Your baby’s first year is a whirlwind as you watch them grow from tiny newborn reflexes to those exciting first steps. Milestones for babies in the first 12 months of life provide a glimpse into their incredible development.
In the first year, every month brings new discoveries. While every baby develops at their own pace, tracking 0-12 months milestones can help parents understand what to expect. This guide to developmental milestones for infants 0-12 months will support you through key moments so you can celebrate each stage with confidence while providing the support they need.
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What Are Baby Milestones
Baby milestones are specific skills and behaviors that your child will learn in the first year of life. Milestones change and grow with your child as they become toddlers to tweens until they are fully grown. Milestones may seem small to us, like learning facial expressions, or holding things, to bigger milestones like crawling and walking.
Why Baby Milestones Are Important
Every infant is different and will grow and develop at their own pace. Understanding what to expect means you can provide the right support at every stage. Milestones can be exciting like saying “mama” or “dada” to sitting up. Some we may miss like recognizing smells or bringing their hands to their mouth.
Although babies all develop at different rates, there are developmental milestones by age that most babies should reach. Tracking baby milestones month by month helps you and your baby’s pediatrician make sure your child development milestones are on track. Your baby’s wellness visits with your pediatrician are a great time to have conversations around milestones. If your baby’s doctor isn’t asking, feel free to start the conversation.
Month-by-Month 0-12 Month Developmental Milestones
Every baby develops at their own speed, but many reach similar milestones at around the same time. During the first year, your little one will gain new motor, cognitive, and social skills each month. Below, we explore infant milestones by month to help you know what to look forward to and how to encourage their growth.
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Newborn to 1 Month Developmental Milestones
Your baby’s first month is all about adjusting to life outside the womb. It’s a time filled with snuggles, sleepy stretches, and tiny firsts. Newborns rely on instinctive reflexes like rooting (turning their head toward a touch on their cheek) and sucking to help with feeding, ensuring they get the nourishment they need.
During these one-month milestones they also begin to recognize familiar smells, and voices, building the foundation for early bonding. As they slowly take in the world around them, they may respond to light and sound, beginning their journey of discovery.
Common one month milestones:
- Focus on objects 8 to 12 inches away
- Grasping their fists tightly
- Moves arms and legs in jerky but active motions.
- Responding to the sound of your voice or other sounds
- Focus on faces, especially their parents or caretakers
- Briefly lifting and moving their head, especially during tummy time
2-3 Month Baby Milestones
After 1 month, baby developmental milestones start shifting into more purposeful movements. Babies become more expressive, smiling at caregivers and making cooing sounds. Their muscles strengthen, allowing them to lift their heads more during tummy time, a crucial step for motor development. You’ll notice these milestones as you engage in playtime activities like wiggling toys, making funny faces, and talking to your baby.
Notable 2 and 3 month milestones:
- Starts social smiling and cooing
- Opens and shuts their fists
- Pushes down on their feet when against a surface
- Recognizes familiar faces and objects at a distance
- Grabs and holds objects deliberately
- Leg and arm movements become smoother with increased kicking
- Pushes up slightly during tummy time
- Greater neck and head control during tummy time
- Opens and closes hands more deliberately
- May self-sooth by sucking their thumb or fingers
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4-5 Month Baby Milestones
At the 4-5 month mark, your baby is becoming more curious and interactive. They recognize their caretakers and are more open to playing with new friends and family members. They may start reaching for objects, rolling over, and even experimenting with new sounds.
Playtime activities like taking them on narrative walks, reading together, and encouraging tummy time support physical and mental development during these months. As they grow, these 4 and 5 month old milestones help lay the foundation for speech and mobility.
Exciting milestones for infants 4-5 months:
- Rolls from tummy to back
- Laughs and giggles
- Babbles with different tones
- Reaches for and grasps toys
- Uses hands and eyes to reach for objects
- Pushes body up onto elbows during tummy time
- Imitates sounds and facial expressions
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6-7 Month Baby Milestones
Halfway through their first year, babies begin sitting up without support and responding to their name. They love exploring objects with their hands and mouths, learning through touch and taste.
This stage is also when infant intellectual milestones begin expanding as they recognize patterns and changes. At six months, babies are able to start eating solid food and move past exclusively nursing. This will also bring on exciting new milestones as you learn what foods your child likes.
Milestones for 6-7 month olds:
- Recognizes familiar people
- Enjoys looking in the mirror
- Increased curiosity about surroundings
- Responds to other’s emotions by facial expression and voice
- Tries to "talk" with you
- Says some consonant sounds
- Responds to name
- Explores objects using mouth
- Reaching and passing toys between hands
- Rolls from tummy to back and back to tummy
- May attempt to rock on hands and knees
- May be able to sit without support
- May be able to support their own weight on their feet when held under armpits
- May start crawling
8-9 Month Baby Milestones
At 8-9 months, your baby is becoming more active and curious. Many babies start crawling or scooting during this stage, exploring their surroundings in a whole new way. Some may even begin pulling themselves up to stand while holding onto furniture, preparing for those exciting first steps in the months ahead. Their fine motor skills are also improving, allowing them to grasp smaller items, while socially, they may show more attachment to caregivers or wave and clap to communicate.
Exciting 8-9 month milestones:
- Begins crawling or scooting.
- Uses gestures like waving or clapping
- Begins to understand simple words like "no"
- Stands while holding onto furniture
- Uses gestures like waving or clapping
- Picks up small objects with improved coordination
- May show separation anxiety or fear of strangers
- Remembers the location of objects
- Makes a variety of new sounds
10-12 Month Baby Milestones
In the final months leading to your baby’s first birthday, they are gaining independence and becoming more confident. Many little ones take their first steps around this time, though some may prefer walking while holding onto furniture, called “cruising,” for a little longer before walking on their own. Their fine motor skills are also improving, allowing them to move toys in and out of containers, and they can even start feeding themselves with more coordination.
Language development takes a leap forward as babies begin to imitate words, respond to simple commands. Some may say their first recognizable words, like "mama" or "dada," while others communicate using baby sign language if they’ve been taught. Encouraging a safe, interactive environment will help your baby practice walking, talking, and problem-solving as they explore the world around them.
Milestones 10-12 Month-Olds:
- Gets on their hands and needs independently or pulls themselves up to a standing position
- May take first steps or stand alone without support
- Cruises along furniture for support while walking
- Says first words like “mama” or “dada” and may try imitating others
- Understands simple commands and gestures like waving, clapping, or pointing
- Can understand and use some baby sign language if taught
- Picks up small objects using their fingers
- Moves objects in and out of containers
- Remembers where objects are hidden and may search for them
- Shows preference for certain people, toys, or activities
- Responds to familiar words and recognize their name
- Might follow simple instructions, such as “come here” or “give me the toy”
- Likely experiences some separation anxiety but enjoys social interaction
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When to Talk to a Doctor About 0-12 Month Baby Milestones
Every baby grows at their own pace. If your child isn’t hitting certain milestones when expected, this doesn’t necessarily mean there is a developmental delay. Ultimately, you know your baby best so you should trust your instincts if you are concerned. However, if your baby consistently isn’t meeting 0-12 month newborn milestones, it may be time to talk to your pediatrician.
This list has potential concerns but it is critical to reach out to your doctor and seek their advice to know if your baby’s milestones are on track for their age.
- Lack of eye contact
- No talking, babbling or cooing
- Lack of response to sounds
- Difficulty rolling, crawling, sitting, or standing
- Trouble with fine motor skills like holding and grabbing things
- Difficulty remembering or understanding object placement
Encouraging Baby’s Development at Every Stage
Parents and caregivers play an important role in supporting their baby’s growth each day. Through playing games, interacting, and daily routines, you can help your little one develop essential skills while making wonderful memories.
Ways to encourage milestone for infants:
- Tummy time strengthens muscles for crawling.
- Talking and singing boost language development.
- Sensory play helps refine motor skills and curiosity.
- Reading fosters bonding and intellectual growth.
Grow, Play, and Bond Through Every Milestone with Boppy
Every milestone is a celebration, and Boppy is here to support your baby's journey every step of the way. From those early days of tummy time to their first wobbly steps, our products are designed to provide comfort, encouragement, and developmental support.
Our nursing pillows create a cozy feeding experience, while our tummy time props and play mats help strengthen muscles and build coordination. As your baby grows, interactive play becomes even more important, which is why our Learn & Grow Garden offers a soft, engaging space to explore textures, practice grasping, and develop fine motor skills.
Whether it’s encouraging first words, fostering independence, or creating a comforting space for bonding, Boppy is here to help parents, caretakers and babies navigate every stage with confidence. Explore our collections of nursing pillows, tummy time props, playtime accessories to find the perfect support for your little one’s first year and beyond.