Tips for Healthy Infant Development
It is remarkable how such a small little being can change one’s life so dramatically, while opening up doors of possibility. During the first few months of your baby’s life, you are both getting to know each other. You are discovering what your baby likes and needs. Your baby‘s brain is rapidly maturing while learning about you and his or her new environment. Most importantly, you are bonding and developing a strong attachment, as your baby is developing a sense of trust that will last a lifetime.
While all infants require care and love, each baby is unique in temperament, responsiveness, and patterns. Some babies will come home, sleep through the night, fuss briefly only when hungry, and be content most of the time. Other babies may take longer to get into a regular cycle of being awake during the day and asleep at night. At first it may be hard to distinguish different cries, those of hunger, sleepiness, or pain. Crying is their way of communicating. The amount of time a baby cries increases over the first two to three months. Over time, crying diminishes and patterns become more predictable and you are better able to differentiate what your baby is trying to express, even with just a cry. Try to be calm and responsive to your infant’s cries.
It is hard work and tiring to parent a newborn. Yet it is one of the most rewarding roles anyone can perform. Try to sleep when you can. Ask for help when you need it. Nurture yourself as well as your baby.
Some Tips for Raising a Healthy Baby:
- Even before birth, newborns become familiar with their mother’s voice and are born being able to distinguish and respond to it above all others. Talk to your baby. Narrate what you are doing, whether it is changing a diaper or taking a walk outside. Talk as if your baby understands what you are saying.
- Young babies see faces and objects, with best vision being about 8 to 10 inches away – similar to the distance between your baby being held in your arms and your face. They tend to focus on black and white and bright colors best.
- Initially emotions of babies seem almost polar opposite – calm or upset. Over time, these emotions better differentiate and are supported by providing a warm, loving environment.
- Learn about his or her preferences – some babies like a lot of movement and rocking, others prefer more subtle movement; some like to be held facing inward, while others like to be held facing outward; some love being in the bath, yet others may need to more time to get used to being placed in a tub of water. Respond to your baby, not to a preconceived idea of what your baby should do or like.
- Soft or classical music may be calming to some babies, while other babies may prefer different types of sound. The type of music is less important than providing them with stimulation they find pleasant and enjoyable.
- Trust your intuitive sense about your baby’s needs, while being open to learning from others. Accept help from others, yet remember you decide what is best for your baby.
- While it is wonderful to have people hold your infant and have your baby get used to being with other people, avoid having someone with a cold or cough near your child. Good hand washing is important.
- You cannot spoil a newborn. If your baby needs you, it is fine to respond. Do so calmly and lovingly. Infants can sense stress in others, so as best you can, try to be consoling and unruffled.
- Although it is recommended that babies lie on their back to sleep, tummy time is important for the development up arm and upper body strength. During the day, try to work in even short periods of tummy time.
- As your baby becomes older and begins to make sounds, try to respond in a back and forth manner, as if you are having a conversation. Over time, there will be “reciprocal babbling” – you speak, your baby “speaks” in response, and so on.
No matter how much you are told about the joys and the demands of motherhood and fatherhood, you need to live through it to really understand. It is a wonderfully challenging and magical time.