Development and milestones matter!
How they act, play, or even move, everything helps parents to get clues about the development of their child. But parents need to understand that, every child is unique and owns the journey of development. So don’t feel pressured by comparing the growth and development of other children with yours. Even UNICEF stated that “ The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life is crucial, their brain develop faster and this effect their whole life”.
Development & Milestones for Infants From birth to 12 months
Here are some of the development and milestones of children from birth to 12 months.
1 month:
Firstly, a one-month-old baby just started to develop motor, social skills, and senses, so just relax and enjoy your baby’s cuteness. List of milestones which you will see:
- Moving head slightly
- Gasping their fists
- Alert on sound
- Eating minimum after 3 to 4 hours
- Raising hands
2 months:
This is when your child starts to sign the development by achieving milestones. Now they will start to suck easily during feeding.
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Looking at toys for seconds Watching your moves Focusing on faces for seconds | Turning head Moving arms and legs Hold their head and push up with one arm while on their stomach Bringing hand to mouth |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Showing feelings by smiling and crying Start to smile Start following the object through the eyes | Reacting to loud noises Start making sounds Reacting to voice |
Tip: They will start to pay attention to names, so parents start taking names of objects in which your little one shows interest.
3 months:
Within 11 to 14 weeks, parents typically start to observe issues with the child. Never ever delay in reaching out to specialists like Cradle Children Hospital for your baby’s development and growth.
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Recognize when the mother approaches breastfeeding. Follow movement Startles at noises (majorly on loud one) Begins to babble Recognize familiar faces | While on the stomach, they start to lift the chest and head Control overhead move Gasp toys Pushed legs while placed firmly on something Supporting the body with a hand while on the chest |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Touching faces and becoming familiar with voices Enjoy being hugged Facial expressions become clearer Cry when someone stops playing with them | Making coos and gurgle Cry when hungry Gurgling noise Becomes communicative |
Tip: Make sure your infant will not lose milk while feeding. And contact a healthcare expert if they start to vomit frequently.
4 months:
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Responding to their names Identifying strangers (cry when they do that) Look at the mother’s face while feeding | Grab and shake toys Puches from elbow while lying on the chest Start to roll from tummy to back Holding head without support |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Smiling spontaneously Like to play with other Making facial expression Coping expression and movement | Start responding to pain, tired, sound, etc Start to copy sounds Laughing and babbling Show excitement |
Tip: Help them to develop eye coordination, and start speaking to your baby throughout the day. It will help you to know about their brain development.
5 months:
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Show curiosity Hitting objects Explore things with their mouth and hands | Sitting with support Gasp objects more appropriately |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Show attachments Imitating facial expression | Putting effort into saying words Joyful squeals and giggles Making efforts to say words |
6 months:
In the first 6 months, your child starts to grow rapidly and weight double, so don’t worry and enjoy the progress. Moreover, your baby might start to get irritated due to teething. So, use colling rolls and teething tools to cool down your child’s tooth pain.
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Putting things in their mouth Lean on hands Paying attention to things for longer Imitating actions and expressions | Rolling from tummy to back and vice-versa Start to sit without support Increasing muscle control |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Showing preference towards familiar faces Responding to interactions Showing displeasure through crying Laugh on things Look at themselves in the mirror | Start saying ma, ba, pa, etc. Vocalizing to express need and emotions Sticking tongue out and blow Squealing voices |
Tip: start a conversation with your baby about anything.
7 months:
Now you can add solids to their food after doctors’ consultation to add nutritional value to their diet.
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Focusing without closing their eyes Tell the difference in colors Try to reach far objects | Sit and scoot movements. Start to roll over in both directions Rock and forth with their knees and hands Start to crawl |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Paying focus on conversations Responding to other’s emotions Sharing emotions during peek-a-boo game Enjoy back-and-forth interaction | Try to say, mama or papa. They may babble Start to communicate in their own way Imitating sounds |
Tip: Don’t compare the crawling movement of your child, some children take time, as it varies between 7 to 10 months.
8 months:
For better development, you can add healthy snacks to their diet and analyze how your baby reacts to things.
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Start exploring new things. Developing insistence towards favorite object or toy Hand and eye co-ordination improved Start recognizing themselves in the mirror | Pulling themselves on furniture to stand Bouncing in crib Roll in both directions even in sleep Crawling, scooting, and shuffling |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Start developing separation anxiety (cry when away from familiar faces) Enjoying going in an open environment | Bite using their front teeth to show anger Sounds like mama, baba, dada become clearer |
Tip: Encourage them during conversation and wait for them to respond. Make sure to use positive words.
9 months:
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Use index figure and thumb to hold the object Use of mouth to experience new objects Turning pages of books | Crawl and creeps Trying to stand using furniture, and able to stand with support |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Start developing separation anxiety (cry when away from familiar faces) Some are afraid of strangers Express affection toward their favorite toys | Pointing things to show Might say or nah, and some other different sounds Start understanding what you are saying |
Tip: Start reading books with pictures with your child and ensure to support your child during playtime. This will enhance their motor skills.
10 months:
There are some practices that might be similar to the previous month, but if you start noticing precisely, you will find some differences in their development and milestones.
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Start exploring new things. Transferring things from hand to hand to smoothly Figuring out how to reach something that is out of their gasp | Start moving faster May begin to cruise while holding something Stronger grip Start sitting well without any support |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Show anxiety from strangers. Enjoy imitating action | Babble different words Trying to make conversation Nodding head to say no and yes |
Tip: Make sure that you are consistent with their bedtime, and promote self-feeding skills.
11 months:
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Exploring the environment more than usual Improvement in figuring things | Some start to take their, and some are still learning Throwing ball |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Participating in playing games Playful while dressing Affection for specific people | Trying to imitate actions like shaking hands Pointing, waving, and nodding to let you know what they want |
Tip: Talk to your baby, and introduce solid food like fruits and vegetables, but after consulting with a pediatrician.
12 months:
Parents, it is time to focus on developing skills and learning through interactive play, object permanence, reading, and physical activities.
| Cognitive milestones | Physical and motor development |
| Follow instructions like picking a glass. Showing tantrums, and throwing things Pokes with index finger Transfer item n and out from the container | Drink from a mug without a lid Making efforts to climb stairs Sit and stand without any help Start using all fingers to hold things Eating food by themselves |
| Social milestones | Communication milestones |
| Repeat sounds for attention. Cries to get the attention of parents Play games Imitate sounds and gestures | Waving bye, hello, shaking hand Clarity in mama and papa Stop when someone says no Copy the words you say |
Tip: Don’t stop your toddler if they try to do new things. This is their time to explore new things and develop skills.
Conclusion
Keep an eye on your child’s development and milestones, these will let you know about their progress. Although no child is similar and they grow at their own pace, if you are still confused, it is always good to consult with professionals. The first two years of their life will reflect the growth in their further life, so be attentive. Although, the article highlighted some crucial development and milestone of infants, for more accurate and better information, contact Cradle Children Hospital.
