A baby simply cannot grow up to live in a positive fashion if he or she is not in a positive environment. As a parent, it’s your job to create the best possible surroundings for them. How they live as a baby can significantly impact their life as a toddler, and then as a young person. Your actions and behaviors play such a huge part in their life from day one. If you can create a positive lifestyle from the offset, you’ll give yourself and them every possible advantage.

Creating that positive environment can feel like quite a daunting task, but there are so many things you can do in order to make it happen. From changing up your own habits to setting up things around the house, here are a few examples of what can be done.

Create and Establish a Real Bond with Your Child

Building a bond with your child can be quite difficult if you have never done it before. There have been many instances in the past where parents or guardians really struggle with this kind of thing. You will not have to panic too much regarding how to bond with your child, as it comes with experience and consistently responding to their emotional and physical needs. Feeding, changing, holding, and so many other areas will contribute to building a bond with your kid. A healthy bond allows the baby to comfortably explore their surroundings and will help them with their emotions as they grow.

Ensure They Have a Safe and Stimulating Environment

In terms of having a positive environment overall, you have to ensure that everything is safe for them. You also have to ensure they are getting mental stimulation in the home and surrounding areas. This includes where they sleep and where they play. It’s amazing just how much it can impact their development. Age-appropriate toys and activities such as problem-solving games can help them with so many important skills. It’s wise to have a nursery essentials checklist for them so that you know exactly what is needed at each stage. There is plenty of time for them to learn about hard work and adversity in the future; when they are very young, it is all about providing comfort and happiness for them to build confidence.

Never Neglect Their Nutrition and Sleeping Patterns 

This is a very obvious point to make, but it’s one that should be reiterated. Nutrition plays such a huge part in one’s life and especially when you have a baby to look after. Ensuring they get enough breast milk, formula, or solid foods that fit their nutritional needs should never be neglected. Creating a consistent sleep schedule will help them get into all the right habits. Providing the right kind of crib with the right mattress will allow this kind of thing to flourish.

Encourage Them to Explore and Be Curious about Life 

Babies are naturally curious, as they are not educated enough about the world around them, of course. They want to explore the environment around them and become used to everything. Provide the surroundings with the right kinds of toys and activities that encourage them to move around and learn more. Providing toys that make certain sounds will allow them to develop their sensory skills and motor skills.

Be a Positive Role Model in Terms of Your Behavior and Words 

Even though your baby will be very young, they will still pick up certain things that you say and do. You will be their idol, and they will look to mimic an awful lot of your actions. You have to make sure that you are setting the right kind of example and being a positive individual. All they know is you, so you must ensure that you are a wonderful parent. They will pick up certain words if you say them enough, so choose wisely and do not act in an immature way.

Be Empathetic to Their Needs and Wants 

Your baby will communicate their needs in a lot of different ways. Crying and facial expressions tend to be the most popular form. It’s up to you to respond to their cues promptly and sensitively. This, of course, means feeding them on appropriate and timely occasions. This kind of thing helps build a sense of trust, which can give them the mental stimulation they need to grow and develop. It can lower stress and give them a sense of control – even at such a young age. 

Allow Them to Be Playful and Sociable 

Allowing your baby to be playful and sociable will be crucial in their overall development. It will help them learn how to communicate and cooperate properly. Social skills are so important in people, and they start when they are babies. If you encourage them to be more sociable and to play, they will build a stronger bond with others and will learn about more emotional intelligence.

Set the Right Kind of Boundaries 

Boundaries are so important, as they will keep them safe during their childhood. If you were able to teach them what they can and cannot do, it will help so much with their development. Encouraging them not to touch dangerous objects or to run out into the street is vital, for example. Discouraging violent behavior such as biting is also important. This sense of guidance will help them learn what is wrong and what is right.

Do What You Can to Teach Them Independence

Independence is so important in one’s childhood. Ensuring they are independent will also help raise their self-esteem. Allowing them to take small risks and learn about the basics can help so much in terms of their competence. Responding positively to these kinds of things can genuinely improve their confidence, even at a young age.

Celebrate Achievements and Small Wins 

We just touched on it, but celebrating achievements can allow the kids to feel better about themselves and to have a smile on their face more often. Whether it’s about taking their first steps or saying a few words, they can feel loved and valued.