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First-year milestones

Here's what your baby will be up to before his first birthday

By
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Originally published in Today's Parent June 2007

A baby’s brain is changing at highway speed, and milestones — from raising her head to picking up a Cheerio — are the radar paediatricians use to ensure she’s acquiring essential motor, communication and social skills along the way. For parents, every smile or coo is another sign your baby’s motoring in the right direction. So watch closely and enjoy the ride.

Motor skills and vision

Newborn to 1 month
• when touched on cheek near mouth, turns head to that side (rooting reflex)
• when palm is touched, baby’s hand closes around a finger (grasping reflex)
• turns head and eyes toward diffused light. Vision still blurred but best at 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 in)

1 to 3 months
• prefers looking at high-contrast areas of faces: forehead, eyes, mouth
• visually follows a bright object when it is moved slowly
• perceives colour by about 3 months
• hands open out from fists

2 to 4 months
• when placed on tummy, baby can lift head and shoulders
• can briefly hold a toy when you place it in his palms (doesn’t use thumbs yet)
• brings hands into eye range — the start of eyes and hands working together

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