While you’ve been guiding your baby along his road to development, the types of skills your baby develops, and the rate at which he develops them at this point, will be largely dependent on his own abilities. However, here are some things you can do to inspire and stimulate him:

• Play "peekaboo" with him in front of a mirror.

• Read him books, naming objects and people as you travel through the pages.

• Teach him games such as "pat-a-cake" and "how big's the baby?”

• Like always, keep hugging and cuddling him whenever possible, soothing and calming him when he's fussy, smiling and chatting with him, and singing softly to him at bedtime.

This month, your baby may become so irritable that he has a temper tantrum. He may hold his breath until he turns blue, and briefly faint.

This is not as scary as it looks. Breath holding is usually more frightening to watch than it is threatening to a baby's emotional or physical health. Also, normal breathing resumes when he faints, so the spell is over quickly.

This, of course, will change. Once he matures, he’ll start expressing his feelings in words and not temperamental outbursts.

If you're concerned about breath-holding spells or other behavioral issues, discuss them with your health care professional.

Stuffed animals, toys, or blankies can be a big part of your baby's emotional support system. In your baby’s psyche, these objects have the power to:

• Comfort him when he's upset, afraid, or stressed

• Help him feel at ease in an unfamiliar place

• Reassure him when you're not there

• Help him get to sleep

Contrary to some theories, using a transitional object is not a sign of insecurity. It actually shows that your baby has been loved and nurtured, and that he is able to comfort himself. This is important as he becomes more independent.

Your baby will want to take his cuddly everywhere and may prefer it unwashed, because it has his scent on it. This may be what’s so comforting about it.

Just when you thought your baby was sleeping through the night for good, he's up again. This time, he's not waking up because he's hungry. Now, he's struggling with separation anxiety. He wakes up looking for you and for reassurance. What to do? Here are some suggestions:

• Continue a consistent bedtime ritual for 10 to 30 minutes before bedtime.

• Encourage him to go to sleep with his blankie or stuffed animal. This will comfort him when he's afraid, and reassure him when you're not there.

• Go to him when he cries. Try not to turn on the light, rock him, or walk with him. If possible, don't take him out of his crib. Talk to him and pat or rub his back to soothe him.

• Check for a wet diaper or signs of illness.

If your baby's feet seem to be flat, you may be worried. But your baby's feet appear flat because a pad of fat is hiding the arch. This condition is very common in infants, and is usually nothing to worry about. You’ll probably be able to see an arch when the fat disappears, usually in two or three years.

In the meantime, your health care professional will make sure that your child's feet and legs are developing normally. Most minor foot and leg conditions are outgrown during childhood.

You’ve probably noticed, but this month your baby has a great need to explore — that means touching, tasting, and throwing everything in sight. While it’s entertaining at times, discipline will teach your baby self-control that will last well into his later years.

While you may have a negative association with discipline, and see it as punishment, it’s really just a boundary you’re creating to protect your baby from harm.

Here are some suggestions for offering balanced discipline:

• Save it for important things, such as when your baby starts to play with something truly off-limits for safety reasons. Then say "no" firmly and remove him from the situation.

• Respond immediately. The most effective discipline occurs when he is in the act of misbehaving. Try to take full advantage of the moment.

• Quickly distract your baby when he does something he shouldn't do.

• You may have to repeat "no" several times before he gets it.

• Be consistent. That way he'll catch on to what he can and can’t do.

• Although it’s difficult, try to be patient.

• Reward his good behavior with praise and hugs.