Baby Developmental Milestones

Keeping track of your baby’s developmental milestones is an important part of making sure he or she is growing and developing as expected.

These milestones are some skills or activities that most babies can do at a certain age. Each milestone marks an important part of a baby's development, from the time a newborn holds his or her head up to the time he or she takes his or her first steps at around one year of age.

Knowing these milestones can help parents recognize their babies’ development and reassure babies are on the right path. It also helps parents know when to seek advice if they have any concerns about their baby's development.

• What are baby developmental milestones?
• Age-based baby developmental milestones
• Conclusion

What are baby developmental milestones?

Infant developmental milestones are specific skills or behaviors that most babies achieve at a certain age. These milestones are organized into categories such as physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development.

For example:

• Physical developmental milestones include rolling over, sitting up, and walking.
• Cognitive milestones involve thinking, learning, and problem-solving skills, such as recognizing faces or following simple instructions.
• Social-emotional milestones include how your baby interacts with others, such as smiling at familiar people or showing anxiety around strangers.
• Language milestones include cooing, babbling, and eventually saying simple words.

Tracking these milestones helps parents understand how their baby is growing and know when to seek guidance.

Age-based baby developmental milestones

Below are some typical aged-based baby developmental milestones:

Newborn to 3 Months

Lifting head:

When do babies hold their heads up? Most infants begin to hold their heads up on their own around 3 to 6 months of age. Initially, they can hold their head up briefly while lying on their tummy. By 4 months of age, babies usually have better control of their necks and can hold their heads steady without support. This milestone is important because it signals the development of neck muscles that help babies explore their surroundings more effectively.

Smiling:

When do babies start smiling? Infants generally begin to smile at 6 to 8 weeks of age. The first smile is usually a reaction to seeing a familiar face or hearing the voice of a familiar one. These early smiles are an important milestone in your baby's social-emotional development, showing that your baby is beginning to interact with the world and recognize the people around him or her. It is an exciting time for parents. First smiles are often seen as a sign of happiness and connection.

4 to 6 Months

Sitting with support:

When do babies sit up? Babies usually start sitting up with support around 4 to 7 months of age. At first, they may need the help of parents or a pillow to stay upright. By 7 to 9 months of age, most babies can sit up on their own without support. This milestone is important for their physical development because it strengthens their muscles and improves their balance. Sitting up also allows babies to explore their surroundings more and play with toys in new ways.

Laughing:

When do babies start laughing? Babies usually begin to laugh at 3 to 4 months of age. This milestone is usually in response to playful interactions such as tickling or hearing a funny sound. Laughing is an important part of your baby's social-emotional development because it shows that they are beginning to enjoy socializing and responding to social cues.

Rolling over:

When do babies start rolling over? Babies usually start rolling over when they are 4 to 6 months old. Some babies may roll from their tummy to their back first, while others may roll from their back to their tummy. This milestone is an important part of your baby's physical development because it strengthens your baby's muscles and improves coordination. Rolling over also helps babies begin to explore their surroundings in new ways.

Don’t forget to stop swaddling your baby if he or she can roll over, change an essential sleep sack for your baby.

7 to 9 Months

Standing with assistance:

When do babies pull to stand? Babies usually begin pulling to stand at 8 to 10 months of age. This milestone often occurs when babies use furniture or parents’ hands to help them stand up from a sitting position. Pulling to stand is an important part of physical development because it strengthens their leg muscles in preparation for walking. It is a sign of growing mobility and independence.

Crawling:

When do babies start crawling? Infants typically begin crawling between 6 and 12 months of age. This milestone varies widely, with some infants preferring to scoot or roll before crawling. Crawling is an important part of physical development because it helps strengthen your baby's muscles and improves coordination. Crawling also allows babies to explore their surroundings more independently. Babies become more mobile and curious about the world around them.

10 to 12 Months

Saying simple words (mama, dada):

When do babies say mama? Babies usually start saying "mama" when they are 10 to 12 months old. This milestone may vary, with some babies saying it earlier and others later. Saying "mama" is part of a baby's language development and shows that they are beginning to associate sounds with specific people. For mothers, hearing their baby say "mama" for the first time is a special and memorable moment that is an important step in their baby's communication skills.

Cruising along furniture:

When do babies start walking? Babies usually start walking when they are 9 to 12 months old. Some babies may take their first steps earlier, while others may take longer. Walking is an important milestone in your baby's physical development because it requires strength, balance, and coordination. For parents, seeing their baby walk for the first time is an exciting moment that creates a new level of independence and mobility.

Conclusion

Tracking your baby's developmental milestones is an important part of understanding your baby's growth and progress. Parents can effectively support their baby's development by knowing when certain skills and behaviors will emerge.

It is important to remember that each baby is unique and may reach milestones at his or her own pace. Regular checkups with your pediatrician can help ensure that your baby's development is on track and any issues can be addressed early.