Parenting your Baby from 0 to 12 Months

Parenting your newborn (0-4 weeks)

What to expect

Bringing a new baby home is a big change, whether this is your first baby or your fifth. You may feel excited, tired, emotional or unsure. All of these feelings are normal.

Newborns cry a lot. Crying often increases between 2 and 6 weeks of age and usually improves by 3 months. This is a normal stage in development.

If you feel very frustrated or overwhelmed by your baby’s crying, place your baby in a safe place, like a crib, and step away to calm down. It is never safe to shake a baby.

Taking care of yourself

Feeling emotional in the first days and weeks after birth is common. If feelings of sadness, worry or not being able to cope do not improve after a couple of weeks, or are getting worse, talk to your healthcare provider or reach out for help from family, friends or an available mental health and crisis support service.

Postpartum depression and anxiety can affect any parent, including dads and partners. Help is available.

Your newborn checklist

During the first month, try to:

✓ Make sure your baby is feeding well.

• If you are worried about feeding, call your physician, midwife or the WDG Public Health at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 as soon as possible. Local breastfeeding support is available.

✓ Use safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):

• Always put your baby on their back to sleep
• Use a firm, flat sleep surface
• Keep soft bedding, pillows and toys out of the crib
• Keep your baby’s sleep area smoke free

✓ Spend skin-to-skin time with your baby.

• Skin-to-skin contact helps with bonding, calming and breastfeeding. Parents, partners and support people can all do skin-to-skin. Key times include right after birth (until after baby’s first feed) and before any painful medical procedure (e.g., having blood drawn or getting a needle).

✓ Watch your baby’s cues.

• Learn how your baby shows hunger, tiredness and overstimulation. As baby’s facial expressions and gestures change (and cries and tears!), respond to them. (The same goes for cries and tears!).

✓ Sign up for the LookSee Checklist by email.

• The Looksee Checklist is an easy-to-use developmental tool that features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities with tips to help them grow. These checklists highlight areas of growth and development you may want to discuss with your baby’s health care provider.

✓ Learn about infant car seat safety and how to install your seat correctly.

• The Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Government of Canada websites have information.

Parenting from 1-3 months

What to expect

Between 1 and 3 months, many babies:

• Spend more time awake and alert
• Start to watch faces and follow moving objects
• Open their hands more often
• Begin to smile and make more sounds

Crying often peaks around 6 weeks of age. You may still be healing and adjusting to broken sleep. You may find yourself struggling with the “baby blues” or a postpartum mood disorder – it is normal to need extra support during this time. 

Remember that you don’t have to be the perfect parent – you just have to be the best parent you can be that day.

Your checklist for 1 to 3 months

✓ If you are worried about feeding, call your physician, midwife or speak to a public health nurse by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006. Find local breastfeeding support for parents with infants under 12 weeks of age.

✓ Make an appointment for your baby’s first set of immunizations.

• Keep your baby’s immunization record (yellow card) in a safe place. You can also use the Immunize Canada app as a back-up.

✓ Give your baby vitamin D every day if they are breastfed or chestfed. Formula-fed babies usually do not need extra vitamin D because formula already contains it.

✓ Do tummy time every day when your baby is awake and supervised. This helps strengthen their neck and body.

✓ If you have not done so already, sign up for the LookSee Checklist. These checklists highlight areas of growth and development you may want to discuss with your baby’s health care provider.

✓ Mouth care is important, even before teeth appear. Gently clean your baby’s gums with a clean, damp washcloth, infant toothbrush or finger brush to get them used to mouth care.

How partners and family can help

Partners and family members can:

• Spend one-on-one time with the baby through holding, skin-to-skin, diaper changes and baths.
• Pick up the baby when he’s crying. This helps you develop a closer relationship with him and makes him feel safe.
• Talk, sing and read to the baby.
• Help and support mom. Keep her well-stocked with food and lots of water.
• Help with meals, household tasks and caring for older children.
• Take care of the baby so mom can nap – but make sure you get your sleep in, too.

Parenting from 4-6 months

What to expect

By 4 to 6 months, your baby’s brain and body are growing quickly. You may see more of their personality as they react to new people and places. Some babies are calm and quiet, while others are active and curious. Pay attention to how she reacts to new people and situations and help support her to feel confident and safe taking in the world around her.

Some babies need more comfort than others. It’s impossible to spoil a baby at this age. In fact, baby’s secure attachment is important for brain development. 

Some babies begin teething around 6 months. Every baby is different. Some hardly notice teething. Others may drool more, chew on things or seem fussy.

Teething and oral health

As teeth come in:

• Once a month, lift your baby’s top lip and check the top teeth for white lines or brown spots. Contact a dentist if you see changes.
• Offer cold (not frozen) teething rings. Avoid teething biscuits that often contain sugar and can cause tooth decay.
• Ensure your baby eats while being held or sitting – don’t put baby to bed with a bottle
• Do not offer sugary drinks.
• Brush gums and teeth with a soft toothbrush and water twice a day.

Your checklist for 4 to 6 months

✓ Book your baby’s immunization appointments for 4 and 6 months. 

• If you are breastfeeding, feeding before, during and after shots can help keep your baby calm.

✓ Make a birth control plan.

• It is possible to get pregnant again very soon after birth. Talk to your healthcare provider about contraception options. If you are breastfeeding, ask which methods are safe for you.

✓ Book your baby’s first eye examination before 6 months of age. Eye exams for children are free and covered by OHIP.

✓ Watch for signs your baby is ready to start solid foods, usually around 6 months.

• If your baby shows interest in food, can sit without support and hold their head up, they may be ready to start solid foods. Use trusted resources to learn what foods to offer and how often.

✓ As soon as your baby has a tooth, brush at least twice a day. 

• If you are concerned about the cost of dental care, there are free dental care programs that can help. Call the Dental Line at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2661 for assistance.

✓ Complete your 6-month LookSee Checklist.

• If you are concerned after completing it, call us to speak to a public health nurse at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 or speak with your healthcare provider.

Partners can:

✓ Help older children maintain their routines to help them feel secure.

✓ Keep open communications with your partner. Find ways to connect that are fun for both of you.

✓ Help provide meals, household tasks and listen.

Parenting from 7 to 9 months

What to expect

Around 7 to 9 months, many babies:

• Roll over and may begin to crawl or move around the room

• Sit without support

• Babble and make different sounds

• Reach for and explore toys

Your baby may seem more like a little person, but their brain is still developing very quickly.

Screen time

For babies under 2 years old, the recommended amount of screen time (TV, computer, tablet or phone) is no screen time at all.

Babies learn best from real-life interactions with people and their surroundings. Screen time can affect language, reading skills and short-term memory.

Your checklist for 7 to 9 months

✓ If you plan to return to work, start exploring child care options. Look into wait lists and visit centres or home child care providers. Here are some good questions to ask a childcare provider.

✓ Learn about child care fee subsidy in Wellington County or Dufferin County. You may qualify based on family income.

✓ Make your home safe for a mobile baby. Cover outlets, secure furniture and remove small objects that could be choking hazards.

✓ Continue completing the LookSee Checklist.

• If you are concerned after completing it, call us to speak to a public health nurse at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 or speak with your healthcare provider.

Parenting from 10 to 12 months

What to expect

Your baby is close to their first birthday. Some babies may be pulling to stand, taking a few steps or saying their first words.

Language is a key tool for learning and doing well in school later on. Talk, sing and read with your baby every day.

Many children grow up learning more than one language. This does not delay language development. If you plan to raise your child with more than one language, you can feel confident that it is good for their brain.

Your checklist for 10 to 12 months

✓ Book an appointment with your family doctor or nurse practitioner for your child’s 12-month immunizations and check-up.

✓ Book your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday, or within 6 months of getting their first tooth.

✓ Complete your 12-month LookSee Checklist.

• If you are concerned after completing it, call us to speak to a public health nurse at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 or speak with your healthcare provider.

✓ Check the weight and height limits of your baby’s car seat.

• Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, at least until age 2 or until they reach the maximum rear-facing weight for the car seat.

✓ Offer regular meals and snacks at about the same times each day.

• Try to make mealtimes pleasant and relaxed. Follow your baby’s hunger and fullness cues.

✓ Continue breastfeeding or chestfeeding as long as you and your baby want to. There are health benefits to breastfeeding past 1 year.