2-4 Month Developmental Milestones

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Birth-2 Month Developmental Milestones

4-6 Month Developmental Milestones

Movement and physical development

Normal development

Holds head steady, unsupported
Pushes down on legs when feet are on a hard surface
May be able to roll over from tummy to back
Can hold a toy and shake it and swing at dangling toys
Brings hands to mouth
When lying on stomach, pushes up to elbows

Possible challenges from treatment

Less chance for tummy time and activity because of procedures and treatments
Tubes and hospital equipment can keep baby from moving normally
Children may not learn physical skills as fast as normal, especially rolling over, controlling head and upper body, and learning hand/eye coordination

Ways to help

If your treatment center has one, go to infant playtime to help baby learn physical skills.
Use a floor mat for tummy time and movement.
Put toys just out of reach to encourage rolling over.
Give toys with texture to get baby interested in grabbing and moving objects.
Use crib mobiles to keep baby alert and interested.

Language and communication

Normal development

Responds to new sounds other than voices (such as vacuum and telephone); turns head toward a voice
Responds to changes in tone of voice. (such as “no”)
Pays attention to and makes vocal sounds in response to music
Smiles in response to you or when playing alone
Gurgles, laughs, and makes more speech-like babbling sounds (baba, mama)
Whines to get what he wants
Begins to take turns “talking” and attempt to interact with adults
Begins to recognize his name (turns head or looks up when you say it)
Anticipates feeding (gets excited when you shake bottle)

Possible challenges from treatment

Less chance to relate to parents and caregivers because baby feels sick and tired.
Might be slow to develop language

Ways to help

Interact with your baby when he or she is awake and alert.
Smile
Sing
Read
Talk about what is happening in the room

Social and emotional

Normal development

Smiles spontaneously, especially at people
Likes to play with people and might cry when playing stops
Copies some movements and facial expressions, like smiling or frowning

Possible challenges from treatment

Less interest in play
Fewer chances to relate and bond to parents and caregivers due to feeling sick and tired.
Feels stress from hospital lights, sounds, and people; changes in routines; and painful procedures
More fussy, irritable, and sensitive than normal
Might have sleep problems

Ways to help

Give baby attention during awake, alert times.
If baby is stressed, turn down lights, swaddle baby, and play quiet music or use a “white noise” machine.
Have a regular routine, if possible.

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Thinking and learning

Normal development

Lets you know if he is happy or sad
Reaches for toy with one hand
Uses hands and eyes together, such as seeing a toy and reaching for it
Follows moving things with eyes from side to side
Watches faces closely
Recognizes familiar people and things at a distance

Possible challenges from treatment

May have fewer opportunities to play on the floor and explore by kicking and swiping at objects due to frequent appointments and concerns about cleanliness of floor in certain settings
Parents or caregivers may experience increased stress, making it harder to think of activities to promote early learning skills
Might be slow to develop early problem-solving skills

Ways to help

Hold your baby while talking to them
Act excited when your baby makes sounds
Copy your baby’s sounds
Begin to play peek-a-boo with your child, knowing it is okay and normal if they do not play back at first
Place a rattle in your baby’s hand, help them hold it and shake it
Put toys near your baby’s feet so he or she can kick them
Remember YOU are your baby’s most beneficial developmental tool and toy!