1 month old
Checkups. Visits doctor every month for the first six months. Feeding. Most babies drink three to four ounces of milk per feeding.
Senses. Prefers sweet smells, soft fabrics. Calmed by high-pitched voices and soft music.
2 months old
Health. Dress baby in multiple layers because internal-temperature control is not fully mature yet.
Senses. Eyes sharpen and track moving objects. Loves to stare at faces.
Sleeping. Colic may set in but w/11 usually disappear by the third month.
3-8 months old
3 months old
Feeding. Anticipates feeding by smacking lips.
Senses. Coos and smiles when talked to. Lack of response may indicate a hearing problem. Eyes should be aligned and able to focus on one object instead of two.
4 months old
Feeding. Some babies may begin eating pureed solids like cereals. Balance between solids and milk will vary, depending on child’s preferences.
Health. May catch a cold because of low immunity. See doctor if symptoms persist.
Senses. Sees in color, adjusts to different distances and perceives depth.
5 months old
Feeding. Hand-feeds himself zwiebacks, raw carrot chunks. Iron-rich baby foods like meat and green vegetables support proper growth. Easily distracted during breast feeding. Some babies may be ready for weaning.
Sleeping. May rest throughout the night, with two naps during the day.
6 months old
Feeding. May be down to three meals a day, plus nutritious snacks.
Teething. Cuts lower-central incisor around the sixth or seventh month. May have gum swelling. Teething rings should be made of firm rubber and should not be frozen.
7 months old
Feeding. Watch for allergic reactions to new foods (chart). Weight gain slackens as a result of increased mobility.
Senses. Sees as well as a teenager and locates sounds accurately.
Sleeping. Usually sound, but may be disturbed by pain or hunger.
8 months old
Feeding. Spills less when drinking from a cup. To prevent choking, give baby foods that are mashed or soft enough to swallow without chewing (see chart for other safety tips).
Sleeping. Learns how to stay awake. Overstimulation may make settling down difficult.
9-16 months old
9 months old
Checkup. Visits doctor for examination and immunization shots (chart).
Sleeping. Anxiety over separating from parents may cause trouble at bedtime. Relaxes by sucking thumb, cuddling soft toys or rocking.
10 months old
Feeding. Most babies this age need between 750 and 900 calories a day, more than half from breast milk or formula.
Grooming. May pull off hat and enjoy using soap.
11 months old
Feeding. Able to hand feed himself an entire meal by end of year. Prefers soft or crispy foods.
Grooming. May help in undressing, especially pulling off socks.
12 months old
Checkup. Has one-year doctor examination to check weight gain, motor skills.
Feeding. Insists on feeding himself, however messily. May pick up spoon but misses mouth often.
Sleeping. May resist napping and going to bed.
13 months old
Feeding. Expresses definite likes/dislikes of foods.
Health. Feet may turn outward. During the second year, hip ligaments tighten and straighten feet.
Teething. By now, some babies have cut two upper front and two lower front teeth. Arrival of first molar can cause pain.
14 months old
Feeding. Needs about 1,000 calories a day to sustain proper growth. May drink less milk, but solid foods cover nutritional needs.
Grooming. May cooperate by lifting arms and legs when undressing, or even comb hair.
15 months old
Checkup. Visits doctor for mid year exam of vision, hearing, reflexes.
Sleeping. Morning nap becomes shorter but may still need afternoon rest. Crib bumpers can protect baby’s head if she moves around at night.
16 months old
Grooming. May outgrow shoes every three months during the second year.
17-24 months old 17 months old
Feeding. Dawdles during meals; prefers bland to sharp flavors.
Sleeping. Often gets overtired and may have trouble falling asleep. More than half of children 1 to 2 years old fuss when it’s time for bed.
18 months old
Checkup. Visits doctor for midyear examination.
Feeding. Spoon may reach her mouth more often by midyear. Steer child away from sugary foods that can cause early cavities.
Grooming. May indicate when pants are wet. Enjoys taking off shoes and socks, unzipping zippers.
Sleeping. May bring stuffed toy or pillow to show she is ready for bed.
19 months old
Feeding. Blows on food when it’s hot. Should be drinking 16 to 82 ounces of milk a day, which provides most of the calcium needed for bone growth.
Grooming. May brush teeth; washes and dries hands with help. Check water tempature before putting child in bathtub.
Sleeping. Sleeps fairly well but may have a bad night now and then. May try to climb out of bed.
20 months old
Feeding. Learns food talk like “more” and “all gone.”
Grooming. Encourage child to undress completely on her own. Can’t buckle or lace shoes yet.
Sleeping. Nightmares may disrupt sleep occasionally.
21 months old
Grooming. May be able to put on clothes with Velcro fastenings, snaps and easy-to-manage openings.
Sleeping. Afternoon naps turn into rests; total sleeping time drops near the end of the second year. May try to delay bedtime with extra kisses.
Tasks. Some children put away clothes and toys.
22 months old
Feeding. May give cup to parent when thirsty.
Grooming. May put on shoes, but often on the wrong foot.
Tasks. Tries buckling car-seat belt with parent’s help.
23 months old
Grooming. May put on simple garments but not differentiate between front and back.
Task. By the end of second year, may open doors, unwrap packages, help parents with chores.
24 months old
Checkup. Visits doctor for two-year examination; may include blood test to check for lead poisoning and a skin test’ for tuberculosis. Meets the dentist for the first time.
Feeding. Can eat all kinds of table foods. Encourage use of utensils.
Grooming. Some babies may be ready to start potty training, while others will need more time until their motor skills and bladder control improves.
Health. Watch for ear infections in toddlers. Signs include ear pain and fever.
2-3 years old
25-29 months old
Feeding. Should be served whatever the family is eating, but a balanced diet may be hard to maintain. Candy should not be used as a bribe to finish dinner.
Grooming. Has become a creature of habit. May ask to go to the toilet, but accidents are very possible. Insists on picking out own attire. May dress himself in easy, pull-on clothes. Loves to cover boo-boos with Band-Aids.
Health. Baby fat slowly disappears in the third year. Posture improves as muscles strengthen.
Sleeping. May switch from crib to bed, which can create some difficulty in settling down at night. Maintain a regular time for bed, including nightly rituals like last kisses and storybook readings. Side bedrails will prevent tumbles to the floor.
30-36 months old
Checkup. Sees doctor for annual exam. Visits dentist every six months from 2 1/2 years old. May receive fluoride treatment.
Feeding. Appetite still fluctuates; may skip a meal occasionally. Do not offer to make a special meal. Encourage proper table manners, such as using utensils and sitting through entire meal. By third birthday, may use a fork efficiently but often forgets to chew food well.
Grooming. Child may express more consistently when he needs to use the bathroom.
Tasks. A true mother’s helper. Makes bed, cleans up messes. Needs supervision in the kitchen.
SOURCES: “THE EARLY CHILDHOOD YEARS: THE 2 TO 6 YEAR OLD,” THE SECOND TWELVE MONTHS OF LIFE" AND “THE FIRST TWELVE MONTHS OF LIFE” BY THERESA AND FRANK CAPLAN; “YOUR BABY & CHILD” BY PENELOPE LEACH; “THE WELL BABY BOOK” BY MIKE SAMUELS, M.D., AND NANCY SAMUELS; “CARING FOR YOUR BABY AND YOUNG CHILD” BY STEVEN P. SHELOV, M.D.; “THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF PREGNANCY & BABY CARE.”
Where babies roam, accidents often follow, but many can be avoided with a few precautions:
Car seats. Child should always ride in a properly installed car seat and only in the back seat. Do not substitute an infant seat for a car seat. The seat should face the rear until the child can sit up without help.
Poisoning. Store all medicines and household cleaning products out of reach. Use safety latches or, lower drawers and cupboards.
Drowning. A child can drown in only a few inches of water. Never leave children alone in a bath or near containers like pools and toilets.
Falls. Use stairway gates and window guards. Do not leave a baby unattended on surfaces above the floor, including changing tables and beds.
Fire prevention. Install smoke detectors and check batteries often. Dress baby in flame-retardant clothes.
Toys. Inspect toys carefully for small parts that can fit in a child’s mouth. Also look for sharp or rough edges.
Strollers. Do not hang bags from stroller handles. Always use seat belt and harness to keep baby secure.
Babies may have erratic sleeping patterns at first, but eventually they–and their exhausted parents–settle into a peaceful night’s rest:
New foods often bring out allergic reactions in young children. Avoid these highly allergic foods until your baby’s digestive system is ready:
Immunization of children in the United States is at a record high, protecting them from major diseases. Most shots are given during the first 18 months of life; check with your pediatrician regarding special care. A recommended schedule:
HEP B vaccine immunizes against a virus that can lead to chronic liver disease. Delivered in three doses, it should not cause any serious side effects.
A child may run a fever after the first shot of the DTP vaccine. If other less-com-mon reactions occur, like limpness or constant crying, notify your doctor.
HIB vaccine guards against bacteria that cause dangerous ailments like meningitis.
Sabin vaccine, given orally, is the most common immunization against polio.
MMR vaccine may cause a mild rash or fever a week after the injection.
The varicella vaccine should be given to babies who have not had chicken pox.
GIRLS (IN POUNDS) BOYS (IN POUNDS) AGE IN MOS. 95 75 50 25 10% 95 75 50 25 10% 3 15 13 12 11 10 16 14 13 12 10 6 19 17 16 15 13 21 19 17 16 15 9 23 20 19 18 16 24 22 20 19 18 12 25 23 21 19 18 27 24 23 21 20 18 28 25 24 22 20 30 27 25 24 22 24 31 28 26 25 23 33 30 30 26 24 36 38 34 31 29 27 40 35 32 30 28
