Your 11-month-old: Week 2

How your baby's growing:

Your baby probably enjoys looking at books and leafing through the pages, though turning those pages one by one doesn't always happen. Indulge in great picture books or stick with sturdy and inexpensive board books that can stand up to small fingers.



To add variety to your baby's reading time and to find out what appeals the most, try your local library or the kids' section at a family-friendly bookstore — or trade a few titles with friends.



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 11-month-old's development.

Your life: Celebrating your baby's first birthday

It hardly seems possible, but the big day is drawing near. Be forewarned: No matter how elaborately you plan, your baby will be pretty oblivious to the whole affair.



Still, you can't deny a parent the opportunity to celebrate such a major milestone. Some ideas:



Party at home. Keep the celebration simple by hosting it in your own home or backyard. Your baby will be comfortable there, and you'll have an easier time handling the decorations, food, and supplies. Invite just a few familiar children.



Make it a family affair. Plan a lunch or dinner out with relatives. Your baby will enjoy seeing all the happy, familiar faces, and if you take lots of pictures, she'll have permanent reminders of everyone who loves her.



Take it outside. Choose a local park or playground and have a special picnic for just the family.



Go to the gym. Look into having a party at your local baby gym, where there will be plenty of fun baby- and child-safe activities for young guests.



Share the birthday. Find out whether any of your friends are celebrating their baby's birthday around the same time and go in on a party together. This is a great idea if you've kept in touch with your childbirth education classmates or have been part of an online chat group of local women who shared similar due dates. But even here, it's best to limit the number of guests.



Mark the moment. Snap a picture of your baby in an adult-size outfit. Save the clothes and bring them out for a photo every year — and watch how your child grows!

3 questions about: Weaning

How do I know when we're ready?

If you're still breastfeeding, the end date is up to you and your baby. It's a personal decision that depends on your specific situation. Your baby may be showing signs that she's ready to wean now, including seeming uninterested or distracted during feedings. You may feel ambivalent about whether to quit: Some days weaning sounds like a relief, and yet you hate to bring this special tie to a close. Many moms who have continued breastfeeding this far continue into toddlerhood, but it's also common to use the 1-year mark as an end goal.



How should I wean my baby?

Gradually reduce the number of daily breastfeeding sessions one at a time, offering formula or cow's milk (if your doctor gives the okay) in their place. If your child doesn't take a bottle, you can wean to a cup and save yourself the trouble of weaning your child off a bottle later. Some babies enjoy picking out a favorite new cup to use. Many will drop a feeding every few days (usually starting with the midday feeding and ending with the bedtime one) until they're finished nursing. You can also shorten the duration of each breastfeeding session.



What are some ways to make weaning go smoothly?

Weaning should be a fairly easy process, not a traumatic one. Give the following suggestions a try, and if your baby seems to resist, consider waiting a bit before trying again.

• Look for signs that your baby is ready for weaning, such as those described in the first question.

• Give her plenty of one-on-one attention to replace the intimacy of nursing.

• Try distracting your baby if she seems to want to breastfeed, and see whether she becomes interested in something else or will drink from a cup instead.

• Ask someone else to put your baby to bed so that she won't be automatically tempted to breastfeed at that time.

• If your breasts become engorged, use cool compresses and express milk manually or with a pump for the first few days. Ibuprofen can also help.

source: babycenter