The Quilts Zone Blog

Every new parent observes their child carefully to make sure that they are doing the things that they should be doing throughout their first year. When should they be attempting to roll over, or talk, or walk? Is your baby ahead of schedule or behind?  Be prepared for your family and friends to ask you these questions, they want a report.

 Get the Best for your baby

It’s important to remember that every child is unique, and progresses at their own speed.. However most babies do progress within time frames enough of the time, to give us an indication of when they should be doing what. It is always best to check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s development. The best rule is to follow how your baby is progressing over time, instead of becoming concerned if they do not follow a month by month graph. But here are some common parameters you can go by:

Newborns: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics babies should be responding to sounds by startling, blinking, crying or being calmed, by 1 week. They will begin to follow movement with their eyes, and fix on your face. You will help them develop by talking, cuddling, playing and cooing with them.

Month 1:  Your child will begin staying awake longer, and sleeping longer (3-5 hours per time). They might be a bit fussier at this phase. They will more than likely start to raise their heads as well. You can help by holding and cuddling them when they are unhappy.

Month 2-3: They may delight you with a smile at this stage, and not one that is the product of gas! This is a cognitive growth related milestone, when they can see the world, and effect it by their actions. If you coo at your baby, they will start to respond to that stimuli.  Your baby will begin to lift their upper body and head. Give your child stimuli at this time, by laughing and singing to them.

 Wouldn’t it be nice to know what your baby is trying to tell you?

Month 4-5: Your baby will attempt to roll from their tummy to their back. They will reach for objects and start to coo more. If you are going to establish a bedtime routine for your child, this is the time to begin.

Month 6:  Many babies can sit up with no assistance at this stage. They are beginning to develop their motor skills by grasping objects, and putting them in the mouth, or moving them from hand to hand. Your child might want to attempt drinking out of a cup at this point.

Month 7-9:  Things get going now. Your child will be much more noisy at this point, and may be attempting to form words. They may attempt to pull themselves up to a standing position, and crawl. Your baby is continuing to develop his fine motor skills. They may also have their ‘first’ tooth about months 8-9. To promote development at this stage, reading and playing games with baby is advised.

Month 10-12: Your child may be walking by this stage, but do not worry if this doesn’t occur until about month 15. They will be saying a few other words (in addition to mama, and da da), hunting for hidden items, wave good bye, and feed themselves with their hands.

Remember to enjoy your child during this 1^st year. No 2 babies are alike, use these tips only as a guideline to assist you. With your help and encouragement, your baby will grow and learn skills at their own pace. If you are worried, always speak with your pediatrician.

 Give your baby the best

Infants or what we call babies are those that fall in the age bracket 0 to 12 months.  During these years, the baby cannot yet talk as adults do.  This is why some parents teach their child baby sign language. 

Baby sign language is a way of communicating to your baby using hand shapes and motion with assigned meanings.  This method uses the American Sign Language.  Teaching the sign language does not mean your child is deaf or mute.Although your baby have no problem hearing you they do not yet have the ability to speak, making communication with them challenging. 

Baby sign language was discovered and developed by the research of Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn and Joseph Garcia.  The sign language is composed of hand and finger signs that could mean words such as “hungry”, “sleepy”, and “wet” among others.

Teaching baby sign language is not that difficult to teach and learn.  It is the same as when you are learning a new language by starting with simple words.  Teaching your baby how to make sign can start from six to nine months.  All that is needed is to have hand coordination skills.

When teaching the baby sign language, you should give your complete attention.Start with words that a baby might be familiar with such as “hungry”, “wet”, “hurt” or “poop”.  Then use the sign as often as you interact with the baby.  In this way you are connecting the signs with the objects.Once you have taught the basic words and signs you can start to teach your baby more complicated signs that indicate family, different foods and emotions. 

Remember that your baby is learning so do not get frustrated when he or she cannot get it the first time.  The baby will learn in its own pace so do not pressure him or her or nothing will be learned.  When the baby will make the sign, do not expect it to be the same as yours so when teaching, pay very close attention to the signs the baby is making so you will recognize what he or she wants to convey.

Infant or baby sign language can also be used for children with developmental problems.Not all children develop or learn at the same pace and using sign language can be a key in solving developmental delays.  Moreover, children are taught to express feelings without rage.  This is a good way for them so they can start early in containing their anger by not shouting or hurting anyone. 

Aside from the benefits that the infants can gain, the parents are also able to understand them when they want to say something.  When in a hospital setting, nurses can give the best care immediately to the infant because they can express what they feel.  Caregivers and family members taking care of the baby will not have a difficult time guessing what the baby needs.   Also teachers and assistants in day care centers can provide a new way of teaching children as well.

Visit Choosing Baby Gender for the best tips to help you choose your baby’s gender as well as teaching baby sign language.