Your Baby’s Progress - Month 1
What's going on this month?
Your Baby
- Can hear sounds and recognize his mother’s voice.
- Can see from birth, so use bright colors in your baby’s room.
- Will cry and fuss when he needs you.
- Needs a lot of holding and physical contact.
Caring for Your Baby
- It is important to get your baby’s shots when they are due.
- Immunizations help your baby’s body fight off diseases that are harmful.
- Get the hepatitis B shot this month.
Keeping Your Baby Safe
- Set your water heater at 120 degrees or below to keep from burning your baby.
- Test the water by dipping your elbow in it; the water should be warm, but not hot.
- If your baby is very slippery during bathing, try wearing a pair of cotton gloves.
- If you use baby powder, pour a little in the palm of your hand then smooth it over your baby’s skin.
- Never leave your baby alone in the tub or with a young child or pet.
- Do not use pillows in your baby’s crib.
- Do not carry hot items while holding your baby.
- Do not smoke while holding your baby.
- Make sure the smoke detectors in your home are working.
Nutrition
- The only food your baby needs right now is breast milk or formula.
- Do not feed your baby honey. It could hurt your baby during his first year of life. Honey contains dormant bacteria that can awaken and harm an infant.
Growth and Development Activities
- Imitate your baby’s cooing and jabbering sounds.
- Rock your baby to soothe him at night.
- Touch your baby.
- Let your baby hear different sounds.
- Read to your baby.
- Show your baby lights and brightly colored objects.
- Put a mobile over the crib.
- Respond right away when your baby cries. It is his way of telling you something important.
- Carry, hug, smile, sing and talk to baby often. It’s your way of saying, “I love you and I’ll take care of you.”
This page last updated on 3/06/08.