three-day An infant has a small stomach and can't eat very much at a time, so feeding the baby the usual six to ten times a day is likely to be the biggest demand the baby makes on you. The rest of the time, the baby will probably sleep, and you may be able to catch up on your sleep too. Babies develop at different rates, so the following description of a baby's development is only a guide. It will give you a general idea of what changes to expect in your baby over the first year or so of life. Many parents keep a baby book in which they note these events. But whether you record the baby's progress or not, it's fun to see a tiny infant who does nothing but eat and sleep develop into a person. Beware, though, of making comparisons between your child and your relatives' or neighbors' babies. Remember that each baby is unique. If a child is slow to talk or stand up, it doesn't mean that he or she is less intelligent than a cousin or a neighbor's child. However, if your child lags far behind other children of the same age, check with your doctor. Basically, here is what you can expect from your baby: • At six weeks, the baby may be awake and playful, without crying, for half an hour after each feeding. This is about the time when you can expect the first spontaneous smiles. • At three months, the baby will follow the movement of a favorite toy dangled in front of his or her eyes. • At four months, the baby will learn to roll over from front to back. At five months, he will be able to roll from back to front. • Between the ages of four and six months, the baby will learn to lift his or her head and shoulders, and by about six months will have enough muscle control to balance in a sitting position without support. • Most babies begin to make simple, recognizable sounds (such as "Da da" and "Mama") at about eight months of age. This is also the stage at which they may try to use a spoon for the first time. • At nine months, most babies can get to a sitting position from lying down and can pull up to a stand and walk holding onto furniture and walls. The baby may begin to crawl, but some babies skip crawling altogether. This is the time to "childproof' your home and put harmful items out of reach. • At about a year old, the baby may be able to stand up for a few seconds and may be taking a few steps alone. Fortunately, this is also the time when a baby begins to understand a few simple commands, like "Stop!" and "Don't touch!" In most cases, it will be a few more months before the baby is walking. By this time, your child will be eating only three to four times a day. As your baby develops, her attention span and interests will also broaden. Avery small baby may watch a mobile for a few minutes, but then fall asleep or cry. As the child learns how to use her arms and legs, she discovers the ability to make things move. The baby learns to grab for things, too. Her eyes begin to focus better, so she can see more things. foot and mouth