Baby Developmental Milestones (Infant Milestones)

What are baby developmental milestones?

Baby developmental milestones are things most babies can do by a certain age. From holding their head up during tummy time to reaching for toys, there’s a lot your baby might start to do that captures your attention. These special moments are signs your infant is growing and developing as expected.

Your pediatrician will track your baby’s milestones at well-checks. They’ll do a physical exam and interact with your baby to see how they move, play and make sounds. These routine visits are also a chance for you to bring up any concerns about your baby’s development.

Experts updated the infant milestone list in 2022 to reflect things that at least 3 out of every 4 babies can do. If your baby hasn’t reached certain milestones by the expected age, your pediatrician may suggest screenings to check for developmental delays. They’ll also talk to you about early intervention if they feel it’s appropriate. Early intervention provides physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Types of developmental milestones

Developmental milestones for babies and children fall into four main groups. There’s some overlap — not every milestone falls neatly into just one group. But knowing these groups can help you track milestones and discuss them with your pediatrician.

• Social and emotional milestones: How your baby shows emotions and engages in back-and-forth interactions (like smiling back at you or looking at you when you say their name)
• Language and communication milestones: How your baby makes sounds and uses nonverbal communication (like “cooing” or raising their arms so you’ll pick them up)
• Cognitive milestones: How your baby thinks, learns and solves problems (like putting an object in their mouth to learn about it)
• Motor milestones: How your baby moves and develops physically (like propping up onto their elbows during tummy time or pulling up to stand)

What are the baby milestones in order?

Your baby will go through many stages from birth to 12 months. Infant milestones are exciting to witness — and even more exciting for your baby, who’s starting to discover the world around them.

Keep in mind that these milestones are just guidelines, and you shouldn’t necessarily worry if your baby seems to need more time. Each baby is unique and develops at their own pace. Your pediatrician can tell you more if you have any concerns.

Below are lists of baby milestones by month.

2 months

Most 2-month-old babies:

• Spend a few seconds looking at a specific object, like a toy
• Watch your movements
• Lift up their heads when they’re resting on their bellies (tummy time)
• Move their arms and legs
• Open up their hands for a few seconds at a time
• Make noises besides crying
• React if there’s a loud noise around them
• Stop crying or calm down when you talk to them or pick them up
• Look at your face
• React happily to seeing you
• Smile back if you smile or talk to them

4 months

Most 4-month-old babies:

• Open their mouths when they’re hungry and see their usual source of food (breast or bottle)
• Show an interest in looking at their hands
• Hold their heads up on their own when you’re holding them
• Hold an object you put in their hands
• Swing at things (like toys) with their arms
• Lift their hands to their mouth
• Prop themselves up on their elbows when they’re on their tummy
• Make “cooing” noises like “ooo” and “ahh”
• Respond with sounds when you say something to them
• Turn their heads if they hear your voice
• Smile on their own
• Make little chuckle sounds when you do something to make them laugh
• Try to keep you focused on them by moving, making noises or looking at you

6 months

By 6 months, most babies:

• Bring their lips together to show they’re done eating
• Put objects in their mouths to learn more about them
• Reach for toys they want
• Roll from their tummies onto their backs
• Prop themselves up with straight arms when they’re on their tummy
• Lean on their hands for support when sitting up
• Have a “conversation” with you by making sounds back and forth
• Stick their tongues out to “blow raspberries”
• Make squealing sounds
• Recognize familiar people
• Enjoy seeing themselves in a mirror
• Make a full laughing sound (not just a little chuckle)

9 months

By 9 months, most babies:

• Look for things they drop
• Bang objects together — like hitting a spoon against a pot
• Sit up by themselves
• Stay in a seated position without any support
• Use their fingers to move food closer
• Switch objects from one hand to the other
• Make sounds that involve repeated syllables like “mama-mama”
• Raise their arms when they want you to pick them up
• Seem shy or afraid when around strangers, possibly clinging to you
• Make different facial expressions to show emotions like happiness, sadness or surprise
• React to hearing their names
• Cry or reach out for you if you try to leave
• React to you covering your face with your hands and then removing your hands (“peek-a-boo!”) with smiles or laughs

12 months

Most 12-month-old babies:

• Place smaller things into larger containers — like putting a toy train into a bucket
• Look for objects they see you hide — like when you put their stuffed animal behind your back
• Pull themselves up to a standing position by grabbing onto something near them
• Walk around while holding onto steady objects, like furniture (this is commonly called “cruising”)
• Use their thumbs and pointer fingers to pick up small things, like cereal
• Wave when they’re leaving someone
• Say “mama” or another name for a parent or caregiver
• Know what “no” means
• Play simple games with you

How can I keep my baby safe as they grow and develop?

Your baby’s first year is a time of discovery. As they start moving around more, they’ll also grow more curious about the things around them. Never leave your baby unattended. Make sure they’re with a responsible adult at all times while they’re awake. But even supervision isn’t enough to cover all the bases. Accidents and injuries can happen quickly if you don’t take the right precautions.

Here are some things to do — and not to do — to keep your infant safe.

DO:

• Adjust your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) to avoid accidental burns
• Check the bathwater temperature and learn other safety tips for bath time
• Choose toys that are strong, don’t come apart, aren’t sharp and are larger than your baby’s mouth
• Gate or close off any open stairways (choose gates with straight, vertical slats rather than diamond-shaped slats, which provide footholds for climbing)
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and follow the instructions for proper use
• Learn car seat safety (the same goes for anyone who will drive your baby)
• Limit your baby’s sun exposure, and use sun-protective clothing (plus sunscreen starting at 6 months)
• Make sure your baby sits (and doesn’t stand) in their high chair
• Put small objects, sharp objects, breakables and anything that could poison your child (medicines, cleaners, soaps) out of reach or in a locked cabinet — the number for poison control (U.S.) is 1-800-222-1222
• Put your infant to sleep on their back on a firm mattress and take other steps to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Secure cords on window blinds and drapes to prevent accidental strangulation

DON’T:

• Drink or hold hot liquids while holding your baby
• Give water to babies younger than 6 months
• Leave your baby alone in a car
• Let your baby play in the kitchen while you’re cooking
• Put a necklace, pacifier or toy around your baby’s neck
• Take babies younger than 6 months into a swimming pool
• Use infant walkers, which are dangerous

What are newborn milestones?

Newborn milestones are things most babies can do by one month after birth. The updated infant milestone list starts at 2 months of age. But traditionally, pediatricians expected newborns to do these things by 1 month of age:

• Raise their hands close to their face
• Move their head from side to side when they’re on their tummy
• Ball up their hands into fists
• Make reflex movements
• Turn toward voices or other sounds they recognize