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Childhood Development

Milestones Ahead

From the first moments after the birth of your child, you know your life will never be the same. Your child will change from week to week-even from day to day-as he begins to notice the world around him, and to interact with it. Get a head start, and know what to expect as your baby matures.

Infants: Year 1
Toddlers: 1 - 3 years
Preschool: 4 - 6 years
School Age: 7 - 10 years

2 years
3 years
Potty Training

"I can’t keep up with the laundry!"- Mother of twins, during potty training

Potty Training

Between ages 2 and 3 years, most children learn to use the potty by themselves

It often takes boys longer to potty train than girls. Usually, your child will let you know when he's ready to leave the diapers behind. Signs that your child is ready to potty train:

Knows the words for urine and stool
Stays dry for longer periods of time than before (especially after a nap)
Physically able to pull down his pants and get on and off a toilet seat
Upset by having on a wet or dirty diaper
Likes to watch you or your husband use the bathroom
Willing to sit on the toilet or potty

If your child doesn't seem ready, just give him more time. Potty training takes lots of patience. Having a battle-of-the-wills isn't productive for mom or for baby. As always, speak to your pediatrician if you are concerned.

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Feeding Solutions Tool

When your baby isn’t acting normally, knowing what to do can be difficult. Answer questions about six common concerns and get answers personalized for your situation.

Choose One:

Feeding Solutions Tool

Choose one answer that best describes your situtation.

How often does your baby cry?

Often, for no apparent reason.

You have indicated that...

Your baby cries often, for no apparent reason. It could be that your baby is experiencing some gas

What you can do

To help relieve his gas pain:

Massage his tummy.
Hold him in your arm, facedown, using your hand to apply gentle pressure on his tummy
Bounce him gently, as if he were on a car ride or in a bouncy seat
Try over-the-counter drops (simethicone) or gripe water recommended by some doctors to make it easier for your baby to expel the gas (Use as needed, or before each feeding)

To prevent gas:

Because crying causes him to suck in air, feed your baby before hunger causes him to cry
Try frequent burping to keep your baby from swallowing too much air when feeding (prevents air from entering his digestive system) burping him after every ounce during bottle-feeding, and every five minutes during breastfeeding (if he doesn't burp after a few minutes, change his position and try a few minutes more)
Try using a different bottle or nipple that may cause less air to be swallowed while he is feeding (there are many varieties; you may need some trial and error)
Breastfeeding moms can try eliminating some vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower, and some fruits, which may cause gas in your baby

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's crying, discuss it with your health care professional.

Only when she's hungry, tired, or wet.

You have indicated that…

Your baby is experiencing normal behavior and symptoms

What you can do

Babies can experience bouts of crying, fussiness, and spit-up from time to time. If you are still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

Why babies cry

Think of it as baby talk. Crying is your baby's only way of telling you something's bothering him. It may mean there's an issue, but it could be his way of asking to be held.

Check the basics

Your baby may cry to let you know he's hungry, has a wet diaper, or is hot or cold. Check to make sure all of his needs are taken care of, and make sure he's not wrapped or swaddled too tightly.

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's crying, discuss it with your health care professional.

For two or more hours at a time, many days.

You have indicated that...

Your baby cries for two or more hours a day for several days

What you can do

If he cries for two or more hours a day and cannot be consoled, he might have colic. Colic can begin at two to three weeks; it is rare to continue after three months.

When he begins to cry, try to soothe him with your normal routine. If that does not quiet him, try:

Gently bouncing or walking him, or taking a car ride
Creating white noise (quiet music, vacuum cleaner)

As much as you want to comfort your baby, if he has colic, there may be nothing you can do that will make him happy. And no matter how upbeat a mom you are, the crying can really wear you down. A good support system will give you a much-needed break when your baby's crying overwhelms you. Ask for help from your partner or a family member to give you relief when you need it. Get sleep when you can, and try to remember — it is temporary.

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's crying, discuss it with your health care professional.

Does your baby have difficulty releasing gas?

Yes, he has painful gas.

You have indicated that

Your baby seems to have a lot of gas.

What you can do

To help relieve her gas pain:

Massage her tummy.
Hold her in your arm, facedown, using your hand to apply gentle pressure on her tummy.
Bounce her gently, as if she were on a car ride or in a bouncy seat.
Some doctors recommend over-the-counter drops (simethicone) or gripe water to make it easier your baby to expel the gas. This works for some babies. Use as needed, or before each feeding.

To prevent gas:

Because crying causes her to suck in air, feed your baby before hunger causes her to cry.
Try frequent burping to keep your baby from swallowing too much air when feeding; it prevents air from entering her digestive system. Burp her after every ounce during bottle-feeding, and every five minutes during breastfeeding. If she doesn't burp after a few minutes, change her position and try a few minutes more.
Try using a different bottle or nipple that may cause less air to be swallowed while she is feeding. There are many varieties; you may need some trial and error.
Breastfeeding moms can try eliminating some vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower, and some fruits, which may cause gas in your baby.
Ask your health care professional if your baby may be sensitive to lactose, which can cause gas in babies. Lactose intolerance in babies is usually temporary. It's a situation in which the intestine, while still developing, has trouble digesting and absorbing lactose. Changing to a lactose-free formula may help.

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's gas, discuss it with your health care professional.

Yes, he seems to have a lot of gas.

You have indicated that...

Your baby seems to have a lot of gas

What you can do

To help relieve her gas pain:

Massage his tummy
Hold him in your arm, facedown, using your hand to apply gentle pressure on his tummy
Bounce him gently, as if he were on a car ride or in a bouncy seat.
Some doctors recommend over-the-counter drops or gripe water to make it easier for your baby to expel the gas

To prevent gas:

Because crying causes him to suck in air, feed your baby before hunger causes him to cry
Try frequent burping to keep your baby from swallowing too much air when feeding (prevents air from entering his digestive system) burping him after every ounce during bottle-feeding, and every five minutes during breastfeeding (if he doesn't burp after a few minutes, change his position and try a few minutes more)
Try using a different bottle or nipple that may cause less air to be swallowed while he is feeding (There are many varieties; you may need some trial and error)
Breastfeeding moms can try eliminating some vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower, and some fruits, which may cause gas in your baby
Ask your health care professional if your baby may be sensitive to lactose, which can cause gas in babies (Lactose intolerance in babies is a situation (usually temporary) in which the intestine, while still developing, has trouble digesting and absorbing lactose) changing to a lactose-free formula may help

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's gas, discuss it with your health care professional.

No, he doesn't seem to have a particular issue with gas.

You have indicated that...

Your baby is experiencing normal behavior and symptoms

What you can do

Babies can experience bouts of crying, fussiness, and spit-up from time to time. If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

What causes gas?

There are two likely causes of gas. 1) It's a natural part of digestion, occurring when food is broken down. 2) It occurs when your baby swallows air during feeding or crying. If the air is not burped back up, it can get trapped in his digestive tract.

Signs of gas?

He may have gas if he:

Shows excessive fussiness during and after feedings
Pulls his legs toward his chest
Appears bloated

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's gas, or you are still worried about your baby, discuss it with your health care professional.

What are your baby's stools like?

Hard and dry (like gravel).

You have indicated that...

Your baby's stools are hard and dry.

What you can do

Hard and dry stools mean your baby is constipated. To relieve constipation add 1 to 2 ounces of prune, apple, or pear juice to his formula. If breastfeeding, offer him the same amount of juice from a bottle. The sugar will help loosen the stool.

Don't give him over-the-counter stool softeners unless your health care professional advises you to do so.

Watery and frequent. (My baby is: younger than six months)

You have indicated that…

Your baby's stools are watery and frequent

What you can do

Infants typically have loose, watery stools. This generally is not cause for concern. If your baby's stool becomes looser and more frequent than what is normal for him, it may be a sign of infection or of his inability to absorb the nutrients in his food.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your health care professional:

Blood or mucus in stools
Fever
Vomiting
Irritability
Refusal to eat
Decreased or dark-colored urine
Decreased activity

Do not give your baby antidiarrhea medication unless advised by your health care professional.

Watery and frequent. (My baby is: six months or older)

You have indicated that…

Your baby's stools are watery and frequent

What you can do

Normal stools can range in texture from something like runny applesauce to play dough. Occasional loose stools in infants usually are not cause for alarm. However, if the frequency and volume becomes excessive, it is right to be concerned.

Diarrhea may indicate an infection or your baby's inability to absorb nutrients in his food.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your health care professional:

Blood or mucus in stools
Fever
Vomiting
Irritability
Refusal to eat
Decreased or dark-colored urine
Decreased activity

Do not give your baby antidiarrhea medication unless advised by your health care professional

Normal.

You've indicated that...

Your baby is experiencing normal behavior and symptoms

What you can do

Babies can experience bouts of crying, fussiness, and spit-up from time to time. If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

What is normal?

Normal consistency ranges from runny applesauce to play dough.

Signs and causes of constipation

If your baby is constipated, her stool will be hard and dry. Grunting or straining doesn't mean she's constipated; she is simply learning to use her muscles correctly.

Hard stool occurs when the colon absorbs most of the water in the stool.

Signs and causes of diarrhea

When your baby's stool suddenly becomes softer and more frequent than what is normal for her, she may have diarrhea.

Diarrhea can signal an infection or your baby's inability to absorb nutrients in her food.

If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

Do you suspect your baby has a food or milk allergy?

Yes.

You have indicated that...

You suspect your baby has a food allergy

What you can do

The typical signs of a true food allergy are.

Skin rash
Blood and/or mucus in the stool
Diarrhea
Excessive spit up or vomiting

If your baby shows any of these signs, contact your health care professional. Most food allergies resolve within the first year.

No.

You have indicated that…

Your baby is experiencing normal behavior and symptoms

What you can do

Babies can experience bouts of crying, fussiness, and spit-up from time to time. If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

What about the color of your baby's stools?

Bright red, black, or gray.

You have indicated that...

Your baby's stools are bright red, black, or gray

What you can do

Bright-red, black, or gray stool is abnormal. It could be a sign of an allergy or bacterial infection.

In this case, it's best to call your health care professional and discuss your babies symptoms with them.

Yellow, green, or brown.

You have indicated that…

Your baby is experiencing normal behavior and symptoms

What you can do

Babies can experience instances of crying, fussiness, and spit-up from time to time.

What is normal?

Normal stool for babies is yellow, green, or brown.

What if it changes.

As long as it's yellow, green, or brown, it is normal?

If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

How often does your baby spit up?

Spits up at fewer than 25% of feedings.

You have indicated that...

Your baby spits up at fewer than 25% of feedings.

What you can do

If your baby is growing as expected and is not in pain, spit-up is not reason to be concerned. While you may not be able to eliminate spit-up completely, you may be able to reduce it by:

Burping your baby frequently
Feeding him smaller amounts, but more often
Feeding him before he is ravenous, to avoid gulping
Keeping feeding time (and afterward) calm and quiet
Keeping him upright after eating

Spits up at more than 25% of feedings.

You have indicated that…

Your baby spits up at more than 25% of feedings.

What you can do

If your baby is growing as expected and is not in pain, spit-up is not reason to be concerned. While you may not be able to eliminate spit-up completely, you may be able to reduce it by.

Burping your baby frequently
Feeding him smaller amounts, but more often
Feeding him before he is ravenous, to avoid gulping
Keeping feeding time (and afterward) calm and quiet
Keeping him upright after eating

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's spit-up, or you are still worried about your baby, discuss it with your health care professional.

Seems to vomit more than spit up.

You have indicated that…

Your baby seems to vomit more than spit up

What you can do

When spit-up becomes more forceful, with more volume, it is considered vomiting. A single episode is considered vomit if it would cover a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper. Occasional vomiting usually isn't a reason to be concerned.

Frequent vomiting can indicate reflux disease, intestinal obstruction, or a protein allergy.

Contact your health care professional if your baby's vomiting:

Increases in volume or force
Causes choking episodes
Leads to other issues (discomfort, fussiness, poor weight gain, or weight loss)
Is accompanied by a fever, diarrhea, bloody mucus, or distended abdomen
Is green or yellow

Rarely spits up.

You have indicated that…

Your baby is experiencing normal behavior and symptoms

What you can do

Babies can experience bouts of crying, fussiness, and spit-up from time to time. If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

What is spit-up?

During or after feeding, most babies spit up a small amount of food. It is caused by immature muscles in the digestive tract.

What is vomit?

If spit-up becomes more forceful, with more volume, it is considered vomiting. A single episode is considered vomit if it would cover a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper.

Childhood Development

Milestones Ahead

Potty Training

Between ages 2 and 3 years, most children learn to use the potty by themselves

Gain

Gain Kid

GROW

Feeding Solutions Tool

When your baby isn’t acting normally, knowing what to do can be difficult. Answer questions about six common concerns and get answers personalized for your situation.

Choose One:

Feeding Solutions Tool

Choose one answer that best describes your situtation.

How often does your baby cry?

You have indicated that...

What you can do

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's crying, discuss it with your health care professional.

You have indicated that…

What you can do

Why babies cry

Check the basics

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's crying, discuss it with your health care professional.

You have indicated that...

What you can do

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's crying, discuss it with your health care professional.

Does your baby have difficulty releasing gas?

You have indicated that

What you can do

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's gas, discuss it with your health care professional.

You have indicated that...

What you can do

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's gas, discuss it with your health care professional.

You have indicated that...

What you can do

What causes gas?

Signs of gas?

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's gas, or you are still worried about your baby, discuss it with your health care professional.

What are your baby's stools like?

You have indicated that...

What you can do

Don't give him over-the-counter stool softeners unless your health care professional advises you to do so.

You have indicated that…

What you can do

Do not give your baby antidiarrhea medication unless advised by your health care professional.

You have indicated that…

What you can do

Do not give your baby antidiarrhea medication unless advised by your health care professional

You've indicated that...

What you can do

If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

Do you suspect your baby has a food or milk allergy?

You have indicated that...

What you can do

If your baby shows any of these signs, contact your health care professional. Most food allergies resolve within the first year.

You have indicated that…

What you can do

If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

What about the color of your baby's stools?

You have indicated that...

What you can do

In this case, it's best to call your health care professional and discuss your babies symptoms with them.

You have indicated that…

What you can do

If you're still uncertain about your baby's behavior, please contact your health care professional.

How often does your baby spit up?

You have indicated that...

What you can do

You have indicated that…

What you can do

If the recommendations above do not reduce your baby's spit-up, or you are still worried about your baby, discuss it with your health care professional.

You have indicated that…

What you can do

Contact your health care professional if your baby's vomiting:

You have indicated that…

What you can do

If you are still worried about your baby, discuss it with your health care professional.