* What to Expect the First Year

written By Jamie Lober

Embarking on the baby’s first year is not an easy task and pediatricians know it. “It is the biggest single change in a family’s life,” said Dr. Sue Daniels, pediatrician at Acorn Pediatrics in Bozeman. It can be dramatic and you cannot compare kids. “The baby changes so much in the first couple weeks and months and parents are getting to know their child’s personality,” said Daniels. If you have an older child, he may have a different personality from the new baby. “The first couple weeks of life is exhausting and hard; you are up a lot at night, not getting much rest and recovering from labor and delivery,” said Daniels. Moms wonder if it will get easier and the answer is yes. “It is important for families to focus on getting the baby and themselves fed and get as much rest as possible,” said Daniels.

The most common issues parents face are breastfeeding difficulties, trouble sleeping and colic. For breastfeeding, a lactation consultant can be helpful. Getting on a regular sleep schedule can make a difference. “If your baby develops colic and cries inconsolably for lengthy periods of time, there are several measures you can take to address the concern from changing your diet if you are nursing, walking or rocking your baby or rubbing your baby’s back or belly,” said Dr. Michael Blake, pediatrician at Bozeman Deaconess Pediatrics.

Enjoy the firsts including smiles, laughs, eating solids, teething, sitting up, crawling and first words. “The first year is a time to bond with your new baby,” said Blake. This involves forming healthy habits from the start. “Accept help and request it when necessary and during the later months of your baby’s first year, be prepared to ‘baby proof’ your home because your baby will be on the move and putting all sorts of objects in the mouth,” said Blake. Know that sleep matters. “Infants are going to sleep about twenty hours out of the day and they wake up, eat and go back to sleep; by two to four months they are going to sleep a twelve hour block at night but many are still waking up to eat,” said Daniels. At six months, babies can go a six to eight hour stretch at night without waking up to eat and after six months, they can sleep about twelve hours at night and take two naps in the day.

Developmental milestones are exciting. “During the first three months you will see your baby raise his head and chest when lying on his belly, watch facial expressions, smiling, turning his head towards the direction of sounds and even imitating other’s movements and facial expressions,” said Blake. He will progress in time. “Through the seventh month, you will see your baby rolling both directions, sitting up, responding to his own name, babbling chains of consonants and enjoying social play,” said Blake. At the end of the first year the baby will begin to crawl and sometimes walk using furniture to help him stand. Try not to compare to friends and neighbors. “There is a range; it is completely normal to walk at nine months and the same with fifteen months,” said Daniels.

Try to keep your child healthy particularly in the first two months. “Follow your doctor’s immunization schedule and make sure every person in your family is fully vaccinated from diseases that your baby may be too young to be vaccinated against such as influenza or whooping cough,” said Blake. Know when you should see the doctor. “If the baby is having difficulty eating because he is congested, he should be in the doctor’s office getting checked,” said Daniels. Difficulty breathing and inability to sleep are other signs that you should get to the doctor’s office immediately.

Build a relationship with the pediatrician and see him at three weeks and then at two, four, six, nine and twelve months. “These appointments are important in determining the proper physical, cognitive and emotional development of your baby and gives you an opportunity to ask questions and learn about upcoming changes to expect,” said Blake. This is also a time when the pediatrician may pick up on any developmental delays early so you can respond appropriately. Remember that you can ask him anything. “Have fun and enjoy the ride,” said Blake.

© 2011 Jamie Lober. Jamie Lober, author of Pink Power (http://www.getpinkpower.com), is a nationally known speaker dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .