This month, help her continue to develop by:

• Hugging and cuddling her often

• Soothing and calming her when he’s fussy

• Smiling and talking to her often

• Rocking and loving her

• Playing games such as "pat-a-cake"

New activities include:

• Sitting her at or near the table during family meals

• Showing her how to pull a pull toy. (To prevent choking, keep toys with long strings put away when you can't watch your baby play.)

• "Reading" a picture book with her — identifying what you see on each page.

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to make sure you’ve taken all the baby safety measures you can. Here’s a checklist for convenience:

• Check that all approved safety gates are in place and in working order.

• Lower the crib mattress so your baby can’t crawl or fall out while she’s standing.

• Install childproof locks for drawers, screens, doors, and windows.

• Keep poisonous substances (including household cleaners) in high, locked cabinets.

• Stay close to your baby around water — pools, tubs, large buckets of water, and toilets.

• Continue to buckle your baby into an approved, properly installed car seat, but never in a seat protected by an air bag.

• Place safety plugs over electrical outlets.

• If you think your baby has eaten something poisonous, immediately call the Poison Control Center, the hospital emergency room, or your baby's health care professional. (Keep these numbers by the phone.)

• Buy your baby objects that are large enough that she can’t fit them into her mouth. This prevents choking hazards.

There’s not much that’s more fun than baby birthdays, and you’ll probably never throw a shorter party. Here are some tips for planning a successful party for your 1-year-old and her family and friends.

For safety:

• Limit the party area to one childproofed room.

• Remove all breakables and sharp objects.

• Avoid snacks such as popcorn and peanuts — even for adults. Babies can pick them up from the floor and choke on them.

For your guests:

• Make sure each child has a toy/favor/chair. (You could request that each parent bring his or her own child's high chair.)

• Provide disposable bibs and baby wipes for quick cleanups.

• Take lots of pictures. Make doubles to send to the guests.

Party time:

• Set a time limit — an hour should be enough. Any longer can make exhausted babies and parents.

• Lots of decorations, safe snacks, and music set the tone.

• Play short games, such as rolling/bouncing balls. Everyone gets a prize.

• Play music, sing songs, and dance.

Around 12 months of age, many babies are happy to abandon the bottle for a sippy cup. If your baby can't quite take that step yet, here are some things to try:

• Take it slow. Trade the bottle for the cup at noontime.

• Offer the cup instead of the morning and evening bottles.

• Don't let your baby carry the bottle around with her. Limit the places she can have it (on your lap, at the table).

• Let her drink only breast milk, or infant formula such as Similac® Go & Grow™, not juice.

• Give her a snack before bedtime. It could help her get to sleep.

• Spend time with her blankie or favorite special animal before bedtime, instead of the bottle. There may be a few tears the first few nights.