Archive for ‘Three to Six Months’
Parents often find this time period extremely exciting because of all the new things the baby can do when reaching out literally to grasp the world. The baby develops increasing control over body movements, and the early reflexes such as the grasp, Moro, and tonic neck, disappear. At the same time, the baby increasingly takes charge of planned, voluntary movement. Using The Muscles Babies learn to use different groups of muscles at different times. Gaining control of the body progresses from head to foot and from the center of the body to the limbs. Thus, babies can control their arms before their legs, and their shoulder muscles before their fingers. While the ability to turn the head and shoulders to follow an interesting object or sound comes almost automatically, it takes some practice to be able to grasp something with the hand. By the age of about six months, babies learn to control the muscles of the neck. This increased control is apparent when you pull the baby to a sitt...
While life with a three- to six-month-old still has its ups and downs, it's calmer and more predictable than the first few weeks. The whirlwind of activity that greets the arrival of a new baby has died down; cards and gifts have stopped arriving; and both parents (but especially the mother) are beginning to feel a bit more like themselves. Feeding, diapering, dressing, and bathing the baby have become second nature. Things are easier from the baby's point of view as well, largely because you have relaxed enough to learn the meanings of the various cries, gestures, and other signals with which she communicates. When your baby starts to fuss, you know what types of small adjustments less light, less noise, less intense interaction your baby may require to become content. As a result, you can both focus your attention on your budding social relationship. The third month marks an exciting turning point in the baby's development as a social being. Infants begin to cry less and spend ...