As parents, it’s essential to recognize the key milestones in your infant’s development. These milestones serve as benchmarks for growth and can help you understand what to expect as your little one progresses. Here are three practical examples of milestones in infant development.
Around the age of 6 to 8 weeks, infants begin to show social smiles. This is a significant milestone, as it indicates that your baby is starting to engage and connect with those around them.
When you smile at your baby, they may respond with a smile of their own, showcasing their developing social skills. This interaction is crucial for emotional bonding and helps your baby learn about relationships. You might notice them smiling more when you talk or sing to them, which encourages further interaction.
Note: Some babies may smile a bit later, and that’s perfectly normal. Every child develops at their own pace, so be patient and continue to engage with them.
Tummy time is a critical activity for infants, typically recommended to start from birth. By the time your baby is about 3 to 4 months old, they should be able to lift their head while lying on their stomach. This milestone is vital as it strengthens their neck, shoulders, and back muscles, laying the groundwork for future skills like rolling over and crawling.
During tummy time, place your baby on a soft surface and engage them with colorful toys or your face. You’ll likely see them pushing themselves up with their arms, which is a great sign of muscle development. If they seem frustrated, try to keep tummy time short and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable.
Variation: If your baby isn’t quite lifting their head yet, don’t worry! Just keep practicing tummy time in small increments, and make it a fun experience with your encouragement.
By around 12 months, many infants will start to say their first recognizable words, such as