Attached is a national study of 1,615 parents ages zero to three, that  focused on how social-emotional development unfolds and what you can do to nurture your child’s healthy development. To read this full article click here.

Children’s eating habits

Based on research and experience, here are some facts about children’s eating:

• Children will eat
• They are capable of regulating their food intake
• They generally react negatively to new food but will usually accept them with time and experience
• Parents influence their child’s eating habits

How often to eat

Babies need to feed on demand. Toddlers and preschoolers need to eat about every two to three hours. They have small stomachs and high energy needs. Plan the timing of meals and snacks and stick to the schedule when possible. Children need some limits as to when food is available.

Avoid food fights

The way to get a child to eat is to not make a big deal out of it. Offer a variety of healthy food choices and let your child decide when they are hungry and when they are full. Children know how much they need to eat. Children vary from day to day how much they eat and parents can’t predict this.

Don’t use food as a control tool. Never push food on pbies and children. If they want it, they’ll either open wide or pick it up themselves. It is your job to provide healthy, nutritious food. It’s your child’s job to eat it. Never chase your child with a spoonful of anything. Never use the threat of “no dessert” to get a child to finish his main course. Don’t even talk about how well or poorly a child has eaten. Zip your lip. It’s his stomach.

Suggested times for adding new foods. For more information, talk with your nutritionist, nurse or doctor.

Do not give sweeteners such as honey or corn syrups, or any food that contains these sweeteners (including cereals and graham crackers), to infants. They may contain spores that can cause infant botulism, a food poisoning which can lead to death.

Breast milk is the best milk for your baby. Pediatricians recommend breastfeeding until you baby is a year old. Breast milk, iron-fortified infant formula or a combination of both should make up the main food for your baby for the first year.

Advantages of breast feeding:

• Human breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. It has all the right ingredients in just the right amounts for your baby.
• Breast milk has special antibodies that help protect your baby from colds, flu, ear infections, and illnesses like asthma, eczema, and hay fever.
• It is much more economical to breastfeed.
• Research shows that there are fewer crib deaths (SIDS) among breastfed babies.

If you are breast feeding:

• Feed the baby on demand. Go by the baby’s needs, not the clock. Many babies are hungry about every two hours. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce.
• There is no need to supplement breast-feeding at all during the first two weeks with bottles of water or formula; healthy infants get all they need from breast milk.
• Make sure the baby is positioned on the breast properly. Baby and mom should be tummy to tummy and the baby has as much of the breast in his/her mouth as possible. If the baby is only on the nipple, soreness will result.
• Be patient. It takes time to get to know one another and to perfect the art of breast feeding.

If you have any questions about breast feeding your newborn call La Leche League @ 406-582-5688.

If you are bottle feeding:

You and your doctor will decide which formula is best; if your baby is allergic to milk, there are special formulas available on the market. Never change formulas without discussing it first with your doctor. Here are some other things to keep in mind about bottle feeding:

• Powder formula is the most economical.
• The first time you use new bottles, rings, nipple caps or nipples, sterilize them in boiling water.
• When you mix formula, follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly.
• Check the expiration date on the container to make sure you’re using a safe product.
• If you are using a powder formula, it’s easiest to prepare the entire day’s bottles in the morning and put them in the refrigerator so they will be ready when the baby is hungry.
• If you warm formula, place it in a pan of hot water. NEVER microwave bottles because milk in the center of the bottle can easily get overheated.
• Follow your baby’s lead to decide how much formula to give. At first, babies only take a few ounces; by the time they are three months old, many take up to our eight ounce bottles a day. Tune in to signals that baby has had enough: fussiness, pushing bottle away or turning head.
• Nourish your baby emotionally as well as physically. Give your newborn skin-to-skin contact whenever possible, cuddle and speak softly and lovingly.
• Feeding time is a learning time for your baby. Be patient and attentive to your baby’s needs. When using a bottle, hold baby close. Never prop a bottle or let baby sleep with a bottle.

For more information visit http://www.alexian.org

Give consistent loving care.

If a child is raised in a loving setting, they will learn to love. Children who are ignored or not nurtured will not fully develop all areas of their brains.

Touch infants.

In research with infants, it was shown that gently massaging premature infants three times per day for 15 minuts helped them gain weight, be more alert, and cry less. These infants were released from the hospital sooner than infants who were not massaged. Additionally, low light, skin-to-skin holding, and being near the mother’s heart can improve growth and save medical costs for premature infants.

Pay attention to hearing and language.

Repetition forms connections. Talk to the baby so they will begin babbling. Name what you are doing, name items, point and show expression your face.

Lots of ear infections can slow down language development because babies cannot hear words repeated to them. It is easier for children to learn two language than it is for adults. For example, children whose parents speak Spanish and English create two maps and strengthen their use of both languages when both these areas of the brain are used in childhood.

Watch babies notice the world at 2 to 4 months.

Watch the health of the eyes to assure babies are taking in the colors, faces, and shapes around them. Each neuron is attaching to 15,000 other neurons during the first months. The development of vision peaks at 8 months. In research with infants, it was found thta if cataracts were not removed by age 2, children were unable to see since the vision centers were not used and did not develop.

Look for teachable moments.

Every day offers windows of learning for children. When you are dressing your child, name items, colors, and count. When you are fixing dinner, let toddlers play with plastic dishes. When you can, name things that are the same, different, bigger, smaller, hot, cold. When you drive in the car, point out things like trees, cars, big trucks, and stop signs.

Use music because it relates to math skills.

By exposing children to complex music sounds (Mozart, not hard rock), children will develop the same areas of the brain required for math and spatial reasoning. Using mazes, copying patterns, and drawing shapes has been show to improve with exposure to complex music sounds.

Know that emotional connections can be stressful or relaxed.

Vivid memories are often tied to emotional reactions to particular situations. The more vivid the memory, the stronger the print in the brain. The limbic system regulates emotinoal impules and helps us make decisions about what to do…run, cry, react, whine, turn away. If the goal in childhood is survival and coping skills around survival are taught, this will become permanent. If trust is nurtured, then this will become part of the child’s nature. Neglect or trauma during childhood could cause learning and behavioral problems later on.

Be gently physical.

Children need to move their small (fingers and toes) and large (by running and jumping) body parts. Expose your child to a safe variety of physical activities as they grow. During the child’s preschool years, think of all areas – climbing, splashing, slow and fast movement, hard and soft areas, different textures like clay, and paint.

Mirror behaviors you want in children.

Children will pick up many behaviors of the adults around them. If parents voices are loud, children may be loud; if parents use soft warm touches, children will learn the same. If children see patience in adults looking for solutions to problems, they will see that learning is a process with many steps.

Summary

The power of the brain is very interconnected. In early years, children learn symbols to understand meanings. For example, outstretched arms may mean a toddler wants “up,” or hugs may be a symbol of love and security. But over time, these key elements found in the emotional centers of the brain begin to organie response that happen. Over time, life experiences combine to form our understanding of abstract concepts, such as justice, pride, forgiveness, anger, and security. Adults play a critical role in the lives of children. Helping children organize their world takes time, patience, and warmth, but these efforts form the building blocks to positive, human interactions.

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care – NNCC. Debord, K.

Sharing Books Together

When you read to your child, his brain cells are turned on and begin to make connections. As he looks at the picture on the page and hears the words you are reading, his brain is hard at work. And if you can talk about how the story is like something in your child’s life, that’s even better. Hearing favorite stories over and over also helps strengthen brain connections.

Contact the Bozeman Public Library (406-582-2400) for information about story times and other reading together opportunities.

0-6 Weeks

General Infant Behavior

• Sleeps about 16 hours/day, in small increments, at one month
• Lack of mobility; movements are reflexive
• Sucking ability
• Frequent eating
• Pattern of repeated crying at a certain time every day may indicate colic (contact doctor)
• Draw attention by crying
• Can see objects that are about 10 inches away; vision is not fully developed yet

Positive Parenting Practices

• Handle infant often while making eye contact
• Respond to needs by checking for signs of discomfort (hungry, wet, diaper pins, etc.)
• Feed on demand until full (child will self-regulate eventually)
• Smile and talk softly in a pleasant tone while holding, touching, and handling infant
• Touching, rocking, talking, smiling, and singing all positively affect how your baby’s brain is “wired” and helps to shape later learning and behavior
• Baby should sleep on his/her back unless doctor says otherwise

About Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression in mothers:

At least 50-80% of new mothers experience the baby blues, a mild form of depression that begins a few days to a week after delivery and generally lasts no longer than two weeks. If you have the blues, you may be weepy, anxious, and unable to sleep. You may also be irritable and moody.

Could I be suffering from postpartum depression?

If your mood doesn’t lift within a week or two, you may have postpartum depression. About 10% of new mothers develop full-blown clinical depression, which can last from two weeks to as long as a year.

• You cannot sleep when your baby sleeps, no matter how tired you are
• May also experience a loss of appetite
• Panic attacks
• Intrusive thoughts about harming the baby
• Postpartum depression in mothers that lasts more than a few months after birth has been known to cause the mother to be less responsive to their baby’s needs
• Lack of attention from the mother can fail to provide the baby with the cognitive stimulation they need to form connections in the brain

If you feel you may be suffering from postpartum depression, talk with your doctor or call Gallatin City/County Health Department @ 406-582-3100.

6 Weeks – 3 Months

General Behavior

• Awake for longer periods, and sleeps 4-10 hours/night
• Easier and more frequent smiling
• Beings to notice own hands
• Attracted to objects of bright colors and distinctive patterns, and is now able to grasp items
• Shorter periods of fussiness (crying) can be expected
• Begins to smile at people, coos
• Follows moving objects with eyes
• Turns head towards sound
• Sucks with pleasure and recognizes breast or bottle

Positive Parenting Practices

• Place child on safe surface to allow movement
• Continue to hold and touch infant often and respond to needs
• Crying for prolonged periods may indicate a problem (check with doctor)
• Hang bright-colored, visually stimulated objects above crib
• Smile and talk softly in a pleasant tone with holding, touching, and handling infant
• Needs should be identified and met as promptly as possible

3 – 5 Months

General Behavior

• Responds to faces and voices (by kicking out vigorously, laughing aloud, etc.)
• Turns over on his/her own by 4-5 months
• Likes to lie on belly and push up to look around
• Holds objects and studies intently
• Starts to sit with support and has neck control
• Likes to look at self in mirror
• Plays with and enjoys infant toys (soft toys, mobiles, rattles and other safe toys)
• Listens intently, responds with talking sounds when spoken to
• Cries to communicate fear, pain, discomfort or loneliness

Positive Parenting Practices

• Continue to respond to needs
• Talk and read to baby
• Smile and hold (make eye contact)
• Prop baby up so he/she can look around (be sure he/she is secure)
• Offer a variety of patterns or textures to play with
• Vocalize in response to infant
• Talk to infant soothingly during care
• Allow infant to cling to parent and get used to people a little at a time

5 – 8 Months

General Behavior

• Sits up
• Reaches for objects
• Responds to sounds
• Some children may sleep through night, but varies greatly
• Fear of strangers
• Fascinated with faces, preferably parents’
• Feels, shakes, and bangs things
• Repeats actions that have interesting results
• Development of vision peaks at 8 months
• May take 2-3 naps a day
• May be getting first teeth (drooling and biting everything)

Positive Parenting Practices

• Continue to be responsive to infant (holding and interacting)
• Continue talking to infant
• Read small stories aloud
• Provide different sounds for infant to listen to
• Play pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo
• Provide for periods of solitary play
• Remove mobiles and bumper pads from crib

CAUTION: Infant will put anything available in his/her mouth.

8 – 14 Months

General Behavior

• Beginning to crawl and explore surroundings
• Curious, active, clumsy; imitates adults
• May say first meaningful words
• Interest in small objects by sucking, chewing, biting, and drooling
• Handles and touches objects
• Pulls self up on furniture and attempts to walk
• Beginning to remember simple events, form simple concepts
• Identifies themselves, body parts, voices, familiar people
• Understands own name, other common words
• Can find hidden objects
• Claps hands
• May show anxiety at separation from parents
• Starts to eat and sleep at regular times

Positive Parenting Practices

• Provide safe toys of varied shapes and sizes and containers as well as plenty of room to explore
• Provide drawer or cupboard for child’s enjoyment in kitchen
• Allow child to explore safe places
• Play is an important part of learning
• Talk to baby, describe things and actions
• Read to child, picture books
• Encourage self help in feeding; use finger foods
• Encourage use of cup with small amount of fluid
• Baby proof home for safety

Discipline Options

• Substitute a good behavior for one you find unacceptible (distract to a toy or to a different behavior, change environment, take to another room)

14 Months – 2 years

General Behavior

• Beginning to use spoon; may have difficulting inserting spoon into mouth
• Beginning to speak, putting words together
• Solves problems
• Shows pride in accomplishments, likes to help
• Begins to play with others
• May have temper tantrums
• Asserts independence but strongly prefers familiar people; may be shy around unfamiliar people
• Recognizes ownership of objects (i.e. “mine”)
• Begins to understand what adults want them to do, but do not yet have the ability to control themselves
• Throws and picks up objects
• Walking

Positive Parenting Practices

• Provide music, books, magazines
• Set realistic limits and be consistent
• Praise for success
• Let child see mouthing of words
• Allow child to do small tings to help dress and undress himself (but do not push him to achieve beyond his capabilities)
• Allow and help child to express feelings
• Encourage verablization and expression of wants
• Place in bed before child reaches an excessive state of fatigue/excitement

Discipline Options

• Continue distractions for unacceptible behavior and reward for acceptable behavior
• Ignore tantrums unless child hurts himself
• Set reasonable limits on behavior

2 – 3 Years

General Behavior

• Interested in peers (leading, following, and competing)
• Enjoys conversations
• Beings simple reasoning
• Asks questions (“Why?”)
• Beings potty training
• Engages in role playing or make-believe activities
• Self-centered (does not understand that parents and siblings have needs too)
• Feelings can be hurt; ways to deal with stress are still limited
• Attends longer to stories and television
• Has a difficult time sharing

Positive Parenting Practices

• Encourage napping at signs of fatigue or irritability
• Encourage imagination and dramatic play activities
• Regularity and consistency promote good sleeping habits
• Give attention to disirable behavior
• Model positive traits you wish your child to possess
• Assure child that you understand his feelings
• Very active; don’t let them out of sight!

Discipline Options

• Use clear-cut limits
• Be specific about what you expect
• Use gentle firmness, no hitting

3 – 5 years

General Behavior

• Active and curious explorer
• Gains independence (likes to feed and dress self but may need assistance)
• Unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy (enjoys make-believe, dressing up and imaginary playmates)
• Develops some fears (dark, storms, animals); child needs comfort and reassurance, and should not be ridiculed
• Concept of time is limited; difficulty understanding “wait for five minutes”
• “Terrible 4s” if passed over negative behavior at age 2
• Likes to play with “friends;” does not like to lose, though
• Acts more independent but is still dependent on parents
• Enjoys learning new skills
• Frustrated easily; may not know how to handle frustrations/disappointments
• Learning that there are consequences for misbehavior

Positive Parenting Practices

• Provide opportunity to be around other children; interaction is important
• Set firm limits; praise good behavior
• Allow child to express feelings both positive and negative
• Allow choices when possible in dressing and food choices
• Provide quiet time prior to sleep
• Provide simple clothing that child can handle
• Encourage them to explore their environment; look for teaching moments
• Read to your child; have them guess what will happen next in the story; talk about characters and why they act the way they do; help them identify emotions
• Limit TV time; too much TV limits direct interactions
• Establish daily routines; kids do better when they can predict their environment; have a set bedtime and regular mealtimes