A baby's first tooth (usually a lower front tooth called central incisor) erupts at about 6 months of age. Every child is different. Some children get teeth early, later, or can be born with a tooth." Girls' teeth usually erupt before boys' teeth."
The American Dental Association recommends bringing your child for a first check up at 1 (one) year of age. You can bring a child in sooner if you have a concern. http:// www.ada.org or http://www.adha.org
You may see your child pull to stand around 1 year, and walking may begin after that time. Remember, every child is different!
Readiness depends on several factors: a) age; at least 2 years old. b) the child has to have a certain level of muscle control. c) the child should be able to let you know he/she needs to go to the potty. d) the child shows an interest. e) the child should be able to follow verbal directions. REMEMBER! Every child is different!
This can happen with young children. It is critical that any snacks or meals be healthy at this time.
Putting a child to bed to with a bottle containing a sugary drink (formula, milk, juice, etc.) all night long or for a nap can cause baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries. It can also lead to ear infections!!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages 1 to 4 years old drink 4 to 6 oz per day of 100% fruit juice. Over consumption of sugar-filled juice mixtures can lead to tooth decay and diarrhea. Also, drinking too much juice may fill them up and they won't eat table food.
Newborn 3 - 5 months 6 - 23 months 2 - 3 years 3 - 5 years Grade school age Teens
A child 4 years and under is at greatest risk for choking on food such as:
- Hard candy
- Whole grapes
- Gum
- Whole hot dogs or large slices
- Large pieces of meat
- spoonfuls or fingerfuls of peanut butter
- popcorn
- raisins
- raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, peppers, and peas
- seeds, pits, or nuts; these should be off limits until 7 years
Begin reading simple board books as soon as your child is born.
As of July 1, 2008, Michigan requires children who are not yet 8 years old or 4' 9", to ride in a properly fitting child safety seat or booster seat. More information can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov
If you don't know the history of a seat, or if the seat is over 6 years old, it should not be used.
No. You should put your infant in a crib as soon as possible. You could roll over on your infant and your child could suffocate. Your baby needs to learn how to fall asleep and sleep on his/her own as soon as possible.
Tomorrow's Child, the Michigan SIDS website has an excellent brochure: Safe Sleep for your Baby visit their website for more information and to request publications and materials, at: http://www.tomorrowschildmi.org
When babies are awake, they need tummy time, but only if someone is watching. Tummy time should be done frequently, but in short intervals. Babies need to strengthen their necks and upper body so they can have control of their heads, and to prepare them to roll over and crawl.
Yes. Regular use of sunscreens can reduce the risk of skin cancer by almost 78%. There are many sunscreens available for safe use in children over 6 months old. Pick one that offers UVA and UVB protection and that has an SPF of 15 or higher. Wear protective clothing, including a hat! Wear sunscreen even on a cloudy day, and limit exposure to the sun when it is at its strongest (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
What are the top toy and household hazards?
Exersaucers: These devices, if overused, can foster bad posture and weaken back and stomach muscles - even delay walking.
Walkers: They cause more than 8,000 emergency room visits a year - and delay walking. "Kids who use them sit up, crawl, and walk later than kids who don't," says Gary Smith, MD, Director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children's Hospital in Ohio.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that "Baby walkers are very dangerous!" Read more...
The Child Welfare Information Gateway has excellent information on dealing with temper tantrums. It can be found at: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/supporting/resources/tempertantrums.cfm
Babies cry to let adults know they need something. By 6 to 8 weeks, parents and caregivers should know the different cries of their baby. There are cries of boredom, pain, discomfort, hunger, fatigue, and letting off steam. New parents try to comfort their baby by feeding, changing, cuddling, moving, and so on. Learning what works is usually done through trial and error. Most babies have a fussy period usually towards the end of the day. Parents and caregivers can't spoil a baby by picking them up and attending to their needs. Spoiling is not possible until much later into the first year of life.
The Child Welfare Information Gateway has excellent information on setting rules and dealing with consequences. It can be found at: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/supporting/resources/settingrules.cfm
Bullies2Buddies.com: Created by Izzy Kalman, a school psychologist and psychotherapist. Bullies2Buddies.com is dedicated to ending the suffering of victims of teasing and bullying throughout the world. The only reliable way to do that is by empowering victims to solve their problem and turn their bullies into buddies.
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A special thanks to T. Berry Brazelton, Child Welfare Information Gateway, the American Dental Association, the American Dental Hygienists' Association, and Early On of Michigan for their help with these questions!