Questions Mother’s Ask, During Baby’s 1st Year..ANSWERED!

 

 

Top Questions Mother’s Ask, During Baby’s 1st Year of Life.

(15..scratch that..16 questions & answers!)

10-26-2010

 

 

I just thought I’d do a piece, on common questions, mother’s ask, about their new babies, and complied my own list, as a ’Q&A’ resource, for fun, and educational purposes.

 

 

1)  When will my baby’s eyes change to their final color?  

  

 Experts say that in the first 6-9 months of life,  your infants eyes, will either stay the same color they are born with, which most of the time is blue, but in some cases, brown, or they will darken or change during this time.  Most doctors will say, the color your baby has at 1 yr. old, will be their final color. 

You will always find a parent or two,  like myself, that will not apply to this ’1 year rule’, however.  My daughter had blue eyes until after 2 years of age, and far bluer then my twins ever had, and now they are green, turning almost hazel, so sometimes, you just never know!

My sons both have beautiful, bright blue eyes, 5yr. old, green/hazel, and the twins, whelp one has a very dark blue at almost 8 months, and the other a deep mossy green.  I have never had a brown eyed child, despite my own, so we shall see. 

 It’s interesting to watch & wonder, just don’t be certain at 12 months, your baby will stay blue or green, anything can still happen, however, brown eyes, will never lighten to blue, and will remain brown!

 

 

2)  When will my baby start teething? 

(See, when will baby get his/her first tooth, in a question below)

 

Babies start teething at different ages, but usually before the age of 6 months, the teething symptoms will begin.  (For the twins they started at only 2.5 months, so early teething IS very possible), and teeth may appear soon after teething begins, or not for many months.  It’s a crap shoot.  (Read below for more on the subject!)

Mine still bare toothless grins, and I expected teeth early, since they started teething early.  That is NOT the way things always work! 

My daughter started teething at 5 months, and got a tooth by 7 months.  Again, the variation is so wide for this to take place, but nothing is really too early.  Symptoms can start really early.

 

 

3)  Does Breastfeeding make a child smarter? 

 

There is some evidence that children, who were breastfed as babies, had slightly higher IQs later on in life.  Breast Milk may help promote brain growth in newborns, but no matter what, breast or bottle, your child will always be one smart cookie!

 

 

4)  At what age will my baby begin to crawl? 

 

About 50% of all babies can do some form of crawling by 7 months, even if it means bear crawling, on hands and feet, instead of the typical crawl, or using the feet and bum, to propel her body forward, which is where my twins are at. 

By 10 months old, 75% of all babies have mastered the crawl, and some moms claim their baby never crawled at all, but went straight to walking.  This may not be most common, but is possible.

Don’t be alarmed, as every baby goes at his or her own pace, but by 11 months of age, 90%, which is the vast majority, of babies will be crawling.  If your child is not crawling, by this age, consult your doctor, but don’t panic. 

Some babies just aren’t as interested in moving, as much as others.  I was a very laid back baby, who did everything at my own snails pace, and then was dancing with the big girls, at 18 months of age, so you never know!

 

 

5)  When will my baby start to walk? 

 

This is a question so many moms wonder, but nobody can ever answer.  It’s completely up to your baby, and there is a wide variation of when, and what is even considered to be, quote un quote ‘Normal’.

There are some babies who walk at the super early age of 9 months old, and others who don’t take their first steps, until 15 months, even longer.  Not always are there issues involved, when walking starts later then 15 months of age.  Every baby is completely unique in this milestone. 

The majority of all babies will take their first steps between the ages of 10-15 months of age, and it seems that boys tend to walk on the later side of things, then girls.  (Go figure.)

Most of my kids from all I can remember started around their 1st birthday!  If you have any concerns, again, contact your doctor, don’t panic!  They will be off and running, soon enough.

 

 

6)  When will my baby start feeding himself? 

 

By about 6 months, (Sometimes earlier), most of babies are capable of holding their own bottles, even if just for a short while, and you may catch him or her, doing it for a small amount of time, then allowing you to continue (Dang it!). 

A lazy baby may have you holding their bottle for a long while to come.  Some are more independent, but they are usually quite capable, at around 6 months of age.

Feeding themselves with a spoon?  Their interest may also start around 6 or 7 months of age, but their aim, might not be spot on.  By 10-14 months, your child will be a completely independent eater, and more food at this point, will get into his or her mouth, then onto your kitchen floor!  (That doesn’t mean, throw the messy mat away!)

 

 

7)  What is colic?  What are the symptoms?  How long will it last?

 

Hopefully you won’t need to find out, but take heart, if you do, it usually subsides by 3 months of age, which may seem like forever, but passes by quite fast.

Colic usually rears it’s ugly head, during the first few weeks of life, and is characterized by excessive crying spells, and screaming, especially in the evenings, but not limited to, that can last for hours, and be at times, completely inconsolable. 

It is NOT dangerous to your babies health, or mean anything is wrong with him, so take heart, and ask for help when needed.

 

Symptoms include: 

Crying of course, clenched fists, tensed abs, knees to the chest, (like severe gas pains), & the back may be arched.

 

How can you help? 

Swaddling your baby, feeding them smaller, more frequent meals, during the day and evenings, using a pacifier may help in some cases, giving your baby a lukewarm bath, and making sure he or she, has been properly burped frequently, and finally, after every feeding, may help diminish some of the grueling symptoms of a colicky baby. 

It is believed that colic may have something to do with indigestion, but for now, it still remains, somewhat of a mystery.

 

 

8)  When will my babies umbilical cord stump fall off? 

 

This can vary also.  My twins lost theirs at 5 days and 9 days old, which seemed early (The first one), but hey, it happened, and it didn’t hurt, so..I was happy!

It may appear to be hanging by a thread for several days, before it falls off.  Just keep the area clean, and either use the diapers with the newborn cut outs, to prevent rubbing against the diaper, or be sure and fold the diaper over, for baby’s comfort.  They no longer advise you to use alcohol swabs, for reasons unknown by me.

Usually in the first 2 weeks of life, your baby’s cord stump, will fall off, and full baths are then ’OK’.   The overall average seems to be 7-10 days, respectively.   Coming off at 5 days old, or 16 days old, is not uncommon, and still within the ‘Norm’.

 

 

9)  When will my baby start sleeping through the night? 

 

This is very individual, as I have a 5 yr. old who still rarely does, and twins that have since 9 and 10 weeks old.  (By 3 months, it was like clockwork for both of them,)There are some things you can do, to help put you on the earlier end of the spectrum.  Click below for my article, on helping baby sleep through the night.

Breastfed babies, usually do not sleep through the night, until later then bottle fed ones, because they feed more frequently, and may take in smaller amounts of milk, then a bottle fed baby, thus making him wake hungry, more frequently.  When you start your baby on solids, this should help things in the evening hours, regardless of breast or bottle.

Your baby will sleep for longer stretches as she grows and is developmentally able to sleep longer.  There are things you can do to assist, but it is also a developmental milestone.  Some babies will do this as early as 6 weeks old, which may not be super common, but happens, to as late as a year or more. 

Be patient, and read my tips, if you are a tired mom of a newborn or twins!

 

Need some night time help?  Click here!

 

 

10)  When should my baby start eating solid foods?  

 

Most of the literature you will find online will say 6 months, but a lot of pediatricians are pushing for earlier solids, starting at only 3 months of age, which was in the case of my daughter, and the twins. 

 If your Dr. recommends something, that you are personally uncomfortable with, be sure to ask questions, and in the end, go with your gut.  Nothing will harm your child, if you wait until 6 months, or even longer.

Read my article here to help read the signs that your baby is ready for solid foods.  Babies do give mom’s hints!

 

 Is it chow time?  Click here to find out! 

 

 

11)  When should my baby start finger foods? 

 

My Dr. said we could give half cheerios to our 6 month old twins.  That was not something I felt comfortable with, and have still not given to them. 

They do not dissolve and are hard in babies mouth, so again, trust your own instincts as mommy, but generally,  between the ages of 7-9 months, babies ma begin to show signs of being ready for small, soft, finger foods.

If your baby still has no teeth, you will want some soft foods he can easily gum, then swallow, as he learns to try and chew, even without any teeth yet. 

 

Here are some ideas for baby:

 

a)  Well cooked carrots, softened, and sliced up, into tiny little bites.

b)  Extremely small, soft, pieces of cheese.

c) Small pieces of Tofu

d)  Cut up pieces of strawberry

e) Tiny pieces of banana

f)  Soft peas

g) Cut up, tiny pieces, of pasta

 

I personally think cheerios pose a choking risk to young babies, and would opt, if you are tempted to give such a treat, to buy the dissolvable puffs in the baby or grocery store, that are fruit or vegetable flavored, and will melt in your babies mouth.  Much safer, until baby, masters the art, of managing finger foods.

 

 

12)  When will my baby say his first word? 

 

This is something moms and dad’s all over the world, eagerly look forward to, and rightfully so.  Makes no matter that the child, has no clue, who they are speaking about…what will it be 1st?  Mama or Dada? 

 Usually Dada is easier for a baby to say, thus most babies will say this first, however, my 5yo said Mama 1st, and she is definitely, a mommy’s girl.

The majority of babies will utter their first word by 1 year of age, however,  they can appear earlier or later then 12 months of age.   My twins were both 6.5 months, which is early, but not impossible, obviously.  Experts say around the one year mark, is fairly typical.

 Just don’t be nervous if months, and even a year goes by, and no words are heard.  It does not mean something is wrong.  It’s your child moving along, at his or her own, individual pace.  You may one day, long for those quieter days:)

 

 

13)   When can my baby be switched over to cow’s milk? 

 

It’s a common question among mothers, ones that formula feed, and those who breastfeed, and are looking to wean off, at some point, during the babies first year of life.

Regular milk is NOT recommended for any baby, until 12 months of age.  I can’t wait for that, because with twins, we are talking over $80 a week in formula!  You may hear otherwise, from your mother and their mother’s, but that is ‘Old school’.  My husband was given regular milk right from the start of his life. 

Nowadays, to avoid stomach upset, from digestive systems that are still not equipped to handle the job, avoid extra nutrients & protein, that a baby’s body may still be unprepared for, and to help fulfill nutritional requirements for baby,  it is recommended to wait until 12 months, before introducing regular milk to your infants diet.

Though some dairy products may start to be introduced, at 9 months of age, even earlier, in preparation.  Some pediatricians, such as in our case,  say 6 or 7 months, for yogurt and cheese.  Be sure and check with your own pediatrician, for his or her own guidelines, and recommendations.

 

 

14)  At what age should I stop breastfeeding my child?  What is typical?

 

This is also very individual, not only varies from mother to mother, but from country to country.  Some countries, they breastfeed at 7 years of age, sometimes longer!  Here most of us would agree, that’s a bit, umm…well, ‘Over done’, to put it nicely, I guess I’ll say.

Even if you breast feed the first few months or even weeks, you will be doing a benefit to your baby, but honestly, there is no age where BOOM, you must stop breastfeeding your child. 

Some wean their baby off of the breast, at the time baby starts eating their solids, around 6 months of age, and some stop when they are switching to regular cows milk, at the 1st year mark.  There’s no real ‘normal’.  You may choose to breastfeed for less time, or for longer.

At 6 months of age, 36.2 percent of mothers breastfed to some degree, and only 14.2% are exclusively breastfed at that time.  (Likely due to the introduction of solids, MOST moms start, though not all).  At 12 months,  17.2% of moms are still breastfeeding, and only 5.7% of moms still breastfeed by 18 months.  Based on USA data only! 

These numbers likely increase with each year, not decrease, but there are no right or wrong answers, just do your best, and love your baby!

 

 

15)  When does a baby flash their first real smile? 

 

There are times in those early days, and first few weeks, where we sware we see real smiles, from our baby, and are awe stricken.  But whether it’s truly just gas, or a peaceful dream, as a lot of the times we see in their REM sleep, they aren’t TRUE happy smiles, of JOY, until a month or more, of age.

There are two types of smiles.  The Reflective smiles in newborns, like the ones discussed above, that can occur days after birth, and ones that are Social Smiles, which are ones as a result of outside stimuli, for example a toy, a puppy dog in view, the television set, and of course…YOUR face! 

These types of smiles can occur as early as 4 weeks of age, and will be more and more obvious to you, as your baby develops, and grows, showing more and more enthusiasm, with every passing week & month.

My twins were a month and 1/2 old, when I was DEFINATE, that it was NOT gas or indigestion, and definately ‘Us’, stimulating them to smile.  So be patient.  Those 1st smiles, are NOT so far off, and will be warming your heart, before you know it.

 

  

WAIT..ONE FINAL QUESTION ANSWERED!

 

 

16)  When will my baby sprout his first tooth?

 

(Since, I’m waiting on this myself, I felt like asking, and answering).  All of my babies so far, have sprouted their first tooth, at 7 months, except the twins, but they have a week left, so I will let you know.  (They have been teething long enough!)

On rare occasion, a baby can be born with a tooth or two already, which is hard to imagine, but it does happen.  (Approximately 1 in 2,000 births). 

The vast majority of all babies, will sprout their first baby tooth, between the ages of 4 - 7 months old, but may occur earlier or later, in some infants.

Some even don’t show signs of a tooth until 1 year of age!  The most common month is month 7, which makes sense, based on my past 3 children. 

Usually the 2 bottom teeth will make their appearance first, followed by the 2 top front teeth, and so on.

 

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Whelp there are 15 (Sorry, 16..)  questions, I compiled that are commonly wondered about, and asked, by mom’s in the first year, of their child’s life.  Tune in next time, for more great tidbits, and pearls of wisdom, from Mama Possible!

 

Till then….

 

Enjoy your babies!