Part of the satisfaction in being a new parent is watching your child grow from a helpless baby to a toddler able to talk and to walk by himself. No two babies grow or develop in exactly the same way, even within families. There is however a general pattern of development which most babies follow. Slight delays at any one stage should not be the cause for undue concern but any marked delay is worth seeking the advice of your doctor. 
Birth to Six Months
Newborn
- Sleeps most of the day and night.
- Cannot lift his head when lying on his tummy.
- Keeps knees bent under his body and buttocks high.
6 To 8 Weeks
- Can lift his head and chin when lying on tummy.
- Can stretch out his legs, buttocks not lifted.
- Fixes his eyes on nearby objects.
- Smiles when someone talks to him.
3 to 4 Months
- Can lift head and chest off the bed when lying on his tummy.
- Legs cannot take the weight of his body when held standing.
- Can hold an object placed in his hand.
- Turns his head to follow a sound at his ear level.
- Coos and laughs when someone talks to him.
6 Months to 12 Months
6 to 7 Months
- Can hold up his head and control its position well.
- Can roll over from tummy onto his back.
- Sits with his arms held forward for support.
- Can support his own body weight when standing.
- Reaches out to hold object with the palm of his hand.
- Holds bottle with both hands when feeding.
- Can transfer an object from one hand to another.
- Starts to imitate sounds and actions like sticking his tongue out.
- Can chew.
- May sometimes be friendly with strangers and at other times shy.
9 to 10 Months
- Crawls on his hands and knees.
- Can change his position from sitting to lying down on his tummy and back again.
- Can pull himself up to a standing position.
- Helps during dressing by holding out his arms when putting on a shirt.
- Imitates simple actions like clapping of hands.
- Waving goodbye.
- Can say mono-syllable words like “Da-da, Mama.”
11 to 12 months
- Can walk with someone holding onto one hand.
- Can hold an object between thumb and index finger.
- Can pass an object to another person.
- Puts everything into his mouth.
- Likes to throw things around.
18 Months
- Jumps with both feet
- No longer throws things
- Can build a tower up to 3 or 4 blocks high
- Can point to three parts of her body when asked to
- Turns 2 or 3 pages of a book at a time
- Can take off her own socks and unzip her clothes
- Feeds herself with a spoon although she usually spills
- Can indicate that she wants to go to the toilet
- Still wets herself at night
Two Years
- Walks and runs
- Climbs up and down stairs, putting both feet on each step in turn
- Can kick a ball without falling down.
- Can build a tower up to 6 or 7 blocks high
- Can copy straight and curved lines with a pencil
- Can point to four parts of her body when asked to.
- Turns pages of a book one at a time
- Can put on and take off shoes, socks and pants
- Eats with a spoon without spilling
- Speaks in sentences of two to three words
Three Years
- Can stand on one leg
- Can dress himself
- Can ride a tricycle/bicycle
- Copies circles and can match up to three colors
- Obeys simple instructions
- Can use a cup and spoon and washes own hands
- Begins to speak well
- Does not usually wet himself at night
Babies grow and develop fastest in their first year of life. Talking to your child and playing with him will stimulate him not only physically and intellectually but will also help develop his social skills and ability to get along with other people.
