From birth, Lamaze is a toy line that has been staple in our household. Both my sons adore everything they make including their cast of characters and developmental playsets.

Keeping in this tradition, the new Lamaze Play House Gym($80) has been a hit for us. This bright playspace offers many features that keep both the baby and mommy happy.

Out of the box, I was impressed with the detail on both sides of the mat. Designed like a house, this reversible pad comes complete with backyard, front door, garage and flower garden scenes on the outside. And an eating, playing, bathing and sleeping baby on the inside.

The whole mat is easy to put together and take a part. In fact, it packs up nicely for easy storage or to accommodate a child who is able to sit and play with the activities on the outside.

I like that the Lamaze Play House Gym comes with characters that mirror those in most households; a mommy, daddy, baby, cat and flower! The latter 3 double as shapes that can be placed on a Velcro pad on the outside. Also included are a baby activated lights and music sun, perfect for visual tracking and a mirror for self discovery.

Now that my youngest son has outgrown the laying on his back and waiting for stuff to happen stage, he loves to crawl through this mat like it’s a tunnel. We also lay the mat out flat as a soft play area when we are out at either grandparents house.

In order to keep all of our toys organized, I store all of my youngest son’s soft toys inside this gym when they’re not being played with. It Velcro’s up just like a purse for easy storage, complete with handles for carrying. The baby knows that this is where his toys are kept and I often find him rummaging through it looking for his favorite stuff.

Lamaze uses the softest Velcro tape I have ever come across. It is smooth, but effective and I don’t have to worry about the baby scratching his face or hands if he gets a little crazy with the toys.

Overall, I think that Lamaze has thought of almost everything when designing this vibrant playspace. The only thing missing from this set is a tummy pad, which may make tummy time more comfortable for younger babies.

I recommend this for babies from newborn up to a year.

*Thank you to Lamaze for sending this to us to review!*

Now the American Physical Therapy Assn. wants parents to know that position is for when they’re sleeping and unsupervised.

A national survey of 400 pediatric physical and occupational therapists by the children’s health advocacy group Pathways Awareness found that two-thirds of therapists reported increases in motor delays in infants who spend too much time on their backs.

“We have seen first-hand what the lack of tummy time can mean for a baby: developmental, cognitive, and organizational skills delays, eye-tracking problems, and behavioral issues, to name just some complications,” said association spokeswoman Judy Towne Jennings from Fairfield, Ohio, in a news release. “New parents are told of the importance of babies sleeping on their backs to avoid SIDS, but they are not always informed about the importance of tummy time.”

It’s not just when they’re asleep that babies are on their backs. What with car seats, infant carriers, strollers and swings, the new generation of babies spend much of their awake time locked into a variety of protective containers — on their backs.

Tummy Time promotes muscle development and helps avoid flat areas on the backs of heads. So regularly get the little tykes out of those convenient containers and get down on the floor with them – even if they don’t like it.
Babycenter offers these tips to help make Tummy Time more enjoyable for both parent and baby:

1. Join them on the floor – get down on their level and encourage them, talk with them, shake their rattle, make funny faces or play peekaboo.
2. Buy a few tummy time toys – invest in a tummy-time toy or gym, designed especially for babies to play with while on their belly. Some have lights, mirrors, moving pictures, music and/or squeaky toys attached.
3. Get the other kids involved – if you have other kids at home have them join you to distract the baby.
4. It’s all about timing – make sure that you baby isn’t hungry or tired when you set them down for tummy time. A just-fed baby may also be uncomfortable if you try it just after feeding

Tip: Some parents find it helpful to roll their babies over on their tummy for a little while after every diaper change. It’s easy to remember to do it, and your baby may come to expect it. Your baby may also enjoy the view, if he’s up on a changing table. Just be sure to hold on to him so he doesn’t roll off.
Some tummy time toy suggestions:

In your community, you will find prenatal classes that will teach both you and your partner how to deal with all of the craziness that is going to occur after your water breaks.

Some new parents find that attending these classes can really help calm their worries and answer many questions.

These classes cover many pregnancy issues such as:

• breathing techniques
• massage skills
• pain management
• vaginal labor
• cesarean labor
• possibly early parenthood information as well

Some of the benefits of taking prenatal classes are:

1. You will learn warning signs that indicate something is wrong
2. The additional knowledge will help you to be confident during childbirth.
3. You will get a better understanding of your partners role during labour and delivery.
4. Dads taking the class with their partners will feel more involved in the pregnancy.
5. You may meet other parents who will be due at the same time as you. This will give you the opportunity to have friends to do play dates with after your baby arrives.

Even though prenatal classes come in all shapes and sizes, they all have a common goal – to help prepare you for labour, birth, and early parenthood.

Some parents get more out of childbirth classes than others do. But even if you find the techniques you’re taught don’t work for you when you finally go into labor, you may get other benefits from the class.

Tips:

• It is recommended you register for these classes early as they fill up quickly.
• Expectant parents normally attend these classes between 26 and 29th week.
• Your OBGYN may have a class or instructor that he/she has heard good things about – ask them for recommendations
• From about 34 weeks onward, you will probably be given the opportunity to visit the hospital and tour round the labor suite. This gives parents the chance to become familiar with the layout and to find out how things are done there.