Infant Sight and Sounds
Developmental Milestones
Bringing your newborn home can be a very exciting time for a new family. The first few months can be exhausting and trying, but take heart because those first six months of your baby's development are very miraculous and you're not going to want to miss a moment.
Yes, there are those important milestones that are obvious and beautiful, like when your precious baby begins to crawl and walk, but the development of your infant's vision and language begins immediately. Outlined below are a few examples of how your infant's vision and language will develop in their first six months.
1 month - 2 months old
Visually, at this age, your baby will prefer black and white images or highly contrasted patterns. Babies often prefer human faces to other patterns and may enjoy the image of their own face. While your baby's vision is still not clear and he or she will see best at about 12 inches or closer to their face. They will also begin to "track" in their second month. Your infant's eyes will be able to lock on an object and follow it. Usually they can track the object 90 degrees, meaning their eyes will follow the object from straight ahead to one side of their face. This behavior can be encouraged with a toy or rattle.
In addition to crying, you will also be relived to know that your baby will start cooing. He or she will coo back to you and in particular respond with cooing to high-pitched songs or singing voices. They may also calm or quiet in response to familiar music or stories read to them, especially if they were exposed to the music and stories during the last months of pregnancy.
2 months - 4 months old
The quality of your baby's vision will continue to improve and by four months he or she will start to pay attention to the television or look out the window. They will continue to enjoy faces and other round shapes and begin to recognize familiar people from a distance. Your infant's ability to track begins to improve tracking 90 degrees and often developing to a full 180 degrees, meaning your baby will be able to follow an object with their eyes from one side of their face to the other.
Even though most of what you have heard in those beginning months is crying, take heart to know that your baby's language continues to develop and they will begin to make vowel sounds like aahh or oohh. Your baby may laugh or even squeal and it will be the sweetest sound you've ever heard. And the best part is it's easy to make your baby laugh. Playing peek-a-boo and tickling will also set off squeals and giggles. Babies are very sensitive to the tone of your language and may cry if you speak angrily. Starting at this age, you are highly encouraged to talk to your baby during your daily routines such as feeding or bathing.
4 months - 6 months old
Language continues to develop with vowel-consonant combination like ah-goo. Some babies will razz and will enjoy the parents razzing back to them. At this point, your baby becomes more social and will begin to flash a beautiful smile at people and even make sounds to seek attention. Babies often like to be read to and may be comforted by a familiar story or song.
Visually your baby will be able to track a full 180 degrees and will start noticing objects and things he or she may want. Your baby will continue to enjoy faces and may particularly enjoy their own face in a mirror. They will enjoy visual variety – even if that is a simple trip to the grocery store or a walk around the block. But be aware, they will start reaching and grabbing for objects within their grasp!
Please know that all babies develop differently. Premature babies often achieve milestones late. This may correspond with their adjusted age, but can be even more delayed due to extreme prematurity or other health challenges. Term babies with health issues may also be delayed in development. If you have any concerns it is best to discuss them with your pediatrician.
