Baby Milestones in France
Ask the PMI nurse about sitting, crawling, first words and sleep, and compare notes with other parents in the waiting room.
In France babies have a series of compulsory free check-ups, done by a paediatrician, a GP or the local PMI (protection maternelle et infantile) centre, which also offers free weighing and vaccines for under-sixes. Everything is recorded in the child's carnet de santé, including the growth curves and the eleven compulsory vaccines. A puéricultrice is a nurse specialised in babies and young children.
- 1
À quel âge les bébés commencent à tenir assis ?
At what age do babies start sitting up?
- 2
En général, vers six mois.
Usually around six months.
- 3
Chaque bébé évolue à son rythme.
Every baby develops at their own pace.
- 4
C'est normal qu'il ne marche pas encore à quatre pattes ?
Is it normal that he isn't crawling yet?
- 5
Certains bébés sautent l'étape du quatre pattes.
Some babies skip the crawling stage.
- 6
Il commence à babiller beaucoup.
He's started babbling a lot.
- 7
Quand est-ce qu'il dira ses premiers mots ?
When will he say his first words?
- 8
Souvent autour de son premier anniversaire.
Often around his first birthday.
- 9
Il fait ses dents, alors il est grognon.
He's teething, so he's really grumpy.
- 10
Il se retourne tout seul maintenant.
He rolls over by himself now.
- 11
Elle a fait ses premiers pas la semaine dernière !
She took her first steps last week!
- 12
Il fait déjà ses nuits ?
Does he sleep through the night yet?
- 13
Pas encore, il se réveille encore deux ou trois fois.
Not yet, he still wakes up two or three times.
- 14
On va le peser et le mesurer.
We're going to weigh and measure him.
- 15
Il suit bien sa courbe de croissance.
He's following his growth curve nicely.
Tip: Doctors plot it in the child's health booklet at every check-up.
- 16
Ne le comparez pas aux autres bébés.
Don't compare him with other babies.
- 17
C'est quand, son prochain vaccin ?
When is his next vaccine?
Tip: Eleven vaccines are compulsory for babies in France.
- 18
Pensez à apporter son carnet de santé.
Remember to bring his health booklet.
- 19
J'ai peur qu'il soit en retard.
I'm worried he's behind.
- 20
Il se développe très bien, chaque chose en son temps.
He's doing really well, everything in its own time.