Developmental Leaps | What to Expect
When I was a first time mom, I had no idea what developmental leaps were. As soon as I learned about them, I immediately noticed the correlation between my daughter’s “fussy” behavior and when she was developing a new skill.
This correlation of crankiness and developing new skills is known as a developmental leap. With each leap, babies gain a new perception of the world enabling them with the ability to test new skills or do new things. These developmental skills can be both mental and physical.
There are 10 different leaps that children will experience in their first two years of life. These leaps range from developing skills such as recognizing sensations, patterns, smooth transitions, relationships, sequences, and more.
Remember, all babies are different. Your little one may be fussy during their leap, or go on about their life as if they were never phased. Just know that if your baby is experiencing crankiness, all leaps will pass, and your baby will have new skills to show for it!
I use an app to track when my daughter is expected to start her leaps. It’s called The Wonder Weeks, and it’s so informative. I highly suggest downloading it so you can peek a glimpse into the world from your babies point of view!
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When my daughter went through her developmental leaps, I noticed that the periods of fussiness didn’t last long, but the new abilities she gained were remarkable. Each leap essentially changes how babies perceive their surroundings, letting them explore new sensations and patterns. One helpful tip I found was to keep a log of your baby's behavior and developmental milestones. Tracking helps anticipate when a leap might occur, so you can be more patient and supportive during cranky phases. The Wonder Weeks app is a great resource that many parents, including myself, rely on to understand which leap is coming up and what skills to expect. Additionally, it’s important to remember that every baby is unique. Some might have intense reactions to leaps, while others sail through quietly. Providing comforting routines, gentle stimulation, and lots of cuddles can ease these transitions. Involving interactive play that matches the current developmental theme—for example, exploring patterns or learning to recognize connections—can further help your baby practice new skills. Lastly, sleep can be disrupted during leaps, so maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and a soothing bedtime environment is crucial. If your baby’s sleep patterns change, try to be flexible and patient, knowing that these phases pass and bring exciting new capabilities to your child.
