9018 Tracking Growth & Dev MECH:Layout 1 7/30/09 3:16 PM Page 1

MILESTONES IN YOUR BABY’S DEVELOPMENT Log the dates of your baby’s progress
below.
Motor

Tracking My Baby’s
Motor (movement)
BY THE END OF THE FIRST

• Head is floppy if not supported • Shakes a rattle

MONTH (USING ADJUSTED AGE)

• Makes jerky arm thrusts • Sits with little support

BY THE END OF THE SIXTH

• Rolls over both ways (front to back,

MONTH (USING ADJUSTED AGE)

• Moves head from side to
side while on stomach back to front)
Sensory and Thinking • Shifts toys from one hand to
the other
• Can focus on objects 8–12 inches away

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

• Puts weight on both legs when
• Eyes wander and can occasionally cross supported to a standing position
• Recognizes scent of mother’s • Grasps and plays with toes
breast milk
• Mouths and bangs hand-held objects
Language and Social
Sensory and Thinking
• May recognize some familiar sounds
• Opens mouth to be spoon fed
and voices
• Can imitate sounds and facial Whether this is your first baby or your third,it is exciting MY BABY WAS BORN EARLY. HOW
expressions to watch infants develop. But if your baby was born early, CAN I FIGURE OUT IF HIS OR HER
Language and Social you may be concerned about how his or her overall growth
• Can babble and make sing-song tones DEVELOPMENT IS NORMAL?
and development compares to other infants who were
• Laughs While most babies develop skills in a certain order, there
• Smiles at self in mirror born full-term.Your concern may range from wondering
if he or she has mastered age-appropriate skills to is a wide range of timing among them. For example, most
Motor wondering if he or she is growing quickly enough and babies learn to crawl before they walk. But the age when
• Can support upper body with arms Motor
gaining the right amount of weight. babies learn to walk can vary a lot — the range of normal
when lying on stomach • Gets to sitting position with no help is between 9 and 16 months. Although you will likely be
BY THE END OF THE THIRD MONTH

• Brings hand to mouth • Crawls forward HOW OLD IS MY BABY? focused on your baby’s achievements, be sure to
• Grabs and shakes hand toys • Pulls self up to stand
• Opens and shuts hands • Walks while holding onto furniture When babies are born prematurely,we consider that they remember that development is not a race.Your baby
• Pushes down legs when feet or with one hand held have two distinct ages: may not master every skill or grow at the same pace as
are put on a hard surface • Uses pincer grasp (holding things
Chronological age (age calculated from the date of birth) another baby born at the same time.That is to be
(USING ADJUSTED AGE)

• Follows a moving person or between thumb and first finger)

object with eyes and Adjusted or Corrected age (age calculated from the expected — especially if your baby was born early.
Sensory and Thinking
BY THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR

Sensory and Thinking • Easily finds hidden objects original due date).When measuring skill development,you On the following pages, you’ll find some important
• Turns head toward bright • Looks at correct picture when object will need to“adjust” your baby’s age according to his or her developmental milestones that will give you a sense of
colors and lights in it is named
due date. what to look out for as your baby grows. Developmental
• Recognizes and turns head • Begins to correctly use objects (for
(USING ADJUSTED AGE)

toward the sound of a example, drinking from cup, talking and milestones are skills or age-specific tasks that most
person’s voice listening to phone receiver) children can do within a certain age range.Your baby’s
Language and Social • Is curious and explores objects in many healthcare provider will use these milestones to see how
• Makes cooing noises ways (such as shaking, dropping, banging)
Language and Social your baby is developing.
• Smiles at familiar faces
• Can react to a game of “peek-a-boo” • Responds to “no” HOW TO
• Can usually be comforted with the sound • Uses gestures to communicate like
shaking head for “no”
CALCULATE YOUR BABY’S
of a soothing voice, or when picked up
to be held • Uses exclamations such as “Uh-oh!” ADJUSTED AGE:
• Imitates words
• Can say “Dada” or “Mama” Example:
• Babbles with conversation-like inflection
WHEN SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? • Shy with or wary of strangers
16 weeks - 6 weeks = 10 weeks
While these milestones are grouped by age, keep in mind • Cries when mom or dad leaves
that your baby may not master all of these skills at each • Shows preferences for certain people Baby’s (minus Adjusted
specific age. It is very important, though, to watch for his or and toys
Actual # weeks baby Age
her progress.Your baby should be moving forward in devel- • Begins testing negative behaviors to
opment. As always, consult your baby’s healthcare provider see parental response Age early) (in weeks)
if you have ANY questions.You know your baby best. If you • Finger-feeds self
don’t think your baby is progressing properly, don’t be • Assists in getting self dressed by lifting
afraid to speak up and ask for help. arm or leg at proper time

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical
advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have any questions about the health of your child.
Brought to you by © 2009 MedImmune, LLC MEDI09-TMBGAD
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TRACKING YOUR BABY’S PHYSICAL GROWTH

WHAT ARE GROWTH CHARTS, AND WHAT IS A PERCENTILE? HOW DO I PUT MY BABY’S INFORMATION ON A GROWTH CHART?
At each checkup,the healthcare provider will measure your child’s length,weight,and head circumference. Once you are comfortable with the following chart,you’ll be able to plot and track
Then,he or she will plot those numbers on a chart that shows the national percentile averages for children your baby’s physical growth.First,locate your child’s actual age across the bottom.
of the same age and gender.For example,if your healthcare provider says that your 2-month old is in the Next,if you are measuring weight,from that point,move up the chart until you locate
30th percentile for weight,that means that 30% of babies of the same age and gender weigh less than or the intersection with your child’s weight. To measure length,follow the same directions.
equal to your child.What can be most important,however,is how your baby progresses and grows between You can also track your baby's head circumference as he or she grows.Simply fill in
each office visit. the appropriate box.

WHEN SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

Although you are comparing your baby’s growth to other babies of the same age and gender, always remember that children develop at their own pace.Your baby may not
grow at a consistent rate, or he or she may have growth spurts that are unpredictable. Look to your baby’s healthcare provider for direction and advice. Ask questions if you
are uncomfortable with or worried about your baby’s progress.