Development milestones begin even before birth. They’re often easy to see using ultrasound and other techniques. But after birth, some may be harder to spot. They’re just as important, though, since they mark the first year of your baby’s rapid growth during this important period. These encompass a whole range of changes involving motor skills, the visual system and cognitive development.

The Baby’s First Month

During the first month a baby that is developing well can be expected to exhibit strong reflex movements. They’ll often bring the hands to the mouth, exploring all manner of tactile sensations. They’ll frequently exercise the head from side to side, displaying the beginnings of mastery of muscle control and visual acuity.

At this stage, they can focus about 8-12 inches away, roughly the distance from mother’s nipple to her nose. The eyes will wander, but they’re not random. They’re taking in the scene. The baby should blink at the sight of a bright light. High contrast patterns are attractive, but none more than that of the human face.

They can turn the head, reacting with attention to sounds (especially loud ones) and even familiar voices.

The Baby’s First Trimester

Pregnancy has a first trimester, but so does the period after birth. During these three months the newborn is growing and developing profoundly. Changes seem to come almost daily.

Motor skills are sharpening and strengthening now. The baby can raise his or her head and even the chest slightly when lying on the stomach. Opening and closing the fists is common as they gain control over finger and arm muscles. The first signs of pushing down with the feet to support the legs can be seen.

At this time of life the visual system is sharpening considerably. By the end of three months they can watch a face with concentration and follow moving objects deliberately. The beginnings of recognizing people and objects become clarified. Hand-eye coordination is evident.

Social skills start about now. Smiling, enjoyment in the company of others and similar behaviors begin. Imitation of the behavior of others shows its first stirrings.

Through the Baby’s Second Trimester

By the end of 6-7 months, those early gropings are ramping up. The baby can sit without support of the hands. He or she may be able to support her entire weight on the legs, perhaps with a little help from a nearby table or chair. During this period they have achieved enough muscle control to reach for and grasp small objects.

Full color vision is now possible. Being able to make out objects at a distance matures to the point of recognizing people and things across the room. He or she can track them as they move.

Cognitive skills start emerging clearly now. He or she may unmistakably respond to a personal name. Imitation turns to response as he or she repeats back sounds that will later become words. Those sounds start to get strung together into what will, before you know it, be short sentences.

The Baby’s First Year

By the end of the first year those stumbles and babbles have become walking and talking. The baby can now make short trips across the room, from chair to table. He or she can say a few simple words, including that all important ‘Momma’ and ‘Dada’.

Cognitive skills start to mature into value selection as the child displays a preference for certain people and/or toys, excluding others not desired. The first challenges to parental choice start to emerge. The baby learns the word ‘no’ and may use it at times you’d prefer otherwise.

Summary

Each child is an individual. While he or she shares many similarities with babies of the same age, each one develops at a unique rate and in an individual way. Milestones are rough guidelines. Einstein spoke late. Beware of assumptions about what is ‘normal’.

Breastfeeding is the preferred method of providing newborns with all the nutrients and immune system aids they require. But for many people - whether mother, infant or both - that simply isn’t an option. But not to worry. Infant baby formulas have developed to a high art, thanks to excellent science, and are great for newborn baby and infant care.

New parents sometimes read about potential difficulties associated with feeding infants cow’s milk, and so shy away from formula based on it. But all commercial formulas are safe and nutritious.

Cow’s milk isn’t a preferred food for babies under 12 months. That much is true. But that’s chiefly because it doesn’t have the same percentage and type of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other compounds that is contained in natural human breast milk. And, indeed, a small percentage of newborns are lactose intolerant.

But infant baby formula based on cow’s milk isn’t just your regular dairy product in a different bottle with a higher price sticker. The formula is carefully prepared. The cow’s milk fats and proteins are altered to emulate human breast milk to a very high degree.

But, for those few who truly have difficulty digesting cow’s milk-based infant formula, there are good alternatives.

Soy-based formula is a healthy choice. They’re useful primarily for those babies who lack the enzyme to correctly break down lactose, the natural sugar in cow’s milk. Here again, it’s important to get soy formula, not soy milk. The latter is not appropriate for newborns.

A specialized infant baby formula called protein hydrolysate is another alternative for those who have some types of milk allergy. The proteins in the formula are already broken down to products that would result from natural digestion. For those rare but unfortunate few babies who are born with a family history of milk allergies, it can be a lifesaver.

Beyond the general category of ingredients, there are many types of infant formula. They differ primarily in cost and convenience.

Powdered formula is the least expensive. It’s designed to be mixed with water. It’s possible and usually safe to mix with tap water. But many parents will want to use bottled water to ensure purity, which largely eliminates the price advantage.

Concentrated liquid formula is also intended to be mixed with water. It has the advantage of being a little easier to prepare, but (like powdered formula) requires careful measurement. The right ratio of formula to water is important for optimal nutrition and ease of digestion.

Ready-to-use formula, by contrast, is already pre-mixed to the exact concentration and form for instant use. Like the others it can be fed warm or cool, whichever the baby prefers. Not surprisingly, it is also the most expensive.

Some formula labeled ‘enhanced’ contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which are omega-3 fatty acids found in natural human breast milk. They’re safe, but research is mixed on how much extra benefit they add.

All formulas are safe and nutritious, but all carry the same requirements. They should be prepared with clean, preferably sterile, utensils. Hands that contact anything that would make its way into the baby’s mouth should also be thoroughly cleaned before feeding.

Prepare infant baby formula to the exact concentration recommended and feed only what the baby wants. Don’t force the infant to take more than it is willing to consume after waiting a few minutes to relax caregiver and child. If it hasn’t drunk the ‘right’ amount or at the time desired, simply wait and try again later. Babies regulate according to an internal clock, not the one on the wall.

Well, ok, it’s confession time. You (and your baby) can live without many of the items below. But even apart from the natural desire of parents to make their baby’s life as easy as possible, many of these help ensure their health and safety.

You’ll need an infant car seat, even if you don’t intend the baby to go out often. Many hospitals will require you to have one before they’ll release mother and child. If you don’t have one, some will supply you with a temporary. They have their insurance regulations to follow, you know!

You’ll want to carry your baby around, but your arms will get tired. A good strap-on baby carryall will do wonders for you and your child. Like a good backpack (whether worn on the back or front), it will free your arms and save your back. They’re also great for encouraging the bonding between parent and child that comes from physical closeness.

An adjunct to that is a good stroller. Even with a good carryall, babies can get heavy after a while. A sturdy stroller with a braking mechanism for hills and near the curb is always useful. Having one with an adjustable hood allows for the right amount of shading and sunlight filtering, too.

Both at home and away, a good diaper changing station is never wasted. A portable one will help you during those spontaneous moments that always seem to come at the most inconvenient time.

There are times when you want to rest your baby to relieve your arms and still want the baby to get a great view. A bassinet or cradle with adjustable arms is the perfect solution. Naturally, you’ll want one that is ultra-sturdy. Make sure there are no sharp corners and look for ones that provide a means of securing blankets, buttoning in cushions and other handy add-ons.

As your baby develops, providing him or her with a means to exercise those burgeoning muscles promotes health and psychological well-being. A rocking chair with straps is useful. A bouncy seat with musical danglers is another good option. Make sure that any noisemakers are removable. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy!

Speaking of music, a good CD or iPod-type player with speakers can be a great addition to the ‘baby toolkit’. White noise helps some young ones deal with colic. Classical music helps young minds develop. Gentle sea sounds and lilting tunes provide a peaceful atmosphere that will help both child and parent.

Of course, there are a whole range of toys that serve a number of good purposes. Babies are exploratory by nature. Providing safe things that will go into the mouth, but only so far, is one category. Building blocks of various sizes help the developing mind learn about shape, volume and other basics. Sound-making toys help them correlate self-initiated movement with the resulting noise. Learning cause and effect early is a big boon.

Don’t forget to stock the medicine cabinet with that whole range of needed items for emergencies!

While the fetus is developing, it gets all its needed nutrients from the mother through the umbilical cord. This includes compounds that help the baby’s immune system to protect it from harm. But even after birth the baby’s immune system is still not fully mature. Fortunately, nature has cleverly developed a solution. The added help it needs it gets in part from colostrum and milk via breastfeeding.

During the first few days of the baby’s life, the mother’s breast forms and delivers colostrum. This is a thin, whitish or yellowish fluid that comes through the nipple, just as milk does. It is rich with fats, carbohydrates, white blood cells and other compounds that both nourish and provide immune system protection.

Colostrum contains proteins, most especially immunoglobulins, a type of antibody. These antibodies are one of the body’s foremost weapons against invading bacteria, fungi, viruses and other disease causing organisms. Among other benefits, the antibodies from colostrum coat the GI (gastrointestinal) tract and help prevent bacteria in the gut from entering the bloodstream. The colostrum also contains numerous macrophages, small cells that envelop and carry away disease causing germs.

At the same time, the breastfed baby receives the best nutrition possible. Nature has evolved breast milk to contain everything the newborn needs.

Fats, for example, which adults strive so hard to minimize, are essential for the proper development of the nervous system. They help regulate the hormone system, too.

Carbohydrates are the body’s energy source. They’re another category of food calories that dieting adults will often try to keep down. But babies should never be put on a diet. Breast milk is rich in carbohydrates of just the right type and amount to help them develop in an optimal way.

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding is highly beneficial for babies. Most strongly suggest that breastfed babies have a better head start in life than those who are only bottle fed. The rate of infectious disease is lower among newborns who are breastfed. The odds of infant diabetes are lower according to some studies. Breastfed babies see fewer hospital and doctor visits.

But breastfeeding is also good for the mother.

When a mother doesn’t breastfeed, she may experience an uncomfortable sensation in the breast. Artificial pumping to extract the milk is usually required. Breastfeeding eliminates the need to do so. Some may wish to use a pump anyway, in order to have a store of mother’s milk available.

The bonding that takes place between mother and newborn during breastfeeding may be hard to measure medically. But the benefits are observable and real. This quiet time between mother and child are good for both.

Some reliable studies suggest that breastfeeding also helps lower the odds of ovarian and breast cancers. Breastfeeding also delays the return of ovulation and menstruation. That gives the recovering mother a break from having to deal with periods during a very busy time of life. At the same time, it reduces the odds of another pregnancy right away.

Give your newborn the best possible start in life by breastfeeding. Give yourself the benefits as well. Nature has evolved this excellent method for optimizing the health of mother and child. Take advantage of all it has to offer.

Like any newly popular practice, the benefits of infant massage can be overstated. Critical, professional studies have found little evidence that infant massage helps treat dermatitis, colic or asthma, for example. But claims for other benefits are well founded.

Newborns are exactly that: newly born. Their first experiences of the world are many and diverse. Stimuli impinge on them from all angles and processing all these perceptions is a normal part of development. Parents can help that development in numerous ways, one of which involves touch.

Common experience and professional studies agree that babies are naturally exploratory. Reaching out, grabbing, turning over and other touch-based sensory experiences are a common part of that process. All these experiences help develop their faculties. Integrated with new sights and sounds, babies quickly learn to correlate a vast range of phenomena.

Infant massage takes that process one step further.

Touching a baby in the form of gentle kneading provides instances of awareness between caregiver and newborn. It represents security and the knowledge that the caregiver is close by to meet their needs. Even though the infant can’t describe the value of this practice, they are aware of it at their own level.

That bond is amplified and solidified by and during infant massage. The regular, careful pressure reduces infant stress and reassures them. At the same time, the parent is participating in that two-way bonding activity, so he or she benefits as well.

While those highly beneficial values are being created and enjoyed, certain physiological changes are taking place during infant massage episodes. Gradually and slowly, neurological development is being stimulated. The relaxation that occurs helps the immune system as a result of reduced stress. Non-verbal communication helps the process along.

Naturally, all these benefits depend on taking the proper care to perform an infant massage correctly. Avoiding excess pressure on somewhat fragile muscles and bones is only the beginning.

Setting aside a time when the parent can provide a massage in a relaxed atmosphere is important. Babies sense when a parent is tense and rushed. Just before the baby’s normal final bedtime (and the parent’s) is a good time, as it will provide the maximum effect.

Most babies will get some degree of diaper rash during the first year or two. Newborns are particularly prone to acquiring this red, inflamed area on the buttocks, thighs or genitals. Also, the skin itself may be warmer than normal. Fortunately, treating it at home is often simplicity itself.

Anything which irritates the skin can cause diaper rash. A baby’s skin is very sensitive. Still, there are a few common causes.

Long exposure to urine and feces is one example. Pure urine is not infectious. But it mixes readily with organisms, providing them with a growing medium. Bacteria are often found in feces, as a normal part of the body’s disposal of potentially harmful ‘invaders’.

One organism in particular accounts for a large number of diaper rash cases: yeast. This common fungus grows well in moist, warm environments, such as soiled diapers. Even when waste isn’t present, excessive humidity in the air encourages moisture under the diaper. That condition is especially likely in skin folds that trap moisture.

Other causes are possible, as well.

A change in diet can increase stool production, which increases the time the baby’s skin is exposed to it. Ironically, even a new cleansing product can cause diaper rash. Though rarely the cause, thanks to considerable testing, some babies are sensitive to certain products. A new detergent or fabric softener, or even a new disposable wipe, can irritate the skin.

And, not least, some babies are simply more sensitive than others to potential irritants. Tight diapers that are perfect for one will chafe another.

Home treatment is all that’s required in the overwhelming majority of cases of diaper rash.

In most cases, simply cleaning your baby gently but thoroughly will provide the right environment for time to do the rest. Changing diapers promptly and often will help prevent any instance or reoccurrence. Rinsing with warm water during a change to remove all trace of urine and feces is a good idea.

There’s rarely a need for swabbing with alcohol and it can often be counterproductive. It tends to dry the skin excessively. Patting with a soft towel followed by air drying is best. Allow the area to dry thoroughly before fitting the baby with a new diaper.

For babies that tend to develop diaper rash, avoid diapers or outer pants that have elastic bands that tighten against the legs. This blocks air flow that helps to keep the area dry. They may also chafe.

For more serious cases, an anti-fungal cream may be called for. There are over the counter ointments and prescription strength creams. Which is needed depends of course on individual factors that should be discussed with your physician.

With proper care almost all cases of diaper rash can be conquered within a few days. For those that persist or grow, see your doctor. Any time the rash is accompanied by pus or boils you should seek professional treatment for your baby at once.

Choosing a good pediatrician is understandably a source of concern for many parents. They know their newborn will need one from time to time. And, when the baby needs a doctor, rapid quality care becomes a high priority. Fortunately, there are simple guidelines that will help you find just the right one.

No one size fits all. Even among highly competent physicians there is a considerable variety in personality. Choosing one that suits you is important for a number of reasons. You’ll have questions and some doctors will make you feel rushed, others are more patient. You’ll have to call them at odd hours. Do they provide care willingly or reluctantly? Will they get back to you right away, or hours later?

After you’ve narrowed the field of candidates, you’ll want to cover some basics in a face-to-face interview. Basic screening could be done via phone or email, but you’ll want to meet at least the three final ones on your list. Although, some do get lucky and find just the right one the first time out!

Naturally, you’ll examine their degrees and certificates. Not all medical schools and/or residency programs are created equal. It makes a difference whether a doctor trained at the Mayo Clinic or did field work in Africa. Both have their strengths. Are they board certified in pediatrics? Any qualified pediatrician, as opposed to just a family physician or general practitioner, will be. Are they a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics? This is standard, but not universal.

You’ll want to know with what hospital they are associated. If the choice comes down to a close call between two, this could be a deciding factor. Hospitals have differing policies on insurance and their own ‘feel’. Some are simply closer to home than others. All these things can help you decide. Will the person you choose see your newborn while he or she is still at the hospital after delivery? That tells you something about the level of care and interest in individual patients.

You’re not limited to one pediatrician, and in fact you may be referred at times to a specialist. But your primary care physician will (and should) usually be one person who sees your baby consistently. He or she will become familiar with your baby. That experience counts for something.

In a group practice, who covers for the primary physician in his or her absence? Try to meet that person. When they do refer you to a specialist whom would it be? Try to interview that person as well. The same goes for support staff. Is there an RN in the office who specializes in pediatrics?

Finally, you’ll want to sound out the candidate on such issues as immunization. Are they in favor of vaccinations, or opposed to them? What schedule do they follow? What approach do they take to issues of diet and nutrition?

Your obstetrician is a good source for a recommendation, of course, as are friends and family. Some do double-duty, of course. Your local hospital is another good source for references. If you’ve exhausted those obvious choices, you can try a few good websites that may list pediatricians in your area.

You’ll find information about the pediatrician’s training, specializations, accepted insurance plans and more.

Among the highest goals for any parent is the safety of their child. One of the key elements in that plan is selecting the right child safety seat for the car. Here are a few things to look for when trying to find that perfect model.

The first considerations are age and weight. Infants under age one should be provided with a safety seat specifically tailored to their size. It should also be rear facing and not intended for use by older babies.

Those older than one but less than four will weigh on average between 20-40 lbs. They’re also, of course, taller than infants and the older they are the taller. That opens up the possibility of a forward-facing car seat, which is a little more convenient for parents. It should be still installed in the back seat, though.

Convenience doesn’t have to be sacrificed for any of these goals, of course. Many models are convertible. That is, they can be turned from a rear-facing position to forward-facing with a few simple movements. Still, keep in mind the correct age and weight characteristics.

As an aside, there’s a difference between an infant seat and an infant car seat. The former is just a baby carrier that can be placed in the car, on the floor or table at home. A car seat is specifically designed to be used in the car.

Fortunately, clever designers have blurred the line between the two. Many models are available that do, indeed, allow strapping the child safely into the car. It can then be unbuckled and used as a carrier.

Since it is to be used in the car, though, it will be important that it satisfies certain criteria. A 5-point harness attachment design is key. This allows parents to use the car’s safety restraining belt to attach the car seat at the hips, shoulders and between the legs. That provides a very stable, secure platform.

It’s helpful to have an overhead shield, too. These are padded covers that rotate down over the child. A variation is the T-shield, a padded T-shaped section that attaches to the shoulder straps.

Look for models with a tether at the top that can be attached from the top of the child’s car seat to an anchor point in the car. That adds extra safety. Some have a system called LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). This eliminates the need to use the car’s safety belts which, after all, were designed for larger children and adults. The car seat attaches, instead, entirely to the anchors. Vehicles made after Sep, 2002 all have these systems.

Other attributes of a good child car safety seat can involve convenience for the parent and comfort for the child.

Children come naturally in different shapes. Like the adults they will become, some are slender, others more rounded. Some are a little longer or taller. That means they all fit a little differently in the seat.

A car safety seat that makes it easy to safely and securely add or remove padding, blankets and more provides additional comfort and safety. At the same time, parents have to spend less time adjusting the seat to make a good fit. That’s a win-win situation for both. Some even have integrated travel vests that can be buckled around the child.

That same double-theme of safety and convenience is carried on by child safety seat designs that make it easy to insert and adjust the restraining straps. Parents are busy folk and it’s easy to succumb to the temptation to take a short cut. But no one wants to sacrifice safety. A design that requires only a few seconds to install or move the seat satisfies all those needs.

Just like adults, a baby’s skin is the first line of defense against disease. It’s often thought of as an organ of the immune system and maintains a physical barrier against disease. Maintaining your newborn’s skin in top condition will help ensure both comfort and optimal health.

It may take as long as a month for the newborn’s umbilical knot to fall off naturally. Until that time, it’s best to avoid a tub bath. You could bathe them by just filling the tub to below navel level. But splashing and the baby’s tilting slightly could make that tricky. Best to stick with sponge bathing for the first few weeks.

Giving a sponge bath a couple of times per week is actually very easy and great for baby skin care. In fact, just plain tap water warmed up to about body temperature is perfect. Make sure the room is a little on the warm side, too. Babies chill easily. Use a soft cotton towel and wipe gently everywhere, avoiding the circle around the navel to minimize the possibility of infection. A little bit of clean water that drips down, however, won’t hurt anything.

Once you graduate to a full bath, two to three times per week is plenty for the first few months of your newborn’s life. But keeping the face, anus and genitals clean at all times is important for your baby’s skin care. Do that as often as needed which will seem like every hour on some days.

An excessively hot bath or (more commonly) being wrapped up a little too warmly can give a newborn a heat rash. It may also happen simply when the weather is hot. This is normal and no cause for alarm. The baby’s pores are ‘learning’ to adapt to the outside world to regulate its body temperature correctly.

This heat rash or prickly heat may appear as small red bumps, often on the chest or around the neck. Adjust the baby’s clothing or bedding to allow a little better airflow. If it persists for more than a day, a cool wet cloth can be applied locally on the patches to cool the skin. Don’t overdo it. You don’t want to overcompensate and give the baby a chill.

A large percentage of newborns will develop some kind of acne in the first few months. Don’t worry! Infant pimples or neonatal acne, as it’s called, is perfectly normal. Hormones cause the oil glands to be more active at this time, which can lead to mild acne.

Cleaning the face as normal is all that’s required. The pimples will disappear all on their own. There’s no need to treat them with acne cream and you should never squeeze them. For severe cases or any that persist for months, speak to your pediatrician.

Many newborns develop a patch of darkened skin on the scalp called cradle cap. It resembles a dirty area. Some studies suggest it is a mild form of eczema. In most cases it will disappear spontaneously.

Cleansing the area will help keep pores free of excess oil. A mild brushing can help keep oil moving from the follicles to the skin surface. Avoid harsh shampoos or vigorous cleaning, though. That tends to make skin conditions worse since it dries and roughens the skin. Let the body do its job with only a little bit of assistance from you.

Newborn baby skin care requires only a regular habit of gentle practices. Babies are very robust and with proper care will do just fine. The newborn’s immune system, while still developing for the first few months, is already an amazing thing. With proper diet and skin care it will keep your baby in optimal health.

The causes of infant colic remain an area of active research. But parents don’t need to wait for a full answer from science to treat this common bowel pain that induces so much crying.

Some newborns’ colic symptoms are eased by changing their positions. Rolling the infant on its side especially followed by pressing it up against the mother’s abdomen has worked for many distressed children and parents.

Sounds in general may be one of the most popular methods for treating colic.

The sound of ocean waves has settled more than one colicky baby. Some studies suggest it emulates the environment in the womb. Until the final answer is validated, experience continues to favor this method as one which works.

Even certain artificial sounds can serve as a distraction and, possibly, a (temporary) cure. While anecdotal, many parents report that the sound of a vacuum cleaner causes their baby’s symptoms to disappear. This may be because the noise is startling, making them forget their painful stomach. Or, it may help the child release gas or even produce hormonal changes. Not fully scientific, but well worth a try.

Even white noise has proved beneficial in many households for easing infant colic. The static from a TV set, or the general noise provided by special CDs can help. It may be that the method simply helps lower stress.

It would seem that babies have little reason to experience stress. But everything is new and adapting to it takes effort. While this isn’t the same as adult stress, a calming atmosphere does reduce the odds of acid reflux and other physical circumstances that can be related to colic.

Music can be an important means to applying this method. Music does indeed have charms to sooth the savage breast, as the poet says. A gentle Chopin Piano Etude or a pleasing Vivaldi piece are recommended by music experts. Some studies also provide evidence that it helps young minds develop, too. But a lilting nursery tune isn’t just for the Irish, either.

The connection between infant colic and sound or music cure is unclear, but the technique gets a lot of ‘votes’ from real experts: real parents!

Certain foods or drink may be beneficial, too.

Check with your doctor first, but small amounts of herbal tea has been known to help some babies’ colic symptoms. Never give strong teas to a newborn. But gentle green or dilute peppermint tea may be helpful, if approved by your physician. They’re also good for the immune system.

Some physicians say that altering the formula or method of feeding for bottle fed babies can help reduce colic. Babies sometimes get too much air in the stomach, which promotes colic. Here again, be guided by your doctor’s advice. But colic may be caused, at least in part, by abdominal gas so there can be something to this.

A whole range of health issues can be addressed by breastfeeding. While there is no sure cure for colic, proper breastfeeding can help reduce gas and definitely does provide antibodies to stave off diseases. Some stomach bacteria are helpful, but others give off gases that can cause upset.

Last, but far from least, let time be your healer.

Patience, per se, won’t cure colic. But it is nevertheless beneficial to both parent and child. Since the condition tends to occur within a few weeks of birth, but goes away spontaneously after a few months, waiting is one valid form of treatment. At the same time, ample patience will help parents keep their sanity during this trying time.

Time really does heal infant colic. Some newborns never get colic. But virtually all who do will see it disappear after a few months at most. If the symptoms persist longer, see your physician for a diagnosis that may reveal a different condition, such as lactose intolerance.