Babies thrive when all of their needs are fulfilled consistently and with loving care. A baby goes through so many changes that it can be hard for you to keep up with all the things experts say you "should be" doing to promote healthy growth and development. Remember that the best things for your baby are usually the simplest. Loving, holding, feeding, changing, and talking to your baby are the things to focus on. The rest will fall into place.

But you can always learn more about how to help your baby grow and develop in healthy ways.

Promote physical health and development by:

• Breast-feeding for at least the first year of life. Introduce solid foods at the appropriate time, ideally after breast-feeding exclusively for the first 6 months.
• Learning your baby's rhythms. You will gradually get a sense of your baby's unique sleeping and eating patterns and be able to help establish a routine by about 3 months of age. However, be prepared to make adjustments as needed.
• Always putting your baby to sleep on his or her back. This sleep position helps reduce the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For more information on SIDS, see the topic Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Allowing your baby "tummy time" while he or she is awake and you are closely watching.
• Keeping your baby safe from injury, drowning, burns, poisoning, and other dangers.
  • Buy safe baby equipment(What is a PDF document?) and use it properly.
  • Use a car seat every time your baby rides in the car.
  • Do not leave your baby alone with a pet.
  • Never leave your baby alone or in the care of an older child, even for a moment, during baths or while he or she is on a changing table.
• Post emergency numbers near the phone. Include information about how to reach your doctor, friends, and neighbors. Keep your local Poison Control Center number handy, too.
• Never shake your baby. Shaking your baby in anger or frustration can lead to shaken baby syndrome. Get help immediately if you feel that you or another caregiver might hurt your baby.
  • Call 911 if it is an emergency.
  • Call your health professional, friend, relative, or parent hot line if you are feeling overwhelmed to the point that you feel you are not able to care for your baby.

For more information, see the topic Health and Safety, Birth to Age 2.

You can help promote the healthy emotional development of your baby by:

• Encouraging bonding. Consistently interact with and provide loving attention to your baby.
• Recognizing and reinforcing behaviors. For example, when interacting with your baby, encourage smiling and eye contact.
• Responding appropriately to crying. Your baby cries to communicate needs, such as feeling hungry or uncomfortable. You are not spoiling your baby by promptly responding to these cues. Some babies may experience colic, which is the extreme end of normal crying behavior that peaks at about 8 weeks of age. Using comforting techniques, such as carrying your baby with you in a front pack, may help. For more information on crying behavior, see the topic Colic or Crying, Age 3 and Younger.
• Managing separation protest. Beginning around 6 months of age, your baby begins to feel uneasy when you go away. You can help your baby manage these emotions by making sure your child is well-rested and well-fed before you leave. It may also help to distract your baby, such as with a favorite toy.