Infants (0-1 years) | CDC

Child Safety First · Do not shake your baby―ever! · Make sure you always put your baby to sleep on her back to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (commonly ... Skipdirectlytositecontent Skipdirectlytopageoptions SkipdirectlytoA-Zlink ChildDevelopment SectionNavigation CDCHome Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate Infants(0-1yearofage)Español(Spanish) Minus RelatedPages   DevelopmentalMilestones Skillssuchastakingafirststep,smilingforthefirsttime,andwaving“bye-bye”arecalleddevelopmentalmilestones.Developmentalmilestonesarethingsmostchildrencandobyacertainage.Childrenreachmilestonesinhowtheyplay,learn,speak,behave,andmove(likecrawling,walking,orjumping). Inthefirstyear,babieslearntofocustheirvision,reachout,explore,andlearnaboutthethingsthatarearoundthem.Cognitive,orbraindevelopmentmeansthelearningprocessofmemory,language,thinking,andreasoning.Learninglanguageismorethanmakingsounds(“babble”),orsaying“ma-ma”and“da-da”.Listening,understanding,andknowingthenamesofpeopleandthingsareallapartoflanguagedevelopment.Duringthisstage,babiesalsoaredevelopingbondsofloveandtrustwiththeirparentsandothersaspartofsocialandemotionaldevelopment.Thewayparentscuddle,hold,andplaywiththeirbabywillsetthebasisforhowtheywillinteractwiththemandothers. PositiveParentingTips Followingaresomethingsyou,asaparent,candotohelpyourbabyduringthistime: Talktoyourbaby.Shewillfindyourvoicecalming. Answerwhenyourbabymakessoundsbyrepeatingthesoundsandaddingwords.Thiswillhelphimlearntouselanguage. Readtoyourbaby.Thiswillhelpherdevelopandunderstandlanguageandsounds. Singtoyourbabyandplaymusic.Thiswillhelpyourbabydevelopaloveformusicandwillhelphisbraindevelopment. Praiseyourbabyandgiveherlotsoflovingattention. Spendtimecuddlingandholdingyourbaby.Thiswillhelphimfeelcaredforandsecure. Playwithyourbabywhenshe’salertandrelaxed.Watchyourbabycloselyforsignsofbeingtiredorfussysothatshecantakeabreakfromplaying. Distractyourbabywithtoysandmovehimtosafeareaswhenhestartsmovingandtouchingthingsthatheshouldn’ttouch. Takecareofyourselfphysically,mentally,andemotionally.Parentingcanbehardwork!Itiseasiertoenjoyyournewbabyandbeapositive,lovingparentwhenyouarefeelinggoodyourself. PositiveParentingTipSheet Infants(0-1yearofage)pdficon[PDF–793K] ChildSafetyFirst Whenababybecomespartofyourfamily,itistimetomakesurethatyourhomeisasafeplace.Lookaroundyourhomeforthingsthatcouldbedangeroustoyourbaby.Asaparent,itisyourjobtoensurethatyoucreateasafehomeforyourbaby.Italsoisimportantthatyoutakethenecessarystepstomakesurethatyouarementallyandemotionallyreadyforyournewbaby.Hereareafewtipstokeepyourbabysafe: Donotshakeyourbaby―ever!Babieshaveveryweakneckmusclesthatarenotyetabletosupporttheirheads.Ifyoushakeyourbaby,youcandamagehisbrainorevencausehisdeath. Makesureyoualwaysputyourbabytosleeponherbacktopreventsuddeninfantdeathsyndrome(commonlyknownasSIDS).Readmoreaboutnewrecommendationsforsafesleepforinfantshere. Protectyourbabyandfamilyfromsecondhandsmoke.Donotallowanyonetosmokeinyourhome. Placeyourbabyinarear-facingcarseatinthebackseatwhileheisridinginacar.ThisisrecommendedbytheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationpdficon[1.15MB/1page]externalicon. Preventyourbabyfromchokingbycuttingherfoodintosmallbites.Also,don’tletherplaywithsmalltoysandotherthingsthatmightbeeasyforhertoswallow. Don’tallowyourbabytoplaywithanythingthatmightcoverherface. Nevercarryhotliquidsorfoodsnearyourbabyorwhileholdinghim. Vaccines(shots)areimportanttoprotectyourchild’shealthandsafety.Becausechildrencangetseriousdiseases,itisimportantthatyourchildgettherightshotsattherighttime.Talkwithyourchild’sdoctortomakesurethatyourchildisup-to-dateonhervaccinations. HealthyBodies Breastmilkmeetsallyourbaby’sneedsforaboutthefirst6monthsoflife.Between6and12monthsofage,yourbabywilllearnaboutnewtastesandtextureswithhealthysolidfood,butbreastmilkshouldstillbeanimportantsourceofnutrition. Feedyourbabyslowlyandpatiently,encourageyourbabytotrynewtastesbutwithoutforce,andwatchcloselytoseeifhe’sstillhungry. Breastfeedingisthenaturalwaytofeedyourbaby,butitcanbechallenging.Ifyouneedhelp,youcancalltheNationalBreastfeedingHelplineat800-994-9662orgethelpon-lineathttp://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeedingexternalicon.YoucanalsocallyourlocalWICProgramtoseeifyouqualifyforbreastfeedingsupportbyhealthprofessionalsaswellaspeercounselorsoruseanonlinedirectorytofindanInternationalBoard-CertifiedLactationConsultantexternaliconinyourcommunity. Keepyourbabyactive.Shemightnotbeabletorunandplaylikethe“bigkids”justyet,butthere’slotsshecandotokeepherlittlearmsandlegsmovingthroughouttheday.Gettingdownonthefloortomovehelpsyourbabybecomestrong,learn,andexplore. Trynottokeepyourbabyinswings,strollers,bouncerseats,andexercisesaucersfortoolong. Limitscreentime.Forchildrenyoungerthan18monthsofage,theAmericanAcademyofPediatrics(AAP)recommendsthatit’sbestifbabiesdonotuseanyscreenmediaotherthanvideochatting. Makesureyourchildgetstherecommendedamountofsleep eachnight:Forinfants4-12months,12–16hoursper24hours(includingnaps) ForMoreInformation InfantsandtoddlersPreschoolMiddlechildhoodAdolescence CDC’s“LearntheSigns.ActEarly.”Campaign Formoredetailsondevelopmentalmilestones,warningsignsofpossibledevelopmentaldelays,andinformationonhowtohelpyourchild’sdevelopment,visitthe“LearntheSigns.ActEarly.”campaignwebsite. CDC’sParentInformation(Children0―3years) Thissitehasinformationtohelpyoulearnhowtogiveyourchildahealthystartinlife. CDC’sEssentialsforParentingToddlersandPreschoolers Learnwaysyoucanhelpbuildasafe,stable,andnurturingrelationshipwithyourchild. CDC’sBreastfeedingInformation Thissitehasanswerstofrequentlyaskedquestionsaboutbreastfeeding. CDC’sInformationonInfantandToddlerNutrition TipsforParents–Ideastohelpchildrenmaintainahealthyweight. CDC’sProtecttheOnesYouLove CDC’sInjuryCenterhasinformationonhowyoucanprotectyourchildfromdrowningandothercommoncausesofinjury. CDC’sInformationonVaccinations Viewtheimmunizationscheduleforinfantsandchildrenandfindoutifyourchild’svaccinationsareuptodate. MyPlate–Infantsexternalicon TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureprovidesinformationonhealthandnutritionfor2through5yearsofage. MyPlate–Toddlersexternalicon TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureprovidesinformationonhealthandnutritionfortoddlers HealthyChildren.orgexternalicon AAP’sHealthyChildrenwebsiteprovidesinformationonfeeding,nutrition,andfitnessforalldevelopmentalstagesfrominfancytoyoungadulthood. JustinTimeParentingexternalicon(JITP) Quality,research-basedinformationtofamiliesatthetimeitcanbemostuseful. HealthyKidsHealthyFutureexternalicon Youwillfindinformationonphysicalactivityforyoungchildrenandonwaystokeepthemmoving. NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationexternalicon(NHTSA) NHTSAhasinformationonsafetyrecallsandsafetytipsforchildrenridinginmotorvehicles,walking,biking,playingoutside,waitingatschoolbusstops,andmore. NationalInstituteofChildHealthandHumanDevelopment.externalicon(NICHD) VisitNICHDtolearnhowtoreducetheriskofSuddenInfantDeathSyndrome(SIDS)andaboutsafesleepenvironments. WorldHealthOrganizationinformationoninfantnutritionexternalicon Thissitehasinformationtopromoteproperfeedingforinfantsandyoungchildren. CDC’s“LearntheSigns.ActEarly.”Campaign Formoredetailsondevelopmentalmilestones,warningsignsofpossibledevelopmentaldelays,andinformationonhowtohelpyourchild’sdevelopment,visitthe“LearntheSigns.ActEarly.”campaignwebsite. CDC’sParentInformation(Children4−11years) Thissitehasinformationtohelpyouguideyourchildinleadingahealthierlife. CDC’sEssentialsforParentingToddlersandPreschoolers Learnwaysyoucanhelpbuildasafe,stable,andnurturingrelationshipwithyourchild. CDC’sHealthyWeightInformation. Tipsforparents–Ideastohelpchildrenmaintainahealthyweight. CDC’sYouthPhysicalActivityGuidelines Thissitehasinformationonhowtohelpchildrenbeactiveandplay. MyPlate-Preschoolersexternalicon TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureprovidesinformationonhealthandnutritionforpreschoolers. HealthyChildren.orgexternalicon AAP’sHealthyChildrenwebsiteprovidesinformationonfeeding,nutrition,andfitnessforalldevelopmentalstagesfrominfancytoyoungadulthood. JustinTimeParentingexternalicon(JITP) Quality,research-basedinformationtofamiliesatthetimeitcanbemostuseful. HealthyKidsHealthyFutureexternalicon Youwillfindinformationonphysicalactivityforyoungchildrenandonwaystokeepthemmoving. NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationexternalicon(NHTSA) NHTSAhasinformationonsafetyrecallsandsafetytipsforchildrenridinginmotorvehicles,walking,biking,playingoutside,waitingatschoolbusstops,andmore. CDC’sParentInformation(Children4—11years) Thissitehasinformationtohelpyouguideyourchildinleadingahealthierlife. CDC’sHealthyWeightInformation. Tipsforparents–Ideastohelpchildrenmaintainahealthyweight. CDC’sYouthPhysicalActivityBasics Thissitehasinformationonhowtohelpchildrenbeactiveandplay. CDC’sKidsQuest KidsQuestisaCDCwebsitedesignedforstudentsinfourth,fifth,andsixthgrades,togetthemtothinkaboutpeoplewithdisabilitiesandsomeoftheissuesrelatedtodailyactivities,health,andaccessibility. CDC’sBAM!BodyandMind CDC’sBAM!BodyandMindisawebsitedesignedforkids9through13yearsofagetogivethemtheinformationtheyneedtomakehealthylifestylechoices.Thesitefocusesontopicsthatkidstoldusareimportanttothem—suchasstressandphysicalfitness—usingkid-friendlylingo,games,quizzes,andotherinteractivefeatures. MyPlate–Kidsexternalicon. TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureprovidesinformationonhealthandnutritionforchildrenover5yearsofage. HealthyChildren.orgexternalicon AAP’sHealthyChildrenwebsiteprovidesinformationonfeeding,nutrition,andfitnessforalldevelopmentalstagesfrominfancytoyoungadulthood.Visitthiswebsitetolearnmoreaboutemotionalproblemsexternalicon,learningdisabilitiesexternaliconandotherhealthanddevelopmentconcerns. JustinTimeParentingexternalicon(JITP) Quality,research-basedinformationtofamiliesatthetimeitcanbemostuseful. Let’sMove-Kidsexternalicon Fivesimplestepsforparentstowardscreatingahealthyenvironmentathome. NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationexternalicon(NHTSA) NHTSAhasinformationonsafetyrecallsandsafetytipsforchildrenridinginmotorvehicles,walking,biking,playingoutside,waitingatschoolbusstops,andmore. StopBullying.govexternalicon StopBullying.govprovidesinformationfromvariousgovernmentagenciesonhowchildren,parents,educators andothersinthecommunity canpreventorstopbullying. SAMHSA’sKnowBullyingappexternalicon Afreeappforparentstohelppreventbullying,createdbytheSubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthAgency(SAMHSA). TeensHealthexternalicon Visitthissiteforinformationonhealthyeatingandexerciseexternaliconforchildrenandteenagers,safetytipsforyourchildathomeexternaliconwhenyoucan’tbethere,andotherimportanthealthandsafetytopics. CDC’sAdolescentandSchoolMentalHealth Learnhowconnectioniskeytogoodadolescentmentalhealth. CDC’sParentInformation(Teens12—19) Thissitehasinformationtohelpyoulearnhowtoguideyourteentobesafeandbecomeahealthyandproductiveadult. CDC’sHealthyWeightInformation. Tipsforparents–Ideastohelpchildrenmaintainahealthyweight. CDC’sYouthPhysicalActivityGuidelines Thissitehasinformationonhowtohelpchildrenbeactiveandplay. CDC’sPregnancyPreventionforTeens. Tipsandinformationespeciallyforteensanddesignedwithinputfromteens. CDC’sBAM!BodyandMind CDC’sBAM!BodyandMindisawebsitedesignedforkids9through13yearsofage,togivethemtheinformationtheyneedtomakehealthylifestylechoices.Thesitefocusesontopicsthatkidstoldusareimportanttothem—suchasstressandphysicalfitness—usingkid-friendlylingo,games,quizzes,andotherinteractivefeatures. CDC’sInformationonLesbian,Gay,Bisexual,andTransgenderYouthHealth Learnaboutthephysicalandmentalhealthoflesbian,gay,bisexual,andtransgenderyouth AmericanAcademyofChild&AdolescentPsychiatryexternalicon TheAmericanAcademyofChild&AdolescentPsychiatryhasmanyfactsheetsforparentsonchildandadolescenthealthanddevelopment. MyPlate–Teenexternalicon TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureprovidesinformationonhealthandnutritionforteens. HealthyChildren.orgexternalicon AAP’sHealthyChildrenwebsiteprovidesinformationonfeeding,nutrition,andfitnessforalldevelopmentalstagesfrominfancytoyoungadulthood. JustinTimeParentingexternalicon(JITP) Quality,research-basedinformationtofamiliesatthetimeitcanbemostuseful. NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationexternalicon(NHTSA) NHTSAhasinformationonsafetyrecallsandsafetytipsforchildrenridinginmotorvehicles,walking,biking,playingoutside,waitingatschoolbusstops,andmore. NationalInstituteofMentalHealthexternalicon TheNationalInstituteofMentalHealthhasinformationonmentaldisordersaffectingchildrenandadolescents,includinganxietyanddepression. StopBullying.govexternalicon StopBullying.govprovidesinformationfromvariousgovernmentagenciesonhowchildren,parents,educators,andothersinthecommunity canpreventorstopbullying. SAMHSA’sKnowBullyingappexternalicon Afreeappforparentstohelppreventbullying,createdbytheSubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthAgency(SAMHSA). SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration(SAMHSA)externalicon SAMHSAworkstoimprovethequalityandavailabilityofsubstanceabuseprevention,alcoholanddrugaddictiontreatment,andmentalhealthservices. TeensHealthexternalicon Visitthissiteforinformationonhealthyeatingandexerciseforchildrenandteenagers. Pagelastreviewed:November29,2021 Contentsource: NationalCenteronBirthDefectsandDevelopmentalDisabilities,CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention homeChildDevelopment ChildDevelopmentBasicsplusicon EarlyBrainDevelopment DevelopmentalScreeningplusicon ScreeningforProfessionals PositiveParentingTipsplusicon Infants(0-1year) Toddlers(1-2years) Toddlers(2-3years) Preschoolers(3-5years) MiddleChildhood(6-8years) MiddleChildhood(9-11years) YoungTeens(12-14years) Teenagers(15-17years) SpecificConditionsplusicon LearningDisorders LanguageDisorders IntellectualDisability VisionImpairment Data&Statistics Researchplusicon LegacyProgramplusicon Intervention Supportplusicon FidelityMonitoring FAQ Resources PartnerStories Articles&KeyFindingsplusicon ParentingMatters FreeMaterials Multimedia&Toolsplusicon Videos GetEmailUpdates Toreceiveemailupdatesaboutthistopic,enteryouremailaddress: EmailAddress What'sthis? 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