Infant Milestones: What to Expect in the First Four Months
As a Denver based Pediatric Chiropractor, I (Dr. Dani), see a LOT of newborns and new parents. The amount of information from Google and other well meaning parents can seem overwhelming at times, ESPECIALLY when it comes to what is and is not “ideal” with milestone development. There are ALWAYS going to be exceptions, variations, and grace periods so this is a general guide and NOT the end all be all. If you’re concerned your little one is a little behind… let’s chat! As always, this is meant to be informative, not anxiety or fear inducing. Every milestone is unique, JUST like your baby. So, here are a few basics on what to expect in those first few months!
First Month:
Newborn Physiologic Flexion: baby’s in a fetal position- arms and legs are close to the body and the knees are typically tucked up under them when on their tummy.
Baby’s head is typically positioned to one side (don’t find “midline” until ~3mo.)
Baby can only see about 6-8 inches away and respond best to parent’s faces and black and white. Get SUPER close and support their head/chin to help them focus on you!
Babies should NOT be holding their head up immediately after birth- this is a sign of tension (likely from in-utero positioning and/or birth). Pediatric Chiropractors are GREAT for assessing and working with this! We should be able to lift the head to rotate from cheek to cheek in tummy time, but not holding our head stable when in tummy time or while being carried.
2nd Month
Baby should be starting to lift their head off of their chest when supported in a seated position.
Baby should be interested and trying to reach for toys when on their back (it’s okay at two months if there’s a preference to use one arm - this is brief and is not a sign of arm dominance :P)
Baby should have a fair ability to keep their head from bobbling while being held (we still want to be supporting)
3rd Month
Baby’s head should be starting to find center when on their back
Baby should be interested in tracking, reaching for and holding toys
Baby should be bearing weight well through the forearms in tummy time
Baby should be beginning to bring hands and toys to their mouth
4th Month
Baby should be rolling from tummy to back
Baby should be able to sit with support
Baby should be able to straighten arms in tummy time
Baby should be shifting weight to one one arm while reaching with the other in tummy time
Why should my newborn see a Pediatric Chiropractor?
GREAT question! Pediatric Chiropractors (with additional training) are great for helping promote healthy milestone development. Chiropractors can:
make play and exploration easier and more comfortable through reducing tension that may limit range of motion.
help parents be proactive by discussing what milestones are coming up and offering purposeful play ideas.
identify any concerns or “lags” in milestones, address underlying causes, and/or offer individualized referrals when needed.
Why are milestones in the first months important?
Establishing good shoulder stability, trunk and head control are THE building blocks for all of the other milestones to come. Building these early patterns properly allows us to easily stack on top of this success later on! The better we (appropriately) promote development and the earlier we catch any potential limiting factors, the more we are helping babies thrive!
Hi there!
My name is Dr. Dani and I’m an in-home chiropractor for busy women and infants within the Denver Metro area. I work with women of all ages and stages, but truly shine with the pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatric populations. I strive for quality care through extended appointment times, diverse treatment modalities, personalized home-care recommendations, and education so families can feel both empowered and cared for!
Questions? Comments? CONTACT ME
Need some bodywork? BOOK HERE
Have I helped you or a family member? LEAVE A GOOGLE REVIEW
Looking for the fun stuff? Instagram: balance.chiro.and.rehab
New here? Welcome! Check out more information about Dr. Dani and what Balance Chiro and Rehab offers to those in the Denver Metro area (and beyond) HERE.
Fun Little Disclaimers:
Affiliate Disclaimer. From time to time, Balance Chiro and Rehab (BCR) participates in affiliate marketing and may include affiliate links on some of our pages. This means that BCR earns a commission if and when you click on and make purchases via the affiliate link. We will inform you when one of the links is an affiliate link with an * indicator. Please note, BCR only recommends products or services that we believe will add value to you. However, it is your personal responsibility to conduct your own investigation into any affiliate offers and determine whether each offer is right for you or your business before purchasing.
Medical Disclaimer. The information on this Site, and available for download or purchase through this Site, is for information and educational purposes only. Nothing contained on this Site is or should be considered or used as a substitute for medical or any other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your personal health or a medical condition and/or on any opinions expressed within this site.
No Doctor-Patient Relationship. Your use of this Site and/or our products or services, including any implementation of any suggestions set out on this Site or in our products or services, does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Balance Chiro and Rehab (BCR).
