Physical Development

The bursts of activity that accompany motor development can be physically stressful for your child. And like the rest of us, babies who feel stressed may have difficulty sleeping. Unlike adults, however, your baby can't read a book or watch a ball game until he calms down. He's more likely to release the tension by crying, or through physical activities like rocking back and forth on his hands and knees in his crib.

To help him get through this trying period (which can disrupt the sleep patterns of everyone in the household), spend extra time rocking and singing to him before bedtime. The more relaxed he is when he goes to bed, the more likely he'll be to stay asleep later. So hold him close while you feed him, keep the lights low, and try to reduce stimulation at bedtime. Choose songs that he knows and loves rather than introducing anything new. Make sure he has his favorite toys in the crib with him, and provide a night-light if he seems bothered by the dark.

Social Development

Child care is a burning issue for most working parents. But even if you're a stay-at-home mom, or have family nearby, chances are you'll need to hire a care provider at some point--either to give yourself a break, or for backup in case of emergency. There are a wide range of options, from nannies to in-home day care and child-care centers. However, good caregivers share the following characteristics:

• They observe each child's behavior rather than applying cookie-cutter rules. Your baby is an individual and deserves to be treated as such.



• They set reasonable limits and follow them consistently.



• They are focused on the children, not on their peers (other babysitters), the TV, or the telephone.



• They are interested in your insights about your child, and enthusiastic about each child in their care.



• They are warm and loving, and have sufficient training and ability to help baby with his language and other skills.

When choosing a caregiver, you'll want to observe candidates at work for a day or two if at all possible, and carefully check at least three references. Then drop by unannounced a few times during the first few days (be very suspicious of any facility that won't allow this) to see how things are going.

Intellectual Development

Are you looking forward to reading stories to your little one? Start now! It's too early for baby to sit through a long story, but rhymes and picture books may hold his attention. Try reading to him for a few minutes (three to five is plenty) during the quiet time before bed. Identify each picture--"See the bunny? He has floppy ears!" He may start pointing to his favorites the second or third time through. Choose board books if you're worried about ripped pages.

Note: The information above offers general guidelines, but all babies develop differently, and few hit their milestones precisely when the conventional wisdom says they should. If your child was born prematurely, you may want to use your due date as a baseline for following baby's development.