Growth and Development,Ages 1 to 12 Months - Topic Overview
How do babies grow and develop in the first year?
Babies change more in the first year of life than at any other time in their lives. From 1 to 12 months of age, most babies grow and develop in these main areas:
- Physical development. A baby’s growth is dramatic during this first year. Babies grow taller, and their heads get bigger. At 12 months, most babies weigh three times as much as they did at birth.
- Cognitive development. Babies make great advances in being able to learn and remember. A baby will start to recognize loved ones and to understand that people and things still exist even when they are out of sight.
- Emotional and social development. Babies start to show their emotions and how they feel about other people. A smile may mean that your baby is happy. A cry when you leave the room may be a protest about being left alone (called separation protest).
- Language development. Babies quickly learn language by what is spoken around them. By about 6 weeks, your baby may have different cries for different needs, such as one to tell you it’s time to eat and another to tell you it’s time for a diaper change. By around 2 months, they coo and smile. Later they babble and chuckle. By 12 months, some babies can say simple words like "mama" or "dada," and they understand many more.
- Sensory and motor development. During this time, a baby starts to control how he or she moves. Babies become strong enough to sit. Some will stand, and others will begin to take their first steps.
Babies usually move from one important area (or milestone) in their development to the next in a pattern. If your child has a slight delay in one area, it may not mean there is a problem. Each baby grows and gains skills at his or her own pace. It is common for a baby to be ahead in one area, such as language, but a little behind in another. Babies who were born early or have health problems may grow and develop at a slower pace.
When are routine medical visits needed?
Between the ages of 1 to 12 months, a baby usually goes to the doctor at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. These routine checkups are called well-baby visits. These visits are important to check for problems and to make sure that your baby is growing and developing as expected.
During these visits, the doctor will do a physical exam and give your baby any needed immunizations. The doctor will weigh and measure your baby to see how your baby compares to other babies of the same age. The doctor will likely ask you questions about how your family and the baby are doing. This is a good time to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have. Between visits, write down any questions you want to ask the doctor next time.
When should you call the doctor?
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Growth and Development,Ages 1 to 12 Months Topics
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