2-4 months

• Coos

4-6 months

• Makes vowel sounds ("oo," "ah")

6-9 months

• Babbles
• Blows bubbles ("raspberries")
• Laughs

9-12 months

• Imitates some sounds
• Says "Mama" and "Dada,", but not specifically for those parents
• Responds to simple verbal commands, such as "no"

BEHAVIOR

Newborn behavior is based on six states of consciousness:

• Active crying
• Active sleep
• Drowsy waking
• Fussing
• Quiet alert
• Quiet sleep

Healthy babies with a normal nervous system can move smoothly from one state to another. Heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, and body movements are different in each state.

Many bodily functions are not stable in the first months after birth. This is normal and differs from infant to infant. Stress and stimulation can affect:

• Bowel movements
• Gagging
• Hiccupping
• Skin color
• Temperature control
• Vomiting
• Yawning

Images

Moro reflex

Infantile reflexes

Skull of a newborn

Developmental milestones

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Infant Prevention

Review Date: 01/17/2011
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)