Step by step ...little one .

Its exciting watching children grow. In fact its a thing of joy !

I remember vividly the day my daughter took her first steps, we had just come back from the hospital where we had taken her for her 9th month immunization. She just stood up and after a few faltering steps ,yes !she took off ! It was just unbelievable.

Everyday, every month your baby will achieve something new. From growing their first tooth, sitting down, to crawling and so on. You will be amazed at the rapid changes that will take place in her first year.

I have added a chart here from the Baby Centre website:https://www.babycentre.co.uk/, showing various milestones at each month. You can check it out , there is loads of information in there.

Please take note that this is a guide on what to expect or look out for. Children are different and attain milestones at different paces.

I have twin boys, and at 6 months, the younger twin had grown a tooth, but the older one had not. 

Also, at the same 6 months the older twin had started crawling around the house, but the younger one had not. Amazing, isn't it ?

 

So do not panic, except in extreme cases, then you may need to seek the advise of a Pediatrician. Follow your instincts always.

For example , I read the story of a popular musician, who was born blind .
The mother said she felt there was something wrong when at a particular stage of his development, if she smiled at him, he would not react or show any sign of seeing her smile.
So, she took him to see a doctor and was told he was blind. At that stage, it was actually too late for anything to be done. But he is a very successful and popular musician today actually.

So , here we are :

Mastered Skills (most children can do)	Emerging Skills (half of children can do)	Advanced Skills (a few children can do)
Child's Age : One month
• Lifts head • Responds to sound • Stares at faces	• Follows objects • Ooohs and ahhs • Can see black-and-white patterns	• Smiles • Laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle
Child's Age : Two months
• Vocalises sounds - gurgling and cooing • Follows objects • Holds head up for short periods	• Smiles responsively, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle • Movements become smoother	• Holds head steady • Bears weight on legs • May lift head and shoulder (mini-pushup)
Child's Age : Three months
• Laughs • Holds head steady • Recognises your face and scent	• Squeals, gurgles, coos • Recognises your voice • Does mini-pushups	• Turns towards loud sounds • Can bring hands together and may bat at toys • Can roll over
Child's Age : Four months
• Holds head up steadily • Can bear weight on legs • Coos when you talk to him	• Can grasp a toy • Reaches out for objects • Can roll over	• Imitates speech sounds - baba, dada • May cut first tooth
Child's Age : Five months
• Can distinguish between bold colours • Can roll over • Amuses himself by playing with hands and feet	• Turns towards new sounds • Recognises own name • May be ready for solids.	• May sit momentarily without support • Mouths objects • Stranger anxiety may begin
Child's Age : Six months
• Turns towards sounds and voices • Imitates sounds, blows bubbles • Rolls in both directions	• Reaches for objects and mouths them • Sits without support • Is ready for solids	• May lunge forward or start crawling • May jabber or combine syllables • May drag object towards himself

This is for the first 6 months, can you identify any of these milestones ?

Some parents actually try to keep a record of when their babies achieved some major milestones. You could try that .. It may come in useful during a visit to the doctor.

After the first 6 months, babies become a little bit independent, just a little. At least they can stay on their own playing with their toys while you get a few things done. However, be watchful because it gets riskier. My rule is, the more active a baby becomes, the more watchful and alert you have to be. Go through the chart again and you will know why.

This next chart is for the next 6 months , I am actually watching and following this chart :

Mastered Skills (Most children can do)	Emerging Skills (Half of children can do)	Advanced Skills (A few children can do)
Child's Age : seven months
• Sits without support • Reaches for things with a sweeping motion • Imitates speech sounds (babbles)	• Combines syllables into wordlike sounds • Begins to crawl or lunges forward	• Stands while holding onto something • Waves goodbye • Bangs objects together
Child's Age : eight months
• Says "dada" and "mama" to both parents (isn't specific) • Begins to crawl • Passes object from hand to hand	• Stands while holding onto something • Crawls well • Points at objects	• Pulls self to standing position, cruises around furniture while holding on • Picks things up with thumb-finger "pincer" grasp • Indicates wants with gestures
Child's Age : nine months
• Combines syllables into wordlike sounds • Stands while holding onto something	• Uses pincer grasp to pick up objects • Cruises while holding onto furniture • Bangs objects together	• Plays patty cake • Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific)
Child's Age : 10 months
• Waves goodbye • Picks things up with pincer grasp • Crawls well • Cruises	• Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific) • Responds to name and understands "no" • Indicates wants with gestures	• Drinks from a cup • Stands alone for a couple of seconds • Puts objects into a container
Child's Age : 11 months
• Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific) • Plays patty-cake • Stands alone for a couple of seconds	• Imitates others' activities • Puts objects into a container • Understands simple instructions	• Drinks from a cup • Says one word besides "mama" and "dada" • Stoops from standing position
Child's Age : 12 months
• Imitates others' activities • Jabbers wordlike sounds • Indicates wants with gestures	• Says one word besides "mama" and "dada" • Takes a few steps • Understands and responds to simple instructions	• Scribbles with crayon • Walks well • Says two words besides "mama" and "dada"

 As I said earlier, some children are fast and would probably attain a lot of these milestones earlier. While some are late bloomers and take their time .

Just be watchful, vigilant and watch out for any unusual signs.

It is an exciting journey  ! So, have fun...