To give your baby the best start in life and a healthy brain, keep these ideas in mind:

• What you do with your child, good or bad, can affect how her brain grows and develops. It takes 15-20 years for a child’s brain to grow to its full size, but most of the connections are made in the early years.
• Take care of yourself, both before and after your baby is born, by eating healthy foods, getting daily exercise, having regular check-ups, and trying to stay calm.
• Help your child to feel safe and secure by responding to her needs, staying calm, and reassuring her when she is frightened.
• Touch, cuddle, and hold your child to let her know you love her and to help her calm down.
• Provide lots of sensory experiences—tasting, touching, seeing, hearing, and smelling. These experiences build the connections that build your child’s brain.
• Ask the doctor to check your baby’s eyes during the first few months.
• Build a relationship with your child. Children who form attachments to a few special people in their lives are more likely to grow up to be people who feel secure, can relate well to others, and are ready and eager to learn.
• Talk, sing, play music, read, tell stories, touch, and play with your child every day.
• Take the time to find a child care or preschool program that is warm, loving, and safe. Don’t settle for less.

To protect your baby’s brain and healthy development:

• Avoid alcohol, drugs, and smoking during pregnancy.
• Never shake or throw your baby in the air.
• Make your home safe.
• Take your baby for regular check-ups.