Baby:
Baby's First Year

A child’s world, infancy through adolescence, is a complex, wonderous time of growth and learning. You will have eighteen-odd years to impart your wisdom and let your good parenting skills shine, but for now, baby’s first year is a time to lay the foundation for all that will follow.

As Elizabeth Stone puts it:

"Making the decision to have a child –it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart walking around outside your body."

This is not the time for the discipline and rules that will be so important starting in the toddler years. Baby’s first year is a time to master the three essentials which will provide a good base for later growth.

What are the three essentials?

As any new parent will tell you, the number one essential is Sleep! Figure this one out and the rest are easy! The sooner you are able to develop good sleep habits, the better. Establish regular nap and bed times, and stick to them.(By the way, a child who gets enough sleep is far healthier overall than one who does not—another reason to nail this one right from the beginning.)

The number two essential is Health. This covers everything from safety issues like “baby-proofing” the house, siblings, pets and first-aid, to cleanliness, immunizations and check-ups, and good nutrition.

The third essential is Happiness. A happy baby is one who has all of the above plus plenty of positive attention and playtime, a mother’s smiling face to mirror her own, lots of warm touches, cuddles and hugs, and boundless, unconditional love.

Baby’s first year is a time to connect, bond and cement the trust and care patterns that will see you through all the years to come.

For more on your child’s world, infancy through adolescence, enjoy the following articles:

Food for Baby's First Year
Healthy Baby
Baby's Development the First Year
The Cost of Raising a Child
Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep All Night

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