Your baby’s development

Whether it’s your child smiling, sitting up or crawling for the first time, we look forward to these milestones. They make up many of the magic moments of being a parent. To help you track your little one’s development we’ve put together a guide to give you a rough idea of when they’ll start doing what. But remember all babies are different and will develop at their own pace in their own way.

Did you know every child in England is entitled to a free Bookstart pack before they are 12 months old. Bookstart also gifts additional needs packs for babies and toddlers, as well as black-and-white booklets for newborns and dual-language books. Click here for your free book start pack.

By three months, most babies can:

Raise their head and chest when lying on their stomach 

Keep their head in the middle when lying on their back

Smile - responding to your smiles

Grip objects in their hands

Its important to support your child’s speech and language from birth.

Download your copy of speech and language development cards here. 

Here is a video to help you start making mini conversations with your baby.

By six months, most babies:

Are learning to roll both ways

Can support their weight on their legs (when held)

Are beginning to develop some mobility on their tummy

Can laugh

By nine months, most babies can:

Sit unsupported and play with toys.

Start to crawl or move around by bottom shuffling.

Clap and play games such as ‘pat a cake’ and ‘peekaboo’

By 12 months, most babies can:

Get from sitting to lying on their tummy or to crawling

Walk holding on to furniture (and may stand and walk independently).

Say one or two words such as mama, dada etc.

Point at objects to get your attention

If you have any concerns with regards to your baby’s development please speak to your Health Visitor on 0121 612 5021 or download further information on health visiting here.

Baby clinics are hosted around Sandwell in a number of locations, with health visitors and nursery nurses on hand to help with:

  • your child’s growth
  • development and behaviour
  • good sleeping habits
  • feeding your child - breast milk, formula, solids, healthy eating
  • coping with minor illnesses
  • managing a crying baby
  • immunisations
  • toileting

If you have any concerns about your baby, yourself or your family, Health visitors have a wide range of knowledge about all aspects of parenting and supporting families. They also work closely with other health care providers and agencies and can help you access the right support through signposting and referrals to other services.

For further information on where baby clinics are taking place across Sandwell, please click here.

Your baby’s health

As a parent, you may not like seeing your baby being given an injection. However immunisations will help protect them against a range of serious and potentially fatal diseases. Once children have been immunised, their bodies can fight those diseases if they come in contact with them.

Routine Immunisations

Your doctor’s surgery or clinic will usually send you an appointment to take your baby for their immunisations.

It is important that children receive their immunisations at the correct time, this will provide them with the best protection. Most immunisations are given by injection into your baby’s thigh or upper arm.

Immunisation and premature babies

Premature babies are at greater risk of infection. They should be immunised according to the recommended schedule from two months after birth, regardless of how premature they were.

Which immunisations will my baby have

At 8 weeks, your baby will have immunisations against: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B, rotavirus and meningococcal group B disease (MenB). These will be given as 2 injections and drops into the mouth

At 12 weeks, your baby will have immunisations against: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis Bpneumococcal disease and rotavirus. These will be given as 2 injections and drops into the mouth

At 16 weeks, your baby will have immunisations against: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B and meningococcal group B disease (MenB). These will be given as 2 injections

At one year of age, your baby will have immunisations against: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)/ Meningococcal group C (MenC) MenB measles, mumps, rubella and pneumococcal disease

Teething

Teething is a natural process that all babies go through. It can be a challenging time for both parents and babies, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier.

When it comes to teething, all babies are different, it usually starts around 6 months of age and can last until the age of 3. The first teeth to come in are usually the lower front teeth.

Your baby’s teeth may emerge with no pain or discomfort at all. At other times, you may notice that: 

  • Your baby’s gum is sore and red where the tooth is coming through
  • Flushed cheeks
  • Your baby is dribbling more than usual
  • They are gnawing and chewing on things a lot
  • They are more fretful than usual

Using a refrigerated teething ring can help. It can be tempting to put all sorts of things – rashes, crying, bad temper, runny noses and extra-dirty nappies – down to teething.

If you are unsure about your baby’s health, seek advice from your GP.

Brushing your child’s teeth

As soon as your baby’s teeth start to come through, you can start brushing their teeth. The important thing is to get your baby used to toothbrushing as part of their everyday routine.

By the age of one, most of your baby’s front teeth should be present. It’s an opportunity for the dentist to look into their mouth and check that the teeth are developing as they should.

Brush your baby’s teeth with a small toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, twice every day. Everyone in the family needs to brush their teeth, before going to bed and one other time in the day.

Tooth decay can start very early in life. Take your baby to the dentist (even before their first teeth come through) and help them grow a healthy smile. NHS dentistry is free for children. Find a local dentist at www.nhs.uk

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