Why It’s More Important for Babies to Reach Milestones in the Right Order Than at the Right Age

As parents, we often find ourselves eagerly waiting for our baby’s “firsts”—first smile, first word, first steps. It’s natural to keep track of these milestones and even compare them to other children’s timelines. But did you know that *how* your baby progresses through their developmental milestones is far more important than *when* they reach them?

In this post, we’re going to dive into why the order of developmental milestones matters more than the exact age your baby achieves them. As chiropractors, we often work with parents and babies to ensure proper development, supporting healthy movement patterns that set the foundation for lifelong well-being.

Here are a few reasons why focusing on milestone sequence, rather than age, is key for your baby’s growth and development.

1. Movement Patterns Build the Brain

Babies are constantly learning about the world through their bodies. Every movement—from lifting their head to crawling—helps form critical neural connections in their brain. These neural pathways are built step by step, so if one stage is skipped, it can interrupt the natural flow of brain development. For example, crawling is an essential milestone that helps develop coordination, balance, and strength. Skipping this step, while not unusual, can affect the development of motor skills that are crucial for future learning, like reading and writing.

Key takeaway: Encourage your baby to reach each milestone in sequence, even if it takes a little longer. It’s all about forming the right connections!

2. Each Step Prepares for the Next

Think of each milestone as a building block. Rolling over strengthens the muscles your baby will need to sit up. Sitting up helps prepare them for crawling, which leads to standing and eventually walking. When babies progress through milestones in the right order, they’re building the foundation of their motor skills in a way that supports their long-term physical health. By rushing through or skipping steps, a baby may not develop the muscle tone and coordination needed for more complex movements later on, potentially leading to issues like poor posture or movement problems as they grow.

Key takeaway: Let your baby master each step before moving on. Don’t worry if they’re not walking by a certain age—focus on the progression, not the clock.

3. It’s a Sign of a Healthy Nervous System

The sequence in which babies achieve milestones is a window into how their nervous system is developing. Milestones like rolling, sitting, and crawling rely on the maturation of the nervous system and the body’s ability to send and receive messages between the brain and muscles. If a baby is struggling to achieve milestones in the correct order, it can sometimes indicate an issue with their spinal alignment or nervous system function. Regular chiropractic care can help ensure that the nervous system is functioning optimally, supporting your baby’s overall development.

Key takeaway: Milestones in the right order reflect healthy nervous system development, so it’s important to observe *how* your baby moves through each stage.

4. Every Baby is Unique

It’s easy to get caught up in comparisons—“My friend’s baby is walking already, why isn’t mine?”—but every baby develops at their own pace. It’s completely normal for one baby to crawl at 6 months and another at 9 months. What’s more important than the specific age is ensuring that your baby is hitting each stage in the right sequence, as this indicates healthy neurological and physical development.

Key takeaway: Celebrate each milestone, no matter when it happens, and focus on your baby’s individual progress rather than comparing them to others.

5. Skipping Steps Can Have Long-Term Effects

Skipping or rushing through developmental milestones can sometimes have long-term effects on a child’s coordination, balance, and even learning abilities. For instance, skipping crawling could lead to challenges with coordination later in life, as crawling helps babies develop the hand-eye coordination needed for future tasks like writing. By allowing your baby to fully explore and master each stage, you’re giving them the tools they need for lifelong coordination, focus, and physical health.

Key takeaway: Encourage your baby to take their time with each stage, ensuring they build the physical and neurological foundation for future milestones.

6. Chiropractic Care Can Support Development

Chiropractic care for infants can play a vital role in ensuring that their spine and nervous system are functioning optimally. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help remove any blockages or misalignments that may be impacting your baby’s ability to reach milestones in the right order. Regular chiropractic check-ups can also provide peace of mind, ensuring your baby’s body is ready to progress through each developmental stage smoothly.

Key takeaway: Consider chiropractic care to support your baby’s healthy development and ensure they’re progressing through milestones in the right sequence.

7. Trust the Process—And Your Baby

It’s natural to be concerned about your baby’s development, but remember that babies often know what they need. Encourage movement, give them plenty of tummy time, and let them explore their environment at their own pace. With the right support—both physically and emotionally—they’ll reach their milestones when they’re ready, in the right order for them.

Key takeaway: Trust the process and trust your baby. With a little patience and support, they’ll progress in a way that’s perfect for their individual needs.

Bonus Tip: A Great Resource for Parents If you want to learn more about supporting your child’s developmental milestones, I highly recommend the book "Ticklish" by Jen Barham-Floriani. It offers invaluable insights on the importance of early movement and development. The good news? You can find this fantastic book right here at our clinic! If you’re ever unsure or concerned about your baby’s development, we’re here to help. Our clinic offers specialized chiropractic care for babies, designed to support their nervous system, movement, and overall growth. We’re always happy to answer any questions you might have and work with you to ensure your baby is on the right track.

With love, Inga Burmeister DC

The content of this blog is for educational purposes and is not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.