Developmental Milestones: Birth to 12 Months

Physical 

• Baby nails are often sharp and pointy. You can file nails straight across right away. 

• Moro reflex is an involuntary protective reaction in newborns that can happen due to a sudden movement or loud noise. The baby’s arms extend outward and then come back inward to the body. It’s completely natural and can be reduced by swaddling. 

Sensory 

• “Rooting” is triggered when you touch your baby’s cheek or mouth, causing them to turn their head and open their mouth, often with tongue thrusting, as though they’re looking for a food source.   

• While babies naturally know how to suckle, it may take a few weeks for them to really get the hang of it. 

• Babies have a need for non-nutritive suckling, especially in the first few months. So, if you’re bottle feeding a full-term baby, it’s okay to give them a pacifier right away. If you’re chestfeeding, wait until the latch and supply are well established. 

• Your baby may begin to grip or hold your finger in these early weeks. 

Communication 

• Crying is your baby’s go-to form of communication. Their cries begin to differentiate into “hungry cries,” “sleepy cries,” etc. 

• They’re better at tracking objects with their eyes. 

• They can see objects about eight to ten inches from their face and like simple colors and stripes. 

Physical 

• Your baby is growing very fast! That’s why they have “baby fat,” like chubby cheeks. 

• They may start kicking and stretching their legs. Sometimes their arms, too.  

Communication  

• A baby’s hearing improves, so play music or a baby sound machine at a baby-safe level.  

• They begin to coo with “ahh” and “ooh” or make gurgling sounds. 

Emotional  

• They begin to calm down, smile, or even laugh a little when they see you or someone they like, though this “social smile” may happen later. 

Physical  

• Heads up! They may hold up their heads during their tummy time. 

• They’re growing very quickly. They’re gaining about 1.5 to 2 pounds and 1 to 1.5 inches in height each month. If your baby isn’t gaining weight, talk to your pediatrician.  

• Their nails are growing, too. You can now use a baby nail clipper to trim them. 

• Babies are starting to explore their own hand a bit, opening it briefly and bringing it to their mouth. 

• Those legs are strengthening, and they’ll often kick them out – a small action that lays the groundwork for walking. 

Sensory  

• Their ability to track objects and focus on them is getting better, such as a toy in front of them or you as you’re moving around. 

Communication 

• Babies are cooing and gurgling, like “ooh” and “ahh.” Support your baby’s language skills by talking and reading to them. 

• They’re smiling big and for a reason: in response to someone they see, probably you. This is a sign they recognize patterns. 

Physical  

• They have more control over their arms, legs, and head, especially if they’re doing tummy time.  

• With more limb control, your baby may start reaching for objects, too. 

• Some babies lift their heads or even lift up their shoulders. 

• Kicking out can start here. 

Sensory 

• Most babies can now make out more distinct patterns, such as circles and spirals. You can improve your baby’s eyesight with colorful, multipatterned posters or mobiles. 

Communication  

• They start babbling, like “baaa, daa, gaa, dee.”  

• They use sounds to express joy. They may laugh, too! 

• They practice “conversation” by cooing in reply to what you say. Help your baby’s communication develop by talking and reading to them. 

Physical 

• Most babies can sit with support and support their own head. 

• Many babies open their mouths to signal hunger.  

• Watch out! Your baby can grasp objects now, and many of those objects will end up in their mouth.  

• Thanks to tummy time, your baby may have the strength and coordination to roll over one way. This is a sign to stop swaddling. 

• For many babies, this is the perfect time to start sleep training.  

Sensory 

• Your baby’s distance vision is improving, as is their ability to track movement with their eyes.  

Cognitive  

• A baby this age is learning cause and effect. For example, they learn that a dropped item makes a sound. This is exciting for them, and most babies will explore what they hear, so keep a watchful eye on your little one.  

• Your baby’s conversational skills are improving. You may not understand every word, but you may start to understand some rhythm and meaning in their babbles. 

Physical  

• By now, most babies are double their birth weight. This rapid rate of growth will continue up to 12 months, when growth begins to slow.  

• They may be able to hold up their head, sit up using their arms as support, and move their legs and arms. If they haven’t rolled over one way yet, they will soon. 

Sensory 

• They can typically respond to colors and patterns. Develop your baby’s eyesight by looking at picture books with fun, colorful patterns. 

Cognitive 

• Babies know familiar people and like to look in the mirror.  

• They learn by mimicking what they see or hear. Most begin using a cup and attempting other actions they see often. 

• They recognize and respond to their names. 

Communication  

• Talking is a few months off, but they’re taking turns making sounds with you. You may hear squeals and some new sounds, too. 

• While your baby can’t read yet, they will likely help you flip through the pages of a book. 

Physical  

• Many babies begin teething around this time. However, there is a wide age variation when it comes to teething, so don’t panic if there are no visible teeth yet. 

• They have the strength and reasoning to roll both ways. 

• Many babies can sit up on their own. It’s alright if your baby isn’t there yet, though.  

Sensory 

• Your baby’s distance vision has improved. You can continue helping your baby’s eyesight develop by engaging them with colorful, multi-patterned images. 

Communication 

• Verbal mimicry becomes more organized imitation around now, so listen as your baby babbles seem to resemble actual words.  

• Encourage this behavior by saying what they say and then offering the correct version. For example, if your baby says “dah” for “dog,” say, “yes, dah – dog!”  

• Babies also understand context, so, if you say, “bye bye,” they may wave. 

• Babies may turn their heads toward sounds or respond to the change in your voice or tone. 

• Your baby’s cries become more specific. 

Physical  

• Your baby’s rapid growth continues, gaining about 1 to 1.25 pounds. 

• You can introduce a sprout cup for drinking. 

• You can encourage crawling by placing an object they like a few feet in front of them, such as a teddy bear. This helps them to lean forward, which is the first step in crawling.  

• You may see them transferring an object between hands, rolling over both ways, and pushing up with straight arms when on tummy. 

Communication  

• While they aren’t talking yet, they may say the sounds that will become simple words, such as “mama” or “dada.” 

• In addition to waving goodbye, many can shake their head “no.” They can communicate with other simple physical gestures, such as clapping. 

Physical 

• Your baby’s rapid growth continues, gaining about another 1 to 1.25 pounds a month until they reach 12 months. 

• Many are either almost ready or just starting to crawl. You can encourage crawling by placing an object your baby likes a few inches in front of them. 

• Ahead of your baby walking, they may get pigeon-toed, which will improve their balance. This is normal and typically resolves on its own.  

• Your baby’s feet will appear fat, but this is an extra layer that protects their feet when they take their first halting steps. This will fade as your baby begins to walk.  

Motor skills 

• They can often reach and grip larger objects with their hands. 

• Most can roll over both ways, front-to-back or back-to-front. 

Sensory 

• Your baby’s hearing is still improving — another great reason to talk to them whenever possible. One tip: narrate your actions. For example, if you’re making pasta, say, “Now I’m going to heat up the water. This will boil it for the pasta.” 

• Your baby’s distance vision improves. 

• Their hand-eye coordination is also improving. They’ll aim for an object and be able to grab it.  

Cognitive  

• Your baby may know more words now, even if they can’t say them. For example, if you ask, “Where’s the doggy?” your baby may point to them. 

• Your baby will start to understand object permanence – that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. This is a big cognitive milestone that’s worth celebrating – but which also can bring some totally normal separation anxiety. This can lead to sleep regression. 

Cognitive and emotional  

• Your baby may become bored of familiar things. Engage them with slightly different versions of the same thing. It doesn’t need to be new or complicated if it’s a bit different each time they play with it. For example, one afternoon give your baby a cereal box. The next day, give them that same box with the lid open, or torn off. 

• They can recognize your emotions, so try to be as positive as possible when you’re with them. 

• Shyness around strangers means your baby can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people and places. 

Communication  

• Your baby won’t be talking yet, but many expand their gesture vocabulary to include raising their arms to be held.  

• Most babies will respond to their names. 

Motor skills 

• They move objects from one hand to the other and “rake” food toward themselves at mealtime.  

• The pincer grasp is your baby’s ability to grasp objects between their thumb and index finger. It began around four months but will continue to improve as your baby grows. 

Physical  

• As your baby prepares to stand, you’ll notice their belly and bottom both stick out a little. This is their body creating balance for when they begin walking.  

• Many babies are crawling or scooting, which are the movements that lead to walking. Some babies skip crawling and go straight to cruising.  

• Reacts to your presence or absence: you will likely notice your baby responding more to your presence or absence. When you, or someone else they love, leave, your baby will look after you. When you or someone returns, they’ll show excitement! 

• While some babies can sit up alone earlier, for some it’s closer to this point. 

• Pulling up to stand while holding on. 

Sensory 

• Your baby’s sense of smell is beginning to develop now. You can help and learn your baby’s tastes by letting them smell different objects or baby-safe substances. 

Cognitive 

• Pointing to objects shows that your baby’s vocabulary, memory, eyesight, and physical movement are all coming together. 

• Your baby’s personal likes and dislikes emerge more. This is one of the many ways their individual personality will start to shine over the next few months. It’s such a fun time!  

Communication 

• They may start to say basic versions of words. For example, “tata” for “teddy.” Encourage your baby’s linguistic development by gently correcting their pronunciation. When they say “tata,” you say, “yes, teddy.”  

• Your baby may mimic using objects like a hairbrush or a toothbrush. Now is a great time to offer them their own spoon or open cup during meals. 

Motor skills 

• Your baby may be able to pick up and put down objects now. Strengthen this ability and their muscles by offering them small, wooden building blocks.  

• Many begin to point at objects or people they want, too. 

Physical 

• With their bodies and minds so well developed, most babies are little wigglers when they’re awake. They’re crawling, stretching, and touching as they explore the world and strengthen their bodies as they prepare to stand. 

• They may start pulling themselves up to stand but may need help sitting back down.  

• If your baby can stand, they may start to guide themselves around the furniture. This is known as “cruising.” 

Physical 

• After months of rapid growth, their physical development begins to slow down.  

• As your baby learns to stand, they’ll cruise. They’ll take unsteady steps with the help of couches, tables, and you.  

• Some are walking, usually with support. It’s alright if your little one isn’t walking yet — each baby is unique and develops at their own speed.  

Sensory  

• Your baby’s eyesight is steadily improving, and so is their sense of touch. They want to know what things feel like under their little fingers.  

• Coupled with your baby’s increased mobility, they will explore anything and everything, so baby proof your home if you haven’t already.  

Cognitive 

• Many can solve simple problems, like how to put something into a container. This is a good time to teach your baby to clean up their toys. 

• They may be experimenting with new syllables. You can help develop your baby’s verbal skills by talking, reading, and singing.  

• Many can understand and follow “no” when they’re doing something they shouldn’t. That doesn’t mean they’ll always listen as they’re testing boundaries and independence. 

Motor skills 

• Babies typically stand with the help of furniture. They’re cruising around, building their strength and balance for their first independent steps. 

• With improved hand-eye coordination and pincer grasp, most can feed themselves. They may miss their mouths from time to time, but they’re learning! 

Physical 

• After a year of very rapid growth, your baby’s weight and length slows. By this point, their weight should be around triple their birth weight.  

• Some experts suggest that you visit the dentist as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears. If not, then take them in for their first visit.  

Sensory 

• Your baby can generally see clearly, use both eyes together, and have a good idea of depth perception.