Parenting Guide on your Babies Yardstick of Growth

Baby will follow his own pattern of growth and development, not according to a fixed set of standards. Do not be surprised or dismayed, therefore, if the activities listed are reached before this yardstick says he might or if Baby appears backwards compared with other babies of the same age.

FIRST MONTH

Hearing is fully developed, but eyes do not focus and may appear crossed. Yawns a lot, hiccups, sneezes. Hands tightly curled, head needs support. Sleeps most of the time when not feeding.

SECOND MONTH

Turns head to voices. Cries vary for food, discomfort, and excitement. May begin to sleep through the night. Settles into regular routine.

THIRD MONTH

Smiles, babbles and finds that crying gets results. Can turn from side to back, holds up head. Enjoys bright colors and can hold rattle if put in hand.

FOURTH MONTH

Holds up head without support. Coos and smiles in response. Reaches for toes. Plays with hands and can grasp toys.

FIFTH MONTH

Birth weight usually doubled by now. Reaches for objects. Carries everything to mouth. Can turn from back to side. More selective in taste. Raises hands to be lifted.

SIXTH MONTH

Eyes and hands work together. Sits with some propping. Definite emotions. Makes sounds like "mamma," "dadda." First teeth may appear, usually the lower ones.

SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS

Sits without support. may start crawling. Transfers toys from hand to hand. Associates ideas with words.

NONE TO TWELVE MONTHS

Crawls. Stands with support. May even take first steps. Can say word or two, understands many. Probably has 6 to 8 teeth. Triples birth weight.

Important Facts About Breast Feeding

Doctors generally encourage breast feeding because human milk is the ideal food, the natural food intended for human infants.

For the first few days after Baby is born, your breast will secrete a thin, milky fluid called colostrum. During this time Baby will probably oblige by not being too hungry. After this your milk develops and fills the sinuses located behind the areola, the dark colored area around the nipples.

During the first weeks, it is more comfortable to lie down to nurse your baby. You may lie down on your side with baby resting on your arm.

Your Baby has a hard Time Pooping, How can You make it Easier for him?

A child's abdominal muscles are not fully developed until the age of one. So before then, expect him to have a harder time pushing. In the meantime, you have to be conscious of his poop schedule. It takes some babies every two or three days to poop. Every child has his own schedule. If this is his own growth spurt time, he will consume almost everything he eats. Breastfed babies absorb breast milk completely.

If you child is still having a hard time. Gently giving him an abdominal massage on his left side, where the large intestines are. You may also try using a glycerin suppository to tickle his anus. This will create a reflex, causing your baby to push.

Tips On Storing Breast Milk so it Wont get Spoiled

Breast milk has a longer shelf life than infant formula. Breast milk has live antibodies that fight germs. It's called living milk. It's resistant to spoilage.

Breast milk can stay outside at room temperature for a whole day. In the refrigerator, it stays good for a day. In the freezer, it's good for months. However, if the milk has been touched, meaning your baby has drank from the bottle, then it may spoil more easily.

Make sure your baby sitter or yaya strictly follows storing, thawing, and heating procedures for breastmilk.