Normal Birth Milestones

2 month old infant

Physical and motor-skill markers:

 Closure of posterior fontanelle (soft spot at the back of the head) 

 Several newborn reflexes , such as the dance reflex (baby appears to dance or step when
placed upright on solid surface)and grasp reflex (grasping a finger), disappear
 Less head lag
 When on stomach, able to lift head almost 45 degrees
 Less flexing of the arms and legs while on stomach

4-month-old infant

Gross motor skill

 Show a slowing of weight gain to approximately 20 grams per day 

 Demonstrate the fading of the infant reflexes (Moro reflex , asymmetric tonic neck reflex,
rooting reflex, and Perez reflex)
 Have almost no head lag while in a sitting position
 Be able to sit up straight if propped
 Raise head 90 degrees when placed on stomach
 Be able to roll from front to back

Fine motor skills

 Try to reach objects with hands (may commonly overshoot) 

 Play with rattle when it's placed in the hands, but won't be able to pick it up if dropped
 Be able to grasp rattle with both hands
 Be able to place objects in mouth

6 month old infant

Physical and motor-skill markers:

 Able to bear almost all weight when supported in a standing position 

 Able to hold own bottle (but many babies won't do it, or will do it only for short periods)
 Able to lift chest and head while on stomach, bearing the weight on hands (often occurs
by 4 months)
 Able to roll from back to stomach
 Able to sit in a high chair with a straight back'
 Beginning of teething
 Increased drooling
 Should have doubled birth weight (birth weight often doubles by 4 months, and it would
be cause for concern if this hasn't happened by 6 months)

Fine motor skills

 Able to pick up a dropped object 

9 month old infant

Physical and motor skills:-

 Gains weight at a slower rate -- approximately 15 grams per day, 1 pound per month 
 Increases in length by 1.5 centimeters per month
 Becomes more regulated in bowel and bladder systems
 Shows parachute reflex to protect self from falling
 Is able to crawl
 Remains sitting for prolonged periods
 Pulls self to standing position

Fine motor skills

 Has a pincer grasp between thumb and index finger 

 Feeds self
 Throws or shakes objects

12 months infant

PHYSICAL AND MOTOR SKILLS

The 12-month-old child is expected to:

 Triple the birth weight 

 Grow to a height of 50% over birth length
 Have a head circumference equal that of the chest
 Have 6 - 8 teeth
 Have a nearly-closed anterior fontanel (the front soft spot on the head)
 No longer have a Babinski reflex (although it may be present in children up to age 2)
 Pull to stand and walk with help or alone
 Sit down without help
 Bang 2 blocks together

Fine motor skills

 Turn through pages of a book by flipping many at a time 

 Have a precise pincer grasp
 Points to objects with index finger

2 year old:-

Motor skills

 Walks alone 
 Pulls toys behind her while walking
 Carries large toy or several toys while walking
 Begins to run
 Stands on tiptoe
 Kicks a ball
 Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted
 Walks up and down stairs holding on to support

Hand and Finger Skills

 Scribbles spontaneously
 Turns over container to pour out contents 
 Builds tower of four blocks or more
 Might use one hand more frequently than the other

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS:-

Diagnosis is made on the basis of medical , family and environmental history. A discreete
assessment with the help milestone markers helps in understanding the physical and mental age.

Tests may include:

 Blood tests (such as a CBC or blood differential )

 Hormone studies
 Stool studies (to check for malabsorption) 
 X-rays to determine bone age and to look for fractures

TREATMENT:- There is almost never a specific medicine or surgical procedure that will
correct developmental delay. The most important thing a parent can do for a delayed child is
provide a loving and stimulating environment. To assist you in providing appropriate exercises
and stimulation for your child Physioline recommends:-

Physioline‘s exercise and therapy programme uses a neurological approach to

physiotherapy and aims:

 To reduce spasticity and encourage more normal movements.

 To improve motor and cognitive skills
 To control and co-ordinate movement patterns.
 To keep muscles strong and strengthen those are weak.
 To keep joints mobile and prevent stiffness becoming permanent.
 To improve co-ordination and balance.
 To help improve gait, balance and flexibility
 Improve aerobic activity and movement initiation
 To improve circulation, thereby supporting bodily functions.
 Regain functional abilities and overall independence
a Developmental Baby Exercise Program for:

 Improved strength, balance, coordination (Motor Skills)

 Infant's development physically, cognitively, emotionally

The prevention of delayed infant development