Step by step ...little one .

Its exciting watching children grow. In fact its a thing of joy !

I remember vividly the day my daughter took her first steps, we had just come back from the hospital where we had taken her for her 9th month immunization. She just stood up and after a few faltering steps ,yes !she took off ! It was just unbelievable.

Everyday, every month your baby will achieve something new. From growing their first tooth, sitting down, to crawling and so on. You will be amazed at the rapid changes that will take place in her first year.

I have added a chart here from the Baby Centre website:https://www.babycentre.co.uk/, showing various milestones at each month. You can check it out , there is loads of information in there.

Please take note that this is a guide on what to expect or look out for. Children are different and attain milestones at different paces.

I have twin boys, and at 6 months, the younger twin had grown a tooth, but the older one had not. 

Also, at the same 6 months the older twin had started crawling around the house, but the younger one had not. Amazing, isn't it ?

 

So do not panic, except in extreme cases, then you may need to seek the advise of a Pediatrician. Follow your instincts always.

For example , I read the story of a popular musician, who was born blind .
The mother said she felt there was something wrong when at a particular stage of his development, if she smiled at him, he would not react or show any sign of seeing her smile.
So, she took him to see a doctor and was told he was blind. At that stage, it was actually too late for anything to be done. But he is a very successful and popular musician today actually.

So , here we are :

Mastered Skills (most children can do)	Emerging Skills (half of children can do)	Advanced Skills (a few children can do)
Child's Age : One month
• Lifts head • Responds to sound • Stares at faces	• Follows objects • Ooohs and ahhs • Can see black-and-white patterns	• Smiles • Laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle
Child's Age : Two months
• Vocalises sounds - gurgling and cooing • Follows objects • Holds head up for short periods	• Smiles responsively, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle • Movements become smoother	• Holds head steady • Bears weight on legs • May lift head and shoulder (mini-pushup)
Child's Age : Three months
• Laughs • Holds head steady • Recognises your face and scent	• Squeals, gurgles, coos • Recognises your voice • Does mini-pushups	• Turns towards loud sounds • Can bring hands together and may bat at toys • Can roll over
Child's Age : Four months
• Holds head up steadily • Can bear weight on legs • Coos when you talk to him	• Can grasp a toy • Reaches out for objects • Can roll over	• Imitates speech sounds - baba, dada • May cut first tooth
Child's Age : Five months
• Can distinguish between bold colours • Can roll over • Amuses himself by playing with hands and feet	• Turns towards new sounds • Recognises own name • May be ready for solids.	• May sit momentarily without support • Mouths objects • Stranger anxiety may begin
Child's Age : Six months
• Turns towards sounds and voices • Imitates sounds, blows bubbles • Rolls in both directions	• Reaches for objects and mouths them • Sits without support • Is ready for solids	• May lunge forward or start crawling • May jabber or combine syllables • May drag object towards himself

This is for the first 6 months, can you identify any of these milestones ?

Some parents actually try to keep a record of when their babies achieved some major milestones. You could try that .. It may come in useful during a visit to the doctor.

After the first 6 months, babies become a little bit independent, just a little. At least they can stay on their own playing with their toys while you get a few things done. However, be watchful because it gets riskier. My rule is, the more active a baby becomes, the more watchful and alert you have to be. Go through the chart again and you will know why.

This next chart is for the next 6 months , I am actually watching and following this chart :

Mastered Skills (Most children can do)	Emerging Skills (Half of children can do)	Advanced Skills (A few children can do)
Child's Age : seven months
• Sits without support • Reaches for things with a sweeping motion • Imitates speech sounds (babbles)	• Combines syllables into wordlike sounds • Begins to crawl or lunges forward	• Stands while holding onto something • Waves goodbye • Bangs objects together
Child's Age : eight months
• Says "dada" and "mama" to both parents (isn't specific) • Begins to crawl • Passes object from hand to hand	• Stands while holding onto something • Crawls well • Points at objects	• Pulls self to standing position, cruises around furniture while holding on • Picks things up with thumb-finger "pincer" grasp • Indicates wants with gestures
Child's Age : nine months
• Combines syllables into wordlike sounds • Stands while holding onto something	• Uses pincer grasp to pick up objects • Cruises while holding onto furniture • Bangs objects together	• Plays patty cake • Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific)
Child's Age : 10 months
• Waves goodbye • Picks things up with pincer grasp • Crawls well • Cruises	• Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific) • Responds to name and understands "no" • Indicates wants with gestures	• Drinks from a cup • Stands alone for a couple of seconds • Puts objects into a container
Child's Age : 11 months
• Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific) • Plays patty-cake • Stands alone for a couple of seconds	• Imitates others' activities • Puts objects into a container • Understands simple instructions	• Drinks from a cup • Says one word besides "mama" and "dada" • Stoops from standing position
Child's Age : 12 months
• Imitates others' activities • Jabbers wordlike sounds • Indicates wants with gestures	• Says one word besides "mama" and "dada" • Takes a few steps • Understands and responds to simple instructions	• Scribbles with crayon • Walks well • Says two words besides "mama" and "dada"

 As I said earlier, some children are fast and would probably attain a lot of these milestones earlier. While some are late bloomers and take their time .

Just be watchful, vigilant and watch out for any unusual signs.

It is an exciting journey  ! So, have fun...

Congratulations ! Welcome to the world !

At last ,you are holding your bundle of joy in your hands. The messages start going out to everybody, friends, family, the neighbors  etc. etc.

I want to tell you, your life has changed forever. Don't panic because its for good though.

Becoming a parent comes with a mixture of different feelings, excitement, fear, anxiety almost all at once.
Where do I start from ? what do I do next ?

My advice? Just relax , take a deep breath and go one day at a time.

Breastfeeding
For every new mum who feels capable and is up to it, the first and most important function your will perform, is attempting to breastfeed your baby.

If you had a Cesarean section, this may not happen immediately as you will be in recovery for a while. Give yourself some time.
Various studies have advised that breastmilk is the best food for your baby.

It is the healthiest way to feed your baby, because you do not need to worry about sterilized bottles and all. It comes straight from nature and is at the right  temperature, so you don't even need to worry if its too cold or too hot .
The World health organization has recommended that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. They also recommend that the breastfeeding
continues even after babies have started taking solids, until the end of the first year ,or beyond if the mother wishes. Checkout their page here for more information  https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1
Breastmilk is complete. And asides all the great benefits breastfeeding helps to build a special bond between you and your baby.

Bottle feeding your baby also creates a bond. If you are unable to breastfeed all through please do not be discouraged at all.

How do I start breastfeeding?
Pick a comfortable place for breastfeeding. It may be a particular chair ,just make yourself very comfortable, as this is not a function that should be
rushed or carried out in an unrelaxed manner. You just have to be relaxed.
Sitting-upright in an armchair or rocking chair is the easiest position for breastfeeding.
You can also sit up in bed, but make sure that your back, shoulders, and knees are well-supported.
The atmosphere is important, especially in the early days of breastfeeding when you're still trying to get the hang of it.
If you tend to get bored, you may want to feed with the television on watching your favorite show, this way you won't be feeling you have spent so much time. Try different spots until you find what works for you.
Hold your baby in a position that won't make your arms and back ache. Have cushions or pillows to support your baby. Many mums find cradling their baby
across their chest, raised up on a cushion or pillow, works well. It just depends on what is most comfortable for you.
Get yourself and your baby in a relaxed position before you start feeding.
Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on.

How do I know I have my baby in the best position? Your baby's gums should bypass the base of the nipple and take in at least a one-inch of the areola as they latch on.
If baby is sucking on only the nipple, your nipples will be sore after just one or two feeding, and may get cracked. This is really painful, I am speaking from experience.
Another reason it is so important that baby compresses the areola is that the reservoirs(called sinuses) for milk are located beneath the areola.
If these sinuses are not compressed,your baby will not get enough milk.
Babies should suck areolas,not nipples.Very important.
If latching on hurts, remove baby from your breast by gently inserting your little finger between your baby's gums and your nipple and try again. Do not yank the breast out by force.

Above all, if initially it seems like its not working, do not panic or get discouraged. Plenty of mums have to practice and persevere until they get the hang of it.

As long as you're healthy, there's not much more you can do to prepare your body for breastfeeding. But you can prepare your mind.

What was your experience like ? Was it easy for you to get into breastfeeding Any more tips you can share ?...…