Your baby`s first birthday is approaching. Your little one is now starting to talk at mealtimes, wave hands, develop a taste for food, enjoy its favorite music and books and develop a bright personality!

Baby Development

A few steps forward, one step back could be the explanation for your baby`s development at this stage. Saying goodbye to you a few weeks ago and now crying while you`re at work? But you don`t have to worry; this means that all of its energy is channeled towards emotional harmony. These setbacks can happen on the verge of big changes as your baby masters a new skill that will fascinate you. Its energy for simple skills like waving is now focused on developing big new skills like walking.

Even if it doesn`t say a lot of new words, your baby`s vocabulary will also grow at this point. Keep talking to it using correct, full sentences. You can start using pronouns like "I`ll play with you" instead of "Mom will play with you".

Milestones

1. Your baby will insist on feeding itself with a fork or spoon.

1. Will be able to drink properly from a cup.

1. Will become more and more curious and begin to investigate every object it sees.

1. Will begin to recognize your expressions; if you nod and smile, it will keep doing things and if you are horrified it will stop.

1. Can enjoy rolling cars, balls, etc. It will be more interested in toys that move or can be pulled and pushed.

1. Can begin to learn how to kick and throw an object.

1. Can remove objects from a container and return them when shown.

1. Can scribble with a crayon.

Nutrition

If you`re taking a baby-led approach to breastfeeding, you can continue to let it take the lead. Some days, perhaps in response to a virus or a cold, it may suck frequently, and sometimes it may be too distracted while sucking, or it may try to suckle frequently at night. Your milk quantity will be adjusted accordingly. You can continue breastfeeding as long as you want. While some mothers turn to giving cow`s milk to their babies, some continue to give breast milk. Breastfeeding is best for your baby for the first 2 years.

Sleep

Now you may wonder if it`s time to put it in a crib or a separate room. There is no definite right or wrong decision for this. Some experts recommend that the baby be put to sleep in its own room as of the 6th month, while some experts recommend that the baby be laid in a bed arrangement for 2 years with its mom, adjacent to each other, on the same plane, with no barriers between them, separating the bed at the age of 2 and separating the room at the age of 4. In any case, it is important that this transition should be made gradually. In other words, from the bottom of the bed to the other side of the room, from there to its own room... After putting your baby to bed in a separate room, you can put a mattress on the floor and sleep next to it until it gets used to it. Having the same light, sound and atmosphere in the new room can make your baby feel more comfortable.

Care Tips

1. Give your baby your finger at the beginning as it will make it feel comfortable when trying to walk.

1. Don`t get stressed if your baby`s weight drops suddenly at this stage, it`s common in toddlers.

1. You should give your baby full-fat milk when weaning, but if you have a family history of obesity, cardiovascular problems or high cholesterol, the doctor may recommend low-fat milk.

1. Your baby will watch and imitate everything you do, so don`t show any negative behavior in front of it.

1. Keep dangerous objects away from your baby because this is the age at which it will put everything in its mouth.

1. If your baby never leaves you when you have work to do, involve it in your duties, for example, if you are hanging laundry, give it a piece of cloth to hold.

1. If your baby refuses certain foods, cook and serve them differently next time.

1. Let your baby play, observe and eat. Playing with food is also a learning process and can get stressful if you rush.

Tests and Vaccines

If you have had previous vaccinations and controls, there is no special routine for this week.

Plays and Activities

1. Sit across your baby with your legs stretched to both sides. Playfully roll it a ball and ask it to roll it back.

1. If your baby is standing alone, you can show it how to kick the ball.

1. Place a few lighter items a little away from your baby, such as an empty cereal box, a bowl or a soft drink can. Roll the ball to knock them down. Give the ball to your baby and ask it to roll it like you, knocking things down.

When to Apply to The Doctor?

You should consult a doctor in the following situations:

1. See a doctor if your baby has trouble in seeing objects, squints frequently, tilts its head to see, or rubs its eyes frequently.

1. If your baby`s eyes are reddish, wet, sensitive to light, or have inflammation, it may have pink eye, in which case consult a doctor immediately.

1. Consult a doctor in case of circumstances as poisoning, etc., if your baby vomits frequently.