Milestones
Graduating to Toddlerhood: Important Milestones
Toddlerhood officially begins at one year old—at least that is where all the childcare experts and baby books set it—but it is not as if some magical switch is flipped on your child’s first birthday. Toddlerhood is associated with a set of Continue reading
Allowing Your Toddler to Explore, Safely
The toddler years—usually thought of as age one to age three—are an exciting time for children and parents alike. At around age one, babies come to understand that the world is full of interesting places to explore and objects to examine, and the drive to learn and experience at this age is powerful. For parents, while it is fun to watch your child explore, there is also Continue reading
Helping Your Baby Develop in Months Nine through Twelve
When a baby gets around the eight-month-old mark, lots of things happen all at once. The days when your baby was an entirely dependent newborn are now a distant memory, and your baby is beginning to look and act more like an actual child, with a fast-developing personality, a growing ability to play and entertain herself, and an increasing awareness of what is going on around her.
Because babies learn so much and develop so fast during this stage, every day can be momentous. Milestones will topple left and right, and during these few months there is a very good chance you will see Continue reading
The Perils of Meconium
Meconium is your baby’s first poo! It has the consistency of treacle, it is odourless and unlike later offerings it is sterile. It is very dark and almost impossible to wipe clean. Meconium consists of water, mucus, amniotic fluid, lanugo which is downy baby hair and also intestinal epithelial cells. For most babies it is just their first poo (one of many!) and means a very gooey first nappy but in some cases it can be a cause for concern.
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Starting Solid Foods: When and How
For several months following birth, breast milk (or formula) is the only food that your child needs. It is only a matter of time, however, before your child begins to develop cravings for solid food. As muscle coordination develops and the baby’s nutritional needs begin to change, the transition from an all-liquid diet to a mixed one becomes inevitable. Moving to solid foods is a big step, but the good news is that it usually comes naturally, so you will not have to force it.
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