Babies develop better vision and coordination between 4 and 6 months of age.
The newborn days are behind you. As your baby becomes more alert and mobile, each day will bring exciting new adventures. Every experience — from cuddling before nap time to listening to a sibling's chatter — will help your baby learn more about the world.
Expect your baby to grow and develop at his or her own unique pace. Consider these general milestones as your baby's strengths and preferences begin to emerge.
What to expect
Every day, your baby will become more aware of his or her surroundings. Exploration becomes the name of the game.
Motor skills: Rolling over, sitting and crawling
Your baby's arms and legs probably wiggle and kick more purposefully now. Soon, you may notice your baby rocking on his or her stomach and eventually rolling over.
As your baby gains muscle strength, he or she will have better head control. Most babies this age raise their heads when lying facedown. They may even try to push themselves up or bear weight on their legs. By age 6 months, many babies begin sitting alone. Creeping or crawling typically follows.
Hand-eye coordination: Within reach
Your baby will probably grasp your finger, a rattle or a soft object. Anything within reach is likely to end up in your baby's mouth. You may notice your baby pulling objects closer with a raking motion of the hands. Soon, your baby may start clapping hands and transferring objects from one hand to the other.
Vision: Steadily improving
Your baby's vision may be fully developed by age 6 months. He or she will begin to distinguish between strange and familiar faces. You may notice your baby concentrating on a toy, studying fingers and toes or staring at his or her reflection. Most babies this age turn their heads toward bright colors and lights. If you roll a ball across the floor, your baby will probably turn his or her head to follow the action.
Communication: Babbling begins
Babies this age often begin to babble, squeal, gurgle and laugh. Your baby may respond to and imitate your facial expressions and sounds. He or she may babble and then pause, waiting for you to respond. Thankfully, this experimentation leaves less time for crying!
As your baby's memory and attention span increase, he or she will begin to pick out the components of your speech and hear the way words form sentences. Your baby may even recognize his or her name. You may notice changes in inflection or tone as your baby babbles and coos.
Promoting your baby's development
At this age, learning and play are inseparable. But it doesn't take expensive educational toys or intense effort to capture your baby's attention. Consider these simple ideas.
Talk to your baby
Your baby may be too young to understand specific words, but easy conversation can lay the groundwork for language development. Your tone of voice can communicate ideas and emotions as well.
Ask questions and respond to your baby's coos and gurgles. Describe what you see, hear and smell around the house, outdoors, and when you're out and about. Use simple words that apply to your baby's everyday life.
If your baby reaches for a rattle, say, "That's a great choice. You can chew on the rattle. It'll make noise if you shake it. How fun!"
Change positions
Lay your baby on his or her tummy. Hold a colorful toy or make an interesting noise to encourage your baby to pick up his or her head or practice rolling over.
Hold your baby's hands while he or she is lying down and say, "Are you ready to stand up? Here we go!" Count to three as you gently pull your baby to a standing position.
When your baby's ready, try a sitting position. Hold your baby or use pillows for support. Your baby is sure to enjoy the view.
Offer simple toys
Babies this age often enjoy colorful toys, especially those that make sounds. Try a musical toy, a small rattle with a handle, a soft doll or a sturdy book. Household items such as plastic bowls and measuring cups may be a hit as well.
To help your baby focus, put out only one or two toys at a time. Place one toy slightly out of reach to encourage your baby to stretch and creep. Shake a rattle behind your baby's head and let him or her turn and grab it.
Read to your baby
Your baby won't grasp the plot, but that's OK. Reading helps babies develop speech and thought. Your baby will soak in your words and may even mimic the sounds you make. Start with books featuring large, brightly colored pictures. Describe what's happening on each page. Point to and name common objects.
Play favorite games
These classics are often popular with babies this age:
- Cover your face with your hands, then remove your hands and say, "Peek-a-boo, I see you!"
- Play patty-cake.
- Ask, "Where are your toes?" Then touch your child's toes and say, "Here are your toes!"
- Hide one of your baby's toys with the corner of a blanket and encourage him or her to find it.
Head out
Simple activities such as a walk through the neighborhood or a trip to the supermarket can be great adventures for a baby. Even the most routine outings will expose your baby to new sights and sounds.
Take time to cuddle
Balance stimulation with plenty of quiet time. Gentle caresses and tender kisses can help your baby feel safe, secure and loved. When you hold or rock your baby, talk quietly or sing lullabies or other soothing songs.
Let your baby set the pace
When your baby turns away, closes his or her eyes, or gets fussy, take a break. Even babies need their space. Responding to your baby's needs will help you continue to build your baby's trust in you.
When something's not right
Your baby may reach some developmental milestones ahead of schedule and lag behind a bit on others. This is perfectly normal. There's typically no cause for concern. It's a good idea to be aware of the warning signs, however.
Consult your baby's doctor if you're concerned about your baby's development or you notice any red flags:
- Stiffness or tight muscles
- Extreme floppiness
- Only using one side of the body or favoring a particular arm or leg
- No improvement in head control
- Lack of response to sounds or visual cues, such as loud noises or bright lights
- No interest in reaching for objects or putting objects in his or her mouth
- No attempts to roll over or sit
Trust your instincts. The earlier a problem is detected, the earlier it can be treated.
Take it one day at a time
Delight in your baby's discoveries and abilities. Each day is sure to bring something new. Appreciate these moments as they come. Before you know it, the baby days will be only a memory.
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