We often come across mother discussing their experiences about their pregnancies, childbirth and how the child has grown with those who are expecting their first child. Also, they share their experiences with those who already have babies.
These experiences may be pleasant or unpleasant and the poor listeners may get influenced with what is told to them and start comparisons amongst themselves and their babies.
These comparisons include the differences starting from conception till childbirth and the growth pattern therafter. Some of these experiences may be pleasant and some maybe of a worrying or enviable nature.
It is therefore important for all mothers to remember that what holds good in one infant need not be the same in the other. This is true with regards to the growth pattern of each child in different mothers and different siblings in the same family.
Each child is unique in the growth patterns and one cannot and should not compare. What follows is an attempt to make mothers aware of what we mean by developmental milestones in a baby from birth till one year.
Every mother should remember that these milestones give important clues about how the baby is developing. Children begin to reach developmental milestones as soon as they come out of the mother’s womb according to an expert in the field.
By paying attention to these signs during the first month of a baby’s life and the intervening period each parent can make a big difference.
The first and most important point which every mother should keep in mind with developmental milestones is that there is a wide range of time during which children will achieve them and this achievement differs in different babies.
Experts believe that there are no set patterns that have to be followed by every child or for that fact in children born to the same mother. To substantiate this truth, there cannot be a better example than walking.
In one case a child may start his first step in 13 months. Most children will usually walk between nine and 18 months. A mother therefore need not start worrying if her 15 month old child has not yet started walking.
What is important is to observe your child with great vigilance but not start comparing with other children of the same age. One fact of utmost importance is to keep in mind that children born prematurely often achieve milestones later than those who are born full term.
These experiences may be pleasant or unpleasant and the poor listeners may get influenced with what is told to them and start comparisons amongst themselves and their babies.
These comparisons include the differences starting from conception till childbirth and the growth pattern therafter. Some of these experiences may be pleasant and some maybe of a worrying or enviable nature.
It is therefore important for all mothers to remember that what holds good in one infant need not be the same in the other. This is true with regards to the growth pattern of each child in different mothers and different siblings in the same family.
Each child is unique in the growth patterns and one cannot and should not compare. What follows is an attempt to make mothers aware of what we mean by developmental milestones in a baby from birth till one year.
Every mother should remember that these milestones give important clues about how the baby is developing. Children begin to reach developmental milestones as soon as they come out of the mother’s womb according to an expert in the field.
By paying attention to these signs during the first month of a baby’s life and the intervening period each parent can make a big difference.
The first and most important point which every mother should keep in mind with developmental milestones is that there is a wide range of time during which children will achieve them and this achievement differs in different babies.
Experts believe that there are no set patterns that have to be followed by every child or for that fact in children born to the same mother. To substantiate this truth, there cannot be a better example than walking.
In one case a child may start his first step in 13 months. Most children will usually walk between nine and 18 months. A mother therefore need not start worrying if her 15 month old child has not yet started walking.
What is important is to observe your child with great vigilance but not start comparing with other children of the same age. One fact of utmost importance is to keep in mind that children born prematurely often achieve milestones later than those who are born full term.
It is not correct to judge a premature baby by their corrected age. One normally starts counting the age from the due date instead of their birth date. This would mean that a two –month old premature baby will achieve at five months what other babies born full term achieve at three months. This clearly explains the difference.
Any mother who believes that her child is not developing the milestones like every other child of the same age should necessarily consult a pediatrician instead of comparing with other children.
Who knows the pediatrician may diagnose a speech defect and can give timely advice for speech therapy. What follows is a brief account of these developmental milestones which every average child passes through and every mother should look for the following while assessing their presence in her child. These milestones are noticed in almost every normal child and one can differentiate the normal from what is considered unusual if only the mother is aware of what these normal milestones are.
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