There are so many frustrations that come with feeding a little person who can’t communicate beyond sobs and screams. But with patience and guidance, you can learn to give your children the food they need in ways they will actually appreciate. Following this guide, you will be closer to that goal, starting with ways to introduce new foods.

It’s common and natural for babies to shy away from unfamiliar foods. With so few food experiences, that makes a wide variety of foods a tough sell at first. There are a few strategies to combat this tendency, though. One is to make sure your little one eats with the rest of the family at mealtime. Babies learn by watching, and by watching their parents and siblings eating and enjoying a wide variety of foods, your infant is more likely to give them a try as well. This is important, because research shows that exposing babies to an assortment of flavors and textures sets them up for better health in the future.

Anyone who has ever fed a little one knows this cold, hard fact: feeding babies is messy work. And exhausted parents everywhere have searched for solutions to this “problem.” But there is good reason to leave your kid alone and let him or her play. It turns out that playful tots are learning as they squish, mash, and slurp their way through their meals.

A University of Iowa study found that messy foods provide valuable object lessons for children at age 16 months. Solid objects are easier to learn because their shape remains consistent. But ooey, gooey, messy stuff—think oatmeal and baby food—is harder for young minds to fathom. So kids who are allowed to muck it up actually learn these concepts sooner.

Anyone who has seen their laundry load double with a new baby knows how challenging a spitty kid can be. Time usually cures this problem, but there are some tips that can help frustrated parents in the meantime.

One easy fix is to feed more frequently with less food. The more food in your infant’s belly, the more likely it will be to all come back up again. So try smaller servings more often.

Another approach is to burp your baby more often. Gas can bring everything back up, and if you reserve burping for the end of the meal, that leaves more time for an upset tummy.

Though you should normally wait for the six-month mark to offer solids, there are some babies who should be given a little bit of mild, solid food with their milk or formula. That’s true if your little one has difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or if spit-up is causing heartburn (reflux). Talk to your pediatrician about best methods.

About 5% of babies have allergies or intolerances to soy or milk formulas. For these spitter-uppers, the best solution may be to switch to a hypoallergenic formula. This kind of allergy or intolerance may show other signs, such as irritability, gassiness, and poop changes.

Also, while tummy time is great for kids for the most part, you may want to forestall this ritual right after mealtime. Any additional pressure on their bellies is more likely to make what went down come back up.

Is your little tyke putting hands over mouth when the food choo-choo comes around? Maybe the scene in your kitchen is more like King Kong fending off airplanes, with every swat directed at the feeding spoon. Whatever way your child communicates “no more food,” it’s best to respect that choice, experts say. Refusing food could be a sign your child is sick, distracted, exhausted, or simply full. In either case, your little one will resume eating when ready.

Your kids are born with certain food preferences. From the start, young children prefer smooth, sweet foods that are calorie-dense. These foods are usually easy to chew and provide a lot of energy, but they don’t meet all nutritional needs. So getting your little one accustomed to new foods is important for developing healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.

For some reason at a certain point your baby will probably start refusing new foods. There’s even a word for it: neophobia. Neophobia usually peaks at 20 months and fades away by the time a child is 5 to 8 years old. Despite this tendency, there are ways to introduce new foods early.

Researchers have studied what could possibly make picky eaters adapt more easily to new foods. They’ve found some solutions, too. One is breastfeeding. Because breast milk has more flavor variety than formula, this helps condition a child to accepting a wider range of foods.

But whether or not you choose to breastfeed, another effective solution is to grind your baby food at home. This can involve a blender or grinder, or simply mashing up soft foods with a fork at the dinner table. Why does this work better than baby food from a jar? Jarred food is enhanced to be more palatable. So your little one may prefer it right away, but also may refuse when trying the same food in its natural state.

Another way to introduce a wider variety of new foods in infancy is to introduce more than one food at a time. Timing is important though—this should begin right around 6 months, a time when your children will be more receptive to new flavors and textures, and also the time when they should begin solid foods. The earlier children are introduced to healthy fruits and vegetables, the more likely they are to continue eating them by the time they are 7 years old.

It’s not all about taste, though. Texture plays a big part in the way we eat, and our tongues develop the ability to move solid foods around the mouth between six and 12 months of age. This is also a great time to start introducing lumpier and more solid foods beyond a smooth puree.

Getting started early is really key. Exposing your child early to a wide variety of flavors and textures is known as the “generalization effect.” And the greater the number of new experiences your child has with food before 1 year old, the more likely your child will be to accept a wider variety of healthy foods when he is older.

Food allergies can be scary. Their symptoms range from a little tingly feeling to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Knowing what foods are prone to allergic reactions and what to do if your child develops one is important.

Is My Baby Allergic?

Sometimes allergies are confused with other things. Allergic symptoms include itchy skin and hives, swelling, wheezing and throat tightening, upset stomach, vomit, diarrhea, and circulation problems like pale skin and light-headedness. If your child experiences these types of symptoms, this may be a sign of anaphylaxis, and you should seek medical attention right away. The good news is that this type of reaction is rare.

However other reactions can be caused by different things. Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting are caused by food poisoning. Caffeine can make your kid jumpy and restless, and it sometimes sneaks into candy and even breast milk. Some irritated skin can be caused by the high acid content in tomatoes, orange juice, pineapple juice and the like. And sometimes diarrhea is caused by too much sugar from foods like fruit juice.

Foods That Cause Allergies

Some of the most common food allergens include the following:

• Cow’s milk
• Fish
• Wheat
• Soy
• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Shellfish
• Tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)

There’s good news, though. If your child is allergic, chances are about 80% to 90% that she will outgrow her allergies to wheat, soy, eggs, or milk by the time she reaches age 5. However allergies to peanuts are only 20% likely to go away by age 5. Tree nut and seafood allergies are even more persistent.

Peanut Allergies

Peanut allergies need special consideration. Peanut allergic reactions can be more severe than other reactions, and about 1% to 2% of children are currently allergic. But the results of a new study could change that.

Recent research shows that giving infants peanut products at around 8 months reduces their chances of developing a peanut allergy by 70%. That usually means just a little bit of peanut, such as licking a spoon with a bit of creamy peanut butter. You can also introduce it into a food puree.

Every baby cries sometimes. But for about one in five babies, the crying does not settle down after the infant is three or four months old. This persistent day-and-night crying is known as colic.

Colic can have many causes, which can include overfeeding. Make sure to limit feeding to once every two to two and a half hours to avoid this. Another feeding issue related to colic is food sensitivity. In some rare cases, a little one may be upset from either their feeding formula or by something being passed through mother’s milk based on her diet.

Whatever the cause may be, know that a colicky tot may need to be soothed before he is willing to eat. For soothing, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swaddling, using pacifiers, or walking your little one in a baby carrier. Using white noise from a vacuum, fan, or clothes dryer can also help.

If you suspect your child has colic, you should consult a doctor. A pediatrician can rule out more serious causes, including hernias and illness.

Whether it’s moving too fast or too slow, bowel issues can be scary for parents. That’s especially true for new parents, who may be wondering if everything is normal, or if it’s time to call the doctor. Here are some tips.

Seeing Green?

If a soiled diaper shows green, that’s actually normal. Healthy newborn poop color ranges from yellow to green to orange to light brown, or any combination of these. That color is caused by normally occurring bacteria as well as bile, the digestive juice used to neutralize stomach acid during digestion.

Green, yellow, and orange stools are usually no big deal. But if you see black, bright red, or a colorless/ivory color, these can be signs of a more serious condition. Colorless, pale, or ivory-colored poop may indicate bile is not being secreted and is cause to see a doctor. Black and red can indicate bleeding (dried blood can turn black), so these are also reasons to contact a doctor right away.

Diarrhea

The first thing parents should understand is what diarrhea is—and what it isn’t. Loose stool is not considered diarrhea. But if the stool is watery and is occurring as much as 12 times a day, you should check for other symptoms as well.

If your little one is under three months old, has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher, vomits, refuses feeding, lacks energy, or exhibits signs of dehydration (mouth is dry, isn’t urinating for three hours or longer), call the doctor.

Constipation

Constipation is unusual in infants. And it can be easy to mistake normal behavior for a problem. Under normal circumstances, a bottle-fed baby will usually poop once a day, but she may go a day or two without passing stool. One who is breast-fed may not be feeding enough if he isn’t pooping once a day, but can actually go as long as a week between movements under normal circumstances.

If you suspect constipation, try to determine if your little one is excessively fussy, spitting up more often than usual, if the baby strains for longer than 10 minutes while trying to pass stool, or if the stool is unusually hard, particularly if it contains some blood. These can indicate real constipation.

What do you do if real constipation is suspected? You can try apple or pear juice, which can help add water to poop and make it pass more easily. Limit the juice to one ounce per month the child is old. So a three-month-old could normally be given three ounces of juice per day. If you’ve already introduced solid foods, try fruits and veggies—especially prunes. If these home remedies for constipation don’t work, call the doctor.

There are good reasons to consider grinding your own food for baby’s mealtime, but one big advantage store-bought jar food has is preservatives. Preservatives keep foods fresher longer, so jarred food usually doesn’t spoil quite as quickly as anything made fresh at home.

“Longer” is not the same as “forever,” though. If you’re saving jarred leftovers for the next meal, that can introduce bacteria from your baby’s mouth into the leftovers, where the bacteria can grow, potentially upsetting little tummies next time. If you’ve been doing this and notice symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, try changing mealtime habits.

It’s hard to believe, but your helpless little bundle of joy grows quickly, and soon he is eating a lot of the same foods you are. But if what you eat is junk food, this can be a dangerous time for your young one’s digestive health. By introducing salty, sweet, and fatty, greasy foods early, you may be starting your child down a long road of unhealthy food habits. These habits can be tough to break, so for better health for the whole family, start making healthy food a priority in your home.

It can be so exciting introducing new foods to your baby. This should be a joyful experience, but to make sure it stays that way you should be aware of a few foods to avoid. One of these is honey if your baby is less than one year old. Honey can cause infant botulism, a very serious condition. Also avoid chunky foods that may pose a risk of choking such as whole grapes, hot dogs, popcorn, cheese chunks, and pulpy raw fruits and veggies.

Lots of young children are fed bland, starchy food because these foods fit their natural preferences and are reliably eaten with fewer complaints. But the healthier options you really want them to eat tend to have more complicated flavors. And there’s nothing wrong with zesting up baby food, which can make an easier transition to more solid, healthy choices down the road.

When is it time to ween your baby from the bottle? For best care, here’s what doctors have to say. Babies should not start on solid foods until they reach six months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many babies start on solids sooner—around the three-to-four-month phase. That’s especially true if you bottle-feed your baby, or if you perceive your baby as fussy.

But doing so poses special health threats. Babies who start solids before six months are more likely to gain weight. Not only do they often gain weight, but they gain the unhealthy kind—they get fatter. That extra weight could be setting your child up for a lifelong struggle with obesity, so stick to the advice of doctors and hold off on solid foods until the six month mark.

Fruit juice is a common part of even the tiniest children’s diets. But doctors now recommend avoiding it completely before their first birthday. That’s because whether or not it has the word “fruit” in it, fruit juice is not particularly healthy. It shouldn’t be used as a substitute for real fruit, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, as it can lead to obesity.

Their guidelines also suggest you limit fruit juice for kids 1-3 to four ounces a day or less. Part of the problem is tooth decay, which is particularly risky if your child has a sippy cup or juice box to draw from anytime she likes. Also, avoid any juice that is unpasteurized. Some children take medication that grapefruit juice can interfere with, so if your child is on medication, ask his doctor first.

Are you troubled by the way your baby is eating, or not eating? If your concern isn’t addressed here, or if you’re noticing troubling signs like your baby losing weight, vomiting, or gagging on certain foods, you should call the pediatrician right away. That’s also true if you think your baby has acid reflux, or if the child is experiencing constipation, diarrhea, or dehydration. When you have concerns about your baby’s diet, don’t hesitate–call the doctor.

That’s the recommended time to introduce solid foods. But it’s not just about age. Before starting solids, your baby should be able to sit up (with support), turn his head away, and make chewing motions. He should also be past the reflex that makes him spit out anything including liquids.

Babies usually don’t eat a lot of solid foods right away. So think of solids as something you’re adding to your baby’s diet, not as a replacement for breast milk or formula. Remember, you’re introducing solid foods, not totally changing your baby’s diet or eliminating milk. That will happen gradually.

You don’t have to — there’s no hard-and-fast rule about what solid foods you should start your baby on first. In fact, you don’t have to start with cereal at all. But if you do, try a single-grain, iron-fortified infant cereal with a neutral to no flavor. It also will be a bit easier to notice any food allergies than with a cereal made from several grains. You may want to mix it with formula or breast milk to get a runny consistency at first, so it’s not a drastic change for your baby. Gradually thicken it more until your baby gets used to the new texture.

It may seem like it’s something natural, but being fed by a spoon is new to your baby. Up until now, she’s only had a liquid diet. She’ll need practice to get used to the spoon and to the feel of having solid food in her mouth. So don’t expect her to eat a whole lot — maybe a teaspoon or two at a time — when you start. Instead of trying to get her to eat a certain amount, focus on letting her get used to the experience.

Fruits, vegetables, grains, and even pureed meats can all be on the menu for your baby. You may want to introduce them one at a time to see how your little one reacts to the flavor and texture and to make sure no allergies develop. If your baby won’t eat them at first, try again later. Babies need to reject a food at least 5 to 10 times on different occasions before you can truly say they don’t like the food. Tell your pediatrician if you think your baby might have any food allergies to any new foods tried. Use soft baby food from a jar, or soften foods by heating and/or pureeing them. Put just enough on the spoon for your baby to swallow easily. Don’t force feed the food.

Most pediatricians say you should wait until after your baby’s first birthday to start offering cow’s milk. That’s because nutritionally it doesn’t measure up to Mother’s milk or have the nutritional value of specially developed formulas. And, don’t give honey to babies younger than 1 year. That’s because of a possible botulism risk that a baby’s developing immune system can’t fend off.

Your baby will let you know when he’s done eating. He might swat at the spoon, turn his head away, zip his lips tightly, spit out whatever you put in his mouth, or cry. Don’t make him eat more than he wants. Kids will eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full. Honoring those instincts may help them avoid overeating now and when they get older.

Just because your baby doesn’t immediately like a new food doesn’t mean he’s doomed to be picky forever. Wait a few days and try again. And again. And again … It may take your child more than a couple of times before she’s ready to give peas a chance. Remember, you’re a role model, so your baby may be more interested in foods she sees you eating and enjoying. But don’t force your child to eat, and don’t make a big deal about new foods.

As your baby grows, he’ll try to feed himself. Chances are, a good bit of food is heading for his face, hands, hair, bib, clothes, or high chair tray — not to mention you or any surfaces within flinging range. Learning to eat solid food is a full-body, tactile experience for your baby. Put a mat underneath his highchair to catch some of the mess, dress accordingly, and be patient — this phase won’t last forever.

Around 9 months or so, your baby will be able to pick up small pieces of soft table food to eat. You’ll still need to spoon-feed for a while, and continue formula or breast milk. Some great “finger foods” include ripe banana pieces, cooked chunks of carrots, cottage cheese, well-cooked pasta, dry cereal, and scrambled eggs. Avoid choking hazards like hard candy, chips, raw vegetables, grapes or raisins, hard cheese, and whole hot dogs.

You have survived pregnancy and childbirth and are now officially parents! Congratulations and welcome to the most challenging and rewarding years of your life! Enjoy the highlights of your baby’s first year with WebMD’s guide to your child’s milestones.

Who would have thought “sleeping like a baby” meant getting up multiple times during the night? Just when you thought you would soon lose your mind, you discover your baby is a person — at about 2 months of age, he smiles at you and coos irresistible sounds. He even seems to follow you with his eyes around the room. You can tell he recognizes your face and enjoys seeing you.

By 4 months of age, your baby can help herself get over life’s frustrations. Having the capability of getting a hand to her mouth, she is magically capable of sucking on her fingers and thus promoting a self-soothing behavior. Another indication of your daughter’s neurologic development is the loss of the wild and jerky arm and leg movements that characterized the first few months. Her laughter and squeals are infectious, and she is a happy 4-month-old.

By 5 to 6 months of age, most infant’s brain maturity enables a continuous night of restful sleep. You can have a life again! In addition, a daytime nap schedule is usually established by this time. Once again, you can schedule your time (sort of).

For a 6-month-old baby, being vertical is necessary. The life of looking at the ceiling from a supine position is very boring, but looking horizontally opens up a world of interesting people and objects. Hand-eye-mouth coordination enables a baby to learn about objects by both tactile and oral sensations. Everything must go into the mouth! Children learn to sit independently between 6 to 8 months of age.

Within four to six weeks of sitting independently, many babies are crawling everywhere. The drive to get from point A to point B is very strong but has a built-in emotional struggle: “It is fine for me to crawl away from you; it is not OK for you to walk away from me since I have tremendous separation anxiety.” It is not essential an infant crawl on their hands and knees; “combat crawling” (on the belly like a soldier going under barbed wire) is a normal variant. Safety proofing the house is a must since babies will crawl to an object and want to put it into their mouth. They are also exceptionally skilled at finding hidden objects under sofas.

Language acquisition is a critical element in a child’s development. The random squeals and various noises slowly evolve into repetitive undulations and then sounds. Many are meaningless, but over time a baby discovers that “ma, ma, ma, ma” and “da, da, da, da” always get a much better adult response than “za, za, za, za.” Likewise, hand gestures such as waving “bye-bye” become associated with predicable behavior (parents leaving) and may lead to frustration.

By 9 months of age, most children have an ability to pick up the tiniest object and rapidly put it into their mouth. Home and environmental safety is a must. However, the ability to pick up such objects also heralds the neurologic developmental readiness to learn to chew. Suddenly, the baby spoon is rejected and finger foods are all the rage. Unfortunately, infants also discover that gravity works every time they drop food onto the floor, which can be truly amazing from their perspective.

Generally, infants learn to walk independently between 9-16 months of age. However, many weeks of mastering the art of pulling to a stand and sitting again in a controlled fashion are a must. After this accomplishment comes the ability to “cruise” — going sideways in a crablike fashion along the length of the family couch. The final process to be mastered enables the infant to reach and traverse from one piece of furniture to another.

The final process of walking is often felt to be more psychological than physical. Many infants will walk all over the house with the minimal reassurance of holding a parent’s finger. Remove that crutch and the baby will just sit and often cry in frustration. Extend your finger and the tears stop instantly.

By the time your child is ready to celebrate their first year on planet Earth, they will commonly have established the basics of receptive and expressive language skills. Calling their name, saying “no,” or pointing to a familiar object or person truly is understood. You can see it in their eyes. Reciprocally, “mama” and “dada” truly mean you! Your baby is growing up!

Every day with a toddler is an adventure — and there’s so much to look forward to as your child grows. Wondering when your little one will start to walk, talk, and do all those cute toddler things? Here’s what to expect in baby’s second year.

One of the most thrilling toddler milestones usually comes early in the second year. That’s when your child will probably walk without help, one wobbly step at a time. Most kids start walking between 9 and 17 months. The average age is about 14 months. There’s no stopping them now!

The chase is on! About six months after your toddler masters walking, he or she will probably be running. Then the question is, can you keep up?

Your child will really start to explore once he figures out he can go up! “Up” means climbing up stairs and climbing on the furniture — and in some cases out of his crib — so be prepared for an adventure. Your toddler will probably start climbing furniture and stairs (while holding the railing) some time during the second year, so keep an eye on her. Once your child gets close to climbing out of his crib, stop using the crib.

Kicking a ball is a big step. Your toddler needs the coordination to kick, plus the ability to make the connection that if he kicks the ball, it will roll or bounce. Once your child discovers that balls bounce, he will probably throw toys, food, and other objects to see if they bounce, too.

It’s too soon to tell if you’re raising the next Picasso, but your child’s early doodles will be priceless to you. During the second year, kids get more control over the small muscles in their hands and fingers. These fine-motor skills help toddlers scribble with crayons and eat with a spoon.

Your child’s imagination is coming to life. Between 18 and 24 months, a toddler’s brain is ready to start playing make-believe. You may catch her “feeding” a teddy bear or talking into a toy phone. Enjoy her sense of magic.

Until now, your toddler may mostly babble. But around 15-18 months, you can expect to hear some real words. Between 18 and 24 months, most kids start using simple phrases, like “no more” or “go there.” By age 2, you may even hear a short sentence or two.

Let the play dates begin! By the end of their second year, most toddlers show more interest in the company of other children. They may not be quite ready to share their toys when they play, but it’s a big step in their budding social life.

Few babies sleep through the night right away. For the first two months, newborns sleep off and on at random times for 12 to 18 hours a day. Most babies sleep through the night by the time they’re about 9 months old. Even then, “night” means just five to six hours in a row.

Rock a baby to sleep every night, and he can’t learn to fall asleep on his own. Instead he cries to get what helps him — you. Put him to bed when he’s sleepy, but not sound asleep. He’ll become a “self-soother” who learns to fall asleep on his own, even if he wakes up in the middle of the night.

Toddlers and preschoolers need 11 to 14 hours of sleep every 24 hours, including nighttime and naps. Routine is key, so set regular times for bed, waking up, napping, meals, and play.

It’s normal for your child to go through this phase. Try not to encourage it with lots of talking, singing, rocking, or extra feedings. At around 6 months, you can help a baby to go back to sleep on her own. As long as she doesn’t seem sick, speak softly and rub her back. Comfort her, but don’t make it too rewarding by picking her up or feeding her. A nightlight may comfort toddlers who are afraid of the dark.

Doing the same things each night before bed helps your child know it’s time to sleep. Create a bedtime routine to wind down and relax. For instance, each night your child gets a bath, listens to you read them a story, has a snack, and then it’s lights out. Do the same routine every night and always end in your child’s room. It’s best to start a routine early, by 4 months.

Some kids delay bedtime. They make up reasons to stay up or ask for more stories, a drink, or a trip to the potty. Stick to the routine. Go into your child’s room to respond. Be kind and firm. Make your visits shorter each time. Let your child know it’s truly time for sleep.

If they don’t nap enough during the day, young kids may have trouble falling asleep at night. Most babies need two or three naps a day. Toddlers need at least one nap. Most kids still take an after-lunch nap until age 5. If your child is cranky and sleepy, let her nap, as long as it’s not too close to bedtime.

It’s rare, but some children can’t sleep due to obstructive sleep apnea — when the airways are blocked, often by enlarged tonsils and nasal tissues called adenoids. Kids with sleep apnea usually snore loudly, have labored breathing, and restless sleep. It affects about 1 in 100 kids and is most common from ages 3 to 7, when tonsils and adenoids are at their biggest. Treatment includes surgery or having the child wear a nose mask at night.

About 1 in 10 kids snore. They can snore for many reasons, including sleep apnea, seasonal allergies, stuffiness from a cold, or a deviated septum. If their sleep is OK, your pediatrician probably won’t treat snoring. But see your pediatrician if your child isn’t sleeping well because of snoring or breathing problems.

Kids occasionally have bad dreams. That’s normal, and most bad dreams are harmless. Soothe your child after bad dreams. Make sure he gets enough sleep and has a soothing bedtime routine. If bad dreams won’t stop, mention it to your pediatrician.

Some children sleepwalk. When they’re not fully awake they may walk, talk, sit up in bed, or do other things. Their eyes may be open, but they’re not aware. Most kids outgrow this by their teens. Don’t wake a child who sleepwalks. You may scare her. Gently guide her back to bed. Keep the area she may roam in safe: Lock doors and put up safety gates near steps.

Some health problems can keep kids from sleeping. Stuffy noses from allergies, colds, and asthma can make it hard to breathe. In babies, colic, acid reflux, earaches, or teething pain can also hamper sleep. Your pediatrician may be able to help.

Some cold and allergy medicines or ADHD drugs can affect a child’s sleep. If drugs seem to be keeping your child up, talk to your pediatrician to see if changing the drug, dose, or timing might help. Never make those changes on your own.

When a child becomes a teen, their sleep cycle changes. They become more alert in the evening and sleepier in the morning. Work with those changes. Let your teen do homework at night and sleep later if she can. Teens still need at least 8.5 hours of sleep.

Sometimes having a special object close by can help a young child fall asleep. Blankies or stuffed animals are among the top comfort objects. Pacifiers may please a baby’s need to suck, even if they’re breastfeeding. A white noise machine soothes their ears and hushes sounds.

To create the right space for sleep, keep your child’s room dark at night. (A small nightlight is OK.) Dress your child in something lightweight and comfy. Keep the room quiet. Shut the door if your child can hear a TV or people elsewhere in your home.

Is your child nodding off at school? Does she have trouble falling asleep within 30 minutes of going to bed, or getting up in time to start her day? Check that she’s getting enough sleep. Kids ages 5 to 10 years need at least 10 hours of sleep a night.

Phones, computers, video games, and TVs can be irresistible. Keep them out of your child’s bedroom. Power down before bedtime. Even big kids need a relaxing routine to wind down for bed.

Stress can affect kids’ sleep. Help them relax with deep breathing, a warm bath, and a calm bedtime routine. You can also start teaching them good ways to manage stress during the day, so it doesn’t affect their sleep.

Your baby may give you clues about which he likes better. Some things to consider: Plastic bottles are lighter than glass and are shatterproof. But they may not last as long as glass. In the past, some parents chose glass to avoid a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) that is used in some plastic bottles. Now, all plastic bottles sold in the U.S. are BPA-free.

Most are made of silicone or latex, and they come in various shapes. They sometimes have different “flow rates,” based on the size of the nipple’s hole. You may want to try several types to see what your baby likes and can drink easily from. Check nipples often for signs of wear or cracking. Replace any that are worn or discolored.

You can wash them with detergent and hot water, by hand or in the dishwasher. Do it each time you use them. You may prefer to wash plastic bottles by hand, since some studies show that chemicals leak from plastic when it’s exposed to hot temperatures. Most experts feel there’s no need to boil bottles.

Give your newborn only pumped breast milk or formula in the bottle — no water or juice. Mix formula exactly as it says on the label. Adding too much water thins the formula, skimping on nutrition. And it may cause low salt in the baby, which can lead to seizures. Too little water may be hard for your little one’s stomach and kidneys.

Most parents start with one made from cow’s milk. You can also buy soy and hypoallergenic kinds. Make sure you use one that’s iron-fortified. You can buy formula in powdered, concentrated, or ready-to-use forms. By 6 months, your baby should be drinking between 6 and 8 ounces per feeding.

It’s fine to give your baby a cool or room-temperature bottle. If he prefers warm formula, put the filled bottle in warm water or run hot tap water over it for 1-2 minutes. Or you could use a bottle warmer. Don’t use the microwave. It can cause hot spots that could burn your baby’s mouth. Shake the formula and put a drop on the top of your hand to test the temperature. Don’t test it on your wrist — it’s less sensitive to heat.

Put a bib on him, and have a cloth ready to clean any spit-up breast milk or formula. Now, cradle him with his head a bit higher than the rest of his body. Hold the bottle and watch him eat. Watching your baby will help you know when he’s finished. Try to burp him halfway through the feed to help limit spit-up.

When you’re tired, it can be tempting to prop up the bottle on a pillow and let your baby feed herself. But there are lots of perks if you hold the bottle while she eats. It’s great for bonding, and it’s safer. Leaving your baby with a propped-up bottle makes choking and tooth decay more likely. It can also cause ear infections. So enjoy your bottle time!

Your little one will let you know when she’s finished feeding. She may stop sucking, turn away from the bottle, or, if she’s old enough, push the bottle away. Give her a chance to change her mind, but don’t make her finish what’s in the bottle. If your baby tends to spit up after feeds, you may need to give her less.

If your baby needs a burp during or after feeding, hold her on your lap or rest her on your shoulder. Gently pat or rub her back. You can also lay her tummy-down on your lap, supporting her head, while you pat her back. She may spit up some milk, so have a cloth handy. If she doesn’t burp after a few minutes but seems content, don’t worry. Not every baby burps after every feeding.

If your baby spits up a lot, burp her every few minutes during feedings. Don’t lay her down or play with her for 45 minutes after she eats. Hold her upright or prop her up in a car seat after the meal. Spitting up often gets better when a baby starts sitting up. If you’re worried about how much she spits up, talk to her pediatrician.

If your baby spits up a lot or is fussy, you might blame the formula. Sometimes, babies can have allergies that can cause things like diarrhea, vomiting, or dry, red skin. If you see this, talk to your little one’s doctor. He’ll tell you if you need to change formulas — and if so, how to do it best. Don’t make a change before you talk to the doctor.

Make formula as needed. Don’t mix big batches. Always throw out formula that’s left over in the bottle. Refrigerate opened packages of liquid formula right away, and use them within 48 hours. If you have mixed formula from powder, you can store it for 24 hours in the fridge. If formula is left out more than 2 hours, throw it out. Refrigerate breast milk for use within 7 days. Or freeze it. Breast milk can last 3 months in a regular freezer that’s kept at 0^o F, or 6 months in a deep freezer.