Assistance League® of San Antonio

New Mothers Are Beautiful

Fathers and other family members can help their babies before birth by helping mothers with stress reduction, good nutrition, and a healthy state of mind.

The magic of being a mother starts long before a baby's birth.

The glow should grow from inside out...Before and after pregnancy your nutrition and your health are one of the most important influences in the health of your baby.

Mothers and Fathers...be good to your baby before birth.

Seek early prenatal care, and...eat wisely. You are forming eating habits that can protect your child and you for life.

Choose four or more servings daily of milk and cheese products, protein foods, like lean meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, and grain products.

Be sure to take your prenatal vitamins.

Remember...your baby lives on what you eat!

I've Arrived

Each baby is unique. Each baby is special.

No matter what your baby weighs, or how your baby looks, there are tasks or steps along the way that each baby should accomplish.

Birth to 3 Months

Many people used to think that small babies could not do very much. But even though babies may sleep a lot and cry often, they can do many other things. Check this list to see what your baby can do.

Some babies are born premature, and their bodies need extra time to reach the milestones listed. A rule of thumb for the first year is to subtract the number of weeks of prematurity from the time line. That is, if a "Normal child" is expected to crawl at 7-8 months, a Ò6 weeks (1-1/2 months) "premature" infant would probably not crawl until 8, 9, or 10 months.

Body Movement

• Raises head when lying on stomach
• Brings hands together in the center
• Moves both arms and legs while lying on back
• Holds head up slightly while being held
• Holds a rattle for a short time

Personal-Social

• Smiles by himself
• Responds by smiling when you are smiling or talking
• Quiets when being held

Language

• Makes "throat" sounds
• Laughs
• Coos
• Turns head to noises or familiar sounds
• Strong cry when unhappy

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Follows object with eyes
• Watches toys in crib
• Turns away from annoying sensations (cover on face, strong odors)

Babies Like:

• To be played with and talked to
• Quiet sounds and not loud noises
• To see toys in their crib
• To suck on their fingers
• To be held, with their head supported

Feeding Baby - Birth to 3 Months

Mother's breast milk, or infant formula, can provide all the nutrients needed during the first three months. Many pediatricians will recommend that if formula is used, it be fortified with iron. Water can be offered to baby between feedings.

As baby grows, he or she will drink more milk at each feeding. The number of feedings will lessen-from about 8 to 5 feedings each day.

Feeding time is an important time for baby and parents to be together. Don't ever put baby in bed with milk in a bottle!!

4 to 6 Months

Baby is now growing and changing with every passing day. Check to see what your baby can do now.

All babies need a series of immunizations to prevent serious illnesses such as diptheria, whooping cough, measles, and mumps. Your baby is depending on you. Give him the gift of health...keep his "baby shots" up-to-date.

Body Movement

• Pulls self to sitting position
• Keeps head straight without nodding (bobbing)
• Sits with support
• Rolls from back to stomach
• Passes toys from one hand to the other
• Turns head from side to side

Personal-Social

• Reaches and grabs for toys in crib
• Smiles at self in mirror
• Recognizes you and other family members
• Sometimes afraid of strangers

Language

• Laughs during play
• Makes specific cries to let you know his wants and needs
• Starts to babble; makes sounds like "ah," "oo," "ba," "ma"
• Squeals

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Resists having toys taken away
• Looks for things that have fallen
• Often responds to name

Helpful Hints

• Remember to give your baby lots of love and affection as he cuts his first teeth.
• Talk to your baby often because the sound he hears will help him make his own sounds.
• Put bright toys in your baby's crib to help him learn and grow.
• Most importantly...take your baby to the doctor or clinic for a check-up and shots.

Feeding Baby - 4 to 6 months

Baby's diet will gradually change from all liquid to a mixture of solid and liquid foods. The word weaning means the gradual replacement of mother's milk or formula with other foods.

When beginning solid foods, use small amounts. Dry rice cereal mixed with mother's milk or Formula is a good first food. Start with just a few teaspoon...toward the end of this period.

By 6 months baby apple juice and a few teaspoons of strained baby fruits will delight baby!

6 Months to 1 Year

Now is the time that your baby will enjoy new things and adventures. See what your Baby can do that you can share in her development!

Body Movement

• Crawls
• Pulls self up to stand by furniture
• Takes a few steps or begins to walk
• Feed self with fingers
• Plays with a big ball
• Picks up little objects with fingers

Personal-Social

• Begins to play with favorite toys
• Plays "peek-a-boo"
• Gets upset when left alone
• Points to desired objects
• Drinks from a cup

Language

• Imitates sound and words
• Begins to use words for common objects (mi=milk; ba=bottle)
• Uses "ma-ma" / "da-da" specifically
• Responds to name

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Understands words and simple directions (no, stop)
• Finds objects that have been hidden
• Likes to look at books and pictures

...and More Hints

Since your baby is now crawling and maybe walking, make sure that medicines, household detergents, and poisons are out of your baby's reach so that she doesn't swallow them.

Since your baby can now pick up small items, be sure that things like buttons, pins, and money are put away. Cover electrical outlets. Prevent an accident for your baby!

Make sure your baby knows which household items are playtoys (spoons) and which are not (scissors). Be firm but encourage your baby in her new adventures.

Feeding Baby -- 6 months to 1 year

Smooth fruits and vegetables are the next step in baby's diet. It is best to add them slowly, one by one. Soon your "little one" can progress to strained foods, and mixed grain cereals can be added to the menu.

Vegetable and meat combination, as well as strained meats, will add protein for you active infant as he or she begins to crawl and stand.

By eight or nine months baby can begin to chew textured food. These are called Junior foods on the baby jar. Finger foods like banana or dry toast and sips of juice from a cup come next! Meats, milk, vegetables, cereals and fruit are the building blocks for a healthy baby.

18 Months of Age

Babies at this age are considered to be full of curiosity and on their way to independence. The milestones listed below will let you know what your baby can do on his own.

Body Movement

• Walks well
• Starts running but may be a little clumsy
• Picks up toys and drops them
• Walks up steps with help
• Builds towers with blocks
• Kicks a large ball

Personal-Social

• Imitates housework
• Uses spoon in feeding
• Becomes more friendly to others
• Removes some clothing

Language

• Increases vocabulary - names common objects
• Imitates parent's talking voice with speech sounds
• Uses personal pronouns such as I, me
• Uses two-syllable words (dog-gie)
• May have vocabulary between 10 and 75 words
• Puts two words together (go bye-bye)

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Draws and Scribbles
• Names some body parts
• Follows simple directions
• Likes books - pretends to read (Share books with your baby all the time)

Ear infections are a frequent cause of hearing loss in preschool children. High fever, fussiness and tugging at the ear may be warning signals. Babies who cannot hear well, usually won't speak well during the pre-school years. Infant hearing can be tested. Don't take chances!!

Your baby's good health is music to our ears!

Feeding Baby - 18 moths of age

Toddlers can eat chunky food, with larger pieces of meat and vegetables; as well as table foods. Simple family foods are fine. Be careful not to add foods too high in calories or heavily seasoned.

By now your baby has probably traded bottle for cup, which is grasped with both hands. By 18 months, most children partly feed themselves, with an occasional spill. They especially enjoy finger foods.

Mealtimes are important. Keep them healthy and happy!

2 Years of Age

Is this the terrible twos? Not really!!! Your child is learning new things every day but many times becomes angry when she cannot do things on her own or when she cannot have things her own way. Temper tantrums are very common and they are signs that your child is growing on her own. Be patient and make sure she is developing on schedule by checking Below. Your child just wants to learn all that she can!

Body Movement

• Jumps
• Turns pages in a book
• Holds a pencil well
• Walks up stairs without help

Personal-Social

• Plays side by side with other children
• Washes hands with help
• Enjoys bath time for play

Language

• Combines words often
• Asks for certain items by name
• Answers simple questions
• May have vocabulary between 5 and 500 words
• Uses gestures when speaking
• Imitates phrases - may use 2 to 3 word phrases

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Names pictures - begins to identify action in pictures
• Argues and likes to say "no"
• Becomes very inquisitive about things - asks questions

Your child is full of energy and eager to learn. Here are some activities you can share with your child to help her grow and learn.

1. Make bath times special by playing with her and teaching her the parts of her body.
2. Play games outside with your baby. She will love to see you jump and swing.
3. Your baby will love to hear you sing no matter what you think it sounds like.
4. Draw pictures with you baby. You can help teach you child colors, shapes and figures.

Feeding Hints - 2 years of age

After the toddler stage, growth will be a bit slower, and the volume of food may change. Your child's appetite may fluctuate, and he or she may become a "picky eater."

It is best to relax and not to force food on your child. Sometimes a child will refuse foods just to assert his independence! There is no one perfect food essential for survival. A balanced diet can include a variety of foods from the four food groups: protein foods such as meat and fish; fruits and vegetables; breads, cereals and pasta; and dairy products.

3 Years of Age

Your child is now at the age when the world seems like a large playground. Be prepared for his new development by checking below.

Personal-Social

• Dresses with help
• Learns to button
• Imitates actions of other people
• Likes to pretend
• Enjoys "rough and tumble" play
• Is toilet-trained

Body Movements

• Balances on one foot
• Pedals a tricycle
• Running movements are more coordinated
• Walks down stairs
• Stands on tiptoes

Language

• Increases vocabulary up to 1,000 words
• Makes short sentences - 3 to 4 words
• Uses verbs
• Uses more pronouns (you, I)
• Makes environmental sounds(airplane sounds, animal sounds)
• Asks frequent "where" and "why" questions

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Begins to learn colors
• Knows some prepositions (on, below, under)
• Copies circles
• Knows "right from wrong"
• Follows more difficult commands

One, two three...look at me!

Your child is now more daring and wants to do things on his own. Your child may fall and scrape his knee or he may put his coat on backwards... but he is learning. Be positive and help your child learn in his own way.

Vision is precious. Some preschool children develop a problem called "lazy eye." One eye is forced to do all the work while the other gets weaker and weaker. It's a good idea to have your child's eyes checked by age three. Don't take changes! There are many years ahead for your child to cherish!

Feeding Hints - 3 years of age

Children up to the age 10 should have:

• 2 daily servings of protein...like peanut butter, chicken, eggs, or fish.
• 4 daily servings of fruits and vegetable, like orange juice, peas or carrots.
• 4 daily servings of bread, cereal or pasta.
• 3 daily servings of dairy products, like milk, cheese and yogurt.

4 Years of Age

Children at this age are ready to broaden their horizons and seek enjoyment from friends. New milestones have occurred in your child's life...make sure you havn't missed them!

Body Movement

• Catches ball
• Uses fork well
• Throws ball overhanded
• Hops in one area

Personal-Social

• Separates from parents easily
• Plays games appropriate for sex
• Learns to take turns
• Enjoys imaginative games

Language

• Likes to retell stories, nursery rhymes, etc.
• Uses sentences - 4 to 5 words
• Is understood by strangers
• Uses prepositions
• Uses more question forms (who, what, when)

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Knows opposites (hot-cold)
• Draws pictures of people (body parts)
• Groups objects and shapes together
• Figures out solutions to simple problems
• Knows complete name
• Follows commands when object not in view

Words of Caution

As your child becomes more active with her friends and others around her, make sure she knows helpful information that may be useful in times of need. Teach your child her complete name, address and phone number. It is also helpful for children to know the color, size and shape of their house and anything special about the house or location of nearest store to the house. Sometimes children forget their address or get lost. Safety comes first!

Feeding Hints - 4 years of age

Much has been written about reducing adults' intake of fat and cholesterol in the food we eat. The same guidelines do not apply to children. Children need more dietary fats than their parents. Peanut butter, margarine, meats, nuts and oils provide energy and fat-soluble vitamins need for a child's growth.

Sometimes there are exceptions to this when a child has a high blood cholesterol level. Your pediatrician may want to check your child's cholesterol if a family history of heart problems or stroke exists. For most children, however, a moderate amount of fat is fine.

5 Years of Age

School is just around the corner with new experiences for your child to enjoy. Your child is now ready to take a giant step ahead, so make sure his milestones have been met.

Personal - Social

• Dresses and bathes without help
• Enjoys "daring" games
• Plays cooperatively with other children

Thinking (Cognitive)

• Remembers slogans and commercials
• Daydreams
• Thinks through problems and situations
• Prints a few alphabet letters
• Can tell a story clearly (following the events)

Body Movement

• Can walk a line
• Jumps rope
• Can walk heel to toe
• Walks backwards
• Laces shoes
• Uses blunt scissors to cut on a line

Language

• Uses 5 to 6 word sentences (may use "and, "but, " "because")
• Language is understood by strangers with few grammatical errors
• Pronounces all sound clearly except V, L, TH, Z, and/or R
• Can tell about past experiences or recent events
• Asks to have meanings of words explained

Memories gone by....dreams to come!

It seems hard to imagine that five years have gone by since your baby came home from the Hospital. The experiences of childhood will never be forgotten. Your child will now adventure to school with new things to learn and new friends to make. Prepare your child for this new adventure through encouragement, support, and love. Listen to your child's needs and school will be a fun place!

Feeding hints - 5 years of age

Most children, if they are eating well, should not need vitamin pills. Check with your pediatrician regarding whether vitamin supplements are indicated.

Children who learn to eat healthy food, including snacks, are consuming vitamin rich foods daily. Limit sugary snacks and offer your child raw vegetables, yogurt, breadsticks, and cheese cubes.

Pop popcorn, or make Popsicles of fruit juice. Everyone craves sweet treats occasionally, so don't forbid them. Do set a good example by filling the refrigerator and pantry with healthy foods. They will make your child both grow and glow!