All Major Milestones During Your Baby’s First Year Development

Your pregnancy journey might have equipped you with insights from countless maternity books, but now that your baby has arrived, you may be wondering what to anticipate as they grow. When is your little one expected to roll over or offer you a smile? What does cooing mean? And why do they seem to startle when placed down? The new behaviors your baby exhibits represent their growth beyond the confines of your womb. The thrilling part—you’re able to witness this development firsthand! The key question is, what developmental milestones can you anticipate, and how can you support your baby in reaching them?

Consulting your pediatrician is an excellent way to address any questions and guide you through your baby’s developmental phases. During the frequent well visits in your child’s first year, these appointments might feel quite brief. Nevertheless, pediatricians are diligently monitoring your baby’s progress at each stage. I contacted Dr. Olivia Lehane, a pediatrician and mother of three, for her insights on what to expect regarding baby milestones and how to approach them as a parent. Whether you are new to parenthood or looking for a refresher, here’s what to keep in mind during your baby’s inaugural year.

What Are Baby Milestones?

Developmental milestones serve as a framework to monitor when your baby acquires skills such as smiling or crawling. While milestones can help assess your child’s development, Dr. Lehane insists that “every baby moves at their own pace.” She advises against comparing your child’s progress with what you see on social media, the milestones of friends’ children, or even siblings. “Each individual child can be so different,” she notes, referring to what she calls the “developmental streams.”

“Every baby moves at their own pace… [do] not compare yourself to things you see on social media, your friends’ kids, and even your child’s siblings.”

Dr. Lehane categorizes child development into four distinct streams: language and communication milestones, social and emotional milestones, movement and physical development, and cognitive milestones.

Language and Communication Milestones

While you may be eager to hear your baby’s first words like “mama” or “dada,” it’s important to note that they begin communicating both verbally and non-verbally quite early on. These milestones reflect your child’s ability to hear, process, and respond to you. As stated by the National Institutes of Health, “The first signs of communication occur when an infant learns that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship.”

Social and Emotional Milestones

Social and emotional milestones indicate how your baby recognizes and reacts to their own feelings, as well as how they respond to the emotions of others, such as when they smile back at you.

Movement and Physical Development

These milestones, commonly referred to as “motor skills,” encompass how your baby moves their body. There are “fine” motor skills, which pertain to small movements made with hands, fingers, feet, and toes, and “gross” motor skills, which involve larger movements utilizing the arms, legs, and torso.

Cognitive Milestones

Cognitive milestones focus on the development of your baby’s brain in areas such as thinking, learning, and problem-solving.

Milestone Differences for Premature Babies

If your baby is born prematurely—before 37 weeks—Dr. Lehane advises that “you should expect delays” in achieving milestones. It’s essential for parents of preemies to monitor milestones based on their adjusted ages. While the chart may present different expectations, she assures that “your baby will get caught up.”

To determine the adjusted age for a preterm baby, subtract the number of weeks born early from their actual age. For example, if your baby was born two months premature at 32 weeks, you should anticipate their milestones to be about two months behind the expected age, which is a normal expectation for a premature infant.

Baby Developmental Milestones by Month

I’ve organized the developmental milestones according to the typical frequency of your pediatrician visits for well-child check-ups. This guide, based on information from Dr. Lehane, the CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, serves as a general framework. Don’t hesitate to inquire with your child’s doctor about what you can do to encourage their growth. Often, the items you registered for at your baby shower have specific developmental benefits. For instance, high-contrast black and white cards can enhance their eyesight and play mats promote tummy time, which is vital for aiding head control and developing strength for crawling and eventually walking.