Baby’s Developmental Milestones

Every child is different, but it helps many new parents to know what milestones to look for throughout their baby s development. Here s a simple list of some milestones you can look for as your baby grows.

Birth to 3 Months:

• Pushes up on arms while lying on tummy
• Opens and closes fists
• Brings hands up to mouth
• Lifts and holds up head while lying on tummy
• Tracks a moving object with eyes while lying on back
• Smiles at voices or sounds
• Demonstrates interest in faces
• Makes eye contact
• Uses different cries for different needs (a hungry cry vs. a tired cry)
• Turns head toward voices or sounds
• Makes cooing noises

4 to 6 Months:

• Sits up using hands for support
• Rolls over from back to tummy and vice versa
• Reaches for toys while on tummy
• Uses both hands to feel toys
• Brings objects up to mouth
• More easygoing, not upset at everyday sounds
• Listens and responds when spoken to
• Shows reaction to sudden noises
• Demonstrates interest in food
• Opens mouth for spoon

7 to 9 Months:

• Sits up without support
• Transitions from tummy or back to a sitting position
• Picks up small objects with fingers and thumb
• Attempts to crawl
• Focuses on objects that are nearby and far away
• Recognizes sound of name
• Imitates sounds
• Shows recognition of some words/sounds

10 to 12 Months:

• Pulls up to stand and uses furniture for support
• Claps hands
• Enjoys listening to music
• Crawls toward objects
• Speaks one or two words
• Able to feed self with finger foods
• Uses gestures and hand movements to communicate wants and needs