Age 0-1

The first year of your baby's life is a remarkable period of rapid growth and development. Each month brings new and exciting changes as your baby navigates the world around them.

While it is natural for parents to wonder about their baby's developmental milestones and what to expect next, it is important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace. There is a broad range of normalcy for reaching specific milestones, and it is common for babies to excel in one area while taking more time with others.

For example, some babies may utter their first word as early as eight months, while others may not begin speaking until after their first birthday. Similarly, the onset of walking can occur anywhere between nine and 18 months.

With these variations in mind, let's explore the general milestones your baby may be reaching during each three-month stage of their first year.

Baby Development: 1 to 3 Months

During this initial stage, your baby's body and brain are adapting to the outside world. Between birth and three months, it is likely that your baby will:

• Smile: Initially, their smiles may be directed inward, but by three months, they will respond to your smiles and attempt to elicit smiles from you.

• Lift their head and chest when placed on their tummy.

• Track objects with their eyes and show a decrease in eye crossing.

• Open and close their hands and bring them to their mouth.

• Grip objects in their hands.

• Make swiping motions or attempt to reach for dangling objects, although they might not be able to grasp them yet.

Baby Development: 4 to 6 Months

During these months, babies begin to actively explore and manipulate their environment. They develop better control over their hands and vocalize more.

From 4 to 6 months old, your baby may:

• Roll over from front to back or vice versa, with rolling from front to back often occurring first.

• Babble and produce sounds that resemble real language.

• Laugh in response to humorous stimuli.

• Reach out for and grab objects, demonstrating improved hand-eye coordination.

• Sit up with support and exhibit good head control.

Baby Development: 7 to 9 Months

In the latter half of their first year, babies become more mobile and independent. They discover various ways to move around and actively engage with their surroundings. During this period, your baby may:

• Begin crawling, which can manifest as scooting, commando crawling, or traditional crawling on hands and knees. Some babies may skip crawling altogether and progress directly to walking.

• Sit unsupported.

• Respond to familiar words, such as their name, and may briefly pause and look when hearing the word "No." They might also start babbling "Mum mum" and "Dad dad dad."

• Clap their hands and participate in interactive games like patty-cake and peek-a-boo.

• Pull themselves up to a standing position with support.

Baby Development: 10 to 12 Months

The final stage of your baby's first year marks a significant transition. While they may appear more like a toddler, they still exhibit many baby-like qualities. During this period, your baby will likely:

• Begin feeding themselves, developing the ability to hold small objects between their thumb and forefinger (known as the pincer grasp).

• Cruise by moving around the room while holding onto furniture for support.

• Say one or two words, with "Mum" and "Dad dad" becoming specific names for parents. The range of spoken words can vary greatly, with an average of around 3-5 words by the first birthday.

• Point at objects to gain your attention or express their desires.

• Engage in pretend play by imitating your actions or using objects in a purposeful manner, such as pretending to talk on the phone.

Take their first steps, typically occurring around their first birthday, although the timing can vary.

As you observe these developmental milestones in your baby, remember to celebrate their unique progress and growth. Your child's journey through their first year is a testament to their individuality and the wonder of their development.