Your baby’s milestones

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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:
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Newborn baby milestones
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They prefer to look at high-contrast patterns and bright colours
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Can focus on objects
9–12 inches away
Cognitive
Motor
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On tummy, they can lift their head for a few seconds
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Can grasp your finger tightly
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May respond to your voice
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Recognize your body scent and voice intonation patterns
Communication
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Will look to you for comfort
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Will stop crying when picked up
Social
2-3 months baby milestones
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Habituation to familiar noises: is able to ‘tune out’ the surrounding environment
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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
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May be able to hold their head up for a few minutes when propped sitting up
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Strength is increasing
Motor
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Coos, especially around familiar people
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May use a variety of sounds and gestures
Communication
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Smiles socially and in response to your smile
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Becomes more alert and social
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May demonstrate emotions such as fascination and boredom
Social
4-5 months baby milestones
Cognitive
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Can focus on an object several feet away
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Have a longer attention span
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Use their hands to explore body; may grab feet when lying on back
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May be able to roll over or rock back and forth on their stomach
Motor
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First laugh
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May start making consonant sounds like “b”, “n” and “m”
Communication
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They watch faces closely; making and maintaining eye contact
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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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