4-12 Months
At this age
4-5 Month
Help me be healthy
At this checkup:
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I will be weighed and measured.
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I will be looked at everywhere. The doctor will look at how I move, hear, and how well I see.
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I will have several immunizations (shots). Remember to bring my shot record so it can be updated.
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Ask the doctor or WIC nutritionist about starting cereal at 4 months. Rice cereal is the first cereal I should try. Please feed me cereal from a spoon—do not put it in a bottle.
Remember…
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Keep me away from cigarette and cigar smoke. -
Keep wiping my gums and new teeth with a washcloth after each feeding. -
If I tug at my ears or have a cold lasting several days, this could mean that I have an ear infection. Ear infections may have an effect on my hearing. Being sick a lot could affect my growth and learning. If I don’t feel well, it may be hard for me to see, hear, think and learn. If I act, look or feel like I am sick, please call the doctor or nurse right away.
Help me be safe
- Hold my bottle for me. Hold me when I am drinking my bottle. Otherwise I could spit up and choke. Don’t put me to bed at night with a bottle either. If I have a bottle in my mouth all night, the milk could decay my new teeth or damage my gums.
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Make sure that the toys, pacifies, and other things you give me are safe for me to have. They should not have any sharp edges or loose pieces. Toys should be big enough that I cannot fit them into my mouth. -
I am strong enough to wiggle out of the infant seat or tip it over. Use the safety strap and keep the infant seat on the floor and away from steps or other dangers. -
Never leave me alone on a bed, on a sofa, on the changing table or in the tub. -
Use an exersaucer or bouncy seat. Use only for a short time and only when I’m being watched. -
Keep me away from hot liquids such as coffee, tea and soup. When you are holding me, don’t try to drink anything hot. I could be badly burned by a hot liquid spilling on me.
Help me learn
- Respond promptly to my crying. Don’t worry about spoiling me. Answering my needsmakes me feel safe, loved and worthwhile, and teaches me to trust. Developing trust is the beginning of self-discipline and is necessary for becoming a well adjusted, caring human being.
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Play "talking back and forth." First, I make a noise and you listen. Then you make the same noise and I listen. We can do this many times. -
Let me reach for toys hanging from the sides of my crib or playpen. Make sure they are tied safely and securely so they won’t hurt me. Make supervised “tummy time” a regular part of my day.
Watch for me to
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Smile at you to get you to pay attention to me. -
Hold my head without bobbing it around when I sit in your lap. -
Hold a small toy, like a rattle for a few seconds in my hand if you place it in my hand. -
Laugh out loud. -
Say "oo," "ahhh," and other vowel sounds. Sometimes when I say these sounds, I will say them quickly. Other times, I will say them slowly and kind of sing the sound. -
Hold my head all the way up and rest my arms when I am on my stomach. -
Recognize sounds that I hear often--like your voice, the sound of a favorite toy or running water. -
Get excited when I'm having fun. Everything is a game to me. -
Let you know I recognize you as a special person. I get excited when I see people I know or my bottle. -
Begin sitting with your help.
Each child grows and changes at a different rate. Don’t worry if I am early or late in the ways that I am growing. Help me learn. If you are concerned, talk to my doctor or nurse, or call the Early Education Center at 620-615-5850.
New things are happening to me...
When something new happens to me, I may be angry or afraid. I am slow to change. As a parent, you could get angry and confused with me.
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Be patient.
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To show me new things, new people, and new situations slowly.
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To let me try 3 or 4 times to get used to something new. I might like it better the second or third time I try it.
8-9 Months
I am curious about the world...
Help me be healthy
At this check-up, I will be:
Help me be safe
Now that I can pull myself up, there are new safety dangers:
Help me learn
-Teach me to be patient
Watch for me to
-Sit without help and start to crawl
6-7 Months
Home needs to be safe for me...
Help me be healthy
Help me be safe
-Put the safety belt on when I am in a high-chair and be sure the tray is secure
Help me learn
-Read to me every day
Watch for me to
-Continue developing feelings of safety, security and trust
10-12 Months
Home needs to be safe for me...
Help me be healthy
Help me be safe
-Put the safety belt on when I am in a high-chair and be sure the tray is secure
Help me learn
-Read to me every day
Watch for me to
-Continue developing feelings of safety, security and trust
Vaccinations

Services & Resources
Home needs to be safe for me...
Help me be healthy
Help me be safe
-Put the safety belt on when I am in a high-chair and be sure the tray is secure
Help me learn
-Read to me every day
Watch for me to
-Continue developing feelings of safety, security and trust
Featured Classes & Events
Hutchinson Public Library
Mondays & Tuesdays @ 10:45am
Salt City Splash for 6+ mo
6+ mo