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Important Developmental Milestones in Your Baby’s First Years

You already heard your baby's first cry, grimace, and experienced a whole lot of first things right after their birth. Research indicates that about 14% of babies worldwide don’t hit these milestones due to underlying conditions, with the US accounting for 4%. Developmental milestones are a strong indicator of progressive growth and excellent health. As a new mother, do not be disturbed when your infant fails to hit a milestone in a particular month. While children grow at different rates, it helps to know what to look for. Therefore, find out on this page what these milestones are and what they mean for your bundle of joy.

First month
The first month of your baby's life is a time of rapid development because they double up their birth weight in this period. Of course, that will depend on the quality of feeds you give them. It may look like all your tot does in the first month is sleep, eat, cry, and soil their diapers. However, more things are happening that you must watch out for. For instance, babies will make several attempts to put a fist or a finger in their mouths in the first four weeks. They may even suck on them if they're successful at it.

Additionally, your baby should flinch at sudden loud sounds around them. It is a great way to determine they have perfect hearing. Moreover, they should focus on objects brought to their face within a distance of eight to twelve feet. Another subtle milestone you should look for is how your baby reacts to bright lights. Although this is an unconscious reflex, you will know that your infant's eyesight is good when they suddenly close their eyes when the lighting is too bright. Keep in mind that their reflexes are still developing, even though most are already there.

Third month
You should be happy If your baby attempts to lift their head when lying on their tummies. These are the early signs of head control, indicating that their neck muscles are getting stronger. When your baby is not sleepy, they should also be able to kick or stretch their legs and arms, whether on their backs or tummies. You will also notice a tremendous reduction in how often they make a fist. Newborn babies tend to ball their fists due to neurologic reflexes.

It is merely instinctive, but by the third month, they should be able to clench and unclench their fists at will. According to neurologists, this indicates your baby's gradual transition from the curled-up position in the womb.

Indeed, some babies can even grab toys from peoples’ hands and shake them. However, you don't have to worry if yours isn't doing it yet. Another exciting milestone you will love to see is when your baby can follow moving objects with their eyes. Eye-hand coordination indicates a developing brain and, of course, healthy vision and visual field. Furthermore, experts say your baby memorizes your face as they stare intently at your face. Indeed, babies will do the same with faces they cannot recognize. Again, they will smile, babble, and even follow playful patterns with their parents. Although an 8 month old baby will show more of these milestones, experts say subtle signs begin in the third month.

Sixth month
Your baby is likely to sit up briefly without support in their sixth month. You're most likely to notice an increase in baby sounds such as cooing and babbling. A unique sound you will hear from now onwards is playful raspberries. Blowing raspberries are delightful sounds parents love to hear and never seem to get enough of. At this point, some babies recognize playing and will show displeasure (by crying or rapid wild movements) when it stops. However, when you resume play, they get excited again.

Once again, this is due to rapid neurological development, and it shows your baby's ability to recognize fun. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes babbling is the foundation of speech development and contributes to language development. Some babies can also identify their names and turn in the direction of the sound. 

Seventh to the eighth month
The developmental milestones in these two months are in quick succession. Experts say if infants miss one milestone in the seventh month, it will happen in their eighth month, coupled with several other highlights. For example, babbling of consonant sounds (repeated ba-ba-ba) and supporting weight on legs when put on a flat surface are some things you will notice. Furthermore, your child will be able to move small items from one hand to the other.

They will show significant interest in their reflection in the mirror and may even extend their hands in an attempt to touch the reflected image. 

Peek-a-boo games are exciting at this stage. Remember that the foundation for this began in the third month, as stated earlier. Moreover, do not be surprised to see them roll over from the tummy position to the back and vice versa. Some babies do this even earlier, but the main point is never to leave them unprotected on an elevated platform (changing table, couch, bed, etc.). If all goes well, your baby should be able to sit up from a sleeping position.

Tenth month
Exploration and experimenting dominate this developmental milestone. You will notice your ten-month-old banging toys against furniture or any surface they can find. The noise that they make seems to provide a thrill for them. What’s more, it is normal when your child repeatedly drops a toy into a container and picks it up each time. These are all part of the experimenting and exploration stage. Remember that they're mobile now and can crawl all over the place or 'cruise'- walking while holding on to sturdy objects like furniture for support.

Even better, they should be able to eat finger foods on their own, wave 'bye-bye' and shake their heads to say 'no.' One sign to take note of is when your ten-month-old begins to mimic sounds they hear. It's a different thing when they react to sudden loud sounds. However, when they attempt to mimic sounds they hear, it shows how rapidly advanced their auditory functions have become.

In addition to this, you will most likely hear the 'mama' and 'dada' calls to draw your attention. Indeed, at this stage, babies recognize their parents, siblings, and other people they see regularly. Separation anxiety will also be at its highest this month. Don't worry, though, because these are developmental milestones your child must hit within the first year.

Eleven to twelve months
The American Pediatric Society says about 70% of babies begin to walk by their first birthday. But there's nothing to worry about if yours hasn't done so yet. Some kids delay these developments but may not significantly prove that there is an underlying medical condition. However, if your child hasn't walked unsupported by eighteen months, the medical world will term it delayed development, requiring further investigation. It could be a pure case of heredity if one or both parents were late bloomers.

As a parent or primary caregiver, the best thing is to speak with a professional if you're concerned about your child not hitting vital developmental milestones. Even though the points discussed here are standard guidelines, the dynamics are different for preterm babies.

Watching your baby grow is thrilling for parents, making it imperative to monitor the process. Hopefully, you’ll be able to determine your child’s development rate as you consider these milestones.