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Childhood Development

Milestones Ahead

From the first moments after the birth of your child, you know your life will never be the same. Your child will change from week to week-even from day to day-as he begins to notice the world around him, and to interact with it. Get a head start, and know what to expect as your baby matures.

"This month is the beginning of the best time of babyhood."- Mother of boys

Documenting Greatness

Looking through baby photos shows how far you've come

Your baby's first year is almost half over, and it's probably been well documented digitally and even shared with family and friends online. This month comes with even more developmental milestones, and new chances to help your baby:

By the end of this month, your baby will probably begin sitting with support, making two-syllable sounds ("ah-goo"), and passing his toys from one hand to another.

Exercises for the body and mind

Your baby's physical and mental development is important.

  • Encourage your baby to raise his head and push up on his arms to watch what is happening in the world around him
  • Hold your baby upright under the arms and slowly lower him until his feet touch the table, bed, or your lap
  • Help your baby sit up alone by sitting on the couch or a chair with your baby and propping him up in the corner (which can prevent him from falling over)
  • Try to get your baby to follow faces or bright objects with his eyes
  • Let your baby feel many different textures
  • Help your baby pick up small toys, such as 1-inch blocks (As a reminder, keep pills and other small objects that can cause choking out of your baby's reach)

Going slow will ease your baby's fear of new people

As your baby interacts even more with his world, his first fear may occur this month - a fear of strangers. This fear is normal. By this time, most babies have developed an awareness and recognition of key people around them, and a mistrust and fear of those who are not familiar.

Although this fear goes away with time and is nothing to worry about, it usually helps to introduce your baby to new people slowly.


Outgrowing bowed legs and inward toes

There's no need to worry if your baby's feet seem flat or bent, his legs are bowed, or his toes point inward. Fortunately, these conditions are very common. Your health care professional will make sure that your baby's legs and feet are developing normally. Most minor leg and foot conditions are outgrown during childhood.