SPECIALFEATURE:BABIES&KIDS
the ?rst 12 months
D E V E L O P M E N T A L
One Month Most babies: • Lift head • Look at faces up-close • Startle at loud noises and respond to sound Some babies: • Make ‘oooh’ and ‘aahh’ noises • Follow objects A few babies: • Smile or laugh Three Months Most babies: • Smile and laugh • Follow objects • Hold head steady • Recognise your face Some babies: • Coo and squeal • Push up on arms • Open and shut hands and bring hands to mouth A few babies: • Bring hands together • Roll over • Grip or reach for objects
M I L E S T O N E S
New mums and dads often wonder (and sometimes worry) about what their baby should be doing at certain ages. It’s hard not to compare your no-interest-in-crawlingwhatsoever daughter to your neighbour’s off-like-a-shot ?ve-month-old son. So what can you expect from your one-month-, six-month- or 12-month-old? Though all babies develop at very different rates, here are some milestones to look out for during the ?rst year (give or take a few months!).
Six Months Most babies: • Roll in both directions • Babble/blow bubbles • Grab objects • Play with feet Some babies: • Sit with support • Brings objects to mouth • Show interest in food/ready for solids A few babies: • Start to crawl • Combine syllables • Manipulate toys with hands Nine Months Most babies: • Sit without support • Crawl • Respond to familiar words • Clap and pass things between hands • Stand while holding onto something Some babies: • ‘Cruise’ while holding onto furniture • Use forefinger and thumb to pick up objects • Respond to familiar words/names A few babies: • Say ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ (and mean it) • Play patty cake and peek-a-boo
One Year Most babies: • Wave hello and goodbye • Stand for a few seconds without holding on • Point and indicate wants with gestures • Says ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ • ‘Cruise’ while holding onto furniture • Help while getting dressed (push hands into sleeves) • Stack and sort toys • Drink from a cup • Have some degree of ‘stranger anxiety’ Some babies: • Say a few words other than ‘mama’ and ‘dada’ • Takes a few unaided steps • Imitate behaviour like talking on the phone A few babies: • Walk well • Draw with crayons • Say two words together
How much should my baby be sleeping?
Much like developmental milestones, sleeping patterns vary greatly from baby to baby. Alhough there’s no perfect recipe for sleep, here are some general guidelines regarding how much sleep your little angel should be getting.
Age 1 month 3 months 6 months 9 months 12 months Total Sleep 16-18 hours 14-16 hours 14-15 hours 13-14 hours 13-14 hours Nightime Sleep 8-9 hours 9-10 hours 10-11 hours 10-12 hours 11-12 hours Naps 3-5 3-4 2-3 2-3 1-2
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