BABY STEPS: From newborn to 12 months

Baby steps
The thruth about milestone.
by mindy berry





Birth to 4 months: getting to know you



You've bought the baby gear and labored over the nursery. And now here you are with a squealing, splotchy little person. For some moms, falling in love comes naturally. But for others, instant passion is the stuff of movies, not real life. If you're feeling as nervous as you would before a blind date, don't worry -- there are simple things many of which you're probably doing already, that will break the ice tact, talking and singing to her, and responding to her basic needs -- feeding, soothing, and diapering --are all ways to nurture a positive attachment between you and your baby.

"I tell parents that a mother is being born as a baby is being born," says Anna Baumgaertel, MD., a developemental pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadephia. In other words, be patient with your self. Bonding is a process, and you will feel more and more connected over time. -- Anita Sethi, Ph.D.



5 to 8 months: your little kidder



Although those wonderful first smiles happend as early as 6 weeks, by now you may have a full-fledged gigler on your hands. "Children aren'tborn with humor; they learn it from interacting with their parents," says Merideth Gattis, Ph.D, a psychologist at Cardiff University in the UK. Here's how you can help your bambino bacome a little Sir Laugh-a-lot!:
use your voice. babies will pick up on humor in your accoustic cues.
"Parents tend to speak higher, louder, and slower reading a funny book," says Gattis. "This pattern, like raising your voice at the end of a question, is typical of infant-directed speech. It signals your baby to pay attention to something you want her to learn."
be yourself. "People are funny in different ways, so even if you think you're missing the funny bone, allow your natural instincts to take over," advises Gattis.Silly faces, impromptu dances, and goofy impresonations all count.
practise makes perfect. "Your baby has discovered that her mouth and tongue have the power ot make sounds," says Joanne Cox, M.D., associate chief of general pediatrics at Children's Hospital in Boston. " Encouraging her to laugh and coo now will lay the groundwork for talking later." Babies love to have fun. Playing peekaboo, having a tickling seassion, and blowing raspberries on her tummy are surefire way to elicit lots of giggles.

9 to 12 months: pushing it real good

Walking is a baby's first big, well, step into toddlerhood. While those thrilling moments may still be a few weeks or month saway, your can help him prepare for the big day. " Children love push toys because they allow them to move around in a way they couldn't before," says Tanya Remer Altmann, M.D., a pediatrician in Los Angeles. "Plus, they can help your prewalker find his balance." Check out more reasons why push toys are a perfect match for your little one right now:
1. they develop strength. Once your baby can pull up, he's ready to push a toy forward (with your behind him!). Most babies take to push toys very quickly, and using one will strengthen his arm, leg, and core muscles.
2. they build confidence. "Every step of a child's developement builds toward the next, so once your tot gets a taste of the excitement of moving he may try harder to walk on his own," says Dr. Altmann.
3. they're long-lasting. Babies neve tire of the exhilarating feeling of zooming around the house, which is why you can count on these toys to deliver years of fun!