Newborn Development Milestones

When you are in need of newborn care in Clarkston, Smyrna, and Lithonia, GA, our team of pediatricians at Decatur Pediatric Group is here to provide the support and care that you and your infant need. If you are a first-time parent, this support can be crucial. No two babies are identical, they are individuals who will develop at their own pace. However, there are things to look for called milestones. Parents can look for these to measure their child's progress.

Don't be too concerned if your baby seems to be lagging in some areas, they may be going gangbusters in another. Milestones are not definitive, they are just guidelines. If your baby is a preemie, you need to make allowance for when they actually would have been born if they had gone full term.

One Month

At one month of age, most babies will be able to:

• Bring their hands close to their face
• Make motions with their arms
• Form their hands into a fist
• Hear very well
• Focus their eyes on an object up to a foot away
• Move their head side to side when lying on their stomach

Things to be concerned about:

If the baby doesn't blink when shown a bright light, isn't startled by loud sounds, rarely moves arms and legs, or is very floppy, you may want to discuss it with your pediatrician.

Two Months

By the age of two months, most babies:

• Begin to make cooing sounds
• Will have the soft spot on the back of the head close
• Have different cries for different things
• Responds to voices they recognize
• Smile when they see you
• Have less of a head wobble
• Be able to turn their head side to side
• Lift up their head when on their tummy
• Move arms and legs at the same time
• Follow you with their eyes
• Will be sleeping for longer stretches

By 3 months, your baby is no longer a newborn. They are developing their own personality and are starting to express themselves quite vocally.

For many new parents, the first two months of newborn care in Clarkston, Smyrna, and Lithonia, GA, can be hectic. Getting used to less sleep and having to put someone else first can cause many changes in your life. Having a schedule of some sort can be beneficial for everyone, but don't worry if your baby decides they don't care about your schedule.

For newborn care, the pediatricians at Decatur Pediatric Group in Clarkston, Smyrna, and Lithonia, GA, will be there every step of the way. To make an appointment, call our office at (404) 296-7133. We are here to serve our patients.