Baby's Growth and Development

Appetite and Growth Spurts in Your Breastfed BabyAn appetite spurt is the name given to describe a period of increased frequency of demand feedings by an apparently hungry baby. Other names for appetite spurts are "growth spurts" or "frequency da...

CDC Recommends Use of New Growth Chart for Babies Under TwoDo you worry where your baby falls on "the charts?" If you're a new mom, you've no doubt waited anxiously as your child's pediatrician weighs and measures your baby, and rattles off a per...

Stumped on ideas for how to play with your baby? These fun and easy activities help stimulate your infant's development — and bring on some adorable smiles and giggles. And remember, much of your baby's learning in her first year will happen na...

Baby's Milestones: From Tummy Time to Cruising Your baby's physical development can be tracked by her change in movement. Your baby first begins to roll from one side to the other, and then back again. Then your baby learns to sit. Maybe scoot...

The Helpful New Dad: A Checklist by Month Months One Through Three By the time you get through the first few months, you will likely be a pro at caring for your baby. Changing your baby's diaper and his clothes, feeding him, and keeping him saf...

Realizing You're a Dad When should it hit you that you're a dad? For some new fathers it is while they are still expecting the baby. For others, it happens quickly once the baby is born or when they first hold the baby. But sometimes it doesn't ...

Print this developmental milestone chart, and check off each milestone as your child grows into her first year of life. It's important to remember that babies develop at different rates, and this printable represents general guidelines. ...

Infant Reflexes New fathers are often more familiar with their baby's reflexes than they think. Although you may not officially be aware of what they are, or know the names of them, these reflexes involve things you probably notice your baby d...

What's Expected of New Dads Do you know what to expect from fatherhood? Are you planning to go about your regular routines and maybe just change a few diapers now and then? If you don't expect or plan to make more time to be with your family an...

Baby's First Steps: On Shaky Ground Childproofing Your baby needs constant supervision throughout the second year. Your child is not only mobile now, but also full of curiosity and wonder. So if you leave your crawler or toddler alone in a room...

When a baby can get onto her belly by herself, it's okay for her to sleep that way. ...

Your Baby's First Words Q-tip Try to get in the habit of providing your baby with a narrative of her life. Whenever she's alert, tell her what you are doing. "Okay, I'm going to change your diaper now. First we have to take off your pants…." A...

Use this chart to help convert pounds to kilograms, and to detail 10% weight loss from birth weight. ...

Baby's First Steps Q-tip Your child still needs plenty of time to practice his moves. Let him crawl around to his heart's content in safe rooms; don't constantly transfer him from high chair to walker to stroller to crib. Put him on the floor fo...

Expanding Your One to Three-Year-Old's DietEven though he's only one or two years old, it's never too early to help a child begin to develop healthy eating habits. You can do this in part by offering a variety of nutritious foods that are appropr...

The Benefits of Talking to Your Baby Your baby learns language by listening to you and others use it. Though your baby certainly doesn't understand everything you say, she no doubt picks up glimmers of meaning here and there. Especially if you s...

How to Keep Your Crawling Baby Safe Babyproofing Although pressure gates work fine at the bottom of a flight of stairs, they provide inadequate protection at the top of the stairs. If your baby falls into a pressure gate, uses it to pull himself...

Playing with Your Baby Your baby will love it if you take some time to play games with her in your lap. You don't need to do much. She will find these simple exercises endlessly entertaining: Pull her up to sitting Pull her up to standing Hold h...