Pediatric : Developmental Milestones ( 0 - 12 Months)

Pediatric developmental milestones are based on averages, means that each child progresses at his or her own rate.

Birth - 1st month :

* Maintains eye contact
* Demonstrates reflex activities
* Lies in flexed position
* Using communication technique by crying
* Average weight gains is 3-5 oz weekly during first 6 month

2 Months :

* Can lifts head for short periods when prone
* Smiles and frowns
* Coos
* Will visually follows moving objects

3 Months :

* Sits with support
* Will turn from back to side
* Can recognizes parent
* Demonstrates pleasure by squealing
* Focusing on win hands

4 Months :

* Can lift head and chest about 90 degrees and bearing weight on forearms
* Turning from back to prone position
* Holing head erect while in siting position
* Can reach for objects and grasps objects with both hands
* Plays with fingers
* Carries objects to mouth
* Makes consonant sounds and laughs aloud

5 Months :

* Turning from abdomen to back
* Playing with toes and puts feet into mouth
* Can hold objects in one hand and reaches for another objects with other hand

6 Months :

* Can sit alone leaning forward on both hands
* Reaches for and grasps objects
* Extends arm when he or she wishes to be picked up
* Briefly looks for dropped objects
* Fear to strangers
* Enjoying to play peekaboo
* Begins to produce world like sound
* Birth weight has doubled
* Weekly weight gain is 3-5 oz during 6-18 months


7 Months :

* Bears weight on feet
* Transfers object from one hand to other hand
* Begins to crawl

8 Months :

* Sits alone without support
* Pull to standing position
* Can release object intentionally
* Uses pincer grasp
* Say "DADA" without meaning
* Stranger anxiety

9 Months :

* Can crawl well
* Will walk sideways while holding on
* Bangs 2 blocks together
* Searches for hidden object
* Can drink from cup and attempts to feed self

10 Months :

* Begins to walk and climb
* Neat pincer grasp
* Playing pat-a-cake and initiates peekaboo game
* May say 1-2 words with meaning

11 Months :

* Will cooperate with dressing activities
* Attempts to feed self with spoon
* Follows simple direction
* Will understand "no" and shakes head to indicate "no"

12 Months :

* Will walk alone or with one hand held
* Frequently falls while walking
* Can drink well from a cup
* Can pull off socks
* Points with one finger
* Birth weight has tripled
* Birth length has increased by 50%
* Head and chest circumference are equal

Pediatric developmental milestones are difficult to memorize, but at least as a Nurse should have knowledge about that. NCLEX - CGFNS examination will ask some questions in relation with pediatric developmental milestones.