Introduction, Sources & Citations

Introduction

The first six months of infant development represent a period of extraordinary growth and transformation. During this time, infants progress from reflexive newborns to socially interactive beings who can sit with support, explore their environment, and communicate through babbling and gestures. Understanding typical developmental patterns helps parents recognize their child’s progress while appreciating individual variation in achievement timing.

This chapter provides evidence-based information about monthly developmental milestones across four key domains: motor skills, cognitive development, social-emotional growth, and communication. The information presented is grounded in current research and established clinical guidelines, while acknowledging that development occurs along a continuum rather than in discrete stages.

References

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Greer, F. R., Sicherer, S. H., Burks, A. W., & Committee on Nutrition. (2008). Effects of early nutritional interventions on the development of atopic disease in infants and children: the role of maternal dietary restriction, breastfeeding, timing of introduction of complementary foods, and hydrolyzed formulas. Pediatrics, 121(1), 183-191.

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