As new parents, we delight in every movement our baby makes. From Baby's first attempt to reach for Mommy's face to that miraculous first step, we're watching for motions that indicate our child is developing satisfactorily.

Babies' nervous systems grow rapidly, but it takes maturation and practice for movements to become smooth and precise (much like hearing and repeating words fosters fluent speech). The major motor skills children attain generally occur in the same order, although the age at which the skill is achieved will vary.

In April 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that infants be placed side-lying or on their backs for sleep, to decrease the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, during Baby's waking hours, it is important to position him on his tummy, so he has to lift his head up in order to observe what's going on around him. This helps him develop head and shoulder control.

Try positioning Baby in a variety of different ways: on your chest in an infant carrier, propped up on pillows with you in bed, or on his side as you stroke his back. Every new position allows him to experience the world in a unique way! Dangling toy keys in front of him, then shaking them slowly from side to side, encourages visual tracking and head turning, important for rolling.

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