The First 12 Months of a Baby’s Life: A Month-by-Month Guide
A Month-by-Month Guide for Expecting Parents
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a first-time parent overwhelmed by the idea of keeping another human alive and by the amount of ‘expert’ information there is out there. First off, I am far from an expert and just someone exiting the first year of parenthood feeling like they are starting to get it, yet still have no idea what I am doing. But I did survive the first year, and I do think I deserve some sort of badge for that.
I was confused on what monthly milestones my son should be hitting but also the feelings I was having that seemed to change so drastically month to month. So here is my information, yet honest guide to the first year of parents.
Month 1: Adjusting to Life Outside the Womb
In the first month, your newborn is adapting to the world outside the womb. They sleep a lot (about 16-18 hours a day), and their movements are mostly reflexes. They recognize your voice and are slowly learning to focus on objects, though their vision is still blurry. Bonding, skin-to-skin contact, and lots of cuddling are key during this time.
Milestones:
- Reflexes like sucking and grasping.
- Responding to sounds, particularly familiar voices.
Month 2: Developing Senses
By the second month, your baby’s senses are becoming more acute. They start to smile socially and may follow objects with their eyes. Tummy time is essential to help strengthen neck and shoulder muscles. You’ll also notice that they begin to make cooing sounds.
Milestones:
- First social smiles.
- Beginning to follow objects with eyes.
- Early cooing and gurgling sounds.
Month 3: More Alert and Engaged
Your baby is more alert during this time and starts to engage with their environment more actively. They may laugh for the first time and can hold their head up better during tummy time. This is also when they begin to recognize faces and familiar objects.
Milestones:
- Laughing and smiling more frequently.
- Improved head control.
- Recognizing familiar faces.
Month 4: Rolling Over and Grasping
Around the fourth month, your baby might start rolling from their tummy to their back. Their hand-eye coordination improves, and they begin to reach for and grasp objects. They’re also becoming more vocal, experimenting with sounds and different pitches.
Milestones:
- Rolling over (tummy to back).
- Grasping objects.
- Babbling more frequently.
Month 5: Exploring with Hands and Mouth
At five months, babies love to explore the world through touch and taste. They’ll grab at toys and bring them to their mouth. You may also notice them pushing up on their arms while on their stomach, getting ready for crawling in the coming months.
Milestones:
- Reaching and grabbing with better coordination.
- Pushing up on arms while on the stomach.
- Putting objects in their mouth.
Month 6: Sitting and First Solids
By six months, many babies can sit up with minimal support and may begin eating solid foods. Their babbling becomes more complex, and they’re highly engaged in their environment. They also love playing games like peekaboo.
Milestones:
- Sitting with or without support.
- Introducing solid foods.
- Responding to their name.
Month 7: Starting to Move
Your baby might start scooting, rolling, or army crawling to get around. They are becoming more independent in their movements and love exploring their surroundings. At this point, they also enjoy dropping objects and seeing what happens.
Milestones:
- Scooting or crawling.
- Recognizing familiar people.
- Playing with toys more purposefully.
Month 8: Crawling and Curiosity
By the eighth month, many babies are crawling and becoming more curious about everything in their environment. They may also start pulling themselves up to stand, preparing for those first steps that will come in the future.
Milestones:
- Crawling more confidently.
- Pulling up to stand.
- Beginning to understand simple words like “no” and “bye-bye.”
Month 9: Standing and Babbling
At nine months, babies are pulling themselves up on furniture and standing with support. Their babbling sounds more like real speech, with a combination of consonants and vowels. They also love imitating sounds and actions.
Milestones:
- Standing with support.
- Babbling more complex sounds (e.g., “mama,” “dada”).
- Waving and clapping.
Month 10: Cruising and Exploring
Around the tenth month, babies may start “cruising” by walking while holding onto furniture. Their fine motor skills are improving, allowing them to pick up small objects using a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger). They’re also becoming more independent in exploring their surroundings.
Milestones:
- Cruising along furniture.
- Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
- Pointing to things of interest.
Month 11: First Words and Independence
By 11 months, many babies begin saying their first words like “mama” or “dada.” They’re also becoming more independent, showing preferences for certain toys and games. They may attempt to stand or even take a few steps without support.
Milestones:
- First words may emerge.
- Attempting to stand alone.
- Developing preferences for toys.
Month 12: First Steps and Growing Personality
At 12 months, your baby is likely taking their first steps or is on the verge of walking. They’re developing a stronger sense of identity and may exhibit more of their unique personality. Their understanding of language has grown significantly, even if they can’t yet express everything they comprehend.
Milestones:
- First independent steps.
- Understanding simple instructions.
- Showing more distinct personality traits.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a first-time parent overwhelmed by the idea of keeping another human alive and by the amount of ‘expert’ information there is out there. First off, I am far from an expert and just someone exiting the first year of parenthood feeling like they are starting to get it, yet still have no idea what I am doing. But I did survive the first year, and I do think I deserve some sort of badge for that.
I was confused on what monthly milestones my son should be hitting but also the feelings I was having that seemed to change so drastically month to month. So here is my information, yet honest guide to the first year of parents.
Month 1: Adjusting to Life Outside the Womb
In the first month, your newborn is adapting to the world outside the womb. They sleep a lot (about 16-18 hours a day), and their movements are mostly reflexes. They recognize your voice and are slowly learning to focus on objects, though their vision is still blurry. Bonding, skin-to-skin contact, and lots of cuddling are key during this time.
Milestones:
- Reflexes like sucking and grasping.
- Responding to sounds, particularly familiar voices.
Month 2: Developing Senses
By the second month, your baby’s senses are becoming more acute. They start to smile socially and may follow objects with their eyes. Tummy time is essential to help strengthen neck and shoulder muscles. You’ll also notice that they begin to make cooing sounds.
Milestones:
- First social smiles.
- Beginning to follow objects with eyes.
- Early cooing and gurgling sounds.
Month 3: More Alert and Engaged
Your baby is more alert during this time and starts to engage with their environment more actively. They may laugh for the first time and can hold their head up better during tummy time. This is also when they begin to recognize faces and familiar objects.
Milestones:
- Laughing and smiling more frequently.
- Improved head control.
- Recognizing familiar faces.
Month 4: Rolling Over and Grasping
Around the fourth month, your baby might start rolling from their tummy to their back. Their hand-eye coordination improves, and they begin to reach for and grasp objects. They’re also becoming more vocal, experimenting with sounds and different pitches.
Milestones:
- Rolling over (tummy to back).
- Grasping objects.
- Babbling more frequently.
Month 5: Exploring with Hands and Mouth
At five months, babies love to explore the world through touch and taste. They’ll grab at toys and bring them to their mouth. You may also notice them pushing up on their arms while on their stomach, getting ready for crawling in the coming months.
Milestones:
- Reaching and grabbing with better coordination.
- Pushing up on arms while on the stomach.
- Putting objects in their mouth.
Month 6: Sitting and First Solids
By six months, many babies can sit up with minimal support and may begin eating solid foods. Their babbling becomes more complex, and they’re highly engaged in their environment. They also love playing games like peekaboo.
Milestones:
- Sitting with or without support.
- Introducing solid foods.
- Responding to their name.
Month 7: Starting to Move
Your baby might start scooting, rolling, or army crawling to get around. They are becoming more independent in their movements and love exploring their surroundings. At this point, they also enjoy dropping objects and seeing what happens.
Milestones:
- Scooting or crawling.
- Recognizing familiar people.
- Playing with toys more purposefully.
Month 8: Crawling and Curiosity
By the eighth month, many babies are crawling and becoming more curious about everything in their environment. They may also start pulling themselves up to stand, preparing for those first steps that will come in the future.
Milestones:
- Crawling more confidently.
- Pulling up to stand.
- Beginning to understand simple words like “no” and “bye-bye.”
Month 9: Standing and Babbling
At nine months, babies are pulling themselves up on furniture and standing with support. Their babbling sounds more like real speech, with a combination of consonants and vowels. They also love imitating sounds and actions.
Milestones:
- Standing with support.
- Babbling more complex sounds (e.g., “mama,” “dada”).
- Waving and clapping.
Month 10: Cruising and Exploring
Around the tenth month, babies may start “cruising” by walking while holding onto furniture. Their fine motor skills are improving, allowing them to pick up small objects using a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger). They’re also becoming more independent in exploring their surroundings.
Milestones:
- Cruising along furniture.
- Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
- Pointing to things of interest.
Month 11: First Words and Independence
By 11 months, many babies begin saying their first words like “mama” or “dada.” They’re also becoming more independent, showing preferences for certain toys and games. They may attempt to stand or even take a few steps without support.
Milestones:
- First words may emerge.
- Attempting to stand alone.
- Developing preferences for toys.
Month 12: First Steps and Growing Personality
At 12 months, your baby is likely taking their first steps or is on the verge of walking. They’re developing a stronger sense of identity and may exhibit more of their unique personality. Their understanding of language has grown significantly, even if they can’t yet express everything they comprehend.
Milestones:
- First independent steps.
- Understanding simple instructions.
- Showing more distinct personality traits.
The first year of a baby’s life is full of rapid changes, from reflexive movements to walking and talking. Each month brings new milestones, excitement, and learning opportunities for both baby and parents. Embrace every stage, and remember that everything is a phase; which means just as soon as you start to feel like you have it under control…everything will change again.