“Is There Something Wrong With My Baby?!”
“It’s a boy!”
“It’s a girl!”
“Twins!”
10 fingers and 10 toes. Check!
Parents, especially first-time moms and dads watch their infants like hawks, divining meaning from every burp, every blink, and every breath from that cute tummy. Like trained sentries, they protect their newborns from every mosquito, dust, or pollen that can cause harm.
Then one day, out of nowhere, looking at their 1-month-old’s blank eyes, they are suddenly gripped with new panic:
“Why isn’t she holding up her head until now?”
“Why isn’t he crawling?”
“Why is she not responding to my voice?”
A frantic search on Google ensues, and calls to batchmates and friends are made, asking, “Is your baby the same?”
At some point, many a parent has wondered, “Is there something wrong with my baby?”
In this post, we look at a checklist of motor and sensory skills that babies go through as they grow. There is a predictable series of abilities that a baby master. And through how he/she moves, communicates, plays, learns, and reacts, we can have an insight into his or her physical and cognitive development.
Note:
The markers are just guides. Babies are not a homogenous group and some may develop skills earlier/later than others. If your baby doesn’t perfectly fit the norm, it does not necessarily mean something is wrong. Parents can, understandably, overreact and over-read the situation.
However, that said, developmental delays should not be taken lightly as early intervention is an important factor for the best treatment outcomes. Only a licensed specialist can give a proper diagnosis and provide appropriate guidance.
Let’s now go through the checklist for your baby.
Developmental Milestones
At 2 Months
Your baby should be able to:
Recognize you when she sees you.
Look at you as you move.
Smile at you when you talk to her.
React to sudden, loud noises.
Focus on a toy for several seconds.
Hold her head up when on her tummy.
Talk, read and sing to your 2-month-old. This helps in her language development. Respond and act excitedly whenever the baby makes a sound.
Spend time cuddling and physically touching your baby. It makes her feel safe and cared for. And, as CDC points out, holding, touching, or responding to your baby is not spoiling the child. Physical interaction is an important part of his/her development.
At 4 Months
Your baby should be able to:
Turn his head when he hears your voice.
Make a sound to catch your attention.
Chuckle at your antics.
Look at his hand with interest.
Bring his hands into his mouth.
Hold his head steadily and without support when being carried.
Putting things in his mouth is a child’s way of learning about the world. Provide brain stimulation by providing him with toys that he can safely explore and put in his mouth. This means no sharp, hot, or small toys that may cause a problem.
At 6 Months
Your baby should be able to:
Push herself with straight arms when on her tummy.
Roll from her tummy to her back and vice versa.
Grab the toy she’s interested in.
Close her mouth when she doesn’t want to eat anymore.
At this point, the baby should be starting to identify the parts of her body vis-à-vis objects in the real world. So point things out to your child, and name them. For example, tell her the names of the objects that are in the room. (Even if she can’t say the names herself.)
At 9 Months
Your baby should be able to:
Recognize her name and look at you when you call her.
Exhibit several facial expressions like anger, excitement, sadness, and surprise.
React negatively to strangers.
Love to play peek-a-boo.
Bang or smash two objects together.
Pass an object from one hand to the other.
Sit without support.
Search for objects when they go out of sight.
Teach your child to signal with his body. For example, wave your hands and say “Bye-bye,” or nod your head up and down and say “Yes,” or side to side and say “No.” This increases his physical dexterity and hones his instinct for nonverbal communication.
At 1 Year
Your baby should be able to:
Recognize a parent and call him/her “mama” or “dada” (or some other name).
Understand what “No” means.
Pull herself up to a standing position.
Walk, while holding on for support.
Search for things you’ve hidden, like behind your back or under a blanket.
Can manipulate objects better, like putting things in a small container or picking up things using the thumb and pointer finger.
Be the example. Exhibit desirable behaviors to your child, and let him emulate your physical movements. For example, if you want him to put things in a box, show yourself performing the action. Encourage him to do it by first guiding his hands, and when he’s able to do it himself, clap your hands and hug him to reinforce the behavior.
At15 Months
Your child should be able to:
Show affection by hugging you or her favorite toy.
Search and identify an object when you call out its name.
Ask for help and point to something.
Imitate what other babies are doing.
Walk, a few steps without any support.
Know how to use common objects like books, cups, and phones.
Give your child plenty of opportunities to practice her motor skills. Not just when she’s playing alone. For example, let her help you hold or carry stuff. Let her put things in the bag, or ask her to pick something up. This increases her confidence and independence, as well as develops the motor impulses in her brain.
At18 Months
Your child should be able to:
Follow simple directions, like: “Put it down” or “Give mama the bear.”
Climb chairs and couches without any help.
Scribble
Anticipate routines, like putting his hands out to be washed, or raising his foot for shoes.
Drink from a cup by himself.
Emulate household chores, like mopping or sweeping the floor.
Boost her imagination with “pretend play.” Join her world. If she’s giving her bear a bath, help her accomplish this by handing her “soap” and “water.” Do the sound of splashing water and make pretend play more visceral for your baby.
At 2 Years
Your 2-year-old should be able to:
String together two words. Like “Get book.”
Start running.
Climb a few steps of stairs by himself.
Manage to eat with a spoon.
Manipulate buttons, knobs, and switches.
Watch your face and read your reaction.
Notice when other people are happy, sad, or upset.
Help your child interact with other kids and navigate social situations. Encourage her to share, take turns and talk to other kids. Encourage her to cooperate and play with others. Appreciate her when she gets along with other kids.
These are the various skills your baby acquires at different ages. According to the recently updated checklist for the CDC, 75% of babies are expected to accomplish those skills at these stages of their lives.
It’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your child. If you think your baby has developmental delays, it’s best to visit a specialist. He or she can better assess the situation.
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