Baby’s Growth and Development

Age	Physical	Psychological	Social	Needs
At birth	- Mostly reflex behaviour, few voluntary movement like gripping objects firmly and turning the head. - Has developed the five senses and can suck, swallow, establish eye contact and respond to sound. - Unable to lift the head when lying on tummy; head requires support.	- Begins to recognize voices of parents - Sleeps easily when in contact with mother’s body. - Soothed by handling.	- May sleep most of the time, even during feeding. - Cries vigorously when hungry. - Easily startled by loud, sudden noise.	- Warmth, quiet and cleanliness. - Security object like blanket. - Talk to her when she is awake.
1st month	- Involuntary movements, e.g. spreading fingers. - Can lift head occasionally. - Sucks thumb and fingers or puts whole hand into mouth.	- Aware of familiar routines. - Cries if over or under-stimulated. - Begins to trust caregivers.	- Has a good social smile. - Squeaks or sighs with satisfaction after feeding.	- Brightly colored mobiles attached to side of cot. - Establish eye contact with your baby; talk to, smile at and above all, love your baby. - Feedings adjusted to suit mother and baby’s needs.
3rd month	- Can move body and roll on side. - Kicks legs vigorously. - Voluntary movements like grasping objects and waving. - Eyes can follow moving objects.	- Loves visual stimulation, especially high contrast images (primary colors and details). - Understands that crying can procure attention; protests if needs are not met. - Discovers hands and feet; likes to watch them.	- Uses voice to make gurgling noises other than crying. - Fixes eyes on mother and smiles. - Learns cause and effect, e.g. hitting a mobile makes it swing.	- Longer bath time to play and splash. - Opportunity to stretch, wriggle and explore his environment. - Keep smiling at your baby. - Keep displaying colorful objects and introduce a musical toy. - Keep hugging and loving your baby; more physical contact comforts her.
4-5th month	- Weight doubled. - Sight more acute and delights in bright colors. - Has hand-eye coordination as she reaches out for objects.	- Is aware that objects and people (mental development) have names, e.g. Mama - Explores by tasting; good time to begin teething ring. - Is more alert and playful.	- Demonstrates dislike for some activities, e.g. pushes your hand away when you wipe her face. - Recognizes the breast or bottle and shows interest and excitement when they are in sight.	- Grasping toys; let her grasp your finger. - Introduce clapping to her. - Spend more time playing with your baby.

Age	Physical	Psychological	Social	Needs
6th month	- Can wriggle on stomach and roll. - Can sit with some support for long periods. - First tooth may appear; indicates commencement of teething.	- Interested in surroundings. - Watches everyone’s actions. - Loves to play and chuckle. - Always reaching for toys, waving and grasping them before placing in mouth. - Time to introduce solids. - Starts to develop a memory; understands that an object might be behind something.	- Babbles in syllables, responds when called. - Practices sounds. - Can differentiate familiar faces and strangers. - Enjoys repetition and rhythm; plays games that involve these factors.	- Space to kick and roll safely. - Chance to sit with firm support. - Introduce toys of different shapes and musical toys, e.g. simple ones like cotton reels. - Interaction with parents and family. - Play peek-a-boo with your baby. - Bounce your baby up and down on your lap.
9th month	- Can sit steadily without supporting the back. - Can crawl. - Is able to hold milk bottle. - Can clap and wave voluntarily.	- Can focus on one toy and analyze a use of it. - Understands the nesting of object; can associate shapes, e.g. fit a round object in a round hole.	- Understands “No”. - Imitates sounds; laughs or even shouts for attention. - Recognizes familiar faces and gestures; may avoid strangers.	- Interacts with friendly adults. - Longer time to play in the bath. - A safe environment as he begins to move around more. - A baby bouncer is suitable because he likes to feel his feet. - Sing, recite nursery rhymes and play music for your baby.
10th month	- Begins to walk if you hold her hands. - Starts to associate words with gestures and may repeat a single word or sound over and over. - Changes her position from sitting to lying down, and vice versa, easily. - Helps you to dress her by holding out her arm or foot. - Can follow simple actions like clapping hands or waving goodbye.			- Let your baby hold your fingers as she tries to walk. - Teach her simple actions through nursery rhymes or games. - When you are dressing your baby, show appreciation when she tries to help. - Keep talking to your baby and keep hugging and loving her.
11th month	- May be able to stand up from a sitting position now. - Once she is able to stand, she can usually turn on her side as well. - She can squat to pick up objects. - Begins to control the movement of spoon from hand to mouth. - Her babbling may now contain a few intelligible words.			- Play with your baby games that she loves, like peek-a-boo. - Now that you know what phrases your baby understands, try to add to her vocabulary.

Age	Physical	Psychological	Social	Needs
12th month	- Keeps trying to pull herself up to stand on her own. - May try to take a step with support. - Learns how to lower from standing position with hands, followed by squatting, flopping forward onto hands and knees. - Can throw things out of his cot on purpose. - Learns how to hold a cup and drink from it.	- Models adult behavior. - Imitates surrounding sounds.	- Is enthusiastic about play, e.g. voice games, peek-a-boo. - Can say short syllables like “Mama”. - Understands “give” and “wave goodbye”.	- More stimulatory playthings. - Space to crawl, stand and try to walk safely. - Ready encouragement and interaction with family members.