New mothers are concerned. Quite a bit. But don’t be concerned if your child isn’t walking as quickly as her brother. Dr. Tanya Altmann, a paediatrician and author of Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age Five, argues that babies develop at their own pace. “If your infant is missing only one milestone, it’s usually not a big deal. However, if she is missing more than one across developmental areas—social, cognitive, and motor skills—then something else is wrong. Inform your paediatrician, since early diagnosis is critical.”
Take a deep breath and remember that these are guidelines rather than harsh rules.
1 to 2 months baby
Key developmental milestones include: developing powerful reflex movements, moving head from side to side when on stomach, and recognising some sounds.
If your infant doesn’t respond to loud noises, doesn’t move his or her arms and legs much, sucks poorly, doesn’t blink in bright light, or has a shaking lower jaw, see your paediatrician.
3 Months baby
Key developmental milestones include: opening and closing hands, grasping and shaking objects, recognising familiar faces, smiling at voices, imitating and turning head toward sounds, and enjoying play.
If your child can’t follow moving objects with his or her eyes, can’t grip and hold objects, can’t smile at people, or can’t support his or her head well, see your paediatrician.
4 Months
Key developmental milestones include: When lying on tummy, raises head and chest and supports upper body with arms, follows moving things with gaze, interacts more with environment, vocalises and babbles.
If your baby doesn’t pick up his or her head while lying on his or her stomach, doesn’t swivel his or her head to identify the source of sounds, has problems getting objects into his or her mouth, or doesn’t demonstrate affection toward mom and dad, see your paediatrician.
6 to 8 months
Key developmental milestones include: Frequently laughs, squeals, reaches for objects on his or her own, grasps and shakes toys, intrigued by own face in a mirror, responds to others’ feelings, finds partially veiled objects
If your baby doesn’t start to bear weight on her legs, can’t sit up on her own, doesn’t smile unprompted, or doesn’t giggle and squeal, see your paediatrician.
9 to 12 months
Reaches for and holds little pieces of food, finger feeds, pulls self up to stand, walks a few steps on his or her own, crawls on belly, answers to yes, calls you “mama,” learns to utilise items properly, imitates your behaviours.
If your baby doesn’t crawl, can’t stand without help, doesn’t say single words like “mama” or “dada,” or doesn’t make gestures at objects or images, tell your paediatrician.
12 to 18 Months
Key developmental milestones include: Starts walking on his own, pulls toys behind his body, says first words, walks up and down stairs with assistance, climbs on furniture, constructs with toys, utilises few-word phrases, and loves other kids.
If your child is unable to walk by 18 months, does not copy activities, does not use at least 15 words, does not utilise few-word sentences, or does not recognise the functions of common objects, consult your paediatrician.
FAQ
What are the major baby milestones?
Rolling over, sitting up, standing, and possibly walking are examples of major accomplishments known as developmental milestones. And the sound of her first “mama” or “dada” is likely to melt your heart. There are no two identical newborns. Your child will grow at her own rate.
What are the five developmental milestones?
Physical growth, cognitive development, emotional and social development, language development, and sensory and motor development are the five major areas in which milestones are usually classified.
What is a major milestone of early childhood?
What are the important developmental milestones in early childhood? Personality begins to emerge. Play takes on a new dimension. At this age, a four-year-attention old’s span begins to improve, and he or she can now sit for a short period of time and listen to a narrative. Play becomes increasingly self-contained and cultural.
What are the major developmental milestones between infancy and toddler ages?
Milestones in Physical Development in Infants and Toddlers
– a period of two months With support, holds the head up….
– It’s been four months. Holds the head steady without the use of a support…
– a period of six months Rolls from the stomach to the back and back to the stomach.
– 9 Months. Crawls.
– One year. Without assistance, moves into a sitting position….
– It’s been 18 months. Is a lone walker…
