Baby’s first year is full of, well, firsts. Here’s your guide for what
to expect when — and what to do if baby’s a little off schedule.
We know, we know: Every kid hits milestones at his own pace — so, no,
you shouldn’t freak out if yours doesn’t follow this guide to a tee.
But it might be worth a talk with the doc if you’re worried or if baby
misses a few biggies. “If it’s just one milestone that your child is a
little behind on, mention it to your pediatrician,” says Tanya R.
Altmann, MD, author of Mommy Calls _(American Academy of Pediatrics,
2008). “But chances are, everything’s probably fine. However, if your
child isn’t hitting multiple milestones across the board — not smiling
_and not rolling over, for example — then I would be a little more
concerned.” Otherwise, be prepared for the following milestones to
happen.Sleeping Through the Night
When it’s likely to happen: Generally, after four months of age, an infant should be able to sleep at least six to eight hours straight without feeding, says Altmann. And by six months of age, they should be able to go at least 8 to 10 hours without a feeding.
How to encourage it: Let baby sleep! Slowly start extending the time between nighttime feedings until you get there. And don’t rush to pick up baby the moment she cries at night. She needs to learn that if she wakes in the night, she doesn’t need you to help her fall back asleep again.
What if baby misses the mark: If she’s not sleeping through the night by six to eight months, it might just be because you’re hitting the nursery too often at night, says Altmann, and you may want to consider backing off. But you may still want to mention it to your pediatrician — if baby keeps crying and can’t fall asleep, that can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
When it’s likely to happen: Baby should start crawling between six and nine months.
How to encourage it: Give baby plenty of tummy time and free playtime on the ground. “Get down on the ground with him and show him a bright-colored toy, move the toy a foot away from him and then coax him to move toward the object,” suggests Altmann.
What if baby misses the mark: Don’t stress — he may be right on track anyhow. “Many experts don’t consider crawling a milestone, because a lot of infants won’t crawl at all,” says Altmann. She usually tells parents her definition of crawling is simply the method baby uses to get from one place to another. He could be wriggling on his tummy, rolling, scooting — it doesn’t have to be the typical hand-and-knees crawl most parents visualize.
Rolling Over
When it’s likely to happen: Some infants start to roll as early as three months, but on average, it’s usually more like four to six months, says Altmann. “Initially, she’ll probably roll from front to back, and then she’ll master rolling back to front. Very often, baby will get stuck and may get upset and cry.” It’s important, though, to avoid leaving baby alone on an elevated surface long before that age, since babies start wriggling enough to fall pretty early on.
How to encourage it: Get down on the ground and talk to baby, cheering her on. Hold blocks or toys just out of reach so she can flip over trying to reach them.
What if baby misses the mark: If your baby isn’t trying to roll over by six months of age, let your pediatrician know. Most likely, she says, baby just needs more time. But if she’s not making any effort, that could be a sign something else is going on.
Smiling
When it’s likely to happen: A baby should be smiling back at his parents around two months of age, but there are some instances when it may take a little longer, says Altmann, like if baby was born prematurely.
How to encourage it: You’re probably already doing it. Talk to baby and throw some smiles his way.
What if baby misses the mark: “Smiling is really one of those first milestones I’m looking for as a pediatrician,” says Altmann. “If the baby isn’t smiling back at the parent by two months of age, I want to keep a close eye on him. Sometimes it will happen by three months, but if not, that’s when I’ll get concerned about possible neurological issues.”
Sitting Unsupported
When it’s likely to happen: Altmann estimates that about 50 percent of babies can sit — but probably pretty wobbly or propped up — at six months, but by eight months of age, she says they should be able to sit comfortably and more steadily on their own.
How to encourage it: With any motor milestone, your child needs an opportunity to learn, so be sure you’re giving her plenty of free time on the floor. If you’re always wearing baby, carrying her or strapping her in a swing or chair, it may take her longer to learn to push up, roll over, sit up, pull up to stand and walk.
What if baby misses the mark: If your infant isn’t sitting on her own by nine months, your pediatrician may suggest she be evaluated by a physical therapist.
Clapping
When it’s likely to happen: It could be as early as six months, when baby sits up on his own, but it’s more likely to be closer to between eight and nine months, says Altmann — and it may take a few months total for baby to learn it. Waving is also usually learned around 8 to 10 months.
How to encourage it: Play patty-cake and other clapping games with baby. Your own clapping gets baby so excited, he’ll start to bring his hands together in an effort to clap along with you.
What if baby misses the mark: If, by the one-year pediatrician’s visit, your baby isn’t mimicking any of your actions — whether it’s clapping, waving or responding to you when you wave and say, “I’m over here” — then definitely let baby’s doctor know.
Pulling Up to Standing
When it’s likely to happen: Though most infants will pull themselves up to a standing position between 9 and 12 months, Altmann says it’s not unusual for it to happen even earlier — like eight months. “I warn parents at the six-month visit to drop the mattress down [in case] your infant pulls to stand in the middle of the night when you’re not aware that they can. You don’t want them to fall out!” You’ll also want to be aware of any furniture that baby could try to pull on that could tumble, like a top-heavy chair.
How to encourage it: Like with sitting, make sure baby gets lots of free-range playtime.
What if baby misses the mark: If she’s not pulling to stand by her first birthday, let your pediatrician know. “It doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with her, because she could be almost there,” says Altmann. “But I think it’s a good idea to check in with the doctor to make sure there’s nothing else going on.”
Cruising and Walking
When it’s likely to happen: Usually, around 9 to 12 months, after they learn to pull themselves to stand, babies start to cruise — teaching themselves to walk by holding on to furniture. “When they initially pull to stand, they’ll grab on, let go and drop down on their bottoms. But then they’ll figure out that they can hold on and walk along the couch,” says Altmann. “Within a couple weeks to a couple months, they’ll let go and take their first step.” She says to expect that around the one-year mark, but for some kids, it may not be until 15 months or even later.
How to encourage it: More floor play.
What if baby misses the mark: There’s probably nothing to be worried about, unless baby’s missing other milestones, but it’s worth a mention and maybe an evaluation by a physical therapist.
Reaching, Grasping and Holding
When it’s likely to happen: “At six months of age, babies can bring both hands to their midline. So if you were to hold a toy in front of them, they would bring both hands up and try to grab it,” says Altmann. But it’s not until about eight or nine months of age that they use a pincher grasp, using their thumb and forefinger. “This is when they can pick up small objects and bring them to their mouth — and often when parents start finger foods,” says Altmann. “You also have to be careful, because that’s when they bring other small objects up to their mouth as well.”
How to encourage it: Offer baby safe objects — colorful or noisy toys work well — to grab and jiggle.
What if baby misses the mark: If baby isn’t picking up small pieces of food and feeding himself by 12 months, let your pediatrician know.
source: http://www.thebump.com
