Watching your baby grow during the first year is an exciting journey filled with big changes. From tiny reflexes in the newborn stage to first steps around their first birthday, each month brings new developments. This guide breaks down physical, cognitive, and social milestones month by month, so you’ll know what to expect and how to support your baby’s growth.
Newborn (0-1 Month): Welcome to the World
Growth & Physical Development
• Newborns typically weigh 5.5 to 10 lbs and gain about 1 ounce per day.
• Reflexes dominate movement: rooting, sucking, grasping, and Moro (startle) reflexes.
• Vision is blurry—babies can only see about 8-12 inches away.
Cognitive & Social Milestones
• Recognizes familiar voices, especially parents.
• Starts to turn toward sounds.
• Expresses needs through crying.
How to Support Your Baby
• Provide lots of skin-to-skin contact for bonding.
• Talk and sing to help with early language development.
• Offer plenty of tummy time (even for just a few minutes) to build neck strength.
1-Month-Old Baby: Early Movements & First Social Reactions
• Begins to lift head briefly during tummy time.
• May start making eye contact and tracking objects.
• Responds to high-contrast patterns (black & white).
• Starts to coo and make small sounds.
Tip: Hold your baby close while talking—this helps them learn communication early!
2-Month-Old Baby: Smiles & Stronger Muscles
• Starts to smile responsively (a major milestone!).
• Improved head control; can hold head up for a few seconds.
• Follows objects with smoother eye movements.
• Coos and gurgles to show excitement.
Fun Fact: This is when babies often have their first big growth spurt!
3-Month-Old Baby: Tummy Time Wins & First Laughs
• Pushes up on arms during tummy time.
• Laughs for the first time.
• Recognizes faces and reacts with excitement.
What You Can Do: Play peek-a-boo and introduce simple songs with gestures.
4-Month-Old Baby: Rolling Over & More Giggles
• Starts rolling from tummy to back.
• Loves playing with hands and discovering fingers.
• May begin babbling with consonants like “ba” or “da”.
Tip: Provide safe floor time for rolling practice!
5-Month-Old Baby: Reaching & Grabbing
• Can now grasp objects intentionally.
• Begins teething (drooling increases!).
• Rolls in both directions.
Soothing Tip: Offer a cold teething toy for gum relief.
6-Month-Old Baby: Sitting Up & Starting Solids
• Can sit with little or no support.
• First solid foods introduction (look for readiness signs).
• Responds to their own name.
Feeding Tip: Start with single-ingredient purees like avocado or sweet potato.
7-Month-Old Baby: Babbling & Exploring
• Experiments with different sounds (“mamama,” “bababa”).
• Tries to grab everything!
• Begins to show stranger anxiety.
Play Idea: Show different facial expressions and let your baby mimic them.
8-Month-Old Baby: Crawling & Standing
• Many babies start crawling.
• Begins pulling up to stand.
• Responds to “no” and simple commands.
Activity: Set up a baby-safe exploration zone with soft toys and mirrors.
9-Month-Old Baby: Clapping & Waving
• Claps hands and waves bye-bye.
• Loves dropping things to see your reaction.
• Shows more attachment to caregivers.
Try This: Sing action songs like “Pat-a-Cake” to encourage clapping!
10-Month-Old Baby: Cruising & First Words
• Stands while holding onto furniture (“cruising”).
• Says “mama” or “dada” with meaning.
• Copies simple gestures.
Encouragement: Place favorite toys just out of reach to motivate movement.
11-Month-Old Baby: Almost Walking!
• Takes wobbly steps with support.
• Learns to point at things they want.
• Shows preferences for certain toys and foods.
Fun Idea: Make a baby-safe obstacle course to encourage walking.
12-Month-Old Baby: First Steps & First Words!
• Many babies take their first independent steps.
• Can say 1-3 words.
• Understands simple requests (like “Come here!”).
Celebrate: Your baby’s first birthday—what a milestone!
Baby’s first year at a glance and key milestones
0-3 months Smiling, cooing, eye contact, tummy time success
4-6 months Rolling, sitting, babbling, first solid foods
7-9 months Crawling, waving, clapping, stranger anxiety
10-12 months Cruising, first steps, first words, pointing
Common Questions About Baby Development
1. What if my baby isn’t meeting milestones?
Every baby develops at their own pace. If you’re concerned, talk to your pediatrician for reassurance and guidance.
2. How can I help my baby’s brain development?
• Talk to your baby all day long.
• Provide plenty of safe exploration opportunities.
• Read books, sing songs, and introduce sensory activities.
3. When do babies start walking?
Most babies take their first steps between 9-15 months, but it varies!
The first year is FULL of rapid changes, but every baby develops in their own unique way. Celebrate each milestone, provide plenty of encouragement, and enjoy watching your baby grow!