Your baby may show a strong preference for the caretakers over the mommy(if she is not the caretaker) or vice versa. Try not to take it personally. Babies generally will go to one parent for a specific need, such as comforting, and the other for play. Remember that parenting isn’t a popularity contest, and showing a preference isn’t rejection.
Encourage your baby to practice crawling by placing a favorite toy just out of reach or sit on the other side of the room and call to him or her. Give your baby time and space to practice this new-found skill and to strengthen his or her muscles and fine-tune his or her coordination. This will help her development and her self confidence .
Is your baby teething yet? Most babies begin teething between 6 and 12 months of age. Usually, the incisors erupt first (four on top and four on the bottom), and then four molars. These are followed by the four canine (eye) teeth, and the molars will appear when your baby is about 2 years old. Early signs of teething include drooling (which may then cause a rash, cough or diarrhea), fussiness, waking at night, biting, and loss of appetite. To relieve some of the pain associated with teething, give your baby a cool teething ring and, with the consent of your pediatrician, children’s acetaminophen.
As your baby starts eating solid foods, he or she will quickly develop preferences for certain foods and a strong dislike for others. If your baby seems to dislike a particular taste or type of food, don’t force it on him or her. Try the same food again in a day or two. If he or she still isn’t interested, move on to other foods. After a month or so has passed, introduce it to your baby again, perhaps prepared differently this time. Her or his tastes may have changed in the meantime, or he or she may have forgotten that he or she didn’t like this food. If he or she still rejects it, take it off his or her menu. Her or his tastes may change as he or she gets older, or he or she may never like this particular food. Forcing it on him or her can turn into a battle of wills, which can in turn lead to eating disorders.
Before long your little “wonder baby” will be crawling, and then walking. As amazing as this developmental progression is, it also puts your baby in the path of new dangers every day . Even the most diligent parents and carefully baby-proofed home won’t protect your baby from the occasional bump, bruise, cut, and scrape. It’s just a part of growing up. However, knowing the most common sources of injury can help you keep your baby as safe as possible.
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