Developmental Milestones of Your Infant
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Learning about your new baby's development is one of the best ways to be prepared to establish a loving, warm relationship with your infant. This post will discuss your newborn's diet, physical development, reflexes, language development, behavior, hearing, communication, and developing a healthy relationship with your newborn. Because this blog is centered on the beginning stages of motherhood, the developmental milestones listed here focus primarily on infant development. However, links are provided at the bottom to direct you to milestones from 2 months to 5 years. As your child develops, it will be so important to continue to learn about your infant's current stage of development to ensure your infant's health and well being. Learning about how your child communicates, what your child enjoys, and how he communicates as he grows will also help you as you continue to develop your relationship with your infant.
Weight:
Typical infants lose about 5-10% of their birth weight immediately after birth. However, after 2 weeks, your infant should gain weight and grow quickly.
Diet:
- Breast-fed infants will eat about every 2 hours. Formula-fed infants should be able to go about 3 hours between feedings. However, during periods of growth, they may need to eat more often.
- Your baby should not be given water.
- An infant who is drinking enough should produce 6-8 wet diapers in a 24-hour period. Teaching an infant to suck his thumb or suck a pacifier should provide needed comfort between feedings.
Physical Development:
An infant’s physical development begins at their head, and then they will begin to move other parts of their body (for example, sucking comes before sitting which comes before walking).
Newborn- 2 months
- Your infant should be able to lift and turn his head when lying on his back
- His hands should be fisted, with arms flexed
- The neck will be unable to support the head when your infant is pulled to a sitting position.
Reflexes:
- Babinski Reflex-- toes fan outward when the sole (bottom) of the foot is stroked
- Moro Reflex (startle reflex)—extends arms then bends and pulls them in towards body with a brief cry; often triggered by loud noises or sudden movement.
- Palmar hand grasp—infant closes hand and grips your finger
- Placing—leg extends when sole of foot is touched
- Rooting and sucking—turns head in search of nipple when cheek is touched and begins to suck when nipple touches lips
- Stepping and walking—takes brisk steps when both feet are placed on a surface, with body supported
- Tonic neck—left arm extends when infant gazes to the left, while right arm and leg flex inward, and vice versa.
Here is a video of a Physical Therapist assessing and demonstrating each of these reflexes:
Weight:
Typical infants lose about 5-10% of their birth weight immediately after birth. However, after 2 weeks, your infant should gain weight and grow quickly.
Diet:
- Breast-fed infants will eat about every 2 hours. Formula-fed infants should be able to go about 3 hours between feedings. However, during periods of growth, they may need to eat more often.
- Your baby should not be given water.
- An infant who is drinking enough should produce 6-8 wet diapers in a 24-hour period. Teaching an infant to suck his thumb or suck a pacifier should provide needed comfort between feedings.
Physical Development:
An infant’s physical development begins at their head, and then they will begin to move other parts of their body (for example, sucking comes before sitting which comes before walking).
Newborn- 2 months
- Your infant should be able to lift and turn his head when lying on his back
- His hands should be fisted, with arms flexed
- The neck will be unable to support the head when your infant is pulled to a sitting position.
Reflexes:
- Babinski Reflex-- toes fan outward when the sole (bottom) of the foot is stroked
- Moro Reflex (startle reflex)—extends arms then bends and pulls them in towards body with a brief cry; often triggered by loud noises or sudden movement.
- Palmar hand grasp—infant closes hand and grips your finger
- Placing—leg extends when sole of foot is touched
- Rooting and sucking—turns head in search of nipple when cheek is touched and begins to suck when nipple touches lips
- Stepping and walking—takes brisk steps when both feet are placed on a surface, with body supported
- Tonic neck—left arm extends when infant gazes to the left, while right arm and leg flex inward, and vice versa.
Here is a video of a Physical Therapist assessing and demonstrating each of these reflexes:
Language Development 0-2 months:
- Your infant should be alert and aware of voices
- Your infant may use a range of noises to signal needs, such as hunger or pain
Behavior:
Newborn behavior is described as six states of consciousness:
- Active crying
- Active sleep
- Drowsy waking
- Fussing
- Quiet alert
- Quiet sleep
Hearing:
Your baby will be able to hear well within a few weeks; however, your baby should respond to the sound of your voice.
Communication:
Newborns are sensitive to the way that they are help, rocked, and fed. By two months, your baby might smile, coo, blow bubbles when you talk and play together. Soon, your baby might reach for you when he needs attention, security or comfort. Do not ignore communications from your baby; they help develop a stronger relationship with you based on trust and love.
Developing a relationship:
A healthy relationship with your child is the basis for his healthy development. Ways to begin to develop this relationship include:
o Holding your baby. Tender kisses and caresses help your newborn feel safe, secure and loved. Allow him to study your face.
o Speak freely. Simple conversations with your baby help lay the groundwork for language development. Ask questions and respond to your baby’s coos and gurgles. Describe what you see, smell, and experience around the house and out and about.
o Change positions. Hold your baby facing outward. With close supervision, lay your baby on his tummy. Hold a colorful toy and encourage him to pick up his head. Many newborns become fussy with tummy time, so these sessions may be short at first.
o Respond quickly to tears. For most newborns, crying spells peak at 6 weeks and then slowly decline. It may mean that he needs a diaper change, a feeding session, or simply warm contact. Respond quickly. This will develop a strong connection with you and your baby. Your baby will develop confidence to settle down without your help one day.
All babies are different and may reach certain developmental milestones before others, and that is very normal. There’s typically no cause for unnecessary concern. It’s good to be aware of warning signs, however. Consult your baby’s doctor if your concerned or if you notice any red flags by 3 months:
- Hasn’t shown improvement in head control
- Doesn’t respond to sounds or visual cues, such as loud noises or bright lights
- Doesn’t smile at people or at the sound of your voice
- Doesn’t follow moving objects with his or her eyes
- Doesn’t notice his or her hands
- Doesn’t grasp and hold objects
Every baby is unique; however, as a mother, it is important to pay attention to instincts. The earlier a problem is detected, the earlier it can be resolved.
Here are links to subsequent stages of development: