Bringing home a new baby is an exciting yet unsure time in parents lives. As they look ahead to the first year of their child’s life, they should be able to identify five important milestones in their baby’s development.

1)Sleeping through the night. Whether it is a six weeks or six months, the night when a baby finally sleeps through the night, is a little bit of heaven for parents. At first, look for the baby to extend the night session to about five hours. Then the baby will gradually extend the hours as he or she grows and holds more food in the tummy as to be satisfied. To help the baby meet this milestone, try to develop a night time routine and something associated with sleep such as a favorite blanket.

2)Sitting up. The next milestone for babies is sitting up which usually occurs between 4-6 months. Begin the process of learning to sit up by sitting the baby up on the lap while supporting the baby’s neck and head. Gradually the baby becomes stronger until he/she can control her neck, back and stomach muscles. Sit the baby on the floor with a few pillows around for support and watch the baby carefully. Sit the baby back up if he/she falls over and continue the process each day. As the baby becomes stronger, the baby will be able to stay upright for longer amounts of time. Before long the baby will be able to sit without support at all.

3)First tooth. Another milestone to expect as parents is when the baby breaks through with the first tooth usually at around six months. Expect to see the two center bottom teeth to erupt first. Usually the top two center teeth erupt next followed by two more teeth on the bottom. As the teeth erupt have plenty of teething toys for the baby. Babies like plastic rings whose hard surface allows them to rub the teeth. They also like the soft plastic teethers that can be refrigerated. The coolness of the ring helps soothe the pain of teething.

4) Rolling Over. By 5-6 months, a baby will develop muscle control in the abdomen, back and neck, and will soon be able to hold up the head while lying on a blanket on the floor. As the baby increases muscle control, he/she will soon develop the ability to move the arms and lift up the bellies. Soon there will be enough momentum to flip the body over. The baby will be able to flip from front to back first. It will take a little longer to develop the back to front flip. Soon after the baby develops both flips, it will be fun to do a series of rolls. Before long the infant learns that he/she can roll to acquire a wanted item. Often times it results in giggles and excitement at the feat of rolling to where he/she wants to go. It is like a baby roller coaster.

5) Crawling. Soon after rolling over the baby will learn to crawl, which usually occurs between 6-10 months. Some babies that are very successful at rolling, take longer to crawl because they have learned that they can get what they want by rolling. The baby will first learn to crunch up the legs under the tummy while lying on the floor. Soon a rocking motion will develop that will propel them forward. It takes some rocking before the stage of crawling takes place, but before long the momentum takes the baby forward to move a few inches. Soon the child wants to try this new feat again and repeats the motion. Before long the baby is off to the races.

Once the baby is crawling and eating real food, parents need to be prepared for the toddler stage. Look out! The baby is now on the move.