Papas Pip Bunny, $49.95 2. Flat Out Bear, $49.95 3. Nici Plush Tiger, $24.95 4. Lambykins Merino Blanket & Cap, $169.95 5. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Matilda Rag Doll, $59.00

By Pinky McKay

As your baby learns to sit, let her ‘rummage’ in a basket of household objects made from the natural materials (with strict supervision, of couse). Babies from six to nine months will explore objects with all of their senses- by sucking, smelling, grasping, mouthing, stroking, banging, rolling, tipping and examining them with great concentration. And, as they are playing, babies will also be learning to make decisions and choices, concentrating and storing up information.

So, what should you put in your babies treasure basket? For starters, avoid plastic objects- they lack texture and smell (this is a good thing to remember when you buy baby toys too). Instead, choose natural tactile textures such as large, smooth sheels, a plug on a chain, a soft brush, a small leather purse, a pine cone, a pretty rock, a woollen pom pom or a felt ball, a small glass bottle (glass must be thick), a metal teaspoon, large wooden beads threaded on elastic, a natural sponge, bean bags made of various fabrics such as velvet, corduroy, soft cotton (fill these with rice or popping corn)- the possibilities are endless, but all objects should be checked for sharp edges or pieces that may break off easily and you must always be with your baby when she uses the treasure basket- to ensure the safety and to help if necessary. As an added precaution- check the contents of the basket before each play session.

For more tips to engage and play with your baby (so she doesn’t grizzle from boredom), see 100 Ways to Calm the Crying  and Toddler Tactics by Pinky McKay . www.pinkymckay.com.au

by Pinky

Unless you already have more than one child, you will be your child’s first playmate (and teacher) and even if you have several children, unless there is an age gap of a few years, playing together peacefuly without supervision will be a challenge for a while yet.

While toddlers love the company of other children and playgroups are fun (especially for parents who need reassurance that their child’s spirited behaviour is actually ‘on track’!), the ability to share toys and play co-operatively will take time and depends on stages of maturity. One year olds usually wander around by themselves, exploring and occasionally taking a toy from another child or imitating their actions, but generally they dont really play together with other children. This kind of play is called ’solitary play’ by the experts. Later, little ones begin to engage in ‘parallel play’ which means that two children may play alongside each other but without much interaction - they might both play with cars or build with blocks but they will be playing separately. Then when they are closer to three years old, toddlers begin to play co-operatively perhaps building a road together in the sandpit or making a block tower together. However, sharing treasured toys and attention (especially their parents) can take a while yet.

So please don’t give up on playgroups or play dates because it seems like a waste of time - despite his developmental stage right now, with your support, your child will gradually learn to get along with other children and adults, he will enjo meeting people in a familiar setting and by making this commitment, you are sowing seeds of later social skills such as sharing, empathy, fairness and self control.

About the author - Pinky McKay is an Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant, a Certified Infant Massage Instructor with Infant Massage Australia and respected parenting author.  Check out Toddler Tactics by Pinky McKay here.  For more information about Pinky please visit www.pinkymckay.com.au.