Milestones 0-12 months
Milestones are achievements that can be useful to see how your baby is developing emotionally, socially and physically. Each baby will grow and develop at their own speed, so use milestones as a rough guide only and don’t compare your baby to everyone else’s! But if you do have concerns about your baby’s development, speak with your doctor.
2 months
Lifts head
Responds to loud sounds
Follows you with their eyes
Smiles
Brings hands to mouth
Be concerned if your baby:
Can’t lift head
Doesn’t respond to loud sounds
Doesn’t watch things as they move
Has white or cloudy pupils (the black part of the eyes)
Doesn’t smile at you
Doesn’t bring hands to mouth
Doesn’t move both arms and legs
4 months
2 month milestones plus:
Holds head up steadily
Coos when you talk
Reaches for toys
Can put some weight through their legs
Might roll over
May be ready for solids
Be concerned if your baby:
Can’t hold their head steady
Doesn’t coo or make sounds
Doesn’t push down with legs when feet are placed on a hard surface
Has trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions
Persistently cries for > 3 hours a day (it’s normal for babies to cry for about two hours a day, with crying peaking at 6-8 weeks)
Has an unusual cry eg. a high-pitched squeal
6 months
4 month milestones plus:
Recognises own name
Turns toward sounds and voices
Imitates sounds
Laughs and squeals, blows bubbles
Rolls in both directions
Reaches for objects and mouths them
Begins to sit without support
Be concerned if your baby:
Doesn’t try to get things that are in reach
Shows no affection for caregivers
Doesn’t respond to sounds
Has difficulty getting things to mouth
Doesn’t make vowel sounds (“ah”, “eh”, “oh”)
Doesn’t roll over in either direction
Doesn’t laugh or make squealing sounds
Seems very stiff, with tight muscles
Seems very floppy, like a rag doll
9 months
6 month milestones plus:
Says "dada" and "mama" to both parents (isn't specific)
Understands “no”
Points to things
Plays “peek-a-boo”
Passes object from hand to hand
Bangs objects together
Picks up things between thumb and index finger (pincer grip)
Sits without support and can get into a sitting position
Begins to crawl
Pulls to stand and can stand while holding onto something
Be concerned if your baby:
Doesn’t babble eg. “mama”, “dada” , “baba”
Doesn’t sit
Doesn’t put weight on legs with support
Doesn’t play any games involving back-and-forth play
Doesn’t respond to own name
Doesn’t seem to recognise familiar people
Doesn’t look where you point
Doesn’t pass toys from one hand to the other
12 months
9 month milestones plus:
Says "dada" and "mama" to the right parent (is specific)
Says one word besides “mama” and “dada” and copies sounds
Cries when mum or dad leaves
Copies others
Indicates wants with gestures eg. shakes head “no”, waves “bye bye”
Puts things in and out of a container
Can find things that are hidden
Understands simple instructions eg. “pick up the book”
Walks holding onto furniture (furniture cruises)
Stands alone for a couple of seconds
Takes a few steps
Be concerned if your baby:
Doesn’t say single words like “mama” or “dada”
Doesn’t point to things
Doesn’t learn gestures like waving or shaking head
Doesn’t search for things that she sees you hide
Doesn’t crawl
Can’t stand when supported
Loses skills they once had
NOTE: Being a month or two out from an expected milestone can still be normal. But if you have any concerns about your child’s development, speak with your doctor. They will be able to check your child and advise if there is a problem or if your child’s development is still within the expected range for their age.
Related Book
Baby's First Year: A keepsake journal of milestone moments by Annabel Karmel
A beautifully illustrated record book to chronicle all the special moments in a baby's first year. A month-by-month section allows the parents to keep track of their baby's constant achievements and changing behaviour. Eight recipes are punctuated throughout the book to inspire parents to make delicious, healthy food for their babies. Pockets and spaces for photographs are included throughout to ensure that every landmark is chronicled.
