As an experienced mother of two I can tell that the first year of your baby's life would be the most enjoyable and most exciting of all the years ahead. The little bundle of joy that has just come to your home will surprise you with a number of milestones that she is going to achieve in a short span of just one year. You will feel surprised, joyful and proud as she will achieve them one by one.
There is a lot to happen in the first year of life. Every baby is different. So some of them might take a little longer than others to achieve these milestones. But a prolonged delay might indicate for some serious problem and so parents should consult it to their baby's doctor.
The developmental milestones can be broadly categorized into 5 categories - Growth and Movement milestones, Vision milestones, Language development milestone, Social/Emotional milestones and Cognitive development milestones. The American Academy of Pediatrics gives a list of age appropriate developmental milestones in the above categories. It also gives the list of developmental delays which the parents should discuss with their baby's doctor.
The first month:
Movement Milestones by the end of this period
- Makes jerky, quivering arm thrusts.
- Brings hands within range of eyes and mouth.
- Moves head from side to side while lying on stomach.
- Head flops backward if unsupported.
- Keeps hands in tight fists.
- Strong reflex movements.
Hearing, Smell and Touch milestones by the end of this period
- Hearing is fully mature.
- Recognizes some sounds.
- May turn towards some familiar sounds and voices.
- Prefer sweet smells.
- Avoid bitter or acidic smells.
- Recognizes the scent of his own mother's breast-milk.
- Prefers soft to coarse sensations.
- Dislikes rough or abrupt handling.
Developmental health watch by the end of the first month:
If during the second, third, or fourth week of your baby's life, she shows any of the following signs of developmental delay, notify your pediatrician.
- Sucks poorly and feeds real slowly.
- Does not blink when shown a bright light.
- Does not focus and follow a nearby object moving side to side.
- Rarely moves arms and legs; seems too stiff.
- Lower jaw trembles constantly, even when not crying or excited.
- Does not respond to loud sounds.
One month through three months:
Movement milestones by the end of this period
- Raises head and chest when lying on stomach.
- Supports upper body with arms when lying on stomach.
- Stretches legs out and kicks when lying on stomach or back.
- Opens and shuts hands.
- Brings hand to mouth.
- Pushes down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface.
- Takes swipes at dangling objects with hands.
- Grasps and shakes hand toys.
- Visual Milestones by the end of this period-
- Watches faces intently.
- Follow moving objects.
- Recognizes familiar objects and people at a distance.
- Starts using hands and eyes in coordination.
Hearing and Speech Milestones by the end of this period
- Smiles at the sound of your voice.
- Begins to babble.
- Begins to imitate some sounds.
- Turns head towards direction of sound.
Social/Emotional Milestones by the end of this period-
- Begins to develop a social smile.
- Enjoys playing with other people and may cry when playing stops.
- Becomes more communicative and expressive with face and body.
- Imitates some movements and facial expressions.
Developmental health watch by the end of three months: Although each baby develops in her own way and at her own rate, failure to reach certain milestones may signal some medical or developmental problems requiring special attention. In case of following signs, notify the pediatrician.
- Doesn't seem to respond to loud sounds.
- Doesn't notice her hands by two months.
- Doesn't smile at the sound of your voice by two months.
- Doesn't follow moving objects with her eyes by two to three months.
- Doesn't grasp and hold objects by three months
- Doesn't reach for and grasp toys by three to four months.
- Doesn't support her head well by three months.
- Doesn't babble by three to four months.
- Doesn't bring objects to her mouth by four months.
- Doesn't push down with her legs when her feet are placed on a firm surface by four months.
- Doesn't pay attention to new faces.
- Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions. Crosses her eyes most of the times.
- Occasional crossing of eyes is common in first few months.
- Age four months through seven months.
Movement milestones by the end of this period
- Rolls both ways (front to back, back to front)
- Sits with, and then without, support of her hands.
- Supports her whole weight on her legs.
- Reaches with one hand.
- Transfers objects from hand to hand.
Visual Milestones by the end of this period
- Develops full color vision.
- Distance vision matures.
- Ability to track moving objects improves.
