Baby on the Move!

Once your little one discovers she can roll, crawl and scoot, nothing can stop her.

     We all wait with great anticipation for our tiny angels to walk! We record the momentous occasion and laugh along with their triumph. Next, we wonder why we were so thrilled when they begin knocking cups off the table, falling and hitting their heads on the fireplace or running pell-mell across the parking lot! But take a breath, Mom and Dad. Both you and your baby have a lot of ground to cover before he ever reaches the toddling point.

     Sometimes, just getting through the first week is an accomplishment—and that is okay. New developments happen hourly, and you should enjoy each one, even though you haven’t showered or slept more than two hours. It’s okay to wonder what in the world you have gotten yourself into!

     When you bring your baby home, those first weeks are about adjusting, surviving and getting as much rest as possible as you get to know each other. A baby schedule will happen later. Being born is tough work, and your baby will sleep through her days, waking to eat, eat and eat! Feeding your little one will be your primary focus now. Whether you nurse or use formula, prepare and learn as much as you can before you give birth, which will be a huge help. Because new babies eat so frequently, you’ll find the diaper genie to be your new best friend.

     As the weeks pass, you will learn your baby’s signs of hunger and what his different cries mean. After that umbilical cord falls off, you can get out the baby tub and start having fun with baths. Keep in close contact with your pediatrician if questions or concerns arise—doctors know babies get sick at all hours and will help you through it. My infant son came down with RSV on New Year’s Eve! We spent the night in our tiny bathroom with the hot shower on for steam and the phone nearby.

    Colic may rear its ugly head, so introduce tummy time. I used to lay my babies on my forearm on their tummies and swing them to help with colic. At the one-month well check visit, your baby may receive routine vaccinations.

     At six weeks, many parents may return to work, stirring up tumultuous emotions. Find inspirational words to help you through and lean on friends and family. At this stage, your baby will be staying awake a little longer. Give plenty of tummy time so your baby will strengthen those important muscles. You’ll find your own muscles stronger, too, as you get the hang of wrangling that baby carrier and car seat.

     By two months, you can start taking your baby out of the house more and enjoying life again. These outings foster curiosity in your baby, and you’ll both feel a little more comfortable as you settle into something of a routine. You’ll also find yourself enthralled at how your baby’s little hands begin to grasp and pull. And by three months, that little one may sleep through the night! Gradually, your baby will enjoy her baby toys more and more, so encourage her to play by being a hands-on parent as much as you can. Get down on the floor and talk to her and provide a wide variety of toys. At five months, you’ll likely have a rock-and-roller moving across the floor. Now is a good time to babyproof the house in every way—nothing breakable anywhere on any table!

     Six months is the halfway point of Baby’s first year. Hurray! Celebrate by finding out whether your baby is ready to get acquainted with solid foods this month. You can even try making your own baby food.

     At around seven months, many parents consider introducing an educational show, family movie or cartoon just to get a break from the routine of parenting. Limit this time and include lots of cuddles to make it a shared experience, as many experts recommend no screens until the baby is a couple of years old. You are the parent, so you get to make the call on what’s best for your child. Your baby also will begin teething now, so be prepared with frozen teething rings—even a frozen washcloth will help.

     By the eighth month, lots of solids and table foods get gobbled up, and this is a fun time. Your baby gets better at chewing and swallowing with practice. Introduce tiny forks and spoons and keep the broom or vacuum close at hand, as your baby discovers throwing food from her highchair is fun. This is also a good time to wean your baby off the pacifier.

    By 10 months, babies become busy little bees. As activity increases, so does the risk for getting into trouble. Exploring tots like putting everything into their mouths. My daughter said her son ate sand, dirt, play dough and grass in one day! Watch out for choking hazards, such as raisins, nuts, hard candy, grapes and hot dogs.

     As you approach that one-year mark, your baby may begin to transition to a single afternoon nap—perhaps giving you just enough time to plan a special birthday party! Whether you are going for a Pinterest-worthy production or a low-key celebration at home, this milestone deserves cake!

Check out this month-by-month chart to help you know what to expect during your baby’s first year:

• 1 month: Moves head from side to side when on her stomach, develops a strong grip and is fascinated by her hands and fingers.
• 2 months: Holds head and neck up while on tummy, opens and closes hands and plays with them and gives you lots of smiles.
• 3 months: Reaches and grabs objects and grips them, coos and imitates you when you stick out your tongue!
• 4 months: Pushes up on arms when lying on tummy, holds onto objects and laughs out loud. Enjoys play and cries when the play stops.
• 5 months: Ready to roll! Blows raspberries, reaches for Mommy and Daddy and cries when you leave.
• 6 months: Rolling and babbling begin. He now recognizes familiar faces—which is adorable!
• 7 months: He is now on the move, crawling, scooting or army crawling. And when you smile, he smiles.
• 8 months: Sits up well without support and claps. When you say kitty, he looks for the kitty, and he knows his name. Peekaboo is a great game now.
• 9 months: She begins to climb and crawl up stairs and learns object permanence, in other words her toy exists even when she can’t see it. Stranger anxiety is common now.
• 10 months: Stands by holding onto the sofa, stacks and sorts toys and waves bye-bye. This is when she learns that when she cries, Mommy comes.
• 11 months: Cruises using furniture, turns pages of books and says Mama and Dada. Loves dropping her spoon and pushing food away.
• ONE YEAR OLD! First steps usually happen now, and she will help while you dress her. She will say a couple words—and the fun really begins!

Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

Sources: VeryWellFamily.com, WebMD.com