What to Expect in The First Year of Life? | Baby Milestones

There’s so much to look forward to in the first year of a baby’s life. Most people may think of the first head lift, step, or word –but there’s a list of other developmental milestones awaiting!

Without much further ado, let’s explore the milestones from birth to 12 months.

1 Month

• Lifts head while on tummy, for short periods
• If something touches baby’s palm, his fingers will clench it (grasp reflex)
• Responds to loud sounds
• Focuses on human faces
• Will turn head and eyes towards light

2 Months

• Smiles
• Makes cooing and gurgling sounds
• Follows objects with eyes
• Sleeps longer (typically 15-16 hours a day, sporadically)
• Movements are less jerky

3 Months

• May suck thumbs or fingers (more aware of his hands)
• Recognizes faces of caregivers and close family members
• Shows preferences for certain textures or touch
• Lifts head and chest when on tummy
• Kicks and straightens legs when lying on back
• Starts to imitate sounds
• Pushes legs down when in a “standing” position

4 Months

• Rolls over (usually from tummy to back)
• Sits with support
• Responds with coos when talked to
• Reaches for things with one hand
• Cries to express different feelings (such as discomfort, hunger, pain, etc.)
• Mimics facial expressions (e.g., smiling or frowning)

5 Months

• Can focus on small objects
• Explores the concept of cause and effect (baby notices that actions have consequences, such as when he drops things onto the floor)
• Starts teething
• Enjoys playing with his own hands and feet

6 Months

• Rolls over from front to back, and the other way around
• Sits without support (or minimal support)
• Attempts crawling
• Able to try solid foods
• Drinks from cup, with support
• Sees across a room (vision is getting closer to that of an adult)
• Puts together two-syllable sounds

7 Months

• Reaches for things with a sweeping motion
• Enjoys looking in a mirror
• Plays peekaboo
• Tries to imitate speech sounds
• Self-feeds some finger foods
• Recognizes emotion in different tones of voice

8 Months

• Responds to name
• May show “separation anxiety” when separated from primary caregiver
• Will turn head away if finished eating
• Can get into crawling position (on arms and knees)
• Moves objects from one hand to another
• Says “mama” and “baba” (said to both parents; isn’t specific)

9 Months

• Crawls on floor
• Pulls himself up (using furniture) to standing position
• Waves “bye-bye”
• Points or reaches for things he wants
• Displays curiosity

10 Months

• Picks things up with thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp)
• Able to stack things (e.g, cups)
• Crawls well

11 Months

• Says “mama” and “baba” to the right parent
• Knows what “no” means
• Can clap hands

12 Months

• Can shake head to say “no”
• Walks with help of adult
• Bangs two cubes together
• “Dances” to music