Bub’s brain has had a huge growth spurt and will have tripled in size by the end of their first year.
More connections are being made in the thinking parts of bub’s brain. Bub needs lots of positive sensory experiences to keep these connections going and to make new ones.
Bub still needs loving touch from family to help grow a strong brain and body.
it is good for their sense of self.
it lets them know they are safe and cared for.
Smell is still really important to bonding and emotional security for your baby, especially as they start to grow attached to parents/carers at this time.
familiar smells calm bub when they start to spend more time on their own.
Bub’s vision will take a big leap and by the end of the year bub can see almost the same as adults.
Bub’s brain can take in detail and start to tell colours apart.
Soon they’ll be able to track moving things and even look ahead to where an object is going.
picture books – bub loves to look at the detail.
Bub will start to bounce, sway, shake their head, rock their body and maybe even head bang.
calm bub, especially when having tantrums.
Bub’s hearing keeps slowly growing. Bub’s brain is better at knowing where sounds are coming from, but still finds it hard to pick up on soft sounds especially with background noise.
It’s an exciting time because bub starts to understand that words have meaning.
this gives the brain information that leads to bub saying their first words.
Bub starts to like salty as well as sweet flavours because the taste pathways have grown in bub’s brain.
Bub can start having solid foods, although breastmilk and/or formula are still the main diet.
it has nutrients that could help bub grow more intelligent.
Let bub try a variety of healthy foods because it helps grow taste pathways in the brain, so bub might be a better eater later.