Baby milestones: Month by month development

Woman watching baby daughter crawl toward pillow

by Fi Star-Stone |
Updated on

From crawling to having their first little walk, trying to talk and weaning, every one of your baby's milestones is a special moment. Your baby will be very busy in their first few years experiencing a whole load of firsts, so it's important to cherish this very special time in their life as it'll fly by quicker than you think!

Here are the different stages of development milestones that your baby will reach within 12 months. Remember, all babies develop differently, so don’t be disheartened if they don’t reach a specific milestone by a certain time and speak to your doctor or health visitor if you’re concerned.

0 - 3 months baby milestones

From their very first smile to controlling their head, a lot happens in your baby's first 12 weeks in the world.

0-3 month baby development

Following objects

As you'll probably already know, babies aren't born with perfect vision and their eyesight improves a lot during the first few months of their lives. Find out more about your baby's vision, plus when they'll be able to follow objects with their eyes.

Tummy time

You've probably already heard the term 'tummy time' quite a bit in the lead-up to giving birth. Tummy time is a huge development milestone for your little one, so it's important to know how your baby can get the most out of their tummy time and the benefits of this important phase.

First smile

Nothing in the world can make you feel better than when your baby gives you one of those big, old, gummy, heart-warming first smiles. Discover when she'll start flashing you a grin and what you can do to help here.

First laugh

There's nothing quite like hearing your baby laugh for the first time! If you're wondering when your baby will laugh or desperate to hear their first giggle, there are plenty of tricks and techniques that'll have your baby laughing their tiny socks off in no time!

Holding head up

Between two and three months, you'll notice your baby becoming more confident with holding up their own head, whether during tummy time or while being held. A three-month-old baby lying on their back will have learned how to hold their head up for brief periods of time.

First sounds

Some babies are noisier than others (although they all master crying quite quickly!), whether it's a babble or a coo, or just blowing raspberries. It's all your baby learning about how to make sounds. Even from a very young age there are things you can do to help them develop their speech. Try out these five ways to teach your baby to talk.

First bath

Your baby's first bath can be a daunting milestone, but there are lots of ways to make it easier and safer, particularly for newborns, such as by using a bath thermometer. A bathtub or seat designed specifically for babies is also a must - here's our pick of the best baby bath tubs.

​Swimming

According to the NHS, you don't need to wait until your baby has had their injections for them to be able to go swimming. You can start your little one's watery adventures as soon as you want. Swimming can be an amazing sensory experience for your baby as they love the sensation of being in the water. Wondering where on earth to begin? Check out our piece on baby swimming with advice from Rebecca Adlington.

4 - 12 months baby milestones

During this time, between four and 12 months of age, your little one will begin to interact with objects and people more by grabbing and trying to move around more on the floor!

baby boy sat up

Rolling over

As your baby starts to move more, around the age of five months old, you might notice them trying to roll over. This is a huge movement milestone for your tot which you can read more about here.

Crawling

As with any milestone, each baby is different and while some babies are happy crawling until they HAVE to walk, some skip the crawling phase altogether! And when it comes to crawling, there are lots of different ways to help encourage them to crawl. You'll probably find that the baby is confidently crawling by 8 months old.

Sitting up

When your baby learns to sit up on their own, it's a milestone worth remembering. What a difference it makes for your little one, who will have a whole new perspective on the world. From the age babies usually start to sit up to the ways you can help your baby reach this milestone, read more about when babies start to sit up here.

First word

Desperate to hear what your baby's first word will be? Your baby's first words will sound like babbling or baby talk but it's adorable and worth recording.

First tooth

Any parent knows how painful the teething phase can be for babies. Knowing the signs and symptoms to look out for however can help you find the right ways of soothing their pain to make this milestone as bearable as possible for your tot.

Weaning

There comes a point in every baby’s life, usually when they’re approaching six months old, when they're ready to grab a fork and head out into the big, wide world of food. Check out our beginner's guide to weaning here.

First curl

There is a huge range when it comes to what is 'normal' for baby hair. Some babies are born with luxurious locks from the get go, others will have downy newborn baby hair, and some will have none at all. As for baby hair growth, again it varies from baby to baby. Tips on how to cut your baby's hair at home.

Standing

Most children learn to stand unaided (often before crashing back down on their bottom) by the time they’re 14 months and you might find baby trying to pull themselves up on furniture from around 9-months-old. Standing unaided is the first step towards this huge moment in your baby's development. You may also notice them cruising - using furniture to support themselves.

First birthday

Congratulations, it's time to celebrate the first year of your beautiful baby's life! Whether you’re planning a big bash for your tot or fancy something a little more laid back, we’ve got oodles of first birthday ideas for you to take a look at.

Keen to record all your baby's special firsts? We love these clever tips from mum, Emily Norris!

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