Not all babies will develop at the same speed. Just as there is a wide spread in the growth of size and weight, so there is for the development of physical capabilities. While no two babies will develop at the same rate or in the same way there are some general milestones that apply to physical development in all babies.
| Month | Milestone |
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| 7 | Your baby’s ability to sit will improve, although he may have to bend forward to balance himself.- The finger and thumb become completely opposable. Your baby will hold an object in each hand and can transfer small objects from one hand to the other.
- He will be able to sit alone but will be very unsteady. His back will still be rounded and he will have to support himself with both arms, probably by placing them in front of his body as a kind of brace. However, in this position he won’t be able to move his hands in any way because he’ll be relying on them for balance. Any movement will result in his tumbling over.
- Probably within a month of the previous stage your baby will have begun to take his body’s weight on one outstretched arm when he wants to.
- He may start a sort of dancing movement instead of jumping and he’ll also start to hop from one foot to another. Babies quite often place one foot on top of the other then pull out the underneath foot and repeat the whole movement over and over again.
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| 8 | Your baby’s dexterity will improve and he’ll use a pincer movement to grasp small objects.- Your baby will be able to sit up completely unsupported and will be able to turn round. He will still be a bit unsteady so always make sure that he is surrounded by soft cushions in case he topples over.
- Your baby will have begun to pull himself forward on the floor with his head held erect, making kicking movements.
- If he hadn’t started his dancing movement instead of jumping, this will begin about now and he’ll start hopping from one foot to another. He may also start standing on one of his feet, pulling out the lower foot and repeat it endlessly.
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| 9 | Your baby will make determined efforts to crawl and may be able to support himself on hands and knees.- Dexterity continues to improve. He begins to use his index finger to poke into holes.
- Your baby’s balance will be so well developed that he’ll be able to swing his torso to look around and will be able to reach forward without losing his balance.
- He can take his full weight on his feet, but can’t balance yet. If you support your baby firmly underneath the arms he will be able to take his weight on his legs and will try to move one foot in front of the other. Supported on your lap, he will try to take a step or two forward. At this stage you must support your baby very securely to take most of the weight because his balance is still primitive.
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| 10 | Your baby will be able to crawl with both his arms and legs straight. He’ll pull himself to a standing position.- Your baby will be able to hold two objects in one hand. He’ll be a bit clumsy in releasing them.
- The muscle control of his knees and feet will have improved and he will begin to pull himself up to a standing position on furniture despite the fact that his balance is still far from good.
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| 11–12 | Your baby will probably be able to totter when supported but will “cruise” along furniture by himself.- Your baby can hold crayons, feed himself, give and take objects. Co-ordination will improve daily.
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