Understanding Baby Development Milestones with Nicole Pates
Welcome Thrivers to another episode of Thriving Parenting. Today’s guest is Nicole Pates, a pediatric physiotherapist at Western Kids Health. Nicole is a wealth of knowledge and support for parents curious about their baby's physical development. She aims to empower parents on their journey by providing them with ideas, reassurance, and the security that their baby is developing just fine. Join us as we dive deep into key topics that concern most parents and explore Nicole's insightful and holistic approach to child development.
Understanding Baby Milestones
Nicole Pates on Physical Development
Nicole began by emphasizing that while averages are often quoted regarding baby milestones, it's essential to understand that being on either side of the average is perfectly normal. Babies may roll from their tummy to back as early as 8-10 weeks, but it’s very common for it to happen around five to six months or even later. The main takeaway is that babies develop at their own pace influenced by genetics, personality, relationships with caregivers, and their physical environment.
Key Milestones and Their Ranges:
Rolling: On average, rolling from tummy to back can occur as early as 8 to 10 weeks but commonly happens around the five to six-month mark.
Crawling: The World Health Organization states the range is from five and a half to 13 months. Crawling can take many forms and often depends heavily on the baby’s vision and other sensory inputs.
Sitting: Babies typically start sitting with some support at around four to six months and can sit unaided by eight months.
Walking: The range for walking is quite broad, from 9 to 18 months. Key indicators include babies pulling up to stand by their first birthday.
Approach to Encouraging Development
Opportunity vs. Teaching:
Nicole suggests focusing not on 'teaching' a baby how to perform a task but on providing a variety of opportunities for them to explore movement. Connect with your child and understand what they enjoy to incorporate into play and daily activities, making movement meaningful.
Meaningful Movement:
Meaningful movement means engaging your baby in activities that have a purpose beyond just moving for movement’s sake. For instance, loading a washing machine together can be a more engaging experience than just sitting in a high chair.
Temperament and Personality:
Considering your baby’s personality and temperament is crucial. Some babies are naturally curious and physically active, while others prefer observing. It's important to cater to these individual differences.
The Play Academy
Nicole introduced the Play Academy, an incredible resource for parents looking for developmentally appropriate activities and answers to common questions. Whether your baby is pre-crawling or learning to walk, the Play Academy provides:
- Over 200 (and growing) play ideas using both everyday items and suggested toys.
- Masterclasses on foundational skills leading to major milestones.
- Speech and language supports, including baby sign language.
- Customized advice from pediatric experts.
Membership Options
Three-Month Membership: Ideal for older babies who are close to reaching several milestones.
Six-Month Membership: Suitable for younger babies who are gradually developing.
Twelve-Month Membership: Provides value for money and covers comprehensive development from newborn to toddler stages.
Key Takeaways
Encourage Exploration
- Provide your baby with a range of activities that encourage different types of movement.
- Understanding that each baby's development is unique and multifactorial brings peace of mind.
Variety is the Spice of Life
- Mix up play environments and the tools or toys they use.
Connection Before Correction
- Focus on building a loving and supportive relationship with your child rather than correcting or forcing developmental milestones.
Finally, Nicole left us with two mottos she lives by: “Connection before correction” and “Variety is the spice of life.” Remember, staying curious and compassionate towards your child's unique development is the key.
For more insights and tangible tools to support your baby, consider exploring the Play Academy.
Nicole’s comprehensive and holistic approach to baby development highlights the importance of looking at the whole picture. She reassures us that every baby has their own unique trajectory influenced by multiple factors. By providing a variety of opportunities for movement through meaningful play and everyday activities, parents can support their baby’s development in a natural and stress-free way. Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your wisdom and for being a guiding light to so many parents on their journey.
See you next time, Thrivers!