Are you observing your child carefully to make sure that they are developing as they should during the first year? Are they rolling over, trying to walk or talk when they should be? Is your baby ahead of schedule or late? Your acquaintances and relatives will be looking for progress reports on your child, so be prepared.
Surround your baby with comfort
It’s vital to keep in mind that each baby is unique, and develops at their own speed.. Nevertheless most babies do progress within time frames enough of the time, to give us an indication of when they should be doing what. It is always best to check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s growth. It is always best to look at your childs growth over time, rather than get worried if your baby does not do everything a baby ‘should do’ at a given point in time. But here are some general parameters you can go by:
Newborns: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics babies should be reacting to sounds by startling, blinking, crying or being calmed, by 1 week. They will start to follow movement with their eyes, and fix on your face. This is when you start to help their growth by playing, talking, cuddling, and singing to them.
Month 1: Your child will begin staying awake longer, and sleeping longer (3-5 hours per time). They may be a bit fussier at this stage. They will more than likely start to lift their heads as well. If they seem upset, you can help by cuddling and holding them.
Month 2-3: This is when you may encounter their 1st smile (that is not related to gas). This is a cognitive growth related landmark, when they can comprehend the world, and influence it by their behaviors. If you coo at your child, they will start to react to that stimuli. Your baby will start to lift their upper body and head. Give your child stimuli at this time, by laughing and singing to them.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know what your baby is trying to tell you?
Month 4-5: This is when your child may begin to coo more, reach for things and roll from their stomach to their back. This is when you should establish a bedtime schedule for your child.
Month 6: By this time most babies are sitting up without help. They are beginning to increase their motor skills by grabbing objects, and putting them in the mouth, or moving them from hand to hand. Your baby may want to try drinking out of a cup at this stage.
Month 7-9: Things get going now. Your child may attempt to form words (such as mama or dada), and will become much more verbal now. They may try to pull themselves up to a upright position, and crawl. Your baby is continuing to improve his fine motor skills. They may also have their ‘first’ tooth about months eight-9. To stimulate growth at this point, reading and playing games with baby is advised.
Month 10-12: Many babies will be walking by now, but it may take some babies up to 15 months. They will be speaking a few other words (in addition to mama, and da da), hunting for hidden items, wave good bye, and feed themselves with their hands.
Remember to enjoy your baby during this 1st year. Use these guidelines, but keep in mind that no 2 babies are the same. Your baby will acquire all of the skills, and develop at their own pace with your help and support. If you are worried, always speak with your pediatrician.
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