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Having a newborn in your life is a magical experience with numerous questions. You are wondering how your baby milestones will unfold month by month, what newborn developmental milestones to look out for, and more. This guide covers baby development milestones week by week and month by month for the entire first year, plus a complete baby milestone chart you can refer back to anytime.
What are baby developmental milestones? They are the physical, social, and communication skills most babies reach by a certain age — like lifting their head, smiling, babbling, or sitting up. Every baby develops at their own pace, but these milestones give parents a general guide for what to expect and when to check in with a paediatrician. If your baby seems to be missing several milestones for their age, our guide to developmental milestone red flags explains when it’s worth a conversation with your doctor.
Quick jump:
Newborn Milestones: Week by Week
Here’s what to expect from your newborn’s development in the first 12 weeks, broken down week by week.
In the first week, your baby will start responding to familiar voices, especially yours. You can expect them to sleep for almost 16-18 hours a day and show sweet reflexive movements like gripping your finger.
Your baby will start recognising familiar voices even more, their feeding schedules will settle in, and there could be brief moments of alertness as well.
Your baby’s movements will become less jerky this week. Their curiosity will rise, and you may also see them turning their heads towards sound or light.
Encourage short tummy-time sessions this week — your baby will try to gain control over their head, so promote these sessions. You may also notice a heart-melting social smile.
You’ll get a glimpse of your baby’s communication skills as they begin cooing. Their vision is improving too, and they’ll recognise faces when you’re close to their range.
Your baby will start lifting their head higher this week, and tummy time becomes more rewarding. Their grasp is still strong, so give them plenty of soft toys to hold.
Your baby’s hearing becomes sharper, and they’ll start responding to your voice more actively. As an important developmental stage, your baby will start discovering their hands.
Nearing 2 months, your baby’s movements become more coordinated. They may try to mimic expressions, unfolding new milestones in the month ahead.
Your baby will be able to hold their head up higher during tummy time and will respond to your smiles with a smile of their own.
Reaching for objects becomes their focus. Hang colourful toys within reach to encourage this activity.
Your baby’s communication improves with coos and gurgles. They’ll start babbling this week — an important part of their development.
Your baby will bat at toys and follow moving objects with their eyes. The best memory to keep from this week: the giggles that start.
Baby Milestones by Month
1 Month Baby Milestones
Your 1-month-old baby will start responding to familiar voices, sleep for most of the day, and show reflexive movements like gripping your finger. A social smile usually appears towards the end of this month.
2 Month Baby Milestones
Your 2-month-old baby will begin cooing, track faces and objects with improving vision, and start lifting their head briefly during tummy time.
3 Month Baby Milestones
Your 3-month-old baby will start to open and close their hands as their hand-eye coordination improves this month. They will try tracking movements around the room and reaching out for toys.
4 Month Baby Milestones
This month your 4-month-old baby will be able to roll onto their tummy on their own. They will also laugh loudly and interact with you through play and songs.
5 Month Baby Milestones
Your 5-month-old baby’s grip will become stronger. They will start recognising their name now — one of the key 5-month-old baby developmental milestones parents look out for.
6 Month Baby Milestones
The big milestone at this age is being able to sit up with support. Your 6-month-old baby’s babbling will become more distinct and they will love playing games like peek-a-boo.
7 Month Baby Milestones
Your 7-month-old baby will start scooting around or crawling at this age. They will also start exploring their surroundings more actively with both hands.
8 Month Baby Milestones
Your 8-month-old baby will enjoy clapping and waving — it’s their social phase. They will also start pulling themselves up to stand with support.
9 Month Baby Milestones
Your 9-month-old baby is going to start moving with furniture support. They will also start speaking and saying words like “mama” and “dada.”
10 Month Baby Milestones
Your 10-month-old baby will be more curious now and will move faster too. They will like to move objects around and bang things.
11 Month Baby Milestones
Your 11-month-old baby is probably standing on their own by now and will take their first steps anytime. They are also developing fine motor skills by picking up small objects.
12 Month Baby Milestones
It’s time for your 1-year-old baby’s first birthday! They might be walking by now or close to it. They now understand small commands and simple words, marking the end of a remarkable growth year.
Baby Milestone Chart
Use this complete baby milestone chart as a quick reference for newborn developmental milestones, week by week and month by month.
| Week | Key Milestone |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Reflexive gripping, sleeps 16–18 hrs/day, responds to familiar voices |
| Week 2 | Feeding schedule settles, brief moments of alertness |
| Week 3 | Smoother movements, turns head towards sound or light |
| Week 4 | Tummy-time head control begins, first social smile |
| Week 5 | Begins cooing, recognises close faces |
| Week 6 | Lifts head higher, strong grasp |
| Week 7 | Sharper hearing, discovers own hands |
| Week 8 | More coordinated movements, mimics expressions |
| Week 9 | Holds head up during tummy time, smiles back |
| Week 10 | Reaches for objects |
| Week 11 | Babbling begins |
| Week 12 | Bats at toys, tracks movement, giggles |
| Age | Key Milestone |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Smiling, recognising faces |
| Month 2 | Cooing, tracking objects, brief head lifts |
| Month 3 | Opens/closes hands, reaches for toys |
| Month 4 | Rolls onto tummy, laughs loudly |
| Month 5 | Stronger grip, recognises own name |
| Month 6 | Sits with support, distinct babbling |
| Month 7 | Scoots or crawls, explores with both hands |
| Month 8 | Claps, waves, pulls up to stand |
| Month 9 | Cruises along furniture, says simple words |
| Month 10 | Moves faster, bangs and moves objects |
| Month 11 | Stands alone, takes first steps |
| Month 12 | Walking or close to it, understands commands |
Factors Influencing Newborn Growth
- Genetics play an important role in your child’s growth.
- Twins or triplets may have slightly slower growth rates.
- Firstborns may weigh more than their siblings at birth.
- Boys generally grow slightly faster than girls.
- A healthy pregnancy plays an important role in your baby’s development after birth.
- Proper nourishment during pregnancy and infancy helps in growth.
- Preterm babies may take longer to reach certain milestones.
FAQs
What are baby milestones?
Baby milestones are the physical, social, and communication skills most babies reach by a certain age — such as smiling, babbling, sitting up, or walking. They help parents track healthy growth month by month, though every baby develops at their own pace.
How do baby development milestones change from month to month?
In the first year, baby development milestones shift roughly every month — from head control and smiling in month 1, to sitting and babbling around month 6, to standing and first words by months 9-12. See the month-by-month chart above for a full breakdown.
What should a baby milestone chart include?
A useful baby milestone chart tracks physical skills (like head control, sitting, crawling, walking), communication (cooing, babbling, first words), and social skills (smiling, recognising faces) across each week and month of the first year.
How long should my newborn sleep?
Newborns sleep 16-18 hours daily, gradually reducing as they grow.
When do babies start standing?
Usually around 9-12 months.
When do babies sit up from lying down?
Between 6-8 months.
When do babies start playing with toys?
From around 3 months.
When do babies clap?
Typically by 8-9 months.
When do babies start laughing?
Around 3-4 months.
When do babies recognise their names?
Around 5 months.
When do babies start reaching for things?
Around 2-3 months.
When do babies start remembering faces?
By 3-4 months.
When do babies cruise?
Around 9-10 months.
Every baby grows at their own pace, so do not stress if your baby is taking slightly longer to reach certain milestones. Celebrate every small step, be watchful, and enjoy this journey of parenthood, because they are only this little for a short while.
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