First Year Milestones
Don’t blink! This year passes quickly as your new little one grows, learns and changes.
Babies grow. Fast. And in 12 short months, your little one will seem far removed from that tiny bundle of newborn life you first held in your arms. Everything you say, sing and show your child will encourage a sweet first year of adventure. Although you may feel all you do is feed your baby, change his diaper and watch him sleep, there are some milestones even in the first month to watch for. Your infant will learn to bring his hands and fists toward his tiny mouth. He will also begin to develop reflexes, flinch at loud sounds, and shut his eyes at bright lights. A fun new thing you’ll notice is when your baby turns when he hears your voice!
By the second month, your baby will start doing the cutest baby antics, such as gurgling and cooing. Your little one will begin tracking movement with her eyes, too. It’s a thrill for Mama and Daddy when your baby actually holds her head up and pushes upward with her arms when she’s lying on her tummy.
During month three, Baby begins progressing from dependent newborn to more independent baby, which frees you to sneak in a quick shower more easily. Babies this age will begin smiling at the sound of your voice. Be sure to record this so in 15 or so years you can prove there was once a time your child liked you! Infants around 3 months will start kicking their legs and holding their head and chest up, grasp that teething ring and start “talking” more, saying ooh and ah.
By the fourth month, Baby should be rolling from tummy to back and actually holding a rattle and shaking it at the same time. He will also begin pushing down on his legs when held in a standing position. Toward month number five, your baby will continue to grow, explore and master new things as his strength and coordination increase. It’s fun to see babies roll from tummy to back and back to tummy—and their feet may begin to taste good to them! They will start showing interest in the food you’re eating, a sign they are getting ready to try solid foods.
At the half-year mark, your baby will begin sitting up briefly without any support. She’ll also vocalize, trying consonants, saying mmmmmmm, and vowel sounds like eeeee and ooooo. She’s now old enough to try to reach items and to play more and become unhappy when playtime stops. When you call little River by his name, he will recognize it. The American Academy of Pediatrics says 6 months is a good time to encourage babies to use spoons and their hands to feed themselves. Also try introducing a sippy cup or regular cup with help at this time.
You’ll have a child, by the seventh month, who sits up longer without support longer and who will respond to the word no. Baby will use his hands like a rake to reach for something, called the raking grasp, and respond to smiling faces and fearful ones. This is a good time to lock trash cans and diaper pails, as everything your baby can grasp heads for his mouth.
After eight months of life, that little squirmer will roll over, sit up and move objects from hand to hand or hand to mouth with ease. Scooting may begin during this time, a step toward crawling. Baby will begin pulling up on the couch or your knee to a standing position, and drooling a lot, as she will be cutting her first teeth now. You may actually recognize that little voice saying “Mama” or “Dada” now. Separation and stranger anxiety begin around this age but should soon pass so you can actually go to the bathroom alone.
Your baby will be on the move by month nine, crawling, pulling up to standing, playing peekaboo and even holding a piece of cereal or pasta between his forefinger and thumb in what is called the pincer grip. And when he wants more, he will now point. Between this month and the next, you’ll have a cruiser who walks while holding onto furniture or objects around a room. Your baby also will enjoy banging objects together to hear the sound and will have fun putting objects into a container and then taking them out again. At this age, babies can feed themselves with finger foods, shake their head no and wave bye-bye.
As your toddler emerges, months nine and 10 will fly. Baby’s verbal skills will grow, and you’ll hear more Mamas and Dadas and even “Uh-oh!” Your tot will understand when you tell her not to touch, and she’ll become a copycat, pushing buttons on a play phone and babbling into the receiver. At the one-year mark, you’ll discover you have a toddler who is, perhaps, taking a step or two, banging, throwing and dropping objects and consistently telling you “Hi,” “No” and “Bye-bye.” Naps may decrease from two to one daily, and you’ll see cuteness overload when you say, “Where’s Grandma?” and your baby looks right at her. Another great milestone is that once clumsy spoon will begin working so much better for eating applesauce.
Remember, babies are individuals, and these milestones are more of a continuum than a rigid schedule of development. There is a very wide range of normal in children’s growth. If your best friend’s baby walked at 10 months and yours is still crawling at 13 months, don’t fret. Along the way, your pediatrician will be looking out for milestones and watching your baby’s progress. This is your little human, and you’ll know when things are progressing at the right pace, so enjoy the experience—and photograph and video everything!
Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any question or concerns.
Sources: Healthline.com, WebMD.com