This is an English rendering of a Polish public-health reference. The care paths it names (112, night and holiday care NiŚOZ, primary care POZ) are Polish. This is not medical advice.

PL

This is not medical advice Life-threatening emergency (Poland): 112

Home › Development and developmental leaps

How can I support my baby's development every day?

Applies to age: 0–12 months

In short

A child's mental development is supported by playing together, talking and affection. For babies who are not yet moving around, the WHO recommends at least 30 minutes in the tummy-down position spread throughout the day while the baby is awake.

Sources: Portal Pacjenta, WHO, NHSChecked: Report an error

What is normal

Some claims: international norm

  • A child's mental development is cared for through playing together, talking and learning new skills.
    Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote

    Verbatim quote from the source:

    Polish original

    O rozwój psychiczny dziecka dba się poprzez wspólną zabawę, rozmowy, naukę nowych umiejętności.

    Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [1]

  • Show your child a lot of affection, so that they have a sense of security and a bond with their parent.
    Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote

    Verbatim quote from the source:

    Polish original

    okazywać dziecku dużo czułości, tak by miało poczucie bezpieczeństwa, więzi z rodzicem

    Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [1]

  • Every child is different, and their development does not follow a strict pattern.
    Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote

    Verbatim quote from the source:

    Polish original

    Każde dziecko jest inne i jego rozwój nie przebiega ściśle według wzorca.

    Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [1]

  • Babies who are not yet moving around should spend at least 30 minutes in the tummy-down position (tummy time), spread throughout the day while awake.
    Source: WHO · international norm – show the original wording (EN)

    Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:

    For those not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes in prone position (tummy time) spread throughout the day while awake.

    WHO · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]

  • Screen time is not recommended for babies under 1 year of age.
    Source: WHO · international norm – show the original wording (EN)

    Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:

    Screen time is not recommended.

    WHO · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]

  • When a baby is still, reading and telling stories to them is encouraged.
    Source: WHO · international norm – show the original wording (EN)

    Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:

    When sedentary, engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged.

    WHO · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [2]

  • A child will learn more from a parent who joins in the play than from any toy.
    Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)

    Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:

    get involved yourself – your child will learn more from you than they will from any toy

    NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [3]

  • Even small babies like looking at picture books.
    Source: NHS · international norm – show the original wording (EN)

    Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:

    Even small babies like looking at picture books.

    NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [3]

See a doctor

  • If your child develops differently from their peers, it is worth discussing whatever worries you with a specialist and using the advice of a midwife, nurse or pediatrician.
    Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote

    Verbatim quote from the source:

    Polish original

    Warto jednak skonsultować ze specjalistą to, co Cię zaniepokoiło i korzystać z rad położnej, pielęgniarki czy pediatry.

    Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-11-04 · license [1]

international norm “International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.

International norm

“International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.

Sources

  1. Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl)
    License: CC BY 3.0 PL. Source: Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.
  2. WHO (who.int)
    License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Source: WHO (who.int). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. WHO does not endorse this site or its content.
  3. NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia)
    License: Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The summary is ours and is not attributed to the NHS.

See an error or outdated information? Report an error in this answer. Answer checked against the sources on November 4, 2026.

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