Baby’s Motor Capacity Month To Month

In the first year of a child’s life there are many changes, month to month. The baby’s motor ability is at first coarser and more rudimentary, and becomes more finely tuned as the months go by.

Obviously, each child will have their own pace, as we’ve said in other articles. However, the developmental milestones we present below can serve to assess your baby’s motor skills as he grows, and determine if you need to go to the pediatrician if something cannot be achieved in a reasonable amount of time.

The baby’s motor skills in the first year

The baby’s motor capacity is a very important indicator for determining developmental problems or brain damage, among others. This skill includes gross motor skills (arm and leg movements) and fine motor skills (eye-hand coordination).

However, as parents spend the most time with the baby, they may have a broader record of the milestones that the baby’s motor skills have reached.

In month 1

• First, when you are lying on your back, your arms and legs are flexed.
• Therefore, when lying on his stomach, he can do “crawling” movements and raise his head for a few seconds.
• Also, your head falls back when you pull your little arms to “sit down”.
• Also, the hands are closed most of the time. The thumb will be inside the other fingers.
• Finally, the moment you touch his hand, he closes it.

In month 2

• The baby can hold his head up, and try to lift his body whenever he is on his stomach.
• Move your legs and arms more smoothly when on your back.
• Hands remain open longer and longer.

in month 3

• First, while lying on your stomach, lean on your forearms, and lift your head 45 or 90 degrees. Your thighs remain taut.
• Then, when lying on his back, he looks at himself and grabs his hands, in addition to resting his heels on the bed.
• Also, whenever you keep him “sitting”, his back is straighter.
• When you put something in your hand, you grab it and you can shake it.
• Hands are open very often.

In month 4

• First. keeps the head fixed, without the need for support.
• Therefore, he pushes himself with his legs when he has his feet on a firm surface.
• Also, it can hit toys that are hanging.
• Put your hands over your mouth.
• When he is on his stomach, he can turn around on his own and lie on his back.
• It also raises the body when it is turned over on its stomach, until it rests on its elbows.

in month 5

• First, support yourself on your hands and raise your torso almost completely.
• So, the moment you are lying on your back, you can “pedal”.
• Also, when he is picked up by the arms to sit down, he actively participates in the movement.
• Also, the moment you pick him up under the armpits and stand him up, brace his feet and force them against the firm surface.
• On the other hand, take objects freely with your hands.
• Finally, switch objects from one hand to the other.

in month 6

• During the time you are lying down, you turn to both sides, turn over on your back, or lie face down.
• Begin to sit unsupported, first for a few seconds.
• When he gets up, he leans on his legs, and he can even jump.
• In a crawling position, swing back and forth. Sometimes it crawls or tries to.

• You can hold an object in each hand, and bring it all to your mouth.

in month 7

• Whenever lying on his back, he grabs his feet and tries to suck his thumb (or even does).
• Sit down without support. It is able to reach out its hands forward to support itself, or to pick up an object.
• When held upright by the armpits, he actively jumps.
• Switch objects from one hand to the other.
• It is able to hold an object in the so-called “bottom pinch” position, that is, between the thumb and little finger.
• Drop objects at will.

in month 8

• First, the baby can sit alone and remain seated unsupported.
• Therefore, it swivels well on the body, and can put itself in the crawling position.

• It’s the time when you’ll enjoy playing at throwing objects.
• Also, when he has an object in each hand and is offered another, he releases one to pick up the new one.
• Finally, he eats a biscuit or biscuit unaided, and can hold them in his hands.

in month 9

• The baby gets up, leaning on something.
• When placed in the crawl position, it effectively crawls. Some crawl backward, or crawl over the buttock and thigh, or they may keep one leg straight.
• Learn to stand with support. It stands still for a moment and then falls.
• Grasp objects between the index finger and the base of the thumb.
• Can reach out and deliver objects to parents.
• Plays hitting objects, against each other, abruptly and loudly.

in month 10

• He crawls well, supported on his hands and knees.

• He stands upright, leaning on whatever gives him strength.
• Is able to pick up a cup or cup and drink its contents unaided.
• It develops the so-called “fine top clamp”. Grab objects with the tips of the index finger and the fingers of the thumb.
• It is able to pick up and place objects in a box.

in month 11

• Begins to crawl supporting hands and feet.
• It takes its first steps, leaning on the furniture.
• You can walk if an adult holds you by both hands.
• Point with the index finger.
• Put your fingers in holes and crevices.
• It is capable of throwing a ball to an adult.
• Take the spoon by the handle and bring it to your mouth, even if the movement is not very precise.
• Can applaud.

In month 12

• It walks if it is held by one hand.
• You can take your first steps without leaning over.
• Can bend over to pick up an object.
• He likes to play putting and taking objects out of a box.

• With the tweezers of the index and thumb, he likes to place small objects one at a time.
• Can play with pieces that fit together, if demonstration is done.
• Can you take off the socks.

One last consideration

Avoid getting upset if your baby doesn’t have one of these milestones in a given month, as he is likely to reach it the next. A baby’s motor skills change very quickly in the first year of life, but each baby will catch up in his own time.