The first year of your baby’s life can be a wonderful journey in discovery and a period of many firsts. During this time, you’ll witness your baby’s first smile, her first tummy roll, her first teeth and her first adventures in crawling. This year, your baby will make headway in many departments, from social interactions and language development to large motor responses and hand-eye coordination. Exciting times await, and as you count down to your little one’s first birthday, you can expect to uncover developments every single month.Baby Milestones to Expect This YearMonthMilestonesMonth 1
Momentarily lifts head
Turns head while lying down
Clenches hands
Focuses on moving objects within a range of 45 degrees
Responds to voices
Cries to display discontent
Makes soft gurgles
Engages and makes eye contact in response to verbal communication
Month 2
Raises head at a 45 degree angle while lying on belly
Tips head forward while seated with support
Observes and follows moving objects
Tries to decipher sound sources
Exhibits different calls for different needs
Responds to familiar voices
Smiles in response to an array of stimuli
Month 3
Raises head between a 45 and 90 degree angle while lying on belly
Becomes capable of holding head up without support, but still tips forward
Observes and follows moving objects across a 180 degree arc
Begins to decipher sound sources
Smiles and responds to familiar faces
Starts to be comfortable with bearing weight on legs while held upright
Pulls blankets and garments within reach
Makes an assortment of sounds
Demonstrates an understanding of unfamiliar situations
Month 4
Raises head and chest to a 90 degree angle while resting on belly
Bears weight on legs while held upright
Begins to drool
Exhibits decent head control
Sits when supported
Rolls over sideways when lying on back
Begins to explore playing with hands
Attempts to reach for objects with both hands but misses the mark
Demonstrates hand-eye coordination
Makes consonant sounds
Laughs for the first time
Likes being cradled, swung and bounced
Month 5
Demonstrates first signs of teething
Holds head upright while seated
Flips over from belly to back
Enjoys putting toes in mouth when laying on back
Successfully reaches for objects
Instinctively inserts objects in mouth
Makes sounds that contain vowels and consonants
Smiles at reflection
Demonstrates discontent at having a toy taken away
Can distinguish between family and strangers
Begins to show awareness about different parts of the body
Month 6
Attempts to chew and bite
Attempts to lift chest and part of belly with the hands while laying face-down
Lifts head when seated upright
Rolls over from back to belly
Holds large part of own weight while standing
Grasps and shows control over small toys and objects
Navigates angles to see a person or object
Responds to and appreciates complex visual stimuli
Makes one-syllable words like ‘da’, ‘ma’, ‘du’ and ‘mi’
Capable of recognising parents and close family
Month 7
Sits without assistance
Supports entire weight on feet
Bounces while held upright
Able to support weight one-handed while lying on belly
Moves toys and objects between hands
Enjoys banging toys on hard surfaces
Demonstrates fascination for small objects
Recognises name
Begins to show awareness of depth, distance and space
Develops preferences in taste
Attempts to ‘talk’ when hearing others talking
Month 8
Sits comfortably without assistance
Supports entire weight on feet and learns to stand independently with support
Alters position to reach for toys and objects
Uses index, ring and little fingers to pick up objects
Releases grasp of objects
Exhibits selective understanding of words
Begins constructing short consonant-vowel words like ‘dada’ and ‘mama’, without understanding their significance
Displays understanding of the word ‘no’ but does not always respond appropriately
Displays displeasure at having to have diaper and clothes changed
Month 9
Starts to crawl
Pulls up independently to a standing position
Sits for extended periods
Begins to favour one hand over the other
Uses index finger and thumb to pick up objects
Displays understanding of basic commands
Displays deeper understanding of the word ‘no’
Exhibits an eagerness to oblige parents
Covers face with arms to escape having it cleaned
Month 10
Tips over independently from belly to sitting position
Learns to sit by falling
Regains balance comfortably while seated
Lifts one foot to attempt walking while standing
Understands basic greetings like ‘hi’ and ‘bye’
Begins to connect words like ‘dada’ and ‘mama’ to their meaning
Waves farewell
Learns to repeat actions that garner attention
Enjoys engaging and interactive games
Enjoys and follows along with picture books
Month 11
Walks by clinging to furniture and fixed objects
Stacks objects into a vessel or container
Turns to reach for objects while seated
Becomes fascinated with objects and explores them in greater depth
Pries objects out of corners and tight spaces
Throws or rolls a ball when guided
Demonstrates delight at accomplishing simple tasks
Demonstrates displeasure when told ‘no’
Shakes head in disfavour
Month 12
Attempts first steps independently
Walks with support
Sits down from standing position unassisted
Turns pages in a storybook
Maintains eye contact with rapidly moving objects
Demonstrates a vocabulary of three or more words beyond ‘dada’ and ‘mama’
Understands and responds to several words
Repeats the same words cyclically
Mimics common animal sounds
Recognises names of common objects
Follows basic verbal commands
Exhibits affection
Shows independence in familiar environment
Seeks comfort from parents in unfamiliar environments
Learns to search for toys and objects in places they were last seen
It is imperative to note that every baby is unique and will differ slightly in meeting thesedevelopmental milestones. While it is important to give your baby time to catch up to age-appropriate yardsticks, it may be a good idea to speak to a paediatrician to clear your mind and rule out developmental delays if you feel burdened or worried. As you go along this ride, remember to immerse yourself in each moment and celebrate the little and the big firsts with equal gusto. A few delays here and there will not matter in the long run. What will, are these experiences that you will never have back.
