You’ve probably noticed that your baby is growing quickly. The first year of development is notably the most exciting because your baby is transforming from a dependent newborn into an on-the-go toddler in 12 short months. Each month, your baby will learn how to move, play and speak, reaching milestones that are common among other babies their age.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
As you adapt to your new role as a caregiver, your baby is adapting to their new environment. Your healthcare provider will closely monitor your child’s growth during their first year to make sure they are meeting milestones, which are things that your baby can do by a certain age.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Keep in mind that babies grow at their own pace and there is a range of time when they will perfect their skills to reach each milestone. If you’re wondering why your child might be “off-schedule” to reach one skill, they may be working on another simultaneously. If you have any concerns about the pace of your baby’s development, talk with your baby’s healthcare provider.
During your baby’s first year, schedule checkups every few months, on a timeline advised by your healthcare provider. Most providers will recommend six to seven visits in the first year to monitor growth. The timeline for checkups during your baby’s first year include:
Periodic examinations by your healthcare provider offer a foundation for your baby to grow and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions about your baby’s health and wellbeing. The goal of each well-baby exam includes:
Before each visit, identify any concerns you might have and prepare to discuss those with your healthcare provider, who will be able to assist your baby if you suspect anything might be abnormal with their development.
Advertisement
Developmental milestones track behaviors that mark stages of growth for your baby. Each milestone of your baby’s development focuses on four aspects of their growth including:
Each baby is unique and grows at their own pace. Some babies reach milestones more quickly than their peers, while others may have slightly delayed development. Keeping track of their progress and staying up to date on well-baby visits with your healthcare provider will make sure your baby is developing at a normal pace or they will supervise treatment if your baby’s development is abnormal.
By the time your baby is 1 month old, they are adapting to their new environment and schedule. Developmental milestones for your 1-month-old baby include:
Provide a safe environment for your baby to thrive in during their first month by:
Your baby will start to perfect simple body movements as they figure out how their body works. Milestones for your growing baby include:
Keep your 2- to 3-month-old baby safe by:
Between 4 and 6 months, your baby is much more active both physically and verbally. Not only does your child respond to your approach, but they actively participate with family members in play and initiate some of the interactions.
At 4 months, your baby might be ready to try new foods other than formula or breastmilk. An indication that your baby is ready for solid foods is when they have good head control and can turn their head away to tell you that they’ve had enough to eat. Start your baby on an iron-fortified cereal (whole grain rice cereal, barley or oatmeal) mixed with breastmilk or formula and feed them with a spoon. Your baby will find the new texture and consistency very interesting. Introduce pureed vegetables and fruit one at a time, every three to four days, to give your baby time to adjust to each new food.
Advertisement
At 6 months, your infant is now ready for three meals of solid foods a day. A recommended example is one cereal and two servings of vegetables or fruit each day. Each meal should also include breastmilk or formula. Your baby will most likely will take another bottle in the evening. It's normal for your baby to decrease the amount of breastmilk or formula at each feeding as their intake of other foods increases. Peel any skin from foods before giving it to your baby, as it can cause choking.
Developmental milestones between ages 4 to 6 months include:
As your infant becomes more mobile, consider the following tips to keep your baby safe:
Advertisement
Your baby is developing skills that will enable them to explore the world. New discoveries come with more complex mental development and through the increased use of their hands (fine motor skills) and increased mobility (gross motor skills).
By 9 months, your infant probably has a large repertoire of foods. At this age, finger foods are important. Your child can now pick up and hold small objects and shows interest in new tastes and textures of foods. Finger foods are also important as your baby strives to become more independent.
Milestones between 7 to 9 months include:
Your infant’s motor skills are improving, allowing them to touch and grab objects that may have been out of reach before this age. Keep your active child safe by:
Advertisement
Your baby is active, moving and preparing for their first birthday. They may become clingy to you and their caregivers or shy when meeting strangers. Your baby is verbally able to notify you when they want something and work to mimic sounds that they hear. Milestones for your baby between 10 and 11 months include:
Because your infant is now more mobile, safety measures need to expand to anticipate new activities. These safety measures include:
Your baby accomplished so much during their first year. Now, your baby can fine-tune their motor skills and verbally express themselves in simple words or sounds with one or two syllables.
By the time they are 1 year old, your child can drink whole milk instead of formula or breastmilk. Cups should begin replacing bottles. Mealtime for your baby is starting to match that of your whole family.
Milestones at your baby’s first year include:
Your child is mobile and is therefore at risk of many new dangers. They might already be taking a few steps without support and they're surely learning to fall like a champion. Falling while learning to walk is normal for all children as long as you supervise them to prevent injury. Safety tips for your 1-year-old baby include:
During the first year of development, your child adjusts to the world around them. Their body may have trouble adapting comfortably. Some developmental setbacks might be due to:
You should reach out to your healthcare provider if you have questions about your baby’s health, no matter how big or small. Often, new caregivers have several questions since newborns don't come with an instruction manual. As a caregiver, trust your instincts. If you suspect something is wrong, don’t be afraid to call your doctor if your baby:
Visit an emergency room immediately if your baby:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It's exciting to watch your baby grow and learn in their first year of life. Always remember that each baby grows at their own pace and it isn't a race to meet milestones faster than others at their age. If you suspect your baby may not be developing normally, reach out to your child’s healthcare provider. You know your baby better than anyone else, and early detection of a problem can lead to your child growing up happy and healthy.
Last reviewed on 11/17/2021.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.