The Monthly Development of a Baby

Months One and Two

• In the beginning babies can only see up to 12 inches in front of their faces. Newborns can hear just as well as adults and prefer to listen to human voices. Newborns have very strong reflexes, such as the startle reflex and rooting reflex. In the first month, babies cry a lot, as this is the only form of communication known. By the end of the first month a baby should be able to lift his head for short amounts of time. She may begin to smile, coo and follow an item to mid-line in front of her face with her eyes. She should also be able to turn her head from side to side when laying down.

  In the second month, babies begin to make jerky movements with the limbs. Cuddling with parents is very important to young babies' development. Young infants like listening to classical music and being read to. Two month old babies can make more noises than crying and may try to copy sounds that parents make. By the end of two months, most babies laugh. At this age babies can grasp a rattle for a short amount of time. Babies at two months begin to show a preference for parents over other people. Now the baby's personality will be starting to emerge.

Months Three and Four

• In the third month, babies can raise the head and chest when laying on the stomach. Three month old babies can reach for objects that are interesting and are able to grasp and shake toys. Babies at this age are able to give social smiles and recognize familiar people and items. Most of these babies can hold the head up well.

  Four month old babies may begin to sleep through the night. At this age babies begin to roll over, usually from stomach to back. Babies will begin to babble between three and four months. Babies at four months can recognize the source of food, such as a breast or bottle. At this stage, many babies can sit with support from parents. Teething may begin around four months.

Months Five and Six

• Five month old babies begin to pay attention to small objects and learn to use a raking motion to bring items closer. By this age, babies can see across a room. Contrasting colors are really interesting to babies at this age. Cause and effect is being learned, which is why many babies at this stage will drop a toy repeatedly for the parent's reaction.

  At six months, babies begin to sit without support. Many babies may be able to roll both ways at this point. Babies now react to strangers and can show displeasure when parents take a toy away. A baby may now be able to start drinking from a cup, and this is the age when doctors recommend parents begin offering solid foods. Six month old babies can transfer items between hands and watch where an item goes when dropped.

Months Seven and Eight

• At seven months, babies should be crawling. This is a good age for babies to learn to self feed with finger foods such as toast strips and well-cooked vegetables. Seven month old babies are able to play peek-a-boo and imitate many sounds. Babies this age can tell what emotion parents are feeling through the tone of voice.

  An eight month old baby can recognize his name and respond to it. Separation anxiety can occur when babies are taken away from mom or dad. Babies this age are able to point at objects of interest. A baby can now recognize the image of himself in a mirror.

Months Nine and Ten

• Nine month old babies understand where an item goes when dropped. Babies at this age are very interested in self feeding with a spoon. At this stage, babies are able to go from the stomach to sitting without help. Many babies have now mastered the pincer grip and can pick up tiny objects. Nine-month-olds can usually say mama or dada.

  At ten months, babies understand the concept of object permanence. Many babies this age can pull to standing on furniture, and some ten-month-olds even walk with or without help from parents. At this age babies may be beginning to talk or imitating adults' words and actions. Babies this age can usually wave bye bye and clap.

Months Eleven and Twelve

• Eleven month old babies understand the concept of the word no, but may not always listen. A lot of babies can now also understand other words and phrases, but probably can't say much. At this age, babies love to feed themselves, whether by hand or with a spoon. Babies can be more clingy at this age because of separation anxiety regarding parents.

  Babies this age should have tripled their birth weight. Now a baby can communicate the word no, either by talking or shaking his head. Many twelve-month-olds can understand simple commands. At this point babies tend to be able to cruise along furniture, and some even walk without parents' help. One-year-olds usually have stranger anxiety and may cry when meeting new people.