Your Baby’s First Year
A Simple Guide to Growth, Movement & Development
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
— Psalm 139:14
Watching your baby grow during their first year is amazing.
In just 12 months, your little one may go from learning to hold their head up to rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and taking their first steps.
Behind all of this growth, your baby's brain, muscles, joints, and nervous system are learning to work together.
At Jireh Chiropractic in Clearwater, Florida, we love helping parents understand what healthy movement can look like and what signs may be worth taking a closer look at.
Every baby develops differently.
Milestones are a guide, not a deadline.
Instead of comparing your baby to others, look for:
Steady progress
Comfortable movement
Using both sides of the body
Here's a simple guide for your baby's first year.
Birth–3 Months
Learning Head Control
What You May See
Your baby may begin:
Lifting and holding their head
Looking at faces
Turning toward sounds
Moving both arms and legs
Pushing up during tummy time
Smiling and making sounds
Reaching toward toys
Try at Home
Give your baby short periods of supervised tummy time and floor time throughout the day.
Talk, sing, smile, and play from both sides. This gives your baby opportunities to comfortably turn their head and move in different directions.
Signs Worth a Closer Look (Aka Schedule an Appointment With Us :))
Always looking toward one side
Head often tilted to one side
Trouble comfortably turning the head both ways
Tummy time seems very uncomfortable
Body often curves toward one side
One arm or leg moves differently
Trouble getting or keeping a comfortable latch
Strong preference for feeding on one side
Frequent arching or stiffening
Trouble getting comfortable in certain positions
Reflexes We Expect to See
Moro (Startle) Reflex
A sudden change in position or sensation of falling causes baby to open the arms and hands, then bring the arms back toward the body.
Expected: Present and symmetrical
Begins fading: Around 3–4 months
Usually integrated: By about 4–6 months
Rooting Reflex
Touching the cheek or corner of the mouth causes baby to turn toward that side looking for food.
Expected: Present
Begins fading: Around 3–4 months
Usually integrated: Around 4–6 months
Sucking Reflex
Touching the roof of baby's mouth triggers automatic sucking.
Expected: Strongly present in a newborn
As baby develops, feeding becomes increasingly voluntary rather than being controlled primarily by this newborn reflex.
Palmar Grasp
Touching baby's palm causes the fingers to automatically close around your finger.
Expected: Present
Begins fading: During the first several months
Usually integrated: Around 4–6 months
ATNR — "Fencing Reflex"
When baby's head turns to one side, the arm and leg on that side may straighten while the opposite side bends.
Expected: May be seen during early infancy
Should become less noticeable: Around 3–4 months
Usually integrated: By approximately 4–6 months
Spinal Galant Reflex
Stimulation along one side of the lower back causes the trunk or hip to curve toward that side.
Expected: Present in young infants
Should gradually fade: During the first several months
Usually integrated: By approximately 6 months
Babinski Reflex
When the bottom of baby's foot is stroked, the big toe may move upward and the other toes may fan outward.
Expected: Present during infancy
Unlike many other primitive reflexes, Babinski can normally remain during the first year and even into the second year of life.
Keep an Eye On
Talk with your child's healthcare provider if a reflex appears absent, dramatically different from one side to the other, unusually weak or strong, or your baby appears very stiff, floppy, or weak.
4–6 Months
Learning to Roll & Sit
What You May See
Your baby may begin:
Rolling
Reaching and grabbing
Pushing up through their arms
Sitting with help
Passing toys between hands
Playing with their hands and feet
Turning and reaching in different directions
Try at Home
Floor time is your friend!
Place toys on both sides and give your baby opportunities to reach, turn, roll, and explore.
Practice supported sitting and give your baby plenty of safe space to move.
Signs Worth a Closer Look (Aka Schedule an Appointment With Us :))
Only rolling one way
Always looking or leaning toward one side
Using one hand much more than the other
Avoiding pushing through one arm
Sitting or leaning toward the same side
Stiff or uncomfortable movement
Feeding much better on one side
Trouble getting comfortable in certain positions
Reflexes That Should Be Fading
Moro: Should be fading or disappearing.
Rooting: Should be fading as feeding and head movement become more voluntary.
Palmar Grasp: Should begin releasing its automatic control as baby intentionally reaches, grabs, and releases objects.
ATNR: The "fencing" response should become less prominent so the baby can comfortably bring both hands toward the middle, reach, roll, and use both sides together.
Spinal Galant: Should also be decreasing and typically integrates during this period.
Worth a Closer Look
If your baby is approaching or past 6 months and early primitive reflexes remain very strong or appear to control movement, talk with your child's pediatric healthcare provider.
If your baby is otherwise medically well but you're noticing movement restriction, positioning preferences, or significant right-to-left differences, you can also schedule a gentle pediatric chiropractic evaluation with us.
7–9 Months
Learning to Crawl & Explore
What You May See
Your baby may begin:
Sitting without help
Moving in and out of sitting
Getting onto hands and knees
Crawling or scooting
Pulling up to stand
Moving along furniture
Not every baby crawls at the exact same age or in exactly the same way.
Look for continued progress and comfortable movement.
Try at Home
Create a safe floor space where your baby can explore.
Place toys in different directions and encourage reaching, crawling, and safe climbing.
When it is safe, barefoot floor play also gives little feet lots of opportunities to explore.
Signs Worth a Closer Look (Aka Schedule an Appointment With Us :))
Very uneven crawling or scooting
Consistently dragging one side
Using one side much more than the other
Always leaning toward one side while sitting
Avoiding weight through one arm or leg
Always using the same leg to pull up
Movement that appears stiff, guarded, or uncomfortable
Early Reflexes That Should Generally No Longer Be Prominent
Moro: Integrated
Rooting: Integrated
Palmar Grasp: Integrated
ATNR: Integrated
Spinal Galant: Integrated
Plantar Grasp
Touching underneath the toes can cause them to curl.
This reflex lasts longer than the hand-grasp reflex.
May still be present earlier in this range
Should begin fading: As standing develops
Usually integrates: Around 9–12 months
Babinski
Can still be normal.
The toes may still fan when the bottom of the foot is stimulated during infancy.
Protective Reflexes
At this age, we also begin seeing more mature protective responses.
For example, when baby feels like they are falling forward, they may automatically put their arms forward to protect themselves.
Unlike primitive newborn reflexes, protective reflexes such as this are supposed to remain.
10–12 Months
Learning to Stand & Walk
What You May See
Your baby may begin:
Crawling and climbing
Moving along furniture
Squatting for toys
Standing
Taking first steps
Improving balance and coordination
Some babies walk before their first birthday.
Others don't.
That's okay!
We care more about your baby continuing to learn and gain new skills than reaching a milestone on an exact date.
Try at Home
Give your baby safe opportunities to:
Crawl • Climb • Squat • Stand • Cruise • Explore
Let walking develop naturally through play.
Signs Worth a Closer Look (Aka Schedule an Appointment With Us :))
Standing or crawling very unevenly
Always favoring one leg
Always leading with the same side
Trouble cruising in one direction
Frequently falling toward the same side
Spending most standing time on the toes
Movement that appears stiff or uncomfortable
Reflexes We're Watching
Plantar Grasp
The automatic curling of the toes should be fading as standing and walking develop, generally integrating around 9–12 months.
Babinski
May still be present.
Babinski is different from many newborn primitive reflexes because it can normally remain into the second year of life.
Protective Reflexes
These should remain.
As balance develops, baby's nervous system develops automatic protective responses to help catch and protect the body during a loss of balance.
Look at the Whole Baby
Your Baby Tells You a Lot Without Words
Babies can't tell us:
“Turning my head this way is harder.”
“I can't get comfortable in this position.”
“Feeding feels easier on this side.”
Instead, they communicate through their movement, positioning, feeding, comfort, and behavior.
That's why we look at the whole baby.
Signs a Gentle Pediatric Chiropractic Evaluation May Be Helpful
Parents may consider having their baby's movement evaluated when they notice:
Head & Neck
Always looking toward one side
Head tilted toward one side
Trouble comfortably turning the head both ways
Strong preference for resting with the head turned one direction
Movement that seems restricted or uncomfortable
Feeding & Latching
Trouble getting or keeping a comfortable latch
Strong preference for feeding on one side
Comfortable feeding with the head turned one direction but not the other
Frequently pulling away or seeming uncomfortable in certain feeding positions
Feeding concerns can have many causes. Your pediatrician and a qualified lactation professional can also be important members of your baby's healthcare team.
Movement & Milestones
Only rolling one way
Uneven crawling or scooting
Favoring one arm or leg
Trouble moving between positions
Always leaning toward one side
Always using the same leg to stand
Movement that seems stiff, guarded, or uncomfortable
Comfort
Frequent arching or stiffening
Tummy time seems very uncomfortable
Difficulty getting comfortable in certain positions
Strong preference for being held or positioned one way
Changes in comfortable movement after a difficult birth, fall, or other physical stress
Digestion & Bowel Habits
Parents may also notice:
A change in their baby's normal bowel habits
Frequent straining or distress
Seeming uncomfortable around bowel movements
Digestive changes happening along with changes in feeding, comfort, or movement
Babies can have very different normal bowel patterns. Chiropractic care is not a treatment for constipation or digestive disease. Significant or ongoing digestive concerns should be discussed with your child's pediatrician.
What About Baby Reflexes?
Another Piece of Your Baby’s Development
Babies are born with special automatic movements called reflexes.
Healthcare providers can use age-appropriate reflexes as one part of understanding how a baby's nervous system is developing.
Some reflexes are expected early in life and naturally change as your baby grows.
Talk With Your Child's Healthcare Provider If:
A reflex appears missing
One side responds very differently from the other
A reflex stays much longer than expected
Your baby loses a skill they previously had
One arm or leg seems unusually weak
Your baby suddenly begins moving differently
Your baby seems unusually stiff or floppy
Missing or abnormal reflexes deserve proper medical evaluation and should not simply be assumed to be a chiropractic issue.
What Does Pediatric Chiropractic Care Look Like?
Gentle Care Designed for Little Bodies
One of the most common questions parents ask us is:
“How do you adjust a baby?”
The answer is simple:
Babies are not adjusted the same way adults are.
At Jireh Chiropractic, pediatric chiropractic care is gentle, low-force, specific, and adapted to your baby's age and size.
During a pediatric chiropractic evaluation, we may look at your baby's:
Head and neck movement
Spinal and joint movement
Right-to-left movement
Comfortable positioning
Age-appropriate movement
Feeding positions
Birth and developmental history
If we find an area of restricted joint movement that is appropriate for chiropractic care, we'll explain what we found and discuss whether gentle care may be appropriate.
Our goal isn't to make your baby reach milestones faster.
Our goal is to support comfortable movement while your baby naturally grows and develops.
If we see something that needs a different type of care, we believe in working alongside your child's pediatrician, lactation professional, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other appropriate healthcare provider.
Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
Every baby is different.
Development is not a race.
Give your baby opportunities to:
Move. Play. Explore. Learn.
Look for steady progress and pay attention to the little patterns you see every day.
Maybe you've found yourself thinking:
“My baby always looks one way.”
“They only like feeding on one side.”
“They hate tummy time.”
“Their crawl looks different.”
“Something just doesn't look right.”
Those observations are worth asking about.
Pediatric Chiropractic Care in Clearwater, Florida
At Jireh Chiropractic, we love helping families better understand how their little ones are moving.
We provide gentle pediatric chiropractic evaluations and low-force chiropractic care in Clearwater, Florida, serving families throughout Clearwater and the surrounding communities.
Have Questions About Your Baby?
If you've noticed changes in your baby's movement, positioning, comfort, or feeding, we'd be happy to take a closer look.
Schedule a Gentle Pediatric Chiropractic Evaluation at Jireh Chiropractic
Come with your questions. We'll look at how your little one is moving, explain what we find, and help you understand the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic care gentle for babies?
Yes. Pediatric chiropractic care at Jireh Chiropractic uses gentle, low-force techniques adapted to your baby's age and size. Babies are not adjusted the same way adults are.
Why would a parent bring a baby to a chiropractor?
Parents may have questions about things like head-turning preference, movement symmetry, uncomfortable positioning, tummy time, feeding positions, rolling, crawling, or other movement patterns.
Can chiropractic care help if my baby prefers feeding on one side?
A feeding preference can happen for many reasons. If a baby seems uncomfortable turning their head or positioning their body in one direction, a chiropractic evaluation can look at head, neck, and joint movement. Feeding problems should also be discussed with your pediatrician and, when appropriate, a qualified lactation professional.
Does my baby have to be in pain to be evaluated?
No. Babies can't always tell us exactly what they feel. Parents often have questions because they notice a consistent movement, positioning, or comfort pattern and want to better understand it.
About Jireh Chiropractic
Jireh Chiropractic is a family chiropractic office in Clearwater, Florida, providing gentle chiropractic care for babies, children, parents, and families.
Our approach is centered around caring for each person as a whole and helping families make informed decisions about their care.