Netherlands
One thing that parents often say about their children is, “they grow up so quickly!” There’s a lot of truth to that. In the first year, your baby will grow an average of 30 centimeters and will triple their weight. Even more impressive is how their cognitive and motor skills develop in the first few months. Breastmilk and/or the right infant nutrition helps them achieve these milestones. Let’s take a look at how you can provide your child with extra support from months one to six, aside from healthy nutrition and breastfeeding.
By five weeks, your little one’s senses will yet not have developed fully, but they will have come a long way. At this point, you may start to notice your child is looking at you differently. Thanks to the rapid development of their sensory organs, your baby will start perceiving faces and shapes. They will have already memorized your voice (and your partner’s voice) within a few hours after birth, but now, they will be able to match a face to the voice. It’s good to talk to your child and look at them directly, especially when breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Tip: Give your child time to recognize objects as you carry them around in a swaddle/sling or baby carrier. Stop every now and then and tell them about the world they are seeing. Tell them what you are doing.
Around 8 weeks, your baby can begin recognizing colors and loves looking at them. Start reading them their first books and hang a mobile above the changing table. You can also show them their toys or put them on their play mat. They will not be able to hold them yet, but they should be able to look at them. Experience has shown that children at this stage love musical toys and soft, cuddly toys. In most cases, mum (or the primary carer) is the most important person for the baby at this stage. Tip: Continue having lots of physical contact with your baby and develop routines. In many cases, feeding will have settled into a rhythm and you will have a good idea of how much sleep your baby needs and when they need to sleep.
Your baby will begin babbling when they are around 12 weeks old. They will make screeching, squeaking and gurgling noises and may make a conscious effort to connect with you. They will probably also laugh for the first time. Your baby will learn from their environment and will interact more with the people they are closest to. Give your child your full attention. You will also notice changes in their motor skills. Their movements will become more fluid and they will be able to start grabbing and even holding things – albeit a little clumsily. They will also start to hold their head up. Tip: Support your baby’s motor development by practicing with them. For example, you could lay them on their belly on a blanket and speak to them so that they need to look up to look at you. This also strengthens their neck muscles. It’s important to do tummy time a few minutes a day - but not too long. If it’s too much for your little one, they will let you know by fussing or crying.
When your baby is about four-and-a-half months old, the oral stage begins. This is when your child will start exploring the world through their mouth. They will also have a growth spurt, which will often make them very hungry. While it’s not quite time to research baby food recipes at four months, it’s normal at this stage for your baby to need more breastfeeding or bottle feeds. They may also begin teething, which may lead to fever, restlessness or distress. Reassure your child by holding them closely and talking to them when they cry. Implementing a good structure and daily routines - such as going for a walk at the same time every day, having morning play time or cuddling with mum or dad when they come back from work - will also help comfort them.
Your child has been slowly developing a personality since birth, but they begin to really express themselves around week 26. As they reach the 6-month mark, they can show emotions such as joy, contentment, fear and anger. Until now, many of their movements have been simple reflexes, but now they will start to move more deliberately. Your baby will begin reaching for their toys and will be fascinated with their hands. You’ll be amazed at what they can do! They may even be able to roll over, or even roll around the room. This means parents need to keep a constant eye on their little one! Remember not to leave your baby unsupervised in places where they could hurt themselves, such as on the changing table. At this point you can discuss with your doctor about starting to introduce food to your baby. Complementary foods, ideally homemade pureed fruits and vegetables are a great addition to breastmilk or formula.
Tip: Start giving your child more space to explore. They are now discovering the world with all of their already well-developed senses. Although you want to give them some freedom, make sure that you keep an eye on them and provide a safe space to play, such as a play pen.
After half a year, your little baby will have become an active, curious, joyous little person. They will have learned to discover the world with all of their senses. They will also keep you on your toes and demand your full attention, so make sure you provide a safe environment for them to grow. Every day they will surprise you with something new, including new skills. It’s therefore important to give them a varied diet to support them. After all, every milestone takes energy to reach, so at this stage, your baby needs high-quality nutrients from food in addition to breastmilk.
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