What to Expect the First Year of your
Baby's Life
What to
expect the first year
A newborn requires an environment filled with love and warmth. During
this crucial time in your baby`s life, it`s important to cuddle them,
hold them and talk to them. This promotes bonding between you
and your newborn. By the close of
month one, most newborns reach several milestones. They will have the
ability to hold their head up for short periods of time, turn their head
in the direction of voices and sounds that are familiar, turn their head
from side to side, touch their own face and move their arms.
By the end of a baby`s second month, they can smile, make noises besides
crying and track objects with their eyes. When they complete their third
month, they can kick their legs, bring their hands together, raise their
head and chest when placed on their stomach, grip and shake toys, reach
for hanging objects and recognize familiar people and objects.
When a baby reaches the end of four months, they begin to sleep at least
six hours a night and can roll over. They can lift their head up to
about 90 degrees and will begin to babble. Babies who are four months
old can also sit if a parent supports them. By five months, the baby
will gather toys toward them in a raking motion and begin to teethe.
Six-month-old babies can typically sit by themselves and drink from a
cup with assistance. They can hold a bottle and utter two-syllable
sounds. When a four-month-old sits, they can also hold their head level.
As a newborn completes their seventh month, they will usually be able to
play peek-a-boo, imitate sounds and feed themselves with finger foods.
A baby who is eight months old will sleep longer. In fact, it isn`t
unusual for an eight month old to sleep between eleven and thirteen
hours each night. The baby at this age often responds to their own name
and enjoys dropping objects as they sit in their high chair.
Eight-month-old babies also begin to demonstrate separation anxiety when
they are taken away from their parents.
Nine-month-old babies like to grab feeding utensils and pick up small
objects. They enjoy reaching for their toys and can move from their
stomach to a sitting position. Interestingly, they also recognize
themselves when peering into a mirror. When a baby reaches the end of
ten months, they can switch objects between their hands and pull
themselves up to their feet. As long as they hold on to someone, they
can stand.
By the end of eleven months, a baby will be able to say, "da-da" and
"ma-ma". They also have the ability to wave goodbye and understand when
parents tell them, "no". Eleven-month-old babies can also clap their
hands.
When a baby reaches a year old, they can shake their head "no" and are
nervous of strangers. Babies of this age like to open and shut cabinets
as well as remove their own socks. They can walk as long as an adult
helps. Babies of this age are also capable of sharing toys as long as
the toys are returned to them. Before you know it, babies grow up to
sleep in
childrens beds,
leaving their baby cribs behind them.
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