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The growth of my baby
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From birth to one month  |
A routine will emerge and even the most difficult babies to feed will eventually eat and you will enjoy your baby. As a rule a baby feeds five to eight times a day and sleeps for twenty hours a day. During this time the baby begins to make basic distinctions in seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touch. A baby is socially dependent upon the mother. |
From second to third month |
During this time baby begins to become more interesting and slightly less demanding … or as a Mum you have more confidence and are beginning to feel more relaxed.
Baby's senses are now gradually beginning to develop. There are some senses of color and visual exploration. There is starting to be an awareness of being spoken to and babies may respond to touch and movement!
The baby begins to cry, to coo and grunt.
The control of eye muscles improve and baby begins to lift the head.
Babies are now more responsive and are able to display delight or distress. They may smile at a face and they can visually look at a face. |
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From fourth to sixth month |
Baby is now more alert and may be awake for longer periods of time. You can play with him, talk to him and especially sing to him!
The baby now senses sounds around the room.
They start to babble, make most vowels and about half of the consonants and now feed about three to five times a day.
Motor ability is more coordinated. They have control of head and arm movement. Some can grasp and even roll over. The baby enjoys being cuddled
Socially the baby can recognize mother; can distinguish between familiar persons and strangers and no longer smile indiscriminately.
They expect to be fed, dressed, and bathed. |
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From seventh to ninth month |
As babies have greater motor control they are much more fun. They usually can sit and can play on a rug or mat on the floor. They are responsive and may even enjoy the company of other babies. Definitely they respond to people and are very aware of toys and colours.
Baby has control of body and hands. They are able to sit without support and enjoy crawling about.
Babies show specific emotional attachment to mother and they often protest when separated from mother.
Babies begin to enjoy ‘the start’ of games and show response and interest. |
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From 10 months to 1 year |
This is often the stage where babies or toddlers are a real handful….many Mums now realise that this is a full-time job and that they need ‘eyes in the back of their heads’!
Baby now has control of legs and feet, stands, creeps or possibly crawls everywhere. Their hand control is much better and they can hold bricks, rattles or toys for a short time
At this stage the first words may be spoken …they may say one or two words or imitate sounds and some may respond to simple commands.
The feeding pattern has changed and the toddler will have three meals, still with some snacks or drinks. Now less sleep is needed…usually two naps during the day and approximately twelve hours sleep a night.
Curiosity is starting but also there may be the beginning of fear of strangers, of anger or uncertainty. Some babies may respond to their own name, wave bye-bye; play games and understand"no-no!" |
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1 to 1½ years |
The toddler will now be very active and may creep up stairs, walk, and make lines on paper with crayon. They may be able to obey some commands… stop, please and thank you. They should be able to repeat a few words, and be interested in their mirror image. A messy time begins when they may be able to start to try and feed themselves! They are more independent but they still need security and are emotionally dependent on the adults that they know and love. They at all times need consistency in approach, cuddles and a great deal of time and energy from all the adults around them. |
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1½ to 2 years |
The abilities of toddlers at this age vary enormously. Some run really well, some can kick a ball, others can build a 6-cube tower! Some may be beginning to stop using nappies and have the ability to begin to be capable of bowel and bladder control. As long as your toddler is healthy. happy and making progress there is no rush for them to grow up! What they cannot do at two years old they will learn eventually. Not all babies talk at the same time, or walk at the same time even within a family! Some may have a huge vocabulary, others only one or two words. Some children may have temper tantrums or others may be very placid. They are like adults …and we are all different! |
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| Every baby is an individual and so its development is unique. Babies will grow and develop at different times and at varying rates. Some walk before they talk. Some always sleep all night. Some eat well and others need less food. Each and every mother will get to know her own baby but this takes time. The stages below are as always only guidelines and no mother should worry if their baby is different. Enjoy your baby, as all too soon you will have a toddler and then even a two year old.When you and your baby arrive home the real bonding process of mother and baby starts. This is when a mother discovers the true personality of her baby. Even if the baby is not your first one each mother finds that she has to experiment and discover what suits her and this new infant. As a first baby this process can be daunting and often a new Mum feels that this precious bundle is fragile and quite frightening. Grandmothers can be a great help but the final decision is yours and often your own instinct is best. Babies are not really fragile - they often had a tough time arriving in this world - just very dependent and demanding! |
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