Baby Care and Development/Baby Development

Cognitive and creative
Creative development could very well be seen as how the child learns in its environment through experimenting in different ways of doing everything. 6-9 months
 * Looks for fallen objects by 7 months
 * Plays ‘peek-a-boo’ games
 * Cannot understand “no” or “Danger”

8-12 months
 * Watches people, objects, and activities in the immediate environment.
 * Shows awareness of distant objects (15 to 20 feet away) by pointing at them.
 * Responds to hearing tests (voice localization); however, loses interest quickly and, therefore, may be difficult to test informally.
 * Follows simple instructions.
 * Reaches for toys that are out of reach but visible
 * Recognizes objects in reverse
 * Drops thing intentionally and repeats and watches object
 * Imitates activities like playing drum loudly

1-4 months
Image:Babysmile.jpg|thumb|A baby's first smile usually occurs four to six weeks after birth.

Physical

 * Average length is 50.8-68.6 cm grows approximately 2.54 cm per month.
 * Weighs an average of 3.6-7.3 kg
 * Gains approximately 0.11-0.22 kg per week.
 * Respiration rate is approximately thirty to forty breaths per minute.
 * Normal body temperature ranges from 35.7-37.5°C.
 * Head and chest circumference are nearly equal.
 * Head circumference increases approximately 1.9 cm per month until two months, then increases 1.6 cm per month until four months. Increases are an important indication of continued brain growth.
 * Continues to breathe using abdominal muscles.
 * Posterior fontanel closes by the second month.
 * Anterior fontanel closes to approximately 1/2 inch (1.3 cm).
 * Skin remains sensitive and easily irritated.
 * Legs may appear slightly bowed.
 * Cries with tears.
 * Eyes begin moving together in unison (binocular vision).

Motor development

 * Rooting and sucking reflexes are well developed.
 * Swallowing reflex and tongue movements are still immature; continued drooling and inability to move food to the back of the mouth.
 * Grasp reflex gradually disappears.
 * Landau reflex appears near the middle of this period; when baby is held in a prone (face down) position, the head is held upright and legs are fully extended.
 * Grasps with entire hand; strength insufficient to hold items. Holds hands in an open or semi-open position.
 * Muscle strength and control improving; early movements are large and jerky; gradually become smoother and more purposeful.
 * Raises head and upper body on arms when in a prone position.
 * Turns head side to side when in a supine (face up) position; near the end of this period can hold head up and in line with the body.
 * Upper body parts are more active: clasps hands above face, waves arms about, reaches for objects.

Physical

 * Puts on 0.5 kg per month in weight, doubling birth weight
 * Grows about 1.3 cm in length per month; average length is 69.8-73.7 cm.
 * Head and chest circumferences are basically equal.
 * Head circumference increases approximately 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) per month untl six to seven months, then 3/16 inch (0.47 cm) per month; head circumference should continue to increase steadily, indicating healthy, ongoing brain growth.
 * Breathing is abdominal; ranges from twenty-five to fifty breaths per minute, depending on activity; rate and patterns vary from infant to infant.
 * Teeth begin to appear, with upper and lower incisors coming in first. Gums may become red and swollen, accompanied by increased drooling, chewing, biting, and mouthing of objects.
 * Legs may appear bowed; bowing gradually disappears as infant grows older.
 * True eye color is established.

Motor development

 * Reflexive behaviors are changing:
 * Blinking reflex is well established
 * Sucking reflex becomes voluntary
 * Moro reflex disappears
 * When lowered suddenly, infant throws out arms as a protective measure.
 * Swallowing reflex appears allows infant to move solid foods from front of mouth to the back for swallowing.
 * Picks up objects using finger and thumb (pincer grip).
 * Reaches for objects with both arms simultaneously; later reaches with one hand or the other.
 * Transfers objects from one hand to the other; grasps object using entire hand (palmar grasp).
 * Handles, shakes, and pounds objects; puts everything in mouth.
 * Able to hold bottle.
 * Sits alone without support, holding head erect, back straightened, and arms propped forward for support
 * Pulls self into a crawling position by raising up on arms and drawing knees up beneath the body; rocks back and forth, but generally does not move forward.
 * Lifts head when placed on back.
 * Can roll over from back or stomach position.
 * May accidentally begin scooting backwards when placed on stomach; soon will begin to crawl forward.

Physical

 * Infants reach approximately 1-1/2 times their birth length by first birthday
 * Weight increases by approximately 0.5 kg per month; birth weight nearly triples by one year of age: infants weigh an average of 9.6 kg.
 * Respiration rates vary with activity: typically, twenty to forty-five breaths per minute.
 * Body temperature ranges from 96.4°F to 99.6°F (35.7-37.5°C); environmental conditions, weather, activity, and clothing still affect variations in temperature.
 * Head and chest circumference remain equal.
 * Continues to use abdominal muscles for breathing.
 * Anterior fontanel begins to close.
 * Approximately four upper and four lower incisors and two lower molars erupt.
 * Arm and hands are more developed than feet and legs (cephalocaudal development); hands appear large in proportion to other body parts.
 * Legs may continue to appear bowed.
 * Feet appear flat as arch has not yet fully developed.
 * Visual acuity is approximately 20/100.
 * Both eyes work in unison (true binocular coordination).
 * Can see distant objects (15 to 20 feet away) and points at them.

Motor development

 * Reaches with one hand leading to grasp an offered object or toy.
 * Manipulates objects, transferring them from one hand to the other.
 * Explores new objects by poking with one finger.
 * Uses deliberate pincer grasp to pick up small objects, toys, and finger foods.
 * Stacks objects; also places objects inside one another.
 * Releases objects or toys by dropping or throwing; cannot intentionally put an object down.
 * Beginning to pull self to a standing position.
 * Beginning to stand alone, leaning on furniture for support; moves around obstacles by side-stepping.
 * Has good balance when sitting; can shift positions without falling.
 * Creeps on hands and knees; crawls up and down stairs.
 * Walks with adult support, holding onto adult's hand; may begin to walk alone.

Psychological development
Trust versus Mistrust (Erik Erikson)

Physical

 * Rate of growth slows
 * Height increases approximately 5cm- 7.6cm with an average height of 81cm – 89cm
 * Weighs 9.6-12.3 kg; gains 0.13-0.25 kg per month; weight is now approximately 3 times the child's birth weight.
 * Respiration rate is typically twenty-two to thirty breaths per minute; varies with emotional state and activity.
 * Heart rate (pulse) is approximately 80 to 110 per minute.
 * Head size increases slowly; grows approximately 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) every six months; anterior fontanel is nearly closed at eighteen months as bones of the skull thicken.
 * Chest circumference is larger than head circumference.
 * Rapid eruption of teeth; six to ten new teeth will appear.
 * Legs may still appear bowed.
 * Body shape changes; takes on more adult-like appearance; still appears topheavy; abdomen protrudes, back is swayed.
 * Visual acuity is approximately 20/60.

Motor development

 * Crawling|Crawls skillfully and quickly.
 * Stands alone with feet spread apart, legs stiffened, and arms extended for support.
 * Gets to feet unaided.
 * Most children walk unassisted near the end of this period; falls often; not always able to maneuver around obstacles, such as furniture or toys.
 * Uses furniture to lower self to floor; collapses backwards into a sitting position or falls forward on hands and then sits.
 * Enjoys pushing or pulling toys while walking.
 * Repeatedly picks up objects and throws them; direction becomes more deliberate.
 * Attempts to run; has difficulty stopping and usually just drops to the floor.
 * Crawls up stairs on all fours; goes down stairs in same position.
 * Sits in a small chair.
 * Carries toys from place to place.
 * Enjoys crayons and markers for scribbling; uses whole-arm movement.
 * Helps feed self; enjoys holding spoon (often upside down) and drinking from a glass or cup; not always accurate in getting utensils into mouth; frequent spills should be expected.
 * Helps turn pages in book.
 * Stacks two to four objects.

Cognitive development

 * Enjoys object-hiding activities
 * Early in this period, the child always searches in the same location for a hidden object (if the child has watched the hiding of an object). Later, the child will search in several locations.
 * Passes toy to other hand when offered a second object (referred to as "crossing the midline"-an important neurological development).
 * Manages three to four objects by setting an object aside (on lap or floor) when presented with a new toy.
 * Puts toys in mouth less often.
 * Enjoys looking at picture books.
 * Demonstrates understanding of functional relationships (objects that belong together): Puts spoon in bowl and then uses spoon as if eating; places teacup on saucer and sips from cup; tries to make doll stand up.
 * Shows or offers toy to another person to look at.
 * Names many everyday objects.
 * Shows increasing understanding of spatial and form discrimination: puts all pegs in a pegboard; places three geometric shapes in large formboard or puzzle.
 * Places several small items (blocks, clothespins, cereal pieces) in a container or bottle and then dumps them out.
 * Tries to make mechanical objects work after watching someone else do so.
 * Responds with some facial movement, but cannot truly imitate facial expression.

Language

 * Produces considerable "jargon": puts words and sounds together into speech-like (inflected) patterns.
 * Holophrastic speech: uses one word to convey an entire thought; meaning depends on the inflection ("me" may be used to request more cookies or a desire to feed self). Later; produces two-word phrases to express a complete thought (telegraphic speech): "More cookie," "Daddy bye-bye."
 * Follows simple directions, "Give Daddy the cup."
 * When asked, will point to familiar persons, animals, and toys.
 * Identifies three body parts if someone names them: "Show me your nose (toe, ear)."
 * Indicates a few desired objects and activities by name: "Bye-bye," "cookie"; verbal request is often accompanied by an insistent gesture.
 * Responds to simple questions with "yes" or "no" and appropriate head movement.
 * Speech is 25 to 50 percent intelligible during this period.
 * Locates familiar objects on request (if child knows location of objects).
 * Acquires and uses five to fifty words; typically these are words that refer to animals, food, and toys.
 * Uses gestures, such as pointing or pulling, to direct adult attention.
 * Enjoys rhymes and songs; tries to join in.
 * Seems aware of reciprocal (back and forth) aspects of conversational exchanges; some turn-taking in other kinds of vocal exchanges, such as making and imitating sounds.

Social

 * Usually friendly toward others; less wary of strangers.
 * Helps pick up and put away toys.
 * Plays by themselves for short periods
 * Enjoys being held and read to.
 * Often imitates adult actions in play.
 * Enjoys adult attention; likes to know that an adult is near; gives hugs and kisses.
 * Recognizes self in mirror.
 * Enjoys the companionship of other children, but does not play cooperatively.
 * Beginning to assert independence; often refuses to cooperate with daily routines that once were enjoyable; resists getting dressed, putting on shoes, eating, taking a bath; wants to try doing things without help.
 * May have a tantrum when things go wrong or if overly tired or frustrated.
 * Exceedingly curious about people and surroundings; toddlers need to be watched carefully to prevent them from getting into unsafe situations.

Psychological
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (will)