Baby & You Timeline

A baby's heart beats between 130 and 160 times per minute, about twice the heart rate of a normal adult

When starting to wean, we've got to admit that it's quite entertaining to see your baby’s reactions to the foods they try!

Babies naturally prefer sweeter flavours so offering vegetables before fruits can be a good idea

Increasing activity levels will mean they’ll need lots of space to explore. It takes them time to learn the meaning of “no!” so baby-proofing your home will help to keep your baby and your breakables out of harm’s way.

Babies are born with natural iron stores, but these are now starting to run out

If you’re using a bottle, allow your baby to hold it with both hands – it will improve their grip and free you up to do other things.

At 6 months of age, milk is no longer enough for your baby which is why weaning is recommended

Before your baby can eat lumps of food, they’ll need to start learning how to chew. It’s more about mashed textures, rather than lumpy food or finger foods.

In the first 6 months of life your baby's birthweight doubles, and it will triple by 1 year!

Don't be worried if your little one isn't dropping milk feeds just yet. Milk is still an important part of your baby’s diet as it provides essential nutrients to compliment your babys weaning diet.

A baby's strongest sense is smell

This is evident from the time they were newborns when they recognise the smell of their mother over other women. At this time they won't know enough to recognise what certain smells are but they will be comforted by smells that remind them of a positive time - like breastfeeding or a cuddle from mum or dad.

At around 7 months of age your baby needs almost as much iron every day as a 30 year old man does!

Iron is important for normal cognitive development. Their brain is growing rapidly in the first year of life so it is important to make sure your little one is getting enough iron in their weaning diet.

Babies have more taste buds than adults which may help to explain their strong feelings towards certain foods

It is normal for them when they experience a new or unusual taste to make a funny face - this isn't a sign that they don't like a food but just an indication that it is a taste they weren't expecting. If they turn their head and refuse to eat the food then this an indication they don't like the taste. But their tastes will change regularly so try again in a couple of days.

Finger foods will help to build your baby's independence with foods

Once they get a little older you may even find that they prefer picking up foods themselves than letting you feed them.

Baby on the move! Watch out for crawling or "bum shuffling" soon

Usually babies learn to crawl somewhere between 7-10 months however, some babies won't crawl at all and will skip straight to pulling up, standing and walking.