It seems to be a trend around my area, to teach small infants sign language so that they can communicate more before they can speak.

The Based Babies website now includes an
Entire List of Product Recommendations.

Within the categories, we have:
Baby Skincare
Toys
Books for Parents
Books for Babies (Includes a list of classics)
Furniture
Essentials
Sleep Helpers

I have only picked things that I myself have read/used and which I believe are the best option. If you have anything you think should be added to these lists, comment about it here!

GM

Fluoride is a mineral that was added to water in prisoner camps to keep the people docile. It is also often used as rat poison. When consumed, it calcifies the pineal gland in the brain. It's also in almost every baby formula, in the US and European tap water, and in your toothpaste.

I was recently given NHS guidelines on brushing my baby's teeth. They say "…Brush your baby's teeth with fluoride toothpaste." and then again a few lines later "…Use toothpaste with at least 1000 parts per million of fluoride." I asked our paediatrician how I was supposed to get my baby to rinse their mouth out after brushing, and she casually said "It's fine, they just swallow it."

The fluoride in toothpaste isn't even natural mineral fluoride, it's a by-product of industrial waste. It's been studied and proven not to significantly improve the condition of your teeth and can lead to a condition called fluorodosis. Filter your water. Read the full high-effort post here.

What do you think he's trying to say?

Direct vs Indirect Interaction
When looking for 'things to do with a baby' online almost every result is an example of indirect interaction:
- Placing a activity or toy in front of them
- Reading a book
- Listening to music
- Going on a walk
In these examples, the child is not getting a full amount of attention.

In our current times, adults will rarely interact with one another; watching a film together is indirect interaction, so is shopping together and talking through social media. It's good to have a balance of the two but it's easy to lean into a majority indirect contact - which can make anyone feel lonely.

To directly interact with your baby, you should:
- Nurse them
- Give them a massage
- Sing to them (make eye contact and use gestures)
- Cuddle
- Talk directly to them
- Play Peek-a-Boo
- Dance together

I also urge you to focus on direct contact in your relationship - altering your focus to create more opportunities for direct interaction with your partner can create lots of positive change.

10 Herbal Teas that Children Can Drink:
Ginger: Relieves nausea, aids digestion, and helps with congestion; its spicy flavour may be a hit or miss for children.
Chamomile: Aids digestion, calms the nervous system, and eases discomfort; ideal for stressed, teething, or hyperactive children.
Fennel: Addresses stomach issues; recommended for vomiting, nausea, and decreased appetite in kids.
Peppermint: Versatile herb for congestion, upset stomach, and stress.
Lemon Balm: Relieves anxiety and sleep problems; potential aid for children's sleep and restlessness. Great for parents too.
Hibiscus: Boosts immune system, high in vitamin C and antioxidants. (Slight laxative).
Cardamom: Relieves stomach pain, digestion issues, headaches, and cough. (Check for allergies)
Mullein: Clears mucous, treats diarrhoea, pneumonia, bronchitis, and colic. (Consider variations in purity, potency, and quantity when purchasing).
Rooibos: Rich in antioxidants, caffeine-free; promotes better sleep and soothes digestive discomfort.

Colour keywords when looking for natural fibre clothing. Other words that also work for finding good local brands: organic, scandi, merino, leather, sustainable.

The Based Babies website was updated and now includes new additions to Baby Books and a fairly major update to the Toys category. I also added a new section - Sleep Helpers. (For some reason, I did not want to call it Sleep Aids).

If you haven't yet, check out the Baby Products Recommendations Page.

And of course, if you think of something that should be on there but isn't (or if you find a mistake), please mention it in a comment.

Something about music captivates that which is human in us, even among the youngest.

Infants grow so quickly that sizes change every three months for the first year or two of their life. It's a treat for some women, who get to redesign an entire wardrobe at least four times a year. Dads, send this to your wives.

Don't purchase polyester clothing - Infants can overheat when wearing it because they cannot regulate their body temperature. Even older babies (and adults) shouldn't wear polyester because of the microplastics, and its synthetic production process.

Do you know the difference between an onesie, vest or babygrow? What's a footie? What's the difference between sizes New-born and 0-3m?

In order to help other parents with clothing organization here is my Guide to Truly Minimalist Baby Clothing (New-born to 1 Year) where I discuss the terminology, sizing, weather, practical uses, fabrics, and I provide an entire table of what you will need over the course of a year.