Every child develops at different rates, but some simple milestones will help you check your baby’s development. This will help you know what to expect next.
6 months to 9 months
- Responds to name and looks when called
- Says first words
- Pushes up on hands and knees
- Begins to drink from a cup and eat solid foods
- Starts to pick up small objects
- Pull self up to a standing position and walks along furniture
9 months to 12 months
- Stacks one object on top of another
- Plays game like peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake
- Understands what “no” means
- Follows simple instructions
- Can feed self by using fingers
Be patient and loving, and you and your baby will be just fine. Keep your baby’s world fun and natural. If you sense something is wrong, talk to the doctor. The earlier problems are caught, the easier it is to solve them.
Special Needs
- Some signs that your baby may not be developing correctly and may need help are …
- Trouble figuring out simple things like finding an object after seeing it be hidden
- Doesn’t play games like peek-a-boo or pat-a-cake
- Has problems responding when being called from across the room, even when it involves something interesting
- Has difficulty sitting, standing up, reaching for objects, or picking up objects without help
- By age one, has not started to say simple words like mama or dada
- Has sleeping, feeding, or eating problems
- Repeats behavior that could hurt himself (self-biting, banging head)
—- from First5 Advice for New Parents
