Being a new parent is an exciting journey, but it can also be overwhelming. Every parent wants to make sure that their baby is healthy and happy, but it can be difficult to know what signs to look for. If you’re a new parent, you might find yourself worrying about whether your baby is developing properly. But fear not, there are some clear signs that indicate that your little one is healthy and on the right track.
1. Your Baby Is A Social Butterfly
If your baby is making eye contact, smiling, and giggling at people, it’s a good sign that they are happy and healthy. Although babies don’t start smiling until around two months old, they can start making eye contact as early as one month old. By the third month, they might start cooing, and by the fourth month, they could be laughing. By the fifth month, your baby should be able to smile back at you if you smile at them.
2. Your Baby Can Support Their Body Weight
Between the first and third months, your baby might have brief moments where they can hold their head up without any support. However, they should be able to hold their head steady without support by the fifth month. Tummy time on the floor can help your baby exercise their growing muscles and develop their strength.
3. Your Baby Has A Regular Sleeping Pattern, Cries Less And Is Less Fussy
By the fourth month, most babies should have a regular sleeping pattern with fewer interruptions, sleeping for four or more hours at a stretch between night time feeds. If your baby has a regular sleeping pattern, cries less and is less fussy, it’s a sign that their nervous system is developing correctly. If your older child has not yet developed a regular sleeping pattern, it’s a good idea to initiate them into a fixed schedule.
4. Your Baby Is Attentive And Quiet For Good Parts Of The Day
If your baby is quiet and attentive for good parts of the day, it’s a sign that they are observing and learning about their surroundings. In the initial weeks after birth, your baby’s vision is blurry, but they will gradually gain control over their eye muscles and begin to focus on targets. By the second month, most babies can look at bright colors, patterns, and spinning objects. Contrasting colors often catch their attention before they perceive colors more deeply.
5. Your Baby Looks At Movements, Colors, And Patterns
If your baby is looking at moving toys, whirring fans, and bright and colorful objects, it’s a sign that their eyesight is sharpening. Babies have an eyesight of about 20/100 and can see between eight and 12 inches away, which is about the distance between you and your baby when you are feeding them. By the time they are one month old, they can see 18 inches away.
6. Your Baby Makes A Good Listener
If your baby turns around at every new sound they hear, it’s a sign that their hearing is developing correctly, and they are trying to identify and distinguish different sounds. Babies can hear right from birth, but it takes time for them to discern the sounds that make up the noise of everyday life outside the womb. Your baby might be looking for the source of a new sound, and this is a healthy sign.
7. Your Baby Gains Weight And Needs Frequent Diaper Changes
Regular check-ups with your pediatrician will include weight checks. You’ll be elated every time your baby has put on a few grams, especially if you’re breastfeeding, where it can be difficult to know if your baby is receiving adequate milk. One sign is that of weight gain at subsequent doc visits. The other is that your baby should have wet diapers at least eight
8. Your Baby Calms Down By Your Voice And Your Touch
Bonding with your baby is an essential part of their emotional and psychological development. Your voice and touch can have a calming effect on your baby, especially when they are upset or crying.
During the first few months of life, your baby is still adjusting to the world outside the womb. They may feel overwhelmed by the new sensations and experiences, which can lead to fussiness and crying. As a parent, you can help soothe your baby by holding them close, talking to them in a soothing voice, and providing gentle touch.
