Tips from avyllage:
What I didn’t know that I didn’t know.
First and foremost - every baby is different, and that’s beautiful. From my home to yours, here is a personal timeline of what my little one experienced, along with helpful reminders that crept up on me sooner than I imagined. If you have any concerns, it’s always best to bring them to your pediatrician first.
0-3 Months
Do what feels right. Your baby is always right. Trust your gut and intuition.
At this age, we are learning our little one and finding what works for them and what they need. I was measuring oz and timing feedings on each breast - neurotically. After a month or two, I learned that my little one needed a few more ounces in order to get to sleep and stay asleep. I learned that she spit up quite a bit and that she needed to burp after each ounce. By listening for specific cues and tweaking small things, it will help you learn your baby and your routine.
Pro Tip: Once a week during this time, my partner and I would each take one night to sleep in a separate space in order to get a full night of rest to recharge. I would pump and prepare bottles of breastmilk for the 11 pm, 2 am and 5 am feedings and he would handle them for me. If you’re little one is exclusively breastfed, this may not be for you. Always do what you feel is best.
Baby’s cries are different. They’re telling you what you need if you listen. Listen closely for the differences. When in doubt, try solving for all of these in this order.
“Eh” = Upper wind, burping is needed.
“Eairh” = Gassiness, lower wind pain. Bicycles with legs or magic foot rub.
“Heh” = Discomfort. Hot, Cold, Wet, Itchy. Diaper change and/or outfit change.
“Neh” = Hungry.
“Owh” = Sleepiness.
4-6 Months
Your baby is growing and making moves!
They might be ready for a sleep sack instead of a swaddle, and you might be thinking about transitioning your babe to a crib instead of a bassinet near your bed at night. This is the time to start thinking about those things and making those transitions. Take a peek at our section on sleep to help guide you through this process, but do what feels comfortable for you and your family.
Pro Tip: Start a routine so your little one becomes comfortable with “bedtime.” We made sure we put her in footie pajamas only for the long night time stretch. We made sure the diapers we chose were suitable for a full night sleep (we used Coterie or Kirkland). We also established a routine:
Bath (on bath night), pajamas, sleep sack, bottle, book, sound machine on, place in crib awake. This can be any routine you want - consistency is key.
Things are changing and big shifts are coming your way.
Keep on tummy timing. Your little one is going to roll over and/or crawl soon if they haven’t already! Try to allocate around 2-3 hours total to this per today. Head control is super important, especially if they’re going to start solid foods around 6 months*.
Sitting on their own. Help them do this by surrounding them with pillows, or sitting behind them to assist them in gaining this muscle memory.
Reaching/Grabbing. Keys, toys, pacifiers - hold them out so they can reach!
Teeth! Ouch! Teething can cause your little one to be a bit grouchy, cry a bit more, or drool a lot! Make sure you’re prepared for when you see that little bubble below the surface. It can be as early as 4 months, or as late as 12-15 months.
*Speak with your pediatrician to see if your little one is ready to begin solid foods/purees at 6 months.
6-10 Months
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Pro Tip: It was mushy and nutritious. There are different methods for introducing solid foods - rice cereal, baby food, purees or baby led weaning. We offered avocado as our little one’s first food at 6 months and continued with baby led weaning.
Patterns and independence.
Baby proof your home. Your little one is becoming mobile! Grab some items to block outlets and move breakable items to higher shelves. This will get you ready for when your little one is ready to walk.
Object Permanence: Babies begin to understand that objects still exist even when they are out of sight. This concept develops gradually and is a significant cognitive milestone.
Solid Foods: Most babies are ready to start transitioning to solid foods between 6-8 months (talk to your pediatrician to ensure your baby is ready). It's important to introduce a variety of age-appropriate foods and textures. Learn more about starting solids.
Teeth! Ouch! Teething can cause your little one to be a bit grouchy, cry a bit more, or drool a lot! Make sure you’re prepared for when you see that little bubble below the surface. It can be as early as 4 months, or as late as 12-15 months.
*Speak with your pediatrician to see if your little one is ready to begin solid foods/purees at 6 months.
11-12 Months
Your baby is growing and making moves!
They might be ready for a sleep sack instead of a swaddle, and you might be thinking about transitioning your babe to a crib instead of a bassinet near your bed at night. This is the time to start thinking about those things and making those transitions. Take a peek at our section on sleep to help guide you through this process, but do what feels comfortable for you and your family.
Pro Tip: Start a routine so your little one becomes comfortable with “bedtime.” We made sure we put her in footie pajamas only for the long night time stretch. We made sure the diapers we chose were suitable for a full night sleep (we used Coterie or Kirkland). We also established a routine:
Bath (on bath night), pajamas, sleep sack, bottle, book, sound machine on, place in crib awake. This can be any routine you want - consistency is key.
Things are changing and big shifts are coming your way.
Keep on tummy timing. Your little one is going to roll over and/or crawl soon if they haven’t already! Try to allocate around 2-3 hours total to this per today. Head control is super important, especially if they’re going to start solid foods around 6 months*.
Sitting on their own. Help them do this by surrounding them with pillows, or sitting behind them to assist them in gaining this muscle memory.
Reaching/Grabbing. Keys, toys, pacifiers - hold them out so they can reach!
Teeth! Ouch! Teething can cause your little one to be a bit grouchy, cry a bit more, or drool a lot! Make sure you’re prepared for when you see that little bubble below the surface. It can be as early as 4 months, or as late as 12-15 months.
*Speak with your pediatrician to see if your little one is ready to begin solid foods/purees at 6 months.
13-15 Months
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Pro Tip: Start a routine so your little one becomes comfortable with “bedtime.” We made sure we put her in footie pajamas only for the long night time stretch. We made sure the diapers we chose were suitable for a full night sleep (we used Coterie or Kirkland). We also established a routine:
Bath (on bath night), pajamas, sleep sack, bottle, book, sound machine on, place in crib awake. This can be any routine you want - consistency is key.
Things are changing and big shifts are coming your way.
Keep on tummy timing. Your little one is going to roll over and/or crawl soon if they haven’t already! Try to allocate around 2-3 hours total to this per today. Head control is super important, especially if they’re going to start solid foods around 6 months*.
Sitting on their own. Help them do this by surrounding them with pillows, or sitting behind them to assist them in gaining this muscle memory.
Reaching/Grabbing. Keys, toys, pacifiers - hold them out so they can reach!
Teeth! Ouch! Teething can cause your little one to be a bit grouchy, cry a bit more, or drool a lot! Make sure you’re prepared for when you see that little bubble below the surface. It can be as early as 4 months, or as late as 12-15 months.
*Speak with your pediatrician to see if your little one is ready to begin solid foods/purees at 6 months.
16-20 Months
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Pro Tip: Start a routine so your little one becomes comfortable with “bedtime.” We made sure we put her in footie pajamas only for the long night time stretch. We made sure the diapers we chose were suitable for a full night sleep (we used Coterie or Kirkland). We also established a routine:
Bath (on bath night), pajamas, sleep sack, bottle, book, sound machine on, place in crib awake. This can be any routine you want - consistency is key.
Things are changing and big shifts are coming your way.
Keep on tummy timing. Your little one is going to roll over and/or crawl soon if they haven’t already! Try to allocate around 2-3 hours total to this per today. Head control is super important, especially if they’re going to start solid foods around 6 months*.
Sitting on their own. Help them do this by surrounding them with pillows, or sitting behind them to assist them in gaining this muscle memory.
Reaching/Grabbing. Keys, toys, pacifiers - hold them out so they can reach!
Teeth! Ouch! Teething can cause your little one to be a bit grouchy, cry a bit more, or drool a lot! Make sure you’re prepared for when you see that little bubble below the surface. It can be as early as 4 months, or as late as 12-15 months.
*Speak with your pediatrician to see if your little one is ready to begin solid foods/purees at 6 months.
21-24 Months
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Pro Tip: Start a routine so your little one becomes comfortable with “bedtime.” We made sure we put her in footie pajamas only for the long night time stretch. We made sure the diapers we chose were suitable for a full night sleep (we used Coterie or Kirkland). We also established a routine:
Bath (on bath night), pajamas, sleep sack, bottle, book, sound machine on, place in crib awake. This can be any routine you want - consistency is key.
Things are changing and big shifts are coming your way.
Keep on tummy timing. Your little one is going to roll over and/or crawl soon if they haven’t already! Try to allocate around 2-3 hours total to this per today. Head control is super important, especially if they’re going to start solid foods around 6 months*.
Sitting on their own. Help them do this by surrounding them with pillows, or sitting behind them to assist them in gaining this muscle memory.
Reaching/Grabbing. Keys, toys, pacifiers - hold them out so they can reach!
Teeth! Ouch! Teething can cause your little one to be a bit grouchy, cry a bit more, or drool a lot! Make sure you’re prepared for when you see that little bubble below the surface. It can be as early as 4 months, or as late as 12-15 months.
*Speak with your pediatrician to see if your little one is ready to begin solid foods/purees at 6 months.