When do babies typically start crawling. How can parents support their child’s development during the first year. What are the key milestones to look out for in a baby’s second year of life. How do premature babies’ developmental timelines differ from full-term infants.

The First Month: Laying the Foundation for Growth

The journey of a newborn’s development is nothing short of miraculous. In just the first month of life, babies begin to showcase a range of fascinating behaviors and abilities. These early milestones set the stage for the rapid growth and development that will occur throughout the first year and beyond.

Physical Development in the First Month

During their initial weeks, infants display several physical characteristics and movements:

• Jerky, quivering arm movements
• Hands often brought near the face
• Tight fists
• Head movement from side to side while lying on stomach

These movements, while seemingly random, are crucial for developing muscle strength and coordination. They lay the groundwork for more complex motor skills that will emerge in the coming months.

Sensory Development in the First Month

A newborn’s senses are already hard at work, taking in the world around them:

• Visual focus on objects 8 to 12 inches away
• Preference for human faces over other shapes
• Attraction to black-and-white or high-contrast patterns
• Excellent hearing abilities
• Recognition of certain sounds, including parents’ voices

These sensory capabilities allow babies to begin engaging with their environment and forming crucial bonds with their caregivers.

Rapid Growth: Milestones from One to Three Months

As babies enter their second and third months, their development accelerates at an astounding pace. This period is marked by significant advancements in physical, cognitive, and social-emotional areas.

Physical Milestones at Three Months

By the end of the third month, most babies demonstrate remarkable progress in their motor skills:

• Raising head and chest when lying on stomach
• Supporting upper body with arms during tummy time
• Stretching legs and kicking
• Pushing down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface
• Opening and shutting hands
• Bringing hands to mouth
• Grasping and shaking hand toys

These physical achievements are crucial for building strength and coordination, setting the stage for future milestones like rolling over and sitting up.

Cognitive and Sensory Development at Three Months

Cognitive abilities also show significant improvement during this period:

• Following moving objects with eyes
• Watching faces closely
• Recognizing familiar objects and people at a distance
• Beginning to coordinate hands and eyes

These developments indicate the baby’s growing ability to process and understand their environment.

Communication and Social-Emotional Milestones at Three Months

By three months, babies start to express themselves more clearly:

• Beginning to babble and imitate some sounds
• Smiling at the sound of parents’ voices
• Enjoying interaction with others
• Possibly crying when play stops

These behaviors mark the beginning of social communication and emotional expression, crucial aspects of a child’s overall development.

The Seventh Month: A Period of Significant Advancement

As babies approach the half-year mark, their developmental progress becomes even more apparent. The seventh month often brings a flurry of new skills and abilities that parents eagerly anticipate.

Physical Milestones at Seven Months

By this stage, most babies have made substantial strides in their motor development:

• Rolling over in both directions (stomach to back and back to stomach)
• Sitting up without support
• Reaching for objects with hands
• Transferring objects from one hand to the other
• Supporting their full weight on legs when held upright

These physical achievements greatly enhance the baby’s ability to explore their environment independently.

Cognitive and Sensory Development at Seven Months

Sensory and cognitive abilities continue to sharpen during this period:

• Development of full-color vision and mature distance vision
• Exploring objects with both hands and mouth
• Showing interest in mirror images
• Struggling to reach objects that are out of reach

These developments indicate a growing understanding of object permanence and spatial relationships.

Communication and Social-Emotional Milestones at Seven Months

By seven months, babies are becoming more expressive and interactive:

• Using voice to express joy and displeasure
• Responding to their own name
• Babbling chains of consonants (e.g., “ba-ba-ba-ba”)
• Distinguishing emotions by tone of voice
• Enjoying games like peek-a-boo

These social and communication skills lay the foundation for more complex language and social interactions in the future.

The First Birthday: Celebrating a Year of Incredible Growth

Reaching the one-year mark is a significant milestone for both babies and parents. This period is characterized by rapid development across all areas, with many babies taking their first steps towards independence – quite literally!

Physical Milestones at One Year

By their first birthday, most babies have mastered several important motor skills:

• Sitting without assistance
• Getting into a hands-and-knees position
• Crawling
• Pulling themselves up to stand
• Walking while holding onto furniture, and possibly taking a few independent steps
• Using the pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger)

These physical achievements greatly expand the baby’s ability to explore and interact with their environment.

Cognitive and Language Development at One Year

Cognitive and language skills show significant advancement by the first birthday:

• Saying “dada” and “mama” with meaning
• Using exclamations like “oh-oh!”
• Attempting to imitate words
• Responding to “no” and simple verbal requests
• Using simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no” and waving “bye-bye”
• Finding hidden objects easily
• Looking at the correct picture when an image is named

These milestones indicate the baby’s growing understanding of language and their ability to communicate their needs and wants.

Social and Emotional Development at One Year

By one year, babies are becoming more socially aware and emotionally expressive:

• Exploring objects in various ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping)
• Beginning to use objects correctly (e.g., drinking from a cup, brushing hair)
• Showing attachment to favorite toys or objects
• Displaying separation anxiety when away from parents or primary caregivers

These behaviors reflect the baby’s growing sense of self and their emotional connection to others.

The Second Year: Toddlerhood Begins

The second year of life brings about dramatic changes as babies transition into toddlerhood. This period is marked by rapid language acquisition, increased physical independence, and the emergence of more complex cognitive and social skills.

Physical Milestones in the Second Year

During their second year, most children achieve significant physical milestones:

• Walking alone confidently
• Beginning to run
• Kicking a ball
• Climbing on and off furniture without help
• Walking up and down stairs while holding onto support
• Improved fine motor skills, such as scribbling with a crayon and building towers of four blocks or more

These physical achievements allow toddlers to explore their environment with greater independence and engage in more complex play activities.

Cognitive and Language Development in the Second Year

The second year is a period of explosive growth in cognitive abilities and language skills:

• Recognizing names of familiar people, objects, and body parts
• Using several single words by 15 to 18 months
• Employing simple phrases by 18 to 24 months
• Using two- to four-word sentences
• Following simple instructions
• Beginning to sort objects by shapes and colors
• Engaging in make-believe play

These developments reflect the toddler’s rapidly expanding understanding of the world and their ability to communicate more effectively.

Social and Emotional Development in the Second Year

Toddlers also make significant strides in their social and emotional development during this period:

• Imitating behaviors of others
• Showing growing independence
• Experiencing and expressing a wider range of emotions
• Beginning to show empathy towards others
• Engaging in parallel play with other children

These social-emotional milestones reflect the toddler’s developing sense of self and their growing ability to interact with others in more complex ways.

Understanding Developmental Variations and Premature Babies

While developmental milestones provide a general guideline for child growth, it’s crucial to remember that every child is unique and may progress at their own pace. This is particularly true for premature babies, whose developmental timeline may differ significantly from full-term infants.

Individual Variations in Development

How do individual differences affect a child’s developmental timeline? It’s important to understand that the milestones described are averages, and healthy babies may reach them earlier or later:

• Some babies may excel in certain areas while taking longer to develop in others
• Genetic factors, environment, and individual temperament all play roles in a child’s developmental pace
• Regular check-ups with a pediatrician can help ensure that a child is progressing appropriately, even if not exactly according to average timelines

Adjusting Expectations for Premature Babies

For babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), developmental milestones need to be viewed through a different lens:

• Milestone expectations should be based on the baby’s due date, not their actual birth date
• A baby born two months early may reach milestones approximately two months later than the guidelines suggest
• Premature babies often need extra time and support to catch up to their full-term peers

Parents of premature babies should work closely with their healthcare providers to track their child’s unique developmental progress and address any concerns.

When to Seek Professional Advice

While variations in development are normal, there are times when professional consultation may be necessary:

• If a child consistently lags behind in multiple areas of development
• If there’s a loss of previously acquired skills
• If there are concerns about vision, hearing, or overall responsiveness

Early intervention can be crucial in addressing developmental delays or concerns, so parents should not hesitate to discuss any worries with their child’s healthcare provider.

Supporting Your Baby’s Development: Tips for Parents

Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child’s development throughout the first two years of life and beyond. By providing a nurturing environment and engaging in stimulating activities, parents can help foster their baby’s growth across all developmental domains.

Creating a Stimulating Environment

How can parents create an environment that promotes their baby’s development? Consider the following strategies:

• Provide age-appropriate toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving
• Ensure a safe space for the baby to move and explore as they become more mobile
• Incorporate a variety of textures, colors, and sounds into the baby’s surroundings
• Limit screen time and prioritize interactive, hands-on experiences

Engaging in Developmental Activities

What activities can parents engage in to support their baby’s growth? Here are some ideas:

• Read to your baby daily, even from infancy, to promote language development
• Engage in plenty of face-to-face interaction, talking and singing to your baby
• Practice tummy time to strengthen neck and upper body muscles
• Play games that encourage reaching, grasping, and object manipulation
• As your baby grows, engage in activities that promote gross motor skills, such as crawling and walking

Promoting Emotional and Social Development

How can parents support their baby’s emotional and social growth? Consider these approaches:

• Respond consistently and lovingly to your baby’s cues and needs
• Provide plenty of physical affection through hugs, cuddles, and gentle touch
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors
• As your child grows, provide opportunities for social interaction with other children
• Model appropriate emotional responses and social behaviors

By incorporating these strategies into daily life, parents can create a rich, supportive environment that nurtures their baby’s development across all domains.

Remember, every child is unique and will develop at their own pace. The joy of parenting lies not just in reaching milestones, but in cherishing each moment of your baby’s incredible journey of growth and discovery. By staying attuned to your child’s individual needs and providing loving support, you can help lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and development.

Developmental milestones for baby | March of Dimes

During the first year of life, your baby will grow and develop at an amazing speed. 

Her weight will double by 5 to 6 months, and triple by her first birthday. And she is constantly learning. 

Major achievements—called developmental milestones—include rolling over, sitting up, standing and possibly walking. And your heart will likely melt at the sound of her first “mama” or “dada.”

No two babies are exactly alike. Your baby will develop at her own pace. Most babies reach certain milestones at similar ages. However, it’s not unusual for a healthy, “normal” baby to fall behind in some areas or race ahead in others.

The following milestones are only guidelines. Your baby’s health care provider will evaluate your baby’s development at each well-baby visit. Remember: Always talk to your child’s health care professional if you think your baby is lagging behind.

If your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), you need to look at the milestone guidelines a little differently. The age at which your baby is expected to reach various milestones is based on her due date, not her birthday. So if your baby was born two months early, she will most likely achieve milestones two months later than the guidelines below predict.

By the end of their first month, most babies:

• Make jerky, quivering arm movements
• Bring hands near face
• Keep hands in tight fists
• Move head from side to side while lying on stomach
• Focus on objects 8 to 12 inches away
• Prefer human faces over other shapes
• Prefer black-and-white or high-contrast patterns
• Hear very well
• Recognize some sounds, including parents’ voices

By the end of their third month, most babies:

• Raise head and chest when lying on stomach
• Support upper body with arms when lying on stomach
• Stretch legs out and kick when lying on stomach or back
• Push down on legs when feet are placed on a firm surface
• Open and shut hands
• Bring hands to mouth
• Grab and shake hand toys
• Follow moving object with eyes
• Watch faces closely
• Recognize familiar objects and people at a distance
• Start using hands and eyes in coordination
• Begin to babble and to imitate some sounds
• Smile at the sound of parents’ voices
• Enjoy playing with other people
• May cry when playing stops

By the end of their seventh month, most babies:

• Roll over both ways (stomach to back and back to stomach)
• Sit up
• Reach for object with hand
• Transfer objects from one hand to the other
• Support whole weight on legs when held upright
• Develop full-color vision and mature distance vision
• Use voice to express joy and displeasure
• Respond to own name
• Babble chains of consonants (ba-ba-ba-ba)
• Distinguish emotions by tone of voice
• Explore objects with hands and mouth
• Struggle to get objects that are out of reach
• Enjoy playing peek-a-boo
• Show an interest in mirror images

By their first birthday, most babies:

• Sit without assistance
• Get into hands-and-knees position
• Crawl
• Pull self up to stand
• Walk holding onto furniture, and possibly a few steps without support
• Use pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger)
• Say “dada” and “mama”
• Use exclamations, such as “oh-oh!”
• Try to imitate words
• Respond to “no” and simple verbal requests
• Use simple gestures, such as shaking head “no” and waving bye-bye
• Explore objects in many ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping)
• Begin to use objects correctly (drinking from cup, brushing hair)
• Find hidden objects easily
• Look at correct picture when an image is named

By their second birthday, most children:

• Walk alone
• Pull toys behind them while walking
• Carry large toy or several toys while walking
• Begin to run
• Kick a ball
• Climb on and off furniture without help
• Walk up and down stairs while holding on to support
• Scribble with crayon
• Build tower of four blocks or more
• Recognize names of familiar people, objects and body parts
• Say several single words (by 15 to 18 months)
• Use simple phrases (by 18 to 24 months)
• Use two- to four-word sentences (“want snack”)
• Follow simple instructions
• Begin to sort objects by shapes and colors
• Begin to play make-believe
• Imitate behavior of others
• Show growing independence

Your Baby’s Development Milestones at a Glance

It’s so exciting to watch your baby’s development, but it’s easy to worry if they’re not rolling, sitting or crawling at the ‘right’ time.

Here’s roughly what developments to expect and when.

At a glance

• Most babies start crawling between six and nine months




• The average age to start walking is 12-13 months




• Some babies are saying ‘mama’ and/or ‘dada’ around nine months, and the average age for a first word is 10-11 months

If there’s one thing we know about babies it’s that they’re all different and do things at their own pace. Particularly with baby milestones, it’s easy to get concerned your baby hasn’t reached a stage when another child has at the same age. Development anxiety is common for parents, but try to remember your little one is an individual and will get there in their own time. 

Below is our rough guide to what you can start to look out for and when.

Rolling over

Some babies can do this at three months, but most are nearer to five or six months. Some haven’t mastered it by seven or eight months. All are completely normal.

Sitting

Most babies can sit without cushion props somewhere between five and seven months. By nine months almost all can do this pretty well.

Crawling

The word crawling covers a multitude – bottom shuffling, commando crawling (on the tummy) and crawling backwards. Most babies start it between six and nine months, but others are closer to 12 months. Some don’t crawl at all and go straight from sitting to cruising then walking.

Walking

There’s an absolutely huge variation in the age babies/toddlers walk –and how early they start is not necessarily a sign that they will be more physically capable in later life. The average age to start walking is 12-13 months, but there are plenty who don’t take their first steps until 16-18 months. If they aren’t walking by 18 months it is officially classed as ‘delayed’, but it’s still nothing to worry about if your health visitor is happy with their development.

Teeth

Very occasionally, babies are born with teeth, but most babies get their first tooth, usually one of the bottom front ones, between four and eight months – the average is six months, but it’s quite possible to reach their first birthday and still have no teeth. By aged two and a half to three they will all have their 20 milk teeth.

Talking

Some babies are saying ‘mama’ and/or ‘dada’ around nine months, and the average age for a first word is 10-11 months. However, lots of babies/toddlers don’t take much of an interest in talking until after their first birthday, some nearer to 18 months. As long as you’re talking to them lots and they seem to understand you, don’t worry – talking will come.

Remember!

All babies are unique and develop at different paces – don’t forget, they haven’t read the baby books! But if you’ve got concerns – especially about their sight or hearing – do talk to your health visitor or GP.

Read more about Baby Development Anxiety .

You can also see more about your baby’s development with our milestones chart. 

what is it in simple words, benefits and harms for a child, where to listen for free

Problems with children’s sleep are familiar to almost all parents. Sometimes the child is difficult to put to sleep, then he wakes up every 20 minutes, or refuses to sleep in the crib. In fact, it takes a lot of work to get a newborn to sleep, but a baby can really be taught to go to bed at eight o’clock in the evening, fall asleep without a breast and sleep all night, 10-12 hours in a row.

But in this article we will talk about white noise, which can be a helper for parents trying to improve their child’s sleep. Let’s take a look at how white noise can help kids and adults, and how safe it is to use.

What is white noise for newborns

As adults, you yourself have probably fallen asleep to white noise more than once. For example, to the sounds of the road, when the window is open, or a fan running in the apartment. This is white noise – background sound, in which there are high, medium, and low frequencies, they are evenly distributed and sound at the same volume, without any drops. In our life, we encounter such noise all the time. This is the rumble of the crowd, the sound of rain, a waterfall, the murmur of a river, the sound of a working hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, air conditioner, crackling fire and others. But if such noise does not always have a calming effect on adults, and sometimes even vice versa – it interferes with falling asleep, then for a newborn, a monotonous sound is more familiar than silence, and helps him calm down.

The explanation is simple. All the time while the baby was in his mother’s stomach, he was not in absolute silence. He heard mother’s heart beating, how she breathes, how blood runs through her vessels, the noise of the intestines, as well as many sounds from outside: conversations, music, etc. All these sounds were constant and measured. The kid is used to such a background, so the silence in which the parents are trying to put the child to bed can scare him, especially at first. By the way, many mothers themselves imitate white noise when they rock the child, saying “shhhhhhh.” Also, often babies sleep well in a stroller for a walk – just under the white noise of the street.

Benefits of white noise for newborns

— Studies have been conducted on the safety of using white noise in newborns and infants. The effectiveness and safety of white noise has been proven not only in relation to a child’s sleep, but also in infantile colic as the main non-pharmacological method, says Tatyana Stetskaya, PhD, neurologist, member of the Russian Society of Somnologists . – White noise can work during a child’s daytime sleep and nighttime sleep, if you want to “mask” extraneous sounds. Its use is most effective in the first 12 weeks of the newborn, but studies have not revealed any age restrictions on its introduction. Simply put, if you haven’t introduced your child to white noise before six months, it’s never too late to try.

So, let’s take a look at the benefits of white noise for a newborn and his parents.

• Helps the child to calm down. If the baby cries for a long time, and the mother fails to calm him down either by motion sickness, or by breastfeeding, or in other ways, then turning on white noise can help. Perhaps you have noticed how the child suddenly calms down when he enters the bathroom, where water runs from the tap.
• Accelerates falling asleep. The sooner the excitement of the baby, obtained after a fun game or walk, goes away, the sooner he will fall asleep. This is where white noise can help.
• Improves the quality and depth of sleep. When using white noise, the newborn does not wake up every 20 minutes, which parents often complain about. The problem of fragmentation of sleep is being solved, it becomes longer, the baby sleeps better.
• Helps to mask extraneous sounds. This is especially familiar to parents who already have grown-up children, who often prevent the younger one from falling asleep with their games. Repairs at the neighbors, loud noises from the street or guests in the next room – all this also does not allow the newborn to fall asleep peacefully. Turning on white noise will mask these sounds and help solve the problem.
• Helps parents relax and unwind. With better quality white noise sleep, adults have more time for themselves to do household chores or just relax. In addition, parents themselves can fall asleep easier under such noise after a hard day.

Harm of white noise for newborns

Photo: pixabay.com

Some parents of babies fear that white noise can be addictive, form a clear association for sleep, and then the child will not be able to fall asleep without it. Or it can somehow affect the still immature nervous system of the baby.

— In fact, there is no need to be afraid of white noise, — says our expert Tatyana Stetskaya. – Conducted studies on the safety of using white noise have proven that it does not have a detrimental effect on the central nervous system, provided that the basic safety rules are observed: the sound volume should be no higher than 50 dB (this is approximately the level of a calm conversation between two adults – ed.), distance – not less than 1 meter from the baby’s crib.

There is one more nuance. Often, parents use the so-called sleepy toy as a source of white noise. They have been gaining popularity lately. The soft toy reproduces several types of white noise, turns off when the baby falls asleep, that is, lies motionless for a certain time, and turns on when the baby starts tossing and turning. Moreover, manufacturers say that you can use such an assistant to fall asleep from birth. But not all experts approve of such a gadget.

“Kids fall asleep really well to white noise, but I don’t see the point in these toys, may the manufacturers forgive me,” says Tatyana Stetskaya. – And it is simply not safe to use it from the first weeks of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics categorically does not recommend the presence of pillows, blankets, toys, and even bumpers in the crib of a newborn due to the risk of developing suffocation, sudden infant death syndrome. In addition, the source of white noise should be located at least a meter from the baby’s crib. And in my personal experience, the sound that such toys generate is not as effective as the sound of a real hair dryer or an audio program from a special application.

Reviews and opinions of specialists

Many parents leave positive feedback about white noise. They assure that the newborn really calms down, falls asleep faster, the duration of sleep can also be longer.

“I noticed the effect of white noise on the baby on the second day after returning from the hospital, although I didn’t know anything about it then,” says Irina Moiseeva. – My son cried a lot, and somehow I went into the bathroom with him, where the water tap was open. He suddenly began to listen and after a few seconds calmed down. At first I resorted to this method to calm him down, and then I read about white noise, downloaded the application, and used it constantly when laying down.

“I have two children,” says another mother, Svetlana Barkova. – When the youngest was born, the eldest was not yet three years old, and it was impossible to explain to the child that the youngest should be quiet during sleep. She made noise, played, constantly woke up her sister. White noise helped, I always turned it on when I put the child to bed. He drowned out the sounds from the next room and the baby quickly fell asleep.

White noise really works, but it’s worth remembering that it is only a helper for parents, and not a salvation from all sleep problems.

– In general, white noise really helps the child to calm down and fall asleep. But it is a mistake to think that this is a panacea, – says Tatyana Stetskaya. – Parents should understand that if the baby has poor sleep hygiene, there is an incorrect rhythm of the day, physical discomfort, pronounced associations for falling asleep in the form of rocking or feeding, systematic overwork and lack of sleep, white noise alone will not help. Comprehensive work on a child’s sleep is important.

Where can I download and listen to white noise

You can easily reproduce white noise at home by turning on a fan, hair dryer or shower. But this is not entirely convenient, especially since the time of its use is not 1-2 minutes, but much longer.

The easiest way is to download an app that plays white noise on your phone. There are many of them today, choose according to your taste, read the reviews of those who have already used the programs. The most popular today: applications “Bayu-bay” (this is the Russian version of Sound Sleeper), Baby Sleep Instant, White Noise, Relax Melodies. The advantage is that you can turn on white noise wherever you need, you don’t need the Internet for this, but only a charged phone.

There are also many sites on the Internet that offer to download or listen to white noise online. But, unfortunately, they are not always of high quality and meet all parameters. So be careful if you’re looking for white noise there. Pass by dubious sites that offer a lot of different content, it is better to stop at resources that are dedicated specifically to sleep problems. Before you turn on white noise for your baby, listen to it yourself, evaluate the quality.

Popular questions and answers

Consultant for breastfeeding, sleep and child care Liliya Khusainova answers questions about white noise .

What is the risk of excessive use of white noise for newborns?

Qualitative studies on this topic do not exist, we cannot speak with full confidence about either the harm or the benefits of white noise. The only recommendation that is scientifically proven is not to use noise louder than 50 dB.

There is definitely evidence that the use of white noise above 50 dB is harmful, anything lower is relatively safe. It is important that the device that makes the noise is not in close proximity to the child.

Until what age can white noise be used?

There are no clear age restrictions, but I want to note: the less the baby gets used to special conditions for falling asleep, be it white noise, absolute silence, blackout curtains or a spy toy, the easier it is to put him to bed in other conditions.

This allows parents to lead a more active lifestyle: they are not tied to a place to sleep, they can go out to people, go to visit, go to a cafe. If it is possible not to use white noise, it is better to do without it.

And this is possible if you understand the real needs of the child during falling asleep. In fact, white noise is a “crutch” that helps parents put the child to bed, switch his attention.

If your child is having trouble sleeping, they probably have unmet needs and white noise distracts from them. It is better to solve the original problem, find and satisfy the need, and not mask it.

Can adults use white noise for newborns?

Of course, you can use white noise for adults with the same volume restrictions. But for an adult to sleep well, white noise is not necessary, it is more important to observe sleep hygiene: go to bed at physiological time, put away gadgets an hour before bedtime, do not overeat before bedtime – these are more effective ways to combat insomnia.

Blood pressure in a child: norm and pathology

Speaking of high blood pressure, we usually imagine a middle-aged or elderly person with hypertension.

Speaking of high blood pressure, we usually imagine a middle-aged or elderly person with hypertension.

However, pressure problems can also occur in childhood. We are talking about this today with the neurologist of LLC “Expert Tula Clinic” Sycheva Anna Georgievna.

－ Anna Georgievna, first of all, I would like to know what is upper and lower blood pressure?

Upper pressure, called systolic in medical practice, is the pressure that occurs during the contraction phase of the heart muscle (systole). Lower, or diastolic, is the pressure that occurs during the relaxation phase of the heart muscle (diastole).

－ What are the age norms for blood pressure in children?

Like many indicators in the human body, systolic (upper) and diastolic (lower) pressure have their own minimum and maximum normal values. They are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

For example, in newborns, the norm indicators are:

– minimum systolic – 60 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 40 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 90 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 50 mm Hg.

By the age of one month:

– minimum systolic – 80 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 40 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 96 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 60 mm Hg.

By year:

– minimum systolic – 90 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 50 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 112 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 74 mm Hg.

After a year and up to 10-12 years, normal pressure does not change significantly.

By the age of 10-12 there are such normal indicators:

– minimum systolic – 110 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 70 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 126 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 82 mm Hg.

At 13-15 years:

– minimum systolic – 110 mm Hg.

– minimum diastolic – 70 mm Hg.

– maximum systolic – 136 mm Hg.

– maximum diastolic – 86 mm Hg.

－ When can changes in blood pressure in children be considered normal, and when should a doctor be consulted?

It may vary depending on various factors. For example, in the morning, its indicators may be closer to the minimum normal (physiological) limits, and increase during the day depending on the level of physical activity, the presence of stress factors, overwork, etc. If the numbers are within the physiological limits, then everything is in order, but if not, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

－ Tell me, what can cause abnormal blood pressure in children?

If we talk about its decrease, which develops not due to blood loss (for example, with injuries and other acute serious conditions), then it can be observed during or after colds, with physical and mental overload, living in highlands ( is an adaptation to the environment), autonomic vascular disorders.

The reasons leading to high blood pressure in a child are much more numerous. There are whole groups of diseases in which arterial hypertension occurs. These are some pathologies of the cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous system, kidneys and adrenal glands.

The most common causes of hypertension in children are obesity, hormonal dysfunction during adolescence, and autonomic vascular disorders.

－ What are the symptoms of high and low blood pressure in children?

We will not consider signs of hypotension during blood loss. In other cases, among the main manifestations: headache, dizziness, increased fatigue, decreased performance.

Hypertension is no less common in children, especially in adolescence, but its symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea), compared to adults, are mild. It is all the more important for parents to remember this, especially if there are predisposing factors or diagnosed diseases. Among them, for example, the load during sports, transitional adolescence, overweight, chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, etc. Such children should measure the pressure even in the complete absence of complaints on their part.

－ Please tell me how to measure the pressure of a child?

Optimum conditions must be met for testing. First, the room must be quiet; secondly, it is better if the child sits steadily on a chair, his legs are not crossed. For children under two years of age, the procedure is performed lying down. And finally, the child’s hand should lie quietly on the table or side table, the cuff of the device should be at the level of the heart, the angle between the shoulder and forearm should be 90 degrees.

Children’s tonometer is used for measurement. Its cuff is superimposed on the region of the brachial artery, 2-3 cm above the elbow. The index finger of the hand should pass between the skin of the shoulder and the cuff. A phonendoscope is placed on the area of ​​the cubital fossa. After closing the valve of the device, air is pumped into the cuff until the pulse beats completely disappear in the phonendoscope and after that a little more (about 30 mm Hg). Then, by slightly opening the valve, the air is slowly released and the arrow of the device is monitored. The moment of the appearance of the first beat, the sound in the tonometer reflects the upper (systolic) pressure. Listening is performed until the sounds disappear completely – this moment shows the lower (diastolic) pressure.

Three full measurements are made, from which the measurement with the minimum values ​​is taken. An interval of at least 15 minutes is observed between measurements.

It is also permissible to use semi-automatic digital blood pressure monitors, where the upper and lower digits are fixed automatically by the device. In any case, before measuring the pressure of a child, you must carefully read the instructions for its use.

－ What problems does abnormal blood pressure indicate in children?

Low blood pressure in a child may, first of all, indicate excessive physical and/or mental stress, disruption of the daily routine, overwork.

If the pressure is elevated, this may indicate both some temporary changes (for example, restructuring of the hormonal and autonomic nervous system), and the presence of diseases that we talked about earlier.

Exceeding the normal range is always a reason to see a doctor, especially for hypertension.

－ Is exercise good for children with hypotension and hypertension?

Sports load – the concept is quite extensive and it is impossible to answer this question unambiguously. In general, there are no significant restrictions with hypotension, however, the load must be increased gradually and under the supervision of a specialist.

Hypertension is another matter. In case of diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, sports are limited, however, the physiotherapy doctor, depending on the specific diagnosis, can choose the appropriate set of physical exercises for the child. With excess body weight, vegetative vascular disorders, a wider range of sports activities are allowed in puberty – for example, walking, running, cycling, football, basketball. Power sports are excluded, as well as those where there are jerky loads. For an individual solution to this issue, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

－ Anna Georgievna, which doctor should I contact if my child has changes in blood pressure?

First of all, to the pediatrician. Already at this stage, he can prescribe clarifying studies, according to the results of which, if necessary, he will refer you to narrow specialists: a cardiologist, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist.

For information

Sycheva Anna Georgievna

Graduate of the pediatric faculty of the Astrakhan State Medical Institute named after A.