Baby Milestones Month by Month: What to Expect in the First Year
📅 June 3, 2026·⏱ 1 min read·📖 72 words
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Every baby develops at their own pace. These are averages, not deadlines.
0-3 months
Lifts head during tummy time
Social smile (6-8 weeks)
Follows faces with eyes
3-6 months
Holds head steady
Rolls over
Laughs and squeals
Reaches for objects
6-9 months
Sits without support
Begins crawling
Babbles (ma-ma, da-da)
9-12 months
Pulls to standing
Cruises along furniture
First words may appear
Pincer grasp
Red flags worth a GP chat: no eye contact, not responding to their name by 12 months, losing skills, not babbling by 12 months.
💬 Parents also asked
Not necessarily. Some babies skip crawling entirely and go straight to cruising or walking -- this is completely normal. What matters more is that they're developing strength and curiosity. If they're not pulling to stand or showing interest in moving by 12 months, mention it to your health visitor.
Most babies say their first recognisable word between 10-14 months, but babbling (ma-ma, da-da) should be happening well before that. By 12 months, they should be responding to their name and simple words. Every child's timeline differs -- range is wide.
Build up gradually from birth: start with 1-2 minutes a few times a day, working up to 30 minutes total per day by 3 months. It doesn't have to be in one session -- short, frequent bursts work brilliantly.
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