This early communication is the basis on which thinking and feeling will later develop.
She’s always seeking ways to adapt to the world outside the womb. (For example, sleeping is one way she learns to organize her life: When she’s tired, she turns off the environment, conserving energy to grow.
She’s always giving you signals. By watching her closely, you’ll learn how much or little stimulation she can handle, and when she’s ready for talking, feeding, singing, or playing. For instance, “I’m happy and ready to play” signals include open eyes, relaxed arms and legs, and maybe even a tight, playful grip around your finger. If she’s played with, talked to, or fed too much, she may grimace, turn and look away, clench her fists, and wriggle or spit up. These messages say, “Slow down, please.
I need more peace and quiet.” By watching her closely, you’ll learn how much or little stimulation she can handle. Sweet Dreams
-Month-Old Sleep Patterns Fortunately, by the time your baby is 6 to 12 weeks old, she’ll probably be sleeping for longer stretches of the night. If she’s not, you may have to help her learn to fall back to sleep on her own. Here are a few tricks you can try: Put her in her crib, instead of rocking or holding her. Wait until she’s groggy, but still awake; then lay her in her crib, say “good night,” turn off the light, and leave the room. If she cries, wait a few minutes before returning.
If she continues to cry, go back in the room (leaving the light off), rub her, and talk to her in a soothing voice. When she quiets down, say “good night” and leave the room again. If she begins to cry again, repeat this pattern until she falls asleep. It may take a few days, but she’ll get the hang of it. Establishing this skill when your baby is still young will help prevent bedtime battles later. 3By the third month, your baby is becoming quite the socialite, taking in more and more of the world around him. Help him get more acquainted with interacting with this big, new place by:
Carrying him in a cuddled “sitting” position and showing him lights or brightly colored objects Rocking him in a rocking chair. As you hold him, talk softly and look into his eyes. Singing quietly to him before bed Giving him different textures to feel, such as stuffed animals, plastic toys, or pieces of terry cloth or rubber. (Since your baby may put the objects in his mouth, be sure they’re not too small and that the pieces can’t be torn off and swallowed.)
Having quiet times. Babies need some quiet time to babble, play, and explore their world, so don’t leave a radio, TV, or stereo on for long periods. Looking in mirrors. Put a nonbreakable metal or plastic baby mirror in the crib or playpen. Show him the mirrors around your home. 4
Months baby
Propping him up so he can watch what goes on around him Years baby is probably jabbering for a reason, even if you don’t know what that is. One way to help her develop language skills is to imitate her jabbering and cooing, as if the two of you are having an intelligent conversation that only you can understand.
Other ways to help your baby develop language skills and understanding include: Talking to your baby often as you dress, feed, or bathe her Providing quiet time (turning off the radio and TV) Encouraging your baby to turn her head toward sounds Repeating sounds often and trying to get your baby to mimic them back to you Keeping Her Healthy: Baby Vaccinations Well-baby visits to the pediatrician are probably part of your monthly routine by now. These visits are important for you and your baby because:
They’re your opportunity to make sure your baby is growing and developing properly, and to ask any questions you may have. They’re the time when your baby will get the immunizations she needs (and make up any that she may have missed).
It’s true that in the United States great strides have been made in reducing childhood diseases through regular vaccinations. But the organisms that cause some of these diseases haven’t disappeared. Regular vaccinations are still the only way to protect your baby — now and for years to come — so be sure to get your child immunized to help keep her healthy.
5 months baby
H are some ways to help ensure that your baby develops to his full physical and cognitive potential (and have fun doing it!):
Encourage your baby to raise his head and push up on his arms to watch what is happening in the world around him. Hold your baby upright under the arms. Slowly lower your baby until his feet touch the table, bed, or your lap. Help your baby sit up alone. You can start by sitting on the couch or a chair with your baby and propping him up in the corner (which can prevent him from falling over).
Try to get your baby to follow faces or bright objects with his eyes.Let your baby feel many different textures.Help your baby pick up small toys, such as 1-inch blocks. (As a reminder, keep pills and other small objects that can cause choking out of your baby’s reach.) Who Is That? Baby’s Fear of Strangers As your baby interacts even more with his world, his first fear may occur this month — a fear of strangers.
6 months baby
This fear, which often includes fear of grandparents and other relatives, is normal. By this time, most babies have developed an awareness and recognition of key people around them, and a mistrust and fear of those who are not familiar. Although this fear goes away with time and is nothing to worry about, it usually helps to introduce your baby to new people slowly. 9 Months baby
While you’ve been guiding your baby along his road to development, the types of skills your baby develops, and the rate at which he develops them at this point, will be largely dependent on his own abilities.
However, here are some things you can do to inspire and stimulate him: Play “peekaboo” with him in front of a mirror. Read him books, naming objects and people as you travel through the pages. Teach him games such as “pat-a-cake” and “how big’s the baby?”Like always, keep hugging and cuddling him whenever possible, soothing and calming him when he’s fussy, smiling and chatting with him, and singing softly to him at bedtime. Engage
Your 11-Month-Old’s Growing Mind Because he’s becoming so smart and inquisitive, your activities together become more interesting, engaging him cognitively and physically. Here’s what you can do together: Help him walk with (or without) support.Ask him to find his favorite toy in his toy basket. Provide push/pull toys for him to play with.Roll or toss a large ball back and forth. Encourage your baby to pick a toy off the floor without holding onto anything.
Continue to talk to your baby.
This month, your house is a baby amusement park. Ensure Baby Safety This month, your house is a baby amusement park. He’s probably cruising while holding on to furniture, in love with the novelty of standing — particularly in the bathtub, and enamored with stairs that he can climb up but not down. While he’s running about, consider protecting him from common baby mishaps with these safety tips:
Buy safety gates or other barriers that are high and sturdy, have a straight top edge (instead of V-shaped or diamond-shaped openings) and a rigid screen, and are installed at the top and bottom of stairs.Keep his play area clear of hard, sharp-edged furniture. Lower his crib mattress so he can’t crawl or fall out while he’s standing.
Install easy-to-use childproof locks for drawers, screens, doors, and windows.Keep poisonous substances (including household cleaners and products) in high cabinets that you can lock. (If you think your baby has eaten something poisonous, immediately call the Poison Control Center, the hospital emergency room or your baby’s health care professional.) Keep these numbers by the phone. Stay close to your baby around water — pools, tubs, large buckets of water, even toilets.Avoid leaving pots containing hot foods close to the edges of tables or counters. Make sure you use plug protectors in any unused electrical outlets.
12 months baby
Engaging Your 12-Month-Old’s Mind This month, help her continue to develop by: ugging and cuddling her soothing
and calming her when he’s fussy Smiling and talking to her oftenRocking and loving her
Playing games such as “pat-a-cake” New activities include: * Sitting her at or near the table during family meals ·
Showing her how to pull a pull toy. (To prevent choking, keep toys with long strings put away when you can’t watch your baby play.) · “Reading” a picture book with her — identifying what you see on each page. Graduation-to-Toddler Safety Tips If you haven’t already, now is a good time to make sure you’ve taken all the baby safety measures you can. Here’s a checklist for convenience: · Check that all approved safety gates are in place and in working order. · Lower the crib mattress so your baby can’t crawl or fall out while she’s standing. · Install childproof locks for drawers, screens, doors, and windows. · Keep poisonous substances (including household cleaners) in high, locked cabinets.Stay close to your baby around water — pools, tubs, large buckets of water, and toilets. Continue to buckle your baby into an approved, properly installed car seat, but never in a seat protected by an air bag.Place safety plugs over electrical outlets. If you think your baby has eaten something poisonous, immediately call the Poison Control Center, the hospital emergency room, or your baby’s health care professional. (Keep these numbers by the phone.) Buy your baby objects that are large enough that she can’t fit them into her mouth. This prevents choking hazards.
There’s not much that’s more fun than baby birthdays, and you’ll probably never throw a shorter party. Planning a Safe and Fun First Birthday Party There’s not much that’s more fun than baby birthdays, and you’ll probably never throw a shorter party. Here are some tips for planning a successful party for your 1-year-old and her family and friends. For safety: * Limit the party area to one childproofed room.
Remove all breakables and sharp objects. * Avoid snacks such as popcorn and peanuts — even for adults. Babies can pick them up from the floor and choke on them. For your guests:
HAPPY BIRTH DAY
