Mothers really get excited when their baby is born. They seem to expect watching their newborn grow year after year. But mothers should also know what to expect as their babies grow and foresee the physical changes in order to become more prepared in rearing them more effectively. Mothers have a lot to expect in the first 12 months alone.

First Three Months

It can be quire surprising how a newborn baby physically develops during the first three months. The changes can come by quite so fast. Here are just some of the changes that mothers should look forward to:

• babies experience around a 30 percent increase in body weight and 20 percent increase in length

• develops the ability to recognize scents especially those from its primary caregiver

• increasingly responds to touches and textures that it likes

• becomes increasingly aware of their hands but doesn't yet have the ability to use them to hold things

• slowly develops vision clarity from 8 to 15 inches away

Three To Six Months

From three to six months, a baby undergoes the following physical changes:

• doubles its weight from birth

• can roll over from back to front

• learns to sit up with support

• learns the use of hands by grasping toys

• develops depth perception and can follow objects with his or her eyes

• develops the ability to recognize sounds and determine where they are coming from

• discovers ability to make sounds

Six To Nine Months

The following changes is expected during this period of the baby's initial growing year:

• learns to sit up unsupported and reach out for toys

• learns to crawl

• develops better manual dexterity

• fully developed vision

• develops noticeable taste preferences

• learns to recognize simple words and phrases

Nine To Twelve Months

The final three months of the baby's first year will normally show the following changes:

• birth weight triples and grows about 10 inches in length

• learns to stand up unassisted

• fully develops hearing and vision as that of an adult