Newborn Developmental Milestones: What To Expect in the First Year

Pediatricians recommend that you bring your newborn in at intervals throughout the first year for well-child visits, to mark developmental milestones, and for sick visits whenever you suspect a possible illness that cannot be managed at home. Bring your newborn for the first visit to see Dr. Brian DuMais, Dr. Megan Dwyer, or Dr. Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL, for quality newborn care.

What Are Developmental Milestones?

A developmental milestone can be described as an accomplishment that a child achieves in their growth over the months and years. Children go through several developmental milestones in the first years after they are born, from getting taller to learning to walk or saying their first words. Doctors and parents must keep track of these developmental milestones to ensure that the child is growing normally and getting the care they need to be healthy physically, mentally, and behaviorally as they get older.

What To Expect in the First Year for Newborns

The first 12 months are arguably the most important for a child, as they are expected to achieve a very specific set of developmental milestones. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those include:

• Raising their heads on their own.
• Smiling or having other facial expressions.
• Gripping things in their hands.
• Rolling over and reaching for objects
• Saying a couple of basic words (like a variation of mom or dad).
• Crawling and sitting up on their own.
• Self-feeding.
• Seeking attention and displaying a general desire to explore and learn new things.

Solutions for Developmental Challenges

If your child displays signs of developmental delays or challenges, early intervention and newborn care by your Orland Park, IL, pediatrician is so important, which is why you should keep up with regularly scheduled well-child visits and closely monitor the child’s behavior. If your child has a developmental challenge, physical, occupational, and talk or family therapy can provide significant improvements as well as prescription medication, devices, or surgical procedures when needed.

Your Newborn’s First Year of Care

Start the process of tracking your developmental milestones by getting newborn care at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL. Call (708) 364-1600 today to make an appointment with Dr. Brian DuMais, Dr. Megan Dwyer, or Dr. Liz Dahlberg.