Physical Development of Infant – Expectations From Baby
Two infants born at the same time may be very different. Some infants are very quiet and sleep a lot. Other infants are very active. Accepting these differences will make it easier to take care of infants and help them grow and develop.
BIRTH TO SIX MONTHS
- At birth, infants cannot control their body movements. Most of their movements are reflexes. Their nervous system is not fully developed.
For the first few months, infants can see clearly objects that are about 10 inches away from their faces. By 6 months, their vision is more fully developed. - By 4 months, most babies have some control of their muscles and nervous system. They can sit with support, hold their head up for short periods of time, and can roll from their side to their stomach.
- By 5 months, most babies can roll over.
SIX TO TWELVE MONTHS
- Infants can sit alone.
- They start to eat and sleep at regular times.
- By 8 months, they can reach for and hold objects.
- They eat three meals a day and drink from bottles at various times.
- They start using a cup and spoon to feed themselves.
- Infants still take a nap in the morning and in the afternoon.
- They crawl with their stomach touching the floor, and they creep on their hands and knees.
- They pull up to stand, they stand holding onto furniture, and they can walk when led.
- They can pick up objects with their thumb and forefinger and let objects go (drops things). They start to throw things.
- By the time they are 12 months old, most babies weigh three times what they weighed at birth and are two times as long as they were at birth.