|
|
 |
|
Helping Baby Reach Physical Milestones
The way my first son moved in utero, I swore he'd be kickboxing at birth. Of course, like every newborn, all he could do in those early days was flail his tiny arms and legs. His head was so wobbly that if I held him upright in front of my chest, it would bob and weave before finally dropping onto my shoulder.
Babies have a long way to go before they can toddle swiftly across a room. To accomplish each motor milestone -- whether it's grasping, rolling over, or walking -- an infant needs the right mix of muscular strength, balance, coordination, cognitive development, and, especially, desire. Fortunately, "children have an incredible quest for mobility that helps them pull up against gravity and get on their feet," says Gordon Williamson, Ph.D., an associate clinical professor in the rehabilitation medicine department at John F. Kennedy Medical Center, in Edison, New Jersey. Each physical skill your child conquers becomes a building block for the next, and you can do a lot to help move things along. Follow our guide to the milestones your baby will master in the first 18 months of life. (Age ranges are approximate.)
What do you think of this story? Tell Us.
|
Related Links
|
Related Videos
|
Comments
Please confirm your comment by answering the question below and clicking "Submit Comment."
My son is 3 1/2 months old and still isn't holding his head straight all the time or picking his head up off the floor. What do I do?!
5/20/2011 08:42:48 AM Report AbuseI was so concerned when our little girl Lyla wasn't even trying to crawl at 6 months. She was just kind of rolling around. I began doing exercises with her legs. Just bending and straightening while she was laying on her back. I also held her and put a little weight on her legs a little at a time. She was born in April 2010 and right after Christmas she went from rolling around to getting up and walking across the floor.
2/25/2011 08:01:27 AM Report AbuseI have b/g twins that just turned 1 and my little boy is standing on his own, but hasn't taken any steps yet. My little girl, whom is 2 pounds smaller, hasn't been able to put any weight on her legs yet. I'm starting to get worried because I read all these stories about kids walking at a year, and mine can't even stand up...any pointers on how to help her???
1/26/2011 10:42:39 AM Report AbuseI am a 29 year old first time mom. I read every book I could find to get prepared for parenthood and still found myself lost. I receive weekly updates from this site and it has been not only informative, but assisted in keeping up with each milestone. Gianna is now 9 months and she has hit each marker way ahead of time. Now she is walking and talking and feeding herself with a spoon. I give credit to this site for teaching me ways to encourage her development.
1/6/2010 03:24:32 PM Report Abusemy daughter was three weeks early due to her being 19 inches long at that early and being breech. she is more on track than any baby i have ever known. she is incredibly smart. shes drank from a 6 month old sippy cup at 4 months and shes known what "no" meant since three months. shes six months old now and almost crawling. all of this was not only from her being so smart but also from help with these wonderful articles. thanks alot.
10/21/2009 12:42:21 PM Report AbuseThese articles r SO helpful! As a new & 1st time Mom I've been worried that my daughter was behind due 2 me being induced almost 2 wks early & these help ease my mind. Thnx!
9/30/2009 12:30:32 PM Report Abuse