Joys and challenges of parenting

Watching your baby grow

As your baby grows older, they will start doing new things like trying different foods, saying their first words, and taking their first steps. With these exciting changes, there can also be some hard times. Knowing what to expect and how to handle them can make things easier.

Understanding when your baby is anxious

Your baby might get stressed and show it by:

• waking up more during the night
• getting fussy when you are not near them
• not wanting to eat as much.

When there is a lot going on, babies need extra love and patience.

How to handle the challenges

• Find a good balance between busy times and quiet times. Do not pack your day too full. If your baby is unwell, give them more attention and care.
• Help them get back to their routine after they feel better.
• Make sure your home is safe as your baby starts moving around more, whether they are crawling or walking.
• Throughout the day, spend time playing and bonding with your baby.
• Understand and help your baby as they learn new things. 
• Keep in touch with supportive friends and make sure to take care of yourself too.
• Talk to your employer about flexible work hours, if needed.
• If you are in a relationship, spend time with your partner and work on keeping your relationship strong.
• If you are a single parent, reach out to friends, family, or services for help and support.