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

If he/she isn't already, your baby is now turning toward sounds and voices, and may be trying to imitate the sounds he/she hears. They're blowing bubbles and can roll in both directions. A lot of babies this age can reach for objects and mouth them, and sit up without support. Many are also ready to try solid foods. More mature babies may start lunging forward or actually crawling, jabbering and combining syllables.3

You're now starting to see more visible signs of your baby's temperament, or whether he/she tends to be easygoing or easily upset, gentle or active, etc. He/she may get tired of a toy or other object, but they never get tired of your attention.7

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Doing Everything Right: Tips for new moms

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud to your baby every day starting this month. Reading not only lets you cuddle and socialize with him/her, it helps improve their language skills and introduces him/her to the joy of books.
  • Give baby lots of safe things that will stimulate him/her senses, such as a chilled teething ring, a furry stuffed animal with a bell or rattle inside, or a soft rubber ball.
  • Your baby's probably able to roll in both directions now, so always keep a hand on her when you're changing her diapers, and never leave her alone on a bed, changing table or other elevated surface.18
  • You know how important it is to drink plenty of water every day. If you drink from a water bottle, be sure to clean or replace it often to reduce bacteria. If your bottle is reusable, wash it in hot, soapy water or run it through the dishwasher before you refill it each day.15

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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

15 “Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day?” www.cnn.com

18 “Your 6-Month-Old's 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.
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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