Baby development milestones 0-12 months
We begin with a guest post from Milestones Baby Massage, Clare has shared her baby milestones cheat sheet for the first 12 months of a babies life.
It is important to remember that this is only a rough guide and sometimes children achieve the milestones faster and some do take a lot longer, however you know your child best so if you are ever in doubt about their development then you should consult a doctor or specialist.
1 Month
Lifts head when lying on tummy
Responds to sounds & voices
Stares at faces
Gaze at mother during feeding
Follows objects with eyes
Vocalises with 'oohs' and 'aahs'
Can see black and white patterns
Smiles and laughs
Holds head at 45 degrees angle
2 Months
Gurgles and coos
Follows objects across his field of vision
Awareness of hands, will try to put them in their mouth
Can hold head up for short periods
Smiles and laughs
Holds head at 45 degree angle
Makes smoother movements
Holds head steady
Can bear weight on legs if supported
Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini push ups)
3 Months
Recognises your face and scent
Holds head steady
Eyes will deliberately follow moving objects
Begins to gurgle and coo intentionally
Blows bubbles
Recognises mothers voice
Does mini push ups
Rolls over, from tummy to back
Turns towards loud sounds
Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 Months
Smiles and laughs
Can bear weight on legs when supported
Coos when spoken to
Can grasp a toy
Rolls over - from tummy to back
Imitates sounds like 'baba' and 'dada'
Cuts first teeth
5 Months
distinguishes between bold colours
Plays with hands and feet
Recognises own name
Turns toward new sounds
Roll over in both directions
Sits momentarily without support
Separation anxiety may begin
6 Months
Turns towards sounds and voices
Imitates sounds
Rolls over in both directions
Ready for solid food
Can sit up un-supported
Passes objects from hand to hand
Lunges forward or starts crawling
Jabbers or combines syllabales
Drags objects towards themself
7 Months
Can sit independently without support
Drags objects towards themself
Lunges forward or starts crawling
Jabbers or combines syllabales
Starts to experience stranger (person) anxiety
Waves good-bye
Stands while holding on to something
Bangs objects together
Recognises toys and belongings
8 Months
Says 'Mama' and 'Dada' to both parents ( non-speceific)
Passes objects from hand to hand
Stands while holding on to something
Crawls
Points at objects
Searches for hidden things
Pulls self to standing and will cruise around furniture
Picks things up with thumb and finger - pincer grip
Will gesture when they want something
9 Months
Stands whilst holding on to something
Combines syllabels to word like sounds
Understands object permanence
Cruise around furniture
Eats with fingers
Bangs objects together
Can clap and play peek-a-boo
Says 'mama' and 'dada' to correct parent
10 Months
Waves good-bye
Picks things up with pincer grip
Crawls well, with belly off ground
Says 'mama' and 'dada' to correct parent
Indicates with gestures
Stands alone for a couple of seconds
Puts objects into containers
11 Months
Claps and plays peek-a-boo
Stands alone for a couple of seconds
Understands 'No' and other simple instructions
Puts objects into containers
Says one word other than 'mama' or 'dada'
Stoops from standing position
12 Months
Imitates others activities
Indicates with gestures
Takes a few steps
Says one word other than 'mama' or 'dada'
Walks alone
Scribbles with crayon
Says two words besides 'mama' or 'dada'
1 month
Primary skills
Lifts head when lying on tummy
Responds to sounds & voices
Stares at faces, Gaze at mother during feeding
Developing skills
Follows objects with eyes
Vocalises with 'oohs' and 'aahs'
Can see black and white patterns
Advanced skills
Smiles and laughs
Holds head at 45 degrees angle
2 months
Primary skills
Gurgles and coos
Follows objects across his field of vision
Awareness of hands, will try to put them in their mouth
Can hold head up for short periods
Developing skills
Smiles and laughs
Holds head at 45 degree angle
Makes smoother movements
Advanced skills
Holds head steady
Can bear weight on legs if supported
Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini push ups)
3 months
Primary skills
Recognises your face and scent
Holds head steady
Eyes will deliberately follow moving objects
Developing skills
Begins to gurgle and coo intentionally
Blows bubbles
Recognises mothers voice
Does mini push ups
Advanced skills
Rolls over, from tummy to back
Turns towards loud sounds
Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 months
Primary skills
Smiles and laughs
Can bear weight on legs when supported
Coos when spoken to
Developing skills
Can grasp a toy
Rolls over - from tummy to back
Advanced skills
Imitates sounds like 'baba' and 'dada'
Cuts first teeth
5 months
Primary skills
distinguishes between bold colours
Plays with hands and feet
Developing skills
Recognises own name
Turns toward new sounds
Roll over in both directions
Advanced skills
Sits momentarily without support
Separation anxiety may begin
6 months
Primary skills
Turns towards sounds and voices
Imitates sounds
Rolls over in both directions
Developing skills
Ready for solid food
Can sit up un-supported
Passes objects from hand to hand
Advanced skills
Lunges forward or starts crawling
Jabbers or combines syllabales
Drags objects towards themself
7 months
Primary skills
Can sit independently without support
Drags objects towards themself
Developing skills
Lunges forward or starts crawling
Jabbers or combines syllabales
Starts to experience stranger (person) anxiety
Advanced skills
Waves good-bye
Stands while holding on to something
Bangs objects together
Recognises toys and belongings
8 months
Primary skills
Can sit independently without support
Drags objects towards themself
Developing skills
Lunges forward or starts crawling
Jabbers or combines syllabales
Starts to experience stranger (person) anxiety
Advanced skills
Waves good-bye
Stands while holding on to something
Bangs objects together
Recognises toys and belongings
9 months
Primary skills
Stands whilst holding on to something
Combines syllabels to word like sounds
Understands object permanence
Developing skills
Cruise around furniture
Eats with fingers
Bangs objects together
Advanced skills
Can clap and play peek-a-boo
Says 'mama' and 'dada' to correct parent
10 months
Primary skills
Waves good-bye
Picks things up with pincer grip
Crawls well, with belly off ground
Developing skills
Says 'mama' and 'dada' to correct parent
Indicates with gestures
Advanced skills
Stands alone for a couple of seconds
Puts objects into containers
11 months
Primary skills
Claps and plays peek-a-boo
Stands alone for a couple of seconds
Developing skills
Understands 'No' and other simple instructions
Puts objects into containers
Advanced skills
Says one word other than 'mama' or 'dada'
Stoops from standing position
12 months
Primary skills
Imitates others activities
Indicates with gestures
Developing skills
Takes a few steps
Says one word other than 'mama' or 'dada'
Advanced skills
Walks alone
Scribbles with crayon
Says two words besides 'mama' or 'dada'