July - 16, 2024

Baby Milestones Throughout the First Year

As your baby grows and develops, there are many milestones that they will accomplish throughout their first year and into the next. It’s important to remember that all milestones are just a guideline, not a set-in-stone rule. Don’t fret if your child takes a little more time to achieve certain milestones as every baby is different, but if you feel in your heart that something may be wrong, it’s okay to take your child to the pediatrician to be evaluated. 

1 Month

When your baby is one month old, they won’t be able to see very well, but their sense of smell is fantastic and their hearing is fully developed. Your baby can recognize you from your scent, and if you’re breastfeeding, they can turn their head towards the breast when hungry. Your baby may startle at loud noises and make a range of facial expressions, but they probably won’t be smiling just yet. 

2 Months

At 2 months old, your baby’s head control is getting better, they may look at you more, smile, and coo during interactions. Their eyesight is still developing so they won’t be able to see well, but they can track objects with their eyes. At this time, babies usually discover their hands and they may even start sucking their thumbs. Notice how your baby appears to “unfurl,” as they get older. When they’re first born, babies usually keep their arms and legs tucked in close, then they begin to stretch their arms out, their legs not following too long after. 

3 Months

Social smiles and laughs become much more frequent at this age and interactions are more two-sided as your baby begins to babble and mimic sounds when playing with you. Your baby will start to lift their head and chest during tummy time and may even begin to push up on their arms. They are still discovering their hands and how they move so you may notice more hand movements like grasping toys, playing with their fingers, and opening and shutting their hands. Your baby also will likely kick their legs out when placed on their back and they may start rolling from their tummy to their back.

4 Months

Tummy time will become more interesting as your baby pushes themselves up onto their elbows more frequently and they will likely begin to roll themselves onto their back. Their hand-eye coordination is improving and they will begin to reach for things such as their favorite toy.  

5 Months

Playing with your baby brings them joy and peekaboo likely will become a smash hit. Your baby may be able to sit with assistance, such as propping pillows up behind them, and they will move objects around with their hands. 

6 Months 

Babies at this age can start to recognize themselves in a mirror and they recognize familiar people. They respond to their name being called and begin making consonant sounds like “m” “b” and “d.” They explore toys with their hands and mouth and can pass objects from one hand to the other. Your baby may be able to sit unassisted now, roll from back to tummy and tummy to back, and they may even get on their hands and knees and rock back and forth. 

7 Months

Rolling seems to be a very fun way of getting around for your child these days and can support their own weight standing on their feet when supported under their arms. Your baby may recognize more words such as “no,” “mama,” and “dada.” They enjoy playing with you and making chains of consonant sounds like “ba ba ba ba.”

8 Months

As your baby builds strength, they may start to pull themselves up to standing with support such as a couch, your hands, or a coffee table. They may even begin crawling at this point. Your baby could start to call you “mama” or “dada.”

9 Months

At 9 months old, your baby’s hand-eye coordination has improved so much that they may start to clap their hands, try to wave, point, and they can grasp smaller objects with their fingers. They can pull themselves up to standing, get in a sitting position, and sit unsupported. At this point, you may have noticed they have become a stage 5 clinger as they have begun to experience separation anxiety and are weary of strangers. This separation anxiety is normal and usually resolves on its own with consistent support from their parents. Don’t try to sneak off when your baby is looking away as this can create more separation anxiety. Trust that whoever is watching your baby when you leave can soothe them. 

10 Months

If you’ve been using sign language along with speaking to your baby, they may have started to pick up a few signs and can sign some to you. Their speech recognition is improving, they will try to copy your speech patterns, and they can point to something they want to communicate with you. After pulling themselves up to stand, they may try to take a few wobbly steps.

11 Months

Your baby can recognize objects by name and point to them when you are talking about them and they use gestures like waving and blowing a kiss. They may start to cruise the furniture and use it as support while they walk. Your baby may be able to follow simple instructions such as “Can you grab that ball?”

12 Months

At 12 months old, your baby can likely crawl well, stand without support, and may begin to walk. Walking is a big step and can take a while so don’t be concerned if they aren’t walking at this point. It can take up to 18 months for your baby to master walking. They can say words such as “no,” “baba,” “up,” and “uh oh.” They may like to bang objects on the floor when playing and can use a crayon or marker to scribble. 

Your baby has grown so much in their first year of life and has learned many new skills with more skills to come as they continue growing. If you would like to know more about what milestones you can expect, contact our midwives today!