Developmental Milestones

Developmental Milestones: Babies on the Move

It doesn't take long for your baby to go from rolling to sitting to crawling and more!

It's hard to believe that in just 12 months, your baby goes from an immobile, curled-up little hamster to a toddling (or nearly so) tot! Watch for these developmental milestones along the way.

Head control. For the first month, your newborn needs you to support his head and neck. At one to two months old, he'll be strong enough to lift up his head and turn it while lying on his belly; he'll also begin to keep his own head upright, at least briefly, when you hold his on your shoulder.

Rolling over. At three to four months old, your infant's mini push-ups eventually land his on his back (he may be just as surprised as you are to find himself face up). Making sure he gets plenty of tummy time helps his develop this skill (rolling from back to front is trickier to master and will take a little longer).

Bearing weight on legs. Also at three months or so, your baby's hips and knees show improved strength and flexibility (it takes them a while to unthink after all that time in the fetal position!). He can now begin to bear weight on his legs if you hold his upright. In a few more months, he may bounce happily if you stand his up like this as he gets his walking muscles ready to hit the road.

Reaching and tracking. Around this time (three months) your baby's eyesight has improved enough to allow his to see objects farther away than his own hand. Aha! Now he has an incentive to reach for things, especially if they're colorful. By the time he's about five months old, he can track a moving object with his eyes too.

Sitting up. No, it's not one of the mobility milestones, but sitting up does tend to be a precursor to crawling: Your baby leans over into a tripod position, and soon enough figures out how to get on all fours. From about four months on (depending on his head and neck control) you can prop his in a seated position. This helps build his muscles, and allows his to see how much fun it is to have those hands free to play with his toys.

Scooting and crawling. Although not every baby crawls — some skip right from sitting to cruising to walking — crawling can develop anytime in the second half of the first year. Once he learns to sit up, your baby may discover how to scoot his little tushie from place to place. Or he may find that rolling (and rolling, and rolling) is more efficient. Eventually, he may progress through the army crawl (elbows or hands moving along the floor, legs dragging behind) to an all-fours stance.

Cruising. In this pre-walking stage (which typically starts between eight and 12 months), your baby pulls himself up to standing using whatever's handy: typically furniture, or sometimes Mommy's or Daddy's legs. Holding on tight with first two, then just one hand, he makes a move! Tentatively, then confidently, he practices his steps. Get ready: He'll soon be walking on his own two feet.

Walking. Your baby (oops, we mean toddler!) may take his first steps anytime between nine and 18 months (from 13 to 15 months is most common). Encourage his to bust a move by making sure he has the time and space for plenty of practice. Once he catches on, life will never be the same for either of you!

developmental milestone: 0-3 months

i got this from a website (go using hyperlink on what to watch for: 0-3 months)

checking out Joram's development on the list below... excited on his firsts indeed!

what to watch for: 0-3 months

Motor Development

•  Opens and shuts his hands.
•  Raises his head and chest while lying on his stomach.
•  Stretches her legs out and kicks when lying on stomach or back. 
•  Supports her upper body with her arms when lying on stomach. 
•  Swats at dangling toys placed near him. 
•  Mouths objects brought to her face. 
•  Reaches and grasps for things with both hands.
•  Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface.
•  Can hold a rattle.

• Visual Development

  •  Watches faces intently. 
  •  Turns head toward direction of sound. .
  •  Follows moving objects with his eyes.  
  •  Recognizes familiar objects and people at a distance.  

  • Language Development

    •  Begins to imitate some sounds. 
    •  Begin to babble. 

    • Social/Emotional Development

      •  Reacts when you sing, call his name, or attempt to play. 
      •  Imitates you when you stick out your tongue. 
      •  Enjoys playing with other people; may cry when playing stops.
      •  Becomes more communicative with face and body. 
      •  Imitates your movements. .
      •  Smiles! Grins! 

      • Cognitive Development

        •  Stares at her hands and fingers. 
        •  Plays with her fingers. .
        •  Brings his hands to his mouth. 
        •  Has accustomed to regular eating and sleeping patterns. 
    • 
      

developmental milestones: 7-12 months

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
7 months	Sits without support Drags objects toward herself	Lunges forward or starts crawling Jabbers or combines syllables Starts to experiencestranger anxiety	Waves goodbye Stands while holding onto something Bangs objects together Begins to understandobject permanence
8 months	Says "mama" or "dada" to parents (isn't specific) Passes objects from hand to hand	Stands while holding onto something Crawls Points at objects Searches for hidden objects	Pulls self to standing,cruises Picks things up with thumb-finger pincer grasp Indicates wants with gestures
9 months	Stands while holding onto something Jabbers or combines syllables Understands object permanence	Cruises while holding onto furniture Drinks from a sippy cup Eats with fingers Bangs objects together	Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent
10 months	Waves goodbye Picks things up with pincer grasp Crawls well, with belly off the ground	Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent Indicates wants with gestures	Stands alone for a couple of seconds Puts objects into a container
11 months	Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo Stands alone for a couple of seconds Cruises	Understands "no" and simple instructions Puts objects into a container	Says one word besides "mama" or "dada" Stoops from standing position
12 months	Imitates others' activities Indicates wants with gestures	Takes a few steps Says one word besides "mama" or "dada"	Walks alone Scribbles with a crayon Says two words besides "mama" or "dada"

developmental milestones: birth to 6 months

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
1 month	Lifts head when lying on tummy Responds to sound Stares at faces	Follows objects briefly with eyes Vocalizes: oohs and aahs Can see black-and-white patterns	Smiles, laughs Holds head at 45-degree angle
2 months	Vocalizes: gurgles and coos Follows objects across field of vision Notices his hands Holds head up for short periods	Smiles, laughs Holds head at 45-degree angle Makes smoother movements	Holds head steady Can bear weight on legs Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup)
3 months	Recognizes your face and scent Holds head steady Visually tracks moving objects	Squeals, gurgles, coos Blows bubbles Recognizes your voice Does mini-pushup	Rolls over, from tummy to back Turns toward loud sounds Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 months	Smiles, laughs Can bear weight on legs Coos when you talk to him	Can grasp a toy Rolls over, from tummy to back	Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada" Cuts first tooth May be ready for solid foods
5 months	Distinguishes between bold colors Plays with his hands and feet	Recognizes own name Turns toward new sounds Rolls over in both directions	Sits momentarily without support Mouths objects Separation anxiety may begin
6 months	Turns toward sounds and voices Imitates sounds Rolls over in both directions	Is ready for solid foods Sits without support Mouths objects Passes objects from hand to hand	Lunges forward or starts crawling Jabbers or combines syllables Drags objects toward himself

developmental milestones : 1st month

The First Month

During the first month of life most of babies' behavior is reflexive, meaning their reactions are automatic. Later, as the nervous system develops, babies will put more thought into their actions. Some of the newborn reflexes are described below. 

• Mouthing reflexes: These reflexes are important for babies' survival, helping them find the source of food. The sucking and swallowing reflexes are most important. A baby will automatically begin to suck when his mouth or lips are touched. The rooting reflex is when the baby turns his head toward your hand if his cheek is touched. This helps baby find the nipple for feeding. The rooting reflex begins to fade around 4 months.
• Startle (Moro) reflex: The startle reflex occurs when a baby hears a loud noise or when he falls backwards, his arms and legs extend away from his body. This reflex is most noticeable during the first month and usually fades by 2 or 3 months.
• Grasp reflex: A baby will grasp a finger or object when it is placed in the palm of his hand. This reflex is strongest during the first 2 months and usually fades by 5-6 months.
• Stepping reflex: Even though baby cannot support his own weight, if his feet are placed on a flat surface, he will begin to step one foot in front of the other. The stepping reflex usually disappears by 2 months.

By the end of the first month of life, most babies may display the following:

• Raise head when on stomach
• Keep hands in tight fists
• Focus 8-12 inches away, looks at objects and faces and prefers the human face over other patterns
• Show a behavioral response when hearing a noise (such as eye blinking, acting startled, change in movements or breathing/respiratory rate)