Baby Stages, is Your Child on Track?

Very often, parents will become quite concerned as to whether their babies are on track, meeting their expected requirements for the different stages while growing. They wonder if their babies are developing as per schedule. It can create a lot of needless worry and stress for many parents.

Usually new, young parents are either reading all the books on babies and parenting, or they're comparing themselves and their children to that of their friends and acquaintances. This can make them wonder if their own little one is on track. Sometimes they may even have concerns that something might be terribly wrong.

A lot of parents will worry as to why their child might not be rolling over when their best friend's baby (who's the same age), already is. Your baby may not start walking or talking when the other children in day care might be. Your child might not be reaching for items when another child does. Each child is individual in their own unique way.

Babies grow and develop at different rates than other children, plain and simple. There is just no way that any two babies will develop exactly alike. There is a basic rate that you can gauge your child's developmental levels by (which you've probably already read about in all the baby books you've purchased), but it's not an accurate or precise science. It can be off either way by weeks or even months.

Different Stages

Mother's (fathers too) have a habit of boasting that their child is maybe walking at 8 or 9 months. It's a natural thing to do. They see that their little one is somewhat ahead of the other children in that age group and it makes them beam with pride. Of course they want to boast and think their child is special and well advanced over every other parent's child.

On the other hand, it may cause great concern for another parent, wondering if their own child is developmentally slow or not. No need to worry. One child may be walking sooner than yours, but yours might be talking a lot earlier than others. Different children progress at different levels and stages.

Boys and Girls

It can also have much to do with the gender of the child. When it comes to talking, you can be sure that most baby girls will be far ahead of the boys in their age group. It can be somewhat humorous, but yes, girls are just gabbier. They can start talking before or around a year old and from there on, you can't get them to shut up. This will make parents of little boys worried, wondering why their little boy isn't yet talking. This is probably one of the first differences you will notice between boys and girls (besides the obvious).

Boys figure out a way to get what they want by other means. They've figured out that they don't have to talk to get their needs and wants met. This is just the way their brains are wired. Either they'll make little noises, point to the item of interest, or they'll figure out on their own how to get it. Boys are more adventurous and mechanically oriented by nature, and somewhat independent, moreso than girls. They will already be mapping things out in their minds as how to get that toy to work or to reach for that cookie on the table.

Care and Nurturing

A child's development is also very much dependent on how much care and nurturing they are getting in the home. Sadly, not all parents are equipped to be really good at the job of parenting... and it IS a job, one we should all strive to be very good at when we choose to bring a child into the world. If a parent isn't spending enough time with the child, talking and playing, cooing and singing, the child will be somewhat slower in picking up on things. All children need stimuli, visual and verbal, as well as love and affection, to get their motor skills functioning at the proper levels.

This is why it is so important for parents to continuously interact with their child from day one. Play time with mommy and daddy is not only for bonding purposes, but it is how young children learn to interact with the world around them.

Health Care

It is good, however, to know when to expect your child to meet their next little milestone, give or take a few weeks. Unfortunately, we don't all get to have that "perfect, normal" child. Some children may need some extra help, time and effort by the parent, or even an occupational therapist. This can help them to get through to their next stage of development, with greater ease and less stress.

This is why it is very important for the parent to keep up with those regular doctor appointments with your pediatrician or general practitioner. They will keep you informed and on track as to whether your child's developmental rate is where it should be. If they do happen to detect a problem or two, by dealing with it early on, so much heartache and needless worry can be avoided.