Congratulations on Being a Mother!
Whether you are celebrating the birth of your first baby or the last one, adding a member to the family is a magical time. The first year of a baby’s life is critical for their health and well being. Learn about how to ensure that in a year from you will be celebrating their first birthday!
Your Baby and Sleep
Make sure your baby is safe while they are sleeping, so never let your baby sleep in bed with you. Many instances of infant death while sleeping occur when the baby is under four months old and they are suffocated by a parent.
Your baby should always sleep alone in their own crib. Make sure there are no blankets, stuffed animals or bumpers in the crib with your baby, and the mattress should be firm with a tight, fitted sheet.
Always remember the ABC’s of safe sleeping:
A: Alone-not with other people, blankets, or pillows.
B: Back-place babies on their back to sleep every time.
C: Crib- your baby should always sleep in a safe, empty crib with a firm mattress.
Your Baby and Sleep
Bedtime is the best time. But bedtime can be a dangerous time if you are not careful with your baby. Many instances of infant death while sleeping occurs when the baby is under four months old and they are suffocated by a parent.
The best way to sleep with your baby in the room is having them in a crib near the bed or in a bedside sleeper. Never share a bed with a baby under four months old, and keep extra pillows and blankets to a minimum.
Baby’s bedtime safety is the most important thing. Let’s make baby’s bed a safe place to sleep.
To learn more about the increase in infant sleep related deaths, click on the button below.
Feeding your Baby
Breastfed infants experience immunological and nutritional benefits that infants who are not breastfed do not receive. Benefits of breastfeeding include: improved developmental outcomes, increased mother/infant bonding, reduced health care costs, less environmental waste, and reduced infant mortality. Breastfeeding is linked to decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, GI infections, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, diabetes, childhood leukemia and lymphoma, and better neurodevelopmental outcomes.
For more information on breastfeeding, visit WIC Breastfeeding Support.
Formula was created as an emergency baby food, and it can be used as an alternative to breastfeeding for a mother who is otherwise medically unable to breastfeed. Many people believe medications taken by a lactating parent could keep them from breastfeeding, however most medications are safe to breastfeed on. If you want to breastfeed but are uncertain about the medications you are taking, speak with your healthcare professional to ask about the specific medication and possible effects, or alternative medications.
After 6 months, you can speak with your healthcare professional and consider if your baby meets ALL the developmental readiness cues to start solid foods. Make sure to keep a close eye on your baby when trying new foods, and if they seem uninterested, wait a while and try again. Breastmilk is still providing all of nutrients your baby needs to stay healthy.
Milestones for Your Baby’s Growth
From delightful to dizzying, your baby’s first year is packed full of milestones both cute and challenging. Here are a few to expect in the first year:
- Begins to babble and “talk” (Three months)
- Starts to smile (Three months)
- Sits without support (Seven months)
- Explores with hands and mouth (Seven months)
- Walking holding on to furniture (One year)
There are many guides online to help you see what milestones your baby should be hitting and when they should hit them. If they are not, you should consult your healthcare professional.
Milestones for Your Baby’s Growth
From delightful to dizzying, your baby’s first year is packed full of milestones both cute and challenging. Here are a few to expect in the first year:
- Begins to babble and “talk” (Three months)
- Starts to smile (Three months)
- Sits without support (Seven months)
- Explores with hands and mouth (Seven months)
- Walking holding on to furniture (One year)
There are many guides online to help you see what milestones your baby should be hitting and when they should hit them. If they are not, you should consult your healthcare professional.
Basics for Your Baby
Having a baby is a full-time job. You can do it! But no baby comes home with an instruction manual. There are many questions new mothers will have about topics like:
- Newborn Care
- Feeding
- Diapering
- Playtime
- Childcare
It’s an amazing feeling when you become a mother. With the network of resources available through EveryOne Reach One and other local community organizations, every new mother should have what they need to raise a healthy baby.
Local Resources for Mothers
Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County is part of a network of healthcare providers who are committed to the health and safety of your baby.
Baby and Me - Tobacco Free
The Baby & Me – Tobacco Free Program is a smoking cessation program which aims to reduce the use of tobacco products among women during and after their pregnancy.
Get Help to Stop Smoking
Five Rivers Center for Women’s Health
Offering everything from pre-natal services to helping secure diapers and food, the Center for Women’s Health is a valuable resource in the Dayton region.
What Babies Need
Help Me Grow
The Help Me Grow Program is a broad system of services for eligible families with infants and toddlers. We provide services from prenatal to the child’s third birthday.
See What to Expect
Help Me GrowBrighter Futures
The Help Me Grow Program is a broad system of services for eligible families with infants and toddlers. We provide services from prenatal to the child’s third birthday.
Learn More About Them
Lifestages Centers
Your transformation during pregnancy may be life-changing. You can take comfort in knowing that we’ll give you all the information, education, and expert medical care you’ll need to handle the transition comfortably.
Get Free Medical Care
Moms and Babies First
Moms & Babies First: Ohio’s Black Infant Vitality Program helps to reduce the number of low birth weight babies, infant deaths and sickness within the ethnic communities of Montgomery County.
Get Educated On Pregnancy
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley
Our services include pregnancy counseling and a variety of programs to strengthen parenting skills, and prevent and treat behavioral problems in children. Confidential pregnancy counseling is available.
Learn More About Them
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley
Our services include pregnancy counseling and a variety of programs to strengthen parenting skills, and prevent and treat behavioral problems in children. Confidential pregnancy counseling is available.
Learn More About Them