Newborns - Baby Development Milestones

Baby development milestones begin early, even before birth. They are often easy to see using an ultrasound or techniques, however, after birth, some milestones may be harder to notice with your baby as you are with them daily. Some of these changes include new motor skills, cognitive development and the visual system developing.
 
The First Month
 
The first month the baby can be expected to exhibit reflex movements. They may bring their hands to the mouth or face, exploring their new senses of touch. By moving their head from side to side they help develop muscle control.
 
Visually at this stage, baby can focus roughly about 20 to 30 centimetres away. Babies eyes will wander, but they're not random, bubs is taking in the scenery and sensations. With bright lights, baby should blink.
 
In reacting to loud sounds and even familiar voices, they can turn the head.
 
The First Trimester
 
Pregnancy has a first trimester and so does baby after birth. During the first three months the newborn is growing and developing quickly. Small improvements and changes seem to come almost daily.
 
Baby’s motor skills are strengthening and getting sharper now. The baby should be able to raise their head slightly when lying on their stomach. Fingers and arm movements and the opening and closing the fists is common as they gain control over their muscles
 
Baby’s sight is sharpening considerably and by the end of three months they follow moving objects deliberately. Recognizing people and objects are clearer and smiling and social skills start to develop.

Hand-eye coordination is becoming stronger.
 
 
Through the Second Trimester
 
Around six to seven months, baby should sit without support of the hands. They should have achieved enough muscle control to reach for and grasp for small objects during this time.
 
They also have full colour vision and can make out objects at a distance, even to the point of recognizing people and things across the room. They can also track people and pets as they move.
 
Cognitive skills will start emerging clearly now and repeating sounds back is common. Later on those sounds will merge in to words. Your baby may respond to his or her name.
 
The First Year
 
Around the end of the first 12 months those sounds and stumbles are now talking and walking. The baby can now make small adventures across the room; they might cling from chair to table.

“Mummy” and “Dada” and other words are now commonplace.
 
Cognitive skills start to really mature and the child will now display certain toys, persons and may exclude items. Challenges to parents also emerge as the word 'no' is now tested often.
 
Summary
 
While your child shares many similarities with other babies of the same age, each child is an individual and will develop at different rates. Each baby is truly unique and a gift. Beware of common assumptions about what is “normal” as some babies may develop late, others early. Baby development milestones are at the very least rough guidelines.