Unit 137

1.1
Babies at birth
Physical development
  Reflexes
  Swallowing and sucking – ensures baby can feed and swallow
  Rooting – baby will move to find nipple or teat if its cheek or mouth is touched
  Grasp – baby will automatically wrap their fingers around an object placed in their hand
  Startle - if babies hear a sudden noise or sudden bright light they will stretch arms out and clench fists
  Walking and standing – when babies are held upright they will usually make stepping movements

Intellectual/ cognitive development

  Babies will recognise the smell of their mother and the sound of her voice

Communication

  Babies will cry when hungry, tired or distressed

Babies at 1 month
Social, Emotional and behavioural
  Babies will start to settle into a pattern
  Start to make fleeting smiles

Communication

  Parents may start to recognise the different cries signalling different needs
  Will respond to familiar voices – stop crying, feel reassured
  May coo when contented

Physical
  Will gradually start to spend longer periods awake
  Will try to focus on the face of whoever is holding them
  Will look less curled up

Babies at 3 months
Social, emotional and behavioural

  Some babies have learnt the difference between night and day, and may sleep through the night
  May take enjoyment from activities such as bath time

Communication

  Most babies cry less as carers learn to distinguish different needs from cry
  Smile at sound of parents/ carers voice
  Smile back when see a smiling face

Physical

  Sleep a little less
  Lift and turn heads

Cognitive

  Far more alert
  Notice objects around them – mobiles, toys.

Babies at 6 months
Cognitive/ physical
  Much more alert- turns head to see what is happening
  Start weening, exploring food, spoons etc.

Social, emotional and behavioural

  Take enjoyment from play time and shows this by smiling and squealing...