Infants are a joy to everyone around them. From watching them laugh for the first time, seeing them recognize their parents, and feeding them solid food for the first time, every day provides something new with a baby. Many of an infant's...
Your child's first year of life is referred to as infancy, but her nutrient and meal requirements change greatly from birth until her first birthday. The foods you feed your infant have an impact on her eating habits for the rest of her life so it...
Eating her first finger foods is an exciting milestone for your infant; choosing finger foods can help establish good eating habits at an early age. The selection also requires safety consideration, as soft, easy-to-chew foods reduce the chances...
If you are a new parent, one of your biggest fears is getting your infant sick. Babies are vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections and may become severely ill from the same infections that cause only mild illness in an older child or adult....
Newborns get all of their nutrients from breast milk or formula. Their just-developed digestive systems can't handle too much more than that for the first few months, and their sucking reflex is designed for a liquid diet. As the reflex begins to...
Massage therapy is a healing practice used to improve overall health and well-being. In healthy infants, massage decreases stress levels, facilitates parent-child bonding and provides physical and psychological benefits, according to...
Feeding your baby or toddler can be challenging because he likely has definite opinions about what he is willing to eat and what he will not touch. It is important to continue offering a wide range of foods from each food group so your baby or...
Healthy eating habits develop early in life, and teaching your baby to eat a nutritious variety of foods can help him to grow, develop and stay protected from disease. Regular checkups with your baby's doctor can help you determine if he is...
When you first bring your newborn home, your feeding options are relatively simple, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. Very young babies thrive on breast milk or formula up until the age of four to six months, at which time thin purees can...
Infant formula is given to a baby to sustain health as an alternative to breast milk. Although breast milk is best for a baby, formula can provide the baby with the proper vitamins and nutrients required for development. You will need to compare...
Rice cereal is added to bottles of formula or breast milk by mothers for a variety of reasons. Some mothers add cereal to help the baby sleep through the night. Other reasons for adding rice cereal to the bottle is to help decrease reflux or help...
Babies are as individual as grownups and their specific needs can be just as different. However, there are many commonalities that all babies require. Since they are entirely dependent on their caregivers, babies should receive care that fulfills...
Children grow quickly during the first year, often tripling their birth weight and doubling their height, according to Keep Kids Healthy. Your infant's development depends on loving interaction and communication. Talk to your infant during...
After having a baby, you may decide to give her infant formula instead of breast milk. Although breast milk is best for a baby, formula does contain the essential nutrients needed for healthy development. Formula is recommended instead of cow's...
From sustenance to emotional nurturing, a baby relies on the adult figure in his life for everything. An infant cannot take care of what he wants and he cannot verbalize what he wants or needs, so he relies on his parental figures to keep him...
Infancy is the most rapid time of growth for a child, and proper nutrition is imperative for healthy infant development. With endless confusing discussion about diet, it is important to take a look at how you feed your infant. Calculating a...
Colic is the persistent, unexplained crying of a healthy infant for at least three hours a day for more than three weeks. Symptoms of colic include inconsolable crying, posture changes and predictable crying episodes. Although harmless, it can be...
Vitamin requirements in infants are met by their normal food intake, so parents usually need not worry about whether their child is getting enough of a given nutrient. Breast milk or formula, which both usually have sufficient vitamins, should be...
Infants absorb everything around them because everything is new and exciting. HealthyChildren, an American Academy of Pediatrics website, reports that as infants begin to grow and change they become increasingly alert and interested in their...
The Mayo Clinic says one of the most crucial steps in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is resting your baby in the proper sleeping position. SIDS is the abrupt and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant under 12...
Blue baby syndrome, which is also called methemoglobinemia, is a blood disorder. The blood is unable to carry enough oxygen throughout the body. Infants are more susceptible than adults. This disorder can either be inherited or acquired by...
Probiotics are healthy bacteria that play an important role in digestion as well as the immune system. A number of probiotic products are available that can relieve common stomach problems in children. While it is still unknown if infants need...
Vitamin C is necessary for proper brain function, wound healing, protein metabolism and the formation of connective tissues, bones and skin. It also increases iron absorption and acts as an antioxidant. Because the body can't produce vitamin C on...
Guidelines exist for putting an infant to sleep to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. Following these guidelines can prevent the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, the sudden death of a healthy infant, typically...
Babies bring us lots of joy and happiness in many different ways, but they can also provide us with a great deal of stress. Nowhere is this more evident than in the sleep patterns--or lack thereof--of your baby. Many parents struggle to get their...
Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition that can affect people of all ages. In infants, GER can be even more difficult because your infant may not be able to communicate unpleasant symptoms to you. The condition occurs when the band of muscles at...
Infant adoption can fulfill the dreams of a couple waiting to start a family. There are various avenues that lead to infant adoption, and families must be willing to sort through the possibilities. While the process may be long and demanding,...
Starting an infant on rice cereal is often an exciting time for parents, but it can also be confusing and scary, especially for new parents. For a smooth transition into the world of solid foods, remember that the introduction of cereal is more...
Children are considered to be an infant directly following birth up until the age of 1 year old. As infants grow, developmental areas rapidly expand over the course of 1 year. Implementing certain strategies to facilitate these developmental areas...
Autism is a developmental condition marked by a delay in social skills and trouble with communication skills. Learn about the best nutrition to prevent autism as best as possible in this health video.
Infants between four and seven months are in a transition period from breastfeeding or formula to solid foods. A baby ready to eat solid food should be able to hold their head up. Learn more about feeding four to seven month old babies in this...
Newborn infants should always be breastfed if it is possible. Some babies may need to formula feed though and iron fortified formula is usually best. Learn more about newborn baby diets in this parenting video.
