See How We Grow

Baby's First Year

Newborn

We have so much to learn together. Let's get started! I may look small in my clothes (size(fill in the blank)), but I am growing fast. I sleep a lot but wake up every (fill in the blank) hours to eat. I explore the world with my eyes, ears and body. Sorry, but crying is the only way to tell you I'm tired, wet, hungry or just want to be held. I like to see your face when you talk to me. But please keep bright light out of my eyes.

To Help Me Learn to Trust

To Help Me Feel Comfortable

To Help Me Learn to Communicate

To Help Me Learn How My Body Moves

I Learn Best With Games and Toys

I Can . . .

Note To Parents AndCaregivers:
Your baby might be doing the activities described in this booklet a little earlier or later than the ages given. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

1 to 2 Months old

Yes,that's a smile you saw when I was just (fill in the blank)weeks old— not gas! I love it when you hold me close and use a soft voice to calm me. Now I sleep about (fill in the blank) hours at a time. When I get excited I wave my arms and legs. Even if I can't keep my head up yet, I am trying. I am still not ready for baby food but I am growing.

To Help Me Learn to Trust

To Help Me Feel Comfortable

To Help Me Learn to Communicate

To Help Me Learn How My Body Moves

I Learn Best With Games and Toys

I Can . . .

3 to 5 Months old

Hear me giggle and coo. And see me smile, too. I can sit with your help. I like things that shake, rattle and make noise. My favorite toy is my (fill in the blank). And I love the color(fill in the blank). My teeth are coming in, have you noticed the drool? I may put things in my mouth and cry more now. Milk and very watery cereal from a spoon make me happy.

To Help Me Learn to Trust

To Help Me Feel Comfortable

To Help Me Learn to Communicate

To Help Me Learn How my Body Moves

I Learn Best With Games and Toys

I Can . . .

6 to 8 Months old

Look out world! I'm on the move. I can roll on my side over and over. I have this many teeth (fill in the blank) now. I still put things in my mouth to learn about the feel of things. I turn when you call my name. It's fun to look at things upside down. I can sit up on my own and hold a bottle or sippy cup, too. My favorite song is (fill in the blank). Thanks for singing it to me over and over again.

To Help Me Learn to Trust

To Help Me Feel Comfortable

To Help Me Learn to Communicate

To Help Me Learn How My Body Moves

I Learn Best With Games and Toys

I Can . . .

9 to 12 Months old

I am "talking" to you all the time now … even if you don't understand me. My first "words" were (fill in the blank)and (fill in the blank). I can take small steps, but I still like to crawl. I go up the stairs, but I can't come down alone. I try to do what you tell me. I really like it when you clap and smile with me. I love to dance and play with (fill in the blank). What a fun first year!

To Help Me Learn to Trust

To Help Me Feel Comfortable

To Help Me Learn to Communicate

To Help Me Learn How my Body Moves

I Learn Best With Games and Toys

I Can . . .

Our First Year

I know you will always remember the day I was born. During my first year, there are so many more things you will remember. You do so much for me. You take me to my regular check ups. You make sure I get every shot I need when I am 2, 4, 6 and 12 months old. Remember between 12 and 19 months old, I need a chicken pox shot too! Please don't smoke around me. Try to protect me from the tobacco smoke of others, it can make me sick. Put me on my "back to sleep and stomach to play." It will help keep me safe from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and help my muscles grow strong. During my first year, I will grow and learn so much. I might weigh three times more than when I was born. I will be much taller too. So you won't forget how fast I change, please write down some fun things about me in this book. My name is special because (fill in the blank).

"See" how I grow at my clinic visits:

When I was born, I weighed (fill in the blank)pounds (fill in the blank)ounces and was (fill in the blank) inches long. At 2 months, I weighed (fill in the blank) pounds (fill in the blank)ounces. At 4 months, I weighed (fill in the blank) pounds (fill in the blank)ounces. At 6 months, I weighed (fill in the blank)pounds (fill in the blank)ounces. And at 12 months, I weighed (fill in the blank) pounds and grew to be (fill in the blank)inches long. Thanks for taking such good care of me. I love you.

Note To Parents And Caregivers:

Your baby might be doing the activities described in this booklet a little earlier or later than the ages given. If you have questions, contact your baby's doctor.

Important Numbers for Parents

NC Parenting Education Program

Coordination, training and technical assistance for community-based parenting education and fatherhood programs. Phone number: 919-715-3422

NC Family Health Resource Line

Information, referral and advocacy services on pregnancy, child health, parenting skills and fatherhood issues. Toll-free and confidential services in English and Spanish. Phone Number: 1-800-367-2229 or 1-800-FOR-BABY.

Carolina's Poison Center

Phone number: 1-800-848-6946 or 1-800-84-TOXIN

Prevent Child Abuse NC

Phone Number: 1-800-354-5437

Emergency

Phone number: 911

www.nchealthystart.org

North Carolina's number one resource for promoting healthy pregnancies and infant health.

Doctor's Information

Doctor's Name(fill in the blank)
Address(fill in the blank)
Phone Number(fill in the blank)
E-mail Address(fill in the blank)
200,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $8,426 or $.092 each (4/09)