Watching your little one develop is an amazing and often highly entertaining experience, especially for first-time mums and dads. With baby development, everything is so new and something funny happens nearly every day. As a parent once put it, “It’s like science experiment brought to life in your lounge.” While another likened baby development to a reality show playing out at your place 24 hours a day. No wonder so many parents buy movie cameras and capture hours of baby development on film.
Regardless of how you see it or what stage your little one is up to, like most parents, you’re probably hungry for baby development information. Is that a first word or a burp? Was that a step or a stumble? Does she remember the book you showed her yesterday, and if so, does it mean she’s ready to start learning the alphabet? Maybe you’re worried your darling’s development is a tad slow, or possibly she’s going too fast?
In this section, we’ll tell you what’s happening, what to expect and when, and how you can help boost baby development by giving your little one a helping hand, a gentle prod, and well-timed words of encouragement.
Talk about exciting
By now you’ll be used to bub making lots of different sounds and interesting noises. But is it the start of language or just a load of babble? First words are indisputable proof that junior is ready for a little conversation, but that seemingly nonsensical babble could also be one of the key signs that he is on the verge of chatting to you about his toys or asking what’s for lunch. Read this section to find out about the key signs of baby language development. Also, you may discover that your sweet baby understands quite a bit more than you realise.
First steps to independence
Those first steps are so special – not only is your little one embarking on a significant chapter in baby development, but they are also beginning their journey towards independence. So don’t be surprised to find yourself shedding a tear or three when baby staggers gleefully across the lawn for the very first time. There are a number of things you can do to build baby’s confidence, skills and strength. Read this section to find out what they are.
Bad memory
You may have realised that your baby’s memory is far from perfect in the first few months of life, but with ongoing baby development, a baby’s capacity for remembering words, faces and objects gets better and better. Learn how you can help your little one’s memory develop. Read up on some fun techniques for fostering memory, which of course is the foundation of learning. It’s never too soon to start, and you’ll both enjoy the process.
Baby growth
Baby development has a wide range of parameters, with every baby growing at their own unique rate. So try not compare your baby’s growth to your friend’s baby and then panic because your bub looks like a hobbit sitting next to sumo wrestler. Keep in mind that more than one rugby front rower started life on the dainty side, and many a squirrel-cheeked whopper has transformed into a swan-like princess by the time she enters her teens.
The growth charts in your baby’s blue health book give an excellent idea of just how much babies vary in size, length and head circumference. In this section we explain what those graphs mean and talk you through the various stages of growth.
For more information see Baby milestones or Baby Care.
Last Published* May, 2024
*Please note that the published date may not be the same as the date that the content was created and that information above may have changed since.
