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're enjoying your baby more than ever as they amuse themselves by playing with his/her hands and feet and rolling over. He/she can distinguish between some bold colors now, and he/she may often turn toward new sounds. About half the babies this age recognize their own names, and if he/she's really progressing, they may be able to sit up by themselves for a short time.3

Changes are taking place in your baby's behavior too. He/she's becoming more and more assertive, and they seem to be able to tell the difference between family members and strangers. He/she may also like to play during meals.7

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Doing Everything Right: Tips for new moms

  • Even if your baby can hold his/her own bottle, keep using mealtime to cuddle, hold and nurture him/her. The day will come all too soon when he/she'll be too independent for your snuggles.
  • Your baby is catching on to where sounds come from. Use your keys or wind chimes to get his/her attention, and notice how he/she tries to imitate your inflections and sounds when you talk.
  • If your baby was premature, he/she may need more time to do the things other babies their age are doing. Don't be concerned, though. Your doctor is probably assessing his/her development based on the time he/she should have been born so you'll know if there are any reasons to worry.16
  • It's fine to give your baby a little water at this age if he/she seems to want it, but don't let them get so full that they will not want to nurse or take a bottle. Try giving him/her an ounce or two at a time, ideally after meals.17

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3 “Milestone Charts: What to Expect from Your Newborn to 6-Month-Old” www.babycenter.com

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

16 “Your 5-Month-Old's Development” www.babycenter.com

17 “Ready or Not: A Guide to Safe Development” www.babycenter.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