Recognizing Baby Developmental Milestones
As a parent, no doubt you know how quickly your baby can change.
Babies grow so fast and hit so many baby developmental milestones so quickly, that it seems if you blink your eyes you have missed an important stage in their young life.
Just think back to how she looked and acted when you brought her home from the hospital.
It is important that you understand the various baby developmental milestones that your baby should be going through as she develops from a newborn to a toddler.
Although not every baby is going to hit each milestone at exactly the same time, large delays in meeting them can be cause for concern, which is why it is so important that you understand the infant development you need to look for.
One of the first major stages that you will notice in your baby's development is the ability to roll over.
For many babies this stage begins as early as 3-4 months old; however, they may not become proficient at it until they are about 5-6 months old.
Many parents become a bit frightened during this stage, especially if they walk in and find the baby on her stomach instead of on her back.
There is no need to worry, because now that your baby can roll over on her own, the risk of SIDS decreases drastically.
Sure, you should continue to put her to sleep on her back, but there is no need to panic if she ends up on her stomach in the morning.
After your baby becomes proficient in rolling over on her own, one of the next stages is learning to sit up and crawling.
Usually this stage occurs around 6-9 months, and you will no doubt notice how your baby begins to start sitting a bit on her own and how she starts moving around on her stomach.
At this stage, tummy time is important to encourage your baby to crawl; however, don't worry if she never does crawl because now days many babies go straight to walking without ever actually crawling.
Speaking of walking, this is the next big baby developmental milestone in your babies development.
Some children may start walking when they are as young as 9 months old; however, many do not walk until they are a bit older, and some not even until they are about 18 months.
This will all depend on your child, so no need to worry if she is not up and walking before she is a year old.
This is definitely a very important milestone in your child's life, and it shows the extensive development of coordination, balance, and muscle strength in your child.
Teething is one of those dreaded stages in infant development.
While many babies start to teeth around 6 months old, some do not show the first signs of teething until a bit later.
During this time you may notice that your baby begins to drool more than normal and she may be a bit on the cranky side too.
A few other signs of teething include fever as well as the constant need to chew on something.
Talking is one of the more joyful and fun stages of infant development.
Around age 4-6 months old you will notice that your baby begins to make "baby talk" noises, such as gurgling, cooing, and perhaps even laughing.
Usually it is not until around 10 months old that your baby will actually start using words, and for some children it will take even longer, even up to two years old.
Talking is like most other stages of infant development, which means that your baby will probably have her own time table.
Your baby will also go through various other baby developmental milestones as well.
Usually around 4-6 months old you can change over from breastfeeding to a baby bottle.
Later, if your baby uses a pacifier, when they are a year old it is a good time to start slowly taking the pacifier away.
The most important thing to remember considering the various stages of your baby's development, is that every baby is unique.
Even if your child does things a bit earlier or later than other babies, there is usually no need to worry.
However, if you have any major concerns, you can discuss your baby's development with your pediatrician.
Babies grow so fast and hit so many baby developmental milestones so quickly, that it seems if you blink your eyes you have missed an important stage in their young life.
Just think back to how she looked and acted when you brought her home from the hospital.
It is important that you understand the various baby developmental milestones that your baby should be going through as she develops from a newborn to a toddler.
Although not every baby is going to hit each milestone at exactly the same time, large delays in meeting them can be cause for concern, which is why it is so important that you understand the infant development you need to look for.
One of the first major stages that you will notice in your baby's development is the ability to roll over.
For many babies this stage begins as early as 3-4 months old; however, they may not become proficient at it until they are about 5-6 months old.
Many parents become a bit frightened during this stage, especially if they walk in and find the baby on her stomach instead of on her back.
There is no need to worry, because now that your baby can roll over on her own, the risk of SIDS decreases drastically.
Sure, you should continue to put her to sleep on her back, but there is no need to panic if she ends up on her stomach in the morning.
After your baby becomes proficient in rolling over on her own, one of the next stages is learning to sit up and crawling.
Usually this stage occurs around 6-9 months, and you will no doubt notice how your baby begins to start sitting a bit on her own and how she starts moving around on her stomach.
At this stage, tummy time is important to encourage your baby to crawl; however, don't worry if she never does crawl because now days many babies go straight to walking without ever actually crawling.
Speaking of walking, this is the next big baby developmental milestone in your babies development.
Some children may start walking when they are as young as 9 months old; however, many do not walk until they are a bit older, and some not even until they are about 18 months.
This will all depend on your child, so no need to worry if she is not up and walking before she is a year old.
This is definitely a very important milestone in your child's life, and it shows the extensive development of coordination, balance, and muscle strength in your child.
Teething is one of those dreaded stages in infant development.
While many babies start to teeth around 6 months old, some do not show the first signs of teething until a bit later.
During this time you may notice that your baby begins to drool more than normal and she may be a bit on the cranky side too.
A few other signs of teething include fever as well as the constant need to chew on something.
Talking is one of the more joyful and fun stages of infant development.
Around age 4-6 months old you will notice that your baby begins to make "baby talk" noises, such as gurgling, cooing, and perhaps even laughing.
Usually it is not until around 10 months old that your baby will actually start using words, and for some children it will take even longer, even up to two years old.
Talking is like most other stages of infant development, which means that your baby will probably have her own time table.
Your baby will also go through various other baby developmental milestones as well.
Usually around 4-6 months old you can change over from breastfeeding to a baby bottle.
Later, if your baby uses a pacifier, when they are a year old it is a good time to start slowly taking the pacifier away.
The most important thing to remember considering the various stages of your baby's development, is that every baby is unique.
Even if your child does things a bit earlier or later than other babies, there is usually no need to worry.
However, if you have any major concerns, you can discuss your baby's development with your pediatrician.
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