Child Development and Parenting: Infants
Basic Information

Child Development and Parenting: Infants

This topic center covers parenting and child development of infants aged 0 to 2. For a complete review of the theories of child development upon which this article is based, please visit our Child and Adolescent Development topic center. For coverage of child development and parenting topics applicable to preschool children (early childhood ages 3-7) please visit our Early Childhood Parenting and Child Development topic center.

This article is the second in a series concerned with child development. The goals of this series are to discuss what is known about how children develop from birth through adolescence, and to offer tips on how to use this developmental knowledge to improve parenting skills. This particular document will survey what is known about how children develop between birth and age 24 months, a period known as infancy.

Children develop in many different ways at the same time. Different aspects of children's development are never at rest or waiting for other parts to catch up. Instead, development is simultaneous. While physical growth and maturity are the most obvious signs that development is occurring, children also develop cognitively (mentally), socially, emotionally, and sexually. This document is organized so that each type of deve...

 
Latest News
Infants May Display Subtle Autism Signs at 6 Months: Study
Health Tip: Breast-Feeding Benefits Baby
Sucrose May Not Be Effective Analgesic in Newborns
Health Tip: Keep Baby Safe Around Stairs
'Baby Talk' May Play Key Role in Language Acquisition
Research Confirms Violence Linked to Shaking Infants
Delivering Babies Even a Few Weeks Early Ups Respiratory Risks
Mom's Affection Helps Babies Grow Into Less Stressed Adults
Health Tip: Visiting the Doctor When Your Infant is Well
Intervention Linked to Decrease in Toddlers' Bottle Use
Program Teaches Parents How to Nurture Healthy Eaters
Car Seats Can Be Dangerous When Used Outside of Car
Hepatitis A Vaccine Pays Off for Kids: Study
Expectant, New Moms Uninformed on Preterm Birth
Health Tip: Help Keep Baby Moving
Health Tip: Keep Baby Safe With a Pacifier
Breast-Feeding for Six Months Best for Infection Prevention
Breast Milk Reduces Infections in Babies
Antiretrovirals During Breast-Feeding Shield Babies From HIV, Study Shows
Waiting to Clamp the Umbilical Cord May Be Better for Babies
'Button' Batteries Killing, Disabling Children
No Benefit Seen in Delaying Infant Vaccinations
Infants Vulnerable to Measles Before 1st Shot
Health Tip: Change Diapers Safely
FDA Clears Use of Rotavirus Vaccine, Rotarix
Health Tip: Giving Your Newborn a Bath
Sugar Before Shots Helps Infants Cope
Health Tip: Help Prevent Heat Rash
Breast-Fed Babies Know When to Say When
Health Tip: Offering Baby a Pacifier
Premature Birth Ups Risk of Long-Term Breathing Problems
Health Tip: Signs That Baby is Teething
Books Read to Baby Helpful Teaching Tools for New Mothers
Even 9-Month-Olds Choose 'Gender-Specific' Toys
DNA Test Misses Virus That Causes Hearing Loss
Mothers Heed Advice on Infant Supine Sleeping Position
It Takes a Village to Help Babies Sleep Safely
Health Tip: Babyproofing the House
More Breast-Feeding Could Cut National Costs, Save Lives
Infants' Sensitivity to Voices May Develop by 7 Months
Black Women Least Likely to Breast-Feed in U.S.
Stress in Pregnancy May Hike Baby's Asthma Risk
Too Many Infants Short on Vitamin D
Newborn Heart Surgery May Lead to Motor, Cognitive Delays
Complications Relatively Common With Neonatal CPAP
Non-Toxic Lotion Effective Against Lice in Young Children
Prenatal Stress May Boost Baby's Asthma Risk
Health Tip: Medications and Breast Feeding
Health Tip: Buying Baby's Car Seat
Infant Hearing-Loss Screenings Have Increased
 
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Basic Information
Infant Development: How Your Baby Grows and MaturesInfant Parenting: Keeping Your Baby Healthy and HappyInfant Safety: Keeping Your Baby SafeInfant Enrichment: Stimulating Your Baby
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Related Topics

Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses
Parenting
Child Care
Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood