Is my baby’s motor development on track

This is one of the most common questions for parents watching a fast developing little one. A baby’s movement changes so quickly that, let’s be honest, we are not always ready for the new and the unusual.

In this article we explore the topic so you can get to know the generally accepted developmental stages. We also mention a few warning signs and explain why it is so important to ensure free movement for your baby, while still giving the right level of physical closeness and communication.

Babies’ motor development varies 

Why does worry arise so often about a baby’s movement? One reason is that professionals describe milestones within time windows, and we may anxiously check whether our child is late at any point or lingering too long at another.

A lack of information can be another cause. People feel unsure when they do not have enough knowledge to hand, especially when a child’s health may be at stake.

Every concern is completely natural, and it is good practice to mention any movements you judge unusual or outside the norm to your GP or health visitor at baby clinic. If they spot anything, they will refer you to the right specialist such as a paediatric physiotherapist, paediatric neurologist or orthopaedic specialist.

Even optimal motor development scales can show variation. With infant movement, it is not only when a new gross motor skill appears that matters. You must also consider how often movements happen each day and the quality of the movements, which is a professional’s job to assess. If you have concerns about possible deviations from typical development, talk to a doctor.

What are the month by month stages of motor development 

In the first month a baby lying on the tummy turns the head to the side. By month 2 this is stronger and the head can be held up briefly. Legs kick asymmetrically.

At 3 months, on the tummy, babies can prop on the forearms, lifting and holding head and chest. On the back there is progress too, the arms wave symmetrically while the legs kick asymmetrically.
You may see hands reaching towards toys, but at this stage they often just bat them rather than grasping.

At 4 months babies hold the head steadily when on the tummy, propping on hands or fists to look around. They can grasp a toy placed in front of them and transfer it from one hand to the other.
Development is swift. By 5 months babies reach for toys themselves and grasp them. They can roll from tummy to back and back to tummy.

At 6 months tummy time is key. Babies pivot around their own axis, prop on the whole palm, and first attempts at commando crawling begin.
By 7 months many babies commando crawl well and push up into all fours.

At 8 months the first true crawling steps appear to reach a chosen toy, though the more familiar commando crawl often remains. From all fours they sit out to the side.

By 9 months speed increases and babies crawl rapidly. They are no longer satisfied with the floor and begin to pull up to stand.
At 10 months they pull to stand while holding on and may stand for short moments.
By 11 months many cruise sideways along furniture, and at 12 months they stand unaided for a few seconds and squat down.

The first independent steps tend to follow after this, often around month 13, with independent walking starting from month 14.

What individual factors can influence progress 

Parents with two or more children often notice every child has a different personality and temperament. Interests differ, and so does motivation to move. Some babies are bold, others cautious; some are persistent, others give up sooner.

Build and muscle tone vary too. A baby may be lighter and quick, or steadier and heavier, with firmer or looser muscle tone.

It also matters where a baby spends most of the day. Is your little one often in arms, in a carrier, in a pushchair, or do they spend plenty of time on the floor or in the cot? How firm is the surface?

Is your baby in arms too much 

A secure early bond between baby and parents is a foundation of healthy emotional development. Babies have inborn physical and emotional needs that are met through daily interactions, including communication, care, nurture and physical contact.

The right path is to find a balance between the two extremes. Give your baby the closeness they need, and also offer ample free movement on a firm surface in the cot or on the floor so the muscles and nervous system can develop well.

Common differences parents might notice 

It can be hard to recognise problems, but reading about them helps you remember and seek support in time if needed.

From 1 to 5 months

• Baby does not manage to breastfeed effectively after birth

• When held after birth the head seems held up, although this is not yet possible, which may indicate muscle tension

• Baby does not lift the head

• Head turns only to one side

• No propping on the hands, or the base of support is too wide

• Rolls over only from one side

From 6 months

• No commando crawl

• Irregular commando crawl pattern right arm–left leg and left arm–right leg move together which is not always a problem

• Crawling phase is skipped

• Collapsed ankles, clawing toes, toe standing, weight on one leg if these do not improve over time

How can we support a baby’s free movement 

Free movement means any position the baby can get into alone and carry through without obstacles. Motor development is a self driving programme.

Let them move. How much time each day does your baby spend in positions that restrict movement? Think of feeding, being held, strapped into a pushchair or a car seat. Do they get enough opportunities to move freely

Avoid soft surfaces under the baby. On soft ground babies cannot prop well or feel stable support. Since development depends on experience, soft feedback gives a false message that they cannot generate force on the floor, which will make movement inefficient. When they later meet a firm surface, these body experiences can lead to a series of frustrations.

If clothing is tight, babies start many movements but do not finish them because they meet resistance. When shopping we may not realise how many baby outfits look charming but are poor for practical use.

LiaaBébé sleepsuits and footed trousers have close fitting cuts and are made from highly elastic bamboo fibre, giving little ones maximum freedom of movement. This matters for commando crawling and crawling, and it also makes dressing easy.

Hang toys less often above the baby. This narrows the field of attention by reducing the space around them. Many play mats have a similar effect, and toys that hang from above are often hard to reach. Even if the baby can touch them, they cannot draw them closer. It is better to place a few interesting, colourful toys around the baby.

Choose positions your child can already get into alone. In such positions movement is truly unrestricted and follows the child’s own will. If we place them in a position they cannot yet achieve unaided, we limit their action.

Your health visitor and GP also track your child’s movement over time, so any differences are usually spotted early and can often be addressed effectively with targeted support, exercise and massage.

References:

NHS — Baby Moves

Oxford Health NHS — Gross motor skills: babies and toddlers