Baby milestones are a great way to chart your baby’s growth and development but they are really only guidelines. Many new mothers spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not their baby will reach a specific milestone by a specific age. New mothers might also feel pressure from friends, family members or other new mothers if their baby doesn’t seem to be developing as quickly as other babies. The truth is that babies develop at their own rate. The following guide to baby milestones is designed to help you get a basic idea of what your baby should be able to do when but remember, it is only a guide. If you’re worried visit your doctor and express your concerns. He or she will be able to offer you advice and likely set your mind at ease. Just a word of explanation before we jump in: mastered skills are the skills your baby has already learned, emerging skills are skills your baby is just beginning to learn and advanced skills are skills some babies (not most) will have picked up by the age in question.
1 Month Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby responds to sounds.
- Baby lifts its head on its own.
- Baby stares at people’s faces when being talked to, held or looked at.
Emerging Skills
- Baby is starting to follow objects with its eyes.
- Baby is beginning to make “ooh” and “ahh” sounds.
- Baby is able to see basic black and white patterns (like the pattern on a shirt, a blanket or a toy).
Advanced Skills
- Baby may smile.
- Baby may laugh.
- Baby may be able to hold its head up at a 45° angle.
2 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby makes gurgling sounds.
- Baby ‘coos’.
- Baby takes notice of his or her own hands.
- Baby is able to follow an object that is moved in front of its eyes or that moves within its field of vision (a finger moving in front of its face, for example).
- Baby begins to not only lift its head but hold its head up for short amounts of time.
Emerging Skills
- Baby starts moving in smoother motions.
- Baby is beginning to smile.
- Baby is beginning to laugh.
- Baby is able to hold its head at a 45° angle.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may be able to support weight on its legs for short periods of time.
- Baby may be able to lift its head and shoulders when lying on his or her belly.
3 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby is able to recognize your face.
- Baby is able to hold its head steady.
- Baby is able to follow moving objects.
Emerging Skills
- In addition to cooing, oohing and ahhing, baby begins to squeal.
- Baby begins to recognize the sound of your voice.
- Baby is able to lift its head and shoulders when lying on his or her belly.
- Baby start blowing bubbles.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may be able to roll from its belly to its back on its own.
- Baby may start turning toward loud sounds.
- Baby may start pulling its hands together (clapping motions).
- Baby may be able to put its hands on toys.
4 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby can support weight on its legs for short periods of time.
- Baby is smiling and laughing.
- Baby responds to those talking to it with coos.
Emerging Skills
- Baby is starting to grip toys.
- Baby is starting to roll from its belly to its back on its own.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may start repeating “baba” and “dada” sounds.
- Baby may start teething.
- Baby may be able to eat solids.
5 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby can tell the difference between bright, bold colors.
- Baby has started playing with its hands and feet.
Emerging Skills
- Baby starts responding to its name.
- Baby will start rolling over from belly to back and from back to belly on its own.
- Baby will begin looking in the direction of new sounds or sounds it doesn’t recognize.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may start sitting on its own without support for brief periods of time.
- Baby may begin getting upset when away from Mommy or Daddy.
6 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby starts looking in the direction of voices and sounds.
- Baby will start to mimic sounds.
- Baby will be able to roll from its belly to its back and from its back to its belly on its own.
Emerging Skills
- Baby may be ready for solids.
- Baby will start being able to sit without support.
- Baby will start putting toys and other objects in its mouth.
- Baby will start to be able to pass an object from one hand to the other.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may start crawling or lunging forward.
- Baby may begin ‘chattering’ or combining syllables (“ba-da” “da-na” etc).
- Baby may start grasping objects and pulling them closer.
7 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby can sit on its own without support.
- Baby starts grasping objects to pull them closer.
Emerging Skills
- Baby will start crawling or lunging forward.
- Baby will begin ‘chattering’ or combining syllables.
- Baby will start getting cranky, fussy or nervous around strangers.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may be able to stand while supporting its weight with something (the coffee table or furniture).
- Baby may begin banging toys or other objects together.
- Baby may start waving goodbye.
soruce: jaimecoyle.com
8 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby will say “mama” and “dada” although they likely won’t associate the word with one parent or the other.
- Baby will be able to pass an object from one hand to the other.
Emerging Skills
- Baby will start standing with an object supporting its weight.
- Baby will start crawling.
- Baby will start pointing to objects or people.
- Baby will start looking for objects it is unable to see.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may start pulling itself to a standing position.
- Baby may start using ‘pincer grip’ (gripping with the thumb and finger) to grasp objects.
- Baby may start telling you what it wants by gesturing.
9 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby will begin standing with support.
- Baby will chatter and combine syllables.
- Baby will start to understand that objects or people don’t disappear although it can no longer see the object or person.
Emerging Skills
- Baby will start holding furniture and walking.
- Baby is starting to drink from sippy cups.
- Baby will begin feeding itself using its hands.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may start associating “mama” and “dada” with the correct parent.
- Baby may start enjoying games like “Peek-a-Boo” and “Patty Cake”
10 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby will wave goodbye.
- Baby will use ‘pincer grip’ to pick up objects.
- Baby will crawl without their tummy touching the floor.
Emerging Skills
- Baby will start associating “mama” and “dada” with the correct parent.
- Baby will start telling you what it wants with gestures.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may be able to stand on its own without support for a few moments.
- Baby may start putting objects into containers.
11 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby says “mama” and “dada” to the appropriate parent.
- Baby enjoys playing “Peek-a-Boo” and “Patty Cake”
- Baby is able to stand on its own without support for a few moments.
Emerging Skills
- Baby will start understanding the word “no”.
- Baby will start understanding basic instructions.
- Baby will start putting objects into containers.
Advanced Skills
- Baby’s vocabulary may include one word other than “mama” or “dada”
- Baby may start stooping down from a standing position.
soruce: pediatrics.about.com
12 Months Old
Mastered Skills
- Baby will start mimicking the actions of others around them.
- Baby will start gesturing for what they want.
Emerging Skills
- Baby will start taking steps.
- Baby’s vocabulary will include one word other than “mama” or “dada” which they will begin saying.
Advanced Skills
- Baby may start “drawing” using crayons.
- Baby may be able to walk on its own.
- Baby’s vocabulary may include two words other than “mama” or “dada”.
Again, not to be repetitive, but this is a point I feel must be stressed – don’t take this guide as law. Some babies – perfectly healthy, perfectly normal babies – take a little longer to reach the milestones than other babies while some reach them far sooner than expected. Some babies will reach some milestones far ahead of the expected age and reach others later. If you’re concerned, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. If there is something wrong, you’ll want to know as early as possible. Thanks for reading and make sure you come back to read all about the baby milestones you can expect your baby to reach in year two.
