For 9 months, you've been planning the arrival of your baby. You've bought clothes, a crib, a car seat, and bottles and wondered what your baby will look like and how he will develop. Now he's finally here.

Having a baby is a joyous experience in a woman's life. The first few weeks or months with your newborn can be an especially trying time. You'll have a thousand questions on the best way to handle everything from breast or bottle-feeding, diaper rash, and adapting to your baby's sleeping routine.

You may feel over-whelmed or eager to do it all. You may feel tired and have a thousand questions. And you may feel a little afraid. These are all normal emotions for you to have during baby's first year. Each baby's rate of growth, personality, and habits are unique to him. Mother and baby are adapting to this new life together and will develop a closeness that will last a lifetime.

And don't forget Dad or let him feel a little left out. While you were in the hospital each night, he had to leave you and the baby and return to an empty house alone. He may have felt pushed aside. Encourage Dad to get involved. Your baby responds best to a warm, loving environment. Holding your baby and responding to his cries are essential to building a strong, healthy bond. The more you both hold the baby, talk and cuddle the baby, the more confident you will all feel.

The articles that follow are guidelines to your baby's development. He will be changing a lot in the next few weeks and months. Each healthy baby has his own time frame for each change. Don't be alarmed if your baby develops a little slower or faster than is outlined here. It is only a guide. If your baby is lagging behind in several of these areas, contact your pediatrician for advice.

Jason Ladock

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