Your Brilliant Baby in Week 13: The Myth of Spoiling Baby

Soon your infant will graduate to short periods of contentment without you. You'll walk into the nursery and he'll be watching the mobile overhead. Only a month ago you thought your child would be tattooed to your arm forever, yet there he is occupying himself.

Then one day, as you put your sleepy baby in his crib, he'll whimper but not erupt into a full cry. You'll ask yourself, "Should I pick him up or offer him the opportunity to settle himself to sleep?" It's your call.

Responding immediately to milder cries may reinforce crying, but only you can decide whether to side with reassurance or reinforcement. The best parenting rule of thumb is to pick up the baby when his whimpers turn into wails.

Your Week 13 Toolbox

Related skills and topics this week include …

• What's happening in Baby's third month?
• Use our Development Tracker to check off your child's 0-3 month milestones.
• Here's what our pediatrician says you might be worried about this month.