- All babies should go through these phases but many phases will overlap with each other.
- Babies will reach each stage at different ages and it's best to not compare to other babies. Let your baby learn at their own pace, but make sure to spend lots of time on the floor with them every day encouraging their development.
- If your baby is not doing (or enjoying) one of these phases or skips one altogether it's best to talk to an expert in infant/baby physical development because they will be able to help you and your baby.
- Getting down on the floor and talking, touching, and playing with your baby as much as possible is essential - each of these phases develops skills that are new and challenging for your baby and you being there with them will make it much more fun and enjoyable for your baby.
- The more your baby masters each phase of development they stronger and healthier they will be. Instead of encouraging your baby to move to the next phase quickly, encourage them to master the earlier phase fully. Your baby will naturally move to the next phase when they are physically ready.
- If someone (even your pediatrician) tells you that it's ok if your baby doesn't go through all these phases, or skips crawling and goes right to standing, or instead of crawling scoots on their butt, don't believe them. It is not normal to skip a phase of development. Seek help from an expert that understands these phases and how to help you and your baby.
- Skipping phases can mean your baby is not developing the muscle strength and function needed for a healthy life and can lead to injuries and pain later in life.
- If you have an older child (2+ years old) whom does not enjoy physical activity or exercise it is often because he/she never developed the strength and coordination necessary for play and physical activity as a baby. If this is the case, seek out a qualified professional that can help your child catch-up physically. It will allow them to have a happier childhood, avoid pain and injuries, and will be a healthier adult because of it.
1. Wiggle and kick
Getting down not the ground with your baby and talking, playing, and interacting with your baby is essential during this and all following phases of development.
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2. Superman and swimming
This phase is essential to developing the s-curved spine needed to stand upright. All babies are born with the "primary curves" which are the thoracic and sacral curves (flexion). The primary curves mean the spine is in a c-shape which allowed the baby to fit in their mother's womb. The superman/woman and swimming phase starts the development of the "secondary curves" which are the lumbar and cervical curves (extension). Without proper development of the secondary curves (s-curved spine) during this phase of childhood development, normal upright posture cannot happen and the person would be at increased risk of spinal injury and pain throughout life.
3. Rock and roll
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4. Army crawl
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5. Crawling
6. Sitting up
7. Squat baby squat
8. Standing
9. Cruising
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10. Walking
If your baby is unsteady and face-plants, this means they need to spend more time in the earlier phases of development before you encourage walking - they just aren't ready yet. You should also notice that your baby is very upright from the front and side - ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, and head are aligned vertically. If they have a lot of forward lean from the side or from the front you notice their feet are wider than their hips they probably aren't ready to be upright yet.