After nine long months of pregnancy you can watch your tiny, helpless newborn transform into a lively, independent 3 year old. Changes in his size, weight and shape will amaze you as he moves from one stage to another, learning all the way. You can monitor his progress and check that he develops as he should, enjoying his growing maturity, stamina and skills.
Your Newborn Baby
Your newborn baby reacts to the world around her with reflex actions. She startles at loud noises, bright lights and even strong smells. She turns to find food, sucking at anything that touches her mouth. She grasps your finger if you put it in her palm, and her toes curl when you touch the sole of her foot. According to KidsHealth, her head is large in proportion to her body, she weighs anything from 6 pounds to over 9 pounds and she is 19 to 21 inches long.
7 Months Old
Your baby grows rapidly at first. Although he loses 10% of his birth weight in his first few days, he regains it over the next 2 weeks and grows by 1 to 1.5 inches in his first month. He lifts his head up and rolls over, opens and shuts his hands, brings his hand to his mouth and aims his hand at hanging objects. By 7 months, he is sitting up without support, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
8 to 12 Months
By 12 months she weighs three times as much as she did at birth and she has grown half as long again as when she was born. Her brain develops rapidly, with connective pathways joining her nerve cells together, allowing great advances in physical ability. She learns to crawl or shuffle across the floor, then pull herself up to a standing position, balancing against the furniture. At last, as she nears her first birthday, she may take her first steps on her own.
12 Months to 2 Years
Between 12 months and 2 years, your child grows to about 34 inches in height. He is very active now, and enjoys walking alone, standing on his toes, kicking a ball and carrying toys as he walks. As a result of all this activity, his muscles develop and his body looks firmer and less babyish. He learns to use his fingers to manipulate objects, from scribbling with colored pencils to twisting and turning containers to find out what's inside.
2 to 3 Years
At 3 years, a toddler becomes more independent. She climbs stairs, runs, bends over to pick things off the floor without falling over and learns to peddle her tricycle. She turns the pages of a book one by one, and enjoys building towers out of at least six blocks. Her physical growth rate slows slightly, so she gains just 4 pounds or so in weight and 2 or 3 inches in height during this year.
Expert Insight
Although your child's physical growth is likely to progress as expected, you may feel worried should he not meet all these developmental milestones. The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities advises you to arrange a visit with a developmental pediatrician to evaluate your child thoroughly if you suspect that all is not well. Early intervention will give him his best chance to thrive.
