Newborn Development Stages: From Birth To 6 Months

The first six months of your newborn's development are very crucial, as that is the most fragile stage. These first six months require optimum care and attention from parents or caregivers.

For a pretty healthy baby, there are basic expectations of the motor (fine or gross), cognitive, communication, and self-induced skills that they should display. 

You should remember that all infants develop differently. Your child may do above or below these standards and still be healthy. We'll take the development sequentially, from the first day to the sixth month. 

Newborn Development: What To Expect From Day 1 To the First Month

For the first month, your baby's palms are in a fist most of the time. You may wonder why. Well, it's due to the fetal position they took while in the womb. They tend to kick when laid on their back and give gentle nods when held up. 

They hold still for balance when held up, focus their attention on a bright light, and are easily startled by loud noise. 

To communicate hunger or discomfort, your baby gives out a cry to draw attention to their needs. They also recognize voices they hear often. 

From 1 to 2 months

In the journey from month one to two, your baby begins to hold objects firmly. They can straighten out their legs and learn to move their head toward the mother's breast. 

Your baby will begin to respond adequately to physical soothing and will follow movements while responding with a smile. 

From 2 to 3 months

Your baby begins to show gross motor skills such as raising themself with both arms when lying on their tummy. They can stand on their legs when held up. You should keep tiny objects away from them because they would want to play, which can go wrong. 

Your baby should begin to vocalize different sounds and make happy gestures toward feeding. They should also display playful movements like smiling at a smiling person. 

From 3 to 4 months

By the fourth month, your baby should become more physically active. They should give stronger kicks and can receive and hold objects in a tight grip while bringing them to their face. 

At this stage, your baby laughs at funny gestures made, makes more specialized sounds, and cries differently to various needs. Interaction with those around is improved, as the baby begins to crave attention when bored. 

From 4 to 5 months

They begin to roll on their sides and can take the crawling position. They aren’t ready to crawl yet, so don’t expect them to. They sit upright with support and can point at objects. They can now grasp the breast or bottle with both hands during feeding.

Babbling begins here, so you can get your camcorder out and record all the cute baby sounds. They would move their head in the direction of familiar voices. 

At this time, your baby would always want to understand an object via taste. Almost everything they hold would wind up in their mouths, so you should be watchful. 

From 5 to 6 months

Your baby can be made to stand on the floor with hands for support. They will try crawling and reaching out for nearby objects that interest them. Your dangling earrings are a prime example. Now, they can sit comfortably on their own without support. 

In some cases, they will be able to hold up a feeding bottle to their face. They should be able to raise their arms in the air when in need of some physical warmth.

Read on to learn about infant development from 6 to 12 months.

Final Thoughts

Your baby will need all the attention they can get at this period, seeing that they are very fragile. That is usually taxing for the parents and caregivers. If you ever feel overwhelmed, you should request help. You can ask a friend or a relative for help. At The Elite Nanny Team, we have qualified nannies to take care of your child and watch them like hawks. You can count on us.