From your child’s first steps to their college graduation, there are so many moments to look forward to! These are moments to capture with your baby to cherish forever.
Whether you’re trying to conceive a baby, you’re expecting a child, or just welcomed your baby to the world, you may want to know what to expect down the line. Here is your ultimate guide of baby’s firsts and developmental milestones that you should look forward to!
First Bath
After your baby has been getting down and dirty for a while, you’ll need to give them a bath to make them squeaky clean once again! This can be quite challenging in the beginning, but don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it after a while.
Other than ensuring your baby is smelling fresh and feeling clean, there are other benefits to giving your baby a bath. Skin-on-skin contact is extremely important, therefore baths with your baby is a great time to bond. It’s also a learning experience as you’ll be able to get your baby used to the idea of water on their face -- this may take some time for your baby to get used to.
Giving your baby a bath will also give you a chance to get your beauty sleep, mom and dad! With the warm water and calming experience, adding a bath to your baby's bedtime routine will work magic and make sure your baby is in the mood to snooze.
There’s simply nothing cuter than watching your baby splash around in the tub with a little rubber ducky!
First Word
Your baby’s first word is the milestone that all parents are waiting for! Waiting for the “mama” or “dada” will drive anticipation high!
Babies start with making noise, from coos to growls to giggles. Your baby’s first words are likely to come after a few months of this verbal experimentation. By 8 months, your baby will be saying basic words that they recognize, but don’t even understand -- You won’t be able to get enough of it!
If you’re wondering how to get your baby to start talking, here are some ways you may or may not have thought about:
- Sing to your baby. You can even do this before your baby is born. I’m sure you whispered to your pregnant belly, in hopes of your baby listening -- Try singing!
- Consistently talk to your baby. Even though your baby will not understand what you’re saying, it’s setting a good example and they’ll feel more comfortable to speak just like you.
- When your baby is making little sounds and babbles, make sure you’re giving them all the attention in the world and even imitate the sounds. This will encourage them to continue and make them feel like they’re on the right track.
- Play games like Peek-a-Boo or Pat-a-Cake. These catchy rhymes will motivate them to join the fun with you.
- Ask questions. “Who’s that?” may be the thing your baby will want to respond to … even though they might not be able to give the right answer!
- Start with easy terms. “Hello” and “Bye bye” may be some easy ones to try to get your baby to say as their first words.
Remember that all babies develop at different stages so be patient and remember that your baby will say their first words when they’re ready!
First Birthday
Happy 1st birthday baby! 12 months will fly before you know it, and your baby is finally one year old.
This is a celebration that is long anticipated for parents. I’m sure you want to plan the perfect party, especially after throwing an amazing baby shower! One thing to remember is that your baby knows absolutely nothing about parties, so do what you think would be best to celebrate the guest of honour!
Try to keep the invitation list light. A crowded room filled with unfamiliar faces can be overwhelming for your baby. You might want to consider just inviting some close family members and some friends who have young children too. Don’t forget to have an adorable setup so that you can capture beautiful moments of your baby with friends and family.
Consider choosing a theme for the party too -- This can continue to become a tradition as your baby grows up and you encounter birthday celebrations in the future. This will make for one cute photo album!
First Steps
From crawling, to holding themselves up, to walking!
I’m sure your baby is the most precious thing you’ve ever held in your arms. But a time will come when they are ready to walk for themselves. Your baby’s first steps are something you’ll remember forever, especially if you’re lucky enough to get it on video!
Once your baby figures out how to grab onto something to pull themselves up, they’ll be curious to know how to do that all by themselves -- Or how to get somewhere without getting mama or dada to help! Make sure your house is baby proofed so they don’t hurt themselves with anything around the house. Consider investing in some must have safety products.
Your baby will start to hold up their upper bodies by holding on to a piece of furniture or a wall at around month 10. Most children often take their first steps well after their first birthdays, around month 14. But don’t be discouraged if it takes longer because it’s not unusual for your baby to not start walking until they turn at least 18 months.
Next thing you know, your baby is going to be walking down the stage to get their college diploma, and you won’t know where time flew!
First Trip
Preparing for your baby’s first trip is something that may be a long process, depending on where your destination is, and your means of transportation. The good thing is that babies are super portable and tiny -- But things can get a little chaotic when travelling with a baby.
Travelling with your baby on board will create amazing memories and really build the bond of the whole family! Travelling to different destinations can be a tradition that you can continue in the future, even when your little girl or boy is all grown up!
Here are some tips that you may want to consider before your baby’s first trip:
- Pack smart. Make sure that your carry on is filled with baby essentials, including diapers, wipes, and an extra change of clothes just in case!
- Have a food plan. The last thing you want is a cranky baby, so make sure you have many snacks and servings of formula ready for your baby to enjoy so they keep calm
- Keep them busy. Keeping your baby busy is extremely crucial so they don’t get restless. Have some toys on hand and games prepared to keep them distracted.
- Safety first. Chances are, you aren’t used to travelling with a young baby, so make sure you’re staying healthy and fasten that seat belt on a road trip or plane ride!
This guideline was definitely just the beginning to the journey you’re going to share with your baby! There are so many experiences that you will share as a family that you will cherish forever.
Remember, there is no concrete baby milestone timeline, so remember that every baby experiences these first’s at different moments of their childhood. Be patient and cherish every step of the way!