Articles & Advice

Helping Your Baby Develop

The things your baby has learned to do, say, and understand amaze you. Let your baby know how proud you are of her. As always, you can help her continue to develop by:

• Hugging and cuddling her often
• Soothing and calming her when she is fussy
• Smiling and talking to her often
• Rocking and loving her
• Playing games such as "Pat-a-Cake"
• Having her sit at or near the table during family meals
• Showing her how to pull a pull toy
  (To prevent choking, keep toys with long strings put away when you can't watch your baby's play.)
• "Read" a picture book with her — identifying what you see on each page.

Developmental Milestones

Babies develop at different rates, but by the end of baby's twelfth month, he will probably:

• Have taken that first solo step
• Say two words other than "mama" and "dada"
• Make "baby-talk" sentences
• Imitate your actions

Almost a Toddler

Your baby is almost a toddler. He probably can crawl, stand, and walk, holding on to furniture. By the end of the first year, he may even be walking on his own.

Now may be a good time to review your family's safety plan:

• Be sure approved safety gates are in place and in working order.
• Lower the crib mattress so a standing baby can't crawl or fall out.
• Install childproof locks for drawers, screens, doors and windows.
• Keep poisonous substances (including household cleaners) in high, locked cabinets.
• Always supervise your baby around water—pools, tubs, large buckets of water and toilets.
• Continue to buckle your baby into an approved, properly installed car seat, but never in a seat protected by an air bag.
• Place safety plugs over electrical outlets.
• If you think your baby has eaten something poisonous, immediately call the Poison Control Center, the hospital emergency room or your baby's health care professional (Keep these numbers by the phone).
• Do not let your baby play with small toys or other objects that can fit into her mouth and choke her.

It's Party Time!

His first birthday. It's time for a celebration! Here are some guidelines to follow when planning a party for your one-year-old. Consider the number and age of guests (their parents will be there, too). Set a time limit—an hour should be enough.

For safety:

• Limit the party area to one childproofed room.
• Remove all breakables and sharp objects.
• Don't serve snacks like popcorn and peanuts—even for adults. Babies can pick them up from the floor and choke on them.

For your guests:

• Make sure each child has a toy/favor/chair (You could request that each parent bring his or her own child's high chair).
• Provide disposable bibs and baby wipes for quick cleanups.
• Take lots of pictures. Make doubles to send to the guests.

Party time:

• Lots of decorations, safe snacks, and music set the tone.
• Play short games, such as rolling/bouncing balls. Everyone gets a prize.
• Play music, sing songs, and dance.

Still Attached to the Bottle

Around 12 months of age, many babies are happy to abandon the bottle for a sippy cup. If your baby can't quite take that step yet, here are some things to try:

• Take it slowly. Trade the bottle for the cup at noontime.
• Then offer the cup instead of the morning and evening bottles.
• Don't let your baby carry the bottle around with her. Limit the places she can have it (on your lap, at the table).
• Let her drink only breast milk, or infant formula such as Similac Step 2 or Isomil Step 2 from her bottle, not juice or cow's milk.
• Give her a snack before bedtime. It could help her get to sleep.
• Offer her special object and a lot of loving just before bedtime instead of the bottle. A few tears can be expected for the first few nights.