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One of the most commonly talked about subjects within parenthood is baby development milestones. Yes, there are milestones in place so children can be measured against them as they grow. However, what’s important is that these milestones are simply based on an average. They’re not the majority by any means, and it’s often the minority that you should go by when it comes to development.
Knowing these development milestones, though, is important so you know what to roughly expect and when to look out for them. Here are several essential baby development milestones every mom should know about.
Lifting the Head and Chest
One of the first things to start happening between the ages of 0-3 months will be your baby lifting their head and chest. As they get bigger and stronger, their ability to do this will improve. However, they’re going to need a bit of help from you on a daily basis.
When their necks and arms aren’t strong enough to do the lifting, prop them up with a cushion. This is called tummy time, and it may vary in time you allocate for it, whether it’s 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Be mindful of how much your little one can take of tummy time before getting upset.
Smiling and Making Eye Contact
Another baby development milestone, that happens early on, is smiling and making eye contact. The eye contact will improve over time as they only have a short field of vision as a newborn. Interestingly, babies are born seeing only black and white. Have visual imagery cards in black and white to get their attention.
While some of the smiles might be passing wind or pooping, babies do smile from a young age. They have other expressions whether it’s crying or furrowing their brow in confusion, as well. With eye contact, try and move around the space, making noise and calling their name so they follow your voice.
Rolling Over
Rolling over typically happens around 3-6 months. This is where baby development milestones vary quite significantly from one child to another. These markers are merely guidelines as some children roll earlier and others later. Rolling over usually happens on just one side at first. However, it’s important to persevere and not get too stressed if your child is taking their time to roll over.
Sitting Unsupported
Sitting unsupported is a real ‘wow’ moment when it happens for the first time. It’s a realization that your baby is growing and not relying on you for their every need. With them sitting up, unsupported, you’ll likely find that they’re not too far away from crawling either.
Once they see the world from a higher up point of view, moving about becomes more frequent and sought-after. This might be a good time to explore your home and baby-proof it for what will inevitably become a playground for your little one.
Reaching for Objects and Enjoying Play
Once they’re sitting up, they will have an opportunity to reach and grab objects. You’ll also find them enjoying playtime more. This is always good when you’re trying to burn their energy levels so they nap when you want them to.
Walking Alone or Crawling
Where you once enjoyed a hot beverage without it going cold, once they start crawling or walking, you won’t have these moments unchallenged. With that said, you want to know what the best baby crawling position is so you can encourage them. From there, they’ll be able to pull themselves up to a standing position, to eventually walk by themselves. Sometimes, these developments will occur one after the other very quickly, whereas for others, some kids might find it beneficial to stay on all fours for longer before they start walking.
Babbling and First Words
Finally, one of the most exciting baby development milestones is their ability to babble and formulate words. The more they babble, the more they’ll communicate and understand what’s being said and what they’re saying. Many baby sounds will be babbling. Slowly but surely, this babble will become more coherent. You’ll have a language between you and your baby in no time at all. Be patient and communicate with your child, even if you don’t quite know what they’re saying.
These baby development milestones are good for every parent to know. Don’t get too stressed if your little one isn’t hitting the milestones as quickly as other babies you know. Every child develops at their own pace.
