Building Blocks of Babyhood: Motor Milestones
Babies are constantly growing and learning. As a new parent or grandparent, there can be a lot of things to learn and look for with your baby. Each month your baby will experience new milestones that will build to help them grow. As a parent, you can help support your baby in their development through your interaction with them and through positioning and play. At Reach for Speech our therapists are dedicated to helping empower parents to support their child’s growth. Understanding what milestones to look for and knowing activities to encourage with your child can allow you to support them in the best way possible. See below for some general motor guidelines and suggested play activities from our physical therapists:
Newborn (0-2 months): Your child is beginning to explore movements in their hands and legs. They should begin to open and shut hands, bring hands to their mouth, and rotate their head from the left to the right. As they gain head control, they will begin to raise their head up as they lay on their belly and rotate their head from the right cheek to the left cheek. Encourage belly time on the ground or while holding your baby on your chest. Work on carrying your baby on both your right and left side to encourage symmetry with movements. You can also try feeding them on the right and left side. At this age and until your child is independently rolling, safe sleep needs to completed on their back on a flat surface without anything in the crib.
2-4 months: Your child is beginning to complete more movement while on the floor. They will begin to push up on to their arms while on their belly. They will start bringing their hands to midline while on their back. They should start tolerating laying on their side and will begin to progress towards rolling. Encourage side-lying play, time on the belly, and tracking faces or toys with their eyes.
4-6 months: Time to roll! Your child will start to roll to both the right and left side, completing both from back to belly and from belly to back. While on their belly, they will begin to turn and pivot. During this time your child’s head control will improve and they can begin completing supported sitting and maintain their head upright and centered.
6-10 months: Your child is starting to sit independently. They may begin to crawl on their belly or on hands and knees. They are going to start learning how to get in and out of a sitting position. When supported, they should be able to put weight through their feet. During these months you can encourage standing at a table or in a bouncer.
10+ months: Your baby is on the move! Look for your child to crawl independently, pull to stand on furniture, and begin to take some independent steps. This is a good time to introduce a push toy or walker. Also encourage standing at the couch or a coffee table to play.
As you are learning your child, remember these are just guidelines for movement! Every child is different and progresses at a different pace. If you ever have concerns about your child’s development or are looking for guidance on how to help them grow, please reach out to our therapists at Reach for Speech. We are always here to help support you and your child’s development!