Ms. Lis Discusses Child Development
Becoming a parent is the most wonderful experience a man or woman can experience, but it also fills us with doubts, worries and insecurities. One of the most common questions parents ask me: “Is my child developing normally?” Being knowledgeable of developmental milestones that are expected in your infant’s first year of life can often calm concerns.
I am Lis West, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at ABC Pediatrics. My patients know me as “Ms. Lis.” I am the parent of two wonderful boys who have grown up into two wonderful adults. As a parent, I had the same concerns as most parents do. Knowing what to look for as my sons grew helped a lot. Most importantly, I kept an active and close relationship with their pediatrician, which lead to an early identification of autism in my older child and eased any concerns about my younger son’s development.
It is my goal as a pediatric health care provider to help parents identify important developmental milestones for their children. Here are a few activities that I suggest parents watch for based on their child’s age:
1 month old
- Hands fisted
- Face responds to sound
- Lifts head when on tummy
- Stares at others
- Follows with eyes
2 months old
• Follows object past midline
• Coos and vocalizes
• Lefts head 45o when on tummy
• Smiles at others
• Stays awake more than 1-2 hours at a time
4 month old
• Hands open to mouth
• Laughs, squeals, turns toward voice
• Sits with support
• Rolls from tummy to back
• Smiles spontaneously
6 months old
• Reaches and palms with both hands
• Babbles (bababababa)
• Sits by self, stands with hands held
• Reaches for toys
• Recognizes strangers
• Begin solids
9 months old
• Picks things up with fingers
• Says “mama/dada” nonspecifically
• Understands “no”
• Pulls to stand
• Feeds self finger foods, waves bye
12 months old
• Helps turns pages of a book
• Says 2-3 words, follows commands with gesture
• Stands by self, walks with 1 hand held
• Points to what he/she wants
If you have concerns about you child’s development, please call our office 910-892-1333 and speak to Bridget. She will be happy to schedule an appointment for you and your child to see me. Early detection for any developmental delay is the best intervention you can do for your child.
Take care,
Ms. Lis
