It’s my general assumption that just about every new (and probably some which are no longer so new) parent is obsessed with developmental milestones and when their child hits them. I got an email from babycenter.com a few days ago and noticed they have an interesting little chart full of milestones which are broken down by month, as well as indications about how many kids achieve these things in each month of life.
I know there’s probably hundreds of these types of charts and lists around…but I find babycenter to be quite good about everything else…so I trust their input. That said, here’s a breakdown of what Mackenzie is doing already…
In her first month, she was already doing all of the mastered skills and emerging skills…and was smiling as well as almost holding her head at a 45-degree angle. She’s been working that head from the get go and has always been quite strong.
We’re two weeks into month two, but she has all the mastered skills down (although we’re not following objects too often just yet), she smiles and laughs at us ALL THE TIME (especially when her daddy makes off-color jokes), she’s holding her head at a 45-degree angle and her movements have definitely gotten smoother. Since she’s been lifting her head since day one and pushing herself away from us, she can hold her head very steady already…and as of today can bear her full weight on her legs (she could handle most of it for the last few weeks). She hasn’t moved on to mini-pushups yet but I get the feeling that they aren’t too far behind. Or maybe I’m just not seeing them. She can flip her head from side-to-side and often does while she’s sleeping…so maybe we’ve already ticked all these things off the list too…with two more weeks to go until she hits the beginning of the 3 months timeframe.
I would dare to say that she already recognizes the faces of Stefan, my mom and myself. You can talk to her and she’ll sometimes turn towards you…and then start laughing when you talk to her. It’s great. She is definitely squealing and gurgling already. And she has been blowing bubbles for at least a week now.
Now with all that being said, I see that one of the advanced skills at 4 months is being ready for solid foods. I think that if she has her say in the matter, she will definitely be starting on solids. She’s ravenous as it is and I don’t think the breastmilk is going to continue to quench her appetite much longer. It barely seems to be enough now.
And at 9 months, I was already walking and breaking ou of my crib…so it just may be that these next few months are the calm before the storm. 😉
| Child’s Age |  Mastered Skills (most kids can do) |
Emerging Skills (half of kids can do) |
Advanced Skills (a few kids can do) |
| 1 month | • Lifts head when lying on tummy • Responds to sound • Stares at faces |
• Follows objects briefly with eyes • Vocalizes: oohs and aahs • Can see black-and-white patterns |
• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle |
| 2 months | • Vocalizes: gurgles and coos • Follows objects across field of vision • Notices his hands • Holds head up for short periods |
• Smiles, laughs • Holds head at 45-degree angle • Makes smoother movements |
• Holds head steady • Can bear weight on legs • Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup) |
| 3 months | • Recognizes your face and scent • Holds head steady • Visually tracks moving objects |
• Squeals, gurgles, coos • Blows bubbles • Recognizes your voice • Does mini-pushup |
• Rolls over, from tummy to back • Turns toward loud sounds • Can bring hands together, bats at toys |
| 4 months | • Smiles, laughs • Can bear weight on legs • Coos when you talk to him |
• Can grasp a toy • Rolls over, from tummy to back |
• Imitates sounds: “baba,” “dada” • Cuts first tooth • May be ready for solid foods |
| 5 months | • Distinguishes between bold colors • Plays with his hands and feet |
• Recognizes own name • Turns toward new sounds • Rolls over in both directions |
• Sits momentarily without support • Mouths objects • Separation anxiety may begin |
| 6 months | • Turns toward sounds and voices • Imitates sounds • Rolls over in both directions |
• Is ready for solid foods • Sits without support • Mouths objects • Passes objects from hand to hand |
• Lunges forward or starts crawling • Jabbers or combines syllables • Drags objects toward himself |
