Nearly all children are toilet trained by the time they go to school, so a few months here or there will not make a lot of difference. Most children are ready anywhere between 24 and 36 months. There is a wide range in the age for potty training. Boys generally start later and take longer to train than girls. You will need to watch for signs that your toddler is interested in using the potty and is aware of a bowel movement before it happens. Encourage your child to use a potty, have it ready, show it to them, but make a game of it. Be lavish with your praise if your child is successful.

You can help your baby learn to eat well by using some very simple tips.
Try to Offer a varied selection of foods. Do not try to feed your baby too much. She may be put off trying other foods. Give your baby a variety of protein and carbohydrate food, fruits, and vegetables. Try to avoid sugar, salt, and very fatty foods or hot, spicy foods. Make sure you do not bribe or reward your child with food. Instead, offer her plenty of hugs, kisses, and attention.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony had much to celebrate over the weekend as their precious twins Max and Emme turned one on Sunday. The party was celebrated at their home in Bel Air. About 50 guests came to share in the celebration for the twins. The garden was decorated with metallic silver balloons and had a blue and red colour scheme. Guests were treated to entertainment including two moonbouncers, a clown, music and non alchoholic slushies from The Margarita Man. Sounds like these one year olds know how to party!

The six boys and two girls, who were nine weeks premature, were delivered by Caesarean section in the hospital near Los Angeles, California. The babies weighed between 1lb 8oz and 3lb 4oz and are all said to be doing well. The mother checked in to the hospital 23 weeks into her pregnancy and gave birth seven weeks later. A spokeswoman at the Bellflower medical centre described the deliveries, which took place in the space of five minutes, as “truly amazing”. The medical team had scheduled a Caesarean section for seven babies, but doctors were surprised when an eighth came out. The babies will be in incubators for at least six weeks and the mother is planning to breast feed them all. Dr Gupta added that the mother was “doing very, very well” and was “really excited that she got all of these babies, and that they’re doing well so far”.

Sarah Pembroke gave birth to her third child just after 2am on New Year’s Day.”I came in to hospital just before midnight. My husband and I were wishing each other a happy new year in between contractions”. The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford said six babies were born on New Year’s morning. Sarah and Angus Pembroke had expected Delilah Lou-Ann to arrive in time for Christmas. “She was meant to be due Christmas Eve which would have an ideal Christmas present – but now it’s just a great start to the New Year,” said the 40-year-old father.

Age Suitability

Check the recommended age range on the toy, most toys have age guidelines but do not treat these as set-in-stone. Consider your own child’s maturity and whether they are physically ready for the toy, some four year olds will still put almost everything into their mouths so check for small parts and pieces.

Size

Look at the size of the toy – if it has parts smaller than mouth-size, don’t buy it for a baby or toddler, it may find its way into the mouth and cause choking.Also check the size and weight of the toy in relation to the child

Toy Parts

Toys should not have any sharp edges, spikes, dangerous protrusions, rough edges or splinters. Look at how toys are put together, check for loose hair, poorly attached buttons, eyes, tails, ribbons, beads and any other attachments that could be snapped or bitten off. Check toys for any moving parts that could trap or pinch little fingers such as doors, slots and springs. Make sure the toy does not have strings or cords, which could get wrapped around a child and be a strangling hazard. Cords on dressing up clothing are also a hazard as they can become lodged in a door or piece of machinery whilst being worn by the child.

Ride on Toys

Remember to check the toy is the correct size for your child. The safest way for your child to enjoy ride on toys is under close supervision by a responsible adult.

Keep Toys Clean

Toys which have been in contact with food products, or which have been outside, should be regularly cleaned. All toys given to babies should be cleaned frequently.

There is something quite special about having a party at home but it does need a bit of organising.

4 – 6 weeks ahead

· Decide on how many children you want to invite and make a guest list

· Decide in the theme and entertainment.

· Send out invitation and give a date for RSVP’s to be returned

2 weeks ahead

· Order all of your party pieces tableware, decorations, balloons etc

· Buy non-perishable food and decide on the cake

· Call RSVP’s who have not yet replied

1 week ahead

· Make a list of all of the party food

2 days to go

· Make up the party bags and sort out party clothes

· Make sure that you have camera, batteries, candles etc

· Prepare the games and activities

The day before

· Make / decorate the birthday cake

The day of the party

· Make the party food, set the table and blow up balloons

· Decorate the house with banners, streamers etc

· Have fun!

The first birthday party is undoubtedly more special to you than to your baby. In fact, your 12-month-old will probably view the celebration as an unnecessary interruption of playtime. So the key to creating a wonderful event is to make it memorable – for you!

Everything – from food to decorations – should be kept as simple as possible. Your job is to take footage and marvel at how your baby’s becoming a toddler – not to be running around the kitchen washing dishes.

While keeping things simple for this first birthday, don’t forget to limit the number of guests. A guest list of 10 may be overwhelming to your guest of honour. Your best bet is to invite only close friends and family.

Themes are often a great way to structure a birthday party. However, although themes can help you plan decorations, invitations and food, any activities or games should be kept to a minimum. A one-year-old simply doesn’t have the attention span or skills needed to participate in the fun. Don’t forget you will have your hands full entertaining guests while trying to monitor your birthday babe!

Your baby is turning one. This is the most momentous birthday ever, short of 100. But beware: parents often make the mistake of taking a great theme like Winnie the Pooh, and turning it into Pooh Bear birthday overload. Keep the celebration short – many babies simply can’t handle the sensory overload. Limit your party to two hours or risk birthday-baby meltdown.

A new report reveals parents definitely are posh enough to party, forking out over £1.25billion a year on their kid’s birthday parties. The report by Virgin Credit Card reveals that over half of UK parents are suffering from “Posh Party Syndrome”, admitting that they feel under pressure to compete with other parents.

Whilst the average birthday party now costs £182 (excluding presents and venue hire), parents will have trouble keeping up with the Beckhams, who reportedly spent a whopping £10,000 on Brooklyn’s first birthday celebrations.It seems a classy venue is also vital as nearly three quarters of parents splash out and hire a venue for their kid’s parties incurring even further birthday costs.

Despite the £1.25billion annual birthday party bill, over 1.5million children under 12 in the UK have not had a birthday party in the last three years. London parents spend more than any other region, forking out an average of £221 per party. Parents in Northern Ireland throw the biggest bashes, with one in five throwing their doors open to over 25 kids, whilst the average across the country is 12. Bouncy castles are still top of the list when it comes to hiring in entertainment with 42% of parents reporting having hired one in the last three years.