10-Month-Old Baby

The last thing you need as a driver is a distraction — a fussy baby or whiny tot while you're behind the wheel. So it's understandable that you'd be tempted to attach toys to your child's car seat during road trips.

However, even though federal car seat safety guidelines avoid mentioning car seat toys, any accessories or other products that don't come with the seat are not safe to use while the vehicle is in motion. (So in other words, they're okay to attach when the seat is on the floor in your house or in a stroller. But you should steer clear of using them when you're driving.)

As frustrating as that may sound, your best bet is to travel with someone else in the back seat to entertain your baby and/or plan for fairly frequent stops so that you can tend to your child during the trip. You can also offer soft, small, baby-safe toys that don't attach to the seat. That way, you'll be able to keep your little one calm and safe when you're on the road.

If you haven't already, try introducing your baby to a cup this month. The keys to success, whether you’re switching from bottle, breast or both, are practice, patience and making it fun.

Letting your little one pick out his cup will make it feel special and give him a sense of independence and control. Show him two at a time (maybe one with handles and the other with a straw), and allow him to choose (or point to) his favorite. 

And don't underestimate the power of whimsical characters or magical gimmicks, like cups that change colors.

Now that he has more teeth, has your 10-month-old started to bite? Making a big deal out of a bite, by crying out in pain or sternly scolding him, may only encourage him to try again to see what you'll do next. 

The best response: a firm, no-nonsense, low-drama reminder of the rule ("no biting") while you take him (and his choppers) away from the target. Then, offer him something appropriate he can bite on — a teething toy, pacifier or chilled washcloth — and tell him it's okay to sink his pearly whites into that instead.

You probably do it dozens of times a day: Give your baby a cheer, a round of applause or a "You did it!" after he successfully reaches a toy or claps his hands.

And while it may seem a bit much to be bursting with pride over such small accomplishments, it's really not. His new tricks are new to you, even if babies have been performing them since the dawn of time. And it's your praise that builds his self-esteem, makes him want to try again and again, and helps him begin to believe in himself.

So provide plenty of opportunities for him to earn your words of praise. Give him age-appropriate toys that he can succeed with. If he's working on grasping and reaching, put squeezable objects just far enough away that he needs to make an effort to get them.

Then sit back and let him try — don't offer help unless he starts to get too frustrated. Acclaim that he actually earns is much more valuable than an empty "good job" from you. And specific words of encouragement mean more than general ones.

Commend him for his efforts ("You are really working to get that ball!") and his performance ("You fit the yellow peg in the hole!"). Getting detailed about his accomplishments lets him know that you are really paying attention — and what baby doesn't love being the center of attention?

Besides having more brain cells, your baby's brain is wired differently at birth than an adult’s, which makes it harder for him to screen out stimulation.

While you automatically tune out most of the background “static” as you go about finishing your task — the dog barking next door, the coworker on the phone in the next cubicle, or even the way the carpet feels under your feet — your baby doesn't yet have that ability.

That’s why little ones are constantly distracted by their surroundings — they're so busy taking everything in that it's hard for them to focus. They can also become overstimulated pretty quickly, which can lead to crankiness and crying.

If you want your baby to concentrate on the task at hand — like nursing or eating — take him to a quiet, dimly lit place.

If you're considering getting a family pet, this may add to your case: They're good for everyone's health!

Experts say that children who grow up with pets are less likely to develop common allergies thanks to early exposure to certain germs, dirt and allergens. (Of course, some children are genuinely allergic to animals — so check on that before you take the plunge.)

And some research shows that pet owners tend to get sick less often — in fact, one study determined that children who lived with dogs were generally healthier during their first year of life, with fewer respiratory problems and less-frequent ear infections than kids without canines.

Another pro to pets? Brushing, patting or stroking a furry creature can lower stress levels — and that’s just as true for parents as it is for kids.

If your baby doesn't have the patience to sit and look at books now, don't worry. He'll still enjoy playing with them — and in the process learn that pages turn.

So get sturdy board or cloth books that can withstand a lot of baby-handling, and let him chew, toss and mouth to his heart's content. Pretty soon, he may sit still long enough to look at a picture or two with you.

The books that are best for babies have simple pictures of everyday objects, usually one to a page, that are bold and bright enough to capture his attention, even if it's just for a minute or two.

Just don't force it — you want him to love books as much as any other toy, not burn out on them by the time he's a toddler.