Baby's First-Year Guide: A Simple Go-To for Every New Parent
Baby's First-Year Guide: General and Illness Tips, First-Year Warning Guide, Feeding and Sleeping Guide, Milestones, and a First-Year "First" Keep Sheet Printable
Disclosure: I am not a medical specialist. NO information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. This is just a guide from things I learned from books, other mothers, and being a mother of two myself. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Are you looking for a simple, to-the-point guide for your baby's first year? This post includes just that and everything from what to avoid, sleeping, feeding, and soothing tips, an illness guide, and a few first-year printables!
Are you looking for some first-time mom tips for your baby's first year or need a refresher?
This post is a simple and easy-to-read guide to the most important things new parents need to know about their baby's first year.
After reading this baby's first-year guide, you will know the most important things to avoid, simple guidelines, feeding, sleeping, milestones, and soothing tips.
This post is all about the baby's first-year guide.
Before Baby Arrives
- Choose a pediatrician.
- Take a CPR class. (Online Class at redress.org)
- Decide whether or not to do cord blood/tissue banking.
- Visit sites for coupons, offers, and free samples.
General Tips
Tip 1. When diapers leave marks on thighs, it's time to move up a size.
Tip 2. Try to maintain the same noise level you are used to during daytime naps. If you have it too quiet, your baby will get used to that and always need it.
Tip 3. Use an ointment every change to prevent a rash. I recommend Desitin Max Strength.
Tip 4. Once the baby is rolling, move the crib mattress to center level. Move the crib mattress to the lowest level once the baby sits or pulls to stand.
Tip 5. Do not place any toys in the baby's crib. You don't want to associate playtime with sleep time.
Tip 6. Do not fall asleep breastfeeding the baby or holding the baby while the baby sleeps. It can be tough to do so at times, so stay alert when most tired. Doing this can cause suffocation.
Tip 7. Encourage skin-to-skin contact to support bonding in the first months. (Kangaroo Method)
Tip 8. Get yourself a LÍLLÉbaby Complete 6-in-1 Baby Carrier. My husband and I used it almost every day throughout our baby's first year.
Tip 9. Try using baby-friendly detergent the first year. (or a sensitive skin detergent) Buy DREFT: Stage 1 Newborn Detergent on AMAZON
Tip 10. Nightlights - Don't use blue/green hues because it can interfere with baby's hormones. Use red/orange/white or yellow hues.
Tip 11. American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no fruit juice before six months and no more than 4 ounces per day for the first year.
Tip 12. Coffee Drinkers: Once baby starts crawling, I recommend getting a spill-proof tumbler. My coffee would get spilled over and over until I figured this out.
Tip 13. READ to your baby as much as you can!
Tip 14. Get outside as much as you can. It is so good for you and your baby.
Tip 15. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Tip 16. Remember, technology does not help a baby's development with talking and interacting.
Tip 17. Sterilize your baby's bottles for the first two months.
Baby's Crying Checklist
- Dirty diaper?
- Hungry?
- Tired?
- Needs to burp?
- Pain?
- Too hot or too cold?
- Uncomfortable clothing?
- Wants attention?
- Overstimulated?
- Sick?
Additional Ways to Soothe Your Baby
- Swaddle
- White Noise
- Gas: bicycle your baby's legs by gently placing the baby on a firm surface and alternate bent legs to tummy. Try gently bending both legs simultaneously to the belly as well.
- Bath - My granny always told me, " when a baby or child is fussy, put em' in water." (Read about Baby Bath Safety)
- Pacifier
Illness Tips
Taking Your Baby's Temperature
- The best way to take your baby's temperature is rectal; it is nearly impossible to take a baby's temperature by mouth.
- If you take temperature under the arm, add 1 degree to the final reading.
Cold and Cough
- Most pediatricians recommend a homeopathic remedy over-the-counter for colds and coughs because there are no actual medications for baby's under two but there are homeopathic options like Hylands or Zarbees Baby Cold and Cough. Always consult your pediatrician about any medication before giving it to your baby.
Hylands and Zarbees are very well-trusted brands.
Additional cold and cough remedies include:
- Add 2-3 saline drops in each nostril and use suction to remove mucus. Use steam from your bathroom for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a humidifier. (cool mist, not warm mist)
- Rub Baby Vicks on chest and feet, and make sure to put socks on your baby before sleeping.
- NOSE FRIDA - AMAZING!
Burns
What to do if your baby gets a minor burned :
*If blisters or skin peeling occurs, call 911 or immediately take your baby to the ER.
- Run cool, not ice water over the burn.
- Apply a cool compress, cold washcloth, or aloe to the burn. These Hiply Kid Ice Packs for Boos Boos are nice to have in the freezer.
- Do not apply any medication to burn without asking your baby's physician first.
Constipation
- Most common when introducing solid foods.
- Always contact your baby's pediatrician if you are concerned.
- Remedies for infant constipation include:
- Mommys BLISS Constipation Ease - Worked every time for my little ones.
- Try high fiber foods like pureed peas, or prunes. Depending on age multigrain cereals which have more fiber than rice cereal help as well.
- 100% Prune or 100% apple juice. Experiment between 1-4 ounces.
- Leg Bicycle: bicycle your baby's legs by gently placing the baby on a firm surface and alternate bent legs to tummy. Try gently bending both legs simultaneously to the belly as well.
Vomiting
- Almost all babies throw up in the first year.
- Unless it's persistent, vomiting is rarely dangerous.
- It can be a sign of illness such as:
1. Viral infection (usually with diarrhea and fever)
2. UTI
3. Ear infection
4. Feeding too much
5. Food poisoning (happens soon after a meal)
6. Overly upset baby
Diaper rash
A rash is going to happen at some point and it doesn't mean you are a bad momma.
- Most moms recommend Desitin Maximum Strength Baby Diaper Rash Cream. It always helped with both my children over any other.
Ear Infection
the AAP recommends prescribing antibiotics for ear infections in children age 6 months and younger.
The common symptoms of an ear infection include:
- A sudden change in behavior (crying and irritability)
- Older babies may pull or rub their ears
- Fever
- Feeling sick or vomiting, generally feeling ill, and sometimes diarrhea
Baby's First-Year WARNING Guide
- ANY FEVER EQUAL TO OR ABOVE 100.4 AT 2 MONTHS OLD OR YOUNGER IS CONSIDERED A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!
- NO honey the entire first year: It can cause infant botulism, a life-threatening disease.
- NO microwaving your baby's formula or breastmilk. Use a bottle warmer. (Dr. Brown's Breast Milk & Formula Bottle Warmer)
- Be CONSTANTLY AWARE of your hot beverages and stovetop handles if holding your baby while cooking. Once they start grabbing, it can happen in a second.
What are the 4 biggest concerns during a baby's first 6 months?
1. Suffocation
2. Choking
3. Burns
4. Falls
Last but not least:
- Try to avoid juice made from concentrate in the first year: Your baby needs natural and good calories to grow. I recommend making your own baby's juice with fruits and veggies...or Gerber baby juice 🙂
EASY
BABY-APPROVED
FRUIT JUICE RECIPES
I found these four juice recipes online back when my daughter was around four months old, and she LOVED them and still does, so I saved them. My seven-year-old son loves them too!
Blend in juicer/blender:
- Apple Lemonade – 2 apples, 1/2 small lemon
- ABC Juice – 1 apple, 2 carrots, 50g beetroot
- Kale & Pineapple – 200g kale (big handful), 1 large slice of pineapple
- Carrot & Orange – 2 carrots peeled and stem removed, 1 orange (peeled and seeds removed if any. I liked using clementines also.)
I recommend this baby's first-year guidebook. It taught me so much and helped me during my first year of learning to be a mother. But, there was so much I did not know that this book covers, and I HIGHLY recommend owning it.
Baby's First-Year Pocket Guide
Baby's First-Year Feeding, Sleeping, and Milestones
ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE!
Month 0-1
FEEDING
- Breastfeed every 2-3 hours. 10-15 minutes on each side.
- Formula feed 2-3oz. Every 2-3 hours, and do not force your baby to finish.
- Feed on demand. Wake baby every 2-3 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night.
- USE SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT TO FEED.
SLEEPING
- 15+ Hours a Day with short periods of awake times.
- Always put your baby on their back to sleep.
- Naps should be in a lit room, and sleep should be in the dark.
- The best bedtime is 7-8 PM.
MILESTONES
- Your baby can see your face! (newborns can see up to 12 inches away now)
- Equal hand movements.
- Head and neck control is still very weak, continue to support at all times.
- Your baby will turn head side to side while on tummy.
- At 6 weeks your baby will start socially smiling.
- Well-child visit at 1 week, weight check at 2 weeks, and another well-child visit at 4 weeks.
Month 2-3
FEEDING
- Breastfeed every 3-4 hours. If your baby is still hungry afterward, breastfeed more or supplement with formula.
- Formula feed 3-5oz. Every 3-4 hours, don't force your baby to finish.
- Start to clean your baby's gums and tongue with a small cloth morning and night after the bottle; Doing this will help your baby prepare for teeth brushing soon!
SLEEPING
- 15+ Hours a Day with 2-3 naps a day.
- Always put your baby on their back to sleep.
- Okay to transition to a dimmer room now for naps during the day.
- Best bedtime is 7-8PM.
MILESTONES
- Start to encourage tummy time for 5-10 minutes a day now.
- Your baby can now see up to 15 inches away!
- Encourage bold shapes and colors. Your baby at this stage will really enjoy them.
- Your baby will start lifting head and chest off ground during tummy time.
- The adorable baby talk begins! 🙂
- Well-child visit at 2 months.
Month 4-5
FEEDING
- Breastfeed every 3-4 hours. If your baby is still hungry afterward, breastfeed more or supplement with formula.
- Formula feed 5-7 ounces every 3-4 hours, don't force your baby to finish.
- Your baby will start holding their bottle soon!
- Breastmilk and formula are the ONLY primary food source still at this stage.
SLEEPING
- Less than 15 Hours a Day with 2-3 naps a day.
- Amount of sleep at night will start to get longer. (6-9 hours)
- Always put your baby on their back to sleep but it is okay if they roll over on their own.
- Start self-soothing method: Let baby cry for 3-5 minutes. If he/she does not stop crying, go into room and pat your baby gently until soothed. Leave room. DO NOT PICK YOUR BABY UP. Repeat.
MILESTONES
- Your baby will start reaching for and grasping objects.
- Your baby starts laughing, actually laughing! 🙂
- Your baby can start sitting with head steady.
- Your baby will start rolling.
- Well-child visit at 4 months.
Month 6-7
FEEDING
- Safe to start solids now!
- Start with cereals and veggies. Leave the fruits for later because if your baby enjoys the sweetness over the taste of veggies, it will make feeding them veggies a lot harder.
- 1-2 new solids a week is preferred.
- Be aware of allergies, if your baby has difficulty breathing call 911!
- Clean the gums and tongue. If your baby has teeth use a finger brush every morning and night.
SLEEPING
- Less than 15 hours a day. Stretches of sleep will become longer. (5-10 hours) Waking up between 4-6 times per night. Remember to self-soothe!
- Transitional objects with your baby are okay, ie. Breathable blanket, stuffed animal at this stage.
- The best bedtime is 7-8 PM.
- Routine!
MILESTONES
- Your baby is able to reach.
- Your baby is able to roll.
- Your baby starts to babble, imitate sounds, and facial expressions.
- Well child visit is at 6 months.
Month 8-9
FEEDING
- Breastmilk and formula still primary source of food.
- 20-24 ounces a day.
- Start to use sippy cups with straws.
- Use baby finger foods for snacks. ie. Gerber puffs, banana rice snacks, etc.
SLEEPING
- Less than 15 hours a day with 2 naps a day.
- Waking in the night is still common (4-6 times per night)
- Best bedtime is 7-8PM.
- Continue reading to your baby, especially before bedtime.
- Keep the same routine!
MILESTONES
- Your baby can now sit without support, pulls to stand, and crawls.
- Your baby can start to imitate speech sounds like "dada and mama."
- Your baby may begin to develop stranger anxiety and won't want to be held by anyone other than who they are with daily.
- Well-child visit at 9 months.
Month 10-12
FEEDING
- Breastmilk and formula: 16-24 ounces a day.
- 3 meals with 2-3 snacks a day
- Your baby can now self-feed.
KEEP A FEEDING SCHEDULE ROUTINE, AND TRY TO FEED AT THE SAME TIMES EVERY DAY.
SLEEPINg
- 13+ hours a day with 2 naps a day.
- A longer stretch of sleep (10-12 hours)
- The best bedtime is 7-8 PM.
- Put your baby in the crib for both naps and sleep.
- Keep the same routine!
MILESTONES
- Your baby can stand and hold the furniture to help them walk.
- Your baby can recognize objects and point at them.
- Your baby can wave hi and bye!
- Your baby can start to understand language.
- Your baby can imitate sounds.
- Well-child visit at 12 months.
Baby's First-Year First Memories Printable
Baby's First-Year First Printable to keep dated memories of all your baby's important first milestones!
Congratulations on your new baby and I hope you the best first-year!
CHERISH EVERY MOMENT, THEY GROW UP SO FAST!
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