What are Developmental Milestones?
Milestones are checkpoints in a baby’s development as they grow. These are easily recognizable skills that infants should be able to perform by the time they are of a certain age. Walking, talking, rolling over and reacting to sounds are some of the milestones that babies should be reaching.
Babies grow at an astounding pace. In about 5-6 months from their births, their body weights double; and, by the time they finish 1 year, they triple. However, every baby develops at their own pace. It is not abnormal for a healthy infant to lag.
Developmental milestones are classified into 5 types –
- Gross motor development milestones
- Fine motor development milestones
- Language development milestones
- Cognitive development milestones
- Social-emotional development milestones
What Do You Expect from a Newborn Baby?
Newborn babies’ senses are still developing. Most of their actions are reflexive, that is, they are automatic; babies cannot exercise conscious control over them. These reflexes are normal for their age and are supposed to fade over time.
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Sucking reflex |
When the area around a newborn’s mouth is touched, they begin sucking. This is called sucking reflex |
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Rooting reflex |
If you touch a baby’s face, they turn their heads towards you. This response, called rooting reflex, fades by the time a baby is 4 months. |
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Moro reflex |
Moro reflex or startle reflex involves the extension of babies’ arms and legs away from their bodies when they fall back or are stunned. In the first month, this response is the most pronounced and usually disappears by the time the babies are 2 or 3 months old. |
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Grasp reflex |
When you place something in a newborn baby’s hand, they hold it tightly. Their grips tighten when you try to pull it back. If they grasp your fingers, you can lift them just by moving your arms. This reflex starts disappearing 2-3 months after a baby is born. |
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Stepping reflex |
Babies move their legs in a stepping motion when you place their feet on a hard surface. The stepping reflex fades by the time babies are 2 months old. |
Is There a Milestone Chart for Parents to Refer?
Yes, experts have devised a special milestone chart for parents to refer. Babies grow at a rapid rate. They attain several milestones every month.
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6 Months |
Likes mirrors; rolls over; begins to say consonants while babbling; brings things to mouth. |
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9 Months |
Fear of strangers; sits without support, crawls, pincer grasp; understands “no,” points with a finger, says “mama” or “baba;” plays “peek-a-boo.” |
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12 Months |
Puts out arm or leg when dressed, cries when familiar people leave; pulls to stand, cruises; response to simple commands, make gestures, puts things in a cup and removes them, bangs things together. |
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18 Months |
Plays simple pretend (like with a doll), kisses/hugs familiar people, walks alone, walks up steps, eats with utensils, says several individual words, says “no,” points to one body part, scribbles with crayon, marker, or pen. |
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2 Years |
Begins playing with other children; stands on tiptoes kicks a ball, throws a ball overhand; two to four-word sentences, points to things in a book, strangers can understand 50% of language; stacks four or more blocks, follows two-step instructions. |
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3 Years |
Dresses/undresses self, copies others, takes turns; walks up and downstairs with one foot per stair, runs easily; strangers can understand 75% of language; stacks six or more blocks, turns pages in a book, pushes buttons and turns knobs. |
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4 Years |
Likes to play with others, more imaginative play; hops on one foot can stand on one foot for two seconds, cuts with scissors; can recite a poem or sing songs, understands basic grammar; identifies some colours and numbers, draws a person with two to four body parts. |
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5 Years |
Differentiates between real and pretend, wants to be like friends; can stand on one foot for 10 seconds, can somersault; easily understood by others, tells stories, uses future tense; counts to 10, draws a person with six body parts, prints some letters and numbers. |
What if My Child Falls Behind the Chart?
Every child is different; they develop at their own pace. There is a range of several months within which a baby should develop certain skills associated with infancy. This gamut is narrow for some milestones while wider for the others.
For instance, if a child can’t follow objects by the time they are 2-months old, it may indicate vision impairment or developmental disorder. On the other hand, not being able to creep around is okay for a 6-month-old infant.
If your child fails to meet the ranges of several checkpoints of the milestone chart, consulting a physician will be necessary; no time should be wasted before talking to your primary healthcare professional.
It may be due to motor impairment, vision or auditory disablement, or developmental disorders. Pre-born babies and the with birth defects, genetic disabilities, metabolic abnormalities, and neurological problems are at a higher risk for this. Also, parental depression may slow down the developmental process.
If your child is advancing slowly, according to the chart, make sure that visible progress is being made. Though, attaining milestones in infancy is a factor in determining a person’s later progress, other predictors screen its effect.
Reference Links:-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4925077/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557518
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4925077/
By -
Dr. Ruchika Singh
24-March-2023
