Milestones in the development of a baby in the first year of life
Your baby's mental and motor skills develop from birth onwards. Every baby goes through these stages at different times, with some developing faster and others needing a little more time. So, you needn’t worry if your baby is not quite as far along as others.
Hearing
One of the first abilities babies develop is hearing. Babies can already hear in the last weeks of pregnancy; by the end of the first month, their hearing is fully developed. Although they can hear things, they are not yet able to understand and classify them properly. Nevertheless, babies react to voices and unexpected sounds.
Seeing
Although a baby's eyesight is present from birth, it only develops gradually. Babies can usually only see what is about 10 cm in front of their eyes. The rest is still very blurry for them.
Smiling
Your baby’s first smile is probably what parents look forward to the most. This memorable event generally takes place in the first few weeks after birth, but it is more a subconscious reflex of the facial muscles. Only from the fifth to seventh month does a baby learn to smile consciously and recognise faces.
Interestingly, smiling is not a purely learned behavior, as even blind babies smile.
Bathing
Even the first bath can be a milestone in baby development. A baby should not be bathed in the first weeks after birth, because the umbilical cord has not yet fallen off and the navel has not healed sufficiently.
Germs can enter your baby’s body through the open wound on the navel, resulting in its becoming inflamed. In the first weeks, a baby should only be wiped down with a damp washcloth. It is best to ask your midwife or a pediatrician at which point it’s safe for your baby to be bathed.
Raising their head
One to two months after birth, a baby usually begins to lift and hold their head. During the day, babies should be turned on their stomach more often in order to strengthen the neck muscles. Gradually, the grasping and kicking movements become more frequent and the baby will soon learn to turn on its own.
When do babies start turning on their sides?
Acquiring the ability to roll over is an important milestone in your baby’s development, as it is the step on the path towards crawling and walking. Once the neck muscles are sufficiently strengthened and head movements are more controlled, the baby will start to turn on its side. Babies already start to kick their legs and row their arms in the first weeks, which has a positive effect on muscle development.
In the prone position, babies try to lift their heavy heads and support themselves very early on. Every movement strengthens the muscles and can help your baby to start crawling more quickly.
When do babies start turning on their sides? Some babies start turning on their sides as early as the third month. Most babies start rolling over from around the fifth month. Even if your baby can’t turn on their side by then, there's no need to worry.
Between the sixth and eighth month, the pediatrician will check your child's mobility and motor skills during the U5 screening examination. Pay attention to the pediatrician's advice and try to encourage your baby to turn over on their own.
When do babies start rolling over on their stomachs?
It is usually easier for babies to turn from their tummies to the supine position than vice versa. If your baby can already manage to stand up and turn onto their side, it is usually only a small step before they can turn from their side to their belly.
When do babies start turning onto their stomachs? From the seventh month of life onwards, most babies can move in both directions on their own. Some babies even skip this milestone and immediately start sitting or crawling. If your baby can’t roll over by the time they’re eight months old, you can consult your doctor for a preventive examination.
How can I help my baby roll over?
As already mentioned, every baby has their own rhythm and develops at their own pace. There are a few exercises that can help your baby strengthen their muscles and help them turn independently.
To play with your baby, you can lay your baby on their stomach more often so that they start to lift their head. Some babies find the prone position less comfortable and try to turn on their back by themselves. If your baby finds the prone position too uncomfortable, you can put your forearm under your baby's chest and place one hand on their back to support them.
Another trick is to place a toy or cuddle cloth near the baby. Your baby will try to grab it and turn around. Place it in your baby's line of sight above the head, but not so close so that the baby has to move to grab it. If your baby has managed the turn, reinforce this positively with a joyful laugh or light clapping. This will alleviate your baby's fear of turning over.
If your baby is lying on their back, you can place your hand on their thigh. Exert a light pressure on the thigh to indicate a turning movement.
You can also place your baby on your thigh to make turning easier. Stretch your legs out on the floor and place your baby across your thighs. Your baby should be in the prone position, but should not fall into the hollow of their back. Your baby is supported in this position by your thighs and feels comfortable in the prone position.
Since babies train their motor skills even while they’re asleep, you should make sure that your baby has room to kick in the crib. A baby sleeping bag is recommended for sufficient exercise while sleeping, as it not only keeps the baby pleasantly warm, but also provides space for leg movements (without slipping) and helps the baby to sleep through the night.
Never put your child under too much pressure. The movements should always be playful and your child should never be forced to do specific training sessions.
What you should keep in mind when your baby starts to roll over
Babies tend to turn themselves over by accident at first, but they become more and more conscious and frequent. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, one of the most common accidents among babies in their first year of life is falling off a changing table.
For this reason, never leave your child unattended on the changing table and try to put your hand on your baby if you turn around for a moment or are distracted. In the cases in which you may have to leave the room, it is best to take your baby with you or put a baby blanket on the floor and leave your baby there for a short moment so that they cannot fall off the changing table.
Here are all the important points to remember at a glance:
- Every baby develops at a different pace.
- Don't worry if your baby is not yet able to perform certain movements.
- Always and only while you are supervising, place your baby on their tummy more often to strengthen their neck muscles.
- Do not force your baby to turn or crawl.
- Never leave your baby unsupervised on the changing table.