Baby Milestones - What to expect in the First Year
Here's a month-to-month breakdown of a baby’s development during the first year, highlighting physical, cognitive, emotional, and social milestones.
---
Month 1 (Newborn)
**Physical Development:**
- Reflexes: Rooting, sucking, grasping, and Moro (startle) reflex.
- Limited head control; can turn head side to side when lying on their stomach.
- Begins to focus on objects 8-12 inches away.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Responds to familiar voices, especially parents' voices.
- Starts to process light and dark contrasts, focusing on simple shapes.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Begins to form a bond with primary caregivers.
- Cries to communicate needs (hunger, discomfort, etc.).
- Enjoys being held and comforted.
---
Month 2
**Physical Development:**
- Gains better control over head movements; can hold head up briefly when on stomach.
- May begin to push up with arms while on the stomach.
- Eyes can track moving objects.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Smiles in response to familiar faces and voices.
- Starts to recognize and respond to familiar people, like parents.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Begins to coo and make other early sounds.
- Can make eye contact and follow movement.
- Needs a lot of comfort, often through physical contact or swaddling.
---
Month 3
**Physical Development:**
- Can briefly hold head steady when sitting supported.
- Starts to push up with arms during tummy time, showing more strength in upper body.
- May begin to bat at or swipe at dangling objects.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Shows more interest in surroundings and begins to track objects with eyes more smoothly.
- May begin to respond to sounds by turning toward them.
- Starts to recognize faces and shows preference for caregivers.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Shows social smiles, especially in response to others.
- Enjoys playing with parents or caregivers in face-to-face interactions.
- May begin to establish a more predictable sleep pattern.
---
Month 4
**Physical Development:**
- Holds head steady while sitting with support.
- Pushes up onto forearms during tummy time, strengthening neck, back, and shoulder muscles.
- May start to roll over from tummy to back.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Explores objects by putting them in the mouth.
- Can track moving objects with eyes and may reach for toys.
- Begins to develop a sense of object permanence, realizing that things exist even when out of sight.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Laughs out loud and engages in playful "chat" with caregivers.
- Shows interest in mirrors and other reflections.
- Becomes more interactive with caregivers and enjoys playful games like peek-a-boo.
---
Month 5
**Physical Development:**
- Rolls over both ways (tummy to back and back to tummy).
- Can sit with support, may begin to sit briefly without assistance.
- Begins to reach and grab toys intentionally.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Explores objects more deliberately (shaking, banging).
- Responds to their name or simple sounds.
- May begin to recognize familiar faces and objects.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Shows more distinct preferences for certain people or toys.
- Enjoys more interactive play, such as clapping hands or playing with soft toys.
- May become upset if a favorite toy or person is out of sight.
---
Month 6
**Physical Development:**
- Sits without support for short periods.
- Begins to bounce when held upright, showing increased muscle strength.
- Transfers objects from one hand to the other.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Develops a better understanding of cause and effect (e.g., shaking a rattle makes noise).
- Starts to imitate simple actions, such as clapping or waving.
- Has a clearer awareness of familiar people and surroundings.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- May develop separation anxiety when away from caregivers.
- Begins to express emotions more clearly, such as joy, frustration, and surprise.
- Enjoys social interactions, laughing and cooing during play.
---
Month 7
**Physical Development:**
- May begin crawling or scooting on belly.
- Can sit independently for longer periods.
- May start to pull up to a standing position while holding onto furniture.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Explores toys by shaking, banging, and throwing them.
- Understands the concept of "no" but may not always follow it.
- Can recognize familiar words and may begin to associate words with objects.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Displays more clear emotions (e.g., joy, frustration, fear).
- Begins to show interest in interacting with other babies or children.
- Separation anxiety may intensify.
---
Month 8
**Physical Development:**
- Crawls more efficiently, moving hands and knees in a coordinated way.- Stands with support, may cruise along furniture.
- Develops pincer grasp (using thumb and forefinger) to pick up small objects.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Can search for hidden objects, showing more advanced object permanence.
- Imitates simple actions, such as clapping or waving bye-bye.
- Understands simple commands like “give me” or “come here.”
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- May become more clingy with parents or caregivers, showing stronger attachment.
- Demonstrates more awareness of strangers, may be cautious or shy.
- Enjoys social games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.
---
Month 9
**Physical Development:**
- May stand alone briefly without support.
- Begins to crawl more quickly and with better coordination.
- Uses pincer grasp to pick up smaller objects like cereal or small toys.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Shows increased curiosity, exploring objects in new ways.
- Understands the concept of "out of sight, not out of mind" better, and can find hidden toys.
- May begin to babble more clearly, combining consonant sounds like "ba-ba" or "da-da."
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- More expressive with emotions, demonstrating frustration, joy, and excitement.
- Starts to show clear attachment to primary caregivers and may protest when separated.
- Enjoys playing games like peek-a-boo, showing an awareness of others' reactions.
---
Month 10
**Physical Development:**
- Pulls up to a standing position on furniture.
- May begin walking while holding onto furniture ("cruising").
- Improved dexterity, may start using a spoon or cup with assistance.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Understands more words and simple instructions, such as “give me” or “clap hands.”
- Explores cause and effect more (e.g., drops an object to watch it fall).
- May begin to understand the difference between familiar and unfamiliar people.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Begins to express preferences for certain people, toys, or activities.
- May show more social engagement with family and familiar caregivers.
- May start to demonstrate some independence, such as wanting to feed themselves.
---
Month 11
**Physical Development:**
- May begin to stand independently or take a few steps unassisted.
- Walks with help, holding hands or pushing a toy.
- Develops better fine motor skills, like stacking blocks or pointing at objects.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Imitates more complex actions, such as brushing hair or talking on the phone.
- May understand a few simple words, such as "no" or "bye-bye."
- Shows interest in pretend play, such as feeding a doll.
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- May show more distinct attachment to parents, possibly becoming anxious when separated.
- Shows a wider range of emotions, including joy, frustration, and affection.
- Enjoys interacting with others and playing social games.
---
Month 12 (1 Year)
**Physical Development:**
- May walk independently, or be close to walking unaided.
- Can stack a few blocks, point at objects, or hand toys to others.
- Improved hand-eye coordination, such as feeding themselves with a spoon or using a cup with minimal help.
**Cognitive Development:**
- Demonstrates object permanence—knows that objects and people still exist even if they are out of sight.
- Understands and responds to simple commands or questions.
- May begin saying a few words (e.g., "mama," "dada," or other simple words).
**Emotional & Social Development:**
- Expresses more defined emotions, including happiness, sadness, and anger.- Shows awareness of others' emotions and may comfort a crying caregiver or sibling.
- Enjoys engaging in interactive play and may imitate household activities.
---
Each baby develops at their own pace, so there can be variability in the timing of these milestones. Some babies may reach these stages earlier or later than others, and that's completely normal. Always consult with a pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s development.