Tips For You...

We have a broad range of tips provided by the Oregon Commission on Children & Families. These include expectant mothers and families as well as suggestions for parents of newborns and toddlers. If you have a tip to share, the please let us know.

Please select from the following:

• If you are thinking about having a baby
• If you are pregnant
• If your child is birth through 2 months
• If your child is 2 to 6 months
• If your child is 6 to 9 months
• If your child is 9 to 12 months
• If your child is 12 to 18 months old
• If your child is 18 to 24 months old
• If your child is 2 to 3 years old

If your child is 6 to 9 months

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Your baby can sit and play with toys on the floor. Soon he'll push up on his hands and knees, and rock back and forth and begin to crawl.
  
  
• Parents play an important role in making their baby feel loved and successful. It is never too early to start building self confidence.
  
  
• Your baby is getting better at holding things and passing them from one hand to the other. She may also like to put things into containers.
  
  
• Your baby may cling to you or cry when you leave him with others. This fear may come and go and is a normal part of development.
  
  
• By now your baby is developing quite a personality! She's beginning to let you know what she likes and doesn't like.
  
  
• Babies are affected by violence even if they are not being physically abused themselves.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Give your baby plenty of supervised "floor time" to practice crawling.
  
  
• Name the different parts of your baby's body as you point to them. This game helps your baby learn about his body, understand the connections between words and objects, and practice speaking.
  
  
• Simple household items, such as measuring spoons, pot lids and plastic mixing bowls, can be as fun as other toys. Make sure all toys meet choking standards (no smaller than 11/2" in diameter by 21/2" long).
  
  
• Put unsafe, tempting things where your baby cannot get them. Use warning words like, "ouch" or "hot" to teach him about dangers.
  
  
• Clean your baby's new teeth with a damp gauze pad or small soft-bristled toothbrush.
  
  
• Never take your anger out on your child. If you're ever afraid you may hurt your baby, call a friend or put your baby in her crib or another safe place and take 10-15 minutes to breathe deeply and relax.

Tips courtesy of the Oregon Commission on Children & Families.