During the first year of life, an infant develops rapidly in many areas. Their social development is focused on bonding and developing an attachment to their primary caregiver, usually the mother. This attachment forms the foundation for future relationships and emotional development. Physically, infants work on gaining control over their bodies, with milestones like sitting, crawling, and walking emerging around one year of age. Cognitive development begins with awareness of sights, sounds, and touches, and progresses to object exploration. Sexual development involves self-exploration of their own body. The major tasks of the first year establish important developmental abilities and relationships that influence the infant's future growth.

2. Infants : Birth – 12 Months
D u ring th e firs t 1 2 m o nth s of life , an infant’s growth and d e ve lop m e nt occu r ve ry rap id ly.
Mu ch of wh at h ap p e ns d u ring th is p e riod lays th e fou nd ation for a p e rs on’s ongoing d e ve lop m e nt.
Th e re fore , it is im p ortant to u nd e rs tand wh at norm al d e ve lop m e nt d u ring th is tim e p e riod lo oks like ,
s o th at if s om e th ing ap p e ars to b e off track, e arly inte rve ntions can occu r.
Normal Development: Overview
S ocial Development
B irth to One Year: Th e m os t im p ortant s ocial tas k is th e b ond ing and d e ve lop m e nt of
attach m e nt to th e p rim ary care take r, m os t ofte n th e ch ild ’s m oth e r. Attach m e nt is
re qu ire d for th e late r d e ve lo p m e nt of re cip rocal conne cte d ne s s d u ring tod d le r h ood , and
u ltim ate ly for th e d e ve lop m e nt of inte rp e rs onal s kills , s ocial inte gration, and e m p ath y for
oth e rs . Alth ou gh d e ve lop m e ntally s e ns itive , th is p roce s s goe s on th rou gh ou t infancy,
ch ild h ood and ad ole s ce nce . Th e failu re to form an attach m e nt is like ly to b e m ore
d e trim e ntal th an s u ffe ring a d is ru p tio n to an e xis ting conne ction. S u ch failu re m ay b e th e
re s u lt of re p e ate d ch ange s in p rim ary care give rs as m ay b e th e cas e for an infant wh o

3. Phys ic al Development
G es tation: P rior to b irth , th e fe tu s e xp e rie nce s rap id b rain growth , e s p e cially
d u ring th e las t trim e s te r. Be cau s e of th is , wh e n th e infant is b orn, th e h e ad
accou nts for 1 / 4th of th e ir e ntire b od y. As th e y grow and d e ve lop , th is grad u ally
re d u ce s , and b y ad u lth ood th e h e ad accou nts fo r 1 /7th of th e b od y. Th e infant is
b orn with ove r 1 00 b illion ne rve ce lls , and th e s e continu e to m u ltip ly afte r b irth , as
th e infant is s tim u late d p h ys ically and s ocially.
B irth to One Year: Th e b e ginnings of m as te ry ove r one ’s b od y is th e infant’s
p rim ary p h ys ical tas k. Th e e m e rge nce , re fine m e nt, and coord ination of s e ns ory
and m otor s kills cu lm inate in walking b e h avior ab ou t age one . D e ve lop m e nt
p rogre s s e s from th e h e ad d own and from th e ins id e ou t. Th e b rain and ce ntral
ne rvou s s ys te m s are th e firs t to b e gin to d e ve lop , and inte rnal organs will
d e ve lop b e fore e xtre m itie s .
E motional Development
B irth to One Year: Th e d e ve lop m e nt of b as ic tru s t, a d e rivative of
th e attach m e nt of th e infant to th e p rim ary care take r, occu rs
d u ring th e firs t ye ar. Th is is a corne rs tone of e m o tional d e ve lop m e nt.

4. C ognitive Development
G es tation: We now know th at s om e cognition b e gins in th e wom b ; ne wb orns are
ab le to re cognize th e ir p are nts ’ voice .
B irth to One Year: C ognition b e gins with ale rtne s s , aware ne s s , re cognition, and
inte re s t in vis u al, au d itory and tactile (tou ch ) s tim u li. As m otor d e ve lop m e nt
im p rove s , th e infant b e gins to e xp lore and m anip u late ob j cts and d e ve lop s a
e
ru d im e ntary u nd e rs tand ing of th e ir p rop e rtie s . Infants d e ve lop ob j ct p e rm ane nce
e
toward th e e nd for th e firs t ye ar
S exual Development
B irth to One Year: Th e infant’s s e xu al d e ve lop m e nt
b e gins with th e ir o rally fixate d b e h avior. Th is b e h avior allows th e m
to b e gin to e xp lore not only th e ir world , b u t als o th e ir b od y. S e lf-
e xp loratio n b e gins m os t fre qu e ntly with finge rs , and th e n toe s . It
p rogre s s e s d u ring th e firs t ye ar to inclu d e oth e r b od y p arts ,
inclu d ing ge nitalia. D u ring th e firs t ye ar, infants are m aking
ob s e rvations ab ou t th e ir world . Th e s e ob s e rvations le ad to a
s e ns e of tru s t in th e ir world , and p rovid e a fou nd ation for th e infant’s
fu tu re u nd e rs tand ing of ge nd e r ru le s and role s th at s h ap e one ’s
ge nd e r id e ntity.

5. Normal Development: A B reakdown by A ge
S ocial Development
B onding and A ttachment are p roce s s e s th at p re d o m inate th e firs t ye ar of
life . B onding is a b iological p roce s s th at occu rs as a ne wb orn ch ild b e gins to find
com fort in th e ir world . If, as a re s u lt of th is p roce s s , th e y are ab le to find a s p e cific
p e rs on th at th e y want to b e clos e to and e nvironm e ntal cond itions p e rm it, th e
proces s of attachment b e gins . Th is attach m e nt p roce s s le ad s to th e ch ild ’s
s e ns e of tru s t in th e world .
B onding:
• th e d e s ire to h ave clos e ne s s to
• can occu r to s om e th ing, o r s om e one – b lanke ts , toys or p e op le
• a b iological and ins tinctive p roce s s th at occu rs natu rally
A ttachment:
• th e d e s ire to b e clos e to a s p e cific p e rs on or p e rs ons , u s u ally th e care give r
• h as anoth e r p e rs on as its ob j ct e
• d e m ons trate d b y:
- re s p ons ive ne s s (s m iling wh e n s om e one is ne ar; u p s e t wh e n th e y le ave )
- s e e king ou t p h ys ical clos e ne s s to s om e one

6. Birth to Three Months :
D u ring th e firs t th re e m o nth s of life , m u ch of th e ne wb orn’s s ocial d e ve lop m e nt is d e p e nd e nt u p on
th e ir s tate of ale rtne s s .
• In th e active ale rt s tate , th e ne wb orn is ve ry involve d with th e ir e nvironm e nt: ofte n
looking arou nd , lis te ning to variou s s ou nd s and re s p ond ing to s tim u li.
• In th e qu ie t ale rt s tate , th e ne wb orn is aware of th e ir e nvironm e nt, s till
looking an d lis te ning to th e ir e nvironm e nt, b u t th e y are u s u ally qu ie te r and le s s
p h ys ically active .
• In th e d rows y s tate , th e ne wb orn is u s u ally ve ry q u ie t and non-re s p ons ive to
e nviron m e ntal s tim u li; th e y are re ad y to fall as le e p , b u t not ye t s le e p ing.

7. D u ring th is e arly tim e , th e p roce s s of b ond ing b e gins . Bond ing occu rs as a ch ild b e gins to le arn
ab ou t th e u niqu e fe atu re s of th e ir care give r, and can occu r with anyo ne or anyth ing. Th e p roce s s
of b ond ing o fte n occu rs d u ring th e qu ie t ale rt s tate . Be h aviors s u ch as s u cking, rooting, gras p ing,
and cu d d ling allow th e infant to b e gin th is innate and ins tinctive p roce s s th at is s im ilar to th e
im p rinting p roce s s in anim als .
Two-we e k-old M ich ae l lays in h is m oth e r’s arm s s wad d le d tigh tly in h is
b lanke ts . H e is m oving h is h e ad arou nd and rooting, looking fo r h is food . As h e b e gins to
nu rs e , h is e ye s re m ain op e n and h e ap p e ars aware of h is e nvironm e nt. H is ab ility to s e e is
ap p roxim ate ly 8 – 1 0 inch e s away from h is face , wh ich allows h im to vis u ally
u nd e rs tand th e im p ortance of h is m oth e r and is d e ve lop ing a b ond .
C re ating a b ond with th e care take r is u nid ire ctional, or a one -way re lations h ip th at th e ch ild is
cre ating. Th is b ond ing p roce s s will allow for th e d e ve lo p m e nt of an attach m e nt. O nly if th e s e h ave
occu rre d can re cip rocal conne cte d ne s s b e ach ie ve d .
A good tim e to as s e s s infants for th e ir p h ys ical and s ocial d e ve lop m e nt is wh e n th e y are in th e ir
active ale rt s tate . M any of th e inte ractions th at an infant e xp e rie nce s d u ring th is tim e le ave a
s trong im p re s s ion on th e ch ild .
If an as s e s s m e n t is atte m p te d d u ring th e qu ie t or d rows y s tate , th e as s e s s m e nt m ay b e
inaccu rate , as th e ch ild is not fu nctioning at h is d e ve lop m e ntal p e ak. It is als o im p ortant to
u nd e rs tand th at wh e n a ch ild is in th e d rows y s tate , th e y are not like ly to b e e as ily e ngage d .

8. Three to S ix Months
By th e age of th re e m onth s , infants are vis ib ly re s p ons ive to s ocial s tim u lu s , and will m ake e ye
contact, s m ile , lau gh , vocalize s ou nd s and p h ys ically re act in a volu ntary way to oth e r p e op le . Th e y
h ave als o m ove d from re fle xive re s p ons e s to m ore co ntrolle d m ove m e nts and inte ractions . Th e s e
m ove m e nts b e gin to b e com e a ch ild ’s way of p laying, and als o d e m ons trate h ow th e ch ild is m oving
from b ond ing to d e ve lop in g attach m e nts .
Accord ing to P e rry (2002), attach m e nt is "a s p e cial e nd u ring form of ‘e m otional’ re lations h ip with a
s p e cific p e rs on." P e rry fu rth e r p os tu late s th at s ince no h u m an b e h avior is m aintaine d with ou t
re ward , attach m e nt re qu ire s "re ward ". M os t ofte n th is ‘re ward " com e s in th e form of s ooth ing,
com fort and / p le as u re .
or
Th is m ove m e nt toward d e ve lop ing an attach m e nt b e com e s notice ab le as th e ch ild b e gins to s h ow
p re fe re ntial re s p ons e s , s u ch as a s m ile , to p e op le th at are fam iliar to th e m . Th e y m ay s h ow
e xcite m e nt at a p e rs on’s arrival and m ay e ve n b e gin to s h ow d is p le as u re for th e ir d e p artu re b y th e
age of s ix m onth s .
F ou r-m onth -old S am anth a is laying on a b lanke t, and s qu e als with a s m ile as th e toy in
h e r h and s qu e aks . S h e th e n re -focu s e s on th e toy, and h e r face b e com e s m ore s e riou s .
H e r m oth e r e nte rs th e room afte r h e aring th e s qu e al. S am anth a lifts h e r h e ad , s e e s h e r
m oth e r and s m ile s .

9. S even to Twelve Months
By th e age of s e ve n m onth s , ch ild re n h ave b e gu n to d e ve lop a p h ys ical and cognitive le ve l th at h as
th e m wanting and ab le to e xp lore th e ir e nvironm e nt, wh ich b e com e s th e p rim ary p u rp os e of p lay for
infants u nd e r th e age of 1 8 m onth s . Th e y h ave th e p h ys ical ab ility to m ove , and h ave co gnitive
s kills th at allow th e m to b e com e goal d ire cte d .
S e ve n-m on th -old C h ris top h e r s e e s s om e colorfu l b u ild ing b locks acros s th e room . H e
cre e p s with h is arm s and le gs to p u ll h im acros s th e room to re ach th e b locks . Wh e n h e
ge ts th e re , h e u s e s h is wh ole h and to gras p and grab th e toy.

10. C h ild re n als o continu e to b e ve ry inte ractive with p e op le th at th e y h ave re lations h ip s with . Th e y
will m ake face s , lau gh and are u s u ally e as ily e ngage d in p lay. Th e y are now ab le to id e ntify and
d is crim inate b e twe e n p e op le th at th e y know and th os e th e y d o not know, wh ich le ad to two ne w
b e h avioral is s u e s in ch ild re n:
S trange r anxie ty, or an infant’s fe e ling of d is com fort or u nh ap p ine s s arou nd
u nfam iliar p e op le , m ay occu r d u ring th is tim e p e riod . O fte n at th is age , th e infant is
s e e king ou t th e atte ntion of and inte ractions with , p e op le th at th e y are attach e d to,
and b e com e u ncom fortab le arou nd p e op le th e y d o not re co gnize . Th is can le ad to
variou s typ e s of p rote s t in re s p ons e to th e s itu ation.
S e p aration anxie ty, or th e infant’s re action to a p are nt’s d e p artu re , als o b e gins
u s u ally s om e wh e re arou nd th e age of 9 m onth s . Th e b e h avior re s u lting from
s e p aration anxie ty can inclu d e a d is p lay of th e e m otions th at th e ch ild is fe e ling at
th e tim e th e p are nt is trying to le ave .

11. Phys ic al Development
B rain Development
Th rou gh ou t th e firs t ye ar of life , th e b rain is th e m os t rap id ly d e ve lop ing
organ in an infant’s b od y. Th e b rain’s d e ve lop m e nt lays th e fou nd ation
and is th e catalys t for fu rth e r d e ve lop m e nt in all five d om ain are as , and is
th u s fu rth e r e xp laine d h e re .
Th e b rain is an organ th at is th e p rim ary ce nte r for:
-R e gu lation and control of b od ily fu nctions and activitie s ;
-R e ce p tion and inte rp re tation of s e ns ory d ata;
-C ons ciou s ne s s , th ou gh t, m e m ory, and e m otions .
Th e b rain:
-C ons is ts of two h e m is p h e re s ;
-E ach h e m is p h e re h as fou r lob e s ;
-E ach lob e h as nu m e rou s fold s ;
-Th e fold s m atu re (e .g., activate ) at varying tim e s d u ring th e
ind ivid u al’s e arly ye ars ;
-H as fou r s ys te m s (cortical, lim b ic, m id b rain, & b rains te m ).

12. B irth to Three Months
At b irth , ch ild re n are ofte n fou nd p h ys ically to b e looking "b e nt" from b e ing in th e ir m oth e r’s
wom b . Th is m e ans th e ir fe e t and le gs are b owe d and tu rne d inward , with th e ir kne e s b e nt u p
toward th e ir ch e s t. Th e ir ofte n s kinny loo king in th e ir lim b s and h ave a large rou nd e d b e lly. Th is
ap p e arance las ts for th e firs t s e ve ral we e ks of life .
M os t of th e fe tu s and infant’s p h ys ical d e ve lop m e nt p rogre s s e s from th e h e ad d own and th e
ins id e ou t. Th is m e ans th at a b ab y’s b rain and ce ntral ne rvou s s ys te m d e ve lop b e fore th e ir
inte rnal organs afte r and th e u p p e r b od y d e ve lop s b e fore th e le gs and fe e t.
N e wly b orn ch ild re n can s e e ap p roxim ate ly 8 – 1 0 inch e s away from th e ir face at b irth , wh ich
allows th e m to s e e th e p e rs on fe e d ing th e m , and allows for s ocial inte ractions to b e gin with th e ir
care take rs . Th is d is tance incre as e s grad u ally b y th e tim e th e infant re ach e s 4-5 we e ks of age .
Ad d itionally, th e ne wb orn ch ild can re cognize voice s of variou s p e op le with in a fe w d ays of b irth ,
and will "orie nt" to s ou nd s b y tu rning th e ir h e ad in th e d ire ction of th e s ou nd .
As h le y, a s e ve n-we e k-old ch ild , lie s in h e r fath e r’s arm s looking at h is face as s h e
d rinks from a b ottle . H e r m oth e r com e s in from th e lau nd ry room and th e d oor s lam s
b e h ind h e r. H e r h e ad im m e d iate ly tu rns toward th e d ire ction of th e d oor.
D u ring th e firs t th re e m onth s , th e infant is d e ve lop ing m u s cle co ntrol p rim arily in th e ir h e ad , ne ck
and s h ou ld e rs . Th e ir h and s are ofte n fo u nd to b e in fis ts , and th e y e xh ib it a gras p ing re fle x th at
will cau s e th e m to clos e th e ir h and s arou nd an ob j ct. Th e s ignificant th ing ab ou t th is is th at it is
e
re fle xive , and not a volu ntarily controlle d m ove m e nt.

13. Three to S ix Months
As with th e ir s ocial inte ractions , m u ch of th e infant’s p h ys ical m ove m e nt th at was initially
re fle xive , is now b e com ing qu ite controlle d . Th e ir h e ad control is now e xce lle nt as th e m u s cle s in
th e ir u p p e r b od y h ave s tre ngth e ne d , and th e ir m otor d e ve lop m e nt b e gins to b e com e focu s e d on
fine m otor s kills . If th e y grab at ob j cts , it is b e cau s e th e y want to h old it, and th e y m ay like ly p u t
e
it into th e ir m ou th , b e ginnin g to s h ow h and / ye coord ination. Ad d itionally, th e y m ay b e gin to
e
d e ve lop h and -to-h and m ove m e nts , alth ou gh th e re will b e no cle ar ind ication of a h and
p re fe re nce u ntil th e age of 1 2-1 8 m onth s .
Th e re is als o a rap id e xp ans ion in th e ir gros s m otor d e ve lop m e nt, and b y th e age of 5 m onth s
th e y are b e ginn ing to d e ve lop th e ir lowe r b od y coord ination. Th is m e ans th e y b e gin to b e ab le to
s u p p ort we igh t on th e ir le gs , roll th e m s e lve s ove r, and p ote ntially e ve n acros s th e room !
R e m e m b e r s e ve n-m onth -old , C h ris top h e r, wh o s e e s s om e colorfu l b u ild ing b locks
acros s th e room ? H e cre e p s with h is arm s and le gs to p u ll h im acros s th e room to re ach th e
b locks . Wh e n h e ge ts th e re , h e u s e s h is wh ole h and to gras p and grab th e toy. H is s ocial
d e ve lop m e nt h ad h im wanting to p lay with th e ob j cts , and h is p h ys ical d e ve lop m e nt
e
allowe d h im to m ake th at actu ally h ap p e n.

14. S even to Twelve Months
By th e age of s e ve n m onth s , infants h ave no w d e ve lop e d u p p e r b od y s tre ngth and coord inate d
le g m ove m e nts th at allow th e m to s it and th e n b e gin crawling. S oon, th e y will h ave th e ab ility to
s u p p ort we igh t on th e ir le gs with ou t s u p p ort, b u t will h ave little b alance . Th e y will work on
incre as ing th e ir le g s tre ngth and im p roving th e ir b alance b y p u lling u p on ob j cts th at will h e lp
e
s tab ilize th e m , and s om e m ay e ve n b e gin walking.
N ine -m onth -old B rooke crawls acros s th e room to th e cou ch and p u lls h e rs e lf u p to a
s tand ing p os ition. S h e can s tand for a long p e riod of tim e , as long as s h e is h old ing on
to s om e th ing. S h e m ay le t go b rie fly, b u t will re s u m e contact to ke e p h e r b alance . Th is is
h ow s h e p ractice s incre as ing h e r s tre ngth and d e ve lop ing h e r b alance .
Infants will als o b e working on th e ir fine m otor s kills . Th e ir h and -e ye coord ination is im p roving, b u t
initially, th e y d o not h ave th e ab ility to u s e th e ir th u m b op p os ite th e ir finge rs to p ick u p or m o ve
ob j cts . Th e y ofte n re s ort to "raking" th e ir h and s ove r s om e th ing to grab onto it. H owe ve r, d u ring
e
th is s ix-m onth p e riod , th e y will d e ve lop th e ab ility to p u t th e ir h and ove r an ob j ct and p ick it u p
e
and m ove it wh e re th e y want it to go.
Te n-m onth -old D om inic is s itting in h is h igh ch air with ce re al in front of h im to e at. H e
p icks u p th e p ie ce s , one at a tim e , clos ing h is th u m b and fore finge r ro u nd e ach p ie ce . H e
th e n p u ts th e m into h is m ou th and e ats it.

15. E motional Development
B irth to Three Months
O ne of th e m os t notice ab le p ie ce s of an infant’s e m otional s tate is th e ir te m p e ram e nt, or th e
way a ch ild re s p ond s to th e ir e nvironm e nt. D e b ate continu e s ab ou t to wh at e xte nt ou r
b e h avior and p e rs onality traits are ge ne tic, b iological or a fu nction of inb orn te m p e ram e nt.
To wh at e xte nt d o e arly life e xp e rie nce s s h ap e and influ e nce th e d e ve lop ing ind ivid u al?
O ne s tu d y th at followe d infants into ad u lth ood and as s e s s e d th e ir te m p e ram e nt fou nd b ab ie s fit
into th e followin g fou r cate gorie s :
• E as y b ab ie s (40% ) s h owe d p os itive m ood , re gu lar b od y fu nctions ,
ad ap te d we ll, and ap p roach e d rath e r th an with d re w from ne w
s itu ations .
• D ifficu lt b ab ie s (1 0% ) d is p laye d ne gative m ood , we re s low to
ad ap t, with d re w in nove l
s itu ations , and we re irre gu lar in b iological fu nctioning.
• S low-to-warm b ab ie s (1 5% ) we re s im ilar to th e d ifficu lt b ab ie s , b u t
re acte d with le s s activity and inte ns ity.
• Mixe d b ab ie s (35% ) d is p laye d com b inations of all of th e traits .
Th e ch ild re n with d ifficu lt te m p e ram e nts d e ve lop e d th e m os t e m otional and b e h avioral p rob le m s
ove r tim e . R e s e arch e rs conclu d e d th at th is was d u e to an inte raction b e twe e n natu re and
nu rtu re .
C h ild re n with d ifficu lt te m p e ram e nts we re m u ch m ore like ly to e xp e rie nce ne gative re s p ons e s
from oth e rs as th e y d e ve lop e d . Th e s e ch ild re n we re m ore like ly to "trigge r" th e ir p are nts ,
cau s ing ne gative p are ntal attitu d e s and re actions and p rovoking old u nfinis h e d is s u e s to

16. Three to S ix Months
D u ring th is th re e -m onth p e riod , an infant h as d e ve lop e d cle arly re cognizab le te m p e ram e nt and
variou s e m otional s tate s inclu d ing p le as u re , ange r, p ain fe ar, and p rote s t. Th e s e s tate s are ve ry
ap p are nt in th e ch ild at any p oint in tim e . Th e ir te m p e ram e nt continu e s to b e d e ve lop e d b y th e
inte ractions b e twe e n th e m and th e ir e m otional s tate and th e p are nt’s re s p ons e to th e ir b e h aviors .
S even to Twelve Months
Is s u e s arou nd s trange rs and s e p aration th at m ay h ave aris e n p re viou s ly as p art of th e ch ild ’s
s ocial d e ve lop m e nt, ofte n continu e to b e p re s e nt u ntil th e age of one ye ar. E m otionally, ch ild re n
are continu ing to s tre ngth e n th e ir attach m e nt to th e ir care give rs and e nj inte racting with th e ir
oy
care give rs . Th e y continu e to op e nly d is p lay a range of e m otions and are b e ginning to d e ve lop a
s e ns e of tru s t in th e ir world .
As a ch ild re ach e s th e age of twe lve m onth s , th e y are b e ginning to focu s on th e d e ve lop m e nt of
th e ir au tonom y, or ind e p e nd e nce from th e ir p rim ary care give r. Th is ab ility to d iffe re ntiate is
ne ce s s ary for th e h e alth y d e ve lop m e nt of th e p e rs onality.
If th e ch ild h as a p os itive attach m e nt to th e care give r, th e y are m o re like ly to e xp lore th e ir
e nvironm e nt, b u t will re tu rn to th e p are nt for re as s u rance or com fort afte r tim e , or wh e n
d is tre s s e d .
Ad d itionally, as ch ild re n b e gin to d e ve lop th e ir au to nom y, wh ich is facilitate d b y th e ir p h ys ical
d e ve lop m e n t, tantru m s m ay b e gin to ap p e ar. Th e ge ne rally p lacid , frie nd ly, re s p ons ive , and
coop e rative ch ild s u d d e n ly b e com e s willfu l, u ncoop e rative and s tu b b orn.
Afte r com ing b ack into th e h ou s e , Alana atte m p ts to re tu rn to th e p o rch . Wh e n h e r
m oth e r, wh o p icke d h e r u p and told h e r s h e cou ld not go ou ts id e , s top s h e r, Alana b e gins to
cry and m ove h e r b od y ab ou t e xp re s s ing h e r d is p le as u re .

17. C ognitive Development
Birth to Three Months
D u ring th e firs t th re e m o nth s of life , a s ignificant ch ange in a ne wb orn’s cognitive d e ve lop m e nt
can b e notice d . Initially at b irth , an infant’s re s p ons e s are ve ry re fle xive , or u ncontrolle d . Th e y
cry b e cau s e th e y ne e d s om e th ing, b u t it is initially d ifficu lt to te ll wh at th e y want or ne e d .
H owe ve r, with in a m onth , infants b e gin to b e ab le to d is tingu is h wh at it is th e y want and / or
ne e d , and in tu rn, m ake oth e r s ou nd s th at re fle ct wh at th e y want. S om e d iffe re ntiation in th e ir
cry b e gins to ap p e ar and is id e ntifiab le to a care give r. Th is will fu rth e r d e ve lop into s qu e als and
cooing s ou nd s , and e ve ntu ally th e y will b e gin vocally inte racting with a care take r as if in
conve rs ations . B y th e age of th re e m onth s , it is like ly th at one can e as ily id e ntify fe e lings of
p le as u re and u nh ap p ine s s in th e infant.

18. Three to S ix Months
O b j ct p e rm ane nce is one of th e m os t s ignificant cognitive m ile s tone s , and it is not ye t
e
p re s e nt d u ring th is p e riod of growth & d e ve lop m e nt in ch ild re n. O b j ct p e rm ane nce is p art
e
of P iage t’s th e ory ab ou t a p roce s s in wh ich a ch ild b e gins to u nd e rs tand th at j s t b e cau s e
u
th e y d o not s e e s om e th ing (e .g., a toy), d oe s not m e an th at it d oe s not e xis t. C h ild re n in th is
age ran ge d o not ye t h ave th is u nd e rs tand ing. If an ob j ct is ou t of th e ir s igh t, it is
e
cons id e re d ou t of m ind , like it d oe s not e xis t at all.
Je nnife r and h e r m oth e r are in th e fam ily room p laying with a b all. Je nnife r’s
m oth e r h id e s th e b all b e h ind a b ox ne xt to h e r. N ow, h e r m oth e r s its with a b lanke t.
Je nnife r m ove s to h e r m oth e r and p icks u p th e b lanke t, wh ich is s om e th ing ne w th at s h e
h ad not p laye d with b e fore . It is in h e r fie ld of vis ion, and s h e find s it inte re s ting. S h e
h as forgotte n th e b all and now p lays with th e b lanke t ins te ad b y p u tting it in h e r
m ou th .
Je nnife r is too you ng to h ave d e ve lop e d ob j ct p e rm ane nce , b u t s h e d oe s h ave atte ntion to
e
ob j cts , wh ich is a critical com p one nt of cognitive d e ve lop m e nt th at will u ltim ate ly h e lp le ad
e
to th e d e ve lop m e nt of ob j ct p e rm ane nce .
e

19. S even to Twelve Months
U ntil th is tim e , ch ild re n fu nction in an "ou t of s igh t, ou t of m ind " p e rs p e ctive . Th is now b e gins to
ch ange as th e ch ild ap p roach e s th e age of one and d e ve lop s a s e ns e of ob j ct p e rm ane nce .
e
Th e y b e gin to u nd e rs tand th at j s t b e cau s e th e y cannot s e e s om e th ing d oe s not m e an th at it
u
is n’t s om e wh e re th at th e y can find .
Ju nior, age 1 2 m onth s , is p laying with a footb all in th e b ack yard with h is u ncle . H is
u ncle take s th e footb all wh ile Tyrone is watch ing, and h id e s it u nd e r a towe l. Tyrone
goe s to th e towe l and p icks it u p , and ge ts th e footb all.
Ju nior h as d e ve lop e d an e arly s tage of ob j ct p e rm ane nce . H e is ab le to s e arch for th e footb all
e
b e cau s e h e watch e d h is u ncle h id ing it. If h e h ad not s e e n h is u ncle h id e it, h e wou ld not h ave
continu e d looking for it. C h ild re n are s ch o ol-age d b e fore th e y wou ld h ave b e gu n to wond e r wh at
h ap p e ne d to it and inve s tigate wh e re it h ad gone .
Th is is als o p art of e arly p rob le m s olving in p e op le . Infants d e ve lop th e ab ility to m o ve ob j cts
e
wh e re th e y want th e m , and m ay e ve n p u ll at th ings to s e e if th e y will com e ap art. Th is m ay b e
s om e th ing th at th e y d o ove r and ove r again, wh ich allows for re p e tition and m as te ry ove r tas ks ,
wh ich lays a fou nd ation for atte ntion s p an d e ve lop m e nt. Th e clos e r th e y ge t to th e age of one ,
th e m o re goal d ire cte d th e ir b e h aviors b e com e , and th e b e tte r at p rob le m s olving th e y m ay b e .
1 1 -m onth -o ld Lou is s e e s h is m oth e r p lace a toy acros s th e room , afte r h aving it
take n away. H e th e n cros s e s th e room , p u lls u p on a coffe e tab le and re ach e s for
th e toy s o th at h e can take it ap art.
In th is cas e , h is b e h avior of m oving acros s th e room involve d h aving a goal (ge tting th e toy) and
p rob le m s olving (h ow to ge t acros s th e room ).

20. S exual Development
Th e e arlie s t form of s e xu alize d b e h avior is b e lie ve d to b e fou nd in th e infant’s love to p lace
th ings in th e ir m ou th . N e wb orns are ofte n orally fixate d , and it h e lp s give th e ir world m e aning.
Th e y cann ot ye t u tilize lan gu age to b e gin to inte ract with th e ir world , b u t th e y can b ring th e ir
world to life with oral contact.
Th is , in conj nction with th e infants ' ne e d s to u nd e rs tand and m as te r th e ir b od y, le ad s to
u
e xp loration as an infant re ach e s th e age of one . As a ch ild d e ve lop s th e ab ility to control th e ir
b e h avior, th e y b e gin to le arn th at th e re are a varie ty of p arts to th e ir b od y. Wh ile th is m ay b e gin
with le arning ab ou t finge rs and toe s , it ofte n le ad s to th e d is co ve ry of one ’s ge nitals . Th is
e xp loration is d one volu n tarily and can p ro d u ce p le as u rab le s e ns ations for th e ch ild .
A ch ild ’s s e xu al d e ve lop m e nt is s h ap e d b y th e ir fam ily’s cu ltu re . Th e norm s o f wh at is acce p tab le
and e xp e cte d are m old e d b y a p are nt’s d ire ct and ind ire ct b e h aviors .
Wh ile infants m ay not b e cle ar on wh at ge nd e r is , le t alone wh at th e ru le s and role s as s o ciate d
with one ’s ge nd e r are , th e y are watch ing and ob s e rving th e m any th ings th at are going on
arou nd th e m .
If th e m o th e r is re s p ond ing to th e ch ild as a p rim ary care give r, th e y are ofte n re s p ond ing d ire ctly
to th e cu e s of th e ir ch ild , wh o m ay b e as king to b e com forte d , cu d d le d , talke d to, fe d , e tc.
M oth e rs are typ ically m ore con ce rne d ab ou t th e p roce s s of h ow th e ir ch ild e xp re s s e s th e ir ne e d s
and e ns u ring th os e ne e d s are m e t. Th is is ofte n in contras t to th e fath e r, wh o re s p ond s m ore
fre qu e n tly to ch ild re n b y re d ire cting th e cu e s th at a ch ild m ay offe r to oth e r activitie s . Th e role of
th e fath e r m ay b e m ore clos e ly conne cte d to p lay, and p os s ib ly d is cip line .
H owe ve r th e s e role s are d ivid e d , th e ch ild is le arning from th e m . Wh at th e ch ild le arns b e com e s
th e ir u nd e rs tand ing of wh at s ocial ru le s and role s are for p e op le in th e ir cu ltu re , wh ich h e lp s to

21. The Developing Baby
The firs t month
Fertilization
E ve ry h u m an b e ing b e gins life as a s ingle ce ll, form e d wh e n fath e r's s p e rm fe rtilize s m oth e r's e gg.
F e rtilization norm ally take s p lace in th e m oth e r's F allop ian tu b e , wh ich conne cts th e u te ru s (wom b )
with th e ovary. Th e u te ru s is th e s ize and s h ap e of a large p e ar: it is m ad e of m u s cle and it
s tre tch e s to allow th e b ab y's growth th rou gh ou t th e m onth s of p re gnancy.
A wom an ord inarily h as two tu b e s and two ovarie s , one at e ach s id e of h e r u te ru s . E ve ry m onth one
of th e ovarie s in tu rn re le as e s an e gg (ovu m ) wh ich p as s e s s lowly along th e tu b e toward s th e wom b
cavity

22. If th e e gg is not fe rtilis e d with in 1 2 h ou rs or s o of b e ing re le as e d , it d ie s ; it cannot d e ve lop fu rth e r.
Bu t if th e wom an h as s e xu al inte rcou rs e d u ring th e d ays of h e r m onth ly cycle j s t b e fore or at th e
u
tim e wh e n an e gg h as b e e n re le as e d from th e ovary, th e n m any s p e rm ce lls re le as e d b y h e r
p artne r m ay trave l u p to th e F allop ian tu b e and one m ay fe rtilis e th e e gg. Wh e n fe rtilis ation is
com p le te d and th e nu cle i of e gg and s p e rm h ave com b ine d , a ne w b e ing com e s into e xis te nce
and is cap ab le of fu rth e r d e ve lop m e nt. Be cau s e th e p are nts are h u m an - b e longing to th e s p e cie s
H om o s ap ie ns - th e ne w b e ing is als o h u m an. F e rtilis ation (b y wh ich we m e an conce p tion) m arks
th e b e ginn ing of th e h u m an life s p an.
A cons u ltant s p e cialis ing in th e care of p re gnant wom e n write s : "Life d oe s not b e gin with b irth .
Wh e n b orn, we are alre ad y nine m onth s o ld ... we h ave a re s p ons ib ility to le arn h ow to s tu d y th e
life in ute ro, and h ow to care for it"
Heredity
Th e ce lls of living b e ings contain D N A (d e o xyrib onu cle ic acid ), th e s u b s tance in th e nu cle u s th at
e nab le ce lls to re p rod u ce and trans m it ch aracte ris tics from ge ne ration to ge ne ration. Wh e n ce lls
d ivid e , th e D N A take s th e form of ch rom os om e s - th e u nits carrying th e ge ne s th at p as s
h e re d itary fe atu re s from p are nts to offs p ring. D iffe re nt s p e cie s h ave varying nu m b e rs of
ch rom os om e s p e r ce ll: for e xam p le , a m ou s e h as 40 wh ile a cat h as 38. H u m an b od y ce lls
norm ally contain 46 d is tinctive ly h u m an ch rom os om e s . Bu t an e gg and a s p e rm ce ll contain only
23 ch rom os om e s e ach , to allow for th e ir ad d ing toge th e r at fe rtilis ation: s p e rm and ovu m are
te rm e d gam e te s (from a G re e k word for "m arriage p artne rs "). Wh e n th e y "m arry" th e y m ake one
com p le te ly ne w ce ll - th e h u m an e m b ryo, zygote or conce p tu s - with 46 ch rom os om e s carrying a
fre s h , u niqu e com b ination of ge ne s . At fe rtilis atio n th is h u m an e m b ryo is ab ou t 0.1 m m in
d iam e te r. S ince ch aracte ris tics co m e from b o th p are nts th e zygote is ne ve r th e s am e as , o r p art
of, th e m oth e r, b u t is a ge ne tically d is tinct ind ivid u al. Th e colo u ring of h air, s kin and e ye s , th e s e x
of th e ne w h u m an b e ing, and factors influ e ncing h e igh t and b u ild , are d e te rm ine d at fe rtilis ation
b y inform ation on th e D N A.

23. Gender
A b ab y's s e x is d e te rm ine d at fe rtilis ation. A ch rom os om e from th e fath e r's s p e rm d e te rm ine s
wh e th e r th e ch ild is m ale or fe m ale . If an X ch rom os om e is p re s e nt th e b ab y is a girl; if a Y
ch rom os om e is carrie d b y th e s p e rm ins te ad , th e b ab y is a b oy.
Twins
O ccas ionally two e ggs are re le as e d b y th e ovary and fe rtilis e d . Th is re s u lts in frate rnal twins wh o
are d iffe re nt in ap p e arance and m ay b e of d iffe re nt s e xe s b e cau s e th e ir ge ne s form from two e ggs
and two s p e rm ce lls .
R are ly, on e e m b ryo s p lits into two and b oth ce lls d e ve lo p s e p arate ly, as id e ntical twins , s im ilar in
ap p e arance .
"Th e y h ave th e s am e ge ne tic m ake -u p and ap p are ntly th e wh ole ge ne tic m e s s age is th e s am e in
b oth of th e m . N e ve rth e le s s , th e y are ob viou s ly d iffe re nt h u m an b e ings ."2
B lueprint, builder and hous e
Th e e m b ryo is not s im p ly a s e t of ins tru ctions for m aking a ne w h u m an b e ing, like a b lu e p rint for
b u ild ing a h ou s e . A b lu e p rint is ine rt and cannot carry ou t ins tru ctions , b u t th e e m b ryo is active and
b e gins work at once . A h ou s e ne e d s b u ild e rs , carp e nte rs , e le ctricians and p lu m b e rs to com p le te it;
b u t th e e m b ryo h as th e ab ility to grow s p ontane ou s ly, m oving on to oth e r p h as e s of d e ve lop m e nt
and cons tru cting th e s ke le ton, fle s h , ne rve conne ctions and a was te d is p os al s ys te m of th e h u m an
b od y. Afte r a h ou s e is b u ilt, a b lu e p rint re m ains s e p arate ; b u t th e e m b ryo - alre ad y an e s s e ntial
h u m an b y virtu e of th e ge ne s - is b lu e p rint, b u ild e r and "h ou s e " toge th e r.

24. Implantation
Afte r fe rtilis ation th e s ingle ce ll s p lits into two, th e n th e two ce lls d ou b le to fou r, fou r to e igh t, e igh t
to s ixte e n and s o on. B e cau s e th e ce ll clu s te r looks s u p e rficially like a b e rry it is calle d th e m oru la
(Latin for "m u lb e rry"), b u t th e ne w life is always b iologically h u m an (s p e cie s H om o s ap ie ns ).
Th e j rne y along th e F allop ian tu b e continu e s s lowly for ab ou t fou r d ays . G rowth incre as e s . By th e
ou
tim e th e wom b cavity is re ach e d , th e ce ll clu s te r b e com e s h ollow and flu id -fille d , and is re fe rre d to
as th e b las tocys t. H owe ve r, th is is not an ine rt clu m p of ce lls b u t a b u s ily d e ve lop ing h u m an
ind ivid u al: d iffe re ntiation (organis ation into d iffe re nt p arts and fu nctions ) is alre ad y taking p lace .
Me anwh ile th e u te ru s is form ing a s p ongy lining with in wh ich th e e m b ryo will im p lant. To ach ie ve
th is th e e m b ryo b u rro ws into th e wall of th e wom b and is cove re d ove r b y th e lining of th e wom b .
Th is b e gins 6 d ays afte r fe rtilis ation and is com p le te d with in th e ne xt 7 d ays .
If fe rtilis ation h as not take n p lace , th e lining of th e u te ru s com e s away at th e e nd of th e m onth ly
cycle as th e wom an's m e ns tru al p e riod . Bu t once im p lantation occu rs , th e e m b ryo s e nd s ou t a
h orm onal s ignal wh ich p re ve nts th e m oth e r's p e rio d . Th is is u s u ally h e r firs t ind ication of p re gnancy.

25. E s timating length of pregnancy
G e ne rally a wom an d oe s not know th e e xact d ate of h e r b ab y's conce p tio n. Wh e n s h e m is s e s a
p e riod s h e m ay take a p re gnancy te s t; s h e s h ou ld s e e a d octor p rom p tly to ob tain p rofe s s ional
care for h e rs e lf and h e r ch ild . Th e d octor take s th e d ate of th e firs t d ay of th e m oth e r's las t
m e ns tru al p e riod as th e s tarting-p oint for a 40-we e k p re gnancy. Th is give s th e b ab y's ge s tational
age . H owe ve r s ince fe rtilis ation only occu rs wh e n th e ovu m is re le as e d fro m th e ovary, s om e two
we e ks from th e b e ginning of th e las t p e riod , th e b ab y's actu al (conce p tional) age is als o two we e ks
le s s . F u ll-tim e d e live ry occu rs 38 we e ks afte r fe rtilis ation, b u t 40 we e ks afte r th e m oth e r's las t
m e ns tru al p e riod . (In th is b ookle t all d e ve lop m e nts of th e e m b ryo and foe tu s are d ate d from th e
tim e of conce p tion, or fe rtilis ation u nle s s s tate d oth e rwis e .)
Protection and life s upport
D u ring and afte r im p lantation th e e m b ryo d e ve lop s a p ro te ctive , flu id -fille d cap s u le wh ich
s u rrou nd s and cu s h io ns th e d e ve lop ing b od y to p re ve nt inj ry. E m b ryo and flu id are e nclos e d in
u
two m e m b rane s , an inne r am nion and an ou te r ch orion. Th e ch orion is cove re d in rootlike tu fts ,
s om e of wh ich form th e e arly p lace nta - an o rgan m ad e b y th e b ab y and th e m oth e r wh ich
trans fe rs nu trie nts from th e m oth e r's b lood s tre am and re m ove s was te p rod u cts from th e ch ild 's ,
th ou gh m oth e r's and b ab y's circu latory s ys te m s re m ain s e p arate . Th e p lace nta als o p rod u ce s
h orm one s to m aintain th e p re gnancy. In th e ninth m onth it will alte r th e m oth e r's h orm onal b alance
and trigge rs off th e b irth p roce s s - alth ou gh we are s till u ns u re wh at cau s e s lab ou r to b e gin.
Th e b ab y is conne cte d to th e p lace nta b y th e u m b ilical cord , th e life line ch anne lling nou ris h m e nt in
and taking was te s ou t, wh ich will b e cu t clos e to th e b ab y's ab d om e n at b irth and will le ave th e
m ark of th e nave l. D u ring p re gnancy th e b ab y ob tains oxyge n from th e m oth e r's b lood via cord and
p lace nta, s o d oe s n ot d ro wn in th e s u rrou nd ing flu id .

26. Body development
By 25 d ays from fe rtilis ation th e b od y is d e ve lop ing. H e ad and tru nk
ap p e ar and tiny arm b u d s b e gin to form , followe d b y le g b u d s . Th e e arly
e m b ryo s e e m s to h ave a "tail", b u t th is is re ally a p rote ctive cove ring for
th e s p inal cord . Be cau s e th e ce ntral ne rvou s s ys te m (b rain. s p ine and
s p inal cord ) is s o im p ortant, gove rning s e ns ory and m otor fu nctions , th e
e m b ryo's b od y is d e s igne d for rap id growth of h e ad and b ack.
By 21 to 25 d ays th e b ab y's h e art is b e ating. O th e r inte rnal organs are
p re s e nt in s im p le form and fu nctioning as th e y grow. E arly facial fe atu re s
ap p e ar. Th e d octor wh o p e rform e d th e firs t-e ve r b lood trans fu s ion to an
u nb orn b ab y h as d e s crib e d th e e m b ryo at th e e nd of th e firs t m onth from
fe rtilis ation:
"B y 30 d ays , j s t two we e ks p as t m oth e r's firs t m is s e d p e riod , th e b ab y -
u
one qu arte r of an inch long - h as a b rain of u nm is takab le h u m an
p rop ortions , e ye s , e ars , m ou th , kid ne ys , live r, an u m b ilical cord and a h e art

27. The s econd month
Growing
Th e e m b ryo in cre as e s in s ize from 5m m at fou r we e ks to 4O m m b y th e e nd of th e e igh th we e k. Th e
b ab y in th e wom b is u s u ally m e as u re d from th e top of th e h e ad to th e b ottom of th e s p ine (crown-
ru m p le ngth s ).
Hands and feet
By th e s ixth we e k from fe rtilis ation tiny finge rs ap p e ar, followe d with in d ays b y th e toe s . By th e
s e ve nth we e k th e b ab y h as ind ivid u al finge rp rints ; no two s e ts of finge rp rints are e ve r th e s am e .
E ve n in u te ro th e b ab y h as u niqu e ch aracte ris tics .
E yes and ears
By s ix we e ks th e e ye s wh ich ap p e are d in s im p le form in th e firs t m onth d e ve lop le ns and re tina; th e
e ye lid s s tart to take s h ap e .
Th e e ars continu e to d e ve lop : b y s e ve n we e ks th e ou te r e ar is p re s e nt, and th e inne r e ar, with its
h e aring and b alancing m e ch anis m s , is we ll e s tab lis h e d .

28. Movements
S p o ntane ou s m ove m e nts b e gin at s e ve n we e ks :
"By 45 d ays , ab ou t th e tim e of th e m oth e r's s e cond m is s e d p e rio d , th e b ab y's s ke le ton is com p le te in
cartilage , not b one , at firs t; ... h e m ake s th e firs t m ove m e nts of h is b od y and ne w-grown lim b s ,
alth ou gh it will b e anoth e r 1 2 we e ks b e fore h is m ove m e nts are s trong e nou gh to b e trans m itte d
th rou gh th e ins e ns itive u te ru s to b e d e te cte d b y th e m oth e r's s e ns itive ab d om inal wall."
Brain function
Brain wave s h ave b e e n re cord e d b y E E G (e le ctro- e nce p h alograp h ) in th e h u m an e m b ryo 40 d ays
afte r fe rtilization.
Res pons e to touch
H u m an e m b ryos of five we e ks ge s tational age h ave b e e n s e e n to m ove away from an ob j ct tou ch ing
e
th e m ou th are a. Th e s e ns itive are a e xte nd s to inclu d e th e re s t of th e face in th e s ixth and s e ve nth
we e ks and th e p alm s of th e h and s and s ole s of th e fe e t in th e e igh th and ninth we e ks re s p e ctive ly.6
A Britis h s tu d y s h ows th at th e b ab y's m ove m e nts b e gin at th e s am e tim e as s e ns ory ne rve s b e gin to
grow into th e s p inal cord in th e s e cond m o nth of p re gnancy; th e ne rve fib re s re s p ond to tou ch e s to
th e s kin and m ove m e nt of th e lim b s : at th is s tage th e b ab y's s e ns ory ne rve s "ap p e ar to b e m ore
s e ns itive th an th os e of th e ad u lt or ne wb orn b ab y."

29. From embryo to fetus
Arou nd e igh t we e ks th e b ab y's cartilage s ke le ton b e gins to tu rn into b one . Th e b od y is e s s e ntially
com p le te . N ow th e b ab y can b e re fe rre d to as th e foe tu s - a Latin te rm m e aning "you ng,
offs p ring." Latin- or G re e k-d e rive d nam e s are give n to h u m an b e ings at s u cce s s ive p h as e s of
d e ve lop m e nt, e .g. "zygote " for th e ne wly-conce ive d , "ne onate " for ne wb orn b ab y, "ad ole s ce nt" for
growing-u p te e nage r, "ge riatric" for a p e ns ione r. Th e s e te rm s s im p ly id e ntify d iffe re nt s tage s in
th e h u m an life s p an wh ich b e gins at fe rtilization.
The third month
Development
By th e e nd of th e twe lfth we e k th e b ab y m e as u re s alm os t 90m m and we igh s 45g. Th e b ab y's
face , at firs t b road , now b e com e s narrowe r; th e e ye s are clo s e d for p rote ction from ab ou t 1 0
we e ks u ntil th e s ixth m onth . Bo yh ood or girlh oo d is now ob viou s .
S ens itivity
Two B ritis h cons u ltants , one caring for p re gnant wom e n and th e oth e r for ch ild re n afte r b irth ,
d e s crib e h u m an d e ve lop m e nt at th is s tage :
"N ine we e ks afte r conce p tion th e b ab y is we ll e nou gh form e d to b e nd h is finge rs rou nd an ob j ct e
in th e p alm of h is h and . In re s p ons e to a tou ch on th e s ole of h is foo t h e will cu rl h is toe s or b e nd
h is h ip s and kne e s to m ove away from th e tou ch ing ob j ct. At 1 2 we e ks h e can clos e h is finge rs
e
and th u m b and h e will op e n h is m ou th in re s p ons e to p re s s u re ap p lie d at th e b as e of h is th u m b ."
F rom a s im p le , ge ne ralize d re s p ons e to s tim u lation at 6 we e ks ge s tational age , th e fe tu s

30. Feeling pain
Th e b rain and ne rve fib e rs m u s t b e fu nctioning for anyone to fe e l p ain
Brain ce lls wh ich are e s s e n tial for cons ciou s ne s s in th e ad u lt are known to b e p re s e nt in th e fe tu s b y
1 0 we e ks . N e rve fib e rs wh ich trans m it p ain im p u ls e s are known to b e p re s e nt b e fore fib e rs inh ib iting
p ain are com p le te d .
Accord ing to a s ch olarly s tu d y of th e availab le e vid e nce , th is "im p lie s th at th e firs t trim e s te r fe tu s m ay
b e m ore s u s ce p tib le to p ain th an s ligh tly old e r s u b j cts .. Th e firs t trim e s te r of p re gnancy is th e firs t
e
th re e m onth s .
In oth e r word s , if th e b ab y can e xp e rie nce p ain b e fore th e b od y's m e ch anis m s to s u p p re s s p ain h ave
d e ve lop e d , th is m e ans th at th e b ab y m ay b e ab le to fe e l p ain at a m u ch e arlie r s tage th an was
p re viou s ly th ou gh t, and p e rh ap s e ve n m ore ke e nly in th e firs t th re e m onth s of p re gnancy th an late r.
Th e s am e s tu d y conclu d e s th at th e re is a like lih o od th at th e "fe tu s h as s tarte d to acqu ire a s e ntie nt
cap acity p e rh ap s as e arly as s ix we e ks , ce rtainly b y nine to te n we e ks of ge s tation. Anatom ical
e xam ination of s u ch fe tu s e s ind icate s th e p rob ab ility th at d iffe re ntiation s u fficie nt for re ce p tion,
trans m is s ion and p e rce p tion of p rim itive p ain s e ns ation h as alre ad y occu rre d ."
Practicing for life outs ide the womb
"At 1 1 we e ks afte r conce p tion th e fe tu s s tarts to s wallow th e s u rrou nd ing am niotic flu id and to p as s it
b ack in h is u rine . H e can als o p rod u ce com p le x facial e xp re s s ions and e ve n s m ile . S wallowing
p re p are s th e b ab y for taking in m ilk at b irth . Th u m b -s u cking h as als o b e e n re co rd e d in th e fe tu s .
F e tal b re ath ing m ove m e n ts h ave b e e n d e te cte d as e arly as 1 1 we e ks 1 4. Alth ou gh th e b ab y d oe s not
b re ath e air ins id e th e flu id -fille d am nion, th e s e m ove m e nts h e lp d e ve lop th e re s p iratory organs .

31. Four to five months
E nlargement of baby and uterus
By s ixte e n we e ks th e b ab y m e as u re s 1 40m m from crown to ru m p , j s t o ve r one th ird o f th e s ize h e or
u
s h e will b e at fu ll te rm , and we igh s arou nd 200g. Th e h e art now p u m p s 30 lite rs of b lo od a d ay. Th e
u te ru s e xp and s and ch ange s s h ap e to accom m od ate th e growing b ab y; p re gnancy b e gins to s h ow
e xte rnally. Th e d octor can te ll ap p roxim ate ly h o w ad vance d th e p re gnancy is b y lo cating th e fu nd s (th e
top p art of th e u te ru s b e twe e n th e F allop ian tu b e s , wh ich s tre tch e s u p ward s toward s th e m oth e r's
ch e s t as th e u te ru s e xp and s ).
Hearing
Th e re is e vid e nce th at from fou r m onth s th e fe tu s re s p ond s to s ou nd . D octors te s ting u nb orn ch ild re n
for d e afne s s , wh ile m onitoring th e ir re actions to nois e with u ltras ou nd (a te ch niqu e for vis u alizing th e
ch ild re n in u te ro), h ave ob s e rve d e ye m ove m e nts and "b link-s tartle " re s p ons e s in fe tu s e s of 1 6 to 32
we e ks ge s tation.1 5
Th e au th ors of a te xtb ook on th e u nb orn wh ich is u s e d in m e d ical s ch ools world -wid e e xp lain wh y th e
fe tu s can h e ar wh ile im m e rs e d in flu id :
"Th e e ars of th e fe tu s fu nctio n as e arly as th e fou rth m onth , and th e re is e vid e nce th at it h e ars a good
d e al. O ne m igh t ob j ct th at if a p e rs o n d ive s u nd e r wate r and s om e one e ls e talks to h im h e h e ars only
e
a m u ffle d s ou nd . Th is is tru e . Th e s ou nd is m u ffle d b y th e cu s h ion of air re m aining in th e au d itory
canal ou ts id e th e e ar d ru m . Bu t th e fe tu s living in th e am niotic flu id h as no m u ffling air cu s h ions
arou nd its e ar d ru m - and wate r cond u cts s ou nd b e tte r th an air d oe s . Th e s ile nt world of th e fe tu s (or,
b e low th e s u rface of th e oce an) is a fantas y, u nfou nd e d in re ality.

32. Th e b ab y h e ars s ou nd s from th e ou ts id e world as we ll as from th e m oth e rs h e art and d ige s tive
s ys te m : "In fact th e inne r e ar of th e foe tu s is com p le te ly d e ve lop e d b y m id -p re gnancy, and th e
foe tu s re s p ond s to a wid e varie ty of s o u nd s . H e is s u rro u nd e d b y a cons tant ve ry lou d nois e in th e
u te ru s - th e rh yth m ical s o u nd of th e u te rine b lood s u p p ly p u nctu ate d b y th e nois e s of air p as s ing
th rou gh th e m oth e r's inte s tine . Lou d nois e s from o u ts id e th e u te ru s s u ch as th e s lam m ing of a d oor
or lou d m u s ic re ach th e foe tu s and h e re acts to th e m ."1 7 Te s ts u s ing d iffe re nt typ e s of m u s ic
ind icate th at th e b ab y e ve n ap p e ars to h ave p re fe re nce s : "A fou r- or five -m onth -old foe tu s d e finite ly
re s p on d s to s ou nd and m e lod y - and re s p ond s in ve ry d is crim inating ways . P u t Vivald i on th e
re cord p laye r and e ve n th e m os t agitate d b ab y re laxe s ... In a film m ad e at th e C ity of Lond on
Mate rnity H os p ital, Ye h u d i M e nu h in d e m ons trate d th at it was p os s ib le to contact th e u nb orn via
m u s ic."1 8 Bab ie s le arn to re cognis e th e ir m oth e rs ' voice s wh ils t in th e wom b 1 9 and e ve n to
re cogn is e s torie s wh ich are re ad to th e m in th e wom b .20 N e wb orn b ab ie s wh os e m oth e rs watch e d
N e igh b ou rs d u ring p re gn ancy h ave b e e n s e e n to s to p crying and b e com e ale rt wh e n th e y h e ar th e
th e m e tu ne afte r b irth .
S ens itivity to light
F rom th e s ixte e nth we e k th e foe tu s re s p ond s to ligh t. If a b linking ligh t is s h one on to th e m oth e r's
ab d om e n, th e foe tal h e artb e at flu ctu ate s .22 "In late p re gnancy, s om e ligh t p e ne trate s th rou gh th e
u te rine wall and am niotic flu id , and foe tal activity h as b e e n s h own to incre as e in re s p ons e to b righ t
ligh t."23 Th e wom b is a m ore s tim u lating e nvironm e nt th an s om e p e op le th ink; its occu p ant is ale rt
and re s p ons ive .

33. The fifth month and beyond
Afte r 20 we e ks th e b ab y is 1 90m m from crown to ru m p and we igh s 460g. H e ad h air, e ye b rows .
e ye las h e s and nails are gro wing. To p rote ct th e b ab y's s kin from p rolonge d contact with th e
am niotic flu id , a gre as y s u b s tan ce calle d ve rnix cove rs th e b o d y. Be twe e n th is s tage and b irth th e
b ab y will gain we igh t and will d e ve lop an ins u lating laye r of fat b e ne ath th e s kin. H e or s h e will als o
re ce ive m ate rnal antib od ie s agains t s om e infe ctions as a te m p orary p rote ction u ntil th e infant's own
im m u ne s ys te m is b e tte r d e ve lop e d .
Waking and s leeping
F e tal activity is affe cte d wh e n th e m oth e r is tire d or u nd e r s tre s s .24 Th e b ab y is u s u ally m os t
notab ly active wh e n th e m oth e r is lying d own at nigh t. Th e m oth e r fe e ls th e b ab y's kicking and m ay
notice s h arp m o ve m e nts wh e n th e b ab y ge ts h iccu p s afte r d rinking th e am niotic flu id or p ractice s its
b re ath ing m ove m e nts . In late r p re gnancy th e fe tu s h as b e e n ob s e rve d to s h ow "b e h avioral s tate s " -
waking, calm s le e p ing, and "rap id e ye m ove m e nt s le e p " wh ich is as s ociate d with d re am ing in
ad u lts .
The ques t for comfort
Th e b ab y s till h as s om e room to m ane u ve r ins id e th e wom b and s e e ks th e p os ition wh ich fe e ls
m os t com fortab le :
"It is ve ry e as y to d e m ons trate now with u ltras ou nd th at th e b ab ie s m ake th e m os t of all th e s p ace
and room availab le to th e m ... We know th at fe tal com fort d e te rm ine s fe tal p os ition, th at ch ange s in
m ate rnal p os ition p rovoke b ab y to s e e k a ne w p os itio n of com fort."

34. S urvival outs ide the womb
If th e b ab y is b orn too e arly, th e re is s till a good ch ance th at h e or s h e will s u rvive , give n
s p e cial m e d ical care . A d ocu m e nt from th e R oyal C olle ge of O b s te tricians and
G ynae cologis ts (th e p rofe s s ional b od y of d octors wh o tre at p re gnant wom e n) s tate s : "In
1 984, 72 p e r ce nt of live b orn infants of 22 to 27 we e ks ' ge s tation b orn at th e Bris tol
M ate rnity H os p ital s u rvive d , as d id 64 p e r ce nt of infants of 500 to 999 gram m e s
b irth we igh t.“
Th e s e p e rce ntage s h ad incre as e d from p re viou s ye ars . With ad vance s in te ch nology and in
u nd e rs tand ing of h u m an foe tal d e ve lop m e nt, p re m atu re b ab ie s ' ch ance s of s u rvival are
im p roving.
Th e s e figu re s re fe r to th e le ngth of th e p re gnancy from th e tim e of th e m oth e r's las t
m e ns tru al p e riod . and not to th e age of th e b ab y from fe rtilis ation. wh ich wou ld u s u ally b e
two we e ks le s s .

35. 3.5 Week
3.5 Week Fetus 8.5 Week Fetus
Fetus
Fetus (12 Weeks Old) 16-Week Fetus
8.5 Week Fetus
24-Week
26 to 28-Week Fetus 30 to 32 Week Fetus
Fetus