Babies 0-12 months

• Learn more about breastfeeding and the available resources and local support for breastfeeding help

• Check out tips on healthy eating at all ages

• Refer to our Feeding Your Baby guide to introducing solid foods.

• Learn about Infant Formula: What you need to know to make the decision to feed your baby infant formula.

Change your baby’s diaper whenever it’s wet or dirty to keep them comfortable. Make sure you have everything you need nearby before you start, and never leave your baby alone on the change table, even for a second.

If your baby gets a diaper rash that doesn’t go away after a few days, talk to your doctor or nurse.

Learn more about diaper rash from the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Your baby’s umbilical cord will fall off on its own about 1–3 weeks after birth. It will dry out, harden, and turn dark in colour before falling off. Until then, keep the area clean and dry.

Contact your doctor or nurse if your baby gets a fever or if the area around the umbilical cord:

• Looks red or swollen

• Leaks yellow pus

• Has a bad smell

• Bleeds a lot (a small amount of bleeding is normal, and you might see a few spots of blood on your baby’s clothes)

Babies don’t need a bath every day, but you should clean their hands, face, neck, and diaper area daily. Bathing too often can dry out their skin.

Give your baby a bath every few days. Use a safe spot like a baby bathtub or a sink. Always test the water with your wrist or elbow to make sure it’s warm, not hot. Never leave your baby alone in the bath—not even for a moment. Keep everything you need within arm’s reach. If you have to step away, take your baby with you.

Trim your baby’s nails when they grow past their fingertips. Use blunt scissors and try cutting them while your baby is sleeping or after feeding when they are calm.

Clean your baby’s gums twice a day. Use a soft, damp cloth or a baby finger toothbrush to gently wipe their gums from back to front to remove any leftover milk.

Dress your baby based on the temperature. A good rule is to dress them in one more layer than what you’re wearing. Babies lose a lot of heat through their heads, so a hat might be needed, depending on the weather.

Make sure your baby doesn’t get too hot. Their skin should not feel hot or sweaty. If you’re going out, pack extra layers in your diaper bag so you can add or remove clothes if needed.

Choose clothes that are easy to put on and take off, especially for diaper changes.

Babies can get sick quickly, so it’s important to see a doctor if you’re worried. Babies younger than 6 months should see a doctor if they have a fever, and babies under 3 months should be seen right away.

Take your baby to the doctor if they:

• Look yellow (jaundice)

• Have a rash that doesn’t go away, especially near the diaper area

• Refuse to eat or are having trouble feeding

• Have a dry mouth, lips, or tongue

• Stop pooping like they normally do

• Pee less or have dark pee

• Throw up more than twice in one day

• Have diarrhea

• Have black, bloody, grey, or chalk-colored poop

• Have a cough that won’t go away

• Are very sleepy or weak and hard to wake

• Have blue or grey lips or ear lobes

• Have trouble breathing or are breathing very fast

• Have a seizure (shaking and not responding to you)

• Show any other signs of being sick

If you think your baby is sick, check their temperature and see a doctor if needed.

The best way to check your baby’s temperature is by using a clean thermometer in their bum. This gives the most accurate reading. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can also check their temperature under their armpit.

Your baby has a fever if:

• Their temperature is over 38°C (100.4°F) when taken in the bum

• Their temperature is over 37.5°C (99.5°F) when taken under the armpit

Learn more about fever and how to check your baby’s temperature from the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Newborns sleep a lot! From birth to about two months, babies sleep around 18 hours a day, waking up every few hours to eat.

During the first year, babies usually sleep about 14 hours a day. It’s normal for them to wake up at night to feed for several months.

Your baby spends a lot of time on their back while sleeping and playing. To help prevent flat spots on their head, you can:

• Change which end of the crib you place your baby’s head each day

• Move the mobile to a different spot in the crib to give your baby something new to look at

• Avoid keeping your baby in a car seat or stroller for long periods

• Do tummy time with your baby while they are awake. Try 10–15 minutes of supervised tummy time at least three times a day.

These small changes can help keep your baby’s head healthy and well-shaped!