Newborn Babies -Baby Development Milestones

age one month
Raises head slightly off floor or bed when lying on stomach. Holds head up momentarily when supported Briefly watches and follows object with eyes Avoids mildly annoying sensations (placement of cloth on face) Some "Noise in Throat" sounds
age two months	birth to six months
Hold head erect, bobbing, when supported in sitting position Follows moving person with eyes Imitates or responds to smiling person with occasional smile Vocalizes	I smile I look at faces I listen to voices or noises I lift my head when I’m on my tummy I follow moving objects with my eyes I hold a rattle or toy I babble or coo I roll over I pull to sitting holding someone’s fingers I recognize and reach for Mommy
age three months
Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach Vigorous body movement Head control is improving Recognizes breast or bottle Coos-Chuckles Social and emotional development between 0-4 months: communicate by crying enjoy being cuddled smile spontaneously
age four months	six months to one year
Good head control Rolls from side to side Takes object, such as a rattle, held near hand May begin reaching Follows moving object when held in sitting position Laughs aloud Enjoys play Social and emotional development between 4-9 months: cry, smile, kick, coo, laugh to attract attention respond differently to strangers (stranger anxiety, 8 months)	I sit alone I say "Mama" or "Dada" I crawl I clap my hands I recognize familiar words I copy speech sounds I pull myself to stand I use my fingers to eat some foods I understand "No" I take steps with help I say "peek-a-boo"
age six months
Sits with minimal support Rolls from back to stomach Transfers object from hand to hand and from hand to mouth Babbles-more than two sounds
age nine months	one year to eighteen months
Sits alone Changes position without falling Plays with 2 objects at the same time Unwraps block Says Mama-Baba Social and emotional development, 10-12 months: pay attention to his or her name tease and test parent's limits learn to cooperate display separation anxiety and stranger anxiety be curious	I walk alone I say several words I try to feed myself with a spoon I stack 2 or more blocks I follow simple directions such as "bring your shoes" I scribble on paper I run and jump I turn pages in a book I point to 3-5 pictures in a book

	eighteen months to two years
	I put 2-3 words together I pedal my tricycle I balance on one foot I begin to use the toilet or potty I like to be "the boss" I ask a lot of questions I jump with both feet I tell you how I feel (sad, mad) I climb the stairs I copy circles or lines I understand "In", "On", "Out."
Social and emotional development
1-2 years	begin to become independent may become angry if activities are interrupted respond to simple commands by adult show anger through aggressive behavior have temper tantrums
2-3 years	-defend possessions, but is -beginning to share -participate in simple group activity -be loving, engaging, -enthusiastic and appreciative AND explosive, tense, rigid, insecure, and easily frustrated
Those who work with families with young children suggest that you may want to seek help if:
For your child	-your baby is not sleeping or eating well on a continuous basis -you think your young child may hurt self or others (is angry or excessively destructive) your young child is very sad, depressed or nervous most of the time -your child's play is always aggressive -you child's behavior suddenly changes (begins to act very differently) -you have a concern about your child's development (such as walking, talking) -your child regresses (goes back) to an earlier behavior -your child is unusually advanced in sexual behavior -your young child has a medical condition that could affect emotional or physical growth -your child has lead poisoning
For parents and caregivers	- you can't function--you feel at the end of your rope -you have a gut feeling something is not right-you are very sad, depressed, or nervous most of the time -you are having trouble having positive feelings about your child most of the time
For all family members, if the following occur	-physical abuse -neglect -divorce -illness or death of loved one -sexual abuse -violent event (murder, rape) -separation -move to new location or school
These are only guidelines. You are the best judge of when you or your child needs help. Your doctor and other professionals can help with any concerns you may have.
Help Me Grow of Cuyahoga County provides developmental screenings and evaluations (including emotional development evaluations) for children birth to three. Help Me Grow can connect you to community resources that will meet your child's needs. Ongoing home visiting services are also offered that help to address your needs. Call 216-736-4300
First Call for Help 211 or 216-436-2000 Cuyahoga County United Way's 24-hour hotline for community resources and referrals.

-back to newborn babies main page-