Your 11-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:

It's a good time to introduce your baby to the concept of helping out. Though he won't be able to get it just yet, by the time he's a toddler he'll be excited to assist in putting toys away and picking up spilled snacks. Emphasize "please" and "thank you" and you'll set the stage for him to repeat these words back to you someday!



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

Your life: Trimming the fat from your food bills

Although your grocery bill may be one of your biggest household expenses each month, it's also one of the easiest to trim down. That's because it contains so many variables.



Before you adjust what you buy, think about when you buy. Try going to the supermarket when your partner (or someone else) can watch your baby. Being less distracted and having more time, you'll find it easier to comparison shop and limit hasty purchases or impulse buys.



It's also helpful to look at how you buy. Always remember your discount card (if your store offers one) and a specific shopping list. Keep a running list of foods your family consumes on a routine basis and stock up when the price is low. Coupons can help cut costs, too.



Consider changing what you buy. One option is to buy foods in bulk if you consume them often and have storage space. Try alternatives to meat on occasion, since they generally cost less. Limit premade meals and other convenience foods — cooking from scratch doesn't necessarily have to consume a lot of time. For ideas on easy-to-make family meals, check out Dishes, our recipe finder.



Finally, look at where you buy. Is the local grocery the store with the lowest prices or merely the most convenient place? Large buying clubs such as Sam's Club or Costco may offer better deals on certain items. A local farmer's market may have better buys on seasonal produce.

3 questions about: Thumb-sucking

Should I worry if my baby sucks his thumb?

No. Thumb-suckers are using a healthy, built-in mechanism to soothe themselves. It's a natural self-comforting inclination that some babies are born with, and it's no cause for worry or alarm.



Does thumb-sucking cause dental problems?

Experts agree that for babies, this isn't a risk. Some people say children can even suck their thumb without affecting their teeth until they're 2 years old, and the American Dental Association says most can do it safely until they're 4 or 5, when permanent teeth usually start appearing.



Are pacifiers a better choice than thumb-sucking?

Pacifiers are another good way for babies to self-soothe, but they're not necessarily better: Your baby may learn to depend on you to retrieve his pacifier if it drops out of his crib, for instance, and it may become lost or dirty. On the plus side, babies usually outgrow pacifiers well before they pose a risk to dental health. Some babies actually reject the "paci" in favor of the thumb, so if that's the case, you don't have an either-or choice — your baby has made it for you.

source: babycenter