Development: Early skills
Your baby is rapidly developing skills as he or she becomes more aware of his or her environment.
In general, babies vary less in the development of early skills than in those acquired later. The development of early skills mostly depends on the normal development of the brain, nerves and muscles. There is little you can do to speed this development along.
Some skills you should see now are:
- smiles in response to your smile
- makes noises other than crying, such as cooing
- regards and follows a dangled object from side to side and up and down (through a 180-degree arc)
- grasps a ring or rattle briefly
- lifts his or her head off of the bed as much as 45 degrees when lying on his or her stomach
- Watches her hands.
If you have questions about your baby's development, discuss them with your baby's doctor or nurse practitioner.
Growth and development, Newborn to 12 months Return to "Volume 4: The second month" Pregnancy Condition Center: Your newborn Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota: Well child care
Source: Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
First published: 05/07/2001
Last updated: 10/18/2005
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rogan, MD, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
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