Growth and Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
Common Concerns
Between 1 and 12 months of age, it is very common for parents to have concerns about their baby's general well-being. Know that you likely do not have anything to worry about. But it is good to be aware of health, development, and safety issues to help prevent or respond to problems.
Some common concerns include:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the death of a baby who is younger than 1 year old without a known cause. Typically, a parent or other caregiver puts the baby—who seems healthy—down to sleep and returns later to find the baby has died. SIDS is very rare and it cannot always be prevented. But you can help prevent SIDS by always putting your baby to sleep on his or her back. Also consider giving your baby a pacifier at nap and bedtime. Keep your baby's crib clear of toys and blankets. Clothing should be just enough for warmth without the risk of overheating. If possible, keep the room where your baby sleeps at a temperature that is comfortable without needing a lot of clothing or blankets. The safest place for your baby to sleep until at least 6 months of age is in your room in a separate crib or bassinet.2 For more information, see the topic Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- Sleeping patterns. You may just start bragging to your friends and family how your baby is sleeping through the night when—BAM—all bets are off. Your baby may suddenly start to cry when it's nap or bedtime or wake up during the night. Sometimes a baby gets too excited for sleep after he or she has mastered some new skill, such as jabbering or shaking the crib. Other times, hunger from a growth spurt, a change in routine, or not feeling well may interrupt a good sleep pattern. Try to stick to a nap and bedtime routine. Your baby will adjust if you keep consistent. And remember, napping can be good for tired parents, too!
- Crying. Babies cry a lot, especially in the first 2 months. Crying is your child's first way of communicating. The amount of time your baby spends crying usually increases from birth until your baby is about 6 weeks old. After that, your baby will gradually cry less as he or she finds other ways of communicating or consoling himself or herself. If your child is crying, try to identify the type of cry. It helps to go through a mental checklist of what might be wrong and make sure your child is safe and cared for. As parents or caregivers respond to the young child's other signals (such as whimpering, facial expressions, and wiggling), the child will usually cry less. For more information, see the topic Crying, Age 3 and Younger.
- Head shape. The back of your baby's head may get a little flat from always placing him or her to sleep on the back. Usually, the flat area is not very noticeable. Your baby's head shape will return to normal once he or she can sit and crawl. But sometimes the head can become very noticeably flat. You can help prevent this by changing his or her head position regularly.
- Make sure your baby gets "tummy time" every day. Place your baby on his or her tummy for playtime while you are watching closely. Let your baby "squirm" around, making sure that he or she can breathe easily. Tummy time helps your baby develop motor skills. These are important for helping your baby learn to move and hold his or head up.
- Cuddle your baby while holding his or her head up as much as you can. Don't place your baby in car seat carriers or bouncers for long periods each day. Holding your baby is better for all areas of development.
- Change your baby's head position during sleep at least every week. (Remember to always keep your baby on his or her back during naps and at bedtime.) A good way to make sure your baby's head rests in different positions is to switch which end of the bed you place him or her each week. One week, place your baby so his or her feet are at one end of the crib; the next week, place the feet at the other end. Babies usually turn their heads away from the wall, toward the inside of a room. If your baby's crib is not against a wall, you can try moving your baby's head position more to one side while he or she is sleeping.
- Choking. Babies love to put objects into their mouths. This habit is a choking hazard. To prevent your baby from choking, be careful about the size of toys he or she plays with. Watch out for everyday items that your baby could swallow, such as coins. Also, choking becomes a concern as you begin introducing solid foods to your baby between 4 and 6 months of age. Help prevent choking on food by not giving your child round, firm foods, such as hot dogs, unless you first completely chop them into very small pieces.
- Diaper rash. Diaper rash (diaper dermatitis) is a skin irritation caused by prolonged skin wetness, friction with the diaper material, and contact with chemicals in the urine and stool. The skin may look red, raw, scalded, or burned. While a diaper rash is uncomfortable, normally it is not serious. Diaper rash occurs most often in babies who are at least 6 months old. Usually the rash clears up when you change diapers more often, you are careful about cleaning your baby's bottom, or you apply non-prescription ointments to the rash. For more information, see the topic Diaper Rash.
- Sibling rivalry. It may take a few months before an older child shows signs of jealousy of a new baby. When your child realizes that the baby is there to stay, strong emotions and behaviour problems may soon follow. You can help your older child adjust by setting time aside for just the two of you. Also, talk about how important it is for your older child to help care for the baby. Give him or her a role in daily care, such as handing you a fresh diaper when you change your baby. Or you may put your child "in charge" of your baby's favourite toy. Your child can have a special spot for the toy and be the one who always gives it to the baby and puts it away.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Amy Fackler, MA | Last Updated: July 31, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics | |
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