Milestones of Development in Infants (3-12 months)

Quicklinks:

What to expect in the first year.

Motor, Sensory, Communication, Emotion, and Feeding Skills: 3-12 Months.

Red Flags of Infant Development Between 3-12 Months

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting and awe-inspiring experience. As parents, we watch with anticipation as our little ones grow and develop at a rapid pace – and between the ages of 3 to 12 months, infants reach significant milestones in their physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. In this blog, we will explore these developmental milestones and highlight the importance of tracking your baby's progress. We'll also discuss how gentle infant chiropractic adjustments can support your infant's overall health journey during this crucial stage.

What to expect in the first year

During their first year, infants embark on a remarkable journey of growth and development. We’ve talked before about the first three months of life, but for the next nine months after that, your baby will be busy building the foundations of various essential skills. They will become more socially engaged, learn to vocalize, and gain control over their limbs and muscles…it’s an exciting and transformative time for parents and child alike!

Are milestones really that important?

Monitoring your child’s developmental milestones is vital for their long-term well-being. By keeping a close eye on their progress, you give them the best chance at a bright future. Regular check-ups allow healthcare professionals to spot any potential learning delays or issues early on, giving your little one the support they need when it matters most. 

Milestones become your guideposts, providing a wonderful opportunity for parents and caregivers to witness and celebrate each step of their baby's unique journey. They strengthen the bond between you and your child through interactive play, shared experiences, and endless love. So, rather than stressing about them, let's make sure every milestone is met with joy – read our full childhood development blog for more information!

Motor, sensory, communication, emotion, and feeding skills: 3-12 months

Between 3 to 12 months of age, infants lay the groundwork for various skills that encompass all areas of their development. These milestones include the development of motor control, sensory responsiveness, simple communication and connection with others, and increased independence with and reaction to feeding.

Milestones from 4-6 months

1) Motor: At this stage, babies start to use their hands to support themselves while sitting and can roll onto their back. When standing with support, they confidently put their entire weight on their legs. They begin reaching for nearby toys or their feet while lying on their back and may even transfer toys between their hands.

2) Sensory: Babies in this age range actively use both hands to explore toys, often bringing them to their mouths. They should generally exhibit happiness, unless they are tired or hungry, and not be easily upset by normal sounds in their environment.

3) Communication/Emotion: Babies should react to sudden noises, such as those produced by toys or passing cars, and actively listen and respond when spoken to. Consonant sounds should start to appear in their babbling, which they may use to seek attention. They may also realize they can use different sounds to convey various feelings.

4) Feeding: During this period, babies exhibit interest in food and open their mouths when a utensil approaches. They can start eating pureed food, and manipulate it with their tongue, lips, and teeth.

Milestones from 7-9 months

1) Motor: Babies between 7 to 9 months demonstrate increased independence in their motor skills. They can get into a sitting position unassisted, then maintain balance or track objects with their eyes while sitting. They reach for toys without falling, and their crawling becomes more controlled. Their fine motor control improves, allowing them to pick up smaller objects using their thumbs and fingers. They may also imitate others while playing.

2) Sensory: During this stage, babies enjoy different movements such as bouncing or rocking. They actively use their hands and mouth to explore objects, studying their size, shape, weight, and textures. They can focus on objects close by and far away, and should display curiosity about their surroundings, whether lying on their back or stomach, sitting, crawling, or standing with assistance.

3) Communication/Emotion: Between 7 to 9 months, babies show significant progress in this area. They exhibit a wider variety of sounds and combinations while babbling, recognize their own name and other familiar words, and react differently for strangers than for parents/caregivers. They eagerly imitate sounds they hear and can follow simple commands using gestures. They may even start making gestures of their own, such as shaking their head to indicate "no.”

4) Feeding: As babies continue to develop, their feeding skills also improve. At this stage, they should be able to hold a bottle and drink from it independently. They become capable of eating thicker foods and may start using teethers as their teeth begin to appear. Sitting in highchairs becomes more comfortable and more attention is given to nearby foods and objects. Babies also display noticeable reactions to unfamiliar scents or flavors and start to go longer between regular feedings.

Milestones from 10-12 months

1) Motor: Between 10 to 12 months, babies make remarkable strides in their motor skills. They are capable of pulling themselves up and may take their first steps while holding onto furniture or other objects. This gradually transitions into independent standing and potentially their first unassisted steps. They exhibit balance while sitting and engage in activities such as throwing and clapping. Their fine motor skills improve further, allowing them to pick up smaller objects with just their thumb and forefinger. They also start placing objects into containers, exploring their surroundings with newfound curiosity.

2) Sensory: During this stage, babies develop an appreciation for music and melodies. They become more observant, spotting objects in the distance and crawling closer or further to explore. They actively engage their hands, fingers, and mouth to explore toys and objects, continuing their journey of sensory discovery.

3) Communication/Emotion: Between 10 to 12 months, infants start to reach significant milestones in their communication skills and relationships. They utter their first intentional word, often "mama" or "dada," using it to refer specifically to their parents. They also respond to simple directions and babbling starts to resemble adult speech in terms of rhythm and sounds. Hand movements become more intentional, such as reaching out to be picked up, further enhancing their ability to express themselves.

4) Feeding: As babies approach their first birthday, they become more independent in feeding themselves. They can use their fingers to bring food to their mouths, especially soft finger foods like fruits or noodles. Some may experiment with utensils. By now, your child will likely display noticeable reactions to smells, tastes, and new foods as they broaden their palate.

red flags of infant development between 3-12 months

Wondering if there are potential red flags in your baby's development? If you notice any of the following signs between 3 to 12 months, consider discussing them with your healthcare provider.

• By 4 months:

1. No response to sounds, or failing to turn their head to locate sounds

2. Excessive stiffness or floppiness

3. One or both of their eyes consistently turned inward or outward (strabismus or amblyopia)

• By 5 months:

1. They do not bear weight on their legs 

2. No laughter or squealing sounds

3. They struggle with bringing objects to their mouth

• By 6 months:

1. No rolling over onto their back or sitting with assistance

2. They do not actively reach for objects

• By 7 months:

1. Not interested in other people or caregivers

2. Persistent eye watering or sensitivity

3. They do not follow objects with both eyes

• By 8-12 months:

1. They don’t crawl, or they drag one side of their body while crawling, for a month or more

2. No babbling or use of single words like mama or dada

3. Unable to stand, even when supported

4. No learned gestures like waving or nodding

5. Cannot sit steadily

6. Doesn’t look for hidden objects

Remember that every child develops at their own pace, so if some of this seems familiar, don’t panic just yet. We advise a consultation with your healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation.

More Information about Baby Development

Understanding the typical milestones for each stage of development empowers parents and caregivers to lead children into their best possible future. Whether you already have a young child or are expecting one, we are here to assist you every step of the way. 

At Cameron Family Chiropractic, we offer a range of gentle and specialized services for infants and mothers alike, designed to support you and your child. We believe that children should have the best possible start to life; if you are looking for a proactive approach to their health to help them through these milestones or if your child has health issues, failing to treat the root cause will only create further problems down the line – or as we like to say about these issues, “Kids don’t grow out of them – they grow into them.” 

This is our third entry into this blog series that began with our Comprehensive Guide to Baby Development Milestones where we had briefly touched on all of the major stages of development from birth all the way up until the expected milestones by 5 years old.

Our holistic approach to health can contribute to better well-being and a more satisfying quality of life later on. Contact us today to find out more and get started on your journey today!