You spend hours playing with your little one and looking lovingly into their eyes. If you’ve ever wondered “what can my newborn see?” when they gaze back at you, you’re not alone. Your child is developing, growing stronger daily, and moving through milestones at the speed of light. Their vision is no different. In their first year, they will go from learning how to focus their eyes to mastering hand-eye coordination. As a parent, understanding these milestones is important—and exciting—to track. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with your kid’s eye development in the next 12 months.

What Can My Newborn See?

In these first few weeks your newborns’ retinas are developing and their pupils are widening, allowing them to see larger shapes, patterns, and some colors. They tend to focus on objects that are close to them—about 8 to 10 inches from their face. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), newborns are able to use their peripheral vision to sense things beside them, but their overall vision will still take months to develop.

In their first month, newborns are only able to see in black, white, and shades of gray, making them particularly sensitive to bright lights. That’s why it’s crucial if your infant is jaundiced that you use protective eyewear when using a biliblanket.

What does this mean for parents? Introducing your infant to black-and-white toys, books, and flashcards during this time can help them develop their optic nerves without overstimulating them. Bold, contrasting images are easier for them to see, and focus on, helping their eye muscles coordinate with the brain.

Your pediatrician will examine your baby’s eyes and check for anything that seems out of the ordinary during your first visits. They might refer you to an ophthalmologist for a more comprehensive exam if your baby was born prematurely or you have a family history of childhood eye disease.

What Babies Can See at 2-4 Months

At this age it’s totally normal for your baby’s eyes to appear crossed or even wander from side to side. Don’t panic! This is called pseudostrabismus, and it’s common in babies up to about 18 months old. As your child starts to grow into their features this usually goes away.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) notes that it’s around the two-month mark that babies are able to follow a moving object with their eyes. They will also start to focus on your face or the face of someone near them. If you do not notice this happening, talk with your pediatrician.

You can help your child build up their hand-eye coordination by using a rattle or toy and have them track it with their eyes. Encourage them to grab for objects and toys that are about eight to 12 inches out of reach.

Related: When Is the Right Time to Pierce a Baby’s Ears?

a baby looks over his mom's shoulder, holding up his head
iStock

What Babies Can See at 5-8 Months

Blue? Hazel? Brown? It takes about a year for your baby’s eye color to settle, but any color changes will slow down around the six-month mark. During this time your baby’s depth perception is more fully developed, and they can see objects around them in more vivid detail. Their color vision is also developing and they might recognize your face from across a room and smile. It’ll make your heart swoon the first time it happens (ok, and all the other times too).

As your baby learns to crawl in these next few months, their vision will continue to grow stronger as they perfect their hand-eye coordination. Playing peekaboo and using mirrors is not only a great way to bond with your child, but these games help strengthen their vision and cognitive skills. Hanging a mobile in their crib also helps with hand-eye coordination.

A second eye screening should be done some time between the ages of six and 12 months. Your child’s pediatrician, or other health care professional, can explain what to expect during this exam.

What Babies Can See at 9-12 Months

Once your baby hits nine months, they should be able to judge distances and grasp for things with their thumb and forefinger. Ask your pediatrician for age-appropriate activities you can do with your baby to help develop their vision as they pass their first birthday.

When to Be Concerned

Remember, vision problems in babies are rare, however, there are times when problems may arise. Talk to your pediatrician if you notice your child has excessive tears, as this may be a sign of blocked tear ducts. Additionally, red or crusty eyelids could indicate an eye infection and should be treated right away.

Strabismus, or crossed eyes, is when the eyes do not line up properly and look in different directions. One eye may look straight ahead while the other eye turns in, out, up, or down. If your child’s eyes do not appear to align around four months, talk to your pediatrician about seeing an ophthalmologist.

If there’s anything parents are known for, it’s worrying. Worrying if the kids are safe, if they’re healthy, if they’re happy—and if their development is staying on track for them to keep up with their peers. But in a viral X (formerly Twitter) thread, a child development expert is urging parents to take a deep breath—and sharing the four things everyone should chill out about when it comes to their kids’ developmental milestones.

Dorsa Amir has been studying children’s growth across cultures for more than a decade. The basic gist of her thread? You can stop worrying so much about teaching your kids because if there’s anything kids do naturally on their own, it’s learn.

“Not everything has to be “educational,” Amir wrote. “It’s truly completely okay (& indeed, good) for kids to play for the sake of play. They don’t have to be learning the alphabet or animal noises. They can just do whatever silly thing they want to do. They are ALWAYS learning!”

On that note, Amir’s second piece of advice is that parents don’t need to teach their kids all the time.

“You don’t have to put pressure on yourself to constantly teach them things. In fact, active & direct instruction from an adult is the rarest form of teaching in human history. Kids know how to learn in other ways — like observation — & they’re extremely good at it,” she wrote. “For instance, I went to a little indoor gym class with my toddler & the teacher held up a ball & moved it around so the kids could “learn how to track objects with their eyes”. I cannot stress enough how completely & utterly unnecessary that is. You do not need to teach that!”

The third lesson Amir offered for parents? Don’t worry about entertaining your kids all the time.

“Kids should be allowed to experience boredom. It’s part of the human experience & it’s okay if they’re bored. You do not have to feel obligated to constantly entertain them or provide new activities for them. They should be allowed to generate their own activities & ideas,” she wrote. “You do not have to be your child’s zany, cartoonish friend. You can just be their boring parent, if you wish. This thing we do in the West, where we pretend to be kids to play with our kids? That’s super unusual, to be honest & you do not have to feel obligated to do it.”

And, side note, that also applies to buying your kids tons of toys. You’re welcome, parents.

Amir’s last piece of advice? Just like you shouldn’t protect your kids from boredom, you shouldn’t protect them from (developmentally appropriate) conflict, either.

“Kids should be allowed to experience social conflict. They can disagree or argue with their playmates; that’s completely fine & actually very good for them to practice. Let them resolve things if they can, you don’t have to get involved or prevent it from happening,” she wrote. “More generally, negative emotions are not bad & it’s good for kids to experience what they feel like & learn how to process them. A childhood that’s entirely carefree & completely devoid of emotional challenges is NOT the goal. It’s good to experience all of life’s nuances.”

In other words, parents, you’re doing just fine. Let this message from Amir be the one you take with you: “One thing that makes humans extra special is high levels of what we call “plasticity” or, the ability to calibrate to a million different ecological, cultural, & social environments. What this means is that there are a million different ways to be human & they’re all valid.”

Today’s generation of kids might be living in a world with AI, self-driving cars, and other things we used to only see on The Jetsons, but whether it’s learning to cook or managing a budget, there are a few essential life skills kids need to learn as they grow. “For years, researchers believed life skills, like empathy and creative thinking, were innate. Today, we know these skills can be taught and practiced,” says Stephanie Malia Krauss, author of Whole Child, Whole Life: 10 Ways to Help Kids, Live, Learn, and Thrive. Most life skills for kids can happen when their stage and situation encourage and enable it. We asked K-12 educators and child development experts to weigh in on when your crew can master life’s major skills. 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 0-2

Nobody expects a baby to balance a checkbook. But there are skills that the two and under set should know before they leave this stage.

Clean Up (Everybody Everywhere)

When a child is 18 months old, they want to copy their caregivers. If you sweep the floor, they want to sweep the floor. Aghogho Boccardi, 7-12 grade educator and founder of Hope Like a Mother, started her kids on chores by having them pick up after themselves at mealtimes. “After a meal, they get down from the table and pick all the large chunks of food from the floor.” She makes it a fun game, and afterward, they help Mom with the handheld vacuum. Notably, she only started this activity when the children showed interest in wanting to sweep.

Swim

“Starting at three months old, babies can begin to learn the skills needed to have confidence in the water, such as breath control and the baby back float. From there, children that continue lessons will add to their skillsets as they master new strokes and set new challenges,” says Chris DeJong, five-time U.S. National Champion swimmer, and Founder and President of Big Blue Swim School.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged four and under. The sooner your mini can master this life-saving skill, the better.

Life Skills for Kids Ages 2-4

By 30 months, most minis can follow simple two-step directions. They can also hold something with one hand while using the other to twist and pull. These developmental milestones mean you can introduce your kiddo to a new set of life skills.

Dress Themselves 

This is the age when children want to put on and take off their own clothes. Getting up and out of the house takes three times as long, but let them do it. According to Krauss, this is when children start developing fine motor control. Learning to fasten buttons and put on their shoes gives them much-needed practice with skills they can take into learning to write.

Set the Table

We’re not saying you should give your assistant the fine china. But at this age, you can ask your child to put a fork and (plastic) cup next to each plate on the table. Bonus: you won’t have to guess if they wanted the blue or red cup. Meltdown avoided!

Memorize Your Name and Phone Number

If your preschooler can sing the lyrics to their favorite song, they can learn the seven digits of your phone number. Make it a game so they want to play along. Test your little ones at different times of the day so they’ll remember your number even if they are alone and upset. 

Related: All the Chores Kids Should Be Doing, Based on Their Age

Life Skills for Kids Ages 4-6

learning how to do laundry is a life skill for kids
iStock

 

“Elementary school is a foundational time for children to learn essential social, relational, and learning skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. Through play and projects, kids use, adapt, and strengthen their communication, relationship, and conflict management skills,” says Krauss.

Make Lunch

5-year-olds can learn cooking skills through the ‘cooking kit’ method. “By kindergarten, many children will be able to do the tasks necessary to make their own lunch if they are laid out for them. For example, they could make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if you put peanut butter, jelly, bread, a butter knife, and a plate out for them. They may not have the executive functioning skills to be fully responsible for making their own lunch, though, and will need a little more development to be able to plan what to pack, pick out the ingredients, and assemble the lunch,” says Letty Rising, K-12 Montessori educator at Montessori Laboratory.

Get Their Own Snack

Everybody wins when your kindergartener can self-serve that after-school munch. Buy adult-approved options. Separate them into single-serve portions. Then leave them in an accessible, designated place, such as a lower cabinet or a drawer in the fridge. 

Gather the Laundry

Teach your crew how to use the laundry basket. Realistically, four-year-olds will need you to point at the things that go in the laundry. Kids this age will not remember to empty their pockets. And if your kindergartener is also in charge of cleaning up their room, you will find strange things stuffed in the basket along with their socks. Wash with caution.

It’s definitely easier to do the laundry yourself in the short term. But children who start learning now will be well-equipped to wash their laundry in the middle-elementary years. 

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 6-8

Until six, most of your kids’ cleaning is heavily supervised and play-based. Rising says, “By the time children reach 6 years of age, they can be responsible for sweeping the floors as part of their chores, and likely also parts of cleaning the bathrooms like wiping down the counter.” This means caregivers can now pass on old chestnuts, such as “You were old enough to make the mess, so you’re old enough to clean it.” Huzzah! 

Run the Washing Machine

According to Dr. Ryan Sultan, board-certified child psychiatrist and Research Professor at Columbia University, children can now learn how to operate a washing machine and fold clean laundry. They will still need periodic reminders on how much detergent to use and how to avoid turning everyone’s whites a light pink.

Operate a Microwave Alone

Microwaving a meal is a big deal for the elementary school set. And they can do so much more than warm up yesterday’s dinner or cook a box of mac and cheese. YouTube is full of recipes for microwave-friendly meals. Spend time watching the videos together for added parent and child time. Budding chefs will need to learn basic microwave safety–no metal in the microwave!—before you turn them loose. 

Tie Their Shoes

Six-year-olds have the fine motor skills necessary to learn to tie their shoes. But thanks to the magic of Velcro, compressed morning schedules, and schools that insist on slip-on shoes, children are learning this skill later. According to a 2019 survey commissioned by OSGO to coincide with National Feet Week, “3 in 10 children are still unable to tie their shoelaces on leaving primary school.”

The only way kids can master this skill is with a lot of practice. If there’s no time in the morning for them to lace up their shoes, set aside time later in the day. Some children don’t care to practice this skill. If you have a reluctant lacer, dispense small rewards to get them on board. 

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 8-10

learning about money is a life skill for kids
iStock

 

Your not-so-mini is one of the big kids now. With greater ability comes the opportunity for greater responsibility.

Budget Money

In his book The Opposite of Spoiled, Rob Lieber says that the main point of an allowance is to help “kids learn to save and spend money, a skill they don’t get to practice in many other ways as they grow up.” Learning to delay gratification has a whole host of benefits. According to Lieber, adults who practice self-control as children are more likely to save money and own homes. Lieber’s three-jar method to budget money for saving, spending, and charitable giving is a great place to start.

Many parents discover another upside. Children are much less eager to spend their own money. While minis as young as six can begin to budget, the mid-elementary set has a clearer grasp of time. They will be far more impressed when you say, “If you want that iPhone, you’ll need to save your allowance for six years.”

Practice Online Safety

In a 2019 study from Common Sense Media, 8-12-year-olds spend 31% of their total screen time gaming. And whether they play on a smartphone, a console, or a computer, they can bump into players they don’t know. “One of the first things children need to understand about chatting online is that they could be talking to anyone from anywhere,” advises Philip Wride, Parenting & Education Coach.

“It’s important they know not to share personal information like their name, address, or photos of themselves. The same is true if they play games online–the people they are playing with could potentially be any age. If someone asks for their name, address, or a photo, the child must understand it is a red flag activity and that they should tell an appropriate adult.”

If possible, children should play games and use the internet in a shared space where they can keep an ear and an eye on the activity.

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 10-12

“By the end of elementary school, most children can engage in increasingly complex and abstract reasoning and decision making. Academic assignments and learning activities engage them as problem solvers and critical thinkers,” says Stephanie Malia Krauss.

But it’s important to refrain from allowing academic work or sports to crowd out the critical life skills tweens will carry with them into adulthood. If your crew’s time is limited, consider giving them one or two chores and rotating the assignment every week. 

Take Out the Trash

Taking the garbage outside isn’t brain surgery. But there are several limiting factors to consider. Is your child strong enough to carry the bag? Are they tall enough to hoist it into the bin? Does your municipality require you to sort your trash into different containers? If the kitchen garbage is too heavy, start your tween off with the recycling. 

If your family lives in an apartment with a communal dumpster, your child may need situational awareness to avoid cars in the parking lot. Take your junior janitor with you when you toss the trash and progressively hand over the job. 

Make Simple Meals on the Stove

Kids can be taught how to cook on the stove in early elementary school. A tween trained in basic kitchen safety can independently scramble eggs, cook pancakes from a mix, or make a grilled cheese. They will learn best working with you, but more mature tweens can also follow (video or written) recipes. You’ll want to be on hand in case that grilled cheese turns into a flambé

 

Life Skills for Kids Ages 12 and Up

learning how to fix a bike is a good life skill for kids
iStock

 

12-year-olds are nowhere near old enough to live independently, but this is a great time to help them hone the skills they will take into adulthood.

Cook Family Dinner

This is when cooking practice can really pay off. Teach your tween how to make a complete dinner, then add them to the weekly cooking rotation. If you don’t have the mental energy or cooking know-how to teach this skill, consider using a service like Hello Fresh or Chef’s Plate. Each meal comes with ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Watching your kid cook while you recover from a long day at work is almost like taking a spa day. Even better, your future college student won’t have to survive on ramen packs for four years.

Balance a Checkbook

“Balancing a checkbook is a complex task that requires an understanding of basic math and financial concepts. Generally, it’s best to wait until children are in middle school before introducing them to this skill. This will help ensure they have the necessary foundational skills required to complete the task effectively. Additionally, provide guidance on how to safely and accurately manage finances, such as avoiding overdrafts and using online banking tools if available,” recommends Kalley Hartman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist of Ocean Recovery.

Start your middle schooler off with small steps. First, show them how to keep a running total of their credits and expenses. Then show them how to reconcile their tally against the bank balance. You can use a service like Greenlight or Mydoh or act as the bank by collecting receipts and adding them to a paper ledger two days later.

Perform Basic Home Maintenance 

According to Dr. Sultan, most tweens and teens are old enough to learn to change a lightbulb, unclog a drain, and reset the circuit breaker. Parents in the know will tell you that getting your teenager to unclog the toilet themselves is a game changer. And a great way to get them to use less bathroom tissue.

Teaching your kids essential life skills might feel overwhelming, but you’re not in it alone. “Kids can learn life skills anytime, anywhere, and with anyone. Children constantly observe, learn, and practice these skills at home, school, in the community, and in whatever activities they engage in. Like reading, some children will master skills more slowly and others more quickly. What’s most important is providing them with instruction, opportunities to practice, and assistance when they need it,” says Krauss.

Related: 12 Essential Life Skills Kids Can Learn from Travel

 

The best baby feeding supplies for mitigating messes

When it comes to finding the best baby feeding supplies, there’s absolutely no shortage of options. Whether it’s your first little one or your newest addition, feeding gear is always evolving. Of course, that’s a good thing, but it can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed with choices. But you have us, so you can relax and let us handle the hard part.

Most of us would agree that the best options have a few key features. We’re looking for suction-bottom plates and bowls (babies are mighty flingy as far as bowls and plates go), high-quality baby-safe materials, soft-on-the-gums utensils, and weighted sippy cups (because of that flingy thing again). A lot of feeding supplies are created with food-grade silicone, since it’s soft, but we also found stainless steel and bamboo options for those of us looking to skip the plastic. There are even options that also keep your comfort in mind. From bibs to bowls to snack containers, these are some seriously clever products for feeding your little one. Check out our list of the best baby feeding supplies below.

Best Utensils: Baby Spoons & Forks

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons

Avanchy on Amazon

Shorter handles and wider scoops make these perfect for babies just starting out all the way to the toddler stage. Multiple colors and set options are available, too.

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons ($14.99)—Buy Here!

mushie Flatware Fork and Spoon Set

mushie on Amazon

Made in Denmark, these aesthetic toddler and baby utensils are as pretty as they are functional. They're so simple that they're easy for little ones to hang onto while they learn their way around solid foods. They come in lots of soft colors, too.

mushie Flatware Fork and Spoon Set ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Grabease Baby Utensils

Grabease on Amazon

These chunky little baby spoons and forks are ideal for little grips. The shape helps them hang onto their utensils and the kiddo-friendly colors (there are lots of them!) help to keep them engaged. 

Grabease Baby Utensils ($11.99)—Buy Here!

Munchkin Soft Tip Baby Spoons 12ct

Munchkin on Amazon

Munchkin baby spoons are a parent favorite: gentle on baby's gums, ergonomically shaped, and long enough to reach the bottom of those food jars. What's not to love?

Munchkin Soft Tip Baby Spoons 12ct ($8.66)—Buy Here!

Kizingo Curved Spoons Set of 2

Kizingo on Amazon

Created by moms who just get it, these curved spoons are great for littles learning to feed themselves. They help develop motor skills without exhausting their wrist, shoulders, or elbows with overly complicated movements. Available in 2 sets of different colors.

Kizingo Curved Spoons Set of 2 ($14.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Baby Plates & Bowls

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls Set of 3

Munchkin on Amazon

The best baby feeding supplies let you say goodbye to flying baby bowls. The suction cup bottom keeps these securely in place, while the quick-release tab makes it easy for you to clean up when mealtime is over. 

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls Set of 3 ($8.82)—Buy Here!

WeeSprout Suction Plates with Lids

WeeSprout on Amazon

Suction bottoms are a theme here, of course, but the WeeSprout plates offer a divided design and matching lids for on-the-go carrying, leftovers, and meal prep. Lots of color combos are available, too.

WeeSprout Suction Plates with Lids ($18.98)—Buy Here!

Avanchy Bamboo & Stainless Steel Baby Bowls

Avanchy on Amazon

Trying to avoid plastic? This bamboo and stainless steel bowl set from Avanchy is a great way to go. The bundle includes both bowls and a lid for easy transport or leftovers. Several colors are available, too.

Avanchy Bamboo & Stainless Steel Baby Bowls ($40.98)—Buy Here!

ezpz Tiny Bowl

ezpz on Amazon

You probably already know ezpz, and this beauty doesn't just include a suction bottom, but it also has a built-in placemat to majorly mitigate spills. Available in 4 colors.

ezpz Tiny Bowl ($16.99)—Buy Here!

Skip Hop Grab Bowls Set of 2

Skip Hop on Amazon

Finally, bowls that keep your comfort in mind, too. The ergonomic handles make feeding much easier to hang on to and we're always big fans of lids.

Skip Hop Grab Bowls Set of 2 ($12.00)—Buy Here!

Olababy Silicone Steam Bowl

Olababy on Amazon

Warm up baby food by steaming over a saucepan or steamer with this bowl. And don't worry—the bowl itself doesn't get hot as it steams, either, so it won't get overheated.

Olababy Silicone Steam Bowl ($11.95)—Buy Here!

 

Best Snack Containers

The Baby's Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup

The Baby's Brew

These snack cups are soft and collapsible, with an interchangeable snack cup or straw sip lid. Plus the secure snack lid keeps goodies contained and is perfect for little hands.

The Baby's Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup ($9.99)—Buy Here!

b.box 3-in-1 Snack Bowl

b. box on Amazon

As far as baby snack containers go, this isn't just one that keeps the Cheerios from flying out. With a straw, storage lid, and snack dispenser lid, you can use it for everything from Goldfish to soup to smoothies and beyond. Lots of cute color combinations are available, too.

b.box 3-in-1 Snack Bowl ($14.95)—Buy Here!

mushie Snack Cup

mushie on Amazon

Oh, mushie and their soft colors that we just can't get enough of. The double handles are super helpful for little ones, too. Tons of color options with this one.

mushie Snack Cup ($13.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Baby Feeding Sets

Baby Björn Baby Feeding Set

Baby Björn on Amazon

The rounded sides of the plate make it easy for scooping and containing food, and this set also includes a stable cup for learning to drink, and easy-to-hold utensils. It comes in 4 colors.

Baby Björn Baby Feeding Set ($32.70)—Buy Here!

Busy Baby ULTIMATE Busy Baby Bundle

Busy Baby

The best baby feeding supplies are multi-functional, and Busy Baby agrees. This bundle includes Busy Baby's best sellers: Mat (original size) with 4 Tethers, Mini Mat, Teether & Training Spoon, Bungee Bib & Utensils, Bottle Bungee, and Toy Bungee. Not only are they excellent feeding tools, but the bungees keep toys, utensils, and more from falling on the floor.

Busy Baby ULTIMATE Busy Baby Bundle ($85.00)—Buy Here!

Lalo First Bites Silicone Baby Feeding Set

Lalo on Amazon

The Lalo First Bites set is one of the most popular out there. It includes utensils, bib, 4oz cup, suction plate and bowl and is available in 5 colors.

Lalo First Bites Silicone Baby Feeding Set ($75.99)—Buy Here!

MICHEF Baby Feeding Set

MICHEF on Amazon

Designed for babies 4+ months, the MICHEF set comes complete with 2 baby food feeders with 3 different sized replacement silicone sacs, baby spoons, and a bowl with masher.

MICHEF Baby Feeding Set ($19.99)—Buy Here!

VOD VISUAL Owl Baby Feeding Set

VOD VISUAL on Amazon

Why not add a friendly face to mealtime with this adorable owl set? The dishes even have suction cup bottoms. Available in several colors.

VOD VISUAL Owl Baby Feeding Set ($24.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Bibs

Tiny Twinkle Long Sleeve Bibs

Tiny Twinkle on Amazon

Cover them alllllll the way up with these best selling long sleeve bibs. There's a good chance they'll still find a way to drip something somewhere, but this set mitigates the possibility. Lots of colors are available.

Tiny Twinkle Long Sleeve Bibs ($23.99)—Buy Here!

Grabease Allover Waterproof Bib

Grabease on Amazon

Looking for serious bib coverage? Look no further. This one is designed to cover your babe and their highchair, plus its machine washable. Multiple color options, too.

Grabease Allover Waterproof Bib ($26.99)—Buy Here!

PandaEar Silicone Bibs Set of 3

PandaEar

Budget-friendly, ultra-functional, and scoring almost 5 stars from over 12,000 Amazon reviewers? This is the set that delivers.

PandaEar Silicone Bibs Set of 3 ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Bumkins Waterproof Fabric Starter Bibs

Bumkins on Amazon

Fabric bibs are classic for a reason: these waterproof fabric bibs are soft and strong and include a crumb-catcher pocket. Machine wash them over and over. Plus, they come in lots of adorable colors and prints.

Bumkins Waterproof Fabric Starter Bibs ($10.95)—Buy Here!

Tiny Twinkle Apron Bib

Tiny Twinkle

We're really into this apron style bib with little arm holes that are totally tug-proof. The sweet colors and prints are a major selling point here, too.

Tiny Twinkle Apron Bib ($11.99)—Buy Here!

 

Best Water Cups

Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid

Olababy on Amazon

Learning is is the name of the game when it comes to baby water cups, and this one is designed by pediatric experts. The weighted base prevents tip-overs and your little one can see inside the cup to know what's in it and how much is left (which is a big deal when they're learning to drink for themselves). 5 colors available.

Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid ($12.76)—Buy Here!

Evorie Tritan Weighted Straw Sippy Cup

Evorie on Amazon

Made of Tritan that's clear as glass yet strong as stainless steel, the Evorie Sippy Cup is an award-winning cup with a straw that allows babies to drink from an angle while minimizing extra air that can lead to tummy upsets. Multiple colors and designs are available.

Evorie Tritan Weighted Straw Sippy Cup ($18.99)—Buy Here!

Bunnytoo Baby Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw

Bunnytoo on Amazon

The weighted straw idea is brilliant, honestly. It lets your little one drink from any angle or position and keeps spills and leaks to a minimum. There are 7 colors available.

Bunnytoo Baby Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw ($13.99)—Buy Here!

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

The best baby tracking apps do the hard work of remembering so you don’t have to

When you’re a sleep-deprived new parent, how are you supposed to remember when you last fed your baby, how long they slept, or even when they were immunized and for what? Especially during those first few months when leaving the house freshly showered and in spit up-free clothing is considered a near miracle. Here’s the good news. You don’t have to. Some of the best baby tracking apps out there help exhausted parents stay on top of every milestone, feeding, diaper change, nap, and so much more.

1. Baby+

baby+ pink background on a smartphone is a baby tracking app
Philips

With Baby+ parents can track their child's height, weight, and head circumference through interactive graphs, and log information on feedings, diaper changes, sleep, and new teeth to get a better understanding of baby's routine. You can also keep track of baby's milestones and upload photos, as well as help baby relax at night or during feeding time with lullabies and white noise.

Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.

2. Sprout Baby

You can use the Sprout Baby app to record your child's health history (illnesses, symptoms, temperature, medications), as well as to keep track of feedings, bottles, pumping sessions, and diapers. The app features a handy printable report with your child's health data that you can bring to doctor's visits. There's also a memories section for recording milestones and other special moments, which you can then export to an eBook.

Available for iOS devices.

3. Talli

This best baby tracking app includes a device with a white top and wood bottom

This baby tracking app is a little bit different. It pairs with a stylish device that comes ready to track baby's sleep, bottle feedings, diapers, pumping, and more right out of the box. And it's customizable too, so you can determine which of baby's many activities you track. The companion app is fully integrated to let parents track all sorts of data, see trends, invite family members and caregivers to contribute, and view past events. It's also Alexa enabled, for those moments when you don't have your hands free.

Available for iOS and on Google Play.

4. Tinybeans

Tinybeans is one of the best baby tracking apps

Yup, we've got an app! If you're looking for a secure place to store your baby photos, look no further than Tinybeans. You can edit pics before posting and share them with a select group of family and friends, who can comment on and join in the excitement of all your adorable new memories. The app will prompt you to post (to keep eager relatives appeased) and also track baby's developmental milestones. 

Available for iOS and on Google Play.

5. BabySparks

three smartphone screens with a baby sleeping on one, shows best baby tacking app info

This development tracker informs you when children typically learn specific skills, compiled from sources including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BabySparks also provides activities you can do with your child to support this development. The activities are organized by the area of development: gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, speech, sensory, self-care, and social-emotional, so you can focus on a specific area if you prefer. The app also offers a paid subscription option so parents can access parenting classes.

Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.

6. BabyTime

screenshots of the babytime app, one of the best tracking apps for parents of babies
BabyTime

All caregivers can track and record baby's activities in the BabyTime app. And since it's designed for one-handed operation, you can save all that valuable information while holding baby—a big plus. Track breastfeeding, bottles, sleep, and diapers, and use the slick charts to oversee baby's day or identify trends. There's also a night mode with a low-contrast background that's easier on your eyes.

Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.

7. Baby Connect

a best baby tracker app, three smartphones with apps to track baby's needs

Baby Connect records diaper changes, naps, moods, feedings, medicines, photos, activities, and displays it in graphs and charts to help you identify trends. Multiple users can access your kid's info so your babysitter, Grandma, and other caregivers can see what baby has been up to and keep you updated, too. And the voice integrations mean you can record important information, even when your hands are full.

Available for iOS devices and Android.

8. Baby Tracker

Screenshots of the Baby Tracker app, one of the best baby tracking apps
Baby Tracker

Love knowing when every little thing happened and when it might happen again? Baby Tracker keeps track of every element of your baby's day, including sleep, feedings, and diaper changes. You may even discover your newborn's natural daily routines and nap schedule by comparing a week's or a month's worth of days. You can also track and record memories, growth, medical history, milestones, and more.

Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.

9. Baby Feed Timer

a baby tracking app shows which side baby last fed on on an iphone

Nursing moms love the Baby Feed Timer app because you can record which side you fed your infant with last. Bottle-feeding parents love that you can keep track of just how much formula baby took each time. This baby tracking app will also tell you when it's time for the next feeding. Plus, it tracks diapers, pumping, medication administration, sleep, and solid feedings, making it useful past the first year.

Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.

10. Glow Baby

This baby tracking app for the first year tracks developmental milestones, feedings, diapers, sleep, baby's ailments, medications, and more. Use Glow Baby's timers to manage feeding and sleep schedules, and then head to the in-app community to chat with other parents and share strategies and successes.

Available for iOS devices and on Google Play.

There are certain growth and developmental milestones that every parent is aware of (and inherently concerned about). Is your child rolling over at the right time? Crawling? Standing up? Talking? But one pediatrician says there are a lot of signs of healthy development that aren’t on the traditional milestone checklists—and in a viral TikTok video, she’s sharing them all for the anxious parents of the world.

Dr. Sami is one-half of the TikTok account @thepedipals, which features two pediatricians who share evidence-based advice and information with parents. In a recent video, she revealed her “superpower:” being able to predict certain actions that babies and toddlers do when their parents bring them into her clinic.

“It’s not like I’m some kind of genius, although if you want to think that for me, that’s totally fine,” she says. “It’s more that I just know because I’m a pediatrician.” She then proceeds to name some of the milestones parents tend to miss:

@thepedipals

♬ original sound – The PediPals (Pediatric Pals)

 

“If you have a newborn, one of the secret milestones is that they hiccup a lot. Totally normal,” she says. “The other thing is that they scream bloody murder for everything, right? It doesn’t matter if they’re hungry, if they’re wet, if they’re bored. It’s always just one setting, and it’s like, ‘I’m dying.'”

That one should help put some parents’ minds at ease.

“Four months is that stage where they’re super cute and smiling all the time, but they also grab your hair and won’t let go. And you’re literally bald because of it because they just pull all your hair out,” Dr. Sami says. “Between six to nine months they start to do weird things that you’re like, ‘Is that normal?’ They start to shake their head all the time or maybe they start to stick their tongue out a little bit? Totally normal. Milestone.”

Dr. Sami even busts some myths about milestones parents think exist.

“A lot of people think temper tantrums start when they’re like two and up. But, honestly, they start between 12 and 15 months. That’s a milestone,” she says. “Also around 15 to 18 months they all totally try to kill themselves every day. That’s totally a milestone.”

Related: 4 Things Parents Need to Chill Out About (According to a Developmental Expert)

Some other milestones she notes for toddlers are that they’re selfish, unreasonable, and picky eaters. For slightly older ones between ages 4 and 6, there’s the nonstop talking and asking “why” about everything. And for kids ages 9 to 11, Dr. Sami says starting to feel anxious is a milestone, but that parents should be sure to “talk to your pediatrician about that because if you don’t, it can get away from you.”

So if you have an app—like Tinybeans!—that tracks your baby’s milestones (or you find yourself checking the CDC master list over and over), you can rest easy—those are great signs of a healthy, growing baby, but so are things like hiccups and hair pulling, and your baby is probably doing just fine.

When to wean your baby is an extremely personal decision, but if you feel like your time has come, read on to get a sense of how it’s done

Breastfeeding can be a magical experience for some, and the literal embodiment of “touched out” for others, but there comes a time in every lactating person’s journey when it’s time to say goodbye to the cuddles and cracked nipples and wean that baby. Maybe you’re about to head back to work and breastfeeding/chestfeeding isn’t an option anymore, or you might be past the recommended duration (six months, says the AAP) and just feel ready to give it up. Or maybe you hated every second of it so far and don’t want to do it anymore. And that’s fine! Everyone has their own unique experience, but when your time comes, how do you stop breastfeeding?

There are a few things to consider if you’re ready to wean, like if your baby has started solids yet, and whether you’re stopping before a year and switching to formula or after a year with no substitutions. Whatever the case, be sure to discuss your plan of action with your doctor or a certified lactation consultant. We spoke to a few lactation consultants to get a sense of what the process looks like so that you both have a smooth transition (because it’s an adjustment for you, too!).

How to stop breastfeeding

“Weaning a baby is very individual for each mother and baby or babies,” says Deedee Franke, a registered nurse and certified lactation consultant at Mercy Medical Center. “Before trying to wean, mom should make sure she’s physically and emotionally ready, assess how the baby may respond, and if the baby is under 1 year, make sure they can physically take a bottle and tolerate formula.”

In an ideal world, weaning is also a process, not a one-time event, explains Amy Peterson, IBCLC and lactation consultant for Evenflo. “As a baby breastfeeds less often over time, the milk supply begins to decrease and mom remains comfortable.” This helps avoid painful complications that come from stopping suddenly, like clogged ducts and mastitis.

As always, if your baby is suffering from discomfort related to reflux, starting solids, or teething, or if they’re sick, all bets are off and you can pick up where you left off once they’re back to normal. The same goes for times of major transition (like moving, starting a new daycare, or going through a big developmental milestone).

Interestingly enough, Peterson says that as soon as your baby takes their first bite of food, the weaning process naturally begins. “Over time, babies replace breastfeeding with other foods and drinks, and they replace the physical closeness of breastfeeding with other routines and forms of snuggling.”

How do you know when to stop breastfeeding?

When you stop breastfeeding is an extremely personal decision. The short answer is simply when you feel like you’re finished. If you’re exhausted and not getting any joy out of the process, then it could be time to consider weaning.

If you’re a little more flexible, Peterson says there’s a time when weaning can be more of a mutual decision between mom and baby. “When your baby begins eating more food, and breastfeeding dwindles to naps and nighttime, it could be a good time to start weaning.” But if a mom is struggling emotionally with breastfeeding or has come to resent it, it’s perfectly understandable to start the process earlier, she adds.

If you feel like you’re at this stage in your breastfeeding journey, here’s how to stop breastfeeding as seamlessly and painlessly as possible—for everyone involved.

How do you wean a baby gradually?

How you choose to wean is different for each parent, but experts agree that the best means to the end is a gradual process. This helps protect your breasts from painful complications and helps ease the emotional transition for both parties involved. Enlisting the help of a lactation consultant to cater a plan specifically to your needs is always a great option, but here are a few tried and true techniques for gradually weaning day feeding.

Drop one feed at a time:

Franke says, “In general, I would recommend dropping one feeding every three to four days and replacing it with a bottle.” Start with the feed your baby seems least interested in, and since your breasts are so enticing to your little nugget, see if someone else can do the bottle feed. Babies under a year need replacement feeds of formula or pumped breastmilk, whereas babies over a year who have a variety of foods and drinks are good to drop without replacing.

Once you’ve both settled into a new routine with one less breastfeeding session, move on to the next one and do it all over again, say the NHS. This gradual process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Don’t offer, don’t refuse:

Another option, according to the La Leche League International (LLLI), is to practice the “don’t offer, don’t refuse” routine (this is best for older babies, as infants need to eat more regularly). This means you breastfeed your child when they ask, and don’t offer when they don’t ask. Whenever your breasts get uncomfortably engorged, express a bit of milk to take the edge off (but not enough to signal your body to produce more milk). Note that this method can take longer than dropping feeds over time.

Find new routines:

It’s always helpful to be proactive. Look at your daily routine and anticipate times you’d normally nurse that can be substituted with a bottle or something else—an activity, a snack, a visit from friends, or a walk in the park, to name a few. The LLLI also recommends enlisting help from someone else in your household to pitch in when baby would normally nurse (like first thing in the morning).

Shorten or postpone:

Lastly, you can try postponing sessions (they may get distracted and forget to ask again) or shortening the length of a feed—and Kelly Mom recommends making a game out of it. Tell your baby they can nurse until you’re done counting to 20 or singing their favorite song to help ease the transition.

How do you stop breastfeeding at night?

When your baby is around 4 to 6 months or 12 to 13 pounds, they are developmentally capable of sleeping through the night, according to What to Expect. This means they can snooze for up to an 8-hour stretch. Some parents try to stop middle-of-the-night feeds as soon as they can, while others find themselves night-weaning toddlers. Remember, every child is different and so is every family, so there’s no one-size-fits-all way to do it.

Drop feeds gradually:

In the same way you would with day weaning, it’s ideal to drop one feed at a time to slowly transition your breasts and avoid complications. When they feel uncomfortably full at night, express enough milk to take the edge off.

Load them up during the day:

If you’re still nursing during the day but weaning breastfeeding at night, minimize distractions during day feeds so your kid takes in more milk, and fill them up right before bedtime. They may be full enough from all the daytime milk to not need as much at night, says Kelly Mom. It’s also helpful to give your baby or toddler extra snuggles during the day (night nursing can be a way to get extra cuddles, so load them up when the sun’s out).

Send in backups:

Just like with daytime weaning, you can have someone else in your household take over nighttime feeds with the bottle, or have them go in just for comfort. Try shushing or rubbing baby’s back first to see if they’ll fall back asleep without milk; whenever you do feed a little who’s woken up in the night, keep it short and sweet.

Switch up your routine:

For older babies or toddlers who don’t need a solid feed before bed, try starting a new bedtime routine, says Kelly Mom. You can give them water if they’re thirsty and a snack if they’re hungry, rather than centering the routine around breastfeeding. Keep the cuddles plentiful and swap in a new book or song to make it feel fresh.

Try a dream feed:

Some parents find dream feeding helpful when night-weaning younger babies. This means quietly getting your sleeping baby a few hours after putting them down (around your bedtime) and feeding them in their dark room while they’re awake but still very drowsy, says Babycenter. This way, they’re more likely to fall asleep quickly when you put them back down, though this doesn’t work with all babies.

Since there are so many different ways to night wean, it’s helpful to contact your local lactation consultant for for a plan catered to your specific situation. “Weaning the night feeding depends a lot on the baby’s age and the expectations of the parents,” Franke says. She adds that every situation is different and it’s hard to give a set general guideline because there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to weaning nighttime breastfeeding. “I would suggest that a mom talk to a lactation consultant about her specific goals and expectations prior to planning and executing the plan.”

The La Leche League International website also offers a way to reach out to LLLI leaders in your area for advice and help. Additionally, Peterson recommends the book, Good Nights by Jay Gordon for more information about night weaning.

What are the risks if you don’t wean properly?

If you don’t wean properly, there are some risks involved for you and your breasts. “Overfull breasts can lead to plugged ducts, mastitis, and even abscesses,” Peterson says. “It is best to hand express or pump to relieve fullness—not enough to support milk supply, just to the point of comfort as needed.” And hopefully by using gradual weaning techniques, your breast milk will lessen and later dry up without pain or complications.

How long does it take for breast milk to dry up?

This varies from person to person. It generally takes a few weeks before your breasts stop feeling full and producing as much milk, but it can take much longer before there’s no milk at all—and that’s nothing to be concerned about. “Remnants of milk can linger for a year or more, noticed if mom’s hand expresses in the shower,” says Peterson. “This is totally normal.”

Is my child ready to wean?

Your child will make it pretty clear if weaning is moving too fast, they’re just not ready, or if now isn’t a good time, according to LLLI. You may notice more night wakings or daytime tantrums, new anxieties or fear of separation, clinginess, or regressive behaviors. In this case, take a break from weaning and try again in a little while, when your kid may feel more ready for the transition.

Weaning can be an emotionally charged time for both mom and baby. If you’re feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, speak to your healthcare provider to help find the support you need.

You’ve figured out what works—congrats! Maybe your baby sleeps in a crib. Maybe you co-sleep. Maybe you’re bottle-feeding or nursing. But you finally know what your baby wants: They want to wake at a regular time (usually too early). They want to eat, they want to be changed, and they want to nap. This leaves you with enough time to race through a few chores when—surprise! It happens all over again. The routine does not vary. Life has become a little bit less confusing but a whole lot more boring.

People say, “It’ll be easier once you find a routine.” And it’s true. But they don’t tell you, “You will also have to stick to this routine, and sometimes you will want to scream, because while feeding/changing/sleeping is very interesting to an infant, it’s far less so to the adult who has to oversee it.” This has nothing to do with love and everything to do with babies lingering over their meals like old French women over lunch. It has nothing to do with gross-outs over diapers; instead, it’s about those chores that will never be done. There you are, deciding what’s for dinner, laundry piling up, for the third day in a row that you haven’t left the house or changed your sweats.

Someone’s going to sing that song about cat’s cradles and silver spoons. They will warn you that babies grow up and you’ll miss these days because that sweet baby will be a miserable teenager one day. Shove an infant their way and say, “Here, you clearly miss your baby, so hold one for a minute while I shower.”

Babies do grow up, but this does not mean they automatically spark joy. People who insist they should have forgotten the inherent tyranny of infants. Teenagers want things. Infants demand them. You can walk away from your 13-year-old; a crying baby creates a visceral, measurable hormonal flood that sends you scrambling to fix it through any means necessary.

Related: I Miss the Attention I Got When I Was Pregnant

Like most of you, I survived the baby doldrums with electronics: a Kindle and a phone. Sometimes, when I had a sweet, cuddly baby at my breast, I also had my eyes plastered to a screen. What, was I supposed to stare at my kid’s face for hours at a time? And don’t say, “Yes you were. You were supposed to stare at that precious little squish to promote prosocial interaction and help them learn to be a perfect human.” Hours. Literally hours, every single day, on the couch, unmoving, a cup of ice water at my elbow. You’d have to be a Buddhist monk not to reach for your phone or cue up an episode of Abbott Elementary.

It’d be one thing if this were just a few weeks. But the routine becomes your life—and it can be extremely isolating. To avoid disrupting the schedule, you have limited time to accomplish outside activities. This is a logistical nightmare that people without infants simply do not understand and willfully forget once their children grow up. Car nap? No car nap? To feed at Target or not to feed at Target? Will your child sleep in a baby carrier? Will your baby startle awake like a zombie in the middle of a grocery store run and demand to have their diaper changed? Will your mother-in-law banish you to a back bedroom to nurse (and how will you feel about that)?

Just take them wherever you go! some will say. But if your kid’s one of those who clings to their routine, all those admonitions to get out more can set your teeth on edge. You’d be thrilled to get out more. You’d give anything to be among the people. You’re also dying to go to Europe, but that is not happening in the foreseeable future. “I would love to see people,” you can say. “Would you like to come over and hold my baby?”

This is an important—and necessary—request. Don’t say, “I can’t have people come over. My house is a wreck.” Of course your house is a wreck. You are stuck in an infinite infant time loop! Real friends will notice your laundry piles and start folding. If your friends care about dirty dishes, look for ones who don’t. (In addition to Facebook groups and local message boards, there are apps like Peanut to give you an assist.) Surround yourself with love and positivity, not judgment.

Related: When You Realize Your ‘Mom Friends” Aren’t Your Real Friends

Only when you’ve accepted and settled into your mind-numbing groove will it… change: Your baby goes from two naps to one. Your baby transitions to solid foods. Your baby hits some vague developmental milestone and decides to stop sleeping entirely. This shift in routine is also routine, and it can drive you batty. You’ll have a month of boredom, then two weeks of catastrophic disruption, and on the cycle goes. Welcome to parenthood. Sometimes they make funny T-shirts about this stuff. They aren’t that funny, not really.

Parenting is hard. You can love your kid to pieces and still get bored. It doesn’t mean that you’re a bad parent or that you’re not cut out for this or that you should throw your arms in the air and re-examine your life choices. It’s just a slog sometimes. I wish I could offer a solution that wouldn’t sound like manic pixie stupidity: Dance in your kitchen! Bake some muffins! Sing along to your favorite music! But there is no magic bullet. Routine is hard and you have to find your own way through it. You’ll make it. You’ve got this.

Babies don’t come with a manual, but they do come with lots of unsolicited opinions on how to raise them best. Mothers have been passing down their wisdom (and so many old wives’ tales) for generations, and while some of that info is valid a lot of it can be disregarded as outdated baby myths. “There are tons of things you can learn from the generation before,” says Dr. Whitney Casares, author of Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You’re Meant to Be and Gerber pediatric consultant. “The most important thing, however, is to fact-check them with a doctor to make sure it’s up to date with current recommendations.”

Since good advice can be a new parent’s saving grace, we’ve enlisted Casares to help us debunk the less-than-solid suggestions—everything from babies needing to poop daily (false) to the idea that you can spoil an infant (super-duper false). Here are 11 common baby myths that could definitely use a background check.

1. You can spoil a baby with too much affection.

Let’s get this one out of the way first for the folks who need to hear it: You cannot spoil a baby. Think about where babies came from—they’re used to a warm, dark, cozy space. Now they’re out in the world and it’s scary. “Our job as parents is to attend to our baby when they are feeling unsure of themselves in the world,” says Casares. “Babies are learning from their parents about attachment, safety, and security. They need to know that there’s someone to care about them.”

2. Babies need to bathe daily.

Babies never really need a daily bath, but this is especially true in the first days of life. That white, cheesy substance that’s all over your baby’s skin when they’re born is a biofilm called vernix caseosa and it’s there for a reason. “Vernix includes ceramides which are an important barrier for the skin, keeping all that good moisture in and allergens out,” says Casares. “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents can keep that on as long as possible.” After that early stage, daily baths are a personal choice. The most important thing is to pay attention to your baby’s hygiene, comfort, and safety in the bath. There’s also research that speaks to the importance of maintaining their skin’s moisture barrier with regular moisturization after baths—this can actually help prevent allergies.

Related: 10 Totally Typical (but Weird) Things That Babies Do

3. Giving your baby a pacifier can cause nipple confusion.

Not true. Studies have shown that pacifiers do not interfere with breastfeeding, but there are some things to consider. The AAP recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well-established, meaning baby is eating well and gaining weight, but overall it’s a decision that’s best left up to parents. Plus, there are other positives beyond a happy baby; according to the AAP, sucking a pacifier at nap or bedtime can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

4. You must burp a baby after every feeding…or else.

There’s something slightly ominous when it comes to burping advice, but rest assured: “Your baby will not explode if they don’t burp,” says Casares. “It’s always good to attempt to burp them after every feed, but nothing major is going to happen.” Some gas could get trapped and they may be a bit more fussy, but it usually works its way out. In fact, a 2014 study that compared burped and non-burped babies found no difference in the incidence of colic between the two groups, though they did find that the burped infants were significantly more likely to spit up.

That being said, if you’re going to give it a good go at any time, Casares says before bed is worth prioritizing because that could allow them to sleep more easily. And, well, sleep is everything for parents.

5. Your baby will doze longer if you put some rice cereal in their milk.

While we’re on the topic of sleep, this one is patently untrue and actually dangerous, though you may have heard it from your mom or mother-in-law. While they mean well, a study back in the ’80s that measured whether babies given rice cereal in their bedtime bottles were more likely to sleep through the night found no significant trend or consistent tendency of either group to sleep better than the other. And what’s worse, the AAP has stated that rice cereal in a bottle (known as RIB) is a choking hazard for babies.

Related: How to Create a Calming Bedtime Routine for Baby

6. Babies should drink water. Or they shouldn’t.

New parents may hear both versions of this baby myth. Here are the facts from the AAP: Babies six months and over who are consuming solids can drink a small amount of water, about 4-8 oz. a day. Babies younger than that or who aren’t consuming solids get all of their hydration from breast milk or formula.

7. Babies need to poop every day.

“It’s OK if your baby doesn’t poop every day as long as they are feeding well…and when the poop does come out that it’s normal consistency, soft, without any little pebbles or blood,” explains Casares. Speak with your pediatrician if anything seems amiss, but otherwise, if your baby is happy, you can put your fecal fears to rest.

8. Babies who hit milestones early are gifted.

Simply untrue… and kind of laughable. As a mother of two, I could leave it at that, but Casares agrees. “No, a baby who hits a certain milestone early does not mean they’re going to be the world’s most important genius.” (Parents, fear not, they’ll always be your little genius.) More importantly, if your baby is not meeting any of the expected developmental milestones, make sure that you discuss it with your pediatrician.

9. Babies prefer to sleep on their bellies.

If grandma tells you that in her day babies slept so much better because they put them down on their tummies, and in your sleep-deprived state you almost relent, listen up: Casares stresses that back is best. “The AAP recommends that all babies be put to sleep on their backs in a safe sleep environment, which means that it’s a firm breathable mattress with nothing else in the crib or the bassinet.” Once a baby can roll themselves from back to tummy things might change, but there’s no need to worry. “Sometimes babies will prefer to sleep on their bellies and if they can roll over, lift their head up, and clear their airway, it’s OK.”

Related: 8 Dos and Don’ts of Baby Sleep

10. All fevers should be medicated.

“One of my professors in my medical training said, ‘Fever is your friend.’ It can be a sign that your body is fighting off an infection,” explains Casares. “I recommend that parents treat a fever with a fever reducer if it is higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit.” With that said, the younger a baby is, the more concerning a fever is to a pediatrician. Under one month is a medical emergency; under three months you still need to talk to a doctor and seek help right away.

11. You have to introduce solids in a very specific way.

Every single baby is different. What matters most when you’re introducing solids, explains Casares, is that you’re paying attention to your baby’s development and making sure that they’re physically and developmentally ready to start eating food—which means that they can sit up unassisted, that they can actually swallow the food, but also that they have interest. Generally speaking, “you want to feed the rainbow and try a variety of foods,” she says.

Furthermore, while it was once believed that a baby should be older before trying allergens, current guidelines recommend proactively introducing allergens like peanuts and eggs into their diet soon after they start solid foods. “Research is showing that introducing those allergens into your baby’s diet earlier on may help lower the risks of developing food allergies,” says Casares.

12. Newborn babies can’t see much.

From birth, babies can actually pick up on things that are across the room and see objects in their periphery, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, but their primary focus is on what’s much closer to them (around 8-10 inches). Over the first month, as their retinas develop and their pupils begin to dilate and take in more light, infants mostly see in black, white, and shades of grey and prefer items that are within a few feet of them, but soon after they start to see color, too.

And yes, little babies go crosseyed a lot and their eyes seem to jerk around without their permission, but that doesn’t mean they can’t see—rather, it’s a symptom of the fact that they don’t have complete control over their eye muscles just yet.

Related: A month-by-month guide to what babies can see

13. You will love and bond with your baby instantly.

This is a gentle reminder to all parents who have struggled with the expectation that they will fall in love instantly: It’s not always the case and that’s OK. Casares stressed that you’re not alone. “It took me a moment to love my first baby even as a pediatrician, especially because she was really fussy when she was born and had colic,” says Casares. “And now I love her until the end of the earth.” If you’re worried about how you feel, however, checking in with loved ones or your doctor is always a healthy choice.