Infant Development Education

Developmental Milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

Social and Emotional Milestones: https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/DevelopMilestone/SocialEmotionalMilestones/index.html

Positive Parenting Tips: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/index.html

Activities to Improve Attachment: https://psychcentral.com/pro/child-therapist/2014/08/5-attachment-based-activities-to-strengthen-parent-child-relationships#1

What is Early On? video https://youtu.be/46WK-bbj_Jw

Infant Mental Health Guide: https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/infant-mental-health-guide/

Infant development and screening involve the following areas:

• Gross motor

• Fine motor

• Communication

• Problem solving

• Personal-social

• Social-emotional

Your baby’s first relationship is with you. There are many ways to promote your baby’s development:

• Teach them their little world is a safe place and that they are loved.

• Quickly respond to your baby’s needs and be very gentle and loving.

• When your baby is fussy, try to uncover the reason (scared, hungry, thirsty, cold, hot, etc.) Responding to your baby’s wants and needs will help form a strong emotional attachment between you both. A strong bond is one of the best things for your baby’s development.

What signs should I watch out for that could indicate my baby needs a developmental evaluation?

Signs from birth to 12 months include:

• Having eating difficulties.

• Not gaining weight or is losing weight.

• Sleeping difficulties (too much/too little).

• Showing little preference for any adult.

• Resists holding.

• Crying for prolonged periods.

• Being hard to console.

• Rarely making eye contact with others.

• Not showing interest in people or things going on around them.

• Not reacting to simple games like peek-a-boo.