What are the key developmental milestones for babies in their first two years. How do babies typically progress in physical, cognitive, and social skills. When should parents be concerned about their child’s development.

The Incredible Journey of Baby Development: From Birth to Two Years

Watching a baby grow and develop is truly a marvel. From those first precious moments to the terrible twos, infants undergo an extraordinary transformation. This article delves into the fascinating world of baby development milestones, offering insights into what parents can expect during their child’s first two years of life.

First Month Marvels: Early Signs of Development

The first month of a baby’s life is filled with rapid changes and adaptations to the world outside the womb. During this time, parents may observe several key milestones:

• Jerky, quivering arm movements
• Hands brought near the face
• Tight fists
• Head movement from side to side while lying on stomach
• Focus on objects 8 to 12 inches away
• Preference for human faces and high-contrast patterns
• Improved hearing and recognition of familiar voices

How do these early developments impact a baby’s overall growth? These initial milestones lay the foundation for future physical and cognitive abilities. The quivering arm movements, for instance, help strengthen muscles necessary for later motor skills, while the focus on faces and patterns contributes to visual development and social bonding.

Three-Month Milestones: Emerging Awareness and Control

By the end of the third month, babies typically show significant progress in their physical abilities and sensory awareness:

• Raising head and chest when lying on stomach
• Supporting upper body with arms
• 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
• Following moving objects with eyes
• Watching faces closely
• Recognizing familiar objects and people at a distance
• Beginning to babble and imitate sounds
• Smiling at parents’ voices
• Enjoying social interaction

Why are these three-month milestones crucial for a baby’s development? These achievements demonstrate the rapid advancement of motor skills, visual acuity, and social-emotional development. The ability to support the upper body and track objects lays the groundwork for future physical milestones, while babbling and social smiling are early indicators of language and social development.

Seventh-Month Marvels: Mobility and Exploration

Around the seven-month mark, babies typically exhibit a significant leap in their physical and cognitive abilities:

• Rolling over in both directions
• Sitting up without support
• Reaching for objects
• Transferring objects between hands
• Supporting body weight on legs when held upright
• Developing full-color and mature distance vision
• Using voice to express emotions
• Responding to their name
• Babbling chains of consonants
• Distinguishing emotions by tone of voice
• Exploring objects with hands and mouth
• Showing interest in mirror images

How do these seventh-month milestones contribute to a baby’s overall development? This period marks a significant increase in mobility and exploration, which are crucial for cognitive development. The ability to sit up and manipulate objects allows babies to interact with their environment in new ways, fostering learning and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the emergence of more complex vocalizations and emotional understanding lays the groundwork for future communication abilities.

First Birthday Achievements: Steps Towards Independence

By their first birthday, most babies have made remarkable progress in their physical, cognitive, and social development:

• Sitting without assistance
• Getting into hands-and-knees position
• Crawling
• Pulling up to stand
• Walking while holding onto furniture
• Using pincer grasp
• Saying “dada” and “mama”
• Using simple exclamations
• Attempting to imitate words
• Responding to simple verbal requests
• Using basic gestures like waving bye-bye
• Exploring objects in various ways
• Beginning to use objects correctly
• Finding hidden objects easily
• Recognizing named images

Why are these first-year milestones so significant? These achievements represent a major transition towards independence. The ability to move independently, communicate basic needs, and interact with objects in meaningful ways allows babies to explore their world more fully and begin to assert their autonomy. This period also marks the beginning of more complex cognitive processes, such as object permanence and symbolic thinking.

Second Birthday Breakthroughs: Toddler Triumphs

By their second birthday, children typically demonstrate a wide range of physical, cognitive, and social skills:

• Walking alone and beginning to run
• Pulling toys while walking
• Carrying multiple toys while moving
• Kicking a ball
• Climbing furniture independently
• Navigating stairs with support
• Scribbling with crayons
• Building simple towers
• Recognizing familiar names and objects
• Using simple phrases and short sentences
• Following basic instructions
• Beginning to sort objects
• Engaging in pretend play
• Imitating others’ behavior
• Showing growing independence

How do these second-year milestones reflect a child’s overall development? This period marks a significant expansion of physical abilities, cognitive understanding, and social skills. The emergence of more complex language, imaginative play, and problem-solving abilities indicates rapid brain development. The growing sense of independence and self-awareness during this time also lays the foundation for future emotional and social growth.

Understanding Developmental Variations: Every Child is Unique

While developmental milestones provide a general guideline, it’s crucial to remember that every child develops at their own pace. Some factors that can influence developmental timing include:

• Genetics
• Premature birth
• Environmental factors
• Individual temperament
• Exposure to stimuli

How should parents approach developmental milestones? It’s important to view these guidelines as a general framework rather than strict rules. While most babies reach certain milestones at similar ages, it’s not unusual for a healthy child to be ahead in some areas and behind in others. Parents should focus on overall progress rather than comparing their child to others or worrying about exact timelines.

Adjusting Expectations for Premature Babies

For babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), developmental milestones should be evaluated differently. How does prematurity affect milestone achievement? Premature babies often reach milestones based on their adjusted age (calculated from their due date) rather than their actual birth date. This means that a baby born two months early might achieve milestones approximately two months later than the standard guidelines suggest.

When to Seek Professional Advice: Recognizing Potential Delays

While variation in development is normal, there are times when parents should consult a healthcare provider. Some signs that may warrant professional evaluation include:

• Lack of response to loud sounds by 3 months
• Not smiling or engaging in social interaction by 3 months
• Inability to hold head steady by 4 months
• Not reaching for objects by 7 months
• No babbling by 8 months
• Not sitting without support by 9 months
• No attempts at walking by 18 months
• Limited vocabulary (fewer than 6 words) by 18 months

Why is early intervention important? Identifying potential developmental delays early allows for timely support and intervention, which can significantly impact a child’s long-term outcomes. Healthcare providers can assess whether a child’s development is within normal range or if additional evaluation or support is needed.

The Role of Well-Baby Visits

Regular well-baby visits play a crucial role in monitoring a child’s development. During these check-ups, healthcare providers evaluate various aspects of growth and development, including:

• Physical growth (height, weight, head circumference)
• Motor skills
• Language development
• Social interaction
• Cognitive abilities

How do these visits contribute to a child’s overall health and development? Well-baby visits provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to track a child’s progress, address any parental concerns, and offer guidance on nutrition, safety, and developmental stimulation. They also allow for early detection of potential issues, ensuring timely intervention if needed.

Nurturing Development: Tips for Supporting Your Baby’s Growth

Parents play a crucial role in supporting their baby’s development. Here are some strategies to encourage healthy growth and development:

1. Provide a safe, stimulating environment for exploration
2. Engage in regular, positive interactions with your baby
3. Read and talk to your baby frequently
4. Offer age-appropriate toys and activities
5. Ensure adequate nutrition and sleep
6. Encourage physical activity and movement
7. Respond consistently to your baby’s needs
8. Limit screen time, especially for babies under 18 months

How do these strategies contribute to a baby’s development? These approaches provide the necessary stimulation, support, and resources for optimal physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. By creating a nurturing environment and engaging actively with their baby, parents can significantly enhance their child’s developmental journey.

The Power of Play in Development

Play is a crucial aspect of child development, contributing to various areas of growth. Some benefits of play include:

• Enhancing motor skills
• Fostering creativity and imagination
• Developing problem-solving abilities
• Improving social skills
• Boosting language development
• Strengthening emotional regulation

Why is play so important for babies and toddlers? Play provides a natural, enjoyable way for children to explore their environment, test their abilities, and learn about the world around them. Through play, children develop crucial cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that form the foundation for future learning and development.

The Journey Continues: Development Beyond the Second Year

While this article focuses on the first two years of life, it’s important to note that development continues well beyond this period. As children grow, they will continue to reach new milestones in areas such as:

• Physical coordination and strength
• Language and communication skills
• Cognitive abilities and problem-solving
• Social interaction and emotional regulation
• Self-care and independence

How does early development influence later growth and learning? The skills and experiences gained in the first two years of life provide a crucial foundation for future development. Strong early development can contribute to better academic performance, social adjustment, and overall well-being throughout childhood and beyond.

Embracing the Developmental Journey

As parents navigate their child’s developmental journey, it’s important to maintain a balanced perspective. While milestones provide useful guidelines, they should not be a source of undue stress or comparison. Instead, parents should focus on:

• Celebrating each child’s unique path
• Providing a supportive, nurturing environment
• Addressing any concerns with healthcare professionals
• Enjoying the precious moments of growth and discovery

How can parents make the most of this developmental period? By staying informed, responsive, and engaged, parents can support their child’s growth while cherishing the remarkable journey of early childhood development. Remember, each milestone reached is a cause for celebration, no matter when it occurs.

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.