Infant Development
From LoveToKnow Baby
Once you get over the initial rush of having your newborn home for the first time, you will probably start to wonder what the signs are of normal infant development. Your baby will go through lots of changes over the next few months, and the time will fly by. Although your infant seems so tiny and helpless, her development will continue to grow in leaps and bounds.
Baby's Development: First Month
The first month of your infant's life will bring lots of changes. Your baby is adjusting to the world around her. Life is very different from her world inside the womb. There are lots of lights, loud sounds, and new faces for her to become familiar with. It's a lot for one little person to take in! In those first few weeks, your infant will sleep a lot, but not for long periods of time. Her tummy is small, and she'll need to eat every two hours or so. Because of this, she'll awaken often, and she won't care if it is day or night. For the first few weeks, your days will pass in a blur of feeding, burping, changing diapers, and rocking your infant. You'll be sleep-deprived, and your baby will be adapting to all of the changes her development has in store for her. Cuddling, singing, taking care of, and talking to her will be your priorities for this first month. Oh, and don't forget to get as much rest as possible for yourself, too!
Second Month
In the second month of your infant's life, your baby will most likely bestow upon you his first, brilliant smile. Suddenly, your world will light up as you genuinely interact with your child. Once your baby figures out how to smile, he'll continue to do so more and more often, although laughing may not follow for a couple more months. Your baby will probably begin to straighten out her days from her nights, staying awake during the day for longer periods of time. She'll probably still want to eat every two to three hours, however. It's important to give your baby some tummy time each day. Be sure you supervise her, and never leave her alone on a raised surface. This tummy time will help her strengthen her head and neck muscles. Remember, however to always lay her down to sleep on her back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Third Month
During your baby's third month, he'll probably greet you with a big grin when you go to get him from his crib. He knows how to show his pleasure, and he'll revel in it. He may be settling into a more definite sleep pattern, and the times between feedings may be getting a little longer. He loves to interact with you, and he'll enjoy looking at his baby books and playing with his toys. You should still only be giving your baby breast milk or formula at this time.
Four Through Six Months
Sometime between four and six months of age, your pediatrician will probably tell you to begin feeding your infant. You'll want to look for signs that your baby is ready to begin eating solid foods. Breast milk or formula should still be the main staple of your baby's diet, but you can begin introducing solid foods, one food at a time to rule out food allergies. Looking for other signs of normal infant development at this time? Your baby will also begin sitting up with support at this time, and he'll enjoy handling his toys, looking at board books, and playing with his favorite person...you! He should be settling into a more structured sleep pattern, and he'll probably be taking two or three naps during the day.
Problems With Infant Development
If at any time you are worried about your baby's development, you should contact your pediatrician. You should already be taking your baby to well-child visits, and your doctor should be examining your baby to make sure she is meeting her developmental milestones. Remember, however, children develop at different rates, so just because your baby doesn't develop as quickly as your friend or relative's baby, doesn't necessarily mean that anything is wrong. For more information on infant development, visit these articles.
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