Helping Your Baby Help Himself

Your Child's Development & Learning

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Self-Control

Even at this young age, your baby is learning Self-Control and self-soothing techniques, learning to calm himself and ignore small disturbances. His first methods include closing his eyes or turning his head away, but as he gets older he may suck on his fingers or a pacifier, hold a favorite toy, or talk to himself. He may need some help at the beginning, so if he doesn't calm himself after a few minutes, talk to him softly while giving him a gentle touch to soothe and distract him from what's disturbing him. If your baby crying persists, however, there's probably more going on (e.g. a dirty diaper, a hungry belly), so pick him up and figure out what he's trying to tell you.

Has your baby achieved the following Self-Control developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all the skill(s) he has already mastered to date!

Sources: This development milestone tracker is not a learning disability screening tool or test. If you have any questions related to your child's development and learning abilities, please speak to your pediatrician and care providers for guidance and resources.