There is no doubt that the gift of parenthood is one of the greatest blessings one can have. The tender feeling that overcomes us when we cuddle our newborn baby is one that cannot be expressed by words alone. But along with the joys that accompany parenthood come moments of worry and anxiety. Often, first-time parents can’t help but fret about the emotional and physical development of their child. Questions and more questions – “Is my baby normal?”, “Is my baby really smiling?”, “When should my baby start to walk?” – often plague the minds of new parents. So what are the milestones that your bundle of joy should meet?

• Month 1
  If you think Junior’s looking at you adoringly, you may just be right! By now, he is able to focus on faces and also lift his head briefly when lying on his stomach.
• Month 2
  Get the camera ready to capture your baby’s first real, responsive smile! He should be able to track objects moving up to 15cm away and respond to loud sounds by crying or being startled. He will also be cooing this month.
• Month 3
  Junior’s going to lie on his stomach and lift that little head higher. He will also be able to recognise Mummy and her scent.
• Month 4
  Oh jolly! Your baby will indeed be laughing this month. He will also be lifting his head (about 90 degrees) higher while on the stomach and be able to follow objects moving 180 degrees.
• Month 5
  No more wobbly heads! Junior’s finally going to hold his head upright steadily. He will also be doing some acrobatics this month, like rolling over, raising his chest using his arms while on his stomach, grasping rattles and reaching out for objects. He will be able to pay attention to tiny objects, squeal in delight and flash that smile spontaneously!
• Month 6
  Junior is going to be a little more independent this month. He will be able to hold his own bottle, open his mouth in anticipation of the spoon, and sit by himself with minimal support. He is going to make some strides in the vocal department by making some vowelconsonant and two-syllable sounds. He will also keep his head level when pulled to the sitting position and mimic some facial expressions.

• Month 7
  Your baby will sit without support, play peek-a-boo, feed himself with finger food, and make those strange wet razzing sounds. Oh, and he will also know how Mummy’s feeling by the tone of her voice!
• Month 8
  Junior will be passing small objects from one hand to another, rake very small objects such as raisins and grasp them in his palms, and look for dropped objects. He will also be able to turn in the direction of a voice. The little one will also sit unsupported and bear some weight on the legs when held upright.
• Month 9
  Your baby will be grabbing toys not within reach. He will amuse himself by dropping objects and searching for them. He will also try to grab the spoon during feeding and recognise his image in the mirror.
• Month 10
  Your baby is going to protest this month if you take that favourite toy away. He will also be pulling himself up from the sitting position and try to stand with some help from things around him. This is when he will say “mama” and “dada” too.
• Month 11
  The good news is that your baby is going to understand the word “no” this month. But the bad news is that he isn’t always going to obey it. He will be able to get into a sitting position from lying on his stomach, and pick up tiny objects with any of his fingers and thumb. He will also clap his hands and wave goodbye.
• Month 12
  Some babies may start walking at this stage or at least crawl well and stand momentarily unsupported. Others may walk by holding on to furniture. Junior will be putting things into containers and taking them out, dancing to music, shaking his head to say “no”, opening and closing cabinets, and pulling off his socks and hat. He will also be speaking adorable gibberish and saying one or two words in addition to “mama” and “dada”.
  
  Fretting mums and dads should always remember that not meeting milestones in due time may not necessarily spell trouble. But in any case, it is good to take Junior for a check with the paediatrician.

TIP from Mummy Sandra