The first year of your baby’s life is a period of remarkable growth and development. From the early days of simple reflexes to the complex skills of early toddlerhood, your little one will transform before your eyes. This comprehensive guide breaks down what to expect month by month across different developmental domains. Remember that each baby develops at their own pace, and the age ranges provided are averages. Always consult with your pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s development.
How to Use This Guide
This milestone chart is organized into monthly sections, with each section covering five key developmental areas:
- Physical Development: Growth, motor skills, and coordination
- Cognitive Development: Thinking, learning, and problem-solving
- Language Development: Communication and understanding
- Social-Emotional Development: Relationships and feelings
- Sensory Development: How your baby experiences and responds to the world
For each milestone, you’ll find:
- Age-appropriate expectations
- Simple activities to support development
- Signs that might warrant discussion with your pediatrician
- Tips for documenting and celebrating progress
Month 1 (Birth to 4 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Turns head from side to side when lying on back
- Strong reflexes (rooting, sucking, startle, grasp)
- Keeps hands in tight fists most of the time
- Makes jerky, uncoordinated movements
- Briefly lifts head when on tummy
Supporting activities:
- Short, supervised tummy time sessions (3-5 minutes, several times daily)
- Gentle stretching of arms and legs during diaper changes
- Skin-to-skin contact to promote muscle tone and regulation
Cognitive Development
- Focuses on high-contrast patterns and faces
- Recognizes familiar smells (especially mother’s milk)
- Begins to develop day/night recognition
- Watches faces intently when in close range (8-12 inches)
- Displays preference for human voices over other sounds
Supporting activities:
- Provide black and white contrast cards or images
- Change baby’s position and environment throughout the day
- Talk to baby during care routines, describing what you’re doing
Language Development
- Cries to communicate needs
- Makes small throaty sounds
- Quiets or calms to familiar voices
- Shows different cries for different needs (hunger vs. discomfort)
- Responds to sound by startling or quieting
Supporting activities:
- Talk, sing, and read to baby frequently
- Respond promptly to cries to build communication trust
- Use parentese (higher pitch, slower speech) when talking to baby
Social-Emotional Development
- Makes eye contact
- May imitate some facial expressions
- Prefers face-to-face interaction
- Shows preference for primary caregivers
- Self-soothes with sucking
Supporting activities:
- Hold baby frequently for comfort and security
- Make animated facial expressions during interactions
- Respond consistently to signals to build trust
Sensory Development
- Prefers sweet tastes
- Recognizes mother’s smell
- Startles at loud noises
- Sees best at 8-12 inches away
- Shows preference for soft touch and gentle movement
Supporting activities:
- Provide different gentle textures for baby to feel
- Expose baby to natural, gentle sounds
- Avoid overstimulation by watching for cues (turning away, crying)
Month 2 (5-8 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Holds head up for short periods during tummy time
- Opens hands occasionally, no longer constantly fisted
- Smoother movements emerging
- Brings hands toward face and mouth
- Stronger neck muscles, less head lag when pulled to sitting
Supporting activities:
- Increase tummy time duration gradually
- Provide opportunities for kicking and moving on a firm surface
- Hold baby upright with support to strengthen neck muscles
Cognitive Development
- Follows moving objects with eyes
- Recognizes familiar people at a distance
- Begins to show boredom or fussiness when activity doesn’t change
- Looks at their hands with interest
- More alert periods during the day
Supporting activities:
- Move colorful toys slowly from side to side in baby’s field of vision
- Provide a simple infant gym or play mat
- Change baby’s position and view throughout the day
Language Development
- Coos and makes vowel sounds (“ahhh,” “ohhh”)
- Different cries develop distinct patterns
- Responds to pleasant sounds with smiles or coos
- Startles or quiets to loud sounds
- Begins to turn head toward familiar sounds
Supporting activities:
- Have “conversations” by taking turns making sounds
- Narrate daily activities in simple language
- Sing songs with varying rhythms and tones
Social-Emotional Development
- Begins social smiling (smiling in response to others)
- Shows excitement when seeing familiar people
- May calm when hearing a familiar voice
- More engaged during alert periods
- Beginning to show distinct personality traits
Supporting activities:
- Smile, talk, and play with baby during alert periods
- Establish simple, predictable routines
- Respond to baby’s early social overtures (smiles, coos)
Sensory Development
- Begins visually tracking objects horizontally
- May bat at dangling objects accidentally
- Responds differently to pleasant vs. unpleasant stimuli
- May turn toward pleasant smells
- Shows preference for certain sounds or voices
Supporting activities:
- Provide safe objects with different textures
- Expose baby to various household sounds, explaining what they are
- Take baby on “sensory tours” of your home, describing what they experience
Month 3 (9-12 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Raises head and chest during tummy time (mini push-up)
- Opens and closes hands more deliberately
- Stretches legs out when on back (less curled up)
- Swipes at dangling objects
- Less head lag when pulled to sitting position
Supporting activities:
- Place toys just out of reach during tummy time to encourage movement
- Provide opportunities for baby to kick and move freely
- Help baby roll from side to back (not forcing, just guiding)
Cognitive Development
- Follows moving objects with smoother eye tracking
- Recognizes familiar objects and people at a distance
- Begins to develop pattern prediction (anticipates routines)
- Shows more sustained attention to faces and toys
- May show anticipation for feeding
Supporting activities:
- Play simple hiding games (partially hide a toy under a cloth)
- Establish consistent routines that baby can begin to predict
- Introduce cause-and-effect toys (simple rattles, crinkle toys)
Language Development
- Begins to babble with consonant sounds (ga, ma, ba)
- Makes sounds to express pleasure or displeasure
- Responds vocally when talked to
- Laughs out loud
- Recognizes voices without seeing faces
Supporting activities:
- Read picture books with expression and pointing
- Imitate baby’s sounds back to them, then add new sounds
- Narrate activities in simple, clear language
Social-Emotional Development
- Smiles spontaneously, especially at people
- Enjoys social play
- May be more outgoing with familiar people
- Copies some facial expressions and movements
- Shows increasing interest in other babies
Supporting activities:
- Play simple interactive games like peekaboo
- Make time for face-to-face interaction throughout the day
- Begin to help baby recognize their emotions by naming them
Sensory Development
- Shows interest in new sensory experiences
- May calm with specific sensations (rocking, bouncing)
- Turns head toward distinctive sounds
- Explores objects with mouth
- Increased visual focus and attention
Supporting activities:
- Provide safe objects with various textures
- Introduce contrasting sensory experiences (soft vs. crinkly)
- Expose baby to different environments with new things to see
Month 4 (13-16 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Holds head steady without support
- Pushes down with legs when feet are on a firm surface
- Brings hands to mouth consistently
- Pushes up to elbows during tummy time
- May roll from tummy to back
Supporting activities:
- Provide supported sitting experiences
- Encourage reaching for toys from various positions
- Play games that involve gentle bouncing on your lap
Cognitive Development
- Responds to facial expressions
- Shows curiosity about surroundings
- Finds partially hidden objects
- Recognizes familiar people and objects from a distance
- Begins to understand object permanence (things exist when out of sight)
Supporting activities:
- Play peek-a-boo and hiding games
- Demonstrate how objects work, then let baby explore
- Rotate toys to maintain novelty and interest
Language Development
- Babbles with expression
- Makes different sounds for different emotions
- Responds to changes in your tone of voice
- Shows interest when you point to something
- Begins to imitate sounds
Supporting activities:
- Point to and name common objects
- Use simple, consistent words for favorite things
- Respond to babbling as if having a conversation
Social-Emotional Development
- Smiles spontaneously at people
- Enjoys social play and may cry when it stops
- Copies some facial expressions and movements
- Recognizes familiar people and things at a distance
- Shows more emotion and may cry when strangers approach
Supporting activities:
- Introduce baby to trusted family and friends
- Respond consistently to baby’s emotional signals
- Begin simple turn-taking games
Sensory Development
- Mouths objects to explore them
- Begins coordinating vision with grasping
- Responds to music or singing
- Fascinated by own hands and feet
- Shows preferences for certain textures or sounds
Supporting activities:
- Provide baby-safe teething toys with different textures
- Introduce various gentle sounds (soft music, nature sounds)
- Let baby feel different safe household textures (smooth counter, soft carpet)
Month 5 (17-20 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Rolls from back to side
- May sit briefly without support
- Begins to support weight when held in standing position
- Grasps and manipulates small objects
- Reaches with one hand
Supporting activities:
- Place toys just out of reach to encourage rolling
- Provide supportive seating opportunities with pillows
- Hold baby in supported standing position
Cognitive Development
- Explores objects in different ways (shaking, banging, throwing)
- Recognizes own name
- Finds hidden objects easily
- Shows memory for familiar activities
- Begins to understand cause and effect
Supporting activities:
- Demonstrate different ways to play with the same toy
- Play naming games with favorite people and objects
- Offer containers to fill and dump
Language Development
- Extended vowel sounds in babbling (aaaa, oooo)
- Responds to “no”
- Makes sounds to get attention
- Responds to sounds by making sounds
- Takes turns “talking” with you
Supporting activities:
- Respond when baby “talks” to you
- Name body parts during diaper changes and bath time
- Read books with repetitive phrases
Social-Emotional Development
- Laughs aloud
- Enjoys looking at self in mirror
- Responds to others’ emotions
- Shows interest in playing with others, especially parents
- May have favorite toys or comfort objects
Supporting activities:
- Play mirror games, naming what baby sees
- Let baby observe interactions between family members
- Respond to baby’s emotional expressions by naming feelings
Sensory Development
- Increased hand-eye coordination
- Better depth perception developing
- Turns toward new sounds
- Shows interest in food when others are eating
- Develops preferences for specific sensory experiences
Supporting activities:
- Offer toys of varying weights and textures
- Let baby explore safe foods with hands (if starting solids)
- Create sensory bottles (sealed bottles with different materials inside)
Month 6 (21-24 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Rolls both ways (back to tummy, tummy to back)
- Sits without support briefly
- Bears weight on legs when held upright
- Rocks on hands and knees
- Transfers objects from hand to hand
Supporting activities:
- Create safe spaces for unrestricted movement
- Practice sitting with support gradually decreasing
- Offer toys that encourage transferring between hands
Cognitive Development
- Shows curiosity about things out of reach
- Investigates objects more thoroughly
- Shows awareness of novel events
- Recognizes familiar people at a distance
- Begins understanding “inside” and “outside” concepts
Supporting activities:
- Play hide-and-seek with toys under blankets
- Demonstrate functions of everyday objects
- Name spatial concepts during play (in, out, up, down)
Language Development
- Makes “mmmm” and “bbbbb” sounds
- Responds to own name consistently
- Responds to simple verbal requests
- Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure
- Begins to string vowels together (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”)
Supporting activities:
- Start using simple sign language for common words
- Name objects consistently
- Ask simple questions and pause for “answers”
Social-Emotional Development
- Recognizes familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
- Enjoys playing with others, especially parents
- Responds to others’ emotions
- Shows distinction between family members and strangers
- May be fearful in some situations
Supporting activities:
- Maintain consistent caregivers
- Introduce new people gradually
- Develop simple rituals for daily activities
Sensory Development
- Develops taste preferences
- Motivated to explore objects thoroughly with mouth, hands, and eyes
- Begins refining pincer grasp (thumb and finger)
- Sees across the room clearly
- Shows definite food preferences if started on solids
Supporting activities:
- Introduce textured toys and fabrics
- If starting solids, offer variety of tastes and textures
- Provide water play (supervised closely)
Month 7 (25-28 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Sits steadily without support
- Supports whole weight on legs when held upright
- Reaches with one hand
- Transfers objects from hand to hand
- Uses raking grasp (fingers, not thumb)
Supporting activities:
- Create obstacle courses with pillows and soft objects
- Provide push toys for pre-walking practice
- Offer finger foods to promote pincer development
Cognitive Development
- Explores objects in different ways
- Finds partially hidden objects
- Shows interest in mirror images
- Responds to own name
- Develops object permanence
Supporting activities:
- Play “drop and retrieve” games
- Name objects and their actions
- Use nesting cups or stacking rings
Language Development
- Babbles chains of consonants (ba-ba-ba, ma-ma-ma)
- Responds to simple requests
- Makes specific sounds to indicate specific needs
- Looks at familiar objects when named
- May say “mama” or “dada” non-specifically
Supporting activities:
- Read interactive books with flaps or textures
- Name actions as you do them
- Respond to baby’s attempts at words
Social-Emotional Development
- Forms strong attachment to parents/primary caregivers
- May show anxiety around strangers
- Tests parental responses to behavior
- Plays interactive games like peekaboo
- Shows distinct preferences for certain people
Supporting activities:
- Maintain consistent responses to behavior
- Play turn-taking games
- Respect growing independence while ensuring safety
Sensory Development
- Enjoys variety of textures, sounds, and sights
- Actively investigates objects with all senses
- Shows clear preferences
- Developing more refined grasping
- Mouthing objects less frequently
Supporting activities:
- Create sensory bins with safe materials
- Provide toys with various sensory features
- Introduce varied textures of foods if eating solids
Month 8 (29-32 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Pulls to stand with support
- Sits well without support
- Crawls or pre-crawls (scooting, rolling)
- Adjusts position to reach objects
- Uses pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger)
Supporting activities:
- Create safe “pulling up” stations
- Set up tunnels for crawling practice
- Offer small safe objects to practice pincer grasp
Cognitive Development
- Looks for fallen objects
- Explores objects thoroughly
- Shows memory for hidden objects
- Displays intentional actions to achieve goals
- Begins to understand functional relationships
Supporting activities:
- Play with containers and lids
- Demonstrate simple sequences (stacking, nesting)
- Offer problem-solving opportunities (how to reach a toy)
Language Development
- Understands “no”
- Responds to simple verbal requests with gestures
- Uses gestures like pointing, reaching, or waving
- Specific babbling that mimics conversation
- May say “mama” or “dada” to specific parent
Supporting activities:
- Expand vocabulary by naming everything
- Respond to and expand on baby’s attempts at words
- Use simple, clear phrases consistently
Social-Emotional Development
- Shows stranger anxiety
- Clings to familiar adults
- Tests parental responses to actions
- Shows specific preferences for toys
- May show separation anxiety
Supporting activities:
- Create secure base for exploration
- Allow safe autonomy with supervision
- Maintain consistent boundaries
Sensory Development
- Shows clear food preferences if eating solids
- Notices small objects and details
- Explores with purpose
- Developing refined touch perception
- Visually tracks fast-moving objects
Supporting activities:
- Offer sensory-rich play opportunities
- Provide safe household objects with different properties
- Introduce new textures gradually
Month 9 (33-36 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Gets to sitting position without help
- Pulls to stand
- Stands holding on to furniture
- May take steps while holding on
- More controlled movement and coordination
Supporting activities:
- Create cruising pathways with stable furniture
- Provide push toys for pre-walking
- Encourage movement between positions (sitting to standing)
Cognitive Development
- Watches trajectory of falling objects
- Develops more sophisticated object permanence
- Imitates gestures and actions
- Shows preferences for certain toys or activities
- Understands simple cause-effect relationships
Supporting activities:
- Play “what’s missing?” with familiar objects
- Demonstrate simple actions to imitate
- Allow exploration of how objects work
Language Development
- Understands several simple phrases
- Responds to simple requests (“Come here,” “Give me”)
- Makes specific consonant sounds
- Uses voice to express emotion
- Practices conversational turn-taking
Supporting activities:
- Play simple direction games (“Where’s your nose?”)
- Use consistent phrases for daily activities
- Expand on baby’s vocalizations
Social-Emotional Development
- Shows definite attachments to primary caregivers
- May cry when familiar people leave
- Shows interest in peer interactions
- Expresses several clearly differentiated emotions
- Shows emerging sense of self
Supporting activities:
- Help identify and name emotions
- Provide opportunities for supervised peer interaction
- Establish reassuring goodbye routines
Sensory Development
- Enhanced discrimination between textures, tastes, and sounds
- Uses sensory information to guide actions
- Examines objects in greater detail
- Shows interest in fitting objects into spaces
- May show sensory preferences or dislikes
Supporting activities:
- Provide sorting activities with different textures
- Create opportunities for messy play
- Introduce musical instruments or sound-making toys
Month 10 (37-40 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Cruises along furniture
- May stand alone momentarily
- Gets into sitting position from stomach
- Improved coordination in crawling
- Refined pincer grasp
Supporting activities:
- Set up safe cruising zones
- Place favorite toys to encourage movement between positions
- Offer finger foods to build fine motor skills
Cognitive Development
- Puts objects in containers
- Follows one-step verbal commands
- Finds hidden objects easily
- Begins to use objects correctly (phone to ear, brush to hair)
- Shows understanding of spatial relationships
Supporting activities:
- Play stacking and nesting games
- Demonstrate object functions
- Practice filling and emptying containers
Language Development
- Responds to simple questions
- Says “mama” and “dada” to correct parents
- May say one or two other words
- Uses exclamations (“uh-oh!”)
- Tries to imitate words
Supporting activities:
- Ask simple questions and wait for response
- Label emotions and experiences
- Read books with repetitive language
Social-Emotional Development
- Plays interactive games (pat-a-cake, peekaboo)
- Shows affection to familiar people
- Tests boundaries
- Participates in daily routines
- May develop attachment to comfort object
Supporting activities:
- Set consistent, age-appropriate boundaries
- Acknowledge and name feelings
- Create special family rituals or games
Sensory Development
- Creates sensory experiences intentionally
- Explores cause-effect with sensory feedback
- Shows distinct preferences
- May show signs of sensory seeking or avoiding
- Increased tactile discrimination
Supporting activities:
- Provide safe sensory play (water, sand, different textures)
- Note and respect sensory preferences
- Introduce new sensory experiences gradually
Month 11 (41-44 Weeks)
Physical Development
- Stands alone for a few seconds
- May take a few steps unassisted
- Moves from sitting to crawling position easily
- Uses furniture to lower self to floor
- Improved hand control for manipulating objects
Supporting activities:
- Create open pathways for walking practice
- Provide push-toys with adjustable resistance
- Offer toys that require different fine motor skills
Cognitive Development
- Shows understanding of object functions
- Experiments with trial and error
- Anticipates sequences of familiar events
- Shows goal-directed problem solving
- Increased attention span
Supporting activities:
- Create simple puzzles (objects to fit in matching spaces)
- Allow baby to solve simple problems before helping
- Establish predictable sequences in routines
Language Development
- Clearly uses “mama” and “dada” plus possibly 1-3 other words
- Understands many more words than can say
- Follows simple instructions
- Uses gestures to communicate specific needs
- Tries to imitate animal sounds
Supporting activities:
- Play identification games (“Where’s the dog?”)
- Expand vocabulary with specific words
- Use songs with motions and simple rhymes
Social-Emotional Development
- Shows separation anxiety
- Exhibits emotions like jealousy or sympathy
- Shows defiance
- Demonstrates emerging independence
- Seeks approval from parents
Supporting activities:
- Provide reassurance while encouraging independence
- Acknowledge emotions while setting boundaries
- Offer limited choices to encourage autonomy
Sensory Development
- Seeks specific sensory experiences
- Shows clear preferences
- Increased tolerance for varied textures if eating solids
- Notices details in familiar objects or books
- Improved sensory-motor coordination
Supporting activities:
- Create sensory exploration stations
- Name sensations during experiences
- Follow baby’s lead on sensory preferences
Month 12 (45-48 Weeks)
Physical Development
- May walk independently
- Can likely stand alone
- Stoops and recovers balance
- Holds small objects with precision
- Drinks from cup with help
Supporting activities:
- Create safe spaces for walking practice
- Offer toys that encourage squatting and standing
- Provide stacking and nesting toys
Cognitive Development
- Uses trial and error to learn about objects
- Follows two-step commands
- Begins make-believe play
- Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, body parts
- Understanding of simple cause and effect
Supporting activities:
- Play simple pretend games (talking on phone, feeding doll)
- Hide toys under blankets or in containers
- Name objects and their functions
Language Development
- Says 2-8 words others can understand
- Uses language plus gestures to communicate
- Practices conversational turn-taking
- Responds to simple questions
- Shows interest in picture books
Supporting activities:
- Expand on single words (“Yes, that’s a big ball”)
- Ask simple questions
- Read interactive books
Social-Emotional Development
- Plays simple games with others
- Shows affection to familiar people
- Experiences wide range of emotions
- May show fear in some situations
- Tests boundaries consistently
Supporting activities:
- Set consistent boundaries with redirection
- Name emotions as they occur
- Create opportunities for safe social interaction
Sensory Development
- Explores objects in increasingly complex ways
- Experiments with sensory cause and effect
- Shows clear preferences
- Developing more refined sensory discrimination
- Uses sensory information to guide actions
Supporting activities:
- Provide art experiences with finger paints or crayons
- Create sensory bins with theme-based contents
- Note sensory preferences for future activities
Tracking and Celebrating Development
Creating a Memory Record
- Monthly photos: Consider consistent setting or prop for comparison
- Development journal: Note new skills as they emerge
- Video clips: Capture movement milestones, early sounds, and interactions
- Handprint/footprint art: Create periodically to show growth
- Milestone cards or stickers: Use in photos to mark achievements
Celebrating Progress
- Focus on effort and process, not just achievements
- Celebrate unique personality traits, not just developmental skills
- Create simple rituals for monthly “birthdays”
- Share joy in development without comparison to others
- Document “firsts” without pressure to achieve them by specific times
When to Consult Your Pediatrician
While development varies widely among babies, certain signs might warrant professional evaluation:
By 3 months, talk to your doctor if your baby:
- Doesn’t respond to loud sounds
- Doesn’t watch things as they move
- Doesn’t smile at people
- Can’t support head well
By 6 months, talk to your doctor if your baby:
- Doesn’t try to get objects within reach
- Shows no affection for caregivers
- Doesn’t respond to sounds
- Has difficulty getting objects to mouth
- Doesn’t roll over in either direction
- Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds
- Seems very stiff or very floppy
By 9 months, talk to your doctor if your baby:
- Doesn’t bear weight on legs with support
- Doesn’t sit with help
- Doesn’t babble (“mama”, “baba”, “dada”)
- Doesn’t play any interactive games
- Doesn’t respond to own name
- Doesn’t recognize familiar people
- Doesn’t look where you point
By 12 months, talk to your doctor if your baby:
- Doesn’t crawl
- Can’t stand when supported
- Doesn’t search for objects that are hidden while they watch
- Doesn’t use gestures such as waving or shaking head
- Doesn’t say single words like “mama” or “dada”
- Has lost skills they once had
Conclusion
The first year of your baby’s life is truly remarkable, with development occurring at a pace never again matched in the human lifespan. While this guide provides a framework for understanding typical development, remember that each baby is unique and develops on their own timeline. Some babies may skip certain milestones entirely (like crawling) while still developing normally in other areas.
What matters most isn’t checking boxes on a timeline but supporting your baby’s natural development through responsive caregiving, appropriate stimulation, and lots of love and attention. Trust your instincts, celebrate your baby’s unique journey, and enjoy this incredible first year of transformation and growth. Before you know it, your tiny newborn will be taking those momentous first steps toward toddlerhood and beyond.3 months, talk to your doctor if your baby:**
- Doesn’t respond to loud sounds
- Doesn’t watch things as they move
- Doesn’t smile at people
- Can’t support head well
**By