Your child’s health care provider may advise to see them two times during this period. They will measure and weigh your baby to make sure their growth is on track, observe their development and behavior, and perform a physical exam.If your baby was born preterm or with a low birth weight, they may receive a blood screening that helps detect anemia. Your child’s health care provider may ask you if your baby is drinking anything other than breast milk or iron-fortified formula, as it is a risk factor for developing anemia.

Your child’s health care provider will measure and weigh your baby to make sure their growth is on track, observe their development and behavior, and perform a physical exam.The provider may perform a developmental screening and ask you a series of questions about your baby’s growth and behavior. They may ask you to play with your baby during the screening to observe. The results will show whether your baby is developing at a normal rate or if further testing for developmental delays are needed.Your child’s health care or dental care provider may apply fluoride varnish after your baby’s first tooth appears.

Your child’s health care provider will measure and weigh your baby to make sure their growth is on track. They will also observe their development and behavior, and perform a physical exam.The provider may check your child for anemia at this visit. Based on your child’s risk, they may also test blood lead level, hearing, vision, and blood pressure.

Infant

During this time, your baby will start to develop more regular sleeping and eating patterns. You should continue to spend as much quality time with your baby as possible to promote strong brain development.

Babies that are 3-6 months old can read your facial expressions and love the attention they get from their parents and caregivers.

Closer to 6 months old is when your baby can sit up with support and kick their arms and legs. Your baby can be introduced to solid foods after they can control their head and neck movements.

From 7-9 months, your baby will become a social butterfly! Lots of playing, exploring, discovering, and learning is happening during this stage of development. They will start smiling, waving, and entertaining people around them.

During this time, parents will often need to change some of their normal routines to keep the home “baby proof.”

Right around your baby’s first birthday, he or she should have tripled in size! By 12 months, your baby’s appetite may stabilize because they are not growing as quickly as they were during their first year. They may eat a lot at one meal and very little at the next. However, hunger guides them to eat enough over time.

At this point, they might have established a normal sleeping pattern. However, babies might cry more often at bedtime because they do not want to be left alone.

There are many techniques to help parents to establish good sleeping habits and cope with crying.

Health Care Provider Visits

Your child’s health care provider is a great resource for overall wellness, sleep patterns, feeding, and immunizations. If you are in need of pediatric care services, contact your local county health department or view additional resources for assistance.

3 - 6 Months

Your child’s health care provider may advise to see them two times during this period. They will measure and weigh your baby to make sure their growth is on track, observe their development and behavior, and perform a physical exam.
If your baby was born preterm or with a low birth weight, they may receive a blood screening that helps detect anemia. Your child’s health care provider may ask you if your baby is drinking anything other than breast milk or iron-fortified formula, as it is a risk factor for developing anemia.

7 - 9 Months

Your child’s health care provider will measure and weigh your baby to make sure their growth is on track, observe their development and behavior, and perform a physical exam.
The provider may perform a developmental screening and ask you a series of questions about your baby’s growth and behavior. They may ask you to play with your baby during the screening to observe. The results will show whether your baby is developing at a normal rate or if further testing for developmental delays are needed.
Your child’s health care or dental care provider may apply fluoride varnish after your baby’s first tooth appears.

10 - 12 Months

Your child’s health care provider will measure and weigh your baby to make sure their growth is on track. They will also observe their development and behavior, and perform a physical exam.
The provider may check your child for anemia at this visit. Based on your child’s risk, they may also test blood lead level, hearing, vision, and blood pressure.

Growing Healthy Babies

Nutrition

Until your child is 6 months of age, it is recommended that breast milk and formula are the main sources of nutrition. At about 6 months, infants may begin to show signs that they’re ready to try solid foods. Every child is different, but the following are some signs to look for:

Being able to control their head and neck
Sitting up alone or with support
Bringing objects to their mouth
Trying to grasp small objects, such as toys or food
Swallowing food rather than pushing it back out

Starting Solids

Mix single-ingredient solids like rice cereal with equal amounts of breast milk or formula.

Start with one feeding of solids a day. Add a second feeding when your baby can eat two to three tablespoons per feeding.

It is important to begin with vegetables, then fruit, and finally protein. When your baby becomes used to spoon feedings, add single-ingredient smooth or pureed foods like carrots, peas, apples or “stage one” baby foods in the jar.
To make sure your baby is not allergic to a specific food, be sure to wait at least two to three days before starting another new food.

What to Avoid

Avoid feeding infants any foods that contain raw or cooked honey, or unpasteurized foods or beverages. Honey can contain organisms that could cause serious illness in infants.

Since taste preferences develop early in life, limit feeding infants foods and beverages with added sugars and limit those higher in sodium.

Sleep

Falling asleep in a crib takes practice, but it’s the safest place for your baby to sleep.

Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by following the ABCs of safe sleep:

Your baby should sleep ALONE

Your baby should sleep on their BACK

Your baby should sleep in a CRIB that is approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Safety

There are so many things to think about when caring for a baby, especially safety.

From safe sleep and bathing strategies, to home and car seat safety, we are here to help.

The Period of PURPLE Crying

Healthy babies can cry a lot in their first five months of life. Sometimes they will continue to cry for hours at a time even though they are soothed, fed, changed, and cared for – this is called the Period of PURPLE Crying. From two weeks and peaking at two months, your baby may cry a lot, but this will end.

Learn more about PURPLE and strategies to help you navigate this growth period.