Your baby’s milestones

In the first couple of months, your baby is becoming more responsive to the world. They're not quite ready to laugh, but they light up when you pick them up for a fun game of peek-a-boo. They'll even hold your gaze. As they move into months 3 and 4, they'll start to explore by stretching their arms and legs—putting them on the path to a greater understanding of the world around them. And you’ll see more of your baby's personality starting to shine through.

Make sure they have the stimulation and good nutrition, including DHA, that they need to help them reach their milestones. The nutrients in a well-balanced diet (whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding or both) are especially important in the first stages of life. Look for these milestones:

Newborn baby milestones

They prefer to look at high-contrast patterns and bright colours

Can focus on objects

9–12 inches away

Cognitive

Motor

On tummy, they can lift their head for a few seconds

Can grasp your finger tightly

May respond to your voice

Recognize your body scent and voice intonation patterns

Communication

Will look to you for comfort

Will stop crying when picked up

Social

2-3 months baby milestones

Habituation to familiar noises: is able to ‘tune out’ the surrounding environment

Have a basic understanding of how one event can lead to another (when they see a bottle, they know it is time to eat)

Cognitive

May be able to hold their head up for a few minutes when propped sitting up

Strength is increasing

Motor

Coos, especially around familiar people

May use a variety of sounds and gestures

Communication

Smiles socially and in response to your smile

Becomes more alert and social

May demonstrate emotions such as fascination and boredom

Social

4-5 months baby milestones

Cognitive

Can focus on an object several feet away

Have a longer attention span

Use their hands to explore body; may grab feet when lying on back

May be able to roll over or rock back and forth on their stomach

Motor

First laugh

May start making consonant sounds like “b”, “n” and “m”

Communication

They watch faces closely; making and maintaining eye contact

Begin to decipher emotions from your tone of voice and expressions

Social

Stimulating baby development milestones

As well as ensuring your baby gets the right nutrition, you’re also important in stimulating their developmental growth. Below are some activities you can try with your little one. Each helps to stimulate cognitive, motor, communication or social milestones. It’s a great way for you to bond while having fun.

Stimulating baby development milestones is a great way to bond.

Stimulation for newborn baby

Stimulation for babies at 2-3 months

Stimulation for babies at 4-5 months

Stimulation for newborns

Place baby on their stomach during playtime to help them learn

motor

development as they lift their head, strengthening the neck muscles.

Hang a mobile with simple patterns over your baby's crib to encourage

cognitive

development as they learn to focus.

Stimulate their

cognitive

development with interactive activities, such as imitating them. When they're quiet and alert, watch to see what they do, then mimic them.

Stimulation for babies at 2-3 months

To encourage

communication

milestones, talk to your baby often and point out familiar objects to help them to understand the associations.

Encourage

cognitive

development with interactive play such as putting on a puppet show: pop a stuffed animal or puppet out from behind your back or the side of the crib. Soon, they may start looking for it.

Play when your baby is alert and ready. Hold your baby in an upright position on your lap while supporting their head so that you can “talk” face to face.

Stimulation for babies at 4-5 months

Give your baby plenty of time on their stomach to help

motor

milestones as they kick, play and learn to roll over.

Further encourage

social

development by showing your baby their reflection in a mirror, since they likely already have an interest in faces and watching others.

Stimulate their

cognitive

development with interactive activities, such as engaging in fun games to make them laugh. Make faces, tickle them—anything to prompt a positive reaction.

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