In ancient times, stones (aptly known as
milestones) were placed alongside roads at specific intervals to help travelers
measure distances and, therefore, their progress. In terms of human
development, a milestone (from the Latin word “milarium”) is a complex set of
skills and tasks that most children can achieve at a certain age. So what does
this mean with regard to parenting?
As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your
baby reaching age-specific milestones. To give you a bit of a head start and to
ease some of your fears, here’s a summary of what to expect within the first
year, with important tips on how to keep your growing boy or girl on track.
1. Babies are unique individuals. They
develop at their own pace. Constantly comparing your child to other babies of
the same age or stage, or even to your other children, will only create
unnecessary anxiety.
2. Be wary of “the window.” Babies are
given a time frame in which to reach their milestones and after that window of
opportunity has passed, you need to consult with your pediatrician. Your doctor
will direct you to the appropriate specialists, or will tell you to wait before
intervention. In some cases, short term speech, physical, or occupational
therapy will be effective. In other instances, one may need to work with a team
of specialists. The sooner a problem is detected, the better the outcome will
be.
3. The Milestones To Watch At Any Age.
-
Gross
and Fine Motor: the ability to move and control the muscles in the body -
Language
Skills: the ability to use sounds and, eventually, words to communicate -
Cognitive
Development: the process involved in learning and understanding -
Social
Skills: the ability to interact with family, peers, and strangers
4. Age-Specific Milestones:
Newborn
Gross Motor: The baby lies on the back with
curled legs and closed fists and can lift the head when lying on the stomach.
Fine Motor: The baby grasps objects when placed
in the palm. They have specific reflexes including the Moro (startling reflex),
grasping, rooting and stepping reflexes.
Language: The baby makes some sounds, sometimes
during sleep.
Cognitive: The baby looks at light, can see
about 10-12 inches from their face, and can track an object about 30 degrees.
They hear noises and react to them.
Two Months
Gross Motor: The baby’s legs are straighter and
less curled. When placed on the stomach, the baby will lift the head and chest.
Fine Motor: The baby is able to hold an object
for a short period of time. All of the other reflexes are still present.
Language: Cooing begins.
Cognitive: The baby can follow objects past
midline (at 180 degrees).
Social: Your baby will smile in response to
stimuli.
Three Months
Gross Motor: Your baby is moving more than
before. Some babies start turning.
Fine Motor: The baby will attempt to reach and
grab a toy but will miss it. The Moro reflex disappears at this age.
Language: New sounds emerge such as aaah
and gaaah.
Cognitive: Your baby smiles for a longer period
of time.
Four Months
Gross Motor: Your baby is able to lift the head
and the chest when lying on the back.
Fine Motor: The baby reaches and holds onto
objects, can bring the hands to the middle of the body, and pushes with the
feet when held up.
Language: The baby laughs and shows emotion.
Cognitive: Your baby likes music and starts
recognizing familiar faces.
Five-Six Months
Gross Motor: The baby can roll over, back to
stomach, and is able to sit with support. The head does not lag as before.
Fine Motor: Your baby can hold a bottle.
Language: Babbling begins.
Cognitive: The baby knows that an object is
hidden, tries to find it, but doesn’t get it yet.
Social: The emotions are stronger now. The baby
can respond to sadness and happiness.
Seven Months
Gross Motor: Your baby can put weight on the
feet when placed in a standing position. Sitting is more stable.
Fine Motor: The baby will reach and hold larger
objects, starts transferring from one hand to the other, and can hold smaller
objects with the palm.
Language: Vowels are starting to be used.
Cognitive: The baby explores everything by
putting objects in the mouth.
Social: The baby does not like to be left alone
and prefers parents and caregivers over strangers.
Eight Months
Gross Motor: Your baby sits well without support
and takes steps while holding on to furniture (cruising). There are many forms
of crawling including: on all fours, “commando,” backwards and sitting and
moving very fast from one side to the other. Some babies don’t crawl at all.
They just stand up, and that’s perfectly fine.
Fine Motor: They hold objects with the fine
pincer grasp—between the thumb and index finger. Babies like feeding
themselves.
Language: Your baby responds to “no”, shakes the
head, and imitates sounds.
Cognitive: Your baby can find hidden objects.
Social: Stranger anxiety begins.
Nine-Ten Months
Gross Motor: The baby crawls and/or cruises
well.
Fine Motor: The fine pincer grasp is completely
mastered.
Language: Your baby is louder and more vocal,
using many syllables while babbling.
Cognitive: She/he points at things with the
finger, can follow one command, and loves banging toys together.
Social: The baby will stop when told “no”. He/she
likes looking at pictures, starts feeling different textures, and loves the
mirror.
Eleven Months
Gross Motor: She/he may start walking with both
hands held.
Fine Motor: They start to find a dropped object.
Language: Your baby may start to say mama
or dada.
Social: Peek-a-boo is a favorite.
Twelve Months
Gross Motor: The baby starts walking with one
hand held.
Fine Motor: He/she picks up and finds objects
when dropped.
Cognitive: Your baby can imitate adults.
Social: The child follows commands and can play
simple games.
5. Be on the look out for something wrong.
At all ages, it’s essential to assess the baby’s muscle tone, if there is a
significant delay in more than one developmental skill, and if the baby doesn’t
react or communicate.
6. Adjust the timeline for premature babies.
If, for example, the baby was born one month prematurely, calculate the baby’s
developmental age by subtracting the number of weeks from the actual due date.
At four months, the baby will have the milestones of a three-month-old.
Eventually, the premature baby will catch up.
7. Introduce your child to others of the same
age. Even if they don’t play together, babies will be interested to explore
the sights and sounds of another.
8. Interact with your child. Talking and
singing will help your little one develop their own verbal and comprehension
skills, and soon enough, your baby will understand you. Read to your child.
Hold them while you walk around or do things in the house—explain what you’re
doing and seeing. Give them age-appropriate toys, but remember that your
presence and interaction can never be matched.
9. Your worries are not unfounded. If
you’re worried about anything, talk to your pediatrician. Ask questions, learn
what kind of help is needed, and make sure that the lines of communication are
open between everyone. Feel free to ask for a second opinion. After all, you
are the parents, you spend the most time with your children and you are, in
many instances, the first to know if something may be wrong.
10. Take good care of yourselves. Ask for
help if you feel tired and overwhelmed. Enjoy your baby’s first year!
Erika Landau, M.D. and Abigail Brenner, M.D. are the authors of The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year: The Most Current Thinking And Advice On Year-One Milestones, Care, And Concerns.
