Childhood Development

Breast milk is best for your baby

Breast milk is best for babies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. At around six months of age (but not before 4 months), infants should receive nutritionally adequate and age-appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.

Abbott Singapore fully recognises breast milk’s primacy, value and superiority and supports exclusive breastfeeding as recommended by the WHO.

The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. The HPB recommends that infants start on age-appropriate complementary foods at around 6 months, whilst continuing breastfeeding for up to 2 years or beyond to meet their evolving nutritional requirements. If no longer breastfeeding, toddlers can switch to full cream milk after 12 months. This should be complemented by a good variety of solid foods from the four main food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and alternatives). For more information on the nutritional requirements of infants and young children, please visit www.healthhub.sg/earlynutrition.

Milestones ahead

From the first moments after the birth of your child, you know your life will never be the same. Your child will change from week to week-even from day to day-as he begins to notice the world around him, and to interact with it. Get a head start, and know what to expect as your baby matures.

Shake, Bang, Drop, and Throw

Last month's crawling and other fun tricks were impressive. Month nine has even more changes in store. Find out what to expect this month, as we discuss:

Helping your 9-month-old develop a strong mind and body
Baby security blankets and teddy bears
Baby separation anxiety
Flat feet
How to say "no" to your baby

By the end of this month, you should see tricks including a fun little routine with objects called "shake, bang, drop, and throw," and the lobster claw "pincer grasp."

From peek-a-boo to pat-a-cake – play creates strong minds and bodies

While you've been guiding your baby along his road to development, the types of skills your baby develops, and the rate at which he develops them at this point, will be largely dependent on his own abilities.

Here are some things you can do to inspire and stimulate him:

Turning to Teddy Bear – the importance of comforting objects

Stuffed animals, toys, or blankets can be a big part of your baby's emotional support system.

In your baby's psyche, these objects have the power to:

Separation anxiety – waking for reassurance

Just when you thought your baby was sleeping through the night for good, he's up again. Now, he's struggling with separation anxiety. He wakes up looking for you and for reassurance.

For a restful night sleep, try the following:

How saying "no" today will help you tomorrow

Your baby has a great need to explore - that means touching, tasting, and throwing everything in sight.

While these types of behaviors can be entertaining at times, discipline for negative behaviors will teach your baby self-control that will last well into her later years.

Breast milk is best for your baby

Milestones ahead

False flat feet – give it time.

Shake, Bang, Drop, and Throw

From peek-a-boo to pat-a-cake – play creates strong minds and bodies

Here are some things you can do to inspire and stimulate him:

Turning to Teddy Bear – the importance of comforting objects

In your baby's psyche, these objects have the power to:

Separation anxiety – waking for reassurance

For a restful night sleep, try the following:

How saying "no" today will help you tomorrow

While these types of behaviors can be entertaining at times, discipline for negative behaviors will teach your baby self-control that will last well into her later years.