Your Baby's First Year
Better Baby Care is an online guide for both new and seasoned parents, covering the practical aspects of basic baby care from birth to 12-months. Everything you need to know about baby care and safety, from diapering and feeding your newborn to stimulating healthy brain development and early literacy.
Breastfeeding - Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. It is the only food your baby needs during her first six months.
Diapering - Get everything you need before changing your baby’s diaper. Once you start changing, don’t take your eyes off your baby even for a second.
Crying - Sometimes babies cry even when they have been fed, have clean diapers and are healthy. If your baby is crying because she needs comfort, there are many things you can do.
Daycare - Sometimes you must find child care even for young babies. This happens most often when the parents work outside the home. You may have many choices when it comes to choosing child care for your baby.
Sleeping - Some babies begin sleeping through the night at a few months of age. Others don’t sleep through the night until they are one or two years old or even older.
Safety - Things you should do to keep your baby safe.
Pacifiers - A baby often sucks his fingers or pacifier while he watches and learns about his world. You may have heard that pacifiers can harm a baby’s mouth.
Socialization - Your baby starts to develop socially at an early age. He also has emotions from an early age. Social and emotional growth start long before your baby can talk or move around.
Exploration
- Babies need time to explore the world around them. It is important
to give them time on a flat surface.
Teething - Most babies will start to get their baby teeth between six and 10 months of age. Watch for your baby’s first teeth to show up in the lower front of his mouth.
Self Feeding - Your baby will be a messy eater as she learns to feed herself. She might put her fingers into her mouth to suck on while she eats. It helps her swallow solid foods.
Bath Time - Baths can be fun and messy, so enjoy this time with your baby. Play games with him. Let him enjoy the water.
Games - Squeeze one of your baby’s toys to make it squeak. Then hide it under a blanket while he is watching you.
Mealtime - Meals should be offered at regular times each day. Meal times should be pleasant and as quiet as possible. Turn the TV off.
Floor Time - Your baby is starting to move around more and explore her world. You can help her practice to crawl and creep and scoot. She’s on the move!
Check Ups - Babies need to go to the doctor often, even when they are well. They get shots to keep them from catching diseases. They get a physical exam to see how they are growing.
Protecting Teeth - Your baby probably has several teeth by now. Baby teeth are important. They can affect how the permanent teeth will grow.
Babysitters - All parents are a little nervous when someone else cares for their baby. You may have asked an aunt to baby-sit for a few hours. Or you may have your baby in a state-licensed program.
Nursing Breaks - It is unusual for a baby to wean entirely on his own during the first year. But it’s not unusual for a baby to take occasional nursing breaks.
Educational Toys - Sometimes parents feel that they need to buy expensive educational toys for their babies. Don’t be fooled by fancy words and packages. Almost anything your baby can play with safely is something she can learn from.
Lovies - It can be a blanket, a stuffed toy or a silky rag. In any form, it offers your baby comfort and security.
Food Battles
- Battles over food often occur when parents are too
concerned about what, how much and when their children eat. Avoid
making mealtime a battleground. Your baby is testing his
independence.
Separation Anxiety - Your baby wants to be with you. You are the person your baby knows and loves best. He knows when you are not with him. This creates a fear that you will not return.
Child Care - Some parents enroll their children in child-care centers. Some use family day-care homes. And some rely on relatives to care for their babies.
Vaccines - Is your child up to date on her shots? Vaccines help protect against certain diseases. Your doctor or clinic gives vaccines when you bring your child for regular checkups.
Guidance - There are two main reasons for parents to make rules for their children. The first is to keep children safe. The second is to help children learn self-control.