Your Baby’s Progress
Your newborn will develop, grow and change on a daily basis. Even though it may not feel like it at the time, the days, weeks and months will fly by. It is important to make the most of every magical moment and not to feel guilty because you may be spending your time either watching or interacting with your baby. Leave the washing up, baby's are amazing time wasters!!!! Take time to just sit and observe what your baby is up to.
It is important to remember that all babies will develop at their own rate, below are some general guidlines (please use them as that). If you have any concerns about any aspect of your baby's development, discuss them with your health visitor.
Month 1
- Little or no head control
- Strong startle, suck, swallow, rooting, grasping and stepping reflexes
- Eyes wander and may cross. Can focus 20 - 25cm away. Prefers black and white/high contrast patterns
- Knows mothers voice and scent of breast milk
Month 2
- Raises head and chest while lying on stomach
- Follows moving objects
- Learns to social smile (in response to others)
- Brings hands to mouth
Month 3
- Can support head
- Begins to babble and use facial expressions
- Using hands and eyes in co-ordination
- Swipes dangling objects; can grasp a rattle
Month 4
- Can sit if held
- Maybe able to roll
- Can reach to grasp an object
- Learns to take turns when communicating
- Can distinguish shades of colour
Month 5
- May roll onto front
- Can reach and grasp toes
- Turns towards sound and recognises name
- Will chuckle/laugh at simple games
Month 6
- Can focus on objects up to 1 metre away
- Can sit unsupported (may still be wobbly)
- Explores different sounds
- Smiles at self in mirror
Month 7
- Can grasp objects more accurately
- Passing from hand to hand
- Teething!
- Can move forwards and sideways when lying on front
- Puts sounds together ‘dada’ ‘mama’
Month 8
- Picks up small objects with thumb/fore finger
- Sense of smell well developed
- Enjoys repetition and exploring objects with mouth
- Sensitive to vocal tone (smiles when spoken to lovingly and frowns when voice is angry/sad)
Month 9
- Practices dropping objects (to see where they fall)
- Pointing/poking things that are interesting
- May be crawling or bottom shuffling
- Discovers that things still exist even when they are hidden from view (object permanence)
Month 10
- Eating finger foods/drinking from a beaker
- Using hands to explore objects
- Concentration and memory improve
- Baby becomes longer and leaner
Month 11
- Maybe pulling self up or cruising furniture
- Understands many words
- Waving goodbye or using a phone
- Holds out a hand or foot to dress
Month 12
- Hesitant around or fearful of strangers
- Personality develops - more wilful!
- May stand and take first steps
- Can use an average of 3 words with meaning
