Things to watch for Babies

Things to watch for Babies

Babies all develop at a different rate. But there are things to look out for so you know your child is developing normally.

By one month your baby should:

• 'startle' at loud noises
• suck and swallow easily
• show gains in weight and height
• make eye contact when awake and being held.

By four months your baby should:

• start to raise head and upper body when lying on tummy
• return a smile
• follow a moving object with both eyes
• turn head to locate sounds
• reach for familiar objects or familiar people.

By eight months your baby should:

• smile, babble and laugh aloud
• appear interested in new and unusual sounds
• reach for and grasp objects and search for hidden objects
• sit unsupported.

By 12 months your baby should:

• blink when fast moving objects approach the eye
• pull to stand
• creep or crawl on hands and knees
• imitate simple sounds
• transfer objects from hand to hand.

By 18 months to two years your baby should:

• attempt to talk or repeat words
• walk alone with very little help
• show different emotions: anger, delight, fear
• show an interest in pictures.

Check with your child health nurse or doctor if your baby hasn't reached these milestones by the ages suggested.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

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