Celebrity Health – Dr Sara Kayat

Dr Sara Kayat takes a look at some of the key milestones in the life of babies, and offers some tips for new parents

Image of Dr Sara Kayat: Clare Murthy

The first year of your baby's life is incredible and full of growth and development. There are many milestones along the way that mark these advancements, and observing and supporting these achievements as a parent is so fulfilling. Babies are all unique and may hit these milestones at different times, but it can be helpful to have a general framework. If you have any concerns regarding their milestones, you can discuss this with your health visitor or GP.

0–1 MONTHS
The milestones in these first moments may seem basic, but these instinctive reflexes play a crucial role in your baby's survival.

• Instinctively seek food, warmth and comfort.
• Recognise caregivers' voices.
• Develop a strong bond through eye contact and touch.
• Reflexes like sucking, swallowing and grasping.

PLAY IDEAS
Tummy time can be started from birth. It is required to help them develop their neck and upper body muscles, but also gives the baby a different perspective. It is often easier to start them off by resting them on your chest and when they seem ready, migrating to the floor. Always watch your baby during tummy time. Gentle touch, massage and tickles are all ways to develop their sense of touch, and to offer a soothing way to bond. Their vision is still developing, but if you have any high-contrast (like black and white) images or objects, they may enjoy the patterns.

2–3 MONTHS
During the second and third months, the baby gains more strength in their neck and upper body muscles. They also become more socially responsive.

• Start to lift their head and chest during tummy time and turn their head to the side.
• On their backs, they will wiggle and squirm, waving their arms and legs.
• They can hold a toy that you put in their hands.
• They can follow an object with both eyes, and eye-to-eye contact is deliberately maintained.
• Start cooing and making sounds when you talk to them.
• Smile when spoken to and sees familiar faces.
• Turn to voices.

PLAY IDEAS
If you have a baby gym with hanging toys for your baby to reach out for and bat, this can be an easy way to get a few minutes of peace whilst still stimulating them. Develop their sense of hearing by playing music and dancing with them in your arms, or sing them a song. Shake rattles and show them how different objects make different sounds when you gently bang them.

Sit with them in front of a mirror, whilst they explore their reflection. Make faces, smile, poke out your tongue.

4–5 MONTHS
You can expect a significant leap in their motor skills as they reach this age, and as they explore their surroundings, they become increasingly interactive and expressive.

• They can hold their head straight up when on their tummy and look around.
• When on their back, they bring their hands together and touch their fingers.
• When sitting, they can hold their head steady without support.
• They will smile and coo at themselves in the mirror.
• They will start to laugh or softly chuckle and make high-pitched squeals.
• They will get excited to see you if you have been out of sight.
• They will make sounds when looking for toys or people.

PLAY IDEAS
Pimp up tummy time by adding props like soft toys and textured cushions for them to reach out to and play with. Play peek-a-boo games to reinforce object permanence (but mainly because it makes them laugh). Read board books with simple pictures and bright colours. Baby sessions in the library are a fun way of exploring different books, with various pop-outs and textures.

6–7 MONTHS
Both improved physical stability and vocal abilities make these months fun to observe and encourage.

• Roll from their back to their tummy.
• Sit up with support.
• Get into a crawling position.
• Grasp a toy with one or both hands and pass it to the other hand.
• Reach a small object with a finger.
• Play with their feet when lying on their back.
• Hold up hands to be lifted.
• Can make sounds like 'da', 'ga', 'ka.'
• Laughs and squeals.
• Enjoys looking at themselves in the mirror.

PLAY IDEAS
Sing interactive songs like Pat-a-Cake and Row Your Boat, and take turns clapping your hands and their hands together. Clapping requires fine-motor skills, muscle control and hand–eye coordination, so it can be a tricky milestone to achieve, but making it fun with songs can help. Give them a sensory ball to explore with their hands and mouth. Then roll it back and forth to encourage them to reach out for it and encourage crawling movements.

8–9 MONTHS
They really start to get more active from here on, and their mobility will be a new adventure.

• Pick up smaller objects with finger and thumb (pincer grip).
• Sit up without support.
• May start crawling.
• Pull themselves up to stand.
• Steadier on their feet when standing.
• Roll from their tummy to their back.
• Recognise simple commands 'give to me', and words like 'bye bye'.
• Continue to experiment with babbling and simple sounds. You may even get a 'mama'.

PLAY IDEAS
Try finger painting with safe, non-toxic paints. I used blended beetroot to make a deep purple paint and added yoghurt to make it more pink.

Make an obstacle course in your living room out of cushions and boxes to encourage their mobility.

Use stacking cups or nesting boxes for tactile play and problem-solving and they inevitably bring a lot of joy when they are knocked down.

10–12 MONTHS
As the first year with your new addition comes to an end, they will discover a new sense of confidence and independence, and improved communication will bring deeper connections.

• Begin 'cruising' by holding onto furniture and walking.
• Stand independently.
• Crawl and bottom shuffle.
• After pulling themselves up to stand, they can also sit back down again.
• Hand you objects.
• Create more meaningful sounds like 'Mama' and 'Dada'.
• Respond to their name.

PLAY IDEAS
Explore nature with them, in the garden or in a park. Pick up leaves, scrunch them, watch ants crawl up trees and listen out for bird song. Puzzle play with shape sorters, building blocks and more complex stacking toys.

Understanding these milestones can help you set realistic expectations for your child's development, gauge your child's overall growth and functioning, and consider whether areas require extra attention.

Extracted from How to Have a Baby by Dr Sara Kayat. Published by Thorsons and available to buy now.

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