Baby’s Development Month by Month

Remember that the following milestones are listed under the FIRST month in which they may or may not be achieved. You should know that babies develop at different rates, so if your baby has not compiled with one or more of these milestones, it does not mean that something is wrong with him/her. He or she will probably develop these skills within the next few months. But if you are still worried, always consider discussing this with your baby’s pediatrician, or a specialist. The delay could eventually indicate a problem, but most of the time it will be normal for your baby. Also, it is good to consider that premature babies generally reach milestones later than others of the same birth age; often achieving them closer to the adjusted age and sometimes later.

The Baby’s First Month:

1. Can lift head momentarily
2. Turns head from side to side when lying on back
3. Hands stay clenched
4. Strong grasp reflex present
5. Looks and follow object moving in front of them in range of 45 degrees
6. Sees black and white patterns
7. Quiets when a voice is heard
8. Cries to express displeasure
9. Makes throaty sounds
10. Looks intently at parents when they talk to them

The Baby’s Second Month:

1. Lifts head almost 45 degrees when lying on stomach
2. Head bobs forward when held in sitting position
3. Head bobs forward when held in sitting position
4. Grasp reflex decreases
5. Follows dangling objects with eyes
6. Visually searches for sounds
7. Make noises other than crying
8. Cries become distinctive (wet, hungry, etc.)
9. Vocalizes to familiar voices
10. Social smile demonstrated in response to various stimuli

The Baby’s Third Month:

1. Begins to bear partial weight on both legs when held in a standing position
2. Able to hold head up when sitting but still bobs forward
3. When lying on stomach can raise head and shoulders between 45 and 90 degrees
4. Bears weight on forearms
5. Grasp reflex absent
6. Holds objects but does not reach for them
7. Clutches own hands and pulls at blankets and clothes
8. Follows objects 180 degrees
9. Locates sound by turning head and looking in the same direction
10. Squeals, coos, babbles, and chuckles
11. Talks” when spoken to
12. Recognize faces, voices, and objects
13. Smile when he/she sees familiar people, and engages in play with them
14. Shows awareness to strange situations

The Baby’s Fourth Month:

1. Drooling begins
2. Good head control
3. Sits with support
4. Bear some weight on legs when held upright
5. Raise head and chest off surface to a 90 degree angle
6. Rolls from back to side
7. Explores and plays with hands
8. Tries to reach for objects but overshoots
9. Grasps objects with both hands
10. Eye-hand coordination begins
11. Makes consonant sounds
12. Laughs
13. Enjoys being rocked, bounced or swung

The Baby’s Fifth Month:

1. Signs of teething begin
2. Holds head up when sitting
3. Rolls from stomach to back
4. When lying on back puts feet to mouth
5. Voluntarily grasps and holds objects
6. Plays with toes
7. Takes objects directly to mouth
8. Watches objects that are dropped
9. Say “ah-goo” or similar vowel-consonant combinations
10. Smiles at mirror image
11. Get upset if you take a toy away
12. Can tell family and strangers apart
13. Begin to discover parts of their body

The Baby’s Sixth Month:

1. Chewing and biting occur
2. When on back can lift chest and part of stomach off the surface bearing weight on hands
3. Lifts head when pulled to a sitting position
4. Rolls from back to stomach
5. Bears majority of weight when being held in a standing position
6. Grasps and controls small objects
7. Holds bottle
8. Grabs feet and pulls to mouth
9. Adjust body to see an object
10. Turns head from side to side and then look up or down
11. Prefers more complex visual stimuli
12. Says one syllable sounds like “ma”, “mu”, “da”, and “di”
13. Recognizes parents

The Baby’s Seventh Month:

1. Sit without support, may lean forward on both hands
2. Bears full weight on feet
3. Bounces when held in standing position
4. Bear weight on one hand when lying on stomach
5. Transfers objects from one hand to another
6. Bangs objects on surfaces
7. Able to fixate on small objects
8. Responds to name
9. Awareness of depth and space begin
10. Has taste preferences
11. “Talks” when others are talking

The Baby’s Eight Month:

1. Sits well without support
2. Bears weight on legs and may stand holding on to furniture
3. Adjust posture to reach an object
4. Picks up objects using index, fourth, and fifth finger against thumb
5. Able to release objects
6. Pulls string to obtain object
7. Reaches for toys that are out of reach
8. Listens selectively to familiar words
9. Begins combining syllables like “mama” and “dada” but does not attach a meaning
10. Understand the word no (but not always obey it!)
11. Dislikes diaper change and being dressed

The Baby’s Ninth Month:

1. Begins crawling
2. Pull up to standing position from sitting
3. Sits for a prolonged time (10minutes)
4. May develop a preference for use of one hand
5. Uses thumb and index finger to pick up objects
6. Responds to simple verbal commands
7. Comprehends “no no”
8. Increased interest in pleasing parents
9. Puts arms in front of face to avoid having it washed

The Baby’s Tenth Month:

1. Go from stomach to sitting position
2. Sits by falling down
3. Recovers balance easily while sitting
4. Lifts one foot to take a step while standing
5. Comprehends “bye-bye”
6. Say “dada” or “mama” with meaning
7. Says one other word beside “mama” and “dada” (hi, bye, no, go)
8. Waves bye
9. Object permanence begins to develop
10. Repeats actions that attract attention
11. Plays interactive games such a “pat-a-cake”
12. Enjoys being read to and follows pictures in books

The Baby’s Eleventh Month:

1. Walks holding on to furniture or other objects
2. Places one object after another into a container
3. Reaches back to pick up an object when sitting
4. Explores objects more thoroughly
5. Able to manipulate objects out of tight fitting spaces
6. Rolls a ball when asked
7. Becomes excited when a task is mastered
8. Acts frustrated when restricted
9. Shakes head for “no”

The Baby’s Twelfth Month:

1. Walks with one hand held
2. May stand alone and attempt first steps alone
3. Sits down from standing position without help
4. Attempts to build two block tower but may fail
5. Turns pages in a book
6. Follows rapidly moving objects
7. Says three or more words other than “mama” or “dada”
8. Comprehends the meaning of several words
9. Repeat the same words over & over again
10. Imitate sounds; such as the sounds dogs and cats make
11. Recognizes objects by name
12. Understands simple verbal commands
13. Shows affection
14. Shows independence in familiar surrounding
15. Clings to parents in strange situation
16. Searches for object where it was last seen