There’s so much to look forward to in the first year of a baby’s life. Most people may think of the first head lift, step, or word –but there’s a list of other developmental milestones awaiting!
Without much further ado, let’s explore the milestones from birth to 12 months.
1 Month
- Lifts head while on tummy, for short periods
- If something touches baby’s palm, his fingers will clench it (grasp reflex)
- Responds to loud sounds
- Focuses on human faces
- Will turn head and eyes towards light
2 Months
- Smiles
- Makes cooing and gurgling sounds
- Follows objects with eyes
- Sleeps longer (typically 15-16 hours a day, sporadically)
- Movements are less jerky
3 Months
- May suck thumbs or fingers (more aware of his hands)
- Recognizes faces of caregivers and close family members
- Shows preferences for certain textures or touch
- Lifts head and chest when on tummy
- Kicks and straightens legs when lying on back
- Starts to imitate sounds
- Pushes legs down when in a “standing” position
4 Months
- Rolls over (usually from tummy to back)
- Sits with support
- Responds with coos when talked to
- Reaches for things with one hand
- Cries to express different feelings (such as discomfort, hunger, pain, etc.)
- Mimics facial expressions (e.g., smiling or frowning)
5 Months
- Can focus on small objects
- Explores the concept of cause and effect (baby notices that actions have consequences, such as when he drops things onto the floor)
- Starts teething
- Enjoys playing with his own hands and feet
6 Months
- Rolls over from front to back, and the other way around
- Sits without support (or minimal support)
- Attempts crawling
- Able to try solid foods
- Drinks from cup, with support
- Sees across a room (vision is getting closer to that of an adult)
- Puts together two-syllable sounds
7 Months
- Reaches for things with a sweeping motion
- Enjoys looking in a mirror
- Plays peekaboo
- Tries to imitate speech sounds
- Self-feeds some finger foods
- Recognizes emotion in different tones of voice
8 Months
- Responds to name
- May show “separation anxiety” when separated from primary caregiver
- Will turn head away if finished eating
- Can get into crawling position (on arms and knees)
- Moves objects from one hand to another
- Says “mama” and “baba” (said to both parents; isn’t specific)
9 Months
- Crawls on floor
- Pulls himself up (using furniture) to standing position
- Waves “bye-bye”
- Points or reaches for things he wants
- Displays curiosity
10 Months
- Picks things up with thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp)
- Able to stack things (e.g, cups)
- Crawls well
11 Months
- Says “mama” and “baba” to the right parent
- Knows what “no” means
- Can clap hands
12 Months
- Can shake head to say “no”
- Walks with help of adult
- Bangs two cubes together
- “Dances” to music
This article has been republished with permission from Kiddy123.
