Essential Baby Development Information

All babies develop at different rates, reaching milestones on their own timeline and at their own speed. If your baby seems to be slow reaching one of the key milestones don’t worry, she’ll most likely get there soon. And she could be ahead in other skills. For sure your baby’s development week by week is normal – for her. If you have real concerns, speak to your GP, but chances are you are worrying unnecessarily and your baby will reach all key milestones at her own pace. Your baby’s development week by week of her first six months will probably fit, more or less, into this pattern: Month One She can: lift her head briefly when lying on her stomach, focus on a face or object, respond to sounds She’ll probably be able to: follow a moving object, see black and white patterns Month Two She can: respond to a sound, hold her head up for short spells, follow objects with her eyes, coo, gurgle or hum She’ll probably be able to: smile when you smile, hold her head up when on her stomach, control her movements, grab objects voluntarily rather than instinctively. Month Three She can: hold her head at a 45 degree angle for longer periods when on her tummy, smile in response to a smile, recognise people, laugh out loud She’ll probably be able to: squeal with happiness, lift her head to a 90 degree angle when on her tummy, put her hands together, precisely follow an object moved from side to side in front of her, control her movements even more. Month Four She can: lift her head up 90 degrees when on her tummy and keep it there for longer, bear her weight on her legs while being held, respond to your chatter with coos and gurgles. She’ll probably be able to: grasp items and reach for them, raise her chest supporting her weight with her arms when on her tummy and roll over in one direction. 6Month Five She can: Tell the difference between bold colours, raise her chest supporting her weight with her arms when on her tummy, roll over, play with her hands and feet. She’ll probably be able to: respond to new sounds, turn in the direction of voices, respond to her own name, blow raspberries. Month Six She can: hold her head strong and straight with her body when pulled from her back into a sitting position, recognise many different sounds and voices and copy sounds. She’ll probably be able to: sit without support, roll in both directions, imitate simple sounds like mama and dada