DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

The baby’s development in the twelfth month

• He is always busy with something and always on the move.

• Can already do certain activities on his own. 

• Takes pride in doing things for himself.

• Shows affection.

• He may say a few words.

• He likes to look at drawings and illustrations in books. 

• May open jars and bottles and open doors and drawers. 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Your baby’s twelfth-month medical check-up:

Take your baby to the doctor or clinic for her twelve-month check-up. A nurse will administer the necessary immunizations. Vaccines may help your child and the community to stay healthy. The protection provided by some vaccines may last several years. 

Visit the dentist:

It is time for the baby’s first visit to the dentist. The health of your baby’s teeth affects his capacity to eat a variety of foods; it affects his vital organs and many other health related issues. During the visit, the dentist will go over several things: 

• Are his teeth growing normally?

• Does he have cavities?

• Does he have gum disease?

LEARNING & GROWING

The importance of having a routine

Babies benefit from structure in their lives. A baby’s routine consists of doing the same activity at the same time every day. Routines help babies feel safe and loved. 

• Your baby will fall asleep more easily if he follows a soothing routine.

• Determine which activities you will take on, such as dressing him, bathing him, reading a story together or singing a bedtime lullaby.

• He should eat approximately at the same time every day.
  
  

DAILY CARE

Cow’s milk

After turning one year old, children do not need to drink baby formula. They can drink cow’s milk and rice milk. But make sure it is whole milk, not low-fat or non-fat. Children need the fat in milk to be able to grow and have energy.

PARENT'S CORNER

Tips to monitor your baby’s behavior

• Give him all your love. It is impossible to spoil a baby.

• Respond to his needs. When he cries, try to find the cause. Is he hungry, tired, or wet?

• Try to save “no” for moments when his safety is at risk.  It is better to tell him what he can or should do.

• Anticipate what may happen beforehand.

• Avoid situations that may be difficult for your child. If he is too tired, don’t take him shopping.

• Teach him that actions have consequences. If the child is out of control, take him away from the situation until he regains composure. ,

• Be patient. Breathe deeply or count to ten before you react to what your child did.

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Bumps and Bruises Tablets™ and Ointment

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

The baby’s development in the eleventh month

• Some babies can already walk by now.

• He can relate an object to its name. 

• Imitates others.

• Uses gesture to express himself.

• Understands the word ‘no.’

• Waves goodbye and claps.

• Feels safe and comfortable with a routine.

• May build a tower with two or three small boxes or cubes and likes make them topple over. 

• Can take of his hat, shoes and socks, but needs help in putting them back on.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

DON´T FORGET!

Don’t forget to make an appointment with your pediatrician for the next immunization, when your baby turns one year old.

Infants should have their first dental visit at around one year of age. Make an appointment with your dentist now. 

LEARNING & GROWING

Your baby has his own temperament

Our temperament is what makes every person act in a certain manner. Some babies are shy and others are adaptable, or they may be stubborn and intense. Knowing your baby’s temperament will help you be an effective and safe parent. 

Promote your baby’s intellectual development

Toys are learning instruments for babies. The following types of toys will help your baby improve muscular control and balance, use his imagination and understand the concept of sizes: 

• Stackable toys of different colors and shapes

• Plastic mirrors

• Wheeled toys such as trucks and cars made of rubber or soft plastic

• Balls of different sizes

• Board books with pictures and photographs

• Toy telephones

• Toys with music such as music boxes and activity boxes

DAILY CARE

Lack of appetite

Remember that your baby knows how much he should eat. Offer him a variety of foods that will help him grow. Do not force-feed him. Continue feeding him nutritional foods at a fixed schedule. Trust that your baby will eat what he needs to.

WARNING!

You must still avoid cow’s milk in the first year of life, due to possible food allergies.

PARENT'S CORNER

The “NO!” phase

Just before their first birthday, babies learn the meaning of “no”. They spend a lot of time shaking their head to say “no”. This may be frustrating for you, but it means the baby is maturing. She is becoming independent. 

• Avoid yelling and correcting her sternly.

• Avoid saying “¡No!” too often. The word will lose its meaning.

• Use it at important moments, such as when you have to teach her about safety.

• Try to anticipate your baby’s actions.

• Redirect your baby’s attention.

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Gel.

• Hyland’s Diaper Ointment

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

The baby’s development in the tenth month

• May try to take her first steps

• Can stand up on her own.

• Can climb on chairs and crawl up stairs. 

• Responds to simple requests.

• Says “ma-ma” or “pa-pa” when she sees you.

• Starts to show likes and dislikes.

• Gets upset when she is tired.

• Says “no” by shaking her head.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

How to protect your baby’s teeth:

Baby teeth are important and may have an impact on permanent teeth. In order to care for baby teeth, do the following: 

• Clean or brush the baby’s teeth and gums every night.

• Clean her teeth with water only, using a soft wet towel. 

• Don’t put your baby to sleep with a bottle, either at night or for a nap. 

• If the baby uses a pacifier, keep it clean.

• Don’t feed your baby sugary foods.

• If you observe white stains on your baby’s teeth, take her to the dentist. 

LEARNING & GROWING

Games to help develop your baby’s skills

Help your baby develop her skills in the following areas: 

• Physical skills. Your baby loves to imitate. Sit down on the floor with her and let her copy your movements.

• Emotional skills. Help your baby take pride in what she does. Talk to her during the day. Show her you are proud of her. 

• Intellectual skills. Help her distinguish sizes. Give her two or three empty boxes. Mention the biggest box, the smallest box, the longest or the shortest box.

• Social skills. Practice with your baby and wait to give her the opportunity to respond. Put her in places where she can see and hear what is happening around her, thus promoting social interaction.

• Language skills. Speak to her often.  Make sounds such as “la, la, la” or “ba, ba, ba.” Ask your baby to repeat the sounds. If she initiates the sound-making, repeat them back to her.

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Protect him against poisonous substances

Many household products could be poisonous. Following are a few: 

• Cleaning products for the kitchen and the bathroom

• General cleaning products such as ammonia and bleach

• Detergent

• Turpentine, kerosene, lighter fluid

• Bath and beauty products such as make-up, nail polish remover and perfume

• Insect killers, cockroach traps, rat and and poison

• Medication

• Vitamins, iron tablets and other food supplements

PARENT'S CORNER

IMPORTANT!

Never shake a baby!  If you are upset or angry, breathe deeply and leave your baby safely in the crib until you calm down.

• Never shake or hit a baby

• Never toss him in the air

• Never treat him brusquely or harsh

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Gel

• Hyland’s Diaper Ointment

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the ninth month:

• Uses the pincer grasp to pick up objects.

• Crawls and can also try to crawl up stairs. 

• Tries to walk.

• Responds to her name being called.

• Begins to eat with a spoon, unassisted. 

• She can find a toy when she sees you hiding it. 

• She is enthusiastic and wants to learn and try everything out. 

 
HEALTH & WELLNESS

The baby’s 9-month medical check-up

What goes on during the medical check-up?

The pediatrician:

• Will perform a complete exam.

• He will ask you:

  • about your baby’s eating habits and the kind of solid foods she eats. 

  • whether the baby takes medicines or home remedies. 

  • about vitamins and other dietary supplements. 

  • about your baby’s sleeping schedule.

The doctor’s appointment is a good opportunity to learn more and ask questions. 

Talk to your doctor or the nurse about any concern or worry you may have about the baby. 

LEARNING & GROWING

The importance of reading to your baby

Reading to your baby is one of the best ways to help her to learn. Read to her every single day. Don’t worry if all your baby wants to do is to throw or chew on the books! It is important that she discovers books early on. Reading is very important for both of you and helps you to share a special moment. 

DAILY CARE

Teach your baby to eat on her own

Now, your baby can lift food and take it to her mouth. Help her by giving her necessary items such as: 

• Plastic cups and plates

• Cups with two handles and a sippy cup

• A spoon that she can hold while she eats

• Teach her to hold the spoon, dip it in the food and put it in her mouth

 A healthy diet

If your baby is hungry between meals, feed her these healthy foods:

• Banana pieces

• Thin slices of whole-grain bread with butter

• Plain yogurt with fruit sauce

• Dry cereal

• Soft cheese cubes

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Water safety

Water can be a hazard for babies. They can drown in just a few inches of water. Following are some suggestions for water safety:

• Be alert. Do not leave the baby alone, not even for a second.

• Always keep a hand on the baby while he is in the bath-tub. 

• Use a rubber mat or a safety seat to prevent your baby from slipping in the tub. 

• Empty the bathtub immediately after bathing him. 

• Keep the bathroom door closed and the toilet seat down.

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Earache Tablets and Drops (After a diagnostic from a doctor, you can alleviate the discomfort from an ear infection in a natural manner using Hyland’s Earache Drops.)

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Gel

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the eighth month:

• Is strong enough to pull up and stand up by himself. 

• Understands simple instructions and responds to his name. 

• Shakes, bangs or throws objects. 

• Has a regular sleeping schedule.

• May reach and pick up objects.

• Soothes himself with familiar objects such as a safety blanket or a favorite teddy.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Ear infections

If your baby has an ear infection, he may be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

• Cries more than usual

• Pulls on his ear because he is in pain

• Has fever of over 100 ºF and general malaise

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fussy and sleepless

If you think your baby has an ear infection, the doctor will have to see him for a diagnose.

DON´T FORGET!

You should schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for your baby’s 9-month immunizations.  

LEARNING & GROWING

Your baby’s independence

In this stage, your baby is very curious and wants to explore everything around him. Check that during this time of exploration, your baby’s temperament and frustration start to show. Help your baby deal with frustration. Give him more love during these bursts of independence.  

Help him learn

Every day, you can help your baby to learn how to do new things, such as:

• Help him to crawl

• Give him a box with large objects that he can take out and put back inside.

• Speak or sing to him or read him a store. 

• Give him a ball that he can bounce

• Give him pots and pans, measuring cups and wooden spoons he can bang and make noise with. 

DAILY CARE

Food allergies

Following is a list of foods you should avoid during the first year of life, due to the possibilities of food allergies. 

• Eggs

• Cow’s milk

• Wheat

• Soy products

• Peanuts

• Nuts (almonds, pecans, etc.)

• Fish and shellfish

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Baby-proofing your home

Protect your baby from danger while it grows and learns:

• Make sure electric cables are not loose but covered with tape or fixed to the wall. 

• Protect all electrical sockets with plastic safety covers.

• Tie blind cords and curtains out of the baby’s reach.

• Install safety latches in drawers and cabinets. 

• Use safety rails on stairways.

• Keep sharp objects out of the baby’s reach.

• Cover the sharp edges of furniture, such as coffee tables. 

• Keep cleaning supplies, chemicals and medicines out if your baby’s reach or under lock and key.

• Keep any small object the baby could put in his mouth out of his reach.

• Keep bathroom doors closed (and locked if necessary).

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Earache Tablets and Drops (after a doctor’s diagnose, you may alleviate ear discomfort naturally by using Hyland´s Earache Drops.)

• Hyland’s Diaper Ointment

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the seventh month:

• Can feed himself with his hands.

• Babbles, shouts and repeats sounds.

• Rocks himself back and forth, creeps or crawls.

• Can drink out of a cup with your help.

• Prefers or refuses certain foods.

• Can already express happiness or discomfort.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Baby Bottle-mouth (cavities or tooth decay caused by the bottle)

The baby’s teeth require attention even before they grow. Some tips to protect your baby from bottle-mouth (cavities caused by the bottle) are: 

• Always hold the baby while feeding him. 

• Never put the baby to sleep with a bottle.

• Wash his gums and teeth with a soft towel.

LEARNING & GROWING

Help him to learn

It is very important that you devote time to your baby on a daily basis. Playing with your baby will help him develop self-confidence while he learns about the world around him.

• Expose him to the world around him regularly.

• Play with him on a daily basis.

• Babies love to play peek-a-boo.

• At this age, he loves to imitate the sounds you make.

• Rock him, read to him and sing songs with words that rhyme. 

• Put a favorite toy out of his reach to help him learn to crawl.

DAILY CARE

Introducing new foods to your baby’s diet. 

You may start to introduce new foods to your baby’s diet. Some finger foods are: 

• Cubed cooked tender meat or very finely ground meat

• Soft cheese cubes

• Steamed cubed veggies, such as potatoes, carrots, green peas or squash 

• Soft toast, bits of tortilla or rice. 

• Cubed peeled and soft fruit (seedless and shelled). 

Food you should avoid feeding your baby:

• Raw eggs and raw milk

• Foods that pose a choking hazard such as corn, nuts, popcorn, seeds, grapes, etc. 

• Hot foods

• Do not add salt, sugar or condiments to your baby’s food

IMPORTANT!

Whenever possible, have your baby eat with the family.

WARNING!

Never feed honey or cow’s milk to a child who is under one year of age! Honey may contain a very harmful bacterium for babies. 

PARENT'S CORNER

Lack of sleep

Sleeping and resting properly is very important so that you may do your activities and have a relaxed relationship with your baby and the rest of the family. A lack of sleep can make you feel irritated and short-tempered. If you are very tired, you won’t be able to care for your baby properly. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Gel

• Hyland’s Nerves Tonic and Calms Forté™ (for adults)

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the sixth month:

• Holds his head.

• Can stand up if you hold his hands.

• Makes noises like “aa-aa-aa”, “ee-ee-ee” or “uu-uu-uu.”

• Can sit on his own and turn over when lying down. 

• His first tooth may make its appearance. 

• May be able to hold his bottle.

• Tries to reach for objects and hold them in his hand. 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Your baby’s six-month medical check-up:

At this age it is very important to evaluate babies´ growth and development because they grow very fast.

What happens during the medical check-up?

The pediatrician will observe:

• How she holds her head up
• How she reaches for and grasps objects
• The noises she makes
• How she stands while holding on to someone
• He will administer the third round of vaccines (DTaP, Hib, Polio, PCV, HepB)

DON´T FORGET!

Always carry with you your baby’s immunization records to every medical check-up. This is very important!

Teething

Your baby may have started teething. Her gums are inflamed and red. In order to relieve her of her discomfort, you may do the following: 

• Rub her gums with a clean finger.
• Give her teething rings or a pacifier for her to bite. 
• Let her bite a clean and wet towel that you cooled in the refrigerator.
• Clean her gums and teeth every day with a wet and clean towel. 

DAILY CARE

Introducing solid foods to your baby’s diet

When your baby is comfortable eating cereal, introduce a variety of fruits and vegetables, one at a time. Recommendations on foods:   

• Start with one veggie and feed him the same thing for at least four days, to make sure your baby is not allergic. If there is no reaction, you may introduce another veggie, following the same pattern. 
• Feed veggies first and fruits second, as fruits cancel out the taste of veggies because they are sweeter. 
• Feed her mild tasting veggies such as pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes.
• Then feed her apple sauce, apricot sauce and pear sauce. 
• Avoid foods that could cause choking, such as raw carrots, French fries or popcorn. 

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Tub safety

Use a bath safety seat when your baby is old enough to bathe in a regular tub. A safety seat should have a seatbelt and suction cups on the bottom.

• Never leave your baby alone in the tub, not even for a few seconds. 
• Make sure bath-time toys are safe.
• Check water temperature to prevent severe burns.
• Always hold your baby with one hand when she is in the bath tub. 

HYLAND'S PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel
• Hyland’s Diaper Ointment

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the fifth month:

• Lifts her head and chest when she is on her belly. 
• She can reach for and grab things when she sees them. 
• Discovers the different body parts and can clasp her hands together.
• Cries, laughs and smiles to call attention. 
• Explores the world around her with her eyes, fingers and mouth.
• May sleep through the night.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

DON´T FORGET!

You must schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for your baby’s next round of vaccines at 6 months-old.  

Homeopathy- Natural Remedies

We have trusted home remedies for generations, in order to take care of our family in a natural and effective manner. Homeopathy may also be of help in the development of a healthy and natural infancy. Many parents are turning to homeopathic medicine to treat pediatric problems such as fever, colds, cough, diarrhea, colic, eczema and earaches. 

LEARNING & GROWING

Help your baby discover the world

Following are some tips that will help your baby discover the world around her.

• Prop the baby in front of a mirror.
• Sing songs, use sounds, gestures and words when you are bathing or dressing her.
• Give her bright colored toys of different textures and that make noise.
• The baby needs you to caress her and to hold her while playing.  
• Put objects within her reach and help her grasp them.

DAILY CARE

Food

Around 5 months old, it is common to add oat cereal to your baby’s diet. Your baby should be sitting on his own, reaching forward and refusing objects with his hands before being ready to eat cereal. 

WARNING!

Never pour juices or sweet beverages into his bottle.  

PARENT'S CORNER

Now there is a baby at home, you are likely to be bending down to pick up things more often. Some tips that may help you to prevent the pressure and tension in your back include:

• Using your abdominal, leg and arm muscles.
• Always bending your knees before lifting your baby.
• Never turn while bending down. 

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Car safety

Some car safety tips are:

• The car seat must be placed facing backwards, not forwards. 
• Make sure the car seat is properly latched with the seatbelt. 
• Never sit a baby in the front seat of a car. 
• Never leave your baby alone in the car, even if you leave the windows cracked.

High chair safety

The following safety tips are recommended for high chairs: 

• Always buckle up, to prevent falls.
• Never leave your baby unattended on the high chair.

HYLAND'S PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

• Hyland’s C-Plus Cold Tablets
  
• Hyland’s Backache with Arnica (for parents)

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the fourth month:

• Holds his head up on his own.
• Can sit down if propped up.
• Sleeps up to six hours straight.
• Recognizes your voice and starts to understand language. 
• Grasps and holds objects.
• Can laugh out loud.
• May be teething and drooling.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Your baby’s four-month medical check-up:

Throughout the first year, babies change very fast. That’s why it’s so important for them to get frequent medical check-ups.

What happens during the medical examination?

The pediatrician:

• Will perform another full physical check-up.
• Will check her heart and lungs.
• Will make sure the baby holds her head and observe how she uses her hands. 
• Will check her hearing and sight.
• Will administer the second series of vaccines (DTaP, Hib, Polio, and PCV).
• Ask the pediatrician what you should look out for and what you should do if your baby has a reaction to immunizations. 

How to care for your baby’s gums and her future teeth: 

You may start to care for the baby’s teeth even before they grow. Rub his gums with a wet towel in order to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. When he starts teething, brush his teeth with a small toothbrush with soft bristles, designed especially for babies. Brush his teeth with water only, as he does not need toothpaste until he is around 3 years old.

DAILY CARE

Sleeping schedules

Every baby has his own sleeping schedule. At this age, most babies have a routine and can sleep up to six hours straight.  The habit of taking a nap is the key to his development. Regular naps can improve night-time sleep and reinforce following a routine.

LEARNING & GROWING

The importance of speaking with your baby

At 4 months old, your baby is already forming ideas about sounds and speech. He has fun learning how to make sounds and listening to the sounds he makes. When your baby whispers or babbles, make sure you pay attention and respond to him.

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Safe toys for the baby

Don’t give your baby and toy that he could choke on. Make sure toys don’t have small pieces that could come off such as buttons or threads. Toys with strings and bows could also cause problems. 

HYLAND'S PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Teething Gel

• Hyland’s Colic Tablets

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the third month:

• She can see static objects more clearly and follows moving objects. 

• When she is lying on her back, she can lift her head slightly.

• She holds and shakes objects with her hands. 

• She puts her hands in her mouth.

• She can babble, cry and laugh.

• She responds to your expressions and actions.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Baby illnesses:

Recognize the first symptoms:

• fever (a temperature above 101°F or 38.3°C)
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• tiredness

Call the pediatrician immediately if your baby has any of the above symptoms.

Protect your baby from common illnesses such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), flu or the common cold:

• Keep your baby away from people who are sneezing or coughing. 
• Make sure people who are going to touch your baby have washed their hands.
• Keep your baby away from crowds.
• Don’t allow anyone to smoke around your baby.

DON´T FORGET!

You should schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for the 4-month vaccines.

WARNING!

It is recommended that you dress your baby with the same number of layers that you would wear to feel comfortable. Avoid the temptation of dressing your baby with too many layers of clothing because he will be crabby, hot and sweaty.  

LEARNING & GROWING

Your baby needs to play in order to learn:

When playing with your baby, keep in mind that she needs you to caress her, to hold her and also to look her in the eye. 

Activities to share with your baby:

• Play peek-a-boo with your baby.

• Place your baby on her back, on the floor, so she can practice turning over.
  

• Hang colored toys or a mobile above the baby’s head, to capture her attention.

• Give her plush toys or soft toys that make soft noises.

• Make sure the plus toys are clean and washed so they won’t cause asthma.

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Things you should NOT do

• Wash your baby’s toys with soap and water

• Leave your baby unattended, especially on a bed, sofa or stroller

• Drink warm beverages or smoke near your baby

• Hang things around the baby’s neck, such as necklaces or other jewelry You should make sure the toys don’t have small parts that she could swallow and choke on 

• Leave the bottle propped against a towel or any other object so the baby can feed herself

• You should be the one holding the bottle

HYLAND'S PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

• Hyland’s C-Plus Cold Tablets

• Hyland’s Diaper Ointment