Baby's First Year: Milestones to Watch

Baby's First Year: Milestones to Watch

Baby's First Year: Milestones to Watch

The first year of a baby’s life is filled with developmental milestones, and it’s a time of tremendous growth and change. While every baby develops at their own pace, it’s important to be aware of the general milestones for the first year.

Month 1: Early Reactions and Focus

  • Begins to focus on objects and faces.
  • Starts making small noises and facial expressions.
  • Responds to loud sounds with startle reflexes.

Month 2: Emotional Development

  • Shows emotion and responds to your voice.
  • Is comforted by your touch.
  • Can lift head and chest when lying on their stomach.
  • May start to roll over.

Month 3: Increased Interaction

  • Raises head and chest when lying on stomach.
  • Begins to laugh and smile.
  • Responds to their own name.
  • Rolls over more frequently.

Month 4: Exploring the World

  • Sits with support.
  • Starts to babble.
  • Uses hands to explore objects.

Month 5: Mobility Begins

  • Rolls over in both directions.
  • May begin to crawl.
  • Responds to simple commands.
  • Understands the difference between objects.

Month 6: Sitting and Standing

  • Sits without support.
  • May stand while holding onto something.
  • Follows basic commands.

Month 7: First Words

  • Understands the meaning of words.
  • May say their first word.
  • Pulls themselves up to a standing position.

Month 8: Passing and Standing

  • Passes objects from one hand to the other.
  • May stand alone for a few seconds.

Month 9: Crawling and Cruising

  • Crawls and cruises around furniture.
  • Says familiar words like “Mama” and “Dada”.
  • Understands simple instructions.

Month 10: Standing and Walking

  • Stands alone.
  • May walk while holding onto furniture.

Month 11: Walking and Climbing

  • Walks without help.
  • May climb stairs.
  • Begins to say two-word sentences.
  • Understands simple stories.

Month 12: Running and Communicating

  • Walks and may run.
  • Uses gestures to communicate.
  • Understands more complex instructions.

These milestones are just a general guide, and every baby is unique and develops at their own pace. If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, speak to your doctor or health care provider.

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