My dad died a long time ago,  long before I had children. Yet, among other things, we are still bound by a book. It’s a hardcover edition of Mark Twain’s short stories. My dad bought it when I was a toddler and gave it to me the night before I got married, telling me that Twain’s humor and wisdom would come in handy in the years ahead. It did, and it still does.

When you share a book with someone it’s as if you’re saying “I value what’s in this book enough to want to share it with you because I value you too.” Simple sentiments become more powerful when accompanied by a book.

Parents of small children know how important “book/cuddle time” is to raising a reader and making essential connections. Parents of preteens and teens can continue to build a special closeness through books:

• Read books that you can both enjoy and then talk about them later (e.g., obvious – Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling; not-so-obvious The Help by Kathryn Stockett)

• Share a genre — humor, mystery, romance, travel, horror — when it may not be appropriate to share the same book. Conversations will morph as your child to “grows into” your reading level.

• Look for authors with books that are “crossover” titles or that have been made into movies you can watch after reading the book (e.g., The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne; Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford)

• Some authors may surprise you. If you’re reading a James Bond story by Ian Fleming maybe Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang – also written by Fleming – will appeal to your son or daughter.

• Look for authors that write specifically for people of all ages. Introduce books by those authors into your child’s early years and let them grow along with the author’s books (e.g., Jacqueline Woodson and Patricia McKissack offer picture books through young adult literature. Ridley Pearson and Judy Blume have written books for readers of all ages.)

• Read non-fiction books about things of interest to both of you. (Books about sports figures are favorites in our house along with books about musicians, artists, world history, poetry and space exploration.)

• Ask your son or daughter pick a book for you to read. (My 13-year old made me a fan of Edgar Allan Poe.)

• Attend author visits together at your local library or bookstore.

Yesterday, my son asked, “Mom, if you were an author, which one would you want to be?” That really got me thinking. And it got us talking.

What books have made a difference to you as a child? As a parent? What tips can you offer to strengthen a parent-child “book link” ?

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Expert Mommy, Diane Asyre is a professional writer and owns Asyre Communications.

The first week of your baby’s life brings big adjustments for both of you. You are adjusting to being a mother and caring for your baby and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. It is a time of great joy – and possibly immense fear! Although you’ve been preparing for the birth of your baby for months, now he is here and depending on you for everything which can seem overwhelming. Don’t expect too much of yourself during these first days! If anyone offers you help – take it!

During your baby’s first few weeks of life, he will be concentrating on getting to know you and his surroundings. Your baby needs to be handled so that life outside the womb seems as little different as possible to life inside the womb. Your baby’s needs, while they may seem overwhelming to you, are really simple: food, warmth and comfort from cuddling. Wrap him snugly and warmly, hold him closely, handle him slowly, and feed him when he’s hungry. Your baby will have the routing and sucking reflexes as well as tongue thrust. These are needed to get nourishment from the breast or bottle. You can also use this time to bond with your baby with lots of skin to skin contact.

Whether you decide to breast or bottle feed, feeding in the first few weeks is not an effortless process. Try to have early feeding sessions in a quiet setting with as few distractions as possible. Make sure you are in a comfortable position as it takes new babies a while to eat and you don’t want to end up stiff and sore. Cuddle and caress your baby as feeding time is a wonderful opportunity to show your baby how much he is loved.

If you are breastfeeding, be patient while you and your baby are getting the hang of it! The benefits of breastfeeding are many and in order for it to be successful, it is important to start out right. Keep in mind though it may take several weeks until you both feel comfortable and get a feeding schedule down.

Most new moms feel and experience:

• Exhaustion!
• Bloody vaginal discharge for the first week or so
• Discomfort or pain in the perineal area if you had a vaginal delivery
• Incision pain or numbness if you had a cesarean delivery
• Abdominal cramping (afterpains) as the uterus contracts
• Elation or depression or swings between both
• Breast discomfort or engorgement
• Fears about your adequacy as a mother
• Profuse sweating after the first couple of days

Although it may be tempting to try to be a ’supermom’, now is not the time. The best advice that I received as an new mom was to accept the help of others, eat regular meals and sleep when the baby sleeps. Now it’s my turn to pass that advice on to you.

About The Author

Anne Cavicchi is a Canadian wife and mother of one boy and two step-daughters. She also owns Annie’s Maternity Corner where you’ll find everything you need for pregnancy and baby! Great products, articles, information and more to see you through pregnancy and baby’s first years at Annie’s. www.maternitycorner.com

Baby Massage is a relaxing activity that parents can do to bond with their baby. It is just one of the ways parents can communicate love through touch. Several studies also show that massage supports positive infant development and growth.

Following are the many benefits of infant massage.

Physical benefits of Baby Massage:

• Increases blood flow and circulation.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Stimulates neurological development.
• Provides sensory stimulation
• Relieves discomfort from constipation and gas.
• Aids in digestion
• Eases congestion and stimulates the baby’s ability to suck.
• Has a positive effect on colic symptoms.
• Produces Oxytocin.

Mental benefits of Baby Massage:

• Relaxes and reduces stress (Yes, even infants have it.)
• Promotes bonding and attachment
• Improves communication
• Promotes positive development and self esteem
• Helps baby to sleep better and longer
• Helps parents to learn about their baby which allows them to better care for their needs.

How to Give a Baby Massage
The best way to learn is by watching baby massage videos. The following video is a perfect step by step introduction.

Video: How To Massage Your Baby For Health And Happiness

Here are some tips:

• The best time to give a baby a massage is about 30 minutes after they have eaten or during bath time, when they are relaxed and calm, and both of you are in a good mood. Massage relaxes babies so it’s best not to do it immediately after a feeding or when the baby is hungry.
• Be sure the room and your hands are warm. If you decide to use baby massage oils warm them by rubbing your hands together before applying to the baby’s skin.
• The pressure you use should be the same as if you were to touch your eyelids. You shouldn’t press harder than you can press on your eyelids and be comfortable.
• Massage for no longer than 15 minutes per sitting and always stop if your baby cries or seems uncomfortable.
• Talk, sing, and laugh with your baby during massage.