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Credit:
Stephanie Rausser
In the first year, your cutie goes from depending on you for everything, to babbling, moving, and even feeding themself. That's all thanks to your marvelous mentoring! Nurture their growth even more with these activities.
Get that tummy time on.
It's your baby's warm-up to sitting, crawling, and walking; it builds upper-body and core strength; it exercises fine motor skills; and it exposes your little one to new sights. If your baby is uneasy at first (most are), lay them on your chest while you recline on the floor. Pick a time when they're alert—a tired baby and tummy time do not mix. Once your baby has transitioned fully to the floor, set out toys for them to grab. Your sweetie can begin tummy time pretty much from birth. Start slow with just two to five minutes a few times a day. By a year old, they should be able to handle up to 20 minutes.