Babies 3 - 12 months

This is a wonderful time as your baby is learning to be an individual. They are beginning to learn life skills e.g. Relationships, brief separation, waiting, settling and trying new foods. Babies are achieving many developmental milestones e.g. rolling, crawling, babbling, sitting, reaching out for things and possibly walking.

Building Brains

Baby’s brain is growing very rapidly in the first year of life and this is reflected in the emergence of personality traits. These traits are often expressed through changes in sleeping and feeding patterns asserting their individualism as they begin to make choices. More about Brain Development

About Family Relationship

Your family’s relationship will begin to change as the baby develops so babies are more wakeful, and require more interaction with you. Your baby likes to be near you as baby has learned that you are a very important person in their life and although this can appear to be demanding, your baby just loves you. During your baby’s wakeful times, reading and singing can be an activity to be enjoyed. 

Family unit: Now your baby is older they can relate to more family members together and recognise all individuals as people. The one thing that your baby wants is that you have a united relationship with time for you as a couple as well as time for you as an individual.

About Sleep

Each baby is an individual so sleep requirements may vary; some babies who may have been sleeping through the night, may now be waking. Babies sleep cycles are different from adults and spend the majority of their time in active sleep (REM). This is where children practice their skills they have learnt during the waking hours e.g. rolling, crawling, vocalising, standing and playing. Sleep cycles vary between 20 – 50 minutes. You the parent needs to teach your baby to self settle and re-settle after each sleep cycle.  More about Sleep

About Nutrition

During the first year, milk (breast or formula) is the most important source of nutrition. You will find that your baby is more playful and interactive whilst breastfeeding or formula feeding. Remember each baby is an individual and feeding patterns may vary. Aim to introduce solid food at about 6 months of age when your baby starts to show signs of readiness. Some signs may include, interest in food, mirroring mum and dad chewing and trying to grab food from others (some foods are not suitable for babies’ e.g. processed foods/fast food). Introducing solids may not affect how long your baby sleeps for.  More about Nutrition

Information you may find useful

•  
  • Food Allergies for Babies
  • Finger Food Ideas
  • How to Cook Fruit and Vegetables for Your Baby
  • Foods not Suitable for under 12 months
  • Food Hygiene and Safety
  • Signs of Readiness for Solids & Signs of Fullness
  • Choosing quality child care
  • Secrets of Good Sleepers 
  • Expected sleep patterns chart
  • Sleep and Settling

Parent Workshops you might find useful

•  
  • Food Glorious Food
  • Building Brains 
  • Play
  • Growing Baby
  • Skilled Dads

For families of babies and young children who reside or work in Western Australia,
if you need further assistance contact the Ngala Helpline
Telephone 9368 9368 Country Access 1800 111 546
8am to 8pm 7 days a week or

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