Monday, July 28, 2008

Baby Milestones

My daughter refuses to hold a bottle. She breastfeeds in the morning and during the day time I give her a bottle so that I can work around the house. She is able to hold the bottle with no problem but she simply does not want to do so. Each day after she holds her bottle for about 2 minutes she grins at me and spreads her arms like an eagle. Although it is not any reason to be worried or concerned this got me to thinking about what she is SUPPOSED to be able to do at 7 months.

Source: http://www.babycenter.com/0_milestone-chart-7-to-12-months_1496587.bc

Child's Age
Mastered Skills (most kids can do)

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
1 month Lifts head when lying on tummy
Responds to sound
Stares at faces
• Follows objects briefly with eyes
• Vocalizes: oohs and aahs
• Can see black-and-white patterns
Smiles, laughs
• Holds head at 45-degree angle
2 months • Vocalizes: gurgles and coos
• Follows objects across field of vision
• Notices his hands
Holds head up for short periods
Smiles, laughs
• Holds head at 45-degree angle
• Makes smoother movements
Holds head steady
• Can bear weight on legs
• Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup)
3 months Recognizes your face and scent
Holds head steady
• Visually tracks moving objects
• Squeals, gurgles, coos
• Blows bubbles
• Recognizes your voice
• Does mini-pushup
Rolls over, from tummy to back
• Turns toward loud sounds
• Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 months Smiles, laughs
• Can bear weight on legs
• Coos when you talk to him
• Can grasp a toy
Rolls over, from tummy to back
Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada"
Cuts first tooth
• May be ready for solid foods
5 months Distinguishes between bold colors
• Plays with his hands and feet
• Recognizes own name
Turns toward new sounds
Rolls over in both directions
• Sits momentarily without support
• Mouths objects
Separation anxiety may begin
6 months • Turns toward sounds and voices
Imitates sounds
Rolls over in both directions
Is ready for solid foods
• Sits without support
• Mouths objects
• Passes objects from hand to hand
• Lunges forward or starts crawling
Jabbers or combines syllables
Drags objects toward himself
Child's Age
Mastered Skills (most kids can do)

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
7 months Sits without support
Drags objects toward herself
• Lunges forward or starts crawling
Jabbers or combines syllables
• Starts to experience stranger anxiety
• Waves goodbye
Stands while holding onto something
• Bangs objects together
• Begins to understand object permanence