44 weeks - www.kidspot.com.au baby’s first year update

Baby's First Year Kidspot Welcome to week 44! This Week Your Baby Is: Cruising Now that your baby's leg muscles have strengthened from all the crawling and pulling up he's doing, it's only a matter of time before he starts to cruise around the furniture. Cruising describes the first steps he makes while holding onto a supporting object to maintain his balance. A good cruiser will be able to get around as efficiently as an independent walker by using a combination of cruising from one piece of furniture to another, and crawling across those spaces where there isn't anything available to support him. If your baby cottons onto the idea that he can cruise using your hands for support and that you can 'walk' him wherever he wants to go, then you can say good-bye to your back! This is crippling work and it's best to encourage him to use the furniture to cruise at his leisure. Read more about your baby's physical development Hot Topic: Exploring the world Your baby will learn the most about her world by being encouraged to explore it - and this means more than crawling around on the living room floor. Obviously you need to keep your baby safe at all times, but you should encourage her to experience new things too while you're close by keeping an eye on her. And rather than continually removing her from situations that are potentially dangerous, organise your home and garden so she can't access those things that may cause her harm. Keep doors shut to rooms you don't want her to access and use barriers for stairs and guards for heaters and fireplaces. Naturally curious, your baby will want to play with everything she finds so be prepared for some surprises - the TV endlessly being turned on and off, the dog's water being upended, the telephone being disconnected, the list is endless! Discover more ways that your baby learns to understand the world Kidspot Tip: Going out to dinner Do you remember when you used to be able to go out for an early dinner, just you, hubby and your baby tucked up in the pram or capsule? Baby doze quietly while you ate and chatted and then you'd go home again, all the better for spending time together. Well, those days are gone, my friend. At this age, dinner out with your baby is more like crisis control on the run - you and your beloved will never sit down together because you'll be taking it in turns to keep your baby out of other people's food and personal space. But rather than mourning the loss of your nights out as a family at your favourite restaurant, break in a couple of new, kid-friendly dining options. Find family-friendly restaurants Join the Kidspot Baby Club for access to the best prizes and giveaways, real advice from real mums and access to a supportive, friendly Easy Recipes Healthy dinner ideas Easy entertaining Salads Snacks Quick breakfast ideas Search all recipes Your Baby Breast or bottle? Baby care advice Best baby sleep info Baby names finder Your newborn Baby activities Just for Mums Enjoy MySpot today Join Kidspot Social Browse Kidspot Market Win daily prizes Get Kidspot Daily Unsubscribe from the mailing list? Click here If this is not your correct week, please click here to change your baby's birth date. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. For the temporary relief of pain and fever. Consult your healthcare professional if symptoms persist.