| 1-2
Months |
Development
|
Nutrition |
|
I raise my
head slightly when lying on my stomach and can hold my head up for
a moment when supported. I can move both arms and legs easily. I
may be startled or cry at loud noises. I like to Coo and may briefly
watch an object with both eyes.
|
Baby opens his
mouth for bottle or breast when nipple touches his mouth. Breast-feed
or bottle on demand (every 2-4 hours). Give only breast milk or
formula. Hold baby with head elevated.
|
| Communication-Hearing/Vision |
Guidance |
|
Crying is
the best way I know how to communicate right now. You may hear me
make pleasure sounds and turn to you when you speak. I like to look
at your face and stare at objects or people. I am startled and jump
when there is a sudden loud sound.
|
Your baby's
needs should be identified and met as promptly as possible. Attend
to him frequently before he becomes exhausted from crying. Be aware
that every bit of fussing should not be interpreted as an emergency
requiring immediate attention. Your baby likes to be held and talked
to. Always position your baby on his back to sleep.
|
| 3-4
Months |
Development |
Nutrition |
| I
lift my head and chest when lying on my stomach and my head is steady
when upright. I can roll from side to side and like to play with my
hands and hold a rattle. I can recognize bottle or breast. When I
hear a familiar sound I quiet. You may also see me laugh. |
Baby
coordinates sucking, swallowing and breathing. Give breast milk or
formula with iron from 16-35 ounces. Do not add cereal to the bottle.
There is a danger of botulism if honey is put on a pacifier or used
in other ways before the age of 12 months. |
| Communication-Hearing/Vision |
Guidance |
| I
smile when you speak to me and watch as people move around. I react
to your voice even when I can't see you and I turn my eyes towards
interesting sounds. I may reach towards interesting objects and watch
as objects move from one side to the other. |
Talk
to and look at your baby when he is quiet and amusing himself. This
is the time to form a routine of eating, diaper changing and sleeping.
Try to provide familiar surroundings and a consistent and mildly flexible
routine. |
| 6
Months |
Development |
Nutrition |
| I
roll from my back to my stomach and stomach to my back. I sit well
and lean on my hands. My feet are something I love to play with. I
can grasp things and pull them to me and will use my mouth to explore
them. If I have a toy I can transfer it from one hand to the other.
I babble and can recognize faces. |
Breast
feed every 2-4 hours or give 25-28 ounces of iron fortified formula
in 24 hours Infant juice can be introduced in small amounts (1-4 oz.)
Also iron fortified cereal may be introduced in small amounts (1-4
Tbs.) using a spoon. When a child shows signs of a chewing motion
offer mashed or soft foods. |
| Communication-Hearing/Vision |
Guidance |
| I
look around to find where new sounds are coming from (doorbell, phone).
When we play together I like to make sounds (talk). I reach towards
an object and I will watch a rolling ball for a long way (10 ft).
|
It
is important to hold and talk to your baby often. Reserve "no-no"
for when it is really needed. Try to be consistent friendly &
firm with limit setting. Play lots of back & forth games. These
form the foundations of later communication skills. |
| 9
Months |
Development |
Nutrition |
| I
sit without help and can hold two objects. Sometimes I like to bang
toys or objects together. I love to play hide and seek with toys and
can find the toys you hide. Although I like to creep and crawl I also
like to sit with you and look at pictures in a book. If I see a stranger
I am shy or frightened. |
Breast feed
every 1-3 hours or give 16-35 ounces of iron fortified formula in
24 hours. Your baby will eat about 2 Tbs. to 2 cups of pureed or
soft fruit/vegetables. Finger foods such as soft cooked green or
orange vegetables, peeled fruits, crackers and melba toast provide
variety.
NEVER PUT YOUR
BABY TO BED WITH A BOTTLE.
|
| Communication-Hearing/Vision |
Guidance |
| I
recognize names of common items (cup, shoe, juice) and will turn my
head towards a soft sound. I am a copy cat and like to imitate different
speech sounds (mama, dada), I watch adults across a large room and
will respond to my name. I will use both eyes together with both eyes
moving simultaneously. |
Continue
to be consistent in your routine especially at bedtime. Naps are important.
If your baby wants a security blanket it's OK. Make sure the environment
is safe for exploring and encourage communication skills by describing
what he is doing. Try not to set an unreasonable number of limits
and be sure to praise good behavior. Introduce new people while holding
your baby. |
| 12
Months |
Development |
Nutrition |
| I
pull myself to stand and can stand alone. I love to play at picking
things up with my thumb and finger and putting them in and out of
containers. I like to give affection and wave 'bye bye". I point
to my nose, eyes etc. and may say 2-3 words. I like to scribble with
a crayon and attend when you give me simple commands. |
Breast
feed every 2-4 hours or give 27-31 ounces of iron fortified formula
in 24 hours. Your baby will be able to take between 7 Tabs and 3/4
cup of infant cereal a day. To drink, give 2-6 ounces of fruit juice.
At this time offer pasteurized whole milk fortified with vitamins
A and D. Your baby will eat 3/4 to 2 cups of vegetables & fruits
a day and may eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of legumes & 1 Tbs. to 1 ounce
of finely chopped or ground meat a day. |
| Communication-Hearing/Vision |
Guidance |
| I
like to listen to simple stories and rhymes and am beginning to imitate
speech sounds. I use different consonant sounds at the beginning of
words and understand "no" and "bye bye". I react
when I hear an interesting noise. I can recognize familiar objects
as far away as 8-10 feet. |
Anticipate
your child's actions & redirect before inappropriate behavior
begins. It is important to be consistent in enforcing a rule. Help
him show you what he wants. Present two toys and ask, "Which
do you want?" Encourage him to show you which he wants by pointing
or reaching.
Be patient and experiment with foods to help him find what he likes.
Offer him choices. Create a safe home & always keep your child
in sight during waking hours.
|
| 18
Months |
Development |
Nutrition |
| I
walk, run and climb as I try to explore everything. If you help me
I can walk up and down steps. I may be able to identify four body
parts and use 10-12 words that I try to put together. Pictures in
books are fun to look at. You can usually find me playing by myself
or near others. I do not share. |
At
18 months an average serving of milk is 1/2 cup (4 ounces) and an
average serving of meat is 1/2 ounce of meat, fish, poultry and egg.
Don't worry as growth slows and appetite decreases. DO NOT LET YOUR
CHILD EAT PEANUT BUTTER FROM A SPOON OR FINGER AS THIS INCREASES THE
RISK OF CHOKING. PEANUT BUTTER SHOULD ALWAYS BE SERVED ON ANOTHER
FOOD (crackers, breads, vegetables, etc.) |
| Communication-Hearing/Vision |
Guidance |
| I
use speech sounds to get or keep attention (not crying) I say "no"
and understand what it means. I am also saying more and more words
every month. I can stack three blocks and can pick up small beads
or thread them. I can attend to an object even if it is 10 ft away.
Walking is more fun as I do not bump into things often |
Praise
throughout the day for appropriate behavior. Expect temper tantrums
but don't give in. Be consistent even in public using the same techniques.
Follow your child's lead and join him as he explores the world. This
tells him his interests and ideas are important. Have a few books
on hand to read. He will like to look at the same one over and over.
Include your child in every day activities and provide opportunities
for him to play with other children. Be relaxed about food. |
| 2-3
Years |
Development |
Nutrition |
| I
can kick a ball and walk up and down stairs. Now I can use 2-3 words
together and follow simple directions. If I want something I can ask
for it by name as I can say at least 50+ words. I like to use my hands
to open doors and unscrew lids. I like to let you know that something
belongs to me by saying "mine." I use pronouns instead of
using my name |
At
2-3 years the average size for fruits & vegetables is 3 Tbs..
The average serving for grains is 1 slice of bread, 1/3 cup of cooked
cereal or 1/2 a cup of dry cereal. Do not force children to clean
their plates. Sweet foods should be offered sparingly. BE SURE CHILD
CAN CHEW FOODS WELL ENOUGH TO AVOID CHOKING. |
| Communication-Hearing/Vision |
Guidance |
| I
like to imitate sounds (dog barking, cow mooing). I also put two words
together ("more cookie" or "more juice"). I can
point to a picture and tell you what it is. If two things are the
same I can match them together. Scribbling is something I love to
do. |
Toilet
training readiness in some children begins between 2-3 years. If your
child shows interest use a potty chair or step stool for the toilet.
Praise constantly and do not punish or get angry when accidents occur.
Continue to anticipate behavior and positively guide children.
|
