So you’ve gone through it all: 

• Learned everything you need to know about pregnancy
• Planned the perfect baby shower
• Bought all the must-have baby products you can find

 

And now, your baby is finally out in the world! 

 

The thing about babies is that they will only take 12 months to grow from a little human being that would be helpless without you to an active toddler running all around the house. During these months, your baby will experience many milestones and developments that will keep you on your toes. 

 

However, if you’re a new parent, you might not know what to expect next and whether or not your baby’s growth and development are on target. One thing to remember, though, is that every child develops at their own pace—some will meet certain milestones earlier than others. 

 

Despite this, it’s always better to speak to a health care provider if you believe your kid is showing signs of delay in their learning, acting, and mobility. Of course, slight delays are normal, but a healthcare professional can help determine whether it needs further investigation. Remember, intervention is more effective when developmental red flags are identified immediately. 

 

Below, we’ve listed the growth and development milestones to look forward to, which you can use as a guide for your child’s wellness checkups. 

Newborn Milestones 

Your baby has only been with you for a week, but they already trust you. At this point, they can already identify your voice, and this familiarity helps them become used to the world outside of the womb. Although they cannot understand what you are saying, talking to them shows your affection and eventually lays the groundwork for language development in their brain.

 

Some milestones to look out for include: 

• They recognize your voice 
• They can focus on objects 8 to 14 inches away from them 
• By week three, they will begin to snuggle with you 
• By week four, they are cooing and making “ahh” sounds 

Milestones at One to Three Months 

Throughout this initial stage of development, your baby’s body and mind are learning to function in the outside world.

Movement Milestones 

• Makes quivering, jerky arm thrusts 
• Strong grip 
• Moves head from side to side whenever they’re lying on their stomach
• When unsupported, the head flops backward 

Visual and Hearing Milestones 

• Hearing is fully mature 
• Turns toward familiar voices and sounds 
• Eyes tend to wander and cross occasionally 
• They prefer high-contrast or black-and-white patterns 

 

Social and Emotional Milestone 

• Tracks movement with eyes 
• Begins to develop a gummy smile

What To Watch Out For 

Notify your physician if your baby exhibits any of the following developmental delay symptoms in their first, second, or third months of life: 

• Feeds slowly and sucks poorly 
• Doesn’t blink when exposed to a bright light 
• Doesn’t focus and follow a close-moving object 
• Doesn’t react to loud noises 
• Rarely moves arms and legs 
• Seems excessively floppy or loose in the limbs 
• Lower jaw trembles regularly, even when they’re not crying

Milestones at Four to Six Months 

During these months, baby milestones become even more exciting! You can expect some babbling, laughing, and improved hand-eye coordination. Your little one may also begin to move about by rolling over. So, get ready for a more active baby! 

Movement Milestones 

• Brings hand to mouth 
• Uses hand to swipe at dangling objects 
• Grabs and shakes hand toys 
• Hands open and close 
• Supports upper body with arms while resting on the stomach 

Visual and Hearing Milestones 

• Watches your face intently 
• Follows moving objects 
• Starts using eyes and hands in coordination 
• Imitates sounds 
• Babbles 

Social and Emotional Milestones 

• Enjoys playing with others and cries when playing stops 
• Becomes more expressive with face and body 
• Imitates some of your movements and facial expressions 

What To Watch Out For 

Talk to your physician if you see any warning symptoms below in your baby at this age.

• Doesn’t appear to react to loud noises
• After two months, doesn’t notice their hands
• Not smiling two months after hearing your voice
• Doesn’t follow moving objects with their eyes by the second or third month
• Doesn’t hold or grasp objects by three months 
• Doesn’t babble by three to four months 
• Cannot support their head at three months 

Milestones at Seven to Nine Months 

Your baby is now a baby-on-the-go! They’ll spend the following months finding out how to move forward or backward after discovering that they can move anywhere by rolling over. So better get started baby-proofing your home if you haven’t already!

Movement Milestones 

• Starts to crawl 
• Sits without support 
• Stands, holding on to furniture or an adult for support 
• Picks up toy using fingertips and thumb 
• Squats to pick up a toy 

Language and Cognitive Milestones 

• Lifts arms up to tell you that they want to be picked up 
• Starts babbling “mama” or “dada”
• Clap and play games such as peekaboo or patty-cake 

Social and Emotional Milestones 

• Begins to show several facial expressions such as happy, sad, or angry 
• Looks when you call their name 
• Laughs and smiles when you play 
• Interested in mirror images 

What To Watch Out For 

While all babies mature at different rates, consult your physician at this stage of development if your baby: 

• Doesn’t make eye contact 
• Doesn’t recognize you or a primary carer 
• Doesn’t recognize sounds made by other people 
• Hold their body stiff instead of sitting 

Milestones at Ten to Twelve Months 

The final developmental period of a baby’s first year is quite a transition. They could behave more like a toddler because they are no longer an infant. However, in many respects, they are still a baby. Here’s what to expect! 

Movement Milestones 

• Begins feeding themselves by using a pincer grasp 
• Sits without assistance 
• Stands momentarily without any support
• Pulls self up to stand 
• Walks by holding on to furniture or an adult 
• May begin to walk two or three steps without support 

Language and Cognitive Milestones 

• Says “mama” or “dada” 
• Responds to simple verbal commands 
• Pays attention to speech 
• Tries to imitate the words you say 
• Uses simple gestures like shaking head for “no” 
• Explores objects through banging, dropping, throwing, or shaking 
• Imitates gestures 
• Begins to use objects such as drinking from cup or brushing hair 

Social and Emotional Milestones 

• Feels shy or anxious around strangers 
• Shows preference for toys and people 
• Prefers mom or primary carer over everyone else 
• Repeats sounds or gestures for attention 

What To Watch Out For

If your little one exhibits any of the following indications of a potential developmental delay between the ages of ten and twelve months, inform your physician.

• Doesn’t crawl
• Doesn’t learn to use gestures like shaking head or waving
• Can’t stand even when supported 
• Can’t say single words such as “mama” or “dada” 

When Should You Seek Professional Care During Your Baby’s Development? 

If you think your baby is not meeting some vital growth and developmental milestones, the very first thing you should do is trust your gut. Then, if you genuinely feel like there’s something wrong, talk to your doctor about it. In these cases, early intervention is best, and you know your child better than anyone else. 

 

There really is no race in an infant’s development! Your little one will grow at their own pace. And as a parent, the most vital thing you have to do now is to be present for most, if not all, of it. 

For more insightful articles on childbirth, health, and family, make sure to follow Eighty MPH Mom!