The confusion of the first month has more or less diminished. Baby's own temperament and personal style are emerging this month. You are probably developing an individualistic style of relating to your baby. However many a time your baby can make you feel inadequate. But experience brings confidence. During this month your baby settles into a more predictable routine and enjoys longer periods of alertness.


Milestones - your Baby's progress report


At the end of the first month, your baby would have accomplished even more.


Baby's memory is growing:

Your baby is beginning to store memories and is able to form associations between certain events and its consequences. When given a clue, you can expect a reaction. For example when shown the bottle baby shows excitement because he knows his meal is on the way. More of such associations are made, as baby grows older.


She is smiling more now:

By now she smiles when you smile at her. She may even smile on her own and produce different noises like gurgles, grunts and hums as an expression of emotions. Your baby may attempt at imitating your exaggerated facial expressions. She still enjoys looking at her own face in the mirror you placed on her crib.


Physical control increases:

He is able to lift his head up at 45 degrees. When held in a sitting position, baby can keep head up most of the time although in a wobbly manner. His eyes will follow you when you move away from him. He likes bright colors. He may turn his head in the direction of his favorite sound.


Increased activity:

When on his back, he may make cycling motions with his legs. When sitting baby may circle his arms above his head. When on his tummy he may rock back and forth with his arms and legs stretched out and back arched.


Fascination with own hands:

She may examine her hands closely now that she has discovered them. She will most likely bring them to her face and touch parts of her face. She will suck toys or own fingers. Sucking fingers creates double sensation, in both fingers and mouth. Through sucking she is beginning to realize what is a part of her and what is not e.g. her fingers are a part of her and the toy is not. She will also open and close her hand, bring them together, wave them around. She may hold a toy for a while if you put it in her hand.


Uses mouth to explore:

Your baby may now begin to explore the environment by putting many objects in mouth including your hands and her hands, her toys, pillow edges, and everything else she can lay her hands on. This is not out of hunger, but curiosity. All her senses are at work - touch, smell, and taste - to help her make sense of her world.


Establishing bedtime routines:

Now is a good time to introduce bedtime ritual since his physical development is stabilizing somewhat. It's a good time to teach baby to go to sleep at a certain hour every night. Include bathing, dressing into nightclothes, feeding and lullabies in his daily ritual.


Toys and Play


House tour:

Tour your baby around the house while you are holding him. Watch his reaction to objects. Point things out and talk about them. Keep baby close by while you go about your daily chores; describe the activity you are doing. For example, when you are chopping vegetables, mention the vegetable's names and why you are doing it. Describe what you are doing to include baby into your daily routine as well as let your conversations stimulate him.

Act like baby's mirror:

Imitate his facial expressions while doing stuffs with him i.e. when you are bathing him or changing his diaper. For instance when he smiles, you smile. When he coos, you coo. Do it in an exaggerated manner to add more fun. This reinforces his self-awareness when he watches his expression reflect on your face.

Tell stories:

Make up stories about what you are doing or show him picture books and concoct some tale. They don't have to make sense. Your tone, pitch and expression carries the story forward and makes it enjoyable for both your baby and you.

The bell game:

Tinkle bell on one side of his head and then still tinkling, bring it to the other side. Bring it within his vision and let him reach for it. It not only helps him develop eye-hand coordination but also strengthens his ability to detect the source of sound while it is moving.