During the first few weeks you can expect your newborn to sleep a lot, eat frequently, cry, and need many diaper changes throughout the day. For a complete list of specific developmental milestones to look for during the first few weeks, click here.

By three months of age, your baby will be more active, in control of her own body movements, and responsive. For a complete list of specific developmental milestones to look for around three months, click here.

By six months of age, your child will gain coordination of his senses and movement. For a complete list of specific developmental milestones to look for around six months, click here.

Nutrition begins with you! What you feed your child, even from day one, creates the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

• Birth to 4 Months: Breastmilk is best for development and can protect against illness! No solid foods or liquids except for breastmilk or infant formula.
• 4 to 6 Months: You may begin to introduce solids slowly. Start with infant cereals first (rice, oatmeal, barley, wheat, and mixed) then fruit and strained vegetables. Give your baby one new food at a time and wait at least two to three days before starting another. After each new food, watch for any allergic reactions such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting. If any of these occur, stop using the new food and talk with your pediatrician. For more information on introducing solid foods, click here.

• Always support a newborn’s head including her soft spot and neck.
• Place your baby on their back to sleep.
• Never shake or spank your baby! Shaking your baby causes brain damage and since infants are not able to control their actions they should not be punished.
• Keep small objects (anything that fits in a toilet paper tube) away from your baby to prevent choking.
• Do not leave your baby unattended on any surface above the floor.
• Never leave your baby alone near water. Babies can drown in less than one inch of water.
• Do not hold your baby while you’re cooking near hot objects.

Crying is how babies first learn how to communicate and your loving response helps your baby’s early language and motor development. You can’t spoil a baby! Here are a few basic tips to try to soothe your crying baby:
• Meet Basic Needs—Find the source of your bay’s pain or discomfort: feed, burp, and diaper your baby; make sure clothing isn’t too tight and baby isn’t too hot or cold; look for signs of illness including fever, vomiting, or changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
• Change of Scenery—Change positions; take the baby for a walk outside in a stroller or for a ride in the car; try lowering any surrounding light and noise if over-stimulated; find an activity that can serve as a distraction (including play).
• Calming Touch—Keep your cool and your baby will sense your calmness and become quiet! Hold the baby against your chest and breathe slowly and calmly; gently massage her; rock, walk, or dance with the baby.
• Comfort Objects—Offer a pacifier or any other comfort object (i.e. blankets, stuffed animals, etc.).
• Soothing Noises—Sing, turn on some music, or create some white noise by turning on the vacuum, find static between radio stations, turn on an electric fan or whisper “shhh...” in your baby’s ear.
• Crying It Out—Unfortunately, we can not always stop the crying. If your baby seems okay but continues crying do your best to stay calm and wait it out. If you feel like you are going to loose control, put the baby in a safe place (such as a crib) and go to another room to collect yourself.
• Find Support—Ask another responsible adult to take over for a while so you can take a break.

Did you know that you can help your child’s brain develop through play…even from day one? Simple everyday tasks can create fun learning experiences that will have a lasting impact on your child’s physical, social, and intellectual development. Here are some suggestions for how to play with baby along with other tips for new families:

• Listen and imitate the sounds he/she makes, and practice talking back-and-forth.
• Sing, talk, and read to your baby every day to help with language development!
• If you fluently speak another language, use it at home.
• Give your baby toys and safe everyday objects with different colors, textures, and sounds.
• Play “Peek-A-Boo” and “This Little Piggy”.
• Let your baby play on a blanket on the floor. Help him roll over or sit up for a little while.
• As your baby’s teeth begin to erupt, he may be irritable and restless. A cool teething ring or clean, wet cloth to chew on may make sore gums feel better. Physicians do not recommend over-the-counter products for teething pain.
• Relax. It’s common to feel stressed or down after having a baby. Give yourself time to adjust. If your feelings of stress or sadness don’t pass or they get worse, talk with your doctor. He or she can help.
• Take time as a couple! It’s fun to enjoy your new baby as a couple but you still need time for the two of you.
• You need rest so that you have energy to take care of your new baby. Try napping when your baby does.

 

From around four to seven months your baby is still learning to coordinate his/her senses and body movement. For a complete list of specific developmental milestones to look for around seven months, click here.

By eight to twelve months you can expect your baby to be more mobile than ever, and you will face new challenges that come with your child’s new found independence. For a complete list of specific developmental milestones to look for around twelve months, click here.

• Breastmilk & Formula: Gradually decrease breastmilk and formula intake when increasing solid foods from about 39 oz. per day at 6 months to 20-30 oz. per day at 12 months
• Solid Foods 7 to 9 Months: Continue introducing plain cereals, fruit and vegetables. Begin to introduce strained meats/poultry, unsweetened fruit juices (vitamin C-fortified) in a cup, plain toast and teething biscuits.
• Solid Foods 10 to 12 Months: Slowly introduce chopped soft fruits and vegetables; meats; unsweetened dry cereals; plain, soft bread; and pasta. Give your baby eggs last, because they occasionally cause allergic reactions
• Water: Some water for thirst

Within 2 or 3 months of starting solid foods, your baby's daily diet should include the following foods each day: breast milk or formula, cereal, vegetables, meats, fruits. For more information on introducing solid foods, click here. It is a good time to begin establishing a mealtime routine. Routines help children look forward to each meal. Start good habits early and they will reward you later!

Help your baby learn to sleep through the night.

• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine to help cue your child that is time to sleep.
• Go to sleep...awake. It is important to put your baby to sleep while he/she is sleepy but still awake to help him/her learn to self-soothe, which will help you sleep through the night!
• Remember, it will take time, consistency, and patience to help your baby learn to sleep on their own.

Good dental habits should begin before the first tooth appears.

• After feedings, gently brush or wipe your baby’s gums using water on a baby toothbrush that has soft bristles or a clean washcloth.
• After the first tooth appears, ask your child’s doctor if your baby is getting enough fluoride. Many experts recommend using fluoride-free toothpaste before the age of 2, but check with your child’s doctor or dentist first.

Make sure your house is baby-proof!

• Check all furniture to make sure it is stable and can not fall when your little one pulls him/herself up on it
• Install safety latches on cabinets, drawers, and toilets; cover unused electrical outlets with outlet covers
• Gate staircases and steps, cover sharp edges of furniture and ledges on fireplaces
• Keep older children’s toys, cleaning supplies, medicines, and hot or sharp objects out of baby’s reach

• Get ready to set limits. Once you notice your baby looking around to see if you are watching, he is aware of what is a no-no. Begin to set limits by letting a child know what they can and cannot do.
• Make bath time fun! Provide safe toys and objects for your explorer to use in the tub.
• Play back-and-forth games like rolling a ball to one another which helps your baby learn to give and take.
• Play “peek-a-boo” and practice waving and saying “bye-bye”. Help your baby feel comforted when you leave by saying “bye-bye” like you’ve practiced and telling him/her you will be back soon.
• Since your baby might be more scared of strangers, try introducing her to the new person while she is in your arms. • Help your baby learn about feelings. Comfort her when she cries, acknowledge when she’s frustrated, and help calm down the situation. This helps your child manage strong feelings and develop self-control.
• Ask your baby to help you while you dress him. Say, “Pull your arm through your shirt; push your foot through your pants.”
• Read to your baby every day! The more you read, the more you are helping your baby’s early literacy skills.