Watching Your Baby's Development Milestones

How many times have you overheard a conversation between new parents which sound like this: "My little Johnny just started walking this month. How long has your daughter, Mary, been walking?" Such discussions about a baby's developmental milestones often put a smile on most parents' faces yet nothing can send a new parent into a fit of worry over baby's development faster than a missed milestone. However, there's often no need to panic. Before you start worrying about your baby's development, it's worth learning more about a baby's milestones and what they mean.

Just What Are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones are skills that babies and children learn. Research has shown that most babies will pick up certain skills around a certain age. Doctors use these milestones to track whether or not a baby is developing properly. This is why your child's pediatrician will ask if your baby is smiling, laughing, rolling over, among other things. Your baby's developmental skills fall into the following categories: Social - Cognitive - Gross Motor - Fine Motor - Language

There is typically an age range, not a specific age, in which a child should pick up a certain skill. For instance, most babies can sit up unassisted for a few moments between four and seven months of age.

What if My Baby Is Late?

Developmental milestones provide you with a guide to your child's development. As a parent, you must realize that all babies and children are different. Some children will talk early and walk late, while others will master all of their gross motor skills early but struggle to learn to talk. If your child is a bit late reaching a milestone, do not panic. Do what you can to encourage her to learn that skill, but let her develop at her own pace.

If you find that your child often misses typical milestones, it may be worth talking with your pediatrician. Often, it is not a cause for concern however, if your child does need help, most states provide access to early learning programs to help your baby catch up to the milestones. Early intervention is the key to helping a child with a true developmental delay.

My Baby Is Ahead - Is He a Genius?

Some babies develop certain skills early. They may talk in sentences before their first birthday or walk before they crawl. This can indicate that they are advanced, but this is not always the case. Many times all it means is that they reached a milestone ahead of their peers. As a proud parent, keep nurturing your child's strengths yet be careful to not push her too hard to continue an accelerated pace - let her enjoy childhood. If he is a genius, there will be plenty of time to tap into that knowledge later.

Avoid the Comparing Game

As a parent it is easy to compare your baby to other babies around you. Just because your best friend's baby was walking by age one does not mean your baby needs to be. Remember, your baby is an individual, with individual tastes, strengths, and weaknesses. Let her develop at her own pace, intervening only when your doctor feels it will help. She will soon blossom into the delightful child you are imagining!