1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months Birth 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months 10 Months 11 Months 12 Months 13 thru 18 Months 19 thru 24 Months

Baby Steps: Growth & Development

It's hard to believe how much your baby has grown as you watch her standing alone for a few seconds, playing pat-a-cake and calling you "mama." He/she may be able to understand simple instructions now, and he/she can probably imitate some of your activities. Babies who are more developed have added a word or two to their vocabularies and can stoop down from a standing position.

Emotionally, your baby is trying to gain your approval and avoid disapproval. In spite of these good intentions, he/she can also be uncooperative.7

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Doing Everything Right: Tips for new moms

  • Your baby's first birthday is coming, so test the camera to make sure it works, and stock up on film.
  • Even though most babies can handle common allergens, you should know the signs of an allergic or bad reaction to food. Vomiting, diarrhea, rash, swelling, abdominal pain, cough, crankiness, excessive gas, hives, itching, runny nose, shortness of breath, stomach bloating or wheezing that shows up within a few hours of eating could be a food-triggered response. Don't wait; call your doctor right away.28
  • A lot of moms stop breastfeeding after their babies' first birthdays. If that timing makes sense for you and your baby, you may want to start weaning him/her gradually now. Shorten your nursing times and try giving her a bottle or a snack instead.29
  • Getting your daily dose of drinking water can go a long way to regulate your body temperature and keep nutrients flowing to your organs. Bored with plain water? Try adding a little lemon or lime juice for a new twist.30

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7 “Month-by-Month Guide to Baby's Emotional Development” www.americanbaby.com

28 “Foods to Watch Out For” www.babycenter.com

29 “Your 11-Month-Old” www.babycenter.com

30 “Drinking Water to Maintain Good Health” www.nutrition.about.com

The information on this Web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding you or your child's health.

Consult your physician or dental professional if using another fluoridated product.

Helpful Tips
for Parents

Ponder the Pacifier

Whether or not to use pacifiers is an age-old debate, but the American Academy of Pediatrics gives it the thumbs up through the first year of life. Sucking is comforting, familiar and calming to babies and a pacifier can be the ideal way to provide contentment between feedings.
More

Drive Time

You’re always careful to protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays with sunscreen, clothing and a hat when he’s outdoors. But did you know he also needs protection when he rides in the car for an extended period? The glass in car windows blocks some but not all ultraviolet rays that can cause sunburn, so if possible, move his car seat out of direct sunlight and apply broad spectrum children’s sunscreen to his exposed skin.

Hand in Hand

Are you wondering whether your baby will be right-handed or left-handed? Be patient; it may be months or years before you know for sure. Most babies start showing a preference for reaching for things with their right hands between six and nine months, but it’s not until they’re 18 months or older that they start using their preferred hand more consistently. By age three or four, their handedness should be fairly evident. If it’s not, you may want to talk to your pediatrician.

Source: “How Handedness Develops in Infants,” by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P., www.drspock.com, June 10, 2001