Baby Developmental Milestones: Tracking Your Child’s Development

Every parent wants to know their baby is developing normally – especially during those first 12 months, when more obvious signs such as talking and walking are not yet fully developed. That is why we have developed this month-by-month guide to help you learn what to expect in terms your baby's development in that first year.

Keep in mind, however, that these are just guidelines – not hardened rules. Your child may excel in some areas and lag in others (i.e. she may decide to walk before crawling), and still be perfectly okay. However, you should seek guidance if your child is consistently lacking in several areas in order to check for any learning disabilites.

Age	Skills Most Should Know	Advanced Skills
1 month	lifts head when lying on tummy studies human face strong reflex movements responds to loud sounds reacts to bright lights	smiles vocalizes turns to familiar sounds/voices
2 months	vocalizes (gurgles, coos) follows objects that cross his field of vision studies his hands	holds head steady smiles, laughs
3 months	recognizes mommy/daddy’s face/scent lifts head 45 degrees holds head steady reaches for dangling objects tracks objects with his eyes	brings hands together blows bubbles kicks/straightens legs when placed on her back turns towards loud sounds
4 months	smiles, laughs responds vocally when you talk to him stands with assistance rolls over (tummy to back)	able to grasp toys recognizes breast or bottle cries to express pain, fear, loneliness, discomfort
5 months	able to distinguish between colors interested in his hands and feet recognizes name rolls over in both directions	separation anxiety begins teething sits without support for a moment
6 months	turns towards sounds and voices reaches for/grabs objects imitates sounds	ready for solid foods (opens mouth for spoon) drinks from a cup with help makes sounds that combine syllables passes objects from hand to hand
7 months	sits by himself imitates variety of sounds enjoys peek-a-boo experiences stranger anxiety	distinguishes emotion through tone of voice bangs objects together can feed himself some finger foods
8 months	says ‘mama’ and ‘dad’ (doesn’t necessarily specify) rolls all the way around responds to name chews on objects	reaches for utensils during feeding gets in crawling position (on arms and knees) stands while holding onto something indicates wants/needs with cries/gestures uses thumb and finger to pick up things
9 months	vocalizes using combination of syllables understands object permanence sits up on his own drops objects and looks for them	identifies mom/dad in mirror says ‘mama’/ ‘dada’ to correct parent plays patty-cake/peak-a-boo
10 months	waves good-bye uses thumb and finger to pick things up crawls comfortably	stands alone for a couple of seconds puts objects into container
11 months	says ‘mama’/ ‘dada’ to correct parent plays patty-cake/peak-a-boo stands alone for a couple of seconds cruises claps hands	understands ‘no’ and simple instructions says one word other than ‘mama’ or ‘dada’
12 months	imitates gestures of others identifies self in mirror shakes head ‘no’ dances to music understands use of certain objects walks with help enjoys opening/closing doors interested in books may become attached to certain objects	walks alone says two words other than ‘mama’ or ‘dada’ scribbles with crayon