Get Daily Developments Helping Babies Get Off To A Healthy Start Meet ...

Make time to play with your child. Holding and playing, frequent eye contact, talking and singing. Health workers can help parents provide responsive care from birth. Communicate early often with your baby. Every contact with health services is an opportunity to support early childhood development.

Things like smiling and responding to you, making eye contact or calming down when held by a familiar adult are all social and emotional milestones that most babies express and explore by a certain age.

After birth, strategies that focus on increasing breastfeeding rates and promoting vaccinations and developmental screenings are key to improving infants' health. Interventions that encourage safe sleep practices and correct use of car seats can also help keep infants safe.

Exclusive breastfeeding, immunization and timely care during illness all contribute to a child's healthy growth and development. Clean air, water and sanitation, and safe places for play and recreation are likewise important for young children to explore and learn.

Gather several different objects that make distinct noises. Jingle, tap, or shake each one for the baby. If he reaches out to grasp one of the instruments, let him hold it and explore it with his hands. Games like this enhance babies' thinking skills and fine (small) muscle development.

Positive Parenting Tips Talk to your baby. ... Answer when your baby makes sounds by repeating the sounds and adding words. ... Read to your baby. ... Sing to your baby and play music. ... Praise your baby and give her lots of loving attention. Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. ... Play with your baby when she's alert and relaxed.

Healthy Development Responding to children in a predictable way. Showing warmth and sensitivity. Having routines and household rules. Sharing books and talking with children. Supporting health and safety. Using appropriate discipline without harshness.

Routines such as feeding and eating, diapering and toileting, and sleeping or resting provide multiple opportunities to support physical growth and development. For example, you may support toddlers climbing up steps attached to the diaper changing table as a way to provide gross-motor skill development.