Baby Development Stages

From The First Week - To The First Birthday

Baby development stages are never the same for any two babies. While some may smile at 6 weeks, others will not smile until nearer 3 months. Some babies will walk at 12 months, others won't bother for a while after that. My little boy was walking by 13 months, but my little girl would just roll over and over on the floor until she got to where she wanted. She would then pull herself up and just stand there. She didn't walk properly until she was just over 16 and a half months (at one stage we were getting quite worried) Then one day she just did it... and there was no stopping her :-)

Your baby's development stages can be categorized, but baby growth and development won't follow a single line. Don't assume that your baby should be doing this certain thing by this certain age. It just doesn't work this way with babies!

You midwife and health visitor will of course advise you if you feel that baby's growth and development is not what it should be. If you are worried about anything have a word, they may tell you to wait a while and give it a little longer.

Some researchers now claim that baby sign language can be a huge benefit to parents and babies. Teaching your baby to sign can help with all round communication. Take a look at baby sign language books.

Let's take a walk through baby development month by month. Get one of those baby record books and note each baby milestone down. You will be amazed at how quickly your baby learns new things, and how quickly you will forget what it was!

The first of the baby development stages - Month 1, the first 4 weeks.

The next stage, month 2.

And the next, month 3.

Development stages months 4 through to month 6.

The next stage Months 7 to 9.

And finally month 10 to month 12.

One important piece of advice for all new parents - Take each day as it comes. Some will be easy, some will be hard. Your baby is finding her personality, she's learning from you, and she loves you so much. Enjoy this time, it passes too quickly.

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