Month by month: how much our baby grows

Each baby is different in terms of their growth and they also differ between boys and girls. Both the weight and the size of the baby must be controlled by the pediatrician and it will be he who determines if these measurements are those that your baby has according to her age. Monthly control is vital during the first year of life in order to have a clear notion of the evolution of the little ones. In this way we will know month by month how much our baby grows.

It is possible to know these data by inquiring into the development tables -there are for boys and girls- through which it is possible to keep a record, at a general level, of the weight and length of a baby between 36 and 40 weeks of age. pregnancy and, once born, between the month of life and the year of life. However, it is a generic table that only accounts for these two parameters. On the other hand, do not worry if your baby does not agree with these measures since they are at a general level. If you notice any abnormalities or a significant distance, the ideal is that you consult the baby's pediatrician.

Now, if you are looking for more detailed information on the baby evolution during the first year of life, keep reading this post as there are many other data that will help you know how much your baby grows month by month.

Development in the first two months

When evaluating the baby development month by month, the different areas are taken into account: cognitive, physical or motor, language and social. During the first stages, the motor evolution that the baby acquires month by month is remarkable, with some significant milestones, such as raising and keeping the head upright, controlling the movement of the legs or learning to pick up objects.

The first month of the baby is somewhat bucolic, just out of the womb the baby spends many hours a day asleep and begins to adapt to the world. It is recommended that you sleep on your stomach for greater safety. During those first 30 days you will notice that for a few seconds he may try to raise his head momentarily although he cannot keep it straight, neither his head nor his back, which remains hunched when sitting upa.

The first weeks can be complicated in the case of breastfeeding because it is the moment for the baby to adapt to his environment and to the sucking process, which, although it is instinctive, is not for that reason simple. As the days go by, you will notice that the baby begins to focus on large objects in front of him and that he responds to the face or voice of the parents. When he cries, he is calmed by the arms of responsible adults, who can help him by talking to him or lifting him up.

Completing 2 months of life

In general, between birth and two months, the baby can lift and turn his head when lying on his back, make fists, and flex his arms. Although he is strengthening his neck, he still cannot hold his head up. In addition, at this stage, there are some instinctive reflexes that are repeated in all newborns. One of them is the Babinski reflex, which causes the toes to spread outward in the shape of a fan when there is friction on the sole of the foot. There is also the Moro reflex - also known as the startle reflex - which causes the baby to extend his arms and then bend them and push towards the body with a brief cry.

One of the most beautiful reflexes is the palmar grasp reflex, through which the baby can close his fingers naturally and grasp the mother's finger. The walking reflex is also known, through which the baby takes quick steps when her feet brush a surface, this while holding the baby's body. The sucking reflex is one of the most important, it is the one that allows him to turn his head in search of the nipple when his cheek is touched and begins to suck when the nipple touches his lips.

3 and 4 month old baby

After the first 60 days of life, it is possible to notice an enormous evolution in the baby's life. Its development increases week by week. Muscle strengthening leads to more movement and motor independence. On the other hand, the baby will remain awake for more and more hours and this implies a constant incorporation of all the stimuli that surround him. Between 3 and 4 months of life, babies learn to lift their heads when they are face down and hold it for a few minutes, they are alerted to sounds and they manage to start taking objects with their hands because it is a time when They discover the power of their hands. That is why it is also common for them to suck their fingers and hands.

Better eye muscle control allows the baby to follow objects and this in turn influences the control of the hands, thus trying to grab toys and things that attract them. The movements of the hands and feet are not yet in sync, and although they will have discovered their hands, they are not yet able to grasp objects voluntarily. What they will try to do is grab objects, especially if they find them striking.

In this second stage of life, the instinctive reflexes begin to disappear and the baby's voluntary acts are increasingly appreciated. Strengthening their neck muscles will not only allow them to slowly try to hold their head up, but will also help them keep their heads up when sitting (with help, of course). The back is still bent but every day it is stronger and straighter, since the next step will be to acquire the ability to sit on its own. Around three months of life, the baby raises the upper torso and shoulders in addition to the head, helping himself with the arms when lying on his stomach, supporting himself with his stomach.

The baby's 5 and 6 months

It is a delight to see a baby grow month by month, especially after 5 months of life. Evolution is constant, motor skills develop by leaps and bounds and the little ones gain greater independence every day. It's a great time for them to stay on the floor playing as being free you can move freely, reaching out to pick up targets and trying to sit up on their own. The exploration is part of the daily life of the baby so you can place toys around it. Between 5 and 6 months of age, babies learn to sit up on their own without help, at first for a few seconds and then for longer. You can place some cushions on the sides to help him stay seated without falling.

Another skill that he develops is being able to take objects with a better grip, thanks to the palmar ulnar grip technique. Through it you can press a block into the palm of your hand while flexing or bending your wrist inward even though you don't use your thumb yet. At this stage he also perfects the roll as he now rolls from his back to his stomach. And there's more because when he's on his stomach, he can push himself up with his arms to raise his shoulders and head and look around or reach for objects. It is a fun stage in which each stimulus helps him strengthen his muscles and develop gross and fine motor skills.

Babies from 6 to 9 months

Undoubtedly, the baby's greatest skills occur after six months, a time that also coincides with the first intake of solid foods. In itself, this scenario offers the possibility of exploring the world, now by touching food and putting it in their mouths, adding aromas and flavors to their life experiences. Food opens up the sensory world but also encourages physical development. Babies are getting stronger and have a record of everything that happens around them.

Depending on each child's own abilities, you may hear them imitate sounds and seek contact with adults through laughter and interaction. At this stage babies become very sociable. They also dare to challenge the world with their moves. They already sit alone and without any help and it is common to see how some of them begin to crawl later to start the crawling stage. Crawling can be particular at the beginning: front to back, back to front, dragging a leg...

As the months go by, the baby can take hold of the objects around him to try to get up and stay on his feet. In this way, babies can maintain an upright position while leaning on furniture. Even the most intrepid can be encouraged to walk holding the hand of an adult.

1 year old babies

It is common that towards the first year of life babies are encouraged to take their first steps. While this may be a few months later, it won't be long. Towards a year, the baby begins to maintain balance while standing up alone and from then on it will be necessary to follow him with all the attention because very soon he will acquire dexterity and speed. She removes all dangerous objects from the house to avoid accidents.

It is a very fun stage in terms of social development since it imitates sounds and words, and will try to communicate by all means. It is common for them to already say some words like “mama” and “papa”. On the other hand, they understand all kinds of slogans and limits, such as "no". Babies of this age really like to socialize with other children, so take the opportunity to take them out for a walk and to the park, where they can play and be in the company of other peers.