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

You might want to watch what you do and say around your baby now, because he/she's not only imitating you, he/she's jabbering word-like sounds they hear. They use gestures to tell you what they want, and he/she may be able to understand and respond to simple instructions. A lot of babies this age are taking a few steps and learning new words. Some can scribble with crayons and walk fairly well.

Your baby's moods and emotions are becoming even more distinct, and he/she may have an occasional temper tantrum or fluctuate between being cooperative and uncooperative. The good news is that he/she's also developing a sense of humor. At this age, some babies tend to cling to their parents or to one parent in particular.7

Back to Top

Doing Everything Right: Tips for new moms

  • You may be eager to take your baby out into the world, but before you pack her up for a week's vacation, it might be a good idea to take a few practice runs. Take a short day or weekend trip to see how he/she does, then work your way up to a longer trip.31
  • By now, your baby should be making word-like sounds and using one or more words that he/she understands. If he/she isn't making any sounds or making eye contact with you, call your doctor.32
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics and many pediatric dentists suggest taking your little one to a dentist by the time he/she's a year old.33
  • After your baby's first birthday, you can let him/her drink as much water as they want.

Back to Top

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

31 “Seven Secrets to Successful Travel with a Young Child” www.babycenter.com

32 “Developmental Milestones: Talking” www.babycenter.com

33 “Tooth Care for Toddlers” 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