About Baby Care

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Talking

Your baby will gradually learn to use words to describe what she sees, hears, feels, and thinks as she makes mental, emotional, and behavioural leaps. Researchers now know that long before a baby utters her first word, she’s learning the rules of language and how adults use it to communicate.

When it develops

Children learn to talk during their first two years of life. Your baby will begin by using her tongue, lips, palate, and any emerging teeth to make sounds (ooh and ahhs in the first month or two; babbling starts shortly thereafter). Soon those sounds become real words (“mama” and “dada” may slip out and bring tears to your eyes as early as four to five months). From then on your baby will pick up more words from you, your partner, and everyone else around her. And between one and two years, she’ll begin to form two- to three-word sentences.

How it develops

Your child’s wail at birth is her first foray into the world of language. She’s expressing the shock of being out of the confines of the womb and in a new and unfamiliar place. From then on, she’s absorbing sounds, tones, and words that later shape the way she speaks.

Talking is inextricably linked to hearing. By listening to others speak, your baby learns what words sound like and how sentences are structured. In fact, many researchers believe the work of understanding language begins while a baby is in utero. Just as your unborn baby got used to the steady beat of your heart, she tuned into the sound of your voice. Just days after birth, she was able to discern your voice among others.

1-3 months

Your child’s first form of communication is crying. A piercing scream may mean she’s hungry, while a whimpering, staccato cry may signal that she needs a nappy change. As she gets older, she’ll develop a delightful repertoire of gurgles, sighs, and coos, becoming a mini sound factory. As for her ability to understand lanugage, linguists say babies as young as four weeks can distinguish between similar syllables, such as “ma” and “na.”

4 months

At this stage, your child will start to babble, combining consonants and vowels (such as “baba” or “yaya”). The first “mama” or “dada” may slip out now and then, and though it’s sure to melt your heart, your baby doesn’t quite yet equate those words with you. That comes later, when she’s almost a year old.

Her attempts at talking will sound like stream of consciousness monologues in another language, endless words strung together. Vocalisation is a game to your baby, who is experimenting with using her tongue, teeth, palate, and vocal chords to make all sorts of funny noises. At this stage, babbling sounds the same, whether you speak English, French, or Japanese in your home. You may notice your child favouring certain sounds (“ka” or “da,” for example), repeating them over and over because she likes the way they sound and how her mouth feels when she says them.

6-9 months

When she babbles and vocalises, she’ll sound as if she’s making sense now. That’s because she’s using tones and patterns similar to the ones you use. Foster your baby’s babbling by reading to her.

12-17 months

She’s using one or more words and knows what they mean. She’ll even practise inflection, raising her tone when asking a question, saying “Up-py?” when she wants to be carried, for example. She’s realising the importance of talking and how powerful it is to be able to communicate her needs.

18-24 months

Between 18 and 20 months, children learn words at a rate of 10 or more a day. Some learn new words every 90 minutes, so watch your language. She’ll even string two words together, making basic sentences such as “Carry me.” By the time she’s two, she’ll use three-word sentences and sing simple tunes. Her sense of self will mature, and she’ll start talking about herself — what she likes and doesn’t, what she thinks and feels. Pronouns may confuse her, and you may catch her avoiding them, saying “Baby throw” instead of “I throw.”

25-36 months

She’ll struggle for a while to find the appropriate volume to use when talking, but she’ll learn soon enough. She’s also starting to get the hang of pronouns, such as I, me, and you. Between ages two and three, her vocabulary will increase to up to 300 words. She’ll string nouns and verbs together to form complete though simple sentences such as “I go now.”

By the time she turns three, your child will be a more sophisticated talker. She’ll be able to carry on a sustained conversation and adjust her tone, speech patterns, and vocabulary to her conversation partner. For instance, she’ll use simpler words with another child, but be more verbal with you. By now she may be almost completely intelligible. She’ll be fluent at saying her name and her age, and will readily oblige when asked.

What comes next

As your child grows, she’ll become more of a chatterbox. You’ll scarcely remember the time when she hardly spoke at all, and you’ll enjoy hearing about what projects she did at playgroup, what her friend Cassie had for lunch, what she thinks about Cinderella’s wicked stepmother, and anything else that occupies her mind. She’ll also start to tackle the more complicated skill of writing.

Your role

It’s simple: talk to your child. Research shows that children whose parents spoke to them extensively when they were babies have significantly higher IQs than other children. Their vocabularies are also richer than those of kids who didn’t receive much verbal stimulation. You can start as early as when you’re pregnant, so your baby gets used to the sound of your voice. Read a book out loud or sing to your baby when you are in the bath. When the baby’s born, talk to her as you change her nappy, feed, or bathe her, and give her time to respond with a smile or eye to eye contact. At around five months, you may notice her watching your mouth intently. Keep talking, and soon she’ll start trying to talk back.

Baby talk has its place, but also speak in real sentences. Your child will learn to speak well only if you teach her to do so. You don’t have to avoid using complicated words. While you may need to simplify the way you talk so your child will understand what you mean, the best way for her to expand her vocabulary is to hear you using new words. The same goes for toddlers and preschoolers, whose language skills will continue to grow as long as you continue to stimulate them with conversation.

Reading is a great way to help develop your child’s language skills. Babies will delight in the sound of your voice, toddlers will enjoy the stories, and preschoolers may even jump in to tell you what’s going on in a book.

When to be concerned

Babies with hearing problems stop babbling at around six months. If yours isn’t making any sounds (or even attempting to) or eye contact with you, consult your doctor. While some kids start forming words at nine months, many will wait until they are 13 or 14 months. If your child isn’t saying any words by 15 months, or you still can’t understand a word she’s saying, discuss the matter with your doctor or health visitor.

If by age three your child continues to drop consonants (saying “ca” for “cat,” for example) or substitute one sound or syllable for another (saying “car” as “tar”, for example, or “fish” as “sish”), she may have a speech or hearing problem. Talk to your GP or health visitor, who can arrange for her to be assessed.

All toddlers sometimes stammer and stutter from time to time. Sometimes they’re so excited to tell you what’s on their mind that they can’t get the words out easily. Allow her to finish her sentences, and avoid jumping in to help her out. That can feel like a put-down and won’t help her learning.

However, a persistent stutter should be checked out by a speech and language therapist. A child will usually make best progress if he is seen in the first six to 12 months after the stutter is first noticed, regardless of his age. You could ask your GP for a referral, but most speech and language therapy departments will also accept referrals directly from concerned parents.

Whether you spend it inside or in the great outdoors, summer is a tricky season for keeping an infant safe and comfortable. Overdress a baby and he could develop an angry heat rash; expose his fragile body to hot conditions and he could be vulnerable to a painful, damaging sunburn or to heatstroke, a serious affliction characterized by a high fever and rapid breathing. Overheating has also been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a fatal sleeping disorder. “Babies sleep deeply when they’re hot, making them difficult to arouse, which may increase the risk of SIDS,” explains Bruce Epstein, M.D., a pediatrician in Pinellas Park, Florida.

To make sure your little one stays cool and protected during the long, hot days of summer, check out our expert advice.

Pick the Right Clothes

If you’re going to be indoors, dress your infant in loose-fitting, lightweight garments, preferably made from a natural fiber like cotton, which absorbs perspiration better than synthetic fabrics. A good rule of thumb: “Dress the baby the way you’re dressed,” Dr. Epstein says. “If you’re wearing shorts and a T-shirt, that will be fine for her too.” For the outdoors, put her in light-colored long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat to shield her face. Resist the temptation to leave her exposed on a gray day, since harmful rays can penetrate the clouds.

Provide Good Ventilation

Since a baby doesn’t perspire effectively, he can become overheated far more quickly than an adult. That’s why you should never leave an infant in a hot room or a parked car. Even a few minutes could cause his temperature to spike and, in extreme cases, may prove life-threatening.
Use a Summer-Friendly Baby Carrier

The combination of your body heat and the carrier’s confining space can make an infant hot and bothered within a matter of minutes. Choose a carrier made from lightweight nylon rather than a heavy fabric like denim. If a child’s face starts to look flushed, remove her from the carrier at once.

Keep Him Hydrated

Even if you don’t see beads of sweat dripping from your infant’s forehead, he can be losing precious fluids to perspiration in hot weather. A flushed face, skin that’s warm to the touch, rapid breathing, and restlessness may be warning signs of dehydration. Since infants under 6 months shouldn’t drink water (babies over 6 months can take in modest amounts), replace the lost liquids by giving him extra formula or by nursing more frequently. Babies should drink at least 50 percent more than usual in the summer (normal fluid intake is at least two ounces per pound per day), so a ten-pound baby who usually takes in 20 ounces should be offered a minimum of 30 ounces.

Time Outdoor Activities Wisely

The worst time for your baby (and you, for that matter) to be outdoors is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun does the most harm to skin, says Eric Siegel, M.D., a dermatologist in Millburn, New Jersey. Plan outdoor excursions for before or after this peak period.

Seek Out Shade

When you arrive at the beach or the park, look for a protected spot, such as under a tree, an umbrella, or a canopy. A handy item to take to the shore is a tent made of fabric treated to block the sun’s harmful rays. Make sure it has see-through mesh sides for proper ventilation. Sunglasses for your little one are a good idea, to protect her eyes and reduce glare; the label should state that the lenses block at least 99 percent of ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) radiation.

Be Cautious With Sunscreen

Since a baby under 6 months has thin, delicate skin, try to keep him out of direct sunlight. But for times when that’s impractical (such as taking a dip in the water with Mom or Dad), make sure he’s wearing sunscreen. The American Academy of Pediatrics now says it’s okay to apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to a baby’s exposed skin, including the face.

For a baby older than 6 months, use sunscreen more liberally and more often. Reapply every two hours, or whenever he gets wet or sweaty. Choose a waterproof sunscreen designed for kids, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Apply it under clothing too. “An average cotton T-shirt has an SPF of only five,” Dr. Siegel notes.
Skin Soothers

If an infant sweats profusely during hot, humid weather, tiny red bumps may start to cluster on her neck or groin, in the folds of her skin at the back of her knees, or in the crease of her elbows. To relieve heat rash, remove her sticky outfit and dress her in loose cotton clothes (or simply a diaper), and apply cornstarch baby powder to the affected areas. Keeping her in a cool, well-ventilated room will help relieve symptoms.

A sunburn, characterized by hot, red, swollen skin that’s painful to the touch, can cause a baby even greater misery. Contact your doctor immediately if a child under age 1 gets a sunburn. He’ll likely have you apply cool (not cold) tap water, followed by a moisturizer, to the burned area. Don’t pop blisters; they protect against infection. Infants’ acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be appropriate for relieving discomfort.

During the first 12 months of baby development, your baby responds best to a warm, loving environment.

Holding your baby and responding to baby cries are essential in building a strong, healthy relationship by bonding with your baby.

Use the following guidelines to offer age-appropriate activities for your baby.

These are just guidelines, and a healthy baby may achieve a milestone later than average.

If your baby is lagging in several areas, contact your pediatrician.

First month

• Lifts head for short periods of time
• Moves head from side to side
• Prefers the human face to other shapes
• Makes jerky, arm movements
• Brings hands to face
• Has strong reflex movements
• Can focus on items 8 to 12 inches away
• May turn towards familiar sounds or voices
• Responds to loud sounds
• Blinks at bright lights

Baby keeps the hands clenched and arms and legs curled in. This is a familiar, comforting fetal position to baby who has never known anything but this closeness. Baby will relax the muscles during the next several weeks.

The baby’s first few days are guided primarily by instinct. Already at birth baby is able to recognize mother’s voice and, you will likely notice baby turn the head toward that single sound even when visitors crowd the room. Soon baby will identify other familiar voices that the baby heard from the womb.

Second month

• Smiles
• Tracks objects with his eyes
• Makes noises other than crying
• May repeat vowel noises, such as “ah” or “ooh”

Baby will start to relax her muscles and straighten her body. Expect her hands to remain clenched except during periods of sleep or quiet alertness.

Witness displays of strength as your seemingly helpless baby lifts her head approximately 45 degrees when placed on the floor on her tummy.

Improved eye sight now allows her to glance around the room and take in her surroundings.

Baby will now begin to cry to elicit a specific response from you. Feed her at the first sign of hunger rather than the first cry. At this young age, you will not spoil her by offering too much attention, cuddling or feeding on demand. Conversely, baby will learn that baby is secure and that her needs will be met promptly without the need to cry for attention. You may also notice her cry when you attempt to put her down. Your baby has realized how comforting it is to be in her parents arms and close to your breast.

You may witness her first social smile. Unlike sleep grins, which are in fact, adorable glimpses of the smiles to come, these first responsive smiles are her true reactions to outside stimuli such as over-exaggerated facial expressions. Baby will probably attempt to mimic your expressions.

Motor skill development is prominent at this age. Though baby doesn’t yet have the hand-eye coordination, or necessary muscle tone to effectively reach for an object, he will most likely squeal in delight as his arms flail about in the air above him. The discovery of her hands and emerging muscle control will enable her thumb to find its way to her mouth on a regular basis.

Third month

• Raises head and chest when put on tummy
• Lifts head up 45 degrees
• Kicks and straightens legs when on back
• Open and shuts hands
• Pushes down with legs when placed on a hard surface
• Reaches for dangling objects
• Grasps and shakes hand toys
• Tracks moving objects
• Begins to imitate sounds
• Recognizes familiar objects and parents, even at a distance
• Begins to develop a social smile
• Begins to develop hand-eye coordination
• Brings both hands together
• Interested in circular and spiral patterns
• Kicks legs energetically
• Holds head up with control

Baby is growing every day. He may seem even bigger as baby begins to stretch out his body. He’s growing strong enough to roll over and move around. Be careful to supervise him closely, especially when he’s laying on a changing table, bed or other piece of furniture.

While baby may not have the hand-eye coordination to aim correctly on the first attempt, you’ll quickly discover which items baby wants to touch. Chances are baby’ll continue to play with her own hands frequently, directly in front of her face. Baby is now able to track an object with her eyes from one side to a midline (directly in front of her face). Baby may even continue following it all the way to the other side — a full 180 degrees.

Baby is now strong enough to sit in this semi-reclined position, especially when propped with a small pillow or rolled receiving blanket. Be certain these objects are not placed near her head where baby can turn his face into them. While her neck and back have grown significantly stronger in the past few weeks, you may notice her head is still a bit wobbly. Keep her comfortable, by providing support as needed.

Your baby is well on her way to mastering the concept of cause and effect. Baby ’s already learned that her cries evoke a response from you and other caregivers. Baby will now begin to vary her cry to signal different needs. You’ll soon learn the difference between, “I’m hungry,” “I’m wet,” and “Someone pick me up, please.”

Your baby is also learning that he can physically effect her environment. When baby shakes her rattle, it makes noise! Expect her to make noise as well.

Her coos, squeals and throaty sounds will appear more frequently. Baby will begin using these happy sounds as baby plays or socializes. Her smiles will become truly spontaneous.

Somewhere around the age of three months, most babies begin sleeping for extended periods of time each night. These stretches may last six hours or longer.

Baby will be increasingly social. He’ll flash that wonderful smile and invite you and other caregivers to play.

Fourth month

• May sleep about six hours at night before waking (total sleep typically 14 to 17 hours)
• Rolls over (usually stomach to back is first)
• Sits with support
• Lifts head up 90 degrees
• Can follow a moving object for a 180-degree arc
• Babbles and amuses self with new noises
• Responds to all colors and shades
• Explores objects with his mouth
• Recognizes a bottle or breast
• Communicates pain, fear, loneliness and discomfort through crying
• Responds to a rattle or bell

Baby will enjoy experimenting with his voice. He’s probably developing quite the “vocabulary” lately. He will say vowel sounds like “ooh” and “aah” and has learned that he can change the sound at will by simply changing the shape of his mouth. In addition to these vowel sounds he will continue gurgling and making throaty sounds. He may also enjoy blowing bubbles.

His legs continue to strengthen as he stands with your support, bearing his own weight. Depending on his strength he may even be able to sit (propped up) very soon though most babies are in their sixth month before they’re able to sit without assistance.

His mind is hard at work as well. He’s starting to develop mental images of the things that will happen when he “asks” for assistance. He’s able to envision certain cause and effect relationships.

Baby ‘s still developing her hand-eye coordination. Baby may also protest when it’s time to put her precious items away for a little while.

In addition to favorite toys, baby will continue to occupy herself with her hands. And, baby will surely enjoy cuddling and snuggling as baby nurses or winds down for the evening’s rest.

He’s learning that every object has a label. Though it will be some time before you will hear true words, he will being to understand that the furry animal he loves to watch is called a dog (or a cat) and that every other object has a specific name.

Keep a close eye on him now as he’s probably able to roll over (usually from tummy to side first). Be careful to keep him properly restrained and within arms reach whenever he’s lifted off the ground.

Baby is now more able to accurately track objects with his eyes and grasp them with both hands. His eyes are maturing and he will begin to have improved depth perception and generally clearer vision. He will delight in pulling dangling objects. Favorite items are sure to include your hair, jewelry and clothing.

Keep your ears tuned in as he learns to laugh. Great big belly laughs are wonderful to hear. Elicit a few by tickling him and watching him squirm and giggle.

You will notice him turn toward a voice when someone speaks to him. It will be increasingly easy for him to do this as he props himself up on his arms when he’s placed on his tummy.

Fifth month

• Pays attention to small objects
• Experiments with the concept of cause and effect
• Can see across the room
• Begins to use hands in a raking fashion to bring toys near
• Begins teething process

While he is not yet able to sit unassisted, he will love the view offered by being perched in a high chair if he’s firmly supported by pillows or rolled towels and receiving blankets. Your lap will be another wonderful place to sit and view the world’s happenings. He will continue to enjoy standing with your support.

During playtime you may witness baby taking an interest in his feet.

Baby has learned which cries and sounds will grab your attention and will display her skills often. You may soon be able to tell what baby needs by the tone of her cry.

Baby is developing strong leg muscles and will discover that baby can use them to push herself around. Now diaper changes may become a challenge as baby tries to scoot away either in protest or just to move about.

Baby is also mastered the art of rolling over. Chances are baby will begin by rolling from her tummy to her back. This position allows her to push with her hands as baby tries to flip. As before, never leave her unattended. Baby is likely to be very resourceful and use this as a means to move around the area.

Her desire to be in an upright position may leave you looking for an entertaining device that will allow her to stand while providing your arms with a much-needed rest.

You’ve long understood that baby has definite likes and dislikes. He’ll begin making his desires known in a more physical manner. Now, attempts to introduce a new food or administer medications may meet with an outstretched arm just waiting to purposefully push you away.

Baby will now begin to reach for her toys and will soon begin moving them from hand to hand and then right on to her mouth. Watch her carefully and take care to give her safe toys and teething rings baby will be able to suck on without harm.

Baby will enjoy the challenge of squeezing toys to make them squeak. You’ll notice her making conscious decisions as baby plays. Baby will begin to play with blocks although baby will not be very accurate in stacking or sorting them quite yet.

Baby will closely observe your mouth movements while you speak and will attempt to imitate your sounds and the inflection in your voice. Baby will babble specific sounds in an attempt to get attention. Watch as baby also mimics your gestures.

Her eyesight has improved dramatically. Now, in addition to her black and white toys, baby will begin taking an interest in the many colors the world has to offer. Offer her toys and objects of many colors and watch how quickly baby makes her preferences known!

Sixth month

• Keeps head level when pulled to sitting position
• Makes some vowel-consonant sounds
• Sits by self with minimal support
• Opens mouth for spoon
• Reaches for and grabs objects
• Rolls over and back
• Drinks from a cup with help
• Can hold bottle
• Copies some facial expressions
• Makes two-syllable sounds

Now, when baby wants to play with a specific toy he’s able to reach for it himself. And, his aim may be accurate enough to grasp it.

He’s probably discovered the joy of being somewhat independent and whenever allowed, will push himself around with his hands and feet to move closer to out-of-reach objects.

Your baby is probably now strong enough to sit in an upright position.

Baby ’s not quite able to pull herself into a sitting position, but will be able to support herself if you seat her on a mat on the floor. Baby will begin by supporting herself with her hands and will soon graduate to sitting steadily while toys occupy her hands. Baby will thrust her arms out and will attempt to break her fall with her arms and hands when tipping forward.

In addition to sitting by herself, baby may be able to stand without assistance if you place her next to a piece of furniture.

During playtime baby will begin to make more intentional movements. Baby will study toys for longer periods of time and attempt to make them work together.

Baby has learned how to effectively communicate his needs. Now he’ll begin to display his every emotion as well. You’ll find that he’s like an open book and you can read his moods as they change simply by observing the expression on his face and his body language.

You’ll witness smiles and animated movements when he’s happy and a more quiet, withdrawn demeanor when he’s tired, sad or lonely. (Expect him to continue crying as he has in the past to signal the need for attention, food, a diaper change or a nap.)

He’ll continue to experiment with his voice. You’ll hear loud outbursts, soft babbling and long strings of seemingly unrelated sounds. He’s attempting to speak as you do and make the noises he hears around him every day.

Infant swings and bouncing chairs will be favorites at this age. Baby may be quietly lulled to sleep by the gentle motion of a swing or be kept happily playing by himself as he bounces in a stationary entertainer chair.

Your baby will use his whole hand like a little rake to reach for and drag nearby objects closer to him. Baby may become frustrated and cry when he can’t reach items that have peaked his interest. Though he may be able to scoot about the floor this movement is somewhat difficult and cumbersome.

Baby may begin to show an interest in the foods you are eating.

Seventh month

• Can self-feed some finger foods
• Makes wet razzing sounds
• Turns in the direction of a voice
• Plays peekaboo
• Imitates many sounds
• Distinguishes emotions by tone of voice

Displays of frustration at not being able to move around freely should begin to disappear as baby learns to crawl. While on average babies crawl around six months of age, be aware that it may be weeks or even months before baby is fully mobile.

Baby will likely be pulling herself around using hands and feet with her tummy on the floor, or by getting up on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth without going anywhere.

Expect continued babbling as he learns he can use his tongue, as well as the shape of his mouth to create and change sounds. Remember too, that some of his loud outbursts may be nothing more than his attempt to see how far he can make his voice heard.

Help him develop the gross motor skills he’ll need for walking, climbing, riding a bike,and playing ball by providing plenty of opportunity.

Expect him to focus on, and try to pick up, small objects. He’ll be able to rake in and pick up objects as small as a raisin or pebble. He’ll use his whole fist to grasp the tiny object and it’ll surely be destined for his mouth.

Baby may become anxious when you are out of sight. This “separation anxiety” is common during the second half of the first year and even into the early part of the second year.

His eyes have matured and he’s now able to track objects well from one side of his head all the way to the other. In addition, he can now see across the room and will enjoy looking around at every object he can find.

Eighth month

• Chews on objects
• Reaches for utensils when being fed
• Turns head away when finished eating
• May sleep between 11 and 13 hours a night; takes 2 to 3 naps (may vary)
• Rolls all the way around
• Sits unsupported
• Gets on arms and knees in crawling position
• Has specific cries for various needs
• Babbles enthusiastically
• Tests gravity by dropping objects over edge of high chair
• Responds to own name
• Has different reactions for different family members
• Shows some anxiety when removed from parent

Baby is now mobile. Baby will enjoy crawling around picking up every exciting object baby finds and they’re all destined for her mouth.

While some begin much earlier, the average infant begins teething between six and twelve months of age. Generally, the incisors erupt first (four on top and four on the bottom), then four molars. These are followed by the four canine (eye) teeth and finally by the two year molars somewhere around two years of age. Watch for signs of teething, including drooling (and a related rash, cough or diarrhea caused by the excess of saliva), night waking, biting, loss of appetite and irritability.

Baby has developed his own manner of expressing his needs. Expect his repertoire to grow steadily as he adds gestures to the mix. For example, he may hold his arms above his head in an attempt to ask you to pick him up.

You may find yourself wondering why he seems to “act up” when you’re around while other caregivers report that he’s a joy to care for. He’s already figuring out how to manipulate Mom and Dad

Around this time, baby may develop a fear of strangers. The once outgoing baby who would allow anyone and everyone to touch him and pick him up may appear anxious when a stranger enters the room. He may decide to hide his head in your shoulder or cling to your legs.

Ninth month

• Reaches for toys
• Drops objects and then looks for them
• Becomes interested in grabbing the spoon during feedings
• Goes from tummy to sitting by self
• Picks up tiny objects
• Begins to identify self in a mirror’s reflection

Most children this age are able to wave “bye-bye,”.

The development of the pincer grip, grasping a small object between her thumb and forefinger, allowing her greater freedom in self-feeding. Help her master this skill by introducing small, easy to eat foods like Cheerios, or small pieces of soft, cooked fruits and vegetables.

Baby will be able to say Mama and Dada now and may even be able to say another familiar word.

He understands that when you say “cat” you are talking about the furry animal that sits all day on the sunny window ledge safely out of reach. Now he’ll begin creating mental images of the cat when you say the name and it’s not within sight. He’ll soon make these associations about every object even if he can’t yet say the words.

Baby has probably mastered the fine art of crawling on her hands and knees. This perfected position affords greater flexibility and faster speeds. Baby will be able to pull herself to a standing position and will lean on furniture for support. Baby may even be able to pivot in a circle to take in new views of her surroundings.

Baby is ready for new advancements in the self-feeding area as well. He’s now able to drink from a sippy cup though this may take a few introductions before he’s able to easily take a drink.

Tenth month

• Understands the concept of object permanence
• Gets upset if toy is removed
• Transfers object from hand to hand
• Stands holding onto someone
• Pulls to standing

Baby will become increasingly mobile. Now he’ll have perfected his crawling abilities and will be on the go whenever he’s placed on the floor. He’ll alternate hand, then knee, first one side, then the other. This new, more mature motion, will allow him to balance on one hand while reaching for an object with the other.

He’s also learned how to move from a crawling position to a sitting position, enabling him to fully inspect and enjoy the toy he’s grasped. You’ll find that he’ll also sit frequently just to rest his tired limbs.

He’ll also learn to crawl up stairs and will delight in displaying his newfound abilities, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately, he has not yet learned how to go back down the stairs once he’s climbed up.

New sounds continue to flow from of baby’s mouth each day. Baby will test her ability to make these noises by babbling streams of random vowel sounds. Very soon, these strings of seeming meaningless sounds will take shape as individual “words” with very clear definitions. In addition to these sounds, baby will also begin to imitate non-verbal noises such as coughs and sneezes. Baby will discover that certain sounds (such as a cough) will cause you to turn and check on her. Baby may delight in making these sounds simply to attract your attention.

Her now well-developed pincer grasp will enable her to pick up very small items.

Watching the baby in the mirror is sure to be one of baby’s favorite past times.

His memory is steadily evolving now. He’s able to form mental images of familiar objects when they’re out of sight. Expect him to remember a favorite toy even after it’s been carefully put away. He’s mastering the concept of object permanence.

When it’s time to unwind, you’ll notice how baby will enjoy cuddling on your lap while you read a book or two. Baby begins to take an interest in the pages. Colors captivate. Familiar sounds intrigue. Baby may have enjoyed story time in the past, but as the next few weeks and months unfold, baby will take on a new appreciation for this daily ritual.

Eleventh month

• Says “ma-ma” and “da-da” discriminately
• Understands “no”
• Claps hands
• Waves bye-bye

Your baby is now likely to pull herself up to a standing position and will begin to “cruise” from one piece of furniture to another. Baby will begin to alternate feet and “walk” if you offer encouragement and physical support by holding both of her hands.

More advanced exploration is also possible, as baby learns to scale and climb furniture and other obstacles. Expect frequent tumbles and falls as baby learns to balance more effectively.

His cognitive abilities have been growing steadily during recent weeks as well. Expect that he’s now able to understand and respond to a one-step command. For instance, when he picks up an object you’d rather he not have, ask him to “Please bring that to Mommy (or Daddy).”

Language skills continue to evolve as he beings to make more and more two syllable sounds. He may even learn another word or two. Don’t worry if he doesn’t seem to “talk” as much as friends his age.

Baby is now able to pick up small, snack-like foods such as Cheerios and diced, soft fruits and vegetables. You’re probably amazed at how baby gets excited to feed herself each time you offer such a snack.

Baby is beginning to understand certain trigger words and their associated cause and effect relationships. Though her comprehension is still limited, baby will now anticipate the departure that is to follow when baby hears you say “bye-bye.” When you’ve stepped out of the room and baby begins to cry, the words “Mommy (or Daddy) is coming right back” may help to calm her as baby forms a mental picture of her beloved parent.

Twelfth month

• May take one to two naps daily
• Triples birth weight and is 29 to 32 inches long
• Bangs two cubes together
• Puts objects into containers and then takes them out
• Voluntarily lets objects go
• Shakes head “no”
• Has fun opening and closing cabinet doors
• Crawls well
• “Cruises” furniture
• Walks with adult help
• Says “ma-ma” and “da-da”
• “Dances” to music
• Interested in books and may identify some things
• May understand some simple commands
• Fearful of strangers
• Shares toys but wants them back
• May form attachment to an item
• Pushes away what he doesn’t want
• Prefers to push, pull and dump items
• Pulls off hat and socks
• Understands use of certain objects
• Tests parental responses to behavior
• Extends arm or leg when getting dressed
• Identifies self in mirror

Your baby is about to become increasingly independent. He’s now able to stand without holding on and, if he’s extremely adventurous, he may attempt to take his first unassisted steps. Expect his feet to be spread apart. This wide stance will help increase his ability to balance. You may notice that his feet are primarily flat and that his toes point in a bit as he steps. He’ll be quite unsteady on his feet at first and will stumble and fall frequently.

Playing with baby is becoming increasingly interactive. Now, baby will take great joy in participating fully in these games and even initiating them. Baby will enjoy clapping her hands and will continue to learn about social interaction as baby plays.

Allow her to play often with kids near her age. While baby may enjoy being with her friend, expect that although they may sit side by side, each child will continue to play by herself. This “parallel play” is normal behavior for a young toddler.

Baby will probably become upset and possessive if another child takes interest in her toy and attempts to take it away for a time. Early lessons in sharing might begin now, but expect it will take quite some time to master this skill.

Compartments, drawers and cabinets will become favorite places to search now. He’ll entertain himself by opening any door or drawer within his reach, pulling the contents out onto the floor.

Baby has learned the meaning of the word, “No.” Help her to follow your instruction regularly by simply telling “No” without making animated faces or gestures as these can easily be mistaken for play.

If you are both enjoying your nursing relationship, consider continuing for another few weeks or months. The benefits of breastfeeding continue far past the first birthday. The worldwide average age of weaning is between three and four years of age. Not only will baby continue to receive a very beneficial boost of infection-fighting antibodies each time baby nurses, baby will continue to enjoy a wonderfully nurturing time with Mom.

Before your new baby arrived, your toddler was told he’d have a wonderful little brother to play with and how much fun it would be. Then the little brother was born and your toddler started thinking, “This squirming, red-faced baby that takes up all your time and attention is supposed to be fun?” Here are 10 ways to help him make the transition from only child to eldest:

1. Teach him how to interact

Your first goal is to protect the baby. Your second, to teach your older child how to interact properly. You can teach your toddler how to play with the baby in the same way you teach him anything else. Talk to him, demonstrate, guide and encourage. Until you feel confident that you’ve achieved your second goal, however, do not leave the children alone together. If you see your toddler about to get rough, pick up the baby and distract the older sibling with a song, a toy, an activity or a snack. This action protects the baby while helping you avoid a constant string of “Nos,” which could encourage the aggressive behavior.

2. Teach soft touches

Teach your toddler how to give the baby a back rub. Tell him how this kind of touching calms the baby and praise the older child for a job well done. This teaches him how to be physical with the baby in a positive way. Your toddler will be watching as you handle the baby and learning from your actions, so you are his most important teacher.

3. Act quickly

Every time you see your child act roughly with the baby, respond quickly. You might firmly announce, “No hitting, time out.” Place the child in a time-out chair and say, “You can get up when you can use your hands in the right way.” Allow him to get right up if he wants–as long as he is careful and gentle with the baby. This isn’t punishment, it’s just helping him learn that rough actions aren’t permitted.

4. Praise your toddler often

Whenever you see your older child touching the baby gently, make a positive comment. Make a big fuss about the important “older brother.” Hug and kiss him and tell him how proud you are.

5. Don’t blame everything on the new baby

Be careful not to say things like: “We can’t go to the park because the baby’s sleeping;” “Be quiet, you’ll wake the baby;” or “After I change the baby I’ll help you.” At this point, your child would just as soon sell the baby! Instead, use alternate reasons. “My hands are busy now;” “We’ll go after lunch;” “I’ll help you in three minutes.”

6. Be supportive

Acknowledge your toddler’s unspoken feelings, by saying things like, “Things sure have changed with the new baby here. It’s going to take us all some time to get used to this.” Keep your comments mild and general. Don’t say, “I bet you hate the new baby.” Instead, say, “It must be hard to have Mommy spending so much time with the baby.” When your child knows that you understand his feelings, he’ll have less need to act up to get your attention.

7. Give extra love

Increase your little demonstrations of love for your child. Say extra I love yous, increase your daily dose of hugs and find time to read a book or play a game. Temporary regressions or behavior problems are normal, and can be eased with an extra dose of time and attention.

8. Involve your toddler

Teach the older sibling how to be helpful with the baby or how to entertain the baby. Let your toddler open the baby gifts and use the camera to take pictures of the baby. Teach him how to put the baby’s socks on. Let him sprinkle the powder. Praise and encourage whenever possible.

9. Make each feel special

Avoid comparing siblings, even about seemingly innocent topics such as birth weight, when each first crawled or walked, or who had more hair-children can interpret these comments as criticisms.

10. Take a deep breath and be calm.

This is a time of adjustment for everyone in the family. Reduce outside activities, relax your housekeeping standards and focus on your current priority–adjusting to your new family size.

With all the decisions new parents have to make you wouldn’t think diapers would be such a tough one, yet it is one that parents routinely struggle with: cloth or disposable diapers? This article lays out the pros and cons of both to help you make the right decision for you and your family.

Disposable Diaper Pros

• Disposable diapers are extremely convenient, no doubt about it. It makes changing your infant a quick and easy process. When you’re shopping and you have to change a messy cloth diaper, you don’t get to just drop it in the garbage, you have to haul it around with you.

• - Disposable diapers seem to fit better. The adjustable adhesive fasteners make it easy to fit any size or shape baby. This is not always so with a cloth diaper which always seems to stretch out once you have it on your child and certainly more so once it’s been soiled.

Disposable Diaper Cons

• - Disposable diapers are petroleum-based products, which means they’re just downright awful for the environment. Carbon emissions are created in the manufacturing of disposable diapers, fuel is used in the transportation from manufacturer to store and diapers don’t biodegrade but sit in landfills for decades.

• - Disposable diapers also contain a number of chemicals, which may harm an infant’s sensitive skin.

• - Disposable diapers are more expensive than cloth diapers even if you have a diaper service.

Cloth Diaper Pros

• - Cloth diapers can be environmentally sound, particularly if you purchase organic cotton diapers. And while cloth diapers have to be laundered, which does contaminate the water supply and use water, they can be washed with biodegradable detergent. This makes them more environmentally friendly than disposable. However, if you have a diaper service then you’ll also have to weigh in the fact that delivery is contributing to greenhouse gases.

• - Cloth diapers, if they’re organic cloth diapers, don’t have harmful chemicals which means they’re not going to be as likely to irritate your baby’s skin.

• - Cloth diapers don’t fill landfills since they’re reusable.

• - Cloth diapers are generally less expensive than disposable.

Cloth Diaper Cons

• - They’re inconvenient, particularly for moms on the go.

• - They don’t necessarily fit as well, though some cloth diapers being manufactured today do have a better fit and fastening system than the old rectangle and diaper pin method.

• - If cloth diapers are not organic, then the cotton used to make them is grown and harvested with pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other environmentally harmful chemicals.

Disposable diapers are more convenient, though more expensive but they are generally an environmentally unfriendly practice. There are some more natural disposable diapers but for many they leave a lot to be desired. Cloth diapers, if they’re organic, are the most environmentally sound practice. The downside is they’re inconvenient. Ultimately, the decision to buy disposable or cloth must meet your personal beliefs as well as your lifestyle and family needs.

When does the process of teething begin?

When a baby begins teething, there is no set pattern on when it will begin, how long it will take and how painful it will be.  For one baby cutting a tooth might happen overnight without pain, while another child might have to go through a long, drawn out and painful experience.  You may sometimes visibly see a rise or lump in the gum for several weeks, while sometimes there may be no visible clue at all until the tooth actually appears.

The process of teething often follows hereditary patterns, so if the mother and father teethed early or late, your baby may follow the same pattern.  On average the first tooth comes in during the seventh month, although it can arrive as early as three months, as late as a year, or in rare cases even earlier or later.

Which teeth come in first and how many with there be?

In total there are twenty primary (first) teeth, which is twelve less than the full set of thirty-two permanent teeth adults have.  Most children have a full set of primary teeth by the time they are around two or three years old.  These teeth usually last until about the age of six, when the teeth that were first to appear become loose and fall out as the second teeth begin to push through the gums.  The primary teeth continue falling out until roughly the age of twelve.  Again, these ages mentioned above are only averages and your child may follow an earlier or later pattern.  The following is the most common pattern in which your baby’s teeth will usually appear.

Age	Teeth	Position
6 to 7 months	Incisors	Two central bottom & Two central top teeth.
7 to 9 months	Two more incisors	Top & bottom; making four top & four bottom teeth in all.
10 to 14 months	First molars	Double teeth for chewing
15 to 18 months	Canines	The pointed teeth or “fangs”
2 to 3 years	Second molars	The second set of double teeth at the back

What are the symptoms of teething?

The symptoms of teething vary from child to child. Because of these different experiences, parents and physicians often disagree as to the symptoms of teething and how painful it is. The list below shows symptoms that a teething baby may experience. While most parents usually agree that some or all of the symptoms below happened around the time of teething, it is still recommended that if your baby experiences any of these symptoms you check with your pediatrician to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms.

Irritability: As the sharp little tooth rises closer to the surface your baby’s gums may become increasingly more sore and painful, leading to your baby being very fussy.  The pain and discomfort is most often worse during the first teeth coming in and later when the molars come in because of their bigger size.  This is most often the case since babies become accustomed to the sensations of teething and learn to live with them.  But you may find your baby may be fussy during the whole time that every tooth comes in.  Every child reacts differently.

Drooling: From three to four months of age you may see your baby start drooling more often than normal.  Teething stimulates drooling, which is often worse with some babies than others.

Coughing: The extra saliva can cause your baby to occasionally cough or gag.  This is usually nothing to worry about as long as your baby seems fine and shows no signs of a cold or flu and does not run a high fever.

Chin rash: If your baby is a big drooler, the constant contact with saliva can cause the skin around the chin and mouth to become irritated.  To help prevent this, gently wipe your baby’s mouth and chin periodically throughout the day.

Biting & gnawing: A baby that is teething will gnaw and gum down on anything she or he can get their mouth around.  The counter pressure from biting on something helps relieve the pressure from under the gums.

Cheek rubbing and ear pulling: Pain in the gums may travel to the ears and cheeks particularly when the back molars begin coming in.  This is why you may see your baby rubbing their cheeks or pulling at their ears.  However, keep in mind that pulling at an ear can also be a sign of an ear infection.

Diarrhea: While this is a symptom that is disagreed upon by physicians, researchers and parents, most parents usually notice slightly looser bowel movements when a baby is teething.  While the recent study done by the Children’s Hospital in Australia found this to be the most common symptom of teething, there are still many people that will agree and disagree with this recent study. It is believed that the most likely cause of this is the extra saliva swallowed, which then loosens the stool.  Be sure and report any diarrhea to your doctor that lasts more than two bowel movements.

Low-grade fever: A fever is another symptom that doctors are sometimes hesitant to directly link with teething.  But there are many parents who will disagree with this and find their baby gets a slight fever while teething.  The best thing to do is be extra safe and notify your doctor if a fever last more than two days.

Not sleeping well: With teething pain happening during the day and night, you may find your child wakes more often at night when the pain gets bad enough.  Most parents agree that the night waking happens more often during the first set of teeth and with the molars.

Cold like symptoms (runny nose, etc.): Some parents find that their baby will show signs of having a cold.  Runny noses, coughing and general cold symptoms are believed to come from the baby having their hands in their mouth more often.  Play it safe and always notify your doctor if symptoms such as this occur.

How can I help my baby with the pain?

There are several things that you can try to help ease the pain of teething; some work and some don’t, but most parents agree they’re always worth a try.  Teething rings, water filled and chilled rubber teething toys; mom and dads fingers can all provide counter pressure that can sometimes bring relief.  Offering your baby a cold bottle of water can also help.  If sucking on the bottle bothers your child, offer a cold cup of water.  The water can also help replenish your baby’s fluid if they’re drooling a lot or have loose bowel movements.

Cold food has also been found to be helpful by some parents.  Chilled applesauce, yogurt and pureed peaches may be more appealing to your baby and also more nutritious than a chilled teething ring.

When nothing else helps, you can also turn to the Infant Tylenol.  Before giving your child Infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) always check with your doctor first.  Your doctor will tell you if it’s all right and what the proper amount is to give your baby.  Baby Orajel and other teething pain medicines that are applied to the gums can also provide some relief.  Some parents say the Baby Orajel type products work great, while other parents will say it doesn’t.  Also check with your doctor before giving this type of over the counter pain reliever to your baby.

The teething process will come and go just like so many other things with new babies.  Keep trying different things until you find what provides the best relief for your child.

Note: Before trying any of the suggestions listed above or any other type of home remedy it is highly recommended that you contact your pediatrician first.  You should follow your pediatricians advise first before trying anything mentioned on this site or on any other site.  Your child’s doctor knows what is best for your child.

1. Know who you want to help you for the first week or two that you are home with baby.

It’s unrealistic to assume you can do it all on your own or that you have to! And if you don’t plan ahead, you could have every neighbor, cousin and coworker stopping by to gawk at your new little one. While it’s nice that people care, set limits because you and baby need rest and one-on-one time.

Be honest by letting others know how they can be most helpful (visiting at a certain time so you can nap or bringing a meal for your family). People genuinely do want to help you so relish in it!

2. Know that a new baby uses a lot of diapers, and not always “newborn” size.

You can never have too many diapers on hand! Most babies outgrow the newborn size very quickly so make sure you have size one available too. If getting out of the house proves difficult, don’t forget miraculous two-day shipping via the Internet!

3. Know that your breasts will probably become engorged when your milk comes in and you should have a breast pump available.

Don’t delay the purchase or rental of a breast pump because you don’t think you’ll need it until you introduce the bottle or return to work! Engorgement happens and it happens fast. Being ready with a breast pump, even an inexpensive manual one, will bring you much needed relief. While it is different with every baby, your milk typically comes in three or four days after delivery.

4. Know that it’s okay if your baby does not sleep in her crib or bassinet right away.

Those first couple of nights at home with your baby are likely to be challenging. Because it is so important that you get some sleep and that baby doesn’t get her nights and days mixed up, consider letting your baby sleep in her carrier, swing or bouncy chair. It’s unrealistic to think that baby will automatically sleep wonderfully in her bassinet (and if she does you will be surprised and overjoyed)!

5. Know that you will bleed for a while.

I had no idea this would happen. Seriously. I knew that there would, naturally, be a lot of blood during the delivery but I had no idea about the immense amount of menstrual-like bleeding that would take place afterwards. And having not had my period for the last nine months I had no women’s products on hand. Make sure you have plenty of pads to address this issue! This postpartum bleeding could last up to six weeks. If bleeding is excessively heavy, bright red (for more than 7 days after delivery), accompanied by a discharge that smells bad, a fever or chills, you need to contact your health care provider or go to the emergency room.

6. Know that babies like to be warm.

It was during my pregnancy that I was first introduced to the concept of swaddling a baby. Sounded kind of silly to me, but it totally made sense. Learning how to swaddle your baby could help your baby sleep for longer than 20 minute increments (which was super important to me). And because you should never cover an infant with a blanket, I recommend using bag sleepers (or sleep sacks) once your baby outgrows swaddling.

7. Know that batteries are every mother’s best friend.

If a new mom could choose one item to invest money in, I would highly recommend it be batteries. Everything from baby swings to freakish dancing Elmo dolls require these little power packs. Not much is worse than having a hysterical newborn who won’t stop crying unless she’s constantly in motion except having a hysterical newborn who won’t stop crying and then finding out that the batteries in her swing are dead [again]! Stock up on batteries– lots and lots of batteries.

8. Know that you need to take care of yourself.

Perhaps the best piece I advice I could offer for the postpartum period is that as a new mom you need to take care of yourself! I know, I know, you just had a baby you’ve got loads of wash to launder, dozens of diapers to change, lots of bottles to scrub and oh-so-much cuddling to do. And, don’t get me wrong, all of those things are important (especially the last one) but it is also very important that you take a few minutes to yourself. I always rolled my eyes when someone said I needed to be napping while my baby napped (especially after the delivery of my third) but it really is important. Most other things can wait. Your body just underwent huge stresses and it needs to recover. Taking time for yourself might look like napping but it could also be a nice, hot shower while hubby holds baby or a short walk down the block while grandma spoils baby. Whatever it is, it is necessary and you deserve it!

The normal body temperature for children ranges from 36°C (96.8°F) to 37°C (98.6°F). Anything over 37.7°C (100°F) is classed as a fever.
Anything under 35°C (95°F) is also a concern because if the body temperature falls below this level hypothermia can develop.

Remember that a child’s temperature will be higher if he has been running around and lower in the morning than the evening because of muscle activity throughout the day. If your child’s temperature is high, wait for 20 minutes and take it again to check it is still high.

How to take your child’s temperature

It is best not to rely on the hand-on-the-forehead method, and invest in a good children’s thermometer.  There are lots of different types available and some are more suitable for children and babies than others.

Digital thermometers

These are probably the most accurate as they give high and low readings and can be inserted quickly into your child’s ear. They are probably the easiest as they can get a temperature reading almost straight away so if you have a wiggly, sick child, it will not be too disruptive for them. They are probably the most expensive thermometer available and need batteries to work. You can also place a digital thermometer in your child’s mouth under her tongue, but it is best to read the thermometer’s instructions on how to get the best reading.

Mercury thermometers

Mercury thermometers are unsuitable for small children to use as they have a tendency to bite the thermometer and object to it being in their mouths for a long time. For small children, it may be better to place the thermometer under their armpit for three minutes, but bear in mind this will give you a reading 0.6° C or 1°F below body temperature so you need to adjust accordingly.

Forehead thermometers

Forehead thermometers are also easier to use with small children and babies, but are the least accurate.  Place the strip on your child’s forehead with the numbers and panels facing outwards. Try not to touch the strip too much with your own fingers. Press flat and leave in place for 15 seconds. The panels will light up the temperature of your child’s forehead.

What should I do if my baby has a fever?

Whilst a raised temperature is actually a good sign because it means your child is responding and fighting off infection, it also needs to be treated because a high temperature in young children can lead to convulsions.
If the temperature is high, remove clothes and bed sheets and sponge your child’s forehead down with e tepid sponge.
To reduce a temperature effectively you can give your child medicine. Children’s Paracetamol like Calpol, or Children’s Nurofen can reduce a temperature quickly. Make sure that the medicine is suitable for the age of your baby, and that you are administering the right dose for his age.

Babies are all individuals and all have individual needs as far as their sleeping requirements are concerned. However, all babies need lots of sleep and if they are not napping during the day, this would generally indicate there is a problem somewhere else.

It might be that your baby is overtired. If she is not sleeping well at night, this could affect daytime sleeps. Ask yourself these questions:

• Is she overtired because she is very hungry at night and wakes often to feed? If so, perhaps you could try to increase the feed prior to bedtime. If she is still under three months old, it will be difficult to dictate the terms of feeding, as she is too young still and her stomach is very small. Try to wait till you get past three months before you worry about routines and sleeping. Once she hits the six month mark, she will physically need less milk and therefore it is easier to reduce night feeds.

• Is she overtired because she is waking up too early? Maybe the room she is sleeping in is too light or the temperature is not adequate. Try using blackout blinds to keep the morning at bay and ensure that your baby has appropriate covers to keep her warm or cool enough. Also, she may be the sort of baby that intensely dislikes having a dirty nappy. Maybe try changing her during the night or using more absorbent nappies. Some parents also swear by ‘white noise’ machines that you can purchase, which claim to aid babies toward more restful sleep.

Another problem could be that your baby is overstimulated. Is there too much going on in your baby’s immediate environment, prior to her nap time?

• Lots of visitors, noisy TV or radio shows or anything exciting and interesting to your baby to watch will inhibit her ability to fall asleep.
• Ensure she has a quiet wind down period before she is put down for a nap. Just like at bedtime, establishing a bit of a routine is helpful for giving your baby sleep cues.
• Also, make sure she has a quiet, comfortable place to sleep.

You may be trying to dictate a routine to your baby that is not fitting in with your baby’s natural sleep rhythms and confusing his sleep cycle. Do not try to impose strict nap times on a young baby. It is best that you respond to the signals that your baby gives you to tell you that she is tired and allow her to sleep. If you are still unable to fathom why your baby won’t nap, you should consult your health visitor.

Breastfeeding looks easy, mums just whip up their tops up and the baby gets her food – right? Wrong! While breastfeeding is very easy, getting started, getting your baby to latch on and feeding in the correct position is incredibly hard. The good news is, once you’ve mastered the latch and your positioning, breastfeeding will become as easy as eating a whole packet of biscuits!

First things first
Your baby’s face is specially designed for breastfeeding. Her little turned up nose and receding chin means she can feed happily and breath at the same time, so never worry that she cannot breathe. If she can’t she will pull away from feeding. If your baby’s nose seems to be blocked by your breast, change your positioning slightly to see if that helps or move your breast so that your baby has a clear airway.

It is important to have a proper latch when breastfeeding, firstly, so that your baby is extracting your milk in the right way and therefore getting as much milk as she needs and secondly, to avoid blisters and sore nipples for you. Here are ten tips for acheiving that all-important latch:

• Start early

The best time to start breastfeeding is the first hour after your baby is born (we know you want to rest, but it’ll be easier in the long run!) This is because babies go through a period of being alert straight after they are born, but after that they spend much of the next 24 hours asleep. Most babies will instinctively suckle at the breast soon after birth, so take advantage of this time and also having the midwives around you to help to get breastfeeding started.

• Tickles

Try tickling your baby’s bottom lip with your nipple to make her open her mouth wide. Once your baby’s mouth is wide you should quickly move it onto your breast. Make sure you bring your baby to you rather than leaning towards your baby, to get the ideal positioning for your baby.

• A proper latch

When moving your baby’s mouth onto your breast, make sure that she gets about an inch of the surrounding areola (the darker area surrounding your nipple) into her mouth. You can also pull your baby’s chin down gently after she has latched on to help her take more of the areola in her mouth. Your nipple should be pulled back into your baby’s mouth so that extracting your milk is easier for her. If you find that your baby only has your nipple in her mouth, rather than the surrounding area, it is likely that your nipples will get sore and possibly blister. If you think your baby is feeding incorrectly, insert your index finger into her mouth while she is feeding and gently pull her off your nipple. Just pulling her off your nipple without a finger can be very painful!

• Fish mouth

Make sure that your baby’s lips are rolled outwards while she is feeding so that they resemble a fish’s mouth! If her lips are inverted, gently use your finger to pop them out as this will help with her latch.

• Check your baby’s mouth

A baby properly latched on will be covering more of the areola with his lower lip than with the upper lip.

• Hold your breast

You might need to hold your breast to help guide your nipple into your baby’s mouth. For larger breasted women you may have to do this with every feed. If you do have to hold your breast, grasp it at the sides rather than at the top or the bottom so your hand doesn’t get in the way of your baby’s mouth.

• Nipple positioning

Your nipple should be aimed at your baby’s upper lip rather than the middle of the mouth.

• Head positioning

Your baby’s head should be slightly tilted back and not slumped forward. Her chin should indent the lower portion of your breast.

• Switch positions

Switch positions if one position doesn’t work. The traditional position is your baby facing towards you with ‘tummy to mummy’ and her legs around your tummy. Your could always try the football or underarm hold, where you hold your baby’s head to your breast with her tummy on her side and legs pointing behind you.

• Don’t give up!

If you start to feel like nothing is working and your nipples are sore – try not to lose heart. Have some time out and try again when you’ve both had a bit of a break. Follow the instructions above and try not to get frustrated with your baby. It might be worth visiting your health visitor or a breastfeeding councillor to help you to get your latch right, or read our feature on breastfeeding problems.

How do I tell if I’m breastfeeding correctly?
If you’ve got the latch right:

• Your baby’s chin and nose should be touching your breast
• Your baby’s cheeks should be nice and rounded while sucking
• You should be able to hear content suckling sounds NOT clicking or smacking noises which indicate that your don’t have a good latch.
• Your baby is perfectly happy and stays on the breast for a sufficient amount of time and rarely fusses.
• When your baby is suckling there is a circular motion of her jaw rather than fast chin movement.
• You should be able to hear and to see your baby swallowing milk.

If you are not breastfeeding correctly:

• Your baby will have trouble keeping on the breast and will be frustrated at not being able to extract milk properly.
• Your baby falls asleep after a very short time nursing
• Your baby fusses when off the breast and acts hungry all the time
• Your nipples look pointed or crushed, or they are very sore and bleeding.
• Breastfeeding hurts! Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt. When you first start to feed your baby you may feel a tingling sensation as your breasts let down milk, but after that you should feel no pain at all.
• Your baby’s cheeks are pulled or sucked in when she sucks

Other helpful tips:
If your baby frequently falls asleep at the breast try tickling her feet or her cheeks to wake her up. You could also undress and change her nappy to wake her up.