Baby Milestones: A Month-by-Month Guide to Your Child’s First Year

Hello there! Just had a baby, or counting down the days?

Either way, welcome to the start of something truly life-changing — your baby’s first year. It's going to be beautiful, yes. But let’s be honest — it's also going to be busy, confusing, and sometimes downright exhausting. You’ll have questions like, "When should they start crawling?", "Is it normal if they’re not sitting yet?" or "Should they be saying words by now?"

We get it. Every parent wants to make sure their baby is doing okay. That’s where baby milestones come in — those little signs of progress that show how your baby is growing, learning, and discovering the world.

So let’s walk through your baby’s first year together, month by month. You’ll learn what to expect, what’s totally normal (even if it doesn’t feel like it), and easy things you can do to support your little one’s growth without stressing yourself out.

Let’s get into the milestones for babies, one at a time.

Baby Milestones Month by Month

Let’s walk together through each stage of the infant's milestones to understand what your baby will likely do and how you can help them grow happy and healthy.

Newborn Milestones (0 to 1 Month)

Growth:

• Most babies lose about 10% of their birth weight in the first few days, but they usually regain it by 2 weeks old.

• After that, they gain around 1 ounce a day.

• Average birth length: 20 inches (boys), 19.75 inches (girls).

• Head grows almost 1 inch in the first month.

What They Can Do:

• Sleeps a lot — up to 16 hours a day.

• Reflexes like rooting (turning head to breast/bottle), sucking, startle (Moro), and grasping.

• Can briefly lift their head when lying on their tummy.

• Starts fixing eyes on faces or lights.

How to Help Increase Your Baby's Development and Emotional Security:

• Hold your baby face-to-face and talk gently.

• Swaddle your baby for comfort.

• Rock and cuddle them often — it builds trust.

1 to 3 Months

Growth:

• Gains 1.5 to 2 pounds a month.

• Grows over 1 inch in height and 0.5 inch in head size per month.

What They Can Do:

• Holds head up when on tummy.

• Starts smiling and cooing.

• Opens hands, bats at objects.

• Looks at your face and follows the movement.

How to Help Increase Your Baby's Development and Emotional Security:

• Talk and sing to your baby during diaper changes or bath time.

• Show them simple black and white pictures.

• Give rattles and toys that make gentle sounds.

4 to 6 Months

Growth:

• Gains about 1 to 1.25 pounds per month.

• Grows about 0.75 inch in height monthly.

What They Can Do:

• Pushes up on arms, rolls from tummy to back.

• Begins sitting with support.

• Reaches for and holds toys.

• Laughs, squeals, and makes bubbles.

How to Help Increase Your Baby's Development and Emotional Security:

• Play peek-a-boo and sing action songs.

• Let the baby explore toys with different textures and sounds.

• Talk back when they make sounds — this helps with speech development.

Around 4 to 6 months, your baby is more alert, active, and often out and about, which means you're suddenly carrying everything: teething toys, bottles, burp cloths, spare clothes, and probably a snack for yourself too.

That’s where the Swaddle Tote comes in — an innovative diaper bag you’ll ever need. It’s a 2-in-1 system with a spacious Parent Bag for longer outings and a sleek Sidekick Bag for quick trips. 

With dedicated compartments for everything (yes, even your laptop), it keeps you organized and stylish. No more digging for pacifiers in a black hole.

Parents love it because it actually works for real life.

7 to 9 Months

Growth:

• Gains about 1 pound per month.

• Height grows about 0.5 inch each month.

What They Can Do:

• Sits on their own, may start crawling.

• Moves toys between hands.

• Begins to pull to stand.

• Says sounds like “mama” and “baba”.

How to Help Increase Your Baby's Development and Emotional Security:

• Provide toys to stack, bang, and explore.

• Encourage crawling with fun objects just out of reach.

• Read books and name everyday items.

10 to 12 Months

Growth:

• Gains about 13 ounces per month.

• May have 4 to 6 teeth.

• Sleeping up to 12 hours at night.

What They Can Do:

• Cruises (walks while holding furniture), may start walking.

• Uses thumb and finger to pick up tiny items.

• Says “mama,” “dada,” and imitates words.

• Understands "no" and simple instructions.

How to Help Increase Your Baby's Development and Emotional Security:

• Let your baby feed themselves soft finger foods.

• Encourage standing and walking safely.

• Play pretend games and use naming words often.

1-Year-Olds (12 to 24 Months)

Movement:

• Walks alone by 18 months.

• Starts running, climbing stairs.

• Can build with blocks, feed themselves, and scribble.

Talking:

• Uses 3 or more words by 18 months.

• Makes animal sounds, starts to combine 2 words (like "More milk").

Understanding:

• Follows simple instructions (“Get your shoes”).

• Recognizes names of objects and body parts.

• Begins pretend play (feeding dolls, using toy phone).

How to Help Increase Your Baby's Development and Emotional Security:

• Give choices: “Do you want the red shirt or the blue one?”

• Read every day — point and name things in books.

• Let your toddler explore and try things on their own.

Planning a trip with your baby during their first year? Check out our helpful tips: “Flying with a Baby: Tips for Before and During Your Flight.”

Baby Milestones Chart 0-12 Month

 

You can download the Baby Developmental Milestones PDF , recommended by Johns Hopkins Medicine. 

How To Keep Your Baby Safe as They Grow and Develop

Here are some smart things you should do and don’t to keep your baby safe as they grow:

What To Do

• Keep your water heater set to 120°F (48°C) so the water doesn't get too hot and burn your baby.

• Always check the bath water with your hand before putting your baby in. 

• Give your baby toys that are strong, not sharp, and too big to fit in their mouth. 

• Block the stairs with baby gates that don’t have holes your baby can climb. 

• Put smoke and gas alarms in your home and check that they work. 

• Keep your baby out of the sun, dress them in light clothes that cover their skin, and use baby sunscreen after 6 months. 

• When they sit in a high chair, make sure they sit properly and don’t stand up. 

• Keep small things, sharp items, medicines, and cleaning sprays where your baby can't reach — lock them up if you can.

• Always put your baby to sleep on their back on a firm bed, not soft pillows or toys. 

• Tie up cords from window blinds so your baby can’t pull or get caught in them.

What Not To Do

• Don’t drink or carry hot drinks like tea or coffee while holding your baby — you might spill it and hurt them. 

• Don’t give water to your baby if they are under 6 months old — they only need milk. 

• Never leave your baby alone in the car, not even for a short time. 

• Don’t let your baby crawl or play in the kitchen while you are cooking — it’s too dangerous. 

• Don’t put anything around your baby’s neck like a necklace or a toy — it can choke them. 

• Don’t take babies under 6 months into swimming pools — they are too small for that. 

• And don’t use baby walkers — they may look fun, but they can easily cause falls and injuries.

Also, stay prepared for every milestone with this complete packing guide: The Ultimate Diaper Bag Checklist for Parents.

Wrapping Up

So, that’s all about baby milestones. Your baby’s first year is full of exciting changes. Each month, they learn something new — from smiling to crawling and maybe even walking! Every baby is different, so don’t worry if your child reaches milestones at their own pace. The most important thing is to give them love, care, and a safe space to grow. Enjoy each moment — these special memories go by fast!