Gift Ideas For Newborns

Are you trying to think of a good gift idea for your friend's newborn? A newborn can be difficult to shop for since gifts can be so quickly out grown. Plus people all tend to buy the same things so a newborn usually winds up with more booties and clothes than he really needs. Below are a few gifts for newborns that have the potential to keep on giving as the baby grows.

Music

Music is a timeless gift for newborns and can instill a love of music for years to come. Anything from classical compositions to gentle lullabies are suitable for newborns. In fact, the wider the variety, the better. The newborn will be exposed to the beauty of sound in all its forms. The more he hears, the more his appreciation will expand. Instrumental and vocal are both good. Music can also be used to enhance the mood of the newborn. For example, classical music is calming and jazz is uplifting. Introducing a wide variety of music at a very early age can lead to a life long appreciation of music and maybe even a career as a musician. So if you are trying to come up with a gift for a newborn, picking up some music CDs would be a very good choice.

Books

Books are an excellent choice for newborns. Of course newborns can't read yet but they can be soothed by being read to. Reading to an infant has many benefits. It can be the beginning of a love of the written word and lead to a lifelong appreciation for reading. Being read to can help a child learn to read sooner which leads to doing better in school. Being read to helps to enhance the bond between mother and newborn. Many books are designed for infants so they can be chewed on and wiped clean. They are filled with rhyming words and bright pictures. There are many books on the market for infants and children which makes it easy to pick up something to give to a newborn as a gift.

Baby yoga and infant massage

Gift certificates for a baby yoga or infant massage make for a great gift for the newborn and mother alike. Participating in these classes will help nurture the mother-baby bond. You will be giving the newborn the gift of movement and healthy touch. Massage can help babies learn about their bodies and can also be used to relax them and relieve pain. Yoga can help the newborn to learn healthy movement and can be relaxing as well.

The above three suggestions as gifts for newborns have the potential to keep on giving for years to come. While another pair of baby booties might never be worn and tossed out in a short time, the gift of music, reading, or movement can go on to influence the newborn's life throughout childhood and beyond.

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Medina Memorial Hospital was placed on lockdown Tuesday afternoon after an exposure scare for a substance that tested out to be harmless.

'Look Good … Feel Better' program at Cancer Care Center (Louisville Courier-Journal)

The American Cancer Society's "Look Good … Feel Better" program will have a class at 6 p.m. Monday at the Cancer Care Center, 2210 Green Valley Road, New Albany.

Public asked to assist in infant death investigation (Chesterton Tribune)

The Porter County Sheriff’s Police is appealing to the public to assist detectives with their investigation of the homicide of 6-month-old Nicholas Munden, who died last week at the University of Chicago Hospital (UCH).

Health Calendar (The Lincoln-Way Sun)

Infant massage: Noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 25, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, 333 N. Madison St., Joliet. Class is designed for expectant and new parents to explore the techniques and benefits of infant massage. Bring your newborn to receive the calming effects of a massage.

HEALTH CALENDAR (The Herald News)

Program: 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 8, Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital, 1600 W. U.S. 6 in Morris. A free program for women undergoing cancer treatment. Trained volunteer cosmetologist will teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss.