New Parents

HELPFUL TIPS & TRICKS

Baby’s Developmental Milestones


Every child is different, but it helps many new parents to know what milestones to look for throughout their baby's development. Here's a simple list of some milestones you can look for as your baby grows.


Birth to 3 Months:
  • Pushes up on arms while lying on tummy
  • Opens and closes fists
  • Brings hands up to mouth
  • Lifts and holds up head while lying on tummy
  • Tracks a moving object with eyes while lying on back
  • Smiles at voices or sounds
  • Demonstrates interest in faces
  • Makes eye contact
  • Uses different cries for different needs (a hungry cry vs. a tired cry)
  • Turns head toward voices or sounds
  • Makes cooing noises


4 to 6 Months:
  • Sits up using hands for support
  • Rolls over from back to tummy and vice versa
  • Reaches for toys while on tummy
  • Uses both hands to feel toys
  • Brings objects up to mouth
  • More easygoing, not upset at everyday sounds
  • Listens and responds when spoken to
  • Shows reaction to sudden noises
  • Demonstrates interest in food
  • Opens mouth for spoon


7 to 9 Months:
  • Sits up without support
  • Transitions from tummy or back to a sitting position
  • Picks up small objects with fingers and thumb
  • Attempts to crawl
  • Focuses on objects that are nearby and far away
  • Recognizes sound of name
  • Imitates sounds
  • Shows recognition of some words/sounds


10 to 12 Months:
  • Pulls up to stand and uses furniture for support
  • Claps hands
  • Enjoys listening to music
  • Crawls toward objects
  • Speaks one or two words
  • Able to feed self with finger foods
  • Uses gestures and hand movements to communicate wants and needs

Understanding Your Baby’s Temperament


Each and every child has their own way of approaching and reacting to the world, known as temperament. Knowing your child's temperament can help you predict their reactions and behavior, as well as better understand them.


Why is temperament important?

Your child's temperament directs the way they interact with the world around them. A more cautious child likely will have different reactions than a child who is outgoing and eager to try out new situations. Understanding your baby's temperament allows you to recognize patterns in their behavior, which can help you be a more effective parent.


Can temperament change?

Experiences and interactions with other people, especially you and your partner, will shape your child's temperament. You can help your baby adapt to unfamiliar situations and grow more comfortable with change. You should also keep in mind that sometimes your child will do something that will catch you completely by surprise. Those surprises are one of the best parts of being a parent.


How much do parents affect temperament?

Your expectations of your child can have an effect on how they react to the world. Think about what qualities you want your child to have and how your expectations might influence your baby's behavior.


What's the best temperament for a child to have?

Temperaments are like personalities there's no one better than the other. Some may be more of a challenge to understand and deal with, but every child deserves to be understood and treated with love and caring. As a parent, it's essential to accept your child for who they are and do your best to understand their feelings.


How do I explain my child's temperament to others?

As a parent, it's your job to be your child's champion. Help other people understand your child's temperament. Your goal isn't to change their temperament but to help them learn to make the most of it. Support them in the areas where they need support and teach them to value their strengths. Don't be afraid to explain to others how your child uniquely views and reacts to the world, so they can better understand how to interact with your child.

Strategies for Sleep


One of the biggest concerns of new parents is getting their baby on a regular sleep schedule and getting some sleep themselves. Check out these tips for starting good sleep habits early.


Develop a routine

As babies learn about the world, a sense of routine can help them feel safe. Creating a bedtime routine helps them learn and understand when it's time for sleep. Try to do the same thing every time you put your baby down and make sure your routine is gentle and relaxing.


Expect complaints

When your child is first learning to fall asleep alone, don't be surprised if they cry and protest. It'll help you and your baby if you have a planned response to those nighttime cries. You may decide to check in on your child every few minutes after putting them down, or you may want to avoid checking in at all. Talk to your partner and decide together what your plan for bedtime will be.


Watch for signs

Your baby will do their best to let you know they're getting sleepy. They may yawn, act grumpy, or have a particular cry to communicate their tiredness. Pay attention to these hints and start your bedtime routine in response.


Don't wait until baby's asleep

Once your baby is about four months old, you can start laying them down for bedtime when they get drowsy. This will give them the chance to learn to fall asleep on their own and sets the stage for better sleep patterns in the future.


Stick with it

Consistency is everything when it comes to teaching children. If you change up your routine or response from night to night, your baby will be confused and struggle to develop a regular sleep pattern. Being consistent will help your child learn how to fall asleep more easily.


Know your child's personality

Every child is different, which means they develop sleep skills at different times and in different ways. The more intensely your baby reacts to loud noises and other disturbances, the harder it will be for them to self-soothe and fall asleep. Babies with more laidback personalities may find it easier to fall asleep on their own.


Think about your circumstances

If your baby is regularly having trouble sleeping, consider whether there's any recent changes that could cause them to be upset. Maybe a new babysitter or your return to work could be causing the problem. Even milestones like learning to crawl or walk can cause sleep disruptions. Just be patient and stay consistent with your bedtime routine.

Top Tips for New Parents


You've brought your bundle of joy home. Now what?


We ve collected some simple tips for new parents trying to manage this exciting and exhausting change in their lives.


Give yourself a break

You may have Pinterest boards and books full of great ideas, but adapting to having a newborn in the home can be overwhelming. Don t sweat the small stuff. So what if you re not keeping up with your meal prep or doing laundry every day like you planned? You don t have to be Supermom. Cut yourself a little slack and focus on taking care of this new life you ve brought into the world.


Sleep when you can

You may have heard the suggestion to nap when the baby does. That s definitely true. Your nights won t go uninterrupted for a while, so take advantage of rest whenever you can get it. Consider taking turns with your partner one of you can sleep in while the other gets up with the baby.


Ask for help

Don t feel like you have to do everything on your own. If you have family or friends nearby who can offer assistance, ask them. Chances are, they d love to help.


Talk to other first-time parents

You may feel like you re the only new parents struggling, but there are plenty of other people going through the same thing. Reach out to other new parents, whether through friends or even a local support group. You can find sympathy and understanding, plus talking to people outside the house can be helpful.


Don t be afraid to say no to visitors

Your life has changed drastically, and it s a lot to get used to. If you need some time alone, it s okay to limit visiting, even from well-meaning close friends and family. Hosting company can be exhausting even without a newborn, so if you re not feeling up to it, just be honest and tell someone who asks to visit that now isn t a good time.


Capture the moments

As a parent, you don t want to miss a thing, which is why taking photos is so important. A newborn session allows you to capture your child s first days in the world and gives you something to look back on as they grow and change.


Get out of the house

You may not be able to stray far, but even a daily walk around the block can ease stress and give you a much-needed boost. Plus, exposure to natural light has been thought to help infants develop regular sleep patterns, so it definitely can t hurt!


Stop keeping score

It s great to take turns and try to divide the work evenly, but grumbling, It s your turn at your partner at 3 a.m. definitely won t make either of you happy. Try to be understanding of each other s needs and limits and help out when you can.


Go with your gut

At the end of the day, every baby and every parent are different, and you have to trust your instincts when it comes to caring for your child. The more you learn and get right, the better you ll feel maybe you ll even want to do all this again someday!