Baby milestones: When to seek advice

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Here are some of the things that may indicate a problem with your baby's development:

If he isn't responding to sounds by turning his head or looking up by 3 months, there could be a hearing difficulty.
If your baby can't sit unsupported for short periods by 7 months, his muscles may be weaker than expected and may need help with physiotherapy.
If your child isn't walking by the age of 2 years, again there may be some muscle weakness. Talk to your health visitor about physiotherapy.
If your child's speech is still babyish and unintelligible to strangers by the age of 4 years, he may need some help, perhaps with speech therapy.

What can you do to help boost your baby's development?

Peekaboo: At around 5 months, your little one starts to understand that something still exists, even if he can't see it. To begin with he'll think you've gone when you hide your face with a blanket, say, and his surprise when you reappear makes him laugh out loud. But, as the weeks go by, he'll anticipate the peekaboo surprise, even pulling the blanket off himself to find you underneath!

Clap hands: Co-ordinating both hands to move at the same time and meet in the middle is a skill babies learn between 6 and 8 months. Try clapping and getting him to copy you, or clap his hands together for him. By around 10 months, he may well even recognise the words 'clap, clap', and do the action when he hears you say the words.

In and out: The perfect toy for a 9-10 month-old is a plastic pot or bowl, and some random objects to put in and take out. Your baby will perfect the skills of picking up and letting go, and learn the idea that one thing can go inside another.