If you become a sitter or a nanny for a family with an infant, you get to join the new parents in witnessing baby milestones. It’s a wonder to watch a newborn begin to emote, move, and grow. You get to be their companion, their guide, and a steady resource parents can rely on.
Especially in the first year, babies are full of surprises. Sometimes it can seem like there’s too much to look out for. If parents need a way to keep organized, the CDC has made a handy checklist for them to track milestones. There are, of course, some highlights that you can help them watch out for.
First 6 Weeks
Smiling & Laughing
Around six weeks, a baby may show off their first gummy smile. By now, they’ll have been cuddling and begun to recognize different voices. But there’s nothing like the first time a baby smiles at you. While it makes a cute picture, it also indicates more is happening behind the scenes.
The baby is gaining more control of their eyes and facial muscles. They’re also learning that positive facial expressions get positive reactions. That’s social skills coming into play.
A couple of months later, usually between four to six months, the baby will learn another social expression: laughter. Initially, the laughing may sound a bit different than our laughter. That’s because the baby’s larynx is still developing. As time goes on, their giggles and chuckles will sound more like your own.
First 6 Months
Sleeping Through The Night
A smiling baby is adorable. A sleeping baby is a blessing. For exhausted new parents, once a baby makes it through the night, it can feel like an accomplishment for them. (Make sure to check in about how the parents are handling sleep routines). Unfortunately, this won’t happen when the baby’s a newborn. But come four to six months, with a good sleep routine, most parents and overnight sitters and nannies can catch more sleep too.
Teething
That hard-earned sleep routine may get interrupted as the baby approaches six months. However, it may be for another exciting reason. Some babies begin teething around six months (though others may show some pre-teething signs sooner than this). As babies start teething, their gums become more sensitive and irritated. Add in more drool, and, well, their teething pains and crying may keep everyone up.
Eventually, though, they adjust and you’ll typically see the front teeth come in first. The rest of the baby teeth will follow until eventually at around three years old, the child has a full set of pearly (baby) teeth.
Once a baby’s first tooth erupts, it’s important to get started developing good oral hygiene. Parents should take the baby to a pediatric dentist and begin brushing with a fluoride-based toothpaste. Make sure to integrate those steps into your time with the child.
First 12 Months
Finger Foods
Even before teeth emerge, an infant can begin the process of baby-led weaning or try a more traditional approach to incorporating solids. Before attempting this feat, make sure the baby can sit up and has some control of their head. If not, it’s best to wait.
There’s a lot of fun to be had in expanding a child’s palate. And a lot of mess too! Finger foods help a baby get different types of nutrients, develop fine motor skills, and make mealtime a new learning environment. Coordinate with the parents to find out when to introduce foods and any allergy precautions they would like to take.
If you’re wondering what foods are best to introduce to the baby and how to add them to their meals, check out these top foods for baby-led weaning.
Crawling
New parents often wonder when their baby will start crawling. They might even ask you based on your experience—especially since this is another major baby milestone. But unlike some of the other milestones, babies can reach this on very different timelines. Some babies around five months may begin creeping. While other babies may skip crawling entirely and go straight into standing and walking.
What you want to look out for are a sense of movement and more control. This can look like rolling over (a common early sign) or the belly commando-style crawl. If the parents are trying to raise a champion crawler, look no further than these eight activities to encourage crawling.
Once a baby gets more mobility, you’ll see more muscle development, more curiosity, and more independence.
Standing & Walking
As babies move from tummy time to crawling, many of them are preparing for another big step (pun intended) in their development. Standing and walking isn’t easy. And many children only manage a few steps by their first birthday. Some take even longer. And that’s perfectly normal!
Getting their feet steadily under them can take time and can be nerve-wracking for the baby and the parents. When it’s your turn to watch the attempts, make sure you create a safe, cushioned environment. Stumbling and falling is part of the game and you can reduce the inevitable bumps and bruises. And when they’re ready for shoes, know the right size to get them.
Communication & First Words
Before their first words, the little one is already absorbing so much information about how we communicate. From mimicking your facial expressions to using their hands and bodies to signal their desires, babies a lot to say. Expressing what they want physically is another sign of independence.
A few more months after laughter many babies begin to articulate other sounds and noises. A baby’s pharynx and mouth muscle control are developing. This babytalk is a precursor to their first word. When you hear “mama” or “dada” for the first time, know that there were many mini-milestones leading up to it. And try to record for mom and dad!
These are just some of the milestones you may witness as a caregiver. Sittercity is here to help you learn more child care tips and to find your next family. Connect with local families and let your expertise and care shine.
