Congratulations you have had a beautiful baby but now you are wondering – what’s next? Well, there is no need to panic because this is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of parenting, watching your baby grow every single day. It is one of the joys and the changes in your child can be massive over the course of two years so yes, the old “enjoy it while you can” is important here, however, overused the expression is.
Congratulations you have had a beautiful baby but now you are wondering – what’s next? Well, there is no need to panic because this is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of parenting, watching your baby grow every single day. It is one of the joys and the changes in your child can be massive over the course of two years so yes, the old “enjoy it while you can” is important here, however, overused the expression is. Here are some of the major developmental stages you can expect in the first two years and buckle up as it is going to be so much fun!
0 – 3 months
- It may seem too early but within 3 months your tiny one will be responding to you and smiling at you too! This is going to be emotional!
- Babies learn to raise their head while on your chest – tummy time.
- Follow objects and YOU!
- Learns about their hands and begins to move them.
- Begins to grip things – watch out for your hair; you have been warned!
4 - 6 months
- Learns more about their hands and movements so expect more grabbing and pulling!
- Will enjoy rolling over from front to back before trying to figure out how to get the hell back into position – cue lots of crying!
- Begin the beautiful sounds of babbling and “talking” to you.
- The first laughs should be around this time and it will be pure joy.
- Your baby will enjoy playing with objects and pay more attention to things around them.
- Move their head more and sit up with lots of support.
6 – 9 months
- Your tiny baby will begin to grow FAST and learn how to motor around by beginning to roll over more and moving backwards and forwards!
- All babies are different, but some begin to crawl and scoot around on their bum. This is the time most parents should “baby proof” the home as baby becomes more adventurous and nosy.
- Sit up perfectly with little or no support.
- Become more tuned to language and your calls to them. Your baby may even start to say their first words like “mama” or “dada” to your obvious delight.
- Baby’s at this age understand playing and love games like peekaboo or anything that encourages laughing.
- You may notice your baby will begin to stand which may make you slightly nervous!
9 – 12 months
- Your baby may now decide you are useless at feeding them and grab the spoon to do it themselves, albeit messily!
- Start cruising around the house with support from furniture or your hands while lovingly smashing items you really should have put away!
- Baby will pay more attention to objects and point or grab at things more – this may include your hair, boob, phone or delicious cake!
- Start chatting more with 3 or more words now spoken usually by their 1st birthday.
- Imitate you and your mannerisms – you may find your baby “on the phone” or trying to pretend to cook dinner! Therefore, role models in parenting are vitally important.
- Take loads of steps and begin to walk!
12 – 24 months
- Your baby will learn to follow instructions and respond to gestures and language.
- And he/she will get objects from other places when asked to do so along with learning about their body and telling you were their “arm” is. Your kid will be the smartest kid; ever!
- They become more inquisitive and ask about objects, foods and places they go to. Baby’s at this age usually bring things to their parents to show them and get excited.
- Will talk more and more while learning how to run – we’ve got to be honest here, the talking is funny, but the running isn’t!
- Will begin to test the water and demand things as and when they want them – this is the terrible twos coming up and that my dears, is a whole other article!!!
There are loads of great milestones and if you are worried about your child’s development, talk to your family doctor. Remember most babies develop on their own terms!
Written by Emma Hayes staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.emmamadjotters.com.