During the first year of life your baby responds best to a warm, loving environment. Holding your baby and responding to her cries are essential in building a strong, healthy bond. Remember, you can't "spoil" a baby.
Use these guidelines to offer age-appropriate activities for your baby. Click on each month for even more week-by-week developmental information. Remember, these are just guidelines, and a healthy child may achieve a milestone later than average. If your child is lagging in several areas, contact your pediatrician for advice.
By the end of month one a baby typically:
- Lifts head for short periods of time
- Moves head from side to side
- Prefers the human face to other shapes
- Makes jerky, arm movements
- Brings hands to face
- Has strong reflex movements
- Can focus on items 8 to 12 inches away
- May turn towards familiar sounds or voices
- Responds to loud sounds
- Blinks at bright lights
By the end of month two a baby typically:
- Smiles
- Tracks objects with his eyes
- Makes noises other than crying
- May repeat vowel noises, such as "ah" or "ooh"
Watch Video: Newborn Care
By the end of month three a baby typically:
- Raises head and chest when put on tummy
- Lifts head up 45 degrees
- Kicks and straightens legs when on back
- Open and shuts hands
- Pushes down with legs when placed on a hard surface
- Reaches for dangling objects
- Grasps and shakes hand toys
- Tracks moving objects
- Begins to imitate sounds
- Recognizes familiar objects and people, even at a distance
- Begins to develop a social smile
- Begins to develop hand-eye coordination
- Brings both hands together
- Interested in circular and spiral patterns
- Kicks legs energetically
- Holds head up with control